Official Artwork

~

Another day, another visit to Sakura High's Light Music Club. I've come here so many times that the students have begun to wave and welcome me to the school every time I enter. I think it's safe to say that the Mio Fan Club Tea Party has lent a hand in boosting my popularity here.

As I made my way towards the club room I notice both Yui and Ritsu leaving what looks to be the school's faculty office.
"Hey, you two." I greet them.
"Ah, Y/N!" Yui waves as I walk towards them.
"What trouble did you two get into this time?" I tease.
"I find it offensive that, just because we were in the faculty office, you immediately think we did something wrong!" Ritsu raises her voice in anger.
"Yeah, yeah." I dismiss her outrage. "So if you didn't do anything wrong, why were you in the faculty office?"
"Oh, uh... I- We- It's just-"
"We didn't hand in our career plan yet, so Sawa-chan called us in to speak about it." Yui cuts off Ritsu's stammering.
"Yui..." She mumbles. "You're a chaotic, airheaded, unstoppable force of nature." All I do is raise my eyebrow at her. "H-Hey, I didn't say we didn't do anything wrong!" Ritsu attempts to defend herself. "A-Anyway, we should head up to the clubroom." She stiffly turns and leaves me and Yui to watch her.
"I wonder why Ricchan's acting like that?" Yui pondered.
"Same here..." I agree. We shrug and follow Ritsu up to the clubroom.

"Oh, Yui. And welcome, Y/N." Mio welcomed. "How did it go?"
"We uncovered another piece of Sawa-chan's past." Yui takes a seat next to Nodoka.
"Huh? You didn't get scolded?" Mio is puzzled.
"Man, life is full of surprises." Ritsu takes a seat next to Yui.
"Don't tell me you caused some more trouble," Mio asks. There aren't any seats left so I stand next to Ton.
"No, we didn't," Ritsu said. "What I meant is that we all go through a lot in our lives which makes us stronger.
"That's not what you told me," I object.
"That's 'cause you're not from our school!" Ritsu defends her statement.

"So, did she accept your career plan?" Nodoka asks.
"No." Yui lifted a sheet of paper. I'm assuming that's her career plan.
"Isn't there anything you want to be?" Mugi said.
"Anything I want to be?" Yui leans back on her chair, thinking to herself. "Mio, what do you think I should say?"
"Decide for yourself," Mio said bluntly.

"What did you put on your career plan, Y/N?" Yui turns to me.
"Yui!" Mio shouts.
"What? If I hear what he has to say then it might give me an idea. Plus, he's from a guy so he might have a few ideas none of us thought of." Mio sighs.
"Fine." Everyone turns to me, awaiting my answer.
"I haven't done my career plan yet, either," I said. "I just finished talking to the teachers at my school about it before I got here."
"Aha! And here you were criticizing me for not finishing mine!" Ritsu complained.
"I did nothing of the sort!" I retorted. "You ran from me before I could say anything!"
"Oh, that did happen, didn't it?" Ritsu recalls the events that happened not too long ago.

"Anyway," I bring us back on topic. "I don't know what I want to do in my future. Maybe a detective?"
"A detective?" Mugi asks. "How so?"
"I was watching a TV show about a detective last night," I explained. "You know, now that I say it out loud, I don't think I'd make a good detective. Welp, back to square one."
"A detective..." Yui mumbles to herself. "Sounds fun! We can be detectives together! You'll be my sidekick."
"From what I've seen, I don't think being a detective is fun," Mio said. Yui slumps in her chair in defeat.
"Wait, why am I the sidekick?"

"Didn't you want to be a kindergarten teacher back in elementary school?" Nodoka asked.
"I did!" Yui acknowledged.
"We had a writing assignment on the topic of 'My Dream.'" Nodoka spoke. "You said something about wanting to 'play with kids forever.'" We all laugh at Young Yui's silly comment.
"That's so like you," Mio said.

"Speaking of reading compositions, one of Mio's won an award once." I saw Ritsu grin at Mio as she spoke.
"Don't talk about that!" Mio attempts to silence Ritsu.
"I want to hear!" Mugi said eagerly.
"Me too!" Yui joined in.
"A-Azusa! Let's practice!" Mio changed the subject. "Pra-" Mio is caught off guard by Azusa staring at her in anticipation. "Y/N! You mentioned that you needed my help with a difficult chord, right?!"
"No, I'm progressing smoothly." Mio collapses after hearing my reply.

"You better give up, Mio," Ritsu said. Mio hung her head low in response.
"I don't see why you're upset," I said. "If you won an award then you should be proud." She didn't reply, but it seemed to ease her nerves, even if just a little.

"Back in elementary school, Mio was a very quiet girl." Ritsu began her story. "She was always reading books. And I, being the kind individual I am, would always try to talk to her. Back then, she was a lot shyer. I had fun watching her react. So I picked on her a lot."

"Aw, I wish I could've picked on her too," Yui complained.
"Isn't that bullying?" Azusa said.
"Oh, no." Ritsu dismissed. "When you're small, you pick on the kids you like, you know? It was like that."
"Are you a sadist?" I ask Ritsu.
"But we weren't that close at first." She ignored me.
"Of course not! You kept picking on me!" Mio yelled.
"Please answer me. Your lack of a reply makes me worried."

"Remembering that is pissing me off." Mio grabs a marker from who-knows-where and takes the lid off. "Let me see your forehead."
"What are you gonna do?" Ritsu wonders. Mio leans over the table and draws the kanji for 'eye' on Ritsu's head. "My forehead." Everyone quietly giggles.
"You're fine," I said. "If one of my friends were to write something on my head, it would be a lot worse. And permanent. Compared to that, you got off pretty good."
"Don't tell her that!" Ritsu shuts me up.
"Don't worry, it'll wash off," Mio reassures.

"So, what happened with that reading competition?" Nodoka asked.
"Y-You still remembered." Mio got embarrassed again.
"Come on, tell her!" Ritsu egged her on. "I'm a three-eyed monster!" Yui replies to Ritsu's claim with a fake scream.

"I think it was in fourth grade." Mio continued. "My composition won a prefectural award. Award winners were supposed to read their compositions in front of all the students. I didn't want to do it and I was feeling down. That's when Ritsu came and talked to me. I told her about the situation I was in and she had it as something 'awesome.'  I got mad and told her she should have done it in my place. Instead of retaliating, Ritsu invited me over to her house. She made me practice in front of her to help me overcome my stage fright. And it worked. I was able to read my piece with no problem. Because of Ritsu, I was able to stay very relaxed."

"That's a good story," Mugi said.
"So you were a good kid."
"But that's not like you at all," Yui said dejectedly.
"Just what I was thinking." I agree. "I can't see Ritsu ever doing something nice for Mio."
"Don't you know how to recognize my good side?" Ritsu spat.

"So, did the reading go well?" Azusa changed the subject.
"Well, Mio wrote it, so it was very fairytale-like," Ritsu responded. "Just imagine that."
"But that's when I started going over to Ritsu's house."  Mio jumped in.
"Yup, I taught you a lot," Ritsu spoke with pride.
"Yeah, you did." Mio nodded. She then stayed silent for a few seconds. "A lot, huh? But I don't think there was anything useful. Maybe I shouldn't have gotten any help from you." Ritsu started to tear up at her words.
"That's cold," I say.
"Th-That's so mean, Mio!" Yui defended Ritsu.
"You two were badmouthing her just a minute ago," Mio said. "But I do appreciate that you introduced me to music."
"Mio!" Everyone jumps toward Mio because of her kind compliment.

"Hey now, we're not talking about Ritsu and me!" Mio changed the conversation. "We're talking about their career plans."
"Right," Nodoka said. "Don't think about it too hard, and start with what you'd like to do."
"Right..." Yui began thinking. "Like a florist?"
"That might be a good idea," Azusa said.
"I feel flowers would suit you, Yui." I agree.
"However you need to know botany." Azusa rethinks her decision.
"How about an office worker then?" Yui tossed out another option.
"You're not fit for a strictly scheduled business."
"That's so mean." Yui's self-esteem takes a hit.
"You might be a good bus tour guide," Ritsu said.
"And I'd get to go to a lot of different places for free!"
"Right," Azusa starts thinking. "But you get car sick easily."

"What about a waitress?" Ritsu suggested.
"You'll have to keep track of a lot of orders," Mio said.
"A pâtisserie?" Ritsu said.
"That would be better suited to Ui," I said.
"Plus, she might eat the cakes herself." Mugi agreed.

"So true." Ritsu gave in.

"Well, you can decide on what you can think of," Nodoka told Yui.
"What I can think of..." Yui contemplated some ideas for a moment. "I know! Ricchan!"
"Yeah!" Both Ritsu and Yui took their career plan sheets and scribbled something down. "We'll be back in a sec!" They dashed out of the room.

"I suppose I should start thinking about what I should put down." I place my hand on my chin. "This is so hard!" I give in.
"That was fast," Azusa said.
"How did you all do this?" I groan. "It's impossible!"
"Don't give up yet." Mio consoles me. "I'll give you a hand. Let's start with your hobbies."
"Well... I play guitar?" I say half-jokingly. "I don't have very many hobbies. Does walking a dog count?"
"That sounds more like a chore," Azusa admitted.
"Walking Bud isn't a chore. I find it very therapeutic."
"How about a vet then?" Nodoka pitched in.
"I'm not a fan of all that blood and stuff." I see Mio wince at the word 'blood.'
"Didn't you want to be a detective?" Azusa mumbled.
"How about you follow in Young Yui's footsteps and become a teacher?" Mugi said. "Like a Music teacher or something along those lines."
"I spend enough of my time in school already, thank you." I decline.
"Well, do you play any sports?" I can tell Nodoka is grasping at straws.
"I've never been good at any." They all sigh at my response. "Sorry, everyone. I know how annoying this can be."
"You don't need to apologize." Mugi comforts me. "This is an important decision to make. It wouldn't be very fun if you were stuck in a job you hate, would it? Take all the time you need."
"Thanks."

"It didn't work, Captain!" Yui and Ritsu returned. Yui handed her career plan to Nodoka.
"A musician?" Nodoka said, baffled.
"Take it more seriously!" Mio barked.
"But I am." Ritsu rubbed the back of her head.

Just then, Nodoka started to giggle. Her giggle gradually turned into laughter.
"Nodoka is laughing!" Yui — just like everyone else — was perplexed.
"Maybe she's too shocked," Azusa said flatly.
"Actually, this was a self-sacrificing joke I played to make Nodoka laugh!" Yui turned and said unconvincingly.
"Yui, that's too far-fetched." Mio disregarded her story immediately.

"S-Sorry," Nodoka wiped the tears from her eyes. "I don't know where that came from."
"Did Yui finally make you snap?" I said.
"...No." She replied.
"Nodoka hesitated..." Yui looked down in sadness.
"Thanks for having me." Nodoka got up from her seat. "Unfortunately, I have to head back to the student council room. I trust you five can help Yui with her career plan?"
"We'll try our best," Mio said. "But this is Yui we're talking about."
"I'm being bullied," Yui retreated towards Ton for some company.

"I should probably head home now, too." I lift my stuff and follow Nodoka to the door.
"I'll come too!" You shouted. "I want to see Bud!" She leaves Ton's tank and grabs her belongings. Nodoka raises an eyebrow.
"Y/N," She spoke. "Can I talk to you for a second?"
"Uh, sure?" I say, puzzled.
"I'll wait by the gate," Yui said and sprinted out of the room.
"No running, Miss Hirasawa!" I hear a teacher yell. We follow Yui out of the room slowly.

"What do you need?" I inquire.
"I know this may seem a bit rude," She starts. "And it's completely fine if you don't want to answer. But, as Yui's close friend, I'd like to ask: What... do you think of Yui?"
"Well, she's a clumsy airhead that depends on those around her. She constantly goofs off and doesn't take many things seriously. But, that isn't a bad thing, I guess."
"What do you mean?" Nodoka asks. I gather my thoughts for a bit.
"I guess some people would get annoyed at having someone like Yui as a friend. She's, like I said, clumsy and relies on others a lot. Ui, you, and the Light Music Club members are all there for her. Some people may find it a hassle to deal with her."
"And you? Do you find it a hassle?"
"Not really. I find them as... would 'quirks' be the word? Whatever it is, I find them..." I look around me to see if anyone is listening. "I find them cute more than anything else." I fell my cheeks redden slightly. "I don't hang out with a lot of outgoing people, so talking to Yui is a nice change of pace. She's also really eager to help her friends. I noticed that when Ritsu stopped playing the drums for a bit. Yui tried so hard to help Ritsu 'shine'. And, granted, it didn't work, but she tried so hard and I have to commend her for that. So, all-in-all, I think Yui is a great girl with great friends. It may sound selfish, but I kind of wanted to be a part of the group. Yui radiates so much positive energy wherever she goes. I could tell that the first time I saw her. I kind of wanted some positive energy as well. Maybe that's why I've stayed with the Light Music Club for as long as I have. She may mess up, but her innocent smile makes me want to forgive her."
"I know that feeling." Nodoka smiled.

"One more thing," Nodoka said as we reach the student council room. "Again, you don't need to answer. Do you... like Yui?" I stop. Before I answer, I hear another student's footsteps somewhere close by. I don't know where it was from, but I waited for the sound of quick footsteps to fade away before I spoke again.
"I... I'm not sure. I've never 'liked' anyone before, so I don't know what I'm supposed to look out for." Nodoka silently nods. I hide my face away as it grows redder and redder. "First Ritsu, then Ui, and now you?"
"Sorry," Nodoka said.
"No need to apologize. You're Yui's friend. I get where you're coming from. Some random guy from another school strolls in here every day to meet your friend and her friends. You're just looking out for her. I get it."

"I can tell you're a good guy. A good friend." Nodoka opens the door to the student council room. "If you need any help, be that studying or... Yui... you know where to find me."
"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you, Nodoka."
"Oh," She stops before closing the door. "Who's Bud?"
"He's my dog. A golden labrador. Yui can, somehow, speak to him. Did you know that Yui could peak to dogs?"
"She does seem very fond of dogs. Maybe that's why? Honestly, your guess is as good as mine. Well, it's best not to keep Yui waiting. It was good talking to you."
"You, too." I smile and wave before I make my way to the school's gates.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!" I call as I see Yui waiting outside. She was looking down and twiddling her thumbs with a wide smile. Her face was also slightly red. "Yui?"
"Hmm? Oh, Y/N! Sorry, I didn't see you there."
"Are you alright? You're a bit red. That's probably my fault. It's hot out here and I made you wait in this heat while I spoke to Nodoka."
"It's alright." She takes a breath and looks up at me. "Shall we go?"

We walk home in silence. The whole time Yui wore a large smile and had a slight pep in her step.
"You seem cheerful," I said.
"Yep!" She answered and looks towards me. Her smile grows even wider and she had the most adorable smile I have ever seen. "Thank you!" I feel my heart skip a beat.
"N-No problem..." I look away to hide my embarrassment. "Wait, what for?" She doesn't answer. Instead, she picks up her pace, skipping down the road.
"C'mon! I wanna see Bud!"

As I open the door, Bud darts from around the corner and tackles me onto the floor.
"Woah!" I hit the ground. "You're lively today, aren't you?" I stroke the top of his head. 
"Bud!" Yui opens her arms and Bud hops off me and jumps into Yui's embrace. "Good boy!"

"Hello again, Yui." Futaba comes out of the same room Bud emerged from. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?"
"Hello, Futaba! We're here to talk about our careers."
"Careers?" Futaba echoed.
"We are?" I said.
"We both don't know what we want to put on our career plans so I came over so we could consult each other."
"This is news to me," I got up from the floor.
"You still haven't decided what to put on your career plans?" Futaba said, shocked. "You need to think of something fast. A year flies by fast, you know."
"You sound like Sawa-chan." Yui ruffled Bud's thick fur coat as she spoke.
"Sawa-chan?"
"Their homeroom teacher," I explain to Futaba.

"Aha!" I'm hit with a stroke of genius. "Yui, why don't you run a dog shelter?"
"Hm," Yui thinks for a bit. "It does sound nice to be surrounded by dogs all of the time."
"Speaking of," Futa said. "Miss Dog Whisperer, would you mind giving me another demonstration of your powers?"
"Again?" I ask.
"I'm not fully convinced. Maybe you told Yui everything about Bud. So, I'd like you to ask Bud why he was so excited when you both came in." Yui nods and repeats the question to Bud.
"Aw, really?!" Yui's smile widens. "That's so sweet!"
"What is it?" I said. I turn to Futaba to see her eyes widen in anticipation.
"He said he met a girl dog right before we got to your house. They both like each other!"
"How?!" Futaba exclaims.
"Dog Whisperer," I said. "But, I didn't think that dogs had relationships like humans, with like wives and girlfriends and stuff."
"Why would you think that?" Yui asks.
"I don't know."

We enter my room and Yui looks up at the corkboard immediately. It lies barren, apart from the singular picture Yui took without me knowing.
"I haven't been going out a lot, so I didn't have anything to take a picture of," I tell her.
"That's fine. But, there's a lot of memories you make every day."
"What do you mean?"
"Mio was talking about her writing task today, right? That might have seemed like an ordinary day at the time, but when I heard her tell that story, I couldn't help but compare Young and Present Mio. Present Mio still has stage fright but not as much as Young Mio. Those memories she carried with her helped shape her into Present Mio. I guess what I'm trying to say is, even the most boring memories are vital to building your personality and character in the future."
"Who are you and what have you done with Yui?" I joke. "Maybe you should pursue a job of being a philosopher." Yui laughs.
"How about you take your camera with you the next time you visit the club? You might face a decision you'll want to remember to help you in the future."
"I will," I replied.
"Sorry about going off on that tangent. I just feel like a lot of people don't pay enough attention to their memories and how much it influences them without them knowing. After all, remembering what I was like before high school was probably the main reason I joined the Light Music Club."
"I will admit, I didn't think about memories like that before. But now my mind has opened. Thanks for that."

"Now, enough of the past." Yui starts. "What will