Summary:

"As for you... you are not needed. You don't have the level I require for the ensemble. You are not needed." The principal's voice echoed through my head. I know I'm just an amateur... and I knew that what he said was true... But it just hurts so much.

Chapter 1

HINO'S POV

"You are not needed. You don't have the level I require for the ensemble. You are not needed."

(gasps, wakes up)

(sigh) It's such a shame to me, I-I-I don't... sigh well, I need to practice more and-

(Beep! Car in overspeed)

"Hino-Senpai! Please, look at the way you're going. The Pedestrian stoplight is in red."

I looked back and saw...

"Shimizu-kun! Sorry... I'll take care next time.. ah! Ohayo!"

"Ohayo gozaimasu Hino-senpai... Senpai?"

"Hai?" I asked. Shimizu-kun looked kinda sleepier than before.. though it's kinda wrong to say that since he was the one who woke me up from my daze a while ago.

"Are you alright?" ... Shimizu-kun.. he's worried? Why?

"O-of course! Why did you ask?" I replied and... I lied. I don't feel okay... at all.

"(grabs hand) Senpai, we might be late for school."

"ah... yeah.." (sigh) I can't tell him that I... that I envy him and the others...

At School

"Senpai, I should get going... (bows)"

"ah yes. Thanks for walking with me..." He smiled and left.

I climbed the stairs going to my classroom with a long face and in a really, really slow pace... This is not good Mio and Nao would definitely worry about me if they see me like this.

"Kaho-chan! Ohayo!" Mio and Nao greeted.

"Ohayo Mio, Nao!" I tried my very best to sound cheerful.

"Kaho... are you alright?" Nao asked, looking worried. Crap... I'm such a failure... even in acting.

"Hai! I'm fine!" I smiled cheerfully which seemed to make them relieved.

"Kaho, have you heard? The concours participants are gonna perform as an ensemble.. and your part of it too!" Mio said cheerfully.

"We'll cheer you on Kaho-chan!" Nao cheered... I know they were only excited about the concours... but does fate have to use my friends to brush it on my face that I wouldn't be able to join the concours!

"Kaho-chan... are you really alright?" I didn't know that I was dozing off again...

"Mio, Nao... I can't participate in the ensemble, but I really want you both to watch it! I want you to hear them perform too!" I said... hugging the both of them tightly.

"Kaho-chan... yes, we will! We'll definitely watch it together!" Nao and Mio hugged me back.

"Thank you very much!" I beamed. I'm so grateful to have such nice friends!

End of Hino's POV

At Recess

"Nao, Mio! I have something to do, so eat without me!" Hino shouted and ran away. Her two best friends waved at her.

"I wonder if Kaho-chan is really, really alright?" Nao said, worried.

"We just have to watch for her abd we need to go to the ensemble... that's the least we can do."

Mio replied while Nao nodded.

Back to Hino's situation

"Lili! Lili! Where are you Lili! Please show yourself!" Hino called.

"What is is Kaho-" Lili appeared and saw Kahoko nowhere.. not even her shadow.

"That's weird. I heard her calling for me... oh well..." Lili vanished.

HINO'S POV

(someone covering her mouth) "It's no use struggling..." the man said. Who the heck is this guy anyways?!

"Now, listen carefully. We know you can't participate in the ensemble... isn't that sad? You can't catch up with the others right? ... Why don't you help us out?" I heard his words clearly, I stopped struggling. I remembered how shameful I was, I wanted to cry but there's no way I'd do that in front of this bastard. There are 2 other guys in here but I can't see their faces though since it's too dark.

When I finally calmed down... he let go of me.

"Who are you?" I asked. Trying my best to suppress my anger and annoyance.

"hn. I'm Kin Hagara... and you're Hino Kahoko."

" How did yo- no. Never mind. What do you want?"

"I just want you to take down the ensemble, that's all."

"What?!" I know that was a lame reply, and I obviously heard it loud and clear but there's no way I could do such a thing!

"Why?!" I asked, my voice nearly shouting.

"Well... if the ensemble is brought down, they wouldn't perform. Wouldn't that be fair enough for you? It's just a little revenge to them..."

Revenge? Fair? There's just...

"NO WAY! I wouldn't do such a thing!" This time, I finally shouted.

"Well since you disagreed, I will have YOU as bait on the day of the ensemble then."

"Bait?! What bait?" I asked again.

"Oh... you'll never want to know." He smiled. It brought chills down my spine.. and it was dark.. and very creepy.

"What did they ever do to YOU!?" I shouted once more. His eyes grew darker and his brows furrowed.

"It's because of them... that we weren't able to get chosen! It's always them! It had always been them! (clunches fist)" So this person loves music as well...

"Well shouldn't you practice even more?" ... Looking at him is like seeing myself as well.

"I practiced day and night, every day I do my best, still they...(snap) A-anyways, don't tell anyone about this... or else."

"or else what?..." I retorted fiercely.

"We will push through with plan B."

"Plan B? What Plan B?"... This guy sure does have a lot of plans.

"It's a surprise. It's something that would change their lives FOREVER." And once again... he smiled evilly...

"Whatever is hidden in this plan B, you wouldn't do it until I.. until I do and finish my job right?"

"Of course." He grinned and the 2 people behind him grinned as well.

"Fine." I quickly turned around, ready to make a quick run and shout to the whole world what they have just said to me. Well, until his 2 men grabbed each side of my wrist.

"By the way, we forgot a little tiny detail about this deal." He walked towards me, bending low and whispering into my ear...

"Keep this a secret..." His voice was dark and scary... I felt my knees weaken. Then I felt his 2 men release my wrist and they walked away.

Hino enter the classroom

"Kaho-chan, where have you been?! " Mio asked, rushing towards me.

"Oh... I just took a light walk and I didn't look at the time." I scratched the back part of my head. I swear, if I were to tell them what happened to me a few moments ago, they'll faint.

"Okay... By the way, Shimizu-kun was looking for you a while ago?" Mio said.

"Huh? Why?" Then Nao came to us.

"It was something about the ensemble..." (snap) T-the ensemble?!

"Ah, what about it?"

"I'm not sure. Why don't you ask him about it later?"

"Yeah... I guess I should do that..." I walked to my seat then Nao called for me...

"Kaho-chan.. are you alright?" I forced a smile.

"Of course I am! Oh by the way, about the ensemble... I might not be able to come since I remembered I have some plans to do with my family. But I would still try to come."

"Huh? What do you mean? So you wouldn't watch the ensemble with us?" Mio asked, confused.

"I-I'm still not sure about that. But I'll try my best to come!" I said frantically.

"Oh.. o-okay.." Mio and Nao nodded their heads and went back to their seats quietly.

I'm sure they can feel my weird movements... but I can't tell them. I'm sorry Mio, Nao. But someday, I'll tell you... but for the meantime, I have a plan to ruin.