First of all, thank you those who voted, loved and added this story ^^ They made my day to the fullest!

And speaking about this chapter, to be honest, I struggled a lot to complete this chapter. Writer's block is the major factor. Hope you guys enjoy your reading ^^

DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN UTA NO PRINCE SAMA. I just own the plot.

CHAPTER 11

After so much hard work that she had to put (the blackmail, an assault upon Tokiya and making sure that the fact that Cecil and Otoya picked a fight with her would spread like wildfire and another clandestine crime) to achieve her dream, her luck was finally in. 'Thanks' to Otoya and Cecil who could not control their resentment and refused to apologize to Tomochika, everybody saw her as the victim of the situation. There were always random students who would say to her that...

"Shibuya-san, keep strong. That must be hard for you to be accused by your own friends."

"I never thought that Otoya-kun dare to hit a girl like this. I guess that his sainted look can lie."

"Tomo-chan, I just want to say that we always have your back. We know there is no way you can betray Ichinose-san like this. You are a nice person, Tomo-chan. We believe in you."

All the encouragement was so priceless to be true. Yes, her luck was always in now.

Her singing performance was also got outstanding even she was not sure what was the reason. She could only assume the fact that she did not sing with Tokiya since a few weeks ago and she no longer did not get any stress from Otoya and Cecil were the major factors.

Now, she felt more confident to defeat Tokiya or maybe...

Completely getting rid of him too. She heard that Tokiya would attend school tomorrow and it made her so uneasy.

She would make sure that her next plan to attack him would be triumphant.

Evidently, the circumstance that an upfront person like Tokiya could not stand the most was when he already knew a big secret but he had to pretend to be the opposite one.

The perfect example was when he knew that Masato steered clear of him not out of choice but he had to react as if Masato did which was a downright pain for him. He had to bombard the blue head with questions just to show that he cared about his best friend like usual.

"Masato!!" As soon as he could spot a familiar figure who just happened to go out of the toilet, Tokiya shouted deafeningly so that the person could not pretend to not hear him before dashing off to God-knows-where.

But it seemed Masato was rather being called deaf than responding to his friend. His face looked aghast before swiftly avoiding to meet eyes with Tokiya.

"Oi, Hijirikawa Masato!! Are you deaf!?" The loudspeaker which was in the form Ichinose Tokiya made him flinched in surprise. It managed to make Masato to turn and look at Tokiya straight into his eyes. Luckily, he did not spot any student nearby.

Urgh, this dude... At least, give some care to your throat, won't you? In the midst of the exasperation, Masato could not help but feeling anxious about Tokiya's well-being.

With a long face, he stomped, approaching his best friend so that Tokiya would stop abusing his throat.

"What? What do you want from me?" Even everybody said that his acting skill was outstanding, Masato doubted that it would be enough to convince Tokiya who could easily read his mind like an open book. "And also... It's tactless to call someone deaf while shouting in the middle of corridor. Learn some respect, will you?"

"Look who's talking. You pretended to not hear me when I am here positive that my voice is loud enough for someone who is not supposed to be deaf," Tokiya scoffed on the spot. "So, you also have to learn some respect, Masato."

Masato sighed, obviously feeling trounced. He knew he could not match Tokiya's level of sarcasm. He was aware that Tokiya would grill him with so many questions about his sudden coldness and he was ready for it.

Even the excuse that he was going to give was totally a lie but as long as it would help Otoya, he was willing to give it a shot. After all, just like what Otoya had stated, he and Tokiya had spent so much time together so it was unfair for the boy.

May his acting skill and excuse come in handy now.

"Just cut to the chase, won't you? What is it? What do you want from me?" Masato crossed his arms as his eyes met another blue one, deliberately expressing that he did not even have time for Tokiya.

"My hand and shoulder are healing," Tokiya switched on his cheerful mode right away while moving his left shoulder and hand but Masato just stared at them blankly. It was hard for him to restrain himself from showing how grateful he was with the progress. "And also my voice. I can sing again."

"Obviously," Masato sneered since the blue head and loudspeaker did not have much difference. "Good for you, then. That's all?"

"Of course not," Tokiya's childish expression turned softer. "But I just wonder if I... If I did something that hurt you, Masa."

It was enough to make Masato's heart sinking. To make Tokiya feeling guilty about something he had never done was one of the things that he hated the most. Yes, the guy was his pesky friend who made his life tiring but he never did as bad as hurting Masato.

Yes, that guilty expression! Keep it up, Tokiya! Just talk in more dramatic way and he will feel guiltier, Tokiya was chuckling inside as he observed every second of Masato's expression.

"To be honest, I feel lonely to not have you around. Usually, you will take care of me until I recover from my sickness. Not that I want to complain because yeah... You might have your own work and I have Otoya already but something told me that you deliberately avoided me. So, I am here to ask you if I am..." Tokiya bit his lips, pretending to feel hesitant and also according to his definition, to add a dramatic vibe in the situation. "If I am a burden for you."

The last sentence was saddening for him. He never thought that Tokiya was a burden.

Not even once.

The scion inhaled deeply, gathering the strength to say something that he knew would hurt Tokiya.

It's okay. Like Otoya said, it's just temporary.

"To be honest, I don't think taking caring of you while you are sick is a burden but the fact that you are my friend itself is actually a burden."

Tokiya's eyes widened. It was not because the answer hurt him but it was quite unexpected.

Wow! It seems he had come up with something else to be the excuse to stay away from me. Let's hear him out, shall we?

But... Wait! Don't tell me he wants to use the lame gay rumour as the excuse!

"I am tired of being your friend," Masato clenched his fists as he let out his next set of words. "I am tired of being treated like a gay just because I am your friend. Everybody said all those horrid things behind my back. They said that I ruined Hijirikawa family because I have an unhealthy relationship with my own best friend. It's offensive when everybody started to doubt your sexual preference and..."

Much to his surprise, Tokiya laughed but as someone who knew the blue head for more than ten years, he knew that Tokiya was mocking him.

He would give that kind of laugh if he thought that someone took leave of his senses.

"Is that funny?" Masato asked with a blank face but anyone could tell that he was angry.

"Hell, it won't. You don't think it's funny?" Tokiya asked out of insult.

"No, not at all."

"Oh, really? Then, I will tell you why it's funny," his annoying laugh was replaced by a contemptuous smirk. "It's funny because seriously, Masa... Ten years ago, five years ago... We built a snowman together, played hide and seek, attended singing lessons, went to ghost house... We did all those innocent stuff together up until now since I enjoyed your company the most. I feel confident and secure when you are around. We both have a very special bond that I will never get it from anyone beside you. But, I never thought the day would come when there are outsiders who think they know everything about us started to spread rumour that we dated each other. I think if we are girls, we don't have to face this absurdity, don't you think so? I wonder what have boys done wrong. Why can't we be close to each other without being assumed as gays?"

Masato did not have the guts to look at Tokiya straight to his face. He was touched. Yes, in spite of Tokiya's sarcasm, he was moved with the way Tokiya said that he was very special in his life.

"I still can't believe that people nowadays have such a colorful imagination to associate two boys who are childhood friends with dating each other. For me, they can think whatever they want as long as we both know that it's just a friendship and we are straight."

"But at least the rumours about us will not spread more if we steer clear of each other and my father will not see me as an insult to the family. No matter how many times I said to you that I am scared of my father, he is still my family. He's my parent so it is bound for me to prioritize what he thinks over you," Masato justified.

Wow, good point. If it's not because of those guys said to me that he already planned this with Otoya, I might as well believe in him on the spot, Tokiya mentally remarked. Not to mention Masato's acting skill was excellent.

This guy improved a lot. The way his eyes spoke... No, Tokiya! This is not the right time to evaluate someone's acting skill.

"Okay, then. I guess that I can put myself in your shoes. You are from Hijirikawa family anyway. Luckily, I don't have a father who easily believes in stranger over his own son," Tokiya knew it was rude to scorn somebody's father but it still frustrated him to see the way Hijirikawa Masaomi educated his son. It was way too strict and he labeled it as a child abuse because Masaomi was the reason why Masato had a very low self-esteem back then. Tokiya never saw a son who was so intimidated with his own father like Masato to the point of he would shiver when Masaomi was around. "Well, then, I guess I should respect your decision. We should stay away from each other. Thank you for being my best friend up until now and sorry for making them doubted you, I guess," he left Masato who immediately felt the emptiness.

"It's okay, Masato. It's only temporary," he coaxed himself while stroking his chest.

But still... It felt empty to break their friendship because of the stupid reason.

A few days passed and much to everyone's confusion, they never saw Tokiya met Masato or vice versa. They would certainly bump into each other several times but Tokiya always had his way to ignore the scion.

Their strange melodrama was enough to send Otoya to his guilt. He knew it was all because of him. From those gossipers, he found out that Tokiya and Masato fought because the scion did not want to be called homosexual just because he was close to Tokiya which in reality, it was absurd and had nothing to do with the real reason why Masato grew distant from Tokiya.

He knew he was self-seeking but he had no choices. He needed Masato's help now.

We don't have that many days left. Soon enough, you can stay beside Tokiya again, Masa...

That evening, Otoya and Tokiya met Haruka as the composer wanted to hand their songs for the graduation audition.

"Why there are so many songs to choose, Nanami-san?" Tokiya asked as his eyes scanned all the music sheets in his hand. He and Otoya got four songs each to choose and he could not feel flabbergasted enough with the girl's talent.

"I think it's because when I think about you guys, I always have idea to write new songs. Since I don't know which one to choose, I guess that I will leave it to you guys," Haruka said sheepishly.

"But they are all great, right, Otoya?"

As he had expected and the others had stated, Otoya would always be spaced out. God knows what he thought with the gloomy but irritating face.

"Otoya? Oi, Otoya!" The redhead startled as he received a jab in his arm. His red eyes anxiously wandered towards the perplexed Tokiya and Haruka.

"What's the matter?" Tokiya asked.

"Are you okay, Otoya-kun?" Haruka looked concerned.

"Eh? I... I am okay. Did you say something just now?"

"Don't you think all the songs are amazing?" Tokiya's lips pointed at the music sheets in Otoya's hand.

"Eh? Yeah, they are amazing. As expected from Nanami," the redhead smiled, enough to make the composer flushed.

"Tha... Thank you."

"Our debut will be awesome! I guess I will choose one of the songs for the audition and the other songs will be my next singles. What do you say, Nanami-san?" Tokiya exclaimed, sending the composer to widen her golden eyes out of happiness.

"It will be an honour for me, Ichinose-san. Knowing that you will still use my songs after you become an idol."

"Of course I will. It will be a waste if we keep them, right? Did other guys also get more than one songs?" Tokiya asked, referring to other STARISH members.

"Yes," Haruka nodded.

"Then, I think the others including Otoya also will continue to sing your songs. Do you still want to work with us when you become a pro, Nanami-san?"

"Of course I want. Composing for STARISH is my dream after all."

In the midst of the excitement, Otoya just forced a smile. It was nice to see Tokiya and Haruka talked excitedly about the debut.

Even he already knew he could not make it, it just torn his heart apart over and over again. He knew he should pray for them instead but...

It was painful to know that he would not be there to see them graduated at least.

"I have to go to toilet for a while," Otoya excused himself before leaving Tokiya with a suggestive look at Haruka, making the composer puzzled.

"Why do you look at me like that, Ichinose-san?"

"Nothing. It's just that your face is always red whenever Otoya is around," he remarked casually but that was enough to make imaginary steam came out of her ears because of embarrassment. "Especially this area," he pointed at Haruka's cheeks. "Why, though?"

"Eh?? No, I... I am not," she shook her head, way too violent for her neck health.

"Okay, then. Just asking," Tokiya nodded, seemingly wanted to stop to question her. "By the way Nanami-san, do you remember Otoya's last night shirt when we had potluck?"

"Oh, do you mean the dark blue sweater?"

It was an awkward silence with Haruka quickly shut her mouth in horror while Tokiya smirked at her.

"No, it's not like that, Ichinose-san! I always have a habit remembering somebody's shirt..."

"Oh, really? Then, what about mine? Do you remember what color was my shirt?"

"Ehhh? Well..." She stammered while her brain desperately searched Tokiya's last night shirt image yet to no avail. "Purple? Or... white perhaps?"

"How about Masato's?"

Oh my, I don't know. I seriously don't know!

"I... I am not sure. Is it... Blue?"

"Yeah, Masato will always wear blue while me... It's always purple," Tokiya teased. "You are so easy to read, Nanami-san. It was obvious that you only paid attention to Otoya."

If embarrassment could be the reason for someone's death, Haruka would be the first victim. Not only in Japan but the whole world.

"But... But... It doesn't mean that when I remember someone's shirt, I..."

"You what? You like him?" His casual guess was enough to make Haruka slipped from her chair out of shock.

"You don't have to be that dramatic, you know," Tokiya chuckled as he stretched out his hand to Haruka which the composer reluctantly accepted. She was light enough for him to apply little energy to lift her up. "Just relax. It's normal when you remember everything trivial about someone that you like."

"But, Ichinose-san... I like him just like how I like you guys. There is no feeling..."

"Okay, I understand," Tokiya interrupted her, feeling a bit sympathetic to Haruka even it was fun to pull her leg. "But, as his classmate, do you think he looks weird nowadays? Like just now... Normally, he would be excited when we talked about debut but instead, he looked troubled."

"Yes, you are very right, Ichinose-san," Haruka nodded as she was reminded of the spaced out Otoya in class. "Ringo sensei would always call him out for not paying attention in class. And usually, he would talk with everyone but now... I can see that he only talks much with you."

"Did Shibuya-san say something about who injured her? Is Otoya the one who hit her?"

"No, I asked her several times but she refused to tell anyone because she said that person just misunderstood her and there is no need to make a fuss. But, it seemed everybody believed that Otoya-kun was the one who hit Tomo-chan, right?"

"Yes, they did. I wonder where did the rumour come from."

They ended up staying in silence for a while before Otoya came back with slightly puffy eyes but neither Tokiya nor Haruka bothered to ask.

There was no use to ask the guitarist because he would reply with 'I am fine' anyway.

Tokiya was sitting at his desk with his hand played with his pen. His notebook was open but his blue eyes studied Otoya who was sprawling on his bed while humming the songs that Haruka gave to him.

"Hey, Otoya."

"Yes?" The adorable face turned to meet his eyes.

"I am just curious about this thing. You are already 16 years old so I wonder if you do have someone that you take a liking..."

"Huh? Where did that come from?" Otoya sat up as he expected more explanation. It was not like Tokiya to talk about girls with him.

"Nothing. I guess that I am just curious?"

"Hmm... I don't hang out with girls that much so..."

"Then, what about with those girls who you hang out with?" Tokiya encouraged so that Otoya would think about Haruka on the spot.

There were only two names that crossed Otoya's mind when they talked about who he was used to hang out with before.

Shibuya Tomochika and Nanami Haruka.

The first one was out of question. Rather than a crush, he wanted to crash her.

But, Nanami Haruka...

Nanami... His heart ached as he recalled the soft-smiled face that always soothed him. He might never admit it to anyone but Haruka did have a special place in his heart. It always fluttered when he saw Haruka's smile but he just brushed it off because he believed it was not important and it would disappear in no time. But, after Tomochika lured him to the abandoned building, saying that she kidnapped Haruka, the thought that Haruka would be hurt made him realized just how important Haruka was to him.

Now, everything had changed into something painful and unforgivable. It was too late to turn back time and saying that he loved her.

There was no way they could be together. They were too far apart.

"You are making that face again," Tokiya sighed as he put his pen down. "I bet you are thinking about Nanami-san, right?"

"Eh? I don't."

Tsk, even their reactions were also the same! They blushed like they just caught a cold. But I guess if they do like each other, soon enough they will confess, right? Yet, sadly, it leaves Masato with one-sided love, just like me. Sigh... Even our first love also ended with no hope like this.

"Are you sure? Your face said the opposite, though."

"Well, I did think about her sometimes but... I guess that if I do think and like her, it's not like it will change anything," Otoya's voice got lower as he talked.

"What did you say?"

"Nah, nothing."

His clichéd reaction just made Tokiya lost his patience.

It was enough for now. He just could not stand with this absurdly mysterious circumstance. He stood up, headed for Otoya with a serious face.

"Otoya."

"Yes?" The redhead flinched as Tokiya suddenly stood in front of him.

"You know that we are always here for you, right? Me, daddy, your friends... Everyone is ready for you whenever you have problem."

"I know," he answered softly.

"Then, you must know that what I am trying to imply here is I want you to open up to us. You obviously looked disturbed but you did not say anything about it..." As much as he was exasperated with Otoya's mystery, Tokiya was aware that he tended to be foul-mouthed when he could not stand with annoying circumstance so he tried to be soft with his language for the sake of Otoya but what he got was...

"What are you on about?"

This. He really hated this response the most when that person clearly understood him.

"Stop acting dumb, Otoya. You know what I mean," this time, Tokiya sounded stern. He almost swore but he managed to hold it back. "What gives with those talking and crying alone by the lake? What on earth is your problem exactly?"

Otoya could not resist himself from swallowing the invisible lump in his throat. From the scowl that Tokiya shot at him, he knew that he could not avoid it anymore.

"I... I am just stressed out about the debut but I don't want to make you stressed out as well. You sure have so many things to think about..."

"Yeah, of course I have so many things to think about including how you have become weird after your one-week disappearance and how Masato was starting to avoid me for a weird reason as well and you just happened to not question anything about that."

Crap! That was too sharp! Otoya bit his lips in anxiety. His hands started to shake and when he felt that Tokiya was still observing him, he quickly hid his hands under the hem of his shirt.

"It's okay if you don't want to answer me. I will make you confess soon," the threat beneath the voice was also overwhelming to hear. "But another thing that I want to know is what's wrong with Masato?" As soon as Tokiya asked the question, Otoya averted his gaze to somewhere else, losing its focus.

"Look at me when I am talking, Otoya."

"I am," Otoya quickly look at Tokiya but it was hard to not flinch when there was a threatening aura around his brother.

"Why are you quivering?"

"I am not."

"You liar," Tokiya's voice turned even colder as he was this close to shout of frustration and anger. "Please answer me when I am trying to be nice because I hate myself when I am angry and I believe you also don't want to see that. So, by all means, please tell me why did Masato avoid me?"

"And why are you asking me?"

"Because first, I already asked him but he came up with a ridiculous gay story which sounded so ridiculous and it is really ridiculous no matter how many times you think of it and second... I know that you are the one who asked him to stay away from me so when I asked you why did he avoid me, it's actually 'why did you ask him to avoid me?', Otoya."

It really gave the redhead the goose bumps. How did he know? Who told him?

Was it Masato?

"Tokiya..." There were a few knocks on the door before it was opened by Masato. "Oh, are you guys talking about something right now? Then I will excuse first..."

"No, stay here," Tokiya ordered.

"But..." Tokiya could notice that Masato glanced at Otoya nervously. Of course the pianist would when he already promised Otoya to not be around when there were two of them.

"I said, stay here, Masato," Tokiya used his authoritative tone and it made both Masato and Otoya flinched. "I deliberately wanted all three of us to be here in the same room so that we can be honest to each other. I can't stand seeing you guys beating about the bush anymore. Enough is enough."

"What do you mean?" Tokiya closed his eyes as Masato let out the words that he hated to hear the most in this kind of circumstance.

"What I meant was I know that Otoya was the one who asked you to stay away from me so stop selling me the gay story. I never bought that."

Expectedly, Masato widened their eyes out of shock.

"So, at the end, it turned out to be more interesting than I thought. My brother was so desperate to get close to me to the point of he threatened my best friend to stay away from me," Tokiya glared at Otoya. "Care to explain why? And you... Masato, why the hell did you agree with something like this? Can we just get along together like how we were used to without ditching anyone?"

This time, Otoya knew he had to answer. He could not involve Masato in his problem anymore.

"I was jealous of Masato," Otoya said. "You always have a soft spot for him. You searched for him first when you got sick. You relied on him for everything and that's why I asked him to stay away from you temporarily. I promise it's not going to be forever."

Tokiya sighed. He was about to explain why he tended to count on Masato but the scion was faster.

"Otoya, I think there is a misunderstanding here. The reason why Tokiya ended up relying on me because he sees me as his friend. It's normal for a brother to not depend on his little brother because they have to keep their pride and they have to show that they are strong in front of their little brother," Masato supplied, receiving nods from Tokiya.

"You are being helpful as always. Thank you, Masa," Tokiya patted his back thankfully. "But there is more than this, you know. Why did you say to Masato that it's only temporary? Why did you say to Masato that it was too late to help you? And why did you ask Masato to stay beside me and never leave me by myself when you' re gone?"

Just like Tokiya, Masato also stared at the redhead, seeking the explanation that not yet to be revealed.

"Perhaps, do you want to imply that you will ask daddy to send you to abroad or something?" Tokiya raised his eyebrows. Since Otoya was being tight-lipped, he ended up doing more guesses. "No, I will never allow that. You are my brother so you should stay somewhere that I can look after you."

Masato could swear that Tokiya's words just made Otoya was this close to collapse.

'You are my brother'. That was enough to make Otoya feeling like the whole world was laughing at him. The whole world was ridiculing him.

Why does he look even sadder, though? Masato wondered.

"I have to look after you because I agreed with Ren that you are psychologically disturbed," Tokiya declared as he took out Otoya's pictures from his drawer. "He told me that you have become weirdly attached to me and would glare at anyone who tried to distract our time together. I didn't believe in it first before Syo gave me these evidences," he showed them a few pictures of Otoya looking daggers at any people who approached Tokiya. "Please don't ever forget that Syo is a fighter. He will never stop just because you glowered at him and that's why I asked him for help. "

Otoya bit his lips. All those things that he really wanted to keep as secrets was exposed by the last person that he wanted him to know his 'craziness'.

"You even glared at Shibuya-san. I heard the rumour though. Is that true that you are the one who hit Shibuya-san?"

"Yes," Otoya's quick response sent the best friends to widen their eyes.

"Why, Otoya? What had she done to you to the point of you hit her? You never hit anyone before," Masato exclaimed, not able to conceal his surprise.

"She... I think that she is the one who ordered the C class trio to assault Tokiya," Otoya answered softly.

"What!?" This time, Masato shouted in shock and later found himself got more shocked because Tokiya, the victim of the assault was way calmer than him.

"Why would she do that?" Masato asked. "I don't think Shibuya is like that."

"Do you have evidence, Otoya?" Tokiya pointed out.

Otoya slowly shook his head. "I am sorry. I just could not control my emotion."

"Then, why didn't you apologize to her?" Tokiya's question sent Masato and Otoya to stare back at him out of confusion.

"Actually, Hyuga sensei had told me everything that happened on that day. The reason why you were in detention with Aijima-san because you guys were refused to apologize to her, right?"

Otoya nodded again.

"Why? Because you still believe that she is the culprit of the assault? What made you thought that she's the one who ordered them to attack me?"

Yet, this time Otoya ignored his question.

"As much as I feel grateful because you did it for my sake, I still disapproved the way you approached this case. There is no use for you to use violence especially if you don't have the proofs," he remarked casually but Otoya could see that Tokiya was so disappointed with him. "And also these pictures," Tokiya showed them the pictures of Otoya cried and laughed alone by their school lake. "I don't judge you for being crying and laughing alone but seriously, when Masato and I asked you what the hell was going on in the building but you never answered that, I supposed that had something to do with what happened to you during your disappearance."

If Otoya could sink his head any lower, he would go for that because he really hated this kind of situation. It was not like he committed a crime but now, he felt like he was treated worse than a criminal.

"I asked you for the last time. What happened to you during the disappearance?"

Otoya still had his eyes staring at the floor without even bothering to answer his brother, much to Masato's anxiety and Tokiya's frustration.

"Just answer him, Otoya," the redhead ignored Masato's suggestion.

"Otoya, I am talking to you!" Tokiya finally exploded. "Am I talking to a wall now!? Spit it out already!"

"It was nothing. Just like what I said, I just tried to commit suicide."

Tokiya nodded but obviously, he was dejected. He gave the redhead a chance but he did not use it.

Fine, then.

"I think that's enough from me. It was tiring to see you being tight-lipped like this. I guess that Ren and daddy are right. You need help from an expert. I cannot let you bottled up everything anymore. You need somebody that you can talk to comfortably."

"What do you mean, Tokiya?" Otoya enquired.

"I need to send you home. There is no use for you stay here if you lose focus. You will become more problematic if you become an idol. I will talk to daddy and he will pick you up. He will find a psychologist for you so that you can heal."

As much as Masato agreed with the idea, he was puzzled to see Otoya's face expression.

It was like he would reach his hell soon.

Haruka rushed to the gazebo which would be her favourite place to hang out with her friends. She was curious why Otoya wanted to meet her secretly at night.

It could be... He wanted to talk about the song? Was there something wrong with the melody?

She knew she just got it right when she saw a red-haired boy, standing alone by the lake while holding music sheets. As usual, her heart skipped a beat as she saw Otoya smiling at her. It was so soothing.

But... it looked so sad at the same time. That was the kind of smile that she always saw plastered over the cute face lately.

But tonight, the smile seemed stranger than usual. It was not Otoya at all.

"I am sorry for the long wait, Otoya-kun!" Haruka exclaimed.

"It's okay. I just got here," Otoya answered. For some reason, those sorrowful red eyes did not leave her face even for once. She avoided his eyes but she could feel that he still stared at her. Not like usual when it looked chummy but now it looked...

Warm and loving?

"I am sorry for disturbing you so late at night," Otoya remarked.

"No, it's okay. I don't have things to do since I got a writer's block anyway."

"Really? Still... no matter how bad your writer's block is, I am sure Nanami Haruka's next songs will be astounding too," he admired her flushed face as he praised her. He almost remarked how cute she looked now. "But... Let's say you keep having writer block," he suddenly lifted the music sheets in his hand to match Haruka's eye level. "I think you can use these songs for your idols in future."

"Eh?" Haruka took the music sheets in puzzlement. Golden eyes widened as she recognized the songs. "Why would I give them to someone else, Otoya-kun? They are yours."

He smiled while placing his hands into his sweater pocket to keep them warm. His eyes wandered around to avoid Haruka's golden eyes before answering, "I can't even sing them so there is no use for me to keep them, Nanami. It will be waste for your talent and the songs."

"What do you mean? Why can't you sing them?"

"Tomorrow, I am going to take a leave. Tokiya suggested me to seek some psychological care. I also personally think that I suffered from PTSD after the disappearance."

"Oh... Well, I do agree that you looked troubled about something lately, Otoya-kun. Something's wrong?"

"How's Tomo-chan doing?" Much to the composer's shock, he ignored her question swiftly. "Is her injury healing?"

"Yes, she is. I asked her who did it but she refused to tell me."

"But actually, you want to ask me either it's true that I am the one who hit her, right?" This time, he stared at her, indirectly asking her to say 'yes'.

"Eh?"

"Yes, the rumour is true. I am the one who slapped and strangled her," he answered it in such a calm manner that it looked so ridiculous to Haruka. "I regretted that I did not strangle her since a long time ago, though."

"Otoya-kun, no... It can't be..." Haruka unconsciously stepped back as she was surprised at his sudden confession. "Then, Cecil-san..."

"No, Cecil doesn't have anything to do with the attack. He just tried to protect her from me or to be exact, stopping me from being punished but I guess I got a bit excited to hit her that day..."

"But, why, Otoya-kun? Did Tomo-chan do something that hurt you?"

He loved her question. It was innocent but full of affection and care.

The next thing he realized was his hand stroked her hair down to her chin. Something that he had never done no matter how close he was to a girl.

"Yes, she hurt me..." His eyes looked glum. "A lot and it's very painful."

"Otoya-kun..."

He pulled her into his embrace, making her gasped.

"Otoya-kun!" Her face now matched his red sweater. She thought that pulling away would be rude but to be embraced by the guy that she loved since three years ago was not good for her heart condition.

"Thank you for all the sweet memories that you gave me, Nanami..." His voice was too close in her ears but the more important thing was it sounded heavy with misery. "Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for all the amazing songs. They gave me fun to sing. You have been the inspiration for me to work harder. My life in school would never been this wonderful if it's not because of you, Nanami."

"Otoya-kun, if you want to say those things, you should say that when you debut later. It's too soon to say..."

"No, it won't happen. I only have tonight to say these things to you. I want you to be the only one who hears them and plus..." He gazed at her puzzled eyes. "There will be no debut for me, Nanami. Tomorrow will be my last day. I am not going to return to school again."

"What?" Her heart strongly told her that Otoya was trying to say goodbye to her.

But, why? Where would he go? What about his dream?

"I am not going to debut with you guys. I am sorry but it happened that way."

"But why, Otoya-kun?"

"Sooner or later, you will know. But, there is something that I want you to know tonight."

He pulled away but his hands still held her shoulders, attempting to make her to look only at him.

"I love you, Nanami."

Eh?

"I always have this feeling to you but I never cared about it. When I realized it, it was too late. This feeling will only make me suffer."

"Otoya-kun..." She knew she had to let him knew what she thought about him. Like Otoya, she also always had the feeling to him. Her heart was only his.

Yet, much to her shock, he stepped back, smiling for the last time before...

"That's all from me. I am sorry for what I have done to you and I wish you good luck for your dream, Nanami," just like that, he left her alone, not even turn around to look at her.

"Otoya-kun, wait!"

As she saw him running away from her, she felt like he would leave her forever. She felt like she was going to lose him eternally.

On the next day, the news sure was fast to circulate around the academy. Everybody was surprised to know that Otoya was given a leave for his mental cure.

Otoya felt empty and refused to meet to his classmates, not even Haruka. As the car that Kazuki's driver drove slowly left the academy, he stared at the building for the last time. This was supposed to be the place where his new life and dream came true.

But instead, it had witnessed so many disturbing episodes in his life.

Goodbye, everyone.

Meanwhile, in the female students' dorm, there was a girl, with a long red hair laughed like a madman as she could see Otoya finally left the school. She stood at the window of her room while holding her slender waist, mentally patted herself on the back for all her success so far.

Otoya is gone. Now, it's your turn, Ichinose Tokiya. Prepare for Round 2, she mentally warned the oblivious vocalist while holding her phone suggestively.

How is it? Feel free to let me know what do you think about this chapter, okay? See ya!