The next day came up and most of the students had brought multiple things and some were even making costumes in a room located inside the school. The two schools' students mingled together and blended with each other. Some are still awkward but they managed to get over it and talk with the others as well. In all honesty, the whole Cultural Festival thing was just an extra push in their motives to talk with each other but they might get along even without it appearing.
As for Muse, they had all gathered once more with the three Amagiri students. "Why are we all meeting? I thought we turned him down?" Honoka asked as she looked at her fellow members with a bewildered look on her face.
"We're going to do it Honoka." Maki said as she crossed her arms and sent a quick glare at Kei who was sitting down on the same place he did yesterday.
"Yeah!" Nico exclaimed, for once agreeing with the red haired female she always bickered with. "I really want to do it! I don't know why you're stuck in the past when you can just go forward. Besides, this is our Cultural Festival so we have to do all we can to help it." She continued, adding more reason to just 'I want to do it'. It was actually a valid reason.
"And besides, this would be the first and probably the last time Shu-kun and Reito will see us perform live~" Rin added. "So I want to do it as well." Kei looked gratefully at the two first years who apparently did their assigned roles despite not knowing of his plan.
Honoka looked around and found that most of them actually wanted to perform, for one reason or another. She then nodded and then looked at Kei. "Alright, then we accept." She said with a smile.
They all cheered until Eri cleared her throat and caught everyone's attention. "I don't want to ruin the parade but I would like to point out that we have at least four days before the cultural festival and we still don't have anything planned out." She pointed out. "We need a new song, clothing, dance steps…"
"Well technically this is a moment where the two schools can work with each other." The red haired president said before smirking. "So I think that we can help you with all of those things."
"But how? You're not a school idol group…" Nico pointed out.
"Shun here knows how to dance. Reifu knows how to play the piano and work on the melody. I, myself, can write lyrics." Kei replied. "We may not know your style but we can at least help."
"I've heard Reifu-kun play the piano… he's really good at it." Hanayo pointed out.
"I have learned how to play the piano when I was a child because of my cousin." The blue haired teen said. "And I've made melodies before so I can help."
"And Shu-kun may not look like it but he's a real dancer!" Rin exclaimed.
Shun looked at them and then rubbed the back of his head. "A-Actually, I'm more of a hip-hop and pop dancer so I don't think it would fit…" He pointed out. "Because considering your kind of dancing style, mine is pretty different."
"We can make something work." The blonde president said with an encouraging smile. "We might not get to incorporate all of your steps but we can get ideas from them. Just like how Kei and Sato-kun would give ideas. It's not like you have to make the choreography on your own."
Shun nodded, now filled with determination to help his friends. "Alright, I'll do it."
"But who will help Kotori-chan with the costumes?" Honoka asked before gesturing to the ash gray haired female who kept silent this whole time.
"With all things considered, even I'm not up to the task." Reifu said. He was a mangaka and he made a living out of drawing people and their matching costumes. Admitting that he can't do it means that Shun and Kei can't as well. "Perhaps you can ask other girls to help you? You see, I am not skilled with my hands."
"Given how busy everyone is, I doubt anyone would have the time to help Mina-chan." Kei pointed out.
Kotori shook her head. "No, I don't need help. Working with another school actually gives me more inspiration to make costumes. I just need Nico-chan to help me make the actual costumes. Designing it should be easy." She said with confidence.
"Well since everything seems fine. Let's start now shall we?" Eri suggested before looking at Kei and Umi. "I entrust the making of lyrics to you two."
The red haired president sent a mock salute towards Umi's way. "I'll try my best to help you Sonoda-senpai." He said.
"Alright, while they're making the lyrics, the others should go back to their rooms to help their respective classes. Maki and Sato-kun will go to the music room to try and think of a melody." Eri ordered. "That's all there is. Let's all do our best." She said and everyone cheered and dispersed.
Kei and Umi holed up in the an unused room looking over to the practice grounds to try and think of some lyrics although there wasn't much to go with. They don't have a source of inspiration nor do they have any ideas on what to actually write about.
"Ideas… ideas…" Kei muttered to himself continuously before leaning back on his chair. "How about this? I ask a question and you answer?" He asked as he looked at Umi. "Then I'll answer the same question and then you ask another after."
"That sounds like a great way to think of something." Umi said before gesturing for him to start.
"What is your 'treasure'?" Kei asked.
"My dreams." Umi replied. "It is what keeps me going even though there are hardships."
"Nice." Kei said. " For me, it has to be everyone's smiles. It hurts me to see when someone is sad and my mood brightens when I see someone smile. It means that they've accomplished something right?"
"Alright." Umi said. Both were actually jotting the other's answer. "Hm… what do you think we need to do to attain these treasures?"
"I think we should just have fun with what we do. After all, we only become passionate if we actually want to do something and if we want to do something, we have fun while doing it. Just let go of all those bad things in your mind and just go for it." Kei replied. "A little cliche answer but that's what I think."
"Cliche or not, it's a good answer." Umi said with a smile. "As for me, I think it just needs a little courage to actually push yourself to do something you want. We can also use our frustrations to make it positive and then you're all set." She continued.
"That's pretty interesting…" Kei said as he nodded in agreement. He then looked at the notes and then tilted his head. "Hm…" He then started to write on a paper and Umi waited for him to finish. "Look at this. Does it look good?"
He then handed the paper to Umi.
Ima koko de mitsuketa takaramono
Takusan da ne sou da ne minna no egao sa
Koko de mitsuketa takaramono
Afure souna yume tachi motto motto misete
"I think it's actually pretty good." Umi said before looking over her notes as well. "We can add more to it just by using what we have right now…"
Kei nodded. "I think so too…"
The two started to write their own lyrics and then combine it with the other's. This lyric writing session did not only yield a good song but it also made the two students know more about the other. The questions were not very personal but it gave some insight on the kind of person they were.
"And done." Kei said before placing the pen and paper on the table. Both he and Umi had their own copies of the song. "I think it's pretty good, pretty meaningful."
The blue haired student nodded. "I like it as well. I think it would go well with the cheery atmosphere of the festival."
"Or start it." Kei said and Umi looked at him. "The performance is going to be held after the opening ceremony or in other words, right after my speech. It's the main reason why Eri-senpai isn't going to be speaking with me." He explained before standing up with the paper with the lyrics on it and then heading towards the door and then waiting for Umi.
"I see, I see." Umi said before following Kei and made their way to the music room.
Reifu and Maki were at the piano. The latter was sitting down while the former was behind her as they tried to create a melody together. It wouldn't be the one they would use since they needed the lyrics. Kei and Umi had arrived and left the lyrics in their hands before leaving once more. Kei had to help with the Student Council and Umi had to go back to Honoka and Kotori to see if they needed any help.
Maki pressed key after key, trying to see if anything fits. After pressing about ten keys, her hands left the piano and onto the seat. "Why can't I feel it today?" She muttered to herself as she looked up.
Reifu took a step to her side. "Perhaps it was too sudden or perhaps you finally realized that you were tricked by Kei-kaichou into forcing the others to agree to the deal as well." He said before taking a seat beside her after she moved.
Maki blushed as she looked away. "I can't believe I actually fell for it." She might be blushing either because of embarrassment because she fell into his trap or anger because he actually created a trap meant for her which focused on her weak point. "I'll definitely make a come back." She muttered but it wasn't quiet enough for Reifu to not hear her.
"I'm sure that Kei-kaichou doesn't show many openings." Reifu said and Maki nodded. "But you can catch him off guard with your willingness to perform even with knowing the fact that you were tricked into agreeing. He knows you're frustrated so why not turn your frustrations to your advantage?" He continued before starting to press seemingly random keys to make a beautiful melody.
Maki eyed the lyrics. "So you already managed to incorporate the lyrics into something important huh?" She said before watching his fingers fluently move from key to key. It was as if she was studying his capabilities in creating a song.
Although there was a smile on her face as the sounds rung out of the piano, mixing together perfectly and pumping out beautiful music. The sound abruptly stopped, much to Maki's shock, and Reifu looked at her. "I'm sure I've had enough freestyle. I think it's about time you started on making the song. Just keep playing and I'll write the notes." He said as he picked up a pen and paper and proceeded to sit himself on another chair.
Connecting yourself with the meaning of the song makes a beautiful melody. It's the same thing as feeling the song so you can actually sing it well. She started to play the piano, key after key, slowly but surely she started to form an actual melody to accompany the lyrics that was made by Kei and Umi.
"Call Umi and Kei." Maki said, almost silently as she continued playing, a soft smile on her face. "I want to hear them sing it while I play."
Reifu nodded before he stood up. They were done but they needed to hear it to make sure that it actually fits. Then she'd have to make the computer-generated music for it. Although it didn't seem that she minded it. After all, she had done it all before and she would gladly do it again.
When the two came, they all sang together, their voices actually mixing well with each other. WIth Reifu's slightly deep tone and Kei's normal tone combined with Umi's deep voice and Maki's cool voice, they actually make a good singing group.
With both the lyrics and the melody done, they quickly took off for the Student Council room where Shun and Eri was. Umi and Reifu headed for Kotori though so she could see the lyrics and think of a good costume for them. They then started to record it, with only Umi and Maki seeing as to not confuse Eri and Shun with the different tone.
"Eh? Senpai was a ballerina before?" Shun asked. Both were sitting down on the chairs, doing nothing in particular. They finished everything to do for the moment and Shun didn't need to deliver anything right now.
"I was back in Russia." Eri replied, smiling at the surprised expression on Shun's face.
"I should've known. Senpai's body frame actually fits a ballerina's." He pointed out. "But why did you stop?"
Eri smiled sadly as she recollected her younger days. "I… wasn't the best ballerina out there. I barely passed the exams so I quit."
Shun regretted he even asked about it so he tried to redirect the subject matter to another way. "So how is your grandmother in Russia?"
The girl's face brightened up as he heard talk about her grandmother. "She's doing fine actually last time I heard. Mother and father are living with her right now actually."
"You live alone?"
Eri shook her head. "I live with my sister, Arisa. My parents visit from time to time but they usually stay in Russia."
"Ooh, you have a sister. Does she attend Otonokizaka as well?" The brown haired teen asked out of curiosity.
"She's a year younger than you Katanashi-kun. Although she wants to try to get into Otonokizaka as well." The blonde replied.
Before Shun could comment, however, Maki and Kei entered the student council room. "We're done~"
"Really?" Eri looked at them, disbelief in her eyes. "That was actually pretty quick. It isn't even the end of the day yet…"
"Well if you have two brains thinking, you would actually finish everything quickly don't you think senpai?" Kei said before dropping the lyrics on the desk in front of Eri and then patting Maki's back, a proud smile on his face. "Anyway, I leave the singing to you Maki-chan. I need to go do something real quick… or maybe not. See you guys later." He said before leaving all of them.
The three watched as the energetic president bounded off to who knows where. They then turned their attention to the lyrics and then Shun and Eri turned to Maki. "We were tight on schedule so that my have played a part in helping us do it faster."
Eri grabbed hold of the paper with the lyrics on it and Shun peeked over her shoulder to read. "Looks good. Mind if we hear the music?"
The red haired teen handed her the recording which was on her phone. Eri and Shun listened to the music. "Sounds cheery. I can definitely make some moves out of this." Shun said confidently. They took off the earphones and Eri handed the phone back to Maki.
"Sounds good Maki." Eri said with a nod.
Maki nodded back. "Thanks, couldn't have done it as quickly if it wasn't for Sato-kun though." She admitted, putting her pride down for now. She then looked at Shun. "Well come on, let's head back to the room."
"Uh, right!" Shun said as he hopped off of his seat and then headed for Maki. "See you tomorrow then senpai. From the look of the lyrics, I think I can think of something. I'll show you tomorrow." He said with a smile and wave before the two first years left the room.
"We managed to make the song in one day. Only the dance steps and costumes remain so I think we're doing pretty good." Kei said as he walked beside Eri. They were walking back home. There had been many applications of clubs doing exhibition matches with each other since they wanted to see how good the other was, practically making the two presidents drown in papers. It took them a while and now it was evening and they just exited the building.
Nozomi had gone ahead with everyone else by the order of Eri. The violet haired teen had her suspicions on what the two would talk about, which was that secret, but she knew they would tell her eventually so she hesitantly agreed.
"Everyone will begin practicing the song tomorrow." The blonde said. "I heard that Kotori has made the designs and are making the costumes right now as we speak with Nico and Hanayo." She continued. "It's just the dance steps to worry about and we have all day tomorrow to make it. Hopefully, we could practice it tomorrow as well." She admitted. She wasn't doubting her skill nor was she doubting Shun's skill in the art of dancing but sometimes, thinking of steps would need more than one day.
"So you do have everything planned. That's good, that's good." Kei said as he nodded in approval. "But remember, try not to push yourself too hard. The festival's just around the corner and we wouldn't want you girls getting sick because you didn't get enough rest." He pointed out as he crossed his arms.
"I know that fully well and I've reminded them to be careful. We wouldn't want this to end up like the last live." Eri said. Everyone still remembers how much Honoka pushed herself last time causing her to get sick and pass out while performing. She then looked back at Kei. "Aren't you guys going to do anything special?"
"We have our light music club but they won't be performing at the opening tomorrow, unlike you guys." The red haired president replied. "But I will be performing with Maki." He continued. "Originally, I was planning to do it alone but playing the violin is always more fun when there's a piano accompanying you."
"Ah so it's going to be a recital?" Eri asked as she looked back at the road they were going through. "I had heard that most people nowadays doesn't actively seek out classical music."
"Yeah, they find it really boring." Kei said with a roll of his eyes. He never understood why the classics were boring. They were pleasing to the ears unlike the more powerful music created nowadays. But then again, those were his preference because of his synaesthesia. He then smirked as he pumped his fist forward. "But I'll make them enjoy our piece. So much that they would want to hear it over and over again." He proclaimed. A brave proclamation, Eri thought, but if one had this much passion for something, it was understandable.
"I'll personally be looking forward to it then. I haven't really heard Maki play a classical piece before so this should be interesting." Eri said with a nod. "And seeing you play the violin should be an experience." She continued.
"It'll be lots of fun." Kei said. "I promise." After all, he had another thing up his sleeve. He had discussed this with Maki beforehand and she agreed, finding it a good time to show their talent once more to the outside world. Three years have passed since their last recital but they knew they still have it in them to perform.
The two stopped when they saw two familiar faces. It was Principal Minami and Principal Terasaka. Both stood at the end of the street. It was as if they were waiting for the two presidents. The younger pair closed in on them and stopped a good meter away.
"Pretty late to be going home now isn't it?" Principal Terasaka said.
"Considering the amount of work dumped onto us, I think it is understandable." Kei retorted as he looked at the two principals.
"We're planning to announce it after the cultural festival." Principal Minami stated making the two practically jump up in surprise.
"Right after the festival?" Kei asked in disbelief.
"Of course not." Principal Minami said. "I will give you a week, Ayase-san, after you step down to tell the next president about it. Once that week is over, I will announce to everyone about it."
Eri held her tongue, swallowing the remaining anger in her. She didn't want this at all but it has already been written and she could do nothing about it. They even made preparations for it. "Yes ma'am." Was the only thing she could muster.
"Good." Principal Minami said. She could see that both presidents were still against it. She sighed and then turned around and continued out with Principal Terasaka. "Remember, this was and still is the only way to save the school." She reminded her before completely leaving.
Kei took in a deep breath and let it all out. Anger wasn't good for his heart. "Well, she does have a point Eri-senpai. It's the only way to save your school." He pointed out as he looked at Eri.
The blonde clenched her fists and spoke through grit teeth. "I guess."
Kei patted her shoulder. "It's not like I wanted it too in the first place." He then took a step back. "But I've learned to accept it. You should too."
"We did so much to try and save the school."
"And you did."
"But not the way we wanted for it to be saved." She continued.
"True. You gave it your all but you didn't make the quota right?" Kei said. "Or well to be more specific, even with the success of your open day and the reconsideration… you guys still didn't make it. Disappointing, yes, but it is the truth."
Eri gripped her left arm and then let out a deep breath. "Just a few more days." She muttered. "And we'll finally be free of keeping this secret."
"I don't know which is worse, sharing it with others or keeping it inside." The red haired president admitted. He then smiled at Eri. "But come on, you can't show that face in front of everyone. You gotta smile and you still have those steps to worry about."
"How do you even keep that attitude?" Eri asked.
"Don't think about it. Focus on the things that you need to solve right away. This is a problem we cannot solve anymore so I started to think of other things." Kei replied before stepping ahead as they continued to walk down the street.
Kotori was alone in her room making the rest of the costumes. Nico and Hanayo had already gone home because it was late at night. She happily continued her work. She brought one of the costumes up. It was a cheerleader outfit showing one's midriff. "It's so cute~" She was sure it was cute. The only problem was actually getting Umi to wear it but she'll leave that up to the others.
She had gotten the idea after seeing their cheerleading group and Amagiri's cheerleading group. After studying the lyrics for a while, she knew it was somehow cheering for the people to find their treasures and so a cheerleader seemed like a good idea. She giggled to herself after imagining all of them on stage seeing the song.
Three knocks on the door interrupted her. She slowly stood up and headed for the door. She opened it and revealed her mother on the other side. "Okaa-san, did you need something?" The last time she went to her room directly was to ask if she really was sure if she was going to a foreign country to study.
"Kotori, I need to tell you something." The older ash grey haired woman said. "May I come in?" She continued.
"Of course!" Kotori said before standing aside to let her mother in and the latter did and took a seat on a chair. Kotori then closed the door and then sat down on her bed. "So what did you want to talk about Okaa-san?"
The principal looked down. "It's about the school… and what Takamitsu-kun and Ayase-san are hiding." She said. "I figured that as my daughter, you have the right to know before the others but in turn, you must keep it a secret as well. You must not tell anyone and you must only talk about it when either I or the presidents are there."
"Is that what you told them?" Kotori asked.
"Regrettably, yes. Principal Terasaka was the one who came up with the idea to keep it a secret." Principal Minami said. "Do you want to hear it and share the same burden for a week?"
Kotori looked at her mother unsurely before nodding. "I want to know." Despite being one of those who said that they should leave them alone and they will tell them at the right time, she was still curious. Like the others, she wanted to know why they held the festival and why they met so frequently. Even for planning the festival, it shouldn't take too many meetings as shown with the introduction day where they all planned in a single day.
Her mother started to talk, to explain everything that had transpired under the noses of the students, and Kotori listened, not saying a word. She was surprised, yes, and very, very against the idea but before she could retort, her mother said it.
"What has already been written, cannot be changed." The principal then stood up and left the room, leaving Kotori to think.
The ash gray haired girl sat there, her thoughts being processed. Everything was running through her head. Her mother looked easy when she announced that the school was being closed then how could she do this? Why would she even do it? Was it because they showed effort to save the school that it gave her the hope and idea to save it as well?
She looked back at the unfinished costumes and found no interest to continue it at that time. She could always finish it later on as long as it was before the performance. Kotori immediately went to bed and slept. She had to ask them tomorrow. Ask them why the things are the way there are right now. And how they could allow such a thing to happen.
Three days until the Cultural Festival. Six days until Eri steps down from presidency.
A/N: Hey, I actually didn't take a month to make this. Cool.
TsUNaMyWaVe: From those lyrics and costume I pumped out earlier, I think you can guess.
ja669543: 'Course not, can't really leave this story till I finish it. Cultural festivals you mean? Yeah I feel 'ya.
Rena Bodewig: OTP, where? And yes, it is coming and so is the big reveal. Might timeskip to the start as well so it will be here soon.