Chapter 28 – Mugi's Moonstruck Melody

Mugi's POV

The rain had stopped by the time the next day came along. So today, we were going to get some practice in. A request made by Mio-chan but Ricchan and Yui-chan tried to fight it off.

You know, the usual.

As for me, I had just woken up for the day and was brushing my teeth while staring at the mirror. Mainly at my bleached blonde hair and reddish-orange eyes.

It's been a couple of days since I got this new look. But honestly…I want my old look back. I know that the reason I look like this is because of the current situation I'm in, but…

…

What the hell? Why haven't I run my parents, yet? I mean, I know that they probably don't know that I'm here. But the fact that we explored Okinawa and currently staying in a hotel this fancy…I should've run into them a long time ago. But instead, I'm on this 2-day streak of being lucky. Even though, I didn't leave the room at all yesterday.

I don't want to ever part ways with Miharu. But at the same time…this stupid feud can't go on much longer. I'm flat-out sick of it.

I guess the only thing left to do is…

*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*

"Hey, Mugi! Hurry up in there! We're all waiting on you!"

"S-Sorry! I-I'll be right out!" I yelled. Then took a sigh of relief from having my inner thoughts interrupted so suddenly.

Damn. I think that was the first time I ever got jumpscared…

I looked back into the mirror and gained a determined look on my face. Extremely confident about what I was going to do once I got the chance.

Yes…this is what I'm going to do. For now, though…I can only hope that it goes well.

I finally got out of the bathroom and joined up with the other bandmates. From what I heard, the other girls went to go on one of those tours around the island. So, they were already gone by the time I woke up.

The thing is, it wasn't just them. The Takaoka Girls (minus Sachiko-san and Yuri-san. My guess is that they went on the tour, as well) were in the room, too. Which could only mean that something is being planned right now.

I can only hope that it's not too insane…

"Geez, there you are, Mugi." Miharu said to me as I sat down next to her. "First, you're the last to wake up and then you take forever in the bathroom. I didn't take you to be the mellow type."

"I must be getting it from you." I replied as I tied my hair into a ponytail. "Since you tend to do the same on Sundays and holidays."

"True. Can't deny that."

"You know, Mugi. I've been meaning to ask...what's with the light hair and orange-like eyes?" Chinatsu-chan asked.

"Yeah, it's kinda weird how you changed your appearance so suddenly." Kyoko-chan added.

"Um…well…I just thought that should change it up for the new year. No big deal."

"Hmm…I guess that makes sense."

"In a way, it's like how we changed right, Kyoko?" Akari-chan asked.

"Please." Mio-chan said. "If anything, Mugi's new look is far more normal than what you two have."

"Well, it's not like we had any control over it, Mio…" Both girls said with a pissed-off look.

"Anyway…why the sudden invitation, Ritsu?" Yui-san asked. Meanwhile, Ricchan had a small grin on her face. From the looks of it, she's been DYING to get what she wants to say out of her mouth.

"Hehhehheh. Well, listen up, girls. I've got the most brilliant idea I've ever come up with."

"Aw, geez..." Azusa-chan said with a facepalm. "...Can't we go on one miscellaneous adventure without you dragging us into one of your nonsensical plots?"

"What? How are they nonsensical?"

"Do I really need to explain it?"

"*giggle* Sucks for you, Azusa." Akari-chan said. "Our nonsensical madness ended when Kyoko became a sensitive child. We SURE have it easy now."

"I'll hit you." This was said by both Azusa-chan and Kyoko-chan. Granted, for different reasons.

"So, does no one want to hear me out?" Ricchan asked. "I'm telling ya, it's my greatest one yet."

"Define "great"." Azusa-chan retorted.

"Azu-nyan, don't be mean. Let's hear Ricchan out."

"At least someone has faith in me…" Ricchan said due to Yui-chan's encouragement.

"*sigh* Fine. I give. What's this wonderful idea of yours, Ritsu-senpai?"

"She's still annoyed, isn't she?" Miharu whispered to me.

"Azusa-chan isn't the type of person to agree to nonsensical plots." I whispered back.

"I see…"

"Okay, girls. Hear me out. Since the festival's in 3 days and we're both taking part in it, I came up with the brilliant idea of us doing a collab together."

"A collab?" None of us understood where this was going.

"Ritsu, what are you talking about?" Mio-chan asked.

"I mean…why don't we, Hō-kago Tea Time, perform at the music festival with Lyrica?"

"P-Perform with Lyrica?!" Most of us reacted with shock.

"Oh, my God! Yes! Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, YEEEEEEESSSS! Come on, Come on, Come on! Let's do it, Let's do it, LET'S DO IIIIIIIITTTTTTTT!"

"Yui! Calm the hell down!" Miharu yelled at the fangirling Yui-chan.

"Perform with Lyrica? Ritsu, is that even possible?" Mio-chan asked.

"Why ask, Mio? We have her sitting with us in this very room." We all then looked at Yui-san to hear her response to this.

"W-Well…it's an interesting idea. But…not to sound cocky or anything, but you girls would definitely be overshadowed by me."

"She has a point." Chinatsu-chan said. "Yui's a J-Pop idol famous all across the country. You six are nothing more than a high school rock band. Nobody's gonna care about you girls."

"Wow. Way to be blunt, Chinatsu." Ricchan retorted.

"Yui-san~!" Yui-chan whined. "Isn't there a way to perform with you and still get recognized?"

"The only thing I can think of that might work is that one of you sing with me. Other than that, I got nothing."

"S-Sing with you?" Mio-chan asked.

"Oh! My! GOD!" Yui-chan cheered to her heart's content. "Such a dream come true! I'll definitely sing with you, Yui-san!"

"She's so excited that she already decided for all of us." Ricchan whispered.

"B-Better her than me." Mio-chan whispered.

"Wait, hold on!" Chinatsu-chan yelled. "I'm just as big of a Lyrica fan as Yui-senpai is! Shouldn't I be considered as Lyrica's duet singer?!"

"Hell no." And Akari-chan responded almost immediately.

"What?! Why so cruel, Akari?!"

"Because you're terrible at anything that involves creativity. Writing, drawing, cooking, sewing…you even make a simple dot look like a monstrosity from Hell."

"It honestly puts Iyo-senpai's horror drawings to shame sometimes." Kyoko-chan added.

"W-Well, all of those involved using my hands. I'm sure my mouth is vastly different and that I can sing."

"¥7,600 says you can't." Azusa-chan said as she held up the money.

(about $50)

"Sc-Screw you!"

Wh-Why such a specific amount? I gained a mental sweatdrop.

"So, what song are we gonna sing together, Yui-san?" Yui-chan asked. "I bet it's gonna be one of your hits, huh?"

"Hey, nobody said it was going to be you, you know! Let a true Lyrica fan show her stuff!"

"Chinatsu, just give it up already…" Kyoko-chan said with a facepalm.

"Um…actually, guys. I already decided on who would be best for the spot."

"You did?" We all asked.

"It's me, right?! It's definitely me!" Yui-chan shouted.

"No, it's me! I'm definitely singing with her!" Chinatsu-chan shouted.

"Please just pick one, Yui-san. I'm starting to get a headache." Mio-chan complained.

Now, what's about to be said is undoubtedly the most blindsided I've ever been in my life.

And I say "me" because…

"Well…I actually want Mugi to sing with me."

"What?!" Most of the girls yelled.

"Mugi?!" Yui-chan and Chinatsu-chan yelled.

"M-M-Me?! B-B-But, why?! A-All I do is play a freaking keyboard!"

"That may be true, Mugi…but damn, you have such an amazing singing voice! I overheard you singing in the bath yesterday and I almost cried emotional tears!"

"Really? You can sing, Mugi?" Ricchan asked.

"That's a first for me." Mio-chan said.

"Now that I think about it, you really are a good singer, Mugi." Miharu said.

"You really are, Mugi-senpai. Way better than I am." Azusa-chan added.

That's because you two were the only people that's ever heard me sing.

…

A-At least, I thought it was just you two…

"Hmm…I don't believe it. I need proof." Chinatsu-chan said.

"Me too." Yui-chan added. "Mugi-chan singing sounds just as unbelievable as Azu-nyan saying that she doesn't look like a cat."

"Je ne ressemble pas à un chat, bon sang." Azusa-chan grumbled in French.

"You kinda do..." Miharu said.

"Well, if this is true, then I definitely want to hear it for myself." Ricchan said.

"Yeah. Come on, Mugi. Sing for us a little." Akari-chan added.

"B-But I really don't…*sigh* Fine. Just to get this over with." After giving in, I took a quick deep breath and prepared my already thought-filled mind to sing a song in front of my friends. A thing that I thought I would never do.

Much like a lot of things, recently.

(Quick Note: To follow along with the song, search up the following on YouTube: Moonstruck Blossom (Kirby: Triple Deluxe) Vocal Cover Remix – itoki hana)

Aa, totemo nagai yume o, mite ita...

Imada doko kara ka, goe ga kikoete kuru

Jikan no you no, sure nukete iku,

Watashi no namae o, oi kakeru.

Tsubomi kara, hana e sana gikara, chou e

Nandodemo sugata katachi kae anata no me e

Kagami yo kagami, watashi wa dare?

Nandodemo kotaete miseru umarekawaru

Utsukushii mono ga aisa rerunara

Anata no sono hitomi o ubaeru no nara

Sono atatakai te o douka sashinobete hoshii

Sonomama aa, tsuresatte.

Kono yoru ga akeru, mae ni...

Aa, totemo nagai yume o mite ita

Watashi no namae ga, kigou no you ni hibiku

Umarete kiete shimawanai you,

Anata no koe o, oi kakeru.

Tsubomi kara, hana e sa nagi kara, hachi e

Nandodemo sugata katachi kae anata no me e

Kagami yo kagami, watashi wa dare?

Nandodemo kotaete miseru, umarekawaru

Utsukushii mono ga todashii no, nara

Anata no sono kokoro o ubaeru no, nara

Sono atatakai te de douka dakitomete hoshii

Sonomama aa, nemura sete.

Kono yoru ga akeru, mae ni...

Aa, wakatteta noni

Eien nante, dokoni mo nakatta, koto

Kareru koto nai gana ni, naritakatta...

Sono utsukushii te yo, zutto ki yora ka de, ite

Kagami yo, watashi wadaare.

Aa, yoru ga akete iku...

"*sigh* Geez, that was embarrassing...So, how was that?"

I waited for a response from the 9 other girls in the room, who were only staring at me with ginormous looks of shock on their faces.

"Uh…hello?"

"M-Mugi…H-Holy crap, that was amazing!" Miharu yelled out.

"Was it really? I don't really think it's…"

"Miharu-senpai's right! You're really good, Mugi-senpai!" Azusa-chan cheered.

"I haven't bee this blown away since I heard Yui sing for the first time." Akari-chan said.

"Right? I never thought I could feel the same shock twice in my life." Kyoko-chan added.

"*sniff* G-Geez, Mugi. Y-You actually got me *sniff* i-into tears." Mio-chan was trying to stop crying but wasn't having much luck.

"I think it's pretty good. What about you two?" Ricchan asked Chinatsu-chan and Yui-chan.

"D-Damnit. No way in hell I can compete with a voice like that."

"I can sing a little. But nothing compared to that. *sigh* I give. You win the battle, Mugi-chan."

Y-Yui-chan, what battle are you talking about? I gained a sweatdrop.

"See? I told you all she was good." Yui-san said. "So, Mugi. What do you say?"

"*sigh* Well…can I think about it? I've got too much stuff on my mind to give an answer right now."

"Well, we got three days. Hopefully, you'll have an answer by then."

"I promise I will." I then got up from the floor and headed for the door. "Now, if you excuse me, I have something to do."

"Huh? W-Wait, Mugi. What about practice?" Mio-chan asked.

"I'll be back. Just…start without me." This is what I said to them before leaving the room and closing the door behind me.

Once I was far enough from the room (as in dead-center in the lobby), I took out my phone and made a call. A specific one that could make my current life better or worse. Depending on the outcome.

"Hello? Sumire? Meet me at the café near the hotel."

"Uh…sure thing, Ojōsama. B-But may I ask what for?"

I went silent for a bit. Then took a deep long breath before telling Sumire the reason for this sudden request.

"Sumire…I wish to meet with my father."

Author's Note: With all the stuff rumbling in her mind, Mugi unintentionally reveals a secret talent of hers. A singing voice that can make even the toughest girls cry.

But, as you read in the ending, that's the least of her problems.

So, here's a story about the song I chose to reference. For some strange reason, I've been addicted to listening to many different versions of Moonstruck Blossom recently. And this particular one has to be my favorite one yet. It makes the song more depressing than the original and that's even without the added lyrics. I listen to it multiple times whenever I get the chance to. It's just that good.

Thanks for reading. Later.