Chapter Text
Akane Saijo (@akanechaaaan__) on Twitter just posted!
"Good morning! It's another new day. TENBLANK will be continuing the production of a new song tomorrow! Look forward to it~! 🍓"
Naoki Fujitani (@fjtn_2802) replied: "Hey, hey! I'm not yet in the studio! Please wait for me!"
Sho Takaoka (@superguitarbro) replied to @fjtn_2802's comment: "Hehe, you're definitely going to make up random excuses for this."
Naoki Fujitani (@fjtn_2802) replied to @superguitarbro's reply: "SHUT UP!! I'M STILL WAITING FOR MY TRAIN TO ARRIVE!!!"
-
"What are those three up to now?"
Sighing as multiple passengers create obnoxious chattering and noises, Kazushi Sakamoto kept wondering to himself what were his bandmates up to at noon. His eyes reflect on the replies Akane had received from her other two bandmates flashing on his phone, not being sure what to respond to Sho's teasing towards Naoki.
All of a sudden, ringing picks up from his phone. It was his mom, waiting for a response. Kazushi did not want to ignore her calls, but yet, he wanted to not pick it up like a neglected child. His mom doesn't know what caused him to have this habit, but he knows the reason why. Having to make up his mind, he finally picks up the call.
"Hello, mom."
"Ah! Kazushi-kun, how are you doing?" His mom replies.
"I'm on the way to Fujitani Studio."
"Going there to record that song Akane had been planning all this time?"
"Yep, we're halfway through finishing the song. 'It's a killer' tune as Naoki said. It's called 'Flowing Solo', consisting of a melody TENBLANK doesn't usually do."
"Ah! I'm so excited to hear it! I hope what Fujitani said is true because this title seems pretty interesting. I'll tell your classmates that you did the keyboard and bass for this song!"
Why did my mother have to bring that up...? What was she even thinking?
Kazushi's brain became fuzzy, lost in thought as that last sentence came to his senses. In his highschool years, he's always hid the truth that he is in a band to his classmates so that no one could poke fun out of him for having a talent they didn't like about Kazushi.
"I'll... have to hang up now. See you."
"Kazushi-kun! Wai—"
The phone beeps, the words on it labelled "call ended" flash on screen. He sighs in relief, leaning close to the seat that comforts him.
"Next stop: Akihabara. Akihabara." The announcer iterates Kazushi's stop to Fujitani Studio as the train slows down its pace to the station.
Oh, that must be my stop.
-
Kazushi Sakamoto (@k.skmt0604) on Twitter just posted!
"Here I am in Akihabara! Recording a new song today with my bandmates, not sure how long will I get to the recording studio but here's to another new day!"
-
Just after posting this on his Twitter account, buzzing struck in from his pockets of his pants. He reached or his phone only to find out it was Akane calling. "Saijo? I'm in Akihabara right now, can I call you later? I need to—"
"Sakamoto-kun! I'm right here!" A familiar woman shouted out his name. Realizing this, Kazushi found out it was Akane calling out to him as she hastened near him. "Hello!"
"Ah... hey there. How'd you get in here?"
"I've was looking for you, of course! I have something to show you. Let's go!"
"Does it have to do something with TENBLANK as a whole?"
"Take a guess. It's September 17 right now."
"Ah! It's Sho's birthday! Oh dear, I forgot to buy a present for him..."
"It's okay! We're all gonna surprise him anyway! Quick, let's go together!" Akane proceeded to grasp onto Kazushi's sleeve as they both paced their way to the nearest ramen house.
Kazushi has never seen Akane grab onto him. He's done this before on their trip to a shrine with Naoki when the two get caught in the snap of a camera. But this? This is all different prior to the terrible news back in that month. He felt a warm, tingling feeling as the two proceeded to run around Tokyo. What was this feeling that she wanted to do with him? What was it...?
Akane is grabbing onto me, isn't she?
Kazushi thought again. He's remembered the moment when he wrapped his arms around her, telling her that he loves her that it's suffocating him; the moment when he passes his glasses onto Akane's eyes, ignoring the words "Wait, these are prescription!" as he distances himself away from her; the moment when he gazed upon her praying to be with Naoki and to hope for those sucessful TENBLANK tours... it all started to make sense now.
If Kazushi really liked Akane, the same would apply vice versa.
"Saijo, wait!"
Akane stops to her feet as Kazushi collapses next to her, their gazes meeting as they fall down together.
"Huh?" Akane didn't want to bother or make him worried. "Did I... do something wrong?"
"You didn't, Saijo! I just wanted to ask you."
"G-go ahead, I'm listening."
"Did you... grab onto my sleeve?"
"I... I did. Is there something wrong with that?"
"No reason. I swear you don't usually do this whenever we go together."
"Huh?"
All of a sudden, an elderly stranger started questioning concerns, ruining their small talk.
"Excuse me? Are you Akane Saijo and Kazushi Sakamoto? Are you alright?" The old man reached out his hand to the two.
"Yeah, we're okay. Thank you very much, kind sir."
Both Akane and Kazushi picked themselves up as the two got away from the old man, leaving suspicions if the man was a fan or not.
As soon as the two got to the ramen house, a voice can be heard from the dining area.
"Ah, you're just in time! Sho's gonna be here in a few minutes! We need to surprise him."
It was no other than Naoki Fujitani, his pen tapping on a small notebook filled with messy notes.
"You guys know what to do," he then eyes on the two who just came to the ramen house. "Let's treat him with what you guys have!"
As the moon rises, Sho arrives at the ramen house not knowing what's about to happen. It was indeed his birthday after all, he should expect what will happen.
"Surprise!" Everyone at the ramen house exclaims as soon as Sho steps in. "Happy birthday, Takaoka-kun!"
"Aww, you don't have to! I feel so surprised seeing you guys here," Sho replies, trying to suppress his tears.
"Come take a seat! We have so much to do after tonight!" Naoki tells him back, placing his palm on the only vacant seat.
On that night, everyone shared loads of laughter and whimsical moments to share to everyone in this ramen house. Kazushi, meanwhile, fixed his gaze on Akane again just like on the shrine trip as she continued to laugh out loud with her bandmates. His tingling sensations came to him again, not knowing what to do.
"Huh? Sakamoto-kun?"
He stopped his staring for a moment and proceeded to chow down on his ramen quickly. "Um, I'm not doing anything!"
Akane, who isn't aware about what Kazushi was doing, wondered if he was staring at her just because he likes her or if he was just going crazy.
"Well, if it's like that, then just say something about it."
Kazushi wanted to tell Akane that he loved her and he knew that she probably loved him aswell, but his feelings are all mixed up as if he lost his memories. He remembered saying that he loved her drumming, but is it really just that?
"I... I just want to say... hm... I—"
"Did anyone order beer?" Terrible timing paved its way while he had to confess.
"Oh, I ordered that!" Sho gleefully adds.
"...Oh, what were you going to say?" Akane wonders as Kazushi's face gets flushed with red. He didn't want to admit to his feelings to her. Out of remorse, he utters two words: "I forgot."
After all this, silence fills between the two. Akane hadn't experienced falling in love with Kazushi before, but ever since the memories of her leading him into the restaurant happened, butterflies were fluttering through her stomach. She had never felt this modest and in love before. She wanted to make this moment last forever, but she couldn't if she didn't want to make Naoki feel overwhelmed about her interest in Kazushi.
The party ends with all the members driving back home. Naoki and Sho had a drive back to Fujitani Studio, but Akane and Kazushi stayed outside the ramen house. It came to Akane that she insisted on picking up a taxi, but Kazushi thought otherwise. Neither one of them wanted to break the silence, but then Akane made the first move.
"Wanna take a photo together?"
Kazushi didn't want to spill anything from his mouth but a nod. They both had a photo together with Akane's phone keeping the memoir. She then started tapping on her keyboard to make a quick post on Twitter.
Akane Saijo (@akanechaaaan__) on Twitter just posted!
"Had an awesome dinner with my band! Right now, me and Sakamoto are waiting for a taxi. We promise to get the song done soon! Happy birthday, Takaoka-kun!! 🎉"
Said post follows a picture of the two together. Minutes after it was posted, the post garnered 5000 likes with more than 100 comments either giving Sho birthday greetings or something Kazushi had eyed on:
"Are you two together?!" One user commented.
"Aww! You're with Kazushi, that's so sweet!" Another replied.
"Am I dreaming or am I seeing a relationship between you and Kazushi?" That comment made his heart skip a beat like if he was stabbed by someone.
"Saijo, I think we need to take a taxi. It's usually cold at night." He eyes on Akane, giving her a nod.
Later that night, after a long taxi ride, Akane hastens to her room back home as she plunges to her bed. She continues to scroll through the replies on her post as she doesn't know what was going on.
Hm...? So many people are asking me if I'm in a relationship with him... I swear I adored Sensei, why is it now that people are asking me if I'm close with Sakamoto-kun?
She feels lost in the clouds, feeling confused on why did loads of users think she's falling in love with Kazushi and not with Naoki. What did she do to receive these comments? What else could be wrong with Akane's post? That's when it all came.
I think... I'm in love with Sakamoto-kun.
The next day, the sun rises on Akane's windowsill. The reflections from the sun hit her eyes as she slowly opens them. Her eyes were heavy from all the fun last night, her memories slowly regaining itself. "What time is it...?" She groans, picking up her phone until she saw a familiar message.
"Saijo? Where are you? I'm waiting for you to arrive at Fujitani Studio."
This was Kazushi's message.
Remembering that it's almost 10:00am, she jolted out from her bed quickly and rushed her breakfast and showering. As soon as she hopped on her motorbike, she gets another message from him.
"Saijo, Takaoka and Sensei are waiting for you. You should be here soon, we're halfway through our new song!"
Oh dear, I don't want Sensei to get frustrated with me...
As soon as Akane arrived at the studio, she sensed something off. Something that she doesn't usually visualize in this studio. Slowly making footsteps to the recording area, she heard indistinct chatter. And when she takrs another view, she saw two familiar faces: Toya Shinzaki and Mahiro Arisugawa.
"Huh?! What are you doing here?" She gasped as her phone almost slipped away from her hands.
"Well, well, well... it's you, Akane Saijo. Long time no see. I was just checking on this studio," Toya slowly follows her as he raises his hands in the air.
"Weren't Sakamoto, Takaoka, and Fujitani supposed to be here? Where are they at?!"
After she questions him, she can feel the door creaking open as she glances at three men.
"Oh, you're really here," Kazushi responds. "Ah, thank goodness. We were looking for you..."
"Um... why did you bring OVERCHROME to this studio?"
"We're collaborating for our new song, that's what," Toya gives Akane a pat on her back, confirming all the details for the new song.
"You mean Naoki will sing with Toya again for 'Flowing Solo' just like with 'Vibrato'? Um... I thought Naoki will be the only one singing."
"No worries, we've already planned this out together! Now, let's get to recording, Akane-chan," Naoki didn't want to let OVERCHROME down again, so he had to remind Akane about this in advance. After a while, the two groups started making melodies, singing and harmonizing together, and producing the new song they've planned for a while.
When the clock strikes 2:30pm, Akane, Sho, and Naoki went along together to head over to the amusement park Naoki has been discussing with Sho for the past few weeks. They wanted to be sure that no one has their belongings scattered all around the studio. Before they left, Akane realizes that Kazushi is facing away from them, polishing his glasses. Knowing that TENBLANK isn't the same without their keyboardist, she decided to catch his attention for a while.
"Sakamoto? Aren't you coming with us?"
"No. I have other plans," Kazushi doesn't budge, still trying to tidy up the dust that had been surrounding his glasses.
"Why can't you come with us? It's a spectacular amusement park we planned on going for so long!"
"...It's complicated."
"Don't say that! You're going to be bored all day inside the studio if you don't want to join us! Come on, Sakamoto-kun! It's going to be so much fun!!"
"I'm good. You three can go without me. I'll join you guys next time, okay?"
"...Okay. See you."
Just like last night, silence fills the air again.
Kazushi felt remorse again as he had spilled out white lies to Akane twice. His stomach started feeling all sorts of weird things as soon as he declined Akane's offer. He's never declined invitations to fun events before. Why would he even do that? Even after all the fun they've been through, he still wouldn't admit his feelings to Akane.
He grabbed his phone, taking a quick view at Akane's Twitter profile. When he found the tweet of Akane and him from last night, he went through every comment asking if they've been in a relationship.
Yes. I love Akane so much. I'm sorry I lied to her.
"Not going to the amusement park, you say?" Miyako Kai approached him. "Why would you not go with them?"
Kazushi lifted himself off his seat as he's about to tell everything Miyako will not endure. "Kai... it's complicated, but... I think I like Akane too."