The Denial of Rising (A-RISE)
They were holding hands when the results came in. Three hopeful girls stared up at the wide screen wishing for their group’s name to display as the winner.
But, it didn’t. In an array of sparkles and fanfare, μ's was the winner.
Their gazes lingered for a while on the screen, slowly becoming apparent to them that the night was cold. They were still dressed in their idol costumes.
“Well...” Tsubasa was first to break the silence, standing between her two other group members of A-RISE. “We lost, but we still have our popularity as A-RISE.” She finished with a smile, looking down at their joined hands.
“But why do you look so satisfied?” Erena asked, her tone cold. The suddenness brought Tsubasa’s gaze up to her, meeting an icy glare. “Was winning it not in your interests?”
“Erena, that’s not...” She faced her way, tightening the grip on her hand. Erena pulled hard, separating them.
“Then what’s with that? Why do you look so happy?” She snapped, narrowing her glare. Tsubasa’s words were stolen when a voice spoke up from behind her. She felt a warmth leave her other hand.
“Were you too fixated in your little interest, Tsubasa?” Anju’s words were a mockery, one she did not bother to hide. “Did seeing her happy to win your only goal?”
“You’re a little too chipper yourself, Anju.” Erena growled out, pointing a finger at her chest. “You did look quite happy to entertain them yourself, if I recall.”
“Don’t give me that,” Anju scoffed, taking a stance in front of the tallest out of them. She kept a biting glare, her fists balled tightly. “You were the one so confident to recommend we perform the same song. Oh, where did that lead us, Erena? That’s right, to lose!”
“You’re putting the blame on me?” An offended look crossed Erena’s face. She stepped forward, shoving Tsubasa aside to stare against Anju. “Is little miss princess upset that she didn’t get everything she wanted?” She moved a hand, twirling a strand of brown hair. Anju swatted her hand away, growling.
“Get off me. Just because you can’t find anyone to blame.” Her words only added more fuel to Erena’s fire, and her scowl dug deeper.
“Oh, there is, and they’re right in front of me. Your carefree attitude has been detrimental to our proceedings in practices,” she took a pause, facing towards Tsubasa, who had a look of shock the entire time, “And you, dear leader. Your obsession with Kousaka-“
“Don’t you dare-“ Tsubasa’s warning was met with an abrupt laugh.
“Even now, you’re still keeping her in this bubble of interest.” Erena took steps forward, tapping her finger against Tsubasa’s chest. “What you can’t admit however, is that we failed. And that you failed as our leader. Just because you took a liking to someone.”
“What I think of Kousaka has nothing to do with anything!” There was no moment to breathe. Tsubasa flared up, swatting her hand away. “I know I failed! Because our names are not up there. I don’t know why. But I’m not throwing blame just because I’m angry.”
“Tsubasa-“ Anju flinched when Tsubasa snapped her gaze to her. Her words stolen away from the glassy look in her eyes.
“I am angry. Because I know we did our best. I did my best! As your friend, as the leader of A-RISE!”
Finally, Tsubasa looked up at Erena, her fires dying in the growing cold of night.
“I’m sorry that our name isn’t up there... “ Tears strolled down her cheeks, her words shaky. “But do not think for one second I didn’t try my best.”
Erena said nothing, but her expression said everything. Shock, frustrated, regretful, upset. Anju moved a hand to Tsubasa’s shoulder, but she took off running, disappearing out of sight.
On that night was a tearful victory for nine. On that night, one group was lost in defeat.