A/N : Hey there fellas. It's been a while for me to write some fic here. Well school is wasting my time and I don't have any leisure time to write. Well this time, I write about K-ON! and it's Mio x Ritsu pairing. If you feel that the story is kinda sappy, please forgive me. I've not writing a fic for a while so my intuition is kind of dull. Enjoy XD
disclaimer: K-ON! is not mine, if it is, well I'd like Ritsu and Mio as a pair.
Oh, I wrote this while listening to some songs. The titles are : Promise me you'll remember (Godfather 3), Don't Go Away (Oasis), Sunglass (Utada Hikaru), City of Blinding Lights (U2)
Akiyama Mio is sitting leisurely on the couch inside a house. In front of her, there is a short-legged table with a cup of tea and plate of cake. She is reading a novel now while sometimes sipping her tea or taking a chew of the cake. The room itself is large, the walls are painted with soft cream color and there is a crystal lamp hanging on the ceiling. Well this place is not actually a house, maybe the place Mio is living now can be called as a mansion. This mansion is located in the outskirts of Tokyo. Its size is considerably large, it has a vast garden, swimming pool and also clock tower, which Mio thinks it's kind of creepy since it makes her remember of a vampire mansion.
The mansion is a property of Azumaya Kouki, one of many plutocrats businessman in Japan. It's one of his many heritages and now the legal owner of this mansion is his grandson. The grandson himself, the name's Azumaya Akira, is Mio's husband.
Yes that's correct, Mio is no longer Akiyama. Her name is Azumaya Mio now. And not only her name that changed, her status too. She transformed from an ordinary office woman into the wife of a rich businessman. Mio herself actually never expected it. Hell, she never dreamt about it. About being a wife of a successful and rich businessman, live in a large mansion and all stuff. It's only a fairy tale.
Well her meeting with Akira was accidental too. That day, Mio was in the office. Like all other friends, she was busy with a seemingly endless paperwork. Just before the lunchtime, she went into the CEO's office to send the unsigned document. She was really hungry since she forgot to eat her breakfast this morning, that's why she wanted to finish this job ASAP. And when she arrived there, something unexpected happened.
"Wait a moment Akiyama, you're not in a hurry are you? I'd like to introduce you to someone", said the boss to Mio.
"But sir, I do in a hurry. So could you please sign the paper?", said Mio. She really wanted to go to cafeteria.
The boss waved his hand nonchalantly; it looks like he doesn't know or care about Mio's hunger ,"I heard that you don't have any boyfriend now eh?"
"H-how did you know that!", asked Mio with mild surprise. She was blushing like crazy now.
"Words travel fast around here, Akiyama", said the boss with a chuckle.
Mio shut her mouth and hung her face. She was too embarrassed to say anything. Of course she was, what else could she do? For a woman whose age was nearing 23 and single, the word 'boyfriend' felt like a knife that stabbed the heart right in the core. Mio quickly raised her head, intending to tell the boss to sign the paper but her motion stopped when she heard the door being knocked.
From behind the door, there's a man. He is tall have a quite muscular body. It seems that he done a lot of sport activities. His hair is dark brown and combed neatly. His face is kind of strange for Mio, not because he's ugly, in fact he's a real handsome. It looked strange because the man is a half Japanese, so his facial featured a foreigner face.
"Your document is ready sir", said the man with a serious tone.
"Nice work, Akira-kun. Ah please, I'd like to introduce you with someone".
The boss then proceeded to avert his eyes to Mio.
"Here is Akiyama Mio, she's one of our best employee. And Akiyama, this is Azumaya Akira. He's the new manager marketing here. Actually his father has a company, but why he chose to work here is still a mystery to me".
Akira only chuckle when he heard this.
Mio step forward and shook her hand with Akira.
"Nice to meet you", said Mio. She said that in a hurry because her stomach was starting to growl.
"Pleased to meet you too", answer Akira.
After that, Mio -who's already out of patience-, turned her attention into the paper.
"Sir, the paper…"
"Akiyama here is still single. You too, right Akira-kun?", said the boss while signing the paper, "it will be good if you and Akiyama well… get along together".
He said it lightly. He even didn't recognize the scarlet hue that radiated from Mio's face. After the paper was already signed, Mio quickly grabbed it and leave the room. Of course she said thank you before she leave. The boss and Akira are only smiling lightly when they saw Mio's antics.
"She's cute isn't she? Get along well with her will you?"
Akira only gave a smile as a respond.
Mio herself never expected that her relationship with Akira will grow after that 'forced introduction'. They met again inside the elevator and they exchange name for the second time because Akira forgot her name. The after that they have lunch together, exchange numbers and have a relationship for a year. It was like a dream when Akira came to Mio's house –only with short pants, a white shirt and a sandal- and proposed her. He told her parents that he wanted to have Mio as his wife.
Mio needed two days to realize that she's going to get married.
And now here she is. She's living inside a luxurious mansion with maids and butlers ready to serve her. Mio has a nice life, her husband really loves her although he works overseas and stay at home for a month. She has everything, her life is perfect.
But sometimes she has a feeling that something is missing from her so perfect life. No that's wrong, it's not something that she miss but someone.
And it doesn't need much time for her to realize who's missing.
It's her.
The stupid, annoying and adorable devil, Tainaka Ritsu.
Ritsu didn't come to her wedding reception while the others came. Yui, with all her cheery and happy self, came and performing some songs with Azusa, Ui and also her "eternal lover" Giita. Mugi was her event organizer, much to Mio's surprise. Before the reception, Mio always had a meeting with Mugi. They talked a lot either about the reception plan or talking about anything and try to catch up any loose ends since their graduation. She saw many changes when she met her old friends. Yui, much to Mio's surprise since she knew how clumsy Yui was, now is working as a pâtissiere. She even brought her own-made cake which tasted really delicious. Azusa is still Azusa, still serious like always. She's now almost graduates from medical school; Mio remembered that Azusa said she wanted to be a nurse in the future. Ui is also completing her education in university and she's majoring economy. Mugi, well she is the same old Mugi. The soft spoken woman is an owner of company which specialized in event organizer. The company itself is a big success, it seems that Mugi really improve herself as an entrepreneur.
But Ritsu, well Mio doesn't know anything about Ritsu besides that she's a member of a major label band. The band's name is Organization TAF, Mio almost laugh when she read the name. The TAF is an acronym, Mio is sure about that but she never find out the meaning of this. Put aside the weird name, Ritsu's band is very famous. Their song always topped the chart 100, they held concerts in all big cities in Japan and their albums got multiple platinum and awards. Mio often saw their interview on TV and Ritsu is spoke person of the band. From the way Ritsu talk on TV, Mio can conclude that she hasn't change. The way she spoke, her gesture, her expression… all the same.
Well except that Ritsu is not wearing her headband anymore. She let her brunette bangs cover her large forehead. Her hair length is still the same and it looks messy. Yes, messy but cute. Mio admitted that Ritsu looks cute when her hair down.
At the wedding, Mio asked Yui and the others about Ritsu whether they still connected with them. Yui answered that she still send e-mails to Ritsu but seldom meet her in person. Azusa also said the same. All of them had already told Ritsu about Mio's wedding reception, hoping that she would come. They insist Ritsu to come because of her status as Mio's best friend and also for the sake of reunion of Houkago Tea Time. Ritsu answered that she will come but she couldn't keep the promise since she's busy with her band.
And Ritsu couldn't keep her promise. Mio and the others wait for her until the party was over but Ritsu never came.
Everyone said that Ritsu must be busy with her band, but Mio felt different.
She felt like Ritsu is avoiding her. Since she gave the news about her marriage with Akira, everyone but Ritsu accepted the news with joy. When she phoned Ritsu to told her about the marriage, Ritsu fell quiet but suddenly she regained her composure and said congratulations to Mio. Her voice were odd, Mio couldn't grasp fully why but she knew that Ritsu was acting strange.
Then just before Mio wanted to ask, Ritsu suddenly changed the topic and said to Mio that she was in the middle of practice with her band.
And the phone was ended.
That was the last time Mio spoke to Ritsu.
Back to the present time. Mio closes her book and avert her eyes to the clock. It said 10 p.m
Mio yawns and stretch her arms, it's already late and she feels tired. Tomorrow she must go to the office, attends some meeting, signing paper…
Mio sighed.
"Wheel of life is still turning on me", she muttered.
Just when she wants to go, the door is being knocked and there's a butler appear from behind the door.
"Sorry to bother you, Mio-sama. There is someone who wants to meet you", said the butler with a humble tone.
Mio looks into the clock and wonders who's coming at this time,"Who is it?"
"A young woman named Tainaka Ritsu".
Mio's heart skips a beat. It's a surprise for her to hear that Ritsu is coming to her house and in the late of night like this. Can't she choose the right time? Why must this time? Well, it's no use to be surprised or angry though. This is Ritsu whom Mio is dealing with.
Mio keeps her calm composure, it's not good to show any flustered expression now.
"Okay, let her in", said Mio.
The butler bows and he leave. Mio is waiting now, she looks uneasy. There are many things the she'd like to say to Ritsu. Like how is she doing? How's her band? How's her family? Many things, but Mio couldn't decide which one she'd like to ask first. Mio tugs her hair and takes a deep breath, she reminds herself that it is Ritsu whom she meet not the Emperor. She doesn't need to feel nervous, just act casual.
"But can I?"
The door open and Mio almost jump out because of her stupid nervousness. She turns around and sees that her butler comes back with a certain someone on his back.
"Your guest is here, Mio-sama", said the butler.
He bows and out of the room, leaving Mio with a certain someone that she miss.
"Yo, Mio", a familiar voice erupts in this empty room.
Ritsu steps into the light. She wears a form fitting black collar shirt, deep blue jeans and a dark brown canvas shoes. Her brown hair is still looking messy with bangs spread along her forehead. Ritsu looks taller and has more shape now; it seems that the band is forcing her to stay healthy all the time. Her amber eyes are shining brightly and look so mature, although it still shows some mischievous glint.
Despite that, Ritsu has grown into a beautiful young woman now. She is still tomboy like she used to, but her tomboyish side only make her appearance looks cooler than ever.
"Hey", Mio answered. Suddenly her throat feels dry which made her voice sounds hoarse.
Ritsu chuckled and rubbing the back of her neck, "You don't have to nervous like that, Mio. I know that I'm famous now, but don't let it bother you".
"Who said I'm nervous!", Mio snarls with a pout.
Ritsu laughs when she heard this, "Geez I'm just kidding, Mio-chuan. You're still grumpy like you used to", said Ritsu. She walks into the couch and sits there.
"And you're still laid back like you used before", answer Mio. She follows Ritsu and sit across her.
"Yes and yet you still love me", Ritsu answered absent-mindedly. Mio's breath hitched when she heard this. It's been a long time for her not to hear Ritsu's tease. Back then, when they were still young, those taunts and tease were only made Mio angry for a moment. She beat Ritsu's head and after that, they happy again.
But that was a long time ago.
Now hearing Ritsu said those things again, after everything that happened, it feels different and weird.
Mio hung her head and falls silent for a moment. She feels strange inside and she's afraid. This feeling is foreign, she doesn't want to feel it. She doesn't have any reasons but… she's just afraid.
Damn you, Ritsu! Should I feel like this every time you tease me!
Mio scowls with a red tint on her cheek.
"Where's your husband Mio? I'd like to say hello to him", Ritsu asked while she's looking around.
"He's not at home. He's working now"
"At this time?"
"He's working overseas", answer Mio. Then she looks into Ritsu with a crossed arms, "You're the one to talk Ritsu, you came here at this hour, of all time! Don't you know that this is already late?"
Ritsu laughs again and waves her hand, "Sorry sorry, I only have this time".
Mio sighs and shakes her head, "Yes whatever you said, Miss Rock Star".
"Jealous of me who's a rock star now?", Ritsu said with a teasing smile and naughty glance.
"In your dreams!"
Ritsu laughs hard when she heard this answer. She clutches her stomach and covers her mouth in order not to make any noise. While Ritsu is laughing, Mio glares dagger at her. Her cheeks are red because Ritsu success for making her embarrassed. But deep inside her heart, Mio felt happy. This Ritsu is still the same old Ritsu, always like to tease and annoy her.
After a while, Ritsu stops laughing. She wipes a stray tears on her cheek while looking at Mio,"Hey Mio, come with me tonight".
"Where?"
"Anywhere and don't worry, I'll drive. We have many things to talk", answered Ritsu softly. She leaves the couch and walking into the cabinet. There she examines wedding photographs of Mio. Ritsu can see that Mio is in there with her husband, smiling happily like a perfect couple. In the next picture, she sees Mio with Yui, Mugi, Ui and Azusa. They laughed and looked so happy.
"Many things to talk", Ritsu said with a solemn expression while she looks to the photo.
"Ritsu...", the brunette turns her head and see that Mio is looking at her now. Mio looks serious and her face looks somewhat, without any other words, sad.
"Why you didn't come to my wedding?", the raven haired woman asked. Her tone sounds curious and demanding at the same time.
Ritsu doesn't answer, she averts her eyes to the other side. When Mio takes notice of this, she realized that Ritsu is avoiding her now. Although Ritsu doesn't say anything, it's not hard for Mio to read her gesture.
"Let's talk about this outside", said Ritsu. She walks away and putting one of her hand inside her jeans pocket.
Mio sighs about this, she doesn't want to put her hopes high because dealing with Ritsu is the same like gambling. Sometimes win, sometimes lose. But Mio doesn't have any choice. There are many things she would like to hear from Ritsu, her chance is finally comes and she will use it fully.
Then slowly, Mio follows Ritsu and get out from the room.
They race through the city, the neon lights and street lamps are running quickly beside them, producing a blurry light in a flash. Ritsu's Subaru is dividing the city with a fast but steady speed. Inside the car no one dare to talk. Ritsu is concentrating her mind into the road, while Mio is looking into the city through the window. Tokyo at night sure is amazing, there she can see many neon lights, the crowds and feel the atmosphere of this city. From the distance, she can see Tokyo Tower. Shining brightly like a tower of light.
The stereo is playing a song from U2 now, City of Blinding Lights.
As the music starts, Ritsu slowly taps her finger on the steering wheel. Her head is nodding to follow the beat of the music. Her hair is swaying because of the nod motion while her eyes are still focus on the road. On the other hand, Mio is also captivated with the song. Actually U2 is not her favorite band, but this song is her favorite. The bass sounds are simple but it gives the song the souls, the guitar part is also amazing. Mio unconsciously tap her feet and open her mouth, she sings.
And I miss you when you're not around
I'm getting ready to leave the ground
Oh you look so beautiful tonight
In the city of blinding lights
"I see you still have the ability to sing", Mio stops her voice when she heard Ritsu's voice. She spun her head and see that Ritsu is looking at her right now. She's smiling and her eyes are shining. The car is stop because of the red light right now.
"O-of course", Mio answered. She's blushing and tugging her hair. Although her voice is beautiful, Mio always flustered when someone, especially Ritsu, praise her singing ability.
"Your children must be really happy to have a mother who can sing a beautiful lullaby every night", she compliment again with a remark in children.
"Shut up, Ritsu!", said Mio with pure embarrassment.
Ritsu laughs and the light turns into green. The car moves again.
"Ritsu"
The brunette turns her head to answer Mio.
"Are you avoiding me?", Mio asks, without choosing her words. She doesn't need to cover it anymore, all she wants right now is Ritsu's honesty.
"Why did you ask that?", Ritsu asked. Amber eyes suddenly avert their gaze to the street again.
"I know you for a life time. Who do you think I am, Ritsu?", Mio asked. She has a difficulty in hiding her feelings now.
Ritsu turns the wheel, she doesn't answer the question and her action makes Mio irritated. The raven haired grunts with a frown on her face, "See! You're avoiding me now".
"It's not like what you think, Mio", Ritsu answers solemnly. Her eyes suddenly look sad and her facial expression changes.
She looks lonely.
"It's not what I think! Oh come on, Ritsu! It's obvious that you're avoiding me!", Mio explodes. She couldn't control it, everything she held all this time is flowing like magma.
"You didn't answer my phone, you didn't reply my e-mail. Where the hell were you!"
"I was busy with my band", Ritsu answered with a soft tone. The car stops, right beneath the Rainbow Bridge.
"I know that you're busy, but your busyness is like you're trying to avoid me. When I told you that I will get married, you sounded… odd!"
Ritsu sighs and turns her head. She looks at Mio and realizes that there's water in those black orbs of her.
"I with the others was waiting for you, hoping that you would come. But you never there", Mio holds a choke and covering her mouthing. She's trying hard not to cry.
"Mio, don't…"
"You're my best friend Ritsu. My important person! If I have done something to you, just say it please…", tears are leaking and make Mio's cheek soaked. Her body is trembling hard and Mio starts to hug herself.
"Mio…", Ritsu is at a loss of words. She never saw Mio so helpless like this before. She wants to hug her, comfort her, kiss her… she wants to do anything to get rid of those tears. But she couldn't, she won't do it.
Not to Mio, not to a married woman.
So in the end, Ritsu is just sit in her chair. Eyes are still locking unto Mio with a burning desire, but body is as frigid as ice.
"Don't hate me…", Mio sob. Her voice is wavering.
Ritsu puts her hands on Mio shoulder and feel that Mio's body is shaking. She sighs, her breath is heavy as if she had something big stuck in her throat, "Mio… it's impossible for me to hate you".
"Then why did you…?", Mio raises her head and stares into Ritsu's amber pools. When she looks into her eyes, Mio finds so many emotions swirling around. Those eyes look sad but at the same time, it has the look of desire and the look of… love.
"I love you, Mio".
With that said, Mio feels thousand butterflies are flying inside her stomach. It's not the first time she heard someone said 'I love you' to her, Akira said it to her many times. But now is different, it is Ritsu who said it to her.
She feels lightheaded, she feels like her body will fall anytime but Mio forced herself to keep strong. She wants to know more, she wants to hear more from this adorable brunette devil.
"I love you more than just a friend, Mio. That's the truth you're asking for".
"Wh… why you didn't tell me?"
Ritsu chuckled darkly. She touches her own temple and looking outside the window. Her eyes are blazing, her face looks disgusted. Mio wonders if that expression is for her, but she's wrong. Noting Ritsu's gesture, those expressions are for herself.
"How could I? I can't love a girl", she said darkly. She sighs deeply, it seems Ritsu is trying to control her emotion, "Especially if that girl is my very best friend".
"So you've hiding it all this time…?"
"Of course! What do you want me to do?", Ritsu asks with her eyes glare into Mio, "You want me to tell the world that I love you!"
"No Ritsu, I just…"
"This wretched feelings of mine… I try to erase it. I try to see you as a friend, only friend but… I failed".
Mio watches as Ritsu sighs deeply. The brunette chuckles and lies down on the chair,"I failed Mio. The more I try not to love you, the more I've fallen to you".
Mio clutches her chest. Her heart is beating like crazy, it beats too fast and it's hurt. Mio's lower lip is quivering. Bones suddenly grow on her tongue, making her difficult to talk.
"Then when I heard that you're going to get married, well actually I wanted to come but I couldn't…"
"I just... I can't stand to see you with other person. I just can't stand that!", Ritsu's tone grow more frustrated in seconds.
She closes her eyes and take a deep breath, "I'm awful, aren't...", Ritsu's words are cut off when she felt a warm lips on her forehead. And the she realized that the owner of the lips is Mio. Ritsu's eyes widen, she looks surprised. She never expected, not even in her dream, to have Mio kissed her like this.
After a while, Mio pulls back. Her face is red but there's a determination in her eyes. She looks into Ritsu's amber eyes and it made Ritsu's knee goes weak.
"You think I will hate you for this?", Mio asks. Her tone is so serious and Ritsu never heard Mio's voice like this.
"You think I will hate you just because you love me!", Mio asks again. Her voice is rising.
"…yes", Ritsu mutters. Her voice is like a whisper.
"Stupid! I would never hate you!"
Ritsu groans, this conversation will going nowhere, "Yes, you would!"
"How could I hate you Ritsu? I love you too! Although my love is different from yours, I still love you!"
Mio is overwhelmed by emotions now. She grabs Ritsu's shoulder roughly and pulls her into a tight embrace. She held Ritsu close, so close until she can hear Ritsu's heartbeat, "Don't you ever think that I will hate you just because of this!"
"Mio… you can't do this", Ritsu's voice starts to waver like she's almost cry, "We can't do this. You're married".
"I know", Mio answers. She understands that she's already married. She understands it fully, but for now she doesn't care. She only cares about the person whom she embraces so tightly.
"But I don't care", Mio murmurs into Ritsu's ear, making the brunette shivers from the contact, "Tonight, it's only us that matter, Ritsu".
Ritsu pulls back from the embrace and glance into Mio's face. The raven haired is smiling now, her smiling is beautiful and those smiles always adorn Ritsu's dreams every night. Ritsu slowly raises her hand and tugs a few of Mio's stray hair to the back of her ear. Then she cupped Mio's cheek, feeling the warmth that radiates from her. Everything about Mio is always warm, and that's what make Ritsu could survive from the wrath of Mio's falcon punch for six years starting from junior high.
"I only know I love you Mio, and I always will", Ritsu said with a low tone. Her voice is firm, serious and full of dedication. She stares into Mio's eyes and succeeds in making Mio's blush return.
"If you know, then stay with me", Mio answers. She grips Ritsu's hand as if asking her to not go, "Don't go".
"So... I still can love you? Although you're..."
Mio shuts Ritsu by putting the tip of her finger on Ritsu's lips. She doesn't want to hear anymore, Mio has been waiting for Ritsu's presence for a long time. She doesn't need anymore words.
"Of course, Ritsu"
Ritsu smiles warmly and place her forehead on Mio's, "As you wish, Akiyama… no Azumaya Mio".
Mio smiles and slowly closes her eyes and suddenly a warm feeling is covering her heart.
The last piece in her life is here and the puzzle is finally complete.
And now she feels as the happiest woman in the world.