Hino Kahoko's PoV
I sighed for the nth time as I looked at the view from the window. The atmosphere was heavy with tension. I was actually having difficulty with breathing but I chose to remain silent. Besides, It's not like they would even listen to me. They wouldn't even look at me! I'm here on my seat alone at the very back and silently praying that we arrive at our destination sooner.
"How did it end up this way?" I whispered to myself frustratedly, hoping that no one could hear me. I stared at the fields that we were passing by as my mind drifted to the events a few days ago.
"By the way, miss Hinoooo... You will be composing the songs for the concert." Saotome suddenly said that made me snap back at him as I screamed
"What?!" I shouted
"Oh!" Otoya-kun said surprised
"Alright!" Syo-kun said as he fist-pumped into thin air
"That's great!" Natsuki-kun said.
"I don't want to!" I said, slamming my fists on the desk.
"Why, Haruka?" Cecil asked. I looked at their faces and saw hurt all over it. I bowed my head, trying to control my tears that were threatening to fall. I don't deserve it...
"Excuse me, but why does it have to be Hino? I'm sure that there are a lot of more experienced and better composers than an amateur like her?" Tsukimori-kun asked, if this was a different situation, I would have shot him a glare.
"Shut up you-mmph!" Syo-kun shouted but his mouth was covered by Natsuki-kun as he smiled apologetically at everyone. But if you were to look closely, you would see that there was a dangerous glint hovering in his emerald eyes.
"Be-cause, Len-chan-" Ringo-sensei said but was rudely cut off by Tsukimori-kun
"Who gave you permission to call me that?" He asked irritatedly. But Ringo-sensei just giggled at his outburst, making Tsukimori-kun glare at him.
"My my, they were right, you certainly are an Ice cube." He teased, Tsuchiura-kun and the others were trying very hard to restrain from laughing, ignoring the glares shot by Tsukimori-kun.
"Oi, Ringo. Stop teasing him and just answer his question." Hyuuga-sensei said as he crossed his arms. Crumpling the suit he wore
"Alright, alright. Well, mr. Ice cube. Haru-chan,aside from being the original composer of Starish, is actually the top notcher in her course, which is the Song writer's course. She made the most excellent songs that can touch and warm one's heart. She can make a song just by thinking about the person she makes them for, thus, giving the song the same characteristics of the one singing it..." Ringo said as he smiled to himself.
"Touch... one's... heart?" Shimizu-kun asked.
"Yes. Just like how all of you feel when you hear her play the violin..." Cecil said, surprising everyone.
"Eh? So you heard her play the Violin, Cecil?" Otoya asked. Cecil chuckled as he shook his head
"It's in their eyes. Understanding had flashed through them when Ringo-sensei explained. And they all think that the sounds she produces from the violin reflects herself. Honest, pure, and sincere." He said, making Tsuchiura, Tsukimori, and Hihara blush. Yunoki just chuckled while Shimizu was already napping.
"But I already quit composing! I haven't composed a single song in two years!" I shouted. Making everyone look at me. Cecil looked at me in the eyes and smiled,
"That may be true, Haruka... But you have thought of countless tunes. The only thing you did not do... was write them. But I can see in your eyes, you desperately want to write them. That you-" I cut him off
"I-I.." I couldn't say anything. Everything he said was right. I did thought of tunes. I always wanted to grab a piece of paper and write them down, let my feelings explode in every note. But I always fight that feeling, keeping all of them locked up deep within my heart. As well as playing the piano. And I was doing well, if only... if only this didn't happen.
I was reflecting on what he said when President Saotome suddnly spoke
"I'm sorrrryy miss Hino, but you have no choice! You will write each and every one of them a song. As well as a group song for Starish and a group song for your friends. And a song for all of you to sing." He said.
"President! Isn't that a bit too much for Haruka?" Tokiya-kun asked.
"I agree with Icchi, forcing her to write 17 songs is not a right way to treat a fragile, little, lamb." Ren-kun said.
"No Buts! Miss Hino will write all songs. Well then, President Kira, I shall be taking my leave now! " He said as a helicopter appeared at the window.
"A-a helicopter?!" Tsuchiura-kun said disbelievingly.
"S-sugoi!" Hihara-senpai exclaimed
"Wait, Presdent-!" I called him but he simply waved me off by saying
"I will be expecting the songs, miss Hino. Good luck on your trip!" He said as the chopper flew off. I fell to the floor as I admitted defeat. There was no backing out now... Wait, did he just say
"Trip?" I asked as I looked at President Kira.
"Ah, so you caught that? Well, I shall explain. Since this will be an official concert, you will need to rehearse. Saotome and Seiso are too far from each other, so one group will have to be temporarily transferred to the other's school. Since Starish is a widely known group, we will have trouble on keeping their privacy as well as their fans distracting your rehearsals, so we agreed that you will stay at Saotome Academy for the time being. That is, until the date of the concert." He explained. No! I can't let this happen! I need to find a way to cancel that plan!
"But what about our classes!" I reasoned.
"You will be studying at Saotome Academy, so that means, the grades that you get there, will be the grades submitted to your report card." He said, noticing what I was planning
"Where will we stay" I continued.
"As you know, Saotome Academy s a boarding school, So the president has arranged rooms for you at the dormitory." He said. 'Of course, you idiot!' but I still continued, Three times a charm they say.
"What about our parents? They haven't approved of this yet." I said. Mother wouldn't agree to this... Would she? But a smile appeared on president Kira's face, making me doubt that thought
"We have already gotten the approval of your parents." He said as he smiled victoriously at my defeated state. I slumped on the chair as my eyes widened.
"No way.. mother..." I said to myself. why would she... just then, I remembered our conversation last night,
"Kaho, what if you were to meet... 'them' again, what would you do?" Mother asked me suddenly. I looked at her surprised, then thought about it,
"If I were to meet them again... I really don't know." I said
"Don't you want to fix things up with them again?" She asked me.
"I guess... but I'm not sure if they would still accept me..." I said as I looked down, then I felt a pair of arms wrap around me.
"I'm sure the would..."
"Well then, if there are no other questions, I will take my leave." President Kira said as he left the room. Along with Kanazawa-sensei. What was he even doing here in the first place? I sensed everyone staring at me so I looked at them.
"I-"
"Why didn't you tell us Kaho-chan?" Hihara-senpai said, looking hurt.
"Becau-"
"So you've just been making a fool of us all along? You said you knew nothing about music." Tsukimori-kun said as he looked at me accusingly
"No-"
"Heck! You even knew how to play the piano! Just how long have you been playing the piano? Huh, Hino?" Tsuchiura-kun asked angrily. I looked down even more as I answered.
"Since I was a kid..." I said, I flinched when I heard Tshuciura-kun slam the door as he left.
"I'm leaving. I've just wasted my time here." I heard Tsukimori-kun say as he left.
"Kaho-chan... Why didn't you tell us? We're your friends, didn't you trust us?" Hihara-senpai said as he looked a me before he left with Yunoki-senpai, who stayed quiet all this time, but I knew that he wouldn't stay quiet about this for long. He's just waiting for us to be alone. I fell to the floor crying. Fuyuumi-chan and Shimizu-kun went closer to me as I cried.
"I can't-I couldn't-" I said between my cries. Fuyuumi-chan handed me a handkerchief.
"It's alright Kaho-senpai..." She said as she wiped my tears.
"I'm sure... Senpai, and the others... will forgive you." Shimizu-kun said as he smiled at me. I just nodded and cried there like a lost child...
I sighed again as I remembered that, until now, they wouldn't talk to me, just Shimizu-kun and Fuyuumi-chan. Before I left I told Mio and Nao everything, They cried and hugged me as they apologized for everything they said before about being starish's composer. I couldn't help but cry with them. Well... At least they're not mad at me.
"Ah... I almost forgot. Everyone, take this." Kanazawa-sensei as he handed us each a single card.
"What is this for, Kanayan?" Hihara-senpai asked. Kanazawa-sensei scratched his head as he thought
"I forgot." He said bluntly.
"Oi oi, Kanzawa-sensei..." Tsuchiura-kun said as he slapped his forehead with his palm.
"Hino, do you know what these are for?" Kanazawa-sensei asked. Everyone fell silent as the atmosphere became tense.
"I-it's for the cafeteria... Instead of paying, use that." I said nervously. I felt relieved when the driver announced that we have arrived, at the same time, Nervous. I was the last person to leave the van. Kanazawa-sensei handed us our room numbers. When I looked at mine, I can't help but feel that the numbers were somehow familiar.
"Well, I'm leaving it all to you now." Kanazawa-sensei said before leaving us. We started to walk but I kept my distance. When I was about to part, Fuyuumi-chan asked me,
"Kaho-senpai, w-where are you going?" Fuyuumi-chan asked. Everyone stopped, but didn't look at me, except Shimizu-kun.
"A-ah? My room number goes that way, why?" I said
"Senpai... Isn't that the... Dorm for regular students..." Shimizu-kun asked sleepily. It was then that I realized, he was right! Kanazawa-sensei said that we were separated from the regular student's dorm, so why...
"I guess, but It's okay. I'll see you at class then." I said before continuing walking. Maybe it's better if I'm separated from them for now...
"Hey hey, Isn't that...?"
"No Way! Why is She here?"
" I thought she was already expelled two years ago?"
I looked down, I was afraid this would happen... I quickened my pace towards my room. I quickly went inside as I arrived and slammed the door shut, breathing heavily.
"Took you long enough."
I dropped my bags and stiffened as I heard someone speak. That voice... I slowly turned around and gasped
"Tomo-chan..." I said, She smiled at me warmly before running towards me and engulfing me in a tight hug. Tears escaped from my eyes as I hugged her back
"I missed you Haruka!" She said as she pulled away from me, her eyes were also filled with tears.
"I missed you too. I'm sorry for leaving-" I said but she cut me off
"It's okay! I understand you! You just wanted to protect them, you had no other choice. I'm just happy that I get to see you again." She said as she hugged me again
"I am too, but why am I here?" I asked. So that's why the numbers seemed familiar. It was my old room number.
"I requested it! As soon as Starish arrived they came running to me excitedly and said that you were coming back! I quickly ran to president's office and demanded that you stay with me here!" She said excitedly. I couldn't help but laugh at her.
"You haven't changed.." I said as I shook my head
"Well you have. For one, your hair is longer. And I heard that you play the violin now?" She said as she eyed the case beside my bags.
"Yes." I said as I blushed
"But that's not the only thing I heard... Haruka, Although they were happy that they saw you again, they were also sad that... you wouldn't talk to them." She said as she held my hands.
"I... I just don't know how to talk to them... It's been so long, and I've caused them so much trouble... I don't even know if I even deserve to be called a friend for them... and now even my friends from Seiso hate me. They think i lied to them, that I didn't trust them... They won't even talk to me..." I said as I looked down
"Haruka... Never mind that, why don't we talk. How have you been?" She started.
"I'm fine..." I said as we continued to chat. It feels like a dream... I've been waiting for a chance to talk to Tomo-chan like this. Before we even realized it, it was time for dinner already, so we went t o the cafeteria, but still talked along the way, ignoring the stares everyone gave us...
Third person's PoV
"Kaho-senpai, w-where are you going?"
They Stopped when they heard Fuyuumi.
" A-ah? My room number goes that way, why?" Hino said nervously,
"Senpai... Isn't that the... Dorm for regular students..." Shimizu said, . 'So she's separated from us?' They all thought
"I guess, but It's okay. I'll see you at class then." She said before running of. We continued to walk when they heard someone say
"Ah! You're the guys from Seiso!" They looked at the source and saw Shinomiya Natsuki along with everyone from Starish.
"Oh, You're Starish!" Hihara-senpai said loudly.
"That's right, Kazuki." Otoya said cheerfully that surprised everyone,
"Hm? What's wrong?" He asked when he noticed their reactions
"Otoya!" tokiya said
"Eh? What?"
"Don't just call people by their given names so suddenly." He scolded
"Eh? Ah! gomen gomen! Its been a habit of mine so... " He said as he scratched his head while blushing
"Anyway, where are you all going?" Syo asked the group
"Uh, we were looking for our assigned rooms..." Tsuchiura-kun said hesitantly. They were surprised when Syo, Natsuki, and Otoya laughed. Cecil, Masato, and Ren looked at them with amusement while Tokiya spoke, trying to stop his face from forming a smile
"But this is the garden..." He said. Everyone from Seiso blushed as they realized that they were lost. Tsukimori's eye brows twitched
"Because this school is too big! and-and-" hihara tried to reason but he knew it was pointless.
"If so, why didn't you just ask the little lamb for directions?" Ren said. He noticed that the Seiso students became stiff so he raised an eye brow.
"Oh? Got in a little fight?" He teased.
"Pardon me but, Hino-san's room was the other way, and we though that our rooms were close by, so we didn't bother her." Yunoki said. smiling at the brunette
"Tomo-chan must have requested for Haru-chan to stay with her." NAtsuki said
"We'll lead you to your room. Follow us." Masato said as he began to walk. The other members of Starish chatted with them
"So, are all of you from the music department?" Otoya asked
"N-no, Me, Kaji and Hino are from the Regular Department." Tsuchiura said, feeling awkward by the lad's openness .
"Oh? amazing. I thought only Music students are allowed to join the concours." Natsuki stated. They were about to answer when they heard the students talking
"Hey, hey, have you heard?"
"Heard what?"
"Hino Haruka is back."
"Eh?! But wasn't she kicked out of school?"
"She's a flirt."
Yeah, I heard she caused Starish to almost break up two years ago."
"How cruel."
They were surprised when Syo suddenly went to the chattering students
"You're the one who's cruel. Don't you know it's wrong to spread false news?" He said, his voice had a dangerous tone that made the students shiver. He went back to them when they didn't talk back.
"Man, People should mind their own business." He said angrily.
"I'm getting worried." Natsuki said
"Why do you say that?" Tsukimori asked
"Haruka... Well at least she's with Tomochika." Cecil said as he sighed
"Why are you worried about her?" Hihara asked
"Haruka... When she studied here before, she was usually bullied. A lot of people were envious of her because she was the most talented student in the song writing course. Even before, when the school had just started." Tokiya said.
"What do you mean?" Tsuchiura asked
"Back then, when Ringo-sensei announced that we were going to have an audition exam, she wanted someone to play the song that was highest the year before. She chose Haruka, But when Haruka was already seated before the piano, she wouldn't play. Everyone started murmuring, So Ringo-sensei asked her what was wrong. One of the students whispered that maybe Haruka didn't know how to play the piano. This eventually triggered her and she shouted that she knew how to play. That she was taught by her grandmother. But that caused even more trouble. They were surprised that Haruka managed to pass the entrance exam and that she was not taught by a professional. Later we found out that Haruka didn't know how to read Sheet music." Natsuki was cut off when Tsuchiura suddenly reacted
"Huh?! How did she know how top play the piano but not know how to read sheet music?" He asked.
"That's the catch. She didn't know how to read because... She could play a piece by just listening to it once." Otoya said.
"Amazing..." Hihara said.
"She learned how to read sheet music and finished in one day. But she was always too nervous when facing the piano. She couldn't even move her fingers. As soon as she places them on the keys, they would stiffen and shake rapidly. She eventually skipped class to practice alone but still couldn't move her fingers on the keys. I found her on a practice room and taught her a little on the piano, and she did the rest, the next day, she attended class. And everyone was surprised by her sudden improvement. But when she and Otoya ranked the hisghest in the audition exam, they all had doubts that she was the one who made it. But she strove harder and harder each day, so they came to accept her..." Masato added.
"We didn't know Hino-san went through that much." Yunoki said.
"We actually want to thank you. You were there for her when she sacrificed her future for ours. " Cecil said
"Ah.. no..." Tsuchiura denied, but deep inside, they were all feeling guilty for everything they said to Kaho, but they still felt that she betrayed them because that fact that she lied to them is still there.
"Well, Here we are. you just need to find your room numbers. Since it's already time for dinner, why don't you just put your luggage in your room then come with us to the cafeteria. You might get lost again."
A/N
Hey guys, sorry for the late update
^_^V
I just had a lot to do these past days, but I think the future updates will be faster. I'll try harder.
But I certainly won't leave this story hanging
that's all for now
please review!
bye!