"Asuzumi-san? What happened?" the Seigaku player with porcupine-like hair asked and immediately offered a white hankie. "Was that Takahashi-san from the other class?"

The lass accepted the hankie and simply nodded.

Chapter 10: THE UNVEILING

"The truth shall set you free."

"You don't know what else will happen to you today. I know something good could still happen."

Yuri simply looked at her classmate with dejected eyes. "I'm sorry. I just can't think positively now."

"It's okay," Fuji responded. "I'm not forcing you to do so."

"Good!" The Black Rose then looked away. "All we have to do is wait for Sadaharu. Any requests?" She positioned herself, ready to play.

"Nope. Play whatever you wish."

"Okay," she agreed, and started playing. The tensai was awed by her violin skills. The only thing that bothered him was that the piece didn't seem to match Yuri's current emotion.

The data player arrived and asked Fuji from behind, "Eh? Bach's Violin Concerto?" Upon hearing Inui's voice, Yuri played a wrong note and eventually stopped.

"Not again… I can't believe I can't do it perfectly," she murmured, then turned to her friends with a smile. "I won't finish it, okay?"

The two lads just nodded even though they wanted her to finish the piece.

"Wait for a moment." Yuri put her violin back into the case. "I'll just return the things I borrowed after we eat lunch. Now, where do you guys want to eat?"

"Are you sure you want to treat us to lunch?" Inui doubtingly asked.

"Yes," the violin player replied simply. "So, where would you like to eat?"

"Is it okay if you choose for us?" the tensai asked humbly.

"If you say so."

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The tensai and the data player found themselves in a fancy, luxurious restaurant. Their faces were filled with astonishment; they couldn't believe that they were really in one of the famous restaurants in the region. The three were seated at a round table waiting to be served.

"Since when did the service here become slow?" Yuri sounded irritated, wanting the staff to hear her comment. Immediately, a waiter gave each of them a menu.

"May I take your order, sirs, ma'am…?" he asked with a trembling voice.

The waiter left right after taking their orders since he too didn't want to stay with them any longer—being with the owner's vexed granddaughter.

The Black Rose glanced at her companions' faces. "Is this place okay? From the looks of your faces… We could transfer to another restaurant if you'd like."

The two right away shook their heads in disagreement. "Really, this place is fine."

Inui pointed out, "The thing is—don't you think eating here is costly?"

"Yeah, I think it's costly here…" the tensai added.

Yuri sighed. "You shouldn't be worrying about that. And besides, I'm the one paying the bill, right?"

"But—" they chorused.

"Do you think I'll come here without enough money, huh?" she confidently bragged. "Moreover, we own this place."

The lads weren't able to answer, and looked somewhat ashamed. The young lass looked at both of her friends more closely.

"I should have taken you to a boutique before we came here," she said. "The people here seem to be questioning why you're wearing those. But you wouldn't like that, neh?" Then she chuckled.

Before either of them could answer, the food arrived.

"Let's dig in!" the hungry girl exclaimed, and they started eating.

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After they ate, Yuri invited both guys to go with her to a flower shop. Of course, they could have disagreed since they got what they came for, but their friend's gestures showed that she wanted their company. She probably didn't want to be lonely, especially that day, and they couldn't just leave her alone. When they reached the shop, Yuri let the guys wait for her outside as she bought a bouquet of dark crimson roses.

"You're mourning," Inui intelligently uttered. "That's the meaning of those roses, right?"

"Yup, that's right," the violin player replied to her companion. "I guess you now know where I'm going next. It's my father's death anniversary today. Do you guys want to come to the cemetery with me? And I guess you want to question me about a few things." Then she smiled unnaturally.

Annoyed, Inui pinched both of Yuri's cheeks. "Stupid smile—I won't let go unless you make that forced smile disappear."

The girl started to talk but unfortunately, the words were slurred and cannot be understood. Her eyes turned a bit watery, asking him to let go.

With his usual smile, Fuji said to her, "Why didn't you just tell us you wanted some company? You know we'll understand."

"You sure can be an idiot," the data player complained as he released Yuri's cheeks and smacked her head slightly. When he pinched her he noticed that she was kinda hot. He made certain by placing his right hand over her forehead and his left on his forehead. "You're a bit hot. Are you sick?"

"No, I'm not!" the Black Rose retorted, grabbed the Inui's right hand, and forced it to let go of her.

"Let me see." Fuji placed his hand over his friend's forehead. "Yes, you are." He turned to his teammate and asked if he had something to lower a fever.

"We could make a juice," the data player suggested.

"No thanks!" Yuri blurted out. "This is just a slight fever and it isn't serious! I can die just from drinking his juice! I don't want that!"

"Why don't we make her drink your juice when she fells asleep or something?" "How can we do that?" The two sadists started making plans and imagining the possible faces their friend might make…

They were enjoying themselves, which made Yuri raise her hand, ready to pound them. "Why are you guys so…"

"Say it—that you want us to come with you," Inui ordered her seriously. "Is it that hard to tell us that?"

Dumbfounded, she too was wondering why she couldn't ask them directly. I wonder why… Why couldn't she, even though they have been friends for some time now?

Yuri sighed and slightly hit her forehead while apologizing, "Sorry, I think I've become stupid…"

"I think we should let her drink your juice, Inui."

The data player nodded and started searching in his bag for something. "I think I still have some juice left here in my bag…" He found the container filled with his horrifying juice, colored green and somewhat orange, and started pouring it into a cup. "Saa, Yuri-chan, have a drink. If you don't like this, just say it."

"Can you two come with me even for a while?! I want you to come with me!" The violin player's face was all red. She finally said it, and they were happy for her. "There you go! I said it! Happy now?!"

Cute. Inui turned away to hide his blush and smile.

The tensai on the other hand couldn't help but giggle. "I didn't know you can also be cute, Yuri-san."

"Stop torturing me…please," Yuri begged.

"We're not," Fuji replied. "Can you lead us where?"

"You mean… you'll come?"

"Yuri, you were right, I guess you've really become stupid," Inui inserted. "Eighty-eight percent because it's your father's death anniversary, seven percent because Fuji's here, and five percent you're expecting somebody. Correct?"

A flying shoe hit the data player's head, making him fall to the ground. "Yes, you're right, I think." The girl approached Inui to pick up her shoe and give him a helping hand. "Let's go. Where do you want me to start?" she said with a smile.

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On their way, Yuri started to narrate after Inui asked a question. "Who is Asuzumi-san to you?"

First of all, Reiko's my half-sister. We have the same mom but different dads. Awful.

Sigh.

I was kinda in a hurry in making this chapter, so I think this isn't what I call quality work. I had a hard time in describing what I want you guys to see…I mean imagine, especially the part in the restaurant. I have never been in a luxurious restaurant…huhu… There was suppose to be a lot of describing to do, but I felt lazy in doing it.

About Inui being OOC…I think I was thinking too much on bestfriends' thingies… I can't help it. That's is because I…miss my BEST!!!

Anyways…

Sorry for the late update. There were inevitable obstructions. I'll do better in the next chap and story.

Thanks.

Whoever's reading this, please, don't forget to submit a review/s. I need it/them. Write me a PM if needed…

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What am I going to do with Yuri? Any suggestions…?