Chapter 11

"Actually, I think we should tweak the notes a little bit, since you seem to love the lyrics. Here, move." Misaki waved Ren away, wanting to switch seats.

"If you tell me the change, I can play it," Ren said, his fingers ready on the keys. "Besides, you don't know all the notes."

"You've played the song several times in front of me; of course, I know it by now. Scoot."

"Okay, okay." Ren chuckled and got up at the same time she did, running straight into her.

"Ack!" Misaki fell back, but Ren caught her waist, pulling her up to him. Geez, it's like running into a brick wall.

"Oops, sorry about that." He made sure she was steady and stepped aside. "You first."

"Thank you." Misaki cleared her throat and sat at the keyboard. "This part." She sang their new lyrics with more playful notes. "So, what do you think? I think it matches this part of the song better."

"It's such a shame others don't get to hear your smooth, angelic voice anymore."

"Oh... Um... I was talking about the song." Her face burned as she stared at the sheet music. Isn't that more his voice than mine?

He pulled up his sleeve, completely oblivious to her embarrassment. "Look, I've got goosebumps; that's how powerful your singing is."

"Well, people still have my old music if they want to listen to it. I'll stick to what I'm best at; writing music."

"I guess that means I'll be one of the few to get the honour, then. And I agree with your change. Wait, does that mean we've finished the first draft already? We'll add other instrumentals and whatnot, but I think it's ready. Geez, I used to think I worked fast..." Ren sighed, running a hand through his hair.

Crack.

"Did you hear something?" Misaki asked.

"Yeah, but I'm not sure what it was." Ren looked around.

Bam. Thud. The door to her closet opened wide, with a large bundle of clothes falling out of it.

Misaki's jaw hung open. I broke my closet door with clothes?! "Please ignore that!" Red up to her ears, she stumbled over to block his view of the pile of clothes.

"I'm going to guess that's not how you usually store your clothes. Is that what you were cleaning up earlier?" Ren smirked. "I thought about saying it earlier, but nice dress. It's too bad you're covering it up with that sweater after taking your time to choose it out for our date."

"Date? T-this isn't a date. It's work." She pointed at the papers.

"Are you sure?" Ren stood. "You haven't signed the contract yet, and you don't need to dress up to meet me for work."

"Well, I..." Automatically dressed up.

"It's not like I mind if it is. If anything, I'm flattered that a beautiful, talented woman such as yourself would go on a date with me." He leaned in close, staring into her soft blue eyes.

Misaki froze, eyes wide, and stopped breathing.

"Misa?" He waved a hand in front of her.

Ring, ring, ring. Misaki's phone went off, and they both jumped back.

"Uh, sorry about that." Ren stepped away. "I think I teased you too much. But I should say that I wasn't really kidding." He nodded and turned around, taking a deep breath.

Misaki grabbed her phone, fumbling it. "Oh, it's Akane, my lawyer."

"Akane? Akane Izumi?" Ren asked.

"Yes..." Her shoulders slouched. "She's the only one I know, so—"

"It's fine. I was just surprised. Better answer her; she's not the most patient on the phone." Ren looked at his watch. "Actually, I should get going. I have another interview to do this evening." He collected the papers.

"I'll walk you out."

Ren held up his hand. "I can find my way out on my own, but thank you. I had a lovely date."

Her heart skipped a beat.

"Until next time." He bowed to her and left, his ears burning.

"H-hello, sorry I took so long," Misaki answered her phone and sat down, staring at the pile of clothes. Guess I should've taken the hint that it wouldn't hold when I had to force it closed.

"It's okay, Miss Minase. I've had time to read over your contract. There are a few things I want to make sure we're clear on, but it's probably good to go. Shall we go over it now?"

"Sure." She glanced back at the keyboard.

Ren left Misaki's apartment and took a deep breath. "Geez, what was I thinking?" He shook his head and smiled as he thought about Misaki hiding the pile of clothes. "It was definitely a date, but I shouldn't tease her so much." He chuckled to himself and headed back to his car with his disguise on.

Click. A flash went off.

Ren swivelled his head around, searching for the source. "I'm certain there was a light just now."

No one was around.

"At least Misa isn't with me," he mumbled and drove off.

Every few minutes, he double-checked the car behind him to make sure he wasn't being followed.

A white car followed his direction for five streets, so he took a turn and stopped in front of a random house. The car kept going straight.

"Guess I'm being paranoid."

Ring, ring, ring.

"Ah!" Ren's shoulders jumped. "Geez. Hello?"

"Where'd you go? We're supposed to be doing a live interview in an hour," Shun complained.

"I'm on my way home now.""

"That wasn't an answer."

"I was working on something," Ren said, glancing at the papers in his passenger seat.

"Way to be vague. Make any progress?" Shun asked.

"Definitely." Ren grinned, revelling in his satisfaction.

"Well, get your butt back here. You're supposed to be getting ready in a few minutes."

"I'll be there soon." Ren hung up and sighed, glancing in his rear-view mirror before driving off.

Less than five minutes later, Ren made it home, and Shun pushed him into the back of their usual van.

"I thought we were doing the live interview at home?" Ren asked as he sat down.

"If you'd read your texts, you'd know it was switched," Shun huffed, crossing his arms as he stared at his brother.

"Oops. Didn't even notice I had any." Ren shrugged. "I thought I had time. I didn't make us late, did I?"

"Late for makeup? Yes. Late for the show? Probably not, so long as things go smoothly. So, what were you up to?"

"I... had a date."

Shun's eyes widened as he sat up straight. "You what? With who?"

"Did you say date?" Daichi asked from the front seat, rushing to check for new photos of Ren with women.

Ren smiled and rubbed the back of his neck, thinking about Misaki.

"It wasn't Rena, right?" Shun asked.

"Nope."

"Chiyo? Please don't let it be her..."

"No." Ren laughed.

"Why are you being so secretive? It's not like you." Shun leaned closer. "Why does it feel like you're causing trouble?"

"I'm not!" Ren held his hands up, wondering if that was true.

"Sure, that's likely." Shun sighed, rolling his eyes. "Wait... Please tell me you didn't."

"Didn't what?"

Shun leaned in close. "Were you on a date with Misa?" he whispered.

"What? How'd you—"

"Dammit..." Shun muttered as the van lurched over a speed bump.

"What's wrong with that?" Ren whispered back. "Is it because of the crush she used to have on you?" Though Ren was sure she hadn't gotten over it.

"That's not it. Don't date someone you're trying to work with. You know how bad that can end."

"It's just as well, she denied it was a date." He laughed awkwardly and sighed. "So I'm not sure it mattered anyway."

"I see... Seriously no idea how to take that one, but please go back to trying not to scare her off."

Ren shrugged. "What happens, happens."

"Geez." Shun shook his head.

"By the way, remind me to get the windows tinted in my new-old car soon."

"Wait, you bought that one? Guess you are serious about this."

"Of course." Ren gazed out the van window with a faint smile.