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marahuyos · 2 years ago

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The Take over, the Breaks Over

The island gave you plenty of opportunities to pick yourself back up: a paying job, a decent apartment, nice landlord, and not to mention how many people are looking towards making music ever since the new ambassador of Vandelay Industries was a rockstar.

That is, if you were still allowed to perform.

And so, you were left trying to light that spark in you again by performing in clubs. Not the best place to start but hey, at least they let you be on the stage.

You were happy to play in front of a crowd that barely appreciates you, so why does this brunette with a running mouth is trying to pry into your life?

Chai (Hi-Fi RUSH) X GN!Reader

A/N: IM BACK WITH MY NEW HYPERFIXATION SKSSKKSKS this game has truly been in my brain ever since it got secretly launched and I've wanted to take a jab and write for this since Chai has checked all of my criteria for my old childhood crush tropes (brunette, dork, and a loser: is2g this is like my addiction towards hiccup back when httyd released askdjakdjas)

anywayyy, hope you guys enjoy this hastily written fic! i wont drop it like how i dropped start of a new fool swear skkssdklfdsjk

The coffee machine's beat was always colored brown.

Not the ugly type of brown, it's the brown that you would see when peering over a mug of steaming hot espresso. Or it could be the gradient of a cafe americano with the ice clinking gently against the cup. Or it could be the famous chocolate almond donut that the cafe sells that the people who love to be active on their social media take pictures of.

To you, though, it was just the machine's way of saying that it was just another day.

Presenting a baggie of cookies, you gave them to the next techie that needed her sugar high. With a polite smile, you waved her goodbye as she left the cafe, humming the same song the radio was playing.

Her voice was spicy even though she was humming, with ranges of orange and red. Hard to believe someone with colors like that would love sugary treats.

A call of your name shook you out of your little reverie. A droid coworker waved behind the counter. "Is number 34 ready yet?"

You nodded, getting the packaged cake and wrapping it in its delivery box before giving it to J4R-D1. Raising your hands, you presented the instructions to him as the drone groaned.

"Seriously, why am I stuck with delivering and managing Madeleine's crummy party for the fifth time this week?"

You shrugged, giving him a hapless smile as you patted his shoulder.

He rolled his optics, getting the box and left but not before stopping at the door. "Oh yeah, your friend down south wants you to be there earlier than usual. Something about meeting important clientele or something."

You nodded waving him goodbye and a safe trip (and good luck) before setting aside your apron and timing out your shift. With your work "uniform" gone, you grabbed your case from underneath the counter and jumped across it.

"That time already?" Your boss called out from the kitchen. You nodded at him before waving goodbye with a hopeful smile.

"Knock 'em dead, kid! They won't know what hit 'em!" With his praise, you ventured outside jumping up in the air with glee as you hurried to your other job.

That is, until the tempo was stopped drastically by someone.

Seething from your tumble, you gasped when you crashed against an actual human being who is currently groaning on the floor. Panicking, you hurriedly stood up and helped them back onto their feet. With an apologetic smile, you quickly showed your apologies by rubbing your fist over your heart and dusting off any dust on his clothes. You took notice of the brightly colored fit he has; red scarf, yellow jacket, and an obnoxious shirt before running off. You hoped he would come back soon so you can give him an apology donut but that doesn't matter right now.

Your fingers were twitching to play the strings once more. And with a jump (with no random passersby), your mechanical feet turned into roller skates as you skated down the road. The tempo came back with full force.

Having already known the route, you breeze past the people on the already busy street. Skillfully weaving across throngs of human and metal bodies, you skated across the road before hopping onto the sidewalk when the traffic light turned green. Reaffirming your grip on your case, you picked up speed, tactfully dodging the strangers going about their day as the bright sun shines down upon you. You got the occasional 'Watch it!' or 'Hey!" from the people who were too close for comfort but that didn't stop your flow.

Jumping into the air, you landed on a railing, skidding across the metal as sparks flew from your skates. You made sure that no one was close to the railing before jumping off and skidding to a stop in front of an unassuming building.

This was your other job.

(Well, more like a passion since you aren't getting any pay out of this.)

Returning your feet to normal, you stepped inside the building and the tone drastically changed. When the rhythm outside was upbeat and sunny, the inside was a slow but reverberating rhythm with cool notes and generally something you wouldn't associate yourself with. After all, an afternoon nightclub wasn't a place anyone can truly shine.

Alas, this was where you get to perform once more.

Before you could slink past the crowd, you were stopped by a cold voice accompanied by an equally icy color. "You're late."

Sucking in a breath through your teeth, you slowly turned around to see a tall man tower over you. His red, pomade-covered hair slightly covered his face with one strand of hair dyed in bright orange as it twirled in front of his forehead. His ice blue eyes bore into your own as a disappointed frown was etched on his face.

"You know how important this is." He stated, his crimson coat billowing behind him as he grabbed a lint roller from his inside pocket. With a roll of your eyes, you let him pick up any stray lint, crumb, or coffee ground as he continued to lecture you about your tardiness.

The man named Sazerac was someone who put up a cold front but he was the only one who truly believed in you.

"Don't give me that look." He chastised you, bringing your chin to meet his face. "You're lucky that they're willing to stay on the island for a few more days. You should be grateful that I pulled enough strings to keep 'em here."

You sighed through your nose, wanting his fussing to be over with. With a content huff, Sazerac backed off from your space, giving one last fix on your clothes. He gave you a heated glare on your attitude.

"I brought you here on this stage to perform again," he started, eyeing you dangerously, "and I can easily take it back."

Biting your lip, you fixed your posture; back ramrod straight, shoulders pulled back, and chin held high. He gave a content hum as he lifted his hand to tap the metal protruding from your neck, making you flinch.

"Don't disappoint."

Nodding, you slipped towards the backstage, flashing your ID card to the bouncer droid as he nodded at you. Passing by random staff and performers, you went towards center stage, behind the curtains that were waiting to rise. The base of the club calmed down, leaving you to open your case to reveal your most prized possession.

The beat came back once more. It's tempo both calming you down and pumping up your heart at the same time. As you adjusted the strings, you held its neck as your faithful bow was twirled across your hand. As your foot tapped with the rhythm, you took in a deep breath before shakily exhaling out.

As the announcer stated your name, you placed your bow on the neck. 'It's time once more for me to shine.'

The Struts

"Fallin' With Me"

Fallin' With Me Single

"Whoa," the brunette breathed out, staring in awe at the opulence of the club, "I never knew the island had places like these around!"

"No one really wants to go to these places except for the people who don't work the 9 to 5." Peppermint explained through 808. "Which makes it all the more suspicious for a regular barista to come here."

Chai slinked past some snooty couple, him coughing inside his scarf from their overpowering perfume. Seriously, what was up with rich people and their aerosol perfumes? "Maybe they got a gig here? They were holding a huge case, remember?"

"... Yeah. A gig in an afternoon nightclub." Chai doesn't even need to see Peppermint's infamous dry stare. "Like that's a likely story–"

You be my Alice

And I'll be your Mad Hatter

We can live in a palace

Nothing too amateur

Are you fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa fallin' for me?

Before the both of them could bicker more, the curtains were drawn back. The spotlights centered upon a figure on the stage and what Chai first saw was the beautiful electric cello that seemed to gleam from the attention it was getting. The silver finish of the instrument was something Chai couldn't help but gawk at until 808 nudged his cheek to focus on the person holding it.

"Heh, what do you know!" He said with smug pride. "Our guy's up on that stage!"

In 808, he could barely make out Peppermint's concealed groan. "I'm not gonna bother to try and argue. Just figure out a way to get them off the stage!"

Show me your talents

I'll throw them back at ya

No matter what happens

I'll keep up the temperature

Are you fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa fallin' for me? (Woo!)

Rolling his eyes, Chai grumbled under his breath but he ran towards the stage nonetheless. This part of the nightclub had the seats set in a way that its seats surrounded the stage. A multitude of people filled up the seats; the majority of them were wearing expensive cybernetics and clothing that Chai couldn’t help but remember Mimosa fitting in nicely with them. Although, he doubts she would’ve let the person onstage play their tune.

Speaking of them, Chai couldn’t help but be mesmerized by them from time to time. 808 had to paw him back to reality each time he had to stop and gawk. It wasn’t like him to be starstruck but it was hard to ignore how the guy is absolutely killing the song. He didn’t think that cellos were capable of doing rock but he was proven wrong when they were practically dancing with the cello. Each beat was perfectly enunciated by their shoulders bopping and the near-sensual rhythm was complemented with their perfectly executed dance choreography. If Chai didn’t know any better, they were practically born to perform on stage.

“Sucks to beat this guy up.” He remarks to 808. “Would’ve loved to get to know ‘em more.”

“Hey!” A voice called out and Chai noted to himself that he was spotted later than usual. “Losers aren’t supposed to be here!”

Chai glared at the offender, a waiter droid who held a tray of fancy drinks. “Hey, I may be a loser but I’m the Ambassador of Vandelay Technologies so what does that make you?!”

Before he realized what he just said, his entire team screamed into his ear. “Chai!!!”

Yes or no?

Let's go! (Yeah)

“You?!” The droid exclaimed before throwing the tray away, the drinks spilling on unsuspecting customers as they screamed the prices of their clothes. “Rattle ‘em, boys!”

With a groan, Chai readied his weapon. Heaps of scrap metal clinging together to form his signature guitar as 808 turned into their ball form. More droids started rushing in, some of them toppling over the seats as the customers screamed brands that Chai didn’t care for. Bouncer droids made up most of the enemies as waiter droids made up for their unassuming appearance by smashing expensive bottles into the ground and raising its jagged edges at Chai.

With a smirk, Chai rushed forward, feet stomping in tune with the beat as he felt the rush go through his central power unit. No, more than that. When he smacked a waiter droid away, he looked up on stage to still see the person perform despite the chaos. They were still playing on beat and Chai realized that each blow he dealt, the guy’s bow also played alongside him.

Almost as if they were in sync with one another.

A bouncer droid smacked him away from his internal monologue, his body flying across the club before crashing at the bar. Bottles of expensive alcohol were destroyed as the fluids covered Chai from head to toe. As if that wasn’t the end of it, the shelf holding the bottles tilted down, the bottles sliding down and hitting Chai multiple times, each bonk more painful than the last.

You're coming with me

Let's take a dive

Meet at the rainbow

9:45

Wear something trashy

That's what I like (yeah)

We're on the rooftop

Jumpin' off the sides (jumpin' off the sides)

Are you fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa fallin' (are you?), fallin' with me?

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

With a groan, Chai clambered on the countertop, dizzy from being hit more than he wanted and the reeking stench of alcohol in his clothes. “Our guy is still playing up there!”

“Good. Makes it all the more easy for us.” Peppermint stated.

“Us?!” Chai exclaimed, standing back up to his full height. “You guys aren’t even here!”

“Well, you haven’t called us in now, have you?” Peppermint retorted and Chai can practically hear her smirk.

With one large groan, he relented and called in Macaron to deal with the bouncer droids. “I got this Chai! Go get them!”

Jumping onto Macaron’s hand, the large man threw him back towards the stage, this time Chai stuck the landing. He was on stage this time, with the guy still playing the cello. He can’t help but be impressed by the guy.

He willed his hand to turn off the magnetism, the guitar falling apart as he tucked away the baton. 808 flew to his ear, and from the mint color, he knew that Peppermint was ready to rip him a new one. “Chai, what the hell are you doing?!”

“Relax, Peppermint.” He said, walking up to them in an easygoing way. “I’m gonna go talk to them. From one performer to another. They’ll listen!”

“Mister Chai. It seems you have forgotten the first time you tried to ‘talk’!” CNMN interjected. “It was how we first met, after all!”

“Relax! This is gonna be different!” He eased them, hands raising in a non-threatening way. “I can see it in their movement. They move to the beat just like me!”

Ignoring Macaron’s prayers, he finally stood in front of the guy. Their eyes were closed, entirely focusing on playing the cello as Chai took a moment to watch them perform. They were truly in their element, no movement a waste as their fingers danced across the neck.

“Hi! I’m Chai, Ambassador of Vandelay Technologies but you kinda knew that already.” He said, clasping his hands behind his head. “I gotta say, from one performer to another, you really know how to command the stage!”

He was deftly ignored, the cello’s low notes greeting his ears as he grimaced. “Okay… So, I got a little itty-bitty mission that I gotta do in the name of Vandelay. Nothing against you as a performer! Like, you’re super good with that already! But it’s also super important that you come along with me--”

And he heard it. It wasn’t unlike anything he’s heard of. He couldn’t even call it a voice-it was more like notes coming together to form a cohesive sentence.

‘You want to shut your goddamn mouth?’

The evil is landing through the roof on your tablе top

Let's eat up some damagе (woo!)

There goes my trail of thought

Are you fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa fallin' with me? (Are you fallin' with me, babe?)

He whipped his head around, 808 avoiding his rapid motions. “Wh-Who said that?!”

808 flew to his field of vision. “Chai, what the hell are you doing?”

Behind the cat, the person finally opened his eyes. They were staring at Chai with unabashed shock but they still haven’t ceased their performance. He blinked rapidly, a hand raising to remove some earwax as Chai wiped his fingers.

And he heard it again. ‘What the hell is wrong with this guy?’

There was no denying it this time. “You’re saying those things?!”

The next note was noticeably sharper as they gasped. “What the fu--”

“That’s.” Chai started, pointing his finger at them. “So. Cool! Like, I can hear you talk through your cello! How freaky is that?!”

He danced across the stage as if he won the lottery because of that revelation. The guy was still playing but it was noticeably more slowed down as they stared at Chai. “How-this isn’t even possible. I’m playing the notes to the song--”

“But I can still understand you!” Chai exclaimed, running up to them and appraising them like they were made out of diamonds. “Man, this is so crazy! It’s like we got this special connection that lets us talk to one ano--”

“No, don’t finish that sentence.” They played with fear. “I don’t wanna think about that.”

Their face soon turned into worry, glancing at a space behind Chai as he noticed their hands tensing against their cello. He turned around, spotting a man in striking red surrounded by more rich people. Before he could say something, they adjusted their grip as they strummed their bow against the strings. Before he knew it, a force pushed him back from the stage, Chai crashing down on the seats as he sat up in shock.

They jumped from the stage, landing gracefully in front of Chai as their feet turned into wheels. Energy was pumping through their cello and Chai could feel the vibrations through his chest as he scurried to stand up. They glared at Chai, bow poised at the neck, ready to blast another attack.

“Well, I guess negotiations are off the table.” He noted, getting his guitar back as he readied his stance.

Yes or no?

Let's go! (Yeah)

You're coming with me

Let's take a dive (dive)

Meet at the rainbow

9:45 (five)

Wear something trashy (woo!)

That's what I like (yeah)

We're on the rooftop

Jumpin' off the sides (sides)

Are you fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa fallin' for me?

They skated across the area, confusing Chai as his eyes tried to keep up. Hearing the next beat, he raised his guitar to block a sound wave and parried it back towards them. They staggered back and Chai took the opportunity to grapple towards them and strike them with his guitar. He had a few good hits in before they played their cello and the sound pushed them away.

They twirled around, cello spinning alongside them as they flourished their bow. Playing some complex notes, Chai was completely flabbergasted when moving figures made from sound waves erupted from the ground like… like daisies! And these daisies are aiming at him like he was target practice!

He nabbed 808, the cat not even turning back to normal as he yelled at their ear. "Peppermint, just what the hell is this guy about?!"

"I-I don't know! I haven't breached that far into their files!" She quickly explained. "Just-try not to die out there, okay? Back up's on the way!"

He let go of 808, the cat glaring at him from his manhandling. "You better hope that I won't tattle on your mom because of this!"

You're coming with me

Let's take a dive (dive)

Meet at the rainbow

9:45 (five)

Wear something trashy (woo!)

That's what I like (yeah)

We're on the rooftop

Jumpin' off the sides (sides)

Are you fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa fallin' for me?

He tried to rush the figures but before he could land a hit, one of them exploded, but it brought him closer to you as you slugged him across the room with your cello as if it was a baseball bat. A pained yelp escaped his lips, his body crashing once more against an unsuspecting waiter droid as they poofed from existence, leaving behind their scrap parts. Picking himself back up, Chai flourished his guitar before pinging Peppermint.

The girl dropped down, spinning her guns before shooting at the figures. “You got this, Chai!”

Chai ran ahead, the figures disappearing when they got too close. Jumping up in the air, he raised his guitar before slamming it down on the ground where they were. Not letting them recover, he continued his onslaught, each strike on-point to the beat before returning the same slug that they did to him. Their body flew across this room, hitting the seats close to where he saw the red man.

Speaking of him, he went closer to them, whispering closely to their ear. Their face went from pained, to shock, and then to desperation, and Chai’s interest was piqued. What did he say that made them act up like that?

Before he could lay out a quip, they stood up hastily. They brandished their cello once more, playing another string of complex notes as the figures conglomerated into one figure. A breathless squeak escaped Chai’s throat as he gaped at the gargantuan monster that stood behind them. And oh of course, the monster has fists the size of Macaron, of course!

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh (Tell me, baby)

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh (yeah, me through)

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh (anyways)

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

Chai gulped nervously before he raised his guitar. This was just as worse as fighting a giant mechanical werewolf. Before he could move, they charged forward, the monster raising its fist and Chai panicked. He called in Macaron as the large man struggled in blocking the gargantuan fist.

Chai let out a hasty apology before he jumped on the monster’s arm and ran across it. Before he could even move, the guy jumped on the same arm and pointed his bow at Chai. He rolled his eyes before twirling his guitar and did the same pose as them. For a moment, he swore he saw their mouth tug upwards before they surged forward. He blocked the first blow from the cello then rolled away from the swipe of their bow before he called in Peppermint and let her shoot them. As they were blocking the bullets, Chai went past the girl before he swung his guitar from the ground up.

However, he knew it wouldn’t be that easy. A giant fist grabbed Chai, stopping him from doing his attack as he got raised towards the monster’s face. Even though it didn’t have a real ‘face’, Chai can’t help but feel deja vu in this situation. Just what was with him and being grabbed all the damn time?

“Chai, duck!” A familiar voice yelled. Immediately tucking his head down to his chest, he felt the telltale cyclones strike the monster’s face as they let him go. Taking his chance, Chai went back, running towards the stunned cello player when the monster was destroyed as his beaten guitar suddenly transformed into a sparkling new one.

“Sorry,” he started, “it’s curtains for you.”

The guitar made a direct hit towards the guy’s stomach and Chai does not envy the way their breath flew out of their lungs. Their body flew across the room, hitting the stage as it got destroyed. Not only that, the force of the crash made the curtains hanging on fall down, practically closing in on them.

Woo!

Are you coming with me?

Let's take a dive (dive)

Meet at the rainbow

9:45 (not a second later)

Wear something trashy

That's what I like (that's what I like)

We're on the rooftop

Jumpin' off the sides (jumpin' off the sides)

Are you fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa fallin' (woo!), fallin for me?

Fallin' with me

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

And with that, the final note came to an end and Chai couldn’t help but pat himself on the back. “This looks like a job well done!”

Familiar footsteps walked towards him and he didn’t need to turn around to see the familiar strong woman of the group give him a dead stare. “Sure, let’s not talk about how much property damage you’ve done.”

He waved her off. “Eh, just put in on my tab.”

She raised her hand before putting it down. “I-that’s not how that works-you know what, nevermind. Job well done, Chai.”

He let the praise get into his head until Korsica walked past him. He watched as she removed the curtains and picked up the person with ease, throwing them over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes. She snapped her fingers and soon two droids marched behind Chai. “Get their weapons. I’m bringing them in for questioning.”

“Ooohh,” Chai drawled out, stepping closer to her, “another Korsica interrogation? Mind if I help?”

She shrugged. “Sure, I can do the talking and you can be intimidating.”

He nodded at her words, a smirk already forming on his lips. “Yeaah, that’s what I wanna hear! I wanna get them to fess up with just one look!”

The ‘look’ that he was going for looked like he was trying to pop a blood vessel. Korsica patted his head. “I’m already quaking in my boots.”

“Good job, guys.” Peppermint’s voice rang through 808. “You can bring them here, Korsica. I got my own beef with them.”

A barely noticeable smile was painted on Korsica’s face when she heard Peppermint’s voice. “Whatever you say.”

She aptly ignored the way Chai was doing smooching faces when she responded. Raising her hand, she squished Chai’s cheeks. “Don’t you have a more pressing matter to attend to?”

He struggled to get out of her grip as he placed his fists on his hips. “This interrogation is a very pressing matter! I don’t wanna miss out on this!”

Korsica fondly rolled her eyes. “Of course you wouldn’t.”

#hi fi rush x reader #hi fi rush #hi fi rush chai #hi fi rush chai x reader #series #mara.works #mara.series: the takes over the breaks over #chai x reader

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