The Warm Melody

Chapter Ten - "Relationship"

"She's mine"

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{This chapter contains strong language}

*Nico's POV*

We had just finished practising the dance steps again. I stared deeply into the sky, wondering whether Maki would actually keep the promise.

"..co! Nico!" Honoka was moving me back and forth, her hands on my shoulders, "Oh thank goodness! You're back from space!"

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"You were daydreaming again," Umi answered.

"We just ended practice, you should go home now. Everyone else already left," Kotori said.

"Oh, alright" I quickly grabbed my bag and headed back home. I slowly drifted back into my world of thoughts. I saw somebody waiting for me by the gate. Who was it?

"Hey Nico! There you are!" He greeted, he then offered his hand, "Let's walk home together,"

"Sorry, no tha-" I was interrupted by him grabbing my hand. I quickly swiped it away, which caused him to click his tounge and furrow his eyebrows.

"Hey Nico-chan, can you do a favour?" He asked.

"What kind of favour?" I answered his question with another question.

"Stay away from Maki,"

---

I still don't know what he meant from that... Stay away from Maki? That's impossible..

"Yazawa-san, can you solve problem 10?" The teacher. Crap! I spent too much time daydreaming, how do I solve this?

"(10r-9)metres" Koichi-kun whispered.

"(10r-9)metres" I said aloud.

"Correct, you may sit down," The teacher ordered.

"Thank you.. I guess.." I said.

*RING*

The bell rang, indicating the end of school. I packed up and headed to the roof.

"Alright, we're just reviewing what we practised the other day! The live is next week! I won't show any mercy!" Umi warned.

"Nico! Focus!" Umi scolded. Instead, I did the opposite. I continued to daydreaming about what happened, replaying the scene over and over again, hoping it would somehow change into something I'd prefer as if like magic.

"Nico. You're way too distracted, Go take a break and come back when you're more focused," Umi ordered.

I sat down on the bench, gasping for breath from exhaustion. I put my palm on my forehead, hoping my major headache would go away for second so I could think.

"Hey, you okay Nicocchi? You seem a bit out of it today," Nozomi approached me.

I sighed as I revealed my secrets. This girl is the wisest amongst the whole group, there's no point in lying to her.

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"What do you mean stay away from Maki?! Are you out of your mind?!" I shouted at him.

"Listen, if we're getting married, I don't want you to talk to that girl." He replied, calmly.

"Don't call her 'That Girl'! Don't treat her like some kind of object! She has a name you know!" I then continued, "Besides, I won't do something like that to a friend. I'll just cancel the marriage and say that I found someone else."

He then broke his little act,

"What a joke! You know it yourself! You can't do anything unless your father agrees! Just accept your fate, you brat!" He said all smugly.

"Who are you calling brat?! Asshole!" I insulted back.

"You little shit!" He grabbed my collar and threw me on the ground before kicking me in the stomach, "That's what you get. Stay down there like the piece of trash you are."

He then left me behind. I got up and limped my way home.

---

"I can't do anything about it because if my father finds out that I insulted Koichi-kun, things will only get worse," I mumbled, my voice shaking, "But if I listen to Koichi-kun, I'll only ruin the friendship between me and Maki..."

"How very unfortunate Nicocchi.." Nozomi said, "For now, you should do as Kimida-san says. Don't worry, I'll find a way to mend your relationship with Maki."

"Thanks. Wait.. relationship?!" I blushed. Nozomi then went back to practice.

"Hey! Answer my question!"