Figured this needed some updating. School's here again, but at least I have computers! Also, I've been reading a lot more recently...

Rein's POV

"Ok, now go from a high octave to a low octave then back to a high octave." Toma said. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and did as I was told. When I reopened them, I saw an approving look on Toma's face. "Very good Rein. You were a little rough when you were reaching the high octave though." I nodded and took that into account in my head. It was now fifth period and it was free time. For some reason, Shade decided to move up a seat, sitting in the same row as Chiffon. Bright and Tio were still in the original row, but they still looked on with pleasure.

Every now and then, Shade would jump in, muttering insults under his breath like every time Toma demonstrated to me what he wanted me to practice, saying things like, "Stop showing off," and "I could totally do that too." Chiffon seemed to snicker at every insult, and each time she kept raising her eyebrows at me, as though she knew something. I gave her a confused look in response and she mouth, I'll tell you later. I nodded and turned back to Toma, who seemed to begin to get annoyed by Shade's comments.

After one last insulting comment by Shade, saying something like, "You sound like a girl." Toma snapped and turned to him sharply.

"I don't know what your problem is, or why you suddenly started bugging me, especially during the middle of class, but please stop. It's getting to be quite the eyesore." He said with a levelled voice, yet still expressing his anger. I was surprised too, finally understanding why this felt so unusual.

Shade himself got a little angry. "Well, it's not my fault your voice is starting to become so womanly to my ears." He said in a sort of quiet tone. Toma gave him a glare, but before he could say anymore, Chiffon stepped in.

"Wait! I know the perfect way to settle this dispute!" She raised one finger, and stated excitedly, "Let's do karaoke! It'll be the perfect way to determine who's the better singer!" They both turned to her with shocked looks. She further continued her explanation, ignoring them. "It'll be a singing competition! Like the Devil vs the Angel!" The minute Chiffon said that, I could see what she meant. It really did appear that way, with Toma and his elegant looks and voice, and Shade with his dark aura and deep vocals.

The two of them almost immediately ganged up on her, Toma angrily spewing words, and Shade jumping in every now and then with his own. I wasn't going to jump in, when I noticed Tio shift nervously next to Bright, staring at the three arguing with each other.

"Can we invite anyone to come?" I asked, indirectly agreeing to Chiffon's idea. Toma and Shade looked back, shocked, but Chiffon however gave me a bright smile.

"Of course! The more the merrier! I wouldn't mind if you even brought along some of your friends from your old school!" At first, I was going to say I didn't exactly have any friends from my old school, but suddenly Fine, Lione, and Mirlo flashed in my mind and I smiled brightly.

"R-Really?" I said happily. Chiffon nodded and soon afterwards there was a sigh of defeat as I watched Shade slump back in his chair.

"Fine, I give up. I'll join this competition, but only to prove this amateur wrong!" Shade grumbled. Toma looked at him, somewhat surprised. I wondered if it was unusual for Shade to agree to things.

"I guess I can't back out anymore." Toma replied, sighing in defeat too. Chiffon began to congratulate herself, while I laughed in amusement.

"Mind if we join too?" Bright asked from behind Shade. Tio also fidgeted eagerly as he looked towards her, hopeful.

"Since anyone is allowed to come, of course! Invitation only though." Chiffon replied first. This gave me a second thought as I looked over at Elizabetta who seemed to be minding her own business, though I'm pretty sure I caught her glance over here.

"When is it going to be?" I asked.

"Well, considering how we're still going to be inviting some people, I figure why not later tonight. Around 6 or 6:30. Think you guys can make it?" Everyone took a moment to take this into consideration.

"I'll try to finish my work early." Shade said, then glanced over at me. "The two of us will be there." Bright nodded as well, agreeing with Shade. I guess that meant I was accompanying him again. I was sort of happy since it beat staying at home doing nothing, and sort of upset because I couldn't get the chance to invite my sister and her friends in person. I could already tell that me and Shade are going straight to the karaoke after his work. Maybe we could pick them up on the way though.

"Ah, finally school is over." Shade said as he stretched and we exited the gate. I stretched with him, finally happy that I wasn't sitting anymore. Walking around felt good on my legs. I quickly took out my phone to message Fine, Lione, Mirlo, and Elizabetta invitations. "So what's happening today?" Shade reminded me. I sent the invitation and then opened the notes page.

Shade seemed to notice that I had gotten better at maneuvering my phone considering he asked me, "You're used to it huh?" I nodded, giving him a smile. He smiled back before turning back to face forward. For a moment, he brought a hand up to his face to cough, which I found really unusual.

"Oh! Your appointment is near my favorite bookstore today!" I said cheerfully. It had been a long time since I last visited, mostly due to all the things that have been happening lately. I looked to Shade who seemed to be excited as well.

"I can't believe I forgot to tell you this! We have to hurry over Rein, I think it'd be best if you saw it yourself now." He grabbed my hand and began speed walking towards his car. He dragged me in while giving directions to the driver.

"What happened?"

"Sh! Just wait and see for yourself!" Shade said as he stared out the window a bit too eagerly. I wanted to laugh when I noticed that he hadn't let go of my hand since we got in. I blushed and attempted to move my hand, but the grip sort of got tighter as he suddenly turned around, an bright smile on his face. "I'm really glad, you know?" He said. I felt my face turn into a tomato as he continued to stare at me. I was sort of happy considering how I finally got to see a normal smile of his.

He was always so expressionless as Eclipse.

"I-I'm looking forward to it." I managed to say, turning to look out the window too. He turned back, and I still wasn't really sure if he was going to let go anytime soon. Strangely enough, I didn't want him to let go...

I couldn't understand why. My mind swirled with hazy thoughts, and an unfamiliar feeling began to surface in my chest. I don't think it was the first time I've felt it, but it was... unusually strong this time.

"We're here! Come on, come on!" He said as he let go, and pushed his door open. I was suddenly filled with sadness, but quickly shook it away. Get yourself together Rein! I told myself. Then I pushed my own door open and stepped out, taking in the sight of my beloved book store again. It's brand new design still amazed me. Instead of going in though, I guided Shade to the proper area where he would be doing an interview for some kind of fundraiser.

He was quickly taken by the crew and they pressed for him to hurry up. I stood by the side, watching as he was tidied up for the interview. I could already tell by the time he sat down that his 'Eclipse' persona had entered considering how all his stylists seemed to be nervously getting him ready, probably afraid of him snapping at them. Even though 'Eclipse' was not his true self, it didn't mean that those scary faces came out of no where.

He got up and headed over to the wide open field where two chairs were, a fancy looking woman sitting in the other. It didn't take long for a crowd to start forming, many on lookers seeming to recognize him. I turned from them to him, feeling my eyes light up again. He looked like a completely different person, sitting at the center of attention. The serious, yet gentle look on his face as he kindly answered the interviewers questions. Of course, this wasn't the first time I have seen him like this, but each time I just can't help notice how far away we are. How well loved he is by those around him while I...

"By the way, Eclipse, I heard you had started a fundraiser to donate books to poor children!" The interviewer said with delight. He nodded, giving a small smile. "Why the sudden change?"

He looked over the crowd. "I didn't think much about it at first, but then a friend of mine introduced me to this bookstore that they loved so much." I felt his eyes settle on me and I blushed. "I got to thinking, books are good for the mind, and there are a lot of kids who I'm pretty sure would love to read those books." He turned back to the interviewer, a gentle smile on his face. "So I decided to create a fundraiser to help purchase these books. I myself donated a bit, and even nearby, there's a bookstore that every now and then would invite those kids over and teach them how to read." The interviewer seemed startled by his sudden smile as well as everyone else. It was a rare sight for them.

I was stunned to stone. I wasn't sure exactly how to react. Inside me was a mix of happiness, relief, guilt, and nervousness. I wasn't sure if I was going to cry tears of joy or laugh out loud, but either way, I kept it in, and instead of staying, I walked over to the book store and stepped inside. The manager greeted me, a happy look on his face.

"Oh Rein! I'm so glad, it's been so long since I've seen you!" He said as he motioned me over. "That boyfriend of yours is so kind! Instead of this being some bookstore, it is now a place where children can happily learn."

"He's not my boyfriend!" I quickly replied. He laughed before guiding me over to a door with a small window on it. I looked through as he motioned and saw all a couple of children, staring intently at a book with what looked like teachers next to them. They all seemed so eager to learn, and I couldn't stop a wide smile from spreading on my face.

I soon turned back towards the row of books, telling the manager that I might look around. He nodded and went back to his desk, getting ready for some customers. I walked around, admiring the brand new books sitting on the shelves. After glancing through almost all the sections I looked back into the learning room. A thought came to mind, and I walked up to the manager.

"Is anyone allowed to help?" I asked.

"Go right ahead." He replied. I thanked him, and slowly braced myself as I reached for the doorknob. I slowly opened the door, suddenly hit with the scent of fresh books and painted walls. Everyone in the room was silently reading to themselves, all happy and joyous. I walked further in, happily looking at all the kids trying their best to read. I wasn't really sure what to do since most of the kids already had a mentor, so I just took a seat in one of the tiny chairs and watched in peace.

It was about a couple minutes later when a tiny hand tugged on my shirt. I turned to see a nervous little girl with her hair in two braids. "Um, can... can you he.. hep..." I tried to hold in my giggle. So cute! "...hep me...um... wead pwease?" She hid her face behind her book out of nervousness, and I had a hard time containing my joy.

"Of course!" I replied as I got off the seat and told her to sit down. She smiled and thanked me, and I nodded, and began teaching her. The book in her hands was one I was surprised to see. It had been so long since I last saw it. "Falling Star?" I asked.

"Yes! My mama once wead it to me! I always wanted to wead it for her, but..." She looked at it sadly. I gave her a reassuring smile, as I opened the book for her.

"Let's begin then." I told her to start reading to see how well she read, and she was definitely not bad. She struggled with words that weren't the, a, as, to, and the like. I quickly taught her, reminiscing about the times when I would read this book, whether it was by myself or to Fine.

A little girl sat alone in the fields, staring at the night sky.
"I wish I was a star..." She would say every night. "They have so many friends!"

Each night, she would sit there and watch, wanting more and more to be with the stars.

But on one night, a star fell from the sky, right into her hands.
"Why did it fall out?" She asked. It looked at her, with a bright smile on it's yellow face.

"You want to be a star because you have no friends right?" It asked.
"Well I'm here now! So you don't have to keep looking from far away." It took her hand.

"Now I am with you." She smiled happily, and soon, they both grew to be the best of friends.

They watched the night sky every night. More stars fell into her hands each day.
"We are all with you." They would say, and she would laugh.

"I am not alone anymore."

Reading this book made me feel so nostalgic. The little girl next to me looked at the book brightly as she finally managed to read the first sentence without my help. "I did it, I did it!" She cheered. I gave her a small high five.

"You sure did!" I replied. We began to make even more progress as she quickly learned how to read the second and third lines. She was so close to getting the fourth when Shade suddenly appeared in a small seat next to me, glasses on his face. "Oh jeez!" I said as I held my heart, and took a deep breath. "Don't scare me like that!" I said. He smiled a little as he looked at me with the little girl. She looked at him a little suspiciously.

"I see you like the new addition to this book store." He said as he gave me a smile. I smiled back, remembering that he was the one who made all this possible. I unconsciously gave him a hug.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I said as I squeezed him. "Thank you very much!"

"Oh, uh, y-you're welcome!" He stumbled. I wondered if it had caught him off guard.

"Hey! You are suppose to be teaching me!" The little girl suddenly said as she tugged at my sleeve. I let go of Shade and apologized, quickly turning back to her. I heard Shade let out a sigh of relief and he quickly regained his composure.

"Anyways, I came here because we have to go. It's almost 6:05." I looked at the clock, not realizing how much time had really passed. I stood up, and apologized to the little girl.

"I'm sorry, I have to go now! I have an appointment. Maybe tomorrow?" I said. She looked a bit upset, but gave me an understanding look, making it harder for me to leave.

"Awight." She said as she opened the book herself.

"While I'm gone, try and learn some words yourself. I'll see how much you've improved by tomorrow." She nodded, giving me a small smile, and I hugged her. Then I soon left with Shade, and out the book store.

"You're really good with kids, huh." Shade said as we climbed into his car.

"I guess it's a gift." I replied. He smiled. Soon the car was moving towards our destination.

I feel horrible because I can never get through everything I want to in a chapter without crossing over my limit of word use. UGH. I'm also sorry for how off topic I get and for the weird story. Literally last minute ideas for that one. Though it does relate if you understand hehe. Next chapter is going to be... quite intense? I don't know the proper word. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed!