I looked up from my music sheet with a sigh, leaning back on my wooden seat.

The wind gently whistled past, and the sun glared its last rays when the clouds slowly devoured its light. The gleam it casted on my euphonium vanished.

Reina…

I bit my lip. "Shit."

I really should stop thinking about her right now. I sat there and tightened my grip on my euphonium. My sweat slid off my chin, creating a darkened blot on my skirt.

"Off with the foul mouth again, huh?" a voice emanated from behind. I vigorously jumped up in surprise, knocking the music stand in front of me. I was glad I didn't mentioned her name out loud.

"Reina! Don't scare me like that!" I blurted as I turned to her, my face hot with embarrassment and maybe, just maybe, the slowly growing affection I felt for her.

I can't tell her anything. Not when I'm sure to be rejected. I felt a pang of pain in my chest, slowly spreading across my body and making me numb all over. I loved her… I loved her since that day I saw the passion in her eyes, unbent even by that dud gold we achieved during the competition. I was attracted by the beauty she hid within; the honesty and unfamiliarity of the behavior she possessed. And I loved her… I loved her because I saw the adoration she wanted to express. But not to me.

It's always Taki-sensei. I was sick— so darn sick of it. But I'm not going to say anything.

Atleast, not yet.

"Wanna practice together?" Reina asked me, holding her trumpet in her right hand, and picking up the music stand with the other. Dazed, I bent to pick up my music sheet. I held the euphonium in front of me and took a deep breath.

Together we played the music that resonated within our hearts; mine dancing a melancholic melody in my chest, hesitating whether to be overjoyed that I am with Reina, or continue its depressed dance over and over as it helplessly accepted the fate of being unloved by the person who gave me so much reason to live. I've fallen in a pit I dug myself, so deep there's no hope of returning. There is only forward. And it scared me that in the darkness I was fighting alone, and I felt miserable thinking that perhaps she will leave me all by myself in that dark pit of infatuation I had for her. No… It was more than infatuation. It was a love with genuine commitment. A love I have never dared to give, of which Reina is an exception. I wanted my music to reach her— for it was only through music that our love is mutual.

All that time we spent playing I had my eyes on her. As I always had. A swirl of paradoxical thoughts nagged at me, and I did my best to wave them away.

She was everything to me. More than anything I can have, and more than anything I can deserve.

And the last note faded.

"Reina."

"Hmm?"

"I love you." Look at me more. Look at me the same way you looked at Taki-sensei.

"I know." Love me like you love him.

And I knew that I could have begged for her love. Yet something was holding me back. Love is… genuinely given. Surrendered. And I want her to love me that way. The way I loved her.

No one should ever beg to be loved.

The sky had dimmed and clouds promised an incoming rain. The gentle wind turned to gusts, whipping across tree branches and blades of fresh, green grass.

I wonder if I will ever win her heart. A trip to the moon is more likely to happen than that, I thought.

I smiled. "Let's go. I don't want you soaked when you go home." I offered her my hand and Reina took it without hesitation.

"Kumiko?"

"Yeah?"

"Nothing." Reina grinned as we walked back to our classroom. Her eyes glittered with mischief; her skin glowed and her hair shone even in the dimness that shrouded us. She was beautiful beyond words I can ever utter to describe it.

Reina…

You really are the sweetest melody to my beloved music. Whether you love me or not, I doubt it will change.

A.N.

The shortest chapter I have ever published. It's been a long time since I wrote my last story, which I can't even finish. I haven't watched season 2 yet so pardon the crude intro. For those who took the time to read, thank you. :)