May
Chapter 5
After talking to Haruka at the restaurant, Michiru felt the heaviness in her heart was gone. She was feeling a lot better and was slightly improving in class. She asked her cousin to look up for some info, about stress relief techniques for her muscles and added it to her nightly routine. It was hard work, but if she wanted to succeed, Michiru knew this was just the beginning.
Her class had two weeks to get ready for the Fundraising, so Michiru had one week to learn the songs the senior class asked her and one week to practice. She never knew she would be playing her violin again, at least not for school, and she couldn't help but feel happy about it.
Now that she was free of her obligation, Michiru was excited about playing again. She would have dinner at her aunt's place and then, practice for at least one hour after getting home. This way she wouldn't overdo anything and would be able to rest a lot.
Just like Haruka suggested.
Michiru was starting to get confused by the other girl. Haruka was always so nice to her, always taking care of her. After all, she was a damsel in distress and Haruka was a prince.
Her prince.
Feeling her face warming up, Michiru realized she was blushing. And felt ridiculous. Haruka was a classmate, future coworker. Michiru just couldn’t have a crush on her.
If the Revue already had so many rules for how the students and actresses should act, she was sure this would get her expelled for sure. So no, not going to happen.
She was just glad because Haruka helped her, because she was her friend. Nothing else.
When her father got home, Michiru was tuning her violin. After putting it aside since she started school, Daiki was surprised when he saw what his daughter was doing. He still felt so betrayed. Every time he looked at his daughter, his only daughter, he remembered how easily she dismissed the legacy their family spent decades building.
Insolent teenager.
But he promised he would leave her alone if Michiru passed the entrance exam. Daiki felt his heart hurting. Specially because he blamed his wife for Michiru's choices. If Natsuki wasn’t so independent, Michiru would never even think about not being a musician. She would marry a nice man after school, a musician like them and would take care of their conservatory.
It was a simple and easy plan. And his daughter refused to play her role.
Daiki tried to swallow his male pride. Even being angry at Natsuki, she was his wife. He knew the kind of woman she was when he married her. And this was his sacrifice to maintain his marriage.
He couldn't help but notice his daughter. She had this tiny smile on her face, just like when she was younger, and her violin was just a plaything, not a valuable instrument.
Not her entire future.
"Are you going to talk to her or do you wanna just stand there, looking like a fool?" Natsuki asked, as she saw her husband stand next to the door, looking at Michiru.
"This is a mistake, Natsuki. I should have never let her apply for that school."
"And risk having an unhappy kid at home? We talked about this. She's going to be an actress and she's so happy about it." Natsuki was tired of Daiki acting like a child. She loved him dearly, but he was so damn stubborn!
"I'm tired, I don't want to talk about this," He finally said, crossing the living room, going to his bedroom. Why Michiru couldn't just understand the difficult position she got her family into?
Natsuki sighed. Maybe someday Daiki would come to his senses. She was supporting her daughter. Because she wanted Michiru to be happy.
"What are you doing? I thought you had to learn piano at school?" The older woman asked, sitting on the couch next to the girl.
"Oh, we have an event and the senior class asked me to play for them.”
"And are you okay with this? If I recall, you're not happy with your violin."
"Oh, mother..." Michiru put her instrument aside and looked right into her mother's bright blue eyes. "I couldn't be happier."
********
The whole school was excited about the fundraising event. The seniors were busy rehearsing their songs and choreography, so it was up to the freshmen to do the advertising, among other tasks. A group of ten girls was appointed to go around town, specifically to the stores and train stations they're allowed to go to post flyers and banners.
Haruka wanted to go with them. She barely knew the city she was living. Takarazuka would be her home for who knew how long and she just knew the school, the grand theater and the street where was the restaurant she liked.
She missed seeing other people. She was prepared to be a TMS student. But she wasn't still not ready to be a board school student yet. She missed her family, and she was always writing them when she had time.
But she wouldn't trade being at Takarazuka Music School. She was happy. Finally in her place.
"A yen for your thoughts."
Distracted, the blonde girl didn't even realize Michiru was right next to her. Today they would start their rehearsal for the event. Being careful about Michiru's stressed condition, Haruka decided they would practice for one hour, and then Michiru, the only commuting girl in the musician group, would be free to go home. Haruka was adamant about that; she wanted everyone to be rested and happy enough to do a good presentation at the event.
The seniors would be the only class performing, but this didn't mean the freshmen were free to just not care. Next year, they would be responsible for the performances. And Haruka was sure she would be there, on the small stage in the school gym.
Then musician freshmen group was reunited after classes. They asked for permission to use the music room with the bigger piano, and since no one would be studying there, Haruka thought the students were afraid of the black instrument, their teachers let them use the room.
Haruka was looking at the music sheets and thinking about home and how her grandma would be proud of her for being already in a school event, even being a student for less than two months, when Michiru entered the room, her violin case in hand.
"Michi! You scared the hell out of me!” The students weren't allowed to talk too loud, so they were always whispering. Haruka looked at her other classmates; no one heard her calling Michiru by the name she gave her. And she didn't want anyone to call her that.
'Michi' was hers and hers only.
"Sorry, sorry. But you were practically asking for it," The aquamarine girl said, taking, carefully, her violin from its case. Haruka was enjoying this carefree version of Michiru. Since their talk at the restaurant, Haruka could feel the results. Michiru was more focused, their teachers were even surprised with her improvement. Haruka would even risk saying Michiru looked happier.
"So, today is our first rehearsal for the fundraising," Haruka started, gathering the other students around her. This was natural for her. Born a natural leader, she was always taking care of everything and taking the lead. "So, let's go through the first song. We have 6 days to do this, the fundraising is this Sunday. So let's keep our mind focused."
There were just five of them. Haruka would the on piano, Michiru on her violin, one girl would play a shamisen and two brought their flutes.
Haruka only knew about her own skills. The other girls? She didn't have a clue if they were good or not. So she started to play an easy melody, one she learned a long time ago.
"OK, let's get warmed? I'll play this tune so you guys follow me, okay?"
She wasn't a teacher. And she was hopeful the seniors didn't pull a prank on her, choosing people who can't play anything.
But, when she paid attention to Michiru's violin, it was like the first time she saw a Takarazuka play live. The same feeling of pure happiness was running all over her body, like an electric shock.
Soon, everyone was following Michiru, like background dancers basking in the lead star's talent. She was incredible. Her violin was an extension of her arms, she played with such a grace and elegance...
Without even realizing, Haruka had tears in her eyes. The melody Michiru was playing was like her soul was trying to tell everyone about some secret. It was about love, sadness, redemption, light and darkness.
Michiru was indeed a very talented musician. And Haruka was grateful for being able to listen to her playing.
"Kaiou-san, that was amazing!" One of the flautists, an older girl whose name Haruka couldn’t remember now, said. Embarrassed, Michiru gave them a shy smile, before focusing her eyes in Haruka.
"That was beautiful, Kaiou-san," Haruka said, the other girl's surname so heavy in her tongue. Like it was so wrong for her to say it. "Now I think we'll pull this off, ladies..."
********
Oosaka Naru was a young girl who just got into college. At the age of 18, she had this dream to go to a business school and learn how to take care of the family business, a small jewelry shop in Dotonbori, a commercial area in Osaka.
Born in Takarazuka, she moved to Osaka when her parents got divorced. She was three at the time, so she barely remembered the years she lived in that town.
Her mother, Oosaka Mayumi, was always busy with the shop and in her free time, she was a proud member of a Takarasienne fan club. When she was a little girl, Naru never really understood why her mother would spend her time and money just to watch some plays in their hometown. The train ride wasn’t long, so Mayumi usually left her daughter taking care of their shop to attend her favorite actress' performances. She also attended tea parties, dinner shows and met the actress she liked before and after her performances.
For young Naru, all the club activities were just a waste of time. But she understood why her mother needed so bad some time off. Being owner of a small business in a huge city like Osaka wasn't easy. She was always working, planning better sales actions, dealing with suppliers...
It was a stressful life. And Naru knew that would be her life too. That's why she decided to go to college and get a degree in business. This way she would be able to repay every sacrifice her mother made. And maybe, transform that tiny little store into something for her mother to be proud.
Since she was a little girl, Naru liked to read her mother's magazines and books about the Revue. Mayumi was a fan of an otokoyaku who was working hard as nibante, the second most important actress in the troupe, only behind the Top Star herself.
Naru watched plays from now and then, but she didn't feel this connection that her mother had with her idol. For Naru, every actress was amazing, being able to sing, dance and act. Her mother always told her she would find her Star. Like that old saying 'when the student is ready, the master appears.'
Naru knew this was the way her mother found to have some relaxing happiness in her life. And if her mother was happy she was happy.
A few weeks after Naru's eighteenth birthday, her mother asked her to attend the Sumire Hall Fundraising Event, using her tickets. She was called to be a speaker in another event, for small business owners, so, sadly, she would have to miss the TMS fundraising, for the first time in almost 25 years.
Knowing her mother was feeling sad due missing the event, Naru called some of her friends from college and decided make a day of it.
The fundraising event would happen on the last Sunday of May, and consisted of some sketches, coral and dance presentation. It was the first time the students would have a direct contact with the public.
Traditionally, only the seniors had permission to perform. Since the school term started in April, they didn't have the knowledge to pull a presentation. So it was up to them to take care of everything else. From tickets, to sitting the visiting audience. And everything would be supervised by their teachers.
Takarazuka Music School was very strict, and they demanded just perfection.
Naru arrived with her friends at the school a few minutes past 9. She knew some of her college friends were fans of the Revue, but they never had the chance to go to an event like this.
They were greeted at the entrance by a smiling girl in a grey uniform, who checked their tickets and gave them a copy of the program. Another student helped them find their seats, in the middle row, her mother favorite place to seat in every performance she attended.
The silence at the makeshift theater was almost uncomfortable. She looked around and saw some girls in uniforms walking fast, since it was forbidden for them to run. The lights flickered and she knew it was about to begin.
"Friends, family and visitors, welcome to our annual Sumire Hall fundraising event," A masculine voice said from the stage and Naru looked up to see a balding man, wearing a dark suit with thick glasses standing in the spotlight. "Thank you for your presence here today, to see our students perform. We will give you an afternoon of delight, with music and dance. After the performance, feel free to visit our school. Our freshmen will gladly show you around."
He bowed and left the stage. Naru thought it was weird to see a man in a Takarazuka stage, even he being a teacher. It just didn't fit.
The performances were nice, funny and showed Naru and her friends how talented those girls were. Some of them would be great actresses someday and Naru could see herself watching them at the grand theater.
Maybe this was her mother true purpose when she told Naru to use her tickets. To make her daughter bond with a Sienne-to-be and follow her through her whole career.
Naru laughed at this thought. These girls were indeed very talented, but she wasn't too impressed by them. At least, not enough to join a club.
********
Haruka was ecstatic. She never knew being this close to the action would give her such a rush.
Her Sunday started early, and she was tired, after spending all her free time studying, practicing and helping in the event. And before going to the gym, to play the requested songs, she had to help with last minute details.
She had no idea a small fundraising event would demand so much work. She would be lost if it wasn't for her natural leadership. So it was up to her guide her classmates to make this fundraising really memorable.
The seniors were getting ready for their performances and the freshmen, divided in three groups, took care of one task. Haruka and the rest of the musicians, who would perform later, were responsible for the backstage area. So, they watched everything from behind the curtains, in really privileged place.
"Nervous?" Haruka asked Michiru, who was pacing around, her violin case resting against the wall.
"Not really. I'm just trying to get into my happy place..." The girl answered. This was going to be the first time she would perform after 'retiring' and she was indeed nervous. But Haruka was so supportive and attentive, she wanted to play cool and keep her distance. The past week they spent rehearsing brought them even close together and Michiru wasn’t happy about that. She could feel her crush for Haruka getting bigger and bigger, and she couldn't let that happen. Not now. Not ever.
"This happy place of yours helps you concentrate?" The blonde girl looked at the music sheets they would be playing later. She had a look at the audience before and they had a nearly full house.
"Yeah. My dad taught me that, so this way I wouldn't be nervous when I was playing. I just hope this helps me when it’s my turn to go on stage."
"Michi… You don't have to be nervous. You're a great violinist." Haruka crossed her arms.
"My violin won't help me going through the school, my prince." Michiru was tired of Haruka making this harder for her. Always so thoughtful of her needs and her well-being. Making it impossible to not have a crush on her.
Listening to her friend calling her by that nickname, Haruka smiled.
"You will be fine, Michi. Just don't demand too much from yourself."
"I just need some time for myself, Haruka..."
Michiru was the first girl in her class Haruka befriended. They had a special bond because they were together since their entrance exam. And Haruka liked to think they would be like this for the rest of their school life. Like the sisters they're supposed to be.
But maybe Michiru didn't think the same way. Maybe for Michiru, Haruka was just another classmate.
Then possibility of that being true practically broke Haruka's young heart. Her roommate was this selfish, bored girl. She was away from her family, living in a strange place. So it was natural for her to connect to someone who was going through the same. Michiru was fun, smart and talented. And her violin, her music, was probably the most amazing sound she ever listened in her young life.
"Tenou-san? We're next." One of the flautists warned her, taking Haruka out of her thoughts. Maybe they could talk later. Or Haruka could just fulfill Michiru's wish and leave her alone.
*****
Haruka never played for a big crowd before. She had no idea small fundraising events were popular, so she was pretty surprised when she quietly walked to the piano located in a small area designed for musicians next to the stage. She tried to maintain her best game face, a perfect example of a student.
Michiru stood next to her, her violin waiting for her cue. She was in her happy place, in her comfort zone. Being a violinist for most of her life prepared her for this. Besides, this would help her to show to her entire school that she was ready to do anything for the Revue. After a rocky start, Michiru had another chance to make a good impression.
They barely looked at the stage. Having practiced all their cues, they knew exactly when they should start playing and which song. After all, they're practically professional musicians. The other three girls in their small group were also talented. If this was a regular school, Haruka would want to play again with them. But the main focus of Music School wasn’t forming musicians.
During the last song, Haruka looked at Michiru and saw the other girl with her eyes closed, totally immersed in her music. Her long, delicate fingers working furiously on the strings, changing from one accord to another in such an easy way. Haruka never saw anything like that in her young life.
And she never saw Michiru looking this beautiful.
******
After the performances, Naru went to the main patio. She was always curious about the school, about how a two-year course helped create amazing performances and beautiful plays. Most of the students were younger than her and it was hard to fully understand how someone so young could just commit most of her life to a theater company.
Perhaps this meant someone who already knew what they wanted to with their life. Just like Naru and her dream to become a businesswoman.
Maybe she wasn't too different from those smiling girls she saw before.
At the main patio, a few students were talking to some visitors, showing them some banners and pamphlets, about the school, the Revue and upcoming plays. Naru approached a group who were listening attentively to a tall girl, with black short hair. She seemed old for her school uniform, and Naru figured she was a senior.
Lost in the girl's speech, Naru didn't even realize her friends leaving her behind to find a place to eat. A few minutes later, she received a message on her phone, telling her where her friends were.
After answering the text, Naru was free to wander around the school. She joined a small group of visitors, leaded by the same tall girl from before, and they started to explore the school building.
******
Naru was having an ice cream in front if the school building. She did everything her mother told her to, watched the performances, made a tour in the premises, made a donation in the name of their store. She was just waiting for her friends to come back so they could head home.
She was distracted when she saw a small group of students walking in her direction. They were almost whispering to each other, like every other student she met. Even in a Sunday, the students needed to follow the school rules.
Naru saw a tall blonde girl, with her hair braided like the other girls, walking beside an aquamarine haired student and they looked... happy, like they were proud of themselves. Recognizing them being the group of musicians from the performances, the auburn haired girl decided to talk to them. For the tallest girl hairstyle, she imagined them being freshmen, since the student who would become otokoyaku in the future just had their hair cut during their second year in the school.
"Hello, excuse me?" Naru said, startling the girls. She smiled, seeing how pretty those girls were, and noticing the tall blonde one being in front of the other girls, as if to protect them. "I didn't mean to startle you. I just wanted to let you know that I enjoyed your music today. You are all very talented."
Haruka was surprised by this stranger's compliment. Especially cause today wasn't about them. Like in cue, her companions, including Michiru took a bow, shy smiles on their faces.
"Thank you," Haruka answered, feeling bold. "Please come to our next event in November. We will be happy to see you there." She made a reverence to this girl, the only one to congratulate them for their work today. "Now if you excuse us..." The blonde girl said leading her friends to the restaurant she loved. Now that the event was over, they were free to enjoy the rest of their Sunday.
Naru saw the small group leaving fast. And smiled. Her mother was right. She just had to find the right Sienne to follow. And even this one still being in school, Naru had this feeling she would be amazing.
********
After the fundraising event, the entire school started on to get ready for the first test of the school term. Even being a school for future actresses, they had tests and exams like every other school. This way Hankyu, the company that owned the Revue, the school board and the teachers could know their best students and this would influence their future in the company after finishing school.
For the freshmen classes, they were really applying themselves, since they didn't have to worry about performances. And the June tests meant they would be closer to summer vacation. A whole month away from school, where most of the students would be going back to their hometowns, and get ready for the second part of the year.
Haruka was excited about going home. She missed her family so much and she was dying to spend some quality time with her grandma. Being her greatest supporter in her insane dream, Tenou Ayako would love to have her granddaughter back into her house.
She formed a study group with Michiru and the other girls who played with them during the fundraising. That event was good for them, because now they weren't so alone at school. Having each other's back was great. They had more people to rehearse for their acting classes, and they could help each other with their dancing lessons.
And Haruka loved to have company to watch plays in the grand theater. Michiru, being the only commuter, started to spend more time at school, specially on Saturdays, when they just had half day.
She was getting better and better, even now, with this support group. In the weeks after the fundraising, she got so distracted, practically forgetting about her crush on Haruka. And that was the best part. Her heart still beat fast when she saw the other girl, but she had this feeling she would get over this soon.
Their test week would be held in the second week of July, they would need to do practical exams, for singing and dancing and theory tests, including sheet reading, English and history.
Haruka came up with a studying schedule for them. She would help with ballet, since she was a former ballerina, Michiru was in charge with their theory subjects, specially English, since she lived in the US and Yamamoto Natsume, one of the flautists, was responsible for their singing. Ueda Kaoru, the best freshman in the shamisen class, decided to compose a song for her group to perform during their test and Hayashi Takako took advantage of her modern dance background to help.
It was a good balanced group. Michiru couldn’t be happier about it. She just needed to relax and enjoy her school life. She had real friends now, not followers, like in her old school. Despite her home situation, life was finally good. She wasn't running away from her past.
She was running towards a bright future.
TBC.