Hey there guys! Here's another chapter. I hope you enjoy it.
Disclaimer: I do now own or profit from any Intellectual Properties belonging to Kakifly, Hobunsha, Kyoto Animation or Sentai Filmworks.
Act - 3
Over The Bench and On The Table
KNOCK! KNOCK!
As Azusa was now just sitting on their tea table, those sounds echoed through the room indicating the arrival of the people she had been waiting for. It took them some time but now they had finally arrived. Usually, Azusa would be very impatient when members didn't really appear on time but for that day, she didn't really care.
Azusa at that moment, turned towards the door and then said,
"Come in!"
Then door opened and two girls younger than Azusa appeared on the other side. Their faces held pretty normal expression, but their eyes indicated that there was something they were hiding. An expression perhaps?
"Oh! You have come." Azusa said.
Then she stood up from her chair and took a few steps forward towards the two Kouhai's who were giving away a really nervous feel which Azusa immediately noticed.
"Don't stand outside. Come on in." Azusa said with a smile.
With these words, the girls slowly stepped inside the room. Azusa saw them get closer and closer until…
"We are really sorry." The two girls said.
Azusa stared in amusement as the two younger girls stood in front of her bowing.
"Come on. Do you think I would scold you for that?" Azusa asked.
The two girls raised their bodies again after apologizing.
"Still, Senpai. You were always the impatient so we thought we needed to apologize." Sumire said.
"Well, it doesn't bother me any longer anyways." Azusa said.
"Huh!" Sumire said.
Then both girls stared at each other in surprise. Except, it was more visible in Sumire's face than Nao's.
"Surprised?" Azusa asked.
Then both girls turned towards the senior who was right in front of them.
"I will tell you more about it." Azusa said. "But for now…"
Azusa then moved forward in front of her seniors and bent down to have a look at the bags which were being carried by the girls.
"…can I know what is in there?" Azusa asked.
"Eh!" both girls said as they turned their heads towards their hands.
"Oh! Uhm! We just wanted to do something before we all say goodbye to you." Nao said.
Azusa then gave a good sniff.
"Hmm! I smell something more than sweet." Azusa said.
"Well, it's not just my cooking. Nao worked on it too." Sumire said.
"Really?" Azusa said with surprise.
"Hmm! I don't see Ui-senpai and Jun-senpai anywhere." Nao suddenly said.
"Oh! They came and they left." Azusa said.
"Ahhh!" Sumire suddenly froze.
What? Did they hear that right? Within a fraction of a second, Sumire's expression suddenly changed and her body was now trembling.
"You look scared." Azusa said.
"We are so sorry for making you wait." Sumire said suddenly bowing again and again.
"Hey, wait!" Azusa told her.
Then she grabbed the maid so that she would stop
"You don't need to worry. They are not gone." Azusa said.
Then she pointed to the three bags that were lying in the bench as a reassurance.
Sumire just stared at the bench for a while. Then as if the god had just forsaken her, she gave a sign of relief.
"They will be back. I have made sure that they will. So you don't need to worry about that." Azusa said.
The two freshman's kept quiet as Azusa then moved back and then settled down back onto her chair.
"Besides, even if you guys hadn't come, I would be fine. After all, this is last time I will be in this club-room again. I mean, I really wanted to sit here at least one last time before I say good bye to it. For the last time. You know, come into this room, put my bag on that bench, sit on this table and have some tea with everyone like I used to, stand on that corner and look at this table from over there from where I have been playing my Fender Mustang for almost a year now." Azusa said.
Then a small bopping sound came from behind. Then with that, Azusa gave a small smile.
"Also…"
Then she stood up and she moved towards the fish tank where Ton-chan was swimming around. Azusa then brought her face closer to the fish tank as the turtle also came closer towards the glass wall.
"…I also wanted to be with Ton-chan for once, before I say goodbye." Azusa said.
Then she tapped the glass with her finger. As a reaction, the little guy inside opened his mouth and then shut it close again. In other words, it was snapping. Well, in a way.
Then Azusa turned back to the juniors and gave a wide smile.
"So today, no need to feel sorry because today I just want to sit here and reminisce every moment that I have spent in this club since the day I entered this school whether you all come or not." Azusa said.
"Please don't say that." Sumire said.
"So this club is special to you?" Nao asked.
Then at that moment, Nao felt a light nudge. She turned around to see Sumire looking cross. Her face in fact told her that she said something that she shouldn't have.
"Yes, it is. But actually since I am speaking right now. It is yes. If it had been a year ago or even two or three years ago, I would not be sure." Azusa said.
Nao and Sumire were surprised by the response. In fact, it was very odd reaction.
"I don't know. But this club really holds a lot of memories for me. Some worth remembering and many that are not worth remembering. But still, it has enough. So much of them that when I become old, I will probably be like 'we were like that once, weren't we?'." Azusa said.
The two juniors could now only look in surprise. It was like their senpai had changed so much. This was like an alien territory for them.
"Ohh! And speaking of memories." Azusa said.
Then she moved towards the bench where her bag was kept. She then grabbed her bag and then moved back to the table. Then she placed the bag on the table and took out a book while the juniors settled their bags near one of the leg of the table and settled down in their chairs.
"This right here. I thought, I would probably show it to you today." Azusa said placing it on the table.
Both juniors stared at the book with curiosity. It was a really huge book and had a really odd cover. But oddly enough, it was very bulky and it was horizontally long compared to regular books which would be vertically long.
Sumire pulling it closer to her, opened the book.
"This is a scrapbook I made all throughout these past three years. There are a lot and we did a lot of things." Azusa said.
The girls then strolled through the pages while looking at all the photos and scribbles. It was very roughly put together but it was very consistent.
"I am impressed. A lot of things happened before us." Nao said.
"Well, that is what I wonder as well. I wondered how much fun did Yui-senpai and the others had before I came in." Azusa said.
"Look, Onee-chan looks so different." Sumire said.
"After that, I really haven't been in touch with them this past year. I got so caught up making this club that I totally forgot to even give them a call or even send them a letter." Azusa said.
From all the pages, it seemed like it tried to tell a story of its own. From the first pages the most commonly used words were 'Lazy' and 'Dumb' especially the ones pointing to a short haired girl who wore a clip on her head whose name was indicated as Yui. But as the pages turned by slowly, the choice of words slowly changed. Soon, they came across a page which consisted of only one big picture.
It was of course, the picture that was taken a year ago. When Azusa's seniors were graduating. The time when Sumire and Nao hadn't even joined.
"I still can't believe that was a year ago." Azusa said.
"Well, like they do say that time flies faster before you even realize it." Nao said.
"They do say that." Azusa said with a nod. "And it still surprises me…"
Then Azusa turned towards the club room once again.
"…that this whole club became precious to me because I changed a lot these past three years. I met different people, was taught that I need to loosen up in life a little. There might have been so many moments that have been really embarrassing and I wouldn't want to go back. But there have also been days that have been really special. I even say things that I thought I would never say. So, this club has left a lot of memories for me." Azusa said.
But then, the juniors slowly saw Azusa's smile slowly faded away into a stoic expression.
With that Azusa turned her gaze back towards the freshman's and then stood up. With that, the juniors saw their senpai walk towards them.
"So because of all that reason, I have a favor to ask you two." Azusa said.
"Please, do ask. You have done a lot for us." Sumire said.
"Please…" Azusa said.
Then the two juniors suddenly jumped up from their seats in shock because right within a fraction of a second, right in front of them, Azusa was bowing.
"SENPAI, PLEASE DON'T." Sumire said in panic.
"…please keep this club alive. From this day onwards, I will be leaving the club on your hands. So please don't let this club get disbanded." Azusa said.
"Please senpai, this will not look nice for us." Nao said.
With these words, Azusa stood up and looked at the eyes of the two juniors that were right in front of her.
"Sorry-I guess I went too far." Azusa said.
"No worries senpai. We will try our best to keep this club alive." Nao said.
"Of course, this club has been alive all this time due to Onee-chan and her friends which also includes you. So it would really go to waste if this club were to be disbanded." Sumire said.
"In fact just like you, this also means something for us. After all, this is where I learnt to do something that is not studying all the time." Nao said.
On hearing these words, Azusa smiled with relief and joy. These were her Kouhai's and she knew she could rely on them. After all, where would all that yelling for a whole year would go off to?
"Thank you guys. I know I couldn't give you anything special today but as the club president, I thought I really need to. So, I have something for both of you." Azusa said.
"No, no, no. You really don't need to give us anything senpai. You have given us both enough." Sumire said waving her hands.
But Azusa didn't listen. She just moved towards the maid until she was right in front of her.
"You know Sumire. As my high-school year went on, I realized that if a person is willing to give you something that is precious to his or her, then its best that you really should accept it. I wanted to keep this as a part of my high-school memoir but… I have had so many things I can keep as memories that I can at least give up this much." Azusa said.
Then with these words, Azusa grabbed the red-tie that she was wearing and then untied it.
She then grabbed Sumire's hands, pulled it forward and then removing that tie, Azusa slowly wrapped the tie around the maid's wrist.
"Consider this my parting gift to you Sumire." Azusa said.
Sumire on the other hand, was speechless as she looked on to her hand which now had a tie tied onto it. She was speechless, because she didn't expect to feel something so warm. She was speechless, because no one in her entire life, cared to do something like this. Her whole life, was spent as the one of a maid and she didn't ever cared.
Closing her hand onto her fist, Sumire then brought her fist closely to her lips and shut her eyes.
But immediately, tears began rolling down the eyes of the maid.
"Hey! Is something wrong?" Azusa asked.
"I am sorry. I promised myself I would not cry today." Sumire said. "Sniff! But nobody has given me anything in my life. So…"
The maid with her teary eyes, immediately gave her signature maid bow.
"…THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING." Sumire said in a loud voice.
Azusa gave a smile. Was the life of this maid, that black and white like the dress she wore? Did she do something that suddenly splashed some colours onto her life?
Azusa then grabbed Sumire and pulled her up so that she could meet her gaze.
"It's okay." Azusa said looking into Sumire's teary eyes.
Azusa then hugged the crying maid as she kept patting the girl to comfort her. For some reason, this reminded Azusa that a year ago, perhaps she too were in a same position as this girl right in front of her.
Then she pulled herself away from the maid and then looked into her eyes again.
"You don't need to worry about that. I will not be mad at you for crying or anything because a year ago, I was crying as well and maybe, I am crying right now." Azusa said.
Then she wiped away the tears of her eyes with her fingers.
Nao on the other hand, was just looking at the two girls who were comforting each other. Sumire, mostly was a shyward and often cried. But that day, she didn't cry like she used to. There were no clumsy fear that was hidden behind her tears. Those were pain. Pain of perhaps, saying goodbye?
"Nao." Azusa called.
"Yes, Senpai!" Nao responded.
Then Azusa turned towards the junior and asked,
"Are you asking yourselves a lot of questions right now?"
"No Senpai." Nao said.
For some she really felt like shockwaves being sent throughout her body. Nao used to be stoic and calm but for some reason at that moment, she was trembling. She never did in her entire life, until now.
"I see. I don't know what questions you are, but…"
Then Azusa suddenly grabbed her hands and pulled her halfway through the club room.
"… I hope this helps you find the answers."
With these words, Azusa then turned Nao around towards the chalkboard that was on the wall.
Nao on immediately seeing the chalkboard, fell down on her knees.
The board had five little doodles all grabbing hands together in a circle and in the middle of the circle there was written:
NEW LEAF GIRLS!
"Take care of this club from now on for the next two year, Club President." Azusa said.
At that moment, Nao was suddenly shocked to hear those words. She then immediately turned towards her senior and met her gaze.
Azusa only nodded in response.
"But… Senpai… am I worthy to be the Club President?" Nao asked with a trembling tone.
"You know, that was the same thing I was asking myself last year." Azusa said.
Then she pulled Nao up and looked into her eyes again. Then she laid her palms on Nao's cheeks.
"When the senior year began I always looked up to Ritsu-senpai's leadership and wondered how I would be able to take the position of the club president. I later realized that she was awfully irresponsible, but she still managed to hold it all together in the end. She was just being herself. She didn't look up to anybody for leadership because there was nobody to look up to at the time and all those tea time and Yui-senpai's annoying attitude I complained about, those were the reason why the club didn't fall apart. I realized that I was putting too much pressure on everyone including myself. So just like Yui-senpai, I just loosened up. But at the same time, I became myself and didn't try to be better than Ritsu senpai, but rather became myself." Azusa said.
Sumire, with her swollen eyes could only look at her senior and her best friend. This was probably a very strange day. Someone giving her a gift and Nao breaking away from her stoic shell, this was nothing like what they were and because of this she could do nothing but smile.
Azusa who was looking at Nao suddenly said,
"So just don't try to be what you are not. Don't follow my footsteps. Just make your own. You won't know your worth until you give it a go."
Nao could only just stand and hear those words. She really didn't know how to respond. She knew she couldn't reject but at the same time the position of the president seemed like a really bigger role for her.
Then suddenly she felt her right hand being grabbed.
At that moment, Nao turned around and in front of the window that was letting the light into the club room, was standing her best friend, Sumire.
"We will be able to do it right?" She asked.
Nao then saw her friend give a wide smile. She didn't knew what was going on, but for some reason, seeing her friend smile like this, suddenly gave her hope.
Then at that moment, Nao returned back with a smile.
"Yes, we will." Nao said to Sumire with her voice rising.
Then she turned towards Azusa. At that moment, her confidence immediately rose. She knew she could do it and even if she failed, she at least would go down trying than not trying at all.
"Senpai, I will do it." Nao said.
Azusa, saw sincerity in Nao's eyes. There was no fear and no concern. This was what Azusa wanted her to be. Not sincere, but rather fearless. She didn't want her to fear the future, but rather try in the present and let go of the past. She knew she was the perfect person to be the club president, but that hope had to be injected into her.
For that moment, Azusa was normal from the outside. But inside, her happiness was boiling high. If she wanted, she could just give a nice big hug to the freshman right in front of her. But she didn't want to make them uncomfortable. So,
"Then Club President, Sumire, give me a hug." Azusa said opening her embrace.
On hearing that, both freshman's for a moment, just stood there undecided.
They just turned their heads around as if they were asking each other what they should do but without any verbal exchange. But they didn't hang up on it much long since they both gave each other a nice smile.
Then they turned back towards their seniors and jumped forward.
Azusa being the senior, grabbed both of the smaller juniors and then pressed them closer to her.
These were her juniors, her band mates and most importantly friends. As much as the four people who preceded her special, it never ever meant that these two were never.
Azusa then sunk into the warm feeling of the hug as she took a deep breath and then closed her eyes as she let it all out.
"I will come back for you." She then suddenly whispered into their ears.
For that moment, she just but herself from the world that was around her. She did not care who entered the room or who left. She just wanted to enjoy this moment in peace. So much to the point, that she did not even realize that the door was open and in front of them, Ui, Jun and Sawa-chan were standing.
They had heard everything. In fact, they were allowed to by Azusa herself. After all, she only wanted to deal with them all by themselves.
"Great job Azusa." Jun said in a small voice hoping not to disrupt the peace.
"Are you trying to mock her again?" Ui asked politely.
"Of course not." Jun replied.
"Well, they do look cute together." Ui replied. "Really makes me jealous sometimes."
"Are you serious?" Jun asked.
"Yes because I don't know how to joke around." Ui replied.
That's right. Ui was always the straight forward girl compared to her and Azusa. She always smiled but was always serious in her work.
"Ahem!" They suddenly heard a sound.
Somehow, Sawako suddenly caught the attention of all the girls.
"Are you all going to stand around here like this?" Sawako asked. "The day is ending you know."
"Well, we still have time. What do we do now?" Azusa asked.
"We still have our goodbye treat." Nao said.
"What are in these bags?" Jun asked.
Azusa turned around to see Jun poking the bags that were under the desk.
"HEY! DON'T TOUCH THEM." Azusa yelled.
With these words, Azusa ran towards the bag in order to stop Jun.
Sawako on the other hand, just stood there stared at the girls bicker, joke and then come to terms with it. Somehow, for some reason, this reminded her of her own graduation day years ago. Back then, when perhaps the Light Music Club had more members than it currently had.
With a deep smile, she then closed the door of the Light Music Club.
"Ah! Sawa-chan!" Azusa said.
Then she came running toward Sawa-chan and then grabbed her hand.
"Please don't stand there." Azusa said.
Then with a smile, she pulled her inside like a little child and Sawako followed her like an elder.
To Sawako, a strange feeling came up inside her. It was as something she had never felt before. Maybe, it was happening because Azusa was dragging her along?
To Be Continued...
Well, if you felt this chapter had some weird inconsistencies, then I would like say that I really didn't get the energy to clean this chapter a lot. I have been working for six weeks on this story and I am kinda exhausted at this moment to even do a minor edits. Sorry if this story really got ruined because of it.
Also, this is the first time Sumire and Nao have made an appearance. Now, I will say this upfront that they may end up being out of character because they are manga exclusive characters which barely got any characterization like that in the anime. I will admit that the K-ON! anime while being one my favorite, I think that the manga was absolute trash because of wild fanservice(Mio's pantyshot is real here), many heart warming moments being diluted to nothing but gags and characters feeling out of character(Azusa get's a nosebleed after seeing Mio's stage-fail recording). Like I said before, I loved K-ON! anime because the girls have type of friendship that I WANT. But that is just my opinion.
Anyways, that's it for now. Please do feel Free! to leave a review and let me know whether the story is good or not so far.
