Chapter 4

SEISO ACADEMY OF MUSIC/ THE FRONT GATE 6 A.M

Kahoko felt extremely tired.

Having to get up at 4 a.m because she ended up forgetting to shower after she had read the childish handwritten letter from someone anonymous.

Her hair was slightly wet still.

She gritted her teeth trying to somewhat seem awake.

"Kaho-chan!" a familiar voice called to her.

She turned and watched the 'happy-go-lucky' Hihara, running towards her with his bag almost flying after him.

"Kaho-chan. Good morning!" his face was entirely lit up with excitement of the trip they were apparently going on, all participants once again together.

Kahoko smiled at the thought of being together again like old times.

"Good morning, Hihara-senpai." she said to him and felt just a tiny bit more awake.

Hihara's presence really did affect the people surrounding him … even Yunoki …

"G-good morning." sounded a timid voice.

Fuyumi.

Kahoko smiled at her and as Fuyumi went to stand beside her, receiving a friendly hug.

Fuyumi wasn't too shy towards Kahoko any more, rather respect of a senpai had now become the problem.

Yunoki was suddenly there too.

Kahoko was so tired that she barely noticed him before he stood before her, smiling through his most perfect mask.

Kahoko felt sure that he only enjoyed this upcoming trip simply for the fact that it would give him an excuse to use her as a way of killing time if boredom should become an issue of his.

She sighed and yawned.

"Oi Hino!" Tsuchiura's voice said harshly.

He petted her on the head with his hand.

"Are you tired?" he said with a smile.

She smiled back faintly and shook her head.

He knocked upon her head.

"You shouldn't lie, stupid."

She glanced downwards, he was right.

"Good morning ..." Shimizu said slowly, speaking very quietly.

Kanazawa was right behind him.

"OI! Shimizu! Don't just stop up in the middle of nowhere! Aya."

"Ah … " Shimizu muttered slowly.

Everyone looked at them.

"Good morning … sensei ..." Shimizu said and bowed deep and slow.

"Eh … well, yeah." Kanazawa sighed loudly.

Tsukimori appeared at the gate accompanied by Kaji.

Tsukimori seemed to be just as cold and reserved as usual.

Kahoko blushed fairly but tried to hide it by lowering her head further.

Her wet locks were cooling her head down a little.

Obviously Kaji was steering directly towards Kahoko.

She didn't look up at first.

She could hear the smile in his voice as he said with a calm gentle voice; "Ah, good morning Hino-san. Everyone."

Kahoko felt how Tsuchiura's hand, still on her head, was turning somewhat tense … why?

"Good morning ..." Kahoko said in a low whisper.

"Eh, ah … everyone, gather and get on board. We have a long drive ahead of us. Tsk … why me, always?" he said sounding both tired and annoyed.

A small van suddenly appeared in front of the school gates, the driver signalising for them to come closer.

"Ah Hino-san you're sure you don't want me to lend you a hand?" Kaji asked as Kahoko was about to enter the mini bus.

"I-I'm fine, I don't need any help Kaji-kun." Kahoko said somewhat annoyed as she entered the back seat.

"If it isn't Kahoko." a stranger said smiling wickedly at Kahoko as she entered the van.

She looked bewildered with wide opened tired eyes at a guy sitting on the back seat padding the seat next to him, which she was about to be seated in.

He had dared to call her by her first name!