Chapter 9 – Ritsu's Proposal
Ritsu's POV
"For real? You got kicked out of your mansion, Mugi?" I asked her while us two, Mio, and Yui were waiting for morning classes to start.
"*sigh* Yes, that is the case. My family, mainly my father, didn't take kindly to the fact that I've accepted Miharu as my half-sister. And so a fight between me and him led to me being kicked out. But I'm living with Miharu at her family friend's hotel."
"Wait, Miharu-chan lives in a hotel? Aw, she's so lucky! Living that luxury life!" Yui whined.
"Um…actually, Yui-chan. It's not like that. We each have to help out around the place as collateral. But we do get paid for it. A really fun part-time job. *giggle*"
Well, at least she sounds happy about that…
"But what about your family, Mugi?" Mio asked.
"Well…I know I'm going to have to make up with them eventually. But as for now, it doesn't seem like it'll happen anytime soon. But at least I have Miharu with me."
"I see..."
"Hey, where is Miharu anyway?" I asked.
"Oh, she's getting a snack from the vending machines."
…
…
…
"Uh…Mugi."
"R-Right. I should probably go help her." Mugi said before heading out of the room to help her half-sister with the vending machines.
"Gee. Poor Mugi-chan." Yui said.
"Finding out that she has a half-sister and getting kicked out of her house for accepting her. That's gotta be rough." Mio said.
"She said it was her father, right?" I asked. "I may not know what exactly happened for Mugi and Miharu to be related in that way, but the fact that the guy is refusing to accept Miharu as a part of the family just pisses me off. The absolute nerve of him."
"Well, he could have his reasons, Ritsu."
"Mio does have a point." We suddenly heard a new voice.
"Nodoka-chan! Morning!" Yui cheered at the sight of her childhood friend.
"Sorry for intruding. But I couldn't help but overhear. So, Tsumugi-san got thrown out because of the incident with Miharu-san?"
"That's what she told us." I said. "Although, she didn't seem all that bothered with it. She's just glad to be with Miharu, from the looks of it."
"Yes. The two have gotten closer since finding out they were related. A lot has changed in the month since Miharu-san moved here."
"A month?" Yui and I asked.
"Aren't you two aware? This Saturday would make it one month since she moved to Japan."
"Wait, seriously? It's already been a month?" I asked in shock.
"Even I have to admit. I didn't notice, either." Mio said.
"Oh, yeah!" Yui yelled. "We haven't thrown Miharu-chan a welcome party yet! We can do that for her this Saturday!"
"We've got school, Yui." Nodoka said.
"Oh, yeah…"
"But Sunday could work."
"Oh, yeah! That can totally work!"
"Yui…calm down." Mio said to her.
"Yeah, we can totally do that." I said. "Everyone free on Sunday?"
"Yep." Yui said.
"For now, yes." Nodoka said.
"I am, too." Mio said. "But that leaves Azusa. And we don't know if Mugi and Miharu would be busy working that day. Plus, we don't know where to have said party."
"Oh, that…I think I can work something out." I said with a small grin.
"What are you up to, Ritsu?"
"Nothing to worry your pretty little head about, Mio."
Nothing. At. All.
Miharu's POV
"*sigh* Bon sang. What even are these snacks? I can't read a single one."
Here I was struggling to get a quick morning snack because I can't read a single damn line of Japanese. I know it's to be expected that they'll have Japanese snacks in a Japanese vending machine…but they could've at least had English written somewhere on the package. Kinda common sense when you have tourists from other countries constantly coming here.
And in my case, live here...
"Geez. Am I really going to have to guess what they are and hope for the best? I don't wanna yolo my stomach…"
"Miharu-senpai!"
Over in the distance, I saw Azusa heading toward me. Along with two other girls. Possibly her friends.
"Oh. Hey, Azusa."
"What are you doing? You seem like you're struggling."
"Hehhehheh. You see, I'm trying to get a morning snack and well…"
"Oh. I get it now." Azusa then giggled for a little bit. "Don't worry, Senpai. I'll pick one out for you."
"Phew. Thanks, Azusa. You're a lifesaver."
As Azusa was helping me with the vending machine, I noticed her two friends standing nearby. One of them had brown hair tied up in a small ponytail. While the other had slightly darker hair with small fuzzy pigtails.
Whatever floats their boat, I guess.
"So, you're Miharu Neroni? The transfer student, correct?" The brown-haired girl asked me.
"Yeah, that's me. Do I know you?"
"Well…no. But my sister does. I'm sure you know her. She's in your class."
"Huh? She is?" I then took a closer look at the girl.
Now that I look at her, she does look a lot like…
"Are you…Yui's sister, by any chance?"
"That's right. I'm Ui Hirasawa. Her younger sister. Nice to meet you, Miharu-senpai."
"And I'm Jun Suzuki. Nice to meet you, Senpai."
"I see. Nice to meet you both as well." I said.
"Here you go, Senpai. These should work out." Azusa said as she handed me a bag of chips.
…
At least, I think it's a bag of chips. I can't tell because the freaking label is in Japanese.
"Uh…"
"They're potato chips. It's fine." Azusa said.
"Really?" I opened the bag and nervously ate one chip. "Oh…Oh, it is a potato chip! Yes! Finally, something I can recognize!" I then proceeded to eat more chips.
"So, you really don't know any Japanese, Miharu-senpai?" Ui asked me.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. I really don't. My parents do. But for some reason, they never bothered to teach me any. So, I'm only fluent in English and French. Luckily, Azusa knows all three."
"I still can't believe that you can speak French." Jun said to Azusa. "Tell me, are French people really dressed in black & white clothes, have a white face, and think they're in a tiny box all the time?"
"That's racist, Jun."
"H-How would you know?! You've never been to France!"
"Actually, she's right. It's completely racist." I said. Being the only person in this group to have seen France.
"What?!"
"And besides, what you just described was a mime."
"Aren't all French people mimes?"
"What?" I was starting to get pissed off.
"Jun-chan. Please shut up." Ui said to her. "Sorry about her, Miharu-senpai."
"*sigh* It's fine. I guess I can let it sly…for now." I said that last part while looking at Jun with a threatening look.
"Tch. O-Okay, I get it. No more."
"Thank you."
*INSERT CLASSIC JAPANESE SCHOOL BELL CHIME HERE*
"Oh. Time for class."
"Do you need me to help you out during lunch too, Senpai?" Azusa asked.
"Ah, no. I'm okay. I planned ahead and brought leftovers from last night's Knock-Off Taco Bell."
The three girls in front of me all then gained a sweatdrop.
"Uh…I'm pretty sure it has a name, Senpai." Jun said.
"Yeah, but it looks a lot like Taco Bell. Seriously, how did they not get sued yet?"
"Right…" Their sweatdrops grew from there.
"Ah, whatever. I'm gonna go now. Thanks again for the help, Azusa."
"You're welcome, Miharu-senpai." Azusa said as I began walking to class. Still eating the chips that she picked out for me.
"Are these seriously potato chips? They're freaking delicious."
As I continued eating & walking (not as bad as drinking & driving, but I still shouldn't be doing it), I ran into someone on the way to class.
"Miharu."
"Oh. Hey, Mugi. What are you doing out of class?"
"I was looking for you, dummy. Why didn't you go to the vending machine next to the second-floor bathroom?"
"There's a vending machine next to the second-floor bathroom?"
Mugi just stared at me with a look that I'm pretty sure meant "Are you freaking kidding me right now?".
"You really are a handful, Miharu."
"I'll take that as a compliment." I said while feeling insulted.
"So, how did you get the chips? Did someone help you?"
"Oh, yeah. I ran into Azusa earlier. She picked this out for me. I also met her two friends. I think one of them was Yui's sister."
"Oh, do you mean Ui-chan and Jun-chan?"
"Yeah...I think. They were with her when they found me. They seem nice. Although, Jun really needs to cool it with the stereotypes."
"Well…you kinda expect that from people who have never been to France."
"*sigh* I guess. And I didn't know Yui even had a younger sister. She seems …mature for her age."
"Just wait until you compare them side-by-side…"
"Huh?"
"Oh, nothing. Just talking to myself." Mugi said with a giggle. "Anyway, let's hurry and head back to class. The first lesson's about to start." She then began pulling my arm as we made our way back to class.
"Huh? H-Hey, wait! I didn't finish my Japanese chips!"
Ritsu's POV
"Let's see…Aha! Here it is! Burossamuheizu Minshuku. "A family-owned Japanese-style bed and breakfast resort located near the outskirts of Shiga. Home of the recently rewarded most relaxing hot spring in the district." Geez. Miharu lives here?"
"That's some fancy hotel. Must be expensive." Yui said as she, Mio, and I were looking up the place on the computer in the clubroom.
"Yeah, no kidding. It'll definitely put a dent in my allowance."
"Why are we even looking this place up?" Mio asked.
"Because, Mio. Wouldn't it be great to have the welcome party here?"
"Huh? Are you serious?"
"Sure. I mean, it's big enough for all of us. They have a room made especially for reserved parties."
"Yeah, but…"
"And besides, we could possibly even perform there."
"Wh-What?! A-Are you serious?!"
"I'm dead serious."
"N-Nonononono! Y-You can't be! Th-This has to be a joke! Please tell me this is a joke!"
"Mio…it's not a joke."
"*whine*" Mio then lowered herself onto a nearby chair. Wallowing to herself in sorrow.
*sigh* This girl…she really needs to get over her stage fright already.
"Je vous le dis, Azusa. le deuxième est meilleur que le premier. De loin aussi."
"En aucune façon, Senpai! C'est certainement le premier qui est meilleur. Il y a une certaine sensation d'émotion, vous savez? Être dans l'espace pour la première fois."
"Oui, c'est ça. Mais dans le second cas, vous voyagez essentiellement dans le temps et l'espace. Et ne pas aspirer dans un petit espace tout le temps. C'est TELLEMENT ennuyant."
"Mais le sent, Miharu-senpai. Les sentiments!"
We were suddenly staring at Azusa and Miharu as they were (from what it looks like) arguing in French about something. With Mugi, Nodoka, Ui, and Jun standing along with them.
"Uh…what are they talking about?" I asked.
"We're…not sure." Mugi said.
"We heard the name Mario pop up somewhere. So, it could be about that." Jun added.
"I see…" I gained a sweatdrop.
"I never would've expected Azusa-san to speak perfect French." Nodoka said.
"Yeah…it was a shock when she first told us." Ui said.
"Why is everyone here?" Yui asked.
"Ritsu-senpai told us to come." Jun said. "She said it was something important."
"Huh?"
"Ritsu, what is going on?" Mio asked.
"Well, I'll tell you what's going on, Mio." I said. "But first…"
I then turned back to Azusa and Miharu, who were still arguing in French about…whatever the hell it was that they were talking about.
"D'accord, je vais vous donner une chose à propos du premier. Il a le meilleur niveau de la série. Jardins Venteux, pour la victoire!"
"Jardins Venteux?! Es-tu sérieux?! Le meilleur est évidemment Planètes Œufs!"
"Hein?!"
"Guys!"
"Quelle?!" Both girls looked at me with an angered look. It was then that…
One. I had gained another sweatdrop.
And two. They had both realized that they were speaking French the whole time. Leaving the rest of us completely confused.
"O-Oh. Sorry, you guys." Miharu said.
"We got so caught up in our conversation that we forgot that you were here." Azusa added.
Forgot that we were…*sigh* never mind that for now...
"Anyway. Now that everyone is here, I have a little proposition to offer."
"A proposition?" Everyone asked.
"What are you talking about, Ritsu?" Mio asked.
"I'll tell ya. Miharu, you live in this Burossamuheizu place, right?"
"Yeah, why?"
"We've decided to throw you a little welcome party and I plan to have it there."
"H-Huh? W-Wait, a welcome party?"
"You know. To welcome you to Japan and celebrate you being here for almost a month."
"And to welcome you to our club." Yui added.
"What Yui said."
"W-Wow. Thanks, guys. But…I'm pretty sure my guardian won't allow it to happen. At least, not for non-guests."
"That's were my proposition comes in. If we all pitch in, I'm sure that we can afford at least one room. Two, if we're lucky."
"Senpai...minshukus tend to be really expensive." Ui said. "Ranging between ¥5,000 and ¥10,000 per person and night."
"¥10,000? Is that bad?" Miharu asked.
"Think of it as it's gonna cost about €63 per person, per night." Azusa said.
"Th-That much?! That's highway robbery!"
"How the hell do you know French currency?" Jun asked Azusa.
"I had to know it when I took that French class in middle school. It wasn't easy in the slightest."
"Geez…"
At this rate, Azusa might as well just move to France...
"And besides. How are we supposed to rack up that amount of money in such a short time?"
"Wait, can't Mugi-senpai pay for it? I mean, she's loaded right?"
"Uh…well…th-that's no longer an option." Mugi said while looking away from the first-years.
"Why not?" Ui asked.
"Well…"
*ONE EXPLANATION LATER…*
"Seriously?! That bastard!"
"I know, right? The nerve of that guy!" I yelled. Agreeing with Jun.
"Eh…it's fine, really. I'm hoping that they come around soon." Mugi said. Seemingly calm about the whole thing.
I just…I just don't know how she does it. Staying calm like this...
"So, if we really want this to happen, we really gotta work for it. Somehow."
"Can this really be done in a week?" Azusa asked. "Getting at least ¥35,000 for 7 people seems highly illogical."
"Don't doubt it, Azu-nyan." Yui said. "If we all try really hard, I'm sure we can do it. For Miharu-chan's sake."
"Why are you making it sound like I'm dying?" Miharu asked.
"So, Miharu. We can count on you for getting that reserved spot, right?" I asked.
"But I just said that my guardian probably won't agree to it. It's a small hotel. Not a freaking party arcade."
"Right." Mugi said. "Yoriko-san would most likely decline due to the guests staying there."
"I see. I understand your predicament now."
…
…
…
Once again, we looked over to where that extra voice came from. And when we finally noticed her…
"Gah! Vieux professeur effrayant dont je ne me souviens pas du nom!"
"Seriously! Why did that sound like an insult?!" Sawa-chan yelled at Miharu.
"D-Don't you ever knock?!" Mio yelled.
"Again. I'm your teacher and your advisor. I shouldn't have to knock."
"Again. Doing so would be nice…" I heard Azusa whisper to herself.
"Anyway, what did you mean by "understanding our predicament?" I asked.
"I mean…this guardian of yours is named Yoriko right, Neroni-san?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Wait, how do you know her name?" I asked.
Sawa-chan didn't answer right away and instead stood up from the chair she was sitting on. Then she began heading calmly (and a little smug-like) towards the door.
"Just leave this to me, girls. I got this covered." She said before leaving the room.
…
…
…
"Okay, I don't trust her." I said after the deep silence. "Let's catch up before she gets too far."
"Yep." Mio said.
"Uh-huh." Yui said.
"I agree." Mugi said.
"Good idea." Azusa said.
"Is there a reason why you don't trust her?" Miharu asked.
I then walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. While giving her a very serious look.
"Miharu...you are in for hell."
This only made Miharu worry even more. And rightfully so.
Author's Note: Had a brain fart while writing this one. Couldn't remember what Jun's last name was and it took me a while to find it. I know I could've just used the Wiki. But…Wikis act weird on my computer. I tend to avoid them unless I really need to.
The first argument that Miharu and Azusa were having was basically "which is better: Galaxy 1 or Galaxy 2?". And then the second one was "which is better: Gusty Garden Galaxy or Good Egg Galaxy?" Just a little nod to the Galaxy series as a whole.
Thanks for reading. Later.