Chapter 9
It's that day. The day of the culture festival. I'm still too nervous for words, and still love struck. Just that one gesture, Ryouta walking me home last night, was enough for my feelings to go from a crush to, as far as I know, a one-sided love. What a stupid thing to think, 'one-sided love'. Ryouta is dating my worst enemy, and most likely doesn't even feel anything romantic towards me. I can't let myself get to caught up in this. I'm leaving for Tokyo tomorrow.
The concert that my homeroom class is holding doesn't start until fourth period, and it's only second period now. A little less than an hour and a half before my performance.
Our teacher gave us permission to go and look at the other class's showcases, so I wandered around alone throughout the busy school. Many classes set up cafes, haunted houses, the usual exhibits. I even passed by class 3-C, Ryouta's homeroom class, which set up an Osakan snack stand. I spotted Ryouta at work making takoyaki, which we had eaten together a few days ago, and went up to the stand.
"Hey, you." I said. Ryouta turned around, and I noticed he was wearing a white apron. I couldn't help but smile.
"I gotta say, an apron doesn't quite suit you!" I said jokingly, pointing at the apron. Ryouta shook his head and smiled, pointing a takoyaki pick at me.
"Hey, I didn't ask you for your opinion." he said. I knew he was joking. Then he walked up to the counter. "I was able to get someone to cover for me so I can see you perform. I can't wait." he explained. As I was about to answer him, I felt someone hug me from behind. It was my mom, and my dad was standing behind her.
"Ayumu-chan!" my mom exclaimed. "Your father and I can't wait to see you perform! We're really proud of you already!"
"Thanks, Mom. You too, Dad." I thanked them.
"We're gonna walk around and look at some of the other exhibitions. We'll be at the stage before you go on. Good luck, Ayumu-chan." my dad said. Then they waved to Ryouta, who waved back, and walked away.
Before I knew it, it was fourth period, and the concert was about to begin. I made my way over to the stage, when someone walked up next me.
"The moment of truth has come, hasn't it, Chibi-baka." Sakura.
"I wouldn't make it sound like such a big deal, Fukaikan-chan." I rebutted, calling her the Japanese word for "annoyance". She glared at me for a moment, then said,
"You're leaving tomorrow, huh? Finally. It'd be so much more convenient for me and Ryouta without you here." she said in a mocking tone. I couldn't find any words to say back to her, so I kept my mouth shut, and kept on walking.
She left my side after a little bit, and I finally reached the entry way to the stage. I stood for a moment, staring at the doors dumbly. I inhaled and exhaled heavily. I can't believe this is how I leave my mark on this school. If I screw this up, I'll forever be known as this schools' Chibi-chan...
"Kasuga-san!" a male voice said behind me. I whirled around, and saw Ryouta holding a small bouquet of roses, and Hiromi standing next to him.
"These are from us, Ayu-chan!" Hiromi said as Ryouta handed me the bouquet.
"Thanks so much, guys!" I said with a huge smile on my face. "Aww. You're gonna make me cry!" I said, while trying not cry.
"Good luck, Kasuga-san! Look for us in the audience, okay?" Ryouta asked.
"Sure, no problem." I said softly.
All of a sudden, Hiromi walked up to me and gave me a hug. Now, I really had to try not to cry. Then, as we pulled apart, Ryouta said,
"Do I get a hug too?"
I really had no idea what to do with myself, but I sure as hell was too frozen to initiate the hug, so Ryouta did. I felt myself blushing.
They walked away, and I pushed the door open, then walked backstage. There was a man on a stool next to some sort of speaker-thing, and I walked up to him and gave him the CD.
"You can walk out there. Good luck." he said.
"Thank you." I said smiling.
I walked up to the curtain and pulled it back slowly, butterflies going insane in my stomach. I walked out onto the stage and up to the microphone, looking at the crowd of people in the audience. I found Ryouta and Hiromi in the 3rd row from the front, Sakura in the row behind them, and my parents farther back. Oh man. This really is it, isn't it...
Then the lights dimmed, which caught me off guard and brought me out of my daze. I imagined the page with the song's lyrics in my head, and the words zoomed by quickly in my mind. I think I've got them down. Then, the song started playing. I started singing.
Kimi no sono jiyuu ga mabushi sugiru To yuu shoujo ni Sonzai suru imi sura mitsuke rare naku temo To kotaeta
Hito ga moshi nai mono bakari o Nedaru ikimono da to shitara Aa bokutachi ga hontou ni hoshii Mono wa ittai nan darou
Sorekara no shoujo wa tada hitasura ni Mogaita ageku Komiageru munashisa ni kizuita toki Arata na hakken o
Bokutachi wa itsumo yume o miru Koto de asu e no tobira hiraku Aa kono sekai ni tashika na mono nado Nai koto o shitte te mo
Kitto aru mada minu basho ni wa Bokutachi o matsu hana ga Akiru koto ni narete kasoku shite shimau Sono mae ni
Soko ga moshi kono yo no hate demo Hito ga muda da to waratte mo Tomo ni ikou akirameru yori mo Kowai koto nado nai no dakara...
As the music faded out, everyone in the audience started clapping and cheering! I can't believe it! I guess this means I did okay! I felt myself smiling and I bowed to the crowd. As I came back up, I saw a few people giving me a standing ovation. By a few people, I meant my parents, Hiromi and Ryouta, and some other people. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the entrance to the auditorium opening and I saw Sakura walking out. This couldn't be good...
AN: If anyone's curious as to the song Osaka just sang, here's a link to the song. Please listen cause it's really pretty!
.com/watch?v=dVRvcLL3Stg