AMBiTiON/Story/Ch. 1

## Starry-Eyed Recruit

 *Chihiro tries to find someone to join her band. Now, who will be the new member?*

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Wow, that was stupid.

Not that she didn't want to form a band, but whatever *that* was yesterday could only be classified as extraordinarily extra.

A day had passed since Chihiro made her 'vow', and nothing at all happened. She now sat in her chair, just after the dismissal bell rang, her gaze aimlessly wandering around the room, scouting someone, anyone out... Nope, that one's too stupid to do anything. The girl by the blackboard, too quiet. And whoever that is over there... Ew. Definitely not.

If she didn't do anything now, Chihiro figured she'd drop this whole band thing in less than a second.

At the doorway of class 1-C stood a girl with periwinkle hair chatting with four other, infinitely less recognizable people Chihiro had forgotten the names of. Even from her profile, she immediately identified the purple-haired one with slightly tan skin as Aki Hoshinomiya, also known as the prized smart kid of the first years, if not the entirety of Hanasakigawa. Goody two-shoes, do-no-wrong, child prodigy, loved-by-everyone, Hoshinomiya-sama. With that being said, she probably also turned into the devil's spawn once she's off the teachers' radar. Who knew what kind of dirty gossip she hissed about with that posse of hers? Chihiro didn't care enough to even think about such a high-and-mighty, fake snake. Yet, she couldn't help but be bitterly envious around that perfect princess, and so listened in on their conversation.

"Wait, you're rehearsing today? Really?" Chihiro heard Hoshinomiya ask the four.

"Yeah." One of them - a girl with raspberry-red hair - responded, "I mean, I get it, we never do anything for the band, but Micchan made that song the other day, so." She gestured to the introvert glasses-girl, apparently nicknamed 'Micchan'. Not that it mattered, since Chihiro forgot her real name.

Another one of the four piped up, a girl with brown hair and freckles littered all over her face, "Sorry you're always busy after school," she showed an apologetic smile, "else we woulda invited you."

Hoshinomiya looked disappointed, but none in the group of four seemed to realize. "Oh, don't worry." She smiled back. "I wouldn't be much help anyways. Show me what it sounds like later!"

Soon the four girls waved goodbye to Hoshinomiya and left together. As the violet-haired girl got ready to leave as well, Chihiro had to wonder, 'Did Hoshinomiya want to be in their band too?'

Then a thought struck her. If she wanted to start a band, and Hoshinomiya wanted to join one, couldn't Chihiro form one with her...?

That's it... *That's it!* The idea hit her like a bucket of cold water as she imagined the shows they could have... Shining, glittering as the world around them became a sea of glow sticks and a sun of the thousand spotlights beaming upon her, showing the world her glory as she shimmered onstage... Until another bucket was dumped onto her as she realized, 'Why would some snob like Hoshinomiya care about the stuff a bunch of nobodies are doing?' Yes, Chihiro simply imagined Hoshinomiya's disappointment. That was all. Plus, if anything, the one shimmering onstage would be Hoshinomiya... Chihiro would simply be the velvet cushion for that precious jewel of a girl.

Well, if she somehow managed to recruit Hoshinomiya, maybe it would be good to take advantage of that natural talent at everything of hers - It would make Chihiro's job much easier. It's business! No need to get attached to a snake like that. Because when it came to Hoshinomiya, it was backstab or be backstabbed. She was planning her course of action when she heard a familiar voice suddenly speak.

"Did you need something, Satou-san?"

She nearly jumped out of her seat as her brain returned to reality and saw none other than Hoshinomiya, who almost jumped as well in return. "Eek, sorry!" That girl squeaked with that stupid suck-up tone of hers.

"W-What do you mean, 'did I need something'?"

"Huh? Oh, sorry, I thought you were looking at me because you... N-Nevermind!" And Chihiro only now recalled herself spacing out and staring at Hoshinomiya as she daydreamed.

"Oh..." Chihiro smiled stiffly, trying to keep up her persona. What should she say now? If she brushed it off, Hoshinomiya would think she was being creepy. Chihiro never liked popular people like Hoshinomiya, but she didn't want to get on her bad side either. She'd never want to be Chihiro's bandmate now!

But Chihiro hastily reasoned with herself. Since Hoshinomiya initiated the conversation anyway, what if she asked her about joining the band...?

Of course, it seemed quite overambitious to go for Hoshinomiya - that girl probably looked down on lowly background character B's like Chihiro, as if she were a roach. But what else could she say? The seconds were counting down...!

"Actually, s-say, Hoshinomiya-san. I saw you talking to, um, those four about their band? You looked kinda..." she searched for the right word to use, "well, disappointed."

Hoshinomiya looked surprised for a moment, and Chihiro immediately regretted pointing it out, but the girl only let an embarrassed smile show on her face.

"Oh, you noticed?" She admitted. "Yeah, if I have to be honest, just a little bit. Erm, what about it?"

Chihiro panicked again as she stumbled on her possible words, not expecting such a direct prompt for her to speak. "Um? Well..." She was hoping to invite Hoshinomiya a little more eloquently, but there was no time to think.

"I've been considering starting a band, and I was wondering if you wanted to join..."

Oh, no. That was way, *way* too straightforward! Idiot, why didn't Chihiro use a better transition?! Hoshinomiya stared for a moment with a blank look, almost as if she were mocking her. Oh, how dare she insult Chihiro like that with those tainted snake eyes?! Or maybe it was Chihiro's mistake? Maybe she misinterpreted that conversation with those four, and Hoshinomiya didn't really want to join them?? Or maybe she was already part of their band, and Chihiro had misunderstood??? Either way, she'd totally made a fool of herself in front of this prep chick! Her reputation was as good as over. No way would Hoshinomiya accept that offer now...!

"R-Really~?!"

The last thing Chihiro expected was a starry-eyed Hoshinomiya excitedly eyeing her down like a dog who heard the word 'walk'. And yet, there she was, barking.

Chihiro blinked in shock. "Y-Yeah... really."

"Why, 'course I'll join~!" Hoshinomiya's crystal blue eyes brightened further, something Chihiro didn't think was even possible. "Then, Satou-san, should I have your number too?"

They quickly traded contact information, before Hoshinomiya announced that she had to go to volleyball practice. 'Sure,' thought Chihiro. 'I expected someone like her to be so busy.' But...

"O-One more thing." Chihiro started. "Uh... Do you want to eat lunch with me tomorrow?"

What a lame line delivery... but it didn't seem to bother Hoshinomiya. Though, this time, she hesitated just a bit before replying, "... Okay!"

And with that, the little princess left, her ponytail swaying after her. Chihiro silently stared at her departing figure - 'Huh. So that happened.' - finally accepting everything that just occurred as reality.

Only then did Chihiro notice she had been holding a breath she didn't even know about. The new air she breathed in was almost suffocating. It didn't matter; she was so glad.

Chihiro finally got up from her chair when she realized her foot had fallen asleep at some point from her not standing up once since last period started. It didn't matter; she was so, so glad.

Stepping outside of the school, the warm sunshine smiled at Chihiro, as if in congratulations for her success. A smile in return unwittingly showed. A conversation like that would have been mundane to the normal person, but to Chihiro, it was the most successful she had ever felt in her life.

The world almost looked a little brighter. With angry needles poking at her still-asleep foot, Chihiro looked up at the great blue skies and thanked the clouds for granting her wish. But if she wanted to form a band, then it wasn't over yet. Now, though, she was more assured than ever.

She was so, so, so glad.

Maybe it was finally her time to shine.

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