I stood with the rest of the school, looking at the results of that recording test that was posted. I looked at the list which had all the names that passed and…. I saw my name. I passed. I can't believe I actually passed. I excitingly looked at the other ones that passed too. I was happy to find out that Nanami Haruka, Ittoki Otoya, Jinguji Ren, Shibuya Tomochika, Shinomiya Natsuki, Hijirikawa Masato, and Kurusu Syo all passed too.

Haruka gasped beside me. "There!" I bet that she found out that she passed too.

Tomo ran into Haruka in a hug and said to us. "We did it! We all passed!"

"That's great!" Haruka exclaimed.

"I think that's more than great. It's excellent that we all passed!" I said, dramatically throwing my hands up.

At that they both laughed which resulted for me to laugh.

I passed. I passed the first test! The passing of that test motivated me to do better in the future. Passing this test on the first try must mean that I have a chance to be an idol. I'll work harder and harder from now on.

A voice shouted, "Nanami!"

We all turned around, and found Otoya running up to us.

Haruka said, "Ittoki-Kun!"

My eyes squint in confusion. "Isn't there a rule at school for no running indoors?"

He stopped in front of us and said excitingly, "We did it! We did it, didn't we?!"

"Yes! And it's thanks to you, Ittoki-Kun!" Haruka said humbly.

"What are you talking about?!" he asked. "Your song was great, Nanami! And the advice you gave me really helped, Daiki! Now I'm even more driven!" Then he pumped his fist into the air. "I'm all fired up!"

"Maybe a little too much…" Tomo pointed out.

Realizing that, Otoya scratched the back of his head and started to laugh.

"Listen, everyone!" Ringo-Sensei shouted clapping his hands to get everyone's attention. "For those who didn't pass, you'll retake the test next week!" he announced.

I know it wasn't any of my business to snoop but I couldn't resist it, and I took a look at the list again to find the names which didn't pass. The only name that I can remember at that moment, which didn't pass, was the name, Ichinose Tokiya. He didn't pass? But isn't he the identical younger twin brother of the big idol HAYATO-Sama?

Hyuga-Sensei then advised, "This time, take the bull by the horns and do everything you can to pass."

"Before class, kids who are in the idol course, pick up the training materials at the office, okay?" Ring-Sensei instructed.

…

"Haruka, wait up!" I yelled, running up to her- and yes I checked the rules and surprisingly; running in the halls is allowed.

"Oh, Daiki-Kun, aren't you supposed to pick up some training materials?" she asked.

"… Materials? What materials?" I thought about it for a moment, then it came back to me. "That's right! I'm supposed to go to the office to pick up the training materials!" I smiled broadly. "I'll pick them up later, then."

Haruka gave me a small nod and we walked down the hall together. We turned a corner and were face to face with Ichinose-Kun.

Haruka immediately started to bow and apologize, "Ano, I'm sorry about last time… I was rude."

I looked at Haruka then at Ichinose. He really does look like his older twin brother, HAYATO-Sama. They have dark-blue hair with a lock usually reaching their noses with matching colored eyes. They were both sixteen and five feet and ten inches (one hundred and seventy-nine centimeters). But the similarity ends there. HAYATO has a spikier hairstyle and always has a smile on his face. He wears frilly flashy clothing with sequins everywhere whereas Ichinose wears his uniform neatly and primly, and does not seem to have a smile on his face at all.

I can't help but get the feeling that he is HAYATO-Sama, even though they're supposed to be twins, and that Ichinose hates HAYATO-Sama. But to be honest, the glint in their eyes tells me otherwise. If he was HAYATO-SAMA I wouldn't be so surprised.

"What's the point in apologizing now?" he said. "Do you intend to curry favour with me so that you can meet my brother?"

Say what now?!

Haruka immediately said, "No! I would never…"

"Forget it." Then he walked past us.

How can that guy be so cruel to jump into conclusions like that? They might be twins but their personalities are just straight out the opposite from each other! HAYATO-Sama is cheerful, outgoing, bright, and happy-go-lucky, and this guy here is just plain old cruel.

Haruka stood there looking back at him. I couldn't stand around leaving this just as it is. I had to have a little talk with Ichinose-Kun. We'll talk this all out and if this doesn't work, I'll invite him over for tea and I can serve him a knuckle-sandwich!

"Eto, Haruka, I'm going to get the materials before I get yelled at. You go on without me," I said and I fast-walked myself to Ichinose-Kun.

When Haruka was out of sight and hearing range, I caught up to him. I grabbed his shoulder. "Hey."

"What is it that you want?" he said, without turning around.

"I just want to set things right and say that Haruka was not trying to use you to get to your brother."

He scoffed. "What you say is useless. How do you know she wasn't trying to use me?"

I let go of his shoulder. "I-I don't know. But you don't need to be so cold about it." There was a moment of silence. That was when I remembered about Ichinose and the recording test. "A-Are you upset because you failed the recording test?"

He turned around and looked at me with cold eyes. "The only reason I didn't pass is that they grade harder for people they think have talent. You only passed because it was luck." Then he walked away.

I was in utterly, complete, mega- no- ultra shock! It took all my strength and counting down from ten to calm myself enough not to send him to the hospital, or the grave for that matter!

Inhale… and exhale. Inhale… and exhale. Inhale… … … … and exhale… You're on a big fluffy cloud with calm nature sounds… a jerk did not just insult you… no matter how obnoxious this jerk is… he did not insult me. Nope. Not at all. No matter how much I want to kick his soft spot. I'm going to keep my cool. Cool… cool… … like an ice cube…

As Ichinose-Kun was going out of my sight, I tried a last ditch effort and yelled, "You're wrong! You're wrong about Haruka, you're wrong about your brother, and you're wrong about me! And… you're wrong about yourself!"

…

As I enter the class room with trying to hold all the training materials full in my hands, I spot Masato and Natsuki in front of the door, both of them were dumbfounded.

"What's up, guys?" they looked at me with sad eyes and then I squeezed into the classroom and saw Otoya and Tomo furiously wiping the blackboard clean.

Are they on cleaning duty? But when I turned my head and saw Haruka full of sadness, I knew they weren't wiping down the board because of cleaning duty. Even the aura in this classroom was full of jealousy and hatred. The rumors they spread around about Haruka are all wrong. She hasn't done anything to make people hate her. So, why do this to make someone feel bad about themselves? They make me sick. Those people who jump into conclusions without thinking to ask Haruka themselves can just get their stinkin' behinds and –

"Morning-Pu!" Ringo-Sensei greeted to the class as he walked in. "Take you seats!"

Tomo and Otoya approached Haruka, and Otoya whispered, "Don't let it get to you, Nanami."

That's not a very good advice. Especially from someone that has never experienced bullying before. How can she not let it get to her with so many people looking down at her? One negative comment can go a long way without fading for a very long time. Words hurt more than physical contact. At least bruises from physical contact go away sooner or later, but words hurt the heart. And once the heart has been hurt there's a scar remaining in it forever. Punches and Kicks only hurt for a while, but words hurt you emotionally which effects your way of thinking. It slowly eats you inside like a parasite.

"Let's get down to business," Ringo-Sensei said.

"Let's go," Tomo gently grabbed both of Haruka's shoulders and lead her to her seat along with me and Otoya.

"Today, I'll be giving you your next song for homework. I'll give students who didn't do well before a second chance!" Ringo-Sensei announced.

I looked at Haruka worriedly. She looked so depressed.

Ringo-Sensei seemed to have noticed it and called out her name. "Haru-Chan! Nanami Haruka-Chan!"

This time Haruka heard and stood up, "Y-yes?"

Ringo-Sensei handed her the music sheets. "Here, if you please!"

"Alright…" she said and hesitantly accepted the sheets.

She can do it, I know it. She's improved a lot in the past few weeks.

Haruka placed the sheets on the stand and sat down.

Everyone had their eyes on her, most were looks of disgust.

"That girl again?" one whispered.

"She couldn't read music. Can she even play the piano?"

"I don't see it…"

"That's fishy!"

Tomo, Otoya, and I looked at the ones who were saying those rude comments in disbelief.

Tomo whispered shouted, "Hey wait a minute Haruka would never-"

Otoya suddenly stood up and shouted, "Everyone, be quiet!"

"Otoya-Kun! Refrain from talking, okay?" Ringo-Sensei said.

Otoya obeyed and sat back down on his seat.

I kept my eyes on Haruka. She stayed seated on the bench and was ready to play with her hands over the keys.

It was finally Haruka's time to shine but I heard a pair of girls whispered, "Maybe she won't play again?"

"It wouldn't surprise me."

Haruka looked at the class.

"What's wrong?"

"What's she doing?"

"I guess she really can't play!"

I wanted to do something but all I could do right now was staying seated and worry in the shadows.

"Then how'd she managed the recording test?"

"That song? Maybe someone made it for her!"

That last comment really hurt Haruka because she suddenly covered both of her ears as if to shut out the noises, and shut her eyes while being bent over. I was going to go over to her and calm her down but she got up and ran out of the classroom.

Tomo was the first one to reach the door with me being not so far behind. "Wait, Haruka!" she yelled. "Haruka…"

I closed my eyes. "She just needs to calm down a little. We wouldn't be any help with the state she's in right now," I said. Haruka, please stay strong.

…

"That's impossible," Ringo-Sensei said.

I tried to move a little closer to them so I could hear well. I was crouched down and hidden behind the staircase's railings; luckily there was a wall to prevent myself from being seen. Otoya was trying his hardest to help Haruka through Ringo-Sensei since he has the most authority in the class.

Ringo-Sensei continued. "This isn't a normal school. You know that, right? If you're going to survive in this world, you've gotta bounce back, no matter what you're up against. If you can't do that, it's all over. Understand? Well, I've got my next class, so…"

I heard footsteps. "Sensei! Wait a second!" Otoya shouted, and they're voices began to fade along with they're footsteps.

All of what Ringo-Sensei said is true. If you can't handle several rude comments in class, you'll never survive in the world of music. Even so, it still hurts being a victim to bullying.

I felt a presence near me and I turned around to find Masato standing beside me.

"Aahh, Masato-Kun! I-I didn't see you there."

He just stood there, unfazed. He was here all this time? He must have listened on their conversation as well.

…

I walked along the pathway of the huge garden to the school tuck shop called Saotomate to buy some speakers, when I heard someone call out my name.

"Daiki-Kun!"

I turned around and saw Haruka running up to me.

"Haruka, you okay?"

She looked at the ground. "Yeah… I'm fine now."

I pointed to the shop. "I was just heading down to the store to buy speakers."

"Me too. I'm going to buy some food for Kuppuru."

"Kuppuru?" I asked. The word Kuppuru is a combination of 'black' (kuropi) and 'soft' (purupuru).

Realizing what she said she blushed and stammered, "A-ano… Kuppuru is the cat I told you and Tomo-Chan about."

"And I assume it's black and soft." That's when I realized it was the same cat as before.

She gave a smile. "Y-yeah."

We went to Saotomate together but when we arrived in front of the store, there was a poster with bold letters stating that the store was all out of speakers and it would take about three weeks to restock.

I hung my head down. "Man, and I was hoping to get some big brand new speakers to blast my music with it."

"I'm sorry, Daiki-Kun. Is it much of a bother if I ask you to help me pick out food for Kuppuru?" Haruka suggested. I knew she was trying to cheer me up, and the thought of seeing a cat eat food came across my mind.

I smiled and nodded at her eagerly like a little kid.

We went in the store and picked out several different types of food for the cat. We began to walk down the aisle when we spotted Masato pick out some calligraphy brushes. He seemed to have noticed and turned his head to us.

"Hijirikawa-San," Haruka said the same time as I said, "Masato-Kun."

…

I sat on the bench near the lake and tried my best not to listen onto Haruka and Masato's conversation but despite all of my effort my hearing is above average.

Masato was faced towards the lake with his back towards Haruka and said, "Are you okay?"

Haruka looked down awkwardly. "Yes…"

"It's tough isn't it?"

She looked up at him in confusion.

He continued. "Even if you're told not to let it get it to you, it's impossible."

"I was naïve…" she said as she looked back at the ground.

Masato turned around to face her as she went on. "Everyone else here has been studying all this time… but I just came here because I love music… But…" she looked up and seeing Masato looking at her she trailed off. "I've got to get going! Excuse me!" and she took off leaving me with Masato.

I was a little disappointed that she took off without me, but Masato really understood what Haruka was feeling or so I think what she would feel like if I was in her situation. I got up and approached Masato. "Eto, can we talk? It's about Haruka."

…

Masato and I walked back to the school in silence when I heard someone playing the saxophone.

"Masato, do you hear that beautiful saxophone music too?" I asked.

"Ignore it," he said a little irritated. "You said you have something to tell me in regards of Nanami-San?"

"Oh, yeah… Masato-Kun you seem to really care about Haruka in this situation and I can understand that. If I try to help, Haruka would most likely just brush me off and say that she's fine and I don't need to worry about her, but despite that I still want to help her in some ways. I figure, maybe you can help her. Talking won't do any good. You have to take action. Maybe you can help her with your piano skills and reassure her that she's not alone."

We kept walking for a few more seconds when he asked, "Why me?"

"Hm?" I scratched my head trying to get a convincing answer without revealing too much. "Well… there are a few people like me or Tomo-Chan to do it but I feel like you're the only one who could help save her this time. What she needs is reassurance…" I looked at him only finding out that he was already looking at me. "… and maybe a new friend that can help calm her down."

"I see."

We began to walk down the hallway next to the courtyard when the saxophone music stopped and some girls started to shriek. I looked to my left and saw a bunch of girls squealing and crowding around Ren who held a saxophone in his hands at the courtyard. So Ren was the one who was making that beautiful music. I have to compliment on him someday even if he uses his skills to get girls. I looked back at Masato but he had a blank look and he just walked straight ahead as if nothing had ever happened. Something big must have happened to those two. Did they finally understand that they are destined to be rivals? When they were little they would always hang out at parties. What happened? Lately I've been getting more questions than I could count.

…

"Hey, Natsuki, what's with the outfit?" I asked munching on a carrot.

Natsuki's outfit might be what you call a mommy apron outfit. It was pink and frilly with a big heart in the middle. I think that's all I have to say to get it across to anyone's minds. Seeing a tall guy wearing one might have been a first for me. But this is Natsuki we're talking about.

"Otoya-Kun asked me to teach him how to bake cakes!" Natsuki replied.

I raised an eyebrow and pointed my index finger at him. "You can bake cakes?"

"Of course! Would you like to come with us?"

"Us?"

"Yep. Syo-Chan is coming too."

Syo who was hearing our conversation started to make his way to the door but Natsuki yanked him at the arm and presented him to me.

"Gyaaahh! Let me go! I don't want to help you bake!" Syo exclaimed.

I guess I should have taken what Syo had said but I just nodded slowly, and wore a purple apron while Syo was forced to wear a green one. I then followed them to Otoya's and Ichinose-Kun's room not wanting to be dragged the same way Syo was.

All the way Syo kept on protesting how he didn't want to go and all that but Natsuki just ignored him. Natsuki's hands were full from holding onto Syo who was still trying to escape, so I knocked on the door for him. Otoya opened the door with his blue apron on.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!" Natsuki apologized with a smile on his face.

"Hey, Otoya," I greeted.

"Let go of me!" Syo yelled.

"Daiki, Syo, you two are going to help too?" Otoya asked wearing a smile like always.

"They were with me, so I brought them along," Natsuki exclaimed.

"Why do I have to be here?! Let go of me!" Syo complained. I still didn't see why he didn't like baking so much. He went on. "I'm leaving! Let me leave! Forgive me! Daiki help me! Somebody!" it was like he was trying to escape torture.

Both Otoya and I shared the same confusing look. "Syo?"

…

There were ingredients and materials all laid out in the kitchen table, from eggs to a blender.

"I'm delighted to make good use of my hobby for you, Otoya-Kun!" Natsuki said clasping his hands together. "Baking cake is so much fun!"

I knew how to bake a little so I was a little out of it, Syo still had an irked face on, and Otoya had an extremely curious yet happy face on.

As Natsuki begins to start baking Syo whispered to us, "You two are about to see what hell looks like."

"Huh?" Otoya replied.

"Hell?" I whispered.

Natsuki begins the process with putting all the ingredients in the blender. "First eggs!" he cracked some eggs and putted the whites with the yolk in the blender.

Otoya had an amazed look on, but Syo said, "Eggs are the only thing he's good with."

"Wheat flour, butter, sugar, chocolate!" he putted the stated ingredients in but he didn't measure them and he just pour the whole pack of flour, butter, and sugar in. And for the chocolate he didn't even unwrap it from its package before it was in the blender. My mouth was opened a little from seeing him baking while Otoya had a confused look on and Syo yelled through a mega phone, "Hey! Stop!"

Natsuki continued to put weird ingredients in the blender. "And then for the secret ingredients: tabasco sauce, chili sauce, fermented soybeans, fermented squid…" then he started to blend everything together.

By that time both me and Otoya were in shock and had our jaws dropped. Syo yelled furiously, "I told you to stop!"

He started to pour the odd mixture into the saran cups and said, "Normally, I'd cook them in an oven, but here, I'll just use a strong fire all at once!"

Strong fire? Wait does he mean he's going to use –

Suddenly Natsuki wore goggles and used a blowtorch and turned it on. Flame came out of at its maximum.

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" all three of us screamed.

Natsuki finally turned off the blowtorch, took off his goggles, and delightfully said, "Okay, they're ready! They have that perfect chocolate color!"

As the heavy smoke began to clear, it revealed the finishing products from his baking skills. Otoya, Syo, and I were now trembling and clinging onto each other at the sight of Natsuki's cakes. It was burnt inside and out, it was all crumbly, and it kind of made me want to barf just looking at it.

Natsuki was holding a fork with a plate with one of his 'delicacies' and approached us saying, "Syo-Chan, you be the first to try it!"

All three of us were now broken up and waving our hands protesting.

Syo yelled, "Why me?! Get away from me! Shoo! Shoo!"

As Natsuki was closing in on the space between us, Syo got behind Otoya and pushed him towards Natsuki as he said, "I'll leave the rest to you," then he grabbed my hand and ran out the door.

As I was being dragged out of the kitchen I took one last glimpse at Otoya who's face turned blue after one bite of the cake.

Both of us ran out of the dorms puffing and panting. Syo looked up at the sky just as a red shooting star was passing by and said, "Otoya, we won't forget you!"

"Syo, are his cakes that disastrous?" I asked.

"Of course they are!"

"Syoooo-Chaaan! Daaaikiii-Chaaaan!"

We both turned our heads around and saw Natsuki jump out of the kitchen window which was on the second floor, wearing a parachute.

"Open wiiiiiide!"

I did the smart thing and kept my mouth shut but Syo had his mouth opened to start yelling and Natsuki shoved a chunk of the cake into his mouth.

Right when it entered his mouth Syo's face turned green and he began to scream, "WAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" and he fainted. Just then a pink shooting star passed.

Natsuki then turned to me with the last of the cake on the fork. "Your turn, Daiki-Chan!"

I looked at the cake on the fork and took it reluctantly. If I was going to eat his cake I was going to do it as a man and eat it on my own free will. As it began to enter my mouth I stopped.

I looked at Natsuki with a worried look on my face. "Natsuki before I eat this can you tell me the emergency numbers?"

"One-one-ten are for police only, and one-one-nine are for firefighters and ambulances," he said with a smile.

"When do we use one-one-nine?"

"You use one-one-nine when someone is sick, like food poisoning!"

"Good. Now remember that." I took a deep breath and ate it… "GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!" before I fainted I swore I saw a pure white shooting star starting to pass by.

...

Aroe Somiko looked up at the wall she was supposed to climb to get to the other side. The wall was easily five times larger than her height, but she wasn't going to let her height stop her from keeping her promise. She looked around desperately for something that can haul her up to the top, but all there was were some tall trees. She looked at the trees for some time when a thought came to her.

"That's right!" she exclaimed. "I can just use the trees to get to the top!"

Somiko quickly approached the tree and made contact with the rough surface. She was glad that all she was wearing for today was simple attire with a white tee and sweats. It was a lot easier to move around in them and it was comfortable to wear.

After taking a deep breathe of confidence she started to climb up the tree. When she was about three feet off the ground she can feel her weight fighting against her and she dropped back down to the ground. She let out a huff of annoyance after the fifth time with no success. What was she doing wrong? She circled around the tree, studying it.

Being no less than eight years old, she was already considered a genius. She closed her eyes for a few minutes processing the image of the tree in her mind. She opened her eyes, smiled wryly and blew her white hair out of her eyes. "Sixth time is the charm."

Somiko went behind the tree facing towards a small hollow space and used it as a boost to help her get off the ground. She grabbed a nearby branch with both her hands and used her weight to launch herself from the edge of the opening to the branch. She then swung her figure back and forth on the branch like a monkey bar, twisted her body sideways, and when she got enough momentum, she jumped to a higher branch near her side. Somiko continued until she was at the same level as the top of the wall.

She got on top of the wall easily and smiled to herself. But her smile faded when she saw how high up she was. Her eyes widened and her balance shifted resulting in her falling from the wall. She landed on the other side of the wall with a thud. Luckily, some bushes were there to help 'soften' her fall.

"Itetete…" she muttered to herself, and as she stood up, a young boy came out of the back of his house to see what the commotion was all about.

"W-who's there?" he asked, approaching the bushes where he heard the strange noises.

Somiko looked up and made eye contact with the boy. "Masato-Kun!" she exclaimed coming out from the bushes.

Masato was stunned by her appearance. "Somiko-San, why are you here?"

She scoffed and crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Masato-Kun, how many times do I have to say it? Call me Miko-Chan. I don't get why you have to get all formal with me. Ren-Kun calls me Miko-Chan so why can't you?"

The blunette blinked. "Fine… Miko-Chan why are you here?"

Somiko sighed in annoyance and replied, "I came here to keep my promise! Don't you remember? You always looked so lonely, and you confessed to me that your dad is way too strict. The only person you have fun with living in this residence is your butler; Sebastian, and kids you hang out with around your age is just me and Ren, and we can only do that at parties. In the end, both of us promised that I would visit you whenever your dad is away for work. It's easy to know when your dad is at work through my father. And now that I'm here to solely hang out with you, you ask why I'm here?! Hijirikawa Masato, have you got no shame?"

A few seconds passed, then Masato bowed to her deeply at a fourty-five degree angle apologizing. "I am truly sorry for forgetting our promise."

Somiko blushed and immediately said, "You don't have to do that! At least you remember now…"

"Hijirikawa-Sama, who is this young lady?"

Both Somiko and Masato turned towards the voice. It was Sebastian.

"Sebastian, this is Aroe Somiko but she would prefer if you would were to call her Miko," Masato said.

Sebastian smiled warmly at her and bowed. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Miko-Sama." and in turn, Somiko bowed as well, "Konnichiwa, Sebastian-San."

Both Masato and Sebastian were really traditional compared to her. They even wore komodos as daily wear around the house.

Then she turned to Masato. "Yo-oshi!" she said excitingly, pumping her fist into the air. "Masato-Kun, I hear you can play the piano. Can you teach me?"

…

After watching both Sebastian and Masato play for several minutes, Somiko quickly learned which key is which note and how to play the piano properly. Unfortunately, she was too short to reach the pedals. She took the rest of the day studying on how to read piano sheet music with the help of Masato. It was a lot different from a violins'.

…

Somiko finally learned how to read piano sheet music when Masato came in the piano room with a panicked look on his face.

She looked at him in confusion. "Wha –?"

His eyes widened and held his index finger in front of his lips as a sign for her to be quiet. Somiko still didn't know what was going on, but if Masato was flipping out and panicking something wrong must be occurring. Even if she was eight she acts a lot more mature than her age when it comes down to it.

That's when she heard it. "Ah, welcome back, Hijirikawa-Sama," a voice which was clearly Sebastian's.

A male voice said, "MM. prepare the tea for me."

"Yes Sir." And a pair of feet passed the closed door in front of them.

Masato's father said in a commanding voice, "Masato, where is your finished paper you were assigned to do?"

Somiko froze in her place not knowing what to do. Masato went up to her and whispered in her ear, "On my signal, sneak away home."

She nodded. If it was not for this situation, Somiko for sure would have shivered and blushed at how warm his breath was against her ear.

Masato took out his assigned work and exited the room, closing the door on his way out.

"Father, here is the assigned work I finished for today," Masato said.

"And what is it about?" his father demanded.

"It is about the Nanking Massacre. During that time period soldiers of the imperial Japanese army killed many Chinese civilians. The Chinese tried to flee quickly away –"

Somiko was listening on the conversation carefully and when she heard Masato over pronouncing the last bit, she knew it was the signal. Without a second thought, she quickly, but quietly, fled all the way to home.

…

A Week Later

…

Somiko looked up at the big wall and started to climb it with the help of the big trees. For over a week now, Somiko was practicing how to improve on her tree climbing so she would not have to go from limb to limb. Gradually she learned how to climb using only the trunk. In between tree climbing she would go down to the piano shop where the kind owner let's her practice.

When she got on top of the wall she positioned herself and jumped to the other side of the wall where Masato was waiting for her. She skillfully landed on the ground like a cat would, and smiled broadly to herself. She was scared of heights, yes. But with all that tree climbing she was not so afraid. It is when she was higher than two stories she would start to get scared.

"Ohayo, Masato-Kun!"

"Ohayo gozaimasu, Miko-Chan," he replied bowing to her.

It's been a dreadful week for Masato, for his father had the whole week off so he could not see Somiko.

…

"Miko-Chan, you're playing very wonderfully," Masato complimented on the white haired girl.

She stopped playing and was hinted with blush a little. "Arigato, Masato-Kun…"

She wavered off when she noticed him looking at her confused. Somiko knitted her eyebrows. "What's wrong?"

Realizing that he was giving her a judgemental look he quickly apologized. "Sumimasen, Miko-Chan. It's just that when you're playing you tend to cross your legs…"

Hearing that, she immediately looked at her own legs, and there they were crossed together. She uncrossed them and started to play again, but as she played she took another glance at her legs and found them crossed again once more.

"Nani? What's going on?" she uncrossed them and played again but her legs would always end up being crossed.

Masato, who was watching the whole time said, "It's just a habit, I presume."

She sighed and rested her head on the piano keys, careful to not make a sour sound. "And an odd habit at that."

With that, Masato let out a laugh. Somiko jerked her head towards the laughing Masato. "Masato-Kun! Don't laugh at my imperfections!" even though she said that, she soon joined him.

It was the first time ever she saw Masato act like a little kid at home. One little action from him made her day.

…

The next day I could still taste the awful cakes. I shuddered at the thought of them. When we ate our lunch Otoya, Syo, and I had to restrain Natsuki from handing out any of his cakes to anyone. Everyone looked at us like we were Cray Cray, but if they ate it themselves they would feel the same way as me. Even if I hated the ones that gossiped badly about Haruka I wasn't that cruel for them to taste his 'baked sweets'.

Everything turned out for the better when class resumed. Ringo-Sensei asked her to play the piano again and she confidently sat on the piano stool. Just then, the class was full of bad rumors again. I regretted for restraining myself from shoving the cakes down their throats back at lunch hour. But then, they were all shut up at the fact that Haruka played the piano, even Ringo-Sensei seemed a little surprised.

I grinned and made a 'v' sign along with Tomo, Otoya, and Natsuki. I took a glance at Masato, and even he was amazed. Masato was a big help to Haruka. I'm glad that I asked him, and that he actually took matters in his own hands.

…

With everyone celebrating the fact that Haruka was over her stage fright I headed over to the piano room. I sat down on the stool and had my fingers hover over the keys. I played white rose and when I was nearing the end I felt a presence in the room and when I stopped playing, Masato was by the door.

"Masato-Kun, Arigato for helping Haruka," I said, staying seated.

He walked over to me and said, "Your legs… why are they like that?"

"Nani?" I looked at my legs and found them crossed up. "Oh, it's always like that when I play the piano."

He closed his eyes then whispered, "Miko-Chan…"

"Huh?" I asked cocking my head towards him in confusion and shock.

"When I was a child, I couldn't eat in front of my father… he was extremely strict… the relationship between us was no more than that of head of the family and heir. But even as I was, there were times that I found peace. Whenever I was with my old butler, I even managed to forget the painful things in life. He also taught me to play the piano. But the happiest times of my life was when my friend would visit me secretly to accompany me whenever father was not home. It was a secret between the three of us." he opened his eyes. "She learned how to play the piano skillfully in less than two weeks by just watching my butler and me play. She risked her freedom to be with me so I would not get lonely. And her name was Miko. She would always tell me to call her that."

I blinked several times at him. "Ano… Masato-Kun why are you telling me all this?"

He looked out the window. "I have two reasons. The first one is that besides her, you are the only one that I have ever met that plays the piano while crossing their legs. The second reason is that you must have known about my past, and that I truly was the only one that could help Nanami-San." He looked at me in the eyes with his purple ones. "Now how would you know?"

I diverted my attention to the piano keys. What do I say? "W-well, you are the scion for the Hijirikawa family, so of course a lot of magazines would have your information. I just really like the world of business, and an article on you popped up, and I just put two and two together…"

He looked at the piano and said, "I see…"

There was an awkward silence. I mentally slapped my face a dozen times. He must think I'm some kind of stalker now. Well, who wouldn't be considered a stalker after they say that? Just when I thought there was no way out of this awkwardness, my phone rang. I looked at the screen and it was from Syo. I turned around to face away Masato and answered the call.

"Moshi Moshi?" I whispered.

"HEEEEEEEEEEELLLP!" Syo screamed. He was so loud that I had to distance myself from the phone until his scream died down. I was sure that even Masato was able to hear him scream.

"What's wrong Syo?"

"Natsuki's starting to hand out his cupcakes all around school!" he exclaimed.

I got off the stool quickly. If anyone came in contact with his food anywhere near their mouth, they're goners, and I should know. I'm still having nightmares about Natsuki's cooking at night.

"We have to collect all the ones he handed out quick!" I said.

"OF COURSE, BAKA! NOW HURRY UP!" there was a pause.

The last words I heard were from Otoya. "Natsuki, STOOOOOP!"

Beep

Beep

Beep

Beep

…

…

…

And that was when I realized he hung up. I bowed to Masato politely and went out of the piano to stop Natsuki's cooking of terror. He could scare away Godzilla with it. I have to take action before people fall victim to his cakes.

Katie Horror here! i hope you guys like my third chapter. all resources to use was from wiki, and more. i do not own utapri. all i own is my O.C.

I would love it if you guys would review, follow, and favorite on my story.

I personally loved writing the scene about introducing Natsuki's cooking. if i got any info wrong please inform me and i will change it right away.

Horror, signing out.