A new year has started. But, I think I'm still stuck in the past.
I've watched so many of my friends grow closer. Maybe as friends, maybe as love.
Natsuki-senpai and Yuuko-senpai are doing great as the vice-president and president. They may argue a lot, but I think that's just their affections for each other played out differently. They for sure like each other.
Goto-senpai and Riko-senpai are still going out. And they are still a cute couple.
Mizore-senpai and Nozomi-senpai are still as close as ever. Mizore-senpai is really…clingy towards Nozomi-senpai. If they were dating, I wouldn't mind. The gender doesn't really matter as long as the two people love each other. I would be happy for them since they look happy.
Shuuichi is just…Shuuichi. He's still a good friend, but everyone keeps teasing me about how we should get together.
Like Hazuki-chan and Midori-chan. They are still two of my best friends and we still enjoy each other's company. Those two have also gotten closer, but not as much romantically but friendly.
Reina-chan…I still see her as my best friend. One I can share a lot of my feelings toward. One who I find beautiful and maybe had a crush on. But she still goes on about Taki-sensei. My feelings whenever I heard her talk about Taki-sensei…it was all sadness. I didn't have a chance with Reina, and I wish I had. Her feelings for him haven't changed, and I'll still be there to support her. That crush I had…I think it's changed. Maybe for the better.
My mind wanders to the third years…now graduated. Aoi-chan, Haruka-senpai, Kaori-senpai…
Asuka-senpai. The talented, teasing, beautiful euphonium player. The girl who I've been closest to other than the first-year girls. Someone I look up to. Someone who I inspire to be like. Someone I want to hear again. Her euphonium playing. Her sweet voice. I know.
I fell in love with Asuka-senpai.
It was when I poured out my feelings on graduation day. All the time we spent together built up this…feeling. It was love, and I was too afraid to truly say it. I do love Asuka-senpai as a friend. But, I longed for something more. And now…was it over? Could I ever get Asuka-chan as someone who I can call more than just a friend? We promised that it wasn't going to be goodbye, but…
"Kumiko-chan?" I hear my name called. I didn't realize my surroundings. It was familiar, we were on the train home. I look to my right, and of course Reina is there. "Your eyes are watery. Were you crying?"
"O-oh!" I didn't realize that my feelings that were in me started to form. I quickly wipe my eyes. Reina was not supposed to see me like this. In front of her, I am usually strong. "Y-yeah. My mind drifted, and I was remembering how the band was going to change."
I look to her. Her head was nodding. "I agree. That was really fun, despite everything that happened. It will not be the same without the graduates, but we must look forward. To aim for Nationals. To win gold."
I couldn't tell Reina what I was feeling. She wasn't really good with handling other people's problems, I knew that. So, burdening Reina with my thoughts wouldn't really help. I'm glad that Reina was encouraged to aim for nationals again. But…I couldn't help but ask.
"For Taki-sensei?"
She was blushing, but it seemed lighter than usual. "A bit. I want to keep my promise to Taki-sensei's wife. And I want to do it for me. I still want to be special. And I think that getting gold will help guide me."
Reina's words were inspiring. It reminds me of how I fell for this girl. I smile at her. "That's nice. I have that same feeling." She smiles back, and it looks beautiful. But the way I look at Reina right now, romantically, reminds me of Asuka-senpai.
I want to see Asuka-senpai's smile. And I want to be the cause of it.
Our conversation ends as we reach our stop. The walk to where the two of us part was quiet. Just the sounds of cars, views of houses. The normal walk that we take was just that, normal.
"I'll see you tomorrow. Bye, Kumiko-chan." Reina smiles and waves, and I return the favour.
"Bye-bye, Reina-chan!" I fake my smile, my happiness.
All I can think now is what I told Asuka-senpai. I'm lonely.
I start to walk towards home. And I'm wallowing in my despair. I don't have anyone to talk to while I walk, occasionally running into Shuuichi. At first, I enjoyed the silence. I could gather my thoughts and I sometimes take a detour to the river to enjoy the fresh air. Now, all I could think is how I want someone to be with me. A friend works, but I would much rather enjoy the company of a partner. Like Asuka-senp-
"Oooooumae-chan!" Was I dreaming? It wasn't possible. She was working hard for college. She wouldn't have time to come out here. Right?
I felt something fall on my shoulder and it stung a bit. I look to the shoulder where there was weight on it. And my emotions are surprised and happy.
"Oumae-chan!" Asuka-senpai says with a cute pout on her face. Damn, it is way too cute. "It's not polite to not greet your elders."
My response wasn't what I wanted to start with. "A-Asuka-senpai!" I couldn't do much at all. She was right here, her head so close to mine. My feelings were overwhelming me. But I had to keep my composure. "Hello, Asuka-senpai! I-I thought that you had moved. For college?"
She went around to face me, and I hoped that my blush wasn't too obvious. I doubt it. "Well, the college that I aimed for luckily was on the same bus as you go on for school. I saw you in the morning, but I didn't want to interrupt you."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Asuka-senpai was still here, and I could still talk to her? I tried to remember this morning, now having the desire to talk to her. But I couldn't recall seeing someone like her. What was I doing to miss her? How could I have missed her? The person that I wanted to be with the most, and I missed her.
"R-really? So…we could talk in the morning?" I tried to hide my hope, but I don't think I held it in very well.
"Of course! I love talking to my old friends, especially-" she brings a finger to my nose and boops it. "-you, Oumae-chan."
My blush deepens at hearing this. Now whenever she touches me, I only have my thoughts filled with desires of Asuka-senpai touching me. But, something was biting at my curiosity.
"Asuka-senpai, didn't you see Reina-chan as well? Didn't you want to talk to both of us?"
I was surprised. Asuka-senpai's face was red. Does that mean…? No, don't think like that. She's…too mature for someone like me.
"Well, I wanted to talk to my euphonium pal! I know how you are." Asuka-senpai had a small smile on her face.
I caused that smile. And…it was beautiful.
With a wide smile on my face, I put out a bold question. "W-would you like to come to my place? T-to t-talk?" I really didn't want to stutter, but it just came out like that.
"Ooo! I accept. I want to see how Oumae-chan is like outside of school."
I lost my breath. She's actually going to come over! But, I need to stay calm. It's just two friends reminiscing, talking about our lives. Nothing more. I hold out my hand and she places hers into it. Soft, smooth. Her hand feels nice in mine.
And we head to my house.
A/N: I just finished Hibike! Euphonium season 2. I can't believe how good the entire series was. One of the only animes/mangas that almost made me cry. I think I'm incapable of crying, but I can have some tears in my eyes. Mizore's episode where she and Nozomi made up had me almost crying.
Anyways, about the fic. I don't know if there will be a season 3 for Hibike! Euphonium, so I kinda want to put a romantic spin for Kumiko's second year. The talk she had with Asuka really made me ship those two, and brought some tears. It's also a first for me since I'm going first person for this one.
So if you enjoyed reading this, leave a review! I want to know how to improve and see if I'm lacking anything.
Thanks for Reading!
(I'll probably keep writing, but I'll upload them weekly. Hopefully.)
