Almost (Mai x Naru)
Mai sat up groggily from her bed. It was the middle of December and it was snowing. Mai should've been so excited by the sight of the falling fluffy-as-cloud thingies but no. She had been so irked by this dream that she just couldn't remember. It was replaying constantly every time she was asleep. The only thing she knew, that non-psychic dream had her and Naru had been in it.
It had been almost three years since Naru left for England. It was a really tough time for Mai. Bills kept piling up and she had to have 2 jobs in order for her to keep her apartment and let her eat at least once or twice a day. Bou-san and Ayako did offer her to stay with them a lot of times but she was so stubborn that they couldn't even convince the slightest. Still they watched over her.
Well Mai was in line for a singing competition that Yasuhara was emceeing ( can you believe it Yasuhara?). Well since she was running low on cash and she was about to be kicked out of her apartment, the competition was her only chance.
She swung off her bed and went inside the bathroom. Just yesterday she had received a call from one of her jobs. She had been fired. Another one to add to the list of her problems. She sighed.
She stepped in the shower and for a moment, she let the water wash away her worries. After that it was back to her school's auditorium, where the competition will take place, to practice on that song. She stepped out of the shower, brushed her teeth and get dressed for another day of piano and singing practice with Michiru and some of her friends who agreed to be back-ground singers and playing the other instruments.
Since it was the last day before the performance, they were allowed to practice at their auditorium. The lightening and what not was also going to be practiced.
She went through the busy streets of Shibuya. She passed by the abandoned SPR office. She had a hard time to resist going in and saying sorry she was late for work because she knows no one will scold her back.
She finally reached the place and went directly up the stage. Upon going up the stage, she was greeted by Michiru, Keiko, Naomi (who agreed to be background singers) and Michiru's and Keiko's brothers (who agreed to play the instruments) were there.
"Hey Mai, this will be our last practice. I'm sooo nervous for tomorrow!" Michiru said.
"Yeah. Me too. Thank's so much guys for agreeing to be my back-up singers."Mai smiled at them.
"No problem Mai. You wouldn't let us help you pay for your tuition. This was the only thing we could help you without you stubbornly refusing." Keiko laughed and so did the others. Mai also gave a small laugh.
"We did practice hard last time today we are going to do only one round okay?"Mai asked. They all replied with ok's and then we started to prepare.
Keiko stood next to Michiru and Naomi at the back while Mai takes centre sitting in front of the grand piano. Her fingers start to dance on the keys as the song starts to play.
Mai closed her eyes. Somehow her thoughts had drifted to Naru unconsciously while singing. The dream she had slowly become clearer and clearer. Realizations come to her all at once.
(The song is Almost by Tamia)
Can you tell me,
How can one miss what she's never had?
Mai always missed how Naru would almost brush his fingers against hers while she was giving him his tea, missed how his voice would sometimes become softer when talking to her. She also missed how he'd never almost say please. 'Gah. Why am I thinking this? Focus Mai.' She scolded herself
How could I reminisce when there is no past?
Mai would ocassionaly day dream and fantasize those moments that will never happen. How she and Naru would have an anniversary, how they'd have a first kiss, how they'd confess… It was almost like reminiscing… the only problem was those moments never happened.
How could I have memories of being happy with you boy?
Could someone tell me how can this be?
She couldn't explain it but sometimes she would have these dreams of non-existent happenings between her and him. She must be becoming delusional. Nope… She IS delusional.
How could my mind pull up incidents
Recall dates and times that never happened
So one time a girl was receiving a teddy bear from her mom, Why did Mai recall something similar but it was Naru giving it to her? Ughh… She was getting delusional every second of the day.
How could we celebrate a love that's to late?
And how could I really mean the words I'm bout to say?
I missed the times that we almost shared
I miss the love that was almost there
She really did miss those almost moments. She would miss the love that was close to happening. The loved they almost had was so close but he shot her down when she revealed about dream Naru.
I miss the times that we use to kiss
At least in my dreams
Just let me take my time and reminisce
She had regular dreams. Embarrassing ones at that. So what if she dreamt about Gene? Whenever she dreamt about dream Naru is completely different from dreaming about Gene. With Gene she felt different somehow she couldn't explain with Naru she felt utterly clumsy and breakable. She wasn't always like that. Around Naru her knees would go weak as Jelly and her heart would flutter so much.
I miss the times that we never had.
What happened to us? We were almost there.
They were almost close to finally admitting but Gene just had to show up. She didn't blame him though. She was happy that he could finally move on but if Naru didn't find the lake yet. They might be even together.
'Mai…. It's just your wishful thinking. If he probably knew this he would make a smart remark and make you look stupid.' Mai shook her head and focused more on her piano playing but still her mind slowly drifts to the raven haired, black clad.
Whoever said it's impossible to miss when you never had?
Never almost had you…
Mai stopped playing for a moment then the boys started to play the other instruments and Michiru had replaced Mai on the Piano. Mai stood up and continued singing when she heard her cue.
I cannot believe I let you go.
Or what I've should've say is,
I should've grabbed you up and never let you go.
There were times where Mai regretted not being able to ask Naru on a single date. Maybe if she asked… maybe if she grabbed hold that time maybe he would never had gone or maybe he had taken her with him. 'Wishful thinking Mai…. Stop it!' Mai once again scolded herself.
I should've went out with you.
I should've made you mine.
Ohhh Boy, Yeah that's one time I should've broke the rules.
She should have. She should have. Maybe if she broke the 'Employer-and-employee and nothing more but business thing'…. No. She SHOULD have broken that. Now all she can do is regret.
I should've went on a date.
Should've found my way to escape.
Should've turned an almost into
if it happened now it's too late.
She could have turned their almost into something else entirely if she did something. She just stayed clueless and helpless always. If she used her heart more closely that time maybe just maybe… the almost would turn to something else.
How could I celebrate a love that wasn't real?
And if it didn't happen why does my heart feel?
Why did she get so flustered even though the memories, the dreams, the reminiscing, wasn't real? Why is her heart like that? How many times does she have to tell it nothing like that did and will ever happen?
She was about to sing the chorus when tears started forming in her eyes. She blinked them back and sang the most heart breaking part of the song.
I missed the times that we almost shared
I miss the love that was almost there
I miss the times that we use to kiss
At least in my dreams
Just let me take my time and reminisce
I miss the times that we never had.
What happened to us? We were almost there.
Whoever said it's impossible to miss when you never had?
Never almost had you…
It was time for the third verse. She couldn't contain the tears anymore so she slowly let them flow as she sung that part.
(There is no rap part though)
And You seem to be the perfect one for me….
He seemed to be the perfect one for her. Though they were complete opposites, they kind of suit each other. Mai's cheerful personality and Naru's opposite one. Mai's clumsiness and Naru would sometimes catch her if she trips on her feet. And so many more endless things.
You…
You're all I ever wanted.
She never asked for anything in particular really. She had always wanted a family when her parents died until SPR became her family. Everything changed. All she ever wanted was the man who was responsible for getting her that Family (A.K.A. NARU). They always said she was the one holding them all together but it was truly Naru. Without him would SPR be even possible? She didn't want to know.
And you're my everything. Yes, it's true.
Boy, it's hard to be close to you.
If he were here, it would be a very awkward situation. Mai just confessed almost 2 years ago and he turned her down by saying she loves his brother. They would have an awkward kind of tension or worse… He might ignore her. Mai almost shuddered at the thought.
My love…
I know it may sound crazy
But I'm in love with you.
Even though she's crazy about it, she wanted to let him know…. She was in love with him. Him and only him. Not his twin brother.
After that she and her background singers repeated the chorus twice more. Mai had taken the high notes well and the background singers sang the chorus with her. (It's hard to explain… try basing it to the original song…. For the first piano sound try listening to Jessica (SNSD)'s cover of Almost.)
When the song ended they all clapped their hands and Mai wiped her tears before turning back to them.
"Mai! That was amazing! You managed to reach the high notes magnificently!" Naomi commented.
"Yeah! We did pretty well to. Right, Mai?" Michiru asked.
"Thanks guys! We were all amazing! We should take our rest now! Otsukaresama deshita!" Mai said smiling.
"Otsukaresama deshita!" The others replied back smiling. They all arranged and organized then finally went home.
Mai finally felt like a weight lifted from her shoulders. Maybe pouring her feelings in the song would make her heart feel a little better. She smiled at herself for accomplishing the high note part perfectly without the slightest sound of cracking. She usually had that problem and so as not knowing what emotion to put when she was practicing. She hoped that she could perfect it tomorrow. She crossed her fingers and hoped for the best.
Meanwhile….
Yasuhara was having his suit fitted in his dressing room at the place of the event. He smiled when he heard Mai's singing from outside.
He was the one who suggested persisted she joined because he and the others once overheard her singing inside her apartment. He laughed at the memory.
That's when he suggested that Mai should join, she disagreed at first but since Ayako went all 'proud-mom mode' she forces her to join. She also had made Mai a gown for the event using her money (of course Mai disagreed but Ayako was scary when determined.).
Monk just stood there at the corner so that he can avoid Ayako's violent attacks. He was proud of Mai but he couldn't interfere with them to save his own life.
Yasuhara's phone rang. He looked at the caller I.D. .
"Bou-san, did you call to finally propose to me, My love?" Yasuhara said mockingly sweet.
"Dude, that's just…. Creepy. Anyway… I called to tell you Naru's in Japan." Bou-san said.
"So what does he have to do with our relationship?" Yasuhara mocked again.
"Th-that's not the point!" Monk stuttered.
"I want you to convince him to watch Mai perform tomorrow. I heard his case here was over and he's returning after tomorrow. You could tell him to come." Bou-san suggested.
"Why should I?" Yasuhara asked.
"You know how much this means to Mai and the song was also meant for him." Bou-san replied simply.
"Okay then.. I'm going to do it for you, My love." Yasuhara made a kissing sound at the phone and pressed end call.
He dialled the Narcissist's number. After the third ring he finally picked up.
"What do you want Yasuhara?" Naru's annoyed tone came from the speaker.
"Naru-kun! I know that tone… I was nervous that I may have gotten the wrong number." Yasuhara laughed.
"Yasuhara. If you called me to just annoy me then I refuse to converse with you." Naru was about to hit end call when…
"Wait! I did call for a reason." Yasuhara said fast.
"And what would that be?" Naru said a bit annoyed.
"Well… There's this show tomorrow. Mai is going to perform something." There was a long pause before he decided to answer. Yasuhara smirked.
"Why should I come?"
"Look. This competition means a lot to her and she needs all the support she can get. "
"I'll… think about it."
"The date's tomorrow, 7:00pm. Her school's Auditorium." Yasuhara added. Then Naru cut the line.
'He better come…. I have something in mind' Yasuhara smirked and dialled a number.
"Hey Madoka! Have you heard…."
Ahhhmmm first fanfic so yeah R&R please ;~;