Friday rolled around and Edwin was clearly excited. He skipped into the band room with a great big smile on his face. He unpacked his guitar and clearly practiced with passion. Richard noticed his behaviour.
"You're in quite a good mood today." Richard commented. Edwin turned to him and smiled.
"Of course I am! I'm going to sleep over at Yui's place today! I can't wait anymore I can't freakin' wait!" Edwin was unusually giddy. Andrew smiled too.
"It must be nice having friends to hang out with." Andrew spoke with his usual soft tone.
"It certainly is. Especially friends like you!" Richard replied.
"Awww, thanks!" The rest of the band replied. Then they practiced their new song, giving it another run through. Just as they finished, Rose came into the room. He greeted them with applause. Edwin noticed.
"Hey, Rose! It's been awhile!" Edwin was happy to see the advisor and his luscious locks.
"It has indeed been a little while. How was the big meeting on Wednesday?" Rose asked.
"It went really damn well." Kendyn smiled. "We organized what future meetings would look like, we got club responsibilities in order, we had some chill time, and we learned that Mugi makes a damn good tea."
"Sounds like you guys had a good time. Did their club have an advisor?" Rose followed up. Edwin smiled.
"Not just any advisor. The amazing, legendary, queen of speed metal, Sawako Yamanaka. I even got her autograph!" Edwin showed off his guitar case, now sporting Sawako's signature. Rose grinned.
"Now that's a name that takes me back. She and I were good friends in college. I'm surprised she came back to her old high school." Rose spoke eloquently.
"You knew her in college?" Richard was curious.
"And she was a former student at Sakuragaoka?" Andrew was also curious.
"Indeed. I've known her longer than any of you have been alive." Rose bragged.
"I'm so jealous of you, Rose." Edwin admitted.
"No need to be. Anyhoo, How have you guys been this last little while?" Rose redirected the conversation.
"Let's just say… very tense." Richard replied.
"Mid-Year Finals are coming along and everybody's a little testy this time of year. Not to mention the Valentines festival is pretty much right after Exam Period ends, adding more onto our plates." Edwin continued the conversation.
"On top of that, Edwin's wrapped up in a web of drama involving his ex, who's trying to frame him for sexual assault, which he didn't even commit." Kendyn spoke up.
"That does sound like a lot to deal with." Rose added. "I hope things are going ok otherwise."
"Oh yeah, things are going pretty well outside of that. We're making good progress on our newest song for the Valentines festival. It's called, Lucky to have you." Edwin proudly showed Rose the lyrics to his newest song. Rose read it over and smiled.
"This is a beautiful song. Who's it dedicated to?" Rose asked. Edwin began to blush.
"I-It's for… Yui. She's a girl I know. S-She's part of the Light Music Club at Sakuragaoka." Edwin stuttered.
"Sounds like you have a very strong connection with her. And from how you describe her in your song, she sounds super sweet and affectionate." Rose smiled.
"T-That's exactly what she's like and I love that about her." Edwin smiled sheepishly as his face turned red.
"Yeah, he really likes her. They're gonna be the ultimate power couple." Richard smirked.
"I-I wouldn't say ultimate power couple-" Edwin lost his composure and hid his face.
"He's even going to her place after the meeting for a sleepover." Andrew stated. Rose smiled.
"I hope the sleepover goes well, Edwin. In the meantime, is there anything else you need from me?" Rose asked.
"I'm sure we're all comfortable being a semi-independent club." Kendyn responded.
"That's ok. I'm comfortable with you being largely independent." Rose smiled as he turned to leave. "I will see you around soon." Rose left the room as Edwin regained his composure.
"So, are you excited for the sleepover that's happening in… ten minutes?" Richard asked.
"Of course I am, why wouldn't I be?" Edwin smiled as he began packing up his guitar.
"Have a good weekend, Edwin." Kendyn waved goodbye as Edwin turned for the door. As the door closed behind him, he checked his travel bag to make sure it had all the sleepover things.
"Pillow, check. Gaming, check. Chips, check. Backup clothing, check check. I'm ready! Yui's place, Here I come!" Edwin bolted down the stairs, through the halls, past the detention room, and through the main doors, where Yui greeted him with her usual hug.
"Hi, Eddie-Kun! I'm so excited to see you!" Yui was excited, as to be expected from her. Edwin proceeded to pat her head.
"Hi, Yui-Chan! I'm so happy to see you!" Edwin was also excited.
"Are you all packed and ready?" Yui innocently asked. Edwin smiled.
"I've been packed and ready since yesterday." Edwin bragged.
"Hey, Ed!" Richard caught up to Edwin. "Just wanted to tell you to have a good weekend! Don't do anything funny while you're there!" Richard shouted.
"D-Dammit, Richard." Edwin blushed.
"You mean we can't watch funny videos?" Yui tilted her head. Richard was stunned.
"Stay innocent, Yui." Edwin sighed. Yui gave him another big hug. Then after 10 minutes of hugging, they trudged off for Yui's place. It was a small, two storey suburban house in a quaint little neighborhood.
"This is a nice little place." Edwin observed as Yui guided him to the front door. She opened the door wide and the smell of Yakitori came through the door.
"Something smells delicious today." Edwin guided the scent to his nose.
"It's Ui's amazing Yakitori! I'm so hungry right now… can it be done soon?" Yui's stomach roared. Ui giggled as she carefully tended to the chicken.
"Be patient, Yui. I'm making it extra special for our guest." Ui replied while not even glancing away from the food.
"I've never tried Yakitori before, but it smells amazing." Edwin was in awe of the scent. Soon enough, dinner was ready and everyone was seated at the table. The chicken was put on skewers and drenched in Yakitori sauce. Yui immediately began to take a bite.
"Careful, Yui, it's hot." Ui warned Yui but it was too late. Yui ate the first piece and was breathing heavily to mitigate the heat from her food. Edwin blew on his chicken, and then took a bite. He smiled as he chewed and swallowed.
"This is delectable. I love it!" Edwin was so happy.
"I told you that you'd love it!" Yui replied as she took another bite of her meal.
"You eat too fast sometimes, Yui." Ui sighed as she blew on her food some more. Dinner came and went, and dishes were washed and put away. Edwin helped out with the process of washing dishes. Then he set his travel bag next to the couch as he sat down. Yui sat next to him and leaned into him. Edwin put his arm around her shoulder and they stayed there for 5 minutes. Then Edwin reached into his bag and got out his Nintendo Switch. Yui noticed.
"You have a switch too?" Yui asked.
"Indeed I do. I also have Super Smash Bros." Edwin bragged.
"OMG ME TOO!" Yui was excited all over again. "Can we play together? My Kirby is really good!" Yui asked.
"Sure, if you can compete with my near unbeatable Marth." Edwin accepted. They played for hours. Matches went back and forth, many glasses of cola and cream soda were had, and many head pats were given. Then the clock struck 10. Ui came back downstairs.
"It's late at night, guys. Time to call it a night." Ui called. She took Yui up to her bedroom. Then she came back to help Edwin with the pullout couch. She found a spare blanket and three pillows for him to use as she went upstairs, turned off the lights, and fell asleep. Edwin also nodded off fairly quick. An hour or so later, Yui snuck out of her room. She sneakily found her way to the couch and climbed into bed with Edwin, hugging him close as he slept. Edwin woke up and saw Yui snuggling up to him.
"H-hi, Yui…" He spoke softly as he wrapped his arms around her. He buried his face into her shoulder as the two of them slept in each other's arms, hugging the whole night away.