Chapter 3:
Mio speaks up
“Mugi.”
“Mugi-sempai!”
Mugi was currently in a Sawako
induced daze suddenly came to her senses when she felt a hand on her
shoulder. She looked up from her keyboard to see Azusa, concern written
on her face. She wasn't the only one. The other members of Afternoon
Tea Time were looking at Mugi worriedly.
“Mugi-sempai,
are you alright?” Azusa voiced what they all wanted to ask.
“Oh
my, Yes! My apologies everyone, I'm not quite sure where my head is
today, forgive me.” She answered their looks with a beatific smile,
her hands clasped together in front of her chest. The band members
looked at each other then shrugged. If Mugi said she was fine, then
she must be. Everyone seemed convinced except Mio and Azusa but they
went back to their instruments anyway. As her fingers picked the first
notes from her bass, Mio decided she would talk with Mugi in private.
They played through a set of songs,
this time without any interruptions or incidents. Because they were
now alumni and not students, the girls could not use the clubroom anymore.
Luckily, Mio's parents suggested they could use the Akiyamas'
garage until they left for university. Thankful about the generous offer
from Mio's parents the band decided to have practice Sunday and also
pay the family a visit to thank them personally. Everyone arrived expecting
to meet the Akiyamas but Mio informed them her parents were out that
day. Not surprisingly Mugi brought sweets and so they sat around Mio's
living room after band practice enjoying tea and different desserts.
Before they all left Mio casually
asked Mugi if she could stay for a little longer. She explained she
wanted some help with the new lyrics and musical arrangement. Mugi,
eager to please, assented. The others left, Ritsu and Yui charging towards
the door with plans to visit an arcade after eating said sweets. Azusa
trailed behind them reluctantly, delegated to the role of keeping the
two in order even though she was younger.
Mugi and Mio got to work immediately
and the musical arrangement worked out well enough between the two.
Mio, being Mio couldn't say what was on her mind however as they finished
up. She told herself that she wanted to make sure Mugi was fine, she
wasn't just being nosy and it was time to speak up or else the blonde
would leave.
“Er...Mugi...”
She asked hesitatingly.
“Yes,
Mio-chan?” Mugi answered promptly, her blue eyes reflecting happiness
at being able to help a friend.
“I
was...ah...” Mio stumbled, still not sure if this was the right thing
to do. Then again, Mugi was her friend and she wanted to know. She took
a deep breath, her face red. She looked down. “I...wanted to know
if you are really alright. You've never zoned out like that when we
practice. It's unusual for you.” She looked up to see Mugi's beaming
face.
“Thank
you so much for being worried, Mio. You really are a good friend.”
The other girl blushed at her words. “Everything is fine. Wonderful
in fact, I couldn't be happier.” The blonde leaned forward in a confidential
manner, her blue eyes twinkling. “Can I tell you something?”
Mio nodded, her raven hair waving
behind her. “Of course, anything!” She blurted, in order to redeem
herself for being so nosy. Then she blanched internally as she thought,
'Wait, anything?' Mugi wasn't like Ritsu but who knows what she
might say...Mio quickly squashed the thought and paid attention to her
friend.
“I
was out with Sawako-sensei yesterday.” At Mio's blank look, the blonde
elaborated, “As in a date.” Mugi glowed with happiness, continuing
“The truth is, I'm really in love with her.”
Mio shivered as she remembered
all the times Sawako caused her trauma one way or another. 'That
madwoman?!' She sighed to herself as she looked at her friend. Despite
the Sawako's actions towards Mio, she really must be doing something
right if her friend looked that happy. Putting aside her bias against
the teacher, she clasped Mugi's hands in her own. “Does she feel the
same way towards you?” The blonde girl nodded enthusiastically. Smiling,
she stated simply, “I'm happy for you.” Mio meant it as well. All
the years she had known Mugi, she had seen her content or pleased but
never happy the way she looked at that moment.
Mugi hugged Mio on impulse. “Thank
you Mio! You have no idea how much those words mean to me.”
She drew back, slightly teary eyed and Mio fidgeted at the emotion.
“You're the first person I've told. It feels good to say it out loud.”
“Not
that I'm objecting to your relationship but what's going to happen when
we go to university? And what about your parents? Are you going to tell
them?” Mio's panic for Mugi bubbled up, allowing her to blurt out
the fears already running rampant in her head. Because Mio, being Mio,
always worried.
A frown marred Mugi's features
as she considered Mio's questions. It wasn't like she hadn't thought
about these things, it just seemed unimportant for now. Yet she knew
the time was short before their entry to a new school.
“Time
is passing by quickly. Three years ago I met you and Ritsu and Yui and
we became a band, even better, we became friends along with Azusa. Three
years can seem like a long time to some people, but to me it passed
by so quickly. Maybe it felt that way because of all the fun times and
memories we share. In a few weeks, we're heading towards a place where
we will have to make choices for ourselves. We can never step back.
We'll be adults. I want to experience all those things with my friends
at my side. And Sawako-sensei as well because I don't want to regret
any moment.” Mugi smiled gently as she spoke.
“Sawako-sensei
and I will be apart, yes. But we won't be that far apart that we'll
never see each other. We can always compromise and meet halfway. As
for my parents...I'll tell them soon. I'd rather they didn't go through
all the effort of setting up marriage meetings.” Mio seemed a bit
shocked by Mugi's words but didn't say anything.
“It's
selfish isn't it?” Asked Mugi, after a moment.
“No!
Not at all! Your happiness is important. B-But considering the type
of relationship...It's just...Not all parents are supportive.” Mio
answered quickly. Mugi sensed Mio had put a lot of thought into that
idea.
“I
just don't want to live with regret, Mio-chan.” Mugi sighed. So did
Mio.
“I
didn't think you were this brave Mugi.” Mio admitted, gazing at the
blonde as if seeing her in a whole new light.
Mugi got ready to leave. “Anyone
can be brave Mio-chan. You just have to want whatever it is that will
bring you happiness badly enough.”
They hugged each other before
saying goodbye at the door. Before Mio could close it Mugi turned to
the raven haired girl.
“You should tell her. It's much better than wracking your brains with 'what ifs'?” Mio stood there gaping long after Mugi walked off. Suddenly she realized the neighbors might have seen her like that. She flushed beet red and closed the door quickly, Mugi's words echoing in her ears hours after.
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