Summary: AU RYOSAKU If one Echizen Ryoma finds out that shy Ryuzaki Sakuno was actually Vermilion, Japan's current rising star, what's the poor girl to do to keep her identity a secret?

Disclaimer: POT is not mine. Hear Me Cry isn't mine either. It's owned by Utada Hikaru and co. You Raise Me up is sung by Lena Park, so I don't own it. Really. (Romeo x Juliet- I love it so much!)

Chapter 2: Discovery

"You seem unusually happy today, Ryoma. Did something happen?"

Ryoma looked up from playing with his pet cat, quirking an eyebrow at his cousin. "Do I look like I'm happy?"

Nanako laughed, shaking her head. "You're so uncute sometimes." He snorted. "So, did something happen?"

"I met someone interesting."

Her ears perked up. "Really? A girl, maybe?"

"Yeah."

"Is she nice?"

"I think so."

"Is she smart?"

"Maybe."

"Is she pretty?"

"Ye-" He whipped his head to look at her again. "What on earth are you playing at?"

Nanako grinned evilly. "Nothing much. I can't believe you're finally getting interested in girls! This is amazing, Ryoma-kun!" she teased.

A corner of his mouth lifted slightly, and Nanako saw his eyes soften ever-so-slightly before he turned away again. "Ryoma-kun, huh?"

She laughed softly to herself and decided to leave him to his thoughts. Looks like Ryoma is really growing up now…

When Ryoma opened the door to his room, he was not-that-surprised to find his stupid perverted oyaji inside, fiddling with his player. He groaned inwardly. What does that old man want now? "Oyaji, get out of my room."

"Wait, wait! I just need to watch this!"

Ryoma sighed and flopped down on his bed, throwing an arm over his eyes. "You have your own room. Watch your perverted movies there."

"But this isn't perverted, you brat! It's- YES!"

Can you tell me
How can you say
Why this should suffice
You passed me by
And your heart is
As cold as ice

Ryoma's eyes snapped open.

"Ahhh! She's so cute!"

It sounds familiar… somehow… I think I've heard that voice before… Ryoma propped himself on his elbows, inwardly rolling his eyes when he saw his oyaji plastered to the TV screen. "You're not going to see anything that way, baka. Who is that anyway?"

Nanjiroh glared at him, fake tears in his eyes. "You mean you don't know? What did I do to have such a useless son?"

Ryoma groaned at the melodramatics. Really.

"She's Vermilion, you brat! The hottest singer in town! Ahh… such a lovely voice…"

Vermilion, huh? I probably just heard it somewhere…

"Hey, Ryuzaki."

"H-hai, Ryoma-kun?"

A smirk tugged at his lips. "Can I borrow your book? I left mine."

She blinked in surprise. "O-oh. Of course. W-would you like me to come closer?"

This time, he really smirked. Such a nice girl. "That'd be good." It was only after the words left his mouth that he realized he spoke in English. "I mean-"

"Okay." She smiled shyly and pushed her table closer to his, her cheeks flushing prettily.

He blinked. She understood him so easily? "I'm bored. Are you?" he asked cautiously.

She blushed deeper. "N-not really. Akira-sensei is just pretty quiet sometimes…"

His eyes widened slightly, surprised at her fluency. And she looked like she doesn't even realize she's speaking a different language altogether. "You have a nice accent," he remarked offhandedly.

"Thank you, Ryo-" Her hand flew to her mouth in surprise. "Have I been- I mean, did I-?" Her cheeks flamed, and she turned away.

He smirked. This was going to be interesting.

"Osakada."

Tomo turned around and almost melted on the spot when she saw Echizen Ryoma standing before her. "R-ryoma-sama! What do you need?" she squeaked loudly.

Ryoma rolled his eyes inwardly. Girls. "You're friends with Ryuzaki?"

"Of course! We've been together through everything! And we were best friends ever since-"

"Does she speak English?" he cut off.

Tomo blinked in surprise. "English?" She shook her head and laughed. "Oh no! She's so bad at speaking she can't even form a sentence. She's good at writing them though…" She tilted her head curiously. "Why do you want to know, Ryoma-sama?"

Ryoma shrugged casually. "No reason. Thanks. Bye."

Tomo stared at his retreating form. Could it possibly be-?

She's so bad at speaking she can't even form a sentence.

Ryoma frowned to himself, wondering if Osakada was lying. He thought Ryuzaki was so good she could pass for a foreigner if it weren't for her Japanese features. A fluke, maybe? Or was she hiding it? He wondered why she would do so. He wondered why on earth he was so concerned about such a trivial matter anyway. Running a hand through his damp hair, he hoisted his tennis bag over his shoulder and was about to open the classroom door to get his school bag when-

When I am down and oh, my soul so weary
When troubles come and my heart burdened be

His hand froze. That voice again… it was coming from inside. That concert idol? In his school? Impossible.

He turned the knob silently and opened the door to see a familiar profile- twin auburn braids, large glasses-

Then I am still and wait here in the silence
Until you come and sit awhile with me

"Ryuzaki?"

To be continued…

Omg. That was so not my best chapter, but I was lacking any ideas. But never fear! The other chappies are better (I think). Thanks to everyone who's reading this fic!

If you could drop a review, it'd be very appreciated.

Queen Mist