Minna-san~ Konban wa~~
Finally it's done!! I've finished chapter 6!! YA~~Y!!! Well, I'm sorry for making you guys wait, but I'm kinda busy at the moment since I have to work and also because I'm planning to go to America this summer, so I'm busy with all the paperwork and the stuff I have to do before I can go there.
Anyways~ This chapter is my longest so far, since I've promised to bring Hanako up X3
Okay, without any further ado... enjoy chapter 6!!
otsu-Kame~
NOTE: Sorry for possible grammar/spelling mistakes
Chapter 6 – A summer night's symphonyFor the hundreth time this evening I putted on another shirt and eyed myself in the mirror. A huge pile of clothes gathered on my bed. Skirts, jeans, shirts, tops... almost my whole closet was thrown onto the bed as I tried to decide what to wear tonight. I glanced at the clock that was standing on my bedside table and felt nervousness taking me over as I noticed that I only had two hours left. Two hours before I would meet her in the park, ready to take her onto our date. Date... was it even a date?
*knock knock*„Come in~“
„Hi, Reina“, my mom greeted me as she entered my room.
„Hi, Mom.“
„What are you doing?“
„I'm trying to figure out what I should wear tonight“, I replied, taking off the shirt I was wearing and sighed as I threw it onto the pile.
„Oh, why?“
„I'm going out.“
„With who?“
„None of your business.“
„Your new girlfriend?“
„Mom~“
„What? Why can't I ask my daughter if she has a new girlfriend?“
„As I already said... that's none of your business“, I replied and walked over to my closet.
„Fine... but if it's no one special, why are you bothering with choosing the perfect outfit?“
„Cuz...“
„Reina, that's not an answer.“
„Ever had the idea that I don't want to tell you who it is?“, I snapped.
„I'm only interested in your life. After all you're still my daughter.“
„I know...“
„It... is a girl, right?“
„Don't worry, mom. Guys are still not attracting me.“
„That's not what I meant...“
„What is it then?“
„I just noticed you've been smiling a lot lately.“
„So?“
„It makes me happy to see that you're able to smile again.“
I smiled and sat down next to her. My mom had been there for me after Hanako broke up with me. She was the one who held me in her arms, the one who had been comforting me and wiped away my tears, telling me that Hanako never deserved me. Suddenly I felt bad for snapping at her. She only wanted to make sure that I was alright. I couldn't remember when the last time was I had been talking to her about the events that happened in my life.
„Her name is Eri...“
„Eh?“
„The girl... I'm going out with tonight... her name is Kamei Eri.“
„Oh, not Aiko?“
„EH?? AIKO?? NO WAY!!“
„Why? Aiko seems to be a very nice girl.“
„Yeah... she
seems to be a nice girl. But since she knows about Eri, she's completely freaking out and all bitchy.“
„How come?“
„Because she said that she fell in love with me.“
„Oh, Reina. You're quite a player“, my mom said and giggled.
„Mom, I don't know what's so funny about that.“
„Well, it seems like a lot of girls fall for you.“
„They don't...“
„And what about Eri?“
„I... don't know...“
„Eh? Why do you not know?“
„I... just think that... she's probably totally straight.“
„Did she ever mention a guy?“
„Only her dead brother...“
„Oh... I'm sorry...“
„It's okay. Eri is a fighter, that's what I know for sure. Life's been messing with her a lot and still... she lives on.“
„Say, Reina... did you actually tell her that you like girls?“
„EH? NO!“
„Why not?“
„I... I can't tell her, mom. I don't want to risk our friendship only by telling her that I'm into girls.“
„Do you really think she'll turn her back on you for being honest?“
„What?“
„What I want to say is... it's more likely that she's going to turn her back on you if you're not telling her the truth. And also... how will you know that she's not interested in you too if you don't know how she thinks about the fact that you like girls?“
„True...“
„Come on, Reina. Give it a shot. Usually you're not a girl who gives up that easily.“
„I know but... I really don't wanna lose her, mom. Eri is... special and different from the girls I've ever met... she's... very precious to me.“
„I see that.“
„Eh?“
„You're totally beaming since you've started to talk about her.“
„R-really?“, I asked, feeling a blush creeping into my cheeks at my mom's statement.
„Yes. You like her, right?“
„I...“
„Oh no, Reina don't deny it. Be honest to yourself.“
„I... love her...“
„So if you're sure about how you feel for her then you should take the opportunity of this date. You'll never find out if she returns your feelings if you're being a coward“, my mom said and got up, „oh and by the way... the shirt you had been wearing before looked very good on you.“
With that she gently kissed my forehead and walked towards the door. She was about to leave as I held her back.
„Mom!“
„Yes?“
„Thank you.“
~~~ ~~~
I nervously fiddled with the hem of my shirt and bounced my legs up and down, as I was sitting on the bench, waiting for Eri to finally show up. According to my cellphone's watch, she was already ten minutes too late. I didn't know what I was supposed to think of that. Somehow an uncomfortable feeling rose inside of me. What if Eri only agreed to come with me out of courtesy and she actually didn't plan to join me at all? Was she really like every other girl who agreed first and then ditched me? No, it couldn't be... oh please don't tell me that I got fooled again. Not by...
„Reina?“
I snapped out of my thoughts at the sound of Eri's voice and relief spread throughout my whole body. So my fears about Eri ditching me had been unsubstantiated. I turned my head to look at her and was about to say something but the words got stuck in my throat at the sight in front of me. Eri wore a black silken dress that caressed her perfectly shaped body, accentuating her womanly curves and her beautiful brown hair was braided into a bun. I gulped as I slowly got up, taking in her graceful appearance. The way Eri looked was exactly what I've always imagined if someone was talking about an elegant lady.
„Eri...“
„Sorry for being late... I've been losing track of time while I was getting ready.“
„Don't worry. It... was worth the wait...“
„Eh?“
„Y-you look... amazing!“
„R-really?“ Eri shyly asked and a soft blush crept into her cheeks.
„Yes. I've never seen a more beautiful young woman before.“
„T-thanks...“
„W-well then... shall we go?“
„Sure, let's go“, the girl replied and smiled.
Once again I could feel my heart beat quickening and a pleasant shiver ran down my spine as I carefully linked my arm with hers. I really enjoyed being so close to her, it made me feel so secure but also nervous and excited. My heart pounded against my chest vehemently as the soft skin of her hand made contact with mine. If Eri only knew what that simple touch of hers caused within me...
~~~ ~~~
„Thank you, Reina“, Eri said with a smile on her lips as I carefully guided her to the seat, helping her to sit down.
„Don't mention it, Eri“, I replied, taking my seat next to her.
„Where are we?“
„Outside.“
„I know“, the girl giggled, „but where exactly? I can hear the voices of many people.“
„You'll find out in a few minutes, just be patient.“
„You still don't want to tell me?“
„No, you'll get it when it starts.“
„So I shall stop asking“, Eri said in a playful way.
„It won't take too long until you'll find out.“
„Okay then, I'll be waiting.“
„Good“, I replied, taking a deep breath.
„What's wrong?“
„N-nothing...“
„So why are you shaking then?“
„Eh? I-I'm not shaking.“
„You are... I can feel it.“
„W-well...“
„Are you cold?“
„N-no, that's not it.“
„What is it?“
„I...“
Suddenly a male voice started to talk and echoed over the place through the speakers, saving me from replying to her.
„Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the annual open air orchestral concert with the title
Orchestra Beneath The Stars – A summer night's symphony. Please enjoy the orchestra music performed by the Tokyo Philharmonic orchestra, conducted by Omachi Yoichiro-san.“
Applause roared through the rows and grew even louder as the mentioned conductor appeared, bowing to the audience. Yoichiro Omachi wasn't the youngest anymore, from what I knew he was already in his late seventies but he was still famous for his amazing conducting skills. The applause slowly faded and soon the air was filled with the sounds of timbals, violins, violas, trumpets and flutes, playing together in a perfect harmony.
„Reina...“
„Yes?“
„This... is...“
„I know, Eri...“
„But... how...?“
„Let's just say... I did some research on the concert and I thought that you might like to go and listen to it...“
„Oh, Reina... that's... I don't know what to say...“
„You don't have to say anything. Just enjoy the music.“
„Thank you, Reina... for everything“, Eri whispered, leaning her head onto my shoulder causing sparks to shoot through my body.
~~~ ~~~
The last sound of violins and timbals faded, announcing the end of the concert and I decided to wait for a little while before getting up and making our way to the exit as I watched the people practically pushing each other on the stairs. I don't wanted to get us into the crowd and get pushed around by people who were in a rush to get home. Also I was afraid of that something might happen to Eri, since all the other guests seemed to not take care of each other. It made me wonder why they came here in the first place if they were actually in a hurry. A soft touch on my arm caused me to jump and I turned my head to see that it was Eri's hand. My eyes lingered on her hand for a while before I lifted my head and my heart skipped a beat as I found out that Eri's face was only a few inches away from mine. I gulped when my eyes met hers, a shiver ran down my spine. Even though I knew that she wasn't able to see, I felt like she would look right into my soul. Her gaze was kinda insistent and the hazy grayish-white color of her eyes made it even more intense. I tried to force myself to look away but I piteously failed, her eyes totally got me.
„Reina...“
„Y-yes?“
„Thank you for taking me here“, Eri said, a smile appeared on her face.
„Y-you're welcome. I hope you enjoyed it.“
„Yes, a lot. I've heard about this concert, but I've never thought that I'd be able to come here and listen to it. How did you get that idea?“
„Well, a friend told be about the concert and since you're studying music I thought it would be interesting for you“, I replied.
„Oh, Reina... that's very sweet of you. And I'm sorry that you had to listen to it too just because of me...“
„Eh? No, Eri... I really enjoyed the music too.“
„Really?“
„Yeah. I totally got interested in that music genre... thanks to you.“
„I'm glad to hear that.“
„I realized that you were right.“
„About what?“
„About the individual messages of compositions... I guess I was able to figure some of them out.“
„Oh, that's great.“
„Well... wanna go home now?“
„Yes, let's go.“
„Okay so... may I take you home, young lady?“
„Reina~“, Eri giggled, „you're acting funny again.“
„Yes or no?“
„Yes, please. And on the way back you could tell me what you've been figuring out on the compositions.“
„Sure... but only if you tell me if my thoughts had been right.“
„I'll try to.“
„So, let's get going now“, I said, taking Eri's hand and helped her up.
„Uhm... Reina?“
„Yes?“
„I'm glad that... it was you who took me here...“
„T-thanks, Eri...“
Eri sweetly smiled at me, gently squeezing my hand causing my heart to beat faster and my stomach to tingle. Just because of that simple, innocent gesture that was probably only meant to emphasize what she had said just now. Still... her remark was making me kinda... proud.
~~~ ~~~
„I really liked the way the violins and timbals were playing together. It was so powerful.“
„Wow, Reina... seems like the concert totally drew you in.“
„Yeah, it was. I've never thought that such kind of music would catch my interest though...“
„I'm glad it did.“
„I should listen to it more often from now on... maybe it even helps me studying for my tests after the summer break.“
„You could try and tell me if it worked.“
„Does it help you?“
„Yes, a lot.“
„So I'm sure it will work.“
„Eh? Why's that?“
„I don't know... somehow I have a feeling that it will.“
„Reina...“
„Hm?“
„You're... strange sometimes“, Eri giggled.
„No, I'm not~“
„It wasn't meant in a bad way... you're... cute strange and that also makes you... even more interesting.“
„Y-you think so?“
„Yes...“
„Eri, I...“
„Reina??“
I flinched and froze in place as I could hear someone calling my name. The voice of the person who had just adressed me sounded awfully familiar to me. Oh no, please don't... out of all people existing, was
that girl the last one I wanted to see. Not now... not when Eri was with me. I slowly turned around and my heart stopped beating for a second as I looked right into
her face.
„H-Hanako...“
„Reina, what are you doing here? I thought you were sick?“
„Maybe I was... maybe I was not. Why do you care?“
„You know exactly why! I wanted to see you!“
„And who told you that I wanted to see you too?“
„I know that you wanted to see me!“
„Now that you mention it... uhhh... no.“
„Don't lie to yourself, Reina!“
„I'd lie to myself if I said that I wanted to see you.“
Hanako glared at me. I literally could read the enviousness on her face. She obviously did not like it that I wasn't reacting the way she wanted me to. What the hell had she been expecting? That I would run into her arms and start crying like a little girl after I told her how much I had been missing her? Was she really thinking I would just forget about what she had done to me and came crawling back to her? Wow, could a person be even more wrong?
„Reina...“, Eri whispered, her soft voice caused me to snap out of my thoughts, „is everything alright?“
„Yes, don't worry... we'll be moving on soon“, I whispered back, gently squeezing her arm.
„Oh, I see“, Hanako said as her gaze wandered over to Eri, „that girl is the reason why you don't want to see me.“
„What are you talking about?“ I asked her, even though I knew what she was driving at.
„Who is she?“
„I don't know why I should tell you!“
„Come on, Reina. I'm just interested in your new life“, my ex-girlfriend said and took a few steps closer.
„My life is none of your business“, I snapped at her.
„What's your name, girl?“, Hanako asked Eri, causing her to jump at the sudden appearance right in front of her.
„I... I...“, Eri stammered, slightly lowering her head and I knew that she was trying to hide her eyes by doing so.
„No need to be shy. I just want to get to know you.“
„Hanako, stop it!“
„Come on, Reina. Where did you leave your behavior? Why don't you introduce us to each other?“
„Because I don't want you to inject your poison into her! Leave her out of all this, that's a thing between only you and me!“
„You're getting pretty protective towards her... right, girl?“
„Shut up, damn it!“, I growled, instinctively pulling Eri closer to me as Hanako took another step towards her.
„See? That what I meant...“
„I don't care about what you mean or not, just leave us alone!“
„Oh... you want to spend time alone with your new girlfriend? Say, Reina... did you actually tell her about us? About the time we had together when we were a couple?“
„Hanako, I'm warning you...“
„G-girlfriend? C-couple?? Reina, what is she talking about?“, Eri asked me, the tone of her voice bespoke confusion.
„Don't listen to her, Eri...“
„So your name is Eri, huh? I see... and she really didn't tell you about us?“
„T-tell me what?“
„You've been denying our love, Reina? Well, that's not very nice.“
„There is no love anymore between us! My love for you died a long time ago!“
„Stop acting like a fool, Reina! I know that you still love me and you know that too!“
„NO I'M NOT!“, I yelled, feeling my whole body tremble with anger.
„Did you at least tell her about the reason why you had to move to Tokyo?“, Hanako asked a self-pleased smile on her face.
„I...“
„You didn't? Wow, you're hiding a lot from her... if I were you, Eri I would wonder why.“
„I-it's okay... she doesn't have to tell me if she feels uncomfortable with it.“
My ex-girlfriend blinked a few times, slightly taken aback. She totally did not expect that kind of answer from Eri. I knew that Hanako actually had been planning to get Eri furious about that I hadn't been telling her about Hanako and the reason why I had to move to Tokyo. Well... her plan didn't work out and now it was my turn to put on a self-pleased maybe even a triumphant smile. Even though it was kinda mean, I just couldn't help it but feel amazingly pleased to see Hanako losing all along the line.
„Reina... can we... go now?“, Eri quietly asked, slightly tugging on my sleeve.
„Sure... there's no need to stay here any longer. Let's go, Eri.“
„WHO THE HELL ARE YOU TO TELL HER WHAT TO DO?“, my ex-girlfriend barked at Eri.
„HANAKO! LEAVE HER ALONE!“, I snapped back.
„Say, Eri do you actually know with what kind of girl you took up with? Haven't you seen the meaningful gleam in her eyes since we were talking about our love that is still connecting Reina and me?“
„I... I didn't see... anything...“, the girl standing next to me replied.
„Hanako! One last time... SHUT UP!“
„What? Are you afraid of her finding out that you're still addicted to me?“, Hanako asked and looked at me before her gaze wandered over to Eri, „Reina is only using you to make me jealous! Come on, girl. Look at her and I bet you'll see what I mean.“
„I... I can't...“
„I'm just trying to keep you from a broken heart! Look into her eyes! You'll see that there's no love for you“, my ex-girlfriend teased.
„I... I want to look into her eyes but... I can't...“
„Why not? Afraid of that you see what I've told you?“
Eri sighed and lifted her head, the dim light of the street lamps shone onto her face. Hanako gasped as she finally was able to see what the meaning behind Eri's words was. She stared at Eri in disbelief, her mouth agape. For one brief moment, I've thought I saw a hint of guilt in Hanako's eyes but what she said next made me see once again that she was the devil in person.
„Are you serious, Reina?“, Hanako asked, a smirk on her lips.
„What do you mean?“
„You've really decided against me for a...“, my ex-girlfriend paused and looked at Eri with a deprecative gaze, „blind bitch? How pathetic!“
„HOLD YOUR TONGUE, HANAKO!“, I yelled, feeling my jaw clench and my muscles tensing.
„Well, Eri... I guess you'll never be able to look into those beautiful brown eyes of hers. Too bad... because you're missing something.“
„Hanako? What's taking you so long? We want to leave“, a female voice called after her.
„I'm coming“, my ex-girlfriend called back, looking at me, „it was nice to see you again, Reina... you'll see... you'll come back to me.“
With that, Hanako turned around and left, leaving me trembling in anger. I glanced over at Eri who had lowered her head again, the expression she had right now tore my heart into pieces. Suddenly I felt like an idiot and extremely sorry for having her standing right in the middle of that feud between Hanako and me, especially because she had nothing to do with the whole events that happened back in Fukuoka. I sighed and covered my face with my hands. A thousand thoughts ran through my mind and most of them were rather... disturbing. What if Eri would turn her back on me after what happened... after she heard that I was actually hiding something from her. Great... Hanako just messed up everything. She'd better not cross my way again or I'm going to...
„Reina?“
„Y-yes?“
„Are you okay?“
„I am... but I can ask you the same...“
„I'm fine... I was just... worried about you.“
„Eh?“
„I thought that girl would... lay a hand on you.“
„Don't worry, Eri... I won't let her and also... I'm strong enough to defend myself.“
„That's good to know...“
„Eri...“
„Hm?“
„I'm... I'm sorry...“
„For what?“
„For... all this...“
„You don't have to be sorry... you didn't even know that she was here.“
„Eri... I actually knew she was here...“
„What? So... what she said was true?“, Eri asked, turning her head into my direction, the tone of her voice sounded... alarmed.
„No! No, let me explain it... Hanako was the one I got the idea from with the concert... she had been sending me an e-mail, asking me to meet and go with her to the rock concert her friend had been performing not far from here. She had been mentioning that there will be the orchestra concert also...“
„Why... didn't you go with her to that rock concert?“
„I... I rather wanted to be with you...“
„Really?“
„Yes. I've never intended to meet Hanako here... and I've never thought about using you to make her jealous... all I wanted was... to spend the evening with you... that was everything that mattered to me.“
„Oh, Reina...“
The next thing I could think of were Eri's arms around my neck, holding me close in a tight embrace. It took a few moments before I started to realize what was going on but as soon as I did, I could feel my face heating up as I blushed and I felt like my heart was about to burst inside my chest. Thousands of butterflies were fluttering around inside of my stomach, causing my whole body to tremble. I hesitatily lifted my arms to wrap one of them around Eri's waist while I placed my other hand onto the back of her neck to return the heartwarming gesture.
„Reina... since you've stepped into my life... I feel like I can do everything... spending time with you really means a lot to me... and I want to thank you for that... thank you for being there for me“, Eri softly whispered.
„I'll always be there for you, Eri... now and forever... you don't have to walk your way alone anymore...“
„You promise me that?“
„Yeah... I promise.“
Time stood still as we held each other in that tight embrace, neither of us seemed to want to let go. On that evening the moon remained the only witness of this romantic moment between Eri and me, silently approving the beginning of a new chapter in our lives made by the promise, as it shone down on us with its gentle, pale light.
To be continued...And that's it for chapter 6... I hope you all enjoyed reading and it was worth the wait. Stay tuned for chapter 7