AIMAI ELEGY (hitori/open)

[Deleted]

blame it on the girls who know what to do blame it on the boys who keep hitting on you blame it on your mother for the things she said blame it on your dad but you know he's dead

It was painfully loud within the brightly lit and intensely colourful arcade that Haru had dragged Sakura into after roaming the Harajuku streets during the latter hours of that humid night. Even when practically shouting at the top of lungs, Haru could only just make out what she was saying. Thankfully, she hadn’t done much talking since entering the popular establishment, other than the occasional triumphant shout or frustrated snarl as she used the detailed plastic model of a handgun to shoot at the violently lurching zombies that constantly appeared on the screen before her.

To those not familiar with Tanaka Haru, the slender brunette would have simply seemed fixated on the violent game. But Sakura and Haru had been friends for some time now, so he might have picked up on a few strange behaviour traits that Haru had expressed since she had told him that they were going arcading that night.

For instance, there had been no prior text message warning him of what was to come, as Haru often tended to send out. No ”Cancel your plans, ‘cause I’m about two minutes away from your place” text message. Instead, she’d just appeared on his door-step, knocking once before gesturing for him to hurry up and get into her car. It was no surprise that Haru had maintained a speed that wasn’t the designated speed limit, but rather than tune the stereo into playing a SUPER✩RANGERS song and proceeding to tease Sakura on the lyrics, as she had a habit of doing, she allowed only fresh-faced Idol groups to play, such as sheeP, and did little more than to hum along to the tune. There were no attempts to drag Sakura into any of the glamorous Harajuku shops to manipulate him into buying Haru some insanely expensive outfit that she would then wear to her next televised interview and vaguely state that an “admirer” had bought it for her. No, instead it was straight to the arcade and its more violent-themed games.

”Urgh! Haru glowered as the electronic screen turned bright red with sprayed blood, followed by the flashing words of “GAME OVER” and the count-down to start the game again. Turning to Sakura, she arched a thin dark brow before saying, ”you kind of suck at this game, you know. So much so that I’m going to avoid you in the case of a zombie apocalypse.”

LAIKA OF GANGNAM STYLE!

[Sakura Hitori]

HARU, OPEN BBY

"Ehhhhh?" Sakura said in surprise, a slight chuckle shaking his voice. "It ain't my fault that I got a crappy teammate who won't even cover me!" He placed a hand on his hip, resting the gun on his shoulder - quite the cool pose for him. His tone was firm with a hint of playfulness, a handsome grin sweeping across his charming features as he looked at his companion.

Voices of popular anime characters, beeps and buzzes, and chatter among friends echoed through the room. Neon arcade lights flashed throughout the relatively large, though dark, arcade room. The summer night was crisp, a cool night for the blazing past couple of days. As the night grew older, children left the arcade leaving the remainder of the night to the adults. Though Haru didn't necessarily meet the curfew age limit, her celebrity status would be enough to let it pass.

The fair haired reached into the pocket of his khaki shorts, digging for his wallet. "Alright," he said as he pulled out a brown leather wallet with the SUPER☆RANGERS logo embedded into it. "With this we can play another match or I can treat you to a romantic date at McDonald's." His tone was casual as he jokingly flirted with the GEM247 leader, wearing his usual dumb, cocky smile. The Dragon and Rose had a very harmless relationship always able to poke fun at each other or even openly flirting with each other without having to worry about stirring up feelings. That's what Sakura enjoyed most about being with Haru, she gave him the ability to joke freely without being scolded or sighed at. But of course, he knew that whatever he lashed out, he would get in return.

CODED BY ELECTRIC OF GANGNAM STYLE

[Deleted]

blame it on the girls who know what to do blame it on the boys who keep hitting on you blame it on your mother for the things she said blame it on your dad but you know he's dead

Pftt! Tapping at the screen where the tallied numbers of zombies killed were shown, Haru gestured at the score: Sakura: 47 Haru: 58 ”Nice try, Sakura, but the numbers don’t lie. You’re –” she pressed the head of her plastic gun against the centre of his chest, ”– just terrible at killing zombies. Kind of like how you’re a terrible loser too.” Mimicking pressing down on the trigger, Haru turned away from her friend as she said, jokingly, ”and if you question my shooting skills again I really will let you become zombie food in the next game.” And she stuck her tongue out at him, childishly, for good measure.

Holding the plastic gun between both of her hands, Haru got ready for another game. Though she said nothing, she could feel some of the rigidly tight tension, which she had been perfectly conscious of all night, begin to lessen inside of her. A relief, as earlier she would have claimed that such a thing occurring would have been impossible. But, she supposed, that was what she enjoyed about being with Hitori Sakura. Things with them were never predictable, and so they were never boring.

Watching Sakura draw out his wallet, Haru was left grinning at his offer. Laughing, she dramatically clutched her heart, as if about to swoon. ”You sure know how to make a girl feel special,” she teased. Tapping her chin thoughtfully, still smiling, she leaned in close to Sakura, her body brushing his in their sudden close proximity. ”As nice as the idea of eating salty fries is, beating you at this game is way more satisfying.” Pulling away, Haru gestured, with fake impatience, for him to hurry up and restart the game.

”Oh, but can you imagine the gossip that might have spread if someone caught the SUPER✩RANGERS’s Dragon buying me dinner at McDonalds?” Haru said. ”I think that The Goddess would be the only one who could make a bunch of nameless people wish that Hitori Sakura would buy them a large fries and a burger.”

LAIKA OF GANGNAM STYLE!

[Ayano Takagaki]

something is wrong with the sum of us that i can't seem to erase how i can i be the only one without a smile on my face Takagaki's eyes were heavy as she stumbled across the strees of the Harajuki strip. She loved this place like no other, and often times was known to spend a majority of her free time shopping at a few of the dozen upon dozens of cute and expensive shops that she had to pick from. Though she didn't like any of the places that sold anything bright and neon, she enjoyed the Lolita fashion, as well as anything in a soothing pastel tone, so often she shopped at places where things much as that were offered to buy. Never did she leave the place empty handed- except for this time, that is.  It was today that she had an all-day long photo shoot, one that was to appear in some magazine that she was far too tired to even try to remember, but all she knew was that it was some world-famous magazine, and so they wanted to catch all the different styles of Japan in her outfits, So today was basically all spent on her hopping from one style to the next, wearing a range of clothing from Urban street style and all the way over to traditional japanese Kimonos. It was very tiring, as she made nearly ten costume changes, with almost an hour for each oufit, The photographer was ridiculously perticular, and so she had to do a dozen or so different poses each and every time before he found one that he liked, It was frustrating, but what was the girl going to do? The job paid well, and also it would be amazing for het publicity. It was a shoot for her and only her, not any other member of the group. Ayano suspected this was because they all had featured in the magazine already.... Even so, it was good to be done, but because of all the work that had been put into the shoot, she was left with zero energy. As Ayano dragged her almost dead body out of the Harujuku strip, she realized something- she was absolutely starving. Her stomach growling just as she realized this, the girl moaned, head looking back and forth for a place to eat. She couldn't find any where yet, but then quickly remembered- there was a small bar-like place that sold burgers and milkshakes at that one arcade, wasn't there? It would do for the exhausted girl, and at that thought, she began the long walk back around to go and walk into the Arcade. It was normally empty, so upon stepping in, the short haired idol took in a deep sigh of relief. The air was much cooler, and the atmostshpere was much nicer then the almost dreary empty Harujuku at night, There was just one thing that was off about the whole thing, something that took the girl a minute to catch on to, but once she did, she almost ran back out the door. The thing was, she wasn't the only idol in the house. 534 words, made by akemi of btn

[Sakura Hitori]

HARU, AYANO, OPEN

"There ain't anything wrong with McDonald's." Sakura retorted as he placed a couple of one-hundred Yen coins into the machine's slot. SUPER✩RANGERS only being around for less than a year now, the fair-haired still wasn't exactly adjusted to constantly being in the public eye. While working part-time at the modeling agency, people never cared about where he ate, what he did, or who he hung out with leaving him with complete liberty to live his life however he wanted to. But the second he signed up with Simple Apple, that freedom was sacrificed. World wide fame with girls from all over the globe with the hots for you or just being known around the city? Eventually, he was going to date them all in the former option so naturally he went with the first.

”I think that The Goddess would be the only one who could make a bunch of nameless people wish that Hitori Sakura would buy them a large fries and a burger.” Haru said as the game's logo flickered onto the screen.

"You should be happy that I even offered you," the RANGER added as he shot the option for a two player round, the game entered its loading screen. "You know how many girls would die to even breathe the same air as me. And here you are rejecting my offer for a burger." He wore his usual cocky grin as the game's countdown lights danced on his face, it was then when he realized the presence of someone else. Instinctively, he turned around, his eyes rubies on a short figure with tawny hair. "Ah," he said dully, "Isn't she from your rival group, Haru?"

CODED BY ELECTRIC OF GANGNAM STYLE

[Deleted]

blame it on the girls who know what to do blame it on the boys who keep hitting on you blame it on your mother for the things she said blame it on your dad but you know he's dead

As Sakura inserted his coins into the arcade game, the sound of each coin falling in echoed with a soft ping sound, Haru allowed her crimson gaze to wander absently around the room.

It had emptied quite a bit, and now there seemed only to be a few couples, small groups of friends and the occasional individual left enjoying the various loud games, or buying some cheap greasy food from the small food-bar near the back of the establishment. Surprisingly, nobody was paying Sakura or Haru that much attention, despite their celebrity statuses. When they had first stepped into the air-conditioned arcade joint their presence had started a ripple of excited and curious response, but now, with the exception of the occasional curious glance, people were leaving them alone.

It was nice. Not that Haru would have acted rudely if anyone had chosen to approach her. But her goal when she had dragged Sakura into the Harajuku district was to get away from “Rose”. To forget about her image, the AiDORU Competition and, perhaps most of all, the recorded message from a certain absent father that her telephone’s message machine had stored for her back at her large empty apartment. Just for the night, Haru wanted to pretend that she wasn’t all that different to other seventeen-year-old girls. Girls who had fun gaming with handsome egotistical guys.

“There isn’t anything wrong with McDonald’s,” she heard Sakura say, causing Haru to reply back with, ”if that’s all you can afford to splurge a girl with then yeah there is.”

Grinning, despite herself, Haru looked away from the loading screen and lightly bumped her shoulder against Sakura. ”Aw, don’t tell me that my little rejection upset you?” As the first zombie began to lurch towards them, Haru raised her plastic gun, took aim, and began to fire. Her actions causing loud shooting sounds to echo around them, joining the guttural bellows and groans of the attacking zombies. ”I wouldn’t be bragging about that,” she murmured, her darkly-painted lips smiling crookedly out of bemusement. ”Those girls sound like complete idiots. Dying to share your oxygen is a bit of a contradiction.”

The game seemed to have only just begun when Sakura’s words stole Haru’s attention. Without thinking much about what she was doing, she turned to look and it didn’t take long for her crimson-coloured eyes to lock on a familiar petite figure.

Not that Haru was friendly with Ayano Takagaki. If Haru had her way all the girls of Afternoon Delight would be bland nameless faces. But she did know that the thirteen-year-old was the group’s “talented” soloist, though Haru had never understood how the tawny-haired girl had earned such a title. Haru didn’t think much of Tayano’s “talent.” But it wasn’t Takagaki who was causing the previous tension to constrict throughout Haru’s body with a terrible vengeance but the possible chance of a certain obnoxious redhead having been nearby.

It was as Haru’s eyes darted around the brightly lit area that she felt the plastic gun between her fingers jolt, seconds before the snarl of a zombie rang out and, glancing back at the screen, Haru’s life-points were snuffed out. Her kill-score a pitiful three.

Takagaki temporarily forgotten, Haru glowered accusingly at Sakura. ”You distracted me on purpose!” she cried, but there was an audible note of amusement carried in her words that stated that she wasn’t too upset. Folding her arms against her chest, her lips pouting, she frowned, ”you are such a jerk, Hitori.”

Her gaze trailing back towards Takagaki, Haru growled, ”that brat better be alone. I’m in no mood to put up with Nishimura’s obnoxious presence.”

LAIKA OF GANGNAM STYLE!

[Ayano Takagaki]

something is wrong with the sum of us that i can't seem to erase how i can i be the only one without a smile on my face Ayano stood there for most likely a whole whopping five seconds before she was caught. Great, she totally needed this right now. In the room was only her, Sakura, a member of SUPER RANGERS, who annoyed her to no extent, and also, Tanaka Haru, a member of GEM247, which she didn't know very well, but did know one thing about her- it was that she was a rival. Of course you could say that each and every idol that you meet is an enemy, but not more so then anyone in GEM to begin with. Though they are still quite new, they had a very fast rising fame, and were a threat to Afternoon Delight. Ayano knew that she was supposed to downright hate most of anyone in the group, and for the most part, she did. Not exactly hate, per say, but of course, she wasn't much of a person to make very good relathionships in the first place, so she felt that they were just other members of some other group, other members that she strived to beat in everything that was shown in public, and even then some.  All that she knew was that she wasn't supposed to be friend with them, and that none of them were friends of hers. Ayano listened as Sakura commented on Ayano's appearance with his usual idiotic smirk. This in turn brought Haru thru a loop, and so, shock and surprised, the older idol stopped all that she was doing just so she could take a look around at her. At first, Ayano found it a bit difficult to tell what she thinking and feeling about her walking in on her and what she thought to possibly be her 'date' for the evening. Uggh, the other idols and their 'forbidden romances', it made her sick. After a moment or so, Ayano realized she was most likely a bit ticked of, as well as down right annoyed by the fact that Ayano was around. But after a moment of looking over at the younger idol, a loud and disturbing shout could be heard from the game machine she was playing it. It sounded like it was from some sort of zombie or other monster. Her face being filled with utter frustration, Haru shouted at Sakura, her attention turning to the game once again, treating Ayano as if she wasn't anything more then a tile in the flooring. Her face dropping, the short girl crossed her arms as she watched them and waited. Once Haru yelled at Sakura once again for being a jerk, she turned her annoyed attention back over to Takagaki, She still looked a very far cry from amused, and as she gave a scowl at Ayano, you could practically hear her eyes roll. ”that brat better be alone. I’m in no mood to put up with Nishimura’s obnoxious presence.” Haru growled, not really speaking directly to Ayano, but more to the room. This wasn't a very nice thing to say, especially to someone of Ayano's young age, but she knew that the other idols knew her well enough that they looked beyond her young age, and more to what is inside her, which Ayano knew very well was a mature, ted cold heart that didn't care or didn't love. Ayano wanted to shout something back at the girl, but didn't know if anyone that was perhaps a fan would walk in. But then again, she was in no mood to be peppy at all. So with a mental sigh, she figured that she would try for something in the middle of the two. Tayano smirked at the two. Not a mean or sinister one, but not exactly friendly. It really looked eirie. "You know, I would call me a brat, that isn't very nice" Ayano said this is such a sweet tone that it would actually send shivers down most people's spine. "Anyways, I am alone, and I don't like being considered a package with Rei-senpai, just because we are from the same group doesn't mean we get along, silly!" Ayano ended this with a little bit of a giggle. What with her current dress on, it seemed to pretty well fit the act that she was going for. Ayano hoped that the two didn't know her well enough to figure out this was just another one of her performances that she put on, being a different person in every different situation. Or else all the fun would be over, and what fun is that? 790 words, made by akemi of btn

[Sakura Hitori]

HARU, AYANO, OPEN

His slender arms went up in a shrug in response to his company's teasing. "Hey, it ain't like I'm known for being nice." Womanizing, suave, tough guys - the necessary ingredients to make the stereotype. Sakura naturally fit the mold, his stage persona and personal self closely linked. And he found that to be his appeal among his fans, being able to be real with them. Sure he found himself fabricating little spots here and there and hiding some of the darker corners of his life, but all celebrities had to do that. It was just a needed precaution in since you never know what may slip into a being Japan's biggest celebrity scandal.

His scarlet orbs followed Haru, finding her words more interesting than his ending game. "Nishimura's alright, this girl rubs me the wrong way." he laughed casually, his eyes following the youngest idol. "She's off. A strange girl." He made it quite obvious that his stare was directed towards her, speaking as if he didn't care that she heard him. His no care attitude and inflated ego led him to feel invincible over any opponent who dared to confront him, even the thirteen year old talented soloist of Afternoon Delight. She was way more talented than he could ever be, her public persona was likable as well, and in truth, he didn't want to admit that. So in his mind, he painted her as a snobby little star who would eventually turn to drugs in the near future when her fifteen minutes of fame had run dry. He wasn't sure if his image was true or not, but he felt better believing that it was true.

Suddenly, the brunette turned their way with a smug look. As she began speaking, it was made obvious whom she had overheard. Her sweet tone was like nails on a chalkboard to the oldest teen and with a pinkie, he rubbed his ear openly as the little girl continued to speak. "Look at that dress she's wearing," he remarked openly to his companion, "It's like those little girls in horror movies." The silver haired gave an over-exaggerated shiver before turning to the younger girl, "It's getting late, little one. You should let the big kids play their big kid arcade games, okay?" His tone awkwardly older brother-like and caring, a mocking pitch carried in his words. He beamed a small grin at the smaller girl, patting her head softly, gesturing her to move along.

CODED BY ELECTRIC OF GANGNAM STYLE

[Deleted]

blame it on the girls who know what to do blame it on the boys who keep hitting on you blame it on your mother for the things she said blame it on your dad but you know he's dead

Though Haru’s remark hadn’t been aimed at anyone in particular, she still hadn’t considered Takagaki overhearing her. Or approaching her either.

That sort of confidence wasn’t often seen in a thirteen-year-old – confronting two others who were senior to her in both age and status. Well, Haru was anyway. The obviously false niceties were even delivered with such perfect deliberateness that Ayano might even have come across as intimidating under different circumstances. As it was, being significantly shorter than both Haru and Sakura didn’t do her any favours. And the white-and-pink bow monstrosity that she had chosen to wear that night only made things worse.

”Well, it wasn’t meant as a compliment,” Haru responded with easy casualness, holding the plastic gun down at her side as she faced the other female Idol. Scarlet eyes took in every inch of Takagaki’s appearance, slow and calculating. It was the aged assessing look that girls often spared on one another, placing one’s entire value solely on their physical appearance. And by the lack of interest that failed to spark within Haru’s crimson gaze and the unfeeling coolness of her expression it was clear that her final judgement had not been a flattering one. Thin dark eyebrows arched themselves at Ayano’s light laughter, not because the younger girl’s words had offended her but because Haru knew that whatever this was, it wasn’t truly Ayano but just an act that the girl wanted them and others to buy into. Haru should know: she was a natural actress too. ”’Rei-Senpai’, is it? That in itself sounds rather friendly to me.” Though Ayano’s words came as some relief to Haru, if they were true. Nishimura Reiko really would have spoilt her night.

At Sakura’s comment, Haru made an unflattering sound of protest. ”You say that because you don’t know Nishimura the way that I do. That lanky ginger is a bitch.” Scarlet hues spared her friend a curious glance, unsure why he’d already started to voice his dislike of Ayano. It wasn’t that Haru was bothered by it, if anything it was a welcome source of amusement, but, as far as she knew, Sakura and Ayano weren’t overly familiar with one another. Painted lips formed themselves into a crooked smile as Haru said, ”though I’ll agree with this one being strange.”

Shaking her head bemusedly, the long raven-black strands dancing gently around her from the movement, Haru remarked, ”that’s a terrible brotherly impression, Sakura. But he’s right.” Scarlet eyes were cold as they looked directly down at Ayano. ”You’re being really annoying. Why don’t you go back to doing whatever it was that you came in here to do instead of bothering us and we’ll go back to pretending that you don’t exist. Sounds like fun, no?”

LAIKA OF GANGNAM STYLE!

[Ayano Takagaki]

something is wrong with the sum of us that i can't seem to erase how i can i be the only one without a smile on my face Ayano glared on the inside at the two older idols, her insides filling with complete and utter rage. They were in no position to treat her this way! If they knew her at all they would know that she wasn't just some 'little girl', and she was merely a young woman trapped inside a thirteen year old girl's body. Her brain was sharp, so she wasn't an idiot, and obviously could fully understand what Sakura was trying to get at when he patted her on the head. It really ticked her off that the two thought that just by treating her like an infant and telling her to run along would be good enough to get her to go away. No such truth, as at this point, Ayano didn't intend on going anywhere. Not when there was more fun to had. After the pat on the head by Sakura, which Ayano tried her best to not wince at, it was of course Haru's turn to make some sort of obviously rude commentary on her basic exsistence.”Well, it wasn’t meant as a compliment,” She said to her, setting down the plastic gun that she was playing the shooting game with. Duh. Obviously Ayano didn't feel very flattered by any words that were being said by either of the two so far. More so Haru then Sakura, shockingly, but she supposed that was to be expected, considering GEM's hatred of anyone and everyone in Afternoon Delights. ”’Rei-Senpai’, is it? That in itself sounds rather friendly to me.” Her fake smile faded away as she considered this. Yes, it was true that this was what Ayano would call her, in public and in private. It also was true that Reiko enjoyed being called this, and also that the fans enjoyed hearing it. It wasn't like Ayano herself chose to call Rei that, she just said it once, and it stuck. But of course, she wasn't going to tell these two that boring story, was she? ”You say that because you don’t know Nishimura the way that I do. That lanky ginger is a bitch.” Haru added another comment about Rei, one that almost offended Ayano herself, and would have, if it were about any other member of Afternoon Delights. But she wanted to keep her cool, and not lash out. She couldn't. "Of course she is, but you know, I have to get along with her, don't I? After all, we do work together" Ayano told the two with a cheery smile, it becoming a little bit less forced and coming on it's own now. After that was said, it wouldn't come as a shock to anyone that Haru HAD to say something else to her, obviously offensive, and that seemed all that would come out of Haru's mouth now. ”though I’ll agree with this one being strange.”This was spoken to Sakura, but of course it was about her. Honestly, Ayano didn't appreciate being called strange, as she wasn't whatsoever, and it was the other two who were. At least she was trying her best to be civil with the two and now say anything rude. Because trust me, she could, and still might, given a few more minutes of this nonsense. "that’s a terrible brotherly impression, Sakura. But he’s right." She started, first speaking at Sakura, then directing her attention back at Ayano, looking over at her. ”You’re being really annoying. Why don’t you go back to doing whatever it was that you came in here to do instead of bothering us and we’ll go back to pretending that you don’t exist. Sounds like fun, no?” Ayano had to restrict her self from not saying anything awful back to Haru, and to keep an at least half-pleasant look on her face, as she spoke in reply to the two older idols. They of course wanted her to leave them to play their oh-so-adult games that consisted of using a fake gun to shoot imaginary creatures. Yeah, so mature. But all the same, Ayano was someone who didn't always like attention, and in this case, she would have been okay with leaving the two alone. But she wasn't going to let them win like that, it wasn't fair at all. "No, I think that I will stay here with you guys for awhile" She said happily, stepping up a little bit closer to the two. From the other two's point of view, it would likely seem that Ayano was oblivious to their words of hurt, though she wasn't at all. "I like playing games, and this one looks fun!" Yes, the game has only just started. 816 words, made by akemi of btn

[Sakura Hitori]

HARU, AYANO, OPEN

Sakura's sharp eyes narrowed at the girl as she casually invited herself into the couple's outing. She inched towards them wearing a jovial expression, unmoved by either of their words. This is exactly what bugged him about her, always excessively sweet any time of the day, it made him sick to his stomach. He's seen her perform, he's seen her interviews, he's seen her on shows and commercials, and he's seeing her now - the sickingly, sugary little urchin whose cutsey attitude only made him see her as even more of a brat.

"Uh, yeah, no." the silver locked said firmly as his features expressed his irritation with the girl. "Look you little…" he started before suddenly remembering the words of his manager. Keep your mouth shut. Ringo's eerily stern words drilled into his mind after constantly hearing the advice in person, the memory always telling him to watch his mouth when needed. The fair-haired sighed as his rubescent gaze shifted along the arcade, taking note that only a few people were scattered about the room. As long as he kept his tone low, he was pretty much free to say whatever he wanted.... Well, almost.

Sharp, carmine obs were narrowed on to the young tawny, the corners of his lips pointed into a frown. "Go to bed, kiddo." the RANGER started dismissively. "I don't wanna be responsible for Afternoon Delight's oh-so-talented soloist missin' her bedtime." His voice was dull, his usually lively character drained by pure annoyance. It was the first time he's ever spoken to Ayano Takagaki in person and he already couldn't stand her.

CODED BY ELECTRIC OF GANGNAM STYLE