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rustyrose: Why, you'd be amazed at how adept people like her are at making friends. :3

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I now realized why Arisa had wanted Eichii-senpai to come along. Somehow, I never expected him to be so… in tune with fashion.

“No,” Eichii-senpai was saying as Arisa held up a plain dress, “That’s too plain- you’re thin, so you’ll probably want something slim-fitting. You should wear something too dark either, because your hair is blonde. A pale color will make you look elegant, but washed out…”

I sat there as Eichii-senpai assessed Arisa, saying, “You should wear a warm color- not a cold one, since your eyes are a cold color. Red would be a little too loud… Yellow would be good, but it can be the same color as your hair. But we could always settle in the middle with an orange dress.” Eichii-senpai practically dragged us over to the orange dresses. It ended up that Arisa and Eichii-senpai seemed to get along quite well, and I was just here for nothing. I so dearly wanted to be back at the mansion practicing, but I knew I wouldn’t be allowed to just ditch them.

Not with Arisa around.

“This is cute.” Eichii-senpai pulled out a light orange dress that fanned out at the waist and just barely brushed the floor. The skirt was glittery, and it was made of a material that looked…

Well, it looked like something I wouldn’t be able to afford ever in my lifetime.

“I don’t know, I’m not fond of wearing things that’ll get in the way of the pedal’s.” Arisa pointed out, “And besides, I’m not going to wear something that’ll slide off my torso in the middle of playing.”

Eichii-senpai tapped his chin, pushing his glasses up higher on the bridge of his nose saying, “Good point. So we’ll want a square tank- no, that won’t look good, because you have thin shoulders. So spaghetti strap, knee-cut skirt should do the trick. And a pair of kitten heels should work okay- the heels won’t be high enough that it’d be hard to reach the pedal, and it wouldn’t deteriorate from the look. They should be… white.”

Eichii-senpai turned back to searching through the racks, looking as if he was thouraghly enjoying himself. I sighed as Arisa sat down next to me.

“Why don’t you help us look? It’s your turn next~”

I sweatdropped. I could just imagine what kind of criticism for my looks I’d get from Eichii-senpai if someone as pretty as Arisa had gotten the comment of ‘built like a pencil’.

“No, that’s okay, I’m kind of tired.” I replied with a smile, and Eichii-senpai shoved a carrot orange dress, cut at the knees like he’d described, the satin fabric soft and untouched. The neckline was cut a little lower then would’ve been comfortable for me, but Arisa didn’t seem to mind.

“That’s EXACTLY what I had in mind Aoga-kun!!” Arisa squealed.

Eichii-senpai grinned, “I know, I’m just a genius at this.”

“You are!” Arisa took the dress from him and bid us farewell as she went to go try it on. Eichii-senpai sat down next to me on the square black cushion stools and examined me. I couldn’t help be feel uncomfortable. Even if he was the professional kind of fashion dresser, I felt like somebody was checking me out. And it wasn’t to say that he wasn’t.

“Let’s see, a healthy weight- not like Arisa.” I ignored his jab at my weight, “Hmm… A chiffon fabric dress with a glitter tulle skirt cover would be the best. Your hair is brown, your eyes are brown, so we can’t have a brown dress. Blue would look tacky, and green would make you look like a tree.”

I was insulted, but remained silent.

“Let’s see, orange is too autumn… yellow has the same effect. Well… Let’s stick with basic colors. White dress- black accents.” Eichii-senpai gave me a thumbs up, but I could hardly respond after noticing that I was wearing a pair of blue capri’s and a green tanktop. Tacky like a tree. Eichii-senpai clapped his hands together and stood up, and I looked up from my own clothes to see Arisa standing in a very pompous and confident pose in her dress.

“That looks great! What do you think?” Eichii-senpai asked, sounding very much like a photographer.

“Perfect!” Arisa grinned, and said, “It fit’s perfectly, it looks perfect, it’s just all perfect! Very cute.”

“Not too summer?” Eichii-senpai asked, and Arisa shook her head, lightly curled blonde locks bouncing about her slender neck, “Good! Let’s look for Koshiai-chan’s outfit now!”

“Okay!” Arisa exclaimed. The pair searched through the white dresses, showing me a plethora of dresses.

They discussed random other things, like what my hair should look like, and what kind of accessories I should wear, what color shoes, what kind of make-up. I felt like their barbie doll.

In the end they both agreed on a white chiffon dress that had a ballet-skirt look, with one strap on the left side. It was pure white, but the pair assured me that I wouldn’t look like a blank canvas once I was done. That I just needed to try it on, to see if it fit.

I was a little large around my non-existant waist, but Eichii-senpai waved it off, saying that that could be easily fixed.

“I think brown accents would be better then black. Then she’s not just positive and negative.” Arisa pointed out, and Eichii-senpai agreed wholeheartedly.

“Chocolate brown though, it has to match her hair and eyes perfectly.” He added, and Arisa agreed wholeheartedly.

Arisa went off to make the purchases, and Eichii-senpai asked me if I had any preferences.

“As long as the shoes are flat, I’m good.” I said, and Eichii-senpai visibly deflated.

“Ballet flat’s then.” He sighed, and I felt kind of insulted… again.

Thankfully, the rest of the day passed without any more fashion remarks. After everything Arisa decided we’d need for the concur’s (that wasn’t related to music,) was bought, we sat down to a light lunch and lemonade as Arisa and Eichii-senpai laughed about how angry Gutokuji-senpai would be when we got back. After that, we just windowshopped.

Well, I bought a little music box for my father, but that was all, after the boutique.

“You ready to go back?” Arisa asked me, smiling.

Hell yes. I’d BEEN ready, since the moment we’d left the villa.

~ + ~

Eichii-senpai spent the rest of the afternoon trying to console his demon-like friend, who ended up not uttering a single word for the rest of the day, sulking even after he’d had his late lunch.

Seki seemed to have let it go, but Nakino was still running his mouth to Arisa, arguing with her as to why he had to suffer at the same time. Their argument lasted the rest of the afternoon. And so I was the silent end of the senpai’s, and the loud end of Arisa and Nakino.

And in the middle, there was me and Seki who carried an on-and-off conversation.

“Umm… So, how was your day?”

“Oh, it was good.”

The silence returned, and I decided that I should’ve added a little more to my response, stammering quickly after a pause, “But all we really did was go shopping for clothes.”

Seki blinked, “Ah, is that why Arisa-san is in such a good mood?”

I looked up and saw Arisa practically glittering as she shot snide and witty come-backs at Nakino, who was turning redder by the minute, knowing he was losing miserably. I smiled, and laughed at the pair, “Yeah.”

Seki stood up suddenly grinning down at me as he chirped, “Let’s practice together!”

I blinked, “Wh-What?”

“Music! Just an easy song.” Seki held his hand out, “It won’t be long!”

How… spontaneous. I thought it’d be rude to decline, when he looked so cheerful, so I agreed, though I was definetely reluctant on the inside. I took his hand and he pulled me up from my seat, saying, “What song do you like?”

I blinked, “Me?”

“Yeah, I’m pretty flexible. When it comes to easy violin pieces, that is.” He turned around and walked backwards as we headed for the practice room that had been assigned to him, “Wouldn’t want to reveal our talent before the first selection, right?”

Finally, someone who was considerate about competition. All these people were so familiar with each other already, it made me feel like a fish out of water. I smiled back at him, saying, “I like Beethoven’s Violin Romance, Number 1 in G Major.”

Seki opened the door to his practice room, which was furnished in a modern style- unlike mine, which was a Victorian Age look. I deducted that Arisa’s family rather liked the variety of modern and traditional in their homes. Everything was square and geometrical, and, even Seki’s violin was modern. It wasn’t made of rich mahoghany wood like mine- No, it was made of some kind of durable metal, covered by a thick layer of black paint. The body- well, that is to say, there wasn’t much of a body. It had four holes, each positioned where window panes might go. It’s general frame and sharp was distinctly violin, but I couldn’t help but ask:

“Doesn’t that violin’s tone quality lack? I mean, it is missing most of the support.” I pointed out, and Seki shook his head.

“No, it’s the same as any normal violin. It just looks different. My Father doesn’t like the way traditional violin’s look, so he doesn’t buy me any regular violin’s.”

I blinked, holding his violin in my hands as he looked about for Beethoven’s piece.

It was so much lighter then mine! I picked up my own violin case, which I had toted from my practice room to here, and opened my case to find my normal-looking violin. Somehow, it felt much better. Much more in place.

“Here it is!” Seki held out the first part to me and I quickly retaliated.

“Oh- No, it’s alright, you can play the melody!”

“Nah,” Seki pressed the paper into my hands, “I don’t like standing out. Besides, I’m the one who asked you to practice with me. It’d be rude.”

I sighed and set the music onto the white music stand, pulling it up so that I could see it clearly. Placing the violin on my shoulder and putting the bow against the g-string, I looked at Seki, who was ready as well, nodding at me. I wondered why I had consented to this. I had never played a duet, because I hated the feeling of being relied on. And that was what a duet was all about.

I pulled the bow lightly against the strings of my violin as it sang the song clearly and beautifully. I hesitated when Seki’s violin entered the piece, my fingers slowing a bit and bumbling themselves. Thankfully, Seki slowed down, and was incredibly flexible, sometimes saying aloud which measure he was at. (And to my dismay, it usually ended up being a different measure then me.)

In the end, the song was butchered, and I was slightly discouraged. Seki laughed, “It doesn’t seem like you play many duets, huh?”

“I play duets all the time with piano’s!” I defended, “But not much with violin’s.”

“There’s a first time for everything, right?” Seki turned the music back to the beginning, “Want to try again?”

I nodded, “Definetely.”

~ + ~

I dragged myself through the halls, feeling like a walking icicle in my plain white tank top and baggy plaid PJ bottoms. As if the house weren’t already cold enough, what with the air conditioner, but the rooms were large and even when the heaters turned on at night it took at least 20 minutes for a room to feel moderately warm. I knew I was the only one downstairs at this point in time, but, I couldn’t help it. Biting my lip I admitted to myself the worst.

I was lost.

Heaving a heavy, dejected sigh, I hung my head and continued to wander aimlessly throughout the halls. Finally, I was so frustrated that I just had to scream, and I took a deep breath and almost- almost screamed my lungs out. But when I opened my mouth, a smooth nasal sound of a double reed instrument interuppted me and I blinked. Double reed.

Spinning around I noticed a music room with the door slightly ajar. It couldn’t be-

I peered into the music room, feeling a warm rush of air wash over me. No wonder the door was open. The music rooms were certainly smaller then the larger ones. Closing my eyes and basking in the warmth for a few seconds, I completely forgot about the sound I’d heard earlier until I heard it again. Opening my eyes I knew who must’ve been in the room. But I hadn’t been sure until I saw it with my own eyes. Wearing a plain white t-shirt, and a blue jersey jacket with black slacks, Gutokuji-senpai was…. Practicing. (And to be honest, I wondered why he was practicing so late.)

He looked agitated, even though the music he played sounded smooth and calm.

That is, until his Bassoon squeaked like crazy, and the both of us cringed.

Gutokuji-senpai glared down at his instrument for a few seconds before laying it in his lap and just sitting there. I was starting to get bored, and was almost about to ask him whether he knew how to get back to our rooms, but he picked up his bassoon again, and I decided it was a good oppportunity to see just what he was capable of.

The next song was a lot slower, and I would’ve fallen asleep, had Gutokuji-senpai not squeaked again, waking me up.

He threw his reed case to the ground in frustration, standing up and glaring around him. I gasped and his eyes visibly widened when he saw me peering through the door.

“K-Koshiai!” He almost dropped his bassoon in shock, but caught it before it hit the ground.

How awkward.

“Uhh-Uhh, I’m s-sorry for eavesdropping!”

Gutokuji-senpai glared at me, his face beet red as he snapped, “How much did you hear??”

“N-Not much!” I held up my hands as if he’d try and hit me, even though I was mostly trying to defend myself from, “B-But it was very very nice!”

Some of the color drained from his face and he sighed, putting his bassoon back into it’s open case. I didn’t know whether to leave and get lost, or stick around and deal with an embarassed Yankee. What a predicament… although, the first option was looking pretty good at the moment…

“Um… You can come in, I’m not going to rip off your head or anything…” He muttered awkwardly, removing the reed from his bassoon.

I froze. Ehhh?? He could read minds!!

I stumbled inside and took a moment to bask in the warmth.

“Are you cold?” He asked, pointing at the goosebumps on my arms, and I froze again, diverting my gaze from him and bending over to pick up the cracked reed case.

“N-No, I’m fine now, I just got kind of lost and Arisa likes really cold houses so…”

Gutokuji-senpai raised an eyebrow, “You got lost?”

“I-I’m not used to big houses like this.” I defended, turning red myself. He was obviously scorning me. I held out his reed case and continued, “You broken the case of your reeds, by the way.”

“Oh.” Gutokuji-senpai looked down at it, obviously not caring, “Er… that’s not good.”

I imagined that he had quite a number of reed cases at home that he could easily replace the one I had in my hands with. Damn rich kids…

“Thanks.” He said, trying to sound grateful, taking the case from me and turning it over in his hands, “Um, do you need help getting back to the rooms?” I wanted to die right there. I was so embarassed.

“Kinda.” I muttered so quietly that it was more of a slur then anything else.

Gutokuji-senpai snapped his instrument case shut and laughed, “I’m going back anyway. Just follow me.”

I looked up. Did he just- laugh?? I pointed at him and said bluntly, stating the obvious, “You just laughed, right?”

He blinked and looked down at me with a blank expression, “I guess… why?”

Smiling I shook my head, “You don’t really smile or laugh all that much, that’s all.”

Gutokuji-senpai paused, surprised for some reason and I picked up his music from the wire stand, taking a look at it and saying, “Can you play this?”

“Usually.” He replied blandly.

“Ah…” I sweatdropped, not getting the response I wanted.

“Are you…” Gutokuji-senpai started but he stopped, seemingly struggling with his words. I wrapped my arms around the music, (it was warm) and looked up at him, patiently waiting for the rest of his question.

“This sounds really weird, but, you’ll know what I mean.” He waved a hand back on his wrist, “Are you feeling me out?”

I know my face turned red, and so did his. It was a weird question, if someone didn’t take it the right way. And that was the first way I deciphered the question.

“Wh- Oh.” I sweatdropped and Gutokuji-senpai shook his head, “Forget I ever asked.”

“N-No, that’s okay! I was just wondering because I uh, did a duet with Seiji today and it um….” I was painfully aware that I was stuttering, “It didn’t work out so well.”

Gutokuji-senpai stopped, and I kept walking.

Kept walking straight into a wall.

“Oof!” I stumbled back in surprised, blinking a few times to regain my composure. Gutokuji-senpai laughed again, leaning over me and taking his music out of my hands as he smiled, “Your room is over there. Don’t run into any walls on your way there!” And with that he left me standing where I was as he strode over to his own room, on the other side of the hall.

“Nighttime frolicking?” A wise-ass voice shot at me, and both Gutokuji-senpai and I both spun around to glare at Nakino, who was sticking out his head in annoyance, his hair rumpled and his expression sleepy as I slammed the door on his head.

“I DARE YOU TO SAY THAT AGAIN!”

“Just more explicitly this time?” Nakino asked, pulling his head back into the room as quickly as possible and locking the door.

I was fuming, I was embarassed again, and it took a hell of a lot of effort to glance at where Gutokuji-senpai was, just to find that he’d already went in his room.

“Me and a Yankee. No. Way.” I stated loud enough for Nakino to hear from behind the door.

“Aw,” Came a muffled reply, “Gutokuji-senpai’ll be disappointed to hear that!”

I kicked his door again and bit down a yelp. (I wasn’t wearing any shoes.)
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