Fii and Quinn stepped through the doors of the Tower of Songs, and a wave of sound and energy washed over them. Inside the cavernous lobby, a throng of people milled about, their chatter echoing off the walls. The place was packed, with only a few stragglers rushing inside to secure a spot in the auditorium.
The walls and floors were painted with vibrant colors, each surface covered in murals, graffiti, and artwork. The light fixtures, old-fashioned gas lamps and retro neon signs, cast a warm glow throughout the lobby. In one corner, a bar served drinks to the attendees, while in another, a group of beatboxers laid down some rhythms, entertaining the crowd.
Fii and Quinn pushed through the mass of people, working their way to the staircase leading to the auditorium. The crowd became more boisterous and energetic as they ascended, with everyone jostling and pushing to find a good spot.
The roar of voices blended with the deep, pulsing bass emanating from the stage. The scent of sweat and spilled drinks wafted in the air, blending with the stench of over-perfumed bodies pressed together in tight spaces.
As they squeezed their way through the throng, Fii couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement bubbling inside of her. She knew the tickets Quinn got weren't great ones, but she didn't care. She was happy enough just being here and experiencing the atmosphere. The music. The vibe. The people. All of it. Everything about tonight sent a thrill racing through her veins.
"You like the Tower?" Quinn leaned over and hollered at Fii over the noise, a big grin on his face. "There's lots to do. Lots to see. Plenty of parties after each show. Those things can get pretty wild."
"It's awesome!" Fii shouted back, barely hearing herself over the din of the crowd. "I've been to a few shows before, but they're usually in smaller places. Never been inside the auditorium here, though. Can't wait to go inside!" She pumped her fist in the air, jumping a bit on the tips of her toes.
Quinn laughed and gave her a quick pat on the back. "Great! Glad I got those tickets for us. Come on!" He grabbed her hand, pulling her close behind him through the crowd.
They shuffled along, the line of people steadily moving forward. Occasionally, Quinn would stop to greet an acquaintance, exchanging brief hellos and goodbyes before continuing their trek.
"Oi! Quinn! Fancy seeing you here, mate!" A loud voice rang out from Fii's left. She turned to see a man clad in black leather pants with green fringes sticking out of his sleeves. "Got the tickets, yeah?" He grinned, displaying a full set of crooked teeth, stained yellow from cigarettes.
"Yo, Walle. Yeah, got 'em right here." Quinn flashed his ticket, the embossed logo reflecting the neon lighting overhead.
The man, Walle, let out a satisfied hum before gesturing towards Fii. "And who's this lovely girlie you've brought with you? Hmm?" He gave her a curious once-over, his eyes raking up and down her form appreciatively. "Friend of yours?"
Quinn smiled, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Yep. This is Fii. Fii, this here's my buddy, Walle. He's also a big fan of Kenzo." He gestured between the two of them. "He's usually too cheap to get tickets, but I helped him out and he hooked us up with a few drinks for tonight." He chuckled and motioned at the bottle clutched in Walle's hand.
"Nice to meetcha, Fii." Walle offered Fii his hand, and she accepted the shake. "How 'bout you and me get a drink after the show, hm? Have some fun together." He waggled his eyebrows suggestively. "You're a good looker. Bet you taste real nice too, eh?" He grinned, the tip of his tongue darting out to lick his bottom lip.
"Whoa! Back off, man. We came to see the show. Fii's with me tonight." Quinn interjected, placing himself between her and Walle. "I can't even believe you'd be dumb enough to hit on her while I'm standing right here. Not cool, man."
Walle raised his hands in surrender. "Fine. Fine. Geez, Quinn. Can't a bloke get a little friendly, huh? Besides, you already turned me down last time I hit on ya, so I figured I'd give Fii a try, is all. Anyways, here are your drinks. I'll have to get mine before the show starts."
He passed over a plastic cup filled with a dark liquid, handing a second one to Fii. She accepted hers carefully, being extra mindful to avoid the foamy rim.
Walle winked at her before sauntering back towards the bar.
"Ahh, don't mind him." Quinn shook his head, watching his friend disappear into the crowd. "He's a good guy, just a bit of a horndog sometimes."
Fii nodded, sniffing her cup experimentally. "Yeah, I figured." She wrinkled her nose. "But the drink smells good, at least. Cheers." She held out her cup to Quinn, tapping her cup against his. They both drank, gulping the frothy beverage, letting the bitter fluid wash over their tongues.
Fii shuddered involuntarily. "Wow. Strong. Very strong." She wiped her mouth on the back of her hand, her eyes watering slightly. "What's in here?"
Quinn shrugged. "I dunno. Whatever Walle managed to score." He took another sip. "It's not bad, though. I'm glad we got some free drinks. Saves a bit of tink. Oh, hey! We're almost there."
As they reached the auditorium, Quinn fished out the tickets from his pocket, passing them to the doorman who checked the front and back before waving them inside.
Inside, the space had been transformed into an open, multi-level dance floor. The stage itself remained largely bare, save for a few instruments, amplifiers, speakers, and cables scattered haphazardly around its surface. Above, bright, colored lights flashed, illuminating the air in shifting patterns.
On the upper level, where the seating would normally be located, a number of private booths lined the perimeter. Each booth contained a small bar with several stools, tables, couches, and other furniture. Music blasted from speakers mounted on the ceiling, the heavy beats reverberating throughout the room.
Railings ran along the edge of each level, creating a barrier to prevent patrons from falling off. VIP ticket holders lined the front row closest to the stage. Around them stood numerous attendants and security guards, making sure everyone remained orderly.
The majority of the audience congregated below, dancing, swaying, and moshing to the music. Bodies pressed close together, people grinding against one another in a frenetic rhythm.
"Let's get as close as we can before the show starts!" Quinn shouted in her ear, wrapping his arm around her shoulders protectively. He guided her forward as they weaved through the mob towards the stage.
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Eventually, they reached the barrier separating the VIP section from the general admission. A burly bouncer stood watch, preventing anyone from stepping over or hopping the railing into the roped-off area.
Fii spotted Walle chatting up another girl nearby, the same drink he'd promised to buy at the bar now clutched in his hand. His arm wrapped around her waist, his body leaning intimately close. As Fii watched, the girl slapped him hard across the face, her expression livid as she stormed off. Walle rubbed his reddened cheek, seeming unfazed by the rejection as he shrugged nonchalantly before turning towards a guy standing nearby.
As the crowd grew denser around her, Quinn tugged her closer, pulling her in until her back touched his chest. Her breath caught in her throat at the sudden contact, and she glanced nervously over her shoulder, noticing the way his eyes met hers briefly. She looked away quickly, embarrassed, her cheeks growing hot.
"Hey," he murmured in her ear, his breath tickling her neck. She shivered, goosebumps breaking out across her skin despite the stifling heat permeating the room.
"Um. H-Hi," she replied, her voice cracking slightly. She cleared her throat self-consciously, trying to keep herself steady. "T-thanks again for getting the tickets, Quinn."
She glanced around, distracted by the surging mob around her, not used to being squashed so closely among so many strangers. She also needed something to focus on besides the intense beating of her heart and the way it seemed to quicken whenever he touched her.
A hush descended over the crowd as the lights dimmed, signaling the beginning of the show. Everyone's attention turned to the darkened stage as anticipation built.
Fii's hands tightened on the railing in front of her, her knuckles turning white from gripping the metal pole so hard. Her previous awkwardness around Quinn faded, replaced entirely by eager excitement.
They're here. They're here! He's here! I can't believe I'm gonna get to see Kenzo perform on the big stage!
When was the last time she listened to his songs? It felt like forever ago. Didn't matter though. Tonight, she would soak in all the music and energy that she could. Nothing could ruin this. Nothing at all.
Suddenly, the music started, and a spotlight shone on the middle of the stage, where a figure emerged from the darkness. Fii recognized him immediately; Kenzo, the lead singer and composer of Shunkashūtō, stepped forward, a mic on hand, his lean frame bathed in the glare of the lights.
His clothing was a unique mix of traditional and modern, with a loose-fitting kimono top accentuating his toned shoulders and torso. A baggy pair of harem pants completed the ensemble, the material flowing around his ankles as he danced around the stage. His jet-black hair, tousled and unkempt, bounced wildly around his head with each step.
Behind him, the rest of the band filtered in, each member dressed in unique and colorful attire. Some wore traditional garb, while others incorporated modern touches like neon-colored hair, ripped jeans, and studded accessories.
The stage burst into life as the band launched into their performance, the crowd exploding in cheers and screams as Kenzo sang the first verse. His voice rang clear and pure, rising above the din of the audience and carrying across the room.
Fii couldn't help but bob her head along to the music, her body swaying unconsciously to the beat. She could tell that the band was only warming up, but she didn't mind; this was what she had been waiting for all night. She watched raptly, enthralled by Kenzo's movements as he commanded the stage.
Kenzo hopped onto a platform in the corner, leaping easily atop one of the amps that lined the wall. With both feet planted firmly, he continued rapping, his lyrics flowing smoothly as the beats thumped in the background. His voice filled the room, and he punctuated certain lines by stomping his feet, emphasizing the rhythmic flow.
He jumped down, landing nimbly, and resumed dancing, his hands gesturing wildly as he sang. He pranced across the stage, throwing his arms up in the air and shouting into the mic. The other members followed suit, their own movements mirroring his own, punctuating the words with their actions.
The crowd surged forward, pushing against the rails, their bodies heaving in time to the beat. The tempo increased, building and building to a crescendo as the band ramped up their performance. Fii found herself jumping along with everyone else, losing herself to the rhythm of the song.
As Kenzo belted out the lyrics, his voice crescendoed, rising above the sound of the instruments and the cheering crowd.
Fii's body tingled, goosebumps rising on her skin. She screamed along with the crowd, raising her arms above her head, her eyes locked on Kenzo's figure onstage. The music thundered in her ears, enveloping her senses completely. Her heart hammered in her chest, and she felt electrified, giddy, exhilarated.
The band continued to perform, rocking out, the heavy rhythms pumping through the speakers and driving the crowd to scream louder. Fii danced alongside everyone else, her hips shaking, her feet stomping, her arms flailing as she reveled in the experience.
She glanced at Quinn, who looked at her with a huge grin on his face as they both jumped up and down.
It felt good to move, to let loose, to not worry about anything or anybody else. All her problems melted away, and only the music existed, filling her senses—the beat, the energy, the passion. Everything.
Kenzo's voice pierced through the fog of noise and sound. He jumped around the stage, his feet pounding on the wood planks, his movements perfectly synchronized with the band behind him. With every step, he spun and danced, his movements graceful yet powerful. The VIP crowd roared as he approached them, reaching out for his hands as he skidded to the edge of the stage. Some tried to climb up, but security swiftly shoved them back into place, preventing the crowd from pouring onto the platform.
As the song drew to a close, Kenzo leapt high into the air, his arms extended towards the audience, the crowd screaming and cheering him on. The other band members joined him, leaping in unison as the music swelled, their silhouettes bathed in a golden light.
The final note vibrated through the speakers, the thunderous applause shaking the building. Fii and Quinn clapped along, cheering and whistling.
Then, the band launched into the next song, the music picking back up where they left off. The audience went wild, their cries intensifying as the band performed yet another banger.
Fii continued dancing and bouncing along, lost in the moment. Quinn wrapped an arm around her shoulders, keeping her close, occasionally whispering into her ear to ask if she was alright. She'd just smile in response, nodding as they returned to enjoying the music.
Midway through the set, Kenzo's voice softened, his gaze sweeping across the crowd. "Oi, oi, oi! You guys hear about Axion, yeah?" He asked, adjusting his grip on the mic. "That Super, running around, helping people out, kicking ass and taking names. You've probably seen her, yeah?"
The crowd erupted in cheers, a few even calling out her name.
Fii's heart raced at the mention of her alter-ego. She glanced at Quinn with her mouth agape, who smirked and gave her a quick nod.
She blushed, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the sudden attention. She hadn't expected Kenzo to talk about her, let alone praise her so publicly.
"Mattaku sonotōri! She's out there, doing what she does—a Slumshine who's putting it all out there, every day. Like us. Like the rest of the Slum. But she ain't afraid, ain't scared, to stick her neck out, to go on the offense. I like that. That's what we need more of around here!"
The audience cheered, the sound deafening as they clapped and hollered.
"So, here's to her and her heroics, yeah?" Kenzo lifted his fist to the sky, his hand clenched tight, a defiant gesture that resonated with the crowd. "The next song is dedicated to her, you hear? For Axion! Banzai!"
"Banzai!" The audience cheered, stamping their feet. A chant formed, growing louder and louder until it drowned out the band's performance. "Axion, Axion, Axion!"
"Spread the word! Shunkashūtō and Axion! Collab!" Kenzo shouted into the mic, egging on the crowd. "Let's get her to the stage! Let's do it, people! Tell all your friends. Next time one of you sees her, let her know. Bring that Super over to the Tower and we'll welcome her properly. Our city. Our hero." He pointed out to the crowd, who answered with another wave of fervent cheers.
Fii's eyes nearly bugged out of her skull as she screamed along with everyone else, elated at the prospect of Kenzo recognizing her alter ego.
"HOLY SHIIII—"
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image [https://i.imgur.com/OUWeDat.png]