And here's the third chapter. If I finish the fourth today, then I'll post it. Otherwise, it shall come some other day.
"Mmm! This cake is amazing! Hihara-senpai is the one who told you about this shop?" Mio asked, licking some cake crumbs from the corner of her mouth.
"Yup! And after this one there are two more, so get ready!" Kahoko grinned.
"Two more stores after this? Aren't we having a bit too much cake?" Nao questioned.
"Ah~! After eating all this cake, I'll need to go on a diet!" cried Nami, dramatically collapsing further into her chair.
"B-but it is very delicious, isn't it…? And…and we're really not eating that much at each individual store since we all split the signature desserts Hihara-senpai suggested," Shouko murmured quietly.
"That's very true," Manami smiled. "Between the six of us, we really only eat maybe half a dessert." Doing the math in her head she stated, "I guess we'll end up eating two desserts today, so it is a bit extravagant, but hey, what are celebrations for?"
The lunch group had decided to get together over the holidays and go visit various cafés and cake shops. Since Kahoko had Kazuki's list, they decided to try a few of them out for themselves. If this shop was any indication of the rest of the list, then all of the places he had picked were winners.
As they walked to their next stop, Nami spied a flash of silver around Kahoko's neck. "Hey Hino-chan, is that a new necklace?"
"Oooh! It's beautiful, Kaho-chan!" Mio gushed as the other girls nodded in agreement.
"Did you get it from Tsukimori-kun?" Nami asked with a certain gleam in her eye.
"Wh-what makes you say that, Amou-san?" Kahoko blushed furiously, remembering the events surrounding the receipt of the necklace.
"He's the obvious choice. Yunoki-senpai and Tsuchiura-kun now have sweethearts, and jewelry is too meaningful a gift to give to anyone, isn't that right, Mori-san?" Nami asked the pianist, sending her a droll wink.
Manami blushed and averted her eyes. Self-consciously, she touched the golden necklace with a piano charm that circled her neck. Ryoutaro had given it to her after the Christmas Eve concert.
"Also, if you look at it a bit more closely," Nami continued matter-of-factly, "You can tell that it's made by a superb craftsman and has gems studding the surface. Hihara-senpai and Shimizu-kun wouldn't be able to afford something of that quality."
"That's, that's not true!" Kahoko burst out heatedly, "Hihara-senpai got me the most exquisite music box!" She stopped up short, raising her hand as if to cover her mouth.
Why did I burst out like that? I…I couldn't stand to hear Amou-san imply that Hihara-senpai is poor or cheap…but…but why was I so angry?
"Oh? So it's between Tsukimori-kun and Hihara-senpai?" Nami's eyes glinted.
"Uh…umm…" Shouko looked around wildly for a distraction. She owed Kahoko for saving her when they went shopping last time. Distracting Nami was the least she could do for her senpai who had landed herself in so much trouble for her sake. As her eyes alighted on someone, she did something she almost never ever did: call someone over. "Shi-Shi-Shimizu-kun! O-o-over here!" Shouko managed to call out in desperation, hoping that Keiichi's appearance would be able to divert the conversation.
"Huh?" All the girls turned and saw that indeed, Keiichi was steadily walking toward them.
"Hello…everyone…"
"Ah! What a coincidence, Shimizu-kun!" Kahoko exclaimed, pouncing on the opportunity Shouko had given her.
Thank you Fuyuumi-chan! I am eternally grateful!
"Yes…Are you here…to eat…?"
"Ah…Y-yes…D-d-do you come here o-often?" Shouko stuttered.
Keiichi looked at Shouko solemnly. "Yes…The sandwiches here…are…very good…"
Nao flipped open her cell phone. "Since it is about lunch time, why don't we actually have some real food instead of just eating cake?"
Everyone agreed and filed into the café.
~ (^~^) ~
"Why is it taking so long?" Nami grumbled.
"Who knows…" Kahoko murmured, stirring her drink with her straw.
"Umm…I'm very sorry, but I'm afraid your food will take a bit longer…" the waiter looked very flustered. "You see…we've recently come under new management, so we're still trying to adjust…and our head chef is just swamped trying to keep up with the new dishes…" Suddenly, he noticed Kahoko, Shouko, and Keiichi. "Wait, aren't you participants from the Christmas Eve concert at Seiso Academy? My niece goes there."
Shouko and Kahoko looked at each other and nodded an affirmative. Keiichi had already fallen asleep, his cheek pressed against the clear glass surface of the table.
"I-I know this is a bit sudden, but…" he bit his lip, "If you would happen to have your instruments, would you mind playing?" His eyes looked desperate. "We really can't afford to lose customers. It took us so long to build up a good reputation…" he begged.
Both girls' hearts went out to the poor waiter. He looked so wretched.
Kahoko smiled regretfully at the man before apologizing, "I'm so sorry, but I actually don't have my violin on hand…"
"But…umm…uh…" Shouko continued from where Kahoko left off, "I-I guess I can play for you…" she timidly whispered. She quietly looked down at the clarinet she had brought with her to take to her lesson later that afternoon.
"Thank you so much!" the waiter exclaimed. He looked half-ready to burst into tears.
Turning to one of the other girls at the table, Shouko stammered, "Ah…umm…M-Mori-senpai, could…could I possibly bother you for some accompaniment?"
"Of course," the sandy-brown-haired girl responded cheerfully, having noted the presence of a small upright piano in the corner when they had entered. "But if you don't mind, could you stick to the pieces you played for the concours? I just don't want to be caught unaware, and I've played all those pieces in before."
"O-of course," Shouko responded, forcing a resolute smile to her face. "I'll play the songs I used in the concours going backward." She could feel herself shaking in her boots. Impromptu concerts were not really her thing.
"Ok. So Clarinet Polka, Robert Schumann's Three Romances Op. 94, No.2, Saint-Saëns' Romance, and…" She struggled to remember. "It was a song by Max Reger, wasn't it?"
"Yes, that's right," she nodded timidly. "Romance in G major."
"Ok!" the older girl smiled brightly at her. "In that case, we're all set." Standing up, she smiled reassuringly at the younger girl. "Shall we?"
Shouko slowly took the stage, with Manami taking a seat on the side at the brown, upright piano.
Ok, deep breath now Shouko. Calm yourself. Try not to be nervous.
She started to play the Polish folk song Clarinet Polka. She got off to a very bad start. Da-da-da-da-*SQUEAK!* Her face turned red in mortification.
Oh no! She closed her eyes in shame, closing in on herself. She opened her eyes for just a second and saw Keiichi's sleeping face.
*flashback*
"Fuyuumi…san…"
Shouko's eyes widened, as she slowly turned to look at the blonde-haired youth.
"You played…beautifully…today…It was a…very refreshing…performance… It made me feel…like spring had come…" Keiichi murmured.
*going to a different scene*
Come on, Shouko. Like the swan that you see before you, you need to be strong and spread your wings to fly. The swan seems so free, free and beautiful.
*end flashback*
That's, that's right. Shouko's grip tightened on her clarinet. She straightened up looking more determined. Like that swan, I need to be strong. I messed up, but I can be strong and face this. She took a deep breath and began her song again (youtube…com/watch?v=HQCh2M3j_4c). As the notes floated through the restaurant, people's grumbling quieted. Soon many of the patrons were smiling, listening to the dainty, happy music as it danced lithely upon the air.
That's right…Just keep going like this. Like a bird, dainty, carefree, and beautiful—that's how I want to play. I want to be the kind of person that can inspire people with my music like Kaho-senpai. I want people to enjoy my music. I want to create a desire to hear more beautiful music in my listeners.
She opened her eyes to a loud applause. Encouraged by the response, she took a deep breath before launching into Robert Schumann's Three Romances Op. 94, No.2 (youtube...com (slash) watch?v=PXGX4YgVtag).
Bolstered again by her appreciative audience, she softly blew out the smooth, mellow notes of Saint-Saëns' Romance (youtube...com (slash) watch?v=tZwUGcVHsEE). She reveled in the light, floating quality of the notes as they wove around the room.
As the song closed, the doors to the kitchen flew open. The waiter flashed her a grateful look as tray after tray of food flooded out of the kitchen toward the different tables. Shouko smiled and closed her eyes.
I'm glad I was able to help that poor waiter. It sounds like everyone is having a good time again. I think I'm getting one step closer to my goal.
As she opened her light pink eyes, she saw a hand. Her eyes traced up the arm until they met angelic blue-green eyes.
Shimizu-kun?
Unbeknownst to the two first years, the other girls were buzzing in excitement at the little scene taking place before them. Part way through Shouko's performance, Keiichi had woken up. The look on his face as he watched Shouko play was heart-meltingly sweet.
*flashback*
What a lovely sound…My heart feels light. It's as if the song is weaving a spell around the restaurant leaving happiness and mirth in its wake. It's a cute, playful song. This is Fuyuumi-san's music, isn't it? Lately, I find myself drawn to Fuyuumi-san's music. I wonder why… As the next song started, he smiled and rested his head on his hand. When she's calm, her music flows out of her so naturally. It relaxes me and makes me want to keep listening and listening…
As the song came to a close, he stood up and walked toward her.
I want to congratulate her. She played so wonderfully.
He held out his hand to her, and their eyes met.
*end flashback*
"That was magnificent…Fuyuumi-san…You played…so beautifully…" He smiled at her, causing a blush to flit across her cheeks. "I hope…I'll get to hear…more…of your music…soon…"
Shouko modestly lowered her eyes in embarrassment. "Thank you…Shimizu-kun," she whispered, taking his hand and stepping off the stage.
He then offered her her clarinet case. "Here…you'll…want to…put that away…carefully…"
She nodded. How considerate of him. Shimizu-kun has such gentlemanly manners. She stifled a slight giggle. Well, except for his always falling asleep in the most inopportune places. (^_^; ) She looked down at her clarinet, touching the pieces lovingly before closing the case. Thank you for playing well for me. We made a good team.
"You…really love…the clarinet…don't you…?"
Shouko blushed and shyly whispered, so that only the two of them could hear, "I-I guess I do…"
Smiling in satisfaction, he escorted her back to the table and carefully stowed her clarinet next to her.
Finally! We're in the new year! Well, I suppose 2008 isn't considered a new year to us anymore, but it is to them!
This chapter is based off of atemfan1's "Dreaming." Aren't they cute? (^_^)
Please review! Yoroshiku onegaishimasu! (^_^)