Chapter II: (Maki's POV)

Three weeks has passed and I noticed that I see less and less of Umi each day, not counting u's practice. She even stopped coming for morning training at the temple in which Eli took over for her, and Honoka and Kotori only said that she was training for some kendo exam or something. She hasn't been hanging around after u's practice, either.

'Not that it bothers me or anything,' I thought as I made my way to the rooftop for practice, my cheeks slightly red. 'It's just that we have another live show next week and she hasn't given me new lyrics to work with yet.'

"Oh, Maki! There you are!" I turned around and saw Umi jogging up to me. 'Speak of the devil,' I blushed slightly because this is the first time in weeks that I've seen her alone and that she's still in her gi and hakama, obviously she just came from Kyudo practice. 'Why does she have to look good in them?' I blushed harder at that. I shook my head to clear my thoughts. She smiled as she came up to me.

"It feels like it's been so long since I saw you. Gomenasai, I haven't exactly been contributing much to the group lately," she said as we walked together towards the club room.

"It's okay, you're not slacking or anything, anyway. And I heard you're busy with some family event or something," I said as I twirled my hair nonchalontly.

"Hai. But that's still no excuse. Oh, before I forget, I made these a while back. I gave them to Honoka to give to you, but obviously she forgot so I took the liberty of giving them to you personally instead. Good thing I bumped into you before practice started, or else I also would've forgotten about them."

She handed me three sheets of paper with her handwriting on them. Three songs. I looked up to say thanks but what I saw made me slightly worry. This is also the first time I really got to see her up close in weeks, and I just noticed the bags under her eyes, the weary look on her face, and, 'did she lose weight?'

"Maki, daijoubu? Is there something wrong?" she said as she lightly tapped my shoulder to get my attention. I suddenly jolted out of my reverie.

"Uh, iie! Why'd you ask?" I said as I tried to contain my blush as she caught me staring at her.

"Are you upset that they're late? Gomenasai. I know it's only Tuesday and that you probably need to focus on your studies, but if it's okay with you I can come over tonight so we can work over some of them for next week's live," she said with a worried expression on her face.

I wanted to tell her no, that she should just rest, but I really do need her to make these songs work if we're going to use them for the show next week. We try to make it a point to come up with at least one new song to perform in every live we do.

"No, I'm not mad or anything. Don't worry about it. But, are you sure? Don't you have training at home after practice?" I said as I tried to ease her from any more pointless worrying.

"Well, yes, but my mother and father will be going out tonight so I had my extensive training with them this morning. Basically, it's free practice tonight. I'll just squeeze it in after we've made some progress with the songs." She just smiled at me as if what she just said was normal for a sixteen year old to be doing. 'Well, for her, I guess.'

I was about to reply when Rin suddenly came barging inside the room.

"Ehh? You two aren't dressed yet! You're already late for practice - nya! Umi-chan, Maki-chan, hayaku!" Rin said as Umi and I scrambled to get dressed as quickly as possible. I'll just talk to Umi later after practice.

'They're very attentive to her lately,' I noticed as the group is taking a five minute water break. Since we don't have a new song yet, we've mostly been practicing and perfecting previous ones that we're going to perform for next week's live, a big picnic for an orphanage Kotori and her mother helps out in.

Honoka and Kotori were hounding Umi to rehydrate and to sit down as much as possible during breaks. I guess they also noticed how tired she is lately. 'But they're being way too attentive than usual. Is something the matter with Umi?' Not that I noticed before today, though.

"Maki-chan, daijoubu? You're spacing out," Hanayo said as she sat next to me. I blushed, thinking that I've been caught staring at Umi. Good thing Hanayo didn't seem to notice as I turned to look at her looking at me curiously.

"Hai, I was just thinking about how the new song will go. Umi and I will try to work on it later so that we can practice it as soon as possible," I covered up, although it wasn't technically a lie since I was also thinking about Umi coming over to my house later. I blushed again.

"Oh! That's good. For a moment I thought you were feeling unwell since you look a bit flushed. Don't forget to drink plenty of water, okay?" I nodded as Hanayo stood up, break was over. I glanced over at Umi and noticed that she's a bit red, probably from all the attention the two has been giving her. At least I know that someone's looking after her. Although there's still a nagging feeling that I need to observe her more carefully from now on.

"Bye-bye!" Rin called as she and Hanayo went in the other direction. That left me with Umi. It's not really strange for her to be quiet, and I can't help but notice the tranquil look she's carrying, despite looking tired, as we walked in comfortable silence to my house. I don't know why but seeing her at peace even when we're just walking calms my thoughts.

"Maki, dou shita no? You've been staring at me quite a bit today. Did I do something wrong?" I heard Umi say as she stepped in front of me. I'm positive I'm the same color as my hair right now.

"Ehh? B-betsuni! I just noticed that you look really tired, that's all," I said as I looked away from her, hiding my flushed face. I heard her giggle and I felt something poke my cheek. I turned to face her and noticed that her index finger was hovering near my face. She dropped her hand and gave me one of her most serene smiles, as if saying that everything's okay, and I couldn't help but to smile back. I mean, I'm not blind. Who can resist Umi's smiles?

"Ikimashou? So that we can get lots of things done before the day ends," she said as she pulled me by my wrist to get me going. Before she let go, though, I noticed how calloused her hand is, probably from how long she's been handling her bow and shinai. I can never really imagine what it's like to be disciplined in the traditional arts for life, but for someone as elegant and as strong spirited as Umi, I guess it can't be all that bad. Although she never really did deny that she's tired, maybe because she's Umi. From the time I met her, she may be self conscious and shy, 'too much, I'd say,' but she's also patient and selfless. Well, someone who can handle Honoka deserves my respect, at least.

We arrived at my house with just enough time to work on the songs before being called to dinner. If I were to be really, really honest with myself, I missed working with Umi. Unlike before where we met almost every other day just to finish composing, now I can't even remember the last time she dropped by. A month or so, maybe? Don't get me wrong. I like spending time with the other members, but it's different when it comes to actually working on my music, especially if Umi and I get together. Obviously I'm not too good with words, and working with Umi makes making music all the more sweeter. I may not like pop (idol) music much before since I'm more into classical and jazz, but Umi's lyrics are too nice and honest to not make into songs. If they weren't, I would've ignored Honoka when she first asked me to compose for them.

"This is nice," I heard Umi whisper as I played around with the piano, listening for inspiration.

"What's nice?" I asked as I turned to look at her who's knelt on the floor with her stuff scattered on the coffee table where she stationed herself at.

She smiled as she looked up at me. "It's been a while since I heard you play again, it's nice. These days, aside from our practice sessions, I only hear traditional Japanese music from my dance lessons, the arrows hitting targets from Kyudo practice, and my own voice during Kendo training. Listening to you play again is a nice change of pace." I blushed a bit at what she said.

"Ne, Umi. I don't want to intrude or anything, but don't you think you should lessen your load a bit? I mean, I'm sure I'm not the only one who noticed how tired you are these days, even if I rarely ever see you anymore outside practice. How critical are these to you, anyway, that you suddenly went MIA (missing in action) on us just to prepare for them?" I finally asked what's been nagging on my mind the whole day.

I saw her smile falter a bit but it was so quick I may have just imagined it. "They are tasks that's expected of me since I'm my parents' only successor, Maki. And I need to exceed those expectations. I'm sure you, of all people, understands that," she said as I nodded solemnly. "I told you before, I'm used to this already. So please don't concern yourself about me. I'll manage," she added as she stood up, knelt in front of me, and took my hands in hers. My cheeks are flushed, I'm sure, but even with her reassuring me did little to ease the worry that I'm sure can be seen from my eyes. I don't even know why I'm worried about her so much. Maybe because I can't imagine someone as strong as Umi to succumb to too much pressure. We're alike in some ways that there are times I see myself in her, and I guess it makes me reflect on myself. She patted my hands one last time before standing up, winked at me, and went back to work. I sighed as I turned back to fiddle with the piano, cheeks still warm.

"Maki, arigatou gozaimasu for having me tonight. We can fine tune what we have so far tomorrow during practice," Umi said as I accompanied her outside. "I'll see you tomorrow, then. Ja mata shita!" I didn't know what came over me, but as she was about to head out, I impulsively grabbed a hold of her hand to stop her. She looked at me, surprised by my action.

"Maki, na ni – "

"Onegai! It's late already if you're still planning to train tonight. I know you want to do your best, but haven't you done enough for today? Don't overwork yourself!" I said as I tightened my hold on her hand. I'm certain she was shocked by my sudden outburst. She remained silent for a while, but then she walked up to me and raised her hand. I instinctively closed my eyes, then I felt something caress my head like a puppy. I opened my eyes and stared at her smiling face, my own face as red as a tomato.

"Hai, wakarimasu. I'll rest for tonight, then. Arigatou, Maki," she whispered as she squeezed my hand before letting go and walking out the gate.

A/N: I honestly don't know where this is headed, but wherever it is, thanks so much for reading!

Reviews are welcome! ^_^