Review Responses:

SixRay: Thanks for the clarification. I'll just comment on some of your points:

1. I feel that the bass section is calm with Goto and Riko around, and the others made it crazy. Since Natsuki is vice-pres, I would assume she would need to have order.
2. Yuuko/Natsuki and Reina's feelings...you'll see them soon.
3. Glad you liked the chapter!

Masane: It was a bit expected. But, I had to make some sort of suspense. Oh well. Glad you enjoyed it, though!

We love us: I think you do like this since you said that you'll read this anyways. So, hooray?!

Saturday was the day that Asuka's mother planned to have dinner. Her daughter called and asked if she could let Kumiko's mother come with her, which she agreed to.

The first hurdle for the new couple: wardrobe.

'How would Asuka's mother see me as mature?' Kumiko realized that she didn't have many clothes. Her mother packed up some casual clothes. However, that's what they were. Casual. She had nothing classy, even if it is just a dinner at her…girlfriend's house.

'I cannot fuck this up.' Asuka walked into the room, amused at her panicking girlfriend.

"Kumiko, are you still trying to decide what to wear?" Asuka clicked her teeth. "Don't fret about this too much. It's my house, not some classy restaurant."

"B-but, shouldn't I look nice for your mom? I need to make a good first impression, right? I don't want to look like a slob! How would-"

Kumiko's worries were taken away by a kiss. "Like I said, don't worry about clothes too much. Look at what I'm wearing."

It was spring, so it was warm. Asuka's outfit was simple. A light green tank top, designed with flowers. And a pair of jean shorts.

'She looks pretty hot.'

Asuka laughed. "Thinking out loud again, huh?" Kumiko's face went in a state of panic. "Maybe later, babe. We still need to get you dressed up."

Kumiko couldn't disagree. However, one thing caught her off guard. "Babe? When was I given a pet name?"

Asuka feigned a hurt expression. "Do you not like it?"

"Hmm…No."

Asuka's face became a frown. "Alright. You win." Asuka noticed the clothes strewn across their room. On the floor, bed, and table. She saw something that caught her eye.

"How about this, Kumiko?" She picked up a yellow sundress. It was a pale yellow with pink lining the bottom of the dress. "It looks really nice, and it's perfect for this day."

Kumiko took the dress and looked at herself in the mirror, the dress coving her half-naked body. "I thought about using this, but I thought it was too simple. Looking at it now, it does look nice. It helps that my girlfriend said it does too."

Asuka's heart still fluttered at hearing the world girlfriend coming from Kumiko. She couldn't be this lucky. Her face was heating up. "W-well, let's go with it! We still need to meet up with Akiko."

Kumiko quickly put on the dress. She was nervous that she was meeting her girlfriend's mother…officially, this time. However, being with her mother made her feel happy. Kumiko, her mother, and Asuka…a big happy family. Maybe Asuka's mother will make a…better impression.

…

Once they met up with Akiko, the three of them took the train to Asuka's mother's home.

"So…how has it been? Not being with us, Kumiko?" Akiko was curious. She always had her thoughts being clouded by Kumiko. Worrying about her, usually.

"It's…" Kumiko took hold of Asuka's hand. "…been nice. Asuka is able to come to my school after all of her classes." Asuka giggled.

"So, I can assume she teases you a lot. No! Not tease, flirt is the right word." Asuka giggled, as well as Kumiko at Akiko's fumbling. However, it was a giggle out of nervousness.

"You could say that…" Asuka said sheepishly.

"Ah, so you've had sex."

"M-Mom!" Kumiko and Asuka wore deep, red blushes. They couldn't bear to look at their girlfriend, much less one of their mothers.

Akiko laughed. "Don't worry about it so much girls! Asuka's in college, and my daughter is living with a mature woman who happens to be her girlfriend. In my eyes, you're both adults. So, whatever you do is up to you."

The two girls relaxed. Barely. 'I can't believe my mom already knows that we've had sex!'

Asuka laughed again, still sounding nervous. "It's funny. That sounds like what my mom told me when I told her I was dating Kumiko."

"Oh! That's interesting." Akiko responded.

…

The walk to Asuka's house was pleasant. The three women talked about small subjects like school or work. The sun was in the sky, but it was starting to set.

"I am hungry!" Kumiko exclaimed.

"Dear, you're always hungry. Did you eat before coming here?" Akiko asked with her motherly concern. She saw the two girls shake their heads. "Then obviously, you'll be hungry."

"Well, we're here!" Asuka exclaimed after. "I can't wait to see my mom again."

They went up to the door. Asuka, since she wasn't living there anymore, didn't have a key. It felt weird, but she rung the buzzer.

"Hello? Is it Asuka?"

"Yes, mom. We're all here!"

"Okay! I'm still getting dinner prepared. I'll get the door, don't want to leave you girls out there."

Asuka's mother was walking up to the fence. For some reason, Akiko had a strange feeling.

The fence opened. "Hi Asuka. I can assume you're Kumiko." The girl nodded. "And…Akiko?!"

Akiko's eyes bulged. "Asumi?!"

"Umm…" Both girls were wondering how their moms knew their names. And why the two were hugging.

"It's been a while, huh?" Asumi asked Akiko. "How long has it been? Six years?"

"I don't know, really." Akiko laughed. "I knew that that name sounded familiar. 'Tanaka.'"

"I could say the same. 'Oumae' sounded like the girl I knew in high school But, I didn't expect it to actually be you!"

Asuka coughed. Loudly. "Sorry to interrupt this reunion, but Kumiko and I are hungry. And I want to know why you two know each other."

…

"I'm still preparing dinner. It will be finished soon, but it would be nice to have some help." Asumi told the three.

"Would it be okay if I helped?" Kumiko offered. She saw her mom step up, but quickly stopped her. "Mom, I don't think that Asuka's mother and I will get a chance to get to know each other, since you two know each other." She looked at the two older women. "Would it be okay to talk about you guys over dinner?"

The two moms were skeptical, but agreed. "She's probably right. You grew them up well, Akiko."

For some reason, that comment felt a lot more positive than Akiko expected.

So, Asuka and Akiko took a seat at the dining table while Kumiko and Asumi went to the kitchen.

"So, Kumiko. How has being with Asuka been?" The two were preparing the salad, so Asumi decided to create some small talk.

"It's been amazing!" Kumiko accidentally said louder that she expected. However, Asumi had a smile on her face. "Whoops. I really like being with her. It's just like how it was last year in band, but I can cuddle with her, and…"

Kumiko started to quiet down at the end, amusing Asumi. She decided to not tease her yet and instead still have the small talk she intended. "Yeah, that must be nice. You've kept going with band, right Kumiko?"

"Yes, Tanaka-san."

Asumi laughed. "Please, enough with the formalities. Call me Asumi."

"Well…maybe not yet. Can I be honest with you, Tanaka-san?" Kumiko's voice became much more serious. Asumi nodded, wanting to hear what she had to say. "I…didn't have a…good impression of you."

She tilted her head to the side, confused about what Kumiko was saying. "What do you mean? Isn't this the first time we've met?"

"Personally, yes. Unintentionally, no…" Kumiko didn't dare to look at Asumi when she was going to say this next part. "I was in the teacher's room when I saw you…slap…Asuka…"

'Oh. Fuck.' Asumi was panicking. She wanted to never remember that. She promised herself to be a much better parent. She never wanted to do that ever again. "R-really…W-well, I g-guess I have a l-long way to go…to g-get on your good side…" Hearing a bomb of new knowledge was blown on top of her. She felt awful. 'I know some people saw that, but Akiko's daughter? Asuka's girlfriend? I don't think she'll ever like me.'

"I thought that as well, Asumi. But…" Kumiko had a smile as she looked to Asumi. It puzzled the woman. "…You were the first person we told when we started dating. You were so supportive, and I can't really ever repay that."

It was warming Asumi's heart. 'So…I have a chance to actually not drive this one away?'

"My mother was also supportive. My father…" Kumiko's energy started to drain away.

And Asumi was getting mad. "What happened with your father, Kumiko?" She hid her feelings well, but she was furious.

"He kicked me out of my home. He didn't want me because I wasn't 'normal.'" Asumi gripped the knife handle tighter, her anger rising. "But, my mother and Asuka was there to save the day. My mother is always going to be with me, through everything. She'll support me. And now, I'm living with Asuka."

"Well, I think I raised her well." Asumi felt proud of her daughter. "She's always the one to help her friends. I don't know if you know, but I have been giving Asuka a good chunk of money for her rent. She's gotten a part-time job, but I want to support her. Be a better parent than I was while she was in high school. I'll be sure to add a bit more now that I know you two are living together."

Kumiko was shocked at hearing this. "N-no, Asumi! You really don't have to! I'll be going to get a part-time job at Asuka's place of work. We'll be able to-"

Asumi shook her head. "You can't stop motherly love, can you?" Kumiko rolled her eyes, causing a laugh. "I have a great paying job, don't worry about that! I want you two to be extremely happy. I've only seen Asuka with you today, but…" She motioned Kumiko to look at Asuka and Akiko. "If she's that happy with your mother, she must be the happiest when she's with you."

Kumiko didn't expect that compliment, but it left her dizzy. Not literally, but her thoughts were rolling around in her head. A blush grew on her face. "T-thank you, Asumi."

"No problem, Kumiko. I already like you just from this talk. Being the daughter of one of my best friends from high school doesn't hurt." Asumi laughed. "Now, let's set up the table. It's time to eat!"

…

"Thanks for the food!" The four women said before eating.

Kumiko was busy scarfing down her food. "Kumiko, you're like an animal. Slow down!" Asuka laughed. Kumiko looked around and saw Akiko, Asumi, and Asuka smiling and laughing.

"O-oops." Kumiko's face developed a red blush. She also started to eat slower, just to not be made fun of.

"But," Asuka continued to speak. "I'm curious and I'm sure Kumiko is curious." The girl nodded. "How do you two know each other?"

"Well," Asumi was the first to speak. "It was one class. Do you remember, Akiko?"

"Of course! Home Ec! That was in, what, second year?" Akiko responded. Asumi nodded.

FLASHBACK

"For this assignment, you must partner up with someone. I would like you to make a beef stew. This will be due next week, so use your time wisely."

There was only five minutes before class ended, so the teacher allowed the class to pair up. Once they did, he told the class to report to him.

Akiko wasn't too popular, but she did have a small circle of friends. None of them took home ec though, so she wasn't to familiar with many of the faces there. She observed the room. Many of the pairs seemed to be friends. "Man, they must be lucky."

Asumi was moderately popular. She had many friends, and had a small number of admirers. When she took home ec, she expected an easy mark. However, her cooking seemed to be lacking whenever it was important. In addition, this partner assignment wasn't going to easy. Well, at least to find a partner. All of her friends that took home ec (which were a lot of them) were already partnered up. So, she was left to a small amount of people. However, one girl caught her eye. Dark brown hair, and looking around in the classroom. For some reason, Asumi didn't think that girl was looking for a particular partner.

She walked up to her. "Hi there!" The brown-haired girl turned her attention to Asumi. "Are you looking for a partner?"

Akiko didn't know why Tanaka was coming up to her. She only knew her from her friends spreading her name around. One of them pointed her out, and she didn't seem so special. Shoulder length black hair. Somewhat cute. Not too much to the girl.

"Umm, not really…" Akiko told her, the desperation not detected in her voice.

"Oh." Asumi was a bit deflated, but she needed to go with someone. "Well, would you like to work with me?"

Akiko wasn't surprised that she heard that question. 'Why else would you come up to me?'

"Sure, I guess."

"Sweet! Oh, I'm-"

"Tanaka-san. I've heard of you before." Akiko said before she could say anything relating to introductions.

"Oh, cool!" She was a bit annoyed. 'She's going to be a tough nut to crack. How are we going to do anything?' "Well, I'll go tell the teacher."

"Sure, whatever."

Akiko sighed, as did Asumi when she got out of earshot.

'Maybe…I made a mistake.'

FLASHBACK OVER

"Well, I guess it didn't," Akiko laughed. "We got a B on that assignment. I think you used me, and we still didn't get an A."

"S-shut up!" Asumi said. "It was your fault. You may have had a high grade in that class, but working with you was a nightmare."

"What does that mean?" Akiko had a teasing tone.

Asumi sighed. "Jeez, Akiko. Always so difficult. Anyways, after that we just grew closer-"

"More like you never left my side. You had other friends, but you stuck with me?"

"Well…" Asumi was stumped. "Shut up."

"Jeez, you two sound like a couple." Kumiko commented. "Did you two ever date?"

The two moms burst out with laughter.

"Never crossed my mind, honey." Akiko responded to her daughter.

"And I was going out with your father, Asuka."

"Oh." Asuka didn't think that her mom and dad were high school newlyweds. "But, really? Dating didn't cross your mind once?"

"Nope." Akiko told her. "Our parents were much more traditional than your father, Kumiko. We would be terrified if they found out, so I guess dating another girl was just…filtered out."

"Huh, interesting." Asuka said.

The conversation died down as the women kept eating.

"Hey, Asumi. Your cooking has gotten better." Akiko saw Asumi smile. "Not by much though." She laughed when she saw the frown on Asumi's face.

…

"Hey mom," Kumiko asked while she, Asuka, and Akiko were heading home. "Are you going to see Asumi again?"

"That's a weird question. No, I haven't planned to. Why?"

"Well," Kumiko scratched the back of her head. "Seeing you two together, I can see how happy you two are."

"I agree. My mom looked really happy when she saw you." Asuka chimed in.

"Gosh, you make it sound like I want to see her again." Akiko laughed.

Earlier That Day…

Reina made plans to meet up with a couple of girls. A literal couple. When she got to the café, she didn't expect two other girls to show up with them. 'I guess it wouldn't help. Natsuki-senpai knows Kumiko and Asuka-senpai as well.'

"Ahh, Kousaka-chan! I know you wanted to talk to me and Mizore, but Yuuko and Natsuki wanted to join us." Nozomi had her hands together, pleading for forgiveness.

"It's okay, Kasaki-senpai. Hello, Nakagawa-senpai. Yuuko-senpai. Yoroizuka-senpai." Reina bowed at the table of girls.

"Kousaka. You don't have to be so formal." Natsuki said to her black-haired junior. "We're all friends here! Well, maybe not Yuuko."

"Hey! I'm more of a friend of the people than you are, Natsuki." The two girls glared at each other.

"Can you guys just go out already." The typical question was turned into a statement by Nozomi. "Seriously, how have you guys not kissed yet?"

"Shut up!" Natsuki and Yuuko both said to the flutist.

Nozomi sighed, then turned her attention to Reina. "So, what's up Kousaka-chan? I have a feeling that you don't normally call someone to meet up."

Reina nodded. "Yes, I don't usually call. If I hang out with someone, I find them while I walk around. But, I have something important to ask you."

Mizore looked to Reina, as did everyone else at the table. "What is it, Kousaka-chan?"

Reina felt...nervous. A new emotion she didn't really feel before, and she had to explain the whole situation with her seniors.

"Well, I don't know if you are aware. Well, Naka-"

"Kousaka, just say our first names."

"Natsuki-senpai knows. Kumiko and Asuka-senpai are dating."

The three girls not aware were surprised. Natsuki…just remembered. "Oh yeah! They told me that! They also told me some stuff that they did."

Yuuko sighed. "Just like Natsuki, invading people's personal life."

"Wow, Asuka and Kumiko, huh? They do seem good together." Nozomi commented.

"I agree. They were open with each other during practice, and they are both euphonium players." Mizore also included.

Those comments were making Reina…mad? Why? "I don't know why, but I have a small problem with their relationship."

Now the entire table was confused, Reina included. "What problem would you have with them, Reina?" The trumpet senior asked.

"I'm not sure. When Nozomi-senpai and Mizore-senpai were talking about Asuka-senpai and Kumiko, I was getting…mad? I think?"

Mizore had her neutral face while Nozomi brought a finger to her chin to think. Yuuko and Natsuki put their differences aside and whispered to each other. She saw Natsuki nod her head.

"Kousaka, would that feeling you had be jealousy?"

'Jealousy. I think that was it.' Reina thought back to the summer camp. Seeing Taki-sensei and Niiyama-sensei. When Niiyama-sensei made Taki-sensei laugh. 'Yes. It has to be that.' Reina didn't respond, but she was nodding at the euphonium player.

"Okay, that makes sense…No, it doesn't" Natsuki said. "Why would you be jealous, Kousaka?"

"Yeah," Yuuko chimed in. "What about Taki-sensei? Aren't you still going for him?"

'That's right. I've only told Nozomi-senpai and Mizore-senpai.' Reina shook her head. "Not anymore, Yuuko-senpai. He didn't do anything when I told him my feelings in front of you. I gave up on him, he would probably want to be with a woman that is around his age instead of me."

Yuuko felt sad for her friend, but she understood where she was coming from.

Natsuki wasn't as understanding. "Okay, two things. First, sucks for you and Taki-sensei. But, it makes sense." Reina was happy that Natsuki didn't make fun of her. Hearing the stories Kumiko talked about including Natsuki made Reina assume Natsuki was a joker. It was nice to know that Natsuki had a somewhat caring side.

"Second. That doesn't really clear things up. You're still jealous, but for what? Aren't you happy for Kumiko?"

Reina thought about it, but quickly responded. "Yes, I am happy for her. But, there's just a feeling of…!" She remembered the thought of seeing Asuka and Kumiko walking together. "It's a feeling of loneliness!"

It took a while, but Nozomi, Mizore, and Yuuko understood. Kumiko was Reina's best friend, so not having her around would make Reina feel lonely.

"That makes sense." Mizore said.

"I see, Kousaka-chan." Nozomi responded.

"It's great you understand your feelings, Reina-chan." Yuuko said. "Did you get enough information?"

"Yes, I thank all of you." Reina stood up and bowed.

"Kousaka. Can you come with me for a sec? We'll just be in the washroom," Natsuki assured her friends. She grabbed Reina's arm and dragged her to the washroom. Reina was confused as to why Natsuki needed to talk with her, alone.

…

The washroom was luckily empty, and it was convenient that is was a washroom that could only have one person. This time, it held two.

"So, Reina. Is that it?" Natsuki's tone was cold, harsh. It was making Reina uncomfortable.

"What do you mean, Natsuki-senpai?" She didn't ignore that Natsuki called her 'Reina' instead of 'Kousaka.'

"The jealousy you felt…it was only you being lonely?"

Reina was stumped. What exactly was Natsuki getting at? "Y-yes, I saw Asuka and Kumiko walking together. And my thoughts were that I wished I had someone like Kumiko to walk with me."

"Why just Kumiko?"

Reina was getting a bit worked up. "Because she is my best friend. I wouldn't want a stranger to be walking with me."

"Hmm." Natsuki was still not on Reina's side. "Are you going to tell Kumiko that?"

Reina hadn't thought about that. But…

"Yes, it wouldn't be right to not tell Kumiko my feelings."

"Yeah, just as I expected." Natsuki grabbed one of Reina's shoulders. "I just want to say. When you tell Kumiko this, don't be surprised if things go south. If they do, call me." And with that, Natsuki left, and Reina followed.

The five of them got together and left the café. They parted ways, leaving Reina alone with her thoughts.

However, Reina's thoughts were clouded with what Natsuki said. 'How would things go south? All I'm doing is telling Kumiko my feelings about her relationship. I'm fine with them dating, I'm happy for Kumiko and Asuka-senpai. I just know that she would appreciate knowing what her best friend would say.'

A/N: Interesting chapter. I thought about splitting this into two separate chapters, but I didn't think Reina's POV was long enough. But, oh well.

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Thanks for Reading!