And I'm back yet again! I thank you all for the reviews, I'm really happy you're still sticking with me! I haven't finished the next chapter yet -there's a bug with the site on which I find the episodes, but I'm working on it-. Anyway, here's the last chapter concerning the Solo Projects. After that, we're going back to canon for the last two episodes, yay! I believe the story will end at forty-four or forty-five chapters, but I'll go back on this later.

Thoughts.

Singing = boy

Singing = girl

Singing = both

Enjoy!

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When Love Makes You Blind

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It had come to Ranmaru that, while he wasn't exactly allowed to act on the feelings he only now understood, he couldn't really leave them be either. He wanted to know if a relationship of this caliber with the young woman would work out or if he was merely rising his hopes too high.

He needed to know.

However, if there was one thing to know about the bassist, it was that he wasn't exactly a romantic at heart. How could he make the girl understand his feelings when saying it out-loud was forbidden and he had no romance scheme whatsoever in his sleeve?

The answer was pretty obvious.

I need… help.

He groaned at the mere thought of asking someone. And then again, who could he ask? He couldn't go to Camus, the Count would only disapprove. Ai wouldn't understand and be a real pain. Reiji… no, just no. He couldn't ask any of STARISH either, they wouldn't let him anywhere near their cherished Princess. He could try his luck with Heart of Crows, but he still felt a little sore about Liam. He couldn't go to Ringo, Ryuya or Shining, for obvious reasons. He wasn't close enough to that red-haired Idol –Tomochika or something?- and the Composer, while nice, probably wouldn't be of much help either.

Letting out a desperate grunt, he let himself fall back on the bed. What could he do?

A door slammed.

"Ran-Ran, I'm home!"

Reiji…

He didn't want to do it. He really, really didn't want to. However… he didn't have much of a choice in the matter either, did he?

There was a knock on his door, and the brunet popped in with a grin.

"How's it going, Ran-Ran? Wow, you sure look down"

The man hesitated for a second. He could still ignore it, still lie to himself, still keep silent and just forget about everything…

Oh, who am I kidding? Of course I can't.

"Ran-Ran?"

"You were right. I have it bad"

There was a moment of silence as the heterochromatic-eyed Idol instantly cursed himself for opening his damn mouth.

Then, a very… manly, squeal, echoed. Next thing he knew, he was suffocating in the older man's embrace.

"Aw, Ran-Ran's in love! I knew it!"

"Damn it, Reiji, stop it!"

He finally managed to break free, and the brunet plopped down on the bed next to him, a weird grin stretching his face.

"So, when are you telling her?"

"I can't tell her, idiot!" protested the bassist. "I… ugh, I told you because you're pretty much the only that can… that can…"

He couldn't say it.

"Help you out? Of course!" beamed the older man. "I can give her a call and-"

"No way! You can't tell her either!"

"Aw" he pouted childishly for a second, before smiling again. "Alright, then let's come up with a plan to woo her!"

"Woo… her…?"

Ranmaru was already regretting his choice, but there was no going back now. He could only roll with it and hope he wouldn't screw up.


I was confused.

No.

Not confused. More like… at loss. Like, what could I do now? I knew ignoring everything wouldn't help. I had to act on those feelings, or push them away and be done with it –which wouldn't be as easy as it sounded, unfortunately-. However, I couldn't just go up to him and tell him straight either. I mean, how awkward would that be? And even more if he doesn't feel the same way.

Which honestly wouldn't surprise me.

We had come a long way since our first meeting, back when we started the Master Course. We had grown from foes to friends, to a state of friendship where I couldn't see him that way anymore. Was there a chance that he felt the same? And even if there was, even if it worked out, what would we do then?

Let's not panic for something that will probably never happen. Let's focus on now.

Shaking my head, I then checked my phone.

Reiji's late.

The man was the last member of QUARTET NIGHT, the last Solo Project. After that, only the SSS would be left. It was exciting and worrying at the same time, and everything suddenly seemed more complicated, what with those new feelings.

What to do…

I needed help. I didn't like to ask for such a thing but, in that case, I couldn't do it alone. I wouldn't go to STARISH, they wouldn't react that well, and I didn't want to put even more pressure on them, what with the 'no-love-or-expulsion' rule. I wouldn't tell Haruka, for she was too nice and would probably end up telling the rest of the group. Tomochika was an idea, but I knew she'd tease me relentlessly as payback for when myself teased her and Kassiam. Heart of Crows also was an option, but we weren't that close either, though something told me they'd be good moral support. Camus was a no-no, Ai was already enough emotionally stunt as it was without adding the romantic love in the whole process, and Reiji…

Reiji!

The brunet was always eager to help, and I knew from his own words that he believed the rule to be utterly stupid. Also, he was close to Ranmaru, which was a plus if I wanted any help to get closer to the man.

That sounds like some stupid love story from one of those fanfictions I read.

Hey, maybe I could check some Ranmaru/Arya thingy! There may be some ideas…

No, no. If I do that, I'll probably find some of those lemons or something, and I rally don't need the images…

Crap. Too Late.

I grabbed the nearest pillow and hid my face in it.

"Uh? Rya-chan?"

"Reiji!" I dropped the pillow. "You're late"

"Sorry, something came up" he apologized with a mysterious glint in his eyes. "Say, I have a question"

"Shoot"

"What do you think of Ranmaru?"

I startled at his question. Could it be that he saw through me so easily? In the end, I decided to just get on with it.

"If I told you I may or may not have it really bad for him…"

He blinked. Once. Twice.

Then, he started laughing.

Loudly.

"T-this is great!"

"Reiji! Stop laughing!" I whined, throwing the pillow to his head. "This is serious!"

"Gomen, gomen…" he wiped a tear. "Anyway, this is great, Rya-chan! Let's go tell him right away-"

"NO! I can't just tell him, and you can't either!" I protested. "Look, I need some help, because I have no idea whatsoever on what to do. So… can you help me? Please?"

He made a face. Then...

"Of course!" he beamed at me.

"Great" relief washed over me, and I then pulled out my music sheets. "Alright, let's get started on the Solo Project, and we can see about the rest later, okay?"

"Don't worry, I have great ideas!" he assured with a wink. "For both situations, of course!"

I have a bad feeling about this.


Operation #1: Strawberry Cake!

By: Ranmaru

Anyone of the Agency knew of Arya's love for strawberries. Anything that had to do with the fruits, she enjoyed. She also loved black chocolate, and cakes, and basically anything that had to do with food in general. So, what better way to try and gain her affection than a strawberry/chocolate cake?

Plus, she said it herself more than once: Ranmaru was the best cook she ever had.

So, rolling up his sleeves and putting on his apron, the man didn't waste any time in starting the recipe. Not hesitating on the quantity of fruits and chocolate, he passed a good hour making everything under the carful watch and more or less helpful comments of Reiji.

Once the cake went in the oven, the bassist wiped his forehead, satisfied with his work. All that was left was for the cake to bake, before giving it to the black-haired woman.

"Well done, Ran-Ran!" beamed the older man. "I'm sure she'll love it!"

The grey-haired man narrowed his eyes at him.

"You've been giddy since yesterday. What do you know?"

"Nothing, nothing~"

Oh, if they knew, mused the brunet.

However, he was a man of his word. Both made him promise not to tell the other and, while it was somewhat frustrating, it also amused him. So, he'd help them out, and tell them everything once they ended up together.

Forty-five minutes later, the cake was ready. Leaving it on the counter to let it cool off while Ranmaru went to change in his room, the man forgot one very important something. Or rather, someone.

"Strawberry cake?"

The count stared at it for a few seconds, before grabbing a fork and getting to work. Five minutes later, he was done, and left without another trace.

When Ranmaru came back, it was only to find an empty plate.

"REIJI!"

Status: FAIL!

Why?: Camus ate it.


Operation #2: Anonymous Love Letter!

By: Arya

"This is a bad idea"

I was standing before Ranmaru's room, clenching my hands on the envelop in my hands and my heart beating too fast.

"Don't be like that, Rya-chan! Come on, just put it in!" encouraged Reiji.

"But-but it's the same as telling him!" I protested, my voice weak. "I can't do it!"

"Now, now… go in already!"

The brunet quite literally pushed me inside, before closing the door. Glaring for a second, I then took a look around. However, I soon forgot about snooping around. It was a serious breach f privacy and I didn't want to break Ranmaru's trust.

Suddenly, the door slammed open, and I easily recognized Ranmaru's humming. Panicking, I jumped through the open window and clung to the edge, the curtains hiding my form. As he did whatever in his room, not having even noticed my presence, the letter slipped through my fingers and fell down the building.

Now, I was very much aware of my precarious position. I mean, a fall from this height was certain to kill me. However, wasn't worried. I could easily pull myself back up, and could also stay like this for at least two hours.

I can do this. I can do this.

Ranmaru left after ten minutes of so –I wasn't really keeping up with time-. As soon as the door closed, I climbed back inside with a sigh of relief. As soon as my feet touched the floor, though, Reiji came in. He stared at me for a second, before glancing to the window, then back at me.

"You're kidding me, right?" he deadpanned.

"I panicked!"

"That's no reason to jump through the window!"

"Yes it is! Wait… you planned this, didn't you? You jerk!"

Status: FAIL!

Why?: It fell down the building and was never seen again.

HIDDEN OPERATION #1: Fateful meeting!

By: Reiji

Status: FAIL!

Why?: Arya jumped through the window.


Operation #3: Dango sticks!

By: Ranmaru

Seeing as the strawberry/chocolate cake was a total fiasco, Reiji proposed the next option: dango. Arya was practically in love with those things, she never could get enough of them. No better way to get her attention than with hand-made sweets that were also free, right?

Ranmaru carefully made a dozen or so of sticks. Working on the rice paste with attention, he also made some mochi on the side, somehow feeling like she'd also love those.

Once he was done, he wrapped them so that they'd stay warm, before heading for the Agency. However, the closer he got, the more stressed her became. What would he say? What would he do?

He finally reached the Agency. Coming in, he thought for a moment to leave them in the girl's room, knowing she was with Reiji at the moment. However, if he did this, then they wouldn't be warm anymore when she finally found them.

So, he opted instead to leave them in the oven, which would be turned on just enough to keep the warmth but not to burn them. As he was about to leave, though, he turned around and quickly wrote a small note indicating exactly for who the sweets were for. He had learned from his passed mistake, after all.

Satisfied, he finally left.

A few minutes later, Liam came in. Spotting the turned on oven, he was about to turn it off when he found the plate of dango inside.

"Dango! Sweet!" he grinned.

Taking out the plate, he didn't notice the small note falling off and disappearing under the counter.

Status: FAIL!

Why?: Liam ate them.


Operation #4: Spar of love!

By: Arya

I was not confident in Reiji's plan. He told me to forget about indirect messages and, if I didn't want to tell him, then I had to show him. And, what better way to show the man than with a kiss?

Nope. No way. Not happening.

And yet here I was, thinking about it.

A spar was the best opportunity to use this plan. I could easily find an opportunity to lean closer than necessary, then kiss him. If he kissed back, then I'd know. If not, I'd say it was an accident, and we'd just move on with our lives. Easy, right?

No. No, it isn't.

"Head in the game, squirt!"

Snapping out of my thoughts, I barely avoided his oncoming fist. By doing so, I however found myself incredibly close to him, our faces barely inches from each other. My eyes widened, my breath hitched.

Now, now, now!

Panicking, I didn't thought about it twice before hitting him straight in the face. He stumbled, then fell on the floor, unconscious.

"Oops…"

Status: FAIL!

Why?: Arya knocked him out.


Operation #5: Crab cakes!

By: Ranmaru

That was it! Even before they became friends, the girl admitted to love his crab cakes. It was a special recipe only known to him, so he'd be the only one able to make them for her. That was the perfect idea!

Taking his time in making them, he thought back to his dango sticks with a slight scowl, knowing from Reiji that the woman, in fact, never ate them. This time around, he wouldn't fail, though. He was determined to win this round, and also make her understand he wasn't mad at her for knocking him out.

Still, she packed one hell of a punch…

When he finished his crab cakes, he decided to not waste his time and headed once more for the Agency. Soon reaching his goal, he then made his way to Arya's room. He knocked, secretly hoping she wasn't there. The both of them were terrible when things were awkward, after all.

No one answered.

Taking a short breath, he then slowly opened the door. The room was empty. Taking his chance, he went inside, and took a quick look around so as to find Arya's bed. He didn't want to make a mistake, after all. He spotted Haruka sleeping in one of the beds, hence why no one answered. So, he placed the lunch bag on the unoccupied bed, before nodding to himself, and leaving.

An hour or so later, Arya came back. With a slight smile, she went to Haruka's side and shook her shoulder gently.

"Haruka… Haruka…"

"A-Ary…?" the girl's eyes fluttered open. "What…"

"You fell asleep on my bed" laughed the black-haired Idol. "I don't mind, but you're going to be late to work, though"

"O-oh no!"

The Composer had caught a cold a few days earlier, and was still somewhat tired from the illness, hence why she hadn't realized that she had fallen asleep in the wrong bed.

Quickly gathering her things, she then spotted the lunch bag on her bed. Believing it was from Arya, she grabbed it without a second thought and left for work, the other woman never realizing a thing.

Status: FAIL!

Why?: Haruka ate them.


Operation #6: Love through music!

By: Arya

We decided to take it back to the start. Going with simple things, little thoughts, things that'd get his attention without screaming 'I LOVE YOU!'. So, I recorded myself playing the top fifteen rock songs on my drums, before graving everything on a disc.

Then, as Reiji kept on working on the Solo Project, I left the living room and headed for Ranmaru's room, certain this time around that he wouldn't pop in unannounced. Or at least, that's what Reiji told me.

He better not be planning anything this time around…

As I stopped before his room, though, someone arrived in the apartment.

"Oi, Reiji!"

Nooo!

I slid the disc under the door, before going into the bathroom, never sawn nor known. When I finally came out, though, I realized I slipped the disc under the wrong door, and Ranmaru was now in his room, meaning I missed my chance.

Damn it.

"Arya"

"A-Ai!" I jumped.

"Thank you for the music" he then showed me disc, harboring a slight smile. "Though I fail to understand the reason behind such a gesture"

"J-Just a little gift" I laughed, waving it off. "You need some more rock culture, you know? Just enjoy it"

"Thank you, I will"

As he left, I stormed back in the living room, where Reiji was still awaiting my return.

"How'd it go!?"

"I gave it to Ai" I dropped on the couch. "You told me he wasn't coming back before the end of the afternoon!"

"Oops?"

"You planned this! Again!"

Status: FAIL!

Why?: Arya gave it to Ai.

HIDDEN OPERATION #2: Fateful meeting 2.0!

By: Reiji

Status: FAIL!

Why?: Arya hid in the bathroom.


Operation #7: Simple as a rose!

By: Ranmaru

Reiji convinced him to stop with the food, both of them realizing that it wouldn't end in her hands unless he gave them to her face to face, which obviously wouldn't happen. So, pushing aside his cooking skills, he then thought about what he could do.

The drumsticks had been a wonderful gift, if her joy was anything to go by. Maybe he should have kept them longer and give them now?

Maa, too late.

Arya wasn't a materialistic person by nature. She cherished her drums, the pictures hung on her wall…

It's only later on that he remembered a story offered by Ren, when they were still sharing a room back at the Agency.

::

"Kitten never fell for me. The first time we met, she called me a closet pervert" he laughed a little.

"You quickly gave up on her, didn't you?" wondered Masato.

"Well, I know a lost fight when I see one" he shrugged. "Anyhow, we only really became friends when I gave her a rose"

"A rose?" snorted Ranmaru, on his bass like always.

"I believe it was more because you listened to her more than the flower in itself, Jinguji" pointed out the blue-haired man.

"Aw, yes" remembered the flirt. "'Roses are prettier with their thorns', she said. I still fail to see it her way, though"

"Well, that's Ary for you"

::

She loved roses, those were her favorite flowers. She preferred them with the thorns above all else. So, now knowing what to do, Ranmaru didn't waste any time in going to buy a single one. A bouquet would be utterly suspicious and was more like a move of Ren. No, he would go at it simply. She liked simple things, after all.

Buying the rose, he then quickly went to the Agency. Knowing the way, he went ot her room, and knocked. This time around, there truly was no one. Entering, he gently placed the flower on the right bed this time around, before leaving.

As soon as the door closed, though, wind came in by the window and blew the flower outside. It fell in the garden, just as Ringo was passing by.

"Oh! A rose?"

He looked around, but found no one. Shrugging, he picked it up before heading to his room with a giddy step.

Status: FAIL!

Why?: Ringo used it for a beauty mask.


"Alright, you ready?"

"Any time!"

Receiving the signal, I started beating on my drums.

Oh if there's one thing to be taught

It's dreams are made to be caught

And friends can never be bought

Doesn't matter how long it's been

I know you'll always jump in

'Cause we don't know how to quit

Let's start a riot tonight

A pack of lions tonight

In this world, he who stops

Won't get anything he wants

Play like the top one percent

'Til nothing's left to be spent

Take it all

Ours to take

Celebrate because

We are the champions

Setting it off again

Oh we're on fire

We're on fire

Running our whole campaign

Doing our own shebang

Oh we're on fire

We're on fire

Get up

Stand up

Throw your hands up

Welcome to the other land of

Dreamers, brothers, sisters, others

Yeah, we're on fire like that

Oh the bond is deeper than skin

The kind of club that we're in

The kind of love that we give

Ooh ever since the dawn of mankind

We all belonged to a tribe

It's good to know this one's mine

Let's start a riot tonight

A pack of lions tonight

In this world, he who stops

Won't get anything he wants

Play like the top one percent

'Til nothing's left to be spent

We don't care

We won't stop

Call your mothers

Call the cops

We are the champions

Setting it off again

Oh we're on fire

We're on fire

Running our whole campaign

Doing our own shebang

Oh we're on fire

We're on fire


HIDDEN OPERATION #3: Beauty and the beast!

By: Reiji

Reiji had proposed to Ranmaru to go get a book for the woman. She loved reading, after all. However, himself wasn't much of a reader. So, giving him a list of books Arya had read before –where he got it, Ranmaru had no idea-, the burnet then shoved him in the library of the Agency.

In the end, he settled on the nearest couch with one of the books on the list in hands.

After a few minutes, voices could be heard on the other side of the room. He instantly recognized Reiji and Arya, and wondered for a moment what they were doing. They weren't supposed to work on the Solo Project until later this evening, after all.

"Wait, Reiji-"

"Later!"

Arya was pushed inside and, next thing they knew, Reiji had locked the door behind her. She cursed under her breath, before noticing him.

"R-Ranmaru"

"Yo"

He didn't like it. Reiji had trapped them together, and only God knew when he would come back and let them leave. Maybe he wouldn't do it until he confessed!

God no.

Arya wasn't doing any better. She had come to the same conclusions. But, in the end, she grabbed a book and sat down, not even looking at him anymore.


We spent the next two hours in the library, each of us reading without a word to the other. It was incredibly awkward, for some reason. Hell, the poor man mustn't even understand why he was locked in here in the first place.

Having finished my book, I decided to get the sequel. However, said sequel was on the top shelf, one I couldn't reach without climbing on a chair or on the shelves themselves. For a second, I thought about asking the grey-haired Idol, before shaking my head and jumping onto my feet.

I stopped before the shelves, thinking for a second, before shrugging and starting to climb. It wasn't the best of options, what with the furniture threatening to fall over if too much weight was added, but I was too lazy to push a couch.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"Getting a book, obviously" I replied, focusing on the ascension. "Don't mind m- whoa!"

One of the shelves cracked under my feet and I lost my balance, which sent me falling. I was however caught by my friend, who had approached in the meantime and managed to save me from getting a really nasty bruise.

"Thanks" I breathed as he put me down.

"Idiot" he flicked my nose. "Why didn't you just ask me?"

"Sorry…"

He sighed, running an hand through his hair, before looking up at the top shelf.

"Which one is it?"

"The third one"

Without even making an effort, he grabbed it, and handed it to me. When I took it, though, my hands fell on his.

Fuck! Pull away, pull away!

But I didn't. I couldn't. My heart picking up its pace, I slowly raised my eyes to the man, who was also staring at me with an unreadable expression.

Unable to stop myself any longer, I got on the tip of my feet and placed my lips upon his, before pulling away in a flash. It was brief, barely a second, the moment it took me to realize what the hell am I doing.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry, I don't know what came over me, I-"

My voice died in my throat when I found his lips on mine once more. After a moment, I relaxed, and kissed him back.

Status: SUCCESS!

Why?: No fricking idea.


Alright, so that's a wrap people! How was it? How was it? The song is Fire by 'Gavin Degraw'. Also, I thought it'd be funny if the two of them went to the same person for help and, well, you saw what happened. Did it turn out okay? Sure hope so.

I just wanted to offer a quick apology to those who had hoped for more Arya/Ranmaru interaction, but I'm glad you're still here despite it.

Also, it was brought to my attention that, legally, Arya would have been able to fight the contract. I'm going to clear things up at the best I can, okay? First, myself have no personal experience with contracts. I mean, I just got my own first job but, other than that... I'm now sixteen, but that contract still stands, right? And I'm in Canada too, so... anyway, I just guessed that a professionnal contract as such wouldn't be much different. Also, isn't there a certain age when you no longer need the parent's permission? Plus, she signed it just before she left for the Academy, so she was seventeen at the time (I apologize for confusion, I realized I forgot to correct it in the first chapter) - Two years have passed since the Academy, she is now nineteen years old.

Anyway, I hope it makes some sense.

As for Kai and Ary... I thought about it, or at least for him to be a rival in love and whatever, seeing as some asked me to bring some OCs in the story to act as such. However, I later on wrote that part where he tells her he's gai and I just, like... why the hell not? So yeah, more of a whim than anything else, really.

So that was the chapter for now, look forward to the SSS incoming!

PS: Does any of you have a ship name to propose for Arya/Ranmaru? I've been offered Ranya, and I think there was another, but I can't remember...

Don't forget to review, love you guys!