Hi so yes I know it hasn't been long at all since I updated, but episode 9 happened…
Haruka begins searching for potatoes the second band gets out.
Her first guess is the supermarket, they're always stocked with a large assortment of produce even if it's out of season. That's what she tells herself anyway as she pumps the pedals on her bike as quickly as she can. Unfortunately, the store's lights are clicking off just as she rolls into the parking lot. She peers through the window in a less than eloquent manner in hopes of getting the owner's attention, but no such luck. Her next guess is a 24 hour mart, but they laugh in her face at what must sound like a ridiculous question. She doesn't even bother with the liquor place next door.
A defeated sigh slips through Haruka's lips as she slides off her bike to take a quick break next to the mart. Maybe she should just give up. It's not like she'll be much help to Kaori, she can't even find the one thing she knows the girl wants. Asuka would know just what to do and just what to say.
Asuka's not here. Haruka mentally slaps herself, the image of Asuka sneering at her in the hallway filling her mind. Asuka doesn't matter right now, the most important thing is to find potatoes and get to Kaori. Haruka knows she should've talked with Kaori after rehearsal, but she didn't so she has to go now, her friend needs her.
Feeling slightly more determined, Haruka pulls out her phone and googles, 'potatoes near me'. Unfortunately the only place open past 8 is a local fast food joint, and they only have french fries. She supposes they'll have to be good enough.
It only takes Haruka 20 minutes to get the french fries and bike over to Kaori's house. However, once there she freezes on the porch, her recently attained bag clenched tightly in her grasp. Maybe she shouldn't have come after all, she doesn't even know what to say. What if all she does is make things worse? What if Kaori never wants to speak with her again after this? She wouldn't even know what to do if something like that happened… Haruka shakes her head and quickly rings the doorbell, though her doubts don't stop ringing in her head.
Haruka's inner reflection is finally cut off when Kaori's mother answers the door, and she quickly gets Haruka in the house and up to Kaori's room. Haruka quickly knocks when she gets there, not wanting a second wave of doubts to halt her progress. She feels a new wave of nerves when a soft voice calls for her to enter.
Haruka's not surprised to find Kaori's room almost completely dark when she enters; she did always enjoy sitting in calm and tranquil places. The trumpet section leader is curled up in something similar to the fetal position on her bed with one candle casting light shadows around the room.
"Haruka…" Kaori seems pleasantly surprised to see her friend entering her bedroom so late at night. "Sorry about the dark, you can turn the light on if you want."
Haruka shakes her head no, then realizes she probably can't be seen with this level of light. "No it's fine." She plops down onto the ground, her eyes trained on the girl still curled up above her. "Oh yeah… I brought you some potatoes." Haruka hoists up the bag that she almost forgot she was carrying. "They aren't the same as the ones you brought, but I hope they're still good."
"You didn't have to do to that," Kaori's lips curl up in a slight grin despite her words, much to Haruka's relief. She slides down to the floor in one fluid motion, crossing her legs to sit directly across from Haruka. A long shadow falls over her face from the candle light which gives her a very mysterious sort of look.
"Sure I did. I promised and I always keep my promises." Haruka fishes around in the bag a bit, forcing any loose fries back into one of the two containers she purchased earlier. She scoops them out carefully and passes one across her lap.
Kaori's face lights up when she realizes what kind of potatoes she's received. "These are perfect! Thanks so much for bringing them." She stuffs a few in her mouth, leaning back with a satisfied sigh.
"Ah no problem," Haruka shifts her eyes down on her own container. "I thought it might help after today."
"Today…" Kaori leans back slightly, "I'm just a little frustrated I guess. But I did make the competition group so I can't be too upset." Despite her words, Haruka can tell not getting the solo spot really shook up her long time friend.
"I think it's fine to be upset." Haruka forces her eyes up to Kaori's, making her voice as serious as she can manage. "You worked really hard for this, and you're… Well you're an amazing trumpet player."
Kaori smiles warmly at the compliment, but it slides off her face after a few seconds. She chews on a few more fries thoughtfully. "I guess it is a little disappointing." Kaori's head tilts down, her eyes staring straight into her lap. "I did try pretty hard." She sniffs once, and Haruka immediately regrets bringing it up.
"Hey are you okay?" Haruka shifts to her knees and leans towards her friend, subconsciously placing one hand onto her shoulder and dropping her fries. Kaori sniffs again, and now Haruka can clearly see tears dripping off her chin.
Oh no she made her cry. What kind of friend makes someone cry? Haruka's first instinct is to release Kaori and run out of the room, but something else, something deeper, tells her to draw her friend close and to never let go.
The second option sounds a tiny bit more logical, so Haruka scoots as close as she can and draws Kaori's head into her chest slowly, using her second hand to rub comforting circles onto her back. Kaori sniffles out a muffled apology as her tears continue to fall, but Haruka shushes her gently. "It's okay, it's good to cry about these things every once in a while." She continues stroking Kaori's back, and after a few minutes the two of them just sit there in complete silence. Maybe she should ask something again. "Er, are you okay?"
Kaori leans out of the embrace, and much to Haruka's relief she's smiling as she wipes her final tears from her eyes. "Yeah, thanks Haruka. I dunno what I'd do if I didn't have a great friend like you."
Haruka simply shrugs, instead choosing to pick up her previously neglected container of french fries. She eats one slowly, only chuckling when Kaori claims one for herself with a teasing grin.
She'll be okay.
Alright so this isn't some of my best work. Crying and emotional people aren't my forte.