A/N: I made some changes to this story and also, to make it easier for you guys to read. Just R&R for more, thanks for reading and I'm very, really sorry for the incovenience. Gomenasai!
DISCLAIMERS: K-On! belongs to Kakifly/Kyoto Animation© Alternate Universe and "Crash & Burn" is performed by Jesse McCartney. This story is only a work of fiction and partly inspired. Several characters are the product of the author's imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.
« Track 1: Crash And Burn »
"This flight could really go down…"
My papa drove us to the station quietly, with the windows rolled down. From time to time, we would share a few words.
After a long journey which took us for about three hours, we finally arrived.
"Darling, I want you to take care of yourself more. Please do remember to eat at least three meals a day, okay?" I nodded curtly and gave her a weak smile.
"Listen to your mama, dear. Just call us if you need something or if there is anything wrong. We'll always be here for you. So, don't hesitate to tell us about your problems."
Instead of giving a reply, I hugged my parents securely. Later, I waved them and went ahead whilst pulling my travel case.
Actually, I love Tokyo. However, I had to move away because I respect my parents' wishes. Besides, I understand that they never wanted to let me suffer anymore.
It all started since I enrolled in high school…
Today is my first day in high school.
"My name is Akiyama Mio. I hope that we can get along well and nice to meet you."
The raven-haired beauty bowed slightly as soon as she finished introducing herself.
Phew, after been worrying about this day for countless times.
'My dad told that whenever I'm nervous, I should just treat the crowd as a bunch of potatoes.'
I never thought that his advice would be this useful.
'But I can't be a potato, so I'm a pineapple!'
You really don't look like one at all, Ritsu…
Mio smiled vaguely as she remembered about her childhood friend from a long time ago.
"Okay, Akiyama-san. You may seat beside Keisuke-kun."
Mio then thanked the young teacher before she slowly walked towards her sit, two rows ahead.
"Hi, I'm Keisuke Maeda. Well, you can just call me Maeda." The striking brunette greeted her with a gentle smile.
Mio said nothing and just hid her blushing face.
"Ding-dong…" Finally, the bell rang indicating that the lesson has ended for today.
Mio took a quick glance at her watch after she packed up everything.
Papa said that he will be a bit late today… Should I check out the school library then?
"Hey, do you want to have a simple tour around this school?" Suddenly, the very same brunette came over to her.
Mio raised her eyebrows as she eyed him bizarrely.
"Wait, please don't consider me as a busybody. Honestly, I'm with the student council. Therefore, this is the least I could do for you."
Maeda rubbed his neck nervously while waiting patiently for her to reply.
"No, thank you. If I want to look around, I could just ask for directions to anyone."
"I see…" Somehow, his face seemed a bit dejected.
"I'm sorry." Mio then gave him an apologetic smile and lowered her head.
"Okay, have a nice trip then." Later, the brunette hustled out of the classroom.
Mio wandered around the big library endlessly, searching for some books which will be needed later for her assignments.
"Hey, guys. That's her, Akiyama Mio!"
Soon after, she was surrounded by a group of unfamiliar girls.
Who are they?
"Wait, what are you trying to do?"
Suddenly, she was being pushed from side to side by them.
"Listen to me, you bitch. Stop flirting with Keisuke or I'll do something more than this!"
Like a bat out of hell, some of them pinned her down onto the floor firmly.
"Hurry up, Chie. Give me that scissors!"
After that, they all laughed heartily as that pink-haired girl cut her hair.
'Mio, your hair is very beautiful! If you keep it longer, perhaps I won't think twice to marry you someday.'
No, everything but that…
'Okeydokey, this is a promise then.'
Please…
"You'd better remember this!" Finally, they let her go and left.
Mio could only sob hard while massaging her now shortened hair.
"I'm home."
"Darling, what happened to your hair?" Yōko hurried over to her daughter worriedly while throwing a curious look to her husband.
Much to her dismay, Hikasa only shook his head apologetically.
"Mama, why are you staring at me like that? Seriously, do I look bad with short hair?" Mio feigned a smile and then she bent a little to take off her shoes.
"That's not it, darling. You look gorgeous."
"Well, I'm glad then."
"Honestly, why didn't you tell me that you want to cut it? We could've gone to the saloon earlier." Yōko mumbled softly.
"Well, my new friends insisted me to cut it immediately. You know that I can't turn them down, right? Anyways, I really need to take a bath right now."
"W-Wait, Mio…"
Without waiting for her mother's reply, she stormed off towards the bathroom and locked it.
Oh God, I can't hold it in anymore…
She then cupped her mouth and cried silently.
'I'm here, Mio. Stop crying.'
Help me, Ritsu…
Lately, I always felt like someone followed me from a distant…
"Here, take these. Kataoka-sensei asked me to give them to you."
Maeda smiled as he shoved several applications to me and walked away.
"Follow me." Later, someone grabbed my arm forcefully and dragged me into the restroom.
"Bitch, what did you talk with him?" That girl gripped my lapel persuasively.
"N-Nothing, he just wanted to give me t-these forms…"
I can't breathe.
"I see." Afterwards, that girl let me go.
"T-Thanks…" My eyes became teary rapidly as I coughed nonstop.
"Guys, you can do it now."
Next, something was poured down all over my body.
What is this water? It stinks a lot…
"It's toilet water." After that, she departed and I could hear loud chuckles from the outside.
Maybe they are her friends…
'Hey, stop teasing her!'
Ritsu, I'm scared…
'Don't worry, Mio. I'll protect you forever.'
Truthfully, what part of it is forever? At last, you still go ahead and leave me behind.
Since what happened on that day, my protective parents never let me go to that school again. Thus, here I am.
My parents already transferred me to another high school, somewhere in Kyoto…
So therefore, I need to live with my grandparents for some time while waiting for my parents' conversion.
Well, I wonder if I should visit those places…
'Mio, stop reading and let's play!'
The places where we spent hours together every day…
'I hereby pronounce you as my wife, Akiyama Mio. So, will you take this man as your husband?'
I never knew what love really was before.
'Ouch, don't smack me! It hurts!'
I should've said yes…
'Honestly, Mio. When the time comes, would you please say 'I do' instead? Ouch!'
I do.
'Happy Birthday, Mio! This is for you.'
Mio fingered the silver pendant which dangled around her neck lightly. From afar, she could see her grandfather's beloved Volkswagen.
I'm home…
Love sucks. This is what I thought before I fell in love and also, after our miserable breakup…
'I'm sorry, Ritsu. I never meant to hurt you. Things… just happened.'
The brunette heaved another devastated sigh as he continuously pressed almost every button on his cell phone rapidly.
'Actually, we can never be together again as I don't love you anymore.'
I see… Of course, there will be no more encouraging calls, voice mails or even a single message from her after what happened last night.
'R-Ritsu, w-what are you doing at here? I thought that y-you'd be coming h-home a bit late t-today.'
Seriously, where did we go wrong?
'Don't hurt yourself anymore, Ritsu. Just let me go if you want to.'
Now, he just stared vainly at the picturesque smiling face on the screen.
Mugi, why are you doing this to me?
'Goodbye, Ritsu…'
Slowly but surely, he deleted all of the blonde's pictures.
Does this also counted as a farewell? Should I say goodbye to you too?
"Hey, Ritsu! Are you ready yet? Just so you know, the crowds already gone wild a moment ago after an announcement saying that you'll be going on stage soon was made."
Spontaneously, he slammed the beautifully carved wooden desk and rubbed his drizzly eyes swiftly, in the blink of an eye.
As usual, the gorgeous bespectacled woman would come into the preparation room just to remind him about his daily busy schedules every time and also, to make sure that he is ready to rock the stage at any time from now.
'Ricchan, are you fully dressed up yet? I can't stand it whenever Sawacchan keeps on bugging me to hurry you up.'
Stop thinking about her.
'Geez, you're so messy! You should've at least tried to fix up your hair after what we did just now.'
Fine, I admit it. I miss you so much…
"Yes, I'm ready. Anyways, please stop barging into my room without leaving at least a knock first. You should respect my privacy more, Sawacchan."
He then put down the yellow phone back into the drawer.
"Well, how long has it been since that announcement was made?"
Afterwards, he stroked his long brownish tresses gracefully.
'I love it whenever they cover your eyes, Ricchan. This is because no one can ever look straight into them in the same way as I do. So, please don't ever cut them short.'
I should just cut them, sooner or later.
'Oh my, you seem very funny with that headband and surprisingly cute too! However, I still love it the most when your hair's down. You look better with those longs bangs.'
Yeah, maybe I will…
'Just cut them already, Ricchan. I want to look into your eyes whenever we make love.'
Well, perhaps I won't after all.
"About two minutes ago, maybe? Geez, stop calling me by that childish name. Besides, why do I have to respect you when I am older? For your information, Akira and the rest already gathered at the backstage by now."
The young manager took a simple glimpse at her watch before answering him brusquely.
"You'd better not be late on your very first big show in Japan, Ritsu! Otherwise, I will replace all of your free time with countless programs!"
His body stiffened shortly by hearing those words.
This woman never ceases to make me feel insecure…
'If you're late again, I won't hesitate to let you sleep outside tonight!'
However, it somehow reminds me about you a lot…
'Stop making excuses, Ritsu! We made a deal, right? So, take this blanket and go away.'
Lots…
'Wait, why are you going outside? I've already set up the futon for you on the couch. So, goodnight. Humph!'
"Thanks a lot for reminding me. I'll be there straightaway."
The brunette put on his black leather jacket promptly as he walked out of the room.
After a few seconds, he went back into the room.
"Oh, could you do me a favor?" Sawako nodded curtly and kept on tapping her iPad.
Take it, you stupid fruits!
"Please buy a new phone number for me and stop playing that 'Fruit Ninja' when I'm talking with you, Sawacchan."
She nodded once again without even taking a look at him.
"Kiddy."
'You must let out your stress sometimes, you know? Here, try this game!'
Man, why do I have to think of her all over again?
'You're so mean, Ricchan! I didn't ask you to beat my score! I hate you!'
Again…
'Get away from me. Hereafter, I won't allow you to sleep with me for a month!'
Just stop it already, you stupid mind!
"I'm not a child anymore, Ritsu. Well, just make sure that you'll give your greatest efforts in this show!"
Ritsuki just shrugged her off and sauntered slowly towards the door.
He then put his fist briskly into the air, causing Sawako to grin quietly.
Trying to act cool, huh?
"Oh, I forgot. You'll have a few interviews soon after this show is finished. Make sure that you won't run away, okay? Otherwise, I'll give you the reprimand!"
Sawako screamed out deafeningly while her eyes were still fixed to the screen. Suddenly, she could hear a loud curse coming from him.
"Watch your mouth, Ritsu! Stop saying that I'm an old hag!"
'Stop cursing, Ritsu. Put on your shirt right now or Sawacchan will get very angry. Besides, we can continue this later.'
There are just too many memories with you.
'Ritsu, stop it. We don't have time for this.'
Mugi…
'Fine, just ten minutes then.'
'Do your best, Ricchan! Remember to keep your eyes locked from those maniac fans of yours though… especially females!'
Come what may, you'd always be the only one who can take my eyes away.
'Get out!'
In fact, you'd forever be…
'Didn't I tell you to stop flirting with those girls? Stop hugging them and holding their hands because I hate it!
Always.
'You're mine and only mine. Anyways, what kind of fan service is that? Let me speak to Sawacchan!'
You're even beautiful when you're mad too.
'Don't do that again, Ritsu. I'm jealous.'
Perhaps it's because you're always being honest when you're mad.
'Ritsu…'
Still, I don't get it…
'Ritsu, stop teasing me…'
Why are you doing this to me?
'Faster, Ritsu. I'm coming!'
Why did you give up to anybody what I thought was only mine?
'I'm tired of keeping this away from you, Ritsu. So, let's break up.'
You and I… damn it all!
« To Be Continued »
Written by,
Danielle J.