Chapter 1

"You'll each be assigned one other student, who you will get to know, as well as compose a kind of theme song for this person. I expect these due in a month."

My face falls. I'd have to get to know someone. Someone random, no less.

"These students have volunteered for this, and signed up."

I'm not good at that. I don't have many friends. Only Thoma. And I'm 90% sure he didn't enter.

"I'll call out your groups, one by one."

I pray to whatever god lies above that I don't get someone obnoxious or mean.

"Ayaka and Yoimiya, Amber and Eula, Hu tao and Xiao."

I look up sharply. I've never heard of this 'Yoimiya' character. She has a pretty name.

Miss Lisa continues naming groups, but I can't help but tune out her words, choosing instead to think of my mystery partner. I wonder what type of theme I'll do. Could be a sort of battle theme or boss music. I think I'll leave it up to my partner. I mean, it'll be a surprise, and I'm okay with that. I don't think I would've been able to decide anyways. I mean, I'll be torn between an outer ring, and what actually lies on the inside of a person's heart. I'd like to get to know this girl first.

I meet her after classes end. Miss Lisa told the partners to be waiting in a specific spot. The whole music classes partners. We're all walking there. I fidget with my hands nervously. I take a deep breath as I spot the students waiting there. We're under a medium sized sakura tree, its blossoms not yet falling, but still in bloom. Theres a picnic table. As we get there, Miss Lisa calls,

"You all have name tags! Use them! Find your partner, then you are all free to go home! Dismissed! See you guys tomorrow~"

I look around. Not many people are here still, most picked out their partners in seconds. I look around, desperately trying to find someone, no, anyone, baring the name Yoimiya.

I spot her. She glances at me a moment, her vibrant orange eyes glinting in the sunlight. Her eyes narrow as she reads my name tag, and then she waves enthusiastically.

"Hi! Ayaka!"

My face turns red, and I'm not exactly sure why. I walk over briskly and hold out my hand.

"You must be Yoimiya. Greetings."

She giggles and shakes my hand vigorously before letting go with a flourish.

"Ooh! Formal, aren't we! It's okay, I don't mind you getting comfortable around me."

"Oh! Um- Okay-"

"So… Project!" She shoots me finger guns.

"Yes. Project." I take this moment to admire/study her more closely. She has sandy blond hair. Quite beautiful, I might add, She also has a tee shirt on, with a hoodie tied around her waist, and some ripped jeans to go along with it.

"Whoa there. Eyes up here!" I look up at Yoimiya again, and her eyes are twinkling, with her hands pointing at her face. She grins as I turn red.

"I- I wasn't- I- I need to get to know you- and your clothes- might help me?"

I can't help it. I'm flustered. I am well aware this girl is beautiful, but I can't let her know this right now.

Instead, she giggles again.

"I know silly! I was just joking with you! Do you want to sit somewhere?"

"Oh! Sure."

We walk over to a picnic table, where Yoimiya sits across from me. We just stare at each others eyes for a moment. Her eyes are like pieces or art. Though I highly doubt any artist could captivate the ways her eyes sparkle when she laughs. Because I've already noticed that. We stare for a few moment, before Yoimiya clears her throat suddenly. A light shade of pink dusts her cheeks and nose.

"Well! Um- Who are you Ayaka?"

"Who… Am I?"

"Yeah. I asked you a question. Is that alright?"

"No, no, it's fine. I've just… never been asked that before."

"Why?" The question is so simple. Yoimiya says it quickly and quietly, as if not to disturb a sleeping person.

"I don't really have many friends. Only one, and he's an associate of my family, so he already knows this kind of stuff…"

"Oh. Well that's no fun!" Even though I shared this less than happy fact, Yoimiya's energy is boundless. "Well, I'll ask you again! Who are you? Or more specifically, what do you like to do in your free time?"

"Oh! Well- sorry. I should probably be asking these questions. You don't have to pretend to get to know me."

"Wh- What?" Yoimiya's voice is quiet again. "Why would anyone not want to get to know-" She pauses, almost reprimanding herself.

"Doesn't matter! I want to get to know you, Ayaka. So c'mon! Unless you want to do this somewhere else? Coffee shops are good. My friend helps out with one after school, so we could go there!"

I'm overwhelmed by the possibilities and positive energy coming off this girl.

"Um… whatever you want, I guess?"

Her face falls.

"Oh. I was going too fast, wasn't I. Sorry. Coffee shop?"

"Sure."

We start walking, and I pull out my phone to text Ayato, my brother.

(The Summoning ritual)

Ayaya (you): I won't be home for a bit, Gotta do a project with a friend

ayatoo: Ooo you got a date

Ayaya (you): nothing like that! Its for an assignment.

Ayatoo: Well, when you two get together, thank me.

Ayaya (you): Haha. Have fun at home I guess

Ayatoo: Have fun!

I don't know why people hate their siblings. I like mine just fine. Sure, he can tease me at times, but everyone pokes a little fun at me sometimes.

My train of thought stops as I feel a shoulder bump mine. Yoimiya has run in front of me, running until she is about five feet away, and turning back to walk backwards. She gives me a playful look.

"Race you there!" It wasn't a question, as she took off in the direction of the cafe.

I race after her, desperately trying to catch up, but she's fast. Oh, she is fast.

As I finally catch up, I notice vaguely we've made it. Vaguely, because I feel free. For almost the first time, I feel completely weightless. I laugh, a genuine laugh.

"Okay! You win!" I say, my voice full of happiness. For some reason, I feel completely on cloud nine.

Yoimiya just giggles.

"None shall best me!" She says with a cheeky grin, pumping her fist in the air.

"You're right." I say, quickly composing myself.

"Well, shall we?" The girls eyes are still glowing as she opens the door and gestures inside.

"We shall."

We walk into the cafe, and all I can think is,

"This looks canadian."

This is ludicrous, because I'm from Canada. The cafe is decorated with wooden leaves, and wind paintings. It's beautiful.

"Very beautiful. Whoever designed this had a good eye." This is all I say as we walk to the counter.

A man about my age strides towards us.

"Well, well, well! You finally got a date."

"Wh- Kazuha!?" Yoimiya turns to me. "Sorry, he likes to tease. Ignore him."

"Why, I was just saying what the wind told me!" The guy laughs. He's an odd one.

"What can I get for you two?"

"I'll get a hot chocolate. What'll you have Ayaka?"

"Oh! I'll have a hot chocolate too." I say quickly. With all that running, thoughts of ordering had flown out of my mind.

We sit down to wait, and Yoimiya looks at me.

"So. What do you like to do?"

I feel more comfortable, its true. Both the relaxing atmosphere and good company has put me at ease.

"Well, I like to… well, create music, I don't do much with lyrics, mostly instrumentals. I enjoy reading, and sometimes writing small stories. What about you?"

"I'm an Art student, and I create fireworks! Might be hard to believe, but my dad actually owns the shop 'round here. I help out. I love making fireworks because of when they go off. There's a moment of complete peace, where the person enjoying them is completely without thought, this beautiful creation all that they can see."

We sit in silence. What a beautiful description. I've never thought of fireworks that way. A piece of art, something to be cherished.

"Poetic, aren't we? Believe it or not, I've actually never seen fireworks."

Sky gasps dramatically, her hand coming up to her mouth.

"You should totally come to the festival! The spring festival, that is. Only if you want to, of course."

"Oh. I've gone once or twice."

"Then why have you never seen the fireworks? They're the biggest display. I'm sure you must've heard of them, at least!"

"Well I-"

Kazuha slips our drinks onto the table.

"Here you go ladies. Now, money." He says with a grin.

"Okay." Yoimiya pulls out a bill and hands it to Kazuha.

"Wait! I can't possibly let you pay for my drink."

"Well, then I'll fight you. Literally, I've done that."

"Wh-" This girl still seemingly keeps surprising me.

I accidentally hesitate too long, and by the time I look up again, Kazuha is walking away.

"I'll pay you back, I promise."

"No need! I bought you a drink, and you promised me to see the fireworks!"

"But thats hardly fair, I don't have to pay money to see the fireworks."

"Well, you didn't seem to like the festival, so… Oh! Maybe we can go together!"

She isn't wrong, it might be a good Idea. I don't really like the festival, she's right about that too. I never really payed attention. It just seemed… unnecessary.

"If you'd like to, I'd be happy to accompany you."

Yoimiya turns a light shade of pink at this, and stammers out,

"S-Sure! I- It'd be my pleasure."

"Anyways. What are you like? I mean, your personality. I need to make you a theme song, so I guess I need to know that."

"Well, actually, I was thinking. What if you did a boss theme! Like, I'm a final boss of a video game! That'd be so fun am I right? I mean, only if you wanted to of course!"

Im completely overwhelmed by the amount of passion and interest exuding from this girl. She seems genuinely interested in this song. My face flushes as I stammer,

"N- No- No that's completely fine! I- I was gonna leave it up to you anyways!"

"Well that's a relief. Now back to your previous question. My personality? Well, I guess you'll have to find out!" Yoimiya says, her eyes narrowing, attempting a mysterious tone.

I giggle, and look at her. Our eyes lock. There is a sense of awe in her eyes. Just, peace, and a bit of…

Affection?

No, It can't be. But our eyes are transfixed on the others, and I feel my face heating up.

"I guess I will." I breathe, the words barely audible.