The next early Monday morning train slowed entered the docking area, pulling to a stop. Kumiko fished for her phone and glanced at the lock screen. No reply from Reina. She was supposed to message Kumiko if she was already waiting at the next station. Kumiko heaved a sigh. Whatever Reina needed to do, it was unlikely enough to make her forget. If not at all, Reina hardly forgot. But Reina is Reina, an unrestricted presence, so it seemed to Kumiko. Slipping her phone back in her pocket, she stood, approaching the loading bay as the parked train's doors slipped open in unison. She stepped in the empty train car, taking the seat on the right, near the sliding doors. She relaxed and reclined on her seat, staring at the ceiling then closed her eyes. A moment passed, and the doors hissed away as they closed. The train started to move. She opened her eyes again, glancing at the moving view outside before checking the time on her watch. In the process, her peripheral vision caught someone from the opposite end of the seat across her that she suddenly sat to attention. She realized she was no longer alone.
There was another girl in the train. She was reading, oversized headphones covering her ears. Short, wild, wavy brown-haired and pale-skinned, she was in Kitauji High School uniform, her black tights completely covering her legs to her thighs. The maroon sophomore ribbon told Kumiko that she was in the same level as hers.
The train made its way to the next station, Reina's stop. Startled, Kumiko realized that she had been holding her stare too long. But the girl seemed absorbed with the book in her hands that she did not seem to mind at all, giving Kumiko the impression that she would not care for the world.
Just like Reina.
Kumiko looked outside the train window as the doors opened again. A few people started coming in, filling a few spaces. But still, there was no sign of Reina. She suddenly felt a slight worry. 'Did something happen? Is she sick? Did I say something wrong?' she tried recalling. 'We were okay during the weekend. Is she hiding something?'
The warning buzzers soon sounded, pulling Kumiko away from her thoughts. She turned away from the window, her heavy sigh overpowered by the hissing of the sliding doors. It was then her peripheral vision caught the girl staring out the same direction as well. Kumiko shifted and turned to the girl again. She seemed to be staring intently through the window, as if waiting for someone to come in too. The train started moving again, and the girl relaxed on her seat and resumed reading. Kumiko turned away and reclined. While she worried about Reina, the girl on the other end was slowly feeding her curiosity. She knew almost everyone in her level. But she has not seen her before. 'Who is she?' she thought, recalling everyone she has met from freshman year to the recent school opening.
The train finally reached Kumiko's stop and gradually slowed down to a halt. Kumiko waited for the others to exit the train. Then, she stood, putting her bag on her shoulder and flattening her top with her palms. Still preoccupied, she made her way to the exit. But one foot fell into the gap between the train and the loading bay ledge that she tripped and fell on her hands and knees. "Hazukashii…" she whined softly, embarrassed at what had just happened. She was too grown up to cry, but one knee hurt badly.
"Doozo."
Kumiko heard a female voice and looked up. The girl had already taken off her headphones, and she was offering her hand. Kumiko looked back as she placed her hand on the girl's. The girl's gray eyes were intense, magnetic, hypnotic pools that seemed to draw her in, as if they could read right through her. Kumiko slowly stood. She dusted herself, still looking at the girl that slightly towered her. She could not seem to take her eyes away from the her at all.
The girl suddenly giggled.
"Eh?" Kumiko's face suddenly twitched. 'What's so funny?' she thought. Then, she remembered.
"It's improper to stare," the girl said, her giggling coming to a pause. "But I know. You've never seen me before."
"Gyah!" Kumiko stepped back, mouth open, and turned red with embarrassment. 'She knew all along!'
The girl cleared her throat. "Sumimasen," she apologized, shaking her head. "Am I making you uncomfortable?"
Kumiko stood at attention and shook her head. No, it was not that at all. She glanced at the girl's ribbon again and asked, "You're attending Kitauji too, ne?"
The girl nodded shyly. "It's my first day," she said.
"Ah," Kumiko uttered. At least, she now has an answer. The girl was a new face. She realized the girl had suddenly become withdrawn after being asked. She remembered her first days in school and the adjustments. Her friends helped her cope. Maybe it was her turn to do just that. "Oumae Kumiko desu," she introduced herself.
"Aotsuki Kanon," the girl answered. "Dozo yoroshiku onegaishimasu, Oumae-san."
"Kumiko is fine," Kumiko answered, waving her hand sidewards and smiling awkwardly. "Anou… I can walk with you to school if you want," she offered.
"Are you sure it's okay?" the girl, Kanon, asked.
Kumiko nodded. "It's still early. Maybe we can look for your class and show you around."
Kanon lit up and nodded. "I would love that," she said.
-0-0-0-0-0-
"Mama wants me to take the scholarship in Tokyo…"
Reina stared blankly across the clear morning sky, her chin resting atop her folded arms on the railing of the school building's rooftop. Childhood memories were meant to be remembered well, but these do not necessarily mean good memories. There were neutral, bittersweet, and terrible memories. These were not only classifications but stages, stages that come in no particular order.
"We'll be back soon. I promise…"
Reina closed her eyes. 'Soon,' she thought. How soon is soon, anyway? A week? A month? A year? The feeling used to be bittersweet. Then, terrible. Then, it became neutral. Neutral became routine… or so she thought.
"She returned two weeks ago. But… she needed to clear some things first. I'm not sure if her parents will follow. They have settled in quite well in London."
Reina sighed. She thought she would be fine. She was fine the first time she heard it. Now, she could not even bring herself to open her trumpet case because of it. "Usotsuki," she whispered.
The sound of footsteps approaching suddenly disturbs Reina's thoughts. Reina lifted her head and turned to her left. Hazuki and Sapphire were approaching her direction. 'Where's Kumiko?' she asked herself. It was then she realized. She had forgotten. She fished for her phone in her pocket and tapped to view the lock screen: 5 unread messages and 2 missed calls. Her eyes widened.
"Ohayou," the two greeted.
Eyes shut and frowning, Reina cleared her throat and quickly pocketed her phone. She inhaled, opened her eyes, and turned to the two, one hand still holding onto the railing. "Ohayou," she greeted back.
"We thought Kumiko-chan was with you," Hazuki said. "We're looking for her."
Reina shook her head, contemplating on telling the truth or otherwise. "Maybe she hasn't arrived yet," she said. "It's still early."
"Sou desu ne," Sapphire nodded. "It is still early." She glanced at the open sky. "Pretty clear today," she remarked, smiling.
Reina simply nodded. Clear, opposite of her thoughts.
"Anou, we'd better go," Hazuki said. "We heard a new girl is coming to class today. We'd want to welcome her first."
"New girl?" Reina echoed.
Hazuki nodded. "I'm sure you'll meet her, too," she said. "Ja!" She and Sapphire waved as they hurriedly left the rooftop.
Reina waved back, then sighed heavily. Somehow, she did not like the sound of it. But it was something she did not need to concern herself with. She reached into her pocket to take her phone.
-0-0-0-0-0-
The tour was not going well so far. Some areas were either unavailable because of the scheduled renovation or regular maintenance or were off-limits because of club or team activities.
Kumiko was frustrated. "I'm sorry I couldn't take you to the field either," she apologized as she and Kanon walked along the school hall. "It's off-limits when the track and field team is practicing."
"It's okay," Kanon said. She had gone quiet halfway through the tour. "There's always next time." She paused, looking about the rustic surrounding before looking ahead. There was another room at the end of the hall.
That room was Kumiko's last hope. She hoped she could at least show it to Kanon. "That's the new music room," she said, pointing to the room at the end of the hall. "It used to be two unused classrooms until the school decided to have it renovated during the break." She recalled Kanon had headphones on while they were in the train. "You like listening to music, Kanon?"
Kanon nodded.
"What kind of music?"
"Various sorts," Kanon answered, smiling at Kumiko.
Kumiko picked up her pace and went ahead of Kanon. Then, she stopped in front of the music room. She cupped her palms and puffed warm air into them then put her hands on the door handle.
Yes, it is open.
Kumiko smiled and chuckled in her little victory. "Come on in," she gestured Kanon to come in with her.
Kanon quickly approached, and the two stepped inside.
The new music room was much like the old one: an elevated platform by the blackboard; moveable seats; ceiling fans, and a grand piano on wheels. But the room is soundproof: carpeted floor with padded walls and ceiling, and it had a thermostat for extreme weather. There was also additional modern audio equipment as well as new instruments in the storage area at the other end. Ideal for practice and recording, so the other music clubs would say. Though, the wind ensemble has yet to use the room for practice.
"The thermostat control is in the faculty area. We're not allowed to use it without permission," Kumiko said as she turned one ceiling fan on and closed the door.
"Sou desu ka," Kanon uttered, taking a look around. "You like music, too, Kumiko?"
"Hai," Kumiko answered eagerly. "I play the euph."
"Bass…" Kanon trailed. "Part of the wind ensemble?"
"Hai," Kumiko answered again. She noticed Kanon's eyes were fixed on the grand piano. "You play the piano, Kanon?"
Kanon looked back at Kumiko. "A little," she answered.
'A little,' Kumiko echoed in her thoughts. Something down her gut told her otherwise. Then, she had an idea. She peeked into her watch. There was still time. "Why don't you play something?" she encouraged. "It's okay, you know."
Kanon smiled shyly and sat in front of the piano. "Just a quick one, ne? Cover your ears," she joked as she positioned her fingers over the keys.
Kumiko chuckled in response.
Kanon pressed softly on the keys, starting slowly, progressing little by little, somewhat swaying to the melody. Her fingers were light and nimble.
Kumiko listened from a distance, observing Kanon as she played. A jazz improvisation of "Fly Me to the Moon," she recognized through the melody. 'That isn't a little,' she thought, soon finding herself swaying to the piece as well. Then, her phone buzzes through her pocket. She paused and fished for her phone.
One message from Reina.
Somewhat relieved from worry, Kumiko unlocked her phone to view Reina's message.
[Ohayou. Sorry, there was something I needed to do before class that I headed off without telling you. Doko desu ka?]
Kumiko sighed. Of course, she understood. She typed in her reply and sent it. Then, she resumed listening to Kanon. The piece had already become moderately intricate. 'Taki-sensei might want to hear this,' she thought. Her phone buzzed through her pocket. And again, she fished it out and opened it.
[Ee. Daijobu desu. I'm preparing for class. You should too. I'll see you later during lunchtime. Same place.]
Kumiko glanced at the time and noticed classes were to start in a while. Again, she typed in her reply and sent it.
Kanon gracefully ended her piece and exhaled a little.
Kumiko clapped. Kanon played very well, she noted. That was not a little at all.
Kanon stood and bowed courteously.
"That was amazing," Kumiko remarked. "How long have you been playing?"
"A while," Kanon answered timidly, briefly.
'A while,' Kumiko's thoughts echoed. The same, vague answer. 'How long is a while?' "I should introduce you to everyone after class," she suggested.
"Every… one?" Kanon uttered, hinting uneasiness.
Kumiko chuckled. Kanon's introversion was apparent. "Ki ni suru na. They would love to meet you."
"Eh…" Kanon nodded, scratching her head as if hesitant.
"Class starts in a while. We should go. Sensei might be looking for you," Kumiko said.
-0-0-0-0-0-
Minutes before the first class bell, the attendance is already complete. Some of the students have already settled in their seats, chatting with seatmates or doing personal business on their desks. Some bonded over random conversations by the window, where the full view of the field could be seen.
Kumiko entered the classroom and skipped to her seat, turning to the vacant seat between her and the window. 'Finally,' she smiled, knowing it was finally getting filled.
"Ne, Kumiko-chan!"
"Aik!" Kumiko exclaimed to her surprise and turned to her right. She did not notice Hazuki, who was sitting in front of her. Come to think, she did not notice anyone or anything at all. "Gomen ne…" she apologized.
"Ohayou," Hazuki and Sapphire, who was sitting on her right, greeted Kumiko.
"Ohayou…" Kumiko greeted somewhat uncomfortably, embarrassed that she had been slightly excited for today that she had almost forgotten about her friends.
"Where were you?" Hazuki asked, tone anxious, gripping the rail of the back of her chair as she drew closer to Kumiko. "We were looking for you everywhere. We even checked the roof deck. Kousaka-san didn't see you either."
"Iie, iie," Kumiko said as she waved her hand in front of Hazuki. "I just went out for a stroll, that's all."
"A stroll?" Sapphire said. "You've seen everything here already."
"Shitte imasu…" Kumiko trailed, looking away and fidgeting with her index fingers. "But… it's sort of not for me."
"Eh?!" the two uttered in chorus.
The school bell rings across the school grounds, signaling the start of class and prompting students to settle into their proper places and wait for their homeroom teacher. The classroom became silent. And the homeroom teacher entered. Behind her tailed a new addition to the class.
Kumiko beamed as Aotsuki Kanon walked in. Then, she looked about, observing the reaction of some students. The students' reaction on having a new classmate was natural. Some would whisper among seatmates and peers. A few would be excited. A few would simply stare at the new face. A few would not care. But there were one or two heads whose facial expressions seemed different. It was the look of amazement. Kumiko wondered why.
"Kiritsu!" the class representative signaled.
The class suddenly hushed and collectively stood.
"Rei!"
Then, the class bowed.
The homeroom teacher gestured the class to sit and turned to Kanon. "Please write your name," she requested.
Kanon nodded, picking up a piece of chalk from the chalkboard ledge and wrote her name in kanji: Ao (blue) and tsuki (moon), then Ka (flower) and non (sound).
"Arigatou," the homeroom teacher said, then gestured Kanon to face the class. "Class," she announced. "This is Aotsuki Kanon. She will be joining our class from now on."
"Dozo yoroshiku onegaishimasu," Kanon courteously said, bowing.
"Takagaki-san," the homeroom teacher addressed the class representative. "Please give Aotsuki-san a tour around campus during lunch break."
"Hai!" the class representative nodded.
"Please take your seat," the homeroom teacher said to Kanon.
"Arigatou gozaimashita, Shoda-sensei," Kanon replied, nodding.
Kumiko watched as Kanon headed to the seat next to hers. She also noticed some eyes were following the new student as well as the atmosphere of curiosity that took over the classroom.
Kanon smiled at Kumiko as she took her seat.
Kumiko smiled back.
"Eto… I seemed to have forgotten something in the faculty area," the homeroom teacher said. "Please remain on your seats. I will be back in a few minutes." Then, she hurriedly exited the classroom.
"Yay, a new friend!" Hazuki cheerfully expressed upon turning to Kanon's direction. "Katou Hazuki desu. You can call me Hazuki. Dozo yoroshiku, Kanon-chan."
"Kanon-chan?" Kumiko droned as she side-glanced at Hazuki. Hazuki, quick as always.
"Dozo yoroshiku, Hazuki-chan," Kanon said timidly.
"A… A… Aotsuki…"
Kumiko heard Sapphire's stammering and looked over her shoulder. Sapphire's cheeks were red and her eyes were fixated at Kanon. Kumiko immediately recognized the starry eyes. It was a warning signal.
"A… A… Aotsuki… sama…"
"Uh-oh…" Hazuki uttered, also noticing Sapphire's crazy, starry eyes.
Kanon's eyes and mouth were wide open, as if anticipating. The look of horror.
"Aotsuki-sama!" Sapphire exclaimed and charged for Kanon.
Kanon immediately turned to the side and ducked over her lap, hands over her head.
Kumiko and Hazuki quickly reacted, subduing Sapphire before she could reach Kanon. "Ochitsuite, Midori-chan!"
-0-0-0-0-0-
"Please tell me again why we need to go," Haruka wearily said, sighing. She glanced at the blurry view outside. Mondays are days off, and she would either do something productive or rest. This Monday was different. It was supposed to be just a normal stroll to the mall with old friends. But the "hidden agenda" was revealed during the train ride. She and Kaori were tagged to go with Asuka, with or without consent, to Kitauji High School. It was more of a duty than a privilege.
"I heard it from the grapevine -" Asuka quoted with her usual matter-of-fact facial expression.
"Please don't sing again," Kaori interrupted with aversion. "Just… don't."
"We should be present in campus later," Asuka stressed.
"But we graduated!" Haruka whined.
"Wakatta," Asuka began her rambling. "Leave me in my adventures. Should I fall into wrongful hands -"
"I can't imagine you getting killed on-campus on broad daylight," Kaori interrupted again. "Unless you have enemies… which you don't."
"But come to think," Haruka said. "News about it reached me."
"News?" Kaori uttered.
Haruka shrugged and reclined. "There were talks before school opening of senior year. When Taki-sensei took the post in Kitauji, it was said that the school administration scouted a few students to upgrade the ensemble. It was an open offer, so I heard. They were to take it anytime it was convenient. At first, I thought Kousaka-san was one of them. But when someone confirmed that it wasn't her, I got even more curious."
"How come we've never heard of it?" Kaori asked again.
"Because apparently, none of them responded then," Haruka replied. "I thought no one would take it seriously because our club was so terrible."
"The ensemble did better without them," Kaori expressed. "Taki-sensei did his best already. Why just now?"
"An artistic sabbatical," Asuka suggested. "Or… a spiritual reconnection. Everyone needs it once in a while, I believe."
"Spiritual… reconnection…" Haruka dragged and dwelled on Asuka's words for a moment. An interesting choice of words for someone who would not care or attach herself to anything. To even think she initiated the trip back to campus.
"I admit, I am now curious," Kaori said, stroking her chin.
The three suddenly became quiet as the speakers announced the next station and its routine reminders. The train slowed down as it headed for the loading area of the next station.