Chapter 17: Job


Ritsu whistled, or at least, tried to whistle. She did make a high pitch sound, but whatever it sounded like, no one would be able to tell that she was attempting to whistle. "What's she doing?" Nagako asked Sawako, raising an eyebrow. Sawako narrowed her eyes at her former student. "By the pitiful attempt at whistling she's displaying for us, I'd say she just realised she's in trouble." Sawako replied, matter-of-factly. Ritsu stopped whistling. "Oh no, Mio's gonna freak out," the drummer thought worriedly.

"Heyyyyy so can Mio and I get back to you on this?" Ritsu asked, putting on her pleading eyes. "Sure, but do so within the next three weeks, I have other tenants to deal with." Nagako replied, "In other news, your parents will still pitch in for some of the expenses, but you'll have to start pitching in too, and eventually you will be the ones paying for everything."

"W-what if, in the future, we don't manage pay rent in time?" Ritsu asked, a look of anxiety cloaking her face. Nagako glared at the drummer, before breaking into a smile. "Then my impression of you will be lowered. Plus, if you constantly avoid paying rent, I may evict you," Nagako said, still smiling, the word 'evict' in particular frightening Ritsu.

"Why do you look so scared? I'm kidding... or am I?" Nagako laughed, "But you should always try to pay rent on time, don't make it a habit to be late."

Ritsu nodded as the ladies went back into the elevator. "Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no" filled Ritsu's thoughts as she tried coming up with a way to break the news to Mio without her overreacting. Just when the exam season had begun, and both Mio and Ritsu had no time for anything besides studying, they now had to find a part-time job. Ritsu sighed. The drummer eventually came to the conclusion that there is no possible way Mio's not going to overreact.


Later that evening…

"Something wrong, Mio-chan?" Mugi asked, noticing Mio's blank expression. Mio turned to Mugi and replied, "I have a little feeling, a gut feeling that something's wrong."

"What made you feel that?" Mugi asked. Mio looked at the sunset. "What did make me feel that? And whatever it is, why can't I remember?" Mio thought to herself, "And Ritsu… that girl isn't helping me. 'If it was something I forgot, then it probably isn't important'? What the heck is that supposed to mean?"

"Ritsu…" Mio muttered softly, but still audible enough for Mugi to hear. "Ricchan? Are you guys fighting again?" Mugi asked the bassist, looking slightly exasperated. Mio shook her head

"No, we haven't fought today yet," Mio answered as they reached the bus stop in front of the apartment building. "Yet?" Mugi thought worriedly as Mio turned towards her to say goodbye.

"We're here. See you, Mugi," Mio said, hugging her friend. Mugi reciprocated the hug and smiled at Mio. "Goodbye," Mugi replied as the two friends broke the hug, "Don't fight with Ricchan!"

"I'll try," Mio laughed. The bassist watched the keyboardist board her bus, before staring blankly at the ground. "Maybe she's right," Mio thought, "It probably isn't important."

Ritsu paced around the apartment. She had been, for the past hour, rehearsing what she would say to Mio when she comes back. The drummer was playing out several different scenarios in her head, all of which end with Mio freaking out. "Maybe I'm wrong, maybe Mio won't overly freak out," Ritsu thought to herself, trying to be positive, before snapping back to reality, "Wait, who am I kidding? She would definitely, one hundred percent freak out."

Soon enough, the door opened. Mio closed the door and placed her bags of items she bought earlier on their small dining table. "I'm home," Mio said, unpacking her items. "Welcome back," Ritsu greeted, grinning as hard as she could.

"I bought a new pack of rice, some vegetables and ramen packets… Oh! And I got you your favourite yoghurt," Mio said, handing one of the yoghurt tubs to the drummer. Ritsu smiled widely again. "W-wow, thanks Mio!" Ritsu thanked the bassist. The drummer hesitated before taking a step towards Mio.

"Soooo… Mio, I have, uh, something to tell you," Ritsu started awkwardly. Mio kept the last of the vegetables in the fridge before closing it and looking at the drummer. "What's up?" Mio asked.

"So remember how you were fretting over something that you may have forgotten about?" Ritsu asked slowly. Mio blinked, her curiosity piqued. After the bassist nodded, Ritsu continued. "So you see, um, the thing you forgot about… was that our parents told us that… we would have to start paying our own rent eventually," Ritsu explained, as the bassist's face got whiter, "And apparently, eventually meant this month because, my dad sent an email saying that we will have to start pitching in this month."

Mio face palmed, both externally and internally, as her breathing picked up pace. "I forgot!" Mio cried, rubbing her temple, "How could I forget?! Why didn't we do something about this sooner?! And aren't WE the ones who should be telling our parents when we can pay rent ourselves?!"

As Ritsu had predicted, the bassist was, in fact, freaking out. "H-hey, calm down Mio! We're only paying a portion of the rent! We can get part-time jobs quickly!" Ritsu suggested frantically. Mio glared at the drummer, grabbing her shoulders and shaking her. "We. Have. Exams," Mio reminded, pinching the drummer's right cheek, "Juggling working and revising is gonna be a pain, especially for you!"

That last statement offended Ritsu, who pinched the bassist's left cheek. "That's mean!" Ritsu cried, "Why can't we just use some of our savings for the rent until we get jobs?!"

"Then how will we pay for the groceries?!" Mio retorted, pinching her friend more painfully.

"My cheek hurts," Ritsu whined, letting go of her friend's cheek. Mio quickly let go, apologising profusely.

Mio sat on the couch, taking deep breaths. "You know what? Let's calm down and think about this rationally," Mio said to Ritsu, who looked even more offended as she rubbed her cheek.

"That's my line," the drummer whimpered, sitting next to the bassist, "Again, that really hurt."

Mio looked at Ritsu guiltily. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that, I didn't realise how much strength I was using ," Mio apologized sincerely, tenderly rubbing Ritsu's cheek. Ritsu pouted, turning away from the bassist, her cheeks now red. "You really are a Dangerous Queen," Ritsu murmured.

Mio looked at her lap in guilt. Ritsu grinned. "She fell for it," the drummer thought to herself, as she began giggling. "R-Ritsu, are you crying?" Mio asked nervously.

Ritsu couldn't hold it in anymore, bursting out in laughter. "Hahaha, I'm just kidding Mio! I'm not really hur-" the drummer began, only to be smacked across the head.


The next morning, Nagako's apartment

"So do you guys have a plan on earning money for the rent?" Nagako asked, taking out cans of soda for Ritsu and Mio. "Well, the intention is to, well, get a part time job, which at the moment we are trying to find," Ritsu replied, looking over at Mio. Mio was still ignoring Ritsu over the 'prank' the drummer played on her.

Mio clapped her hands together. "Is it possible for us to postpone the payment?" Mio asked Nagako, "It's exam period right now so getting part-time jobs all of a sudden might interrupt our revision."

"I understand," Nagako said, "It's fine really, as long as you don't take too long to pay up."

"Thank you!" Mio said, bowing to Nagako. "Don't be so formal, I'm just glad you guys told me your plan of action, unlike some other people," the landlord replied, gesturing towards a sleeping Sawako on a couch.

"Seriously, what's up with her?" Ritsu asked, raising an eyebrow. Nagako sighed. "Bankruptcy really got rid of her spirit," Nagako explained, "She's been using up nearly all of her sick leave days, not even showing up at her school. 'My students can't see me like this,' she says."

Mio and Ritsu looked at their old teacher. Her face looked pale and she had dark eye bags. "I told her she has to go to school tomorrow, and she said she would, but at this point, I don't believe she will," Nagako said, pulling down the shades for her longtime friend, "You two should get going, find a job quickly so you can continue studying, I have to dispose of her stash of Asahi."

Mio and Ritsu awkwardly bid their landlord goodbye, uncomfortably walking out of the apartment. "All right," Mio said, finally looking at Ritsu, "I thought about it last night, and I think we should go to Max Burger."

Ritsu looked at the time on her phone. "You're right, it's only 7:15, I'm digging a cheeseburger for breakfast," Ritsu said, mouth watering.

Mio glared at the drummer. "For the part-time job," Mio said through gritted teeth. "Oh yeah and that too," Ritsu replied, quickly walking ahead of the bassist.

Max Burger 8:30 a.m

Ritsu and Mio walked into the Max Burger at the nearby mall. The restaurant was nearly empty except for a couple of other college students Ritsu and Mio had seen around campus before. Yui Hirasawa was holding a tray of food, carefully making her way towards a customer's table when she saw her two friends.

"Ah! Ricchan! Mio-chan!" Yui greeted, turning away from the diner who was glaring at her, "Are you guys here for breakfas-"

At that moment, Yui nearly lost her balance on the food tray, the hot chocolate on it nearly tipping over. Ritsu and Mio waved their hands around anxiously. "Private! Maybe you should deliver that food tray first?" Ritsu suggested in exasperation. "Oh!" Yui replied, once again walking towards the customer, slowly placing down the tray on their table, "Enjoy your meal!"

The customer shot a death glare at the guitarist as she pranced towards the drummer and bassist. "Good morning guys! Are you here to eat?" Yui asked, beaming. Ritsu's stomach rumbled. "A cheeseburger sounds great right about now," Ritsu replied as she went to sit down at a table. Mio yanked the drummer by the ear back towards her and Yui.

"Actually, we're looking for a part-time job too," Mio explained, as Ritsu massaged her ear, "Can we talk to the person in charge?"

"Sure! Manager-chan is in that room on the far right," Yui said, gesturing to said room.

Ritsu and Mio made their way up to the room, greeting Azusa, who was at the counter, on the way. Ritsu and Mio reached the door, looking at each other nervously. "It kinda feels like we're gonna go into Mr. Krabs' office doesn't it?" Ritsu joked, grinning at the bassist. "Shut up," Mio replied, holding back the urge to laugh, and elbowing the drummer. The duo knocked on the door and entered.

The office was a small room, pictures of past employees of the month covering the walls. There was also a small desk, which sat an overdressed woman. The woman pinched the bridge of her nose, her eyes shut. "No, Hirasawa-san, you don't get back the guitar until your shift is over," the woman groaned. It was at that moment that Ritsu and Mio noticed Gitah leaning against the wall behind the manager.

"We're not Yui, ma'am," Mio explained, "Well, we're her friends, and we were wondering if there's slots open for part-time?"

The manager leaned back in her seat, frowning. "I'm sorry, but we're not accepting anymore applicants," the manager apologised, "Understandable, considering how close we are to that University."

"Oh," Mio said, "Well sorry for wasting your time… have a good day!"

Mio turned to leave, only to notice Ritsu still standing in front of the manager. The drummer pointed to Gitah and asked the manager, "Say, Manager-san, what's the story of Gitah's imprisonment?"

The manager raised her eyebrow, standing up and slamming her hands on the table. "It's that Hirasawa-san!" the manager complained, "Two weeks ago, she brought that guitar of hers and started playing it in between breaks, it was tolerable at first, but she kept at it the next week! Playing it loudly even when she's not on break! I had no choice but to confiscate it! This is an esteemed establishment and our employees shouldn't be lazing around like that!"

"Esteemed? Max's?" Ritsu and Mio thought simultaneously as the manager continued ranting about Yui.

"No more slots?!" Yui whined, "Aw man, that's a shame."

"Yeah," Ritsu sighed as she took a seat at a table, "Well then, might as well have our breakfast here eh Mio?"

Mio raised an eyebrow. "We can't waste our time," Mio scolded to the drummer's exasperation. "Come on, I haven't had my breakfast~ and you wouldn't like me when I'm hungry…" Ritsu pleaded to the bassist, eyes wide open like a puppy.

"I don't like you now," Mio snarked, "But fine, there is Wifi here, we can use it to search for jobs through the internet."

A few minutes later…

"Here's your order!" Yui announced happily, placing a tray of two burgers, upsized fries, and a large cup of diet soda on the table. Ritsu took a sip from the soda, gagging. "Mio, why did you order diet soda, it tastes so… off!" Ritsu complained to Mio, who looked confused.

"Well… earlier you said you would drink whatever I ordered right? And I am on a diet," Mio explained to the drummer's dismay. Ritsu rolled her eyes as she unwrapped her burger. "Diet coke and normal coke aren't that different… Plus! You don't need to be on a diet, baka! You look fine!" Ritsu argued. Mio looked at her stomach and back up again, unshaken by Ritsu's words.

"I weighed myself yesterday and I put on two kilos!" Mio cried, "And I'm not getting taller either! So no, it's not fine!"

"Then, then it's your boobs!" Ritsu concluded, pointing at Mio's chest. Mio's face flushed a deep shade of red, smacking the drummer across the head.

"Pffffft," Yui giggled silently as Ritsu rubbed her head while muttering an apology. Mio sighed, regaining her composure as she whipped out her phone to find any possible jobs she and Ritsu could take up. "I'm confused, Mio-chan," Yui said, sitting down with Ritsu and Mio, "Didn't you make some money tutoring kids last summer?"

"Yeah," Mio replied, "Most of that's gone thanks to grocery expenses. I can't take up being a tutor until next summer begins though, being a tutor would mean marking many worksheets, and well, I'm already busy with studies."

"Ooh, how bout being a VTuber?" Ritsu suggested, "We can do one of those 'Homework Streams' and-"

"What about grocery store cashiers?" Mio said, cutting off Ritsu. The drummer and bassist looked at the job description. The working hours looked demanding and the job itself seemed really tiring. "That's out," Ritsu said immediately.

They continued looking through the list of jobs, none of them looking comfortable for Ritsu and Mio. In Mio's case, her shyness and nervousness around people crossed out multiple jobs. And in Ritsu's case, well, she was just lazy.

"You guys don't actually have to get a job together right?" Yui asked the duo. Ritsu and Mio looked at each other. For some reason, this did not cross their minds. "You're right, I should get a job I find suitable," Mio replied, Ritsu immediately looking offended.

"Boo! Mio-chuan is abandoning me," Ritsu cried, trying to provoke Mio. Mio flicked the drummer's forehead in response. At that moment, the trio heard Azusa's voice call out: "Yui! There are customers waiting for you!"

Yui stood up quickly, running to deliver more trays. "Let's go home and think about this more," Ritsu said. Mio glanced at the drummer and replied, "Oh, I already decided, I should go for a convenience store clerk," Mio said, "Not too much social interaction and there are stores near where we stay too."

"What?! You already decided?!" Ritsu exclaimed, "Traitor…"

"Say that one more time and I won't help you with the job search," Mio retorted.


Ritsu and Mio's apartment… three hours later…

"Y'know, you're really choosy, if there was a job where you could sit in a chair doing nothing, I think you would ace it!" Mio snapped. The drummer still hadn't decided which job she should pick, and had been lying on her bed for the past hour and, understandably, Mio was getting pissed. "Okay, okay! I have one idea in mind though," Ritsu said, "I'll give drum lessons! I'll make a post on our school's subreddit to see who wants tutoring."

Mio narrowed her eyes. "Be serious about this," Mio deadpanned. Ritsu scoffed at Mio's doubting words. "I am serious," Ritsu argued, "Plus, if I'm gonna make money, might as well do so doing something I like right?"

"Tutoring?" Mio said, giggling.

"No, baka, drumming," Ritsu pouted. Mio sighed as she watched the drummer make a Reddit post. "What are the chances that there's someone in our school interested in drumming but aren't in the Light Music Club?" Mio questioned the drummer seriously.

Ritsu flashed a grin at Mio and replied, "Guess we'll find out."


The next evening…

Mio entered the apartment after a long day of lectures, anticipating a comfortable night of rest, until she saw the messy state her living room was in. "Ritsu, what is, and why is this mess?" Mio asked, her eyes narrowing. There were many items scattered in front of the couch, such as old headbands, stationary and clothes. "Landlord-sama gave me this threatening look this morning and I got a little freaked out," Ritsu explained, holding up a headband, "So, to ease my anxiety I decided to see if I could sell some of my older stuff."

"You're exaggerating," Mio said, scooping up rice from the rice cooker, "But… I think ditching the headband isn't that bad of an idea."

"Last year you said I looked weird without the headband," Ritsu pointed out. Mio walked towards Ritsu taking off Ritsu's headband, which caused the drummer's bangs to fall over her forehead. "It's weird because most of the time, I rarely see you without it," Mio replied, "And when you don't, I usually see 'Pineapple Ritsu'."

"What? Are you saying you don't like my hairstyle?" Ritsu whined, "You're so mean Mio-chan!"

"I didn't say I don't like it," Mio defended herself, "I think your hairstyle really suits you… but I do like the way you look with your bangs down."

Ritsu froze. "Where did I hear that before," Ritsu thought, her face showing disgust. Then it hit her. Those lyrics Mio sent her that she mistook for a love letter. "Don't say that," Ritsu said, blushing, "It reminds me of that cringy song!"

Mio raised her eyebrows, unsure of which cringy song her friend was referring to until she recalled what she had said earlier. "You're still upset about that?! And the song itself isn't that bad! I put a lot of effort into it!" Mio exclaimed, pouting, "And yes, I think you look better with your bangs down."

Ritsu continued blushing before deciding to drop the topic. "Anyywayy," Ritsu continued awkwardly, "I've got a few mothers interested in buying these headbands, so I need your help delivering them."

"W-what, deliver- why?" Mio asked, getting nervous over having to interact with strangers. Ritsu flicked Mio's forehead. "It'll be much quicker the more people help right? And don't worry, I've got Azusa, Mugi and Yui helping too, now move it, we have eighty-four headbands to deliver!" Ritsu said sternly.

The drummer was staring at the bassist intensely, resulting in the latter deciding to just comply.


Three hours later… 11:23 p.m

"Why do we have to be back so late," Mio groaned as she and Ritsu entered their apartment. Ritsu looked at Mio incredulously, saying, "Who was the one that got scared of the dark and decided to cling to Yui?!"

"The street lamps got shut off!" Mio protested, "It was so sudden too!"

Ritsu rolled her eyes, "Ugh, you haven't gotten over your fear of the dark?"

"I did!" Mio retorted, "But just imagine you, walking on an empty street and the lights all go out all of a sudden… how would you feel?"

"Indifferent."

"You're annoying."

"You're such a scaredy cat."

At that moment, Ritsu's phone vibrated. The drummer whipped the device out, and squealed. "What is it?" Mio asked, looking at the drummer's phone screen. Ritsu's post did not gain any traction. There was however, one single comment under the post from a user named watamochi803 which read: hey buchoudurama! as it so happens i am interested in having drum lessons! may i DM you for more info?

"And you said it couldn't be done," Ritsu said proudly. Mio rolled her eyes. "I never said anything of the sort," the bassist replied, "Besides, how would you know if they actually go to our college? 'She' could be some dirty old-"

"Shush, shush," Ritsu said, clapping a hand over the bassist's mouth, "I'm texting her."

Ritsu and Mio looked at the new chat created with watamochi803 in anticipation as Ritsu started the convo.

buchoudurama: yo! you wanted more info right?

"Great conversation starter," Mio giggled. "Be quiet, you," Ritsu pouted.

watamochi803: yes please, i really find the drums a fascinating instrument and i thought having someone around my age could help me learn better.

buchoudurama: ooh i see

buchoudurama: how old are you this year

watamochi803: 19, u?

buchoudurama: oh same haha, i guess that means you will learn really quick lol

"Was that supposed to be a joke?' Mio asked, stifling her laughter. Ritsu grinned at the bassist. "I don't want the person having issues with social skills tell me that," Ritsu teased to the bassist's annoyance.

"Okay, okay you win," Mio said, "Let's see what watamochi says next."

watamochi803: haha im sure you'll be a great teacher!

watamochi803: anyway, how much do you charge for the lessons and how frequently will we have these sessions?

buchoudurama: im thinking an hour every saturday afternoon?

buchoudurama: im not that crazy about fees so 2500 yen per session? i mean, i don't wanna trouble you too much.

watamochi803: how about 2 hour saturday and sunday afternoon sessions?

watamochi803: 10 000 per session

Ritsu and Mio's jaws dropped. If Ritsu takes up this too-good-to-be-true offer… that would mean she'd be earning…

"T-twenty thousand per week?" Ritsu and Mio exclaimed incredulously. "She's not serious is she?" Mio wondered aloud, "Is she rich or something?"

"Must be a joke or something," Ritsu laughed nervously, typing once again.

buchoudurama: haha good one watamochi

watamochi803: im serious

Ritsu and Mio stared at the message. for a moment.

buchoudurama: i cant possibly accept that omg

watamochi803: oh no it's no prob really, i mean your post said you've been playing the drums for more than a decade so i would assume you're good at it

"I wouldn't say good?" Mio teased the drummer, annoying the latter. Ritsu elbowed the bassist as she continued typing.

watamochi803: are the fees too low? i can increase it if you want to

buchoudurama: no, no, the fees are more than fine! you've got yourself a deal.

watamochi803: nice! i'll send you my dorm number.

buchoudurama: alrite! make sure to get a practice pad

watamochi803: no prob! see u next sat!

"This is almost too good to be true," Ritsu said, "You might not even need a part-time job anymore!"

"How are we sure this isn't some kind of scam?" Mio asked as she and Ritsu went into their bedroom. Ritsu looked at the bassist in exasperation. "Mio, twenty thousand per week! We might as well take our chances," Ritsu said, "And I get to teach something I've been doing for years now! This kind of opportunity isn't something you'd see everyday!"

Mio looked at the drummer. "Well we do need the cash, and she is pretty good at drumming," Mio thought.

"Well okay then, I don't think I can stop you," Mio said, smiling at the drummer, "I'm sure you'll be a great teacher."

For some reason Ritsu was not sure of, her heart fluttered upon receiving that compliment. "This is so weird, I'm used to you criticising me, are you even… you?" Ritsu said, poking Mio's cheek. Mio flicked the drummer's forehead once again. "Very funny. I'm serious," Mio said, "You're a talented drummer."

Ritsu turned away to hide her blush. "What's wrong with me," Ritsu thought to herself. The drummer forced out a laugh, jumping onto her bed. "Ah, you're so sappy," Ritsu said, "I'm gonna sleep now. G'night Mio!"

And with that, Ritsu buried her face into her pillow. Mio smiled, shutting off the light. "Good night Ritsu."


Saturday, 12:33 p.m

"I'll be going now Mio!" Ritsu announced, hastily putting on her shoes. Her drum lessons with watamochi803 was starting in twenty-seven minutes. "Good luck!" Mio said, looking up from her revision notes, "I'll make dinner!"

"Try your best!" Ritsu teased, winking as she ran out of the apartment. Ritsu smiled to herself as she heard Mio yell "Shut up!". Knowing Mio, Ritsu thought it was best not to expect too much out of the bassist's cooking.

The drummer reached the campus in the nick of time, rushing towards the room number watamochi803 gave her. Ritsu eventually reached the dorm room, just to realise she hadn't actually asked for watamochi803's real name. So, after making sure no one was in the hallway, Ritsu knocked on the door, calling out, "Uh, watamochi803? It's buchoudurama…"

"Oh, you're here! The door's unlocked Let yourself in and sit anywhere, I'll be with you in a sec" a voice called out from the other side. Ritsu turned the handle, entering the room. Inside the room was a very comfortable looking bed, a study table with an expensive looking PC and a picture of a guy Ritsu found strangely familiar. The drummer walked towards the photo, picking it up and examining it. It was Maeda. "Oh no," Ritsu thought, placing the photo down, "This isn't Akira's dorm."

Suddenly, the strangely high lesson fee proposal made a lot of sense. "Hi there," a girlish voice greeted from behind Ritsu.

The drummer turned towards a girl in expensive looking clothes holding two canned drinks. "Oh my God, I just realised we haven't properly introduced ourselves to each other, my name is Watanabe Yuki," Yuki greeted, "What's your name?"

A variety of different thoughts circled around Ritsu's brain at that moment. This was the psycho yandere that her friend Akira had been dealing with, the girl who hurt Akira with a knife. And now, Ritsu is going to teach her drumming. "What have I got myself into?" Ritsu thought to herself, heart starting to beat fast.

Finished this in a little over a week, hope you enjoyed it! There's only a few days left of 2021 so this would probably be the final chapter of the year. I'll still try to update in a week… other than that I wish ya'll a happy New Year's! :)