The next afternoon, Yukifumi and his band mates were again gathered in their music studio, practicing. For some reason, Makoto was all pumped up and he kept urging his band mates to play louder and to do songs over and over again.

Yukifumi was in the middle of his guitar solo when someone suddenly climbed in through the window. Everyone recognized the figure in black.

"Ookouchi Sakuya!" they all cried.

"Yo," Sakuya returned, settling on the window sill.

Except for Yukifumi who continued playing, they all stood gaping at the 15-year-old boy.

"Don't mind me. I just came to listen," Sakuya said, waving a hand impatiently.

"All right. Hey guys, let's do song one," Makoto said, adjusting his microphone.

They went through two more songs as Sakuya, just as he had said, sat quietly by the window, listening attentively.

"Break time, guys," Makoto said.

Yukifumi walked over to Sakuya and found himself smiling. "I'm surprised to see you here."

"Yeah, well, I haven't anything to do."

"Oh, no work today?"

"Nah, I don't feel like going there right now. Maybe later."

"Oi,Yuki, come introduce your new friend to us!" Akanishi yelled from the other side of the room.

"As if he needs introduction," Yukifumi grumbled good-naturedly.

"I didn't know you two knew each other well," Tanaka commented through a mouthful of crushed ice.

"We don't really," Yukifumi admitted. "We just happen to be making small talk."

"Yeah, okay. Whatever you say."

"Hey, guys, listen up!" Everyone turned to Makoto. "I've got great news for you." He paused for effect. "Dive (their band's name) is officially in the Band Contest!"

It took a second for his words to sink in. When it did, everyone started whooping and cheering.

"Alright!"

"Oh, man, this rocks!"

Even Yukifumi had a huge grin on his face. "Hey, Makoto, when'd you find out the results?" he asked, raising his voice to be heard over his band mates' shouts.

"This morning," Makoto answered, grinning his head off.

"Wow, I can't believe it," Yukifumi said, shaking his head. "When's the competition?"

"A week from now, Saturday night."

"I'd say that's more reason to practice!" Akanishi said, strapping on his guitar.

"Yeah!"

The succeeding days passed like a blur. Each of them was impatient for classes to be over so they could practice some more until late at night. Yukifumi had to struggle between schoolwork, his band, and his Noh, since his father said he was going to perform one of these days. He prayed it wouldn't be on Saturday night.

Each afternoon, Sakuya was also in their music studio. He never said anything or made a comment on their playing, but sat quietly, as always, on the window sill.

"You're missing work, you know," Yukifumi had pointed out to him once, but he merely shrugged and said, "I don't feel like playing now."

One thing Yukifumi had confirmed for himself during those days of hard practice: Ookouchi Sakuya didn't like being ordered to. Everything was done because he had wanted to do it, not because someone had told him to.

Friday night, Yukifumi went home at 8:30 in the evening. Akanishi had told them all to take a break so the next day they would have lots of energy to use up. Only Makoto had insisted on practicing for a "few more minutes."

Yukifumi hummed softly to himself as he unlocked the front door and let himself in. He was surprised to see his father sitting in the living room, obviously waiting for him.

"Good evening, father," Yukifumi said dutifully. He waited to be dismissed so he could go up to his room and rest.

"Good evening," his father answered. He gestured to the seat across him. "Won't you take a seat?" Yukifumi obeyed. Once he was seated, his father leaned forward and asked, "How's your Noh doing?"

"It's okay, father. I practice it every night."

"Good. Then I expect you to be ready tomorrow for your performance."

"Tomorrow?" His heart pounded as he fought to remain composed. "What time tomorrow?"

His father looked disapprovingly at him. "Are you not aware of the dinner we've prepared for tomorrow? All our relatives will be there."

Yukifumi felt drained of energy. Dinner was what he said. That meant SATURDAY NIGHT.

"But, father, I have a competition tomorrow. I can't miss it!"

His father looked vaguely interested. "Competition where? Math, Science, English...?"

Yukifumi closed his eyes briefly in prayer and said, "No, it's a band competition."

Instantly his father's face hardened. "Band competition? You know that I never approved of your noisy band in the first place. You can just cancel out and join other competitions. I'm sure there are a lot of those." His lips curled at the thought.

"Father, it's more than that!" He felt desperate. "It's not about winning; I can't let my band mates down!"

"And you will 'let your father down' in exchange for that?"

"No! Please, I—I need to think for a while. Excuse me." He blindly made his way out the door and into the dark street. He had just walked out on his father. He cringed to think about the possible punishment that awaited him. He expected guards to rush out of the house to force him back in, but when none came, Yukifumi started walking briskly, absorbed in his thoughts.

Minutes later, he looked up to see where his legs had taken him. He saw some people sleeping, others drinking and smoking while some were talking. He was in the park.

He sank down on one of the benches, exhausted.

"What am I gonna do now?" he whispered. He must've sat there for an hour, waiting for a solution to hit him. None came.

"Hey, you, how long're you planning to sit there?" a voice asked. Yukifumi recognized the rough manner of speaking. Ookouchi Sakuya, of course. He seemed to have a knack for showing up wherever Yukifumi was.

He looked up and saw, indeed, the real Ookouchi Sakuya standing in front of him with a backpack slung over one shoulder. "Ookouchi Sakuya, how's it going?" If it wasn't for the upward lilt at the end of his question, he might as well have stated it in a monotone.

"I ain't up for 'small talk'," Sakuya said. "What's on your mind?"

"I think," Yukifumi began reluctantly, "I won't be able to go to the competition after all. My father wants me to go to some dinner instead. It's a sort of family reunion. I can't possibly miss it."

"And?"

"And that's it," Yukifumi said impatiently. "That's exactly the problem. My father is practically asking me to choose between him and my band."

"That's your problem?" Sakuya laughed hollowly. "Damn, you really are spoiled, prince."

"Sorry that my problem is trivial! Sorry that I'm a spoiled, dumb, overreacting moronic prince," he yelled furiously. A voice at the back of his head was saying, "Yep. You do lose brain cells when you're around him."

"I didn't say anything."

"You're implying it! I know you're mocking me, deep down. And maybe I do deserve it." He closed his eyes and fought to control his raging emotions.

A moment later he felt a soft pressure on the side of his neck. His eyes flew open in time to see Sakuya straightening up. Unconsciously, his hand rose to the spot where he felt it. Did Ookouchi Sakuya do what he thought he did?

"What was that?" he asked, dazed.

"What's the matter, prince, never been kissed before?" His gleaming blue eyes stared him down.

'Ookouchi Sakuya kissed me?' his mind screamed. Outward, he was blushing furiously.

"This is not the time nor the place for that. Now behave yourself," he said sternly, but his blush gave him away.

Sakuya smirked. "So if we're in the right time and place, it's okay then?"

"Quiet!" Yukifumi commanded. He stood up and started pacing back and forth, to the amusement of Sakuya. His head was already spinning from his problems with his band and his father; Sakuya's impulsiveness only made it worse.

He halted midway and glared at the younger boy in front of him, as though blaming him for his discomfort. Hey, it was his fault, wasn't it? Sakuya threw up his hands as if to say, "What? What'd I do?"

Yukifumi resumed his pacing. When Sakuya couldn't take it anymore, he said, "You know, the solution is really simple. Tell your old man you'll be late by some minutes and go to the competition. After your band finishes the song, go to your dinner. No one would even notice, I bet."

Yukifumi stopped again. This time, his face wore an amazed expression when he looked at Sakuya. "Ookouchi Sakuya, that's the best thing I've heard from you all day!"

"Should I be happy about that?"

"I can't believe I haven't thought of that!" He grabbed Sakuya's hand and pumped it energetically. "Thank you!" He bowed low and rushed off, leaving Sakuya considerably disconcerted behind him.