A/N: So, this time, I decided to write KotoMaki /o/ why? Because Maki x Everyone is appealing /slapped. But seriously, although my otp is UmiMaki, I still ship Maki with everyone (MakixRiko is cute too). Maybe next time I'll write something more about Aqours too (my Aqours otp is DiaMaru and KanaMari btw). For now, I wanted to finish all my on-going stories first. I hope I have the time (and the motivation). Well then, I hope everyone who read this enjoyed the story, and as usual, Sorry for my bad English and any grammar mistake and typo.
Disclaimer: I do not own Love Live!
"Kotori-chan, hey Kotori-chan!"
I heard somebody calling out my name. I looked to my side and found out it was just Honoka-chan.
"It's really rare to see you spaced out like that, the principal is still giving her speech you know?" Honoka-chan with whispered voice looked at me and tilted her head to the side. There was a mix of confusion and concern. It was clearly visible on her face.
"Ah..." I raised my head a little, looked ahead, and I could see that the principal was indeed still giving her speech.
Did I really space out? Maybe yes, since I couldn't remember what the principal said...
I let out a small sigh. Today was the Entrance Ceremony. Starting today, I was a second-year high school student.
"Is there something wrong, Kotori-chan?" Honoka-chan asked me. The concern was still there.
"Did you not get enough sleep, Kotori?" Beside Honoka, Umi-chan asked me in a very quiet voice. I even made Umi-chan, the one who never spoke during a speech opened her mouth.
Somehow looking at their concerned face gave me some warm feeling. It's not that I wanted to make them worry about me. I was just happy to have such great friends that noticed even the slightest changes in my emotions and worrying about it.
"It's nothing. I just remembered something." I smiled, trying to brush off their concern.
"If you say so, then I guess it's fine." Believed what I said, Honoka-chan turned back her attention to the principal's speech. So did Umi-chan and me.
I'm sorry Honoka-chan, Umi-chan, I've been keeping a secret from you two...
I tried to keep myself focus, but somehow, somewhere along the line, my thoughts of train started to drift off again. The principal's voice was getting fainter and fainter inside my head. I couldn't help but remembered what happened on my graduation day, one year ago. It was the last day I wore my middle school uniform. The last day I opened my shoe locker. And there was where I found the letter. Folded neatly in a white envelope. I knew that it was a love letter, and I recognise the sender at the end of the letter.
I have done a terrible thing to her...
Deep inside my heart, there was a guilt I could never erase. It's because I was a coward, I made such a wrong decision and I still regretted it until this very moment.
I shook my head lightly. Remembering that somehow made my heart ache. Why had I even remembered it in the first place? I bet it's because it's spring and the cherry blossoms were in the full bloom. The scenery, the air, the atmosphere, forced me back to that time. I gritted my teeth lightly, trying to suppress the pain in my heart.
"And finally, I wish you all a fantastic, fulfilling, and productive school year."
The loud sound of clapping hands echoed in the room, indicating the end of the principal's speech. Followed the other students, I clapped my hands slowly. I was there, but my mind went somewhere else.
"Next, is a speech by the freshmen representative―"
I couldn't even hear what the announcer was saying properly. Again, I was lost in my own little world. Not until Honoka-chan tugged my side lightly with her elbow and brought me back to reality. When she finally received my full attention, she opened her mouth.
"Kotori-chan isn't that..." She pointed to the podium with her chin.
In the direction she showed me, standing a freshman, giving her speech to all of us in the gym. When I raised my head, the very first thing that I noticed was a familiar red hair. I raised my head higher to get a better look of that freshman. The next thing that caught my eye was a familiar amethyst orb that shone brightly under the light directed to her. When I finally got a full look at the freshman's face, my eyes widened immediately. Even though there were some places that had changed a little, the entire freshman feature was way too familiar to called it a coincidence. There was no mistaking it. I know that girl. That girl was...
"And that was the speech from the representative of the freshmen, Nishikino Maki."
...Maki-chan?
My eyes glued to her sight walking down the podium. I kept looking at her until I couldn't see her anymore. I shifted my eyes to my feet and held both my trembling knees with my hands, trying to make it stop. I didn't want Honoka-chan or Umi-chan saw me like this. I tried to claim back my composure, but it was no use. My vision got a little blurry and I felt a little dizzy. I took a deep breath and tried to arrange my train of thoughts.
Why is she here in Otonokizaka? How?
Nishikino Maki. She was my underclassman in junior high. A very close friend of mine and...the person who gave me my very first love letter. As far as I knew, she had moved away when I entered high school. The last time I saw her was one year ago, one day before my graduation day. I remembered her classmate told me about that when I visited the cooking club last summer. She said that Maki-chan moved away as soon as the first semester started. They said it has something to do with her parents work. I tried to contact her in every possible way, but none got through. I didn't know where she moved either. I had a feeling that I would never be able to see her again. But today, suddenly seeing her again with my own eyes...
I moved my hands to my chest and clutched it tightly. My heart was beating uncontrollably. It was hurt. I wanted to run away from there.
"Kotori-chan you look a little pale. You sure you're okay?" Honoka-chan's voice startled me.
I must have looked really terrible right now, but I really couldn't tell her about this...
I shook my head one more time to drift off all the unnecessary thought and tried to convince Honoka-chan that I was okay. For the time being, I didn't want to look suspicious to Honoka-chan and Umi-chan. I didn't really remember what happened after that. It must be because I tried not to think about anything that time feels like it moved really fast. When I came to my senses, homeroom was already finished. Since today was the opening day, the school was only half day.
I was assigned to a new class which didn't really feels like it because I ended up together again with Honoka-chan and Umi-chan. Our school was a three-story building. The first floor was third years' classroom, the second floor was second years' classroom, and the third floor was the first years'. Each year had three classes. Since it was an all girl school, when the break time came, it got pretty noisy in the class and even the hallway. The faculty office, nurse's office, and canteen were located on the first floor. The student council room and the library were located on the second floor. As for lab and music room, were located on the third floor. Last, the school had a roof, which labelled as an 'off limit' but often used by some students anyway.
"Umi-chan, you have a club meeting after this, right?" After finished packing her bag, Honoka-chan jumped off her seat and walked closer to Umi-chan.
"Yes, I guess you and Kotori could go home without me." Umi-chan rose from her seat too and replied Honoka-chan's question.
"I guess I'll just do that then. My mother told me to help out in the shop and I don't have any club meeting. But man, a meeting right after the first day of school? As expected from our school archery club."
Otonokizaka's archery club has a really long history and was considered strong among other schools in the area. When we entered high school, Umi-chan immediately joined the archery club. Apparently, she had decided that from a long time ago. She always said that it was a shame that our middle school didn't have an archery club and she definitely will join one when she was in high school. Therefore, she kept her words and did as she said.
"Well, we only wanted to discuss some trivial matters, like how should we appeal to the first years to join us." Umi-chan shifted her eyes to me. "How about you Kotori?"
"Will it take long to finish?" I took my bag in my hand and looked back at Umi-chan's brown eyes.
"I guess it wouldn't? Maybe about thirty minutes to an hour." Umi-chan tilted her head to the side, unsure about the specific time.
"Then I will wait for Umi-chan. There's something I want to search for in the library."
"For your new clothes design?" Honoka-chan asked me and I nodded happily in response.
Designing and making clothes had been my hobby for a long time now. Honoka-chan and Umi-chan helped me a lot by agreeing to become my model. I forgot how many clothes I had given to them already. It's because both of them were so cute that I couldn't help but make new clothes for them again and again. Thought they always scolded me for not making one for myself. Somehow, making clothes for myself was harder than making clothes for other. I didn't really know the reason, though. But it's not like I never made one for myself. The three of us had one matching clothes that I made for our commemoration that we managed to get into the same high school.
"I have no choice, then I will go home by myself today. See you tomorrow, Umi-chan, Kotori-chan!" As Honoka-chan walked to the door, she waved her hands frantically in the air until she was lost from our sight.
"Shall we go?" Umi-chan asked me.
"Okay." I stood and walked behind her.
Since the library was on the second floor and all the clubroom was in a different building, we part ways when we reached the stairs. I walked alone in the hallway. The cherry blossom petal was fluttering outside, getting carried away by the wind. I stopped my feet and stared outside for a moment. The scenery was beautiful. For a moment, the cherry blossom petals looked like a snow that falling down slowly to the ground. Even though it was not surrounded, this school has some cherry blossom tree every here and there. Since it was spring, of course, the whole school was dyed in a beautiful pink. And looking at that beautiful pink, made me remember what happened this morning.
I need to talk to her.
I wanted to try and talk to her. I wanted to know where she went. I wanted to ask why didn't she reply to my attempt to contact her. And I wanted to...apologize. Yet I was afraid. Just by the thought of facing her, my heartbeat was already this crazy. I'm afraid I couldn't take it. I'm afraid I'll just run away. Again.
I let out a big sigh. It's no use thinking about it right now. It only brought me agony. I guess I need some time before I found the courage to face her again. I continued my walk to the library. Thankfully, it was open. I was pretty sure that it wouldn't because today was the first day of school. I opened the door to the library and it let out a small familiar sound. There was almost no one inside except two students reading books in the center desk. I put my bag in one of the chairs and started to look for a reference book.
The bookshelves were divided in two. Left and right. The left one was where the entire book related to study resided. And the right one was all types of books other than that. I walked to the right section of the library and started my search. The school library wasn't that big, but it has many variations of books. I really like it here since I could find many reference books for both sewing and cooking. Continuing from middle school, I joined the cooking club again in high school. The only difference was that now, I was on the health committee too.
I traced the book spine with my fingers, not really paying attention to my surroundings. When I reached the last book shelves in the back, I found the book I was looking for. It's a book about spring. I wanted to make new spring clothes for both Honoka-chan and Umi-chan. Feeling satisfied, I smiled and clutched the book to my chest. When I avert my attention from the book, the first thing that entered my field of vision was cherry blossom petals. The wind drifted it really far into this place. I could feel a breeze flowing inside. It was hard enough to blow my hair in the air. I realised that the window was opened. Suddenly, a strong wind blowing, making the cherry petals from the nearest tree invaded the library. I closed my eyes in half, protect it so that the flower petals didn't get in.
Then...I noticed. She was there, sitting on a chair in the corner of the room, holding a book with one hand while the other tried to keep her hair in place. The cherry blossom petals that rained over her were dancing wildly in the air. A combination of red and pink filled my world.
Beautiful...
My heart skipped a beat. The wind stopped and the flower petals dropped to the floor. Realising my presence, the girl in front of me shifted her eyes to me. For a split of second, I could see her face was just as shocked as I was. But it vanished in an instant. When I looked into her amethyst eyes, my heart yet again started to beat uncontrollably. It was really hard that I swore I could hear it. The only sound that I could hear was my own heartbeat. None of us opened our mouths. We just kept looking into each other's eyes. My chest was hurting. My heart beat too fast it hurts. I could feel that my face was getting hot and my thought started twirling. I wanted to run away but I couldn't. I didn't want to look at her, but her eyes captivated me. Like a bird that couldn't fly from a cage, I kept standing there, dumbfounded.
What should I do? I really should say something and break this silence. But, what should I say?
*thud*
The sound of her closing her book startled me. I could see that the corner of her mouth started to move.
"So, you're going to this school too, eh? I never thought I'd see you here."
There was something wrong with her tone. It was just too cold. Just like an ice.
"It looks like we'll see each other again." Maki-chan stood up from the chair and walked in my direction. When she was right next to me, she stopped.
"Minami-senpai."
Her voice was like a whisper. She continued her walk and leaves me alone, petrified in my place.
Mi...nami?
Back in middle school, Maki-chan was always calling me Kotori. She never attached 'senpai' to my name either. What's this? Why did she sound so distant? The tone she used in her voice just now wasn't the one I recognise. Even though there was no mistaking that the person in front of me was Maki-chan, she sounds like a different person. The pain in my chest started to get unbearable. I clenched the book in my chest harder and tried to endure it. My thought was a mess. She wasn't the Maki-chan that I know. My heart ached and my vision got blurry. I was at my limit. I couldn't endure the pain any longer. I could feel a warm fluid flowing down my cheek.
I was crying.
A week has passed since the incident in the library and I still couldn't settle my heart down. I thought that I really wanted to meet her again, but after last week event, I wasn't sure about my feeling anymore. The Maki-chan that I saw in the library, wasn't the Maki-chan I wanted to see. She was a different person. Then again, I couldn't blame her for acting that cold. I know I had done a terrible thing to her and that maybe she hasn't forgiven me. I really wanted us to become friends again like we used too. Was that too much to ask? After that day, we passed each other often in school but I just couldn't bring myself to talk to her. Neither did she try to talk to me. Whenever I looked into her eyes, it looks like there was some kind of wall of ice within it. I didn't know what to do anymore.
"Haaaaa" I let out a sigh.
Umi-chan, who noticed it, asked me. She already turned her chair and faced me. It wasn't strange for her to catch me sighing. It was break time and Honoka-chan was away buying some bread for her lunch. Today was that rare day where we decided to eat inside the classroom. And so, here I was, waiting for Honoka-chan together with Umi-chan.
"You know Kotori, you've been sighing a lot lately. Is there something wrong?"
I raised my face and looked at her. I need to think about a made up answer really fast, or she wouldn't let this one slide. Since she had noticed my strange behaviour right after my encounter with Maki-chan, I couldn't brush it off by saying 'nothing's wrong' any longer.
"A-ah, no, it's not something serious. It's just, I was troubled with how should I promote the cooking club. Nico-senpai had given me the task to bring at least five new members so I was thinking 'how should I appeal to them?' something like that."
I'm sorry Nico-senpai!
I used Nico-senpai, the club's president, as an excuse. I need to apologise to her later.
"I see." Umi-chan put her hand to her chin and did some thinking. It looks like she took my lies way too seriously. "How about posting a flier on the bulletin board?"
"I did that already. I'm pretty sure it was already buried under other's club fliers, though." I let out a troubled laugh. "Our problem is we don't know what to show in the exhibition." I let out another sigh.
Even though the first part of the conversation was a lie, the second part was the truth. Starting next week was the trial period for the new student to join the club. And for that matter, this Saturday, our school held a club exhibition in which every club got thirty minutes to do a demonstration or presentation. The purpose of it was to help the freshmen to get to know more about the club. Last year, the cooking club did a one-man cooking demonstration starring Nico-senpai as the main artist. And the result was...not quite satisfying. There were only three new members joined, including me. I bet if they tasted Nico-senpai's cooking, they'll reconsider to joining, though. Maybe watching some stranger cooking in front of you wasn't that appealing.
"How about Umi-chan? What will the archery club do?"
"The president didn't talk much about it. She did say we will do the same thing like last year's demonstration."
"Will you perform on the exhibition day?"
At the question directed to her, somehow her face turned several shades darker. She lowered her head and nodded slowly. I couldn't help but smile. Umi-chan was so cute when she acted like this. Despite her natural calm and strict character, Umi-chan actually has this timid side within her. She was actually a really shy girl. Her face was easy to get red from even the slightest compliment like 'your long navy-blue hair is so smooth and silky' or 'your brown eyes are so beautiful'. However, it's a different story when she did her archery. Her posture when she held the bow and her expression, made her looks like a completely different person. Because of that, Umi-chan was popular even among the third-years.
"I'll definitely watch you!"
"What's this, what's this?" Honoka-chan, who just came back from the canteen sat down and joined our conversation.
"We were talking about the club exhibition this Saturday," I was the one who answered her question since it looks like Umi-chan hasn't fully regained her usual self.
"Oh, right, it's this Saturday ahahaha." Honoka-chan opened her bread and laughing innocently.
"How about your club, Honoka?" Umi-chan, who has finally calmed down, asked her. She opened her lunch box and started to eat herself. I followed suits.
"He hhoing hom hhub?" Honoka-chan's mouth was still full of bread when she talked.
Umi-chan shook her head. "I can't believe she was chosen as the vice president. If it was really the going home club, I might believe it, though."
Reacting to Umi-chan's comment, Honoka-chan only gave us a carefree grin. After swallowing what's in her mouth, she replied and this time gave us a decent answer.
"Well, of course, we'll sing. What else will the chorus club do except singing?"
"I guess you're right." Feeling somehow defeated, Umi-chan let out a sigh.
I remembered in the club exhibition last year, Honoka-chan was immediately hooked when the chorus club did their presentation. 'I must join this club! This club is calling for me!' was all she said after their performance. Of course, Umi-chan and I support her fully. To our surprise, Honoka-chan was actually quite talented in singing. Since Honoka-chan joined, the chorus club popularity rose and they had won some competition in the following year. Honoka-chan's voice was really shooting. I liked it a lot when she sings. And I'm not the only one who thought like that since she was chosen as the club's vice president because of that.
"Honoka-chan, will you get a solo part?"
"Eeeeh, a solo!?" Her eyes widened like a saucer. "Ko-Kotori-chan, isn't a solo is a bit too much for me?"
I didn't know if she was being humble or she didn't realise her potential and popularity at all.
"I didn't get one, but I'll have a duet with the club president in the middle."
"Ah, Eli-senpai?" Umi-chan threw a question to Honoka-chan. Or more like asking for a confirmation. Honoka-chan's reply was a nod. "I see. Her voice blends really well with yours. I'll look forward to it." Umi-chan's lips formed a small smile.
Maybe it was just me, but I think that Umi-chan was a close friend of Ayase-senpai. Close enough to call her by her first name. However, I didn't dare to ask her about it. Ayase Eli-senpai was the student council vice president and at the same time was the president of the chorus club. I didn't know much about her except that she was a quarter Russian. Since her looks were really beautiful, she was standing out among other students and was always easy to spot. There wasn't any other student who had a beautiful blonde hair like hers. She always became the center of attention wherever she went.
"But we still couldn't find an accompanist, though. There's no one who can play piano in our club. The exhibition is in five days, so we are in a reeaallllyyyy big pinch." Honoka-chan slumped onto her desk and exaggerated her movement a little.
"If you didn't have an accompanist, how did you practice all this time?" Umi-chan's confused face shifted to Honoka-chan.
"We used a recording, of course."
"Then why not use that in the exhibition?"
"Because it wouldn't give a big impact! " Suddenly, Honoka-chan raised her head and slammed her hand on the desk, startling both Umi-chan and me.
While Umi-chan shook her head and rubbed her temple, I let out a smiled. Honoka-chan had always been like this. That's why there was never been a dull moment when I was together with her.
"Umi-chan, do you have an acquaintance that can play the piano?"
Umi-chan went silent for a while to think and finally gave up in the end.
"I don't think I have, I'm sorry."
"How about you, Kotori-chan?" Honoka-chan immediately turned to me.
"Let's see..."
I recalled my memories to find the person suited for the role. Immediately, an image of a red haired girl popped up in my mind.
That's right, Maki-chan can play the piano...
Back in middle school, Maki-chan told me that she played the piano. I often listened to her play too. I wasn't being biased because she was my friend, but Maki-chan was really, really good at it. I'm sure if it was Maki-chan, five days wasn't a problem to memorise the song Honoka-chan would be singing. The problem was how should I ask her? Then again, it was the chorus club's problem in the first place. I was just helping them by giving them a name. I wasn't the one who will go and ask her, was I? Decided that it was safe to give out her name, I told Honoka-chan about it.
"I think I know the person you're looking for, Honoka-chan."
Honoka-chan took me off guard and grabbed both my hands.
"Oh, you're a real life saver, Kotori-chan!" She looked at me with sparkling eyes. "And who might that person be?"
"You remember Maki-chan, right? Our underclassman in junior high school? I think she could memorise the song you're going to sing in five days."
"Ah, Nishikino-san? I had a faint memory of her playing piano in the school festival, but I didn't know she was that good." Honoka-chan closed her eyes and hummed. It looked like she was considering something. When she had a decision already, she opened her eyes and looked at me. Again, with the sparkling eyes.
"Kotori-chan, please ask her to become the chorus club accompanist at the club exhibition day!"
"E-eeh? Why me?"
"That's right Honoka, you're troubling Kotori. You should do it yourself."
"But, I'm not really close with Nishikino-san. Plus, she is kind of scary, you know? Like she would jump at you if you violate her private territory."
"What do you think she is? A panther?" Umi-chan's eyebrows knotted together.
"Kotori-chaaaan, please help me!" Honoka-chan bowed her head and joined her hands, pleading to me. The tone she used just like a little child begging for a candy.
What should I do? I wanted to help Honoka-chan, but I didn't think I was ready to talk to Maki-chan. But if I didn't take the first step, I knew that the distance between us will only get bigger. In fact, Honoka-chan helped me to come out with a topic so I should probably go and asked her, right? There was still some worries and anxiety left inside me, but the desire to become friends with Maki-chan again overcame that. She was an important friend of mine and I didn't want to lose her just like that. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"O-okay then, I'll try to ask her."
When the bell indicating the end of the school rang, my heart followed ringing. I couldn't really focus on what the teacher said. After the conversation we had at lunch, I kept thinking about how I should ask her. Should I talk to her casually as if nothing happened? I didn't really know. I just realise it now but...I shouldn't have accepted Honoka-chan's request after all. I didn't know how to face Maki-chan! What if she didn't want to talk to me anymore? I was too full of myself. All the courage I had gathered before vanishing slowly when I thought about facing her. First of all, where could I find her? She could have gone home already. I didn't really consider that before. Should I ask her classmate? But I didn't know her class either. Oh God, I was such a mess.
"Kotori-chan!"
When I came to my senses, Honoka-chan's face was right in front of mine. Somehow having her face in this close distance made my face blush a little. I shook my head to regain my composure back.
"Wh-what wrong, Honoka-chan?"
"About Nishikino-san, I thought I could accompany you and talk to her, but I forgot that I have practice today. I don't think I can come with you, I'm sorry! Oh, I know! Maybe Umi-chan can come with you!"
"I'm sorry, I have practice too." Honoka-chan's proposal was turned down. Umi-chan, stood from her seat, holding her Yazutsu in her arm. "I'm really sorry, Kotori." She looked at me and I could see some guilt in her eyes.
"It's fine Umi-chan, you don't have to worry about it," I smiled to erase the guilt she felt. After apologising to me once more, thankfully, the guilt was gone.
Honoka-chan bowed her head before saying something.
"We're really sorry, Kotori-chan! Good luck and see you tomorrow!"
Honoka-chan and Umi-chan exited the classroom. Their club was much busier than mine was, so I understand that they couldn't come together with me. This wasn't the first time they left me alone by myself. I had a meeting with the cooking club later too, but I guess I could spare some time to talk to Maki-chan first. Moreover, I had already accepted Honoka-chan's request. Now, the problem started to resurface again. How could I find her? I grabbed my bag and rose from my seat. First of all, I probably should start searching from the third floor. Maybe I could find out about Maki-chan's class. Even if that didn't work out, I could ask a fellow first year about her. I slapped both my cheeks slowly to gather my courage. I will talk to her today for sure.
You can do it, Minami Kotori!
With my heart beating irregularly, I walked up the stairs to the first year's classes. My thought started to get distracted and my step was becoming heavier. Without realising, I was already on the third floor. There were some students talking in the hallway but first I should take a look at the classes. I started with a class labelled '1-1'. There were some students inside but I couldn't find Maki-chan among them. I continued to the other two classes and the result was the same. Maki-chan wasn't there. I let out a sigh. Part of me felt relieved that I couldn't find her. The other part of me felt disappointed.
Should I start asking around?
I shook my head lightly, decided that it was my last attempt when I couldn't find her anywhere. I continued my walk and ended up wandering around in front of the music room. I took a peek from the glass on the door before entered the room. In that instant, my heart rate went up. There was a familiar red haired girl sitting on the piano stool. I turned around to hide my face, hoping that she didn't realise I was standing in front of the door. I gripped the hem of my shirt tightly, somehow feeling really nervous. After several minutes without any reaction, I took another peek inside the room. Carefully, so that she didn't see me. Maki-chan was still sitting there, fingers slowly approaching the black and white keys. Soon after, a soft, sweet melody could be heard. She was playing the piano. Beautifully, like she used to.
When I looked at her playing the piano like that, the image of her cold and distant expression when we met in the library vanished. The Maki-chan that played the piano right now, was the Maki-chan that I know. Could it be that the cold and distant Maki-chan I met before was all just my imagination? The image that I made of her because of how long we haven't met each other. If that was really the case, then maybe, I could talk to her like I used to. I loosened my hand's grip and nodded. I could do this. Her playing has somehow made both my heart and mind calm. When she finished her playing, I turned around and gulped. I opened the doorknob slowly.
Maki-chan realised that someone was coming, moved her eyes in my direction. As soon as she recognised the invader was me, for a split second, I could see that she was surprised. But it was gone immediately when I blinked. I walked closer to her, but not too close. When I stopped, she didn't avert her eyes from me, nor did she open her mouth. She just sat silently, looking at me.
I-I should say something...!
I pinched my tight and forced my mouth to open.
"Ma―"
"I'm sorry but I kind of busy."
Before I could even finish calling her name, she cut me off.
"If you have something to say, could you make it quick?"
I didn't see her expression when she said that. Was there even any expression on her face? I didn't know since before I realise, I was already looking down at my feet. No, it wasn't my imagination. Maki-chan in front of me wasn't Maki-chan.
"Senpai?"
Realised that I didn't give any respond, Maki-chan called out to me.
"I-I'm sorry I spaced out."
"So, do you need something?"
"Ah yes, that's..." Remembered about my original purpose, I explained to her about Honoka-chan's request. I ignored the pang in my chest and told her about how Honoka-chan wanted Maki-chan to become the accompanist for the chorus club in the club exhibition day this Saturday. After I finished explaining the whole situation to her, she opened her mouth.
"I can't agree to the request." She said with a face that still lacked expression.
My face was hot. I didn't know how I look right now. I was pretty sure that I look miserable. I couldn't look at her face any longer so I dropped my head and stared at my shoes again. My chest hurts. She didn't hesitate and shot the request down right away. It might be because she was busy, but somehow getting turned down by her was really painful. Even though it was Honoka-chan's request and not mine.
Ah...
I suddenly remembered something and I let out a bitter smile.
So, this is how it feels to get rejected...
This was my punishment. Even though it wasn't my request at all, even though I was just helping Honoka-chan to ask her, getting rejected was still painful. Could it be that this is what Maki-chan felt one year ago? If that's true, then this really was my punishment after all. I wanted to run away. Standing in front of Maki-chan was suffocating.
"I-I see..."
I used all my strength to raised my head and look at her. When our eyes met each other's I could see that her face was still the same, no expression at all. I forced a smile, the best that I could and opened my mouth again.
"Well then, I'm sorry for suddenly imposing you like this."
My vision got blurry. I'm on the verge of tears. I turned my heels, giving my back to her. I couldn't look at her expressionless face any longer. When I was about to run away from the music room, I could hear her voice again.
"But―"
I didn't turn around. I just keep standing on my stance. Maki-chan's voice was like a distant whisper to my ears.
"You came all the way here to ask me yourself."
Maki-chan stopped. I couldn't tell her feeling when she said that. I didn't dare to turn and look at her, and her voice wasn't any different from before. Could it be she called out to me because of pity?
"I guess I'll do it."
"I-if...! You do it out of pity th-then, I prefer you didn't do it at all." My voice was shaking. She'll notice that I was holding my tears! Even though I tried my best to sound tough, my voice betrays me.
"Haaaaaaa..." Maki-chan let out a long sigh.
Did I make her mad again? I didn't know. I still gave my back to her. I didn't know what kind of face she made right now.
"I will do it because you're the one who asks me."
Eh?
Finally, I dare myself to turn my head around and look at Maki-chan face. She was still there, sitting on the stool, with her eyes directed right to mine. Her expression didn't change. It was still flat like a glass' surface. But something was different about her eyes. It didn't have the same icy feeling like before. Looking at her amethyst eyes somehow made the tears I had been holding, spilt. I didn't even know the meaning behind my tears. There was sadness in it of course, but strangely, I felt happy right now.
Why? Is it because she accepted the request?
I'm sure that wasn't the reason. I felt happy right now, because finally, I recognise the person in front of me. Even though her face was still lacked expression, even though her tone was still flat, but the eyes that staring right into mine was definitely Maki-chan's eyes. There was still some hope left. I'm sure we could become friends again like we used to. I rubbed out the edge of my eyes with my sleeve.
"Now, if you don't mind I'm going to play some more."
Maki-chan shifted her eyes to the music score in front of her. Her fingers were back on the black and white keys. I realised that it was my cue to leave. I gave my back to her again and walked in the direction of the door. When I was about to open the door, I turned to look at her once again.
"Thank you, Maki-chan." I smiled and this one wasn't forced.