So I've gotten a bit bored and decided to write a new story since Classic was a success. Although this is just a rough idea, I managed to write it up with a bit of ease.
- Disclaimer: K ON characters do not belong to me.
- Notice: Original characters may be added for suspense, a catalyst, etc. Lifestyles and settings may deviate from the original manga/anime.
- Warning: May contain suggested themes.
10 years ago
"Wait!"
Summer was in full swing as two little girls frolicked around the fields, running along as they neared their destination. The heat was nearly unbearable, but with the sun setting in the horizon it had cooled down considerably. One of them sprinted for the forest, eager to get to a certain place as soon as possible.
"Ritsu, wait!"
"You're too slow, Mio!" the girl with short, brown hair and amber eyes didn't bother slowing down as her friend chased her down.
Out of breath and panting for air, the raven haired girl who fell behind stopped in her tracks when she had found her friend.
"C'mon, what are you waiting for?" Ritsu leaned on her side with arms crossed before her chest.
"H-How did you...?" She looked at the stream that divided the two connecting paths. There was no way she could jump over it.
"Use this" Ritsu threw the rope swing to her direction.
"B-But..."
"C'mon, you can do it. It's easy. Just swing to my direction."
Mio never liked things like these - the dangers that came with Ritsu's adventures. To be honest, she felt like she only followed after her to keep her out of trouble. With the utmost caution, she looked below, the stream was clean and clear, but the height was a bit too high. "B-But what if I-"
"You won't fall." Ritsu reassured the girl. "Because I'm here. I'll catch you before you do." She readied herself with a grin.
"I..." What was there to worry about? Ritsu was there, of course she believed in her words. She trusted her. "Okay." Mio took several steps back before running and breaking into a jump with the rope in hand.
Apparently, she miscalculated by swinging a little too far and collided with Ritsu. Both of them fell onto the ground with a loud thud. There was dirt and dust that blew into the air as Mio clung onto the girl below her.
"See, I told you I'd catch you." Ritsu formed a grin as the sun kissed her face.
Blink once, then twice. Out of all the memories, why did that have to resurface today? A hand reached for the phone by the bedside table as Mio turned to her side and checked the time. Was this right?
She immediately rose from her bed, throwing the bed sheets to the side as she opened the curtains and checked the window. As usual, the streets of Tokyo were crowded with people swarming all over the city to enter the buildings that decorated the scenery. There was no doubt in her mind that it was right.
"I'm running late."
Punctuality was one of the few things Ritsu was good at, but today was the exception. Of course, it wasn't completely possible without a bit of help from some of her people.
She flipped through her phone, searching through several messages and pictures. 'Time flies by so fast.' It seemed like only yesterday when she was studying in America. Now, she was in Japan, her homeland to start her first day into the business. Yes, business. She never thought of herself as one to go into the company, Ritsu always had a talent with the arts, but apparently that wasn't enough to make a living.
The train arrived quicker than she had imagined and people flocked into the cart and out. It was a struggle in itself to brush past them. When she finally got inside, there were no available seats and the people had no choice but to stand up.
"The city is pretty busy..." She mumbled to herself.
Ritsu could tell apart several students who were dressed in their uniforms, she didn't see much of those in America. It was a nice change of pace. Her eyes drifted ahead of her, only a matter of minutes before the doors would close.
"Wait!" Someone called from a distance.
Ritsu raised an eyebrow as she gripped the pole by her side. The girl was too far away, she didn't have a chance. "She's not gonna make it."
"Wait!"
The doors were starting to close when the girl sprinted the last meters with all her strength. She managed to enter the cart with seconds to spare. The train began to move slowly, making its way to the next stop.
Heavy breathing, accompanied by a wheeze and a pant. Ritsu was so sure she wasn't going to make it. Guess she proved her wrong. What an interesting way to start the morning. She examined the girl or should she say, woman in front of her. Long raven hair and a body to die for, okay, well figuratively. She didn't argue that the girl was well endowed. Ritsu looked away and tightened her grip on the pole.
Unable to steady herself when the train sped up, she lurched forward colliding against Ritsu. "I-I'm so sorry." She moved back and found a vacant portion of the pole on her right. Not once did she make eye contact with the brunette.
"It's fine." She brushed it off and looked ahead, watching the skyscrapers surround the city.
The girl that had collided with Ritsu was Mio. She thought it best to take the train than drive to work , it was faster and more convenient to avoid the traffic. Her eyes drifted to the brown haired girl, then to her neck, which held something that she found rather intriguing. 'She can't be...' Unable to make eye contact from the humiliation, she turned around and faced the train's doors.
"Seems like I got here a bit too early." Ritsu took a seat in the lobby. The architecture was admirable as glass windows decorated the interior building, illuminating the room effectively. It complimented the spiral staircases and escalators that were spread across the compound. This may be the best building she had ever stepped foot in.
All she needed was to be summoned in to give her presentation. Of course, even that would take a while, she was 30 minutes early. Her hand found the necklace on her neck as a key was held in place. She closed her eyes and drifted into a light nap.
"See, that wasn't so bad..." Ritsu and Mio sat ontop of a grassy hill, overlooking the vineyard from a distance.
"You're such an idiot! What if I fell?" She looked angrily at the brunette her stormy yes glaring intently at her friend for an answer.
"But you didn't. Geez Mio, calm down..." Ritsu leaned back, her arms supporting her as she watched the sky shift into a blood orange hue.
- whack -
"Oww!"
"You deserved it." Mio turned away, closing her eyes shut as Ritsu groaned in pain.
After massaging her new bump for few seconds she placed her hand on top of Mio's. "But it was worth it." She smiled brightly, her amber eyes sparkling with the sunlight. "Don't you like the view?"
Mio felt the warmth of Ritsu's touch and soon forgot about her frustration towards her friend. She was right, it was a beautiful view with the clouds that hung in the sky above the vineyard. It looked like something that would be painted on a canvas.
"So anyways, I know you're leaving tomorrow to go back to Japan..." Ritsu looked a bit hurt, sad that this was true. "And I...I wanted to give you something important to remember me by." Her right hand was closed into a fist. "I know it's not much."
"Ritsu..." Mio watched the usual energetic and charismatic girl go glum. It was weird seeing her this way, but she felt the same. The summer they had spent together was fun, but now it had to come to an end.
Ritsu lifted Mio's hand opening it up and placing the item into her hand. "I know it's kinda lame...but it was all I had."
Mio felt the item in her hand, then carefully brought it up. Her eyes widened at the elaborate craftsmanship on the pendant. It was beautiful. She traced the silver linings of cold metal and found a key hole in the middle. "It's pretty, Ritsu."
"Look," Ritsu moved closer to Mio's side. "It has a key hole and I have the key." She searched the pocket in her shorts and manifested the item. "See?"
"What's in it?" Mio tilted her head to the side. "It's obvious that something's locked up in it."
"Smart as ever, huh?" Ritsu laughed in amusement. "Well it's..." She looked at Mio with a light blush on her cheeks.'I'm going to miss those grey eyes and that look. Maybe even the times you hit me...'
"It's...?" Mio leaned closer unaware of Ritsu blushing as she tightened her clutches on the pendant.
Ritsu whispered into her ear. "It's..."
Mio was starting to grow impatient as Ritsu whispered into her ear gently.
"It's a secret." She pulled away and grinned widely.
"What?"
"It's a secret." Ritsu held the key in her right hand. "If you wanna know what's in it, then we have to see each other again."
Mio stared at the pendant intently. What could possibly be in it?
"It'll be like a promise to each other. A promise to see each other in the future." Ritsu laughed when she realized how silly it sounded. 'So cheesy...'
"Okay" Mio agreed. She took the pendant in her hands and lifted it towards Ritsu. "Then could you put it on for me?"
"Sure"
The two girls sat on the hill, cherishing each other's company at the sun completely set.
"Ms. Ritsu Tainaka"
"Nng..." Ritsu wiped her eyes drowsily as she heard her name called out. Fortunately, she was a light sleeper and had no trouble getting up. "Here" she waved her hand lazily and walked over to the receptionist.
"They would like to see you now." The lady at the lobby covered her mouth to stifle a light laugh. "Umm..."
"Hm?" Ritsu shook her head to brush off her sleepy demeanor. "Something wrong?"
The lady only motioned to her own lips. "You've got some drool."
"Oh," Ritsu looked away and cleaned herself up. How unprofessional.
"I-I'm sorry I'm late." Mio bowed her head to her superiors who looked mildly irritated.
"I trust it will not happen again?" The tall, grey haired man examined Mio who still kept her head lowered.
"O-Of course." She answered bravely.
"It's fine, chill out dad." The young man beside the elderly man replied. "No one's perfect, right?"
They grey haired man simply gave her one last icy stare before leaving. "I'll see you in the presentation room."
"Okay," he waved his old man off and returned to Mio. "Don't worry, it's safe now. You can lift your head up."
"You didn't have to do that." Mio adjusted her blazer and black dress.
"No, I actually had to. He's been that way since the morning." The young man started walking beside Mio as they made their way to the designated room.
"Thank you"
"No problem." He opened the door for her as she entered.
After a couple of minutes, Ritsu was able to set up her presentation with ease. 'At least there were no technical difficulties.' She mentally told herself, but for the duration of her time, she couldn't help but study the other girl in the room. There was a hint of familiarity that overcame her senses. Did they meet before? Her hand closed the laptop when someone knocked on the door. "Uh...yeah?"
"I'm coming in." Ritsu could make out the voice of a girl as she placed her laptop in her bag.
The brunette slung the black messenger bag on her shoulder as she was prepared to leave.
There was awkward stare down between the two girls as they examined each other. Short brown hair, a yellow headband, black blazer under a simple t shirt and matching pants. It was semi-casual to be precise. But the one thing that she took note of were her amber eyes.
Back at the train she didn't get to see the girl's face, but there was no doubt it was her. Besides, they got out at the same stop. Ritsu couldn't keep away from her stormy grey eyes though. "Could it be?"
"It's me Ritsu, it's Mio!" The raven haired girl formed a smile before pulling her into a hug.
"M-Mio?" She closed her eyes temporarily, concentrating on her name and memories that came with it. "Mio..."
The girl pulled away and frowned. "Don't remember me? Maybe this will help!" She whacked the brunette on her head as the familiarity of her blow caused her to remember.
"Ah! okay, okay! I remember now!" Ritsu held out her hands in defeat. "Gosh Mio, you hit much harder now than before..." She groaned in pain and turned away.
Mio watched Ritsu pace around the room and rub the back of her head. 'Maybe I was a bit harsh...'
"Haha" Ritsu broke into laughter as the nostalgic feel crept in. "Looks like I really did miss you whacking me." She scratched the side of her head and faced Mio. "But I'm glad I ran into you."
"I..." To be honest, Mio had been thinking about Ritsu recently. It must've been fate for them to meet again, especially having her recurring dreams with the girl when they were younger. "I'm glad too."
"So what time do you get off work? Maybe we can catch up or do something?" Ritsu watched her black bag on the table and slung it onto her shoulder once more.
"I'm not sure today, but that would be great." Mio smiled again, she felt blissfully happy to see her friend again.
"Okay, well I gotta go." Ritsu checked the time on her phone and looked up at Mio. "Just message me when you get out." She handed her a business card and gave her a hug. "See you."
"I will. See you Ritsu." Left alone in the presentation room, Mio held the pendant hidden around her neck. 'What could possibly be in here?'
...To be continued
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