Chapter 8 Can't Be Together
Tsukasa's POV
Flashback
"Saki", I yelled as I walked into my house. "Your dear big brother has returned!"
I got no answer when I said this.
"Huh", I started. "I guess she and Ichika must've already left for band practice."
After I said this…I became a bit sad.
I was hoping to talk to Ichika after what I had told her yesterday, but I guess that wasn't going to happen.
Sighing in defeat, I went up to my bedroom.
When I did…I noticed something on my nightstand.
It was…a notebook. A Hatsune Miku notebook I instantly recognized.
"Wait a minute", I started. "Isn't that…the notebook Ichika uses to write song lyrics in?"
With that, I picked up the notebook.
When I did…I noticed a familiar bookmark in it.
The bookmark was made with a Geranium, which was Ichika's birth flower.
I had made it for her as a birthday gift back when we were spending time together.
I smiled sadly at the bookmark. Then…I opened up the notebook to the page the bookmark had been on.
When I did…I read the lyrics that were written there.
I knew what they meant straight away.
"I see", I started. "So Ichika wanted me to see these lyrics. She's sending me a message."
That Night
Once Saki was asleep…I crept downstairs to the piano.
Then…I opened Ichika's notebook…and saw the lyrics I had added to the song.
These were my reply to her message.
With that, I put the notebook down in front of me…and began composing a melody for the song.
The Next Morning
Saki came down the stairs as bubbly as ever.
"Good morning, Onii-Chan", she greeted.
"Good morning, my dear little sister", I greeted. "Oh! By the way, Ichika left her notebook here."
"She did", Saki asked.
"She did", I replied. "So please make sure to return it to her."
Present Day
I sighed sadly as I thought of this memory on the way to school.
When I got there, I spotted Rui and Nene in the locker room.
I quickly put a smile on my face before walking up to them.
"Good morning my fellow troupe members", I greeted.
"Good morning, Tsukasa-Kun", Rui greeted.
"Tsukasa", Nene started. "Can I ask you something? Why didn't you tell us that it was Ichika who wrote the song you performed?"
These words took me by surprise.
"Wh…what", I asked. "How do you know that?"
"I heard Ichika singing the song in the park", Nene revealed. "Anyway, she said we can use it in our show."
"She did", I asked
"She did", Rui replied. "Isn't it wonderful?"
"Ah…", I started nervously. "Yeah."
Later That Day
I walked into the park, looking for a certain someone.
I spotted her sitting on one of the riding things and sat down next to her.
"H…hey", I greeted nervously.
"Hey", she greeted.
"Nene tells me that you gave us permission to use your song in our show."
"Yeah", she replied. "I did."
"Are you okay with that", I asked.
"It's not like they know the true reason behind the song", she said. "So it's fine."
"Okay then", I said. "Well, that was all I wanted to talk about. I'd better get going."
With that, I got up and tried to leave, but before I could…Ichika suddenly grabbed onto my wrist.
"Wait Tsukasa", she started. "Can we please talk?"
"I already gave you my reply."
"So that's it", Ichika asked. "You won't be with me, even though you want to?"
"A relationship between us could cause issues in your relationship with Saki", I stated.
"Like what", Ichika asked angrily.
"For starters", I started as I turned around to face her. "She may not want us to be together, and even if she did, what if we got into a fight, or broke up?!"
When I said this, Ichika looked down sadly.
Then…unable to hold myself back…I pulled Ichika into my arms.
"I want to be with you, Ichika", I started. "But I don't want to risk your friendship with Saki. I'm sorry."
With that, I pushed Ichika away…and ran off. My heart breaking as I did so.
