The Warm Melody

Chapter Two - "Parfait?"

"Fine.."

---

*Nico's Flashback*

Just as I went into the house, I was greeted by my beloved sister, Cocoro.

"Onee-chan! Father wants to see you!" Cocoro said.

Hm? I wonder what's going on. Father usually doesn't call for me unless it's important. As I walked past the kitchen, I overheard a conversation between Mother and Father.

"I'm not going to let that happen. I want Nico to be free to choose who she wants to love," Mother said.

"Listen. She's going to have the arranged marriage whether she likes it or not. It'll benefit the whole family. I can let her get to know the boy as his father and I talk about the marriage. He'll also be attending her school," Father replied

Just as I heard this, I dropped everything. I dropped everything and ran straight to my room. I cried. Cried till nothing came out of my eyes. I sat in my room for what felt like hours, thinking of what to do. I had no idea why I felt sad, especially since I didn't even have anybody I loved romantically. Still, I felt as if there was someone special in my heart, yet I couldn't tell who.

---

"So that's what happened nyah!" Rin said.

"So when is the boy coming to school?" Nozomi asked.

"..."

"..tomorrow.."

"Ueehhhhh?!" Everyone except Maki shouted.

"Do you even know his name?" Honoka asked.

"No.." I answered, "Nobody told me."

"So are you going to accept the marriage?" Kotori asked.

"I'm not sure.. I guess it depends on the guy..?" I replied, uncertain of the answer.

"What kind of guy do you think he is?" Hanayo asked.

"I wouldn't mind any personality as long as he's nice," I responded.

Everyone kept asking questions, but during this whole period, Maki was silent.

"By the way, how did Maki know about this before everyone else?" Eli questioned.

"Well.. I kind of told her about it a few hours after I found out.." I reluctantly replied.

"Then why didn't you tell us nyah?" Rin asked an obvious question.

"I'm not really sure.. Maki just told me to go on a date with guy first then decide things later," I told Rin.

"I feel a lot better after telling these to you guys though!" I smiled.

Meanwhile, Maki was just staring outside the window, not listening to a single word.

---

*Maki's POV*

That baka Nico! I've loved her for so long yet she just casually accepts that she'll be forced to date someone she's never met! Why can't she just realise my feelings for her.. it hurts so much..

"I'm going home early, I don't feel well," I sighed as I left the room, leaving every other μ's member behind.

Her silky black hair, her petite body, her pink lips, I just want her all to myself. Thinking of her father deciding who she should love is infuriating. These past few days have been awful knowing that I can't have Nico.. Having her like me back just feels impossible now..

What do I do...

I thought as I layed down on the bed.

---

*Nozomi's POV*

I moved closer to Elicchi as I started a small conversation with her.

"Maki-chan is probably upset after hearing all that," I told Elicchi.

"Why is that so?" She said as she watched Honoka and Rin playing around.

"Well that's because she loves her of course!" I smirked.

"Ueehh? Since when?" Elicchi turned to look at me, shocked by what I said.

"Since forever!" I replied playfully.

"Then what about Nico-chan? What would she do if she finds out about it?" Elicchi asked, curious to know more.

"The cards say that a certain member is having a hard time realising their feelings for another member," I grinned, "You should know who,"

I left a confused Elicchi behind as I told everyone that we should probably cancel practice.

I turned towards Elicchi, "Parfait?"