TBH I finished this chapter up in one day, after I posted that last one. Wow ikr? XP I was happy but wanted to give it some time before uploading the next. Let's see how the next chapters come along... Also, the next chapter is kind of short and I should've combined it but I decided against it,,, also because last chapter's preview didn't say anything about it :3 I wanna be fair xP
I do not own Aikatsu Stars!
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Mahiru carefully tapped her pen against the notebook on her desk, thinking. Currently, she was writing a to-do list for herself. So far she had coming up with demonstrations for the karate club booth, designing and producing an outfit for the fashion show, and getting a few more people on board with that and approving their outfit choices. However, she was sure she was forgetting something or another to add to the list.
She groaned and dropped the purple gel pen, palming her forehead as she let out a sigh of frustration.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps running down the hallway and then a knock at her door.
"Come in," Mahiru called, pushing back her chair and standing for a break.
Yozora popped her head in, "Mahiru! Come on, mom and dad are pulling up!"
Mahiru brightened up. That must have been what she forgot! Her parents were coming home after a few weeks of their most recent business trip! Mahiru ran after Yozora down to the living room, where Asahi was just opening the door, letting in their parents.
"We're back!"
"Welcome home!"
~0~
After greeting each other, they all ate the special dinner Asahi cooked up and relaxed some. Mahiru was sitting with her mom in the living room, reading a magazine while her mom was watching some TV.
"Mahiru," Misaki called as she switched off the television, "would you play the piano for me?"
Mahiru stiffened. Oh no, another thing she happened to forget about.
She nodded despite the feeling of dread that washed over her, putting her magazine on the coffee table and standing up to cross the room where the piano sat. She carefully sat down on the polished bench and lifted the cover from the keys. Feeling her mother's eyes on her back, Mahiru stretched her fingers out in front of her and hovered them over the keys.
What was she even going to play? The one she remembered at least the beginning of, obviously. It was a piece by Mozart that she finally began playing. She played the slow tune, carefully so she could hope to remember what came next as she went on. Mahiru winced as she hit the obviously wrong key; her mother didn't say anything so she continued playing.
Her tune was getting slower, as she struggled to remember which key it was to hit next each time, and her shoulders falling as she knew it was being played very badly.
"Stop," Misaki cut in.
Mahiru immediately dropped her hands to her lap, not daring to turn back.
She heard her mom sigh, "Mahiru… I hope that performance was because it was one of your weaker pieces and not because you are forgetting."
Mahiru gulped but stayed quiet.
"I want you to start practicing again. Seems that you have been slacking off with piano." Misaki said.
Mahiru heard her stand and come closer to put a on her shoulder, "I'm going to want to hear this piece again in a few weeks, okay young lady?"
Mahiru nodded, keeping her head down as her mom ran her fingers through her hair.
"My, your hair has gotten quite long…" Misaki muttered, "Ah, I know! How about I do your hair? And you can wear it tomorrow?"
Mahiru faced her mom and smiled, "I would love that." She stood up and hugged her.
Misaki smiled, leaning her head on Mahiru's, "I just want you to be the best. You and your brother and sister."
"Yes mom," Mahiru replied, breathing in slowly.
Misaki pulled away, "Okay. Now let's find Yozora! And maybe Asahi will want to join, too. You know how good he is," she giggled.
Mahiru grinned in agreement, and the family went to enjoy the rest of their evening.
~0~
Mahiru sighed as she closed her notebook when the teacher called that it was the end of class.
"What's wrong, Mahiru?" Koharu asked.
Mahiru turned to Koharu in confusion, "What do you mean?"
"Well, it's just that you seem upset today. Did anything happen?" Koharu clarified and asked.
Mahiru looked down at her hands, remembering her mom's words. "My parents came back yesterday."
Koharu brightened, "That's great!"
"Yes," Mahiru agreed, "and my mom asked me to play the piano for her… but I did a poor job. So she got upset and told me that I have to fix it."
"Oh…" Koharu looked down.
"And… I don't know, I feel like I forgot how," Mahiru sighed, "I think I need a teacher."
"Are you going to ask her for one?" Koharu asked.
Mahiru paused, then shook her head, "No. She already knows that I'm doing bad, but she doesn't know just how bad it is. If I need a teacher, then she'll know and get more upset with me."
Koharu hummed, "Ah! I remember! Laura is a great pianist! You should ask her to help you."
Mahiru's eyes widened, "You're right! I forgo-" she clamped her mouth shut and groaned.
Koharu smiled sympathetically, "It's okay, Mahiru. I'm sure it's just nothing."
"Yea, yea," Mahiru conceded, "I'll see Laura later and her."
Koharu nodded, "Of course. Maybe we should go shopping later to make you feel better."
Mahiru brightened, "I agree!" She laughed with Koharu as they confirmed the plan.
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Later, Mahiru made it to the council room, where she knew Laura would be. She entered, and immediately spotted the bright hair girl hunched over a desk covered in papers.
"Hey Laura," Mahiru greeted to get her attention.
Laura glanced up at her call, then looked back at her paper, "Oh, hi Mahiru. What's up?"
Mahiru approached and stood by her desk, "Nothing too big. How is your work coming along?"
"It's coming," Laura replied shortly.
Mahiru was quiet for a second as she gathered up what she wanted to say.
"Do you think a dunk booth would be fun for the school festival? Yuzu wants to do one but some of us aren't sure about it," Laura said suddenly, not looking up.
Mahiru blinked, "Yea…" she answered, "That does sound like fun to try."
Laura nodded, scribbling on a page and muttering something under her breath.
Mahiru cleared her throat lightly, "So Laura… you're good on the piano, right?"
Laura stopped and looked up. She gave Mahiru a look, squinting her eyes, "I am. You know that, Mahiru." She turned back to her papers.
"Yes. So, I sat at the piano yesterday and I was a bit, rusty," Mahiru continued. "And I wanted to ask if you would help me practice."
Laura looked up. She smiled softly, "Sure I will, Mahiru." She looked around her, "Uh, I'll probably be busy today with all this," she waved her hands in the air over the papers, "but we can start tomorrow or so."
Mahiru nodded, "That's fine. We can talk about it. Thank you, Laura."
Laura winked, "Sure thing. I don't mind sharing my wonderful skills with you."
Mahiru smirked, "I think Ako is rubbing off on you."
Laura gasped exaggeratedly, "Oh no. Don't let her know that."
The two burst into laughter.
Mahiru turned, "Okay then, I'll let you be for now."
"Thanks," Laura retorted dryly.
Mahiru stuck her tongue out, "I'll see you later."
"Yea, bye," Laura said with a quick wave, sending Mahiru out of the room.
Mahiru smiled as she stepped out of the council room and made it down the long halls to finally reach her locker. Beside her own locker, Mahiru saw Kokoro at hers.
"Hello Kokoro," Mahiru greeted and started twisting her lock.
"Oh hi Mahiru," Kokoro said, "how are you?"
"I'm doing good," Mahiru replied, "You?"
Kokoro nodded, "I'm fine. I am excited for our class talent show."
Mahiru nodded, "You're doing a magic show with Koharu right?"
Kokoro pulled out a book from her locker while nodding, "Yes."
Mahiru smiled and pulled her locker open, "Koharu told us about it. I must admit that I am looking forward to what you two will create."
Kokoro blushed, "Thanks. I have an idea but really we need to practice it."
Mahiru nodded, "Like everything. You both have a lot of time until the festival, so you'll do great."
"Thank you," Kokoro said again, falling silent.
Mahiru glanced through her books and notebooks, then frowned. "Kokoro, did you see my economics notebook anywhere? I don't see it here."
Kokoro leaned over to peer into her locker, frowning. "I haven't seen it. Did you check your bag? Or maybe you left it at home."
Mahiru's eyebrows furrowed in a frown, "It's not in my bag… maybe I did leave it at home." She thought back to the books at her desk, however she didn't remember that book there.
Kokoro nodded, "Just check. But if you need it to study you can borrow mine."
Mahiru shook her head, "Thanks, but I'll get it from the library. I wouldn't want to lose your book next."
Kokoro laughed, "You wouldn't do that."
Mahiru smiled, then closed her locker, having gotten all her necessary books, "I'm pleased that you think that about me."
Kokoro closed her locker next, "Of course. You're great, Mahiru." She turned, ready to move down the hallway, "I'll see you later. Bye!"
"Later," Mahiru waved, moving the opposite way to her own class.
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Next time! Koharu meets with three Kasumi's!
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