Sentimental Folly Ch. 18
Chapter: 18/?
Bands: The Gazette, Alice Nine
Pairings: Reita x ? (main) Aoi x OC, Kai x Shou, Ruki x Nao
Genre: Drama, Romance
Rating: PG-13 (for now)
Warning: Reita is a complete bonkura!!
Synopsis: Young Reita is in love with his best friend (Uruha) and in an attempt to impress his frined, makes a complete fool of himself every time. To make things worse, Ururha's best frined Aoi constantly teases Reita and Uruha. They just entered their first year of high school. Can Reita tell Uruha how he feels before someone else does?
Disclaimer: If I owned the Gazette, I wouldn't have to write fan fiction. If I was getting paid, I'd be at the mall, not on Tumblr
[Spoiler (click to open)]
"It's been a horrible Winter Break, hasn't?" I turned to looked at my dear friend and ex love.
"Yeah, it has Ducky. Ruki left me fore Nao, it's freezing but there hasn't been much snow, and I'll be alone on Christmas."
"You can come over to my place and hang with me and Estu."
"No, Christmas is a time for lovers here in Japan. Plus, I hate being a third wheel."
He laughed. "I bet. Well, I'm gonna get out of your hair so you can get back to work. Thanks for hot chocolate. Etsu will will love you forever for it."
"No problem, I'll talk to you later." he waved goodbye as he walked out of the cafe. I got back to work, wiping off the counter top. It was a slow day. Not many customers and it's almost closing time. It's dark, I'll be out of here soon thankfully. But I'll have to walk around the corner to my car.
"Akira, do you mind taking some of this food home? The girls from the early shift said they're supposed to make some fresh tomorrow."
"Neh...I guess I could. I wouldn't have to cook dinner tonight.."
"Oh, where's your parents?"
"Business trip."
"Again? Your folks are away a lot on business."
"Yes, my father became chairman of the company, now he's apparently like some kind of diplomat to them."
"Do you miss them? Your parents, I mean?"
"Nah, I love them but I got so used to them being away. I can handle being alone."
"Well, I'll just box this food up for you and you can go home and rest up." my boss said, patting me on the back. After he gave me a box full of food and sweet, and a small cake, I thanked him and left the cafe. I got to my car and set the boxes in the passenger seat.
"Another lonely winter night." I said to myself. I drove home, I ran a few red lights. Who cares? Traffic is dead. I parked in front of the house and took the food inside. When I got inside, I set the food on the kitchen table and turned on a light. I put the cake in the fridge, I'm not gonna have any tonight. And I wasn't really that hungry, so I took out a sandwich that my boss threw in the box, then put the rest of it away.
I had a soda with my "dinner" then ran upstairs and took a long shower. Hell, there's no sense in putting on clothes if I'm home alone. So when I stepped out, I dried myself off and threw on a bathrobe. I brushed my teeth and dragged my feet across the floor to my bedroom. There must have been five minutes of silence until I fell asleep.
I woke up in the morning, had a cookie for breakfast, got dressed, and left the house. I didn't go in for my shift until 3:30, but being in the empty house would drive me inane. I had nothing to do, I sold my violin and my bass. So why not drive around the city? There was a blanket of fresh snow on the ground. It must have snowed late last night and well into the morning.
I had no idea where I was going, so i just kept driving until a particular building caught my interest. It was familiar, but I'm sure I've never been inside. I parked the car across the street and ran over to the building. I stepped inside, a bell jingled.
I walked around the little shop; music as far as the eye could see. guitars lined the walls, vinyl discs, CDs, posters, picks, and more. It's like I stepped into wonderland. "Hello sir can I...help..." I turned to see Nao. Awkward. This must have been where he worked. "I'm sorry, are you looking for something in particular?"
"No. I was just leaving."
"Are you sure? We just got some brand new bass guitars I think you'd like. come on, I'll show you." Was I letting the man who stole my boyfriend show me bass guitars? Well, it couldn't hurt. So I followed him towards the back of the shop. "Here we are."
I looked at them, they were all beautiful. But one really caught my eye. I knew I had to have this one. I walked over to the the black and white ESP. "Mind if I hold it?"
"Go for it." he said with a smile. I picked up the precious instrument and held it. It felt so right. "You have good taste. That's the ESP RF-00."
"It's perfect." It's my dream bass. But I know I'll never be able to afford it. "Well, I'm going to leave now."
"You haven't played it yet."
"Played it?"
"Yeah, play it. Go ahead."
I plugged her in and tuned her. She sounds beautiful. I have to have this bass. "Yeah, it plays well. Now I'm leaving."
"Why? Why not sit and play a while?"
"I have to go."
"You're not buying it?"
"Does it look like I have 420,000yen in my pocket? I work at a cafe, I'm lucky if I can afford a guitar pick." I set the bass on it's stand and walked away.
"Wait! how badly do you want it?" I stopped and thought about his question. I want it, but not to the point where I'll actually negotiate with this guy.
"I don't know. Maybe I'll work a few extra shifts and hopefully it will still be here when and if I make the money." I left the store and ran over to my car. It's snowing again. And it's only one o'clock. I returned home and watched some tv. The house phone rang and I took my precious time walking over to it and answering. "Suzuki residence."
"Reita, it's Aoi. Learn to answer your cellphone baka."
"Sorry, I didn't hear it ring. What's up?"
"We're going ice skating and caroling today. Miyoko's idea. So what do you say, Noseband?"
"I have to work 3:30 to 7:30 so I can't make it."
"It's Christmas Eve, call off."
"I can't, I need the money."
"For what?"
"I saw this bass today and I really want it."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. It's a black ESP RF-00. Hard Maple 3p neck, three band EQ, Rosewood fingerboard, 21 frets with white binding. Man, you should see it! It's beautiful!"
"You really want it huh?"
"Badly! But I know my parents wont buy it, even if we can actually afford it now. So I have to take some extra shifts at work and maybe find a second job."
"I'm sure you'll get it. But anyway, if you change your mind about calling off just give me a call."
"Alright...You know, you're girlfriend has some strange ideas. Who's want to go caroling in this freezing weather? It's snowing."
"I'm sure it will die down a bit. But yeah, talk to ya later."
"Alright, bye." I hung up then went back to watching tv. At three, I changed into my horrible uniform of black slacks and a pink polo. I feel like a girl. At least I can still wear my noseband. I walked out of the house and jumped in the car after I made sure I had my cell phone. I let the car warm up before taking off. I got to the cafe and saw my boss locking the door.
"Akira? What are you doing here?"
"Going to work?"
"You didn't get the memo did you? I told that damn Miwa to tell you; we close at three o'clock today and we aren't open tomorrow."
"Crap..."
"What? You actually wanted to work?"
"I needed to work today."
"Why? It's Christmas eve. Don't you have a girlfriend to go on a date with?"
"No, I'm team single. Not by choice. And I need to work because there's something I really want to buy but it's so expensive."
"Well, at least you get a a few days off."
"I supposed you're right. Okay well, have a good holiday Fujisawa san."
"You too Akira." I walked back to my car and banged my head on the steering wheel. I had nothing to do, so I guess I'll take Aoi up on that offer. "Hey, you guys still going ice skating?"
"What made you change your mind?"
"I don't have work today after all."
"Great! Be ready to go in 40minutes!" he hung up. It's a 30minute drive to my house. Does he think I'm magic? I'll only have 10minutes to get changed when I get home. And that's if I don't run into any red lights. I did a few miles over the speed limit, ran a red light, and made it home on time. It's driver like me that shouldn't be on the road. Oh well.
I ran up to my room, threw on a pair of baggy white pants, a long sleeved black tee, and a black jacket. I changed my noseband to white and threw on my black boots. I heard the front door opened. I just love how my friends walk right into my house whenever they want.
"Reita! Get your buns down here!" only Miyoko would say something like that. Plus I know her voice anywhere. I ran down the stairs, nearly tripping halfway down.
"I'm ready. Let's go."
"Wait, you need to wear this." she handed me a white scarf, it reminded me of snow the way it sparkled.
"I am not wearing this. It's girly."
"Says the guy who works at a cafe making drinks and wearing a pink polo." she remarked. "Just put it on okay? All of us are wearing one."
"Why?"
"Because I thought they were cute. Now lets go, we can't keep them waiting." I closed the door behind us and walked over to my group of friends playing in the snow. I barely dodged the snowball Kai threw my way.
"Are you kids ready yet?"
"Dad! We're not kids!" Miyoko whined.
"You sound like one." Shinji said smiling.
"Whatever, Tora." she said with a smirk.
"Keep pushing me Miyoko, you'll be grounded until you're married."
"Can't get married if I'm locked away in my room." she muttered.
"What was that?"
"Nothing dad! Gosh!"
"That's what I thought, you kids get in."
"Hey, where is Etsu?" I asked looking around and noticing our other female in the group is missing.
"She's visiting her family in Kanagawa." Uruha said.
"Oh..."
"Reita, you'll have to take someone in your car. I can't fit everyone in my car." Shinji said.
"Alright, I'll ride with him." Miyoko said.
"What? Why?" Aoi pouted.
"I have to tell him that thing." she said.
"Oh right..." Me and Miyoko jumped into my bright yellow Cavalier and followed Shinji's silver BMW. We were quiet. She messed around with my radio, looking for something to listen to. She didn't find anything, so she gave up and looked out the window.
"So, what was it that you needed to tell me?"
"Well, I didn't want to bring it up around Uruha, but apparently he and Etsu have been having some problem that I think you should know about."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah."
"What do their problem have to do with me?"
"Everything. They got into an argument and Uruha told Aoi everything. And Aoi told me. We thought it would be best if Uruha told you, but he said he refused to tell you. you'd only hate him again."
"I never really hated him."
"Well, he never stopped loving you."
What? Is she kidding me? I mean, I knew it was strange for him to suddenly start liking girls. But to hold on to feelings for me this entire time? That's a bit hard to believe. "I don't believe you."
"Why not?"
"It's just hard to believe."
"Really? You must be blind. I thought it was rather obvious this whole time. How he's always the first one to run to you when you're having trouble. How you're the first one he tells when he has a secret or something like that. How he makes up excuses to see you at work. We all know He doesn't drink coffee or hot chocolate that often. You don't find any of that suspecious? When you kicked Ruki out, who was the first one to your side, comforting you for the past week?"
"That makes sense. But still, he seems happy with Etsu."
"He doesn't want to be with her, he wants to be with you. He said so himself. He's only with Etsu because his father forced him to be so he's stay away from you."
"That can't be true."
"Ask him then. Ask him why he suddenly became interested in girls, why he stopped being himself over the years. The Uruha we knew would never bee seen in public with such boring clothes. Even his voice has changed!"
"That's called puberty Yoko. All our voices changed."
"Well, his got deep as hell. He's very masculine now. He used to love going shopping with me and Kohara. Now he says it's stupid?"
"He really said shopping was stupid? That's not like him."
"Yeah, I know! But the point is, he loves you and he's too much of a chicken to break it off with Etsu and tell you. Plus he's afraid of his father."
"Miyoko, I know you are just trying to help, but I honestly don't believe any of this. You and Aoi are just crazy."
"It's the truth, you know it! Stop denying it."
"I'm not denying anything."
"I see what's going on here." she said with a cheeky grin. "You have feelings for him too."
"What?! That's absurd. You're insane. I don't have feeling for my best friend."
"Uh huh. Keep denying it. That noseband wont be able to help you hide forever. I bet you're turning pink under that cloth."
"Miyoko, just shut up okay? I don't love Uruha. We're friends, that's it."
"Could you look him in the eyes and lie like that?"
"It's not a lie."
"Oh really? Then I tell him that. Look him dead in the eyes and tell him you don't have feeling for him."
"Fine! I will! And when I do, I'll say I told you so!"
"I bet Shinji's wealth you can't do it."
"I bet my noseband I can!"
"You've been attached to that damn thing for over two years. It'll be nice to see you without it when you lose this bet." she said with a smirk. I stuck my tongue out at her. We spent the rest of the ride betting various things we really didn't have. The thing that worries me is looking him and the eyes and telling him I don't have feelings for him. What if he had feelings for me like Miyoko said he did? I'd look like a prick. I'd hurt one of my closest friends. Maybe I can just avoid it for now? Yeah, I'll do that. And hopefully, Miyoko will forget all about it.