The sun hung low over the horizon, casting a golden hue over the day's festivities. I let out a soft sigh, my fingers still tracing the lingering warmth from where I'd patted Ruby's head. It was a rare moment of sentimentality, one that unbiddenly brought back memories of Daiwa.
"Could I... actually bring Daiwa here?" I muttered to the empty air.
"Heh, I guess you've got a soft spot after all, don't ya?"
The voice broke my reverie. I looked up to see Z23 standing there, two clouds of pink cotton candy in her hands and a smug look on her face.
"Don't get used to it," I replied, my voice dripping with its usual sarcastic edge. If anything, her smirk only made me want to tease her more, but duty as annoying as it was called. "We still have work to do."
I reached out and plucked one of the sugary treats from her hand.
"Understood," Z23 said, falling into step behind me. After a few paces, she tilted her head. "So, what exactly is on the agenda?"
I took a bite of the cotton candy, the sugar dissolving instantly on my tongue. "I've been itching for a bit of data collection. Specifically, I want to fight something."
Z23 stopped dead in her tracks. "No. Absolutely not. You are not going."
"You can't stop me, Z23," I said, not even looking back.
"True," she countered, her voice taking on a dangerously playful tone. "But you'll have to convince them first."
She pointed a finger behind me. I turned around, and the bravado drained out of me instantly. Standing there was Martha, wearing an expression that only a mother or someone who had spent a lifetime wrangling unruly children could truly master.
"Wait, Martha... can we talk about this?"
I did not get to talk about it. Instead, I received a scolding of a lifetime.
"You are not going anywhere, Agnes," Martha declared, her hands on her hips.
"You are going to stay here and rest. Period."
I slumped my shoulders, defeated by the sheer weight of her maternal authority. "Fine. I give up."
"Good," Martha said, her tone softening back into that terrifyingly sweet motherly lilt. "Now come along. We're going to check out a shop you might like."
Before I could protest further, Martha's hand clamped onto my arm. I was dragged along like a stray kitten, while Z23 followed behind, grinning like she'd just won the lottery. Even Ruby was in on it, beaming at me.
"Come on, Miss Tachyon!" Ruby chirped.
"This better be good," I grumbled.
We arrived at the "shop," but as the structure came into view, my blood ran cold. It wasn't a store. It was a stage. A large, very public, very well-lit stage.
"Wait... oh no. No, no, no."
The realization hit me like a runaway carriage. They didn't want me to shop; they wanted me to perform. I spun around to bolt, but Z23 was already there, blocking the exit with a triumphant smirk.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"You set me up!" I hissed.
Before I could leap off the side, Martha grabbed my shoulder and steered me toward the curtains. "You can do it, Agnes!" She gave me a cheerful thumbs up.
"I can't sing! I can't dance!" I protested, my voice hitting a frantic pitch. "I'm a scientist, not a idol!"
"Really?" Martha tilted her head innocently.
"But aren't the Kuranta supposed to be excellent idols?"
"Some! Not all! Martha!"
"Well, it's too late now," she whispered, giving me a firm shove. "I've already invited half the district to see you. I even got Kal'tsit's approval."
"You've got to be kidding me..."
I stumbled out onto the stage, the bright lights blinding me for a second. As my vision cleared, I saw them. A sea of faces. Operators, civilians... even the Doctor was sitting there in the front row, looking confused but curious.
This humiliation... I shall take it to the grave, I thought, my heart hammering against my ribs.
But I was Agnes Tachyon. If I was going to be humiliated, I would do it with such intensity that it would look intentional. I took a deep breath, channeled every ounce of confidence I didn't feel, and grabbed the microphone.
"Hello, everyone! My name is Agnes Tachyon," I announced, my voice booming over the speakers. "And I will be performing... Starting Force!"
In the front row, I heard the Doctor lean over to amiya beside him. "Starting Force? What's that?"
"I don't know, Doctor," Amiya replied, her ears twitching in confusion.
The crowd began to murmur, the air thick with anticipation. I closed my eyes, the familiar melody of a world I once knew through a screen echoing in my mind.
Here we go.
The music exploded into life a high-energy, driving beat that demanded movement. I found my rhythm, the umamusume in me finally deciding show itself.
"If we don't reach that dream, it's like we never saw it!" I belted out, pointing toward the horizon.
"Fight! Fight! Tracen! Never give up! Let's go!"
The crowd's confusion shifted. Feet started tapping. I saw Z23's jaw drop in disbelief, and I felt a surge of wicked pride.
"With friends we dash all day smiles and tears, always side by side! A daring heart Brand-new Starting Force!"
I spun, my coat flaring out like wings.
"Stand up again, and again! Together! Forever!"