Catarina's exam is in three days and that's why she had been studying nonstop. After continuous hours of studying, she decided to take a break.

I'm worn out. Ah! It's time for HEAVENS' radio.

Quickly, the female turned on the radio on her phone and plucked earphones. It seemed like the show had just started. But all of a sudden, a very certain laughter, which didn't belong to the Otori brothers, resonated.

"This voice is..."she heard Eiichi's voice.

Don't tell me...

BOOM

Catarina jolted upwards at the sudden noise. "What in the world...?!"

She could hear Eiji's coughing before he exclaimed, "What is that?! An explosion?!"

"I've arrived! I suppose that does it," A voice HEAVENS and Catarina knew well declared.

Catarina slammed her face on her table. Why am I surprised?

The next things that happened were Raging Otori's nonsense blabbering about how the radio show lacked something which caused Catarina to roll her eyes, Raging taunting Eiichi that caused him to accept Raging's challenge of sweet talking the angels and poor Eiji being stuck in the middle while the female felt bad for the sweet brunette.

And now Eiji just finished his topic 'A phrase you say on a date.'

"Aww, he's so sweet and precious!" Catarina smiled when Eiji told his lines.

But of course, Raging decided to be an idiot and added his unnecessary comments, saying that it was too normal. Eiichi kept defending his brother and Catarina kept nodding in agreement at everything Eiichi was saying.

"Your turn is next,Eiichi!" Their president announced.

"Fine," Eiichi accepted. "Eiji, I'll let you decide the topic."

Suddenly, Catarina felt thirsty so she started drinking water from the bottle she kept on her table.

"Then..."Eiji started, "How about a 'A phrase to say to an angel that's doing their best studying'?"

That was when Catarina choked on her water and started coughing. What the?! Did Eiji do this on purpose!?

After she stopped coughing, she heard Eiichi say,"Okay."

I wonder if he realized what Eiji is referring to...

The young woman could feel her heart beating faster in anticipation.

Eiichi's sweet voice could be heard from the phone and she tried to imagine him saying it. "You're really working hard,huh... Your efforts are truly adorable. I'll be watching by your side so I bet you'll handle the test just as well."

He chuckled before continuing, "That's right. I'll give you any kind of reward that you want once you reach your goal. I'll give you anything you desire. You understand what I mean, right? That's a good girl. Now move your hand, it's time to receive your reward."

Catarina flushed bright red after hearing him say all those. Unconsciously she moved her hand just like Eiichi said. She tried to calm the rapid beating of her heart.

Did he mean all that...?

She could not give attention to the rest of the show since her heart and mind was full of thoughts of the one she loved.

But..... The loneliness returned to her heart. Did he think of me when he said those?

She was once again reminded of the distance between them.

". . . . .I shouldn't think much of it." With a sigh, she went back to her studies after the show was over.

.  .  .  .  .  .  .

Few days passed by in a flash. Catarina passed her tests with flying colours.

"It's a nice name, 'Anthem for the Angel'," Catarina said.

"It is!" Nagi agreed. Shion leaned on Nagi.

"And the cover is so cool!" She smiled. "This kind of outfits suit you guys."

"They weren't bad," Yamato said.

"We look really cool, don't we Na-Chan?" Van asked excitedly. She nodded.

Catarina sighed. "I wish I was there to see your cover shoot."

"You couldn't help it. Your exam was on that very day," Eiichi pointed out.

"I know..."

Eiji tried to change the topic when he noticed Catarina's slumped shoulders. "...S-speaking of, only Nii-san's song is left." The rest of HEAVENS nodded.

Catarina faked a smile that fooled everyone other than Eiichi. ". . .I'll do my best."

.  .  .  .  .  .  .

Catarina was all alone in the music room.

"No, this isn't it." She sighed.

A song to convey feelings of gratitude... this is what Eiichi wants but. . . . . . . how can I write something as pure as that when my heart is in the dark?

She took a new and blank music sheet before starting to scribble some melody.

...But I can't disappoint him. I just can't. I have to give him the greatest song.

"This isn't right." The blonde composer crumbled another music sheet into a ball.

Instead of a bright song, all I am coming up with is a dark one. Why!? I completed all the solo songs without any problem! So why am I facing trouble now!?

Her orbs dilated when a thought struck her. Could this be why he wanted to distance himself from me? . . . .Did I disappoint him?

It had been two months since Eiichi decided to put some distance among them. And they still haven't returned to being a couple.

Is he. . .disappointed in me...? Catarina felt her heart breaking. No....!

"Catarina." A hand was placed on her shoulders.

"Woah!" She exclaimed and jumped from her seat. She turned around and found Eiichi.

"You surprised me, Eiichi."

"I was calling you but you didn't seem to hear me.

"Oh..." She shifted her gaze to the piano.

"Are you working on my song?" The brunette asked.

"Yes."

He looked at her conflicted face. "Are you having trouble coming up with it?"

She bit her lower lip. ". . .yes."

He patted her head. "You don't have to worry too much. You will come up with something tomorrow if not today."

". . ." She didn't seem convinced.

The male looked outside. "It's a nice weather. Shall we go for a walk?"

She looked at him. "But. . . .your work?"

He smiled lightly. "I have the day off."

"Oh. . "The blonde also turned her attention to the window.

"So what do you say?"She looked back at him.

Giving a small smile, Catarina told him , ". . . .sure."

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

The two arrived at a park. Since it was a workday, there weren't many people around. They were sitting on a bench and eating ice-cream.

Spending time like this with him really soothes my heart. She wasn't feeling as depressed as she felt before.

"I have an idea, Catarina," Eiichi suddenly said.

"Hmm?" She looked at him.

"Why don't we go somewhere? Specifically, to one of the studios. You know, the one where I stayed with Otoya." He looked at her.

"Huh?" She blinked. "So you mean we have a training camp now?"

"Yeah,you can say that."

"But..."

"If you're worrying about my work then don't worry. I'm off till tomorrow night."

"I see. . But why so suddenly?"

"You seem down. That place is comfortable and nice. You can work there in peace," replied the brunette.

"Okay then." She smiled slightly. "Thanks."

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Unlike the time of the duet project, this time Catarina and Eiichi were going to the studio in Eiichi's car. He was the one driving them there.

Catarina looked up through the car window. She whispered, "I think it's going to rain."

"Is it?" Eiichi asked, keeping his eyes on the road.

"Mhmm. It's getting cloudy."

"Then we should go to the supermarket at first. We have to buy dinner ingredients."

"Sure."

With that, the two finally reached the studio after shopping.

.  .  .  .  .  .  .

"It's a bit far from the agency but it's a nice place," Catarina said after placing the shopping bag on the dinner table.

"Mhmm," Eiichi hummed in response after closing the door.

The female looked around. The whole place was elegant and cozy with a fireplace.

"So this is where you and Otoya stayed, huh."

"Yeah."

Catarina walked around the living room before going towards the floor to ceiling glass windows. Her eyes darted outside to the swimming pool.

The blonde spoke, "I'm surprised you never use this place."

"I used to come here with Eiji few years ago. But then we both became busy and never got the chance to return here." He went behind Catarina and looked at the sky.

"You were right. It's going to rain," he added.

Indeed, the sky had gotten cloudy and the afternoon sun was nowhere to be seen.

". . .Have you informed the others that we will be staying here?" Catarina asked, still not facing him.

"Yeah. I informed Kira." He omitted the part where the raven haired man sent a text to him just after he informed him that they won't be returning home. The message was to not trigger her like he had triggered Ittoki Otoya.

Eiichi patted her hair. "You can start working. I'll cook us dinner."

"Eh? Let me-"

"The purpose was for you to work on the song, wasn't it?"

"Well, yeah..."

"Then go." He smiled at her.

He's doing so much for me. I can't disappoint him.

"Thanks."

.  .  .  .  .  .  .

After dinner however,

"Ugh!" Catarina held her head in her hand. Why can't I...?! Despite her asking herself, she knew the reason. One cannot make a soul shaking song,unless their hearts are clear.

The room she was staying in was small and cozy. There was a bed, a nightstand, a table and a small closet. She was alone in her room... or maybe not.

"You should rest, Catarina." Eiichi held her hands and pulled her from the chair. Catarina didn't ask him how he was here since she knew the answer. She must have been too much in thought to not hear him again. So, she let herself get pulled.

The rain had started falling hard some time ago. And seeing Catarina putting so much pressure on herself was giving him an odd sense of deja-vu. It was almost the same setting as the time when he lived with Otoya. But he promised himself that he won't let the same thing happen ever again.

The male made her sit on the bed and himself followed suit. He held one of her hand and placed the other on her shoulder.

"You need to take a break sometimes too," he gently told her.

But she kept her eyes on her lap. In order to make her look at him, he placed two fingers under her chin and lightly lifted it.

"Take all the time you need. But just take care of yourself." Letting go of her hand, he placed both of his hands on her arms.

Slowly, he unconsciously started to close the distance between them. Catarina knew what was about to come. Just as she was about to close her eyes for the kiss, she remembered something.

".... Let's...just give each other some space for the time being.... It's for the best."

Before Eiichi could meet her lips, he felt two fingers on his lips. He opened his eyes in surprise. The reason was that he couldn't stop himself from trying to kiss her even though they were not together at the moment. His surprise only increased when he saw Catarina looking away.

Catarina lightly said, "I think....I should get back to work.."

This was the first time Catarina had ever rejected any of his advances.

                                       To Be Continued.