[Closed]

[thirdbeauty]

Who: Natsuru Senou and Naoto Shirogane
When: August 3rd
Where: A certain sweets shop on the Near Shore
What: A chance second meeting at their proper ages

[It's the middle of summer, and business seems to be going well at the shop thanks to all the new frozen treats they've been selling! Of course, this means Natsuru is kept a little busier than usual, and the heat can be a little difficult. The bulk of her job is still standing outside and greeting potential customers, offering small samples of the latest and most popular items. She's actually grateful for the skimpiness of her costume lately... at least she keeps somewhat cool. Really, after a few months of this, she hardly gets embarrassed over it anymore either.

Being a shinki, it's a bit challenging having a job like this on the Near Shore. People still sometimes walk right past her or glance over her as if she's part of the scenery. This just means she's had to get better at grabbing people's attention, which should serve her well with her idol training under Hibiki's agency! That, and the confidence building she's been working on in general. She's kind of proud of the fact that she's able to come out and do this job regularly without getting too nervous or awkward over it anymore.

At her best, she's a bundle of perky energy, at least outwardly, when she attempts to get a passerby's attention. Like now, when a certain other, much more petite, blue-haired girl walks by. Someone she doesn't recognize yet, but give her a moment... she's still in work mode.]

Hello! Would you like to try one of our new summer treats? We have shaved ice and mochi samples, in our most popular flavors!

Comments

[thirdbeauty]

[For a brief moment, it's like nothing has changed since they met. Natsuru fondly remembers the older Naoto encouraging her as a child to pursue her dreams, with neither of them aware at the time that Natsuru had already begun on that path. Things have changed, and it turns out they're much closer in age than they'd thought. But so far, Naoto doesn't seem that different as a supportive friend than she did as a cool older sister figure.]

Thank you, Naoto-chan...

[She nods in agreement, beginning to lead the way out the door and down the street. She's silent for a moment, but finally adds:]

I, um... I hope you'll come see me perform next time! I don't know when it'll be yet, but if you want... I'll let you know.

[fortune_detective]

[Naoto nods and smiles warmly at the invitation.]

Of course. I'd be more than happy to come see you perform, Natsuru-chan.

[A thought then occurs to her as they walk along.]

I'm curious, as a resident of the Far Shore yourself, isn't it difficult to hold a concert here in the Near Shore? As you pointed out, we're not so easily noticed when visiting. Then again, I suppose a live performance would certainly command a certain level of attention.

[thirdbeauty]

Ah, well... honestly, I don't know! My... debut was in Hibiki-sama's temple, so we've only performed for other gods and shinki so far.

But... [And here she starts to blush again.] ... Hibiki-sama was cast in a movie too, so I don't think it's impossible. Maybe that's how it works, and we just have to get enough attention to be noticed.

[fortune_detective]

Oh!

[Naoto hadn't realized Natsuru's concerts have been exclusively in the Far Shore for the time being. Now, she feels a little guilty for never having known anything like this was going on. A flicker of a memory suddenly comes back to her of her first evening after her arrival.]

Did you have a concert during the Tanabata Festival? I remember there being a stage at the event, and that there were performances and music playing throughout the day.

[thirdbeauty]

Oh, were you there? I did perform one song on stage at the festival.

[She glances off to the side, that shy smile crossing her lips again. She did perform, but that wasn't her real debut. That, and the thought that Naoto might have actually seen her first performance makes her a little embarrassed. She'd be happy if that were the case, though? What a strange feeling.]

The real show was earlier, though. That was the one at Hibiki-sama's temple.

[fortune_detective]

I was. That was my first day here in the Far Shore. I admit that at the time I was a little more preoccupied with locating my god than I was with the musical acts on stage.

[She smiles kindly at her friend.]

Though, now of course, I wished I'd paid a little closer attention. I'm sure you put on a wonderful performance.

[thirdbeauty]

[Oh no, now she's making her blush.]

It's okay! I'm sure I'll perform that song again, next time we put on a show. I practice all the time.

[The blush only grows deeper at that admission. She really is working hard towards this goal of being an idol, and it both makes her happy and feels kind of embarrassing to admit for some reason.]

Besides, there's a lot to get used to when you're new here. Especially for us...

[Gods seem to have it easier, what with having all their memories intact and all.]

[fortune_detective]

[Naoto smiles warmly at her blushing friend and encourages her further.]

I'll make sure not to miss the next one. I promise.

[thirdbeauty]

[That's just making her blush more! But she still seems happy to hear Naoto say that. Maybe there's a little residual feeling left of the little girl who wanted her cool big sis friend to see her perform one day, in the background of the growing happiness to have another friend her own age that she could share her performances with.]

Thanks. I, um...

[She mulls over various ways to say what's on her mind. There's a lot of flowery nonsense about ~sharing one's feelings with the audience~ in there, but in the end she settles on the simplest, most direct way to express herself.]

I'd really like that.