Totoro and Me: High School Romance

Chapter 4: By Your Side

Disclaimer: Fujimaki Tadatoshi, Miyazaki Hayao

©minnieharis


[author's note]: SOOOO sorry for the long update! I've gone outside town quite a lot lately so I can't update this fic TvT but I have come back! And with me writing my newest graduating paper I get distressed even more lol ^^ I miss writing ff anyway, and Kurobas season 2 makes me fired up to finish this series soon! Chapter 4 everyone!

Ch 4 ByYour Side Mix

/Capsule – Sugarless Girl/Zelda Medley (Taylor Davis cover)/Yozoh – Honey Honey Baby/Henry Mancini – Moon River (guitar cover)/Snow Patrol – You Could Be Happy/

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KISE: out café has been a favorite! Many people come and mostly, apparently, girl students from another schools to get my pictures. Well, it's not that I hate it, though, since our class is visited a lot because of me ha ha ha~

"Oh my God, Kise!"

I hear a familiar sound calls out my name. That's Moriyama-senpai and others from basketball team!

"What the heck are you wearing, Kise?" Kasamatsu-senpai frowns looking at me. "Trying to be cute, huh?"

"Senpai!" I beam. "Nee, don't you think I'm cute?" I put my point finger on my cheek.

"You wanna get kick on that dress?" he snaps. I giggle. There's no way he would kick me in this dress.

"Okay, let's take picture! I'm gonna upload it on my social web and say it I'm with my girlfriend!" Moriyama-senpai quickly takes out his phone.

"Stop it, Senpai! That's gross!"

While I'm making fuss with my teammates, Kannou-cchi pops out of nowhere.

"Welcome, senpai!"

The team is surprised to see her appearance. "Kannou-san?!" Moriyama-senpai looks at her awed. "You look so cute!"

"Err, thanks," Kannou-cchi giggles. "Are you guys coming to get Kise?"

Oh, right. They come to get me to basketball demo in gymnasium. Too bad I only wear this cute dress in a short time.

"Yeah, so it seems," Kasamatsu-senpai replies softly. He keeps his eyes gazing on Kannou-cchi, even when she's not looking at him.

"Then I'll go change," I say quickly.

"I'll go, too." Kannou-cchi takes off her apron. "I have to prepare for music club's performance.

"You're performing?" That's the first time I heard about her club's playing on stage today.

She nods. "Yep, with my first year mates, to promote our music."

I really want to watch her playing. I think so do the teammates.

"When will you play?"

"I think at 2 p.m. We have to rehearse one more time."

I look at my watch and it's 1.30. Our basketball demo starts soon. I wonder if Captain wants to see her performance, too.

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TEPPEI: Ogawa-san told me to sit on the audience's benches in front of the outdoor stage since the music performance will start soon and Tamara will play on stage with her club members. Everyone currently takes a tour inside the cultural fest while I'm here with Kagami whose hands full of hot dogs and Kuroko.

"You guys don't looking around?" I ask both my juniors.

Kagami, with his full mouth chewing like hamster, shakes his head. "I just wanna sit and enjoy my meals."

"I heard Kannou-cchi will perform, soon. She's from the music club, right?" says Kuroko.

"She is. Why do you look so excited?" I can see Kuroko's eyes are gleaming.

"It's just that this is the first time I see music performance live, Senpai," he replies honestly. I chuckle to hear that.

Izuki texts me that Kaijou's basketball team is performing demo. I'd like to see them, but I promise Ogawa-san I would see Tamara's performance so I ask him to record the demo. The MC has standing on the stage and announces that the music performance will start shortly. She introduces the bands that will be on stage, the first one is Kaijou's music club band which I presume as Tamara's band.

While the crew is preparing the stage and sound system, I can see Tamara among the crowds, walking to the backstage. She's wearing a boyish suits and short wig. Now that I remember Ogawa-san's appearance, it seems that Tamara is also cross-dressing as a boy. She looks so cool and adorable, of course.

She's walking fast and accidentally turns and catches my eyes. Tamara quickly waves. I wave her back but she doesn't look, she's rushing with her band members.

"The first performance is Senpai's friend?" Kagami asks with his full mouth.

"I guess so."

"I'm curious on song they're gonna play," Kuroko mumbles. "Kannou-san plays violin, right?"

"Yeah. She's a pro. She will surprise us," I chuckle.

"She's been playing violin since little?" Kagami tears his another hot dogs.

I nod. "Ever since I knew her, she has been mastering violin. Maybe, like our fondness toward basketball?"

Both Kuroko and Kagami nod at my analogy. It isn't the best analogy but when I say our enjoyment to basketball is that how Tamara loves music, they know it very well.

"So, as the opening for our music performance and I believe you have been anticipated for them, I welcome our school's music club first years band, Kaijou Pop!"

The cheering sounds get louder. People are excited for the school's music stage. Kaijou Pop walks onto the stage and we applause them. Tamara has taken off her wig, showing off her usual ponytail. She doesn't change her outfits probably because she was in hurry.

Tamara stands with the other four members, all ready in their base. She grips her glossy black violin, that I still remember it's the last birthday gift from her father. She looks so calm. She gives a glance to her band members and right after that, they're all playing.

The girl on the keyboard starting and Tamara strokes her violin strings.

It's the song from The Legend of Zelda!

The first part is Zelda's main theme and then followed by some theme songs in medley. They play so beautiful. And Tamara, she looks so enjoying the performance. It's been a while since I saw her playing violin with happy expression. She even forgets her own birthday, does that mean she really enjoy what she's doing?

Seeing her on the stage, smiling and lost in her music somehow makes me hyped. She always wants to cheer on people. And now along with her band she makes people go with her flow, following her pace.

Tamara syncs her play with her band, creating lively harmony and leave the audience seeing them in awed. They take the spotlight this noon.

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TAMARA: As the medley ends, the crowds go frenzy and they give us cheering applause. The show is a big success! We take the stage by Suzuki's suggestion to play song that everyone is familiar with, and the plan succeeded. The five of us holding hands and happily bow to the audience as our gratitude.

We leave the stage with everyone still applauding us.

"Good job, guys!" the seniors come to hug and strike high five. They don't perform because they want to give us proper introductory to school and others about our band, but they still give a hand when we rehearsed.

"It's great for our first time performance as a band," Suzuki beams. "Thanks for your hard work!"

We bow to each other and group hugging!

I'm so hyped and feel my jaw hurts from laughing and smiling.

I'm kindly excused to go to see Teppei and Kagami and Kuroko who were watching me performed. They have left the audience benches, but I see them standing not far.

Teppei sees me and beams.

"Nice performance, Tamara!" he greets me with wide smile as I'm coming.

"Kannou-san, that was awesome," says Kuroko who stands next to him.

"Thank you," I smile.

Now I just realized the Seirin members are there and they watched my performance too, though they came late and missed the opening just a little.

"Kannou-cchi!"

I turn and see Kise with Kaijou basketball members running.

"I saw you! Just a glance from afar, but I saw you!" Kise shouts with teary eyes. "Captain didn't let us see close to the stage. Fortunately the music show was heard through the gym and I quickly looked outside!"

"That's okay, Kise," I titter.

Kise and Hayakawa-senpai keep whining and loudly speak, while I gaze at Kasamatsu-senpai and catch him looking at me and then turns away.

Suddenly Kise's phone rings.

"Oow, sorry, Kannou-cchi, but we have to leave first," says Kise after he looks on his phone. He drags the senpais away with him, leave me alone with the Seirin guys.

"Well, we should get back to. We have practice tomorrow," Hyuuga reminds his team members about tomorrow's plan.

"Then I'll wait for Tamara. You guys heading back first," says Teppei.

"Umm, you don't have to wait for me," I quickly refuse.

"But I can't let you go home alone at late hour."

Hyuuga sighs. "Well, you can't refuse him, anyway," he tells me. I totally agree with him.

Before the Seirin leaves, Riko-san asks me to take picture together with me as a boy, so I put on my wig and take photos with her. Apparently the boys want to get photos so we have group photo together.

They wave at me and Teppei as they walk out of the school gate. The sun has set.

"What a day, isn't it?" Teppei mutters.

I sigh and nod. "I can't believe it's almost evening."

"But you look like you enjoy your day. I'm so glad you are."

I see Teppei's smiling at me and for a while, all my tiredness gone replaced by flutter.

By the end of music performance, the school culture fest has officially ended.

Teppei stays by side most of the time. We chat and he says he has met Kanna. Now that I remember, I haven't seen Kanna since my rehearsal this noon. Where is she?

I should get my stuff at class and tell my classmates to leave first. We walk to my class room with some people looking at us, perhaps surprised by how unique we look to stand side by side like this.

No wonder, Teppei is like a huge guy and walking along with a small petite girl like me. I would definitely think this is cute.

Teppei shoulders my violin case and says how he regretted to not come to my class' café.

"Where were you? I was waiting for you."

He looks surprised and quickly turns his gaze. "Umm, I went around."

I frown.

"By the way, don't you know what day it is?" he nervously asks.

"Err, Saturday?"

He raises his eyebrows.

"What? It is Saturday," I say.

He laughs and ruffles my hair. "It is, it is! It is Saturday and we all had fun!"

I tilt my head. "Teppei, I have sweets in my bag. I'll give you some, so don't lose yourself yet," I frown.

He bursts into laughter and so do I.

"Well, I won't lose myself today," he chuckles.

We arrive at the front of my class.

Teppei moves the door while smiling at me. "Happy birthday, Tamara."

"He?"

The door's opened, I'm welcomed by the sound of confettis crack and pieces of papers rain on me.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TAMARA!"

There they are. All my classmates, music club mates, and Kaijou basketball boys are in the class giving me a small birthday surprise. I'm shocked, but moved for what they do.

Kanna comes approaching me and gives me a hug.

"You made all this?" that is the first thing I say when she releases her hug.

She shrugs. "I got help, of course," Kanna leers at Teppei. He beams.

Oh my God. I love them so much.

One by one they give blessings to me and shake hands or hug me. Kanna even manages to get a small birthday cake, which one person can only have a spoon!

"Kannou-cchi, happy birthday!" Kise comes and grabs my hands. "You see the cake? I said the cake would be nice if it has bright colors! So yellow and orange, I think it really suits you," Kise beams. "Oh, and this! My present for you!"

Kise cheerfully gives me a gift, I think it as a book or something.

"Be careful, Kannou-chan. It must be his photobook," Moriyama-san shows up over his shoulder. "Kannou-chan, please allow me to give this to you," he hands me a small give box.

"Well, thank you."

"Kannou-san!" Hayakawa-san appears. "I'm so(r)(r)y I don't b(r)ing you anything, but I wi(l)(l) give you my spi(r)its! Fi(r)ed up!"

I titter. "Thanks."

Kobori-san, who's standing there, too, blushing and softly says, "Happy birthday."

The Kaijou basketball team guys are so kind. But I haven't seen Kasamatsu-san. My music club mates give me presents of new rosin and strings! They say those are the only things they can give to me but seriously, those are so precious.

"Tamara," Kanna grabs my shoulders. "For your birthday, there's someone wants to give his gift."

"Who?"

I turn, and I see Kasamatsu-san sits on the chair holding a guitar. He blushes and frowns.

"Kasamatsu-san?"

He clears his throat. "Umm, well, since today the mood's good, I will give you my present," he mutters bashfully. "Happy birthday."

Kasamatsu-san slowly plucks the strings.

He plays Moon River for me.

I don't know Kasamatsu-san plays guitar. And he plays so well. The tunes so slow and sweet, everyone there is absorbed by the music he plays.

That's a sweet present.

He looks so calm when he concentrates, he doesn't frown or looks mad-at-everything like he always. In fact, he looks so cool right now.

It's just a short acoustic, but it turns out well.

People applaud him when he finishes the song smoothly. He blushed and quickly bows.

He stands from his chair. He glances at me and gives a quick nod.

"Thank you," I say to him. "That's beautiful."

"Well, that's the first time for me, too," he mumbles. "But that's not because you're special! I mean-you are special, but not that special-special, I mean-"

I chuckle. "Okay. But really, thank you."

Kasamatsu-san grins.

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TAMARA: After a small surprise party, finally we manage to go home. Kanna says she will come to my house tomorrow to give me her present.

Teppei was there most of the time, but I hardly stayed with him because of people gave me their blessings one to another.

We board on train almost seven. With the hectic day and surprise party, now I can feel how exhausting my day has been.

"Teppei, I'm so sorry for ignoring you the whole time," I mumble faintly.

"That's okay," he giggles. "Your friends are nice."

I sigh.

"Kasamatsu-san's present is the best, isn't it?"

I shrug. "It was beautiful."

For a while, we both stay quiet. I'm too tired to asking him things so I don't have any intention to make a convo. I lean my head on Teppei's shoulder and close my eyes. "Sorry."

I'm not sleeping, just resting my head and give my head weight on his shoulder. While closing my eyes and listening to the sound of train moves, I feel something is being shoved into my palm. I open my eyes and find a cute small box is in my palm.

"Oh?"

"Umm, that's my present for you."

I gasp and turn to him. "Teppei.."

"Well, it's nothing compared to what others gave to you. But this one is for you, so I hope you will like it," he says with a bit nervous.

"Thank you," I beam.

I'm so happy to have a present from Teppei. This is my first time to get a gift from him personally. Years before I always gave him something Mama told me to give to him and he also sent me something quite formal like gifts for family.

I can't wait to open it.

"Maybe tomorrow we'll have cake again, as Kanna coming over. Would you join us?" I ask.

"I think I can, after the practice. We're planning on training on mountain to strengthen our body more."

"Is that so?"

Teppei nods.

"Everyone's aiming for Winter Cup, isn't it?"

"Well, that's another chance to avenge my team from Interhigh. I'm not sure if I can do that next year. I have to do my best this winter."

I'm staring at Teppei. Winter Cup will be his last basketball career in his high school since he doesn't know for sure if his knee can recovery and he can play again in the future. Somehow it makes me sad too, to think if he could not play basketball again, the thing he loves the most.

"Sometimes I think if I should not give up, get myself a better treatment and keep playing basketball. But even I cannot guarantee myself I would get better. I can't get my hopes up too much. So I just put everything in Winter Cup. It's like I'm gambling with myself. And of course I'll burden my teammates with my selfishness. But I want to play with them. And this time when I'm sure I can endure all for myself, I will fight with them."

He sighs. "My decision is probably not satisfying for everyone."

"People can have their opinion, but what matters is your choice. Whatever you choose, I will be with you."

He gazes at me.

"Whether you want to stop, or keep playing, I will be by your side to support you, so…"

I gently hold his hand.

"Do you what you think it's good for you."

I don't look up and look at his eyes. I only seeing my hand on his, hoping he will know my sincerity.

Teppei holds my hand.

"Thank you," he says with his warm gaze I always like.

I look up and give him smile, then lean my head on his shoulder again.

The night feels warm.

And inside my heart, I silently pray for this guy to be happy, and please let me be his strength whenever he needs, just like he always does to me.

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[finally! Sorry if there's so many mistakes, I'm kinda rushing to finish this... Next chapter will follow up to the main arc, Winter Cup. I'll do as best as I can to update this soon, so please keep looking forward to this series! A lot more characters will appear, I'm thinking to write scene of Tamara with Shuutoku…..I'll keep that on plan ^^ And again, comments will be appreciated.]