Never Expect

Today is the day when all the training will be put into real performance. By the way, this will be the first and last performance of this band. At least, I can know how they feel when standing in front of many people on stage. Before our performance, Asahi-san gave a big speech.

“Today will be our first and last assembly. Thank you for joining my nonsense idea, especially you, Takahashi-san,” said Asahi-san while bowing toward me.

“No! All of this is because of your idea. I am just the person who tries to support that.”

I am just grateful that I can perform with them.

“Ken, how is your singing voice?” ask Miyama-san.

“In great condition!”

Now is our turn to make the performance. We have prepared two songs to perform today. All the audience seemed satisfied with all the songs that we performed. As I sing, I feel so happy. How can I forget this feeling for so long? Music is the best! Yuka, look! I am singing in front of many people once again! Do you see me right now? I hope you can enjoy my performance there. I promise I will treasure this feeling and never forget it again.

“Takahashi-san! Do you still remember our promise?” ask Miyama-san after our band’s performance.

“Yes. By the way, what is it that you want me to do?”

She never replied to me but her mysterious smile got me thinking that she was trying to make me do something dangerous.

Her piano skill is undeniable. Her unwavering focus on her performance causes the audience to keep quiet and enjoy the performance. Right. Back to my situation. I said that the audience is not making any noises during Miyama-san’s performance. Not until something weird happens on the stage. That is me wearing a bear costume while holding a pluck of rose. All the audience suddenly laughed because of my appearance.

“Miyama-san, sorry but how dare you make me wear this costume on the stage?” I asked directly after her performance ended.

“Don't worry about it! Audiences are very satisfied with your appearance,” said Miyama-san.

“Not me though.”

“This is because my boyfriend likes that character. And thanks to that, my performance is a success. Thank you, Takahashi-san!” said Miyama-san.

“As long as you are fine with it.”

I never thought my darkest nightmare would happen to me this soon. A week after our band’s performance, videos of our performance are already circulating on the internet. When I just arrived at my home, I can hear dad already calling my name. As I enter the house, with his loud voice, “Ken! Come to the dining table right now!”

“What is it dad?”

“Can you see what is on the table right now?”

In front of my eye is a tablet that is playing my performance last week. I never thought this would go viral. Once again, I forgot that I am the son of a famous surgeon in Japan.

“It's just that time. I will never involve myself in that kind of activity again after that.”

“Don’t you lie to me! I know you will continue this kind of behaviour! I send you to school so that you can become useful in this society. What will you gain with this nonsense idea? You know that I hate it so much when you don’t put your effort in studies?”

“But I already place in the top three every year! Is this still not enough? I also want to enjoy my youth while I can,” I voice my own opinion in the hope that dad will understand. But all of this is useless.

“Youth? You never know how this world is working. With that mindset, you will never succeed in your life. Right now, I want you to throw away any unrelated things in your room. You don't know how I feel when my colleague shows me this video. They say that I don't teach my son properly. Meanwhile, my son never learns from his mistakes. If you ever do this kind of thing again in the future, you will be kicked out from this house immediately,” said dad.

“But-”

“I don't want to hear any excuses from you again. Just study. Only that matters,” warn dad.

Damn! How should I do this?