I've re-published 'E'. It's fixed.

Also...happy 2k reads for this book~! :D

Mitsuko's PoV

As the hot blonde guy who introduced himself as Mahiro waved and walked out of the gate. I blinked. He's hot. That's for sure. But I felt like I've seen him before. Like, before, as in, many years ago.

I couldn't even bring myself to talk to him. At least ask for his surname, right? That may ring a bell.

"Mitsu? Y'alright?" I heard Miyuki's concerned voice so I spun around, facing the main gate: "Yeah, I'm good. Let's go."

As we walk, we passed by the gym. I decided to take a glance inside. It was probably basketball practice, since there were many tall boys in jerseys. Hmm...I find that one with light reddish orange hair particularly good.

"Pass!" he shouted. Nice. Three-pointer.

I was standing besides the door, already inside. Miyuki stood beside me, by the door frame.

"Heads!" a player shouted as someone miss passed the ball and it comes flying our way. Miyuki ducked down immediately. But I'll take my chances. The ball was thrown directly at my face, I caught it an inch away from my nose.

"I am so sorry!" a girl came running down from the other side of the gym. She's probably the manager of the team.

Suddenly, an idea occurred to me. I glanced up at the nearest basket, which was still half-court away. It'll be both awkward and humiliating if I miss, but, as my motto, I'll take the chances.

In a swift motion, I tossed the ball towards that basket. Every single player seemed shocked that I, a girl (not to be sexist but this is reality), would even think about doing that.

"Whoo!" I shouted briefly when the ball went square into the net. Then turned and left as quickly as I came. Miyuki apologized to the team sheepishly before following me out.

"I'm not gonna always tidy up your messes, y'know!" she complains.

When we finally got back to black ship after a whole thing at Rihito's school, it was already five o'clock.

I set out my homework pages on the counter as soon as I enter, though. Because I didn't have time in class, I was too busy 'listening to teachers', I need to do it now.

"Now this is new." Ryuzo commented, "Mitsuko doing work."

"You make me sound like a lazy-ass." I remarked without even looking up. I was almost done with my math. Yes. Already.

"Which you are." Miyuki added. I didn't talk back, as a sign of silent agreement.

"Hey where's Ichigo?" I suddenly realize the tsundere who's usually making nasty remarks isn't here.

I've gotta feeling that he's avoiding me. And/or angry at me. But why? Did I do something??

"Dunno. He went straight home." Haruki said.

"Lemme copy your answers for the fill-in-the-blanks." Takeshi said to no one in particular, but I answer anyways:

"variable; 2; square meters; mL; km; 487m²; cannot." I narrated my answers, and he copies right on time.

"You think he's mad at me?" I suddenly ask out of nowhere.

"Who?" Ryuzo asks.

"Ichigo."

"Nah. He's just twisted. He's angry all the times." Ryuzo waved it off.

I dunno...maybe i should go talk to him later today.

The bell chimed. Rihito walked in with a somewhat glum expression.

"Hey Rihito!" Miyuki greeted.

"Hey guys...and girls...." he added quickly after.

Miyuki's PoV

Rihito seems upset.

"Why the long face?" I ask him as the two of us sat by the back couch, alone, since Mitsu and Takeshi are at the counter and Haruki too.

"Can you...not come to my school anymore?" he asked slowly, with a hint of blush on his face, "I don't want my classmates all gawking at you two."

"Gawking?" I asked, dense.

"They won't shut up after you and Mitsuko-chan walked out." he added sheepishly.

"Mm." I shrugged. I leaned down onto the big table and stretched out my arms. My fingers marched around. It's been days. My fingers are getting less agile.

"Hey, Miyuki. Do you wanna come with me?" Rihito asked from beside me suddenly.

"Yeah?" I sat back up straight and look him in the eye.

"To my house? You seem to need to play." He randomly took my hand.

"Sure." I smiled.

~~

Rihito's playing is so beautiful. How his fingers dance gracefully along the keyboard, barely missing a single note.

"Your turn~" a wink seems...seductive...somehow...on him. It'll look feminine on some guys, which makes it nauseating, and even though I personally once thought Richy was a girl.

I ran through the fastest level seven piece I know. Yup. My fingers are definitely getting cold.

"Don't worry, Yuki-chan. You just need a little bit more practice." his bright smile seems to keep me going for now.

"Here, this score needs to be played by two." without me noticing, he already set a bunch of music scores. I've actually played that before, with another girl that took piano as well back in NY.

"I'll play the bass." he said, taking a seat to my left.

As I set my hands on the soprano part, we took off at the same time.

It was always fun to play with Richy. Even though I was very small, I could barely remember a single thing.

Music is a very magical language that anyone can communicate with. There is no obstacle such as language difference. People can communicate through music, like how Rihito and I are right now.

As we were just half way through the piece, suddenly, the door to this piano room was pushed open. Rihito didn't seem to hear it, so we carried on.

Whoever opened the door didn't leave, they seem to watch until the both of us hit the last wave note that was four octaves long.

"Rihito." a strict voice suddenly rung out, startling us. I got up from the stool to face a woman, standing by the door, wearing a poker face.

Is this...Rihito's mom?! Mio?!

"Ah..mom? What're you doing here?" he stood up from the stool as well.

"Who is that?" she looked at me. I felt strangely anxious under her intense gaze.

"Do you remember Miyuki Okumiya? The girl we all used to play together when we were six or so?"Rihito started, "now she and Mitsuko Takahashi came back to town just about a week ago, I was just—"

"That's enough." she interrupted. Wow was his mom always this strict? Maybe it's just blurry to me since it's been a decade.

"Anyways, she's disturbing your practice. She should leave." that was all she said before closing the door behind her. I felt like tears were rushing up. How could she just..?

"I'm sorry." Rihito said softy from beside me, giving me a semi-hug around the shoulders.

I let a small breath, "it's alright. I'll just head back to Black Ship."

Mitsuko's PoV

After Miyuki left with Rihito to practice piano. A few minutes later, I closed my text books, having finished my homework.

Suddenly, a little boy came running in from the entrance.

"Ryunoshin?! What're you doing here?" Ryuzo asked.

I look at the boy. Judging from his hair colour to his facial features. I'm guessing this is Ryuzo's younger brother.

"I-I need help on something...." the boy asked, still trying to catch his breath from all the running.

Just then, the bell chimed again, and in comes who knows, Ichigo. He decided to show up after all.

Just a second later, Miyuki popped her head in. But Rihito wasn't with her.

"Is something the matter?" Miyuki asked. Ichigo seated himself at the counter instead of his usual spot on the table.

"This is Ryunoshin! My little brother." Ryuzo ruffled his brother's hair.

"Stop that! I'm not a baby!" whoa talk about little kid attitude.

"You need somethin', kid?"

And that's it. The expression every child shows when I try to talk with them.

"Hey Ryuno! What's the problem?" Miyuki's gentle voice got him back on track in an instant. Why am I so bad with kids?

"Um...I need help on...trying to get a girl's attention." he puffed his cheeks a little as he said that. A girl's attention？Wow way to go the next generation of humans. Let's start dating at the age of nine!

"That's cute. Do we know who this girl is?" Miyuki, being patient as she is, continues asking with a smile.

"Um..."

"You can tell us." Haruki encouraged and Ryuzo nodded.

"It's Sae." the little boy shifted his foot a little as he said the name of Haruki's little sister.

"Wait WHAT?!?!" that's a huge reaction from Haruki. I couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Miyuki's PoV

A grin crossed my face as well at Haruki's reaction. Ryuno was probably about nine years old. And Sae is six. It's perfect! Mitsuko was laughing her ass off at the back couch, while Takeshi put down his manga, and looked at him in surprise.

"So what could I do to get her to notice me?" the boy continued on. So adorable!

"Wait, wait, wait...that's Sae we're talking about here...." Haruki looked down.

"C'mon! Don't be an overprotective big brother here!" Ichigo slapped him on the shoulder.

"It depends on what the girl finds cute in a guy." Mitsuko, the dating expert, rose from her seat—having to stopped laughing—and walked over.

"Then of course, it's strength!" Ryuzo randomly butt in, holding out an arm.

"Nope. It's style." Ichigo said as he flipped his jacket. That outfit does look cool on him, but I'm not one to dig for style of clothing.

"B-But-!" Haruki started to look troubled.

"Speed could be nice, too." Takeshi mumbled.

"Strength! That's for sure." Ryuzo insisted.

"It's style. I'm telling you." the smug smirk won't come off from Ichigo's face as he said to the poor boy.

"Uh...well..." Ryuno doesn't know what to do.

"Role modeling after Haruki is nice too, she loves her brother." I suggested.

Mitsuko slapped a hand over her eyes, making all of our attentions turn to her.

"You big bunch of idiots," she directed a glare at us, "one of us could just go ask Sae what she finds cool in a boy."

The room was silent with an aura of 'oh yeah' for a minute.

"Miyuki you and Haruki go, since she feels most comfortable with you two. Not me anyways." she made a shooing motion. One thing I like about Mitsuko is that she always has a plan in mind.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sorry for the delay~

^_^ hope u liked it

1760 words

Thnx for reading~ vote & comment!

Next update: TBBD/Chameleon

—Lillie