'I better hurry. I can't believe I overslept again!' If there was one thing you could fault me for, it was my love for sleeping in. The bed is so soft and comfy, why would I want to wake up? Today would be my first time practicing with the guys. We were to practice on the weekends, just like I use to when I was in Crystal Love. 'I am doing such a splendid job of showing them my work ethics. Who shows up late on their first day?!' I sighed at my laziness as I ran as fast as my legs could carry me.

"Made it!" I silently cheered in relief. I quickly scouted the area for any signs of Kat, once I saw it was clear, I stealthily made my way inside.

"Phew. I'm not too late."

"Oh who do we have here? Look who finally decided to show up."

"Eek!" I jumped at the sound of the voice, It was the same smug voice I came to know so well. "I'm sorry!" I quickly straightend up as I cried out and slightly bowed in apology. "I thought you must have been eaten by a cougar or maybe there was a new snack bar that just recently opened and you couldn't resist, hmm?" Eisuke looked to be enjoying himself as he slowly walked up to me with his signature smirk.

"Do you really think I love food that much?" I said without even thinking, "Wait. Don't answer that." I quickly shook my head in embarrassment, "I kind of overslept... But I promise it won't happen again!" I said in a unwavering manner. "Oh-ho. I see you love to sleep just as much as you love to eat. You sure are easy to please." Eisuke laughed, he really enjoyed giving me a good ribbing.

"The easier to please the easier to love!" I blurted out despite myself. Upon realizing what I said we both fell silent. "Nevermind! Let's get started." I squeaked, trying to play off my earlier words. "Yeah." Eisuke went into their living quarters and assembled the guys together.

"Hey, Elli." A cheerful Ota smiled at me. "Looking as beautiful as ever. If no one claims you soon I might do so myself." Baba grinned but moments later he was elbowed in his side, "Hey, friends aren't supposed to beat up their friends!" Baba pouted, rubbing his side, pretending like it really hurt. Eisuke scowled at him for just a brief moment before walking to the stage set for our practice.

"Good luck. I look forward to hearing you sing."

"Really? I'm kind of nervous but thanks." I smiled. To know the man of few words was looking forward to hearing me sing definitely came as a surprise. Eisuke tells me he never talks and yet, he seemed to be more open to me. '...I wonder why?' Soryu really was a mystery. Soryu sauntered up to the stage and got in position. "Elli, come here." Eisuke, with his microphone in hand, beckoned me to the stage."

"You have gone over the lyrics, correct?" He asked and I nodded, "Of course. I'm ready." I said, trying to look confident.

'No. I'm not ready. I'm nervous as hell. I just want to disappear. They are all going to hear me sing...? This is a nightmare. Please let there be a meteor strike right this second and let it land on- wait no not on it I'm in here- outside the villa so it causes a blackout!'

"Elli?"

'Hmm. I don't know if that's such a good idea. Maybe just a small explosion would suffice.

"Elli?"

'I'll even settle for a sudden case of laryng-"

"Elli?!"

"What?!" I cried out in a fright, suddenly coming back to my senses. I look to see an exasperated Eisuke looking right back at me. "Gee, you really love to daydream. I'd like to know what goes on in that head of yours but I worry if I did It might scar me for life." Eisuke inched closer with a wry smile. "Sorry, my mind is off limits." I sarcastically replied with a grin, shrugging my shoulders. "Getting plucky with me now are we? I wonder how far that will take you." Eisuke responded with a devilish grin. "Wouldn't you like to know. You are probably to worried I'll kick your butt." I gave a smirk of my own. My earlier nervousness was all but gone. I actually seemed to be enjoying bickering with Eisuke. It felt different from his usual teasing. It feels more...intimate?

"As if that would-"

"Hey, you two! Quit the lovers act and let's get started!" We jumped at the sound of Mamoru interrupting us as he suddenly chided in. We quickly turned the opposite way from each other in response. 'Gee, Eisuke. That was all your fault. How embarrassing.' I shook my head a little from what happened. "Here." Eisuke handed me a microphone. "Time we got started. Don't want Kat to suddenly walk in on us." Eisuke said, preparing his microphone. 'He's right. We can't dilly dally around. Better get serious.'

I got into my position besides Eisuke and we were finally ready to get underway. The melody gradually filled the room. It was a soft gentle beat, it made me feel relaxed. 'They are good.' I was impressed. It was soon Eisuke's turn to join in the song. 'Oh no. I'm not ready for this. I've never heard him sing. And he's so...so close to me.' My heartbeat drowned out my surroundings, I could feel my body burning up with nerves, 'Dammit. Stay calm.' I mentally slapped myself. And finally it happened, Eisuke's melodious voice began to play. With his eyes closed and the passion exuding from him as he sung, It was as if he was a whole other person. 'It's the same man... And yet it's like he takes on a whole other persona. He looks so passionate, it's like he has become one with the music. Not to mention his voice was so deep. I couldn't take my eyes of him and his sultry voice.'

"Elli, what are you doing?"

"Huh? ...Oh no. Not again! I'm so sorry." I bowed my head several times. The music came to a halt after Eisuke realized I wasn't joining in but was taking the time to fantasize about him instead. "I'm really sorry. Your voice caught me completely off guard. Seeing you so focused on your singing and hearing your deep sexy voice I was mesmerized..." I replied in a hurry but I quickly regretted what I said, 'What am I saying? I just called his voice sexy... That's going to do wonders on his ego.' I shyly averted my gaze, awaiting for him to speak. "Heh. If that came from anyone else I'd tell them to get lost this very instant, I don't like to be told false airs just so they can get on my goodside." Eisuke spoke in a low but authoritive tone. "But with you it's different." He said and sidled up to me, "Try not to stare at me too much. You need to be singing as well. You can't let your feelings get in the way. If you want to stare, do so when we aren't practicing. Though it's not like I need to tell you that. You do it enough on your own. He breathed, his warm breath tickling my ear. I caught my breath, too stunned to speak. He pulled back with a slight snicker, he didn't look the least bit bothered as he returned to position. I couldn't make out any kind of visual expression on his face, 'Aww. Why does he have to look so poker-faced... Wait, I really shouldn't be worrying about that now. Time to show them what I can do! I've proved enough I can stare at Eisuke for hours...unfortunately...sigh... Now to prove I got what it takes to be part of Tres Spades!' I lifted a hand to my ear, the feeling of his warm breath still lingered on my soft skin, 'Yes, I'll show you Eisuke, I'll show you what I'm made of!' I smiled, inside I was brimming with determination.

"Is Elli ready? Or does she still only have eyes for Eisuke?" Ota asked with a wry chuckle.

"She may still be lusting for Eisuke." Baba teased.

"She is probably nervous. It is her first time in this situation. Elli just needs practice." Soryu quickly jumped to my defence from the other two. It seemed as if was always ready to protect me.

*Clap Clap.*

Eisuke clapped his hands and the room went silent. "Let's start over. Go." Eisuke issued the command and once again the music began. This time I wasn't going to let my eyes and ears distract me. I was going to sing and I was going to give it my all. It's been something I have dreamed of my whole life and now finally it's becoming a reality. I was going to sing in a band and one day in front of thousands. I faced many challenges and roadblocks along the way but now that I am finally here, I don't want anyone to take it away from me.

That afternoon I proved to the guys I could sing. I sang with all my heart. I was thrilled to learn they were blown away by my performance. I did better than what they even imagined. Seeing the pair of us singing together on the stage, they said we looked like a match made in heaven. My voice perfectly complemented his.

"I knew I made the right choice. You have such a rare talent it would have been a shame if you hid it away all your life." Eisuke said, actually praising me for once. It made me feel all fuzzy inside. Just the feeling of being able to sing to my hearts desire without fear, It was a truly Indescribable feeling. "Wow, Elli! You are amazing!" Ota and Baba both surrounded me. "Eisuke wasn't kidding. Your voice is so soothing and yet it feels so powerful. You could insight all kinds of emotions with your voice." Ota remarked, a smile on his face.

'I could...? I wonder if I really can... Can I really bring smiles to the faces of thousands just as my sister once did?'

"Elli, you did an excellent job. It's good to have you with us." Soryu said, his face void of emotions...or so I thought, I caught the faintest smile on his face before he walked away. 'Soryu smiling? I never thought I'd see the day. He's always so cold and distant. I wonder if he has started to open up to me because he now sees me as one of the guys? Hmm. Could be.' Satisfied with that conclusion, I looked to Eisuke. "Watching you sing today, I have never seen you look so happy." Eisuke said, walking over to me. "I've never looked happy before?" I pouted and he chuckled, "Maybe when you are stuffing your face." He teased. "Hmmph. I'm always happy with a full belly." I huffed. "I wonder why your parents tried to hold back such a talented voice as your own. Have you even told them you broke your promise?" My body immediately froze at his words and I felt myself slightly cower, "I haven't told them. ...I'll tell them when I'm ready." I timidly reply, rubbing my arm with my gaze at my side.

"You really should do it soon. Problems could arise if you don't. Your parents must have a good reason for doing so. And they must have a reason as to why they keep it secret from you." Eisuke commented and it made me think for a moment. 'A reason... What would it be. My sister loved to sing. That was the one thing we had in common. Lucy would always sing for me. She was able to always put a smile on my face no matter what. But then there was that accident... Everything changed after that day. She no longer wanted to talk to me and hardly came out of her room. Do my parents worry something will happen to me just like Lucy if I took a path in singing...' I sighed at the thought. "What's wrong?" Eisuke asked in concern and I nodded my head, playing it off. "Nothing. I...I'll tell my parents soon." I replied, biting my lip. "Don't worry. If anything happens just remember you are not alone." Eisuke looked straight into my eyes, I was surprised to see a gentle and kind warmth in their depths. I was trapped by those eyes and couldn't turn away, we shared in a sweet intimate moment between just the two of us. It was moments like these that sent my heart in a spiral of emotions. I thought of him as someone special to me, a dear friend. But it seemed like my heart was slowly breaking through the walls erected in my mind. It saw my true desires. It wouldn't be long before those desires broke through to the surface.