"This harmony is really coming together" thought Haruka aloud, lost within the pages before her. The corridor between the practice rooms and the dormitories was especially quiet this morning. She had been writing frantically since waking up with that beautiful melody in the middle of the night.
It was nearly 11:00, and Haruka's stomach was beginning to complain. Melon pan would be perfect about now, ooh and some black tea. Her mouth started to water at the thought of the sweet pastry and bitter warmth of the tea. She pick up her pace a bit, still immersed in the sheet music she held. Rounding the corner, she stumbled a bit and pitched forward.
"Eek!" she shrieked - but then suddenly she stopped falling. Haruka felt a gentle warmth at her waist, and glanced up to to confirm what she already knew. Staring back at her were those beautiful dark turquoise eyes filled with playful displeasure.
"You should really be more careful, Haruka." said the soft yet stern voice.
She blushed and looked down at the jacket that she was clutching. She quickly let go, blushing even more now.
"Gomena..." her apology trailed off as she noticed the small coy smile across Ichinose's lips.
"You know, you are lucky you bumped into me, and not someone else..." His tone deepened as he gazed more intently into her eyes. "...Imagine if, say, Ren, was here instead."
Slightly confused, Haruka attempted to step back a little, but he pulled her closer and swiveled the pair so that Haruka's back was to the wall. Tokiya's outstretched hand slid down the wall as he slowly leaned in on the astonished girl. With one hand firmly planted on her waist, and the other now softly stroking her cheek, he lowered his head and stared into her eyes.
Haruka saw a vibrant fire in him that she had never quite seen before, and her heart jumped.
"Ichinose-san" she whispered. Haruka felt obligated to protest, but her body wouldn't budge.
She knew he was crossing a line, but something in her needed to treasure this moment a bit longer. Tokiya's dark sensual aura was irresistible.
He brushed his cheek against hers and whispered into her ear "This is where he would tell you that you're not ready... right?"
A short breathy "Ano..." escaped the girls lips - she could feel his warm breath against her neck.
Then Tokiya's expression softened as he leaned back to see The girl's flushed face."Ren underestimates you, Haru-chan..." His coy smile eased back into place "...he sees you as a little lamb, pure and naïve." Ichinose inched his face closer to hers. "But I know better, Haruka…You are not just some sweet country girl anymore, are you?"
His eyes sharply met with hers, as the startling wild desire returned to them. She couldn't help but feel naked as they penetrated her soul. Haruka let out a soft gasp, overwhelmed by her senses.
"I can see it in your eyes, and hear it in your voice…That undeniable feeling you get when you are beside me. The excitement, the tension and the bliss...It must be unbearable - but it's not enough… is it?" Her heart raced, as he pressed tighter against her.
"I know what you want, Haruka..." The soft voice deepened slightly as he said her name. "...The question is, will you take it?" His words were dripping with lust, but on his face was the familiar mix of intensity and tranquility that was uniquely Tokiya.
Haruka was too consumed by the waves of emotion rising within her to notice his hand slipping behind her neck, and pulling her ever closer. She could not believe that Ichinose was playing her heart like this - or was he indirectly offering her his?
With this thought, Haruka felt a warm dampness form between her legs - she knew her face must be bright red. How could Tokiya remain so calm? She returned her gaze to him as he pulled her head back slightly and drew his lips close to hers - the girl let out a light moan. She was surprised by sultry tone that had just escaped her lips, and she softly closed her eyes.
After a pause, she felt his grip on her loosen as he slowly backed away from her. Confused, Haruka opened her eyes to find that sly smile on Tokiya's face. The passion in his eyes slowly receded as he picked up the sheet music she had dropped earlier.
"Like I said, it's your turn, Haruka." His smile widened slightly. "I will be waiting for you." Stuck in shock, Haruka blankly accepted the papers, and watched as Ichinose turned and continued down the hall.
"I went too far, I made her uncomfortable…" thought Tokiya, "...This was a mistake." He reprimanded himself as he walked toward his room.
All he wanted was to make Haruka confront her feelings - after all - he knew too well what pain followed a person who denied their heart. However, he had been too forward. He walked away partly because he wanted to leave with the upper hand - but also because he knew if he didn't go then, he might have done something unforgivable.
Tokiya always looked so calm and collected, but his emotions were constantly welling up inside him. The master of self control, had honestly feared that he wouldn't be able to hold himself back if he stayed any longer.
It first, he was acting - doing what Ren would do to show Haruka that he was different, that he understood her, but then something happened. When he saw her blushing like that, and her soul shining in her eyes, he felt different.
No matter how close he got, or what he said, Haruka had not resisted. There at the end, he could tell she was turned on - it surprised him. He knew the girl liked him, but he had no idea that getting her in that state would be so effortless. He felt horrible for making her like that, and then leaving so suddenly - it was cruel. But he could not ignore his own feelings either - this was the first time in years that he had felt genuine excitement.
It took everything he had to quell his arousal when she made that sound - he couldn't get it out of his head. He knew he would not be able to hold back if he kissed her, besides, he wanted her to approach him next time.
Ichinose decided that he would find a way to apologize for his behavior - he just hoped that he hadn't scared the girl away completely. He really did want to know her better, he felt they were more alike than they knew. She was the one that brought the passion back into his singing - he owed her a decent explanation at least.
A dazed Haruka slid down the wall and sat motionless on the ground, desperately trying to comprehend what had just happened. "How could he toy with me like this?"
She glanced over at the music she had been writing, and then she realized that she could not have written it, or been in this place today if she had not fallen in love with HAYATO's - no - Ichinose's songs.
There he was, the beacon that had guided her here - the one who inspired her music for so long. She had dreamed that one day he would sing her songs, and there he had been, right in front of her, holding her close – and now she was watching him walk away.
No, she couldn't deny her feelings any longer. Haruka knew that she would never forgive herself, if she didn't pursue something with this amazing man. He had stepped out of his usual reserved demeanor to show her what she was missing. To go out of his way like this for her, he must really care. Even if he was serving his own interests, he definitely wanted her.
She could not make him - or herself - wait any longer. She needed to release the desire building within her. Yes, it was dangerous, but she knew she may never again have another moment like this with him - and she was not going to waste it.