That moment when you're driving and you reach a stop sign, so you turn your head to watch your friend walking until they look at you. You grin at them and then they slowly smile back - that literally made my day. I really need to rekindle some old friendships again, I guess that's what summer's for right?
- Disclaimer: K ON characters do not belong to me.
- Notice: Original characters may be added for suspense, a catalyst, etc. Lifestyles and settings may deviate from the original manga/anime.
- Warning: May contain suggested themes. Yuri implied.
Ritsu sat in her room in solemnity, Mio had been picked up by Mugi and Yui to prepare for Rei's party tonight. The apartment was eerily quiet as the sun started to set, she paced around shifting her feet while waiting for the familiar black car to arrive. After a minute she stood still as the sun dropped, engulfing the walls in darkness.
Mugi and Ritsu made their way to the building's rooftop. It was quiet and isolated. They approached the steel railing watching the ant sized students walk around the campus. The breeze blew calmly as it complemented the sunshine's warmth causing the area to feel tranquil.
The pianist watched Ritsu's hair swing to the side every other second. "It's not that great of a plan." She spoke softly. "I wouldn't recommend it..."
The drummer furrowed her brow. She didn't understand what Mugi was trying to say.
"Ritsu, no secret remains in the dark forever." She reminded her.
The girl dropped her head. "I know..."
The blondie looked her in the eye. "It's possible that this may ruin your relationship with Mio."
She remained silent. Was she ready to accept the consequences of her actions? Her head nodded slowly.
Mugi moved closer to tell her the plan. "You have the choice to pursue a romantic relationship with Mio." She looked ahead into the horizon. "As Rin."
Ritsu gripped her hands, bracing herself for the rest.
"It would be 'fake' on your part, since Rin shouldn't really exist. As you already know, she has taken a liking in..his character." Her eyes remained fixated ahead. "However, you would be living two separate lives, which would be very challenging for you."
Her body instictively tensed. 'Of course it would.' She thought to herself.
"The closer you get to her as Rin, the more complicated it gets." Her eyes dropped down. "Once you gain her heart, her trust, it will be very difficult for her to accept the truth." She paused before saying the rest. "She would be in love with Rin, not you Ritsu...and it's highly possible that..she will lose all trust she ever had in you."
The brunette's heart sank as she finally understood that this plan was a double edged sword.
Mugi turned to face the downtrodden girl. "Do you understand why I don't want you to go through with this?" She moved closer running her hand along her friend's smooth, brown locks,which eventually drifted to her shoulder.
Ritsu gave a weak nod.
"You don't have to give me an answer today, it's a critical decision. I'll await your response in three days. That should be enough time." Her hand slipped as she walked towards the door and descended down the stairs.
Ritsu closed her eyes as the sun started to set. It painted the sky with a hue if orange and yellow. "I have a lot to think about." She spoke softly as she watched the horizon.
Her eyes beamed open snapping the drummer out of her flashback. The phone in her pocket vibrated indicating that the car had arrived.
Why she decided to go through with this was beyond her. She cared about Mio, as more than friend. The past few weeks she played along as Rin were incredible. All she knew was that she wanted to be by the bassist any time she could because she realized, that she was in love - with her best friend.
She locked the apartment behind her before descending down the stairs.
Upon entering the car she looked back remembering a simple phrase. 'Love is blindness.'
Mugi had left Rin's phone and change of clothes in Ritsu's car. She had planned for the girls and the single boy to meet up at her place so they would all arrive at the party together. Loud shouts came from her room as she stood by the hallway, it sounded like Yui was very excited.
She took a seat on the stairs, already clad in her party attire as she waited for Rin's atrival. Her thoughts drifted to Ritsu and her decision, was it the right one? It was a huge gamble. She remembered racking her brain all day for a fool proof plan, but that was the only one she could come up with. It wasn't even that great, to be honest it was her worst. 'Why couldn't I think of anything better?' She thought to herself as the front door suddenly opened.
Rin looked around before setting his eyes on the beautiful blonde sitting alone on the stairs. His feet moved to meet the girl until he spoke.
"Mugi?" His voice had not adjusted yet to the right tone yet.
"Hm?"She looked up surprised to see Rin with Ritsu's voice. Her eyes noticed her yellow headband was still on. She quickly glanced back at her room, which remained shut. "Ritsu" she whispered quietly and removed her headband "what's this?" She waved it in front of her expecting an answer.
"Sh-" she stopped herself from swearing, taking back the headband. "I can't believe I forgot." Her hand patted the top of her hair smoothing it out.
"Here, let me." She moved closer, standing one step atop of the girl as she fixed her bangs.
The distance between the two was short, Ritsu could smell the faint fragrance from the girl, which she quickly took a liking to. It always entranced her when Mugi and Mio smelled so nice.
The pianist carefully parted the brunette's strands, her fingers threading it ever so carefully. Once she finished she removed her hands examining her work.
The door suddenly slammed open as the guitarist yelled for their friend. "Mugi?"
The two immediately looked surprised, what were they going to do with the headband? The blondie looked around as she thought about throwing it downstairs, perhaps one of her maids might come across it.
"Mugi?" Yui peered out in search of her friend.
Rin and the pianist ducked before quickly tip toeing down the stairs. The girl had decided to take the headband, it would look suspicious if it was in the boy's hands. Together they hid behind a collumn, their bodies pressed so closely together in an attempt to conceal themselves behind its slender structure.
Yui descended down the stairs renouncing the girl's name.
His back was pinned onto the collumn as he felt such a nostalgic feeling being close to Mugi once more, the last was the other incident in the closet. He looked down observing the noticeable headband in her left hand while her other was pressed firmly against his chest.
She peered to the side slowly noticing that Yui had walked the other way. They were safe for now. She finaly let a sigh of relief. Her hand moved away from the boy's chest.
He was about to say something when somone popped out from behind. It was the young maid that had escorted Ritsu to her room from before.
"Ojou- sama is something wrong?" A small blush was strewn across her face as she witnessed how close the two were.
Rin turned to the side as he noticed the maid's faint blush. 'I hope she didn't get the wrong idea.'
Mugi pulled up the headband in her hand. "Actually I was hoping if you can find a place to hide this for me." She handed her the article.
"O-Of course." She took it immediately into her hands before looking back at the boy. Her eyes recognized the item, was he the girl from before? She never thought that her master's friend would have an interest in crossdressing.
"Oh, and can you make sure that none of my ther friends see it." Mugi added happily.
"Y-Yes Ojou-sama." She placed it in her pocket before leaving. Her eyes drifted to the crossdresser, she silently admitted that he looked cute.
Mugi turned to face a very flustered Rin. She faced him and tilted her head to the side, his eyes unrelenting to meet hers. "Let's go, don't you want to see Mio." She moved her head closer making sure he heard every word.
He turned his head towards the blonde who was too close for comfort. His hands slowly moved her to the side as he turned to walk back up the stairs.
She watched him leave noticing the faint flush in his cheeks, he always looked so cute when he was worked up over their little encounters like that. It didn't take long for her to follow him up the stairs.
Mio sat down in Mugi's room looking herself at the mirror as she fixed the stray strands in her hair. She wondered if she looked pretty enough for Rin tonight, it had been a while since they met up. The clock struck six indicating that they should start leaving soon. She took her bag, slowly slinging it over her shoulder as she exited the room.
He stood outside, her head searching downwards to check something in her bag. Her fingers reached for her phone as she messaged Rin. - Where are you? -
A vibrating sound came from her left side as she slowly turned to see the boy leaning against the wall with his phone in his hand. She didn't notice that he was already there, waiting for her to come out.
"Rin!" She turned to give him a warm, overdue hug.
He grinned and wrapped his arms around her waist.
Mio pulled back examining the boy, he remained the same, his brown hair flared by the sides and his hazel dark eyes narrowing as he looked at her. "Why didn't you tell me you were here already?"
- I just wanted to surprise you, again. - He typed into his device.
She smiled and shook her head, he really loved showing up out of the blue.
Mugi appeared from the stairs she had already noticed that the two had met. A noise came from downstairs as Yui finally found the blondie.
"You!" She pointed at the pianist who turned her head, her bright blonde hair whipping around as she made eye contact with the exhausted guitarist. "I-I-I've...been..looking..all over..for you!" She said between breaths.
"Sorry Yui." She gave her an sincere, apologetic smile.
The guitarist pouted as she took the girl's hand. "You said you were going to fix my hair."
"Oh, I did?" She laughed nervously.
"Yes, now come on." She dragged the pianist past Rin and Mio who stared at the two girls. Yui didn't bother greeting the boy, she was preoccupied trying to get Mugi to style her hair as soon as possible.
The bassist and Rin looked at each other with expressions of amusement across their faces, they certainly had entertaining friends.
The party was in full swing when the four of them arrived. Rei's house was high up in the hills, giving the boys and girls a panoramic view of the city. Lights blazed around the modern archictectured house, splashing the white walls with luminescent lights which strobed from the inside.
The black cars came to a stop as they exited the vehicle. Mugi spoke to the drivers to tell them that she'd call when they would get picked up. Some students, mostly boys remained outside by the front as they watched Yui, Mio, and Mugi enter the door. They narrowed their eyes as they focused on Rin, who walked with the three of them. Was he their bodyguard? Friend? Maybe he was dating one of them? They couldn't help but think of the endless possibilities as he walked in with the three beautiful girls.
The living room was filled with boys and girls as some of them sat by the couch with drinks in their hands. The atmosphere felt humid as people pushed their way into the kitchen to grab some food and drinks. Beyond the crowded room and past the glass door was a marvelous pool. Several girls were swimming along as some boys jumped from the platform to show off.
Rei stood by the barbecue aimlessly flipping the meat on the grill. His friends chatted idly beside him as he turned his head to spot the familiar raven haired girl and her friends. He suddenly shoved the tongs to his best friend Seiji before making his way to the group of girls. The blonde boy watched his friend walk away as he shrugged and continued watch over the burning meat.
"Mio!" The tall, brown haired boy approached the girl noticing Yui and Mugi on each of her sides, while a short brown haired boy came out from behind.
She opened her mouth, but Yui decided to speak for them instead. "Hi Rei, great party!" She looked around happily.
He smiled politely. "Thanks, it's great to see all of you here." He eyed each of them individually until he stopped at the short boy. "Oh, who's your friend?" The girls turned back to reveal Rin.
Yui moved aside as the boy took his stand beside Mio. He took out his phone and showed it to Rei. - Rin Takemoto, nice to meet you. -
"Rei Naoe, it's nice to finally meet you...Rin." His eyes narrowed as the two shook hands. The boy's skin was unusually soft and small, which was uncharacteristic for a male.
Mio and Mugi watched the interaction between the two, they noticed the faint trace of a rivalry. Once they let go, the bassist took the opportunity to explain Rin's mute situation.
"He's a bit shy around new people, so he uses his phone to talk."
"I see.." He absorbed her words slowly. Rin was starting envelop a shady impression towards him.
Mugi could feel the tension building up slowly, she decided to intervene before any questions arose. "Oh, Rei where are the drinks? I'm getting a little thirtsty."
"They're in the kitchen, water and soda should be in a cooler."
"Perfect" she clapped her hands together as she took Rin's arm. "Mio, i'm going to borrow Rin to help me get some drinks for us ok?" She didn't wait for a response as she whisked the boy away.
The three watched the brunette and blonde disappear into the crowded room. Yui looked over to the other room which was busy with people dancing, she suddenly felt the urge to bust a move. "Hey Mio, let's go dance!" She exclaimed happily pointing towards the direction.
Rei smiled as the bassist was dragged unwillingly towards the dance floor located in the other room.
Mugi released Rin once they steered clear from Rei. He didn't say a word, maybe what the pianist did was for his own good. He admitted that he didn't like being around the tall, brown haired boy at all.
"Are you ok?" The blondie moved in front of him breaking his chain of thought.
"Yeah" he mumbled quietly.
"What?" She pressed her body to his, her left ear beside his face. The music was too loud to make any small chat audible.
"I said i'm fine." He spoke to her a little louder.
"Ok." She pulled back, taking a good look at his face. He seemed uneasy being around Rei's party, perhaps he felt unwelcome. "Listen Rin, just relax, have a good time." She turned back to find a cold drink inside the cooler, it was a waterbottle. "Think fast" she told the boy before tossing it at him
He fumbled to catch it with his two hands, it was a bit cold. "Thanks"
She felt a bit hot, her cheeks naturally flushing from the atmosphere. "I'm going to take a breather, i'll be right back." Mugi patted his shoulder before walking into what seemed to be the house's restroom.
Alone and separated from Mio and Yui, Rin leaned onto the kitchen counter watching several people pass by, he earned a few stares from several pretty girls whom he had never met before. He turned his head to the side averting their gaze, his cheeks ablaze with a light red hue. Music blared as people conversed amongst each other over the noise, he could feel the sound pulsating through his skin. He finally looked ahead, the girls from before out of sight. A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he closed his eyes for a second.
"Rin?" He opened his hazel eyes to see a brown haired girl with wavy hair staring at him.
"Hm?" It took a while for his mind to register that it was Risa, the girl he had gone on a secret date with.
"What, did you forget me already?" She had a disappointed expression on her face.
"No, I didn't." He replied quickly. "Hi Risa." His mouth formed a small grin.
She took several steps before him looking up with a smile. "So you do remember me." She beamed happily.
He nodded in agreement.
"So where's Mio?" She asked curiously.
"I..honestly don't know." He was telling the truth, he had no idea where the bassist was.
"Oh, haha" she gave a nervous laugh before continuing. "I'm so silly, a part of me thought you'd come alone."
He laughed nervously as well, where is this conversation going? The last thing he needed was for Risa to hit on him.
Just then Mugi appearead peering around to look for Rin. She finally turned to find him by the counter talking to another...girl?
Rin scanned the area wondering where the pianist was. 'Mugi, where are you?' He could really use some saving now.
From a distance the raven haired girl made her way to the kitchen. She noticed Rin talking to a girl, without his phone. Mio quickened her pace to meet the boy, until she suddenly ran into Mugi. The two staggered back realizing that they had collided with each other. "Sorry" they both said in unison. Their heads turned simultaneously at Rin who was now standing by the counter alone, the girl previously with him nowhere in sight.
They both rushed to the boy who was now drinking from his bottle of water. "Rin!" Mio yelled as he swallowed his drink quickly capping it.
- Yes? -
She knew what she wanted to say, but her mind stopped herself from speaking. It would be wrong for her to jump to conclusions.
- Is something wrong? Did you need something? - He looked curiously at the girl who now seemed lost.
Mugi suddenly stood beside the two. "You two should go dance." She suggested nonchalantly.
Mio did admit that she wanted to dance with Rin, they hadn't really done so since the memorable school event. The only problem was that she was a bit shy to ask.
A small grin formed across Rin's face as he typed a message. - You want to dance? - He showed it to the bassist.
She nodded silently as her head dropped to hide the faint blush on her face. He showed Mugi a message as well. - Can you watch my water for me? Thanks. - She nodded obediently as she watched his hand slowly intertwine with Mio's before leading her to the dance floor.
...to be continued!
So if you enjoyed this chapter, remember to fave, follow and/or review. Updates should be pretty quick.
- Replies:
Vie: yup!
Guest: yes!
Slyly-95: true, will she be able to put the pieces together?
ok, best of luck on your english exam.
Yukina-Tenma: yes, but i'm slowly building it up, i mainly want to focus more on mitsu at the moment. Mugitsu just naturally seems to pop out every other time.
Keeper Aki: sweet. of course, i can't imagine leaving this story on a bad note.
Thanks for reading