imas2 FF: three looks of fall

Title: three looks of fall
Fandom: The Idolmster 2
Characters: Miura Azusa, Akizuki Ritsuko, a bit of Futami Ami and Minase Iori.  Everyone else is subtly mentioned.
Rating: K-ish (maybe K+)
Summary: Fall was a time of change, and change was certainly happening -- secretly.

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Fall, it was a wonderful season for everyone in Japan; temperature becomes a lot more bearable compared to the heat of summer, and the colour changes are as impressive as the cherry blossoms In spring.  Miura Azusa sat off to the side at an outdoor café, bright ruby eyes staring in awe at the majestic trees that towered over on the sidewalks – leaves blowing gently.

She enjoyed the season, just like the leaves change colour, it was a time for change.  Azusa absentmindedly brought a hand back, brushing at the edge of her hair that stopped short at the base of her neck.  A small smile crept up on her face, yes; it was a season for change.

Her ruby eyes flew from the table as the sound of the chair being moved startled her and she jumped a little.  There was a soft chuckle, "Sorry I was late, Azusa-san."

Azusa looked up, meeting with soft, warm hazel eyes.  Azusa's smile brightened, "It's no problem, Ritsuko-san.  I… got here exceptionally early." They both shared a chuckle; it was merely ironic that Azusa was at the café earlier than Ritsuko, but it didn't stop them from enjoying each other's company.  Ritsuko quickly took a seat, ordering herself a cup of coffee.  Ritsuko took a deep sigh, relaxing in her chair.

"I ran into some unexpected… troubles this morning with documents and such, but I luckily got them straightened out."  Ritsuko started to explain, thanking the waitress as she brought her the cup of coffee.  While the spectacle lady started to drink it, Azusa smiled warmly.  "It's understandable, you are very busy, Ritsuko-san."

"Mmm, yes, starting out as a Producer has it's… troubles." She chose the words carefully, and Azusa had to double take for a second, giving her a curious look, "Producer?"

Ritsuko blinked, before she looked at Azusa, smiling, "Aa, yes, a Producer… In fact, it was a why I…"

"Congratulations, Ritsuko-san!"  Azusa interrupted before Ritsuko had a chance to go on.  She was beaming in happiness, Azusa had known Ritsuko since she joined with 765 Productions, and Ritsuko was quite the worker – so becoming a Producer was almost like a promotion.  Ritsuko started to fidget a little, laughing gently,

"Th-Thank you…" She was a bit embarrassed; it was still something she had to get use to.  "But that's why I called you out today, Azusa-san."

Azusa blinked, but nodded gently, letting Ritsuko continue on.  "I… I want you to be a part of the idol group I will be debuting."

Her heart stopped for a moment, part of a group that she was debuting?  Most of her stunts in 765 were mostly solo acts – she had a wonderful voice, and sometimes was asked to sing in pairs and the occasional groups – but never had she showed up on stage as a group.  Ritsuko noticed her silence immediately, but took a sip of coffee, letting Azusa digest the offer that was put up.

"… I… I would be grateful to be a part of your group, Ritsuko-san." She said after a while, smiling brightly as she looked up at the spectacle young woman.  Unconsciously, Azusa slipped a hand behind her neck again, touching the short hair.

Ritsuko smiled back, "Great.  And now you'll be a part of Ryuuguu Komachi." She scribbled down the characters on a napkin, showing Azusa the new name of her group.  Azusa recited the name in her head, before she looked up at Ritsuko, laughing, "It's… quite the mystical name.  Please, take care of me, Producer Akizuki."

The last part was merely a joke, although in the back of her mind, she thought that maybe she would have to refer to Ritsuko as 'Producer'.  Ritsuko, however, sunk down in her seat as her face flushed a warm red, "P-Please, don't call me that, it's still embarrassing…"

They laughed, before moving furthermore on the Ryuuguu Komachi group, and what would be seen in the future.

-----

"It's been a hard month, hasn't it, Azusa?"

Azusa looked up from her spot behind the stage.  She could vaguely hear the singing and music that was going on stage right now.  She looked up to see her Producer standing there, hair tied up in a neat bun, and dressed in her clean-pressed suit as usual.  Azusa offered a weak smile, "Yes, but we've managed to get here… a lot faster compared to groups starting out."

Ritsuko slowly nodded, smiling a little, "Yes, you, Iori, and Ami have quite the chemistry.  And tonight, you will be all showing it on stage."

Azusa smile was still small and feeble as she heard that.  Ritsuko frowned a little, taking a step closer to get a better look at the older woman, "Nervous?" She asked slowly.

"No… I… have been thinking a bit – about the fact that Ryuuguu Komachi has been a bit of a secret from everyone else in 765."

Ritsuko was silent, before she smiled a little, and leaned back against the same wall that Azusa was on.  "… After tonight, it won't be much of a secret." A silence blanketed them after that.  Ryuuguu Komachi was indeed a secret from all the other idols of 765; Ritsuko withheld from anyone within the group to say anything, she said it will be a surprise for everyone in 765 – and because Ritsuko wanted quick progress, outside interference was not needed.

Iori had no problem with that, she would just flaunt around how she was 'a leader' and everyone would just think 'typical Iori' without having a second thought she was actually a leader in a group.  Ami was a bit disappointed she couldn't even tell her twin sister, Mami, but the thought of being in a 'secret' group was too hard to pass up.  Azusa had a bit of a struggle in the beginning, when turning down dance practices with Makoto, or singing exercises with Chihaya for practices she needed to do with the rest of Ryuuguu Komachi; she couldn't rid herself of the disappointed faces in her mind.

"Doesn't it… feel a bit like… we're betraying 765?" Azusa asked Ritsuko, who the latter looked at her in surprise.  It was… uncharacteristic for Azusa to bring up such a bleak idea.  Ritsuko looked away, sighing a bit, "I… had the exact same thought at first… Then after a while, it settled down as a mere…"

She didn't know how to word it but she tried her best, "… Friendly… banter…"

Azusa blinked – she didn't understand.

Ritsuko placed a hand on her forehead, massaging out the smooth skin, "Like… it's come down to almost friendly competition, we're not traitors, but we're definitely not going to lose."

For some reason, after listening to that, and watching the look in Ritsuko's eyes about not wanting to lose, Azusa felt that same determination flow through her.  She straightened herself out from the wall, adjusting the small hat on her head.  She looked at Ritsuko, smiling, "… Yes, we're definitely going to give it our all out there."

The music and singing was dying down outside, and they both knew it was time for Ryuuguu Komachi to go up.  Ritsuko grinned a little, "… Show them the hard work you and everyone else put in this last month."

Azusa smiled, "… Of course, Producer."

-----

The performance was a success, the chemistry between the three females was as powerful as ever, and the cheers were ever so loud.  Azusa smiled a bit as Ryuuguu Komachi was now backstage to re-meet with their Producer on the success of their performance.

"Did you see the look on Mami's face?! I can't wait until I tell her I've been doing secret training all this time!"
"That wasn't too unexpected; my dazzling looks had all of the stunned!"

Iori and Ami were both bathing in the success and partially laughing at some of the faces everyone had – specifically the 765 Idols.  Azusa had to admit, seeing some of them gave her a small laugh inside when Ritsuko introduced them to everyone.  Speaking of Ritsuko,

"Good job, everyone.  It looks like the media wants a brief press conference and some of the fans would love to see you all." Their Producer came from the back, white jackets with their logo on the back hanging from her arm.  "We'll have to be quick, we can't keep everyone waiting."
Everyone smiled, still high off of the success despite how exhausting the performance was.  Ritsuko handed them each a jacket, "It's a bit chilly out there, and I wouldn't want you all to catch a cold."

"Wow Ric-chan!  These are so cool, this is the life of being in a secret group!"
"You really have outdone yourself, Producer."

Ritsuko flushed a little, before she glared at Iori, who was snickering a little.  "Let's go, before the media breaks in…"

"Ritsuko!"

A male voice broke into their friendly banter, and everyone turned around – to face the rest of 765, and their new Producer that they would be going against.  Azusa noticed a faint smile on Ritsuko's face, as she addressed the man.

"You, shouldn't you be worrying about your group?" It was a bit mean to say such a thing, but Azusa knew it was almost like 'trash talk' as some people would put it.  The man was silent for a moment, "You… You and Ryuuguu Komachi…"

"Producer."

Ritsuko's strict voice made him shoot up a little, standing tall towards the female as she laughed a little.  Azusa took this quick moment to glance at everyone else who was behind the male; which was the rest of 765.  Some faces were bright – as they enjoyed the performance, while others were look of confusion – after all, Ryuuguu Komachi now, was a bit like a rival production to them.

"Listen, Producer, everyone." Ritsuko started, and she looked at her group, Ryuuguu Komachi, proudly, and they all shared a smile.  The spectacle Producer turned to the rest, pointing out a finger to them.

"… We'll meet again, on the stage."

They left shortly after, hearing quiet murmurs and small vows of 'not going to lose' falling behind their backs.

As they shifted to another building where the media was waiting for them, Azusa looked around, seeing the complete colour change of the trees on the sidewalk – their leaves still as colourful as ever in the dark night.

It was that, which she mused; fall certainly was the season for change.