Chapter Thirty-One
All five of us rush out of the costume room excitedly, itching to see who won the band competition. My heartbeat thumps at a pace that frightens me, it's so wild. We hop out onto the stage with the other bands as the sound of a gong rings heavily throughout everyone's ears. I bite my lip in anticipation. The three judges, Mrs. Tokara, Haku, and my Vocal Strengthening teacher, Ms. Tsukiro, all exchange smiles and eye each and every one of us.
"This year has been a very interesting year for the Songwriting project," Mrs. Tokara says with a twinkle in her eye.
"Yes, I agree," says Haku, "I haven't visited the classes but I've definitely some of the results," she adds, with a wink toward Len and me. We blush as the audience gives a light chuckle. Just get on with it! I want to know who won!
"Alright, to start off with our prize ceremony, we always announce third place first!" cheers Ms. Tsukiro with a sly grin. I swear, they're doing this on purpose. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch as each person on stage leans forward in anxious eagerness.
"The third place bronze Songwriting award goes to…" Ms. Tsukiro starts, holding a certificate in her hand along with a bronze medal. She pauses for emphasis. "Akita Neru, Kasane Teto, Rin Kagamine, and their band of Meiko and Lily!" The audience gives a satisfied applause. Neru's eyes widen in anger as she stands, paralyzed on the stage. Rin has to drag her off the stage to receive her medal. My band and Ia's band all give sighs of nervous relief. Suddenly, the remaining bands look at each other in horror as they realize that the first place award could go to either one of them.
As soon as Neru and her band have collected their award, bowed, curtsied, and left, Haku rubbed her hands together. "This just got good," she smirked. Another chuckle from the audience followed. My heartbeat has now soared past any speed a meteor could have reached, and I'm trying to think the same thing about our song, but all my thoughts come out as excited jumbles through all the nervousness I'm going through right now.
"The second place silver Songwriting award goes to…" Haku recites, taking a dramatic pause right after to let her words settle in. Ia and I exchange a worrisome glance, both of us apologizing for the competition.
"Madoka Soma, Hatsune Miku, Len Kagamine, and their marvelous band of Yuma Megurine and Gumi Megpoid!" she says. Following her heartbreaking words is another deafening roar from the audience. I close my eyes as I let her words sink in. Second place. We didn't win. My footsteps seem to be the only thing I can hear as I walk up to the judges to collect the second place award. I don't even bother to look at my band members' faces. I let them down. This entire thing was my fault.
After the ceremony, I sit leaning on Len's shoulder back in the costume room. Miku, Yuma, and Gumi all sit around us. "You don't think it was my fault?" I ask brokenly, my eyes closed in pensive thought.
"What was your fault? The… second place?" he asks. Miku looks away.
"Nothing was your fault. The only thing that matters is that we played our hearts out out there," she smiles reassuringly. I look up at her attentively.
"M-Miku… you're right," I smile. Something that I can only describe as admiration fills her cyan eyes. I return the look.
"Madoka," says Yuma softly, "You were amazing. That's all I can really say." We all sit in silence as he smiles at me.
"I second that," interrupts Gumi, a matter-of-fact tone in her voice. "Madoka, even though my arm was in so much pain, I kind of forgot about that when we were out there, because we did so great!" she beams.
"Madoka," Len whispers, a huge blush on his face. We all look at him to see what he has to say to me. "You uh… I really…" he mumbles, looking for the right words. I tilt my head patiently. "I um, I thought you were really…" he stammers shyly. His blush deepens.
"Len-" I start.
"You… you did really good out there," he finishes. I blink.
"T-that's it?" I ask softly.
"Uh, actually…" he starts again. He hesitates. "Yeah." My eyes fall for a second. That was all that he had to say to me?
"Madoka, I have something for you," says Miku. My attention suddenly snaps back to her as she reaches in her bag. She pulls out a white pair of headphones. "I've been meaning to give them to you for like… ever," she drags on with a cute giggle, "But I guess I kind of forgot." The headphones have sunset pink outlining- my absolute favorite color.
"Miku," I breathe, "These are amazing!" She smiles warmly. "Thank you so much!" I say, squeezing her with a hug.
"Try them on!" she says excitedly, clapping her hands. I take them lightly from her and put them on over my wavy auburn hair. I look in a nearby mirror. They fit perfectly without any adjusting- and they do look okay with my hair.
"Miku, they're absolutely perfect!" I smile. Her face melts into a look that lies somewhere in between joy and sorrow. She then wraps me in a hug again.
"Oh, uh, Madoka…" interrupts another voice. I turn around to face Yuma who has a hesitant smile on his face. His sharp amber eyes are now filled with kindness and softness. "I have something for you too," he says. I almost object, but then he pulls out a silver bracelet. On it is a small amber charm that matches his eyes.
"Oh, Yuma, you didn't have to-"
"No," he says, "I saved it just for you," he tells me quietly. "Here, I'll put it on for you," he suggests, brightening up a little bit. He lightly takes my tiny wrist and slips the charm bracelet onto it. I warm up inside as he hooks the lock closed so that it fits perfectly.
"Yuma…" I whisper. "This is beautiful. Where'd you get this?"
"Oh, uh," he starts, looking down, "It used to be Ia's, but then after our mom died, she didn't really want it anymore," he admits. Something in his eyes hardens right as my shoulders sink.
"I-I'm sorry, I didn't know," I start. There's a silence in the air as we both refuse to make eye contact.
"No, it's okay. I thought it would fit you perfectly, though," he says with a comforting smile.
"As long as we're giving stuff to Madoka," Gumi sings, her eyes rolling playfully toward the ceiling. I let out a nervous chuckle. "Here, take my earrings," she tells me, handing me a pair of silver earrings that match Yuma's bracelet.
"Are you sure you want to give these to me?" I ask, with an eyebrow raised.
"Why not?" she shrugs, "They look better on you, anyway."
"Um, thanks," I say, but it comes out sounding more like a question. "You guys, thanks so much for all of the gifts and things…" I breathe, eyeing everyone with a grateful smile. My gaze finally rests on Len. A grin slowly spreads on my face as he sinks down into his seat. "So, what's your gift to me, Kagamine?" I ask playfully. He chuckles.
"Sorry, was this a requirement?" he asks.
"Come on, Lenny-chan," teases Gumi, "We all did it, now it's your turn!" Len furrows his eyebrows uneasily.
"Lenny! Lenny! Lenny! Lenny!" chants Miku. It's not long before Gumi does so as well. Even Yuma joins in. I snicker at the entire scene as they keep chanting.
Suddenly, Len tackles me with a deep kiss that makes my heart fly out of my chest. "Mm!" I try to yell in protest. We both part for air, only for him to kiss me again. He pulls back with a sly grin. "Don't give me that Kaito face," I warn him with a smile that's even slyer. I can hear the laughs of my fellow bandmates. Len throws his hands up to tickle me, but I catch his wrists just in time. "Oh, and while you're at it… Can I have the gift receipt for that?" I ask playfully. Len scoffs. Gumi practically falls on the floor laughing.
"There," he says with a superior smile, "Was that a good enough gift?"
I raise an eyebrow to match his look and pause to fake-think for a couple seconds. "No," I finally decide. This sends Gumi and Miku into another round of laughter. Yuma just shakes his head, chuckling lightly. Len rolls his eyes at me, but the grin still lasts on his face.
"I'm hoping to get a gift in return tonight," he hints teasingly.
"Tonight?" I ask, raising both eyebrows.
"Yeah, the dance," he clarifies. My eyes widen.
"Oh right!" I say, smacking my head.
"We get to show off all our hard work!" Gumi smiles at me. "But… do you have a dress yet?" she asks, tilting her head.
"No!" I remember, "That's the one thing I forgot!" Gumi suddenly turns her head pointedly to face Miku. Everyone else does the same, except Miku, who is more confused than ever.
"What is everyone looking at me for?" she asks. Gumi scoffs.
"You're the only one here with a closet that could challenge Barbie's", Gumi taunts. Miku slowly gasps, realizing what this means.
"Hand over the dress, sweetheart," Gumi grins.