A/N: I didn't change Chiyo's name because I can't think of anything better, so let me know your now, it'll be (name subject to change). Hahaha, I love Steins;Gate!
DISCLAIMERS: K-On! belongs to Kakifly/Kyoto Animation© Alternate Universe and "Liquor Store Blues" is performed by Bruno Mars featuring Damian Marley. 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 2: Liquor Store Blues »
"I'll take one shot for my pain…"
He looked out of the windowpane aimlessly while counting the stars briefly.
Sometimes, he would take a quick glimpse at his watch… until he realized the date for today.
'Akira…'
He closed his eyes whilst sighing wistfully.
There's no wonder why I keep on thinking about you since this morning…
'To think that you're even late on our special date today… Humph, I don't know what to say anymore!'
As today, the whole world will celebrate the Valentine's Day… just like how we're used to.
'Well, I understand that you're busy with the whole thing… So, I'm not that mad actually.'
Truthfully, you're not very good at lying.
'Come on, let's eat something hot.'
In fact, you're really good at comprehending me.
The black-haired gent kept on watching the dull panoramas endlessly until he noticed the familiar park.
'I-I love you. W-Will you go out with me?'
Honestly, this park surely brings back those unwanted memories.
"Nakao, please stop the car. I want to take a little breather in that park."
All of a sudden, he commanded the old driver frankly while putting on his russet fuzzy coat gracefully.
"Yes, Master…" The car driver just nodded devotedly before continued, "…by the way, do you want a pick up later?"
Akira plastered a small smile on his face as he walked out of the white Audi.
"Nope, I'll take a cab on my way back home. Don't worry, I won't be late. Adieu!"
He then closed the door and walked away swiftly.
"Take care." Nakao shook his head feebly as he slowly departed.
'Let's meet again five years from now, on another February 14th!'
Well, I've been waiting for seven consecutive years already…
'Promise me, Akira. If anyone of us misses that appointment for whatever reasons, the other won't ask why.'
I promised to never ask why because I thought we'd make it through… no matter what it takes.
Eventually, Akira stopped strolling around as he stood silently in front of an old bar.
Well, I hope that this bar is not too overcrowded for tonight.
'Akira, let' see who can drink better!'
Needless to say, you'll win for sure when it comes to drinking.
He chuckled lightly as he remembered her delightful inflamed face clearly.
'Oh Gosh, y-you're such a c-chicken… H-how could you s-stop after merely d-drinking five glasses? C-come on, let's drink more!'
You're still cute even when you're drunk though.
Akira grinned softly as he went through the slide door graciously, making his way into the bar smoothly.
At the same time, some of the girls stared at him in awe obviously as they observed his perfect figure intently.
Yet he paid no attention at all as he only moved ahead swiftly, ignoring every single one of them impassively.
In no time, the peaceful bar just now turned to be boisterous rapidly.
A young headwaiter with slightly disheveled hair looked up brusquely, trying to find out what had caused all of those commotions.
Soon after, his lips gradually formed a wide smile before he waved to his friend serenely.
"Welcome, Akira! Long time no see, pal." The brunette greeted him casually as his hands were busy cleaning up the messy counter.
"Nice to meet you again, Chiyo." Akira replied him with a small nod while taking a sit on one of the many stools nearby the counter.
"So, I heard that your band was certified to be the first rock band ever to top the Billboard charts for ten whole months continuously! That's awesome, man."
Chiyo took out a small blackboard immediately and handed it to him with a dreamy look on his face.
"Come on, Chiyo. It's not that amazing. Besides, we still have a long way to go… Anyways, just give me the usual stuff."
"Wait for a minute…" Chiyo turned around and browsed through the wooden cabinet instantly.
After a while, he finally returned with a small bottle of red wine and two goblets.
Chiyo then poured down the luscious liquor stylishly into the goblets and gave one of them to him.
"Thanks." Akira took it meekly and quickly glugged it down.
"So, where's Hime-chan? I haven't seen her around here lately. Is she moving to another city?"
Out of pure curiosity, the brunette asked his friend calmly.
However, Akira said nothing and only tightened his grip around the empty goblet.
Should I tell him?
He then decided to get another one shot instead of answering that question.
"Not until you tell me." Chiyo pulled the bottle straight away with a slight concerned look.
Akira heaved a deep sigh as he stared down at the floor.
"I don't know where she is. Besides, she left me to marry another guy since ages ago. So, that's it…"
"What? Seriously, why would she do that?" Chiyo stopped drinking promptly and eyed him oddly.
It couldn't be real! How could they easily break up when they were so madly in love before?
"I don't know. Besides, we haven't contacted each other for five years already. She changed her numbers and I couldn't reach her. It's as simple as that."
Akira said as he rubbed his darkened locks leisurely.
"Well, I'm sorry then." Chiyo whispered quietly while handed over the bottle to him.
"Don't be." Akira took it and quickly poured it down.
"So, who is her husband then? Do I know him?" The brunette asked as he clenched his fists.
I'd never approve it if that certain someone is our friend. What a fiend!
"Well, I guess not. Even I, myself don't know much about him…"
'Since he moved, we rarely met each other.'
"However, she did say that he is a childhood friend."
"Is that so?" Chiyo pondered and scrutinized his face fixedly.
No lies detected!
"Hey, stop staring at me. I'm straight, you know?" Akira muttered suddenly.
"I'm not a gay!" Chiyo snapped with a reddened face.
"Well, whatever then. Thanks for the company." The artistic musician placed several dollars on the table and stood up abruptly.
"Wait, do you want to leave already?" Chiyo asked while taking the money.
"Yes. Furthermore, I don't want to hear that bespectacled woman's nonstop babbling. By the way, please send my best regards to Kana."
Chiyo then could only see the silhouette slowly faded away, little by little.
Humph, it would be years later until we see each other again then…
"H-Hello, are you Hirose Chiyo?" Out of the blue, a beautiful lady with a short hair greeted him.
Chiyo said nothing and only smiled feebly.
"A-Actually, I'm lost and I found this address in my pocket. So…"
Welcome home, Kana.
The tall brunette shivered slightly as she decided to take the first step into that small forest as a shortcut to her home.
'I'm sorry, Sacchan. My friend called me just now and perhaps we can't go for a candlelight dinner tonight.'
Screw it, Horie! If only I turned down your proposal earlier, maybe I won't be going through all of this!
Out of nowhere, she could hear the faint hustling sounds of threw a few quick glances at her sideways restlessly.
Every now and then, she could sense that someone was following her narrowly from behind one of those trees.
Finally, the brunette stopped walking and turned around swiftly as she cried out incoherently towards the empty backdrops.
"H-Hello, is there a-anyone out t-there?"
Oh Sachi, why are you so stupid? Have you ever heard from anywhere about stalkers whom give in that easily?
The tall brunette felt like crying abruptly.
Nope!
Unexpectedly, his phone buzzed as he stared at the empty playground.
"Hello?" He flipped it open and answered immediately.
"Hello, Mr. Wada. It's your agent, Miller Bailey speaking."
Akira pondered for a few seconds before he continued.
"What's the matter, Miller? Is there something wrong at the gallery?" He asked while leaving the park.
"Well, I'm afraid so. There is a young woman who wants to buy a painting entitled 'Trice'. So, I want to discuss about this matter with you first…"
Akira halted and hissed furiously.
"I thought that I told you, it's not for sale!" Automatically, his grip around the phone became tighter.
"I knew it, sir. Honestly, I have been arguing with her for almost an hour already… yet she won't listen to me at all."
"Is that really so?"
"Yes, it is. Besides, she just stood there and kept on growing eloquent regarding your painting. She said that it's not a mere painting but also, a moment."
"W-Who is that lady?" Akira was taken aback by hearing those compliments.
Is it her?
"Of course, I don't know her." Miller replied rather plainly.
"Well, could you at least describe her features?" Akira suddenly felt like punching him in the face.
I don't want to believe it, but… miracle does happen, right?
"Humph… I presume that she's from a very rich family, sir. However, she's an invalid."
Well, I guess that it's not her after all…
"Sir, I know what to do. How about I charge it higher? Maybe she will head off then."
Akira sighed as some raindrops hit his face bleakly.
"No, Miller. Please let her have it for free." He then rushed to a shed nearby for the cover.
"For free?!"
Akira pulled the phone away from his ear instantly.
"Yes. Please tell her that the painter thanks her for the appreciation."
"Wait, is it for rea-"
After that, he placed the phone back into his pocket.
Sachi trembled rigorously as soon as she saw someone hurried towards her.
Now, what should I do?
She then turned around immediately, ready to run. Unfortunately, she bumped into 'something' and tripped miserably.
Oh, it's a person! Thanks God, I'm saved!
"P-Please help me! S-Someone is trying to…" Her pleas caved in rapidly as she noticed the mocking smirk on his face.
"Nice catch, man!" The blonde gave a thumb up to the stalker and braced her arms firmly.
Shoot, they're partners!
"Well, you know me." The stalker grinned slyly while pulling out a small camera from inside his knapsack.
"You bitch, let's make a great movie together!" They both then laughed sarcastically.
Someone, help me… Anyone…
"Hey, what are you doing to her?" Luckily, a man came out of nowhere and knocked the stalker down for the count.
"Fuck! Hey dude, you're alright?" The blonde then sped up angrily to help his unconscious friend.
"Back off, I don't want to fight a lowly like you two!"
Akira warned them threateningly as he lent a hand to Sachi, indicating her to get up.
D-Don't tell me… He's that famous guitarist!
"Y-You… son of a bitch!" The blonde stomped furiously as he tried to land a jab at his face.
"I told you to stop it!" Akira immediately took his outstretched arm and twisted it ruthlessly until he fell unconscious.
Sachi gasped at the sight of their brief fight.
"Hey, are you okay?"
Her face reddened a little once their gazes met.
"Here, take this. You need it more than me."
Akira then removed his coat and tossed it to her promptly as soon as he became aware of her slightly naked body.
"T-Thanks…" Sachi grabbed it and wrapped it around her body immediately whilst her face flushed harder.
"Umm… I called the police. So, don't worry anymore." He said, trying to change the topic.
"So, where do I turn now?" Akira stopped and waited for her answer while adjusting his hold on her body.
S-She's quite heavy… maybe because of her height.
He decided to give her a piggyback, seeing that she hurt her legs while struggling with those thugs.
"Umm… Turn to right and you can drop me at the fifth house." Sachi replied, almost sounded like a whisper.
T-This is the first time someone o-other than my families piggyback me… I-It's so embarrassing…
"Okay, we're here." Akira said and then lowered to let her down. At the same time, he peeked at the nameplate.
Tachibana?
"Thanks." Sachi spoke softly.
"It's fine… Well, can I ask you something?" Akira asked while scanning the house.
"Yes, what is it?" She answered.
"Do you have a sister?" He inquired calmly.
"I do… but I don't know her too well. Actually, I was adopted into this household after my parents died in an accident last month."
"I'm… sorry." Akira muttered while staring at the empty ground.
"No, don't be." Suddenly, there was a heavy atmosphere between them.
"I-I'm Wada Akira. So, what's your name?" He queried, trying to break the silence.
"It's Hayashi Sachi. Umm… From what I heard, my sister loves your band very much. So, can I have your autograph?"
She entwined her fingers nervously and sneaked a few quick glances at his face occasionally.
He's so gorgeous and kind, too…
"Yeah, sure." After that, she entered the house and he left.
"I'm home."
"You're so late, Sacchan. I was so worried… What happened to you and whose coat is this?"
Sachikomumbledrestlessly as she ogled her stepdaughter's appearance curiously.
Oops, I forgot to give it back!
"N-Nothing, Mom. A friend lent this to me."
"Did something happen to you? You look… somewhat pale."
"Umm, well…"
Perhaps it's better not to tell them about what happened.
"…no, nothing happened."
"Okay… then. Anyways, Himeko just came back from London with her husband. Come on, let's meet them!"
So, her name is Himeko…
« To Be Continued »
Written by,
Danielle J.