Author's Note: This is my new story. I hope that it works out. It has a specific plot, and a few time skips.
This chapter is a slow start. Please review and let me know what you think.
Posted: June 12, 2014
When Sango Kikaku was a young, just sixth grade, she had a very set group of friends. They were four young ladies. Aside from Sango there were, Aimi, Chouko, and Kazue.
Chouko was the ring leader. She would often smile down at others, and carried herself loftily, as if she were better than the people around her. She also had a not-so secret dislike for Sango.
Kazue was a close second. She was all attitude, with none of the arrogance. She had an older sister and a younger brother, who were both wonderful and easy to get along with.
Aimi, was the floater. She would always tell Sango that she was her best friend, but whenever it was convenient, she would follow Chouko.
The four would do many things together, and had influence over each other in their own ways- the way that any friends do. They would spend breaks together, have sleepovers, and go to the park. They sat together in the library, and studied.
When one of the girls disliked someone for any reason, it would unknowingly affect the opinion of the others. If anyone offended one of them, the others were also expected to be offended as well.
When Chouko was shot down by Kuronosuke Takeda, she was burnt. Being shot down did not do much for her pride, and she began to dislike him. In turn, the other three girls at least acted as if they did not like him.
The transition into high school wasn't as large as anyone would expect. Sango had all the excitement of the first day, as she did each year. The big difference was that Chouko was not attending the same school as the rest of them. Things were a bit more relaxed, and everyone grew closer.
Sango happily was able to learn an instrument. Her parents could not afford to put her through lessons otherwise, but the school offered instruments for students to borrow, as long as they paid a non-refundable deposit, and took care of them. Being able to pick up a clarinet, and learn to play it, albeit slowly, was very rewarding. Like a dream come true.
There was even a concert just before Christmas. Setting aside her books with a sigh, Sango practiced all through her spare time at home. The songs were common carols, and not so difficult in hindsight, but it felt much more difficult before it was over.
Once they took the stage, Sango felt all of her nerves bundle into each of her joints. The stage was bright, and she could only see the first row of the audience, but it was enough. She reached to open her book of sheet music, but accidentally knocked it onto the floor.
"Oh no," she gasped quietly, and leaned forward to grab it. Her hand brushed another, and she looked up.
Kuronosuke Takeda, who she had not realized was seated next to her, had leaned to grab her the falling paper. Their hands had brushed, and suddenly her pulse raced. She pulled her hand back quickly, and turned away, feeling her cheeks warm.
"Here," Kuronosuke's voice was quiet, and he placed her papers onto her lap.
"Thank you," she replied, but couldn't bring herself to look at him.
A strange feeling was born in Sango that day. It didn't follow the hive mind of pre-teen life, that she was so accustomed to. It wasn't hard to figure out that she had felt a glimmer of something good for Kuronosuke, and she didn't think that that was a bad thing.
