OK, so confession number 2 will be...hmm... Another Haruka one, but with whom? (You've already seen the chapter title? Well, just pretend you don't know, alright?! Sheesh.)

Haruka was confused. She'd left her key on the table by her desk, and then she'd picked it up and pocketed it, and then...

And then what? She had no idea, but just in case it would help, she started to panic, brushing down her dress constantly and nipping back and forth from the door to the table, the table to the door.

The table was empty of keys, there was no key in the door, the drawers were full of manuscript paper, there was still no key in the door, the floor under her desk was dusty, there was still no key in the door, her pocket-less dress was getting crumpled, Ren reminded her that there was still no key in the door, the lamp wasn't hiding any secrets-

Wait a second.

Haruka bumped her head on the lamp she was scrutinising and stared, feeling even more nervous than before.

Leaning against the doorframe was a tall, tanned young man with sleepy blue eyes and an unbuttoned collar. His long, amber hair was lazily hanging loose over his waistcoat, apart from that one stubborn lock that was insisting on framing his face perfectly. He smiled knowingly at Haruka, still clutching the lamp, and said in a low, smooth voice:

'Lady.'

Haruka dropped the lamp with a clatter and squeaked out a hesitant,

'Mm?'

'You must stop losing things. It's quite unladylike.'

Ren stood up, strode across her room and stared out of her window. Haruka was getting more and more nervous, she tried to put her cool hands on her cheeks to stop them blushing once Ren had turned away. Surely he'd noticed? But then again, maybe he was used to this sort of thing. He was 'the flirtatious one' in STARISH. Every magazine said so, and he never denied it. Girls were always following him around, drooling over his every word. Maybe she was just one more.

'Lady.'

Ren had turned around, standing in front of the window looking quizzically at her.

'Are you still worried about your key?' He laughed softly. 'I thought you'd have noticed that it was on your pillow by now.'

Haruka rushed over to the key, and put it in her purse. She bowed emphatically to the boy, ('Arigato gozaimasu, Jinguji-san!'), who just laughed again. Relief swept over her, and she flopped down onto her bed, reassuring herself that she knew where her key was now, it was OK.

Ren walked slowly over to her.

'Can I sit down?' he asked politely. Haruka nodded in surprise. She'd never known Ren to be so courteous before. Courting was more the usual.

His weight sank down on the bed next to her, and even though they were a friendly distance apart, Haruka could smell his scent. Shower gel, definitely, kind of a flowers-and-sandalwood smell, fresh and inviting. She tried not to be too conspicuous breathing it in. Ren himself was staring at the ceiling, far away in his own thoughts.

Haruka didn't often get to be this close to him. She loved it, but it didn't happen much, since they were always either both alone or with the rest of STARISH. And despite his flirtatious nature, he never really imposed himself upon her, or asked specifically to be alone together. Not sincerely at least. Not honestly.

She looked over at him timidly, admiring his face, his deep sapphire eyes, his neck and chest that she could just about see... Then she mentally slapped herself for being so curious about Ren's chest. That's his business, not yours. Stop being weird!

'How do you feel about playing the piano for me?'

'Mm?' Oh dear, again with the squeaking.

'I actually stopped by to tell you that I finished a song recently. I'd like you to hear it, Lady. I hope it steals your heart away.'

Interesting how the song wasn't necessary for that to happen. Haruka went over to the piano, and asked him for his music. He put three pieces of paper on the stand, and she quickly scanned them before launching into the song. She remembered this one, but her fingers almost stopped moving when Ren, standing behind her, started singing.

Hey!

Of all the girls I've met in my time

There is just no one that compares to you.

Hey!

Of all the conversations that have started new love,

I still haven't had the first one with you,

And I hope,

And I wish,

Truly love

Deep kiss!

I want you for my own, I'll keep you safe and close

You know you want to stay, truly love!

I can take you away from the bad bad days,

You know you can't stay away, truly love!

You are my only heart, I still treasure your laugh,

I know I want to stay, truly love!

They can try and replace, but I choose you anyway,

I know I can't stay away, truly, truly love!

Other girls may try too hard,

I may show all the wrong cards

But I cannot breathe another day alone.

How your eyes they speak too soon,

I am reaching out to touch you,

But I cannot breathe until I really know...

I'm here with open arms, I'll promise anything,

Because you know what I want, truly love!

It seems so wrong to explain, just how much pain,

This desire's burning again, truly love!

I choose sincerity, I choose the thousand year wait,

Because I know what I want, truly love!

They can try to replace, but I choose you anyway,

Truly love! Broken heart! Say you'll stay!

Haruka just kept blushing. His voice was so much fun, singing the bluesy chorus. When she gathered up the papers, she was all too aware of how he was still standing behind her, and quickly spun round.

'What did you think, Lady? Is it too...sensual? I'd be happy to change it, for you of course.' Ren winked at her, grinning his signature grin. The one the cameras went wild for.

'N-No, I thought it was great, actually,' stuttered our heroine, just a tad wonderstruck. He was just so...close to her now. Haruka's nose was just a few centimetres away from that ever-present lock of hair that made Ren's whole look so unique.

'I'MSORRYICAN'TDOTHISANYMORE!' she shouted, and pushed him away, out of her face where he could see into her eyes and know what she was thinking. Before she realised what she was doing, she was out of the room and down the stairs, running from the boy she was in love with, and not even sure why she wasn't stopping.

His eyes were so piercing, yet so soft. His arms were so strong, yet so welcoming. His voice was so rich, and still so tender. He had been singing, standing, right behind her. Haruka could feel herself blushing again, and as soon as she saw the bathroom, she dashed in and locked the cubicle door behind her.

'Haru-chan?'

She realised that she wasn't the only one in the girl's bathroom. Her best friend was here too, probably the only person who would understand her in this situation.

'Haru-chan, are you alright? Do you want to talk?' said Tomochika, from outside the door.

'Yes!' The word came out too high and too quick, it was so obvious that she was upset.

'Do you want me to come in? Or shall I wait?' She sounded concerned, but she didn't need to be, not really. Haruka was feeling slightly calmer already, just hearing Tomo-chan talking. She was always so grounded and sensible. She'd know what to do if her crush was standing that close.

'It's fine,' she answered, 'I'm coming.'

A sympathetic hug awaited her on the other side of the door, and Haruka gratefully accepted it. Then Tomochika held her at arm's length and asked,

'So who was it?'

'Huh?'

'Well, I knew this would happen someday. I'm surprised you didn't see it coming yourself, actually. Which STARISH member are you in love with?' She raised an eyebrow. 'Is it Ichinose-san?'

'No, no, of course not!' Haruka spluttered. She couldn't believe that Tomo-chan had guessed so easily what had happened. Did that mean that Ren could guess her thoughts too? what if he'd known the whole time? 'It's-'

'Oh no, don't tell me. I want to guess! Though I did think it was quite likely to be him.' Tomochika put a finger up to her chin and frowned prettily. 'Is it...Ittoki-kun? No, forget that, it's Natsuki, it has to be! But what if it's Syo? ...Hmmm. Hijirikawa-san maybe?' She gasped. 'Cecil-san! It has to be him! He's always saying he's in love with you!'

'But it's not! It's...It's Ren,' admitted Haruka, her voice fading as she said his name. 'He was singing one of my songs, with some lyrics he'd written, and I kept thinking it was for me... But that's what every fan feels like, isn't it? They all want to imagine that the song is especially for them, but they know that it isn't. I just...I just wanted it to be for me...so badly...'

Tomochika couldn't help but hug her again.

'Ren was the last person I thought you'd choose, you know that? Because you're so shy and he's so up-front about everything. But Haruka, you're being a little slow, don't you think?'

'What?' The huge eyes widened in surprise. 'What do you mean?'

'Ren doesn't hide his feelings. That's why he is the way he is. Sure, he enjoys being flirtatious, but we're all used to it now. If he felt strongly about what he'd written, then he wouldn't just pretend they were for anyone. Think about it, Haru-chan.' Tomochika grinned accusingly. 'I bet you just got a little carried away fantasising, huh.'

'Fantasi- What?!' Haruka was horrified, until her friend started laughing at her expression. At least she didn't have to worry about being an unconscious pervert.

'Get out of this bathroom, and tell the poor guy how you feel, Haru-chan! Out!' She gently pushed Haruka to the door and opened it. 'Just remember, he always means what he says.'

Ren was leaning outside Haruka's door. He'd thought it rude to stay inside when it was a girl's bedroom and the girl was no longer there. He reread his lyrics again. Were they wrong? He'd thought they were perfect, but what if Haruka had been disgusted by them?

It was true that some people hated Ren for his attitude to life. They disliked his vague way of talking, his careless way of dressing, but no matter how carefree he was, Ren wasn't stupid. He knew exactly what they thought of him. It wasn't hard to tell, in most cases.

But he hadn't thought that she was like those people.

'Jinguji-san!' came a breathless voice from the top of the stairs. A panting Haruka followed it, her orange bob flying in all directions, and her eyes bright with energy. 'I've got something to say!'

'Lady,' he replied, ever the gentleman. 'I apologise for my lyrics if you disliked them, but I assure you I meant every word.'

For a moment she looked confused and nervous about what to say next, but then the resolve returned when Ren looked away from her. Her fists clenched, and chin raised a little higher than usual, Haruka began saying what it had taken her months to figure out she needed to say.

'Jinguji-san, I loved your song. Honestly, I loved it so much. It felt like you meant it. But that's not the problem. I'm the problem. I'm nervous about saying this to you, I'm terrified. I can feel my own heart pounding in my head. But I'll say it anyway.'

Ren stood up from the wall and looked Haruka straight in the eyes as she said the final words.

'That song made me realise that it was real. That my love for you was real, Jinguji-san.'

He walked slowly over to her, and put his arms around her waist, but just lightly. He could feel her shaking, but she was smiling up at him like she hadn't noticed.

Ren's voice in her's ear, a whisper, nothing more than a soft brush of his lips, said slowly,

'My song wasn't completely honest, you know.'

Haruka's eyes filled up with tears. She'd been wrong. She was just another fan girl to him, that's what he was going to say.

She was just about to pull away when the voice gently rolled over her again. Her favourite voice. Ren's voice, that could make her smile, and cry, and blush like anything.

'The chorus was wrong. I said "Truly love". It should have been, "Truly, I love you, Haruka."'

OK! *Completely spoils atmosphere* Any pairing suggestions for next time? I've decided to do a song for each one, and they are my original lyrics. I have tunes in my head, and that one was very jazzy and catchy. Hope you liked it! Tell me what you thought, cuz I'd love to know!