"Wow, these are so cute!" Catarina squealed.

Kira nodded. "Cute." He touched the long bunny ears. "And soft."

"Isn't it great that you can wear these?" Kira nodded again.

"It really suits you." Catarina poked the bear ears. "Not only rabbit costume, but there's also cat, puppy and bear costumes."

"Not costumes....I will wear only the ears and gloves as props."

"It is still a 'costume'," she reasoned. "Oh well, whatever." She shrugged it off.

The blonde looked at Kira's small smile.

"Akira-san really knows how to portray you guys the best. Till now all of the themes matched with your personalities."

"She does."

". . ." She continued poking the bear ears.

"I. . .look forward to Eiichi's theme." Catarina's hand stopped when she heard Kira.

Eiichi...

"Rinna." The female turned to him when he called her.

"Are you fine? You....look worn out."

"I'm fine,Kira." She smiled at him.

I'm fine..

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

"Kira, Rinna, you're back!" Nagi exclaimed as soon as he saw the pair enter the lounge area.

"Hey Nagi, what's up?" Catarina asked.

"We're going to watch a movie. Join us!" The pinkette offered. Kira nodded and went to sit on the couch.

When Catarina's blue orbs travelled behind Kira, she saw a brunette sitting beside Shion. She felt a pang of loneliness.

"Rinna?" Nagi called her. She turned her attention back at him.

"Ah sorry,Nagi. I'll pass."

"Eh? Why? Everyone should hang out together."

"...The exam is very soon and I have to work on Kira's song."

The boy pouted. "I can't argue with that."

She patted Nagi on the head. "Sorry, Nagi. Another time."

"Okay."

Flashing a small smile, Catarina headed to her room. Unbeknownst to her, a pair of lavender eyes followed her back.

"I don't think I need to change anything," Catarina mumbled to herself. "This is perfect for Kira."

She looked over the music sheets before putting them aside with a smile. She took out her books on music.

I should study now. Though she told herself that, Catarina couldn't focus on studying at all. Her attention kept wavering.

"No..." I shouldn't think of it now. Yet, her mind didn't comply to her wishes.

Folding her arms on the desk, she buried her face in there. She bit her lips so that she didn't cry while thinking about that particular memory.

.  .  .  .  .  .  . Flashback .  .  .  .  .  .  .

"Sorry for the delay, Eiichi," said Catarina.

"No problem." Eiichi held her hand and they started walking.

"What were you doing?" Eiichi asked.

"Studying. That's why I'm late." Since she was looking ahead, she didn't notice the slight frown on his face which appeared for a second.

"I called you while you were studying again?"

"It's not a problem."

"You know, it's just shopping for dinner. You could've rejected."

"No!" Catarina turned to look at him. "I can never do that. I'm not going to waste a single opportunity to be with you."

"Catarina..." Eiichi felt happy yet worried at the same time.

Few hours later,

"Hey, Catarina..." Eiichi took Catarina to the balcony.

"What's wrong?" She looked at him. It was unusual for them to talk in the balcony.

Maybe it's for privacy? Though Shion and Yamato are the only others present.

"I..." Eiichi looked away. He held her hand.

"?"

"Catarina, I think..." He looked into her blue eyes. "we should distance ourselves."

It took Catarina some time for the words to sink in. To her it felt like the ground beneath her fell apart. As Eiichi stared into her eyes, he didn't miss the shock turning into pain.

"Wh-what...?" Catarina stuttered.

"...." Eiichi remained quiet but kept looking at her.

"Eiichi....why?" She whispered, her heart throbbing painfully.

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

It's....for the best?

"I-Is it....because of something that I did?" Catarina asked quietly. She bit her lips so that she didn't start crying.

"No. We should do this....for the best,Catarina."

Eiichi...

Noticing the evident sadness on her face, Eiichi placed his other hand on her head.

"Don't be so sad," he whispered.

Catarina shook her head and looked up at him. She forced a smile and closed her eyes. "I-It's alright. . . I'm sure that since you.. de-decided this, it must be ri-right."

"Catarina. . ." He could easily tell she was faking the smile. The pain beneath it didn't go unnoticed by him.

"Then....let's t-turn things back...to no-normal, like it...it was before."

"....yes."

"Then,I-I'll get going...." Freeing her hand from his, she gave a small smile and left. He watched her go away from the balcony. He wanted to reach to her and stop her but couldn't. It had to be done. For her sake.

That night, despite the pain inside Catarina, she didn't cry because Eiichi didn't like it when she was sad or cried. So, she tried to think of the decision positively.

.  .  .  .  .  .  .

It must be for the best since Eiichi thought of it. Catarina sighed deeply. But  I can't help but wonder, is it my fault?

The female wanted to cry. She was feeling extremely lonely when he was right next to her but she can't touch him. The loneliness was too much for her to bear. But when she thought of Eiichi's worried face, she couldn't cry.

She took a shaky breath, trying to calm herself. ....I'm fine. If not, I will be. She sat up properly. I can't let him worry about me. I need to pull myself together, just like how I've always done.

She remembered the times when she used to pretend she was fine during her teen years in Permafrost. She would always wear mask of smiles in front of others. She knew that she can't lie without being discovered or giving in. But...

This is the only lie I'm good at, saying 'I'm alright'.

.  .  .  .  .  .  .

Catarina was walking through the long hallways of Shining Agency, when suddenly, someone screamed her name from behind.

"Rin-rin!"

She didn't even need to turn around to know who the owner of this loud voice was. Even so, she turned around.

"Hi Reiji." She looked behind the brunette. "And hello Ai, Ranmaru and Camus-nii." They returned her greeting in their own ways.

"What are you doing here, Catarina?" Camus asked.

"To meet with Haruka about my upcoming test."

"Myu-chan told us about your test. Good luck, Rin-rin!"

"Yes, do what you always do," said Ranmaru.

"Good luck,Catarina," wished Ai.

"Thank you." She smiled at them. "But what is Quartet Night doing here in Shining Agency?"

"This is our agency,kid. We came for work." Ranmaru deadpanned.

". . .Oh yeah, that's right." Catarina nervously chuckled.

"We would've liked to talk more, however we have to go now," Ai said.

"Okay."

Camus walked towards her and gently patted her head. "Don't work too hard. Make sure to take your sweets on time."

"What am I, a patient? And I always make sure to take my daily intakes of sweets." Catarina pouted.

"Good." Camus smiled at her.

On the other hand, Ranmaru clasped a hand on Ai's shoulder.

"Tell me I ain't dreaming again," he told Ai.

"You are not, Ranmaru. Camus seems to have a sweet spot for his sister."

"This guy having a sweet spot? Are you sure he isn't just going into his butler mode?"

"We can hear you clearly,Kurosaki," Camus previous personality took a 180 degree turn as he glared at the silver-head.

"Ah Ranmaru,I know it's hard to believe but he truly doesn't use his butler act with me," Catarina told him with a smile.

"That's hard to believe. This guy," The rocker pointed a finger at the blonde male who was glaring at him, "has a sweet spot for something that won't cause diabetes? Really hard to believe."

"Do not be envious of me, you hooligan."

"What's there to be jealous of you, sweet toothed count?"

"Hungry hippo."

"Ice prick."

"Now now, don't fight." Catarina stepped between those two.

"Whether you all can believe it or not, Camus-nii can be sweet. I don't blame you if you don't since even I was shocked that he didn't call me any names or a peasant," declared the female.

"Catarina." Camus shook his head with a sigh while Ranmaru and Reiji snickered and Ai watched with a small smile.

"Now no more fights. Get going. You have work to do,right? Then, see you later. Bye bye." She pushed Camus and Ranmaru from behind.

"Ai, Reiji, take care of them."

"Sure thing!" Reiji grinned.

"We always handle them," stated Ai with a soft sigh.

.  .  .  .  .  .  .

"It is a beautiful song...Thank you, Rinna." Kira patted the Catarina's head.

"You're welcome." She smiled. Kira smiled back.

"Knowing that it's you, I'm sure the song will turn out great," she spoke.

"Hopefully."

"...."

"...."

"...."

"Rinna."

"Hmm?"

".....Is there something bothering you?"

". . .No,I'm okay."

". . . .alright." He patted her head again.

I'm sorry for lying to you, Kira.

Before they knew it, the day of Kira's solo's recording came.

🎵🎶 Koi no Ondo -melt into one-

My tongue-tied shy heart hotly melts
In a world where our temperatures interweave
My ringing heartbeats don’t calm down and don’t leave me
I’m sure that falling in love is the appropriate fate for me

Your sighs now (La la la)
Come into my arms (La la la)
I can be by your side (Oh, yes!)
You are my everything (Oh, yes!)
I’m always by your side

Eye to (You!) Eye to (You!)
Melt into one (You, You!)
Voice to (Me!) Voice to (Me!)
Melt into one (Me, Me!)
Through all four seasons, I’ll make you happy even inside your dreams
Eye to (You!) Eye to (You!)
Melt into one (You, You!)
Voice to (Me!) Voice to (Me!)
Melt into one (Me, Me!)
Ah, everything about you is precious
I’m being filled with you･･･

As if kindly forgiving my awkward words,
You wrap me up in your smiles
These sweet palpitations that don’t stop coming to life
Gently tickle deep inside my heart and get closer to me

Can I touch (La la la)
Your pure wings･･･? (La la la)
I don’t want to leave you (Oh, yes!)
You’re my everything (Oh, yes!)
I can’t stop

Eye to (You!) Eye to (You!)
Melt into one (You, You!)
Face to (Me!) Face to (Me!)
Melt into one (Me, Me!)
Showing all my emotions, I’ll make you happy in the past and the future
Eye to (You!) Eye to (You!)
Melt into one (You, You!)
Face to (Me!) Face to (Me!)
Melt into one (Me, Me!)
Ah, every scenery you show me
Is beautiful･･･

I want your eyes (La la la)
To be filled with me･･･ (La la la)
I need you right now (Oh, yes!)
You are my everything (Oh, yes!)
I want you

Eye to (You!) Eye to (You!)
Melt into one (You, You!)
Voice to (Me!) Voice to (Me!)
Melt into one (Me, Me!)
Through all four seasons, I’ll make you happy even inside your dreams
Eye to (You!) Eye to (You!)
Melt into one (You, You!)
Voice to (Me!) Voice to (Me!)
Melt into one (Me, Me!)
Ah, everything about you is precious
I’m being filled with you･･･

                                                             🎶🎵

                                       To Be Continued.