Chapter 10
It's been two weeks since I joined the university alongside Alice and my siblings. Despite not making many friends outside our small circle, I don't mind because Alice is everything to me, and I'm determined to shield her from any harm.
The bullies, however, have been relentless in their attempts to target Alice. They've resorted to cruel tactics like locking her in classrooms or setting traps to make her slip on wet floors. Every time, I've been there to rescue her, unlocking doors and catching her before she falls. This constant protection has stirred jealousy among the other girls, envious of Alice for having a boyfriend who's always there for her.
As their envy grows, the bullies turn their attention to me. They try to corner me in bathrooms, hoping to gang up on me. But I evade their punches with agility, swiftly diffusing the situation without resorting to violence. I'm mindful of not stooping to their level, even though part of me feels a strange sort of camaraderie with them, reminiscent of Team Rocket from old cartoons. It's a conflicting feeling, as much as I miss them, I can't condone their behavior.
There was this one time when Alice was out with her sisters, leaving me alone to order some food for myself. As I'm about to grab a seat, someone extends their foot, causing me to stumble and faceplant right into a heap of food.
"Watch your step!" the bully taunts, and the laughter from the crowd fills the air. I quickly compose myself, wiping the food off my face with a napkin before calmly picking up the ruined meal. "Well, lucky for me, I can afford another one."
With a swift move, I dump the entire mess onto the person who tripped me, spaghetti dripping down their head. I throw back a taunt, "Maybe watch where you're looking next time," and walk away amidst the laughter, leaving the bully seething with anger.
"You!" the bully lunges for my collar, but I deftly sidestep, causing them to lose balance and crash face-first into the same pile of food. I lean in close, my tone firm, "Tripping someone isn't so fun when the tables turn, is it? Consider this a lesson learned."
After the cafeteria incident, the buzz about my retaliation becomes a hot topic in class. Whispers and glances follow me, but I pay little attention to the gossip. Alice, however, can't help but ask, "Ash... I heard about what happened at lunch. Are you really okay?"
"Don't worry, Alice. I just hope what I did makes them think twice about bullying," I assure her. "But yeah, those bullies are like Team Rocket..."
Alice chuckles softly, understanding my comparison. "They never give up causing trouble. But at least you don't have to worry about anyone stealing your Pikachu."
As the talent show approaches, the atmosphere in Music Class buzzes with excitement and anticipation. Many students seem skeptical about my singing abilities, whispering among themselves as they cast doubtful glances my way.
When the moment arrives for me to perform, I take a deep breath and step onto the stage. The room falls silent as I begin to sing, pouring my heart and soul into the melody. At first, there's a lingering sense of skepticism in the air, but as the song progresses, something shifts.
Some of the initial doubters in the audience are visibly captivated, their expressions softening as they listen intently. The power and emotion in my voice seem to break through the doubts, earning nods of approval and murmurs of admiration from those watching.
After the class, Reisa approaches me with a warm smile, her eyes reflecting genuine admiration. "Your voice is always amazing, Ash," she praises.
"Thank you, Reisa," I reply gratefully, my smile widening. "I guess there's a reason why I chose to stay in this department."
Just as I start to relax after the performance, our Music teacher, Lucia, approaches. I brace myself, half expecting criticism or feedback. However, to my surprise, Lucia's expression is one of genuine admiration as she compliments my singing.
"Ash, you have an amazing voice," Lucia remarks, her tone filled with appreciation. "Is singing your only musical talent?"
I pause, considering her question before admitting, "Honestly, I've only ever sung. I've always wanted to explore playing instruments, but unfortunately, I don't have access to any at home."
Lucia nods thoughtfully, her eyes sparkling with a hint of excitement. "Well, it's never too late to start. Perhaps we can find a way for you to explore that talent here."
The storage room where Lucia leads us is a treasure trove of musical instruments, each carefully stored and waiting to be played. As we enter, the air is filled with a faint scent of polished wood and rosin, adding to the sense of anticipation and excitement.
Lucia's smile is infectious, her eyes alight with genuine enthusiasm as she gestures toward the array of instruments. "Feel free to explore and experiment," she encourages us, her voice carrying a hint of excitement. "You might discover a hidden talent you never knew you had."
My gaze drifts over the instruments, each one holding a promise of musical expression. The violin catches my eye, its elegant curves and polished surface beckoning me to try. However, a surge of apprehension washes over me as I consider the possibility of mishandling such a delicate instrument.
"Are you sure about this? I'm afraid I might break it," I confess to Lucia, my fingers hovering uncertainly over the strings.
Lucia's reassurance is gentle but firm. "Don't worry, just give it a try. Learning starts with taking that first step."
With her words echoing in my mind, I cautiously lift the violin, feeling its weight settle in my hands. As I tentatively pluck the strings, a melodious sound fills the room, resonating with surprising clarity. The initial nervousness gives way to a growing sense of excitement and curiosity as I explore different notes and melodies.
Lucia watches with a supportive smile, offering occasional pointers and encouragement. Her guidance helps me navigate the unfamiliar terrain of the violin, gradually building my confidence with each note.
After a while, I finish playing, the final strains of music lingering in the air. Alice and Reisa, who have been watching with interest, shower me with compliments and encouragement.
"That was amazing, Ash!" Alice exclaims, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
"You really have a talent for instruments," Reisa adds, nodding in agreement.
"Thanks," I reply modestly, a sense of accomplishment warming my chest. "It was my first time playing the violin, so I was a little nervous."
Lucia interjects, "Indeed, but with more practice, you'll reach new heights. How about making me your advisor?"
Knowing that every student needs an advisor and seeing that Alice also trusts Lucia, I agree, "Sure, Ms. Lucia. But I heard most of your students are dancers. Will I fit in?"
"Don't worry," Lucia assures me. "Alice mentioned you have great balance, and I have experience with a variety of talents."
Alice chimes in, "Ms. Lucia used to be a famous musical movie actress and has turned down many students who wanted to be under her guidance."
With a smile, I pull out the advisor form, ready for Lucia's signature. "If that's the case, I'm eager to join your class," I say, enthusiasm bubbling within me.
Lucia then expresses interest in seeing Alice's dance practice. This makes Alice a bit nervous, so I stay close to her, offering silent support and boosting her confidence.
After changing into her dance attire, Alice takes a deep breath and begins to dance to the music. Her movements are fluid and precise, showcasing her talent and dedication as she flawlessly executes a high-difficulty routine.
Impressed by the performance, Lucia's smile widens, and her eyes gleam with genuine admiration. "It's like watching a jewel emerge from the rock. That was perfect, Alice," she praises, her words filled with encouragement. "Your hard work has truly paid off."
Alice's face lights up with delight at the praise, her eyes shining with pride. "Thank you, Ms. Lucia," she responds gratefully. "I wouldn't have been able to do it without Ash's help."
Intrigued by our collaboration, Lucia turns her attention to me. "How did Ash assist you?" she inquires, curiosity evident in her tone.
Alice eagerly explains, her words flowing with excitement, "When Ash returned from abroad, he helped me overcome my difficulties in dancing. He provided guidance, support, and valuable feedback that helped me improve significantly."
Lucia nods thoughtfully, connecting the dots as she recalls Delia mentioning my time abroad. "Ah, I see," she acknowledges, a smile playing on her lips. "It's wonderful to see such collaboration and support among students."
As Lucia mentions my time abroad, I nod in agreement, maintaining the facade of a typical traveler. "Yeah, traveling abroad was quite an experience, but there's no place like home," I say with a smile, keeping the truth hidden about my origins in the Pokemon World and Serena's influence on Alice's dancing.
Lucia then proposes something unexpected. "How about trying the pas de deux?" she suggests, eliciting surprised exclamations from all of us. She shows us videos of intricate duet dances, each showcasing two dancers moving with precision and harmony, far more challenging than solo performances.
Alice expresses her nervousness, asking, "Are we really capable of pulling off something like that?"
Lucia's confidence in me doesn't waver. "Didn't you say Ash helped you achieve such precision in your solo dance? If he could do that, then a duet shouldn't be a problem, right?"
Feeling up for the challenge, I agree, "Sure, Alice and I will give it a try."
"Ash?" Alice turns to me in surprise, her cheeks starting to flush with color. It's clear she's taken aback by the sudden proposal of a pas de deux, especially with me as her partner.
As Alice and I practice dancing together, I lean in and whisper in her ear, "Weren't you the one who wished to dance with me back in Kalos?" Her reaction is a mixture of surprise and embarrassment, but she doesn't protest.
Eventually, Ms. Lucia leaves us alone to practice, attending to other matters. We continue refining our moves before our siblings arrive to pick us up.
As Alice and I dance together, the room falls silent as our family members enter, their expressions a mix of surprise and curiosity. Minami, my sister, is the first to speak up, her voice tinged with astonishment. "Brother! Are you and Alice doing a duet dance?"
I nod, offering a casual explanation, "It's an assignment from Ms. Lucia. She wanted us to try something new and challenging."
Mom joins the conversation, her eyes sparkling with interest. "Ms. Lucia? So you've chosen her as your advisor?"
Alice chimes in, her tone filled with admiration, "Yes, she sees potential in Ash just like she did in me. She even offered to teach him how to play the violin."
Trenor, my brother, looks surprised. "You can play the violin, brother?"
I chuckle, shaking my head. "Not quite. I tried it for the first time in class, so it wasn't perfect."
Alice interjects with an encouraging smile, "Don't be so hard on yourself, Ash. You managed to hit the right notes and complete a song. With practice, you'll master the techniques."
Mom, pleased with the progress, suggests, "In that case, maybe we should get you a violin. It would be wonderful to see you explore another musical talent."
The idea lights up my face with excitement. "That would be fantastic! I'd love to continue learning and improving."
The conversation continues, filled with excitement and support as our family discusses the possibility of me learning to play the violin and the newfound challenges and opportunities in my musical journey.
Here is a new chapter, and this is just the music journey. I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter is going to be back to Pokemon.
