"What are you smiling about?" Eiichi asked the young woman beside him.

"About this project.I'm wondering how this will turn out.And..."

"And?"

"You two are exact opposites. While Otoya is the ball of sunshine, you are the intense leader.It's really interesting to think about."

"Pfft.Ball of sunshine?Is that how you see him?"

"Yep. His smiles shine like the sun. It makes you warm inside,doesn't it?"

"You're right.I can relate him to Eiji."

"I know right!"

"And I'm the intense leader?"

"Mhmm.You always inspire us to get better and work harder." Catarina smiled brightly.

"It's you guys who inspire me."

"Glad to hear but ask the others too. Their answer will be the same as mine."

"In that case,thanks,angel."Eiichi showed a gentle smile before continuing, "But,you're wrong at the part that Ittoki Otoya and I are different.No,we are more similar than you think."

"You and Otoya?"The girl pondered over it.

Like how you two are gentle?Well, Otoya would fall under the category of 'innocent' than gentle.Mah, it's the same thing.

"...I guess so."

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

"Ittoki Otoya, do you believe in fate?"

"Huh?"

"I'm feeling it right now.You and I were meant to sing in a duet together. This is fate!"

Catarina looked at Otoya,whose face showed confusion and fear.Eiichi, you're too intense for the poor boy.

"Call me Eiichi. Let's try to be friends. Right,Otoya?"

"O-okay."Otoya's face was blue.

Is he really that scared of Eiichi? She sweatdropped. Catarina had learnt about the first encounter between STARISH and HEAVENS from Kira. She understood it didn't go well, from STARISH's perspective.

"By the way Otoya, what have you thought of the duet project so far?"

"M-my thoughts?Everyone's been amazing.So,I'm hoping to do just as well."

"'Just as well'.That's all?"

"Huh?"

"We'll be seeking to sing a soul-shaking song that will make even the hearts of the singers tremble."The brunette said with a serious expression.

"Soul-shaking?"

Eiichi got up from his seat."So far, the duet project has changed the members of HEAVENS and STARISH and helped them grow.We'll likely grow through working on the project as well.But is that enough?No,of course not.We'll aim for greater heights than anyone!"

Catarina inwardly smiled. That's why I said you inspire us to work harder.

"Greater heights than anyone?"

"We'll release our souls sleeping deep inside our hearts to reach new levels."

"So,you'd like to sing something new?" The blonde composer asked.

"That's exactly right.Write us something stronger,deeper and more intense than anything you've ever written."Catarina listened seriously to Eiichi's proposition.

"Don't you want the same thing, Otoya?"

"Yeah.I want to grow as much as the other guys.I want to try my hands at a soul shaking song."

Eiichi chuckled at his enthusiasm. "I knew we would get along."

Otoya smiled at him.Looks like he's not nervous anymore.

"Let's do our best,Eiichi,Otoya,"she said looking at the two males.

Eiichi and Catarina were entering the training room when they heard the other members chat.

"I'm starving."

"Should we make some curry, then?"

Eiichi giggled before saying, "HEAVENS is perfect again today."

"What?You're creepy when you're in a good mood."

"Nagi, so you're saying you're not perfect?" Catarina asked from beside Eiichi.

"When did I say that?Of course,I'm perfect!" The female stuck out her tounge at him. The pinkhead did the same.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself," Kira simply said.

"Yeah,I am."The tall brunette laughed again."Everything is coming along well."

Van asked the younger Otori,"What's he talking about?"

"Nii-san's happy his duet project has started."

"I feel intense waves emanating from Eiichi."Shion told.

Yamato added,"Your unusually high level of excitement is annoying."

"And,it's annoying to see you do push ups for the I've-lost-count time," Catarina muttered.

"You've got something against me doing push ups?"Yamato asked not stopping his exercise.

"Nope.Not at all.But, why are you  always doing the same- oh hey!You're doing it in a new way!" She pointed at the blonde man doing one handed push ups.

"Duh."He simply shrugged it of.

Before anyone could say anything else, the whole room turned icy blue, much like the colour of Catarina's eyes.The room temperature drastically decreases.

The heck?!Am I in Permafrost?!

"Wh-what's going on?"

"I'm cold."

Eiichi scowled when he figured out the reason behind this.The blonde female noticed it but before she could ask anything,the door burst open and a gust of cold wind entered the room.
The rest of HEAVENS were far enough from the door so they kneeled down to protect themselves from the blizzard.

On the other hand, Eiichi and Catarina, who were near the door, were shoved to the wall on their right.

!!!

Before Catarina could come in a harsh contact with the wall, Eiichi hugged the girl and took the hit instead.

Eiichi!! She couldn't look up at him for her head being buried in his chest.

The strong wind stopped and his arms loosened. They both fell to the ground on their knees. Catarina looked at her side at the leader.To her surprise, she found him scowling in front.

"You must be awfully confident if you have time for idle talk."Came a voice from above them.

!!Raging Otori!

Then,Raging did the unexpected by grabbing Eiichi by the collar. Eiichi remained unfazed.

No!!Let him go!

Catarina wanted to free Eiichi right then and there but Eiichi had warned them in prior not to go against his father. Because he knew what his father's nature was.

"The duet project exists so you can prove to STARISH that you're better than them."

"HEAVENS is growing towards heights no one ever imagined." Eiichi slapped his hand away.

"Growing?That's not what I want!Move your bodies in pursuit of becoming the best.Breathe only so you can win.Overwhelm them. Crush them with your dancing.That is the meaning of your existence!"

Even if Raging was wearing sunglasses, everyone could see the cold eyes under them."Results are everything.Show me results."

Eiichi gritted his teeth. The older man left and the room became normal.

As soon as their director had left, Catarina jumped on the leader.

"Eiichi,are you alright?!You're not hurt anywhere,are you?" Her concerned blue eyes looked into his purple ones.

The brunette calmed down and smiled. He patted her on the head to reassure her.

The other members also goes to their leader.

"Eiichi/Nii-san!"

"I'm fine."

"Dad went overboard again,"Eiji mumbled.

"Absolutely!"Nagi joined. Everyone agreed.

How could he do this to his own son?! Even if Catarina respected him as an elder and for making her HEAVENS' composer, she was really angry at him.

"Thanks for shielding me."She turned to the brunette.

"You aren't hurt,are you?" The bespectacled man asked.

"No.What about you? You took the blow."

"I'm okay."

They decided to continue their practice instead of complaining about their director.

.  .  .  .  .  .  .

Catarina finished playing the song.

"How is it?"She asked.

"Good.It's exactly what I asked for.No, even better.It's clearly different from what we've sung until now."Eiichi's glasses glint in the light.

"Thanks."

"Otoya,don't you feel the same?" The readhead stared in silence.

"Otoya?"

"It's amazing."Catarina smiled after hearing that.

"Yeah,but we're aiming even higher," said Eiichi.

"What?"

"A fantastic song needs a suitable arrangement.A stronger,more intense, soul shaking arrangement."

"I got it."The blonde replied firmly.

"I'm counting on you,Catarina."

"I want to start writing lyrics. After hearing Rina-chan's song,I'm so eager to get started!"

"Thank you,Otoya."

"Good.I like that expression, Otoya. Let's put that excitement in writing lyrics."

He grabbed the redhead by the shoulder before adding,"This will become a soul shaking song.I know you and I can do it."

.  .  .  .  .  .  .

A soul shaking song.It can be explained as a song that will reach the deepest part of one's heart. Listeners can feel the singer's emotions.That's the kind of song Eiichi asked for.

Catarina was working on the arrangement at night when she was thinking about this.A song that will shake everyone's hearts. . . I'll definitely make it!

The next night,Catarina was watching T.v. with Eiji,Shion and Nagi. The composer wanted to keep working but HEAVENS especially Kira strictly forbade her from over working.So, she was taking a break after working all day.

"I'm telling you.That girl Koharu is the culprit!"Nagi told them.

"I don't think that's true. Daichi's cousin Yuu is acting more suspicious. I think she is the culprit,"Eiji stated his opinion.

"Eeh?Most of the evidences go against Koharu.Shion, Rinna, who do you think is the culprit?"

To be honest, Catarina couldn't care less about the mystery drama they were watching. Watching her friends' reactions when any new evidences were found was more interesting. She was just enjoying their company while thinking about the song arrangement.

"Amakusa doesn't suspect anyone. Daichi's death was written in the stars. None can defy fate."

Way to go,Shion! Catarina found this the best deduction yet.

"Shion,you know that's not going to be true for t.v. series."Nagi deadpanned.

"What do you think,Rin-chan?"

"All I know is that one of them is the culprit. Or maybe what Shion said is true,"The said female said with a very serious face.

The brunette sweatdropped."Rin-chan. . ."

"Mou!Rinna and Shion, you don't understand detective series at all. Mah, I guess only a genius like me can solve these cases."

"Eiji, look.This kid is insulting you."

"Rin-chan, you know that's not what he meant."Eiji dryly laughed.

While the four younger ones were going back and forth, Eiichi descended down the stairs with a small luggage.

"Eiichi,where are you going?"Kira asked after taking a sip of his coffee.

Kira's question caused everyone in the room to shift their attention to their leader.

"To a training camp with Otoya."

"Training camp, now?" Yamato asked, putting his sports magazine down.

"Yes.We'll complete our song there." The brunette's glasses glint in the light.

He's looking forward to this.

"You really do look creepy when you're excited."

Van told Nagi,"Now,now,Nagi-chan . Don't be like that.Eii-chan is just as excited for the duet project as you were."

"Wah!I-I was not!"

You totally were.

"Nii-san, when are you going to return?"

"After we complete the song.Maybe after two days."

"I'll try to send you the arrangement tomorrow,"said Catarina.

"Alright.I'll be off then."

"Take care!"

.  .  .  .  .  .  .

"It's done."Catarina smiled.

She looked at the clock to find it was ten in the morning. That means, she had been working for two hours consecutively if she doesn't add the hour before breakfast.

I'll send the folder to Eiichi.

She dialed Eiichi's number.It took only to rings for him to pick up.

"Hi,Eiichi."

"Hello,Rin. Just the person I was going to call."

"Hmm?Missing me already~?" The female teased.

"I miss you whenever we're apart. It's the same for HEAVENS."

"Oh."A light blush took its place on her cheek. She didn't expect him to answer so honestly;specially the first part. But then again,it was Eiichi she was talking to.

"Anyways,I was going to call you for the song. Can you send the completed parts?"

"Coincidentally, I too called you for this matter.I've completed it.I'll send it now."

"Thank you,Catarina. . .You didn't stay up all night, did you?"

"Nah.I won't make the same mistake again."

"Good to hear."

"You too make sure not to over work yourself and Otoya.I'll mail the song now."

"Okay,angel."

Hanging up the phone, the female mailed Eiichi the folder that contained the song.

While she was closing her laptop and arranging her table, she received a text from the male.It said,'Dear Catarina, this truly is a soul shaking song.It will awaken the real Otoya.'

She frowned. Real Otoya...I don't know why I have a bad feeling about this...

"Good work,"Rin told Kira,Van and Shion when they entered the green room. She passed them their water bottles.

"Thanks,Na-chan."Van stretched his arms."Ah,I'm tired."

"We still have another show."Kira reminded him.

"Yeah, I know,Kira-chan."

Shion curled himself on the sofa.The blonde smiled softly at him.

"You guys can rest now.There's still half and hour left before the next show. Good thing,it's here in the same studio."

Hearing sounds coming from the window, she turned her attention towards it.

Rain in the middle of winter?

Going closer to the window, she looked outside.The dark clouds covered the night sky.

...It feels kinda gloomy.

There was a vibration in her pocket. She found a text from Eiichi when she opened the phone.Attached was a copy of Eiichi and Otoya's duet song.

The recording?It's already done?

She put on her earphones and played the song 'Next Door'.

                                     To be Continued .