Glass Half Empty

RIKU

“A songwriting competition,” Yuuji said in a way that even the world’s shittiest phone speaker could hear.

Riku simply said one thing in response. “Explain.”

“Yesterday, you seemed needlessly judgmental of Miss Kagayaki’s career path. You thought she betrayed you. You could have congratulated her. Instead, rather arrogantly, you dragged her down... as if to pull her to the same level as you.” He let that hang in the air. "I'm afraid to tell you, Riku-kun... she’s not, and never will be, at your level.”

“I don’t see how my opinion of the industry leads into the logic of this competition.”

“It’s clear you have no idea the amount of blood, sweat, and tears… no, the amount of singularly concentrated effort it takes to become the top of the top. So I propose, since it’s such a lowly thing to accomplish, that you do the same as her. Let's see if the critic can actually create. Let's see you pick up the pen… and write.”

“Why are we talking about this as if she’d already consent—”

“I consent, Riku.”

Riku’s head snapped toward Kagayaki.

She wouldn't meet his eyes.

Yuuji smiled. “You claim to know Miss Kagayaki by virtue of being her childhood friend. I claim that in the seven years since she left your company, she’s changed her outlook and grown as a person. Probably because you’d just pull her down rather than encourage her to pursue her dreams.”

“I…”

Was that the reason, deep down? Riku thought, his mind reeling. I just wanted to not see her become a corporate spokesperson. But… was that simply a cover for what I truly felt? Seeing her become successful while I… remained here?

His hands started to shake.

Produce K-Pop? Once upon a time, his childhood dream was to become a producer. Even before Naomi started to pivot toward that direction.

But with what? he thought. My seven-year-old laptop? My cracked software? I couldn’t ask Mom for money. We were left with so little cash after all the living expenses.

And then the real reason hit him.

His mind flashed back to the months after Naomi left.

"Hey look! He’s the guy who drove Naomi away."

"Riku's so creepy and quiet, no wonder..."

“Get away from me, you pig!!”

Riku was reminded again and again that it was his fault that Naomi left the school.

He tried to write music then, to pour it all out. Everything he did sounded like garbage.

Everything he embodied was garbage.

Eventually, he learned to block out those feelings by simply being a loner.

With Naomi back, he realized that the wound didn’t heal; it merely dulled, and the pus still lingered.

Hana, sitting next to him, saw his hands shaking. “Riku, don't. He’s just goading you. Say no.”

Riku was going to. He was going to say no, get up, and walk out.

He looked at Naomi.

She wasn't looking at him with pity.

Naomi looked... scared.

Then it hit him. I was comfortable being the villain yesterday because my actions weren’t strictly for my sake.

It was for Naomi.

With a newfound clarity, Riku straightened his back and looked at Yuuji's smug, punchable face.

“You’re on.”

“Hahahaha!” Yuuji’s laugh was very loud. “Haha! Haha… Ha…”

Yuuji stared at him incredulously.

“Wait, are you serious?”

“Sure am.”

“Riku…” Kagayaki whispered. “Perhaps the severity of your situation is not clear enough to you. Yuuji writes his own music as well. He’s also reached the top 10 charts three consecutive releases in a row.”

“You measure quality by whether music gets played on the radio?”

Some people in the crowd were very audible about their reaction. “DAMMNNN!!!”

“Okie dokie, smart Alek,” Yuuji drawled. “Since you are so sure you can do a good job… This time next week, we will present some backing tracks worthy of housing Miss Kagayaki’s voice.”

Yuuji extended a hand.

“Shake on it?”

“Done.”

Not much happened after they shook hands.

It was study time once Satomi-sensei entered the class, and in Satomi-sensei’s limited power, she’d ensure no further drama would get in the way of learning.

Neither Riku nor Naomi could look at each other for the day’s remainder.

\\

KAGAYAKI

The city lights passed in a blur as Naomi’s personal car sped past.

The scene from this morning played out on her phone.

Why couldn't Riku say no?

Naomi could use a curry katsu don with some pickles right about now. Ugh, what was she saying? It’d break her diet plan.

“Does the fridge have milk?”

Her assistant, Yumi—a woman who looked like she’d been mainlining espresso for a decade—deadpanned her.

“Does the pope believe in Jesus?”

“Does he?”

“I’m offended you’d think for a second I’d forget your precious milk.”

“Just… checking.” Naomi quickly opened the fridge and grabbed a milk carton, pouring her wine glass till half-full.

“Okay, you never pour your wine glass half full—what’s going on, Naomi? How does one boy have a chokehold over your life? Do you have any ounce of self-respect?”

“Some might say I have too much.”

“Stop dodging the question.”

“I committed to this career because of him.”

…

“Oh.”

“And I am putting him through a public humiliation ritual because I am a sadistic, soulless husk of a human being.”

Why couldn’t she just act like Naomi in front of Riku? Why did she feel safest behind the mask of Miss Kagayaki? It wasn’t that she felt Riku would harm her…

“But he’s a musician himself, right?” Yumi continued. “I mean, if you’ve seen those photos online of him practicing...”

“Of course I’ve seen those photos of him. I have nothing else going on in my life.”

And she’d never admit how those photos of him made her heart skip a beat…

“I don’t know much about his financial situation now…” Naomi continued, “but back when we were younger, I had to share my food with him because he couldn’t afford to buy anything from the cafeteria. Sometimes, if the cafeteria had extra, he’d be handed rice and soya sauce for free.”

“Did his mom give him a packed lunch?”

“His mom worked the graveyard shift. His dad's dead.”

…

“Oh.”

“Yeeep.”

The two travelled back from school in silence.

\\\\\

Sunburst Group posted at 9:00 p.m. on Grapevine Social:

“What an electrifying second day of events at Nagoya High! Drama was aplenty today, and Riku never missed a chance to ensure that sparks flew!

Vote below to see who you think Miss Kagayaki will end up with! Who’s been your favorite so far?!

#TeamYuuji: 74%

#TeamRiku: 26%