Bang Dream Short Story Anthology

Yukina - 1

I volunteer part-time for the local animal shelter in my area. We cater to most strays we can find; cats being the most numerous ones we have to look out for.

I gotta say, it's pretty fun to work here and I look forward for the days I clock in. It serves as quite a therapy session for me amidst all the work I have to do for school.

Today I was grooming a cute gray cat. I picked this little fella up just a few days ago from the nearby neighborhood. He had a few scratches so I brought him back immediately here for treatment.

"How are you doing today?" I smiled, scratching his head gently. He mewled in delight, rubbing his head along my fingernails as I continued to pat him.

"Let's see now..."

I did a quick run-through with his condition; the people at the shelter took good care of him, it seems! His fur was just a bit of a mess though, so I'll have to brush and trim him off.

"Hey, how'd you like some music while I work on you?" I spoke to cat.

"Meow?" He tilted his head, giving me a puzzled look.

I took out my phone and a small, portable speaker. Opening up my music player, I hit up my work playlist, which was composed of mostly songs by the band Roselia.

Have you ever heard of them before? They're a great band and their devotion for music is limitless. Every song release they do just keeps on getting better and better.

I've been quite a fan of them for around 1-2 months since a friend recommended me their music. When I dug deeper around them, it seems like their vocalist, Yukina Minato, was their driving force to keep on reaching greater heights.

"Hmm hmm, one's intention~!" I hummed along to myself as I groomed the little cat which is seemingly liking Roselia's music as well.

As the song picked up its pace, it got me into a focused state; working on the cat in rhythm with the lyrics of the song; little did I know I was starting to sing out loud.

"Rose shouts so loud...!"

With a final stroke of the brush, I waved it around in the air like I just finished along the last guitar riff of the song, prompting its end. The cat mewled along, rubbing its head on my hand.

"Ahaha, sorry I got carried away there, little fella." I chuckled.

"Oh my!" A voice spoke.

I looked up, and didn't notice someone came into the shelter.

And good God did my heart drop like a ton of bricks.

A young lady with lavender hair, yellow eyes with a fierce stare, and casual winter clothes stood in front of the door.

"A-ah!" The words in my mouth fumbled.

The lady that stood in front of me; it was Roselia's vocalist herself: Yukina Minato.

"I-I'm sorry I didn't notice you come in!" I stammered, "Please excuse my attitude."

Surprisingly, the songstress just laughed softly.

"Calm down, it's fine." She said in a refined tone. "To be frank, I'm flattered to hear our songs playing in the animal shelter."

"A-ah! R-right, you're Yukina Minato from Roselia! Um, it's an honor to have you here, but um, what also brings you here?"

"Hmm, well..." she tilted her head up, her hands instinctively petting the gray cat I just groomed. "I just came from rehearsals and noticed there's a new animal shelter on the way home, so I decided to see what's new."

"Oh, I see! W-welcome then!"

Her eyes turned to me but her hands continued to play with the cat. I can tell by the way she handled him was experienced as she knows all spots to pet.

"Well, I'm glad to have swung by and learn that our music reaches through the neighborhood." She smiled, then turned to the cat. "And it seems you also enjoyed it, didn't you now?"

"Meow!" The cat happily rolled around. Yukina's expression lit up, which was a pretty rare sight as all I know is she kept a steely gaze most of the time.

"Well, I must be going now." Yukina said, gently setting the cat down. She looked at me once more and spoke.

"If you're interested, Roselia is having a live gig tomorrow; CiRCLE at 6 P.M., come if you wish to."

She waved goodbye and left the building.

A live gig tomorrow huh? CiRCLE is pretty near my route home, so I can reach it in no time.

It's decided, I'll head over to their gig tomorrow!