Here goes the second chapter of One Note At A Time! If none of you had guessed already, each chapter will usually be composed of one episode each.

Thoughts.

Singinger = boy

Singing = girl

Singing = both

Enjoy!

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How Can I Smile When I Want To Cry?

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My eyes snapped open, my heart beating wildly under my chest. I had had a nightmare.

Again.

However, while I knew what I was dreaming about, I couldn't remember anything of it, as if my mind kept blocking the pictures out.

Again.

My sudden movement must have startled the cat, because he was wide awake and staring at me with worry in his turquoise orbs.

Worry? God, I truly am turning insane if I think a cat would be worried about me.

"It's fine, Kuro" I assured, petting his head. "Just a silly nightmare, don't mind me"

Then, I glanced to my alarm clock. I never bothered to turn it on, knowing I'd always wake up before it rang anyway.

"4h01, uh?"

Meaning I slept… more or less five hours.

Getting up, I started stretching. I never liked physical activities, seeing how it took so much energy, but what I did enjoyed was the freedom of movement my trained flexibility allowed me. My dear mother kind of forced me to learn any agility prowess she could think of –she's got a few mean ones up her sleeve, what with her primary job as a model- and despite the circumstances in which I learned to bend myself in any thinkable way, I relished in all the possibilities that came by.

Freedom of the body, freedom of the mind: two things extremely important for an Idol to learn and use.

After around twenty minutes of stretching, I already felt more relaxed and warmed up. Jumping in the shower, I enjoyed the hot water against my skin. Then, a towel around my body, I went back into the room. As soon as I stepped out, the cat ran under the bed, and I snorted.

"Shy much, Kuro?" I grinned. "Aren't you just the perfect gentleman?"

A weak mewl echoed, making me chuckle. Deciding to let him be, I quickly put on my uniform.

At first, the idea of a uniform repulsed me, knowing very well that most of the schools with these only allowed skirts and/or dresses to the female population. However, I learned upon searching thoroughly through the rules of Saotome Academy that there was, in fact, absolutely no rule against a girl wearing pants. Delighted was an euphemism to describe my expression when I found out.

I really can't stand dresses or skirts.

So, after putting on the pants and the blouse, I put on my choker –the only necklace that would fit with my uniform- and tied my still somewhat wet hair in a sloppy braid on the side, before eying myself in the mirror, satisfied. As said many, many times before, I wasn't one to care much for appearances. I liked to look good in public, but never went out of my way to have a perfect hairstyle or socks that matched my eyes.

Paying attention to these things is such a drag…

I opened the curtains, and a few rays of sun pierced inside. I closed my eyes, feeling the warmth spreading on my face, before turning back to my alarm clock.

"4h34" I muttered. "And classes start at… 9h00? If I recall, the cafeteria won't open before seven, which means I still have two hours and twenty-six minutes left…"

Kuro shot me what seemed like a deadpan look.

"I know, my mathematics skills are amazing" I joked.

He rolled his eyes at me. He fricking rolled his eyes!

How can a CAT roll his eyes!?

"You're not like the other cats, are you?" I asked. "But whatever. I'll leave the window open so that you can leave if you want. Do not touch my drums, got it?"

He simply stared at me. Taking that for a 'yes', I grabbed my bag, opened the window and waved goodbye, before heading outside. I had seen what the school grounds looked like at night, but I knew I could get some great pictures in the early morning. So, without wasting anymore time, I went outside.


I snatched a picture of the sun rising above the pond. It was a really great one, if I could say so myself. I wasn't a professional photographer, and I didn't intend to become one either. I just managed many good pictures because I took them at the right place at the right moment. And I liked to hang them to my walls after that.

Putting back my camera in my bag, I then glanced at my IPod's screen, putting Heart Of Crows in my ears. At the same moment, my stomach rumbled.

Well, the cafeteria should be open now.

Still, I took my time. I didn't like wasting it, but I considered that taking a walk outside to relax before a first day wasn't such a waste.


When I reached my destination, there weren't many students, unlike yesterday. I grabbed a plate of bacon with sausages, a banana and some bread. Not a very Japanese breakfast, but I didn't really care. I was just hungry.

Sitting down at one of the numerous empty tables, I took out the book I had brought with me and started eating, reading at the same time.

After a certain amount of time –I don't keep up when I'm reading-, someone tapped on my shoulder.

"Shit!"

Surprised at the arrival of the intruder in my personal space, I straightened my spine and kind of sent my book crashing on the floor. Startled at my reaction, the guy took a step behind, wide eyes. We stared at each other for a moment, not really knowing what the hell just happened, before he chuckled and picked up the book.

Damn, he's got pretty red eyes.

"Sorry for startling you" he apologized, handing it back.

"Nan, don't sweat it" I shrugged it off with a sheepish smile. "It's kind of my fault. I always cut off reality when I read"

"I could see that" he teased lightly. "I'm Ittoki Otoya"

"Arya"

We shook hands, and I gestured to the empty seats in front of me.

"You can sit if you want" I proposed, putting the book back in my bag.

So he did. After a few seconds of awkward silence, I scratched the back of my head.

"So… did you need something?" I asked, trying not to sound rude.

"O-oh! Right!" he seemed to remember why he was there. "Actually, not really. I just remembered you were in my class and seeing how you were eating alone, well…"

I laughed as his cheeks tainted in a light pink.

"I don't mind the company" I assured. "I don't really like being alone, but I'm not exactly good with meeting new people, so it tends to get in the way of making friends"

"I see. Say, in what course are you?" he inquired in curiosity.

"Idol. What about you?"

"Same" he nodded. "Do you play an instrument?"

"Drums"

"Drums?" he repeated, surprised at my answer.

"What, I can't play drums because I'm a girl?" I replied, raising an eyebrow.

"N-no! Of course not!" he instantly protested, turning as red as his hair once more.

His reaction made me laugh.

"I'm just teasing" I grinned. "I know that most people tend to think that I play piano or violin or something like that. What about you?"

Instantly, his eyes brightened even more, and I wondered for a moment if he was the incarnation of the sun itself.

"I play the guitar" he informed cheerfully.

And it went on and on like that for a while. Playing twenty-questions as we ate our breakfast, I quickly managed to get a general idea of his persona: nice, easily embarrassed, always smiling and very passionate. He was the kind of person I could easily hang out with.

These kind of people can't lie. He's much like the girl from yesterday. Happy-go-lucky people like him or her don't have much to care about, do they?

"Oh? Arya-san?"

Blinking at the interpellation, I turned around to see the blond from yesterday.

"Hey" I greeted with a wave. "Err… Syo, right? My knight in shining armor?"

He smiled at that, taking another of the seats as Otoya waved to him.

"Hey, Syo-san!"

"Otoya-san, I didn't know you were friend with Arya-san" remarked the blond.

"We met this morning" I shrugged. "You two know each other?"

"We met yesterday" replied Syo.

That made us laugh a little, before I remembered what exactly had occurred the day before.

"Say, sorry about yesterday" I said. "I kind of stormed out of the place…"

"To be honest, I found it hilarious" he admitted with a grin. "Jinguji got all the girls to his feet, a few just don't care, even less manage to say 'no', but never did one just called him a closet pervert before waltzing out like you did"

"He creeped me out" I shrugged. "I mean, seriously: who calls someone they just met little lamb? I've got chills just thinking about it, and not the good kind!"

The boys chuckled at my outrage and suddenly, Syo's eyes widened in fright. Before I could ask what was happening, a tall, blond guy jumped on the poor boy and trapped him in a choking embrace. I stared as the shorter one tried to wriggle out of the death grasp, in vain, while the other just kept cooing about how cute he was today.

"N-Natsuki! Let me go, damn it!" yelled Syo.

In the end, the newcomer did let him go. Trying to catch his breath, Syo then found himself practically dying on the table as the Natsuki dude shoved a cookie in his mouth.

Note to self: don't eat the cookies.

"Oh, hello!" he greeted, apparently just realizing Syo wasn't alone.

"Hello, Nat-chan!" replied Otoya with a smile.

"Err… yo"

The bespectacled eyes widened slightly –he got pretty eyes too!- at me and, before I could react, I was trapped in his arms.

"Aw, you're so cute!" he exclaimed.

"Gah! Let me go! Let me go!" I struggled. "Personal space, damn it!"

I was suddenly pulled out of his embrace and found myself trapped against another chest. Choking a little, I raised my eyes to see that it was, in fact, the closet pervert. What a small world.

FOR REAL!?

"Don't worry, my lady" he leaned closer to my face. "I have you now"

"Damn it, out of my fucking bubble, I said!"

Someone grabbed me by my collar before the flirt could answer, and I was finally free. This time, it was a boy –very tall too- with blue hair and a mole under his eye. He glared at Jinguji, who glared back.

"Hijirikawa"

"Jinguji"

"Hey, are you okay, Arya-san?" asked Otoya, placing an hand on my shoulder.

Gently, I pushed his hand off, not wanting to hurt his feelings but needing my space.

"I'm fine, thanks" I smiled at him. "I just don't really like it when people invade my personal space"

"Gah!" exclaimed the green-eyed one from sooner. "I'm so sorry! You were just too cute, I had to hug you!"

I stared at him, before extending my hand.

"How about we start everything again? I'm Arya, nice to meet you" I presented myself.

He grabbed my hand with his owns and smiled at me.

"I'm Shinomiya Natsuki, Syo-chan's roommate! Nice to meet you too, Ary-chan!"

I blinked at the nickname, before opting to just roll with it. I then turned to the blue haired guy.

"Thanks for saving me from the creep-"

"Hey!"

"I'm Arya"

He stared at my extended hand for a second, before shaking it lightly.

"Hijirikawa Masato"

Finally, I turned to the flirt and crossed my arms over my chest, glaring.

"It's been twice now, Jinguji" I remarked. "Is the concept of personal space to intricate for your inferior mind or are you just plain blind and deaf?"

"So aggressive" he sighed dramatically. "Please, do not take offense, my lady. I merely wanted to know you better"

"Not interested" I snapped. "Drop the stupid nicknames, the flirty lines and the utter need to breech my bubble, and then I'll think twice before castrating you"

"Ouch" he mocked, an hand over his heart.

"Jinguji, have you lost so much decency that you cannot understand when a woman refuses your advances?" inquired coldly Hijirikawa.

Well, I ain't a woman, but I'll take what I can get.

The both of them glared at each other again, and I was convinced we'd past the next hour here when the bell rang, announcing that classes would start in fifteen minutes. Grabbing the bag on my chair, I then turned to Otoya, Natsuki and Syo, who just kept on watching with small smiles.

"Let's go to class together?" I proposed.

"Sure" the redhead smiled back.

"Of course!" exclaimed cheerfully the tall blond.

"I'll see you at dinner?" said Syo.

"Oh, you're in S-Class, right?" I didn't recall having him in my class. "Wow… you must be crazy talented, uh?"

"Oh, well, I'm still learning" he scratched the back of his head.

"I am too, lady" muttered a voice in my ear.

"Damn it! Get lost already!" I pushed Jinguji away.

He simply laughed, before gesturing at Syo.

"Come on, Chibi-chan"

"Don't call me that!"

But they left anyway. After that, I turned to Hijirikawa.

"Want to come with us?" I asked.

He simply nodded, and we went on our way to our classroom. After a few minutes, I had engaged in a heavy conversation with Natsuki, debating whether or not cats were cuter than dogs. Otoya simply laughed along, and Masato kept quiet.

Making friends? Well, that's one thing done. Guess I won't be alone after all.


"Good morning!" exclaimed Ringo-sensei, as cheerful as before. "Everyone here has survived the fierce entrance examination battle… but your real battle begins today. People in the Idol course, raise your hands!"

I raised my hand, glancing around. Otoya did the same, along with Natsuki and Masato. I exchanged a smile with the redhead.

"Then, people in the composition course!"

The girl of the night before raised her hand, apparently determined, along with the other half of the class.

"I see. So, we've got kids who aim to become Idols, and kids who aim to compose for the Idols. You'll be studying together in order to acquaint yourselves with each other but, at the end of the first term, the Idol course students and the Composition students will pair up!"

Pair up? Like, one of each? Meaning we'll have to compose a song…

"And your partner won't necessarily come from the A-Class" pursued the he-she teacher. "You're free to pick a partner of your choice from the B-Class, S-Class or any other. Your graduation audition will be performed in that pairing, and the road to a major debut will be opened to the victorious pair!"

My fist clenched somewhat. A major debut? That's what I was here for.

Become an Idol, conquer Asia's stage, then rejoice with Father's Agency.

"Until the official pairs are decided at the end of the first term, you should get to know a lot of people and search for your perfect partner. And one more thing"

This time, his face turned rather serious.

"There's a very important rule!" he announced. "That rule is… Romance is absolutely forbidden! Dating between the sexes is outlawed! Offenders will be expelled immediately, no matter what the reason! That is the Academy's rule!"

Unable to contain myself any longer, I snorted.

Loud.

All eyes were landed on me, but I couldn't really care less. Now that I knew some of them, first impressions went out of the window.

"I'm sorry, Ringo-sensei" I grinned at him, trying to keep my laughter in check. "It's just that, the way you put it, it sounds completely absurd. I mean, we're here for much more than romance, of all things, right?"

"Absolutely right, Miss Arya!" he agreed, smiling again. "However, it's the rule and therefore, I have to warn everyone. And, now that this is done, let's start with checking everybody's capabilities by having a recording test!"

Instantly, the classroom was filled with whispers and surprised exclamations.

Recording test? There must be more to it…

"I'm going to pair you up for this time only. The rules are simple, too: the Idol course kids will have to write the lyrics of the song, while the Composer kids will write the music!"

Instantly, my heart dropped, and I felt my head swinging.

Lyrics? We've got to write lyrics? God, why me…

"So, I randomly drew lots to decide on the pairs! After all, luck is also part of ability in show business!" Ringo-sensei smiled broadly.

Now really worried, I took a look at the papers on the wall behind him, and frowned a little when I found that my name was nowhere on the list.

"Oh, and since we've got an odd number of students due to one dropping out before school started, there will be a team of three!" added Ringo-sensei, as if sensing my distress. "Arya-chan, you will join Haruka-chan and Otoya-kun's team"

"Roger that" I saluted in a military form.

The teacher laughed a little, and I sent a peace sign at the redhead, who did the same. Then, I shot a look at the Haruka girl. Coincidently, it was the one from the night before.

Fate works wonders, eh?

"All right, everyone settle down!" our Idol teacher brought back some order in the classroom. "As a reference point, let's listen to the best tune from last year. Accompanying on piano will be… Nanami Haruka-chan!"

The girl snapped her head up, apparently mortified.

"M-me!?"

"That's right! So, if you would…"

She bit her lower lip, but went at the back of the class anyway. I frowned. Something wasn't right. Could it be she couldn't play the piano? Well, there was no shame to that, it's not like everyone here could, but…

"All you have to do is play the melody" said Ringo-sensei, passing her the music sheets. "Please start from the letter A, after the 16th bar of the intro cut, where the repeat mark is"

She gulped, staring the the sheet with a blank face, and realization dawned over me.

She can't read music. Well… crap. That's not good. She can learn, of course, but right now I really wouldn't want to be in her shoes…

"Uh? Would you rather play from a record sheet?" proposed kindly the teacher.

But as she kept silent, staring at the sheet with growing uneasiness, whispers came back once more.

"What's happening?"

"Why doesn't she play?"

"What's wrong with her?"

Annoyance grew inside of me. They'd make fun of her, that was for sure, but she seemed like such a sweet girl! I just couldn't stand the idea.

"Is something wrong?" wondered gently Ringo-sensei.

"A-ano…"

"Maybe she doesn't know how to read music?" wondered one of the students.

"No way!"

"Seriously?"

"I can't believe it!"

"Why?"

"Don't tell me she can't even play the piano…"

At that, Haruka stiffened and got up to look at the class.

"I-I can play the piano!" she assured. "My grandma taught me!"

At that, I wanted to slap myself. Just go and give them more material, would you?

"Her grandma?"

"She isn't studying with a professional teacher?"

"Then how did she get in here?"

"Maybe through a connection…"

"I-"

"Nanami, don't listen to them!" suddenly exclaimed Otoya.

"You're the one who's in for trouble, Ittoki-kun" replied another student.

"Getting teamed up with that girl…"

"At least he got the other one…"

"But she's in the Idol course to, isn't she?"

"This will be enough" I snapped coldly. "Connections can't get you in a school of this caliber. If Haruka-san here managed to enter, it's because she has talent and potential for the Composing course. Anyone saying otherwise is plain stupid"

They seemed to glare at my insult, and I bite back the envy to send them the finger. Instead, I merely settled for looking outside. Dark clouds were rolling in the sky, meaning it would rain soon.

Good. Rain is good.


Needless to say, the class ended quickly after that. Instantly, my female partner ran outside and disappeared in the crowd. Not wasting anytime, I went after her. If we were to work together, then I'd help her out.

Of course, I had to find her first.

She didn't try to hide, merely sitting on a bench as the rain started falling down. Without a word, I sat next to her and closed my eyes, feeling the drops of water rolling on my skin.

"Thank you, for what you said in class" she shifted next to me. "I-I'm really sorry… for dragging you down…"

"You're not" I shrugged it off. "It's not too late to learn, you know? That's why we're in this school"

"Learn…"

She thought over my words, and someone placed his jacket over her shoulders. I looked up at Otoya.

"Personal space, I know" he smiled.

"Hey, you remembered!" I grinned.

"You shouldn't stay outside at a time like this, though" he told the both of us. "You'll catch a cold"

"I'm not that frail" I rolled my eyes. "But I don't know about Haruka… let's get you somewhere dry, come on"


We were now at the kiosk I had found sooner. The both of them inside, I stayed in the rain, enjoying the feel of the sky's tears falling upon me.

The rain washes away the worries.

"It'll be okay, you know?" he suddenly said to Haruka.

"Uh?"

"Reading a score and all that… If you study from here on out…"

"But… I never composed music before…" she looked away.

"It'll be alright, I tell you!" insisted Otoya, grinning widely. "I've never written lyrics before either!"

At that, I turned to them, wide eyes.

"Well fuck"

At my words, they both turned to me.

"Sorry, I just thought you had had some experience with that" I shook my head. "But whatever. If we work hard, we can pull through, no sweat!"

"You're the same as me, then?" she remarked.

"Yeah, we're in the same boat!" he grinned once more.

"I don't think that's a good thing, Otoya" I rolled my eyes, going back to them.

I sat next to the girl.

"Nanami… you must have come here because you wanted to do something, right? In that case, you can't give up" remarked the redhead.

Wanting to do something? Yeah, right.

"I've been singing for as long as I can remember" added Otoya, still smiling. "Even if you're feeling blue, signing cheers you up, doesn't it? So… when I make my debut, I hope someone is encouraged by my songs"

My heart throbbed painfully at the familiar words, and I jumped on my feet, startling them.

"A-Arya-san?" wondered Haruka.

"Please, you two, just call me Ary" I asked. "Honorifics are a pain… but Otoya is right. Singing… it does wonders, doesn't it? If we're determined, we can make it!"

At my words, she got up too, determination settling in her eyes.

"I-I'll study musical scores and composition!" she announced.

"I'll try to write lyrics for one verse by tomorrow" added Otoya.

"I… I'll try to come up with something too" I looked away.

"Yeah! Let's do our best!" cheered the redhead.

"Hai!"

With that, she gave him back his jacket.

"I-I'll start immediately! See you both tomorrow! A-and… arigato!"

She bowed, before running back to the school. I chuckled at her newfound energy, and an hand suddenly fell on my head, ruffling my hair. I looked up at Otoya.

"Thanks, for cheering her up" he grinned.

Then, he seemed to remember something, and pulled his hand away.

"Gah! Gomen, gomen!"

"It's fine" I shook my head. "It's… been a while, since someone ruffled my hair like that. The last one was my brother…"

I trailed off, not really wanting to talk about that person.

"Say, what's your room number?" I suddenly asked.

"E-eh?"

"We can try working out some lyrics already tonight" I proposed.

"But girls aren't allowed in the guy's dormitories!" he protested, cheeks turning red.

"Dude, that's why I'll be sneaking inside" I rolled my eyes. "Just give me the room number, I'll pass by tonight"

He did, still somewhat troubled by the idea, and I tucked the number in my pocket.

"You'll get caught in the hallways…" he frowned.

I started walking away, waving without looking behind.

"Who said anything about using hallways, Otoya?"


As soon as the sun disappeared behind the mountains, I was on the move. Sure, it would have been easier if he came to my room instead, but he wouldn't have been able to climb the ivy like I did. So, reaching the guy's dormitory by the outside, I stared at the different windows. Only a few had the lights still turned on. Calculating the rooms, I finally found the one I was looking for, on the third floor.

Not backing down, I put on my gloves and started climbing. I've done this for as long as I could remember, and I liked high places, so it was easy enough to reach the redhead's room. When I got to his window, I knocked softly. After a few seconds, he opened and stared at me, wide eyes.

"A-Ary!"

"Yo"

I slipped inside, popping my shoulders a little, and he gaped at me. Then, he looked down outside, before looking back to me.

"You climbed to the window!?"

"I did say I wouldn't use the hallway" I shrugged.

"What is the meaning of this?"

At the new voice, I turned and saw the one and only Ichinose Tokiya sitting at his desk, staring at me with a certain wariness.

"Sheesh, don't make a big deal out of it" I plopped myself on what I guessed was Otoya's bed. "We just want to work on our lyrics"

"So you climbed to the third floor using the ivy on the wall, in the middle of the night, to sneak in the boy's dormitory and write lyrics with Otoya?" he resumed.

"Yep" I popped the 'P'. "Don't worry. We won't disturb your peace and quiet, and I'll be gone in an hour"

"You don't seem afraid that I will tell" he remarked.

"Tokiya, don't be like that" laughed nervously Otoya.

"I'm not because I know you won't" I replied.

We engaged in a staring contest for a moment, the redhead not knowing what to do. Then, the raven-haired boy sighed and went back to his papers.

"Just don't make too much noise" he warned.

"Aye, aye" I saluted. "Now come on, Otoya"

He gaped at the two of us, then shook his head and sat in front of me. I pulled out my notebook from my bag, and opened to the last page.

"So, you said you want your songs to give courage, right?" I recalled what he had said sooner. "So… something happy, rhythmic…"

"R-right! But what do you want to do?" he asked, taking out a few pencils.

My mind draw to a blank. What did I want? Before, the answer would have been easy. It still was.

I want to change the world.

But I couldn't anymore. Not with the projects my parents had in mind for me.

And with what they made me do…

There was no way out for me, so what did I want now?

"Make those listening feel better" I then shrugged awkwardly. "I don't really know yet. I came here because my parents told me to, so I don't really have a goal in mind other than becoming an Idol"

"That's… kind of sad" he frowned somewhat.

"Nan, don't worry about it" I shook my head. "So, let's try to write something and compare in, what, twenty minutes?"

"Err, sure!"


The twenty minutes passed rather quickly, but we couldn't come up with anything. While I kept throwing mines away before he could read them, he didn't even wrote something on his own papers.

"How about we ask the others?" he then proposed.

"The others?" I repeated. "You mean Natsuki, Syo and Masato?"

"Yeah!"

I stared at my own sheet for a few seconds, before shrugging. I could use the distraction anyway, my head was starting to hurt.

"You'll get caught" warned Ichinose as we headed for the door.

Rolling my eyes, I quickly tied my hair in a bun before putting on my hood.

"There, they'll think I'm a guy" I concluded, before grabbing my friend's hand. "Now let's go!"

"R-right!"


"Natsuki!" called Otoya, opening the door of his room.

Entering after him, I blinked at the weird scene that welcomed us. The tallest blond was holding down Syo, while the boy struggled to get free and yelled obscenities all along.

"Let go of me, damn it!"

I snorted, earning their attention.

"Uh? Arya-san?" recognized Syo, who stopped moving.

"Please, just Ary" I asked, putting down the hood. "Sorry for popping in like that"

"What are you doing in the guy's dormitories, Ary-chan?" asked Natsuki.

"Actually…"

"Writing lyrics?" he repeated, sipping his tea.


While Syo laid on his bed, defeated, we had explained the situation to the green-eyed one.

"Well, the stars transmit pretty words inside your head, so all you have to do is remember them!" declared the bespectacled boy.

"S-stars?" repeated Otoya, confused.

"Right, the stars!"

I exchanged a glance with the redhead, sweatdropping. That wasn't exactly what we were hoping for.

"It's pointless to ask a genius like Natsuki, you know"

At Syo's voice, we turned to the blond.

"Those who aren't geniuses only have effort!" he said proudly.

I stared. And stared. And stared.

And started laughing.

"O-oh God, Syo" I choked on my own laughter. "Y-you can't say something like that when y-you're wearing that thing!"

"Stop laughing!"

But I couldn't. In the, Otoya had to drag me out before I could die asphyxiated.


"How to come up with lyrics?"

"Hai. I was wondering how you do it, Ren" Otoya asked.

At the redhead's demand, we went to Masato's room. However, the poor guy was sharing his dorm with the closet pervert. So, deciding to avoid unnecessary trouble, I stayed in the hallway.

"See, I live to love beautiful ladies…"

I muffled a bark of laughter at Jinguji's answer.

"So, all the words that come out of my mouth are love songs"

Ridiculous. Empty.

"Eh?"

"I whisper words of love, and they never fail to hit…"

There was a small 'THUD'.

"My prey"

At the same moment, though, a figure turned the corner of the hallway. Recognizing the sensei of the S-Class –couldn't remember his name, though- I instantly went inside and closed the door.

"What-"

Turning to the other three, I then realized my mistake.

"… yo"

"Ary?" wondered Otoya. "I thought you'd wait in the hallway…"

"One of the sensei passed by and nearly saw me" I shrugged. "Good evening, Masato"

"Good evening, Arya-san" he greeted, looking up from his calligraphy. "What… are you doing in the man's dormitories?"

"I'm peeking in their showers" I deadpanned.

His cheeks turned to a slight pink while Otoya laughed, scratching the back of his head.

Spinning around, I grabbed the wrist of the one and only Jinguji Ren, who was about to place his hand my shoulder.

"No. Touching" I hissed his way.

He pulled away, rubbing his wrist, and I then realized that they actually heard me hissing. Like a cat.

God, I thought I had gotten rid of that habit. Please kill me now.

"Ary, did you just hiss?" Otoya hid his smile behind his hand.

"Did not!"

"Quite the strength you have here, little lam-"

"For fuck's sake, drop the names!" I stomped my foot. "Listen, we just came here to get a general idea on how to write our lyrics, so please, do you have a real answer or not?"

"Seems like your words aren't hitting that prey, uh, Jinguji?" muttered Masato.

"You know, I could tell on you" remarked the flirt with a small smirk. "What are you ready to pay for my silence?"

"Because now you're using blackmail?" I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "That's kind of low, even for flirty scum like you"

"So cold" he feigned an arrow hitting his chest. "But how about a little bet?"

These words caught my interest, and he must have seen it, because his smirk widened somewhat.

"If you can get out of the dorms without getting caught, then I won't tell on you" he announced. "But if you do get caught, then you'll have, of course, to face the consequences inflicted by the school's policy, but you will also have to give me a victory kiss"

"Alright" I accepted defiantly. "But if I win, you've got to stop calling me 'little lamb' or 'lady', got it?"

"Then it's a deal" he twirled a dart between his fingers.

"It's a deal" I confirmed. "Otoya? I'm afraid we'll have to cut our working session short. It seems I have to go back to my room after all"

"Wait, you're going to-"

"Of course. See you tomorrow!"

And with that, I went to the window in the back and opened it, startling the three occupants of the room. Masato got up, Otoya tried to move and stop me, and Jinguji's eyes widened as I jumped outside.

A gasp was heard, followed by precipitated footsteps, and I waved up at them when they appeared in the window, clinging to the ivy on the wall.

"Aw, worried?" I grinned.

"That's dangerous, Ary!" scolded Otoya. "Come back here! Ren, tell her!"

"You don't have to go that far for a bet, my lady" he remarked casually. "You could seriously hurt yourself"

"I'd choose a broken leg over kissing you anytime, Jinguji" I retorted, starting climbing down.

"So hurtful…"

Ignoring them, I concentrated on my descent. After a few minutes, judging I was low enough, I looked up and saluted them.

I let go.

Otoya's muffled scream could be heard as I landed on the ground and made a somersault to avoid breaking something. Then, I bowed mockingly to the three boys before running into the night with my crazy ninja skills.


"She jumped" said Otoya, pale. "She just jumped…"

"Must have been really desperate, right, Jinguji?" taunted Masato in a blank tone.

"Shut it, Hijirikawa"

He gazed at the still open window, deep in thoughts. The girl was proving harder to woo than the rest, and while he could enjoy a good chase, he didn't want to waste his time either.

In the end, he decided to just drop it and concentrate on the other little lamb. At least that one didn't threaten to castrate him.


Otoya bid goodnight, going back to his own room. When he arrived, Tokiya was still working at his desk.

"Got caught?" he inquired at the absence of Arya.

"She left by another room" answered the redhead.

At the same time, his eyes were drawn to the black leather bag still hanging on one of the chairs.

"Oh, she forgot her bag" he realized. "I'll give it to her tomorrow"

But, as he prepared to go to bed, he couldn't help but remember that all the lyrics she had wrote down but hid from him were in said bag…


When I got to my room, I then realized I had forgotten my bag.

Maa, no matter. I won the bet. Otoya will give it back tomorrow.

But I was troubled. Sitting down on my bed, for a moment wondering about where Kuro could have gone, I thought back at what had happened today.

I made friends. Fast, if I might had. They were nice, and fun to hang out with too. I was supposed to do a project with a girl who couldn't read music and a guy who never wrote lyrics in his life. I was supposed to write lyrics too but, for some reason, I wasn't able to. Each time I tried something, I draw to a blank.

Warm? Sunny? These songs weren't my kind of things… I couldn't write what I couldn't feel. And right now, I felt all but warm and sunny. Sure, I was glad, but far from happy. And all because of what awaited me…

You'll become an Idol, conquer Asia's stage, the words were so familiar I could practically hear my father's voice. And then you'll come back.

Unable to stop it, I slipped in the memory.

...

"I'll become a singer for the company, then?"

My parents started laughing, but it was cold, detached.

"Singing?" repeated my mother. "Your voice will be popular there, but you ain't a singer, Arya. No, once you became an Idol, you will leave all that singing business to the real talents and become an actress. With that body of yours, you wouldn't be able to be a model. Plus, becoming an actress will bring much more money"

"I-I can't!" I protested, frowning. "I'll work for Ritsukera Agency, just- just let me sing! I'm begging you, it's all I have left of Ayden! You can't take it away, it's not fair!"

"Music like yours or his won't bring enough" retorted coldly my father. "So, here's what you're going to do: you're going to graduate from Saotome Academy, work for their Agency and become the most popular Idol there. Once it's done, you will come back here and work as an international actress for my Agency. You'll get a better debut and better opportunities there, which is why we're sending you"

"I'm not an actress, I'm a singer!" I insisted.

"Know your place, girl" snapped my mother. "This world isn't about fairness. All and everything turns around money. Without money, you are of no use to us. And if you don't have us, you're nothing. Remember these words carefully"

I clenched my fist. I was angry, sad… defeated.

They were right, after all.

"… I understand"

...

That was all this was about. The only way for me to get a real international debut was to become an Idol in Asia. Once that was done, getting Europe and America would be a piece of cake, or so my father said.

But I wouldn't sing.

How can I write something warm and sunny when all I feel inside is a cold resignation to my inevitable fate?


The next day, I met up with Otoya and Haruka. Both were talking excitedly about the project, apparently having found something. Plopping down on the grass next to them, I glanced at the papers scattered between them. My eyes widened when I recognized some of the lyrics.

"Those are…"

"Why didn't you tell us you could write songs, Ary?" asked the redhead. "Those lyrics are amazing!"

"They didn't feel right" I shrugged, uneasy. "You went through my bag, then?"

His eyes widened slightly, and he quickly shook his head.

"I dropped it while coming here and the sheets got out!" he answered. "I'm really sorry about that!"

"It's fine, it was an accident" I bit my lower lip. "But… you really like them?"

"We both do!" assured Haruka with a big smile. "Last night, we worked something out about the song, and these lyrics were a great help!"

"You met with each other last night?" I raised an eyebrow.

"N-not like that!" protested Otoya. "We bumped into each other, it's all! But we did work something out, though. Haruka managed to find a melody, and I found some lyrics, but when I saw yours, I realized what was missing!"

"Missing?"

But I wasn't really listening anymore.

They liked my lyrics?

It had been a while since someone last said that…

It feels… nice.

So, trying to forget about the rest for now, I started working on the project with the other two.


The day of the recording, Otoya, Haruka and I went to the special room when called upon. I twisted my hands nervously. It would be the first time I actually sang for other people, forgetting about my practices with Otoya and Haruka in the last week, so I was kind of frightened by the whole ordeal.

"You really love singing, uh?"

Surprised at the question, I turned my head at the redhead, who smiled down at me.

"At first, when we started working, I could tell you were holding back" he said. "About the lyrics, about the song… I thought at first that singing was something your parents forced you to do, what with what you told me back in my room. But now, I can see that it's far from the truth. It's something else, isn't it?"

I readjusted the bag on my shoulder, looking at the floor.

"My situation… it's kind of complicated" I struggled to find my words. "I love singing, I really do. And I love composing too. But… I'm scared?"

"Scared?" Haruka repeated, somewhat confused.

"Of the future" I precised, unsure if I had to go on or if it's make things awkward. "I already know what my path is, I already know what's awaiting me…"

"But it's not the path you chose, is it?"

This time truly startled at his observations, I snapped my eyes back at Otoya, who just kept looking ahead of us. Then, I sighed with a dry smile, and Haruka placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"It isn't" I admitted. "But it's the only one I'm allowed to walk on. That's why I'm holding back. While I love what I'm doing, I can't find in myself the passion from before. I can't- I can't enjoy it or give my all when I already know how my story will end"

He hummed in understanding, before grabbing my hand and squeezing it tightly.

Before I could react, Haruka grabbed my other one and stepped before me, forcing me to look at her in the eyes.

She got pretty eyes too.

"You're an amazing singer, Ary" she said seriously. "Please, don't give up on music!"

My throat tightened somewhat and, unable to help myself, I smiled back to the two of them.

"I'll try"


"Are you ready, you two?" asked Ringo-sensei. "I know that a group of three wasn't easy to work with, but-"

"Don't worry, Ringo-sensei, we managed" I assured with a thumbs up. "And you said it yourself. Luck is also part of our abilities"

"But in that case, I guess luck was on our side. Don't you think, Ary?" grinned Otoya, adjusting his guitar.

"That it was" and I was honest.

I put on the headphones, and placed myself before the recording mike. I exchanged yet another smile with the redhead, now calm about the whole situation. The only ones watching us were Haruka, Ringo-sensei and Ryuya-sensei. There wasn't any crowd, and they were more understanding than most, what with being teachers and Idols themselves, while Haruka was my friend. All I had to do was to sing, and feel it for real.

I can do it. If just this once… I can forget about everything else.

The first notes of the guitar echoed in my ears, and my heart's pace quickened once more, but not from the nervousness this time.

It was adrenaline.

Otoya's voice suddenly followed the tempo.

Carried on this melody created by three,

it seems like the future is overlapping with today.

Firmly without changing, like this phrase,

I don't want to let this go.

I opened my mouth and let the words stumble out, free.

We three who've stumbled and fallen will continue on

towards tomorrow.

If you're not here, even the things that lie before me

are full of noise.

Let's ask God to stop time.

Time leap and feedback, jeez!

Though I've already let out a sigh,

I can't turn away, I won't turn away from your eyes!

With a full-throttle smile, let's aim at tomorrow.

Make a 1000% spirited peace sign!

I'll say it this time, that two-word phrase.

My heart just can't help but fly!

I'm captivated by you.

Sometimes we smile, and sometimes we fight.

Let's search for that sound!

We must have met by chance. This true music is for the three of us alone!

It's so exciting!

No matter how small it may be,

make your song and believe your song. That's right!

With the memories we've made,

If it's the three of us, anything can become song!

We'll start running from here. Even if we're clumsy, it's ok.

After it clears up, make a good-weather peace sign!

Cross over the world, and perhaps the universe!

Aren't we connected by rock?

Believe in me!

We'll decide on the stage!

For the three of us alone, make a peace sign!

With a full-throttle smile, let's aim at tomorrow.

Make a 1000% spirited peace sign!

I'll say it this time, that two-word phrase.

My heart just can't help but fly!

And just like that, it was over.

My heart still pumping the sudden rush of adrenaline, I did the only thing I could think of at the moment, relieved, and closed my eyes.


"What a great song!" cheered Ringo-sensei, clapping. "Very good for a first one! Good job, you three!"

"A-Arigato!" Haruka bowed.

"Thank you, but it really was thanks to Haruka and Ary" grinned Otoya.

Seeing how their third partner wouldn't add anything, the two teachers and two students turned to her, only to see her with her eyes closed, still on her feet but unmoving.

"… I think she fell asleep" blinked Ryuya-sensei.

For only answer, a small snore echoed, making them laugh.


For any who watched the Anime or played the video game -I only saw the Anime, so forgive me if I get some details wrond-, they tend to say awkward and methaphorical cheesy things often.

Like, a lot.

So, my character is going to fit. That is all I have to say.

If you don't mind me asking, who's your favorite UtaPri character?

Reviews please!