=====
Chapter Four
=====

=====
A/n: I don't get why I can't get these damn updates here faster. I just cannot seem to write so smoothly anymore like I used to. I still want to, but it's like there's no words. And when something comes out it's forced. Maybe I have too much on my mind and too much to do. I don't know if it's just me. Probably is, but you guys will have to judge.

It's strange because one-shots and new stories are no problem. They fly out of my fingers.

In any case, I am once again sorry for the uberlate update! I hope to make it up with a nice chapter this time. The girls will have to run a lot of errands to get the deal for the clubroom complete. But will Sakuragaoka agree with the idea of Ritsu&co? And why is Mio acting so... strange?

Read and find out! Enjoy!
=====

=====
Make it Shine
=====

=====
Detention really started to get boring after a seven days. Three to four hours every day, doing nothing productive and just sitting there, staring ahead, pretending to work. Pretending like you actually enjoy it too. It was good Ritsu had something to distract her senses with. While absentmindedly doodling on a piece of paper, she thought about the plans she and Mio had made throughout the week. With the others, of course.

Ritsu's thoughts about reviving the light music club had taken a rather nice and optimistic turn when Yui, Mugi and Azusa had all joined in on the idea. Mugi had been neutral about it, picking the side that her friends had chosen, but Yui had been a little bit taken aback. She liked the orchestra, she'd found a place in there. She felt like she belonged there even though her skills weren't that good. Eventually Azusa had persuaded her. Ritsu was a little bit scared that Yui would resign after all, but as the days passed she also had grown more excited.

The final answer now rested on the shoulders of miss Yamanaka. Together they had asked around, and they found out that the club had been suspended a number of years ago because of their members misbehaving, using their club rights (staying too late in school after classes, using equipment they weren't allowed to use) in the wrong way. Cautiously, they had asked if it was ever to be used as a clubroom again.

"We'll see about that." the brunette had then answered curtly, raising her eyebrows until they were perched way above her small glasses.

Mio had even sent in a formal, written note, asking for permission to use the abandoned room and explaining their musical motives for re-opening the club. But they hadn't received any answers yet, even though it was nearly five days since they had started investigating. Ritsu knew she shouldn't keep her hopes up, nothing was decided yet and, seeing the strict regulations of Sakuragaoka, she didn't think they could make any sort of difference. Still, she had faith.

She had faith because she felt as if in these short week, little more than ten days, she and the rest of the girls had grown so immensely close. Ritsu knew it was far from possible but still couldn't help this feeling from entering her heart whenever she saw one of them. It will be amazing!

It was quite a coincidence that they all liked the same things. Not on all subjects, of course, but they agreed on most things. Anime, movies, books, music, interests; you name it and at least three of the girls had similar opinions. Ritsu felt so completely in place, so unlike any friends or bonds she'd made before: this was a true connection, though she didn't want to be too whimsical.

"Ricchan!" Yui's always-excited voice stopped Ritsu's train of thoughts and she looked at the brunette, who was -as ever- hopping up and down, "We're going to the mall, are you tagging along?" Yui gestured behind her where Azusa and Mugi stood, both of them waving.

"Sure! Do you guys need anything or are we just gonna window-shop?" Ritsu asked as she got up from the bench and hoisted her bag up her shoulder.

"We were actually going to look for some instruments! You know, just in case we get the clubroom. Acoustic instruments won't really work, ne? Ne, Azu-nyan~?"

Said black-haired girl started when Yui hugged her for no apparent reason. "Y-Yui-senpai... uh, what she meant is that- hey! Yui-senpai! Get away from me! N-no, I don't want a kiss! Yui! Eep!"

Ritsu watched with interest as Azusa struggled to pry Yui off her body, but the latter seemed to have the tiny girl into a vice-tight grip. The poor girl nearly buckled over in her tries to escape the puckered mouth of Yui that was coming close to her, her cheeks aflame. Ritsu had stopped wondering why the two of them act like they do. Because they just do. Even though Azusa seemed to not like Yui's assaults, something in her eyes told Ritsu otherwise.

"As she was saying," Mugi continued, delightfully ignorant of Azusa's muffled cries, "we're just going to look at some. It's not like we're going to buy anything, but you know, just in case."

"Yeah, okay, but my only point is, if you do see one you like and you will need it, would you guys have the money to buy it? Instruments are not the cheapest, y'know." Ritsu asked. She was glad that the girls were implying that they cared enough about the idea to actually do something with it, but at the same time she felt a pang of worry. The drummer didn't want them to do consume into activities they normally wouldn't.

"It's fine, Ricchan. Let's just enjoy ourselves for now."

Smiling, Ritsu walked along the streets with Yui, Azusa and Tsumugi. Their banter could sometimes be heard from a small distance, their shadows becoming longer on the pavement as the sun began to set. It was breezy but warm and somewhat humid outside and it was just the perfect weather to go out and enjoy oneself. And so they did.

Barely catching up with each other Yui and Ritsu took several sprints, competitively smiling and still out of breath by the time Mugi and Azusa got round again.

Ultimately, they reached the shopping mall at the beginning of the town.

"Mugi-chan," the drummer slowly began as they strolled through the complex, "I realized I haven't even asked you what instrument you play."

"Ah, I play the piano. I've been at it since I was six years old, it's quite my passion." Mugi replied, clasping her hands together, a huge and delightful smile on her face. Ritsu smiled back at her. She knew how it felt to have a real calling for something, like she had with drumming. Though she herself had only gotten a drum-set a year ago, she remembered picking up sticks from outside and banging them on trashcans and cardboard boxes.

"I suppose you're quite the talent at it then?" the brunette asked.

"Well, I wouldn't put it that way but I've had my share of performances when I was little. I got scholarships for music academies and conservatories. I declined them, I liked playing but I didn't want to make my job out of it. My father always said I was good, and still am, and I believe him with all my heart." Mugi smiled at the memories.

Ritsu laughed and swung her arm around the blonde's neck, "Mugi-chan, you are far too humble for you own good! Performances and scholarships. That's amazing!"

Said girl just smiled as a light blush appeared on her cheeks.

They casually strolled along in the shopping centre, Yui plastering her face to every window, dragging Azusa along with her and squealing at everything cute and adorable. It took quite some time to get her away from the pet store, but eventually they arrived at the instrument shop. It was quite well known so Ritsu had no doubts about the quality of the equipment.

Yui - enthusiastic as she was - made a beeline for the guitars, her eyes twinkling with some sort of greed and admiration. "Ricchan! They're so cool~!"

Ritsu laughed and patted the girl's head. "Sure they are! But honestly, should you really buy one? Are you sure you're willing to spend this much money?" the concern washed over her face, laugh turned into a grimace and eyebrows crunched above her amber eyes.

"Well, I'm not paying, Mugi-chan is." the brunette admitted guiltily.

Said girl hid her smile behind her hand as Ritsu turned to her with her face shocked. "Mugi-chan... are you sure? You're nuts! You're not really willing to pay for all of us are you?"

"I'd have to say I'm well aware of my mental state and I am not nuts, Ricchan. I love this idea of yours, to create this delightful band and I want to give the best support I can! Whether it be in musical skills as in a financial boost, I'll do what I can!" the blonde's eyes twinkled with determination and her hands were balled into enthusiastic fists.

Ritsu scratched the back of her head as she laughed nervously. They sure are serious... the brunette sighed internally, not really knowing what to do. She knew she couldn't hold Mugi back, it was her choice after all. She just hoped they wouldn't regret it.

"Okay then. If you're sure then I can't hold anything against it. Be very, very sure though, it's quite the purchase." Ritsu pressed further, but Mugi waved away her words.

They browsed the store for a while and just sauntered around, admiring the craftsmanship in each and every instrument. Ritsu played some electronic drums for a while when Yui and Azusa were debating with the shopkeeper on which guitar was best for starters. Mugi tried out various keyboards, being rather enjoyed by the different sounds that it produced.

After a while, Ritsu was still drumming to pass the time; she already owned a drum set so there wasn't anything more she could really do but watch the content faces of her friends as de beat she made pounded in her ears and resonated in her heart.

She lovedthe drums. She just couldn't emphasize that fact enough. The bass was like her heartbeat and the drumsticks were her swords in every fight she ever had to face. Every rhythm was complex and part of a cycle that made things possible and gave one energy and life.

"Ricchan!"

Oh, how she could just lose herself in the different sounds of the snares, the bass drum, the hi-hats and the cymbals that crashed like waterfalls upon rocks and the sea on the shore and- "Ricchaaaan~!" Yui pulled down her headphones and shook her, "I need your opinion."

"Geez, Yui, you could've just warned me, you scared the crap outta me..." the drummer muttered, following the guitarist on a jog trot. They got to a place further down the store where the shopkeeper was helping Azusa and Yui try out different guitars. He was holding a particularly good-looking one, a red Les Paul sunburst if Ritsu remembered correctly. It was shiny and Yui was drooling and getting enthusiastic all over it.

"Look look! It's so cool!" the brunette stated, plopping down on the little stool the shop manager had put down and took the guitar from his hands. It suddenly looked very big in Yui's tiny hands, but when she started playing it made no difference anymore.

Ritsu didn't know the particular piece she was playing but dang, did it sound good. The melodies and harmonics flew through the store at nearly alarming speed but it never ceased, it only grew in strength as Yui changed the dynamics and the pitch. Low and quick and high and mellow, solo's and various chords, it all sounded very well. Ritsu never knew the skill Yui possessed, but it seemed like she owned her portion. That's a fact she wouldn't question ever again. Ever.

No surprise that Ritsu stayed silent after Yui had stopped playing, being a little dumbfounded at the whole performance. "Wow! Yui, that was- that was awesome! I never knew!"

Said girl cocked her head cutely and smiled humbly, her cheeks red, almost dropping the guitar as she did if it wasn't for the shopkeeper who just barely caught it.

It seemed as if Azusa had also silently made her choice. She had clasped a red and white model in her hands, different in shape from Yui's and refusing to let it go. The black-haired girl wouldn't play them a song it but she was sure of her choice none the less. Such a shy girl.

Mugi also played a brilliant piece. After trying out some of the funky and electronic sounds on the keyboard she demonstrated her skill by playing a rather difficult piece on normal piano sound. Looking at the keyboardists' hands and face, one wouldn't assume it was hard at all. Her fingers flew over the keys with such ease and grace that it was quite something to behold, and hear also. Ritsu wasn't a genius in recognizing classical pieces but she didn't really care since it sounded so charming.

"Mugi, please never ever be so humble again. You're amazing!" the sandy-haired girl smiled, making the blonde blush in embarrassment, "It seems we've all picked something, eh?"

They all nodded. "Are you still sure you want to pay for this? You could think about it for a while, these instruments won't walk away, you know..." Ritsu asked again.

Again a unanimous nod greeted Ritsu.

The latter sighed defeated. "Very well. Let's check out then!"
=====

=====
Sweat drops ran down Ritsu's forehead as she finished off the song with a crescendo of the biggest crash cymbals on her set, the sound fading away as she hit the last few notes lightly like a feather. Her vigor and enthusiasm for music and drumming especially had made quite the revival since this afternoon. Looking at the clock on the wall, it signaled nearly ten in the evening, meaning she'd been on the drums for two hours. She smiled goofily as she wiped the fluids off her head with her sweat band.

If only the club got accepted. She'd do anything to feel this power roaring through her when she made music all the time and she could only dream of what it would be like to perform as a band, as a unity and just do what her heart told her to.

It might sound very much overdone or sentimental, but all Ritsu wanted was to be together with her friends and do this. Music meant the world to her. More than it maybe should.

Her mother called from downstairs that it was getting quite late and the brunette reluctantly put down her drumsticks, removed her headphones and plopped down on her bed, breathing heavily and feeling over-heated. She found her mind wandering off and she just couldn't get this goofy grin off her damn face. The fact alone that they had gotten one step closer to forming a band today was enough to make her feel thrilled to the bone, shivering with suppressed enthusiasm as she lay there on the duvets.

Feeling her body cool down after some time, hearing her heartbeat reside from pounding in her ears, Ritsu closed her eyes and breathed out. Her arms and right leg were sore as hell but it was worth it.

Drifting off into a light slumber, the drummer dreamed lightly of her friends, their smiles and melodies and harmonics flowing through the air, but the soft sound slowly transformed into a ringing noise. It took Ritsu some time to open her eyes and notice her phone was ringing.

She dived towards it and picked up. "'Yeeeeellow?"

"Hey there, Mio here." Ritsu already knew it was Mio before the girl had said it. Her voice was easy to recognize for some reason. It was already so familiar. "How are you?"

"I'm good! Heck, I'm great even. What about you, Mio-chan? What did you do today, I haven't heard anything from you up until now."

Mio hesitated. "Ah, I'm fine. I didn't do much, really... actually I had been looking for you at school but you weren't there. I-I even waited at the detention room but you weren't there either... Ah! B-but that's o-o-okay, tell me about what you did." she stumbled over her words and Ritsu frowned, turning over onto her back on the bed.

"You waited for me?"

"Y-yeah. Don't expect too much from it though you baka, I wasn't checking on you or anything."

Ritsu smiled at the offensive tone of her voice. "Sure you weren't. But yeah, I was out with Mugi and the others today. We went to look at some instruments but actually ended up buying some." her face dropped when she realized. "Oh god, Mio, I'm sorry." it hadn't at all occurred to her to call or text Mio to come over and look as well. She had been so caught up in the moment it had not been on her mind to involve her. I'm such a let-down.

"...It's fine." Mio's voice was small and barely audible. The drummer cringed. "Look, Mio-chan, I'll make it up to you okay? I'm so sorry, we'll go out and get your bass together tomorrow. Would you like that? It's the least I can do. Please?"

"You idiot. I'll do it, but only because you need some making up to do." the bassist's voice was practically dripping with a stifled smile, her words slightly quivering.

"Sure, Mio. So it's a deal! I'll pick you up around two or something, okay? I'm dead tired right now so I'd like to sleep in a little. Yeah? Okay." Ritsu rolled back onto her stomach, smiling as she heard Mio's mood recover to normal again. "Yep, will do. You too, goodnight!"

Closing her phone and tossing it aside, Ritsu could only grin even goofier - for no reason at all, it seemed - as she crawled underneath the warm covers and dreamt of guitars and harmonics and drums and synchronized heartbeats.
=====

=====
A/n: hope you liked it! Leave me a review!
=====

=====
Disclaimer: I do not own K-ON!
=====