Tasogare Hugging

The air. . . . . . . felt different. It was heavier, thicker and silent. The usual chatter on the breakfast table was absent.

Nagi eyed his two sides and closed in to the person to his right, Yamato. In a voice for only Yamato to hear, he whispered, "I don't like it a bit when mom and dad fight."

Yamato whispered back, "No kidding."

The reason behind the change in atmosphere was the Otori couple. Eiichi and Catarina had a fight, which could be deemed as their biggest fight ever out of all the rare fights they had. It had been a whole day and they still hardly looked at each other.

The cause of their fight: music. Catarina was in charge of composing the opening theme of the series where Eiichi starred as the protagonist. However, as unusual as it was, the views on the direction of the song clashed. It took an unpleasant turn and they ended up losing their tempers. No words had been exchanged since then.

At first, the rest of HEAVENS hadn't thought much of their fight; since they always made up soon after. But now that more than a whole day had passed with no signs of amity, they were starting to feel troubled.

Both of them ate in complete silence. Shion and Eiji watched them with concerned eyes and Kira and Van observed them. They kept racking their brains to help them reconcile.

When they finished eating at the same time, their eyes met. The hopeful eyes watching them were disappointed when they hadn't shared a single word or smile, instead promptly turned away from each other.

In the end, they didn't even talk once during breakfast.

*  * *  * * *  *

Van went to the roof of their agency only to find Catarina quietly staring at the setting sun. "Na-chan~"

"Van!" She flinched,eyes widening. "You scared me."

He giggled apologetically. "My bad." Leaning against the railing, he stared at her before looking up at the orange sky. "What do ya think of the sunset, Na-chan?"

She turned to the brunette. "Huh? That's an unexpected question." She had guessed he would ask her about Eiichi or anything regarding their fight earlier.

"It's just a random question." Van shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. "So?"

"Sunset...." The lady fell in deep thought. "Looking at the sunset gives... a heartrending and bittersweet feeling?"

"I see....." He turned around. "As for me, it reminds me of my childhood."

"Your childhood...?" She repeated. The male nodded. "Mind tagging with me, Na-chan?"

"Sure but where to?"

"You'll see."

"I'm so worn out...!" Catarina plopped on the grass. What happened, in short, was that Van had dragged her to a field and they ended up playing baseball. It was fun.

Van sat down next to her and stretched his limbs. "This reminds me of my childhood."

"Hmm?"

"When I was still a child, I'd play outside until the sun was down." Van chuckled at his memory, "even though mom would scold me for being outside till so late, I didn't regret it. That's why, sunset reminds me so much of those times, my childhood memories."

"So, that's what you meant."

"..."

"Van?"

Just as Catarina turned around to glance at her friend, his soft singing voice filled her ears. He started singing his latest solo, which they had completed recording just a few days ago. His voice sounds.... so comforting. I love this song so much.....So,why does it seem to be pulling at my heartstrings? 

Eiichi...... She pulled her knees to her chest and wordlessly drowned in the song.

"Don't hold it in, Na-chan." That was the first thing Van told Catarina after he completed his acapella. He turned to the blonde haired female, a solemn but gentle look on his face. "You want to amend things with Eii-chan, don't you?"

She nodded. Van suggested, "Then, do it."

"Van,I.... it's the first time our fight has escalated this much. I don't know how he feels about it now but I regret it." She looked at her feet. "....I don't know how I should apologise to him. He seems so...." She trailed off.

"Honestly speaking, both you and Eii-chan are stubborn. Both of you are equally passionate when it comes to music. That's why, you two butted head-on that day.....I'm sure Eii-chan's also feeling bad about your fight but he just can't admit it."

"Really?" Her eyes were hopeful.

"Trust onii-san on this," Van stood up after sending her a wink. "So, go and be honest with him."

Catarina looked at her wedding ring on her ring finger. It cleansed her of any hesitation.  "I will...!"

Van hoped that Kira had finished his talk with Eiichi for the former two's purpose of getting them together successfully.

*  * *  * * *  *

Dinner passed silently and when they were alone in Eiichi's room for bed,

"I'm sorry!"

Both Eiichi and Catarina ended up bowing to the other at the same time to apologise. Looking up, Eiichi added, "No,I'm the one who's at fault. Of course, I shouldn't have been unreasonable when you clearly have more knowledge on composing."

She looked up as well. "No, I should've considered your opinions properly. I'm sorry."

"But I was the one who started the argument in the first place."

"Even so, I should've kept calm instead of arguing back."

"I ended up saying hurtful things to you."

"Me too. I said some inconsiderate stuff to you."

"I-" "But I-" They looked at each other and burst out laughing.

"Looks like we both regret it deeply," Catarina giggled.

"Yeah, I regret hurting you." He adjusted his glasses, laughing quietly. "I apologise, Catarina."

"I'm sorry too." They shared a small smile together, forgiving each other.

I'm glad it turned out fine. Thanks for the push, Van.

Oumagatoki mare

"So, you two fought because of music..... again?" Tomochika didn't look surprised.

Catarina pouted. "Don't sound like that, Tomochi. It was our biggest fight ever."

"I'm not even surprised to hear that." The burgundy haired idol sighed. "Every time you fight, it's about music."

Catarina paused in her steps. ".......Now that you mention it, you're right."

"You realise that now?. . . Never mind." She shook her head. "You two are a unique couple, Catarina."

"Hehe, thanks?"

Catarina had come across her idol friend in the studio when she went there for the instrumental of Yamato's solo. With her work done, she waited with Tomochika for her ride.

"I was thinking of getting him a gift," Catarina admitted.

"That's not a bad idea. Have you thought of anything?"

"Not really."

"I'm sure he'll like anything you give him." Tomochika nudged her arm with an amused smile.

"Haha..." The blue eyed female chuckled. "That's all the more why I want to get him something that he will truly like."

"Hmm..." The idol pondered, a finger under her chin. "In that case,"

Tomochika didn't want anyone else to hear her suggestion. So, she whispered in Catarina's ear.

"W-Wha-?!" Catarina stammered. A red blush appeared on her cheeks. That's..! "N-No way!!!" She ended up shrieking.

.  . .  . . .  .

"Man, it's hot!" Yamato groaned. "The sun has gone down and yet it's so damn hot."

"It's the middle of summer. What do you expect?" Catarina shrugged while talking to him. "Yet you still go on your morning jog in the scorching heat."

"I return earlier now," he said back. "I'll run 'cording to my usual time after it cools down a bit."

"Okay. . ." She looked around the road. "There are a lot of people here. Make sure no one sees through your disguise."

"Yeah, I know." He shoved his hands into his pockets while a crowd of people rushed past them. "How about you go get your stuff before buying dinner ingredients while I get my snacks......Catarina?"

Frantically, the taller blonde looked around. Catarina was right next to him so where did she go? "Oi, where'd you go?"

When he couldn't find her, he started to move around. With a deep frown, he mumbled, "Tch, there are too many people." He couldn't even call her since he could be recognized.

At one point, Yamato didn't care if people recognized him. His friend came first. Just as he was about to call out her name, he noticed her familiar back.

"I found you!"

Catarina turned around when she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Yamato! Where did you go?"

"That's my line." The man sighed. "You're too small to find."

"That's mean." He ruffled her tied hair.

"Anyways, I'm glad I found you quickly."

"Awww, were you worried about me?" She grinned.

"Of course. Don't you remember being kidnapped once?"

"That was when I was all alone." Yamato has become more honest in his feelings, hasn't he?

The corners of her lips got tugged upwards. "Anyways, thanks for worrying about me. . . Yama nii-chan."

"Tch, what's with that silly name?"

.  . .  . . .  .

"Um... Eiichi, can you close your eyes for a moment?" Catarina requested once Eiichi had entered his room.

"Huh?. . . Alright." She kept pushing his back until he was in front of the mirror. Though he was confused, he complied with her request.

She moved behind him. The next instant, Eiichi felt something cold against his skin.

".....You can open your eyes now," she quietly muttered after she was done.

"Oh?" On his neck, Eiichi saw a pendant sit there.

"Now we have matching necklaces." Catarina moved to his side and stared at their reflection before looking up at him.

"Good... good!" Eiichi grinned in his usual manner. "Having matching necklaces shows our love all the more. I like it!"

"That's nice to hear." She let out a sigh of relief. "It's sudden but I wanted to give you something."

"Thank you, Catarina." He leaned down and planted a soft kiss on his wife's forehead.

"You're welcome."

Yoiyami Secret Moon

"I was wondering where you went off to after dinner, Eiji."

"Rin-chan!" The sudden presence of the female behind him snapped him out of his thoughts as he turned around, startled.

"Sorry if I scared you," Catarina apologised.

"No," he shook his head. "It's alright. Did you need me for something?"

"Not really." The blonde took a seat next to him on the bench. She tilted her head upwards and instantly smiled.

"Somehow it feels....," She started.

"Nostalgic?" Eiji added with a small smile of his own.

"Mhmm. You used to come to the roof before your debut whenever you had something on your mind."

"You too, Rin-chan. Coincidentally, our timings used to align and we shared all of our worries." He looked down the memory lane before trailing off. "How many years ago was that...."

". . . Both of us have grown so much since then, both as a person and in our respective positions."

"I can't deny that," affirmed Eiji.

I was an aspiring composer, wanting to convey my songs to people. While you were an idol in training, for the sake of the director and Eiichi. But now, we've found our own positions.

"So, what were you thinking of all alone on the roof?" Catarina looked at him, swaying her legs.

"How did you...."

Instead of replying to his question, she asked him instead, a knowing look on her face. "How long do you think we've known each other?"

It caused him to giggle lightly. "Right..." The brown haired male shifted to a more relaxed position. "I was thinking about my song."

Without saying anything, she waited for him to continue. ".... It's because of the angels that I've been able to come this far. That's why,I want to make them as happy as possible with this song."

"I hope they'll listen to my song before going to bed and have sweet dreams. I want to soothe their souls so that they can start tomorrow with a new spirit..... I want to convey all my feelings to them."

Eiji, this..... your heart hasn't changed in all these years.

"It will." Catarina broke the silence, her voice dripping with confidence and determination. "Your feelings will definitely reach your fans. I'm sure of it."

Her words caused him to smile brightly. "Thank you, Rin-chan!"

"I'll make sure to give you a song that will reach the hearts of your fans. So, let's do our best, together." She held out her palm in the air.

"Yes!" He brought his palm to hers and they shared a high five. "Together."

.  . .  . . .  .

"......."

You're so amazing, Eiji.  This song. . . . you've turned it into such a gentle lullaby. It's so painfully beautiful.

Catarina took off her earplugs and looked at the tall brunette sitting next to her. Eiichi was overwhelmed with emotions to speak. Smiling, she bumped her arm against his, tenderly.

"I told you, didn't I? That you'll be proud of Eiji after listening to his song." Eiichi simply nodded.

Closing her eyes, she rested her head on the male's shoulder. . . . I think I'll have a really sweet dream tonight.

To Be Continued.