Learning To Fly: A Saki Enomoto Pseudo-Route

Countdown :: Valse A Rosenthal

AN: Chapter is named after this song.

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Amazing how time flies.

It's already the weekend, the day that we had all planned to go into the city on. And like most days now, it started too early. I still don't have a good sleep schedule down yet, but general excitement about the coming day acts as well as a cup of coffee to make sure I'm awake.

At least, until I can get an actual cup of coffee later today.

I flip open my phone and re-read the text message Saki sent me last night. Meeting by the music room at 8, taking sensei's car into the city.

All well and good, except this early and on the weekend, nobody's unlocked the Arts building so I can't go inside even if I wanted to. The cafeteria isn't even open yet, so I can't kill time by getting breakfast.

I stick a finger in the collar of my shirt and stretch the fabric out, trying to get some air circulation against my chest. Even though I'm wearing a short sleeve shirt, the checkered sweater vest I've donned isn't doing me any favors. I've settled on leaning against the wall, trying to avoid the rays of the sun as it comes up. Summer sure did come early this year.

I pat the pockets of my pants, making sure I've got my wallet and anything else I might need. As my hands run over the fabric, I realize I may need to get some new clothes while I'm shopping today, if I can find something that fits my budget. This is the first time I've worn this outfit since my heart attack, and it feels strange to me for a few reasons. After the time in the hospital, I've grown a centimeter or two. I've also lost some weight. I had to cinch my belt one notch further just to make sure these pants stayed firmly where they're supposed to be. The rest of the clothing is just as loose, but not uncomfortably so.

What makes it uncomfortable is the throwback to my old life, and all the uneasiness wearing the outfit is presenting me. I can't remember how many times I wore this look when hanging out with my friends, and the fact it doesn't really fit me in more ways than one is not lost on me.

I guess it's just one of those things that will sort itself out, as I get healthier and put the weight back on. Then again, maybe I should keep the weight off. It may be easier to get a new set of casual clothes than it will be to completely replace my school uniforms which are sized to my new waistline.

I'm not left in my own thoughts for long before I hear someone calling my name. My head snaps up towards the sound, and I see two figures walking towards me. I wave a greeting as they get closer.

Saki and Chisato are walking side by side, having most likely left the dorms together. There's a brief moment when we all get close enough where we scrutinize each others' outfits.

Chisato's dressed fairly conservatively in a knee length skirt made out of a dark brown fabric, and a green jacket zipped up over her torso that matches the color of her eyes. Black knee socks end in brown shoes, and a pair of sunglasses is perched on her raven-colored locks holding them out of her face. I can't see any telltale bump on her waist from her insulin pump. She has a handbag with her, although it does seem pretty large. I guess it would have to be in order to carry everything she needs along with the standard items any girl her age lugs around.

Saki's dressed a bit more for the warmer weather, with delicate sandals around her bare feet, and light blue denim shorts that show off plenty of leg. Her blouse is white with blue patterned dots, flowing to several layers overlapping at her waist to create a flowery look. The strap of a small purse is slung over one shoulder, and she grips it with a hand adorned with a thick pink wristband. She finishes her ensemble with a thin black cardigan that wraps around her shoulders, more for style than warmth.

They both look amazing.

I notice the girls are giving me the same stare I'm giving them. Chisato doesn't give anything away but Saki raises an eyebrow.

"...what?" I ask, suddenly self conscious.

"Not...bad..." Saki says, drawing out the words in a way that tells me she's still trying to convince herself of what she's saying. "Looks a bit warm for this weather though."

"Give me a break. Clothes shopping wasn't exactly on my list of priorities the last few months."

"I don't know if I'd wear a sweater vest this time of year, but it does match your shirt and pants," she replies approvingly. "You should undo that top button though. It will make the whole thing look more casual and you should be able to breathe better too."

"I wasn't aware you were such a fashion expert," I sigh resignedly, reaching up to wrestle with the stubborn closure.

"You can't tell?" Saki says, and spins around once for all of us to see, her cane looping around her in a lazy circle.

Chisato laughs at her antics. "You'll have to help me pick out some more clothes today, Saki," she says.

"No problem," Saki answers, rebalancing herself. "We have a pack mule with us today."

"Now wait a minute-"

"Oh look, here comes Mrs. Sakamoto!" Saki says, effectively cutting me off. I turn to look and see the music teacher walking towards us, wearing a long white flowing skirt that comes to her ankles, and a floral patterned blouse with short sleeves. She's not alone.

"Is that Noriko?" I ask, squinting.

"Looks like it," Chisato says. "I didn't think she was going to come today."

"Me neither," Saki muses, "but oh my god, that dress..."

I don't know much about fashion, but Noriko does look stunning. Her outfit is probably the simplest out of all of us – a plain blue sundress, but a look that seems to fit her very, very well.

"Damn, I have to find out where she got that, and if they have it in yellow," Saki mumbles in a fierce jealousy.

"Hello you three!" Mrs. Sakamoto says cheerfully when she reaches us. "Goodness, I didn't think we would be the last ones here."

"Hisao was the first," Chisato says, jerking a thumb in my direction.

"Yeah, and it's a miracle because I never get up this early on the weekends," I reply. "If I had known I was going to be waiting as long as I was, I could have gone for my morning swim."

"You should have known better. Women never show up on time, and there's four of us." Chisato answers. Saki punches her in the arm, Noriko giggles, but Mrs. Sakamoto lets out a full volume laugh.

"So, you must be Hisao Nakai. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Miss Enomoto told me she wanted to bring a friend along today," she says with a gracious bow.

I return the gesture, bowing deeper as a sign of respect. "Mrs. Sakamoto, you're the music teacher, correct? I remember seeing you on stage at the festival, and Saki and Chisato have told me about you."

"Only good things, I hope," she jokes.

"So...what exactly are we doing today? Chisato was a bit...vague..." Noriko asks in her quiet voice. From what I've seen of her during and since the festival, she seems like a fairly shy person. I've seen her interacting a few times with Saki and Chisato, but it seems she goes out of her way to not be noticed. Glancing at her dress again, it's a bit of a paradox. I wouldn't expect this girl to be wearing the type of outfit.

"Well," Saki starts hesitantly, looking at Mrs. Sakamoto for confirmation. "We were going to the studio first to check it out, then go to the shopping district, right?"

"It's up to you," Mrs. Sakamoto says. "We have the car for most of the day today, as long as we get back at a decent time."

"Alright then!" Chisato cheers. "I've been looking forward to seeing this place! You said they had an actual piano and not a keyboard?"

"That's right," the teacher answers, starting to walk down the pathway towards the parking lot. The rest of us unconsciously follow. "It's not very large, but the owner likes to make sure he has the best equipment he can afford, including a real piano."

"Awesome!"

Saki pauses in mid stride, looking confused. "Should we go back and grab my violin, then?"

"Oh no," Mrs. Sakamoto reassures her, looking over her shoulder but not stopping. "We're just going there so you two can see the place."

"All right," Saki accepts, relieved. "I thought I would have had to run all the way back to the dorm for it."

"Just send Hisao to grab it," Chisato giggles.

"No thank you. I don't want to have to explain why I would be leaving the female dorm this early in the morning if anyone sees me," I say, drawing a laugh from everyone.

In a few short moments we've reached the car, a sedan that looks to be as old as I am. Despite its apparent age, it's clean and very well upkept. Chisato speeds up to reach the passenger side before the rest of us.

"Shotgun!"

Saki rolls her eyes. "Making the girl with the cane sit in the back? Shame on you."

"I'll move the seat up for you," Chisato consoles, completely unconcerned.

I hold open one of the rear doors, and Noriko jumps in, tucking her dress underneath her as she sits down. She thanks me as I check to make sure her legs are clear before closing the door. Saki moves with me to the other side.

"Go ahead," Saki motions when I hold open the other door for her. "Sit in the middle."

"You sure?"

"It's easier," she answers, placing her hand on the door to replace mine.

I decide not to argue with her, and scoot into the backseat next to Noriko. Saki climbs in after me, reaching down with her arms to pull in her leg. She places her cane on the seat next to us, its length resting between the driver seat and center console.

Mrs. Sakamoto closes the door before getting into the drivers seat and starting the car. All three of us in the back squirm to find comfortable positions as she backs out of the parking space.