Chapter 4

When I finally reached the cramped room, Mr. Ren was there. Our teacher and conductor. And also Sage, a boy who was also in last year. And in addition, pretty popular among the girls, too.

“Hello, Himari. I was worried no one else would come today, on the first day of orchestra, and school, haha,” he greeted from his wooden desk, chuckling a little. I knew it was forced.

“Hi,” I did my best to smile back, even when I was totally out of breath.

I sat down and got out my violin.

“Okay, so while Himari is getting out her instrument, I want to introduce the new piece we are going to play. Unfortunately, you two are the only ones in this orchestra, as of now.”

I had to admit, I was quite surprised hearing this. I’m pretty sure Sage was, too, because there were at least ten people in the orchestra last year, and that means all eight just left. For some reason, I felt really bad for Mr. Ren when he said this. 

“Yes, it’s a shame, but it’s okay. Alright! Here they are. The piece is called ‘Mother and Daughter’, I’m sure you’ll get that feeling when you hear, or play it,” Mr. Ren says, smiling as he hands out the sheets. “This isn’t the easiest, but no worries, I’m sure both of you will be able to handle it, since it’s still very short,”

“Okay,” Sage replied, taking a look at the piece.

“This piece will also include me on the piano, that old, out of tune one, but I’m sure it’ll be fine!”

I did a quick tune to see if my violin actually sounded right. Okay. I also just realized that since there’s only the two of us here in this whole orchestra, there’s gonna be a lot of solo parts for me, or at least when I have to play some measures in front of these two skilled people by myself during lessons and rehearsals. I felt really overwhelmed thinking that, but after a moment I calmed down. 

“Why don’t we give it a go, just for a ‘getting to know’ type of thing, now that Himari has her instrument out? I’ll just conduct for now, since this is the first time, so Himari, you know what to do after I count three,” 

I nod, because the piece actually starts with Mr. Ren for the first few measures, and then I come in.

“One, two, and!”

I move my wrist and my bow, trying to make the starting sound as smooth and soft as possible, because it was marked mp(soft.) All the notes were ones I knew, so that was fine, but the last one was a higher note than all the others in that measure, so I was a bit surprised to see it. I was still ready, though, so I was able to play it, additionally adding a little bit of vibrato too, at that note. And also being aware of Mr. Ren’s baton and keeping in pace. It also said to repeat, so I repeated the same thing again once more, then after that Sage joined in. While Sage was playing, I had a p bowed tremolo(going really quickly back and forth on the same note.) After Sage played his first part, I realized I started to really like this piece. It sounded calming, but also a little somber, too. I think I have a thing for these kinds of pieces. Then after Sage finished his “solo” part, I joined him, playing a slightly different melody. After that part, there was another sort of melody that started, and I was playing it, while Sage played sort of like a second violin part where it’s supporting the melody. Mr. Ren’s baton was also still going, which meant I also had to keep going, too. I bet he didn’t expect to see us completing the whole song on the day we got the piece. 

Okay. I was joking, alright? It’s been a couple years of violin for me. I think about six or seven, because I started when I was about three, from my mom. Then I met Emi, because Mom said I’d be better off with her. I didn’t know what she meant, because she was the one who taught me at least the basic stuff from the start. I guess she didn’t really like the violin. After that second melody part, Mr. Ren stopped us. 

“That’s enough for now,” he said.

“But we were doing so well!” I found myself complaining, for some reason. But it was true, we were about to get through the whole piece and didn’t make any errors.

“Yes, you were! I was so surprised to see you guys were almost done with the piece so quickly!” Mr. Ren replied cheerfully.

“Did you make this piece, Mr. Ren?” Sage asked. 

I was also about to ask that question.

“No, no! I just adjusted some things to make it better and easier for just a violin and a viola, that’s all,” 

“I think your adjustments made the piece better, even though I don’t know what the actual one sounds like,” I add.

Mr. Ren chuckled. “Why, thank you, Himari. Anyway, I stopped you guys because the period’s ending in a minute. We’ll properly practice Monday and probably even finish the piece then! I also have another piece for you guys, so I’ll also share that the next time we meet! Thank you, both of you.”

Then the bell rang.

For third period, I had Science, and we did the exact same thing like during S.S. The teacher talked about what we’re gonna do and labs and lab rules and stuff like that. Today’s just an orientation, anyway. I also just realized then that Mika still hasn’t come back to her classes. Taking a wild guess, she probably went to the office and asked the teacher if she could change either her or Kay’s group letter. The office sometimes lets you do that if it’s some sort of an emergency, but I know they’d let Mika do it, since she is well loved by the whole school. And the office and that whole counsel thing loves her the most, since she’s showing “positive energy” every time and helps anyone in need. Even though she’s nosy all the time, she is a pretty extroverted, outgoing person, always looking out to help others. I guess even though I don’t consider being that person, I still admire them at least a little. 

After third period, I took my time at my locker getting my Language Arts, Math, and Health stuff. Mika instantly saw me, and ran over to my locker. 

“Himari! Himari! You won’t believe what happened! I went to the office and asked if I could be in Group B instead, and they said yes!!!” Mika’s hands were on her face and she was squealing. “Sorry for changing it, but it was my only chance, okay???” 

When I finished zipping my backpack, I asked, “So you like Kay better than Akuneme?” because I was genuinely interested in that whole situation. 

“No, no!!! I just thought Kay would be sad to be separated from all of us, that’s why!” she quickly replied.

“I think I would be sad if I was in that situation,” 

Huh. That’s why. 

I replied with an “Okay.” Mika then tells me to bring Akuneme while she brings Kay. I walk over to his locker, a little towards the end of the row of the lockers. 

“Hey,” I say. “Mika told me to get you to go to the cafeteria with us.”

Akuneme put on a rather surprised face as he said, “How did you know my locker was here?”

“Because I saw you go to your locker, that’s why,” I replied. “Now come for lunch, Mika wants us to go together.”

He said nothing and followed me until we met Mika and Kay. 

“Man, I’m starving!” Mika groaned.

Oh, right. I almost forgot I had to go to art to tell the teacher I had Orchestra. I couldn’t just go without at least telling her.

“I forgot I have to go to Art. You guys go on without me. I just have to tell her I’m here.” I say, and fast walk back to where the classrooms are. 

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