Disclaimer: I don't own Phantom of the Opera, or Sekaiichi Hatsukoi.

... I hope this doesn't seem like a filler chapter! But we're almost to the masquerade! D:

Clasping hands, they led each other up, up, up the staircase, leaving behind the crowding stage. Yukina clutched Kisa to his chest, leading him off the stage and down to his band, attempting to settle them; Yokozawa was seen looking out from behind the velvet curtain, hands clutched to his sides, eyes red-rimmed; Hatori had the tall girl held against his chest, her appearing to be holding on for dear life, her bonnet askew, while Hatori's arms were loose, as if he were trying to reason with himself if this was okay or not; and Ryuichiro held hands tightly with Kaoru, who appeared too shocked to fight back.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please remain in your seats! It was an accident... simply an accident..."

At this, Kaoru wheeled on the noirette, eyes holding an anger that had never once been released on Ryuichiro, "Does this really seem like an accident to you, Ryuichiro-sama?!" he snapped, yanking his hand away from the manager's, shoulders going tense, "It's not an accident! You should of just had Onodera-sama be the lead to begin with! You've made the Phantom mad, Ryuichiro-sama, and you cannot blame this to be an accident!"

Ryuichiro went rigid, his body going cold on the spot, unsure how to react at the normally respectful man's anger, though was lucky enough to be unable to, Mino walking up and placing a hand on Kaoru's tense shoulder. He muttered something that Ryuichiro could not make out, before guiding the other manager of the house offstage as more gathered on, and Ryuichiro seemed to much in a daze to of gotten mad at Mino's unneeded shoulder-grasping.

Above them, on the opera house's roof, twilight settled over the city, the remaining shafts of sunlight giving the sky as well as Ritsu's hair a glow.

An glanced over to the boy, who was staring at an angel statue, "Ricchan - why have you brought us up here?"

He turned on her, green eyes wide, "Don't make me go back there!" he cried, grip tightening on her hand.

"Ricchan, we have to return!"

"But he'll kill me!"

"He won't..."

"He'll find me..."

"Ricchan, please don't say that..."

"His eyes burn, An-chan!"

"You shouldn't think about it..."

"He'll have to kill a thousand men..."

"Don't talk about this nightmare, forget it..."

"The Phantom of the Opera will kill..."

"Ricchan, the Phantom is nothing more than a fable..."

"- and kill again!"

"There is no Phantom, Ricchan!"

"Then, my God, who is this man, who hunts to kill! I can't escape from him, he said so... I never will!"

"... There isn't a Phantom..."

Ritsu's head shock, hands clenching into fists, "An-chan, I've been in his labyrinth! I've seen him!" he blinked, the glazed over look appearing once more in his emerald eyes, "But his voice... it has such a sweet sound..."

An bit her lip, "Ricchan, it had to of been a dream, nothing more..."

"But his eyes seem so sad, An-chan..."

At that, she grabbed his arm, her tone turning comforting, "Oh, Ricchan... Stop talking of such things! There's nothing to fear... I'll be there for you!" she chirped, smiling, beaming, a light radiating off her, "After all, I love you, Ricchan, it's what I'm supposed to do!"

She yanked onto the arm she still had hold of, pulling him closer, lips closing over his - the boy gave a start, pulling away from her.

"Ano - An-chan, I have to go, they'll wonder where I am."

"Ricchan, I love you!"

The boy gave a blink, than a reassuring smile to the girl before rushing back downstairs, her following at a slower pace so as not to trip and rip the hem of her satin dress. "She'll guard me, and she'll guide me..."

Back on the roof, a shadow stirred from behind the angel statue, the Phantom stepping out, shoes hitting the roof with a clicking sound.

"I gave you my music, helped your career take flight, and this is how you repay me? Denied and betrayed me... She was bound to love you when she heard you sing."

He turned round, eyes glancing down the staircase Ritsu and An had taken not a moment before.

"Ritsu, Ritsu... You'll regret not doing as I ask of you."

Curtains closed, the members of the opera house and the night's play stepping out, Ritsu's hand held by Kisa's as an encouraging gesture, though the opera star could feel the dancer's racing pulse and jittery movements. Kisa's eyes momentarily glanced up to Box Five, checking, and - yes, good, now it was empty. He took a relieved breath, and, before turning back to the audience, caught sight that Kaoru was not next to Ryuichiro in the managers' box. Looking back to the star beside him, he gave a bright smile, bowing in time with Ritsu, not checking to see if it was in sync with anyone else.

Up above, a laugh sounded, the lights flickering on and off from the chandelier. Kisa gave a gasp, though made sure he nor Ritsu let go of the other's hand, Kisa so Ritsu wouldn't break underneath the audience, Ritsu so he'd have his old life preserver back.

"Go!"

And, at that, the chandelier fell to the stage at Ritsu's feet.

Green eyes jolted open, and he wondered briefly where the hell he was and why the fuck are there so many people here, God, before realizing he was seated on the train, Takano standing in front of him, once again giving him the only open seat when he'd spotted how sleep-deprived the newbie was, staying up all night with the help of energy drinks to avoid the Phantom.

The Phantom.

And, after coming to the second realization in the last five minutes, he gave a loud groan that attracted not only the eyes of his editor-in-chief but also several other occupants' of the train, fingers digging through his hair.

He'd dreamed about the Phantom again.

It's so short! D: But I had a lot of fun writing it, and the next chapter should be out soon, so don't worry! :D

SaySaeri: Well there so cuutttteeeee~ :3

loopyhutton: Thanks! :D

NinjaSheik: Kisa's always cute! xD Here's the update, but it's so shorrttt! D:

nekocandy4life: Even though I really like Yokozawa, I had fun writing that xD At first I wasn't going to kill him off, but then I had no idea what to do! D: Anyway, here's the next chapter, woot! :D