A/N: All rights go to Pantanzu and Ayaka.
To that special person, get ready to blush like crazy. Mwuhahahaha.


Mana decides that because she had no class today, she'd take a stroll around campus. Course, that's because Seiko ran off with Syo before she could really object. The redhead didn't really have a problem, thinking that it is good for her to have some time with him to herself and not the whole gang. Even just Natsuki hanging off either one took away from times they could have been by themselves.

Walking around, she stumbles upon Haruka, Natsuki, Otoya, and Masato. The trio of idol students is preparing to practice a dance routine for a test later in the next week. Haruka had been asked by Otoya to assist in the music.

Mana sticks around and is amazed by the talent the boys have for dancing. However, she couldn't help but notice or more or less focus on Masato and his excellently timed moves. She notes that even his slightest movements seem graceful and eye catching. The ginger-haired, brown-eyed, composition student claps as the boys are finished with their run through of the dance.

"How was our dancing?" Natsuki asks the two girls, wanting their honest opinion. He feels confident in himself, but it wouldn't hurt to get some idea of how they're doing.

"The test is next week," Otoya adds, "Do you think we'll pass?"

Haruka joyfully exclaims, "It was wonderful! You practically had me jumping. I'm sure you'll pass."

Mana nods in agreement, "She's right, you guys looked great!"

"Alright!" Otoya cheers, nudging Natsuki playfully.

However, Masato apparently disagrees with the two girls. Shaking his head, he scolds, "No, it's still not good enough. Our rhythm is off. We're far from being perfect." Masato is a stickler for having things done absolutely perfectly. It isn't unusual for him due to his personality to try and do the very best job. His comment seems to deflate the good moods of his partners as they stare sheepishly at the ground.

"You heard him..." the red-haired boy mumbles to his curly, blonde-haired friend.

Natsuki responds, "We should be more careful with the tempo..."

Mana sighs and puts a hand on her hip. She defends, "Don't be so hard on yourselves... try to think optimistically, Masato-kun. Always focusing on absolute perfection isn't going to teach you anything."

"Really, Ren?!" A shrill, girl's voice echoes from not too far off. Her voice is joined by the many chattering of other girls. So, Ren must be making a round across campus as well with his posse of obnoxiously loud fangirls.

"You're such a celebrity!"

"How wonderful!"

Mana rolls her eyes as the group of 5 watches the flock girls fawn over him. It's not like Ren Jinguji isn't good looking, that isn't the case at all. She just is annoyed at the lack of restraint these girls obviously have. It's like they're oblivious to the fact that they are here to study music and proclaiming their love for him could very well get themselves kicked out of Saotome Academy. Now how humiliating would that be? To be kicked out of one of the most prestigious music schools in the business?

"They were such beautiful roses; I bought the whole rose garden." Ren smells the rose in an almost seductive manner, making his fangirls giggle. He turns his attention back to his fan base, grinning. The 18-year-old purrs, "I thought I'd give it to someone as a present." This results in the girls surrounding him to squeal in absolute glee.

"P-Please give it to me!"

"Give it to me, Ren-sama!"

Ren answers, flirtatiously, "If you can make me fall in love with you." Again, the girls squeal and Ren sits back to watch as he twists the girls round his finger.

"I'm surprised he can say that," Otoya comments, knowing the full consequences of declaring love for someone in this school.

"Ren Jinguji..." Natsuki murmurs, "The goddess of love must love him..."

Masato scoffs, turning away, "What nonsense. Let's get started."

Mana kneels next to their stereo. "Where do you want to start? At the top?" she asks.

"No, from the third phrase." The blue-haired idol student kneels beside her, setting the music to the appropriate position. "Right here. I want to get this part just right."

"Ok!" Mana grins and blushes lightly.

Seeing this all go down, Ren sees this as a challenge from Masato. He strides over confidently, chuckling, "Well, well. When did you become such good friends with Little Red, Hijirikawa?" He smirks as the latter stands up with tense, hostile body language. Ren continues to prod at him, telling Masato, "She and I have been bound by fate since we met."

"Huh?" Mana gasps. What was he talking about? Does he mean about when they were placed right next to one another during the examination? She doesn't get to think that hard about it because Ren slips a rose in her hand, causing Mana to flush a fair shade of red.

"Why don't you come with me?" Ren flirts, "I've been looking for someone to enjoy the sea breeze with."

Mana giggles in response, fueling Ren's behavior even more. "L-like right now?" the ginger-haired girl asks.

"Of course," Ren answers, giving her a wink to which she quietly "eeps" at.

She giggles again and agrees, "O-okay!"

Masato, finally having enough, spits, "He's only teasing you. Don't believe anything this man says."

Ren lets out a chuckle, "That's rather harsh. You're not wrong though."

"Oh," Mana mutters, feeling stupid for falling for that. She probably should have figured anyway since Ren is just a huge flirt.

"REN!" the voices of Seiko and Syo call out and everyone turns to see the two running towards them. As they draw close, they ask in unison, "What are you going to do about that lyric writing assignment?"

Seiko scolds, "Did you forget how serious Hyuga-sensei said it would be if you didn't hand something in this time?!" She puts her hands on her hips and taps her foot in annoyance at her classmate.

"Did he say that, Seiko-boo?" Ren asks nonchalantly to get a rise out of Seiko who bristles in anger. In all honesty, he didn't really care what Ryuya had to say.

Syo mocks Ren, "'Did he say that?'" The blonde boy snarls, "Yeah, he sure did!"

"Ren Jinguji!" Hyuga-sensei's voice booms from not too far away.

Syo and Seiko pale as their idol and homeroom teacher walks up with his hands in his pockets. They didn't like the aggravated expression on his face. "Hyuga-sensei..."

"Hey, Ryuya-san," Ren greets in a more informal tone.

"Ren!" Seiko snaps at him, knowing he's being disrespectful on purpose.

Hyuga-sensei ignores the obvious ruse to get him annoyed and chastises, "You skip your classes and haven't turned in a single assignment. If you continue not to take this seriously, I'll show no mercy. You'll be expelled immediately.

"What?!" Mana and Haruka gasp in shock. Okay, now this is really serious. Expulsion from one of the best music schools?!

Syo repeats, "E-Expelled?!"

"Seriously?!" Otoya adds.

"B-but!" Seiko even is caught off guard.

Ren just grins and walks up close to Ryuya. He whispers loud enough for everyone else to hear, "Ryuya-San... Ladies don't go for scowls."

Hyuga-sensei is irked by that. He snaps, "Don't get ahead of yourself, Jinguji." The orange-haired idol is then ignored by his student to which he threatens, "I'm serious! If you don't have something graded by after school tomorrow, I'll have you leave the academy! Got it?!"

Unlike Ren who clearly didn't even care, everyone else looks concerned. Expulsion for them meant they couldn't accomplish their dreams of being famous idols and composers.

"W-why don't we all have lunch?" Seiko nervously suggests in order to settle everyone down.

They all eat in the cafe before calling a meeting in the library. They have to wait a few more minutes because Natsuki had to run back to the dorm to grab something for all of them. He returns with a basket and the meeting begins.

Natsuki holds up a cookie from the basket, now on the table, "It's a cat cookie!" Sure enough, it is shaped like a cat.

"A cat?" Syo repeats, confused and also suspicious.

"I also have pig cookies too," Natsuki chirps, searching through the basket of assorted shaped cookies before holding up a striped one, "This is a zebra."

Seiko picks up one cautiously and inspects it. She asks, "Where'd you get these cookies, Na-chan?"

"I made them!" the honey-blonde with glasses beams in pride.

"What?! I knew it!" Syo yelps, smacking the cookie straight out of Seiko's hand.

She yowls at the slight pain from her hand being slapped. The azalea-eyed girl retaliates by knocking Syo's hat clear off his head before backhanding the back of his head. "That hurt!" Seiko yells, glaring.

Natsuki looks at Syo, a dark aura permeating from his body, causing Syo to flinch in his seat. The green-eyed boy defends his treats, "Syo-chan... Homemade cookies are the safest!"

"I can't trust them because you made them!" Syo argues.

Ignoring his childhood friend and roommate, Natsuki moves on to offer some cookies to Haruka and Mana, sitting not too far away. "Would you like one?" he asks with a pleasant smile.

"Thank you!" the two girls respond, going to reach for a few.

Syo becomes frantic, whispering, "You'll die if you eat that! You'll die!" The platinum blonde whistles, turning his head the other way when Natsuki, Mana, and Haruka look at him funny.

"What?!" Tomochika's loud exclamation causes the rest of the group to look over. Otoya had explained the whole situation to her as she had joined in after everything went down. "Jinguji-san did what?!"

Otoya nods, "Yeah..."

Tomochika scoffs, rolling her eyes, "Serves him right. He's so irresponsible."

"I can't help but agree... still, I'd hate to see him expelled..." Seiko murmurs softly. Sure, she doesn't really like some of the things or the way Ren acted sometimes, but he is still a friend. It'd seem weird without him around.

"They're childhood friends, but Masa and Ren are polar opposites," Otoya comments sadly. He is disappointed that Masato didn't seem to care enough about Ren's expulsion to even show up to this meeting.

Mana perks up, questioning, "Wait. Masato-kun and Ren-kun are childhood friends?"

Natsuki nods, "That's right. They even share a room."

"Masa-yan is the successor to the Hijirikawa Conglomerate. Jinguji-san is the heir to the Jinguji Conglomerate. Because of their parent's relationship, they'd known each other since they were little.

Seiko frowns. She never had a lot of friends to begin with. And now that she has them herself, it hurt to see two good friends not getting along anymore. She sighs, "It's so sad... they don't seem to be friends anymore..."

With nothing really more to discuss, the group disperses. Mana somehow ends up on her own again. She goes back to the dorm room to practice sight-reading with some music sheets given to her by Masato earlier in the week. The redhead leaves a window open to let in some fresh air. As she moves to sit down, she hears the echo of a saxophone being played from somewhere on campus. In awe, she leans out of the window, murmuring, "What a pretty sound. I wonder whose playing."

She knows for one it isn't Seiko who specializes in the clarinet. Otoya plays the guitar and Kurusu-san and Shinomiya-san both play the violin. There are bound to be more musicians in the music school who know how to play a wide variety of instruments, just as Mana does. Though, she mostly played the euphonium.

Curiosity getting the better of her, Mana leaves to investigate, following the sound to the roof of one of the school's academic buildings. She finds Ren playing his saxophone. His melody is so beautiful; it took Mana's breath away. It somehow reaches way inside of Mana's heart, touching it deeply. All she can do is stare with a blush rising on her freckled cheeks. When he finishes playing, Mana claps, "Ren-kun!"

The 18-year-old is a bit startled. He had been so focused on playing, he didn't hear Mana approach or sense her presence at all. He kneels down to put his instrument back in its case, but still using this opportunity to flirtatiously compliment, "You look like a flower in the setting sun."

Mana's blush grows redder. She stutters, "I-I'm sorry... it was such a beautiful song... I came here out of curiosity." The composition student fidgets on her feet, avoiding his gaze for a second before glancing back up.

"I'm happy to hear that," Ren says, locking his case. He approaches her and stands real close. The idol student refrains from chuckling as the girl in front of him flushes redder and fidgets awkwardly at the lack of space between them. "As long as we can be alone together," he purrs, "I don't care what your reason is." Ren takes a hand out of his pocket so that he can place both hands on Mana's shoulders. He leans in close as if he's going to kiss her.

However, Mana's eyes are distracted by a crumpled up ball of paper that had fallen from his pocket when he removed his hand. "What's this?" she ponders, bending down and picking it up. Before she has a chance to unwrap it, Ren scoops it from her hands. "W-wait!" Mana objects, "Those are lyrics for your assignment, right? Good!"

"Good?" Ren repeats, cocking his head to the side.

"I was wondering... what it'd be like... if you didn't turn in your lyrics... and had to leave Saotome Academy. But you've written them!" Mana explains, smiling in relief. If he turns them into Hyuga-sensei, Ren wouldn't be expelled.

Ren mutters, "I think it's about time for me to disappear..."

"You can't!" Mana strongly objects.

"I'm bored of this place," Ren sighs, shrugging his shoulders.

"In that case, just leave already!" Masato yells angrily from behind them. He'd come to talk to Ren alone after hearing the saxophone, knowing full well it had to be his roommate. He didn't account for Mana to be there as well. The blue-haired boy really didn't want her getting involved with Ren.

Mana gasps, "Masato-kun!"

"I don't like you," Masato says bluntly, "My life has been decided by my father. But only in music am I free. That's why I can't forgive you for not taking this seriously." It angered him beyond no end how frivolously his roommate acted here. He focused more on flirting with all the girls on campus than music. It drives Masato insane.

"I didn't come here because I wanted to. I was thrown in here," Ren answers.

"T-thrown in?" Mana squeaks.

Ren shrugs, "There's no reason for me to be here. It's just a game to me."

"You're lying," Masato disagrees, "That tone just now was no lie. Why don't you show what you really have to offer?"

Growing bored of this run-around conversation, Ren tears up his lyrics. "I told you, it's a game." The long haired, 18-year-old tosses the shreds of paper.

"No!" Mana cries, running to try and catch the ripped up lyrics. The wind carries them off and she helplessly watches them scatter across campus. She holds back a few angered tears of failing to catch them.

"I don't have time to waste on these stupid lyrics," Ren scoffs.

Seeing how much pain Ren is putting Mana in, Masato bristles in rage. How could he just do this to her when she asked him to stay? Fed up with Ren and his mouth and his carefree attitude, he runs up and punches Ren straight in the mouth.

Mana jumps in between them to stop the two boys from breaking out into a fight which would get both of them expelled, "Ren-kun! Masato-kun!"

"How unfortunate," Masato scolds, "I thought you had more mettle." He turns on his heel and storms off, not being able to stomach Ren's face anymore.

Ren wipes his mouth, a little bruised from where his roommate popped him. He chuckles, "What a hothead."

Mana shakes her head, having a feeling that Ren taunted Masato to do that. "I'm going to look for your lyrics!" she shouts, running off, determined to retrieve them and keep Ren in Saotome Academy. Making a guess from where they'd flown off to, Mana searches close by in bushes and in trees and finds many scraps of his lyrics. However, due to it growing dark, she has to give up for the night.

The next morning, Mana takes her seat and turns, seeing that Ren isn't in the room. She turns around and sighs.

Not much long after, Hyuga-sensei comes in and begins role.

"Yuto Hirasawa."

"Here."

"Tsuyushi Morio."

"Here."

"Jinguji's absent," Hyuga-sensei remarks, marking him as such, "Let's get started. Turn to page 32 in your textbooks. Morishige, read."

"Yes, sir!" Seiko answers, before reading aloud.

After class, Mana rockets out of class to look for Ren. She has the pieces of his lyrics that she could find. She wants to give them to him. She finds the skipper resting against a tree in a field on campus. Mana holds out his lyrics, stammering, "I... uhh... didn't look much... But they're great." The ginger-haired, freckled, brown-eyed girl sits beside him and smiles, "When you fall in love with someone and release those feelings, it's just pure magic. I... couldn't find all the pieces... I'm sorry for meddling... Please don't quit, Ren-kun!" Mana shoves the taped up piece of paper in his hands. There's a section missing.

Ren laughs gently, "You really-"

"I'm going to find the missing pieces!" Mana shouts, scrambling to her feet, interrupting him. She bolts off to gather everyone else to search for the pieces.

Seiko whines, "Mana-chan, did they really fall around here?" They'd been searching for almost 4 hours. She, along with Syo, are searching in the taller grass while Natsuki and Otoya search the trees. Haruka, Mana, and Tomochika have been searching the bushes around the area. So far, none of them have found the missing scraps.

"I saw them!" Mana argues.

"He's an annoying guy, but is he really going to quit?" Syo asks, pausing in his search.

Seiko nods, "Yeah... it won't be the same if he does..."

Natsuki adds, "It would such a pity."

Just then, the school bell rings, bringing the day of classes to an end. Ren won't be able to stay in Saotome Academy anymore.

Otoya moans in disappointment, "It's no use. It's time."

"Ren-kun..." Mana mumbles, ashamed that she didn't find the rest of the lyrics in time to help Ren.

Suddenly, Ren's voice comes over the intercom, echoing across campus and in the academic buildings, "Uh... can everyone hear me?"

"Oh no, he didn't!" Seiko gasps, standing up on her feet. Being a goody-goody meant she'd never dream of breaking into the recording studio and hacking through the intercom.

"What's he up to?" Mana asks, standing as well.

Ren continues, "Little Red, can you hear me? Ryuya-san and everyone else, please listen. I just finished my song. I'll release my slumbering feelings... Until the very last phrase. It's... showtime!"

Music starts playing over the intercom. Ren is performing his song live!

Mana and Seiko start running for the recording studio but stop to whirl around. "Let's go!" they call to their friends before leading the whole mob to Ren.

Please just tell me

Suddenly the wind blew, I kept my eyes closed tightly against it

You wrap up my cold hands

So now I'm sweetly melting

A confusing daydream of chains crawling across my bare chest

They were loosely bound by you

Only for me, it's a secret, therefore

Close to my ear your lips come together, your whispering voice tickles

My heart beats, I don't move, you're so close to me

Why, why, why?

How am I important to you?

If I could, I would say more, it's way too tantalizing

Because I want to know everything about you, please teach me

Your highness, you are my wish...

My wish is only you, so entrusted your wish in me

It was a flickering moment when my arm was entwined with yours unexpectedly

The warmth of my heart flows through my whole body

My blush disappears as the gentle snowfall touches my face

Just us in a light dizziness

I reach out my hand a short distance, however

I pulled your sleeve some way I wanted to get your attention

I turn towards those eyes and seem to absorbed in them

Please, please, please...

Tell me you're in love with me

That smiling face is like an angel's

I can believe that, right?

I want to become strong so I can protect you

My princess, you will be only mine

I want to say that but I can't

Alone, here I'll always wait for you

I'll see only you in my dreams

Why, why, why?

Please, please, please!

How am I important to you?

If I could, I would say more, it's way too tantalizing

Because I want to know everything about you, please teach me

Your highness, you are my wish...

You are my wish...

Only you are my wish, so your wish can be entrusted in these arms

Your wish is only me, so my wish is forever only you...

Everyone else crashes into the studio after Ren finishes singing to congratulate him. Their all relieved to know that he'd be here to stay.

Ren smiles as Mana laughs with everyone else who is dancing around while Ren's recently recorded song plays through again. He owes being able to write and finish his lyrics because of the little redhead. If she hadn't been so determined to keep him here, he'd never have found the inspiration to continue with a musical career. This Mana Ikeda is certainly a special girl.


A/N: I'm alive, everybody! I took a small hiatus after my beloved rabbit of 10 years passed away. Don't worry, I'm okay now. I realize how lucky I was to have been home when he went. Plus, the animal hospital we dropped him off to get him cremated gave us a plaster model of his pawprint, which I took to school to hang on my wall right by my head.
I've also just been super busy with college lately. I had projects and papers, plus registering and scheduling classes for next semester.
I'm trying my best. Hope you enjoyed the read.