Aaron listened intently to the music, it was a simple beat, that ran in a loop so it was easy for her to define a bass line and play it. Since the beat was simple Aaron could observe what everyone else was doing. They all were absorbed in their music, Shuichi's voice sang beautifully and his energetic movement lifted the mood of the room. Even Hiro seemed to be more upbeat than when he entered the studio.
Aaron thought over Ryuichi, in America she mourned over him for a long time, but then forgot about him. She had always laughed at herself over it, she said to Aki that it was just a childhood crush, any ten year falls giddy for a guy friend, especially Ryuichi. It was only when she saw him on the sidewalk she remembered how she felt; it must have been the years of being an outcast and being alone that made her think she still liked him. She looked at Hiro. He glanced up at her. She looked away. This is a much different feeling, but it seems oddly familiar. But what did she know. She hadn't even been kissed; she had no experience whatsoever. There was only one thing that troubled her. She hardly even knew Hiroshi, how was she supposed to feel this way about him. She remembered distinctly, she had admired him. Oh no… She realized something; that's the same type of elementary school love I had for Ryuichi. She winced. Is that the only way I can love?
The band all stared at Aaron whose face was casted to the ground in thought; she was plucking the melody of the song even though it was well over. Aki strutted up to her and tapped her on her shoulder. "Uhm… Aaron… the song is done." She said awkwardly.
"Oh…" Aaron said her face covered in shame. "How embarrassing…" She blushed slightly.
Shuichi quickly drew the attention away. "Let's practice Spicy Marmalade, we haven't played that song in forever." He shouted. The band agreed to it.
"Here." Hiro said pushing some sheet music to Aaron. "You'll need this more than I do." Aaron thanked him. She blushed slightly. Then mentally scolded herself.
The song started off, Aaron played every note on the sheet but slowly dropped of notes that didn't sound quite fitting, it ended up to be a really pretty tune.
Sakano watched the band rehearsing he smiled, for some reason the bass made the song flow easier.
Down the hallway Tohma Seguchi, who was going to pay a visit to Sakano, overheard Bad Luck's practice. "That's quite a new talent you found." Said Tohma who was observing from behind.
"M-Mr. President!" Sakano shouted, "What are you doing here?"
"Well I couldn't help overhearing while I was walking by." He lied. "Who is that girl?" Tohma pointed at Aaron who was smiling like she was in a different world as she struck each note of the bass.
"Oh, she's K's niece, the back up guitarist we signed, she wanted to play with the band." Sakano explained straightening his tie.
Tohma smiled. "So you decided to take my advice after all."
"Uhm. Yes." Sakano said quickly as he pushed his glasses up on the bridge of his nose.
"Well she sure does add in a unique style." Tohma said crossing his arms. "Oh." He looked up and turned to Sakano. "We still have that dinner date tonight."
Sakano looked down and blushed. "Y-yes. Mudai's Sushi Bar. 8 PM."
"You didn't forget." Tohma said quietly, "I suppose I was worrying over nothing. Well I should get going, I have a lot of work to do if I want to get out of here by eight. Bye." Tohma waved and promptly left.
Sakano watched Tohma leave. He kept his head down. K raised a brow. "You okay?" He asked.
"Y-yeah." Sakano looked up. He said… date, and that he was worried about me forgetting… Could he maybe…feel the way I do about him. Sakano regained his form. You're looking too much into it.
The song finished. Shuichi commented how he felt the song flow on a deeper level with an actual bass line.
"I guess it was pretty good." Fujisaki said stubbornly. Aki whispered into Aaron's ear. "That's the best compliment you'll get from him." Aaron smiled. "Thank you." She said sweetly. Sakano came out to wrap up practice.
In the midst of packing up Aaron was tapped on the shoulder. She turned to see Hiro; his eye's averted, his left arm rubbing the back of his neck. "I really liked, how you played today." He said.
"Th-thank you." She said blushing. Somehow a compliment from him was different from everyone else. "Do you need help packing up?" She asked zipping up the case of here bass.
"No, I'm fine." Hiro waved her off and swung his guitar over his shoulder, he adjusted the strap and left the room.
Shuichi looked at Fujisaki, "Hey… why aren't you packing up?" He asked.
"Oh… I have to look something over." He lied.
"Okay…" Shuichi said suspiciously.
Aaron swung her bass on her shoulder. "Hey Aki, do you wanna hang out?" Aaron asked.
"Urm… no I have… things I have to take care of." She said looking at the ground.
"Oh, I get you." Aaron smiled. She stole a quick glance at Fujisaki and ran out of the room.
Everyone crowed around the window looking in on the room.
Fujisaki and Aaron stood in the middle of the room facing each other. They both stood awkwardly close. There was an unsettling silence.
They both squinted their eyes and said in unison, "We have to talk!" They looked in each other's eyes and laughed. "You first." They said together. They both adverted their eyes and laughed.
"Aki." Fujisaki said. She looked at him. This time when their eyes connected Aki saw dark pools that almost lured her to venture closer. Fujisaki took the moment and grabbed Aki's hands. "Aki. About the other day. I… I'm sorry." He said.
"Oh." Aki said looking down in disappointment. "It's fine."
"No, It's not." He looked away for a second. "The reason I acted… how I acted… you see for a long time now I." Fujisaki took a deep breath. "I love you."
Aki took a step back her eyes widened. "You don't have to love me back. I just wanted to tell you." He laughed nervously. "That felt good to get off my chest."
Aki looked down. Fujisaki nervously awaited a reply. Aki looked up with a huge smile. She trampled Fujisaki with a huge hug. "I love you too." He laughed.
"Really?" Suguru said, a bit surprised. They were both on the ground, Fujisaki was sitting down and Aki had landed in his lap, her arms were around him and their faces were dangerously close. "Of course." Aki whispered, "Isn't it obvious?" There was a pause. Their eyelids slowly closed and their lips collided.
Outside of the room Shuichi, Sakano, Hiroshi and Aaron watched from a window. They all silently cheered for the kiss.
"What's going on here?" K asked as he was passing by.
"N-nothing!" The whole group said together.
"That isn't suspicious." K joked. "Aaron, you coming?" Aaron looked up. "Oh." She turned and looked at Hiroshi. "Bye." She stepped two steps backward and all emotion left her face. She turned and caught up with her uncle. K and Aaron left the group.
"Well… now that that's over I'm sure I have some paperwork to do." Sakano said leaving. Shuichi and Hiroshi were the only one's who remained in the hall. Shuichi stared at Hiroshi and smiled. "Aaron's pretty cute, isn't she?" He said. Hiroshi glared at Shuichi. "As if you would know." Hiroshi insulted. Shuichi looked down.
"Damn…" Hiro growled. "Listen I know you're trying to help, but I'm not ready to get into another complicated relationship. Not after Ayaka." Hiroshi said. "I can't believe I just forgot about her. I guess it's kind of hard to in this crazy group."
"Sorry. It's just… I can tell she really likes you." Shuichi said. "And… forgetting about Ayaka isn't bad, I'm sure if she could see you now she would want you to be happy, and find someone else." Shuichi looked at Hiro. "But if you don't like her I understand."
"It's not like I don't like her, it's just…" Hiro looked down.
"What?" Shuichi asked.
"I don't know." He looked up at Shuichi.
"Then what are you waiting for?" Shuichi said, he turned and left Hiro alone.
"…" Hiro sat down and started thinking. Hours later in the abandoned hallway, he got up. "Tomorrow." He said to himself. "I'll tell her that tomorrow."
Totally rushed… I know. Jumbled ideas jumbled sentences, it's 11, I have to work tomorrow. Sorry for the crappiness. This was actually a good story (aside from a few parts.) This chapter ruins it. Maybe if I get the time and I'm in the mood I'll rewrite it better.