Disclaimer: All rights to the name "K-On!" belong solely to its creator. I neither own this franchise nor do I profit from the writing of this story.

Author's Note: I don't know if anyone of you guys watched the Superbowl but hot damn did the Broncos get spanked. Legion of Boom too much for Peyton to overcome. Well aside from that just want to give thanks to all those who have still kept by this story. I know it is moving like molasses but I plan to pick things up. Anyway enjoy the next chapter.


Mio knew that she really should have been enjoying herself more but ever since yesterday she could not help but think that she was being constantly scrutinized. Whenever she took the time to speak to Ritsu the drummer seemed to give her an unusual look, almost as if she were trying to decipher any hidden motives, before responding.

If that were not enough Mugi seemed to have kept her distance. What with the way she was acting the night before this had immediately caused concern for the timid bassist. Sure she was initially relieved that Mugi had ceased her constant show of physical affection but to see the blond in a near melancholy state had put Mio into a state of mild alert.

Something was going on and she was not aware of it.

She turned to find that Ritsu and Yui were giggling amongst themselves as they handed peanuts to the monkeys across the enclosure.

Mio felt a small tinge of anger.

The bassist wasn't sure why she was feeling anger at the moment but, for whatever reason, it seemed to be directed to Yui. There really shouldn't have been any reason for her to harbor any feelings of anger towards the guitarist. Sure Yui annoyed her from time to time with her antics but never enough to warrant the anger she was feeling at the moment.

This anger was not just reserved for Yui.

Ritsu, too, was under Mio's harsh scrutiny.

Mio was still upset at her friend for lashing out at Mugi the day before. All Mugi had wanted to do was suggest some games to pass the time and drummer jumped at the opportunity to shoot her down. This was already in addition to the drummer's unusual behavior on the train.

Now Ritsu seemed to be ignoring her and would only respond to her inquiries when she had no other choice.

The giggling escalated to full blown laughter between Ritsu and Yui, no doubt the two of them having the time of their lives with the monkeys.

This served to incense Mio even further.

Ritsu was definitely ignoring her and yet, at the same time, was still always within Mio's presence. Mio had a good idea what the drummer was doing and she didn't like it one bit.

It was bad enough that Mugi was nowhere to be seen and now Mio was sure she was feeling jealous of all the attention Yui was getting from Ritsu. This served to anger Mio even more.

Damn it Ritsu what in the world has gotten into you? First you go off and ignore me all day and yet you are always within eyesight. What exactly are you trying to pull making me jealous like this all of all sudden? Do you want me to say something to you? Do you want me to get angry at Yui?

I can't even believe this scheme of hers is even working. I really AM getting upset seeing Yui that close to Ritsu. I really shouldn't be getting angry, I mean, Ritsu is Yui's friend too but still I can't help it.

I'm sure you knew that I was going to get jealous all along weren't you Ritsu? Well…since it seems you don't want to reason with me, nor speak to me for that matter, then I have no choice but to fight fire with fire. If you think I'm going to break down and come begging to you to come back then you another thing coming.

Mio could be very stubborn when she wanted to be and she wasn't willing to play into Ritsu's mind games. She knew what the drummer wanted and she would be damned if she was going to indulge in Ritsu's immature behavior. Mio soon left both Ritsu and Yui alone and soon began to search for Mugi.

Little did Mio know that Ritsu had watched her leave them behind before smiling grimly in satisfaction.


It had taken some time to find her but soon Mio was able to get into contact with Mugi. The blond was sitting, alone, at a small café sipping on some tea. Her face looked somber and already Mio could feel herself feeling bad for the meek pianist.

"Hey there Mugi mind if I join you?" asked Mio with a smile.

The Kotobuki heiress looked up to find Mio standing above her with an inviting smile. Initially she had wanted to be alone in order to sort out her thoughts from her confrontation with Ritsu the night before. It had rattled her, especially since she considered the drummer a dear friend of hers.

For a moment Mugi thought of perhaps rejecting Mio's offer. She knew that if Ritsu were to ever catch them together then a possible altercation would occur. While Mugi boldly claimed to the drummer that she would associate herself with whomever she wanted the fact was that Mugi was still scared. She did not like confrontation and always did her best to avoid it.

Then again if she refused Mio's offer of companionship then that would open another can of worms. Mio could be hurt from the refusal and their close friendship could be affected. Mugi also noted that Mio was here, alone, without either Yui or Ritsu.

She might have gotten into an argument with Ritsu if she is here alone without her. I'm sure that Ritsu hasn't told her of what had happened last night but still I expected her to be more possessive of Mio, perhaps going so far as to indulge her. Getting into a fight with Mio would seem counterproductive on Ritsu's part.

Did she fail in her plan then?

I don't know.

I feel no relief that Mio is here. Something isn't right. Ritsu wouldn't have given up this easily, not when she sets her mind on something. What is she trying to pull?

I guess I won't know. Plus it would be terribly unbecoming to refuse Mio-chan's company. Maybe I'm just overthinking this.

Mugi gestured for Mio to sit down at the chair across from her.

"Of course I don't mind. I was actually wondering where you were the whole time was all." said Mugi.

Mio felt like she had gotten punched in the stomach.

She was so obsessed with what Ritsu was up to that she had pretty much ignored Mugi for the entire day. It made Mio sick to think that she had, inadvertently, hurt Mugi. While she had wanted to pin all the blame on Ritsu, Mio knew that would be unfair, angry as she was towards the drummer.

"Look I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ignore you or anything. It's just that Ritsu has been acting so strange. I don't know what has gotten into her. She has been ignoring me all day." said Mio glumly.

Mugi raised an eyebrow when she heard this.

So I was right. There was a falling out between the two of them. Still this doesn't really bode well for me. What reason could Ritsu want in driving Mio away from her especially after what she had said last night? Nothing seems to be adding up.

"I am sorry to hear that. If it makes you feel any better she doesn't really seem to be treating me with much courtesy either." replied Mugi.

"No, it doesn't make me feel any better Mugi. Ritsu is acting like a little kid. I don't get what her problem is. She is my best friend. At times I wonder how I could get along without her and other times, like right now, I just want to rip her head off." replied Mio with a sigh.

Mugi was conflicted.

She was not sure whether she should tell Mio about what happened between her and Ritsu the night before. She did not want to upset her any more than she already was but at the same time she did not want to keep the bassist in the dark either.

The blonde pianist smiled glumly as she thought about all this. It seemed that no matter what she did all it would do was cause Mio pain. A part of her wanted to blame Ritsu for that but another blamed herself for not being able to keep things under wraps.

Mugi could not deny it. She had grown to become very fond of Mio and the thought of her getting hurt just filled Mugi with dismay. There was an innate envy welling inside of Mugi, an envy that was specifically reserved for Ritsu. It was something that Mugi thought she wasn't capable of feeling but at the moment she felt that Ritsu didn't deserve Mio, not after treating her like this.

"You know Mio-chan, Ritsu confronted me last night. She pretty much told me to stay away from you. I spoke my mind and refused to adhere to her demands but still I did not expect her to come across as so hostile. I know you have said that she is possessive of you Mio but really I think she is taking this too far."

Already Mugi felt some regret telling Mio this bit of information as she saw the bassist visibly tense up.

"H-How dare she even say that to you! That's so cruel! Who the hell does she think she is trying to dictate our life like that? Why if I had known about this earlier I would have-"

"Mio please stop. I understand that you are upset but confronting Ritsu now about this will only make things worse. I know you don't like confrontation and I don't either. Consider what effect this will have on our band if we start losing control of ourselves." replied Mugi reasonably.

Never had Mio ever felt so angry towards Ritsu. All she could see was red and it was difficult to get her to calm down. Mugi's words made sense yet at the same time Mio did not want to let this go either.

"So what do you suggest? That we don't see each other and be friends? To do as Ritsu wants just to keep the peace? I don't buy that, not at all!" responded Mio hotly.

"That is not what I am suggesting. What I am saying is that there is no reason for us to have to justify ourselves to Ritsu. Have you ever heard of the term 'Actions speak louder than words?' I feel that in this case it is quite applicable. We can silently defy Ritsu by still remaining friends and not have to say anything to her. If this bothers her as much as I think it will she will have no choice but to confront us on our own terms. Her doing this will make her the aggressor and, in case we have to, get her in trouble for doing so."

Mio had to think carefully with what she had just heard. This was going to be quite tricky and, on the inside, she felt disgusted with herself for playing Ritsu's game against her. However the anger over what she heard Mugi say to her earlier still reigned strong inside the bassist. If Ritsu wanted to play hard ball then so be it.

"Okay let's do it then. As much as I don't want to be playing these games if Ritsu thinks she can control me like a puppet then she has another thing coming." said Mio angrily.

Mugi cast her eyes down as she heard this. They were committed to this. It was bound to happen but the fact that they were pretty much segregating themselves from Ritsu still left a sour taste in her mouth. Truth be told she still wanted to remain friends with Ritsu and no matter how many times Mugi told herself that the drummer was the one who started all this it still didn't make her feel any better.

"I'm so sorry Mio for making you do this. Forcing you to choose between your best friend and myself. I feel like I have done you a horrible injustice." said Mugi sadly.

"You have nothing to feel sorry for Mugi. Ritsu was the one who started all of this. Yes she is my best friend but that doesn't make me her slave either, nor you as well. What she told you was unreasonable and cruel."

Mio could see that Mugi wasn't feeling much better about this and, in a way, blamed herself for Mugi being upset at the moment. Ritsu was her best friend after all. How could she not see this coming and prevent it?

Taking the initiative Mio leaned over and held Mugi close to her as the blond wept silently on her shoulder. Mio slid her hand down Mugi's hair in a gesture of comfort.

"Listen to me. You are not at fault here. Don't think you were wrong when you brought up what Ritsu did to you, understand Mugi? I'm not so daft as to not see Ritsu's flaws and I can easily see her pulling this kind of stunt. Sure I'm upset but I'm upset at her, not you. So stop thinking that you are, in any way, hurting me because you are not."

Mugi looked up through her tear stained eyes and felt her heart racing. Even through her blurry eyes she could see Mio's kind gaze. It seemed almost a sacrilege that Ritsu should treat such a kind and understanding person the way she did. Mugi was sure that Ritsu didn't truly know how lucky she was to always be in Mio's company.

Feeling considerably better Mugi soon moved herself away from Mio and gave her a grateful smile.

"Thank you Mio-chan."

"It's no problem." replied Mio softly before perking up again. "Say why don't we spend the rest of the day together, just you and me? There is still so much daylight left and I would hate for us to just waste it sitting her feeling sorry for ourselves."

Mugi's eyes brightened at the offer. Memories of that day when Yui had been sick still stuck on Mugi's mind. That had perhaps been one of the best days she had ever had and now here was Mio offering to spend yet another day with her, alone.

Any feelings of guilt and sorrow were soon washed away with this suggestion. Mugi would not think about Ritsu at all. No, she would not let the drummer ruin the day when they were supposed to be out and having fun.

"Let's go then!"

Mio smiled as she saw Mugi suddenly become so animated. It made her feel good to know that Mugi had snapped out of her funk. With that in mind she took Mugi's hand as they got up and ventured forth to another adventure.


If Mugi thought that day at the grocery store with Mio had been fun then she was in for a huge surprise as she had pretty much the best day of her life today.

Both she and Mio had gone any and everywhere, from souvenir shops, the temples where they made their prayers, to even the various music stores around the area to window shop.

At the end of the day both of them were heading back towards the hotel as the sun was setting behind them. Their arms were burdened by many bags of merchandise but they bore the weight with no complaint. It had been a really fun day, something which both would remember for the rest of their lives.

As they walked towards their destination Mugi could not help but wonder as to how someone like Ritsu could ever be upset with Mio. Mugi was absolutely fascinated with the bassist and as time went the feelings that she had acknowledged to herself before were becoming more and more of a reality.

Something about Mio just made Mugi want to hold her and never let go. She had been ashamed of her feelings before and felt guilt for making Mio uncomfortable. However, after today, Mugi was going to come clean. Today had pretty much solidified her feelings towards Mio.

They were nearing their destination and Mugi knew that she only had this one chance. Coming across a nearby park bench Mugi feigned exhaustion and promptly sat down.

"Mugi you do know that the hotel is only a block away." said Mio though she had an amused smile.

"I know but I'm just so tired. More than that I'm sad that this day had to end. Can you not let me enjoy it just a little bit longer before it is all over?" asked Mugi seriously.

Mio knew that Mugi was talking about. She honestly did have a good time and she too was feeling down that today had to end. Sure it had started off somewhat bad due to Ritsu but it turned out to be for the best. Nodding in agreement Mio took her seat next to Mugi placing her bags before them and sighed in relief.

"I guess we can spend a few minutes taking a breather before we have to be back. We're early as it is." said Mio.

With that both girls sat there in silence. It was strange to think that there was hardly any traffic out or other pedestrians for that matter. Not that Mugi minded. If anything this made it easier for her to do what she had wanted to do all along.

"Hey Mio-chan."

"Yes."

"Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be in a relationship?"

Mio was caught off guard by the question but didn't react as she normally would have. Coming from Mugi the question seemed innocent enough and instead of freaking out she drew in a deep breath and answered to the best of her ability.

"I-I have thought about it. However it is something that isn't really that important to me. I'm so busy with school and then of course the club as well. I mean I wouldn't be totally opposed or anything but it isn't a priority."

Of course just lie to her face why don't you? Considering that Azusa isn't here. I wonder what she is doing right now.

Mugi seemed to be taking her time answering the response, almost as if she had lost the words she was trying to say. Not that Mio would hurry her. This was somewhat of an awkward topic but not unexpected. They were teenage girls after all.

"You know I have thought about it for some time. It was something I knew would eventually happen but still I was often left feeling confused. I never really felt any sort of close attachment to anyone. I thought that maybe I wasn't destined to be close to anyone outside my family.

"Mugi-"

"Wait let me finish. I gave up on the notion and soon found myself immersed in both school and the club. I can honestly say that joining the Light Music Club was the best decision I have ever made. I don't think I have ever had so much fun. It really made me forget about relationships and all that. I mean, what is better than having fun with your best friends, right?"

"However I am going to confide in a secret guilt of mine. You see recently I have become attached to one member of the Light Music Club, far more than even I expected. My feelings for her have grown and now I simply cannot contain it. I have to tell someone." said Mugi.

Mio gave a look of total understanding. Having been in this position before she knew just how tormenting it was to secretly admire someone from afar and yet not have the courage to confess to them. Being able to confide in a third party really helped. In fact, that was probably the biggest reason why Mio had not gone off on the warpath against Ritsu earlier today. She still remembered that Ritsu was there for her when she really needed to be. While they were at odds with Ritsu at the moment that fond memory gave Mio hope that they would weather this trial just like they have weathered others before.

"Mugi I'm not sure if I'm the right person that you should telling this to. However if you are so sure then I would be honored to hear you out." said Mio with a smile never even suspecting who it really was that Mugi was alluding to.

The blond haired pianist knew that Mio had no idea what was actually going to happen. It made her somewhat sad that she was going to drop this bombshell on her and possibly ruin the friendship they had cultivated together. It was risk that Mugi was willing to take.

"I think you are misunderstanding me Mio. I'm not confiding about a secret crush I have on another member of the Light Music Club. I am confessing to you that you are the one I like. I do. I really like you Mio and I want to be in a relationship with you."

This had come as a complete and utter shock to Mio. This was the absolute last thing she was thinking of and already she felt her world spinning around.

W-What am I supposed to tell her? I like Azusa not her! But I don't want to outright reject her either. I mean…I wouldn't like it if someone rejected me.

Mugi why are you doing this to me? I don't want to hurt you but you are forcing me to make a decision that I know will not end well. Oh god what do I do? If I say yes I make her happy but then I lose any chance with Azusa.

Azusa….

Is this really for the best? Do I continue to sacrifice my happiness to make another person happy? Why is it that I feel only a sense of dread if I go through with this? Do I deny her and know that I caused someone the one pain that I wouldn't want to experience myself? Would that make me a hypocrite?

I don't know what to do….

I love Azusa…I really do but I haven't even gotten a chance to tell her and now I am faced with this.

Yet I'm so sure that my relationship with Mugi will not work out. I haven't even given her a chance and I'm going to shoot her down. I'm so despicable….

"Mugi…I'm so sorry but I can't…."

Mio could see Mugi's eyes suddenly darken in regret and pain. The blond pianist withdrew her gaze as she stared at the ground vacantly, her tears starting to drip down. The timid bassist felt like her heart was tearing itself apart. Never did she wish to make Mugi cry like that. Mio felt like she was some sort of monster for hurting someone as innocent Mugi.

The decision was already made though. Mio had placed her own happiness over the happiness of Mugi and the bassist could not help but think that she was being a selfish bitch.

"You know Mio I would have given you anything you wanted, anything whatsoever. I cherish you Mio Akiyama and I would have made your happiness my number one priority."

"Mugi-chan…."

"Yet here I find that despite that you would refuse my proposition. What good is it to be the heiress of a grand fortune if I cannot even have the one I love? Let me ask you Mio Akiyama. Do you desire another?"

Desperately did Mio want to just run away from the situation. It was already bad enough that she felt selfish for putting herself over Mugi but now she was made to justify her actions? She had told Ritsu that she had liked someone but to her that was one of the most difficult things she had ever done.

Mio knew that if she lied to Mugi about not liking anyone then it would be horrible cruel. Not only would it be an injustice to Mugi, who had bared her heart out to her, but it would have been insulting as well. To say that she didn't like anyone would imply that Mugi wasn't good enough for her and that was the last thing Mio wanted Mugi to assume.

Telling Mugi that she liked Azusa was just as difficult. Mio was very tight lipped on her admiration for her kouhai and preferred that no one else knew about it. She could hardly summon the courage to tell Ritsu and now she had to tell Mugi too and in this situation as well? This didn't even include how Mugi would react. For all Mio knew Mugi might turn out to be even worse than Ritsu though she desperately wished that not be the case.

Mio felt like the walls were closing around her. Her breath started to become rapid as hyperventilation was beginning to kick in. This was far too much pressure and already Mio started to feel herself curl up like she normally would when put in a stressful or frightening situation.

However just as she was about to succumb a thought suddenly rang out.

I already made the decision to reject Mugi. If I falter now and not give her a proper explanation then what does that say about my feelings for Azusa? Am I so ashamed of my feelings for her that I cannot even tell Mugi about them? If that were the case then I should have just said 'yes' to Mugi's confession.

But I made my decision because I'm sure that I love Azusa. I want to be in a relationship with her. I want Azusa to be my girlfriend. If I'm not brave enough to overcome this trial then what chance do I have in confessing to her?

Mugi was brave enough to confess her feelings for me. I was cruel and selfish enough to place myself over her. So be it. In that case she should be owed an explanation. That is the least I can do for her.

In a blink of an eye Mio snapped out of her frightful stupor. There was a serene feeling coursing through her body, a big contrast to the fright and stress she was just experiencing a moment ago. There was clarity in Mio's mind as she knew now what she wanted and how she was going to obtain her happiness. She made her decision and now it was time to push forward. Overcoming this trial would bring her one step closer to being with Azusa.

"Mugi I'm astonished to think you find me worthy of being in a relationship with you. You know this would be a dream come true for many people. My rejection is not out of any deficiency in your character so please don't take this as a slight."

Mio knew that Mugi was now scrutinizing her. She was sure that Mugi was very upset with her right now. The timid bassist knew that what she said next would be crucial.

"The thing is Mugi is that I like someone else."

At first Mugi glared at Mio harshly and it seemed like the blond was actually going to hit her. Mio gulped as she waited for a response from Mugi. Thankfully the Kotobuki heiress demeanor softened as her eyes were cast down once more.

"Truth be told I was sure that you were going to say 'yes' Mio. I cannot say that I am happy at the moment but if what you say is true then I understand why I was turned down. Would it be too much to ask who it is exactly that has captured your heart before I could?" asked Mugi softly.

"It is Azusa. She is the one I want to be with." replied Mio.

Mugi seemed to be somewhat surprised before chuckling to herself. Mio was not sure what to make of this but was at least relieved that Mugi wasn't crying anymore. Mugi soon stopped as she made eye contact with Mio and gave her a soft smile.

"That's so unfair Mio-chan. How could I ever expect to compete with someone so cute? It seems that all of this was a fruitless venture after all. But you know what? I'm happy that it is her. I know that you would really take care of her. My question is why you haven't told her yet." said Mugi.

Mio looked up at the sky with a pensive look on her face. Feelings of shame welled inside of Mio once more. While her frightful nature was something of amusement to Ritsu and the rest of the Light Music Club the bassist was never proud of the fact that she was so skittish. Would she have already been in a relationship with Azusa if only she had the courage to confess to her sooner? Supposing that Azusa had rejected her wouldn't Mio, by this time, been ready to accept Mugi as her girlfriend had she just had the courage to make her feelings known to Azusa sooner?

Once again Mio was reminded of how her cowardice only lead to pain, for both her and those around her. She was working hard to improve on herself but Mio sometimes felt the process too slow. If she were a braver person then perhaps today could have ended with the both of them deepening their relationship to a new level. Because when it came down to it Mio really did enjoy being with Mugi. If it were not for her current affection for Azusa the bassist was sure she would have said yes.

And in the process spare Mugi all this unneeded pain.

"It's because I'm a coward. All my life I have always avoided situations that called for me to something under pressure. I'm so scared that she will say no, just as I have done to you. It makes me sick to know that I hurt you Mugi, it really does. But I really love her and I know that soon I will have the courage to tell her."

"There is no shame in being afraid to come forward and bare your heart to the one you love. Being rejected is painful but you know what? Even now I'm beginning to feel better and I would rather get a definite answer than always wonder. So go ahead and tell her how you feel. You are never going to know until you do so."

"It's just that I'm not even sure that she'll even feel the same way. If she rejects me then-"

Mio wasn't given a chance to answer as she felt Mugi suddenly press her lips to her own. The bassist could not think only feel herself immersed in pleasure. The desire to push Mugi away never came and instead Mio stayed pliant as the strawberry flavored lips of Mugi did its work.

Mugi gently bit down on Mio's bottom lip and then pulled away, leaving the bassist in a daze.

"M-Mugi…that…why did…."

"If Azusa is ever stupid enough to reject you then I'll be waiting. I'll wipe your tears and show you a sort of happiness that she will never be able to give you."


Author's Note: Well I said that I was moving things along. Hopefully this makes up for the terribly slow pace that I have been writing this story at. My only regret is now I want ship Mio/Mugi now lol. Hit me up let me know what you all think.