Love, Eroge, Music & Other Craziness

by Geek Girl Naruru

Namikaze Naruto is a normal fifteen-year-old high school student. He has a distant relationship with his sister Naruko, who always treats him rudely. One Day in Spring, he encounters a foreign girl playing a piano on one of his travels to a junkyard and helps her in many ways as he discover that her name is Weiss Schnee.

42. Weiss & Asto

.

.

.

By pure chance, I stumbled upon the words that were carved onto the body of the guitar.

I have handled Weiss's Stratocaster once before, but I didn't know about the existence of these words back then. That was because the words were carved on the inside of the body, and would not be revealed unless the screws were loosened.

"I want to change the tone of my instrument too." Weiss said that during one of our band practices.

I was having an active discussion with Kagurazaka Senpai about the topic of the effect units as well as the timbres. As she listened to our conversation, Weiss prodded my back with the neck of her guitar, though I had no idea why she was putting on an unhappy expression on her face.

"So you want to modify your guitar? Or do you mean you want to use an effects unit?"

"I don't really know these things. Just help me modify it, Ruto."

I don't quite have the guts to modify an antique guitar that is worth three million yen, but I still removed the back cover and took a look. And it's then that I saw that located in a square pit behind the pickup.

"Looks like there's something carved on it."

"Is that Russian?" Chiaki asked as she stuck her face in to take a look. I see, it does look like the Cyrillic alphabet. Just then, Weiss snatched the guitar away from my hands.

"Y-You can't see that."

"Eh? W-What?"

"Cover it up! You don't have to care about what's inside!" Why is she so flustered? It's not like I understand the Cyrillic alphabet.

"Does you know about the words inside your guitar?" Asked Chiaki.

"I-I don't know."

"Senpai should know how to read Russian, right? And you should have read lots of books written by Russians too."

"Russia is the country of revolutions, but if you think that's enough reason for me to know how to read nearly everything, then you are dead wrong!" Was Senpai's answer.

Weiss snatched the screwdriver away from me. She then closed the cover and attempted to put the screws back into the place. However, as her right fingers were still unable to move much, she was finding it hard to do so. I could no longer watch her like this, so I helped her with the task.

"What's carved on it?" I tried asking her.

Weiss took the restored guitar from my hands and hugged it tightly, as though she was trying to stuff the guitar into her body. After some deliberation, she said softly, "It's a name. The name of the person who gave me this guitar." The person who gave her the guitar?

"So someone gave you that guitar?" Chiaki touched the neck of the guitar gently.

"That person must be really generous to give you such a good guitar."

"He said that it's best for someone new to use a good instrument right from the beginning."

"I thought Comrade Schnee learned the guitar all by herself. So you actually had someone to teach you… how's the person like?"

"Eh? Uhh…"

In the end, Weiss did not explain things clearly as she was speaking in bits and pieces. I too thought that she learned the guitar on her own… but then again, what's the reason for Weiss to start learning the guitar? For a professional pianist who was surrounded by classical music ever since she was born, something incredible must have happened for her to suddenly pick up the electric guitar.

"Stop asking me already!" Weiss stomped me hard on my foot all of the sudden. Hey, the one asking you those questions is Senpai!

"Teach me how to use the effects unit. I hope that the tone of my playing can be as colorful as those of Kyouko's before our next live performance."

"Okay."

Actually, what I like the most is the refined sounds of Weiss's guitar that comes straight out of the amplifiers without the use of any effect units… I don't think there's any need for her to compare herself to Senpai in that area, right? Moreover, it' was just not too long ago when our live performance had ended.

"So when's our next live performance? I want to perform again as quickly as possible!"

Please, not Chiaki as well!? Senpai hugged Chiaki and Weiss on their shoulders, as though she was asking them not to be hasty.

"Since there's not too many bands who would invite us to play with them, our next performance will be during the school's festival."

The school's festival will be held during the later half of the second semester — and that is November, meaning that it's about two months away from now.

"That will be the first time we are performing by ourselves, so a two month preparation period should be adequate."

"I never thought I'd hear that from the same person who had suddenly arranged for us to take part in a live performance that was scheduled three weeks later!" I couldn't help but to take a dig at her.

"Have you participated in regatta before, young man?"

Senpai stretched out her finger and pressed it against my forehead. Why that sudden question?

"Nope."

"Mmm… at the initial stages, everyone would have to row their oars with a small but quick motion, but that changes after the boat has accelerated to a certain speed. Then, they would row their oars with a large but slow motion."

"What?"

"And it's the same for the band!"

This person here is saying some nice-sounding stuff to trick everyone again. But there is no longer any chance of a victory the moment the thought, 'Ah, so that's how it is' flashed past my mind. And so… I could only agree to whatever she had said. Dammit!

"We are already at the stage where we are cruising at high speeds," Senpai took the guitar that was standing at the other corner of the classroom and carried it on her shoulder. With her back facing us, she continued, "But it's not good for us to only accelerate. Plenty of troublesome situations may occur before the arrival of the school's festival, so what we should be doing now is getting ourselves used to the feeling of rowing, and move forward in a steadfast manner."

Senpai then turned her head around and propped up her index finger in a cute manner. "It's not about speed, but the camaraderie between the four of us."

Chiaki nodded her head immediately. As for Weiss, she waited for a while before nodding her head silently.

I recalled this very scene a long time later… and Senpai might have had some sort of premonition back then already. In actual fact, lots of troublesome things did happen. There was probably nothing more chaotic than the oncoming two months, regardless of whether it's about my own personal matters or the things that had to do with the band.

Come to think of it, all these troubles began with —

Just as I returned home after school Mom came flying out from the living room. I had a bad feeling about this.

"Naruto, Naruto! Did you get yourself acquainted with someone from the music industry? It can't be, right?"

"… What are you talking about?"

"Davy Rocker sent you a letter!"

I took a look at the aqua-blue envelope which Mom stuffed in my hands. It's from the company that Mom is under the care of. But it the name 'Naruto Namikaze is written on the letter… Why?"

"Huh? Why is the envelope already opened?" I snatched the envelope from Mom's hand.

"Well… I always write in my articles on how delicious Naruto's cooking are, so there may be some OL at the prime age of twenty-eight who wrote you a letter of admiration. I have to check."

Consider this as me begging you — next time, just pass me the damn letter straight away…

I sat on the living room's sofa to check the contents of the envelope. There's only a ticket in it, as well as a simple invitation card without the name of the sender. I thought it is some sort of classical music event, but it seemed to be a live rock performance instead. Taking a glance at the address of the event, the place does not seem to be spacious.

"I thought they sent the letter wrongly to you instead of me." Mom stuck out her head from above me and said, "But it seems like it is really something for you."

"Uhh, mmm… but…" I had no idea who sent it to me. The performers are a famous band that even I know despite my lack of knowledge in J-pop. It's written on the ticket that it is an exclusive concert for their fan club — so why will the company sent me something like that?

"Shall I call the editor to ask?"

"I asked already. He said a member of that band asked them to deliver it to you."

"Ehh? But I can't think of anyone who will do that."

The only professional pop musicians I know are Kakashi-san and Deidara. Could it be that someone came to know of me indirectly through them… no, that's not quite possible, right?

"Whatever, just go and take a look, yeah? Doesn't seem like a prank to me. Just run away if someone throws a job to you."

Mom said that irresponsibly before scooting back to the sound systems. I thought to myself: a typical parent would have said this: "This looks really suspicious, so reject them!". Am I wrong?

However, they are one of the few recent bands of Japan whose live performances were well received, and that did provoke an interest in me. And since it is hard to get a ticket to a fan club performance, I guess I'll just take a look? Though it will be slightly lonely to go alone as I have only one ticket, but if having two means I'll have to go through another crazy fight for the ticket… I'll pass on that.

I went to Yoyogi on the Saturday night. Located on both sides of the street are rows of fashion shops which are in the decline. As I head down the street, I saw a crowd gathering beneath a new building located at the corner. That should be it? Speaking of which, the small livehouse is not done taking in all those people who were still standing at the entrance and around the staircases? Wouldn't that be obstructive for the pedestrians?

There was no signboards and stuff placed outside as it is not a live concert that is opened to the public. I crosschecked the name of the building with that written on my ticket before making my way down the stairs to the basement. Upon seeing my ticket, the ticketing lady at the entrance flashed a slight smile and pinned a blue artificial flower above my chest pocket. What's this? All the audiences for this concert will need to get one of these pinned on their shirts? But I don't see anyone else receiving the same treatment as me. I made my way to the end of the stairs in confusion.

I will never get used to the feeling of pushing open the heavy soundproof doors.

It felt like the air in the livehouse was electrified. A set of drums were placed on the jet black stage in a way where we could only see its faint blue outline. The audiences were packed like a can of sardines, waiting for the performance to start. I still think I am not really suitable for places like these. I took a glass of ginger ale from the bar and sat myself on a round chair located at the back of the audience seats.

A large number of people began to squeeze me towards the stage from my back, and in the process increasing the thickness of the human wall. Then again, what sort of band is this? Who's the one who got me here, and for what purpose? I hugged my knees half in anticipation and half in unease.

The lights dimmed — A loud roar which nearly ripped the hair off my head rang through the place. I could see the silhouette of a few people on stage. What came to my ears was a series of high-pitched feedback from the guitars. I knelt on the chair so as to get a better view of what was going on at the stage.

The spotlights on the stage lit up simultaneously at the same time. The cheers exploded right after that. My face was then assaulted by a series of vigorous tempo.

The lead vocalist sang with a high-pitched voice that was loud and clear, which was interrupted occasionally by a deafening scream. I remember seeing that person on the television or somewhere before. The band are deserving of their reputation as one of the leading bands of J-pop — the tight, undulated melody created a sense of rhythm which caused me to leave my chair unknowingly so that I could get closer to the stage by a step or two.

The appearances of the members were all of a black theme. Their stylish and intricate costumes were perfect for them, and made them really eye-catching on the stage. Despite that, they did not hold back on their words. The lead singer peppered his sentences with lewd words without any hesitation, which I found to be really crass.

"The very first name we thought of for the band was HoleBrothers, 'cause all the members have slept with the manager before!"

"Oi, I never heard that before!" Replied the bassist. Damn, that feels really atrocious. However, the audiences enjoyed that exchange. I guess they could only talk about these stuff during a non-official concert.

Their live performance was pretty impressive. When it was time for the encore, I was already satisfied to the point where it does not matter who invited me here anymore. But —

"We have a special guest for today. The guest will be appearing on stage as the guitarist! But since our guest should not be in a place like this, we'll be keeping the person's identity a secret!"

Feels like I had heard that somewhere before? Just as I was wreaking my brain in search for the answer, the spotlights flashed about randomly for a while before focusing all the rays on the left side of the stage. A short silhouette appeared.

Seems like a junior high-school or high-school girl — that's my impression from my very first look at the person. That person's dressed in a black goth lolita fashion, probably to fit the style of the band. The fluffy skirt was incredibly short, which was coupled with a top which revealed the shoulders. In the person's hands was an aged Stratocaster filled with scars. Even though the face was shielded with a veil from the hat, the pink hair looked like it was burning when the spotlights shown their rays on them…

Damn, wait! "Astolfo…?"

The unexpected costume of the special guest caused the excited crowd to go into a thunderous frenzy, which swallowed my subconscious mumbling. I was sure that the person is Asto. But why is Asto here? And why is he crossdressing? Wait, is the person on stage really him?

The drummer raised his drumsticks in the air and rapped it as he counted down from 4.

A series of heavy metal beats from the drums shook me. The lead vocalist screamed a series of intensive twisting pitch as though he was trying to chew away the microphones.

The melody of the main guitar cleaved open the burning chaos and pierced its way into the darkness of the livehouse with a sharpness of lightning — and that's Asto. Those slender fingers slid up and down the strings with an incredible speed as if Asto was actually plucking the nerves of the audiences instead, and that resulted in a series of very distinct timbres..

Till then, I had never really paid any attention to the so called death metal rock. The idea of 'using the voice as an accompaniment' and giving the guitar the freedom to run crazy with its main melody was a form of rock that I could never imagine. However, that was the sort of music with surrounds me. And despite being washed about by the torrential music, the sound of Asto's guitar remained crystal clear to my ears.

There are really times when the music can convey the truth which would otherwise be difficult to do so via words.

I knew straight away. It's similar to the timbre which shook me back then.

That's right. It's the sound of Weiss's guitar.

(◕ω◕✿)

Upon seeing the artificial flower on my chest, the young and pretty female manager nodded her head and led me to the lounge. I see, so the flower is actually a backstage pass.

"You can tell Astolfo I am fine with meeting him here…"

"It's okay, don't worry." With that said, she pushed me into the opened room.

Rather than a lounge, it's more like a cramped storeroom filled with amplifiers, drums and lighting, and refurbished with a few tables and folding chairs. The room reeks of sweat, metallic smell and some other messy odor. Asto was still wearing the black leather sleeveless top. He sat in the middle of the four other members who had already changed out of their concert costumes and into their regular clothes. Somehow, it feels like… though it's strange for me to be thinking of this, but… it feels like he is a girl who was surrounded by four scary, burly men who stripped her away of her clothes. He looked very out of place.

"Ruto!" Asto sprang off his chair and ran towards me.

"You're here! That's great!"

Seeing that he was about to hug me tightly again, I shoved his face away. Calm down man.

"Is he the one whom Asto-chan invited?"

"Who is he?"

One by one, the band members came next to me. Feels really scary, since everyone of them look incredibly strong.

"Well, he is my precious' precious," Said Asto as he turned his head to face me.

"So that means he's my precious' precious' precious?"

"Then… that makes him my precious' precious' precious' precious!"

"Since when am I your precious, you homo!?"

"You're a homo as well, no!? Asto-chan's a guy!"

"You go outside and settle things with me right now!"

"Just as I wanted!"

And with that, the lead vocalist and the guitarist grabbed each other by their collars and made their way to the corridor as they stared at each other.

What the hell is going on with the band…? The drummer, who looked like someone who is easily worried about others, pushed a chair to me and urged me to sit down, "Don't mind them, those two are idiots."

The problem is, I could faintly hear loud noises and furious roars coming from the corridor — there's no way I could chat idly in a situation like this!

"Sorry, Asto. You guys better leave for now. It seems like they are really brawling it out."

The bassist who was observing the situation of the corridor said that with a frown.

"I'm sorry, Ruto. Let's go outside."

Asto grabbed me by my arm and ran out of the room via the door that is linked to the stage. I could hear shouts of "I'm gonna kill you!" and "I'm gonna impregnate you!" from behind me.

"I met everyone at the hotel which we were all staying at during the my performance in LA."

Asto sat on the round chair next to me and said that while sipping the drink from the paper cup. The noise of the crowded McDonald's as well as the ambient J-pop music sounded much quieter in contrast to the earlier ruckus.

"The vocalist, whose name is Yoshito, barged into my room when he was drunk. He probably got into the wrong room, I think? He then took my violin out of the blue and strummed it as though it was a guitar. I punched him onto the floor in a fit of an anger, but that caused us to become friends."

I gave a hard sigh. I had no idea what to think about these people. The whole thing about me being in a such a place feels really unbelievable as well. There must be something that went wrong

somewhere to result in me sitting next to the prodigy violinist who frequently appears on the covers of magazines, and listen to him saying these retarding things while I am chewing on the fries.

Why did Asto want to meet me? And why did he specially invite me to see the concert?

"Right, I have a lot of questions to ask you, but first —"

"— Mmm, yes?"

"Why are you still crossdressing?"

He went to the bathroom to change out of his clothes before we left the livehouse. I originally thought he will change into a set of ordinary clothes, so I never did expect to see him coming out in the short jeans and T-shirt combo which Kagurazaka Senpai usually wears. He was wearing a pair of orange sunglasses and sporting hats as well. People will probably believe me if I tell them he is the newest uprising member of Hello! Project. It feels really embarrassing to sit with him.

"Oh… you mean this? It's safer for me to disguise myself."

I see. I guess he is a famous person after all… but there should be other ways of doing it, right?

"Don't you have other questions you want to ask?" Asked Asto as he lowered his sunglasses slightly and tilt his head while doing so.

I'll probably go crazy if I am to continue talking with this person here. The feeling's just like how you dropped something without knowing and had walked a far distance away from it already, but you are somehow very concerned about what's behind you.

Then again, I do have lots of questions for him. And the one which I am most curious about is — "… Did you learn the guitar together with Weiss?"

"Nope…" For some reason, Asto said that with pride. He shook his head and continued, "I am the one who taught Weiss how to play. And also, I gave Weiss the guitar which she is using now."

I was speechless for a while. I never considered that.

And so… Asto is Weiss's… teacher? Is that it?

"Weiss's relationship with Maestro Jacques has always been bad… and she was frustrated about how she could not play the piano. I went through a similar phase back when I was a child, and that was the reason why I learned to play the guitar in secret. I thought that Weiss could use the same method to find a place where she can escape to."

Asto suddenly moved his gaze away from me.

"Though Weiss still did not manage to find it…" Murmured Asto as he gently swirl the orange juice in the paper cup.

"— It's not a place for her to escape to!" Asto raised his head in shock. I was surprised by what I said as well.

Whatever I was saying is real though, so I repeated it once more — "Weiss did not escape to the world of guitars."

"… Why do you say so?"

Why? Because — it's obvious upon hearing it. I knew it instantly, and so should Jacques when he listened to the recording back then. However, there was no way I could express that with words.

"So what's the role you have been playing, Ruto?"

"… Huh?"

"That's the reason for inviting you to the concert — so that I can ask you this question. You are a critic, so why are you staying by Weiss's side?"

"Don't call me a critic!"

"But Maestro Jacques showed me the stuff that you had written!"

That was unnecessary, Jacques…

"Your articles are critiques through and through."

"Thanks for your praise." Though he's probably not praising me.

"Not only are you looking down on us, you grouped our work into different categories and wrote what's good and bad about them so that you can earn money through it. How can someone like you stay by Weiss's side?"

"Hold on…"

What are critics to you? And my articles were not really well written, you know?

"Look, why do you care?"

"Because Weiss is my precious!"

Asto said that emphatically as he looked into me with a faint smile at the corners of his lip.

His… precious. So the two of you are indeed a couple, huh? Both of them used to be the topics of conversations because they are prodigies. Both have experienced the same excruciating and burning pain due to their loneliness on stage. And if the two of them meet each other at America under those situations — All I need to do is to ask. But for some reason, I could not bring myself to do it. Instead, Asto was the one who asked me the question in my heart.

"Ruto, what is your relationship with Weiss?" Asto's question pierced straight into my heart.

What's the relationship… between Weiss and I? I never thought about that question before. We came to meet by chance, and then we ran away together and sought our dreams together. And before I realized, Weiss is already by my side. I can't really explain even if you ask…

Asto tilted his head slightly.

"Is it such a difficult question to answer?"

"… It is."

"You can't say you two are just companions who are in the same band! Because I have already heard that from Weiss."

"…"

I rolled the hamburger wrapping into a ball. I could not come up with anything.

"You cannot answer me even though you are someone who earns money by weaving lies?"

And Asto said that in a straightforward manner with an angelic smile on his face. Well, if I am to go into the details, I am not a critic, just a high-school student who had written a few articles so that I could earn some pocket money. I won't get angry even if there's someone who belittles the critics.

So all I did is to answer by nodding my head silently. Just go ahead and look down on me if you want.

However, Asto suddenly looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, "… I am actually filled with regret."

What are you regretting?

"I really want to create and record lots and lots of music with Weiss. I wish I can go on an American and Europe tour with her forever. However, I am not by Weiss's side when she is in the most pain. The one who she needs is not me either."

Asto's gaze floated towards the middle of the air, as though he was looking past the ocean towards the gloomy faraway skies of North America. His feeble voice was just like the sound of the angel spreading his wings as he was about to vanish into the air. I was reminded of the ending of Alban Berg's Violin Concerto.

"The timbre of Weiss is really, really special, but I cannot protect her. But I don't get it. Why? Why can you do it?"

Asto suddenly grabbed me by my wrists and pulled his face close to mine.

"Why can Ruto play the bass by Weiss's side…"

His slender and fair hand landed weakly on the table with a pa. His long eyelashes were dropping downwards slowly. He then lowered his head and said not a single word. I thought to myself… is he crying?

I finally understood what's in Asto's head. I am in a position that is supposed to be his. The melody of the violin concerto appeared clearly in my mind all of the sudden. If Weiss and Asto were not hurt by music, they would have already recorded those pieces a long time ago… a dream which did not manage to get past the oceans, and was swallowed up by the waves instead.

"I'm sorry…" Asto lifted his head and showed an embarrassed smile. "Nothing can be done even if I am to say such words to you, isn't it?"

Because you are nothing more but a critic — it somehow feels like Asto will continue on with that line. However, that was just my auditory hallucination due to my sense of inferiority.

"Have Maestro Jacques told you this already? It seems like Weiss is playing the piano once more."

"Eh…"

That took my by surprise, and caused me to nearly forget about everything Asto had said up till now. Weiss's playing the piano once more? For real? I did remember talking about it a little after the concert, but… are her fingers really okay?

"She's slowly recovering. Thanks to the rehabilitation, she's able to practice on the piano almost everyday."

"B-But she…" Weiss said nothing about it to me. Why? She told me some time ago her immobile fingers are caused by her psychological issues, and she was still unable to use both of her hands to play the piano during the chorus contest. So that means something happened after that? Something happened which resulted in the turn of events?

I stared at the young boy in front of me — the boy who is so unbelievably pretty.

Is it because — she saw Asto?

"And so we've decided to record a new album."

I was speechless. Not only is she playing the piano once more, she's actually returning back to the music industry? She's returning back to the world which had harmed her brutally?

"The plans for her comeback is to perform a duet with me. Weiss has already agreed to it as well."

"Together with you?"

I see— so that's how it is. Jacques once said that Weiss's fingers may recover if she can find the will to pick up the piano again. The reason for Weiss to take up the piano again — is it because she has reunited with Asto once more?

"That's why… I am really frustrated about it." Asto mumbled.

I stared at him and asked, "… Why? Isn't it your wish to play your violin together with Weiss once more? And she will be performing with you…"

He then put on a faint smile. "That's the reason why I am feeling so frustrated! You won't understand, Ruto."

That lonely smile of his looked just like a painting that gives the illusion of the frozen time.

"Thank you. I had fun today."

Once we were out of McDonald's, Asto thanked me with a brilliant smile on his face. That should be his true feelings, and not something said out of courtesy, right?

"And also… I have said things to Ruto that are extremely mean, have I not?"

I jumped in shock and froze on the busy street which leads to the train station. I could feel someone bumping into my back.

"So you do realized it as well…?"

"Mmm. But… I don't think I've done anything wrong to you, so I will not be apologizing."

With that said, Asto stretched out his hand towards me, but I ignored it. It's a little childish, but I couldn't help it. I am just a high-school student, so there's no way I will not be angry after listening to the things he had said.

"There's still no way I can allow Ruto to be by Weiss's side."

"You know… it's pointless telling me that…"

"I won't allow it! How can someone as dense as you be by her side? I can say how much I love Weiss for a hundred times, or play a hundred songs to show my feelings for her. But what about you?"

"Wait… even if you put it that way…"

"Will you listen to me if I ask you to leave Weiss's side?"

Why are you taking the conversation in that direction!? Please spare me from that already!

"Well… Weiss's the guitarist of our band, and there's no one else aside from her who can play the timbres like hers."

"I can!"

I was rendered speechless by that straightforward line from Asto.

"I am better than her in terms of the guitar techniques as well. You heard it just now, right?"

"… Yeah."

He's right. The timbre of Asto's guitar do sound similar to that of Weiss's before she joined the Folk Music Club — the same timbre which I dislike back when she claimed the practice room for herself. However, his tone is much more polished in comparison.

Therefore, despite my dislike towards Asto, I had no choice but to agree that his guitar techniques are indeed a level above Weiss's.

"Hey, can you give up on Weiss if I say I am willing to play the guitar for you?"

"What are you thinking… and you won't have the spare time to do so, right?"

"That's nothing if it can make you stay away from Weiss."

I was dumbfounded, and stood motionlessly on the middle of the sidewalk. The pedestrian behind me knocked into my shoulder, which nearly caused me to fall. Is he for real?

"That's what it is like when you truly fall in love with someone."

Really… so that's how it is like when you fall in love with somebody?

"I'll be by Ruto's side in place of Weiss. How's that?"

Asto grabbed me tightly by my wrist as he said that. I was confused by him.

"… That's impossible." In many different aspects.

"And that means you are unwilling to let Weiss go?"

What's with the 'and that means'… Asto was putting on a wide smile on his face, an obvious proof that he had misunderstood my words. Well, it's not like I had any strength left in me to correct him.

"You are a critic, no? Why are you not speaking up when it's time for you to do so?"

Damn that bastard. Whatever. Just say whatever you like.

"Mmm. I get it. Well then, goodbye, my enemy."

Asto tilted his body to the side deliberately in a cute manner and waved his hand.

"Thank you for listening to our performance today. We will still be performing a few more times in Japan, so can I send you the tickets? I do wish to see you again."

I nodded with a stiff expression on my face.

As his guitar and personal belongings were left at the livehouse, Asto turned around and walked away in the opposite direction of the station. That small and undependable back of his gradually blended itself within the pedestrians beneath the streetlights before disappearing from my sight.

I sat on the road barriers by the side and sighed. That's really tiring.

Honestly speaking, he is a really inconceivable person. The anger in me did come close to bursting, but instead of blaming that on Asto, it's more of me being angry at myself because I was a worthless person who was unable to refute his words.

But he said he still wish to see me.

Actually, it's not like I really dislike him, and if I can, I do wish to see him again. However, I was just schooled really hard by him just now, so how should I go about facing him the next time we meet?

(◕ω◕✿)

It's a new week yet again. An incredibly rare thing happened when I entered my classroom on Monday — Weiss actually came to talk to me.

"I heard you and Asto met each other."

"Eh? Yeah, that's right… but how did you know?"

"Well…" Weiss's gaze wandered about. She seemed to be hiding something. Our classmates gathered around us out of curiosity.

"Ahh, right. I remember him saying he'll be staying at Weiss's home for a while?"

"Eh, ah, well… he decided not to, so he's staying at a hotel for now," For some reason, Weiss said that to me in a fluster. "I-It's true! But… we meet up sometimes due to some reasons."

The reason for Weiss to meet Asto. Ah, I got it. Asto said there are plans for him to release an album together with Weiss. She should be referring to that, right?

"Are the two of you practicing together?" I tried asking her. Weiss's face turned red all of the sudden.

"Y-You knew about that as well?"

"Mmm, yeah. You should have told me your fingers are healed —"

"S-Stop talking about that! Enough! I-I am the one who's asking the questions right now!"

Weiss slammed on her desk. Even her ears were going red. Those around us were shocked by that sudden action as well.

"Why did you meet Asto? D-Did both of you have something important to do?"

"Well…"

I had no idea how I should reply to that. Or rather, I was not in the mood to do so. It seems like everything Asto said is true. Weiss has the will to pick up the piano once more — and in a commercial sense as well.

I never noticed her fingers have already recovered to the point where she can practice with someone else.

No wait, isn't this something worth celebrating? It's been a long-running wish of mine to hear Weiss play the piano once more. But why couldn't I say anything when Weiss is staring at me and asking what had happened between me and Asto?

"Give me a proper answer, Ruto."

Weiss suddenly pulled her face close to mine, which caused me to push my chair backwards in surprise with my heart beating wildly. The chair tripped onto something, and that nearly caused me to fall on my back.

"The couple are quarreling again?"

"They are quarreling."

"Looks like our dear Princess is serious this time."

"Just die already, Naruto!"

I had no time to listen to what my classmates were whispering.

"Was Asto the one who invited you? Or —"

"Eh? Ah, yeah."

After regulating my breaths, I sat back on my chair and tried to convert my thoughts into words.

"A few days ago, I received a ticket to the livehouse from some unknown person. I had no idea who the sender was, and it's only when I watched the concert that I knew…"

"You heard Asto's guitar?"

"Mmm." I hesitating on whether I should say it, but I did anyway. "The timbre of his guitar is similar to yours. It's just like… the timbre of your guitar before you joined the Folk Music Club."

An awkward expression appeared on Weiss's face. She crossed her arms before her chest and turned her face away with a "Hmph".

"And then he told me lots of things… like how you used to learn guitar from him… and you playing the piano and stuff…."

"… What else?"

"Umm…" I think the rest of the things are all dangerous ones.

"Things that you cannot say?"

Don't put it like that! Everyone will misunderstand us! See? The guys are all getting excited for some reason!

Just then, Chiaki pulled open the door hard and yelled "Good morning!" as she stepped into the classroom. I was never as thankful towards her as I am now.

"Oho, what's going on? Are you two busy with something?"

With that, Chiaki squeezed herself between me and Weiss (though she will not be able to get to her seat if she didn't), and the bell rang right after that. Thank god, I'm saved.

(ω)

"Hmmm… even after being schooled that hard by him, all you did is to head home in a listless state without even striking back? That's pathetic."

It's after school at the Folk Music Club's practice room, Senpai was sitting on the round chair with her legs crossed. For some reason, I was forced to sit in seiza before Senpai and explain to her what happened on that Saturday. To add on, Chiaki and Weiss were listening from the sides as well. Why? Why am I spilling it? I never mentioned anything about Weiss, but I told them everything about how Asto assaulted me verbally.

"Let's forget for now the stuff like the critics, or young man being a defeated by him, or other things like that. There's something that I can never forgive you!"

"… What?"

"Why didn't you take some pictures of him when he was crossdressing?"

"Who gives a damn about that!?" I can't possibly cater to each and every taste of yours!

"Dressing up in goth loli sounds pretty good! Senpai, let us all wear goth loli costumes for our school's festival!" And that ended up with Chiaki talking about the insignificant stuff.

"I see, and we can make young man crossdress as well! That's something I have never thought of before!"

"And Naruto's face is pretty feminine too!"

Wait a second… what are you girls talking about now? I was about to stand up and tsukkomi them, but I suddenly noticed Weiss sitting in a corner unhappily and not saying anything. She quickly turned her gaze away upon noticing mine.

Just like how Weiss was curious about what Asto and I talked about, I was curious about what she heard from him as well. Moreover, I had no clue what that person would say to her.

"Hey… what did he say about me?"

I couldn't help but to ask. However, Weiss turned her head away and began tuning her guitar. Weird. Did I make her angry again? Why?

"But isn't Naruto the least bit irritated by him? He said such harsh things about you and your mom's occupation. You should have showed your anger and said, 'Don't you dare look down on us critics!', or things like that!" Chiaki suddenly went back on topic.

"You are still my pride even if you didn't do that, young man! Can you still remember? I managed to find you just by the brilliance of your articles from the vast sea of words!" And Senpai went back to condemning me as well. All I could do was to shrink my neck.

"Hey critic. The name of Naruto Namikaze is already tarnished. Are you still planning to remain silent despite that?"

"But I am not a critic…"

"But you are a critic, no? That was what you told me…" Weiss murmured. "You are good at coming up with all sorts of weird and twisted logic, and yet you were made speechless by Asto's words."

"Eh? When was that?"

Weiss stood up all of the sudden.

"Y-You forgot!?"

Her face turned red in an instant. I raised up my arms to shield my face subconsciously. Don't hold your guitar with a reverse grip, because it's really scary! I told her before that I am a critic? When was that? When did I say such things to her?

"It was back when… I was here by myself —"

Weiss noticed Chiaki and Senpai staring at her as she said those words with a grimace. Her gaze fell to the floor. She then leaned her guitar against the wall before walking past me and out of the room.

The two of them immediately directed their cold gazes towards me. Chiaki's eyes were teary and filled with reproach; as for Senpai, she was looking at me with a mocking laughter in her eyes as she spectated at what was going on.

What does she mean with "Y-You forgot!?"? I can't remember. Back when she was here alone — that means it's something unknown to both Senpai and Chiaki. Was it something that happened when we staked the ownership of the room for our showdown?

"… Ah." I turned my head to look at the soundproof door which was already shut. Weiss was no longer in sight, so I rushed out of the room. I remembered! Dammit, how can I forget this!? Even though it was something said by me.

I caught up to her the snow colored hair on her back at the corner of the staircase.

"Wait, Weiss! I'm sorry, I remembered. I'm really sorry!"

There was a tremble from Weiss's long hair. She stopped next to the wall, but she did not turn around to face me. It's just like how it was back in last year — there was not enough time for us to talk, so we had no idea what was going on in each other's minds.

Back then, I accidentally talked about how Weiss was harshly criticized by the critics, which caused her to run out of the room in a fit of anger. Just like how it is now, I rushed out of the room to chase her and apologize to her profusely. Back then, she said, "There is no reason for you to apologize". To which I replied — I said, it's because I am a critic — that's why I have the right to apologize.

Even though I was the one who said those words.

Weiss pressed her hand against the wall and slowly turned her head around. There was still a hint of anger in her eyes, but that was toned down a lot due to the embarrassed expression on her face.

"… You have to take responsibility for what you had said."

"I am reflecting on it already…"

But… why is she so angry? Is the ramblings of a half-assed critic really that important to her?

"T-That's not it!"

Weiss hammered me on my chest with her tightly clenched fists. I thought to myself, "Whoa, so it's true!" Weiss can really clench her right hand tightly into a fist. I was so happy I wanted to encase her fists with both of my hands. However, I was unable to move due to the pain in my chest from her hammerings.

"Y-You went back home meekly without making a single rebuttal despite the harsh dressing-down Asto gave you. Isn't that so?"

"Yeah…"

"Asto… he wants me to g-give up on you…" Weiss could not continue her sentence. Instead, she began to hammer my chest once more. Just what exactly did that guy said to Weiss? Weiss shook her head hard. She had no intention of continuing on from there.

"Despite the fact that there's nothing else you can win Asto at other than your critiques, you were actually looked down by him in that area as well. And then you ran away from him when you could not beat him in a war of words!"

Ugh, those are some really stinging words Weiss…

"Well, my bad, but… even if I had lost to him in a war of words, why are you so frustrated about it?"

"Of course I will be! You have to pull yourself back together, because you are my —"

… I am Weiss's…?

She swallowed her words once more.

It can't be, right? I mean — if Asto had told her about how he wanted me to give up on Weiss — b-but… wait, that's not possible, right? If that is really the case — I sighed in confusion.

But Weiss's right. I was really useless on Saturday. Even though the job was forced onto me by Mom, I still treat the job very seriously — while typing away on the keyboard, I would think on how I should go about writing the article so that my words will touch the readers.

But even so, I could not come up with anything in rebuttal against Asto.

Utilizing his cute and innocent face and words, it was as if that person was emphasizing this: a useless person like you has no rights to stay by Weiss's side.

I clenched my fists subconsciously.

"Weiss, can you contact Asto?"

Despite her slightly uneasy expression, Weiss nodded her head.

As a person with talent in the game of wordplay, and as someone who has spent more than half of his life listening to the music created by others, the thing which I can do is — I'll show that innocent and almost miracle-like violinist what I am made of.

(◕ω◕✿)

Livehouse Bright is the place where our band had our very first live performance, and is located in a nearby town where I can reach in an hour by my bicycle. It is located some distance away from the station in a quiet residential district, but since its name is well known with the insiders, the number of customers is increasing with each passing day.

It was the same for today as well. When I reached the place, there was already a huge crowd gathering around the entrance of the staircase which leads to the basement of the building. Most of the amateur bands will share the stage by pooling their money together. After paying the rental fees for the whole day, they will then allocate how much time each band gets to perform. Therefore, the customers will kill time outside until it is time for their favorite bands to play before going in (but personally, I always feel that it's better to listen to every single performance, since the entrance fee is the same).

There's an event called 'Club Bright' which was held today. The livehouse had invited many disco musicians down for the event, and it had been playing dance music non-stop. That was the reason for hip-hop fashion to dominate the fashion scene here, which is something that I do not usually wear. Amid the dreadlocks and the baggy pants, I noticed an eye-catching figure of a short person, and hurriedly made my way there.

"Ruto!" Asto's face brightened up in an instant. He pushed away the guys around him who were trying to strike a conversation.

"Sorry, the person whom I am waiting for is here," He apologized as he ran towards me. I couldn't help but to press my hand against my forehead and sighed.

"Look, why are you crossdressing again…?"

Asto was wearing a cream-colored short ruffled blouse paired with a skirt. He had even dolled himself up with hairpins and earrings. It's no wonder why the guys were hitting on him.

"I said it before already. It's called a disguise."

Please do not twirl around and model in your clothes while you are saying that.

"Sorry for making you wait. Did you have a hard time getting here?"

"Not at all. I had someone to drive me here." Asto answered me with a smile.

"You should be busy, so thanks for making your way here."

They do not organize disco parties often, so I was lucky Asto had the time to spare to make it down here. If not, he would not be able to accept my invitation.

"I never thought Ruto would invite me to an event. I'm really happy."

"No, well… actually, I am here to have my revenge." I mumbled as I passed a ticket to Asto and made my way down the stairs.

"Revenge?"

Despite the narrow flight of stairs, Asto insisted on walking by my side.

"Mmm, because I was schooled hard by you a few days ago."

"Uhh… and that means you will be bringing me to a dark basement where I'll be left at your mercy?"

"That'll never happen!" I really wish he can put his words in a nicer manner.

After opening the heavy door, we squeezed ourselves within the hot air that was filled with rhythmic beats. The cocktail lights danced around us. Under the guidance of the faint lights, we could gradually see the outlines of the stage. In place of the drum set stood a mixing console. What came to our attention next was a rapper who was rapping in his coarse voice.

"Waa. This is my first time listening to disco."

Asto whispered into my ears, though I could not hear him too clearly. The men and women were all exposing their skin to the heated atmosphere and dancing wildly in the darkness which obscured the lower half of our sight.

"Naruto, you brought another girl here?"

I turned around to see the fat high school boy with glasses and gray hair. The Bright's staff T-shirt on his body was close to bursting apart thanks to his whale belly.

"Good evening, Zaimokuza."

He's the in-charge for the audio equipment. After coming to here a few times, we gradually got close to each other. As he stared at Asto, he said this bluntly,

"What's this? You've changed to another girl again? There's gotta be a limit to this… you've already made so many girls cry, so when are you planning to stop?"

"It's not like this. You see…"

I was that close to blurting "This person here's a guy". Asto was looking at me with great interest.

"So you had made someone else other than me cry?"

"Since when did I make you cry!?"

"It will be a while before Miss DJ's turn on stage. You requested her to do something for you, right? What do you have up your sleeves again? Whatever. I'll be looking forward to it."

"Ah, thanks."

Zaimokuza dragged his colossal body towards the bar. Oh right, due to the event, all the DJs will mix their own music when they perform. So that's the reason why he is so free.

"Who's this Miss DJ person whom he talked about earlier?" Asto shouted in my ears. We would not be able to hear each other if we did not do that.

"Her name is Yang Xiao Long. She's a DJ whom I met recently at here. She'll be next soon."

"So you are planning to show me her stuff?"

I nodded. Yang's one of Kagurazaka Senpai's old friends. We have known each other for only about few weeks, but she still accepted my unreasonable request. What a great help she is.

I'll be teaching Asto a really good lesson with that.

Just as we took the drinks and sat ourselves down by the table, the emcee began rattling some stuff which I could not get into my ears. The audience gathered beneath the stage and burst into cheers. The spotlights were flashing about wildly, and suddenly, a blonde hair girl with a baseball cap on her head appeared on stage. She was sitting behind the mixing console — that's Yang.

I waved my hands at Yang, but she probably did not see me. That's because she was focusing her attention on the turntables.

A 6/8 beats began its course. The rapper mumbled a series of murmurs in sextuplets into the microphone, and that monotonous harmony continued on for quite some time. I shot a glance towards my side at Asto's face — he was slowly leaning towards the stage with his eyes fixed onto the performance. After a lengthy series of tempo which sounded like it was repeating on and on again, Yang began adding in the beats of the timpani. Next, she slipped in the pizzicato of the bass stringed instruments. It's just as expected from her. I am in full admiration of Yang's arrangements.

And then — amid the clear monophony of the piano, an ear-piercing rhythm of the electronic drums began to overflow from beneath. I knew Asto should be breathless in his surprise from the clear piano monophony. She should have noticed it already. Not only was it the rondo from the third movement of Beethoven's Piano Concert No. 5 Emperor Concerto; it was actually played by Weiss.

Asto looked at me with his glittering eyes. I shook my head silently and pointed towards the stage. That's not the only surprise I had in store for him — my retaliation had just begun. At the last bar of the main rondo theme played by the piano, the glamorous melody of the violin came barging in suddenly on the off-beats. That made Asto stood up from his chair and nearly let out a cry. I don't think there is anyone else in this world who knows that melody more than he does.

"That's my —" Asto's weak murmurs was swallowed by the gradually increasing volumes of the performance by the orchestra.

That's the rondo from the third movement of Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D major, and the person playing the solo was none other than Asto himself. I could clearly see the fingers of his left hand fumbling in confirmation before grabbing tightly onto his beloved instrument which was no where near him. After a brief sampling of Weiss's piano and Asto's violin, the two instruments began to weave to and fro the tempo of the disco beats. At times, they would chase each other; other times, they would overlap together. The two melody galloped in the livehouse filled with darkness, rays of lights and a heated atmosphere.

I had the illusion that Weiss was right next to me. Actually, I never thought of helping Asto fulfill his unrealized dream. All I was thinking was I'll have to teach him a good lesson in music, just like how I did to Weiss. But at the very moment, the sound of Asto and Weiss were right around us. I could see something shiny glittering at the corners of his eyes.

He's the only one who can make Weiss take up the piano once more. That made me feel very frustrated. Yes, I am frustrated. It's my heartfelt wish to listen to Weiss's piano once more, but all I could do is to convert those feelings of mine into some twisted words. That is the only thing I can do even though I am by her side all these while. However, Asto's right here — the person who has tasted the same loneliness and glamours as Weiss did. I actually helped him touch the thing that is buried deep in the heart of Weiss — and that made me feel really bitter inside.

What the hell am I doing? My intention of using this piece is so that I can teach Asto a lesson, but I was the one who is taught a lesson instead. What an idiot I am.

Still, everything was perfect to the point where it can evoke tears from its listeners — from the two Beethoven pieces played by Weiss and Asto to Yang's mixing. So even when the rondo was engulfed by the familiar-sounding disco music, there was a period of time where I could not bring myself to look in the direction of Asto. I had no idea what he was saying to me despite hearing his emotional speech.

It was time for a break with some relaxing music when Yang's performance was over.

"Hey you guys, why are both of you looking so restless? You're not enjoying yourselves properly!"

When she saw Asto and I lying our heads on the table, Yang showed an irritated expression on her face as she walked towards us with a whiskey bottle in one of her hands.

"No, it's because the music is just too incredible. I am drained just from listening to it," Replied Asto.

"Ahahaha. We're only halfway into the event! There's four more people going up on stage, so you two better listen to everything, yeah? Hey Naruto, how was it? This was your request for me, yeah? Geez, you suddenly came to me with that record a week ago and asked me to mix this for you. The tune was off by half a key, and the rhythm was unstable too. Think about how hard it was for me."

"Yeah… I am really thankful. Your work has way exceeded my expectations."

I remained lying on the table even as I said that. Yang gave me a few kicks on my thighs in response.

"Why are you so lacking in your youthfulness despite being a high-school student? Since you've brought your girlfriend here, go dance with her or something!"

"Nah, this person's a guy. Also, he's the one who played the piece of music which I lent you."

Yang's mouth dropped open and remained motionless for quite a while. Asto got up quickly and said, "I never thought my concerto can become something like that! It was amazing!" He grabbed Yang's hand and swung it up and down.

"Eh, ah, yeah…" Yang shrunk her body and was about to escape.

"Why are you running away? Did I do something —"

"No… but you're not angry?"

"Angry? Why?"

"You are a classical musician, no? Aren't you angry that your record was messed up by me in that manner?"

"Why would I? It was a great performance! There's no reason for me to be angry."

Yang forcefully swallowed the words that she was about to say. I could sort of understand her feelings. Still, the young DJ was put into a state of embarrassment due to Asto's innocent and destructive smile.

Asto wanted to ask her more on the things about DJ, so Yang sat down with us to chat.

"My room's only six tatami-sized wide, but the floor is nearly destroyed by the weight of the records. I spent nearly all of my wages on records as well. Whenever I have time to spare, I will listen to the records or surf around the internet to look for materials which I can use for my music. However, only a small portion will be usable for my performance. Probably ninety out of a hundred records will be unusable on stage. And for those which can be used, I can usually extract only a few seconds of the whole thing. How should I put it? There are times when I feel really apologetic towards the creators of all these music and sounds."

"So my music was one of the usable ones out of the hundred records?" Asto looked at Yang's face ecstatically.

"… But I messed it up really badly, yeah? I snipped out a few parts, put them on repeat and cranked up the tempo. Also, while the original piece was a really long one, the parts which I ended up using was no more than thirty seconds in total."

"That's okay," Asto placed his hands on Yang's as he replied her. Yang was visibly at a loss of what to do. Damn, that French is overly liberal with the skinship!

Yang's stiff expression was melted away by Asto's following line. "Because I can sense the respect in your music!"

"Y-Yeah…"

"I knew it straight away when I heard it. The reason you used my music is because you really like my violin, do you not?"

Yang turned her head away in embarrassment and emptied the whiskey in a single gulp. Anyone would have done the same in her shoes…

Yang stood up. She said she'll be going up on stage to perform again, and she hoped we can continue to listen to her performance.

"I'll be doing Jimi Hendrix for my next performance. Oh yeah, I am using that worn-out synthesizer which you are envious of. If it's not broken by the end of the performance, I am planning to give it to Kyouko. You can then borrow it from her to play around with it."

"Eh!? For real!?"

Yang's synthesizer is of an older model, and it is already very worn-out. However, she had amassed a huge collection of sound effects in it, and since she kept talking about replacing it… I had been secretly wondering if she will be willing to give it to me.

"See you later!"

Asto waved his hands as he sent Yang off.

The slow-tempo music was still playing. Great, looks like we can chat a while longer. Asto sat down on the chair besides me and sighed at his ignorance.

"I never knew that there was music like this."

That's right. The world is huge. The streams of music had flowed through the whole continent before gathering here at this very place.

"Ruto, is this the reason why you got me here? So that I can listen to these music?"

"Mmm."

Asto seemed a little surprised. Actually, that was not the only reason I got him here. I relieved my parched throat with the Oolong tea with its ice close to melting away completely.

"… That's not all though. This is my revenge for the previous time we met."

"Revenge?"

"Yeah. A rebuttal from the amateur critic in response to the violinist."

I could finally look straight into Asto's eyes — the pair of eyes that was glittering in anticipation and curiosity. Well then, how should I start? I took a deep breath and heaved it out.

I went straight to the point.

"To me, critics are something like the DJs."

Asto was a little shaken by my words. I took another deep breath before continuing, "A composer composes a song, and the performers will convey it to the audience. On the other hand, a DJ will snip, connect, rearrange and overlap the original piece to create a totally different product. You never knew that such music exists, right? It's the same for the role of a critic."

I looked at my opened palms.

"A critic belongs to the literary group. Ultimately speaking, even if he is to put on a front of a scholar, a critic is just someone who writes for the readers to read; to make the readers happy, and at the same time, he can earn some cash from it. We —"

I am still a little hesitant to lump myself with the other music critics, because I have not written anything impressive. Still, allow me to finish what I wanted to say.

"— With the pieces composed by the composers as the basis of our articles, we snip, connect, rearrange the pieces. Next, we add in our praises and criticisms, before finally producing an article that is interesting for the readers. This is probably a territory of music which You don't understand, yeah? However, there's no way we can write anything if we do not respect our materials."

I took another look at Asto's face. He returned my gaze with a confused expression in his eyes.

Did he understand what I have said?

"At the very least, that is something that applies to me. There may be some bastards out there who hold no respect for the pieces, treating them like records which they crush with their feet. I do think it's for the best if they disappear off the face of the world. You can easily see if the critic has respect for the pieces that he is criticizing. Perhaps you may think that lies are cheap and we can weave as many lies as we want, but that's not the case at all."

My words ended abruptly.

He should be able to understand, right? Do our words really possess that sort of power? If all I had just said were nothing but a bunch of lies in Asto's ears, I might actually punch him in his face.

"— I know that." Asto said that all of the sudden.

I lifted my head. Asto was narrowing his eyes as if he was looking at me against the bright lights.

"I know Ruto is not lying to me."

He gently placed his hands on my fists which I had clenched unknowingly.

"Because you have put in so much effort to reply to the words which I have said in jest. I am actually really nervous right now. I could not look at you directly due to how guilty I am."

But you have been looking at me all the while.

"What should I do? I must have said some really mean things to you, right? And I said I will never apologize… what should I do? What must I do for you to forgive me?"

I pushed away Asto's icy hands.

"It's fine. I am not doing all these to get an apology from you. Also, it's not like I am angry or anything. Just…"

I could not remain silent due to how bitter I was. After much provocation from her, Weiss had finally managed to get the flame going — the tiny and insignificant pride which resides in my heart. Therefore, it's okay as long as I can convey my words to Asto. No, actually, that's not what I am really concerned about — perhaps… I just want to listen to that piece of music.

I want to listen to the part where Asto and Weiss play together.

I will become strangely uneasy just from imagining the actual scene of them playing together. However, the song of Beethoven which had resulted in the resonances from their performance was still reverberating in my ears.

The atmosphere of the livehouse heated up all of the sudden, and the music was changed to a fast-paced one. The fast-talking of the emcee was picking up speed. I could see someone with a baseball cap beneath the crisscrossing spotlights — it's Yang. Not only was she taking the role of a DJ, she's actually smashing on the keyboard with her fists. From the endless beats of the tempo came the roar of a jet engine, the sound of a downpour and the wail of an incendiary. Purple lights were shone throughout the basement, and that caused the place to be lit in a sea of fire. Asto gave an occasional shriek and even shielded his face with his arms. Yang actually managed to replicate such realistic sounds of the battlefield with only a single synthesizer…

Next came the sounds of the spinning rotors of the helicopters which shattered the cries of the birds, followed by an intense fanfare from the horns. That's the national anthem of America. The blaring of the cars' horns seemed to be mocking the simple tunes of The Star-Spangled Banner which sounded like it was coming out from an old radio. So that's what he was referring to when he said he's performing Jimi Hendrix…?

The ecstatic Yang jumped barefoot onto the synthesizer and began banging on the keyboard of the synthesizer as though she was tap dancing. I never expected that from a disco event. However, her act got the crowd to break into a loud cheer, and Asto was yelling excitedly besides me as well. I was the only person praying for the synthesizer to survive to the end.

"It's already dark. Want me to send you to the station?" I asked Asto. However, his reply was, "I've called a car over, so it's okay." Then again… I think I cycled my way here, yeah?

We made our way to the carpark where my bicycle was via the gravel path. The remaining heat from the ground rose its way up from beneath us. There was a constant stream of people from the audience that were walking out of the livehouse, and all of them were exhausted from their intense enjoyment of the concert.

"Ruto, do you listen to such music frequently?"

"Hmm… occasionally."

"I'm so jealous. I want to visit more places like the livehouse."

As a famous violinist, it must be difficult for him to go to places he wants to. I never did expect him to cater himself to my timing though.

"I will try my best to make myself free whenever Ruto invites me."

With that said, Asto flashed a sly smile.

"You made me speechless today, so it will be my turn next. Just you wait!"

It's better if you don't… why don't we just end our feud here and now?

"But I can't stay in Japan for too long. That's why… I am really jealous."

"You're jealous?"

"I am jealous of Ruto, and at the same time, I am jealous of Weiss as well. It will be great if we can be together forever…"

"Look… my feelings for her is not what you are imagining," I was grasping for words. "Weiss… she's a really impressive guitarist. I liked the sounds of her guitar, so that's the reason why I wanted to start a band with her…"

"Hmmm? Really?"

Asto tilted his head and narrowed his eyes as he looked at me with a mischievous expression. That pissed me off. I had already said the truth!

"Oh well, whatever. I'll just take it as the truth for today. However, I still can't allow you to stay by Weiss's side."

"This again? Can we just stop talking about it…"

"But I want to. That's why… I've said this before, right? That I will take the place of Weiss and stay by Ruto's side. I am serious about that. What do you think?"

I shook my hands hard. There's too many problems with that suggestion of yours. With a slightly depressed expression on his face, Asto muttered, "I see..." But he reverted back to his cheerful smile within seconds.

"I think I finally understand the reason for Weiss and Ruto to be together."

"… Really?"

I don't understand at all — just as I was done saying that, Asto burst into a loud laughter.

"Weiss and I are really alike. We can talk to each other easily, and we have been in the musical world since we were young. Our ways of thought are very similar, and it applies to our preferences as well. Bach, Beethoven and Mendelssohn. To go on further, there's Prokofiev, Scriabin, and even Schoenberg…"

Asto listed the music which Weiss liked. With that said, it seems like Asto had chosen lots of Bach's pieces for his solo performance as well?

"That's why I understand. Because Weiss and I will fall in love with the same person as well."

"Huh?"

Indeed, there must be some striking similarities between the two of them if they like Scriabin and Schoenberg. Upon seeing me nodding my head repeatedly, Asto laughed so hard that his shoulders were trembling, and he was close to rolling about on the floor — that's how ridiculous his laughter was. What's wrong? What's so funny?

Just then, I could see the two headlamps of a car approaching us from the other end of the narrow road.

Asto waved at the incoming car. He then suddenly turned his head around to look at me.

"Oh. I have a request, Ruto."

"Yes?"

"I did ask you to address me as Astolfo', right? It feels really embarrassing if you are to call me 'Asto'."

"Ah, mmm. Sure…"

No wait, hold on. Who are you to be telling me that?

"It's embarrassing for me as well, yeah? Stop calling me Ruto already."

"No way." He stuck out his tongue. "It's too unfair if Weiss is the only one who can call you by that name."

How's that unfair? He was already kicking at the pebbles and running towards the car before I could retort. The blurred outlines of his body disappeared behind the tightly shut door of the co-driver's seat.

I guess… it's my victory for today? As I listened to the exhausts of the leaving car, I suddenly thought: when will he strike back? I had no idea what he would do to me.

I then realized that I was actually looking forward to my next meeting with him. I was surprised by that feeling of mine.

I was in a really solemn mood when I realized that I have to report to my fellow band members about my duel with Asto. Senpai must be really interested in it, and Weiss's gaze would be incredibly painful if I do not say anything…

But that was just me thinking too much into things. That incident became the root of my headaches when I went to school the following day.

"Look here, everyone. This is the picture of Asto in drag. He was sticking himself so intimately next to young man, and they were happily chatting away in whispers too. And this picture — they were actually holding hands…"

"What are you doing!?"

When I reached the practice room after school, I was infuriated by the scene of Senpai proudly spreading out the photos on the table one piece at a time. Chiaki was looking at the pictures excitedly, while Weiss was in an angry mood as she stared at the pictures intensely — and the stars of the pictures are none other than Asto and me when we were both at Bright.

"This… H-How did you get your hands on these photos? Senpai was there as well?"

"Why must I do something that is fitting of a stalker? I am not that free. I know lots of people at the livehouse, and after knowing when you will bring him there, I got them to take the pictures for me."

"You criminal!"

"Indeed. He's so incredibly adorable despite being a guy. That's really criminal of him."

"Stop trying to change the topic!"

"Oh yeah, I heard from Yang about how you had subdued Asto. It looks like you have put in a great deal of effort into it, right? You've stolen my heart yet again, young man!"

Senpai placed her hands on my shoulders and flashed a light smile at the infuriated me — and that caused my anger to vanish instantly. Forget it. It's pointless to talk to her anyway.

"Senpai, senpai. I want this, this and this."

"Sure. Feel free to print as many photos as you like."

"No!"

Weiss snatched the photos off the hands of Chiaki, but they were snatched back by Chiaki just as Weiss was about to crush it. Senpai intervened by hugging the both of them tightly. I pressed my hand on my head as it began to ache. I decided to leave the girls alone, so I grabbed my bass and left the classroom quietly.

I'll have to practice even harder — so that I can fight against Asto's retaliation as a musician.

.

.

.

---

.

.

.

Extra: Brother VS Brother

Let me tell you about my sister. She is a very cute girl.

Let me tell you how much I like my sister. Where should I start… ah… Let's start with my friend.

He always compares his relationship with his sister to mine. He always starts his sentences with "Everyone in the world that has a sister —". Yup, like that. No, even before that he would sometimes use an awkward voice to talk about his sister, then he'd end it with "I hate my sister the most."

Yep, that's it. If there was a story which was told from his perspective, that would definitely be the ending line. Let's forget about him for a second. What I wanted to say is that Naruto is the same as me, he had a lot of things to say about his sister.

What are normal siblings like? I think that comparing our siblings to "normal" ones is completely meaningless, because my cute sister is unique in this world. Her relationship with me is unique. If Naruto was here, he would undoubtedly show an expression of criticism. So, unlike those siblings, let's talk about us, about my unique, cute, special little sister.

Oh, by the way, it seems I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Sasuke Uchiha. I'm the world's happiest brother, Satsuki Uchiha's brother. I have a little sister who is one years younger than me, but she is very cute. Her name is Satsuki.

Satsuki Uchiha. In a nutshell, she is my angel. I'm not joking, there is no other way to put it.

If I had to use other words… well, in that case… There isn't any other way to say it. No, really, I simply couldn't describe my little sister's cuteness in any other way. That's right! My little sister, Satsuki Uchiha, is a cute, multi-talented girl, has a shapely body and since kindergarten she started wearing formal fashion clothing.

She had the most beautiful pair of green eyes, so beautiful that would make people around her fall to their knees.

She was always serious so she was naturally picked to be the class rep, of course, she was very studious as well, so she was popular in her class.

Not only was she good looking but her voice was pleasant, even though I already thought "My little sister is an angel" she had recently, suddenly become more feminine, which sometimes made my heart race. I think that because I have such a cute little sister, I'm the happiest man in the world.

Still, recently there has been something bugging me. The truth is recently… Satsuki was acting strange.

How should I put it… I didn't think it was my imagination… but… Recently, my little sister sometimes stared at me with fiery eyes. It's the truth! Just yesterday, while I was in the courtyard, I suddenly saw something flash in the living room's windows. Right. At that time — I waved my hand at my little sister. Then Satsuki's eyes widened in shock… a few years ago my little sister began her rebellious phase, so sometimes she'd rebel against me. Even still I found her to be cute. That was why I walked over to her.

Upon arriving in the living room my sister was still there, she was sitting on the sofa and reading a novel. This scene looked like a painting of a literary girl to me. I walked into the kitchen and grabbed an energy drink before returning to the living room, then I asked the question.

"Satsuki… Just now?"

"Um? What?"

"Did you watch me while I was practicing in the courtyard?"

"Ah, so what? I just looked at you by coincidence."

"Mmm…" Even if it was just a coincidence, I still felt happy.

Satsuki whispered, "… Onii-chan, you seem to have a lot of muscles."

"Of course, I'm a member of the football club."

I started playing football in elementary school, though I wouldn't say it was my dream, it's still my favorite sport.

"Hey, can I touch you a little bit?"

"Sure you can."

To grant my little sister's request, I held out my arms and let my muscles bulge. Satsuki gently touched them.

"Wow… it's so hard."

—"Ku… it tickles."

When we were small, before we got older we'd sometimes still touch each other like this. It was a small amount of skin to skin contact, but it still moved me a little.

"Are the other members of the club as muscular as you?"

"Not exactly. Everyone had different training methods, so there are some differences. So, do you want to become a manager or something?"

Satsuki went to the same high school as me. Even if she was only a first year right now, I still felt happy about it. In fact, I was happy the very moment she entered my school as a student.

"No, that's not really what I intended… heehee…"

"…?"

At the time, I still wasn't aware of my sister's mysterious smile.

"Never mind. I just wanted to take a look, I'm not fit for strenuous activities anyway. If I had to choose, I'd rather join the Literature club."

"Satsuki, you want to become a game developer, right?"

"How… how did you know?"

"Hn, as your older brother I know every single thing about you!"

I planned to use this line as my trump card but it only caused Satsuki to take a step back.

"Onii-chan… you are so gross."

"What!?"

"Did you see the professional programming book in my room? Is that why you know my hopes and dreams? Isn't it?"

My sister stuck her tongue out at me.

"Don't sneak into my room."

… Thankfully, that's all.

"I'm sorry. When I received a delivery package for you I accidentally opened it."

That was how I found out about your hobby.

"I will be more careful next time… Satsuki?" I paused because my sister paled.

"I can't believe it! How dare you open my package!?"

"I'm sorry!"

… She got that angry? Forget it, it's normal for her age anyway.

"I'm very sorry. Your brother was wrong. I will never do it again."

I apologized from the bottom of my heart. My little sister was extremely angry, so I must never repeat that mistake again. Love causes weakness — that was the old adage, in our relationship my sister had greater authority.

… I always followed my sister's orders and did whatever she told me — but I didn't hate it, because for me, I felt happy whenever I did something for my little sister. Hearing my apologies, Satsuki's anger quickly subsided.

"In that case… I will let it slide this time… sorry… I was a little too harsh… but you must pay attention next time, okay? Even I have some things that I don't want anyone to see… even family…"

"Got it." I smiled and nodded, my sister's "Even I have some things that I don't want anyone to see… Even family…" piqued my interest, but I perished the thought, since my little sister wouldn't like it. That reason alone was enough for me.

"About clubs… if you like gaming that much, how about joining a gaming-related club?"

"Gaming-related club?"

"Yes… um… It's called 'game research'… or something."

"What? Gay research?"

Wow! Suddenly Satsuki's eyes widened and she leaned over.

"… You seem to like it."

"Cough… it's nothing."

You clearly like it, but I bet you'd deny it if I asked so I'll just keep my mouth shut for now…

"About… Gay research and stuff… what do you do exactly? Research body posture or something?"

"No, no. Game research."

"Wah!? You mean B, BL game?"

"Hah?"

What is going on? I think you might be confused about something here. Body posture? BL game? What's that word stand for? What does that come from? Satsuki was mumbling about a 'game?' then she suddenly burst into laughter.

"Onii-chan! A gay dream… it's wonderful!"

I… I looked at my little sister's beautiful smile, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I had missed something.

(◕ω◕✿)

Uchiha's house is three-stories tall with a courtyard, the total space isn't very big and with a rectangular shape that is smaller the higher it goes. Every floor except the first floor has a balcony. My sister and I stay on the third floor while our parents stay on the second floor. The first floor is the living room and dining room, which our family gathers together in — that's about it.

One day I was working out inside my room while checking my times tables and while I was doing some stretching exercises and muscle training — I suddenly felt that somebody was watching me.

"…?"

I always trusted my instincts. When I played football I often relied on my instincts to make the correct decision.

Who is watching me from behind? This wasn't the standard feeling you'd get when somebody is just looking at you. If I had to elaborate I'd say this was the type of gaze that said "Go catch that guy!" like a predator eyeing its prey before making a move… but it should be impossible.

I'm certain nobody is in this room except for me — I've spent all of my time in my room since I've eaten breakfast, there shouldn't have been any time for anyone to sneak into my room, but…

I was thinking while training my stomach muscles. I felt a chill. That gaze was giving me the chills. Maybe there was a thief hiding in my room… actually… my instinct felt like it was telling me that I was being stalked by a pervert…

… Tch… I can't focus…

"Phew…" After a while I took a break and stood up.

I couldn't continue training in this situation, completely unable to flexibly adapt to this situation, maybe it's a trait that I shared with my sister. While I continued to pretend training like usual I tried to pinpoint where that feeling was coming from and slowly moved closer. When I passed my huge wardrobe — I suddenly opened the closet door.

Bang

"…!"

Wow! There is someone inside — I immediately launched my right arm into the darkness and…

"Sa… Satsuki?"

My right hand landed on my little sister's breast. It was definitely at least an E-cup.

"You… what are you doing?"

I suppose she could ask me the same thing but I'd hoped that she would forgive me in this unique situation.

"Ah… eh…" Satsuki was still frozen in place hiding in my wardrobe. One second. Two seconds. Three seconds… then my little sister tilted her head, forced a stuff smile and said, "I'm playing hide and seek. Want to join me?"

"Something like that is impossible."

As if Naruto has possessed me I shouted that line. I didn't expect an answer anyway, but Satsuki counter-attacked:

"Onii-san. How long are you going to fondle my breast?"

"Ah! Sorry!" I totally forgot about it.

"Don't just stand there and apologize!"

Smack… she slapped me.

"Thank you! Thank you very much!"

"You thank someone who just slapped you?"

"No! Actually I've got two reasons…"

"Stop! Disgusting!"

I was heavily criticized by my little sister who was hiding inside of my closet. What the hell is going on?

"I should brag about this to Naruto tomorrow."

"… Like, 'Yesterday, my little sister slapped me?'"

"Yeah, he's got a sister himself, he should be jealous."

"I got it, he is sick too."

It seems that Satsuki didn't like Naruto for some reason. Satsuki's affection points toward Naruto were dropping before they'd even met. Ah, forget it. My sister stepped out of my closet, dusted her clothes and scolded me.

"I will forgive you this time. but don't do it again. Bye~!"

"Please wait."

I caught my sister by her shoulder as she was about to run away and act like nothing happened.

"Ah?"

"Satsuki, did you change the subject because you wanted me to forget the fact that you were hiding in my closet?"

Upon hearing me say that she broke into a cold sweat. My little sister still looked very cute even as she was trembling. I let out a sigh and started lecture her.

"It's true, just now I was at fault as well, but Satsuki, hiding in other people's closets is no good, okay? It makes you look like somebody with questionable motives."

"Uh…"

Satsuki's head dropped down. She sincerely listened to my lecture.

"… Sorry, Onii-chan."

"Good, I forgive you." I said 'good girl, good girl' and patted my sister's head.

Satsuki blushed, "Don't treat me like a kid!"

"Hahaha, sorry." Everything is fine so far.

"Although I really want to know why you were hiding in my closet, if you don't want to tell me then I won't press it."

Okay, so what now?

"I… have to go outside."

A temporary reprieve should be nice. Then my sister called out to me.

"Please wait a moment."

"Uh?"

"About… my reasons…"

"Hah?" My little sister wanted to tell me?

"About that… please don't laugh at me?"

"I won't." I replied.

"If that's what Satsuki wanted, I would definitely not laugh."

Satsuki stared at me without blinking, then she made up her mind and opened her mouth.

"I… recently I practiced drawing… here… take a look…" My sister handed me a small book.

There was a sketch of a man in training (which I assumed was me). I wasn't sure, but her drawing looked good.

"Satsuki… is that…"

"… Onii-chan is my model."

Ah? In other words…

"That is why you…?"

"… Yes."

To tell the truth, I was a bit disappointed.

"I see. Why didn't you just tell me? I would be happy to become your model."

"Really? Onii-chan… You're willing to become my model?"

"Yup."

"Thank you Onii-chan! I like Onii-chan the most!"

I couldn't believe it… Satsuki hugged me… her words "Onii-chan! I like Onii-chan the most!" resonated inside my head. I never thought that I could be so happy — Satsuki said "My reward for you ends here" before distancing herself from me.

"Onii-chan… there are some more sketches… do you want to take a look?"

"Of course. I'll look at all of them, no matter how many there are."

"Yup, then please take a look."

The next picture showed a creepy blonde man pushing a character that looked like me down.

"Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!?"

"That's my favorite picture, Onii-chan!"

"…"

Faced with Satsuki's brilliant smile — I could only break into a cold sweat. My happy mood was shattered into a thousand pieces just now.

Satsuki was very excited, her face reddened, her eyes blinked and while breathing heavily she said, "Amazing! I didn't know that Onii-chan was gay too! If I knew that before hand, I wouldn't have had to worry and would have went straight to you instead!"

"No, no…" This is very bad! The subject has changed to something very bad!

"I'm sorry! When you said you opened my package — I was so worried that Onii-chan would see my 'reference' that I got angry, but don't worry! Now Onii-chan can help me whenever I need a reference!"

"Wake up Satsuki! Wait! Wait a moment!"

"First I need a more extreme reference — Yes? Did you say something?" Satsuki stopped halfway while talking like a machine gun.

Time seemed to stand still… I tried to organize my limited information and confirm my suspicions.

"Satsuki… um… Just now, what exactly… happened?"

"What happened?"

Oh damn, she still didn't know what I was talking about. Sometimes my little sister acted this way — she kept running straight forward without stopping. I like this quality in her… but now isn't the time to talk about that.

"You like gays?"

"Yes!" She loudly answered.

"I see… not just gay love, but the hardcore stuff too?"

"Of course!"

Even I started doubting if I was asking the right questions, but my sister still answered. There wasn't anything else I could do but accept the facts. My little sister is — a big hentai.

But… but… then what happened? Satsuki likes gays? So what? Did it change anything? No, it changed nothing at all! No matter what my little sister's hobbies are — I will not look down on her. No matter what happened Satsuki was my cute little sister, an important member of my family. Even this won't be enough to shake me.

"… Okay." I made up my mind.

The silence made Satsuki a little uneasy, though.

She asked timidly and with a depressed expression, "That… is my hobby… strange?"

"No! Totally not!"

"Really!? So Onii-chan, will you become gay?"

"Of course not!"

"So what is your answer in the end!? Don't be so ambiguous!"

"Why are you angry with me?"

Cough cough I interrupted.

"Satsuki… listen to me carefully. I, well, I am not gay. I am a siscon."

Don't look at me like you are about to cry! Aagrh… if she continued looking at me like that… I might have to become gay! No! No! Calm down Sasuke!

"To tell you the truth, I don't really get it right now, but I will definitely not make fun of you."

"… Really?" Satsuki finally seemed to get it. She nodded a few times. "Sorry, Onii-chan. Did I scare you?"

"Uh…"

"I have liked this stuff for a long time but because I had to hide my hobby, I always get carried away whenever I talk about it… I am still unable to fix this habit."

"That's fine, I don't care about what Satsuki likes, besides, just the fact that I'm still here speaks volumes to my trustworthiness, right?"

I wasn't just trying to be kind, I was speaking the truth. Satsuki laughed "hehe" like a little child.

"Onii-chan you always know how to cheer people up. You must be very popular, right?"

"That's because I'm your brother. I'm not this nice to other people."

"I… Idiot!" Satsuki seemed to be unhappy, she glared at me. Did I say something wrong again?

"Say… you really don't have a girlfriend?"

"Nope."

"Really?"

Maybe I was just imagining things but she seemed to be relieved.

Satsuki twisted her mouth and said, "A handsome guy like onii-chan don't have a girlfriend? Strange."

"Hmm… in other words, if Satsuki was my classmate instead of my little sister she would have a crush on me?"

"O-Of course not! Don't get carried away."

"Sorry."

"… Why do you sound so happy when apologizing after I scold you?"

Because I am happy. Of course I wouldn't say that out loud.

"Haha, hey, I haven't gone out with a girl before and I still enjoy playing football with boys… does that make me look like a kid?"

Hearing me mocking myself Satsuki said, "I feel like something is terribly wrong!"

"Hey, what do you mean by that!?"

"I think that Onii-chan has the potential to become gay."

"… At least you're being honest."

I had decided not to judge my little sister… but her homo hobby was quite difficult to handle. Satsuki's next line made these thoughts vanish, however.

"About that… it's a little hard to say but… I think that telling Onii-chan was the correct choice. I was so… worried before."

So, my little sister felt relieved after she told me about her hobby. Not long after that the word "fujoshi" — girls who like gays — had entered my life permanently…

"Well, that's about it."

After repeating how I became aware of my little sister's hobby I let out a sigh.

(◕ω◕✿)

It was September and I was on my way home.

"So? My little sister was so cute, right?" I said in confidence to Naruto, who was walking next to me.

"… Hey… how could you look so proud while saying that?" Naruto broke into cold sweat.

This guy is Naruto Namikaze. He has been my friend for the last four years, well, you could say that he is my best friend. He is a noisy and lazy guy and he likes to stick his nose into other people's business. But — in terms of female relationship, he is very dense. I always wondered why is so many girls attracted to this idiot.

"You've banned all topics involving my 'little sister being so cute', so what exactly do you want to hear?"

"… I want to hear the story of 'how hard my life became because my little sister is a fujoshi'."

"There are no huge difficulties. Sure, there are some minor troubles, but I'm happy every day. I'm very happy that Satsuki is my little sister."

"… I don't know if I should praise you for being a good brother or if I should advise you that your masochist side has awoken."

"No matter what you say Naruto, you aren't in the position to pass judgment on me. I've heard things from Karin and using my little sister's story as an example to show you — I am better than you in every way. I'll be clear — Naruto, you are too terrible."

"I don't want to hear that from you!"

Still the same noisy guy that likes to criticize others. It's just too bad he's picked the wrong guy to mess with.

"How about a brother who goes to buy eroge for his sister?"

"You bought homo eroge, too! Your own little sister asked you to do it! You even considered buying a sex doll that looked like your little sister! You are a way bigger pervert than I am!"

"Wrong! I only bought the catalog!"

… Dammit, I feel a little embarrassed.

"Naruto, let just forget about that alright? Back to the main topic. What exactly is our main topic, anyway? Ah right, of course it would be how cute my little sister is."

"… That's all you have to say?"

"Of course, because my little sister is the cutest in the world."

I raised my chest and boasted. This made Naruto's temple twitch a little for some reason.

"The cutest… in the world?"

"Yes. To tell you the truth I don't understand people who like to play little sister eroge, because compared to Satsuki, any other sister is a cheap replacement."

"Agrhhh… You…"

"… Hey, why are you angry?"

"Huh!? I'm not."

No, you are.

"I'm not angry." Naruto said in a small voice while looking unhappy.

"However, I think there are some mistakes in what you just said."

"… What?"

What are you talking about? Are you getting angry because somebody was talking bad about your sister? What a troublesome fellow. I'm a brother myself so I can understand how he feels right now, however, shouldn't he keep his cool and calmly debate rather than getting angry?

Naruto said, "My sister is much cuter than yours."

Grahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

"What the hell are you doing!? Insulting my sister is too low!"

"%#^!$%^ …!"

"Speak a human language!"

"%$^% #…! Naruto! You have said something unforgivable. Right back at you — my sister is much cuter than yours!"

"Huuh? Pfff, that's impossible."

Naruto's eyes were burning with anger.

"My sister is a hundred times cuter than yours!"

"Wrong! Satsuki is much cuter!"

"Naruko is much cuter!"

We stared fiercely at each other.

"Fine then, Naruto! Let's have a duel!"

"Hah! I commend your bravery! What are the rules?"

"The rules are…"

The next day in homeroom during break time, my duel with Naruto began.

"I will go first! My turn! I summon Satsuki's seven-five-three photo!"

Bam! My little sister's secret picture was thrown onto the table!

As if Naruto was damaged by a physical attack, he recoiled and assumed a defensive pose.

"Urgh…!"

"Hahahahahahaha — how is that? Cute right!? The cutest one in the world right?"

"You are too naive…! My turn! I summon Naruko's picture in a fashion magazine!"

Bam!

"Urgh…!"

I was nearly blown away.

"Heh… no matter what you have my sister is a fashion model, everyone agrees that she is super cute! What about your sister? Hahaha… I guess not — it is my win, Sasuke!"

Don't get carried away.

"Hah, I don't care about what other people think, I believe that Satsuki is the cutest little sister in the world. That's why we're having this duel today!"

The most important rule of this duel… is that we don't care about what other people think. This duel's only goal is to make the opponent admit defeat. This duel will continue until one side admits defeat!

Whack! I threw one more picture on the table.

"A picture of Satsuki let her hair down ."

"Hm, do you think that would work on me?"

"You are too careless Naruto! Now you just activate my trap card!"

Rumble rumble!

I heard something explode in my head when I flipped my secret photo face up.

"Behold! Satsuki in a bikini!"

"Woahhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Naruto let out an agonizing scream, his body trembled…

"…"

Then he took the photo and tried to put it in his pocket as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Don't think you can steal it from me!"

I kicked him with all the might I've earned in the football club.

"Wow! Didn't you forbid physical attacks?"

"That's for stealing my treasure!"

"Hey Sasuke, in this picture Satsuki clearly wasn't aware that you were taking her photo!?"

"If I asked her she would undoubtedly cover herself with something, but I wanted to take a photo featuring my little sister's breasts!"

"You really are the worst brother in the world, but nicely done!"

"Thank you. I hadn't planned on ever letting anyone see that picture — in any case, do you admit defeat now? Compared to your flat-chested sister, Satsuki is cuter."

"H-How dare you call my sister flat-chested! Fine then! it look like I have to show you my precious treasure as well."

"What…?"

Naruto — who openly admits that he hates his sister had a treasure as well!?

"Taste defeat!"

Bang! Naruto threw another magazine down.

"This… this is…"

"This is the special summer swimsuit edition. Bikinis, swimsuits, I've got everything I need right here!"

On the cover of the magazine was Naruko Namikaze, Naruto's little sister and another beautiful girl with black hair. Since this picture was taken by a professional photographer, everything was perfect. They cooperated completely and each had a perfect smile. Compared to this picture, mine wasn't even qualified to be its opponent.

"How was that Sasuke? You admit your defeat yet?"

"No way. That fake smile could never move my heart. Hey Naruto, so far you've only shown me your sister's pictures in magazines, yet you live in the same house and you can't show me a single picture of her in her daily life? If you want to end this duel with a brilliant smile, then show me a picture of her smiling for her brother!"

"Kuh…"

Naruto looked troubled. His relationship with his sister wasn't good, so he couldn't get any pictures like that. Now it's my turn!

"Satsuki's picture in kindergarten!"

"Satsuki's first time helping me with housework!"

"Satsuki's first time with a ponytail!"

- Soon-

"Ha… Ha… How was that Naruto…? Admit your loss yet?"

"Not yet — it's far from over, though I admit the picture of her with a ponytail is interesting."

The duel between us turned into a stalemate, both of us have very high defensive power so it wouldn't be settled any time soon. Naruto and I were unable to make the other admit that our sister is the cutest one in the world.

Then…

"… Damn, we couldn't decide on a winner…"

"… I will finish this really fast…"

Both of us wiped the sweat of our forehead. Just then Aihara decided to interrupt us.

"Hey you two idiot! Our next lesson is about to start in another classroom."

Chiaki Aihara, one of my classmates. She is Naruto's childhood friend.

"Ahh… we still haven't decided on a winner yet."

"How about we let Aihara be our referee?"

"Okay. Hey, Chiaki — you must have seen everything, right? So, who do you think is the winner?"

"I think you are both extremely disgusting."

Clank clank clank

Aihara said that and left.

So, in the end, we decided to continue our duel after school.

After school we restocked our ammunition (little sister pictures) before continuing. The stage is now my house. In my room there were a lot of Satsuki's sleeping pictures — all of them are powerful cards.

I will definitely not lose! I was very confident about this. However, Naruto looked confident too. Before we could resume our duel something happened along the way.

"Hey Naruto, aren't you going to go back to your house?" I asked if he was going to restock his ammunition but Naruto shook his head.

"Even if I did, I don't know where she keeps her magazines hidden."

"So how are you going to continue?"

"Wait a second, I need to send my sister a message."

I took a peek at Naruto's phone and saw him send a message that said: "I'm having a duel with my friend over whose little sister is the cutest on the planet. Send me some of your cute pictures immediately."

Beep beep. The message had been sent. About one minute later —

"Ah, I got a reply."

Naruto's sister sent him a message.

"Disgusting. Die!"

"…"

"… Naruto, your sister really hates you."

"… Wait! There is an attachment…!"

Naruto quickly checked the attachment without letting me see.

"Ahah!~~~~~~~~ This girl! She called me disgusting but she also attached a super cute picture. Hmm, hm… Sasuke, victory is mine! Just this picture alone is enough to crush you in more ways than one!"

Naruto looked at the picture with a content expression on his face.

… Really… those siblings… I couldn't understand them at all. While we were talking we had arrived at my house.

"Come in."

"It's pointless."

"What are you saying?"

Armed with a huge amount of confidence, Naruto's face reddened a bit.

"Sasuke… look here… this picture's cuteness… there is no need to compare anymore is there?"

He showed me the picture on his cell phone. This picture was taken by Naruto's sister herself — wearing a school uniform with a bright smile and making a V-sign. It was truly a very powerful picture…

Amazing, she clearly knew how to show off her cuteness. No wonder Naruto was captivated by her. To be honest, I couldn't imagine that this was the same girl that sent that cruel message earlier.

"Yes, she is really cute… but I've still got some more powerful pictures of Satsuki inside…"

"There is no need to show me anymore, I've already figured out your sister's style. No matter how many pictures you have, you won't be able to beat mine."

"What are you saying…!?"

I felt angry. Naruto raised his hand and stopped me.

"I don't mean to talk badly about Satsuki, what I am saying is — your pictures have a major weakness."

"Weakness? Like what?"

"It is you yourself."

"…?"

Naruto pointed his finger at me while I froze in place as if lighting stuck me.

"Out of all the pictures you've shown me, you didn't appear in any of them! It is only when the sister is together with her brother, that her true cuteness blossoms! Without a picture of you two together, there's no way you prove to me that she is the cutest sister in the world…!"

"Indeed…!" Naruto, what you said just now is the truth! Since when did you get so good at talking!? Did you copy that line from an eroge?

"However, Naruto! It's the same for you as well!"

"Hm?"

Hearing the contempt in Naruto's laugh I finally noticed. He wanted me to say that.

"Kukuku… I will show you my true killer move…"

Recently it seems Naruto enjoyed talking in an overly-dramatic tone.

Clank clank Naruto made a meaningless pose.

"Keep your eyes open! Our duel has finally come to an end!"

He showed me the back side of his cell phone. That was a photo booth picture stuck to it.

"How could this be…!? How could you have that kind of lovelove picture with your sister!?"

You bastard, I was so jealous of you! You set a trap and I jumped straight into it.

"Kukukuku! Hahahahahahaha!" Naruto broke out in laughter.

Is there anything I can do? I couldn't have imagined that… he had prepared such a miracle card…! Dammit!… I can't… there is no picture in my collection that would stand a chance against this one.

"… I'm sorry, Satsuki… I… I…"

I knelt down in a orz position. Upon seeing that Naruto laughed even harder.

"… See you later Sasuke. Your little sister should be home about now." He spouted that winning line at me.

However!

"Speaking of that, I had hoped you two would have a little more self-control."

When I had already given up, an angel's voice rang in my ears.

"Oh… Satsuki? My little sister?"

I turned back and saw my angel — Satsuki standing behind me. Naruto noticed Satsuki too.

"Ah… hi, Satsuki. Did you just get back?"

Satsuki opened her eyes, said, "Just get back? What are you two idiot brothers doing? I've seen everything from the beginning but I was too embarrassed to step in."

"Wah, wah, wah, wah! Satsuki you heard everything? Since when?"

"… Since 'Ahahahahahaha — how is that? Cute right!? The cutest one in the world right!?'."

"Isn't that from all the way back when we were in the classroom?"

"I was trying to give you something you forgot! That's when I accidentally heard that — I was so embarrassed I thought I would die!"

"Why didn't you say something back then?"

"How could I say anything after hearing that!? There were a lot of second year female Senpai there!"

Ah, right.

"… Sorry, Satsuki."

"… Sorry."

Naruto and I both apologized.

Satsuki folded her arms, said "Forget it." and stared at us.

"And you still continued doing these embarrassing things."

"Don't worry! We have decided a winner!" Naruto boasted.

Damn, he pissed me off! But I couldn't say anything back…!

"Ah … Right, based on what I've heard it seems my brother lost because he didn't have a picture that features him and me together, right?"

"Yes. That's how I emerged victorious."

"I see." Satsuki said in an expressionless voice.

"Onii-chan, stay there. Don't move."

"Why?"

"Just do as I say. Naruto Senpai, please ready your cell phone in camera mode."

"…?"

We didn't understand but we followed her instructions anyway. Just as we were puzzled trying to figure out what Satsuki was going to do…

Chirp I was kissed on the cheek.

"Okay. It seems like Onii-chan is the winner now — see you later, Naruto Senpai."

"That… that…"

Leaving the speechless Naruto behind, Satsuki pulled me (still blushing madly) inside the house. She seemed calm but her face was red from ear to ear.

"I am going to confiscate all of your pictures, Onii-chan. Also, forget about what just happened immediately."

I still held the same view I had before. My little sister is so cute.

Later that day at Namikaze's house.

"I'm home."

"… Did you win?"

"Huh?"

"I said — did you win?"

"Ah… Sorry, I lost."

"Huh? Why? I sent you that picture!"

"Right, about that… come here and take a look. This is a picture of Satsuki kissing Sasuke on the cheek."

"What! Satsuki… she… you are lying… is it real…?"

"I just couldn't win. No matter how much I tried to deny it, there was nothing I could do against this picture."

"Oh…"

"…"

"Hey, would you stop staring at me!? I will not do that to you!"

.

.

.

---

.

.

.

Extra: Sister Vs Sister

My name is Naruko Namikaze. I am a very cute Sister to a very siscon Brother. What the very super cute me is doing right now is…

"Clank clank~! Naruko-chan! This is the paradise for girls — Ikebukuro"

"I see~~~~"

This was my newest otaku friend — Little Satsuki. I went with her to "maiden's road". To my right was Sunshine60 with Animate in front of me.

"Haah… so this is paradise for girls?"

"Hehe~ I know this place like the back of my hand, so just leave everything to me!"

Boing Little Satsuki's breasts — and I felt a little jealous about this — were jiggling.

Her real name is Satsuki Uchiha, and it seems she also has a very siscon brother. We've been meeting occasionally for the reason of complaining about our brothers.

Satsuki was one year older than me and she liked BL games. To be honest, I didn't have much interest in BL games. My only experience was with a light BL game called "The perverted brother" (which I bought due to it having a misleading title).

"A-Ah — I see." Then while I was talking about it with Little Satsuki, I had to interrupt her BL speech by saying, "My perverted Brother wants to harass me."

"You truly are my best friend!"

She almost destroyed my eardrums. Little Satsuki held firmly on to this "perverted Brother" topic and continued her violent ranting.

"Let's meet again Naruko-chan! Tomorrow after school, let's go to the Holy Land together!"

That's how it ended up like this.

Ikebukuro isn't as big as Akihabara, but it's still got a lot of unique manga, game shops, collage shops, the Sunshine building and cinemas. It was a nice place for otaku girls. If you had time, you could even stroll around looking at clothes. Anyway, I came to this paradise for girls with Satsuki but I didn't get to pay much attention afterward, because Satsuki talks too much.

Well, it isn't like I didn't pay attention at all.

"I've fallen in love with the new Blazblue art recently."

"Ah — Kobayakawa Sensei's work? I only know that she took part in making Madoka, but Madoka's art is totally different thanks to her."

Kobayakawa Sensei's normal works and commercial works are totally different from one another. Kuroneko once said "I don't like people who have a different side to them when dealing with commercial interests". Now that I think about it, about a year ago Kuroneko went to a show of Kobayakawa Sensei's alone, maybe that was because she didn't know how she should react to her.

… Nah, that couldn't be. She loved the original manga so much.

Hearing my comment regarding Kobayakawa Sensei, Satsuki immediately began talking again.

"That's right, that's right, that's right! I didn't know that the original BL was so different than the anime! That was the biggest regret of my life! It would have been so much better if Ruri told me that sooner! Hey Naruko-chan, what did you think of the scene where the Rachel delivered a kick between Ragna's legs? I think that was the best scene ever! YESSSSSSSS! Even though Ruri thinks differently, I truly believe the current pairing sucks. What do they think they're doing, just wasting the time of the viewers like that!?"

I had already started thinking Satsuki was talking too much, but the truth is, later on she ranted even more. I could tolerate it because Satsuki was my friend, but she should really pay more attention to her surroundings. Like me.

After a stroll we brought our spoils to a cafe shop in Sunshine to take a break, that was Satsuki's suggestion. So, fujoshi usually took this route, huh? We were drinking fruit juice while checking out what we bought earlier.

"Yep. Those are the easiest games that I could recommend to a beginner such as yourself, before we meet again be sure to play them at least twice. That is your homework."

"… Homework huh?"

You simply imposed your decision on me. Well, I bought them anyway.

Satsuki's eyes flashed "After you finish your entry level test, we could move to the next level, then I could lend you some more in-depth works."

"… I have to ask, did you buy all of this stuff by yourself?"

"Nope. Most of the time I ask my brother to buy it for me."

"… Brother… You asked your big brother to buy BL stuff for you?"

That's bad, right? There's something wrong with that, right?

"What are you saying, Naruko-chan? You asked Naruto Senpai to buy eroge for you, didn't you?"

"Yes, I did! But don't you think that there is some thing different about that case?"

"I think it's the same."

"It's not! That is BL stuff! Satsuki… is your brother… gay?"

"Yes!" A very confident answer.

"Really?"

"My brother is 10000% percent gay."

Scary!

We were raising our voices while talking about this gay topic, so I thought the other customers would be staring at us — only to find that people around me were discussing similar topics. Sunshine was such a frightening place. I hope today was just the exception.

Toward that rotten topic, I had no choice but to force a smile.

"… I see."

"Yes, hehehe." Satsuki was embarrassed.

"Ah… about… but Satsuki's brother… it seems like he's got a good relationship with Naruto?"

"The truth is that they are actually going out!"

"Really!?"

"Yes!"

Bang Bang We slammed on the table and leaned toward each other. Ack… no, wait, wait, wait, wait…

"… That's a joke, right?"

"It's the truth! Don't you trust me, Naruko-chan?"

Where did all this confidence come from? Following a rational line of thought, that was impossible, but if this continued… I might start to think "Ah… could it be true!?"

"But… but… he has gone out with a girl before."

Even though they broke up… I think that was in name only. Besides, he even said "Before you get a boyfriend, I will not get a girlfriend." So…

"How could two boys go out with each other!?"

"You are too naïve, Naruko-chan! Your thinking is too restricted by common sense. Just because you see something, that doesn't make it true."

Satsuki opened her eyes wide.

"Just open your eyes, Naruko-chan. Your brother is an uke type!"

"U… Uke… type?" What are you saying? Even though I didn't fully understand what she was talking about, I was still creeped out. Truly, Satsuki was worthy of the title "The Wielder of the Mystic Eyes."

Satsuki took a deep breath and continued talking in a disgusting way. "That's right — not only should he be wearing dog ears already, he should have started an unrequited love like a certain legendary super soldier… That is your brother, Naruko-chan!"

"Sorry, Satsuki! I'm not following you!"

Actually, does there exist another person in this world that can follow her at this point? So this is why otaku are only active in Akihabara! A Fujoshi's power increases ten-fold at Ikebukuro. Ah, I really-really-really shouldn't have come here alone! I should have at least called Kuroneko…!

Also, I should ask Naruto the question "Are you really going out with Satsuki's brother!?" just to be sure.

"Could we talk about something else?" I tried my best to change the topic.

"Something else?"

Satsuki made an expression that said "What else can we talk about at Ikebukuro besides BL-related topics?".

What a difficult problem. If I wanted to change topics, I had to use something that captured Satsuki's attention as much as BL. After thinking about it for a while, I had an idea.

"Satsuki, do you have someone you like?"

"Oh, that? Listen to me!"

She took the bait! She took it all, hook, line and sinker! Her reaction was stronger than the time I mentioned "Perverted Brother" earlier. Satsuki slammed her hands on the table and started her machine gun-like speech saying "Please listen to me, listen, just listen to me."

"Recently, my relationship with my Onii-chan has become very bad! The amount of attention my Onii-chan has been showing me was sometimes so disgusting that I didn't know how to respond."

You started talking about your brother when I brought up a love topic… you are 10000% brocon!

"Yes, I understand your concerns… but you said your brother is gay, so it's a little weird…"

"Just listen to me!"

Bang Bang Satsuki slammed on the table again. Based on the look on her face, she was about to start ranting again.

This abnormal state was fairly common, so I quickly and obediently said, "What happened between you and your brother?"

"That… well… Keep it a secret, okay?"

"Sure."

Satsuki nodded and whispered to me "… I kissed my Onii-chan."

"Wha…! Cough cough." I spat my juice out.

"What… What, what, what, what… what did you… just say!?"

"On the cheek! Just on the cheek!"

"On the cheek? Oh, could it be… that picture!?"

"Yes."

I knew about that picture, Naruto looked quite jealous back then.

"Phew… you scared me. I thought that you kissed him lip-to-lip…!"

"How could it be!? That's disgusting!" Satsuki shook her head furiously.

I murmured, "Even on the cheek, I still think it's gross."

"Ack…! How could you say that? Naruko-chan, didn't you take a lovey dovey photo booth picture with your brother? I heard it from Onii-chan."

"Please forget you heard that! It was my dark history! Dark history!"

"Huh — really? So, why do you still stick this photo booth picture on your cell phone?"

"Ack…! That… was because…"

I forced a smile and tried to explain, but Satsuki's eyes widened.

"Ack… You really do?"

"…"

"You… You tricked me! It's be- because Naruto stuck it on his phone too, so I thought… well… it's not like that!"

"What is not like what?"

"That… that serves as a reminder that he is a disgusting siscon. He is the disgusting one here, not me. In contrast, Satsuki, since you're the one who kisses your brother, you're the disgusting one here, alright?"

"What kind of sophistry is that!? True, I was a little gross… but you have no right to tell me that! Either way, Naruto Senpai is not as much of a siscon as my Onii-chan."

"Ha!? What did you just say? That's impossible, he is a way bigger siscon than your brother."

"Wrong! My Onii-chan likes me so much that he was willing to go to a BL game shop in the middle of the night to buy a game for me!"

"My Brother also helped me buy eroge! Not only that, but because he missed the last train and was unable to get back before morning, he borrowed a bicycle and went back to Chiba from Akihabara — he likes me that much! Isn't it awesome!? Isn't he a huge siscon?"

"Damn… there was one time at Akihabara's adult shop where my Onii-chan planned to buy a love doll that looked like me!"

"Love…!?" Love doll — you mean…

Satsuki boasted at the speechless me, "How was that? Siscon enough?"

"That's not siscon, that's just plain perversion!" He should be arrested immediately!

"Hm, perversion? How could you say that about my Onii-chan! What about your brother? He tries to fondle my breasts every time we meet." Satsuki covered her breasts.

"That… that has to be a lie."

"It's not, it's the truth. He's even earned a nickname among the first year student — 'Sexual harassment Senpai'."

"Ugh —" If that's true, I'll kill him.

We never expected our conversation could turn into a contest to see which brother is the biggest siscon. Satsuki seemed to believe that she had the upper hand and delivered her finishing strike.

"Hm, hm — compared to Naruto Senpai who has fallen for many girls, my Onii-chan is different. He has always only liked me. It looks like my Onii-chan is the winner."

"On the other hand, Naruto told me that your brother once said he wanted to marry Karin."

"Who is Karin?"

"She is our cousin and she also your brother classmates ."

"Ah! It's her! So it's her! But… but…"

"Hehehe, it looks like your brother is not at loyal as you thought, Satsuki."

"You are horrible, Naruko!"

"Doesn't matter."

"You…! Ohhhh… so it's a fight you want, huh!? My Onii-chan is the bigger siscon! There's a ton of evidence to support this!"

Facing an enthusiastic Satsuki, I casually said, "Hm — by the way, he broke up with his girlfriend because I said that I disliked it."

"Hah!?" Satsuki's eyes almost jumped out of her sockets.

"G-Girlfriend?"

"Yes."

"Impossible! That must be a lie! It's totally impossible!"

"Not long ago, he assaulted me at night."

"Eeehhhhh!?"

"While I was studying abroad he flew to America and said to me 'I will die without you' while crying…"

"…"

Satsuki didn't say anything.

I waited for a few seconds and whispered, "So… What do you think?"

"I… I'm going to tell Onii-chaaan !" Satsuki got angry and run away.

I watched, stupefied, as she fled.

"… What exactly is she trying to do? Tell her brother? Huh… could it be… that she wanted to do something even more extreme with him!?"

I started to imagine an H-event occurring inside the Uchiha household.

A few days later, after school Satsuki contacted me via Skype.

"Naruko-chan! Do you have a pixiv account?"

That was the first thing she said.

"I have one… but so what!? You ran away without waiting for me!"

"I'm sorry! I'm very sorry! Please listen to me!"

It looks like she has something special to say.

"Actually, I recently became acquainted with an artist on pixiv. He helped me a lot to improve my drawing skills. That — ah, you'd better take a look at this! Here's a demonstration!"

"… This?"

A URL had appeared in the chatbox, I clicked without hesitation. It was a BL illustration.

"… You wanted to show me this?"

"Ack!? You didn't even notice?"

"No… I realize one of them is Naruto."

But why did she show me this? I felt a little unhappy.

"Ack!? You really don't?"

"No idea. Who is the other guy here? I thought you always paired your brother with Naruto?"

"I have a new combination now."

"Really…?"

So you wanted to show off. Yeah, I understand the feeling.

"So who is he? He must be someone you know, right?"

Bright yellow hair, slim body and a hairpin…

"This is Naruko-kun."

"What?" I asked blankly, and in shock.

"Wh… what? What? Say it again…"

"Good looks, excellent in both his studies and sports, but the truth is he is a younger brother who loves BL games! His name is Naruko-kun!"

Her unpleasant laughter came from the headphones.

"He took advantage of life counseling to do naughty things with his elder brother."

"What do you mean by 'do'!? How did it come to this!?"

"Our conversation a few days ago with romance as the topic gave me inspiration, so I made a Naruko male version and paired him with Naruto! Hm, hm, to think that I could have such a brilliant, creative mind!"

You…!

"You fujoshi! I will kill you! Delete it immediately!"

"That's impossible — it's art from a famous artist, it's already been spread all over the internet by now. There's no way to take down a picture once it's begun circulating."

"Get lost you fujoshi!"

Bang! Hah… hah… hah… hah… I logged out of Skype while my shoulders were still shaking.

"Satsuki… what have you done? Ahhhhhh… This is a heavy blow to my spirit…" I let out a tired sigh.

… That's enough, I should forget about it…

I took a long, hard look at the picture entitled "Naruko-kun assaults Naruto" on my screen.

.

.

.