Anime: Shugo Chara

(Y/n)'s POV

The wind rushed by, its raging force merciless and stopping for no one. The thin material of my long coat did nothing to dispel the cold of this dark, wintry day. Very few passerby's were visible on the streets for this harsh weather was successful in its intention to keep everyone inside.

This, unfortunately, was not the case for me. Being a popular pianist, I was requested to do a collaboration with the famous singer, Hoshina Utau, and a freelance violinist named Tsukiyomi Ikuto.

And I was running irritably late for our meeting. My driver had bailed last minute, leaving me without a car nor any possible means of transport as there were no stations near my house.

Once reaching a bus station, I immediately hopped on the first vehicle. Pulling my cap down and securing my mask, I looked at the passing scenery of snow-covered buildings.

It seemed like seconds had passed before I had to get off, out into the freezing cold. Heading straight into the company in which I was working under, I went to the conference room located on the 40th floor.

"(Y/n), you're late," exclaimed my manager, Toriya.

"I'm sorry."

"Right, let's get started then. (Y/n), this is Utau and Ikuto."

"Pleasure to meet you."

I took off my mask and cap before bowing towards the two. Utau flashed a quiet smile while Ikuto simply provided a small nod to acknowledge my seemingly unimportant presence.

Taking a seat beside Utau, I turned to face Toriya as he began explaining the details of our concert. Most facts were self-explanatory, with nothing out of the ordinary.

Melody suddenly flew out of my pocket. I let her be, seeing as how Toriya had a Shugo Chara of his own. The two beside me, however, shifted uncomfortably in their seats as Melody headed over to their side.

I sent a quick warning look towards her but she ignored my gaze. Toriya raised an eyebrow, seemingly concerned about Melody's behaviour. I looked down, unable to explain it through mere gestures alone.

~After the meeting~

Rushing outside, I caught Melody before she disappeared from my view. Her cheeky yet melodious laugh filled my ears, like the sweet chimes of a soft music box.

"Melody, don't disappear on me again."

"But (Y/n), you wished to be more carefree and skilled in your passions. I'm simply a reflection of your dreams."

"Oh, is that so?"

I turned around upon hearing the voice, only to have Ikuto stare down at me from a centimetre away. His sharp eyes seemed to pierce right through my facade and deep into my soul.

"She's a cheeky one, isn't she?" he asked as he picked her up by the collar of her shirt.

"Let me go, neko-san!"

"'Neko-san'?"

"Yeah, he's a cat," she replied.

I caught sight of his Shugo Chara, a flash of midnight blue in my vision. He grinned as I met his gaze. Melody immediately flew after him, leaving Ikuto as my only companion in this peaceful silence.

"They seem to like each other."

"I couldn't care less. His personal matters have nothing to do with me," exclaimed Ikuto.

"But you care about him, right?"

His silence spoke all the words I needed to know. Feeling the vibration in my pocket, I hesitantly answered the call from my mother. Her soft yet strict voice filled my ears with dread.

"Good morning, mother."

"(Y/n), we have a guest over tonight. Make sure you're back by 6pm."

"But I-"

"No matter what plans you have, be back home. If it's work, then I'm sure I can handle that for you. I'll see you tonight."

With that, she hung up. Shoving my phone back into my pocket, I headed down the hallway to the elevator. Ikuto swiftly caught up to my side, making me realise that he had been by my side during the call.

But of course, he...didn't know about the darkness in my heart. There were rumours, dark rumours, about my career. It was true that under my parents's influence, I became famous...but I refused to believe that I lacked the skill.

The darkness of this cruel reality ate at my heart with only brief moments of happiness and joy to dispel the fear and pressure hanging on my shoulders. But...such happiness rarely graced me as I...have not fought hard enough.

"Are you aright?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"Really? You seem quite pale."

"I'm...fine..."

Ikuto's POV

I quickly caught her as she fell. Her breathing was slow and shallow, her eyes closed. Hooking an arm under her legs, I lifted her up and stepped out as soon as the elevator stopped.

A spare room with a grand piano was left unoccupied, which was most likely the place (Y/n) wanted to go to. Putting her down, I quietly shut the door.

Taking my jacket off, I placed it on her shoulders before laying her down. Grabbing a pillow from the large pile that littered the ground, I gently lifted her head up to put it underneath.

She seemed to have fainted from exhaustion. I leaned against the wall, letting myself relax. There was rarely a moment in which I could calm down without having to worry about...anything...

Seeing a violin in the corner, I went to pick it up, in hopes of lifting the heavy mood that hung in the air. I played a soft melody, careful not to disturb (Y/n) in her sleep.

However, that failed miserably, seeing as how she sat up and stared at my figure. She carefully folded my jacket before heading to the piano. Our tunes seemed to melt into one as she joined in.

I let music and intuition control my movements, confident that my instinct wouldn't let me down. Soon enough, I finished but (Y/n) continued to play.

I put the violin down before sitting down next to her. Gently placing my hands over hers as she played a slow melody, I felt her tense slightly before relaxing.

"Your playing's beautiful," she exclaimed.

"So is yours."

"I've always loved music."

"Is that why you became a pianist?"

"That was part of the reason."

"Then what's the rest?"

"...family expectations."

"I eavesdropped on your conversation with your mum earlier."

"*laughs* Why are you telling me that?"

"Meet me at 6pm."

"You..."

"I'm sure my sister can persuade your mum. You fainted from exhaustion earlier. I don't think adding more to your stress would help with your health."

"Your sister?"

"Utau."

"Ha...I never realised, but I can't-"

"In case you didn't know, I won't take no as an answer."

She turned to face me, my hands still holding hers. Her face flushed a bright red before she pulled away. Heh, cute.