#asuka x kaori x haruka
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Tanaka Asuka x Nakaseko Kaori x Ogasawara Haruka
Hibike! Euphonium
#asuka x kaori x haruka#haruka ogasawara#kaori nakaseko#asuka tanaka#sound! euphonium#hibike! euphonium#ship
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H!E Headcanons
Kumiko - ADHD, autistic
Reina - autistic
Asuka - depression
Haruka - anxiety
Kaori - depression
Nozomi - autistic
Mizore - autistic, depression, anxiety
Yuuko - BPD
Taki - autistic
Ships
Kumiko x Hazumi x Midori x Reina
Asuka x Haruka x Kaori
Kumiko x Azusa
Gotou x Riko
Natsuki x Kumiko x Hazumi
Shuichi x Hazumi
Nozomi x Mizore x Yuuko x Natsuki
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Finding You chapter 3: meeting
Fandom: Hibike! Euphonium/Sound! Euphonium Pairings: Â Kumiko/Reina; Natsuki/Yuuko; implied Asuka/Kaori/Haruka; Nozomi/Mizore; Hazuki/Shuuichi Summary: Â Two years have passed since Reina left after their second-year. Two years have passed and Kumiko is now a freshman in college. Two years have passed and she receives a letter from Reina. Two years have passed but something Kumiko thought she lost is making its way to her. Words: 6.3k+ Previous Chapters: 1 | 2 Links: FF is here! AO3 is here!
i recc reading it on AO3. oh, and sorry for not updating yesterday lmao
âYou didnât sleep?â
Kumikoâs gaze went from staring out the train window to Natsuki. She was resting her head atop a sleeping Yuukoâs, whose ribbon flaps fell over her eyes like rabbit ears.
âNo,â Kumiko said as she hugged her duffel bag closer to her. âIâm not that tired.â
Natsuki let out a noise as she rubbed one of her eyes. âWell, thatâs one of us. Yuuko and I packed last minute, so we ended up pulling an all-nighter packing.â
âMaybe you should have done it earlier,â Kumiko said with an amused smile. Natsukiâs glare didnât faze her.
âAh, shaddup. Iâve heard enough of that from Yuuko last night.â She covered her mouth to stifle a yawn.
Kumiko chuckled, and turned her head to look out the window again. The suburban scenery was blurring together like forgotten memories. Soon, the gray buildings grew sparser and sparser until they gave way to green pastures and an open blue sky, the sun rising just above the horizon of faraway hills.
Nostalgia hit her in the chest when she remembered the first time Reina took her to Mount Daikichi.
She wanted to hop on a train to an unknown destination, Kumiko recalled. We never did that, did we?
Maybe you will, one day, Something said.
âThat paper yours?â Natsuki said, pulling Kumiko out of her thoughts.
Kumiko peered over her luggage and saw that one of Reinaâs letters had slipped out of her bag. âAh, thanks,â she said as she bent over to pick the letter off the floor.
âIâm assuminâ thatâs from Reina.â
âYeah. I got it yesterday.â
âYeah?â
âYeah.â Kumiko took a quick glance at the letter, skimming through the words for important details. A number was scribbled on the bottom of the page. The sight of it made Kumikoâs heart jolt, and for a moment, she felt like she was back in high school, anticipation shaking her nerves at the mere thought of hearing Reinaâs voice through the phone.
A snort made Kumiko jump.
She looked over the letter to see Natsuki grinning at her. With the way her hair framed her face, she looked like the personification of mischief, and Kumiko didnât like the sight of it.
âWh-what?â She asked, failing to sound casual.
Natsukiâs grin grew bigger, and she shook her head. âNothing.â
Kumikoâs lips curled into a frown. âDoesnât seem like nothing.â
âWell, itâs justââNatsuki paused to chuckleââfor a moment, I thought we were back in high school.â
âWhyâs that?â
âYou had that look in your eyes. The one where your eyes would kind of dim yet sparkle at the same time whenever you spoke about or saw Reina. I always thought it was a mix of admiration or somethinâ, but now that I know about everythinâ that happened between youââNatsukiâs expression melted into one of gentle understandingââthat was one of love, huh?â
Kumiko felt a stitch on her heart snap. Natsukiâs gaze suddenly felt heavy, and Kumiko had to look out the train window to alleviate the weight.
ââŚDid I say too much?â
Kumiko shook her head. âNo. Itâs just when you said that, I justâŚremembered how much I really missed her.â The sensation of tears began to burn the back of her eyes, and she had to blink rapidly to keep them at bay. âIâm kind of scared to see to her again,â she added quietly.
âEven though youâve been talkinâ to her?â
âYeah. Kinda stupid, huh?â
âNah, I donât think so.â
Kumiko looked at Natsuki, who was wearing the smallest of smiles. âReally?â
âReally. Talking to the person you love face-to-face is a completely different experience. Compared to writing out what you feel, itâs a whole lot harder. Or, in my opinion it is. Itâs easier to choke up, you know?â
Kumiko nodded slowly, and a crooked smile made its way onto her face. âYeah. I did that all the time whenever I was alone with Reina.â
Natsuki chuckled as she brushed a strand of Yuukoâs hair behind her ear. âI feel that.â
âThatâs not surprising. You always choke up when youâre sentimental.â Kumiko smiled as the memory of Natsuki gross-sobbing in front of the entire band during their farewell banquet came to mind.
âDoesnât everyone?â
Kumiko hummed, and quietly watched as Natsuki twined her fingers with Yuukoâs. She could feel Jealousyâs flames burning the underside of her gut.
Must be nice to have someone like that, Jealousy said. Kumiko felt a bitter taste fill her mouth. She turned her head towards the window, suddenly feeling like an outsider observing a world that only Natsuki and Yuuko inhabited.
âYou should go and sleep,â Kumiko heard Natsuki say gently. âIâll keep watch for our stop.â
Kumiko let out a small noise of confirmation and closed her eyes. She caught the noise of rustling, followed by quiet conversation, the voices belonging to Natsuki and a husky Yuuko. Their words sounded far away, and Kumiko felt the distinct feeling of Loneliness burying itself in her chest.
As she slipped into unconsciousness, Kumiko noticed that her hand felt unbearably cold.
-X-
you never said it aloud but
you loved holding her hand
because it gave you
security
comfort
understanding
even if nothing was
said between the both of you
she understood the
love that spilled from the
heart you held in your palm,
transferring its warmth to your fingertips
that intertwined around hers
in an intimate embrace that only
lovers knew
sometimes it was her who reached out first
sometimes it was you
but once your hands touched there was
warmth
patience
kindness
the formula for love
and everything nice
was something you held in your hand
itâs no wonder that
the moment she left
your fingers felt
cold
empty
alone
-X-
âWeâre lucky we made it out on time, considering how you were out like a rock,â Yuuko said, shooting Kumiko a look. Kumiko gave a sheepish smile and scratched the back of her neck.
âSorry, senpai,â she said with a chuckle.
âSo much for not being tired, huh?â Natsuki said, prodding Kumikoâs side with her elbow.
âShe probably pulled an all-nighter packing.â Yuuko flicked her glare in Natsukiâs direction. âLike a certain someoneââ
Natsuki sighed and rolled her eyes. âYouâre still on about that?â
Yuuko bristled and stomped up to Natsuki. âOf course Iâm still on about that!â
Taking this as a sign to leave, Kumiko made brief eye contact with Natsuki and pointed over her shoulder with her thumb. Natsuki gave an âokayâ sign before turning her attention back to an angry Yuuko.
Kumiko briskly walked away, her strides as long as she could make them. She weaved through the crowd, muttering quiet apologizes under her breath when her bag slammed into someone on accident.
Finally, after many collisions and apologies, Kumiko found herself outside the train station. She inhaled, taking in the scent of street food and the river, taking in the scent of home. She held her breath for a split second before exhaling, an easy smile finding its way onto her lips. She took in the sight of the Uji River, taking in the familiar sight of home she took for granted when she was younger.
âIâm home,â she mumbled.
âKumiko?â
âGwah!â Kumiko jumped and looked around. âWhoâs thaâoh.â She furrowed her face into a scowl. âItâs you.â
The slight smile on Shuuichiâs face, which now bolstered the faint beginnings of a beard, turned into a slight frown. âNice to see you, too.â
âYou shopping?â Kumiko asked, glancing at the plastic bag he held.
âEh, somethinâ like that. Mom asked me to run some errands for her.â Shuuichi shrugged and continued walking to his original destination. Kumiko followed; her house was in the same direction, anyways.
âYou still live with her?â Kumiko asked.
âThat a problem?â
âNo. Itâs cute.â
Shuuichi clicked his tongue. Kumiko noticed the tips of his ears turning red. âSh-shut up.â
âWhatâs new?â
âNothing much. Got out of school.â
âSame. Whatâs your major?â
âWent in undeclared.â
âLooks like weâre in the same boat. For once.â
Shuuichi chuckled. âLooks like we can actually get along if we try.â
âDonât push it, Shuushit.â
âOuch. I forgot how much I missed that nickname.â
Kumiko let out a laugh. âGlad to bring back old memories.â
âWhatâre you doing back here? Here for the Agata Festival?â
Kumiko shrugged. âSomethinâ like that. Hazuki-chan told me to come back for summer vacation, since itâs the Agata Festival. Plus I havenât been home in a while.â
Shuuichi snorted. âIâd say itâs been more than a while.â
Kumiko hummed. âSay, speaking of a whileââshe looked at Shuuichi, and for the first time, noticed the faint outline of bags under his eyesââHazuki-chan told me that you two have been together for a while.â
âI-is that so?â Shuuichi asked, his face and ears turning beet red. âW-when?â
âOver the phone several weeks ago.â
âH-huhâŚ.â
âAre youâŚokay? You look like youâre ready to pass out.â Kumiko furrowed her eyebrows together.
âAh, well,â Shuuichi began, scratching the back of his neck, âitâsâhmâIâm still trying to get used to it, you know?â
âBeing in a relationship?â
âYeah, something like that.â
A silence settled between the both of them, but a question weighed heavily on Kumikoâs mind. It tickled the tip of her tongue, trying to slip past her lips, but she didnât dare open her mouth; she didnât want to say something she would regret.
Her struggle seemed to show on her face, since Shuuichi said, âYou know, if you have something you want to ask, you can go ahead and ask.â
Kumiko opened her mouth, then closed it like a fish.
âGo ahead,â Shuuichi urged.
âMind if Iâm honest?â
âIf you werenât, you wouldnât be Kumiko.â
Her lips quirked into a small smile that disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. âDo you really like Hazuki-chan? Like, honestly?â
âWhat makes you say that?â
Answering a question with a question; a sign of a guilty man, Logic deduced.
âWellâŚI just remembered back in high school when you rejected her, is all. What made you come back âround?â Kumiko asked.
ââŚMind if Iâm honest with you?â
ââCourse.â
âI honestly donât know.â Shuuichi let out a heavy exhale and scratched the back of his neck. âLike, sheâs a great person, really. While, admittedly, she isnât all that bright, she has a big heart, big ambitions, and well, sheâs really cute, you know? Even back in high school, I always thought she was cute. But I never thought of her in that way becauseâŚyou knowâŚ.â
Kumiko allowed Shuuichiâs words to die in the air, letting the breeze whisk them away to places unknown. The wind left silence in its wake, along with a faint memory of the summer of their second-year.
Shuuichi confessed to her then. Standing beside the river, with the sun painting the sky with oranges and pinks, it was the picture-perfect moment for love to blossom between two people.
Kumiko and Shuuichi werenât those people.
ââŚSorry, Shuuichi,â Kumiko said, just above a whisper. A pang of sympathy struck her heart.
âNo, itâs okay. Itâs been almost two years now,â Shuuchi said. He added a chuckle at the end, but Kumiko could still hear the hurt in his voice. âI should be over it.â
âBut youâre not.â It was more of a statement than a question.
Shuuichi said nothing.
âIsâŚthat why you began dating Hazuki-chan in the first place? As a rebound?â
âPartially.â Shuuichi turned to Kumiko. âDoes that make me a scumbag?â
A crooked smile pulled on Kumikoâs lips. âI would say yes, but I would have probably done the same if I had the heart to.â
His face turned into one of understanding. âYou still not over Reina?â
âItâs hard to get over your first love.â
Shuuichi chuckled, and Kumiko swore she heard bitterness in his voice. âYouâre right about that,â he muttered quietly.
An uncomfortable silence fell between them, but luckily for Kumiko, they approached the intersection where she knew they had to part ways.
âMy house is this way,â Kumiko said, pointing to the right.
Shuuichi smiled crookedly. âSurprised you remember where it is.â
âShut up, Shuushit.â
He laughed and raised his hand in farewell. âIâll see you later, then.â
Kumiko did the same, and began her stride again.
âWait.â
Kumiko stopped and turned around. Shuuichi was looking at her, a serious glint in his eyes.
ââŚYes?â Kumiko asked.
âYouâŚdonât have to worry about me hurting Hazuki.â He said nothing, as if waiting for confirmation to continue. Kumiko gave it in the form of a nod. âBecause, honestly, every time Iâm with herâŚIâm very, very happy.â He broke his stoic mask with a small, sincere smile, and for a moment, Kumiko was taken aback.
Who knew that the pathetic, aloof Shuuichi she grew up with could make such an expression?
âThatâs good,â Kumiko finally said with a small smile. âThatâs really good.â
Shuuichiâs smile turned awkward, and with a brief nod, turned to cross the street. Kumiko watched him disappear into the crowd, Gramâs words echoed in her head.
Love finds its way.
As she turned around to make her way to her house, Kumiko found herself wondering when love would find its way back to her.
-X-
âIâm home!â Kumiko called out, kicking off her shoes at the doorfront. The running water that was playing in the background was shut off, and Kumikoâs mother shuffled into view, wiping her hands on a rag.
âYouâre back!â Akiko exclaimed, her eyes widening with surprise before it melted into a warm smile. Kumiko replied with one of her own, and welcomed her motherâs embrace with open arms. Kumiko took a breath, taking in the faint scent of caramelized sugar that clung to her mother wherever she went.
An ache prodded at Kumikoâs heart when she realized how much she missed her family.
âYou should have told us that you were coming back! I would have cleaned up!â Kumiko laughed and blocked herself from Akikoâs playful swats.
âSorry, sorry,â Kumiko said, âbut I kind of decided to come back last minute. Plus I thought it would be a good surprise, you know?â
Her mother shook her head, chuckling. âGod, look at you,â she breathed out, taking Kumikoâs face in her calloused, yet warm hands. She scrutinized Kumikoâs visage, and Kumiko did the same. She noticed the gray streaks now tainting her motherâs black hair, the deepening eye bags, and the faint lines of wrinkles setting in.
Sheâs gotten older, Kumiko thought.
A wave of despondency rose up in her throat, but Kumiko forced it down when she saw her motherâs smile grow even larger.
âYouâre so beautifulâŚ.â Akiko brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, a gesture she did so many times before. âNo words can describe how much I missed you,â she added quietly, her eyes glazing over with sadness.
Kumiko could only reply with a small smile; she didnât trust herself to say her sentiments aloud, lest she break down crying. Clearing her throat, she changed the subject with a quick, âWhereâs Dad?â and peered over her motherâs shoulder.
âHeâs still at work. But how about you put your stuff in your room, and then help me with dinner, hm?â Kumiko nodded, and the both of them went their separate ways.
The door to her old room creaked its welcome when Kumiko opened it. Peering inside, she noticed that her room was as exactly as she had left it two years ago; unsettlingly clean, save for the thin film of dust in the nooks and crannies of her room.
As Kumiko put her duffel bag down on her bed, she had the distinct feeling that something felt off, yet so familiar at the same time, like she was reuniting with an old friend.
Maybe this is what Reina felt when she visited Kitauji, Something whispered in her mind.
She pushed the thought aside and exited her room.
Kumiko shut the door behind her, and noticed that the door to her sisterâs room was slightly ajar. Peering through the crack, she saw that the sheets on Mamikoâs bed were mussed and crooked.
âIs Nee-chan back?â Kumiko asked once she entered the kitchen.
Akiko shook her head, never taking her eyes off the tomatoes she was mincing. âSomeone used her room for lodging for several days. They just left so I need to clean her room up.â
A bitter taste hit the back of Kumikoâs throat. âIsâŚis that so?â
Akiko hummed, giving Kumiko an onion to peel. âShe hasnât been home for a while. You know that, Kumiko.â
âYeah,â she mumbled, âI know.â Once she finished peeling, Kumiko grabbed a knife from the drawer in front of her. âHas she contacted you at all since I left?â She asked, chopping the onion in half.
âShe sent a letter a week ago.â
A sense of dĂŠjĂ vu came over Kumiko. âDid she? What did she say?â
âMm, she said she was doing well,â Akiko said after a while, âand that she doesnât regret leaving college to pursue make-up. Sheâs been training under this beautician inâŚOsaka, I believe? Itâs essentially a paid internship, and once she finishes that, she plans on opening her own beauty shop.â
Kumiko blinked back tears as she sliced the onion into paper-thin strips. âReally? Where?â
âSomewhere.â
âHave you guys replied?â
âNo, not yet. Weâve been too busy. Plus, your father is a proud man; he still has a hard time accepting what happened.â
âItâs been more than three years.â
âExactly my point.â
For a moment, the sound of knives hitting the cutting board was the only sound that filled the silence.
âShe also asked how you were,â Akiko finally said.
Kumiko ignored how her heart lurched in her chest. âReally?â
âMm.â
âMaybe Iâll call her later.âKumiko said, her quiet words being drowned out by the loud sizzling filling the air as she poured the onions into the pan.
âYou should. She says she misses and loves you.â
While she was sautĂŠing, Kumiko had to pause to wipe away the tears rolling down her cheeks.
As she did so, she told herself she was crying because of the onions and nothing else.
-X-
Call Transcript
Kumiko Oumae â Mamiko Oumae
6:34 PM
MO: Hello?
KO: Nee-chan?
MO: Oh, Kumiko! Youâre still alive?
KO: [laughs] Surprisingly. Howâve you been?
MO: Good, tired. [yawns] You?
KO: Iâm alright. Iâm on break now.
MO: Yeah? You doing anything interesting?
KO: Well, I went back home since Hazuki-chan told me to visit. Plus the Agata Festival is coming up.
MO: Ooh, that does sound like fun.
KO: Mm.
[Silence]
MO: Was thereâŚa reason why you called me?
KO: A-ah, uh, mmâkind of?
MO: If youâre trying to ask me to come home, Iâm not going to.
KO: IâI figured as much. [Pause] Nee-chan?
MO: Mm?
KO: Are you ever going to come back? To Uji?
MO: Did Mom tell you about the letter?
KO: Yeah. She told me that you were training in Osaka, and that you plan on opening your own shop one day.
MO: [laughs] Oh, good. So they did get the letter after all.
KO: Why?
MO: Donât tell them this, but Iâm planning on opening it in Uji.
KO: Is it to spite Dad?
MO: Kind of. [chuckles] And, you know, to show him that I actually did it. I want him to know that Iâm not someâŚwashed-up college dropout, you know? That I actually have ambitions and passions, and Iâm going to follow them. Even if it means not being that perfect daughter that they imagined.
KO: [chuckles] Itâs kind of weird hearing you say that.
MO: Whyâs that?
KO: Because you were so adamant whenever you spoke to me about school. You always told me to study hard and get into a good college so that I can do well in the future.
MO: Â Times change. And, honestly, part of me did that so that I could hurt you.
KO: Yeah�
MO: It might be because youâre the younger sibling, but I always thought that Mom and Dad treated you differently. They gave you everything, you know? Even if you wanted to pursue band in high school, they allowed you. Me? They basically told me to give it up so that I can be a rolemodel for you. I always thought that was unfair.
KO: Because that is unfair.
MO: [laughs] Glad to know you have my back.
KO: You donâtâyou knowâhate me, do you?
MO: What? Of course not! I love you to bits, Kumiko. Remember that.
KO: [quietly] I love you, tooâŚ.
MO: Donât cry on me, yet. We just started the call.
KO: [strained laughter] Iâm trying. [sniffles]
MO: Good. So, changing topics, howâs college life?
KO: Mm, itâs okay, I guess? Iâve met new people and made new friends, so thatâs a thing.
MO: Looks like my little sisterâs finally spreading her wings.
KO: Leave me alone.
MO: Youâre the one who called. [laughs] Are you still in band?
KO: Mmm, no. I didnât know my college had one, so I didnât audition. But next semester I will.
MO: Thatâs good. Youâve been practicing?
KO: When I have the time. [chuckles] I actually do the exercises that you taught me when I was in elementary.
MO: Do you?
KO: Yeah. The duck thing, H-factor, those things.
MO: [laughs] The hellâs the duck thing?
KO: You know, where you buzz your lips together to form the embouchure and you sound like a duck?
MO: Oh, that! [laughs louder] Youâre very creative with your names.
KO: Shut up.
MO: Mm, you know, Iâve been thinking about picking up an instrument again.
KO: Yeah?
MO: Yeah.
KO: Are you going to do trombone again?
MO: No, I donât think so. [chuckles] I live in a small apartment, so brass instruments would be too loud and bulky. And I donât know if I want to play a concert instrument either. Maybeâmaybe piano. Or guitar, you know? Something I can somewhat self-teach myself.
KO: I can see you playing piano, actually.
MO: Really?
KO: Yeah. You would look refined playing.
MO: If refined means messy buns, oversized T-shirts, and sweatpants, then yeah, I can totally see myself as refined.
KO: [laughs]
MO: Hey, Kumiko?
KO: Mm?
MO: You really inspire me, sometimes.
KO: [chuckles nervously] Whatâs with this, all of a sudden?
MO: Itâs not really all of a sudden. Iâve always wanted to say it. Itâs justâI donât knowâmy pride got in the way. I was still bitter about everything. Watching you work so hard during your first year in high school to go to Nationals was one of the main reasons why I had the audacity to go through with chasing after my dream of becoming a beautician. So, thank you, Kumiko.
KO: [sniffles loudly] IâI r-really l-love you, y-yâknow?
MO: Oh, donât c-cry. [clears throat]
KO: A-am I g-going to make you c-cry? [laughs shakily]
MO: I-if you keep this up, maybe. [strained laughter]
KO: [voice cracking] G-God, I miss you s-so much.
MO: SameâŚ.
KO: A-and IâI love you.
MO: You already s-said that. [laughter followed by sniffles]
KO: D-donât ever give up on y-your dream, okay? Promise?
MO: I should be t-telling you that. [chuckles]
KO: Promise?
MO: Only if you donât either.
KO: I p-promise.
MO: Good. [sniffles, and then with disgust] Oh God, my mascara is running down my face.
KO: [strained laughter] Gross!
MO: [sighs] Oh, well, itâs whatever. Itâs the end of the day, anyways. [Pause] Keep in touch, okay, Kumiko?
KO: Only if you will.
MO: Promise I will.
KO: Then, I promise I will, too.
MO: Talk to you later then, yeah?
KO: Yeah.
MO: Love you.
KO: Love you, too.
Call End
7:12 PM
-X-
Despite what Hazuki said about reconnecting with other people, Kumiko found herself spending most of her time inside her house. She only went outside to get the mail, run errands for her parents, or to take a short walk around the block when the reruns of television became too boring for her to handle.
It was on her fourth day back in Uji when Kumiko decided to venture off and explore the rest of the town.
Uji, for the most part, stayed the same. While there were many unfamiliar faces to Kumiko, she didnât mind them at all. She paid most of her attention at the scenery of Uji: the green trees, the breathtaking sight of the Uji River at sundown, the familiar shops and skyline, the knowing smiles some of the elderly gave her whenever she greeted them. All of it filled Kumiko with a sense of nostalgia, and she savored the âflavor of familiarityâ as Reina had described it.
That taste got especially overwhelming when she found herself standing in front of Kitauji.
The distinct feeling Kumiko felt when she first entered her room hit her again. Taking tentative steps onto campus and into the empty building, Kumiko swore she could hear the clamor and conversation of students ringing in her ears. Memory after memory came back to her as she walked the barren hallways, passing by her old classrooms with small smiles as she remembered the countless times Hazuki tripped over herself to get to her seat as fast as she could so she wouldnât be tardy. Her smile grew somber when she walked past the staircase that led up to the roof, a haven she shared with Reina when they felt like ditching class to sneak kisses or quiet secrets with one another.
She stopped when she heard motion coming from the teacherâs lounge.
Peering in through the half-opened door, she saw a man with a familiar head of shaggy hair sitting at a desk, his glasses reflecting his computer screen.
âTaki-sensei?â She called out.
The man looked up, adjusting his eyeglasses as he did so. A grin crept onto Kumikoâs face as she raised her hand in greeting, and stepped into the lounge.
âAh, Oumae-san,â Taki greeted, rising from his chair. Kumiko noticed gray hairs peppering his black hair, and how the dull glow in his eyes made him look even more exhausted. âA pleasant surprise.â
âIâm surprised you remember me,â Kumiko said with a small smile.
âI remember effective leadership in my band.â Taki smiled. âYou were a wonderful president.â
A flush of pride swelled in Kumikoâs chest, and she awkwardly bowed. âA-ahâmmâthank you.â
âMay I ask what I did to deserve this visit?â
âIâm back in Uji for the Agata Festival, and I decided to take a walk around town. I found myself here out of coincidence, honestly.â She chuckled. âI guess I subconsciously followed my old route to school.â
Taki let out a breath of amusement. âI see.â
âIâmmâI heard you were leaving at the end of this school year.â
âFrom Kousaka-san, I assume?â
Kumiko ignored how her stomach rolled when she heard Reinaâs name. âYeah.â
âSheâs taken on quite the challenge,â Taki began as he readjusted his glasses, âbut I have faith that she will be successful.â
Kumikoâs smile grew crooked. âIâm sure sheâll be glad to hear that,â she muttered quietly, memories of Reinaâs intense obsession with Taki coming back to her.
âOh, before I forgetââTaki rummaged around his cluttered desk, and pulled out a disc sleeve with a purple Post-It on topââKousaka-san wanted me to give you this. She told me that you were planning on visiting the school, but she didnât know when that was going to be. Itâs the Sunrise Festival from this year.â
Kumiko took it, and saw FOR KUMIKO scribbled on the Post-It in Reinaâs handwriting. âThank you,â she said with a small bow.
âItâs been wonderful seeing you,â Taki began, âbut Iâm afraid I must ask you to leave. I have a lot of work ahead of me.â
Kumiko nodded. âI understand.â
An urge to leap out and hug Taki overcame her, but Kumiko suppressed it and shuffled out of the lounge, making sure to slide the door shut behind her. As she walked down the hall, she stopped in front of the staircase that led to the roof.
How about it? Something asked. For old timeâs sake?
With tentative steps, Kumiko climbed the staircase, stepping over the yellow KEEP OUT tape that blocked the next case of stairs. The door to the roof creaked with protest, but Kumiko ignored it. A strong breeze welcomed her by running its fingers through her hair as she made her way to the railing.
The heat made waves dance in the distance, but that didnât stop Kumiko from enjoying the view. People and cars came and went underneath, cicadas rang in the distance, a jet flew overhead, and the Uji River flowed as always. It was a familiar sight, one she saw countless times during her highschool years, but this time, Kumiko saw it through the lens of nostalgia. A part of her wished to go back in time, to relive those years in highschool, just so that she could appreciate the sights around her a little bit more.
-X-
Kumiko blew off the dust off her DVD player. The dust rose up in a gray cloud, and she accidentally inhaled some of the dust. She sputtered and coughed as she inserted the disc Taki gave her earlier that day, tears in her eyes.
âO-oh G-God,â Kumiko cried out as she fell into another coughing fit. âWhen was the last time anyone used you?â
The DVD player whirred to life, completely ignoring her question.
Not taking it to heart, Kumiko turned on the TV. She backed up, watching the screen flicker to life, and sat down on the couch. The simple view of a road and hundreds of people greeted her, but soon enough, the crowd erupted into cheers.
Two people holding a banner that said KITAUJI HIGH SCHOOL with Tuba-kun and Eupho-kun printed on the sides marched into view, and Kumiko heard the faint fanfare of the trumpets in the distance.
âHere they come,â said the person filming.
And sure enough, the Kitauji Band came into view.
If she was standing up, Kumiko would have doubled over. She was astounded by the sheer size of the band; Reina wasnât kidding when she said that the band nearly doubled in size. Lined up in almost perfect rows, the band marched, the color guard flanking the band at four row intervals. Kumiko watched with awe as their legs moved in unison, their legs lining up and meeting the ground together. Their aura was refined and confident, a far cry from the band Kumiko joined when she was a first-year in high school.
Their professional-like appearance was certainly a sight to behold, but it was their sound that floored Kumiko.
The brass was loud and powerful, providing a solid foundation for the rest of the band. The percussion, despite their complex rhythms and strokes, stayed together, both musically and visually, keeping the band on beat and on step. The mid- and high-winds were delicate, with their trills and runs dancing around the percussive beats and resounding bass, yet held conviction, especially during their accented half notes.
Soon, the band moved on, the reverb of the brass the only thing they left behind. The cameraperson aimed the camera down the road, even when the band had disappeared beyond the horizon.
âTheyâve grown so much,â the person said with all the pride in the world. âIâm sure she would have been proud.â
Kumiko broke into a smile when she finally recognized the voice.
âAll thanks to you, Taki-sensei,â she mumbled.
-X-
Kumiko didnât know what possessed her to text Reina that night, but before she knew what was happening, she had already sent the text.
9:02 PM
kumiko: hello?
is this reinaâs number?
reina: Yes, this is her.
May I ask who this is?
kumiko: oh, right lol
itâs kumiko
reina: Oh, Kumiko.
So my letter did reach you.
kumiko: yeah lol
sorry for not replying sooner
honestly i didnât know if i was supposed to send you a letter or smth
since you gave me your phone number
reina: Well, I gave you my number for a reason, didnât I?
kumiko: yeah i guess youâre right lol
reina: I guess itâs safe to assume youâre back in Uji?
kumiko: came back several days ago, actually
reina: Really?
kumiko: yeah lol
took a couple of days to get settled into my house
feels weird coming back home after a couple of years
reina: I understand that sentiment.
Is there a reason why you texted me?
kumiko: well, uh, i visited kitauji
reina: Did you? When?
kumiko: earlier today
reina: Time?
kumiko: umâŚ
sometime past noon? like one or two?
reina: That means you probably met Taki-sensei, then.
Heâs usually in teacherâs lounge around that time working out lesson plans for the upcoming band camp.
kumiko: that explains why he was there lol
i thought it was kind of strange of him to be there alone
he looks a lot older, actually
reina: Iâve noticed that, too.
The stress of teaching is getting to him, I think.
kumiko: it was bound to hit him sooner or later
reina: UnfortunatelyâŚ
kumiko: he gave me the cd that you wanted me to have
reina: Did he?
Did you watch it?
kumiko: yeah i did
he sounds like such a proud dad in the video
reina: Can you blame him?
The band has grown so much under his tutelage.
He might be harsh at times, but he really does care for his students.
kumiko: yeah, he does
reina: If Iâm being honest, I donât know if I can live up to thatâŚ
He set such a high expectation.
kumiko: whoa
is the assured reina i knew from my high school years actually showing insecurity??????
reina: Why are you like this.
kumiko: sorry, lol
i couldnât help myself
but you know, he trusts you a lot
and he thinks that youâll do a great job once he leaves
reina: Did he?
kumiko: he did
and you know, i think youâll do a great job too
reina: whoa
is the secretive kumiko i knew from my high school years actually showing emotion??????
kumiko: okay, fine
touchĂŠ
bonus points for doing my typing style
reina: I do what I must.
kumiko: but i really mean it, you know?
reina: I know you do.
Thank you, Kumiko.
kumiko: dw about it
reina: Have you visited Mt. Daikichi recently?
kumiko: no, why?
did it somehow change or something?
reina: No, I was just wondering.
kumiko: do you visit daikichi?
reina: Yes.
When Iâm stressed, I walk up the mountain and go to our old place, and I just look out at the view.
kumiko: yeah?
reina: Yeah.
The viewâs just as I remember it.
kumiko: nothing inherently different about it?
reina: Unlike most things, no.
Thereâs nothing inherently different about it.
kumiko: maybe i should go visit it sometime
for old timeâs sake
reina: You should.
kumiko: maybe
iâll probably go during the agata festival
make it even more magical
reina: Speaking of the Agata FestivalâŚ
Are you still planning on spending the night with Kawashima-san?
kumiko: oh, midori?
iâm actually not sure
reina: I seeâŚ
kumiko: why?
reina: Well, if you didnât have any plans, thenâŚ
I was wondering if you would like to go with me.
kumiko: wow this conversation brings back some old memories
reina: Itâs a yes or no question, just answer it.
kumiko: lol yes, iâll go w/ you reina
reina: Okay, good.
Then shall we meet at the base of Mt. Daikichi? At the Agata Festival?
kumiko: sounds like a plan
reina: Itâs gotten pretty late.
kumiko: itâs only 9 reina what are you talking about
reina: Technically, itâs 9:56, making it closer to 10.
kumiko: but itâs still 9 so therefore itâs 9
reina: Iâm not arguing about this with you.
kumiko: b/c i won
reina: When did you turn into Asuka?
kumiko: :)
reina: âŚ
Iâll take this as a sign to take my leave.
I have to wake up early to help Taki-sensei make the final touches for summer camp.
kumiko: okay
see you at the agata festival, then?
reina: Yes.
See you then.
Kumiko sighed, the goofy grin on her face never fading as she did so. She felt like she was back in high school, texting Reina until one of them decided that it was time to sleep. It was such a liberating feeling to have such an easygoing conversation with her again, Kumiko wondered why she was ever scared to speak with Reina again.
Itâs because you donât want to know why she left in the first place.
The thought was sudden and it hit Kumiko hard, like a sudden punch in the gut. Her mirth evaporated into the air, taking her grin with it. A chilly feeling settled in her chest, and began to spread throughout her body.
Itâs because youâre scared to find out that your relationship was nothing but a fling to her.
An ache pierced her heart. Kumiko began to chew on her bottom lip, trying to hold the tears back.
Itâs becauseâ
The sudden vibration coming from her phone startled her. Kumiko took a moment to collect her rattled nerves before she looked at the notification.
It was an audio recording from Reina.
A bit confused but mostly afraid, Kumiko unlocked her phone and played it.
âGood night, Kumiko.â
Kumiko felt her anxieties melt away the moment she heard Reinaâs voice. Her heart leapt at the sound, beating hard and fast against her ribcage.
She forgot how beautiful Reinaâs voice sounded.
As she raised her phone to her mouth, Something whispered Gramâs words into her ear.
If she came back in the first place, it must mean something, hm?
That was enough to bring back Kumikoâs grin.
âGood night, Reina.â
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Finding You Chapter 1: receiving
Fandom: Hibike! Euphonium/Sound! Euphonium Pairings: Kumiko/Reina; Natsuki/Yuuko; implied Asuka/Kaori/Haruka; Nozomi/Mizore; Hazuki/Shuuichi Summary:Â Two years have passed since Reina left after their second-year. Two years have passed and Kumiko is now a freshman in college. Two years have passed and she receives a letter from Reina. Two years have passed but something Kumiko thought she lost is making its way to her. Words: 3.8k+ Links: FF link is here! AO3 is here!
hi friends. another kumirei story, but this time, it's multi-chap! and i actually finished! it's a miracle! i actually completed the story a while back, and intended to post it as a big oneshot, but i thought it would be better to post in chapters. the main story is roughly four chapters long, and i'm considering about creating an extra chapter. this has been, to say the least, a very personal project of mine in more ways than one. all the relationships portrayed in this story isn't necessarily what i ship, but they all serve a purpose in telling the story. i hope that you guys enjoy.Â
i also recc reading it on AO3 because the formatting of the story is much easier there.
Kumiko never got much in the mail.
 Well, no, that wasnât entirely true. Kumiko did get mail (she wasnât that much of a recluse), but mail, more often than not, disappointed her. Whenever she went down to her PO box as part of her morning routine, her mailbox would hold bills, bills, the newspaper if it was Sunday, a sheet of coupons if she was lucky, and even more bills. Checking her mail was always a dreary start to her day (although, Kumiko had to admit, she did get giddy whenever she saw the coupons because who wouldnât want a buy-one-get-one-free meal?), and it was certainly not one of the most eventful aspects of her life.
 If anything, checking the mail reminded her of the struggles of young adulthood, and that never failed to get Kumiko down.
  Kumiko stifled a yawn as she trudged down the stairs of her apartment complex, clad in her pajamas and rabbit slippers. She tasted the inside of her mouth, scrunching her nose at the rancid flavor; maybe she should have brushed her teeth before going down.
 But then again, no one would be down except for the landlady on a Saturday morning.
 Kumiko grunted as she pushed through the stairwell entrance, the door creaking with protest. The smell of lemon-scented cleaner and sunlight greeted her. She squinted as the door slammed shut behind her, trying to get used to the sudden change of scenery.
 âKumiko-chan?â
 An elderly woman poked her head out the counter that overlooked the entire lobby (which wasnât much in the first place). The chains of her glasses rattled, and the sound made Kumiko smile.
 âMorninâ, Gram,â Kumiko greeted.
 The wrinkles on Gramâs face made way for a smile. âArenât you on break for college? Why are you up so early?â
 Kumiko gave a one-shouldered shrug as she shuffled her way over to the PO lockers next to the counter. âItâs a habit now, I guess,â she said, fishing for her keys in her pajama pocket.
 Gram chuckled. âWell, itâs a good thing youâre here so early. HereââKumiko looked back at Gram and saw that she was holding out Tupperware full of foodââfor you.â
 âThanks,â Kumiko said with a crooked smile as she took it.
 It was still warm.
 âYou take care of yourself, hm?â Gram said.
 âI will.â
 Gramâs laughter filled the air as her head disappeared from view. Kumikoâs smile, on the other hand, stayed where it was, even when she struggled to open her mailbox.
 Kumiko never knew her grandparents, maternal and paternal. Gram was the closest thing she ever had to one, and, quite frankly, Kumiko loved her with all her heart. Though their conversations were mostly short-lived, Kumiko always felt at-ease whenever she was around Gram.
 âOh crap.â Kumiko watched as her mailbox vomited its contents on the floor, envelopes and sheets of coupons scattering everywhere. She sighed and rested her food inside her locker, bending down to scoop her mail in a haphazard pile she tucked under her armpit.
 As she stood up to take the Tupperware and shut the locker, she noticed her food rested on a lilac-colored envelope.
 Kumikoâs heart lurched in her chest.
 The color purple made her uneasy because it reminded her of high school.
 And high school reminded Kumiko of her.
 A chill went down Kumikoâs spine as she gathered her food and the envelope. Sparing the front of it a quick glance, she noticed that there was no return address, and the only thing decorating the envelope was her name and PO box address in flawless cursive.
 Kumiko couldnât deny how clammy her hands were getting as she tucked the letter with the rest of the mail. She had to wipe them on her pajamas when she stuffed her mailbox keys into her pocket.
 Youâre stupid for getting antsy over a letter, a part of her jeered. Itâs words on paper. Itâs like the other things that you get in the mail. Whatâs so special about this one? The possibility that it might be from her?
 Kumiko didnât know the answer to her own question as she flung the door open.
 -X-
 The heat her living room was suffocating.
 Even with the miniature fan blowing at her face on full blast, Kumiko felt sweat rolling down the back of her neck. It was almost eleven now, and on a normal day, Kumiko would have been in the bathroom enjoying a blood-chilling shower.
 Instead, she was staring at the purple envelope like an idiot.
 Kumiko didnât know what she was expecting. Itâs an envelope, said Logic, and itâs going to sit there like all the other envelopes beside you. It isnât going to grow a mouth and start screeching at you.
 She took a breath and decided to listen to Logic for once. With a gentle hand, she grabbed the envelope and swept a finger under the flap to break the seal. She took the letter out of its purple case gingerly, and unfolded it as if it were text from a time long forgotten.
 Kumiko,
 You probably wonât be expecting this letter. But, knowing you, you probably donât receive many letters in the first place (and no, bills donât count).
 I would start out by saying that itâs been a long time, but thatâs something that the both of us know. Thereâs no need to be redundant when it comes to correspondence; thereâs only so much space on a piece of paper.
 Iâm writing to you now because I want you to know that Iâm back from my time abroad so that I can finish my studies here. You would think that homesickness would go away after two years of being in a foreign country, but there was always something pulling me back here.
 You can find my mailing address below.
 Reina.
 Kumikoâs lungs froze once she reached the end of the letter.
 She had a gut feeling that this letter was from her.
 She knew it
 She expected it.
 She anticipated it.
 Why couldn't she believe it?
 Kumiko found herself scanning the letter over and over again. Each time she did, the stitches she sutured on her heart began to snap with every word. She had to put the letter down, lest her wounds reopened.
 She sunk into her couch and sighed.
 She mused that if Reina had sent this letter a year earlier, Past Kumiko would have been over the moon sobbing her eyes off with snot dribbling down her nose. She would have been so happy, touched, and relieved.
 Present Kumikoâs, on the other hand, didnât know what to feel. She didnât know if she was happy, touched, or relieved. Hell, she didnât even know if she felt anything positive toward this turn of events.
 She honestly has the audacity to send you a letter after all this time? Itâs been nearly two years, Anger fumed.
 But why a letter of all things? Confusion asked.
 At you least know sheâs doing well, Optimism whispered. It could be a chance to find some answersâŚ.
 Frustrated at her thoughts, Kumiko got up from her coach with a sigh.
 Maybe a cold shower would cool you down, Logic suggested.
 For the second time, Kumiko agreed with Logic and shuffled to the bathroom.
 -X-
 Call Transcript
 Asuka Tanaka â Kumiko Oumae
 12:33 PM
 AT: Hello? Oumae-chan?
 KO: [voice sounds far away] Guhâah! [rustling is heard, and her voice is clearer] Hi, Iâm here.
 AT: Did I startle you? [laughs]
 KO: More like scared the living shit out of me because my phone rang on full-blast right next to my ear. Think my soulâs on the floor with the rest of my stuff.
 AT: Well, thatâs not good. Sorry about that.
 KO: [scoffs] No youâre not.
 AT: Itâs the thought that counts.
 KO: SoâŚwhyâd you call?
 AT: What do you mean why did I call? Itâs time for our monthly talk, Oumae-chan!
 KO: That time already?
 AT: Indeed! Shall I start?
 KO: If you want. [rustling is heard once again, and her speech sounds muffled] Crap, the penâs under the desk...
 AT: MmâŚwhat havenât I told you yet?
 KO: [muffled] A lot.
 AT: [with light sarcasm] How specific.
 KO: WellâŚhas school ended for you, yet?
 AT: While ago. AboutâŚtwo weeks ago, I think?
 KO: [still muffled] Really? Same here.
 AT: But Kaoriâs on her last week this week. Since her university started late and all.
 KO: [rustling] That kind ofâ[a loud bang is heard] OW, FUCK!
 AT: [laughs raucously] A-are youâ[sharp inhale]âo-okay?
 KO: [groans] Never better. [rustling once more, and then her voice is clearer] Glad to see you havenât changed since the last time weâve spoke.
 AT: Why would I ever?
 KO: Good point. Are you still working on majoring in music?
 AT: [in English] Of course!
 KO: Youâre doingâŚinstrumental performance, right?
 AT: Indeed! Although, I did consider instrumental conducting.
 KO: You?
 AT: Hm? Whatâs with that tone?
 KO: Well, itâs just surprising, you know. Seeing you lead a band isnât really the first thing that comes to mind.
 AT: Whyâs that? In case youâve forgotten, I was drum major during your first year.
 KO: Well, I donât know. I think itâs because whenever I think of band director, I think of Taki-sensei, you know? Someone serious, full of tough love and secrets, but always has good intentions, you know?
 AT: [chuckles]
 KO: W-what?
 AT: Itâs funny how you remember a lot about high school.
 KO: Is thatâŚbad?
 AT: No, not at all. It means youâre observant. [chuckles] I donât even remember half the things that happened during those three years.
 KO: [laughs nervously] Well, a lot of things worth remembering happened during high schoolâŚ.
 [A door opening and closing in the background is heard]
 AT: Welcome back!
 ???: [very faint] Whoâs that?
 AT: Oumae-chan.
 ???: Oh! Tell her I said hi. Itâs been a while.
 AT: Kaori says hi.
 KO: Hi, Kaori-senpai.
 AT: She says hi.
 KN: [sounds closer] I know, Asuka, you have her on speaker.
 AT: Just making sure. [laughs] How was class?
 KN: Same thing as usual. Boring. Tiring.
 KO: Whatâre you studying, Kaori-senpai?
 KN: Business management. I want to open my own cafÊ one day.
 KO: I can see that happening. Iâll be sure to stop by once you open it.
 KN: [laughs] Thanks. Hey, Asuka?
 AT: Hm?
 KN: Is Haruka here?
 AT: In the room. She has the PM shift for the shop today, so sheâs probably resting.
 KN: Oh okay. Iâll leave you two with your âmonthly talk.â [laughter]
 [Shuffling is heard, and in the distance, another door is heard opening and closing.]
 AT: Okay, youâre off speaker now.
 KO: Did you always have me on speaker?
 AT: Only when Kaori was inside. [chuckle]
 KO: âŚWhy?
 AT: Why not?
 KO: [sighs] Iâm not going to continue with this line of questioning.
 AT: [laugh] Anyways, whatâs new with you?
 KO: Eh, you knowâŚ.
 AT: No, I donât.
 KO: Well, er, school ended.
 AT: You already told me that.
 KO: Oh. Right.
 AT: DidâŚsomething happen?
 KO: Well, yeah. But itâs not anything badâŚI think.
 AT: You think?
 KO: Well, I got a letter.
 AT: [laughter] How old-fashioned.
 KO: And itâs from Reina.
 [Silence]
 AT: Now I can see how thatâs a problem.
 KO: Glad weâre on the same page. [laughs half-heartedly]
 AT: SoâŚwhatâre you going to do? Reply to her?
 KO: Thatâs what Iâve been trying to do for the pastâŚhour and a half.
 AT: Knowing you, you probably havenât made any progress.
 KO: Went through an entire packet of stationary. Still nothing.
 AT: [whistles] Those poor trees.
 KO: [laughs] Thatâs what youâre worried about?
 AT: Trees are very important for the environment, Oumae-chan.
 KO: Okay, you got me there.
 AT: SoâŚ. [pause] How are you feeling? About all this?
 KO: Honestly? I donât know what to feel.
 AT: Iâm listening.
 KO: Itâs justâGod, I donât knowâso complicated. Like, why now? Like, I understand why now because she just came back from studying abroad, but, like, why now? You know? She just disappeared without a trace, even after all that shit that happened between us in high school, she just had the audacity to just go up and leave andâ[sniffles] G-God, it just hurt, Asuka. It hurt so muchâŚ.
 AT: [softly] I bet it did.
 KO: L-like, I know she wants to pursue music and sheâs so stubbornly set on being special, whatever the hell that means. But she could have said something, you know? [strained laughter] Itâs kind of ironic, you know. I always told her that if I ever left her side, that would give her the right to kill me. But I donât think it ever crossed my mind what I would do if she ever left me.
 AT: [still quiet] Iâm sorry, Kumiko.
 KO: [quietly] She never said goodbye. She didnât break our relationship off. She left a note and she was gone. Like the wind.
 AT: [in her regular volume] Maybe she didnât know how to break up.
 KO: Maybe.
 AT: Or maybe she thought that when she came back, everything would be normal again between the both of you.
 KO: [sighs] Maybe.
 AT: Or maybe she was abducted by aliens.
 KO: Okay, now youâre just pulling shit out of your ass. [weak laughter]
 AT: Anything for my precious protÊgÊ.
 KO: Gee, thanks.
 [Pause]
 AT: Say, Kumiko?
 KO: Mm?
 AT: IâmmâSorry. For not being a bigger help. Haruka and Kaori are better at this than I am. [chuckles]
 KO: Itâs okay. You listening to me is more than enough.
 AT: âm glad about that.
 KO: Me too.
 AT: Weâll talk later then, hm?
 KO: Yeah. Later.
 AT: Take care of yourself, Kumiko.
 KO: You too, senpai.
 Call End
 1:26 PM
 Kumiko sighed and set her phone facedown on her desk.
 Despite how liberating venting to Asuka was, Kumiko suddenly felt very sluggish and drained.
 Maybe taking a nap would ease her for a bit. She could worry about the letter later.
 With another sigh, Kumiko wiped away a stray tear that rested on her cheek. She raised herself from her chair, and shuffled her way over to her unmade bed. She collapsed on the mattress and took a deep breath.
 The moment she closed her eyes, she was out like a light.
 -X-
 lights are blinding
you always knew that
but you also knew that
her radiance was
something greater
 she was brighter
than the town lights
on a dark evening
she was brighter
than the sun
on a summerâs afternoon
she was brighter
than your alarm
on an early morning
 her brilliance showed
in the smallest of gestures
like whenever she
brushed back her hair or
spoke to you or
played her trumpet
 like the sun
you thought
she would stay
but
the sun always sets at night
and there will be a time when
it wonât rise
 it was cloudy the morning she left
and the only thing that
brilliant girl left was
a purple note with the words
âiâm leaving today, i love youâ
 the hole she left in your heart was
bigger than a black hole
and whenever you walk by
the old rendezvous you remember
that the brilliant girl is
no
longer
there
 -X-
 Kumiko woke with a start when she heard her phone vibrating against her desk.
 Groaning, she rolled off her bed, clumsily landing on her feet. She shuffled her way over to her phone, and picked it up.
 A reminder for her to go buy groceries at 5:30 PM was printed on the lock screen of her phone.
 Kumiko sighed as she rubbed the sleep out of one eye. Almost a three-hour nap and she still felt tired.
 Her eyes hovered over to the blank stationery sitting on her desk, and opted to ignore the pile of crumpled papers next to it.
 Work on it later, a voice told her, itâll still be there tonight.
 Without saying a word, Kumiko threw on a nearby hoodie, grabbed her wallet, and walked out her room.
 As she shut the door behind her, Kumiko wondered if Reina was just as bright as she remembered.
 -X-
 âKumiko?â
 Kumiko stopped in her tracks before she exited the grocery store. Turning her head, she saw a familiar faceâand horrible-looking pants.
 âNatsuki-senpai,â Kumiko said with a growing smile. She noticed how Natsukiâs hair now curled under her chin in a messy bob. Kumiko thought it suited her. âWhen did you come back from Tokyo?â
 âGot back a couple of days ago.â Natsuki said as she walked alongside Kumiko out the store.
 âHowâs college?â
 Natsuki shrugged and shoved her hands into her pants. âWell, itâs school. So boring. Tiring.â
 A sense of dĂŠjĂ vu hit Kumiko. âSeems to be a popular thought.â
 âWell, ainât much you can say about it.â Natsuki laughed. âHonestly, Iâve been thinking about dropping out.â
 Kumiko widened her eyes. âReally?â
 Natsuki nodded. âSchool just isnât for me. Even back in high school, the only thing that really kept me in was band. Everything else about school isnât my forteâmusic pun intended.â
 Kumiko cracked a smile at the quip. Natsukiâs down-to-earth sense of humor was something she missed.
 âSay, do you still play?â Natsuki suddenly asked, kicking the pebbles that dared to stand in her way.
 Kumiko blinked. âU-uh, what? Euph?â
 âNo.â Natsuki rolled her eyes. âDuh, euph. What else? Trumpet?â
 Kumiko forced out a laugh to mask the sound of another stitch on her heart snapping. Natsukiâs comment was too soon. âO-oh r-right. Yeah, I still play. Once or twice a week, running through several scales, long tones. Sometimes I even go through an old song or learn a new one if I really feel like it.â
 âWow,â Natsuki began with a chuckle, âyouâre still pretty dedicated, huh?â
 âYou can say that.â
 âI honestly think that the last time Iâve touched an instrument wasâŚwhen I last visited Yuuko in Osaka about two months ago? She said I sounded like a rusty motor.â
 Kumiko raised an eyebrow. âYou visit Yuuko-senpai?â
 âA-ah, yeah, wellââNatsuki turned into a bashful shade of red as she scratched the back of her neckââweâre kind ofâŚdating?â
 Kumiko felt a burning sensation under her gut. âReally? Since when?â
 âMmâŚlast month was our first year anniversary. We got together sometime after we graduated. Itâs a pretty long story.â Natsuki laughed again. âLooking back on it, itâs kind of funny. We used to hate each otherâs guts back when we first met. Now, weâre together. Weâve come a long way since high school.â
 Kumiko found herself wishing that she could relate.
 The embers in her gut combusted into a flame.
 âDoesâŚthis change who I am to you?â
 Kumiko blinked, and she turned to Natsuki. âWhat? No, of course not.â
 The tension in Natsukiâs eyes melted as she laughed. âOh, good. You looked upset, so I thought it was because I was dating, you know, another girl. Havenât told my parents yet, so Iâm still on edge about the whole thing.â
 Sheâs not entirely wrong, something whispered in her ear, about her dating another girl. Because that should have beenâ
 Kumiko mentally slapped herself.
 âNo, donât worry about it. I mean, Iâm kind of in the same boat.â Kumiko chuckled.
 âYou gay?â It felt more like a statement than a question.
 âYeah.â
 âExplains why you always ignored Tsukamotoâs advances. Or, âadvancesâ.â Natsuki curled her fingers into air quotes and laughed. âThat guy was kinda pathetic. Made me almost feel sorry for him.â
 Kumiko gave a one-shouldered shrug. âIâm sure he found someone by now.â
 Their conversation died once they stopped at a corner. Natsuki pointed across the street. âMy placeâs thattaway.â
 âMineâs the opposite way,â Kumiko said, pointing with her thumb.
 âLooks this is where we part.â
 âSeems like it.â
 âDonât be a stranger, okay?â Natsuki grinned and tapped Kumikoâs shoulder with her fist. âI know you still have my number. Donât be afraid to call.â
 Kumiko smiled and nodded. âGot it.â
 âNatsuki!â
 The both of them looked in the direction of the voice, and across the street, Kumiko saw the faint figure of a woman, wearing a comically-large ribbon in her hair, waving.
 The flame in Kumikoâs gut grew, and she suddenly recognized the sensation.
 Jealousy.
 Natsuki waved back. âIâll be there!â She cried out. She turned to Kumiko and gave a salute. âSee you âround, kid.â
 Kumiko lamely waved back, watching as Natsuki jogged across the street once she was prompted to do so.
 Kumiko ignored the bitter taste in her mouth as she turned around.
 That should have been you and her, Jealousy jeered. You wish you had that, didnât you?
 âShut up,â Kumiko mumbled under her breath.
 Jealousy said nothing else, but the flame still burned her gut.
 -X-
 Kumiko sighed, running a hand through her hair, and read over the letter she finally finished. It was certainly not the best response, Kumiko thought, but an answer was better than none.
 Hi, Reina.
 If Iâm being honest, I have no idea how to write a letter. It took me much longer than it should have to write this.
 But here goes, I guess.
 Itâs been two years since you left, and well, a lot has happened since then. I donât know if youâre interested (because you were never into that sort of thing in high school), but I need something to talk about to fill the space on the page.
 Iâm in college now. I moved out of Uji, but Iâm still a two-hour train ride away. I wanted to get out and see new faces, but I still see some familiar ones once in awhile, like Natsuki-senpai (her family moved after she graduated and it just so happened to be in the same town as me, so I see her around when sheâs not in Tokyo for college).
 Midori-chan moved to England for college. Hazuki-chan is still in Uji, I think. Itâs been awhile since I last called those two. I donât know where Shuuichi went. Heâs somewhere.
 You know, Iâm surprised that you moved back to Uji. I always had the feeling that you didnât want to come back to a town like that. Something like that.
 Anyways, welcome back. Tell me something new.
 Kumiko
 Stifling a yawn, Kumiko folded the letter into thirds and tucked it into a nearby envelope. She scribbled Reinaâs address in the middle and her own address in the corner. After she sealed the envelope, she made her way to her bed and collapsed.
 Is it safe to talk to her after two years? Fear asked as Kumiko crawled under the sheets. What if she leaves you again? For good? How would that feel? You know how heart-broken you were when she left.
 The thought chilled Kumiko.
 She came back for a reason, Logic piqued. She said that in her letter.
 Pessimism scoffed. Probably not for you.
 Logic couldnât think of a rebuttal.
 Well, whatever the reason, Optimism began, all that matters is that sheâs back.
 But for how long? Fear asked.
 A chill went down Kumikoâs spine, and she burrowed herself in her sheets, despite the heat.
 No one answered Fear.
#Oumae Kumiko#kousaka reina#tanaka asuka#nakagawa natsuki#yoshikawa yuuko#kumirei#reikumi#angst#Hibike! Euphonium#sound! euphonium#h!e#h!e fanfic#fanfic#natsuuko
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All Joshi Puroresu Schedule on October 2017
âIce Ribbonâ - 10/7 Ribbon Dojo, Saitama (18:00) - 10/9 Ryogoku KFC Hall, Tokyo (17:00) (Niconico) * * International Ribbon Tag Team Tournament Semifinal : Hamuko Hoshi, Mochi Miyagi (The Lovely Butchers) vs. Satsuki Totoro, Nao DATE (Novel Tornado) * Triangle Ribbon Championship : Tsukasa Fujimoto Š vs. Mio Momono vs. Arisa Nakajima * ICE Ă 8 Championship : Risa Sera Š vs. Maruko Nagasaki
- 10/14 Ribbon Dojo, Saitama (18:00) - 10/21 Ribbon Dojo, Saitama (18:00) - 10/28 Ribbon Dojo, Saitama (14:00) - 10/29 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo (12:00) (Niconico) * * International Ribbon Tag Team Tournament Final : Â Risa Sera, Maya Yukihi (Azure Revolution) vs. 10/9 Tournament Winner
âPro Wrestling WAVEâ - 10/9 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo (12:00) Saint October * Kaori Yoneyama vs. Hiroe Nagahama * ASUKA vs. Keisuke Goto * Sumire Natsu vs. Yumi Ohka * Ryo Mizunami vs. Nagisa Nozaki * Regina di WAVE Championship : Rina Yamashita (c) vs. Misaki Ohata
- 10/22 Shinkiba 1stRING, Tokyo (18:00) - Sunday WAVE Vol. 33 - 10/30 Shinkiba 1stRING, Tokyo (19:00) - Happy Halloween WAVE 2017
âPURE-Jâ - 10/9 Ryogoku KFC Hall, Tokyo (13:00) (Niconico) * KAZUKI vs. Rydeen Hagane vs. Konami * PURE-J Openweight Title League Semifinal : Exciting Block [Manami Katsu] vs. Utility Block [Aoi Kizuki] * PURE-J Openweight Title League Semifinal : Rises Block [Hanako Nakamori] vs. Power Block [Alex Lee] * Manami Toyota vs. Yako Fujigasaki * Daily Sports Tag Team Championship : Leon, Command Bolshoi (c) vs. Natsumi Maki, Saori Anou * PURE-J Openweight Title League Final : Â
- 10/11 Hirosaki Kasai Sports Center, Aomori (18:30) - 10/12 Hamanasu Kaikan Small Arena, Aomori (18:30) - 10/29 Kame Dojo, Tokyo (12:00)
âOZ Academyâ - 10/1 Shinjuku FACE, Tokyo (18:00) - Pirate Ship (Niconico) - 10/7 Asahikawa Apis Hall, Hokkaido (18:00) - Manami Toyota Retirement Road Tour on The North Tag 1 - 10/8 Sapporo Susukino Mars Gym, Hokkaido (12:00) - Manami Toyota Retirement Road Tour on The North Tag 2 - 10/15 Shiritsu Yodogawa Kumin Center, Osaka (12:00) - ~Hisho Tenshi Ranbu~ - 10/29 Yokohama Bunka Gymnasium (16:00) - (GAORA Sports) - Yokohama Kaitei Hikyou Tanken
âDIANAâ - 10/1 Kawasaki City Sports & Cultural Center, Kanagawa (14:00) - 10/8 Kawasaki Axe Ring, Kanagawa (12:00) - 10/14Â Kawasaki Axe Ring, Kanagawa (18:00) - 10/20 Shinjuku FACE, Tokyo (19:00) - 10/22 Hirano Community Plaza, Osaka (13:30)
âREINAâ - 10/18 Ichinoseki General Gymnasium Yu Dome Sub Arena, Iwate (12:15) * Risa Sera, Kyuri vs. Maruko Nagasaki, Ibuki Hoshi * Hamuko Hoshi vs. Haruka Kato * Yumiko Hotta, Smasher Fontis vs. Zeuxis, X * The Great Sasuke vs. Taro Nohashi * Hirori, Takashi Sasaki vs. DASH Chisako, Daisuke Masaoka - 10/25 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo (17:45) * Kaho Kobayashi vs. Koharu Hinata * Konatsu Debut Match : Yako Fujigasaki, Hirori, Mizuki vs. Konatsu, Haruka Kato, Riho * Yuina vs. Sae * Aasa Maika vs. Aoki Itsuki * Yuu Yamagata, Tae Honma vs. Miku Aono, Mao Kaneshiro * Fukumen Mania Offer Match : Mister Cacao, Super Chino, Fiesta Mexicana vs. Disposittion de Tigre Ace, Disposittion de Tigre Black, Disposittion de Tigre Stingray * Â
â-Sendai Girlsâ- - 10/8 Azalea Taisho, Osaka (13:00) - 10/14 Miyagino Bunka Center, Miyagi (18:00) - 10/19 - 10/22 Igarashi Shokai Halloween Festival
âMarvelousâ - 10/7 Shinkiba 1stRING, Tokyo (18:45) - 10/21 Kariya City Aioi Hall, Aichi
âGatoh Moveâ
â ETC â - 10/1 Shinjuku FACE, Tokyo (12:00) - Tsubasa Kuragaki Produce : Tsubasa Festa ~Thanks 20th Anniversary~ * Kyusei Sakura Hirota, Hanako Nakamori vs. Yuu Yamagata, Hikari Shimizu * Natsumi Maki vs. Miyuki Takase * Kaori Yoneyama, Takashi Sasaki vs. ASUKA, PSYCHO * Manami Toyota vs. Chikayo Nagashima * Tsubasa Kuragaki, Sonoko Kato vs. Aja Kong, Command Bolshoi
- 10/27 Shinkiba 1stRING, Tokyo (19:00) Sakura Hirota Produce
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Finding You chapter 4: finding
Fandom: Hibike! Euphonium/Sound! Euphonium Pairings: Â Kumiko/Reina; Natsuki/Yuuko; implied Asuka/Kaori/Haruka; Nozomi/Mizore; Hazuki/Shuuichi Summary: Â Two years have passed since Reina left after their second-year. Two years have passed and Kumiko is now a freshman in college. Two years have passed and she receives a letter from Reina. Two years have passed but something Kumiko thought she lost is making its way to her. Words:Â 4.2k+ Previous Chapters: 1 | 2Â | 3 Links: FF is here! AO3 is here!
as usual, i recc reading on AO3 - or anywhere thatâs not tumblr lmao
The days leading up to the Agata Festival came in a slow-kind of blur. Kumiko never really knew what happened each day, aside from the fact that she would desperately wish for the sun to go down faster so that the next day would come, followed by the next, and so on and so forth until the dawn of the Festival was on the horizon.
And what better way to spend the morning of the Festival than to run errands?
âIâm starting to think that Mom likes me back home so that she can stay inside the house,â Kumiko grumbled as she shielded her face from the blinding sun, âwhere thereâs air conditioning.â
A sudden screech pierced the air. A bit startled, Kumiko looked over her shoulder to see what was going on.
âOH SHIââ The rest of Kumikoâs words came out as a wheeze when two women slammed into her, locking her in a rib-crushing embrace.
âOhmygodohmygodohmygod!â One of the women squealed, tightening her hold on Kumiko. âItâs actually you!â
âU-uh-h-huhâŚ.â Kumiko wheezed, and pushed on their shoulders. âC-can'tâŚbreatheâŚ.â
âOh! Right! Midori-chan, you heard her!â
âAye, aye, Hazuki-chan!â
As if on cue, both women released her. Kumiko took in a huge gulp of air, wincing when a shot of pain hit her in the ribs. âI-itâs great to see you two,â Kumiko said with a crooked grin. âIt really has been a while, huh?â
âYeah!â Hazuki said with a nod, her bun following her movement. Kumiko wondered how long Hazukiâs hair had gotten. âGod, you should have told me you were in town! The both of us were thinking that you didn't come after all!â
Kumiko furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. âDid Shuuichi not tell you?â
Hazukiâs and Midoriâs jaws dropped at the same time.
âWhat!â Hazuki exclaimed. âHe saw you?!â
Kumiko nodded. âFirst day I came back.â
âAnd he didn't think to tell me?â
âAre you thinking about beating him up?â
âItâs very tempting.â
âDo it,â Kumiko said with a smile, âand be sure to film it, yeah?â
âKumiko-chan!â Midori said with a gasp. âWhen did you get so violent?â
Kumiko laughed. âI was just kidding, Midori-chan, donât worry.â She took a moment study Midori, noticing how, while there weren't any physical changes, a mature air hung around her.
She shook the thought aside, and put on a smile. âHowâs England?â
Midoriâs eyes sparkled as she pressed her hands together in awe. âAmazing! Truly amazing! I canât find the words to describe it!â
âThat good, huh?â
Midori gave an enthusiastic nod. âIt really is! The both of you should visit me sometime!â
Hazuki gave a nervous chuckle. âThatâsâŚa lot of money, Midori-chan.â
âOh, money's no object!â
âTo some it is,â Kumiko muttered with a frown.
âSay, we should all explore the town together!â Midori said with bright eyes. âLike we did back in high school!â
Hazuki perked up. âWe should! God, itâs been so long since all three of us hung out!â
âI would love to, butââKumiko raised her empty grocery bagââerrands.â
Hazuki scoffed and waved her hand. âWe can kill two birds with one stone, right, Midori-chan?â
Midori fist-pumped and nodded. âYeah!â
âItâs decided, then!â Wrapping an arm around each of them, Hazuki guided an excited Midori and an overwhelmed Kumiko down the sidewalk.
Well, Kumiko thought with a small smile, at least some things donât change.
-X-
Kumiko forgot how tiring hanging around Midori and Hazuki was. While, yes, she was having fun, there were times where Kumiko felt the need to sit down and gather herself before moving on to their next stop.
âYouâre acting like an old woman!â Hazuki said after Kumiko took her fourth break. âThis time in your life is supposed to be your prime, Kumiko!â
âEasy for you to say, Ms. Softball Player.â Kumiko rolled her eyes and leaned back, resting her head against the wall behind her. As she stared at the cloudless sky above, she noticed that waves were swimming in her vision, and her head felt considerably lighter, yet her brain felt like it was ready to explode.
âYou donât look so well, Kumiko-chan,â Midori said. Kumiko flinched when she felt cold fingers press against her cheek. âAnd youâre super warm! Hazuki-chan, she might be dehydrated!â
âSeriously?â Kumiko felt another pair of fingers press against her face, this time on her forehead. âWhoa, itâs like you have a fever!â
âGreat,â Kumiko groaned. âJust what I needed.â
âIâll make a quick dash somewhere to get you a drink, Kumiko-chan. Midori-chan, can you take her inside that shop?â
Midori made a noise of confirmation. âRoger! Okay, Kumiko-chan, you need to get up, and Iâll support you. Yeah, easy does itâwhoa! Okay, okay, I got you.â
Kumiko leaned most of her weight on Midori, grateful for the support. âYouâre a lot stronger than you let on,â she said as she shuffled inside the open door. An intense smell of sweetness hit her.
âThe contrabass isn't exactly the lightest instrument around,â Midori said, lilts of amusement and pride in her voice.
Kumiko chuckled weakly. âRight.â
âHere, letâs get you seated next to the aircon.â Midori carefully guided Kumiko down to a nearby chair, which Kumiko promptly flopped herself on.
âThanks,â Kumiko muttered, clasping her palm over her scalding forehead. âThe hottest day of the week just had to be todayâŚ.â
âIf you properly hydrate from now until tonight, you should be well enough to go to the Festival if you were planning on going,â Midori said with a knowing nod.
âMmâŚhopefully.â Kumiko frowned, the thought of her missing out on her meeting with Reina upsetting her much more than it should have.
âSit here, Kumiko-chan. Iâll go ask the clerk if they can spare a glass of water.â
Kumiko replied with a thumbs-up, and watched as Midori disappeared behind a display of roses.
A flower shop, huh? She looked around, appreciating the vibrant colors greeting her. Explains the sweet smell.
âExcuse me! Iâm here with a bottle ofâoh? Oumae-san?â
Kumikoâs eyes widened when she saw a familiar pair of blue eyes, a shade much lighter than Asukaâs. âN-Nozomi-senpai!â
âWhoa, you actually remembered me!â Nozomi said with a laugh, tucking away a strand of hair that fell from her French braid. âGod, how long has it been? Two years, right?â
âAbout.â Kumikoâs lips quirked up into a small smile as she took the cold water bottle from Nozomi. She pressed it against her face, relishing the way the condensation kissed her skin. âYouâre a lifesaver, you know?â
Nozomi shook her head. âHardly, but I do try.â
The sound of plastic filled the air as Kumiko opened her water bottle. âYou work here?â she asked before taking a drink.
âPart-time. Mizore and Haruka-senpai work here too, but Iâm the only one on shift today since itâs one of our slower days.â
Kumiko let out a relieved breath as she capped her half-empty water bottle. âYouâre still with Mizore-senpai?â
Nozomiâs cheeks flushed a faint shade of pink as she chuckled. âY-yeah. I mean, weâve always been together, you know?â
âAre you twoâmmâin a relationship?â Kumiko asked, fiddling with the peeling sticker on her water bottle. Nozomiâs eyes widened a bit and her blush darkened, but she answered the question with a sheepish smile and a nod.
âYeah,â she said quietly, âwe are.â
A small smile crawled on Kumikoâs face, and she chose to ignore the faint beginnings of Jealousyâs flame in her gut. âCute.â
âA-ah, thanks.â Nozomi laughed again, and her smile turned mellow. âIt hasnât always been an easy ride, though.â
Kumiko thought back to Mizoreâs and Nozomiâs tearful reconciliation in that empty classroom in her first-year. âI bet. But you two managed to make it work in the end, so isnât that what counts?â
Nozomi nodded. âItâs like that with a lot of things, really. If you want to make something work in the end, you have to put effort into it. Relationships arenât an exception.â
âWhat was it like,â Kumiko began slowly, âafter you two got back together?â
âWhat do you mean?â
âLike, was it awkward between the both of you? Did you find it hard to talk with one another?â
Nozomi hummed, shifting her weight back and forth between her feet as she thought. âIn the beginning, I guess. But we kept talking about was on our minds, you know? Weâve developed this relationship of honesty because we were tired of keeping everything bottled up. After that whole classroom incident, there was this unsaid agreement to be more open with one another. And that whole incident that once split us apart was made us even closer together.â
Something welled up inside Kumikoâs chest as she smiled, and Jealousyâs flames were dampened. âYou two really love each other, huh?â
âYeah.â Nozomi chuckled, scratching the back of her neck. âHonestly, Iâd really love to spend the rest of my life with her.â
Kumikoâs smile grew. âIâll be supporting the both of you.â
âThanks,â Nozomi said with a grin.
For a moment, the hum of the air conditioner was the only thing that was heard.
Nozomi was the one who broke the silence.
âIs there a reason?â
Kumiko looked up from her water bottle. She blinked. âWhat?â
âIs there a reason you asked about Mizore and I?â
âA-ah, well, mm, IâmâŚreuniting with an old friendââKumiko suppressed a winceââand we had this falling-out thing. Weâve been talking lately, but itâs never been face-to-face, you know? And Iâm meeting her tonight, so Iâm pretty anxious to see her.â
âIn a good way or bad way?â
âLittle bit oâ both.â
âWell,â Nozomi began, âif youâre willing to work to repair your relationship, then everything should fall into place, yeah?â
Kumiko gave a nod. âYeah.â She gave a grateful smile. âThanks, Nozomi-senpai.â
Nozomi grinned and gave a thumbs-up. âDonât mention it. Think of it as thanks.â
âThanks? For what?â
âHelping me back in my second-year.â
âOh, that.â Kumiko chuckled sheepishly. âI barely did anything, though.â
Nozomi shook her head. âYouâre discrediting yourself. You were a driving force that helped me get back into band, you know.â
Kumiko felt her face heat up to scalding temperatures. âThen, mm, youâre welcome.â
Nozomi laughed. âI better get back to the counter,â she said, taking a quick glance at her watch. âIf youâre looking for Midori-chan, sheâs near the front looking at flowers.â
With quick words of goodbyes, Nozomi left, disappearing behind the display of roses. Kumiko took a sip of her water before hefting herself up, the pain in her head dulling a bit.
âMidori-chan,â she called out, âwhere are you?â
âIâm here!â
Following her voice, Kumiko found Midori standing in front of a display of Italian whites. The sight was strangely familiar to her.
âYou know,â Midori began, âIâm kind of surprised to find out that Nozomi-senpai worked here. She didnât seem like the type, you know. I thought she would work at a music shop or something.â
Kumiko hummed, never taking her eyes off the flowers.
A silence fell over them for a brief moment before Midori broke it.
âDo you remember what they mean?â
An image of Reina, dressed in her white one-piece, looking over the town of Uji during their first Agata Festival together came to mind. The remnants of the wonder and awe Kumiko felt that night tugged at her heart.
That was the night where it all started; the night when she began to feel Something towards Reina.
âIt means that youâre always thinking about that person, right?â
Midori let out a noise of confirmation. âForever and always.â
-X-
âKumiko, there you are! Why are you home so late? I was beginning to think that you got kidnapped!â
âSorry Mom! Here, I got the groceries.â
âAbout timeâwait, why are there so many empty water bottles in the bag?â
âI was dehydrated earlier today.â
âYou were what?â
âBut donât worry! I drank lots of water and fluids after I almost fainted.â
âYou almost what? Kumiko, can you please sit down and tell me everythingââ
âI will, I will! Once I get back, that is.â
âGet back? From what?â
âThe Agata Festival, obviously.â
âThat old thing? Honestly, youâre acting like a high schooler againââ
âCanât talk Mom, gotta go!â
âWait, Kumikoââ
âOkay, bye, see you later! Love you!â
-X-
To say that Kumiko was nervous would have been a terrible understatement.
While, yes, taking her usual route to Mount Daikichi gave her nostalgic comfort, her mind was full of anxieties and her nerves were a jittery mess. Kumiko let out a shaky breath as she separated from the group she was clumped with to follow the quiet road that led to Daikichiâand Reina.
Walking through here, Kumiko thought as pebbles crunched under her feet, really brings back memories.
The clamor of the Festival faded behind her like a distant memory. With every step she took, Kumiko remembered the first time she walked this path, the heavy ghost of her euphonium strapped on her back. She had gotten strange looks and quiet whispers from passersby, but she didnât pay them any mind as she trekked up the path towards Mount Daikichi.
Thinking back on it, Kumiko remembered not feeling any ounce of fear as she walked alone that night.
âGah!â Kumiko found herself tumbling forward, but managed to catch herself before she face-planted into the ground. She took a breath, trying to calm her rattled nerves.
âAt least no one saw that,â she mumbled as she dusted herself off.â
âThatâs what you think.â
A jolt passed through Kumikoâs body, and she whipped her head up. She opened her mouth to say something, but her throat clenched before she could say anything. She stood there, open-mouthed and wide-eyed, at an enigmatic woman dressed in a white yukata, printed lilacs wrapping themselves around her body.
The womanâs lips curled into a familiar half-smile half-smirk. âYes?â
Kumiko felt her face heat up in the cool air. âR-Reina!â She squawked. âI-itâs you!â
Reina laughed, the sound so light Kumiko thought her soul would drift away with it. âWhy wouldnât it be me? I was the one who invited you here.â
âR-right.â Kumiko gave a shaky laugh, trying her best to wipe her clammy palms on her shorts discreetly. âYou, uh, look good.â
âThank you. You do, too.â
Self-consciousness made Kumiko hold onto her own forearm. She wasnât wearing anything elaborate like Reina; it was just a shirt and shorts with her usual sneakers.
âWell?â Reina asked, pulling Kumiko from her thoughts.
âW-well what?â
âAre we going?â
Kumiko gave a singular nod. âY-yeah. Letâs go.â
Reina took the lead, her yukata flowing behind her in the breeze. Kumiko observed her and her every movement as more and more memories of their first hike together flooding back together. She remembered how she thought Reina looked like a yuki-onna that night, with her flowing hair and white dress. Kumiko felt like she was a weak traveler entranced by beauty that was beyond words.
That sentiment seemed to hold more truth now.
âYou cut your hair,â Kumiko said, breaking the silence.
Reina ran a hand through her neck-length hair as if to prove a point. âDidnât I mention it in one of our letters?â
âNot that I remember.â
Reina hummed.
âWhyâd you do it?â Kumiko asked. Her words felt heavy on her tongue, and a part of her hoped that Reina would catch onto their double meaning.
âLong hair is a pain, so I decided to cut it. Easier to manage, you know?â
âYeah,â Kumiko said as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, âI can relate.â
Reina let out a breath of amusement. âIâm glad you can.â
Their conversation was blown away with the passing breeze, and silence was all that was left. It was awkward and heavy, weighing down on Kumikoâs shoulders that it made her slump.
The âgrown-upâ shrine came into view. While the torii gate was more weathered than Kumiko remembered it, she thought it was in rather good shape. An offering of oranges was sitting in a pyramid of sorts, their vibrant skin giving them a faint glow in the flickering lights.
âI thought no one visited this shrine,â Kumiko pointed out.
âNot exactly,â Reina said. âAn old woman comes here sometimes to keep it clean. Or as clean as she canâshe has back pain so she can't do much.â
âYeah?â
Reina nodded. âBut sometimes when I hike up here and I see her, I help her.â
âReally?â
âI mean, itâs an important place for the both of us.â
Reinaâs words struck Kumiko with a hidden weight, and she wondered if Reina meant more than she was letting on.
The rest of the way was spent in an uncomfortable silence, like the both of them had things to say, but didnât have the heart to voice their thoughts.
This is stupid, Logic reprimanded. Whatâs difference between talking to her and and writing to her? Youâre still exchanging words. Youâll still say the same thing.
Sheâll hear the cracks in your voice if you speak, Anxiety said. And then whatâll happen?
Fear entered the conversation. Kumiko felt her heart clench in her chest. Maybe sheâll leave again.
But maybe she wonât, Something said. Because maybe sheâs hurting just as much as you are right now. And sheâs struggling to find words, too.
âWeâre here,â Reina announced. Kumikoâs thoughts scurried away like little animals as she followed Reina to the railing.
The sight made Kumikoâs breath hitch in her throat.
The city and Festival lights gleamed and sparkled, as if some deity had taken stars from the night sky and planted them in the soil. There were bursts of reds and oranges that came and went, no doubt from firecrackers and fireworks. Kumikoâs lips curled into a smile laced with nostalgia.
âIâll never get tired of this view,â she found herself saying.
Reina made a noise of amusement. âSame.â There was a beat of silence until Reina asked, âWhen was the last time you came here?â
Kumiko didnât answer right away. âI dropped by the night before I moved.â
âYou did?â
âYeah. Just to think about things.â
âMind if I ask what kind of things?â
Goosebumps littered Kumikoâs arms as a breeze passed through. âWhat happened, what could have beenââKumikoâs throat felt unbearably dry as she swallowedââwhat should have been.â
Reina said nothing.
âIt looked a lot like tonight,â Kumiko continued, gesturing to the town. âAll pretty and magical, like nothing could go wrong. But something felt wrong. Something was so very wrong.â She turned to Reina, whose eyes were glued to the scenery below. âBecause you werenât there.â
Reina tensed, as if Kumikoâs words slapped her. She slowly raised her head. Her expression was placid and emotionless, but her eyes were glazed, like she was ready to cry.
âYou werenât there because you left,â Kumiko said. A part of her wanted to stop so that she wouldnât say anything she would regret, but the filter that separated her thoughts from her voice was nowhere to be found. âYou left without a word, Reina! L-like everything we had was nothing butâbut a fling!â Hot tears were spilling from her eyes, burning into her cheeks. âI-it hurt!â
Through blurry vision, Kumiko saw Reina staring at her with that impassive masks, but the cracks were beginning to show. âYou know I want to become special,â she said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Anger and Frustration churning Kumikoâs stomach. âYou always say that! But why? Why do you need to be special? Why do you need to look for justification from others? Donât you see youâre already special? To me?â
Tears began to well up in the corner of Reinaâs eyes.
âA-am IâŚnot good e-enough for you?â Kumikoâs words scratched at her throat, making it feel raw. âAm I notââ
âYou are good enough! You always were!â
Reinaâs outburst shut Kumiko up.
âI always knew that I was special to you,â Reina croaked out, tears free-falling âI knew it ever since our first-year in high school. You looked at me no one in the world ever did! I t-tried denying it for a whole year, trying to force my focus on Taki-sensei, b-but the way you looked at me justâGod, it made me so happy. B-because I was finally recognized.â Her lips curled into a shaky smile. âDonât you know how amazing that feels?
âBut th-then I r-remembered what you said when we were practicing for the competition in our first-year. You saidââReina had to pause to take a breath, and her smile faded as she did soââyou said you wanted to become special to catch up to me. A-and I said that I would work harder to be even more special. I f-felt so h-happy then, but there was this thought that scared me: What if I couldnât be anymore special? What if you surpassed me and l-left? L-like the others?â
âYou know I wouldnât have,â Kumiko said quietly. âYou wouldâve killed me.â
âB-but still!â Reina shook her head. âThat thought ate at me! Especially so during our second-year! Watching you improve so much in just two years scared me, Kumiko. And I just kept thinking if I really was special to youâŚ.â
Understanding dawned over Kumiko. âWasâwas that what you meant by my good-girl skin?â
Reinaâs weak smile came back. âInitially, n-no. But later on, yes.â
âAndâŚand then you left,â Kumiko began, âto become special abroad.â
Reinaâs expression melted into a mix of morose and regret. âI never wanted to.â
âYou felt you needed to,â Kumiko finished quietly.
âI know that no justification nor apology will excuse your hurt and my actions, but Iâm sorry, Kumiko.â Reina reached out to cup Kumikoâs face in her hands. Kumiko shut her eyes and tensed at the cold touch. âIâm so, so, sorryâŚ.â
As she wiped away a stranded tear from Reinaâs cheek with the lightest of touches, Kumiko realized that this is the first time she truly saw Reina vulnerable. There was no more mask, no more good-girl skin to peel back at this point. If Reinaâs letters were raw and honest, then seeing her at this moment was pure emotion: puffy eyes, red-faced, mussed hair, quivering lips. The brilliance that set her apart during their high-school days was nowhere to be found.
Can you blame her? Sympathy asked. Sheâs human, too.
That realization hit Kumiko like a meteor.
âYou should have told me all of this,â Kumiko said with watery eyes. âWhy didnât you?â
âPart of it was pride,â Reina began quietly, âanother part was fear.â
Kumiko brushed a strand of woven obsidian behind Reinaâs ear. âIâm sorry.â
âFor what?â
âNever realizing how much pressure I put on you.â
Reina took a deep breath, then released it, long and slow. âYou didnât know, itâsâitâs fine.â
âLooks like weâve both done something wrong, huh?â
âSome more than others.â Reina sniffled and pulled Kumiko closer so that they could touch foreheads. For a moment, the both of them shared warm breaths in the quiet cold of the night.
Kumiko broke the silence. âCan I ask you something?â
âGo ahead.â
âWhyâd you come back? As a teacher?â
âPart of it was because I missed Japan. Part of it was because I wanted to repay my debt to Taki-sensei, to inspire a kid the same way he inspired me and so many others.â She took a half-step closer, the tips of their noses brushing together. âBut mainly it was because I had this crushingly strong urge to see and apologize to you.â
Kumikoâs heart leapt and fluttered in her chest like a butterfly. A crooked smile pulled on her lips. âThat so?â
Reina hummed her confirmation.
âSoâŚwhat does this make us?â
âI donât know. What do you want us to be?â
Kumiko opened her mouth, but hesitated on her words.
Go on, Something urged, say it.
âIâd really love to rebuild what we had,â she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.
Reina broke down again. Her tears fell like little waterfalls, but the biggest grin, one that held all the genuity in the universe, was on her face. âIâd really love that, too.â
It took Kumiko a moment to realize that this was the first time she ever saw Reina truly, truly happy.
A wave of Something hit her chest in a pleasant sort of pain, breaking the remaining seams on her heart, and filled her body with incredible warmth. It was a strangely familiar feeling, one that made her stomach feel unbearably light and ticklish. It made her shoulders shake as she laughed, her mirth ringing in the night sky like a song.
It took her another moment to realize that Something was Love all along.
With a light push on the shoulder from Love, Kumiko closed the distance between her and Reina. Her lips were slightly chapped and had the distinct taste of tears on them, but Kumiko could make out the faint sweetness that always lingered on her lips. Kumiko smiled into the kiss, overwhelmed by the nostalgia and awe of it all.
Things certainly changed, Kumiko mused, but Love certainly didnât.
They broke apart at the same time. They looked into each otherâs eyes, fondness gleaming in their eyes.
âIt looks like this is the place where we found Love,â Reina said with a quiet chuckle.
Kumiko smiled at the reference.
âYeah,â she said, âit really is.â
sorry for the late update - again. i completely forgot to do it on saturday...and on sunday...and on monday. lmao
but anyways, thank you guys for reading. this concludes this little novella-length kumirei of mine. i know, looking back on it, a lot more could have been added to make everything much more...better, for lack of better term lol. but i initially wrote this as a way to get things off my chest, and i must say, it has been quite therapeutic lol. most of these characters and the relationships, especially the relationship between kumiko and reina, have been very important to me, both in canon and in story. i guess you can say this is self-insert and projection to the Extreme^tm. if you wish to know more, feel free to PM me on fanfic or on tumblr (tumblr is much more effecient; my url is imsvg).
this story also holds a special place in my heart because it's the first multi-chapter that i actually had the dedication to finish, lmao. but that's much more insignificant in the scheme of things lol.
but really, thank you, you guys. i truly, truly appreciate the reviews and comments, and the little theories. it made me look at this piece in a bit of a different light, lol.
thanks for reading.
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Finding You Chapter 2: building
Fandom: Hibike! Euphonium/Sound! Euphonium Pairings:Â Kumiko/Reina; Natsuki/Yuuko; implied Asuka/Kaori/Haruka; Nozomi/Mizore; Hazuki/Shuuichi Summary:Â Two years have passed since Reina left after their second-year. Two years have passed and Kumiko is now a freshman in college. Two years have passed and she receives a letter from Reina. Two years have passed but something Kumiko thought she lost is making its way to her. Words: 4,760 Previous Chapters: 1 | Links: FF is here! AO3 is here!
i rec reading on AO3 b/c itâs much easier to read it on there. oh, and see if you can spot the two references i made in this chapter
The next letter from Reina came a week after Kumiko delivered hers.
Kumiko,
 You wrote a lot more than I expected. Iâm quite glad you did, honestly; it reminds me of the times you would run off on tangents on our monthly hikes. Iâm pleased to hear that everyone we know from band are doing well.
 That, obviously, includes you too.
 What degree are you working towards? I initially planned on majoring in instrumental performance and making a living off of that, but I heard that Taki-sensei received an offer to play in a prestigious orchestra thatâs based in Tokyo. Although he wonât be leaving until a few more years, Iâve decided to become the next band director for Kitauji. Itâs one of the reasons Iâm back in Uji.
 Speaking of Kitauji, I dropped by the other day. It looks just as I remembered it, but something is inherently different about it. I honestly canât describe it, but when I walked around, it felt so surreal. It didn't feel real. I thought that if I looked away, if I even blinked, it would have faded like a mirage.
 Maybe itâs the homesickness talking, but I really missed Kitauji. Sometimes I wonder what my senior year might have been if I didn't leave.
 Maybe if I stayed, I wouldn't feel this way towards it.
 On a much lighter note, it seems that the company that creates those strange instrument creatures (you know, the ones that Kawashima-san lovedâor is it loves? I would think that she would have grown out it, but she never fails to surprise me, if Iâm being honest) sponsors the band, now. I think Taki-sensei has mixed feelings about it.
 Write soon,
 Reina
 Kumiko reread the letter, taking in every syllable.
 Reinaâs words were so raw, so honest, it took Kumiko aback. She thought she would have needed to peel back layers of protection covering Reinaâs feelings again, the same way she did during their first two years of high school.
 It seems that wasnât the case. Or, at least, to Reina it wasnât.
 Well, of course Reina would have it easy, Logic began as Kumiko reached out for her lukewarm mug of coffee. She was the one who left, after all.
 Kumiko had a hard time forcing the coffee down her throat.
 She downed the rest of her drink, and rose from her seat, leaving the letter on the table. After a quick shower, she decided, she would begin working on her reply.
 Hopefully.
 -X-
 Call Transcript
 Hazuki Katou â Kumiko Oumae
 1:35 PM
 HK: Kuâmiâkoâchan!
 KO: Hazuki-chan! Itâs been a while.
 HK: [laughs] Right? Itâs hard to believe that summerâs already here! Next thing you know, itâs going to be the holidays, then spring comes, and itâs a whole new school year! Then weâre going to be second-years in college? Funny how time flies, you know?
 KO: [chuckles] Yeah, yeah, I get it. Whatâs new with you?
 HK: Nothinâ much, really. Just tryna get through school. [laughs] Sometimes, it feels like I never graduated from high school. Iâm still in the same place, still seeing some of the same faces, still hating studying. Itâs hard to believe thatâs been already a year since we left from Kitauji.
 KO: [chuckles] Some things never change.
 HK: I guess. [chuckles] Whatâs new with you? I havenât seen you in ages.
 KO: Nothing really. I mean, school ended for me too. Now Iâm justâŚwhittling the hours away by myself.
 HK: Eeeeh? Really? By yourself?
 KO: Well, yeah, by myself.
 HK: Thought you would have gotten another girlfriend or somethinâ by now.
 KO: [laughs nervously] No, no, notâŚyet.
 HK: That's a shame. Youâre real pretty, Kumiko-chan. Bet you could get any gal you set your mind to.
 KO: A-ah, I guess. [nervous laughter] Thanks?
 HK: You can probably find someone at the Agata Festival!
 KO: Itâs already that time of year?
 HK: Mhm! I think itâsâŚin several weeks, or something. But the townâs already making preparations for it. I think theyâre really upping their game this year.
 KO: I donât see why. [chuckles] The Festivalâs the same every year.
 HK: How would you know? You havenât been home in ages! [laughs] Say, you should come over! Stay over at your folksâ house, reconnect with people. You know, so that youâre not a hermit for the rest of vacation.
 KO: Maybe I will.
 HK: You should! Midori-chanâs coming over, too!
 KO: No way, is she really?
 HK: Yeah!
 KO: All the way from London? Damn.
 HK: Oh, oh! And guess who I saw recently!
 KO: UhâŚShuuichi?
 HK: [incomprehensible stuttering]
 KO: IâmâŚIâm sorry, what?
 HK: K-Kumiko-chan! Ho-howâd you find out?
 KO: âŚFind out what?
 HK: Oh. O-ohâŚ.
 KO: Is thereâŚsomething Iâm not getting here?
 HK: OhâŚIâ[laughs nervously]âI thought you knew.
 KO: Knew what?
 HK: WellâŚerâŚTsukamoto-kun and I are together.
 KO: [sputters and coughs] I-Iâm s-sorryâ[coughing fit]
 HK: [worried] A-are you okay, Kumiko-chan�
 KO: Y-yeah, Iâm justâ[clears throat] taken aback, is all. How long have you guys beenâŚtogether?
 HK: Not long. I think this is ourâŚfourth month?
 KO: [hums] You never stopped likinâ him, huh?
 HK: [titters] Y-yeah, guess not. Youâerâdonât mind, do you?
 KO: Oâcourse not. Why would I?
 HK: A-ahâmmâno reasonâŚ.
 KO: [sighs] Hazuki-chan, you know I never liked him that way. You donât have to worry about me being upset. Just âcause heâs my childhood friend doesnât mean we were anything more than that. Donât worry, okay? âSides, you two make a good couple. Iâm happy for the both of you. [laughs] Although, I am surprised that he managed to get someone as pretty as you.
 HK: Thanks, Kumiko-chan. [laughs quietly] But that wasnât what I was going to tell you.
 KO: What is it, then?
 HK: I saw Reina-chan!
 KO: O-oh?
 HK: Mhm! It seems sheâs back from studying abroad. She was taking a walk around the river. I wanted to go up to her and say hi, but Tsukamoto-kun and I were on a date. She looksâŚthe same, but different at the same time. I mean, yeah, she cut her hair, but thereâs something more to it that I canât really describe it. If you saw her I think you would understand what I mean.
 KO: That so?
 HK: Mhm. MmâŚKumiko-chan?
 KO: Yeah?
 HK: Mind if I ask you a question?
 KO: What is it?
 HK: Do you twoâŚstill talk? Like, I know the both of you had a falling out back in high school when she left, but I was wondering ifâŚyou knowâa-ah, you donât have to answer if you donât want to! I just wanted to make sure that I wasnât, you know, opening up old wounds.
 KO: No, itâs fine. [chuckles] Weâre talking to each other. Kind of.
 HK: Really? No way!
 KO: Kind of is the key phrase here. She sent a letter a week ago, and we have this correspondence going on between us. Sort of.
 HK: Ooh, letters! How romantic!
 KO: [stammering] I-I g-guess? [chuckles nervously]
 HK: Never thought Reina-chan would be that kind of person. You know, because itâs so convenient to just call or send a text.
 KO: Yeah, I get it. But, then again, she was always one for the unconventional.
 HK: [laughs] Sounds just like her.
 [The sound of a door opening is heard, followed by muffled speech is heard in the background]
 HK: Ah? Already? Okay. [whispers] Talk to you later, Kumiko-chan. I better see you at the Festival!
 KO: [laughs] Sure, sure. See you, then.
 Call End
 2:03 PM
 Kumiko locked her phone and set it aside.
 Seems like everyoneâs finding love, hm? a part of her pointed out as she reached for a pen. Maybe she found someone new, too.
 Kumikoâs hand froze in mid-air.
 Slowly, she set her hand down and stared at the blank stationary in front of her. Kumiko would be lying if she said that the thought of Reina having another person in her life didnât bother her.
 Wait, Logic chimed in, if, hypothetically, Reina didâand Iâm not saying she doesâbut if she did, wouldn't have she mentioned it by now? She was never one to beat around the bush.
 She didnât mention the day she was leaving.
 But look! Optimism added her voice as Kumiko took a quick glance at Reinaâs recent letter. Look how she wrote those words. Look at that tone. You took Literature, didnât you? How in the hell could she have someone when she wrote like thaâ
 âAh, shut up!â Kumiko cried out, silencing her thoughts. She slumped in her seat, her forehead hitting the desk with a faint thunk.
 âWhy is it so hard to write?â She sighed and turned her head, her cheek resting on the cool parchment.
 The sight of a familiar potted cactus greeted her.
 Kumiko felt a small smile curl her lips. âAt least you never left my side,â she muttered.
 The cactus said nothing.
 âItâs dumb,â Kumiko continued, âthat I canât be honest with Reina anymore. I mean itâs not dumbâitâs understandable, isnât it, since she left and all?âbut I hate how I canât just go back to what we had. I mean, lookââshe sat up and gestured to Reinaâs letterââat how she can just open up like nothing happened between us. Why canât I do that? Why am I so s-scared?â
 Kumiko hated hearing her voice crack.
 Maybe you should talk to someone, Something suggested.
 The thought was sudden, but Kumiko didnât dare argue, not when the familiar sting of tears was prickling the back of her eyes. She cleared her throat, and reached out for her phone. She ignored how her heart was pushing against its stitches, threatening to break them.
 With a quick input of her password, Kumiko sent out a text.
 2:09 PM
 kumiko: natsuki-senpai?
 natsuki: Whats up kid
 kumiko: i
uh
can i
talk to u about smth?
 natsuki: Sure
But i think i remembered telling u to call me
Not txt
 kumiko: you dont mind, do you?
 natsuki: Ofc not
I was just playin w/ u lol
 kumiko: oh okay
 natsuki: So what do u need
 kumiko: ah well
itâs just
uh
tbh idk how to start lol
 natsuki: Just start w/ the problem
 kumiko: well reinaâs been sending me letters
okay itâs only been two but still
itâs been really hard to reply to her
 natsuki: Y
 kumiko: honestly itâs b/c im scared
 natsuki: Of what
 kumiko: opening up to her again
sheâs talking to me like nothingâs happened
like she didn't leave
and i cant bring myself to do the same thing
 natsuki: So ur scared of talking to her
Is what ur tellin me
 kumiko: basically yeah
 natsuki: U no
If ur not comfortable w/ talking to her the same way u used 2
U dont have to force urself
Forcing urself to be comfortable will make u uncomfortable
But it seems u already no that lol
Take things slow and soon ull be talking to her like u used too
I no itll b hard
But being able 2 be at ease w/ the other person is important in any relationship
And thatll come eventually if u let it
 kumiko: it looks like youâve had a lot of experience w/  this lol
 natsuki: Dont tell yuuko but
One of the reasons i acted like an asshole 2 her back in the day was b/c i didnt no how to talk to her
And b/c i thought she was annoying as shit
I always thought she was cute but
ÂŻ\_(ă)_/ÂŻ
 kumiko: those are very natsuki-like reasons lol
 natsuki: U cant deny that yuuko is an acquired taste
 kumiko: okay i guess you're right lol
 natsuki: Can i ask u smth now
 kumiko: yeah what is it?
 natsuki: U said u were gay rite
 kumiko: yeah
 natsuki: Were u and reina an item or smth
 kumiko: yeah
we kept it under the covers-ish
only a handful of people knew, like asuka-senpai and midori-chan and hazuki-chan
i dont think any of her family knew
but we were somewhat open w/ affection like holding hands and stuff
you know?
 natsuki: Yeah i no lol
I kinda called it tbh
But it wasnt my business and idc who ppl date anyways
As long as ure happy and safe
 kumiko: mhm
 natsuki: She must have meant a lot to u huh
 kumiko: âŚ
yeah..
it sucks that things went the way they didâŚ
 natsuki: Yeah
It rly hurt u a lot huh
When she left
 kumiko: was it noticeable?
 natsuki: Kinda
U always had this zoned look on ur face when no1 was talkin to u
And u were quieter
 kumiko: you're surprisingly observant
is it your vice-president intuition kicking in lol
 natsuki: Lmao i guess
U pick up things after a while
 kumiko: yeah i get it
 natsuki: Plus i think i got it from u lol
 kumiko: yeah?
 natsuki: Yeah
U have this weird ability to read ppl sometimes
 kumiko: wish i could read what reina was thinking back then
or when she writes to me now
so that i know why she left in the first place
 natsuki: Ull figure it out
Maybe itll be clear sooner or l8r
Ask when ure ready
 kumiko: yeah maybe
thanks natsuki-senpai
for letting me talk to you
i would have gone to asuka-senpai but she gets a little too blunt sometimes lol
and as much as i love her sheâs useless when it comes to these kinds of things
 natsuki: Anytime kid
Oh btw this is offtopic but
R u going to the Agata Festival
 kumiko: i was thinking about it
are you?
 natsuki: Yeah
Yuukoâs been begging me to take her
I think its so that she can see kaori again lol
 kumiko: or maybe she just wants to spend time w/ you
you know
since youâre her girlfriend
 natsuki: ÂŻ\_(ă)_/ÂŻ
Who knows
Anyways were planning on leaving in two weeks
So we could have a week to chill before the actual festival
U wanna come
 kumiko: sure
 natsuki: Cool
Ill txt u more deets l8r
 kumiko: sounds good to me
iâll ttyl then
better start on this letter lol
 natsuki: Got u
Ttyl
 Kumiko locked her phone, and reclined in her seat. She stared at the ceiling, noticing how, despite the summer heat around her, her chest felt considerably lighter. Like someone came and took a weight she never knew she was carrying.
 Just build up to her, Something whispered. You can do that, right?
 Kumiko sat up and reached for her pen again. Once the tip touched the paper, words began to form on the page. Words turned into sentences, which took shape into paragraphs, and before Kumiko knew it, she had to reach for another piece of stationary.
 Reina,
 I went into college undecided. Right now, Iâm getting all the general classes out of the way, but I took a music composition class as an elective. It was an interesting experience; it made me remember why I loved music and euphonium so much in the first place. I might take extra classes on it.
 If Iâm being honest, Iâm surprised that you decided to become a teacher. I never would have expected that from you, considering how well you received the underclassmen when they came in. You would always rant on and on about that whenever we went on our hikes, too. Especially when you got frustrated at the âlack of commitmentâ from the underclassmen during our second-year. But, you know, we pulled through in the end. We managed to get a gold at Nationals that year (but then you complained on how it was a dud gold and not real gold, and that reminded me of a particular scene back in the middle-school).
 Itâs hard to believe, yet at the same time, I can picture Band Director Reina perfectly. You would be similar to Taki-sensei, I think. Overly-serious, with a stoic face and straight voice. You would give tons of tough love to the slackers and the ones who werenât improving as quickly as you would like, but your harsh words would carry good intentions.
 Writing that made me realize how much I missed Taki-sensei and Kitauji. Maybe Iâll drop by when I come by in a few weeks, around the Agata Festival.
 Speaking of the Festival, are you planning on attending with anyone? Me, I donât really have plans to attend, honestly. Midori-chan is coming back from England, so I might be with herâmaybe. I heard from Hazuki-chan that the Festival is going to be more lively this year. How much more lively, I wouldnât knowâI havenât gone the last couple of years.
 Maybe if you go, we can run into each other again.
 Kumiko
 Finishing her signature with a flourish, Kumiko glanced over her letter with a touch of pride and lots of satisfaction.
 She certainly wrote much more than she had expected.
 But, underneath her contentedness, there was a nagging question in the back of her mind, prodding around for answers.
 Why did Reina leave in the first place?
 You can ask her once youâre readyâjust build up to it. Like Natsuki-senpai said, Something assured. And then youâll be able to find the answer.
 Kumiko pulled out an envelope from her desk drawer, folded the letter into thirds, then tucked it into the envelope. As she wrote down Reinaâs address followed by her own, Kumiko noticed a budding feeling in her chest. It made her feel jittery at the thought of sending this letter to Reina, while at the same time, an unbridled sense of anticipation filled her when she thought about the possible replies Reinaâs letter might hold.
 -X-
 Reinaâs reply came a mere two days after Kumiko delivered hers.
 Oh, Kumiko,
 If that was your way of trying to find out whether or not I have someone else in my life, the answer is no, I donât have anyone to go to the Festival with. But, if youâre in Uji for the Festival, then perhaps we can go togetherâthat is, if youâre not busy with your plans with Kawashima-san.
 (At this, Kumiko pictured Reina curling her lips into the subtlest of smirks, and she had to pause reading to gather her flustered self)
 But, you know, attending the Agata Festival wouldnât be so bad. Itâs been two years since Iâve attended it, after all. I doubt that there will be any groundbreaking changes, but I think Iâll still go. For nostalgiaâs sake, you know? Coming back to Japan made me realize how much Iâve missed everything. I suppose you can say that the Agata Festival is one of them. Iâm not one to linger on these types of things, but when you leave the place you once knew for a whole new world, youâll start to miss the flavor of familiarity. Sure, thereâs the thrill of trying new things, but that can only last so long.
 You know how they say you can never truly appreciate something until itâs gone? I think I understand what they mean now.
 Anyways, itâs a pleasant surprise to hear that youâre still involved with music. Music composition is a very interesting choice of study. I remember I took a class on it in my time abroad. I didnât find it quite as enjoyable as actually performing, but Iâm still going with it. Maybe somewhere along the line Iâll actually like it.
 Speaking of music, have you watched Kitaujiâs performance in this yearâs Sunrise Festival? Iâm surprised at the rapid growth of the group, if Iâm being honest. Theyâve improved a lot since our second-year performance with them. They nearly doubled in sizeâinstead of 40 people in the band and only a handful of color guard, itâs almost an 80-piece band. I didn't get a proper count of the color guard, but there was a considerable amount. Their diagonals were a bit off, but their steps were together, and all of them were on beat. The sound was amazing as wellâloud, bold, yet majestic. If you ever decide to drop by Kitauji when youâre in Uji, Iâm sure Taki-sensei will show you the tape. I feel a sort of quiet pride exuding from him every time I mention it. Youâll understand what I mean if you do.
 Awaiting your reply,
 Reina
 Itâs almost comical how our letters to one another are getting longer and longer. Kumiko chuckled, taking out a sheet of stationary.
 Maybe itâs all part of building up to each other, Something mused. Kumiko silently agreed as she reached for a pen.
 Unlike her last two replies, Kumiko didn't hesitate to work, her words filling up page after page.
 -X-
 Before Kumiko knew it, she established a comfortable correspondence with Reina. She received Reinaâs letters at unpredictable times, sometimes two days after she sent her own reply, other times a whole week. Nevertheless, Kumiko found herself stopping by her PO box with anticipation every morning. If she was especially restless, she would even check her mailbox multiple times a day. Once that letter arrived, however, Kumiko made sure to reply and deliver right away.
 Even if it meant going down to the lobby near the dead of night.
 âGoing to deliver something so late, Kumiko-chan?â
 âGuah!â Kumiko nearly jumped out of her own skin. Whipping her head around, she saw Gram staring at her behind the counter with a smile, brown eyes twinkling in the bright light of the lobby. âG-Gram! Iâuhâdidnât see you there.â
 Gram chuckled. âI can tell.â Her gaze drifted to the lone envelope that Kumiko held in her hands. âBills?â
 âA-ah, no.â Kumiko scratched the back of her neck. âItâs, uh, a letter.â
 âA letter?â
 âYeah. For someone.â
 Gram looked back at Kumiko, her smile never wavering. âIt looks like your generation knows how to write letters after all.â There was an amused lilt in her voice, and hearing it made Kumiko smile crookedly.
 âAdmittedly, it wasnât easy.â She chuckled. âThe first couple of times took me much longer than it should have to write.â
 âThatâs how it is with a lot of things,â Gram said with a knowing nod. âI was the same, you know.â
 âReally?â
 Gram nodded and turned to the small picture frame that sat on her desk. Kumiko followed her gaze, craning her neck to get a better look, and saw the faded black-and-white picture of a young couple., The man was meticulously dressed in a suit, hair slicked back. His arm was around the waist of a young woman dressed in a flowing kimono, her black hair tied back into an elaborate bun. While at first glance their expressions seemed stoic, Kumiko noticed that both their lips were curled into the subtlest of smiles.
 âHideo-san had to find work, oftentimes abroad, especially in the beginning of our marriage,â Gram began. âWe would write letters to one another, but in the first few years, I struggled to figure out on what to write. What do I say to someone that I barely knew, yet at the same time, someone I was supposed to share my everything with? We were an arranged marriage, and we didn't get to meet face-to-face until our wedding day.â
 âSoundsâŚtough.â
 Gram laughed, her voice rich with nostalgia. âIt was. Our letters to one another at first were sparse, both in quantity and quality. But over time, weâhow do I say this? Weââ
 âBuilt up to one another?â
 âYes,â Gram said with a nod. âSomething like that. Our responses to one another grew and grew, and so did our love.â Gram looked at Kumiko, and Kumiko noticed how her brown eyes shimmered in the light. âLove finds its way, Kumiko-chan. It always does.â
 Kumikoâs stomach churned, as if it had a hard time digesting the sudden sweetness in Gramâs voice. âThat so?â
 Gram let out a breath of amusement. âYou donât believe me, do you?â
 âWhaâI never said thaâwhy would you assumeââ
 âItâs fine, Kumiko-chan,â Gram said with a laugh. âItâs hard to believe it when love hurts, like so many things in life.â
 Kumikoâs words died on her tongue.
 âLove is never easy. Iâve learned that the hard way. ButââGram reached over to cup Kumikoâs face; she melted into the calloused, yet gentle touchââitâll always find you. Whether itâs through a passion or a person, developed or spontaneous, love will find you. And when it does, it will stay. Do youâŚunderstand?â
 Kumiko pursed her lips to keep them from quivering as she gave a faint nod. âYeah, IâI think I get it.â
 âGood.â Gram lightly pinched Kumikoâs cheek before pulling her hand away. âYouâve been hurt by this person, havenât you?â Her eyes drifted to Kumikoâs letter.
 âYeah. She, uh, left. To study abroad. Didnât really say anything about it, though.â
 Gram hummed and gave a knowing nod.
 âBut she sent me a letter a couple of weeks ago saying sheâs back in Japan, soâŚ.â Kumiko shrugged and looked down at the letter in her hands. âMy friend told me to slowly build up what I used to have with her. I found it a little hard at first, but Iâm getting used to it now. I even look forward to getting letters. But, itâs just thatâI donât knowâI just I think sheâll leave again, and this time, sheâll never return.â
 âWell,â Gram began, âif she came back in the first place, it must mean something, hm?â She raised her eyebrows and a playful smile tugged her lips.
 Kumiko chuckled. âYeah, I guessâŚ.â
 âIs this person someone important to you?â
 âYeah,â Kumiko said, âsheâs an important���friend.â Kumiko forced the word out, and ignored the way her heart winced in her chest.
 âYour eyes say otherwise.â
 Kumikoâs ears were suddenly ablaze, the shame of lying to Gram consuming Kumikoâs face in a red blush. âU-uhâw-wellââ
 âYouâre still the same to me, Kumiko-chan.â Gram said with a growing smile. âLove has no boundaries. Never be ashamed of loving another person, regardless of who they are.â
 Kumikoâs lips pulled into a crooked smile. âThanks, Gram.â
 Gramâs smile turned into a grin as she chuckled. âAnytime. Ah, before you go, I have something for you.â Kumiko watched as Gram shuffled off into the back of her office, rustling about, until she returned with a Tupperware container full of food.
 Kumikoâs stomach growled when she saw the chicken katsu and rice inside.
 âThanks,â Kumiko said as she reached out for the food. She could feel the slight warmth of the rice tickling her fingertips as she held it. âYou know, you donât have to do this, though.â
 Gram shook her head. âItâs fine. I want to do this. I love cooking because it reminds me of Hideo-san. I would always cook for him whenever I had the chance.â
 Kumikoâs heart ached when she saw Gramâs shining eyes drift towards Hideo-sanâs picture, a nostalgic smile on her face.
 Her love never ends for him, Something whispered. Maybe sheâs right. Maybe love does stay.
 The thought left warm feeling in her chest.
 âThanks, Gram,â Kumiko said quietly.
 Gram looked up at Kumiko. The beads of tears that were collecting in her eyes sparkled in the light, and in that moment, Kumiko thought that Gram looked like the beautiful young woman in the picture.
 âEnjoy the food,â Gram said, the smallest of smiles tugging on her lips.
 -X-
 you remember
the first meal you cooked
together
 she was home
 alone
 âno oneâs here?â you asked
âyeah, but itâs okay,â she said
as if it was normal for her to be
 alone
 you tried not to let that bother you
as the both of you prepared dinner
together
 the drone of the tv playing,
the clatter of cutlery,
the ruckus of pots and pans,
the sizzle of the meat,
all of that was just background noise to you because you focused on
 how she looked
how she laughed
how she spoke
because it was moments like these, you realized
that she looked genuinely happy,
and sparkled in the moonlight
like an angel
flung out of space
 you prepared the food
together
you set the table
together
you ate
together
laughed
together
you spoke
together
you were happy
together
 âthe food tastes amazing,â she said
 âyeah,â you said, âit does.â
 but in the back of your mind
you wondered
how often she ate her meals
 alone
 and how bland they tasted
whenever she ate
 alone
 because people always say
meals taste better when eaten
together
#oumae kumiko#kousaka reina#i write#kumirei#hibike#hibike! euphonium#sound! euphonium#hibike fanfic#fanfiction#nakagawa natsuki#katou hazuki#angst
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