Melon Love - Chapter Four
Chieko lay awake, staring into the darkness of her room, thinking. She was thinking about Daisuke trying to kiss her, and her reunion with her ex-boyfriend, Yuya Satou. Back in primary school, she had a huge crush on one of the boys in her class, and that was Yuya. Yuya was the centre of attention a lot, mainly because he was a skilful soccer player, but he was also very loud. Chieko didn’t like him because of any of those traits; she liked him because he saved her once.
One day when she was eleven years old, she was walking along the riverbank alone. She had been at Yuri’s house before that. And instead of taking a lift home, she decided that she would walk home by herself. As she was walking along, she slipped on some mud and was about to fall into the rushing river. Almost as soon as she fell, someone put their arm under her back and pulled her away from the water.
When she looked up to see who it was, she flushed a deep red because a grinning Yuya was looking down at her. “Lucky I was here!” he said, smiling widely.
Chieko looked away, face burning up. “Umm… y-yes… th-thank you…” she stammered in a soft voice.
“Ne,” he bent down and whispered into her ear. “Want to be my girlfriend?”
She looked up at him, shocked that he would ask her that. Her, of all girls! “Umm… y-yes?” she replied, starting to smile.
His grin only grew bigger. “Cool! It’s because you seem like the kind of girl who will make sure I don’t get into trouble!”
She closed her eyes and giggled. When she opened them up, she saw that he was watching her intently.
“You know, I’ll protect you… and make sure nothing happens to you.” he said in a defiant tone.
Her eyes widened and she could feel his arms hold onto her tightly. “I will… protect you no matter what!” he exclaimed.
She nestled her head into his chest. “Always?” she whispered.
He nodded his head. “Always.”
Chieko sighed as she remembered all of this. Why, of all times, did she have to see him again? It wasn’t that she wasn’t happy that she saw him again, but the fact that Daisuke had walked into her life as well. Chieko hugged her blankets tightly and bit her lip. If Yuya saw Daisuke, or if Daisuke saw Yuya… would they grow jealous of each other? Or would they both leave her?
Chieko squeezed her eyes shut, as if trying to shut out those thoughts. “No, that won’t happen…” she reassured herself.
Her thoughts then went back to what happened after she saw Yuya again…
The two of them had walked from the cinemas to the local convenient store. Chieko waited outside on a bench while Yuya bought them each a drink.
“Here,” he held out a red can of raspberry-flavoured soda water. “Want this one? Or,” he held out a green coloured can in his other hand. “This one?”
Chieko took the red can from him and smiled. “Thanks.”
He shrugged. “No problem.”
She pulled the ring on lid open and took a sip. “So… how have you been?”
He looked up at the dark, night sky. “Okay. Kind of lonely, though.” He glanced at her, grinning.
She laughed. “I see.”
“What about you?” He turned to her slightly. “Have you got a boyfriend yet?”
She shook her head.
“No one is as good as I was?” he joked.
She almost spit out her drink and quickly swallowed it. “It’s not like that!” She cried out.
He chuckled. “I was joking, you know.”
She smiled wryly. “Ha ha…”
“Well, to be honest,” he drummed his fingers on the can. “I’ve had a few girlfriends… but none of them were as good as you.”
“What are you saying?” she asked, looking at him.
“Ah!” he put his hands up in front of him. “I’m not saying that we should get back together! Only just… you’re the only girl I’ve met who really liked me. The other girls only went out with me for the sake of it.”
“Then why did you go out with them?” she asked, looking down at the empty can in her hands.
“I thought that they were serious.” Yuya retorted.
Chieko sighed and stood up. “Well, it’s been nice to see you again.” She bowed and was about to walk away, when she felt him grab hold of her wrist, making her drop the can.
“You sound angry at me.” he frowned.
“I’m not.” she muttered.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, pulling her towards him.
She pushed away from him and looked down at the ground. She bit her lip. “I’m… it’s complicated.”
He wanted to hug her, but he didn’t because she seemed upset, which was the whole reason why he wanted to. “Okay…” he mumbled.
Her shoulders fell, and she hugged the sleeves of her jumper. “I’m going now.” she breathed.
The following Monday, Chieko’s hair had undergone another change. This time, it was let down. As she walked down the corridor, she saw Touya standing at the door of her class, but he didn’t want to go inside.
She stood on her toes and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around, startled.
“Ah,” he smiled. “Hi Chieko.”
She smiled back. “Hey there, Touya.” She looked into the class through the window. “Why aren’t you going inside?”
“Uh…” he avoided her eyes. “I was looking for someone.”
She cocked her head to one side. “Who?”
He blushed. “N-no one!” He smiled nervously and hastily walked into the classroom.
She frowned. “Is that the same person he was talking about on Wednesday?” she murmured to herself.
She walked inside and her eyes automatically looked for one person. She saw that person, sitting at his desk and reading a book.
“Shintani-kun!” she squealed and skipped over to him.
“Chi-chan! Good morning!” Rumi saluted.
Chieko bowed. “Good morning!”
She turned back to Daisuke. “Hello?” she waved her hand in front of his face. “Did you hear me?”
He put the book down, and then put it up between her hand and his face, pushing her hand away with it.
She scowled. “Fine.”
Chieko didn’t pay any attention to her teachers that morning, and couldn’t wait until it was lunch time. When the bell sounded, the students packed up their things and got ready for lunch. Chieko hurriedly ate hers and then slipped out of the classroom. This time, she decided not to go to the back of the school, but rather to the music room.
She walked down the corridor and down the stairs. When she was on the ground floor, she looked around, to see if any first years were out. There were only a few, so she wouldn’t be noticed. She slowed down her pace as she was nearing the music room, and slipped inside, closing the door quietly behind her.
When she turned around, she saw the piano, the drum set, the guitars in their stand, and the small raised floor at the end of this spacious, soundproof room. She walked down to the raised floor and stepped up onto it. She looked around the room, and closed her eyes. She could imagine a huge audience, holding their breath, waiting for her to start.
As soon as she opened her mouth, all talking ceased, and everyone’s ears and eyes were only on her. As she raised her voice, she could hear it bounce off the walls and return to her. Her audience listened to her intently, and applauded loudly when she finished the last bar. She opened her eyes and bowed, the audience vanishing. She blinked when she saw someone sitting at the piano, and gasped.
“Shintani?” she exhaled.
He didn’t seem to hear her, or he was ignoring her, because he started to play a piece. She walked over to him. She stood behind him, and her eyes widened when she didn’t see any music in front of him. His fingers hit the keys without hesitation, and he seemed as lost in playing it as she was when she sang.
She watched him, fascinated.
When he finished playing, he turned to look at her.
“What song was that?” she asked.
He blinked at her. “Pachelbel’s Canon in D.”
“Pachelbel’s… Canon in D?” she repeated.
“You were singing again,” he smirked.
She looked away. “And?”
He shrugged. “I thought that you didn’t want to sing anymore.”
“I… I became nervous knowing that you might listen to me.” She explained.
He raised his eyebrows. “Huh.”
“But… now, I might not be as fearful.” she confessed.
“Why not?” he looked at her.
“Because…” she bit her lip. What could she say?
He stood up and walked to the opposite end of the room. He looked up at the notice board and pulled something off. He walked over to her, and dropped it onto the piano.
“Why don’t you enter this?” he offered.
She picked up the piece of paper and read it:
IT’S HERE!
The search for Japan’s best teenage singing sensation
will be held in the country’s capital, Tokyo
The contest, sponsored by the ‘Tanni’ make-up company,
is for all girls aged between 11 and 18
And also, the judges for the contest will be
‘Tanni’ make-up company’s CEO, Etsuko Shintani
Jpop singer and actress, Aki Kuroki
and well-known songwriter, AmaPop
Chieko stared at it. “Your mum’s sponsoring this?”
He nodded. “She likes doing these kinds of things.”
“Okay.” She looked up at him. “Wait, why are you showing me this?”
He looked away. “You like singing, right?”
She nodded.
“Well, won’t this contest make you seen?”
She stared at him. “Well, yeah, but--“
He smiled wryly. “I’m not forcing you to do this, I’m just suggesting it.”
“I’ll do it.” She said defiantly. She looked at him, eyes burning fiercely with determination.
He smirked. “I see.”
After school and Chieko was at home, she asked her mother if she could enter the contest.
“Please, mummy!” she begged.
“Why? Do you like singing?” her mother asked.
Chieko nodded. “I do.”
Her mother laughed. “It sounds like you’re saying ‘I do’ as if you were saying it on your wedding day.”
Chieko’s jaw dropped. “No! That’s not what I meant!”
Her mother smiled warmly and hugged her youngest child. “Well, if you really want to, then you can.”
Chieko looked up at her. “Really?”
She nodded. “I wouldn’t mind if my daughter became a popular singer.”
“I’ll go get the application sheet from a friend.” Chieko said, letting go of her mother and running out of the kitchen.
“Don’t run!” her mother scolded.
Chieko ran out of her house, down the path and onto the walkway. She couldn’t help but feel a massive amount of energy burst inside her the moment her mother said ‘yes’. She hadn’t forgotten the way to Daisuke’s house, and was there in a matter of minutes.
She pressed the doorbell.
“Hello?” the man’s voice said.
“Umm… this is Chieko Asa--“
“Chieko-san? I understand.” he said.
Chieko blinked and shrugged as the gates opened by themselves.
She stepped inside, and frolicked to the front door. She didn’t know why she was so excited.
“It’s me.” she announced and the door opened; behind it was Daisuke.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
She replied, exasperated. “I need an application form.”
“For?”
She raised her eyebrows. “For the competition!”
He folded his arms and leaned on the door. “What makes you think there’s any here?”
“Because your mum’s the sponsor and judge!” she retorted, clearly annoyed.
He smirked. “Whatever.” He turned and walked in, and what she couldn’t see was a big grin on his face.
Etsuko, who was walking down the stairs, could see the grin. “Why are you smiling, Dai-chan?”
He looked at her, and quickly returned to his impassive self. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She raised an eyebrow as she saw Chieko walk in behind him. “Oh, I see…”
He glowered at her and walked into the same lounge room that he was in when Chieko first came.
“Umm…” she started. “I need an application form.”
“A-application form?” Etsuko repeated.
Chieko nodded her head. “I’m going to enter the singing contest.”
“Eh?!” Etsuko ran towards her. “Really?”
Chieko leaned back and nodded. “Y-yes.”
“Yay! Chie-chan, I’ll go get the form, okay?” Etsuko squealed and turned tail, and ran back up the stairs.
Chieko blinked and then walked into the same room Daisuke was in. “Your mum’s happy.” she remarked.
“She likes you.” he replied from behind a book, sitting on the couch.
She sighed. “Ah.”
He looked at her. “I… I’m sorry… about the other day.” he muttered.
She blinked. “S-sorry?”
He didn’t reply.
She sat next to him on his left. “Why are you sorry?”
He looked at her. “Because… I… almost… tried to…” He sighed, and tried to find the right words.
That was all that Chieko needed, though. “Okay. Don’t worry.” she smiled at him.
“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!!!!”
They both turned to their left and saw Etsuko standing there, hands covering her mouth.
“Are you two going out with each other?” she asked, extremely curious.
Daisuke closed the book and stood up. “What you’re thinking is completely wrong.” He walked out of the room and up the stairs. Etsuko pouted, and then turned to Chieko.
“Ne, Chie-chan,” she handed her the application form. “Do you like Dai-chan?”
Chieko felt her cheeks heat up. “N-no!” She stood up and bowed. “B-bye now!” she stammered.
When she got out of the house, she clutched the form tightly. “I hope nothing bad happens from now on,” she prayed.
One day when she was eleven years old, she was walking along the riverbank alone. She had been at Yuri’s house before that. And instead of taking a lift home, she decided that she would walk home by herself. As she was walking along, she slipped on some mud and was about to fall into the rushing river. Almost as soon as she fell, someone put their arm under her back and pulled her away from the water.
When she looked up to see who it was, she flushed a deep red because a grinning Yuya was looking down at her. “Lucky I was here!” he said, smiling widely.
Chieko looked away, face burning up. “Umm… y-yes… th-thank you…” she stammered in a soft voice.
“Ne,” he bent down and whispered into her ear. “Want to be my girlfriend?”
She looked up at him, shocked that he would ask her that. Her, of all girls! “Umm… y-yes?” she replied, starting to smile.
His grin only grew bigger. “Cool! It’s because you seem like the kind of girl who will make sure I don’t get into trouble!”
She closed her eyes and giggled. When she opened them up, she saw that he was watching her intently.
“You know, I’ll protect you… and make sure nothing happens to you.” he said in a defiant tone.
Her eyes widened and she could feel his arms hold onto her tightly. “I will… protect you no matter what!” he exclaimed.
She nestled her head into his chest. “Always?” she whispered.
He nodded his head. “Always.”
Chieko sighed as she remembered all of this. Why, of all times, did she have to see him again? It wasn’t that she wasn’t happy that she saw him again, but the fact that Daisuke had walked into her life as well. Chieko hugged her blankets tightly and bit her lip. If Yuya saw Daisuke, or if Daisuke saw Yuya… would they grow jealous of each other? Or would they both leave her?
Chieko squeezed her eyes shut, as if trying to shut out those thoughts. “No, that won’t happen…” she reassured herself.
Her thoughts then went back to what happened after she saw Yuya again…
The two of them had walked from the cinemas to the local convenient store. Chieko waited outside on a bench while Yuya bought them each a drink.
“Here,” he held out a red can of raspberry-flavoured soda water. “Want this one? Or,” he held out a green coloured can in his other hand. “This one?”
Chieko took the red can from him and smiled. “Thanks.”
He shrugged. “No problem.”
She pulled the ring on lid open and took a sip. “So… how have you been?”
He looked up at the dark, night sky. “Okay. Kind of lonely, though.” He glanced at her, grinning.
She laughed. “I see.”
“What about you?” He turned to her slightly. “Have you got a boyfriend yet?”
She shook her head.
“No one is as good as I was?” he joked.
She almost spit out her drink and quickly swallowed it. “It’s not like that!” She cried out.
He chuckled. “I was joking, you know.”
She smiled wryly. “Ha ha…”
“Well, to be honest,” he drummed his fingers on the can. “I’ve had a few girlfriends… but none of them were as good as you.”
“What are you saying?” she asked, looking at him.
“Ah!” he put his hands up in front of him. “I’m not saying that we should get back together! Only just… you’re the only girl I’ve met who really liked me. The other girls only went out with me for the sake of it.”
“Then why did you go out with them?” she asked, looking down at the empty can in her hands.
“I thought that they were serious.” Yuya retorted.
Chieko sighed and stood up. “Well, it’s been nice to see you again.” She bowed and was about to walk away, when she felt him grab hold of her wrist, making her drop the can.
“You sound angry at me.” he frowned.
“I’m not.” she muttered.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, pulling her towards him.
She pushed away from him and looked down at the ground. She bit her lip. “I’m… it’s complicated.”
He wanted to hug her, but he didn’t because she seemed upset, which was the whole reason why he wanted to. “Okay…” he mumbled.
Her shoulders fell, and she hugged the sleeves of her jumper. “I’m going now.” she breathed.
The following Monday, Chieko’s hair had undergone another change. This time, it was let down. As she walked down the corridor, she saw Touya standing at the door of her class, but he didn’t want to go inside.
She stood on her toes and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around, startled.
“Ah,” he smiled. “Hi Chieko.”
She smiled back. “Hey there, Touya.” She looked into the class through the window. “Why aren’t you going inside?”
“Uh…” he avoided her eyes. “I was looking for someone.”
She cocked her head to one side. “Who?”
He blushed. “N-no one!” He smiled nervously and hastily walked into the classroom.
She frowned. “Is that the same person he was talking about on Wednesday?” she murmured to herself.
She walked inside and her eyes automatically looked for one person. She saw that person, sitting at his desk and reading a book.
“Shintani-kun!” she squealed and skipped over to him.
“Chi-chan! Good morning!” Rumi saluted.
Chieko bowed. “Good morning!”
She turned back to Daisuke. “Hello?” she waved her hand in front of his face. “Did you hear me?”
He put the book down, and then put it up between her hand and his face, pushing her hand away with it.
She scowled. “Fine.”
Chieko didn’t pay any attention to her teachers that morning, and couldn’t wait until it was lunch time. When the bell sounded, the students packed up their things and got ready for lunch. Chieko hurriedly ate hers and then slipped out of the classroom. This time, she decided not to go to the back of the school, but rather to the music room.
She walked down the corridor and down the stairs. When she was on the ground floor, she looked around, to see if any first years were out. There were only a few, so she wouldn’t be noticed. She slowed down her pace as she was nearing the music room, and slipped inside, closing the door quietly behind her.
When she turned around, she saw the piano, the drum set, the guitars in their stand, and the small raised floor at the end of this spacious, soundproof room. She walked down to the raised floor and stepped up onto it. She looked around the room, and closed her eyes. She could imagine a huge audience, holding their breath, waiting for her to start.
As soon as she opened her mouth, all talking ceased, and everyone’s ears and eyes were only on her. As she raised her voice, she could hear it bounce off the walls and return to her. Her audience listened to her intently, and applauded loudly when she finished the last bar. She opened her eyes and bowed, the audience vanishing. She blinked when she saw someone sitting at the piano, and gasped.
“Shintani?” she exhaled.
He didn’t seem to hear her, or he was ignoring her, because he started to play a piece. She walked over to him. She stood behind him, and her eyes widened when she didn’t see any music in front of him. His fingers hit the keys without hesitation, and he seemed as lost in playing it as she was when she sang.
She watched him, fascinated.
When he finished playing, he turned to look at her.
“What song was that?” she asked.
He blinked at her. “Pachelbel’s Canon in D.”
“Pachelbel’s… Canon in D?” she repeated.
“You were singing again,” he smirked.
She looked away. “And?”
He shrugged. “I thought that you didn’t want to sing anymore.”
“I… I became nervous knowing that you might listen to me.” She explained.
He raised his eyebrows. “Huh.”
“But… now, I might not be as fearful.” she confessed.
“Why not?” he looked at her.
“Because…” she bit her lip. What could she say?
He stood up and walked to the opposite end of the room. He looked up at the notice board and pulled something off. He walked over to her, and dropped it onto the piano.
“Why don’t you enter this?” he offered.
She picked up the piece of paper and read it:
IT’S HERE!
The search for Japan’s best teenage singing sensation
will be held in the country’s capital, Tokyo
The contest, sponsored by the ‘Tanni’ make-up company,
is for all girls aged between 11 and 18
And also, the judges for the contest will be
‘Tanni’ make-up company’s CEO, Etsuko Shintani
Jpop singer and actress, Aki Kuroki
and well-known songwriter, AmaPop
Chieko stared at it. “Your mum’s sponsoring this?”
He nodded. “She likes doing these kinds of things.”
“Okay.” She looked up at him. “Wait, why are you showing me this?”
He looked away. “You like singing, right?”
She nodded.
“Well, won’t this contest make you seen?”
She stared at him. “Well, yeah, but--“
He smiled wryly. “I’m not forcing you to do this, I’m just suggesting it.”
“I’ll do it.” She said defiantly. She looked at him, eyes burning fiercely with determination.
He smirked. “I see.”
After school and Chieko was at home, she asked her mother if she could enter the contest.
“Please, mummy!” she begged.
“Why? Do you like singing?” her mother asked.
Chieko nodded. “I do.”
Her mother laughed. “It sounds like you’re saying ‘I do’ as if you were saying it on your wedding day.”
Chieko’s jaw dropped. “No! That’s not what I meant!”
Her mother smiled warmly and hugged her youngest child. “Well, if you really want to, then you can.”
Chieko looked up at her. “Really?”
She nodded. “I wouldn’t mind if my daughter became a popular singer.”
“I’ll go get the application sheet from a friend.” Chieko said, letting go of her mother and running out of the kitchen.
“Don’t run!” her mother scolded.
Chieko ran out of her house, down the path and onto the walkway. She couldn’t help but feel a massive amount of energy burst inside her the moment her mother said ‘yes’. She hadn’t forgotten the way to Daisuke’s house, and was there in a matter of minutes.
She pressed the doorbell.
“Hello?” the man’s voice said.
“Umm… this is Chieko Asa--“
“Chieko-san? I understand.” he said.
Chieko blinked and shrugged as the gates opened by themselves.
She stepped inside, and frolicked to the front door. She didn’t know why she was so excited.
“It’s me.” she announced and the door opened; behind it was Daisuke.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
She replied, exasperated. “I need an application form.”
“For?”
She raised her eyebrows. “For the competition!”
He folded his arms and leaned on the door. “What makes you think there’s any here?”
“Because your mum’s the sponsor and judge!” she retorted, clearly annoyed.
He smirked. “Whatever.” He turned and walked in, and what she couldn’t see was a big grin on his face.
Etsuko, who was walking down the stairs, could see the grin. “Why are you smiling, Dai-chan?”
He looked at her, and quickly returned to his impassive self. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She raised an eyebrow as she saw Chieko walk in behind him. “Oh, I see…”
He glowered at her and walked into the same lounge room that he was in when Chieko first came.
“Umm…” she started. “I need an application form.”
“A-application form?” Etsuko repeated.
Chieko nodded her head. “I’m going to enter the singing contest.”
“Eh?!” Etsuko ran towards her. “Really?”
Chieko leaned back and nodded. “Y-yes.”
“Yay! Chie-chan, I’ll go get the form, okay?” Etsuko squealed and turned tail, and ran back up the stairs.
Chieko blinked and then walked into the same room Daisuke was in. “Your mum’s happy.” she remarked.
“She likes you.” he replied from behind a book, sitting on the couch.
She sighed. “Ah.”
He looked at her. “I… I’m sorry… about the other day.” he muttered.
She blinked. “S-sorry?”
He didn’t reply.
She sat next to him on his left. “Why are you sorry?”
He looked at her. “Because… I… almost… tried to…” He sighed, and tried to find the right words.
That was all that Chieko needed, though. “Okay. Don’t worry.” she smiled at him.
“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!!!!”
They both turned to their left and saw Etsuko standing there, hands covering her mouth.
“Are you two going out with each other?” she asked, extremely curious.
Daisuke closed the book and stood up. “What you’re thinking is completely wrong.” He walked out of the room and up the stairs. Etsuko pouted, and then turned to Chieko.
“Ne, Chie-chan,” she handed her the application form. “Do you like Dai-chan?”
Chieko felt her cheeks heat up. “N-no!” She stood up and bowed. “B-bye now!” she stammered.
When she got out of the house, she clutched the form tightly. “I hope nothing bad happens from now on,” she prayed.