After remembering that Sakura was at risk of a rare brain tumor, Jiro is determined that he can find a cure. A select few spend some unexpected time with members of Abyssmare.

Club Nova: 12:30 pm
Sakura POV

Nova seemed rather dissatisfied when Abyssmare walked into their club the other day. With this, they have been on edge recently.

Futaba: How dare they! Walking in here like they own the place.

Hakuro: Calm down, Futa.

Sakura: Was it true, Jiro? Sophia kissed you?

Jiro: They pinned me onto a bed, and she ate my lips. Saki was mad...

Sakura: Forget her! I'm mad!

Jiro: I get it, but it seems they're inside your head right now.

Futaba: Then what do you suppose we do?

Jiro: Nothing. We make songs and manage our property. I have a promise to keep.

Edogawa Music Shop: 1:00 pm
Saori POV

I decided to check a music store that is close to the clubhouse. As I entered inside, I saw many DJ turntables and several musical instruments hung on the walls. As I grab the last Nova CD, someone grabs it as well.

Saori: Ah, they do have it... last one, too

Sophia: They have it!

*CD drops on the floor*

Saori: Oh, I'm sorry, did you

Sophia: It's you. I'm so sorry! Please forgive me! You can have the CD!

Soari: Hey, uh... lift your head.

Sophia: Please take the CD, you got to it first.

Soari: You're Sophia, DJ for Abyssmare.

Sophia: That's me... you must be Jiro's Senpai- Hidaka...

Saori: Please call me Saori...

Sophia: Don't you hate me?

Soari: Just because Jiro is my friend doesn't mean I share his feelings.

Sophia: Oh... okay.

Soari: Hey, so... you listen to Nova?

Sophia: Y-yeah, to better understand DJ Noir.

Saori: I see. What do you think about him?

Sophia: He's so cool, I thought if I were to become DJ like him, he would notice me. But I know deep down he'll never look my way.

Saori: Hey, don't look so down.

Sophia: You're his friend, what can you tell me about him?

Saori: Oh, when he gets mad, he usually gives off this silent aura. He can be scary at times. But most of the time, he's very kind.

Sophia: I see...

Saori: Listen, we don't have to be enemies, I am more than happy to be your friend.

Sophia: Really? Do you mean it?

Saori: Yeah... we're more alike than we realize.

Sasago Fitness Club: 1:30 pm
Yuka POV

After Mother and Father ordered new workout machines, we've been getting more members signing up for our gym. While getting my warm-ups in, I hear a familiar voice.

Weronika: Is this place where champions train?

Yuka: Ah, Weronika, was it? Yeah, welcome to our gym.

Weronika: This gym has more machines than any other place in this city.

Yuka: How about we work out together?

Weronika: Huh? You don't seem to have any ill will towards me... unlike Noir.

Yuka: Well, Jiro can be a little difficult to work with. He's a good person at heart.

Weronika: Argh... oh, yeah?

Yuka: I'm serious.

Weronika: Kay... how do you see him?

Yuka: When we met him, he wasn't good at hiding his former life.

Weronika: Huh? What made him hide it from you?

Yuka: I guess he wanted to be normal.

Weronika: In a sense, he achieved his goal: to go to a normal school and got a girlfriend.

Yuka: Caused quite a stir went we found out, especially Kyoko was surprised.

Weronika: Heh! I don't see the appeal about him.

Yuka: Well, he's more interesting than you realize

Weronika: Anyway, what else you've got in here?

Yuka: Ah, follow me...

Shopping Center: 2:00 pm
Noa POV

After seeing her at the clubhouse... I've found another one to add to my cute list! Therefore, I decided to follow her on her shopping spree. It seems she has assistance to help her.

Guard 1: Why are you stalking our mistress?

Noa: Oh, uh... legally blind!

Guard 2: Come with us...

Noa: What! Ahh!

The guards bring Noa to Elsie, who is with two more guards.

Guard 1: Madam, we've found this one stalking you.

Noa: What no! I was just walking in the same direction as her!

Elsie: Let her go...

Guard 2: But Madam-

Elsie: I know her, I was planning on meeting her here.

Guard 1: Very well...

Elsie: So...your Noir's friend.

Noa: Yeah, Noa Fukushima.

Elsie: Hmm, it's good to meet you. So what do you want?

Noa: I just wanted to get to know you. Maybe show you around.

Elsie: You facsinate me.

Noa: I'm sorry?

Elsie: I was expecting a revenge maneuver, or maybe a warning... but you seem sincere.

Noa: Jiro is not vindictive in the least.

Elsie: Hmm, I would think so. After all the things we did to him.

Noa: He's a sweetheart, I guess. Since you're his rival, he's a little more cold to you and your unit.

Elsie: I don't expect anything else. Anyway, what are the good shops in this mall?

Noa: Oh, follow me!

Meanwhile...
Shimizu Labs
Jiro POV

In a facility on the outskirts of town, Jiro goes to seek Esora's mother to help him find a cure for Sakura. In the other timeline, Sakura was hospitalized and later passed away from a rare brain tumor.

Mrs. Shimizu: Well, we've seen these before, but not in those in their late teens.

Jiro: If I funded the research, could it be done?

Mrs. Shimizu: Of course, but It will take weeks or even a whole year to develop a cure.

Jiro: I understand.

Mrs. Shimizu: If her condition worsens, we'll have a resort to surgery.

Jiro: And there is a big chance she won't survive.

Mrs. Shimizu: To think you would come here, Esora has told a lot about you.

Jiro: I'm flattred ma'am. Anyway, I should be going

Mrs. Shimizu: My daughter has taken an interest in you... I do hope you have the same feeling for her.

Jiro: Hehe... well, she is quite something. I'll be in touch.

Half an hour later...
Near Tokyo Station: 7:00pm

While walking from the station square to a large park, I recognized Neo signing autographs for various fans. After she finished, I approached her, much to her surprise.

Neo: Noir... this is quite the surprise.

Jiro: Nice to see you taking time to be with your fans.

Neo: Right... so what do you want?

Jiro: I saw you, and I decided to say hello.

Neo: Hmph, you've got some nerve approaching me so casually.

Jiro: Why the hostility? Why can't you I co-exist?

Neo: Because you and I are rivals, we would wish nothing better than eachothers ruin!

Jiro: That could be a on stage narrative... does it not mean we can be friends off stage?

Neo: I don't need friends... people are just pawns to me...

Jiro: I know what's it's like to have your parents leave you...

Neo: Stop! Stop acting like you know anything about me!

Jiro: My parents were never there for me and Airi... trust me, I know how you feel.

Neo: Doesn't change my hatred towards you.

Jiro: Neo... you are a talented girl. In fact, you can be the greatest. I see that. You don't have to be so lonely.

Neo: Jiro... *Heart Skips*

Jiro: You can be friends and rivals at the same time.

Neo: Yeah... I finally see a friend in you.

Jiro: That's good to hear. Also, try to understand those around you. They are the ones who will be there when you need them. Until next time. *walks away*

Later that night...
Luxurious Tokyo Hotel

Sophia: Neo, where have you been? Guess what? Today, I made a new friend! She loves music like me! And she gave me her number!

Neo: What about you girls?

Elsie: I made a new shopping partner.

Weronika: Got a new workout buddy.

Elsie: What about you?

Neo: Hmm... someone who can understand me...

Sophia: Huh?

Neo: You win, Jiro...

Authors Notes:

I've been busy traveling Japan, so I've haven't been able to update much. Trips keep piling on. I still love writing this book.

As always thank you for reading.