Chapter Text
The green seemed to roll by as Akira stared out of a rain stained window. He thought about everything leading up to this very moment. Graduating high school, getting accepted into University, auditioning for their music program, and getting accepted into that too. It should have been a magical experience for him, but it didn’t feel it in that moment. The whole vibe of the car was off.
His older brother, Yu, was silent as he drove through the dusty country road they were on. Stone faced and statuesque. The complete opposite of the youngest in the vehicle, Morgana. With his GameBoy on full blast and making as much noise as possible while playing, he created the only sound other than the vehicle itself. There was no music. Yu said the silence helped him drive better, but Akira never understood that logic. Loud music was the way to go in his eyes.
The scenery slowly changed as they approached the destination; a University in the middle of nowhere. Along with the campus, there was a small town. The town that funded the original school way back in the 18 whatevers. Other than that, nothing but trees for miles on all sides. A true “college town”.
As quickly as they reached the town, they arrived at the one dorm building on campus. It looked like it could crumble at any minute, but maybe that’s just some myth that Akira had in his head. It looked as if it was built in the 70’s. The epitome of brick school building in Akira’s mind. It was the tallest building on campus at five floors, and Akira was unfortunate enough to have been placed on the top floor. With apparently no elevators. What a pain.
With a sigh and crack of his knees, Akira slowly climbed out of his older brother’s car. It was a miracle it made the trip. Now they just had to make it back home two hours away. Akira stared at the building as Yu dragged Morgana out of the backseat.
“Start unloading I guess. I’m taking him to the bathroom,” Yu muttered as he dragged the youngest into the dorm lobby.
The protests of Morgana drained away as they got into the building, and Akira opened the trunk to see the garbage bags filled with his belongings staring back at him. If planned right, this could be one trip with no spillage. Akira carefully grabbed his bags and started to slowly make his way to his assigned room 501. Even if there were elevators, his plan was a disaster. The bags tore, his clothes fell out, and there was a trail going up the stairwell. Akira was grateful that he picked an early time slot to move in. He was also lucky that not many people were going to move in on that day. Since he was in band, he and everyone else in summer athletics got to move in a week early.
Akira reached his room, and after unlocking it, he opened the door to find a most average room. There were two beds, a sink, and a bathroom. The floor even had carpet. A fancy find for a place like this. No complaints though. At least this building was not fashioned like most other freshman dorms with communal bathrooms.
After throwing the remaining items and broken bags to the foot of the bed he called dibs on, he turned to pick up his mess only to see Yu and Morgana in the doorway holding his casualties.
“Looks like the trash bags were not the best idea after all,” Yu stated softly as he gazed unimpressed at the room.
Akira quickly took his belongings that Morgana was holding. “I’ll invest in some tubs for next time.”
Yu nodded as Morgana started running around the room and climbing onto the beds.
“WOW THIS MATTRESS IS SO HARD!!! HOW DO PEOPLE SLEEP ON THESE???”
Akira giggled at the comment as Yu quickly grabbed Morgana before he fell off of the heightened bed.
“I don’t know Mona. I guess I’m just gonna have old people back problems when I come home.” Akira dropped the remaining items and reached to ruffle the youngest’s unruly hair.
“Well that’s silly,” giggled Morgana. “How do you get old people problems when you’re not even old yet?”
“I guess we’ll have to find out in four months from now when he comes home,” responded Yu. He placed Morgana back on the ground as the reality of what was happening seemed to finally hit him.
“You mean Akira isn’t coming back with us?”
Akira couldn’t help but look away as Morgana’s eyes started to fill with tears.
“Not this time buddy. But this isn’t a forever thing.” Akira knelt to the youngest’s height and pulled him into a hug.
“I’ll be back home sooner than you think. Four months isn’t that long.”
“Yes it is!” Morgana started to wail.
Akira sighed. He looked at Yu who nodded towards the stairwell. They both knew this was going to be the case. It was inescapable.
Morgana sobbed the whole way back to the car. The few others moving in glanced with pity as they passed. Akira wasn’t embarrassed or upset by this. He knew this would be hard for all of them. They were as close as siblings could be, but Morgana was always closer to Akira. It had nothing against Yu, but he just wasn’t around as much as Akira was while Morgana was growing up. Akira basically raised him. Their parents were always pretty absent in all three of their lives. Yu helped Akira, and Akira helped Morgana until now.
Akira said his last goodbyes to Morgana and buckled him into the backseat. As he softly closed the car door, he turned to Yu.
“Please don’t crash,” Akira stated.
Yu chuckled at the simple statement. “Of course not. My worry is the engine exploding or something.”
The two exchanged one last hug. Yu then slowly got into his car and started driving away. The whole scene would have been more heartfelt and sad if Yu didn’t run into a tree stump he didn’t see on the way out. Akira couldn't help but laugh as he heard the crunch of wood against the bumper. He laughed even harder as Yu comically got out, assessed the damage, waved, got back in, and drove away for real that time.
Akira calmed down after the car officially disappeared, and he made his way back up to the fifth floor. The nerves of what he was about to do started to set in. He was alone. He had no one here. He was about to audition for drum major in front of faculty he’s only met once. What an intense day for Akira Kurusu.
Akira looked through the glass doors of the Fine Arts building. Since the campus was on the smaller side, it seemed that all similar majors got lumped together into one building. However, the building was reasonably sized for the class sizes that were advertised when he originally auditioned here.
The inside of the building was empty. There wasn’t a person in sight. Akira hesitantly tried the door, and it surprisingly opened. As he slowly walked through, new posters and decorations on the walls caught his eyes. When Akira was in the building previously for his department audition, the brick walls were barren. This is a sign that nature is healing, and the students are returning. It was much easier to be in there now that there was some personality.
As Akira approached the band hall doors, he saw two other students standing outside. He knew who they were. They were the drum majors from the previous year. They were the only reason he knew he could audition as a freshman. They were both freshman drum majors last season. The two turned as they heard Akira’s footsteps in the hall.
“Ah, you must be the other audition. We were confused when Dr. Maruki discussed a third person with us.” A girl with a composed look about her approached Akira with a hand out to shake. “I am Makoto Nijima. I was the backfield drum major last season.”
Akira took her hand with a confident shake. “Akira Kurusu. Nice to finally see someone here.”
Makoto gave a nod toward the other person standing at the door. He looked unamused by the whole situation unfolding. “This is Goro Akechi. He’s excited to finally see you.” Goro huffed and turned away. “Or something like that.” Makoto turned back to Akira. “Regardless, we welcome you to campus and to our program. I’ll let Dr. Maruki know that you’ve arrived, and we can start the process.” She quickly turned and entered the band hall.
Akira made no move to talk to the other auditionee standing there. It was obvious that he felt threatened by his being there in the first place. No need to make enemies so quickly. He just got here. Akira pulled the material that was sent to him a few weeks ago and started to review. No need to over prepare.
Bored. Akira passed the Student Engagement Center for the fifth time. He has nothing to do until the next day, and he has no entertainment other than a phone. It got boring quickly. Perhaps a walk would be nice, but it wasn’t after the third lap around campus. The most entertaining thing that had happened on the laps was watching someone go dumpster diving behind the Student Engagement Center, which is where the cafeteria is. With a sigh, Akira sat on a bench facing the dorm building. He could at least watch the last few people move in as the sun set. He couldn’t help but think back on his audition from earlier in the day.
Dr. Maruki was just as strange as the first time he met him. A goofy yet knowledgeable man. It was easy to talk to him. They sat for a while and discussed Akira’s previous experience in leadership at his high school. A good record in all honesty. Dr. Maruki also mentioned things about the other two that Akira probably wasn’t supposed to know.
Goro Akechi was apparently hard to work with under stress. He had some freak outs during the previous season. He was supposedly the best percussionist the school has had though, and usually agreeable on a normal day. He also had an extremely impressive resume on his side. It rivaled Akira’s.
He was told Makoto Nijima was much easier to work with, so she did most of the representing of the program the previous year. Even in introduction, she was very professional, but she doesn’t talk to many people according to Dr. Maruki.
In Dr. Maruki’s words, all three were amazing candidates, but he could only have two drum majors; one front field, and the other in the back. It made sense in Akira’s mind. The marching band wasn’t the largest, so there was no need for excess. However, like all auditions, he couldn’t help but stress.
As Akira came back to reality, it was dark. No one was moving in anymore, and the campus was empty. Why didn’t he just zone out before? Time passed like a charm that way. He quickly got off of his bench and made his way back to the dorm, ready to climb five flights of stairs again.
The alarm went off, and Akira quickly shut it off. He made it annoying on purpose. Confused only for a split moment about where he was, he quickly started getting ready for the day. Akira threw on his favorite crop top, a white base with rainbow lettering that stated ‘Fuck TERFS’, as well as some shorts. Unsure of what the itinerary held of inside v.s outside activities, he grabbed a black jacket as well.
As he exited his room, Akira sucked in a deep breath. He was excited. It was check-in day, but more importantly, his first day as a college student. And band camp. That’s important too.
The campus was only a bit more lively than the previous day. The majority of students have not moved in yet. Akira quickly made his way to the Fine Arts building. Inside, there were actual people. Not everyone was there yet. Akira knew the marching band was supposed to be around 100 in total, including front ensemble and color guard. There were only a couple dozen people there at that point. Of those people, Goro Akechi and Makoto Nijima stood by the door to the band hall.
“These results are taking longer than last year’s did Nijima,” Goro drawled in a sickeningly sweet voice.
“Of course. There is real competition this year.” Makoto was unfazed by Goro’s tone, and she didn’t look up from the papers she was looking at. “Dr. Maruki has a difficult decision to make. Student leadership is very important to the way he runs things, remember?”
Goro scowled at the remark. “I simply can’t see why he wouldn’t choose the same team as last year. We worked so well together, as we always have.”
Akira stood entranced by the dynamic of the two. In his eyes, he was going to have an interesting semester regardless of who ended up as drum majors. The two had such a hilarious dynamic to him. The entertainment would be endless.
As Akira watched the two sophomores, he did not hear another person approach him.
“Um, excuse me?”
Akira jumped, startled by the sudden voice. A girl who seemed about his age giggled at him.
“Oh gosh, sorry! I didn’t mean to scare you! You look new too, and I just want to start meeting everyone as soon as possible.” She beamed as she held out a hand. “Ann Takamaki! Nice to meet you!”
Akira quickly recovered himself, smiled, and shook her hand. “Akira Kurusu. I didn’t look that lost did I?”
“Well I’m not sure if you were just going off into space or if you just didn’t know where you were,” Ann laughed in response. “Well I’m gonna meet more people. It was nice talking to you! I hope we march close dots!”
As she bounded off, Akira noticed Dr. Maruki step out of the band hall with papers taped together in one long vertical column. He caught the director’s eye, who gave him a soft smile and a wink. As the papers were taped to the wall, those who were in the hall gathered around it.
“Okay guys, don’t look too long at it,” Dr. Maruki called out. “We’ve gotta get started with sign in and instrument check outs. Come into the band hall, and Makoto and I will get you all set up for marching band.”
Dr. Maruki stumbled back into the band hall, and the hall began to murmur.
“Man Goro’s not gonna be happy about this.”
“Cool! Can’t wait to meet the guy!”
“Are all freshmen now just cracked or what?”
“Yippee! We’re leadership this year!”
Akira made his way through the throng of people. He was almost certain of what all of this meant for him. Before he could get within reading distance of the list, a loud, high pitched noise cut across everyone’s conversation. Everyone went quiet, and Goro Akechi was staring at the sheet.
“Backfield? I? Am backfield?” His eyes slowly traveled up to the name above him. “Akira. Kurusu.” He paused. “Center.”
No one spoke as Goro slowly turned his head towards Akira. Akira’s heart was racing. Is this what being an adult is? This was the scariest experience of his life thus far!
“There must be a mistake!” Goro looked borderline psychotic. He laughed. “There’s no way! What do you have on me?! Nothing! What’s the point of all my experience if some twink like you can just swoop in and take what is supposed to be mine?!” Goro spat at Akira.
“Twink?! That’s what you think of me?” Akira stood appalled. More so about the behavior of someone older than him, but still, twink is a bit far.
“Mark my words Kurusu,” growled Goro as he slowly started to approach him. “If this isn’t some mistake , I will make your time here a living Hell. I… Will RIP YOU TO SHREDS!!!”
As Goro grabbed the collar of Akira’s jacket, Dr. Maruki walked back out of the band hall with Makoto. Both looked embarrassed.
“I should have known this would happen. Goro, please come have a conversation with me in my office.”
The insane expression Goro held dropped to a pout almost instantaneously. He let go of Akira with a near shove, cleared his throat, and walked with a dignified manner into the band hall.
At this point, Akira’s heart was racing. Nothing like this has ever happened to him. No experience even came close to this. Not even the time he accidentally hooked a water moccasin instead of a fish at the creek he liked to fish at. Everyone in the hall stared for a moment before a chorus of “Congrats anyway!” and “You’re toast,” began.
Akira quickly tried to compose himself as he stepped into the band hall. He was here for registration after all. As he stepped in, he heard Dr. Maruki speaking in his office to Goro Akechi. The tone seemed stern from behind the closed door. As he waited, he tried to catch his breath. He didn’t realize just how fast his heart was beating until then.
A few minutes passed, and the three walked out of the office. Dr. Maruki quickly made his way to Akira, tripping on the way.
“I apologize. I should have expected that kind of reaction from him. I hope you’re not troubled by this.”
“Oh uh, nope! I’m all good!” Akira laughed nervously.
“Well, I apologize again. I hope you two can learn to cooperate together.”
As Dr. Maruki passed by to a foldable table further in the hall, Makoto gave a quick, “I’m sorry,” before she followed the director. That left Goro Akechi glaring at Akira.
“I’m not going to apologize to you. I will uphold my end of the deal I made in the hall. I’m only working with you during rehearsals. Any time outside of that, you are dead to me.”
Goro approached Akira and looked up at him. It was apparent then to Akira that Goro was considerably shorter than him. Why was he scared of someone under 5’ 6”? Akira himself was 5’ 9”. What a bad time to notice. It took all of his will power not to make any faces or laugh even a little.
“I hope you’re ready for the hardest thing you’re ever going to have to do. Work with me. I’ll make you regret even coming here, let alone audition for any kind of leadership. Who are you?” he snarled, “to think you can just show up and be anything while I’m here? You’ve made a mistake making an enemy of me.”
With only a moment more of a glare, Goro quickly composed himself in a similar way to earlier and joined Dr. Maruki and Mokoto at the table.
Akira stood for a moment. There’s no way someone is acting like this at the college level. There’s just no way. He’s got to be some kind freak. Goro Akechi is not a normal person. If he’s going to act like a five year old, then Akira is just going to have to match the energy. In a good way. The solution to problems similar to this in Akira’s past has been to strike back with well timed humor and wit. It beat every other bully he’s faced growing up. Surely it will work again against this piece of work Goro Akechi.
With a smile, Akira turned to the table. Signing in was what he came here to do after all, and he was going to make a damn good impression.