hey, Happy New Year WHOOO! New year and New me! I want to try to become better at updating! Listen! I know I said I would update during my winter break, but I got... I have no excuse. But this is my last semester in school, and I'm only taking two classes, so REALLY honestly, I'll try to update more. I hope you like this chapter, I ended up not putting a song in here somehow, lol, so I named this chapter (hopefully approprately) Echoes of Chimes, because if you squint, you can almost hear the songs although there are none. LOL. BAI
Bells and Whistles Chapter 16
Turnt up Illumi Arc chapter 3: Echoes of Chimes
Gon walked with Killua to Zushi's lockers, where Zushi was waiting for them. Their new classes were mailed to returning students during the winter break and Gon convinced the two not to open their class schedule until they were all together at their lockers.
"I'm excited to know what classes we'll take this semester!" Gon cheered, pulling his carefully folded envelope from his bookbag. "And actually focus on it! Since I won't have some career ending performance to worry about at the end of this school year." Gon rolled his eyes playfully. Killua and Zushi laughed along with him.
"And don't worry Zushi, we'll help you through the second year classes you take." Killua said to the smaller boy on the other side of Gon. "Since we'll be so pro by the fall!"
"Ah, thank you! I just hope Wing actually lets me graduate this time…" Zushi chuckled, rubbing the back of his head.
"You'll be amazing and ready when you do." Gon assured him, a small fist bump to Zushi's upper arm. "You'll be a gifted student to all future teachers because of the training he's putting you through."
"Remember that, so you don't worry about the other students that pass you by and rush up to other classes. You're not lesser because you're taking your time." Killua added. Zushi smiled at his two friends. They were the best.
"Thanks guys…" Zushi smiled. They stopped by Zushi's locker to compare their classes, Zushi taking his out from the metal storage.
"Ah! Killua, yours is already open!" Gon complained, watching Killua fiddle with the ripped material.
"Calm down, it was open when I got it. My mother opened it when she got the mail before I even knew it came in to add it to my daily schedule so she knows which teachers to call if I have any prior appointments. I didn't look at it yet." Killua assured him, knowing how pouty Gon could get. Gon hummed but nodded. That wasn't something Killua could control and it didn't take away with what Gon wanted.
"Ok then! Let's look!" Gon said excitedly, opening what he considered his last wrapped gift from the winter break. Gon blinked at the classes presented in front of him on the paper. They were completely new, except the academic schedule. "How many do I share with you, Killua?" Gon asked, moving to show Killua his paper while peering over Killua's shoulder to see his schedule..
"Mh… Aw, man, we don't have Harmony 211 together… but we have Perfect pitch together on Tuesday." Killua said, pointing out the classes. Gon moved his eyes between the two pieces of papers while following Killua's finger.
"Ok… Ok, so what is this personality and performance class I have on Monday's and Thursdays?" Gon asked. Zushi visibly brightened as Killua smiled, the class name obviously familiar to the two of them.
"It's like… everyone's favorite class." Killua said pointing at the title on the paper.
"It's the class I am looking forward to the most! The class is less structured than other classes, because you won't ever really know what you're doing for the lesson before you get there. It's where the teachers try to help students develop the type of personality they present on stage or in their music." Zushi said, bouncing a bit on his new sneakers he received over christmas break.
"Mh, like for you…" Killua said, straightening Gon's collar and gaining his attention. "You're already so bright and have a pretty established happy go lucky personality. The teachers would help you finness your personality so you're not seen as one dimensional to your fans. How to bring personality in subtle ways without being stereotypical and always shine and take up a whole room." Killua said. "It's not a psychological class or anything, but they would definitely try and understand the different 'building blocks' of the students and help them display the best and most profitable side of brand." Killua said.
"Wow…! That seems really cool! It sounds like whoever I'm in class with will be my really good friends if we learn so much together!" Gon chirped happily.
"That's right. Most likely anyways. I have that class after lunch myself." Killua said, looking back at his schedule.
"I don't think we have time to keep comparing schedules, we need to go. But we can keep looking at lunch and tell each other how the first two classes go at lunch!" Zushi said, smiling.
"Oh, yes, lunch! Haha, Mito was so sad I wouldn't be around the house anymore, but excited for me to go back to school, she made me a week's worth of lunch for me." Gon laughed. Killua smiled as they started walking to classes.
"Yeah, she's the best." Killua said. Killua was sadder than he'll let on, Gon and Killua won't be sharing nearly as many classes as they did last semester. They practically had all their classes together last semester except a couple of them. And near the end, they sorta just bailed on going to classes all together because they were getting ready for the end of the semester showcase together, leading to more time together.
"Oh right, Gon, do you plan on doing the showcase this semester? Since you entered and won last semester, it's sort of broke the mold that only seniors can enter, and I'm sure more lower classmen will be entering. And for fun this time. To actually showcase any projects they've developed throughout the semester." Killua smiled and Gon beamed back.
"That sounds so fun! I'm happy more people will be performing in the showcase and not just to flex on others. But I sorta had something else in mind…" Gon said, looking off and idly waving at some people who greeted Gon.
"Eh? Something else? What's that?" Zushi asked.
"Well, I was so busy and preoccupied with the Winter Showcase, I never got to explore the other things the schools had to offer, the things I wanted to do fell on the back burner." Gon said, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Like what? " Killua said with slightly squinted eyes. He felt like he knew what Gon was referring to.
"Like… like play auditions." Gon hummed, stopping in front of the door that led to his first class of personality and performance.
"That thing Ponzu was blabbing to you about before? Why do plays?" Killua asked. They can't be that much fun! Killua has been in one and the whole process was stuffy. They wanted him to do as they wanted with pretentious attitudes about story lines that weren't even that good.
"Well, I think they're fun! They give you a 'theater' family and something to do between school stuff in your down time, and I think I can do well if I'm performing based off of musical ability." Gon said with a shrug. They bell for dismissal rang and Killua looked up.
"I can understand where this is coming from… there's no reason you shouldn't." Killua decided, he'll leave it up to Gon to experience the horrors of theater and let it go. Gon nodded, and took Killua's hand before kissing it.
"Ok, thanks Killua! I…. I'll see you at lunch!" He ran inside while Killua's cheeks colored.
"Let's go, zush…" Killua muttered to Zushi, ignoring any teasing looks while walking off.
~-0-0-0-~
Gon walked in to see the classroom. Gon was keeping an open mind- there was no telling how the school's priorities and methods for teaching changed after ls semester. And not to mention he's heard good things about this class, if there was something more amazing and unusual about this class, but the classroom looked just like every other.
There was a chalkboard and a whiteboard, on adjacent walls. There was still an open space in the back and two rows of desks close to what should be the teacher's desk. The windows were open to show the beautiful late winter day. The students Gon would be sharing the class with were already in there, most of them sitting far from a duo of students. Gon blinked over at the unusual characters, one sitting on the desk top and the other standing in front of him to talk.
"Oi! What are you looking at? Looking for trouble?" The big one with a pampador said, his lips twisting in a scowl. Gon looked at him and his white stylized school uniform- he was big and sorta scary looking, like he could be in a gang or the mafia. The person next to the big guy was regarding Gon with a quieter intensity. Gon just smiled. Well, these were his classmates that will soon be his closer friends.
"Hi, guys! I'm Gon, what are your names?" Gon asked, crossing the ground quickly and holding out his hand. The one with purple hair turned away from Gon a bit, but the big one laughed after getting over his initial shock.
"What do you think this is, third grade?" He asked as Gon stopped by the table, slowly putting his hand down.
"Hmmm, well, how else do you introduce yourself?" Gon asked.
"You say something really cool to impress everyone, then everyone will have to get to know you." The man said, rubbing his nose.
"He already done that, Knuckles. This is the guy who beat Illumi at the showcase." A student off to the side of the classroom called out to him. Knuckles' eyes widened as Gon chuckled a bit sheepishly.
"Ah, well…" Gon stuck his tongue out a but embarrassed. He was happy that, even though he wasn't world famous yet, he was at least well known in this school of attention grabbers. Which must be an impressive feat to some extent.
"That was you! Well, wow! Hello, my boy! I'm Knuckles!" Knuckles introduced himself, grabbing Gon by the shoulders to shake him. Gon half choked on surprise before laughing. "And this is Shoot." Knuckles said, gesturing over to him. "We're both seniors."
"Hi! Are you really? Is this another class where any class level can attend?" Gon asked, catching his breath.
"Yea, in a way. They prefer you to take this when you are in sophomore and junior year, but we sorta… have to re-take a couple classes." Knuckles chuckled as if he were talking about an achievement.
"Wow, well, I'm happy you guys are here right now, this way I was able to meet you before you left and be good friends." Gon said.
"Right! Shoot! Let's get this guy a seat next to us." Knuckles said, getting off the desk to fix around.
"Ah, can we really rearrange the seats…?" Gon asked, watching him scoot and angle chairs for optimal interactions.
"Sure, why not?" Knuckles asked.
"Because we'll get in trouble?" Shoot filled in, not moving to help.
"Nonsense. Gon wants to." Knuckles said and Gon had to laugh. It certainly was a 360 from the ominous front Knuckles tried to convey when he first came in. It was hard to wrap his mind around this larger-than-life character so early in the morning. Gon looked around the classroom and realized the other students weren't exactly cowering from the two like he previously thought.
"We just can't take his obnoxious character this early. It's barely tolerable even when I've had my morning coffee." The same student who filled Knuckle in on who Gon was before spoke again.
"I see…"" Gon hummed thoughtfully. But Knuckles was interesting so Gon knows he at least won't be bored in the class. Gon sat at the desk Knuckles indicated for him. Soon, while they talked, the teacher came in, practically bouncing, her orange hair in pony tails and a brightly colored suit.
"WELcome class to PERSONALITY LESSONS! You all are washed out stereotypes of who you want to be and I PROMISE I will make you all marginally more interesting and more in-depth than just characters. For examples- KNUCKLE BINES, you have the character of tough bad boy to sell your rocker and hard core music to those like you, but we can find more inside that big boned body of yours, I promise!" She said, pointing out the guy. Knuckles gripped the desk, bracing himself, gasping accused.
"Fine, but don't be sorry when you see I am 100% tough and mental, and no fun and games!" Knuckles said. She gave him an encouraging smile.
"You can call me Coco." She said, turning to write her name on the white board.
~-0-0-0-~
Illumi checked his phone and ghosted a smile. Hisoka texted him a picture of himself, he was by Illumi's locker and he sent probably some inappropriate caption underneath that Illumi didn't get to read before he had to bring his attention to what was in front of him. Amane's shined sneaker boots rested to a perky stop in front of him and Illumi looked up at her.
"Ah, there you are." Illumi said pocketing his phone. Amane smiled, strained. She was hoping if she took longer than others to leave the classroom, Illumi would not wait for her. She wasn't expecting him to be so persistent.
"Ah, yes. Thank you for waiting for me, Illumi…" She said, and took to walking by his side when he moved. "You won't be late if you wait for me like this?" She asked.
"Nonsense. The school extended time between classes to have room for flash dances and music numbers without getting late. I could have listened to a whole song before I was worried about being late to class." Illumi said, walking towards her next class. He thought better of it then changed directions down a different hallway. Amane was caught a bit off guard and turned to follow him.
"R-really? What I heard about Musica Academy, I just… well, thanks!" She said, trying to keep up with his strides. It was unusual to hear that this school could have such freeform things like flash dances. Musica had been considered a stifled and suppressed school in terms of creativity for a while by other music schools. Their competitive nature and inspired reach for something that will be popular gave Music Academy the brand of unbreathing artists.
"You wouldn't happened to have been trying to get me to leave without you? Would you?" Illumi asked, turning those black orbs on Amane. She panicked at being seen through.
"A-ah? Wh-what? Oh, no- I would never- we're just…!" She scrambled with her words, waving her hands about.
"Hisoka." Illumi said with whatever could be taken as joy in his voice, the red haired man down the hall from them. Amane stopped flustering over her words when she realized they were walking over to him, and composed herself. She usually prided herself on being cool and composed, her outward appearance never faltering or showing anything she didn't want. Illumi was so weird and such an enigma to her she often finds herself scrambling on how to react to him. Illumi was impossible to read using his facial expressions so she ends up doing knee jerk reactions trying to keep in his good graces. It wasn't like her, but at least she was only like this around Illumi so far and was able to make good impressions in her new classes.
"A-ah, this is your friend?" Amane hummed to herself, nervously running a hand through her hair and bringing her loose braid forward in the movement. She held out her hand to him and opened her mouth to say something when Hisoka pushed himself off the wall where he was leaning, a wicked grin on his face and eyes plastered to the person next to her.
"Illumi." Hisoka greeted similarly to how Illumi greeted him, and reached out when Illumi was within range, pulling Illumi close in his embrace, their chests flushed together. Amane blinked and blushed, the distance, or rather lack thereof, much too intimate for Amane to feel like she could keep looking on in innocence. She turned away, her hand up against her face to block the view.
"Ahahaa!" She let out a nervous chuckle. "I'm Amane, nice to meet you!" She said near shrilly.
"Yes, Hisoka, this is my fiancee I was telling you about, Amane." Illumi said, wrapping one (1) arm around Hisoka to return the embrace. Hisoka finally took his eyes off Illumi to look at the slim woman standing next to him.
"Oooh… Well, isn't she just a snack and a half." Hisoka smirked. She flushed more, still unable to look at such an obvious affectionate scene. Should she even be there?
"Don't speak to me so informally!" She demanded. She could at least make sure she gets respect. She had her dignity afterall.
"Oh, a firecracker this one. You really hit the jackpot." Hisoka purred to Illumi and nuzzled his nose to Illumi's jaw. Illumi let his eyes close briefly before pushing a firm hand to Hisoka's face, definitively pushing it away.
"Amane, this is Hisoka, my…" Illumi trailed off, his hand flopping with lost flair, lost for the right descriptor.
"Boyfriend." Hisoka grinned mischeviously, licking his lips.
"No," Illumi said almost immediately after, giving him a sharp but impassive look. "He's my…. Thing. I don't know. Try not to think about it, actually. Ignore him, if you can, most times." Illumi said to Amane with a resolute nod.
"Ah…" Amane hummed, feeling slightly confused. Then why was she meeting him if she was to ignore him?
"I wanted you to meet him because you'll be seeing alot more of him around." Illumi said as if reading her thoughts. "Around me, that is. But feel free, if you see me with him, to go the other way."
"The other way…?" She asked, blinking. This was supposed to start making sense soon right?
"We have the rest of our lives to be engaged and be married and to look the part for all the world to see... after we graduate out of school. There will be plenty of time to act like our relationship is going smoothly like expected outside of school hours with our guardians. But I figured, with my last three months of relative freedom in school... I'll be doing what I please. Which involves dating Hisoka. I hope you understand and I look forward to your compliance in helping to keep this under wraps." Illumi said to her, in a way that told Amane he wasn't really giving her a chance to disagree. As Illumi spoke, Hisoka wiggled his arms to wrap around Illumi in a back hug, and Amane found herself having to look away again from the intimate touching.
"O-oh!" Amane answered, eyes downcast. It made more sense now. Her life wasn't the only one that was suddenly upended with the announcement of the marriage. Amane thought Illumi actually expected and welcomed their marriage with the way he seamlessly accommodated her and appeased her everyday. But with Illumi's looks and popularity, it's obvious he might have a someone special he was involved in before this. This Hisoka has to be the boyfriend left out of their parents desired plans before she was introduced. It was almost sweet, that she might be an accomplice for a romeo and juliet situation, the secret star crossed lovers. It wouldn't kill her to help, and this way, she can keep a small semblance of normal high school life instead of one committed and wrapped up in a performance to a fiance. "Ok, Illumi, I'll- oh!"
Amane looked up only to see Illumi and Hisoka already making out, Hisoka eagerly pushing Illumi up against the lockers to get a taste and a rise from Illumi.
"Ah-! I'll just-! OMG." She stuttered in place for a moment, shocked, then left them at that. Ok! She got it. During school hours, Illumi was Hiskoa's and she should stay out the way as much as possible.
The school has always known Illumi to be a great singer, legendary skills and discipline that could rule the music industry when used properly. His prim and proper manner and stoic disposition was a turn on and appeal to many girls and other fans. But they were going to start to get to know Illumi a different way, maybe a way Hisoka always knew about.
~-0-0-0-0-~
After Personality and performance, Gon had a vocal lessons class. He was barely able to find the room number and keep from being late, so there was little chance he would be able to meet up with Killua between the classes. Gon texted Killua in the mean time, it was all he could do to make up for not seeing his cutie boyfriend's face. Now that it was lunch time, sitting with Pokkle and Ponzu , Gon was able to look at his schedule more thoroughly. Gon's only been to two of them, but he was already starting to get a sense of what his work load will be. He'll really need to work on his time management this semester if he wants to join a play on the side. As Gon was absorbed in his observations, Killua slid to the table, opening his own lunchbox, startling Gon to look over.
"Hey, Gon, how were classes?" Killua asked, plucking a cucumber from the top of his salad. Gon beamed at seeing Killua. Gon was always excited to see him… although this time… he was more nervous than excited.
"Killua! Classes were good. Personality was fun, I met, well… a new personality! Do you know someone named Knuckles?" Gon asked with a headtilt.
"Knuckles? Sound familiar but probably not outstanding enough to be on my radar.." Killua said opening his small container that had his salad dressing. "He in your class?"
"Yea! Wow, he's so crazy, and talks so loud, it's so interesting! I think we're friends now?" Gon smiled, proding his cheek in thought. Killua laughed.
"Well, you'll know by the end of the week, I guess. When you want someone to be your friend, there is no question after a while." Killua smiled at him. "And then?" Killua asked.
"My music history class seems interesting! We talked about our favorite bands and why today." Gon said. "How were your classes? Are you still refusing to participate?" He teased.
"No, no, Gon, I- no." Killua scoffed, chuckling at the memory. "It went fine, but boring, because you weren't there, but I did give them a chance so that I could tell you they are indeed boring." Killua said, crossing his arms. "It's just a pain sometimes, to sit in a class where you already know the lessons, and you're just listening to them explain basics to babies."
"Killua…" Gon said warningly.
"Ok, not babies, not what I meant." Killua said, turning his head to one side.
"I can understand what he's saying." Ponzu piped up. "I have a very indepth appreciation for music theory, so it can get repetitive and frustration in music theory classes. I can't even begin to imagine how that is for Killua in every class." Ponzu said.
"Well, why doesn't he just do what Illumi and Milluki does? They basically run the class and becomes the teacher helper." Pokkle asked, wiping a hand over his mouth.
"Barf, like I want to be that invested in class. They're not paying me, and they'll be expecting me to do a bunch of work for them. I'm here to learn, they should teach me something." Killua said, with a roll of his eyes.
"Ah, geez, Killua. I hope your school year gets better." Gon pouted.
"Yea, last semester was at least a little ok, because we shared classes and I helped you train. But now, its just gonna be a boring semester with a couple shared classes." Killua pouted. Gon bit his lip to keep his smile down.
"Well, actually, I wanted to talk to you about that." Gon said, putting a hand on Killua's arm. "So, you know how I'm going to try out for some of the plays?" Gon asked. "I was hoping you would join them with me! It'd be really fun!" Gon suggested as Killua's face soured, from the moment Gon started talking about it. Gon tried not to whine when he saw it, Killua sighed at the end of Gon's delivery.
"Gon…!" Killua sighed, rubbing his forehead.
"I was just hoping it could be a cool thing we do together,There would be singing and cool hanging out, new friends, you might learn something new, where your not able to in class, and we can have a project we are committed to and work on together, like before…!" Gon said, rubbing Killua's arm, hoping to appeal to him. Killua wasn't having any of that.
"There's a reason I don't do theater stuff, and it's the same reason I don't stand out or sing in class. I'm not here to give free concerts." Killua said, poking Gon's forehead.
"Mmmh, you should stop being so elitist."Gon grumbled, turning away with his arms crossed.
"What was that?" Killua asked with fake politeness, a tightness in his voice.
"Nothing! So you really won't go?" Gon asked again.
"Of course I'll go to support you, but I'm not auditioning." Killua said.
"It's ok Gon it's not for everyone. And you won't have to worry, I'll still be there, so you will have someone you know." Ponzu smiled at him.
"Right, listen to her." Killua smirked, pointing a finger as though proving a point.
"Oh, fine, alright, ok." Gon sighed feeling dejected but then smiled again. "Well, the general auditions for any plays are next week, and I was thinking I could sing some of my favorite songs…" Gon explained to Ponzu and they all talked as they ate lunch.
*to the beat of 'I Need a Hero'*
Where did all my writing skills go
and where are all the plots?
Who cares, I'm still having fun while I'm writing. I want to thank everyone who is still reading, because I am terrible at updating and the fact you guys are still invested gives me hope. I would never in a million years give up on this story when I have so much planned and it's so fun! So I wanna thank everyone, those who read without comments and those that do leave their thoughts. Hope to have the next one up BEFORE the next new year, lol. No, before January ends. 2020 WOW!
