An Unheard Voice - Chapter 37: Chapter 37

When we arrive, we get a room and sit. Why are the food options so.. tempting? I really don't want to spend money, but...
"I haven't done this in so long.. An, would you like to go first?" Haruka says, but her excitement dies down when she asks. I'm so tired of this.
"Here, give it. I'll choose a song for you two." I take the tablet, scrolling through the songs and choose one. An tries to take it, though.
"A duet?! You b--" An tries to shout, literally jumping on me. If this asshole doesn't let go-!!
"Hold on just a second, I'll sound so terrible next to her!" Haruka objects immediately. We freeze, and I stare at An. Sure is embarrassing fighting like children in front of your ex-girlfriend, huh?!
"Says the idol!" She answers, getting off of me once I push her.
"I'm still practicing singing, y'know." An grins, crossing her arms and glaring.
"Is that a challenge?" Haruka gets up close to her, giggling.
"Of course! Whoever sounds the best has to buy lunch." An puts her hand out, and Haruka shakes it without hesitation. An sounds like a dying bird that got hit by a truck down the stairs, so this'll be easy.
Once the song begins, they both put on a terrible voice even a horror film director wouldn't put as the monster's voice. Why are they acting like this?!
They laugh together, but halfway through, they finally start to sing normally together. I have to admit, if I wasn't absolutely devouring these pancakes, I'd say they did really well.
"Let's do another one!" An says, snatching the tablet from my lap. You could at least ask...
"What about Akito..?" Haruka asks, nervously holding her microphone.
"I'm fine." I say, stuffing a whole pancake in my mouth. It's not that I don't like singing, it's just embarrassing doing it in front of someone I haven't talked to in a.. long time.
"See? This fatass is fine, you can pick the song!" An sticks her tongue out, but I just roll my eyes. She then sits next to me, laughing as Haruka has a hard time choosing. I see what she did...
"Thanks." An hugs me for a second, then getting back up. This idiot is so lucky she's my best friend. I'm totally going to make fun of her for that, though.
°•°•°
Wait, why am I at her house now..?
"I had the best day today! Thank you for winning the plushie, An." Haruka squeals, hugging the giant penguin. As if that didn't make An run out of money... I don't think she's ever been this expressive with us. She's usually so calm and quiet.
"I'm just glad we can act like we used to," An chuckles, blushing. I remember them being so corny. Trust me, it was a nightmare third wheeling.
"I'm sorry it's been so awkward. I just.. thought that you hated me. I felt like I shouldn't even be making physical contact with you-- But now I can hug you all I want without thinking, 'What if I develop feelings again?'" She confesses, squeezing her tightly. That came all at once.
"You're so stupid!" An ruffles her hair, throwing her onto the bed.
"Don't." I stop her before she even grabs me.
"Oh, yeah! I've been really curious.. why did you suddenly break up with me, though? I couldn't seem to get the question out of my head." An asks, sitting next to her.
"Now that we're best friends again, I'm sure it'll be easier to share." Haruka blushes, rubbing the back of her neck. I remember An being so sad the day it happened. It was almost funny. wait, was I like that-?
Anyway, I'm invested now.
"At the time, I loved you so much. I really did--"
"I did, too!"
"Shut the hell up!" I put my hand over her mouth, causing Haruka to laugh. She talks too much during other people's stories.
"But.. I had so much going on."
×+×+×
"And remember, tomorrow will always be a better day!"
"Good job today, Haruka!" Her manager compliments her, fixing her hair. Although she just got off the stage, she still had to be flawless in every way.
"Thank you." Haruka looked around, smiling as the audience continued to cheer and spell out her name along with her members.
It was well deserved. She tried extremely hard and gave it to her all, knowing that her brother watched on their TV. She really loved to be a part of Asrun, they were all as close as a family. However, her actual family...
Her mother didn't approve of her being an idol. In fact, she would ignore everything about it. She only showed up when she had to. She was never praised for her efforts, but that didn't stop Haruka from trying. Was she just being stubborn? Maybe her mother didn't like idol groups.
However, it was only a few years later until Yutaka, her younger brother, was debuted. He was extremely young! Haruka could understand why she'd suddenly become so supportive and give him all of her attention. It can be really hard at that age, and he tried his hardest.
When Haruka returned home, she was sure she was going to get her mother's approval. I mean, that was their best performance ever. Everyone there was impressed! Surely she would be, too..?
But soon, Haruka would realize she was wrong.
At the dinner table, it was silent for about ten minutes until Haruka had finally spoken.
"Uhm.. regarding my performance today..." She hesitantly starts off and glances at her mother.
"Did you all like it?"
"I watched it. I--" Yutaka was going to answer, but their mother cut him off. As always.
"What's wrong?" Haruka asks, growing worried. She didn't know why her mother did this, and it was odd, but she assumed it was because something had happened.
"If we didn't mention it, then leave it at that. I don't appreciate you trying to rub it in his face. You know better." Mrs. Kiritani scoffed, continuing to eat like it didn't matter. Yutaka looked away, almost shameful. So was it good or not..?
"What? I'm not trying to do that!"
"I was just assuming by the way you asked so smugly."
"I wasn't smug about it."
"Mom, it doesn't matter." Yutaka tries to convince her otherwise, but is yet again silenced.
"Your sister should know that it isn't polite to act all high and mighty compared to ones with less recognition." Their mother snarls at her, and she can feel her anger boiling.
"Actually, out of all people, you should know at least to treat your own daughter like a human being. I have feelings, too. And of course I have more recognition, I've been doing this longer than he has!" Haruka raises her voice but backs down when she realizes who she's speaking to. How could she yell at her own mother like that?
"Haruka, why do you always do this? I've been noticing you have been trying too hard to be better than him, how could I not? It's obvious. What you need to do is back off a bit. If you keep that attitude, your current 'fans' will disappear."
Back.. off?
That alone made her shut up immediately. But just as before, they all continue to eat as if the conversation never happened. But Yutaka only did it to keep his mother from crossing the line. He didn't know how much it would affect her.
"Excuse me. I'll be going to bed early.. goodnight, everyone." Haruka stands up, not able to lift her head and leaves for her room.
Of course she can back off. All her mother had to do was say that earlier. Maybe she was speaking for Yutaka as well.. he seemed overwhelmed back there. That's fine.
It was.. not a problem.
°•°•°
"So that's why you lashed out at me when I asked you about your shows..?" An asks, holding her close. An literally kicked me off the bed so they could cuddle. The nerve of this girl...
"Yes. I'm sorry."
"Don't be, it happened a long time ago, I've forgiven you. But now things seem to be better for you! I've noticed, and it makes me so happy. Especially with your obsessed girlfriend-"
"Girlfriend?" Haruka sits up, tilting her head. An and I look at each other, and back at her.
"The psycho one? Short brown hair?" I describe, already getting a chill up my spine just remembering her. I wonder why I didn't see her stalking us.
"Oh, do you mean Minori? We're not dating. What are you talking about?"
We st at each other again, only longer this time.
".. You're so stupid. Just like some people I know." An sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. I'm going to punch her if she's referring to Toya and I.
"I'm confused."
Of course you are...
°•°•°
"Do you think we can help Rui and Tenma get back together?" Mizuki asks out of nowhere, staring at me dead in the eye. Seriously, they're making my week so exhausting.
"No way. You always try to get involved with other relationships, focus on your own!" Ena complains, crossing her arms. What a loser.
"I know, I know. You're adorable, Ena! Well, second to myself, that is-" They get close to her, almost kissing before I stop them.
"Get out of my house." I hiss, breaking the pencil in my hand. Ena suggested I draw to get my mind off of things temporarily. Even though she seems more stressed than me...
"I say we stay out of it. Knowing them, I have a feeling they'll be able to sort things out on their own." Ena pushes both of us away, turning her chair around and sighing.
"But he seems so sad! We can at least help..? I need to get them to be the power couple they once were so I can be mushy about Ena during our sleepovers again."
"Excuse m--"
"How? " I ask, frowning. I don't see the appeal of getting into people's business if you have a chance of making things worse.
"You really need to knock that cupid habit of yours off. Leave it alone, it'll get better with time."
°•°•°
And I clearly don't see why I keep going to everyone's houses.
I'm sitting across from Tenma, who's... growling? It's not even his usual anger, it's so clear Kamishiro's fight was something bad. I can understand why he's definitely not happy with me, but for the first time in my life, I'm getting intimidated by him. Although Kamishiro was the only one who handled it well.
I think..?
I haven't really been here that much besides the Christmas party and making gifts for Toya, so.. I guess I'm welcome here..? But right now that's definitely not the case.
"Did you know about what was going on with Toya?"
"Not really."
"Were you the one who made him cry?"
"No..?"
"Have you ever kissed him?"
".. yeah."
"Damn it, why can't you answer anything useful involving this situation like a normal person?!" He slams his head on the desk, shouting. He should visit Mrs. Aoyagi.
"Big brother!" His little sister scolds him, and he lets out a deep sigh. I believe it was.. 'Saki'?
"I'm just as desperate to find a solution just as you are, Tenma. I see how much this affected you, so I want to apologize. It wasn't my intention to hurt Toya in any way. I'm sorry." I sigh, lowering my head. I know they meant a lot to each other, and I.. took that away.
They stay silent for a moment and whisper to each other for a whole minute. I'm starting to get worried.
"Big brother.. you can't treat him like that! You and I both have known him long enough to realize that it wasn't Toya's choice. You've been such a bully. You really need to make up with Rui-kun." Saki finally says out loud, crossing her arms. She smiles, and looks back at me.
"It's not your fault, Akito. Don't think of it that way. Otherwise, wouldn't I be kicking your butt right now?" She giggles, elbowing Tenma. Huh..? He sighs, muttering.
"I'm sorry for raising my voice at you. It's just.. a lot of things are going on. I.. excuse me, but let's just leave this for another day."
He then leaves and goes up the stairs. Woah. Now he was acting like he suddenly didn't hate me being with Toya.
Or is he just that depressed?
"I'm sorry about him. He tends to be very protective of Toya. I mean, who can blame him, he's still just a tiny baby!" Saki apologizes, taking her phone out and showing me a photo of them all together. Holy fuck, he was way cuter than me. There's silence for another moment before she clears her throat.
"Do you want to know something regarding this picture?"
"Sure..?" I reply, looking away. This is so awkward... I really want to ask her for her number so she can send that to me.
"When Toya would visit us.. he was still really shy. Even though he came often, it was hard for us to get him to look up! I.. I was starting to realize that he has been way more expressive ever since he met you." She begins.
I get that terrifying to approach him at first.. but he was even more timid as a kid? Imagining that, it seems.. so cute.
"Look, my point is-- although I'm as close as his sister, I can only count the amount of times I've seen him smile when we were together on my two hands. And I'm assuming when he was shut in again he became even more miserable." She mumbles, putting her hand up.
"But now.. I feel like that cold expression slowly started coming to life. And it's all thanks to you, Akito. Did you know that? I'm glad you came into his life."
Really..? I know that much, I just.. never thought I was the reason. Okay, make up your mind, Akito Shinonome! Are you hurting him or helping him?!
"I'm counting on you to bring him back into not just yours, but everyone's!" She cackles, slapping my back. Ouch-! Seriously, how is An not her best friend already?!
"Y.. Yeah." I hiss, trying not to show pain. It hurts so damn much.
"Want to help me get big brother and Rui-kun back together?" Saki changes the subject almost immediately. Is Toya not important to everyone else as he is to me?!
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"Hear me out! We can do it in secret! Just help them get in better terms and I'm sure they'll be a big help! Who knows, maybe we'll even learn something new along the way!" She declares loudly, standing on the table. There won't even be a secret if she yells like that! Wait, get down...
"You in?" She asks, holding out her hand. I stare at it for a few moments, and back at her.
I'm not even going to lie, it wouldn't take a genius to know something's wrong with Tenma. As jealous as he makes me, it's annoying seeing him so depressed like that.
Especially since I know he could be a great help.. heck, just speaking to Kamishiro alone was enough to make me realize some real shit. Even though he tried to poison me.
So having them together? I know it's going to be hell, but I'm sure I'll survive.
I really do want Toya back. I would do anything. I don't care what it takes, I am going to bring him back to me and never let go.
I'll get him back if it's the last thing I do. Other than punch his dad. That stupid little.. I won't go any further than that considering he is Mrs. Aoyagi's husband and my b-.. crush's father.
"It's stupid, but.. I'm in." I finally agree, shaking her hand as she cheers. Sure we could make things worse, but it's worth a shot.
"We have a lot of planning to do, so we better start today! Let's head out, this was basically my job to recruit you." She winks, opening the door and heading out. I bet this was Mizuki's plan.