Lucky Music: Moe Café

Chapter 6: I Missed You

Arriving at the community center, Minoru and the girls found themselves surrounded by dozens of different bands all working for the same company. Not all would be successful; Minoru explained earlier that the usual elimination rate is fifty percent. Patricia could spot girl bands with costume designs that almost matched their own. The singers practiced their band's key song loud enough for them to hear, mostly J-Pop. Akira's unique Cape of Thirty Years creation began to shine above the others. Their song was guaranteed to stand out, that, Patricia now had confidence in.

A blend of shivers and warmth spiraled into the girls as they prepared their instruments at their designated spot. Minoru stood by to assist them with anything they may need. "It's getting pretty intense in here isn't it?" Patricia asked, tightening the strings on her guitar. "Yeah, but remember to keep your cool," Akira grunted, opening the song sheet.

"I'm just excited!" Konata declared. "I wonder how close to the stage Kagami is! I can't wait to see her cheering for me."

"Pfft. Look at this dump, though," Akira mumbled, seeing it more as an expanded garage than a community center. She was already successful and held a moderate reputation, shouldn't her experience and fame have accelerated the band to the top instead of slowly going through a series of trials? "I've always had my own dressing room, even when I was a kid. And this place smells like ass."

"I'm sorry but there's so many bands these days that the hotel rooms alone were costly," Minoru explained. Akira glared at him, silencing him with only her eyes. Bands began to leave the room, one by one every few minutes. Their performances could be heard along with crowd cheers and boos. A band of teenage girls came out crying after one the strings of their guitar snapped in mid-performance. Unfortunately it was over for them already. "Crying just from that? They'll get two more chances in the next cities."

"Looks like that was the band before you guys," Minoru said. "You're up!"

"Come on guys! Let's do our best!" Patricia cheered.

"Yeah! For Kagami!"

"For money and smokes!"

"Good luck girls."

Running onto stage, Akira took her place upfront, grabbing the mike. Patricia and Konata held tightly onto their guitars, hearing the cheers and welcoming applause of the audience. Trembles traveled down Patricia's legs but a thumbs-up from Konata lessened the impact. Akira stood confidently before the crowd, ready to show them what she could do. Konata, however, was too busy skimming the cluster of the people in search of Kagami. There weren't any cheers or call outs for her; did Kagami make it on time?

"Oh well, I'm sure she'll at least hear me even if she can't see me," Konata told herself. Patricia began the first notes on her guitar, the song had begun. Akira kept a good grip on the mike, singing angelically to the people below her. Konata began playing her directed notes, complimenting Patricia's and forming a synched melody. Walking across the stage elegantly with slow and steady motions, Akira attracted the crowd not only through her lovely voice but with her movements. As far as they could tell the crowd was silent with awe. The song differed from anything else they heard tonight, isolating it from the J-Pop selection and giving the band a clear distinction.

"Where's Kagami?" Konata thought to herself. "There's no way she forgot. What if something happened to her and she can't even contact me about it?"

Her bright green eyes navigated the crowd several more times, unable to find anyone who remotely looked like Kagami. A screech ripped from Konata's guitar. Examining her guitar, her fingers became entangled in the string. Patricia stopped playing but Akira rolled her index finger, signaling that the show must always go on. Konata managed to adjust the strings and finish the song properly with Akira and Patricia. The crowd roared with excitement and satisfaction! Akira's song worked. Victory was practically in their hands.

Walking off stage, Patricia and Akira couldn't think of anything that could wipe the thrilled grins off their faces. "They loved us! Did you hear that?!" Patricia screamed.

"We did it. The song worked."

"That was great, you guys did a terrific job!" Minoru complimented.

"Oh my god! Even though we messed up, we fixed it and they still loved us!!"

"Actually, it was just Konata who messed up," Akira pointed out. "I think she was looking for Kagami."

"I didn't see or hear her at all in the crowd," Konata muttered. "She hasn't called me either."

"Why don't you just call her?" Patricia suggested.

"Good idea," Konata said, hitting speed dial on her phone. "Kagami?"

"Hi Konata. Did your band already play?"

"Y-yes. We just finished. Where are you, I didn't see you at all," Konata asked, walking further away from the band. Kagami sighed, standing in the hallway of the dormitory, away from her room. "Konata, Tsukasa is really having a lot of trouble with her classes and she needed my help badly. I'm sorry I couldn't make it."

"But I really wanted to see you," Konata quietly said. "It's been so long."

"I know, I wanted to come to but Tsukasa was on the edge of having a breakdown. I couldn't leave her like that."

"At least we can meet later right?"

"….I don't know, Konata."

"Kagami…I was really excited about seeing you. Are you sure?"

"I really don't know Konata. I really want to see you too," Kagami reassured, pacing up and down the hall. She could hear Konata's voice drown into disappointment with each word. The chance to be with each other was a rare one. Tonight wouldn't happen for a while. "Are you okay Konata? I'm really sorry."

"…yeah. I'm fine," Konata moaned. "I'll talk to you later."

"Yeah, bye Konata."

The otaku snapped the phone shut, shoving it into her pocket. Kagami heavily sighed. This long distance relationship was beginning to have its toll on them. "Hey Konata," Patricia called out. "We're going to get dinner, are you coming?"

"I don't know. I'm not really hungry."

"Just come with us okay? It'll make you feel better. I'm sorry you couldn't see Kagami by the way. I know how much you were looking forward to it."

"Yeah, yeah…"

Akira excitedly popped out a cigarette, using this opportunity while Konata was away to commence with her dreadful habit. Minoru simply stood by and watched as she walked outside to hide her secretive deed. Following her, he stood silently as she puffed a cloud of smoke into the night air. "What the hell you want?" she asked, not even turning to look at him.

"I…just wanted to say you did a good job tonight."

"Leave me alone. I'd like to enjoy my cigarette in peace before Konata comes and takes it away from me," Akira grunted, taking in another breath from the stick. He turned around, nearly obeying her orders once again. "Geez. I thought after all that yelling and those smartass remarks you'd have a little more backbone."

"Akira, I've been meaning to ask you…about Lucky Channel," he started, keeping his feet in one spot. "What happened there that…made you this way?"

"Why the hell do you care?"

"I used to not like you very much. I tired my best and eventually tolerated you, hoping to get on your good side," he began to explain. His fists were clenched and he already braced himself for an argument, even for more abuse. "But before you came to Tokyo you apologized to me and said things in your life weren't so good. I see you in a new light and would like to apologize for assuming you were just a bad person. I want to settle things between us."

"Sure you just don't have a boner?" she drunkenly asked.

"What?! I'm….I'm really worried about you!" he quickly defended. "I know it sounds stupid but it can't just be coincidence that we keep meeting each other. It feels like fate almost."

"That's crap," she ruthlessly remarked, walking back towards the building. "Konata is the only person I need to talk to and listen to. Don't waste my time with this shit again."

Minoru grinded his teeth, feeling another loss at the hands of Akira. This would be, what, the third, fourth time she walked away from him? It was becoming a trademark for the two and this time he wouldn't have it. "Something must be wrong," he said. "Because little girls shouldn't be talking or acting like you. I think you need to talk to me in a more proper manner."

"Bitch. Should a man be so cowardly and pathetic like you, you little kiss ass?"

"I agree. I'm not perfect; I'm probably not as talented as I want to be but at least I'm trying to change. I'm not stuck in the past like others."

Akira tossed her cigarette onto his shoe. Slowly, with all the spite in her little body, she grinded her heel into his foot. "Listen to me, you have no idea what I've gone through or who I am. Don't try and be some hero. I don't want to be your friend so screw you," she coldly muttered to his face. Her voice began to swell up. Her eyes watered. "Konata loves me, Konata is helping me change. Konata has treated me better than anyone I know and I'm going to do my best for this band so she can have lots of money and live a good life with Kagami, even if it means I don't get to. Because…I'll be happy just with her. You'll never understand me and I don't want you to."

There was no way to respond. He did know nothing but was it so wrong to confront her about it? Lending out a helping hand became his greatest flaw each and every day. "Sorry," he said but Akira had already gone back inside. "I lost control of myself."

"C'mon, let's go eat in celebration!" Patricia cheered, returning with Konata. Akira wiped away her eyes and joined them, leaving their instruments behind to pick up later. Minoru reluctantly joined them, walking far behind them down the sidewalk. "I haven't really been to Kyoto that often," Patricia said, clearly the only one in high spirits. Konata slowly relaxed her nerves, realizing the situation she was in. Reviewing how she acted, she pulled out her cellphone. "Kagami?"

"Konata?"

"I just wanted to apologize for the way I acted. I got upset but…you really needed to help out your sister so, I'm sorry," Konata said.

"There's nothing forgive. I can't blame you for being upset. But guess what?"

"What?"

"She fell asleep. We can meet whenever you want." A bright grin exploded onto Konata's face at the sound of those words. Kagami was free! "That's great! Where are you right now Kagami?"

"Behind you."

Konata spun around; it felt like a season since she was towered by Kagami's pig tailed shadow. The tsundere smiled sweetly at the petite girl, not wanting to blink so her glowing blue eyes could embrace every second. "How's it going Konata?"

Konata answered with a hug, cuddling into Kagami's chest. "Kagami…"

"I've missed you too Konata. A lot…"

"Let's go on a date."

"Right now?"

"When else? Sorry guys, you're going to have to celebrate without me," Konata said, glancing at her band mates before returning to Kagami's chest. "We understand completely," Patricia said.

"Have fun," Akira replied.

"Let's go Kagami! I'm starved!"

"Maybe I should leave too," Minoru added, already heading back to the hotel. Patricia wouldn't have it, pulling him by the arm. "I'm not even part of the band. Tonight was your effort."

"Who cares? You helped coordinate us! C'mon!" Looking at Akira, he could see she no longer paid him any attention. If he was going to suffer, he might as well be full. "Sure…"

Walking through the city, Konata kept her arm wrapped around Kagami's, feeling the memories flow in of when they used to do this everyday. "I'm really happy to see you again, my Kagamin."

"Me too. I've…felt lonely without you. Even with Tsukasa, I wanted…you. I keep checking the webcam to see if you're there."

"How lonely, just like a rabbit," Konata chuckled.

"Teasing me already? Where do you want to eat?"

"You live here, guide me!"

"I know a place you'll definitely love then," Kagami hummed. Heading down past the city library, the two snuggled closer together. Konata's arm slipped around Kagami's waist, allowing more room for her to get closer. Kagami could feel her hair swirling with Konata's. "It really has been too long since we've done this," Kagami thought to herself. "Here we are, the Cake and Delights Factory Diner."

"Sounds like a place for greedy princesses," Konata teased. The two walked in and found a table instantly. Kagami made sure to sit next to Konata instead of across from. "So how's Tsukasa?" Konata asked.

"She's not doing so well. She's having trouble with all her classes and was getting really stressed with it. Combined with a job…I found her crying by herself in her room," Kagami explained. "That's why I couldn't leave her like that. Sorry about that."

"There's nothing to forgive," Said the otaku, resting her head on Kagami's shoulder. "How was the performance anyway? I wished I had seen it."

"It was great! Akira's song got the people excited. I messed up a little because I was too busy trying to look for you in the crowd, hoping to get me a flash of that chest! Grope!"

"L-let go! Not in public like this!"

"Heh, heh. I missed this warmth, Kagami. This love from you. I just want to melt right here with you."

"I couldn't agree more Konata." Caressing Konata's face with her soft, cold hands, Kagami could feel them heating up in seconds. Slowly, she leaned in and kissed her. Ordering became awkward for the maid who would walk back and forth, checking to see if they were ready to order yet. The kissing seemed endless. After the meal, they returned to the cold city night. "You're really good Kagami. All that kissing makes me need a new pair of underwear."

"Konata! That's a little extreme. But…I was thinking…maybe we could get a room…at a love hotel."

"You would want that?" Konata asked. "I see, you've been lusting for some loli."

"It doesn't have to lead to…that. But if it does, I wouldn't mind." Kagami hesitantly explained. "I understand Kagami. Anything is good, as long as I'm with you tonight."

"We were awesome!" Patricia excitedly declared, holding her spoonful of ice cream into the air. To her dinner must have meant go to an ice cream store and eat like a pig. Minoru sat across from the two girls, picking at his banana split. "We were so great! I just can't get enough of it! Our first big performance!"

"It was also because of Akira's singing too," Minoru added. Akira sucked her teeth, not raising her head at all. "Be nice Akira," Patricia said, poking the salmon headed girl with her elbow. "Minoru's so nice to us."

"I know…he really is nice." Akira softly said. "I'm just tired."

Minoru felt a smile stretch across his face. "I'll wait for when you're ready to tell me everything."

"Let's take a bath together," Konata insisted, bursting into the love hotel room. Kagami locked the door and quickly followed the leader into the bathroom where she was already naked. "Let was too fast!"

"Jump in Kagami! Be nude with me!"

"Well, you better move or else there won't be room. You're supposed to be on top of me," Kagami said, noticing the perverted grin rising on Konata's face. It only took the blink of an eye for Kagami to realize what she said. "You know what I mean."

"Come on in then," Konata invited, standing up for Kagami to sit down. Once in, she could feel Konata's small, warm body press against her front. Her blue hair became a smooth blanket. "You smell nice," Konata commented, closing her eyes.

"And you're as soft as ever," Kagami smiled. The two were silent, staring at each other without saying a word. Suddenly the two wrapped their arms around each other and began to kiss anywhere and anything. Rubbing and holding each other, they nibbled and wiggled about at a gentle pace. "I've missed you too much!" Konata said.

"Me too! I miss holding you and listening to you sleep. You're the one I want to see everyday and tell everything to."

"I miss this chest and that tsundere part of you. I miss the sweetness," Konata hummed.

"Konata…do you really think we can last with this long distance relationship? Look at us," Kagami said. "We're so crazy for each other. We've been through a lot and I just want to be with you no matter what."

"I know…but we can make this work. It's only a year anyway. The band is already doing good on its first performance and we can still talk to each other." Kagami wrapped her arms around Konata, bringing her closer to Kagami. "I just want to be with you," she said. "Look, I still have our promise ring."

"I know you do," Konata said with a smile. "I know."

Stepping out of the bath, the two came out in light robes. Kagami sat on the bed, tapping her fingers. "Do you…want to?"

"Have sex?"

"Don't say it so bluntly!"

"Kagami, I just want to be with you. Tonight feels like a miracle already."

"That's…unexpected," Kagami said. "You, denying making love?"

"I'm not denying. If you want to, I can ravage you easily."

"No, I just want to hold you too."

"Patricia," Konata called out, placing her cellphone next to her ear. "Yeah, I'm staying overnight with Kagami at a love hotel. Yes, yep. I'll meet you guys at the train station, don't forget my stuff. There Kagami, lets cuddle into the sweet morning!" With that, Konata hopped into bed, blending with Kagami and falling asleep to the sound of her heartbeat. Kagami was next, entranced by Konata's calm breathing. In the middle of the night, Konata awoke. Holding Kagami's hand, she saw the promise ring on her lover's finger. "I'm going to do my best to upgrade this to an engagement ring."

Little did Konata know, Kagami was still awake.

Packed away and fully dressed, Konata joined her band the next morning at the train station with her luggage awaiting her. Kagami came to say goodbye, praying for another meeting as soon as possible. "See ya," Konata said, hugging Kagami tightly. "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too. Do your best and have fun. And don't forget to call me when you get home."

"I won't Kagami. I love you."

"I love you too."

"Uh oh, the train's getting ready to leave!" Patricia cried out.

"Bye Kagami! I'll see you when I'm a little more famous! I'll invite you backstage! E my groupie!" Konata shouted out as the train doors separated the two. "I will! Bye Konata! Good luck!! I…really can't wait to see you again. I miss you already."

Konata: Why are you so happy?

Author: I actually had the nerve to google my fanfic's names. They actually appear on other people's websites! Some of them were listed as "Currently Reading" on Deviantart, some were reviewed on Wordpress, others were scattered across the place. No matter the opinions or discussion points, I was happy to see my stories being discussed with such a distance.

Kagami: What's your point? What kind fo author takes up a whole note just to brag?

Author: I'll be quiet...

Kagami: Yes, please work on more fics. We want our happy ending now!