Chapter 1. The New Guys

Misaki's POV

I was first to arrive at school. As always, I immediately rushed to the Practice Rooms to rehearse my pieces on the piano. My family is too poor to afford a piano so I practice before school. I managed to fit a satisfying 1hr in before the morning melody rang through the school.

On the way to the main hall I bumped into Sakura.

"Hey Sakura!" I yelled down the corridor.

"Hey Misaki! How were your holidays?"

"I went- "

"Hurry up Misaki we're gonna be late!" She interrupted me.

Since it was the first day back, all the students besides the first years, had to gather for an assembly. During our first year, we studied hard for heaps of theory tests to create a strong foundation for all the practical work we'd be doing this year.

"Please welcome Usui Takumi and Sakurai Kuuga two second years," announced the Vice-Principal, since the Principal was busy with the first years.

I looked up surprised that the school accepted new students into the second year because they'd have to catch up so much. I'd imagine only students with exceptional knowledge of music would be allowed in. They both had blonde hair but the shorter had a few piercings in his right ear that glinted in the light. The boys looked bored and squinted in the spotlight during the Vice's introduction. Finally she finished and both boys dragged their feet off the stage to take their seats at the end of my row.

Those boys infuriated me. They didn't care about school and dared to saunter off the stage in a manner that couldn't even be compared to that of a sloth.

Morning Tea

I went outside to wait under the cherry blossom tree upon a small hill on the edge of the school boundaries. I knew Sakura and Shizuko were on their way when I heard Sakura squeal.

"Oh my goooooosh! I think I've fallen in love!" she shrieked.

"Sakura you haven't even spoken to them yet how can you gather just from their appearance that they've captured your heart?" Shizuko replied.

"Oh, so you do recognise the handsome-cute-prince-model-like aura emanating from them?" Questioned Sakura emphasising the 'do'.

"W-well, n-no b-bu-" stammered her blushing friend.

"Nup, no buts. You should understand how I feel. Right Misaki?"

"Guys sit down and eat we've got like 5 minutes left of morning tea thanks to your bickering," I said, eager not to get involved.

I walked in to the classroom and sat down anticipating what the class would be like. The teacher walked in and started organising her things while the rest of the class settled down when the two new guys walk in. They paused for a second to look for seats and unfortunately the only available seats are in front and behind me. Why? Oh, Why me?!

After introducing the topic to us, she set us a task to brainstorm on the word 'peace'. This was the first step to writing lyrics. I was eager to start and got right to it but was interrupted by a tap on the shoulder. I turned around to see Usui smiling back at me.

"Could I borrow a pen?" he asked.

"Don't you bring your own pens?" I hissed back.

"I only brought pencils"

"Then just use that" I replied turning back to my work.

He tapped me again, "Can I please borrow a pen?"

I whipped around and glared at him.

"The instructions were 'Write in a pen' not in a pencil," he said pulling a puppy face at me.

"Fine!" I passed one to him hoping that that would end the conversation and my blushing.

"Alright pens down!" The teacher exclaimed. I didn't get to finish my work! All thanks to that stupid Usui. "Anybody who didn't finish will have to stay after class and finish it."

Oh, great. Now I had to waste my practice time to finish a task I could've easily completed during class. The only two students that were left in the classroom after class were that Usui and myself. I tried to do my work as fast as I could and ignore him but he tapped me again.

"What do you think of when you hear the word 'peace' Ah-yuu-zah-waah?" he asked.

"That's your job to figure out, idiot! And it's Ayuzawa!" I yelled at him.

"Shhhhhhh!" The teacher reprimanded.

"Think of the answers yourself!" I snapped.

"Ayuzawa, we should do it together so we can get out of class earlier" he smirked.

I ignored him and tried to finish my work as quickly as I could but nothing came to my head! After a minute of staring at my blank page, I tried to steal a peek but he caught me and grinned.

"So you need help Ayuzawa?"

"As if I need help from the likes of you!"

"Ahh, but Ayuzawa is stuck for thoughts, isn't she?" Usui replied.

Despite his irritating attitude, we worked together and managed to get it done, finally! Right after we handed in our work I rushed to the practice rooms to get started. My practice wasn't very conducive because I couldn't get Usui out of my mind! And the most annoying thing was I didn't know why!