Chapter 5: Break

Days turned to weeks. Weeks turned to months. Before I knew it, summer break had rolled by. Now, most highschoolers would take this time to go to the beach and travel, basically having fun. However, I didn't have that luxury. Ever since summer break began, my grandfather forced me to practice everyday. He would make me practice so much that I slowly lost my interest in playing the piano. It was as if I was no longer playing it to hear the music, but to hit the right note as presented in the sheet music. In other words, I wasn't playing songs, I was following an instruction manual.

My one solace was Maya inviting me to her home to babysit her younger siblings. My grandfather couldn't say no to that, knowing full well how he and his son's relationship ended. So I took that time to relax and play with them.

One summer day, however...

"So you going anywhere special this summer?"

Maya said as she combed Nana's hair.

"You're joking, right?"

As I responded, Gou and Roku pulled on both my arms.

"Come on! Cheer up!" she said in a positive manner, "Maybe grandpa could lay off for a while."

"We both know that's not happening."

The two kids pulled harder, as if they were playing tug of war with my arms.

"Or would you rather spend the whole summer with your cute and adorable cousin? Kyu!"

"Nee-san is the cutest!" Nana added, with Maya patting her head in return.

"You really are full of yourse- Stop pulling so hard!"

The kids stopped pulling and moved on to playing tag. What a rowdy bunch. I don't remember being that rowdy as a kid. Maybe they got it from my aunt's side.

"Oh, that's right!" Maya suddenly exclaimed, "I have to do some groceries!"

"Seriously?"

With a smug on her face, she then said, "Oh, but I have to take care of the kids! If only someone was kind enough to do it for me..."

She looked at me with a grin on her face. I knew exactly what she was planning. And I didn't want her to keep looking at me with that face, so I just took the job.

"Ugh, fine... Give me the list."

"Alright! Kyu!"

As she proceeded to prepare the list, she left the kids in my care. As if two kids pulling my arms weren't enough, now Nana wanted me to comb her hair. Which I couldn't do because I couldn't move my arms. The whole time, I was pleading Maya to return as soon as possible.

By the time she came back, I was already drained from exhaustion. It was a miracle that I was stil conscious. How does Maya do it?!

She gave me the list and as I was changing my shoes, she said, "Don't forget the miso soup!"

"Yeah, yeah."

As I left, she and the kids waved goodbye. I was only going out for a bit, they didn't have to be that dramatic. Anyway, it was off to the grocery store.

On the way, I saw posters of Star Fest everywhere: on streetposts, walls, it even had a billboard dedicated solely to Star Fest. Just what exactly do people find exciting in Star Fest? It's just idols singing and dancing on stage. Somehow, I can see why my grandfather hates it so much. Or maybe I'm just being hypocritical.

As I was pondering about these things, I saw the pink-haired kid once again seated near the entrance of a convenience store. I wanted to approach her, but it looked like she was busy drawing something on her sketch pad. Also, the scorching sun was burning my skin, so I ignored her and continued on to the grocery store.

When I got there, I was greeted by cool air and a song from an idol group. I had no idea what song it was, but it was so cheesy that I couldn't stop pouting. Couldn't they play something from Schubert? Huh, maybe I was more of a hypocrite than I thought...

Anyway, I looked for the first thing on the list. Natto? why would natto be the first thing on the list? Doesn't matter. I looked for natto and found it in the vegetable section. And, by sheer coincidence, I bumped into Rea, doing some shopping as well.

"Oh, it's been a while."

"Y-yeah..." she responded.

And from behind, someone exclaimed, "Rea! I found the lee- Oh, it's you!"

Aaand here we go...

"You're shopping?! Wow! I didn't think you were that kinda guy! I always saw you as this spoiled brat!"

"Marika, you're bothering him." Rea responded.

"O-oh right..."

She's as active as ever. Can't really blame her though.

"So what are you two doing together?"

"I'm sleeping over at Rea's house!" Marika answered.

"I see..."

"Wanna join us?" she added.

"H-huh?!" Rea and I reacted, both blushing.

Marika laughed and said, "I'm kidding! I'm kidding!"

After she said that, I shrugged my red face off. She didn't have to say it that way. Then, for some reason, she jumped and said that she forgot to get the leek she found.

"I'll be back!"

Then she dashed back to the other section. Does she ever run out of energy? And so... it was just me and Rea. A moment of silence, while an idol show played in the background. What an atmosphere.

In order to break the awkward moment, I started a conversation.

"So how have you been?"

"Okay, I guess... You?"

"You know... Practicing for recital and all."

"Oh, you're doing the recital?" she asked from out of nowhere.

I had mixed feelings from that questions. On one hand, it sounded like she genuinely wanted to continue the conversation. On another, it came out (at least to me) as an insult. Her performance came to mind and reminded me how I could never play as perfectly as her. So I didn't respond. And we were back to awkward silence until Marika returned.

Once I got what I needed, we split ways and said our goodbyes. Honestly, I was both glad and annoyed that I got to meet them. Carrying two bags of groceries, I walked back to Maya's place. It was much cooler compared to earlier, since the clouds covered the sun. Was it going to rain? Possibly, but not anytime soon, I guess.

As I was walking, I went to the convenience store to check if the small girl was still there. Miraculously, she was gone. Actually, what was I expecting? Of course she wouldn't stay in one place the whole day.

I came back to the apartment with groceries on both hands and Maya and the kids greeted me back. Maya started cooking as soon as she got the groceries. As for the kids... as usual, they played tug of war using my arms. Save for Nana, who was busy drawing something in the corner of the room.

It was nice living in a small house once in a while. As annoying as the kids are, as irritating as Maya's catchphrase is, as disappointing as knowing that I'll probably never be able to be as good as Rea in playing the piano, as depressing as it is practicing every day, small things like playing with kids and talking with friends was enough to balance it out.