Disclaimer: I own none of the characters from K-On, I'm just borrowing them for awhile. This is also based of the 'I ain't got rhythm' AMV for K-On, though only in a general way.
K-On: The Return
Mio Akiyama smiled as the black haired woman pushed the cart full of books through the library, the head librarian humming to herself softly as she worked. She wore a almost stereotypical outfit of a office lady, with business skirt and white blouse, along with a vest matching her skirt. She was well aware she drew glances with her curvy figure, but she maintained a business-like manner that kept most of the wolves at bay.
With a warm smile the twenty-something woman dealt with several requests as she shelved books, then pushed the cart back to the main desk where she sat down and sipped her still warm tea. "Miss Akiyama?" a young teen asked, her red hair falling into her eyes as she held a piece of paper in her hand.
"Yes?" Mio asked pleasantly, then froze as a familiar picture was set in front of her.
The band 'After School Tea Time' were pictured, her up front as they preformed in one of their high school shows, back before she left the group. "Could I get your autograph?" the girl asked eagerly, extending the paper.
"Sure," Mio smiled wryly as she signed, glad the girl didn't have that pic from her last, embarrassing performance
"Thank you!" the girl beamed, clutching the photo as she nearly skipped out of the library.
Ryouko Sorayama looked amused as Mio's co-worker brought her a fresh cup of tea. "How does it feel to be famous?" she asked gently, her short black hair falling into her eyes.
"The band is famous," Mio corrected. She smiled wryly as she explained, "I'm more like the band's Pete Best, or something."
"The fifth tea timer?" Ryouko chuckled. She looked at her sympathetically, "I guess it must be hard, at times."
"Not really," Mio said honestly. "I don't regret leaving the group," she explained as she sipped her fresh tea, "even if they have become famous." Firmly she added, "It just wasn't for me."
"If you say so," Ryouko nodded.
The day passed as busy as usual, Mio dealing with the regular requests and jobs at a regional library. It was exactly the job she had been trained for after achieving a masters in library science, and she enjoyed her work. There was a comforting regularity to it that pleased her, as well as the occasional research challenge too.
She helped a little girl put her books back, Mio smiling at her warmly as she said, "Thank you very much."
"Thank you big sis!" the little girl beamed before scampering off to her mother.
Mio got up, smiling fondly as the girl and her mom left. Heading back to the desk she checked the time, then turned on the PA system. "The library is closing in ten minutes," she said calmly, "if you have books that need to be checked out, please head to the check out desks. Thank you."
Working on her paperwork Mio looked down at the sheets, only barely registering as the woman in sunglasses came in through the main entrance, looking around her curiously. After a moment she walked through the milling people, across the library to the reference desk.
Mio sensed the woman there and looked up, "May I help you? The library is closing soon..."
The woman took her sunglasses off, familiar brown eyes looking down at Mio. "It's been awhile," Yui Hirasawa said nervously, giving her a weak smile.
"Yui?" Mio squeaked softly.
The two women gaped at each other, neither sure quite what to say. Over the past six years they had exchanged letters and the occasional phone call, but other than that there had been no contact. Mio had been very angry and very forceful in leaving the band, and the other girls had accepted that, however reluctantly.
"What are you doing here?" Mio managed.
"Uhm," Yui looked sheepish, "it's kind of complicated."
Ryouko hurried over, frowning at the strange woman then looking at Mio. "Is this woman bothering you, ma;am?" she asked pointedly.
For a moment Mio was tempted to let her coworker force Yui out, but she couldn't go through with it. "It's all right, she's a old friend," Mio explained. She smiled slightly, "Ryouko Sorayama, meet Yui Hirasawa of After School Team Time."
"It's nice to meet you," Yui bowed slightly, smiling shyly.
Ryouko looked rather unimpressed. "So you're one of the people that hurt Mio?" she asked her flatly.
Yui flushed, looking away as Mio sighed. She put her hand on Ryoko's arm as she told her gently, "It was a accident."
Ryouko snorted softly, "You're much more forgiving than me."
Noting the time Mio gave Yui a apologetic look as she said, "We have to close up. Did you want to talk to me after work?"
"If I could," Yui said uncomfortably.
Mio and Ryouko, along with the other staff, ushered the remaining patrons to the check out and outside, then did a final check to make sure no garbage and other items were left. It took about a half a hour to finished everything and lock up, then the group of women and men got ready to go.
"We're going out for drinks," Yue Ayase asked Mio, giving a slightly wary look at Yui, "would you like to come?"
Mio shook her head no. "I'm being picked up," she explained before dryly adding, "besides I need to see what my old friend wants."
Yui sighed softly as the women left, the two of them standing outside the now darkened library. "You look good," she offered mildly, "being a librarian suits you."
"Thank you," Mio answered then she looked at Yui with a frown, "But I really doubt you looked me up after so long to compliment me."
"You told us to leave you alone, after...," Yui trailed off, sighing.
"Yeah," Mio conceded, remembering that final concert vividly. All of them up there in new costumes by Sawa-sensei, singing as the teens in the small club cheered. The final song, waving good bye, then Ritsu tripping, grabbing the back of her dress and...
Yui nodded glumly, probably remembering the same scene. "Do you still play the bass?" she asked after a moment.
Mio looked at her warily, "Yeah, I still play. Just for fun, though."
Yui puffed out a relieved breath. "Azusa took over as bassist after you left," she explained quietly, "you know that, right?"
"I've kept up with the band," Mio said noncommittally.
"We have a concert tonight," Yui admitted, "a big one. It could break us out all over Japan."
"And," Mio said grimly, knowing where this was going.
"Azusa's hurt her arm," Yui blurted, "she can't play! I was hoping you would..."
Mio gaped at her, her mouth open in surprise. "Are you insane?" she yelped, "After Ritsu STRIPPED ME NAKED ON STAGE do you really think I would ever preform again?"
"Uhm," Yui looked away as a familiar figure walked up to them, her glasses gleaming.
"I could hear you yelling from across the street," Nodoka Manabe said gently, her brown hair falling over her half glasses.
"Nodoka-chan!" Yui smiled warmly, but hesitated as she saw her friend's frown.
Nodoka put her hand comfortingly on Mio's arm, "Are you all right?"
"Just a bit shocked," Mio answered, leaning a bit against the other woman.
Nodoka put a arm around Mio and rubbed her shoulder comfortingly. She looked over at Yui as she said firmly, "Please don't upset my girlfriend."
"Girlfriend?" Yui squeaked, her eyes as wide as dinner plates.
Yes," Nodoka gave her a look, "do you have a problem with that?"
"No, no," Yui quickly shook her head. She smiled slightly, "Wait till I tell Mugi..."
Mio smiled slightly, "She's still into it?"
"Oh, yeah," Yui agreed. She took a steadying breath and looked at Mio entreatingly, "I know you're angry over what happened and don't want to preform again."
"Yes," Mio nodded grimly.
"But it was Ritsu and my fault that happened," Yui said humbly, "not Mugi and Asusa's. Do you really think it's fair punishing them? Especially when this concert could be their big chance?"
Mio sighed, "Bringing them up was dirty, Yui."
"Sorry," Yui shrugged.
"And why does it have to be me?" Mio asked plaintively, "You could hire a fill in..."
"We're playing stuff from back when you were in the group," Yui said hesitantly, "Fluffy Fluffy time and My heart is a stapler. No one knows them better than you..."
Mio sighed then she looked at Nodoka as she softly asked, "What do you think?"
Nodoka hesitated, holding Mio close. Years ago she had helped Mio recover from the public humiliation, and in the process had gradually fallen in love with her already close friend. She loved her deeply, but Nodoka also knew that part of Mio was still unhealed...
"Do you want to?" Nodoka asked gently, smiling at her.
Mio sighed, looking down then up at Nodoka, "What if it goes wrong again?"
"I'll be there for you," Nodoka promised, "and so will our friends." She looked up and gave Yui a pointed look, "And no outlandish costumes."
"No, never," Yui promptly promised.
Mio nodded, hugging Nodoka a moment before looking at Yui, "All right, but just this time."
"Thank you!" Yui practically glomped both off them, sending them staggering backwards and nearly falling over.
"Yui!" Nodoka chided, laughing.
"Sorry," Yui smiled sheepishly.
Mio shook her head, hoping this wasn't a sign of things to come. 'Well,' she mused as she, Yui and Nodoka walked away, 'either way, I'll handle it.'
To be continued....
Notes: Inspired by the basic idea of Mio leaving the band, and Yui having to come find her. I tried to come up with something embarrassing enough to lead to Mio quitting. I figured being stripped on stage might be enough... Nodoka & Yui were close, but lost touch after school. It happens.