Chapter Seven

Green Eyed Cat

Haruka left Rin's room with down turned lips. She struggled to keep them up, but it felt as though weights hung on each corner. She trudged slowly to her room. 'Just try not to think about it.'

She opened her door. "Haruka." She stiffened and looked up. Tokiya stood before her, looking her over closely. "Is everything okay?"

"Mm." Haruka forced a wavering smile. "I'm fine."

Tokiya frowned in disbelief. "I need to talk to you," he said. Haruka hesitated. She wanted to lie down, but she could tell it was important. She nodded and let him inside. She fidgeted a little, suddenly nervous at the thought of a boy, Ichinose-san no less, in her room.

Tokiya's eyes scanned her room, pausing for a moment at her HAYATO poster hanging above her desk. When he was done, he turned to her. "I know you don't want to accept anyone's apology," he said. "But I need to say it."

Haruka frowned. "I-Ichinose-san…"

Tokiya bowed his head. "I'm sorry, Haruka. For letting you fall."

"Stop. You don't have to… to protect me." Haruka clutched at the hem of her shirt.

"Idiot..." Tokiya looked up, blue eyes capturing hers. "I don't have to do anything. I want to." He took her hand.

Haruka stiffened. Her face heated up. "U-Um…" Tokiya squeezed her hand, studying her. Seeing her frazzled state, he let her go.

"That's all I wanted to say." He walked past her, gently shutting the door after himself.

"U-Um… Night…" Haruka swayed on the spot. What was that? She let out a sigh. Ichinose-san… He was so important to her. She dragged her feet to the bed, falling atop it with a soft plop. Ittoki-kun, Hijirikawa-kun, Jinguuji-san, Shinomiya-san, Kurusu-kun, and Cecil-san too. They were all so dear… She turned over on her back with a small whimper, eyes trembling from the effort of damming the flow of tears. 'I don't want to lose any of them!'

...

"Fear not, my lady. I will protect your bag with my life," Emiko said solemnly. Otoya glared at her from across the practice room. Birds chirped outside. Dawn pressed against the windows. "Rest easy knowing your bag will be safe in my capable hands," Emiko continued.

Otoya pouted, brows furrowed. "Are you done?" he demanded in a slightly higher pitch.

Emiko thought about it. "I will not pause. I will not sleep so long as your bag may yet be in danger-"

"Okay! I get it!" Otoya burst out. He winced a little, as the cut on his lip was only just beginning to heal. If not for his injury, he'd be at his photo shoot right now. Irritable, he clenched his hands at his sides. "You're real funny, you know that?"

"I've been told," Emiko said with the tiniest of smiles.

Otoya let out a breath. "What was I supposed to say, anyways?" he muttered, eyes cast to the side.

"At that time, it would've been most effective to pat her on the head," Emiko noted. "Perhaps thrown in a reliable, 'Anytime'."

"Hm." Otoya stared up, tapping a finger against his chin. "Yeah. I guess that makes sense."

"It does. Now are you going to teach me how to dance or not?" Emiko asked.

"What?" Otoya frowned. "You've hardly helped me at all! You said the first lesson would be… Um…" He trailed off, embarrassed.

"Fine," Emiko sighed. "Right now, your advantage over the others is your bright attitude. However, there's nothing manly about grinning like an idiot."

Otoya's face switched from bashful to offended in an instant. "H-Hey!" he protested.

"So you need to up your manliness bar," Emiko concluded.

"Manliness bar?" Otoya echoed, quirking a brow.

"What women are attracted to, yes. Dominance. Charm. Sexual tension," Emiko explained.

"W-W-Wha…!" Otoya swayed, head buzzing, unable to complete the sentence.

Emiko frowned. "This isn't going to be as easy as I thought," she muttered to herself. "Okay. Try something simple. Such as touching Nanami out of the blue."

"Eh?" Otoya meekly put his pointer fingers together at the thought. "Like… holding hands?"

Emiko stared at him in disbelief. Was he just a really tall 5th grader or something? She shook herself. "No. Touch her face, her arm, her waist, and the small of her back. Surprise her. Throw her off guard. Use your body to remind her you're a man."

"Ah." Otoya blushed. "O-Okay…" He laughed awkwardly.

"Is that enough?" Emiko asked impatiently. "Can we dance now?"

"Eh?" Otoya blinked. "Um… Sure." He smiled brightly. "Thanks, Arata-chan!"

"Hm." Emiko nodded. Maybe the red head did have a chance, if he followed her suggestions as naturally as he smiled.

...

Haruka walked out by the pond in the mansion's backyard. The early morning sun sparkled like gemstones across the still water. She let out a heavy sigh and rubbed at her sleep deprived eyes.

Rin spotted her across the grounds, Steven at her side. She thought about going over and talking to her, but hesitated, and turned instead towards the woods. There was nothing left to do but let that girl think. A breeze lifted her hair from her shoulders. She raised her arms against it, relishing the massage of the wind across her skin. She breathed in the crisp scent, so much sweeter than the stench of downtown.

I'll catch you when you're falling down

I'll guide you when the light can't be found

Rin opened her eyes. That warm voice was unfamiliar. She told Steven to stay and wandered into the woods.

Just take my ha-and

I'm yours to stay

Just come with me-e

Across the Milky Way

The singing stopped. Rin scoped the area. The branches rustled. Leaves fluttered down around her. "Who's there?" she asked sharply. A blur dropped from the trees. She swung towards it, fist at the ready.

A boy stood before her. He sported dark hair, tan skin, and gleaming green eyes. He wore white pants and a strange green tunic. He smiled pleasantly. "Nice to meet you." He spoke fluent Japanese, at the very least.

Rin gawped, slowly lowering her raised arm. "Right…" She pulled herself together, straightening her back. "And who're you?" she demanded.

"Hm?" The boy titled his head to the side. "I'm Cecil. The one who lives here. Who're you?"

"Hm." Rin wrapped an arm around her hip and flipped back her curls. "Rin Nakamura. Lead idol of ICE FIRE."

"ICE FIRE?" Cecil echoed. His smile widened. "Never heard of it."

Rin bristled. This guy was seriously annoying. "Oh? So you must be a new addition to the Master Course," she said as she ground her teeth.

"Nope! I'm from-" Cecil let out a scream of terror as Steven burst through the bushes with a yowl of greeting.

...

Haruka snapped in the direction of the familiar cry. "C-Cecil-san!?" she gasped. She ran for the woods, praying he was alright.

...

Saki sat alone in the lounge, tapping her pencil along with the melody Haruka had provided her. She let out a small groan of frustration and rubbed at her pink hair. "Aargh! I can't think of anything!" she complained.

"Saki-chan?" a voice asked from the door.

Saki jumped in her seat, whirling for the source of the noise. When she saw who it was, she let out a breath of relief. "Oh. It's you, Natsuki-san. You surprised me!"

"Sorry, sorry," Natsuki said, walking over to her. "What are you working on?"

"Ah. The lyrics for Haruka's song," Saki explained. "Though, I haven't gotten very…" She trailed off, eyes widening in horror as Natsuki plucked the sheet from its rest. "H-Hey! Wait!"

Natsuki scanned the piece from behind his glasses. Light green eyes widened in surprise. "Uwah! These doodles! Could they be-" he started to say.

"Hm? Y-Yeah, it's-" Saki began.

"Piyo-chan," they finished together. They blinked, staring at each other in shock. They both jumped up, pointing a finger at the other. "You know Piyo-chan!?" they cried.

...

The upbeat, cheerful music pulsed through the practice room. Emiko watched carefully as Otoya moved in with the music, stepped to the side, hips dipping, spun, and threw out his hand. It was an energetic, fun loving expression. "Okay, start with something like that," he said.

Emiko's eyes widened. "Can't you just show me and I'll practice in private?" she asked.

Otoya gave her a funny look. "That's not how dance lessons work, Arata-chan. Don't worry. I said I'd help you, didn't I?" He threw her a smile.

"But…" Emiko's resolve faltered. She really didn't want an audience. How was she supposed to get comfortable with her body when someone was watching? However, it didn't look as though the smiling red head was going to leave. "Fine," she huffed, walking to the center of the room.

The music flowed over her like water against plastic, running over the edge and refusing to soak in. She mimicked Otoya's motions, stepping to the side, dipping her hips down, then up, spinning in a clumsy circle, and awkwardly hanging her arm out. She blinked, lips uncomfortably pursed.

"Hmm…" Otoya tapped his chin thoughtfully. "You did the move right, but you looked… almost like you didn't want to."

Emiko frowned, shutting her eyes and she straightened her composure. "It's awkward," she said in her defense.

"Ah." Otoya's red eyes widened. "Is it because I'm here?"

"Maybe…" Emiko looked away. "No. That's not it. I've never been able to dance right. Not like Nakamura or Chihiki."

"You'll get it, Arata-chan," Otoya assured. "You just need practice! Do it again!" He clapped his hands.

"Eh?" Emiko faltered, clumsily rushing into the dance move as Otoya urged her on. This method of practice seemed suspiciously unprofessional…

...

Syo glided the bow across the violin. He stood by the window in his, Natsuki's, and Ai's room. QUARTET NIGHT was on tour throughout Japan, so they mercifully had the room to themselves. Syo's arm raised and lowered as he changed strings, dipping and swaying to the flow of the song. Flight of the Bumblebee rang out in a rapid flurry. He increased the tempo, brows knitting. Faster. Faster. It took all his concentration to balance the speed and the notes, but if he wanted to improve-

A sharp pang stabbed his chest. "Nnng!" Syo's arm slipped, earning a grating shriek as the bow gnashed against the string. He doubled over, falling to a knee. He dropped the bow and clutched his chest. He breathed raggedly, fingers digging into his shirt. He evened out his breath in deep cycles. The pain ebbed away to a dull throb.

Shakily, Syo retrieved the bow and rose to his feet. He set the instrument atop his bed and, hand pressed to his throbbing heart, reached for his bag. It wasn't there. He stiffened. "Dammit," he swore under his breath. Where had he left it? Downstairs? Grumbling, he made his way for the door, staggering every few steps.

By the time Syo descended the stairs, the pain had lessened considerably. He still felt numb and dizzy, limbs weak and shaken, but managed to keep composed as he entered the lounge. He froze in the doorway. Natsuki and Saki faced each other, grinning as they sang, to his dread, a ridiculous theme song, "Piyo-chan, Piyo-chan, where are you? Piyo-chan, Piyo-chan, I love you!"

"Ah you've got to be kidding me. Another Natsuki?" Syo complained with a heavy sigh.

"Syo-chan!" Natsuki looked up. "You won't believe this! Saki-chan likes Piyo-chan! Just like us!"

"I don't like it!" Syo snapped on reflex, refusing to lie down and take the sting to his pride.

Saki winced, eyes darting from Natsuki to the door. "U-Um… I should get to work," she said quietly.

"Oh?" Natsuki's face fell. "Okay… See you later, Saki-chan!"

Saki retrieved her sheet music. "Goodbye, Natsuki-san!" She hurried out the door, keeping her eyes straight and quickening her step as she passed Syo.

Syo watched her leave with a slight frown. He turned to Natsuki and jabbed a thumb back at her. "Why do I get the feeling she doesn't like me?" he asked.

"Hm?" Natsuki tilted his head. "Don't be silly. Saki-chan is just shy. I'm sure she likes you…" He trailed off with a slight smile as Syo rubbed at his chest. "What's wrong, Syo-chan? Has Saki-chan's shyness broken your heart?"

"Don't be stupid," Syo said, too weary to snap. He spotted his bag on the chair and rifled through it.

Natsuki frowned. His eyes widened and he rushed over. "Does your chest hurt? Are you okay? Uwah! Should I call the fire department!?"

"I'm fine!" Syo waved him away. "And why would you call the fire department?" He pulled out a clear orange bottle and unscrewed the top. He glanced over and saw Natsuki staring at him with large, fearful eyes. Syo let out a sigh. "I just need my medicine," he assured. He tapped two pills out and tossed them in his mouth. He swallowed with a big gulp, shaking his head and letting out an uncomfortable gasp.

"I know you hate taking them," Natsuki said sadly. "But you have to. Every day."

Syo shot him an irritated look, though he secretly felt touched Natsuki worried about him. "I know. Don't worry about it," he grunted, heading back to his room.

Natsuki watched him go. Syo seemed oddly shorter today, as his body sagged and shoulders slumped. How could he not worry about it?

...

Haruka followed the fearful shouts into the woods, where she found Rin staring onwards and Steven barking up a tree. Confused, she followed Rin's gaze and let out a gasp. "C-Cecil-san?" she exclaimed.

Cecil hung from a branch, eyes wide and lips miserable as he stared down at the large dog. His head snapped up at Haruka's voice. "H-Haruka!" he called. "Save me! Get it away! Get it away!"

Rin laughed loudly, holding her stomach. "Oh you are too much! Just like a scared little cat!" She wiped a tear from her eye and turned back to Haruka. "Hey, Composer Girl. You know this moron?"

Haruka absently nodded, then puffed out her cheeks. "He's not a moron!" she defended. "His name's Cecil-san! He's a member of STARISH!"

"Oh?" Rin's eyes widened slightly. She hadn't heard of him joining. "Well in that case…" She whistled sharply. Steven barked, twirled around, and ran to her side. "I'll let you two catch up," she said with an amused smirk. She walked off, Steven at her side.

Cecil watched them go. When the dog disappeared, he let out a relieved breath. He hopped down from the tree, the branch rustling and snapping back into place. He rose to stand before Haruka. A delighted grin split his lips and he rushed over with arms spread wide. "C-Cecil-san!" Haruka gasped as she was pulled into a warm embrace.

"Mm… I missed you," Cecil murmured, nuzzling into her neck. Haruka stiffened and Cecil's hands tightened against her arm and side.

Haruka's heart hammered against her chest. She felt warm, delighted, and a little scared. Suddenly, Rin's words echoed in her head, "One, or none." She quickly pushed him away, stepped back with her head ducked down.

Cecil blinked in confusion. "Haruka?" he asked quietly.

"You should go say hello to the others!" Haruka said loudly. Without looking at him, she turned and ran back for the dormitories. Cecil stared after her with a sad frown. Had he done something wrong?

A/N: So sorry this was late! I had a very nasty flu and didn't trust myself to write. Anyway, I'm all better now so updates shall resume as normal.

The story's a little slow right now as the gears have to align... But things will pick up soon!