1 Intro, Trap and Broken Hearts
Today is my second spring as a high school student. The wind is gusting, the sun is shining and I'm wearing my headphone.
It was a morning just as any other.
Both sides of the slope leading to our school were filled with flowering cherry blossoms.
Petals are dancing in the wind.
This scenery would be even more magnificent and beautiful if there is a girl waiting for me on the top of the slope... But... I don't think that is going to happen anytime soon. I don't even think that is going to happen to me at all. As of now, I am more like the main character's friend (In a dating simulator game or anime) who is made for laughs--
Wait a minute... What if I am just like one of those bystander in the background type of guy? Oh god, when will my rose coloured high school love comedy will start?!
***
"Yano, good morning."
A voice greeted me as I reached the school's shoe locker. I turned around and looked towards the direction of that voice. A brown haired guy with a tall good-looking figure was standing there waving his hands and wearing a smile.
"Oh, Matsuda, good morning"
I waved back as I greeted him with a monotonous voice. His name is Haru Matsuda. Friendly, smart, athletic and good looking, he is the most popular guy in our school.
...In other words, he is a main character type of guy.
"What song are you listening to right now?"
"Right now? Um... It's a song by The Beatles"
"You listen to them all the time. You must have liked them a lot"
"Yeah..."
Is this guy an idiot?
They are my favourite.
The Beatles are one of the best band ever. They had made immortal songs that can touch your youthful soul and make you feel alive. Even now, people are still talking about them. That is how good and legendary they are.
Everybody loves them.
"Eh... Awesome!"
"..."
"So Yano, have you checked the classroom arrangement yet? We're on the same class again, we are in 2-C"
"Oh that's great then... I guess"
I don't really hate this guy but I don't like him either. Why, you ask? The answer is simple. It is because he is like a sticky rice cake stuck in my throat or a gigantic wall that blocks the view of a beautiful scenery.
I hate to say this but my chance of standing on top of this wall is somewhat close to zero.
"Yan-chan, good morning~"
A girl with a straight long blond hair, gray-blue eyes and very fair complexion greeted me. It was Maria Kawamoto. Her mother used to be a fashion model in England and her father is my mother's older twin brother therefore she is my cousin.
They just move back here in Japan last August after living in England for nine years.
"Good morning, Maria"
"Hey Yan-chan, I've heard that you are planning on reviving the light music club before but failed because you can't find members who wanted to join"
It's not like people don't want to join the light music club, they just simply don't know that there is a guy who is trying to revive it.
"So, why are you bringing that up now?" Are you going to make fun of me?
Don't be fooled by her good looks. She may look like an angel but back when we were little, she used to bully me a lot. Sometimes she'll force me to wear some girly clothes like I'm some kind of a doll and other times she'll force me to eat wild herbs and grass saying: "Here you go Darling. Eat up!". Why don't you eat it up yourself?
"I am planning on joining you. I can play guitar, piano, violin and um... Ah... What else?..."
Beautiful and talented. A girl that almost every man wanted to be with.
I mean look at her; she's a total cutie! No wonder even my own parents dote on her.
I remember my mom saying something like "If you make Maria-chan cry, I'm going to tie you to a tree and feed you to the ants." Scary huh? That is why growing up I don't have much of a choice but to follow Maria's every command.
"...Okay Maria, you're gonna be the guitarist"
"Yay! Yay!"
"Now, we only need at least two more members"
"U-um... G-Good morning, K-Kawamoto-san!!!"
Matsuda raises his voice and nervously greeted Maria.
Why are you hiding behind me?
What are you so nervous about?
Don't shout, dumbass!
"Matsuda-kun, good morning! Sorry, I didn't notice you are there. Is everything alright?"
"Y-yes... I was just... Um..."
What is this guy so worked up about? Oh... I think I get it now. This guy... Wanted to join our club!
"Hey Matsuda. Do you want to join the light music club?"
If you wanted to join just say it.
"Can I really join?!"
"Of course you can since we're short on members"
"Th-then can I also be a guitarist?! Please!"
"Okay okay, just stop being so loud"
Seriously, this guy is starting to lose his coolness and becoming an idiot instead. What's his problem? Stay on your character man.
"I have to go now. I'll see you two after school"
"Okay"
"Bye bye Kawamoto-san"
Now we only need at least one more member and the light music club will be up and running.
And so after our Principal who is clearly wearing a Toupee finish his long boring speech that no one really cared about, the school commencement ceremony held in the gymnasium suddenly ended.
Standing below a sign with "Class 2-C" written on it, I open the sliding door. Walking behind me is Matsuda who won't stop thanking me.
"Thank you very much Yano for letting me join the club. How can I ever repay your kindness?"
Just shut up already. It's not like it is a club that is exclusive for aliens, time travellers and espers only.
"You can buy me lunch or something"
"Okay"
"What are you guys talking about?"
A girl with a pale skin tone, brown eyes and shoulder length brown hair approached us as we walk through the door.
"Okumoto-san, good morning! We are in the same class again"
Matsuda greeted the girl with a bright smile and man she looks so damn happy.
"Tch" Kinda pisses me off.
"Oh Yoshida-kun, good morning!" The girl greeted me.
This girl is Mizuki Okumoto, one of the cutest girl in school. A girl who is friendly and sweet to everyone around her, she has had a huge crush on Matsuda since middle school.
I've been in love with this girl ever since I laid my eyes on her. However, because she is so into Matsuda, she failed to recognize any hints that I attempted to make.
Talk about being pathetic.
"Hey, what are you guys talking about?"
"It's about the light music club"
"Oh... You haven't given up on that yet?"
"Maria and Matsuda joined so we only needed at least one more member to make the club official"
With a shocked look on her face, Okumoto-san suddenly grab my necktie and say: "Let me join the club too".
If I remember correctly, I ask you last time if you wanted to join the light music club and then you rejected me without giving a reason at all. Seriously, I can read this girl like an open book. The moment she knew that Matsuda is joining the light music club, she immediately decided to join too.
Come on, that really hurts Okumoto-san.
Huh... Wait a minute... If Okumoto-san join the club-- I can show off my skills, then she can finally notice my charm. Yes this is a good opportunity for me.
Alright! I'm going to do my best!
"Okay, let's meet up at the music room after school and please let go of my tie; I can't breathe"
"O-oh... I'm sorry Yoshida-kun!"
***
After school finally came.
As planned the four of us meet up at the music room. But since nobody brings an instrument, the three of them just sitting there talking and enjoying themselves while me, the "president" of the club handle the paperworks that needs to be submitted to the school. It's such a pain but it can't be helped since it is for my own sake too.
Yeah... For the sake of spending more time with Okumoto-san, I will do anything and everything.
"Hmm... I think that's all of it"
I finished filling up the paperworks. I look out the window and realized the sun was already setting. I never stayed this long in a school before since I am a member of the go-home-club all my life. Now don't get me wrong, I am never an antisocial guy. It just so happens that I kind of don't have a presence. I blend in perfectly into a crowd listening to their stories and laughing with them but it's like they never realize I was there. What can I do? I'm just a boring guy. That is why experiencing things like this and doing something somewhat meaningful makes me feel kind of proud of myself.
"I'm going to hand in these papers. You guys can go on ahead. Oh and don't forget to bring your instruments tomorrow"
With that being said, I went to the teacher's lounge, hand in the papers and head back to the club room to pick up my bag.
Most of the students had already gone home so it is pretty quiet. Now that I think about it, being alone in these hallways bathed in the colour of the setting sun is kind of creepy. Kind of makes me feel like some kind of disfigured monster girl with long black hair and wide unblinking bloodshot eyes crawling like a spider will chase me and then kill me.
As I about to open the door to the music room, I heard a sullen voice coming from inside of the room saying: "Ah! I don't know what to do anymore!".
What is it? A ghost?
That voice gave me the chills, but I'm curious about what or who was making that noise so I slowly crack open the door to take a peek inside. To my surprise, it was Matsuda.
"I thought you already gone home" I said to him.
"I am waiting for you"
"Do you need something?"
This guy looks like a school girl from a romance movie who is about to confess his love. Come on man, you're creeping me out.
"I need to tell you something"
Wait-- hey... What's up with this situation? I don't swing that way man.
"W-what is it?"
"For now let's go grab some ramen-- Don't worry it's my treat as a token of appreciation for letting me join this club"
I reluctantly tag along with Matsuda to a ramen shop. Since I missed my afternoon snack today because of the club, I inhaled the ramen in about three minutes.
"So, what are you going to tell me?"
"Um... How's the ramen? Do you want seconds?"
"...I'm going home" It kinda pisses me off how he's beating around the bush.
"W-wait up Yano!"
"What is it you're trying to tell me? Spit it out, man!" And make sure that this is important and not just a waste of time, because if there is one thing I hate, it's wasting time.
There is a saying: "The best things in life are free" and one of the free things in life is "time" but just because it is free doesn't mean people should just take it for granted. Time is money, time is gold, time is life and every millisecond is important.
Matsuda opens his mouth and started talking.
"I'm i-in love with... Kawamoto-san"
Now that I think about it, he acts stupid whenever he is around Maria.
"You drag me all the way here just to tell me you are in love with Maria?" This is ridiculous.
"..."
"Well, good luck to you man. See ya"
See? It's just a waste of time, I mean it definitely has got nothing to do with me. If you are in love with Maria, you should just tell her, not me.
"I'm scared to tell her how I feel but nothing will change if I just sit here and do nothing. I need to move, I have to do something. Please help me, Yano!"
"Give me one good reason why should I help you"
"She is your cousin, right? And I consider you one of my closest friends, so I figured you could help me... I guess I'm asking for too much, huh. Sorry"
Yeah damn right you are asking for too much. I can't even fix my own problem and now you want me to help you. You have got to be kidding me--
Wait, I think I just got an idea. If Matsuda and Maria started dating, the highest hurdle in my life will be gone. Which means, the chance of me being with Okumoto-san will increase.
This is a chance for me.
"I-I guess it can't be helped then"
"Eh?"
"I decided I'm going to help you"
"Really?"
"Starting tomorrow I'm going to help you steal Maria's heart. Be prepared for some heart-throbbing events that might occur from time to time"
"Okay! Thank you very much, Yano!"
If you have an opportunity to do something, do it before you lose your chance.
Yes... From now on that is my motto.
* * *
"I'll be going now, mom!"
"Okay. See you later, Yan. Take care!"
I brought my amplifier and my Hofner 500/1 bass with me today, the same kind of bass guitar Paul Mccartney used; also known as "Beatle Bass".
Pretty cool, huh?
Since I am now a proactive student, I am going to school earlier than usual.
Today is another beautiful day. The sky is clear and blue and the air sure is refreshing. I feel like people who miss out on something like this for whatever reason they have, miss out on half the life has to offer.
I trudge up a hill dripping sweat when it was only spring. One of the many things I hate about my school is that it is situated atop of a rather sizeable hill. The fact that I'd have to embark on this uphill trek everyday makes me question how I make life decisions.
"Good morning, Yano~"
Matsuda tapped my shoulder and greeted me. He looks awfully cheerful today, his smile is blinding me.
Bright! So bright!
"You look energetic today, Matsuda"
Did he eat something weird this morning?
"Check it out Yano. I brought a guitar today"
"Hmm... I guess we can't bring these instruments to our classroom. For now, how about we leave these to the club room"
The shouts of the athletics team can be heard through the open window. So full of passion... So full of energy.
Because I'm not a morning person, every morning my energy level is very low, which is why seeing them doing those exhausting morning exercises makes me feel more tired--
Oh no, I forgot... I have to climb the stairs to get to the club room.
Mom, if I did not manage make it to the club room in one piece, just remember that I love you so much.
After climbing the stairs of death on all fours, I finally manage to get to the third floor.
"Ah! I'm so exhausted"
"Are you okay, Yano?"
"Yeah... I'm fine-- hmm?"
Suddenly, I heard a beautiful soft voice coming from inside the music room humming the song 'Please Give Me Wings' (Tsubasa wo Kudasai). We enter the room and saw Maria standing by the window.
"Morning Maria. You're early today"
"Good morning, Yan-chan, Matsuda-kun!" With a smile like a middlemist red flower, Maria greeted us.
"Good morning, Kawamoto-san"
"Did you bring an instrument with you today Maria?"
"Of course. Hey Yan-chan, let's play a song. Practice practice!"
If I use more of my energy, I'm really gonna pass out. I need to take a little rest.
I gave Matsuda a look and then nod my head signalling that this a chance for him. "I'm just gonna sit on this chair and rest my head on this table for a while"
"Well then, how about I sing you a song, Yan-chan"
Maria started singing the same song she was humming a little while ago.
Ah! Her voice is so beautiful, I feel like I'm floating on a soft warm fluffy cloud...
"Yano! Hey Yano wake up"
"Hmm? Give me five more minutes, mom"
"Yano, homeroom is about to start. Hurry up and wake up--"
"Huh?! Where am I?! What's happening?!"
I dozed off without me noticing it, huh?
"Yoshida-kun, Matsuda-kun, we should hurry or else we're gonna be late-- pff... Hahaha!"
Eh? Okumoto-san burst out laughing. Is she laughing at me?!
"Damn you, Matsuda! Why didn't you wake me up sooner? I thought you got my back"
When did she get here? I hope I'm not snoring or drooling or talking while I'm sleeping. Ah~ This is so embarrassing. I want to die.
"Yoshida-kun, you might wanna wash off those funny scribbles on your face first"
"Scribbles?"
Okumoto-san pulled out a small mirror from inside her bag and pointed it at my face.
"See?"
Oh my god! I look like a cat!
Dammit! Who has the gall to pull off a childish prank like this on me?
Suddenly, my cellphone started ringing. I reached down my pocket to get my cellphone.
It says: 1 new message.
It was sent by Maria.
"What could it be-- huh?"
I open the mail. It was a picture of me sleeping and Maria holding a black marker pen smiling and giving a peace sign.
"I'll get you for this, Maria!"
***
I heard the bell chime and the boring math class has finally ended. It is now lunch break. I took out my lunchbox and walk up to Matsuda.
"Let's go Matsuda"
"Where are we going? We're not eating in our classroom?"
To be honest, this is the first time I asked someone to have lunch with me. Most of the time, Matsuda would just walk up to me, pull up a chair from one of the nearby desks and eat at my seat.
"It's time for the 'having-lunch-with-the-girl-you-like' event" And also time for my revenge.
I've been brainstorming since first period on how to take my revenge on Maria for scribbling on my face. After squeezing my brain to come up with a plan that is not too mean to make her cry (because you know... I don't wanna get in trouble when I got home) my brain finally hatch an idea.
And so, me and Matsuda march on the noisy hallways, get to class 2-A and invited Maria to come and eat lunch with us by the school courtyard. We sat down at the round wooden table and started eating.
"You wanna try my fried eggs Maria? Mom made it" I secretly put some wasabi on one of the fried eggs and offered it to Maria. Yes, that was the plan that I come up with. Genius, huh?
"Auntie made it, huh? No wonder it looks good. I would like to try some" Step into my web, missy.
Maria picks up the fried egg with her chopsticks and eat a bite "It's delicious... Hmm?... What's this?"
"I put some wasabi on that by the way" I said to her nonchalantly.
"Wasa... M-my nose! It burns... Water... I need water!" Out of panic, Maria snatched the orange juice that Matsuda been drinking and slurp it down.
"You look funny!" I said to Maria as I laugh my head off
"Meanie! I'm going to tell auntie on you"
Tch! Using your best move already, huh? You can't bring me down that easily, Maria! Argue mode activate.
"Well, you started it!"
"What did you say? I'm gonna call auntie right now" She pulled out her phone. Damn. I'm quite in a bind here. If that's the case...
"W-wait Maria... I was just joking... That's just my way of showing my affection towards you"
"Really?" Maria calmed down a bit. I can't believe that actually works. Now, all I need to do is to change the topic and then I can get away with this.
"H-hey Maria... You just snatched and gulp down Matsuda's orange juice, it'd be rude if you don't buy him another drink, right?"
"Oh right. I'm sorry Matsuda-kun. I'll buy you another drink. Wait here" After saying that, Maria took off.
But seriously, it kinda amazes me how she can switch gear from being angry and then back to her usual self like nothing happen. I don't know anymore if she's magnanimous, childish or mature. Now that I think about it, somehow, I'm kind of worried about her. I just hope people won't abuse her for being like that. As these thoughts wafted through my head, I heard Matsuda who was dumbfounded in his seat say: "I-Indirect... Kiss?"
"You look like a dirty old man"
"Eh?!... Um... S-sorry"
"I'm just joking man. But I must say, this 'having-lunch-with-the-girl-you-like' event turned out great"
I hope something good happen to me too. I decided that I won't let any opportunity to slip away but that opportunity didn't even come. I guess I'll just have to create my own opportunity then.
"Sorry I took so long! Here's your orange juice Matsuda-kun"
"Thank you, Kawamoto-san"
"What took you so long Maria?"
"Sorry! Let's hurry up and finish up our food, lunch break is almost over"
***
When I woke up, the afternoon classes had already ended.
Glancing out the window to my left I saw the track and field club running around the track with smile in their faces as if they were doing something really fun. Looks like a pain in the ass to me though. But don't get me wrong, I have nothing against them, in fact, I'm kind of happy for them. It seems like they have found something they are passionate about. Good for them.
My dad once told me (I can't remember when, but he was drunk) that finding your passion is absolutely necessary because until you do, you'll always be living a life of mediocrity. But when you find it, on the other hand, your world will be brighter and be filled with love. Nothing will feel like work anymore. Then I said to him: "Um... I don't think I have one, dad". He then replied: "Everybody has one. It's just a matter of trying harder" After saying that, he hiccuped and then dropped his face on the table snoring like a bear.
They say that the three types of people who can reveal the reality and secrets of this world are the broken-hearted, the angry and the drunk. So, maybe my dad was right.
"Work hard, people"
I shoved my notebook in my bag and head to the club room.
I opened the door, and I was able to see an angel sitting on one of the metal chair in the club room. Her eyes met mine and her face lit up with a smile like yellow tulip.
"Where's Matsuda-kun?"
I was thinking that she would greet me with a hello or something but instead, she asked me where that Matsuda is.
"I have no idea where is that dude right now. Sorry"
"Oh... Okay"
"By the way Okumoto-san. Did you bring an instrument with you today?"
As I asked her that question, she looked away before replying: "Ah... Yes..."
It seems like she doesn't really want to talk about it but I'm curious why'd she acted that way so I'll just continue asking her.
"Eh... What kind of instrument? Guitar? Keyboard?"
Okumoto-san began acting rather strangely. It looked like her fingers were trembling. She repeatedly snuck glances at me before quickly looking away.
"Is something wrong, Okumoto-san?"
"(Sigh) To tell you the truth I have no idea that we're making a band in this club. I only brought a recorder with me today. Ah~ this is embarrassing. Sorry Yoshida-kun"
Well, she just decided to join because of Matsuda so, go figure.
"D-don't worry, Okumoto-san! I found an old drum set in the storage room. I'm going to set it up for you so you can use it"
I went to the storage room and started assembling the drum set. Most of the parts are already put together when I found it so it didn't take that long for me to fully assemble it.
"All done!"
"Wow! You're awesome Yoshida-kun" Please compliment me more.
"By the way Okumoto-san. Have you played drums before?"
"Not really" An immediate reply with a nonchalant smile. I have a feeling that she doesn't really care about this club at all.
"Have you played any instruments at all, besides a recorder?"
"Of course. I know how to play a lot of instruments, you know?"
"For example?" I continued to ask her like a curious kid opening a present that he got on his birthday. Now that I think about it, this would be the first time we actually talk to each other with just the two of us.
"For example, huh?... Um... I can play a tambourine, maracas and castanets"
I am certain that she only play those instruments everytime she's doing karaoke with her friends. Sure they are called instruments but that's not what I have in mind.
"How about you try playing the drums, Okumoto-san. I'll teach you some basic things that I know"
"Where should I put my hand, Yoshida-kun?"
Oh great god of opportunity and lucky chance, thank you so much! I can't believe I'm touching her cute slender arms right now.
"You should cross your arm like this and do it like this"
"This is kinda difficult"
Pinch me. I must be dreaming. Actually if this is a dream, don't ever wake me up. I'd rather die happily dreaming than face the harsh reality of the world.
Trying my very best not to grin like a pervert, I continued to teach her some basic drumming pattern and that's when Matsuda and Maria appeared.
"Sorry for being late Yan-chan. I was on class duty today"
Have you ever experience having a really wonderful dream and then suddenly your mother wake you up telling you that you need to hurry up because you're gonna be late for school. I always hate it when that happen and Maria and Matsuda's timing is exactly like that.
"Class duty? Oh no! I just remember I'm also on class duty today"
"Don't worry Yano, you were sleeping peacefully so I figured I'll just do the works for you" That explains why he wasn't in the classroom when I woke up earlier.
"T-thanks then, I guess. Well, now that you two are here, let's start practicing"
And so, the very first light music club band practice has started. Everybody is busy. Maria is teaching Matsuda some of the more advanced guitar stuff while I am tuning my bass guitar. Everything is going great in terms of musical progress, well, except for Okumoto-san. She is just bashing and banging the drums like she's trying to break it with a straight face emitting the aura saying: "I'm pretty pissed right now"
"Are you okay, Okumoto-san?" Asked Maria as she approached Okumoto-san. "I can help you with the drums if you want"
"N-no, I'm fine Kawamoto-san"
"You know how to play drums too, Kawamoto-san? That's amazing!" That was Matsuda cutting in. I think he's just making the matters worst. That idiot.
I don't like the look of this. I think I should call it a day.
"Okay everyone, I think it's time for us to go home"
"Already?"
"Yeah. Go home"
And with that, our very first club activity has ended.
As I was about to lock up the clubroom I felt someone pulled my sleeve. I look over my shoulder to see who did that and saw that it was Okumoto-san.
"U-um... Can I help you?"
"Can we talk?"
"Sure"
Is it what I think it is? Is she going to confess her love to me? After witnessing Matsuda being all lovey dovey with Maria, Okumoto-san decided to confess her love to me. Is that it?
"I hate you Yoshida-kun"
Huh?
"W-Why? Did I do something wrong?" Is this for real? I think I'm gonna cry.
"You've been helping Matsuda-kun to be with Kawamoto-san, right?"
"Y-yeah" How did she know that? Is she a stalker or something.
"I'm in love with Matsuda-kun all this years and I won't let anybody get in my way"
The girl that I love said to my face that she hates me and that she is in love with somebody else. My poor heart can't take this anymore. No matter how you look at it, this is definitely a rejection. Great, I haven't even confessed my love to her and I already got rejected.
"Didn't you know how much it hurts to see the person you love, love someone else?" Okumoto-san started to cry
"D-don't cry, Okumoto-san"
"But it hurts!"
Yes... It hurts...
"...I know exactly how you feel, Okumoto-san... One of the hardest things in life is watching the person you love, love someone else, right?"
Okumoto-san stopped crying, stared at me for three seconds and then started crying again. Is she a baby?
I can't stand seeing people (especially the ones that I love) cry. I want to console them and do everything that I can to make them feel better so they won't cry anymore.
Now, I can't think of anything I can do to stop Okumoto-san from bawling, so I blurted out the most stupidest thing a guy could ever said to the girl he likes. What I'm about to say is so stupid that I wanted to crawl inside a hole and bury my self alive.
"S-stop crying Okumoto-san. L-look, how about I'll become your cupid this time"
Okumoto-san wiped her eyes, pout her lips, glared at me and say: "You mean you'll help me?"
"Y-yeah, of course!"
Bravo! Tres bien! Excellent! Helping the girl you love to be with another guy. That's some high class stupidity you got going on.
"I-it's a promise then"
"Yeah. I promise, Okumoto-san"
Ah~ I'm such an idiot. I really need to go home now and re-evaluate how I make life decisions.
"I'm home!"
"Welcome home Yan. I heard everything from Maria-chan. I hope you're prepared"
This is really the worst day ever. The things that happen to me today inspired me to invest in my childhood dream of buying a train. But instead of taking a ride in it, I would like to jump in front of it and kill myself.
Now, to those people who believe that pain and sadness are the spice of life that makes it enjoyable. You clearly have some brain problems.
