It was a much colder morning than the previous days, although the three girls attributed this to the time of the day.

"Did we really have to wake this early Satsuki?" Ryūko mumbled in her dazed state.

Mako chimed in, rubbing the tiredness from her eyes "yeah Satsuki, school doesn't start for another..." She paused her sentence as she counted with her fingers, "...two hours!"

Satsuki spoke calmly with a warm smile, "trust me it will be worth it."

Ryūko started looking at her sister with suspicion, "can you at least tell us why we're going to school so early in the morning?"

Satsuki hand waved Ryūko's concerns away, "you'll see."

Mako "hmmm'd" with curiosity looking at Satsuki.

They passed through street to street before they started approaching the school. As they turned the corner approaching the school gate, they noticed an individual standing at the front gate, they waited patiently as they whistled and tapped her foot. It was clone Nui. Satsuki seemed surprised while Ryūko looked at Satsuki irritated while Mako simply waved to Nui.

Clone Nui turned to them in her own surprise "Oh, hello!"

Ryūko ignored Nui's greeting, questioning her sister, "Satsuki, explain."

Satsuki continued her surprise, questioning Nui instead of replying to Ryūko "N-Nui? what are you doing?"

Nui responded flustered, turning to the three girls, "Oh I... I wanted to wait up for you guys..."

Ryūko sparked up in surprised confusion, "Wait, but we're here early! When the hell did you get here?"

Nui clumsily pulled her arm up to look at her watch. "erm... It was at... four AM."

The three girls stared in shock at Nui in unison as Satsuki uttered "you've been here since four AM? May I ask why?"

Clone Nui tapped her fingers together blushing "I didn't know when you were coming to school..."

True Nui appeared floating over Clone Nui's shoulder, "See? I told you it was dumb." This causing Clone Nui to throw an irritated look in True Nui's direction.

"It's kinda cute." Suddenly a shrill, familiar voice had burst out from within the school gate, "her staying outside the school for so long, it's like a sad puppy." The voice belonged to none other than Nonon Jakuzure.

Nonon stood confidently in front of the school, appearing to wear a different school uniform, Her jacket was a dark crimson with a matching coloured skirt, she wore a white shirt underneath along with a black tie. She had the same hair as so long ago with the bright pink colour and two long bangs with her hair tied up and concealed by a large marching band hat, coloured with a similar crimson as her uniform, bearing white tips while on the center above Nonon's head there was large white skull and crossbones with black spaces for eyes embroidered onto the hat.

"Ah Nonon, its been too long." Satsuki greeted Nonon with a warm smile

Nonon replied with her own proud bright smile as she calmly approached the group. "Indeed it has been lady Satsuki..."

She spoke elegantly when speaking to Satsuki before turning to the others. "Oh hello new girl."

she seemed to be addressing Ryūko, "jeez Nonon you're gonna keep calling me that? I'm hardly new any more."

Nonon sighed seemingly in agreement, "Hm... I suppose you're right... Oh I know! I'll call you rowdy girl~"

Ryūko showed a slight bit of irritation as she replied, "I'm your lady's sister aren't I? you should be calling me lady Ryūko."

Nonon paused for a moment before responding in condescension, "Yeah I'm not gonna do that."

Nonon then turned to Mako, "Oh and how are you doing, under achiever? "

Nonon's demeaning question seemed to frustrate Mako who responded with "for the last time it's Mako! Mako Mankanshoku!" Before immediately flipping to a cheerful attitude, "and I'm doing fine thank you!"

Nonon's head then turned to Clone Nui who had desperately been trying to keep up with the conversation. "And you, Satsuki told me about what happened; you're clone Nui right?"

Nui nodded in affirmation.

"You seem like a nice enough version of her, a total air head, but nice." This comment from

Nonon appeared to make Nui confused as she tried to determine whether she got complimented, insulted, or both.

Suddenly Nonon's gaze grew in intensity, "However... If either you or that other crazy Nui do anything that even mildly makes lady Satsuki uncomfortable, I'm gonna leave you suffering for the rest of your life with burst ear drums and repressed memories, understand?"

Clone Nui was frozen with fear at the sudden threat before quickly nodding with "y-yes Miss Nonon..."

Nonon then happily nodded with a "good!"

Satsuki turned to Nui quietly in reassurance, "don't mind her she's just a bit... protective."

True Nui then appeared above clone Nui's head commenting on Nonon, "Isn't she just the most adorable little fire cracker?"
This causing clone Nui to shoot another irritated look in her direction.

"Alright enough with the small talk, can one of you now explain whats going on?" Ryūko seemingly fed up with the casual conversation asked not long after Nonon's greetings.

"Well I don't know if you know but I ended up joining the prestigious band club at my school." Nonon began to explain, her smugness could be heard in every word. "And that club has a program called "musical Japan" where the government-" Nonon seemed to interrupt herself to add a side note mid sentence "who supports the program by the way. Yes that's how good it is." She then continued your explanation, "The government will drive us out all across the country to talent scout at different schools, so we can find any students who are skilled enough to join the "musical Japan orchestra" an Elite orchestral performance group made up of the best adolescent musical artists from all around Japan." She oozed pride in every sentence, "and it just so happened that we are coming to your high school, so I asked Lady Satsuki if she wanted to come in early to meet the other members of my club and well... she insisted that she bring you two, so you better be honoured!"

Ryūko nodded casually in comprehension of this, "Huh that actually sounds pretty cool."

While Mako appeared ecstatic, "Wow! I'm gonna meet super elite people! that's so cool!"

Nonon sighed pinching the bridge of her nose while she shook her head with closed eyes, "Ugh they're gonna embarrass me..."

Satsuki grabbed Nonon's attention, "Could Nui come as well?"

The question surprising all with a collective "huh?!" Except Mako who continued to fantasise over all the people she could meet.

Satsuki asked again to clarify, "could Nui join us in meeting your band club?"

Nonon answered seemingly troubled by the question, "I-I guess that could be alright..."

Ryūko shouted in her surprise, "What are you doing Satsuki?!"

Satsuki spoke tentatively in her reply, "you said you would defend her for having a normal life, but she can't have a normal life she doesn't know much of the world... I want her to experience more of that world..."

Nonon and clone Nui started staring at Satsuki with admiration, as Nui uttered "Satsuki..."

Ryūko blushed looking away brashly, "F-fine! she can join in."
Ryūko gaving in reluctantly to Satsuki's request before they started walking into the school.

The girls made their way through the school, passing by class after class, before arriving at a metal push in double door. Nonon opened the doors revealing a large Gymnasium the door gleamed with polish as light poured in from the windows on both sides of the gym. A stage Is at the back bearing red curtains on both sides. On the stage is a group of students wearing various different uniforms with majority of the students wearing the same crimson uniforms as Nonon with the male students wearing the crimson uniform having trousers instead of a skirt. Each of the students sat by various instruments, with one per student, these instruments were all an orchestral being a mix of drums, trombones, horns, violas, violins and various other instruments, with a large piano standing out in particular situated at the front right of the stage. A female student wearing the same uniform as Nonon sat in front of the piano hitting seemingly hitting random notes, she was about the height of Satsuki with a similar coloured hair tied into a pony tail, she had emerald green eyes and soft warm elegant features on her face, she bared a golden suit clip on her jacket which took the shape of a musical note.

The girl's eyes perked up when she saw the group of girls walking in. "Oh Satsuki! You're here! Oh and your other friends are here as well! Nonon's told me a lot about all of you."

She turned to Nui her gaze containing unfamiliarity, "Oh she didn't mention you though, I'm sorry but can I ask your name?"

Nui blushed slightly, and replied, her face seemed rather lost in shyness, "O-oh Erm, my name is Nui Harime Nice to meet you..."

The girl replied gracefully "Aw you are so cute! My name is Setsuko Wakana, its a pleasure to meet all of you!"

Ryūko smiled in soft slyness "Heh, with a name like that you must of been born to play music."

Setsuko chuckled as softly, "I guess you could say that, although my father is a factory worker so I wouldn't say its entirely in my blood."

Setsuko started looking at Nui before saying, "...Triangle." She then looks at Satsuki before saying, "...Oh! Piano, how nice." she then looks Ryūko before saying, "hmm... guitar..." She went on to look at Mako with a long pause, "...yeah I'm getting nothing from you." provoking confused noises from Mako.

Ryūko spoke up in her own confusion, "Sorry but what are you doing?"

Setsuko replied in her polite offset, "Oh my apologies, I was just figuring out what instruments you play."

Satsuki returned the politeness, "but Setsuko... I don't play any instruments..."

Setsuko nodded slightly, "well yes, you don't play instruments, but the musician inside your heart does."

Nonon expresses great joy in admiration towards Setsuko, "Very well said club president!"

Ryūko smiles again this time with sly condescension at Nonon, "huh I expected the great Nonon Jakuzure to be the club president."

Nonon replied aggressively, "Hey! watch your mouth ruffian."

However Setsuko cut through the tension between them with her soft elegant demeanour, "Indeed Nonon is incredibly talented, especially in her skills as a conductor, that just makes me even more honoured to be the president of our prestigious club."

Again Nonon turned to look at Setsuko with admiration, "aw president..."

This causing Ryūko to throw out an off hand comment "Huh, I guess Nonon has a type."

Nonon snapped back at her with "Shut it!"

Meanwhile Clone Nui appeared to be lost in her own thoughts as she uttered under her breath, "I wonder what instrument she would say True Nui would play?"

The true Nui in question then appeared floating on clone Nui's right, "Probably violin, Maman at one point even wanted me to learn violin, but changed her mind believing it would only serve to take away from my other studies."

Clone Nui appeared troubled by this before suddenly being dragged away by Nonon. Nui then found herself on the stage holding a metal triangle and a little metal stick matching with the triangle.

Nonon was standing in front of Nui, she pointed at her with her other hand on her waist as she posed in a commanding way, "alright you're gonna play the triangle."

Nui looked back at Nonon rather troubled and confused, "Wait but I don't know how!"

Nonon smiled smugly, "Oh its easy, when I gesture to you, you hit the triangle, got it?"

Nui continues to look troubled as she mumbles out an "oh ok..."

Nonon then moved towards the center of the stage.

Meanwhile back off the stage Setsuko turned to Ryūko, "Ryūko? Do you play any instruments?"

Ryūko does a hand waving motion to signify a negative gesture, "Nah, not me, honestly if anyone were to play an instrument out of us it would of been Satsuki."

She ends her sentence with dismissive laugh, while Satsuki appeared to shoot a subtle stare towards Ryuko, showing a level of intrigue.

Setsuko replied casually "Ah well if you ever want to learn some time I would be happy to teach you."

Ryūko in turn gave a relaxed and joyful, "yeah thanks."

Setsuko then made her way onto the stage. She sat on a seat in front of the piano tucking her skirt beneath her legs, She then spoke out to the other students who had been chattering amongst themselves while Setsuko had her conversation off stage.

"Alright everyone we'll have a short practice period then we'll start the first set." after Setsuko uttered this the stage broke out into incoherent noises as every student appeared to play random notes with even Setsuko closing her eyes and playing random keys on the piano.
This continued for a few moments confusing the three girls that watched below and Nui who continued on stage till suddenly, Setsuko placed her hand in the air and the hall becomes completely silent. Then began counting down with her fingers before reaching her last finger. When one finger was left the orchestra had burst into life once again, this time playing: The Piano Concerto number. 21 - Andante by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:

(As stated Andante the piano concerto no. 21 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart plays within this scene, listen to the song while reading for the full effect.)

The glorious melody filled the room as Nonon's arms waved in gestures towards the many different students who created sounds in accordance with Nonon's gestures. A minor ting of a triangle could be heard within the tune of the symphony often at the wrong time as Nui failed to recognise when Nonon was gesturing to her and when she was not causing Nonon to shoot angered stares in her direction. Setsuko on the piano was now playing flawlessly, each note in place, her eyes closed and her body swaying with the progression of the music. The three girl's faces were absorbed in amazement as the orchestra continued their rendition of the song. Nonon bared a wide smile as she found joy in her movements gesturing to each musician at the correct timing, eventually clasping her hands together when the symphony was reaching a conclusion.

Satsuki and Ryuko had a joyful smile while Mako's face was still amazed. The three dolled out a round of applause to the orchestra.

Ryūko cheered with a "That was awesome!"

Nonon began to bow proudly towards the applause.

The applauding continued for a moment till Clone Nui began shuddering, as suddenly blood seemed to seep out of her arm, the blood appearing to form a blood version True Nui much to the shock and fear of those not in the know. "Not to be that girl, but to absolutely be that girl, If my knowledge supplied from my good clone here is correct, homeroom should be starting sooooooon!"

Ryūko jumped up in the realisation, "Oh crap she's right! we gotta go!"

The blood seeped back into clone Nui's body and she jumped down to join the three off stage, "could you at least warn me when you do that..." Clone Nui grumbled under her breath causing True Nui to appear by her side to stick out her tongue mockingly.

Setsuko looked incredibly confused and horrified by the sight of the blood formed Nui "What the hell was that?!"

The four girls ran out the room, with Satsuki stopping with a quick bow, "its er... complicated..." before following the other three out of the hall.

The four girls managed to make it to their class just in time, a few seconds before their teacher walked through the door. The classes passed by quickly, Mako and Ryūko's tiredness suddenly unveiling itself. Nui seemed to be strangely alert till she suddenly fell asleep mid class, however everyone was extremely awake when they noticed Satsuki herself, sleeping mid class, attracting the whole class' attention even the teacher's at such a rare event. The school day ended, and the the girls were walking home.

"Well this is where I depart! Oh hey Musashi!" Nui spoke awkwardly before waving to a passerby, knowing they were a Nudist beach agent who waved back seemingly irritated.

Satsuki spoke up calmly, "Mako, could you give Nui some company for a little bit? I need to talk to my sister in private."

Mako looked confused for a moment but gasped in realisation, "Ooooh sister talk huh? Of course of course, this is a perfect opportunity to talk to Nui about all my favourite types of bugs! don't worry Nui there's not many of them."

Mako and Nui walked away with Mako chattering on, presumably about nonsense.

"So what do you want to talk about?" Ryūko asked casually.

"May I ask, why did you lie to Setsuko?" Satsuki asked in return, her voice warm yet stern.

Her question rousing a level of surprise from Ryūko, "huh?"

Satsuki continued, "You told me once that you played guitar but you told Setsuko you didn't play anything." Ryūko fell quiet for a moment, causing Satsuki to look towards her showing her concern, "Its alright if you don't want to talk about it."

Ryūko spoke up tentatively, "it's... nothing really I just... yeah I don't want to talk about it."

Satsuki nodded warmly, "I understand, if you change your mind feel free to talk to me, its... what sisters are for."

Ryūko suddenly hugged Satsuki who surprised from the embraced, "Thank you... sis." She said warmly.

Satsuki closed her eyes and smiled in return, wrapping her arms around Ryūko, "You're welcome... Sis" the two sisters exited the embrace, Satsuki casually mentioning "I'm gonna head home now and drink a Hilarious amount of tea, I... kinda feel sorry for Soroi."

Ryūko chuckled softly "heh, right, see ya!"

Ryūko let Satsuki walk away, her face then changed to quite melancholy, "guitar... huh."
Ryūko was lost in contemplation as she re-joined Mako and drifted her way home.