"Mmm.." Catarina's eyes opened because of the voices coming from downstairs. What's all this noise for? ....Oh yeah, must be Nagi since it's Christmas.

She looked at the clock before yawning. She shuffled comfortably under the blankets. It's been a while since I've slept in my bed.Let's sleep a little lo-

Banging noises on the door interrupted her sweet thought.

"Rinna,wake up!! How much longer do you plan to sleep? Wake up!! It's Christmas!!Rinna!"

Suppressing a groan, she spoke loud enough for the young idol to hear.

"Fine,fine. I'm up. Just please don't break the door."

"Okay!"

Sound of footsteps became distant. She sat up and yawned again.

How can he be so energetic after last night?...And there goes my extra sleep.

She went to the bathroom to fresh up.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

"Good morning." She greeted the seven members present in the dining room. Breakfast was just served.

"Good morning." She received her series of greeting.

As she took a sit, she looked at the rest.

"Now this is rare. I'm the last one?" It was indeed rare for Catarina to be the last one to wake up; it's the first time actually. She's usually one of the earliest.

"That's because Nagi wouldn't let any of us sleep," grumbled Yamato.

"He woke everyone by banging on the door." Eiji sighed softly.

"At least I'm not the only one who went through that.So mine was the last?"

Eiji nodded at her. Catarina noticed the albino boy feeling drowsy while eating. Cute.

Before Catarina could ask someone to wake him up, Kira beat her to it by shaking the boy gently.

"Shion...wake up."

At Kira's light shaking, he snapped himself out of his drowsiness.

"You shouldn't sleep late on Christmas. Look it's already past eight." Nagi reasoned.

"Do I need to remind you when we fell asleep?" Yamato asked.

"Well..."

"But Nagi's right." Kira agreed. "We shouldn't sleep till late."

"Yay!Kira is on my side!"

"But that doesn't mean you can just pound on everyone's door while they are sleeping." The raven haired told Nagi, who pouted.

"Kira-chan, did he wake you too?"

"No.I woke up before him." Everyone else sweatdropped at his answer. Of course, this is Mama Kira we're talking about.

"You must've been tried Kira. I could've cooked breakfast in your stead." Catarina said.

". . .I wanted to."

Catarina decided to drop the topic. Kira was the mom of the group after all.

Eiichi, who had been silent all this time, grinned normally.

"Good.HEAVENS is perfect again today."

They sweatdropped at his excitement. "Everything's back to normal,isn't it?" Van suddenly asked, gaining everyone's attention.

"Maybe even better." The blonde female grinned.

"And it'll keep getting better." declared Eiichi.

Everyone shared knowing smiles or grins. I still can't believe what happened last night.

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

HEAVENS was in the anteroom in their casual clothes after changing from their stage outfits. They were getting ready to head back.Catarina was with them.

It was past midnight so Shion fell asleep, leaning on the female. So, after waking Shion up, they were about to leave when everyone's phones buzzed together.

They all took it out and looked at it.

It's. . .

"Dad."The leader simply said."He wants us to meet him."

"Did he send the same text to everyone?"Catarina asked after she read hers. She got nods as answer.

"He definitely wants to talk about what will happen to HEAVENS now," Eiji grimly said. The atmosphere among them turned serious.

"What do you think he will do?"Nagi asked.

"He won't be able to disband us now that we've won the concert," Van stated.

"I hope so," muttered Kira.

"If...if somehow he still decides to disband,then," She looked at them seriously, "I know what to do."

Eiichi asked, "What are you talking about?" She smiled weakly.

"I'll definitely handle it...Now,come on, let's get this over with."

Not giving them any chance to ask further questions,she went for the door.

The air was thick. Raging Otori sat on his chair, facing away from them. The eight stood there with their guards up.

They did nothing wrong.I won't let them apologize.

"Splendid." Raging muttered, audible for them.

"Splendid!" I rolled his chair and stood up.

HEAVENS was surprised to see their boss not wearing his usual shades. Catarina wasn't though, since she had already seen him like that. The eight could clearly see his purple eyes, similar to Eiichi and Eiji's. But of course, the brothers' were more beautiful and jewel-like.

"Your performance was magnificent!"

.  .  .  .  eh? No one could hide their shock when they saw the grin on their boss's face.

"You deserved to win after putting such an amazing stage. HEAVENS and Catarina, you created an impressive song." Raging started to laugh in a way similar to Shining Saotome.

Is he. . .praising us?Or is it one of his ways to catch us off guard?.....Either way,it's creepy.

"But don't bask in the joy of victory for long. You have an even greater goal. That is to break Saotome's twenty million sold records!"He said seriously.

Eiichi opened his mouth to say something but his father beat him to it.

"I'll leave it in your hands how you break his record.It'll be up to you on how you defeat him.Keep advancing like that and never stop. You are now dismissed!"

Nobody could utter a single word as they left the room.When they entered the elevator, the eight looked at each other.

"I didn't imagine things right!?" Van exclaimed.

Nagi pinched his cheeks. "It's real!"

Kira stated with surprised eyes, "He. . .approved of our music."

"Did he eat something weird?" Yamato asked. Catarina shrugged.

"Eiichi,Eiji, what are your thoughts on this?" Shion shifted his attention to the brothers.

"Well,it's my first time seeing dad with.... that look in years.It is almost like he got his passion for music back," Eiji replied still surprised.

"And Eiichi?"

"He just praised us and our song, didn't he?"The brunette was the most shocked among them. It wasn't surprising since he knew about his father's nature more than anyone.

"...He did,"Catarina softly replied.

"He also told us to pursue our music..." The other seven nodded.

This actually feels too surreal.

Eiichi grinned. "Good. He may have had a change of heart." However,he soon turned serious."But still, we shouldn't let our guards down. It is him, after all."

Right...

.  .  .  .  .  .  .

"Wait." Nagi's voice interrupted her reminiscence. "Rinna, you said that if he decided to disband us, you had something planned."

"Yes, you did say something like that," Eiji joined.

"What was it that you intended to do?"asked Eiichi.

"Well..."Catarina started."Eto...I would fight him."

Yamato choked at his drink."Say what!?"

"No!No! Not like 'fight' him. I meant it as negotiation."

"Negotiation?" Shion repeated.

"You know what he hates the most, right? Losing to Shining Saotome. So, I would've told him that if he disbands HEAVENS, you will work under Shining Agency and reform HEAVENS. With all the top idol groups, Shining Agency would become unbeatable."

"Eeh?!"Van is the first to exclaim.

Not paying him any mind,she continued, "I know it's sudden but it's the only way I could think of at the time.Not wanting to lose to Shining Saotome, president wouldn't disband you."

"...What about you,Rinna?"Kira asked.

"I'm willing to take the damage." She gave a closed eye smile.

"No."Eiichi interrupted her."Don't even think about taking it all on yourself. We are in this together."

"Eiichi. . ."

"That's right,Rin-chan. You were thinking about us but we can't be HEAVENS without you."

"We can't let you suffer, Na-chan."

"Guys. . ."

"At least you didn't have to take that step. Everything has returned to usual now,"said Nagi.

"Yup," the blonde chirped.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Catarina walked back to their penthouse. She was returning after a short trip to Shining Agency. From there she brought back her stuffs and wished STARISH and Haruka Merry Christmas.

As she was walking in the lobby, she scrolled through the trending news on her phone.The most trending news made her grin.

There was one among many pictures of HEAVENS from last night. They were without their jackets or vests; celebrating their victory.

It is the best photo I've ever seen.

When she entered her home, everything was dark.

Why is it so dark?

The moment she entered the dark lounge, seven party poppers popped and lights were turned on.

"Happy Birthday!!!"

"Oh!" She stared at the seven boys holding party poppers, wearing party hats -she didn't ask how they got Yamato to wear one- There on a banner was written 'Happy Birthday, Angel!'.

She smiled brightly."Thank you!"

"We didn't have enough time to decorate the whole room. Hope you like what we managed to do." Eiji went towards her and removed the pieces of colourful paper stuck on her hair.

"What are you talking about? I love it!" She tackled Eiji into a hug. He giggled and hugged back.

She then said,"But you didn't have to do all this.You already wished me last night."

"We wanted to throw you a surprise party," said Nagi.

"But like Eiji-chan said, we didn't have much time in our hands. So,we only managed to throw a small party."

"No, it's more than enough. Really, thank you." Her smile was brilliant.

"Let's cut the cake," Kira suggested with a tiny smile.

"You even bought a cake?"

"Yes.Although we wanted to make one but not enough time," Eiichi replied.

Shion took her hands and guided her to the table where a strawberry cake was placed with candles after Yamato placed a party hat on her head.

Van was setting the camera when the female suddenly exclaimed. "Ah!I have to give your Christmas presents!" She hurriedly went to her suitcase and brought out seven wrapped packages.

"You even got us Christmas presents?" Eiichi asked.

She sheepishly laughed."I bought them before but with my belongings in Shining Agency,I couldn't give it to you this morning. Although, I somehow got everyone the same thing."

The boys opened their presents given to them. Each of them got a muffler of their respective stage colour.Not only that but their name's first letters were sewn on them; when put together it spelt 'HEAVENS'.

"It's cute. Thanks,Rinna." Nagi hugged her.

"Amakusa thanks you wholeheartedly."

"It's cool how our letters are sewn on it." Yamato pointed out.

"Ah that. I did them." She told them.

"Thank you, Rinna."

"Welcome."

"I know!Let's take a picture wearing these," Van proposed.

"That's a good idea." Eiichi's glasses reflected lights on them.

So,the seven stood behind/beside Catarina as she got ready to cut the cake.

"Make a wish,angel," Eiichi whispered in her ear before she could blow the candles.

She nodded.Her heart felt warm as she mentally wished.I wish...to be always with HEAVENS. May these happy moments never come to an end.

                                      To Be Continued.