Reaching for the Stars
Part I, Chapter 3
Light Music Club – The 3rd Floor Music Room [ Omnipresent – O ]
Prologue
"Uwaah~!" Yui Hirasawa, the lead guitarist of the club squealed with delight, "Satoshi-kun did that!? That's so cool!"
"I know right?" Ritsu explained, tapping their tea table in rhythm to imitate her brother's drumming, "I taught him some basics before, but he actually performed Fireflies at his friend's house!"
"So your little brother finally played the drums." Tsumugi Kotobuki, their keyboardist commented in her usual pleased manner, "Maybe we should invite him over here sometime so we could hear him play?"
"Maybe we should!" Ritsu cried, her eyes sparkling at the suggestion, "Mugi-chan… you're a genius!"
"Yeah, yeah!" Yui said nodding vigorously, "Satoshi-kun should definitely come here! I just hope Sawako-sensei doesn't scare the heck out of him."
"Mhm," Ritsu nodded, "so what do you think Mio?"
"I don't think that's possible," Mio Akiyama, the bassist of the band argued, her tone definitely different from her companions
"Why not Mio!?" Ritsu demanded dramatically, her fist clenched and her left eye twitching.
"First of all," Mio said technically, "Sakura-gakou is an all-girl's school. They'd never let him through the gates."
"Then we'll sneak him in!" Ritsu continued
"Yeah!" Yui seconded determinedly, her eyes turning into stars, "If my little sister Ui could pass for me with her hair down, maybe Satoshi-kun could pass for Riichan with a hairband on!"
"That's not what I meant…" Ritsu said, somewhat disgusted with the idea
"In any case, it won't work out…" Mio said, unimpressed with their proposal, "Even if you do try THAT, Satoshi-kun has short hair. The hairband wouldn't help a bit."
"But still!" Yui continued, "It'll look a bit weird, but it still might work!"
"On top of that," Mio adamantly refused, "Satoshi-kun has black hair, while Ritsu here's a brunette. Do you really think he'd want to go through all the trouble just to come here?"
"Sawako-sensei could set him up with a wig!"
"No."
"You're such a killjoy…" Ritsu and Yui moaned, a heartbroken aura emanating from the two.
"Hmm…" Tsumugi said rubbing her chin, "if he can't come over here, then… why don't we pay him a visit."
"Ouuuss!!~" Yui cried, pointing a finger to the sky and stars shining in her eyes, "That's a PERFECT plan Mugi-chan. I agree!"
"I second that, captain!" Ritsu said raising her fist as well, "Mio?"
"I have no problems with it." Mio said, taking a sip from her tea. Turning over to the fifth member though, Mio asked, "So what about you Azusa? Are you free later?"
"Huh?" their fifth member, Azusa Nanako asked dazedly, "Me?"
"Yeah, you." Ritsu confirmed, staring at Azusa expecting a 'sure', "Do you want to go visit my bro Satoshi-kun after school?"
"Well I…" the girl said, unable to conjure up a proper answer.
"What's wrong Azu-nyan?" Yui asked, "You've been quiet since you got here."
"Ara~," Mugi said delightedly, "could it be that Azusa-chan…"
"No way!" Ritsu cried in disbelief. Turning to Azusa, she demanded, "Do you like my brother!?"
"N… no." Azusa denied shaking her head shyly, "It's just that I've seen him before… three times actually."
"Did you now?" Ritsu asked, intrigued about her brother's possible sortie, "What happened between the two of you… huh~?"
"I remember it like this…" Azusa recounted
In the Middle School Hallways, One year ago
"Uh… Azusa-chan…"Satoshi said
"Yeah?" Azusa asked
"N… nice to meet you," Satoshi said, "I… I'm S…Satoshi Tainaka…"
"N… nice to m… m… meet you too." Azusa replied
"Well…" Satoshi said turning around and heading the other way, "I… uh… erm… have something to do. See you."
Before Azusa could wave goodbye, the boy was already gone.
In the Mall, Six months ago
"Azusa-chan!" A surprised Satoshi cried
"Oh, Satoshi-kun." Azusa asked, "What's up?"
"N… nothing much." He said turning around and heading the other way, "Anyways, s… sorry to disturb you."
Before Azusa could wave goodbye, the boy was already gone.
In the Train Station, Three weeks ago
Satoshi was headed somewhere when he ran into Azusa. He saw her and blushed madly, unable to speak. He turned around and headed the other way.
Azusa barely noticed him, but before she could wave hello, the boy was already gone.
Obviously, Satoshi had been trying to talk to Azusa for over a year now. His pathetic attempts however could bring tears to people's eyes.
"That's what happened." Azusa said, turning red herself
"Man…" Ritsu said rubbing her brow, "my brother's so hopeless…"
"Satoshi-kun is a nice kid," Tsumugi said, "but it seems he's a shy one."
"Hmm…" Ritsu said in thought, "then that should make our visit later even more interesting, don't you think Azusa?"
"Eyeah!" Azusa cried, her face getting redder by the second, "I'm not thinking of that!"
"So you're not coming with us later Azusa-chan?" Mio asked calmly
"Well…" Azusa said calming down a bit, "I didn't say that either… I'll go."
"Alright!" Ritsu and Yui said in unison.
"Visiting Satoshi-kun ah…" Azusa thought to herself, "I wonder what it'd be like…"
To Be Continued