This is a... Decent Idea?

As we wrote our minds drifted from the generally unserious atmosphere we usually have to actual dedication.

After fifteen minutes, I glanced up at Akimoto. She had an expression I had never seen this close: her determined "student mode." It was the one she wore in school before her breakup, the one she used when talking with her peers, studying, or listening to the teacher.

She looked approachable and friendly, yet had an air of focus about her.

Her blonde hair tucked behind her ear fell in front of her face. It took her a moment to realize, but once she did she tucked it back.

“Okay, I’ve written everything I could.”

Akimoto sighed and sat back—propping herself up on her hands.

“Lemme hear your main-points.”

“Ahem— First: Suzuki-san is secretly an Otaku and stepped back from being popular to pursue that.”

I peek up to gauge her reaction—a poker face.

“Second: She has had a crush on an Otaku for some time and steps back from the light to pursue him… Third: Suzuki-san was awakened to her powers of Jujutsu and has to save Tokyo.”

Still nothing.

“F-fourth: She doesn’t want to be popular anymore because she discovered her interest in music and wants to try starting a band. But it turns out her band members are very interesting characters.”

“And which one do you have the most sub-points for?”

“The Ju—”

“If you say “the Jujutsu one,” I will be walking out on this project.”

“The… just one I said. Previously. Not the Jujutsu one of course… Hahaha.”

“The structure in that sentence is really reaching…”

I ignored her comment.

“For my sub-points:”

While getting into music her mother doesn’t support her then when she makes it further, she full on prevents her from doing a show. Because her mother lost very close friends due to band drama.

Her mother goes on a reconnecting arc with those friends with the help of Suzuki-san.

She has a natural ability for singing but has to refine it. Someone in the group who is good at singing isn’t as good, yet helps her. There’s tension because said girl wanted to be the lead singer and they have to overcome her animosity towards Suzuki-san.

Culture festival arc where they perform.

Their homeroom teacher is one of Suzuki’s moms’ friends (?)

There’s a boy in the group—love triangle possible (?)

There are a few more but I’ll spare you.

I raise an eyebrow as I look at Akimoto. Is she sold…?

“Kiyotaka-kun…”

“Y-yes?”

“You really think this idea will work?”

“W-wha? I—”

Does she really not believe? No. I don’t care. After reading my sub-points I’ve sold myself on it. I believe this idea will work.

“Yes. I have faith in this idea.”

“I’m glad. Because what’s most important is that you have an attachment to writing it. If you didn’t, you’d fall flat on your face early on.”

“Akimoto-san…”

“Let’s do this, Kiyotaka-kun.”

***

“No mom! I will play in the show—! Uh— Huh?”

I jolt upright in my bed. What kind of dream was I having? It was like my story but involved two colorful and radical young men…

I shake away the weird dream.

Morning rays seeped through the narrow alleyway and between my curtains, directly onto my face. Countless little dust particles drifted through my room.

I rub my eyes and reach for my glasses on my nightstand. However, a weight on my side prevents me.

In one swift motion I throw my blankets off of me.

“What—!?”

“Oh… Good morning Makoto-kun”

“F-F-F-Fujioka-san!?”

Clinging to my side was the black-haired beauty, Fujioka Chihiro. She wore some casual nightwear and a messy bed-head. The worst part is that means she had been sleeping in here for quite some time, right!?”

“No need to be so—” Her sentence was interrupted by a large yawn. “Loud in the morning.”

“W-what’re you doing!?”

“I was attempting to sleep.”

“Stop forcing me to ask obvious questions! Why in my bed!”

“Would you like the serious answer or the unserious one?”

“...”

“It’s because I’m deeply in love with you, Kiyotaka-kun.”

“I wanted the serious answer!”

“Fine~ It’s because I was protecting you from a dangerous succubus.”

“What kind of garbage is that!?”

“It’s no garbage. You invited one in your home yesterday evening.”

“Akimoto-san…?”

“Yes. You should be aware of how popular girls like that can be. They’re bold and relentlessly pursue who they desire.”

“If I was a pizza, then I’d be in danger. But I’m not! So why’re you here!?”

Fujioka sat up in bed as well and rubbed her eyes.

“Seeing as the nights’ over and I’ve done my job, I’ll be going now.”

“Hey-hey-hey! You can’t just leave so casually! You have to take responsibility…”

“What?”

“Ahem— nothing, nevermind. I meant, now that you’re here I want to show you what Akimoto-san and I worked on.”

“Oh. Sure, I suppose I can take a look.”

We looked over the document that Akimoto and I had typed up last night. Fujioka making sounds of interest and thinking as we did.

“Makoto-kun, I must say, taking this much credit for Kaoru-chan’s work is embarrassing.”

“You’re messing with me…”

“Perceptive as ever. Honestly though, this has extremely high potential.”

“F-for real?”

“Mm, yes. I hate praising you, but credit is due when credit is due.”

“Fujioka-san…”

I said her name in a weird wavery voice—like I was on the verge of tears.