I don't own K-ON!
Chapter 8.2! Head's up 'cause this is a long one :)
I hope you enjoy :)
Lunch
It was already lunchtime and Nodoka wasn't able to skip school like she planned to see Yui because she had a hard time doing so with the upcoming tests they will have next week. Her work in the student council wouldn't let her go so easily either.
Library
The remaining three seniors of the light music club were spending their lunchtime at the library having an advance study for the tests, which Ritsu didn't like.
"Why do we have to study for something that's not due till next week?" Ritsu complained.
"You can't keep procrastinating in everything Ritsu. Try and take studying seriously for once," Mio said.
"But why here? We could do it in the club room."
"Because if we study in the club room we'll just keep eating sweets and play our instruments," Mio explained.
"Oh fine," said Ritsu then stood up from her seat.
"Where are you going?"
"To find some reference books," Ritsu said then left. She carefully browsed thru the shelves looking for the books she needs when she bumped into Azusa and Ui
"Senpai?"
"Ritsu-san."
"Azusa, Ui what a coincidence."
"What are you doing here senpai?" Azusa asked.
"Why do you sound so surprised?"
"Uh…nothing I just didn't expect to see you here senpai."
"We got some tests coming up so Mio wanted to have an advance study. And what about you two? What are you doing here? Don't tell me you two will do things other than studying?" Ritsu said and eyed them mischievously.
"What are you talking about senpai?!" Azusa asked blushing.
"Sssshhhh!"
"Sorry," Ui apologized to the librarian.
"Jeez, Azusa you're such a trouble maker."
"It's your fault senpai!" Azusa said in a low voice.
"We have a test coming up too so we're here to study," Ui explained.
"By the way, do you have any news about Yui?" Ritsu changed the subject feeling a bit worried about her friend.
"She hasn't replied to any of my messages yet," Ui said sadly.
"I see. Well I guess lets give her some space for now," Ritsu said then suddenly saw something on the shelf that caught her attention. "Whoa! These look interesting," Ritsu then took out a number of books from the shelf and went back to her friends with Ui and Azusa.
Meanwhile, at the table where Mio and Mugi were sitting, Mio couldn't focus on her studies because she's bothered by Mugi's constant texting. The sound of Mugi's keypad was distracting her since they arrived in the library.
"Um…Mugi? Who are you texting? You seem to be typing a lot of things," Mio asked.
"Ah sorry Mio-chan. I'm just giving out some instructions to our guards," Mugi answered.
"Why? What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong I'm just having them prepare our emergency shelters since we have a strong storm coming. Dad is usually the one who handles this but my parents are on a business trip in Austria."
"You guys have emergency shelters?" Mio said surprised at her new discovery about Mugi's family.
"Yeah ever since that earthquake and tsunami hit Japan a few years back, dad had hundreds of them made all over the country."
"Wow, your dad's really amazing."
"He wants to be prepared for any disasters. Right now he's having three new ones being constructed."
"Didn't you guys built enough?"
"Oh those are different?"
"Different? How so?"
"It's a dome-like shelter. It's radiation proof, the oxygen and water supply in there is controlled and monitored, there's a mini farm, and military soldiers will be stationed there when it's used. So it's bigger and I mean bigger. One shelter is probably equivalent to the size of our whole school times 10."
"T-That's huge! Where are you guys putting that? And why make such big shelter that's radiation proof? Why put a farm? It's like your dad's making the evacuees live there."
"He said it's for long term evacuations. In case a huge earthquake hit the country again and damages the nuclear plants this time. The last one almost did remember?"
"I-I see, I didn't think of that," Mio said continued to be amazed by Mugi's dad. "He's pretty awesome for thinking about other people."
"Maybe I should I have the helicopters ready too and borrow some military trucks just to be safe. And asking the navy would be a good insurance too," Mugi said thinking about the other things she needs to do.
"Mugi I don't think the storm's going to be that bad. And we're dealing with a natural disaster here not a war. So asking the navy and military is – "
"But we don't know what will happen Mio-chan," Mugi said worriedly.
Mio immediately sensed her fear and she's certain it's not about the storm. It's not like Mugi to start to panic…this must be putting a lot of stress on her. So she pulled her in for a tight hug and said, "I know we can't tell the future but rest assured good things will definitely happen after the storm has passed, okay? Everything will be over soon…"
"I hope so…"
Mio and Mugi's sweet moment was disturbed when Ritsu put down a stack of books on their table and said, "Hold off your flirting for a while and check these out."
"W-We're not flirting…," Mugi said shyly.
"And what are those? I thought you're going to get some reference books!" Mio reminded.
"These are yearbooks from years ago," Ritsu said happily ignoring Mio's reminder.
"She just went on and took most of it from the shelf," Azusa said with Ui just smiling beside her.
"What happened to studying? Jeez," Mio complained as Ritsu started to browse through the pages of the yearbook.
"You guys are here to study too?" Mugi said turning her attention to her juniors.
"Yes. We were looking for some reference books when we bumped into Ritsu-senpai."
"Ah! Are you girls studying?" a familiar voiced asked.
"Sawako-sensei."
"Good timing I have good news for you."
"What news?"
"Afternoon classes will be suspended because of the storm. But don't tell anyone yet, this is supposed to be a secret till it's announced later in class," Sawako whispered.
"Announcements aren't supposed to be kept in secret," Mio said.
"Oh I almost forgot. Could I ask you guys a favor?"
"What is it sensei?"
"The truth is a friend of mine is having a gig at an event later and the band that's going to play won't make it so I was wondering if you guys could do it instead."
"Eh?!" Mio suddenly got nervous.
"Don't worry, all they need is a drummer, bassist, keyboardist and a guitarist. No vocalist needed since that will be my friend's job," Sawako explained.
They all looked at each other and were kind of hesitant. Ritsu then said, "Will we get paid?"
"Yes – "
"Then we'll do it," Ritsu answered instantly.
"Eh? But Ritsu – "
"That's great! Thanks you guys," Sawako said ignoring Mio. "By the way, this is the place," she showed them a flier.
"That place is near the auto-shop owned by our family," said Mugi. "I'll have a car transport us and our instruments there later."
"Wait it's so sudden. Wouldn't it be dangerous? I mean with a storm coming and all," Mio said.
"Don't worry Mio, I'm sure it'll be fine," Ritsu assured.
"You're just thinking about the money senpai!"
"It wouldn't take long I promise. If the storm gets worse we can just stay there, the event's going to be held in a hotel anyway so we'll have everything we need and more," Sawako said.
"She's right Mio-chan. You don't have to worry, I will have you guys dropped off at your homes afterwards," Mugi reassured.
"Well…okay. I'm in," said Mio finally agreeing to the offer.
The group then talked about their plans for the event later and after fifteen minutes the bell rang, indicating the end of the lunch break and the start of the afternoon classes.
"In the end we didn't get any proper studying done," said Mio feeling dissatisfied.
"We could do it tomorrow," said Ritsu as she stood up from her chair and stretched. "Anyway, let's go."
"Hold it!" Mio then grabbed her friend on the shoulder before she could even take a step, "Put back the books you took."
"Eh?"
"Put. It. Back."
"Oh fine," Ritsu said and started to gather the yearbooks she took. A photo of a class from an open book suddenly caught Ritsu's eye and she started to take a closer look at it. "H-Hey. Ui…look."
"What is it Ritsu-san?"
"Tell me this isn't you or Yui, right?" Ritsu said pointing at the person in the photo.
"It's…mom…?" Ui was surprised to see her mother in a Sakura High yearbook. "I can't believe it. She never told us she went to high school here."
"Probably because you didn't ask," Ritsu said.
"Y-Yeah…I guess we didn't," said Ui feeling a bit confused while looking at her mom in the class photo. Why didn't she tell us? I mean, it's not like it's a big deal or anything but still…didn't she want us to know? Ui kept looking at the class photo when she saw something else that shocked her, wait…t-that's…!
Class 3-2
The announcement for the suspension of the afternoon classes and as well as the extra curricular activities has been said due to the upcoming storm tonight, so the students were advised to go home immediately. However, because of the sudden plan the light music club has for the afternoon they won't be able to comply; and the same goes for Nodoka. This could my chance to go to Yui's, dad doesn't know about the suspension. "Remember to stay indoors and don't forget about your homework!" Sawako reminded her students before leaving the room. And as soon as Nodoka finished fixing her things, she sprinted out the room.
I want to see Yui, was the only thing that ran through Nodoka's mind as she hurriedly walked in the hallway. She didn't actually think about what to do or say when she arrives at their house, I just want to see Yui and tell her I love her. She ignored everyone who called her name and said their goodbyes; she just kept on walking – wanting to get out of the school as soon as possible. She got to the shoe lockers and changed her shoes, got her umbrella and went out the front door. And just before she got to the gate, the sight of someone, she didn't expect to be there, made her stop in her tracks.
"Dad…? W-What are you doing here?"
"I came to pick you up. I learned that your school suspended your afternoon classes."
Nodoka just stood in her spot feeling very hesitant to go to her dad. "U-um dad…actually I – "
"Wait. Before you say anything, I just want to say sorry for this morning."
"Huh?"
"I never should've suspected you like that just because you were in a good mood."
"It's okay dad. It's not your fault," Nodoka said feeling a bit awkward with her dad's sudden apology.
"But still I guess I went a little too far with that, knowing that it only happened one time and you already promised it won't happen again."
"Y-yeah…," Nodoka said and looked away.
"So I'm sorry…"
"I-It's fine dad…"
Satoru smiled at her and said, "Let's go Nodoka?"
"D-Dad I…"
"Yes? What is it?"
"I want to…"
"Do you need to stop by somewhere?"
"W-Well you can say that…"
"Oh then can you do that tomorrow? We don't want to be caught up in the storm now. Your mom will be worried."
"B-But – "
"Come on Nodoka, the rain's starting pour."
After hesitating for a moment, with a heavy heart and a clenched fist Nodoka went with her dad. I'm sorry Yui…I'm sorry for being so weak.
Manabe Residence
Nodoka sat on her bed and listened to the rain pouring outside her window. It got heavier from the time they she and Satoru arrived home and Nodoka did nothing but spent the hours thinking of how horrible of a girlfriend she is. *Sigh* What am I doing? I'm so pathetic. Why can't I say 'no'? I mean it's just a simple two-letter word. What am I afraid of anyway? Is it more important than losing Yui?
Nodoka never stopped thinking badly of herself until a loud crashing sound of a thunder startled her and interrupted her pondering. The weather's getting worse, she said to herself when she looked outside her window. She glanced at her clock and, 6:10pm…I didn't realize I've been sitting here for 5 hours…*sigh* I'm not getting anywhere with this. Just because I haven't been successful with my plans today doesn't mean I have to stop doing something. That's right, mom said we could talk about what to do with dad. Nodoka stood up from her bed and went out of her room to look for Ryoko. As she climbed down the stairs she heard her parents talking in the living room. I can't talk to mom if dad's there, so she decided to go back to her room again when she overheard Ryoko mention the word 'Oxford' that piqued her curiosity and made her choose to hide and listen to their conversation.
Living room
"What did you say Ryoko?"
"I said, can you not send Nodoka-chan to Oxford?"
Mom…she's stopping dad from sending me from Oxford? Nodoka smiled so happily.
"Why?"
"Why would you anyway?"
"You know very well why I'm sending her away."
"But I want her here."
"I'm sending her to Oxford Ryoko and that's final."
"I said I don't want you to!"
"Stop being so stubborn Ryoko."
"I'll stop if you stop."
"You're being so childish."
That mom…always so silly…
"If I'm being childish what about you? I mean, Oxford? Do you not know that she needs to take up additional studies before she could qualify there? And do you not realize that we have to pay more for her additional studies abroad just so she could go to that university? Do you know how much that costs? All because you're too stubborn and childish to accept that Nodoka has a girlfriend – "
"Why is it that you're making the bad guy here?"
"Because you are! You don't see Kiyoshi doing the same things with Yui-chan."
"That's because he's never been the type to say out loud the things he doesn't like."
So uncle's like me too…?
"You're not even considering your daughter's feelings about this."
"Of course I'm not. Why would I if it's clear as day that she'll most likely refuse to go to Oxford?"
"You're overreacting about all of this Satoru."
"Overreacting? Nodoka's in a relationship with a girl for Pete's sake Ryoko, don't you understand that?"
"You're the one who don't understand, that's completely normal Satoru."
"What?! Are you insane woman?!"
"And are you stupid?!"
"Wha – "
This is the first time I've seen them argue like this…
"Look Satoru…a girl falling for another girl is not that odd. That happens in this day and age…"
"Nonetheless, that's still unacceptable!"
"Satoru…it's just a phase…"
"A what?"
A phase…? Nodoka was surprised to hear her mom say it.
"It's just a phase…a stage in life that some girls go through usually in their high school days but it doesn't last long, it's not real. They only think it's real for now but when they reach college they'll be completely over it…
That's not true! Mom…she's…she never really believed in our relationship?...All this time…I thought she…, Nodoka's anger started to build up within her.
"…so why don't you just let things be Satoru? Things will just go back to normal naturally."
"I don't know Ryoko…that's very hard to believe."
"I don't believe that either!" Nodoka suddenly said and came in the living room with tears in her eyes. "How could you mom…?!"
"Nodoka-chan?!" Ryoko immediately got worried when she realized Nodoka heard everything she said. "Hold on…listen to me for a whi – "
"NO!"
"Nodoka-cha – "
"I said NO! I'm done listening to you! To ALL OF YOU!" Nodoka was so mad that she finally exploded. "All this time you never believed in us did you?! Because this is just a phase you say?! Well let me tell you something mom Yui is not just a phase! My feelings for her, all the tears, all the joy, all the pain…everything I'm feeling are real! You have no right to say that it isn't because you're not in my place! I love Yui and she will be forever part of my life!"
"Please let me explain Nodoka – "
"I don't want to hear it! Dad is even better than you because he believes that I'm serious about Yui despite not in favor of our relationship. I feel so stupid to fall for all those lies about giving your full support!"
"I meant everything I sai – "
"LIES! ALL OF THEM ARE LIES! YOU LIAR!"
"Nodoka! You don't speak to your mother like that!" Satoru finally interfered the intense confrontation.
"And you! I DON'T WANT TO GO TO OXFORD! I will never go there and you can't make me!" Nodoka said then suddenly stormed out the room and did not give Satoru the chance to oppose her.
At the front door
The parents went after her and saw her putting on her shoes. "Where do you think you're going?!" Satoru asked grabbing her by the shoulder.
Nodoka pushed his hand away and said, "I'm going to see Yui."
"There's a storm right now, Nodoka-chan."
"I forbid you to go out of this house young lady!" Satoru said and reached for Nodoka's arm but she was able to avoid her dad's grip.
"Didn't you hear me earlier? I said I'm done listening to you," Nodoka said and went to open the door.
"Nodoka-san…?"
"Ui?!...Uncle and auntie too?" Nodoka was surprised to see the family by their doorstep, wet from the rain and with eyes full of tears.
"We're sorry to have come so suddenly to your house Satoru," said Kiyoshi trying to keep his voice calm.
"What's wrong Yuki-chan?" Ryoko asked Miyuki.
"Did something happen Ui?" Nodoka asked worriedly after seeing Yui's not with them.
"I-It's onee-chan…," Ui's voice trembled mostly from holding back her tears than being cold from the rain.
"Yui? Why? What happened to Yui?" Nodoka started to panic.
"We…We can't find her…," Ui cried.
"What? What do you mean you can't find her?"
"When I came to her room to check on her an hour ago she wasn't there. She wasn't anywhere in the house," Ui simply said.
"We believe she snuck out of the house without us knowing. We're not sure when but probably just before Ui and I came home," Kiyoshi added.
"At first we thought she just went out to the convenience store or to a friend's house but when their friends already confirmed that Yui wasn't at their house we started to get worried and went out to look for her. We've been looking for her all over town and we can't contact her because she left her phone on her desk," Miyuki explained crying and Ryoko comforted her.
"So we came here hoping she might have come here to see Nodoka. Or maybe you guys might know where she is…please if you have any idea…anything at all…," Kiyoshi said.
"Yoko-chan…I want to find Yui…," Miyuki cried to Ryoko.
Ryoko hugged the distressed Miyuki and said, "Yui-chan didn't come here. I've been home all day and she hasn't come and I don't know where she could be, I'm sorry." Ryoko turned to her daughter to ask for any ideas, "How about you Nodoka-cha – " she was taken aback when she saw Nodoka's serious expression while looking down.
As she stares at her child, she saw a side to her that she couldn't take her eyes off of. She's panicking...but still thinking calmly. Such concentration…I've never seen her like that before…it's like she's solving a life-threatening puzzle…no…searching for your missing loved one in a storm is probably a life-threatening puzzle. Seconds after Nodoka's eyes widened and had a faint gasp, indicating that she came up with something.
"Nodoka-san…do you know where onee-chan might be?" the younger Hirasawa asked and still crying.
Just before Nodoka could answer a loud honk of a white van that stopped in front of their house interrupted her and caught everyone's attention.
"Who's that?" asked Nodoka.
"That's probably Tsumugi-san and the rest. They said they'd help us look for onee-chan so I told them where they could meet me and my parents," Ui explained.
The passenger window opened and they saw Sawako looking at them from the driver seat. At the same time, the door opened and Mugi came out to meet the two families. There was some distance from the vehicle to the house but Mugi didn't care, she just ran and didn't bother bringing an umbrella with her – thinking that there's no time to do such thing.
"Ui-chan! Nodoka-chan!" Mugi called out as she ran from the van to their doorstep. "Sorry for the wait. Borrowing a car from our auto-shop took some time. Anyway, so do you know where we could find Yui-chan?"
"I have an idea where she could be," Nodoka answered, "…the beach."
"The beach?!" everyone said in unison.
"Why the beach?" Miyuki asked.
"Don't tell me she plans to…," Ryoko couldn't say it.
"She wouldn't! Right Kiyoshi?" Miyuki asked his husband.
"That doesn't matter right now," Ui said to her mom, "There are a lot of beaches Nodoka-san, where exactly do you think she went?"
"Most likely the last one she went to," Nodoka said confident with her answer, "…because it's the one she remembers how to get to."
"The second training camp of your club," Ui said to Mugi, "That's the last beach she went to."
"Then let's go. Being at the beach in this weather is very dangerous," said Mugi.
"Wait! I'm coming with you," Nodoka said.
"Me too," joined by Ryoko.
"Wait. There's a freaking storm, you can't go out there," Satoru said to his wife and child.
Ryoko looked at him in confusion and said, "Do you even hear yourself Satoru?! Yui-chan's out there on the beach in this weather her life is in danger."
"It's her choice to put her life in danger and I won't let my family be in danger because of her."
"Are you kidding me?! Are you serious Satoru?! Are you possessed or something?! You're seriously saying that you don't care if she dies? Doesn't she mean anything to you anymore? Is Yui-chan loving your daughter more than she should such a grave sin for you now, huh?! She is part of this family Satoru if you stopped seeing her like that then be it! As for me, I will look for her with or without you."
"But Ryoko – "
"Could we just go?!" Miyuki said feeling impatient and uninterested in the Manabe's fight.
"Those who will search with us go in the van now! Those who won't then stay!" said Mugi.
And after seeing everyone leaving, Satoru suddenly had a change of mind. "Fine! I'll go too. So I could watch over you."
So we went to look for my sister. Why the beach? None of us knew except for Nodoka-san.
If only I had stayed with my sister…if only…if only…
To be continued...
And the search for Yui begins. Will they be able to find Yui in time? What else did Ui see in that yearbook? Has Ryoko really been deceiving Nodoka all this time? Will Satoru ever accept Yui and Nodoka's relationship?
Things are starting to heat up :) I wish I could add a third genre in this :P
Stay tuned to Chapter 9 and the upcoming chapters because more things are going happen ;)
Feel free to review, comment or whatever :P
