Song lyrics are here in Romanji because reasons, but I've added the English translation behind it in brackets for your reading pleasure. The song used for Sei and Kouki's duet is Rokutosei no Yoru – Aimer (and yes I know this is from No 6, sue me for loving NezuShi).

Somehow, I'm saved the pure mortification of explaining myself to a room of sugar-high teenage boys. Whether it be they realised questioning me would be useless – as I probably looked as terrified as I felt – or whether it be Akashi's glare made their mouths shut, I don't know; but I'm beyond grateful.

I find this more enjoyable than I thought it would be – my mind tends to wander off to some fantastic endorphin land and keeps me from dwelling on why I've never done this before.

Surprisingly, there are a fair amount of good singers within the group of boys. The best thus far: probably the upbeat and wild Takao closely followed by the surprisingly impassioned and sweet Kuroko. The former managing to get everyone on their feet and singing along; while the latter near moves us to tears with his crooning, sorrowful ballads. A rival has yet to rise against either of them.

Contrary to information received prior to arriving here, Midorima isn't necessarily a terrible singer; his voice doesn't pitch or make me cringe. In fact, he could be moderately pleasing to listen to if he weren't so stiff and flustered the whole time. Despite Takao's earlier teasing on the subject, he still cheers for the green-haired boy and adoringly wraps him in hugs whenever Midorima leaves the small stage. Midorima tries to hide his smile, but if I can see it, so can Takao.

Murasakibara outright refuses to sing, claiming he only came for the candy – no one argues with this logic – while Himuro and Kagami battle each other over and over, neither fully satisfied when votes for the best performance seems fluctuating. We get to suffer maybe five rounds of their ear-aching battle before Kuroko steps in and calls Kagami back to his side – hopefully for good.

As it is, I've performed only once so far alongside an eager Kise. Considering the song was preppy and Kise was overly enthusiastic, I found myself stumbling to keep up the rush of words and tongue twisters jumbled into the lyrics. I was positively ecstatic the song ended before I made an even bigger fool of myself. Despite this, Kise asks me to sing with him twice more – I decline with the excuse of fetching more juice from the vending machine outside.

"Are you having fun, Koji?" Sei asks after Izuki and Shingi leave the room in tears from laughter at their attempt to copy a particularly audacious song's dance moves.

Turing to face the red-head, I can't get rid of the grin splitting my face. "Yes, are you?"

His gaze flickers to the front and he cocks his head, "I assume so, it's not particularly productive, yet…it's fascinating."

I nudge his shoulder and he turns to face me, "Don't be so hard on yourself. One day away from productivity isn't terrible; it's actually healthy for you to take time off."

Sei's eyes search my face and I can feel blood seeping my ears crimson, yet my grin doesn't falter. After a moment he nods and indicates the stage with his chin. "You should sing again,"

I quickly shake my head, "Only if you do. I wouldn't dare try singing with Kise-kun again."

The smallest of sparkles lights his eyes, yet that could have just been the lighting changing once more. "I'm not adept at this, you will have to assist me in song choice."

I jump from my seat without further prompting – it's not selfish of me to want to hear him sing, I tell myself sternly. In the front of the room I scroll through the playlist and pick a slow song that can be set for two people; I don't really know the lyrics but I've heard the song on an anime advertisement and it seems pleasant enough.

Once we've both taken centre stage Izuki passes us two mics. I'm glad for the lighting; no one'll see me flushing.

After a brief pause the stereo crackles and sounds fills the room, my stomach flutters with nerves. On the displayed screen, lyrics flash yellow – the colour of Sei's mic.

~Kizutsuita toki wa sotto tsutsumikonde kuretara ureshi ~
(When I'm wounded, it would make me really happy if you could gently embrace me)

Blue – my mic…

~Koronde tatenai toki wa sukoshi no yuuki o kudasai ~
(When I stumble and can't stand up, please give me some of your courage)

Red – both of us.

~Omoi wa zutto todokanai mama kyou mo tsumetai machi de hitori ~
(My thoughts still can't reach you; I'm still wandering alone in this cold street)

~Koko ga doko ka mo omoidasenai ~
(I can't even remember where this place is)

My hands are shaking around the microphone, my lips moving even though I'm not controlling them. Lyrics flash red, blue, yellow, blue, red, yellow – it makes my mind reel and I can hardly remember which is mine or if I even sung it. But I can hear Sei's voice from next to me, warm and comforting despite the sombre tone of the music. It's that sound that gives me the courage to work through the rest of the song – even if I sound horrible or strained, it's his voice that'll make it better.

Blue.

~Nemurenai toki wa sotto te o tsunaide kuretara ureshii ~
(When I am unable to sleep, it would make me really happy if you could gently grip my hand)

Yellow.

~Yoake wa kuru yo to sasayaite ite uso de mo ii kara ~
(Please quietly assure me that morning will come, even if it is a lie)

By the second chorus I've gained some strength, I'm sure I'm saying the right words now, but I'm more focused on hearing Sei sing than my boring lamenting. He's even good at this, well, of course he is. I hadn't expected anything less, Akashi is simply amazing.

I'm not sure if my being so fixated with his singing has drowned out the other's chattering, all I know is that I can't hear them over the mutual sound of our voices and the heartbreakingly beautiful piano over the speakers.

Red.

~Modoranai kako ni naita koto de sae umarekawatte ashita o kitto terashite kureru~
(I wept to my unreturning past, but my tears will eventually radiate and illuminate my tomorrow for me)

I finish off the last note with hardly any breath to spare, my chest heaving from the sudden intensity of the ending and its parting notes. Still the piano let's out a penetrating parting melody, reminding me of what I've just done and reassuring me that it couldn't have been as horrible as my negatively inclined mine seems to think.

When the final strains fade away I turn to face Sei, still glorying in his voice and the ease at which he picked up the poignant lyrics. His cheeks are the smallest bit flushed, as if he too fought for his breath, and his eyes – blinking – meet mine with a sense of familiarity.

I can't help but grin, there's an overflowing happiness inside of me, threatening to burst from my skin. Sei's eyes soften and if I look closely he could almost be sporting a small smile.

"Holy shit,"

Jerking from my joyful daze, I find multiple pairs of eyes focused on Sei and I, wide and seemingly shocked. My face burns and my grin fades into an embarrassed grimace.

"You can say that again," Someone (Kise?) murmurs.

"Holy shit," Izuki states boldly, running a hand over his face.

There's a boisterous laugh followed by the deafening sound of clapping as everyone emerges from their trance-like state.

"That was bloody amazing!" Kagami calls loudly.

Sei's arm brushes mine, his fingers ghosting over the microphone still clutched in my fingers.

I doubt they're talking about me, they must mean the boy at my side.

When I peek uncertainly up at him from under my lashes, he's face turns crimson.

Note: I was thinking about using Moonlight from Uta no Prince-sama, simply because Ichinose-san's voice is to die for (fangirl's all over floor); but I thought the lyrics of Rokutosei no Yoru were better fitting of this pair and story line (I only used some of the lyrics – there's more to it). Do check the songs out, they are beautiful, you won't regret it. ;)