Chapter 3: Shock, betrayed and encourage
The next day was a dreaded day for Yuu. But she is determined to be confident in front of Sayaka. And if a chance is given, maybe she can say sorry again after disturbing Sayaka in the music room.
She was boiling water when both of her senpais arrived. She asks them what they prefer to drink. Answers were given, and she proceeded to prepare them. When she was done, she delivered them and carefully placed each drink in front of them.
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While drinking her coffee, Sayaka remembers that she forgot to tease Touko about yesterday's confession and brings it up. She noticed that Yuu's expression changed and that he seemed eager to talk to Touko. She's irritated again. She thought that it should be a moment between her and Touko. But something about it also irritated her more, and she can't quite place it. Also, the girl had not blushed in her direction today.
The next day, Sayaka needed to come home early. Her father is making her join an important business meeting. He says it will be a good learning experience for her. Since big names from all over Japan, China, and South Korea will arrive to discuss the expansion of their company, She doesn't like missing her extra time with Touko, but she conceded. Her life should not only revolve around her unrequited love.
The following day, Sayaka was present at the student council. It's the end-of-term celebration of their current president. She was scolding him when she noticed that Touko was paying extra attention to Yuu again. What's more, Touko surprises everyone when she asks the girl to be her campaign manager. This felt like a knife on Sayaka's back. But Yuu has the expression of being beyond confused.
During their volleyball match, Touko explained to her what her intentions were about making Yuu her manager. Sayaka contemplated it, but she knows Touko will do whatever she wants. She understands Touko's reasoning, though she knows there might be another reason behind it. Sighing in defeat, she chooses to support Touko. 'Dang, loving someone is annoying. There's lots of compromising to make the other happy.'
She gave the speech she wrote for Touko to Yuu. The girl blushed as this happened. 'Now there's a splash of color I wanted to see. Huh wait.' Yuu told Sayaka that since she's the one asking, she will do it.
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When Yuu read the speech, she was astounded by how perfectly it put Touko on a pedestal. Sayaka really cared about her friend, but she doesn't lie anyway. Touko was at the top of her class. She is approachable and willing to help people as best she can, and she is liked by all the teachers. And the ultimate one is that she has a lot of admirers. 'Why are they even trying to campaign for her election?' Yuu knows she will win no matter what. But procedures are to be followed, and she doesn't want to be the reason that would not make this a landslide election.
Remembering the day when Sayaka was not present on the student council. Yuu confided in Touko about receiving a text from her suitor. She asked Touko for help, but in some weird turn of events, Yuu got a confession from Touko instead. Now she is also a campaign manager. 'What have I done to deserve this?'
-*+/
After the campaign meeting with volunteers, Sayaka saw an uncomfortable Touko asking Yuu to talk a bit. It seems that her best friend is keeping things from her. She didn't interrupt them and just went to the music room again; the room was not used for club activities as it was used for classes. She has a piano at her house, but she can't wait till then. Her mind is wondering about Touko's expression while talking to Yuu earlier. It disturbs her, and the piano is her only escape. Thanking her stars that no one was around when she opened the door, she eagerly sat down and started playing Clair de lune, but after that, she didn't feel like repeating it over and over like the last time. She wants to get lost more. She wants her mind and body to purposefully play.
She transitions as fluidly as possible to Moonlight II Allegretto. Halfway through her playing, she realized that she was playing a piece about the moon again. Clair de lune in English is Moonlight. 'Is Touko my moon? She is beautiful, mysterious, and gentle. Maybe she is.' After finishing the song, Sayaka transitions to Einaudi's Full Moon, continuing the moon song series. She started slow, letting the tunes lead her. She was playing with movements now, as this isn't Clair de lune. This isn't a peaceful song. This song is like a doomed courtship: the chase, the declaration, the denial, the sorrow, and then acceptance. She can't help but be captivated by the song, which moves her where it wants to go. When she finished, she looked out the window. The sun is beginning to sink. The campaign meeting did take longer to conclude, with Touko being late.
"Senpai…"
Sayaka had heard that voice before. In this very room. She didn't have to look behind her to know who it was.
"You need to stop doing that, you know?" Sayaka said. Her voice was serious—not angry, but not teasing either.
"It... happened by accident last time. I was lost looking for the student council. Now, when I heard the piano, I knew it was you, and I just wanted to apologize for disturbing you the last time. But now I did it again, so I don't know if... you will ever forgive me." Her last words were spoken shakily.
Sayaka turned around. She saw the girl fidgeting with her hands joined together over her skirt, like she was pleading.
"There is nothing to forgive, Koito-san. I don't mind if someone listens to me play." The girl looks up in delight and relief. "It is nice to have an adoring audience." She said with a wink. As expected, the girl blushed, and that made Sayaka chuckle a bit. She stands up and walks over to the girl. Her chance to finally pat the girl's hair had arrived. She won't let it slip by. "You are so adorable." The blush becomes darker. "It is so easy to tease you."
"Senpai…" she said pouting miserably.
"I'm just messing with you." Sayaka said as she turned around to take her bag from the bench.
"You really played beautifully. I get caught up whenever I hear you play. It's like you're in a story, and you bring me along with you as you experience it." The girl said as Sayaka shouldered her bag. She was awestruck at the girl's confidence now. "I think you are the most amazing person I have ever met. You are beautiful, intelligent, graceful, and passionate, and now you have shown me that you are also kind. I don't know if I should stay in the same room as you." As she said this, she took a step backward.
After a few seconds of silence, the girl took a step backward again. Sayaka was stunned and couldn't think of any words to say. But she forces herself to speak. The girl is clearly taking her silence as a bad sign. She opts to tease her again to put her at ease. "Shouldn't you be embarrassed saying those words?" And the effect is immediate. The blush came in full force. Sayaka laughs out loud. "Oh, Koito-san, you are so cute."
"Please, stop teasing me." She said looking down at the floor.
"I can't help it. You bring it out of me." The girl didn't reply. Sayaka chose to change the subject. "So, what did you and Touko talk about?" The girl visibly stiffened. Sayaka walks over slowly and leans down to see her face. "Hey, what's wrong? Did she scold you or anything?" The girl only shook her head. "Then what happened?" The girl stayed silent. Sayaka is beginning to worry. 'What happened with her and Touko?' Sayaka looks around, trying to think of a way to comfort the girl. "If you don't want to tell me, it is okay." She saw the piano. "Do you want me to play you a song?"
The girl lifts her head to look at her. She has those unique melted honey eyes, which complement the shade of her hair. She smiles meekly at Sayaka. "You would?"
"Anything you want." Sayaka looked over the piano by the window and saw that the sky was darker than earlier. "Uhm, maybe one song? It is getting dark. Won't you be scolded?"
"Another time, then." The girl beamed at her. "Promise?"
Sayaka returned the smile. "I promised."
