.
.
.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Misaki Fujima."
She introduced herself with a smile. Her business card showed that she is "Eternal Blue joint stock company — chairwoman."
"Please to meet you. I'm Arashi Uzumaki."
We agreed for me to use a fake name.
"So — I think you basically understand right?"
"Yes, You wanted Naruko to be your exclusive model?"
"Yes. If possible, we intended to take Naruko to our headquarters in Europe. As long as she wishes it, we will take care of everything else."
She casually talked about something incredible. Clearly someone who's used to giving others orders. She reminded me of Kuroi-san. Of course, she was much more calm and mature.
"So what?"
"Uzumaki-san, please break up with Naruko."
"What?"
"Just name your price. We will give you as much as you want."
"No no no wait wait wait! This is not the problem here!" What the heck was she talking about!
Misaki-san blinked, puzzled, "Hm? Aren't we meeting today because of that?"
"Please wait a moment. No matter how I look, you proceed too fast."
"I don't think so, but that's fine."
With gentle eyes, Misaki-san looked at Naruko.
"Naruko, looks like your boyfriend had trouble understanding, so allow me to make it clear."
"Uh… um" Naruko's hands clenched into a fist.
"There is no need to worry," Misaki-san smiled again. "Actually, when I asked Naruko to be our model, she said that because she had a boyfriend she didn't want to go abroad."
The first day of July, in a café shop nearby. I met Misaki Fujima together with Naruko.
Naruko's request was for me to become her boyfriend so she could deny Misaki's offer.
Somehow, I got the feeling that Naruko really wanted to accept this offer. For a girl to become an exclusive model of a big company, this should be a good thing. But… Naruko herself said she didn't want it… of course. As Cia said, this is where Naruko belongs.
To be honest, to reject the offer was not hard at all. Even if Naruko hoped for it, making it into reality was not easy. After all — well, this girl just returned from America too. 'I wanted to become a professional model, so I plan to go abroad again' — there is no way my father would accept that reason. He will not let his precios daughter slip away again. So she must have asked for my help in order to solve it once and for Misaki-san was someone with a tough personality, she wouldn't give up without a fight. Worse case, she might involve Dad, and Naruko might not even continue her modeling job.
So, backed into a corner, Naruko got an idea — 'I had a boyfriend. I wanted to treasure our time together. So I don't want to go abroad!" That is what she said. As usual, when faced with unexpected hardship, my sister would do something stupid. But since I didn't hear everything myself, so I wasn't sure about the exact words. 'Pretend to be my boyfriend and convince this woman for me!' That was probably it.
At first, somehow I didn't want to do it. But I'm probably the only guy that she could ask. I won't reject her. Well, I'm a siscon anyway. I don't want my sister to go abroad, I don't want her to be unable to do something she likes. That's why I accepted her request.
"And for that, please break up with Naruko."
"I refuse." Fearlessly, I replied.
"How about for 500 000 yen?"
"Really?"
My body moved on instinct. With that much money… I could buy a Gibson Thunderbird IV!
"Ugh…" From a corner which Misaki-san couldn't see, an elbow hit my abdomen. Naruko was giving me a death glare, like she wanted to say 'are you having a change of heart' No no of course not. I'm just a little surprised.
I looked at Misaki-san again, firmly said, "Unfortunately, this is not a money problem — because I love Naruko!"
Ugh! Someone suddenly stepped on my foot. I endured and looked at Naruko, only to see her ears redden. After pulling my sleeve, Naruko whispered.
"Hey, it's so embarrassing."
"Idiot. How could I not say that out clearly?"
"But… you don't have to go that far."
Due to embarrassment, Naruko's eyes turned moist. Seeing our small conversation, Misaki-san smiled.
"What a wonderful couple."
Naruko immediately looked away. I gave her my brightest smile.
"Our relationship is very good, isn't it!"
I wanted to vomit! But I need to deceive her, so this can't be helped. I held out my arms, took Naruko's shoulder and pulled her closer.
"Wah."
Due to shock, Naruko's body became stiff.
"Gross! What do you want to do?"
"I'm hurt! How could you say your boyfriend is gross!"
Enduring her elbow again, I whispered back
"(Whisper) Keep acting! Look, Misaki-san has started to doubt us!"
"(Whisper) I know. But you pulled me too hard!"
"(Whisper) This is just your imagination, endure it!"
During our small conversation, Misaki-san seemed interested in looking at us.
"So?"
"Nothing!"
Both of us responded at once.
Misaki-san stayed silent for a while then said, "I understand."
"Huh?"
"In other words — I understand that Naruko has a boyfriend."
"So…"
Naruko seemed relaxed. But Misaki-san continued.
"Yes. But this doesn't mean I'll give up. Maybe you guys will break up in the future?"
"No! That will not happen! Never!" Naruko strongly objected.
This was the crucial part, so of course she got worked up. However, Naruko's momentum was stopped by Misaki-san's flexible response.
"Let's talk about something else. Naruko, are you free tomorrow?"
"Ah? Is something wrong?"
"Tomorrow, I will have a fashion show. If you don't mind, how about you come take a look. If there are any clothes you like, you may take them as a present — how about it?" Misaki-san's eyes started flashing.
Suspicious. Could it be that she plans to take Naruko outside then somehow force her to accept? Maybe I'm thinking too much, but I couldn't shake off this feeling. Probably is… because I recognized her eyes… that was Kuroi-san's hunter eyes.
"Sorry, she isn't free tomorrow." Before Naruko gave her answer, I immediately rejected the offer.
"Why are you giving the answer?"
"We have a date tomorrow!"
"Wha…" Naruko's eyes widen in shock.
Idiot! Play along! I pulled her closer, blinked at her in very close range.
"Isn't that right, Naruko-chan."
"… Ah… ahahaha.."
Uhh… even I didn't think that I could become so gross.
(◕ω◕✿)
"Why the hell you so angry!"
After we return home, I was listening to my sister's lecture. Of course we said goodbye to Misaki-san beforehand.
"Shut up! Just now, what did you do? What do you mean by that?"
"What do you mean by that? Of course I was acting like you ordered."
"What's the meaning of your so-called best action? Holding your cute sister by her shoulder. Rubbing her body in public. Forcing her to play along! You meant that?"
"Stop! Don't use those evil words to describe it." You made it like we were in an eroge.
"Anyway, I pretended to be your boyfriend. That was your request, dammit!"
"I didn't request you to act like that! Agh! Enough! I still feel your hand touching my body…"
Naruko tried to wipe her body again, especially where we had touched earlier.
"I think you are overthinking it. We are brother and sister, there is no problem with a little physical contact, right?"
"Of course there is a problem!"
She returned to her angry mood again. What an impatient girl. I have no interest in my sister's body or anything. You're just overthinking it.
"Don't tell me… in the time I was away you had become a pervert?"
"Of course not!" I angrily replied.
Suddenly, Naruko's phone rang.
Beep beep beep beep beep beep beep.
"Hello?"
"Uhm… uhm… I see… thank you for letting me know… um… bye.."
Beep beep.
Naruko turned off her phone, her face paled.
"Is something wrong?"
"… This is all your fault."
"What!?"
"Just now, a friend of mine called me," breathing out, Naruko looked away. "Looks like Misaki-san plans to follow us tomorrow."
"What?" I couldn't hide my surprise.
"Follow us? Like a stalker? She is going to have a fashion show tomorrow, right? How could she abandon it to stalk us?"
"About that… looks like she's leaving it to her underling…"
"To stalk us? No matter how you look at this, this is abnormal. We shouldn't be that high on her priority list."
Blinking, Naruko looked away.
"I don't understand too! I just heard myself! How could I know what she's thinking!"
"Umm… okay…" Couldn't be helped then. I tiredly nodded.
Naruko returned to the topic, "Anyway, this means one thing: Misaki-san wants to confirm if we really are lovers, and how much of our relationship is true."
"… In this case… maybe it is a chance too"
"Why?"
"Because we know that Misaki-san is going to stalk us, but Misaki-san doesn't know that we know. If we let her see us in a good relationship…"
"I see. She will give up on her own. It's not like we could just quit now, let's make it to the end."
The next day. Wearing new clothes, I looked at the sky. There were no clouds. The sun shone so bright. It made me feel so comfortable.
I was currently at a station not very far from home, everywhere I looked, there were monorails. Many people rushed past me. Some looked at their clock or phone. I glared at mine too. A little past 9:30.
"… You are early."
Suddenly, I heard the voice I had been waiting for.
"Sorry to make you wait…" I looked up at the girl who was smiling in embarrassment… my girlfriend.
"What do you think?"
"It's good. Let's just go."
"Mmm" Naruko happily nodded and took my hand. Her hand was so soft.
"You look nice in those clothes."
"Really? Thank you." Naruko smiled softly.
"You look nice today too."
"Thanks."
We started walking away from the station while still talking. Soon, we reached a square.
"Umm… Bro."
"Hm?"
"Today… can call you 'Ruto'."
"Why? Didn't you hate that name because only Weiss called me with that name?"
"W-What are you talking about, I didn't hate it… b-beside I feel like I'm your lover when I called you with that."
She looked very embarrassed. Her ear was all red. Even I felt my face heat up.
"Sure, go ahead."
I forced my head to look in another direction. From an outsider point of view, we were really a couple. Because both I and Naruko had no idea where Misaki-san could be hiding now, we ended up walking hand in hand. We were on the main street leading to Chiba's central station. Because it was not ten o'clock, not many stores were open.
"What nice weather. How about we go visit a botanical garden?"
"No way! Have you given it any thought at all!"
Actually, I did think carefully about it.
"Some of my friends said that place isn't too bad."
"Rejected." No mercy.
"So, where do you want to go?"
"Wherever Ruto wants is fine."
That was what I was afraid of. If this was Karin, then she meant exactly it. But for Naruko, this didn't mean 'go to somewhere you like' but 'guess somewhere I would like to go to'. Answering wrong was not an option. So I had to think carefully about it…
"Let's…"
If this was a game… I started channeling the main character…
"Let's go to the cinema first *smile*."
Crunch! Naruko stepped on my foot, pulled me closer and whispered, "You based that line on an eroge, didn't you!"
"Impossible… how could you know…"
"That was a game that I lent you! Do not use eroge knowledge during a real date!"
"Wait wait wait Naruko — That game box claimed to be a simulation eroge. Now you say I'm not allowed to use that at all?"
"Yes! Although that simulation game is amazing, but it couldn't hold a candle to true love!"
In other words, a date with Naruko was going to be very difficult. I couldn't use eroges for reference. If someone came closer and listened, they would realize that our conversation was very weird. But of course from an outsider point of view, we were just a happy couple who leaned closer to have a sweet conversation. In the end, we walked toward Chiba central station — to the cinema's direction.
"Naruko, what movie would you like to see?" We arrived at the cinema. There were a lot of movie posters around.
"Hmmm…" Naruko thought about it for a while, then…
"This one."
"La La Land? That Romance… movie, right?"
"Yup! This is common for a date right? Do you have any objections?"
"No, but I have another suggestion." I pointed at the next poster.
"What about this anime? First, take a look at this."
The film's title is Pretty Cure Dream Stars.
"But this is an anime for kids."
"Why, this is magical girl anime, right? Isn't this exactly what you like?"
"I like it very much… but it doesn't suit a date… beside, I like Madoka more."
I brought Naruko with me to the ticket station.
"Two ticket for Pretty Cure Dream Stars, please."
"Hey wait a second!"
"What?"
"I want to watch La La Land."
"Be quiet, will you."
Naruko pouted. Of course, choosing an anime while being stalked wasn't the best idea. But I had to choose it. How could I go see a love romance with my sister! I had to avoid it at any cost!
Two hours later.
"Ah ~~ Wonderful! I feel so ~~ good!"
We left the cinema together. Thanks to the anime, Naruko was able to relieve her stress. Like a little child, Naruko waved her hands and told me in an exaggerated manner.
"Did you see it! All of those magical girls were so cute! I never had that feeling before. Is that moe? I thought a moe anime for kids probably didn't exist, but I was wrong! Such a wonderful anime! Now that I think about it, the female protagonist's voice actress is the same one who did Kyoko Sakura! Ahh, to notice such a small thing, I'm so amazed of myself!"
"Gross." I replied with her catch-phrase. At the same time, I pulled myself closer. This girl… she completely forgot about the world and escaped into the imagination.
"Hey! Did you listen to me at all?"
"Of course. Now be quiet, will you?"
"Hmm?"
"Don't you remember that we were being stalked?"
Now she remembered.
"Y-Yeah."
Rubbing the back of my head, I said, " Well, the truth is I haven't seen Misaki-san anywhere. How about you?"
"I noticed someone earlier, but there is no way to make sure."
So there is someone? Dammit!
"I know that you are happy, but try to keep it in check for now. Can you?"
"I know… but it was such a good anime."
"Really?" I sighed. This wasn't in my expectation, but…
"Look like choosing it was the right choice."
Looking at how happy Naruko is, I felt happy as well.
"I'm kind of hungry, let's grab something to eat."
"No fast food or family restaurants, remember!"
"Yeah yeah."
I remembered the same thing happened before at Christmas. What an expensive girl.
"So you should come and pick yourself."
"What? Isn't it normal for the boy to choose and the girl to follow?"
What a troublesome girl. I massaged my temple, and said, "Someone is stalking us now. My choice in the cinema was already not very suitable, so you have to make a choice this time."
"Ah… you are right. I will choose this time. But you'd better pay attention and take this as a lesson for the next time."
Next time?
"Okay, let's go this way."
"Cake shop? Oh well, not bad…"
Naruko chose a very quiet cake shop. They played classical music inside, so it was quite comfortable. We took a small table near the window. Because of that, our bodies were very close to each other.
"Not bad isn't it? Sometimes I come here with Ayase."
"Yeah… not bad at all."
I took a look around. As expected of a good shop, everywhere was the smell of tea and cake. Almost all of the customers were girl, only one couple. But he was acting the same as me, looking around nervously before giving me a wry smile. I returned with an awkward smile.
In front of me, Naruko said, "Don't look around. There is someone right behind you looking straight at us"
"Really?"
"Yes… I think…"
Looks like we were still under surveillance. So they planned to follow us till the end?
"So is there anything good here?"
In order to let Naruko see, I opened the menu wide. In the first page was a couple's cake, next to it was a couple's drink.
"Let's forget about this one, shall we?"
"Of course"
Naruko showed a troubled expression.
"Just… Misaki-san probably sees it too…"
"Wait wait! There is no need to go that far! Even if I really go to this place with my girlfriend, I will not do anything to embarrass them."
"Yeah… you are right…" Naruko looked down in embarrassment.
She's always like that. If she decides to do something, she will give it everything she's got. Even if it was 'pretend'. To hide her embarrassment, Naruko moved to the second page.
"What… should I choose.."
Suddenly…
"Ah, if it isn't Naruko?" It was said in a cocky loli voice.
Both I and Naruko turned aside, our eyes widened.
"Ku…Kuuko!"
"The one and only!"
Shit! We were too focused on finding an unknown stalker that we completely failed to notice an acquaintance. Dammit! This girl once saw me at my home. If this continued, I will be exposed as Naruko's brother.
"What is that? A date? Ah…so you got a boyfriend, Naruko?"
This idiot didn't remember me! You almost gave me a heart attack! Well, now that I think about it, she didn't notice me when I took on that manager role. She clearly could remember the script after reading it once… so that means she never intended to remember me at all.
"Ah… yeah… kind of… ah… but please keep it a secret from everyone." Naruko showed a nervous smile.
Couldn't be helped, whatever we said probably wouldn't be any much use. This was your carelessness Nauko. Since you sometimes went here with your friends, to meet one of them here is entirely possible. Thank god that wasn't Ayase. If this was Ayase, it would be a disaster.
"Say, why are you here Kuuko? You said that you wanted to go buy something before."
"Yeah…" Kuuko lazily answered.
"So? How is your shopping going?"
With sloopy eyes, Kuuko pointed in a direction. It seemed that Kuuko originally came to this table to get some napkins.
"Kuu-chan ~~~"
"I told you not to call me Kuu-chan anymore."
"Ah, but… who is this?"
"Classmate. Come and say hi."
"Ah, right"
Due to Kuuko's request, this girl nervously placed her hand on her chest. That's right. She was…
"Ah! Rem-chan."
This was one of our acquaintances too. Rem Lugnica. This blue hair girl in pure white clothes followed Kuuko — they didn't look like they were friends at all. As a fan of Rem, Naruko was excited.
"Please to meet you…"
"Please to meet you! Oh, oh, wow! I can't believe I could meet you here!"
Naruko's voice was getting louder and louder. She was completely in excitement mode.
"About it…how could you know me?"
"Ah! eh… eh…"
Of course you couldn't say 'I saw you at the Madoka's cosplay contest and become a fan of you'.
Naruko made up an excuse, "I …I saw your picture at Ayase's place. Rem-chan is Ayase's friend right? Since that time, I already think that you are so cute…"
"Ah… I see."
Rem probably accepted this reason. I was worried about Kuuko's reaction, but turns out she was focusing on eating her cake, and didn't pay any attention to our conversation. Besides… even Rem didn't notice me. What a naïve girl, she didn't realize I was the manager from that time.
"I'm Naruko Namikaze."
"Ah… I'm Rem Lugnica."
After a brief introduction, Naruko asked her red haired friend, "Kuuko, how did you meet Rem-chan? Where did you meet her! Tell me!"
"I met her at the bus station just now. She decided to tag along despite my protest."
It was probably true. A month ago, after some events, Rem was clinging to Kuuko as much as possible.
"Whatever. Let's eat, Naruko~"
Without waiting for our reply, Kuuko brought her table and chair to our table. Then she talked to me in a fake sweet tone.
"Naruko's handsome boyfriend-san, please take care of the bill for us."
Kuuko tossed me her bill as if the most natural thing in the world.
"Ah… wait… Kuu-chan…that wasn't nice…"
"Whatever. Come here, let's eat a lot."
After unsuccessfully convincing Kuuko, Rem sat down in front of her. You two… because we were pretending to have a date it was fine, but if it was real then you two were in the way. Right Naruko?
"Sit here together…" What a stiff smile.
True, Kuuko was unlikeable, but what kind of expression was that? And the result — Kuuko and Rem joined in. They sat together while we were on the opposite side.
With happy expressions (thanks to the cake I paid for) Rem told Kuuko, "Kuu-chan, how about we go to Animate studio later?"
"Huh? Why must I go to that place with you?"
Kuuko clearly didn't want to go. But Rem didn't give up.
"But… but there is a Madoka-related job here. So…I wanted to demonstrate to Kuu-chan."
"So what? All I need to do is follow the script right — I don't need a kid to look after me."
"Ahhhh… how could you…" Rem started to weep.
"You are so hopeless…"
"Kuuko! How could you make Rem-chan cry!?"
"Wah!"
"Wait a second, what are you doing Naruko?"
Naruko suddenly shouted. Both Rem and Kuuko nervously retreated back.
"Na… Naruko… this is your first time meeting her right?"
"Yes. It's true."
"So… why are you that angry?"
"Ah… because…" Naruko couldn't answer.
Because I saw Rem-chan at the Madoka cosplay contest. By the way, your Kyoko cosplay costume gave me a nosebleed. Ah, I also bought the DVD recording of the contest! Of course you couldn't say that out loud.
"Anyway, I'm a fan of Rem, so don't bully her."
"Yeah, yeah I know." Blocking her ears, Kuuko replied.
"Kuuko, do you want me to tell Ayase?"
"N-No… I won't do it again…" Kuuko paled immediately.
Although Naruko was angry, honestly Kuuko wasn't really bullying Rem. I was more aware of their relationship than my sister. Then in a sweet voice, Naruko said to Rem (who she thought was bullied by Kuuko)
"Rem-chan, do you want to go to Animate studio with onee-chan?"
"I got Kuu-chan to go with me, thank you."
So hopeless.
"I-I see… maybe next time…"
Poor Naruko was already on the verge of crying. This was the first time I've seen her defeated so easily. To Rem, going with Kuuko was much better than going with 'the strange onee-chan who doesn't seem to know Madoka very well'.
"Naruko, don't you always say those things are gross? Don't force yourself."
"R-Right… ahahaha."
While Naruko was forcing herself to laugh…
"Madoka is not gross!" Rem countered.
Faced with her blazing eyes, Naruko could only respond with "Yes, I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" Poor girl… you wanted to say "I also love Madoka too" didn't you?
After they finished eating, Rem shyly asked me and Naruko, "You two… are lovers right?"
Both of us immediately pulled ourselves together.
"Yes, that's right. We are lovers" I replied while trying to pay attention to 'the one behind me'. Damn… so embarrassing.
"In that case… there is something I want to ask…" Rem looked up, blushing.
"Wh… what is that?" With a stiff expression, Naruko replied.
"So… you two love each other, right?"
"Ah… what?"
"Ah…"
What a brat! What kind of question was that?
"Why do you ask?"
"Ah… a lover… I long for one …."
"I see… but Rem-chan was welcomed by many guys too, right?"
In response to Naruko's comment, Rem smiled in embarrassment.
"Although I have received a few confessions, but… I don't quite understand…" Rem looked down again, blushing madly.
"Damn, this girl is so cute…" Naruko started drooling in excitement.
Looking at Naruko, Rem asked, "So… I wanted to ask onee-chan… something about love… can I?"
"Go ahead!"
Next to her, Kuuko mumbled, "Couldn't you ask me about them instead?"
"But Kuu-chan only taught me about how to act if I was approached…"
"Yeah yeah. By the way, I'm interested too…" Kuuko looked at me as if I was just a piece of dirt.
"What do you see in him Naruko? He look like a thug in the street. A brute looking guy like him doesn't suits you at all Naruko?"
Since when was it was your problem! Mind your own business! Dammit… in response to that question… Naruko might go berserk and start badmouthing me, forget about our stalker. I was thinking that, but…
"That's not true. He is a very gentle person." Naruko calmly replied. She secretly looked at me, whispering. "And… he is very trustworthy…"
I looked at her in surprise. Our eyes locked onto each other…
"What…"
What… the? She really thinks so? But as usual, Naruko gave me an elbow, and added, "Don't get full of yourself. It was just an act."
"And… he seems to like my appearance…"
What an outstanding acting skill.
"About that… I like it."
"Wow ~~~"
Because Naruko looked at me with her sky-blue eyes, as if she was awaiting my response.
"What about you?"
"Huh?"
"What do you like about your girlfriend?"
"I have to answer too?"
"Of course you do! Do you intend to let me do all the talking?" Blushing, Naruko looked straight at me.
Looked like she didn't want to be embarrassed alone and wanted me to share my part. What did I like about Naruko… not an easy question. Ah right, I just have to name her good points — yes, it could work.
I peaked at Naruko… "Her face?"
"Huh?" Naruko scowled.
I understood her feelings, saying that much was nowhere enough.
"Okay. Then… I like Naruko because her passionate. Whatever she's trying to do, Naruko always gave it her all. As long as she like it, as long as Naruko want to do it, Naruko will do it with all of her heart. I like this side of her."
"Wha…" Naruko trembled. I placed my hand on her head.
"Although you sometimes meet failure, but I think it is something to be proud of."
"What… are you saying… don't look down on me…"
"I'm very grateful. Because of you — My life is more lively this way."
This was my true feelings. I got new friends thanks to Naruko. I changed so much thanks to Naruko. And our current relationship. All of this was thanks to Naruko.
"I see." Naruko said in a small voice.
"I got it… get your hand off…" She kept her head low… she was probably thinking, 'Disgusting… but I can't show my anger now'.
Oh well, of course I would never repeat those embarrassing words again. I was just taking advantage of this rare chance.
On the other hand, Rem looked at us with passionate eyes, "Wow… Amazing… I'm so jealous…"
As for Kuuko… her gaze was ice cold…
"But… somehow…I don't feel like you two are lovers…."
After that, Kuuko and Rem said goodbye, and we continued our way. Although…
(◕ω◕✿)
"… Hey."
"… (quick and hasty footsteps)"
"… Hey wait Naruko."
"… (quick and hasty footsteps)"
Right after we separated from Kuuko, Naruko suddenly lost all interest and hastily got away from me. Although I called for her, she didn't respond. What a troublesome girl… at least give me a reason. In some ways, it was truly a 'If my girlfriend is Naruko' scenario as I imagined.
As I thought, becoming her boyfriend has brought me nothing but troubles.
"Shut up! What are you yelling for!?" Naruko suddenly stopped and turned around, her face full of anger.
"Why, you ask? Did you forget we are being stalked?"
"Tch…" Naruko looked aside, whispered, "… Next."
"Huh?"
"Next… to where?" Her voice was so scary.
Still the same, I couldn't understand girls' feelings at all. Anyway, I need to keep up with this acting for Naruko's sake.
"Ah… next…"
In a date, first is go to the cinema, follow by a meal, then next should be shopping — Go to the shopping center now would take too much time, not to mention the unimaginable bill. And I had no interest in that place either. But we couldn't follow eroge and end up in a love hotel. So, I made a suggestion.
"How about going to the game center then?"
I had no idea if a game center counted as a suitable place for a date. But in my opinion, it wasn't a bad choice. We weren't actors or anything, so it was impossible from the beginning to act like a couple. So, my plan was trying to limit the flaws as much as possible. Many couples spend their time together in game centers.
"Game center huh?"
"Yes."
So we went to the game center. On the way there, Naruko didn't say anything nor latch onto my hand. It was the same as usual — There was a distance between us siblings.
"Hey, you don't need to walk hand in hand with me anymore?"
Right after I asked, Naruko shot me a cold glare before quickly going ahead. I could only sigh.
"What a troublesome relationship."
We were at our destination. After we passed the automatic door, many noises started to assault our ears. This place contained three floors and one basement. The first floor was full of crane games.
"Have you come here before?"
"Sometimes with Rias-san — sometimes with my classmates."
Okay good. Looked like girls like crane games too.
"Let's play a game."
"Why do I have to play that child's game with you?"
"Isn't it what lovers do?"
"You are right…"
No matter how I look, you don't seem to be interested in pretending to be my lover anymore. This was not a good sight, but Naruko — you need to endure it. If they discovered about us, then things would get really bad. And I didn't want you to go abroad again.
"Try to endure it, okay?"
"I know…" Naruko reluctantly agreed.
"Okay… wait a second!"
"Wha!" She raised her collar.
"What now?"
"I saw your brute friend over there! Let's go somewhere else…"
"C-Chiaki? Ah, you right. No choice then. Let's go to the other floors."
We moved to the second floor. This floor contained mostly fighting games. The nearest arcades were PvP based games (mahjong, card games, puzzles). Next were fighting games, finally was driving games.
"… Is our stalker still following us?" While we were on the move, I whispered.
"Probably."
"Where? I had a look around, but I didn't notice anyone."
"This… this meant you didn't look hard enough. Anyway, don't look around anymore, or else we will be noticed."
"… Sorry. So we can only passively be stalked?"
"Yes." Naruko slightly nodded.
If it was normal, she would already be fighting in a SISCALY arcade, but now we had no choice but to act 'we are a lovely couple' and 'we are enjoying each other'. With tired eyes, we looked at this thing in front of us. Namely, a photo sticker booth.
"Photo sticker booth… want to take a shot?"
"Yeah."
We moved inside. I let out a tired sigh. This was my first time inside a photo sticker booth. I could never imagine going in there with Naruko…
"So… how do I make this thing work?"
"Put some money in there."
Naruko sounded angry. I quickly followed her order.
"Next, select the frame."
"Let's choose…"
Beep beep. Before I could voice my choice…
"Why did you choose a heart-shaped frame?"
I went into a photo sticker booth with my little sister? If this gets out, I would never return to my normal life again.
"Tch… I have come this far… I must see it till the end…"
"Na…Naruko?"
Your… your eyes… was it wandering? Did you doubt yourselves? Naruko wrote our names down and tried to cheer up.
"Come! Let's do it!"
"Hey"
Then Naruko latched onto my arm.
Flash!
We looked at the end picture… our expressions were clearly showing trouble. I went into a photo sticker booth with my little sister. And to use a heart-shape frame for a couple. There was no way I could forget this memory. We split the picture, each of us kept one copy.
"Let's go."
"Yeah."
Moving as if our life force was completely drained, we left the area. Then we met Kuroneko.
"Wah?"
Kuroneko saw us leave the photo sticker booth for couples.
Why was she here… ah well, games were her specialty after all. Dammit! I've had enough. How come I've met so many acquaintances today? And all of them met me at the worst possible times.
Clank ! Clank ! Clank ! Clank ! Clank ! Clank ! Clank !
Because of Kuroneko's trembling, her coins slipped out of her hand.
"Hey, your coins! You dropped your coins!"
"…?"
Although Naruko reminded her, I could almost see the question marks pop out of Kuroneko's head. She rubbed her eyes, then looked at us again.
"Couple… lover photo sticker booth…? You two…what are you two doing…?"
Pick up your coins first. Looked like she got quite a shock.
"Hey Naruko."
"Ah, right."
We helped Kuroneko pick up her coins.
"Here."
When we handed them back to Kuroneko.
"A-Ah…"
She just stood here, her mouth hung open, her eyes wide. Then her eyes darted from me to Naruko to the whole Namikaze sibling image…
"You …you two… since when have you two… started…"
"Wait… wait a second! What is on your mind right now is a very big misunderstanding!"
I was trying to clarify, but… Thud! Naruko's elbow hit my stomach again.
"What are you doing! We are being monitored."
"But, but!"
"We can always explain it to her later!"
"No, I mean…"
While I was having a quick (and secret) conversation with Naruko, Kuroneko seemed to have gotten a bigger misunderstanding. Her face immediately blushed madly.
"In any case… in such a public place… to show off… is not right…"
Wah! — Wait wait Kuroneko! Think about it Kuroneko! Between me and Naruko — How could we have such a relationship!
I wanted to catch Kuroneko's shoulders and explain everything, but the current situation prevented me from doing that. With I-wanted-to-cry eyes, I tried to convince her… ah dammit! What should we do now Naruko!
I turned back to my sister, "Hahaha." Was that a cold smile? Was she so embarrassed that she refused to show anymore weakness in front of Kuroneko? Yeah, probably that.
"What exactly happened…?"
"Oh my! Are you asking me what happened?"
Deliberately using this tone, Naruko looked at me and smiled.
"Tell her Ruto. What is our relationship now? Tell her."
Could you please restrain yourself from hinting about this forbidden relationship? What do you want me to say now? Of course there is no way I could explain! Was that your payback from when Kuroneko teased you?
"L-Let's talk about it later, okay?" That was the best I could pull off.
Naruko "Tch" then continued talking to Kuroneko in that disgusting tone, "Ah, that's because we are still on a date! So see you later, okay? Bye!"
"What!?" Kuroneko remained frozen in place. Her body still slightly trembled.
Naruko nodded in satisfaction and took my arm, and said, "Let's go, Ruto. "
"W-Wait…"
After we're part with Kuroneko. We went home and ate dinner before resting in the living room. Naruko sat down in the sofa in front of me talking with her cell phone.
"Yes… yes… that's right."
Probably a talk with Misaki-san. Naruko hung up.
"I don't need to go to europe anymore. Misaki-san said she gave up — for now, at least."
"So…it is over?"
"Yeah… Misaki-san said…"
Naruko secretly glanced at me.
"You should cherish your lovely girlfriend more."
"Hm, I felt like this is over too easily."
My previous experiences with Naruko tells me that some serious problems should occur sooner or later, maybe even right now. I didn't have any confidence in my acting skills, plus our quarrel in the game center — all of this should blow our cover. And I didn't even see our stalker once…that's why I got a bad feeling, as if we had completely failed.
"Disappointed? So you want me to go abroad again?" Naruko seriously looked at me.
I looked straight back, and replied, "I never said that. I was happy that things went smoothly."
"I see. Good." She looked away again. Then Naruko muttered, "Although, regarding our date today, I want to voice my opinions."
Naruko suddenly pulled herself up into the sofa.
"Go on."
"Although we passed but what was that? Totally unacceptable."
"What?" I showed my disagreement. "What did you want to say? Your brother accepted your request, and you're still not satisfied?"
"You still don't get it? Remember what you did today. First you took advantage of the situation and sexually harassed me, then when I voiced my complaints you used a line from eroge to respond — completely unacceptable."
So her boyfriend had to endure it every time they went on a date. I had enough! I started to feel angry too!
"Can you make more effort to make your girlfriend happier?"
"No, you're already happy enough. Like after we went to the cinema, you were full of energy."
"Don't be mistaken. This was because of the movie, not because of the date. That Anime was very good, but it wasn't because you."
"I'm the one who choose it."
"Even in that case, your response after that was bad. After I saw something so amazing, of course I wanted to discuss it. But you didn't even let me have a chance to say it, instead cut me off with 'Be quiet, will you!' I was hurt!"
You still think that?
"We were monitored, and yet you almost went out of control talking about it. Did you even think what would've happened if I didn't stop you in time?"
"Can you say it in a gentler manner!"
"I'm not your slave! Don't say it to your brother, say it to your boyfriend instead! You understand?"
"That…"
My angry voice made Naruko tremble slightly.
"Today… weren't you my boyfriend today?"
"Yes. 'Pretend to be my boyfriend', remember? Really, I agreed to help you, but all you did was complain." I looked aside, letting out my troubled heart and spoke, "Don't tell me to do that again."
Bang! Naruko threw something at my face.
"What the hell!"
"You idiot!"
Naruko stood up and stepped out.
"I really shouldn't have asked for your help!"
Still angry, she turned the knob, and told me in a calm tone.
"I have had enough! Next time, I will ask my real boyfriend to help!"
She left.
"… Real boyfriend?"
In my hand was the picture we took together at the sticker booth.
(◕ω◕✿)
A week later when we do our usual morning practice in our club room Kagurazaka Senpai suddenly said something surprising, which made me turn my head around in shock.
"I've borrowed a villa! A training camp in summer! We head off on the twenty-eighth of July, and it will be for three days and two nights. Since I've snatched the villa from a friend of mine, the accommodation will be totally free — moreover, the villa is located right next to the beach!"
And with that, Senpai took out a stack of A4-sized handouts from a pocket in the guitar case, which she had made unknown to all of us. The words 'Details for the Folk Music Club's summer camp' were written on it. I was rooted on the ground due how sudden everything was.
"Wow, awesome! Naruto, take a look, quickly!" Chiaki stepped over the drum set and passed me the top piece of handouts.
I absolutely could not comprehend why the handouts have to be printed in color, but the image of a white villa standing in solidarity in the evening next to the beach do look rather sassy.
"No, well… wait, this is the first time I'm hearing about the training camp. Did Senpai obtain permission from the teacher?"
"Nope! On the surface, it's just the four of us heading to the beach to play."
Is that fine… is that really alright?
"If we were to obtain permission from the school before we organize an official training camp, then the teacher-in-charge will have to follow along as well, right? If so, things will become much more troublesome and complicated. Hiratsuka Sensei is a beauty, and I do wish to see her in her swimsuit. However, recently, I am really not interested in people who are older than me."
"Eh? Ah, umm, what should I say, no wait!"
I slapped my hand onto the cymbals next to me without second thought. What the hell is this woman saying!
"Why did you decide the date by yourself?"
"No worries. Comrade Aihara's swimming lessons falls on the Mondays and Fridays, and I had deliberately avoided the dates for Weiss's checkups. Young man should not have any special plans for the summer holidays, right?"
"What did you say?"
"Do you have anything planned out?"
"No, I don't." Sorry for that. Then again, how did that person manage to find out our schedules for the summer holidays in such great details?
"Naruto, don't you want to participate? It's at the beach, you know? The beach!" Chiaki said that enthusiastically as she repeatedly stepped on the pedals of the bass drum.
I took another look at the photo of the villa. A training camp huh… there's no adults around us, and we will be in control of our own time from morning till night — we can hold practices, have impromptu performances, and even play with the fireworks at night. Looks pretty interesting… no wait, hold on a second!
"Look, Senpai. You said you've borrowed a villa, and that means there will only be the four of us there, right?"
"Yeah! No caretakers. No rental fees. Though in return, we will have to clean up the villa."
"And that means we'll have to take care of our own food as well?"
"But of course."
Even though deep within me, I already knew it would be pointless to ask, I still gave it a shot anyway.
"Senpai, do you know how to cook?"
"From what I know from Comrade Aihara, it seems like you are quite adept at cooking. I'll be looking forward to it."
Ah, whatever. I am the one who cooks the meals whenever Chiaki and I went for trip anyway. Though the portion has increased to four, the time and effort spent on cooking will be the same as before. Moreover, if we are at the beach, then even a simple bento will taste delicious over there.
Oh, are we gonna swim? Will they be wearing swimsuits? I've only seen Chiaki in the swimwear designated by the school. Senpai has a really good figure, so she may bring along something really flashy? As for Weiss, she doesn't even attend the swimming lessons at all… no wait, calm down, me! We are going there to practice, not to swim and suntan ourselves!
Then, I realized something Weiss hadn't said a single word. She was sitting on the desk and staring at the training camp handout while clutching at it tightly with her hands. The expressions on her face suggested that she's troubled by something. The guitar at her chest was about to slip down from her knees.
"Comrade Schnee? What's wrong? Are the dates inconvenient for you?"
Weiss shook her head in reply to Senpai's question.
"If it is inconvenient for you, do tell me about it."
"It's nothing. Let's continue our practice."
After murmuring that in response, she stuffed the handout into the pocket of her guitar case, then grabbed onto the neck of her guitar. So there's really something that's bothering her? Does she not want to go to the training camp at the beach? Kagurazaka Senpai did not press on any further either, and took out her own guitar as well.
The next day, Weiss reached the classroom slightly later than I did, and the expression on her face seemed slightly complicated. After stealing a glance at me, she sat down at her seat, and her gaze has been fixed on her table ever since. Chiaki, who managed to dash into the classroom before the preparatory bell rang, greet us.
"Good morning! Naruto, Weiss!"
Chiaki's seat is in front of me. Therefore, she gave both of us a tap on our shoulders when she walked past our desks.
"Hey, listen to me. I told my mother about the training camp yesterday. She said that since we don't need to pay for accommodations, I'll actually have to fork out the rest of the expenses from my own pocket money. Isn't she just terrible? Therefore Naruto, please select food that's cheap and delicious at the same time!"
"Ah, I haven't told my parent anything yet."
"I told my mother that Naruto will be coming along as well, and she agreed immediately. What about Weiss?"
Weiss's shoulders flinched when the conversation landed on her. She remained silent for a while, and kept staring at a corner of her desk. She then finally said the first sentence of that day.
"Papa says that I'm forbidden from staying overnight outside."
Chiaki and I exchanged looks for a moment. I then shifted my gaze to look at her side profile.
I see. Jacques gets excessively protective when it comes to things regarding his daughter. He probably couldn't bring himself to allow his precious daughter to spend the night outside? Weiss was probably crestfallen due to that. To be honest, I was slightly surprised, because Weiss seemed like she wasn't too keen about the training camp.
"Really? Wow, your father's really strict! What should we do then? We'll continue with just the three of us then?" Chiaki looked at me as she asked that.
"You can't!" The sudden outburst from Weiss caused not just Chiaki and I, but the entire class to jump in shock and turn our heads around.
Weiss stood up, and I didn't know if it was because she noticed my gaze, but her face flushed red in an instant. She then bit on her lips hard, and sat back down. I didn't know what I did to make her angry again, and I tried coming up with something to say. Just then, it was Sasuke and Isshiki turn to approach me.
"What's going on with this talk about a training camp? Naruto, you better explain this."
"That's right. You're under obligations to explain things properly Naruto."
"I'll never allow something that enviable, like how you club members are going to a training camp together, to happen."
Tch, this group of busybodies are coming over yet again. It seems like my classmates have been directing their attention to our conversation this whole time. Do you guys have a little too much time on your hands or something?
"Where are you guys going for your training camp?"
"The beach! And we're gonna stay at a villa that looks like the gingerbread house."
Chiaki answered before I could even stop her. At the same time, I could feel the atmosphere around me heating up in an instant.
"Beach? Did you say beach? The Folk Music Club's going to the beach together? You gotta be kidding!"
"W-Wait a second! Naruto, I'll join your club right now."
"I'll lend you my digital camera, so remember to take pictures of them in swimsuits!"
"Naruto, I beg you, please hire me as the errand boy for the club."
Just as I was about to chase away the group of excited boys who were inching closer and closer to my seat, the bell for class finally rang. And with that, our teacher stepped into the class.
(◕ω◕✿)
"That's quite a problem we have here."
It was a rare occasion where all four of us gathered immediately in the practice room right after class.
Kagurazaka Senpai crossed her arms and said, "Jacques should be flying off to Paris for a recording during the period of our training camp, so I thought things would just work out from there."
"How did you know?" The originally silent and grumpy Weiss suddenly lifted her head and asked.
"Well, I can get my hands on that sort of information if it concerns my beloved comrades. Let us just lock our sights on the period of time where Jacques is not in Japan, and plan our schedules according to that."
As expected from Senpai, her preparations beforehand were done incredibly well — though I don't quite feel that has anything to do with love as she had said. No, wait a second! Senpai, are you planning to go ahead with the training camp despite not obtaining Jacques's approval?
"There's no point in asking him. If he knows his daughter is staying overnight outside, that guy will definitely abandon his recording in a flash to get Weiss back."
I recalled the incident last year — that father had even cancelled a concert at the last minute. If he heard about how his daughter staying overnight outside, he will definitely just abandon all of his scheduled recordings.
"I'm fine… you three can go by yourselves."
"Didn't you just yelled 'You can't!' not too long ago?"
"T-T-That's because…" Weiss glared at me with her face flushed red. She then shook her head hard. What exactly does she want?
"There's no point for us to dump Comrade Schnee and go to the training camp by ourselves. We can only practice when the four of us are there together." Weiss lowered her head after hearing Senpai's words.
I suddenly thought of something: perhaps it has nothing to do with her father allowing her to participate the training camp or not, but instead, she herself might not be interested in joining us? Somehow it felt like that's what it seemed to be, judging from Weiss's expressionns ever since we talked about the training camp yesterday.
Chiaki clapped her hands together and said, "I know! Why don't we just hold the training camp at Weiss's house?"
Weiss shot an ice-cold glance in her direction, which was cold enough to freeze the cries of the cicadas. Kagurazaka Senpai said nothing, and instead patted Chiaki's head as she said, "there, there." She didn't actually tsukkomi her — so Senpai can actually be quite considerate sometimes.
"I guess we've no choice. I've miscalculated this time. I'll try to come up with something, even though we are quite tight on time."
A few days later. The first semester was about to end, so the onslaught of after-class remedial burned all my time, so much so that I didn't even have any time left to attend the club. After school, the setting sun looked like it was cooked. I walked back home wearily while being grilled by the rays of the burning sun. When I reached my house, I saw a large foreign-made car that was parked in the garage of our house. No wait — I remember seeing it somewhere before? I didn't have a good feeling about this, so I opened the door gently.
"I'm back…" I pulled open the door, and I was rendered speechless by the scene.
"So you're back, Naruto? Help me brew a cup of coffee, and add in extra brandy. Give this guy here a cup of plum-kelp tea. Oh right, Jac, why must you always choose Variations on a Theme by Joseph Haydn for all of your encores? I feel like sleeping once I hear that. Choose Academic Festival Overture for your next performance instead!"
Mom who was sitting crossed-legged on the sofa lazily. Opposite of her was Jacques, who had an irritated expression on his face. He was wearing a black-colored sweater and well-ironed suit pants. Even though his attire was slightly more casual.
"Sorry for disturbing," he greeted me, but I took a step back subconsciously.
"W-Welcome."
"Naruto, go make the coffee, quickly." Mom was urging me without even looking at me.
"Even if he is a guest performer, you can't just allow him to choose the pieces as he please. Or are you implying that since it is an encore, you can just play according to your personal preferences?"
"If you don't like it, you can always leave before the encore. It's the publisher that's paying for your concert tickets anyway. Isn't that right?"
"Whoa, Naruto-kun, you heard that? You heard that? This person here actually said something like that to his audience."
What does that have to do with me? I escaped into the kitchen without a second thought. I tried to grasp hold of the situation while waiting for the water to boil. Why is Jacques here at my house?
Just as I was taking two cups of coffee to them, their conversations was becoming even more heated.
"All you know is breaking up the music that you've listened to and savoring them in bits and pieces, so what's with those haughty words? What I emphasize is the coherence of the rhythm of the music! The pause in between the movements is not there for me to clear my throat!"
"Shut up, snobbish conductor! You've just copied Furtwängler for your take on the Symphony No. 4 in E minor of Brahms', didn't you? You can't just emphasize the ending and think that it will be great just like that. Naruto, that's how you feel as well after listening to that, right?"
Hey, stop dragging me into this already!
Just as I was about to escape from the living room, a voice from behind called me out.
"Ah, hold on a second. The reason I came here today is because I want to talk with you about something."
I froze for a full two seconds, before turning around slowly.
"Eh?" My voice went out of tune.
"Kushina, I'm sorry, but can you please leave us alone for a moment? I wish to speak to him in private."
"Hey, wait…" Mom was much more surprised than I was.
"Hold on, what do you want to discuss with Naruto? Ufufufufu… It can't be that you want to talk about Naruto and Weiss-chan marriage? if so you get my approval."
"Mom, just shut up and scram for now!"
"I get it already, so just move aside for a while, Kushina."
With two people giving her the cold-shoulder at the same time, Mom could only pick up her coffee-mug and stand up gloomily. She made her way to the kitchen while whistling E Lucevan le Stelle. I remember that there's a line in the song that goes something like 'I don't wanna die in despair!' or something like that… this woman, she always manages to make people feel uncomfortable.
To be honest though, despite how irritating Mom can be, I did hope that she wouldn't go away. I sat before Jacques, and it felt so awkward that I dared not even raise my head.
Jacques put down the mug and began to speak, "I came here because I wanted to speak with you, since I won't be staying in Japan for too long."
What does he have to talk to me about… something that concerns Weiss? I could think of nothing else.
Jacques suddenly spoke rather stiffly, "… My reason for being here is to talk about Weiss."
Ah Indeed.
"Umm… I'm really sorry about what happened back then."
"It's alright. It's all in the past already. Moreover, after that incident, Weiss has begun speaking with me occasionally."
I see… well, typically speaking, Weiss speaks only 'occasionally'. So if she talks to you, then that's really something occasional out of the 'occasionally'.
"By the way thanks for last time. I was really grateful for that."
"Eh? Huh? What are you thanking me for?" I don't remember doing anything that deserved his gratitude.
"You brought Weiss to the concert, didn't you? That was her first time ever. She followed you along, didn't she?"
"Ah. Umm, well…"
So that was what he meant. But that was because Weiss obtained the tickets on her own for some unknown reason. It was not me who brought her there.
"I kind of forced Asto to perform in the concert as well, but Weiss seemed pretty happy thanks to that… speaking of which, I've met Asto a few times after that."
"Eh? Ah, yeah."
"He too talks of you all the time. You are… a really unfathomable person."
Is that so?
"Weiss, till now, I do not have any idea about what my daughter is thinking. Still, she is now willing to go to the hospital to continue with her treatment, and she will no longer run away from home as she pleases, like she used to do."
"Isn't that something great?"
"But she will ignore me when I ask her if she still wants to play the piano."
Piano huh? It's something that Weiss had lost, and for now, she is still planning to not touch it again.
"If Weiss's illness can recover, then it is obvious that I hope she can return to the musical scene as a pianist again. Since the majority of the cause of such an illnesses is caused by something psychological, if she is willing to pick up the piano again, then perhaps she can make a complete recovery much faster. You do think the same as well, right?"
"Eh… ah… no…" I lifted my head in surprise. A sincere expression appeared on Jacques's stony face.
"Actually, I did tell her that I wish to hear her play the piano again." Ah, I said it. Jacques almost leaned right before me.
"Mmm, however, Weiss never-I mean Schnee never answered me at all. She said not a single word."
I nearly addressed Weiss directly by her first name while talking to Jacques. Jacques crossed his arms in front of his chest, and gave a sigh.
"Your situation is much better than mine already. She will lock herself in her room should I mention a word about it."
"I… see." So I guess the knot in her heart that was created over the years isn't something that can be undone that easily.
"I'm actually saying that with her good intentions in mind, but that girl just cannot understand."
I couldn't help but feel that the words said by all the parents in the world are all the same. There's nearly no parents that won't act with the well intentions of their children in mind, but despite that, they cannot successfully convey those words to their children.
"All that girl tells me, are… things about the band."
I was deep in thought, when Jacques's words suddenly jolted my head upwards.
"I asked her many things about school, like if she is getting along well with her classmates and etc. However, all that girl talks about are things about you."
I swallowed hard. Things about me? I really can't imagine the scene of Weiss talking to someone else about things that have to do with me.
"Well, it feels strange to be asking you this but… how is Weiss like when she is at school?"
"Eh? How is she like huh…" Though I understood what Jacques was trying to ask, I didn't know how to answer him.
"It's not like Wei-Schnee… and I are getting along really well. We hardly talk during class, and even if we did, it's about things related to guitars or the band."
"Is that so? Strange. You and Weiss should be rather close, no? I mean, she did come over to your house after she ran away from home, didn't she?"
"Eh, ehhhh?" Do Weiss and I seem really close to each other? Objectively speaking, that may very well be the case.
"What exactly is the relationship between you two? Or did something happen between you and Weiss when the both of you were running away from home…?"
"I said we did nothing, alright!?"
His gaze was really frightening, and that caused me to jump in fright and hide behind the sofa.
With that, Jacques cleared his throat and continued, "No matter what, she should be more willing to talk if the person she is talking to is you, right?"
"No… it's definitely not what you're thinking."
I slumped into the sofa. Part of what I just said was a lie. During the time when the both of us were running away from home, Weiss had more or less talked to me a bit about things that have to do with piano and her parents. I'm probably the first person whom Weiss said all these things to, right? Those were things that Weiss could say only when she was away from her father's side. Therefore, I can't tell her father about all those things at a time like this.
"I see… then if so…" Jacques directed his line of sight to the coffee mug.
"If so then I probably can't ask for your help anymore. I really do want to know what Weiss is thinking, but as her father, it is really embarrassing when I have to ask someone for favors like this."
So why are you asking this favor from me? This is the problem between you and your daughter, right? Though that was what I was thinking, I could not say anything after I saw the distressed expressions on Jacques's face.
Just then, Mom voice came from within the kitchen again.
"Are you an idiot? The only way to deal with a daughter like that is to leave her alone, till she feels like talking!"
Jacques shot a fierce gaze towards the entrance of the kitchen.
"I've already told you before — you have to give your child more space. Ah, right, how about having her marry into our family? She's about to hit seventeen soon, right? It's about time to get Naruto a wife…"
"Mom, just shut up!"
"Kushina, don't interrupt us!"
Mom snorted, and then she began to whistle again. It's Mozart's La Finta Giardiniera — 'Even if you reject me, my heart will never change'. Damn, she's, I do feel it's exactly as Mom said, and Jacques should have realized it long ago, right? Though he probably can't allow himself to do nothing, even if he knew the only thing he can do is to wait for Weiss to speak on her own accord. I guess that's how all parents are?
The uncomfortable silence persisted for quite a while, and I could not help but sneak a peek at Jacques's face. I guess I should just say something? Even if I say the same things as Mom, he probably wouldn't accept it anyway. Moreover, if he could hold on till Weiss decided to speak on her own accord, he wouldn't have specifically made a trip down here.
… Hmm? Excuses?
"Ah!"
Jacques lifted his head upon hearing the strange sounds that I made.
"You want to say something?"
"Eh? Ah, no, nothing."
I waved my hands to brush that aside. I then clenched my fist, lowered my head and got into a deep thought. So that's what's happening here? So you are saying that I should be doing this? I hesitated for a while, then spoke.
"I will try speaking with Weiss again, but I may not be able to get what she is thinking. I will tell her honestly that you are really worried about her, or I can try to convince her to have a good chat with her father. Will that do?"
The edges of Jacques's lips slackened just a little, and he nodded his head twice slowly.
"That's good."
"Is that so? But…" I wet my lips a little. "I can't say those things to her in school, since summer vacation's about to start soon."
"Hmm?"
"Which means… I am thinking — if it is during the training camp, then I may have the opportunity to talk to her about it."
Jacques's unwilling expression was shown bare for all to see. The reason that Weiss is so easily read is probably due to her inheriting those traits from her father?
"But that means staying outside."
Well. that's how training camps are supposed to be.
"And I did say before, you people are just high-school students, right? Moreover, Weiss's illlness are an inconvenience, and her mental state isn't too stable right now. That is just pushing it."
"That's why… I do feel that it is not too good for us to continue pushing her like this — furthermore, Weiss's stance may just become even more stubborn instead. Should you allow her to join in the training camp, then maybe she may slowly voice out her feelings."
I chose my words carefully as I secretly looked at Jacques's stiff face. I do wish to go to the training camp with Weiss as well, and she is the final member whom we had spent so much effort to look for.
"Why a Rock band? I really don't get it." Jacques continued on unpleasantly, "I can understand her wanting to be away from the piano for a while, but why did she choose to play the electric guitar?"
I sank into a moment of silence. What caused her to play the electric guitar? I don't know either. I originally thought it was just an outlet for her to escape from the piano. However, that doesn't really seem to be the case right now. If so…
"You dislike Rock?"
It was only after I asked the question that I felt really embarrassed. I'm actually directing that question to a Musician who is acknowledged by just about everyone in this world? However, Jacques's answer proved to be rather surprising as well.
"I am not arrogant to the point where I can answer that question."
"… Eh?"
"Regardless of 'Rock' or 'classical music', those are just labels that the record companies and the music stores use, so as to allow easier identification and classification at the CD racks. Am I not right? it is dangerous for one to critique a piece of music based on the composer alone, Even though they were both roughly from the same era, the Beethoven who wrote The Symphony of Destiny is a different person from the Beethoven who wrote Pastoral Symphony. If that applies even to the pieces from the same person of the same era, then it is even more so for the countless music created by the thousands of different people. Don't you think it is arrogant if I am to just point my finger at a certain rack — which is sorted and classified by some record company for convenience sake — and say that I like it or not?"
Well… It may really be just as he had said…
"I have never heard the music that you have generally classified as 'Rock', so there's nothing more for me to talk about. I can only say — I don't know."
He doesn't know. This person here doesn't know the place where his own daughter is currently at — is that what he's trying to say? Then if that's the case. I stood up and made my way to the sound system, then proceeded to dig out something from the stacks of cassettes. There's only the date [12/04] written on the label of this cassette. It's the day when the band was officially formed by the four of us.
I placed the cassette into the deck, and pressed the play button. I could then hear a series of muffled background noises, from which came Senpai's breath as well as the feedback of the guitar. Next, was Chiaki counting down by hitting her drum sticks four times. I was once again pulled back in time to the afternoon on the 29th of November.
I shut my eyes, and the various scenes replayed in my mind: the reflection of the cymbals that were flashing through the faint darkness; the flushed face of Chiaki who was sitting behind the drum set; in the left corner of my view, was the black hair of Kagurazaka Senpai swaying along with the rhythm; on my right, was the snow colored hair of Weiss that seemed like it was giving off a faint silver shimmer. It was as if Senpai's riffs had split open the sands of the desert — Weiss's Stratocaster replied to Senpai's singing by playing out the fanfare of the song.
It's Led Zeppelin's Kashmir.This is the song that lit me ablaze, and marked the beginning of my time with two other people. If only Weiss is around, that was my honest wish back then, and the main reason why I was fighting. On the 04th of December, the wish of mine finally came true. That was the first band practice since Weiss joined the Folk's Music Club. Without having any conversation or any other sort of exchange, that song alone was enough to suck all of us into it.
Weiss should not have heard the song before, but despite that, the moment just before the end of Senpai's preludes, Weiss darted into the song. Her distinct and strong tunes seemed to have shattered my heart, and they lit the practice room ablaze.
Those were no longer the sounds played by the old Weiss who coops herself up in the room to play piano pieces. Even though it's still as prickly as ever, those sharp spikes will no longer chase away anyone who was trying to get close to her. Instead, they will pierce deep into the hearts of others, and release her passion directly through those spikes into them.
The four of us are one. In that short instant where Senpai and I exchanged sights, we could see that the both of us were thinking of the exact same thing. Our left and right hand are finally together. For Weiss, this is not a place for her to escape to.
I placed my hands on the speakers, and pulled my consciousness away from the practice room that was shrouded in heat, and back into my living room. The tune was over. After the cassette stopped with a pa, I remained standing in front of the sound system, and for a while I couldn't move. It's because I could still feel the heat on my face.
I turned my head over, and saw Jacques supporting his forehead with his hands, and his face was almost half-buried by them. I gave a sigh. Is that still not enough for him to understand? I somehow thought that as fellow musicians, he would be able to get it.
Just as I was timidly making my way back to the sofa, Jacques spoke with his eyes still closed.
"Were you the one who played the D, G and A notes? The bass part requires no techniques or whatsoever."
"Yeah, I still suck at playing, so sorry for that."
"No, that should be the correct way to play. And to add on, it seems like Weiss's guitar was specially tuned to the other guitar too… I guess that's the reason why the harmony sounded so good."
I opened my eyes in surprise. Just as Jacques said, Kashmir employed an unconventional tuning method by making use of the guitar's DADGAD. He figured that out by listening to it only once? I had originally thought that he is just a silly dad who is overprotective of Weiss, but I guess he does prove his worth as a Musician.
This time, Jacques placed his hands around his mouth, and stared in the direction of the sound system for quite a while. I stole a peek at the expressions of his face in fear. Did my plan backfire…?
"Is this… the place where Weiss is currently in?"
I could hear him muttering that to himself. I really heard that. And then Jacques heaved a sigh.
"I am still not too assured, since all of you are still in high-school. Look, is the president of your club someone who's dependable?"
"Eh? Ah, yeah, she is dependable."
My pitch went upwards unknowingly. Even if my mouth is torn apart, I will definitely not tell him that our president's the one who took Weiss away back at the airport.
"Don't worry. She is someone who is really dependable. Not only has she gained the trust of all the teachers, she knows how to take care of others as well. Furthermore, her relationship with Weiss is pretty good too."
I slipped in a lie or two without hesitation — in actual fact, none of the teachers trust that girl at all.
"As it is something that was decided in the last minute, we couldn't manage to obtain approval from the school. Senpai's the one who found the place for us to stay as well. Still…"
"If you are still worried, how about I follow them along as well? Not only am I dependable, I am really good at taking care of others as well."
Mom's voice came from the kitchen yet again, but Jacques and I ignored her completely.
"I understand. There's no choice then."
"I'll leave the things about Weiss in your hands. Please try to talk to her about it."
"Okay."
I shook the outstretched hands of Jacques. An overly relieved me sank into the sofa — it felt like my back was melting. That's really great. However, what Jacques said next made me swallow my sigh of relief.
"You've addressed Weiss by her name quite a few times just now. Is that how you usually address her? What exactly is the relationship between you two?"
Oh Shit! I tried to come up with all sorts of excuses, and it took me quite a bit of effort before I finally sent Jacques away. After ensuring that the foreign-made car had disappeared along the ends of the road, I took out my cell phone, and saw an incoming call from Senpai. So she was just about to call me as well huh?
"So Jacques went back already?"
"How the hell you know Jacques visit my house?" I couldn't help but mix in a dash of sigh in my voice.
"Mmm, but I didn't expect him to visit you that quickly."
"Oh by the way, I've successfully resolved everything. It seems like Weiss is finally able to attend the training camp."
I suddenly regretted telling her that over the phone, because what followed was a strange silence. I really wished I could have seen the surprised expressions of Senpai with my very own eyes.
"… I'm now thinking if I should convert my emotional feelings in me into a song and sing it to you right now! Still, you managed to understand my thoughts despite me not saying anything. Don't you think you're really impressive? If that's the case, I can focus on the composition of the songs. I hope to come up with six original songs by the time training camp ends. Well, we do have fifty minutes for our performance."
"What did you just say about fifty minutes?"
"Because we're going to perform with two other bands, so we need fifty minutes."
"What do you mean Senpai?"
"It's the next live performance of our band! The date was just decided not too long ago. It's on the forth of August."
.
.
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