CHAPTER 14

CREDITS TO: UTA NO PRINCE SAMA AND SILVERMOON249 (FOR 'BELIEVE MY VOICE' LYRICS)

In the morning, Haruka was greeted with the sight of the rest of STARISH members, visiting Tokiya.

"Yo, Little Lamb," Ren winked cheekily, followed by smiles from the rest.

"Minna-san," she smiled brightly as all of them were standing outside the door.

"How is Ichinose doing?" Masato started the conversation.

"He's still sleeping," Haruka opened the door wider, giving space to those big guys to welcome themselves into the sumptous house. "But I guess his fever has cooled down now."

"Are we really allowed to get into his house like this?" Syo pointed out despite of letting himself in. "Will Tokiya get mad, Nanami?"

"I don't think so, though. Judging from the way he had been dramatic before, saying that he likes it when we are around, I think he will be healthier if he sees our faces," Otoya replied while his red orbs stared around the house in awe.

A few seconds passed when they observed around the house which was occupied with luxurious furnitures.

"Wow, I have no idea that Tokiya-kun has this kind of luxurious house. Well, considering how many works he had done as Hayato, you could not expect less from him," Natsuki commented in amazement.

"This apartment is too Tokiya," Syo clicked his tongue.

"I know right? The concept itself.. it's way too same with our room," Otoya stared intently at the shelf which was full with trophies of The Best Actor and The Best Variety Show Star awards.

When they were about to gather at Tokiya's room, they could hear the sound of someone talking outside the house.

"Crap! You guys, there is someone out there! No, it's two. Two people."

"Is it Hayato's president? His voice sounds familiar," Natsuki exclaimed out of panic.

"Whoever it is, we need to hide!" Cecil suggested.

"Come on, Nanami!" Syo grabbed the composer's hand before joining the others, hiding behind a black cupboard.

As expected from a president of a talent agency who got too inquisitive with his singer's personal life, Seichiro did not have any problem to 'trespass' Tokiya's apartment since he knows the password and he had the right to do so.

Yet, to their shock and bewilderment, Megumi was also there, being all clingy with her husband.

"That's Tokiya's mother..." Otoya stared intently at the gorgoeus lady.

"Judging from how stuck-up she looks, nobody could guess that she had cried a lot when Tokiya was dead," Syo commented, bitterly.

"He is still sleeping.." they could see that Seichiro felt sorry to the singer. "Maybe I pushed him too hard."

You almost made him dead, you geezer! Haruka clenched her fist, struggling to hold herself from suddenly punching the sense out of Seichiro.

However, his so-called way of showing sympathy was cut-short by the catty Megumi.

"Obviously he cannot take care of himself well so why bother picking him up? Let's replace him with Zen instead. He will be more suitable to meet the minister as Zen has a better image than this frivolous comedian."

"What the f.." Syo was about to curse when Natsuki quickly closed his mouth.

"Syo-chan, calm down."

"But Hayato is the major reason why my company becomes well-know in the first place, so it makes sense for the minister to meet him," Seichiro's answer sent the woman rolling her eyes, making her looked more annoying than she usually was.

Oka-san, what the hell are you saying? If you only knew that you will regret it when he leaves us...

As Haruka quickly focused her golden eyes on the drama in front of her, Tokiya slowly woke up from his deep sleep. Probably because of Megumi's high-pitch voice.

"Kaichou?" his weak voice felt stuck in his throat as his blue orbs met his mother's. A sudden happiness hit his chest and it showed through his pale face when at the same time, he tried to stay neutral.

"He is obviously happy to see his mum visiting him, right?" Otoya said, sadly.

"When his mother in fact doesn't even care about him," Ren added, much to the others' grief. As someone who lost his mother in a young age, Ren surely knows how Tokiya feels.

At least, he knows how much his late mother loves him. Unlike Tokiya..

"Are you alright, Hayato? Himura just told me that he got a text from you, saying that you had a fever."

"Huh? A text?" Tokiya'face looked blank while Haruka ...

"I got caught," Haruka bit her lips nervously.

"Nanami/Haru-chan/Little Lamb?" Otoya, Natsuki and Ren threw a confused look which later turned into smirks to the sheepish girl. They totally could guess what the heck Haruka has done for the sake of Tokiya.

"Ettoo... Himura-san sent him a text, asking where he is. Since I somehow can guess what is his password so I thought it might be proper if I reply the text."

But the smirks were getting more mischivious from the trio.

"Minna-san, don't smirk like that."

"Hai, hai. Guys, enough with the teasing already," Ren regained his focus to watch the drama in front of him.

"So, Tokiya also that kind of husband who shared everything with his wife including his cell phone's password," Cecil mumbled.

"Yes, a text. You did tell him that you are sick, right? I just want to ensure that you are okay but you are way too pale. I guess, I can make your schedule empty for today and apologize to the minister. You need to take a rest for today, Hayato. I will take Zen with me instead."

"But, kaichou, I am totally fine! I promise I will do my best to take care of my health. Please, president! Let me go with you," since he was so desperate to continue with his work and the fact that Zen was the one who took over him would lead Megumi to degrade him even more, Tokiya totally ignored the question in his head about when the hell did he send a text to Himura.

"That workaholic bastard! Does he even have idea that he is still sick?" Syo complained sotto voce.

"No, Hayato. This is an order from me. Get a rest until you get back on your feet. It's okay. There are still a lot of programs for you."

"But kaichou, I..."

Suddenly, Seichiro received a call from his smartphone before excusing himself, leaving Megumi and Tokiya... again.

"Excuse me. Megumi, can you wait for me here?"

"Okay, sure," the sight of Megumi with her plastic smile seemed too unbearable for Haruka, especially when it quickly faded the moment Seichiro was no longer in her sight.

"Oh my... when the president left them, this house suddenly becomes downright awkward," Syo commented, feeling unsettled.

"Oka-san..." Tokiya was about to break the silence when Megumi quickly raised her palm in front of his face.

"Please don't misunderstand, Hayato-san. I am here simply because I am accompanying my husband. He himself wanted to pick you up because he thought you are so special as a celebrity but you, being sick like this... it's enough to show that you are not competent enough to be my husband's masterpiece. Can you just quit and get rid of yourself?"

Haruka's heart tore apart as she saw the look of Tokiya.

It was full of pain, especially when those harsh words came from his own mother.

She just could not stand to see Tokiya, endured that kind of state anymore.

"Oi, Nanami!" Syo stretched his hand out to hold Nanami back but it was to no avail. Instead, she snatched her hand away from the much stronger boy out of determination before abruptly interrupted their conversation.

"Who do you think you are, you hag!? You claim that he is not competent enough when you yourself are not even a celebrity and I bet if you do, you will gain more haters than fans, Yamada-san!"

"Nanami-san?" Tokiya's blue eyes widened too big. Just how the hell this Nanami Haruka could sneak into his house?

"Nanami?" Otoya, Syo and Masato dropped their jaws and if this is a cartoon series, their eyeballs migh just drop to the floor out of shock.

"Way to go, Little Lamb/Haru-chan.." Ren and Natsuki whispering their cheers.

"Who the heck are you!? Hayato, by chance, do you..." Megumi's brown eyes widened in horror as her so-called intelligent head started to imagine any kind of possible and secret relationship between Tokiya and this nosy girl.

"No, I am not his girlfriend, let alone his wife or any kind of disgraceful relationship because he knows that it is against the rule as an idol. He will do anything for the sake of his career because he loves singing more than anything! You, as his mother should know that more than anyone!"

"Nanami-san..."

"What the hell are you talking about, you bitch? I am not his mother so you better shut your frigging mouth if..."

"I am sorry but I am afraid I cannot shut my frigging mouth that easy," for someone who is petite, Haruka looked much adorable when she tried to match Megumi's 1.68 metres height as a sign that she wanted to intimidate the woman. "Especially when you have treated him like a stray cat, Yamada-san. Even you do hate your ex-husband so much, that still cannot be a good reason for you to abandon your son. He is YOUR SON! How could you disregard YOUR SON like that!?"

"She said 'your son' thrice," Cecil giggled with Otoya out of amazement.

"Get your ass out of here, you retard! I told you, he's not my son!" Megumi's gorgeous face started to turn ugly and funny as she was dumbfounded that there are still another soul in this world who knows about her biological relationship with Tokiya.

"No, I won't because I will brainwash that nasty brain of yours until you feel so guilty that you will atone for your sin. I will ask you a question, Yamada-san. Let's say someday.." Haruka tried to hold her tears as she recalled Tokiya's death. Her chest felt tight as her mind served the image of how Tokiya was beaten countlessly until he flatlined on top of her. "Let's say, someday, your son, Ichinose Tokiya is dead from a car accident. He is dead but... your relationship with him is still cold. Do you ever regret because you are too stupid for abandoning him since he was 12?"

"Nanami- san, calm down.."

"If I were you, I might suffer from a mental shock because at that time, it will be too late for me to regret and apologize to him."

Megumi looked speechless but her next answer almost made the other STARISH members snapped and hit her.

"Rather than being regretful, I simply wish him dead instead. He's the curse in my life."

"What the..." Otoya resisted himself from swearing even he could feel the chagrin that suddenly crawled into his veins.

"The.. f***," this time, Syo cursed without a fail since Natsuki was too busy cooling himself down.

"She wishes his death yet she still calls herself a mother?" Masato looked rather emotional when it comes to parenting issue, suitable with his nickname, 'Okachan of STARISH'.

"She should just let Hijirikawa teaches her how to be a loving mother instead," Ren's cheeky remark sent Masato punching his stomach.

While the son who Megumi wished for his death, Tokiya just curved in a bitter smile even it was obvious to everyone that he was too crestfallen. His blue orbs just stared blankly at the floor, much to Haruka's grief.

Please, Ichinose-san.. Don't make that face. I am barely holding myself from punching your mother, you know?

"Is that so?" Haruka bit her lips as her anger burned inside her. "You really don't care?"

"No. I have my beloved son, Zen afterall."

"While Ichinose-san has me and his friends," Haruka stepped in front of Tokiya, indirectly warned Megumi that she would be the dead one instead. "He has another six friends that treasure him more than you. So, next time, if you pick a fight with him again, I will not hesitate to tell your husband about you and Ichinose-san. Just try me."

While Megumi was this close to slap Haruka, Tokiya felt the urge to hug the girl.

Tokiya (referring to the future him), what did you do to get yourself a wonderful girl like her? His heart thumped in question while his eyes stared at her gratefully.

"Did you guys see how Tokiya is looking at Nanami? He looks..."

"Maybe he is starting to fall in love with her." Masato cut Otoya's words short.

"Y..yes.."

"That reminds me with how back then, the late Tokiya used to stare at Haruka whenever he had a chance, " Cecil remarked.

"Eh? Tokiya used to do something cheesy like that?" Otoya and Syo asked, almost in unison.

"Come on, guys.. Regardless how aloof he could be, Tokiya is still a man. Naturally, he is the same like us," Cecil deadpanned.

"You bitch! Are you threatening me right now? Me, the wife of Yamada Seichiro?" Megumi emphasized her so-called prestigous relationship with the said president but it just made Haruka chuckling sarcastically.

"I am not threatening you but I am knocking some sense into you. I don't care who the hell is your husband because I am sorry. Your personality is too disgusting."

"Woahh! Good job, Little Lamb!"

"Oi, Nanami! Where the hell do you learn to talk like that?" unlike Ren, Syo could not contain his surprise and worry over Haruka's sudden bluntness before flinching at his friends' 'probably she learnt from you' faces.

To everyone's surprise, Megumi who just acted superior a few minutes ago quickly left the apartment. Maybe she was too surprised that an adorable girl like Haruka could be this foul-mouthed.

After she left, both Tokiya and Haruka just stared at the floor with mixed feelings. There were so many things that they wanted to say to each other but...

They just could not start it.

"Come on, Ikki. Try to guess what Icchi feels right now," Ren elbowed Otoya. Honestly he felt bored to hide like this so he initiated any random game that he could think of.

"Eh? Well... I guess he finally opened up to Nanami," Otoya scratched his head, feeling uncertain about his answer but he tried it anyway.

"Yes, he is," Masato approved.

"Wait! Why are you the one who approved my answer?"

"Because I can guess what Ichinose feels."

"What's with the sudden Hijirikawa complex, Otoya?" Syo rolled his eyes.

"Minna-san, look at that. Tokiya-kun is saying something.." Natsuki pointed out the next drama in front of them.

And all eyes with different colors focused to a certain blue head and a girl.

"Thanks.. for just now," Tokiya's usual calm voice sounded huskier as his cold was still there.

But Haruka just shook her head before finally meeting his eyes. "No need for that. In fact, I am the one who shoud say sorry for trespassing on your place. I know I was so rude but I can't help it. Last night, you were.."

"You saved me, right?" a warm smile that he never showed to her before was enough to make her blushed madly. Not to mention, she missed that kind of smile. It gives her this unexplainable feeling in her heart and only Tokiya could bring it. "I remember I heard your voice screaming my name before I passed out last night."

"Well, I..."

"You are the one who texted my manager about me being sick."

"Well, yes. I am sorry but I feel the obligation to text him. He totally worried about you and I am afraid if I do nothing, it will affect your schedule as Hayato."

"I guess I don't have to ask you how do you know my password, right?"

Ahhh, bad Haruka! She bit her lips nervously. Based on his voice and face expression, Haruka could guess that Tokiya did not get mad at her but the feeling of guilty for invading his privacy just appeared inside of her.

"I am sorry. And I.. I am sorry for being rude to your mother. I just could not control my anger."

"It's okay. I've learned that... Tokiya.. the one who sacrificed his life for you sure is a lucky guy. I can tell that you love him so much..."

"I love you."

Tokiya's blue orbs quickly met her golden eyes.

"Excuse me?"

"I love you, Ichinose-san," she stared deeply into his eyes even her face now matched Otoya's hair color. She did not know what possessed her to be that blunt but she really wanted him to know something.

She wanted him to know how much she loves and treasures him.

"You know what? My late husband used to tell me that I am that someone who he could't help but particularly had his eyes on. When I was around, he had this confidence that he can surpass no matter how hard his problems were. He really wanted to make me his. He didn't want to lose me to somebody else but at the same time, he felt that he didn't deserve me so he ended up prioritizing my happiness over his happiness. And to make me smile, he would do anything for me even though it meant giving up on me," her heart was now fulfilled with sorrow and nostalgia when she recalled how her husband used to do the same thing to her like right now. "And that's what I feel about you, Ichinose-san."

No quick responses from him and she knew why. Knowing Tokiya who prioritizes his career over anything, she did not hope for a positive reply anyway.

"Well, I didn't say I would reject you but..." he let out a heavy sigh. "There are so many things going on right now, Nanami-san. I.."

"It's okay, Ichinose-san," she knew he just tried to be kind. "I know what are you implying. You rejected me because idols are forbidden to date. I totally understand that."

Tokiya just stared deep through the floor. There was a strong sense of guilt and happiness because of the confession and STARISH members knew it.

"Is he seriously going to reject her?" Syo asked as he felt sorry for Haruka.

"Yes," Masato replied. "But only at the beginning."

"I am sorry," the husky voice of Tokiya sounded full of guilt but surprisingly enough, it did not make the rosette feel massively dejected because..

As long as Tokiya is happy with whatever decision he made, Haruka would feel the same for him. In fact, she could say that this is a small punishment for her being too oblivious to Tokiya's feeling to her before.

"It's okay. I totally understand your circumstance, Ichinose-san."

He is alone in his world and when you do not have anyone to rely on, you will end up doing whatever it takes so that you can achieve your dream. As for Tokiya's case, to be an idol, he must not fall in love with anyone.

Speaking of him being alone....

"But.. just one request from me, Ichinose-san."

"Hm?"

"Let me be your family."

"Eh?"

"I want to be someone who you will rely on whenever you have concern. I want you to feel just how wonderful a family can be when they truly care about you.. To be honest, instead of a curse, you are a blessing for me," her sincere and soft confession just evoked an unspeakable feeling going through his spine straight to his heart when the sweet voice of her reached his ears.

It was initially creepy when a girl, who appeared out of nowhere, talking crap about their marriage in future. Not to mention that she behaved like a stalker; bluntly telling him that she knows everything about his personal life.

But now.. he learned that all the so-called stalker wanted is his happiness. She even saw him as the blessing in her life and no words could not describe how glad he was.

And that was when he realized, why Nanami Haruka is so priceless to the future him.

"I think you did say to me that you are my family, right? Remember? the night when it was drizzling and you comforted me.." again, he curved in a warm smile that suggested a good answer. "I am new to all of this but.. from now on, I guess that we can act like a family to each other.."

As she heard his answer, a loving smile crept over her pink lips, which made her looked so endearing in his eyes. "Thank you, Ichinose-san. I will try my best."

How beautiful, his hear whispered in admiration.

"Well, enough with the drama already! My legs are going to get cramped if I stay hiding like this!" Ren suddenly shouted before abruptly leaving their hiding spot, sending all of them in the house in shock.

"What... are you guys..." Tokiya was in utter bewilderment as his friends started to get out from their hiding spot with guilty smiles on their faces except Ren. "Doing here?"

"Tokiya, oha-yahho! Hope you are doing fine," Otoya greeted his roommate light-heartedly before leaving quickly, almost stumbling over Natsuki.

"Get well soon, Ichinose!" Masato remarked.

"Tokiya-kun, next time, if you come to school, I will give you my special home-made food..."

"Not even in your birthday, you mad monster! Do you want him to die instead?" Syo's loud yell resonated through the whole corridor, followed by 'Ehh? Why not?' line from Natsuki.

"Just ignore us.. You guys can continue with your family relationship stuff or whatever you call it," Cecil winked at Haruka before becoming the last person to leave the house.

They both were completely speechless until..

"Tell me, Nanami-san.."

"Y..yes?"

"Since when did those dorks hide here?"

"Since...before your president came here.."

"Ehhh??"

The following week greeted Tokiya with a string of surprises, both from Haruka and his friends.

Oh.. special mentioned; a surprise from himself.

The first one is a bento.

"To..Tokiya-kun, I made you a bento!"

"What is this?" he grabbed the Tupperware with a questioning look, sending her chuckled out of amusement.

Not to mention, the way he stared so intently at the lunch box was like a child who just got his birthday gift for the first time.

"Ichinose-san, you are supposed to ask first before gaining yourself my answer," her remark immediately made him agreeing with her before facepalming.

"No, you are not silly, Ichinose-san. It's quite cute actually," when she called him cute, she actually resisted the urge to poke his cheek, just like how she teased her husband.

"I am not cute," he averted his gaze to somewhere else, which made him look much cuter for Haruka.

A serene smile coming from him, just for her. "Thank you, Nanami-san. I will eat well."

"Then, I will go back to my class first. See you later."

"Er.. Nanami-san!"

"Y..yes?" she raised an eyebrow as she could guess that Tokiya had something to tell her.

"Actually.. I.. you see.."

"What's wrong Ichinose-san?"

Is it me or he is nervous right now?

"No..nothing.. see you later," he abruptly left her. He walked so fast, unlike his typical and previously charismatic image.

Eh?

"Er... Nanami-san!"

"Y..yes?"

"Oi," Tokiya exclaimed in annoyance.

"Actually..I.. you see.."

"What's wrong Ichinose-san?" a fake and disgustingly high-pitched voice hit his ears, almost making the blue head flipped the cafetaria table. Just like that, Haruka's pretty voice turned into a voice that deserved a slap, thanks to somebody's terrible impersonation.

"Cut it out, you guys," Tokiya made his voice turned stern but instead of making the two boys flinched like before, it just made them more annoying.

"No.. nothing.. see you later."

"And then, the hopeless and helpless male lead, Tokiya left the confused female lead, Nanami.. just like that," the previously disgusting voice which is owned by a red head suddenly turned deep, playing the narrator role.

"I will give it to her later so please stop making fun of me already!" Tokiya glared at Otoya and Syo who just had fun re-enacting the bento scene while being sarcastic. "And more importantly, did you just stalk us? What a pair of nosy parkers!"

"You are one to talk," Syo chuckled, obviously feeling annoyed. "We didn't spend our precious last night to encourage and teach a certain blue head how to give a family bracelet properly to a girl only to find out that the blue head turned stupidly nervous and failed to give it to her."

"You guys don't have to be so mean, you know," Tokiya replied. "Just so you know, I am terrible when it comes to situation like that."

"He's right, Syo. That was partially our fault too. We should let Tokiya read a 'how to give a present to the girl who is madly in love with you' book instead of asking him to be spontaneous," Otoya's so-called sympathetic voice however just mocked Tokiya more.

"Otoya, you..." as Tokiya opened the lid of his bento, the three of them could not help but being mesmerized by Haruka's caprese pasta salad with grilled chicken.

"You are so lucky, Tokiya! This bento made me missing Nozomi's cooking already!" Otoya remarked.

"I think the future me is luckier though.. He can eat this everyday," Tokiya stated while spooning a slice of chicken.

"Huh? Didn't Nanami tell you that she is going to make you a bento everyday?" Syo asked.

"What?"

Otoya suddenly shoved the spoon into his mouth.

"Itadakimasu!" the red head shouted in jolly, teasing his roommate who now looked slightly annoyed.

"Otoya, what are you..." he paused when he was chewing, caused Otoya to stop teasing and stared at him. "It's... delicious.."

"I know, right? Nanami's bento is so delicious," Syo acknowledged.

When Tokiya was about to take another bite, he could feel someone came out of nowhere and stole the food on his spoon.

It was Aijima Cecil!

"I heard it is Haruka's home-made cooking so I quickly came here. As expected, her cooking skill is so amazing!"

There is an awkward silence and surprisingly enough, every single human being in that cafeteria stared at Cecil even though they did not have any idea what the heck was going on until...

A punch flew, smack-dab across Cecil's face, sending others gasped in horror.

"Cecil!" Otoya's scream resonated through the whole cafeteria.

"Ichinose Tokiya," Hyuga's stern look was not enough for the blue head to feel intimidated. Instead, his poker face was absolutely annoying for anybody who knew the fact that he just commited a 'small crime'.

"Yes?"

"I am glad that you are getting sociable because that trait is good for your career as an idol but..." he glancet at the Agnapolis prince beside Tokiya who winced in pain while touching his bruised eyes. "Punching your friend just because of a bento is not being sociable, Ichinose. It's more like you just gained yourself an enemy."

"I don't want to make friends with someone rude like him so enemy sounds the best for him."

"What?" Hyuga looked confused. He never expected that the aloof Tokiya had this dark side in him. "Ichinose, what are you on about? I wonder about this for a while but have you known Aijima before he got transferred to this school?"

"No."

"Then why do you seem like you really hate him? Not to mention that I saw you almost flipping your table the moment I introduced him to the class."

"No real reasons," Tokiya glared at Cecil who turned more annoyed. "I never punched anyone in my whole life before but this guy.. everytime I see his face, he gives me this eccentric aura which makes me want to punch him so bad.."

"Hey, calling me an enemy when I tried so hard to be close with you, along with the fact that we both are from the same team are also quite rude, you know," Cecil suddenly ignored his pain and focusing on glaring at Tokiya. "Not to mention you always avoided me when we were coincidentally alone... And now you said that you have no real reasons but you just feel like to punch me!?"

"You want to know why? Because you are a creep. Knowing that the cat who always licked my face all the time is a one heck of a guy..."

"Said someone who could flirt with 15 guys and won the bet. Just accept the fact that you are not that innocent, Tokiya. The fact that you can even turned those straight guys into a bunch of gays just...ewww, it is downright disgusting!"

"Shut up!" Tokiya's usual gentle voice suddenly turned louder and rougher (just imagine Rin from Free! shouted in rage) , enough to make Hyuga and the others in corridor flinched out of amazement and horror when in fact, the teacher's room was tightly shut.

"Oi, guys..." a few nerves finally throbbed on Hyuga's head, indicating that if those idiots did not stop bickering, he would explode and made them guilty for what they have done. "Do you guys even aware where the heck are you guys now?"

"Now I know that this flawless Tokiya can become a moron when it comes to cats... You even.."

"I said, shut up!" as Tokiya threw Hyuga's insanely thick text book to Cecil's forehead, the Prince of Fighting movie lead star finally reached his last straw.

"Detention!!!"

"Ehhh!!??"

The second surprise would be that he was forced to be in detention with someone who he thought that he would never get along with once he found out that the weirdo is the cat that he used to hug on his bed.

For certain reasons, their detention which was supposed to last for four hours was extended until late at night.

"What the hell are you guys doing? We are supposed to have a practice at eight," was the respond from Syo who was totally annoyed with the absence of those two dorks after they finally came back at dorm.

"Our detention was extended because of someone.."

"That's because of you, stupid!" Tokiya shouted angrily before Cecil could complete his words.

The third one, after making friends with STARISH members, Tokiya got more expressive before he knew it. He used to avoid conflicts especially the petty one. He was a guy who they described as the level-headed one but now, not anymore. He could be childish as he grew closer with them. For example, nowadays, fighting with Otoya about who should take a shower first after their tiring practice has also became sorts of routine for him.

And the forth one would be about his singing.

"Nanami-san, can I borrow one of your songs? I mean.. any song that you composed for your husband," he asked Haruka when they bumped into each other.

"Eh? Sure but for what?"

"I have a make-up test for my singing today so I thought that it will be nice if I sing your song. For some reasons, it cheers me up.. Maybe because it comes from my family," his honest remark sent her to blush mad.

"Here.. " her golden orbs met his blue eyes as she took out a music sheet from her file. "Good luck, Ichinose-san!"

"Thank you. I will try my best to sing your song."

Ahhh, he is going to sing my song againn!! Haruka was this close to scream to the world about how happy she was.

"And.. one more thing..."

"Eh?" Haruka was bewildered as Tokiya took out a small pink box from his pocket.

"I.. you see.." he tried to restrain his nervousness as he took out a cute bracelet from the box before putting it around her small wrist. "Just a small gift for being my family."

"Ehhh??"

Oh my... if we are not in school right now, I will kiss him for sure, while coaxing herself to be relaxed about the unexpected gift, her golden orbs just stared at the bracelet delightedly.

"Thank you, Ichi...eh?"

Tokiya was no longer there, leaving her alone and again in the middle of the corridor.

So fast.. Where did he disappear?

kono mama hora ugokazu ni
kuchibiru dake de tashikamete
watashi no me ni utsuru no wa
kimi shika yurusarenai

yume no saki de saku hana yo　dou ka futari o michibiite
ieru koto wa tada hitotsu　"hanasanai zettai"
subete wa kono ai no tame ni ikiyou
sono tame ni umarete kitanda...

As he inhaled and exhaled nervously, preparing his mental for the worse, he could hear a round of applause from his classmates.

"Sugoi, Ichinose! Full marks for you!" Hyuga who used to criticize his singing for lacking a heart now could not help but being mesmerized by Tokiya's improvement.

"Thank you," Tokiya smiled as he received the compliment. Apparently, 'Believe My Voice' is the best song for him to portray his skills.

Thank you, Nanami-san. It's all because of you...

End of chapter 14! Thank you for the vote, XHaquaX-san! and also thank you for adding  this story to your library, donettapourier101-san!