A/N: Sorry for the long wait but I had to travel to a neighbor country because my favorite aunt passed away, thank godness I had the chance to say goodbye, sigh. Anyhow, most of this was written before that incident so it is not a sad chap and I will start chap 10 right away. Sorry about any errors you find but I didn't have time to proofread.

Panda2501: Thanks for reading my humble story, that makes me happy. Well I am planning to finish their first year soon, like in 2 or 3 chapters and then continue through their second and third year of high school maybe here or in a sequel story. Your english is fine, if you want you can write in spanish, I don't mind.

Syaoran Li Clow: Lol my 'year two' will be fluffy and nice, no worries there. They are the worst at expressing their thoughts but I think we need to give them time to evolve. Thanks for being a loyal reader I appreciate it.

Thestral212: A kiss! I know Kumiko is ecstatic just as I am, surprises are coming. Reina must fix her mess and Kumiko needs to figure a way to solve things too. I missed you too but life it's been hectic lately, I will try to write more [I owe you a chapter of 'La teacher' I haven't forgotten].

dinnca: I think that they are like that, a little naive at times but they will evolve, I will make sure of it, I am glad that you enjoyed the date.

Ruelf: Awww poor grandma, give her a hug and an apology on my behalf hehe.

We love us: Thanks so much!

VolpineGrinz: Oh well, it was a date even if Reina doesn't agree [I know that deep inside she does] here's a new chap, enjoy!.

Psykoakuma: Reina needs a bigger pair but hey, she had evolved in 8 chapters more than all the second season of the anime so we are getting places now, thanks for your support.

Guest: Thank you, I will continue writing it as long I get reviews.

Masane: Whan you have a character that forces you to read between the lines, things can be misunderstood 99% of the time so Reina is a comlplex but fantastic character to write about. At least Kumiko occassionally yells her thoughts. I think the way they have evolved is nice but they need more to work on before getting further in their relationship but I will work on that, thanks for reading.

Warnings: Lots of thoughts and blushing Reina is absolute heaven.

This chapter is dedicated to all of you who read my stories and leave reviews because those make me write even longer chapters, from the bottom of my heart thank you very much for your continuous support, you are the best!

Enjoy!

Maze

Kumiko couldn't sleep at all. Her brain decided on replaying yesterday's events over and over until the first rays of sunlight hit the euphonium player's room curtains. Kumiko couldn't be more confused by Reina's behavior earlier, well, more like her drowsy actions.

I mean she kissed me! Even if she was sleepy she had to remember.

She must!

Yesterday was such a nice day because we spent some time together and I learned so much more about her and I never thought she could be this sweet despite that silly mask of hers.

I just wish that kiss meant to her as much as it did to me.

"A kiss!" a surprised voice commented from behind Kumiko and she flinched "so you are finally going places, nice job Oumae~chan"

"Asuka-senpai" Kumiko paled while pronouncing the older girl's name.

"Oh, don't be like that and do share the juicy details" Asuka commented while adjusting her glasses.

"You don't even live around here, senpai" the auburn haired girl added between yawns, she didn't want to deal with the third year right now when her exhaustion could make her blurt out information she wasn't willing to disclose.

"That's…irrelevant" Asuka hesitated.

It's not like I am going to tell my dear Oumae-chan about last night at Kaori's.

"The one that actually lives in the area is Kao…"

"As I said, that is irrelevant Oumae~chan" the girl with glasses promptly interrupted.

"Fine" Kumiko snapped, she wasn't in the mood for pleasantries.

"Ouch…why you have to be so rude with your beloved senpai?"

"Beloved?" Kumiko sighed before muttering for herself "more like a nuisance"

"Did you say something Oumae-chan?"

"Not really senpai" Kumiko quickly added and Asuka gaped at her for several seconds and the former fidgeted nervously.

"Fine, let's go then"

"I…can't"

"Why not"

"Um…"

"Kousaka-san must be in school already, come on" Asuka grabbed Kumiko's uniform sleeve and pulled her into the train that, not a second later, closed its doors and left the station.

Reina dreamed with a starry night and fireworks. Actually, the trumpeter slept so well that she felt refreshed and a smile adorned her lips. But there was something bothering her. The trumpeter did remember going out with Kumiko and sharing sweet moments together specially the fact that the euphonium player even cooked for her but, after the painkillers made her sleepy, she just recalled bits here and there.

There is also the fact that I dreamed about kissing Kumiko right before I fell asleep.

Could it be…?

Reina still felt the lingering sensation of soft lips against hers but she wasn't completely sure if that was just a figment of her imagination or part of last night's events which were precious moments shared with the euphonium player.

I need to ask Kumiko about that...kiss.

But, how?

With those thoughts in mind, Reina got ready for school. Before leaving, she saw the blinking light of their answering machine and checked the messages. It was her mother telling her that both her father and she will stay the weekend abroad and they will be back by Monday morning.

Reina just sighed, she was used to be alone by now but it still surprised her how much trust their parents had on her. She hadn't even told them about her injured wrist because she didn't want them to worry about her. The trumpeter was extremely independent, stubborn and proud.

After taking a bath and getting dressed, Reina had a quick breakfast and fixed her bento. She was really glad that Kumiko left her some fried chicken leftovers that she could pack for lunch. The trumpeter checked her phone and saw that she was late so she hurried to get to the station and meet Kumiko to go to school together.

Reina was a fast runner even if she didn't do it that often and this time she didn't even consider it so she just walked as fast as she could to get to the station. So, when she was about to reach the bench she normally shared with Kumiko while waiting for the train, the trumpeter saw the auburn haired girl standing just a few meters away.

Instead of trying to catch the euphonium player's attention, Reina decided on walking faster to stop dead in her tracks a few seconds later when Asuka popped out of nowhere and drew dangerously close to the auburn haired girl.

Why is Asuka-senpai here? She doesn't live nearby.

The train arrived to the station but Kousaka Reina was rooted to the ground. Sudden anger started bubbling inside her while observing the third year teasing a not that uncomfortable looking Kumiko, according to the trumpeter's thoughts. She was utterly jealous, although she didn't recognize the feeling provided that it was unfamiliar to her.

She is even grabbing Kumiko by the hand!

I am not happy about this.

The train closed its doors and left the station and the trumpeter just gaped at it until it couldn't be seen anymore. She blinked twice before realizing that she was alone at the station and she shivered, feeling suddenly cold.

I thought Kumiko would wait for me.

A new train arrived the station and Reina got in. The trip to school was a blur for the trumpeter which mind was plagued by Kumiko. The trumpeter's brain decided on playing games on her and flashbacks of the day before played in her head and Reina couldn't help but smile slightly. But then, there was that dream again.

I kissed Kumiko in my dreams. It was a soft sensation that made me feel different, but in a good way. Like when you get something you like and that fills a hole you didn't know you had.

But, did I really do it? Or was it just a figment of my imagination?

I am so confused now.

And, what if it is true and I kissed Kumiko? the trumpeter paled and gasped.

"Kousaka-san, do you have any questions about the exercise your classmate just solved?" her teacher asked while frowning. It was so unlike her to be this distracted in class, actually she didn't even remember being in there at all.

"Not at all sensei, it was just that I moved my hand and it hurt" Reina lied with a steady voice and a serious expression, her mask was on and her teacher believed her words.

"If you need to go to the nurse's office just let me know"

"Of course sensei, I apologize for interrupting the class" Reina bowed respectfully and resumed her note taking while her mind was lost in a world that gravitated around certain auburn haired euphonium player.

It was lunch break and Kumiko was nowhere to be seen so, of course Reina was turning her head towards the door every five seconds waiting for Kumiko to arrive and share lunch with her, but that didn't happen.

Where is Kumiko?

Is she mad at me about something?

Reina stood, took her bento and walked down the hall towards Kumiko's classroom. She did want to eat lunch with the auburn haired girl and the trumpeter was determined to show the euphonium player how she really felt towards her, even if it was little by little due to the fact that feelings weren't her forte.

How could you tell the girl you like that she kissed you?

The auburn haired girl's cheeks tinted with a bright pink and Midori tilted her head confused while Hazuki ate her sandwich without a care in the world.

"Kumiko, are you okay?" the short blonde placed her petite hand on the euphonium player's forehead to check if she had a fever "your cheeks are red and you feel a little warm".

"I am fine, I just have…a little headache" the euphonium player lied and leaned back.

"You should take something for it before it turns into a migraine, Kumiko" Hazuki commented nonchalantly between bites of her yakisoba bread.

"It's nothing, really" the euphonium player insisted and squeaked when a cool green tea bottle was placed on his head. The auburn haired girl looked up and surprised golden found concerned purples and the former stiffened.

"Let's get you some pills, Kumiko" Reina added softly with a warm smile and Kumiko's face turned crimson after the trumpeter placed her forehead against the euphonium player's.

Ugh.

Too close.

The trumpeter placed her bento next to Kumiko's before taking the latter's hand and pulled her to walk towards her classroom. Reina had a small pouch with some meds over there and she was sure to have something for a headache in there.

"Kumiko" Reina whispered softly without looking at the auburn haired girl that followed in silence.

"Ye…Yes?"

"Um…I want to ask you something about…" Reina felt how her heart threatened with bursting out her chest so she stopped walking and took a deep breath to calm herself down before pronouncing the next two words "…last night".

Kumiko released Reina's hand and looked down, the euphonium player felt shy all of a sudden, her first kiss wasn't something that she wanted to discuss in the middle of the hallway of their school. So, she did what she normally did when she was nervous, she ranted.

"Last night? There's nothing to discuss about last night" Kumiko raised her hands defensively "it's not like anything happened between us…"

Oh god.

"But…"

"Can we just get the meds? My headache is getting worse, Reina" Kumiko averted her gaze and walked ahead while the trumpeter remained there, rooted to the spot.

Something happened because I can tell when Kumiko is lying, and she just did.

Now I really want to know the whole story.

"Reina" the trumpeter looked up and golden and purple met once more "are you coming?" the shorter girl raised her gaze and her mask was on again.

"Of course, let's go" Reina caught up with Kumiko and they resumed their walk to the former's classroom in silence.

The topic wasn't mentioned again but the trumpeter was determined to know what really happened between the two of them last night, the problem was in how to approach Kumiko without making the latter panic and run away, Reina had to play her cards right.

On the other hand, Kumiko was an emotional mess. First, Reina's recent behavior towards her was extremely confusing for the euphonium player, all those mixed signals were driving Kumiko crazy but were also giving her hope.

Second, the auburn haired girl knew that Reina was fixated with Taki-sensei so she tried to keep her feelings at bay but all this recent closeness was making Kumiko struggle. It took a lot of energy to keep her from falling harder for the beautiful trumpeter, as if.

And there was also the kiss they shared last night. Even if Reina was not completely conscious, Kumiko had the hope that the former actually meant it. But now that the trumpeter wanted to know more details about last night, Kumiko panicked because she wasn't prepared to confess and be rejected.

The euphonium player was so sure that her feelings were not going to be corresponded that she just wanted to keep their status quo and float in that limbo where she could be close to Reina on their 'close friendship' state despite the date they had the day before.

It was in fact a date, I mean I don't picture myself doing any of those things with Midori or Hazuki, so of course it was a date.

Even if Reina would die before recognizing it.

And the fact that the invitation came from her must mean something. And those cryptic words she said, I think she wants to open up and I am glad.

But goddammit Reina, would it kill you to be more straightforward about things for once?

"Here" Kumiko snapped out of her thoughts to find a trumpeter handing her 2 small pills while offering her a sip of the green tea bottle the trumpeter just drank from.

"Um…thanks" the euphonium player took the pills and put them in her mouth, they were bitter. Kumiko stared at the bottle then at Reina and her face burned even more before taking two big gulps of it swallowing the meds.

They went back to Kumiko's classroom to eat lunch. Once there, Hazuki was actively talking now because she was done with her food while Reina and Kumiko just ate in silence.

Kumiko didn't buy a drink so she was in need of one while Reina had hers so, after drinking some more, the latter offered it to the euphonium player who gladly accepted.

"Oh, an indirect kiss" Hazuki commented nonchalantly before turning to discuss about tubacabra with Midori one more time.

Kumiko almost choked with her drink while all her blood abandoned her face and now she looked as white as a paper sheet.

If only they knew that Reina kissed me less than 24 hours ago.

In contrast, Reina's chopsticks fell from her hand which she promptly picked up again and kept on eating not daring to look at the euphonium player but her cheeks turned a dark shade of pink betraying her thoughts.

A kiss.

Why does the thought of kissing Kumiko doesn't disturb me?

They kept on sharing the green tea bottle, not without blushing even more every time they remembered Hazuki's words. After finished eating, the trumpeter said bye and hurried to her classroom and Kumiko tried hard to concentrate in class to fail miserably due to all the things that had happened in the last twenty-four hours.

Unknown to the euphonium player, Reina was having the same struggle, the difference was that the trumpeter was better at pretending and her teachers at buying her excuses, being an honor roll student had its perks.

In the blink of an eye, classes were over and band rehearsals were due so Kumiko, Hazuki and Midori headed to the storage room to get their instruments to find Reina there with a sad look on her face.

Poor Reina not being able to play her trumpet.

"Um" Kumiko stood in front of the trumpeter, waited for Hazuki and Midori to leave before pressing her hands against Reina's cheeks "you will be fine soon"

"Kumi…ko?" Reina uttered surprised and thoughts of a kiss shared with the euphonium player plagued her mind and her face and ears flushed.

"You will be fine soon" Kumiko insisted.

"I will…be fine soon" the trumpeter stated confidently.

"That's right" the auburn haired girl smiled before releasing her cheeks and turning to grab her euphonium from the case.

"Are you staying Reina?" Kumiko asked softly, the two girls were alone in the storage room.

"I…" the trumpeter looked down to her injured wrist and sadness was written all over her delicate features "don't know what to do"

Kumiko turned to look at Reina but didn't dare to comment, there was one of those rare times that the trumpeter opened up and the euphonium player didn't want to ruin the moment.

"I love playing the trumpet and now I can't" Reina sighed defeated "it's like part of my soul was taken away from me"

"I know but you will be fine, Reina" Kumiko smiled sincerely and the trumpeter felt the urge of approaching the taller girl and hug her but she had to gasp surprised when the auburn haired girl was faster and hugged her leaving her euphonium on the floor.

They stayed like that for several seconds while Kumiko reassured and reminded Reina that everything would be fine like a mantra that made the trumpeter warm inside and her ears burned.

Taking a small step back, Reina looked up and purple locked with golden and the trumpeter's hand took one of Kumiko's and her face dangerously approached the euphonium player's whose eyes widened but didn't move an inch. Just when Reina's breath tickled Kumiko's face, the storage's room door opened violently and fuming purple gaped at amused blue.

"Well, well, well, look what we have here" Asuka adjusted the rim of her red glasses and tilted her head before continuing "the wounded trumpet and the dreamy euphonium"

"What's with the nicknames, senpai" Kumiko replied annoyed while grabbing her euphonium from the floor.

"Kumiko" Reina called from behind and the first year turned to find cold purple gaping at her with anger "I will see you tomorrow"

"But…" she couldn't finish her voicing her thoughts because the trumpeter got out of the room and slammed the door before leaving.

"Oh dear" Asuka covered her mouth dramatically "the trumpet is getting less straight by the minute; this is interesting" Kumiko tried to chase Reina still holding her euphonium but the third year grabbed her protégé by the arm and stopped the younger girl.

"Let her go" the older girl snickered with mischief "she need to be alone and you need to go to practice so shoo"

"Fine" Kumiko sighed defeated and headed out towards the music room leaving the older euphonium alone in the storage room.

"So the trumpet is bi curvy now, huh?" Asuka smiled to herself and her eyes shone with mirth "things will get more interesting now".

A/N: It sounds like Asuka has a plan, right? we will see how things go...review?