36: Do It With Me

Days flew by, and we haven't talked about that night's tears since. Truth be told, I felt… lacking, in a sense. Bored, even. Was this really what I wanted? Sure, I got to go to class, talk to people, stay with Riko, but could there be anything more? Like, more than the puppy love we have? Ah, what am I thinking?

"Oii! Darren-san! Come here, we're going to grab some hot chocolate!" Akane called as I stepped outside of the building. She was wearing a beige coat and cap, while Riko stood beside her, stately grasping her bag and casting a sideways glance at me as she adjusted her green jacket.

"Darren, why are you looking so down?" Riko asked as we walked, her eyes large and questioning.

"Me? Aren't you the depressed one? Sorry," I said, apologizing for the sensitive question.

"Hey! Well, you seem bored. Is there anything I can do for you? Like, anything." Riko winked.

"Woah! Riko! Well, of course, I mean, I would…"

Just then, we heard two clear voices resonating through the snow-covered campus. Ahead, upon a bench, two girls sat, one strumming a guitar. They were singing a beautiful, melancholy song that drew a crowd of spectators. One girl was taller, with her hair tied in a ponytail slightly askew and the other was shorter, sporting shoulder length hair. They were both dressed in white coats, and their breathes appeared as steam in the air.

After they concluded their song, the crowd clapped and surrounded the girls, wanting to talk to them. I felt myself drawn in among the people, eager to find out who these talented musicians were.

"What major are you?"

"Are you a freshman?"

Amidst the questions, I heard the girls say, "I'm Leah, and she's Sarah. We're sisters!"

Hold on a second. Why did these names sound familiar? I turned to Riko.

"Do they seem familiar to you?"

"Wait, is that Leah and Sarah?!" Riko suddenly squeezed through the crowd, calling their names.

"Riko!" The members of Saint Snow cried, embracing my girlfriend.

"When did you guys come to Suika?"

"We just transferred here this year. Our parents wanted us to go to school closer to home," Sarah, the older sister replied.

"Wow, that's great! We can hang out," Riko said cheerfully, a cute smile upon her face. The crowd had almost dissipated, and I stood there awkwardly as I had never met Saint Snow in real life.

"H-hey, you guys are Saint Snow, right?" I said shyly.

"Yeah! Back in the day we were," Leah said. "How did you know?"

"Duh, I did watch the anime," I replied.

"What a weeaboo," Leah replied. "What are you, a foreigner?"

I stepped back, shocked. What is this discrimination? I mean, I do remember Leah being a total tsundere in the anime, but….

"He's my boyfriend," Riko informed her, putting an arm around my shoulder.

"Wh-what?" Leah and Sarah cried in unison. "That's Darren?"

"Yeah! What's wrong?" Riko looked offended.

"Oh, nothing, he just seems different from when we saw you two on TV," Sarah replied. "I wasn't trying to be offensive or anything."

"Obviously, it's because they used photo editing on TV!" Leah blurted, laughing.

"Leah!" Sarah chided. Sarah bowed deeply towards me. "Forgive my sister's poor manners… I know she's a second year college student already, but she's still a child."

"Oh, it's not a problem, Sarah-senpai," I replied. Wow, they remind me of Dia and Ruby. Except Ruby wasn't so tsundere. Riko giggled. "Looks like you three will get along," she said. "Also, this is Akane, my friend. She's a big fan of school idols."

Akane was crazy with disbelief, and she began ranting towards Saint Snow about her obsession.

Leah laughed. "I don't think many people still know us, unlike you."

"Yeah, I guess I'm one of those old-school girls," Akane answered, trying to take a selfie with them.

Sarah hoisted her guitar.

"Your musical skills are as great as ever," Riko remarked.

"Aww, thanks! Yeah, I've been wanting to do something like join a band," Sarah said.

"Really?" Akane piped. "Riko and I joined the music club last year, but it wasn't really our style. Maybe we could play together sometime!"

"Wait, you play music, Akane-san?" I asked.

"Yup! I mean, I play the saxophone. Not really a pop instrument, but I like to play covers of pop music. Also, I think that it sounds pretty good in modern music. Adds a little flavor and swing, you know?" Akane mimicked the action of blowing her saxophone.

"Wow, that's really cool! Like honestly, I thought you were just one of those fangirls who didn't really know how to play music!" I said.

"Darren, don't be an egoist," Riko chided.

"Oh no, it's fine. Yeah, I know I give off that vibe," Akane admitted. "That's just the way I am I guess."

"I think that's cool," Sarah added. "Yeah, I would really like to play with somebody. I was walking with Leah yesterday, and we found an old, portable-style classroom on the edge of campus. There were old instruments and speakers in there. I thought maybe it was an old storage room or something. Maybe we should check it out!"

"Hold on, hold on," Riko interrupted. "I think we're getting ahead of ourselves, right? Maybe we should wait a little while, no?"

"No!" The rest of us replied in unison, grinning. A rising feeling ignited within me, an excitement that I had not felt in a long time. It was that feeling of childhood, like the night before a school trip, that restlessness which arises from ponderings about the uncertain future, sure to bring plenty of happy memories.

We followed the two sisters, their graceful strides leading us towards the wooded section of campus, where the asphalt transitioned into dirt. Snow-covered trees lined the path, smelling heavy and fresh. At the top of a small hill, an old, square-ish building sat, windows covered with dust. Leah opened the door, and we were hit by the musty scent that always dwells in sad old rooms.

Our group stepped in, and Sarah flipped on the lights. A gray couch was against the wall, and on the other side, a drum set, keyboard, mic stand, and speakers were laid about in disarray.

"Looks like it hasn't been used in a long time," Akane remarked.

"No sh*t," Leah said.

"Leah!" Sarah scolded.

"You really sure about this guys?" Riko said, standing at the door as we tried to dust the room. "I mean, what are we going to play? Do we even have permission to use this room? Do we have the time?"

"Come on, you're thinking too much, Riko," I said casually. "We're just a bunch of friends playing music. There's nothing wrong with that."

"Mmmmm…"

"Riko." I leaned in and whispered in her ear. "I know you have a lot of emotions surrounding playing the piano and music. I know it's sensitive to you. But I know that you should play. It'll help you change. You gotta face your fears." I told her this, not knowing myself if it would help or hurt her. But I just had a feeling that we needed to play again, just like before.

"I know what you mean, Darren, but… I don't know if I want to. I'll think about it." Riko looked troubled, but beautiful as ever.

"Hey, remember what you told me? The times when we played together, you felt like you could pour out your frustrations and sorrows? How we relied on music to get through our struggles? Without it, where would we be?" I took her outside to speak.

"I know. But coping with feelings won't bring Dad back. Music can't bring him back to life. What, I can play my whole life, but what will change? I can't do anything." Riko's eyes teared.

"Of course you can't do anything! It wasn't your fault he passed away. It just happened! But I know, playing music can help. Trust me, it's the greatest feeling in the world. I know you know that." I gripped her hands.

"I know! But losing family is the worst feeling in the world! And nothing can change that."

"You don't have to keep living like this. People all over the world lose loved ones. They all still have to keep living, right? They gotta keep going, right?"

"How do you know? Do you know? Japan has the highest suicide rate too!"

"What does that have to do with anything?" I replied, angry but amused. "It doesn't matter! Suicide rate is nothing. You are you! You're just saying random nonsense now!"

"Look, Darren, I'm in charge of my own life, okay? I make the choices."

"But I'm just trying to help you!"

"Help? Well, where were you for the past three years?"

"Where were you!? Weren't you the one who stopped contacting me, saying that we would never work out?"

"Whatever! Maybe what I did was right! Maybe we won't work out!" Riko shoved me to the snow.

"Are you guys okay?" Leah, Sarah, and Akane poked their heads out the door. I quickly scrambled to my feet.

"Oh, we're fine," I replied.

"Yeah, nothing's wrong," Riko said, taking deep breaths.

"Ah, I have class soon," I said. "See ya guys!" I checked my phone and began to walk down the path. "I can't be late!"

"Wait up, Darren-san!" Sarah called. "I have class too! Let me walk with you!"

"What about me?" Akane said, following.

"Stop it, Akane, you don't have class!" Riko said, grabbing Akane and pulling her down upon the couch, where they fought, laughing and whining. Sarah smiled and walked ahead. I followed.

"It was nice meeting you, Darren-san," Sarah said as we walked together down the old path. "I can see why Riko likes you."

"Aww, thanks… but to be honest, I can't see why. I mean, I'm awkward, shy, and sometimes a jerk."

"Really? You're not! You're funny and super nice. Don't take what others say to heart," Sarah comforted, patting my arm.

"Hahaha, you only just met me. A few months and you'll see," I replied.

Sarah smiled, shaking her head. Her ponytail bobbed as she did so, strands of hair falling across her pale cheek. She lightly brushed them out of her face and lips.

"Do you have a boyfriend, Sarah-senpai?" I asked, curious.

"Wh-what? Of course not! I'm only a fourth-year college student!" Sarah said, confused.

"Uhhhhh… you know…"

Sarah cut me off. "Yeah, I know, kids these days dating in middle school. It's kinda weird to me. I don't think people should date that early. Even high school is early, heck, even college!"

"Well…" I chuckled nervously. "I mean, a lot of people would disagree…"

"Yes I'm well aware of that. But it doesn't matter what they think; they can do whatever they want. However, I'm sticking to my own ideals and I hope my little sister will too." Sarah gripped her backpack straps tightly. We were back in the main campus area, where many students were hurrying to class.

"Wow. It's hard to find people like you these days," I said, unsure of what to think. "I mean, I was kinda like you, until I met Riko. But everyone has their time, right? I think that it's not really about the number, but about the maturity."

"Eww! That means… oh, Darren, don't be a creep!" Sarah frowned.

"No! I don't mean like… well, if they were under a certain age, they most likely are not mature enough. But yeah, AFTER a certain age."

"And what age is that?"

Riko came barreling between us.

"Darren! Darren!" She said to my face, out of breath, great puffs of steam coming out of her, beads of sweat on her forehead.

"Riko!? What's wrong?!" I said, surprised.

"Let's do it! I want to do it with you!" Riko shouted, grasping both of my hands in hers. EVERYBODY started staring at us. Sarah's mouth dropped in disbelief.

"Wait, what? Do what with me? What do you mean, Riko?" I whispered loudly.

"I-, I mean…" Riko gulped, hyperventilating but smiling broadly. "I want to do it with you, Darren! I'm ready to do it!" She laughed aloud, hopping up and down and tugging on my hands.

"What is this, the high school Riko?" I said.

"No, it's the middle school Riko!" she replied.

"UHHHHHH…" Sarah blurted.

"Yeah! The middle school Riko, before my father died, when I was the happiest girl in the world, when I wanted to play the piano, for the joy and the happiness and making others smile and, and become the best and play in front of thousands and practice with my friends and… remember Valentine's Day, when I told you, about how I was back then? How my friends and I searched for that pure feeling, the greatest feeling in the world, of playing music together? Yes! Not playing to cope with my struggles, as I did in high school, to block out the pain, but to play fully for the sake of playing! Together!" Riko leaned in closer, and her infectious smile spread onto my face. Her black locks fell over her right eye, and her sakura-scented shampoo was strong in the air.

"Riko…"

"Yes! I want to play music with you!"