A/N: sorry for the looooooooong wait!!

Thanks for supporting this story! Your reading and reviewing makes me very happy :p

Hope this crappy chapter satisfies you until the next update. Love you guys!

By the way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY LELOUCH!!

:]

---

"I thought…secretaries were for girls," Milly remarked as they walked down the corridor.

"That's sexist. I know plenty of men who were secretaries," Suzaku retorted.

Milly smiled. "They're probably from those gay love novels, where the male boss starts to violate them by making them do certain tasks, if you know what I mean…" she trailed off, imagining the extremely wrong boys love scene.

Shirley blushed. "Milly! Please don't continue with your rotten habits!!" She turned around to see where Lelouch was. He wasn't far behind from them, and he was continuously looking out the windows as they passed.

I wonder what he's thinking about, Shirley thought. She shook her head. Did it really matter what he thought about? He's just some spoiled rich kid…!

Right?

She stole a short glance and their eyes met for a split second. She turned around and walked faster, her face mysteriously turning pink.

---

Shou stood by the staff room door. He had his hand on the doorknob, but he did not turn it.

"What's the matter with you, Shou?" Kei asked with her hands on her hips. "Open the door."

"Uh, well, you see…"

"What?"

"I thought I heard something weird inside," he suddenly lowered his voice.

Ren laughed. "Like what? A ghost? Oooh!! Shou's scared of something that doesn't even exist! And it's daytime too! HAHAHA!!"

Shou slapped his arm. "Shh! I mean it!"

"So you really think it's a ghost?" Ren asked, surprised and starting to speak quietly with Shou.

Kei rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Just open the door."

"Speak quieter! And I refuse to," Shou cried softly.

"Then I will," Kei said, still in her normal volume.

"Be quiet!" he hissed. "And don't open the door!"

"Why not?!"

"I told you! You better not open it yet."

"What on earth are you talking about, dumbass?"

"Just trust me on this one!" his voice was getting louder, and he covered his mouth.

Ren screamed. "GAHH!! Move over, you loser!"

"No! Wait!" Shou yelled as Ren opened the door swiftly, or rather, bravely, to reveal Ougi being massaged by Viletta.

"AUGHH you're good! That smarts!" he groaned as he waved weakly at the four freshmen. "Good afternoon, please take a seat!"

Silence.

Kei spoke up. "Shou, please don't tell me you thought they were having se-"

"Nice to meet you! My name is Shou, and we are from Miss C's class!" Shou said loudly as he bowed in greeting.

Ougi grinned. "I'm Ougi…"

"Mr. Ougi…" Viletta whispered.

"Mr. Ougi. And that's Mrs. Ougi."

Silence.

"Uh…I'm Kei, that's Ren, and that's Nunnally. We'll just be sitting over here, if that's alright…" Kei said to break the awkwardness.

They sat down. More silence.

"Well…you boys are quite tall for freshmen, don't you think?" Ougi commented, smiling. "When I was your age, I was one head shorter than you are." He pointed at Ren.

Ren grinned. "That means I'll grow to be one head taller than you are."

"You little…" Ougi said, giving messing up Ren's perfect hair.

"Hey, hey, hey!!"

Nunnally and Shou laughed. Kei just rolled her eyes.

The door opened. Suzaku popped in.

"Ooh, Shouta, long time no see!" he yelled happily as he went to high-five the boy.

"Whoa, whoa, who's this?" Kei whispered to Shou, who was turning red.

"Ahh…"

Suzaku smiled. "How are you doing?"

"Suzaku-senpai…I…I'm doing good. How are you?" Shou asked, suddenly timid. Ren's jaw dropped at the sudden quietness and respect from his best friend. Kei's eyes would've rolled onto the floor if it was possible.

"I'm good, good! Glad to see you in this school! Are you going to try out for the soccer team this year? If you aren't, I'm going to keep pestering you about it!"

"Ah, I will think about it."

"I'm sure you will make it, so don't worry about competition and age."

"You, you really think so?"

"Yeah! I've trained with you before, and I know you will be fine!"

"You mean, I won't be a benchwarmer?"

"You'll be on the field! You're the best defense I've ever seen!"

"Hi, I'm Ren. You must be Shou's idol, Suzaku. Nice to meet you," Ren cut in.

"Good job," Kei whispered to Ren. "The atmosphere was getting too…boys love…"

"I need to talk to you later about what you've been reading on the internet recently, Kei," Ren whispered back as he went to shake Suzaku's hand. The two boys smiled at each other. Suzaku was half a head taller than Ren, but they looked perfect next to each other. Perfect enough to fulfill fangirl fantasies.

Suddenly, Ren turned pink, which would have fulfilled yet another fangirl fantasy. By the doorway entered the other three members – Shirley, Milly, and then Lelouch.

But he wasn't blushing because of the girls.

Oh no, he was blushing because of Lelouch.

"Oh, ho, ho…" Kei thought as she smiled the evil fangirl smile.

---

"Hey, are you alright?"

Fourteen-year-old Lelouch held out his hand to the boy who had fallen on the ground. The notebooks and papers had been scattered everywhere, but he had helped pick them all up for him.

The boy looked up shyly and grabbed Lelouch's hand. He stood up slowly and patted his pants.

"I, uh, thanks," the boy said, looking at Lelouch's arms as they held his notebooks and papers.

"Mm," was Lelouch's reply as he gently handed the pile to him.

It was after school, and the boy was just bringing the papers to the teacher's cupboard down the hall where all the notebooks went at the end of the week. Being the class representative was tough, having to stay after school to assist the teachers; especially when you're new to the school and have yet to make friends yourself.

The corridors were empty except for the two boys.

"My name is Ren. I, uh, I'm in the first year."

"I'm Lelouch."

Ren grinned. "Is your name French?"

Lelouch looked surprised. "Huh? I don't know…"

Ren turned red. He wanted to have someone to talk to. He was lonely in this new school, but it seemed as if Lelouch wasn't the talkative type.

"What year are you in, Lelouch?"

"Third year."

"That makes you my senpai! I…I'm sorry for being rude senpai…can I call you Lelouch-senpai, then?"

"I…guess so," he said.

"Are you a classroom representative too, Lelouch-senpai?"

"No."

"Then what were you doing so late?"

"Checking out the music room," he replied as he tightened his tie a bit.

Ren blinked. "You got a cut there, senpai," he said, pointing at Lelouch's neck.

"H-huhh? Oh, y-yeah."

Silence. "How did you-"

"I-uh," Lelouch cut in, "I got it during PE, when a classmate accidentally swiped his hockey stick…and…then it started to bleed."

"That must've hurt."

"Yeah, it did. I need to go now. Hope you'll enjoy this school."

"Oh…well thank you senpai. I'll see you around! Show me the music room sometime, okay?"

---

"And that five minute talk just about summed up your roles."

Ougi looked around the room of dead students. They were all quiet, and he heard someone's stomach growl. Ren was looking out the window, Shou was looking at Ougi with soulless eyes, Kei was stealing glances at Lelouch, and Nunnally was avoiding Lelouch. And she didn't know why.

"Uh…the staff has ordered some lunchboxes for you guys," Ougi said.

The room instantly lit up.

"But they're not here yet, so be patient and let's continue with the meeting."

"Aw man, I'm hungry!" Shou groaned.

"Why do we have to do this…" a student next to him mumbled. "I want to take a dump."

"Uh, everyone can hear you," his friend whispered.

"Oh. I was just kidding then."

"Um…yeahh…so let me pass out the events calendar," Ougi said louder than necessary. The students patiently waited until they received the stack of paper. Shou leaned towards Kei and pointed to a date.

"Damn. School picnic on my birthday? You gotta be joking me."

Kei shrugged. "You might get presents from the school or something."

"From a teacher? No thanks. I'd rather get from some hot chick."

"It's not like you're going to get a present from a hot chick even if there wasn't a school picnic."

Ren butted in. "Hey, isn't this school picnic thing like new? I mean, I never heard my brother having one last year."

"You have a brother?" Kei asked surprised.

"What the hell! You've met him before!"

Kei rolled her eyes. "I thought he was just a mature friend of yours. I mean, you guys don't even look alike."

"Yeah." Ren flipped the calendar. "I'm adopted."

Shock.

"What the fuck! I never heard anything about that!" Shou shouted.

Ougi cleared his throat. "Are we done with the conversation over there, freshmen?"

"Uh, actually we're not, but we're sorry for being so loud," Kei said with supposed sincerity.

"Let me just go over some important dates with you…"

Shou leaned closer to Ren and whispered. "You're adopted?"

"That's what I said."

"Is it true?"

"Yeah, it's true."

"The hell…I thought we were best friends."

"We are."

"And you never told me…"

"Hey, I just found out last night."

"What the hell!" Shou shouted again.

"Excuse me, let's see here…" Ougi paused. "Shouta. Please control yourself during the meeting. And take off that nose ring."

Shou flushed. "Sorry. And if I take off that nose ring, the hole will close back up."

Silence.

"Was that some sort of sexual joke?" Ren asked helpfully.

"…No, but was it a good one?"

"Not at all."

"Well, I didn't mean it to be one, so-" he glanced at Ougi, who was still looking at him. "Ah, sorry. I'll…I'll shut up."

"And the nose ring?"

"It'll be off."

"Okay, back to business. So the bolded parts on the calendar are dates that are confirmed, and the italicized parts are tentative dates…" Ougi continued, occasionally glancing over at Shou's direction to make sure he was behaving.

While the meeting was going on, Nunnally looked over at Lelouch's direction.

Did he notice me?

Did he recognize me?

---

"What's her name?"

"Camille. Isn't it cute? It's because her father's mother was named Camille. A history of names…"

"That's a nice name!"

"Isn't it? Now Camille, open wide! Say Ahh…"

Marianne smiled as her professor fed his granddaughter some bananas. The little girl giggled and spat the bananas out from her mouth.

"Oh, that is disgusting!" the professor said laughing as he reached for his handkerchief.

It was the weekend, and the professor's daughter had come for a visit. She dropped off the little baby while she and her husband went out for lunch. Marianne had just happened to pass by after practicing in the music room when the girl was being fed.

"Marianne, what do I do to make sure she eats?"

"Um…I'm not really sure."

"Back when my daughter was born, she ate like a pig! This little girl is difficult!"

They both laughed.

"Oh! Marianne! I need to ask you something. It's something grand." He turned towards her and smiled.

Marianne looked at him confused. "Something grand?"

"Yes. We will be holding a concert, and I am in charge of it. It is very important. Now listen closely-"

The baby spat out more bananas from her mouth.

"Come on, little one! Behave and eat!" He wiped the girl's mouth and then continued. "I would like you to play the opening song."

"Ahaha!" the baby laughed.

"Wait, me?!" Marianne asked, shocked.

"You can do it."

"Professor, I think you're overestimating me. I'm not-"

"You can do it."

"I have lots to learn. I'm still in my first year of music…"

"Trust me, Marianne. I've been in this profession for so many years, I know a talented musician when I see one. And you are talented."

"It was just one song."

"Many guys will go after such a talented musician."

Marianne blushed. "That's not the point here, professor. I'm barely able to finish my piece right now!"

"That's maybe because we just started the piece."

"Still! Talented musicians are faster. I'm sure you'll find somebody else that's-"

"Marianne. Do you know who Rachmaninov was?"

"Yes, we're going to do his third piano concerto after this piece. Why?"

"Rachmaninov was a genius. A true talent in music. He was an excellent composer, an excellent piano player, and he was just that good. But guess what? He takes ages to complete a piano piece. He plays even slower than a snail, but that did not mean he was not talented at all. Everybody has a weak point, even in their talents," Professor Carole smiled, "and your weakness, is not believing in yourself."

Marianne was silent. "I…I don't know what to say."

"Just say yes to my proposal. Of course, it's not wrong to reject me, but I just wanted to let you know what you have the potential."

"Let me think about it?"

"Better than saying no on the spot!"

"Ahahahahah!" the baby laughed.

"Oh, Camille…will you please…"

---

"Ooh, lunchboxes!" Kei squealed as she took her share.

"Alright, after everybody gets one please take a seat," Ougi ordered as the students murmured in excitement.

"I love being in this student council thingy!" Shou said as he took a box. "Free lunches, popularity, and the girls!"

"Yeah! I love fried noodles!" Ren grinned as he snatched one and sat down.

"Hey, are you really adopted?" Shou asked as he sat next to his friend.

"Must we continue this conversation?"

"I've been your buddy for so long! I deserve to know what's going on in your life!"

"Hmm." They both opened the lids. "Well, whatever I say now would probably be asked about later on anyway."

"What do you mean?"

"I answered that question before, dumbass!"

"What question?"

"Never mind."

"So, are you really, really adopted?"

Kei joined in. "Yeah, I want to know the truth."

While this was going on, Nunnally went to get a lunchbox. She eyed her favorite dish – the omelette. It was the best thing in the world! That oozy egg wrapped around the chewy fried rice…

And oh snap, someone took it!

Suzaku licked his lips. He loved omelette rice. He wasn't a super huge fan or anything, but the site of that dish just made his mouth water. Compared to everything else that was offered, this was the best of the best.

"Hey, can I have that?"

Suzaku turned around to see apathetic Lelouch looking lifelessly into his eyes.

"Uh…"

He was at a loss for words. Lelouch asked him for something…? This was unexpected.

"Kururugi."

"Why should I…?"

"It tastes good, that's why."

Damn, why must he make sense?!

"Since you're asking so nicely…" Suzaku said, a bit dissatisfied. He handed the box to Lelouch, who took it with both his hands.

"Thanks."

"…W-what?" Suzaku was shocked. Extremely shocked.

"Thanks," Lelouch said casually as he brushed a bit of his bangs to the side.

Suzaku blinked. "Hey, when did you cut yourself?" he asked as he noticed something like a red line on his head. He reached out his hand to sweep all of Lelouch's bangs away when Lelouch stepped back.

"What are you talking about?" Lelouch retorted nervously as he turned away from Suzaku.

Suzaku glared at his back. "What the hell…" he hissed as he chose another not-as-appealing lunchbox.

Lelouch walked up Nunnally, who just stared at him, her mouth slightly open.

"I-I…uh…um…we…I…" Nunnally mumbled as she kept looking back and forth at Lelouch's eyes and at the wall next to her.

"Here." He handed over the omelette box to her.

"Huh?" Nunnally accepted it. "W-why…?"

"You still like it, don't you?"

He gave her a small, gentle smile and walked off to get the remaining semi-tattered lunchbox.

---

Lelouch coughed and groaned as he lifted the wet towel off from his forehead. He rolled over to the side at the sound of the door creaking open.

"Are you okay?" Nunnally asked as she walked slowly to the bedside of Lelouch.

"Mm…it's just a few degrees above normal, I'm fine… mom's making me sleep though, that's all."

"Are you sure? Can you play with me outside then?"

Seven year old Lelouch laughed. "Sure, why not? I feel so energetic, it sucks to be sick! I mean, come on Nunna! Look outside!"

"Are you sure you're allowed?"

"It's okay! I just won't play as much though, okay? I'll watch you play."

"Oh…okay…" Nunnally looked down.

Lelouch looked at his little sister. "Hey, don't look like that. Nunnally…How about this? Let's build mom and dad a huge snowman and greet them by the doorway!"

Nunnally's eyes lit up. "Ohh! Good idea! But…will you help?"

"Of course I will! I suggested it, so I should do it too, right?"

"Uh huh…"

"Let me get dressed then. Don't peek, okay? Why don't you get your mittens?"

Nunnally clapped and ran to the door. "Yea, yea, yea! I'll also get a scarf, a carrot, and we need some pebbles…"

---

"That was marvelous! I could tell that even the headmaster was very pleased with you!" Professor Carole laughed jovially as he gave Marianne a hug. "Ah, that was just marvelous. Thank you so much, Marianne. You've made an old man proud."

"No, thank you, professor…" Marianne sighed as they broke the hug and smiled. "I couldn't have done it without your guidance."

He laughed. "Marianne, Marianne! Be more proud of your accomplishment! Not many students are as willing to be the opening act of such a big concert! I just thank you for taking part in this performance. Oh, Marianne…"

He looked over her shoulder and smiled. "Marianne, there's someone I would like you to meet," the professor said as Marianne turned around.

A handsome man smiled at her. He had a brilliant smile, and he made many girls' heads turn as they walked by.

He held out his hand. "Hello, Marianne. I'm Vince. Nice to meet you. Professor Carole has always been talking about your music."

"Huh? Oh my…Nice to meet you too, Vince," Marianne answered flustered as she firmly shook his hand.

"You're very beautiful, Marianne."

"I…Thank you," she replied, blushing and looking down.

Vince smiled and let go of her hand. "You also have slender fingers. The elegant fingers of a piano player."

"Vince, I'm not good with compliments," Marianne said.

Vince laughed. "Sorry for what I have to say then, but being the son of the chairman really allows you to meet many pretty girls, and you are by far the most beautiful one I've seen. How old are you, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Nineteen…"

"That's young for such a wonderful performer. Oh, sorry, I believe that was flattering!" Vince said as he saw Marianne turn pink again. He smiled. "I'm just four years older. If you'll consider men older by that many years, I'm willing…"

"Vince, are you flirting with my student?" Professor Carole spoke up, smiling.

"Of course, professor, what else does this look like?"

Carole chuckled. "My dear children, when you grow older, you'll realize how funny your pickup lines were back when you were younger."

"Hey Vince! Dad told me to find you for something."

Unlike Vince, who was dressed in a white suit with his brown hair combed to the side and gelled, another man walked into the scene. He was equally as handsome, a bit more muscular, and with an air of arrogance. His hair was set not modestly like Vince's was, but a bit more fashionable and trendy.

"My brother," Vince answered Marianne's silent question. He turned to his brother. "Yes, and here is the reason. Meet the pianist of the first song, Marianne Lamperouge."

The man stopped and looked at her. "And…?"

Professor Carole smiled. "Your father wants you to know who she is because he thinks music can influence your life!"

"It's gonna take a miracle for a little girl to convert me to such music."

Vince laughed. "Little? You're not that much older, dearest brother. Sorry for the late introduction, Marianne. This is my younger twin brother, Charles di Britannia. Shake hands, Charles."

"Hi, I'm Charles," Charles said casually as he held out his hand.

"Marianne…" Marianne answered a bit uncomfortably.

The two shook hands awkwardly.

---

"Lelouch, it's cold!"

"Of course it is, silly. It's snow! What did you expect it to feel like?"

"Hmm…I don't know."

The two siblings stood in the front yard as the snow gently fell on their little heads. Lelouch packed a snowball in his hand and put it on the floor. He started rolling.

"Wow, this snowball is getting big!" he exclaimed as he made his way around the yard.

"Lelouch, I found some nice pebbles for the snowman's buttons!"

"Great!" he exclaimed. He coughed.

"Are you okay, Lelouch?"

"Yeah, just a bit cold. Brr… this scarf doesn't help very much, does it?"

"Maybe you should trade scarves with the snowman later."

"Oh, but I know my scarf is warmer than his. What time did mom and dad say they were coming home again?"

"Around 5. Hey look, Lelouch! This rock is shaped like a heart!"

He stifled some more coughs. "That would look nice on the snowman too!"

Nunnally turned around and smiled. "Yea! The first button!"

Lelouch smiled at Nunnally's beam. He rubbed his hands together to warm them up.

"It's 4 now Nunnally. We should hurry!"

Lelouch patted the big snowball he created. He looked at Nunnally, who just stared at him.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

Nunnally suddenly ran and hugged Lelouch.

"Wha-" Lelouch exclaimed, stunned.

"I forgot. Happy birthday, Lelouch."

Lelouch gasped. "I've been sick for three days?!"

The two laughed, and Lelouch coughed. Nunnally released him from her embrace and looked worriedly at Lelouch.

"You know what, Lelouch? Mommy and daddy aren't the most important today. You are! Let's go back in and play Monopoly or Twister!"

Lelouch smiled. "Yeah, you're right. Let's take a break, and I'm really thirsting for that hot chocolate!"

"Teach me chess!"

"Yeah, sure thing! We'll build that snowman tomorrow or maybe for their Christmas gift!"

"Ooh! Promise?"

"Yeah!"

"Yay! Do you want marshmallows in your hot chocolate?"

"Lots of them!"

---

HEY this is steph!

Thanks a LOT for reading this far! Haha~

I really love the reviews and messages that you send me. There is no way that you guys can be annoying… more like ENCOURAGING!

By the way, to answer some potential reviews, what I write is never BS. I never introduce BS characters unless it's just for crack purposes :P SO I would appreciate it if you don't criticize on something like that.

And before you criticize, please make sure you've read the story! I've had criticisms that asked questions that were right in the text and criticisms that asked for more explanation. Just a heads up: I also do not explain everything in the same chapter. That's the best part about stories. You don't know why things happen until you read on :]

So what I'm trying to say is…don't waste criticisms on things that are obvious! Criticize on something more deep!!

Thanks a lot! Praises and comments are LOVED!!!

Just a random side note: check my profile page for links to blog, twitter, etc! I update the status of the story sometimes, and you get to see why I never update. I also plan to put in spoilers, and to give a heads up about what might happen.

And another thing is: THE POLL. It asks: Should Lelouch have a lover?

Please vote!

By the way, the poll does not decide his fate. It just lets me see what people want…but it MIGHT NOT HAPPEN.

HAHA just wanted to tell you guys.

LOVE YOU! THANKS FOR READING!!

PLEASE BE PATIENT AND WAIT FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER!!

I PROMISE, IT GETS MORE INTERESTING!! HAHA.