Disclaimer: I do not own the La Corda D'Oro series or its opening song, Brand New Breeze. I also do not have any relations whatsoever to any singer or songs mentioned in this story.

Summary: A girl name Saiyuri Takahiro from the U.S came to Japan on a music tour/competition as one of the contestants. At the same time, she is invited to be a student at Seiso Academy, a music school. Instead of choosing to be a music student, she chose to be a general education student so hoping she wouldn't stand out for attention. Unfortunately, while walking to her zero period class early, Saiyuri met Lili, a fata (Fairy of music). From there, Lili's magic caused another add-up to the music competition participants. Saiyuri ended up being a contestant from now on when she's there, and so Lili gave Saiyuri a magical ring and brace for Saiyuri to play the piano well. The downside of it all is that Saiyuri has to conceal her identity as a singer, because at that school the music students look down upon the human voice and that instruments are the true power of music. Can she actually conceal it from 4 cute guys and the whole entire school?

A.N: The ruler that appears across the page means a switch of point of views, and the character's names will appear underneath the ruler to tell which point of view is told. When there's no name underneath the ruler, then it's Saiyuri's point of view. The lyrics between dashes are second voice back up. Ex: - (Something between it) -

Chapter 1: Unfortunate Fate and Stay

Only 30 minutes left till I get to Japan, that's what I thought as I sit on the plane. I was a student in California, U.S and now I am an exchange student going to Japan. Part of it is that I'm part of this international music competition between the U.S and Japan's pop and dance songs. Among the chosen candidates who aren't professionals in the music industry, we had to sing our national anthem to represent where we are from. After that, we have to out-sing a professional singer for beginners to make sure we didn't flunk on our anthem. It was difficult beating Rina Aiuchi since I didn't expect to nail off a Japanese singer, I haven't learned any Japanese back then. I came to Japan for the final half of the tournament because I'm among the contestants who passed the domestic division. I had this invitation to this music school called the Seiso Academy, supposedly one of the elite music schools in Japan and the world. As the plane began to land on the runway, I wonder how my life in Japan will turn out.

I walked out of the terminal to find myself in the midst of people at the Major Tokyo Airport. Walking aimlessly isn't going to help but I do have my cell phone with me. I dialed the number to my advisor who was already here, hoping she would pick up and tell me where they are. A voice came up asking me where I am but all I could say was that I couldn't see her group in the sea of passengers.

"It's that crowded huh?" the advisor said," Well actually, we're waiting for you directly at the front of the airport; straight ahead of you."

"Okay, thanks Miss Sharlet," I said.

"It's no problem Saiyuri, I can't blame you since this is your first time in an airport packed with people. And even more tightly than LAX."

Managing my way out of the airport, I stumbled upon my escort, advisor, and the principal of Seiso Academy. The principal was kind of shorter than me and for some reason it bugged me. In the limousine, we talked along the way to Seiso Academy.

"So what's your first impression of Japan Miss Takahiro?" the principal asked.

"Actually, it's pretty beautiful since it's sunny out," I responded.

"The applications were already taken cared of, and you were going to be a music student since we have a singing class but," the principal took a pause," Mr. Kanazawa insisted that we'll hear from your decision. So what will it be?"

"My decision from the start is to be a general education student," I said.

"But why?"

"Principal, even though the school is built for the love of music including the voice as well, I've done some research that the students by a majority has something against singing. They say that the instruments are the one that is the true power of music, not 'drabble and distortion of disgrace of what they call now J-pop'."

"It is true that I've heard students say that. Those instruments are the ones that can 'sing' more superior than the human voice. The human voice is only for dialogue so I've heard."

"Also, I told myself that even as a regular student, the academy has the IB program. Lastly, I do not wish to make myself stand out as someone who belongs in the music class, but at the same time not belong of there because of singing. But I will still accept your offer as a student."

It's true, I'm not much of a person who would stand out socially from the beginning anyway. It was around 2:23 pm in Japan after I arrived at the school to have a look. It is pretty impressive architecture-wise on its buildings and area inside of it. Until I found out it was only massive because it has a separate regular school building and the music building. Besides, if I joined the music students I wouldn't be able to do what I love often, playing badminton in P.E. Also, I've seen their uniforms and I don't think I'll be able to breath with the heat building inside of it. "Tomorrow, I'll come to this school," I said to myself.

I went to my host family's house and it was massive. It looks like a mansion and my host family's name is Yunoki, I wonder what their reason is for hosting an exchange student. I rang the doorbell and waited for a minute with my advisor. My entire luggage was with me while my advisor is staying at the "advisor dorm" somewhere in a nearby university. I had three pieces of luggage, one large, one medium, and one small including my carry-on backpack. Since I was going to stay for a whole year starting from this June, I might as well have this much. It's just really clothes and toiletries along with my CD player, manga books, drawing kits, laptop, and badminton racquet. Footsteps approached…

"Ah! Sorry for making you wait," a maid came out," It's just that we were busy preparing for the foreign exchange student. Are you the one?"

"Yes, I'm the exchange student," I answered in Japanese, and it's a good thing I studied the language before I came. "I'm not so foreign now, now am I?"

"Tee-hee! So true… so come in Miss Takahiro," the maid said, swinging out an arm from outside to the inside as a welcoming sign.

I walked in and it was so grand, the house seemed to be built western style like those huge mansions back in the United States. Being escorted into the family room awaited my host family, my host mother, sister, and brother. They were all dressed how back in the U.S would and I could've sworn my "brother" is a girl because of the long purple hair. Closely examining his eyelashes makes him even look more like a girl, but I tried to hide my reddening face just from looking at him. His sister is slightly shorter than him but with brown hair and green eyes. The mother looks like in her mid-30s with pearl jewelry and a faux fur wrap-around (it should be fake, right?).

"Welcome to our family Saiyuri Takahiro!" the sister chirped," I'm Selina Yunoki."

"I'm Azuma Yunoki, a pleasure," the man bowed in a graceful manner, like a prince.

"We hope you enjoy your stay here at Japan," the host mother said.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, I hope to live well with you as a family," I said politely with a bow.

It was 5: 30 in the morning of my first day at Seiso Academy. The maids and servants are all asleep so I don't have to cause trouble for them. It's so uncomfortable somehow with all the servants by your side, catering to every whim. It might sound nice to many who think of living a luxurious life with servants, but in reality for me is a bit troublesome. I'd rather do things myself than have some servants do it for me, it teaches me discipline like back at home. But I have to do it discreetly because for some reason, the maids and servants are seriously willing to do my chores for me. Brushing my teeth, showering, and make my own breakfast is still giving me time to get to school. By 6:00 am, I have my house keys with me and ready to go on foot, until my host brother, Azuma Yunoki, showed up in front with his car.

"Going alone on foot by yourself in this kind of lighting?" Azuma said.

"I guess you caught me Yunoki-sempai," I chuckled nervously.

"I'll give you a ride anyways. You have zero period right?" Azuma said.

"Yes, thank you very much," I said.

It was 6:30 when I got to the academy, only thirty more minutes left until my first class starts. I decided to walk around the school then walk towards to my class, IB English. Just when I was walking through an outdoor hallway, I suddenly heard a voice that said," Hey, can you hear me? Can you sense me?" I turned around quickly in every direction, startled by the sudden voice. "Who are you? Where are you?" I asked cautiously. Then I saw some fuzzy pink glow in mid-air, then a pair of blue wings. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the object that spoke; it was a fairy flying in mid-air with a smile on its face. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it, personally I don't believe in fairy tales but this is ridiculous.

"So you can see me! This is great news!" the fairy said," I'm Lili, a fata—fairy of music. What's your name?"

"Um… Saiyuri Takahiro?" I asked with a point-blank expression. When I sweat-dropped, I could've panicked but what good does it do?

"Okay Saiyuri! Look, since you saw me I'm going to put you as a participant in the intra-school music competition," Lili said, as he waved his wand towards the bell.

"J-just wait a minute! I don't know how to play an instrument!" I said hurriedly, hoping he'd stop but it was too late. The bell rang and my fate at this school is sealed…

"Man, this is a bummer," Lili said.

"Tell me about it… You just signed me up for no reason?!"

"What I meant is that you only have till next July on the second to last week before summer vacation," Lili said, with slight frustration," On that week is when the concours (French for music competition) come up with the first selection. This third week of June is when the theme for the first selection is made."

"Theme? Selection? Hold on a minute, things are going way too fast for me," I said, getting a bit dizzy at what the blue fairy said.

"Things will be explained by the coordinator for the competition, go talk to him. Bye-bye!"

"Hey! Wai--!" I shouted, trying to stop him but he disappeared. How does he expect me to enjoy my first day here now?

It was break time and I came out of the classroom a bit exhausted. I never knew how grueling mathematics can be here in Japan, and worse at what I'm facing is an IB Calculus class! I decided to walk over to the vending machine and get some water to clear my head. But before I could, the school speaker came on: Saiyuri Takahiro, Saiyuri Takahiro, you are reported to the front of the counseling office for your late-start concour participation. I repeat, Saiyuri… I can't believe this, that d--- speaker had to blurt it out to the whole entire school. Now those who know me from my four classes along with other students, now stare at me with surprised looks. An exchange student, a general education student, is a participant for the Seiso concours. It was so irritating that it was bugging me as I walked towards to the counseling office. I swear that if those eyes stare at me any longer, they're sure to be pulled out.

I opened the mahogany door and there it was, Mr. Kanazawa, the coordinator. I asked Mr. Kanazawa what was the meaning of me suddenly put on the concours. But all Mr. Kanazawa could answer was a shrug to my question. All he told me was," Don't ask me, I just have the title is all. The principal made the decision because you saw the fairy of this school right?" I guess I did… and after that I received a pamphlet that had my name underneath a girl named Hino Kahoko. The theme was "opening up" and it could mean many things but… Brand new breeze… Just for us… so that it will never end… a song just came up within me. I guess there's no turning back from it, now I have to get through P.E and Chemistry then lunch comes up. That's when I have to meet Riri, Lile, or whatever his name is and talk to him about my instrument issue.

I went into the music school section and it is more complicated in rooms compared to the general education. I walked into a room that had the sign "sound-proofed" so I walked in. There was a grand piano on the left side as I walked in, with a desk and window to accompany a floor lamp for atmosphere. Suddenly, sparkling could be heard and Lili appeared out of thin air.

"Took you long enough."

"Well, this is my first time here at the music buildings."

"Okay, straight to the point. You can't play any kind of instrument?"

"Hello? Sure you said if I can see you, I'm compatible to a wavelength of music right? But of course I can't play anything," I said irritably, having to repeat it.

"In this case here."

It was a silver and platinum ring and brace, and with the ring having a blue gem in the center and a green one in the center of the brace.

"These are the two magical accessories for playing any instrument that requires skill of hands. What instrument are you most interested in? Even if you can't play it?"

"The instrument I'm most interested in…" Well, I'm particularly not picky but I am attracted to the piano.

"I'm interested in the piano… I've always wanted to recreate some songs I've heard into piano."

"Lucky us! These two magical accessories I've completed during ages of research are the strongest of effect when used to play the piano. The accessories will take care of the technical stuff, but you have to still practice with the piano. They are at their strongest when you apply your emotions to them."

"Okay, I accept the duty as a participant," I said with a serious tone," Since you've already got me in this mess, might as well clean it up."

"I'm leaving all up to you guinea pi—I mean Saiyuri. Bye-bye!"

Did you just call me a guinea pig?! I'm just a lab rat for these accessories?! That's what I thought in an outrage when he left, but might as well practice now since there's no one around. Brand New Breeze, a song I've heard of from somewhere… Put the ring on my left middle finger and the brace on my right wrist…

Within the shifting time… (Tu-tu-tu…tu-tu, tu-tu-tu-la-laa)

Didn't we meet by chance, you and I? (Tu-tu-la-la-la… da-da-da…la-laa)

These feelings are overflowing (Tu-tu-tu…tu-tu, tu-tu-tu-la-laa)

I warmly wish that they won't disappear (Tu-tu-do-do, la-la—la-laa)

Our future is shining (Tu-do—do-do, la-la, la-laa)

Because we want to be together (Tu-tu-do-do-do—la-la-laa)

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Brand new breeze (La-la-laa…) -Brand new breeze for two- (Tu-tu—la-la-la-laa)

A story is now beginning (Tu-tu-la… la-la-la-la-laa)

Just for us (La-la-laa…) -I'm singing just for us- (Tu-tu—la-la-la-laa)

So that it will never end… (Tu-tu-la… la-la-la—la-la-laa)

-It's never ever gonna end- (Tu-tu—tu-tu-tu-tu-la-laa) -'Cause you're my real best friend- (Tu-tu—la-la-la—la-la-laa)

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Brand new breeze (La-la-laa…) -Baby, I can touch the sky and wait for awhile- (Tu-tu—la-la-la—la-la-laa… la-la-laa…)

Just for you (La-la-laa…) -It's never ever gonna end- (Tu-tu—tu-tu-tu-tu-la-laa) -'Cause you're my real best friend- (Tu-tu—la-la-la—la-la-laa)

So that it will never end… (Tu-tu-la… la-la-la—la-la-laa)

I played through the end and without looking at the time, lunch is almost over and I haven't gotten anything for lunch… and only 10 minutes… I'm not going to make it in time… I placed my brace and ring in my bag and ran as fast as I could back to the regular building. It made my hunger worse as I crossed the lunch area, and accidentally ran into someone.

"Oh! I-I'm so sorry! I didn't watch where I was going!" I apologized, hoping I wouldn't get in trouble.

"That's okay; you'd seem quite in a hurry," the green-haired student said," All in all, my name's Hihara Kazuki. What's yours?"

"Oh, well I'm Saiyuri Takahiro…" I said, mumbling after my sentence.

"Ah! You're that foreign exchange student I've heard about," yellow-eyed Hihara said," It's amazing that you're an exchange student, a regular student, and on top of that Yunoki-kun's hosting student! It's an honor isn't it?"

"Yeah, well but…" it was all I could say when stomach was growling as loud as Godzilla. Silence loomed over both of us when we stood in the lunch area, or the park to say…

"You're hungry huh? Here, take this melon bread," Hihara said with a smile.

"Oh—um no thanks! It's yours anyways so… it's just bad luck," I said nervously when I tried to keep putting Hihara out of troubles for me.

"No, take it—I insist!" Hihara said, with a pouting face.

"Oookay, if you say so…" I said in defeat. Then I noticed a different color on his tie. "Are you in a different class?"

"Oh yeah! I'm a third year and you must be a second year student."

"Okay, I get it. Nice meeting you Hihara-sempai!"

"Bye Yuri-chan!"

I can't believe he shortened my name and called me that. My head's getting a bit hot from that name and I'm starting to… blush?

"Yunoki-sempai," I said.

"Please, just call me Yunoki-kun," Azuma said," Besides, we're out of school so you don't have to refer to me as an upperclassman."

"Yunoki-kun, can you drive me to the nearby train station and drop me off?" I asked," Than after 9:30, can you please pick me up from the train station?"

"No problem, but for what?"

"Well, you promise to keep this a secret and not hate me for it?"

"Okay, I still don't see why I should hate you."

"Here goes… well Yunoki-kun, I am a singer at the music competition between Japan and the United States."

Hihara Kazuki

"Hey Hihara!" called out one of my friends," Wanna watch the NHK international debut?"

"Sure, but I'm not really interested in those kinds of music…" I said, while mouthing on a piece of bakery bread.

"You sure like to eat food… especially junk food… it's amazing you don't get fat or break out acne," another of my friend said, with an exasperated look on his face. "Hey, it's on!"

Welcome to the NHK International debut! Where remaining contestants from the domestic division of the United States, and our country's singers sing a song for us on their debut for the final half of the tournament! Tensions rise as they reveal their first singer, a teenager from the U.S—a rarity among the non-pros who made it through. Give it up for Saiyuri and her debut song, Simple and Clean –Planit B- Remix by Utada Hikaru!!

When the host of the show announced her name, I immediately spurted out soda that I was drinking in shock.

"What's up with you?!" said one of my friends, a black-haired person. "Are you trying to short-circuit my plasma T.V screen here?! You're lucky this thing hasn't broke down yet."

"Sorry Takeshi," I apologized with a hand behind his head," It's just that her name—and the singer who is coming out—looks exactly like the one I met at school. Just that her hair's dark purple… that singer's hair is black…"

I watched carefully at the NHK show, I'm not particularly into J-pop like most of my friends. But the more I watched the girl sing, the more she reminds me of Saiyuri. The way she looked and acted…

You're giving me, too many things lately…

You're all I need…oh no… You smiled at me and said—

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Don't get me wrong—I love you

But does this mean that I have to meet your father?

When we are older you'll understand what I meant

When I say, "No, I don't think life is quite that simple."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

When you walk away, you don't hear me say—

Please, oh baby—don't go!

Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight…

It's hard to let it go—

When you walk away, you don't hear me say—

Please, oh baby—don't go!

Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight…

It's hard to let it go—

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The daily things... that keep us all busy… are confusing me…

That's when you came to me and said—

Wish I could prove I love you, but does that mean I have to walk on water?

When we are older you'll understand it's enough when I say so

And maybe, some things are that simple

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When you walk away, you don't hear me say—

Please, oh baby—don't go!

Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight…

It's hard to let it go—

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Hold me… whatever lies beyond this morning… is a little later on

Regardless of warnings, the future doesn't scare me at all

Nothing's like before—

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When you walk away, you don't hear me say—

Please, oh baby—don't go!

Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight…

It's hard to let it go—

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Hold me… whatever lies beyond this morning… is a little later on

Regardless of warnings, the future doesn't scare me at all

Nothing's like before—

As I watched as what it seemed to begin to end, what really struck me when I watched it was the final verse of the song. The pitch was so perfect at its high notes; I would've never expected this from a non-pro compared to the actual voice of a pro. It actually blew me away along with the flow of the wind.

Hold me… whatever lies beyond this morning… is a little later on

Regardless of warnings, the future doesn't scare me at all

Nothings like before—

Last night was so exhausting; I didn't expect that it would take out more of my energy than needed for those high notes. Even though I've trained and practiced a lot with the song because I also loved it, it's still not enough. At least the preparations for the concours and school will take my mind off of last night's concert debut.

It was break time and I was taking a stroll in the park, relieving some of my stressed energy from Math. The peace lasted until I ran into Hihara…

"Oh, good morning Hihara-sempai," I said. Did he run all the way here?

"Ah! Good morning to you Yuri-chan!" Hihara said," By the way, by any chance have you heard about the NHK?"

"That? Oh yeah! I've seen it on T.V last night. Yunoki-sempai's younger sister seemed to be into those kinds of things…" I said, trying to cover my identity if he suspected," Why by any chance?"

"Blue eyes… dark, purple hair…" Hihara was examining me with careful eyes," Blue eyes… black hair… Yuri-chan, by any chance is there such people with blue eyes and black hair?"

"Huh? Y-yeah, they're rare though," I said. I think he's onto me…!

"Rare huh? Well then, one question…"

"What is it Hihara-sempai?"

"Yuri-chan… can you sing?"

"What do you… mean?" He's figured me out! It's too late!

"Yuri-chan… are you a singer? All along?" Hihara asked with a bit of sadness, but yet with firm eyes.

What should I tell him now? My cover's blown!