Melody of a Summer Rainy Afternoon
Dedicated to the ever so elegant guardian of planet Neptune
By Melody Wind
Summary: A gloomy day inspired her composition as a gift to her friend, but the gift was never received. One difference on the postal code, and the music arrived at his door. Coincidence, or fate? This is no accident. A tale started from a simple mistake on the mailing address.
"..." indicates conversation, italics indicate thoughts
-- Author's Note --
I sincerely apologize about the belated chapter, but however, there's always school work and my brain-freeze periods. I had a hard time writing this chapter since I didn't plan much plot in this chapter. However, many of the details were done with special intentions for further plot of the story, so they cannot be easily ignored. As promised to someone wink, Minako's two personalities were further explained in this chapter. Hopefully, the next chapters will come out sooner since I have more plots planned. But until that time, please enjoy Chapter 3! )
- Wind
Some replies to the reviewers:
cristalluna: Thanx a lot for all the encouragement! And sorry about not updating for a while, but the next chapters will come out soon since school will be out in a week for me! I made Minako rele rich in this story since it's easier to set up a meeting b/t her and Yaten And as for the best friend role... currently my #1 candidate is Usagi mainly bc of her personality, but it's not final yet. Anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter!
Kinsei-Hime: Glad you liked the story! so excited Hope you enjoy this chapter too!
Joyce: I promised myself to finish this story even though I'm writing some other fictions too, so hope you'll enjoy the rest of the story. And same here, a big Yaten x Minako fan!
GoldenHair: Yeah, I saw that error, and I'll change it soon! I intended to have Minako to have a calmer personality in this story, and a nicer Yaten too. ;) And since this is AU, anything can happen, that's why I enjoy writing AU a lot...
Angelical Lady: Glad you liked the story! And I love ur Yaten x Minako stories a lot too! There are more Michiru x Mianko friendship moments in this chapter, but I think she might not appear for a while since I'm rooting for a more hyper character to be Minako's companion at her new school. But she'll appear again, perhaps this time w/ Haruka? ; Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Chapter III: Independent School Entrance Exam
From the Previous Chapter:
'Might as well.' Minako shrugged and walked up to the bulletin. She spotted her name at an instant and checked her room number. She then went down and scanned the names of other test takers in her grade level. There are three other students, and they all shared the same last name. Athena stopped at the name in the middle and pondered. 'Yaten Kou? That sounds so familiar... Wait, isn't the person who sent me the music Y. Kou? Could he possibly...' Athena could feel excitement rushing to her, but she shook off the idea seconds later. 'Masaka. Why would he move from such a faraway place to here? Plus, that "Y" doesn't necessarily stand for Yaten.' Minako chuckled at her wild thoughts and turned around to find her parents as three figures emerged into the building.
"Seiya no baka, STOP!!" Yaten shouted out his barely comprehensible sentence as his cousin hit the brake fairly hard and stopped inches away from a passing woman.
Taiki looked up momentarily to see what all the commotion was about. He shook his head and went back to his book about quantum physics as Seiya got back in the car after apologizing to the lady.
It was ten minutes later that Seiya has finally found a parking spot, and the three quickly rushed into the building. Seiya, of course, had to trip over the front door, a mess he makes wherever he goes.
As Yaten looked around, he almost bumped into a girl passing by. He suddenly felt that he knew this girl from somewhere. He tried to get a better look of this girl, but unfortunately she was in a rush also and disappeared within seconds. Geez, why did I feel like that I know this girl from somewhere? But that's impossible! I've only been here for three days! Troubled, Yaten tried to find a reasonable answer for his sudden reaction.
"Why am I getting psyched all of a sudden?" Yaten murmured to himself, unfortunately for him, Seiya caught that.
"You are getting psyched? Are you sure that you just didn't wake up on the wrong side of the bed?" Seiya teased and tried not to choke on his own joke.
"Be quiet, Seiya-baka! Bad joke! Go and register for us. After all, you were the one who got us late in the first place!" Yaten glared at his cousin and walked up the stairs.
(A/N: Taiki was kinda left out in that section... isn't he?)
The test room was filled with eighth graders, and it made the few upperclassmen in the room quite uncomfortable. Yaten looked out the window; thoughts tangled within him. Ugh, why do I get to be alone in this room filled with eighth graders? That Seiya no baka is lucky to have Taiki-kun company. I wonder if there's anyone I can talk to around.
Yaten looked around the room, and a long-haired girl caught his gaze. Her maturity gave away her grade-level easily. She stared out the window peacefully, but there seemed to be something else on her mind. Her eyes gave away the sadness that she keeps inside herself. The wind was blowing her flowing long hair at the perfect angle, Yaten stared at her. Wait a minute! She is the same girl whom I almost run into at the lobby. Hermes's eyes widened at the sudden recognition. At the same time, the girl turned toward his direction, her bright amethysts orbs met his own green ones.
Yaten's head went blank; he didn't know what to do. But as the girl smiled friendly to him, he nodded back.
"Don't want to be here too?" Yaten smirked.
The girl smiled faintly and sighed.
"We're left out from the conversation, aren't we?" She laughed and motioned to the exciting conversation the majorities in the room were participating in.
Yaten agreed. They barely continued the conversation for a few more minutes before both of them fell silent. The girl gazed out the window again; her quiet nature interested Hermes. It reminded him of that music piece that Aino-san had composed. He had received more composition from her earlier that day, he was glad that she's still interested in continuing that beautiful, yet sad melody. Her quiet nature fits that beautiful tune quite well. Yaten glanced at the girl's direction; he was fascinated by the image. A girl staring out of the window on a clear morning with the wind blowing her long hair at the perfect angle, a perfect image for that music piece! Hermes subconsciously pulled out his pen and wrote down some of the music notes that came to his mind.
His work was disrupted few minutes later as the proctor walked into the room. Yaten sighed and found a perfect place to stop. He put away the music sheets and looked up; the girl was looking at him again. When she realized that she had caught his attention, she smiled.
"I'm sorry, but I didn't catch your name earlier." She whispered.
"Yaten Kou." He extended his hand; the girl looked visibly surprised at his identity.
"Minako Aino." She smiled back as Yaten's eyes widened.
"Aino-san!"
Yaten turned his full attention to the girl as he saw she walked up to pick up her test paper. Could she be the one? The last name matches, and she's supposed to live in this city, this area especially... Yaten shook his head to concentrate on the test instead of the mysterious girl named M. Aino.
As the test went on, Hermes could not stop himself from looking over at the spot where Minako Aino was sitting. I'm sure that this is her. The name matches, and she was a little surprised by my name. I mean, unless she's a "Three Lights" fan, why would a normal person pause at a name such as mine? Plus, she seems to be the type to be interested in playing violin... But the question is, shall I tell her?
Minako walked out of the school building warily. The test was not hard at all, but three hours of continuous focus made her a bit tired. As she walked out of the front gate of University Academy of Elysion, she turned and stared at the beautiful glass building one more time. I hope this will be my new hideout next year; it's a nice school after all. She smiled and stepped into the Aino family car.
"Ah, first day of summer, how exciting!" Haruka stretched as Minako stepped into the car.
"Thanks for coming along, Onii-chan!" Minako smiled again, sounding sarcastic but with no ill-will.
"Yeah, yeah... I'm just glad that it's finally summer! So what are your plans?" Haruka looked back at her sister from the front-row passenger seat.
"I don't think I have any... besides that internship I got at University of T and some community service, but they're just for college. I plan to relax this summer before the "year of horror" starts..." Minako sighed, not really excited about the coming school year.
"Well, I couldn't agree more. I can still remember my junior and senior year; it felt like that I didn't sleep for 2 whole years... Glad that's over for me." Haruka yawned and winked at her sister.
"Jeez thanks for the warning, sis. Oh and not to mention that since you are accepted into Harvard, now I got even more expectations from the teachers, the parents, and even my friends..." Minako grumbled at the new pressure on her, though she was quite proud of her sister.
"I noticed that you have been very busy on something else lately besides your usual hobbies, Minako-chan." Haruka decided to change the topic.
"Yeah, but it's not really anything new." Minako smiled at the mention of her new project, which she called "Silent Confession".
"So, are you interested in getting a boyfriend over the summer?" Haruka teased as they started to enter the Aino property.
"Stop teasing, sis. You know that I have absolutely zero interest in romance... and by the way, why are you in the valet's seat?" Minako grumbled her usual reply to her sister's usual teasing.
"Well since I sneaked out of the house as the valet, I'll have to act as one." Haruka got out of the car and opened the door for her little sister.
"Playful, aren't we?" Minako smiled as her sister winked.
"So you are currently working on a music project with someone else?" Michiru asked as she took the teacup that Minako handed her.
"Yep! It's one mysterious project, but I guarantee that you'll be amazed by the final product." Minako smiled brightly. She had invited Michiru over on the second week of summer to help her figure out her plans for music training during the summer. But as clumsy as ever, she accidentally revealed the little secret she was keeping from everyone. However, Minako has no intention to reveal her secret to anyone just yet. For the mysterious "Y. Kou" and she have been working on the music piece for a while now, and they had started to form a friendship more than simply music peers.
"Fascinating! I can' wait to see it when it's done." Michiru smiled sweetly, "and you know Minako-san, you seem to be a lot happier these days. I haven't seen that depressed face for a while now."
"Really?" Minako smiled also. That's still a lie... The only reason that I'm a lot more chipper recently was because of the music piece I've been diligently working on, and maybe the fact that I have a big chance to get out of my boring high school. But nothing inside me has changed at all...
"Yes, perhaps new chance of romance sparkled?" Michiru hinted.
"Goodness, why does everyone keep asking me about romance?" Athena's head was about to explode at the mention of romance yet again. "Do I have to stand on the top of Tokyo Tower and yell to the world that I'm so NOT interested in romance? I though you knew me well, Michiru-san..."
"Well, I was just a little worried about you still not getting over Adonis..." Michiru looked worried.
Minako's heart sank at the mention of the name, but she knew that the topic of Adonis will always come up. For he was her first love years ago; but she wasn't a bright child on the subject of love. She has truly fallen in love, but she ended the relationship with a simple reason: of that she didn't know how to love. And from that point forward, Minako stayed away from romance. She has decided that she will learn to fall in love when she's ready to face it.
"Don't worry about that anymore." Minako's smile disappeared as she turned around. She always hated to show her other personality in front of people, even if it's her best friend.
"Minako-san?" Michiru started again a few seconds later.
"Yeah?" When Minako turned around, all Michiru could see was a bright, cheery face. A mask that Minako constantly put on, Michiru didn't mind it even though she can see through that mask.
"How's that internship coming along?"
"Great!" Minako was relieved at the change of topic, and she was especially excited about the topic they've changed to. "So I get to work at this neat lab at U of Tokyo for over 6 weeks. It's in the chemistry department, so it'll be a great experience!"
"But aren't you really interested in the field of performing arts, Minako-san?" Michiru was a little confused.
"Oh, I still am! I just want to try everything, so I'll have a wider field to choose. And after all, dad is a doctor, so I've been curious about the field of science and medicine for a while now." Minako explained.
"Nice! So now you've exploded the field of music, graphic and web design, and science and medicine, huh? That's so neat!" Michiru smiled, very impressed with Minako's interests.
"And I'm keeping up with volleyball and fencing too!" Minako cheered, striking a V-sign, "Isn't that awesome?"
"Very, but... now we are getting back to work!" Michiru chuckled as she put out various music books and pieces.
"Yeah, yeah..." Minako sighed heavily.
June 15, 2008
To the Parents of:
Minako Aino
Your child has been selected for admission to 11th grade at University Academy of Elysion. The next step is yours. If you wish to enroll your child in this academy, you must complete and return this form to our admission office no later than 5:30pm on Friday, June 27. Please complete the section below and return the entire form to:
ADMISSION OFFICE
University Academy of Elysion
2000 Lethe Street
Yes, we are pleased to accept the admission to University Academy of Elysion
No, we do not accept.
I am a legal resident of Kronos County and the legal guardian of this child.
Required Parent's Signature:
June 15, 2008
To the Parents of:
Seiya Kou, Yaten Kou, & Taiki Kou
Your child (ren) has been selected for admission to 11th grade at University Academy of Elysion. The next step is yours. If you wish to enroll your child (ren) in this academy, you must complete and return this form to our admission office no later than 5:30pm on Friday, June 27. Please complete the section below and return the entire form to:
ADMISSION OFFICE
University Academy of Elysion
2000 Lethe Street
Yes, we are pleased to accept the admission to University Academy of Elysion
No, we do not accept.
I am a legal resident of Kronos County and the legal guardian of this child.
Required Parent's Signature:
"Aino-san, here we are at the University Academy of Elysion." The valet announced as he opened the car door.
"Thanks, Jeff!" Minako stepped out of the car, straightening her brand new uniform.
"Good luck on your first day of school!" Haruka grinned and lazily waved from the passenger seat.
"Thanks, sis. And you too, good luck on your first day as a freshman of Harvard! Guess I won't see you in a while." Minako smiled back, but she was also a little sad to see her good old sis leaving for a good four months.
"Nah, don't be sad, koneko-chan! Have fun at school!" Haruka smiled brightly and motioned for Minako to enter the building.
Minako waved until she could no longer see her family car; she turned around to face the front gate of UEA and sighed. Which me should I present at this new school? I still want to be that mysterious girl that everyone thinks that he/she knows me well but actually not, so guess I'll still have to wear the mask, huh?
She looked up at the sky with few clouds that day and smiled faintly before entering the front gate.
"Err... Seiya-kun? In case you haven't noticed, there's an empty parking space right behind you." Yaten and Taiki said together in a very bored voice.
"Geez, guys! Why didn't you tell me earlier? So I wasted that good ten minutes for nothing." Seiya chuckled as the passengers in the car rolled their eyes.
"So, excited about new school year, guys?" Seiya asked, very excited as the three cousins got out of the car.
"Not really, I don't wanna know how many girls will be crazy around us anymore." Yaten grumbled.
"By the way, Yaten-kun? Are you working on some other project other than our new album?" Taiki looked up from his agenda book.
"What makes you think of that?" Yaten's heart skipped a beat, for him and Aino-san have agreed on hiding this secret project from both of their acquaintances. And for his own benefit, Yaten didn't want his two cousins to know the story, at least not yet.
"Well, I was just considering: if you're distracted by some other project, I could arrange more spare time for you since you look like you haven't slept in years, even though we just got back from summer vacation..." Taiki looked up, looking quite concerned.
"I appreciate the concern... but more spare time is a splendid idea." Yaten snickered at Taiki's remark, but he was thankful for his cousin's concern.
Before anymore words were said, the speaker buzzed.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to welcome you to a new school year here at University Academy of Elysion. I would like to especially welcome our additional members to UEA, and would all new members report to the south wing of the Main Hall? As for our returning students..."
Fin
Preview to Chapter IV: Connected Feelings
"Aino-san?" Yaten started, disbelieving his eyes as he saw the girl he met three months ago during the exam walking toward him.
"Nice to see you again, Kou-san." She smiled brightly and waved.
"Holy crap, Minako-chan! So you really knew the Yaten Kou from "Three Lights"? Incredible! You got to introduce me to them!" Yaten noticed the girl beside Minako getting excited at their conversation.
"I don't lie, Usagi-chan. And really, you can just introduce yourself. It's not that hard." Minako looked back at her friend really confused, not knowing why the usually outgoing Usagi would have trouble introducing herself, while Yaten couldn't stop himself from chuckling at the situation.
-- Author's Note --
As I stated earlier, loads of characterization of Minako here in this chapter as requested, hopefully this Minkao's character is well revealed. And a note to the plot of her past romance and the summer internship, they are not significant story plots, but I wrote them with an intention. I was also thinking about a possible side story about her past romance, and possibly, a special event that happens during the summer internship. So tell me if you want to see it. The preview of chapter 4 is not a final version; I'm hesitating on whether or not to introduce another major role in the story since Michiru could easily fit in that role. But then she's not really that suitable because of her personality, I was leaning toward an outgoing character. Again, tell me what you think. And I'm not sure whether Usagi should be the best friend or not since I kinda have her and Minako's personalities swapped... though then the Usagi x Seiya shipping could be my comic relief Reviews and comments are always loved, and esp. on the grammar and style, I'm still trying to improve.
Thanks to my proofreader, you are the best. P
- Wind
Word count: 2,619 (Chapter only)