~x~

Suddenly, the lights flicker off. Only the stage lights remain.

Kurai-sama walks onto the wooden platform, then turns to face the audience.

"Good evening." Her voice fills the room. "As you may know, the sweets competition will take place in one week from now. Today, I will announce the theme, so that the participating groups will have time to prepare for it."

For a moment, her eyes shift to our table. Then she looks away, returning her attention to the audience.

"The theme for this round will be..."

Her lips curve upwards, and for a moment, I could have sworn she was smiling.

The she opens her mouth, and says the one word that I would never have guessed...

"Flight."

~x~

For the thousandth time that day, Sho sighs.

I glance up at him. "Are you okay?"

He shakes his head. "I don't know what to do. For the sweets competition, I mean."

I blink, confused. "Why does it mean so much to you? It's just a competition... nothing much."

"Just a competition?" He stares at me in disbelief. "It's everything to me. All my life, I've been second best. It's always my sister who's in the spotlight. I'm tired of living in her shadow, tired of never being good enough."

"Now, I finally have a chance to prove myself." His blue eyes shine with determination. "I can't lose this competition. If I do, it will only prove that I'm worthless."

I place a hand on his shoulder. "Sho..."

He pushes it away. "I don't want your sympathy! Besides..." He looks away. "You wouldn't understand."

His words trigger something inside of me... something that I've locked away for so long. "You're wrong," I say. "I used to play piano. Then, when I was six, my little sister began to play as well. I had practiced for years, yet she surpassed me in days. Soon, she was receiving all the attention. My parents barely paid attention to me."

I bite my lip. "Frustrated, I quit piano. I was tired of being second best... tired of being ignored. Until I found St. Marie." I stare into his light blue eyes. "Don't pity yourself. If you want to win this match, you'll have to work for it."

A tear trickles down his cheek. He buries his face in his hands, letting out a muffled sob. "I... can't."

Something snaps inside me, and for a moment, I almost feel bad for him. "Sho..."

"I can't do this." His voice trembles slightly. "I can't try so hard, only to realize that all my efforts were wasted. It would break me."

And suddenly, I realize something. Underneath his icy blue eyes, his emotionless stare... he's just a boy. A boy who's longing to be someone... who wants, as much as anyone, to fit into this world. A boy who wants to die remembered.

"It's okay," I say quietly. "We'll win this competition... together."

He looks up, his blue eyes meeting mine. "Promise?"

I smile, taking his hand in mine.

"Promise."

~x~

I tell the others about my plan. We practice all week, until the sweet is undoubtedly perfect.

All too soon, it's time for the sweets competition. As I enter the room, I find that the A Group is already waiting for us.

"Welcome to the annual sweets competition," the judge announces. "If you are here, it means that you've made it to the top one percent of your school. Congratulations."

Applause fills the room. Then, slowly, it dies away.

All of a sudden, I feel choked by the silence; strangled by my own emotions.

"You will have 3 hours to prepare your sweet. Your time starts... now."

I remember my promise to Sho. And suddenly, I'm overcome with a wave of determination.

No matter what, I have to win this.

I can't let him down.

~x~

I think I'm going to cry. This chapter really sucks... ;A; And I took so long to update!

I'm really sorry if I disappointed you guys...QAQ

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