A/N: Sorry for not posting this one sooner. I spent the last week nursing a flu.

Anyway, this is the last chapter for this Fan Fiction. I decided to make it an open ending, so that if ever I get inspired to continue, I can add other chapters for this. But in the meantime, this is the end that I have come up with. I hope you guys will like it. I have highlighted key words in some of the paragraphs to help you guys guess who where the ones who visited Haruka. ^.^ Hope the ending is not to lame. Anyway, enjoy reading! I apologize for the spelling and grammar mistakes.

June 11, 2017 Updates: Special thanks to Aislynn Gemma Montgomery for the spelling and grammar checks. Please check out her profile and support her works.

Category: Uta No Prince Sama

Title: A Scarf, A Lace Garter and A Guessing Game

Chapter 5

Otoya Ittoki pushed the iron gate of the house which Shining Saotome's agency had rented for him and his group STARish. The house is quite modern, with white-washed walls and abundance of glass. It can house at least three sets of family, because of its spacious planning. There are multiple bedrooms with adjoining baths, a dance and recording studio, a music room, and a large family room and kitchen, where most of his band members have their impromptu meetings.

The house is located in an isolated neighborhood, far from the city, where the environment surrounding it is conducive for practices, jamming and recording sessions. Plus, their growing hordes of fans will not be lurking around the perimeter of their home. He liked it here immensely.

As soon as he stepped inside the foyer, he removed his shoes and walked barefoot on the light-colored rug. He could hear someone playing the piano intensely, and guessed that his fellow bandmate, Masato Hirijikawa is probably in the middle of his piano training. He headed straight at the family room, tossing the cream-colored leather jacket he was wearing and grabbed an empty glass on top of the pristine, white counter. He rummaged inside the fridge, looking for something to drink, then settled for the carton of orange juice and poured some for himself.

The glass sliding doors separating the family room from the garden and swimming pool was open, and a gentle breeze ruffled the silky curtains. He could smell the night jasmine in the air as he drank the juice, his mind elsewhere.

Then he heard a splash at the pool, the sound of someone swimming, and he ventured outside to have a look. He thought it was only him and Masato who are inside the house. Apparently, someone else is at home too.

"Hey!" Otoya called, when he saw Ren Jinguuji's head duck out of the water.

Ren wiped his face and blinked, before answering back, "Hey. How was your friendly date?"

Ottoya shrugged, pulled his blue jeans up and squatted near the pool's edge. "Interesting, if I do say so myself" He finished the last of his juice.

Ren swam to the edge of the pool and grabbed the glass of vintage red wine sitting on top of a tray. He carefully drank the red liquid and poured more into his glass before turning his back on Otoya, who finally sat down on the soft, Bermuda grass, gazing at darkening night sky.

"Say, Ren." Otoya said, after a few minutes of silence, "Do you mind if I ask you a question?"

"Hmm.." he replied, making some gentle splashing noises in the pool.

"Well…" Otoya started, "What kind of flowers would you give to a woman when you are expressing your intention to woo her for the first time?"

Ren gave a chuckle and turned to face him. "Damn, I keep forgetting you're a novice when it comes to wooing women."

He felt himself blush with embarrassment. "Yeah, yeah. I know. No need to rub it in. That's why I'm asking you in the first place. Or else I wouldn't bother." He sighed, maybe he shouldn't have asked him.

"Sounds like the date went extremely well." He remarked, studying his face.

Of course, Jinguuji-san. Who wouldn't have a good time with Haruka? He thought to himself. After leaving Tomo-chan's house, he had wandered around the nearest shopping mall, checking out items that he thought would be a good present for Haruka.

"Well, to answer your question" Ren tipped the wineglass' contents to his waiting lips. "to answer your question, I'd say give her a bunch of tulips."

Tulips? Otoya raised his eyebrows, not sure whether Ren is actually giving him the advice that he desperately needs. "Tulips? I was expecting you to say red roses. Aren't roses the best kind of flower to give?" Ren doesn't look like the type who would sabotage his attempts now, is he? Come to think of it, didn't Jinguuji-san also profess his interest with Haraku during their finals at Gakuen Saotome?

"Tulips" Ren said firmly. "you're professing your love for the girl, right? And this is your first time? Tulips then. Red tulips to be precise. You can Google it, if you're not sure." He turned again and rested his head on the edge.

Ok. Tulips. Red. Maybe I'll Google it later, just to be sure. Otoya stood up. "Thanks, man."

"Get those with buds that have not opened yet. Or are slightly open." He said, not looking at him. "The flowers will last for a few weeks. It's to make sure that this girl will think of you, every time she looks at the flowers." He gave another chuckle and shook his head.

Otoya left him there, staring at the night sky as he drank his wine. The soft spotlights highlighting the pool added an air of mystique around the man resting near the pool's edge. He wondered briefly whether Haruka would prefer a more experienced man like Jinguuji-san. He would definitely know how to handle a delicate flower like Haruka.

Almost instantly, a fleeting sensation of soft lips meeting his mouth flashed through his mind. She tasted like homemade cake and strawberries and cream. For months, he had tried to suppress what he felt for her. Citing that it would not be appropriate because she treated him like a good friend. But today, the barrier between has been crossed. He knew he could never go back to being just her friend.

He felt his heart give a painful twist. No, of course he won't let go of Haruka without a fight! She's a gentle girl, kind and sweet.. He may be an inexperienced guy when it comes to women, but he has what it takes to make her happy. His love for her is sincere, and he knows she will appreciate sincerity coming from him.

Ren continued to sip his red wine, long after his bandmate, Otoya Ittoki had left, savoring the liquid on his tongue and letting its signature scent travel through his nose. He closed his eyes, letting the vintage wine take him to a different place. A place filled with red flowers, and the ground covered with mint and cinnamon. With the wine rushing past his throat, he tasted oranges, strawberries, plum and black cherries. In a distance a woman stood before him. Her reddish hair glinting in the sunlight. She turned and met his blue eyes with her golden ones.

He opened his eyes, brooding over the vision the wine had evoked. He had chosen it especially with Haruka in mind, paying a few thousand dollars for one bottle only.

Ren Jinguuji loved elegance, beauty and innocence. He consider them as the highest form of value a woman must possess. And he found it all with his little lamb, Haruka.

He compares her to a young bottle of wine, where, kept under constant watch and care, would mature dramatically into a great vintage that would tempt any genuine wine connoisseur. He smiled to himself. It's so like him to compare the young woman to wine. She is proving to be an unusual woman, full of depth and life. She continues to surprise him with her inner strength. And by God, just hearing her from the other room, raging on the piano with such intensity and passion only whetted his appetite for her. Had he acted on his instincts, and not have her friend waste his time lecturing him from the other room, he would have rushed towards her and take her home.

But then again, maybe its good that he did not act on his instincts. It would be all too easy to lose control when he is breathing her scent. She smelled so intoxicatingly delicious. Haruka's grandmother took great care of her granddaughter. A few more years and she would be ripe. And he, Ren Jinguuji, is the only one meant to appreciate her value as time goes by. He must make his move now and start marking the girl as his own. He could not wait to lay siege to her senses. The challenge is too irresistible.

The water from the pool lapped at him gently as he turned and reached for his ultra expensive Vertu phone. There was a message waiting for him, confirming his order of designer clothes. He keyed his reply, informing his private assistant to send the clothes to Haruka's residence by special delivery. He would plan a special date with her. And he intends to ask her tomorrow.

Quiet footsteps walk past his room before he heard the door next to his room slam, indicating that Ittoki-san has just arrived. He continued to breathe silently in the darkness. Unbeknownst by his other housemates, he was the first one to come home. He had found the house empty and quiet. Before the Hirijikawa guy came in and started pounding on the piano keys with gusto. It was a good thing the house have excellent acoustical treatments. Otherwise, he might not be able to control himself and destroy the piano.

As soon as he kicked off his shoes in the entrance foyer, he went straight to the bedroom and locked himself in. He stared distastefully at the bright décor of his room. It was filled with large stuffed toys and plushies. The walls were covered with posters of cute dogs and cats in various poses. He stepped carefully around the pile of clothes scattered on the floor, making his way towards the bed.

He wrinkled his nose, his hands itching to rip apart the posters glued to the walls. Thank God his atrocious taste in cute cartoon characters did not reach his bedspread. They were a normal shade of blue and white stripes.

He grabbed a couple of pillows and settled himself on one side of the bed. He drew out his pocket size notebook and pen and began to scribble on a blank page. The melody inside his head keeps on eluding him and its annoying the hell out of him.

He wrote furiously, page after page. After crossing out a line for the fifth time, he stopped writing and dropped his pen. He stared out of the window, watching the sun set. Then he suddenly tore out the top sheet he was writing on and crumpled it. He glanced down and saw the faint stain on his pants. He closed his eyes, as the scent of lavender and sweet honey filled his nostrils.

Dear, dear Haruka, how you fired up my senses with your sweet, innocent and trustful eyes.

Ain't she sweet like dear Elizabeth? A voice enthusiastically said.

Shut up, you idiot! You don't know how to play with a woman.

She's cute and all but she's not a plaything, Satsuki-chan, the other voice scolded. Besides, I like her.

I do like her too, Natsuki, you dumbass! But because you act like an idiot, your friends will snatch her under your freakin' idiotic nose.

Silence.

That may be true, Satsuki-chan, but I believe she will choose us when she realizes how good it would be if we could just spend time with her. She needs to get to know us more.

Satsuki smoothed out his pants, his fingers lingering on the faint stain just above his fly. He was annoyed with Natsuki. He never seemed to appreciate how much he had protected him when their relatives try to hurt him with their taunts and bullying. As the only child of their grandfather's youngest son, Natsuki is favored as the heir to the Shinomiya empire that made the others jealous. He had emerged from Natsuki's consciousness during a particularly viscious encounter with one of his older cousins, who locked him on a garden shed in order to frighten him.

You know, Satsuki, she's the only one besides Syo-chan who really understands us, the voice said gently.

I know. Ever since we met her, I've been scribbling notes and melodies with her inside my head. I want her, Natsuki. So badly. A flash of faint pink flesh resting against the piano and swollen lips went through his mind.

Don't you ever dare hurt her, Satsuki-chan, the gentle voice suddenly became fierce.

Why? She may be the only female person who understands our unique existence, but that doesn't stop me from taking her. Do you know how good she tastes? It's like raspberry and cream melting on my mouth. He answered.

Dammit, Satsuki! I won't let you out again if you hurt her! The voice shouted, pissed off.

There was a sound of laughter in his head. Relax, Natsuki. I'm only teasing you. I like her. She's one hell of a brave girl who can stare at me eye to eye whenever I come out of your hidy-hole.

Well, don't tease me, the voice retorted. I will fight you if you dare hurt even a lock of her hair.

And how are you going to accomplish that? I kept you safe when you are in need. You won't survive without me.

You'll see. The voice said smugly. I will keep you locked up at the back of my mind for the rest of my life. And I won't give in to your pleadings.

I don't plead, Natsuki. You need me, you just don't want to admit it. You need both me and Haruka. But don't worry, she will be ours.

Satsuki continued to stare at the dying sky outside, in faint orange and pink colors, before giving way to darker blue.

There was a sudden knock on the door. "Hey Natsuki chan! Are you in there? Aren't you hungry yet?" It was Sho.

Satsuki took out the small case that Tomo-chan handed to him before he left their residence. He took out Natsuki's sunglasses and began to wipe it with a piece of lens cloth, removing dust and nondescript fibers.

I'm going to plan our strategy, Natsuki.

I still have the final say on this, Satsuki, came his reply.

Whatever, Natsuki, now get out and let me sleep. I'm tired.

Satsuki adjusted the glasses on top of his nose and blinked. His tense demeanor took on a more relaxed one, and he gave a half smile.

He stood up and went to the full-length mirror near his desk. Natsuki-smiled back at him.

There was a knock again. "Natsuki-chan! Come on! I'm hungry!" Syo yelled.

Natsuki quickly went to the door and opened it. "Syo-chan! Where have you been? Did you miss me?" he said in a high-pitched voice.

"Shut up, Natsuki-chan! And stop hugging me!" Syo-chan adjust his fedora hat, and smoothed out the wrinkles from his long-sleeved shirt. "Come on! Otoya-kun is waiting for us outside."

"Wait! Let me get my Piyo-chan hat" Natsuki ran towards his bedside table and grabbed the light blue and yellow child's hat with a large bird sewn in the front.

Syo Kurusu retied his white scarf on his neck, as soon as they got in the car with Otoya-kun on the driver's seat of a low-profile sedan. He finger-combed his hair when he removed his fedora hat, glancing irritably at his friend, Natsuki Shinomiya, happily climbing in the backseat of the car.

"Why are you staying in your room without turning on the lights?" he asked his friend suspiciously as Otoya revved up the engine and began backing out of the driveway.

"Huh?" Natsuki glanced up. There was a glint of some emotion reflected on his eyes, but it was gone in an instant. Syo pegged it as a light trick reflected by Natsuki's glasses. "Nothing. I just fell asleep after catching a Piyo-chan show at the local mall downtown."

Otoya adjusted the rearview mirror as he stepped on the gas pedal. "So, did you bought a lot of Piyo-chan stuff, then?" he gave Natsuki a friendly smile.

"Nah. I already have the stuff they were selling. I just wanted to see Piyo-chan. I sang along with the kids who were also watching the show"

Syo concentrated on the road ahead of them. Otoya-kun is one of the nicest guys in their band. He knows and understands Natsuki's split personality better than the rest.

"So, where to?" Otoya sped by along the road.

"Syo, I smell green apple scents" Natsuki sniffed the air inside the car. "Fess up! Where have you been today? You only wear those when you are going out in a date!"

"I met up with Kaoru" he answered, pulling his long sleeves. "he wanted to introduce me to his latest girlfriend."

"I didn't know you have a brother" Otoya said, glancing back to check if there were any cars behind them before turning into a side street.

"His name is Kaoru. He's very funny. More relaxed than Syo-kun" Natsuki chimed in, bouncing up and down the backseat of the car like a twelve year old kid.

"Shut up, Natsuki-chan" Syo muttered.

Otoya-kun laughed. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm craving for a pizza."

"Pizza sounds good." Syo answered. Pepperoni with lots of cheese.

"Hey, Syo-kun. Aren't you jealous that Kaoru has a girlfriend, and you don't?" Natsuki settled on the backseat and gave him a bright smile.

"Not really"

Otoya glanced at him. "Syo probably has at least one girl he likes. He probably needs more time to get to know her."

He probably needs more time to get to know her more.

Syo gave a mysterious smile to both Otoya and Natsuki. Otoya chuckled in response and concentrated in driving. Natsuki's reaction was more of an exaggeration. His eyes widened and he began to make whiny noises asking who the girl is.

Am I making the right decision? Not pursuing her? He wondered to himself. He liked Haruka. But he is still unsure of what he wants from her. Friend or girlfriend?

He is not stupid. He is aware of something shifting inside the house they are living in the moment he put his foot inside the living room floor. Hirijikawa-kun was pre-occupied with his piano playing. He had sensed the tension pouring out from the piano keys. His brilliant playing was a bit off, like he was distracted with something important on his mind.

He went to the family room and saw Otoya's leather cream jacket tossed carelessly on one of the chairs and his juice glass sitting on the kitchen sink. As he approached the chair bearing the leather jacket, he caught a whiff of lavender. And for some reason Haruka's face flashed right before his eyes. The sliding door leading to the pool was open, and he saw Jinguuji-kun drinking red wine and brooding.

He backed out of the family room, not wanting to disturb Jinguuji-san when he started reading a message from his sleek mobile phone. He carefully retraced his steps back into the hallway and noticed that Natsuki's room is still dark. Glancing at his watch he saw that it was already late, and guessed Natsuki is probably already home. Before he could put up his fist and bang on the door, Otoya-kun emerged from his own room, holding the keys to car.

"Want to go out with me and eat?" he had asked.

"Sure," he nodded, noting the lines of tension on his friend's face, "let me get Natsuki-chan first."

Apparently, there is only one thing that occupies their mind right now. Haruka.

"Syo-kun! Tell me what's the girl's name" Natsuki finally said in desperation, interrupting his thoughts.

"No" Syo-kun said. He ignored Natsuki's whining all throughout the ride. Good food and a good night's sleep will put his mind at ease. The question of seriously pursuing Haruka can wait tomorrow.

Masato Hirijikawa was in a bad mood. His playing sucks big time, and ten minutes ago, he received a call from his mother, summoning him to come home this coming weekend for a family gathering at the Hirijikawa mansion.

Another social gathering, another chance to rub shoulders with the elite. Black ties, champagne and expensive perfume. Very boring. He was getting tired of all that crap.

He banged his fist on the keys, cringing at the awful sound they made.

What to do about his feelings for Haruka?

He stared down at the ivory keys in front of him. He lifted his hand again and gently touched them, feeling the smoothness under his fingertips. He slowly closed his eyes, imagining Haruka's skin as he skimmed his hands up on her inner thighs, as he cradled her on the chair, sitting on his lap.

"You sly, little minx" he whispered on her lips. " do you know how utterly delicious you look with your virginal dress? It makes me want to eat you."

Masato's hands clenched, trying to grasp the invisible lace garter he found perched on her thigh.

"Are you kidding me?" he exploded in front of Tomo-chan, almost losing his cool, " that dress! I wanted to rip it apart and..and.."

Does he have what it takes to be in a relationship with Haruka? What would his family say when he gets the chance to introduce her? They would scrutinize her relentlessly. And she would be alienated by his relatives. His mother and father hoped that he would inevitably end up with one of the countless females they have introduced to him. Females with impeccable backgrounds, prominent last names and unlimited bank accounts.

His family is not hurting for money. To be honest, he had never given much thought about his future potential relationships, as long as he was allowed to pursue his chosen career. He even thought himself that as long as the woman he marries understands his priorities, he's settled for life.

But along comes Haruka Nanami whose passion for life rivals the sun. She stood for everything he used to believe in: honor, loyalty and true love. Being surrounded by the Hirijikawas for so long in a strict environment makes one become cynic and ruthless.

He's getting tired of all the women being paraded in front of him every time a social gathering takes place. It reminds him of buying horses, or a marriage market. And most of the women are too preoccupied with their designer dresses, or their latest exploits during Fashion Week. They are nothing but airheads wearing expensive clothing and perfume.

Is he willing to spend his time with the likes of them? Of course not!

With a look of determination, Masato stood up from the piano bench. Pulling his mobile phone from the pockets of his tailored pants, he clicked it on and dialed a private number.

It rang twice before someone answered.

"Have the driver pick me up in half an hour. I'll be spending the next few days at the mansion." He did not wait for the other line to reply and immediately cut his call short.

Masato Hirijikawa has a plan. And it concerns Haruka. He is not willing to relinquish her just because his family might not approve. He stood still, staring at the blinking lights of the city shown on the picture window to his left. He had already come this far with his blossoming career. To hell with the blatant matchmaking.

He saw Masato Hirijikawa acknowledge him with a nod before he climbed in the sleek black Rolls Royce waiting for him outside the house where they all lived. He gave a salute in reply, wondering about Hirijikawa's determined demeanor. He looked ready for a battle.

He continued walking towards the entrance of the house, whistling softly. As he entered the foyer, it registered to him that the house is generally quiet. In regular evenings like this, Natsuki Shinomiya would be annoying the hell out of his friend, Syo Kurusu, and they would be literally running around in circles. It reminded him of a Tom and Jerry routine that he used to watched in the television, coming home from elementary school before he is whisked off to the music room for another round of piano lessons.

He headed straight to the kitchen, grabbed a small can of soda and went back to the music room, where Masato had carelessly his light jacket on top of the baby grand piano. He sat down on the piano bench, unbuttoning the top of his blue silk shirt. He ruffled his hair, staring at the ceiling, before he started tinkering on the piano keys, playing bits and pieces of songs softly.

"Hey, man." Ren Jinguuji said.

Tokiya Ichinose turned and saw his friend, his hair still wet, wearing a black silk polo shirt and white jeans, leaning on one of the open doors. He was walking barefoot on the carpet. "Hey, where's everybody?"

"Natsuki, Syo and Otoya went out for dinner, I think." Ren shrugged, "I thought Masato is here."

"He went out not fifteen minutes ago" Tokiya said, pressing the piano keys softly again.

"His dad probably asked him to come" Ren turned away to leave, "If you guys need me, I'll be holed up in my room."

Tokiya stood up from the bench he was sitting. "I think I'll stay in my room, too. I forgot that I need to do something tonight" He headed in the opposite direction.

"Suit yourself" Ren replied and left.

Tokiya walked past Natsuki's and Otoya's rooms and entered the last door in the hallway. Flicking open a switch, his room was flooded with lights. His room's decoration was bare. Except for a large bed and a desk with his computer, there was no other furniture in it. The bare wooden floors was covered with a rug the color of sand. The wall was painted a stark white. And his bed sheets was a simple deep blue color. It reminded him of his room back at the private family beach in the South Pacific where he used to stay for the summer.

Still holding the can of soda, he unlocked the glass sliding doors leading to his private balcony. The soft breeze made the wind chimes tinkle. He glanced up at the wind chimes he had hung at one end of the wall of his room. They were made of small and large Puka shells of different colors, green and blue sea glass and small empty medicine bottles with cork stoppers. Each glass bottles was filled with sand. He had made the wind chime during his childhood, with the intention of giving it as a present to the new friend he meet when he was lonely and crying by himself.

He watched silently as the strings of shells danced in the soft breeze, clicking against each other, while the metals hanging at the ends made tinkling sounds.

Tokiya drank the contents of the soda, fingering the piece of lace inside his jeans. He took the lace garter out and stared at it for a long time.

Did he do the right thing? Not properly introducing himself to Haruka? For not telling her that he was the boy she had met at the beach, crying.

Ah, well, maybe it is better to let Fate take its course. After all, Fate was responsible for bringing Haruka to study at Gakuen Saotome. He was unsure about her at first, thinking it was coincidence that she has the same color of eyes as the girl he had met at the beach. But when he found out that she led a sheltered life and lives with her grandmother, he could not believe his eyes that the little girl he had so desperately waited for was actually Haruka.

Lady..

For so many years

I thought I'd never find you..

He thought about the lyrics of the song he played for her, as she sat there quietly on top of the piano, looking heartbreakingly beautiful in her white dress.

Clutching the lace garter tightly, he heaved a deep sigh and turned back inside his room, closing the sliding doors with a click. He chucked the empty aluminium can in the wastebasket and lied down in bed, still holding the lacy garter. He closed his eyes, suddenly feeling tired after such a long day of walking around absent mindedly. The faint smell of lavender filled his nostrils, as the last thought on his mind was how he badly wants to see Haruka again.

A/N: Thank you for being patient with my stories. So for those of you guys who still cannot guess which is which, here's the cheat sheet:

1st visitor= Otoya Ittoki

2nd visitor= Masato Hirijikawa

3rd visitor= Ren Jinguuji

4th visitor= Syo Kurusu

5th visitor= Natsuki Shinomiya

6th visitor= Tokiya Ichinose

I considered adding Cecil Aijima, Ringo Tsukimiya and Ryuuga Hyuuga in the list of visitors, but I decided to remove them from the original draft as it may become too confusing for you guys.

P.S. Please check out my latest creation: Cecil's Muse and Underage Love. Thanks for all the love and reviews, you guys! I hope you don't mind leaving a review for all my hard work. ^^