"Sometimes two people will regard each other over a gulf too wide to ever be bridged, and know immediately what could have happened, and that it never will." -Roger Ebert

As 1000 Nights Pass

Disclaimer: "K-ON!" the manga and anime and the song "As 1000 Nights Pass" belong to Kakifly, Kyoto Animation and Aqua Timez respectively.

Prologue

Tainaka Ritsu fiddled the drumstick absentmindedly with her right hand while her chin was resting on her left. She was all alone in their garage where her drum set was stored after she and her three friends graduated from Sakuragaoka High School. It was already evening and she couldn't play her drums anymore since she would disturb the neighbours. It was not like she was in the mood anyway.

Ritsu couldn't believe that so much time had passed already. One moment she was hunting for members for the Light Music Club and the next she, Akiyama Mio, Kotubuki Tsumugi and Hiyazawa Yui have graduated high school, leaving behind their adorable underclassman, Nakano Azusa. So much time had passed in such a short while.

"So much time indeed," Ritsu muttered as she twirled the drumstick. This realization didn't sit too well with her. Time flew by so fast and many things happened. But there were still a lot of things that needed to be done.

Ritsu breathed out a sigh as the familiar wave of emotions washed over her.

She had hoped that time would fly past and with it her volatile emotions. Despite being an 'idiot' as her best friend often called her, she was sensible enough when it comes to important things. Things that involve love and friendship. Once she slipped when she let her jealousy take over when she saw her best friend and Yui's friend getting along well. It almost caused a rift in their relationship, saved by Ritsu's fever. Things were back to normal again after that but Ritsu knew very well how close they were to fighting.

Well, friends do fight. And they say that fighting often deepens the relationship. If it doesn't go out of hand, that is. It's a risk after all.

Just like love.

Ritsu chuckled. Then she froze. It really wasn't a laughing matter. It's something that had become serious over time. At first, Ritsu revelled in the feeling. Of course after the initial shock and embarrassment. Then Ritsu reasoned to herself that it was probably just a silly infatuation that was bound to end after three months. Perhaps brought about by the fact that she was going to an all-girls school. Add to that the fact that her best friend was really pretty and that they had been through many things together.

Ritsu knew when it all started—it was back when she found out that the 'love letter' that she found in their mailbox was from Mio.

It made her want to choke her best friend to death out of the embarrassment it caused. But because of that, she also became aware of the possibility of something else between them.

And three months passed, the feelings remained. Ritsu managed to keep them at bay because what they had at the moment was enough for her. They went to school and go home together. They have sleepovers at each one's places. They go to places and eat out together. It's almost as good as going out as a couple. Except for the physical intimacy. But that can wait.

And yet, it felt like everything was at a standstill. Out of the three choices that she could have made—to try, to give up or to do nothing—she chose the last. She bided her time because she hoped her feelings would fade away. She didn't want to risk their friendship.

She just couldn't.

But now, she wasn't willing to let it go on like this. She really wanted to know the answer.

(to be continued)

Author's Note: This fic is based on the Aqua Timez song because I'm cheesy like that. This is a work in-progress and will probably be updated faster if I get much support. So keep those reviews coming. :)

The prologue is pretty short and very introspective. Will try to cut on that on the following chapters.

Oh and the song is from the ending theme of the first "Bleach" movie. :)