Chapter Text
Among all the terrible ideas Kumiko had in her life, this was probably the worst one.
Over the past year, she didn't know how to deal with her growing crush on her best friend. Reina had sent her way too many mixed signal between her usual pursuit of Taki-sensei and all the time they spent together… flirting?
Kumiko wasn't entirely sure how to call their interactions anymore. She couldn't exactly tell if Reina was just being extremely affectuous with her closest friend or if she imagined all those lingering touches and the enticing teasings.
But when Reina told her someday "I don't think I ever truly liked Taki-sensei… I guess I was too entrapped into a childish fantasy that I wasn't able to think straight anymore.", a fresh fire of hope lit up Kumiko's heart.
Deep inside, she couldn't help but think that a girl like Reina would never date the walking disaster she was. However, she wanted to give it a try. Kumiko really liked her best friend and she was willing to do anything she could to woo her.
Reina wasn't like any random girl : she was special. So special that Kumiko decided to find a part time job during her holidays so she could ask the other girl out for a date she would never forget.
This was precisely THE terrible idea. Because after a bunch of fruitless attempts, the only work she was able to find was that of a park mascot in the Kyoto Prefectural Uji Park. In other word, she was wearing a Tuba-kun costume all day to entertain the kids and distribute commercial flyers to passersby.
She felt already stupid she accepted this work knowing how ridiculously hot summer season was in Japan. The costume was almost unbearable considering the outside and inside heat. Kumiko was covered with sweat despite the fact she only wore a tank top and a very small denim short inside Tuba-kun.
Today wasn't an exception. She was standing in the midst of the park, with this oppressive warmth covering her skin with sweat. Kumiko started to wonder if she shouldn't have searched a bit more for some other job instead of taking the first one well-paid she found.
I am really helplessly gay for Reina… She sighed, recalling her earlier eagerness to try to seduce her best friend… Who probably hadn't any feeling remotely close to romantic toward her.
Kumiko felt the weight of insecurity and sadness pushing through her whole body. She felt heavy, anxiety taking the best of her. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, trying to focus on her surrounding, paying attention to the noises which could help her to relax.
The sound of the breeze caressing the soft blades of grass, the soft whistle calming her sense. The bumbling chatter of the passersby, laughing and enjoying the sun rays on their skin. The buzzing of the caddisfly, clinging to her costume…
…
Wait…
It took Kumiko a few seconds to realize that the disgusting moths with long whiskers and thick hair were hooked on Tuba-kun costume, making horrible noises really close to her face. She jumped and screamed, starting to run around while doing a sort of odd dance between voodoo and courtship ritual. She was desperatly trying to get rid of the insects, much to the crowd's amusement. A few people even gave her a few hundreds of Yen, probably believing this was part of a travelling show.
When Kumiko stopped, out of breath and completely exhausted and thirsty, a few children applauded and cheered, asking for Tuba-Kun to do it one more time. She was way too tired to answer, not that they would hear anything with the thickness of the costume's head.
A woman approached, probably deciding she would be Kumiko's life savior at this precise moment. She gently shoved the kids away and handed her a bottle of water. She gladly accepted, thanking her with a little sign of the hand before turning away to seek for a calm place where she could drink and free herself from the costume for a few minutes.
Kumiko went into a secluded area where she could remove a part of Tuba-kun without the children noticing it. The top part was hanging around her waist while the head was tossed aside, in the midst of fresh grass. She brought the precious liquid to her mouth and drank it as shot, not wasting a single drop. She had some difficulties to catch her breath after all those emotions, and the water flowing in her throat was a pure bliss.
"Man… I really hate caddisfly, they shouldn't even exist… They really gave me chills…", She mumbled out loud to herself.
"You shouldn't let bugs bug you." A beautiful voice stated teasingly behind her, the cocky grin evident on her mouth.
"UGUAAAAAAAH", Kumiko jumped, not expecting anybody to see her in such a messy state, all sweaty and startled by her previous experience.
She turned around, already having an idea of whom this unique voice belong to.
"Reina… I wasn't expecting you to do this kind of lame joke !"
Of course among all the passersby, the small percentage of people that had to wander in this park today to enjoy the weather, it had to be Reina. Of course she would be the one to see her in such a state, though she didn't seem bothered by the sight of Kumiko covered with sweat in a weird alien ouftit.
If Kumiko had to say, Reina almost seemed pleased, scanning her from head to toe before locking their eyes together with a warm smile tugging the corner of her mouth. There's no way she is oggling me…
"I am sorry, I didn't mean to scare you", she laughed, this so unfair, charming and shimmering sound resonating in Kumiko's head and making her feel warmer than she already was, "I really didn't expect to see you there today in such an ouftit…"
Reina paused a moment, frowning, her smile turning into a pout. "Since you said you wouldn't have much time to hang out during these vacations…"
Kumiko gulped. She started panicking, she really didn't want to upset her best friend. Not now, never. Actually, if only she knew she did all these things just to…
"I… I am sorry, I really wanted to spend some time with you… Actually, I would love to… But I needed this job." She took a step closer, looking apologetic.
"You are playing Tuba-Kun in a park as a job ?" Reina raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"It's… For a really important matter. I can't tell you much now but… Yeah it's a surprise." She offered a tired smile. "Anyway… What are you doing there ? I expected the great Kousaka Reina to practice daily so she could reach her goal. Though you already are special, if you ask me."
The light blush on Reina's cheek was so fleeting Kumiko thought for a moment she had imagined it.
"Well, this is what I planned from the very start since you weren't staying around, but…", an unreadable expression crossed Reina's face, "Kawashima-san came to my place. She wanted me to be involved in a project for the summer vacations. I… Couldn't refuse."
"Oh ? I know Midori can be pretty persuasive when she has something in mind…", Kumiko answered casualy, putting back the top part of Tuba-Kun over her shoulders. She couldn't lounge around too long and had to get back to work, but her curiosity had been piqued. "What kind of project is it?"
"Well…", Reina fidgeted with the hem of her pretty primrose yellow dress. She didn't seem really comfortable with the situation. "Kawashima-san wants to create a band to make the world smile during the summer vacations… So she asked for my help to play the keyboard or the guitar. I am here to help her to recruit a last member for our band. I have no idea why she wanted me to go to the park to find someone, though."
Kumiko blinked. Once, twice. A lopsided grin tugged the corner of her lips before she busted into laughter in front of a very confused Reina.
"Oh my god… You mean… Midori asked for YOUR help to make people smile ?"
Reina hit softly the costume with her fist, mocking annoyance. "Seriously, I know you have a bad personality, but you really are the worst today !"
"Awww Reina, I am just teasing you, you're being way too cute." She tugged the other girl into a hug which felt way too short, not mentioning she couldn't feel Reina properly inside this huge costume. "If someone can make people smile with her music, it would be you." She offered a genuine smile, remembering the effect of Reina's trumpet on her.
Reina returned the embrace in a kind, softened by the little display of affection. She hummed quietly against Kumiko's shoulder, enjoying this ephemeral moment before Kumiko had to get back to her shift.
It was always amazing, the gap between the mature confident trumpeter, ready to conquer the world with her music who never bothered mincing her words when she had something in mind about the band, and the actually really soft and romantic woman she was in private. Reina needed far more affection than she let people know, and her concept of love was a large part of what made her so passionate. Every side of Reina was amazing. Kumiko wished with all her heart more people could appreciate this spitfire of a girl the way she did.
Or maybe she was secretly pleased Reina trusted her enough to only reserve that side of her to her best friend. It made Kumiko feel a bit special to the other girl, and that feeling soothed the anxiety and sadness about not being good enough for the beautiful woman.
They parted after a few seconds and Kumiko already missed Reina's arms. She always missed her whenever it was time to part. The mere thought made the euphonium player realize how bad this job idea was. She could have just hung out with Reina during the whole summer, relishing of every single moment their friendship had to offer. She probably wouldn't have confessed at all, but she missed Reina already dearly, and she really wished she wouldn't have chosen this stupid and fruitless path.
"Say… I already knew you are playing the keybord since it was your very first intrument… But I had no idea you could also heat up the scene with a guitar. When did you learn playing it ?"
Reina smiled, pleased by the compliment. "Yoshikawa… I mean, I spent some time rehearsing trumpet at Yuuko-senpai place, and in exchange of my tutoring about some trumpet tricks, she learned me how to play the guitar since she's practicing for a while. I don't pretend being awesome at it but… I manage it fine I guess."
"Oh… How unlikely of the talented Kousaka-san to ever doubt her music skill."
"It's not that I doubt my music skill, I just can't be as amazing at the guitar after a few months than for the trumpet or the keyboard. But I am pretty good for a beginner, if you ask me." She smirked, a smug smile plastered on her face. This girl…
Kumiko shook her head, smiling widely. She wanted to swallow back her earlier teasing. If someone could make her smile, of course it was Reina. So why wouldn't she have the same effect on other people ?
"I don't want to leave you but… I have to get back to work. If my boss ever catches me slacking, I think I can say goodbye to my job…", Kumiko sighed. She really wanted to stay longer with her best friend, but she had no choices right there. She could just drop her shift though. The thought seemed so appealing right now. "Don't forget to tell me if you ever play live with the band ! I am really looking forward to hear you- I mean, Midori too, of course…"
"Thank you, Kumiko. Here," Reina handed her another bottle of water, "you seem really exhausted and I don't want anything bad to happen to you." She looked away shyly. "… Anyway, want me to walk you back to your position ?"
Kumiko smiled. It really was nice to know someone who care so much about you and is always eager to check on you. She recalled all those time she was sick and Reina came over to take care of her best friend… If only she could see me otherwise than only a friend…
"Sure I would love that !", she tried her best to hide her insecurities, "I won't be able to talk as soon as I put this stupid head back, though… It's so thick that nobody can actually hear me when I have this thing on."
Kumiko waved Reina goodbye as soon as they reached her usual spot. She felt already lonely, and very much stupid for becoming so infatuated with the trumpeter without having the actual gut to tell her how she felt. Just how much she wanted to be able to hold her hand daily, telling her the intensity of her feelings, taking her softly in her arm then she could just hold her chin up and kis-
She was jolted out of reverie by the very unpleasant feeling of being observed. She looked in all direction, trying to find out the subject of her growing discomfort, shivers running down her whole spine.
She scanned the park until she spotted three woman dressed in black suit and wearing sunglasses watching her from behind a tree, clearly staring and nodding to each other in approval of… Something.
Kumiko started to be really frightened now, wondering what kind of troublesome fate awaited her. Were those blacksuits hired by her boss so they could actually check if she was working ? Were they some sort of "Woman in black" from an international secret agency, believing she was a real alien and wanting to eradicate her from the surface ? Were they the gay police wanting to arrest her because they noticed she was such a lesbian disaster ?
She started to really panic now, imagining the worst scenario ever and actually freaking out. She had to run away. Somewhere. If only someone could…
"TUBA-KUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN !!!!!"
Kumiko jumped, screaming various Kumiko noises inside her costume. She turned around and the scene unfolding in front of her seemed clearly out of some kind of comedy movie.
Midori, true to herself, seemed to hurry to her in slow motion, arms extended and the biggest smile plastered on her face. Her blond curls bobbled happily around as she rushed toward what appeared to be the love of her life.
Oh no…
Suddenly, the blacksuits plots were way more appealing than what awaited her. Midori literally jumped on Tuba-Kun and it took all Kumiko's strenght to avoid stumbling backwards and keeping her balance. She felt hot under her costume with her small friend assaulting the alien costume with affection, clinging to the heavy and warmth material for dear life.
"Tuba-Kun ! I am so happy to see you again. I am your BIGGEST fan since you saved my little sister !"
What the hell… Kumiko had no idea what to do at this point. She settled to awkwardly patting the girl's head, carefully enough to not ignit the fire inside Midori's heart.
"Asuka-senpai ! Hazuki-chan ! Reina-chan ! LOOK ! I think I have found our fifth member !"
Wait… What ?
The little group reunited around Midori. Kumiko didn't expect Asuka-senpai to be part of this crazy band. Not in million years. What the heck… What are they all doing there ?!
"Kawashima-san… I am not sure Tuba-kun really want to be part of your band… He's not…", Reina started, looking clearly apologetic.
"Yosh !!!! That's a great idea Midori-chan ! I am sure Tuba-Kun would be so happy to come with us ! Don't you think so, Asuka-senpai ?", Hazuki singsonged, clasping her hand together and looking as excited as Midori was.
Wait, no ! I didn't sign for this.
"How wonderful ! It brings me so much joy to know our band will be filled with such an interesting member ! Holla, my little lamb ~", Asuka striked a pose while saying her phrase, doing a graceful hand movement. She gave a wink to a random girl passing by, said girl seeming oddly flustered in the process.
Kumiko internally freaked out. They couldn't even hear anything she was saying while she was inside Tuba-Kun ! And she didn't want to remove her costume in a public place with kids all around them. She flailed her arms, doing countless weird sign to try to make them understand she had to work and couldn't be part of Midori's crazy ideas.
"Look ! I think he is trying to communicate ! He accepts to join the band !", Midori and Hazuki said, literally jumping and clinging together cheerfully.
"Katou-san, Kawashima-san, I really think we should get back to our research and finding someone else more fitting to be part of …"
"But Tuba-Kun is perfect !"
"I agree with Sapphire, Kousaka-san. As a wonderful person often says 'one alien in the hand is worth two in the bush'", Asuka smirked.
"It's Midoriii", she whined.
"…", Reina sighed, unable to argue with the three of them. Why was she even part of this madness, anyway ?
"Miss ? Do you want us to bring Tuba-Kun to the Kawashima residence ?"
Kumiko faltered in sheer surprise, effectively falling on the floor with a loud thud when she heard the voice of the three blacksuits behind her. She already knew Midori was rich, but she didn't know she had three bodyguards to serve her. Seeing Tuba-Kun falling like that made Midori whining desperatly and the blacksuits wasted no time to get Kumiko back on her feet.
"Yes ! Please take good care of him when you bring him back home… He probably doesn't know much about humans…"
Kumiko groaned when she felt the women holding her firmly so they could move her to their next destination. At this precise moment, she wanted to kick her past self when she accepted to work there. She couldn't believe what was happening, everything seeming out of a weird fiction. Right now, she wouldn't have minded losing her life, to avoid anything more embarrassing than this.
She didn't even know if she would be able to deal with those three…
"EVERYONE," Midori started excitedly, raising an arm toward the sky, "LET'S HAVE OUR FIRST 'HIBIKE! HAPPY WORLD' MEETING !"