Disclaimer: All rights to the name "K-On!" belong solely to Kyoto Animation and their affiliates. I do not own this franchise nor do I profit from the writing of this story.
Author's Note: Finally at the last arc of this story. Not much to say here other than many thanks to all those who have continued to read and review it is much appreciated.
Mio stared at her phone with a vacant expression as her finger hovered over Mugi's name. It had been two weeks since she had reconciled with her mother and through their subsequent conversations their relationship had become so close that Mio decided to confide in her mother about her relationship problems with Mugi.
I can't give you the answers you're looking for Mio but if you really want my advice you might want to use your experience to help you write out your lyrics. Most of the famous songs you hear nowadays usually are inspired by real life events that took place in the singer's life. Focus on finishing your lyrics first and the rest will follow.
Mio was hesitant about her mother's advice but decided to trust her and went through with it.
It had taken two weeks for Mio to finally finish the lyrics. The bassist knew that she was cutting it close as it left the band only two weeks to put it together before the end of year festival but she was confident of their ability to get it done.
She was happy with the progression of the band. They had made more progress this past month then had all year. Yui in particular had improved tremendously and was now beginning to read music much to Azusa's relief. All of this made Mio happy and yet she still felt a shadow of discontent.
Mugi acted civil toward Mio but only just. There was an icy tension between the two of them that was palatable even among the other band members. Both the pianist and the bassist did their best to keep their emotions in check for the sake of the band. They were at an impasse now and Mio didn't like it. The tension between the both of them was beginning to affect the band and the last thing Mio wanted was for their final performance to suffer because of it.
Even so Mio still couldn't get herself to call Mugi.
The letters of the pianist's name began to discombobulate before Mio's eyes. The young woman blinked and shook her head before regaining her normal sense of vision.
Get a grip Mio! This isn't the time to be afraid! You know what you feel towards Mugi.
She might hate me even more after today but I can't run away any longer.
Mio took a deep breath as she gripped her cell phone tightly. Her body was beginning to tremble and her stomach felt like it was turned upside down despite her best efforts in calming herself. Despite the adrenaline racing through her body Mio summoned her courage and tapped on Mugi's name and placed the phone on her ear as she waited anxiously.
There was a soft click with a machine soon answering.
Please leave your message after the tone.
The bassist felt deflated when she heard the answering machine and promptly hung up. She should have known that this would happen. Mio knew that she was the last person Mugi wanted to talk to and the bassist couldn't help but think that perhaps she was only hurting the pianist even more by trying to reach out to her.
Mio was then interrupted from her thoughts when she felt her phone vibrant. She checked and nearly gasped when she saw a text message from Mugi.
What do you want?
The bassist frowned. Even through the text she knew that Mugi wasn't thrilled at the prospect of speaking with her. Even so Mio pushed past her hesitation and responded.
We need to talk.
There is nothing to talk about. Just leave me alone Mio.
No. This is important and I will not take 'no' for an answer. Tomorrow after practice.
There was no response. The bassist sighed before calmly putting her phone on the counter top and then proceeded to lay on her bed where she sulked in self-pity.
It was half an hour later when Mio's phone vibrated again. Mugi had responded.
Very well.
Relief washed over Mio like soothing rain. She had won half the battle however she knew that this meeting could exacerbate the bad blood between them. It could even jeopardize the future of the band itself.
However leaving things as they were now was also a terrible idea. The tension would eat away at the band like a cancer and Mio would not allow the other band members to suffer because she was too afraid to confront Mugi.
Mio shook her head.
She would not trouble herself with these thoughts any longer. Instead she reached out to her phone, pulled up an album of Jaco Pastorius, put on her ear phones and fell asleep to the rhythm of smooth jazz.
The next day's practice was one of the best sessions they have had since their return from Natsu-fest. They felt like a real band and Mio couldn't help but feel proud. Yui and Asuza soon started a friendly rivalry with one another. While Azusa was clearly superior in all aspects of guitar that didn't stop Yui from trying to bridge the gap. Her level of improvement was astonishing, so much so that it motivated the rest of the band.
Before they knew it their two hour practice session had come to an end with Yui pouting a little.
"Aww man practice is over already?"
"I never would have thought I'd see the day that you're sad with practice ending sempai. Even so you need to know when to rest." said Azusa with a smile.
Yui responded by grinning wickedly causing Azusa to shirk. It was then that the airheaded guitarist glomped Azusa with a smothering hug.
"Aww Azu-nyan are you scared that I'm going to get better than you?"
"Y-Yui-sempai that's not what I meant! Besides there's no way I'll ever let you catch up to me!" responded Azusa definatly.
"That's it! Just for that I'm going to practice all night until the festival!" exclaimed Yui bravely.
This, unfortunately, earned Yui a smack to the head by Ritsu who was shaking her head.
"Oww Rit-chan! Why did you have to hit me?"
"So you can stop making promises you can't keep. The last thing we need is for you to drop dead in front of us in exhaustion. I'm doing this for your own good." replied Ritsu.
This got Azusa's attention as she pried herself away from Yui's hug and scrutiznied Ritsu for a moment. She then grabbed both ends of Ritsu's cheeks and proceeded to pull them apart, hard.
Ritsu cried out in pain as she struggled to get free from Azusa's death grip. Seeing as there was no way out Ritsu retaliated by pinching Azusa's cheeks as well.
"Let me go!" cried Ritsu.
"N-No!"
The band watched in awe as Azusa and Ritsu then engaged in a battle of attrition with neither side wanting to give up. Eventually Azusa relented first, her threshold of pain being far below that of the drummer. Ritsu was grinning stupidly as she held her hand up in victory.
"There's no way you can beat me in a contest of will Azusa! I have been through abuse all my life I'm used to pain!" exclaimed Ritsu.
"What do you mean by abuse? From who?" asked Mio darkly as she rose her fist.
"That should be obvious Mio."
This earned Ritsu a bonk to the head.
"See what I mean Azusa."
Mio muttered incoherent nothings as she knew that she got baited by her best friend. Mugi was giggling throughout the entire exchange while Yui looked confused.
"Umm Azu-nyan. Is there a reason why you had to pinch Rit-chan's cheeks?"
"Dunno Yui-sempai. I just wanted to I guess." replied Azusa with a shrug of her shoulders. This made Yui break out into crocodile tears.
"Aww Azu-nyan you could have just come to me if you wanted to pinch someone's cheeks."
That was when Mio went up to Yui and softly placed her hands on Yui's cheeks and gazed at her intensely. Yui blushed from the contact and averted her eyes.
"Tell you what Yui. We'll have a little competition after the festival. I'll choose a piece of guitar music that both you and Azusa have to play for us. It'll be a playoff. If you beat Azusa then I'll buy you ice cream how does that sound?"
Yui was lost under Mio's gaze. She could feel the bassists warm breath caress her face causing her body to break out in goosebumps.
"Can I have a kiss instead?" whispered Yui so softly that no one could hear her.
Except for Mio. The bassist reddened slightly but tried to play it off.
"What did you say Yui?"
"I-I said that ice cream is great!" said Yui as she started to laugh nervously.
Ritsu raised her eyebrow.
"You alright Yui? Your face is getting all red."
Yui instantly yanked herself out of Mio's hands and shook her head.
"I'm fine. Just a bit tired is all. I'm going home. I'll see you guys later." said Yui as she exited the club room abruptly.
"What's wrong with her? I've never seen her so flustered before." asked Ritsu curiously.
"I really hope Yui-chan feels better." said Mugi in concern.
Azusa didn't say anything as she studied Yui's behavior. There was more to the story than that. Yui and Ui were similar not only in looks but also in their mannerisms. Whenever Ui got embarrassed or nervous she too would start to laugh nervously and then try to leave the situation as soon as possible.
What the petite guitarist didn't understand was why Yui would feel nervous around Mio. Then again both Yui and Mio had spent the entire day together during Natsu-fest. It would make sense that their friendship would grow closer but Azusa still felt that that wasn't the entire story.
Since Natsu-fest Yui had been practicing like a maniac. She would often be practicing in the club room before their classes started and always took Gitah home. From what Ui had told her Yui would practically lock herself in her room and only come out to eat dinner and take a bath. Ui even told her that there were times where she would get up to use the restroom and could still see the light still illuminated underneath Yui's room with the sounds of the guitar strings being strung in the middle of the night, sometimes as late as two in the morning.
Mio told her about Yui's experience with the pot brownie and how it affected her time at Natsu-fest. That could be part of the reason. She knew that both her parents partook in cannabis from time to time and while she herself had never done it her parents had told her that it helped them enjoy their musical experience. Of course there was their promise at the end of the festival to reach Budokan and their renewed commitment.
Even so Azusa still felt that it wasn't the whole story.
If I didn't know any better I would say that Yui-sempai like Mio-sempai.
It was then that Azusa got very angry and jealous but it was only for a moment. She smiled sadly as she stared at the ground.
I shouldn't be surprised. Mio-sempai really is amazing. It would be natural that Yui might start liking her. Something must have happened between the two of them.
I hope Yui-sempai is alright.
With that Azusa turned around and bowed to the other band members before leaving the club room.
Mio then turned to Ritsu and then spoke.
"Ritsu can you please wait outside? I need to speak to Mugi."
The drummer felt like she was drowning in rising tension but that didn't mean she was willing to let Mio confront Mugi on her own.
"Mio are you sure? I can stay if it makes it any easier."
Mio smiled sadly as she placed her hand on Ritsu's shoulder.
"Thank you Ritsu but I need to speak to Mugi alone."
Ritsu could tell that Mio was petrified but knew that she couldn't help her now. She knew that the day would come when Mio would no longer have to depend on her for protection. Ritsu felt sad but at the same time she was proud of her best friend.
"Okay Mio. Just know that I'll always be there if you need me." said Ritsu before she too left the club room.
Mio looked out sadly knowing that she was alone now to confront her greatest challenge. This was the point of no return. If she failed now it would mean the end of the Hokago Tea Time.
"So what is so important that you needed to talk to me about?" asked Mugi curtly.
Mio met Mugi's harsh gaze with that of her own. She wasn't about to back down.
"Us."
"Us? There is no 'us' Mio. Now if you are done wasting my time I have to get home now." said Mugi as she started to walk out of the club room.
Mio reached out and grabbed Mugi by the arm preventing her from leaving.
"Why do you hate me so much Mugi?"
Mugi turned around and Mio could see the tears were threatning to fall from her eyes.
"There is nothing more I want than to smash your heart repeatedly with a hammer. To make you feel the same pain and anguish you have caused me. I...I..."
It was then that Mugi grabbed Mio by the shoulders and slammed her roughly against the nearby wall causing their chalkboard to fall over. Stars exploded in Mio's field of vision as she was slightly concussed. She then felt Mugi's hands crawl up against her throat and start to squeeze slowly cutting off her breath. Strangely enough Mio was no longer frightened despite being in such a perilous position.
"Hurt me then Mugi. Whatever it takes so that you no longer hate me."
"You're so stupid Mio! Even now you still don't get it!"
Mugi started to squeeze tighter further cutting off Mio's air flow. The bassist stood firm, not yielding and yet not resisting either. The sight infuriated Mugi as her nails started to dig into Mio's neck. At this proximity she could feel Mio's hair brushing against her face, could smell her favorite fragrance which, even now, caressed her sense of smell. She could feel the softness of Mio's skin beneath her fingers and suddenly she remembered the first time they had kissed.
The pianist relenquished her grip as Mio took a big gasp of air. Mugi slowly descended to the floor before getting on her knees and began to cry.
"Do you enjoy hurting me Mio?"
Mio looked over glumly toward Mugi.
"No."
"Then why are you doing this? What do you hope to accomplish?"
"Mugi I just want you to stop hating me."
"You still don't understand."
It was then that Mugi stood back up and started to walk away.
Mio was trembling as panic began to overtake her.
What do you want Mugi? I don't get it!
Mugi...
I don't want you to leave me.
But why?
Mio could see Mugi was already going to open the door to leave the club room and then she suddenly remembered.
Who is to say that music might carry your message to the one you love stronger than just merely talking?
Knowing what she had to do Mio then stood up and started to sing the song she had been working on for the past two weeks.
The song meant for the most important person in the world to her right now.
Into your arms
Is this all true?
This joy, this happiness!
It must be a dream!
LOVING!
I see your smile
Light to my darkness.
These feelings I have
Are only fuel for my fears.
LOVING!
You gave me your heart
As fear squeezed my own
I'm sorry I let go!
I was too scared to hold it for my own.
LOVING! LOVING!
LOVE IS THE ONLY TRUTH!
LOVING! LOVING!
LOVE IS WHAT I FEEL FOR YOU!
Take me back
Into your arms again!
Take me back!
And let me fix your heart!
LOVING! LOVING!
LOVE IS THE ONLY TRUTH!
LOVING! LOVING!
LOVE IS WHAT I FEEL FOR YOU!
Take me back!
And forgive me of my sins.
Take me back!
For love is what I feel for you!
LOVING! LOVING!
LOVE IS THE ONLY TRUTH!
LOVING! LOVING!
LOVE IS WHAT I FEEL FOR YOU!
For love is what I feel for you!
For love is what I feel for you.
For...love is what I feel for you...
The last words of the song died out as Mio felt her composure slip away from her. Through her blurred, teary vision she could see Mugi turn around to reveal a stream of tears jutting from both her eyes. She was already crying and looked like she was barely able to hold herself together.
"Mio..."
Every single nerve in Mio's body was telling her to run away and hide in a deep hole. She was so scared that she felt like she was having a seizure from her trembling.
But Mio refused to run away! She refused to let fear win this time! Gathering all the strength in her body she took a deep breath and then screamed out.
"I LOVE YOU MUGI!"
Without giving the pianist a chance to even react Mio ran forward as she clung to Mugi desperately.
"Please forgive me Mugi! I'll do anything just please...don't hate me any longer."
Mio felt Mugi pull her away and felt her like her heart was dropped into a dark pit.
It's too late. Mugi hates me and wants nothing to do with me any longer.
It was then that Mio saw that Mugi was smiling at her in a mischievous manner.
"Mio, Mio, Mio! Even after all this time you STILL don't get it."
"I don't understand what-"
Mio wasn't given time to finish as Mugi kissed Mio with the same amount of desperation as Mio had shown just moments ago. The bassist responded just as vigorously. She pushed Mugi onto the couch where she then straddled on top of the blond as she pinned her arms upward.
The bassist then started to kiss down Mugi's neck looking for that special spot. There was a sharp gasp as Mio had found what she was looking for and lightly bit the crook between Mugi's neck and shoulder.
Mio, feeling confident and in control now that Mugi was underneath her, snuck her hand underneath the blond girl's uniform and started to grope at her her breasts. The bassist then started to caress the teat at the very end with her finger tips all the while still kissing Mugi on both her lips and neck. The sounds of Mugi's moans and the feeling of being in complete control was exhilarating. Feeling bold Mio then reached down with her other hand beneath Mugi's skirt and slid her hand across the pianist's smooth panties.
Mugi gasped as she closed her legs but Mio was persistent and slowly drove them apart. They continued this for about a minute before both of them had to part from their make out session so that they could catch their breath.
"S-So I take it you don't hate me anymore?" asked Mio.
"And you call Yui-chan an air-head Mio. You really ought to look in the mirror."
"Well since I'm so air-headed you can tell me what this whole mystery is about then. What is it that I'm not getting then?"
"Mio! I never hated you! I wished that I could hate you and cause you pain but I couldn't because I just love you so much! I could never forgive myself for hurting you! I would die of guilt!"
"Then why have you been avoiding me? Why didn't you want to be with me at Natsu-fest?" asked Mio sadly.
"I was being foolish. At that time I was too concerned about my pride. I kept thinking that you only wanted to be with me because of your break-up with Azusa and that you were using me as a rebound. I didn't want to play second fiddle to anyone and thus my pride prevented me from perhaps enjoying the happiest day of my life with you."
Mio then smiled sadly.
"Are you happy with me now Mugi?"
"Yes...like all the joys of the world put into one."
"Then do you want to be in a relationship with me?"
Mugi then grinned wickedly.
"No."
The bassist felt like someone punched her in the gut. She could already feel the tears creep onto her eyes and the the familiar feeling of misery start to manifest in the depths of her crumbling heart when she heard Mugi start to laugh hysterically.
"M-Mio! Don't cry! Haha! I'm sorry but all this time I kept thinking about what I would say if you ever confessed to me. I told myself that I would reject you just like you did to me. Sorry! I just had to do it! I was only joking though! Of course I'll go out with you!"
For a moment Mio felt like slapping Mugi for such a distasteful joke at this time but then realized its implications.
So that's how Mugi felt when I rejected her. I feel like such a horrible monster now.
Mio then placed her head on Mugi's bosom as she started to twirl a lock of blond hair onto her fingers.
"I'm sorry that I have caused you so much pain."
"There, there Mio no need to feel so glum about it. I'm willing to start on a blank slate and give this relationship everything I got."
Mio smiled as she pulled herself up and looked down at Mugi's eyes.
"I love you Mugi."
"I love you too, Mio."
Both girls were about to kiss and start where they had left off when the door to the club room opened suddenly with Ritsu crashing in like a loud pair of cymbals.
"Yo Mio it's getting kinda late and-"
That was when Ritsu stared dead eyed as she witnessed both Mio and Mugi in a compromising position. It was dead silence for about five seconds as both parties tried to scramble with something to say.
Unfortunately for the lovebirds Ritsu recovered first with a vicious grin on her face.
"Oh wait until I tell the others about this interesting development!"
Mio's face went as red as a ripe tomato.
"You wouldn't!"
"Ha! Like you could ever stop me Mio!"
With that Ritsu bolted from the door with Mio in close pursuit. Mugi, who was now alone, stood back up and straightened her uniform. She then walked over to the chalkboard, which had been knocked down earlier before, and set it back upright.
She looked over the window and setting sun as she traced her lips with her fingers.
"Loving! Loving! Love is what I feel for you..."
Author's Note: Well here is the first chapter in the last arc of the series. Mugi/Mio is now official even though this story was initially Azusa/Mio to begin with. My lyric writing is not the best, I know, but hopefully it is passable for what the band is. The capitalized portions of the song are supposed to represent the chorus where all the girls sing. The song, if it were obvious enough, is conveniently named LOVING!
Anyway let me know what you all think.
