Chapter 1: Spring Song
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A young woman sat on a wall by the beach, staring far to the dawn horizon, clearly enjoying the calming sea breeze that gently blew across the beach. She inhale deeply and let out a loud sigh. Nothing feels better than a nice walk early in the morning.
Her eyes moved down to a pile of papers placed next to her and her lips form into a small pout.
"Even though been sent to this wonderful place, somehow I still can't compose any new song for STARISH." She let out a sighed and her shoulders slumped. The event from two days ago played in her mind.
"Miss Nanami, I'll sent you to Iwatobi tomorrow!" Saotome shouted as he pointed his index finger towards the female, startling her and whole STARISH.
"B-But why old man?! Do you really need to send her far away?!" Syo argued back as Saotome let out a dark chuckled which quiet down the whole group.
"I sent her there with Miss Tomochika, so there won't be any problem. Miss Nanami will stay there until her songs is finished before the deadline." He continued as he turned his back towards them.
"But Saotome, why are you doing this to her?" Ren questioned the president and the man sent a dark look towards Haruka which gave her shiver down her spine.
"I supposed she already know the reason, isn't that right Miss Nanami?" His question is replied by a nod from Haruka, her eyes bright with determination. Yes, she know the reason why and this is a better way.
"I thought being here is a wonderful thing, but how am I supposed to write songs if there's no inspiration at all?" She whispered and suddenly a strong gust of wind blew which cause the papers to fly away. Her day couldn't become any luckier huh?
"Ahh wait! Don't go!" She yelped as she quickly rushed after the papers and began to pick up quickly the papers off the ground.
As she picking up the papers, suddenly she noticed a pair of legs stop in front of her then she blinked her eyes.
"Excuse me, but is this yours?" A familiar voice asked and she quickly snapped her head upwards. "Ichinose-san?!" She spoke up and she slapped her hand over her mouth as soon as she realized this is not the man she called upon.
"Huh?" He rose his eyebrow as he blinked his red eyes, bewildered by her reaction. Oh no, in front of her is not Ichinose Tokiya that she familiar with but instead a young man with a shoulder length red hair and beautiful red eyes. His well-toned body covered with a sports uniform.
"I-I'm sorry! I thought you were one of my friends!" Indeed she did, he have the same soothing voice as Tokiya. She noticed that he was holding few piece of papers and she pull them away from his grip and thanked him.
"I'm sorry for troubling you, but the wind blew away my papers and and and…!" She panicked as he helped her picking up the rest of the papers and handed them to her.
"It's fine. I can't just pass by while ignoring someone who is in trouble can I?" He smirked and she nodded.
"Thank you so much for helping! If it weren't for you, I might never manage collect all this papers!" She bowed down and he just let out a nervous chuckled.
"Please let me repay your kindness!" Haruka suggested and the red head chuckled at her.
"Nah, it's fine." He protested and she shook her head. "No please, I'm insist! Ah, I just found a great café on the way here. I'll treat you!" She insisted and he let out a defeated sigh.
"Fine then, if you really insist." She grinned and they start walking towards the café. Suddenly she let out an audible gasp. "That's rude of me, but I still haven't know your name!" She stated and he sweat drop.
"Matsuoka Rin." He smiled and she smiled back at him and nodded. "I see. I'm Nanami Haruka. It's nice to meet you." He raised his brow. That first name…
The walk was awkward, the air was filled with silence accept their footsteps walking on the road. Rin scratches his cheek as his eyes moved towards the sea then his eyes moved to the smaller female who's been staring to the sea with longing look.
"Say Nanami-san, what's your first name written like?" Rin broke the silence and Haruka began to draw a kanji in the air.
"It's spring and song." She answered and he let out a sighed and scratches his nape. Damn, he think too much again.
"I see, the kanji is different then. Nevermind about that." He dismissed his thought by waving his hand and she nodded with a puzzled look. Damn it, now it becoming more awkward… Nice work Rin. Suddenly he heard giggles from the woman next to him and she smiled at him.
"Is it your girlfriend?" Rin cheeks redden by her sudden statement. "N-No! That's not it! I-It just, she is…" He began to trail off with mumbles as he looked to his other side, clearly trying to hide his red face and Haruka laugh at this.
"It's fine if you don't want to tell, I don't mind at all! But I'm sure she's a real beauty." She stated and he fairly nodded with a smile at her remark. 'A true beauty indeed.'He thought as he imagined a girl in his mind. And suddenly a question came to his mind.
"Where are you from Nanami-san? I'm sure you're not from around here." He asked with curiosity, his eyes scanned over her figure from up to down. Well, judging from her appearance, he guess she's from a big city of some sort.
"Oh, I'm from Tokyo." Bingo.
"Well, are you alone? It's pretty dangerous walk around in a foreign place alone you know?" He question her and she shook her head. "I came here with my friend but she's at the hotel right now. Besides, it's pretty nice to have a relaxing time alone." She breathed in the air and smiled brightly.
They arrived at the café and as soon as they sat down, the waiter gave them the menus and they ordered their breakfast. Rin land his elbow on the desk and put his chin on his palm, eyeing the papers that inside a clear file.
"So, you a composer?" Rin asked and Haruka blinked then look down to her clear file that filled with her music notes and she nodded.
"Yep, I'm a composer and my president sent me here so I can came up with a new fresh idea for songs." She heavily sighed and look down her hands on her knees, clearly deep in thought. Rin noticed her troubled look and he reach his hand out for the file.
"Can I look?" He asked her and she nodded. Rin pull the file and pull out the music notes, staring on the dots that been arranged that supposed to make a song. "Do you write for any bands?" he questioned again and Haruka grinned proudly at this.
"I wrote for the STARISH." She admitted and his eyes widen slightly and smirked.
"STARISH? Pretty neat." He grinned as he kept the notes back into the file then hand it over to the owner and Haruka took her file from Rin hand.
"You have heard any of their songs?" She asked and Rin answered by shaking his head. "Nah, but my sister does. Her walls is full of their posters and I swore that I heard her screaming about 'butt dance' or something last week…" Rin snorted as he remembered the scene very clearly. Soon after, their breakfast arrived and they began to eat their ordered breakfast.
"So Matsuoka-san, which school did you went to?" Haruka spoke up and Rin gulped down his sandwich. "I went to Samezuka Acedemy, 3rd year. How old are you Haruka-san?" Rin asked and she smiled politely at him.
"20 years old." His eyes widen and he coughed in surprised. "T-Twenty? I thought you to be around 18 or so…" she giggled and shook her head.
"No no, I'm 20 this year. How about your club? Did you joined any?" At this, Rin lips pursed into a grin, showing his shark teeth to the woman.
"Of course! I'm the captain in the swimming club." He puffed out his chest in proud manner and her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"That's so cool! You must be great at swimming Matsuoka-san! I'd love to see your swim!" She exclaimed her thought and he only smirked at this.
"Well, I should have swimming practice at Iwatobi High School later. You can come to the practice if you want?" Rin suggested then Haruka's eyes brighten. Rin swore he saw sparkles and flowers in the background.
"Y-You sure I can come? I mean, I'm an outsider and-"
"Nanami-san, it'll be fine. Besides, I also can show you around the place." He gave her a reassuring smile and she let out a relieved smile. "Well, let's exchange number so we can contact later," he spoke up as he took out his phone. "…what's your email and number, Nanami-san?" he asked and Haruka gave him the information he needed.
"Ah!" she gasped and she look at the male worriedly. "B-But I don't know where the school is Matsuoka-san!" she panicked and at this Rin laughed.
"Relax, that's why I asked for your number remember?" Rin smirked and she mouthed her lips into O, realizing his intentions.
They chatted more, talking about their school life and their life as swimmer and composer. And an idea pop up into Rin's mind.
"Nanami-san, can I ask for a favor?" he looked at her with a serious look and she nodded. What could it be?
Unknown to them, they didn't realize a girl who's been staring at them intently far from the café. The girl blue eyes averted to Rin, then to the stranger that sat in front of him.
'Who is that?' the stranger questioned herself as she watched them happily chatting and laughing at whatever joke Rin told the female about. The girl looked down on the ground then spun her heels and walked away from the scene.
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"Thank you so much Matsuoka-san! If you haven't show me the way, I'll be totally lost by now!" She bowed in front of Rin as he chuckled at her reaction.
"Won't blame you, the hotel's is pretty far into the hills. Anyway, do you think you can do the request I asked you about?" He questioned and she nodded at this excitedly. "Don't worry Matsuoka-san! I'll try my best!" she said and he let out a relieved sighed.
Alright then, I'll pick you up around 9.00 a.m alright?" Haruka nodded at this and they parted ways. Haruka stepped into the lobby and walked towards the lift.
'Whoever this Haruka girl is, she's lucky! Alright, I'll do my best!' she grinned and nodded her head, determined to do what Rin had requested to her.
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