Chapter 16 - Practice Session
10.22.1204 - Friday (Festival Prep. - Day 2)
Class VII didn't realize just how strict Elliot could be. It might've been because they were behind schedule, but Elliot took it upon himself to fix every single problem he saw with Class VII's performance. Luckily, after a few dozen practice sessions Elliot let everyone rest up for a bit. Although Rean could tell that the break was because Elliot's throat needed to rest after yelling at everyone. Class VII went around the school grounds to rest.
Rean decided to take his guitar to practice by himself outside the Student Union building. He figured most of the students would be busy helping with their classes or clubs set up their booths to rest in the Student Union building. Which meant that he could practice there without worrying about being seen or heard. While Rean had a history with music, it started and ended with his lute. A guitar was somewhat similar to a lute, so Elliot made him use a guitar for their performance. Despite the similarities however, Rean still couldn't get the hang of hit. Luckily, with everyone busy he was able to practice without worrying of getting judged. As far as Rean was concerned, there was no one there but him and his guitar.
If only that were true.
Towa was finishing up the last of her festival work for that day. It was hard to believe that the festival was already tomorrow. She was hoping that all the first-years would enjoy it. After touring the school grounds earlier, she could tell that every student was giving it their hundred and ten percent. She was looking forward to the visitors' reactions to all the booths. She wasn't sure how many people were coming, but if last year was any indication the majority of the visitors would be the student body's families. A part of her was grateful that her family couldn't make it last year. Not that she didn't want to see them, she just didn't want them to see her. The less people knew about her unspeakable costume the better. She \was snapped back into the present when she heard someone playing guitar outside her window.
It wasn't the best performance, but Towa could sense that it was coming from the heart.
Once she finished her remaining work she went to open her window to check who was playing the guitar. To her surprise it was none other than Rean. It seemed that he was so focused on his guitar playing that he didn't notice her watching him from her window. She figured that he was still practicing for Class VII's concert.
Towa started to remember how she prepared for her concert at last year's festival. Her group wasn't exactly sure what they were going to do. Angelica wanted to make a maid café, but that idea got shot down by her, George, and Crow when they realized that it meant they would also have to dress up as maids. George's idea for a science experiment got shot down due to the rather high possibility that the idea would most likely (literally) blow up in their face. Towa's idea was to set up a booth where people could come and stargaze, but it was dismissed when they remembered that the festival was only held during the day. Crow's idea for a casino was rejected immediately due to breaking school guidelines.
They were stumped until they thought about a concert. They decided to go with a rock themed concert to stand out. Rock was still fairly underground in Erebonia compared to other places in Zemuria.
With a booth planned out they each gave each other roles. George was in charge of setting up the equipment, Angelica was in charge of getting her hands on said equipment, Towa was in charge of selecting music, and Crow was in charge of planning. He also volunteered to design and pick up the costumes. Towa soon came to regret letting Crow be in charge of the costumes. He came with them on the day of the concert. While his, Angelica, and George's costumes were all cool leather outfits, Towa felt her costume was barely an outfit at all. She'd seen bathing suits leave more to the imagination than her costume. They had no time to get a more tasteful costume for her, but they knew that the show must go on. So she swallowed her pride and went on stage to perform.
For the most part the concert went well. They had a larger audience than they were expecting. It was clear they were the most popular booth that year. After their surprise encore, Towa changed back to her normal uniform and despite keeping the unspeakable costume she swore to never wear it again. The "personal performance" she gave Rean was an exception.
Towa was snapped back into reality when she heard Rean call her.
"I know you've been listening in, so what do you think President Towa?" Rean yelled as he saw Towa watching him from her opened window.
"You were really good Rean!" Towa complimented loudly.
Rean and Towa decided to continue their loud conversation in the Student Council room after realizing that some students were staring at them.
"So, have you played the guitar before Rean? You seem to have a fine handle on things." Towa greeted him as she prepared their favorite tea.
"Not the guitar specifically, but I do have a history with the lute." Rean admitted as he took a seat by the table in front of Towa's desk.
"Well in that case, I suppose that means you're a natural then." Towa complimented as she handed Rean his cup of tea.
"Please don't tease me like that President Towa. I'm sure Elliot could list off every note I messed up on in a single breath." Rean responded.
"Rean, you shouldn't put yourself down like that. I'm sure Elliot can see how well you're doing for only a beginner." Towa told him as she sat down next to him.
"You're just being nice." Rean insisted.
Towa was starting to get tired of Rean constantly belittling his own achievements. He did it before with his note taking ability and he did it again when driving Angelica's orbal bike. Yet, every time she complimented him he'd give the same overly modest response. She knew she had to do something to snap him out of it.
They soon both finished their tea and put their cups on the table.
"You want to hear my genuine thoughts then Rean? I promise to be as honest as I can." Towa asked.
"Please President Towa. I want to know what you think I can improve on." Rean responded as he turned to look at Towa.
"If that's what you really want Rean then I won't hold back. I see someone trying their best to meet the expectations of others. Not just that, but going farther than that. It's as if you think being perfect is the only way for people to like you. Elliot just wants you to learn the song, but you're trying to rival Instructor Mary. The notes you took for me during the Student Council meeting a few months ago could easily be mistaken for notes taken by me, but I've seen your notes. Your notes are nothing like my notes, but that doesn't mean they're not as good. Rean, I don't care how many times I'll have to repeat this. I'll drill it into your head if I have to. Rean, you're good enough just by being yourself. Even if you don't think you are, a-and if it's any consolation I think you're already great." Towa told Rean.
She made sure to stare him in the eyes to make sure he listened to everything she said.
Rean sat silently as he took in everything Towa told him.
"President T-Towa… thank you, but-" Rean tried to say before getting interrupted by Towa poking his cheek.
"I'm not taking that 'I think you're just trying to cheer me up' response from you Rean. You know what, I figured it out!" Towa announced.
"Figured what out?" Rean asked.
Towa pulled out five tickets from her uniform coat's pocket intended for all the festival booths.
"These are for you. I was going to give these to you tomorrow, but I think I found a better use for them. I'm giving you an offer you can't refuse, not that you have much of a choice. Rean Schwarzer of Class VII, I Student Council President Towa Herschel of Class IV humbly requested you to walk me around the festival and partake in all the events with me for the whole duration of the school festival." she declared.
"Um… that sounds more like an order than a request. Although, I'm not sure how walking you around the festival is going to convince me that I'm great. I'm sure you can get someone far better to walk you." Rean responded.
"No Rean. I want you to walk me around the school festival. I've already told you that I think you're great, but it's clear to me that you disagree with me. So, I figured what better way to get you to see things from my perspective than by having you spend the next two days with me. Y-You didn't already have plans with someone did you?" Towa answered.
"I don't recall making any plans." admitted Rean.
Rean quickly took a deep breath before agreeing to Towa's "request".
"I Rean Schwarzer of Class VII, humbly accept Student Council President Towa Herschel of Class IV's request. It would be an honor to walk you around the school festival for the next two days." Rean declared.
"Good answer!" Towa responded.
"So… where should we meet up tomorrow?" Rean asked as he got up to clean his cup.
"How about we meet up by the front gate when the festival starts?" Towa answered as she joined Rean and started cleaning her cup.
"Alright then, I guess I'll wait for you there tomorrow." Rean said as he put away both their cups.
"Sounds like a plan." Towa responded.
Once they laid out the plan for tomorrow Rean and Towa went their separate ways. Rean headed off to the old schoolhouse to practice with Class VII a bit more, and Towa went back to her dorm to rest up for tomorrow.
When she entered she saw George tinkering with the same metal ball from last time.
"Oh Towa good timing, Crows wanted to know if you wanted to join us for the festival tomorrow?" George asked.
"Sorry George, but I've already made plans with Rean." Towa answered.
"You two are going on another date together? Wow things are starting to get pretty serious between you two." George joked.
Ever since Angelica was put on leave, George had to step up to the challenge of helping Crow tease Towa about her crush on Rean.
Towa felt her face get warm as she tried to clear things up. "W-We're not going on a date! I just requested R-Rean to walk me around the festival for the next two days. It's not like we're going to be alone."
"You mean like in Heimdallr? Angie said she spotted you two holding hands when you guys arrived to meet up with the others in Dreichels Plaza." George continued to tease.
"T-That was just a misunderstanding! honest!" Towa responded. She started to feel her face get a bit warmer as she recalled how soft Rean's hand was.
"Whatever you say Towa. Just don't steal Rean's coat again." George teased.
"It isn't a d-date! Just because I have a crush on him doesn't mean everything I do to help him is an attempt to make him realize how I feel!" Towa declared.
"I see, I'm sorry if I stepped out of line Towa." George said in an attempt to calm Towa down.
"It's okay. I know you're only teasing me because Angie isn't here to do it herself. Do you really think she'll be able to make it?" Towa asked.
"With so many single girls walking about, I doubt she'll miss this." George answered.
They both wished each other a goodnight before Towa went up the stairs to return to her room.
She wanted to be in top form tomorrow. Not just for the festival, but for her rendezvous with Rean.
Author's Note
Hopefully nothing major happens during the school festival.
Haha.
