Chapter OneAkihabara Technical School is a private girls’ school that excels in subjects such as math and science. It is a school with a very good reputation and there’s always a high enrolment rate, but whether everyone passes is a different story. The school tends to be very strict with student selection and who actually passes the interviews. Although, the school is very particular about grades, they are also very particular about the interview. They like knowing whom they’re letting into the school. Troublemakers are a no go, but there are always exceptions and errors in this system.
“Stand” Muto Tomu is one of a kind. Teachers love her and students love her, but no one really knows anything about her. To sum it up, she has quite an enigmatic presence within the grade. She’s part of the student council and she’s top in the grade for academics. People see her as the ideal person to look up to, but even so, she’s not the most cooperative person.
“Sorry I’m late” a voice echoed amidst the silence of conducting the daily duties.
The teacher jerked his head to the late student and sighed. No surprise here, “Tano…” he said. “Why are you late this time?”
Tano Yuka just stood by the door with a frown. “I slept in,” she mumbled. She wanted to avoid the teacher’s gaze, so wondered her eyes around the room and found them glued onto another set of eyes. Muto Tomu. Yuka paused for a moment. Has Muto’s eyes always being this captivating? She thought.
“I can’t hear you, Tano” the teacher’s voice was stern. He was ready to give her a lecture at lunch in the staff room and everyone knew it was going to happen. Yuka always gets lectured.
Yuka didn’t react; she was too busy getting hypnotized by her classmate. She just nodded not even caring what the teacher said. It was all a blur in the back of her head. A smile. Muto smiled. Yuka didn't know what to do. What was Muto smiling at? Who was Muto smiling at? What is this situation? Yuka found herself all tangled up in her own thoughts.
“Tano!” the teacher raised his voice. His patience was running.
Yuka snapped out of it and turned to the teacher. “Y-yes?”
He sighed. “Come to the staff room at lunch”
“Yes, sir” Yuka bowed a bit and made her way to her desk quietly. She walked passed Muto and even though it was very tempting, she restrained herself from looking at the girl. She walked behind and stood behind her desk.
“Continue, Muto,” the teacher said.
Tomu nodded. “Bow” she continued with the morning greetings. “Sit” she finished.
Yuka sat down and looked ahead. Ah, it’s Muto again… she thought. Her eyes widened at the thought. “Eh?” she whispered loudly. Everyone turned to look at her, including Muto.
Tomu turned around and smiled. “What? Did you forget I sat in front of you?” she whispered.
Yuka gulped. She was becoming awfully nervous. “Um… No, I just thought of something. That’s all”
Tomu’s smile widened. “Spacing out in class isn’t very good,” she whispered. “Sir loves picking on you after all”
Yuka just smiled nervously as she took out her textbook slowly. She stared at the text on the pages and rubbed her eyes. She must still be tired, even though she did sleep in. “Maybe I’ll take a nap” she whispered to herself. She stood the textbook upright and lay her head down behind it. Closing her eyes, she dozed off.
~
A nudge. Yuka could feel a light push of her shoulder. She opened her eyes and stretched first with a yawn. “What is it?” she asked casually.
“Class is over”
Yuka froze in the middle of her stretch and abruptly turned to look at the girl who was waking her up. She knew it. “Muto?” Yuka quickly closed her textbook and packed everything up. “Sorry, I’ll go to the staff room immediately” she stood up and started to rush off but was caught with a gentle grasp on the wrist.
“You shouldn’t run in the corridors of the school by the way,” Tomu reminded with a gentle voice as she slowly released Yuka’s wrist.
Yuka bowed. “Sorry” she tried to cover her flustered face as she looked down, hoping her hair will cover her face. Why was she even flustered? She didn’t know. Maybe because it was the first time she’s had contact with Muto. Now’s not the time to think about these trivial things, she needed to get to the staff room.
“And” Tomu spoke again.
Yuka stopped by the door and turned back to the girl. Everything seemed to be going in slow motion. That soft smile and gently sharp gaze seems to be able to slow down time. And, the naturally authoritative voice Tomu possesses. Everything about her creates this majestic aura, one that drags others in.
“Please, call me Tomu”
~
“Ah… that was tiring!” Yuka exhaled loudly as she plopped herself onto the benches, where her friends were enjoying their lunches. “Sir is really too serious for my liking”
“Who told you not to get into my class?” Iwata Karen said. “Takamina is the best teacher ever, but then again… you’re in Muto’s class right?”
Yuka tensed up at the name. “Uh, y-yeah” she stuttered a bit.
“What is she like?” Karen asked. “I heard she’s really cool”
“Well, I guess…” Yuka replied weakly.
“I saw her once, warning a student about running in the corridors,” Takahashi Juri said. “She seemed really cold to me…”
Yuka just nodded.
“Eh… no way, everyone says that she’s really nice too though” Karen responded. “People say that she’s a tsundere, that's all”
Juri shrugged. “Maybe, but she doesn’t seem to hang around anywhere at lunch”
“Well, isn’t Tomu part of the student council?” Yuka asked amidst the heated discussion of Tomu’s character. “She’s probably there at lunch”
Juri and Karen looked at Yuka with narrowed eyes. Yuka looked back confused. “What? Did I say something weird?”
Karen crept closer to her friend. “Did you just call Muto, Tomu?”
“Eh?” Yuka was surprised herself. “Did I?”
Juri nodded. “You did. Is there something going on between the two of you?”
“N-no!” Yuka defended quickly. “It’s just we’ve being in the same class for so long already. I just thought… why not?” she added an awkward chuckle at the end to try and lighten the heavy atmosphere. “You know me, I prefer things casual”
The two raised their eyebrows questioningly. “We’ll let that slide for now…” the two said.
~
“Yuka, are you ready yet?”
“Wait, a few more seconds mum!” Yuka shouted from the upper level of the house. Their family is classified the upper class of Japan. Her father is an actuary for one of the biggest financial corporations of Japan and her mother was a professional ballet dancer, retired now but still as elegant. Due to this, Yuka does go to a fair amount of theatrical performances, parties and much more. Tonight, she’s going to attend a party her father’s company is holding. This is her first time, and she really wanted to give a good first impression and make her parents proud. Now, that she’s older her parents finally agreed to letting her go to these events.
After the final adjustments with her hair she gave herself a good look in the mirror and nodded to herself. “Okay” she said. She was very pleased with her simple navy evening dress, with silver accessories such as necklaces and bracelets. Most of her she loved her earrings. She rushed downstairs. “Mum, dad. I’m done,” she said with a broad smile.
Her parents returned the smile. “Then, let’s go Yuka”
The ride there wasn’t as long as Yuka expected. And, when they arrived she was absolutely stunned by the venue. It was a beautiful, grand hall. There were fancy cars parked on the sides. The stairs that led to the hall were gorgeous as well; everything was on a whole different level. Yuka was speechless and blown away. It’s like a she’s in a movie.
“Tano…” the usher bowed and put out a hand to welcome the Tano family in. Yuka was stunned once again, maybe the shock never actually left. The inside was even more impressive. The intricately designed pillars and the artistically set out food, it all made Yuka’s jaw drop in awe. The stage was large and the curtains were so classical in design. It was a huge place and Yuka finally felt like a part of her parents’ world.
“How is it honey?”
“It’s amazing” Yuka whispered still not fully processing the situation. “I love it”
He father smiled. “Well, there’ll be a speech soon and a few performances. So, we better get to our table”
Yuka nodded. “Sure”
They found their table and sat down. Yuka tried to clam down and was finally getting somewhere. Her father poured her some water and wine to himself and her mother. After chatting for a minute or so, the host of the party finally revealed himself on stage.
“Welcome, I am Sakurai Arata, the CEO of Sakurai Corporations. And, this party is just a little something for you all to just relax for a night and also a thank you for all you’ve done for the corporation so far” Arata paused. “To start this party off, I’ve decided that I would invite my own daughter to do a piano performance to soothe into the mood”
Everyone clapped. “The song performed will be Clair de Lune by Debussy, and performed by my daughter Muto Tomu”
Yuka’s eyes widened. Muto Tomu? “Muto…?”
Tomu swiftly entered the spotlight in a beautiful evening dress too; it was cut on one side and really flattered her legs. Yuka was stunned for the third time tonight. “She’s beautiful…” Yuka whispered subconsciously.
Tomu smiled and gave a bow. She carefully sat by the grand piano and the lights dimmed; only the stage lights were on now. The moment she pressed the first key, Yuka felt as if she had just entered another world. She didn’t know Tomu played the piano, actually, she doesn’t know anything about Tomu. But, she was damn good at playing the piano is all Yuka could figure out. Yuka slowly closed her eyes and just enjoyed the music. She’s not a classic person, but Tomu really made her enjoy classical music for once. Today feels like a miracle, is all Yuka could think as the piano played in the background.
~
“Are you struggling between which cake you should eat?”
Yuka felt chills run down her back, hearing that voice she turned around already expecting it to be Tomu but she was still taken by surprise. Tomu was unexpectedly close. This proximity is something Yuka is not accustomed to.
“I’d go for the cheesecake, if I were you”
Yuka smiled. “R-really?” she turned back to look at the cakes and quickly chose the cheesecake. “I’ll give it a shot then”
“It’s a surprise to have met you here” Tomu said quietly from behind.
Yuka nodded. “Y-yeah, it is” she turned around again. “You did a great performance,” she mumbled under her breath, wanting to compliment the classmate but too shy to do so.
Tomu leaned in. “Sorry, I didn't hear that. Could you repeat it?”
Yuka could feel her face burn up. “That was a great performance… you playing the piano” she whispered.
“Oh, thank you” Tomu retreated from Yuka and gave a warm smile. “Well, I think you look beautiful today” she casually complimented as if she did it all the time. It came out so naturally and so sincerely.
Yuka’s face heated up even more. She looked down. “Thank you”
Tomu laughed. “You’re really cute, Yuka”
Yuka, we’re on a first name basis now? Yuka’s eyes widened and looked at Tomu who had the softest expression. She’s never seen such a kind Tomu in her life. “S-stop it…” she stuttered. “You’re embarrassing me…” she stopped and took a deep breath, “Tomu…” she felt a pat on her head. Tomu looked at her with gentle eyes and at that exact moment Yuka could feel her heart skip a beat.
Today really is a miracle, Yuka thought.
Topic: I Know... [TanoTomu] - COMPLETED (Read 13207 times)