Two Strings, One Song: Memory Fragments and Parallel Songs

Memory Fragment: On the road!

"Eh, we can take our own pace, lad." Fujin smiles back at Anthony, patting his shoulder.

"Now, where is Hiro?"

Meanwhile, Hiroko was sitting in his and Fujin's room calling Hitori.

"H-Hiroko, that's great news!" Hitori tells him through the phone.

"I know, right? It's amazing! It reminds me of Japan... Playing with you and the girls was fun, even if it was for one month."

"Mhm..."

Hitori stays silent for a moment before speaking again.

"I was afraid I would lose you."

Hiroko takes some time to respond after what Hitori said. He planned to apologize despite the incident not being his fault, but the two spoke at the same time.

"I'm-"

"Oh, haha... S-Sorry, Hitori. You can talk first."

"T-Thank you. Um... I'm, sorry you had to hear that. Sometimes I can't get the thought out."

"N-No, it's okay, really. There's nothing to be sorry about."

"...Thank you. Again. I... I-I love you."

Hiroko blushes and clears his throat, smiling so wide that it makes him look stupid.

"Haha... Y-Yeah, I love you too."

A moment of comforting silence is filling the air between Hitori and Hiroko. But suddenly, Fujin comes ramming into the room.

"Hiro!"

"Gah!"

"Hiroko-"

Hiroko quickly hangs up and shoves his phone underneath the bed mattress.

"F-Fujin, hey."

"Sup." Fujin grunts softly and sits down on the bed.

"What've you been doing?"

"Nothing much... Just, looking at old pictures and... Stuff."

Fujin looks over at Hiroko and smirks.

"Our good ol' days were good, man... Man, I can't wait to start the tour. One month of songs and driving."

"Yeah... Oh man, this is gonna be exciting!" Hiroko exclaims, lying down on the bed and grabbing his phone.

"That's right. Thinking about it, we should get some rest for tomorrow."

Hiroko nods and turns around, facing the window in the room.

"...Hey." Fujin calls Hiroko.

"What?" Hiroko asks in response.

"Sorry. Can't sleep, so I kind of feel like yapping till we knock out."

Hiroko looks back at Fujin before lying on his back.

"...Okay then. Let's chat a bit."

Just a few minutes into talking, Hiroko and Fujin knocked out.

The next day...

Early in the morning when the sun was barely up, Autonoma went to a vehicle shop, bringing snacks and drinks on the road. Of course as intended, they got themselves an RV.

They got used to the inside, settled down with their instruments in their proper cases, and Anthony walked to the driver's seat.

Anthony cracks his knuckles and puts his hands on the steering wheel.