51 Arpeggios *Masato*

Masato had a restless night and a restless day. Ever since the winter training camp, he has not known what to do with his feelings for her. When he first fell in love with her, he knew that the girl would never return his feelings. That was fine, it was fine- since he could still remain by his side.

But when he discovered that one of his friends had taken the first step and confessed to her, he felt very troubled.

He knew that he would wait forever, but this was one of those times when he could not contain his frustration.

Masato had just exited the teacher's lounge. One of the teachers congratulated him on his performance and had a talk about his father would be proud.

It was clear what the guy was trying to do. He was trying to reap some benefits by complimenting him. This guy wasn't even at the concert; does he have the nerve to say he is such a huge fan?

He shook his head, forget it. Right now, there are more important things for him to worry about. As Masato walked down the hallway, he weighed the pros and cons of confessing his feelings to her.

'I have known her since middle school. I knew romance was not her strongest point; she cared more about music.' He respected that and agreed they should focus on their music and debuting.

But a part of him hoped that after spending this much time together, she would realize that he treated her differently than he would other women.

After hearing Daiki's confession, he decided that he would confess to her after the concert. It was just a coincidence running into Mamoru-san the other day, but he thought he would take advantage of it and invite her.

She probably has no idea that he handed her that invitation with the intention that he would confess to her afterwards.

But despite his initial resolve, the more he thought about it, the more he started to have second thoughts about this.

If his words made her run away, he didn't know if he would survive the pain.

He was so in love with that girl that the thought of losing her to some foolish mistake as him being too hasty would destroy him. He has to think about this carefully.

Right now, the closest person to Sumire is Mamoru-san. But the main reason for that is because the two spend a lot of time together. If he does that with her, maybe she will start seeing him as a man? Maybe she will start to see him as a candidate to be her boyfriend?

This is still a theory. There is no guarantee that it will work out. After all, look at Mamoru-san even though that guy likes her and spends all this time with Sumire. The two are not a couple.

But, he is having second thoughts because of something Mamoru-san said not too long ago.

'Right now, she will not accept anybody else.'

She won't date anyone as of this present moment. Even if they were close, that girl is only thinking of that person right now.

Masato remembered catching her the other day in the art studio painting something, and yet she immediately hid the canvas and replaced it with another one.

She doesn't want him to see it. To think he's losing so badly to a person he hasn't even met yet. It bothered him a lot.

Terashima Yuhi, of course, he knew who the man was. Currently, that person stands at the very top of the entertainment industry. If he takes that man down, perhaps Sumire would look at him?

...

Tsukuhara High - Class 1A

Even though he spends so much time watching the girl, he doesn't realize something is wrong with her until Mikaze mentions it.

It was currently the fifth lesson, the lesson before lunch. But due to the teacher's absence, it became a free study.

He was leaning against the wall on his phone when Mikaze came up to him.

"Don't you think Sumire-chan has been acting strange?"

"What do you mean?"

"For one, she is not here."

Quite a perspective, but his gaze landed on the rain outside. "It's raining."

Masato thought he would have to add an explanation, but a quiet 'Ahh, that explains it.' left Mikaze's lips.

It took him a moment to remember that Mikaze knew Sumire before him.

Even though they were only together for a year, Masato wished he had met the girl sooner. If he had met her sooner, perhaps he would be the closest person to her now.

It is not like they are not close. Some people have mistaken them for a couple before since they have similar hobbies. But, that's all. Most of the rumors center around Sumire dating Mamoru-san.

Sometimes he is jealous of Mamoru-san; he met Sumire before she got hurt before she broke.

"Why do you think she is behaving differently??"

Mikaze turned to the window. "Since returning from winter break, she disappears more often. She is always sleeping in lessons, and she is in a daze when she is awake. I can tell that Sumire is serious about music, so she wouldn't miss anything. She's the type that once she's started, something will carry on till the very end. So, this behavior is unusual for her, don't you think?"

Masato had to admit he was impressed as he listened to Mikaze's explanation. To think that Mikaze has watched and observed her this much. Others would find that unusual, but Masato could tell that his friend was sincere.

Mikaze always greets Sumire cheerfully, but there are occasions when he has a guilty expression on his face. Masato recalled something Sumire's best friend, Momoi Futaba, told him.

Is it really just because of the guilt? It was difficult to tell sometimes. Whenever he tried to mention their past, his friend would always purposely leave something out.

Before he could respond, the doors opened, revealing a certain dark black-haired boy and brunette-haired girl.

For a moment, Masato is breathless. She is wearing bright-colored clothing again. Ever since her parent's death, she has worn only dull clothing. He thought it was because she was still grieving.

Mikaze is right; there is something odd about her now.