Alrighty, back to work. Sorry I took so long to update this time, some stuff came up and excuses blah blah excuses. Thanks for the concern about my dog, there's really nothing like a couple of strangers feeling sorry for you, no?
This chapter's pretty short, but I'll be updating tomorrow as well, so it'll even out. After that...expect a pretty big jump in length. Hooray. Unless you don't like it. Then boo.
As per usual, I'll do my unwanted commentary on the reviews, which I am extremely grateful for. Thank you all so much.
LockhartGuest: What is it with you guys and dangerous activities...choking, drowning...yeesh. Feelsy is a wonderful, wonderful feeling, and I'm getting feelsy from hearing about your feelsy feelings. Thank you!
Dessert Maniac: I actually do too. I think she gets the brunt of hate much too often...however, she's still a somewhat fun character to make, well, fun of. And she's rich...I'd assume that as she got older, she'd also get more than a little filthy. Hehehe. Thanks for the review!
MareisuinShihaku: Bless you. And hair-whipping isn't exactly a new thing...*war flashbacks* Ha.
Timmy Sparx: Fifty shades of interesting is what I'm aiming for. Poor, poor Hitomi...always grouped with that old bean Kyousuke. Her pesty side will definitely show, but hopefully a few other good ones will begin to surface as well. And trust me, this is not the last we have seen of the Homu-charge. Or confused Madoka. Thank you so much!
Ghostwriter73: Thanks for the concern, I will treasure it always. Madoka sock puppet?! Heck, I think even I'd do all that for one of those. Homura would probably go to hell itself...yeah, she needs help. I have a headcanon Kyouko has gotten kicked out of more than one buffet. If I were writing a story with her-oh wait! I am! Good. Thank you so much!
Otaku4eva99: Oh that's fine! Arigato gozaimasu for the concern. Nothing bad to say? Uh, I'm really not complaining. In fact, that makes me pretty happy. And you don't suck at reviews; after all, you've given me three! Thank you!
Gear001: Oh trust, me, it's going to get even better. Save all the Sayaka-angst and junk, I'm pretty proud of later chapters, yo. If Kyouko and Homura got arrested, my story would either be in big trouble, or reach nirvana. I dunno if I wanna take that chance, geez. Thanks!
Bluestar: Thanks! Another one dead? Ya'll need Jesus.
Yourcloudnine: YOU! I remember reading your Korrasami fics way back in the day! I can't believe it. This is great. You're great. Anyway, I'm screeching with you. Marching band, or good musical stories in general are rarer than a gay republican. Hoo whee. You're more than welcome for the Kyouko. Is she the best character, or is she the best character, eh? Thank you so much!
Clouds: Careful, too much of a good thing can be bad for you...sorry, that was lame. Thank you for the review, and yeah. Everyone knows all dogs go to heaven, whether it's real or not. Pfft. That's really cheesy. Oh well. Thanks again!
Time for Sayaka...and, unfortunately, the grey-haired, ignorant demon child.
Excitement is a feeling not easily replicated.
It is often confused with anxiety, but the two are sides of the same coin…one is usually positive, the other negative.
Which is which, of course, remains entirely up to the individual.
Sayaka, for instance, was absolutely certain she was excited about opening the letter.
Why else would my heart be pumping like this? My face sweating? My hands trembling? My body shaking? Obviously, I'm excited!
…
Crap.
Sayaka was anxious.
Her sapphire eyes locked onto the envelope placed in front of her. In an embroidered stamp placed neatly on the top hand corner, it read, in English, Union University of the Arts. It had arrived two days ago…and only now was she even considering opening it.
For good reason.
This was it. If the letter contained anything unfavorable…she would not be joining Kyouske in his immediate future. The thought was too painful to even consider.
Obviously, he had applied early, and immediately given a full scholarship with guaranteed on-campus housing and the best utilities available, not to mention their unwavering gratitude that he chose their oh so very "humble" college.
If she had been rejected…well, let's not think about that, okay? Besides, have a little faith in yourself! You practiced for years! Kyouske, a master of the violin, even said you were brilliant! That's gotta count for something, right? Right?
Sayaka swallowed heavily, and picked up the envelope. With still trembling hands, she cleanly swept her finger across the top, and pulled out several folded pieces of paper.
What the heck? She frowned. Which one was she supposed to open first? Well…here goes….
Whispering encouragement to herself, she shakily blew her hair out of her eyes and opened the outermost letter.
It read:
Dear Ms. Miki,
We regret to inform you-
She stopped reading. Her heart dropped past her chest, leaving an indescribably empty feeling that knocked the wind out of her.
That was it. She hadn't made it.
She wouldn't be joining Kyouske at the school of his dreams…she would no longer be a part of his bright future.
I didn't…what?
To her surprise, she didn't feel sad. Not in the least. Shocked, perhaps, was a better description.
In fact, the shock was so incredible, not a single tear fell from her blue eyes. Rather, a small smile spread across her face, and she laughed.
But there was no joy in her eyes.
Sayaka's thoughts tended to repeat themselves when she was distressed. It was a terrible habit, and she had been chided quite often by her mother on its ineffectiveness and overall ridiculousness. Currently, all that ran through her head was a single conversation, albeit one-sided. Five minutes ago, she had finally worked up the courage to call Kyousuke, and this was the result:
"You didn't make it? Geez. Sayaka, I'm sorry…I guess we won't be going to that school together after all. I won't see you for quite some time, but we'll try to keep in touch, okay? Don't worry, it'll all work out in the end. I'm sure of it." The shallow regret in his voice burned worse than any scorn.
"Sayaka, I'm sorry."That lone phrase repeated itself over and over again. I'm sorry.
"No…I'm sorry." She whispered to herself, clutching her pillow even tighter. "I'm so sorry. I didn't practice enough, I didn't work hard enough. It's my fault. At least now, though, I won't be able to hold you back." She closed her eyes.
"Sayaka? Sayaka!"
Mother.
Well, wasn't this a surprise. Sayaka didn't bother responding. Oh, so for once her mom was home before midnight. Big deal.
"Sayaka!"
She hid her face.
"SAYAKA!"
The voice got closer…ah. The door was opening.
"Sayaka! There you are!"
Sayaka stayed silent. The letter was on the floor next to the bed, if she was so anxious to read it.
"What on Earth are you doing?!" Her mother flipped the light on. "I saw the envelope downstairs, but it was empty! Where…oh. Sayaka, you should know better than to leave anything related to university on the ground! Let me see…"
And still she was silent.
"Ah…Sayaka!"
Here it comes. Sayaka felt tears begin to burn her eyes. She couldn't care less about her mother's opinion, just as students care not about their peers' uneducated revelations, but a brutal reminder of her failure wasn't actually a pleasant thing to look forward to.
Of course, she didn't expect what burst from her mother's mouth in the next few seconds.
"I'm so proud of you!"
…What?
Sayaka whipped her head around to stare at her mother with disbelief.
"That's wonderful!" Her mother laughed aloud. "I was so worried by your erratic behavior, I thought perhaps you hadn't been admitted!"
"What are you talking about?" Sayaka managed to ask. "I didn't make it!"
"Maybe you didn't make the orchestra, but they only accept three trumpets anyway. Ridiculous. You've made the marching band and the wind ensemble: the very highest of the concert bands, and that's all that matters."
….EH?!
Sayaka leapt out of bed and ripped the letter out of her mother's hands in a single fluid motion. Her eyes scanned:
Dear Ms. Miki,
We regret to inform you that you have not met the audition qualifications necessary to participate in:
Union University Orchestra
However, we are quite pleased to state you have been deemed proficient enough to take part in the following activities:
Union University Commando Marching Band
Union University Wind Ensemble
You will receive full tuition as long as you fulfill the above required activities; however, your room and board will not be covered by Union University of Music, and thus the methods of payment are below.
We would like to thank you for choosing Union University of the Arts, and hope to see you very soon.
Sayaka stared.
"I…I made it?!" She whispered incredulously. "I made it! I made it!" The following statements were expressed with a grin so wide, she felt as if her face would break. "I actually made it!"
"You shouldn't act so surprised. It's quite unbecoming." Her mother sighed disapprovingly, but even she could not help but smile softly at her daughter's elation. She then plucked the letter from Sayaka's hands. "I'll go over this with your father once he gets home." And with that, she walked out the door.
Sayaka fell back on her bed. It felt as if some huge weight had been lifted off of her shoulders.
She giggled aloud, and clutched her sheets.
If only for a moment, she wanted to bask in the beautiful revelation that she finally accomplished a goal…she had finally done something positive for herself. She had earned a somewhat happy ending. Or, in this case, beginning.
Not to mention, I'll be attending the same school as Kyousuke. Four more years to work up the courage…hope it's enough.
She laughed aloud at her own insecurity. How ridiculous am I? All this fuss over a boy…anyone else would think they've got no self-respect.
I guess it's a good thing I'm not anyone else.
Sayaka angst, boy-crushing make reviewers go, "Ahhhhhhh". And not the good "Ahhhhhhh" either. Unless it's a different kind of boy crushing. Good grief girl, why didn't you take Kyouko's super sound advice and just break his legs?
Don't worry, the pain will be over soon. And I really don't hate Kyousuke, he's just a...dumbass, I suppose, is the right word. Just really unaware. Of everything. And everyone. What a keeper.
Anywho, thanks for reading! I'll see you all tomorrow!
