A/N: When characters are speaking a different language, the font will be different. English will be bolded, Chinese will be in Pinyin, and Korean will either be in Romanization or in Hangul. Headlines, such as newspaper articles or anything from the media will be in quotations – '' or fully Capitalized.
Chapter 1: "An Unbelievable Occurrence"
April 5th, 2012.
Location: Spacious courtyard of Shining Saotome Academy.
Time: 10:30 AM (an hour after the opening ceremony)
Early on an April morning the weather had started out warm. The faint scent of Sakura blossoms lingered in the academy's courtyard, where students new and returning were bustling. Though it had only been an hour after the academy's opening ceremony, students were still moving belongings into the new dorm rooms. On the left side fourth level of the academy where all third year female students lived in residence, Nanami Haruka and Shibuya Tomochika had finished filling the kitchen cupboards with separate dishes, mugs, pots, pans, and kitchen utensils. The new dorm room that was assigned to the two was a lot bigger than they had expected it to be. From the very moment that they had entered, the two felt from its appearance it looked more of an apartment for two rather than a dorm room at Saotome academy. The kitchen on the left side looked a lot similar to the ones that an individual would find from a home décor magazine, along with a mini dining area near the doorway of the dorm room, a bathroom fit for two complete in marble to the sink; shower; and toilet, a living room already set with highly decorated furniture, and lastly two separate bedrooms. As always the décor of Saotome academy never ceased to surprise the students. In the process of organizing a few books placed on the living room coffee table, Haruka noticed Tomochika lying casually on the sofa across from her. It seemed as though her friend was tired from unpacking her belongings. Yes… very tired, since numerous boxes that had been filled before were scattered across the maple hardwood floor near the kitchen. Only two boxes that contained books, which belonged to Tomochika, remained untouched. Haruka was glad that there was a bookshelf next to the living room. She had already filled two of the bottom shelves. Placing books on the third bottom shelf on 'composing', Tomochika on cue had groaned out loud.
"Ugh, I should've packed less clothes. My mom was right about bringing clothes along that I didn't really need."
"At least we got the kitchen done. Shibuya-chan, I'll leave the top three shelves for you."
"Thanks Nanami-chan. Ah, I feel hungry for some Italian pasta."
"Pasta? The cafeteria should be open. Why don't we go together?"
"Are you sure?"
"Of course. Besides I'm feeling a bit hungry myself."
"Alright. I just hope that there isn't a long wait for the food today."
By luck, the cafeteria wasn't so crowded in the morning. Along the way Haruka and Shibuya had managed to spot Natsuki and Syo standing at one of the entrances that led to the main courtyard of the academy. After purchasing a few drinks and snacks the four sat down at a table that was located near the entrance of the cafeteria. Soon enough, Otoya and Tokiya showed up taking seats at the table. The six chatted away about the past summer and what they did, along with the topic of Masato and Ren. The two rivals were still unpacking their belongings. But anyone who knew of the rivalry that existed between the two could tell that they were arguing over small things.
"Honestly, Nanami-chan I wouldn't even put up with those two for now. Just hearing the recent news from Otoya-kun I'd rather stay out of the matter for the moment." Tomochika had said before taking a sip of her melon soda.
"I know, but I wish the two would get along better. I mean it's been two years. We're already in our third year at this academy. Soon we'll graduate in 2013."
"Don't worry, Haruka-chan. Those two get along better than we know it. Just focus on being our composer. Yes, our cute and bright composer. Oh how I miss Elizabeth!"
"Natsuki, you idiot! Stop hugging me!" Shouted Syo at the same time struggling.
The group afterwards talked about the courses that they were registered in, knowing that this year both the S and A class would be working together on a few projects. Students were still unsure of what type of projects that they would be working on since the whole idea was announced at the start of the opening ceremony by the principal. There were a few additional clubs this year at the academy that were sure to be fun. The basic underline was 'bringing out one's inner creativity.'
A crowd of young females had followed the entrance of Masato and Ren into the cafeteria. At the very sight, Tomochika made the motion of rolling her eyes knowing well enough that Jinguji was always an individual who just had to have the spotlight shined in his presence. Masato, who had sat down between Natsuki and Syo, ignored the crowd of 'Jinguji fan girls'. The tension between the two scions was… well the same as ever.
Around 11:10 AM, the group was hanging out by the lake. The white bandstand provided great comfort for those who wanted a place to relax in comfort. But it was a common place for a hangout mainly for Haruka and STARISH, whenever they needed to practice a dance routine or chat about anything related to school. Tomochika had tagged along since the rest of the day was free to all students. But mainly she was avoiding the rest of her books that silently waited for her back in the dorm room. With the weather becoming slightly a tad warmer, sunrays gleaming off the clear blue lake, students were becoming more energetic. Especially for Ittoki and Syo, both were playing a mini game of soccer on the vibrant grass. Haruka and Shibuya were both interested in the same magazine 'VOGUE', Japan edition, Spring 2012, which belonged to Syo. The two were reading an article that was written on another band. All the while Masato and Tokiya stayed quiet paying more attention to the scenery. Natsuki was browsing through some Polaroid pictures of his past summer vacation; beside him Ren was waving to a crowd of females. The fan girls in a small crowd stood on the stone bridge that connected the academy to the school store, which overlooked the clear blue lake. Even though the bridge had a cobblestone stairway that led the way to where the eight were hanging out the females… oddly enough chose admire from a distance. Annoyed by the squealing, giggling, and calling of Ren's name, Masato instinctively glared at Ren.
"Jinguji stop acting like a fool."
"Now, now Hijirikawa there's no reason to get the blood pressure rising. Calm down, I'm only tending to what our ladies desire."
"Our ladies? You mean 'you're' ladies. Stop procrastinating. Go back to the room and clean up the mess that you left on the kitchen counter."
"Mess? Ah, you mean those unpacked boxes. Relax, I'll unpack later."
"Jinguji!"
"My, my, my… calm down you're acting like a grumpy old man."
"Old man? Ha, yet you act more like an immature teenager."
On cue, the others had sweat dropped at the lightning tension between Masato and Ren. The past two years for STARISH and Haruka had changed a lot in a few events. Back in the summer of 2011, STARISH had gone through some training by four infamous sempai's. Haruka to present time was now a rookie composer/ manager of STARISH. Afterwards some time in Fall 2011, Masato's strict father had passed away which was quite a shock for some time to the financial world. In result, Masato and his younger sister, Mai currently live with they're grandfather. Aside from the tragic note, STARISH was on the high rise to popularity. From all what STARISH had learned before in the previous year through hard training would soon enough be put to the test. Through sharp gazes the stand off between Masato and Ren continued silently. Ittoki and Syo continued to play pass with the soccer ball, while the other four individuals talked about the magazine article. Haruka was told by the other three that the rival band known as EKSTASIS, each member were professionals in various artistic fields. Haruka learned instantly that the band consisted of four males and one female. But what came to Haruka as the most surprising news of the day was…
"I do know that sometime tomorrow that EKSTASIS will be attending this academy." Tokiya said, as his arms were crossed, deep in thought.
"Seriously, even though those five are under contract from another rival company?"
"Shibuya-chan, I know for certain that I'm correct. But Haruka, since they are rivals you should be very cautious. For the band is not to be underestimated, especially when it comes down to the leader of EKSTASIS."
"The leader that you speak of. Are you referring to Akai SIREN?" Questioned Haruka who now held the magazine in her right hand.
"Yes. Akai SIREN is a lady of many qualities. Do you remember the action movie that we saw last year that starred Hyuuga-sensei?"
"Ah, yes, I remember. It's still topping the box office. What does the movie that Hyuuga-sensei acted in, have to do with this?"
"Akai SIREN was the one that starred in the role as the femme fatale antagonist."
"EH?", Haruka exclaimed in shock, her eyes wide, "But Tokiya-kun, her appearance back then looks way different to what I'm seeing from the cover of the magazine."
"That's why I told you that you shouldn't underestimate EKSTASIS. But with Akai SIREN there's no way in telling what she'll do at the academy this year."
"You totally surprised Nanami-chan, Ichinose-san. It sounds as though you know Akai SIREN well enough."
"For your information, Shibuya-chan, I only met her once. Which was at a conference a year ago. Somehow she knew of my past secret of being Hayato, even before the media knew of it. It was odd though that she didn't tell anyone else of the news back then. But the look that I got from her back then when we first met…it felt somehow familiar."
"And sometimes, Nanami-chan and I have no clue at what you're trying to explain. Though from your description, Akai SIREN sounds like a very mysterious individual."
Akai SIREN, a lady of many artistic qualities not to be underestimated by others in the same profession. Just thinking about it gave a familiar chill running up Haruka's spine. The magazine that Haruka still held, the front cover illustrated Akai SIREN dressed in a light blue denim outfit aside from the black militaristic boots that she wore, her short, black and spiky hairstyle was partially hidden by a black fedora on top of her head. Since her bangs were clipped to her left, both of her different eye colors were shown. Haruka could tell that Akai SIREN's model pose in the photograph emitted an aura of confidence, along with the expression. Haruka had a feeling that she had seen that look of confidence somewhere before, oddly enough she couldn't place her finger on it at the moment.
Soon the day came to an end, into the night it had cooled down, a breeze passing through the area of the academy once in a while. Students were in their own dorm rooms either having a bit of fun, getting ready for tomorrow, reading, or sleeping. It was already 7:00 PM meaning that quiet hour was in effect all students in residence. The cafeteria was still open and wouldn't close until 8:30 PM, which gave a few students that were hanging around, a chance to socialize. The atmosphere throughout the academy was calm. Ittoki and Tokiya were both asleep in their own dorm room. In another room few doors down Natsuki and Syo were watching a movie together. Across the hall in another room, Masato and Ren as usual were doing separate things. Only the shuffling of calligraphy paper along with the sound of a dart making its mark could be heard in the room. On the opposite side where the females were, Tomochika had already gone to bed since she needed her 'beauty sleep.' Haruka was still up on the Internet using her laptop that was given to her by Shining Saotome. It was either curiosity that was tugging at the inner gears of her mind or it could've been her inner fan girl calling, as she continued to search up EKSTASIS. At what she had found out so far on each of the members from the band never ceased to surprise her. So far from what she gathered on information, each member were fluent in 1 – 4 languages, knew how to play various musical instruments, talented in different artistic fields, and each had a fan base estimated to be between 353, 856 – 950,000. Aside from the fact that two of the members in the band were twins, the band had debuted a year earlier than STARISH.
"I guess this means that we've acquired a whole new set of sempai's."
Location: The entrance of Shining Saotome Academy.
Time: 9:00 PM
A large black van had driven up to the front entrance of the academy; on cue the silver gates automatically opened allowing the vehicle to drive onto the academy grounds. Ringo-sensei along with Hyuuga-sensei stood a few feet away from the van ready at hand to greet the passengers. Throughout the clean crisp air of the night sky, the sound of the van door sliding open echoed. Five figures stepped out one by one out of the van, each were dressed casually in spring clothing. The Watanabe twins, Yoshi and Yoshio were both quiet, Alexander Takahashi who was tired as always rubbed his left eye a bit before yawning, and Masumi Li was energetic in showing off a bright smile to the two teachers. Their leader, Asami Lee made no hesitation in being the first to speak. Short greetings and introductions were made. Soon enough the group of seven made their way into the academy mainly to the residence that led to both the female and male dorm rooms, separately Hyuuga-sensei escorted the males while Ringo-sensei escorted Asami to her assigned dorm room.
"I've been notified that you're room mate will show up tomorrow sometime, so you'll be alone for tonight."
"Oh, yes. Saotome-san did contact me about that."
"Asami-chan, after all these years you still call your uncle formally by that name?"
"Ringo-sensei, there are a lot of reasons to why I formally address him by 'Saotome-san.' I know very well that the only reason that I'm attending this academy is because that Saotome-san is planning a few things."
"Oh dear, if he'd only hear you talk about him right now. He would be in tears. Well… here is your dorm room everything was delivered two days ago. If you have any problems or questions regarding about the academy, feel free to let me know."
"Thank you, Ringo-sensei."
"Ah, before I go… it seems that your uncle allowed two people from your past attend this academy. I'd be on the lookout. You never know what may happen."
"Ringo-sensei, are you referring to…"
"Maybe by chance there will be a hint of romance."
"Eh? Wait Ringo-sensei you know that…- damn it, too late."
~ Don't cha know ~ [x2]
Where ever it may happen.
It may come.
It may go.
But you'll never truly know.
That romance will surely bloom.
~ Don't cha know ~ [x2]