A deeper perspective on Nodame and Chiaki's relationship.

My Girl

A Nodame Cantabile Story

chapter two: +under one roof+

My eyes flutter open as the ridiculous sound of what seems to be Puri Gorota music fills the room.

"Nggg," is Nodame's response as I yank her arm off my chest.

The ringing keeps getting louder and I have to scramble to my feet to search for Nodame's phone, lost in the pile of clothes scattered on the floor.

Now, who can be calling at three o'clock in the morning? The phone is still ringing on my hand, and I refuse to answer it.

*Beep*

Sigh.

Finally, the annoying music is dead. The caller is registered as Elise.

Damn that woman. Another job offer for Nodame, probably. But, with her enormous talent and stage presence, that can wait until the sun rises.

It has taken me a while to ponder on how much Nodame has improved for the past two years that I haven't noticed the small figure sitting on the back of the bed.

I smile to myself, admiring the moonlight that is illuminating Nodame's form. I especially love the faint glow dancing on her skin.

What greets me is her perplexed expression. She looks at me, unsure, tightly clutching the sheet wrapped around her body.

"Who was it, Shinichi?"

A hint of jealousy suddenly engulfs the room. Seeing where this is going and getting my rationality back, I deliberately roll my eyes and crawl back to bed.

"No one you should freak out about." I yawn. "It's just work."

"Work, huh?" The tone in her voice is actually quite threatening.

Seriously, it's her phone in the first place!

"Ugh, Nodame," I groan. "It was just Elise. Like I said, no one you should make a fuss about."

I feel her body slump back under the covers, our bare skins touching. It's soothing.

She starts to giggle. "You know, I think it's just healthy that one of us gets jealous once in a while. It helps strengthen our love as a couple. Mukya."

"What do you mean once in a while?" I retort. "You go all berserk whenever you catch me talking to a girl or some strange feminine man. I have female and gay colleagues, too, you know. And I must say, I've met plenty of people before you and it's just rude not to greet or talk to them after I haven't seen them for a long time."

Nodame's head poke out of the sheet, getting a better view of my face. "But Shinichi is so...perfect. That's why Nodame has a hard time containing her jealousy because she's scared someone might lure you away."

I frown at the thought. After all this time, she still feels inadequate?

The truth is, I don't want to think anymore. Perfection has become increasingly superficial in this modern world. It's definitely not real music. It's definitely not Nodame's. And I'm definitely not the kind of guy who'll get along with stereotypes. Nodame's enough of a proof.

"You really are an idiot, aren't you?"

I pull her against me, her heat blending with mine. She shudders at the contact, and turns around, our bodies facing each other.

"I'll have blueberry pancakes this morning." She says, nuzzling her head on my chest.

Pancakes it is.

I soundly comply, pressing onto her tighter.

"This is sooo good!" Nodame squeals in delight, gobbling two pancakes oozing with blueberry syrup and topped with cream cheese.

It's a different feeling when you're cooking for two. You'll have this constant need to improve. You'll want to try out new recipes, which I, for one, enjoy, actually. And the best part about it is that at the end of each meal, you get a compliment for dessert.

Well, Nodame and the rest of the freeloaders that come to my apartment once in a while to eat are perhaps the generous ones.

Nodame thanks me for breakfast before languidly moving to the bathroom, the morning sun reflecting on most of her bare skin.

She's wearing my shirt again. It's one of the times I actually allow her to use it since she insists my smell lingers longer and stronger when she has it on. It's also too big so it hangs loosely on her small frame, exposing an ample amount of flesh.

Not that I mind, really.

"Don't take long, Nodame." I call out.

"Why don't we share the shower, then, Shiniiichiii?"

"Take your time."

"Gyabo!"

That idiot thinks she can seduce me easily. It won't work, though.

After what seems to be less than ten minutes (thankfully, she's taken longer than her usual five), Nodame pops out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped snugly around her body.

I suddenly have an urge to take that towel off, but I quickly brush it aside.

Sometimes, Nodame fresh from the shower is enough to make me pick up where we've left off last night. I hate this.

I mentally struggle to restrain myself. If I let go, I'll miss another rehearsal with Marlet this morning.

"Shinichiii..." Nodame coos, walking toward me. "It's a Saturday and Prof. Auclair said that I can get a day off from special lessons today...so I've been thinking that uh...we can have a date?"

I swallow hard when she's finally standing before me, her hands slightly brushing across my chest before coming to a stop around my neck.

Damn you, Nodame.

"Please get dressed." I plea as I unconsciously bite my lip.

Despite having everything seem under control, my body wants to go wild with hers.

The vicious gleam in her eyes becomes more evident as she focuses her face on mine. "But I'm too lazy to put on my clothes. Mukya."

Oh. What an idiot.

"What do you take me for?"

I practically let myself loose this time, throwing an apron at her. "Gyabooo!"

"Come on, we better get going." I say, walking pass her. "We have to stay away from the apartment as much as possible."

"Yes! Finally, a date with Shinichi..." Nodame happily states, walking toward the bedroom as if floating in the air.

Seeing her happy because of me is enough to make me turn my back on the whole world. At first, I won't admit it even to myself. But then, if it means losing her, then I guess I have plenty of things to reconsider.

"A date with Shinichi...a date with-"

"Nodame," I interrupt, playing with the doorknob.

"Yes, my love?" My eyes twitch at her response. I believe she's now in her delusional phase.

"It's just another rehearsal day with Marlet...not exactly what you call a date." I chuckle a bit, watching how her face change from suave to wreck.

"It's okay...as long as I get to be with you." With that, she retreats.

And what strikes me the most is catching a glimpse of her modest smile before she gently closes the door.

Yes, this story is still in-progress. You may be confused about the plot since I haven't stated it aloud, but there is one. Then again, this story is not just some drabble series or something like that. I've always wanted to look into a deeper, more intimate side about Nodame and Chiaki's relationship, so I've come up with this.

Anyway, thank you for the feedback so far! I really appreciate them.