Chapter III
"Ah, Umi, good morning!" The bluenette smiled as she placed her bow down and greeted the girl before her.
"Vere! Long time, no see! I heard you got sick and unfortunately had to take a two-week leave from school. How are you feeling now? Better, I hope."
"Yes, I'm doing good, thank you very much! I don't recommend food poisoning as means to escape from school, though. It felt like something ate my stomach alive!" The two shared a laugh at that. Takeda Vere, gorgeous wavy strawberry blonde hair just past her shoulders, stunning emerald eyes, petite, same year as Umi but in a different class, also a member of the Kyudo Club. She transferred to Otonokizaka High School in the middle of the school year when they were still freshmen. She's half French, as seen from her facial features, but she was raised in a Japanese setting.
The two sat down beside each other and Umi updated the blonde regarding club activities and school matters. It was still fairly early, and other members of the club won't be coming in for practice for another hour, more or less.
"So, the festival's in two months and we're going to hold an exhibition match? Well, we can't really do anything else, obviously. We're short on members as is. Hopefully we can use this opportunity to attract potential students interested in Kyudo."
"I know what you mean. Oh, and there's something else! The Student Council's sponsoring a Miss Handsome contest on the last day of the festival. Every club is required to participate. Apparently, it's a big deal, since they think it'll help boost our school's student admissions for next year." Vere stared at her schoolmate carefully then smirked.
"You seem distressed. I assume everyone's hounding you to be our club's representative, then?" Umi just glared at her friend then sighed.
"Unfortunately, yes. But so is the Idol Research Club. Deadline for submissions is coming up so everybody's getting more aggressive in persuading me. It's irritating, and I really don't want to enter in the first place!"
"Don't want to or you're just scared to do it? Knowing you, I'm leaning towards the latter." The two just stared at each other for a long time until Umi looked away, blushing. Vere just laughed at the bluenette and patted her head. Not many people can do that to Umi, the two becoming close as they got to spend time with each other during practice and because they're in the same grade. And the blonde is a very easy-going person but can be serious when needed, and Umi finds her presence relaxing, so it's easy to be herself when with her.
"Sigh. To be perfectly honest, I'm interested. I'm not eager to join, but Maki said that it'll be a good learning experience for me, and I think she's right. But let's say that I will enter. The bigger problem is which club I'm going to represent. You know how I hate to disappoint anybody if I can help it, but in the long run, I still need to choose. What do you think?" Umi looked at the shorter girl who's deep in thought, hand on her chin.
"Well, it is bothersome for them to make you choose between the two clubs, and I'm almost certain that neither club will concede. I can't really decide for you, and we can't exactly draw straws for it. The only option I can come up with is if both clubs can come up with another member that's willing to represent, which is leaning towards unlikely." Both girls just sighed heavily, seemingly back to square one. They decided to postpone their discussion for later since they can hear the other members arriving already. Early morning practice dragged on, and, thankfully, the topic of the contest was not brought up by anybody.
"Let's have lunch together later. It's been ages! And guessing from your stories, you haven't been spending time with Honoka-san and Kotori-san for a while, so I won't feel guilty for stealing you away," Vere said, amused, as she and Umi walked towards the main building together. The taller girl just laughed.
"Sure, no problem! I just stay at the library these days, anyway. I'll see you later then!"
"Maki!" The first year looked behind her and saw her blue-haired senior beckoning her from outside her classroom. The redhead hurriedly went over to the older girl to tune out the squeeling of her classmates after seeing the object of their affections.
"Umi? What are you doing here?" The bluenette just looked at her apologetically.
"Sorry, Maki, but I won't be able to meet you at the library during lunch today. If you need me for anything, I'll gladly help you after school. Or tomorrow, if it could wait." Maki just blinked.
"Uh, sure, Umi. No problem." The older girl smiled beautifully at the redhead, grateful. Maki was at a loss for words at how glowing Umi seemed at that moment.
"Arigatou, Maki! I'll see you later!" Before Maki could utter a goodbye, Umi left quickly, probably trying to lessen the attention she's already receiving from the first years who were looking out the classroom to eavesdrop on their conversation. The redhead just sighed internally and walked back to her room while glaring at her classmates as she passed them. She was disappointed, yes, but it's not like she and Umi agreed to always meet during lunch break. Although, if she were to be really honest, she enjoyed having Umi to herself for the past week, and she was most certain that she's trying to not get used to it. Sadly, though, it didn't last that long. 'It doesn't seem like she's in trouble or anything. Oh well, I guess I'll eat lunch with Rin and Hanayo then head to the music room. Sigh. I wonder what's up. She seemed excited for lunch today.'
School went by fast, and it was finally time for after school activities. Umi opted to forego going to the Kyudo club that afternoon, as per Vere's suggestion during lunch break, so that they can talk about what to do for the upcoming festival without having the whole Kyudo club badgering the bluenette about the contest. And since, because, Umi can handle herself better if the topic's brought up by the members of the Idol Research Club instead. She knows that she can't keep avoiding the issue for long, and that they need to come up with a solution soon.
"So, what do you guys think?"
"Waah! Kotori-chan, kawaii! Those outifts match perfectly with our butler cafe theme!"
"Arigatou, Hanayo-chan. Umi-chan, what do you think?" The said bluenette was startled out of her thoughts and looked up to see everybody looking at her. She sighed, pushed herself off the wall she's leaning on, then sat beside Maki on the table to get a good look at what Kotori was referring to. They were busy preparing for their cafe for the festival, and they needed to finalize everything before starting practice that afternoon.
"They look wonderful, Kotori. I'm sure they will look even better come opening day," Umi said, trying to sound as cheerful and as interested as possible. The others just looked at her, worry and guilt evident in their eyes. All of them felt ashamed for pressuring Umi like what they've been doing for the past couple of weeks. They haven't even heard her yell at Honoka, let alone lecture anyone else, and they'll take a strict, monstrous Umi than an indifferent one any day. The contest isn't that important for them to risk their friendship like that. The other members looked at each other, nodded, then faced Umi, the bluenette oblivious to the exchange.
"Ne, Umi-chan," Honoka started and waited until her friend looked up at her.
"We want to apologize for our behavior regarding the contest the past several days, and that we realized that we should've been more sensitive regarding your opinion on the matter instead of deciding on the spot like that for you."
"We know that it isn't fair to you, especially since it isn't only us who's dragging you into this, and we're really sorry, Umi-chan," Hanayo solemnly said.
"We still believe you're the best person to enter, but we won't force you anymore if you really don't want to. It's not worth it if it means we're making you uncomfortable when being with us," Nozomi added, looking remorseful.
"Please forgive us, Umi-chan. I guess we were too excited and didn't think how it'll affect you – nya," Rin said as she stood up to hug her senior, and Umi welcomed it, smiling softly.
"If you really feel that you're not cut out for it, we'll decide on someone else. But please, Umi, think about it again, at least until tomorrow. If your answer is still no, we'll accept it," Eli concluded. Umi stared at each of her friends' faces, seeing that they were really sorry, and that she's happy that they care enough to admit to what they've done and that they're doing something to amend their mistake.
"I'm sorry, too, for being impassive lately. It's not easy for me to lose control over something, and that I honestly felt I was robbed of my decision regarding this event, and I admit I'm hurt. But I accept your apologies all the same. If you'll be able to wait until tomorrow, I'll give you my answer then." Relieved faces met hers, and thankfully, Nico decided to end all the drama by announcing that it's getting late and they still have practice to do.
"Umi, wait up!" The second year turned around and waited for Maki to catch up to her, then walked together towards the music room. Practice was over, and the two were tasked to try and complete a new song before the festival rolled in.
"You doing okay? It's a good thing you cleared the air with everyone, and that they won't bother you anymore regarding the contest." The bluenette looked down and sighed softly.
"Yes, but now I feel a bit guilty. I don't want to disappoint anybody, Maki. You really think I should do it?"
"You already know my opinion in this, I don't need to keep repeating myself. It's up to you, now," the first year said with a no nonsense tone that Umi couldn't help but grin momentarily then sighed heavily as they both sat down in front of the piano.
"By the way, where were you during break? I ran into Honoka and Kotori and they were looking for you," Maki asked, trying to sound like she wasn't really interested as she played some slow songs to warm up.
"Huh? Oh! Well, I kind of met someone for lunch. I'm not certain if you're familiar with her. Takeda Vere. She's a second year from the other class. We do Kyudo together. She took a leave for a while and she just returned today," Umi explained, not noticing that her companion suddenly stopped playing and went rigid beside her. The first year hasn't been acquainted with the girl, but she's familiar with her, Honoka and Kotori having mentioned her once or twice before when Umi was off to participate in Kyudo competitions. Apparently she's an exotic beauty, and was almost always seen hanging around with Umi during Kyudo practice. The redhead caught herself and continued playing so as not to cause any suspicions as Umi briefly recapped her lunch "date."
"I-is that so? I noticed you were acting a bit, uhh, excited? Yeah, something like that. Is she a close friend of yours?" The first year internally cursed herself for sounding like a babbling idiot, and in front of Umi, no less. Good thing her senior's a bit dense sometimes and didn't notice Maki stuttering.
"Hmm, you could say that. I'm sorry for bailing out on you, but I haven't seen her in weeks and it's really nice to catch up with her. She's helping me with the contest, too," Umi stated as she skimmed over her lyrics notebook. At that, a flash of disappointment entered Maki's eyes, but only briefly. She didn't know why she's feeling this way, but having been Umi's go-to person during the days they spent together when she was evading the other members, the redhead considered it as some sort of precious secret between them. Knowing that an "outsider" was in on it, too, she felt obsolete, especially now since the bluenette made up with their friends.
"Maki? Hey, is something the matter?" The first year jumped when Umi touched her shoulder then gave a tight smile as she looked at her friend.
"I'm fine. I thought I came up with a good melody, but it escaped me. Come on, let's get this over with so we can go home." If Umi thought her junior's tone of voice was a bit hostile, she didn't show it. 'Maybe she's just tired. I guess I'll just leave her be.' Umi got up from her seat and went to work on one of the tables instead as Maki followed her through her peripheral vision, the two working quietly for the rest of the afternoon.