Of Cats and Crows (Sugawara Koushi)

Professor Down!

Mei and Mitsumi were busy curling each other's hair in a dressing room that the competition had booked had set aside for them and a few other women. The day of the Tanabata Coalition Four Handed Piano Festival had come fast. And both of them were feeling really pumped up for the three day festival. They had coordinated their outfits with the help of Saki and Uehara for the event.

"You look so pretty!" Mitsumi was proud of the hair job she had done on Mei. "For once I can say I think I did a pretty good job."

Mei's shoulder length bob was curled into tight ringlets that ended at her chin. It suited her very well. "I say that Reiko has taught you well." She fluffed her bangs so they framed her face a little better. "I'm so excited. This is my first time doing a festival like this one."

"Me too. My parents were kind of against them growing up. So, I didn't do much competitive stuff. Maybe like, one a year." Mitsumi smeared some dark red lipstick on her lips.

Mei smiled and stood up, "Let's start walking over there. Our warm up time is pretty soon. Have you heard anything from Dr. Tanaguchi?"

"No, but let's send her a picture and tell her we are headed over." Mitsumi suggested with a smile.

...

The duo were both wearing black tea length dresses with white polka dots. They wore red pumps and a red flower clip. It was fitting for their first piece from Moszkowski's Album Espagnol Op. 21 Allegro. The piece depicted life in 19th century Spain. And, it was one of Mitsumi's favorite pieces in their competition repertoire.

Their warm up time had ended and they were now sitting in a busy green room. Dr. Tanaguchi managed to find her way around and spotted her students in the crowd. To their absolute terror, she was on crutches. There had been a slight incident the previous night.

"What the heck happened to you?!" The students exclaimed. The whole room fell quiet at their loud exclamation.

Dr. Tanaguchi sat down on the stool Mitsumi was sitting on. "Hush you two!" She sternly whispered. "I fell down yesterday and sprained my ankle."

Mitsumi gave her a puzzled look. She couldn't figure out how she could have done that. "What did you do exactly?" She drew out a sigh as she crossed her arms.

"I was playing volleyball with the neighborhood club." The middle aged professor mumbled under her breath so her students couldn't understand.

"What?"

"I said, I was playing volleyball with the neighborhood club last night! I was blocking and landed on my ankle weirdly. I fell on it just right I guess." Dr. Tanaguchi didn't realize how embarrassing it would be to admit that to her two all-star players.

Mitsumi snickered behind her palm. This was amusing news to her ears. Mei smacked the back of her performance partner's head with the program she was holding in her hand. "I'm sorry that happened, Dr. Tanaguchi." She said rather sympathetically. Crutches were never fun.

"It's only going to be like this for a week. So don't sweat it." The professor chuckled.

Mitsumi rubbed her head and reached for her phone in her bag. Her face lit up like a Christmas tree at the message she got.

Sugawara Koushi: I just got a seat with Yuki. You'll be great up there! Break a leg! <3

She dreamily sighed. He actually made it from the Elementary School in Time. Mitsumi knew how busy he was and respected the fact that he possibly couldn't be there.

Mitsumi Chie: I'll look for you later! Now, turn your phone off!!! We are about to start Concert etiquette!!! <3

"Wow, so harsh." Mei caught a glimpse of her phone screen.