After some tortuous weeks that had passed, I've managed to upload this chap...So I'm going to say my thanks to this great guys to supported and reviewed my fic:

satomika: I never knew you'd root for Team Kenichi? Was that for a change?

suryasree: I don't know if I could torture Mi-chan that much. He's our beloved ice block.

eirist: a fuukoxoc fic wouldn't hurt but just like you i'm such a tofuu lover!!

purple ferry girl: i agree that tokiya's cute when he's protective of fuuko..xD

sodium nitrate: i haven't seen the movie 'he's not just into you'..demo a friend told me it's quite good

Hope you enjoy this chap!!!

Chapter Four: Serenade

A gang of five people waved their hands at Fuuko. She waved back.

With her boots heels thumping on the pavement of the snow-covered park, Fuuko dashed madly to reach her friends' spot, which was a few meters away from her she stood before. As she stopped in front of them panting slightly, she noticed the flame master's face lit up into a grin while Domon, Yanagi, Ganko and Koganei gave her a mild curious looks.

This isn't the first time that Fuuko received such responses from her friends. From that moment she walked in the pizza parlor's door the other day to meet them, their stunned faces greeted her. Eventually, they got the hang of her turtleneck sweater with a lady frock get-up. However, Recca couldn't keep his mouth shut from teasing Fuuko. The wind goddess did the thing that made sense to her: she had beaten up her best boy bud. Even if she was all-dolled up.

As of the moment, she was wearing a nice plaid shirt dress, a wide white belt and black well-fitted skinny jeans. Fuuko glowered at the flame caster; his grin vanished from his face. They knew better than to snicker at the wind goddess's transformation.

"So, what's up now?" Fuuko asked.

"Well, hime-sama told us that she's going to throw some nice party today," Recca said.

"Party?"

"A party for you onee-chan. Yanagi-senpai said that you found yourself a boyfriend," Ganko said innocently.

"Eh? I didn't recall myself from telling anybody that I am going out with someone," Fuuko said rather indignantly.

"Perhaps you didn't. But from the way you behave right now, the probability that you're dating is high Fuuko," Yanagi offered. "That calls for a celebration, wasn't it?"

Everybody, even Domon nodded in agreement.

Fuuko thought that this was going to be a tough and tedious discussion so she said, "Whatever! I'll just catch up with you guys later. I have...er…some other things to do."

"What about Mikagami-senpai? Aren't we going to wait for him?" Yanagi asked. The wind child flinched as she heard the ensui wielder's name.

"As if he would ever go out with us! Get real!" Recca said. What a shame, Fuuko's trail of thought was the same as Recca's.

As they waved their goodbyes plus Fuuko's promise of attending the so-called congratulatory party for her, they've settled things amicably. Fuuko then sat down on one of the park's benches while she glanced at her wristwatch. A flood of relief washed over her body. It was a good thing that they left already. He'll be here in a minute or so.

And she was right. A tall handsome auburn-haired guy drew nearer to her spot. He was smiling broadly at her

"I'm sorry I'm late," Kenichi said, giving Fuuko a peck on her cheek.

"No, it's fine. Maybe I'm a little too early," Fuuko laughed nervously. Looking at the heartthrob beside her, Fuuko suddenly wanted to wolf-whistle. When someone as hot as this guy, who's wearing a double deep v-neck, fitted long sleeves underneath his coat, what was not there to admire? Fuuko, calm down. Stop being an idiot and a swooning fangirl!

Then, Fuuko rested her eyes on Kenichi's left hand, which was carrying a sleek, black, case. Noticing that inquisitive look on Fuuko's azure orbs, Kenichi explained that he was playing a violin. Actually, he had just finished his practice session.

"I would love to play a song for you," Kenichi said as he opened his case. Inside, it revealed a magnificent, gleaming mahogany violin.

Kenichi rested his violin smartly on his shoulder. He began to fiddle the strings. The tune started slow and steady while rich notes emanated from it. An overwhelming warm sensation had enveloped Fuuko. It seemed to transport her into another world. In her imagination, a shower of red petals fell down between the two of them; they would finally hold their hands walking their way to the church's altar.

She knew that Kenichi was one heck of a talented violinist. A couple of people even gathered around them, listening to his brilliant performance. Fuuko came out of her daydream when she heard some loud applause, the song had already ended. They both sat down on the bench as the crowd scattered away; Kenichi packed his violin back on its case.

"You were superb!" Fuuko raised her compliment.

"Thanks a lot," Kenichi said beamed at her.

"That song, it was a popular one, wasn't it? I heard it from a certain Korean movie."

"Yes, it is popular. It is Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel," Kenichi informed. "Nowadays, it is mostly played during romantic scenes like wedding."

"I absolutely dig it. For a moment I thought I am in a wedding ceremony too!" Fuuko said. A blush tainted her cheeks.

"I'm glad that you've liked it." Because you deserve to smile and bring light into my world Fuuko.

"I'm actually surprised that you're playing the violin. Maybe, I should write an article regarding your talent at music," Fuuko grinned. "Your fanclub would be happy to hear this!"

Kenichi took the wind child's hand and said, "Don't do that, Fuuko. I don't want my music inclination to be publicized in our school."

"Could I ask why?"

"Let me put it this way, the only persons that I would allow to showcase my gift would be the ones whom I consider very special to me. That's why I even told my parents to hire a private music teacher for me."

Fuuko nodded. It seemed liked Kenichi valued his love for music as much as he did for his integrity. Would that mean---

"Yes, Fuuko. You are special to me," Kenichi said in a very serious voice.

This IS insane. Someone should kick you in the ass, Fuuko!

Fuuko bit her lower lip. She was quite at loss on what to say or do next. Darn, why does he have to be so straightforward?!? Feeling that this was the solution to her muteness, she uttered a word of thanks.

A pregnant pause. Then, they broke into a hearty laugh.

"Where do you wanna go now?"

"I'll leave it to you, Shimizu-buchou!"

As the two students stood up to leave, Fuuko carefully slid her arm around his. Fuuko glanced at her senpai, perhaps checking if it was fine with him. But she had figured out his answer. What they didn't realize was someone was watching them from a distance while they were happily chattering away.

Another busy day at school.

Fuuko swore that as the Prom night was fast approaching, their homework seemed to have increased by a large volume. She would have never minded it though, if it wasn't for the fact they she had to work double time to meet the deadline in submitting her articles. She let out a curse.

Fuuko, cursing out wouldn't make your problems just vanish in the air.

Standing in the Journalism room's door, a couple of student greeted her. She greeted them back. Fuuko saw that her club room was quite in mess whereas the people inside it were too busy to care. There were lots of paper works to do; computer screens were blinking while typing sounds were heard. She turned to her own table, searching for more important papers to plough on.

Someone tapped her in the back. Fuuko turned around to see who it was.

A cute redhead girl said, "Kirisawa, I was told that you should bring our final drafts to Mikagami-senpai for checking."

"Me? But why? Isn't he here?" Fuuko searched for their silver-haired editor-in-chief. Alas, not even his shadow was to be found.

"Mikagami-senpai requested you because he said that he had some matters to discuss with you," said the redheaded girl. "I think he's going to criticize your work again."

Crap! This is great! Fuuko had been clenching her fist. "So where is he now?"

"He said that you should head to the auditorium's back stage," said the redhead as she handed her some thick papers stacked in a folder.

Fuuko glanced at Yanagi's direction. She saw her friend shrugged her shoulders, indicating that the healer had no idea too. She began to march outside with a heavy feet leading her on. She badly wanted to bash somebody else's head into the wall. The wind child was pondering very hard for some rational explanation for this task. No, it doesn't have any sense.

Within a few minutes, Fuuko had reached the door the auditorium's backstage. She turned the knob, slowly pushing it open. There's no sign of him. She walked further still until she had reached the main stage, where it was a bright light pouring in.

At last, Fuuko managed to find the one she's looking for. Their dashing editor-in-chief was sitting in front of a grand piano in the middle of the stage. As if on cue, some keys were being struck as she moved closer to him. She noticed that were three giant sunflowers beside him. Fuuko was quite thunderstruck. What the hell was happening here?

Tinkling notes filled her ears. She had to admit that the ensui master had an amazing talent in playing the piano. No, scratch that. He was exceptionally good in it. However, Fuuko has trouble in relating with the song.

Meanwhile, Tokiya's thoughts drifted back on the past days events. Everything that he had witness: from the day he was beaten by someone in asking Fuuko out to the moment that it took another guy to serenade Fuuko's heart. These made him somehow a wretched creature with a miserable soul. He couldn't afford to lose any minutes from now. He wouldn't her let go with somebody else. He finished Moonlight Sonata in admirable manner.

Tokiya had to fight his heart's insistent pounding against his chest wall. He was walking towards her, his hands clutching those giant sunflowers he promised himself to give it to her. Finally, he was facing her. He noticed the confusion written over her face.

"Fuuko, I'm asking you to go the Prom with me," Tokiya said. He fished out his invitation on his pocket. He remembered the nuisance of getting it back on his hands. He had to pry open the wind child's locker; he had no other choice because invitations had been distributed and there was none left.

Tokiya heard no response. He repeated the question.

Fuuko finally spoke, a trace of iciness in her voice, "I heard you, Mi-chan. And I'm going to say no."

It was the ensui wielder's turn to be shocked and confused. Something painful tugged in his heart.

"W-why?"

"It's too late for that now."

"Is it because of Shimizu?" Tokiya said hotly. "Or is still because of that chocolate incident?"

"I'm tired of this relationship we had Mi-chan. I hate being your doormat."

"You knew better than this, Fuuko."

"There's no way I'm going to take back my word," Fuuko said defiantly. She had to let go. "Here were our final drafts. I've finished my task so if you'll excuse me; I've got to go now."

However, Tokiya didn't reach for those papers. And when Fuuko caught a glimpse on Tokiya's stubbornness, she let their drafts fell into the wooden floor. She had her back on him.

"This…isn't over," Tokiya said, grabbing Fuuko's elbow. Yet, Fuuko remained unmoved; she wriggled free of her arm. I'm never going to look back, even if I care.

Tokiya stood there for quite sometime after he had heard the door's slamming. Nothingness had engulfed him. A cream colored invitation fluttered on the ground as the yellow sunflowers crashed on earth.

Yeah, I know I could have written more. However, I practically ran out of ideas on the JS Prom night. Probably because all the possible scenes have been already posted or my experience during my own Prom was as bad as your classmates caught you wearing your granny's undies. Nuff said.

Warmest hugs and appreciative grins for those who supported this fic. Please do leave a review before you close this page! Arigatou!