Chapter 16: Prepping For The Festival
[A few days later]
I glance down at my phone after the bell had rung, signaling the beginning of our lunch time, also noting that I had an unread message from Ageha surprisingly.
"Probably won't make lunch today, gotta take care of some things with Kanako and Hotaru. Or maybe we're all going to DO DRUGS. Who knows?"
"Jesus, is she ever gonna let it go?" I said to myself as I began typing back.
"Okay okay I get it, we both said we were sorry like fifteen times come on."
"Hmph."
"Are you really never gonna forgive me? :("
"I'll think about it."
"Come on dude, for real? You and Hotaru can't stay angry at me forever."
After that message, she hadn't replied back, which didn't really surprise me. Ageha was still pretty aggravated with me and Frank...well, mainly me that is...or well, just me even.
"Jesus...it's already Thursday and they still haven't forg-"
"Yo, we heading out, or naw?" Frank asked after tossing his bag over his left shoulder, effectively interrupting my self mumbling.
I let out a defeated sigh as I place my phone back into my pocket and nod. "Yeah, I guess. The girls aren't gonna make it...gotta run errands apparently."
"Ah, so that's why Ageha and Kotori left the classroom early. You think it's for the soaring club?" He asked in a low whisper at the last part.
"That'd be my guess, yeah. Ageha said that Thursdays were pretty much their main day for it anyway."
"Well, guess it's just the two of us today since Aoi's not here either due to errands and all as well; for the same thing I'd have to assume."
"Yup, that's what it's looking like." I said, grabbing my backpack and beginning my descent down the small stairs which led to the bottom of the classroom.
"Hey guys!" A voice called out from the hallway.
As soon as Frank and I had stepped foot out of the classroom, I had finally looked up in front of myself to be greeted from halfway down the hall by Akira, who had been accompanying both Ina and Akari it seemed.
"Oh, it's Akari and the dynamic duo." I simply said, pointing towards them as I tapped Frank's shoulder.
"Hmm? Oh, sure enough." He replied after finally looking up as well.
"Hey you two! You guys about to go get lunch?" Akira asked me specifically.
"Yep, sure are."
I then turned my attention towards Akari and smirked. "Don't worry Akari, we won't be running there, I promise."
She let's out a little 'hmph' and gives me a bit of a glare.
"Ah...I was just messing around...because on Monday when you...uh.."
She raises an eye and finally lets off somewhat of a smile surprisingly, startling Frank and I a bit to say the least.
"Yeah, I got it." She said somewhat jokingly to say the least.
"Do you guys mind if us three tag along?" Ina stepped forward and asked a bit hesitantly.
Frank glances over towards me and we both just shrug to one another.
"I don't see why not." He said.
"Okay cool! Shall we then?" She said, pointing towards the general direction of the cafeteria and signaling for Frank and I to lead.
"Sure." I said, positioning myself to the front of the pack and taking lead.
Once we had gotten our food and sat down, Akari was surprisingly the first to speak, and Frank and I definitely weren't prepared for what it was about.
"So.." She said, putting her fork into a piece of the meat from her rice plate. "I hear you two are trying to change the way we do the festival for the music club, hm?"
I had almost choked on my food due to how unprepared I was for that to come out of her mouth so suddenly like that.
Frank's eyes had grown wider as he looked at me as if to confirm that he had heard her correctly himself.
"Uh..." He simply said
I nervously clear my throat and give Akari a firm look.
"Well...I wouldn't necessarily say it like that...more like...we're all just trying to spruce it up a bit should I say? That's not so bad is it?"
"Not technically no, it isn't...but that's not the point. You guys are trying to change something that's been kept a certain way for years now."
"I mean...it sounds really bad when you put it that way."
"You're almost making us sound like bad guys." Frank added in.
"Akari-san...please, if you don't mind...would you at least give them a chance?" Ina asked, giving her best plea.
Akari folds her arms momentarily and looks over both Frank and I several times without saying anything.
"...Pleeeeease?" She asks again, putting her hands together to add to the effect.
"I'm a little curious myself to see how this could turn out as well." Akira said with a little grin.
Akari sighs and rubs the bridge of her nose like she's getting slightly annoyed.
"I'll...maybe see what I can do...let me think about it."
Frank and I both smile and look towards one another, barely containing in the excitement, before simply nodding.
"But don't get your hopes up either, I still have to feel you two out, you know...so don't act like we're best of friends or anything." She said with quite the stern voice.
I stand and walk over to the near trash can to throw away my finished lunch, setting the tray on top afterwards and turning back towards her with a smile.
"You got it prez." I said, giving her a thumbs up
"We won't let ya down Akari, I promise!" Frank said, following behind me after throwing his trash away as well.
"Wait, why are you acting like I already-"
"Well, guess we got some planning and practicing to do after classes today eh?" I said to Frank.
"Hey did you two listen, I said not to-"
He nods proudly and folds his arms with a smirk across his face. "Damn straight. Let's talk about this in class."
"Uh hello? I said-"
"Aye sir." I said, giving a ridiculous looking salute.
Frank and I both wave back at the girls to see them off before walking towards our next class.
Akari lets out a heavy sigh and turns towards the other two. "Jeez do those guys ever listen?"
Akira rests her chin on the palm of her hand and stares into the direction that Frank and I had been walking in before we had left their sight.
"Hmhmm...yeah. Hayden's carefree attitude makes him kinda cute huh?" She said, halfway daydreaming.
"I like how entusiastic they get around each other whenever they get hyped up about something...especially Frank...he's quite charming." Ina said, also in somewhat of a flirtatious daze.
Akari clears her throat in a bit of an annoyed manner to get the two's attention.
Akira snaps out of it and immediately tries to play it off. "Uh...I mean...psh, yeah what the hell is up with those two they never listen am I right? Hahaha...ha...aahhh..."
Akari raises an eye and lets out a somewhat defeated sigh before simply returning to eating her lunch,
The bell signaling the end of lunch had rung shortly after, bringing forth the beginning of afternoon classes.
[Later After Classes]
Frank and I both finally pull up to the apartment after our day had ended, wasting no time on going into the garage ASAP.
"Alright, so what do you think we should play?" Frank asked as soon as he had sat down on his throne, a pair of drumsticks already in hand.
"Jeez can I at least put my guitar around my neck before you ask that?" I said as I shook my head, finally donning said guitar around my neck after fighting with the strap a bit.
"Well...I'm just hype for this man, are you not yourself?"
"I mean...yeah I am, but you heard Akari didn't you?"
Frank lets out a big sigh and rolls his eyes.
"Don't get your hopes up you two blah blah." He said in a mock voice.
I chuckle a bit at his terrible attempt to sound like her before strumming my guitar a few times.
"You know...now that I'm thinking about it, shouldn't we invite over Motou and Hamada? Kinda pointless if me and you practice some any songs without the two of them."
"Yeah, you're right." Frank said, pulling out his phone. "Want me to call em?"
"Nah, I'll just text em real quick. Hell, they almost never answer calls anyway." I said, putting my phone back down on the table next to me after sending the text.
After about ten seconds, my phone had already vibrated with a notification from Hamada.
"Sorry guys, can't right now. Got some stuff for the festival to take care of. Being head of the music club comes with a price sometimes haha. Maybe tomorrow after classes since it's the weekend?"
"Well, so much for that then." I said with a hefty sigh.
"They can't make it?" Frank asked.
I just shook my head and opened my phone back up to reply.
"That sucks, but sure tomorrow is fine."
"Alright sounds good to me! We can follow you after school if you'd like."
"Sounds good, see you guys then."
"Well, I guess that's that for tonight then." I said, placing my phone back into my pocket and setting my guitar back down onto it's stand.
Frank lets out a heavy sigh and glances over to me after putting his drumsticks back into his stick bag. "Damnit, I was raring to play too...ahh well, whatever."
"Yeah, same here."
"Screw it, wanna run to the store and get some food?" He asked, standing up from his seat.
"Sure." I said with a nod, grabbing my car keys. "I was getting hungry anyways."
After our short drive, Frank and I had pulled up at our local food market, which we still didn't even know the name of since it was all written in kanji.
"So, what you feeling for tonight?" Frank asked, walking over towards the hand baskets to grab one.
"Good question. What are you thinking?"
He rubs his chin for a moment as we walk up on the meat section before picking up one of the packages.
"Beef?" He asked, holding up a package of grade A meat.
"I'm down. Hmm...you know, if we grab some veggies we could try making some of that shabu shabu stuff we were talking about thw other day."
"What, you mean that hotpot stuff? I mean I'm down to try as long as you don't think we'll fuck it up too bad." Frank laughed, tossing the meat into the basket.
I just shook my head, grabbing a package of mixed veggies from one of the shelves.
"That's what youtube is for my guy."
"That is true." Frank said as he pulled out his vibrating phone from his pocket.
"And who're you texting buddy?" I asked in a playful mock voice.
"Geez DAD, can I get any privacy?"
"Not till you're older, SON."
He rolls his eyes at me and laughs a bit.
"I'm just talking to Kanako about the festival. Apparently she's helping the art club a bit with some of the designing or whatever. To be honest I wasn't aware that she was artistically gifted at all."
"Yeah neither was...wait a minute...she's actually been texting you?"
"Uh, yeah. She has quite a few times since the other day actually." He said nonchalantly.
I let out a disappointed grunt as I threw my hands into the air. "Fuck me I guess, right?"
"What? Have neither of the girls messaged you still?" Frank asked, almost surprised.
"Only Ageha that time I was talking to her before lunch today and maybe one other time earlier in the week, and they were both barely even what I'd call a conversation."
"Well, that's dumb. I mean don't get me wrong, I can tell Kanako's still maybe a little upset about the whole thing, even though she may handle it slightly better than the girls on your end of the deal."
"Slightly?" I asked with a raised eye. "Slightly is definitely undermining it; Ageha is like, actual pissed dude. Even Hotaru's been giving me the silent treatment during school, so clearly...she's also pissed."
"I guess that's just how it is for now, but they'll get over it before you know it." Frank said with a shrug as he walked over to one of the shelves. "Anyways, beef broth or chicken?"
"Uhhhhhhhhhhhh beef I guess since...well, we got beef."
"Beef it is then." He said, tossing the carton of broth into the basket.
"Wait, aren't you supposed to make shabu shabu in water?" I asked after remembering the fact myself.
"Are you? I mean...beef broth is just beef flavored water right?"
I stare at the carton of broth for a moment before shrugging it off. "Good point."
Frank and I walk up to the counter to pay after grabbing everything that we needed and head outside to load the stuff into the cars.
Suddenly as he and I were loading some of the stuff into my trunk, my phone had rang.
"Huh, wonder who's-"
As soon as I pulled my phone out from my pocket and pushed my screen button, my words came to a halt.
'Aggle Pie Is Calling' The screen read.
"Uhh..." I said, showing the screen to him.
"Huh...well there you go, she done forgave you quicker than you expected."
"You think so?" I asked as I stared at the phone in my had.
"You'll never find out if you just stare at the damn phone."
"Point taken." I said with a nod as I brought the phone to my ear.
*click*
"Hello?"
" Yo what's up Hayden?"
I instantly raise my eye the second I had heard that voice.
"Aoi?"
"The one and only!" He said with a laugh.
"Remind me...why are you calling me from Ageha's phone again?"
"Ah right, Ageha wanted me to tell you that she left her cell phone strap there over the weekend and she wants it back."
"And she couldn't tell me this herself...beeeecauuuuse?"
"Ahh...well I don't...uhhhh."
"And if she didn't want to tell me herself, couldn't you have just called me from your phone?"
"Well yes...but see the thing is...she WAS calling you herself but...she changed her mind and handed me the phone mid ring and told me to tell you instead."
I lower my eyes to half mast and let out a big sigh.
"Okay, now she's just being immature."
"Heh, yeah I guess so. Anyways, she wants to know if you could bring it to school for her tomorrow."
"Yes yes, tell her I'll make sure she gets it first thing in the morning."
Aoi pauses for a long moment before finally saying something again.
"Actually, I mean...if you guys want that is, you two could come over to the manor for a while since I'm cooking and all tonight if you two are hungry. Whaddaya say?"
"Well shit...I'd be down for that, but me and Frank were literally just about to leave the store to go home and make...well, attempt to make some shabu shabu."
"Oh no problem, you guys could totally bring that over here and we could throw it into the mix with the other stuff I'm making too!"
"Huh...well I guess if you're offering then count us in. We should be there in about fifteen minutes or so."
"Alright sounds good to me! See you guys in a bit."
"Cool, later Aoi."
*click*
"I'm guessing change of plans?" Frank asked, shutting his trunk hatch after loading the groceries.
I do the same and nod, shoving the now empty basket away and into the little holding rack.
"Seems we're going to the manor now. Aoi's cooking tonight and he told us we could just make the shabu shabu there to add to the big meal."
"Hell, that sounds good to me, I'm not about to turn down more food. We heading out then?" Frank asked, already starting up his car.
"Yessir...lets go."
Frank and I had pulled up to the manor about 20 minutes after, immediately being greeted by Aoi and Kanako out front.
"Hey what's up?" Aoi asked, already grabbing some of the grocery bags from my trunk.
"Sup man...where's the others?" I asked.
He points over his shoulder towards the mansion without even looking. "Inside watching tv. Yuka, Ryouko and Sanae are out in town for the night, staying at Yuka's grandmother's place I think."
I let out a hefty sigh and shut my trunk after grabbing the last bag. "Shoulda figured Hotaru and Ageha...especially Ageha, wouldn't have come out here anyway."
Aoi smiles and rubs the back of his head with his free hand. "Don't sweat it too much, I don't even think they're that mad anymore to be honest."
"Ya coulda fooled me there."
"Trust me, they're just being stubborn."
"Yeah believe me, I figured that part out big time."
Aoi laughs a bit and nods. "I know, I know...but trust me, they'll come around sooner than you think."
"Yeah, I hope you're right Aoi. Anyways, shall we?" I said, gesturing my head towards the door.
"Right, come on in!"
The four of us walk inside and begin putting all of the groceries in the kitchen and getting them ready for prep.
As soon as all of the stuff had been placed on the counter, Kanako had walked over towards Ageha, Kotori and Hotaru and sat beside them in front of the tv.
"What are you four watching anyways?" I asked from behind the counter, mostly directing my question towards Kanako.
She had opened her mouth as if she was about to speak, but Ageha had beat her to the punch.
"A show."
I raise my eye a bit at her cold response. "Uh, yeah I can see that, I'm not dumb."
"Yeah? That'd be a surprise." She said, once again cold as ice.
I had said it as a complete joke, though it didn't seem that Ageha was much in the mood at the moment.
"Uh...kay, sorry for asking."
I was trying to pay no attention to her attitude, though as much as I hated to admit, it really was getting to me now.
"So!" I said, clapping my hands together loudly at Frank. "Ready to fail miserably at some shabu shabu?"
"I was born ready, lets do it." He said, smiling quite confidently.
"Mind giving us a little hand with this too Aoi? We're shabu virgins I'm afraid, and I'm not trying to ruin it completely.
"Sure thing ma-"
Aoi suddenly stopped mid sentence and turned his attention towards Ageha, before smirking.
"You know aaaaaacccctually I just remembered, Ageha is pretty good at making hotpot dishes...especially shabu shabu. I bet you that SHE could show you a thing or two."
Aoi smirks and turns his head towards Ageha who had already been looking back this way, glaring at him.
"Isn't that right, Ageha?"
"Would, but alas I'm in the middle of an important show." She said to him, quickly turning back towards the tv.
"Ah come now, I'm sure you don't mind right? Plus, I could easily record it on the dvr."
Aoi was clearly doing this on purpose to get Ageha to come help in the kitchen simply to get her to talk to me, but it only seemed to be getting her angry.
She finally turns back around and gives Aoi a glare.
I put my free hand up and shake my head to stop Aoi from going any further.
"It's cool man, let her watch tv. Frank and I can figure this out I'm sure."
Frank pulls out his phone and flaunts it a bit in his hand. "Don't worry Aoi, we got the power of youtube for this."
"Exactly." I said, glancing over towards Ageha before letting out a little sigh. "Plus, I...don't need her more mad at me than she already is." I mumbled to myself.
"Ugh...jeez If you're gonna make a big deal about it then fine, I'll help. But I'm ONLY doing this because Aoi asked me to."
Suddenly Ageha let's out an obnoxious sigh before standing up and heading towards the kitchen where Frank and I were.
"Um, but we weren't making a big deal? I said it's cool we can totally-"
"Too late." She said, putting her hand in front of my face to shut me up. "I'm already here so just...just hand me the stuff and watch how it's done, kay?"
"I mean hey, I wanna help too. I'm the one who bought the shit ya know."
"Uh, and? We're all gonna be eating it anyw-"
"I bought it, I'm helping Ageha, end of story. Now, the first thing I grab is the broth I'd assume?" I said, already taking the beef broth into my hands.
She lets out a little annoyed grunt, staring at the carton in my hand.
"What?" I simply asked.
"Why are you holding beef broth? You are aware that shabu shabu is made with this thing called WATER, correct?"
"Yup, beef water."
She facepalms hard and shakes her head at me with a hopeless look on her face.
"It's SUPPOSED to be made with water."
"Yes but...hold up, get ready for this...beef broth...is BEEF. FLAVORED. WATER. So there...still water." I said, setting the carton down onto the counter proudly.
She folds her arms and stares at me, unamused.
"It'll add to the flavor, come on it's not a big deal to kick it up a notch...or ya know whatever"
She rolls her eyes at me before walking over to the cabinet and pulling out the whole hotpot getup, setting it out onto the counter.
"Here, pour your BEEF WATER, in the dish and let it heat up a good bit." She said, tunring towards me and raising an eye. "You can at least get that part right, right?"
"Roger that chef Aggie. Boiling the beef water."
Although I had only glanced at her for a split second, It had actually almost looked like she was cracking a smile, though I immediately perished the thought and got back to my prep work.
After a couple of minutes, the beef broth had begun steaming quite a bit, apparently the right temperature according to Ageha after she had stuck her finger into the bowl and nodded afterwards.
"Come on don't stick your dirty ass finger in it."
She makes some sort of small yelp in embarrassment and jumps back a bit to defend herself.
"I...my hands aren't even dirty you jackass, I washed them when I was helping Aoi make food earlier before you two even came over!"
I crack a little smile and chuckle to myself after her little retaliation. Even if it was her just bickering with me a bit, it felt good that her and I were at least talking.
"Huh, weird. You had pre washed your hands...almost like you knew you'd come help us cook huh?"
She grunts at me and mumbles something under her breath in japanese, which I'm pretty sure was something along the lines of 'asshole'.
"Sorry, what was that?"
"Nothing! Moving on!" She said, pointing furiously at nothing in particular.
"Pff...as you say head chef."
Ageha and I continue to work on the shabu whilst Frank and Kanako had been making miso soup alongside Aoi, who himself had been finishing up with the yakiniku he had been working on. After about half an hour of us all hard at work in the kitchen, everything had finally been ready.
"Annnnnnddd...there we are." Aoi said, setting the last dish upon the table.
"I'm about to dive face first into all of this." Frank said, already filling up his plate.
I let out a sigh and shake my head, chuckling a bit as I began to fill my plate as well.
"Ya know, you're the first one to grab a plate even though you did the least work."
"Hey screw you pal, I contributed just as much as you."
"Oh right, sorry. Must have been hard as hell making miso soup."
Frank shoots me a playful glare and folds his arms. "Oh? And what about you then? Ageha did 99 percent of the work on your project there."
"Uh yeah because she kept fussing me and wouldn't let me touch anything half the time."
"Because I didn't want you to screw anything up!" She replied, throwing her hands into the air.
I place a hand over my chest and mockingly clutch my shirt tightly.
"Ouch...that's so hurtful dear Ageha, how ever will I survive these harsh words that you bestow upon me."
She once again mumbles what sounds to be the same word that I'm pretty sure that I had heard the first time when she did this.
I laugh a bit to myself before glancing across the table momentarily to meet the gaze of Hotaru, though she quickly looks away, almost in somewhat of...disgust maybe?
"She must still be really pissed off at me. At least I've gotten Aggie talking to me now, but...Hotaru has still barely even looked at me tonight, let alone said a word to me."
"Alright guys, it's time to eat!" Aoi called out, digging into his plate shortly after.
I decided to let the matter at hand pass for the time being and began eating my food as well.
After everyone had gotten their fair share, Frank and I were given a little extra to help finish up the rest of what was left since nobody else had enough room to do so.
"Ahhhh...THAT...hit the spot." Frank said, patting his stomach loudly.
I nod my head along, leaning back into the chair a bit to stretch. "You said it. That yakiniku was bangin Aoi."
"Thanks man, it's one of my favorite dishes." He said to me proudly.
"Yeah, I can see why."
I then turn my attention over towards Ageha, who had her back turned to me since she had been washing dishes.
"On that note, I can see why you suggested Ageha to be the one to make the shabu shabu." I said, pointing over towards her.
"Yeah? What makes you say that?" She asked, her back still turned to me as her attention was still solely on the dishes.
I just shrug my shoulders and smile a bit.
"Just the way you were about the whole thing. You had seemed like you were really into it and passionate with the way you cooked everything."
She lets out a barely audible 'hmm' as she nods.
"And honestly, it was really good...like...reeeallly good. If I would have known you were this great of a cook, I probably would have asked for you to cook for me a long time ago!"
She suddenly stops in her tracks without a sound, a single plate still in hand, the running water still rinsing off the already clean dish.
She remains quiet for a few seconds before finally placing the dish into the rack without uttering another word.
All of a sudden, I was hit in the head by an unknown object.
"What the f-...huh?"
I glance over to where I had thought that it was thrown from to see Hotaru suddenly looking in the opposite direction, whistling nonchalantly with her hands placed behind her head.
I let out a little 'hmm' to myself before bending down onto the ground to pickup what had seemed to be a balled up napkin.
Upon opening said napkin, I had noticed that there was some kanji written on it, though I was pretty terrible at translating it.
"Did...you throw this at me Aoi?" I asked holding up the napkin.
"Huh? No, why?" he asked, confused.
I raise an eye as I take another look at the napkin, attempting to read it.
"What does it say"? Frank asked.
Frank definitely couldn't have been the one who threw it since he had been sitting right next to me. It couldn't have been Kanako either since she was on the other side of Frank. I know for sure that it wasn't Ageha because she was still washing dishes.
My only choices in the matter were Aoi and Hotaru...and frankly, I believe Aoi's statement in the fact that he hadn't been the one to throw it was true.
I decided not to say anything about it anymore, shrugging the thought off and turning towards Aoi, handing him the napkin.
"What's it say Aoi?" I asked him.
"Let me see."
He takes a look for a split second before he makes a bit of a discomforted face and laughs a bit nervously.
"I'll just assume that means I don't want to know." I said.
"Eheheh...y-yeah probably not."
Suddenly, Ageha walks over to the table as she dryed her hands from finishing the dishes up.
"What are you guys talking about?"
She cocks her head to the side a bit and raises an eye as she takes a glance at the paper.
"Uh tell me...why did you write 'ass' on a napkin again, Aoi?"
As soon as Ageha had given the translation, I had choked on my drink a bit right after taking a sip.
"It wasn't me!" Aoi retorted, still clutching the napkin tightly.
I lower my eyes half mast and glance over at Hotaru once more, who was still looking away from me.
"Boy wonder who did this." I said sarchastically.
Ageha leans her head to the side a bit like she has no idea what's going on, before rolling her eyes at me and making her way back into the living room.
"Aha...how about we just toss this thing shall we?" Aoi said, throwing the paper into the trash can behind him. "There we are!"
I let out a sigh and glance back over towards Hotaru, who's still facing away from me, staring off into space, now with a bit of an upset look strewn across her face.
After dinner time was over, Frank and I had helped clean the rest of the kitchen up before saying our goodbyes and heading back towards our place.
The entire ride home for me had been incredibly quiet. I hadn't put on my music since I wasn't really in the mood for any, plus there had been way too much on my mind at the time being for me to even be able to focus on anything like that.
Once Frank and I had gotten home, I had marched straight up the stairs into my room, kicked off my shoes and shirt and hopped right into bed in my gym shorts.
My head hit my pillow and within seconds, I could already feel myself recollecting the things that had happened tonight.
"Man...I can't believe Hotie really wrote that and threw it at me...or...maybe Ageha was just screwing around about what it really said?"
I had bickered with myself and my thoughts for about half an hour befor I had finally begun to actually feel the need to sleep.
"Jesus, 11:30 already." I said with a hefty sigh as I turned over to look at my phones clock.
Right as I was about to set my phone back down, it had begun to vibrate in my hand.
"What the hell, who's texting m-"
As soon as I had unlocked my screen to see who it was, my heart had begun pounding against the wall of my chest.
"H...Hotaru?"