ｔｈｅ   ｆｉｒｓｔ   ｒｅｃｏｒｄｉｎｇｓ

『 your p.o.v 』

"How's your brother doing?"

Looking between my two teachers, I offered them reassuring smiles. "He's doing just fine. One more day of bed rest at home with mom and then he'll be up and about like nothing ever happened." I said before crossing my arms over my chest. "And a little birdy last night told me about how you two spoke to him about the rumors floating around here."

The two idols looked to each other and then back to me, the students passing us by in the hallway continuously glancing in our direction with questioning eyes. "He asked us if we noticed anything strange happening around you the day the idol students were out on their photo shoot." Ringo said with a sheepish smile. "We couldn't lie to the man."

I waved the two of them off. "It's fine. We talked things out a few nights ago when he was in the hospital so no harm done."

Ryuuya sighed. "Did you finally get through to him? We don't need him fainting every few weeks because he neglects to take care of himself."

"I did my best and I think it worked." I said as I readjusted the way I'm holding my laptop some. "I promised to be honest with him about my school life from now on as long as he promised to take better care of himself for me and he agreed. We shouldn't have any more problems with Reiji- at least for now." I mused.

The pink haired idol smiled at that. "Good. Now let's head down to the recording studio. I'm pretty sure your boys are already waiting to record their songs." He laughed, grabbing my free arm and pulling me down the hallway.

"Ah Ringo! They're not my boys." I responded with a laugh, Ryuuya reluctantly following behind the two of us.

So many students glared in my direction as Ringo walked briskly with me by his side, his long pink wig flowing behind him some while his red heels clicked against the tiled floor. "So," he spoke up once Ryuuya had lagged behind a little more, "I haven't had a chance to talk to you really but how are you holding up here so far?"

Glancing up to the taller man, I couldn't help but laugh some. "Isn't your job as a teacher meant to be instructing me, not being my counselor?"

"I'm asking you as Ringo your friend, not as your teacher." The older chuckled. "Now c'mon, you've talked with Reiji and Ryuuya, when are you going to talk to me?"

"I'm doing fine." I said after a moment of thought passed us by. More students glared in my direction as Ringo's hand that had been lightly gripping my arm slipped down to grab my hand, squeezing it reassuringly. "After talking with Reiji and my friends, I'm doing better than I was initially. These rumors are more annoying than hurtful at this point and I just want to get these two songs finished so I can prove to them that I belong here."

"I've heard Natsuki and that Syo kid practicing their songs when they were writing the last of their lyrics a day or two ago, and everything sounds amazing." Ringo complimented.

I couldn't help but smile at that. "Natsuki and Syo have been wanting to do well on this assignment both for themselves and for my sake. I'm grateful to them and to you and Ryuuya for allowing me to work with the both of them."

"It would be a waste not to."

"Possibly," I murmured, "but once these songs are finished I'll have to deal with more snide comments."

Ringo sighed. "There's nothing I can do about those."

"I know and I wasn't asking you to help me with any of this either." I responded honestly as we rounded another hallway, the recording studio coming into sights now "I'll need to get used to this if I want to be apart of the entertainment world, right? Even though I'm no idol, I can't escape criticisms when it's my compositions they'll be writing their lyrics too. I'll be alright and I can get through this so don't go worrying about me like Reiji does. I don't think I could handle another one of him."

The pink haired idol barked out a laugh at that. "Oh you know he cares about you just like Ryuuya and I do." He said, his smile warm as ever. "And if you say that you can work through this then more power to you. Ryuuya and I have seen countless students with immense potential leaving the Academy due to rumors and the constant bullying getting too much for them to handle. But, that's reality and if they can't survive here at Saotome, then they wouldn't last a day out there in the real world."

"Words spoken like a true professional." I teased.

"I see why Reiji likes you so much." Ringo replies blandly.

"And why you do too.~"

Before our conversation could continue, Syo popped his head out from the door to the recording studio, his face instantly lighting up when his eyes met my own. "___! We were beginning to wonder if you'd ever show up." He said before his eyes traveled to Ringo. Funny enough, the blonde didn't say a thing as he ducked back into the recording studio, leaving the door open for myself and our teachers.

Ryuuya and Ringo stood more off to the side while I walked to stand with my two idols as well as a couple more of our friends. Ren didn't hesitate in throwing an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close to his side. "Little lamb, what a nice surprise to run into you today."

Tokiya side eyed the orangette for a moment before shifting his gaze to myself. I offered him a small smile and then looked up to Ren. "All of us S-class kids were scheduled to record our songs today so of course you'd see me."

"Then why is Natsuki here?" Syo asked, the taller blonde standing beside him with an innocent smile.

"Because I composed for him as well. It was easier to just schedule him in right after you so I wouldn't have to come down here again tomorrow. Besides, Natsuki asked if I could drag him into our recording session so that he could hear your song." I explained, not particularly caring that Ren still has his arm wrapped protectively around my shoulders, keeping me pressed closely to his side. "Now which one of you boys is going first? I forgot who was signed up before us."

Tokiya silently walked into the recording booth, slipping on the headphones and then pulling out a folded sheet of paper from his back pocket. None of us spoke as he got ready to sing his song. If I had to take a wild guess, I'd say his paper has the lyrics he wrote for this assignment. Otoya said that he had been staying up late this passed week to perfect them so hopefully his efforts payed off...

The second Tokiya began singing, I was blown away. His voice is positively amazing! The composition of the song could use some work, but considering what he's been given, his lyrics and his voice make the song somehow work. Though there's something missing from his voice as well, something I can't quite place my finger on. Stealing a glance over to Ringo and Ryuuya, they seem to think so too, neither of them looking all that impressed with Tokiya's performance. Were they expecting more from him?

Once the navy blue haired boys song came to an end and he exited the recording booth, Ren slipped his arm off of my shoulders and made his way inside With a cheeky grin. The tall orangette didn't even have a paper with lyrics to look over. He simply placed the headphones over his ears and made a hand signal for the producer to start his track, winking at me through the glass just before his song began to play.

Just like Tokiya's song, the composition itself wasn't the greatest. It didn't flow all that well and the key felt off for the feelings they were trying to convey. Even with Ren's warm silky voice and surprisingly well made lyrics added to it, the song still felt awkward. And once again, neither Ryuuya or Ringo looked impressed in the slightest bit. Considering both of these students are from my class, that being the highest class aka S-Class, I can understand why.

Our class is meant to be filled with the more, how should I put it, gifted students. The regular students are in A-Class or below while myself, Tokiya, Ren, and Syo are in S-Class because apparently we somehow proved to be just innately better at music than the other students. How they determined that from our seemingly random entrance exams is beyond me. But, if that's the truth, then the two songs I've just heard are easily not enough for S-Classes high standards.

Ren and Tokiya sounded great despite something lacking from each of their performances. Now the compositions they were forced to sing over are a whole other story.

In no way am I saying I'm some god at composing, because I'm not. I'm still learning just like everyone else and this is a learning environment for all, but those songs, those songs were not good. I'm honestly confused here how those composers weren't placed in A-Class...

Geez, and this is why Otoya says I'm a little judgy isn't it?

Speaking of other composers, where are they? Glancing around some as Ren came out from the recording booth, I noticed that most of the other idol students here were also by themselves, their composers no where in sight.

Natsuki peered down a little closer at myself. "What's wrong ___?"

"Where are the other composers?" I asked, glancing to Ringo and Ryuuya for some sort of an answer, though Tokiya beat them to it.

"Composers aren't required to be present during the the recording process," he said simply, "their responsibility is creating the song and that's it."

The corners of my lips tugged down into a makeshift frown of sorts. "Well that's no good. Wouldn't they want to hear their composition and the lyrics their idol created come together? It's kind of beautiful in a way and for them to miss something like this, it doesn't sit right with me."

Syo scoffed. "That's because you're too nice and caring to miss us sing."

"You put too much effort into our songs to not show up." Natsuki added on, his smile bright as ever.

Waving them off, I looked to Syo. "Isn't it your turn to go next?" I asked with a goofy grin.

With his lyrics in hand, Syo walked into the recording booth. Natsuki and I watched as he placed the headphones over his ears while carefully placing his lyric sheet onto the music stand. He adjusted the stands height for a moment before giving a thumbs up to the producer. His eyes flicked to myself for just a moment through the glass and I smiled, holding a thumbs up for himself while Natsuki just waved like some over excited little kid.

Ren chuckled as he walked up beside me. "You think ochibichan in there can beat Tokiya and I?"

I glanced up to him and scoffed. "I'll bet my share of Masato's lemon bread that Syo and Natsuki's songs will be better than both of yours."

"Confident as always." Tokiya muttered.

Natsuki chuckled. "She wouldn't be ___ without her signature confidence."

Without warning, Syo's song started and the room fell silent, everyone suddenly much more interested in the recordings. Just as I've heard it, Syo sang the lyrics he's been working on and perfecting for the last two weeks now with a fire in his eyes. His song was powerful, energetic, up beat, and everything we wanted it to turn out to be like. He was clearly having a blast singing it and couldn't help but bounce ever so slightly to the beat.

"You made this..?" Tokiya asked at nothing above a whisper. "It's not like anything I've heard."

Ren crossed his arms over his chest as he continued to watch Syo record his song. "So this is what my little lamb is capable of."

The other idol students warily glanced in my direction, all of them students I recognize from our class, each of them being apart of the large group of people who continuously whisper about and glare at me. Though now that they hear just what I'm able to create, none of them say a word. They don't glare at me. If anything, they look almost apologetic and guilty in a way. Maybe now they'll stop being so hostile towards myself.

When the short blondes song came to an end, everyone remained quiet as Syo walked out of the recording booth. He looked directly at me and immediately smiled. "So, how'd I do?"

"Better than when I heard you practicing the other night." I complimented. "And did you change some of the lyrics a bit? They flowed a lot more nicely"

"I changed a few lines this morning after thinking over them a bit."

"Great call."

Natsuki placed a hand on Syo's shoulder, garnering the shorter blondes attention. "You sounded amazing Syo-chan! I loved it."

Scoffing, Syo shrugged Natsuki's hand off of his shoulder and walked forward some to stand beside myself. "Yeah yeah, I know I'm awesome. Now go sing your song so us and ___ can get the highest grades in our classes already." He said all nonchalantly, the other idol students gawking at his brashness.

Smiling, Natsuki nodded. "Alright, I changed a few of my lyrics too so let's hope they sound just as good as your's did! Wish me luck ___."

"You don't need it." I responded as I nodded at the recording booth. "Now go sing."

The tall blonde didn't need to be told twice as he happily walked right into the recording booth without an ounce of nervousness to be seen. Ringo and Ryuuya were whispering to one another over where they stay standing near the far wall, occasionally glancing in my direction. I pay them no mind and instead give Natsuki my full attention, the kind-hearted giant pulling a folded paper out from his pocket and holding it in just one of his hands as the other comes up to cup the side of his headphones.

Natsuki's track starts with the sound of a violin playing out and from there, his eyes close and he grows a little calmer. He sways some to the music and begins singing, his voice ringing out beautifully over my composition. I can feel goosebumps rise over my skin at the rawness of his voice. Haruka was right, Natsuki's voice is truly one of a kind.

Somehow, Natsuki's voice sounds an awful lot like a Jrock singers voice which isn't what you'd expect from someone who's so in love with cute things and is just one giant fluff ball who doesn't understand his own strength. And if the expressions worn by everyone else in the room are anything to go by, I'd say none of the other students or our teachers for that matter knew just what Natsuki sounded like while singing. This definitely wasn't expected that's for sure. The only person not shocked by the tall blondes voice is Syo and I.

"You've got to be kidding me." Ren said with a small laugh of disbelief. "Natsuki can really sing can't he?"

Tokiya vaguely nodded, still entranced by the tall singing blonde.

Syo hummed in agreement. "Natsuki's always been really good at singing. Ever since we started playing the violin together, he's been working on his voice. But it's never sounded this good before..."

I looked from Syo back to Natsuki, his eyes meeting my own through the glass. As if it was just the two of us here, everyone else seemed to fade for a moment, nothing but his voice resonating within myself. I couldn't help but smile. Him and Syo worked hard on their lyrics and created beautiful songs. Honestly, I'm proud of them and happy that I could be their composer for this first project.

All too soon, Natsuki's song came to an end. He placed his headphones onto the music stand before making his way back to where the rest of us had been listening to him sing. "___! Your song was amazing!" The tall blonde said before immediately wrapping me up in a tight embrace. "I want to sing more of your songs!"

Gently pushing on his shoulder, I laughed as I tried to pry this giant off of myself. "I'll compose more for you if you promise to not kill me."

"Yeah, don't go crushing our composer." Syo said, grabbing the back of Natsuki's collar and forcefully pulling him back. "We kind of need her alive if you want to sing more of her songs."

"I nominate myself as the next person she composes for." Ren said, once again placing his arm around my shoulders.

Looking to our teachers, I grinned when Ryuuya's gaze met my own. "So Ryuuya, what do I win for composing the best songs in both ours and Ringo's classes?"

"We haven't listened to all of the idol students perform yet so don't get so cocky." He warned.

Ringo laughed as he walked over to our small group, the rest of the idol students watching with mixed emotions. "How about we go your mom's place and grab dinner after we're done grading? Reiji will want to hear me gush over what a great composer you are and I'll get to have your mom's delicious fried chicken again. Win win situation.~"

Smiling, I nodded. "Sure, that sounds great to me."

"What about us?" Natsuki asked. "Are we allowed to come?" Syo tacked on.

"After all, we are your friends little lamb. It would be rude to exclude us." Ren then said, his arm that's wrapped around my shoulders tightening just ever so slightly.

I couldn't help but to scoff at the orangettes words. "You're not one of the two idols I composed for so I guess you'll be stuck eating with Tokiya."

Natsuki's smile brightened considerably at that. "So that's a yes to us coming along?"

"I don't see why not." Ringo responded with a shrug. "You guys earned a good home cooked meal as well."

"We ate there just yesterday so maybe another time." Syo said, Natsuki immediately looking to him with knitted brows.

I was also a little confused by the sudden refusal. "You sure? It's not like you guys didn't work hard on our songs or anything so you can come and celebrate."

"I need to keep training." Syo said and then glanced to the tall blonde standing beside him. "And Natsuki needs to practice his viola."

"I do?"

"You do."

There was a breath of silence before Natsuki was once again smiling as he looked to myself, him and the shorter blonde having some sort of mental connection that none of us seem to share with them. "One can never practice too much! And I haven't had much time to do just that since school started so it would be nice to actually play some so maybe another time we'll all go down to your mom's place again ___."

Sparing Syo a quick glance, I shrugged. "Suit yourselves. That just means more food for the three of us." I mused.

Ren sighed. "And here I thought you liked me enough to invite me out to dinner, little lamb."

"You weren't one of the two she composed for so stop pretending that you're so special." Tokiya said coldly.

Scoffing, Syo shook his head. "I love how well we all get along."

I couldn't help but laugh at that. "We really are a great group aren't we?"

Ringo and Ryuuya looked to one another before refocusing their attention on myself. "You sure managed to surround yourself with an interesting group of friends." Ringo said as he glanced between the four idol students. "I don't think interesting even covers this friend group of yours."

"Hey, you're friends with Reiji, can you really say anything about this?" I countered.

"I guess not." The pink haired idol laughed. "Reiji really is a one-of-a-kind type of a guy."

Nodding, I flicked my attention to the other idol students who have been listening curiously to this conversation and then looked back to my ever growing group of friends. "And on that note, you two should probably finish up listening to the rest of the students songs." I said as I turned on my heels and waved to my two teachers with a single hand. "See you in class tomorrow, Ryuuya."

Walking out of the recording studio, I wasn't all that surprised to have Natsuki, Ren, Syo, and Tokiya all following closely behind, their work for the day now done. There really isn't much for us to do now until class tomorrow so I guess we more or less have the rest of the day to ourselves which is, well, weird. We just spent three full weeks working on our songs and now it's finally over.

"So, what should we do now?" Natsuki asked, his steps lining up with my own as he walks beside myself.

I thought for a moment before shrugging. "It's nearing noon so I guess we could grab an early lunch and beat the rest of the students to the lines." I offered.

"Lunch sounds good." Syo spoke up.

"Eating with you is always a treat, little lamb.~" Ren then cooed.

I glanced over my shoulder to the dark haired idol student. "How about you Toki? Wanna join us for lunch?"

Tokiya didn't say anything for a moment, just staring off to the windows we pass by as we walk through the hallway. "I guess I can join you for today." He finally said, voice emotionless as ever.

Smiling triumphantly, I continued down the hallway with a newfound hop in my step. "That's the spirit Toki! To the lunch room we go!"

"You're really going to eat with us for once?" Ren asked with a smug smile as he walked beside the cold idol student. "Little lamb here is even able to make the impossible happen." He said with a laugh.

Natsuki smiled. "I'm glad you're going to eat with us. It'll be nice having you around, Tokiya."

"It's just for today." The navy blue haired student responded with a sigh.

Syo laughed at that, clearly not believing his words. "If you say so."

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         Tokiyaaaaaa it's so much fun writing for cold standoffish Tokiya instead of his kinder more warmer self that comes along around in season two of the anime~

Question of the Chapter: Who do you think has the best voice among the S-Class students? Ren, Tokiya, or Syo? I vote Ren ♡ he has me whipped ;-;

Oh wow would you look at that, finally a true chapter dedicated to ST☆RISH xD or at least half of those bois lol and we got Tokiya being social with Ren being his usual flirty self. It's a great chapter to love those two.~ Now I just gotta start working in Otoya and Masato along with Satsuki, Kaoru, Hayato, and Aine ^^ I might hold off some on Aine though only so things don't get too hectic with a bunch of people being thrown in lol he'll probably pop up sometime when all of QN is together finally :')

I love each and every last one of you lovely cuties and thanks so much for taking the time to read this chapter <3

~ ｋａｔ ♡