It's a little early to get up now.... And I don't feel like going to school today, mom'll definitely be there waiting. I just can't face them right now. What I need is time. Just a little more.

You'll probably wonder who the boy just now in my dream was. And no, he is NOT Beau. There are no such coincidences. His name was...

Alright, I think we all know now that I'm bad with names. Anyway it wasn't 'Beau'. They do look alike, yes. I guess my taste hasn't really changed, I still like the same type of guys. Hey, wait a second. Did I say like?

A small sigh escaped my lips as I turn to my side with an arm folded beneath me. 

"Eep!" I let out a yelp when his amused face was right in front of me. There he was, also lying on his side, just watching me with a grin on his face. The worst part? He's still frickin half-naked!

"Shh. You wouldn't want my dad coming." he clapped a hand over my mouth and inched closer. "Don't scream, okay?"

Desperately trying to wiggle out of his grasp, I shifted around. But it seems to him that I'm just struggling to scream. 

Attempt failed. His grip is too strong, I feel unusually powerless.

My eyes widened and I stare at him as our lips were just two fingers apart. His playful dark green eyes had an unusual glint to it.

Suddenly, his seductive smile turned into a laugh and he pulled back.

"Pfft...Ha, hahaha! You should've seen your face! Hahaha!" he laid over on his back, still laughing, while I was still in a daze. He teased me!!! My mind shouted. I should've known better, he'll definitely get me back.

I felt heat rush to my face and I buried it in the pillow. "Jerk." I mumbled.

"Hey, don't get mad. I was just getting even. Since you got me all red last night." he tapped on my shoulder to try to get me to look up and I refuse to. And it sounds SO WRONG when he says it!

"Hmph." I hummed, "you even flinched when all I did was tug on your sleeve." Two can play at that game. PAY BACK TIME!

While he was at a loss for an instant, I threw the pillow square in his face. 

"Oh you just made a big mistake, milady." he said sarcastically before picking up both pillows. I sat up as he threw one at me and blocked it off with my arm. 

"You-!" I chucked the pillow once again at his face--which he blocked with a hand. I leaned over and tried to take both, when he grabbed my wrist. 

"Let. Go!" Pulling my arm backwards, I tried to free my wrist. I wanted to sound serious, but the wide smile on my face gave me away.

"Nope." Instead, he grabbed my other wrist as well and pushed me down, pinning both arms over my head.

"Gotcha." he winked playfully while hovering above me. 

I look up to yell at him. But nothing'll form words when I did so. His dark eyes were glimmering, literally, as they bore into mine. His grin dropped as we gazed into each other's eyes. He glanced at my lips, then back to my eyes.

A-are we gonna...kiss? W-why aren't I fighting back..?

*BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP*

I inhale sharply at a loud noise that snapped us out of our trance and we both look to the right at the same time. It's his alarm, that means it's time for school. A flow of disappointment flooded over me. 

"...Dommage...." he muttered while shutting the alarm down. Huh? Did he just say 'what a pity'? S-s-so am I not the only one w-who was--

"You probably don't wanna go today, it's alright, I'll call in sick for you." he said while slipping his arms into his uniform sleeve. I nodded. That's considerate of him. 

"Thanks again." I mumbled and looked away while he changed. I heard him chuckle lightly before taking up his bag. "See ya." I waved before he closed the door behind him. 

Ugh... I've got a lot of things to sort through. I don't even feel like breakfast. 

I slide open the door to the outside porch of Beau's room. It leads directly to the side of the garden. Perfect. I picked up an easel that was just lying around--since his dad is a painter--and grabbed some brushes.

I knew it. Mom's name is also on it. I traced my fingers along Ota's tree. If only that day I came back to the garden with him, I would've known sooner. 'Arian' was carved onto it clearly after 'Ota Kisaki'. 

Sitting back down, I started drawing that very cherry blossom tree.

Exactly why am I angry? Because mom didn't tell me sooner? I had to figure it out for myself. I mean, I love Ota. I just...can't seem to picture him as a father. Seriously, though. Other than that, what am I angry about? ...........Mom had always said he loved her, but mom can be naive sometimes...so what if....

Then again, what can Ota gain from deceiving mom? 

"Aw, shit!" I cried out loud when I mistook yellow for green. Great, now the green grass looks like a stack of hay is placed in the middle.

"Now I need to start over...." I sigh and get up to get another piece of board. I turn around, just in time to see Ota sliding open the door, he's only a few meters away. Mom was right behind him. 

My shoulder slumped up and then down as I heaved a long sigh. Should've known, this is the third place I know other than my house and the hotel. 

Mom shouted my full name as she ran over and flung her arms around me. When I didn't return her hug, Ota walked over. "Miu...."

Shaking out of mom's grip, I turn back around in front of my painting, not knowing what else to do. 

Ota's PoV

When we didn't see her at school, Arian and I rushed here. I had a gut feeling. And honestly, where else could she have spent the night? 

When Arian rushed up and gave Misaki a hug, her arms were just dangling at her sides, not returning it. I felt a smashing sensation at my heart.

She sat back in front of an easel. Was she drawing that tree? I thought as I stood just behind her. She must've messed up the colors. The grass was a shining lemon yellow. 

"Here." I sat down beside her--she shifted sideways awkwardly--and showed her a painting technique. 

The grass green covered perfectly over, it was as if the yellow had never been painted. Her eyes shined with interest as she watched closely. 

Right. Just act like myself. We have a huge common interest. I shaded in the grass with multiple brushes and different varieties of green. Avocado green, lime green, spring green, pakistan green and dabs of harlequin green. 

As I finished the right half of the grass, she picked up a few brushes, and continued the left side. Perfect. my eyes widened. She copied my technique perfectly. It was as if it was painted by the same person. 

She learns just by watching for the first time...

Neat.

Arian's PoV

It was absolutely heartwarming watching them have a little father-daughter time. I've been there when Ota was creating his masterpieces. A painting like what they're drawing now can take a whole day. And I'm most glad that Miu seems like she's having fun. 

I returned inside and was greeted by mentor's son. I bowed as he set down a tray of tea for me. We talked in the dining room table while Ota was still outside with Miu, having some alone time. 

Beau's PoV

Right after the final bell rang, I ran out of the building. That has never happened to me before. I felt bad for ditching Ryou and Yuuta, but I'm really worried. 

"Beau?! Est-ce toi?!" I heard a familiar fluent French behind me. I stopped in my tracks and looked back. 

"Nathalie?" I asked. There was a girl rushing up to me from behind. Her blonde hair--almost white--swayed as she jumped up and gave me her signature hug. Yup, this is her. Her greetings were always very short, she got back on her feet really quickly and that pair of blue eyes skimmed me.

"Nathalie? Que viens-tu faire ici au Japon? (What're you doing here in Japan?)" I asked. She was just as she was like when she's eleven. She was a great friend of mine when I was still living in France. 

She said cheerfully that she wanted to see where I lived. I couldn't turn it down, I haven't seen her in six years. We chatted along on our way back to the shrine. I haven't spoke French like this in a while. She laughed and said I was rusty. 

Nathalie is really pretty, many boys were chasing her. She receives roses nearly everyday. Ha, I remembered how romantic my hometown people were. But I never have any romantic feelings for her. 

~~

When I slid open the door to the shrine, dad was talking with a woman at the dining table. I didn't think much about it, but a gut feeling made me think Misaki resembled her a bit.

I jogged to the garden and found Misaki sitting with Mr. Kisaki, she was glowing. They were working on an art piece together. 

"Done!" They both shouted at the same time and put their signatures at the right bottom end of the board. I've gotta say, the painting looks amazing. The tree is so vibrant I would've mistaken that as a photoshopped picture.

They both stood up and turned around in sync. Misaki saw me and smiled. Mr. Kisaki walked up to me and muttered, "I'll deal with you later." he was smiling brightly. But his tone was deadly. 

Aye...I'm in trouble.

After he walked by me, I felt a tug at my sleeve, "Qui est la belle fille, Beau? (who is the beautiful girl, Beau?)" 

Misaki cocked her head and her eyes showed confusion as he looked at Nathalie. 

"This is Nathalie, my childhood friend. We went to the same elementary school. She's a quarter Japanese, and is staying here for about a week to spend time with her grandma." I introduced. Hmm, this is gonna be a bit difficult. Nathalie barely speaks a word of Japanese, language is going to be a problem. I may need to translate constantly. Good thing Misaki doesn't know what she just asked....

"Ç'est mon amie (This is my friend)." I say to Nathalie, but she just eyed me with a grin. 

"Non, elle n'est pas ma petite amie. (No, she is not my girlfriend.)" I added, since I know she's definitely assuming that.

Misaki beamed a smile at Nathalie for not knowing what I'm saying, "Hi! Welcome to Japan!" 

"H-Hello, um...nice to meet you." Nathalie said in clumsy Japanese. She then cleared her throat and introduced herself properly in her mother tongue:

"Salut, je m'appelle Nathalie Gaber. Ça va? (Hi, I'm Nathalie Gaber. How are you?)"

Misaki smiled back and looked at me. Yeah, she probably doesn't have any idea what Nathalie is saying.

Misaki's PoV

I studied Nathalie. She's really pretty. The first thing she asked was 'who is this beautiful girl' when she came in. Heh, I've never thought French could come in so handy at times like these. It's better to not let him know that I know what they're saying. 

An arrow struck deeply into my heart when he stated that we were just friends. Why? He's right. We ARE just friends! My thoughts shouted. But my heart disagreed as it clenched painfully.

"H-hey, My name is Misaki Kisaki." I said slowly in Japanese, hoping she'd understand at least a little. 

"Nathalie doesn't speak much Japanese. So I'm afraid communication will be a slight problem." Beau said and scratched his head. Right, of course he speaks French. He grew up there for god's sake. 

"Elle est vraiment jolie, Beau, non? (She's really pretty, Beau, no?)." Nathalie asked. Beau blushed before taking her wrist.

"O-oui (Y-yes)." he said and dragged her away, "Excuse her."

E-Eh...? H-he thinks I'm really pretty??? Why am I even questioning? Every guy finds me attractive. Somehow, one compliment from him beats a hundred compliments from a hundred other guys.

A happy feeling bloomed inside me. Why do I feel so warm when it's him who said it? Not even directly.

Nathalie winked at me before she got dragged out of the door.

But... him thinking I'm pretty isn't enough. I mean... he said they're just best friends, but childhood-friends-turned girlfriends are tons. What if they're really in a relationship, but he's just shy to admit?

***

Arian's PoV

That night, after we brought Misaki with us back to the penthouse, she was completely back to normal. She beamed at everyone in the lounge. The guys were so shocked... it was funny. 

As soon as the suite door closed behind us. Misaki buried her face in Ota's chest. Aww.... I put my hand to my chest as I listened, "Sorry for... that." 

Heh. It was simple. But just like Ota, it's kinda hard for her to admit her feelings, but once she does, it's always really sincere.

"I had fun today. Thanks." That's all she says before rushing to a room at the back of the penthouse. 

"That's just like her." I let out a long sigh of relief while I plop down straight onto our bed. As soon as I did so, though, Ota descended above me. 

"Um...?" he landed a long kiss on my lips that makes me melt instantly.

"We were busy looking for Misaki last night. And now everything's settled, right? We can enjoy ourselves." he gave a mischievous smile and his hand slid to the first button on my blouse.

"W-wait! But she's right--" he cut me off with a deep kiss.

Misaki's PoV

One more issue. I thought on my way to school the next morning after I thought having Ota as father wouldn't be so bad. He's amazing. I don't quite believe Nathalie is only a mere 'friend'. 

"Hi! You're Misaki, right?" I turned to my right and found a guy with jet-black hair walking beside me. I put on a smile and look at him: "Yup! You are?"

"Etien. We go to the same school. But I'm not sure you've noticed me before. I'm in the Strings section of the music department. I play double bass." He's right. He's good-looking, but he doesn't look in the least bit familiar to me. 

We made small talk along way to school. Turns out, he's pretty funny. For once I'm listening to what someone's saying. At least he made me laugh.... And get my mind off Beau for a few seconds.

Beau's PoV

Nathalie walked with me to school the other morning. 

"Tu l'aimes certainement, non? (you definitely like her, no?)" she was still talking about Misaki. She seems really fond of her. Well, technically, fond of getting her together with me.

"D'accord, d'accord! Oui, oui! (ok, ok. I do, I do!)" I say. I wasn't lying. I really do love her. But she doesn't. She has a whole harem waiting for her at school.

She giggled. "La façon que tu regardes elle--(the way you look at her--)" She came to a halt. I followed her gaze and saw Misaki across the street, going into the school gate. But she had company.

"Beau?" Nathalie asked, "Qui est le beau gars avec Misaki? (who is that handsome boy with Misaki?)" 

I instantly told that this wasn't one of her 'groupies'. She was laughing at his words. And this time, she's always looking at him in the eye and actually responding to him. 

"Oh, non." Nathalie gasped. 

Never noticing me, Misaki walked right into the gate with him. They parted ways to different departments.

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

2680 words [woohoo...no?]

D'accord..........[okay............]

--Lillie

Published: March, 2015

Edited: May 25, 2016