Hums of awe and surprise filled the classroom. Many of the boys in the classroom gawked at the pretty purple-haired girl that stood at the front, a bright smile on her face with her eyes closed and her arms behind her head. Written in kanji, "Hasegawa Erica," the purple-haired girl had been assigned to Y/N's class, Class 2-J.

The teacher of the class was a dark brown-haired woman, her long brown hair put into a ponytail that went down to the bottom of her shoulders, bangs swept to the left that displayed the stoic expression on her face.

With her stoic expression still showing, her arms crossed, the teacher looked to Erica.

"Then, go on ahead and introduce yourself, Hasegawa," she explained.

"Yes, ma'am." The girl had cheerfully called out, soon turning to the rest of the class and raising a hand up. "Heyo, people! Erica Hasegawa is the name! Feel free to call me either! Looking forward to getting along with ya all!~"

Because of her cheerful and energetic nature, that gung-ho personality of hers clearly shining through, it did erupt a mountain of conversation. Already, boys were beginning to clamor out for her number and other sorts of personal details. Whilst a few of the girls did genuinely want to become friends with her, it did seem like that the prettiest girl in this class, and perhaps the whole entire school, Yukino Yukinoshita, had some competition. In fact, a majority of the girls in this class already didn't wish to speak with her, fearing for their social standing.

However, speaking of the Yukinoshita girl, the black-haired beauty was currently seated in her seat, the desk next to L/N. Reading a small little novel, she curled a small glance at the brown-haired boy next to her, to which he noticed her gaze.

"Need something?"

"Nothing in particular," Yukino replied briskly. "Just rather curious because you both walked into here this morning together."

Y/N gained a teasing grin. "Oh? Don't tell me that the great Yukino Yukinoshita is simply jealous of another girl. Do you wish to be the only one that talks to me casually in class?"

Yukino sighed. "What childish thinking. I would not let myself get jealous simply because of another girl. You're thinking far too much into it, L/N-kun."

"Then what is it that you are curious about, Yukinoshita-san? I don't see how my relationship with Erica is important to you. If anything, it hardly is."

"Interesting. So you two are on a first name basis?"

"You didn't answer me from what I asked you."

She raised an eyebrow at him. "Is it so wrong to be curious about what kind of relationship you have with her?"

Y/N sighed, turning to her in his chair. "The way you're asking me is that you're implying that there is something going on with us. Perhaps on the romantic side."

"I did not seem to inquire about anything related to that at all. If anything, you're clearly imagining things, L/N-kun."

"Right..." He rolled his eyes. "Well, if you must know, I would more or less say we're good friends because we went to the same prep school overseas."

"I see. Though in all honesty, it is quite surprising. To see that you have a friend like that."

"Oh? And how is that surprising?"

"It's simple, really," she said, without looking at him as she flips through a page of her novel. "Her personality is the total opposite of yours. She's quite happy and upbeat, unlike yourself. Your brooding and condescending attitude reminds me of a person I dislike a lot."

"You really don't mince your words at all, Yukinoshita-san," Y/N said, rolling his eyes once more. "You never cease to amaze me with how cold your words can be."

"I was simply stating facts, L/N-kun."

"Uh-huh. Sure you were."

As the two were having their own conversations, many others were spouting out different questions for Hasegawa to answer for. However, knowing it was getting too loud and too much, especially since it was already cutting into class time, the brown-haired teacher slammed her hand on her desk rather loudly. The sound was very loud, which caused every single student to shut their trap and turn their gaze to the rather stern and stoic female instructor.

"All of you, quiet down. We don't have a lot of time, so ask your questions once the free period rolls around." The teacher then looks to Erica. "Then, Hasegawa, go and take the empty seat that's in the second row almost near the back."

"Yes, ma'am.~" Erica nodded, her usual happy, go lucky smile on her face.

Trotting off to the desk she was pointed to, the teacher began to start the day's lesson. Y/N sighed, slowly beginning to tune out the teacher's voice as he continued to mind his own business. To take his mind off of things, he began to twirl and spin his pencil that rested in his hand.

However, he couldn't help but sigh again as he looked out the window. Things were going to be chaotic today.

Especially regarding the shenanigans of Erica. And also when she and Yumiko meet. With him thinking about it, he doubted that they would get along. At all.

---

The bell rang and it was time for lunch. Packing his things up and trying to remotely organize it into his bag, Y/N prepared himself to exit the door when his phone soon chimed.

Digging into his pocket, Y/N opens LINE to see it was Yumiko texting him. A message that says along the lines of, "Hurry your ass over already", or something like that. Rolling his eyes at the message, he tucks it back into his pocket and was about to head off. Well, if it weren't for a purple-haired junkie ramming herself into his side.

"Gyah...! What the—!?"

"Alright, L/N, time to show me around the school! Come on!"

He gives her an annoyed stare, "Huh? Why am I the one who has to be the one who has to show you around the school? Besides, didn't you preview the school when classes weren't in session or something like that? During the weekend?"

She only groans. "Ugh, then it would've been boring. Especially with how much of a drag it can be. I'm coming to you because you most likely know where all the cool spots are, yeah?"

"Just because I've been here longer than you, doesn't mean I actually know where all these 'cool spots' are. Like I give a damn for something like that," he responded, shrugging his shoulders as he walked out the door. "I have somewhere else to be, so go ask someone else to take you around the school."

"How can you be so mean!?" She jeers, catching up to him and wrapping an arm around his shoulder. "I've been, like, the only friend you knew when we went to school together overseas! Come on, the least you can do is pay me back over all the times I spent time with ya."

"From what I can remember," Y/N says, turning to her and flicking her forehead, "you decided to accompany my lonely lonesome. Not my fault you decided to be friends with someone like me."

Erica sighs. "There you go again with that shitty attitude of yours. I know what'll cheer you up. A good old musical session. Let's go."

"H-Hey...! Where are you pulling...!? Let me go, Hasegawa!"

"It's Erica, dimwitt! And we're going to the music room!"

"Do you even know where it is!?"

"Not a clue!" She cheerfully replies with a dumb grin on her face.

A tick mark appears on his head. "Exactly! So let me go, you idiot!"

"Not until your mood brightens up!"

"I hate you..."

Y/N simply resigned to his fate.

---

A considerable walk around the school took place, both Y/N and Erica looking for the music room. Although, Y/N's fate to this was out of his hands and he had to simply accept it, the upbeat girl merely dragged him around.

What was it with him allowing women to drag him around in the first place? Strange, indeed.

The journey soon came to an end, the two finding the door and the purple-haired girl slid the sliding door to the right to open it. Desks and chairs were stacked up in some of the corners, the curtains of the windows widely opened to let in the daytime light into the room. A slight breeze flowing through some of the open windows as the particular items of interest were in the center of the room. Two guitars, a base, and a nice quality set of drums.

Erica bounced into the room with slight excitement, instantly running over to the equipment as her eyes marveled at the acoustic guitar. Y/N simply brushed a hand through his hair and took in his surroundings, humming in astoundment. This was the first time he's ever stepped into this room, this clubroom looking more like a hangout for avid music listeners rather than a clubroom. Then again, isn't that the point of a clubroom in the first place?

He soon notices a note on a nearby desk. Walking over to it, he picked it up to read it.

"'For those interested in joining the Music Club, write down your name and class on the sheet nearby. Feel free to also use the equipment, but take extra care with them. Kurokawa Masami, Class 3-B, club leader'," he read aloud. "Huh. They must be real confident for people to really take great care of these instruments whenever they aren't in the room."

"I'll say. They themselves have been taking care of the instruments really well," Erica says, having taken the acoustic guitar into her hands and strumming a few strings.

"Hey, don't just mindlessly mess with their instruments."

"You read the note, didn't you? They said we can use them as long as we take great care of them," she cheekily retorts, gaining a slight grin. "You probably don't even want to play because you're too shy to perform, huh?"

"Stop being stupid, coming up with these idiotic ideas."

"See! Your ears are red! Hell, you even have a slight blush coming to your face," she points out.

Y/N merely huffed to himself. It was true, Y/N wasn't much for performing in front of others, mostly strangers. He was more likely to perform in front of friends and family. This little predicament of his stemmed from the moments he would have to present projects in front of everyone and what not. Not even Goffman's theory of face-work, the idea of transitioning of one's real self to one fabricated or envisioned by that person in order to self themselves from situations like embarrassment. One might say to instantly get over that fact and grow up, considering it a childish problem to have, but not many are able to just "get over it". After all, feelings of anxiety are an interesting and complex behavior. The reason why the mind works this way, leading to this type of human behavior.

It didn't help with Erica's intent gaze and gungho and excited attitude that basically beckoned for him to do it. Sighing, he began walking toward the instruments, hands shoved into his pockets. Erica's grin couldn't help but widen.

"Fine. I just have to play a song, right?"

"Yep! Pick any you like, mate." She cupped her face with her hands, "I'll be sitting back and enjoying the show."

Y/N rolls his eyes, "Glad to have you as an audience," he says sarcastically.

"Oh, bugger off. You know you like me as a watcher."

"Sure, sure." He shrugs and takes the acoustic guitar from her.

Taking a deep breath, Y/N sat down and began to play with the strings a little. Listening to the light strum of the sound vibrating within the wooden contraption, his fingers going to the knobs at the end to tune it. He wanted to find the right rhythm and mood to play the song he wished, remembering the different pieces of musical poems he's listened to over the years and figuring out which ones have made him feel strong emotions and feelings. Ones that have impacted him greatly.

After what seemed like hours, he finally settled on one. Another deep breath left his mouth. He then began to play and sing.

Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm
Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm

Boys workin' on empty
Is that the kinda way to face the burnin' heat?
I just think about my baby
I'm so full of love, I could barely eat
There's nothin' sweeter than my baby
I'd never want once from the cherry tree
'Cause my baby's sweet as can be
She'd give me toothaches just from kissin' me

When my time comes around
Lay me gently down in the cold, dark earth
No grave can hold my body down
I'll crawl home to her

Boys, when my baby found me
I was three days on a drunken sin
I woke with her walls around me
Nothin' in her room but an empty crib
And I was burnin' up a fever
I didn't care how much long I lived
But I swear, I thought I dreamed her
She never asked me once about the wrong I did

When my time comes around
Lay me gently down in the cold, dark earth
No grave can hold my body down
I'll crawl home to her
When my time comes around
Lay me gently down in the cold, dark earth
No grave can hold my body down
I'll crawl home to her

My babe would never fret once
About what my hands and body done
If the Lord didn't forgive me
I'd still have my baby and my babe would have me
When I was kissin' on my baby
And she put her love down, soft and sweet
In the low lamplight, I was free
Heaven and Hell were words to me

When my time comes around
Lay me gently down in the cold, dark earth
No grave can hold my body down
I'll crawl home to her
When my time comes around
Lay me gently down in the cold, dark earth
No grave can hold my body down
I'll crawl home to her

(A/N): Song - Work Song by Hozier.

As soon as he finished, he let out a bit of a flushed sigh as the red that was once there began to formulate again. The whole song itself had a different meaning as to what he himself meant, but it was that beginning was where it resonated with him.

For as long as he could remember, he held feelings for that blonde girl he met during his childhood. She made him feel different things that made it so much different from that life in the manor. When he went overseas to go to a different school, on some of the darkest days, one's where he felt like being cast aside into despair, he thought of her. Not in the most lecherous ways, but the ones that brought great happiness to him. The memories he's had with her. Those were what helped keep him going, aside from the overall support he received from the staff back home and his mother. 

Then again, each song that he listened to, whatever meaningful impact that made on him. He cherished it. He cherished it all.

Before he could ask the girl in front of him on what she thought about his performance, the two of them heard clapping coming from the doorway. It was an older girl, no older than one year. She had pretty pink-red hair, two locks of hair that was much longer that it extended all the way down to her shoulders, red eyes comparable to the color of scarlet or the ruby gemstone. The Sobu High female uniform's sleeves were rolled up to her elbows, black sweatbands on her wrists of either arms, and wearing flat calf high black boots. Her attire was clearly not in line with the school's dress code, but it was clear to them that this senior of theirs didn't much care for it.

A rather wide smirk was plastered on her face, the pink-red-haired girl leaning against the doorframe with an impressed expression.

"I thought I heard a pleasant voice. Tell me, kid, what's your name?" The question was clearly pointed toward Y/N.

Y/N gently set the guitar down and stood up with respect. "L/N Y/N of Class 2-J."

The girl looked at Erica, "And you?"

"Hasegawa Erica. Also of the same class." Erica's introduction was much more cheerful than her brown-haired friend.

"I see. I was just passing by when I heard the noise," the girl said, beginning to walk toward them. "You have a great voice, by the way."

"Uh, thanks," Y/N thanked, a bit taken aback by the compliment. "I never really perform much, but... Music has always been something I've loved."

"I can tell. That was 'Work Song' by Hozier, right? Gotta say. You've got pretty good taste."

Erica interjects herself in. "Uh, not to be rude or anything, but who are you anyway?" Y/N only elbows her in the side with a stare. There could be more polite ways to ask, but Erica often takes the casual approach.

"Hmm... You make a good point. Probably should've started off with that, yeah?" The girl cleared her throat. "I am the club leader of the Music Club. Kurokawa Masami, Class 3-B."

"Y-You're the club president?" Y/N's eyes were wide. "Forgive our disrespect for using your instruments without permission."

"It's fine," Masami laughed. "You read the note, didn't you? You can use them for as long as you want, so long as you take care of them."

"But I've gotta say, Kurokawa-senpai. The instruments you have here are ones of pretty good quality. Aside from the quality of the wood the acoustic guitar is made of, it makes some pretty good sounds," Erica praises.

"Not only that, it was pretty comfortable to use and play," Y/N agreed, nodding his head. "The frets were well-placed and made it easy to change the tune to what I particularly wanted."

"Heh, glad you liked it. It means a lot to me. That acoustic guitar has been with me for as long as I can remember," Masami says, looking at the acoustic guitar at Y/N's side with pure fondness. She soon shook her head, "But anyway, lemme ask you guys something. Are you guys involved in any after school activities?"

"I've been here for a good while now, and no, I'm not in any after school activities or the like," Y/N said. "And Erica just transferred today, so I doubt she's in any either."

"Perfect. If that's the case, might I interest you two in joining the Music Club? We sometimes meet in here for lunch to talk, but it's after school that we really do some jam sessions between all of us. It's myself and three others, so having you two join would mean a lot. How about it? What do you guys think?" Masami proposed.

Erica beamed, raising her hand high. "Oh, for sure I'll join! I've honestly been wanting to be in a band with a bunch of other cool gals."

Masami smiled. "All right, then. And? How about you?"

With the question directed toward him, Y/N put on the spot, he nervously shook slightly. Being asked to join a club right on the spot was something he'd never imagine happening to him. Even when he was overseas in that prep school, he never made it an objective for himself to join a club, and no one really bothered to ask him as well. But to be put on the spot like this, it was a bit much for him.

A sheepish expression makes it's way to his face. "Uh, sorry, never been offered to join a club before by anyone. Think I can get some to think on it?"

Masami nodded in understanding. "Sure, don't think too hard about it and take your time. I won't force you or anything. Anyway, Hasegawa, right?"

"Yep!" The purple-haired girl replied chipperly. She soon received a form. "Hmm?"

"Just fill this form out and then give it back to me later. Even at the end of the day if you want. I'll then submit it before I head home."

"Sweet! Thanks, Kurokawa-senpai!"

"Don't mention it. It'll be fun to have you," Masami laughed, waving as she began for the door. "I'm gonna head out and head down to the cafeteria to get some lunch. Feel free to stay here until the break ends."

The club president walked off, leaving the two inside the room still.

"She was very nice," Erica commented.

"Yeah. Didn't think she'd offer me a spot in this club," Y/N admitted.

She pats his shoulder. "That's because she sees the potential in you. You're a really great singer, you know that?"

Y/N smiled appreciatively. "Thanks... Erica. That means a lot."

"No problem at all, buckaroo. In any case, we've still got some time before the lunch period ends. Let's play another song! Come on, come on!"

"Alright, alright, don't push me."

[Chapter Ten] | Jam Session

---

Been a while, huh? Sorry for the latency on this, been stuck in a bind in how to go about continuing this. Anyway, found something to go off of and here we are.

The character that appeared here, Masami Kurokawa, is simply Masami Iwasawa from Angel Beats! but I just simply changed the last name. Same appearance and attitude, a real cool beauty as she's described and voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro, one of my favorite JP VAs of all time. Anyway, she's not gonna be majorly important, much more of a minor character, but one that'll help influence Y/N to becoming what he wants in the first place. A musician.

In any case, I'm happy to still be continuing this, and there are others that I'm still continuing, but please do note that making these chapters take time. But I hope you enjoyed this one. Until the next one!