Revelation

So…this is my first story, any comments and stuff are very much appreciated, thanks. Just so you know, this will probably be a multiple-chapter "Arisa" story, and it ships Tsubasa and Manabe, as will as a bit of minor Arisa and Kudo. Be warned that while I am rather proud of this story, I cannot, however, guarantee a happy ending. Btw, there will probably be a lot of songs in this, and they are all by Taylor Swift, because I am a shameless Swiftie. I'm using the English names in this one, and the King and stuff doesn't exist. I also eliminated Midori-kun, because I didn't like him much. XP

Disclaimer: I do not own any songs in this fanfiction, or Arisa (though I kind of wish I could), or any of the characters in "Arisa" and this fanfiction. I do, however, own the OC(s) that will probably show up sometime.

Prologue: Shooting Star (Manabe's POV):

"Come on, Manabe! Come on!" Tsubasa's urgent voice drifted back from in front of me as she reached back and took my hand. "It's Arisa's turn to sing, and we're missing it!" I smirked inwardly—I knew the perfect way to respond.

"We wouldn't have been late if you hadn't fussed so much over your hair," I said dryly, watching, amused, as Tsubasa turned around and glared at me. "I did not fuss! For your information, all I did was comb it and—" she was cut abruptly short when I pulled her behind me, walking quickly towards some vacant seats in the middle of the fourth row. When she didn't react, I turned my head and mocked her voice: "Come on, Tsubasa! It's Arisa's turn to sing, and we're missing it!" She flushed immediately and looked away as I smirked slightly and yanked her to her seat, dropping in next to her. It was New Year's, and the greenspace was filled in with people, all waiting expectantly for what was rumoured to be the first, and most exciting program of the annual New Year celebration in the park: Arisa singing.

When everybody was settled in, the mayor, Nakanori-sama (A.N: The mayor is an OC), opened the curtains with a flourish, and smiled at Arisa, who was sitting on a blanket with the spotlight on her, holding her guitar. I could feel Tsubasa tense beside me expectantly. Arisa smiled softly, took a silent breath, and started to sing. Even though she had no microphone, her voice echoed clearly across the rows of people.

Elevator buttons and morning air…

Strangers' silence makes me wanna take the stairs…

If you were here, we'd laugh about their vacant stares,

But right now, my time is theirs...

Seems like there's always someone who disapproves,

They'll judge it like they know about me and you…

And the verdict comes from those with nothing else to do,

The jury's out, my choice is you…

So don't you worry your pretty little mind,

People throw rocks at things that shine, and

Life makes love look hard…

The stakes are high,

The water's rough,

But this love is ours…

I was awed. Arisa sang perfectly, her eyes closed, hands strumming the guitar as her beautiful voice seemed to soak into my soul. I felt a faint weight on my shoulder, and looked down, surprised, to see Tsubasa, her blond hair drifting slightly over her face as she lay her head gently on my shoulder.

"Isn't she…amazing?" Tsubasa whispered softly, slowly, and all I could do was nod as a slight smile appeared on Tsubasa's face. I opened my mouth and was about to reply, but she shook her head.

"Shhh. Just listen, Manabe," she murmured, eyes half-closed. With a jolt, I realized that we had already missed a lot of the song, and once again focused my attention on Arisa, who was smiling now, enjoying the attention of everyone's eyes on her.

And it's not theirs to speculate, if it's wrong, and,

Your hands are tough, but they are where mine belong, and,

I'll fight their doubt and give you faith, with this song for you…

'Cause I love the gap between your teeth…

And I love the riddles that you speak,

And any snide remarks from my father about your tattoos,

Will be ignored…

'Cause my heart is yours…

So don't you worry your pretty little mind,

People throw rocks at things that shine, and

Life makes love look hard…

Don't you worry your pretty little mind,

People throw rocks at things that shine, but

They can't take what's our-our-ours…

They, can't, take, what's ours…

The stakes are high,

The water's rough,

But this love is, ours…

Arisa stopped, then, and set down her guitar. The entire park was absolutely silent for a moment, and then we were suddenly all on our feet at once, clapping, cheering, as Arisa stood and bowed. I looked at Tsubasa, standing beside me, and was surprised to see sparkling tears in her eyes. Tsubasa, the toughest girl in 2B, was crying...because of a song? But then I noticed that a lot of the girls around us were crying silently as well, and when we sat down, Tsubasa propped her elbows on her knees and put her head in her hands, and I saw that she was smiling through her tears.

"I'm so proud of Arisa…" she whispered, her purple eyes blurred by tears. Straightening, she brushed away the tears with one hand, and closed her eyes, leaning back in her chair. On impulse, I put an arm around her and pulled her close, so that her head was resting on my chest. I don't even know why I did it. Maybe Arisa's music had clicked something inside me. Maybe it was Tsubasa crying. But whatever the reason, I suddenly had to tell her what had been rotating inside of me ever since the beginning of middle school, when I first met Tsubasa, and then when we became close friends. Tsubasa stared up at me, shocked, and I brushed a few strands of hair out of her face, and leaned down towards her.

"Hey, Tsubasa," I whispered. "I've got a secret to tell you."

"What? What secret?" she whispered back curiously. I smiled knowingly, and leaned in even closer, my lips just brushing her ear, my hair hanging past my face. I took a small breath, and murmured three words, so faintly that even I could barely hear them. I could practically feel the shock emanating off of her as I straightened and looked down into her wide violet eyes, still smiling.

The rest of the celebration passed by in a blur. Soon, the moon had risen, and the last part of the celebration was taking place: the couple dances.

Taking her hand, I pulled her up as a song started to play. All around the park, the chairs were being cleared away, and in the empty space where they had been, couples were starting to dance (including Arisa and Kudo, I noticed), pairs of suits and drifting dresses whirling around to the music.

I offered my hand to Tsubasa, who was still staring at me shocked.

"May I have this dance?" I asked her lightly, and slowly, Tsubasa started to smile.

"Of course," she said, and as we stepped into the music, all I could think about was how beautiful Tsubasa was in her white dress, a (fake) rose pinned in her blond hair, a faint blush touching her cheeks.

We danced well into the night, and as the final song started to play, we sat down in a bench. Tsubasa leaned into me, and I wrapped my arms around her, both of us listening quietly to the music. Tsubasa smiled, and she began to sing softly with the song, surprising me.

Tall, dark and superman,
He puts papers in his briefcase and drives away,
To save the world or go to work,
It's the same thing to me.
He's got his mother's eyes, his father's ambition,
I wonder if he knows how much that I miss him,
I hang on every word you say, yay…
And you smile and say, "How are you?" and
I'll say, "Just fine,"
I always forget to tell you, I love you, I'll love you...forever!

I watch superman fly away,
You've got a busy day today.
Go save the world, I'll be around…
I watch superman fly away,
Come back I'll be with you someday!
I'll be right here on the ground…
When you come back down…

I was just as entranced as when I heard Arisa sing. Their voices were almost exactly the same, and driven by a sudden impulse, I leaned down, and cut her short—by kissing her lightly on the lips. When I pulled away, Tsubasa was blushing furiously, her eyes cast downwards as she fiddled with her dress nervously. Pulling her even closer, I turned her head around to face me, and stroked her hair gently. Then, Tsubasa did something that surprised me even more: she reached up and wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me down to meet her in another kiss. My brain, foggy from the scent of her perfume, heard the music play as we kissed, and something tense inside me relaxed as I leaned into the kiss, my arms around her waist.

And you'll leave, got places to be,
And I'll be okay,
I always forget to tell you, I love you,
I loved you from the very first day!

I watch superman fly away,
You've got a busy day today.
Go save the world,
I'll be around…
And I watch superman fly away,
Come back, I'll be with you someday!
I'll be right here on the ground…
When you come back down…

And I watch you fly around the world,
And I hope you don't chase another girl,
Don't forget, don't forget about me!

I'm far away, but I'll never let you go,
I'm lovestruck and looking out the window,
Don't forget, don't forget where I'll be…

Right here wishing the flowers were from you,
Wishing the card was from you,
Wishing the call was from you,
'Cause I've loved you from the very first day!

I watch superman fly away,
You've got a busy day today.
Go save the world…
I'll be around forever and ever!
I watch superman fly away,
I swear, I'll be with you someday.
I'll be right here on the ground,
When you come back down…

When you come back down...

We drew apart as the song ended, and I realized that I was blushing. Tsubasa was too, and as I remembered what had happened, I smiled, and whispered to her the three words I had said earlier that night.

"I love you," I said, and Tsubasa smiled as well.

"I'll bet I love you more," she said teasingly.

"No way!" I exclaimed. "I definitely love you more."

We laughed together, and suddenly, a shooting star streaked across the sky.

"Make a wish," I told Tsubasa. She smiled, closed her eyes, and wished silently.

"What did you wish for?" I asked.

"Not telling. It won't come true if I tell you," she replied.

"Come on, please?"

She shook her head firmly. "I really want this wish to come true," she told me.

"Alright," I said. "Come on—I'll walk you home." Tsubasa took my hand, and together, we walked away from the school, neither of us saying anything. But that was okay. We didn't need to.

Uh….review, please? No flames, please, but critiques are always appreciated. Second chapter will likely be up soon. Thank you! Oh, and the song Arisa sang was "Ours", and the one after that was "Superman". Both by Taylor Swift. Sorry for any OOCness that occured.