The Warm Melody

Chapter Sixteen - "I Love You"

"Movies"

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*Koichi's POV*

That little shit! How the hell did she even manage to get her father to cancel the marriage?! I stormed towards Nico with pure rage upon hearing the final bell.

"Why did you cancel the marriage?!" I grabbed her by the collar and shouted at her. People were staring but I didn't care. I needed to brag to people that I had a cute girlfriend.

She looked back at my eyes with even more rage. It was rather terrifying actually.

"Nico!"

I turned to look at the owner of that voice, but it was just that stupid red-head. She grabbed my arm and pulled it away from Nico. I tried to fight back but she was too strong.

"Nico. Let's go." She said, or well, ordered. Following that sentence was a nod from Nico.

Tch. Whatever. I always win in the end.

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*Nico's POV*

That was horrible to experience...

"Nico, are you okay? Did he hurt you?" Maki questioned worriedly.

"You don't need to worry. I'm fine," Nico smiled, "Now let's go to practice."

Just as we reached the roof, with no one there yet, the door behind us slammed open. It was Koichi-kun and he was grinning like a madman.

"Hey Nico. Did you know I'm aspiring to be a doctor? I bet I can heal your sick father," He sounded as if he was trying to lure me into liking him. How unfortunate for him.

"Maki also wants to be a doctor," I pointed out. It took him a second to take that in, before replying angrily,

"You should give up. Someone like you couldn't possibly be a doctor. You should just stay home and do your chores so your future husband would have less of a workload, just like any other girl should!"

"It's my choice to be who I want to be. Besides, I have the Nishikino Hospital to take over," Maki said, her true intention was to make Koichi angry.

"Lies! The owners of that place wouldn't let such a lowlife like you take over!" Koichi shouted.

"Do you know what Maki's last name is?" I smirked. Koichi-kun gave me that 'I don't give a shit' look before I continued my sentence,

"Nishikino Maki. Her name is Nishikino Maki." I told him, emphasizing the 'Nishikino'.

He looked shocked for a moment but then clicked his tounge and soon left them alone.

I smiled towards Maki gratefully and she smiled back.

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*Third Person*

Several days has passed since that incident. Nico happened to be walking by when she heard the beautiful melody of a piano being played. In an instance, she headed towards the music room, spotting a certain tomato princess playing her favourite song.

She hugged that princess from behind, causing the said girl to flinch in surprise.

"Jeez.. You don't have to scare me like that," She complained.

"Haha sorry sorry," Nico chuckled.

"So what are you doing here?" Maki asked.

"Hm.. I don't know. I just followed the sound of a piano being played, but since I have the chance.. I'll tell you this..." Maki was lost for a second. This reminded her of when they first met.

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*Nico's POV*

I wonder where Nozomi and Eli went? I asked myself, before hearing the sound of a beautiful song playing on the piano. I followed that sound, before seeing a red-haired girl. I caught a glimpse of her ribbon and she seemed to be in her 1st year of highschool. Apparently I had been staring too long as the girl happened to catch me staring.

"What are you doing here?" She asked rather coldly.

"Hm.. I don't know. I just followed the sound of a piano being played, but since I have the chance.. I'll tell you this.." She was confused for a second, before I continued,

"Your piano skills are amazing and the song you chose is soothing to my ears."

I don't think this girl gets a lot of compliments because she happened to get really flustered over my compliment.

"Oh.. um.. thanks.." She whispered.

"I'm Yazawa Nico. Who are you?" I asked, trying to be friendly so that I don't scare the girl. It took her a few seconds but she eventually replied.

"I'm Nishikino Maki."

"Nice to meet you Nishikino-san!" I offered her a handshake and she accepted.

We hung out a lot more often and got to know each other. Infact, I persuaded her into joining μ's. Each day in μ's was a blast and Maki and I have gotten even closer...

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*Third Person*

Maki felt as if this had happened before. Following the sound of a piano, 'she had the chance so now she's telling her this', it all seemed too familiar. Just then, Maki realised what Nico was about to tell her.

"Maki-chan"

...

"I love you"