Melodic Weave [Amaya/Komachi]

i am not interested in fulfilling borrowed dreams

❝

It was like looking into a mirror.

Outside the walls of the department store were several posters advertising a few clothing brands, and a few of them had caught Komachi's eye. They were advertisements for her family's line of clothing, and one of them was even of her. Though the boots and pants were different than what the brunette was currently wearing, the center peice was the same: a light brown-coloured double-breasted jacket with a cloth belt that hung deliberately asymmetrically at the waist. While perhaps simple in design, it was durable, well-insulated, allowed for good freedom of movement, and by Komachi's fiat, had plenty of pockets.

Indeed, it was one of Komachi's earliest designs and had been fairly successful. A good balance of utility, style, and value. While not Komachi's favorite, it served well in the cooler months. And cooler it was indeed, at least outside where autumn had arrived in Fukui.

Komachi was at the mall beneath the Shin-Fukui station. For the most part, she was only there for a few errands; in a large backpack were things she had picked up that couldn't be easily gotten or wasn't worth getting from the convenience stores. The mall wasn't particularly far from campus, but she felt it would be a waste to go home so soon. So she wandered a bit, stopping breifly to look at the posters bearing her likeness.

It was a strange feeling for the tailor - she was only a model out of convenience, yet here she was in print about twice her size. She idly wondered if anyone from school would recongize her before putting the thought out of mind and continuing to wander. The displays in the stores were all bright and enticing or at least trying to be. Yet the only thing that would actually hold onto Komachi's attention was the plain facade of a nearby music store.

Generally speaking, Komachi usually never went into a music store alone. When it came to tagging along with her musician friends, she was more than happy to follow, browse, and just hang out. She had her library, a mish-mash of genres with albums sourced from family gifts, Comiket expeditions, online purchases, and a few sneaky grabs when she couldn't get material any other way. But for the most part, music was not something she'd list as a hobby.

But at the sight of the store front, a wild idea came into Komachi's head. She wanted to get a gift for Valerie. Not for any specific occasion - she just wanted to dote on her girlfriend. The brunette wasn't sure what kind of music Valerie would like - at least not for sure. But that just meant she could start anywhere to browse.

The door opened accompanied by the sound of an actual, physical bell. That was a good sign, and Komachi returned the smile the shop keeper, a middle-aged woman wearing a t-shirt of an old rock band, gave her before walking along the shelves. She first looked for something familiar - but there was no rush. Though most of the CD cases bore names that she could not recongize, Komachi happily took her time, thumbing through the CD cases.

amaya ● notes: ● 000

MADE BY MIZO

Inspiration was a funny thing - it could hit at a moment's notice out of nowhere as if it arrived on an unexpected shinkansen.  For the longest time Amaya had been the sort of girl to just take random inspirations and mentally file them away for some future use.  Especially when there was some ~shudder~ culinary arts assignments to deal with, there didn't seem to be an option besides putting them on the back burner.  Something had recently changed for her which made her think differently about those moments. After a chance encounter with a senpai in the kitchen Amaya had let all of those old frustrations out which had pent up over years and years of repression.  Not only that but she'd been encouraged to chase her dreams, just like the idols she looked up to!

Though she'd often followed sudden ideas about going to karaoke, today was more than simply going on an adventure.  This was an adventure with a greater purpose!  For she had found herself feeling a sudden urge to make her interest in idol music more than just some secret desire.  No denying it now, she had to take a step to make her dream a bit more real!  When she thought about what she needed to make it real, there were a lot of things which an aspiring idol would need.  Lyrics, composition and choreography she thought she could do reasonably well herself.  It was the other things - other members of a group, costume design and creation, concepts for a group theme - which she was lacking.  Honestly it was just a need for other people. 

So for now she wanted to get an idea what sort of idol music she wanted to make a group around.  Which meant a trip over to the underground mall below Shin-Fukui Station where one of her favorite shops in town was located.  Perhaps perusing the music within would lead her to some ideas of what direction to taker her slowly budding idol self.  The familiar jingle of the bell on the shop door, the scent of the store within, it all spoke to her soul as a music lover!  Without a second thought Amaya strolled into the shop somewhat absent minded as she headed for her usual pop music section.  She'd been here often enough that she was able to navigate the store's layout with only partial focus, the skirt of her knee length aqua toned dress swirling around her legs as she moved. 

Yet it was different today.  Something besides the section of idol music and the colorful album covers which typically drew her eyes.  A young woman whom immediately stood out with her poise and a certain familiarity.  Soon she found herself staring over at the girl, trying to figure out where she'd seen this person before.  Or had she? No, she definitely had.  But where?  Amaya tapped her foot as she pondered the quandary, not realizing her humming had gotten louder and more pointed.  Finally it hit her - Misha had mentioned her cousin who was involved in fashion!  After looking up that cousin's family's business Amaya had wanted to go check out their store, but hadn't had the opportunity to do so.  Was this the famous Komachi here in the flesh?  It must be!

Such a person would be invaluable in helping conceptualize costumes for an idol group!  At least, in theory.  But there was that potential, so she felt she ha to take advantage of the opportunity before her.  Amaya wandered over toward Komachi, trying not to look like she was overly interested in what the other girl was doing.  It seemed the girl was looking for something but wasn't intensely focused on the search.  Maybe someone like Amaya, who'd been here countless times, could be of service!  So she stepped up next to Komachi, smiled awkwardly and then began to speak - wait, what was Komachi's family name?  Iki.. ikosa..

"Excuse me, aren't you Ikuzowa Komcahi-san  I've heard about you.. I'm surprised to meet you here of all places!" Amaya remarked, totally convinced she'd nailed the family name, "Um.. anyway I'm Kawahashi Amaya.  I've been here a lot, can I help you find something?"

i am not interested in fulfilling borrowed dreams

❝

Sure, the name was slightly wrong, but Komachi was indeed a Komachi, so out of reflex still looked towards the voice that called out to her. Her inquisitive expression soon turned to one of confusion at the mere mention of someone who had heard of her. The first thought that went through Komachi's mind was her father's company, and for a moment, a sense of panic took her. She blinked, worried that she was facing an employee or intern that she had, god forbid, forgotten. It wouldn't be good for her to forget someone so important. But as the moment of panic faded, Komachi had another idea - a classmate. Maybe her shenanigans regarding the last Theater Arts fiasco got out...

In any case, Komachi composed herself and wore her usual energetic smile, bowing slightly in greeting. "A pleasure to meet you, Kawahashi-san. And...not to be rude, my family's name is 'Ikezawa'," Komachi replied before clearing her throat to continue. "I'm...mostly, kind of, entirely, browsing. With out a clue. I'm trying to figure out a gift for my girlfriend and..."

Komachi trailed off with a sigh, looking down the racks of CDs and starting to wave her hands as she blurted, "I actually don't know what she'd like. We've only been together a few weeks. Outside of work and school, she doesn't have much of a hobby, so I wanted to see if music could be one for her." Another sigh as Komachi shrugged. "I know. A token gift. But, I just want to make her happy."

With a tilt of her head, the brunette looked over to Kawahashi-san again. "I mean, I can give you the most glorious rundown or...you can probably ask me better questions to guide me on this self-inflicted quest," Komachi said with a soft laugh.

amaya ● notes: ● 000

MADE BY MIZO