Having finished picking out a new wardrobe and buying other necessities, like a hairbrush, we were now driving back to the villa.

'I can't believe what he went through growing up... That explains his attitude. He really didn't have it easy. To be robbed of your childhood...'I was deep in thought as I absentmindedly turned my head towards the window, the scenery flashing by outside. 'I wonder If I robbed myself of my childhood. I never did stop to just take time out for myself... I was always studying or doing something I thought would be beneficial to finding my sister. Eisuke and I...maybe we aren't so different after all. ...Except he's rich as heck and I'm as broke as a door mat.' I sighed without thinking and the next thing I knew something was tugging on my cheek.

"Ow! Ow! Ow!" I cried out. I could hear the sound of laughter besides me. "What are you thinking about? That was a pretty big sigh." Eisuke said, his cold, slender fingers still pinching my cheek. "Wet go!" I grunted and grabbed his wrist. "You sound funny." He looked to be enjoying himself as he teased me. I tightened my hold on his wrist and he finally let go of my cheek, "You big meanie! You are supposed to keep both hands on the wheel when driving. What if we had an accident? Huh?!" I immediately expressed my displeasure, shouting at him and then turning away in a huff.

"Would never happen." He expressed confidently, smirking. I rolled my eyes at him and shrugged, "Always so smug."

"You like that about me, though." He was practically gleaming with confidence. I turned towards him with a look of disinterest, trying to not to let any emotion show, "What makes you think that." I said and playfully stuck my tongue out when he started to laugh. "That's better. You don't look so troubled any more. You know, you really do look your best when you are smiling." He said. My body jerked back in surprise, 'Was he just trying to cheer me up...?' My gaze quickly fell to my lap as I suddenly felt shy, "...Thanks." I mumbled.

"Heh. You are way too pure."

"Huh." His words only edged on my shyness. As I sat there feeling hot and bothered, his next words surprised me.

"...I really am lucky to met you."

'What...?' His tone was different from normal. It was soft and full of emotion, like his words came straight from the heart. "You are...?" I timidly asked and a small smile played on his lips, "Before I met you, my only purpose was to prove myself to my father but now... I have another purpose." He replied. I felt a touched confused but I also felt like I understood what he meant, "What is that purpose?" I asked. "Do I really need to say? I'm sure you will understand in time. Being with you, I feel like I can finally be myself. I feel like I've been set free. For the first time, I'm coming to understand the meaning of happiness."

'I didn't realize he felt that way... What is happiness? Do I understand this meaning of happiness...?' I felt confused inside, so many emotions swirled around that I could differentiate between them. 'Maybe I can find happiness with him someday?' I felt a little flicker in my heart at the thought. Then something come to my mind, "Hey, being the son of billionaire, wouldn't your father want you to marry someone fitting for your name?" My curiosity had gotten the better of me. It seemed Eisuke wasn't expecting me to ask such a question as his whole body slightly jerked and his face turned to one of shock before becoming serious, "That doesn't matter. I don't care what my father wants." His reply sounded so cold that it made me feel uneasy.

'I wonder if that means he would be going against his father by liking me? ...Wait, if he doesn't manage to suceed and has to work at the corporation... Then does that mean I will never see him again?' That thought was almost too painful to think about. I could feel my chest tighten. I don't even want to imagine such a thing happening but... nothing changed the fact it was a possibility. 'No... I can't... I can't lose him.' I started to panic, my worries must have shown on my face as Eisuke spoke, "Don't worry. I won't give you up so easily. Don't think I'll let you get away. I could never find a girl like you, no matter how hard I tried. It's true I may have girls fawning for my attention back where I come from and my father has suitors in mind but I don't care about any of them. You are all I care about." There was a seriousness in his eyes as he spoke with conviction. His words nearly took my breath away. I didn't expect to hear such things come from his mouth.

...

The car trip back to the villa felt like forever as the tension in the air grew, I had never felt so suffocated before. From learning about his past to hearing more on how he felt about me, my poor heart was ready to give out.

As soon as we turned up at the villa, I hurried to get out of the car, I couldn't take another second of the uncomfortable atmosphere inside the car. I didn't even stop to check if Kat was around as I dashed inside the villa and to the living quarters; thankfully, Kat was nowhere to be seen.

I briefly greeted the guys, whom were lazing about on the couches watching tv, as I marched to my bedroom. I didn't even stop to see where Eisuke was. I just wanted to get away and collect my thoughts in silence. Once in my room, I put down the bags I was carrying and started to take the clothes out from inside. I laid them in a pile on my queen sized bed, ready to be taken to the washing machine later. After that I fell back onto my bed away from the pile, reflecting back on my thoughts.

"My head hurts... I can't believe what I learned today. Those guys out there watching tv right now... They all have similar issues as Eisuke. I never knew... They all seem so carefree and laid back that I'd never guess they had so much to contend with. I guess they must really believe in Eisuke..." As I laid there lost in my thoughts my phone suddenly went off.

I quickly shot up on my bed in surprise and searched for my phone. I saw It near the pile of clothes on the bed and hurriedly stretched over to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Elli."

"Oh, Hey, Joelle." I was surprised to hear Joelle on the other side. It wasn't often she called. Mainly because her circumstances wouldn't allow her.

"I can't talk long but I called to remind you that the annual dance Kat hosts every year will be coming up soon." She said.

"What, already? This will be the last one before graduation." I replied.

"That's right. I know you have no interest in going to these. You have never been to one after all but I thought maybe since this is your last opportunity you would come?" She asked, I could hear the pleading tone in her voice.

"I don't know... You know Kat doesn't like me. And I don't particularly like big gatherings. They are just, you know, too big." I sounded reluctant as I replied.

"That's true. I'd really like you to come though. ...Oh! Why don't you bring Eisuke along? I know he doesn't come to the college but he can come as your date!" Joelle's tone changed to one of excitement as she sounded like she just thought up a brilliant idea.

I gasped at her suggestion. "No way. I can't go on a date with him. I mean he probably won't even want to go to such a stuffy gathering." I replied but Joelle didn't sound like she would back down.

"This year it's been voted we have a masquerade ball for the dance. You can go in disguise and no one will have to know who you are. ...Meaning Kat can't simply signal you out and you don't have to feel shy because you can cover your face. C'mon! Come!" Joelle eagerly begged me.

I sighed, she was starting to wear on me, "Hah... I'll think about it. No promises though." I replied and was recieved by a squeal of delight on the other end.

"Great! This will be a dance to remember. Our last one before we graduate!" Joelle said in a enthusiastic tone. After that we said our goodbyes and ended the call. I sighed once more, "Wow. Another thing to add to my list of troubles. I still have to go to my first gig with Tres Spades and after that there is now a masquerade ball. ...Splendid. I couldn't ask for more. Oh yes, I always wanted to feel pressured like this." I moaned, throwing myself back on the bed, "I wonder if Eisuke will come with me. How do I even ask? Upfront or in a roundabout way, hmm..." As I laid there talking to myself, there was a knock on my door. Surprised, I quickly sat up on the bed, "Come in." I said and the door opened and Eisuke stepped in.

'Urgh. Why did it have to be him... Not when I was just talking about him. ...Ah! I hope he didn't hear me.' I grew a little flustered at that thought but did my best to stay calm as Eisuke strolled up to my bed. "Why are you moping around in here for? You vanished so fast after we got back I thought you ran away." Eisuke immediately started to tease me. I scrunched up my face and averted my gaze, "I'm not moping. Am I not allowed to have my own space?" I asked in a sarcastic tone. "Of course you can. But not if you plan to spend your time looking miserable." He replied. I could feel my pulse starting to quicken, I didn't know what it was, but the way he spoke... He may have been wearing his usual smug grin but there was a kindess in his tone, like he was worried about me. 'He really does go about things in a roundabout way. If I didn't know him better I'd just assume he was picking on me.'

"Is there something you wanted or did you come into my room because you missed me that badly?" A mischievous grin played on my lips as I asked but Eisuke just brushed it off like it was nothing. "How can I miss you when we live under the same roof? If anything you are around too much." There he was teasing me mercilessly while smirking, "I actually have something very important to tell you. I was just discussing it with the guys. In six months there will be a competition hosted right here in Kanata. Many bands will be competing. This may finally be our chance." Eisuke spoke with resolve, it looked like whatever this competition was, it was very important.

"What happens if you win?" I asked and Eisuke slightly smiled, "The winner will get the privilege of going to England and practicing with the popular band Revance." He explained. My eyes went wide as saucers as my whole body froze at the mention of 'Revance.' "Ahhhh! Really?! That band is hot in the charts right now. Can we really be taught by them?!" I immediately went into fangirl mode at the thought as I squealed.

Eisuke cringed at my reaction, "Sheesh, you have a loud voice. It won't be easy. There will be many bands competing. But if we win this will be a big step on getting our name out there and becoming known over the world. After you practice with Revance for a time, they go on to recommend you to a publishing company who will give you a record deal. Depending on how well you perform by the time they finish teaching you, will affect on just who they recommend you to. Better the performance, better the deal." I blinked several times at Eisuke's explanation. It was all so overwhelming. 'This could be my chance to find my sister... We have to win that competition!'

"That sounds amazing. It's right after I graduate too." I responded. "Perfect. We are going to have to practice like crazy. We can't afford to lose this competition. It might be the only chance we get an opportunity like this." Eisuke spoke with determination, he looked prepared for anything. Looking at him, something came to mind, "I was wondering, since you are part of the Ichinomiya family, shouldn't you be more popular already?" I asked. "Not at all. I might be the son of a billionaire but asides from Zircon, not many know what I look like and I don't give my full name out to the public. I don't want to flaunt my status to reach the top. I want to do this myself, by my own two hands and with my friends." Eisuke explained.

Seeing how earnest he was about it made my chest grow warm. It was times like this that the love I held for him felt like it would burst inside of me. It was an Indescribable feeling but it made me feel somewhat content. It was something foreign to me... My life was about to get that much harder. Preparing for the upcoming gig and now this very important competition in six months. And on top of all that is the dance. Just how will I ask Eisuke?!