A Broken Princess' Serenade : OHSHC

: 04

"The more you hide your feelings, the more they show. The more you deny your feelings, the more they grow." —  Woody Allen

: 04

"You know what?" I petted Nene as we lounged on the sofa together.

"Meow~?" I took her soft rumble as an answer.

"Mother isn't here... and neither is Papa..." I'd been chewing over this idea all night. "So what's the harm in a little fun?" Sharp claws dug into my chest as Nene climbed onto my torso. The little grey cat sneezed in my face, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with my proposal.

"Oh, I know..." I sighed, obliging the spoilt cat with a scratch under her chin, "I must keep up singing. Papa wanted to hear my next album, and Mother wanted the money for her 'needs'." A scowl graced my face at all of the money the woman had been wasting on booze and other unsightly things instead of the much-needed medication for Papa. "But neither are here to watch me - and if I still meet my deadline, it'll be okay, right?"

"Meeeeee-ow." Nene's wide, green eyes closed slowly before opening again and regarding me with almost a human-like intelligence.

"Eh, fine." I'll try to keep it to a minimum, just in case. Yesterday I was trying to suppress my urges, but now - after a good night's rest with my best friend - I was feeling like I could take on anything. Even my mother's wrath. "Alrighty, up we get!" I plucked Nene off my chest by her scruff, perching her gently on my shoulder as I got off my bed.

Stumbling out of my room, I made my way over to the small kitchen. Placing the little cat on the counter, she started to roam around the fruit bowl and kettle as I rummaged around the fridge for her milk.

I fixed us both breakfast while still contemplating my idea.

"You know that spare room?"

"Nyah."

"Well, why couldn't I set that up for my canvases?"

"Purrur-rur."

I gave Nene a dark look. "I'm so glad I can't understand what you're saying."

We both polished off our food and I took the plates to the sink to soak. As I was drying my hands, Nene jumped from the counter and ran off somewhere to groom. Taking that as an omen, I shook my head and turned to the last box I hadn't unpacked. This box hadn't been sent by my parents, instead my old school friend who knew what my true passion was.

Bless her.

My eyes flicked to the time, and I confirmed I had an hour until I needed to leave for school. That's enough time to set up, right? Well, it'll have to be.

Still in my bunny pyjama pants and black tee-shirt, I trotted out of the kitchen and into the open lounge, grasping the big brown box and tugging it over to the spare room. It was unfurnished, the whole left wall just a window. A small cupbaord was in the right-hand corner, and that's where I started from.

♫

: Kyoya Ootori :

My limousine pulled up to the curb beside a new apartment block. The modern architecture and expensive look was just to my taste. And - it happened to be where I placed Utahime Korewata.

"We're here, sir." The diver said when I didn't get out straight away.

"I know." I answered but didn't move, still analysing the building. Utahime's apartment was 102, on the right corner and full of windows. Her apartment was spacious and comfortable, more of a family's home really.