Love! Euphonium

Reina has been on a high since the solo competition against Nakaseko-sempai. Reina seems very confident and happy. She's still practicing hard every day, and I've joined her for private practice sessions a lot. Just the two of us.

While she is practicing hard, she also seems more relaxed to me. Nothing seems to get her down for long. If I was in her shoes, I'd probably feel unappreciated over most of the band not voting for me, even when I gave the better performance. But Reina doesn't let things like that get to her. That's one reason why I find her inspiring, and want to continue helping her.

Lately, Reina has been all smiles to me. I can tell that she's grateful over how I applauded her and supported her during the solo auditions. Still...

There's an awkward feeling. Different than before. When I'm talking with Reina, and practicing with her. Something feels... different. It's hard to put my finger on it. Reina and I are much more open with each other now than we were just after we joined the band, but there seems to be something different that Reina is holding back. No, wait... that's not it. Reina doesn't hold things back. She's one of the bluntest people I know! So instead... it's like she's carefully thinking things over, maybe?

Picking up on this helped prepare me for when Reina suddenly walked up to me after school one day, and with a firm look on her face, said "Kumiko, we need to talk. On the roof. Now."

"...What about?" I replied, a bit nervously.

"I don't want to talk about it here." Reina replied, in a slightly agitated tone, "So please join me on the roof."

Reina than walked off towards the stairway that lead to the roof. It was clear that she wanted me and expected me to follow. Katou-san blinked uneasily over this, and I just chuckled and shrugged my shoulders a bit over it, before heading off after Reina.

A few minutes later, I reached the top of the roof, and saw Reina there waiting for me. Reina stood close to the edge of the roof. Her facial expression was so firm and strong, and it seemed so radiant to me with the warm light of the sun beaming down on Reina on this clear day. Reina's hair flapped in the wind, enchanting me even more. I became lost in the moment, until Reina shifted sideways towards me, and looked my way. That was enough to snap me back to normal.

"...A-Ah, so what did you want to talk about?" I asked Reina.

"Do you remember the love confession I made to you?" Reina asked me, after walking very close to me and facing me.

"You don't need to ask me that" I replied curtly, with a grin, "I mean, who could forget that?"

"I meant it, you know." Reina stated, after a brief pause.

"Well yeah, you always mean what you say." I replied, "You're very honest like that."

"In this case, I might not have been honest enough." Reina responded.

"Kumiko..." Reina quickly added, in a breathless tone of voice, while pushing her hair aside with the back of her hand.

"...I want you" Reina then whispered into my ear, after leaning her head in next to mine.

I felt a shiver of excitement run up my spine. I felt an intense warm cloud, crackling with lightning, form all around me. I felt butterflies in my stomach. I felt like I was in a dream!

I only felt that way, though. It was all in my head, brought about by Reina's words. I knew what those words sounded like, but they couldn't mean that, right? So I tried to compose myself, and respond to what Reina really meant.

"What do you want me for?" I asked, "Is there something you need help with?"

Reina briefly looked a bit angered and frustrated by my questions. But she quickly reaffirmed herself.

"I meant exactly what I said." Reina stated, "Nothing more. Just the plain meaning of my words."

Reina then learned her face in near to my, with our noses nearly touching. Her eyes had such steely fire in them! It left my mouth open in awe.

"I. Want. You." Reina repeated.

Reina then shocked me even more, by kissing the corner of my lips. She... she kissed me! She then quickly took a couple steps back.

My heart felt like fireworks were going off. It was like vibrant colors were dancing in front of my eyes. I felt a sudden desire for Reina to hug me, and... and...

No, this doesn't make sense! This doesn't add up.

"...What about Taki-sensei?" I asked, "Don't you love him?"

Reina paused for a moment. But I think it was more for my benefit than her's. Her body language was decidedly surefooted. I could tell that she had prepared herself for this particular question.

"I watched a TV show a few days ago." Reina said, as she looked off into the horizon, "In it, one of the characters thought she loved this very talented violinist. But she later fell in love with a different person. She came to the conclusion that she didn't love the violinist himself so much as she loved his music."

"...You're saying you don't love Taki-sensei, but only his ability as a music teacher?" I asked.

"I admire him." Reina said, "I think he's an awesome teacher. I like him... as a person. And as someone close to my family. But the person that I love the most... the person that I find myself wanting to be with all the time... the person I most want to be close to, and to touch..."

Reina then pivoted back towards me, and looked me straight in the eye, while smouldering flames danced in her eyes.

"That person is you, Kumiko." she finished.

In my head, it was like the climax of a great orchestra piece had been reached. I saw white birds fluttering through the air, frolicking with each other.

My heart...my heart felt like huge powerful waves crashing down on large sturdy rocks, mixed in with quick flashing images of race cars speeding and whirring around the corner as they near the finish line threatening to crash into each other and tear everything apart.

I felt an urge to tightly hug Reina, and never let her go!

Where...where is that part of me coming from? Am I...?

"Well..." said Reina, once more snapping me back to my senses, "At least you're not calling my feelings 'twisted'."

"No..." I said in this absent-minded low monotone, "They're not twisted."

"I can see you'll need time to think over what I told you." Reina stated, "I... hope..."

I then noticed a strange softening in Reina's eyes. Was it... vulnerability that I saw? This must be hard on Reina as well. Why am I being so self-conscious here. I should be concerned for her!

But then after a brief show of softness, Reina's eyes lit up with renewed drive and determination.

"The place before, where I confronted you and Tsukamoto-kun. I'll be waiting for you there." Reina stated.

"Huh?" I asked.

"I'll be at that place just before the sun sets." Reina said, "I'll be waiting there for your reply to my confession."

"Y-You don't have to..."

"No, I do have to do that." Reina interjected, "I want to give you time to reply properly to me. If you don't show up at all... I'll take that as a rejection. The choice is yours, Kumiko."

The way she said my name... it felt so soft and sweet... but it also betrayed a longing heart.

"W-Wait...!" I shouted out to Reina, while reaching out to her, after she begun to walk away.

But it was too late. Reina had already made her decisions. And soon, I would have to make mine...