SING

They arrived at the maid café that Akage manages and entered through the back door as Ena glanced around, confused.

“Senpai, why are we here?” Ena asked.

“I have a job here, but with my hands full, I can’t work. I want you to take my place for the day.” Akage replied authoritatively.

“But I don’t know how to do a maid job.” Ena dissuaded.

The chief walked in and saw Ena and Akage talking before she analysed the young teenage girl. The image of Ena wearing a sexy bunny suit with a timid blush popped into her mind.

This kid is a bunny girl.

“Is this the girl Akage?” Chief asked with stars in her eyes.

“Yes chief. Give her your nephew’s miniskirt maid outfit.” Akage said as she looked at Ena. “Also add a bunny headband.”

“Okay!” The chief said as she shoved Ena to the dressing room and another maid; Kurumi assists the chief with pulling Ena away.

Ten minutes later, Ena is out in the maid's uniform with a bright blush on the exposed parts of her body and her face. Everyone smiles, ignoring her shy and awkward feeling as they complimented her.

“If cuteness was a crime, you would serve life imprisonment.” Chief said in a baby voice.

“Don’t you guys have work to do?” Akage asked as everyone off duty scampered to work.

Akage observed Ena, who was trembling with nervousness and anxiety. She placed her hand on the timid girl’s shoulder and held her upright.

“There’s only so much Yumi Izumi can do for you. She can’t protect you forever. I brought you here to have fun.” Akage said as Ena relaxed.

“I know, but I just can’t do it.” Ena replied fearfully, as she stared at her feet.

“It’s okay to fail and screw up, but it doesn’t matter. Just don’t lose your fighting spirit. If you do this, Ena, I promise you, you’ll leave this café with a view of the world differently. One that will change your life forever.” Akage said as Ena’s heart fluttered with unusual courage.

Ena walked towards the door as she saw the other maids laughing. She breathed out and faced Akage.

“I’ll do my best senpai so don’t break your promise.” Ena said before she walked to the front.

It was a disaster for the first ten customers, but their patience and her looks comforted the customers, especially since they found her clumsy nature adorable. It took time, but Ena’s confidence was slowly boosting as customers flowed into the shop more than usual.

“May I have all our masters’ attention?” Chief said, as the sound of the microphone of the stage caught everyone’s attention.

The stage was rarely used unless there were special featuring guests, and that caught the customer’s attention.

“Masters and maids, I’m proud to announce that we have a special performance by our new maid. Please could you clap your hands for our new maid, Ena-san!” Chief announced as the customers clapped while Ena stared dumbfounded.

“It’ll be okay.” Mai said as she led Ena to the stage before she handed her the microphone.

“Are you sure about this? I’ve never seen this much stage fright before.” Chief whispered to Akage, who was drinking banana milk.

“I know talent when I see it, Hisano Akito.” Akage said with a confident smirk.

You little brat. Chief thought as her eyes went to Ena. I hope you’re right.

Mom always said that I should be more like Asami. My dreams, my passion for music, can never amount to anything even if I put in twice the effort. I am the reason dad left us; I should never have been born. Maybe she was right… I can’t do anything. I am alone.

Ena’s despair leads to tears when she can’t face the audience and the crowd is ready to pull their attention away from her.

“You can do it, Ena-san! I believe in you! Be the you, you’ve always dreamed to be!” Yuuta shouted out of nowhere as Ena’s eyes searched for him.

She saw the confident glare on his face as it broke back childhood memories where she and her father used to perform songs from her favourite anime.

Yuuta clapped, and the rest of the audience clapped and chatted about her name to cheer her up.

I am not alone. I never was and never will be because I have people who believe in me. Yuuta-senpai, Yumi and Akage-senpai. They believe in me, so I won’t let them down.

“Music! Video! Lights!” Kurumi signalled as lights came on the stage.

Ena sang ‘Best Friends’ as people pulled out their phones and started recording live before they were all awed when they heard another female’s voice.

Yumi dressed the same way as Ena before they changed the song into a rock version, and everyone cheered. It was a sound that fascinated the crowd with the two girls lost in the moment of realisation.

Dreams can come true! Ena thought as more people entered, filling the little café up. The moment the girls were done, everyone screamed and cheered as Ena and Yumi hugged each other as they both cried.

Akage felt a hand on her shoulder before her eyes went back to the chief. “You were right. They have talent.”

After the performance, the place was almost deserted. Ena up to Yuuta and hugged him with a smile on her face.

“Thank you senpai; for believing in me.” Ena bowed as Yuuta brushed the back of her hair gently with a gentle smile.

“It was all you.” Yuuta said as Ena’s eyes smiled in appraisal.

The moment Yuuta saw Akage approaching them, he felt bad and pulled away.

“I have to go, Ena, we’ll talk later. Tell Yumi to be home before code red curfew.” Yuuta informed Ena before he left.

Akage said nothing when she stood by Ena’s side as she watched Yuuta walk away before she faced Ena.

“You’ll be impressed by the number of people who watched you guys perform a remix live.” Akage said as she handed the phone to Ena.

“Two million and fifty thousand views!” Ena shouted as Akage gave an impressed smile.

“I’ve talked with Yumi Izumi, but she said she’ll only agree if you do.” Akage said.

“That is?” Ena asked.

“I want you both to form a band. I will be your manager and, as I promise, I’ll show you a whole new world.” Akage said as Ena smiled. “So, are you in?”

“Yes!”

“However, there is a condition,” Akage said as Ena listened closely. “You and Yumi will work here from next week while practicing as a band. It’s a small price to pay for the effort I’m about to put.”

Ena flashed to a memory of her late father in the hospital when she was in elementary school, fourth grade.

“There are always people who will never understand your dream, my dear, but I want you to promise me you’ll never give up and you’ll rise above. Can you promise me that?” Ena’s father asked as Ena nodded with a smile.

“It’s a promise.” Ena said as she pinkie promised with her father and chanted the spell with her dad.

“Of course. I also made a promise.” Ena replied with a bright smile.

“Good.” Akage said.

“Senpai, that reminds me. There’s one more person I’d like in our band, but she’s a little difficult to reason with.” Ena said as she caught Akage’s attention.

Akage unlocked the door and locked it behind her before she stepped in. She smiled when she saw Shiro sleeping before her eyes went to the meal that was covered on the table.

You really are silly. Akage thought as she knelt to Shiro, who was sleeping quietly.

“Wake up, let’s eat.” Akage whispered as Shiro opened his eyes before he sat up and sleepily rubbed his eyes.

The food was still warm thankfully before Akage washed her hands and Shiro stood by the door of the kitchen.

“You took so long.” Shiro complained.

“I’ll try to be early next time. I had so much to do.” Akage replied as Shiro pouted. “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing but welcome home.” Shiro said with a tinted blush as Akage said.

“I’m home.”

Akage loved this feeling in her chest. The thought of someone waiting for her to come home.