Suki followed her teacher and installed herself behind the beautiful white piano. She talked a little with her teacher about which piece to play and they agreed on a composition that Suki had practice a little already and that she really liked a lot.

In the parlor, Haru was quietly sat with Davide by his side and that proximity was not something comfortable for him.

Davide: Why did you decide all of a sudden to come here with her?

Haru: (He looked at Davide.) Because Suki is my best friend, and I wanted to support her.

Davide: But why today? I don't think that you ever came home to listen to her play. Is it because of me? Because I am the one taking her here?

Haru: (He stared at Davide for long seconds.) No...

Davide: You are just like her... you don't know how to lie. (He had an impassive tone but looked at Haru from head to toe.) And you think you can protect her with that body? Against me?

Haru: You... you won't hurt her... she's your sister...

Davide: Are you asking me or affirming something?

Haru: I don't have siblings... but I can't imagine someone hating his own sibling just because they don't look like them... Because a child didn't ask to come into the world... so why should he paid for his parents' decision...

Haru's face was a bit red. He didn't know from where this courage came but he was mature enough to speak frankly for his best friend's interest. Davide was surprised by the young boy in front of him, but he hid it. He didn't expect that this boy, barely taller than Suki, will dare to say that to him.

Davide: Life is not fair... you will... or maybe you already learned that. Society is cruel with those who are different and unfortunately, sometimes, you have to pay for your family's sins!

Haru: But Suki is your family too...

Davide: (He smirked.) Really? (He chuckled at the young boy's expression.) So, she shouldn't worry about anything, right?

Haru didn't understand Davide's way of thinking, so he didn't know what else to say.

Davide: I think our conversation is done... now shut up, I'm tired.

Haru looked away and Davide smiled, once again. The young man installed himself comfortable in the armchair and observed in silence. He noticed after few minutes that Haru had taken a sketches book and pencils. Suki was playing the piece she had chosen, and the ambiance was pretty enjoyable.

Little by little, Davide felt a calm feeling enveloping him and as he closed his eyes, he slowly drifted into a peaceful rest. Haru, him, was focused on his drawings with the sweet company of Suki's playing piano.

The little girl was immersed in her lesson, and she didn't pay attention to her brother and friend, until the break after one hour. She drunk a cup of water and made a hand sign to Haru.

The young boy smiled and nodded toward a sleeping Davide. Suki chuckled, showing that she was glad that everything was going well until now. Haru was drawing a beautiful landscape, inspired by the piece played.

After the break was over, Suki and Mrs Lawrens continued the lessons for 30 more minutes. The music teacher wanted to have longer lessons for the two coming weeks, to be sure that the little girl felt prepared enough for her concert.

When the lesson ended, Suki thanked her teacher for her time and Mrs Lawrens had to leave the room to take a call. Suki approached the parlor, not knowing how to wake up her most moody brother.

Suki: Davide... (She spoke with a very low and soft tone.)

Haru: (He murmured.) He seems deeply asleep.

Suki: Davide... (She delicately touched his arm, and he immediately opened his eyes.)

Davide: Is it over? (He straightened up.) Great, let's go!

The trio left the room and there was several students waiting for their lesson with Mrs Lawrens but also with other music teachers. There was different classes with different sizes for private lessons and group lessons too. The age range of the students was large and now, there was a group of young girls that didn't miss to look at Davide with interest when he crossed the corridor.

Davide: Hum... (He stared at the group.) I didn't know there will be so many nice things to see in a place like this...

Suki: (She looked around.) You like music or arts?

Davide: (He laughed.) Yeah... totally my style...

Suki and Haru exchanged a gaze while Davide continued to laugh when they headed to the first floor. There was more people than when they arrived earlier.

Suki: Haru, look, there is an exposition... do you want to take a look?

Haru: Yes... (He looked at Davide.)... but maybe another day.

Davide: Yes, another day, because I'm not paid enough to play the nanny all evening.

Suki: I can ask Gabriel, I'm sure he will agree to accompany us.

Davide: Yes, do that, ask to your dear brother to take you there.

They quickly got in Davide's car and the young man dropped Haru at his house at nightfall. The young boy thanked him, and Davide only nodded as an answer. The ride back home was silent, but Suki properly thanked her brother when they parked in the garage.

The end of the day passed and when he came back, Salvatore stopped by his daughter's bedroom, but she was already asleep. The head of the family knew that everything went well with Suki's lesson because she had texted him earlier. Davide was still awake, so Salvatore talked with him while having a drink.

Salvatore: Davide, once again, thank you for driving Suki to her lesson.

Davide: Hum...

Salvatore: Nothing special to report?

Davide: Nothing special. As you already know, that kid brought her friend with her, probably because she was not really happy that I was the one to drive her to that academy... otherwise, nothing special, in fact, I slept very well over there.

Salvatore: You slept? You didn't listen to her?

Davide: Yep, I don't know... I just fell asleep... the ambiance was favorable for that, I guess...

Salvatore: Hum... I shouldn't expect that you will be receptive to music. Anyway, thank you. I count on you for tomorrow too.

The night passed and Suki was surprised to see Salvatore waiting for driving her to school before leaving for his company. They shared breakfast with Vito who decided to skip the morning welcome session with the foreign students.

Salvatore: Vito, weren't you supposed to arrive early at school everyday? It is only the 4th day, and you are already late?

Vito: Camelia is in charge this morning and I will be tomorrow.

Salvatore: You're not letting her do all the work, right?

Vito: No, we agreed to do it each in turn. We don't need to be 2 for 5 dudes... and the group we have is not really a talkative one anyway.

Salvatore: And I am sure that you are happy that they are not.

Vito: (He smiled.) Exactly! Nerds are not really my cup of tea...

Salvatore: Being a good student doesn't automatically mean being a nerd. You should be more open minded, my son. Anyway, it's time to leave for school. Suki, ready?

Suki nodded and followed her father to his car. Alaric was waiting for them in the garden's alley. The driver greeted Suki and opened the back door for her; she thanked him with a bright smile.

They dropped Suki at school before a quick stop by the offices before heading with Gabriel and Dante to Princeton in New Jersey for business. It was not a difficult deal but as it was with the Russian, they were never sure on how things were going to turn. But they knew for sure that their meeting will end with a dinner and a lot of alcohol.

At school, Miss Paris was glad that all the students that participated to the concert agreed to do it again, so she announced to everyone the events planned on the 3 coming Fridays. And even if it was a last time announcement, the teachers had planned a sports' afternoon for this week. Everyone was strongly invited to participate, even if it was only to help at the organization.

Suki and Haru preferred that option so volunteered before being randomly put in a team, in a sports that they were not comfortable with. They were assigned to the outdoors' activities on the athletics' field, to distribute water.

Suki: Haru, are you sure that you don't want to be in a team?

Haru: Yes. The mandatory sports' class are enough for me. The boys in that school are too competitive and when you are not like them, you are usually the one that end at the infirmary.

Suki: Really? (He nodded.)

Haru: Fortunately, never to me but it happened to one of my classmates.

Suki: Distribute water is definitively the best option! And, at least, we can be helpful for the others.

Vito: (He popped up in her back from nowhere.) Who do you want to help? Who asked you that?

Suki: (She startled.) You scared me... (He rolled up his eyes.)

Vito: So? What are you talking about?

Suki: About tomorrow afternoon, we are going to be part of the organization... and... you? (She asked, timidly.)

Vito: (He stared at her for few seconds.) I guess you will be at my service tomorrow... (He smirked at her reaction.) Are you not going to do your job correctly?

Suki: Yes, of course, but we will only distribute water...

Vito: I like mine very cold, so keep that in mind!

Camelia: (She joined them with the group that they were taking care of.) Hey, Vito, hurry up, Miss Paris called us!

Vito: Yeah... such a pain in the ass! (They left.)

Haru: Do you know why he showed up? (She shook her head.)... Weird.

Suki: Yes, but I don't want to understand why he is like that... I'm sure that if I try to talk to him too much, he will be annoyed and yelled at me... (She smiled.)... So, I will only continue to answer when he asks me something first.

Haru: I understand, don't worry. And to be honest, he never did anything to make you think that he wanted to be close to you.

Suki: Exactly, even quite the opposite! But it's fine.... (She checked her phone.) We should go back to class.

Haru: Yes... Suki, about your piano lesson later, are you sure you can go alone with your brother?

Suki: Yes, don't worry. Davide will probably fall asleep once again anyway.... He only drives me there because my father asked him to do it, and he even requested money for that.

Haru: He was not joking? (She shook her head with a funny expression.) Okay... he must adore money! (He smiled.)

Suki: Hum... it seems, yes. (They both laughed.)

Haru: Havefun at your lesson and see you tomorrow.

The two friends went to their respective class and when it was the end of the day, Suki left the school with the others.

Outside, a bus was waiting for the foreign students to take them to a visit of a university campus for a special lecture. Suki was happy to see, once again, the diversity of the group. She spotted Vito and his classmate with the 5 students that were assigned to them, and she saw one of the boy staring at her. When he noticed that she was looking too, he smiled with a light bow. She did the same, politely. Vito looked behind him and understood the situation.

Vito: Eh... Toshiro, you know that kid?

Toshiro: I saw you talking with her earlier... and she is Asian, it's not really common in that school.

Cheng: I noticed that too...

Vito: Well, it's pretty obvious, a school for rich and white kids!

Camelia: Not wrong... but things are changing, now there is your little sister or her friend... (Vito frowned.)... what? It's a good thing!

Vito: Nothing... our job is over, I'm leaving, bye!

Vito didn't go to his car but approached his brother's one, where Suki was heading too. Davide got out of his car.

Suki: Hello....

Davide: Your little bodyguard is not going with you today?

Suki: Who... Haru?

Vito: Yo! You're talking about that half portion that trembles every time we are around?

Davide: Yeah, that little thing...

Suki: Haru has something to do today, and he came with me because he is my friend.

Vito: The one and only... even if it seems that you are trying to make new friends... (She looked at him, not understanding.)

Davide: I have to take her to that academy, are you coming too?

Vito: Nope... I'm going home and chill but if you want to hang out later, I'm in!

Davide: Deal, after a good nap, I can party all night long! You, get in!

Suki sat on the passenger seat and Davide, after agreeing with Vito on where to go tonight, got in the car too. The two siblings didn't talk in the way to the academy, until they were stuck in traffic jam. Davide seemed annoyed by the way people were driving, and Suki was staring at her phone, worried to be late.

Davide: Those fu** idiots! Where did they get their license!?

Suki: We... are not too far, I can walk over there.

Davide: (He looked at her with a dark glare.) You're stupid enough to think that I will let you do that?

Suki: But the road seems blocked and Mrs Lawrens....

Davide: I don't give a fu**! That woman is paid to teach you. She will wait. Dad asked me to drive you there for your safety; not to leave you wander in the city alone. (He looked ahead.) It should not take long, so just text her to inform her that you will be late. (He hit the horn.) Move, idiot! What hell!

Suki: There is maybe an accident a bit further.

Davide: All the useless idiots of that city decided to gather here... (A siren was heard, and he looked behind through the mirror.) Damn... it seems that there really was something.

Suki: I hope everyone is fine.

Davide: (He looked at her once again.) Why do you care..

Suki: Because everybody's life matters and they probably have a family that cares for them too. (She looked at him with her beautiful eyes.)

Davide: Or it's a very bad guy who eats stupid little girls for breakfast.

Suki: What...

Davide: (He laughed at her reaction.)Really stupid...

Davide took a quick look on his right when the car before them moved forward a little. There was a parking place and as he had the feeling that the road will not be cleared soon enough, he made a quick move and parked his car in the free spot. The unexpected maneuver surprised the little girl on the passenger seat. She looked at him, he showed a fake smile and nodded toward her side of the street.

Davide: Get out, we are going to continue at feet, just like you wanted.

Suki: Really?

Davide: Or you prefer to wait until they clear the road? I'm good with that too, I'm not the one who has an appointment!

Suki: (She unbuckled her seat belt and smiled.) Thank you.

Davide got out too and the car following them stopped at his level.

Bodyguard: Sir, is there an issue?

Davide: The academy is only 2 blocks away, we will walk. (He threw his key car.) Bring my car in front of the academy before the end of her class... and be careful, if there is one scratch, you're dead!

Bodyguard: But one of us should go with you.

Davide: Do as you want but don't let my car here! (He joined Suki on the sidewalk.) Let's go!

Suki walked closely to Davide but not too closely, too. There was a lot of people, and it was not the most comfortable moment of the day.

Suki's personal bodyguard followed the siblings because for her, the little girl's safety was the priority. Her colleague was in charge to bring Davide's car near the academy on time.

Suki's attention was attracted by the giant windows of the luxurious boutiques or cafés on the street. She didn't notice that her walking pace slowed down a little until she bumped on her brother who had stopped.

Suki: Ouch... sorry... (She touched her nose.)

Davide: I thought that you in a hurry... or are we here for shopping?

Suki: Sorry...

Davide: I don't want to have to look for you everywhere so be focus!

Suki: Yes, I will be careful...

They reached their destination in 12 minutes and in the way, they found out that there was effectively an accident between a bus and a taxi. Nothing serious but blocking completely the road. At the academy, Mrs Lawrens was waiting Suki near the front desk.

Suki: Mrs Lawrens, sorry, I'm late.

Mrs Lawrens: It's nothing, Suki. It happens. The traffic is complicated at this hour. If you are ready, let's go inside. (She smiled to Davide.) You can sit at the parlor.

Davide: Thanks.

Suki put her school bag near the armchair where Davide sat. She exchanged a gaze with him and shyly smiled before joining her teacher. The young man put himself in a comfortable position and as soon as Suki started to play, he let himself drawn into a deep sleep.

The lesson was going well, and Suki was showing her pianist's qualities once again. Mrs Lawrens was proud of her student.

Mrs Lawrens: We're done for today. It was a really great session. Try to rest your hands tonight and I will see you tomorrow.

Suki: Thank you, Mrs Lawrens. (The teacher left the room, and Suki went to wake up Davide.) Davide... Davide... (He opened an eye.) It's over, we can go home.

The young man checked his phone, but no message. He grabbed the school bag on the floor and gave it to his little sister before leaving the room. Downstairs, the female bodyguard was there alone.

Davide: Where is my car? (He noticed the embarrassed expression of the woman.) It has been more than one hour, don't tell me that it is still over there!

Bodyguard: Sorry, Sir. I just called them, and they closed the road because of the accident. There was an additional accident in the area, and no one was authorized to pass.

Davide: So what? You want me to walk home?!

Bodyguard: A taxi is waiting for you, and we will take care of bringing back your car at the propriety for you, Sir.

Davide: Damn it... all useless! (He sighed.)

Suki: Davide... (He looked at her then to the bodyguard.)

Davide: I hope that you didn't pick up the first taxi passing but called for a VIP one! (The bodyguard nodded.) Let's go, I have plans tonight!

Davide let Suki enter in the taxi first then got inside. The bodyguard got on the passenger seat. It was not the typical yellow cab but a VIP black taxi with a high level of comfort.

The young man texted Vito and Enzo on the way back to evacuate his anger. The youngest brother promised to help him change his mood tonight at a new club that opened recently.

The rest of the evening passed, and the last school day of the week began. The morning was dedicated to the usual classes, but the lunch break was shortened to give more time to the sports' competition. The ambiance at school was lighter and everyone seemed satisfied with the change of agenda. Doris, a last year student, also volunteered to help, and she was in Suki and Haru's group.

English Teacher: Children, everything is alright?

Haru: Yes, Sir. We just finished to prepare everything.

English Teacher: Great. I'm checking the second group on the other side of the field. The first game is going to finish soon, be ready.

Doris: Yes, thank you. (The teacher left.) Oh... some are coming.

Camelia and the foreign students of her class arrived. They were coming from the gymnasium where some of them played badminton.

Camelia: Doris, you're assigned here?

Doris: Yes, I prefer that than running everywhere; and those kids work well, so, I'm fine. And you? Still in good company!

Camelia: That's cool, yeah. Suki, you are half Japanese, right? (Suki nodded.) Toshiro comes from Japan and Cheng from China... and you, young boy, are you Japanese, or Chinese too?

Haru: Half Korean...

Camelia: Ah... (She smiled.)... there is a Korean girl too, but not in our group. Anyway, did you see your brother? We were supposed to meet him here.

Suki: No, I didn't see him, sorry.

Camelia: I need to find him. Guys, can you wait for me few minutes.

Cheng: Sure. (Camelia left.)

Doris: Do you want a refreshment? We have water or orange juice.

Cheng: Water is good, thank you.

Doris was glad to do the conversation with those two good looking boys. There was also the Indian girl, but she seemed shyer. Haru handed her a bottle of water and she smiled with small bow to thank him.

Toshiro: I guess most people think that every Asian is Chinese...

Suki: Yes, kind of... my name is Suki Tanaka...

Toshiro: Tanaka? Are you not Suki Smith? Vito is not your brother?

Suki: It's Tanaka-Smith, yes...

Toshiro: Nice to meet you, Toshiro Sanada. I think you are the only Japanese one in that school.

Suki: Ah... yes... (It was an awkward moment.) It's like that... (She shyly smiled.)... Do you enjoy your trip?

Toshiro: Our time here is limited, so we have to do everything quickly, but yes, I personally appreciate to be here to reach my goal.

Suki: So, you want to study in New York?

Haru: Suki... (He nodded in direction of the field, Vito was coming.)

Toshiro: I have a different purpose...