Story 4: The Tarantula

The music room was where Kaede Akamatsu found solace and comfort. She closed her eyes and poised her fingers over the ivory keys of the piano, which the Ultimate Pianist had been given special permission to use by Headmaster Kirigiri himself on her first day of classes. After all, it was impossible to fit an entire grand piano or even a simple keyboard in a suitcase.

Before she could play a single chord, three more people entered the room. One was a girl with long, bluish-black hair. The second girl had black hair with white, blue and pink streaks running through it and two… things on top. Were those horns? The third person was a lanky guy with messy, auburn hair and a beard, and a ton of earrings. He was carrying a load of equipment, including microphones, guitar cases and an amp.

"Omigosh, are we interrupting? We're sorry!" said the bluish-black-haired girl.

"Oh, no, I haven't even started yet," Kaede said. She turned in her seat. "Who're you guys?"

"I'm Ibuki Mioda, the Ultimate Musician!" said the girl with horns. "It's super duper nice to meetcha!"

"I'm Sayaka Maizono, the Ultimate Pop Sensation," the blue-haired girl said.

"And I'm Leon Kuwata, the Ultimate Baseball Star," said the redhead. "'Sup."

"Nice to meet you all," Kaede said. "I'm Kaede Akamatsu, the Ultimate Pianist."

"Oh, yeah! We heard about you from the headmaster," Leon said. "He suggested we ask you to join our band."

"Band? But aren't you a baseball player?" Kaede asked.

"Yeah, uh, about that," Leon said sheepishly. "I am, but I've always wanted to be a musician. So Ibuki here suggested we start a band, and she put me on the bass. I think I've been doing pretty good, if you ask me." He gestured to Ibuki and Sayaka. "Ibuki is our guitarist and backup singer, though sometimes we put her on lead vocals. Sayaka is our lead singer. How would you like to be our keyboard player?"

"That… actually sounds like fun," Kaede said. "Sure, I'll join!"

"Awesome, awesome, awesome!" Ibuki said. She grabbed Kaede's hands. "You're gonna be awesome! I just know it!"

"H-hold on," Kaede said. "I only have experience with classical music."

"That's alright," Sayaka said. "I only had experience with pop before I joined the band. Since you're the Ultimate Pianist, I have no doubt you can adapt to the rock style!"

"Do you guys have a band name?" Kaede asked.

"Ah… not yet," Leon said. "We'll come up with something."

"Aggh, I can't wait, Leon!" Ibuki exclaimed, shaking Leon. "Let's practice!"

"There's a keyboard onstage, Kaede. Come on up. I'll give you the sheet music," Leon said.

"Hold on, how did you—"

"Let's just say I had a feeling you'd be here," Sayaka said. She winked. "I am psychic, after all."

The band set up their instruments and the amplifier, and Leon nodded to Kaede, signifying he wanted her to start them off. She nodded back and played a simple rhythm on the keyboard, just a few ascending and descending notes in a pattern. Soon, Leon joined in on his bass guitar, laying the foundation for harmony. Ibuki melded her guitar with Leon's bass, creating a melody to counteract and work with Leon's playing, and Sayaka began to sing.

Sometimes I look at her and I look into her eyes,

I notice the way she thinks about despair with a smile,

Curved lips she just can't disguise.

But she thinks it's hope making her life worthwhile.

Why is it so hard for her to decide which she loves more?

Hope or...

Despair?

The song ended, and the bandmates were drenched in sweat and panting. "That… was amazing," Ibuki said. "That's totally gonna be our new single! Now, we just need a band name…"

"Again, Ibuki, it doesn't really matter at the moment," Sayaka said. She took a long drink from a water bottle. "We'll think of something eventually."

"You've got serious chops, Kaede," Leon said. "You're a natural on keyboard."

"Aww, thanks, Leon," Kaede said. She blushed a little. "You're pretty good yourself."

"Shucks, you think so? This is my second time on the bass…"

"Seriously, you're really good!"

"Thanks." Leon motioned to the two other girls. "Come on, ladies. Let's get outta here. Good jam session!"

Kaede glanced at her cell phone to check the time. It was already half past five, about the time the music room shut down for the day. She tried to open the door, but found it shut firmly.

"Uh-oh…" she said, backing away from the door. "We're locked in."

Then, Sayaka screamed. Leon, Ibuki and Kaede turned quickly, and Leon caught her as she passed out. Then, Kaede saw what she had found.

A spider. Well, more specifically, a giant tarantula.

"Oh crap," Leon said. He jiggled the doorknob, but it wouldn't budge. "Guys, I think we're stuck."

"Ohnoohnoohnowe'restuckinhereforeverwhatarewegonnadoooooo?!" Ibuki screeched, her words strung together by fear and panic.

"W-we've got to stay calm! Don't move a muscle and it won't see you," Kaede said.

"Kaede, that's for bears," Leon said.

"I thought it was for mountain lions," Ibuki said.

"Listen, it applies to everything," Kaede said, sighing. "Now calm down. I'll whack it with the broom."

Kaede slowly made her way over to the closet, which held the music room's cleaning supplies. Dustpan, mop, bucket… Ah! The broom! She grabbed the broom and locked her eyes on the giant spider, making sure it didn't leave her sight. She crept toward it, the broom positioned so Kaede could hit it as she got closer. She was soon at the optimal position, and she swung the broom down hard and fast. The spider was not fazed by this, however, and it must have seen it coming because it jumped up on the broom and scuttled up the handle, making its way into Kaede's hair.

"AHHHH! Get it off me, get it off me!" Kaede squealed, spinning in circles and dropping the broom as she tried to wave the eight-legged creature out of her hair.

"Kaede! Noooooo! Leon, we've lost her to the tarantula!" Ibuki wailed. "Rest in peace, Miss Akamatsu! It was so nice knowing you for the half hour we were here!"

"Ibuki, chill out, it's not venomous," Leon chided. "You take care of Sayaka." He rolled up his sleeves. "I'll take care of the spider."

Tears streamed down Kaede's cheeks as the spider continued crawling around on her head. She then felt a whap sensation as Leon brought the broom down. The spider scurried down her face and arm, jumping off and running under the grand piano.

"I've got this now… thanks, Leon," Kaede said. She took the broom from him and pursued the spider.

"D-don't mention it," Leon replied.

Soon, Kaede had the tarantula cornered. She raised the broom up and considered faking laughing like an evil maniac, but she decided against it. Before she could swing the broom down, the music room door burst open. She turned to see a tall, buff young man with no shoes and dark green hair rush into the room. He scooped up the spider in his hands and nuzzled it.

"Oh, Miss Tarantula! Gonta was worried about you!" the boy, presumably named Gonta, said. "Thank you for finding her! Gonta will repay you! Like true gentleman!"

"O-oh, no, that… won't be necessary…" Kaede said. She sighed, relieved that the whole ordeal was over with.

"You sure? Gonta does not mind."

"It's fine. Seriously."

"If you say so. Much thanks, again!" Gonta said. He exited the room.

"Well, that was… something," Leon said. "You alright, Kaede?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Ibuki, how's Sayaka?"

As if on cue, Sayaka stirred. She sat up and let out a shaky breath. "Is the spider gone?"

"It's gone, Sayaka," Leon said. "Everything's fine now."

"Oh, thank goodness," Sayaka said. "Sorry for the outburst there."

"Don't worry about it," Kaede said. "You were scared. That's normal. So were we. But we handled it, and the tarantula is gone."

"That's it!" Ibuki exclaimed.

"That's what?" Leon replied, curious.

"Our band name! Tarantula!"

"I… like that, actually," Sayaka said. "It sounds mysterious and intimidating, but short and sweet! Like a rock band should be."

"I agree," Kaede said.

"Ditto," Leon said.

"Then it's settled! From now on, we are henceforth known as 'Tarantula!'" Ibuki pumped her fist in the air, and the rest of Tarantula joined in.

The four then exited the music room and made sure the door was locked before they parted ways. Kaede was still giddy from both practice and the run-in with the giant spider, and she made her way back to her dorm room in a sort of happy, excited daze. "What an afternoon…" she breathed to herself as she flopped onto her bed. She then took out her cell phone, plugged in her earbuds and fell asleep to the dulcet tones of classical piano.