.
.
.
When school ended, Weiss disappeared from the classroom in a flash. Ever since her transfer here, her whereabouts had became the biggest mystery for Class 1-C.
"Her shoes were still in the shoe cabinet, so I don't think she's heading straight home after school."
"Serinuma-san, when did you leave school yesterday?"
"Hmm, about five."
"I saw Weiss near the staff room."
Homeroom's about to start, but Weiss's no where in sight. A group of students had gathered around her desk which is right next to me, and were exchanging information they had among themselves. Stop meddling in other people's affairs already!
"I thought she liked drawing since she chose fine arts as her elective, so I tried inviting her to the arts club… but she ran away after saying some strange stuff to me. What's with that!"
"Speaking of which, that girl does nothing at all during the lessons, right? All she did was open up her sketch book and leave it there! Is there something wrong with her brain?"
"She should just choose music instead. She's causing a lot of problems for the teachers as well, right?"
Everyone's appraisal of Weiss was sliding down further as they continued talking, though that was to be expected.
"Oi Pervert, do you know anything about her?"
Takurou suddenly involved me in the conversation.
"Dammit Takurou! Can you please not address me like that. You really pissing me off now!"
"Then how about 'Weiss Schnee's Exclusive Critic'?"
"That even worse!"
"Then how about I combine both to make it 'Pervert Critic'?"
"Don't go about combining things randomly!"
Due to Weiss's baseless slanders, I was facing a crisis in my life.
"Listen Takurou, we just met once during spring holiday, so I knew nothing about her!"
What's with those stares of disbelief!
The bell began to ring, but Weiss was still not in the classroom, and Chiaki still hadn't arrived either, as usual. It seemed like she was practicing the drums somewhere every morning. The advantage of being a drummer is that you can practice just about anywhere, so long as you have a pair of drumsticks, a metronome and a stack of old magazines. The moment the bell finished ringing and Hiratsuka Sensei started closing the attendance book, the door at the back of the class suddenly opened.
"I'm safe! I'm safe, right?" Chiaki shouted while dashing into the classroom, and for some unknown reason, she was pulling Weiss along as well.
The silent Weiss showed a grumpy expression, and flung Chiaki's hand away. Our teacher's nice though, and said to them, "I won't consider you two as late, so take your seats immediately." If Chiaki was alone, Kaguraza Sensei probably would have marked her as late without hesitation.
"Sorry, but lend me your notes for a while. I'll copy it quickly."
Chiaki snatched my notebook after sitting down. I looked at her back as she copied my notes furiously, and asked softly.
"What were you two doing just now?"
"I was practicing at the corridors on the third floor, and I saw Weiss. It seemed like she was lost."
"I was not lost…" Weiss mumbled.
I secretly cast a glance at her, she seemed slightly angry, and her face was quite flushed too. This means… that this girl actually has a really poor sense of direction? The school is quite big, but it is quit e ridiculous to get lost trying to get to your classroom, right?
"I made a detour to the music room, and on my way back…"
"Alright, I am about to start the lesson, so you three stop your chit-chatting," Hiratsuka Sensei snapped, and our classmates gave a stifled laughter.
The music room? Why there? My doubts lasted for a brief moment though, as Hiratsuka Sensei suddenly called me out to answer the questions in our assignments. With that, the only thing I could do was to focus on snatching my notebook back from Chiaki.
As usual, I escaped from Chiaki's attempts to rope me into the club after school. I made a trip down to the library to return the books I had showed Ayase that day, before walking towards the direction of the abandoned classroom behind the main building of the school. Just as I turned past the corner of the building and saw the chimney of the incinerator, the faint sounds of an electric guitar drifted into my ears. It came from the classroom which I've been using. And I suddenly thought, did I leave the room with a CD still playing? Shit! But as I approached the door and listened, I realized that wasn't the case. From within the classroom, came a tune that I hadn't heard of before, but I was very familiar with the melody all the same.
Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2. This is an extremely difficult piano solo. During the endearing friska, the tune will be accompanied by notes that are played repeatedly at blazing speeds; moreover, what I was listening to is the guitar version. What's this? I don't have such an amazing CD… no, wait, this is live so there's someone playing it right now, with the electric guitar plugged into the amplifier that I had modified. I couldn't help it, but I was having goosebumps. It's impossible for a tune like this to be played by a person alone, even if he possessed four hands. However, the melody that was flowing into my ears definately came from a single guitar. So who could that person be…?
I grabbed the door handle. Just then, that grand piano which was buried in the dumping grounds appeared in my mind. I pushed the handle down diagonally, and turned it at the same time. Kacha — a muffled metallic sound was heard, and I could feel the sensation of the lock coming loose through my palms. Just as I opened the door, the music came to a screeching halt. Weiss was sitting on the long desk and looking at me with a stunned expression. Her varnished guitar nearly slipped off her legs. I guess my expression then was probably the same as hers. Why… is Weiss here? In my classroom, which I'm using without permission, and holding onto a guitar? What the heck is going on here? When and how did this dream start? Could it be, that everything that dates back to my encounter with her during the summer holidays was just a dream…
"… Y-You."
Weiss regained her senses a tad bit quicker and spoke first. I took a small leap backwards in shock as well.
"Eh? Oh shit! Wait wait wait, stop, you will kill me if you hit me with that guitar of yours!"
Weiss's face was flushed red, and she swung that slightly heavy Stratocaster of hers at me while she was chasing me. I slammed the door shut so as to escape from her.
"Why are you here? Pervert! Stalker!"
Weiss's shrieks came through the gaps of the door. Wait, I should be the one asking that question!
"I've been using this classroom all along, so why did you go in by yourself?" Though I was also using it without permission.
"I… I obtained permission from Hiratsuka sensei before entering."
"Eh?"
Shizuka Hiratsuka our homeroom teacher, though everyone calls her Shizu-chan. She is a young music teacher who everyone finds approachable and yet scary at the same time.
I see, so that was the reason for her going to the music room in the morning? No, wait, why was she given permission to use the classroom? So that means if I had asked the teacher for permission, I would also be permitted to use the classroom?
"Just scram already!"
She was saying that, but I had already moved in a huge stack of my CDs, refitted a component amplifier, and had even prepared some cushions, I'd wasted so much effort to make this classroom as comfortable as possible! Even if you want me to disappear, you can't possibly expect me to say, "Alright, so be it" and obediently leave as I was told!
"… Eh, what's happening here? Why would the teacher…"
She didn't reply, instead the sound of a huge claw scraping against the walls could be heard, it was the electric guitar's feedback. Stop that, or else the amplifier will break down! All I could do was sigh and move away from the classroom door.
Back in the school building, a surge of anger swelled up from within me as I was walking through the corridor. That was obviously my territory, she came later, but there she was, sitting in there comfortably. Who can possibly accept that? If that's the case, I'll complain to Hiratsuka Sensei. However, the anger died down in me as I approached the doors of the music preparation room. A huge poster of Kenji Ohtsuki was pasted on the sliding door.
Could Hiratsuka Sensei be a fan of the rock band Kinniku Shoujo Tai? Also, is it fine for her to be pasting such a thing openly onto the entrance of the staff room? I had a staring contest with Ohtsuki Kenji as I tried to calm myself down. I could faintly hear the relaxing melody of a concert band practicing next door it's the background music of the famous rpg game Final Fantasy. Regardless of what you say, you've also used the classroom without permission, should I complain to her, then I'll get in trouble as well. Mmm, even so, if you want me to just back out like that, then…
"Yes? Looking for me, Namikaze?"
I jumped in shock from a voice that suddenly came from behind me, and my forehead slammed into the face of Kenji Ohtsuki. I turned my head around, and saw Hiratsuka Sensei standing behind me with a light smile on her face. She was wearing a white blouse and a mini skirt as she is so disturbingly suitable for that sort of attire, the students call her the 'Erotic Teacher' in secret. She is the reason that the first year guys who had chosen fine arts or calligraphy as their electives lived in regret. However, after attending her lessons, it was the guys who had chosen music as their elective that are the ones who have the deepest regrets now.
"Eh? Ah, nothing."
"It's fine, just come on in. I was thinking of having tea. Want to join me?"
With that, Hiratsuka sensei dragged me into the preparatory room.
The music preparatory room is only about half the size of a normal classroom. As there is a shelf filled with musical scores, as well as an upright piano, the place is pretty cramped.
"Oh, there's hot water in the teapot, and the teabags are in the drawer. Also, cut a slice of honey cake while you're at it."
So you're delegating all the stuff onto me?
"Ah, just a cup of tea will do, and slice the cake into three pieces."
"Eh? You not having any?"
"What are you talking about? It's for me, of course. I never mentioned anything about you getting some."
Dammit… what else can I say?
"If you want to drink some tea no matter what, I can let you suck on those tasteless used-teabags."
"No thanks." This woman… I wanna go home already…
Hiratsuka sensei patted me on my back and said that it was just a joke. I was finally able to take a seat on the chair after I was done preparing two portions of tea and cakes. Just then, she suddenly said, "You're here to talk about the music building, right?" I nearly spat out my sip of tea.
"H-How did you know?"
"Ara ara. I know everything already. Like how you've been using the classroom without permission since spring, how you've modified the CD player to link it to an external input-device, or how you've fixed the reception cables for the radio… and how the cushions are really comfortable to sit on…"
"Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!" I was honestly considering if I should just hide under the table or something. No wait, if I do that, I'll just get slaughtered by her.
"But since you cleaned up the place really well, I turned a blind eye to it. I'm the only one who noticed anyway."
"Sorry sorry, I won't do it again."
"Since Weiss can use the classroom straight away as it is, the timing is just perfect."
I released my arms that were hugging my head, and looked at Hiratsuka sensei face. She said while laughing.
"You are here to complain about that, right?"
"No… I am in no position to be complaining anyway."
"It's fine with me if you want to use it. I can't be rejecting you after granting Weiss special permission to use that room. You two should try to get along well with each other."
"No, that is quite impossible."
Speaking of which, I was totally confused about the situation.
"Could it be, that you and Weiss already knew each other?"
"Yes. I was a student of her father, and I used to play with Weiss all the time."
Hiratsuka sensei expression was slightly lonely.
"As for… Weiss, something happened, and she ended up transferring to this school. She then told me she wanted a room that she can use by herself. This is just the Director's daughter being willful, but since she isn't causing problems for anyone…"
"I see…" So the staff had silently agreed to it already.
"So you can use that classroom too, if you are willing to share it with Weiss."
So ultimately, I was the one who was chased out!
"But, why is she playing the guitar? I've heard that she no longer plays the piano, is that true? She was originally going to the College of Music, right? Why did she transfer to our school?"
"I can't be the one to tell you all that…"
Hiratsuka sensei expression became serious immediately.
"Moreover, she herself doesn't want anyone to know. To be honest… I think it's better if she doesn't do that, but ultimately, the decision lies in Weiss's hands."
I don't have the slightest idea of what was going on around here, and Weiss didn't explain anything to me either. Because of that, the biggest problem facing me was what to do about that classroom. If the case was that the school found out that I was using the classroom without permission, and angrily banned me from using it ever again, I would have given up immediately. However, if you want me to sit next to Weiss and listen to my CDs while she plays the guitar, there was absolutely no way I could do that, no matter what!
"Why don't you try talking to her, to see if you two can share the classroom?"
"But she was trying to smack me to death with that guitar of hers when I tried talking to her?"
"You give up really fast! How can a youngster be like that?"
After a sudden round of reprimanding from Hiratsuka sensei, I was finally allowed to leave the music preparatory room.
To be honest, I didn't tell Weiss something, there is a major problem with that classroom, the gaps of the door. The soundproofing in the classroom isn't perfect, so sound will travel out of the room. Due to that, a rumor about how "a very impressive guitar solo can be heard from the school's courtyard after school" had spread throughout the school a few days later.
"Which piece? Is it that 'Cyarari ~Spitting Milk from the Nose~'"
"I've heard that before too. I'll get dizzy if I listen to it for too long."
So it's actually Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565. That lass really likes Bach, huh? It wasn't time for homeroom yet, and I was listening halfheartedly to the broadcast of the girls' morning gossip, while recalling the pieces Weiss played.
"She played Farewell yesterday too. It was so~ very fast. Originally I couldn't figure out what piece it was."
"Ah, so that's Farewell ?"
I had heard the guitar version of Farewell as well. Chopin had initially composed the piece to be played at a very fast tempo, roughly four times the speed of current day interpretations and so in a certain sense, Weiss's performance was actually the correct version. I wanted to say that, but everyone would definitely say I am a pervert critic or a stalker, so I chose to remain silent.
Hiratsuka Sensei opened the door before the school bell was done chiming, and Weiss followed behind her. The whole class suddenly sank into silence. Everyone exchanged looks with each other briefly, before returning to their own seats as though nothing had happened the only one who was unaware of the situation was the very person herself. Even so, it seemed like Weiss had sensed that something was going on. As she walked towards her seat, she looked at everyone with a puzzled gaze.
"Wanna go listen today after school?"
"Then I'll have a listen before my club activities start—"
I heard people whispering that, and I also saw a few guys sneaking a few glances at Weiss while grinning broadly. It had been three month since Weiss's transfer here, and the number of girls who would start a conversation with her had dropped to nearly zero, she was probably being treated like a rare creature by everyone. However, that had become quite a problem for me as well. That place was actually my resting place, and yet it was occupied by someone else. Looks like I'll have to snatch the classroom back from Weiss's hands.
I came up with a really despicable plan. I'll lock myself in the classroom, and with that Weiss will be shut out of the place. When math, which was the sixth period of the day, was over, I immediately grabbed my bag and rushed out of the classroom after saying goodbye to Karin. However, I was dumbfounded when I arrived at the old music block at the back of the building. There was already a padlock hanging on the door of the classroom. Damn her, how dare she do that to my room! While looking at the lock before me, I remembered the paper-clip and the flat-blade screwdriver that were stored in my bag.
Don't underestimate the skills that I've acquired from modifying sound systems since I was kid, a long, thin wire is all I need to settle a lock of that cheap caliber. No, that would be considered a crime, right? Speaking of which, it will be game over for me if I'm seen by anyone while trying to pick the lock open anyway. However, if I do it quickly, it will probably take less than a minute…
"What are you doing?"
A voice suddenly came from behind me. I nearly jumped three meters up in fright. As I turned my head It was actually Weiss. She was totally furious, and her snow-white hair looked as though they were standing on her head.
"You criminal, you must've been thinking about picking the lock, right? Please do not come close to me ever again."
That is indeed the case, but on what grounds do you have the right to scold me?
"Why are you always following me?"
How mean, so she herself is treating me as a stalker too? Stalking is a criminal offense should she actually charge a complaint against me, looks like my life is in a very terrible situation right now.
"Hey, look… I have always used this classroom, and that amplifier was modified by me too."
I explained while trying my hardest to hold myself back.
"You were just using it without permission!"
"But Hiratsuka sensei gave me permission to use the classroom too…"
"This is a room for practice, not a place for you to laze around and waste your time while listening to CDs!"
Weiss pushed me aside. She opened the lock, then walked into the classroom and shut the door. I froze on the spot and thought for a few seconds. I then barged into the room without a second thought, by opening the door forcibly as though I was trying to tear it down.
"Stop treating me like an idiot who is wasting his time! Life is all about wasting time till a person dies!"
"Then why don't you just die already!?"
Did she just say something extremely cruel to me? Dammit… this just like I face another Naruko.
"… It's just guitar. I can play that too!"
Those words came out of my mouth unknowingly. They were no nonsense though. As a guy who listens to all sorts of rock, I used to play the guitar as well together with Menma, though that was something I did during the summer of my second year of middle school. I found my dad dusty guitar from the storeroom in my house back then, which I then used to practice the prelude to Stairway to Heaven fervently. However, I no longer touch it anymore.
Weiss narrowed her eyes, and her gaze became cold. Her expression looked as though she was saying, "I bet that's just you sprouting nonsense anyway." Just as I was about to say something again, Weiss suddenly took up her guitar which was leaning next to the table, and plugged it into the amplifier. She then walked to my side, and forcibly put full-sized headphones on my head.
"Wha…?"
"Don't move!"
She gently grabbed the pick with her two fingers, and strummed the strings of the guitar. I suddenly fell into the flow of the melody. Amid the strong discords, those ever-changing descending notes came gushing out like the waterfalls at the top of a cliff. What followed next were the grand and yet eerie arpeggio arch, as well as a well polished melody that encompasses the stamping of feet along with the dance both of which were rising up from beneath the valleys.
That's… Chopin's Étude Op. 10, No. 12. A storm raged on in my mind, but that was forcefully interrupted by the sudden cadence. I was left dumbfounded. Weiss pulled off the headphones from my head, and the sounds of reality slowly crept into my ears. My heartbeats; the sounds of me breathing; the engine sounds from a faraway road; the cheers as the baseball team were running to the bases each and every sound I heard just seemed so unreal.
Weiss bent down and stared at me, as though she was saying, "Does your 'playing guitar' sound something like this?"
There was quite a heavy silence.
"Can you still say 'It's just guitar. I can play that too' with that?"
I originally wanted to say, "Stop treating me like an idiot", but I really could not say it convincingly.
"I've already said it. Get out. This is a place to practice."
"What's the big deal with playing a musical instrument?"
I complained.
"So your meaning is if I bring a guitar here, I'll be able to use this classroom too?"
"Don't mimic me if you lack the ability to do so. Scram!"
As I was at a loss of what to do, Weiss pushed me out of the classroom. Not long after, another piece flowed through the gaps from behind the tightly shut door. It's Chopin's Marche Funèbre from Piano Sonata No. 2 in B minor. She's deliberately looking for a fight? No wait, she didn't know about how the sounds could be heard from outside of the room, right?
I pressed my palms on the door as my head dropped downwards. For a while, I allowed my body to be seeped in the sounds of Weiss's guitar. It gradually turned into an unbearable pain, but I found myself unable to leave that place. I was thinking why guitar? Just play your piano honestly. If so, I could have listened to you playing the piano, while naively thinking to myself, "though she's young, her techniques are really quite brilliant".
Why do you have to step into my world? Nearly all the pieces that you are playing are piano pieces, right? What sort of prank is that!?
Don't mimic me if you lack the ability to do so.
I remembered the words of Weiss. My shoulders slumped unwillingly, and I retracted my palms off the door. If compared to the sublime techniques of Weiss, no one would possess skills within the acceptable range, regardless of who he or she is. It was especially so for me, since I gave up on guitar just after three months of playing it.
Can't be helped. It is a classroom that I was using without any prior permission since it is quite alluring to be in an environment where I can listen to my favorite CDs at full blast without the need of wearing full-sized headphones; however, that is also all there is to it. I won't feel particularly troubled without it.
Just as I turned around and was about to make my way back to the main building…
"Young man, you're giving up already?"
A voice suddenly came from behind me.
I jumped in shock, and quickly turned my head backwards. What came to my eyes was the sight of a girl in her uniform, who was half kneeling right above the door — the low roof of the music classroom. She was wearing a huge, fearless grin. I could not move an inch, and could only look at her motionlessly.
… W-Who's that person?
She had a set of pretty facial features, with eyes that were giving off a horrifyingly sharp gaze. She was just like a female cat that had escaped from an exceptionally well-to-do environment where she was raised in, like Egypt or some other royal families. I took a look at the color of her lapel pin, and confirmed she's a second year student.
"Are you gonna run away looking all crestfallen right after you had received a lesson from her? You'll become a true defeatist like this, you know?"
"Umm, well…" My numb legs could finally move, I moved backwards a little
"… What are you talking about?"
That girl then hummed a song. It's Ray Charles' Born to Lose.
"Born to lose. Don't you think this song exists just for you?"
"We are all born to lose. Isn't that how it is all along?"
No wait, why am I answering her? I should run away. Things are not looking good. I better not get close to people like her. She gave a hearty laugh.
"So young man, you're actually quite good with your retorts, aye? I feel slightly relieved. Why don't you draw out your weapon? Your country is being ravaged by the enemy."
Thud thud She said that as she knocked her heels against the door of the practice room.
Why must I allow myself to be criticized by you like that? Then again, who the heck are you?
"Weiss should have played it to you just now. Chopin's Étude Op. 10, No. 12 —Revolutionary Étude."
She said that with her index finger outstretched. Nodded with a "Mmm", and then I suddenly remembered something I was wearing full-sized headphones, right? How did she know? That violent smile of hers could have caused even an lion to faint.
"I can hear all the revolutionary songs of this world."
She nimbly jumped off from the rooftop, and that long hair of hers that was braided behind her floated in the air like the tail feathers of a majestic wild beast. She made a silent landing between me and the door, then straightened herself immediately.
"I wish to make Weiss my comrade. Therefore, young man, I am in need of your help. Please assist me."
"No, stop, I really have no idea what the heck you are talking about"
"My name's Kyouko Kagurazaka."
Kagurazaka. I'd heard that name somewhere before. I began to search my memories. Oh right, Chiaki mentioned that name to me before.
Kagurazaka-senpai stretched out her hand towards me.
"The Folk Music Research Club welcomes you in as a member Naruto Namikaze."
(◕ω◕✿)
"So you're saying, you bumped into Kagurazaka-senpai?"
The following morning, Chiaki stared at my face and asked me that question while we were in the classroom.
"Yeah." I replied in an annoyed tone, "Though I think it was more of her waiting for me, than me bumping into her."
"Then… are you joining the club?"
"Why would I!?"
"Because, Senpai is the sort of person… who will definitely get her hands on whatever she wants."
Kagurazaka Senpai said the exact same frightening thing to me yesterday at the courtyard in front of the practice classroom, with her index finger pointing towards me. "If it is something that I want, I'll do anything in order to get it, by fair means or foul. It does not matter if it is Weiss Scnee, this room, or you."
After she said that to me, Chopin's funeral march sonata came from the practice classroom, and it so happened to be at the part of the final movement where the whirlwinds are raging through the cemetery for a brief moment, I felt like dying.
Stop reminding me of those horrible things! Despite that, Chiaki caused those scary memories to resurface in my mind.
"I heard… that she had always wanted a guitar which cost a million yen. As a result, she went to work for the music store where the guitar was at, and she even managed to grab hold of the shopkeeper's weak… umm, she became close friends with the shopkeeper, and ended up getting the guitar for free."
"What the hell are the police for!"
"Since Senpai can get that guitar into her hands, Naruto should be an instant kill for her."
So you mean I'm not even worth a million yen?
"To be in the same club as that sort of person I really don't get what's going on in your head."
"But Kagurazaka-senpai is really cool!"
Hmm… she may look cool if I am looking at her from a distance of two kilometers away.
"It isn't that bad to marry Senpai, right?"
"Alright, go ahead! But since Japan does not recognize same-sex marriage, go to Canada to get married instead! You know, Canada!" And don't ever come back!
"But both Senpai and I don't know how to cook. Why doesn't you come along as well?"
"The hell does it have to do with me!"
As I said that to Chiaki, the backdoor of the classroom opened, and Weiss stepped into the classroom. The preparatory bell just so happened to ring at the same time, as though it was reminding everyone that the place they were in is a classroom. She stared at me from the sides of her eyes, then proceeded to take her seat silently. At that instance, I stood up irritably and walked out of the classroom. A series of footsteps could be heard from behind me.
"What's with you?" Chiaki chased up to me.
"I'm going to the toilet! Don't follow me."
"I heard from Senpai… that you were defeated by Weiss?"
I stopped in my tracks. The bell which signaled the start of the class rang, and the students that had gathered in the corridors were swallowed by their classrooms. In the end, the only people left there were Chiaki and I.
"You can't quite consider that a defeat."
"Didn't she say… that those who don't play musical instruments are not allowed to get close to the room…and then you ran away?"
"If you think you can provoke me by saying those sort of things, then you are dead wrong! Don't underestimate my lack of drive!"
Having heard those words coming out of my mouth, I couldn't help but pity myself.
"You knows how to play the guitar, right?"
"You can't count that as me knowing how to play."
And the most important thing is… I had thrown away the guitar I used back then, so I currently do not possess any guitar.
"It's fine if you practice it all over again! Senpai is very good at that, so you can ask her to teach you."
"If so, why don't you ask Senpai to directly invite Weiss into the band? She found out that Weiss is really good with the guitar, and wants to acquire that practice room along the way to use it as the clubroom, right? I don't think all those things have anything to do with me at all! I just hope the you can just leave me alone."
Chiaki became quiet all of the sudden… shit, that look of hers suggested that she was on the brink of crying and smacking me at the same time. But why? Did I say something to make her angry?
"Do you not know why Senpai is inviting you? Do you really think you are just a supplementary item of Weiss?"
Chiaki's words sounded as though she was squeezing them out by force.
"… I don't… know."
I couldn't help but cower, and I took a few steps back as well. My back slammed against the wall of the corridor.
"Naruto, you huge idiot! On your funeral, I'll say 'Naruto's life was really boring'!" With that said, Chiaki dashed back into the classroom.
I walked into the toilet with a heavy heart, and sat on the toilet cover. What's with that! It would be great if I knew how to play the guitar, but… if only I could squeeze out some motivation in me after hearing Weiss playing the guitar.
I sat on top of the toilet bowl with my arms hugging my knees, and the sound of the bell came. I moved not an inch… it was the first time I skipped lessons… my very first step on the route to become an utterly useless high school student! In the end, I went back to class, third and fourth period is physical education the bushy brow teacher will be scary to face if I skip his lessons.
Halfway into lunch break, I walked towards the old music building, thinking that I should just remove all my stuff from there. Just as I stepped into the courtyard, I could hear the sounds of the guitar, and it felt like those sounds were blending up my brain directly. So that lass plays the guitar during lunch breaks too? Hah, I thought to myself that I should just come another time. Just as I was about to head back, my sight was attracted by something that was placed next to the door of the room. That was… a rubbish bag to contain trash that cannot be burned. What exactly is it?
I got close to the rubbish bag, and as I peeked inside, a burst of anger lit up from within my heart. Inside the bag were a huge amount of CDs — The Beatles; The Doors; Jimi Hendrix; The Clash ; Oasis— all of them are from my important collection! How dare that girl do this! I cranked open the door forcibly, and slammed the door open. The sound of the guitar began assaulting me, but then it disappeared just as quickly.
"Didn't I say already, that you're not to enter as you please!" Weiss was sitting on the cushion on the desk and hugging her guitar. Her eyebrows were standing as she said that, but I was not about to retreat just yet.
I lifted the rubbish bag and protested angrily, "What are you doing!?"
"The cabinet's too small, so I just took them out of the room."
"Who do you think these CDs belong to!?"
"If they weren't yours, I wouldn't have tossed them out!"
I was so furious to the point where I could not come up with a reply. What's with all that!
"Oi, since you are playing the guitar, you should respect the great pioneers of the rock genre!" And you should respect my private property too!
"I do not listen to rock or whatever, nor do I know anything about them. These things are an eyesore and a waste of space, so take them back quickly!"
Weiss pushed the dumbfounded me out of the room and closed the door. What flowed into my ears next was Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 12 in A-flat Major. Yet another funeral march!? That must be deliberate, right!? Just then, a fast talking melody suddenly appeared in my mind — I ignored the funeral march for the moment, and concentrated my thoughts… Chuck Berry! Roll over Beethoven.
She dare say they are a waste of space? But she has never listened to them before! I have sacrificed half of my boring life listening to rock, and yet she's belittling them? I originally wanted to hammer the door of the classroom in frustration, but I thought otherwise in the end. There were better things I should be doing with my hands. I hugged the rubbish bag as I headed back to my classroom. As I stacked the CDs on my desk one by one, I started to think of ways I could beat Weiss up… though of course, I was not really planning to punch her.
The guys of the class came over: "You setting up a booth with all these CDs?" "All of them are western music." I was not paying much attention to them, despite them saying a lot of things.
What should I do…? How should I teach her a lesson? It's decided, I shall let her have a look at the greatness of rock. However, I can't just toss the CDs to her forcefully, so I finally managed to locate Chuck Berry's album from the huge stacks of CDs. After slotting the CD into my discman, I stuffed the earphones into my ears. The afternoon lessons of that day were spent listening to his songs.
I dashed back home after school, after I removed my shoes and walked into the corridor to find my mother.
"Mom, I've something to discuss with you!"
I opened the doors of the living room. Mom was sitting on the sofa with the laptop resting on her knees, and she was typing out her article at great speed, she was banging hard on the keyboard, the laptop should be a goner soon.
"Do you have anything to discuss with me?"
"Yup. I am calling for a family meeting."
"What's wrong? There's something you want, right?"
"Umm… yeah."
I sat on the sofa after calming myself down. Mom naturally in charge of the finances of our household, I'll have to do a family meeting should I want to buy something expensive.
"I… want a guitar."
"Isn't there your dad's guitar in the house?"
"You broke it when you used it to hit a cockroach! Don't you remember!?"
"… Doing it for a girl?" Mom asked that suddenly.
"Eh? W-What?"
"There can only be one reason for a guy to want a guitar all of a sudden. It is so that he can be popular with the girls!"
"What's with that bullshit? Apologize to all the guitarists in the world right now!"
"I'll be casting a rejecting vote if you do not admit to it honestly."
I could say nothing. Why is she such a pain in the ass!?
"How much do you think a guitar cost? It will cost at least fifty to sixty thousand yen for you to get a decent one, right? You only have about twenty thousand yen which you are free to use, isn't that right?"
"Mom, why are you so damn clear about things like these?" I gave a pout, and sank myself into the sofa.
"Why don't you earn some cash for yourself like your sister did! If you want a job, you can write a few articles for me." Mom pushed the laptop on the table towards my direction.
"No… I don't wanna do those things again." I pushed the laptop back.
In the past I had helped Mom with some of her articles back when the deadlines were approaching. I originally thought it was impossible for the stories written by a junior high school student to be published on an official music magazine, but little did I expect the editor to actually use them. It's probably due to Mom editing them a little or something? Speaking of which, is that magazine really alright? Since then, my articles were published on magazine or on CD covers frequently, and Mom would pass on the royalties of the particular articles. Even so, the cash earned from the articles written doesn't translate into my pocket money fully. Mom said that thirty percent would be mine, while seventy percent will be incorporated into the family expenses.
I tried protesting once by saying, "Why can't I use the full amount of cash that I earned?", and she would always reply with, "Because that's the same for me!" I can't argue against that. As a result, I have to hold a family meeting if I want to buy things that are out of my budget. In other words, there will be no need for me to hold family meetings like this if I write more articles under Mom's name. Then again, what should I do about the music magazine that has not once realized they are publishing stories written by a junior high school student…? Also, I want to purchase the guitar right now so that I can practice with it, but it will be at least two months before I can receive the royalties for my articles.
"The responses of the articles you had written were all rather good. You have indeed inherited my skills — how amazing! It just so happens I have only managed to write two lines since this morning, so help me out a little!"
"Please don't say things like me inheriting your skills."
"If you don't wish to help, you'll have to admit that you are buying the guitar so that you can be popular with the girls! If not, I won't agree to you buying it."
"Why do you have to be so insistent on that!"
"Because you had once started learning the guitar, but you gave up on it immediately."
I hugged the cushions, and fell silent. Mom always hits the nail on the head once in a while amid all her jokes — I think that must be a very bad habit of her.
"It's true, but…"
"That's why, if a guy is doing it so that he can be popular with the girls, then there will be no problem at all! Just admit it. And this time, you must have the resolve such that if you give up halfway, you will not be able to get a girlfriend for the rest of your life!"
Those words of her sounded quite stupid, but they were somehow extremely convincing as well. I took a brief moment to think about what she said in silence. For girls, huh… all of this was indeed started by Weiss, but it's more of a case where I want to teach her a lesson…?
"… Fine. I want to play the guitar so that I can be popular with the girls. Just cast your vote of agreement already!"
"Whoa, to be hearing such a stupid line from the mouth of lil' Naruto — Mommy feels really sad~"
"Mom, you are in no position to be saying that!"
"Just joking! Remember to write my name down when you make the payments, or else they can't wire the bill to me."
I went back to my room, and sorted out my thoughts while lying in bed. I have never been to a proper musical instrument store before. They do put up some guitars on display at music CD stores, but I have no intention of getting a half-assed one from there. However, it feels strangely uneasy if you want me to deliberately look for a musical instrument store on the streets. Also, if possible, I want to get a guitar that is cheaper.
(◕ω◕✿)
After thinking on it for a long while, my phone rang, it's Chiaki's phone number. Should I start the conversation by talking about me wanting to buy a guitar, she will definitely make me join the Folk-whatever club, so I'll just skip that for now.
"Naruto? It's a little too early for you to be home, you coward."
"How's that cowardly? Right, there's… something I'd like your help with."
"A request? What's wrong? I can listen, but the price of me helping you will be joining our club."
"No way. Look, do you know any decent musical instrument stores?"
"Musical instrument store? Why?"
"To buy an instrument, obviously. I want to buy a guitar." I regretted it a little, but I still told her the reason.
As expected, she insisted on getting to the bottom of the matter, "Why, why? Did you dream of someone? Eric Clapton?"
"I'm not you! And also, Clapton's not dead yet!"
"Could it be… the things Weiss said to you?"
I was speechless for a moment.
"Ah! Slience. I'm right~"
"… It's not that…"
"Ehh, Naruto and Weiss…"
The both of us swallowed back the words halfway through our sentences at about the same time. A moment of silence followed. I could hear the announcement of the arrival of the train from her side of the phone, she probably made the call at the train station while on her way back or something?
Chiaki finally said, "Right, since I'm about to head home now, let's go together?"
"Umm… you don't have to. Just tell me the place, and I'll go there by myself."
"Ah, it's fine. I am a regular there, so it will be cheaper if we go together."
"Thanks, but…"
"Oh! Here comes the train. See you there at the station."
She hung the phone before I could say what was on my mind. For some unknown reason, her voice sounded strangely hoarse. I felt slightly uneasy, but I still took out fifty thousand yen from the envelope that contains the money for the family expenses and put them in my wallet, before stepping out of the house. Prior to me mounting my bicycle, I placed my hand at the area of my heart, and confirmed it once again… it's still hot. That was not just a moment of impulse.
To get to the musical instrument store which Chiaki showed me, one will have to exit through the northern entrance of the train station, then head downwards via the bridge till you hit the flight of stairs at the very end. After walking down the stairs, the store is located right at the intersection point of the shopping street and the slightly deserted residential area. It's sandwiched right in the middle of two large buildings looks a little like the spine of a thin book. A signboard with the words 'Hatake's Musical Instrument Store' hangs above its entrance. The shop is rather narrow, and there are guitars that hung by the two walls at the sides from the floors right up to the ceiling that made the shop looked quite intimidating. The music played in the store was heavy metal of Northern Europe, which further adds on to the sense of intimidation.
Chiaki said to me before entering the store, "I am a regular here, so if you try your best to haggle, you'll definitely get a cheap and satisfactory price." I do not have much experience in haggling though, so I was not feeling too confident about it.
"But, why did you decide to play the guitar again? You were still very unmotivated this morning."
So she still asked in the end.
"Hmm… I just feel like playing all of a sudden."
"Do you think I met you only yesterday? You're not the sort of person who does things on a whim, but… whatever. Hello~"
Chiaki grabbed my hand and walked into the store. Even the floors are filled with guitars supported by display stands. I strolled past those guitars and walked inwards. Finally, we found the counter amid the heaps of CDs and scores for some strange reason, a sense of nostalgia hit me.
"Is the shopkeeper around?"
As Chiaki said that, a man walked out from the door located behind the counter. The shopkeeper was a guy with spiky white hair and he look quite tall. He should be around thirty, but that tired look of his eye was quite a pitiful sight — it's as though he was a potato that was left on the side for three weeks after it was picked from the fields. And what the hell is the book he read!? Isn't that the newest Icha Icha series? Is it alright reading a ero book in the front of costumers?
"Oh, it's Chiaki. Sorry, but I am quite busy here…"
"Well I'm sorry, but please stop reading your porn Kakashi-san! you have customer here. My friend here wants to get a guitar."
" Chiaki, is he a friend of yours?"
"Naruto, you don't know him? He's a famous musician!"
"No… I'm sorry. I'm not too familiar with local musicians."
"You don't really have to apologize to me in such a strange manner."
Kakashi laughed loudly and continued.
"It's fine for you not to know me, since I'm from an underground band. In any case, you definitely won't be able to forget me even if you wanted to once the live performance's over."
I was finally able to make head and tails of things after piecing together the words of the rather emotional Chiaki. It seems like Kakashi's the lead singer in a band named Melancholy Wolf. He's also released albums via an indie record label. Also, it seems like he's involved in the behind-the-scenes stuff like songs recordings. All in all, it means that he is a professional musician. Then another person appeared at the door behind the counter.
"Kakashi-san! The strings in stock do not match up at all, mmm?"
"Eh? Senpai's working today?"
The me in between Chiaki and the counter was suddenly stunned. Kagurazaka-senpai was wearing the green apron of the store with its logo printed on it, and her hand was holding onto the logbook. How? Why is she here?
"Ah, Comrade Aihara. We are conducting a check on our inventory today, but there was a sudden lack of manpower. Speaking of which, we meet yet again, young man. How nice. Make up your mind quickly and join the club, yeah?"
"Umm… ah, no… ugh, why?"
Which reminded me, Chiaki did indeed mention that Senpai had worked at a musical instrument store to get her guitar. So she's actually talking about this place? I should have thought of that. Dammit, I've been had! This is a conspiracy!
"Take your time! This is my store, so you don't have to hold back."
"It's my store actualy… " Kakashi made a feeble protest.
"Kakashi-san store is also my store, right? Speaking of which, the numbers for Martin's Extra strings in the inventory do not match up at all. Did you place them somewhere else?"
"Ah, no, about that… "
"Kakashi-san, you're totally useless… "
Kakashi looked like he was on the brink of tears.
"There's nothing I can do then. Young man, I have some time to spare, so I'll assist you with your shopping. Need anything?"
"Eh? W-Well, I am not here to buy anything."
I wove a lie on the spot.
"He wants to buy a guitar. What do you recommend, Senpai?"
Chiaki interrupted. There was no point in me trying to lie my way through.
"Hmm. What's your budget, young man?"
"Well… "
"Oh, that's quite a huge sum! About fifty thousand yen."
"Don't take my wallet without my permission! And don't look at the contents either!"
I snatched my wallet back from Chiaki's hands.
"Fifty grand, huh… you can only buy the cheap stuff here with the amount of cash you've got, but that would be a total waste of money."
"Don't say that… " Kakashi curled himself up as he said that, I was beginning to pity him already.
"Young man, how about this then? We'll play a game of rock-scissors-paper. If you win, I'll sell you a guitar which is still slumbering in the warehouse and worth a hundred grand, at only half its price. If I win, I'll pick a guitar for you that is within your budget. How's that?"
"Hold on a second, Kyouko. How can you be so rash?" Kakashi was flustered.
"You said half-price, huh… but is that fine?"
"No worries. It's clearly stated in the first chapter of Das Kapital people sell their labouring-power to a buyer, not to satisfy the personal needs of the buyer, but to augment the buyer's capital."
"I don't quite get that… "
"To put it in simple terms, it means that most of the instruments here are sold at an exorbitant price, so they'll still be earning a profit even if I sell it to you at half its price."
"Kyouko… " Kakashi was close to tears.
"Kakashi-san too irritating, so let's have our game outside. Young man, are you gonna accept my challenge or not?"
Kagurazaka-senpai grabbed my hand and pulled me outside of the store. Though it was really pitiful for Kakashi, what Kagurazaka-senpai said made sense too. Or rather, it's a little too good to be true, since I stand to lose nothing.
"If the price of selling me the guitar cheaply is me joining the club, then I am heading back."
"There is no need for me to impose any conditions, yeah? Moreover, I don't think I'll ever lose to a born loser like you."
Dammit, she's really blunt.
"Alright, I get it. You'll be selling me a decent guitar regardless of the outcome, right? You won't be giving me defective goods or something?"
"Of course! I swear upon the name and reputation of the store!"
"Well… alright."
"Ready? I'll give you a handicap."
Kagurazaka-senpai flashed a smile of satisfaction, and showed something that was pinched in between her index and middle finger. That's… a guitar pick. Eh? Index and middle finger? That means she won't be throwing scissors? No wait… is that a trap? She's misleading me so as to lure me into a trap?
"Rock— Scissors— Paper!" Along with the voice of Senpai, I threw out rock immediately.
Senpai's fingers expanded outwards to show paper, the pick slipped off her hand and fell onto the ground.
"Young man, you're quite the honest man." She gently patted my head.
That's too sly! Actually, rather than saying that Senpai was sly, should I be blaming myself for easily falling into that trap of hers? As Senpai put a smile of victory on her face, I could see Kakashi behind Senpai heaving a sigh of relief.
"Well then… I'll be heading to the warehouse to find the best choice that can fit your budget."
I calmed myself down a little, and squatted down on the spot. Chiaki came to my side and said, "Naruto is really unfortunate huh."
"Shut up… "
"You lost the moment you agreed to the challenge."
I lifted my head, and after seeing Senpai taking a metallic grey guitar out from the warehouse, I finally understood what Chiaki meant.
"This Aria Pro II costs fifty-four thousand and six hundred yen, including tax. Well, it's exactly fifty grand if I round it down for you."
"But… there's only four strings?"
"Hmm? Don't you know? This is a bass. It has two less strings compared to a normal guitar, and its pitch is an octave lower."
"No, I know that much. But why are you selling me a bass? I'm here to buy a guitar!"
"Bass is part of the guitar family, right?"
"Yeah, well, but… "
Chiaki placed her hand on my shoulder and said.
"Because the Folk Music Research Club lacks a bassist that's how it is. You understand now?"
It took me two seconds to process that, before I realized in shock I had fallen into her trap. That girl's motive all along was to be able to choose the guitar that I will be buying', and thus she gave the promise that I'll be able to get a guitar regardless of the outcome. The idiot who did not see through her ploy was me.
"W-Wait… "
"I am not interested in the words of a loser. Need a receipt?"
Kagurazaka-senpai flashed a smile as she said that. So she actually has a cute side to her as well.
"I never thought of playing the bass… "
"Well, you don't know how to play the guitar in general, right?"
My weak protest was quickly rejected by Senpai.
"Also, you want to issue a challenge at Weiss Schnee with a guitar, right?"
"… "
I was speechless for a brief moment.
"That girl can play Chopin and Liszt with just a single guitar. Young man, based on your current skills, there is absolutely no chance of you beating her with a guitar!"
It's not really a challenge or anything, just…
"However, you can win if you use a bass."
Kagurazaka-senpai shoved the heavy bass into my arms.
"I'll make victory yours."
(◕ω◕✿)
Compared to the electric guitar, the obvious advantage that the electric bass has is that you can barely hear anything coming from it if you don't plug it into an electrical source.
I bought the bass under Kagurazaka-senpai's persuasions, and brought it to class the very next day. I was instantly surrounded by my classmates. "Just play something, anything." Despite everyone urging me to play, I still gave the excuse, "But this is a bass, so it can't play any sounds!" and escaped.
That wouldn't have worked if it was a guitar, so it's great that I had gotten myself a bass with that thought in mind I could also console myself slightly for being played by the hands of Senpai.
"But why did you want a bass?"
Takurou asked me something that I hadn't given any thought to.
"Ah, I've been thinking about it for a while. There's no real need for it, right?"
"Hey pervert critic, you better explain it in simple terms."
"Don't call me a pervert critic!"
I took the bass back from the hands of Takurou, and placed it back into its cover. Actually, there's no way of explaining it all to them properly through words alone, but for the sake of the reputation of all the bassists in the world, I would have to come up with something.
"The few of you, sit over there."
"Yes, Prof Naruto."
"Please do not use musical terminologies during your explanation."
Ugh, they had actually thought of everything prior to my speech. The few guys sat in seiza around my seat, so I couldn't say anything wrong at a time like this. What to do? I licked my lips and thought of how I should start my explanation.
"Well then, let's start by recalling Gai's face."
Gai was our PA teacher.
"Why?"
"Don't ask. Just do as I say."
A few of the guys closed their eyes, while the others stared into the ceiling. As he looks like a carbon copy of Bruce Lee but with thick eyebrows, it is really easy to recall our tutor's face.
"Well next, try removing the bushy brow off his face. Done?"
"Right, done."
"Ah, that looks like Enari Kazuki when he was still young."
"Enari is still young, alright?"
"Right right. Next, imagine Gai without hair."
"Prof Naruto, is there any meaning to this? Is this some sort of psychological test or something?"
"You'll know soon enough. How is it? Can you guys imagine it?"
"I can, but isn't Gai's hair quite robust?"
"Compared to the brow, it is still easier to remove his hair."
"And here's the last step. Remove the contours of his face, and imagine how he looks like."
Everyone's face was showing an expression like…
"Eh?"
"What do you mean?"
"I don't understand!"
"What does contours mean? The ears and stuff?"
"No, not that. It's removing the shape of his face. Imagine his eyes, nose and mouth popping out of a blank surface. Yeah, imagine that."
My classmates moaned sounds of "Hmm, hmm…" one after another. Some of them were pressing their fingers against their temples, while others were pulling their hair out.
"… Can't, it's impossible. It's pointless if you remove the contours of his face!"
"No matter how hard I try, that round head of his will always appear in my mind."
"Try harder, Isshiki. You are always declaring proudly about how 'In my mind, I am able to remove the swimsuits worn by those beautiful gravure idols, regardless of who they are!', right?"
Idiot, you guys don't have to try that hard, you know? They struggled for about two minutes before giving up. With that, I made my conclusion, "So, if you apply the analogy of trying to erase the contours to a musical sense, the bass is like the contours of a face to me. Understand now?"
My audience was still looking very confused.
"It's just like how you guys can imagine the songs being played even without the guitars and the other instruments playing, but you can't imagine the song without the bass. As such, I can't quite explain very well why the bass is that important to me."
"I see…"
"Strange. It feels like I understand what he is trying to say, but it feels like I don't as well."
So do you guys get it or not? Then again, it will be disturbing if you guys do, because I was just spouting nonsense.
"But Prof Naruto's really impressive. You have the potential to succeed the arts of music."
And with that, the preparatory bell rang. At the same time, the backdoor of the class, which is the door close to the right back of my desk opened.
Weiss stood by the door. Her line of sight first landed on my desk which was occupied by several of the guys, and then it shifted to the guitar cover in my arms.
Her face cringed suddenly.
"Move." A soft and cold word from Weiss was enough to cause the guys who were listening to my nonsense to move away from her path. Oi oi, don't come to my desk, just go back to your seats already!
"Prof Naruto…" One of my classmates, Makoto Isshiki, brought his face right next to mine, and whispered, "Is that it? Is the reason you picked up the bass because of Weiss?"
"Eh? W-What?" My voice became rather strange.
"You've been going to the courtyard frequently these days, right?"
"I see, so he'll be able to get close to her with that bass of his? That's quite smart of you, Prof!"
Isshiki stole peeks at Weiss's face. Don't gossip when you guys are that close to her!
Due to her hostile attitude, ever since the second day of her transfer here, all the girls in the class except Karin and Chiaki have become her enemies. However, none of the guys seems to mind, and they continue to worry about her. The ones to show her the way when we were moving to another classroom, or to lend her their textbooks when she forgot to bring them it was all done by the guys. The guys who are always gathering around my desk are probably all doing it for the same reason? Guys are really stupid.
"Oh right, Schnee-san…" Takurou turned around and spoke to Weiss.
Weiss shifted her gaze from her textbook to his face, and slowly said, "Please do not call me by my surname."
"Then Weiss-chan…"
"Don't call me by my name either. You disgusting."
"Weiss called me disgusting… my sole reason for living has been extinguished."
"Don't worry Takurou, your face is not as disgusting as you think."
"Right, my face. Wait, what are you implying Naruto!?"
Move somewhere else if you wanna do manzai. Speaking of which, she did mention it before on her very first day here, but does she really hate her surname that much? I had always thought she was just lying due to the circumstances back then. But why? Did someone bully her in the past and give her nickname or something?
"So Weiss plays in a band too? Will your piano teacher be mad at you for playing the guitar?"
Just as Chiaki was talking to her, the side profile of Weiss froze.
"Then again, you are really good at managing your time, since you can practice two different instruments at once."
"She should be practicing at the same time, I guess? Since the pieces are the same."
"How is that possible!"
Weiss shifted her sight back to the textbook. However, I noticed that her gaze was slightly blanked out.
"How did… you people know?"
As she was speaking with her head hanging low, the guys gradually quieted down at the same time.
"Umm… well…"
"You've been practicing in the courtyard after school, right? We can hear you all the time."
"Ah, it's really famous! Everyone knows about it."
Weiss suddenly stood up. Her lips were trembling, and her face was turning green.
"I could be heard… this entire time?"
Oh, shit. She didn't know? As I turned sullen in brace of what may happen, I softly interrupted, "Well… I didn't tell you this, but the sound-proofing of that classroom isn't perfect. The sounds will escape from the gaps of the door."
Weiss's face became ghostly white in an instant, and then it turned red. Her lips were trembling non-stop.
I hugged my head and lie on my desk in anticipation of her incoming fist, but all I got was the sounds of footsteps running away from me, followed by the sound of the door closing. An uncomfortable silence shrouded the whole Class I-C.
I lifted my head. Everyone pretended they didn't know anything, but their gazes were saying that I was responsible for all of that.
"Naruto, what are you waiting for? Chase her!"
Chiaki was saying that to me coldly.
"Why me?"
"Because you are in charge of Weiss!"
Isshiki said that for some unknown reason, and the guys around him nodded their heads in unison with a "Mhmm!". Wait, I'm in charge? What's with that?
"Get moving, or else the lessons will start! Hurry!"
I had no idea what they were planning, but there's something in this world known as the atmosphere of the situation, which is something that is hard to resist. I was driven by it as well, and stood up from my seat.
When I exited the classroom, I nearly bumped into Karin.
"What are you doing Naruto? I saw Weiss not too long ago…"
"Where did she go?"
"Eh? Ah, hmm, she was just walking down the stairs, Naruto? Wait! Naruto, where are you going?"
The preparatory bell rang at about the same time I pushed Karin aside to run away from the classroom.
Weiss had locked herself in the special classroom in the courtyard. Though the door was shut tight and there were no sounds coming from inside, I knew it the moment I entered the courtyard the padlock hanging on the door was opened.
I stood before the old music building, and began to sort out my thoughts for a while. What am I doing? I went along with what my classmates wanted and came out to find Weiss, but what should I do? Should I apologize to her? What exactly did I do wrong?
I should just head back to the classroom like that, and tell my classmates, "I don't know where she went?" and let things be as it is. However, my legs couldn't move. Soon, the second preparatory bell rang, I'm surely late for classes now. Forget it, I might as well skip first period! It shouldn't be a big deal to miss a lesson or two occasionally. Moreover, there were things that I'd like to say to Weiss as well. I grabbed onto the handle, and pressed it diagonally downwards with force.
Weiss had stacked three cushions on the table, and she was sitting on it with her hands hugging her knees. Even when I walked into the classroom, all she did was lift her face up from her knees.
"It's a waste for you to be using the cushions like that. I brought three of those cushions here so that you can sleep on them if you lay them out on the desk side by side. I'm not joking, so don't stack them up together like that."
Weiss did not change her posture much she lifted herself slightly to pick out two cushions with her left hand, before throwing them at my face. I threw one of the cushions back, and placed the other on the floor so that I could sit on it.
"What are you here for?" Weiss asked with a hoarse voice.
"I came here because I want to skip the lessons, but I never expect someone else to be here. Whoa, what a coincidence though, I am slightly troubled by this."
"Liar."
How do you know I'm lying? Show me proof! You know, proof! But you're right, I'm lying.
"Why… didn't you tell me?" Weiss stared at the floor and asked in a whisper.
I turned my head backwards to take a glance at the gaps of the door, which resulted in the improper sound-proofing of the room.
"Well, it's because you never asked!"
I was hit by an incoming cushion yet again. Why are you angry at things like that?
"There's nothing bad about the sound going out anyway. It's not like you are doing something to be ashamed of."
"You're wrong."
Weiss hugged her knees next to her chest tightly, and curled herself up in a corner of the desk. I can't communicate with her. What should I do?
"You had released CDs of you playing the piano, but you're not willing to let others listen to you playing the guitar? Isn't that really strange?"
"What do you know?"
Weiss threw a question that fell softly between us. All of a sudden a surge of anger swelled up from within me.
"How would I know!"
I moved my sight away from Weiss. If I don't do that, I don't know what Weiss would do should she finish her supply of cushions which she uses to throw at me.
"It's because you won't say anything, isn't it? Just honestly say whatever is troubling you, because I don't know how to read minds!"
It was the same back when we first met, and it happened again during the first day of her transfer. Weiss said nothing, leaving me to wonder if I should be a busybody and worry about her. However, all that I got was her contemptuous looks, or her complaining about me.
"… If I tell you, will you help me?"
I lifted my head in fright, and stared at Weiss. Those teary eyes of hers looked like the water from rivers that flowed into the sea their colors were dull and gloomy.
"If I tell you everything that is troubling me, will you do something for me? If I want you to swim to America, will you swim there for me? If I want you to chop off your right hand and give it to me, will you really chop it off for me? If I want you to die, will you die for me?"
I was speechless. All I felt was a cold chill around me. The feeling was like I was trying to peek into an abyss during a dark night when the moon was not around, and seeing something that should not be seen from the surface of the waters.
"If you can't do that, then don't speak as you please."
"… Do you really want me to do those things for you?"
Weiss shook her head. Seemed like she had secretly cried a little.
"No."
"If… you don't try saying it out loud, then how will anyone know? It's just telling someone about it. There's nothing to lose."
"Then make me go back in time, back to when I first started playing the piano."
"I'm not god, so how could I possibly do that."
Which means there must be something that is troubling her. Why does she hate the piano that much? And also.…
"How about this then, please stop following me. You are an eyesore."
"I am not following you!"
This is the only thing that I must make her understand.
"I've said it many times already, I've been using this place since the beginning. The person who barged into this place would be you, right? So I'm not following you."
I glanced at the far corner of the room. Her plain Stratocaster was placed on the stand over there. I stood up, opened the locker, and took out a towel that had been used for quite a long time already.
"Look here, there are gaps by the sides of the door, right? You'll have to stuff it up with this towel. It won't be perfect, but you can more or less achieve better sound- proofing this way. And also this…"
I took a broom and dustpan from the locker and showed it to her.
"Clean up this place properly. Can't you see how dirty it is along the walls and on the floor? It took me quite a bit of effort to clean this place up to its current state. Remember this, I'm here to get my classroom back. There's no way I'll allow a young guitarist like you, who hasn't even heard of rock before, to continue with that arrogant attitude of yours any longer!" I said all those haughty words in the spur of the moment, and I regretted it a little almost immediately.
Weiss stared at me in a dumbfounded state, with her eyes still filled with tears. Not long after, she took in a deep breath, and said, "So that's the reason you brought your bass to school?"
She was actually crying like a kid not too long ago, so what's with that annoying expression of hers? Can't I bring my bass here?
"Do you think you can win just by changing to a bass? Idiot!"
"Say as you please! I can't play that well in my current state, but I'll definitely catch up to you soon enough. Well then, let us settle it once and for all with this room as the prize!"
As I said that, I grabbed the broom and pointed its handle towards Weiss. I said it! Weiss seemed like she could no longer speak a word she was just standing there stiffly with her eyes opened wide. I interpreted that as her flinching at my words, instead of her being dumbfounded by my actions. After placing the broom and the dustpan back into the locker, I took out a spraying can and placed it on the desk. Upon seeing the spraying can, Weiss tilted her head cluelessly.
"… Insecticide?"
"Yeah. You can find some centipedes in the room occasionally, though it is quite rare to see cockroaches these days."
Not long after I had left the classroom, I could hear the sound of the door opening in a fluster behind me. I turned my head around, and saw Weiss dashing out of the room with a pale white face.
"What now! I already left as you have requested, so just stay in there properly. You'll be considered late if you are to head back to the classroom right now anyway…"
"W-W-Why didn't you tell me about this from the beginning?"
That face of hers which was on the brink of tears really made her look like a kid.
"Why? Because you didn't ask!"
My answer was the same as before.
"You've been in there all this time, right? It should be fine."
"Idiot!"
My upper arm was repeatedly slapped by her many times. What a troublesome girl.
In the end, we returned to the classroom after first period ended. As Weiss was grabbing onto my arms with an expression close to tears, I could only admit defeat. I spent roughly an hour in the practice room killing all the insects that I could find, as well as sealing up all possible gaps where the insects can get through with sealing tape. I didn't think there was much of a point though. Things like centipedes and stuff can easily squeeze through an opening that's only two millimeters wide, right?
"Ah, the Princess is back."
"So you two really came back together huh…"
I felt slightly intimidated when everyone looked at us as we stepped into the classroom. Wait… princess?
Takurou walked over, leaned himself against the desk, and said, "After a round of discussion, the class has decided that we will be calling you 'Princess' from today onward."
Weiss's face turned ghostly white initially, but it soon became red. I had always felt that despite her not willing to speak much, one can easily know what she was thinking from the change in her expressions.
"… W-Why?"
"You don't like it regardless of whether we address you by your name or your surname, right? It's very inconvenient for us to talk to you like that."
"S-So that's the reason…"
A girl next to the Takurou said deliberately, "If you kneel down and apologize, we won't call you by such an embarrassing name."
"No way!"
"Oh, I see. Well then, please take care of us from now on, Princess."
"It's your turn to do the duties tomorrow, Princess. Therefore, you must get here earlier, instead of the usual where you are always nearly late."
Ah, she's about to cry yet again. What's with all that are they bullying a newcomer? But Weiss had only herself to blame for her predicament, so I didn't find her pitiful at all. Then again, what's with the huge difference in the attitudes with the young Japanese these days?
"Ah, if there is anything that the Princess needs, you can just ask Naruto over there."
That sentence from that bastard Takurou instantly sealed my fate without my prior approval. I nearly fell off my chair when I heard that.
"Why me!?"
"Naruto, it's like this."
Isshiki sitting diagonally in front of me explained, "We always call a prince or princess 'Your Highness', right? Do you know why?"
"I don't… and what's the link between these two things?"
"It means, 'we are the people who are below them and serving them' like that. As it is rude to speak directly to the royals, we can only speak to their servants instead."
"Ohhh…"
"I learned yet another thing today."
Those moronic guys around me became excited.
"Which means, the servant we are talking about is you Naruto!"
"Me!? Why!?"
Despite my protesting by slamming my fists on the table repeatedly, no one was paying any attention to me as the decision was passed by the class in overwhelming numbers, and it was too powerful for me to reject it. I looked in the direction of my only possible saviors Chiaki and Karin. However, all they did was look at Weiss and me suspiciously then made a weird face before turning around to face the lecture stand.
.
.
.