The storm
Ako screamed as thunder boomed from the sky. The drummer dashed towards Rinko like a mouse and held her tightly. Rinko stood dead in her tracks, unsure of what to do. The other members stared at the two.
“Rin-rin, protect me!” Ako shouted as she wrung the pianist like a towel.
Rinko stared at her doe-eyed. “Ako-chan, I’m surprised you don’t like storms.” She did her best to straighten her back as Ako continued to squeeze her torso. “I thought you would enjoy them…”
Ako shut her eyes as she shook her head. “Nuh-uh, no way! They’re so scary!”
Sayo eyed Ako. “Udagawa-san,” she began, “we are in the middle of practice. This is inappropriate.”
“I agree with Sayo,” Yukina chimed in as she crossed her arms. She tapped her foot as she gazed at Ako. “We cannot waste time during these rehearsals. We have less than a month to perfect our performance for the Summer Festival down-town. We cannot be unprepared. You do understand that right?
“Yeah,” Ako squirmed underneath the vocalist’s gaze, “Yeah, I understand... but!” Ako pointed outside the window at the dark cloud rolling into view. “I really hate storms… and one’s definitely coming, we need to evacuate!”
“Evacuation may be a bit unnecessary, but,” Rinko murmured to herself, “the forecast did call for a heavy downpour…” She turned to Yukina as she wrapped her arms around the drummer stuck at her waist. “Yukina-san, do… do you think we can end rehearsal,” her voice went quiet at the end, “early today?”
Lisa fiddled with her bass strings, “I don’t think it’d hurt if we ended rehearsal early too.” She looked up at Yukina. “Besides, you know we’re always ready by performance day anyways, Yukina. We can even do a make-up session this weekend if you want!” She pouted, “C’mon, Yukina, we don't have school tomorrow anyways~.”
Yukina sighed, “Since we’ve already lost our focus I suppose we could-”
“I completely disagree with Imai-san,” Sayo interrupted as she pursed her lips together. “It would be irresponsible to end rehearsal early, regardless if we could reschedule.” Imai-san, you know that is a poor decision, Sayo thought. As if on cue, another rumble of thunder rang throughout the practice-space. Ako released another yell.
“Please, please, please let us go home Yukina-san…” Ako trembled. “I can’t focus when we’re all about to die!” Rinko gave an encouraging rub on her shoulder in an attempt to soothe her. Sayo, however, didn’t budge.
“We’re not going to die,” Sayo replied matter-of-factly. She didn’t lessen up her grip on her guitar, “We can just practice until the storm ends. We don’t waste a rehearsal and we also avoid the storm, simple solution.” However, Lisa disagreed.
“C’mon Sayo~,” Lisa teased. “You know that this rehearsal is too far gone,” she added, “we can just reschedule, easy as pie!”
“It’s illogical, we can just work through the storm.”
“You know that can’t happen anymore, Sayo. Ako’s super shaken up, see!” Lisa gestured towards the shaking drummer, who of which was still attached to Rinko. “Think about the psychological consequences this will have on the poor girl!”
“You have to be joking, Imai-san. That’s absolutely absurd. Please take this conversation seriously.”
“I am, I’m taking it super seriously!”
Yukina's motivation to continue with the rehearsal was draining quickly. As Sayo and Lisa were busy arguing with each other, she crouched down and began packing up her music and her supplies. Once she had finished, she gestured to Ako and Rinko to pack up their belongings as well. The two stared at her oddly, not understanding what she meant. "Pack your things," she whispered. She then turned around and slipped out of the practice-room silently, wishing them a safe trip home under her breath. Ako sprinted to her and Rinko’s belongings and picked them up in one swoop.
Ako did her best to whisper. “Rinko, come on!”
“Are you sure we should leave them like this?” the pianist questioned as she side-eyed Sayo and Lisa, who were both still caught up in each other. “They’re… they’re going to get caught in the storm, shouldn’t we let them know we’re leaving?”
Ako dashed out of the practice-room. “Every woman for herself!”
Rinko was left with no choice but to follow, as she knew Udagawa-san couldn’t make it three steps with the looming storm that was about to let loose. “Please be more cautious Ako-chan, you’ll trip running that fast!” She left the practice-room, quickly trailing the terrified Ako.
Somehow, Sayo and Lisa were still in a heated discussion. “For the love of christ, Sayo,” Lisa whined, “let’s just leave already! I feel like I’m just repeating myself.” However, Sayo didn’t respond. Lisa tilted her head, “Is something wrong, Sayo?”
“Everyone else left.”
Lisa looked around quizzically, and surprisingly enough, only she and Sayo remained in the practice-room. Were we really that focused on each other? I can’t believe they just left us like this… A flash of lightning stained the room in a sharp bright glow before fading. Lisa flinched. “Please let there be enough time for me to head…” A droplet hit against the window. Then another, and another. She trailed off as a heavy downpour began, “home…" She frowned, "I live so far away, I’m gonna get completely soaked.” Lisa sulked as she began to collect her things. “I can’t believe Yukina would leave me like this…”
-
Guitar-case on back, Sayo stared at the rain from under the protection of the partition in front of CiRCLE. The rain pounded down relentlessly as water bathed the streets. Another round of thunder boomed. If I left now I would get completely soaked… She felt her phone vibrate within her pocket as she was about to set out on her way home. Sayo pulled out her phone and checked it, she had received a message from Hina.
-
HINA
Friday 4:48pm
Hina:
are you okay sis!?!? it's storming super hard right now!! how are you gonna get back??
Sayo:
I appreciate your concern Hina, but I will be fine. Please have a towel ready for me when I get home. I will need to dry.
Hina:
you got it :) !! it’ll be right by the door when you enter, stay safe!!!
Sayo:
Thank you.
-
“Sayo!” Lisa shouted from behind her, carrying her bass on her back. She jogged up next to Sayo and peered at the heavy rain. “It’s storming pretty hard, isn’t it?” Sayo could hear hesitance - maybe fear? - in her voice. She did say she lives far away, so it's understandable.
“It is,” Sayo said blankly. She watched Lisa frown. “You said you lived far away before, correct?”
“Yeah, I do. I’m gonna get soaked to the core…” Lisa mumbled something about how her hair would get ruined. That would be bad, her hair is pretty.
Sayo fiddled with the hem of her skirt. Should I be courteous and extend an olive branch? But I do have to practice my guitar, I shouldn't. Lisa looked like she would rather be anywhere else. Sayo felt bad. I guess... I could practice my guitar tomorrow. Imai-san is my band-mate after all. “Imai-san, would you like to come over to my home? You may stay until the storm passes if that is alright with you.”
Lisa looked surprised. “Are you sure?” She twiddled a strand of her hair, “I appreciate it but I wouldn’t want to interrupt-”
“It is fine,” Sayo says blankly. “We are band-mates, after all.”
“And also friends!”
“Yeah,” Sayo replied. Of course, friends. Sayo felt something in her heart ache, although she didn't know what. “Are you ready to go, Imai-san?”
Lisa nodded as she stepped directly into the downpour. Her brown hair began to dampen, then soak along with her school uniform. “Imai-san,” Sayo remarked in awe, “what are you doing?” Lisa still looks pretty when wet, I'm not surprised. She always looks pretty.
All Lisa does in reply is reach out a hand to Sayo with a mischievous grin. “Are you ready to run? We’re gonna get soaked,” she giggled.
The rain had begun to wipe away Lisa’s make-up. She’s still pretty, the guitarist thought as she stared. “Sayo,” she clicked her tongue, “we don’t have all day and I’m not just standing here for fun~.” It’s hard to hear Lisa over the rain. The rain doesn't seem even close to letting up anytime soon.
Sayo grabbed her hand and Lisa pulled her into the onslaught of rain. Sayo sulked with each soggy step as the rain soaked through her body from top to bottom. She had to be careful to keep her phone dry. “I’m wet,” Sayo blanked. “I don’t like being wet.”
“At least you’re still super cute!” Lisa teased as she began to drag Sayo by her hand. “We gotta start moving, which way’s your house?”
“Follow me,” Sayo replied. She began to run, dragging Lisa behind her. They were both smiling as they ran, Lisa was even laughing. Sayo found Lisa's laugh soothing to the point she was no longer scared of being wet. Lisa always helped the band grow. After all, she was the glue that held Roselia together. Sayo admired that about her.
Even in the cold rain, her hand is warm. I like it.
-
Sayo and Lisa ran up to the door of the Hikawa household. The rain was still pounding down, traveling through the house’s gutters. The streetlights gave the streets a dim yellow glow. Sayo slammed the door as Lisa stood by. “Hina!” she shouted, “Let us in!” They were both wet to their core. Sayo internally prayed for a relaxing, hot shower. The hitch of the door opening broke Sayo from her thoughts, her sister stood in the door-frame.
“Come inside, quickly!” Hina ushered. The wet teenagers rushed inside and stood still on the welcome mat inside, not wanting to make the floor wet. The younger twin frowned, “You’re both super, super wet…” she turned to Lisa, “I didn’t know you were bringing Lisacchi home with you too! I didn’t know you moved that fast, onee-chan, I always took you as a more modest type~.”
“Don’t say such ridiculous things, stupid,” Sayo scowled as her cheeks grew red. “Give me the towel and go get a towel for Imai-san please.”
Hina nodded with a sigh and handed her sister a towel. She then dashed away to fetch another. Sayo dried herself as she and Lisa stood side-by-side in silence. “Well,” Lisa broke the silence, “I appreciate you letting me stay till the storm passes.” Sayo gave her a nod as a reply, not wanting to repeat herself. It was fine to Sayo, it was simply helping a band-mate. She doesn’t even remember the last time she had someone over anyways - she mainly focused on her studies and her music, which left little time for developing friendships. There was no reason for her to change anything about that. When Sayo looked back at Lisa, the bassist was scrolling through her phone. “Eh, Sayo,” Lisa remarked, “it says it’s supposed to keep raining super hard until tomorrow morning.”
Before Sayo could reply, Hina came back with another towel. She threw it directly to Lisa, who began to dry. “Here ya go! And Lisacchi is right! - it’s supposed to rain like cats and dogs until tomorrow morning!” She raised a hand to her chin, “there’s like, no way she can go back on her own. The storm’ll eat her up whole!”
Sayo pinched the bridge of her nose. “Please do not say such ludicrous things Hina.” The older twin sighed as she turned around, grabbing Lisa’s wrist and dragging her down the hall to her room.
“E-Eh, Sayo…?” she questioned, “What are you doing?”
“I am taking you to my room to find you a pair of pyjamas to wear.”
“Wait, why!?”
Sayo looked Lisa directly in the eye, “You will be staying the night I assume? There’s no way you can head home with the current weather outside. Besides, our parents aren't home. They will be returning tomorrow afternoon.”
Lisa looked at the ground dejectedly. She truthfully didn’t want to head home at this point, but she didn’t want to overbear on the twins. “Are you sure? I can just head home-”
“Nonsense,” Sayo interrupted her. “Come with me to my bedroom. I will get you a pair of pyjamas. I couldn’t sleep well tonight knowing you would be outside in the storm.”
Lisa grinned, “Thank you Sayo~. You’re a lifesaver, I definitely owe you one.”
Downstairs Hina giggled to herself, her sister was never quite smart with these kinds of things.
-
Sayo sat on her bed with her pyjamas folded in her lap. Lisa was using the bathroom to change first. I can’t believe Imai-san is staying the night, Sayo thought. I can’t believe that I will see Imai-san wearing a pair of my own pyjamas, her cheeks flushed. She will definitely look nice in them.
She hadn’t caught on to the nature of the things she was thinking by the time Lisa emerged from the bathroom. Sayo turned her head to see, and when she did, the air got caught in her throat. Lisa twirled around like a model, donning a loose purple shirt and black shorts. “So~?” Lisa purred. “Does it look okay? We’re around the same size in clothing anyways…”
Yes you look so good.
Sayo tried to block the rising blush on her cheeks with her hands. “Yes…” she sputtered, “Yes, you look very nice Imai-san. I think you’re pretty.”
Lisa giggled as her face glowed red, “Hehe, well thanks Sayo.” She gestured toward the bathroom, “You can change now if you’d like!”
Sayo sputtered a thank you as she paced into the bathroom, locking the door behind her. She slid down onto the floor in shame - her cheeks were still on fire. She buried her head into the pyjamas in her arms. Why… why can’t I get that image of Lisa out of my head? All Sayo can think of was the way that her shorts hugged Lisa’s thighs and the way her shirt curved around Lisa’s…
Oh god.
“Sayo?” Lisa asked from the other side of the door. “I heard a weird rumble, is everything okay in there?”
Sayo could only mumble a timid, “I'm fine...” She stood up and looked at herself in the mirror: she was a mess. Her hair was tangled and her cheeks were dyed red. I can’t believe it, I really, really can’t believe it… Sayo breathed out. “Do I like Lisa?” Her heart swelled the moment she said the question out loud. Sayo then realized at that moment, with the thumping in her chest, that her feelings towards her band-mate may not be as platonic as she thought.
Any man would be lucky to date Lisa, Sayo noted. She’s intelligent, hardworking, kind... but she is a girl. I must stop feeling like this, it isn't right. Sayo removed her clothing piece by piece. I will get over it soon, she thought. Then she pulled a blue shirt over her shoulders and dark sweatpants up to her waist in a way that made her feel like she was hiding a part of herself, like a violet in the night.
It's just late, and I need to sleep. That's all.