"Eiichi?" Catarina looked at the man in front of her.

"Hey," Eiichi greeted with a wry smile. Catarina nodded in return but looked at him in confusion.

"...Why are you here?" She asked, her voice low as to not wake up the others.

"I need you to come with you," Eiichi answered.

"Now?"

"Hmm." He took hold of her right hand to guide her. "Come with me."

"Ah,okay," Eiichi lead her out of her room to the stairs.

"Where are we going?"

"Just see." Eiichi lead them down the stairs and they reached the living room. Instead of going towards the main door like Catarina had expected, Eiichi took her to the other side of the room.

"Eiichi...?" Catarina asked when they stopped in front of the piano in the living room. He let go of her hand and went ahead to sit on the piano stool. He opened the lid that was over the piano keys.

"What are you doing?" She asked, her voice in a low whisper.

The brunette looked at her, his eyes warm. "Listen to this song." His fingers start pressing the piano keys. He knew how to play the piano too. Being the son of Raging Otori, it was to be expected.

"I wondered for so long
Losing you. . .
Losing the music that fills my world. . .

That was my biggest fear
This song that fills my soul
is a treasure
written by
your smile

You are the one
I'll always love"

"Eiichi...." Catarina gazed at the male. She felt various emotions welling inside her. "Beautiful..... Even if it was short, it was magnificent."

Hearing her compliment made him smile. He got up and held her hands again. "I wrote it for you. These are my honest feelings." He placed one of her hands on his chest, where his heart was.

"I...I'm happy." The blonde smiled softly. She could feel the faint thumping of his heart. It made her calm.

Eiichi then removed her hand from his chest but held onto it nonetheless and pulled her with him. He sat on the stool once again and this time pulled Catarina so she was sitting on his lap while facing the piano.

Even if Catarina was sitting on his lap, Eiichi was still taller by a head or so. He didn't let go of her hands and placed them over the piano keys.

"Play," he simply said.

"Huh...?" She looked up at him.

"Play the piano."

"Eii-" Before she could remove her hands from there, the male grabbed them.

"Don't back away," he sternly told her.

"B-but...I can't..!" It pained her to say this. She could feel herself tremble again. Not being able to compose was like a living nightmare.

"You can."

"No...!" Tears gathered at the corner of her eyes. "You don't understand Eiichi! You don't understand what I'm feeling right now." A few tears slipped from her blue eyes. Eiichi remained quiet.

"....I want to write the best song for you. A song that will make you proud of me. I want to surpass your expectations. But... I can't!" She closed her eyes and shut her blurry sight. ".....I can't compose. I can't play the piano now... Every time I try to play it... I become scared... I become scared of losing HEAVENS. I don't want to lose you guys... I don't want to lose you..... I want to be with you guys...forever...But the way I am now, I..."

Eiichi let go of her hands and wrapped them around her stomach from behind her. Catarina covered her mouth with a hand in order not to make any crying noises.

"I know you are scared," Eiichi softly spoke in her left ear. "There isn't a reason why you wouldn't be. I may not know what you are feeling right now but, I know the fear that lurks inside your heart very well. I know it because I feel the same way. I have no fears except losing HEAVENS, losing the music that fills my world and losing you. I already said that in my song, didn't I?" She lightly nodded.

"But you should know that you are not alone." Eiichi moved his right hand to caress the left cheek. "All of us are with you. We believe in you. We know you can do it."

"B-but, I can't."

"Don't you trust us?"

"I do. It's just...I don't trust myself."

"But we trust you. I trust you. I won't think for a even second that you can't do it."

"B-but-" He places his right index finger on her lips to shush her.

"Do you trust me?"

"Yes."

The male smiled. "Then surrender yourself to me. Let us pass this test together."

"?"

"Close your eyes and think of those who have supported us. You are an important part of HEAVENS. This family won't be easily broken. We will stay by each other's side no matter what."

Catarina closed her eyes as told. Images of HEAVENS ran in her mind.

"You definitely have the ability to do it!"

Van.

"Like I said, only you can write us the ultimate perfect song for us, Rinna."

Nagi.

"Rin-chan, you just have to be yourself."

Eiji.

" Don't sweat the small stuffs. Just write your awesome music."

Yamato.

"Rin's music will show us the way."

Shion.

"Rinna, we believe in you."

Kira.

HEAVENS....is my family.....HEAVENS is where I belong!

Almost reading her mind, Eiichi then said, "See? You are not alone. You belong to HEAVENS."

A small smile tugged at her lips. "Yes..."

"Also, I want you to know that I won't let anything tear us apart. I won't let you go. You are mine and only mine." His right hand continued stroking her left cheek.

"Eiichi...." Her heart swelled with love and affection.

"Now," He took her hands again and placed them on the piano. "Turn all of your emotions into this song. Unveil the ultimate song."

Leaving her hands over the piano keys, he hugged her once again. "I will be by your side."

. . . . . I'm not alone. I have my family with me...

Catarina took a deep breath and focused at the piano in front of her. Let the greatest melody be heard!

The moonlight was the only source of light in the living room. A music like no other could be heard as Catarina's fingers kept moving over the instrument. The music could be compared to an earthly paradise.

Eiichi's eyes widened and a large grin took place in his face. This is the definition of heavenly music. Music that will take you to the paradise. Catarina didnt stop playing for even a second. The song was already completed in her mind and she was just playing it. Her icy blue eyes, which currently held a mystical look, were glued to the piano. No need to change the tempo or anything. The song that she came up with moments ago was what she had longed to come up with. Under the warm moonlight, the silent penthouse was filled with the waves of music as Catarina created a song for HEAVENS in the arms of Eiichi.

After almost four minutes, Catarina finished playing the song. Without saying anything, Catarina took the music sheets  that were kept on the piano. Taking the pencil from beside the papers, she scribbled the whole song within five minutes. Eiichi continued watching her while still holding her in his arms.

Catarina put the pencil down. She attached the papers with a paper clip that was also beside the papers. "....It's done......" Her voice fadad. She closed her eyes and leaned back on Eiichi's chest. The rhythmic beating of his heart was like a lullaby.

Eiichi peered at her face. He chuckled to himself when he saw her fall asleep within seconds, still on his lap. It was no surprise that she was out like a feather. She was trying to push her limits. Falling asleep like that must mean that she was relieved.

Carefully, he took the sheets from her hands and placed them back on the piano. He didn't need to read what she wrote. He had listened to it very clearly. And he loved what she came up with. It was more than good, beyond what he expected from her.

He situated one arm behind her back and the other under her knees and easily lifted her up. Without making any sound, he carried her to his room. He placed her on his bed and lied beside her after taking his glasses off. With an arm secured around her, he pulled her closer to himself. Putting the covers over them, Eiichi kissed her forehead.

Looking at her sleeping face, he muttered, "You are beyond amazing, my angel. And the fact that you are my lovely angel is even more incredible. Good night, darling." With that, he too closed his eyes and fell into sleep. This night would be unforgettable for both of them.

.  .  .  .  .  .  .

Eiichi heard a soft humming sound when he entered Catarina's room. He smiled when he saw her brushing her hair. He walked towards her.

Hearing footsteps, she turned her head. "Oh,Eiichi!" A smile graced her lips when her eyes met his. "Good morning."

"Good morning." Eiichi hugged her from behind and looked at their reflection in the mirror. "What song were you humming?"

"The look on your face tells me that you already know."

He chuckled. "Yeah. It's the same song we will be recording today."

Catarina put down the brush and looked at the mirror. "Not going to humour myself but I love this song more and more every time I listen to it."

"Mhmm." The brunette kept his head over hers. "You've outdone yourself this time."

"I'm glad to hear it from you but it's not over yet. Once the song is released, the trial awaits," the woman said with a serious look.

"My angel," he turned her around and made her face him,"we did everything we could. If dad still doesn't approve of this song, then I don't care. I won't let you get away from me."

She smiled after hearing that. "Even if I'm nervous, I am confident about this song. I don't have any regret left in that song."

"I'm confident too. No change was needed for your composition. It was perfect."

"Hehe, maybe the muses had blessed me that night."

"Perhaps." He smiled back.

"We shouldn't keep the others waiting. Let's go or we will delay the recording." Catarina grabbed his hand and pulled him along.

Eiichi grinned. He was so relieved that her smile had returned. He didn't see the shadow that had been over her face two weeks ago.

🎵🎶 Ai wo Sasageyo~The Secret Shangri-La~

“Thou, devote thy love”

We beautifully follow samsara and create many legends
We’ll snatch away everything in this world and make you ours

(Kira・Nagi) “Devote thy love”
(Eiji・Van) “Devote thy love”
(Yamato・Shion) “Devote thy love”
(Eiichi) “Devote thy love”

Once you’ve entrusted your heart to the velvet of night dew,
You should just be swayed by the colours of your dreams and feel us

The sweetness I’ve bitten into wets my thirst
If you abide by your burning life, a once-shut secret door will open

We shall expose your hidden bare skin (Angel) and award you a seal of love (Angel)
Even if you playfully avert your eyes, (Angel) you can’t escape anymore
With you completely dyed, we shall kiss you and dress you in the same scent as ours
Dance with us right now - The password is “Thou, devote thy love”

Once the light that invited you has made you dizzy,
You should just let go of reasoning and change your colour to ours

I feel your voice and am sure of your captivating strategy
Attracting each other is a providence of nature - Spread your fragrant figure and sing

This passion that violently whirls (Angel) crosses the ocean and heaven (Angel)
As if crazily wanting each other, (Angel) we make a scenario of love
We shall drink up even your sighs and grant you the same fate as ours
Spin with us right now - The password is “Thou, devote thy love”

Grasping all things in nature, Shangri-la was born
We’re declared the winners, our future is flawless
Our life blooms in profusion from this logos filled with hope, and we shine from within our cells…!

We shall expose your hidden bare skin (Angel) and award you a seal of love (Angel)
Even if you playfully avert your eyes, (Angel) you can’t escape anymore
With you completely dyed, we shall kiss you and dress you in the same scent as ours
Dance with us right now - The password is “Thou, devote thy love”

                                                            🎶🎵

.  .  .  .  .  .  .

"Catarina." Eiichi held the lady's hand.

"Thanks," she muttered quietly. Her heart was hammering against her rib cages.

"Na-chan, remember that we are here," Van assured.

"There isn't anything for you to worry about, Rinna," Nagi grinned.

Yamato patted her head for a second with a grin. "We can do this."

"Let the stars shine upon us," Shion prayed.

"Rin-chan, don't be afraid," Eiji softly spoke.

"Let's go," Kira suggested after placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Yes."

They entered their boss's office to find him sitting on his chair. It was finally time to know about Catarina's fate. Days went by after the release of HEAVENS' latest song ' Ai wo Sasageyo ~The Secret Shangri-La~'. They were all gathered in the office to learn whether they succeeded or not.

"HEAVENS and Catarina." Since half of Raging's face was covered because of his hands folded in front of his face, he looked scarier. "You know why you are here, don't you?"

"Yes," everyone answered.

Catarina was extremely nervous. But she had confidence in the song which she completed in a single play, within only 5 minutes. However, she wasn't feeling good because problems never leave her.

" Your song 'Ai wo Sasageyo~The Secret Shangri-La' was released some days ago and...." Raging paused and looked at all of them through his shades.

Catarina gripped Eiichi's hand tightly, with all of her strength. He,too, tightened his hold.

*BAM*

The president of Raging Entertainment stood up after slamming his hands on his table.

"22 MILLION COPIES WERE SOLD!!!"

Catarina's heart nearly stopped. Not only hers but also others'. Her grip on the brunette's hand loosened.

"22 millions?!" Nagi repeated.

"Freaking awesome!" Yamato slung an arm around Nagi and Shion's shoulder. Shion was smiling dazzlingly because the stars granted his wish.

"W-we did it!" Eiji cried.

"More than 20 million!" Van and Eiji high- fived with both hands. Then the former did the same with Kira.

" 22 million...." Catarina mumbled disbelievingly. She turned to the man beside him. Surprisingly, he was looking at her with a smile gentler than any other.

Words didn't need to be exchanged among them. Their smiles were telling them everything.

"Rinna." At the call of her name, she turned around to find everyone with bright smiles on their faces.

"Guys..."

"Hahaha!" Raging's laughter boomed, taking everyone's attentions. "I knew it. I knew you can do it if I added a little pressure!Hahaha!!"

The man added, "Saotome was right about this. Whenever a little pressure is applied, everyone levels up."

Oh gosh......Don't tell me he threatened me because he thought I could do it!!

"Well done,you eight. Now you can leave and do whatever you want. I won't bother. Hahaha!!"

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

"Don't catch a cold," Eiichi wrapped his jacket around Catarina's small shoulders.

"Thanks but I'm not going to catch a cold when it's the middle of July, Eiichi," said Catarina. She wrapped the jacket around both of their shoulders after shifting closer to him. "I think this should keep us warmer." Pink blush dusted her cheeks when she smiled at him.

The brunette smiled back. "You're right." He wrapped an arm around her. They looked at the night sky.

Pretty. The stars and the moon were twinkling brightly that night. After the hectic and nerve-wrecking day, the couple could finally enjoy some alone time on the roof while gazing at the stars.

"I don't think dad will bother us anymore," Eiichi broke the comfortable silence that was hanging over them. Catarina glanced at him to find him looking at the stars with a smile. "He got what he wanted; for HEAVENS to defeat Shining Saotome's record.... To be honest, I feel free, Catarina. He won't be unreasonably demanding anymore." His words made her smile.

"Also," He faced the woman,"thank you. Because of your song, I,along with HEAVENS could beat Shining Saotome and dad's record."

"It wasn't just me. You guys gave life to my song. This success is the result of all of our hard works, right?"

"You're right." His eyes glistened gently.

Eventually, both of his hands made way to her cheeks. Catarina, seeming to get the message, closed her eyes. Eiichi leaned in and the jacket slipped from their shoulders onto the floor. Their faces came closer and they shared a kiss under the starry sky.

                                      To Be Continued.