Ch.01- Aoi Takanishi, From Guitar to Nippers

GunPla. A series of plastic models from the Gundam series that became a world-wide hit and became as popular as the anime, manga, and novel that represent them. Each model fully replicate the Mobile Suit they represent, be it either from Universal Century, Future Century, After War. etc. The world of GunPla is huge and each comes in different grades that can be enjoyed by anyone. It sparks creativity and brings out the sleeping artist inside a person. It even says in a scientific study that building GunPla will make you smarter!

But many years later, GunPla battles were invented. Using a special particle that reacts to the GunPla's plastic, called the Plavsky Particle, allows one to control the GunPla as if he/she is piloting it! Despite this, GunPla actually breaks after a fight, and not until a way was discovered years later, that GunPla fights became much less messier. Anyone who fights GunPla battles are called Build Fighters.

GunPla battles are made more exciting when tournaments are held. Many skilled Build Fighters across different nations partake in such tournaments to show off not just their mastery in building GunPla, but their skills as a Build Fighter too.

One day, a girl named Aoi watches a tournament stream from her phone. It was a battle between a long time fighter named Kaoruko Kanzaki and a seasoned fighter. Aoi watches in delight as her idol dominates the opponent with her Lord Knight Gyancelot. As the battle reaches climax, a person knocks at her door. It was her mother, Saya, calling her because dinner is ready. Aoi dissapointingly turns off her phone and comes down.

Aoi Takanashi is a girl that once studied in St.Odessa School for girls, where she was once a part of a girl band that disbanded because everyone does not share the same goal. Because of this, she acts very repulsively, easily getting into fights with other girls, even her former band mates who doesn't consider her as a friend anymore. Because of her continous demeanor to other students, she was expelled, much to the dissapointment of her parents. She was transferred to Seiho Academy, but the principal, China Kousaka, was a little bit reluctant to let her in. Eventually, she decides to let her stay after Aoi herself begs to study there just to continue her studies.

Still getting used to her new environment, Aoi embarassingly introduces herself. She then excitedly pull out her guitar and proudly shows her musical talent. Afterwards, she bows and returns to her seat.

The girl next to her giggles and tells her that she was impressed with her guitar playing. She introduces herself.

Mika: "I am Mika Okuwara. Nice to meet you!"

Aoi: "Likewise! Err... friends?"

Mika: "Friends. Anyway, the way you played... are you perhaps in a band before?"

Aoi: "Uh-huh. We were called Mechalinker, but everyone was not in agreement with one another, so we disbanded after just one show...I had a tough time getting along with people ever since."

Mika: "Ah! I am sorry... I must've unearthed bad memories."

Aoi: "It's ok. I am over it. I am ready to start anew on this school!"

Mika: "Good to hear! I hope you have a good time here."

Aoi: "Well, I have a feeling things will be very different now! I can feel it!"

Mika: "By the way, wanna talk more during recess?"

Aoi: "Sure! Hehe."

During recess, stairs

Mika: "...So your band lost at the auditions for Future Girls Live?"

Aoi: "Yeah... it was a tragic one too. Everyone was not even feeling the song I wrote for the audition. I was just there trying to get things together on stage. I was literally crying while strumming my guitar. In the end, our vocalist drop the mic near the end of the song and left. That's when we decided to disband."

Mika: "That's awful... Future Girls Live was the ultimate goal for most girl bands, right?"

Aoi: "Yah. This song I wrote, the one we sang on that day, I plan on singing that together with them when we get up there. Sadly, that didn't happen."

Aoi hands Mika a notebook

Mika: "Into the Blue Skies...To cross the heavens with you..."

Aoi: "I thought about it as a love song first, but I changed it eventually to become a different song entirely. My feelings for the band... I put them all in that song- Mika? Are you alright?"

Mika: *sob* "This song is so beautiful, Aoi. Such a shame... such a shame..."

Aoi: "Hahahaha! Quit that! Sniff... you're gonna make me tear up too..."

And so, during the remaining time of recess, they cried together. When they hear the bell, they get back as quickly as possible, laughing on the way.

After school is over, Mika asks Aoi if she has any club in mind.

Aoi: "Hmm... I might join the music club and make a band again. But I am still considering other clubs."

Mika: "...Do you like GunPla?"

Aoi: "Absolutely! I did join GunPla contests before. I got 3 trophies actually. I remember that our vocalist used to smack me when I just build GunPla and not practice... Hahaha."

Mika: "Then perhaps... can I invite you to my GunPla club tomorrow?"

Aoi: "GunPla club? Yeah sure! I'll check it- wait... You are a club leader?"

Mika: "Yes! I was given the task to take over the GunPla club where Sei Iori was once a part with. Apparently, GunPla enthusiasts are slowly declining in the school, and I was only left with one member."

Shocked with what she heard, Aoi holds Mika's hands and then tells her she would like to join the GunPla club.

Aoi: "Then... Then I'll join! Count me in your club, Mika!"

Confused and dazed as well concerned that if she's doing it out of pity, Mika smiles at Aoi and replies.

Mika: "It's okay, Aoi. You should join the music club instead... maybe your dream can still come true. I want to hear you sing that song, Aoi."

Aoi: "I already made up my mind. Mika, I know you think I am doing this out of pity, but I am not. You are my first friend here and the first who shed a tear with me. And for you to appreciate my song that much, it meant so much to me. So Mika, I wanna join your club!"

Mika: "...but what about your goal? Your dream-"

Aoi: "It doesn't matter when we won't share the same goal anyway. Plus, it's time I find a different goal now."

Mika: "...geez. Now come tomorrow because it's recruitmemt day. I'll show you the clubroom. No regrets, okay?"

Aoi flashes a bright smile

Aoi: "Heh. No regrets! I hope you have me, Mika!"

Mika: "Of course!"

And with that, both went their separate ways. At home, Saya wondered why her daughter was in a good mood, then smiled. She asks Aoi about it on dinner. Clutching the notebook she showed to Mika where the song she wrote was written, she says to herself

Aoi: "I think my school year is going to be a blast."

Saya: "Is that so? Tell me about it."

Aoi: "Heh? Am I-"

Saya: "Hahaha! You always think aloud! C'mon,tell me how is school and why you are in such a good mood."

Aoi: "Well, I met a girl-"

And so both the mother and daughter had a long nice talk over dinner. After Aoi finishes eating, she proposes to wash the dishes together with her. Afterwards, Aoi takes a bath and lays on the bed, excited for tomorrow. She stares at her GunPla collection and thinking about bringing one tomorrow.

The next day, Aoi meets up with Mika and another girl that looks like she didn't get enough sleep. They went to the club together. From there, Aoi was registered as part of the GunPla club.

And now starts a new chapter in Aoi's life, not as a musician, but as a GunPla enthusiast. Where this will take her is unknown, but this new path will surely carve a new destiny for her.

Ch.01 END