Hello, sorry I was late but I was busy with some stuff. But I'm back with a extra long ch. :) and thanks for the reviews, follows and faves.
I arrive home a little after seven and try to sneak in without making a peep sound. I carefully take off my shoes and pass the kitchen while tiptoeing in my navy knee socks.
"So where were you?" I whirl around to see my mother relaxing on the sofa with a glass of wine in one hand, in the dark. Kind of creepy if you ask me.
"I was at school doing a project," I say while I come over to sit next to her. She laughs,
"I wish I was back in school again. I had the time of my life there." She smiles as if she was remembering a specific moment. It's weird to see my mom like this, so relaxed, laughing and smiling so carefree. I guess that's what alcohol does to some people. She even looks different, her messy short hair partially covering her eyes. She's wearing a black dress that reaches her knees and reveals one side of her shoulder. I stay quiet.
"It brings you every kind of memory, happiness, sadness and worst of all love," she says the word 'love' with a touch of disgust.
"Love?" I ask her, suddenly becoming curious. Her fingers play around the rim of the wine glass. She says without looking at me,
"Yes, never fall in love Miku, it'll make you feel all sweet at first, then garbage later." Love! But everyone needs love! A few quiet seconds pass between us.
"Mom have you ever fallen-?" Her burp interrupts my question. Her eyes suddenly shoot up, as if she was aware of her surroundings. She then gets up from the sofa.
"I'm going to sleep, Haku left some food on the counter if you're hungry," she says quietly taking the glass with her. I see her go upstairs. I pinch myself to see if I am dreaming, but I'm not. What happened was real. But why am I still in disbelief…
Over the course of days, our nameless band has been brushing up on our instrument playing skills. Luka has been playing marvelously on the drums, just what I expected. However, for Rin-chan and Len, not so much.
"Ahh, I think my fingers are starting to hurt from all this fingerpicking!" Rin-chan shows me her bruised fingertips.
"Whoa, that must really hurt," I say looking closely at her fingers.
"You don't say, like the bass guitar is any different," I hear Len's sarcastic voice from the couch. He's studying a book about bass guitars.
"Oh Len, show me your fingers!" Rin-chan runs over and carefully grabs Len's fingers.
"Ow, careful," he says looking up at her. Rin-chan nods her head,
"I think I may have some bandages in my bag, one second." Rin-chan lets go of Len's fingers. Len watches her go. I smile at him,
"So you what's the deal with you and Rin-chan, hm?"
"Huuuuh?!" Len suddenly casts his eyes to me, blushing. My smile grows wider,
"You heard me, what's your relationship status?" He sits up in his seat and puts the book down.
"What do you mean we're just old friends, just like brother and sister," he says but I detect a hint of sadness. His eyes watch Rin-chan, who is still rummaging through her bag for the bandages.
"Oh shut up! I am not a fool to not know you like her!" Luka's drums stop playing in the background. I have eyes upon me. Len stands up and says coldly,
"Still doesn't change the fact the nothing will happen." With that, he leaves the room.
"What just happened?" Rin-chan asks me, coming by my side.
"Nothing," I brush her question off.
"That definitely sounded like something," Luka comments while getting out of her drummer stool. Luka catches on quickly.
"Honestly guys it's nothing," I reassure them. Rin-chan still looks uneasy.
"I don't know, Len would never leave like that, I'll just check on him," Rin-chan takes off to find her Len. I deeply sigh and fall down onto the couch. I hear the door shut and immediately, Luka asks,
"Ok Miku, what happened seriously?"
"Nothing! I was just asking our beloved Shota a question."
"Oh?" Luka sits on the edge of the couch and crosses her arms lightly, "What question would that be?"
"Just his relationship with Rin-chan, if he liked her or-"
"Miku! You can't just ask someone bluntly like that, you idiot!" Luka smacks my leg. Oww! I had a feeling; I would get hit by Luka today.
"I didn't know he would react like that, but at least I got my answer," I began to laugh evilly, but it causes Luka to hit me again. She shakes her head.
"Miku you never listen don't you."
"Nope," I smile proudly.
Luka and I pack up early today, assuming that our practice is over. Afterward, Luka tries to drag me to apologize to Len for making him leave like that. Initially, I disagreed, but judging by her killer expression and her hold on my ear, I decided to go against my will. As I speak, Luka is still holding onto my ear, while searching for Len and Rin-chan.
"Hey Luke, could you possibly please do me a favor and ease your grip on my ear," I say trying to keep up with her in shoulder's length.
"No," Luka says, completely chiding my question. Seriously, I think my ears are bleeding.
"Oh come on! I said please too," I complain. Luka stops, mumbles something under her breath and lets me go. Ah yes, freedom at last!
"They're definitely not on this floor," Luka says.
"Yea well, why they would be, there's literally nothing down here," I say, rubbing my ear lobe.
"You tell me this now," Luka does her bore eyeing trick on me.
"Hey, I was too busy focusing on the pain on my ear, besides you should know, Ms. Smartass." I got her good.
"Maybe I should grab your other ear, to shut you up." Luka cracks her knuckles.
"I'd like to see you- wait," I hear the sound of music? It's singing specifically.
"What," Luka replies.
"I hear music, coming from somewhere," I whisper trying to listen more.
"Music? Maybe they've come back," Luka looks around.
"No, they couldn't have, we've been only on this floor you think we couldn't have notice them coming."
"You're right... since when did you learn how to make such strong observations," Luka smirks. You think so low of me... I stick my nose in the air with pride,
"Please Luka, isn't it high time that you think of me as your superior." I hear no reply. I look to see Luka's expression, but she's gone! Is she crying in some corner? Did I go too far in proving my awesomeness? I hear some more singing; I guess I'll follow it without Luka. Just in case, I go back to the room to see if Len, Rin-chan or Luka are there. But, I find out they're not. I go back to the empty hallway. It sure does feel lonely without your usual gang hanging about. I sigh and try to focus on where the singing is coming from. I walk around, and then I hear a noise. That's where everything fades into black. I can't see at all, I believe the lights are completely out. Worst of all it had to be here, where there are no windows!
"Hello," I say into complete darkness. Hopefully someone will hear me.
"Luka, Len, Rin-chan," I call each of their names one by one. My friends surely won't abandon me...will they? I grab onto the nearest wall and try to walk holding on to it. This is just great. I'm alone in this stupid hallway in the dark, and I can't even see where I put my phone, to use the flashlight option. I groan and try to walk along the wall. I hear the floorboard creaking and immediately I freeze. Maybe it's just the wind but then the footsteps get louder. In panic, I walk faster along the wall, then I hear a gut wrenching scream. The sound so shrill, I let go of the wall and run. That's it! I definitely need to get out of here, alive. I run so fast, I trip and fall to the floor hard. The footsteps are getting closer. I stand up and brush the dust off my uniform. That's when a hand catches my arm. I shriek and shrug it off. Then the light turns back on and I see a scary face. I scream again and walk backward where another thing grabs me. I look back at its face and it's even scarier than the first one. I double scream, it lets go and I land on my bottom. The hideous faces come closer and laugh? They laugh a lot; on the other hand, I get confused. They take off their "faces" and reveal familiar ones, my friends!?
"Hey what the hell was that for? I thought I was literally running from death there!" I exclaim.
"We just wanted to play a little prank," Luka smiles innocently. Little?
"Oh come on, don't tell me you were that scared," Len says.
"Len, you would be scared if you were in my place too," I say directly to him. Rin-chan hugs me,
"I'm sorry Miku-chan, these two put me up to it. I didn't want to scare you, honest!" I pat her head,
"I trust you, Luka can be pretty coercing sometimes." Luka frowns,
"I am not coercing." Let's not forget in denial too.
"Ok, so how did this whole plan start anyway?" I ask curiously.
"Well, when I 'disappeared', I found Len kun and Rin-chan by the school foyer. We talked a bit about what happened back there, made sure everything was fine. We talked some more after that-," Rin-chan interrupts Luka,
"That's where I showed Luka-chan my paper mache masks I made in art club. I probably made them a little too scary-" Len interrupts Rin-chan,
"That's where Luka-chan and I had this marvelous idea to scare you after we realized the lights went out," Len says.
"Wait the lights going out wasn't you're doing?" I ask them.
"Nope, probably a short power shortage!" Rin-chan says.
"Wait what about the singing then?"
"Singing? What singing?" Len raises an eyebrow.
"I thought I heard some singing," I say to myself. Probably just my imagination.
"You're not angry, are you?" Rin-chan asks me with care.
"No, maybe a little at first but now I'm actually pretty impressed, that you pulled one on me. Just don't be angry when I pull one on you guys!" I say with full blown confidence and excitement.
"Oh please, like I'd fall for your lame tricks," Luka yawns.
"Hey, I know you'll be surprised," I say as we all walk upstairs. In the background, the singing still plays in my head, deceiving my hearing...
We reach outside; the cool, evening air makes my senses feel more alive. I was feeling pretty stuffy staying in that school for so long. I look at the time from my phone, its 6:32; it's the time we usually finish for our practice. We barely got anything done.
"Well, I guess it's time to go," Len says as if he was reading my thoughts.
"Yea, you're right, too bad we didn't get anything done," Luka agrees. Rin-chan pouts her lips,
"Ahh I wish we could have practiced more." She starts to go by Len. They start to walk together, away from Luka and me, saying their goodbyes. I feel like everything is ending too fast. Before you know it, it'll be May 24th; the only thing we'll have accomplished is nothing. I hear the Free Iwatobi Swim Club ending and realize it's my phone. I see who's calling me and it's my mom!
"Hello, Mom?" I say into the speaker.
"Yes Miku, you're home now right?" She questions.
"Um… yes," I lie.
"You hesitated?" Mom catches me.
"I zoned out a bit, sorry," I lie again, more clearly.
"O.k... I have delayed meeting to attend to, so I wanted to call and say I am not going to be at home until late at night, so tell Haku, to not prepare anything for me." She's not coming home huh…
"Ok, Mom! I will. Have a good evening bye!"
"Ah- yes, likewise Miku," she says, surprised by the sudden change in my tone I cut off the phone. I have an idea working in my head, and I think it'll work.
"Hey Miku, you coming?" Luka asks, looking behind for me. But I'm already gone.
"Len! Rin-chan! Come guys quick," I call both of them, running. They look back at me, questioning looks on their faces.
"What is it?" Len questions, he gives me a look that says why I did I have to come back.
"What would you guys say for an extended band practice at my house?" I offer.
"Right now?" Rin-chan asks, being half as excited as me. I nod my head yes.
"What about your folks, wouldn't they mind," Len says before we can go forward in this plan.
"My mom's going to be at work which means the perfect opportunity to practice. Besides I have a few surprises at home, that I think you'll like," I smile wide. Rin-chan looks all aboard, but Len still has that thinking look to his face. He's probably thinking about his homework, what a nerd! Rin-chan begs Len, with her puppy dog eyes. Perfect, Rin-chan, trick him with your cute looks!
"Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt if we came for a little bit," Len gives in hesitantly. Rin-chan hugs him and I pump my fist in the air.
"All we need is Luka now," I say.
"Don't worry she's in too," a familiar voice says behind me. I turn around and see the very girl I was talking about. Luka puts a hand to her hip and smirks.
"Ok, then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" I lead them the way to my home.
We arrive at my house and everyone but me and Luka gapes.
"This is your home?!" Rin-chan continues to look at my house in awe.
"Mansion would be a better fitting name than house," Len comments. I scratch my head and say embarrassingly,
"I think that would be too much, I couldn't imagine me saying mansion instead of the house. It doesn't have a good ring to it." I walk up the few opening stairs and ring the doorbell this time, instead of sneaking in. Haku opens the door and gets startled by our group.
"Miku-san, I didn't know you had company," Haku calmly says.
"Yea sorry for such a sudden surprise but we had some project to do," I say while coming in, "Oh and Mom said she'll be coming home late, so don't prepare anything for her."
"Yes," Haku nods. We take our shoes off and head to the living room where my mom hasn't put too much interior design into it.
"Wow, I gotta say Miku-chan your house is amazing!" Rin-chan exclaims. It's pretty weird to hear all these comments about my house. It is different than typical houses in Japan. More western for sure, since my mom prefers western styles more than Japanese. But other than that, I guess I just looked at it as being ordinary.
"Thanks," I simply answer. I do have to agree, though. It's not as huge as the main living room, but it is amazing. It has a high ceiling and a beautiful, crystal chandelier hanging on the top as its centerpiece. The walls are colored a rich plum shade that brings out the elegant, vanilla settees. There're a few details here and there, it's pretty open spaced. I just wish we had a grand piano, but there's no possibility of that ever happening…
"So where exactly are we going to practice?" Len sits down on one of the settees. Not long after, Haku comes with some tea and biscuits.
"Whoa can I?" Rin-chan says licking her lips.
"Of course, you are Miku san's guests." Haku smiles a tiny bit. I grab a biscuit and start digging in.
"Miku, how we're going to practice with no instruments?" Luka questions.
"Yes, Ms. Princess, where are you going to get the instruments?" a voice asks, with an amused tone. I turn around to see my brother by the stair balcony, the palm of his hand under his chin, using the balcony as support. He has that annoying amused look on his face.
"Why, if it isn't my favorite, only brother. Will you please lend me those guitars that you bought secretly, years ago," I reply hoping my semi-blackmail will kill him. He still keeps his gaze going on me and smirks,
"Miku, I didn't realize you had friends over. I hope Mom is ok with it, especially that part where you're going play 'band' with them." He slides down the stair railing and walks towards us.
"I don't know if Mom was 'ok', with you sneaking off to the concert that one time." My brother laughs,
"What past is passed and right now this is not the past." I try to keep myself cool, but he's not making it very easy.
"So you're going to bust me and be the 'favored child'," I tease him.
"Now hold on, I never said I was going to bust you, I simply stated that Mom wouldn't approve. I am not Mom, so I don't care. But I want something in return," he says.
"What?"
"Just a favor, next time I need something." I am so done doing him favors, but I have no choice.
"Fine, but you better help me," I give in. He smiles, takes his hands out his pockets and cracks his knuckles,
"Let's get to work."
"No, you're doing it all wrong, who taught you how to play?" Mikuo questions openly.
"I actually read a book, that-" Len starts.
"Do me a favor and throw that book away. That book is teaching you shit," Mikuo finishes. I overlook their conversation and laugh; this was definitely going to be a long night.
"Hey Miku, you don't by chance have a drum set do you?" Rin-chan nudges me. She winks at Luka who smiles back.
"Yea I actually do,"
"Hahaha… I was joking," Rin-chan laughs. I smile to myself, knowingly,
"I wasn't." Rin-chan stops laughing. Luka even more shocked comes to me and yells,
"You bought a drum set!"
"Shhh, shh! Not so loud," I hush her up. She crosses her arms with a stern look.
"Miku, I never told you to buy a whole drum set. Do you even know how much drums cost? Does your mom know about this?" Luka asks so many questions at once, I actually have to replay her words again in my head.
"That's the thing I never told her," Luka opens her mouth to speak, but I quickly cut off her, "But, I've hidden this thing so well, she's hasn't been able to see a peak of it. Plus, she's bought so many expensive items before, that she'll brush it off easy."
"The benefits of being so rich! If I ever bought something too expensive without my parent's permission, I'd probably have to sell all my clothes to pay them back." Rin-chan comments, bewildered by my action.
"You haven't even seen it." I turn to the far back corner of the room and remove the cloth to reveal a pink-pearl colored five-piece drum set. Luka's eyes widen and she slowly makes her way towards the drums.
"Doesn't it look better than the school's one?" I say. Luka runs her fingers carefully through the drum set, she doesn't respond, but I have a feeling I know her answer already. I hear some bass playing in the background. It sounds a little broken but not completely.
"I'll leave you alone for a bit," I say before going to the guys. I see my brother trying to make sure Len's left fingers connect with each fret of the guitar to match what they're playing. He's handling the guitar with a little more ease compared to last time.
"How's it going?" I ask them.
"Don't bother us," Mikuo says without looking up at me.
"I have a right as their leader to know!" I proclaim. Mikuo sighs, and finally looks up at me,
"When I'm teaching, I don't like to be bothered." I open up my mouth but then I realize his sleep deprived eyes have dark rings around them, he's tired, yet he's still trying to help my band and me. For once he's being serious; I must play my part too.
"Fine, can I just observe you guys then?" Mikuo nods his head and I sit on a settee by them. For the next 15 minutes Len continues his half assed playing and then finally, he starts to play solidly. Definitely an improvement in what he was playing like before. After a while, Mikuo helps Rin-chan with her playing. She cries when she makes a mistake, but Mikuo reassures her, that it's okay with his slick voice he uses on girls. They laugh it up right after. Meanwhile, Len looks at them with annoyance.
"You jealous?" I ask him playfully. He suddenly gains consciousness that I'm watching and turns to me,
"No, I am not." He pretends not to care, but he can't fool me.
"Ok Len cut the act and spit it out because let's face it you like Rin-chan and you don't know if she thinks of you in that way, you're afraid," I say my words carefully; I don't want him to run away from the truth again.
"I-" he finally sighs, "Yes, you're right Miku; I can't believe I'm saying this, but you are for once. I don't know what to do about it; it might ruin our relationship we have." His eyes soften. I can tell he's quiet about this. He's worried about unrequited love, I guess it's a problem we both have…
"I didn't know about that. I'm sorry when I bluntly asked you earlier. It was reckless and stupid of me."
"No, Miku, I overacted. It was just sudden, that's all," he says truthfully.
"Ok! Before you ask anything I'll keep your precious secret but I'll do more that, I'm going to help you."
"What?" Len raises an eyebrow.
"Yes Shota you heard me, I'll try to help you with Rin-chan. I'll be a secret matchmaker." I smile at him.
"It's ok, you don't need to," he goes on.
"Nonsense, it seems like you need all the help you can get, I won't make it too obvious, hehe," I pat Len's shoulder.
"Hey wait, I never agreed to this," Len protests. Too late.
"Alright Miku, I'm done with teaching your little friends how to play the guitar," Mikuo comes up to me. Rin-chan is right behind him, she has a delightful smile on her face.
"Yay, we can finally practice for real!" My stomach rumbles loudly. Everyone looks at me and I blush out of embarrassment.
"After dinner it is." I head towards the dining room.
Haku treated us with some Hayashi rice which cured my stomach's rumbling. It was quite delicious, the rice half coated with rich demi-glace sauce. Rin-chan, Len, and Luka seemed to love it since they had asked for seconds.
"Ok guys, time to finish up so we can practice," I announce. They all look at me like I've gone nuts.
"Miku I don't know if we can practice, the time's 8:10. I need to head home," Luka says.
"What do you mean; the real fun is just getting started. We finally can sound like a band," I contradict. Haku takes our finished plates to the sink. Luka, Rin-chan, and Len get up from the table.
"Wait, guys, what's the rush? Let's at least try to play something." Len shakes his head no,
"I have to get home; I still have some homework to get done,"
"I don't want my parents to worry about me coming too late," Rin-chan smiles helplessly.
"I need to help my mom with some food preparations," Luka says. I guess I better cut them loose.
"I guess I can't keep you here forever," I yawn; even I'm starting to get tired.
"Princess finally letting go of her subjects," Mikuo says, watching us.
"Shut up," I grumble.
"Hehe, it's so fun to see your interactions with each other. Why do you call her princess?" Rin-chan asks my brother.
"It's just something between us. Long story short, we used to have this old song that I would only sing when she was being a crybaby," Mikuo winks at her.
"Hey! You said it was between us," I glare at him. He ignores me and offers,
"If you want, I can sing it for you guys."
"Say no, say no, say-" I tell them, Mikuo puts a hand over my mouth to shut me up.
"I would like that," Len immediately says without a second thought. Shota get out of here! You have homework! On cue, Mikuo grabs his electric guitar, unplugged and tells us to come in the newly "band" room. He strums a few chords and sings,
"Sekai de ichiban ohime sama."