"FICTION! OR NON-FICTION!" These were the words Shining Saotome said by doing weird poses after calling Catarina and Haruka to his office. The composers were to be informed about the theme for Quartet Night's duet, which Shining decided himself.

Haruka and Catarina sweatdropped at his poses. The male continued, "This will be your theme for this project- fiction and non-fiction."

"Miss Nanami, your theme is Fiction and Miss Catarina ,yours is Non-fiction."

These are even divided among us?

"I hope you two will write wonderful songs!" With that, he...

Did he just disappear?! Haruka and Catarina were surprised. Haruka was first to get over it.She turned to the blonde and said, "It's nothing new, Rina-chan. He's always like this."

"Always?! Like always disappearing in thin air?"

"More than that. I still can't get used to his tricks." Haruka sighed.

Is he a magician?

"Well, at least your president is...lively." Haruka dryly laughs. The two females exit the office.

"Haruka, how will you compose a song from just 'fiction'?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe,by making a fantasy type music ?"

"Mhmm. Non-fiction huh?" Catarina starts thinking."About how reality is different and harder than fictions- that's the only thing I can think of."

"True. Fiction and non-fiction are opposite. So,perhaps we'll have to create something completely opposite."

"Right."

"Nanami!"

The two women turns to see Syo and Cecil by the hallway.

"Syo-kun, Cecil-san, you're back."

"Ah! Catarina's here too!"

"Yo." The two males return her greeting.

"How was your commercial?" Haruka asks.

"It went without a hitch!" Syo grins. "So Catarina, what brings you here all of a sudden?"

"President told me to come to President Shining's office to know about Quartet Night's duet theme."

"Oh ,ok."

"Catarina, you're working on Camus and Ranmaru-senpai's duet, right?" Cecil asks.

"Mhmm."

"I wish you luck for that. It's going to be super hard for you."

"Why?"

Syo answers,"The two of them always fight. It's impossible to keep them together."

"But, don't they sing together in Quartet Night?"

"Yeah, but they don't get along at all. Moreover, they're hard to get along with.It might not be a problem for you to work with Camus-senpai but Ranmaru-senpai will be difficult for you since it's your first time."

"Even so, I'll definitely handle it!I can't disappoint the fans waiting for their duet song."

I guess ,after working on 'Killer Kiss', it's been easier to be professional with brother.

"Still, if you face trouble in handling them ,you can come to us. We are used to their harshness," Cecil smiles.

"Thanks for the concern.I'll keep that in mind."

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

"Hey,Shion." Catarina greeted the albino. He tore his gaze from the tv to look at the girl.

"Rin ,you're back."

"But, I gotta go again. I have to buy dinner ingredients."Shion nods.

"You're off now. So,wanna come along?"

"I wouldn't mind." Shion took his jacket and joined the girl on her way to the supermarket.

"You have something you want to buy?" The blue eyed asked.

"...yogurt."

"Oh, the fruit flavoured that you always eat?"He nods.

"Shion, about the announcement of HEAVENS' album. It's tonight, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"Finally, it's coming out! Thank goodness, I was able to complete within the given time."

"You did great. I really like 'Michibike Hikari'."

Smiling she says,"Your song really gives off the mysterious and Shion-vibe." The young boy smiles.

"..."

"..."

"..."

The silence wasn't uncomfortable at all.

.  .  .  .  .  .  .

Syo and Cecil were right. Catarina thought as she exited the meeting room. The tension was too thick between Catarina, Kurosaki and Camus. She thanked the stars that the weird meeting was over.

The meeting didn't go as she planned.
Sure ,she expected fights among them. But, they would fight in silence didn't cross her mind. All the time, Camus and Kurosaki glared at each other. It was obvious that the two males weren't serious about the song; and it angered Catarina. While, Kurosaki gave his input on the song, it was only about rock. Camus, as expected, didn't do anything.

It's obvious that they don't care about this project.

While she was sitting on a bench, pondering over things, someone called her.

"Rina-chan, hi!"

"Haruka, hello." Haruka sat beside her.

"I saw the news.I was so surprised to see that HEAVENS is going to release an album soon.Did you make all of the songs?"

"I am their composer, aren't I?"

"Oh,yeah. The preview was really nice. I can't wait for it to be released. Did you work on the solos while working in the duet project?"

"Thanks and yes."

"You're amazing." Haruka becomes awestruck.

"Not as much as you."

"No,I'm not really..." Haruka blushes slightly."If I may ask, why the sudden decision of an album?"

"It's a crucial time for HEAVENS. Quartet Night gained more popularity  because of their tour.STARISH too, with their cross-unit project. We needed to do something to step up."

"I see...Were you in a meeting with Kurosaki-senpai and Camus-senpai?"

"Yes. I shouldn't have underestimated what you guys told the other day."

"...The meeting didn't go as expected?" The blonde sighs in reply.

"What about yours?"

"It went well."

"Good to hear...Hey,Haruka," Taking a closer look at the pinkhead's face, she continues,"are you sick?"

"No,it's just a small cold." Haruka gives a small sigh.

"Okay..." Catarina wasn't convinced after noticing her red nose.

"I'll see you later, Rina-chan. I have a meeting with Kurosaki-senpai."

"Take care of yourself.The weather is changing."

No sooner had Haruka got up, she sneezed.

"Achoo!"She sneezed again after taking three-four steps.

Is she really okay?

After catching a glimpse of Haruka shivering ,Catarina got up. She removed her jacket and went to the pinkhead.

"Here, it'll keep you warm." Catarina drapes it around Haruka.

"Rina-chan!It's not necessary! What about you?"

"Don't worry about me.I'm not cold at all. I just wore it to escape from Kira's scolding."

"Still-"

"Byebyebye!" Not giving Haruka any chance to protest, Catarina dashed off.

"Rina-chan." The dumbfounded woman sighed at her friend's action. The way she ran off reminded her a lot about her president. She wrapped the jacket tightly around her with a grateful smile.

.  .  .  .  .  .  . 

"Excuse me..."Catarina opened the meeting room .She only found Kurosaki there.

As she took her seat, Kurosaki spoke, "Camus will be late."

"..I see."

"..."

"..."

"..."

" Shall we start?"

"Do whatever you want."

Whatever I want,you say.

"Very well then."She looked at Kurosaki leaning in his chair,maybe intending to take a nap.

"Kurosaki-san, please listen to what I have to say."Kurosaki opened his eyes to look at the serious girl.

"Even if you don't trust me, don't take this project lightly. From the beginning, none of you tried working on the song. It's so..."

It's so irritating how you don't give your best. As if reading her thoughts from the frown on her face, he said, "And why should I do that?Tell me a reason to get along with your brother."

"Your fans are waiting.Many of them has been anticipating your duet....And I didn't say you two have to get along. You don't have to be buddy-buddy if you don't want to."

Her statement caught his interest. Because till now, everyone had told him to get along with Camus.Now, she is telling him the opposite.

"You're saying,we don't have to act like friends? Aren't you gonna tell me to get along with your brother for the sake of this project?"

"As for your first question, yes. Secondly,I don't think you always need to be good friends to make your work successful. As long as you put your best effort, with strong feeling to make it work, it'll definitely become a success. Being friends or not depends entirely on you.That's how it is for professionals like you,right?"

Catarina's words shocked Kurosaki. She said just what he feels.Hiding a smirk,he asks,"Is that really what you think?"

"Well,yes,friendship does affect your performance.Even so,I don't believe
not being close friends is all that bad. In the end, a bond will be created among workmates after working hard together."

"..Not bad,"Kurosaki mumbled but Catarina didn't hear him.

She continued, "But neither of you are putting effort in this project.I may be HEAVENS' composer but for now I am working as your composer.If you think I'm not serious about this project,then you're wrong. I'm not gonna make some half-baked song, that'll go against my principle."

"Why are you telling all these to only me? Tell that count too."

"...It's not necessary.Just one person working is enough ...He doesn't want to do it, so it doesn't matter..."

I don't need him.

"Doesn't that go against all you said now?" Seeing her stare at him with a straight face, Kurosaki could only sigh. He clearly understood there were some conflicts among the siblings.

"...Got it.I'll do my best, but only if you can create the best song." That'll also surprise Camus- is what he thought but didn't add.

Is that a challenge?

"Alright.I'll create a song that'll shake your soul,"She said with determination.

...I just sounded like Eiichi,didn't I?

Kurosaki smirked.He definitely found her interesting. Unlike her brother, she's tolerable and didn't get on his nerves.Maybe working in this project wasn't as bad as he expected.

"She's still working on the song," Eiji told the others after checking on Catarina.

"It's good she's working so hard.But she should take some rest." Eiichi furrowed his brows.

"Isn't she over working herself?" Nagi looked up from his puzzle set.

"Yep,"Yamato replied.

"We should do something,"Kira told.

"Rin doesn't like to stop without completing her work."

"Shion-chan's right. Let's make Na-chan take a break after this project."

"You're right.There's still time before the next song. Catarina should take it easy then, "Their leader concluded.

Everybody agreed with him and went back to their respective activities.

Catarina watched Kurosaki and Camus put on their headphones from outside the recording booth.

I wonder how it turned out. Apparently, the meeting with Kurosaki was the last one. The next ones were cancelled because of their busy schedules.Catarina had mailed the song after she had completed it. So,she had no idea how the lyrics were.

The music started and the idols sang along. Catarina was mesmerized by them. She stood still as she kept listening to them.It almost felt like she was sucked into another world.

The recording ended smoothly.By the time, the composer had stars in her eyes.

Camus exited the booth ,followed by Kurosaki. They walked straight ahead where Catarina stood.

"Thank you for your hard work," Catarina said after returning to the real world.

"Good job,"Camus said with the tiny bit of a smile and soft eyes before walking away.

Catarina was paralyzed at what she saw. ..Huh..?He...he smiled...? It's the first time in decades....Why he...? As she stood there with wide eyes,a hand ruffled her hair.

"Nice job,kid." Her attention went to Kurosaki.

"It really was the best song.Like I promised, I gave my best."

"Thank you,Kurosaki-san."

"Drop the formalities."

"...Kurosaki."

"I guess,the song wasn't bad for a kid. Maybe I'll look forward to work with you again."

"Me too."

Kurosaki grinned and walked away. He definitely found her better than her brother.

.  .  .  .  .  .  .

"Catarina, 'Non-fiction' was a hit. As expected from our composer. Good!"

"Thanks,Eiichi. I'm really happy about the outcome of this song. Speaking of, Haruka's 'Fiction' was really beautiful."

"It was,"Van agreed.

Catarina leaned on the wall as she watched HEAVENS finish their practice. I feel sleepy...

"Now all that's left is Eiichi's duet and our new song!" Nagi chirped.

"I look forward to your song, Catarina." Eiichi held out his hand for the sitting female. Grabbing on it, she got up from the floor and stretched her limbs.

She smiled,"I'll do my best."

"You have some time before working on those.Take a-" Eiichi was interrupted by 'HEAVENS Gate -Beginning of the Legend-' ; Catarina's ringtone.

"Excuse me."She looked at the caller id before accepting the call.

"Hello,Ichinose-san?" Her voice had a hint of confusion since it was the first time the bluenette had called her.

"Hello,Catarina-san. " His voice seemed kind of...desperate? The boys behind her turned their attention to their composer.

Noticing his hesitation, she asked,"Is something the matter?"

"...Nanami-san,She's...she's unconscious. "

.....what...?

                                       To be Continued.