The After-Party

I groaned as I woke up to the sound of my phone. Groggily, I checked the time and saw that it hadn't even turned 07:00 yet.

Who the heck wakes up this early?

I opened up the app and saw that it was Iwasaki that had disturbed my slumber.

Okay, all is forgiven!

But seriously though, I wouldn't have pegged her as an early riser. I yawned loudly as I reread her message.

“Did you want to meet up at school early today, to get the clubroom ready?”

It wasn't a bad plan, honestly. It'd give us ample time to set up the decorations before the others arrived. I was already looking forward to seeing the surprised looks on their faces. I typed back my answer, and hastily got dressed.

I grabbed a quick snack in place of breakfast, and made for the front door. I gave a small wave to Hikari as she shuffled out of her room into the hall, still in her pajamas.

“What's got you all worked up?” She yawned loudly as I passed.

“Sorry, can't talk! I've gotta do some things for my club this morning.”

“Uh-huh. Sure, sure,” she was barely listening as she trudged off towards the kitchen.

I spotted Iwasaki as I reached the school gates. She had a plastic bag hanging loosely from her wrist and was carrying a large box in her hands. It looked like she was struggling to balance it all.

“Ah, let me,” I said, taking the box from her.

“Oh, thanks Tachi-kun!”

We made our way up to the clubroom, and I gently laid the cake box down onto the table.

“Phew,” I said, lifting the lid, “I'm still surprised by just how heavy this thing is. You carried all these here on your own?”

“Yeah, it wasn't easy.”

“You should have said so, I'd have come to help.”

“Thanks,” she smiled, “that's sweet of you.”

It didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would to set up all the decorations. I took another look around the clubroom at our handiwork. All in all, I was impressed with just how much of a difference throwing up a banner and a few party streamers made. The sea of balloons scattered around the floor added the final touches.

“This is perfect!” Iwasaki beamed.

One by one, the other members entered the clubroom. Nakamura was first, and she seemed stunned by the room's transformation. Her head still remained tilted towards the ceiling by the time Shinohara arrived. He made an audible ‘wow’ while looking around, but then immediately made a beeline towards the cake. The last to arrive was Inaba, whose reaction surprised me the most. Her eyes were welling up, like the sight of it all had deeply moved her. Once she had confirmed that we were all present, she cleared her throat and said that she had a little something to say. Everyone paused what they were doing and turned to face her. I couldn't help but notice just how serious she looked.

“As you probably know already, I'm in my last year. In just a few months time, I'll have graduated.”

The room was silent as we listened to her speech. I could tell that this was something very important that she had been wanting to get off her chest.

“Only last year, I was still the youngest member of the Light Music Club when my senpai all graduated, leaving me to take the position of club president. I didn't think I'd ever be able to fill their shoes. I was sure the club was done for good. But then, one by one, each of you joined, and I couldn't be prouder of the family we've made here. I'm confident that when I'm gone, the club will be left in good hands, so... I'd like to just say thanks to all of you, all of my dear friends.”

She gave a small bow to signify the end of her speech.

It was hard to listen to what was essentially her goodbyes. It hadn't even felt like I'd known her for all that long. For Iwasaki and Shinohara, who had known her much longer than I had, it must have been especially tough to hear. I glanced over towards them and confirmed my suspicions. There were fresh tears forming in Iwasaki's eyes, though she maintained a hopeful smile on her face. Shinohara, on the other hand, looked like he was barely keeping it together. His fists were clenched tight as he glared frustratingly down at his feet. Before I knew it, he had barged past us and stormed out of the room, the door slamming shut behind him. Even from him, I wasn't expecting that kind of reaction.

The rest of us that were left looked awkwardly back and forth at each other. Inaba was at a loss for words.

“What was that all about?” Nakamura muttered.

“Maybe someone should go check on him?” Suggested Iwasaki.

“I'll go,” I volunteered.

The others nodded as I followed Shinohara and made my way over to the door. I had no idea what had made him take off like that. He wasn't the type to let things get to him so easily. His outburst was completely out of character for him. I may not have known what was running through his mind, but I at least had an idea for where he'd head to. I made a sharp left and took the stairs up towards the school roof.

My theory turned out to be right on the mark. I found him outside on the roof, huddled up against the chain link fence with his face buried in his knees.

“H-hey, Shinohara,” I called out.

“Why’d you follow me?” He answered without looking up.

“My best friend is upset and you think I'd not be worried about him?”

I plopped down beside him.

“So…what's up?”

He sighed in response, but he finally gave in and looked up to face me. His voice was a little shaky as he spoke.

“Want to know why I even joined the club in the first place? It’s because Inaba-senpai was in it.”

My eyes widened in surprise, “are you saying… that you like her?”

“Not at first, hell I'd say I probably hated her. When I first met her, she got on my case for playing truant. I remember thinking to myself, ‘what's she got to prove, acting all stuck up all the time?’ But as we crossed paths more and more, I started to take notice of just how lonely she looked. When I found out she was the only member of her club, I joined out of pity. For a while, it was just me and her. We butted heads a bunch, but I started enjoying being around her. Before I knew it, I even started to like her.”

“But you haven't told her how you feel?”

“Nah, I know she doesn't feel the same way about me. If I said anything to her now, it'd just break the group apart. I couldn't do that.”

“But she isn't going to be a club member once she graduates, it wouldn't ruin anything.”

“Heh. I know, I know. But by now it feels like I've gone and left it too late. I'm hopeless,” he smiled sadly, “nah, it’s fine. I buried my feelings for her a long time ago. I thought that I'd accepted that I'd only have til the end of the year with her, but hearing her actually saying goodbye made it all feel real, yanno?”

“Yeah, I get it…”

We sat there in silence for a while, until Shinohara suddenly sprung up to leave.

“Welp, we should probably get back. Don't worry about me, seriously. I've calmed down now.”

He patted me on the back reassuringly before making a move towards the door.

“Just do me a favour, Ren. Don't keep your feelings bottled up like I did. I don't want you to feel the same regrets for not telling the one you love how you feel.”

I answered with a slight nod.

I had no idea that he had been harboring all of this for so long. I knew exactly what it was like to be ignored by people, and to have unrequited feelings for someone. But what he was going through must have been ten times worse. To be in love with someone you saw every day, knowing that they'd never look at you the same way you felt for them, it was enough to tear anyone apart. I just wished there was something I was capable of doing to help out my friend. But alone, there wasn't anything that I could do. I was useless.

I was going to need back-up, and I knew exactly who to ask.