Three buses parked near the entryway of the public hall, a long sign written 'Welcome to Children Having Fun, where kids can get their first experience with Otsu-chan's music!' Michiru thought the sign to be a bit much, but it had already been decided before she arrived at work; she found no point complaining about it.
At the entrance, dozens of children—who Michiru believed to be between the ages of six and eight—gathered in a straight line, chatting endlessly in unison. Half of them had wide smiles, some guffawed while singing a random song, and others physically fought with the teachers yanking them away from one another.
A bead of sweat trailed down the assistant's cheek at the amount of youngsters arriving, as well as a reminder popping in every so often.
I need to make sure to put the sign up.
While she handed each CD of Tsu's earliest albums to every individual, Ichi stepped from the doors, arms folded over chest.
"Everyone, I want you to listen to me!" She shouted, bringing most of the children to turn to her. The ones who didn't do so right away required the teachers to turn them and repeat the instruction.
As soon as they finished their chatter, Ichi continued with a light sigh, "Out of respect for Otsu-chan, we would appreciate it if you didn't pull any pranks on her, and I also advise you not to throw anything on the stage."
A soft scoff came from near the end of the line. The teacher beside them hissed while narrowing her eyes, "Don't be rude!"
Ichi added, "Now, follow me to the auditorium." With that being said, she turned before returning inside, kids and teachers following behind. Michiru stood in the same spot for a few moments until the last few entered, stifled giggles seeping out.
She heaved a sigh, staring downwards at her hands still carrying five CDs.
Well, I'm glad I managed to give away most of the ones Otsu-chan gave me.
"Michiru-san!" A soft masculine voice calling out to the assistant snapped Michiru out of her temporary diversion. Tightening her arms around the remaining cases, she became the last person to head for the interior, ultimately clicking the doors shut.
The same person approached her wearing a headset microphone, informing, "Otsu-chan said you can head to the dressing room now. You've never seen her concerts, is that right?"
"Yeah," She said. "I've never had the time nor money."
"Understandable; I'm sure you'll have a good experience, even if you'll be watching it through the TV and alone." Tilting his upper body, he added with a small smile, "Excuse me."
After mirroring his body language, Michiru headed off in the opposite direction from the rest of the crowd.
I think most of them will be distracted by the concert for a little while, so I don't believe they'll notice Bansai arriving.
Though she didn't doubt he'd show up without being detected, Michiru couldn't help the churn forming in her gut.
Why am I suddenly nervous? I'm acting like a high school girl going on a da—
She made a hard slam in the head with an internal fist.
It's not a date, Michiru. Why're you even making a dumb comparison?
An image of Bansai entered her mind, with him facing the other way, the exception being the side of his head coming into view. Not only did his lips raise; his eye peeped a tad through the shade. For whatever reason, something inside her abdomen instantly snapped. Not literally, but the indescribable sensation brought her legs to jerk, breaking contact with the floor for a second. Her speed increased the second time it occurred.
She passed a door, snapping her eyes in an instant, furthermore digging her heels in the rug beneath. Pants escaped her, eventually sucking in as much oxygen as her lungs could tolerate through her nostrils.
I didn't even notice how fast I was…that's not important! All I gotta do is wait and we'll watch Otsu-chan together.
Even when forming her thoughts the way she intended, a depiction of them observing the wide screen shot of Tsu's show entered her mind. The picture itself wasn't anything out of the ordinary…until out of nowhere, wind blew an uncountable amount of red rose petals across the dressing room while they mirrored each other's smiles.
The image crumbled down, followed by a high-pitched squeak. The petite figure of her returned with her fingers wrapped around the handle of a toy hammer. She glared with broadened eyes as if actually being in front of herself in person.
Snap out of it! Now's not the time to think of it! Otherwise I'll miss the performance, defeating the purpose of experiencing it!
In the middle of herself chastising at her irrelevant imagination, Michiru breathed a dense breath. While the muscles in her thighs eased, she grasped the door handle prior to pulling the door open and setting foot in the room. She wasted no time placing the sign in front, 'Do not disturb'.
Michiru rushed to the closest counter, quickly resting the CDs on it.
While spending a moment searching for the remote, gentle knocks hit the door. She didn't need to guess who stood on the other side.
"You can come in, I'm here."
With the door opening a second time, another individual stepped in.
"I see you used a different sign," Bansai pointed out, clicking the door closed.
"I convinced Terakado-san to let me watch it here by myself," She informed, eventually catching sight of the remote control lying on the other end of the table. Upon wrapping her fingers around it, snatching it from the counter, she added with a chuckle in between, "That's one burden off my shoulder." Facing the remote in the television's direction, Michiru pressed her finger on the power button.
The man spared a glance at every inch of the dressing room, the TV being the last to discern.
He finally turned to Michiru, but when spotting drops of sweat sticking to her skin, he asked with a raised eyebrow, "Why're you sweating?"
"I skipped here." Her response became rather rapid and flat, along with her eyes blanking in the distance.
Nothing. Only the thick density weighing on her as though about to shove her through the ground.
The youthful voice coming from the TV speakers chirped at the wide crowd of juveniles through her microphone, "Are you all ready to listen to Otsu-chan?"
Withholding a sigh, she faced the screen. In the program stood Tsu jogging halfway through the stage, coming to a halt at last. The kids stood from their seats, hands in the air and screaming out her name.
Hopefully this will distract me, though these kids seem vastly more excited than I expected. I have a feeling they've listened to her music before…without their parents knowing. I don't see many of them allowing their kids to listen to this, much less be pleased with them watching this concert.
Having his hands in his coat pockets, Bansai inquired, "Who was it that planned this performance?"
"Otsu-chan's fanclub," Michiru answered, witnessing two bright lights shining over the singer. "They want to inspire children to become fans as well."
"Ah, I've heard of her fanclub. I daresay they're very dedicated."
"Uh, sure, if you wanna put it that way."
The duo ended their ephemeral chat by fixing their focuses towards the screen. For a few minutes, Tsu jumped to both sides while singing in the microphone, background music peppy with some electronic blended in.
"When you get piled with schoolwork, you wanna ditch it and go to the beach! Or the amusement park! Or the zoo to sneak on the elephants!"
Of course. Typical child behaviors included in lyrics.
"Oh, isn't it great to be a kid? When you just want to play all day, every day, it's a dream come true!" Pointing an index finger at the audience, she added in her speaking voice, "But when your parents crash in, what's the first thing you do?"
Everyone in the crowd answered in unison, but too many different answers meshed together to the point of ending up incomprehensible. If anything, it was screaming gibberish.
Michiru's smile crooked. Based on their tones, it sounds like they're already rebelling against their parents.
Turning to Bansai, she asked, "Have you listened to 'songs' from children, at least ones this young?"
"I have, but they're not as pleasant to listen to as ones who're teenagers or adults. They're rather rough, only having a hint of what the song will end up developing as."
Shooting her brows up and enlarging her eyes, Michiru replied in an unwitting falter, "I…Interesting." She wanted to say more, but a profound response escaped her.
I can see where he makes the comparison. Children at an age where they have so much to learn and a song beginning its progress in potentially becoming a good one.
Michiru's smile went from cracked to a more natural one the more she contemplated.
He really does have a unique view on music.
Tsu raised a fist in the air as sheets of paper filled with doodles and scribbles floated down, landing on either the stage or flooring in front.
"Screw homework and dive into fantasy! Yay~!"
The moment the final beat played, the crowd hollered, a mixture of laughter and the star's name chanted by a small portion. Even when the lights went off for the time being, letting her carefully head behind one of the curtains to avoid slipping on the papers, they didn't stop.
Michiru thought, I wonder how many will end up growing out of her music. I can imagine Shimura-san overreacting regardless.
In the midst of Tsu not in sight did Bansai ask, "Did you like the song?"
"I did. Catchy and not to mention upbeat. The subject matter is admittedly clichéd, but it's something most kids relate to, so I can't complain much." A subconscious smile spread across her features when repeating the first song in her head. "I think I'll get the album when it's released."
"It's decent, though I personally don't love it. I'd say it sounded too fiery." Michiru could've sworn the corner of his lips quirked up scarcely. "However, I'm glad you're at least enjoying this."
Her chest tensed, along with blood coursing through her cheeks. Averting her gaze from the musician, Michiru made an infirm reply, "Thank you."
Why can't I be at peace for once?!
"Adventure can happen anywhere, whether it's underwater or in space!"
A similar cheery tune snapped Michiru out of her personal chide, bringing the assistant to curse at herself. How and why did trying to keep her composure while simultaneously watching the television and standing next to Bansai have to be vastly more challenging than necessary? Even reevaluating this got tiring, especially when her thighs squeezed together…
My only option now is to completely avoid looking at him; then I can focus on the damn TV!
She did so, locking her pupils towards it.
Unlike the last one, this song involved Tsu pointing the tip of a plastic sword at a cardboard pirate. A mahogany hat rested on her head, skull and crossbones stitched on as well as green fluffed feathers and a red fake parrot beside it. An eyepatch had been placed over her right eye.
"You can do both! Your imagination is limitless! Now, let's all have fun!"
Curtains from behind raised, revealing four cannons on wheels.
Taken aback, Michiru questioned internally, Those aren't real…right?
Within seconds, they shot out cannonballs, flying over the audience's heads until gravity made the inevitability of pulling them. A dozen children and a teacher darted to each side, barely managing to avoid the heavy round shots as they slammed into a couple of the seats.
Michiru's body went still upon witnessing the sight of the property damage. Her eyes blanked.
If it didn't appear to already perplex her, the balls suddenly burst into pink smoke. Said smoke vanished into the air, revealing clear plastic bags filled with eyepatches, feathers in various colors, and pirate sword keychains.
By the time the second track came to a close, Bansai faced the woman again, only to discover her eyes rolled to the back of her head. In spite of this, her feet remained.
"Michiru?"
Strangely enough, not as much as a startled twitch came from her.
"I don't think she can comprehend this."
Twenty minutes later…
Ichi announced an intermission after two more songs, temporarily switching the lights on. While Tsu met with a few children, others headed for the restrooms and shouted out lyrics to one of her more cruder singles.
Michiru sat on the couch, sipping from a water bottle. At the corner of the table where she put the CDs, Bansai studied his eyes over the back of one of them.
Placing it back down after thoroughly reading the titles and credits, he started, "There's something I'm a little curious about."
"Huh? What could that be?" She questioned, using the back of her hand to swipe excess water from her chin.
"Even though you've stressed not wanting anyone to discover you speak with me, you invited me here on your own volition."
Michiru couldn't help the frown plastering her features. "Is that a bad thing?"
Shaking his head, he answered, "Of course not. What I'm wondering is what brought you to ask me, despite the risk of one of your coworkers becoming suspicious?"
The woman parted her lips while glancing in his direction, but initially said nothing as it never came across her mind. Although Michiru didn't think of this as contradictory, she could see the reasoning for him asking this.
Michiru slid the pad of her finger around the top of the half-empty bottle, additionally tilting her gaze until pointing her nose at it.
"Honestly, I don't have a real reason. Well, the closest is we don't get to see each other often. I thought of this as a convenience for us to do something not involving us discussing my problems. You know, having some fun." Her eyelids lowered while saying the last few words.
Unbeknown to Michiru, he started towards her. "Are you saying you've been lonely without me around?"
"Hah?!" Her eyes snapped wide at his sudden guess before raising them, promptly catching Bansai halting in front of her. Quickly disregarding the small flinch from her shoulders and heat ramming in her face, she added, bewilderment painfully clear in her tone, "What's this all of a sudden?!"
"You just admitted this as being a convenience for us."
"Uh…" She blanked for a few seconds, with the exception of pondering his response. Eventually hunching down and twisting the cap on the bottle, she muttered, "Right, I did say that. Sorry, I overreacted." Michiru took a deep breath, gradually easing her nerves. "I guess in some way, it's a bit lonely. I mean, I literally can't tell anyone I meet with an assassin. Ever since we first met, whenever I talk to you, it's almost as if I'm unmasking myself."
She forced out a feeble laugh, placing a hand on the back of her head. "I know, that sounds silly. Besides, I chose to see you, so I can't blame anyone but myself!"
Bansai didn't laugh along; rather, he raised a brow again, this time leaving it up.
Her harmony is still primarily piano, but has other music playing, albeit vaguely. Violin, flute, and even a harp.
The aforementioned tune ran through his head, but played in near muteness for some reason.
I can't hear it well. It's almost as though it's trapped deep in her soul.
An hour and a half later…
Tsu's concert finished with confetti floating down as well as the star raising a clenched fist up.
"Thank you all very much for coming to 'Children Having Fun'! I hope you will all listen to the rest of my music!"
Michiru let out a sigh while pressing the power button, bringing the screen to go black.
I'm glad I managed to not miss much, but goddamn, do I seriously need to get better at keeping my composure!
"Michiru," Bansai spoke, snapping the woman from her thoughts. Stepping next to her, he inquired, "How was your experience?"
Without thinking much of it, she beamed, whirling her head to him, "It was crazy at first, but I quite enjoyed it, more so than I thought! I was even on the verge of tapping my feet near the end!" Though still physically heating, it lessened overtime as the two didn't speak much outside of expressing their thoughts on most of the songs.
Michiru yelped for the umpteenth time when her borderline cheer inwardly reiterated.
I'm acting like a child…guess I'm not used to feeling this way.
Bansai hummed, a small smile playing on his lips. "That's good. Do you think you'll have a chance to watch one of Otsu-dono's concerts live?"
Rubbing a thumb over her knuckles, she said, "That'd be nice, but it depends on how busy I get. Not to mention I think Mika would worry about me possibly getting overwhelmed from the massive crowd."
As soon as Michiru brought her twin up, the notes in her melody slowed, leading the smirk to dwindle.
"I see," Was all he could say. Turning the opposite way, Bansai informed, "I'll be taking my leave."
"You don't want to tell me about your experience as well?" Michiru asked, furrowing a brow.
"Watching a performance through a screen isn't like seeing it in person, I daresay. I find the latter much more beautiful to hear. However, unlike your situation, I'm unable to watch them in real life."
Shifting her gaze to her shoes, Michiru uttered, "That is true…"
"But Michiru."
"Yeah?"
His head turned until the sight of her came in view through his sunglasses. "I appreciate you inviting me here regardless."
"Eh?" Michiru widened her eyes at his back, mouth ajar without another word escaping.
"I'm going back to the Kiheitai. Goodbye." With that, he exited the dressing room.
It took the now sole individual a moment to be slammed back into reality.
I can finally be pensive on this!
Folding arms over her chest, Michiru began questioning, Why do I keep getting embarrassed? I mean, I've had this issue for a long time so it's nothing new, but Bansai…even when he's barely smiling, my face ends up burning!
A recollection of him creating harmonious music from his shamisen filled her mind. Reflecting on it had Michiru loosening her arms, sliding them down.
He plays it wonderfully.
She raised her irises up to the ceiling while pointing out, That doesn't mean anything. I just enjoy listening to it.
Another memory of her interaction with him involved their encounter at the boat. Specifically, the fact that one of her smiles became genuine as opposed to cracked if not convulsing.
One corner of her lips twisted into a half-frown. I got more comfortable being around him.
The way he'd describe people in music form.
He's the only person I know who makes these kinds of descriptions.
Each of them only caused sweat to form, sticking against her skin; the longer it went, the harder Michiru tugged her fingers in the shirt next to her tie.
It soon clicked.
No.
In dead silence, she raised a hand as well as lips shaking.
Putting said hand over her mouth, Michiru's entire figure started trembled.
This can't be happening. Am I…falling for him?!
To be continued...