I know I posted the special Christmas chapter yesterday but whatever. I couldn't wait to enter the third season! Loads of trouble ahead, you can easily imagine. Torturing Arya is fun.

Thoughts.

Singing = boy

Singing = girl

Singing = both

Enjoy!

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A Not-So-Welcomed Pain In The Ass

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We kept on working and, soon, spring was upon us once again.

It's been a full year since I became an Idol now, uh? Time flies by when you have fun, I guess.

We were all getting more and more work, but I knew everyone liked it that way. Each day brought new experiences, and we learned new things every hour spent on a movie set or in a recording studio. Even now, I had received the script for the sequel of Prince Of Fight we had turned at the very beginning of Syo and I's careers.

I sighed happily, staring at the sky above. The stars were bright, the moon even more, and it felt as if I could see the entire universe from my place on the roof.

Sakura petals flew around me as the warm wind blew softly.

It's so nice…

I felt my stone hum in agreement, and smiled a little as a new melody slowly crafted itself in my mind. Then, unable to help myself, I let my thoughts become words of their own as they flew, free and unbound through the cherry blossoms.

You had your maps drawn

You had other plans

To hang your hopes on

Every road they let you down felt so wrong

So you found another way

I started tapping my hands on the edge of the roof I was sitting on, following the rhythm of this one-time melody.

You've got a big heart

The way you see the world

It got you this far

You might have some bruises

And a few of scars

But you know you're gonna be okay


Haruka, who was just coming back from another eventful day at work, smiled a little when she heard the wind carry Arya's voice from somewhere above.

And even though you're scared

You're stronger than you know

She must be pretty happy, she thought with a smile. Then again, she tends to act that way when she sees pretty things like tonight's blooming. I really am finding everyone tonight, aren't I? What strange coincidences…

If you're lost out where the lights are blinding

Caught in all, the stars are hiding

That's when something wild calls you home, home

If you face the fear that keeps you frozen

Chase the sky into the ocean

That's when something wild calls you home, home


"Oops, sorry I'm late!" I burst through the doors with a sheepish grin. "I didn't see time pass"

"It's okay, Ary, we just got here too" informed Tokiya with a slight smile.

Breathing out in relief, I then plopped myself down on one of the couches

"Wait, what are you all doing here?" asked Tomo-chan, confused.

Before any of us could answer, though, the oh-so-well-known laugh of our dear Director echoed as the lights of the room were turned off.

"This again?" mumbled Tomo-chan.

"Sakura petals?" Haruka blinked as one of them fell in her open palms.

At her remark, I instantly raised my eyes to the only window near the ceiling, which was open as Saotome stood before it, draped in a dark cape.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" he then exclaimed.

He jumped, the cape flying off his shoulders, and his fall stopped barely a few centimeters from the floor as he was hung in the air with some sort of rope.

"Good morning, nighttime!" then called Ringo-sensei.

He appeared, along with Ryuya-sensei, much in the same fashion as the Director, only the two of them were dressed as angels.

"Ringo-sensei, Hyuga-sensei!" recognized Haruka.

Saotome's rope pulled him up, and he started spinning weirdly in place.

"Everyone's here" he stated. "So… I have an important announcement!"

"An important announcement?" repeated Syo.

"I'm sure you know, but the International Sports Festival is coming up" informed Ryuya-sensei, crossing his arms over his chest. "Super Star Sports! Or Triple S, for short"

"The world's favorite tournament is being held in Japan this year" precised Ringo-sensei with a big smile.

"One of the host-nation's artists begins the opening ceremony every year" pursued the orange-haired man.

"The opening ceremony is broadcast simultaneously around the world. The whole world will be watching!" concluded the pink-haired man.

"We will submit as candidates… Kotobuki Reiji! Kurosaki Ranmaru! Mikaze Ai! And Camus! These four!" proclaimed our Director. "Otherwise said… QUARTET NIGHT!"

I whistled lowly at that announcement as said four boys appeared out of nowhere.

The Triple S were one of the biggest events in the world, both for sports and for show business. The group or artist holding the opening ceremony was assured worldwide recognition, if not almost certainly an international debut.

Lucky…

"Finally, Miss Nanami!"

"H-hai?"

"I want you to write… QUARTET NIGHT's song!"

"W-what?" she blinked, taken aback.

"I told you, kiddo" Reiji smiled, coming her way. "This is how you'll grow up"

God, please tell me he hasn't fallen for her too…

"A-ano…"

Ugh, who am I kidding? Of course he fell for her! Poor Haruka... and she's so oblivious to everything too!

"Anyway, we're counting on you" concluded Reiji.

"I-I look forward to working with you!" she then bowed deeply.

"That is all, then!" our Director spun away. "Important announcement over!"

He disappeared using a hidden door in the wall.

Silence ensued.

"Haruka, that's great!" then exclaimed Tomo-chan.

"Nanami, you can do it" smiled Otoya.

"We're rooting for you" added Natsuki.

"Hai… thank you! I'll do my best!"

"You do that" I grinned, patting her head.

To have the chance to compose such an important song… you really are a talented girl, aren't you, Haruka?


All of STARISH was now gathered on the roof. Not my personal one, of course, but the one anyone could easily access by using the stairs.

"Singing at the Triple S opening ceremony must be amazing" then remarked Cecil.

"I've been watching since I was a kid, but the opening song is always exciting" replied Otoya with his usual cheerfulness.

"Yeah" nodded quickly Syo. "The event is about athletes, but the song's just as important"

"A simultaneous world broadcast…" Ren repeated the words from sooner.

"It would be a world debut, wouldn't it, Ary?" Tokiya tilted his head my way.

"Absolutely" I confirmed, balancing my legs off the roof. "My father has been trying to get one of the artist working for the Ritsukera Agency in the show for years now, but it's extremely difficult, what with all the competition. It sure must be something to participate, though…"

"That's wonderful for Haru-chan and the upperclassmen!" exclaimed Natsuki.

"Indeed" hummed Masato. "I hope we can achieve that someday"

I stilled at that, snapping my eyes to him. Then, I realized that the others were all thinking the same thing.

Are they stupid?

"Err, guys?" I raised an eyebrow. "You do realize there won't be a 'someday', right?"

They stiffened at my words, sending me weird looks. I raised my hands.

"Don't look at me that way!"

"What do you mean, Ary?" asked Syo.

"Well, when's the next SSS?" I retorted, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Well, another country's hosting the next one…" Ren trailed off, now understanding what I wanted to say. "We won't be able to perform"

"Then, when will our 'someday' be?" then asked Cecil.

My mouth parted agape a little as an idea ran through my mind, crazy but so real at the same time… glancing at the seven boys, I easily understood they came to the same conclusion as I did.

"Let's move it, people!" I exclaimed.

Jumping on my feet, I ran to the door, the others on my heels.

We had a certain Director to talk to.


"Nanami!"

The girl stopped at our call, and we all surrounded her, excited.

"Uh?"

"Come with us" asked Masato with a smile.

"What?"

"Let's go, come on!" Syo grabbed her shoulders, urging her forward.

The girl, utterly confused, was forced to follow.


"Director!"

We all burst in his office, before stopping in front of his desk.

"What do you want?" he shot us a sideway glance.

Why do I get a feeling like he already knows what we want…

"Will you enter STARISH in the Triple S?" asked Tokiya, straight to the point.

"At first, we thought we'd perform someday" said Ren.

"But there is no someday" continued Masato. "Only now"

Wasn't that deep.

"We won't get a second chance" insisted Syo.

"We want the entire world to hear us sing" Natsuki smiled, determined.

"We want to perform!" announced Otoya.

"Our someday is now!" repeated Cecil.

"So will you give us this chance?" I concluded, hopeful.

"… is that all?"

I stiffened, taking a step back at the awfully disinterest tone of the Director.

Since when could he be so… cold?

He turned to his window, his back to us.

"I can't enter you into the Triple S" he then answered. "Do you know what it means to enter the Triple S?"

"W-well…"

"But we-"

"Revolution!"

He was suddenly back to his usual, exuberant self.

All at once, we then realized what he had just said.

"Revolution!?"

"STARISH is doing very well right now" he assured. "But! An Idol must never be satisfied! He must keep trying, trying and trying! And I've come up with a plan that'll help you do that"

"Plan?" I repeated, a little wary.

"My plan is… I call it… Cross-Unit!"

"Cross…"

"Unit…"

"The eight of you will form new units" explained the Director.

"Who will be in our groups?" asked Masato.

"Please, tell us!" pleaded Cecil.

"Your Cross-Unit groups will be… your groups will be…"

What… will it be?

"Give me a minute!"

I facepalmed as the rest made a face

Of course.


In the end, we never did learn out Cross-Unit groups. And, while I was excited by this new project, the idea of performing for the Triple S was much more appealing.

"Good grief, the boss is full of surprises" Ren then broke the silence as we headed back for our dorms.

"He sounded just like a Shiba Inu when he told us to wait" pointed out Natsuki.

"Not even close" sweatdropped Syo.

"Cross-Units, uh?" Otoya raised his eyes in wonder, sparks of excitement in them.

"You'll be singing in new groups, ne?" recalled Haruka.

"It's a very interesting idea" Masato thought over it.

"But… he said he wouldn't enter us in the Triple S"

At Cecil's remark, my joy died down a little more to leave place to deception. I could see everyone looking down, stopping in their tracks and falling silent.

After a few more seconds, I clenched my fist, an idea dawning on me.

"I think I've got something!" I snapped my fingers. "Wait for me, guys, I'm going back!"

Before any of them could stop me, I ran back to the Director's office.


"Miss Arya, I have already-"

"Please, just give us a chance!" I cut, slamming my palms on his desk. "You talked about 'revolution', and I understand what you're saying. However, you told us that an Idol must never be satisfied and must always be trying to aim higher. Hell, don't I know that already… But! If STARISH achieves this revolution, will you allow us to participate in the contest for the opening ceremony? I'm sure we can do it. We just need a chance to prove ourselves"

He stared at me for a moment, not saying anything and his face expressionless, before he jumped on his feet and pointed a finger to my face.

"Verrrrrry well, Miss Arya! If STARISH proves to be able to achieve a total revolution, then I shall submit your candidature along with QUARTET NIGHT's!"

My heart throbbed in relief, and I beamed at him.

"Arigato gozaimasu!" I bowed.

Then, I ran out of the office as if the devil himself was after me.

I've got to tell everyone!


I burst in the living room where the boys and Haruka were waiting for me. Too excited, I missed a step and fell flat on my face.

"Ary!"

I groaned a little, rubbing my sore nose, as Otoya helped me up, worried.

"You okay?"

"I'm great!" I grinned at him, forgetting all about my fall. "Guys, I know what to do!"

"What is it, Ary?" asked calmly Masato.

I quickly explained my short meeting with the Director and, once I was done, their eyes were wide as determination slowly crept in their gazes.

"We have three months before the deadline" I concluded, hands on my hips. "And if we can convince the Director by then…"

"The Cross-Units will be perfect for this" remarked Tokiya, nodding. "It very well might work"

"Yosh!" Syo pumped his fist in the air.

"Now I'm excited for the Cross-Units project" smiled Cecil.

"It'll be a total revolution" smirked Ren.

"I'll do my best to write great songs for you, too" promised Haruka.

"Ary-chan, you're the best!" exclaimed Natsuki, trying to trap me in a deadly embrace.

"I know, I know" I bowed with a dramatic gesture, making them laugh.

A total revolution, uh? I've got to give him some credit, Saotome is good when it comes to exploiting potential.


The next day, I was woken up by my ringing phone. Stifling a yawn, but glad it hadn't woken up Haruka, I picked up.

"Ritsukera Arya on the phone" I greeted, my voice a little hoarse.

"Arya, your mother and I will be here in two hours to discuss the contract with Otori Raging. We already have rented an hotel, but we expect you to escort your mother for the duration of our stay"

"Roger that" I saluted mockingly, knowing he couldn't see me.

With that, he ended the call, and I glanced at my clock.

Seven, uh? So they'll be here at nine… ugh. And I wanted to sleep in too…


At nine o'clock sharp, I was at the airport. I had managed to get one of the Agency's limousine, thank God for that, since I knew my superficial mother wouldn't settle for anything less than the royal treatment.

When I finally saw them, I went to meet them. Once there, I bowed.

Let's just hope they won't stay for long.

"Welcome, Mother, Father" I greeted. "I hope you had a nice trip?"

"Long" answered shortly my mother, eying me with little efforts to hide her disdain. "Still wearing those unbecoming clothes, I see?"

"Well, I'm not in them a lot" I shrugged. "After all, with all the jobs I'm taking right now…"

Yep, let's recall to them a little: I'm a fricking Idol, I'm fucking eighteen and they don't have the damn contract anymore. I'm free, suck it up, bitches!

"Yes, I am sure you must be quite busy, trying to not be too much of a burden for your… friends" sneered back my oh-so-dear mother.

I clenched my teeth a little, but the smile kept in place.

"Well, I don't want to keep you waiting longer than necessary. I'm convinced you can't wait to go back to France, after all" and I can't wait to see you leave too.

"It should be done before the end of the day" then assured my father, blank-toned as ever. "We will be leaving in the morning tomorrow. For now, do take care of your Mother for the rest of the day"

"Of course, Father"

He bowed slightly his head in salutation, before going to call for a taxi, six bodyguards flanking his sides.

While he isn't that picky about short rides, he sure can be flamboyant when he wants to.

"Well, Mother" I then turned to the woman next to me. "Shall we?"

She grunted, but followed anyway. When we walked outside, I was tempted to inform her that we would go back to the Agency by using a common taxi, but then decided against it and lead her to the limousine. A small flash of approval danced in her cold, blue orbs, before disappearing as quickly as it came.

Of course, nothing is ever good enough for her.

We both took place in the back, and she instantly pulled out her phone to contact some of her employers. After a few seconds, I did the same, cancelling my work for today. They had called at the last minute, after all.

Yeah, I bit my lower lip, glancing back at her as she used her honey-voice. Let's hope.


"You live here, then?" she raised a delicate eyebrow, eying the ancient but beautiful buildings before us.

"In the dorms, yes" I nodded.

"Dorms?" she scrunched her nose a little. "Figures as failure like you would live in dorms, of all dirty things"

"It's very clean, but thank you for the concern" I drawled, ignoring the slight pain in my heart at her comment. "And if it isn't too much asking, I would like you to refrain from acting like you need a personality graft for the time you spend in my company"

"Talking to me that way…" she sneered. "Have you no shame?"

Taking a short breath, I fully turned to face her. I mustn't have look very intimidating, what with me being way shorter than she was, but I wasn't scared of those snake-like eyes anymore.

"You have nothing against me" I announced, crossing my arms over my chest. "The only thing keeping me from kicking you out of the God damn country is sheer courtesy on my part. Understand that, Mother. I'm not a little girl that you can control and manipulate through fear of abandonment anymore. I've learned, I've grown. I'm an adult making my own choices, leading the life I always wanted with friends that won't ever leave my sides. You can't do a thing against me, got it?"

"I'm sure Ayden would be so happy to see you replace him so easily" she snapped back.

But I only smiled once more.

"Yes, I'm sure he would" I agreed. "After all, he wasn't like you and Father. He wanted me to be happy"

She clenched her jaw, obviously unused for things to not go her way. She always had some sort of power over the people she met, was it economically speaking or just by using her 'natural charms'. However, I was fully protected from her claws here, under Shining's name.

I'm untouchable, and she knows it. We're on even ground right now, Mother. How does it feels, to realize that all you managed to do, after all these years of trying to keep me close, is driving me away?

She didn't utter another word after that, but I managed to catch the manipulative glint in her eyes nonetheless. And, while I was one-hundred percent convinced she couldn't do anything to me, it still worried me a bit.

Well, no matter. Tomorrow, they'll both be gone and, hopefully, I won't have to see them again for a very long time.


I was giving her a quick tour of the place. She had briefly met Saotome, Ryuya-sensei and Ringo-sensei when we entered –the disgusted glance to the later wasn't missed by anyone- but thankfully, she hadn't made any comment.

Probably knows that, right now, she's the one in an inferior position.

"And that'll be the living room" I opened the door to let her enter.

Hopefully, she would appreciate the gigantic crystal chandeliers hanging to the ceiling. If there was one thing she liked, it was expensive stuff.

"Oh, Ary?"

Well fuck.

Of course all the members of STARISH were present. Probably discussing the Cross-Units project once more. Haruka wasn't anywhere to be seen, though.

Thank God for small favors. Who knows what my mother would say to her.

"Hey guys" I grinned, deciding to not let anything show.

"Who's your friend, Ary-chan?" asked kindly Natsuki.

Friend? God…

Of course, the stupid Jinguji flirt just had to step in. In a few steps, he was before my mother, her hand in his and giving a light kiss over her knuckles.

"It is a pleasure to meet such a delicate beauty" he said charmingly.

"The pleasure is all mine, Jinguji Ren" she replied with the same tone.

Ew, ew, ew, ew, ew…

"Dude, that's my mother" I deadpanned.

His eye twitched as a somewhat dry, by amused smirk, stretched my mother's lips.

"My apologies" he however caught his fall. "You looked so young, I took you for her younger sister"

"Try to say I look old" I grunted.

He chuckled, ruffling my hair, and understanding dawn on me.

He's trying to divert her attention. How sweet.

"Is he your boyfriend, oh daughter of mine?" smirked graciously my mother. "A little possessive, are we?"

"Ew, no!" I shook my head. "Oops, no offense, Ren"

"None taken"

"But no, mother. I don't have a boyfriend at all" she's trying to embarrass me, isn't she?

She sighed deeply, looking at the rest of the boys for a second, before glancing back at me with a somewhat smug expression.

"Figures, no boy would ever be blind or stupid enough to court you, acting and dressing so much like some sort of hooligan. Who'd want to go out with such a deception?"

Fuck. Please don't say anything, please don't say anything, please don't say anyt-

"Ary isn't a 'deception'!" Syo jumped on his feet, his fist shaking.

Damn it.

"Right!" Otoya joined in. "She's probably one of the most talented of this Agency, always working really hard to do the best she can!"

"Then I must fear for the future of this Agency" retorted my mother without missing a beat.

They faltered at that, obviously not expecting such venom to lace her honey-sweet tone.

A real viper. Ooh, that sounds like a good name alright…

"Mother" I called, gaining back her attention. "These are the other members of STARISH, my friends. Kurusu Syo, Ittoki Otoya, Aijima Cecil, Jinguji Ren, Hijirikawa Masato, Shinomiya Natsuki and Ichinose Tokiya"

I could clearly read her thoughts in that moment.

Unknown, unknown, Prince, Heir, Heir, unknown, HAYATO.

Before she could add anything, though, the doors open, letting enter none other than Camus, in all his Silk-Count-glory.

"Ma'am" he bowed, harboring his pleasantry mask. "I am a Knight in service of the Queen in the Silk Palace, Camus, to serve you"

Wow, he just got my mother w-i-p-e-d.

"I was asked by our Director to escort you for the rest of the day, seeing as your daughter is be quite busy with her work as of now" he pursued with the same fake smile I had wiped off his face the first time we met. "I do hope it isn't a bother"

"Not at all" no, she isn't wiped at all. She's probably counting how much money an alliance with him would bring. "Well, shall we, Camus?"

"Of course, my Lady"

"Please, call me Miranda"

She barely shot me one last look before disappearing behind the now closed doors.

Instantly, I let out an heavy breath, rubbing my temples.

I've got a headache…

"A-Ary!" I turned to Syo. "That was your mother?"

"Yeah" I cringed a little. "You can call her whatever you want, I seriously won't mind"

"What a bitch!"

I snorted at that, obliged to agree with him.

"A real viper" I nodded, falling on the couch next to him.

"She said some really awful things" frowned Natsuki. "Are you okay, Ary-chan?"

"I've long since passed the point of caring about what she says" I assured, honest. "Her and my father are here to sign the contract I won with my bet with Raging. They should be gone tomorrow"

"Still, for a mother to act that way…" Otoya seemed sad, unable to understand.

"Money pass before family for her" I sighed. "She never cared, and never will. That's all there is to it. But seriously, guys, don't mind it. She never made such comments before others before, but she's pissed because she can't control me anymore, and she only now understands it. Plus, now that Camus took charge, she'll probably be as soft as a marshmallow by the end of the day"

They chuckled a little, apparently still unsure about the situation but deciding to just drop it anyway, knowing I wouldn't linger on it anymore than necessary.

Well, that's one thing done. I'll have to thank Camus later.


In the end, I managed to go to work. The rest of the day flew by in the blink of an eye and, before I knew it, I was back at the Agency and kissing my mother goodbye.

For a long, long time, I hope.

The contract had been signed as promised, even though I knew nothing of the details, so they would be leaving in the first hours tomorrow morning. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to bid them a formal goodbye, since I would still be sleeping.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Camus" she practically purred as he kissed her knuckles.

"The pleasure was all mine, Miranda" he replied with yet another fake smile.

She then turned to me, and I brace myself for her last strike.

"Try not to be as much of a failure to them as you have been to us, Arya" she said in a deceptively sweet voice. "STARISH is your… family, as you called it? It would be a shame they would have to disband because of you"

Hidden threat, really?

"Try no to be as much of a stuck-up, superficial bitch as you have been to me, Mother" I then replied with the same tone. "Ristukera Agency is your primary source of finances, is it not? It would be a shame for its heir to leave it to rot"

Her lips became thin lines, before a somewhat mysterious smile graved itself on her face and she waved, going inside the limousine.

"Farewell, Arya" it isn't over.

"Goodbye, Mother" good riddance.

It's only when the limousine left that I allowed myself to relax.

"Thank you for the help, Camus" I then turned to the blond man. "And I'm really sorry that you had to waste your day with her, of all people. I know she can be…"

" A 'real pain in the ass', as you would say?" he replied, staring at the slowly disappearing car farther away.

I let out a short laugh.

"Yeah, that. Oh!"

I pulled out a pack of strawberries from my bag, all of them dressed with dark chocolate. He raised an eyebrow, taking the gift nonetheless.

"Take those as a thanks, and an apology" I smiled, a little sheepish.

He nodded in understanding, before looking back one last time to where the limousine had fully gotten out of sight.

"You ought to be careful, Arya" then warned the man, heading back inside. "She's planning something"

I sighed heavily as the doors closed behind him, looking down.

Don't I know it.


So... yeah. Meet Miranda Idonys Cruz, mother of our oh-so-dear Arya. Charming, isn't she?

Also, just to clear something: I know Camus usually calls everyone by their last name, but I think we can all agree that Arya wants anything but being remembered of her family, hence why he respects her choice not to be called 'Ritsukera'.

The song was Something Wild from the Disney movie Pete's Dragon.

And yes, this chapter was very important! You'll see ;-)

THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE! Next chapter is the one with the interview, so if you want to ask Arya any question, it's your last chance to do so!

I hope you liked it, and that you'll keep up with me for the third season of UtaPri!

Loads of love, and reviews!