SONG/S FEATURED:

SONG/S FEATURED:

Way Back Into Love sung by Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant—suggested by -kradraven-.

Turn the Music Up
Written by: Aminatsu032

Natsume looked at me and put down his guitar.

"Had a good sleep?" he said, smirking.

I rolled my eyes. "Maybe."

Yes, maybe. Maybe I wanted to become partners with him after all…

CHORUS:

I slept in his apartment last night…

I slept in his apartment last night…

Last night…

I…I…

I feel my cheeks burn as the fact rings endlessly on my head.

I hug my pillow tight, trying hard to erase the memory from my bubbly head.

I woke up in his room, which means…he carried me when I fell asleep.

I sigh as I roll from left to right on my bed—this was unfair! I can't fall in love with him! That is a sin! Depravity, immorality, iniquity, veniality, wickedness—A SIN!

But still he…

GAH! Shaddap, stupid heart! You can't fall in love with him! Hotaru forbid you to! You…can't…

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"Hey, idiot, are you listening to me?!" I hear someone shout beside me and I stand up in surprise.

Natsume rolled his eyes, banging his fingers at the piano keys in annoyance. "It's not easy being a teacher, you know!"

I smile nervously. "S-sorry. Ehrr…could you repeat that again?"

Natsume sighed. "I said, 'B flat, G minor, B flat, G minor, C minor seven, F minor, F, C minor seven, F minor and F.'"

I looked him in confusion, my brows arched together.

Natsume just shrugged; despite the fact he knew that I didn't understand anything. "Figure it out yourself."

I sigh at I stare at the black and white piano keys. As far as I could remember, the only thing I knew how to play with the piano was "Baa Baa Black Sheep"—and that was when I was four years old!

I position my fingers randomly at the keys and press hard.

I saw Natsume twitch at the corner of my eye as I bit my lip.

"S-sorry."

"I didn't think you would be this ignorant," Natsume said as he positioned my left hand.

I immediately blush, noticing he was this close to me—and he was holding my hand.

He looks at me with those stunning crimson orbs and smirk. "Look at the keys, not me."

My eyes widen and I feel my cheeks burn again. "I…I was not looking at you!"

"Yeah right."

"It's true!"

"Whatever."

I stayed silent.

Okay, maybe I was looking at him.

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"Hmm…something's different with you."

I look at Yakako in confusion. "What? There's nothing different."

Yakako giggled, arranging the bed sheets at the clinic.

I arrived early the next day because I couldn't sleep last night.

Yes, today was the performance and since I didn't know what to do this early in the morning, I decided to help Yakako out with her job.

"Yes there is," she told me as her purple eyes examined mine, "your eyes has more life in it."

"I…um…" I was speechless, obviously.

When Yakako finished arranging the sheets she approached me and sat down. "You're in love, are you?"

I immediately blushed and looked away. "I am…not! I'm to young to be…i-i-i-in love!"

"Hmm…" Yakako just said, smiling at me. "I went through that stage, too. It's hard when you know your love is impossible."

Impossible, huh?

I opened my mouth, about to say something when the door beside me opened.

"Na-Natsume," I said in a low voice.

"Stupid girl, what are you still doing here?" he told me in an irritated noise as he grabbed my wrist, "We're up next."

"Ah…yes," I say as he let go of my hand.

I was about to go out of the room, following Natsume when I heard Yakako call behind me.

"Mikan," she said.

I turn around. "Hm?"

She said nothing but her wink gave me an idea.

"Ba-ka!" I say as I went out of the clinic.

Natsume and I had some distance between us, though I tried my best to keep up with him without him noticing.

I wanted to talk to him, but I was too nervous to say something, so silence surrounded us for a while.

Natsume…I've known him for some time now but I still don't know a pinch about him. Tsubasa-sempai being his brother—what's that all about?

"Hey," Natsume said, breaking the silence.

"Y-yes?"

"The lyrics you wrote."

"Um…what about it?"

Natsume stopped walking (finally!), but without turning around he answered me. "It wasn't bad." And then he walked again.

I was nailed to where I was standing as I try my best to keep in mind what he just said.

"It wasn't bad."

I smile as I ran beside him. "Thank you."

"Tch."

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I felt my heartbeat go faster and faster as I heard our number being called. (Which was five.)

I followed Natsume was we walked towards the stage. I close my eyes and position my hands on the piano.

What was the start again?

Oh, yes! B flat!

I concentrated as I started playing. I was quite surprised when everyone clapped—I couldn't help, but smile.

"I've been living with a shadow overhead,
I've been sleeping with a cloud above my bed,
I've been lonely for so long,
Trapped in the past,
I just can't seem to move on."

I glanced at Natsume who started playing his guitar when I started singing. Not long after, he started to sing his line, as usual, beautifully.

"I've been hiding all my hopes and dreams away,
Just in case I ever need them again someday,
I've been setting aside time,
To clear a little space in the corners of my mind."

"All I want to do is find a way back into love.
I can't make it through without a way back into love.
Oooooh."

"I've been watching but the stars refuse to shine,
I've been searching but I just don't see the signs,
I know that it's out there,
There's got to be something for my soul somewhere"

"I've been looking for someone to shed some light,
Not somebody just to get me through the night,
I could use some direction,
And I'm open to your suggestions."

"All I want to do is find a way back into love.
I can't make it through without a way back into love.
And if I open my heart again,
I guess I'm hoping you'll be there for me in the end!
Oooooooh, Ooooooh, Ooooooh."

"There are moments when I don't know if it's real
Or if anybody feels the way I feel
I need inspiration
Not just another negotiation"

"All I want to do is find a way back into love,
I can't make it through without a way back into love,
And if I open my heart to you,
I'm hoping you'll show me what to do,
And if you help me to start again,
You know that I'll be there for you in the end!
Oooooooh. Oooooooh. Ooooooooh. Oooooooh."

I don't really know, but somehow singing with Natsume was very different from the feeling when I was singing with Tsubasa-sempai. Singing with him was more than magic, more than miracles, more than…I don't know; more than any feeling in this world.

"Ooooooh Ooooooooh. Ooooooooh."

Magic, huh?

"You're in love, are you?"

I blush as I immediately take off the microphone on my collar and took a bow.

Now I understand why people loved Natsume so much—it was because of the hundreds of feelings his songs give you, and same goes with Ruka.

Both of them…the best I've ever seen.

As I raise my head, I saw someone by the exit. She had long, ebony hair, but she wore sunglasses so it wasn't easy to recognize her. Still, I could feel she was glaring at me for something.

"What's up?" Natsume asked in a low voice.

"N-nothing," I said as I shifted my sight to him. I look back to the exit, but the girl was gone.

Who…was she?

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I ran as I looked around the hallways near the performance hall exit.

I was curious with that girl—and her "so-called" glare.

I stop running and scan the place for the last time.

No use; she was gone.

I turn around, only to be surprised seeing Hotaru looking at me.

"You're falling for that guy," she said emotionlessly.

I was shocked—it was the second time I heard that remark.

"I'm not!" I said, persistent of what I believe.

Hotaru rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms. "Is the heart really that uncontrollable, Sakura?"

I was shocked by her sudden question. But before I could reply back, she said, "We have a rehearsal at my house at 5 pm, sharp. Don't be late."

At that she left.

"Is the heart really that uncontrollable, Sakura?"

Well? Is it really?

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"Hotaru?"—I knock at her wooden door—"Hotaru-chan, you there?"

I sigh in defeat.

It was four, forty-five. I assumed at least one of them would be here already…

I looked around and then glace at the doorknob.

Oh cool, it was gold!

Slowly, I stretched my hand and rotated it—abra-kadabra! The door opened!

I look inside the house before I stepped in.

I figured Hotaru wouldn't mind because I had my reason for going here for the first place.

Once I was inside, I examined my surroundings again. This was the first time I saw Hotaru's house—it was big and the furniture looked mostly antique.

Looking around, I saw a purple door. The color didn't match with anything in the house so I was curious. I opened the door and walked in.

The walls were painted all white and there was nothing in the room except a dresser and a chair that matched with it.

I see my reflection on the mirror as I walked nearer to it. It was then I noticed there was a gold box resting on the dresser.

I opened it and saw a piece of paper—it was scented and the paper looked expensive.

I open the folded paper and read the clean, legible handwriting.

"I'm sorry…

that's all I think I deserve to say.
That's all I
could say after what I've done.
But I think you understand how I feel about you.
I made that decision, knowing that you'd understand.
I've loved you, I love you and I will love you forever."

It was the entire letter said. It looked as if it was pretty done way back, so this must've been something that was failed to be delivered to the person who it needed to be delivered to.

I fold the paper carefully and was about to put it in the gold box when I heard the door shut loudly behind me.

I immediately whirl around in surprise.

"Hotaru!" I said in a breathless voice.

She was looking at me sharply, as if telling me I shouldn't have come inside without her permission.

-
-end of chapter-

Author's Notes—

Wee!! Another update!! XD

Everyone who suggested a song for Hotaru, OMG – I love your songs! I was like, "This song is sooo great!!"
The song for Hotaru comes the next chapter so you could still suggest a song.

But if you have nothing to suggest, please review. :D
Remember: The more the reviews, the more inspired I get. :)

Love,
.:;- Aminatsu032 / Faye-chan ;,.