Palette! And Shades

Chapter 1. Prevail High!

[I’m in trouble. I don’t know where I should sign up. Why did they make joining a club mandatory? Kyaaaaaaaaa >_

[Why don’t we join the famous glee club then?]

[I wouldn’t think of it. Blimey. The members are too talented and only the best are accepted there!]

Suzuka tried evading as many people as possible because the talk of the town- nay- the school had been talking about the glee club since she entered the school- and it sure hurt her ears. She was at the school to become the rival of Nazarene, the main vocalist of the band she used to be a member of- and it felt like she was already defeated at that level. Suzuka tried to search for the person on the train- whose name she’s already forgotten because of the thrill and nerves that were making her sick to even stand. She found an empty seat near the exit and planted her butt there, still searching for familiar faces- but recognized no one.

Special numbers from different clubs had passed by without anyone listening because of their anticipation for the Glee Club- for Naza’s band; and Suzuka had been wondering all those times whether she could potentially search for the person on the train. She couldn’t forget the way she smiled as she hummed and listened to music and the feeling her presence gave her.

“ARE YOU ALL READY?”

A shout from the stage startled her- it was from the voice of the host who was overly excited to see them perform. Everyone in that auditorium stood up, with the majority holding light sticks and banners in support of the group. Suddenly, all the lights on the auditorium died- even the light sticks [as their tradition, fans only turn it on once the music starts]- the lights from the stage gave luminance to the silhouette figures standing there with monster presence- the presence of idols- of performers, and it felt like Suzuka was being eaten alive as she was shaking heavily, and somehow it felt like the AC was colder. Flickering lights of different colors, together with the heartbeat sound effects as the countdown started to overwhelm everyone – then the music started.

Overkill.

They were performing the song that gave them the victory last summer- the best highschool band in their country- and their performance was out of anyone’s league since it can already surpass that of a pro’s.

The arrangement made everyone gasp because of the astonishment- it was for a concert. The person on the drums- Satori, was the son of a proclaimed drummer- and he already had a fan club consisting of girls at the school and outsiders as well because he really was the dream boy everyone would love. His hair was dark blue and his eyes were like the cold night- and there was a rumor that just looking at him can make people shiver because of the coldness he projects.

The other member on the keyboard was named Light, and he sure lives up to his name. His presence was so huge on stage because he was the most handsome of them all [in my opinion]. His smooth-looking silver hair and golden eyes were so warm and friendly that every girl in the school loved him. It was like he made the music room his territory by playing the piano there where the girls would look at the glass that separated them and crumble because of his beautiful sound- however, as Satori was a playboy, Light had an unrequited love for the girl on the bass- Hope. She was as beautiful as a flower- her skin was porcelain-like without a stain or even a freckle. Her long straight hair, which she dyed red made her look ethereal especially with her moon-colored eyes that semmed to be twinkling like the stars in the sky as she was performing. Kuu, the guy on the guitar, was cute and cuddly and friendly but for some reason, he always wears hoodies and glasses won't be separated with him whenever he performs. He has blonde hair and emerald eyes--and he looks mature but once he gets close to someone, he’s really attached to them and clings like a child.

On the violin was Josef, a handsome red-haired prodigy with brown eyes. Kuu and him are cousins and childhood friends and we can say that they are also partners in crime.

On the flute was Abcde- yes, that was his name- it’s spelled ABCDE and pronounced as [abs ce dee] but because of the confusing name, everyone calls him Dee. He has green eyes and jet black hair that might sound ordinary, but it really looked so good with his appearance.

There were three people on the sides- the back-up singers- and there Nazarene stood, smiling so wide- so happily while she sang- and that was the reason why Suzuka never wanted to join their band-

--it was because if she did, she would also be stuck on the back-ups like her- like the person she greatly admired. Her contented face irritated Suzuka to the point that she wanted to leave- but shewknew that what she felt was more of a pain than disgust.

It was true that the vocalist, Yume- was very talented and she is already looking like an idol. She has albinism so she can't really spend that much time in the sun, that's why she is exempted in the PE classes as a merit for her excellence. She conveys lyrics with perfect emotions and everything; but Suzuka couldn’t accept that her idol, the figure that started her dreams, whom she sang for was content in her place- behind the spotlight.

“Please join Prevail High! We conduct auditions yearly for the freshmen! We will wait for you at-“

Suzuka left. She wasn’t able to bear to look at Nazarene, so she instead checked her own section and went to her classroom. Glee club has three bands- one each per year and the Prevail High [name of band] was the long standing and the selected students from the three bands.

___________

[Come audition for Freshmen band and have a chance to perform with us! Come next Monday, June 23, xxxx 1 pm. Prepare your acts! See you!]

Annoying. Akuji thought and left the venue as one of Prevail High’s managers handed leaflets to the people leaving the gymnasium. Indeed, it was obvious that it was the performance that could beat even the pros but somehow, she wasn't interested.

To her, the band looked like a bunch of individuals that are too passionate it suffocates her.

So that is how you perform a happy song. She thought about it and went to her own class after throwing away the leaflet she just received. It wasn’t really a surprise to realize that she was already gathering attention because of her appearance, but she had her music on her ears so she didn’t really care. She entered the room and sat on the last chair in the middle. There were about fifteen people sitting there, getting to know each other but she just leaned on her desk and waited for the homeroom teacher.

>Next]

The people disappeared again as she listened to her favorite song, titled Saturn – but the bell rang just in time for the most painful part of the song- and she was left wondering how it would hurt her if she was able to listen to the most painful part of the song.

“It's an adjustment period for two weeks so we will just get to know each other for now.” Their homeroom teacher said and talked to some students. Akuji plugged her earphones and leaned to her table. However, her appearance made her stand out that sooner or later, she heared someone approach her. “You are Akuji, right?”

“Yes sir.” The teacher was the one who approached Akuji but he was the one who flinched at her appearance. “You can call me Mr. Fukunaga. I’m your homeroom teacher and club adviser.”

“Nice to meet you sir.” Akuji said calmly as she removed her earphones, trying to dismiss the fact that her teacher was eyeing her scarily.

“S-sorry about that. Yelda said she failed to inform you but we meet every Monday and Friday after school hours. Will you be able to attend later?” Fukunaga asked. Akuji looked at him with her usual lifeless eyes and smiled.

“Please expect me later.” Akuji said and plugged the earphone again in her ears to not hear others anymore. Fukunaga, the fine, young teacher left, thinking what's up with her eeriness. The girls were glaring at Akuji- and that was why she had to cut off their conversation.

In that room, she was the only one who wasn't socializing because she can read people like books through their body language and she knew very well that some were faking themselves and she wasn’t planning to associate herself with those kinds of people.

I’d rather be alone.

Meanwhile, Suzuka’s class was full of personalities she wasn’t able to grasp. As a cheerful person, she already formed her own circle of friends- but almost everyone in her class was absorbed by the band and was planning to audition.

“How about you Suzuka? You’ll audition, right?” Shiro asked her as she pondered and leaned against her table. She already made plans about her life but Shiro, having been her batchmate in her previous school knew about her and by a pure chance of coincidence, they were in the same class.

“I’m thinking about it.” Suzuka kindly answered.

“Did you see Naza a while ago?” Shiro asked again and Suzuka flinched at the sound of her name.

“You- Why are you calling her Naza? Do you know her?” Camie, their new friend from the province asked, astounded by the casual endearment Shiro used.

“Oh, not really- but she was the main vocalist of my previous school’s official band and Suzuka here used to be in that band as well.”

“Really? You are amazing! What is your position- er- I mean- are you a vocalist- instrumentalist..?"

“She was a-“

[bell rings]

“Let’s hurry now.” Suzuka stood up and packed her things as the others were dumbstruck and curious about her association with Nazarene. They transferred to the next room and got ready for the next subject but found out later on that they’d be having mixed classes with the other section. The room where they evacuated was like a hall because it was huge and spacious but dim due to the fact that it was the Audio-Visual Room. Suzuka looked around, thankful for the friendly hand that grabbed her so she wouldn't get lost. It was Shiro and behind her were the others, lurking around as they searched for the best spot.

[countdown starts. 3… 2… 1… 0…]

“What the hell is that?” Voices from the back clamored as the huge screen lit up.

Ah, another boring orientation.

And that was right. The students, having known that they wouldn't be seen, slept silently because of the cold atmosphere. Suzuka tried to keep herself listening but she couldn’t even if all her friends were already sound asleep.

______

[That sure is a nice sleep!]

[I know right!]

On that hallway, the three girls, Suzuka, Shiro, and Cammie walked while they yawned and longed for another cold sleep. They got past the public bulletin board when Suzuka stopped and stared at it.

“Hey Suzu, what are you doing there- gazing at the section appointments when you already know yours?” Camie approached her and gave her a friendly hug from the back.

“Oh, nothing. I was trying to recall a name I have forgotten.” Suzuki replied and continued searching.

“What’s the impression you had of that name?” Shiro in turn asked as they all now looked into the papers posted.

“It’s somehow unusual, and she has green eyes and beautiful curly hair.” Suzuka replied but did not look at her because she concentrated on finding the name. Shiro and Camie also looked for unusual names and one caught their attention.

“Hey, is Akuji Nerezza the name you were looking for?” Shiro asked as she pointed out her finger onto the name placed at number twenty-five at Class A. “That’s a strange name. it’s as if it’s fake.”

“Huh- why? What are you talking about?” Camie asked, too surprised that she dropped the milkshake she was drinking.

“Akuji Nerezza means-“

“Neither dead nor alive. Why did I hear my name?” A familiar figure stood from their back and the pressure from her stare was too intense they hesitated to turn and look at her. Sensing that they were just doubtful of her name, Akuji tried to smile at them, “either way, nice to meet you. Bye.”

Her footsteps drifted away from them, and when they were sure that she was out of sight, the three of them gasped for breath and held each other’s arms.

What the hell happened?

“T-that’s scary. For a second, her presence almost engulfed my entire being kyahhh!” Shiro said as Camie started shaking as she collapsed on Shiro’s arms whose eyes went wide like Suzuka.

“h-h-her t-talking v-voice is beautiful.” Suzuka said between her dying breath. “I-I can imagine her singing- she must be good.”

“Her voice is sad, I think.” Shiro said, trying to regain her composure and looked at the trail that Akuji took. “Suzuka, you haven’t really changed, haven’t you?” She really has sharp ears.

“Yep. I guess.”

“What do you mean? Were you bandmates before or something?” Camie asked and panted heavily, trying to relax from what she just happened as the two suddenly made her feel like she was out of her league.

“We both admired the same person.” Shiro said and smiled at her in return.

“B-by any chance, was she Nazarene?” Camie asked again and regained her composure. “You were talking about her just a while ago.”

“Yep. It was Nazarene.” Suzuka said and closed her eyes as she smiled. “You see, both of us were choir members in our elementary days and Nazarene always gets to sing the solo part. When we became high school, Nazarene turned her back from the choir world and became a band vocalist- which she obviously rocked. I went and joined that band as well, as a back-up vocalist while Shiro remained in the choir.”

“Yep, with the two of you gone, I became the soloist. Nyeheheh.” Shiro said and laughed triumphantly. “We were both very disappointed to see that the person who we looked up to settled on the back of the spotlight- I mean I have no grudge with being back-up, but she- having that great voice and presence- We know and believe deep in our hearts that she deserve the position of main vocalist.”

“Amazing. You both are amazing! I wish I had the kind of passion you both have.” Camie said and looked down as she clenched her fist. “Say, what do you think of auditioning for the band?”

“W-what are you saying?”

“I mean- the main band is made up of people selected by the best people from every year level, and if you dominate the positions, you might as well place Naza where she belongs.” Camie whispered shyly. Just then, the other two placed their hands on her shoulder and smiled. Camie looked up to see burning determination from them.

“I didn’t know that you were such a genius.” Suzuka said and laughed. “Meaning to say, we just have to replace everyone in that band?”

“Brilliant.” Shiro nodded in agreement. "I see."

“That’s impossible though, let’s just stick to the freshmen band and defeat them all.” Suzuka said and Shiro laughed, making Camie afraid of them.

______________________

“Thank you for coming! See you on Friday!” Yelda spoke and waved her hand to the club members as they left their room. Akuji, on the other hand, was just leaving because she was bombarded with too many questions by the other members as to her hair if it was natural, as to her eyes, as to her covering her own face with his hair. Needless to say, she was annoyed and wanted to quit immediately to stop hearing their stories.

“Goodbye Aku-chan!” Yelda said and locked the room.

Who gave you the permission to give me a nickname?

Akuji waved at her and just left to go straight to the stairs since she found an interesting room on the fourth floor of their school building. She looked around and listened to know if someone was tailing her, and to her relief, there wasn’t a single sound since it has already been an hour since the classes ended. She climbed up the stairs and reached the old room [which had the sign- MUSIC ROOM] and looked at the lonely piano through the dirty glass- and her eyes were suddenly filled with tears and appreciation for the white piano that seemed to have the yearning to be played. She then opened the creaky door and approached the piano- then touched it. Surge of emotions filled her as she looked at the cabinet where the music sheets were kept. A certain sheet got her attention and she took it, removed the dust- then sat down on the piano seat. Opening her bag, she took out a straight wig that can extend up to her waist and wore it. She removed the dusty cover that they wrapped onto the piano and blew on the keys [due to the dust and cobwebs].

It was a dirty room but not a dim one because there was a huge window that showed the sun as it was setting. The curtain that was supposed to have been hung there was removed and it was on the floor, so dirty that taking it would’ve meant instant sneezing. The sunshine didn't reach the piano and the player- which was good- and it had the atmosphere of a vintage attic- with the smell of old papers.

Akuji flipped the page and started playing with utmost gentleness. It was one of her favorite songs- the music she had been listening to- Nuvole Bianche.

The sounds she made reverberated in the room with a mysterious, melancholic, and yearning sound- and all the notes she implanted on the keys sounded lonely- but her eyes were happy for having been able to play music on the piano.

She closed her eyes and let herself be engulfed by the music she was creating. Suddenly, colors started emerging from the keys which she pressed- and they all surrounded the abandoned room, making it look colorful.

Synesthesia

Akuji just watched the circle-shaped colors and smiled as she appreciated their beauty. She even failed to notice the tears that had been streaming down her cheeks as she played because she was too concentrated on pouring her all into her playing. She closed her eyes and tried to understand what she was feeling- if she was happy or sad.

However, every music has an ending- and hers was a beautiful one. Just as she played the last note, she opened her eyes and smiled at herself- then at the beautiful piano to which she mentioned- You are beautiful.

She stood up and approached the cabinet to return the sheet but-

“Incredible. Out-of-tune piano has a beautiful charm on it. Don’t you think so?”

Akuji flinched and dropped the sheet on the floor. I-I w-was sure that… that… no one f-followed m-me.

“Sorry for the intrusion.” The person said and approached Akuji, handing her the sheet on the floor. She just stood there, eyes widened and shaking to her core- wondering what she should have done, wondering why she failed to hear the person. “I just heard the playing of the piano from the music room downstairs.”

It’s okay… it’s okay. I’m wearing my wig. I’ll be fine. The person doesn’t know who I am. Calm… down… he won’t see me…. He won’t look at me with disgust.

“Yes. The piano is very charming, and sad.” Akuji replied and she reached her name plate- and she remembered that she already removed it before coming to her club.

“I wouldn’t call it sad though- well, before, it was, but now, with you there playing it, it’s happy now.” The person said and Akuji faced the piano and went there, leaving the person standing. “I suppose you don’t know who I am, but I’m from Prevail High. I’m Kuu, by the way ^____^ Class B.”

Akuji watched as he sat down at the chair in front of the piano opposite to her. “So, stranger playing the piano, care to tell me your name?”

Akuji stared at him for the first time, and a pair of emerald eyes stared right back at her. Despite having been able to read other people’s minds through their actions, the person in front of her seemed to be unreadable- unfathomable.

“I am- Anonymous...” Akuji answered and averted her eyes from him, afraid of having the conversation last longer, wanting Kuu to leave her alone as soon as possible because social interactions were killing her, making her want to throw up.

“What an interesting name.” Kuu said, eyeing her expressionless face- nay- figure against the sun. “Nice to meet you, Anonymous. I’m Unknown [=>_<=]”

“You just told me that your name was Kuu. And by the way, does the sound here really reach the second floor [where the new music room was located]?” Akuji [Anonymous] answered with an expressionless face.

“Amazing. Your eyes are scary. So cold [huhu]” Kuu said and hugged himself as Akuji [Anonymous] eyed him. “LOL. No it isn’t but we were on break and I was supposed to go to the toilet when I heard a frail tune. I was lucky because I went out- because if I didn’t get out from the music room downstairs, I wouldn’t be able to listen to you playing kyaaaaa your sound is- nah, never mind.”

“Ah,” was what Akuji just said because she was astounded by his loquaciousness. To her surprise, Kuu leapt to her side, which made her back-off, and he started playing what Akuji just played.

“You were playing Ludovico Enaudi’s Nuvole, right?” Kuu said and played. “Your sound- the way you played it was wonderfully sad I almost shed a tear.”

“Don’t just go commenting about other people’s sounds.” Akuji whispered and started taking her bag from the side to leave- however, Kuu prevented her from doing so by holding the end of the sleeve of her uniform.

“You really are leaving now?” Kuu said while pouting. He eventually let go of her sleeve as he saw the look Akuji had on her face. She was expressionless. Again. “By the way, are you planning to audition for the band?”

Akuji looked at him in an instant and smiled in a disturbing way. “What makes you think that I am a musician?”

“Who knows. But based on your talking voice, somehow, I just know.” Kuu answered and played the piano while Akuji left the room, running for her life. He wanted to make her stay so she could listen, but sooner or later, she was already out of the building, and Kuu could only stare at her as she was seen from the window, going home. “Ha. Incredible.”

Kuu closed the lid of the piano and left the room with a smile on his face. A certain image of someone flooded his thoughts as he came back to the new music room.

“Where’d you gone to?” Satori asked him as he hit his shoulders lightly.

“Pissed off.” Kuu just smiled and went to his electric guitar. “Ahhh! I’m super looking forward to the audition on Monday!”

Everyone in that room looked at him- as they all were looking forward to having new club members they can spar against. They all continued their practice with nasty grins on their faces.