It was the beginning of July and I was in Eli's house as I've been for every weekend since the last months.

"Umi."

"Yes?" I raised my head from my paper to give my attention to Eli.

"About next Saturday… I think it will be better if I practice alone for a while. We can still rehearse on Sundays as we've been doing it but… I just think it will be better to show you my results after I have a good part of the piece completed instead of only small fragments…"

I observed her for a moment before I replied to her suggestion.

"Well… If you think that's better, it's fine with me," I told her with a reassuring smile.

"Thank you, Umi." Eli smiled, weakly, I noticed.

:::::::::::::::::::

Friday night and I was on my way down to Café. It had been awhile since I went there. Ever since I started going to Eli's place I guess. My writing was going well but not as fast as it was when I listened to Eli's violin every weekend. We're in the middle of July and Eli thinks she's still not ready. She must really want to get it perfect and I understand that but… I miss the moments when she used to play right beside me.

I arrived to Café and after I ordered my drink, I instinctively searched around the place to see who was here. And of course I didn't come here only to see if I could meet up with Eli by coincidence or perhaps find her playing here.

When my latte was ready I had already finished scanning the surroundings. There is no sight of her. I sighed disappointedly. I went to take a seat at a table so I could read the book I had brought. The nutcracker, one of the plays we were going to do for Tchaikovsky's week this December. I've been reading all of them in order to be ready for the hell that will begin in October since Nozomi and I will be supervising all the rehearsals.

"Umi-chan?" I heard Hanayo's voice so I put down my book to greet her.

"Hey… Oh Maki is with you as well."

"Yes, we came to play for old times." Hanayo took a seat next to me.

"What are you doing here?" Maki asked as she also took a chair to sit between Hanayo and me.

"I just came to read." I took a sip from my drink.

They shared a worried look before Hanayo made me a question I wasn't expecting: "Is… Eli-chan coming later?"

Raising an eyebrow, I said: "Not that I know at least. Why?"

"Well… She hasn't been here lately, which is weird since she used to come often... We thought it was because she was working with you but... Well, you should probably know more than us, have you noticed anything odd in her?" Maki said with worry on her face.

"Huh? I think… She's probably busy with her concert. We use half of the week and Sundays for play rehearsals so she must be practising whenever she can…" I told them before I took another sip from my drink.

No more questions were aimed at that subject, and after they finished their drinks, they went to the stage. One took the piano, the other the Oboe. Hanayo still plays but it is mostly a hobby since being the director consumes almost all of her time. She is really good at it, so their music was nice to hear in the background while I was reading my book.

Still, there was one sentence I couldn't push away from my thoughts.

I miss Eli's music.

:::::::::::::::::::

Time flies when you are having fun. Also, when there is a lot of work. In the blink of an eye September came. And since my script was pretty much finished, I was helping Nozomi with the upcoming plays. We divided all of the work in half but even so, there was so much to be done. My acting skills improved a lot as well, small details to correct but the director told me I should be fine for acting in public now.

As for Eli, she was going to solely focus on her concert for the rest of the year. And since the Tchaikovsky's week was less than 4 months away, she is going to be practising with the orchestra full time now. Meaning that I won't be able to go to her house on the weekends, for there was nothing else to review about my script. I was tempted to send her a message just to see how she was doing or if she wanted to hang out someday… but every time I tried to I panicked and decided not to send anything at all.

Sunday came and I went to the mall. I just wanted to have some fresh air and stretch my feet since I had been working for days without any rest besides sleeping. I went up to the food court and after I ordered a drink, I took a sit in the terrace.

The air feels really nice up here.

"Umi-chan?" I heard Nozomi's voice behind me.

"Nozomi? Did you come here to eat as well?"

"Ah, not really. I'm meeting up with Kotori to decide the new costumes… Is Elichi coming late?" Nozomi took a chair from another table and brought it to sit in front of me.

"Huh? No, I came alone…" Why would Eli come here? I wondered out loud, apparently. If her expression was any sign of it.

Her widened eyes lasted for a moment before she closed them and released a sigh at the same time. Supporting her head with her right hand, and her elbow resting on the arm rest she told me: "So you don't know…"

"Know what?"- I asked confused.

"Geez, Elichi… Lying to me with a straight face. I knew she was up to something but I didn't think it was like this."

"Is… Is Eli ok?"- I was starting to get worried.

"Oh it's not… Well… it is actually something but I promised not to tell anyone." Nozomi's expression turned into serious one.

That made me gulp.

"I can tell you but promise me you won't tell Elichi it was me," she said leaning in the table as if someone could be around and overhear it.

"I promise I won't tell." I leaned in so I could hear what she had to say.

Nozomi whispered the secret to my left ear.

No, it can't be.

As Nozomi kept telling me more details, I wanted nothing more than to run to Eli but I needed to hear the rest to know what I should do when I get there.

"It's quite unfortunate don't you think?" Nozomi rested her back on the chair after she finished.

"I… There is somewhere I must go now, excuse me." I stood abruptly and walked inside the building but I retraced my steps when I remembered I had forgotten something.

"She's in the Moon room," Nozomi said without waiting for me to ask.

"T-thank you." I turned around and sprinted to the theatre as fast as I could.

...

I hope I can make it. No, I must get there it in time.

I'm relieved I still do my morning exercises even after I left the dojo. Because of that, I was able to arrive at the theatre in just 10 minutes. I usually wouldn't run inside a building but this was an emergency. I ran through a hall and I did a sprint when the Moon room came to my view. I didn't stop, bursting the door open, I scanned the surroundings as fast as I could.

I saw Eli standing next to a table in the middle of the room. She's alone. I made it… No, I must not lower my guard.

"Eli!"

"U-Umi?" She turned around startled.

I rapidly stood in front of her. "Are you ok? Where is he?" I asked while I tried to recover my normal breathing.

"Huh?"

"Don' worry Eli, I won't let him come near you. If he even dares to enter the theatre, I'll kick him out."

There is no sign of him, could he be already hidden somewhere inside the theatre.

"Wait… Who are you talking about? Umi?" Eli asked behind me.

I turned so I could see her face. "Don't worry, I know everything that's going on… I won't tell anyone but please don't ask me how or where I got the information," I told her while I looked at the doors behind her.

"Uh?"

"Found you." I spotted a figure moving behind the window of one of the doors so I went to intercept it.

"Umi? Wait, where are you…"

"I'm ending this now." I cracked my knuckles and gritted my teeth as I waited for the door to be opened by the intruder.

"Hah? Wait! Umi that's…"

I was too blinded by my anger to hear Eli's advice… And I ended up knocking out the guy who had just come here to deliver a pizza box. We called an ambulance and after offering my apologies we returned to the Moon room.

"So… What was that? Eli asked me while we were deciding whether we should eat the now cold and crushed food.

I was staring down at my plate, highly embarrassed. "I thought you were being stalked by that guy we met at the park… You know, the guide."

She hummed with contemplation. "And why did you assume that in the first place?"

I adverted my eyes to one side.

Eli sighed. "Let me guess… Nozomi told you some kind of crazy story and you fell to her words."

"So you aren't being stalked by anyone nor have you been getting weird dolls with your face on them?" I asked, finally looking at a surprised Eli.

"Wow, she actually went that far… No, I'm not being stalked or getting any weird presents at the moment… She told you that story so that you would come here," Eli said as she sighed and rested her cheek with her right hand.

"And… Why did she want me to come here? I mean, why like this? She only had to ask and I would've come anyway." I pondered out loud.

Eli raised her head and straightened her back. "Well… that's probably my fault.- She fixed her gaze on the right corner of the table.

"What is your fault?" I asked with an eyebrow upwards.

"It's… nothing, really," she told me with a forced a smile.

If this was another day, I would've probably left after she said that. But the fact that Nozomi went to this lengths, must mean there is actually something going on.

"Eli… You can trust me. But if this is something you don't want to talk about… Just remember, I will always be here for you." I smiled at her.

Just what could it be happening for Eli to blush like this? I thought while I waited for Eli's response. She cleared her throat and eventually broke the silence.

"I'm having some troubles with the piece… It's nothing too serious, just… I've been redoing everything since I started. My notes on my music sheets change every day but no matter how many things I try… I still can't find the right way to perform it…" She said with a tired look on her.

I wonder since when is she feeling like this. I don't know what it bothers me the most… the fact that she didn't tell me about it… or that I saw the signals and still ignored it.

"Sorry I haven't been of much help." I told her as guilt took over me.

Eli shook her head in denial. "It's not that, you have been a great help, Umi. I just didn't want to bother you since this is something that's entirely my fault…" She released a short sigh and rested her back on the chair with resignation. Making my heart ache with impotence.

"Is there… Anything I can do?"

Eli looked surprised for a second. She adverted her eyes, pondering for a moment and eventually asked me: "Would you stay by my side?" Eli was now looking at me. Wearing an expression I couldn't read.

Still.

I sighed, relieved I could at least do something for her. "Of course. I'd love to keep you company while you play, Eli." I smiled myself as well.

:::::::::::::::::::

It happened by surprise or maybe… I was too invested in my book. So much that I misunderstood a silence in the air, for a pause instead of a break.

It was quite often that Eli made short pauses for taking notes or for when she switched the music sheets. So when I spotted one today, 1 week after I started coming to the room she used for practising, I didn't think much of it.

I should have realized something was wrong since the pause was longer than it usually was.

A thought that came too late. For Eli had already left her violin and bow on the table, when she came to rest her head on my lap.

'It will take just 5 minutes… please?' She said… And I gave up as soon as I looked at her face. She was tired, stressed and other things I couldn't discern… But from just looking at Eli, I could tell she didn't want to talk about it. So after I placed my book on a table besides the couch, I told her she could rest as long as she wanted. She replied by simply rolling on her side, sighing and closing her eyes.

It was a matter of seconds before she fell asleep. Meanwhile, as always, I got lost in my thoughts. Some being on small details for my script that I was thinking of fixing or anything else I had to do for the other plays… Still, no matter what, eventually everything lead me back to the person who was breathing like there was nothing else besides this room.

Not plays, neither concerts.

Just this feeling.

Serene.

The atmosphere this room has at the moment.

Even if I couldn't see her face, I could tell she was profoundly sleeping.

I wasn't sure where to put my right hand since her body was resting on that side. And given that I tend to stare at her every time I can. I should have been careful of not letting my body act on his own accord. I was initially indenting to remove a strand of her hair from her face, but at the moment I touched the skin of her ear, my hand immediately started playing with her lobe. Lightly, as to not wake her up.

Her skin is so soft and she always falls asleep right away. I thought as I chuckled quietly at how cute Eli was when she behaved like this.

She turned around after a few minutes, her face now faced upwards. I was afraid I had woken her up but I was relieved when I saw Eli still breathing peacefully. Once again, I couldn't control myself from caressing her face. Taking as an excuse that I was only removing strands from her forehead. At least that was what I did at first, before I started to trace my thumb along her frame.

I was too investded in my activities to realize that Eli had already woken up. It wasn't until she took my wrist with her hand that I realized she was awake.

"Sorry, I fell asleep…" Eli leaned in the hand she was holding, resting her cheek against my palm.

"A-ah, its fine… S-sorry I woke you up." I told her while I tried to control my heart from bursting out my chest.

"Would you like me to fall sleep again?" Eli asked me, rising an eyebrow. Teasing me once again with that amused smile of hers.

I could feel my face getting hotter in each second. "N-no… "

"Hmm~ are you sure? You seemed to be rather engrossed with my face."

"W-wha… I-I was…" I decided shut my mouth before I could make this situation more embarrassing than it already was. Just for how long has she been awake?

Eli couldn't hold it anymore and she broke into laugh.

"Eli!" I crossed my arms since she had let go of my hand when she was laughing. Even in my embarrassment, I felt relieved she was laughing like this. Even if it lasted only for a moment. After she calmed down, she gazed at nowhere. Not as gloomy as before but she still looked worried about something.

"Eli… Can I ask you something?" I broke the silence even if it wasn't an uncomfortable one, for there was something bugging me since she had come to rest.

"Sure… What is it?" Eli still didn't look at me.

"Well… You said you couldn't find the right way to perform it but… Have you ever thought about the way you want to perform it?"

Eli furrowed her brow.

"Eli?" I asked looking at her after she stayed quiet for some seconds.

She ran her right hand through her hair and closed her eyes for a moment. I was about to call her name again when she abruptly lifted herself. Using one hand to support her body she brought the other and placed a strand of my hair behind my ear.

No matter how many times I had seen Eli smile. The effect it had on me only seemed to increase over the time I've spent with her.

"I should thank Nozomi for making you come to here... I guess, I was overthinking this," Eli said with a chuckle.

"Thank you Umi... Oh, and I almost forgot." Eli smiled mischievously and I instinctively closed my eyes when she took my cheek with her palm... only to open them once again when she pinched my cheek.

"Payback for early," Eli said as she smiled and winked at me before she got up from the couch to resume her practice.

Leaving me practically glued to my seat.

...

The theatre had to close for the night in a few minutes so we decided to start gathering our stuff to leave from the place.

"Hey, Umi… Do you have something to do tonight?" Eli asked me once we were at the lobby.

"Not really. Why?" I stopped walking so I could adjust my backpack.

"Perfect! Come with me." Eli grabbed my hand, making my heart flutter once again for this night.

"W-wait… Where are we going?" I asked, trying to keep up with her pace.

Eli giggled before replying. "It's a surprise, hurry up!" She looked back at me for a second and gave me a smile.

A smile that made my heart race with excitement this time. Suddenly being pulled to an unknown destination isn't that bad. Especially if Eli is the one that is doing it. I thought as we both ran through the dark streets of the night.

"And~ we are here," Eli said. We were standing in front of a building, light came from it as apparently it was one of the places that opened till late.

"A restaurant?" I wondered, inclining my head with confusion.

Eli giggled. "Just you wait. What I wanted to show you is inside. Let's go."

We opened the doors and entered the place. It was a small restaurant, more or less 10 tables in a row and chairs in front of a counter. Behind the counter was the cashier and the kitchen. The place was almost empty, only a group of office workers sitting near the door and other 2 people sitting at the last table of the row. I followed Eli to the counter where we both sat and waited for an employee to take our order.

"Welcome, may I take your… Oh, you came with a friend today?" The waitress addressed Eli and then glanced at me.

"Yes, this is Umi," Eli said. Smiling at the waitress. It was more than just a polite one, I noticed.

"I see." The waitress smiled at me with a raised eyebrow. "So what is going to be? You usual order, but for two?" She asked Eli.

"Yes please."

The waitress nodded and went to the door that lead to the kitchen.

"Do you know her?" I couldn't help to ask as soon as she was out of sight.

"Hmm, you could say that. I've been coming to eat here quite often for the last month." Eli stretched her back and released a sigh. She turned to face me and crossed her arms.

"Is… something wrong?" I asked.

"You didn't ask," Eli said with a pout. Crossing her legs at the same time.

As I tried to figure out what she was talking about. I sealed my own fate when I inadvertently fixed my gaze at her legs. She was wearing shorts today, leaving at sight her creamy skin. I turned back at the counter and tried to recover my normal pulse. Though I guess I can't call it abnormal since this is pretty common every time I'm with Eli.

"Your order is ready. If you need anything else just ring the bell." The waitress left two plates with a cake in each and returned to the kitchen.

"Thank you," Eli said before the waitress disappeared from our sight. "Ahem, so… Are you finally going to come back to earth?" Eli poked my cheek to take my attention away from the plates.

"Ah, s-sorry… Is this… the surprise?"

It seems I had hit the jackpot for Eli finally smiled proudly, leaving her pout and frown behind. "Hehe, don't be fooled by the exterior. This is the best chocolate cake you'll eat in your life… Or at least in this city, I guess."

Eli took the fork next to her plate and began to eat her slice of cake.

"I'm serious, I looked in all the places that sell desserts after all. This is the best one." Eli took a piece with her fork and offered to me. "Here~ just try it."

My cheeks went red. "T-thank you but, I-I can u-use my own." I told her as I quickly grabbed my fork, I was about to take a piece of my cake when Eli called my name.

"Umi."

"Seriously it's fihmphm." I couldn't even finish that sentence for Eli had put the bit of chocolate she was holding with her fork on my mouth.

This… Is really good. I thought as I chewed it. Smiling from tasting the sweet flavor.

"See? I told you it was really good." Eli retracted her fork and returned to eat her cake.

Wait, she is not going to… A thought that came too late for when I looked at Eli, she had already taken a bite. Guess she didn't mind using the same fork… I thought as I started to eat my own cake while I tried to hide the red hue in my face. Stealing a few glances at Eli as well.

"You really like chocolate don't you?" I asked her as to avoid unnecessary thoughts that included a fork and a sort of, probably only my hallucination, indirect kiss.

"Hmhm~" She nodded with her head, a piece of chocolate still in her mouth and a happy expression on her face.

I chuckled. Eli is so cute. A thought that shouldn't have hurt anyone, for I'm sure I didn't say it out loud. Sadly, even if the thought didn't cause any harm, one of my actions did. I shouldn't have closed my eyes. Why did I have to laugh while I closed my eyes at the same time?! Panic, invaded my brain in an instant. For the moment when I opened my eyes, blue eyes came to my view. Eli's face was just a centimeter away from mine and she had her thumb placed on the corner of my lips. It was only after she removed her thumb from my face that I realized it was a piece of chocolate. She licked her thumb, cleaning the chocolate from it. She smiled and went back to finish her dessert. Leaving me stoned in my chair.

Now, calm down. Eli probably only wanted to eat the chocolate… Did she have remove it like that though?! I took a deep breath. Let's not get carried away. It was only a lick… A lick with her pink tongue and lips that curved into the cutest smile she has ever done but…

I returned to the real world when I heard Eli's satisfied sigh.

"It's getting late… shall we get going?"

I only nodded, for I felt that my voice would've betrayed me if I had said something. We paid the bill and we walked until it was time to part in different ways.

"Umm, thank you…The cake was really good." No matter what I did, every time my heartbeat had slowed down, Eli managed to return it to its fast beating with her teasing.

"Hehe, glad you like it," Eli said with a smile as we both stood in the bus stop, unsure of what to do or say. I had no way to know what she was thinking, but at least I was sure that I didn't want to part ways yet.

"I've been wondering… Why did you invite me? Ah! And I don't mean I didn't want to, I had fun… Really… I just…"

Eli chuckled. "It's fine… Do you really want to know?" She asked me with in a teasing tone. To which I nodded with my head.

She turned her body to fully face me. "I like spending time with you," she told me with a happy smile.

Even from everything that had happened this day, there was no way I would've been prepared for that phrase. A bus came but neither of us took it. And since it was the last one, I offered to walk her home. It took a while but I convinced her after I agreed to take a cab after we arrived at her house.

The walk to her apartment was quiet. A good kind of silence. I can still remember the feel when I accidentally brushed my hand with hers as we walked side by side. And seeing Eli smile every time after I apologized for do it so, made it even harder when we actually had to bid goodbye.

When I arrived home I sent her a message that I had gotten safely, she made me promise it so I did it as soon as I closed the door behind me. I received an instant reply, with a cute emoticon and a P.S. that made me smile for the thousand time this night.

"Say hello to MR. Bunny for me. (^_−)~ "

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Phantom Notes:

I solemnly swear they will kiss one of these days. It's just today isn't that day.

I can at least tell you it won't be at the end.(￣︶￣)

Thanks for reading.