A/N: Was contemplating on whether not I should post this for a while. It's a bit of a cliff-hanger (kinda) but I was also prompted by S2E9 to change some of the events to reflect how frustrated I was with the episode.
For the sake of my grades, pray that I don't update before Dec 16! The last day of my exams is Dec 15, so I'll probably vent my frustrations through writing or alcohol. But it may be the latter.
I hope you enjoy this chapter and please review if you liked it/would like me to keep writing about highschool angst although I am so not in highschool anymore.
Thanks!
Practicality and Love - Part 4
"Ah…damn it…" Kumiko held her palm out, extending it past the veranda that covered the station platform. Drops of rain splashed onto her already sweat slicked hand, the rainy humidity dashing her hopes of looking the least bit decent today.
"You forgot your umbrella, didn't you?"
Kumiko cracked a grin at the subtle chastise in the voice. She knew there was only one person who could make her feel like a reprimand was nothing but an honor. Turning, the euphonium player flashed a cheeky smile at the girl.
"I knew you'd have one anyway, Reina."
"What if I didn't have one? You'd be soaked before homeroom started, Kumiko..." Shaking her head, Reina walked over to Kumiko to stand with her at the yellow line. Sure enough, the trumpeter had a light purple umbrella in hand, her schoolbag hoisted up on the same shoulder. On the other side as always was her black trumpet case.
"Hehe…well, the weather forecast said the chance of rain was 60% today. You're always so prepared, so I knew I could count on you." Kumiko rocked slightly back on her heels sheepishly as she stared at her feet. She really had no excuse today, but she forgot at the last second. After all, she was too focused this morning on shoving a piece of toast in her mouth before she ran out the door.
"You can count on me…" Reina sighed. "But don't make me worry about you too much, okay?" The trumpeter had a concerned look in her eyes, but a soft smile on her lips.
"I know…" Kumiko trailed off as the train announcement sounded overhead.
She was grateful that Reina was so caring, that Reina gave her special treatment. Kumiko felt a little mischievous as she leaned over to Reina suddenly, whispering into the girl's ear as she teased. "But aren't you even a little bit happy that you get to share an umbrella with me?"
The playful lilt in the taller girl's voice made Reina feel light and giddy. A pleasant shudder snaked through her body and she bit her lip to stop the curl of her mouth that would expose how happy about it she really was.
"I definitely am."
Reina's retort was matter-of-fact and straightforward, making Kumiko's eyes widen in surprise. She didn't see the embarrassment she thought she would.
"So make sure you don't walk home with anyone but me today..." Reina looked straight into Kumiko's eyes, her tone as serious as it was devilish. She took a step into Kumiko's personal space, her eyes smoldering as she smirked.
"Got it?"
Reina punctuated her demand with a well timed pull of Kumiko's hand, bringing the girl just inches away. Kumiko was close enough to see how long the trumpeter's lashes were, close enough to tell that her pupils were dilated. They were close enough to be kissing, the only thing stopping them was Reina's self-restraint.
Reina broke away suddenly, satisfied with the desired effect as she glimpsed the telltale blush on Kumiko's face.
Kumiko looked away quickly, the blush spreading as her teasing backfired.
"I-I won't. We always walk home together anyway." Her heart was doing backflips in her chest from the way Reina said that so possessively. It made her tingle with excitement, loving how the borders of their flirtatious banter started to blur.
She was slowly starting to understand why she was so drawn to Reina, but she was far from labeling something like this as 'love'.
At lunchtime, Kousaka Reina was the first one out of the classroom as always, but unlike yesterday, she loitered around in the hallway. She stopped by the window as she waited for the lunch crowd to pass by her. Leaning against the window sill, she stole a few quick glances through the open door to Kumiko's classroom. She was trying to be casual about her intentions, pretending to idly scroll through her phone.
She periodically glanced up to see when Kumiko would notice her.
The euphonium player was chatting with Midori and Hazuki, laughing along with whatever joke someone just told. Reina smiled at the sight. She couldn't help herself. Kumiko's expressions were just such a treat, especially when they were so candid.
As Reina looked up, Kumiko suddenly turned her head towards the door. Their eyes met and Kumiko's expression changed immediately. A wide grin spread across her face and she scrambled to gather her things. Sheepishly and apologetically, she mumbled something to her friends before making her way towards Reina.
Half jogging out into the hall, Kumiko dodged a few students before coming to Reina's spot by the window. She hugged a small bag to her chest, her lunchbox wrapped in a small canvas cloth.
"Hi." She flashed the girl a coy smile, feeling ridiculous. It felt ridiculous to be so ecstatic to see Reina waiting for her.
Putting her phone down, Reina mirrored Kumiko's expression, her eyes twinkling.
"Hi."
There was a brief pause after the exchange before the two girls burst into laughter.
"So, do you have any plans for lunch, Kumiko?" Reina leaned on the window sill again, posing the question casually as she acted uninterested.
Kumiko snickered, loving how shy the trumpeter could be sometimes. It was just like the time Reina asked her to the fireworks festival. It was that same nonchalance that told Kumiko that she was just plain embarrassed.
Mimicking Reina and leaning on the window as well, Kumiko swayed slightly, bumping the girl's arm. "I do."
Reina looked over, her brows knit in confusion, trying to hide her disappointment. "Oh. You do?"
"With you, of course." Kumiko grinned as the realization settled in Reina's face.
Reina scoffed as she fought the contagious grin, grabbing Kumiko's hand as she pulled them off their perch at the window. She tugged the brunette along, maneuvering past the crowd. "You're really the worst, you know?"
Kumiko just smiled in reply, letting Reina drag her through the hallways.
It wasn't long before they were alone on the upper floors, most of the students piled into the cafeteria or in their classrooms.
"You brought a lunch, right?" Reina asked as she continued, Kumiko's hand clasped in hers.
"I did. My mom made my favorite today. She packed me extra omelette and sweet potatoes too." Kumiko hummed in a singsong voice as she thought about it. Snapping back to reality, she was puzzled at the way the question was phrased. Reina was oddly empty handed and they were definitely headed up to their regular spot on the roof. "Why?"
Reina continued on in silence before replying. They had reached the top floor now, coming to the isolated stairwell with the connecting bridge between the two buildings. The trumpeter stopped on the small landing, turning around to face the brunette.
"Share your lunch with me, Kumiko."
Serious and Reina-like as always, her request sounded so natural yet…so strange.
"Eh?" Kumiko paused, wondering if she heard correctly. "Reina…that's a bit too demanding isn't it? Even for you…" She laughed nervously, not knowing where this was going.
Exactly like she did earlier, Reina looked away suddenly, breaking eye contact as she talked into the air. "I thought you wanted to understand my love, didn't you? It'd be nice to bond over…over a homemade lunch…" Reina trailed off, feeling stupid for allowing those words to leave her mouth, but still keeping up her facade.
"Haha…Reina, I'm not sure that's how it works…you might have it a bit backwards there." Kumiko fidgeting with her lunchbox sheepishly, not wanting to hurt the trumpeter's pride.
Averting Kumiko's gaze even more, a faint blush colored Reina's cheeks. Her voice was soft.
"I know. It's not the ideal situation, but it's just that…I forgot."
Kumiko listened intently, her curiosity piqued at the sight of the delicious looking distress on the girl's face.
"I was going to bring lunch for the two of us this morning, but I left it in the kitchen." Reina's voice was so small and unlike her, making Kumiko buzz with delight.
Kumiko's heart swelled at the admission, filling her with conflicted feelings. She didn't know whether to pat Reina on the head and console her or tease the girl to no end. It was a hard decision. Grinning, Kumiko decided to go with that latter.
"Oh…so I guess the ever prepared Kousaka Reina can be human sometimes too." Kumiko nudged Reina playfully, circling around the girl as she tried to capture this moment in every angle. Just this morning, Reina was teasing her about forgetting her umbrella, but it seemed that Kumiko wasn't the only scatter-brained one.
Reina's face continued to flush a dark red and she moved around to avoid Kumiko's unrelenting grin. "I-It's not like I planned this out or anything…I just happened to make some extra food, but now I'm without a lunch…and I forgot to bring my wallet too…" Reina added in that last part, ashamed that she was so absent minded today.
Taking pity on the trumpeter, Kumiko smiled gently, her sympathy overflowing. She bent down slightly as she patted Reina's head. "Reina, I'll share my lunch with you if you'll share your umbrella with me later."
Reina looked up, overwhelmed by the beautiful candor in Kumiko's eyes.
The atmosphere suddenly changed, the mundane and playful turning into something more intimate.
Reina uttered a soft thank you that was interrupted by a slight gasp as the taller girl suddenly embraced her.
"Kumiko…"
Kumiko held Reina tightly, desperately, and apologetically. Her words were muffled into the shorter girl's hair, but she said them loud enough to make Reina's heart leap into her throat.
"I'm sorry for teasing you, Reina. I really did want to try your cooking. Make sure you don't forget next time, okay?" Her voice lost its playfulness, a serious tone taking its place.
Reina nodded against Kumiko's shoulder, tightening her arms around the girl's back as she clutched the thin uniform in her fists.
The embrace lasted for a few long minutes before they moved away, the mood abruptly returning to normal. Kumiko let out a sigh as she looked out the window.
"Ah…it's really starting to pour outside. I guess we're eating in here today." Kumiko pouted as she stared at the sudden downpour that darkened the concrete and covered the sky in a haze of rain.
Moving away from the doors, Kumiko and Reina took a seat on the top step of the staircase, smoothing out their skirts as they sidled up next to each other.
Kumiko opened her lunchbox, food nearly overflowing as she took the lid off. "Uwah…my mom really overdid it today…There's no way I can finish this…"
Reina eyed the colorful array enviously, her mouth starting to salivate at the smell of fried foods that wafted over.
Picking up her chopsticks, Kumiko looked over to Reina. "Are you hungry?"
Reina shook her head, smiling politely. "No, I'm fine. You go ahead, Kumiko. I'll be okay with whatever's leftover."
"Are you sure?"
Suddenly, a low pitched rumble echoed out between the two girls. Kumiko blinked as she watched the color on Reina's face change from pale alabaster to a rosy pink.
"Ahem." Reina cleared her throat, pretending that her stomach did not just cry out in protest at her attempt at playing it cool.
Smirking, Kumiko picked up the largest piece of roasted sweet potato on her lavish spread, holding it up to Reina's lips. "Here, I'll start you off with a big piece. I don't want you fainting on me."
Blushing again, Reina accepted Kumiko's offering without reluctance. She chomped down on the sweet vegetable, her thank you garbled through her chewing.
Kumiko laughed at the trumpeter's muffled attempt to express her gratitude, her own cheeks flushing red as she couldn't help but think that Reina really was cute.
Lunchtime ended and classes whizzed by. Even the two hours of practice seemed to be a blur today. Kumiko wasn't sure, but she thought it had to do with actually having something to look forward to after school. She did love rainy days, but today was special. It wasn't often that she would make plans with Reina for such mundane things. Even though they saw each other every day, today make her especially uneasy to be apart from the trumpeter for even a few hours.
Kumiko found it unnervingly exciting.
Sighing, the euphonium player held onto that buzz of excitement as it swirled around in her chest. It was warm and tingly, making her thankful that her boring school days were more eventful.
However, Kumiko choked down a sudden feeling that welled up within her. It was pushing and trying to crowd out her anticipation, turning it into a thick apprehension. As the memory came back, Kumiko's lips pressed down into a thin line, her forehead wrinkled in disdain. It was almost reflexive as she thought about what happened after band practice. She could still remember the apologetic smile that Reina quickly gave her before following Taki-sensei to the faculty office. It was tainted with the blush on her cheeks that came on while she was talking to the teacher. It made Reina's face bright red and even through Kumiko only saw the exchange from a distance, she knew the trumpeter was flustered beyond belief.
Shaking her head, Kumiko willed herself to let go of that image. Desperate, she rummaged through her pockets for her phone, checking her messages again.
No new messages.
Reading Reina's last message for the tenth time now, Kumiko let out a sigh of frustration. She figured that since she already waited the whole day, another 30 minutes wouldn't make a difference. However…that's what Kumiko thought when she received Reina's text…over an hour ago. Now, Kumiko was still waiting obediently by the shoe lockers, looking out into the school courtyard. She watched as the rain poured down, as heavy as she expected it to be during typhoon season.
Kumiko chanced another look at her phone, but still…it was just that same message. Her eyes glossing over the screen. The disappointed girl felt annoyed.
'Kumiko, I'm so sorry. This might take a while. Taki-sensei asked me to stay behind to sort out some issues with the instrument roster.
I'm really sorry. Please go ahead. I don't want to keep you waiting.
You can take my umbrella.
It's the purple one in the stand outside the music room.'
"Stupid, Reina…" Kumiko pouted as she clutched her phone to her chest. "There's no way I could just take your umbrella and leave without you, you know…?" Slouching as she leaned against the row of lockers, Kumiko wondered why she felt so uneasy. She hugged her schoolbag to her chest, her heart aching at the thought of the trumpeter being so selfless. She knew Reina felt bad and she knew it couldn't be helped.
Staring out into the courtyard, Kumiko watched the rain fall in heavy dollops, the puddles pooling across the stone floors. The sound of the rain was constant and deafening, muffling the thoughts that prickled at her consciousness. It was soothing and relaxing and soon enough, the euphonium player felt herself calming down.
One thing was clear in her mind. She was still upset with Reina for not keeping their promise.
Kumiko knew it was juvenile of her to feel that way. Even as she let the notion poison her thoughts, she couldn't deny the truth. It wasn't Reina's fault, but just seeing her with Taki-sensei made Kumiko flare with jealousy.
With resentment.
In all honesty, she didn't believe Reina was over their brooding band advisor. She saw the way the girl fawned over him earlier, getting all flustered and acting so out of character just from speaking to him. It was frustrating and unnerving, and above all, aggravating. Biting her lip, Kumiko let out another sigh, a rather loud one this time, punctuated with a groan of exasperation.
"You liar…"
"Kumiko?"
"U-Uwah!" Kumiko jumped at the unexpected voice, fumbling as she turned to face whoever had just addressed her. She nearly dropped her bag, holding it awkwardly in both hands as she stared up at a concerned face.
"Are you…alright? You seem kinda out of it…"
"Yeah, I'm fine, Shuuichi." Sighing, Kumiko stood up straight, readjusting her bag as she shouldered it on one side. Looking up, she flashed him a wary eyebrow raise. "Why are you still here? Everyone's gone home for the day, haven't they?"
"Well, you're still here, aren't you? Shouldn't I be asking you the same question?" Shuuichi averted Kumiko's eyes, scratching his face awkwardly as he mumbled his words.
Kumiko furrowed her eyebrows at that non-answer. "Whatever…" She turned back to her rain-watching, her heart sinking when she saw that the downpour was getting worse.
The rain filled in the silence with white noise. Shuuichi stared at Kumiko's back, gripping his umbrella tightly as he mustered up his courage. There was something off about Kumiko and he noticed it even more after seeing her on the roof with Reina. It bothered him to no end.
"Kumiko…"
"Hm?" Kumiko replied without turning to face him.
"Are you really alright? I don't want to nag you, but you seem…uhm…I dunno…" Shuuichi trailed off and Kumiko turned to prompt him to continue.
She stared at him, irritated, wondering why he was so annoyingly awkward around her these days. The way his face flushed with embarrassment, the way his voice trembled sometimes when he talked…it reminded her of- Kumiko's eyes narrowed as she drew the parallel.
Reina.
Clenching her jaw, Kumiko hated it. She was reminded of Reina's schoolgirl performance in front of Taki-sensei and seeing Shuuichi like this just made it all that much worse. She knew he liked her and she knew that Reina liked Taki-sensei in the same way. It was just another cruel reiteration.
"You…you seem sad."
Kumiko was jostled out of her thoughts as Shuuichi finished his sentence. She stared at him, blinking in confusion, her gaze softening suddenly.
"W-what do you mean?"
"Well, it's just this feeling I get when I see you, Kumiko. Sometimes even when you smile and laugh, there's something about it that's…sad." Shuuichi made eye contact with Kumiko now, his pale gold eyes shimmering with genuine concern.
"I…" Kumiko swallowed, feeling her frustrations mount. "It's not like that." She forced a smile, but her eyebrows stayed furrowed, turning her expression into more of a grimace.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Shuuichi's words were soft, but the way he said it made Kumiko feel like she could depend on him. She saw a glimpse of her best friend, of the boy who lived in her apartment building since they were kids.
"I know that we haven't really talked much recently, but I'm always here if you need anything."
Kumiko blinked at that statement. Had they really not talked in a while? Why was that? It wasn't like he was a different person just because he liked her now. Tsukamoto Shuuichi was still that goofy kid with a big heart who had always been a little too considerate.
Opening her mouth to say something, Kumiko felt uneasy. She suddenly realized something important. Was that the same with her and Reina? She even told herself that she had accepted Reina's infatuation with Taki-sensei, that she was happy to be by the girl's side no matter what. Sudden accusations ricocheted around her head.
Why were things different now?
It must have been Reina's confession. She said she wanted to understand her love, but how could she when she didn't even know what love meant?
Reina wanted them to start dating, but she liked Taki-sensei. It was all just so confusing, but Kumiko knew she wasn't comfortable with it. Her obsession with Reina and her jealousy towards Taki-sensei…It wasn't new, but it seemed to have escalated to a point of no return. It was a sentiment that was ugly and twisted, making Kumiko petty and jealous and unwilling to trust Reina blindly like she did before.
But Reina was still Reina, wasn't she?
There was no way she could tell Shuuichi about it, because she didn't even understand it herself.
"I…" Kumiko started again, but she knew that this was too personal. Her eyes softened and a gentle smile spread across her face. "I'm not ready to talk about it, but…thank you."
Shuuichi struggled to hide his blush at the sight of Kumiko's genuine gratitude. He blinked as he ran a hand through his hair, laughing sheepishly. "Haha…no, of course. I understand. But if you ever need someone to talk to…I still live in your building, you know?"
"I haven't forgotten!" Kumiko snickered at that, feeling a little better after seeing how much the boy cared. "But thanks, Shuuichi. It's nice to know that some things never change."
"Huh? What do you mean by that?"
"No, it's nothing." Shaking her head, Kumiko smiled again. She let out another sigh, feeling lighter. With her mind a little less cloudy, Kumiko pulled out her phone and stared at the unchanged SMS screen again. She felt a little less angry and maybe even a bit guilty for being so childish.
"Well, okay…if you say so." Shuuichi didn't quite get why Kumiko's mood lightened so suddenly, but he wasn't about to complain. He smiled, glad that the girl finally got rid of that miserable glower. Glancing down at Kumiko's empty hands, a thought crossed Shuuichi's mind.
"Did you forget your umbrella?"
Kumiko jumped slightly at the question, remembering why she was waiting in the first place. She forgot her umbrella this morning and that's what started this whole mess of emotions.
"I…yeah, I did."
Rubbing the back of his neck as he stared anywhere but at Kumiko's face, Shuuichi held out his umbrella. "I'll walk you home then, Kumiko."
Still looking at her phone, Kumiko hesitated. She looked up at Shuuichi, still deciding what she should do. Glancing back once more at her screen, Kumiko took a deep breath.
"Sure." Kumiko smiled, feeling guilty for leaving Reina, but also feeling guilty for taking Shuuichi's kindness so willingly.
While Shuuichi changed his shoes, Kumiko tapped out a reply on her phone. She pressed the send button with a heavy heart, casting a sidelong glance down the hall, still hoping that Reina would appear any second now. She stared at the empty hallway, clenching her jaw to stop the swell of emotion that felt completely inappropriate.
"Are you ready, Kumiko?"
"Y-yeah. Sorry." Reluctantly tearing her eyes away from the school, Kumiko turned to Shuuichi. He had his umbrella open, an empty space by his right side.
Forcing a smile, Kumiko jogged over, standing by the boy's side as closely as social norms allowed them. They walked side by side out into the rain, Shuuichi tensing up at the proximity between them. Kumiko, on the other hand was distracted with her thoughts, wondering if she should have waited. She wanted to see Reina, but she decided that going home with Shuuichi was probably the more practical option.