I do not own any of the songs. They belong to their respective artist(s).
Boys sing in BOLD
Girls sing in ITALICS
Both genders sing in BOTH
An amused smile formed on her lips as she looked back at Natsuki. "You know, you can stretch your legs out."
He glanced at her then to her parents. "Can I?"
Han-na laughed, turning slightly in the passenger seat. "Of course. You're lucky we drove in the van, otherwise you'd be squished, Natsuki-kun."
Syo snickered. "Natsuki's flexible enough. I'm sure he'd fit."
"Not in a K-car," Hideaki cut in, smirking slightly. "It was supposed to be Kai's gift but he gave it to Han-na after her car broke down."
"That was a bad month," Hikari added. "For some reason all the vehicles gave up on Uma's side of the family."
"Samchon?" Syo asked.
The older man nodded as he switched lanes. "That's 'uncle' in Korean."
"My older brother, Song Byeong-su, somehow messed up his radiator. Didn't get in an accident or anything, but one day it got messed up and he about fried his car." Han-na shook her head. "Even Hikari mentioned she wanted to avoid the Song curse and take public transport or ask for rides."
Said girl shrugged. "If I need to, I'll get a moped."
"One of those old fashioned ones or a recent one?" Natsuki asked curiously.
Hikari tilted her head. "Don't know. I just know I'd rather have a moped. Doesn't seem like they'll have a lot of problems like a car or van."
"We're here." Hideaki cut in, pulling into the three story house and the blonds whistled.
"That is huge," Syo blinked at the building and Hikari snickered.
"Wait till you see the inside. Gran and Oyaji wanted the house to be of complete comfort." Hikari unbuckled her seat and followed Syo out, Natsuki behind her. When the tall blond got out, she grabbed their bags, passing him his. "Oh, is that the Rippler's van?"
"Yeah. Did you forget they'd be here?" Hideaki looked at his daughter strangely.
"Uh… Maybe?" She shrugged sheepishly, trailing behind them with Syo and Natsuki to her sides. Said two blonds chuckled at her. Hikari rolled her eyes as her dad opened the door, sliding her boots and replacing them with slippers. "Hang on, we've got extra slippers in the closet."
It took a bit (and Syo almost tripping Natsuki when his shoes slipped from his hands), but they got the slippers on and headed to the family room, her parents heading to the kitchen.
"We're having Korean cuisine, tonight. Syo, Natsuki, are you okay with seafood?" The two nodded and Han-na smiled. "Alright. And, Hikari, we'll have some spicy tteok-bokki for you."
The girl lit up and hugged them tightly before they entered the kitchen. "Thank you, Uma, Appa!"
Laughing, the two hugged back. "You're welcome. Go on to the family room." Hideaki and Han-na entered the kitchen, waving hands at the teens.
The three classmates moved further into the house, the two blonds on either side of Hikari. She had a slight bounce in her step as they walked through the door. Hikari got a real bounce in her step when she spotted her cousin. Seeing he had nothing in his hands, she rushed the last few steps and tackled him, nearly hitting the coffee table on the way down.
"Kai-baka!"
The brunet flailed in surprise, muffled squawks escaping his kiss with the rug. "What the hell!" She giggled as they rolled, her back bumping into the table leg.
"Yo, Hikari," a voice, deep and calm, came from the left.
She twisted and released her cousin, who collapsed in her lap as she sat up, beaming. "Yuuta, it's nice to see you! You guys, too, Akira, Itsuki, Touma!"
Touma Tsuji laughed and placed his colored papers down. Standing from his spot on the floor, the tall brunet reached and pulled her free from her bemused cousin. He hugged her tightly. "It's nice to see you, too! And who're are your friends?"
She craned her head back to look at Syo and Natsuki, motioning for them to introduce themselves. They did and she took the time to look over Kai's bandmates, not having seen them personally for a few months.
The lone brunet of the group, Touma, was just a teeny bit taller than Otoya and tan like Ren. Like Otoya, he was a happy-go-lucky kind of guy, hazel eyes bright with humor and covered by messy bangs. He was the main dancer of Ripplers. Yuuta Hanamoto, the leader and (only) calm member. As tall as Natsuki and his hair almost reached a bit below his shoulder blades. Yuuta was also a pale albino (a really, really, pretty albino complete with garnet red eyes) and the youngest member. Akira Yoshioka, the oldest member, had lightly tanned skin, chin length purple hair with black tints and yellow-brown eyes slightly covered by bangs. Akira was the same height as Ichinose and while serious at times, he was too restless to sit for a long time. Itsuki Kure was the second oldest member and almost more immature than Kai (almost, not quite). He had dirty blond hair cut in short spikes blue grey eyes; Itsuki was the same height as Syo, if a bit shorter. Last, but not least, her cousin. Slightly wavy orange tinted red hair, his eyes were a darker green than Hikari's and he was the same height as Touma. Kai's mom, Noriko, was where the children got their pettiness.
Hikari beamed brightly and made grabby hands at Yuuta from around Touma, making said albino chuckle gently and stand up as Touma moved out of the way. Yuuta huffed softly when she squeezed him tightly, patting her head before sweeping her up and into Itsuki's arms, who cackled.
"My chibi, my chibi!" He crowed, holding her princess style as he squished their cheeks together and spun a few times. "How I've missed you so! Akira, catch!"
"What? Hey, wait!" Akira flailed in panic as he went to catch an airborne Hikari. She couldn't stop giggling, pressing her face against an exasperated Akira. "Itsuki, stop doing that, dammit. And you, Hikari, stop laughing. You almost hit the table again."
She wheezed helplessly and he groaned, turning to drop her on the couch. He looked at her blond classmates, face serious as he sat down on the giggling girl, earning a louder wheeze as all the air escaped her body. Hikari vainly tried to get him off as he raised a hand, index finger free while the others were curled.
"Kurusu-kun, Shinomiya-kun, should you ever find yourself surrounded by Nanamis, you have very few ways of keeping your sanity, unless you've already lost it," Akira looked very pointedly at Itsuki, who merely blinked at him.
"What are they?" Syo asked as he helped Kai up, the taller teen pouting at his cousin. Natsuki had settled in criss cross beside Yuuta's arm chair. The shorter blond sat beside his roommate.
"In short?" Touma answered, grinning slightly. "Run, blend in the background as much as you can, or go with it."
Natsuki blinked at him, turning to glance at Syo. "Don't we usually just go with it?"
"Seeing as you're probably just as bad…" Syo trailed off and shrugged, leaning on the coffee table. Natsuki gave him a wounded look.
Kai snickered. "I can see how Hikari gets along with you guys." They looked back at his cousin when they heard a loud thump.
Akira had fallen off the couch, writhing on the floor. Hikari, sitting up, pushed a slipper against his back. Ignoring him, she looked at the rest of the guys. "So what's with the papers and sticks? Also, is Chu-chan here?"
Yuuta shook his head, eyeing Akira curiously. "Chu-chan is in her bed, Kai and Itsuki wore her out. The papers are for kusudama flowers and the sticks are so we can stick them together like bouquets."
"What for?" Natsuki asked, peering closer at the colored paper.
"Aunt Han-na wanted to do something for the maternity ward, so we're making the bouquets for the mothers." Kai nodded to Touma and Itsuki. "Those two and I plan on making kusudama flower balls with ribbons for the kids in pediatrics."
Glancing at her friends, they shrugged at her silent question and she let Akira up. "Want help?
Kai shared nods with his band mates and motioned to the papers. "Have at it. I'll get more glue, tape, and ribbons."
Hikari moved to spread the sheets while he did so, raising a brow. "Just how many different patterns did you guys buy?"
Yuuta hummed, looking up from his flower. "Ah… no idea. Touma, Itsuki, and Kai went sort of crazy in the craft aisle."
"Oh! Hikari-chan, can you pass me the butterfly and flower paper?" Natsuki asked, pointing to the yellow butterfly-flower papers near her elbow. She did, looking at Syo curiously.
The tiny blond looked over the papers carefully. "The music notes and… the clouds."
Passing them over, Hikari grabbed some with stars and hearts herself. She also snagged some scissors and glue, her fingers moving to start a star flower covered kusudama.
"Say, you guys know what Auntie is cooking?" Itsuki asked as he fiddled with the sticks. "I think I smell fish."
"I think it's roe bibimbap," Hikari answered absently. To her classmates, she added, "bibimbap is a Korean rice dish with rice in a bowl, napa cabbage kimchi, different vegetables and sprouts, fried eggs, and uma sometimes adds red pepper paste to dishes of those who like it. Sesame seeds are a favorite topping of hers, too. You guys able to eat that?" She glanced at them before refocusing on her flowers.
The two younger blonds had shared a look before answering. "I'm okay with anything as long as there's no wasabi and Natsuki hasn't cooked it," Syo deadpanned and Hikari snickered. Natsuki squawked in protest, pouting once more. "Plus, if you've seen what Natsuki has put in his baking… Let's just say he can eat anything, too."
"I want to ask, but I don't think I want to know…" Touma muttered, his words slightly disrupted from folding paper.
"Would that have anything to do from that first month at the Academy, with Natsuki's parachute?"
Hikari lifted up her head at the silence she got. Her eyes blinked at the stunned looks on their faces. "What?"
Syo's jaw was moving while Natsuki was simply blinking at her. "You saw it?" Syo sounded horrified.
"Uh, yeah? I was walking Masato back to the dorms…" She eyed them both strangely. "Why do you think Natsuki's called 'Parachute?'"
"You left me!" Syo exclaimed, waving his glue stick at her, with Yuuta absently leaning forward to grab it from his and put it down on the table.
She raised a brow, smiling slightly. "Yeah, and I left Masato, too." Hikari paused to scowl at the fold that was fighting her. "He never told me how he got back in the dorm."
"Hey," Touma suddenly cut in and the three looked at him. "Is that my tie?"
Hikari blinked at him before looking at the loosely tied tie hanging around her neck. "Yeah."
The brunet squinted at her. "Hikari… are you the reason why I'm missing a onesie?"
She tilted her head and shrugged. "Probably."
He facepalmed and looked at Syo and Natsuki with an exasperated look. "That's another thing you need to worry about. Nanamis have this tendency to steal things."
A scowl formed at the words, but she didn't get a chance to debate the matter as Kai dropped the supplies on the table. "Here we go!" He cheered slightly before looking between his band mate and cousin. "Uh… somethin' wrong?"
"Touma called us kleptomaniacs!" Hikari tattled, pointing at the brunet childishly.
"Oh… well, we kinda are." He shrugged as he sat back down, unconcerned with her pout. "I think I have some stuff from Akira's party last year."
"What?" The purple-haired male looked at him in surprise. Akira was ignored.
Natsuki lowered his halfway done flower, peering at Hikari. "Have you taken some of our stuff?"
"No clue. Well, maybe Masato's bandana. But! They're the plain white ones…" Her cheeks heated at the unimpressed looks she got.
"Hikari." Syo narrowed his eyes. "For the past week, Masato has been bugging us because he thinks we have his bandanas. Give them back."
Wilting, she dropped her head. "I will…"
"Why do you have them anyway?" Natsuki wondered, carefully snipping at his paper.
"Headbands. Tomo-chan doesn't have any and I forgot mine at Gran's."
Yuuta chuckled. "At least you didn't paint with them. I don't think Masato-san would like it much if you did."
Kai perked up, lips pursing as he eyed his bandmate. "Is that a poke? I think that was a poke."
Hikari and the males began laughing as Kai proceeded to make faces at a (slowly failing) stoic Yuuta. They all jumped at a startled yell from the hall.
"CHU! GET YOUR ASS OUTTA MY BED, YOU OVERSIZED WEINER DOG!"
Brightening, Hikari bounced in her seat as she twisted, calling out, "Shiori-nee!"
A few thuds came from the hall, a snarled "move it!" and the sound of nails clicking the wooden floor. After a few stomps, a huge blur of brown and white leapt onto the unoccupied couch seat beside Akira before forcing the male back into the couch (he let out a squawk as he held his scissors up in the air to avoid hurting the furry beast) and smacking into Hikari, a tongue licking at her face.
Flailing, she dropped the folded paper and grappled with the half grown St. Bernard, laughing. "Chu-chan! I've missed you!" Forcibly pushing the dog's butt down, she hugged Chu to her.
"You know," Syo began, gripping Natsuki tightly to keep him in place, "I kinda thought she'd be smaller."
Touma laughed, reaching to pat Chu and got licks for it. "Her full name is Chupacabra. We had a tour in the U. S. and found this girl in Alaska. We named her when she scared Aunt Rin in Texas."
Natsuki made grabby hands, jumping up in joy as he freed himself from Syo and settled beside Hikari, Touma easily retreating and letting him rest against the arm. The blond quickly began cooing and petting Chu, laughing when Chu began sniffing and licking his fingers. Hikari rubbed her cheek against Chu's shoulder and tilted her head back, grinning into the face of her older cousin.
Shiori Nanami smirked slightly, her deep green-yellow eyes were pleased. Her hair pulled back in a short ponytail, the older girl was about the same height as Otoya. She must've come back from a scene, dressed in a pale purple button up and grey rugged jeans.
Leaning down, Shiori ruffled Hikari's hair, ruining her ponytail. "Sup, baby animal."
Releasing an arm, she caught her cousin's hands and squeezed. "You look taller. How?"
Shiori snickered. "I'm borrowing Oyaji's slippers. He's with Gran tonight and the rest of the week."
"Ohh."
"Yup, so who're your friends?" Shiori glanced at Natsuki then Syo. "Lemme guess, this guy is Natsuki and the one at the table is Syo."
"Yep!" Natsuki chirped, reluctantly pulling away from Chu, going to sit down in his spot again. "It's nice to meet you, Shiori-san!"
"You too. Kusudama flowers? Need help putting the ribbons on?" Shiori asked Itsuki.
"Yeah, you mind? I can't twist them right." The blond scowled as he tossed the actress the ribbons and Shiori swiftly caught it, moving to lounge on the back of the couch as she twisted the ribbons, tying them off.
"By the way, Aunt Han-na said that after you guys eat, Akira is to take you back to the Academy," Shiori said, tossing a finished ribbon to Itsuki.
Akira flailed slightly, almost dropping his stick. "Why do you Nanamis insist on dropping things on me?!"
No one answered as Chu moved to lick his cheek.
Fingers danced across the piano, Hikari's eyes closed with the faint sound of rain sprinkling through the nearby window. A few more notes and the song ended, her chartreuse eyes opening. Her cheeks warmed as Ringo praised her.
"That was wonderful, Hikari-chan! To be expected of the girl who had the highest score in this month's songwriting test!" Ringo was beaming slightly. "Your songs, your piano, the way you progress with each song, it's all fabulous!"
Hikari stood, smiling faintly as she bowed and walked back to the front, leaving the sheets behind as instructed.
Ringo continued. "Well, that's it for today." The bell tolled. "I'll have a new assignment for you next week, so get plenty of practice, okay?"
She accepted her bag from Otoya and headed to the door, smiling slightly. "I'll see you guys later."
"Have fun with Ryuya-sensei!" Tomochika giggled at the face Hikari gave her.
Hurrying, she headed down to the main hall, not wanting to be late in training with Ryuya. The man insisted on her being up to snuff for the sequel, which was in the writing stages. Hikari didn't have a choice nor time to argue as she was ran ragged at every session. It'd be worse because of the rain since they'd have to use the treadmills, treadmills that he usually messed around with for the speed. Hikari blinked when she spotted Ichinose and was thrown back to the day before. "Hey, Ichinose-san!"
The teen paused and looked at her, face stoic. Immediately, from his tense shoulders, she threw away the thought of asking about 'Hayato'.
Not letting him say anything, she rushed out, "Is your leg okay? After me running into you multiple times?"
He blinked slowly at her. "My leg is better… please don't bring it up again."
She nodded in understanding before offering him a mischievous smile. "So would you happen to know how I could get an autograph from a certain somebody?"
His brow twitched and he scowled lightly at her. "Don't bring up that plebeian either."
A giggle escaped her and she waved at him, backing away. "Sorry, sorry. Couldn't help myself. Just take care of yourself, okay? Don't try splitting yourself into three." Turning on her heel, she jogged off to the tiny workout room Ryuya used for their training.
Gazing absently at her spaghetti, Hikari ripped part of her garlic bread and dipped it in the sauce. 'Wonder why he's actin' like Hayato. Maybe so he doesn't get mobbed by fans? Ah, so many reasons and I can't ask. Maybe my family may know? Oyaji has a lot of connections.'
A foot bumped her leg and she looked up, garlic bread in mouth as she tilted her head questioningly at Tomochika. "Mmm?"
The redhead rolled her eyes and raised a brow at her roommate. "Hikari, I've been trying to get your attention. Why're you lost in thought?"
Hikari swallowed and shrugged. "Just daydreamin'. Kinda tempted to see if Gran is going to have a stand in the farmer's market."
Tomochika eyed her. "So nothing about being a bit close with Natsuki at the concert?"
The peach haired girl scowled and stabbed at her noodles. "Tomo-chan, it was so baaaad. My hormones lost it when we got close."
"Hahaha!" Tomochika laughed as she wiggled her brows. "It was fun though, right?"
"He's my friend!" She wailed and took in a forkful in sulky motions. "I don't wanna be expelled because the damn blond doesn't know anything about personal space."
Her friend choked slightly on a forkful. A hand to her mouth, Tomochika smiled wryly. "I feel the same with Otoya and Daiki. Somehow, I keep getting too close."
"Same way?" Hikari offered her watery eyes and received a snicker.
"Same way?" Tomochika patted her free hand.
/
Otoya sat down beside Tokiya, Natsuki moving to sit on the redhead's left side. Syo sat across from Otoya, Ren to Natsuki, and Masato to Tokiya.
"Hey, Tokiya-kun!" He greeted his roommate, setting his tray down.
Tokiya blinked at him, an eyebrow going up as he looked around at the teens interrupting his solitude. "Hello," he said after a moment, nodding to the others.
"Yo, Ichi," Ren waved a hand slightly and Natsuki beamed at the darker haired teen.
The tallest blond chirped, "Good evening!"
Masato nodded at Tokiya and Syo copied Ren, already taking a bite of his fettuccine. The bluenet murmured softly, "Good evening."
"Is that ishikari-nabe?" Otoya asked Ren curiously.
The strawberry blond nodded, head tilting slowly. "Is that curry bread?"
"Baked curry bread." Otoya quickly corrected, pulling his tray further away from an unimpressed looking Tokiya. "I made sure it wasn't deep fried, so don't give my food that look."
Tokiya eyed him before turning back to his own sandwich.
Syo snickered and Ren looked at him and Natsuki. "By the way, Ochibi-chan, what happened yesterday? We saw part of Hayato's concert."
Absently noting Tokiya stiffen, Otoya peered at his blond friends curiously, nibbling on a bread piece.
The blonds blinked and shared looks. "Ah, we met some of Hikari's family." Syo continued to tell them what went on yesterday after getting in the taxi, Natsuki chiming in from time to time.
Ren was frowning near the end. "Does this mean I can stop being yelled at for something I didn't do?" He was looking at Masato.
Said teen's face was slightly pink. "How was I to know Hikari would take something of mine?" Masato frowned slightly. "I don't even know when she could have taken them."
The five teens who usually were around the girl fell silent in thought. Natsuki finally spoke, the words coming out slowly. "Since she's in the composer course, don't we usually leave our bags with her when we practice our dances?"
Masato sighed, clicking his chopsticks absently. "We do. My bag is always close to her as well. I'll ask her after class tomorrow."
"Why would you have her watch your bags anyway?" Tokiya asked curiously, finishing off his sandwich and placing his veggie cup container on his tray.
Sharing looks, Ren said, "Because otherwise we'd forget them. Lady at least gives them back unlike other girls."
Tokiya raised a brow and shook his head. He stood, nodding to his classmates. "I have to go. I'll see you later in the dorm."
"Be careful in the rain," Natsuki voiced. "Y
The next afternoon, while carrying a tray of drinks to the tray the group commandeered for study, Hikari tilted her head when Otoya exclaimed quietly. "Eh, Tokiya?!"
Syo nodded, hands linked together as his chin brushed his fingers. "He was kicked out of S class."
Sliding the tray on the table, Hikari frowned. "Why's that?"
The small blond shrugged as he grabbed his hot chocolate from her after she pointed it out. "Hyuga-sensei said it was because he didn't have heart."
Picking up his own drink, Otoya frowned. "Even though he always puts so much effort into it… I don't know what to say to him."
"Some people you just have to be there for," Tomochika offered as she slid into the seat Syo, Hikari beside Otoya.
"Learning with theory alone is difficult," Natsuki noted, tapping his chin.
"No heart," Masato echoed, looking at the table.
Hikari thought about the concert. 'Sounds about right… and I thought it was because of his leg.' Aloud, she said, "I guess this means he'll be in A class then. We should watch out for him, then."
Masato blinked at her. "Won't that upset him?"
"Maybe, but if he's upset with us, it means he won't be moping over being demoted." Hikari shrugged at the looks she got. "Harsh but true. I'm a third-generation songwriter in the entertainment business. There are trials we have to go to get to the top. Shiori-unnie, with her acting as males in dramas and movies, got a lot of crap from people. Yet she makes more money than they do." She took a sip of her hot chocolate. "I believe in Ichinose-san. He's a smart guy and he'll figure something out."
Otoya wilted. "I know. I just wish I could help." She silently patted his hand and he smiled weakly at her.
"We'll be with him," was all she added.
Perched by the balcony door, Hikari rested her elbow on her knee, gazing out the window. A catalog from her uncle Chanyeol rested in her lap. She blinked when she saw Ichinose out in the rain, no umbrella or coat.
"Oi, Hikari!" Tomochika called, making her look at the redhead. "Bed time!"
Offering a faint smile, Hikari said, "In a bit, Tomo-chan. You can go to sleep first." Dropping the booklet, she stood and hurried out the door, grabbing an umbrella, hoodie, and rainboots on the way. She hopped while sliding the boots on and stuck the closed umbrella in her sweat pocket, tugging on the bright yellow hoodie. Reaching the entry, she removed and opened the umbrella.
Stepping outside, she was relieved the downpour wasn't as heavy as it was that morning. Running Academy landmarks through her mind, Hikari headed over the bridge and to the gazebo. Despite the puddles, her footsteps were a bit quiet. She perked up, seeing the gazebo. Ichinose was a few steps away from the pier, and she silently closed her umbrella, letting it hang from her wrist as Ichinose lifted his head up and began singing lightly.
"Ah… reaching out to only you,
The sound of this wind… Feeling heart…
Don't cry anymore, you're fine as you are!
Look at the sky! Ah… My sweetest love!"
Hikari slowed her steps, getting a bit closer and smiling slightly. 'He really does have a nice voice. This… this is the song that helped Ruka-chan.'
"Blue… The sparkling blue drops trailing down a cheek."
Ichinose looked at her, startled and with a slightly vulnerable look in his eyes, but she simply grinned, coming closer.
"Rise… Did you know? About the light to tomorrow
Truth… You probably still don't know yourself well, huh?
Those tears will surely become your guiding rainbow!
If your long trail goes cold,
Ah… I'll warm it with a song!
All of your prayers may not become stars,
But if you believe in your dreams,
They will be thousands of "jewels that shine brightest in the night sky."
Tokiya came to a stop in singing, but she continued with ease.
"Think… Do you remember? The sunset on the way home
Yes… We rejoiced! The map of the future spreads wide!
Dream… Since when? My chest has been tightening
Shining on my heart, the charm of the adults' tales
Even the things you can't do on your own,
Ah… I want to surpass them with you!
If it would become your smile, I would tell lies even to God!
So I'd like to call this "love"
I want to come with you! To this "nameless story," fly to the sky!
Don't cry anymore, you're fine as you are!
I want you to let me protect you!
If there's a dream we both believe in,
Then, even more beautiful than the sun that day,
Let it descend in seven colors… on the world."
As the song ended she got closer to Ichinose, removing the umbrella and passing it to him. Shoving her hood back, Hikari removed her handkerchief and smooshed it against Ichinose's face and hair, rubbing gently to get rid of the water. "Idiot," she said, a mix of fondness and exasperation. "I told you earlier to be careful, didn't I. You'll make yourself sick and God knows how Otoya acts when he's losing his mind with worry. I don't know about you, but I would rather not witness that."
His free hand swatted at her and he straightened, tugging the handkerchief away. "Stop that, please. I'll be fine."
They stared at each other. "Why?" She finally asked.
Ichinose lowered his head, eyes moving to the side. "I want to sing, but… my songs…"
"... don't have heart," she finished. "Well, the song just now was beautiful."
A wry smile was aimed at her. "Even though I sang it as Ichinose Tokiya?"
She shrugged and slid her hands in her pocket. "Some songs can't be sung. Maybe you should try a different genre from both Hayato and Ichinose."
The teen shook his head. "I… can't risk that." Ichinose stopped and stared at nothing blankly. He shook his head again before walking past her, passing back the umbrella and handkerchief as he headed back to the dorms.
Frowning after him, she clenched the piece of cloth before heading back herself at a slower pace. Hikari tilted her head back, eyes moving to land on Delphinus. 'Gran… I really wish you were here to give some advice or at least get a phone. I want to help Ichinose get heart back.'
Hikari stood smiling as Otoya and Tomochika did a talk show about food. Otoya was being bit goofy while Tomochika straightened out some of the things he mentioned, bantering together. Her lips quirked up, she looked around her fellow students, lips pursing out when she spotted Ichinose alone.
Awhile later in the hall, Tomochika walked with her and both spotted Ichinose going through to the main hall, people whispering about him. Sharing looks, Hikari and Tomochika shoved their way through, ignoring complaints as they followed the teen.
Getting closer to the main hall, they slowed so he didn't spot them. Hikari was distracted away from him.
"What's going on by the boards?"
Tomochika peered at the A class board. "I think it's the summer camp."
Hikari eyed it weirdly. "Summer camp?"
"It's almost here!" Ringo cooed, cupping his hands and winking at the students. An unbidden blush formed on Hikari's cheeks, which she ignored as the man continued. "The long awaited, annual summer camp!"
She blinked.
"The location is a southern island resort!" Hikari did a double take at the sparkles coming from the crossdresser. Her classmates burst out in awe, but Hikari was weirded out a bit. 'An island resort? Probably a private one. There has to be a catch.'
"The blue sea… white sand… waves breaking onto the shore… sweet wind…" His voice had lowered to a rather persuasive drawl. "But!"
She twitched at the sudden snap.
"Don't get carried away!" Ringo smacked his palms against the desk. "After you come home, it's your hour of destiny. It'll be time to decide your graduation pairings!"
Hikari straightened, eyes going wide. 'Ah. That's the catch.'
"That's right. Pairs will be formed between Idol and Composing course students, and you'll be walking at last towards your dream debut! I'm sure some of you have already decided your partner, but for those who haven't… This camp is your big chance to find the perfect partner. So, that's why it's important, right? Everyone, choose your partner carefully… and I think you already know this, but remember: Falling in love is forbidden! You all got that, right?"
A small bead of sweat slid down her face. 'Why mention it again? We already know the consequences as two people had been expelled at the beginning of the second month. And why is it there in the first place? Aunt Noriko doesn't have one in place…' She thought of Saotome and two others. 'Could it be? I need to ask Uma, I don't think she'll get in trouble.'
Ripplers - Ripples - Sea related.
Terrible band naming, but it was all that I could think of. I just figured since STARISH and QUARTET NIGHT are about the sky (HEAVENS, too), I should think of something to do with the sea. Anyone reading this got a better idea?
And bonus, more info on Hikari's family + friends. Don't expect them to come up much, really. I mean, obviously, her family will make calls and maybe message her from time to time, but other than that… But i gotta plan. And That plan involves a lot of OCs, which means I gotta make a list.
Also recipes. These people mainly consist of idols and they need healthy things to eat, but I am at a complete blank. Help please?