S1 Main Story/Prologue 3

Unforgettable Night, is the fourth introductory chapter of Sakuragawa:Starlight Festival.

A side story, Ride Like The Wind, will be included as well.

Summary
As Ruruka takes the ex-vocalist under Masayoshi Ward's landmark, Makoto discovers something that they shouldn't have known...

Transcript
 - Several Hours Later - 

[Outside of the Harmonia Skyscraper, Tsutsujimori City, Masayoshi Ward, Amanoshima]

(As the bodyguard drives her van into the staff only parking, she glances over the truck to see where it's headed. Realising that the truck is heading underground, she parks the van and ceases the engine, exhaling a quiet sigh afterwards. As she looks behind the car to face the agents..)

Ruruka: We have arrived. Assemble yourselves outside!

TBA Agents: ROGER!

Makoto: R-Roger?!

Ruruka: Azure, go into the skyscraper's lobby. I'll come in when I'm done.

Makoto: Why tho-

Ruruka: Just get in!

Makoto: Fine!

(Ruruka comes out of the van, with several agents coming out of the van later. Noting that some of them are coming out slowly, she yells out, prompting the slower agents to pick up the tempo. Makoto then comes out of the van and head towards the skyscraper's lobby, before sitting down in one of the sofas.)

[Floor 1, Harmonia Skyscraper]

Makoto: So I have to stay in here while she's outside? Dealing with a group of agents and so forth, huh.

Makoto: She said that she'd come out when she deals with them, but does that mean she's entrusting them with some other agent?

Makoto: Surely not.

(The ex-vocalist looks up on top of the ceiling, featuring a bright chandelier, monitors of artists featured during the Aura Royale Festival, and speakers that play EDM. A billboard showcases the top ten artists of every genre featured in five wards, and artists highly anticipated for participating in next year's festival.)

Makoto: Looking at how decked out this lobby is, I can't seem to put my finger into it.

Makoto: Whatever goes underneath the skyscraper.

Makoto: Wait...

Makoto: Last time I went there, it was for some promotion of whether I wanted to be a solo artist. I said no at that time, because I really thought that the band's going to last for a long time.

Makoto: And even so, the floor that I was summoned to for that promotion was dazzling.

Makoto: But then...

- Flashback -

Tohru: AZURE, YOU'RE OUT HERE SOMEWHERE RIGHT?! COME OUT FOR GODS' SAKE!

Matsuri: Someone.. Someone help us..!

* ZAP*

Both: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

- Present Time-

Makoto: Matsuri... Tohru...

Makoto: They're definitely underneath.

(Ruruka comes inside the skyscraper, indicating that she's done dealing with her agents.)

Ruruka: I apologise for the wait.

Makoto: It's fine.

Makoto: I've been waiting to see what's underneath, anyways.

Ruruka: We'll get going.

Makoto: Alright.

(She starts proceeding to the east-side corridor, with Makoto following her.)

Makoto: So, what am I supposed to expect underneath?

Ruruka: The thing you wanted to see.

Makoto: Yes, but what do you mean-

Ruruka: Silence!

Makoto: ...Sheesh.

(Progressing into the east corridor, both of them continue walking. Within the walls, there are four elevators, and the bodyguard walks up to the staff-only door. Taking out a card, she scans it on the lock, enabling the both of them to enter.)

[Staff-Only Corridor, Floor 1, Harmonia Skyscraper]

Makoto: Uh.

Makoto: Where is this leading to?

Ruruka: The elevator.

Makoto: You mean, staff-only elevator.

(As the ex-vocalist and bodyguard enter the glass elevator...)

Ruruka: Do you have any other questions aside from those?

Makoto: Yep.

Makoto: If you're part of a music organisation, why do you have tasers?

Ruruka: You will figure that out.

Ruruka: We're going.

(Ruruka presses a button on the glass elevator. The doors close and starts descending underground.)

...

[Floor 29, Harmonia Skyscraper]

Anna: Now then.

Anna: New test subjects have arrived.

Anna: Going by the cumulative total, they are subject numbers...

Anna: Hm?

(The dark-green haired CEO looks at a survelliance camera to find someone who's not an agent, and her bodyguard in the staff only elevator.)

Anna: ...Sigh.

Anna: Ruruka-san.

Anna: What exactly are you doing?

...

[Underground Floors, Harmonia Skyscraper]

Makoto: So.

Makoto: What's with all of these screens?

Ruruka: Footage of all of the sabotages, bribery, attempted harrassment, and so forth.

Makoto: What for?

Ruruka: ...

(The glass elevator goes down the next floor.)

Makoto: Wait.

Ruruka: Hm?

Ruruka: Are you intending to enter this floor?

Makoto: Nope.

Makoto: ...Why does everyone in that one group there look like prisoners, though?

Makoto: (Hang on, the places that they all sleep in look horrible. Like a prison? But many of these people weren't even suspects, in the news.)

Makoto: (This is a music organisation, I swear.)

(The elevator suddenly stops at the third floor, opening up.)

[Underground Floor 3. Harmonia Skyscraper]

Makoto: Okay, I thought there was going to be four floors, why stop at the third?

Ruruka: I'll need to deal with my agents again.

Makoto: Again?

Ruruka: Yes.

Makoto: Uh, okay.

(The two of them step out of the glass elevator, entering the third floor. Ruruka immediately runs off, deserting the vocalist in the process.)Makoto: Well...

Makoto: So I just simply, stand here? Or something?

Makoto: Wait, no.

Makoto: Matsuri and Tohru's definitely here now, I'll need to get them both back, while I'm at it...

Makoto: The only way I can get them back though, is to move forward no matter what.

(In the distance.)

New TBA Guard 1: Hang on, is he an agent?

TBA Guard 2: What? No?

TBA Guard 1: Heh? Who is he then?

TBA Guard 2: Just watch his movements for now!

TBA Guard 1: Roger!

(The ex-vocalist starts walking forward, nodding to themself as a confirmation of their decision.)

Makoto: ...

Makoto: (So from the first room, there a... A lot of gifts here? For artists.)

Makoto: (Sorted out one end to an another, being placed in something?)

Makoto: (Wait, that's a really massive giftbox there?)

Makoto: (Wow, how generous, how many gifts have been taken there, possibly from others?)

Makoto: I'll just...

(They open the door slightly, to see several staff members turning their heads at the ex-vocalist all of a sudden. Weirded out, they slam the door.)

Makoto: Nevermind! Let's keep going.

TBA Guard 3: Hey, aren't you going to capture him?

TBA Guard 2: We haven't been ordered by one of the bodyguards to capture him though...

TBA Guard 3: Can we just take the chance?

TBA Guard 2: Just watch his movements!

TBA Guard 3: Take the chance-

Makoto: (Oh-)

Makoto: Who's there?!

Makoto: ...

Makoto: (I sure hope it's not my imagination.)

(They keep going, unaware that a small group of guards are still trying to trail them. Soon enough, they saw a girl with a shrivelled and feculent stature, inelegantly blubbering. As they approach that same someone,)

Makoto: Oy, are you okay?!

(That same girl slowly nods, sniffing. They try to get the weak girl up, but they realise that she can't move very well- If well at all.)

Makoto: Only the torso and nothing el-

(Suddenly, an another guard comes up to the vocalist and grabs the girl by the torso, tossing her in a manner akin to trashing something.)

Makoto: Oy, what the hell are you doing?!

TBA Guard 4: And why are you trying to sympathise with one who deserves her fate?!

Makoto: So you're saying that a helpless girl deserves to turn into this sorry state?!

TBA Guard 4: Exactly! By breaking the third rule of the TOS...

TBA Guard 4: This vermin right over here has bullied someone into commiting suicide! How do you think you can sympathise with such vermin?!

Makoto: Hah..?!

Makoto: What are you saying-

???: WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME-

???: ZIP YOUR MOUTH AND LEARN HOW TO STAY PUT YOU DAMN JACKASS!

???: STOOOOOOOOOOOP! PLEASE STOP!

Makoto: What the f-

(Hearing the screams, Makoto runs to a red-haired girl, whose hair is pulled by an aggresive guard. Seeing the helpless state that the girl is in, they attempt to meddle in.)

Makoto: LEAVE HER BE! She's-

Kujikawa Sentarou: And who are you to talk back to a superior, you damn intruder?!

Makoto: Intruder or not, can you let go?!

Sentarou: NO!

???: Someoneeeeeeeeeeee!

Makoto: I'm going to-

(The guard pushes Makoto out of it, dragging the other girl to a room full of people cowering out of fear, and people who have just got rendered bald.)

???: Save.... Me...! PLEASE!

Sentarou: Shut up or you're getting drugged as well!

???: NOOOOOOOOO!

Makoto: Hah...!

Makoto: (One moment, there was a bunch of gifts being placed somewhere, and the next we got two girls in a really bad state!)

Makoto: (I would have wanted to rescue them, but I-)

Makoto: (I will get Matsuri and Tohru back!)

(As they further progress, they see a particular room. The moment they take a glance and listen, chills ran down their spine.)

Makoto: What.. The...?!

???: AHHHHHHHHHHH!

???: I BEG YOU, PLEASE DON'T TAKE MY ARM-

???: STOP, PLEASE STOP!

(Some of the limbs get chopped off by other guards, invoking fear onto the ex-vocalist.)

Makoto: So is this what... Matsuri and Tohru's going to go through?! for sabotaging?!

Ruruka: SECURITY GUARDS! ARE THE TWO MEMBERS AWAKE?!

Security Guards: Yes, Hinohara-san!

(Hearing Ruruka's voice, they look back to see her and a group of guards with a truck. From a distance, they managed to see their bandmates.)

Makoto: Ah...!

Makoto: MATSURI! TOHRU!

Ruruka: WHAT ARE YOU-

Makoto: GET THE HELL OUT OF MY WAY!

Ruruka: ..!

Ruruka: Guards... SURROUND THEM!

Security Guards: ROGER!

Group of Guards: ROGER THAT!

Makoto: WHAT THE HELL-

(Suddenly, a group of security guards and the guards previously trailing the ex-vocalist now ambush them. Struggling to get their bandmates, they notice that one of the guards latched onto their black wig and removed it, revealing the lilac hair underneath.)

Security Guard 1: Otonashi Makoto?! No seriously, what are you doing here?!

Sentarou: Is that the name of the intruder?!

TBA Guard 1: That's a wig?!

Makoto: OH CRAP-

[Floor 29, Harmonia Skyscraper]

Anna: Oh.

Anna: One moment in, and ruckus in the next.

Anna: Anyways... It seems like Otonashi Makoto was the person who'd Ruruka brought underground?

Anna: It may be a good thing that I printed out my first alternative resignation forms..

Anna: I suppose, we'll have quite the chat.

(Anna takes out a sheet of paper and pen, walk to the elevator, and descend to the bottom floors of the skyscraper.)

[Underground Floor 3. Harmonia Skyscraper]

Makoto: Okay... Fuck it!

(Pushing out of the guard's ambush, they sprint towards the glass elevator.)

Sentarou: What- He's getting away!

Ruruka: I'll handle them! Get back to your positions this instant!

Sentarou: Wha-

Ruruka: NOW!

TBA Guards: ROGER!

(As Makoto sprints towards the glass elevator, Ruruka chases them down, slowing down as the duo reach the elevator's doors. The ex-vocalist presses a button, opening the doors.)

Makoto: Haaaaah....

Ruruka: Why are you trying to get your bandmates back?

Ruruka: If you took a peek through the first floor, you'd already know that all people within these chambers deserve their fa-

Makoto: ...So whose idea was this?

Ruruka: As in-

Makoto: I can somehow see why you'd need to get footage of people, incase fair competition is tarnished.

Makoto: However...

Makoto: Whose idea is it to group several people at once and run the second floor like a prison, when many of these people weren't even suspects of Amanoshima's crimes?

Makoto: Whose idea is it to use the third floor as grounds of forcibly shaving hair, subjecting people to tasers and tranquilisers, and chopping off limbs like it's a experiment faculty?!

Ruruka: The experiment faculty is for the betterment of Amanoshima!

Makoto: "Betterment'?!

Makoto: What do you mean, betterment?! IT'S ONLY TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER ABOUT PUTTING THEM IN CONDITIONS LIKE THIS, RIGHT?!

Makoto: Especially when this is coming from a music organisation!

Ruruka: Just calm down-

Makoto: Easier said than done if you've been doing this for god knows how long! Did you lose your humanity or something?!

Ruruka: ...

Ruruka: I... haven't.

Makoto: Again, whose idea is it to do all this-

Ruruka: Makoto, please!

Makoto: What?!

Ruruka: Listen to me. I might be able to get you out without you getting caught.

Makoto: "Without getting caught", so on normal days, people who see all this are captured too?!

Ruruka: Normally... But I have a plan.

Ruruka: There's a certain section of the staff-only area, where some of the guards and agents come in and out at times.

Ruruka: If you can remain silent about what you saw today, I'll show you where that section is, so that you can come out safely.

Ruruka: It's currently midnight, so the cameras won't recongise you as clearly in the dark.

Ruruka: Although, you may have to run quickly..

(The glass elevator opens up, with the CEO standing in front of the elevator.)

Ruruka: On the other hand, I'll be able to mitigate it with-

Anna: There is no need to hide your plan, Ruruka-san.

Ruruka: ...Tenbashi-sama?!

Makoto: Who's there?!

Anna: Ruruka-san, please wait for me at the staff-only door. It will be over in a few moment's time.

(Reluctlantly, Ruruka nods.)

Ruruka: ...Understood.

Makoto: what exactly are you trying to do-

Anna: You have seen what's underneath, yes?

Makoto: I have, and I need to know whose idea is it!

(Anna holds a paper and a pen.)

Anna: Follow me, Makoto-san. We'll have a chat.

Makoto: I didn't ask for a chat-

Anna: This may be beneficial for you... Yosuke.

Makoto: Uh-

Makoto: Don't. Call me that.

Anna: I won't, so as long as you remain quiet.

Makoto: ...

(As tensions are raised, the CEO and the ex-vocalist trudges from the east corridor. Silence prevails throughout, and eventually, they reach an empty room. Both then sit down on the chairs.)

Makoto: So, Tenbashi-san!

Makoto: Is tasering people, putting them under the skyscraper like prisoners, and making their lives a living hell your idea?!

Anna: And if I said yes?

Makoto: Then why the hell are you doing all this?!

Anna: I will not comment on that.

Makoto: But wh-

Anna: Yosuke. Please, be quiet.

Makoto: ...Again, don-

Anna: Now then. For why I brought you here...

(Anna places a paper and a pen on the table, in front of Makoto.)

Makoto: "Musician Contract Resignation Form 2".

Makoto: An alternative form?

Anna: Yes.

Anna: If you sign it right here, your contract with the association will be abolished now.

Makoto: ...Am I missing something?

Anna: No.

Anna: You won't get captured or hunted down when you exit out of the skyscraper. So as long as you sign it.

Makoto: Anything else?

Anna: That's it. Have I made a deal?

Makoto: Fine. But I'm getting out of here when I'm done.

Anna: Good.

(The ex-vocalist signs the paper, and immediately leaves the studio. Anna simply watches them leave, and waits.)

Anna: Hm.

Anna: It may not mean that anyone else related to you are safe though.

Anna: Besides, in a few years time, you will also help me in the system.

(Anna eventually exits the studio.)