Chapter II

Welcome to Kaisei Academy, a school like no other, it swarms with elites such as a son of a composer, a business tycoon heir, daughter of a famous dancer, and so on and so forth. It is currently the most prominent Private High School in Japan, situated on 150 hectares of land. A soccer field, a gym, a track field, a badminton and tennis area, a private pool, an open concert hall for live bands, a closed concert hall for classical music, 10 6 floor buildings, an art gallery and a huge auditorium that can accommodate 30,000 people.

However, even if the school is well known for having students that came from wealthy families, they welcome students from regular households. The person who holds the biggest share in the said school is Minami Kuruha. She's also the principal of the school and chairwoman of the board, a kind and generous person. She implemented the scholarship programs so that everyone can have a chance to enter the prestigious school. Her husband died in a plane crash leaving her with her daughter, Minami Kotori who also attends Kaisei. She is an 11th grader who is part of the art society for having an exceptional talent in dress making.

The second biggest shareholder is the richest person in Japan, Tainaka Shuhei, President of Tainaka Corporation, a big company in Japan that produces high class cars. He is a well-known business tycoon that reign crosses through different countries. His lovely wife is the only daughter of a famous band leader, her name is Tainaka Rumia. Shuhei had two sons from her named Tainaka Ritsu and Tainaka Satoshi. Satoshi is a 7th grader who attends an all-boys private school while Ritsu is an 11th grader of Kaisei academy. Tainaka Ritsu or well known as Rikun is a music lover, like his grandfather he is a famous drummer but currently not in a band right now. His band got disbanded after one of the band members got in an accident.

The third biggest shareholder is Ayase Kumino. She's the founder of Ayase trade group, a well known conglomerate that does trade-ins from different countries. She's the grandmother of Ayase Eriha and Ayase Alisa. Alisa is also a 7th grader, attending Fukuoka Junior High. She's the fiancée of Tainaka Satoshi, meanwhile Eriha, the current Student council President of Kaisei is an 11th grader like Ritsu but the total opposite of him. Ritsu is an outgoing type of guy, easy to approach and very funny. Eriha is a cold and reserved type but also admired by many because of his IQ and physical appearance. He plays the violin and he is a very good dancer.

The last two shareholders of Kaisei academy are Nishikino Sumire and Sonoda Mamoru. Sumire is the owner of Japan's biggest hospital. She has a daughter named Nishikino Makiwho at her age is a well known composer. Maki plays the piano, like Eriha she is cold and unfriendly, also the fiancée of Ritsu but only because of their family ties.

Sonoda Mamoru came from an old family, the Sonoda are one of the richest well known traditional families in Japan. He has an only son named Sonoda Umi, currently top student of Kaisei Academy. He is a kind gentleman. Since he came from a traditional family, his way of talking and presenting himself is all composed. He is the childhood sweetheart and fiancé of Kotori.

They are the most well known individuals in Kaisei Academy. Ritsu, Kotori, Maki and Umi are all childhood friends, the four met Eriha back in their 10th grade. They befriended him through Alisa. Student sometimes calls them the big 5. Some admires them and some are scared mostly because of Eri and Maki. However, one particular student thinks of them as rich spoiled brat. Yazawa Nico.

Nico or well known as Nico-ni by his fans is a son of a regular fisherman. He's not smart but he is talented. He plays the guitar and drums, is an exceptionally awesome singer. They call him a musical prodigy. The chairwoman herself is the one who got him in the school. He has a band named Hokago Tea Time, a band that Ritsu sought to join in so much but Nico always rejects his application. HTT is one of the well known bands in Kaisei, includes 4 members, Akiyama Mio, Hoshizora Rin, Kotobuki Tsumugi and of course Nico.

The sky was so clear that day when a navy haired young man grabbed a sit near the only open window of an empty room and poured himself a nice cup of tea that he previously took laying on the table beside the entrance door. A light breeze came from the open window bumps to his bare skin. He rested his back comfortably on the chair and breathes the fresh air that keeps on entering. Hearing only noises of birds chirping and rustling of the sakura leaves when the spring breeze passes by, "Just what I needed," he mumbles. An empty room with that kind of ambiance, he stayed for the rest of the remaining time before his class starts. Normally he only stays when there is a meeting held by the Student Council President but it's been quite stressful these past few days for him since his father forced him to work part time in one of their established company. To prepare him, he said. His days were already busy with his student council duties, his archery club, his studies and now this. It starts to take a toll on him, something like this is really what he needed right now.

The peaceful moment he was enjoying could've lasted longer if not only for a familiar brunet suddenly entering the cozy room. He lightly lifted an eyebrow seeing the lifeless brunet, pale skin and dead eyes his comment as he studied the poor young man who entered. "You look miserable, another one of those rejections?" he asked getting out of his comfortable trance. The brunet only replied with a faint nod and took a sit next to him. Getting that response he gazed at his half-finished tea lying on top of the long table in front of him. He placed the tip of his fingers on the body of the cup only to find that the tea is still warm, the corner of his mouth turned up lightly. "I think Nico-chan hates me, Umi." He heard the brunet talk. He looked at him once more to only find the brunet laying his head face first on the long table. Umi's expression dulled, "I told you a hundred times 'Join UTX'. They will accept you with open arms." He said before coolly taking a sip on his tea cup. The brunet slammed his fist on the long table, "I will never join them!" he retorted now facing Umi with his head up.

"What's with the hostile attitude?"

"I just don't.."

"Why?" He insisted asking.

The brunet's previous annoyed expression transformed into an embarrassed state, "I— I'm scared of.. Tsubasa." Umi almost choked on his tea from his friend stammered reply. He lowered his head and placed a hand on his mouth then chuckled lightly. "UMI!" The fuming brunet shouted in embarrassment. "I'm sorry, Ritsu. I did not expect someone like you would get scared to anyone. I thought the Tainaka's are all tough." He apologized while wiping a tear that escaped his eye using his palm. Only when he's with people he trusts that he can be like this. He's not the cool, calm and collected Sonoda Umi, he is just simply Umi.

"Mou.. Of course we are." Ritsu glared at his friend. Umi just brushed it off, "What about other bands? Like Poppin Party? They're good." He suggested while setting down his empty cup. Ritsu threw his body to the table lazily, facing Umi "They're good but HTT is so much better." Umi did not say any further, he just closed his eyes and gave Ritsu a nod. He gazed at the dancing cherry blossoms and remembers the first time he saw HTT playing, his mouth curved into a smile. He remembered how beautiful that song they played that it made the girl beside him tear up. He clearly remembers how he offered his handkerchief to her but instead she took his shoulder and hugged him tight.

"Hey! Hey! Snap out of it!" His focus went to the hands of Ritsu that are still waving at him, getting his attention. No word was given to the brunet though, only an indifferent look. "Geez.." Ritsu dropped both hands in the air followed by a sigh of exasperation. They did not know that a pair of amber eyes had been watching them for awhile now, "You two get along so well." A familiar voice echoed inside the student council office. Both of them turned to where it came from, they found a light brown haired girl with soft droopy eyes and looped side ponytail standing at the entrance door smiling at them. "Kotori," the navy haired called her standing up from the chair he comfortably took pleasure of, his own amber eyes bored to her beautiful ones. A smile crept over his lips just by seeing her.

"Good morning, Umi-chan" she greeted him, with her hand clasped at her back and bending slightly forward, giving him an angelic smile, her soft hair bounces mildly. Umi coolly locate his way to shorten their distance not breaking their eye lock, when he finally stood in front of her he gently took her now unclasped hands and placed a kiss on her forehead. A flush crept on Kotori's cheeks, she never get used to Umi's way of showing affection. He knew he showed her magic when he caught her smile.

Ritsu just smiled in the corner watching the scene between his two childhood friends. This kind of thing for him is normal in his everyday life. "I hope you are not forgetting that I'm also here, Kotori-chan." He teased. Kotori broke her gaze towards Umi to give attention to the other person inside the room, her smile remained, "Good morning to you too, Rikun." He responded with a slightly bend head, the corner of his eyes wrinkled and his lips curved up showing some part of his bright teeth.

Umi inched the gap between his mouth and Kotori's ear. He started to whisper something to her. Her head start to rise up, she placed a hand on her cheeks and slightly open her mouth, then she looked at Ritsu, "My, My.." Words escaped from her lips. Ritsu raised an eye brow, "What now?" he asked in curiosity.

"Tsubasa is a friend of mine. If you want I could ask her to be gentle toward you." Ritsu face-palmed, his mouth fell open releasing a long sigh. "No thank you." Umi let out a mild chuckle that made Ritsu's jaw clench, he slammed his fist on the long table once more, "Mou!"

"Rikun is cute when he is angry." The brown haired girl commented, having her hand on her lips, hiding her short giggle.

"What's with you two today? You're ganging up on me." Ritsu lazily arch back to his chair, hanging is head back ward, shutting his eyes.

"Oh! By the way, Rikun." Kotori interjected. "Hmm?" Is all he said while not moving an inch. "HTT have a new member, I think her name if I remember correctly. It's Toujou Nozomi."

"What?!" Ritsu stood up from his chair, his mouth gawked. Both of his hands drop in the table in front of him, "Nico-chan really hates me." He shuts his eye before another sigh escape his mouth.

"I agree on Umi-chan. Hanayo-chan kept on asking me on when you are going to join UTX."

He slouched back again on the chair behind him. "Tell her I will never join that band." He waved his hand in the air signaling he is not interested. "Rikun is mean," earning a pout from Kotori.

Umi patted Kotori's head, "He is stubborn."

Ritsu rested his head on the table, "I would rather be in a band with Eri than be in a band with Tsubasa." He said.

"I'm sorry but I only play classical music," a familiar voice spoke. The three gazed where the voice came from. They found two males, a tall blond and a tawny haired smiling at the three of them.

The tall blond find his way to his table and set the papers he carried on top of it. After setting them down he looked at Ritsu lifting an eyebrow, "What's this about anyway?"

"Oh, it's nothing. Hehe." The brunet faked a laugh answering his question. Both Umi and Kotori just kept silent. Kotori grabbed Umi's shoulder. Umi held her hand and looked at her, giving her a soft smile.

The blond gave the brunet a sharp look, his mouth set in a hard line. His face was contorted with irate. "Is this about you joining that band again?" The harshness in his voice is so visible. Ritsu turned his gaze away from the blond's livid eyes. He lowered his head and greeted his teeth. The mood in the previously restful room became so tense. Umi step in between, "Let's not make this into another fight between you two." He said. Pleading.. No, more like demanding. He gave both the cold stare. I will punch you myself if you don't behave, kind of stare.

"Ahh~ Yes, Yes. I'll take my leave now." Ritsu throw in. He left his chair and made his way to the entrance door without even looking at any of them. His back now facing them all, he just waved his hand lazily before finally stepping out. "Rikun…" Kotori mumbled, her lip quiver squeezing Umi's hand. Umi bored his eyes to the blond, "You should stop this, Eri." The corner of his lips slightly fell down, "Before the two of you starts to avoid one another because of that silly grudge you have."

"You don't understand." Eriha retorted, his jaw tightened, his hand formed into fist.

Umi gave him a half-smile, "I do and I know he is not the real Eriha." Eri tear his gaze away from him but did not say a thing. "We'll see you later at lunch. I'm expecting that you two made up by then." Umi said with a grin in his face. "Bye Bye, Eri-chan and Honoka-chan." Kotori said, giving the two a cheerful smile. Eri responds with a weak smile. Honoka childishly wave goodbye to the two before they finally left.

A purple haired girl is idly waiting for someone to pick her up. She's a bit anxious ever since she landed at Narita International Airport. It's been 4 years. The girl scanned her surroundings. Big and crowded is her comment. Few eyes that pass her by steal glances at her hourglass figure. She's in a black and white checkered sailor skirt partnered with a grey V-neck cotton vest covering a short plain white sleeve decorated with a green checkered ribbon necktie. The front of the vest has a Kaisei Academy logo patch at the upper left side. "Aren't you cold? It's still spring you know." Her emerald eyes turned to where that beautiful male voice came from. A smile crept on her face when she saw the short black haired young man. He is wearing black and white checkered pants and on top is a black blazer with Kaisei Academy logo patch on its upper left pocket, also a checkered green necktie on his white sleeve.

"Nicochi!"

"Did you wait long?" The scarlet eyed male asked the purple twin tailed. She shook her head lightly. "You grew, Nicochi!" She blurted out. Nico's face flushed in embarrassment, "Ba- Baka! Of course I did!" He shouted. The purple haired just giggled. She remembered when they're little Nico is the shortest in their class. He is still short though. "Anyway, aren't you really cold? Where's your blazer?" Nico asked checking her whole body. She placed the tip of her finger on the bottom of her cheek and bent her head lightly, "Hmm, still in the box I guess." She said looking upward. A nerve popped up on Nico's forehead, "Dammit, Nozomi. You arrived yesterday and still haven't unpacked all your belongings?" he hissed.

"I'm tired so I slept whole day." She said giving him a childish grin. Nico shuts his eyes and turned around, "Whatever, let's go. We'll be late." He starts walking towards the exit of the station. "Wait for me, Nicochi!" Nozomi linked her hand to Nico's shoulder. She smiled walking sideways with him. Nico's expression remained dulled.

The two finally arrived at the academy, glares shot at their sight. A sigh escaped Nico's mouth. He unlinked Nozomi's hand from his shoulder. Nozomi cocked her head in confusion. "You're new here so it's better if you don't stand out so much on your first day." Nico suggested. Nozomi remembered the conversation between him and her at the phone few days ago. He mentioned that he's kinda famous in the said school. He knew that his best friend hates so much attention and this right now gather so much unwanted attention. The rich loves to gossip he said. Nozomi nodded in agreement and followed Nico silently.

At the HTT club room, Nico introduced the new member of the band. "Guys, she's our new member. Toujou Nozomi" All of them stared at the voluptuous purple haired beauty. Nozomi smiled at them. "Nice to meet you all everyone, please take good care of me." She bowed her head. The three members did not utter a word. They are still examining the new arrival. One of them, an orange haired male with a petite body suddenly dragged Nico in a corner.

"Neh, Nico-chan, who is th-" The orange haired took another look at the purple haired young woman, his eyes squinted at her image. "That su— suspicious girl?" he continued. Nico raised an eyebrow, "Suspicious? She's my best friend. She's not suspicious." Nico cleared out. The orange young male is not satisfied he still kept studying new girl, "But.." Nico chuckled realizing why his friend acts this way toward his best friend. "Not all sexually attractive women are suspicious, Rin. They are not like that sensei you are so afraid of." Rin's eyes bored into Nico's as if like he is asking him if he is so sure. "Now go introduce yourself to her, you will find that she is very kind." Nico pushed him towards the three whom now getting familiar with each other.

"Ano.." Rin caught Nozomi's attention, "I'm Hoshizora Rin the lead Guitarist of HTT. Nice to meet you, Nozomi-chan!" Bowing and held his hand for a hand shake. The three girls face reddened from his boldness. Rin suddenly receive a light smack on the head from Nico, "What's with the first name basis all of a sudden?!" to think that earlier you brand her as suspicious. You're the suspicious one idiot, Nico face-palmed. "It's okay, Nicochi. Nice to meet you too, Rin-chan." Nozomi grabbed Rin's hand for a hand shake. Rin looked up to her, still rubbing his head from Nico's smack. He turned crimson all of a sudden after he saw Nozomi's angelic smile.

"You can also call me 'Nozomi', Tsumugi-chan and Mio-chan." Nozomi said to the raven haired and the blonde one. The two girls introduced their selves to her earlier when Rin and Nico were talking in the corner.

Mio Akiyama the long raven haired is the band's bassist. Like the two male member she's also on a scholarship. She's smart, shy and a scaredy cat. Rin always teases her. Tsumugi the blonde one is an heiress to a wealthy family. She's a professional pianist. She even held her own concert a few times now. Rin even wondered how Nico got her on the band but stopped wondering when a certain brunet started to beg Nico to let him join his band.

"We- welcome to the ba- band!" The shy Mio mumbled then bowed. Nozomi's mouth curved into a smile, she finds her cute "Thank you, Mio-chan."

"What instrument are you good at, Nozomi-chan?" Tsumugi asked in curiosity.

Nozomi shook her head lightly "I'm not good with any but I'm a writer so maybe I could help writing some of your songs."

"That's great!" the blonde heiress said in delight.

"We're still missing a drummer.. nya!" Rin interjected.

Nico forced a smile, "We'll find someone to fill that part" He scratched the back of his head. Nozomi's forehead furrowed, she raised a brow "Is something wrong?" Nozomi asked seeing Nico getting tense.

"It's his fault why we still don't have a drummer." Tsumugi uttered teasingly. "Yes! Yes!" supported by the orange lad thrusting his fists in the air.

Nico's face went red, "Shu— shut up! You two!" he snapped, Nozomi's eyes widened on her best friend reaction. Mio crept at Nozomi's side, Nozomi did not even noticed her. "Tainaka Ritsu-kun kept on joining the band but Nico kept on rejecting him, he is an amazing drummer and also famous. Now he's having a hard time finding a drummer because he always compares them to him." The timid girl mumbled having a bit of flush on her face. Nozomi tilted her head on the girl's action, why is she getting flushed? And why does Nicochi rejecting this Tainaka boy if he's that good?

"Why do you even have to find someone when I'm already begging you to let me be part of your band?" A smiling Ritsu rammed in. All of them gape at the unwanted guest. Tsumugi giggled. Rin gave him a big smile. Nozomi is clueless on who is the guy standing beside the door. Mio's flush went wider.

Well, Nico.. Nico got pissed off as usual "You're here again, Tainaka?! Are you deaf or what?! I already said a thousand times that I reject your proposal!" He hissed. Nozomi's eyes bored into the brunet's stature. So this is the famous Tainaka Ritsu.

"Mou, Nico-chan. Don't be mean. Give me a chance." The brunet winked at him.

Nico's eyes twitched in irritation, Tsumugi giggled again. "You really piss me off"

Nico's comment made the brunet chuckle "Haha, Eri also tells me that lot of times. You and Eriha have a short fuse" he joked.

Nozomi froze on the mention of Eriha's name. Her breaths quickened, she pressed a hand on her chest. Why? Why after a very long time, that boy still has so much effect on her. Is this why she's anxious? Why she does not want to come back to Japan in the first place?

To be continued ~