Disclaimer: Nothin' owned here.
Chapter 6: Facing the Music Part 1
"That's some large space there..."
Indeed it is. Somewhere within the campus lies a large tree with a vast space big enough for a stage of its own. Most of the students loiter about either to sit around under the tree for shade or enjoying the sun rays in a chill day or perhaps sitting somewhere at the edge of the area to get a view of the entire area. In the current case, Marina was walking around in the vast area, arms spread as she admired the space with the cool night wind surrounding her.
"Best be careful, lest you catch a cold."
Sayo reminded her carefully and though eyeing the area as well, she didn't stray too far. Marina merely grinned at us and made her way back, walking backwards as she did so. The atmosphere was certainly relaxing if we weren't here for job purposes. Whilst the other two chat, my head was on other thoughts. Now that I know CiRCLE was onboard with this, I'd have to break the news to the other two back at the dorm.
What comes next should be bridging the two for discussion.
"Well now that you're done ogling my campus, we should be on our way."
"Already?" Marina said with pout, but in all honesty they were still visitors and the night has covered the sky. I merely nodded at her notion much to her dismay. There wasn't much else to do as of right now and I certainly as hell wouldn't lead them to my dormitory. It would be weird to see a working woman and a high school girl suddenly popping out of the dormitory with only one male and all girls in there!
Scandalous even for a Hikki like me!
"That and it's best to start the day off early," I reminded the two and eyed my phone, inspecting the day. "It's Saturday tomorrow and we made an arrangement for the weekends anyway."
Sayo nodded in agreement as she headed off the opposite direction with us in tow. I took the time to lead the two back at the station as Sayo was the first one to break the silence for once.
"Is there a reason you following us all the way back to the station?"
I had to ask myself that, perhaps it was pure courtesy of me attempting to send them back without knowing how far where they live and though I had to pat my own shoulder for the chivalrous act I bothered to do once in my life, all I got was Sayo inching away from me, making weird hand gestures.
"What?"
"I'm sorry to say this Hikigaya-san but we're not in that stage of relationship yet."
"What's with the hand gestures?! Is it supposed to be a barrier?!"
Marina had a light bulb coming out of her hand.
"Perhaps Hikawa-san is just shy?"
Sayo's dead pan face shattered that statement before she eyed me.
"I never took you the type to send anyone off."
"Believe me, I'd ask myself that."
The three of us shared an awkward silence to absorb the reality at the fact that we're nothing more than just co-workers. Even so Marina's giggle once more blessed themselves as she shattered the silence.
"Perhaps we've been getting closer this past month?"
"Impossible," Sayo said with me nodding in agreement. "The distance between me and him will never get closer no matter how much we interact."
Is this the fabled Limitless cursed technique? Is she perhaps a Jujutsu Sorcerer?
"Mm...That does make sense..." Marina said, closing her eyes as she made a thinking face. "Maybe we should hang out sometimes!"
Sayo and I stared at one another, before eyeing our boss back.
"Absolutely not."
"With her? I'd sooner drop out of campus."
The dismay was visible to Marina's face but she'd have to understand, trying to bond with your employees will only waste time not to mention when they have clear disinterest to do so. I do not know what Sayo's reason is but as for my own, I'd rather focus on practicing and other things to help me out in this journey of mine rather than waste time for something that will only last for as long as I work there, or if somehow Sayo magically gets fired.
In both cases, very unlikely.
"Well we'd have to meet up more often soon enough whether we like it or not, so it can't be helped-"
"Nonsense. We meeting for work will merely be just that, about work. Nothing else, nothing more."
Sayo's words once more cuts off Marina's one but the latter is apparently used to it as she merely crossed her arms, frowning a bit.
"You really need to cut some slack a bit Hikawa-san..."
Heh-
"You too Hikigaya-san."
Why me too?!
Though I wanted to retort, the sound of a train incoming cuts off my thoughts. The train arrived before us as the two eyed me.
"I guess this is it till' tomorrow then."
"Likewise."
"See you soon then!"
The two gave nods to me before departing off. I waited till the train was out of sight, before beginning my track back to the dormitory. I took the time to clasp my hand, slightly shaking a bit. Was it excitement? Or was it nervousness? Either way, it's been years since I've started playing with the intention of performing. Whether I like it or not, I'd have to face this. It will certainly make my entire goal null if I'm half ass-ing this, something I'd rather not do.
As I finally entered my dormitory again, I was assaulted by the sight of a flash of blonde followed by confetti blasting onto my face.
What expected was a surprised face and laughter; it was only met with a dead pan expression and awkward silence. Masuki had confetti pop directed to Hachiman's face with Rei standing in the background like a chibi, standing still with an equally dead pan expression as Hachiman. Said man in questioned raised an eyebrow as Masuki scratched her head in response.
"Not what I had in mind."
"What does blowing confetti to someone's face mean to you?!"
"Celebration...?"
Masuki spoke like Hachiman had two heads as he equally gave her a similar look.
"Huh?"
"It's your first month here! Shouldn't it be something noteworthy off?"
"I told her that you wouldn't be the type to do these things but..." Rei added her comment in the background as Hachiman sighed, before walking past by the residential blonde. There was cake served in the middle of the table as he fished out a plate and fork from the kitchen and sat before the cake.
"You guys are cutting it on your own."
He saw a brightened up smile from Masuki and a surprised expression from Rei. It wasn't that he was entertaining the thought of celebrating...
"Mind you, I'm just hungry right now."
"That's the same thing!"
"It definitely isn't."
Masuki and Rei said their responses. Still, the trio ate the cake together as Hachiman proceeded to break the news of CiRCLE's involvement to them and as much as he suspected, it wasn't going to be an easy road.
"That's great and all but we'd probably need you to be our bridge or somethin'..."
"I guess as much. Would tomorrow suffice? My workplace basically has free time in the weekends..."
"I think that would suffice," Rei said, poking her cake with her fork. "So how much help are we expecting?"
"Most likely two."
"Hm?"
"Ah?"
"Huh?"
The other two paused at Hachiman's words while he himself looked at them weirdly at their responses.
"What do you mean 'likely two'?" Rei was the first one to break the stare down.
"Ah, let me clarify..."
She was glad she got it wrong-
"I meant it's only three of us at the Live House, me, my coworker and my boss, so technically three people are helping out."
"..."
"..."
"...?"
Hachiman stared at the two as they poked their cakes. Did they not like cake?
"How...is that place still standing..."
Rei had to question this as Hachiman took a bite of his cake, shrugging in the process.
"Nothing short of a miracle."
It truly is really. Perhaps the owner Hachiman met before within that shady office was truly a rich person to have made the entire Live House sustain for months without a single soul setting in, not counting Kasumi obviously. Was it out of love for music? Or was it a business proposition? Either way, miracle is truly the best word to describe CiRCLE at this point.
"So what'cha got in your pants this time?"
Masuki's poor word of choosing was heard yet the other two didn't seem to be fazed by it at the moment.
"What on earth do you mean..."
"I meant what'cha doin' all this for? Didn't take you the type to go all out for these kinds of things."
"Quite the contrary, I pride myself as a hard worker..."
With work that requires the least effort of course.
"If anything, all I'd basically have to do is moving around stuff-"
Saying he was performing wouldn't do anything much so he decided to let it be for the moment.
"That and we'd basically have some people from your end to help."
Because this wasn't just tied to him, it was tied to many others as well. One who has much more passion to him in regards to music.
"Mmn..." Masuki paused, thinking hard. "That's true and all but that didn't answer my question..."
"Well it's simple," Hachiman stated firmly and rubbed his index and thumb finger together. "Money."
"Pft!" Rei nearly choked on her food as Hachiman looked at her with a dead pan expression. "I'm sorry but, organizing an event is considered 'light' to you? Aren't you basically still applying hard effort for...money as you say?"
"Rei..." Masuki called out with a firm expression. "He's clearly passionate about this, if not more than us."
"I'd like to know how you know about this..." The man in question pointed out with Masuki pointing at her head, as if it was an obvious matter.
"You're an alien and we all know aliens do things out of intense curiosity and passion."
"What kind of aliens have you been exposed to?" Was all Rei and Hachiman thought.
"I wouldn't call it passion," Hachiman said as he eyed his food. "Think of it as a means to an end."
"So it is passion."
"You really need to work out what's what and what's not."
"Look Hikki," Masuki said as she rested her head on her palm, eyeing him. "You clearly try to say something yet your actions are saying something else. Why not just admit you like doing all this?"
"...Excuse me?"
"I had a feeling she was onto something but at the same time, something was off..." Rei said with a wry tone as Masuki dramatically stood up on her chair, pointing at Hachiman.
"Just admit you're actually a workaholic!"
"?!"
Hachiman dropped his fork.
Something clicked in his mind, connecting all the pieces he has been doing in his life that leads right up to this very moment, this very second in the road he calls life. Seeing himself at the edge of it, at the crossroad of it all, it came to his mind that...
He was becoming Hiratsuka Shizuka 2.0
"I'm gonna be a single working adult with a sad romantic life?!"
"Why is that in your mind?!"
"Hikki..."
The two fellow residents of the dorm eyed him with a sweat drop as he sulked in the ground, still munching on his cake.
Maybe the sweet taste buds will numb the sad reality he was living in as of this moment. It was certainly better then booze or cigarettes but still...
"A-At the very least...you're honest about it?"
"Wakana-san, I appreciate the encouraging words but that doesn't help at all."
"Maybe you just need to change your methods of approaching this."
Masuki enclosed herself towards the two, her face clearly showing she was onto something.
"Call your alien friends for help."
"Wakana-san how did she get past High School..."
"She's...not really that bad," Rei replied with a nervous laugh, eyeing the residential blonde. "I think."
"It's simple. I just passed."
"That's ambiguous as hell."
Still, the three stared at each other for a bit, before sighing out.
"We're getting sidetracked."
"It's not a big deal really..." Masuki waved off Hachiman's words, taking a bite from her piece of cake again. "All we have to do is just get some people to figure an idea out and then do it."
"Organizing an event isn't that easy mind you..."
"But it is part of your job description yes?" Rei commented from the side.
Hachiman closed his eyes and furrowed his eyebrows, thinking hard. This wasn't like back in Sobu where everyone had some sort of idea that comes to mind, this was an event that comes from a larger scale, not to mention it involves music. What would the masses like? What would the performers want to do? How long would it take to practice? do they have everything needed for the event in itself? Will it be open to the public or a closed, private event? Even if they'd plan to make it an open community one, they have to factor for the locals as well.
"Indeed it is."
But this was something he can definitely handle. Performing music was a much harder hurdle for him, but things like this, he can make do with it.
"Then we're all in an agreement for a meeting tomorrow?" Rei said and eyed the two. She has her own things to deal with as well considering she was tasked to be the fore front in the Falls event later on in the year, it wouldn't be any different right now. "This will definitely take a while."
"Not really," Masuki interjected with a grin and jabbed her thumb to herself. "I happen to have set up a meeting myself in advance!"
"That's surprising-"
"But I ain't payin' for the drinks and food."
"What kind of meeting did you have in mind...?"
"Somewhere in a fancy restaur-"
"Call it off!"
Suffice to say, calling Masuki handful isn't entirely far off the truth. She reminds me of Yui in a way with that positive radiant aura she has but surprisingly enough, I managed to discover she is perhaps indeed one brain cell off from Yui, which isn't saying much to begin with but you get the idea. Still, it wasn't that bad nor was it annoying, just surprising if anything. I rested down on my bed with Lord Kamakura already dominating the blanket he slept on top, so I guess sleeping with it is out of question right now.
I flipped out my phone only to be assault by hundreds of notifications, though ones that wasn't from my sister or anyone back in Chiba considering it's a different phone. In fact, it was actually from Marina of all people, apparently it was an invitation to some sort of group chat she made up. Sayo wasn't lying of her persistence and though I wanted to ignore it, I took a peek of the message that came with the group invite.
Marina: I know where you live now so accept this invite o.o!~
What was with that creepy emote at the end?
As I contemplated to whether accept it or not, I eyed Kamakura who was frowning at me, apparently the light from my phone was distracting him. I tilted my head and presented my phone to him.
"Thoughts?"
Kamakura yawned a bit, before sniffing my phone.
I guess that's the answer then.
Clicking the 'accept' button was something I'd never thought I'd do but here I am.
Marina: Hikigaya-kun! You accepted it! Can I call you something cutesy now?
Hikki: We're not friends.
Though I was assaulted by hundreds of pings, I decided to shut my phone off and slowly closed my eyes.
I'd deal with this tomorrow.
"...So she actually got you in?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
"It's surprising coming from you."
"I don't see you being assaulted by hundreds of pings damn it!"
Sayo stared at me, opting a thinking face, and then fished out her phone.
"I got thousands actually."
"I would like to say for once we have something in common."
"Indeed."
We both eyed our boss in question who was tapping her foot in dismay, eyebrow twitching.
""She's pretty annoyi-""
"Don't follow up on that geez!"
Marina pouted and shook her hands like a kid. The sight of an adult fuming at two people younger than her was certainly a sight to behold as we both sighed at her.
"What's with the sighing?! And Hikigaya-kun what's with the paragraph above?! I'm not even in my mid 20's!"
"Woah woah woah," I halted Marina, making a barrier with my hands. "What's with the way you're saying my name?"
"I figure I'd take the initiative to make us all closer!" Marina said in a triumphed tone, eyeing the two of us. "Hikigaya-kun...Hikawa-chan..."
"I feel oddly happy." I said.
"I feel oddly weird." Sayo said.
"I feel like this isn't what I had in mind." Marina said.
The three of us stood there like a bunch of penguins, before I coughed.
"Then I suppose I have no choice to call Hika-"
"No."
"Let me finish!"
"No."
"...Please?"
"...Maybe if you beg."
"Tsukishima-san, fire her and I swear I'll work extra harder!"
"Tsukishima-san, fire me and you'll lose your best employee."
"Guys!"
Marina pouted again and at this point, it would only be cute if anything.
"You guys are like kids when around one another!"
"I am a child at heart."
"I respect you to admit that Hikigaya-san."
Marina sweat dropped at the two of us and was about to retort again but was cut off with the incoming announcement from the train station we were in. We made our way into our train and took our sits.
"Rare to see the morning train empty."
"Indeed it is, perhaps they felt a Hikkigerm coming through."
"How did you know an insult from my childhood?!"
"What on earth did you went through..." Marina dead panned at me as I opted a smug look. It would seem this would be the best time to bust out my amazing stories from childhood.
"Well you see-"
"It must've been sad."
"What she said."
I gave Sayo the finger as she cuts me off only to meet a challenging smirk much to our boss's dismay.
"Hikigaya-kun has the power to draw out retorts from people apparently..."
"I am a magnet for the minds of the wicked, that I admit."
I shot Sayo a look who took a second to get it, before she shook her head.
"Well let's put that aside!" Marina clasped her hand with a smile. "How have you guys been doing so far?"
"Nothing much."
"What she said."
Truth to be told, I had been practicing of times Masuki and Rei was out of the dorm. I was truthful when I said I was ready to play depending on what people ask me too, with that in mind I had to pull my weight despite being rusty.
"Must be nice to be doing something. Wish I can say the same..."
She had an odd laugh at the end. While Sayo and I eyed one another, we let it slide as Marina opted a genuine look and placing her chin at her palm, eyeing the two of us.
"I am curious about your guys' musical experience though."
That at last, broke the ice as Sayo slightly stiffened a bit whilst I merely leaned back at the sit I was in. It wasn't a strange question; in fact it was a very common one. But for my predicament, it was slightly a bit more complicated. I don't know what Sayo had in mind but I myself definitely have to circle around the answer a bit if I don't want to expose myself too much or slip up unwanted answers.
"Can't say much honestly...I just picked up some few things here and there."
It wasn't an entire lie to be honest.
"...Picked up a few things here and there?" Sayo questioned.
"I know it sounds weird but it is what it is. Being completely honest, I'm rusty at nearly everything but give me an instrument and I'll try to do my best."
It was the only thing I can do at this predicament anyway.
"Where did your desire to play came from?" Marina popped in her question. The clear answer was-
"...Someone I looked up to I suppose."
Indeed I did look up to someone. In fact, it was the sole reason I'm here today.
Marina seemed satisfied with my answer and eyed Sayo. The girl in question closed her eyes and simply replied.
"I've yet to play in stages myself...can't say where did this desire came from though."
"Well there's people like that who picks up things on whim."
The line struck an odd bone in Sayo whose eyes winced a bit in those words. Perhaps she too has some sort of mixed emotion in regards to whatever she's doing. Still, Marina seemed satisfied at the answer and closed her eyes, smiling a bit.
"Well I can relate to that a bit," She started out, opening her eyes slowly and though happiness shined in them, a hidden tint of solemnity was present. "I actually used to be in a band myself! we had dreams ongoing big but we never quite reached there you know?"
A common sight to those who strives for greatness in that World. Dreams are truly scary when you don't have the skills to attain them.
"Still...I do think it was a nice experience," She mused and smiled at us. "I guess my passion didn't die out as much as I thought and here I am today with two cute employees!"
"I'm cute?"
"He's cute?"
Sayo - 1
Hikki - 0
"Well...you get what I mean don't you Hikawa-chan?"
Marinaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! If you're going to be ambiguous like that it actually hurts you know?! Does no one realize the awesome cutesy prowess of a Hikki?!
"Can't say I do..." Sayo said with a serious thinking expression, eyeing me as she did so. "He eerily resembles this creepy panda mascot I've seen somewhere..."
She scooted away from me despite being three sits away. What is this?! Is my hikkigerms actually getting more deadly?! Domain Expansion: Hikkigerms!
"Ah, you mean Pan-san?"
I'm surprised Marina of all people would know what Sayo was referring to, if she was even referring to that one-
Sayo nodded.
Marina nodded.
Hikki did not nod.
What does this mean? Are they indirectly implying Pan-san is on the same level as a Hikkigerm?! at least take that part away! I can't have you guys mocking the one fictional character that somewhat resembles me in some way!
"Pan-san isn't that bad per say..." I tried to explain-
"Of course, placing it in the same level as you would be an insult to said mascot."
I felt like Pan-san's honour was restored but mine was utterly crushed instead. Was it ever worth it?
Probably not.
"Hikki!"
"Hikki?"
"Don't question it."
The three of us finally made it back to my campus where Masuki was surprisingly by the gates. She waved to our greetings and jabbed her thumb to the side.
"Meeting already started."
"What? Without us?"
"Hey, I tried to stop em' but they had their own ideas."
This was the trouble with people jumping the gun, while their high spirits were definitely nice, it'll only be a mess of ideas with no proper conclusion whatsoever. Still, something was missing...
"Where's Wakana-san...?"
"She went on ahead to try to halt the meeting but she ended up being swallowed up by people."
"Not surprised."
I sighed out but eyed my other two co-workers.
"I'm sure you remember them...I think."
"We've yet to introduce ourselves, Tsukishima Marina!"
"Hikawa Sayo."
"Satou Masuki, nice to meet'cha."
"...The Mad Dog huh."
Sayo mused something quietly which prompt Masuki to actually laugh at her statements.
"Can't believe that names stickin' with me until now. Well never mind that, pleasantries later, we got some job to do!"
Marina looked at Sayo and I and we didn't need anymore explanation. While curiosity lingered in my mind what Sayo meant by her words, I let it slide for the moment as Masuki led us to wherever the new meeting took place.
"Sorry it all seems like a rush and while I like rushing sensations myself, ones like this ain't that good ya' know?"
"Standard for people trying to clutter up their ideas without anyone accounting the reality of the situation."
I had to voice out my opinion; after all even back in Sobu when handling the Christmas event, it was definitely a mess until Yukinoshita stepped in. This time however, I didn't have anything but the lessons I learned from that incident and the ones after it.
"Woah...you sound like some corporate dude or somethin'."
"My parents were corporate slaves..."
At least, recently anyway.
"Corporate...slaves?"
"It's ramblings of a twisted man Tsukishima-san, don't mind him."
"Hikigaya-kun sure does draw out retorts..."
"Like I said," I had to remind Marina. "I attract the minds of the wicked."
"It's not surprising considering he's an alien."
Masuki's statement seemed to spark something in Sayo's eyes as she eyed me with the most straight face I've ever seen in my life, and that's after going through two years with Yukinoshita which is something.
"Shut it!"
While I would say a blast from the past would be nice, you know, perhaps unexpectedly meeting Yuigahama or Yukinoshita, Totsuka or even Zaimokuza would be nice. Hell, even meeting Haruno would be better then...whatever this was.
"I say we go big you know?!"
"Well a big venue is needed! we should aim for as high as we can!"
"Yeah well my Band is all this entire event needs!"
"We should totally invite my friends online for this kind of things!"
I slammed my face to the table and though I wished to gain some sort of attention for once to stop this bundle mess of dumb cluttered ideas but alas, with the amount of people in this...whatever gathering this was died out the sound I made.
"Guys...one at a time please..."
At the center of it all was Rei who was sitting down on a table with people instantly whipping their heads towards her, eyes sparkling a bit.
"Well it's true that you would know what to do Rei-san!"
"Well not really but-"
"What should we do then? Didn't you play for big stars before? Is there anything we could do?"
"Well it was-"
"Oh why don't you be our lead performance? we know it's asking too much since you're in charge for the Falls Event but this shouldn't be a problem for you right?"
Rei just laughed nervously at their responses. I had to say, this reminds me of my earlier childhood when I managed to play my first masterpiece, twinkle-twinkle little star with a guitar that was way too big for me. For one thing, it was utterly horrible yet the fake praises I got was nauseating. Alas Kid Hikki...or even Hikki right now for that matter are suckers for compliments.
With Rei being the center of it all and her having experience within the Industry in itself, it's an obvious choice you'd want her to be in the lead for things. It was a shallow way of thinking to depend on someone just cause they have some sort of experience when this was something that ties for everyone to do. Of course, before I could do anything, a book slammed down hard on a table.
And by table, literally next to me.
I flinched at the hard sound which turned some heads with Sayo standing next to me, her eyes closed and her calm demeanour was showing yet it was obvious she was the one responsible for the noise. Some heads turned and set their gazes onto the girl in question curiously.
"Wha-"
"I thank you all for dividing your attention to me and I'd appreciate it if it's kept that way for the time being." She started, standing up and walked towards a nearby board where lots of ideas was written. She inspected it for a bit, before taking a duster to erase everything off, much to some dismay from the people here yet she paid no heed to it.
"Hey what gives?!"
"Who is she anyway?"
"Why the hell did she do that?!"
The oncoming negative reception was felt yet Sayo began to write several things onto the board, mainly 'BUDGET', 'PERFORMANCE' and 'MISC' followed by tapping onto the board.
"We should start out with these as a foundation before going off...mixed."
The line was as clear as day as a form of criticism to the previous ordeal, people already electing frowns from her words.
"Us three..." She started off again and pointed her market to me and Marina. "We're from the Live House CiRCLE which I'm sure Satou-san has caught the rest of you guys up to speed as to why we're here."
"Hah?" One guy sounded confused. "Masuki-san said it'd be a big Live House! We never even heard of you guys!"
Us three employees from CiRCLE had to look at Masuki who merely raised an eyebrow.
"I mean you guys have a large buil-"
"So you meant the size of the building?!"
"What else would I mean Hikki?"
...
Sayo rubbed her temples whilst Marina turned into a cute chibi, ready to cry on notice.
"Whether we're big or not doesn't matter," Sayo stated her point. "We're here to help and fund the event. A common interest as you call it."
"We're not sure if you guys seem up for it." A random voice popped in. Sayo's brows furrowed as another one jumped in at the statement as well. "Yeah! Do you guys even have musical experience?"
"I've..."
Sayo paused her words, not good. Marina scratched her head in response as well.
"Well I'm kinda rusty myself..."
I raised my hand in agreement. Another student snorted at our responses whilst some looked at us in dismay.
"Look, it's nice to help out but we wouldn't want to make it a lack luster show, no offense you know?"
"None taken." Sayo replied with a cool tone. Her face betrayed no emotion as she sat back down.
This wasn't a new sight, it was quite common when a stranger comes treading into territories that's been marked by certain circles. It reminds me of how the clique of Hayato would work back in Sobu, but this was an entire faculty. While Rei and Masuki frowned at those words, they too couldn't do anything much. Marina leaned onto Sayo, placing a gentle hand on the girl's shoulder.
"Hikawa-chan..."
"Its fine," Sayo said, eyeing the group who had begun to resume their pointless discussion. "People like these; they have all the right to do what they want. All we can do is just strive to make it work."
It began to dawn on me, what is the most optimal solution here? Making anyone some sort of leader point or taking charge seems redundant considering the negative reaction to Sayo's actions. Marina seemed to be overwhelmed by all of this, or at least try not to stir up more flames onto the pot. Rei herself was swallowed up by the masses's voice whilst Masuki...
Well I could never figure out what's going in that one's mind anyway.
So I thought again.
What is the most optimal solution here?
The clear is simple.
To divert a lost group is to give a common goal.
Even if it requires oneself to be a target.
"Man...You'd think the Music Department is more competent like this."
My voice slightly raised, Sayo turned her eyes on me.
"I'd like to agree but we're not here to start making enemies."
"I mean what good is there to worry when they're just gonna burn themselves off before doing anything..."
"Hikki?"
Masuki seemed to have overheard my statement as eyed her, shrugging.
"No offense Satou-san but when you said there's people similar to you and whatnot, all I see is just a bunch of headless chickens dawdling."
"What the hell?"
Another person called me out as I eyed them dead in the eyes.
"You'd think I'd be fine getting scolded on for my words, but coming from people who can't even arrange to do something they like..."
I shrugged at them.
"I see no value in taking their words into account."
Sayo's eyes widened slightly in surprise to Hachiman's words which have now gained attention of the group. He stood up and coughed, not backing down either.
"I'm not here to mock anyone, I just present the reality of the situation," He started out more calmly this time and eyed Rei. "It's nice to have someone who has actual experience in the Industry but this isn't one of those cases. I don't think we're seeing the bigger picture here."
He walked towards the board and circled the 'PERFORMANCE' title by Sayo.
"You guys can make this happen."
And then circled the 'BUDGET' title.
"We can make this happen."
And then gave the marker to Sayo who blinked in surprise again.
"And it isn't about skill at all. Let's just lend an ear to someone who actually has something to offer to the plate yeah?"
He turned around and eyed everyone.
"Because we'd just be wasting time if we're here talking about how good the event is going to be despite making no progress whatsoever in this meeting."
Hachiman's words were crystal clear. He'd be appalled at the thought of taking an initiative for a meeting, but for the sake of his dreams, and his job too, it was a small price to pay. He sat back down as Sayo wasted no time to write some stuff on the board. Still, it didn't stop him earning some attention and not in the good light either, but what pained the others the most was...
He was right.
Marina could only look at Hachiman's back in surprise for his initiativeness, something he'd never shown yet at work. Perhaps like Sayo, he too was capable of doing work like this. She leaned onto Hachiman a bit and whispered quietly as Sayo began to lead the discussion regarding the event.
"Hey uh...was that okay? I mean for you that is..."
"It's fine," He replied nonchalantly and waved Marina's worries off. "I'm used to such attention, besides if it reached the end of goals, then it's nothing short of mere progress."
"Doesn't it bother you that you'd need to do it that way at all?"
"...I wouldn't say it bothers me but again," Hachiman answered and eyed the crowd, under Sayo's lead at the meeting, things were starting to actually progress. "People are like sheep, they tend to follow whatevers leading them. If I had to place someone else competent in charge, all this will eventually fall into place. While I believe Hikawa-san wouldn't be absoloutely in charge knowing how things are, setting up a foundation is more then enough to get things going."
Because without effort, nothing of value will come into ones hand.
Without hard work, nothing will be achieved. He had most definitely learned that the hard way.
But even so, was it ever cruel to impose it to someone? Perhaps it is, but until words has been spoken about it, it should be fine for now. Even with some of the stares he recieved, Hachiman wasn't bothered in the slightest, in fact this entire exchange only reminded him of his goals even better.
"That was a smooth guidance if anything."
"Call it what you want, it made progress didn't it? If it the means achieved the ends, any method is acceptable."
"I can't argue with that."
I turned my gaze to the board where many ideas were finally listed down and everyone slowly founded their own duties to do. Sooner enough I'd be doing something but for the time being, us CiRCLE employees was sitting at the sidelines not counting Marina, she was sorting out funds with another person.
"So what can we expect to play on later?"
"That question is reserved for Tsukishima-san."
"Well not really!"
Marina popped in between us. How did she...?
"Instant Transmition!"
She struck a pose like Goku scratched her head soon after, laughing a bit.
"Well never mind that, I've just finished working out performing schedules and budgeting with one of them over there. We should have some sort of slot right around the middle or close to the end..."
"It's better then going first or dead last, that'd certainly be troublesome."
"How so?"
"Well it's simple really," I said and pointed at the other people around the room. "We have those other performers that'd certainly do something better. If we'd be right at the beginning or the end and give out mediocre performance, it'd only be a mood kill for the entire thing. If we're somewhere in the middle, our performance would certainly be overwritten by the ones that comes after."
"What'd make you think we'd be doing something mediocre?" Sayo raised her question.
"I mean I'm rusty, we don't know how far you can go and Tsukishima-san here herself said she hasn't played in a while."
"But that doesn't entail everything," Sayo's voice challenged me. "In fact, we've yet to see you play at all."
"I-"
Hachiman choked on his words.
Sayo was right after all, he'd been pessimistic of the entire ordeal that he'd failed to see how his words would come into play in these kind of situations. It wasn't something he can shrug off considering playing was a must for his job and dream.
Still, was it that he was subconsiously doing it in an effort to delay the inevitable? Or was it a way to cope with the situation? It didn't help Marina added her words into the conversation.
"Now that I think about it, I still have a vague idea about what you meant by you being 'rusty' Hikigaya-kun..."
"Hikki can play?!"
And then the third party came in.
Masuki popped in like a casual manner and eyed the man in question, his expression wasn't all too amused.
"Somewha-"
"That's cool!" She cuts him off like thunder and yanked him by his shirt. "We can totally see you practice a bit!"
"H-Hey stop dragging me damn it!"
It was a spectacular sight to see Hachiman being dragged by Masuki in front of people, the former could only end up giving into his fate. The latter in question finally popped Hachiman in front of some instruments laid out by the side.
"So what'cha gonna use?"
"I have no idea..." Hachiman replied, fixing up his shirt after being dragged off. He had answered in honesty and eyed the instrument in front of him. He'd sure as hell wouldn't play in front of these crowd for the time being but if it's around his co-workers, he wouldn't mind consdering they'd practice sooner or later.
"Well what're you feelin' then?"
"Maybe I'd pick a Ukulele and play twinkle twinkle little stars or something..."
"Hikki..."
"Fine, a violin then..."
"Oho! A classic-"
"And then some twinkle twinkl-"
"Is that all you know?!"
"Don't blame me for making that the only thing I bother to master!"
It wasn't that he doesn't know any other song, he definitely does but he had never exactly performed it in front of anyone anyway.
"Just leave me for the time being, I'll think of something up."
"Well don't just stay here all day, meeting ends at evening."
And wait he did.
Being the genius he self proclaims himself to be, using Stealth Hikki to stand in front of the intrsuments without doing anything else certainly passed the time, with everyone soon enough leaving the room with the meeting postponed to continue tomorrow.
Piece of cake, or so he thought.
As soon as he turned around, he met the ever straight face of Sayo, who in fact, looked more impressed instead of disappointed for whatever reason.
"What?"
"Must say, haven't seen anyone who managed to erase their existence completely for hours until everyone left."
"Hikigaya-kun that's just sad!"
Sayo and Marina's comment certainly peirced his non existent dignity but he shrugged it off.
"I can proudly say it's a skill I've mastered since Middle School."
"Well that's fine," Sayo brushed off his statement and sat down nearby. "Well now that everyones off, I'm sure you'd be more then comfortable to play."
"Yeah yeah I'm on it Senpai."
He emphasized the end of his words which prompt a chibi looking Marina pop out a large question mark off her head.
"What?"
"It's simple really, Hikigaya-san here has the cold feet in front of crowds," Sayo explained nonchalantly as she eyed him slowly picking up a guitar and bass, testing their cords a bit. "It'd make sense to wait for the meeting to end and then wait."
"How'd you know this?"
"It would be pretty obvious for someone as him to claim he can plays but refuses to do so in front of crowds," Sayo said followed by a frown. "I refuse to accept these kind words from someone who have yet to prove they have the capacity to do so."
She furrowed her eyebrows more.
"Only geniuses has the right to do so."
The brief annoyance and frustration on her brows and eyes was a very rare sight for someone such as Hikawa Sayo, but for Marina, it wasn't the first time. Perhaps both her employees harbour something deep for what they're doing now but choose to bury it atop over something.
If that is true, where did the passion came from? Was it escapism? Or was it simply their strong resolution? In that light, she can say...
The two were somewhat similar.
But of course, they'd sooner die than admit that.
"I'm drawing a blank here."
Hachiman called out in honesty, carrying a guitar but his body language gave out the implication he genuinely don't know what to play. The three CiRCLE employees opted a thinking face only to be halted when Masuki once more inserted herself into the group.
"Well you don't need to worry about that Hikki!"
"Wait Masuki!"
Rei appeared behind in a distance, apparently she seemed out of breath and running towards Masuki who pulled something out from her jacket. A dramatic slow motion moment occured as the three CiRCLE employees raised their eyebrows. Rei was too little too late to reach Masuki who pulled out some sort of music sheet written with crayons and horrible hand writing.
Sayo raised her eyebrow in confusion.
Marina tilted her head in confusion.
Hachiman widened his eyes in pure shock.
"What the-"
"Damn it!"
Rei cursed herself as Masuki presented an all too familiar music sheet to Hachiman who only took it with a flabergasted expression, followed by a frown.
"How did-"
"I heard your cat in the room making noises and inspected it, some sort of box popped out and this here music sheet was there. I assumed it was yours cause...ya' know, it being your room and everythin'."
The world spun around Hachiman at that moment. What was he to do? What could he do? It didn't help that Sayo took the music sheet from him and eyed it with a raised eyebrow. All those gazes he remembered from childhood came crashing down onto him, all those confusion and nauseating sensation,
It was simply too much for him.
At least, back then.
"What is this?" Sayo asked only for Hachiman to snatch back the papers from her hands as he coughed a bit.
"It's something I made when I was a kid."
"Made?"
"Made!"
Hachiman replied without looking back as he walked onto the stage with the guitar in hand. Was it now? Was it truly the time to face the music at this moment? It was the defining moment he'd soon enough face, yet he didn't expect it'd be this soon.
Even so, for his goals, it's something he must do.
To walk through the valley of this once more, to face the incoming hardships, it was something he'd need to ready himself for. The time was now, as he eyed his...
"Man..." He commented and frowned to himself. "This writing is shit."
"I dunno, it seems fine to me."
Masuki commented next to him with Rei suddenly appeared to her side and smashed her head down, wasting the residential blonde onto the ground.
"I apologize on her behalf."
"It's nothing."
Hachiman's words came out more genuine then Rei expected it to be as he huffed.
"It ain't the first time anyway."
Sayo sweat dropped at the statement. Just what did he went through before with these two?
"Well if we're over this ordeal," Masuki commented from her position. "We can help out a little..."
"What?" Hachiman replied in confusion as Masuki jabbed her thumb at Rei.
"This one here deciphered the codings pretty well, even made a proper sheet."
"My writings is bad but if you worded it like that, it just hurts you know?!"
Hachiman may have retorted, but he was genuinely surprised at the words nevertheless. Rei scratched her head in response and fished out a music sheet from her bag.
"It was...too good to left it at is. I've been meaning to find a way to ask you about it. I'm sorry if this seems out of bounds..."
"Hikki doesn't mind-"
Masuki's words was cut short with another fist to her head from Rei prompting another sweat drop from everyone. Hachiman eyed the music sheet and as he suspected, he was not disappointed at the transiton Rei did from his...codes as Masuki explained.
"You really are something." Hachiman spoke genuine words and hoisted the guitar over his shoulder.
It was at this cross road in life, in that very moment he decided...
The time was now.
The other two didn't say another word but instead got into their position, Rei standing behind Hachiman with her Bass and Masuki behind her drums. Sayo sat before the three with Marina as Hachiman scratched his head and turned on the mic, almost empty crowd before him.
"Right..." He started out, his voice echoing around the room but nevertheless, it still sounded nervous. But alas, he had no time for it.
It was a leap of faith.
With that in mind, he prepared himself.
"Prepare for a shitty performance!"
""Why is that your opening?!""
To Be Continued
We are the stage where Hachiman finally face off his devils. Though his personal qualms isn't yet resolved, this was just the opening act of what I have in store for this story!
It just shows no matter how much you're preparing yourself, life will always throw you an unexpected object.
In Hikki's case, a Masuki.
Until then, the next chapter will finally have Hikki perform a song he once made. How will it be, well read on. Until next time everyone and have a good year ahead of you!