Chapter 19 – The Gig of a Lifetime
Yui's POV
"Yui, for the last time. I'm not naming my keytar."
"Aw, come on, Miharu-chan!" I whined as I was talking with Miharu-chan about her keytar. "Think of all the cute names you could give him. He's like a special companion for you."
"He?"
"Well, it looks like a he."
"That doesn't make any sense! And besides, where would the la bite be?!"
"The…bite?" I asked. Thinking of "taking a bite out of something".
"No, the la bite. The "I" sounds like an "E"."
"What's that?" I was now curious as to what it meant.
"It's French for co…"
"M-Miharu-senpai!" Azu-nyan yelled with a faint blush on her face.
"What? I was just going to tell her that it meant co…"
"No! Don't you DARE say it!"
"*sigh* Fine. Never mind."
"You really are bold with your language huh, Miharu?" Mugi-chan asked her.
Does she know what it means?
"Sure am. I get it from my dad."
"Who would've thought…?" Ricchan and Mio-chan sarcastically said.
Do they know it, too?! Why am I the only one?!
*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*
"Yes? Come in." Mugi-chan said.
"Hey, hey, girls. Do I have a special surprise for you."
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…
"What?" Sawa-chan asked as we all kept staring at her.
"Holy crap. You actually knocked?" We all said in shock.
"Y-You've been begging me to knock this whole time and when I actually do it, you're SHOCKED?!"
"That's because we never thought you would do it." Ricchan said.
"We pretty much gotten used to you just appearing out of nowhere." I added.
"*sigh* Geez, there's no satisfying you girls." Sawa-chan said with an exasperated tone.
"So, what's this surprise you're talking about?" Azu-nyan asked.
"Oh, right. You girls aren't doing anything for Golden Week, right?"
"Hmm…no."
"Not particularly." Mio-chan said.
"I wish." Ricchan said. "I'll probably be home the whole time."
"Same with me." I said.
"My family goes on a trip every year. But I'm pretty sure I won't be a part of it this year." Mugi-chan said in a somewhat sad tone.
"Wait, what's Golden Week?" Miharu-chan asked.
"It's a collection of holidays that run from the end of April to the beginning of May."
"The holidays are so consecutive that it gained the named "Golden Week" because it's basically the perfect week." Mio-chan added.
"Hey, speaking of which. Did you girls hear that this year's Golden Week is going to be 10 days long?" I asked.
"I know, right?!" Ricchan cheered. "They're calling it a "Once-In-A-Lifetime" Golden Week! And I can easily see why!"
"Hah~. 10 days off from school. It's like a dream come true~."
"So true, Yui. So freaking true."
"A typical response from the two laziest people we know…" Mio-chan said with a facepalm.
"Anyway." Sawa-chan continued. "Since you all are free, how does this work for ya? A trip to Okinawa Island!" She then slammed a group of plane tickets onto the table as proof of it all.
"O-Okinawa Island?!" Five of us shouted in complete shock. Miharu-chan gained a confused look on her face. Probably because she's never heard of Okinawa.
"H-How the hell did you get a bunch of plane tickets to Okinawa?!" Mio-chan asked.
"I have an old friend who just recently moved there. She's helping out with a music festival that's happening there and she called me last week with some kind of dilemma."
"What kind of dilemma?" Mugi-chan asked.
"They have all these groups and such performing for this festival…but they're missing one more to have a full roster. When my friend told me this, I mentioned you girls. And she's willing to hear you out. Thus, explains the plane tickets."
"Woah…us performing in Okinawa…we definitely gotta do this, girls!" Ricchan cheered with excitement.
"I'm totally with you, Ricchan! Okinawa all the way!" I cheered.
"Okinawa would be nice." Mio-chan said. "Considering how tropical it is, it won't be too hot around this time of year."
"So, it's an island?" Miharu-chan asked. "Cool! I didn't even know Japan even had islands! I'm definitely interested!"
"G-Going to Okinawa with Miharu-senpai…b-beach and swimsuit and all…*moan*"
"A-Azu-nyan. Your nose is bleeding…" I said to her with a sweatdrop.
Guess it'll be the first time Azu-nyan will see Miharu-chan in a swimsuit. I guess it makes sense for her to react like that. They are dating and all.
"Okinawa…Um…c-can I think about it for a bit?"
"Huh?" We all asked as we turned to Mugi-chan.
"W-Well, you see…Okinawa is…k-kinda complicated for me."
"Well, whatever." Sawa-chan said. "You've got until the end of the week to make a decision. Otherwise, I gotta return the tickets. I didn't pay for them, after all." She then left the clubroom with the tickets in her hand. Leaving us with a new topic to talk about.
"Why's Okinawa complicated for you, Mugi?" Ricchan asked.
"W-Well, it's…it's because my…parents are going to Okinawa this year."
"Seriously?" We asked.
"It's what Sumire told me. Apparently, my father made plans for him and my mother to go for their anniversary. If he finds out that I'm going there for a concert gig. And with Miharu, no less…no doubt it's going to cause conflict."
"Right. This damn feud." Ricchan said in a sour tone.
"I'm truly sorry for this. I really didn't plan for this to last this long. Six months is truly ridiculous. Even for a problem such as mine."
"Well, do you want to make up with your dad, Mugi-senpai?" Azu-nyan asked.
"I do. I really do." Mugi-chan then went silent for a bit. With an added sigh of sadness. "But…I want Miharu in my life. That's not something I'm willing to give up."
"And that's the only way this will all blow over?" Mio-chan asked.
"It appears so. My father is dead-set with his thoughts. Changing his mind is as difficult as waking up Yui-chan after class."
"H-Hey, it's not THAT difficult!" I yelled. Feeling completely insulted.
"It kinda is, Yui." Miharu-chan said. "I'm honestly surprised how Himeko is completely fine with it. She treats it like it's her second job."
"That's because Hime-chan is Hime-chan! That's just how she is!"
"That makes no damn sense…" Miharu-chan gained a sweatdrop.
"So, if your parents are going to be there…we might have to think of a way to make them believe that we didn't bring you there." Ricchan said.
"How are we going to do that?" Azu-nyan asked. "I mean, it's not like we can just hide Mugi-senpai or something."
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…
…
"THAT'S IT!" I shouted. Scaring the others as I jumped out of my chair.
"What?! What's it, Yui?!" Ricchan asked.
"We really can hide Mugi-chan! Just put her in a disguise!"
"A disguise?"
"You know. Pass her off as one of our relatives our something."
"You know…that's not a bad idea, Yui. With the right looks, we could pass Mugi off as a cousin or something."
"A disguise…" Mugi-chan looked unsure of the idea. "I don't know…I'm not really sure if someone as recognizable as me can be easily disguised."
"Well, we'll just have to find someone who can easily do it." Azu-nyan said. "Possibly someone who's extremely girly."
"But who do we know that's girly enough to do such a thing?" Mio-chan asked.
And then, with little to no hesitation, all five of us slowly turned to Mio-chan and kept staring at her. She was creeped out at first. But then, she started putting it together.
"W-Wait…D-Do you five think that I'M the girly one?!"
"Yep." I said.
"No doubt." Azu-nyan said.
"Probably the only girly girl that I know." Miharu-chan said.
"Your girliness is cute though, Mio-chan." Mugi-chan said.
"Wh-What?!"
"Come on, Mio. You can't deny it. I've known you since grade school and you were SUPER girly back then." Ricchan said.
"Th-There's no WAY this is true! I-I'm not girly!"
"We seriously have to prove it to you?"
*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*
"Yes? Come in." Mugi-chan said.
"H-Hello, everyone."
"Miku-chan!" I cheered as one of the only first-years we knew walked into our clubroom.
"Hey, Mikuru. Just in time." Ricchan said. "Quick question. Between the six of us, who's the girliest?"
"Th-The girliest?" Miku-chan went silent for a bit. "I-Is that not Akiyama-senpai?"
"Aw, come on! You too, Mikuru-san?!" Mio-chan whined.
"S-Sorry, Akiyama-senpai. I-It's just when I first met you, y-you gave off this girly vibe. Th-Thinking about it, it kinda balances out Taiknaka-senpai's boyish aura."
"W-Wait, what?" Ricchan asked. But was ignored.
"Wh-Why such the random question?"
"We've just been invited to perform at a music festival over in Okinawa for Golden Week." Azu-nyan said.
"O-Okinawa? W-Wow, that sounds like fun."
"Yeah, it does." Ricchan said. "But we've already hit a problem."
"Pr-Problem?"
"Mugi's parents are going to be over there and the relationship between Mugi and her father is still very much strained."
"But then I came up with the idea to disguise Mugi-chan so that they won't recognize her." I said. "And we just asked Mio-chan to do it since she's the expert with all that girly stuff."
"B-But I'm not…" Mio-chan whined in a sad girly tone.
"And that's why I asked which one of us is the girliest." Ricchan ended the explanation.
"I-I see." Miku-chan said. "W-Well…I-I do know someone that could help."
"Really?" We all asked.
"Sh-She is studying…a-at the Tokyo Design Academy in…H-Harajuku. S-So, she has a bunch of…e-experience."
"Woah, really?" How do you know this person?" Mugi-chan asked.
"Sh-She is my…st-step-cousin. M-My uncle married her aunt."
"Wow. I didn't know that." Miharu-chan said.
"I-It was only recently. M-Maybe about…th-three months before you moved to Japan, Miharu-san."
"I see."
"Do you think you can get your step-cousin to come help us out, Mikuru?" Ricchan asked.
"I-I guess. I-I mean, she just started last month. I-It would have to be whenever she is off from class."
"Sounds fine to me. What about you girls?"
"I'm in." I said.
"Why not?" Azu-nyan said.
"I'm kinda curious to see what Japanese fashion is like." Miharu-chan said.
"At least I can get rid of this girly trait now…" Mio-chan said to herself.
We all then turned to Mugi-chan, who hasn't really said much about the idea.
"Well…I still have doubts about this. But I guess I could give it a try. Thank you for helping us, Mikuru-chan."
"Y-You're welcome. K-Kotobuki-san. I-I must be going now. I-I promised Mother I would be home early today."
"Okay. See you soon."
"Later, Mikuru." Both Mugi-chan and Miharu-chan said as Miku-chan left the clubroom.
"Well, now." Ricchan said. "Since we now have a plan…Let's celebrate us performing in Okinawa!"
"Kanpai to Okinawa!" I cheered as I held up my cup of tea. And soon, the others joined me.
"Kanpai!"
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…
…
"Uh…yay?"
"Oh sorry, Miharu-chan." I said to her confused face. "We were speaking Japanese for a second there."
"Oh. I see."
"You know, now I'm curious. How do you say cheers in French?"
"Well…in French it's "À votre santé!". But we mostly just use the Italian word."
"Ooh~. What's it like in Italian?"
"Well…whenever we congratulate someone or something, we go "To Your Heath!". Or, just the Italian word, "Chin-chin!"."
It was at this point where everyone else nearly choked on either their tea or whatever they were eating. Each gained a huge blush on their faces as they stared at Miharu-chan.
"What with the reactions?"
"Th-That's SERIOUSLY the Italian word?!" Ricchan yelled.
"Yeah. It's a lot simpler than saying "À votre santé!" all the time."
"H-How can you guys just SAY that so freaking casually?!" Mio-chan yelled.
"Like I said. It means "To your health". It's a very nice compliment."
"NOT IN JAPAN, YOU FOREIGN AIRHEAD!" Ricchan, Mio-chan, and Azu-nyan yelled. Still with the blushed faces.
"I don't get it. How is saying "Chin-chin" bad?" I asked.
"I'm just as lost as you are, Yui." Miharu-chan said.
"Seriously?" The trio gained a sweatdrop.
"Um…guys." Mugi-chan said to us both. "You really shouldn't say that word in Japan. Especially you, Miharu."
"Huh? Why?" We asked.
"W-Well…y-you see, it means…" Mugi-chan then got closer to us and whispered the meaning into our ears. When she was done, I immediately grew a blush of my own. Completely embarrassed for saying such a word so casually."
"I-I-I-I-I-I-It means…THAT?!" I yelled.
"Y-Yes. I-It does."
"Wow." Miharu-chan said. "Now who would've thought that saying "Chin-chin" in Japan means you're simply shouting out pen…"
*PINCH*
"Gah!"
"I think we're going to head home now. See you girls tomorrow." Mugi-chan said with a smile as she grabbed Miharu-chan by the ear. She was now walked towards the door while dragging her half-sister by that same ear.
"O-Ow! Mugi! M-My ear!"
"Miharu. You and I need to have a long talk about Japanese morals."
"M-Mugi, please! My ear! It hurts so freaking bad~!" We could Miharu-chan's whines of pain even from the hallway outside. It must really hurt if she's crying that loudly.
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…
"O-Okay. New goal. Before we leave for Okinawa, we are teaching Miharu how to speak Japanese."
"Noted." We all agreed with Mio-chan.
Author's Note: A surprise trip to Okinawa for Golden Week has all of the Tea Time girls excited. But once they learn from Mugi that her estranged father will be there, they must now think of a way to bring her along without causing more conflict.
It took me a while to figure out how EXACTLY Golden Week works. There's like 2-3 days in between two of the holidays and then there was other complicated stuff. But I did the best that I could.
This year's Golden Week really is 10 days long. It's said to be a "one-of-a-kind" Golden Week. So, it probably won't happen again.
So, about the p*nis joke at the end. In Italy and France, Chin-chin is actually spelled "cin-cin" and it really does mean "to your health" or "cheers". I just spelled it like that so the joke would be better understood. Because "cin-cin" just looks like "sin-sin" when you're reading it.
Next chapter will have a guest character appear. I know I said Sumire was the last one. But this is just a temporary addition. Will not stay the entire story.
Thanks for reading. Later.
