previously known as "THE VOICE OF HAPPINESS" (2008)

[edited/revised version: 2020]

It's seven in the morning, and the students of Kasumi International High (KIH) felt the fresh, warm air as they ran towards the school gate. The girls' skirts had yellow and white checkered patterns and their uniform shirts were white with the KIH logo on the upper left chest. The boys' pants were plain, royal blue slacks and their uniform shirts were white, also with the KIH logo.

KIH is the only international school in the province of Kasumi, and there are less than a hundred students enrolled. Like any other school in Kasumi, its campus had cherry blossoms planted within the school grounds.

"Hey Sydney, wait up!" Olivet yelled, catching up with her bestie. Her dark purple, straight long hair was laid down and swaying as she ran.

Sydney stopped walking. She then pushed back her reddish, medium-length hair which she took an effort to double braid that morning. She smiled at Olivet, "Let's go to our class together."

Sydney and Olivet were best friends ever since they were kids. They were neighbors, and they had been going to school together. They're now in Junior High, and it has been a month since school started.

When the two of them reached their classroom, she saw the girls chatting loudly on the corner. Curiously, they also joined them.

"Did you know?" Greta Swish, the richest student on campus, asked. She faced Sydney and Olivet.

"I don't know," Sydney replied. "How should I know? You're not yet telling me."

Greta rolled her eyes; Sydney had always been like that. She just ignored it, and continued her juicy news, "Anyway, I heard that there's a new classmate coming. He's cute! His family is close to our family. The principal said that we should all treat him as a VIP..." Greta uttered. "...or else we will receive certain punishments."

"Punishments?" Sydney asked. "Like what?"

"Like... Running around the campus 50 times, or squatting 100 times... I don't know. I'm not really sure. Maybe it depends on what he likes."

"Spoiled brat, huh?" Sydney murmured. "Despicable!"

Then the teacher came in bringing with her the new student. Everyone returned to their seats. Sydney glared at the guy, whom they call a VIP.

"Students," The teacher called their attention. "On my side is Mr. Matt Duncan. He's a VIP, so please respect him. The principal gave an order that we are to do everything that Mr. Duncan likes, okay?"

The tall and handsome new student introduced himself, "Hi, I'm Matt. I hope we all get along well…" Matt said, passing his hand through his yellowish-brown hair, and when he smiled, the girls in the class got noisy, while the boys looked daggers at him in jealousy.

Matt scanned the room, excited to get to know his new classmates. He had just arrived last night from England, and he wanted to have a great experience in the provincial school. He preferred living in the province because of some personal reasons.

And then he saw Sydney's angry face. She was glaring at him like he had done something wrong. She was the only girl who was not looking at him affectionately.

Matt thought of a fun plan to spice up his highschool life. He winked at the glaring Sydney, and in return, she rolled her eyes. Then, Matt whispered something to the teacher.

Because he's a really super very important person, the teacher agreed to his request, "Okay, Mr. Duncan. Please sit beside Sydney."

"What the? How annoying! I don't want to have a spoiled brat seatmate!" Sydney thought.

"She's so lucky!" the other girls shrieked.

"What lucky? These girls…" Sydney facepalmed; she just wanted to attend school peacefully without any issues. It seemed like she thought very differently from her classmates.

Matt waved at Sydney after he sat, and she just nodded. During the whole class that morning, Sydney was concentrating on the lessons, while Matt was taking a glance at her sometimes.

When the bell rang and it was lunch break, the teacher stepped out of the classroom, and everyone got noisy.

Sydney took her wallet from her bag and stood up. Before she could get away, Matt grabbed her arm.

"So, you're Sydney, right?" Matt asked in a friendly tone, smiling at her.

"Yeah. Now can you get your hands off me?" And Sydney angrily moved her arm away.

"Hey… I just want to be friends with you," Matt said, giving her a pleading look like a lost puppy.

"No thanks, Mr. VIP. Make friends with the girls, I'm sure they will welcome you with open arms," Sydney told him in a sarcastic tone, and she furiously headed out.

Matt just laughed. Sydney was really interesting. He then decided to follow her quickly, before he gets noticed by the other girls.

Sydney grumpily walked into the hallway.

"Why are you walking like an orc?" Olivet asked her friend, whose eyebrows were knitted.

"How irritating! That Mr. VIP has been bothering me, saying that he wanted me to be his friend. Ugh, he looks like a jerk, I don't want to have something to do with him." Sydney sighed in annoyance.

"Maybe he really wanted to be your friend," Olivet slightly laughed; it's been a while since she saw her bestie in orc mode. "You should give him a chance-"

"Do you still want to be my friend or not?" Sydney asked jokingly, as she pinched her friend's cheek.

"Oww, Sydney!" Olivet shrieked, and then she saw that they passed by the music room. "To cool your head… How about a song?" and she pointed towards the music room.

She opened the wooden door which had a vertical glass panel at the center, enabling the people outside to see who's practicing.

A black, grand piano was situated at the center of the room. Olivet sat on the small chair in front of the piano keys. She opened the cover and pressed all the keys, conditioning herself to play.

"Wait, I'll just get the guitar-"

"Nah, just sing. If you play the guitar now, you still have to do tuning. Just one song before we eat at the cafeteria," Olivet explained. She just wanted her friend's hot head to cool down. "Let's sing your favorite."

"Mmm. 'Kay!"

They didn't know that Matt was beside the door, listening to them.

As Olivet played the piano, Sydney sang,

"The wind is cold tonight

And as I remembered your kiss and your embrace,

Suddenly, my tears fell endlessly.

Do you still remember our past?

Do you still remember…

The memories that we shared together

In front of the setting sun?

And every time the night falls

And every morning when you're beside me?

Do you still remember?"

Matt was mesmerized by Sydney's singing voice. As they continued with the song, he closed his eyes while leaning on the wall.

And because of that moment, Matt decided,

that he would do everything to be close to Sydney!