UtaPri: Ai x Reader

Ch. 30: Only One

I walked pass Ranmaru in the hall.

He was sweating, he looked tired, and most of all, very, very, frustrated.

"Ohayo, Ranmaru!" I called over my shoulder.

"Ohayo-su." he answered without looking back.

I walked on, I wouldn't have another job until after 7.

"Ran-chan stopped playing his guitar?!" Someone in a nearby music room cried.

I peeked in to see Nanami, Tomochika, and STARISH gossiping about the latest "Senpai News."

"Isn't that a good thing, though?" Someone else asked. "He's going to be concentrating more on QUARTET NIGHT."

"But is it really that easy to give up something you love?" Another asked.

Not wanting to hear anymore, I turned and walked away quickly.

'Ranmaru is stopping rock?!' I thought.

"______," Ai called. "_______, doushita?"

I turned around. "Ai! It's Ranmaru! He's-"

"Quit rock?" Ai inputted. "I knew that already."

"But it's not good!!" I cried.

"It's not?" Ai asked. "Why?"

I considered. "Well... it's like... it's like you giving up your computer or Camus giving up his sweets or Reiji giving up his maracas!"

"But, Camus would be thinner, Reiji would be less annoying, and I could pay more attention to you. And, isn't it a good sign? He's changing for the good of our band."

I sighed. "Hai, hai," I answered. "I see now. You're right. We'll leave him be and see what happens."

Ai nodded in approval. "We have until seven... Would you like to go out with me?"

I nodded. "Do you even have to ask?"

*Time skip, a few days later*

"Love's all QUARTET NIGHT!" We sang in unison, striking the finishing pose.

I collapsed onto the cool, hardwood floor. Practices were getting more and more intense.

Reiji smirked as he looked down on me. He had finished wrapping a towel around his forehead. Camus finished tying his hair in a half ponytail-bun and sat down, and sat next to him.

"Ne, _____-chan!" He cried, holding up a water bottle. "Want some water?"

I nodded. "I would love some, Rei-chan!"

He opened the bottle, took a swig, and then dumped the rest on my sweating face. He burst out laughing, and I glared at him.

"Can you be anymore immature?!" I cried. "I swear, if I wasn't so tired I would strangle you with that stupid towel wrapped around your head!"

Then, I noticed there was one person who wasn't resting. Ranmaru was still dancing, his moves were better than ever.

Reiji helped me up and lead me to a seat.

I was worried. Ranmaru was getting up way too early and pushing himself too hard. I feared that he might break.

I glanced at Reiji, who shared the same look as I did. So did Camus... and now, even Ai was worried.

'Ranmaru... please be alright...' I thought.

*time skip, two days later*