A.N: Hello again, everyone! Here is the twenty-second chapter of this story! I hope you'll enjoy reading it!
Chapter Twenty-Two: Number One Fan
25th of March, 2011
"Well, I'm all set to go, I think."
With his hands on his hips, Makoto looked around his dorm room for any more personal effects he wished to bring along with him. It was Friday afternoon, meaning the students were free to leave campus for the weekend to see their families again. And as much as he loved his new friends, this was an opportunity the Ultimate Lucky Student would not pass up.
Also, to make it a surprise, he had not told them about him coming home. And as long as they still had enough food in the fridge for him, it would not backfire. Otherwise, though... Well, it was better not to think about it.
Dragging his suitcase behind him, Makoto made sure to lock the door on his way out. He frankly doubted anyone would rob him during the weekend – there were literally surveillance cameras in the hallway – but Sayaka had already scolded him ten times for forgetting, so he tried to pick up some good habits.
I can't wait to see Mom, Dad, and Komaru again... I miss them already...
Smiling melancholically, the boy started walking towards the main gate, waving at Hina and Sakura, who were chatting at the opposite end of the corridor. It was a little past five in the afternoon, so the air was starting to cool down, and Makoto truly appreciated the spring breeze that made his hair antenna move with each of his steps.
"Makoto! Wait up!"
Dragging a suitcase of her own, the Ultimate Pop Sensation caught up to Makoto in a rush and panted slightly. The Luckster gave her a warm smile.
"Going home too, Maizono-san?" he asked.
"Yeah, I got repetitions with the rest of the band this weekend, so it'll be more practical if I go over to my dad's place."
"You live with your father, Maizono-san?" That surprised him. He expected someone as famous as Sayaka to live with her two parents, probably inside a mansion he could never even imagine owning one day.
The girl's lips trended downward. "Yeah, my mom passed away when I was very little, so it's only been me and my dad since then. And since he often works long hours, I've always mostly been by myself. It's actually what prompted me to become a pop idol, but that's another story."
Makoto felt guilty. He didn't want to bring back any unpleasant memories. "S-Sorry, Maizono-san, I didn't know. You have my condolences."
She shook her head, regaining a faint smile. "No need to apologize, Makoto. You couldn't have known, and it was long ago. I've had more than enough time to grieve. But enough about that!" she beamed, asking, "Are you going back to see your family, Makoto?"
"Yup, I'm not sure if I'll go back every weekend, but I kinda miss them..." he admitted sheepishly. "I'll give Komaru the autograph you signed for her. I'm sure she'll be thrilled."
"Hehe, you love your sister, don't you?"
Makoto pouted. He had no trouble admitting to himself how much he adored his precious Komaru, but he wasn't so prompt with telling others. Even now, they loved to mess with one another, so he didn't want to be caught saying how he cared about his younger sibling. Sayaka chuckled.
"It's okay, you can say it," she told him, giving him a gentle pat on the back, a playful smirk adorning her lips. "My bandmates are kinda like sisters to me, so I somewhat know the feeling. But we're all girls, so I think we can say how much we all love each other more easily."
Sayaka's bandmates... I guess they must be extremely close, going on all these concerts together... Makoto had to admit his friend made a fair point. If he had a little brother instead, he would probably be more open about his love for him. Yet, the Ultimate Lucky Student made it a point for Komaru to always know what she meant to him.
He wasn't tall, he wasn't physically strong, but he'd protect his sister – the one sharing his blood – no matter what. Luckily, Komaru wasn't the type to get into any fights or other trouble, so he wouldn't get beat up soon. Hopefully.
And if anything were to happen, maybe Mondo would lend him some help.
Ultimately, Makoto said nothing, but Sayaka understood. Words were not needed to describe the bond shared by two siblings who had grown together. That did not mean he wouldn't bonk Komaru on the head the second she said something silly, though.
They had to stop for a minute when a group of Reserve Course students approached them and asked the pop star for some autographs. Makoto was surprised to learn there were still students seeking one because he had already seen her sign at least a couple hundred of them. For someone so famous, perhaps this was to be expected.
She thanked them for their support, and everyone was on their way.
"My wrist's gonna start hurting one of these days," Sayaka admitted with a soft sigh. Makoto chuckled. "Say, I had an unrelated question." Seeing she had his unwavering attention – like often – she carried on, "Who are you gonna vote for in the Class Rep election?"
The Luckster shrugged. This was an easy question. "Well, Taka's the only candidate, so..."
"Fair enough," the bluette agreed. "But still... Maybe there'll be a surprise candidate; who knows? We've all taken for granted that Taka would win, but as long as we haven't voted, we can't know for sure, can we?"
"Hm, I guess not. I doubt anyone else's gonna run, though."
"What about you, Makoto? Not interested?"
Makoto stopped. He looked Sayaka in the eyes, trying to ascertain if she'd just spoken jokingly. When he saw no traces of humor on her countenance, the boy's surprise truly shined.
"I think you have the wrong person, Maizono-san..." he muttered, trying to play the remark as a joke. "I mean, you see me, as average as I am, being the Class Rep?"
His subsequent laugh was as genuine as they got. The mere thought was so ridiculous Makoto knew it could kickstart his career as a clown if he ever sought one.
"Yeah, I do. I think you'd make a great Class Rep, Makoto."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Maizono-san, but..." He rolled his eyes as they crossed the impressive steel gates of the school, passing by a couple security guards. "I'm afraid this is not happening. Not only I'm not suited for this at all, but no one would even vote for me. Well, apart from you, it seems."
She looked dissatisfied. Makoto wondered what was up with her and where the whimsical notion even came from. Off the top of his head, the Ultimate Lucky Student could think of at least four names of students obviously more qualified for the role than him.
"Please give it some thought, Makoto. I promise you would be great at it. I just know!"
Slightly freaked out by the girl's insistence, Makoto nonetheless smiled at her, attempting to appear more easygoing than he currently was. Whatever the Ultimate Pop Sensation saw in him, he clearly did not, but he did not have it in him to be a contrarian.
Not to her, anyway.
"Okay, Maizono-san," he said, trying to wiggle out of this subject matter. He pointed to his left, away from where Sayaka was heading. "The station I need to take is this way, so I guess this is where we part ways."
"O-Oh, right. I'll see you on Monday, Makoto. Have a good weekend."
"Same to you, Maizono-san."
After a polite bow, the Ultimate Lucky Student got going. As he walked on the pavement, however, he could not quite get the previous exchange out of his head. In a second, it was as if the girl's typical enthusiasm had evaporated into thin air. Whatever caused Sayaka to sound almost forceful, Makoto figured it was weighty, though he struggled to grasp how this concerned him. Why would she care so much if he sought to be the Class Rep?
This was something he would try to look into. But first, he had a weekend to enjoy and a family to reunite with.
Gotta run if I don't wanna miss the next train!
25th of March, 2011
Makoto rung on the doorbell. The neighborhood was mostly quiet, and the student could hear the neighbor's dog having fun in the garden next house. It felt right.
It felt like home.
"Yes, who is it- Makoto!"
The boy smiled as his mother gasped. In only a split second, Yumiko tackled him into a bear hug, wrapping her arms around his chest tightly. The gesture made Makoto chuckle in pure happiness. A single tear from his hazel-colored eyes flew in the wind.
"Hey, Mom," he greeted, voice sweet as sugar, when she finally pulled away, noticing she was wearing a stained apron. Given the time, she was probably preparing dinner. "I thought I'd visit for the weekend. Is that okay?"
"Of course it's okay, silly! Please, come in! It's your house, after all!"
With a nod, Makoto complied and followed the middle-aged woman inside the house with his suitcase in tow. It had this familiar air that made him nostalgic. The smell of the wooden floor, the warm color of the walls, and the sound of his father's TV show in the background were all things he had grown up with. After merely a few days, they returned to hit him like a truck, but in a good way.
"Who was that, Yumi-chan?" Takeshi asked as Makoto and Yumiko stepped inside the living room. He was so focused on the television that he did not bother to turn around.
"Maybe take your eyes off the screen for a second, and you'll know!" his wife scolded, hands on her hips. "I never understood what you found so great about that show."
The man finally moved around on the sofa. His face morphed in an instant. "Makoto! What are you doing here, son?!"
Makoto grinned and scratched the back of his head. "Hi, Dad. I wanted to visit for the weekend and thought I'd make it a surprise."
When his father stood up and walked over to him, the Luckster was glad to know he meant more to Takeshi than his TV show. Not quite giving him a hug, the middle-aged man ruffled his son's spiky hair and smiled.
"It's good to see you, son. You look like someone who's doing well, too."
"I-I'm trying..." Insightful as always, Dad... He thought funnily. "Is Komaru upstairs?"
"Yes, I think she's doing her homework," Yumiko told him. "Or she's on the phone with one of her friends from school. Considering her first test results of the new school year, I hope for her sake it's the former."
Sounds like Komaru's having a rough time... He rolled his eyes. Yumiko Naegi would never get angry. Makoto could count on the fingers of a single hand the times he had witnessed her get mad. However, whenever he or Komaru decided to slack off at school, she would unexpectedly strike. After the first time, Makoto decided not to try his luck (ironically).
"I'll drop by her room for a bit, okay?"
"Okay, you do that. I'll bring your suitcase to your bedroom in the meantime."
"Thanks, Dad! Ah, before that, though! I just need to grab something inside!"
Hurriedly, the Ultimate Lucky Student grabbed a tiny package wrapped in cute, sapphire blue gift wrap. After that, he rushed off to the staircase and climbed up the steps faster than ever.
When he reached his little sister's room and heard her mumble something inaudible in a frustrated tone, Makoto smiled to himself and realized how much fun she seemed to be having.
Thankfully, what I have here should lift her spirits! Decidedly, the boy knocked, and Komaru grumbled something and stomped over to the door.
"I'm working, Mom- H-Huh?!"
"Surprise!"
The girl's eyes widened in shock as Makoto stood on her doorstep.
"M-Makoto?! W-What are you doing here? D-Don't tell me you ran away from Hope's Peak?!"
That may have been the most pathetic guess Makoto had ever heard.
"D-Do you seriously think I would run away after being given such a unique opportunity...?" That question was purely rhetorical, but around Komaru, it probably needed to be asked. "I just came because I missed the three of you." He pouted in fake anger. "You can just say it if you're unhappy to see your brother again!"
"H-Hey, I'm totally happy to see you! I just didn't expect it! Geez, don't put words in my mouth!"
They stared at each other briefly before Komaru finally gave in. Makoto made an 'oof' sound as she hugged him closely, and he could faintly hear the sound of tears. They were not his, so they must have been hers.
"I-I missed you..."
"I missed you too, Komaru."
"I-It's not the same at home without you."
"And it's not the same living without the three of you. But you'll be just fine with Mom and Dad."
"Y-Yeah..."
Makoto created some distance between them and cupped his sibling's cheeks. He pulled on them gently, forcing Komaru to make a funny grimace. He laughed to himself.
"S-Stop that!" the girl demanded, crossing her arms. "I-I'm not a baby anymore!"
No, you're not... Sometimes, I wish we were still kids, though... Makoto extended his hands without dwelling on the thought, offering Komaru the small package. "There. This is for you."
"H-Huh? W-What's that?!"
Makoto gave her a gentle bonk. "You've asked me at least fifty times for it. You can probably guess what it is."
Suddenly, Komaru's eyes widened. "W-Wait, you don't mean...?!" She tore open the cute wrapping and gasped upon seeing the gift inside. It was a stylized sheet of paper with only a few words written on it. Yet, that was enough for Makoto to see stars in his little sister's eyes. "T-Thank you so much, Makoto! You're the best big bro ever!"
The Ultimate Lucky Student chuckled proudly. "Hehe, glad to hear it."
She stared at the autograph with nothing but admiration in her eyes. Makoto had underestimated how much this meant to her. Well, this further proved he had done the right thing. If Komaru could be happy, then the Luckster thought this was a job well done.
"I'm going to frame it; hold on!"
She proceeded to find a picture frame somewhere and placed the autograph inside. After setting it on her desk, where lay more textbooks than Makoto had ever seen inside his sister's room, Komaru put her hands on her hips, looking content.
"This is the best gift I've ever received. Thank you again, Makoto." She put her hand on her heart and gave him a tearful smile. "I love you, big bro!"
If she did, then Makoto could probably go to sleep easy tonight.
"To Komaru Naegi,
Thank you a million times for your support! Knowing we get love from so many people truly inspires the five of us to keep working hard, and we sincerely hope you'll continue to enjoy our singing and dancing for many years to come! The band would be thrilled to meet you in person someday! Until then, please have our warmest regards.
With love,
Sayaka Maizono."
To be continued...
A.N: Thank you for reading this chapter! I hope you liked it! Please leave a review, and until the next chapter, I hope you all have a great day!
