Sakiko concentrated on practicing her piano parts as she looked at the music sheet in front of her.
A rare rehearsal with only her and the rhythm team (bass and drums), it wasn’t uncomfortable, but it was certainly a rare combination.
With Hatsune at a different location for work, and Mutsumi out for a photoshoot, it would be just the three of them for a while. Oddly enough, there were only the sounds of the bass and the piano playing at the Wakaba family basement.
“Heh~ So Uiko’s birthday is on the 26th of June.” Nyamu mentioned it nonchalantly, still seated behind the drums, and sticks in one hand and her phone on another.
As soon as the words left her mouth, there was a loud piano chord that was completely out of tune.
“My fingers slipped.” Sakiko made the excuse as she shook her head.
“That was a whole new chord, you aren’t rearranging the song again are you?” Nyamu locked her phone and raised an eyebrow.
“No, I was not. As I said, my fingers slipped.” Sakiko shook her head. “Let’s take a break.” She looked at the wall clock and it was almost two in the afternoon, three hours since they started.
“Understood.” Umiri nodded and removed her bass and returned it to the stand. “I’ll be going to buy stuff at the convenience store. Do you need anything?”
“A sandwich and a cup of ice cream for me~” Nyamu set her sticks on the snare drum as she got up with her phone. “I’ll wander around then. Be back in 10.”
“Okay.” Sakiko nodded. “I’m fine, Umiri. Thank you.”
Umiri nodded. “If you change your mind, I’ll be a message or call away.” She then climbed up the stairs with Nyamu.
Now alone with her thoughts, Sakiko pondered.
It was important to her that she celebrated the ‘correct day’ for the ‘correct person’. As the only person who truly cared about knowing the true ‘Misumi Uika,’ she also mostly cared to celebrate the correct day for an important person.
When Hatsune came to Tokyo to pretend that her name was Misumi Uika… did she also fill out the correct information that pertains to Misumi Uika… or herself? This was definitely a thing she must know… However, most of all, why did Hatsune not tell her?
“It must be weird to tell somebody of your own birthday, this was definitely a miss on my part.” Sakiko shook her head in disappointment. She softly touched the keys with her fingers. “Hatsune…”
The only way to know if her birthday was true and correct, was to ask her grandfather, which is definitely not an option, or was to ask Kachiura-san to see the files Hatsune submitted for when she registered with the company.
Sure enough, a birth certificate was included in it, and Misumi ‘Hatsune’ was indeed born on June 26th. With a smile, Sakiko carefully returned Hatsune’s personal data to the pile. She felt bad for prying into Hatsune’s private details, but this was something she must absolutely know. It didn’t make her feel good that she was going to celebrate Hatsune’s birthday on the wrong day if it wasn’t true.
“All right. Now that that’s done…” Sakiko blew out a small ‘whew’ as she smiled. “It’s time to put some things into plan.”
Sakiko had five days to think of something. If anything, what she was worried of the most was keeping everything a secret from the person herself. They lived together, and there was not a lot of space to keep a secret, or a surprise.
Then there was no other choice, she must talk to the members and ask them for help.
“I need your help.” Sakiko stood in front of Nyamu, Mutsumi, and Umiri as they all gathered for a rehearsal. She rested both of her hands on top of each other in front of her as she politely gave them a bow.
Nyamu, who was sitting down on the couch, crossed her legs as she inspected her nails. “For?”
Mutsumi nodded, seconding the question, followed by Umiri’s.
“For Uika’s birthday” Sakiko mentioned it as a matter-of-fact. “It’s important that we celebrate each member’s birthday, especially for our front, and so, I would like everyone’s help to make sure that this is a success.”
“Heh~ I didn’t know you had such a caring side to you, Sakiko.” Nyamu gave the Togawa heiress a mischievous smile. Sakiko only looked at her and didn’t say anything. “Well, I don’t really mind. We’re going to be doing this band our whole lives, might as well get along, right?”
Umiri nodded. “That’s right. If I have your trust, I’m willing to do anything.”
“Thank you, you two. Mutsumi?” Sakiko turned to Mutsumi who also only nodded at her.
“If I can do it, I don’t mind.” Mutsumi turned to her guitar and started playing, knowing that this conversation was likely already over.
Sakiko nodded. “I will devise a plan today, and let all know by tomorrow. Let us resume rehearsals before Uika arrives.”
Misumi Hatsune arrived at the Ave Mujica rehearsal, she immediately thought and felt that something was weird, but she couldn’t pinpoint what it was.
At home, with Sakiko, everything seemed to be the same as they went back together, and Sakiko silently went up to the loft without much. Hatsune only smiled at her as she went to prepare their dinner that day… However, the day after that was also odd.
“Saki-chan… Did I do something?” Hatsune frowned as the two of them went home, and Sakiko nodded at her only to silently go up the loft once again.
Was it because she’s been busy with sumimi that she couldn’t attend Ave Mujica rehearsals often? It wasn’t like it was the first time, but this time it felt like Sakiko was avoiding interacting with her.
Usually they’d have a small chat, or eat dinner together, but the past few days had been silence, nods, and small talks and nothing else.
“Did I do something…?” Hatsune entered her own room with a frown as she shut the door behind her.
Aside from that, it also felt like she was forgetting something important. What was it?
The next few days stayed the same, and it eeriely felt similar to when Mortis appeared, and Ave Mujica disbanded. At this point, with all this ignoring, Hatsune wouldn’t have been surprised if once she returned by tonight, Sakiko would have been gone soon.
She stood across the building of her home as she held her phone tightly.
If she went home, would Saki-chan be waiting for her?
If she went home… would she find another letter that would break her heart once again?
Hatsune felt her whole body grow cold, as her hands and feet sweat. Should she go home? She didn’t want to go home. She didn’t want to go home to a place without Saki-chan in it… If she wanted to leave her, she wanted to tell her right away.
“Please, just end it all…” Hatsune clutched her phone in her hand as she looked at the ground.
The rain started to fall in a quick pitter patter as the world around her started to grow darker.
It was 6:47 P.M.
While she busied herself with paper work, Sakiko stretched her arms above her head as she looked at the time. It was already 10:12 P.M. Anyone still outside by now should be home, especially for minors.
“Has Hatsune gone back home without me noticing? I should go greet her.” Sakiko promptly went down from the loft and noticed that everything below was still dark. “Hatsune?”
She opened the main door and walked towards the blonde’s room. She raised her hand and knocked. “Hatsune? Are you there?”
Sakiko waited for a response, and upon not receiving a response. She put her hand on the doorknob and opened it.
“Hatsune?” The room was pitch dark, and there were no hints of anybody going back. “Where are you?”
Panic built up in her stomach. She immediately climbed up the loft and checked her phone for any messages.
“Her work should have ended in the afternoon…” She held onto her phone as she quickly opened up their chat screen and took an umbrella as she ran outside.
She waited for the blonde to answer as the phone rang, and rang… but no answer. With no idea of Hatsune’s whereabouts, she impatiently waited for the elevator to reach their floor and took it to the lobby.
Phone in her ears, she rushed out as she opened her umbrella to dive through the strong rains. Before she could check which direction she should go, she saw the drenched blonde standing across the building.
Hatsune clutched her vibrating phone in her hands as she stared at the ground with an empty expression.
“Hatsune!? What are you doing here!? You’re drenched from the rain!” Sakiko immediately shared her umbrella with her as she touched her arm. “Her body’s so cold.”
Hatsune slowly looked up as color restored in her eyes. “Saki…-chan…?”
“Hatsune. Come on, let’s go home.” Sakiko smiled at her wryly as she gently tugged on her hand.
Without saying anything else, Hatsune followed Sakiko as they walked back. Once they were in the shade of the building’s front, Sakiko temporarily let go of Hatsune’s hand as she closed the umbrella, hung it over her arm that held her phone, then proceeded to take Hatsune’s hand once again.
Hatsune said nothing as she felt Sakiko’s warmth through her hand. She blinked finally as Sakiko squeezed her hand as they got into the elevator. Hatsune smiled wryly as she squeezed Sakiko’s hand back.
The elevator ride was silent, but the atmosphere wasn’t uncomfortable. There was no anger in the air, and Hatsune at least felt at ease that Sakiko didn’t seem angry at her. Once they’re inside their room, Sakiko held both of Hatsune’s hands as she put the umbrella into the rack near the door.
“Stay here, I’ll get a towel.”
Before Hatsune could process Sakiko’s words, she was back on the hallway with a warm towel. Sakiko immediately wrapped it around Hatsune’s body, drying her wet hair as she wiped her face.
“Come on, into the bathroom you go.” Sakiko opened the door that was next to the front door, and led Hatsune in it after taking her phone and bag from her.
Thankfully, Hatsune’s apartment’s bathroom was near, and the flooring didn’t have to get too drenched.
Hatsune allowed herself to be pushed into the bathroom, and without thinking much of it, she started removing her wet clothes, putting it directly into the washing machine as she stepped further into the bath.
She opened the warm shower as it dripped onto her body. Her mind still wasn’t catching up to what was going on. For now, she was happy that Sakiko was still there, and that she hasn’t left her.
Before she could do anything else, the door to the bathroom opened and Sakiko was there standing with a towel wrapped around her body. Purple orbs widened in surprise as she turned away and looked at the tiled walls in front of her.
“Sa- Saki-chan…? I can take a bath on my own…” Hatsune trailed off as she heard Sakiko’s soft footsteps near her, followed by the shuffling of the towel into the towel holder.
“I’m worried about you. What if you slip? I’ll take one with you, I haven’t taken one for myself tonight.” Sakiko’s voice was normal, but one who knows her would recognize that she was unhappy about something. “You didn’t even notice the hot water in the bath, did you?”
Hatsune looked over at the bathtub, and truthfully she hadn’t noticed that there was warm water in it. She just simply closed her eyes, and wished that Sakiko wouldn’t hear her loudly beating heart.
“Now, sit down.” Sakiko guided Hatsune with her hand as she let her sit down on the floor chair and started washing her hair as she turned off the showers.
Hatsune tightly closed her eyes as she let Sakiko care for her without trying to look at her fully naked Saki-chan.
Before she noticed it, Hatsune was already wearing warm clothes, and her hair was already dried up. Hatsune sat on the side of her bed as Sakiko entered her room while softly handcombing her long light blue hair.
In her usual one piece night gown, Sakiko sat next to Hatsune on her bed as silence stayed between them. Hatsune curled her back forward as she crossed her fingers together on her lap.
“Hatsune.” Sakiko’s voice was calm and soft, and yet Hatsune’s shoulders perked up in surprise. “…Why were you there?”
“…I was probably just feeling tired, Saki-chan…” Hatsune answered with a weak voice. “There’s no need to worry…”
“Is that true?” Sakiko turned to face her. “Hatsune. Please tell me the truth.”
“……” Hatsune kept her mouth shut as Sakiko tried to peek into her face.
“Please? I want to know, Hatsune.” Sakiko slowly took one of her hands into her own.
“…Y- You’ve been distant lately, so I thought… I did something wrong…” Hatsune swallowed as she closed her hand that wasn’t held onto by Sakiko. “…I got scared.”
Sakiko took Hatsune’s other hand as she held onto both of them, urging the blonde to look over at her. “Scared of…?”
Hatsune peeked into those curious golden orbs. They didn’t look like a glare, and instead harbored genuine worry. “I got scared that… if I go home… You wouldn’t be there…”
Sakiko’s eyes widened as she frowned. Of course, it was her fault. She didn’t know how to keep a secret from her, so she busied herself with a lot of things. In turn, it caused her to spend less time with Hatsune, who was already busy with sumimi and school. She didn’t realize that it could cause Hatsune to think of things this way.
“Hatsune… I’m sorry.” She let go of Hatsune’s hands as she softly cradled Hatsune’s face with both of her hands. Sakiko lifted up her face as she made her look at her. “The truth is… I was busy preparing a surprise for your birthday. However… I couldn’t keep it a secret so I busied myself. I’m sorry, Hatsune.”
“Birthday…?” Hatsune’s eyes widened. Her purple eyes turned to look at the digital clock on her bed side and realized that tomorrow was indeed her birthday. “I see… Tomorrow’s my birthday… That’s right…”
Sakiko let go of Hatsune’s face as she watched her. “Hatsune?”
Hatsune turned to Sakiko with a wry smile. “Aside from some gifts from fans and Mana-chan… I’ve never really celebrated it… My birth wasn’t something that made some people happy…” She frowned once again, tears pooling up in those purple eyes.
Golden orbs stared at the ceiling intensely as she closed her eyes. She wrapped her arms around Hatsune’s head as she pulled on her. “Oh… Hatsune…”
Hatsune rested her face onto Sakiko’s chest as she hesitated to wrap her arms around Sakiko’s body. She felt a warm hand on the back of her head, and on her back as both hands comforted her.
“I planned a surprise for you, with the rest of the members. Would you look forward to it?” Sakiko softly caressed Hatsune’s hair and back.
Hatsune felt her tears escape from her eyes as she wrapped her arms around Sakiko’s body. She nodded as Sakiko tucked her face onto Hatsune’s shoulders.
Golden orbs noticed the time on the clock as it ticked on June 26th, 00:00.
She softly lifted up Hatsune’s body as she looked at Hatsune’s face in close proximity, cradling those cheeks with both of her hands. “Hatsune. Happy birthday.”
Hatsune blinked as tears streamed down her face. Golden orbs met purple as Sakiko smiled at her.
“…Thank you for being by my side.” Sakiko kissed her forehead as more tears came out of Hatsune’s eyes. “I’m glad I got to meet you. I’m thankful that you’re here.”
“Saki-chan…” Hatsune sobbed as golden orbs looked at her with utmost softness and kindness. “Is it really okay? To be happy…”
Sakiko smiled as wiped Hatsune’s tears with both of her thumbs. “Of course. You deserve to be happy, and you should be happy.”
Hatsune closed her eyes as she cried. “Saki-chan…!”
“Hatsune.” Sakiko pressed their foreheads together as she watched those purple orbs stare into her own eyes. “…Thank you for being born.”
Hatsune smiled through her tears. “Mm!”
Sakiko warmed up at the sight of her warm smile that was as beautiful as the moonlight.
(Moonlight/END)
“Uu…” Hatsune laid in bed, sheets up to her neck and a fever patch on her forehead. “Everything’s spinning, Saki-chan…”
“This is your lesson not to do that again, okay?” Sakiko sighed as she sat on Hatsune’s bed side. She held her hand outside the sheets. “I’ve already called your school, and told everyone that we would have to suspend the party for another day because you got a fever.”
“I’m sorry…” Hatsune croaked out an apology before coughing.
“It’s all right. Don’t worry about it.” Sakiko smiled as she patted Hatsune’s head. “Hurry up and get well soon, okay?”
Hatsune nodded.
“…Make sure you don’t get sick for next year, okay? Let’s go somewhere.” Sakiko smiled.
“…Saki-chan.” Hatsune spoke weakly.
“Yes?” Sakiko smiled at her warmly.
“…Would you still be with me on my birthdays the year after next year?”
“Of course. I’ll be with you for many many more birthdays. So try not to get sick again on your birthday, okay?”
Hatsune smiled. “Mm!”
(END)