Chapter 22 - True Colors

Even after reuniting MyGO, the drama has yet to end for Jiro. The upcoming Ave Mujica live will display amazing vocals and cruel intentions.

The morning after...
Chisaka Residents
Jiro POV

As we all sat at the dining table eating our breakfast, things were a bit awkward. Tomori was really enjoying her food while Yomi was giving me her signature smug look. Judging from that expression, she knows exactly what Tomori and I did last night.

Yomi: Did you two have fun last night?

Jiro: We just slept.

Yomi: Oh, you know that's not what I meant. Do I need to buy a pregnancy test?

Jiro: Yomi...

Yomi: Maybe I should buy baby clothes soon, pink or blue?

Jiro: Can we drop the subject, It's already awkward as it is. Right Tomo-chan?

Tomori: Huh? Oh, yeah.

Yomi: What's a good name for you, Tomori-chan?

Tomori: Miyako is a cute name.

Jiro: I agree.

Yomi: Miyako Chisaka, I can't wait to meet my future niece.

Jiro: You're a menace. Can we now stop this conversation... it's embarrassing.

Yomi: Nothing to be embarrassed about lovebirds... just be sure to keep it down whenever the feeling comes up.

Jiro: We will...

Yomi: Good, now come! Let's get ready for school! Tomori-chan, I've already ironed out your blazer.

Tomori: Thank you, Yomi-senpai.

After eating our breakfast, we finished putting on our uniforms. Beige blazer and red tie are looking good, time to head off the school. At the station, Tomori and I went our separate ways, sending each other off with a quick kiss and hug. Arriving at Hanasakigawa, Yomi went off to her class with Kasumi and Misaki.

While walking towards homeroom, I came across Kokoro and Charlotte, who were having a conversation in the hallway. I gave the Hello Happy Vocalist a polite greeting while I gave Charlotte a quick bow... walking off, both myself and Charlotte gave each other the side eye. As I made my way to the 3rd floor, I heard a voice calling out my name, I turned around to see Arisa and Tae chasing rabbits.

Arisa: Jiro-kun! Catch it!

Jiro: Whoa! Easy there little fella...

Tae: What's this? A fellow rabbit fan?

Jiro: I wouldn't go that far. Do you have any treats?

Arisa: Here, take this.

Jiro: Here you go... you must be very hungry.

Arisa: Let's take them back to the rabbit shelter. Shirasagi-san should be waiting for us there.

The three of us, along with the rabbits, headed towards the rabbit shelter in the courtyard. Inside, Chisato was feeding the baby bunnies.

Chisato: Ah, they're you two are, and Jiro-kun, hello to you.

Jiro: Good morning, Chisato.

Chisato: Do you mind helping a little?

Jiro: Why not.

Tae: Make sure to be extra gentle.

Arisa: That white one seems to like you, Jiro-kun.

Jiro: Look at Chisato. She seems pretty popular.

The four of us spent the next half hour feeding and nurturing the academy rabbits with two rabbits taking an immediate liking towards Chisato. To no one's surprise, O-Tae seemed to be very knowledgeable about how to handle and treat these furry little bundles of joy. Won't surprise me if she had a whole legion of bunnies at home. After our little animal care side-quest, I made it to my class where my fellow council members Rinko and Sayo placed a club poster down on my desk.

Sayo: Take a look at this Jiro-kun.

Jiro: What about the dance club? 

Rinko: We need you to help them.

Jiro: Why?

Sayo: Last time I checked, you are a pretty good dancer.

Jiro: Good dancer, not great.

Rinko: All you need is to help them come up for a new dance to display at the joint cultural festival.

Jiro: Right, we've got that. Which schools are attending?

Sayo: Haneoka and Tsukinomori.

Jiro: Gives us a chance to enjoy our last festival with our friends.

Rinko: Help the dance club, and we can make it worth your while.

Sayo: You can spend the festival without worrying about council duties.

Jiro: What is our class doing for the festival?

Sayo: We wanted to do a food stand or small restaurant.

Rinko: We just need a chef...

Jiro: Why are you two looking at me like that?

Sayo: We thought you would lead our kitchen.

Jiro: That depends on what we are making.

Rinko: The class wanted to serve pancakes.

Jiro: Pancakes are tricky to make, so much so that even I mess them up from time to time.

Sayo: We can think about this later, for now help the dance club.

Jiro: Alright, it's time to break out the detective dance moves!

Rinko: Is that from that detective movie you starred in?

Jiro: That happened in the sequel. Actually, I'm being cast as Shiroyuki Kagami again. They're making the sequel into a movie.

Sayo: That is good news, Jiro-kun.

Jiro: Thank you... okay, dance club. I wonder what should I do?

Rinko: I need to go to Tsukinomori Academy to speak with Yashiro-san about their festival plans.

Jiro: Tsukinomori, huh? I wonder how Mutsu-chan is doing...?

Meanwhile...
Tsukinomori Academy
Mutsumi POV

Every day, I would arrive in the morning to water the small crop garden outside in the courtyard. Such rare and beautiful vegetables must be maintained like a ballerina dance, one wrong move, and your work is ruined. As I finished watering, Soyo approached me, asking to talk.

Soyo: Do you have a moment, Mutsumi-chan?

Mutsumi: Of course, what is it?

Soyo: I wanted to talk to you. The veggies are looking nice, aren't they?

Mutsumi: They are going to be ready soon.

Soyo: That's nice... Your dead set on staying with Ave Mujica, aren't you?

Mutsumi: Yes...

Soyo: CRYCHIC is never coming back, huh?

Mutsumi: Soyo... listen...

Soyo: It's time that I move on...

Mutsumi: Huh?

Soyo: MyGO is right in front of me, I learned recently that I should just let things go despite how much I want to hang on.

Mutsumi: Jiro-senpai...

Soyo: That boy seems to be a hero in his own right.

Mutsumi: He sure is.

Soyo: I owe you an apology, Mutsumi-chan.

Mutsumi: You really don't.

Soyo: I do... I'm a selfish and self-centered girl... therefore, I wasn't able to see things from your perspective... now I do. *hugs Mutsumi*

Mutsumi: Soyo-chan...

Soyo: If Saki-chan ever hurts Jiro-senpai or Tomori-chan, let me know. I'll give a talking too.

Mutsumi: I will.

Soyo: Thank you for listening to me... You're not as emotionless as you say you are.

As Soyo leaves in the other direction, Mutsumi stares at the garden with a small smile appearing on her face. Her phone messages rang, notifying her that Ave Mujica would have a last-minute live tonight. Some of some odd reasons Mutsumi feels something might go wrong...

A few hours later...
Chisaka Residents
Jiro POV

After school, I immediately went home to play video games on the couch in order to unwind. While punching my way through some gangsters in the streets of Yokohama, Tomori was sitting closely beside me browsing through my phone. While looking at new bandages to collect, my phone received a text message from Uika. It stated that their is a Ave Mujica live happening tonight.

Tomori: Senpai, you've got a live tonight.

Jiro: This seems last minute.

Tomori: Are you going to go?

Jiro: I'll do one more live, then I'll quit, promise.

Tomori: Okay, I trust you.

Jiro: Alright, I guess I'll head out now.

Tomori: You're forgetting something. *points at her mouth*

Jiro: Aww.

After giving Tomori a quick smooch, I made my way towards Live-house Nebula, where I was going to do one last show and quit Ave Mujica... codename and all. Arriving about 30 minutes early, I entered the dressing room to find Sakiko sitting all alone, waiting for me.

Sakiko: Sit...

Jiro: Is something they matter?

Sakiko: You seem to be slipping.

Jiro: I'm sorry?

Sakiko: Your commitment to Ave Mujica. Did you not forget who we are and what we do?

Jiro: Let's make one thing clear: I am just an actor in all this, and I have never pledged loyalty to Ave Mujica.

Sakiko: After all you did for us?

Jiro: I was doing my job, nothing more.

Sakiko: I'm afraid your attention will be directed towards MyGO...

Jiro: You'd be correct... I'm doing it for Tomori.

Sakiko: Just because she got her band back?

Jiro: She's been through enough as it is. It's time she starts to look up for her. I appreciate what you have done for me, but things have changed.

Sakiko: Have I not shown you enough kindness after making you a successful businessman or defending you when it got tough?!

Jiro: If I'm not mistaken, my tough time was partly you're doing.

Sakiko: How dare you?!

Jiro: I never asked to be given any recognition or that dumb codename you call me.

Sakiko: What are you saying?

Jiro: After tonight, I quit.

Sakiko: You dare leave us?!

Jiro: I'm sorry you feel angry, but I need to be there for her.

Sakiko: You...

Before Sakiko could say another word, the rest of Ave Mujica entered the dressing and saw both of us looking like we had an argument.

Uika: Are you two okay?

Jiro: It's nothing.

Sakiko: Just get ready to perform.

Umiri: Something happened, and you two won't tell us?

Jiro: Just leave it.

Mutsumi: Are you okay?

Jiro: I'm fine, Mutsumi.

As the show unfolded into the signature Ave Mujica play, things started to go off script. For instance, Sakiko was more pushy and aggressive on stage, brushing and throwing what seemed like personal shots at me, even the people in the crowd, and the rest of the Ave Mujica girls struggled to understand what was going on.

Oblivious: We may be dolls, but none are more artificial than Father's promises.

Timoris: H-his promise is to keep you alive.

Crowd: What? What are they talking about?

Oblivious: After all we did for him, he decided to leave us!

Amoris: Father is actually human, who can make his own choices.

Mutsumi: Enough... all of you.

Doloris: We must not fight!

The majority of the crowd thought the ac was just that an act. However, the masked members knew Sakiko was angry at their Senpai. As the ending act neared its conclusion, Sakiko picked up a prop sword and began her ending monologe.

Oblivious: Humans are cruel. They throw us away when we are not loved. This man has created flaws that were meant to be trashed!

Oblivious: Who filled our heads with dreams!?

Oblivious: Who filled our head with lies?!

Oblivious: Who betrey our kindness?!

As the curtains began to close and the crowd clapped at Sakiko's emotional dialog, one final line Sakiko said as she raised the sword above her head, with tears forming in her eyes.

Oblivious: I loved you... and you broke my heart...

*TWACK!!!*

Sakiko swung the sword downwards, and as the curtains closed... I felt a hard whack on my head... causing the other members of Ave Mujica to stand their in complete shock and me falling on the floor with my vision blurry.

To be continued...

Authors Notes:

I still need the Ave Mujica anime to give more context to expand on the personalities of the members of Ave Mujica, but I've chosen to move forward with the story with my own ideas.

For now, these chapters will put Sakiko as the new long-time antagonist. Mutsumi is loyal to Jiro, but what about the others?

As always, thank you for reading!

Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top