Veridis Quo

Chapter 13 - Give Life Back to Music

I arrived at the complex of six, all of them identical on the outside. Checking the time, I realized I had no clue when I had to be there for the activities. I should've taken the sheet with me but alas. And there goes my flawless streak.

I gazed at the vintage lamp post. There was always next year. And there would be. Now, which building belonged to the music club? They were pretty large, could multiple clubs use the same one? I didn't want to go door to door; it wasn't Halloween. That was a good one. What holiday did they copy for that one? To the back of the bus you go, random thought!

Looking around, I saw no one as well, how unlucky. I supposed the unfavorable option was a solo gamer. Why was I so against the notion? I scratched my head as I went between two of the buildings, the grass recently trimmed. I've endured, and would, countless awkward interactions. What was another to the bunch? However, I still refused to admit defeat.

I peeked into a window and ducked right away. I was nearly spotted by a passerby inside. And by the hint of blue, I ruled out that one; an orchestra couldn't practice in waters. It was like a game of sudoku! Only it wasn't sudoku at all and I was acting like a creep.

Upon enlightenment, I ceased my dubious behavior. If anyone saw the human sneaking around, rising suspicions would be just the start. The ridicule, the rumors, the looks. And I couldn't fight back with unconventional means; I made a promise.

Sighing, I sat down on a bench. I didn't feel like going at the moment. The sun was a quarter above setting, a few clouds had spawned to crown the golden orb. I liked how clean the school was. There were bins everywhere convenient, blending with their surroundings naturally. It was Japan, the standard had to be upheld regardless of the generation.

Squishing my cheek with a propping hand, I exhaled, my hair warming under the sun. The fight returned to me. Was I in the right? Of course I was. He deserved it. No one can call me a monkey except my fellow apes... I hoped that was how it worked. But...

Did I over react? He was about to do something. Wasn't prevention good? Like condoms? His parents should've used them, ugly bastard. A student passed by-

"Oh! Hey, excuse me!" I jumped from the bench, waving to the... whatever he was. Donning swimming trunks and carrying a duffel bag, he shyly asked what I needed.

"Do you know where the music club is?"

He nodded, pointing to the complex further from a building near the enclosed pool.

"Thanks!"

I jogged to the entrance. Inside, I walked past the first offices; the nameplates of staff nailed onto them. There was a fork in the hall. Right or left? Right. Because right was always right. And for once, I made the correct choice relying on half-assed quotes.

Knocking on the door with the club's name, I let myself in.

"Hello?" I said, around twenty students sitting in a circle, on chairs.

"Johnny-san! We were just about to start," one of the students stood up, gesturing for me to come closer.

Shutting the door behind me, I stopped beside the speaker, a hand behind my back. "I'm sorry for being late, I still don't know the layout of the academy," she looked formal, better hold back the autism.

"It's alright. I am Rita-san, the head of the club," I knew it! That she was important but still.

"Nice to meet you... all," I saw you, you little shit. The stinky seagull took a picture of me, he didn't even turn off the flash!

"Please, have a seat," we both did, cementing my place next to her for the time being. "Now that all members of the club are here, I'll begin."

To the new members, me, she gave a rundown of the ambitions and future goals of the music club. Personal weekly projects that involve researching past musicians, practicing assigned instruments on one's own and in a group. And speaking of groups, there were events! That one poster about the full moon festival? Bingo. I thought my stage days were over but nope, the show must go on.