White Wing

A Date

Shun looked over to the paper in my hand. "Is this a threat? I wonder, is someone after you?"

"Why would they be after me?" I asked turning the paper and inspecting it for clues. After all, no matter how much I wanted to deny it, I was not an angel anymore. I never would be again.

"Why would they send this to you?"

"Mocking me, perhaps," I sighed. "It's none of my business though."

I nodded to him and left the room, heading my own. Who had murdered Nakir, who had caused so much trouble and unrest? Who had gotten me thrown out of heaven?

I didn't sleep well that night.

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"You don't look too well," said Haruka.

"Didn't sleep that well," I said, accepting the cup of coffee she had offered me. We were sitting in a café, and we weren't alone.

I sighed, glancing at the next table out of the corner of my eyes, where seven people were pointlessly averting their eyes and hiding their faces.

I stood up and yelled, "Oh my angels! Starish is here!"

All eyes immediately turned to them, and they looked up at me in surprise. I smirked as they got stampeded with fangirls and I sat back down.

"I didn't know they were here," said Haruka, looking at the boys with pity.

"You need to be more aware of your surroundings. What will you do if someone stalks you?" I asked.

Haruka laughed. "You sound like a mother."

I sighed and shook my head, as Starish dashed for the exit, Tokiya giving me a death glare, as I plastered on a sweet smile. Thankfully, I wasn't yet as well-known as them, and composers are rarely known among the entertainment industry.

"Anyway, that's not what we came here for," I said, coming back to the matter at hand. "What did you want to see me for?"

"I usually learn about a person before I write a song for them," said Haruka. "I know almost nothing about you, except when we performed the other day."

I don't understand the logic of this either, but I suppose not everything has a certain logic to it.

"Fine by me. So what do you suggest?"

Haruka grabbed my hands. "Let's go on a date!"

"Huh?" I asked, as she pulled me out of the café.

We went shopping first, where we ran into Koi, who was doing his own research on designs.

"Thank you for yesterday," said Koi. I nodded, not sure what he was talking about. "Shun said there wasn't anything in my room."

"Did you see anything yesterday?" I asked, looking through the dresses.

Koi shook his head. "Just a dark shape." A dark shape. That's not really much to go on. "Is there something you're looking for?"

I gestured to Haruka, who waved. "You see, I'm on a date."

Koi smiled and pulled down a dress. "This would suit you."

"It's quite pretty," said Haruka, looking at it, as I nodded in agreement.

Mortals do have their creativity going for them. I observed the blue gown, with long sleeves. If I were going to the masquerade ball, it might be a good idea to have this.

"I think I'll buy this."

Koi and Haruka both smiled.

Haruka and I wandered back to the park, where we had first met. I looked up at the stars, while Haruka looked up too. "So many stars have disappeared over the last two thousand years," I muttered under my breath.

Haruka smiled. "You don't act like a human at all."

I shook my head as she headed to the piano. She started playing the intro of An Angel's Hope and tilted her head towards me. Despite knowing I might get in trouble for this, I took a seat next to her and sang, attracting quite the audience.

As our notes faded out, Haruka turned to me. "You've improved a lot."

"You're as amazing as ever," I said with respect, seeing as I knew just how hard it was to play an instrument.

I saw Starish in the crowd. I was about to set the crowd on them again, when a red-haired boy noted my mischievous smile and shook his head, almost begging me wordlessly. I laughed, as we bowed to the crowd, and headed down to hide behind the trees.

"You act like a cruel angel, but you have a gentle demeanor," said Haruka.

"I'll have to disagree with that, but if that's how you see me, then that's how it must be to your eyes."

Starish walked over to us, and I scanned the unknown faces.

"You sing well!" said the red-haired boy.

"Thank you...?" I ended the word on a question.

"My name is Otoya Ittoki. I'm part of Starish."

"Are we introducing ourselves? Then I'm Ren Jinguji," said an orange-haired boy, who grabbed my hand and kissed the back of it wth a flirtatious smile.

These are idols. I cannot smite nor kick them in the stomach. I gave him my best get-away-from-me-before-I-kill-you smile. Another blue-haired boy noticed and grabbed Ren's collar, pulling him back.

"Masato Hijirikawa," he inclined his head politely.

"Cecil Aijima. It's nice to meet you, my princess," said a black-haired boy, bowing. Interesting, he seemed to be a foreigner.

"I am Estelle Celeste," I nodded to them all.

"The rumours were true then. You do have an angel's voice," Ren said with a flirtatious smile as I ignored him.

"She certainly doesn't act like—hmph!" said Tokiya, as Masato put a hand over his mouth.

I smiled as Masato nodded apologetically.

"You live up to your name though. They said you were cold," I said, addressing Tokiya.

"Let's not start a fight here, little angel," said Shun, walking over.

"Hello demon. Are you done with work?" I asked, noting his strained smile.

"We need to talk to you," said Hajime, ruffling my hair, and then glancing over to Starish. "Starish, isn't it? You're quite a group of talented singers."

"I could say the same to you, leader of Six Gravity, Hajime Mutsuki," said Tokiya, nodding to Hajime.

"Estelle," interrupted Haruka. "I'll send you your song later, so you should go."

I nodded, and looked at Starish. "We may not meet again, but it was nice meeting you," I said, my eyes settling on each of them.

Shun pulled me away.

"Shun, is something wrong?" I asked, noticing how desperate he was.

"We'll show you, come on."

We headed back to the dorm, where almost everyone seemed tensed. I headed straight to my room, knowing that's where something had happened. I opened the door to epic chaos. My room had been ransacked.

"How?" I asked, glancing around. One look told me nothing was missing. It was almost like they had just destroyed it and left. I sighed.

"It wasn't any of us," said Kakeru. I absent-mindedly ruffled his hair.

"I know. I'm not blaming anyone."

I walked in as Shun followed, making sure not to step on anything that was on the floor. I looked out the closed window—whoever it was was long gone.

"Estelle," said Shun, holding up another paper. I took it from him, and opened it.

Can you remember my name?

Well, that settles it. I'm in trouble.

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