Oh man. Six months just passed like a flash. Sorry for the delay. Another fairly short chapter. Enjoy if you can.
June 10
Late that night, Azusa lay in her bed, quietly contemplating the past week of school. It had been, to put simply, strange. Despite the general hustle and bustle of highschool life as a senior, that week had long stretches of time wherein she had nothing to do. And as had happened, she had spent those periods simply staring at Jun and Ui. For whatever reason, she seemed drawn to them. She didn't know why.
Ever since the two had their first date, there was this sort of lovey-dovey aura about them. Obviously they were trying to hide it but Azusa was just as keen to their moods as they were to hers. She could sense the heightened state of alertness they'd enter whenever they heard the other's voice. She could sense how excited they got whenever they brushed hands. She could even sense when the two were trying to be secretly intimate, holding hands and sneaking kisses while Azusa was still in the room. She could sense all of those things.
And, the weirdest thing about it? She found herself almost kind of enjoying it. She'd feel this odd excitement whenever she noticed how close the Jun and Ui were getting. She would liken it to the way Mugi would sometimes act whenever Mio and Ritsu were being cute together or whenever Yui was being affectionate. She just felt this odd eagerness to see it unfold. She didn't understand it.
And quite frankly? She didn't want to understand it. She'd just wait it out until it went away.
And if it didn't go away? Well, there were worse things in the world than being really happy that her two friends were in love.
Azusa's internal musings were cut short when she felt someone on the bed stir. Based on the motions, it was probably Jun.
"Hey, anyone awake?" Jun whispered.
"I'm awake."Azusa whispered back.
"Azusa? Huh. Weird. I expected you to be asleep."
Azusa rolled her eyes. "What is it, Jun?"
"Okay, so, this just hit me and it's really driving me nuts. Me and Ui basically just started dating, but I've been sleeping with her for nearly two months now. Isn't that weird?"
Azusa sighed. "Jun, I know that the word 'sleeping with' can mean different things to different people but you're literally sleeping with her. You're not 'doing the deed' or anything like that. I don't think this is an issue."
"Yeah, but what about Nao and Sumire?"
"What about them?"
"Well, I'm not too worried about Sumire but what if Nao asks about it? I can't take that poker face, Azusa. I don't think I'd be able to answer her."
Azusa nearly burst out laughing. Of course Jun would be worried about that of all things. "Jun, I'm just repeating myself at this point but like I said, this isn't an issue."
"Seriously, Azusa. I can't deal with her. If that ever happens, promise me you'll help me."
Azusa rolled to her side, facing towards the wall. "Good night, Jun."
"Azusa, please."
"Fiiine. I'll help if it ever becomes an issue, which it won't. Now, good night for real this time."
Azusa half expected Jun to continue speaking but, to her surprise, Jun stayed silent. Perhaps she wanted to let Azusa sleep? Or perhaps she felt that she should be asleep herself? Either way, Azusa was thankful to have had one last conversation before she finally let unconsciousness take her.
June 11
"I know it's Azusa's turn to host the sleepover this Wednesday, but I was thinking that maybe we could go to my house instead."
Those were the words Jun said at breakfast that morning. Neither of the other two were opposed but they were interested in her reasoning and were quick to ask.
"Well, my birthday is on Wednesday and my family is throwing me a party. Besides, my family kinda really wants to meet the two of you since I'm always sleeping at your houses."
Azusa nodded thoughtfully. "I don't see why not."
"Yeah. Sounds good," Ui said in agreement. "Oh, wait," she then added. "Do they know about... well, you and me?"
"My brother knows. He's really supportive, actually. Parents, though...?" Jun winced. "Mmm. Didn't tell them yet. Don't really wanna tell them."
Ui frowned worriedly. "Oh? Will this be a problem?"
Jun waved her hands dismissively. "No need to get so worked up about it. Let's just keep the hand holding and stuff to a minimum, okay?"
Azusa tilted her head curiously. "I don't suppose they approve of lesbians, do they?"
"Mmm. Again, didn't ask, don't really want to ask."
Azusa raised her eyebrows but said nothing.
Breakfast resumed without further incident.
June 13
"I realize that you have been sleeping together for two months now, but now that you've started dating, has anything changed?"
During afternoon tea, Nao directed that question to Jun and Ui, to which Jun face-desked and Ui palmed her cheeks and looked away. Azusa silently supressed her urge to laugh at this.
Ui cleared her throat awkwardly. "Nao, I... uh... that was a little tactless to ask. Please try to understand how embarrassing it is to be asked questions like that..."
Nao blinked, nodding slowly. "I see... I suppose that makes sense." She bowed. "I apologize if my curiosity was overbearing."
Ui quickly waved her hands dismissively. "Oh no, don't worry about it. Just be a little more considerate next time."
Jun raised her head from the table. "And for the record, no, nothing has changed in our sleeping habits since we started dating."
Nao bowed once more. "Thank you, Jun-senpai. I was just about to ask if you were going to answer my previous question."
Azusa continued suppressing her laughter even as it grew more and more difficult to do so.
Sure, she hadn't kept her promise of helping Jun deal with Nao but at least she'd been right in that it wasn't an issue. An apology followed by an I Told You So was definitely in store for Jun when they next had a moment alone together.
Band practice that afternoon continued without further incident.
June 14
Ui sat in the clubroom, filling the morning silence with the sounds of her guitar. Jun was slumped over the table, snoring soundly. Azusa sat across from her, quietly humming along to Ui's song. The atmosphere was fairly pleasant.
"Hey, Azusa," Ui mumbled. "Do you have any extra strings? Caster needs hers changed soon."
Ui heard a giggle, prompting her to turn towards the table. "What's so funny?"
Azusa smiled, shaking her head. "It's nothing. I'm just surprised it took you this long to name your guitar. We bought that two months ago."
Ui pouted. "You didn't name Mu-tan 'til you met sis and you had her for years. I don't think it's that strange."
Azusa shrugged and took a sip of her tea.
"What do you think Jun's bass is called?" Ui wondered. "Pearl maybe?"
Azusa raised an eyebrow. "Because it's white?"
Ui nodded tentatively, returning her attention to playing. "I think it'd be a cute name."
A tired groan came from Jun. "I think it's cute tooooo~"
Azusa and Ui shared an amused look. With a small chuckle, Azusa reached over the table and poked the top of Jun's head. "Are you even really asleep, Jun?"
Another groan came from Jun, followed by her standing up, moving to the couch next to Ui, and resting her head on Ui's lap.
Azusa watched, taking another sip. "You just gonna sit there?"
Ui sweatdropped. "Well, it's actually pretty comfortable. The only problem is that I can't play anymore."
Azusa gave Ui a sardonic smile. "Should I say 'Oh the tragedy'?"
Ui giggled once more. "Oh, stop it, you."
"Yeah, Azusaaa... hahhhhh~" Jun yawned. "Don't be such a stick in the mud."
"Seriously, Jun, you're not even sleeping. Just drink your tea already before it gets cold."
Ui patted Jun's head. "She's right, Jun. It would be a shame if the tea I made went to waste."
Jun opened one eye, pouting cutely as she did so. "No fair, double teaming me like that."
With a chuckle, Ui booped Jun on the nose. "All is fair in love and war," she whispered gently. "And I do believe that we're in love."
Jun chuckled as well. "Yeah, we are. Guess it's fair after all."
Ui thought for but a moment as a realization hit her. She felt the entire world still as her eyes met Jun's. On both of their faces, a look of shock and surprise slowly came to be. Did their exchange really go the way she thought it just did?
Behind them, Azusa spoke, concern edging into her voice. "Uh... you suddenly two got quiet. Something wrong?"
With nervous quickness, Jun jerked upright and jumped to her feet. "Nothing's wrong!" She mechanically back to the table.
Ui set down her guitar, muttering, "I just told her we... And she just agreed..."
She looked to Jun who had just downed her tea, expression still the same as before. She then looked to Azusa whose gaze jumped from Jun and Ui, eyebrows raised.
Ui could sense the gears turning in the petite guitarist's mind. No doubt she was piecing together what had gotten them flustered. It didn't take long before she nodded slowly, taking a sip of her drink and turning away.
Azusa laid her cup onto the table and released a deep breath. "Is it alright if I go out for a bit? Need some air," she asked stiffly, not looking at either of them.
Ui couldn't do much other than blink, mouth agape. Her voice refused to work. Jun was of the same disposition.
Azusa probably took their silence as a 'yes' as she stood and made for the door. "Excuse me..."
A short pause after the door close, there was a shrill but muffled squeal of delight from outside the club room. "Oh my god! It's happened! I can't believe I was there for that!"
Ui did her best to ignore the sounds but couldn't help but smile with embarrassment. Azusa never made any attempt to hide her happiness for them but the way she reacted made it seem like the words Ui and Jun spoke were addressed to her rather than each other. Then again, Azusa always did have a weird relationship with affection. Ui really should not have been surprised.
Ui's attention was quickly taken by Jun who asked, "Did you really just say you loved me?"
Ui's mouth twitched as struggled put her thoughts to words. After several false starts, she eventually croaked and nodded. "That was the implication, yes..."
"Did I really just say I loved you back?"
Ui nodded again. "That was also the implication, yes."
"Was it true?" Jun asked, seeming increasingly shaky. It was almost as if she didn't believe it.
"I... uh... It was true for me."
"It was for me too." Jun swayed slightly and quickly brought a foot to the side to steady herself. "Oh my god, we're in love. We're actually in love."
Ui had rushed to Jun's side the moment she saw the bassist stumble. She quickly grabbed both shoulders. "Jun, stay with me here. What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong. I'm just," Jun managed a weak grin, "in love..."
The joke did nothing to curb Ui's worry. "I'm bringing you to the nurse's office."
Ui grabbed Jun's hand and started walking. Jun followed for two steps before slipping out of Ui's grasp.
"Seriously I'm fine. I'm really happy. It was all just kinda shocking." Jun made a show of balancing on one leg. "See? No more dizziness."
Ui pouted. "Jun, you ate a single piece of toast this morning. I can go get some pastries if you're feeling light headed."
"I'm telling you I'm fine. I-"
There was the sound of someone clearing their throat. The door opened a crack and Azusa poked her head inside. "You two are really cute and I'm really happy for you but I still need to finish my tea. Please just kiss already and get it over with?"
Ui immediately felt heat rise to her face. "A-azusa!"
"Why'd you have to ruin the mood!?"
Azusa smiled wryly and went back outside. "You know what? Jun, you can have the rest of my tea. I'll let you two talk it out amongst yourselves..."
End of Chapter
According to the K-on wiki, Jun's birthday is probably in April because one of her character songs say that her zodiac sign is capricorn. But it's not confirmed so I can still go off the assumption that her birthday is actually in June. Specifically June 15. No, there is no other meaning to making it June 15 other than making sure it's a Wednesday, allowing the other two to sleep over at Jun's house.
Next chapter will be the Jun birthday slumber party! Probably...
Special thanks to PUM (Asianpotter1) for doing a second pass for spelling and grammar. Thanks as well to Agelity for doing a third pass and giving feedback regarding the chapter.
Until the next chapter guys! Hope it doesn't take another six months.
