Sunday, May 2nd
Morgana: Dude, are you okay? You haven't texted back in a few hours.
Morgana: What did that Takemi woman do to you?!
Akira: Don't worry, I'm fine. Just…the trial went on a little longer than expected.
Akira: I'll be home soon though, don't worry, okay?
Yeah, I'm totally fine even though I'm drowsy as hell still and I'm wobbling with each step.
Goddamn it, Tae.
Morgana: Hm…dont take too long, I want to catch up on some shows with you since we finally have time to…well, you know, be normal for a bit.
Akira: Right. I'm getting on the subway right now, see ya soon.
Ah. The subway. Sure.
Little did Morgana know, he was already at the apartment complex.
In fact, he was a few floors below Morgana. He was right in front of Makoto's apartment door. Putting Takemi's bag aside and stuffing his phone into his pocket, he raised his hand in preparation to knock on the door.
Though the knock never came.
C'mon man.
Just knock!
Just knock.
Maybe I shouldn't have listened to Tae.
Tae's advice is fucking fraudulent.
Oh hell man I can't pussy out of this.
Just try to…fix this.
I can fix this, right?
I can't fix this.
I CAN FIX THIS!
C'MON AKIRA, WE GOT THIS!
Akira knocked on the door as gently as he could.
NO PUSSY SHIT LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO—
Sae immediately opened the door.
Almost as immediately, Akira began stuttering over his words, "I—uh, um…uh…where—Mak—Oh!" He nervously rubbed his neck as a fit of idiotic chuckles came out, "This isn't, uh, the bathroom…I should just go…"
OKAY, FULL PUSSY SHIT.
TIME TO HAUL ASS.
And was that seriously the best we could come up with? Oh man, dad would be so disappointed.
Sae fully stepped outside, closing the door behind her and meeting Akira with her own, albeit a scarier, version of Makoto's notorious glare, "You and I…we need to talk."
Oh crap.
"I…uh…no?"
Sae's eyes narrowed with bitter disdain, "Are you refusing me, Kurusu-kun?"
"N-No, ma'am! W-wait, how do you know my name-"
"Nevermind that, see, I did a little research about you once I was magically blessed with your presence in my home. You are Akira Kurusu, brother to Morgana Kurusu, the oldest son of Haruki Kurusu and Kaguya Kurusu. You are also, partially still, a new transfer to Shujin Academy."
Dude...I feel naked, she knows more things about me than her sister...what the hell…
How did she find all this out in the time span of two days?!
T-These Niijima women are something fierce…
Like a little kid, Akira rubbed his neck as he nervously nodded, giving Sae the gratification of knowing all her information was correct. Her grin was soaked with pride.
"With all of that, you could make the case that you are an ordinary kid who just decided to leave Kyoto and live here, for some reason. But looks are deceiving."
D-Does she know about my situation…?
No...there's no way, only Kamoshida and Kobayakawa know the truth. The rest of the kids at Shujin have only been working on wild ass rumors that vary so much on the spectrum to the point it must be ridiculous to believe them.
R-Right?
The nervous teenager tilted his head, "W-What do you mean, Niijima-senpai?"
Sae released a faint huff of humor from her grin that would've made Akira shit himself if he still wasn't feeling the side effects of Tae's drugs. The grin disappeared with such speed as her face darkened, her stare nearly giving Akira a heart attack, "Good to know you can take a not so subtle hint. While I may not know everything about you, Kurusu-kun, I do know that Hifumi told me that you were accompanied with another known menace at Shujin just as Kamoshida was arrested."
Akira's eyes faintly widened as realization trapezed across his thoughts.
Hifumi...their cousin! Crap, how could I just forget about her…
"That immediately proves to me that with the little I do know, you are an unknown. A very...dangerous one. An active blot of mystery that...has his fingers inside of my sister, distracting her from her more pressing concerns. Concerns that dwarf your entire existence."
Sae took a step closer, catching Akira off guard and making him trip over his own feet. Staring up at her, he truly felt as if she was the warden to his criminal. As if she was a hulking leviathan that was ready to snip his head off at any moment if she felt the slightest inclination.
It was terrifying.
With her eyes oozing the disgust she felt for him, she spoke one final time, "I'm only going to say this once, Akira. My sister has more important things to deal with than some frizzy-haired piece of trash from Kyoto. I don't want her to hang around...rejects like you, it'll make her just as worthless."
Akira felt his heart hammer against his rib cage as his mouth felt akin to the Sahara, "Hm, maybe I have to dumb it down for you. Stay away from her. You do that, your time here in Tokyo will be rather easy. If you don't...I don't think a former Kyoto Tachibana star would enjoy having his name dragged through the mud and harassed every day if I were to say you did something to offend me or my sister."
Akira stayed speechless as he fixated on her, his stomach churning as she outstretched her hand. Reluctantly, he grabbed it and stood up. Sae met him with a fabricated gleeful smile, "Understood?"
He could barely contain himself but he nodded, giving her a respectful bow as he picked up Tae's bag and departed in silence.
Sae felt good.
She got her message across and with minimal effort. She still needed some sleep before returning to the studio, though.
Her apartment door opened up behind her, the familiar voice of her younger sister hung heavy with concern, "Sis? Who was it?"
Sae yawned as she turned around, "Ah, it was nothing, just our trusty owner checking up on me."
"Junpei's back? I thought there was a baseball tournament happening soon?"
Sae retreated inside as the younger Niijima closed the door, "That's right, but he just wanted to make sure if I was okay. Couldn't stay too long, so that's why he didn't pop in to say hello to you."
"Ah. That sucks, he said the next time we saw each other we would go to the batting ring in Yongen-Jaya…"
Sae stuck her head into the refrigerator, investigating for something to drink, "Yeah...that does suck."
Akira frantically knocked on the door, Morgana's cries of annoyance echoing from beyond, "Akira, why the hell are you knocking so hard?!" He opened the door only for his brother to shove him aside, throwing Takemi's bag onto the sofa as he scurried to his bathroom.
Turning on the faucet, he splashed his face with cold water to refocus. It barely worked but it was a start.
Akira's eyes lingered in the mirror as he examined himself.
He felt sick to his stomach.
Morgana quickly came up behind him, drinking seemingly one of the last medical vials he had. His displeasure with the taste was faint on his face but the worry for his older brother was more apparent, "Hey? Are you okay? I thought you weren't going to get here for another twenty minutes?"
Akira met his anxious stare through the mirror as droplets freely rolled down his face, "I uh...I went to go see Makoto-"
Mona instantly cut his brother off hearing mention of Shujin's Student President, groaning just as quick, "Oh, come on...what did she say now…? Do I have to terrorize her-"
"No...no, I didn't even see her. I saw her sister, Sae."
"Oh," For a moment, it didn't really register until he sat on it for a moment, "Oh. Oh…you...you mean that Sae?"
Akira nodded to which Mona winced, "Oh shit, what did she say?"
The older Kurusu readjusted his eyes back to his reflection, Sae's words menacingly dancing across his thoughts. He sighed, "Nothing, I just...I'm just not going to go around Makoto for a long time."
Akira grabbed his rag and dried his face as he turned his light off, exiting the bathroom while Morgana looked at him confused, "Akira…?"
Akira breathed out a weary sigh, "I'm fine. I just…I had too many reminders of the past today."
Monday, May 3rd
Akira: ANN
Ann: Huh
Ann: Why are you yelling?!
Akira: sorry
Akira: But, uhhhhhh, are you busy today?
Akira: Kinda need a favor, if it isn't a problem.
Ann: Considering you just did me and Shiho a massive favor, I don't think anything you ask me would be a problem.
Akira: Ah, right.
Ann: So, what's up?
Akira: Mind meeting me at our trusty diner?
Ann: Bet, what time?
Akira: Uhhh, let's say twenty minutes?
Ann: Don't keep me waitin
Akira: Wouldn't dream of it.
Ha. Little does she know I'm here already!
Akira sighed.
Why am I even here…
Ah, yes.
Because I've been overthinking this whole Sae shit since last night to the point I couldn't sleep. Then I thought I could talk to Iwai about it but he doesn't have a shift at Untouchables today…
Didn't want to bother Ann today but…here we are, I guess. Ryuji would've been a terrible choice...dude doesn't know jackshit about women.
Shit, neither do I, but at least I've had a girlfriend.
Wait, I don't have him beat in that department, he had…
Crap, what's her name?
It's something with an O...kinda reminds me of that dead console from almost ten years ago...Ouya, right?
Oh! Ohya.
Right, he went with Ohya for a while...I have no idea how that even was a thing...maybe that'll be a story I'll ask him one day.
Wait...no, that's a bad idea, he'll just lie about it again.
Probably.
I'll just ask Ohya.
Is that a good idea? Even though I keep forgetting her name she kinda...she kind of scares me a little…
Hell, so did Ann at the beginning.
Ryuji likes ominous women, good to know.
Akira was yanked from his evergrowing monologue as his phone vibrated.
Oh, how the hell did she get here so fast? She must've been in the area already.
Pain 1: We request your presence.
Wait…
No….
OH MY FUCKING GOD.
NO.
NO, NO, NO, NO.
With ease, Akira blocked the number, giving him a momentary respite.
Until the next vibration.
Pain 2: HEY, ASSHOLE DON'T IGNORE HER!
Pain 2: You can't ignore the both of us.
Yeahhhhhhhhh, we're not doing this. We are NOT doing this. ON GOD, I'M NOT GOING THROUGH THIS RIGHT NOW MAN.
Another block and another moment of peace!
The Only Normal One: Akira...they won't stop bothering you until you come, you know.
S-Should I text her back…? She wouldn't be mad if I didn't.
Yeah, she wouldn't.
Admittedly, Akira was close to putting his phone back into his pocket, but his consciousness was being a bitch.
...Goddamn it, why can't I be a sheer asshole like before…
Ew, so I'm wishing to be the annoying douchebag from last year who probably would've made fun of Ann with Mika too?
Oh my god, I'm basically saying Ryuji Sakamoto straightened me out.
Ew...I want to puke.
Akira: ...How am I even supposed to see him? I'm not in Kyoto if you didn't know. Also, you're still here? I thought you were at Uni?
The Only Normal One: Location doesn't matter.
The Only Normal One: And I graduated. Grad school will come later.
The Only Normal One: I assume that means you will bless us with your presence?
Akira:...
I Akira: Maybe….?
The Only Normal One: Good.
Akira: So, what am I supposed to do?
Seconds passed as she never replied.
Oh, for the love of God.
Akira: Hello?
He was being left on read. His biggest pet peeve.
Akira: OH C'MON, TEXT ME BACK YOU'RE READING THIS RIGHT FLIPPIN NOW!
Akira: LAVENZA WHY DO YOU ALWAYS DO THIS?!
Akira groaned as Ann popped in his face, partly startling him, "Akira?"
Clutching his chest as he stuffed his phone into his pocket, he straightened himself out, "H-Hey, Ann."
Ann's concern was clear as day, "Are you uh…okay?"
"Y-Yeah, just got a weird text from…an old family friend I haven't seen in a few years. But what about you? How did you get here so quickly…?"
Ann hesitantly chuckled, "I..uh...I was just in the area, but what about you?"
Akira coughed, "Uh...same."
Ann eyed him with suspicion and started to ascend the steps, "You coming or what, Akira?"
"Yeah, yeah I'm coming."
"Holy shit." Ann stopped nibbling on her fries, staring at Akira as he finished up recanting his legendary encounters with the Niijima siblings over the past three days, "Does Mona know?"
He shrugged in response, "I mean, he knows about the whole Makoto calling me Kamoshida shit but uh…with Sae? I…don't want to bring him into this. It's my issue and honestly, it's not a big deal."
Ann waved her fry around in his face, "She threatened you, Akira. And if that was really true, then you wouldn't have asked me to talk. And didn't you tell Morgana you'd stop lying to him? That you'd stop holding crap away from him?"
Akira hesitated, she...she was right.
"I will. When the time is right. It's just that this is just all affecting me, and even then it's passive. Just like I told him, I just...have to stop seeing Makoto, simple."
Ann popped the fry into her mouth, "Good riddance if I'm to be honest, Akira."
Akira took a bite from his burger, muffled as he spoke, "You're still on this…?"
"Why wouldn't I? She said you were the same as Kamoshida! That's…that's just gross and uncalled for. Like I said on Saturday, I don't care about anything else you did the right thing."
His face darkened a bit, "…yeah."
"I mean you said it best." Ann swallowed her last bit of fries as she continued on, "Uh…what was it…oh!" She cleared her throat as she spoke in a deeper suave voice, "'Kamoshida is something that makes us have each other's eyes on each other. Once it's over we'll go back to normal blah blah blah.'"
Ann trailed off as she struggled to not laugh in his face, "I do not sound like that!"
"The point is that this was going to happen anyway. And besides, she wasn't even all that for you to be bending over backwards for. You can do so much better. In fact, use this situation to…I dunno, talk to other girls."
Akira choked on his drink a bit, "Jesus, you sound like Ryuji…"
"For once in his life, Ryuji might've been onto something. Anyway, just take my advice. Kamoshida's gone and you don't have to worry about Makoto talking to you, so use this fresh start to—"
"OH!" Akira, once again, startled Ann and every other patron with an outburst, "Sorry, but holy shit I can't believe I forgot about her with everything that's been going on…"
Ann perked up, "Huh? Who?"
"By chance, would you know a third-year named Haru?"
"Haru….?" Ann was hanging on, waiting for Akira to give her the last name.
He picked up on it immediately, "That's the thing, I don't know it. I met her on the subway after the first day of school but then…yeah everything happened and I haven't seen her since."
Curiosity painted itself on her face, "Hm…no, but I remember hearing something about a third-year taking a leave due to family matters…maybe that's her?"
Akira shrugged, "Maybe?"
"Doesn't matter anyway, just talk to some other girls. Unlike Ryuji, you aren't trash when talking to women so I'm pretty sure they'll come if you just put in a little effort. Even…if you are a part of 'The Delinquents of Shujin Academy.'"
He gave her a wry grin, "There's no harm in trying, right?"
Ann took a sip as she nodded, parting her lips from the straw, "Nope."
Akira dipped one of his fries in ketchup, "Hm…I guess this is the real start to my life in Tokyo, huh?" He popped it into his mouth as Ann gave him a faint cheeky smile.
Makoto was having a surprisingly normal day. Sae left early in the morning to attend more studio meetings and business, citing that the life of musicality never sleeps for those who truly love it.
On paper, it was a rather riveting quote, but it was just a backhanded subtle insult from Sae, commenting on Makoto's waning musical studies. Though, insults from Sae weren't remotely new.
Even with all of that, the day was rather normal until the evening struck.
A simple phone call rocked Makoto's music stand, making her sheet music fall onto the floor.
"Oh, for the love of God.."
Initially, she was going to pick up the music and ignore the call.
That was until she saw the caller ID.
'Principal Kobayakawa'
This…is rare…
"Hello?"
"Ah, Niijima-san, I was worried something happened when you didn't pick up immediately. I have some…distressing news to deliver."
Please, just get to the point.
"What is it, Kobayakawa-sensei?"
He hesitated for a moment, constructing his next set of words, "In light of everything that has transpired with Kamoshida-kun…the board members came to a conclusion."
"…Which is?"
"By the 15th of this month, unless a new director is found, our band program will be shut down."
"W-what? B-But that's—"
"I told them I wouldn't be able to divulge time to this matter, but that's when I remembered my trusty Student President. Niijima-san, you will deal with this matter, won't you? Makoto Niijima single-handedly saving Shujin's band program will look magnificent on a letter of recommendation."
You…
He's just giving it to me so when it fails I'll get all the blame.
Typical.
"Niijima-san?"
Makoto shook her head to raise her from her thoughts, "Right, I'll deal with it. I promise."
"Good. Is your sister around?"
"No, Sis left early this morning, why?"
"Shame, I just wanted to congratulate her on her Tōhoku and Kanto tour and wish her luck on the new album. Her Kansai and Chūgoku tour starts when?"
She racked her mind for a moment, "I haven't checked, but it's sometime in July, after the start of summer break."
"Ah. I'll make sure to catch a show if I can. Good evening, Niijima-san."
The dial tone echoed throughout her ear as faint anger coursed through her veins.
This wasn't anything new.
Makoto lazily grabbed her sheet music from the floor and collapsed onto the couch, taking a moment to relax and contemplate. Raising her phone to her face she saw the messaging app was open. There was her sister, Tora, and—
'Kurusu-Kun.'
No.
Remember what Sis said, he's a distraction.
Though, distraction implies I actually enjoyed his company.
I…I didn't, right?
No, I didn't.
Besides, I said what I said.
I doubt he'll listen and even want to see me after that.
I wasn't wrong, though.
…I wasn't.
Makoto sighed for a bit, tapping on his message icon, but quickly swiped out of it as she groaned.
Quickly, she forced her slippers and shuffled her way out of her apartment, swiftly getting to the elevator and taking it to Akira's floor.
All he deserves is just a heads-up.
That's all he deserves.
The elevator was slick with silence, partially making Makoto uncomfortable and her nerves ample with tension. The only way she could release it was by tapping her foot on the metallic floor rapidly.
Eventually, the door separated to reveal Akira's floor.
Though, Makoto stood there, simply frozen in anticipation.
Taking one final breath, a simple thought came into her head.
Nothing more, nothing less.
Her first step gave her a renewed sense of resolve, although within seconds it dissipated as she caught sight of Ann and Akira hugging.
Her reflexes made her lurch back into the elevator, her hand pressing the hold button to allow her to overhear their conversation.
W-Wait, why do I want to hear their conversation?
There's no issue with me walking up to him and telling him about the due date.
…though, I bet Takamaki-san would have an issue…
Little blurbs of last Monday flew through her mind.
Maybe it would be most beneficial for me to just…stay here and listen.
Yes, this would be the best course of action.
Totally.
"Ann, I uh…I gotta say, I needed today. After everything lately, this was fun. A surprising amount of fun."
Makoto couldn't see but she knew for a fact Akira was giving Ann a dumb smile while he ruffled his hair.
I only know that because it's textbook. He always did that with me, so…
Probably just another way he tried to lure me.
Right…
Ann chuckled, "Right…right. Listen, you do realize I'm just a simple phone call away? You don't have to run to Ryuji each and every time you need an ear to talk to, I'm right here after all."
"Hm…hm, let me write that down in my journal so I don't forget."
"You have a journal? Seriously?"
Really?
"…Yeah, I hope that doesn't demasculinize me or something in your eyes."
Ann snorted, "Ah, yes, Akira Kurusu writing down his deepest and most sensitive thoughts in a notebook…it crumbles the idealized 'Delinquent of Shujin Academy' persona you've built up over the last month…oh, the tragedy! The horror! I'm going to puke!"
"Yeah, yeah, shut up Ann. I get it."
There was a muffled impact, almost as if she jokingly punched him in the shoulder, "Seems that my sense of humor isn't gone either…but Akira?"
"Hm?"
"Don't waste energy on Niijima-senpai, it's a waste of time. Besides, there's no point anymore like you said, two different spectrums."
"Right. Waste of time.."
"But…I had fun today. We should do this again. You know…if you don't mind, of course."
"As you said, a simple phone call away."
The clicking of Ann's boots against the tile echoed, alerting Makoto and making her release the button, closing the door and sending her back to her floor before Takamaki could see her face.
Silence overtook the elevator once again, but Makoto welcomed it.
Her mind was becoming a bit of an untidy mess, and she couldn't comprehend fully why.
Her floor presented itself, serving as a brief step to her apartment door to which she was greeted by Sae.
"Where have you been?" It seemed Sae hadn't been home for more than a few minutes, five at the most. She still had her Saxophone case gripped with such intensity and care in her hands.
As usual.
Her brain instantly kicked into overdrive, "I…um…I went to go see if there were any snacks in the vending machines downstairs."
Sae tilted her head, "Strange…I didn't see you on my way up."
Her suspicion was clear in her voice, but honestly, it seemed as if she was too tired to press Makoto.
Whether or not she's tired, she isn't going to pretend to care about whatever I might have going on.
"Must've missed me, I suppose."
"Uh-huh." Sae gently placed her alto on the floor, her eyes narrowing back on her younger sister, "Just don't do anything stupid, understood?"
The younger Niijima nodded, "Of course. I'll…continue doing things my way. The right way, the way I learned from you."
Sae gave a little grin as she lazily ruffled Makoto's hair, "Good. I'll go cook something." She whirled on her heel, her sights set on the kitchen, "Did you study and practice today?"
Makoto trailed behind her, "Mhm. Studied for a little bit before doing my etude studies. I decided not to go with the piece you did for your audition into Uni."
Sae fished some ingredients out of the freezer, her slight disappointment was apparent in her tone, "And why is that? Don't tell me it was too hard?"
She quickly dismissed it, bypassing Sae's disapproval, "No…I just don't want to do it because you did it. I feel like…if I go to the Tokyo University of the Arts, people will go easier on me because I'm your sister. Especially if I play something you excelled at. I'd rather play something that challenges me than—"
Sae dug her knife into the cutting board, perfectly slicing a piece of wagyu beef, her disappointment oozing now, "If?" She gave a faint dry chuckle, "Do you know how ungrateful you sound…?"
Makoto hesitated before trying to speak up, "S-Sis—"
"Stop talking. I've spent too long and worked too hard only for you to try and pass up going there. All because what…you don't want to take the easy way?"
Makoto was finally able to speak, "I-It's not the right—"
"There's nothing wrong with you taking advantage of something I provided to you. Working hard and slaving away your whole life doesn't always work out and I'd be damned if I have to carry you as an adult also. You're going to TUA and you are playing my etude." Sae grabbed the knife and continued slicing the beef, "If you want to slave away and work yourself to death trying to get a break in the music industry, then go ahead. That'll be your life at that point and you won't be my burden anymore. Maybe you'll end up the same way dad did."
Makoto felt her chest tighten.
That was too far.
Even for Sae.
And she even knew it.
For a moment, she continued on with the slices until she suddenly stopped, her eyes floating and connecting with her sister's. She could see the little tears attempting to breakthrough.
"M-Makoto, I…I um…I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. I just…" Sae turned towards her and grabbed her hands, "I've been so stressed lately and it feels like…everything is going nowhere or that I'm going to fail. I've been bottling it all up…and it isn't fair letting that out on you. But…can you please go to TUA? I worked hard making sure you would be able to get in based on my name alone because you deserve the best. I just want the best for you, Makoto."
It took a few moments, but she nodded.
"Right. I um…I'll get back to the food. You should continue your studies, okay?"
Once more, she nodded and departed the kitchen, walking over to her room.
And once again, Sis repeats.
But then again, so did I.
A/N:
This...hm...I had to scrap and rework this chapter a few times over the previous week, I can't lie.
Honestly, I'm okay with this chapter with the exception of Sae's little tangent...harshness was the point but hm...I feel like it was too harsh? Maybe a little too soon? It wasn't in the original outline actually since I planned to have a moment with Mona and Akira instead, but I felt that we've had too many moments with them, so I could afford to write a scene with Sae and Makoto.
Funnily enough, this still "technically" isn't the full chapter since I wanted to go into the first day of school post-Kamoshida but that deserves its own chapter, so here's another rather short one which pisses me off quite honestly. Chapter 15 should be fun, though, kinda can't for you guys to read it so I'll be working hard as usual.
See you guys next Thursday!