The Warm Melody

Chapter Eight - "True Colours"

"Shower"

---

*Nico's POV*

Jeez! That pervert! Well.. I suppose it's fine. Well I mean, it's MAKI. She's never able to spill a secret. Anyways, I happened to come across Koichi-kun on the way back from Maki's sleepover. I tried to walk pass him without him noticing me because I wasn't in the mood to talk to someone at the moment before I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Hey! Where are you going?" He said, sounding rather angry.

"Ah! Eh? Koichi-kun?" I faked my surprise.

"How did you not see me?! I was right beside you!" Why was he so angry? Is this his usual self? I don't want to get married to him if so.

"Hello! You still here?" Sounding much more irritated.

"Ah! Sorry I'm in a rush! I have to go, bye!" I ran from him.

"Hey! You're not leaving until I say so!" He shouted as he tried to catch up.

---

My constant gasps for air echoed throughout the house. Where was everyone? I then got a message from mother.

<Mother: Nico, your father and I brought the kids out to have fun. You were still at your friend's place so your father assumed that you already had your fun and didn't bring you along.>

What?! Father just left me behind?! God, why have I have been so unlucky lately. Whatever, now that I have seen Koichi's true colours, I want to cancel the marriage so I have to wait till he gets home.

"I wonder what Maki is up to..." I sighed. Due to my exhaustion from running, I soon fell asleep.

---

I dragged my feet to school. Did I really sleep for that long? Why wasn't Father back already?

I dropped my back as I flopped onto my seat and rested my head on the clubroom table.

How long has it been? Why isn't everyone here yet? Why do my eyes feel so heavy? I just slept for hours.

"Nico?" I heard a voice say.

"Nnngh.." I used my energy to lift my head up and look at the said person.

"Maki..? Is that you..?"

"No, I'm a tomato." She said sarcastically.

I suddenly felt like my energy boosted by like a lot.

"Everyone else isn't here yet? It's already been 15 minutes" She said.

"E-Eh? That long?" I gasped.

"I'm here!" Honoka entered, followed by her fellow classmate, Umi.

"Eehhh? Where is everyoneeee?" Honoka dragged her words.

"Why does everybody ask me as if I will know where the heck everyone is?" I complained while raising my hands in the air.

"Perhaps we should start practice without them. They should be able to find us," Umi suggested, before hearing a loud bang.

"We're here nya!" Rin shouted, followed by a panting Hanayo, "D-Don't.. hah.. run so.. hah.. fast!"

"And don't open the door so loudly!" I added.

"Gomen gomen," Rin grinned.

"Sorry we're late," Eli came in with Nozomi.

"Great, everyone's here. Now we can start practice," Maki said.

"What about Kotori nya?" Rin asked.

"She has work. She told us to continue on without her," Umi answered.

"Anyways, let's gooo!" Honoka's enthusiasm is never ending.