Chapter 3: The Karaoke: A new member?

Scene 1: The Limousine

They are still in shock. Asuka cannot believe what she sees and asks them, surprised and nervous:

—This must be a joke from you guys, right? Why do you want to play with us like this?

Suki is stunned, saying to herself: "This isn't true," "It must be a joke," "Worst case scenario, they want to kidnap us and sell us." She approaches them furiously, screaming:

—Do you think we are your toys that you can just share? I told you not to try and be clever with us. —She proceeds to try and throw all her rage at Kouta, but Asuka and Natsuki hold her back.

Himari, trying to calm Suki down, tells her: —Wait, Suki! Wait for them to explain! —Suki, angry and kicking the air, answers: —I won't calm down! Don't you see they want to kidnap us?

At that moment, Asuka slaps her so hard that Himari and Natsuki feel as if they had been hit themselves, and she yells: —Wait until they give us an explanation!

Suki is startled that her own sister slapped her; she proceeds to calm down, also feeling terrified of what Asuka is capable of at that moment.

Asuka, annoyed, turns to the Yoshidas and asks: —Do you guys have an explanation? You can see we are furious right now.

Kouta answers them, terrified and on his knees: —I'm sorry, we just wanted to impress you. It wasn't so you'd think we would do something to you.

Then Sora intervenes and tells them: —Rest assured it's nothing like that. The rumors at school are true: we are wealthy. It's a long story to tell you why we ended up at this school.

Bewildered by what they are saying, they wonder: "Are they not joking?". Natsuki says: —Fine! But before we get in, we will call our parents so they are aware, and we will also have real-time GPS on.

Daichi replies: —No problem at all.

Natsuki calls her mom and explains the situation and where they are going. Afterward, they get into the limousine more calmly and travel in a tense, silent atmosphere until they reach the Karaoke.

Scene 2: The Karaoke

After the commute, they arrived at the Karaoke. The atmosphere was slightly tense, yet calm began to prevail. It was a Karaoke with a video game lounge, featuring a fresh and peaceful aroma. They arrived at the reception where Sakura Hoshino, a very close childhood friend of the Yoshidas, was stationed.

She was working at the place; upon seeing them, she lit up and stepped out of the reception area, happy to see them, saying: —Hello! How have you been? It's been a long time since we last saw each other.

Kouta, Daichi, and Sora ran toward her, happy to see her, and hugged her. Daichi replied: —Hi Sakura, I'm so happy to see you again; I missed you so much!

She answered while they were still hugging: —What brings you here? —Sora replied: —We came for the Karaoke.

They stopped hugging and she said: —Of course. —Still amazed to see them again, she assisted them and chatted with them.

The Shimizus, completely bewildered, whispered together in a circle: —Who is she? —Suki wondered: "Why was she so happy to see them?" Himari offered an idea: —Could she be a best friend?

Meanwhile, with the Yoshidas, Sakura told them: —You can head to Room 12! —As she said this, she looked at the Shimizus and then said in surprise: —Wow! I didn't know you all had girlfriends already; they are very pretty.

They turned red with embarrassment and told her: —They aren't our girlfriends; they are just friends. —Meanwhile, Natsuki managed to hear them being called girlfriends and told her sisters.

Feeling flustered, they said to each other: —No way! They are already treating us like their partners. —Natsuki wanted to play a prank and told them: —Leave this to me!

She approached silently; however, Sakura saw her, and Natsuki said jokingly: —Hello! I overheard the conversation and yes, we are their girlfriends. —Right, love? —she said to Kouta.

A lump formed in the Shimizus' throats, and Asuka, totally surprised, said to Himari and Suki in a low voice so Sakura wouldn't hear: —What on earth did this girl just do?

The Yoshidas said in one voice to Sakura: —It's not what you think! —Kouta then added: —We can explain, the tru...

Sakura interrupted him cheerfully: —Great! I'll upgrade you to the VIP room as a gift for our friendship; head over to Room 9.

Embarrassed by Natsuki's lie, they told her: —Thank you! —Sakura said to them: —I'll leave you to it; I have to clean some rooms so you can enjoy your stay.

Meanwhile, Natsuki returned to her sisters. They were still processing what had just happened. Asuka, with an intimidating look, asked her: —What did you just do?

Natsuki, happy with the prank, answered them: —It's a joke! In these places, they usually pamper customers who are in couples; that's why I did it.

Himari replied, sad and ashamed: —That is very wrong, Natsuki! It's a lie to get something for free; our parents never taught us that! Besides, you don't know if you could have gotten them into trouble.

Asuka said to the Yoshidas: —Call her to explain the misunderstanding! —They shouted: —Sakura! —This was unsuccessful because she had walked away and taken the elevator.

After the delicate moment, they went to the assigned room. Meanwhile, Sakura, on the second floor, wondered: "¿Who could they be?", "¿Why do I feel strange seeing them with girlfriends?", "¿Could it be that I won't have a chance?"

Scene 3: The VIP Room

They entered the room; it featured a floor screen that reflected the rhythm, several leather sofas, two massage chairs, and even a holographic projector. Upon seeing it, the Shimizus were stunned, as it was their first time in such a luxury suite despite having visited Karaokes many times before. Natsuki thought to herself: "This is really bad," "I shouldn't have done it," but they entered anyway.

Kouta, amazed by what Sakura had done for them, thought: "And I didn't even want to tell her when we moved away, nor did I try to contact her." He asked Daichi and Sora: —Shouldn't we get something for Sakura to show our gratitude?