You Belong With Me
Ponchimaya: FINALLY I GET MY LAPTOP BACK. I AM SO SORRY TO ALL WHO HAVE WAITED TOO LONG FOR ME!
Kousuke: tsk, tsk. Shame on you.
Ponchimaya:
Kousuke: what the hell is psha-
Rio: Leave her alone!
How, in all the history of the world could this have happened?
I'm sitting in my bedroom, in my PJ's, with a book. Normally I'd just be lying around listening to my iPod and reading. But I'm pondering. Deciding on what to do. A sketchpad with the words, Nope, sorry, I'm busy… lay before me. A few minutes ago, Ayumu was in his room, getting ready for the after festival dance held inside the school gym. My heart melted as he looked positively DASHING in a tux. Before he left, he held up a sign, You coming? And that's when I held up my reply. A look of sadness washed across his face, and he closed his curtains and his lights were off and so was he.
This usually happens every year.
But why do I feel so different?
Oh, you still don't know.
Let's turn back time.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
Two weeks ago
My head still hurt from my accident and the nurse wouldn't let me leave till I felt positively dandy. Ayumu, who came in shortly after my friends left, agreed with the nurse strongly. I honestly didn't know what to feel about this, but all I know is that I had to hold the blanket up over my head to hide my red face.
"Yuizaki."
"Mm."
"You're going to suffocate."
If only he knew.
"Maybe you should pull her hair or something." Said a sleepy voice.
Ayumu laughed. "I don't think she'd appreciate that, Keito."
The blush flushed out of my face and I sat up, glaring at Keito.
"Yeah, I definitely would not appreciate that."
Keito stared at me. "You're never without glasses, aren't you, Yuizaki? You've never taken them out."
"I'm blind without them." I said. It took all my effort to converse with a straight face, what with Ayumu being so close to me and all.
Suddenly Ayumu grabbed my wrist and checked my pulse.
"She's not dying, Narumi." Drawled an irate Keito.
"I just need to see if her pulse is steady."
I wanted to turn into a ghost and scream and then die and go to heaven. Oh, wait, this WAS heaven. I sat still, revelling in the feeling of our hands touching. To keep from blushing, I focused my gaze on a flower vase.
Speaking of flowers…
"Oh no!" I exclaimed, jerking my hand from a shocked Ayumu and quickly getting up, but not before swaying around like an idiot first and Ayumu having to steady me. My sunflower…
"Are you stupid?" asked Keito.
"I have somewhere I need to be!"
"You're not going anywhere." Said Ayumu strictly.
"I'm fine. Please, Ayumu?"
I did my best to give him my super mega ultra Hiyono puppy eyes.
"…W-we'll have to ask the nurse…" he stammered.
Keito rolled his eyes and called for the nurse.
The pretty nurse came in and did the initial checkup, and declared I was fine.
I collected my belongings and bowed to Ayumu and Keito.
"Thank you, Narumi-san, Hanatabaki-san…it's 5:00, I'm sure everybody's left already."
"We'll take you home.." Ayumu offered, but I shook my head.
"No need." I said. "I've already taken up so much of your time… Thank you so much, and I'm very sorry for troubling you… I owe you two forever for finding me on the street…"
Ayumu semi relaxed into a worried smile. "Don't scare me like that again, okay Yuizaki?"
I nodded eagerly and ran out of the infirmary.
A few minutes later I was lamenting to my sunflower. It was still being supported on a stick, but it already reached above my waist. I was delighted at the development.
"At least you're doing well, sunflower-san…" I gave it some water. I took a picture of it with my phone, as I always did whenever there were improvements. I always posted them on my blog. But the developments were always quite slow, so the pictures didn't really appear that often. I doubt if my only two readers in the world even remember sunflower san…
I stood and turned back for home.
For the next few days I've been practicing my song.
As usual, the band club has been coordinating with me, and they're just the greatest. They're an awesome bunch, and they've been offering me a spot on their band. But the thing is, it's an all boy band, and they performed in clubs a lot and they had a pretty big fanbase in the local indie world. They haven't been discovered yet, because they mainly lack a lead singer. They've been asking a few volunteers, but none have really been able to commit.
"I just think it's stupid how we're called True Voices, when we lack a voice." Said Saeki, the lead guitarist.
"You should totally join us, Hiyono, please!" begged Atsushi, the band's alleged manager.
"U-uhm…I really can't commit…" I giggled nervously. Sad truth: I have A LOT of free time on my hands. I have no life. The real reason why I'm not joining True Voices cause I don't want to be the ugly girl in a stage filled with good looking band members, which they were.
"Anyway, let's get to business, Yuizaki." Said Daichi, the drummer, with a smile on his face.
Rehearsing with True Voices was always fun, until I get to lunch with Rio pulling me to every optical store to get me less conspicuous glasses for the performance.
"It's just simply imperative you don't look like you have glasses up on stage." Says Rio everytime.
"But I've been doing this since last year…! No one complained about my glasses then!"
Rio sighed. "Still, Hiyo-chan. I want you to look stunning. You know you're really beautiful if you actually try. Your hair is always covering your face, so no one notices how pretty you are. Vis a Vis, without the huge thick rim glasses."
I scowled. Rio continued as she continued surveying the collection of barely-there eyeglasses.
"You're always wearing big, thick clothes, so no one sees how nice your skin is or how slender you are."
I was suddenly reminded of my beautiful mother. Sadness crept up to my face again. Why couldn't I be that pretty?
Rio snapped me back to reality. "And you're always spacing out." She said sternly. Suddenly her eyes drifted to a certain pair of glasses.
"That. Is. Perfect." She said, bringing out her wallet and purchasing the glasses on the spot. She thrust the plastic bag at me and stretched. "I'm dying for a milkshake."
My blog went on as usual.
PinkKat44 here! :D
Since the flower festival starts next week and the performance on the last day, this week has been totally hectic! But I'm still not losing hope with the one I love the most!
Oh, earlier this week I got into a little accident…I was running cause I was in a hurry, and I got hit by a taxi. But it was all okay because Narumi san was able to save me! 3 Hanatabaki san, too. My class sent me flowers, and I felt really nice.
To be honest, I'm really quite nervous about my upcoming performance…
And oh! Here's an updated picture of my sunflower! It's sure growing strong.
And my conversations with BunnyGirl68 and BoiNxtDoor were always oddly comforting as usual.
BunnyGirl68: OHMIGAD PINKKAT44CHAN ARE YOU OKAY?
PinkKat44: XD I'm fine haha
BoiNxtDoor: Lesson learned—look both ways before crossing the street.
PinkKat44: I know, BoiNxtDoor. I know J
BunnyGirl68: Well….now that I think about it…this was totally the work of fate!
BoiNxtDoor: Please kindly tell me how. *I hope you note the sarcasm*
BunnyGirl68: I'm totally shooting daggers at you right now, Boi.
BoiNxtDoor: And you're being annoying as usual, Girl.
Finally the first day of the festival came, and for the next two days I've been spending it either having fun with Rio and Kousuke, or helping out at our class Maid Café. Of course, I refused to be a waitress and I was doing the accounting of money instead. (Yeah, totally cute, Yuizaki. NOT.)
When night rolled by and I lay on my bed exhausted, Ayumu would raise my hopes up.
Hiyono!
Haha could you write more question marks?
!
LOL
I didn't see you at all today.
Hehe was with rio and kousuke
Let's meet up tomorrow!
That's when I'd freeze and not be able to sleep at all for anticipation.
Of course, who was I to expect he'd actually keep the appointment?
"It's like a 24/7 Komari surveillance with that boy." Sighed Rio the next day as I sat sadly watching Komari and Ayumu strolling around the festival, Ayumu looking miserable.
That very night he communicated with me.
I'm so sorry! It's just that my girlfriend kept watch!
It's fine! Haha It's not like I was waiting too long, Total lie. I waited for three hours.
Really?
Yeah rio and kousuke rolled by quickly enough. Another lie. Spiral looked up at me judgementally, as if he knew.
Well, I'll make it up to you.
Really
For sure this time!
Uh-huh
Aw come on
Haha
Near the stage for True Voice. During their break.
Seriously?
Yep.
All right :D
That night I couldn't sleep again. I was too excited. The next morning I left for school early so I could take the early shift in the class Maid Café so I could make my meet up with Ayumu. That afternoon I skipped over to the side of the stage of True Voices, where the crowd was thinning.
"Hey Hiyo-chan!" greeted Eichi, who was on second guitar. Hansuke, the youngest and most adorable, jumped up and down and waved at me. He played the bass.
"Waiting for someone, Hiyo-chan?" asked Atsushi, grinning.
I nodded.
Daichi frowned. "Why now when we can't wait with you? We're going to go on our break, and we wanted you to join us."
I could literally feel their fangirls shoot jealous glances. I quickly shook my head.
"It's fine!" I said.
"Our little Hiyo-chan has a date!"
"How could Hiyo-chan not tell Hansuke?" whined the adorable bass player. I laughed.
Thirty minutes later the boys already left and I was still waiting. I sat and stared at the ground.
Why did I even bother? Did I actually expect something to go on with me and Narumi san? Not even spend a little bit of time together?
I was just contemplating on whether it would be wise to cry or not when I felt a shadow come over me. I quickly looked up, expecting Ayumu.
I was thoroughly disappointed.
"Is it normal for idiotic girls to just sit around in random places?" drawled a bored looking Keito.
I smiled to myself. "It is for me, I guess."
"Liar." Said Keito. "I always see you with that Takeuchi girl and that weird guy. What're you doing here?"
I sighed. "Nothing."
Keito looked around. "I'm going to go around. Idiots are welcome to join."
He turned to leave. I slowly got his message and quickly stood. But I was rather reluctant. What if Ayumu came…?
The cynical part of me told me to stop hoping.
So I quickly exclaimed for Keito to slow down and wait up.
That night Ayumu wasn't in his bedroom. I sighed and just fell into sleep, with nothing to look forward to. Ah well. Tomorrow night was the performance anyway.
The next day, the backstage of the auditorium was filled with busy bustling people getting ready for the show. After watching Komari flirt with True Voices along with her mindless followers and getting nowhere and rolling their eyes, I approached the group.
"I don't know why they still try." Said Saeki. "It's going to be worse today. Turns out the cheerleaders will be performing slutty moves on stage while you sing." I laughed.
"LET'S GET THIS REHEARSAL STARTED!" blared Rio's voice through her megaphone.
"Aaaaahhh!"
We all turned to a scream at the right side of the stage. The right stage was a mess of fallen props and in the center of it was Riyouko, covered by Kousuke to protect her from the blow.
Komari stood there frozen in shock. She and the rest of her cheerleader friends rushed to Riyouko and pushed Kousuke away, even if he saved her. I wanted to rush over to him, but Atsushi held me back.
"Best not approach the hyenas." He whispered.
The night came too fast. Soon we were all backstage, waiting for our cues. Soon I was wearing the pink floral yukata. My messy hair was up in a bun, and my bangs still practically covered half my face. I didn't bother with the barely-there glasses seeing as the cheerleaders would be the center of attention during my performance. Rio was mad, not at me, but at the fact that the cheerleaders' dance would interfere with my, 'coming out'.
"I'm not gay." I said, hopefully to lighten up her mood. She only sighed.
Soon the program started and a lot of students already began with their song numbers. I could hear the crowd from the backstage, and instantly I was nervous.
Childish Hansuke sensed my nervousness and gave me a big hug.
"Look! Suke's hugging Hiyono!" yelled Daichi.
"Group hug!" yelled Atsushi, Eichi, and Saeki. I yelped as the band enveloped me in a group hug.
I felt like a heroine in a shoujou manga.
Except the heroine was always cute.
Rio clicked her tongue. Kousuke was next to her, his arm in a sling from when he broke it earlier saving Ryouko.
"The auditorium ceiling will open in two minutes. Then as the fireworks go on True Voices will already be positioned and Hiyono will start to sing on the side of the stage and let the sluts dance." Said Rio. Then she hugged me. "You're going to do fine, Hiyo chan."
Two minute later, on cue, the state of the art auditorium ceiling(the only thing the school invested in—they could have invested in a bigger library, or a better science lab—but instead they use up all our tuition fee money to build this customized ceiling that opens up and is only allowed to work once a year) opened up. The lights were off as the gasping audience stared up at the night sky. While the audience was focused, Rio hurried us to stage and we were all in position.
The fireworks started, and I stared up in awe. I absolutely love fireworks. The way the loud colors and patterns filled up the night sky reminded me of a real life kaleidoscope.
Suddenly I heard Daichi start counting with his drumsticks("One, two, three, four!") and Saeki starting the guitar. The lights went back on and the stage was illuminated by multi-coloured lights and the cheerleaders spilled into the stage.
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes as I put the microphone up to me.
And as I began to sing, memories played through my head like a movie.
You're on the phone with your girlfriend, she's upset
She's going off about something that you said
'Cause she doesn't get your humor like I do
I'm in my room, it's a typical Tuesday night
I'm listening to the kind of music she doesn't like
And she'll never know your story like I do
You okay? I wrote. I showed it to him. He smiled slightly and reached for his sketchpad and marker.
Tired of drama. He wrote. I smiled.
What happened?
Komari.
?
Kanna caught her making out with Shiro again.
Ouch. You alright?
Yeah, I'll be fine. Thanks a lot.
I smiled. I decided that I had to tell him now. Now would be a good chance. A wonderful chance. No one to disturb us.
I love you. I wrote. I flashed it to him, bracing myself.
But his curtains were already shut for the night.
But she wears short skirts, I wear T-shirts
She's Cheer Captain and I'm on the bleachers
Dreaming about the day when you wake up and find
That what you're looking for has been here the whole time
I'm sitting on the field with my friends, burying my face in a book as I listened to Kousuke and Rio bicker. The soccer team was having their practice and I secretly watched as Ayumu played and scored. Ayumu caught my eye and made his way toward me.
My breath caught and as I made to stand up, loud giggles were heard as Rio, Kousuke, Ayumu and I looked to the source to find Komari, looking especially skimpy in a super short orange leather skirt and fishnets walk up to Ayumu and purposefully making out with Ayumu in the middle of the field. I stood and excused myself to go to the bathroom and cry.
If you could see that I'm the one who understands you
Been here all along, so why can't you see?
You, you belong with me, you belong with me
Walking the streets with you and your worn-out jeans
I can't help thinking this is how it ought to be
Laughing on a park bench, thinking to myself
Hey, isn't this easy?
"Yuizaki-san!"
I froze. I looked to my right. He was right there, walking towards me, bag slung over his shoulder.
"Good morning, Ayumu-san." I bowed. He crouched down and put his hand on my head. I blushed wildly.
"Hey. No need to be so polite. We're good friends, right?"
"I-I guess so…" I stood up. I let my hair cover my face. He put his hand away.
"Hey, your hair…"
He brushed the hair away from my face and tucked it behind my ear. It made my heart melt with pleasure.
"See?" he said. "Much better."
And you've got a smile that could light up this whole town
I haven't seen it in a while since she brought you down
You say you're fine, I know you better than that
Hey, what ya doing with a girl like that?
Just then a shiny pink convertible with the hood down pulled up right in front of us.
"Ayu-chan!"
Ugh. Komari.
Ayumu turned. His smile disappeared. "Bye, Yuizaki." He muttered. He sat down in the seat next to her.
Komari kissed and hugged him dramatically. While she was hugging him, she threw an icy glance right at me. It sent chills down my spine.
Then she drove away, leaving me out here.
I gave a sad sigh. So much for the morning.
She wears high heels, I wear sneakers
She's Cheer Captain and I'm on the bleachers
Dreaming about the day when you wake up and find
That what you're looking for has been here the whole time
If you could see that I'm the one who understands you
Been here all along, so why can't you see?
You belong with me
"YOU CAN DO IT, NARUMI SAN!"
Everyone looked at me. But I didn't care. Ayumu turned to look at me too. Then he smiled. He gave me a thumbs up.
I did the same.
Then he kicked the ball confidently and the ball went pass the goalie and made the winning shot.
Everyone cheered and rushed to him. I wanted to go too, but decided not to. I turned to leave the school with a satisfied smile on my face.
Standing by and waiting at your back door
All this time how could you not know?
Baby, you belong with me, you belong with me
Oh, I remember you driving to my house in the middle of the night
I'm the one who makes you laugh when you know you're 'bout to cry
Great! Meet me at the park in our neighborhood at 10:00 tonight.
You got it.
I head straight for the door and into the park.
He was already sitting on one of the benches over looking the lake. On the lake were two swans. He was watching them.
"H-hi." I said, sitting down.
"Komari's really weighing me down. I just can't trust her anymore. A while ago in the after party…" He hung his head. I pat his back.
"Then why are you with her?" I asked. "Why do you put up with her,"
"Because everyone in school will get angry. They all like things the way it is. Like, for example, if I leave Komari for another girl, That poor girl would be tortured by everyone in school."
I gulped.
"But that's not up to them," I said, " it's up to what you really want."
"But I can't let that poor girl get hurt."
"That's really nice of you."
He sat up and smiled. Then all of a sudden, his cellphone rang.
"Hello?" he said. "Komari" he mouthed. I nodded. Then he hung up.
"I-I have to go. Komari's waiting."
"Oh. Okay." I said. "Goodbye."
And I know your favorite songs and you tell me 'bout your dreams
Think I know where you belong, think I know it's with me
Can't you see that I'm the one who understands you?
Been here all along, so why can't you see?
You belong with me
Good game today
All because of you.
I blushed. He was smiling at me as in, really smiling. He started writing something on his pad. But as he was about to show it to me, he hesitated, and flipped to the next page.
Standing by and waiting at your back door
All this time, how could you not know?
Baby, you belong with me, you belong with me
You belong with me
Have you ever thought just maybe
You belong with me?
You belong with me
You belong with me….
I opened my eyes as I finished my song. The audience gave a huge round of applause and True Voices abandoned their instruments to hug me.
I scanned the crowd for Ayumu, and I saw him. He was grinning wildly and gave me a thumbs up. I caught Keito sitting right next to him.
Asleep.
The jackass.
For the next few days after the performance, there was a new hype: The Dance.
My friends and I were in my bedroom. As usual, I told them my plans of NOT attending the dance. Rio sighed.
"I HAVE to go." She said. "I'm an organizer. And Kousuke's got friends."
I smiled at her sympathetically. Suddenly she looked shocked. "Oh My goodness!" she exclaimed. "I almost completely forgot to give you my gift!" Rio quickly grabbed her schoolbag and got a neatly wrapped present and handed it over to me. I unwrapped it excitedly and found a box of new pair of clear contact lenses.
"R-Rio-chan…" I breathed. "I've never wore contact lenses in my life.."
Rio shrugged. "Maybe it's time to start. See, look, it comes with a bottle of solution to keep it clean…"
I smiled and put the lenses and solution bottle in my bathroom drawer. Maybe some other time.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
Present Time
Which brings us back to my earlier predicament.
I gingerly picked up my sketchbook and leafed through the pages of my nightly conversations with Ayumu. Suddenly I froze on one particular page.
I love you.
I stared. I loved him. I loved Ayumu, and I wanted him to know. I needed him to know with an urgency I've never felt before.
Even if it kills me.
I quickly stood and panicked. What am I going to wear to the dance? I don't have a dress! I hurried around my room, almost stepping on Spiral.
My mother must have heard all the ruckus I was making, because she gently came inside my room.
"Hiyono sweetheart, what are you doing?"
I ran to her.