[coin]
THIS ONE TIME AT BAND CAMP ...
by willowscry
“Fancy seeing you here. I didn’t know you played clarinet.” A rather familiar deep voice came from behind the shoulder of Yanagi Renji.
“I didn’t know you played the baritone, Sadaharu.” Yanagi answered, turning around. “I didn’t expect to run into you at band camp.”
“It’s a small world, isn’t it?” Inui said, grinning and sitting down next to his old friend. “Anyone else from Rikkai here?”
“Only if you tell me everyone from Seigaku that’s here.” Yanagi grinned, wondering if Inui would give him that data easily. Yanagi clicked some of the keys of his instrument.
“I suppose that’s fair. Fuji is gunning for first chair flute, Momoshiro is one of the few tuba players. We’re the only three here at this camp.” Inui informed him. “So who is accompanying you?”
“Niou, Akaya, and Genichirou are all here.” Yanagi said, pointing out each of them.
“Kirihara is a percussionist?” Inui looked somewhat horrified at that prospect.
“Despite the obvious, he does know how to control the sound. I suggested he try drumming to release some of his….anger issues.” Inui just shook his head. There was no way this rag-tag bunch of junior high band students would be ready to play anything by the end of the week. “Oh, and Seiichi is Fuji’s competition for the flute section.” Inui raised an eyebrow. That was useful to know.
“I see our sensei has arrived. I’ll talk to you later.” Inui said as he headed to his own section.
The teenagers all looked up at the conductor’s stand, some of them surprised to see Hyotei’s Sakaki-sensei as their conductor for the camp.
The few Hyotei students there weren’t surprised at all, having known already.
“We have one week to perfect this score. There are assigned rooms for each instrument - except for our lone bass clarinet - you’ll go with the clarinets. You are to practice on your own with your sections. We’ll all meet up after dinner here. After that, you’ll find your dorm assignments. Lights out is at 10:30.” Sakaki looked over the group of students. “Any questions?” Not finding anyone brave enough to actually ask any thing, he snapped his fingers. “You may go.” He said, stepping down and heading off to find his assistants for this camp.
A lot of the students looked confused, but most of the third years started herding their juniors to their assigned rooms.
“I though Niou played trumpet?” Inui breathed as he slid past Yanagi in the hall.
“He decided to play baritone instead. It got him closer to the object of his affection.” Yanagi said, somewhat amused. “It’s not like it’s much of a change.” He said, twirling his clarinet on one finger, Sanada right behind him, not looking too amused at his situation as the only bass clarinet player. Yanagi turned behind him. “I told you, Genichirou.” He said, smirking a little. “No one plays bass at these things.”
Sanada just frowned even more. “It’s not like I have much of a choice, is it? Besides, you’re only playing clarinet to get the girls.” Yanagi laughed, and Yukimura happened to walk past the two clarinet players.
“If you two really wanted the girls, flute is definitely the way to go.” Yukimura said, smiling. “On the other hand, Sanada is at least different.”
Yanagi just shook his head, smiling a little. “You have competition, Seiichi.”
“I saw. I’m not worried.” He said, patting his friends on the shoulders as he separated from them. “I’ll see you two later. I think I saw Akaya getting lost.” Yukimura said, continuing on his way.
“Ah, I’d better get to my own section.” Inui said, hoisting the baritone onto his shoulder and walked off.
“This is going to be an interesting week, isn’t it, Genichirou?” Sanada only gave Yanagi a dirty look.
Niou took a look around the baritone’s practice room, pulling out a small package of nuts - cashews to be exact - and tried to swallow them whole. There were only three players in the room. He sighed a little. He would have to try to prank Kirihara later.
Inui frowned. “You know that’s going to make your playing horrible.” He pointed out to Niou as he sat down next to him. Niou just shrugged and offered Inui some of his cashews.
“There’s only three of us, and honestly, this is going to be boring. The only fun people that came from our school is buchou and the kid.” Niou said, crunching the nuts loudly.
“Pardon me…?” A rather young looking person poked her head in the door, which lit up when she realized she had finally found the correct practice room. “Glad I finally found the right room! I’m Tsuzuki Hitomi.” She introduced herself, bowing slightly.
Niou and Inui just stared at her. Not many girls played in the low brass sections.
“Have a cashew.” Niou offered her. Inui just sighed, adjusted his glasses, and tried to get them to get down to business. Hopefully Niou would cooperate and not hinder them.
“That was horrible!” Yukimura Seiichi declared as the eight flute players finished playing what was supposed to be the one section that was to showcase the high pitched instruments.
The five girls in the section frowned, one of the other males just rolled his eyes, and the last remaining player, one Fuji Shuusuke, was in complete agreement with Yukimura.
Yukimura quickly delegated himself and Fuji to each help half of the rest of their section. “If we all work together, we will show the rest of the camp that us flute players are not to be underestimated.” Fuji said.
Yukimura glared slightly, but turned it into a small smile. Only one of them could be first chair. And it was going to be him.
“Alright, so this is what we’re going to do….” Niou was huddled around a table in the cafeteria during dinner time. Kirihara, Yukimura, and Yanagi were sitting at the same table, along with some other random students that were interested in making a bit of mischief - most of whom were some of Niou’s fellow low brass players - mostly the tuba and trombone players.
Everyone at that table went very quiet as Niou explained his plan.
“Even a trickster off the court, isn’t he?” Fuji said quietly as he slid down beside Sanada, who was sitting across from Inui. “Hello, Inui. Having a rough time?”
Sanada snorted a little at the comment about Niou. Inui just grinned.
“There are ways of getting a person to play properly.” Inui said, glasses shining in the artificial light making him seem extra creepy.. “Don’t worry, the baritones will be ready by the end of the week. How goes the practice with the clarinets?” Inui asked, curious over how Yanagi was doing with one extra member, and a bunch of second year girls.
Sanada just made a grumpy face and grunted a little. “We’ll be ready.” He said, not sharing much more than that. A bunch of the clarinet playing girls had already fawned over the Rikkaidai boys, but most of them had pretty much elected Yanagi for playing first chair. Hopefully when the selections were made they would be right.
“It’s hard to be a guy in the middle of a bunch of girls, isn’t it?” Fuji asked, smiling since he knew what it was like as well. Inui was ignoring the conversation around him, wondering if he should be considering possible thwarts to any thing Niou could possibly throw at their little camp. “Inui, he’s not going to do anything. Well, nothing that would hurt anyone.” Fuji said. “Besides, I’m sure he’ll find someway to spice things up around here before the end of the week.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of!” Sanada and Inui said in almost perfect unison.
“How did I get stuck on cleaning duty?” Kirihara Akaya whined as he helped clean up from dinner.
“Everyone has to pitch in, Akaya.” Yanagi Renji answered him as he wiped down a table. “I’ll trade you if you’d rather do the tables though.”
“Nah, dishes are fine.” Kirihara answered, then grinned a little. “I can practice as I wash.” He said as he banged a piece of cutlery against a plate. Yanagi sighed a little, hoping he wouldn’t have to listen to that for too long - or for the rest of the week since their cleaning assignments were for the whole week.
“Hey, Yanagi-sempai?”
“What is it, Akaya?” Yanagi answered back, just about finished with his task.
“Are you going to pitch in with Niou-sempai’s prank?” He asked, thinking it would be awesome to have such help.
“I think it’s going to fail, but he has plenty of help. I’m just going to pretend it’s not happening.”
“You know what happens to traitors, sempai.” Kirihara stuck his tongue out at his senior and set the dishes to dry. Yanagi just laughed.
“I just can’t wait to see how he is going to pull this one off.”
Three days later everyone was gathered together in the main practice room for the final practices. In just two days they were expected to put on a concert, and it seemed Sakaki-sensei wasn’t about to accept anything less than perfect.
No group of instruments sounded in tune, and several of the students didn’t quite seem up to practicing or even awake for that matter.
After hours of perfecting the tuning of each section, the band members finally got down to the business of practicing their performance pieces.
Though things would have gone a lot smoother if the tubas and baritones hadn’t started foaming out of their bells. Soap bubbles just foamed out, aided by the strong lungs of the players. The bubbles floated throughout the room, landing on some of the woodwind players.
Everyone turned back to them, and the most likely suspect. Niou just shrugged.
Sakaki pinched the bridge of his nose. Who had thought sending Niou to band camp was a good idea?
“Sadaharu!” Yanagi called, jogging to catch up to his old friend. “I thought we’d never get a break.” He said as he matched his stride.
“Renji, have you seen this yet?” Inui asked, sliding his notebook over to Yanagi who’s eyes opened wide.
“Who…did that?” Yanagi asked as they joined up with Niou and Kirihara who was being pestered by Chitose.
“Seriously, you’d be cute as a blonde. Let me dye your hair!” Chitose was trying to convince Kirihara who was only tolerating this since he was surrounded by his sempai.
“I don’t think it would work that well. I don’t want to look like…like…”
“A lion?” Niou suggested, sidling up to the younger boy. “A freak?” He teased, wrapping his arm around Kirihara’s shoulder. “Leave the kid alone, alright. Besides, I need his assistance with something.”
“Huh? What do you need me for?” Kirihara asked, totally confused.
“You’ll see.” Niou said, grinning. He turned back. “Yo! Renji!”
Yanagi looked up from his conversation with Inui. “Ah. I’m coming.” Yanagi smiled, and turned back to Inui. “You missed a variable, and the answer is six.” He said, and caught up to his school mates.
Inui turned to Chitose and gave him a look. “I’d offer my hair, but I tried that once. It didn’t turn out well.” Inui said, and turned back to the dorm they were assigned to.
Inui looked at his notes once again. How did Yanagi always know the correct answer without doing the work? Inui shrugged and turned in for the night.
Thursday morning everyone was in a panic. Somehow, someone - or someones - had ran off with every instrument they could. Which meant that rooms were broken into and possessions gone through.
Almost everyone was ready to blame this one on Niou, who just grinned and gave the entire camp his trademarked “Puri.”
Yukimura turned around in his seat, and glared back at Niou.
“I had nothing to do with this.” Niou said, trying to convince everyone he wasn’t guilty. Fuji turned back as well, glaring with his eyes narrowly opened. Did anyone actually believe him?
“Well, until you find your instruments, everyone is dismissed for now. Except for the percussionists. We still have drums.” Sakaki-sensei said, snapping his fingers for everyone else to go and search for their missing instruments.
Inui got up, squeezed Tsuzuki-chan’s shoulder and then stalked Niou as he left.
It wasn’t long until someone bumped into Inui. “You’re trailing him as well?” A familiar baritone voice said. “Perhaps you should leave him to us.”
“Renji, I feel if he did this one, he one, has accomplices, and two, he is a member of my section at this camp, and as section leader, I feel responsible.” Inui said quietly, never letting Niou out of his sight.
Renji sighed softly. “Fine, then we shall work together.” Renji snorted a little. “Just like old times, right?” Inui just shrugged.
“Just a common interest.” Inui replied, and went back to his spying.
Yukimura and Fuji walked past the two spies. “Don’t do anything we wouldn’t.” Yukimura said quietly to the two, then turned to Fuji. “Shall we talk business?”
“We shall, Yukimura-kun.” Fuji said, smiling dangerously. Their section still hadn’t had a leader between the two third years decided yet. Their skills were about matched and it was hard to decide. So Sakaki-sensei had told them to sort it out between the two of them in a “gentlemanly” way.
There were several girls and a few of the men from the most of the woodwind sections gathered on the bleachers in the gym. Fuji smiled, and gestured for Yukimura to go ahead of him. Yukimura smiled, and went on ahead, looking around for something that would help them settle this little dilemma between them.
Fuji was looking around as well, disgusted at how many of the other in the gym were making out with their boy or girlfriends. “Do you see anything that will help us decide this?” Yukimura asked quietly. No sense in having everyone see them settle this.
“Honestly, I don’t. Jan-ken-pon?” Fuji suggested. Yukimura frowned. He wasn’t going to have something so important settled by a silly game of Rock-Paper-Scissors.
“No.” Yukimura said, sitting down on the lowest bench of the bleacher, settling his head into his hand, thinking. “Kendo?”
Fuji stared at Yukimura. “You are not serious.” He said. Yukimura just smiled. “You are.”
“I’ll be right back.” He said, smiling. “We’ll meet back here in two hours.”
“You know, the criminal usually returns to the scene of the crime.” Inui said, thinking out loud while eating his lunch. Yanagi sat in front of him, chewing thoughtfully on his own meal. “And yet, we’ve followed Niou all morning, and he has done mostly normal things.” Inui frowned.
“Perhaps for once he is innocent.” Yanagi suggested. “I realize it’s farfetched, but it is possible.”
Inui mulled that over as he chewed his noodles. They were quickly growing cold and had turned into mush. “I know it’s possible, but why go to such extremes?” Inui asked. “And who would be this crazy? Hiding our instruments two days before the concert is rather insane. I know we’ve been doing some intense practicing, but if they really wanted a break, they could have just skipped some sessions. Said they were sick or something. “
Yanagi shrugged. “Perhaps they were just using Niou’s reputation to pass off the blame to him. It’s not unheard of around Rikkai.” Yanagi stood up with his tray. “There are other pranksters around this camp.”
Inui stared at Yanagi’s retreating form and contemplated that before shaking his head and dumping his trash as well.
Somehow, Fuji and Yukimura had managed to find two bokken Yukimura had also somehow convinced Sanada to referee their little match. Sanada looked rather grumpy, but since that was normal, who knew what he actually thought about this.
Yukimura and Fuji had on all the protective gear and were glaring at each other through their face masks. Sanada glared at Fuji, then turned and gave Yukimura a look that said ‘You surely can’t be serious about this.’ Yukimura just had a completely serious look on his face and ignored his friend. Sanada sighed, and dropped his arm, signaling them to start then retreated so he wouldn’t get hurt.
Somehow a crowd had gathered to watch these two unskilled boys fight with fake swords. Yukimura had a small advantage, since he had learned somewhat from hanging around Sanada. Fuji had watched, but never really had ever held a sword of any kind. Sanada grumbled under his breath about how the two boys were just awful.
Yukimura’s movements were fairly fluid, but they weren’t as sure as they could be. Fuji was very awkward, but quickly found his balance with the “weapon.”
It wasn’t long before the boys were actually on the attack. Yukimura got the first “hit” in, and Fuji jumped a little from it. Fuji tried to get back at him, but Yukimura just managed to get in yet another hit in before Sanada called their match to an end.
Yukimura lifted his face mask, grinning. “So is this argument over, Fuji-kun?” He asked, trying to catch his breath. Perhaps he should ask Sanada for more instruction soon.
Fuji just nodded. “You can be first chair.” He said. “That’s if we ever find our instruments.”
Yukimura smiled. “I’m sure the culprit will turn up soon. Renji seems to be on the case.”
“Inui does too, apparently. I think between them they’ll find them.” Fuji said.
“This is the most awesome thing ever!” Kirihara exclaimed as he was spending another day on kitchen cleanup with some of his sempai. “Except for the whole leaving the drums thing. That actually kind of sucks.” He complained as he worked on mopping the floor.
“Yeah, I almost wish I had actually thought of it.” Niou said as he wiped down the tables.
“It wasn’t you?” Kirihara asked, quite surprised.
“Believe it or not, I actually do care about my instrument.” Niou said, with a sour look on his face. “I can honestly say it wasn’t me.”
“But there isn’t enough evidence that you didn’t either.” Inui said from the kitchen.
“Hey, I know I didn’t do it. I can’t think who would do this. It was brilliant.” Niou said as he tossed his cleaning rag to Inui. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say it was you and Renji.”
Inui narrowed his eyes behind his glasses. “Like you, I also care. But I also can’t see Renji doing it either. Besides, it’s not like we actually gained anything except for a small break, but that will mean more intensive practice when we do find our instruments. But we haven’t found any leads, or the instruments. It’s rather concerning.”
Niou shrugged. “I’d help, but then I’d still be blamed.” He said, flinging off the apron and dumping the soapy water.
“Perhaps if you didn’t have such a reputation, people wouldn’t automatically assume that you did it.” Inui pointed out, untying his own apron.
“Who else here could pull off such a thing?” Niou mused.
“Yanagi-sempai?” Kirihara offered. The two older students looked at him like he’d grown a second head. Inui frowned a little. It was possible, but…would Yanagi really pull something like this off on his own.?
Niou playfully smacked Kirihara in the back of the head. “Don’t be stupid.” He said and headed back to his room.
“If you were going to hide a bunch of band instruments, where would you put them?” Yukimura asked in the lounge, where he was stretched out over Niou, Yanagi, and Sanada.
“Somewhere that we shouldn’t be.” Niou said, trying to escape from the little pile. “Like…in the faculty room.” He speculated.
“How would a student have gotten into the faculty room?” Sanada asked, looking a bit grumpy at the extra weight on him, but he indulged Yukimura anyway.
Yanagi didn’t even notice the extra weight as he thought about this as well.
Yukimura jumped up suddenly, grabbing Niou’s hand. “Come on!” He said, pulling the trickster with him. Niou looked surprised - usually Yanagi or Sanada was Yukimura’s choice to pull along in his own schemes. “I need your particular skills.”
Yanagi turned to look at Sanada, and they both just shook their heads wondering what was going through their fearless leader’s head.
Yukimura led the way to the faculty room. He leaned up against the door to make sure there wasn’t any of the staff in there. Yukimura motioned for Niou to come closer. “It’s locked, right?” He asked in his soft voice.
Niou nodded, then grinned. “Usually.” He said, pulling out a hairpin from his rat tail. “I haven’t met a lock that I can’t pick though. “ He said, jiggling the pin in the lock. It took a few minutes, but the lock finally clicked open. Yukimura grinned as well, and opened the door and flicked the light on not caring about getting caught.
Niou followed Yukimura in, keeping his eyes peeled for any sign of their missing instruments. Yukimura circled the room, and checked the doors that led to other rooms. “Niou!” He called as he opened the final door in the room.
Niou jogged over, and looked rather surprised. “I definitely couldn’t have pulled this off.” He said. “And I’m impressed by the ones that did.” He said as he and Yukimura stared at the missing instruments.
Niou and Yukimura returned the lounge where quite a large group had formed, some of the students playing games or just chatting.
“We found them!!” Yukimura yelled to room in general. “We found the missing instruments!!” Everyone looked up at them. “In the faculty lounge store room!” He told them. The news finally sunk in and everyone suddenly jumped up to go and reclaim their instruments.
Yanagi just sat on the couch, looking rather amused at the behavior of everyone.
“Aren’t you going to go get your clarinet?” Sanada asked him. Yanagi just shook his head.
“I’m going to wait for the stampede to be over. Actually, I think Sadaharu might still be searching. “ Yanagi said, standing up. “Now the only mystery is who actually did it. And that one isn’t really important.” He said, walking down the hall to the rooms.
Sanada watched as Yanagi walked down the hall, wondering exactly what Yanagi meant by that.
The last day of camp everyone was exhausted. They practiced the concert pieces over and over and over. Sakaki-sensei no longer cared about the who did it, and only cared that they were perfect for the concert that evening.
They only paused to eat lunch that day. Dinner was two hours before the concert. That left only a short time for the students to prepare themselves for the concert.
Inui was fully dressed in a rather nice western style suit, and had sought out Yanagi before they had to be back to the hall for the concert.
“Renji?” Inui began, watching as Yanagi tied his tie. “Surely you have a tie that isn’t part of your school uniform?” Inui asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Of course I do, Sadaharu.” Yanagi answered. “Rikkai just decided we were going to wear our uniforms anyway.” He said. “Or at least, Seiichi decided that for us. What do you want, Sadaharu?”
“You know who did it, don’t you?” Inui accused.
Yanagi smiled a little as he combed his hair down. “Whatever makes you think that?” Inui just looked at his old friend. “Besides, we don’t have time for that, and since Sakaki-sensei decided that he wasn’t going to punish the culprit, there isn’t much reason to reveal that information, now is there?” Yanagi asked, pressing past Inui. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to help Genichirou with something.”
Inui stared as Yanagi brushed him off and left.
The concert was lovely and it was a fulfilling end to the camp. Except for the whole missing instrument fiasco, it was a good way to strengthen the bonds with other schools. The students were packing up to get ready to go home the next morning. There was so much chaos, that it almost wasn’t funny.
“Oh, Renji!” Yukimura called out to Yanagi as he passed his room. “I owe you these.” He said, handing Yanagi a couple of reeds.
Yanagi stared at the reeds. “Those are bass clarinet reeds.” He said. “I’ll give them to Genichirou.” He said. Yukimura scowled.
“Sorry.” Yukimura said. “Actually, give them back, I’ll give them to Sanada myself.” He said, taking the reeds back. “I owe him too.” Yanagi looked at him strangely, but didn’t mind as Yukimura took the wooden pieces back and running down the hall to where Sanada’s room was.
Yanagi shook his head as Yukimura left, and was suddenly replaced with Inui who had been in the room next to Yanagi’s.
“Tell me.” Inui said, standing just so the light would glare off his glasses.
Yanagi shook his head. “There’s no fun in that, Sadaharu. Besides, I should think that you of all people should have figured it out by now.”
“You’re cruel, Renji.” Inui teased, grinning a little. “I suppose I’ll take your words for what they’re worth though. I need to be getting on the bus soon.” He said, hoisting his bag over his shoulder. “I suppose I’ll see you once tennis season begins again.”
“I’ll win this time, Sadaharu.” Yanagi promised.
“Your chance of winning is still only 50 per cent.” Inui grinned, and headed towards the bus that would take him back to Seigaku.
The bus ride back to Seigaku was fairly quiet except for Fuji practicing on his flute with a couple of the girls that also played flute, and a couple of their clarinetists. Inui was writing a few things down in his notebook when he had a sudden realization.
“That was awesome, Renji.” Niou said, sitting down beside Yanagi on their bus.
“Whatever are you talking about?” Yanagi said, smiling a little.
“Thanks for the break.” Niou said, placing his hands behind his head as a pillow, winking at Yanagi knowingly. “But don’t think you’ve taken my place as the trickster.”
Yanagi chuckled. “I wouldn’t want it.” He said, turning back to his book. “And you’re welcome.” He said quietly.
Sanada was sitting behind Yanagi and Niou, Yukimura using Sanada’s shoulder as a pillow. Sanada leaned forward as best he could without waking Yukimura. “Renji, that was you?” He said, somewhat surprised.
“I’ll never tell.” Yanagi responded. Sanada lightly smacked Yanagi upside the head.
“Tarundoru!”
by willowscry
“Fancy seeing you here. I didn’t know you played clarinet.” A rather familiar deep voice came from behind the shoulder of Yanagi Renji.
“I didn’t know you played the baritone, Sadaharu.” Yanagi answered, turning around. “I didn’t expect to run into you at band camp.”
“It’s a small world, isn’t it?” Inui said, grinning and sitting down next to his old friend. “Anyone else from Rikkai here?”
“Only if you tell me everyone from Seigaku that’s here.” Yanagi grinned, wondering if Inui would give him that data easily. Yanagi clicked some of the keys of his instrument.
“I suppose that’s fair. Fuji is gunning for first chair flute, Momoshiro is one of the few tuba players. We’re the only three here at this camp.” Inui informed him. “So who is accompanying you?”
“Niou, Akaya, and Genichirou are all here.” Yanagi said, pointing out each of them.
“Kirihara is a percussionist?” Inui looked somewhat horrified at that prospect.
“Despite the obvious, he does know how to control the sound. I suggested he try drumming to release some of his….anger issues.” Inui just shook his head. There was no way this rag-tag bunch of junior high band students would be ready to play anything by the end of the week. “Oh, and Seiichi is Fuji’s competition for the flute section.” Inui raised an eyebrow. That was useful to know.
“I see our sensei has arrived. I’ll talk to you later.” Inui said as he headed to his own section.
The teenagers all looked up at the conductor’s stand, some of them surprised to see Hyotei’s Sakaki-sensei as their conductor for the camp.
The few Hyotei students there weren’t surprised at all, having known already.
“We have one week to perfect this score. There are assigned rooms for each instrument - except for our lone bass clarinet - you’ll go with the clarinets. You are to practice on your own with your sections. We’ll all meet up after dinner here. After that, you’ll find your dorm assignments. Lights out is at 10:30.” Sakaki looked over the group of students. “Any questions?” Not finding anyone brave enough to actually ask any thing, he snapped his fingers. “You may go.” He said, stepping down and heading off to find his assistants for this camp.
A lot of the students looked confused, but most of the third years started herding their juniors to their assigned rooms.
“I though Niou played trumpet?” Inui breathed as he slid past Yanagi in the hall.
“He decided to play baritone instead. It got him closer to the object of his affection.” Yanagi said, somewhat amused. “It’s not like it’s much of a change.” He said, twirling his clarinet on one finger, Sanada right behind him, not looking too amused at his situation as the only bass clarinet player. Yanagi turned behind him. “I told you, Genichirou.” He said, smirking a little. “No one plays bass at these things.”
Sanada just frowned even more. “It’s not like I have much of a choice, is it? Besides, you’re only playing clarinet to get the girls.” Yanagi laughed, and Yukimura happened to walk past the two clarinet players.
“If you two really wanted the girls, flute is definitely the way to go.” Yukimura said, smiling. “On the other hand, Sanada is at least different.”
Yanagi just shook his head, smiling a little. “You have competition, Seiichi.”
“I saw. I’m not worried.” He said, patting his friends on the shoulders as he separated from them. “I’ll see you two later. I think I saw Akaya getting lost.” Yukimura said, continuing on his way.
“Ah, I’d better get to my own section.” Inui said, hoisting the baritone onto his shoulder and walked off.
“This is going to be an interesting week, isn’t it, Genichirou?” Sanada only gave Yanagi a dirty look.
Niou took a look around the baritone’s practice room, pulling out a small package of nuts - cashews to be exact - and tried to swallow them whole. There were only three players in the room. He sighed a little. He would have to try to prank Kirihara later.
Inui frowned. “You know that’s going to make your playing horrible.” He pointed out to Niou as he sat down next to him. Niou just shrugged and offered Inui some of his cashews.
“There’s only three of us, and honestly, this is going to be boring. The only fun people that came from our school is buchou and the kid.” Niou said, crunching the nuts loudly.
“Pardon me…?” A rather young looking person poked her head in the door, which lit up when she realized she had finally found the correct practice room. “Glad I finally found the right room! I’m Tsuzuki Hitomi.” She introduced herself, bowing slightly.
Niou and Inui just stared at her. Not many girls played in the low brass sections.
“Have a cashew.” Niou offered her. Inui just sighed, adjusted his glasses, and tried to get them to get down to business. Hopefully Niou would cooperate and not hinder them.
“That was horrible!” Yukimura Seiichi declared as the eight flute players finished playing what was supposed to be the one section that was to showcase the high pitched instruments.
The five girls in the section frowned, one of the other males just rolled his eyes, and the last remaining player, one Fuji Shuusuke, was in complete agreement with Yukimura.
Yukimura quickly delegated himself and Fuji to each help half of the rest of their section. “If we all work together, we will show the rest of the camp that us flute players are not to be underestimated.” Fuji said.
Yukimura glared slightly, but turned it into a small smile. Only one of them could be first chair. And it was going to be him.
“Alright, so this is what we’re going to do….” Niou was huddled around a table in the cafeteria during dinner time. Kirihara, Yukimura, and Yanagi were sitting at the same table, along with some other random students that were interested in making a bit of mischief - most of whom were some of Niou’s fellow low brass players - mostly the tuba and trombone players.
Everyone at that table went very quiet as Niou explained his plan.
“Even a trickster off the court, isn’t he?” Fuji said quietly as he slid down beside Sanada, who was sitting across from Inui. “Hello, Inui. Having a rough time?”
Sanada snorted a little at the comment about Niou. Inui just grinned.
“There are ways of getting a person to play properly.” Inui said, glasses shining in the artificial light making him seem extra creepy.. “Don’t worry, the baritones will be ready by the end of the week. How goes the practice with the clarinets?” Inui asked, curious over how Yanagi was doing with one extra member, and a bunch of second year girls.
Sanada just made a grumpy face and grunted a little. “We’ll be ready.” He said, not sharing much more than that. A bunch of the clarinet playing girls had already fawned over the Rikkaidai boys, but most of them had pretty much elected Yanagi for playing first chair. Hopefully when the selections were made they would be right.
“It’s hard to be a guy in the middle of a bunch of girls, isn’t it?” Fuji asked, smiling since he knew what it was like as well. Inui was ignoring the conversation around him, wondering if he should be considering possible thwarts to any thing Niou could possibly throw at their little camp. “Inui, he’s not going to do anything. Well, nothing that would hurt anyone.” Fuji said. “Besides, I’m sure he’ll find someway to spice things up around here before the end of the week.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of!” Sanada and Inui said in almost perfect unison.
“How did I get stuck on cleaning duty?” Kirihara Akaya whined as he helped clean up from dinner.
“Everyone has to pitch in, Akaya.” Yanagi Renji answered him as he wiped down a table. “I’ll trade you if you’d rather do the tables though.”
“Nah, dishes are fine.” Kirihara answered, then grinned a little. “I can practice as I wash.” He said as he banged a piece of cutlery against a plate. Yanagi sighed a little, hoping he wouldn’t have to listen to that for too long - or for the rest of the week since their cleaning assignments were for the whole week.
“Hey, Yanagi-sempai?”
“What is it, Akaya?” Yanagi answered back, just about finished with his task.
“Are you going to pitch in with Niou-sempai’s prank?” He asked, thinking it would be awesome to have such help.
“I think it’s going to fail, but he has plenty of help. I’m just going to pretend it’s not happening.”
“You know what happens to traitors, sempai.” Kirihara stuck his tongue out at his senior and set the dishes to dry. Yanagi just laughed.
“I just can’t wait to see how he is going to pull this one off.”
Three days later everyone was gathered together in the main practice room for the final practices. In just two days they were expected to put on a concert, and it seemed Sakaki-sensei wasn’t about to accept anything less than perfect.
No group of instruments sounded in tune, and several of the students didn’t quite seem up to practicing or even awake for that matter.
After hours of perfecting the tuning of each section, the band members finally got down to the business of practicing their performance pieces.
Though things would have gone a lot smoother if the tubas and baritones hadn’t started foaming out of their bells. Soap bubbles just foamed out, aided by the strong lungs of the players. The bubbles floated throughout the room, landing on some of the woodwind players.
Everyone turned back to them, and the most likely suspect. Niou just shrugged.
Sakaki pinched the bridge of his nose. Who had thought sending Niou to band camp was a good idea?
“Sadaharu!” Yanagi called, jogging to catch up to his old friend. “I thought we’d never get a break.” He said as he matched his stride.
“Renji, have you seen this yet?” Inui asked, sliding his notebook over to Yanagi who’s eyes opened wide.
“Who…did that?” Yanagi asked as they joined up with Niou and Kirihara who was being pestered by Chitose.
“Seriously, you’d be cute as a blonde. Let me dye your hair!” Chitose was trying to convince Kirihara who was only tolerating this since he was surrounded by his sempai.
“I don’t think it would work that well. I don’t want to look like…like…”
“A lion?” Niou suggested, sidling up to the younger boy. “A freak?” He teased, wrapping his arm around Kirihara’s shoulder. “Leave the kid alone, alright. Besides, I need his assistance with something.”
“Huh? What do you need me for?” Kirihara asked, totally confused.
“You’ll see.” Niou said, grinning. He turned back. “Yo! Renji!”
Yanagi looked up from his conversation with Inui. “Ah. I’m coming.” Yanagi smiled, and turned back to Inui. “You missed a variable, and the answer is six.” He said, and caught up to his school mates.
Inui turned to Chitose and gave him a look. “I’d offer my hair, but I tried that once. It didn’t turn out well.” Inui said, and turned back to the dorm they were assigned to.
Inui looked at his notes once again. How did Yanagi always know the correct answer without doing the work? Inui shrugged and turned in for the night.
Thursday morning everyone was in a panic. Somehow, someone - or someones - had ran off with every instrument they could. Which meant that rooms were broken into and possessions gone through.
Almost everyone was ready to blame this one on Niou, who just grinned and gave the entire camp his trademarked “Puri.”
Yukimura turned around in his seat, and glared back at Niou.
“I had nothing to do with this.” Niou said, trying to convince everyone he wasn’t guilty. Fuji turned back as well, glaring with his eyes narrowly opened. Did anyone actually believe him?
“Well, until you find your instruments, everyone is dismissed for now. Except for the percussionists. We still have drums.” Sakaki-sensei said, snapping his fingers for everyone else to go and search for their missing instruments.
Inui got up, squeezed Tsuzuki-chan’s shoulder and then stalked Niou as he left.
It wasn’t long until someone bumped into Inui. “You’re trailing him as well?” A familiar baritone voice said. “Perhaps you should leave him to us.”
“Renji, I feel if he did this one, he one, has accomplices, and two, he is a member of my section at this camp, and as section leader, I feel responsible.” Inui said quietly, never letting Niou out of his sight.
Renji sighed softly. “Fine, then we shall work together.” Renji snorted a little. “Just like old times, right?” Inui just shrugged.
“Just a common interest.” Inui replied, and went back to his spying.
Yukimura and Fuji walked past the two spies. “Don’t do anything we wouldn’t.” Yukimura said quietly to the two, then turned to Fuji. “Shall we talk business?”
“We shall, Yukimura-kun.” Fuji said, smiling dangerously. Their section still hadn’t had a leader between the two third years decided yet. Their skills were about matched and it was hard to decide. So Sakaki-sensei had told them to sort it out between the two of them in a “gentlemanly” way.
There were several girls and a few of the men from the most of the woodwind sections gathered on the bleachers in the gym. Fuji smiled, and gestured for Yukimura to go ahead of him. Yukimura smiled, and went on ahead, looking around for something that would help them settle this little dilemma between them.
Fuji was looking around as well, disgusted at how many of the other in the gym were making out with their boy or girlfriends. “Do you see anything that will help us decide this?” Yukimura asked quietly. No sense in having everyone see them settle this.
“Honestly, I don’t. Jan-ken-pon?” Fuji suggested. Yukimura frowned. He wasn’t going to have something so important settled by a silly game of Rock-Paper-Scissors.
“No.” Yukimura said, sitting down on the lowest bench of the bleacher, settling his head into his hand, thinking. “Kendo?”
Fuji stared at Yukimura. “You are not serious.” He said. Yukimura just smiled. “You are.”
“I’ll be right back.” He said, smiling. “We’ll meet back here in two hours.”
“You know, the criminal usually returns to the scene of the crime.” Inui said, thinking out loud while eating his lunch. Yanagi sat in front of him, chewing thoughtfully on his own meal. “And yet, we’ve followed Niou all morning, and he has done mostly normal things.” Inui frowned.
“Perhaps for once he is innocent.” Yanagi suggested. “I realize it’s farfetched, but it is possible.”
Inui mulled that over as he chewed his noodles. They were quickly growing cold and had turned into mush. “I know it’s possible, but why go to such extremes?” Inui asked. “And who would be this crazy? Hiding our instruments two days before the concert is rather insane. I know we’ve been doing some intense practicing, but if they really wanted a break, they could have just skipped some sessions. Said they were sick or something. “
Yanagi shrugged. “Perhaps they were just using Niou’s reputation to pass off the blame to him. It’s not unheard of around Rikkai.” Yanagi stood up with his tray. “There are other pranksters around this camp.”
Inui stared at Yanagi’s retreating form and contemplated that before shaking his head and dumping his trash as well.
Somehow, Fuji and Yukimura had managed to find two bokken Yukimura had also somehow convinced Sanada to referee their little match. Sanada looked rather grumpy, but since that was normal, who knew what he actually thought about this.
Yukimura and Fuji had on all the protective gear and were glaring at each other through their face masks. Sanada glared at Fuji, then turned and gave Yukimura a look that said ‘You surely can’t be serious about this.’ Yukimura just had a completely serious look on his face and ignored his friend. Sanada sighed, and dropped his arm, signaling them to start then retreated so he wouldn’t get hurt.
Somehow a crowd had gathered to watch these two unskilled boys fight with fake swords. Yukimura had a small advantage, since he had learned somewhat from hanging around Sanada. Fuji had watched, but never really had ever held a sword of any kind. Sanada grumbled under his breath about how the two boys were just awful.
Yukimura’s movements were fairly fluid, but they weren’t as sure as they could be. Fuji was very awkward, but quickly found his balance with the “weapon.”
It wasn’t long before the boys were actually on the attack. Yukimura got the first “hit” in, and Fuji jumped a little from it. Fuji tried to get back at him, but Yukimura just managed to get in yet another hit in before Sanada called their match to an end.
Yukimura lifted his face mask, grinning. “So is this argument over, Fuji-kun?” He asked, trying to catch his breath. Perhaps he should ask Sanada for more instruction soon.
Fuji just nodded. “You can be first chair.” He said. “That’s if we ever find our instruments.”
Yukimura smiled. “I’m sure the culprit will turn up soon. Renji seems to be on the case.”
“Inui does too, apparently. I think between them they’ll find them.” Fuji said.
“This is the most awesome thing ever!” Kirihara exclaimed as he was spending another day on kitchen cleanup with some of his sempai. “Except for the whole leaving the drums thing. That actually kind of sucks.” He complained as he worked on mopping the floor.
“Yeah, I almost wish I had actually thought of it.” Niou said as he wiped down the tables.
“It wasn’t you?” Kirihara asked, quite surprised.
“Believe it or not, I actually do care about my instrument.” Niou said, with a sour look on his face. “I can honestly say it wasn’t me.”
“But there isn’t enough evidence that you didn’t either.” Inui said from the kitchen.
“Hey, I know I didn’t do it. I can’t think who would do this. It was brilliant.” Niou said as he tossed his cleaning rag to Inui. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say it was you and Renji.”
Inui narrowed his eyes behind his glasses. “Like you, I also care. But I also can’t see Renji doing it either. Besides, it’s not like we actually gained anything except for a small break, but that will mean more intensive practice when we do find our instruments. But we haven’t found any leads, or the instruments. It’s rather concerning.”
Niou shrugged. “I’d help, but then I’d still be blamed.” He said, flinging off the apron and dumping the soapy water.
“Perhaps if you didn’t have such a reputation, people wouldn’t automatically assume that you did it.” Inui pointed out, untying his own apron.
“Who else here could pull off such a thing?” Niou mused.
“Yanagi-sempai?” Kirihara offered. The two older students looked at him like he’d grown a second head. Inui frowned a little. It was possible, but…would Yanagi really pull something like this off on his own.?
Niou playfully smacked Kirihara in the back of the head. “Don’t be stupid.” He said and headed back to his room.
“If you were going to hide a bunch of band instruments, where would you put them?” Yukimura asked in the lounge, where he was stretched out over Niou, Yanagi, and Sanada.
“Somewhere that we shouldn’t be.” Niou said, trying to escape from the little pile. “Like…in the faculty room.” He speculated.
“How would a student have gotten into the faculty room?” Sanada asked, looking a bit grumpy at the extra weight on him, but he indulged Yukimura anyway.
Yanagi didn’t even notice the extra weight as he thought about this as well.
Yukimura jumped up suddenly, grabbing Niou’s hand. “Come on!” He said, pulling the trickster with him. Niou looked surprised - usually Yanagi or Sanada was Yukimura’s choice to pull along in his own schemes. “I need your particular skills.”
Yanagi turned to look at Sanada, and they both just shook their heads wondering what was going through their fearless leader’s head.
Yukimura led the way to the faculty room. He leaned up against the door to make sure there wasn’t any of the staff in there. Yukimura motioned for Niou to come closer. “It’s locked, right?” He asked in his soft voice.
Niou nodded, then grinned. “Usually.” He said, pulling out a hairpin from his rat tail. “I haven’t met a lock that I can’t pick though. “ He said, jiggling the pin in the lock. It took a few minutes, but the lock finally clicked open. Yukimura grinned as well, and opened the door and flicked the light on not caring about getting caught.
Niou followed Yukimura in, keeping his eyes peeled for any sign of their missing instruments. Yukimura circled the room, and checked the doors that led to other rooms. “Niou!” He called as he opened the final door in the room.
Niou jogged over, and looked rather surprised. “I definitely couldn’t have pulled this off.” He said. “And I’m impressed by the ones that did.” He said as he and Yukimura stared at the missing instruments.
Niou and Yukimura returned the lounge where quite a large group had formed, some of the students playing games or just chatting.
“We found them!!” Yukimura yelled to room in general. “We found the missing instruments!!” Everyone looked up at them. “In the faculty lounge store room!” He told them. The news finally sunk in and everyone suddenly jumped up to go and reclaim their instruments.
Yanagi just sat on the couch, looking rather amused at the behavior of everyone.
“Aren’t you going to go get your clarinet?” Sanada asked him. Yanagi just shook his head.
“I’m going to wait for the stampede to be over. Actually, I think Sadaharu might still be searching. “ Yanagi said, standing up. “Now the only mystery is who actually did it. And that one isn’t really important.” He said, walking down the hall to the rooms.
Sanada watched as Yanagi walked down the hall, wondering exactly what Yanagi meant by that.
The last day of camp everyone was exhausted. They practiced the concert pieces over and over and over. Sakaki-sensei no longer cared about the who did it, and only cared that they were perfect for the concert that evening.
They only paused to eat lunch that day. Dinner was two hours before the concert. That left only a short time for the students to prepare themselves for the concert.
Inui was fully dressed in a rather nice western style suit, and had sought out Yanagi before they had to be back to the hall for the concert.
“Renji?” Inui began, watching as Yanagi tied his tie. “Surely you have a tie that isn’t part of your school uniform?” Inui asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Of course I do, Sadaharu.” Yanagi answered. “Rikkai just decided we were going to wear our uniforms anyway.” He said. “Or at least, Seiichi decided that for us. What do you want, Sadaharu?”
“You know who did it, don’t you?” Inui accused.
Yanagi smiled a little as he combed his hair down. “Whatever makes you think that?” Inui just looked at his old friend. “Besides, we don’t have time for that, and since Sakaki-sensei decided that he wasn’t going to punish the culprit, there isn’t much reason to reveal that information, now is there?” Yanagi asked, pressing past Inui. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to help Genichirou with something.”
Inui stared as Yanagi brushed him off and left.
The concert was lovely and it was a fulfilling end to the camp. Except for the whole missing instrument fiasco, it was a good way to strengthen the bonds with other schools. The students were packing up to get ready to go home the next morning. There was so much chaos, that it almost wasn’t funny.
“Oh, Renji!” Yukimura called out to Yanagi as he passed his room. “I owe you these.” He said, handing Yanagi a couple of reeds.
Yanagi stared at the reeds. “Those are bass clarinet reeds.” He said. “I’ll give them to Genichirou.” He said. Yukimura scowled.
“Sorry.” Yukimura said. “Actually, give them back, I’ll give them to Sanada myself.” He said, taking the reeds back. “I owe him too.” Yanagi looked at him strangely, but didn’t mind as Yukimura took the wooden pieces back and running down the hall to where Sanada’s room was.
Yanagi shook his head as Yukimura left, and was suddenly replaced with Inui who had been in the room next to Yanagi’s.
“Tell me.” Inui said, standing just so the light would glare off his glasses.
Yanagi shook his head. “There’s no fun in that, Sadaharu. Besides, I should think that you of all people should have figured it out by now.”
“You’re cruel, Renji.” Inui teased, grinning a little. “I suppose I’ll take your words for what they’re worth though. I need to be getting on the bus soon.” He said, hoisting his bag over his shoulder. “I suppose I’ll see you once tennis season begins again.”
“I’ll win this time, Sadaharu.” Yanagi promised.
“Your chance of winning is still only 50 per cent.” Inui grinned, and headed towards the bus that would take him back to Seigaku.
The bus ride back to Seigaku was fairly quiet except for Fuji practicing on his flute with a couple of the girls that also played flute, and a couple of their clarinetists. Inui was writing a few things down in his notebook when he had a sudden realization.
“That was awesome, Renji.” Niou said, sitting down beside Yanagi on their bus.
“Whatever are you talking about?” Yanagi said, smiling a little.
“Thanks for the break.” Niou said, placing his hands behind his head as a pillow, winking at Yanagi knowingly. “But don’t think you’ve taken my place as the trickster.”
Yanagi chuckled. “I wouldn’t want it.” He said, turning back to his book. “And you’re welcome.” He said quietly.
Sanada was sitting behind Yanagi and Niou, Yukimura using Sanada’s shoulder as a pillow. Sanada leaned forward as best he could without waking Yukimura. “Renji, that was you?” He said, somewhat surprised.
“I’ll never tell.” Yanagi responded. Sanada lightly smacked Yanagi upside the head.
“Tarundoru!”