It started out innocent. Old friends, meeting up once more. Heading out to a little-known nightclub in the neighbourhood, intent on just forgetting all the worries plaguing them at the moment and being just in the now.

It was quite hard making sure all 3 of them were free at the same time. It took ages and ages, eventually finding tonight as the best day. They were set on doing something like this – a dinner seemed too formal, a casual catchup a bit too boring. When the idea of clubbing came up, everyone seemed to be interested, and thus clubbing it was.

The music blared, and Kahoko Hino could feel the music. She swayed her hips and moved her body, as if the music was controlling her whole body to do so. She could feel the true connection to the music and herself, how it was like a pulse that turned her on and off… why had she even tried to deny that?

Ryoutarou Tsuchiura, her old high school friend, was also enjoying himself. Although he attracted quite a lot of female attention, he really only had eyes for one, who was in the middle of the floor creating quite some attention. He wanted to take her for himself, but he knew also that she probably should have a choice in who does.

On the other side of Kahoko Hino was Len Tsukimori. The last person to probably even be at a nightclub, he was lured; as he usually was; by Tsuchiura. His pride and ego wouldn't allow him to have the pianist any advantage regardless of what it was; and thus, he found himself in quite an unusual place. Although, as he looked to the red-head in her shimmering black halter neck top, red pleated mini-skirt; fishnet stockings and knee-length black boots dancing nearby; he couldn't help but wonder how it would be like if he were able to trace her body with his fingers and claim it his own.

As the latest song died down, Kahoko was grinning widely.

"This is so good! I'm so glad you're with me, Tsuchiura-kun, Tsukimori-kun!"

Both boys glanced at each other, before noticing how they both seemed to be quite attracted to stare at the clueless red-head and her eye-catching clubbing outfit. Len wasn't ruffled in the slightest, but Ryou was shooting the blue-haired violinist an angry look. They soon turned to hear laughter from Kahoko.

"I can't believe it's still like this! Mou… you two… can't you sort things out? For me?"

She pouted, which made both boys sweat profusely. They looked at each other, before sighing at the same time.

"Fine. For tonight only."

Len nods his agreement with the green-haired pianist's statement.

She smiles widely and grabs both their arms.

"Yay! Now… since I'm tired… shall we head for some drinks?"

|~-~|

We let her lead us towards the dimly lit bar, and soon enough we are seated on the middle 3 bar seats, Hino in between.

She smiles at the bartender who comes over.

"Vodka with raspberry, please, bartender-san!"

He nods, and turns to them. Tsuchiura starts first.

"Just a JD and coke, thanks."

It looks like I'm the last to order.

Although what do I order in these places?!

"House red will do for me."

The bartenders nods and goes away. I hear the annoying pianist's voice again.

"Never thought you drunk. After all, don't you use every moment for the violin?"

Hino coughed.

"How can you not eat and drink? Isn't it a part of living?"

I look towards the pianist and use a cold gaze.

"I am a normal human being, thanks very much. I eat and drink, to live – as Hino said – and I practice the violin most of the day because I want to be professional."

I turn back around, to see a glass of red in front of me.

How funny, I've never tried wine until now. I guess might as well… I'm doing a few interesting, yet new, things tonight.

Hino raises her glass up and smiles.

"Kanpai!"

I clink her glass with mine, before Tsuchiura does. We mutter 'Kanpai' back, but not with as much enthusiasm as her.

I take a sip of red, and widen my eyes in horror.

What IS this?! It… It's completely vile!

I paste on an expressionless face and slowly sip at the wine.

I don't understand how people drink this so regularly.

Hino turns around to smile at me, much to the chagrin of the pianist whose contempt is clear in his eyes.

"Tsukimori-kun, you need to loosen up a bit!"

To demonstrate, she drinks approximately a quarter of the tall glass of her 'vodka and raspberry' in one go. She leans in to my ear, and whispers.

"It doesn't taste that bad if you down it quickly."

I widen my eyes quickly, before re-composing my face. She had already turned over to the pianist, and was talking to him.

Well, no matter how long you talk to her, she talked to me first. So eat that, piano boy.

I wryly smile before downing my wine quickly.

It doesn't taste that bad this way, actually. She has a point.

A funny thought comes to my mind.

I wonder how much she'll be teaching me tonight…

|~-~|

I was having quite a good time chatting to Hino. Although, my hands were itching to just touch her – any part of her – after all, we were inches away, her pale complexion against the black and red was surreal, and everything… looked like it was working my way.

I grip the JD and coke tighter, and smile at Hino and her latest comment.

"It really is too bad none of the others could go."

But hey, it means I get more time with you.

She seems persuaded by my façade, and continues on.

"Yunoki-senpai said we should all go to dinner or something in the next month…"

Considering the last fiasco that occurred between Yunoki-senpai and Hino, I doubt I'd ever allow for the two of them to be even alone.

Thank goodness the womanizer isn't here tonight.

I nod quickly as she ends the statement, waiting for my response.

"Yeah, sure."

|~-~|

I turn back towards my original position, and continue drinking my vodka and raspberry.

Tsukimori-kun should probably know it too…

"I hear we're all meeting up next month when Yunoki-senpai is back in Japan?"

I raise my eyes and turn to face Tsukimori-kun.

"You know already?"

He nods.

"What's your relationship with Yunoki-senpai?"

I look at Tsuchiura-kun, and turn back to hear Tsukimori-kun's answer.

"Don't ask me. He likes leaving messages."

I blink.

Likes leaving messages? It sounds like what he does with me… I always get a message every month or less from him… and I don't know why…

"W-well… he does that to me as well… leaving messages."

It was my turn to get both of their attentions on me.

"It's nice to hear from him…"

"No it's not!"

I face Tsuchiura-kun, who said it.

"I heard. He cornered you several times during high school, and you NEVER told me! When I said it so many times that you could come to me!"

I gaped slightly.

How do you know that, Tsuchiura-kun?!

"What?! Are you serious, Hino?"

I turn to Tsukimori-kun. He takes a look at the expression on my face, before replying his own question.

"No wonder you ran from him several times."

I nod quickly, before blushing furiously at the concern the two of them were showing me. I stared at my near empty vodka and raspberry glass.

"Th… thanks for being concerned…"

They're so supportive… I'm so glad they're both my friends and I got to know them as well as I did… I wouldn't feel this comfortable with anyone else…

I blink as a recognizable song is blared through the speakers.

"I make them good girls go bad
I make them good girls go …"

I smile to myself, downing the last of my vodka.

"I'm heading off to dance!"

I head off and let the music flow through me.

|~-~|

I swivel on the chair, taking in the beautiful sight of Hino dancing sensuously in front of my eyes. I hold my JD and coke, and drink, noting every single moment, taking the whole scene down to lock it in my memory.

I've never seen you look this good…

"Don't think you're the only one looking at her."

My thoughts interrupted, I still look on.

Damn violinist.

"You want to bet which one of us she'll choose?"

I turn around to look at the violinist, who was also staring at me.

"You're on."

|~-~|

Woot, this story is the big 2-0!!!! That's right, my 20th story!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a story I've had planned for a long, LONG time… I've been dying to try it out… ^^

Expect big things from this story. 'Cause I do.

|~-~|

My last note:

"One, Two, Three
You know you want me
Leave a review sweetie
Or I'll go around and hunt you DOWN (↓)"