A/N: I've been thinking a great deal about who could fill in the role as another suitor or love interest for Asami. So far I've made my list down to two names. First is: 'Usui Takumi from Kaichou wa maid-sama', and second is: 'Kise Ryota from Kuroko no Basket.' Choosing one of them to appear in future chapters, means 'competition' against Masato, including a whole lot of jealousy. Gah…- I can't make up my mind! Kise or Usui?! Who will it be?! What do you think, dear readers?

Chapter Thirty-five: Clothing & The 'Birds and the Bees…-'

Date: May 11th, 2012

Location: Shinjuku Takashimaya; 11th floor

Time: 3:25 PM

"Masato, are you feeling alright?" Asami asked, after paying the cashier in the store for her purchase.

"I'm fine," Answered Masato before taking the gift bag from her, wrapping his arm around her waist.

"I don't believe you," Asami sighed, "However…- if something is bothering you, I'm sure that Ren would be willing to listen."

It was Masato's turn to sigh. He couldn't tell that flirtatious skirt-chasing roommate about his 'troubles.' No. Way. If he did tell Ren…oh… god… he would be teased endlessly. Even though his classmates, fans, and friends were supportive of his relationship with the enchanting siren, there was the principal. No news from the principal from the past few weeks. It's not like he expected to hear from Saotome. After all, the principal was flamboyant and eccentric, only choosing to pop up when least expected. The two took an elevator down to the main level of the department store. Oh. Boy. Sure enough they were immediately recognized once they stepped out onto the bustling streets of Central Tokyo. Autographs. Cameras flashing. People started crowding around the two. Masato sweat dropped, pulling Asami close to his side, afraid to lose her in the crowd. The enchanting siren smiled, clearly use to this kind of situation. Soon enough, an S.S.A van drove up to the front of the store, allowing the two to get in quickly. Masato sighed. Thank. God. The noise and the crowd disappeared from sight.

"Hmm…- model for Xanadu clothing?" Asami eyed a card that Masato was given to by a talent scout.

Masato slipped the card into his front vest pocket, "You've heard of this company?"

"Of course," Asami smiled, her eyes twinkling with joy, "After all, 'Xanadu' is one of the top selling clothing brands in all throughout of China."

EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS

Time: 4:30 PM

Classical waltz music filled the main dance studio of the academy. Cecil placed his right hand slightly beneath Yuudai's left shoulder blade with his right arm held at a ninety-degree angle to his body. Yuudai had his left hand placed comfortably near Cecil's right shoulder, while his right hand was grasping Cecil's left hand. Elegant. Poised. For sure, Cecil was in the role of taking the lead. Left foot forward and right foot to the side. Left foot close and right foot back…-

"I'm d-deeply sorry, H-huang-sama!" Apologized Cecil, quickly backing away from the Chinese scion, "S-so sorry! I d-didn't mean to step on you're toes for the fifth…-"

"Aijima-san, there is no need to panic," Sighed Yuudai, his dark ebony eyes glinted, "Get a hold of yourself. You should remember that as an idol, you should keep a calm head."

Cecil sweat dropped, "S-sorry…- I'm j-just not used to dancing the waltz."

"Apologizing again and again won't improve your dancing skills," Yuudai unplugged the iPod stereo, before handing a stack of dance pattern sheets over to Cecil, "We'll continue tomorrow. In the meantime review and memorize what I've given to you."

"A-ah… of course," Cecil sighed, "I'll try my best."

EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS

Time: 5:00 PM

"So you think that Masato might be having doubts about you're relationship?" Asked Tomochika, handing the enchanting siren a kitchen towel. The two were in the dorm kitchen, currently washing and drying the dishes.

"Maybe," Asami sighed, "I don't know. But he was acting a bit weird when I went shopping with him. I asked him if he was feeling fine but in the end all I got was the usual 'I'm fine.' He was clearly bothered about something. I'm sorry Tomo-chan. I must sound really annoying right now."

"It's alright, Asami," Smiled Tomochika, helping Asami put away the dishes in the kitchen cupboard, "I'm sure that Masato will get over his worries."

"Tomo-chan, you're too nice!" Asami cheerfully exclaimed, wrapping her arms around Tomochika's waist. Chi and Nanami entered the dorm suite carrying bags full of sweet snacks.

"Now what's this?!" Chi eyed the two, "I leave for only ten minutes and already the two of you are like peas in a pod."

"Oh dear, Tomo-chan. It seems that my lovely Aoi Vixen is getting jealous," Asami smirked, taking a bag from Nanami.

"Jealousy? Yeah. Right. That can be casted aside for now," Chi plopped down on the sofa next to Nanami, who was already helping herself to a bag of shrimp chips.

"How many days will you be gone?" The young composer asked.

"Five days. Don't worry Nanami-chan, I'll be back on the seventeenth," Asami opened a box of chocolate pocky, "I'll have my cell phone on me…- so you can contact me in case something comes up."

Chi sighed, "How can you be so calm about the trip?!"

"My darling vixen, I'll only be gone for a few days," Asami rolled her eyes, "It's not like I'm eloping with your older brother in a distant country."

"That's not what I meant!" Chi dramatically wailed before running to her room, slamming the door shut.

Nanami and Tomochika sweat dropped. What. A. Drama. Queen. Asami sighed. Some things never change. She nibbled on her pocky. Oh. Well. At least she wouldn't have to hear Chi's sewing machine throughout the night.

"Will Chi be alright?" Asked Nanami.

"The vixen? Of course," Asami held out a second pocky pointing towards Chi's room, "She always acts like this whenever I go somewhere for a few days without her."

Tomochika raised an eyebrow, "Sister complex?"

"Sort of," Asami giggled, "If you want it to call it that way."

Nanami smiled. Whenever she was around the ladies… somehow… in a way, she felt more relaxed.

EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS

Location: Somewhere in Roppongi

Time: 6:13 PM

Karaoke room. Drinks. Snacks. For sure it was a guys night out for STARISH and the rest of EKSTASIS. The karaoke system connected to the high definition plasma television screen wasn't being used. Alexander was the only person in the room who was fast asleep, not aware of the ongoing conversation around him. The twins were already poking fun towards their kouhai's.

"You guys are already becoming popular," Said Yoshi, refilling his glass with sparkling lemon juice.

Yoshi smirked, "However you guys need to step the game in your popularity status."

"What would you advise us to do?" Asked Ren, fiddling with an empty soda can.

"No more of that booty shaking," Masumi said, "But more of that pelvis thrusting, since it's more in demand. Although all of you need to change your physical appearances."

"Change our physical appearance?" Cecil questioned, slightly raising an eyebrow.

"Of course," Yoshio held up a piece of paper which had a few words written on it, "All of you need to change your clothing styles. No more of that innocent schoolboy image."

Yoshio crumpled the piece of paper into a ball, tossing it into the trashcan. Perfect. Score. Masumi rolled his eyes. Ekstasis's Orpheus was such a show off.

"The point is that STARISH should reach a whole new level by turning to the dark and rebellious side," Said Yoshio, snapping off a loose thread from his academy tie, "Don't worry. I'm not referring to any crazy occults. It's just that each of you need to display a more dominating and mysterious side."

"Are you also implying that we should change our genre of music?" Asked Tokiya.

Yoshio smirked, "Quite correct."

Masumi sighed, "Our duets which we have been working on so far, are all about the feeling of love, or even being in love with a certain person…-"

"However, we don't always have to sing about love," Said Yoshi.

"So…- we should focus on another emotion?" Asked Syo.

"Focus on other things," Masumi said, "Not every song you compose should be based on love. Try switching things around. Instead of composing or singing songs full of lyrics revolved around love, you should aim for one that is full of angst and terror."

"If angst and terror don't work out at all. You can always try to aim for a song full of hot steamy s – e – x," Winked Yoshio.

Oh. Dear. God. What a way to hint about the 'birds and the bees'!