Artemis/Band Story 1/Chapter 9

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**True Feelings** is the ninth chapter of Artemis's Story.

## Synopsis

In the curry shop, Ayaka showed Bestisia the letter she previously held. What favor does she want to ask from Bestisia?

## Transcript

[Kigō Curry Shop, Yahata City]

**Bestisia** : ...A favor?

**Ayaka** : ...

**Ayaka** : Here.

**Bestisia** : A letter?

**Ayaka** : ...I want you to hold on to it.

**Bestisia** : Why?

**Ayaka** : Because I don't want to see what's written inside.

**Bestisia** : Who is this from?

**Ayaka** : ...I'm sorry. I'm rushing into things.

**Bestisia** : That's okay. Speak at your own pace.

**Ayaka** : ...This letter was sent to me from Kyushu, where I originally lived.

**Ayaka** : This letter was from my friends.

**Bestisia** : How do you know if you haven't seen it?

**Ayaka** : See this star sticker? We've always collected these stickers in the past. It brings back nice memories.

(Ayaka looks at the star sticker and smiles wryly)

**Ayaka** : At that time, it was so sudden...too sudden, should I say. My father found a job in Koto, and so we were told to move as quickly as possible.

**Ayaka** : At the time, it was summer holiday, so he can prepare to start his new work when holiday's over.

**Ayaka** : ...And because of that, I was not able to say goodbye to any of my friends.

**Bestisia** : ...

**Ayaka** : One of them, Sora-chan...is suffering from a chronic disease.

**Ayaka** : She begun her check-up right before I left, so I never had any idea what end up happened to her after that.

**Ayaka** : \*sigh\* And then recently, I received a letter from them.

**Ayaka** : I was...afraid.

**Ayaka** : If I open this letter, to find out that the worst case scenario I've been thinking about happens to be written inside it.

**Ayaka** : Then, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to live with myself like this...

**Ayaka** : After all, I made a promise to Sora-chan.

**Ayaka** : That I would stay by her side until she beat the disease.

**Ayaka** : ...How foolish.

**Bestisia** : Saito-san...

**Ayaka** : ...So, please.

**Ayaka** : Hold on to this letter, at least until I can get my feelings and thoughts in order.

(Ayaka offers the letter, while Bestisia just looks at her)

**Bestisia** : I'm sorry, but I can't take this.

**Ayaka** : ...

(Ayaka takes a deep breath)

**Ayaka** : I understand.

**Bestisia** : But...

**Bestisia** : ...at least you managed to say it to someone else.

**Ayaka** : ...True.

**Bestisia** : Hold on to that letter, Saito-san.

**Bestisia** : Personally, I have no idea what your friends look like or how they are but...

**Bestisia** : I know they would understand you.

(Bestisia gives Ayaka a genuine smile)

**Ayaka** : Lorraine...

**Bestisia** : It's still a gut feeling, but...I believe it.

**Ayaka** : ...Hm.

**Ayaka** : Ah, the curry's getting cold. Let's hurry and finish it.

**Bestisia** : Oh, you're right!

(Bestisia and Ayaka starts eating their curry)

**Bestisia** : SO GOOD!

**Ayaka** : ...

(Ayaka looks at Bestisia, and she gives a quick smile before she continues eating)

[Outside of the Music Club, Evening]

**Fuyu** : ...

(Fuyu locks the door and leaves)

**???** : Oh?

**Fuyu** : ...?

(Fuyu comes across a blond girl)

**Fuyu** : ...

**Blond Girl** : Ah! Fuyu-chan!

(The blond girl approaches Fuyu)

**Fuyu** : ...You're that girl from the first day of school.

**Blond Girl** : \*gasp\* You...remember me?

**Fuyu** : Well, you are pretty loud. So I guess that leaves an impression.

**Blond Girl** : Sheesh, that's harsh! Were you always this straightforward, Fuyu-chan?

**Fuyu** : ...I don't know.

**Blond Girl** : By the way, do you really remember me?

**Fuyu** : Yes.

**Blond Girl** : Then, what's my name?

**Fuyu** : ...

(Fuyu puts her hand on her chin, thinking)

**Fuyu** : Nope.

**Blond Girl** : Ouch, that pains me!

**Izayoi Okumura** : My name is Izayoi Okumura! I-za-yoi! Please try to remember it, will you?

**Fuyu** : ...Right.

**Fuyu** : I'll do my best to remember it.

**Izayoi** : Yaaaay, thank you!

**Izayoi** : Also, why are you still at school?

**Fuyu** : ...I was singing.

**Izayoi** : Oooh! Amazing! I'd like to hear you sing sometime!

**Fuyu** : Hm.

**Fuyu** : Are you not going home yet?

**Izayoi** : I'm just done. Oh, should we go home together?

**Fuyu** : ...

**Fuyu** : Okay.

**Izayoi**  : Alright!

\*growl\*

(Izayoi's stomach growls)

**Fuyu & Izayoi** : ...!

**Izayoi** : Ah.

**Fuyu** : Let's go.

**Izayoi** : Ehehe...sorry.

(Fuyu walks a few steps, then...)

\*growl\*

**Izayoi** : Ah.

**Fuyu** : ...

(Fuyu walks faster)

**Izayoi** : Ah....Fuyu-chan, wait a second!

(Izayoi chases after Fuyu)

[Tsuyo Tea Shop, Yahata City]

(Fuyu and Izayoi stands in front of a normal looking tea shop)

**Izayoi** : Fuyu-chan, this is...

**Fuyu** : I was told to go here should I have no idea where to eat.

(Just then, an old man opens the door)

**Fuyu** : I was told I could find you here.

**Agares** : Hm...Right on time, Fuyu-sama.

(Agares bows and then bids them to come into the shop)

**Agares** : Your dinner is prepared.

(Agares then notices Izayoi)

**Agares** : Oh, could this be...?

**Izayoi** : Hello, I'm Izayoi.

**Fuyu** : She's an acquaintance. Can she join me as well?

**Agares** : Not a problem. I'll have the others prepare her dinner as well.

**Agares** : Now, would you please follow me.

(Fuyu and Izayoi follows Agares into the shop, where they are greeted by about ten maids)

**Izayoi** : Whoa!

**Agares** : Hahaha...please relax.

**Agares** : All ten of them will serve you two to your best interests.

**Agares** : Now then...Head Maid, please introduce yourself.

(One of the maids walks forward and bows before Fuyu and Izayoi)

**Fuyu** : ...!

**Izayoi** : ...!

**Head Maid** : Good evening, Fuyu and Izayoi.

(The maid gives them a smile, while the other two are shocked)

**Izayoi** : H-

**Izayoi** : Hanami-chan?

**Fuyu** : ...

(The head maid raises her head to reveal Hanami's face)

**Hanami Taira** : Heehee! Hello~

[Back to Bestisia and Ayaka...]

(Bestisia and Ayaka thanks Kigõ for the food, and starts to walk home)

**Bestisia** : Phew, the curry was awesome!

**Ayaka** : ...

(Ayaka stops, which gets Bestisia's attention)

**Bestisia** : Saito-san?

**Ayaka** : ...Lorraine.

**Ayaka** : I...I want to join the Music Club!

**Bestisia** : ...What?

**Ayaka** : After thinking about it, I realized...

**Ayaka** : If I didn't start to change now, I feel like I will never again be given this opportunity!

**Ayaka** : So please! Please let me join! I beg of you!

(Ayaka starts to grovel, but Bestisia stops her)

**Bestisia** : Saito-san!

**Ayaka** : ...?

**Bestisia** : ...

(Bestisia smiles at her, and then she happily nods her head)

**Bestisia** : Yes! Let me help you along the way!

**Ayaka** : ...Thank you.

(Ayaka stands up, and starts tearing up)

**Ayaka** : Ah. Don't cry, you idiot.

(Ayaka shakes her head to prevent her from crying)

**Bestisia** : Tomorrow, we can go to the Music Club together!

**Ayaka** : ...Okay.

**Bestisia** : Alright, alright! Cheer up now!

(Bestisia walks with Ayaka as they walk home while Bestisia attempts to cheer her up)

(Back to Fuyu and Izayoi...)

(Fuyu and Izayoi are being served by the maids, with Hanami talking with them)

**Hanami** : Go on! Go on! Eat up!

**Fuyu** : ...

**Izayoi** : Ooh, isn't this too many?

**Hanami** : Hahaha, no worries! You can take it home if you like!

**Izayoi** : W-Wow! Really?

(Izayoi is about to eat, but Fuyu stops her)

**Fuyu** : ...

**Hanami** : Fuyu?

**Izayoi** : Fuyu-chan?

**Fuyu** : Who are you?

**Hanami** : What are you talking about? I'm Hanami, of course!

**Fuyu** : ...Lies.

**Hanami** : I'm hurt, Fuyu. What makes you think that I'm fake?

**Fuyu** : There's a mole on Hanami's neck.

**Fuyu** : But you don't have it.

**Izayoi** : R-Really?

**Hanami** : ...Hehe.

(Hanami's face turns into a devillish grin)

**Hanami** : Hehehehehehehehehehe.

**Izayoi** : Ah.

**Fuyu** : Get behind me, Okumura.

(Fuyu pulls Izayoi behind her)

**Hanami?** : Tch...you perceptive little witch...

**Hanami?** : And I was sooooooo close, too...

(Fuyu looks around, and sees that the maids have left)

**Fuyu** : (Only one person, this is no big de-)

(Just then the imposter swiftly strikes Fuyu's face, causing her cheek to bleed)

**Fuyu** : ...!!!

**Fuyu** : (What was that? That speed was...different!)

**Izayoi** : Fuyu-chan!

**Hanami?** : Hmmm...you seem to have dodged that attack.

**Hanami?** : One more round!!!!

(The imposter lunges at Hanami, but Fuyu blocks her attack with a wooden chair nearby)

**Hanami?** : Hoh, impressive!

**Fuyu** : Ngh...!

(Fuyu pushes her back)

**Fuyu** : Who are you?

**Hanami?** : Kukuku...fine, then. I shall introduce myself.

**Hanami?** : "*Chains of Heaven rent asunder, fallen from grace...never to arise again. With the pledge and the sacrifices by our blood, skin and our former bodies...we pray towards the great Disaster. We seal ourselves in the path of carnage...and then we shall turn into the keys that locks the border of Heaven and Earth."*

(The imposter seems to chant something)

(But, just as that is happening...)

(She gets hit in the back)

**Hanami?** : Guh.

(The imposter falls unconscious, and behind her is Agares)

**Agares** : I humbly apologize, Fuyu-sama. Izayoi-sama.

**Agares** : It seems like our colleague is causing you trouble.

**Fuyu** : ...Colleague?

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