Kiss Prompt February (21; ykrn)

[21. ykrn feat. a kiss on a place of insecurity ]


For Rinko, every performance of Roselia is always nerve-wracking.

Even though they have been standing on many gigs and different type of stages, there would be a bit of nausea that’s still present. It wasn’t as bad as how Rinko stepped on a stage in earlier times, though.

Today, too, is one day of a performance. Roselia has been there earlier than assigned time and waited until it’s the time to be called to the stage.

On a time like this, Roselia members will be quiet until the time of rehearsal. They will have something that can be called as a ‘personal dialogue’ to each other. Lisa and Ako would not do it, but they respected everyone’s moment silence. Rinko would usually think of the strategy for her favorite online game, organizing many things she liked about Neo Fantasy Online so she could forget her nervousness.

Lisa ever said about ‘being so nervous that you might miss a note when playing on the stage’, which is true. After all, concentration is everything in Roselia’s style of play. Yukina won’t be amused if you don’t play perfectly. The lilac-haired vocalist would be sure to make everyone practice harder to make up any faults.

Speaking of Yukina though, Rinko didn’t see the vocalist on the backstage. There are only four of them there.

“Imai-san, w-where’s Yukina-san?”

Lisa was sitting on the chair nearby the exit.

“Oh, she said she wanted to get a fresh air.”

Rinko paused at that. It’s … something new. Usually, Yukina would sit coolly on her spot. When the staff called the band to be up, Yukina would lead everyone with her head held high.

Did something happen? Rinko wanted to ask Lisa, but it looks like the brunette already guessed what she had in mind.

“She shouldn’t be far from this room. Remember that stairs with large windowsill? I think she should be there.” Lisa added.

“A-Ah, r, right! Thank you, Imai-san.”

Lisa gave her a knowing wink before she let Rinko to open the door and search for the vocalist.


x x x


The studio where they are invited to do the gigs right now is having a number of large stained glass windows. Sayo quoted about the owner of the place liked how the rays reflected several colors, so there are a few of mosaic glass windows available. The one window they happened to pass earlier has a distinctive rose flower pattern, it shouldn’t be hard to find.

The girl whom Rinko was searching for is now sitting on the edge of the windowsill, watching the window with a side glance. Her goldenrod eyes were fascinated by the glow emanating from the stained glass.

Other than the audience chamber of the studio, the hallways and stairs were deserted. There were more people—other band members and staffs loitering around—a few moment ago, yet it is as if everyone has left.

“Yukina-san?”

Yukina seemed to be surprised to see Rinko on the stairs - she is trying to be indifferent but Rinko caught a glimpse of the widening eyes.

“Isn’t the performance will be in 30 minutes?”

Rinko nodded in affirmation. “I—I’m wondering where you have been.”

A small pull of smile played on Yukina's lips. "I see."

The vocalist then patted on a space beside her. "Why don't you sit here with me?"

They didn't exchange any word shortly after Rinko sat beside Yukina. Yukina found herself to look at the large rose again and Rinko followed suit. The glasswork there is complex, pieces of glass in many colors assembled there to make one picture. A stalk of rose sprung from the bottom, the blossoming red petals are on the top, standing beautifully.

"A-Are you here to ... see this stained glass?" Rinko brought herself to ask.

Yukina looked over. "Not really. I ..."

As Yukina's voice quieted down, Rinko brought herself closer to listen.

"I was thinking of the song."

"The song ...?"

"Remember when that time I sang my father's song? Or when we're coming to the stage but suddenly everyone just leave? Maybe ... it's a same kind of feeling."

Uncertainty is not something rare to a performer, Rinko had learned it well from experience. The raven-haired girl have been joining a piano competition in the past. She has been learning piano for long, then again when it comes to performing, the obstacle called uncertainty will surface. 'Am I good enough to play?' 'Will my way of playing acceptable?' 'Will the audience understand the meaning that I try to convey?' -- those questions will always be there, even though you have been trying to prepare everything perfectly before coming up to the stage.

As a vocalist - the face of Roselia itself - Yukina should've been facing this situation a lot. Yukina always look neutral, indifferent; she won't let anyone see her being weak or discouraged.

Rinko brought her hands to clasp on Yukina's hands. The raven-haired girl brought herself to smile. "Don't worry ... we're all here ... for you."

Yukina found herself to sigh, a relieved one for Rinko to know. She nodded, squeezing on the warm touch belonged to the pianist.

In many ways to another, Yukina is slowly opening up to other members about things that she found to be troubling her. It might be roundabout or unclear at times, but Yukina is trying her best to speak of her feelings, just like what she's doing right now.

Suddenly, Rinko thought of something. "Oh, r-right. I have ... a good luck charm."

"... Good luck charm?"

"Yu-Yukina-san, please stay still."

There was a visible confusion in Yukina's facade. Perhaps she's wondering if there's something that Rinko wanted to give but she looked like she didn't bring anything with her. Rinko moved forward to capture the vocalist's lips. The moment was quiet and short-lived, Rinko pulled right away, blush prettily ran across her face.

"A good ... luck charm, so that you'll ... feel alright. Also ... for me, too."

Rinko looked away thereafter, not realizing that they were in fact still holding hands. It was easy for Yukina to take a step further to pull Rinko back to the initial position, for them to savor the moment before they are there to the stage.