Chapter 14 – The Instrument
Miharu's POV
After calming down from the rare sighting of a pissed-off Mugi, We went around the store looking at the different instruments in stock. There were so many, despite most of them being guitars. I'm not really sure which one to get.
"Aw, geez. Where to start?"
"What instrument did you had a mind?" Azusa asked me.
"Well…I kinda had a couple, to be honest. I used to play the saxophone...so, I thought maybe I could try getting back on it. But, thinking it over...it wouldn't fit with the type of music you guys play."
"Yeah, that's true." Mio said.
Plus, I'm still total crap at it...
"Why not a guitar?" Ritsu suggested. "Nothing wrong with that."
"But we already have three guitar players. A fourth one would be too redundant."
"Oh, yeah..."
"It doesn't necessarily have to be a guitar." Mugi said. "But how about something easy to carry? Since we often play at different events and stuff."
"This is coming from the girl who plays the keyboard."
"Oh, come on. It's not THAT heavy..."
"Mugi...it's freaking heavy." Ritsu, Yui, and Mio retorted with huge sweatdrops.
"Not everyone can lift 22.6kg so easily like you can, Mugi-senpai." Azusa added.
(50lbs)
"J-Just how strong are you?" I asked with a pale look.
"Th-This isn't even about me! We're getting Miharu an instrument!" Mugi yelled with a light blush on her face.
"Alright, alright." Ritsu said. "But what's as easy to carry as a guitar?"
"Well…" I thought to myself. "…If I could find my #1 pick for an instrument…" I then looked down the multiple lines of guitars and saw the very same instrument that I was thinking about. "No...WAY! They actually have one! A keytar!"
"H-Huh?"
"A what?"
"Key…tar?"
"O-Oh, yeah..." I said to the confused Mio, Ritsu, and Yui. "...kinda makes sense that you guys wouldn't know what a keytar is."
"Is that thing really an instrument?" Ritsu asked.
"Yes, it's really an instrument."
"A keytar is a lightweight synthesizer strapped around the neck and shoulders like a guitar." Mugi explained. "It has a musical keyboard for triggering musical notes and sounds. And there are small button controls placed on the neck to change pitch bends and stuff while playing."
"Wowie, Mugi-chan. You sure do know a lot about it." Yui said to her.
"Miharu showed me videos of it online. It's a rather interesting instrument."
"Really now?" Ritsu asked. Still not convinced. "Cause it looks like the result of a piano and a guitar having a one-night-stand."
"Wh-Why the hell did you had to describe it like that?" Mio and Azusa gained ginormous sweatdrops.
"Oh, please." I said. "It's more than just an illigiament child. Here, I'll show ya."
"Wh-Why did you call it an illigiament child?" Mugi gained a sweatdrop of her own.
I then grabbed the keytar off of the rack and placed it around my neck. Then after turning it on, I messed with the controls for a bit until I got the sound I wanted. And then finally played a few notes.
"Woah..." Yui said in amazement.
"It sounds so…synthesized." Azusa added. "Like something from the '80s."
While continuing on, I messed with the controls again to get a new sound. One that these girls would probably not expect to hear from this thing.
"W-Wait, what?! I-It sounds like a guitar now!" Mio yelled in shock.
"Wow! So cool!" Yui added.
"With the keytar, you can change between a synthesized keyboard, a regular guitar, or other such instruments like a trumpet, violin, or double bass. All with a few simple button presses."
"Wow, Miharu-senpai. That's pretty cool." Azusa said.
"Right? It's the reason why it's my favorite instrument. My only gripe with it is that it uses a crap-ton of batteries...but I'm sure I can make it work somehow. Coucou, Monsieur! I want this one!"
"M-Miharu…you don't have to yell." Mugi gained a sweatdrop.
"Coo-coo?" Yui, Ritsu, and Mio were confused.
With the others wanting to hear more from the keytar, we went back to the hotel for a more private setting. I honestly forgot just how lightweight these things are. Because I almost dropped it a few times while twirling it around.
And Mio scolded me for it.
Ritsu was right. She kinda is stuck up...
"So, what song are you going to play on your keytar, Miharu-chan?" Yui asked.
"A song? You wanna hear a song?"
"Yui, don't push her. She just got that thing an hour ago." Mio said.
"*whine* Mio-chan…"
"Actually…I do know a song."
"Huh?!" Mio and Azusa yelled.
"You do?!" Yui and Ritsu yelled.
"*giggle* I wouldn't expect less from my half-sister." Mugi said.
"Well, you gotta play it now! Come on, make with the 80's sounds!"
"Ritsu!" Mio yelled at her.
"Alright, alright. Just let me set this thing up." I said before messing with the control buttons. Once I had it set, I placed the instrument around my neck and held it in my hands. "Oh, and just so you know, this song has lyrics."
"A song WITH lyrics?! Geez, Miharu! You're leveling up really fast here!" Ritsu said.
"Hehhehheh…" I rubbed the back of my head from the praise I was getting. "H-Here we go!"
(Quick Note: To follow along with the song, search up the following on YouTube: Zero-Two (Kirby 64) GaMetal ft. Edobean (2020 ver.)
We were once living quietly
But our future has changed for the worst
As the sky darkens...
Becoming blacker than shadows
What could be the cause of all this?
Twisting their minds
Twisting their souls
Now everyone is corrupted
Their behavior now destructive
I must search for those crystal shards
Even if the task may be hard
I'll make sure that you will all see
As I set our universe free
With the crystal's powers that
were once completely scattered
It will be the very key to destroying each and every Dark Matter
Destiny calls for you
To fly on forward, Star Warrior
Find the inner strength within you
Bring it in from all the torture
Let the stars guide you through
To stop this never-ending war
Or there might be a chance our universe will be
No More...
Please Go...
Restore...
Our World...
Angels of Darkness take flight
And I'm the only one left to fight
Our worlds are falling...
As they're engulfed in the shadows
Their cries are fading from darkness
Drowning in it
Consumed by it
There is no more time to be scared
The pain ends now, I am prepared
I'll go forward with all our strength
I'll make you see your end of days
I'll make sure our hopes aren't shattered
Pierce the evils you have gathered
Even if I'm devoured
In this darkness that you've become
Just as long as there's an inch of light in me
I will overcome
Do not fear now
The time is now
To destroy the evil
This is the only chance you have
Everything is up to you now
Use the power inside you
And bring peace once and for all
Or our future will be no more
Go now and fight star warrior!
So stop this war
Protect our world!
I stood there for a bit looking at the shocked faces of my friends and clubmates. I guess they weren't expecting a song like that. Based on the song they played for me that one time.
"W-Wow. M-Miharu…" Mugi said.
"Th-That's a…r-really interesting song, Senpai." Azusa said.
"Y-Yeah…" Ritsu added. "B-But…k-kinda dark, don't you think?"
"Dark? How does a song themed for a fallen angel with an extremely bloody eye corrupting people's minds and engulfing all words into darkness sound dark to you guys?"
"Seriously?" Ritsu gained a sweatdrop.
"I-Is it over?"
We all looked over to see both Mio and Yui cowering in fear. Hugging each other and shielding their ears from the song.
"Yes, guys. It's over."
"Hehhehheh. Sorry, guys. I didn't think you would get scared over it." I said.
"Sc-Sc-Scared? W-W-Who's scared? I-I-I'm not scared." Mio said.
"Y-Y-Yeah. M-M-M, neither. Th-Th-That song wasn't scary at all." Yui added.
"Right…" The rest of us said.
*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*
"Come in." I said.
"M-Miharu-san. K-Kotobuki-san. Dinner is ready." Mikuru said once she had opened the door.
"Oh, really? Is it that late already? Geez, I lost track of time."
"So did I." Mugi said. "I was supposed to go home and get more of my stuff. But I guess I'll have to do it tomorrow after school."
So, she's going to be wearing my underwear again. Damnit…
"We should get going, too." Ritsu said.
"Oh, I almost forgot. What do you want for Christmas, Miku-chan?" Yui asked.
"H-Huh? Y-You are getting me a gift?"
"Of, course. You're our friend, too. And friends give each other gifts, right?"
"W-Wow. Th-Thank you, Hirasawa-san." Mikuru then thought for a bit. "But…it truly is not necessary."
"Huh? Not necessary?"
"I-Iam busy studying for the high school entrance exam. S-So presents are not really on my mind at the moment. E-Especially for that…c-complicated day."
"Complicated?" The four girls asked.
"Oh, yeah. That day." I said.
"What's "that day"? Why is Christmas complicated, Mikuru-san?" Azusa asked.
"W-Well…"
"Mikuru-chan was actually born on Christmas." Mugi said.
"Woah, no way! Christmas is your birthday, Mikuru?" Ritsu asked.
"Y-Yes, it is. I-I will be turning 15 this year. K-Kinda young for a soon-to-be high school student, correct?"
"Yeah, no kidding."
"Miku-chan." Yui said as she suddenly stood up and walked over to Mikuru. Even grabbing hold of her tiny shoulders.
"Uhh…H-Hirasawa-san?"
"Miku-chan…we definitely have to do something for your birthday!"
"Huh?" The rest of us asked.
"H-Hirasawa-san…I-I appreciate the thought. B-But I am going to be busy studying and…"
"No way! You can't study on your birthday! It's against the rules!"
"R-Rules?" Mikuru was confused.
"There's no rule for that." Mio said.
"Well, there should be…"
*POW*
"Ow!"
"I heard that!" Mio yelled after hitting Ritsu in the head.
"And besides." Yui continued. "Your birthday and Christmas on the same day…very few people are that lucky. Well, except Nodoka-chan. Her birthday's the 26th. The point is...you should celebrate them both, Miku-chan. With family and friends, too."
"She has a point, Mikuru-chan." Mugi said.
"Yeah, you've been studying all week." I added. "I'm sure you're prepared for that…test thing. Take a short break with everyone. You deserve it."
"Well…" Mikuru thought for a moment. "...I-I guess I can do such a thing. After all, it is Christmas. W-Well, part of it."
"That's the spirit, Miku-chan!" Yui cheered. "And don't worry. I've got it all covered."
"Huh?" We all asked again.
"W-Wait, you mean YOU'RE going to plan the party, Yui?" I asked.
"Sure! We'll even have it at my house! It'll be fine!"
"To you, yeah." Azusa said. "But what about Ui?"
…
…
…
"O-Oh, yeah..." Yui started rubbing the back of her head. "I should probably ask her first…"
You think? We all gained a sweatdrop.
"Hey, there you girls are. What's the hold-up?" Yoriko asked as she came to the door.
"Good news, Mother." Mikuru said. "Hirasawa-san said that she's going to throw a party for my birthday."
"Huh? Really? But I thought you were skipping it for your studies."
"She was. But Yui managed to convince her otherwise." I said.
"I see. Well…thank you for this, Hirasawa-san. To be honest, I had nothing planned in case Mikuru changed her mind. You saved the birthday part of that day."
"You're welcome, Tamura-san. Anything for my friends."
"Anyway, we should really be going now." Mio said. "We've got exams this week."
"Oh, yeah. It is that time of the year." Yoriko said.
"Man, you're lucky, Miharu." Ritsu said to me. "You get a free pass on exams because you can't read Japanese."
"It really is Foreigner Privilege." Yui added.
"Foreigner Privilege?" I asked.
"Just ignore them. They just hate to study." Azusa said.
"I see..."
And with that, everyone else went home. Leaving us four to reflect on what happened before they left.
"Well, that was nice of Hirasawa-san. Throwing a birthday party for Mikuru."
"Yes. It really was." Mikuru said. "Hirasawa-san is a nice person."
"Yeah…but I'm not sure her family's going to take the whole "throwing a birthday party for a complete stranger on Christmas Day" idea." I said.
"Oh, yeah. Probably should've asked her for her parent's contact info." Yoriko gained a sweatdrop.
"Don't worry, Tamura-san." Mugi said. "Yui-chan's family is special. They'll allow it. Even Ui-chan."
"I see..."
"Yep. They're special, alright. Her family…" Mugi slowly started to sound sad as she said that. And to the rest of us, it was pretty obvious why.
"Mugi…"
"Kotobuki-san…" Mikuru said.
"Mugi. Are you…" I asked.
…
…
…
"*giggle* I'm fine. Nothing to worry about." Mugi said as she turned to us with a smile on her face.
But knowing her these past 4 months, I knew one thing about her that the other two wouldn't see at first glance.
That smile is fake as hell.
Author's Note: Miharu gets her own instrument: the Keytar! And it seems to have impressed the other girls as well. A cool instrument indeed.
I hoped you looked up the song before reading the lyrics. Normally, I would list the song name in the notes. But since this one was fanmade, I listed it earlier than normal. Mainly because this song normally doesn't have lyrics.
Next chapter is Mikuru's birthday (and also Christmas)! I wanted to get to here before 2019 ended, but…stuff happened. So it'll come later this week. Along with a new POV.
A bit of self-promo here. If you're liking this story so far, then take a look at Yuru Yuri +1. This story is heavily inspired off of that one and it's being continued right now with new chapters. It's my favorite Yuru Yuri story that I've written.
Thanks for reading. Later.