One last A/N: Okay, after talking with the bf for a while (it helped that I'm majorly sick rn, and made quite the pitiful picture, I guess) we compromised, and the rest of the fic that I had written will stay up if you guys want to read it. This chapter holds the first half, while the next will hold the second half.

I'm sorry I won't be able to respond to all of your PMs and reviews individually, but like I said, I'm pretty sick right now, and a 103 degree fever (it's about time I got sick, really, considering how gross the NYC subways are, haha. Thankfully it's only a few more weeks of this before I get to return home to [relatively] clean Boston air) is making it kinda hard to concentrate on anything. To everyone who's telling me to stop being spineless, pathetic, weak-willed, etc etc, I understand your anger, and I really do apologize, but I humbly ask that you respect my decision. It's not like I'm doing this for the bf's sake; I'm doing it for my family's sake, and if obeying the wishes of the people who have loved and raised me all my life makes me pathetic, then so be it. Yes, they're old-fashioned and strict, but family's family; besides, the whole reason why I adored Haruki in the first place was because of her devotion to her family no matter what, you know?

Thank you to all you guys who are being so kind and understanding about the whole thing (like anon. anooon ilyyyyyy 33 oooh and Caelion, too, ahhh I'll be missing our messaging chains). And good to hear from you, nala-suu, haha :) thanks for your kind words, too.

And for all the people that keep asking, lol: yes, I am ethnically Japanese, though I am an American citizen. Not really sure why you guys were so surprised at that, hahaha

Phew...in any event, I really am sorry to all of you guys. Maybe someday, if the bf finally learns to act his age and stop tattling to my parents over every little thing, I'll be able to continue this. I really can't promise anything, but we'll see. And like I said in the previous chapter: this account is being handed over to him, so please know that I probably won't be able to see any reviews/PMs after a day or two from now.

Thanks again to all you readers.

Chapter 1: Chapter 1

On the first night at the hospital, Isuke had woken up to a throbbing pain in her arm and wrist, a wave of rage and humiliation at actually having lost to that virgin assassin, and Sagae Haruki's grinning visage.

Strangely, her mind had chosen to fixate on that last thing, and even more strangely, that last thing had immediately made her feel a little better about the former two.

Still, Isuke had scowled, and demanded why, out of the hundreds of hospitals in the entire country, they had managed to end up not only in the same hospital, and not only in the same wing, but the same room together.

Haruki had continued to grin, and, waving a Pocky stick in her face, replied, "Guess we're destined roommates for life, or something."

And then she had all but forced the chocolate stick in Isuke's mouth and said, "It's good to see you again, Isuke-sama."

Isuke had huffed and scoffed and rolled her eyes, but had munched on the Pocky stick and after a moment had admitted (only in her head, of course) that maybe it was good seeing her poor roommate again, if only because she staying in the hospital would be miserably boring without someone to talk to.

That had been one week ago.

Now, Isuke looked back at that moment and wondered if boredom might have been preferable after all.

For what had to be the ten-billionth time that morning, the same grubby little boy with grubby little hands clambered up onto her bed and beamed up at her expectantly, as if he expected her to do something other than stare down at him in mild disgust at his utter grubbiness.

"Isuke-nee-chan, your name is weird," he said cheerily.

Isuke responded with a saccharine smile, stiffly patting the boy's head.

"Wow, déjà vu~" she exclaimed, scooting back in her bed. "The family resemblance is uncanny. Bad taste must be in the genes, hmm?"

A merry chuckle from beside her only further grated on Isuke's nerves, and within seconds Haruki came bounding over to scoop the little brat from her bed.

"Isuke-sama doesn't like being disturbed, Aki. Why do you keep running back to her?" Haruki asked, holding her little brother in her uninjured arm.

"I like her. She's pretty," the boy explained.

"Bad taste, huh?" Haruki said, glancing back at Isuke with a little smirk.

Isuke responded with a leisurely shrug.

"Even those with bad taste can have flashes of insight now and then."

Haruki laughed, and was soon enveloped back into the fold of her ridiculously massive family. Her ridiculously massive family with ridiculously little to do, considering how they came to visit their elder sister every single day.

They were being loud and rambunctious and poor, as usual, devouring both Haruki and Isuke's share of disgusting hospital food while crowding around Haruki's bed.

"Thank you very much again, Inukai-san, for always giving us your food. But are you really sure you don't want any? You're so skinny as it is." One of the siblings—Fuji, or something like that—was staring at her as she spoon-fed one of the youngest brats.

"…Isuke would rather starve than eat any of that," Isuke replied, twirling a strand of hair idly about her finger. "If you didn't eat it I'd just throw it out anyway."

The girl smiled at her appreciatively, and Isuke almost instinctively glanced away.

Poor people were so easily pleased. It was stupid. And kind of sad.

"I think you're making Isuke-sama uncomfortable, Fuyuka," Haruki said with a chuckle, breaking a cookie in half for her quarreling little twin brothers. "Calling her out on an act of kindness."

Isuke rolled her eyes, leaned back in her bed, and wished her stupid arm and wrist would heal already. She couldn't even paint her nails like this. Hospital life was so lame.

It was another hour before Haruki's family finally began to file out, ending their visit around noon, at the usual time.

"Say hi to Mom for me," Haruki was saying, leaning against the bedframe as she saw her family out the door. "Make sure she's taking all of her meds, and eating well, and getting to sleep on time instead of watching those dumb dramas at night."

"Of course, Sis. Rest up, okay? We'll be back on Monday."

Isuke perked up at that, and tossed her magazine to the side as Haruki closed the door after the last brat left the room.

"They don't visit during the weekends? Maybe I can finally get some peace and quiet around here," she said, stretching out in the bed. The room already felt a thousand times more peaceful with them gone.

Haruki shrugged, chuckling and staring at the ground.

"Nah, I have…stuff to do during the weekends. Work," she said, and her voice held a strange note that Isuke had never heard before.

Isuke blinked, and within that split second Haruki was grinning again, seating herself on the edge of Isuke's bed.

"Anyway, Isuke-sama, it seems Aki's got a little crush on you," she said, and snapped a Pocky stick between her teeth.

"What work are you—"

"I guess I can't really blame him. You're pretty easy on the eyes, Isuke-sama."

"What work do you have this weekend—"

"It sucks that Azuma did all that to your arm and wrist, but I'm glad she at least didn't hurt your hands. I really like your hands, Isuke-sama."

"…ah, all of these interruptions...what should I do? She's really starting to piss me off 3"

Isuke plastered on another sweet smile, leaning her head against her hand as she stared at her roommate. "You do know that you're only making Isuke more curious by avoiding the question, don't you?"

Haruki responded with that irritating little laugh of hers, waving her hand apologetically.

"Sorry, sorry. I didn't mean to make you angry, Isuke-sama."

Before Isuke could respond, Haruki snagged her uninjured arm.

"Wha—"

Her roommate had the same gorilla-like strength as she always did, and her grip was like iron as she stared intently down at Isuke's hand.

What is she…

"Your hands really are pretty, Isuke-sama. It's good they weren't scarred at all," she murmured.

Isuke rolled her eyes again, and was right about to continue questioning her about her mysterious job over the weekend (what would a girl like Haruki be so keen on hiding, anyway?) when she felt something soft and warm press against her fingers.

Isuke stared, utterly unmoving and uncomprehending, as Haruki brushed her lips against her palm, and then turned her hand over and lightly pressed her lips to Isuke's knuckles.

"Really pretty," she said, and then put Isuke's hand down and grinned.

It was the grin that did it.

That casual, carefree, open and friendly grin—so nonchalant, after she had just—

"Y-you…what did you…"

Isuke was painfully aware of the heat that was rising to her face, painfully aware of her sudden inability to articulate herself, and even more painfully aware of the fact that there was absolutely no reason why she should be so embarrassed by something like this.

It was just a kiss on the hand—it was so stupid, like some kind of lame attempt at chivalry, or something—and yet here she was.

Inukai Isuke, stuttering. Blushing.

Acting like a virgin.

All because of some constantly grinning poor girl who ate too much Pocky and had some weird hand fetish.

"…you okay, Isuke-sama? You're kind of red."

Haruki was looking curiously down at her, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips.

"You're an idiot," Isuke snapped, with not even a quarter of the venom she had intended.

And with that remark, childish and lame even to her own ears, Isuke turned her back to her roommate and buried herself under the bed's covers.

Phew…that was a close one.

Haruki stepped out onto the roof of the hospital, waving at the usual patients that were out walking during this time of day.

She made her way to her usual spot, a quiet corner by the very edge of the fence.

Flopping down onto the ground, Haruki stared up at the cloudless sky.

And she sighed.

She hadn't expected Isuke to end up here.

It had made Haruki kinda happy, at first, to see her old roommate again. For all her attitude, she wasn't really all that bad of a person.

And she seemed to at least understand the importance of family.

Seemed to understand her when she had said that for family, she would do anything.

Maybe she, of all people, might understand…

She was an assassin too, after all, and so maybe…

Haruki shook her head, chuckling at her own dumb thoughts.

But this was different from killing, wasn't it?

She couldn't imagine Isuke ever doing what Haruki did. Isuke had too much pride to even consider it.

"Pride is as much of a luxury as that 3000 yen nail polish, huh?" she mused.

Yet another luxury that Haruki couldn't afford to have.

Her phone vibrated, and Haruki closed her eyes.

She really was happy to see Isuke again, but it was going to be a pain in the ass to do everything without her new/old roommate noticing anything. She had already come dangerously close just now, with her questioning.

Haruki wasn't sure why she didn't want Isuke knowing. It wasn't as if she had anything to prove to her, or had some kind of front to keep up with her.

But if it was at all possible, she really wanted to keep the other girl out of it.

Her phone vibrated again, and Haruki got to her feet.

She had to do her best.

Freedom, after all, was maybe the greatest of luxuries that would be forever out of reach.

A/N: I got the whole hand thing from Minakata's awesome twitter pic of this best couple ever. You should google it. It's beautiful.

I'm planning on making this a multi-chaptered thing...but my motivation tends to wax and wane...mostly wane. So please leave a comment/feedback/review to keep my motivation up and/or if you have any desire to see this continued! :)

Chapter 2: Chapter 2

Quick A/N: The rest of my notes are at the bottom, but just to let you guys know: these ~ things are just substitutes for hearts, since Isuke-sama doesn't sound like Isuke-sama in my head without the hearts. Her speech totes needs the hearts, guys. And since I'm incompetent, I have no idea how to make hearts symbols on this website, and thus we shall have to make do with squiggles for now. (Can you even use symbols on ? On AO3 the hearts show up just fine :( I'm so confused and technologically illiterate) But anyway, here's chapter 2! :)

"So the main entrée is steak, half a pound and cooked medium-rare, with a side of…foss… foy…fois gras—am I saying that right, honey?"

He wasn't, but Isuke only giggled and replied, "Flawless pronunciation, Papa. Now, don't forget: the steak has to be made from Kobe beef, from the restaurant I told you about in the Shinbashi business area of Tokyo. Please get it right this time, Papa. Remember…hamburgers from American fast food chains are not the same thing."

Isuke could practically hear the embarrassed frown on her father's face as he laughed, faintly and guiltily.

"Now, now, Isuke, Papa tried his best, but the line was just so long, and I had a business meeting, so I barely had time to grab anything if I wanted to get the hospital on time—"

"Well, today you don't have a business meeting, so it should work out fine," Isuke interrupted. She couldn't help but laugh again when she heard the very faint, very weak protest in response.

Papa was just so much fun to tease and bully, especially compared to her always unflappable mama.

"Sorry, Papa. I know you tried your best. But you know…your best just wasn't good enough~ Try to be a little better than your best today, okay?"

There was another laugh, simultaneously exasperated and affectionate, and her father said, "All right, I'll be there as soon as possible. Is there anything else you need?"

Isuke paused, leaning back against the rooftop's fence.

And, entirely unbidden, the image of Haruki sharing that tiny portion of hospital food with her rabble of little brats day after day flashed through her mind.

She scowled, entirely at a loss as to why the heck she had thought of them, especially on one of the few days that she was free of them.

…give me a break. As if I'm some kind of goody-goody toolbox that would actually—

"Actually, Papa, can you make that two steaks? And…Pocky. Get it in bulk. And bring some candy, too, or whatever you think a bunch of poor brats would like," Isuke said, because apparently her mouth was entirely disconnected from her brain.

And had decided to rebel in a bout of goody-goody toolbox-ness.

"Poor…brats?" her father repeated, sounding just as baffled as Isuke felt.

As if I care about her or her family. Why am I—

"Mm-hmm. You should know what poor people like better than I do, Papa. Like the hamburgers you bought before. Just get stuff that won't spoil over the weekend. I'm counting on you, Papa. See you soon. Love you~"

Hanging up on her still confused father, Isuke threw her phone into her purse and mentally berated herself for not listening to herself.

What are you thinking? She's definitely going to get the wrong idea from this—she's going to think we're actually friends, or something—

Though, well, Isuke supposed she and Haruki actually were kind of friends. At the very least, Isuke could tolerate her presence much better than she could those of those other people, and Haruki had probably been the only person at Myoujou that Isuke wouldn't have killed in a heartbeat, had she turned out to be the target.

Still. She's going to think that I actually noticed that she barely ate anything this week, that I actually care about the bags under her eyes or the fact that her wounds aren't going to heal nearly as quickly as they should if she doesn't start taking better care of herself—

"Oh, great."

Isuke rolled her eyes at no one other than herself. Even her internal monologues were beginning to make her sound like some pathetic overly sentimental softie.

Making her way down the stairs before she could get any more maudlin, Isuke glanced down at her watch.

Haruki had been gone when Isuke had woken up that morning. Her mysterious job apparently started early on Saturday mornings.

What job could a high-school dropout with a broken arm and other wounds possibly have? Especially one with such weird hours…

Lost in thought, Isuke didn't notice the tall form in front of her and the scent of a very familiar perfume right until they both hit in the face.

"Oh, I beg your pardon. I didn't see you until…"

Smiling beatifically, Isuke regained her balance and was right about to aim a not-so-subtly worded death threat at this clumsy moron when she realized who she had run into.

"Well, well…if it isn't Isuke-chan."

Dark, narrow eyes, pale white skin, long raven hair, and a slender, carefully maintained figure.

Isuke recognized her immediately. Sanada Ren-san—a man's name, like Isuke's, and yet nowhere near as cool.

A business associate of Papa's, as well as a frequent employer of Mama's, the woman was positively made of money. At the age of thirty-four, she was already rich enough to build and own her own small country, if she wanted to.

If it weren't for this massive wealth, Isuke was sure that she would have stabbed this woman in the face many years ago, especially considering the fact that—

"Oh, I see. You must be here recovering from your injuries. I heard the unfortunate news, Isuke-chan," she said, and Isuke twitched at the horrid honorific. "How…sad, that you weren't able to finish the job at Myoujou."

Isuke stiffened, folding her hands together and summoning a disarming smile.

"Ah, Sanada-san! What a…pleasant surprise," she said, clicking her heels agitatedly against the ground and wishing she could dig one of them into this woman's gut.

Sanada chuckled, eyes cool and mocking.

"Of course, I'm certain this failure resulted solely from bad luck, rather than any lackof skill on your part, hmm?" she continued, smirking.

You're just a filthy old hag who's jealous of Isuke's youth and beauty 3, Isuke thought.

"Oh, you could say that," Isuke said, and absolutely hated how this was the one woman with whom Isuke's thoughts and words never matched up.

Filthy old hag or not, Sanada's family and company had been a source of a significant chunk of both Mama and Papa's income for as long as Isuke could remember. Isuke unfortunately couldn't exactly be her…usual self, around her.

Bowing slightly, she flashed another bright smile; one of the few she had ever given that hadn't been immediately followed by a barbed remark—or a knife in the back.

"That unpleasantness aside, what brings you to the hospital, Sanada-san?" she asked.

The only hospitals Isuke would have expected this hag to frequent were plastic surgery clinics, for her monthly injection of Botox.

Sanada chuckled again, giving a slow, leisurely shrug.

"Just some business, Isuke-chan. An…associate of mine is staying here, and so I decided that I ought to come here in person to complete the business deal. I'm pleased to say that it was a…very satisfying transaction," she said, her smile widening to show rows of perfectly laser-whitened teeth.

"Is that so? How interesting," Isuke replied, hoping that none of the horror that she was feeling showed on her face. Business was probably right after math and science in the universe's ranking of the most soul-crushingly boring things ever. She hated hearing about it even from Papa—there was no way she would survive listening to nonsense about stocks and investments from this horrid old skank.

Yanking her phone out of her bag, Isuke cleared her throat and looked very apologetic.

"Oh, my, it seems my roommate is calling me, Sanada-san. As much as I would like to hear about your business deals, I'm afraid I have a prior engagement, so…if you'll excuse me…"

Much to Isuke's irritation, Sanada rose an imperious hand to stop her.

"Roommate? I didn't think you were the type to share anything, much less rooms, Isuke-chan. Your doting fathers didn't request a single room for you?" she asked, arching a brow.

"Nope~" Isuke replied, forcing a laugh. "My roommate is someone I knew beforehand, so Isuke doesn't mind." Except when her giant poor family comes to visit, but they're poor and don't know any better so Isuke can't hold it against them anyway.

"Knew beforehand? From…Myoujou?"

Sanada's eyes darkened, and she stared at Isuke with a strange, sudden intensity.

"Oh, wow, how'd you know, Sanada-san? It's almost like you're stalking Isuke, or something 3," Isuke said, glancing furtively down at her phone again.

Sanada was silent, her expression abruptly closed and pensive.

"Well, then…I'm sure you're very busy, Sanada-san, so I'll be going now. Goodbye," Isuke said, inching away.

"…goodbye, Isuke-chan. I'm sure we'll see each other again soon," Sanada replied, still looking at her oddly.

Oh, I wouldn't count on it.

As soon as the other woman turned away, Isuke glared daggers at her back, wishing she could throw actual daggers at it.

Arrogant, irritating hag 3

What kind of person even came to a hospital to discuss business? Isuke couldn't believe she had the bad luck to run into that woman here, of all places, while she was still humiliatingly injured.

She rolled her eyes as she made her way back to her room.

Filthy rich or not, she can't even hold a candle to Papa or Mama's class.

Speaking of Papa, he would probably be here soon.

With the steak. And candy, and Pocky, and other things that Isuke would somehow have to give to Haruki without her getting any weird ideas.

"What a pain~ This is why being a 'good person' is an absolutely stupid waste of time," she grumbled, shoving open her room door.

"Whoa!"

Isuke started at the startled noise, looking up to see Haruki (why was she back already?) staring back at her.

Or, more specifically, Isuke looked up to see a dripping wet, entirely naked Haruki staring back at her.

"...er, welcome back, Isuke-sama," Haruki said, after a pause.

And then, quirking a semi-awkward version of her usual grin, she added, "Would you, uh…mind closing the door?"

Isuke blinked, and while her hand automatically moved to slam the door shut behind her, her eyes remained fixed on her roommate.

Or, once again more specifically, her roommate's dripping wet, entirely naked, very toned and fit bod—

Isuke gave herself a sharp bop to the head, and her current train of thought thankfully died right there.

Did she see it?

For one, terrifying moment, the moment that Isuke had barged into the room and openly stared at her, Haruki thought that her roommate had seen her leg.

But then Isuke abruptly hit herself on the head, and since that would have been a really weird and unfitting reaction, Haruki exhaled softly in relief and quickly swung her leg onto the other side of the bed so that it was hidden from Isuke's sight.

Not that Isuke was even looking at her anymore.

The other girl seemed to be furiously grinding her teeth, her agitation palpable even as her lips curved upward in her usual smile.

"First my mouth, then my eyes, none of you are listening to Isuke today…ah, I think I might just have to kill you all," Isuke was muttering, and Haruki watched in confusion as her roommate actually fingered the brass knuckle knives she always seemed to carry around with her.

Deciding against asking about the reason as to why Isuke was suddenly acting kind of crazy, or how exactly anyone could go about killing their own body parts, Haruki hastily snatched an oversized t-shirt hanging from the edge of her bed and slipped into it.

Crap, what the hell am I doing? A shirt won't help…I need pants.

Out of the corner of her eye, Haruki noticed Isuke turn to look at her again, apparently having stopped her murderous mumblings.

Not good.

She had to distract her, or Isuke would definitely notice something while Haruki was trying to put her shorts on.

And the easiest, surest way to distract Isuke was to piss her off.

Sorry, Isuke, but a little teasing is in order here…desperate times call for desperate measures.

"You looked pretty engrossed there for a second, Isuke-sama. Liked what you saw, huh?" she said, with a smirk that she hoped was at least mildly irritating.

To Haruki's surprise—and confusion—Isuke didn't react the way she had expected (and hoped) she would.

Not at first, anyway.

Because Isuke's first reaction was to flush a shade of pink only a little lighter than her hair, and even with what had happened yesterday, with the hand-kissing thing, embarrassment was definitely not a reaction that Haruki expected from Inukai Isuke.

She had assumed the blushing yesterday had been a trick of the light, or at least just a weird fluke.

But no, Isuke was definitely flushed now, and unless all the hospital bulbs were suddenly red-tinted, it wasn't a trick of the light, either.

This would've been the perfect opportunity to slip into her shorts, but Isuke's odd reaction threw Haruki off, and she couldn't help but clear her throat apologetically.

"I was just teasing, Isuke-sama," Haruki said, and that seemed to snap the other girl out of whatever daze she had been in, because within seconds Isuke was scoffing, rolling her eyes, and turning her back to her like the old Isuke-sama Haruki knew.

"I think I was just appalled by your poor manners~ Lounging around naked in a shared room… are you some kind of savage?" Isuke drawled, inspecting her nails. "Who takes a shower in the middle of the day, anyway? Didn't you just take one last night?"

With Isuke's back halfway turned and her eyes fixed on something else, Haruki began tugging on a pair of shorts as quickly as she could with only one hand.

"Yeah, but I felt dirty, so. And well…wouldn't smashing headlong into a room without knocking also be considered poor manners?" Haruki replied, smiling slightly.

A sudden, stinging pain lanced through her leg, and Haruki grimaced as she finished yanking on her shorts.

Good…they're just long enough to cover it.

With another surge of relief, Haruki hopped up onto her feet, ignoring the fresh pain in her left arm as she adjusted the sling.

"I didn't think you'd be back so early," Isuke said, frowning slightly. "Why are you back so early? Didn't you just leave for whatever work you're doing this morning?"

Haruki chuckled, forcing another grin as she scratched the back of her neck.

If Isuke was asking a question like this, then that meant she really hadn't noticed Haruki sneaking out the night before.

All right, this is good. Maybe I really can pull this off without her noticing anything.

…no, that wasn't right.

There couldn't be any maybes.

She had to pull it off without her noticing anything. If Isuke noticed, then that increased the chances that Fuyuka would somehow find out, and then maybe Mom, or her younger siblings—

"Hey, are you ignoring me?"

Isuke sounded annoyed, but not necessarily suspicious, and Haruki quickly managed another laugh.

"'Course not, Isuke-sama. Today I…I did a pretty good job, and so my boss was happy and let me go early," Haruki explained, as casually as she could.

Isuke arched a perfectly waxed eyebrow, but just as she parted her lips to say something, her phone went off.

"Oh, it's Papa. He got here fast," she said, swiping the touch screen of her phone.

Grateful for the convenient distraction, Haruki leaned forward.

"Isuke's dad, huh? Wonder what he's like," she mused aloud.

Isuke glanced up.

"He's perfect, of course. Only the perfect parents could raise someone like me, don't you think? But anyway, you'll see for yourself soon enough. I'll be right back. Papa's hopelessly bad with directions."

Twiddling her fingers in a brief wave, Isuke left the room, closing the door behind her.

And Haruki collapsed onto her bed, letting out a sigh of mingled exhaustion, relief, and a dozen different other conflicting emotions that she was too tired to identify.

Her arm ached, and her leg stung, but the worst pain had to be...

Wincing, Haruki shook her head.

Don't think about it.

Thinking about the physical pain served as a conduit to thinking about…about other things, things that she wasn't ready to be thinking about yet.

It was similar to assassination, in a way.

Don't think, just tighten the garrote around the neck until they're no longer breathing.

Just the physical aspect. When to tighten, when to let go. Not about the fact that she was crushing a life, or that this life could belong to someone's father, brother, mother, sister...

Exhaling shakily, Haruki ran a hand slowly over her face.

At least she was done with that, now.

At least with what she was doing now, she wouldn't hurt anyone else ever again.

But you're suffering more now, aren't you? Before, you were hurting others, but now you're hurting yourself. You want to be free now just as much as you did then, don't you?

Haruki's inner voice sounded suspiciously like Isuke, and not for the first time she thought back to the "advice" her roommate had given her before she had gone to meet Haru.

And then she thought of what Haru-chan had said to her, after they had all survived Haruki's final attack.

Forgiveness, huh…

The rattle of the doorknob snapped Haruki out of her reverie, and she quickly straightened.

The last thing she needed was for Isuke to see her moping around.

And so Haruki got to her feet, blocked out—everything—and grinned.

Don't think about it.

A/N: Thank you very much for all the awesome feedback so far, guys :) If this level of interest continues, then I'll be certainly be more than happy to continue the story. That said, there are a few directions that the story can take from here on out, and I would like your input :)

Ah but before any of that-this is something I probably should've said from the beginning: starting from the next chapter onwards, this story is going to contain some adult/mature themes. Nothing terribly lurid or explicit, but definitely not for kids. If you're fine with, say, watching rated R movies, then you should be fine with everything in this story. Basically, I just don't want to end up scarring some innocent minds D: so please proceed with caution.

Anyway! The input that I'd like from you guys is just what you guys think Isuke and Haruki's sexualities are. As it is now, I personally think that Isuke, because of her whole "men over 40" comment, is straight-and will eventually make an exception for a certain Pocky lover we all know and love. Haruki I have absolutely no idea based on canon, but I kinda feel like she wouldn't really be very interested in romance at all, as busy as she is with basically raising 10 kids. But if you guys disagree at all with either of my opinions and would like it changed, please let me know! It's not super important, but their sexualities will influence the way that their relationship progresses, so if you feel strongly about it one way or the other, please feel free to let me know now. (This extends to criticism in general. Please feel free to let me know if you don't like anything about the story. Feedback is always welcomed).

Oneeeee last thing, and then I promise I'm done. Haruki and Isuke's characterizations are going to be based on both the manga and the anime. Mainly because I feel like their relationship is a lot cuter/fleshed out in the manga, and also because manga Haruki has that line about not being able to make a living by killing that I don't think was in the anime, but that I think is really super important to her character.

Ack this is a freaking long note.

TL;DR: STORY IS MATURE. IF YOU CARE, TELL ME IF YOU PREFER STRAIGHT OR GAY OR BI. CHARACTERIZATION IS BASED ON BOTH THE MANGA AND ANIME. PLEASE LEAVE FEEDBACK. YOU ALL ROCK.

Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Quick note: A big thank you to both Escape Trampoline and TheRoseShadow21 for looking into and helping me with the whole hearts thing, haha, but unfortunately, because of this website's formatting, it seems like we must be deprived of the full effect of Isuke-sama's heart-speak for now. Therefore, whenever you see the number 3, please know that this is a stand-in for a heart. I was trying to do the whole less-than symbol plus 3 to make a heart, but apparently those symbols don't show up either, so...yeah. 3s stand for hearts, guys!

Also...this chapter was supposed to be dark and whatnot, but then Isuke's parents kind of took over and so it turned out being...not dark. Like at all. So the mature themes will start next chapter, haha. Anyway, please enjoy chapter 3!

"You know…you're a very lovely girl, Sagae-san."

Inukai Eisuke's voice was like velvet, and he gave both his husband and Isuke very pointed, very obvious glances.

"Isn't she a very attractive young woman, Shinji?"

Isuke's father nodded rapidly, clapping his hands together and beaming.

"Oh, yes, very attractive. You must have girls just lined up for you, huh, Sagae-san? Er—and guys too, of course. If you're into guys, that is. Which wouldn't be, bad per se, but I personally am kind of hoping that maybe you prefer girls—at least a little bit—over guys. You're still a very lovely girl either way, Sagae-san, but I mean, it'd be nice if you were, you know, into girls that way, since Isu—er, that is, since, uh…since…"

Papa, it seemed, had finally noticed the death glare that Isuke had been sending his way for the past ten minutes.

Ten agonizing minutes in which both of her parents had done nothing but exchange significant glances, nudge each other, and act like complete idiots.

A little over ten minutes ago…

"Surprise, Isuke."

Inukai Eisuke slid out of the Murcielago, dusting off his suit and smiling calmly.

Isuke stared, wide-eyed, as her father scrambled out of the car after his husband.

"Surprise, surprise! Mama came back early, and so we decided to come see you together!" he exclaimed cheerfully.

Eisuke chuckled, raising a brow.

"Well? Aren't you going to come and give your mama a hug?" he asked, spreading out his arms.

Squashing her rising urge to run and do just that, Isuke responded with a smirk.

"Ah, Mama should really know better than that. A gentleman always makes the first move," she said, wagging a slender finger.

Eisuke laughed again, softly, bringing a hand thoughtfully to his chin.

"That's very true. Forgive Mama, Isuke. It was a long plane ride, and I—"

Isuke wrapped her arms tightly around him, cutting him off with a, "Forgiven, forgiven, at least for today. You're lucky—Isuke's in a good mood, especially since Mama's come all the way here from America."

"I'm thankful, and lucky indeed. I brought back a few…interesting souvenirs, too. But anyway, let's go back to your room and talk there. You shouldn't be moving around so much."

Isuke waved a hand carelessly, shaking her head as they started back from the parking lot.

"I'm fine. Both my arm and my wrist are healing well, the doctors say. It's all just because I was just…careless," she admitted, frowning at the memory of her humiliating defeat. Her wounds really angered her more than they hurt her, reminders as they were of her failure to eliminate such an easy target like Ichinose Haru.

"Hey, Isuke, I got the two steaks, candy, and Pocky like you asked me to, but do you mind if I give one of the steaks to Mama? He hasn't eaten all day, and I don't really think you'll be able to finish both of them, do you?" Papa said, indicating the bags that he was holding.

Isuke paused, momentarily silent as she considered her reply.

Well…here's the perfect excuse to back out of playing nicey-nice with Haruki. Mama is more important by far, of course, and I haven't eaten since…

Since she had ordered sashimi deluxe through a delivery service from an expensive sushi place just the day before. While Haruki…hadn't eaten a thing since Thursday, when she had taken a few bites out of a disgusting hospital-prepared sandwich before giving the rest to her younger sister.

Oh, for the love of—

"Mama can have my portion, then," she said, running a hand irritably over her face. "The other steak was never for me. Does Papa think Isuke is some kind of pig? 3"

Both of her parents turned to look at her, then, and Mama stopped in front of her room door.

"Not for you? Papa did say you were asking for strange things, like Pocky," he said, staring curiously down at her. "And candy. You hate candy, Isuke."

"Then…" Papa's eyes became very wide, and he all but gawked at her.

"Is this a gift for someone? Is our little Isuke actually getting a gift for someone? Someone other than herself?" he demanded, looking flabbergasted.

Resisting the urge to stomp down on her father's foot, Isuke forced an entirely casual air as she shrugged.

"It's nothing special. Generosity is a virtue, and as you both should know better than anyone else, Isuke is full of virtues," she said, studiously avoiding eye contact with her ever-perceptive Mama.

"Isuke is certainly full of something," Mama said drily, and chuckled when Isuke scowled at him.

Glancing at the nameplate outside the door, he pointed at the second set of characters.

"Sagae Haruki, hmm? I'm assuming this is who the steak is for?"

At Isuke's reluctant nod, Mama smiled.

"She must be quite the girl, to interest my Isuke," he murmured, and his hand dropped down onto the doorknob.

"She does not interest me—"

But Mama put a finger to his lips and then opened the door, and Isuke rolled her eyes as she followed him into the room.

Haruki was sitting cross-legged on her bed, nibbling on a Pocky, and she looked up with a smile when they walked into the room.

That was when Papa gasped, very dramatically, and pointed straight at her.

"Eisuke! She's eating a Pocky!" he exclaimed. "Isuke specifically asked me to get Pocky. In bulk! And Isuke hates it when I buy in bulk, because that's what poor people do! She must actually really care about her, Eisuke!"

If Isuke didn't love her daddy so dearly, she could've strangled him right then and there.

With an amused, sideways glance at her, Mama nodded.

"I see the Pocky, Shinji. Calm down. Though I certainly can't blame you for being excited, considering how very…unusual and interesting this situation is," Mama said, stroking his chin.

Isuke had never, ever thought that her parents would be the embarrassing type. Even with boyfriends and girlfriends she had brought home in the past, Mama had been cool and almost dismissive, while Papa had been his usual sweet, if not somewhat bumbling self.

So why they were suddenly acting like idiotsaround Haruki, Isuke hadn't the faintest idea.

"You know, Mama, Papa, you're both being very rude," she said, her lips only barely managing to twitch upwards into her usual smile. "Look at how much you're confusing my roommate."

And Haruki did look confused, her smile somewhat uncertain as she continued chewing on the stick of Pocky.

"Forgive us for our lack of manners, Sagae-san. My name is Inukai Eisuke, and this is my husband, Shinji. We're Isuke's parents," Mama said, smoothly lowering himself in a bow.

"Nice to meet you, dude," Haruki returned genially, inclining her head in a lazy kind of half-bow.

"Sagae-san!"

Papa all but launched himself at Haruki, clasping her hands with an almost reverent awe.

"Sagae-san, please, you must tell me: did you ask Isuke to get you some more Pocky?" he demanded, clutching at her hands like a lifeline.

What the heck is he…

"Papa…what exactly are you doing?" Isuke asked, trying to keep the edge out of her voice.

Haruki, glancing between Isuke and Papa, looked entirely baffled.

"Er…no?" she said, honestly.

Papa then squealed. Like a little girl.

"Then Isuke noticed herself that you like Pocky, and took it upon herself to specifically ask me to get some for you! Do you hear this, Eisuke?" Papa said, hopping up and down in absolute delight.

"Loud and clear," Mama replied, staring intently down at Haruki.

"Here!" Papa then proceeded to dump the contents of his bag onto Haruki's lap.

He…had really gone all out, buying what appeared to be about twenty giant packs of Pocky.

"All for you. From Isuke." Glancing back at Isuke, he mouthed, "With love?"

Instead of replying, Isuke gripped her father by the collar of his jacket and dragged him backwards.

"Why don't you sit down, Papa? You had a long day, and I think all that exhaustion is starting to get to your head," she said, beaming as she shoved him down onto her bed.

"Uh…wow," Haruki said, from somewhere under the mound of Pocky boxes.

After a beat, she emerged from the mini-mountain of snacks, looking decidedly at a loss.

"Is this really all for me, Isuke-sama?" she asked disbelievingly.

"Isuke…sama?" Mama repeated, arching a brow.

Blatantly ignoring her mama for the first time in her life, Isuke twirled her hair around her finger and shrugged again.

"It's no big deal," she said, avoiding eye contact with every person in the room. "You'll starve to death at this rate, so Isuke asked Papa to pick up some snacks. Be grateful that Isuke is so kind and generous 3"

There was a pause, and then a soft, amused laugh.

Isuke frowned, looking back at Haruki to see the other girl smiling at her.

"I am. Thanks, Isuke-sama. I'll think of you whenever I'm enjoying them," she said, and grinned.

"…Isuke also got you a little meal for today," Mama said, and gestured to Papa.

Papa leapt to his feet again and nodded.

"That's right! Do you enjoy steak, Sagae-san?"

Haruki blinked, rubbing the back of her neck.

"Steak? I don't think I've had steak in…"

She paused, counting off on her fingers, and then shook her head and continued, "In really long time. But yeah, I love it."

"Excellent! This is the best steak that Japan has to offer, made from Kobe beef and prepared by professional chefs."

With a flourish, Papa presented the platter of steak with the side of fois gras.

"All for you. From Isuke. With lo—"

"Please shut up and sit down, Papa 3"

"Wha—this is really for me?"

Haruki was staring, wide-eyed, down at the steaming plate of food. She looked back up at Isuke, brow knit in confusion.

"Kobe beef? Man…I don't know if I can accept this, Isuke-sama—"

"If you don't eat it all, Isuke will kill you," Isuke interrupted, pleasantly. Right after I finish killing Papa. And maybe Mama.

Haruki snickered, pushing her bangs back out of her face and grinning once again.

"Well, if you put it that way…"

She winked, and brandished the fork Papa had given her.

"Then, I'll just shut up and worship your generosity in silence, Isuke-sama." Glancing back down at her food, she whistled. "Dang, I never thought I'd ever even seen real Kobe beef, let alone eat any. Thanks a ton, Isuke-sama! And Isuke-sama's parents!"

Taking a forkful into her mouth, Haruki chewed slowly, her eyes going humongous.

"What the—this is incredible! It literally melts in your mouth! I didn't know food could do that!" she exclaimed, hastily cutting herself another piece. "This is awesome!"

Isuke smirked, leaning back against her bed as she watched her roommate devour her food.

This much was expected of a poor person, but still. The way Haruki was gushing over the food and so obviously savoring every bite, looking all the world like some overly excited puppy—it was amusing to see.

And almost cute, in a way.

…what am I thinking?

Isuke's smile (since when had her smirk even become a smile, anyway?) vanished as soon as she noticed Mama and Papa both staring at her.

Staring very, very intently. Positively scrutinizing.

"…what is it, Mama, Papa?"

Mama chuckled, shaking his head.

"Nothing, nothing. It's just…"

Turning back to Haruki, he said, "You know…you're a very lovely girl, Sagae-san."

Present

And thus ended ten extremely irritating minutes of Isuke's life.

Unfortunately, it seemed as though her parents had every interest in extending this period of time for as long as possible.

"So you guys were roommates at Myoujou? And now you've met again here…" Mama was saying, looking very contemplative.

"Fate! It's gotta be fate!" Papa shouted, eyes practically sparkling with glee.

Isuke had never seen Papa sparkly before.

"Destined roommates," Haruki agreed amiably, nodding. "It's kinda sad that we won't get the chance to room together anymore after this."

"Well, there is more than one way to be…'roommates,'"Mama said, and gave Isuke another very pointed look. "More than just classmates and hospital patients share rooms, you know."

I think I'm beginning to hate you, Mama.

Haruki, thankfully, seemed oblivious.

"What, like college? That's…probably not for me," she said, laughing sheepishly.

Papa shook his head.

"No, no, not college! Well, college, sure, but—"

"Shinji and I, for example, are roommates," Mama said, and when Haruki frowned, looking vaguely confused, Isuke decided that enough was really quite enough.

"Well, it's been lovely, Mama, Papa, but I'm sure you're both so tired from your busy days today. Maybe you should go home and rest, hmm?" Isuke said, yanking Papa up and off her bed.

"Oh? But we just got here, Isuke," Mama said, smiling placidly. "Unless, of course, we're bothering you, Sagae-san."

Haruki shook her head, smiling again like the affable idiot she was.

"If bothering me means bringing delicious food and fun conversation, feel free to bother me anytime," she said, chuckling.

Mama turned back to Isuke.

"See? Sagae-san doesn't mind."

"Er, Inukai-san, just Haruki is fine, y'know? 'Sagae-san' reminds me of my mom," Haruki said, with a laugh.

Mama's smile widened, and he nodded slowly.

"In that case, Haruki, please feel free to call me Mama," he said.

Isuke froze, and Haruki blinked.

"…uh…"

"And call me Papa!" Papa declared, taking Haruki's hand again. "And hopefully soon, with any luck, you'll join the fam—"

Papa suddenly fell with a clatter onto his butt, and Isuke quickly leaned down beside him.

"Oh, poor Papa, you're so tired you're falling over by yourself!" she said, steering him towards the door. "You should go home immediately."

"T-that was weird, I could have sworn I felt someone kick me really hard and trip me—"

"Wow, and you're hallucinating, on top of that. Poor, poor Papa. Mama, you should really take him home."

"…maybe I should," Mama said, with a wry smile. "I'm terribly sorry for intruding on your alone time with your…roommate, Isuke."

Isuke abruptly stopped pushing her father out the door, but Mama swept by and guided Papa along himself.

"Goodbye, Haruki. It was a pleasure meeting you, and I look forward to seeing you again. Soon," Mama said, with yet another meaningful look at Isuke.

"Definitely. Take care, Inuk—er, dude," Haruki replied. Apparently even an overly friendly idiot like her was unable to bring herself to call him "Mama."

"One last thing, before I go," Mama said, pausing in the doorway.

"And what might that be, Mama?" Isuke replied, sweetly.

Patting her head like he used to do when she was a child, Mama laughed.

"Don't look so agitated, Isuke…it's something that I think you'll like hearing."

Oh, I highly doubt that.

"You know, Haruki, Isuke and I are rather similar," Mama began, slowly.

Haruki nodded agreeably.

"Yeah. I can see where Isuke-sama gets her style," she said, grinning.

"Not just style. We're also both very prideful, a little aloof, and maybe a little…difficult, at times. Isuke even moreso than me," Mama continued.

Where exactly is he going with this…?

"I was closed off my entire life…until I met Shinji. For the first time in my life, I was suddenly thrown off, suddenly uncertain. For the first time in my life, I started to care."

This was beginning to sound like some cheesy direct-to-DVD romance movie. Mama really wasn't acting like himself, that day.

Though Haruki, for her part, seemed to be listening attentively.

That idiot is way too nice. It pisses me off 3

"And you know, after meeting him, for the first time in my life…I actually got a gift for someone else. Selfish, prideful Inukai Is—ahem, Inukai Eisuke, getting a gift for someone else."

Isuke went rigid.

"It was just a small present; Peppero, in fact—the Korean version of Pocky. It was a small gift, but I got it for Shinji because he loved eating Peppero, and because I knew he loved it. I hadn't realized it at the time, but this gift was actually my very immature way of showing my affection, since I didn't know how else to go about it. And from there… well, look at us now."

Isuke stared in mingled horror and disbelief as Mama chuckled and waved.

"That's all I have to say. Goodbye, Haruki."

With that, he and Papa both left.

And Isuke stormed after them, slamming the door shut behind her.

"Mama—"

"Oh? Why are you following after us, Isuke? And what's gotten you so upset, suddenly?"

"That story just now—"

"Ah! Wasn't it so touching, Isuke? Papa almost cried," Papa said, and actually wiped away a tear.

"It isn't even true."

Isuke had never ever heard this story before, and it was so utterly ridiculous that she knew for an absolute fact that Mama had made it up on the spot.

"All's fair in love and war, Isuke," Mama said smoothly, with a little shrug. "Haruki seems like the oblivious type to love. Hopefully with this inspirational story, she'll be able to see the hidden meaning behind the gifts you asked us to bring her today."

"Are you stupid, Mama? 3 There is no hidden meaning!"

Mama only seemed to brighten, while Papa beamed.

"Wow, Isuke, I don't think I've ever seen you angry at Mama! And I definitely don't think you've ever called Mama stupid, either! This is fantastic! Even talking about Haruki is bringing out all these new emotions in you!"

"I don't think murderous impulses are traditionally associated with romance, Papa," Isuke replied, through gritted teeth. She had never before found it so difficult to muster up her usual smile.

"Ah, so irritating! 3 What exactly has gotten into the two of you? You've never acted like this with any of my previous girlfriends or boyfriends, and I'm not even dating Haruki. I'm not even interested in her, you know?"

"Really? Not interested at all? But then why were you blushing when she winked at you?"

"I was not blushing—"

"And why were you smiling so softly while you were watching her eat?"

"That was a smirk, Papa, not a smile—"

"Tell me, something, Isuke, and promise you'll answer with one-hundred percent honesty: can you really not think of a single time when Sagae Haruki inexplicably brought about some kind of strange reaction within you?"

Isuke opened her mouth with every intention of angrily retorting—and promptly snapped it shut again.

The kiss on the hand. Walking in on her naked just earlier that day.

Even back at Myoujou when they had first met, and Haruki had locked her arm and examined her nails—Isuke would have gutted anyone else who would have dared to manhandle her like that, and yet—

"Nope. Isuke can't. Not at all," she declared, loudly cutting off her own thoughts.

Mama looked at her skeptically while Isuke stared stubbornly at the ground.

"Think about it, Isuke. Mama and Papa are so happy simply because this situation is so strange and unusual for you. With your old boyfriends and girlfriends, you always went after them, because they were what you wanted. And when you got bored of them, you threw them away. You did this all completely freely, carelessly, and shamelessly.

"So why are you so worked up now, if there's nothing special about Haruki?" he said.

Placing a hand gently on Isuke's shoulder, Papa smiled.

"Something is different about Sagae Haruki, Isuke, at least in your eyes, and both Papa and Mama are happy that you've found someone that genuinely interests you. Forgive Mama and Papa for teasing you—of course we're not expecting you to get married to the girl, but she is bringing out the caring side of our cute little daughter that we've only ever seen when you're with us."

Entirely at a loss as to where she could even begin to reply, Isuke had to settle with just mutely rolling her eyes.

Mama, having been watching her quietly, turned to Papa.

"Why don't you go ahead to the car, Shinji? I just want to leave her with a few parting words and give her the souvenirs, and then I'll join you," he said.

Papa nodded, leaning down to kiss Isuke lightly on the forehead.

"We'll be back to visit again soon, okay? Love you, honey."

Isuke grumbled a response, and Papa gave her one last smile before jogging off.

"Isuke."

Looking up, Isuke was taken aback by the sudden solemnity of her mama's dark eyes.

"Isuke, Mama enjoys teasing you just as much as Papa does, if only because you're usually so difficult to tease. But you know…there's only one real reason why Mama was so pleased to meet Sagae Haruki."

Isuke frowned slightly, her annoyance giving way to confusion.

"And what reason is that?"

Mama smiled.

"Sagae Haruki is a good person."

…what? Is that it?

Isuke scoffed, glancing away.

"I know that much, Mama. Too good of a person, if you ask me. Being that good is lame and tiring."

Mama shook his head.

"After having brought you into such a dark, violent world, Isuke…Mama is happy that you've found a good person. That's all."

After patting her lightly on the head again, Mama turned and walked off.

"…that's why you put me through these past fifteen minutes?" she called after his retreating back. "I think I'm a little angry with you, Mama! 3"

Mama paused, glancing back and smiling.

"By the way, I left your souvenirs with Haruki. Hopefully they'll make you feel better—they're apparently quite highly reviewed by luxury brand designers. Since Mama is not very good with female fashion, I asked the clerk at a boutique for gift advice…oddly enough, she seemed to be under the impression that I was shopping for my wife."

Shrugging, he continued, "Her smile was rather…suggestive, as she picked things out and assured me that the woman in question would love the gifts. Perhaps you should head back, just in case they turn out to be…inappropriate?"

He smiled almost impishly at his daughter.

Isuke gave him the most baleful look she could manage before turning on her heel and sprinting back to her room.

If this is Mama and Papa's idea of playing matchmaker, Isuke might just stay single forever 3

Haruki wasn't sure exactly how or when a bag full of lingerie had ended up on her bed.

Slowly, uncertainly, she tugged a long, very frilly and very lacy…string…thing out of the bag.

A price tag of five-hundred American dollars dangled from it.

Wow…pretty sure the price tag is bigger than the underwear itself.

It took Haruki a moment to realize that dollars were not the same as yen.

Five hundred…five hundred dollars is—

Haruki gaped.

This piece of string equal to maybe a week's worth of sandwiches and convenience store bought bento boxes.

This piece of string could probably feed her family for a day or two.

"Unbelievable," she muttered, wondering if the cloth was spun from gold, or something.

Still, the price at least revealed who the bag belonged to.

"So Isuke wears things like this, huh…"

Haruki stared, baffled as to how anyone could even put something like this on.

She tried to picture Isuke wearing it.

Seconds later, she quickly realized that this was a very bad idea.

Feeling like her face was suddenly on fire, Haruki reeled at the sudden stream of images that were now flashing through her mind.

Oh, wow…maybe I can see the appeal of this kind of stuff, after all…

Clearing her throat, Haruki shook her head.

Whoa, there. Bad girl. This is Isuke-sama we're talking about, here. I really shouldn't be thinking anything weird about my roommate.

Haruki blinked.

…since when am I into girls, anyway?

Since your deliciously hot roommate left her bag filled with extremely lacy pink lingerie on your bed, replied the inner voice in Haruki's head that still kinda sounded like Isuke.

Haruki didn't much like that inner voice, but she had to admit it made a good point now and then.

Isuke was definitely attractive, even from an entirely objective viewpoint. And while Haruki hadn't exactly had the time for dating or anything like that, she could still appreciate attractiveness, right?

Ah, that reminds me…

As nice as they were, Isuke's parents had acted kinda weird, and more than a little confusing.

They seemed really, really happy to meet me…maybe Isuke-sama doesn't have many friends?

The whole Peppero story that Eisuke had told was particularly strange.

It was pretty much identical to what Isuke did for me…it's almost as if he was trying to encourage us to get together, or something.

Haruki promptly snickered at her own thoughts.

No, there was no way. They probably already had some millionaire's son picked out for her. And even if they didn't—

Her phone vibrated, and her smile faded.

…and even if they didn't, it's not like I'd ever have a snowball's chance in hell with her, anyway.

She glanced at her phone—she'd have to answer it, sooner or later—and reached out.

The door slammed open behind her.

Haruki turned away from her phone to see her roommate, panting as she leaned against the doorway.

And when Isuke's amber eyes about tripled in size, Haruki realized belatedly that she was still holding the piece of lingerie.

The two roommates stared at each other in utter silence for about ten painful seconds.

"Y-yo, Isuke-sama. Er…this is some nice underwear," Haruki finally offered, tentatively.

As Haruki would soon find out, this kinda turned out to be the wrong thing to say.

A/N: Yeah, so like I said, not dark at all, haha. It turned out being almost fluffy, or something. Hope you guys enjoyed! Unfortunately, next chapter, after we finish off this whole lingerie scene, haha, we're going to start getting into the darker stuff.

Thanks for all your feedback on last chapter, including your input on character sexualities. In case you couldn't tell from the dialogue, after rethinking it and then synthesizing what you guys preferred, I decided to pretty much just make them both bi (though Haruki, as was discussed before, has been too busy to think much about romance or whatever till now). If anyone still has problems/disagreements with this, again, feel free to let me know! :)

Something that I noticed from a lot of the reviews and PMs that I received was that quite of few of you seem to be concerned about the possible inclusion of het in this story, lol. I assure you all that the only romance in this story is Haruki x Isuke, haha, but a couple of you seemed especially concerned about the businessman from Chapter 2. I'd like to emphasize that both he and his purpose (which most of you seem to have a few guesses about already) are supposed to be creepy, as he was more or less going to be a significant obstacle/antagonist/creep/villain in this story. I apologize if the idea creeps you guys out, but it's also supposed to creep you guys out, lol. That said, if it would make you guys feel at all more at ease/comfortable if the villain of this story were changed to a woman, I can totally do that. Just please let me know in a review/PM. I personally don't think that a gender swap would make things any less creepy, but if you guys would prefer that, I'd be happy to comply :) Lemme know, and please feel free to leave feedback, as always! See you next chapter!

Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Quick A/N: Remember, 3s=hearts! Also...this chapter also wasn't as dark as I thought it would be, ahaha. Maybe the story won't be so dark after all? In any event, we'll see how it goes during the next few chapters! Here's Chapter 4! :)

Haruki wasn't really sure what had happened.

One second, she had been laughing awkwardly on the bed while watching Isuke stare at her from halfway across the room.

The next, she was sprawled out on the bed, nursing her throbbing head while weakly squirming under her roommate's body.

Rewinding the past few milliseconds in her mind, Haruki replayed them slowly, frame by frame.

Isuke had all but pounced from across the room, sprinting with those long legs to Haruki's bedside.

She had then lunged at—

At what?

Groaning, Haruki realized that she was still holding onto the lingerie—and finally understood.

Isuke had lunged at her hand, trying to grab the lacy string thing from Haruki's fingers.

Haruki, unaware of her intention, had instinctively dodged back, causing Isuke—whose uninjured hand was still outstretched—to lose her balance and tumble forward—

-onto Haruki, accidentally headbutting her really really hard in the process.

Which led to their current position, in which a dazed Isuke-sama lied in a tangle of limbs atop an equally disoriented Haruki.

…it wasn't a position that Haruki minded, per se, considering how warm and soft her roommate's body was on top of her, but she knew Isuke would probably have decidedly different feelings about the situation.

When she recovered from the whole painful head bash, of course.

For the moment, Isuke was just groaning softly, rubbing her head and shifting slightly on top of her.

"I-idiot," she hissed, though she sounded more dazed than annoyed. "Why is your head so hard?"

"Thick skull," Haruki replied, with a slightly nervous chuckle. Isuke was wearing her usual crop top and mini-skit, having flatly refused to wear the traditional hospital gown from the beginning; this choice of attire left quite a bit of her bare skin exposed.

Bare skin that was in contact with Haruki's own.

Clearing her throat, Haruki lightly patted Isuke's head.

"Sorry, really sorry, Isuke-sama. Want me to get you some ice?"

"Don't touch me," Isuke grumbled, continuing to massage her head. "And why are you apologizing, you idiot? I was the one that fell onto you."

Haruki shifted uncomfortably.

"Well, I probably shouldn't have been going through your underwear. I didn't realize it was yours, at first."

Isuke stiffened very abruptly.

"Y-you…"

Haruki stared curiously down at her roommate as a flush made its way up Isuke's neck.

"I had just forgotten about that, and now you…"

Isuke jolted upright, only to then sway and wince at the sudden movement.

Trying not to think about the fact that Isuke was now basically straddling her, Haruki looked up at the other girl in concern.

"You think you have a concussion? Hold on, let me feel—"

"I told you not to touch me," Isuke protested weakly, still looking pretty woozy. "I-I'm going to kill you after…after the stupid world stops…spinning…"

Haruki sat up as best she could with Isuke still on top of her, bringing a hand up to Isuke's forehead.

Feeling gently around for any bumps or swelling, Haruki studied Isuke's amber eyes.

They're pretty unfocused…don't tell me she actually has a concussion…

"You…I want you…to forget absolutely everything you heard…or saw…this past half hour," Isuke muttered, leaning into Haruki's hand. "Do you understand? Mama and Papa were tired, today. They weren't… thinking properly."

"Sure, Isuke-sama. Whatever you say," Haruki replied, elbowing the button on the bed to call a nurse. "I, uh…think you might have a concussion, Isuke-sama. I—"

"You're going to apologize again, aren't you?" Isuke said, scowling. "Because you're a 'good person.' Well, Isuke doesn't want to hear it."

Stabbing a finger in Haruki's chest, Isuke glared, still swaying slightly.

"You're too good of a person, you know. Too selfless. Too kind. You're going to drive yourself crazy, at this rate. Isuke just knows it."

Haruki smiled faintly.

Concussed Isuke was even blunter than the usual Isuke-sama.

"You're acting like you're drunk, Isuke-sama," Haruki said, chuckling. "Is this what a concussion does to you?"

"How…should I know? I've never smashed skulls with someone made of iron like you before. And stop trying to…change the…the subject. You have to learn to be selfish, once in a while. Learn from Isuke," Isuke said, cradling her head in one hand.

Haruki responded with a lopsided grin.

"You're awfully worried about me, you know, for someone's who's supposedly so selfish," she said. "Maybe Isuke-sama's the one who's too nice for her own good."

Isuke scoffed.

"Idiot. It's not like I go around doing this for everyone. I'm just giving you advice, because we're…"

Isuke broke off, looking vaguely puzzled, and Haruki laughed.

"Friends?" she supplied, grinning.

Isuke wrinkled her nose in distaste. "Friends. Even the word sounds so…corny," she said, with a toss of her hair. "But, well, fine. I think by now you've proven yourself semi-worthy of Isuke's companionship 3"

Haruki shook her head in amusement, feeling more relaxed than she had all day.

She tugged gently and playfully at one of Isuke's carefully curled locks, drawing an indignant protest from the other girl.

Haruki's grin widened.

"Thanks, Isuke-sama," she said, her usual tone softening with a wave of affection for her roommate.

Weirdly enough, it seemed like the times she spent chatting with Isuke were probably the most peaceful and enjoyable moments of the day. Especially recently, since seeing Fuyuka and Aki and the others only reminded her of her mom in the hospital, and then seeing Mom reminded her of—

"You've been zoning out a lot lately," Isuke said, waving a hand in front of Haruki's face. "Does this have anything to do with that weird job of yours that you won't tell me about?"

All of this, Haruki realized, was Isuke's way of showing concern. The advice, the light prodding, the banter. She had done it before, too, at Myoujou. Right before Haruki had gone to try and assassinate Haru.

Feeling that same wave of warmth and appreciation for the other girl, Haruki chuckled softly, leaned forward, and swiftly captured her friend in a tight, one-armed embrace.

Isuke let out a very un-Isuke-like squeak of surprise as Haruki pulled her to her chest, and Haruki realized kind of belatedly that Isuke-sama probably wasn't exactly the type to appreciate a hug, even as a sign of affection.

Ah, well. Everyone needs hugs once in a while. And it's probably been a pretty long while for Isuke-sama.

Expectedly, Isuke began to wriggle almost immediately, squirming around in Haruki's lap like an agitated child.

"Wha—what do you think you're doing?" Isuke demanded, craning her neck to glare up at Haruki.

"It's called a hug, Isuke-sama," Haruki explained with a laugh.

"I know that much," Isuke snarled, still struggling ineffectually. "What do you think you're doing giving one to me?"

Haruki sighed contentedly, more or less unaffected by her roommate's displeasure.

"'Cause I like you, Isuke-sama."

Isuke's struggling stopped abruptly, only to immediately start up again within seconds.

"That's not—you're not—what do you think you're even—"

The tips of Isuke's ears, Haruki noticed, had become very red.

"If you really hate it so much, break out of it," Haruki said, patting her friend's back. "I never really got to see your combat skills, Isuke-sama."

"That's what I'm trying to do, you idiot," Isuke snapped, scowling. "You just have superhuman strength!"

Her face was scarlet, and Haruki frowned when she wondered if this color was from physical exertion.

Even Isuke couldn't be that embarrassed by a hug, after all.

"Do you really hate it?" Haruki asked, looking down at her roommate with concern. "Ah, sorry, Isuke-sama. I didn't think you really wanted to escape."

Haruki let her go immediately.

Isuke didn't move.

Peering bemusedly down at her, Haruki patted her shoulder.

"Isuke-sama? Are you mad at me? I'm really sorry, I didn't mean any ha—"

"Idiot."

Haruki stopped, wondering if she had imagined her roommate's interruption.

But then Isuke looked up, and Haruki was startled to see that her face was still flushed.

Looking confused and strangely uneasy, Isuke averted her eyes and frowned.

"I told you not to apologize so much to me." Bringing a hand to her head, she continued in a near-mumble, "It's not…it's not that I hated it, exactly, so…don't apologize."

Haruki stared at her roommate openly and unabashedly.

"Heh…"

Within seconds, Haruki was laughing, pulling Isuke in for another hug.

That…was actually kinda really cute.

Though Isuke, apparently, didn't agree, grumbling darkly into Haruki's collar: "Ugh, gross. This isn't like me at all. And this is all your fault. Your stupid hard head gave me this horrible headache that's making it impossible to think straight."

"Right, right. Sorry, Isuke-sama. The nurse should be here soon to take a look."

As if on cue, the door opened and a nurse stepped in. Seconds later, she went scarlet and began to rapidly backpedal immediately afterwards.

"Oh, gosh, I'm so sorry! I thought I saw the call light go on, I swear I didn't mean to interrupt! I'll leave you two to—"

"Wait, wait!" Haruki waved her the nurse down, shaking her head. "It's not—we're just sitting together. We're not—er, she just kinda ended up in my lap. Nothing's going on."

At the nurse's doubtful stare, Haruki smiled sheepishly.

"Actually, I kind of called because my roommate and I ended up sort of…crashing heads, and now I think she might have a concussion. Mind checking it out?"

The nurse, thankfully, was all professionalism and efficiency in an instant, calling for a doctor before moving to the bedside and staring critically down at Isuke.

"Hmm…she does seem a little dazed. Still, I doubt a headbutt is enough to cause a concussion. She probably just needs to rest for a little bit," the nurse said, and then placed a hand firmly under Isuke's arm.

"Can you stand, Inukai-san? Let's get you over to your bed so the doctor can take a look at you, okay?" she said, coaxingly.

Though Haruki knew that Isuke usually wasn't exactly the type to be very easily coaxed, she seemed too disoriented to do anything but comply.

Haruki shivered slightly at the loss of the warmth of Isuke's body, and scooted over to give Isuke room to more easily maneuver off of the bed.

Shifting slowly off of Haruki's lap, Isuke's moved her legs—and as she did so, her knee applied pressure directly against the inside of Haruki's thigh.

Directly against the gash that Haruki had only barely managed to hide from Isuke earlier that day.

Shit.

Haruki couldn't stifle the hiss of pain that escaped through her gritted teeth.

Couldn't suppress the grimace that twisted her expression.

And Isuke, to Haruki's dread, seemed to notice both.

Isuke shifted her knee away immediately, and, brows lowered and eyes narrowed, looked up to directly meet Haruki's gaze.

"Haruki, what—"

"Inukai-san?" the nurse interrupted, apparently oblivious to the entire exchange. "Are you ready to move?"

"Please shut up for a second, Seta-san 3," Isuke said, glancing at the nurse's nametag, before turning back to Haruki. "You…what was that, just now?"

Haruki opened her mouth, a thousand excuses and lies flying to the tip of her tongue.

And then her phone vibrated again, and she wasn't sure whether this made everything better or a thousand times worse.

She immediately swung down off the bed, grabbing her phone and getting to her feet.

"S-sorry, Isuke-sama, gotta take this call. Be good and don't the nurse a hard time, okay?" Haruki said, sidestepping around the bewildered nurse as she made her way to the door.

"Haruki, wait a second, you idiot—"

Isuke winced, stumbling forward and sagging against the nurse in what Haruki guessed was a wave of nausea.

Haruki froze, her first instinct being to immediately turn back and help her friend up. To make sure she was all right, readjust her sling, and ease her onto the bed.

But her phone vibrated again, and something far more powerful than instinct took hold of her.

This was for her family. And for family, she always said—

Her phone vibrated again, and Haruki closed her eyes, repeating the mantra that had kept her going since her mother had first been hospitalized all those years ago:

For family, she would do anything.

"Sorry, Isuke," she repeated, softly, and turned away to open the door.

Her roommate's voice stopped her, for the briefest moment.

"Just…remember what I said. At least try to listen to what Isuke told you, okay?"

Haruki could almost hear Isuke's usual smile in her voice, while she could definitely hear the irritation and agitation under this forced veneer.

"I'll try," Haruki said, without looking back.

But no promises.

She snapped her phone open and brought it to her ear the second the door was shut behind her.

"Hello?"

There was a long silence on the other end, a silence that Haruki used to jog down the hall, getting as far away from her room as possible.

"…are you avoiding my calls?"

Ren's voice was soft, almost silky, as always.

Haruki had quickly learned to go beyond this velvety surface, to read tones and undercurrents if she really wanted to know the older woman's true feelings and moods.

Right now, the process was fairly simply, and the outcome even more so.

Ren was angry. Furious, even.

And Haruki knew very well why.

"No, of course not," she replied, chancing a glance back to make sure that Isuke hadn't followed her out into the hall. "I was just in the shower when you called earlier. Sorry."

There was another long silence, one that was finally broken by a quiet sigh.

"I've paid your mother's hospital bills for this month," Ren said, and Haruki leaned back against the wall, feeling a surge of relief.

"Thanks. Thank you so much," she said, with the sincerest positive feelings that she could and would ever express to this woman. "Then they'll continue giving her the medication?"

"I had to pay quite a bit extra, since the bills had been stacking up for a few months now," Ren replied, coolly. "But yes, it's been taken care of. Your dear mother will be fine."

Haruki slid down against the wall, letting out a rush of air as she ran a hand shakily through her hair.

Thank God.

It was all worth it, then. Everything—if it just continued as it was, then this could work.

She took in a deep breath.

She could handle this much.

"I want to see you," Ren said, and suddenly her voice was even softer, a near purr.

Haruki paled, and she felt her gut churn in discomfort.

"We were just together this morning," she said, and felt the gash across her inner thigh sting even at the memory.

"And now I want to see you again. Our agreement said anytime during the weekend, didn't it?"

Clenching her teeth, Haruki massaged her temples and nodded, even though she knew Ren couldn't see her.

"…yeah. Of course. Sorry, I forgot," she muttered, hoping none of the emotions that she was feeling leaked into her tone.

Ren was angry enough already.

"You're forgetting a lot of things, recently, aren't you? Just like how you forgot to mention how Inukai Isuke is your roommate."

Haruki was momentarily startled out of her agitation.

"What? You know Isuke-sa—ah, you know Isuke?" Haruki asked, only barely managing to catch herself in time.

She didn't want to imagine Ren's reaction if she ever found out Haruki addressed Isuke with –sama, even if it wasn't seriously.

Ren's answering laughter was unexpected.

"Oh certainly. At the very least, I know Saitou Akio-san, the son of the Saitou Conglomerate's CEO. I know Hanegawa Aoi, the daughter of a wealthy oil tycoon. I know Daichi, and Haruka, and Yuki-san. In fact, I know many young men and women who have…known Inukai Isuke. Many young men and women who she toyed with and then cruelly tossed aside."

Haruki frowned, silent.

Why the heck was Ren suddenly telling her this?

Isuke was Haruki's friend; it wasn't like Haruki was going to look at her roommate any differently just because of any relationship history.

"While I know you're too smart to get involved with that whore…"

Haruki's fingers twitched at the insult, curling down into fists. She bit down hard on her lip to prevent the immediate urge to retort and defend her friend.

This whole damn thing was abrupt and weird as hell. Ren was purposefully baiting her, for some unknown reason; answering rashly would be stupid, and send Haruki falling right into whatever trap she was laying out.

"…I thought I should warn you all the same. That girl has a certain…reputation."

Haruki rolled her eyes. A reputation among gossip-mongering old housewives with nothing better to do, maybe.

"Haven't you ever seen the way she dresses, Haruki?"

Of course I do. Every day. And I have to say…I kinda really like it. Except when my siblings are over, 'cause then Aki begins to stare a bit too much, and he's still pretty young for that kind of thing…

"I know you're a kind girl, and I just don't want to see you getting hurt, my dear," Ren murmured, and Haruki almost laughed out loud.

Ren didn't want to see Haruki getting hurt.

Right. That was why her thigh and about a dozen other places were still aching and stinging at that very moment.

But of course she couldn't say any of this, so Haruki just let out a soft laugh and replied, "Thanks for your concern. I'll be careful."

"…good. Then, I'll come and pick you up in the usual spot in about…fifteen minutes. Be ready."

She hung up before Haruki could even respond.

…not that Haruki would have, anyway, considering she didn't even have a choice as to what she could say.

Anything other than "yes" would displease Sanada Ren. And this was something Haruki really couldn't afford to do.

When she finally got to her feet, her legs suddenly felt stiff and leaden.

She made her way slowly back to her room, feeling as though she were sleepwalking.

It always felt this way, after Ren called.

She slowly pushed the door open, uneasy.

But Isuke, to her mingled surprise and relief, appeared to be sleeping when Haruki peeked into the room.

Guess the headbutt really took a toll on her, she thought, shuffling over to her roommate's bedside.

Back at Myoujou Academy, Isuke had had a tendency to fall asleep in more or less every single lecture. This had given Haruki plenty of opportunities to learn that Isuke almost looked like a completely different person when she was sleeping.

Her expression was calm, almost soft; it was the only time Haruki ever saw the other girl's appear open and unguarded.

The sight made Haruki smile even now.

"The usual Isuke-sama is awesome, of course, but this hidden side is cute, too," she murmured, gently ruffling the other girl's bangs.

Haruki blinked when she felt something cold, and then winced slightly when she noticed the ice pack that had been set on Isuke's forehead.

"Sorry," she said, very quietly, and moved to adjust the pack.

That was when she noticed that her hand was shaking.

She stuffed her hand into her pocket, curling her fingers into a fist and clenching, hoping to stop the damn trembling.

It didn't work, of course.

It was never that easy.

"Hey, Isuke-sama…I really want to take your advice, you know. I've always wanted to," she confessed to her sleeping friend. "But, you know…"

Haruki glanced back at the picture that always stood within arm's reach of her bed. Fuyuka, Mom, Aki, and all the rest…

"I can't. It's just…impossible, you know? I can't."

Well, why can't you?

Isuke had known for quite some time now that something was going on with Haruki.

The mysterious job was one thing, but the uncharacteristic spacey-ness and skittishness, compounded with the way she had flinched and reacted when Isuke had accidentally pushed down against her leg—something was definitely wrong with her stupid roommate, and the idiot was probably being too noble and nice to tell Isuke about it.

So Isuke had decided to feign sleep for the purpose of finding out what this big secret was. And also because while her thoughts had cleared up significantly, she was still kind of dizzy from the stupid headbutt and could use the rest.

She had expected Haruki to come back from her phone call and then maybe head out for her strange job again; if Haruki thought Isuke was asleep, it would be much easier to tail her and figure out where and what exactly she was going to "work."

What she hadn't expected was for Haruki to come in and start talking to her, all while clearly thinking Isuke was sound asleep.

(Nor had she expected Haruki to tousle her hair as if she was some child. It had taken quite a bit of Isuke's self-control not to scowl or jerk away from her touch).

Isuke had thought that the talking would make things easier, somewhat. If she was lucky, Haruki could end up spilling her secret right then and there, saving her the trouble of following her like some kind of stalker.

However, what Isuke also hadn't expected was her burning desire to reply to everything her stupid roommate said.

Why can't you stop? Isuke fumed inwardly, trying to keep her face as neutral as possible. Just break yourself free already.

"I won't take your advice. I really can't. Not completely. But…I think I will be selfish, just this once, Isuke-sama."

Isuke almost jerked in surprise when she suddenly felt Haruki's hand on her face.

What the heck is she doing now?

Haruki's hand felt strange on Isuke's skin. The tips of her fingers were rough with calluses, and yet her palms were soft and smooth.

Isuke went utterly still as Haruki's thumb brushed slowly over Isuke's cheek.

"You said I should be selfish once in a while…so this is okay, right, Isuke-sama?"

Haruki's voice was suddenly by her ear, and Isuke could feel the warm puffs of air as she spoke.

She couldn't help but shiver.

This idiot, this idiot, this absolute idiot, what does she think she's doing?

"I need…to charge, Isuke-sama. For enough energy to get through these next few hours."

Then, a soft, very familiar sensation positively burned Isuke's hands.

Haruki had kissed them again.

Desperately fighting down the blush that threatened to blow her entire act, Isuke stayed resolutely still.

Haruki's stupid hand fetish aside, something was definitely very wrong here. Isuke's friendly, perpetually relaxed idiot of a roommate was not supposed to be this serious.

"…I'll be back soon, Isuke-sama. Don't…don't go anywhere. Please."

The faint rustle of cloth and the click of a door later, Haruki was gone.

Isuke immediately got to her feet, snatching her phone up off the dresser and grabbing her jacket.

This was ridiculous.

Even as she ran out the door, looking around for Haruki's easily recognizable red hair, Isuke couldn't believe she was actually planning on stalking someone.

It was creepy, and weird, and utterly unlike her.

And yet—

Isuke flushed at the memory of the hug, and even the sensation of Haruki's lips against her palm that she had felt barely a minute ago.

And both her stupid Mama and her dumb Papa's irritating voices echoed in her mind.

"Sagae Haruki is a good person."

Yes, Sagae Haruki definitely was a good person.

A good person who couldn't be trusted to take care of herself properly. Which was why Isuke had to take care of the idiot, or otherwise see Haruki drive herself half-crazy while sacrificing everything for that family of hers.

And…

"Something is different about Sagae Haruki…at least in your eyes."

Isuke rolled her eyes, glared at nothing in particular, and then chased after Haruki's distantly bobbing ponytail.

Though Isuke would never, ever admit this to either of them…

…it seemed both her Mama and her Papa had been right, after all.

A/N: Sorry for the delay! I started my summer internship this week, which unfortunately meant much less leisure time.

In case you hadn't noticed, I did change the villain from a man to a woman, and, as per an awesome guest reviewer's interesting request/suggestion, I kept the name "Ren Sanada" since, as this guest says, "I think that by keeping the name Ren, which is mostly a man's name, and making her a woman, it would make her like an evil, older version of Isuke."

I also changed chapter 2, if you guys haven't seen it yet, to accommodate this switch in gender. It seems like most people wanted the gender flip, so here it is! :)

Uh...so do you guys remember the whole waxing/waning motivation thing? So, as I mentioned, I started my internship, and though I really love it so far, it's a lot of work. And when I'm tired after working a lot, I tend to just kinda eat/sleep/do stupid aimless things instead of writing. Though I certainly hope this won't be the case, if you do notice updates slowing significantly, and if slow updates really bother you, please feel free to yell at me to get my butt in gear and write the next chapter. But hopefully this won't be necessary! IsukexHaruki is too damn cute to lose interest in, after all.

Also, some people have been asking me about other fics I wrote/fic recommendations and the like. I'm sorry to say that I'm very new to the whole fanfiction thing. This is the only fanfic I've ever written (because Isuke/Haruki is too cute to resist), and I've only ever read literally two other fanfics, both very recently. I do recommend both of these wholeheartedly, if you guys haven't read them yet: Compromise by Escape Trampoline (So so so so cute. Takechi fans rejoice) and Perfect Posture by Moczo (it's hilarious). The first is an Akuma no Riddle fanfic, the second is a Frozen/Brave fic (I think I enjoyed Frozen a million times more than my 5-year old niece, haha. And I still can't stop rewatching, even months later). Both fics are exceedingly excellent! Other than that, I really have limited knowledge of fanfic recs, haha, so I'm sorry that I can't be of much help. On the other hand, if you guys have a fic that you'd like to recommend to me, haha, please feel free to PM me! :)

Oh, and one last thing! Someone told me that apparently people have been mentioning this fic on tumblr? I don't have an account (I can barely keep up with Facebook as it is, haha) and I don't quite get how it works, but thank you very much to those people who blogged about it! :) I hope you continue to enjoy the story!

Well then, as always, please lemme know what you guys thought! :) Until next time!

Chapter 5: Chapter 5

WARNING: Remember the stuff I said about mature content back in chapter 2? It applies here, mostly for the section from Haruki's POV. Please proceed with caution.

In the back of a shady alleyway behind an even shadier looking building, a shiny black limo rolled up to the curb where Haruki stood, waiting.

Concealed by both shadows and an absolutely disgusting dumpster, Isuke watched in baffled disbelief as a chauffeur opened the door and bowed to her roommate.

…what kind of job is this?

As she had followed Haruki from the hospital and through the rest of the city, Isuke had considered the various occupations that Haruki could possibly have.

Taking into consideration both Haruki's unwillingness to talk about the job and the shadier parts of the city Isuke now found herself in, she had expected Haruki's employer to be someone seedy, creepy, and of course easily disposed of with the use of her knuckle knives.

The limousine threw all of these expectations out the window.

A limo meant money, which meant bodyguards, protection, and a million other unanticipated complications.

The entire situation had become way more irritatingly difficult than Isuke would have liked.

Isuke frowned, watching as Haruki slid into the car.

The chauffeur closed the door behind her.

Feeling an irrational spike of panic at the fact that she was no longer able to see her roommate, Isuke straightened and began to inch out of the alley as the limo began to move.

The moment the limo was a decent distance away, Isuke leapt over the dumpster, spotting a taxi waiting on the street.

She also spotted the man that was about to get into and steal said taxi.

Ahh, nope. That just won't do 3, she decided, breaking into a sprint.

As she ran, Isuke briefly considered talking to the man and politely requesting that he let her have the taxi. She had quite the wealth of experience in getting what she wanted from stupid men, after all, and this process would be probably take only a few more seconds than what she already had in mind.

But these few seconds would take her roommate farther and farther away, making everything even more problematic for her.

So, to save on time and trouble, Isuke decided to go with her original plan: driving her elbow into the man's solar plexus, she left him choking and gasping on the ground as she entered the taxi.

Shutting the door, Isuke smiled at the gawking driver.

"Good afternoon 3. I need you to follow that limousine for me," she said, indicating the limo with a finger.

Instead of stepping on the gas as Isuke needed him to, the man just continued to gawk like some bovine idiot.

Oh, right. I forgot the magic words, Isuke realized belatedly.

Tearing her knuckle knife from her belt, Isuke pressed it against his neck and said, "I need you to follow that limousine for me, or else I'll slit open your throat 3"

Isuke (usually) didn't mean these threats when she used them. She hated blood, after all.

But they always proved very effective; far more effective than the "magic words" she had learned in elementary school, anyway.

To prove her point, the man let out a terrified and wimpy little squeak before slamming his foot down on the accelerator and speeding out onto the road, way faster than he would have if Isuke had used "please" or "thank you."

Flicking her knife back so the man could breathe a little more easily, Isuke frowned.

More importantly…

What could Haruki be involved in that involves someone wealthy enough to drive around in a limo? Not even Mama and Papa have limos.

Maybe the Yakuza?

Isuke frowned and shook her head.

Hired muscle would have been a possibility, if it weren't for the fact that Haruki's arm was still healing. The Yakuza wouldn't hire someone who was half-crippled.

Besides, a hired grunt wouldn't be picked up in a limousine.

What service could a high school girl with a broken arm possibly offer some filthy rich millionaire?

Most physical activity is out of the question, except maybe…

Isuke went utterly still.

The only physical activity possible for someone in Haruki's state, and the only activity that some rich client would be interested in—

She felt the color drain from her face.

Gritting her teeth, she unconsciously tightened her grip on her knife.

Ignoring the way the man trembled in fear, she gave her head another violent shake, hardly even noticing the nausea that followed this movement.

"No, no. That's impossible. She wouldn't…"

Haruki was an idiot, but she wasn't that much of an idiot. Even she had enough pride to at least—

"If it's for family, I'll do anything."

Isuke brought a hand to her temple, mind racing.

Someone as stupidly noble and self-sacrificing as Haruki, who obviously hated killing and the assassination business, must have tried other things, before she finally turned to murder as a last resort.

If she could choose between assassination and something else; between hurting herself and hurting someone else…

There was no question as to which option that idiot would pick.

"E-excuse me, m-miss…the car's stopped."

Isuke's head snapped up, and she felt her stomach drop when she saw the hotel the limousine had pulled up to.

A rich client. An attractive young woman. And now a hotel.

Isuke fell back against the car seat, and she knew that the nausea she suddenly felt this time wasn't from any concussion.

Haruki…you can't be serious.

Her knife trembled in her hand, her blood went cold, and her stomach rolled with a thousand different emotions that she currently didn't have the time or capacity to recognize.

For the first time in as long as she could remember, Isuke was stunned into dumb inactivity.

Her mind was blank, entirely numb with shock.

Outside, the chauffeur opened the limousine door, and Haruki stepped out onto the sidewalk.

Drawn, pale, and stiff with tension; Isuke had never seen her roommate look that way before.

A hand reached out to touch Haruki's shoulder, and Isuke automatically shifted her gaze to settle on no one other than Sanada Ren.

If Isuke had had any remaining doubts as to what the nature of Haruki's "job" was, they were all eliminated the moment Ren leaned down, wrapped her arms around Haruki's waist, and kissed her.

In that moment, Isuke couldn't hear anything over the roaring in her ears, couldn't feel anything other than the pounding in her chest, and couldn't see anything other than Haruki, standing rigid and visibly tense in Ren's arms.

Haruki's selling herself.

Putting her realization into words didn't help Isuke piece her thoughts together in the least. If anything, they staggered her all over again, leaving her incapable of forming coherent thoughts, let alone any plans of action.

Haruki was selling herself to Sanada Ren.

The secrecy, the nervousness, the frequent showers and phone calls…they were all linked together to this one job.

All of Haruki's behavior began to make sense.

But even as Isuke's brain was slowly beginning to put together the logic and reason behind it all, her emotions were on a wildly different path.

Isuke had never killed out of anger before.

Above all, Mama had taught her the value of pragmatism. An assassin had to be practical and ruthless, never letting his emotions get the better of him.

Emotions, especially feelings like rage or sadness, clouded one's judgment and impaired one's thinking.

All of these lessons echoed faintly in the very back of Isuke's mind.

Tightening her grip on her knife, she utterly ignored them.

She focused instead on one thing alone: sinking her dagger into Sanada Ren's back.

Her hand dropped down to the taxi door's handle, and she pressed her heel against the bottom, ready to kick it open.

Outside, Haruki began to walk towards the hotel entrance, following after Ren.

But strangely, seeing Haruki's face again, ashen and strained as it was, gave Isuke pause.

And this pause gave her mind a moment to catch up to her emotions, time enough to reassess the situation.

Haruki didn't want to be here. That much was obvious. Her body language, her expressions, and even the pallor of her skin expressed her discomfort even more clearly than any words could.

Her agitation, tiredness, and dazedness for the last few days, as well as her reticence on the subject whenever it came up only reinforced the idea that Haruki wouldn't have done this unless she thought that she absolutely had to.

Utterly stupid, completely self-sacrificing idiot.

The knife in Isuke's hand twitched, still begging to be used.

Violently suppressing her rising anger and desire to give in to these emotions, Isuke took a deep, calming breath.

Just for now, before she acted, Isuke had to focus on solely the facts of the matter.

Haruki didn't want to be here, but Haruki was here, most probably selling her body to this wretched old bitch for the sake of her family.

Haruki was at Ren's beck and call, running out of the hospital as soon as she had received the phone call.

Closing her eyes, Isuke let a sigh rush out through gritted teeth.

Those were the facts of the matter as they stood now.

But what would happen if I walked out of this taxi right now and stabbed Sanada Ren in the throat?

Sanada Ren was a very important client for both Papa and Mama. Sanada Ren was rich enough to completely ruin both her and her family forever.

Sanada Ren had the power to completely destroy or sustain Haruki's family.

Isuke inexplicably found herself only really caring about this last fact.

Haruki was doing what she was doing for the sake of her family; for her mother in the hospital and her many siblings.

She was an absolute idiot who was sacrificing literally everything she had for them, but she was also choosing to do all of this.

She was choosing to be utterly selfless.

If Isuke got out of this taxi and did anything to Ren, she would ruin all the results of this selflessness.

Without giving Haruki a choice in the matter, Isuke would unravel everything Haruki had been working on in order to support her family.

Isuke ground her teeth in frustration.

How pathetic.

Haruki was the one suffering, and yet Isuke was the one unable to handle it.

She threw the knife down onto the floor of the car, passing a hand slowly over her eyes.

She watched Haruki disappear into the hotel with Ren.

A long silence passed before Isuke slowly turned to the driver.

"Drive me back to where I was," she said.

Her voice came out raw, hoarse, and unsteady.

Sinking down in her seat, Isuke stared dully out the window as the car started up again.

At the very least…Isuke had to talk to Haruki before she did anything.

No matter how she felt or what emotions she experienced, doing something like that would be stupid. It would be illogical. It would be…

"Stop the car."

The wounds.

Isuke brought a hand to her throbbing temples; the pain had reminded her of something else:

Haruki had jerked and hissed in pain when Isuke had accidentally pressed her knee down against her leg.

Was that also because of…?

Isuke's pulse, which had only just begun to calm down, immediately started hammering again.

Haruki was hurt.

There were very few people who could possibly have hurt her. Even with a broken arm, Haruki was still strong enough to put up a major fight against anyone who tried to touch her.

The only way she could've been hurt was if she let someone hurt her, because she had no choice.

The only person in that kind of position had to be…

Kicking open the door, Isuke ran out onto the sidewalk and up the hotel's walkway.

Yes, she was being stupid, and illogical, and utterly unlike herself.

But she always seemed to act uncharacteristically whenever Haruki was involved, and she was hardly going to stop now.

Thinking of the way Haruki's face had twisted in pain, Isuke quickened her pace and fingered the second set of knives in her belt.

You'd better be okay, you idiot.

Haruki heard the crack of bone even before she felt any pain.

When the pain did come, she bit down on her lip to keep from making a single noise.

She wouldn't give Ren the satisfaction.

Not for this.

"Look at what you've made me do, Haruki. I hate this; I don't want to hurt you, don't you understand?"

Ren was whispering into her ear, caressing the skin of Haruki's newly broken arm.

Haruki shuddered, forcing a tight-lipped smile.

"Nah, I can't say I do," she muttered, with a harsh laugh.

Ren's nails dug into her skin, and Haruki closed her eyes before she could see the blood well up.

A sharp, stabbing pain lanced through her arm; her entire body ached.

"I love you, don't you know that by now? I only want the best for you. If you would just listen to me, I wouldn't have to hurt you like this," Ren murmured, rubbing slow circles on her back.

Haruki didn't reply, focusing instead on blocking out the pain.

"Now, let's try this once more. When you get back to the hospital, will you or will you request a transfer into a separate room?" Ren asked, threading her fingers through Haruki's hair.

Taking in a slow, shuddering breath, Haruki opened her eyes again.

"Look, just tell me this: why are you so against my rooming with Isuke?"

Ren's eyes darkened.

"I told you already. That girl is bad news. I don't want to see you hurt," she said, tightening her grip on Haruki's arm.

"If I get hurt, then I get hurt," Haruki replied, wincing at the persistently shooting pain. "It doesn't affect you in the least."

"That dirty slut is a bad influence," Ren said, getting to her feet. "I don't want to see you corrupted. Answer me now, Haruki. Will you or will you not switch rooms?"

Haruki knew she was being stupid with her repeated refusals.

Ren was violent and unstable enough when she was in a good mood. Blatantly defying her was suicidal.

But Ren was telling her to stop rooming with Isuke.

By now, Haruki knew Ren. Not rooming with Isuke also meant not speaking with her, not seeing her, and not interacting with her at all.

For whatever reason, Ren wanted Haruki to cut Isuke completely out of her life.

And something like that…was impossible.

"…if you really don't want to listen, then that's fine," Ren said, breaking the silence with her velvety voice. "Why don't you go crawling to Inukai Isuke, then, instead of me? See if she can do everything that I do for you."

Leaning down, Ren smiled.

"It would be interesting to see how long your mother lasted," she whispered.

Haruki went rigid.

Those words never failed to have their intended effect.

Because in that moment, because of those words, more than anything else, Haruki was afraid.

Her mother couldn't survive without Ren's help. Without that endless supply of money, at this point, it was impossible.

If Mom died because I was too selfish to just…

Forcing herself upright and ignoring the pain that shot through her body, Haruki looked up at Ren and shook her head.

"No, wait…I…I'm sorry."

Ren arched a brow, waiting, and Haruki grimaced.

"…I'll put in a request to switch rooms as soon as I get back."

At least for now…Haruki just had to agree. She would figure everything out later. But for now, she had to keep Ren happy.

No matter what.

Ren nodded, smiling again. She lowered herself onto the bed, settling beside Haruki.

"That was all you needed to do, my dear. Simple, no?" she said, tugging at Haruki's collar.

"…yeah. Of course."

Haruki automatically fell back onto the bed as Ren pushed her down.

"Now, with that whore out of the way…let's get started on more pleasurable activities, shall we?"

Haruki took another slow, steadying breath.

…she would usually think about her family, during these times.

But for some reason, this time she found herself thinking of no one other than the very girl she was forbidden from seeing anymore.

Closing her eyes, Haruki thought of Isuke's face, Isuke's voice, and the warmth of Isuke's body against her own.

It was well past midnight by the time Haruki made it back to the hospital room.

Taking in rasping, painful breaths, she slowly and carefully pushed open the door.

The lights were thankfully off, and Isuke appeared to be sound asleep in her bed.

Letting out a weak sigh of relief, Haruki stumbled to her bedside and yanked the sling off her broken arm.

The pain was sharp and insistent.

She wasn't sure if Ren had broken it in a new location, or had simply broken the same already damaged area. Whatever the case, her arm was again bent at a strange, unnatural angle.

She would have to get it set again, somehow without getting the doctors to ask questions and without Isuke noticing any—

…oh, right. I guess I won't have to worry about keeping anything secret from Isuke anymore, she realized.

If she kept her promise to Ren, she wouldn't be seeing her roommate at all anymore.

Swallowing hard, Haruki shook her head.

She would find a way around it, somehow.

Turning around to face her sleeping roommate, Haruki stared into the darkness.

"…I'm not giving you up, Isuke-sama. I can't."

Isuke was her friend. No matter what Ren said—

The lights turned on.

Haruki froze, thoughts sputtering to a stop.

She turned her head to see Isuke gazing right back at her, her fingers resting on the light switch.

And when Isuke's eyes dropped downward, pausing to rest on Haruki's arm, Haruki—

Haruki didn't do anything.

She couldn't do anything.

All of her prepared excuses, lies, and explanations died the moment Isuke looked at her.

As her mind frantically scrambled for something, anything to say, Haruki took a shaky, uncertain step backwards.

"T-This…Isuke-sama, I-I didn't know you were still up. I, uh, got into a bit of an accident at work, and…and, so…"

Isuke was unnervingly silent, her countenance entirely blank.

When she finally spoke, it was in a quiet, toneless, utterly un-Isuke-like voice: "I have a doctor waiting outside for you. He's here to set the bone. He won't ask any questions, and I've already paid him, so just sit still and wait for a second."

Haruki widened her eyes, feeling sweat break out on her brow.

"H-how—how did you already know that my arm was—"

The door behind her opened, and a doctor shuffled into the room.

Haruki barely even registered any of the pain during the bone-setting procedure, reeling in shock at her roommate's appearance, words and behavior.

Isuke knew.

How she knew, or how much she knew, Haruki didn't know.

But Isuke had known enough to prepare a doctor in advance, and this knowledge coupled with her strange quietness meant that she had to know something about Ren.

Haruki bit back a curse as the doctor finished up the job, both from pain and panic.

Isuke couldn't know anything.

Even a little was too much.

The second the doctor left, Haruki turned back to her roommate.

"I-Isuke-sama, thanks so much for the doctor. But how'd you know I got hurt? It was something small and dumb, really, on the way back from work—"

"Is that where you were until now? Work?" Isuke interrupted, seating herself on the edge of Haruki's bed.

Haruki nodded, more and more disconcerted by Isuke's behavior.

"I was kept a little late today since I—"

"How'd that happen to your arm?"

Haruki floundered for an excuse.

"I—I just…I slipped and fell—"

"You fell," Isuke repeated flatly.

Flushing, Haruki averted her gaze.

"I fell onto my arm, and since it was already broken, it…it just…" Haruki trailed off and grimaced.

Isuke was running her hand slowly over her face, eyes tightly shut.

"You can't even lie properly," she muttered.

Opening her eyes, Isuke looked directly up at Haruki and said, "And it's because someone like you shouldn't have to lie. Someone like you…an idiot like you…you were meant for an honest life. Not a life like this."

Haruki watched her roommate carefully and warily, only further confused by her words.

"…Isuke-sa—"

"Take off your clothes."

"W-what?"

"I know you have wounds all over your body, Haruki. Take off your clothes so I can do something about them. Knowing you, they probably haven't even been disinfected yet," Isuke said, and Haruki then noticed the rolls of gauze and ointments scattered on the dresser.

But none of that was important.

"You…you know?"

Haruki went white.

"H-how…how much do you know?" she asked slowly, dreading the answer.

Isuke's eyes dropped down to the ground.

"Everything," she said.

Isuke saw the wide-eyed panic and anxiety written all over Haruki's face and quickly looked away, her gut twisting painfully inside her.

Even now, Isuke was sure that Haruki was more worried about the fact that Isuke knew about her situation than she was about the situation itself.

The other girl reached out with her uninjured arm, resting a hand uncertainly on Isuke's shoulder.

"What do you mean, Isuke? What…what do you—"

Anger spiked at the concern in that tone.

Haruki wasn't in the position to be concerned about other people. She didn't have the luxury to be any more stupidly selfless.

"I mean everything, Haruki," Isuke snapped, swatting Haruki's arm off of her.

Isuke hated getting emotional or weepy. She hated sentimentality.

But everything that had been building up inside of Isuke for the past few hours strained against the mental barrier she had put up to contain them, and seeing Haruki now shook her more than ever.

How is she still smiling? she wondered in disbelief, staring at Haruki's shaky, nervous grin.

And as Isuke wondered exactly how many of Haruki's smiles had been forced or fake until now, words spilled out of her almost uncontrollably.

"I mean what your 'job' really is, and Ren, and where you went today. I mean the hotel, and that she's paying for your mother's hospital bills, and the fact that she hurts you. That she broke your arm today because you refused to stop rooming with me, and that she kept hurting you even while she was—"

Isuke brought a hand to her forehead, hating how her fingers trembled.

"And, more than anything else, that you're a stupid, reckless, suicidally self-sacrificing idiot."

Bringing her hand up, Isuke smacked Haruki weakly on the shoulder. It was childish and pointless, she knew that, but this idiot was just so frustrating that Isuke couldn't help it.

"That's what I mean."

Haruki was staring at her with wide, confused eyes, opening her mouth only to soundlessly close it again.

And so Isuke went on:

"How long were you planning on doing this? How did you even start doing this? Do you honestly think your family would want this?"

At this, Haruki finally seemed to snap out of her stunned state.

Her expression darkened, and she looked away.

"…maybe not, but I'm sure they'd like starving to death or being orphaned even less," Haruki replied, and Isuke felt another hot wave of anger overwhelm her.

"So, what? You're just planning on being Ren's toy forever? Her obedient little slave at her beck and call?" she demanded, letting a mocking edge seep into her tone.

Haruki scowled then, eyes narrowing with the first hint of anger that Isuke had seen from her since she had come back.

"Look, I'm only doing what I have to do," she said.

"What you're doing is selling yourself to a woman who just broke your arm," Isuke countered, glaring at the other girl. "What's next? Your legs? Your back? Your neck? That would sure benefit your family."

Haruki stepped forward, irritation flashing across her features.

"What would you have me do, then, Isuke? Take your advice?" She laughed bitterly. "Just kill them all and run off to live freely?"

"That's what I would say, but you're too altruistic for that, aren't you?" Isuke snapped. "So I won't even bother. All I'm saying now is that maybe you shouldn't be killing yourself trying to provide for them!"

Silence abruptly fell.

And instead of replying, Haruki looked away.

"…why not? I've killed other people trying to provide for them," she said, and Isuke went still.

Looking up again, Haruki gave her a brittle smile.

"I've sacrificed other people, haven't I? So at the very least, I should be willing to sacrifice myself, too."

Isuke stared, incredulous, as Haruki turned away from her.

"…never mind. Just…please just leave it, Isuke. I made a promise to take care of my family, and I'm going to keep it no matter what. Living, dying…it doesn't matter, so—"

Isuke grabbed Haruki's collar, spun her around, and slapped her.

It was weak and glancing, yet Isuke's palm still stung from the impact; Haruki stared at her, bringing a hand slowly to her cheek.

And Isuke wound her fingers into Haruki's collar, tugging her down until her face inches away from Isuke's.

"It does matter," Isuke said.

Haruki's brow furrowed in bemusement, and Isuke tightened her grip on her clothing.

"Whether you live or die. It does matter," she said, and barely even noticed how her voice strained.

In the back of her mind, Isuke knew that she was being irrational. Haruki was a girl she hadn't even known a few months ago. Haruki was a friend that she had only recently made. Haruki was someone who Isuke could technically live on fine without.

Isuke knew all of this.

But she didn't care anymore.

All that mattered was that Haruki wasn't supposed to be this way.

All of this…it was all wrong.

Isuke's fingers shook, slipping from Haruki's collar.

She stared directly into Haruki's wide gold eyes and said:

"It matters to me, you idiot, so don't you dare say something like that ever again."

And she shoved Haruki backwards, turning on her heel to stalk back to her own bed.

Haruki stood completely still, touching her stinging cheek and staring at Isuke's back.

Her thoughts, her feelings…everything was a jumbled mess for her.

She wasn't sure how Isuke had found everything out, she wasn't sure how she felt about the fact that Isuke knew, she wasn't sure what she was going to from here on out, and she wasn't even sure how she felt about the fact that Isuke had slapped her.

All she could think about was the expression that had been on Isuke's face just now, and all she could feel was the strange, wrenching feeling in her chest that this expression had produced.

Shuffling slowly forward, Haruki hesitantly reached out for her friend's shoulder.

And she felt a surge of relief when Isuke didn't shake her hand off.

Nothing was clear in her head, but Haruki at least knew that there was only one thing she could say now.

"…Isuke."

When the other girl didn't respond, Haruki grimaced and gave her shoulder a slight squeeze.

"...sorry, Isuke. I'm really…really sorry," she murmured.

There was a long pause before Isuke replied.

"...you…you never learn, do you? I've told you a million times now to stop apologizing to me."

Isuke's tone was cool and her expression aloof, but she turned back around to face Haruki again.

"As long as you don't die…you have nothing to be sorry for," Isuke muttered, and looked up to meet her gaze.

Haruki managed a small grin.

"Yeah…I think I can manage to avoid that," she said, chuckling.

And she blinked, startled, when she suddenly felt Isuke take her hand very gently.

"You are never going to do what you did today ever again. Sanada Ren will never touch you ever again," Isuke stated, her gaze hardening.

Haruki glanced away, smiling faintly.

As much as she would like to believe that—

Isuke flicked her forehead.

Flinching at the light blow, Haruki couldn't help but let out a short laugh.

"W-what was that for, Isuke-sama?"

Isuke's expression softened, but she jabbed a finger once in Haruki's chest.

"I'm going to take care of this, so stop being an idiot and just leave everything to me, okay?"

Instead of replying, Haruki chuckled again and wrapped her uninjured arm around Isuke's waist, pulling the girl in against her chest.

Leaning against her friend, Haruki let out a quiet sigh.

At least for the moment, she wanted to be a little selfish again.

At least for the moment, she wanted to believe what her roommate told her.

And so, closing her eyes, Haruki blocked out everything and everyone in the world except Isuke.

A/N: I'm sorry D: I know most of you wanted Isuke to come in and kick Ren's ass this chapter, and believe me when I say that's what I wanted too, followed by mountains of fluff and romance and such. But no matter how I looked at it, it just didn't seem realistic. The specifics behind what Isuke did after she followed Ren and Haruki into the hotel and why exactly she chose not to interfere directly will be explained next chapter, but I'm sure most of you can tell already why she couldn't. More than anything else, I wanted to keep the realism/Isuke and Haruki's characterizations constant, and I felt like that really couldn't be done properly if Isuke flew in a superhero in this chapter. But I promise I'll make up for it eventually! The bad guy always gets his/her just deserts, after all.

This chapter was interesting but difficult to write, just because of the content. While I think a lot of people tend to write her off as a friendly Kyoko-clone, I think Haruki is possibly the most complex and interesting character in AnR, especially if you listen to her ED. There's a surprising amount of depth and complexity in her ending song alone, and it makes her all the more fascinating and awesome.

But arghhhhh the angst in this chapter. I'm really not a huge fan of angst, but again, to be realistic, I had to have it here. Though Isuke and Haruki are nonchalant about most things, I highly doubt even they could just shrug off prostitution/abuse, so...yeah. I'm sorry if this chapter was depressing, but I promise to make up for it in the coming chapters! I have lots of comfort and stuff written for about half of chapter 6 already, so hopefully that'll be up soon.

Some people were asking about what I have planned for this fic in terms of length, and I'm very sorry to say that I have absolutely no idea, haha. This fic was originally planned to only be about 5 chapters, lol, but clearly that's not the plan anymore, haha. I'm thinking now maybe around 10 to 15 chapters, but again, I really have no idea. Most of it really depends on all of your continued interest, and how you guys want to see this fic go/end :) So we'll play it by ear!

Ack but it's late and I'm tired and probably rambling, so I'll stop here. Please leave feedback, as always, and see you next chapter! :)

Chapter 6: Chapter 6

"Hey, Isuke-sama."

"…what?"

"Why are you doing all of this?"

Haruki sat on the edge of her bed, adjusting her towel to allow her roommate easier access to her back.

Behind her, Isuke tended to the cuts and scrapes all over her body.

Isuke replied with a short and annoyed kind of grunting noise; Haruki winced at the sting of the disinfectant as Isuke rubbed it in.

"What do you mean, why? Would you rather I left you to get a million infections and die?" Isuke said, applying a strip of gauze to a gash running down Haruki's back.

Haruki chuckled, tilting her head back to grin at her roommate.

"No, not at all. It's just…Isuke-sama was the one to say things like 'life's too short' and 'set yourself free of your burdens.' Isn't all of this just a big burden for you?" Haruki said, tapping a finger against the side of the bed.

The thought had been bothering Haruki the whole time she had been showering, thinking back on Isuke's words.

There's no real reason for her to get wrapped up in all of this, so why…?

Isuke was silent, and Haruki shifted positions uncomfortably on the bed.

"Er, not to seem ungrateful or anything. I was just curious. You don't have to respond."

Scratching the back of her head, Haruki frowned.

"I…I never wanted to drag you into this mess, Isuke," she said, kicking her legs restlessly.

She was sure Isuke had problems of her own to worry about. Something like this—

"That's why you're an idiot," Isuke said, cutting into Haruki's worried thoughts. "Superhuman strength or not, one person can't handle all of this alone.

"And it's Isuke-sama," Isuke added, testily. "You seem to be forgetting your manners lately 3 Now stop asking stupid questions and turn around. I'm done with your back."

Obediently swiveling in her seat, Haruki smiled at the other girl once she was facing her.

"Sorry, Isuke-sama." Reaching with her arm to touch her back, she grinned. "Whoa, feels good as new already! You have the magic touch, Isuke-sama!"

Isuke smirked, cutting another strip of medical tape and nodding.

"Of course I do. There's nothing Isuke can't do well, after all 3"

Another silence fell, this one just as charged with unanswered questions and worries as the last.

"…I'll answer your dumb question, Haruki, as long as you answer a couple of my questions," Isuke said at last, bandaging a cut on Haruki's leg.

"Fair enough," Haruki replied, trying to keep any nervousness from leaking into her tone. It was about time Isuke asked, after all, and she definitely deserved answers.

Still, Haruki couldn't exactly say she was looking forward to giving them.

Smoothing the gauze over another cut, Isuke said, "Let's start from the beginning, then. How did you start this whole…thing with that old hag? Have you been doing this since you were expelled from Myojo?"

Haruki glanced away, fiddling with the edge of the blanket. Though she wasn't entirely sure why, it was weirdly difficult to look at Isuke while talking about Ren.

"Isuke-sama, you get discharged pretty soon, right? From the hospital, I mean."

Isuke arched a brow at this question but replied, "In a few days, I think. I only had to stay this long because they were afraid the stupid wound in my wrist would be infected. If it had just been a broken arm, then I would have gotten to go home ages…ago…"

Seeing the dawning comprehension on the other girl's face, Haruki smiled slightly.

"Yeah. When I admitted into the hospital, all I had was a broken arm. So I was actually discharged from the hospital a while ago."

Haruki drummed her fingers over the top of her cast.

"This was supposed to be gone a long time ago. I…I started up work as a construction worker, actually, after I was discharged."

Isuke stared at her, disbelief written all over her features.

"A construction worker? You might as well have been a cashier or-or a maid. Exactly how did you plan on making ends meet for your family with that kind of job?"

Despite herself, Haruki snickered.

"A maid, Isuke-sama? Can you seriously imagine me in a frilly dress with garters, sweeping and stuff?" she chortled, shaking her head. "Construction work suited me pretty well, actually, but yeah, it wasn't exactly a high-paying job."

Absentmindedly cracking her knuckles, Haruki smiled at the memory.

"I was actually also studying to get the equivalent of a high school diploma, you know. At the time, it kinda sucked, but now…never thought I would actually miss studying for anything," she murmured.

Isuke rubbed a cotton ball against a scrape on Haruki's knee, frowning all the while.

"Even with a high school diploma, there's no way you'd be able to find a job with a salary high enough to pay for your mother's hospital bills and your entire brood of siblings," she said.

Haruki nodded, jerking slightly as the disinfectant bubbled and hissed in the wound.

"I wasn't really sure what I was going to do. But I…I couldn't stay in the assassination business, Isuke-sama. It—"

"I know," Isuke interrupted, looking irritated, "You don't have to say it. If there's one thing Isuke knows for sure by now, it's how stupidly noble you are 3"

With a weak, sheepish laugh, Haruki shook her head.

"Well, that's where Ren came in.

"I was visiting my mom in the city's main hospital when I first met her. She was my mom's old classmate, you know. They…didn't exactly get along. She somehow heard about my mom's condition from somewhere, and so she was there to…well…"

"Gloat?" Isuke guessed, rolling her eyes. "Isuke wouldn't put it past that old bitch 3"

Haruki chuckled.

"Sort of. Actually, when I say they didn't get along, I meant…they actually used to be together, for a little bit."

"Together?" Isuke repeated, pausing in her ministrations. "As in dating?"

"Yeah. For a bit," Haruki said, grimacing. "Apparently she was a bitch back then too, though, so Mom dumped her for my dad, and that…didn't exactly go over so well with Ren.

"So she was mainly there at the hospital to kinda show off and say 'look what you could have had,' you know? Since Ren's filthy rich and living well and all that, while Mom's…"

"Poor and dying," Isuke supplied in true, brutally blunt Isuke-sama fashion.

Haruki smiled ruefully. "Yeah. Poor and dying. Mom looked pretty upset, so I decided to get Ren outta there. She was really surprised to see me. I'm the only one that got Dad's red hair, you see, and people say I look the most like him out of all my siblings. So it gave Ren bad flashbacks, or something."

Shrugging, she continued, "I'm also the only one that got Mom's eyes, though. So to Ren, I'm like a weird blend of the girl that she was in love with and the guy that stole that girl away."

Taking a deep breath, Haruki let it all out in a whoosh of air.

"She came back the next day and told me point-blank that she could take care of my entire family and my mom's hospital bills in exchange for my…time on the weekends.

"Mom…has end stage renal disease. She can't survive without being in the hospital, and even keeping her alive in the hospital is really, really expensive. But they're testing this new drug on her, and it's been helping her out a lot. Problem is, this drug is even more expensive…and only someone with Ren's kind of money could afford it.

"So…yeah. The rest you know, I think," Haruki finished, and fell silent.

She watched Isuke as the other girl continued applying another bandage, waiting apprehensively for Isuke to respond in some way.

"…so you ended up in the hospital again because she hurt you?" Isuke finally asked, looking up.

Clearing her throat uncomfortably, Haruki nodded.

"Yeah. My arm's been getting a pretty bad beating, since it, uh…I think the doctor used the word 'demineralized,' or something. Since it was already weak from disuse in the cast, it breaks a bit more easily now. Ren's been paying for it, though, so it's no big deal—ow!"

Haruki winced as Isuke drenched her other leg in disinfectant, the dozens of cuts and scratches there all stinging simultaneously.

"Ow, ow, ow. H-hey, Isuke-sama—"

"Did you enjoy that?"

Bewildered, Haruki shook her head.

"Of course not! Jeez, Isuke-sama, what happened to your magic touch? You were being so nice and gentle and all that until now, too," Haruki complained, pulling her leg back to her chest.

Isuke straightened, casually buffing her nails against her shirt.

"So you can feel pain, after all. I was beginning to think you were immune to it, or maybe some kind of masochist~"

"Wha—"

"You know, most normal people cry when they feel pain. Just like they also smile when they're happy."

Isuke's amber eyes rose to meet Haruki's again, and Haruki was startled by the agitation she saw reflected in them.

"Isuke suggests you learn from them," she said. "Instead of laughing off all the pain and constantly grinning like an idiot."

Ah.

So that's what this was about.

Haruki returned Isuke's scowl with another smile and patted her lightly on the shoulder.

"Don't worry about me, Isuke-sama. I can handle this much."

Isuke sighed, rolling her eyes.

"That's exactly the kind of attitude that Isuke is saying you should change. When's the last time you cried, Haruki? Do you even remember?"

Haruki's smile faded, and she let out a soft chuckle.

"Sure I do."

Ten years ago, the day the police had come to the door with news of the accident that had taken Dad's life.

"…it's been a while, but I remember. But what good does crying do, anyway, Isuke-sama? It's better to smile, don't you think?"

"To benefit others, maybe," Isuke replied. "But I'm always telling you to be selfish, aren't I?"

"But—"

"Oh, for the love of—do you need me to spell everything out for you, you idiot?" Isuke snapped, dropping the gauze and tape onto the bed.

Haruki stared, perplexed, as Isuke pointed a finger almost accusingly in her face and said: "Aren't you angry? Aren't you sad? Isn't it hard, constantly smiling, laughing, and putting up a stupidly brave face? With everything you've been through…don't you ever want to cry?"

All throughout the conversation, Isuke had noticed something that had irritated her more and more as Haruki had went on.

And so she vocalized this unbelievably infuriating pattern:

"You realize that you're telling me about all of this while smiling, right? Your father's dead, your mother's dying, and you're selling yourself, getting hospitalized from the abuse, in order to make ends meet for your siblings…and you're smiling."

To Isuke's utmost horror, her vision began to water and blur; she immediately and angrily swiped at her eyes, but the other girl had noticed.

Eyes wide, Haruki gaped at her.

"Isuke-sama…are you crying?"

"No, you idiot, I'm just—this is just—"

Growling in frustration and mortification, Isuke glared at her roommate.

This was all her fault.

If she weren't so ridiculously nice and selfless, had just listened to Isuke and been a little more selfish, then Isuke wouldn't be feeling the way she did now.

But as if was…

"Were you crying for me, Isuke-sama?"

Haruki was looking at her intently, eyes soft and concerned.

Ignoring the pang in her chest that those eyes brought about, Isuke glowered.

"I was not crying at all. I teared up for one second, just because of how stupid you were be—"

Haruki's hand very gently covered her own, and Isuke's words died, forgotten.

"...thanks, Isuke-sama. But…I'm really okay, you know? The reason why I don't cry is because I don't need to."

"That's not—"

"I really don't need to," Haruki insisted, firmly. "I don't need to...because I have people like you who cry for me."

Isuke tensed as Haruki brought a hand up to her face, gently cupping her cheek.

Haruki grinned, her thumb slowly running over Isuke's skin.

"People who give me all the strength I need to keep moving on, doing whatever it takes, you know?" she said.

Shaking her head, she added, "And Isuke-sama, my smiles aren't fake."

Releasing the breath that she hadn't even realized she had been holding, Isuke somehow managed to turn the exhalation into a weak scoff.

"Liar. What possible reasons could you have to be so happy all the time, then?"

"Plenty," Haruki replied immediately. "There's Mom, Fuyuka, Aki, Kana, Natsuki…just to name a few."

Tugging gently on a lock of Isuke's hair, Haruki's gaze softened.

"And there's you, Isuke-sama."

With anyone else, and at any other time, Isuke would've chosen this second to roll her eyes, wriggle free, or give some kind of sarcastic response.

But with Haruki, at this particular moment, Isuke couldn't do anything except mutely return Haruki's gaze, feeling heat rise in her cheeks.

She opened her mouth to reply, and nothing came out.

She closed her mouth again, poking her tongue out to wet her lips; Haruki's eyes dropped down to follow the movement, and Isuke felt another surge of heat.

"…Haruki…I—"

A loud, bright, ridiculously cheerful melody blared out from behind her, making both of them jump and turn around.

"Oh, whoops. That's my phone, sorry, Isuke-sama," Haruki said, stretching out to grab the ringing cell.

Ignoring the hammering in her chest, Isuke looked at the caller-ID to see "Fuyuka" flashing up at her.

Haruki let out the sigh of relief that Isuke felt.

"Good. It's not Ren," she said, voicing Isuke's thoughts, before picking up the phone.

"Hello, Fuyuka?"

Isuke leaned back in the bed, bringing her hand to her still-warm face.

What…what the heck was that, just now?

If Haruki's phone hadn't gone off—

"What? Aki did?" Haruki demanded.

Shaking her head, Isuke pushed those distracting thoughts away and turned back to her roommate.

"Jeez, that kid just can't stay out of trouble…yeah, don't worry about it. No, it's fine, I'll take care of it, okay? …yeah, no worries. I'll head over there now."

Isuke frowned as Haruki snapped the phone shut and tiredly rubbed her forehead.

"What's wrong?"

Haruki looked up, smiling sheepishly.

"It's Aki. Remember him, Isuke-sama? He's the younger twin with the little crush on you. The little punk's gotten himself into some trouble again. He was caught vandalizing someone's house, so they're holding him at the police station. He's just a kid, so there's no penalty or anything, but I gotta go pick him up," she said, getting to her feet.

Isuke also stood, her frown deepening

"This late? It's almost one in the morning. And I haven't finished cleaning and bandaging all your injuries."

Haruki waved a hand carelessly.

"It's fine, you got most of them. I can finish the job myself when I get back, and then we can finish talking; I'm sure you have more questions. But until-"

"I'll finish the job when we get back, and then we can finish talking," Isuke corrected, sighing as she picked her jacket up from her bed.

Haruki blinked at her.

"Huh?"

Isuke tapped a heel impatiently against the ground. "I'm coming with you, obviously. You're too poor to pay for a taxi, and knowing you you'll probably end up passing out from exhaustion before you let your brother stay in the station overnight. Though if you ask Isuke, the little brat might learn a lesson or two from that kind of experience~"

Haruki looked as though she might protest, but then nodded and chuckled.

"All right, then. Thanks, Isuke-sama. Looks like Aki's in for a little surprise."

Isuke reached out and caught Haruki's wrist as she moved to walk by.

At her roommate's questioning look, Isuke said, very emphatically, "I never make promises that I can't keep. I meant it when I said I was going to take care of this whole business with Ren, and your mother, and your family. I'm not even going to bother asking you to be selfish anymore or to stop forcing yourself to smile, but…"

Releasing Haruki's wrist, she sighed.

"Just try to rely a bit on Isuke, okay? 3 Instead of doing everything by yourself all the time."

Haruki nodded, jamming her hand into her pocket as she smiled.

"I'll try my best. But...you know, no matter what happens, Isuke…thanks for everything."

The moment Isuke walked in through the doors, Aki's eyes went absolutely enormous.

Haruki snickered, ruffling her brother's downy black hair as she sat down beside him.

"This isn't the time to be gawking, you little punk."

Turning to the cop, Haruki bowed slightly.

"Sorry for the trouble, dude. What exactly did he do?" she asked.

The cop, she noticed, seemed just as distracted by Isuke as Aki was, and Haruki felt a really weird, really faint spark of…of something unrecognizable deep in her gut at the way his eyes drifted over her roommate's body.

Haruki had to loudly clear her throat before the dumb guy snapped out of it.

"H-huh? Oh, er, I'm sorry. This kid was found on the Masuda family's estate, spray-painting the front door with graffiti. He's just a child, so no one's pressing charges, but he really can't be doing this again, okay?" the cop said, putting a hand on Aki's head.

Haruki frowned, turning to her little brother.

"Why were you doing something like that, Aki?"

The kid was a troublemaker, but not the kind to trespass and vandalize.

Aki hung his head low, drooping in his seat.

"Because Masuda Noriyuki…he made fun of Kana," he said, his voice very quiet.

"Made fun of Kana?" Haruki repeated, surprised.

Kana was always so sweet and quiet. What brat would pick on her?

Aki nodded slowly.

"Yeah. He was laughing at her because… because Kana wears the same clothes all the time."

Haruki stiffened, jaw clenching shut tightly.

An uncomfortable silence descended upon the room.

She didn't know how to respond.

Haruki had never been ashamed of her family's poverty, but she had also barely even gone to school. She had forgotten how mean kids could sometimes be, especially around Aki or Kana's age.

"…Aki…look, I'm sor—"

"Did you say Masuda Noriyuki?"

Isuke's voice surprised both Haruki and her little brother, and they both turned to see Isuke nonchalantly filing her nails.

"…y-yeah," Aki replied, hesitantly.

"What a coincidence~ I knew his older brother," Isuke said casually. "I even dated him for a little while. And you know what Isuke discovered while we were dating?"

Without waiting for a response, she looked up and smirked.

"All of his stuff are knockoffs~" she drawled, putting her nail file down. "As if that wasn't bad enough, he had a terrible sense of fashion. None of his clothes ever matched, his hair was always disgustingly lank and greasy, and he was dumb and ugly."

Isuke crossed her long legs, seating herself on the edge of the table.

"The next time you see Masuda Noriyuki, ask him what the point of having money is if no one in his pathetic family can even use it right 3"

Going back to filing her nails, Isuke added, "Oh, and if he takes after his older brother, tell him he's stupid and ugly, too."

A soft, happy little noise immediately sounded from behind Haruki, and she turned to see Aki giggling, beaming up at Isuke.

"He has buck-teeth," he said, wriggling merrily in his seat, "and anyone who makes fun of Kana is stupid. So he really is stupid and ugly."

"And what's the point of being rich if you're stupid and ugly, right?" Isuke said.

Aki nodded and grinned. "Right!"

Haruki looked between her brother and Isuke, a smile slowly spreading across her face. Leave it to Isuke-sama to comfort her brother in such a roundabout way.

I'm not sure if I should be okay with Aki calling some kid stupid and ugly, but…

Haruki shrugged.

The brat deserves it for picking on our family, so whatever. He needs to learn a lesson, anyway.

"Er, okay, well…remember to just...not do it again, okay?" the cop said, patting Aki's head again.

Aki nodded, getting to his feet.

And Haruki scooped him up into her uninjured arm, drawing a surprised and delighted whoop from the boy.

"All right, then, let's get you home, yeah?"

"Yeah! I'm sorry for causing trouble, Haruki-nee-chan," he said, wrapping his arms around her neck.

Haruki was opening her mouth to reply when the cop suddenly stepped forward, awkwardly clearing his throat.

"It's late, and the streets are pretty dangerous at night. Why don't I give you guys a lift home?" he said, looking directly at Isuke.

Haruki's stomach clenched with the same unidentifiable feeling at the way the cop openly stared at her roommate.

This creep is more dangerous than anyone we'll met out there, she thought, scowling slightly.

But the feeling quickly faded as soon as Isuke gave the cop a once-over and smirked.

"As if~ Isuke will just take her chances taking the taxi, thank you 3"

Haruki felt a strange sense of triumph well up inside her as they all walked out of the station, leaving the poor guy standing there.

"Ew, how pathetic," Isuke said as soon as they were inside the taxi. "He couldn't have been any more obvious. What kind of cop was he?"

"A bad one," Haruki said, looking back at the guy. He was still standing there inside the station, looking very disappointed. "Though I did kinda feel bad for him in the end. You're brutal, Isuke-sama."

Isuke shrugged, twirling a lock of hair around her finger.

"He deserved it. Isuke hates it when—"

Isuke abruptly stopped talking the second Aki crawled into her lap.

"Isuke-nee-chan, you're pretty inside, too," he declared, smiling up at her.

Arching a brow, Isuke leaned back in her seat, clearly uncomfortable.

"Isuke has no idea what you're talking about, brat 3" she said with a sweet smile.

Aki seemed more than happy to explain.

"Mama always says that being pretty inside is more important than being pretty outside. But you're pretty both inside and outside!"

"…how corny. As expected of your family," Isuke said, shaking her head.

This motion was quickly restricted when Aki wrapped his short arms around Isuke's neck in a tight hug. "Thank you for coming to see me with Haruki-nee-chan! I like you a whole lot even more now!"

"Oh, wow…lucky me 3" Isuke said stiffly, clearly waiting for the boy to let her go.

Unfortunately for her, Aki didn't seem to have any intention of releasing her.

Haruki stifled laughter as Isuke glared at her, tugging ineffectually at Aki's hood in a one-handed effort to pry him off of her.

Much to Haruki's continued amusement and Isuke's continued displeasure, Aki stuck to Isuke like a burr for the rest of the taxi ride to Haruki's house, hugging her all the while.

The house was still brightly lit and filled with commotion when Haruki reached the front door.

"Haruki-nee-chan! It's Ha-chan!"

The door swung open, and Natsuki, Haruo, and Toma all came running through the doorway.

All three of them stopped short when they saw Isuke.

And all three of them turned and ran back into the house.

"Fuyuka-nee-chan, Haruki-nee-chan brought that pretty lady with the bare belly with her!" Natsuki shouted, pointing at Isuke.

Haruki chuckled, patting Isuke on the back.

"Wanna go inside for a bit, Isuke-sama? It's not much to look at, I know, and it's a little cramped in there, but Fuyuka could whip up some cool drinks and we can eat some ice cream before heading back," she suggested, looking at her roommate.

Isuke was eyeing the house doubtfully, brow furrowed.

"…I'm not so selfish that I'll force you to leave without spending some time with your precious family," she finally said, and sighed. "Let's stay for a bit."

Haruki grinned, and with a rush of appreciation, squeezed her roommate in another brief one-armed hug.

"Thanks, Isuke-sama. It'll be fun, I promise."

Pretending not to hear Isuke's dark mutterings about "all of these unwanted hugs from this family," Haruki guided her roommate into her home.

It was chaos, as usual, and within seconds Aki was running into the thick of it all, tackling his twin to the ground and fighting over some old toy.

Haruki brought Isuke to the living room, finding a clean cushion for her to sit on.

"Wait right here, Isuke-sama. I'll go get some drinks from Fuyuka."

Chancing a glance back at her roommate as she left the room, Haruki couldn't help but grin at how uncomfortable and lost Isuke suddenly looked in that cramped, messy space littered with children's books, toys, and even the children themselves.

Still, this kinda thing might do her some good, Haruki mused. Hang in there, Isuke-sama.

Fuyuka was already preparing mugicha in the kitchen.

She looked up and smiled as Haruki entered.

"Sorry about the whole business with Aki, Sis. And I'm sorry to Inukai-san, too. I hope it wasn't too much trouble for the two of you," she said, placing the pitcher onto the counter.

Haruki shook her head, leaning comfortably against the table.

"No trouble at all. Isuke paid for a taxi, so it was an easy job," she said, grabbing a pack of Pocky from the cabinet.

"Oh, yeah! This reminds me: Isuke got a whole bunch of snacks and candy for everyone. It's all at the hospital, so come and get it tomorrow."

Fuyuka raised her brows, looking surprised.

"Inukai-san did?"

"Yeah, and a mountain of Pocky for me, too. Her dads brought it all over yesterday," she said, chortling at the memory.

"Her…dads? Then…you've met her parents?" Fuyuka said.

Haruki blinked at the weird note in her sister's voice, and turned to see Fuyuka smiling slyly at her.

Realization dawned, and Haruki almost automatically laughed.

"No, no, it's nothing like that!" she exclaimed, waving her hand and chuckling. "Jeez, Fuyuka. We're just friends."

"You are?" Fuyuka said.

"Wha—why do you look so sad?"

Fuyuka had positively wilted, going from cheerful to downcast in milliseconds.

"Well, it's just…you've never really had the chance to do things like dating before, Sis, and Inukai-san is so pretty, and you two seem to get along so well…"

Haruki smiled at the concern in her little sister's voice, reaching out to ruffle her hair.

"Don't worry about me, Fuyuka. Besides, even if it was like that, Isuke-sama would be way out of my league. Her parents probably already have the rich heir of some huge conglomerate picked out for her marriage. She's gonna marry someone that can give her the luxurious lifestyle she's used to, you know?" she said, biting down on a stick of Pocky.

Fuyuka frowned.

"Well, I suppose so…but, if you were to disregard class and background and all of that, I want to know…how do you feel about her, Sis? You're really just one-hundred percent friends?"

"Yeah, of co—"

"Think before responding, Sis," Fuyuka interrupted, her frown deepening into an almost Isuke-sama-ish scowl. "You're always thinking about other people, but you never give even a second of thought to yourself or your feelings. Don't say a word, think for at least a minute, and then tell me again."

Haruki obediently closed her mouth.

Sheesh. Everyone's bossing me around lately, Haruki thought ruefully, chuckling to herself. But, well, this shouldn't be too hard. Let's see…

How did she feel about Isuke?

Well, Haruki definitely liked her a whole lot. She had already been fond of her roommate from their time together at Myojo, and this fondness had only increased exponentially over the past week.

The fact that Isuke had actually gotten her steak and Pocky had especially surprised her, showing off that hidden heart of gold that Haruki had always known was buried under that attitude.

And then there was everything with Ren, just earlier that day…

Isuke hadn't yet explained how she had found everything out, but she had obviously cared enough to figure it all out on her own. She had also cared enough to bandage Haruki's injuries and get her a doctor.

Haruki frowned.

She had even cared enough to cry for her, as brief and unwilling as it had been.

Never thought I'd ever see Isuke-sama tearing up about anything.

Sure, it had seemed to be more out of frustration than anything else, and she had seemed to be highly embarrassed and regretful about it afterwards, but still…to see prideful, cynical, and mocking Inukai Isuke, getting to that state…

Haruki had felt a swell of affection earlier, as they had sat together on the hospital bed, and had felt the strangest and strongest urge to…

To what?

She had felt the urge to do something, before her phone had rung.

"…hey, Fuyuka. What are the um…you know, what exactly does it mean to 'like' someone that way? The way you were talking about?" Haruki asked doubtfully, rubbing the back of her neck.

Fuyuka smiled, bringing a finger to her chin.

"Well, I'm not too sure either, Sis. I don't exactly have experience. But...according to one of the most common theories of love, there are actually a few main components.

"The first is affection, or fondness."

Okay, check. Haruki had definitely established a long time ago that she liked Isuke very much.

"The second is attachment."

…check.

Haruki was pretty attached to her roommate; maybe even too much, considering the relatively short amount of time they had known each other.

"And the third is attraction. You know…like desire, and stuff," Fuyuka said, looking slightly embarrassed.

Haruki quietly rewinded several moments in her head.

The time she had imagined Isuke in that frilly pink lingerie, the time Isuke had ended up on top of her, and then, just an hour or so ago, when Haruki had felt the urge to…

To kiss her.

...check.

Haruki felt her face heat as she finally realized what it was that she had wanted to do, when they had been sitting together on the bed at that moment.

The urge she had felt was the desire to kiss Inukai Isuke.

…oh.

Haruki ran a hand over her face, clearing her throat.

"…uh. Oh, wow. I guess I really do like her that way, after all."

"I knew it!"

Fuyuka beamed, squealing delightedly, and Haruki let out a soft, disbelieving laugh.

How didn't I realize…?

Dimly aware that her little sister was bouncing up and down in glee, Haruki shook her head clear of her confusion and turned back to Fuyuka.

"L-look, it doesn't matter, anyway," she began, putting the box of Pocky down.

Fuyuka took her hand and giggled.

"No, Sis, that's all that matters. All that matters are your feelings," she said.

"And what about Isuke-sama's feelings?" Haruki asked, smiling despite herself. "She doesn't get a say in the matter?"

"Of course she does, but Inukai-san has no choice but to fall for you, Sis. Just look at you!"

"Fuyuka…"

Haruki didn't want to rain on her kid sister's parade. She really didn't. But it would be meaner to get her hopes up like this, only to have them fall flat later on.

"Listen, Fuyuka…I'm happy that you're happy, but it isn't that simple. Like you said, even if we put aside class and all that…"

She trailed off, unsure of how to continue.

There's Mom. There's making enough money to feed all of you. And there's Ren, at the center of it all.

Isuke was already going through the trouble of saying that she'd help her out with all of this. The last thing she needed was for Haruki to add the extra burden of dealing with some kind of confession.

And the last thing Haruki wanted was to scare Isuke off with feelings that Haruki herself had only just realized now.

They had only really just become friends, after all.

Now's…really not the time for that kind of thing.

"But Sis—"

A loud crash from the living room cut off whatever Fuyuka had been about to say, and Haruki was momentarily torn between relief at the distraction and worry at the noise.

Quickly pushing herself off the table, Haruki ran over to the next room.

And in the next room lied a very disgruntled Isuke buried underneath Aki, Natsuki, Kana, and Toma. All half-covered in liquid chocolate.

"…um."

Haruki's brain whirred, baffled as to which part of this bizarre scene to even begin analyzing to make sense of it all.

Underneath the pile, Isuke let out a pitiful wheeze.

"F-for a bunch of poor children…you really do weigh a lot," she gasped, squirming around in a vain attempt to free herself from the four kids on top of her.

Galvanized into action by the irritation in Isuke's voice, Haruki swiftly scooped Aki and Natsuki up and off her roommate, depositing them on the ground beside her before doing the same with Toma and Kana.

Kneeling beside her downed roommate, Haruki stared in complete bewilderment at the chocolate coating about half her body. It seemed to be some kind of fudge ice cream, but why it was on Isuke's body…

…definitely has to do these four punks, Haruki thought, looking back at her decidedly guilty looking quartet of youngest siblings.

"Y-you okay, Isuke-sama?" Haruki asked hesitantly, deciding to ignore the chocolate, for now.

Isuke responded with a poisonous glare, her usual smile visibly strained.

"Haruki…"

"Yeah, Isuke-sama?"

"…you said this would be fun. Isuke…is not having fun 3"

Haruki tried her absolute best not to laugh.

She failed in a matter of seconds.

Collapsing next to her extremely displeased roommate, she snickered helplessly, shaking her head at the ridiculousness of the entire situation.

Haruki wasn't sure what the future held. She didn't know what would happen with Ren, or the money situation, or whatever Isuke was planning.

She wasn't even entirely sure yet of her own feelings towards the other girl, having only just managed to figure out that she actually liked her roommate in that way.

Everything was complicated, confusing, and unclear.

But none of that seemed to really matter.

For now, Haruki just wanted to be with her friend like this.

"That much is okay, right, Isuke-sama?" she said, grinning down at the other girl.

Expectedly, Isuke scowled, brow knit in confusion, and Haruki chuckled.

Beyond the complication, confusion, and unclearness, Haruki knew that being with Isuke made her happy.

And for now, that much was simple enough.

A/N: A few people were asking about Haruki's feelings about Isuke, haha, and hopefully this chapter has answered your questions. Considering Haruki's nature, it seemed like she'd be the type to kind of remain oblivious to her own (especially romantic) feelings until prompted by someone else, which is why it was kind of vague how she felt about Isuke until this chapter.

To make up for the heavy stuff last chapter, I dedicated quite a bit of this chapter to relationship development and even some fluffy-ish kind of stuff. The next chapter will start off with some choco-shenanigans ;D before we move onto more plot/slightly darker things; half of you seem to be asking for more drama, while the other half wants fluff and romance haha, so I'll try to keep it evenly mixed :)

Side note: I can't believe AnR is over! D: People seem to be split on whether or not they liked the ending, but personally, I gotta say: Haruki in a construction worker outfit, Isuke on the beach, and Hanabusa being alive just made me so ridiculously happy, I ended up satisfied with the entire ending, haha.

Anyway, please leave any feedback you want to, as always, and see you next chapter! :)

Chapter 7: Chapter 7

Isuke smacked the back of Haruki's head.

It hurt.

Quite a bit.

To be fair, Haruki knew that she totally deserved it.

A few minutes earlier…

"Okay…you're saying that you guys wanted to share your ice cream with Isuke-sama, and so brought the carton over here to her. That much I get. What I don't get it how it ended up slathered all over her body," Haruki said, frowning down at four of her younger siblings.

Natsuki pointed to the empty carton of chocolate fudge ice cream and shook her head.

"It wasn't our fault, Ha-chan! The freezer is broken," she said. "So the ice cream was all melted."

Toma nodded rapidly.

"Wasn't our fault!" he echoed. "Or it wasn't my fault. Aki was the one that pushed me when I tried to give some of the ice cream to Isuke-nee-chan."

Aki cringed guiltily before shooting his twin an angry little glare.

"That's because I wanted to give the ice cream to Isuke-nee-chan. It was my idea! But Toma wouldn't give me the carton, and then Kana and Natsuki tried to take it also—"

"I was just trying to break up the fight," Kana protested. "But then we all ended up tripping and getting tangled up…"

"…before crashing on top of Isuke-sama," Haruki finished, and chuckled when all four of her siblings nodded.

She looked over at Isuke, who was looking quite sullen and highly discontented under the coating of chocolate fudge.

Determined not to start laughing again, Haruki turned back to her siblings.

"It may have been an accident, but you caused a lot of trouble for Isuke-sama. What do you say?" she prompted, like Mom used to do.

"We're sorry, Isuke-nee-chan," the kids immediately chorused, bowing low to the ground.

Smiling apologetically at her roommate, Haruki offered a slight bow of her own.

"I'm really, really sorry about this Isuke-sama…but do you think you can forgive them?"

Isuke scowled, tossing her sticky and chocolate-covered handkerchief to the side.

"…you're all very, very lucky that Isuke is in a generous mood today," she said, her smile barely twitching into place. "Let's go with this: if everyone in this family promises to stop touching me so much, all will be forgiven 3"

Aki furrowed his brow, looking crestfallen.

"What do you mean, Isuke-nee-chan?" he asked, tugging on her hand.

"I mean things like this," Isuke said, gesturing to his hand on her own. "Isuke's hands, stomach, hair and clothes are not for you to touch, okay? 3"

They were touching her stomach?

The thought made Haruki chuckle, though it wasn't exactly surprising. Her younger siblings all seemed to thrive on a very physical form of affection. They had probably been crawling all over Isuke.

"C'mon, guys, what do you say? You don't want Isuke-sama to stay mad at you, right?" Haruki said, ruffling a now sulking Aki's hair.

Aki shook his head.

"…okay. We promise that—"

"Wait, Inukai-san."

Fuyuka had come out from the kitchen, and stood smiling in the living room doorway.

"You said 'everyone in this family'…so does this promise extend to Haruki-nee-chan as well?"

…huh?

Fuyuka was the picture of innocent curiosity as she shrugged and continued, "You know, since you two are roommates, you'll probably end up touching each other pretty often, so I just wanted to know if you wanted Haruki-nee-chan to stop touching you, too."

Haruki gaped at her little sister in utter disbelief.

Fuyuka was…was meddling.

Her sweet little sister was actually trying to meddle in Haruki's nonexistent love life. She was trying to make the nonexistent…exist.

This is really not okay.

"F-Fuyuka—"

"No…it doesn't apply to her."

At the sound of her voice, Haruki turned back to Isuke, newly baffled.

Her roommate immediately averted her eyes, frowning at the ground.

"What? Like your sister said, we're roommates, right? Isuke isn't going to make you promise something irrational 3" she said, getting to her feet. "Besides, if I include in that promise, you won't be able to help me clean this mess up."

Isuke breezed past her, leaving Haruki to alternate between staring after her in confusion and pretending not to see the gleeful smirk on Fuyuka's face.

"I'll take care of the kids up, Sis, so why don't you go help Inukai-san clean herself up?" Fuyuka suggested.

Before Haruki could even respond, her sister was off, carrying Kana and Toma into the bathroom.

Haruki stood there in silence for a few seconds, feeling a bit at a loss.

Liking someone really is complicated, huh…who knew Fuyuka could be so pushy? she mused as she made her way into the kitchen.

Isuke was standing by the sink, peeling her sleeves back with a look of distaste.

"My entire body feels all sticky," she complained as Haruki entered the room. "Isuke can't stand it 3"

Haruki looked her roommate over more closely. The chocolate was splattered all over her shirt, as well as her exposed stomach, collar, and hands. The fudge had a surprisingly thick consistency, and it was smeared over her skin in a way that resembled actual liquid chocolate more than ice cream.

Which meant it would probably be a lot harder to clean.

"Wow, it's really all over you, huh? Erm, let's see…for now, why don't you change out of your top? I'll give you a shirt you can wear until we get back to the hospital, and then you can shower there," Haruki said.

Isuke made an annoyed noise that Haruki took as agreement, and Haruki quickly jogged off to find a shirt her roommate could temporarily wear.

She returned to the kitchen with a large t-shirt a few seconds later.

"Here you go, Isuke-sama. This probably isn't exactly as stylish as you're used to, but everything else is in the wash right now, and—"

Haruki's words stuttered to a complete stop; she froze at the entrance to the kitchen.

Isuke stood in the middle of kitchen, cleaning herself with a paper-towel and clad in a very lacy black bra.

It was the latter fact that attracted Haruki's attention.

Haruki had seen Isuke less than clothed before. She had even bathed with her pretty often, back at Myojo.

But it all felt totally different now that Haruki had realized the exact nature of her feelings for her roommate, and consequently…her face pretty much felt like it had suddenly been set on fire.

"What is that?"

Isuke, thankfully, seemed too distracted by the t-shirt that Haruki was holding to notice her staring.

Clearing her throat, Haruki forced her gaze away from Isuke's undergarments and focused instead on the big picture on the front of the t-shirt.

"It's Olaf," Haruki said, grinning at the familiar picture of the happy little snowman.

Looking at Olaf was good; looking Olaf was distracting, since looking at Olaf meant that Haruki wasn't looking at her very scantily-clad roommate.

"Y'know, from Anna and the Snow Queen, that animated American movie; I think it was called Frozen originally," Haruki continued, trying very hard not to notice the way Isuke kind of…bounced…as she leaned forward to stare at the shirt.

Isuke was smirking, shaking her head as she took the shirt from her.

"Leave it to you to own a kid's shirt like this," she said, tossing the top onto the counter.

Haruki opened her mouth to reply, only to stop and blink in confusion when Isuke handed her a damp paper towel.

"I can't clean my arm with my other hand bound up like this," Isuke explained, gesturing to her sling and cast. "So do it for Isuke, will you? 3"

Isuke's uninjured arm and hand were the only parts of her body that were still covered in chocolate, every other spot having been wiped clean.

Taking the paper towel, Haruki nodded.

It was just her arm and her hand. Nothing major.

Haruki could handle that much.

…or so she thought.

At first, all went well.

Haruki wiped down Isuke's arm and wrist, and even made it to her palm and knuckles.

The problems began when she reached Isuke's fingers.

Contrary to what Isuke seemed to think, Haruki didn't actually have a hand fetish.

She just really happened to like Isuke's hands because they belonged to Isuke. Other people's hands she could care less about.

Haruki stared down at those long, slender fingers until finally Isuke wiggled them impatiently.

"What are you waiting for?" she asked, frowning up at her.

"Sorry, Isuke-sama," Haruki replied automatically.

But instead of wiping her roommate's fingers with the paper towel, Haruki found herself throwing the paper towel to the side and bringing those fingers to her lips.

"W-what are you—"

Haruki wasn't sure what exactly got into her.

But apparently liking someone meant that her self-control had been reduced to that of a pervy twelve year old boy, because the next thing she knew, Haruki was slowly lapping up the chocolate from Isuke's fingers.

Isuke made a choked sound as Haruki sucked the tips of her fingers, her tongue gliding over and between each digit.

"H-Haruki—"

It's sweet.

And it was probably the best chocolate fudge ice cream Haruki had ever tasted.

She flicked her tongue along the back of Isuke's knuckles; a strange, thin noise escaped Isuke's throat.

Turning Isuke's hand over, Haruki suckled the last finger clean.

And then it was over, and Haruki was left kneeling there and wondering what the hell she had just done.

A rising wave of panic swelled up inside her as she remained utterly motionless, still holding Isuke's hand in her own.

What did I just…why did I just…oh man…

Haruki was almost afraid to look up.

Isuke-sama is going to kill me…

Fortunately, Isuke didn't kill her.

Unfortunately, she did hit her on the back of head really, really hard.

Yeah, Haruki decided, rubbing her head ruefully. Definitely deserved that.

About an hour later, after they had returned to the hospital, Haruki was still apologizing.

"I-I'm really sorry, Isuke-sama, I swear I don't know what got into me," she said for what had to be the ten thousandth time.

For what had to be the ten thousandth, Isuke utterly ignored her.

Ripping open another packet of gauze, Isuke bandaged another scrape on Haruki's leg.

"You're…really mad at me, huh, Isuke-sama?"

Isuke gritted her teeth but didn't reply.

Because actually, no, Isuke wasn't mad at all. At least, she wasn't mad at Haruki.

Inukai Isuke was angry with no one other than herself.

The reason for this anger stemmed from what Haruki had done, yes, but it wasn't actually the idiot's fault.

Isuke was mad at herself for her reaction to what Haruki had done.

Even at the memory, Isuke could feel her face growing warm.

While Isuke wasn't exactly as experienced as most people tended to think she was, she also definitely was not some blushing little virgin.

Yet she always seemed to act like one whenever Haruki so much as even looked at her.

This pissed Isuke off.

It really pissed her off.

You're Inukai Isuke, she mentally berated herself, scowling down at the bottle of disinfectant. You're not supposed to be embarrassed about these kinds of things. Get ahold of yourself, idiot.

Isuke remembered a particularly horny boy she had dated in the past that had done things that were hundreds of times worse than just sucking on her fingers.

But while Isuke had been unimpressed and even bored with that guy (if she remembered correctly, she had dumped him after a day or two), she had been reduced to a stammering wreck with Haruki.

What made everything a million times even worse was that Isuke had liked it.

She had wanted Haruki to continue, and had been absurdly close to actually asking her to continue before she had opted to smack the other girl instead.

But why was that idiot even doing something like that? Unless…

Shaking her head, Isuke scowled and ignored the flush that crept up her neck.

First things first.

"Isuke-sama…"

Isuke was surprised by the genuine worry in her roommate's tone, and she looked up to see Haruki staring dolefully at her.

Haruki's eyes, Isuke had noticed, could be ridiculously expressive.

At the moment, they were large and sad; coupled with the way Haruki drooping in her seat, they gave Isuke the overall impression of a dejected puppy.

"I'm really sorry, Isuke-sama. Please forgive me," she said, even going so far as to bow her head.

Rolling her eyes, Isuke flicked her roommate's forehead.

"I wonder how many times Isuke has to tell you to stop apologizing before you understand 3 I was never angr—"

Wait a second.

Snapping her mouth shut, Isuke stared intently at her confused roommate.

This was the perfect opportunity to straighten things out.

Isuke wasn't some whimpering and virginal little girl.

She was going to make that clear, here and now.

"…close your eyes, Haruki," she said, swiftly changing gears.

Haruki blinked at her, looking more bemused than ever.

"Close…my eyes?"

"Yes," Isuke replied impatiently. "You wanted Isuke's forgiveness, right? Do as I say and close your eyes right now."

Haruki obeyed immediately, and Isuke couldn't help but smile at the girl's compliance. She really was like a puppy sometimes.

"Keep them shut until I tell you otherwise. If you peek even for a second, Isuke will never, ever forgive you 3"

Haruki nodded, and Isuke smirked as she slowly lowered herself down onto the bed.

An eye for an eye, right?

And a kiss for a kiss.

Isuke surveyed her roommate's body, wondering what location she should choose.

The hand would probably be the most fair, but that was a little too boring and predictable for Isuke's taste.

Isuke's gaze dropped down to where she had been until now, bandaging the wounds on Haruki's legs.

The inside of Haruki's left thigh was smooth and unmarked.

Perfect 3

She gently nudged Haruki's legs further apart with her knee, letting her fingers slide across her skin.

"U-um…Isuke-sama?"

"Remember what Isuke said," Isuke warned, frowning up at the other girl. "No peeking, no matter what."

Haruki nodded again, more uncertainly this time.

Positioning herself between Haruki's knees, Isuke leaned down and pressed her lips to Haruki's skin.

The other girl immediately jerked in surprise, and Isuke was gratified by the color that instantly flooded Haruki's face.

"H-hey, Isuke-sama—"

"Don't move 3" Isuke said, thinking back to what Haruki had done.

Isuke let her tongue slide along the inside of Haruki's thigh, enjoying the way Haruki shivered at the sensation.

Kissing, licking, and…oh, right. She sucked quite a bit too, didn't she?

Haruki visibly swallowed hard as Isuke sucked at the soft skin.

There 3

Isuke straightened, smirking triumphantly.

Haruki was red-faced and speechless, much like Isuke had been about an hour ago.

This was much more like it.

This was something Isuke knew and felt at ease with.

Nodding, Isuke smiled.

"You can open your eyes now 3"

Isuke regretted those words the moment they came out, because the second Haruki opened her eyes was the second all of Isuke's renewed confidence evaporated.

Haruki's gaze was penetrating, intense with something unidentifiable; Isuke stared, suddenly at a loss all over again.

H-how the heck does this idiot do this to me?

Haruki inched forward on the bed, and instead of smirking and meeting her gaze directly like she wanted to, Isuke ended up clearing her throat and averting her gaze.

"W-why are you staring?" she demanded, studiously avoiding eye contact. "Isuke only did to you what you did to me earlier."

Her roommate abruptly leaned forward, leaning her head on Isuke's shoulder, and it took all of Isuke's self-control not to give a very undignified squeak of surprise.

"H-hey—"

"…n-no good, Isuke-sama. No good at all."

Isuke couldn't suppress a shiver at the sudden proximity and huskiness of Haruki's voice right by her ear.

"W-what are talking about? What's no good?"

Haruki's hand was firm and warm against her back, and Isuke squirmed around to express her discomfort.

But she froze when Haruki spoke again, her voice a near rasp: "You really shouldn't test my limits like that."

Isuke yelped, losing her balance and toppling backwards as Haruki pushed her down.

W-what the heck—this was not supposed to hap—why is she—

Unable to string even a single coherent thought together, Isuke stared wordlessly up at her roommate, who was gazing steadily back down at her.

"…I have something to tell you, Isuke-sama," Haruki said, her countenance unusually serious.

Isuke almost habitually averted her gaze, only to turn back in surprise when Haruki brought a hand gently to her cheek.

"Can you look at me, Isuke-sama?" Haruki requested quietly.

Isuke complied, if only because she had no idea what else to do.

She was sure she had never, ever let anyone push her down like this before; if anyone had dared to even try, Isuke would've kicked them off immediately. Or just stabbed them.

Doing either of these things, however, was unthinkable as soon as Haruki entered the picture.

This idiot is turning everything inside-out.

"Thanks," Haruki murmured, gently pushing a strand of hair from Isuke's face. "You know, Isuke-sama…right now, I want to be selfish more than I ever have before."

Her hand trailed downwards, running along Isuke's jaw.

"I really want to tell you something right now," she said with a small grin. "Really, really badly."

"…then tell me," Isuke replied, her voice coming out irritatingly quiet and unsteady.

Haruki shook her head.

"I can't. Not yet."

Isuke frowned. "Why not?"

"Because I don't deserve to yet."

Before Isuke could reply, Haruki continued:

"After…after everything with Ren is taken care of, after my family's needs are fully met, after Mom gets the best treatment possible…after I finish fulfilling all of my responsibilities…will you hear me out?"

Isuke stared, torn between utter confusion and irritation.

"You shoved me down onto the bed to say that?" Isuke demanded, making a move to rise. "'I have something to tell you but I'm not going to tell you'; Isuke hates that kind of thing the most, you know 3"

Haruki's hand on her shoulder prevented her from sitting up, and Haruki smiled down at her.

"Well, I was going to tell you now, but then I realized that'd be too selfish."

"Haruki—"

"I know, I know. I should be selfish once in a while, sure; but at least with this, Isuke-sama, you gotta let me do it my way."

Isuke glared up at the other girl, more exasperated than anything else.

That was it?

What the…I got all nervous for nothing.

Isuke frowned in another rush of annoyance.

Wait, why was I even nervous to begin with?

Inukai Isuke never got nervous. Except, apparently, when she was around Haruki.

"You're the exception to so many rules. It pisses Isuke off 3" she grumbled, scowling when Haruki looked inquiringly down at her.

Sighing, she nodded.

"Fine. When the time comes, whenever that will be, Isuke will hear whatever it is you have to say," she said.

It's probably some overly long letter of gratitude, or something.

Though for a second, it had almost seemed like Haruki had been about to…confess, or something.

Isuke scoffed, rolling her eyes at the thought.

As if. This idiot was like an overgrown kid. She probably didn't even have a basic concept of romance.

…but if that's true, then why did she do that to your fingers earlier? questioned an obnoxious little voice in the back of her mind.

Isuke told that voice to shut up.

It was confusing and frustrating enough sorting out her own feelings for Haruki without having to take Haruki's feelings for her into consideration.

Besides, while Isuke would be the first to admit that she was quite self-centered, she wasn't so selfish that she would pursue something like that when Haruki had much bigger problems to deal with.

For now, and most importantly…

"We have to deal with Ren," Isuke said, frowning. "Then you'll be able to say whatever it is you want to say, right?"

"Right," Haruki said, grinning. "Thanks, Isuke-sama."

And, leaning down, Haruki brushed her lips against Isuke's forehead.

What the—

Isuke sputtered indignantly, shoving her chortling roommate back.

"What the heck was that? I'm not a kid, you idiot," Isuke snapped, furiously fighting back the heat that flooded her cheeks. "Now get off of me. I'm going to go shower, and then I'll tell you what we're going to do about that old hag."

Haruki obeyed, jumping off the bed and nodding.

"Yes, ma'am. Make sure all the chocolate comes off," she said, jauntily waving a hand.

Isuke scowled as she left the room, far too preoccupied with her own embarrassment to notice that behind her, Haruki awkwardly cleared her throat and flushed a very similar shade of red.

"Before we begin, there a few things you should know."

Haruki nodded, listening attentively as Isuke leaned against the edge of her bed.

Spinning her knuckle knife around her hand, Isuke said, "Normally, violence solves everything 3 Isuke would like nothing more than to stab Ren in the eye, but in this world, there actually is one greater thing than violence: money. Ren has a lot of it, which protects her from violence."

Frowning, Isuke continued, "So, taking down the old hag will require three phases. We're going to begin phase one first thing tomorrow morning."

Haruki nodded again, smiling at the seriousness of Isuke's tone.

"You're really going all out, huh, Isuke-sama?"

Isuke shrugged, getting to her feet.

"Isuke always does everything carefully and perfectly 3 Now, tell me this, Haruki: in the world of the wealthy, what is the single most important thing that everyone has to have?"

Haruki blinked.

"Er…money?"

"I meant aside from the obvious," Isuke said, rolling her eyes. "Never mind, I don't even know why I asked you. The most important thing is networking, Haruki. Connections. It's all about who you know, not what you know."

Raising a finger, Isuke said, "I always get what I want through other people who do things for me. 3 With the right connections, we'll be able to find people who'll take care of this mess, too."

Taking her phone from the top of the dresser, Isuke showed Haruki a short list of three names.

Furrowing her brow, Haruki read them aloud: "Inoue Miyu, Ogawa Hikaru, and Hanabusa Sumi—huh? The Hanabusa from our class?"

Isuke nodded, tossing her phone onto the bed.

"The insanely rich one, yes. These three are our tickets to getting rid of Ren and making sure that your family will be taken care of," she said, smirking.

"Getting rid of?" Haruki echoed, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Just what I said~ Listen, even if we were to find a different way to provide for your family right now, Ren isn't the type to just quietly fade away into the background. With the whole creepily possessive thing she has for you, if you leave her now, she'll do everything in her power to destroy both you and your family."

Haruki nodded slowly, frowning.

"That makes sense…but…we're not actually going to kill her, are we?"

Despite everything Ren had ever done to her, Haruki was sure she never wanted to kill anyone again, no matter the circumstances.

So she was relieved when Isuke shook her head.

"The old bitch has way too much power to be put down that easily. But we can destroy her in other ways, so just leave that all to Isuke 3" she said, twirling a lock of hair around her finger.

Haruki chuckled.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Also…we have to be absolutely sure that Ren doesn't know you and I are still interacting," Isuke said.

A faint frown wrinkled Isuke's forehead, and she scowled.

"I followed you that day you went to the hotel, and overheard everything from outside the door. You're an idiot, by the way, for not agreeing to stop rooming with me right away," she said, pointing at Haruki's cast. "That didn't have to happen."

Ah. So that's how she found everything out.

Haruki tried to imagine Isuke skulking in the shadows, trying not to be seen; the absurd and completely uncharacteristic image made her snicker.

"You cared enough about me to stalk me, huh, Isuke-sama? I'm flattered," she teased, grinning.

Isuke scoffed.

"I wasn't stalking you, idiot, I was just following you. And you cared enough about me to have your arm broken, so…" Isuke trailed off.

"Right," Haruki said good-naturedly. "And if I had to, I'd do it again, Isuke-sama. You're worth way more than a broken arm or two."

Haruki smiled at the way Isuke expectedly rolled her eyes.

"Don't be stupid. 3 Now go to sleep. Isuke has a lot planned for tomorrow, so be ready~" she said, her heels clacking on the ground as she walked back to her own bed.

Haruki nodded, absentmindedly murmuring a response as she watched her roommate stretch out those long legs and kick off her boots.

Isuke really was pretty.

No, not just pretty.

She was gorgeous, and Haruki found that she only seemed to get more and more attractive by the second.

The inside of her thigh burned, and it wasn't from any gash or wound that Ren had left on her. Haruki could feel her pulse speed up at the mere thought of what Isuke had pulled earlier that night.

Guess this really is what it means to like someone, she mused, eyes drifting back up to her roommate's face.

She was surprised to see Isuke staring right back at her.

"…sleep well, for once, and don't worry about anything," she said, a small smile curving her lips. "Even an idiot like you deserves a good night's sleep once in a while 3"

Haruki grinned back at her roommate.

"Thanks to you, Isuke-sama, I think I'll get one."

As the lights turned off and Haruki lied back in her bed, she found her eyelids immediately drooping with exhaustion.

Isuke had only explained to her the bare skeleton of whatever plan she was cooking up, and Haruki still had no idea what was going to happen tomorrow, but she felt strangely contented as she closed her eyes.

And sleep came more easily to her than it had in a long, long time.

A/N: Sorry to cut it off there, but I have to go out tonight, so I figured I might as well give you guys an update for the weekend! :)

I've been receiving a lot of messages/reviews asking for Isuke and Haruki to kiss hahaha; please be patient for just a little bit longer. It's coming up, I promise! In the meantime, I hope you were pleased with the other types of kisses in this chapter! A couple of you in the reviews seem to have guessed what would happen with the chocolate, lol. Kudos to you :)

Speaking of reviews, thanks again to all you awesome reviewers! You guys rock. :D

Expect to see some cameos from the other members of Class Black in the next chapter :) Quite a few of them will be playing roles in Isuke's master plan, haha. If there's anyone you guys really really want to see in particular, haha, please feel free to let me know. They won't be playing huge parts, but it'll be fun to include them. Well then, until next time!

Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Quick note: I know Mahiru says she'll be fine without Shinya in the epilogue, but, well…you'll see why she's still there by the end of the next chapter :)

In the middle of a bright, crowded outdoor market, surrounded by people and vendors hawking their wares, Mahiru shivered violently.

Sh-Shinya…

She looked furtively over one shoulder, and then over the other, but there was no one suspicious to be seen.

I kinda think you're just being paranoid, Shinya said after a pause. Who'd be followin' ya, anyway?

I-I don't know, Mahiru replied fretfully, but I just c-can't get rid of this f-feeling that someone's watching me…

"I can't really tell whether Banba's onto us, or just being her usual jittery self," Haruki said, chewing on a stick of Pocky as she peeked around the corner of a stall.

Isuke lowered her sunglasses, glaring at the nervous white-haired girl over the rim.

"I can't believe we're doing this," she grumbled. "Stalking is a million leagues beneath Isuke 3"

Haruki looked back at her with raised brows. "Yeah? You did pretty well when you were stalking me," she said, grinning up at her cheekily.

Isuke redirected her glare from Banba to Haruki.

"I told you already, I wasn't stalking you, I was just—"

"Yeah, yeah. Just secretly skulking around and following me," Haruki chuckled, playfully swiping at Isuke's hat. "Oh, shoot, she's on the move again. Let's go."

Haruki was jogging off before Isuke could reply, and she silently fumed as she readjusted her dumb oversized hat to better hide her distinctive pink hair.

That idiot. It's her fault we have to do this in the first place. Well, hers and that stupid rich girl's…

One hour ago…

"Sagae-sama, Inukai-sama, I humbly welcome you both to the Hanabusa residence."

The butler bowed low to the ground as he spoke, and Isuke noticed Haruki fidget uncomfortably at the honorific he used.

"It's our pleasure to be here," Isuke said, fixing her usual smile firmly in place. "It's a lovely estate 3"

It was a big estate. Isuke had seen her share of mansions before, but Hanabusa's outsized them all.

It's too big, Isuke thought to herself, scoffing. Isuke, Mama, and Papa's home is much more stylish and comfortable.

"The young mistress is taking tea upstairs. She said that she would be glad to have you both join her," the butler said, and gestured to the marble stairway. "This way, please."

Haruki, Isuke noticed, looked very ill at ease as she followed after the butler.

"What's there to be so nervous about?" Isuke asked, flicking a strand of hair over her shoulder. "It's just Hanabusa."

Haruki grimaced, looking anxiously around her.

"Everything just looks so expensive and fragile. I feel like I'd be billions of yen in debt if I even happened to accidentally brush against anything," she said with a nervous chuckle.

Isuke rolled her eyes.

"They clearly have money to spare; don't worry about it. Just follow Isuke's lead, and everything will be okay 3"

The easy part of getting into the Hanabusa estate was over; all she had needed to do was ask Mama to contact the manor and ask for a meeting with the young mistress of the household.

The hard part would be getting Hanabusa to agree to what Isuke asked.

Still, Isuke always gets what she wants in the end~ It'll all work out somehow.

Hanabusa was seated peacefully by the bay window when Isuke and Haruki entered the room, and she looked up with a placid smile.

"Ah, Sagae-san, Inukai-san, welcome," she said, rising gracefully to her feet.

The heiress looked the same as ever, perfectly put together in modest and obviously custom-tailored silks.

"Thanks, dude. It's been a while," Haruki said with her usual friendly smile.

Hanabusa nodded, her smile unwavering. "That it has. I hope you two have been well."

Glancing at the clock atop the mantelpiece, she added, "My, but how punctual you are. Shall we discuss your mysterious request over tea, Inukai-san?"

Isuke shrugged as she sat down at the table, staring critically at the ridiculously expensive china and porcelain tea set.

She does have good taste, she admitted grudgingly to herself. The blend smells nice, too.

"I'm going to get right to the point," Isuke said, watching as maids filed in to pour the tea and distribute cakes and biscuits.

"Please," Hanabusa replied serenely. "I do appreciate frankness."

Isuke told Hanabusa exactly what she needed her to do, ignoring the way Haruki stared at her in obvious confusion. She'd explain everything to Haruki later. For now, it was only important that Hanabusa understood.

The heiress seemed to get it just fine, and she sipped pensively from her teacup before saying, "I will not ask why you desire to have this accomplished, as I expect the reason lies in a personal wish. However, I do need to have one thing confirmed: is this all for Sagae-san's sake? I assume Sanada-san is somehow connected to her, since Sagae-san is joining you here today."

Isuke frowned, acutely aware of the way Haruki was staring curiously at her from the side.

What the heck. The way she's phrasing it makes it sound like I'm going out of my way just so that I can somehow help out this idiot…

…which is exactly what I am doing.

But Isuke would rather die than admit that out loud.

"Haruki's part of it, but Isuke has her own reasons too, you know 3" Isuke said, avoiding eye contact with everyone in the room.

Hanabusa was quiet for another moment before turning to Haruki and smiling again.

"Sagae-san, the maids are bringing up some more trays of sweets right now. Would you mind accompanying them to the kitchen and helping them bring some of the heavier trays?" she asked politely.

Isuke scowled.

What the heck?

The idiot was poor, sure, but Haruki wasn't Hanabusa's servant. Why should she do menial tasks like that?

Isuke opened her mouth to say all of this, but the strange look that Hanabusa sent her way gave her pause.

Haruki, the stupidly nice moron, just nodded and grinned.

"Sure, no problem. Be right back, Isuke-sama."

As soon as the doors swung shut behind Haruki, Hanabusa turned back to Isuke and frowned.

"Now that Sagae-san is gone, please be honest with me, Inukai-san. This is very important, and will determine whether or not I am willing to aid you in this endeavor. Are you doing all of this for the sake of Sagae Haruki? Sanada Ren-san is a dangerous enemy to make, and what you are proposing is no small task. I have difficulty imagining what other possible motive you could have outside of helping Sagae-san," Hanabusa said, brow furrowed.

Isuke scowled right back at her.

"Why are you so curious? And didn't you say you wouldn't ask about my motive?" she said, putting her cup back down onto the saucer.

"I am not asking about your motive, exactly. In truth, I simply wish to know what the relationship between you and Sagae-san is."

Isuke bit down on a biscuit, ignoring the heat that rose in her cheeks.

"We're friends," she said curtly.

"Not lovers?" Hanabusa asked.

Isuke almost choked on her tea.

"Wha—since when were you so nosy?" Isuke demanded, wiping her mouth with a napkin.

Hanabusa herself had colored faintly, and ducked her head as if embarrassed.

"I do apologize, but you must understand: this is very pertinent to my own set of…problems. To be entirely forthright, I was hoping that I might receive some…advice from you, Inukai-san," Hanabusa said hesitantly.

More confused than irritated now, Isuke arched a brow.

"Advice? Advice about what?"

Didn't Hanabusa have actual advisors for all kinds of business and professional matters?

Delicately clearing her throat, Hanabusa averted her gaze.

"Well…advice on how to…court someone. Romantic advice, if you will."

As Isuke stared at the other girl incredulously, Hanabusa went on quickly, "Specifically, how to court someone who hails from a significantly…different socio-economic background than you do. Considering the gap between you and Sagae-san, and how well you two get along, I just assumed…"

Isuke could feel a slow, amused smile slowly began to spread across her face.

This is just too much 3

"You're kidding me. This is about Banba, isn't it?" Isuke said, and smirked when Hanabusa flushed a light shade of pink.

No way~ This rich girl is still chasing after that shy little loon?

"I…I've never been so taken with anyone before," Hanabusa admitted, folding her hands in her lap. "She is so very dear to me, and yet…"

Looking back up at Isuke, Hanabusa said, "Have you ever seen the way Sagae-san looks at you? Her eyes are always filled with such trust and open adoration, and sometimes I just wish—"

"I get it, I get it," Isuke interrupted, amusement giving way to embarrassed irritation. That idiot looks at everyone like that. She's just like a dumb, gullible little puppy.

"So basically, you just want Isuke to hook you and Banba up," Isuke said, twirling her spoon inside the tea. "And then you'll do what I asked?"

"I don't necessarily need you to…ah, 'hook up' Banba-san and me. I simply wish that I could have a full conversation with her without it ending with her running away from me," Hanabusa said, sighing. "Or if you could even just discover why it is that she runs away from me in the first place…if it's because she genuinely dislikes me, then I will of course resolve to give her up."

Frowning slightly, Hanabusa continued, "I would like to entrust this task to you, Inukai-san, because of the similarities I see between my position and yours. However, if you are telling me that you and Sagae-san are not romantically involved after all, perhaps I am asking the wrong person…"

Alarm bells went off in Isuke's head.

This was not good. Hanabusa was a vital part of her plan; if they didn't have her money, then the whole thing would fall apart.

Gritting her teeth, Isuke tightened her grip on the teacup.

This stupid rich love-obsessed moron…

"No…I-I was just lying, before. We…Haruki and I…are lovers," Isuke lied slowly, feeling horridly uncomfortable.

Hanabusa lit up.

"Truly? You must be an expert in this field then, Inukai-san. My, how perfect; you two make a lovely couple."

Isuke forced a tight-lipped smile.

I don't believe this…

"In that case, I will help you, Inukai-san, provided that you at least attempt to help me in my endeavor as well. The Hanabusa surveillance network informed me that Banba-san was last spotted in the Shinjuku district. If you could perhaps start there…"

Deciding against commenting on the creepy fact that Hanabusa was having people spy on Banba, Isuke plastered on another saccharine smile and nodded.

"Leave it to Isuke 3 We'll have Banba in the bag for you in no time."

Present

"What is she doing?" Isuke groaned, fanning herself with a hand.

It was a sweltering summer afternoon, and that stupid girl was running around the outdoor marketplace, stopping at every single damned stall.

"Buying a lot of books," Haruki replied, squinting against the glare of the sun. "Cooking books, it looks like. Erm, if you don't mind my asking, Isuke-sama, why are we stalking her, anyway? Wouldn't it be easier to just walk up to her and ask what she's doing here?"

"Hanabusa wants to be discreet," Isuke replied, rolling her eyes. "She thinks that Banba will freak out and run away if anyone actually approaches her directly."

"Ah, well, that's not impossible to imagine," Haruki said, eyeing the timid girl. "Still, if she wants us to hook them up, just following her won't really accomplish anything."

Isuke made a noise of agreement but didn't move from her position hidden behind a stall.

There was another reason why Isuke wasn't approaching Banba directly, and that was because of the circumstances that had surrounded Isuke's last meeting with the other girl.

The last time Isuke had interacted with Banba, she had triggered some intense light phobia of hers and then kicked her halfway across a room.

She…probably wouldn't be very happy to see me again…

Looking up at Haruki, Isuke frowned.

"Why don't you try talking to her? It wouldn't seem unlikely for you to be shopping in an outdoor market, and you're…nice."

Haruki snickered.

"You said that like it's some kind of swear word," she said, grinning down at her. "But okay. I'll give it a shot. Try to stay in the shade, Isuke-sama."

"Don't worry about me," Isuke grumbled, watching Haruki jog off.

She sighed, leaning tiredly against the stall as she checked her phone.

It's August already…

One year ago, Isuke would never have imagined doing something this ridiculous and tiring at all, let alone for someone else's sake.

Then again, one year ago, she hadn't yet met Sagae Haruki.

Isuke looked down at the calendar on her phone screen.

If she timed this correctly, then she'd be able to wrap everything up by the end of the month.

And then everything will be all done. All by the end…of…August…

August. It was the first of August today.

Blanching, Isuke suddenly felt a chill despite the scorching summer heat.

If today's the first of August, then…

Eleven years ago, today, he had…

Swallowing hard, Isuke brought a hand to rub furiously at her temples.

Idiot. Are you going to act like this every year? It's been a decade already; get over it.

Shaking her head, Isuke looked away and focused instead on Haruki's retreating back.

To her surprise, the other girl suddenly looked back, as if detecting Isuke's stare.

Waving a hand, Haruki grinned, and then went back to going after Banba.

Despite herself, Isuke smiled.

Idiot.

Just seeing her roommate's face made Isuke feel strangely better, and she threw her phone into her purse.

She had more important things to focus on now.

Besides, Isuke was nineteen years old now. It had been eleven whole years…

Sighing again, Isuke adjusted her hat.

Maybe the heat was starting to get to her.

It had been a while. She would be fine.

Shrugging her shoulders, Isuke zipped her purse shut.

The first of August or not, Isuke will be just fine.

"I-it's really too hot for this, Banba! Please stop running!"

To Haruki's mingled relief and surprise, the white-haired girl finally stopped in her terrified flight across the marketplace.

Haruki dropped down into a crouch in front of her, panting.

All I did was say hi. How did that scare her off? Haruki wondered as she gasped for breath.

"U-um…h-here you go…"

Haruki looked up to see Banba timidly offering her a handkerchief.

Chuckling, Haruki took it with a grateful smile.

"Thanks," she said, pressing the cloth to her face. "Er…sorry I scared you. I really didn't mean to."

Banba herself seemed to be pretty out of breath, and she inhaled deeply a few times before shaking her head.

"Th-that…it wasn't Sagae-san's fault…it was just an a-automatic reaction," Banba stammered, staring at the ground. "I-I'm not—I'm not an assassin anymore, s-so I didn't want to talk to anyone who was…but then I remembered that Sagae-san was…was d-different, so I stopped…"

Haruki grinned.

"Ah, I get it. That's, uh, good to hear. That you're not in the business anymore, I mean," she said, straightening again.

Banba nodded shyly, still not looking at her.

"W-well, it was good seeing you, Sagae-san. I'll be—"

"Wait!"

Banba jumped, and Haruki grimaced as she continued in a slightly softer voice, "S-sorry, I didn't mean to shout. Er, if you don't mind, why don't we chat for a bit? Maybe grab some ice cream?"

The look of terror on Banba's face suggested that yes, actually, she did mind very much, but Haruki placed a hand lightly on her shoulder and persisted, "To be honest, I'm here to talk to you about your old roommate. Remember Hanabusa?"

If anything, Banba somehow managed to look even more scared.

"Y-y-yes," she said, looking very pale. "I remember."

Haruki frowned.

If Banba was acting like this, maybe things really were hopeless.

She decided to be direct.

"Look, do you have something against her? As far as I can tell, she's a really nice girl, and she seems to like you a whole lot, Banba," she said, shoving a hand in her pocket.

Banba, to Haruki's surprise, immediately shook her head.

"Th-that's not it! I-I also, really l-like…" she trailed off, and the faintest color flushed her cheeks.

Haruki stared, confused, as Banba bowed low to the ground.

"I-I'm sorry! I-if you can wait…until the sun goes down, th-then Shinya can explain everything…either tonight or t-tomorrow night," she said.

"Either tonight or tomorrow night?" Haruki repeated. "You can't tell me which one for sure?"

Banba shook her head, looking apologetic, and Haruki chuckled.

"That's fine, no need to be sorry. We'll be waiting, then. Where will I find you?"

Banba looked away.

"Shinya will…find you," she said. "P-please, stay in this room."

And then, shoving a pair of keys into Haruki's hand, she bowed again, turned, and ran away.

Haruki stared down at the keys, utterly mystified. They seemed like hotel keys for one she had seen nearby.

…huh. Well, Hanabusa's got her work cut out for her with that one…

Still, kinda weird or not, Banba was cute and super sweet. She reminded Haruki of Kana, a little bit.

Hanabusa's really pretty, too. She and Banba will make a nice couple. Hope we can get it to all work out.

Turning around, she spotted Isuke still hiding behind that same stall.

Speaking of relationships…

Haruki chuckled to herself.

To think that she'd be matchmaking before sorting out her own relationships.

Still, Haruki couldn't say that she didn't enjoy this kind of work.

Besides, the sooner they sorted all of this out, the sooner they could take care of all the issues with Ren.

And the sooner Haruki took care of that…

She looked up to see Isuke staring back at her.

Seeing her roommate sent a strange but definitely pleasant kind of spark through her chest, and Haruki grinned.

Sure, Banba was cute, and Hanabusa was very pretty, but…

Isuke-sama's the best, isn't she?

Smiling, she jogged up to rejoin her roommate.

"How do we know this isn't some trap so Banba can kill us both in our sleep?" Isuke demanded as they stepped into the hotel elevator.

"Well, she said she wasn't in the assassination business anymore," Haruki said with a grin, hitting the button for the top floor. It seemed Banba had money to spare for a penthouse suite.

"And of course you would just believe her," Isuke muttered. "Are you even allowed to randomly leave the hospital for the night?"

Haruki responded with a carefree shrug.

"Who knows? To be honest, I'm kinda excited, Isuke-sama. This is my first time being in such a nice hotel with someone who isn't Ren," she said, readjusting the sling for her cast.

Isuke was quiet, and when Haruki looked up again, she was frowning at her.

"This is nothing. When we both get discharged, Isuke will take you to the Park Hyatt in Tokyo," she said. "Before you know all, all of your memories of that old hag will be replaced with good ones with Isuke 3"

Haruki blinked, and Isuke suddenly flushed and turned on her heel to glare at her.

"Th-that—I didn't mean anything weird by that, okay? I just meant—"

Haruki chuckled, quirking a teasing smile.

"Inviting me to hotels already, huh, Isuke-sama? Pretty bold of you," she said, and snickered when Isuke scowled.

"…thanks, Isuke-sama," she said, squeezing her friend's hand. "But you know, my memories are already dominated by you. All the good ones, anyway."

Isuke flushed and muttered something about "saying embarrassing things with a straight face" before the elevator dinged and they reached the top floor.

The suite was huge and luxurious, and Haruki looked down in awe at the incredible view.

"Whoa, this is awesome! Check it out, Isuke-sama! You can see…Isuke-sama?"

Haruki turned at the silence to see Isuke staring moodily down at her phone, brows scrunched together in a frown.

"…is something wrong, Isuke-sama?" she asked tentatively, taking a step forward.

Isuke started, looking up and chucking her phone back into her bag.

"It's nothing," she said, and stalked past her to the minibar.

Haruki stared as Isuke opened the fridge, uncorked a bottle of chilled Belvedere vodka, poured herself a shot, and gulped it down.

…uh…this…doesn't seem like nothing to me…

Haruki quickly started forward once Isuke started pouring herself a third shot, snatching the bottle from her roommate's hands.

"Whoa, there, Isuke-sama, I kinda think you ought to slow down a bit," she said, peering at her friend worriedly.

What was going on, all of a sudden?

Isuke has been a little quieter than usual since I rejoined her after talking to Banba…did something happen while I was gone? Haruki wondered, putting the bottle of alcohol back into the fridge.

Isuke was scowling, already flushed a light pink.

"Isuke is going to take a shower," she announced, and then turned and walked off towards the bathroom.

Haruki stared after her in bewilderment.

She rewinded the events of the day in her head as she took a shower in the second bathroom, combing through each hour to see if anything could have triggered Isuke's abrupt change in mood.

It had to have happened while I was talking to Banba…but I was even gone for that long. What exactly…

When Haruki stepped out of the bathroom a few minutes later, she found Isuke already sleeping on the king-sized bed, curled up beside the same bottle of vodka she had been drinking from before.

Shaking her head, Haruki pried the bottle from Isuke's fingers and then tucked her roommate into the sheets, covering her with the silk blankets.

She had been looking at her phone earlier…maybe someone sent her some kind of upsetting email or text?

Whatever the reason, Isuke was clearly displeased enough to down two shots (or possibly even more, considering how she had been holding the bottle) of hard liquor.

While Haruki doubted that Isuke was new to drinking, going straight for the strong stuff and then passing out in mere minutes definitely pointed to something being…off.

Scratching the back of her head in puzzlement, Haruki sprawled out on the plush sofa.

Definitely weird.

But Haruki could hardly wake Isuke up now and ask her about it.

This whole day was kinda weird, Haruki mused, glancing back at her sleeping friend. Maybe it's the summer heat getting to everyone's heads.

Stretching out comfortably, Haruki sighed.

She had kind of been hoping that she'd get a chance to talk to Isuke tonight, but plan that was clearly out the picture now.

Ah, well.

Haruki closed her eyes.

There's always tomorrow, I guess…

Every year on the first of August, Isuke dreamed of a little boy with pink hair just like hers.

Isuke would always turn away from the boy, steadfastly ignoring his presence.

But then, eventually, she would always turn back to look at him.

And the boy would cling to her and cry, like he used to do eleven years ago.

When that happened, the boy would cry until his voice gave out, and until he didn't have the strength to continue.

And then the boy would close his eyes, dying in her arms.

In the middle of the night, Haruki woke up to the sound of strange, choked noises.

Bringing a hand groggily to her eyes, she slowly sat upright.

What the heck is that?

They were desperate, almost whimpering sounds; sounds that a scared child would make.

Were they coming from another room?

No, that's impossible. This is a suite, Haruki thought dazedly.

It took Haruki a full minute before she finally realized that those noises were coming from the king-sized bed beside her.

All drowsiness vanished.

Haruki leapt to her feet, leaping over the sofa to reach the bed.

She found Isuke tossing and turning in the sheets, feverishly muttering someone's name.

For a moment, Haruki could only stare incredulously, unable to believe that it really was Inukai Isuke she was seeing and hearing.

But a soft, pained cry from her roommate snapped Haruki out of her shock, and she climbed into the bed beside Isuke without even thinking.

She's having a nightmare.

Haruki shook the other girl urgently, and called out to her when she failed to respond.

"Hey, Isuke…Isuke-sama!"

Isuke jerked awake, eyes flying open.

And before Haruki could say or do a thing, Isuke clutched at her shirt with trembling fingers.

"I saw him again," she said breathlessly, in a weak voice that Haruki had never heard from the other girl before. "Mama, I saw him again…"

Oh, crap. She thinks that I'm…

Haruki shook her head determinedly, pushing down her rising panic.

Haruki wasn't Isuke's mama or papa, but she was her friend.

And Haruki had a lifetime of experience in comforting kids after nightmares.

Gently pulling her friend in to her chest, Haruki rocked the shaking girl soothingly back and forth.

"Shh, it's okay. Everything's gonna be alright, okay?" she said, rubbing slow circles on Isuke's back.

Isuke's breath hitched, and Haruki looked sharply down at her friend.

To her relief, Isuke's amber eyes were dry; but they were also wide and unfocused.

"I-I saw…he appeared again, and he was crying again, Mama, and I couldn't…I just—" she stammered, her grip on Haruki's shirt tightening.

Crying…again? Who is she talking about?

Haruki pulled Isuke in closer, brushing cool fingers comfortingly over Isuke's damp forehead.

"It was just a nightmare, Isuke. You're okay," Haruki murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her friend's head. "Everything's going to be okay."

Isuke swallowed audibly, burying her face in Haruki's collar.

"It's not okay. I'm okay, but he's not okay, Mama. If you had just come…just a few weeks earlier, then…"

She slowly went quiet as Haruki continued to rub her back and murmur calmingly in her ear, and her breathing gradually returned to normal.

As she patiently waited, Haruki thought back to the strange way Isuke had been behaving just before going to sleep.

This nightmare has to connected to that.

When Isuke finally looked up again, her gaze was slightly less clouded.

"H…Haruki?" she said uncertainly, peering up at her in the darkness.

Haruki managed a small grin, squeezing her roommate's shoulder.

"Yeah, it's me, Isuke-sama. I…I'm sorry I'm not your mama, but just the same: I've got you, alright? Everything's going to be okay."

Isuke looked exhausted and dazed, and her eyes dropped downward again.

A long silence passed, with Haruki patiently continuing to soothe her roommate until her shaking stopped.

It disconcerted her to see Isuke like this, and it unnerved her even more when she realized that normally, Isuke probably would've gotten angry by now at the way Haruki was soothing and stroking her like she was a kid.

Whatever nightmare she had, it really shook her up, Haruki thought, looking worriedly down at her friend. And it definitely has to do with whatever was bothering her earlier.

Isuke was frowning slightly, still seeming fatigued and disoriented.

"This is a dream, isn't it?" she asked suddenly, leaning tiredly into Haruki's chest. "I'm still asleep, aren't I? Isuke would never show this to anyone but Mama."

Haruki blinked, gnawing on her lower lip for a second before replying, "What do you mean, Isuke-sama?"

Isuke let out a weary-sounding sigh.

"I mean acting like a pathetic little baby, obviously; I would never act like that in front of anyone except Mama. Why is dream-Haruki just as dense as regular Haruki?" she said, closing her eyes. "And why are you here, anyway? It's bad enough that you're always floating around in my thoughts…now you're invading Isuke's unconscious, too?"

Isuke, Haruki realized, was babbling.

She was exhausted and drained from her nightmare, and probably a little drunk too, from the alcohol she had drunk right before she had gone to bed. Now she was babbling, still in a half-dreamlike state.

After a short pause, Haruki chuckled.

"…yeah. This is all just a dream. But it's a safe dream, okay, Isuke-sama? The nightmare's over," Haruki said, smiling down at her friend.

Isuke furrowed her brow in a weak version of her usual scowls.

"Idiot." Her speech came out almost slurred, and she slowly opened her eyes again. "I'm not…a little kid. I wasn't having…a nightmare."

Haruki nodded reassuringly, slowly stroking Isuke's hair.

"'Course you weren't. But whatever it was, it's all over now, Isuke-sama," she said.

Isuke fell silent, and her breathing was so quiet and steady that for a moment Haruki thought she had fallen asleep again.

But then she opened her eyes and frowned.

"How is it that even the dream version of you is so stupidly nice? And…and why…"

Isuke stared up at her from under her lashes, lids half-closed with fatigue.

"Why does just hearing your voice make me…feel better?" she asked, shifting her head to lean on Haruki's shoulder. "Seeing your face did the same thing, earlier. You're not Mama, but…"

Haruki chuckled, affection for her friend temporarily overwhelming any worry or panic.

"Well, I like Isuke-sama a whole lot, and I'll always keep you safe, just like Isuke-sama's mama does. So you have nothing to worry about with me here, okay?" she said, grinning down at the other girl. "You can go ahead and sleep, Isuke-sama. I'll be right here."

Isuke's gaze dropped downward.

"Corny and embarassing, as usual…"

Her eyes slowly drifted upwards again.

"...how do you still…have the same effect on me…even in my dreams?" she mumbled, fingers twisting in the collar of Haruki's shirt.

Haruki stared at her roommate blankly, wondering if Isuke was babbling again.

"You're asking a lot of questions, Isuke-sama. I think you're tired. And uh, a little drunk, too. Close your eyes and rest up, alright?" she said, gently attempting to lay Isuke back down onto the bed.

"No," Isuke replied, her grip on Haruki's shirt surprisingly strong. "Isuke doesn't want to. Not yet…"

She adjusted her position so that she was leaning more comfortably against Haruki's chest, and Haruki realized with a start that her roommate was close. Really close.

"Um, Isuke-sama…" she began, suddenly aware of the way that Isuke's boy was still pressed against hers, and the fact that her bare legs were tangled up with Haruki's, and—

J-jeez, this is not good. Pull yourself together, Haruki. She was just having a really bad nightmare, for crying out loud. Now's not the time.

"You've never appeared in my dreams before. Isuke…wants to take advantage of the opportunity," Isuke murmured.

A thousand different alarms instantaneously went off in Haruki's head.

She's really confused. Really disoriented. Sorta drunk. She doesn't know what she's saying. Now's really not the time.

Apparently, Isuke disagreed.

Because the second that Haruki made a move to move away was the second that Isuke pulled her down and kissed her.

It was so abrupt that Haruki didn't even get what was happening at first.

She could feel the softness of Isuke's lips as they moved against hers, she could smell the light, fresh scent of Isuke's shampoo, and she could taste how sweet Isuke's mouth was, but Haruki couldn't grasp the fact that Inukai Isuke was actually kissing her until she felt her roommate's tongue slide along her sealed lips, seeking entrance.

Whatwhatwhatwhatwhatthehellisgoingonrightnow—

Planning on voicing the whirlwind of befuddlement ripping through her mind, or at least getting Isuke to stop for just a second so she could have a second to think, Haruki made the mistake of opening her mouth.

Isuke's tongue slid past her parted lips, and all of Haruki's thoughts utterly fizzled out.

All her confusion, unease, and panic gave way to an immediate swell of desire, and Haruki shuddered as Isuke pulled back for breath.

"H-Haruki," Isuke breathed against her lips, and the last tattered remnants of Haruki's self-restraint and logic teetered precariously over the ledge.

Hold on a sec, Sagae Haruki. She's not herself, you idiot. She was just freaking out and thrashing around a few minutes ago, and she's clearly really dazed and confused. And she drank a lot before. You'd be taking advantage of her if you did anything right now. You'd be taking advantage of her. You'd be a creepy creepy creep. Stop it, Haruki. Snap out it!

But, replied the sly voice in her head that Haruki was really beginning to hate, she clearly wants to be comforted right now. That's why she's doing this, isn't it? She was just freaking out, like you said. She needs someone to comfort her, not push her away. And this is clearly the method of comfort that she wants from you.

Isuke helped this voice's argument along when she pressed her lips against Haruki's again, threading her fingers through Haruki's hair. Haruki could feel her tongue slide along hers, and—

Don't you dare kiss her back, you moron! If you do, there's no coming back. You know this.

But she clearly wants you to, so why not? It's just kissing.

It's the principle that counts. You'd be a creep!

No, you'd just be giving her what she obviously wants.

Isuke doesn't even like you that way.

And how do you know that? She's kissing you, isn't she?

She acting tired and weird and drunk! She thinks she's dreaming!

When you're drunk, you just have lowered inhibitons. Even in dreams, all she's doing is what she's always wanted to do—

"No. Nonononononono, we're not doing this," Haruki gasped out, finally cutting off that stupid inner voice that kept arguing with her.

Taking Isuke by the shoulders, she pushed her firmly back. "Isuke-sama, you were just calling for your mama, right? If your mama is the one that usually comforts you, there has to be another way to comfort you than this way."

That's right. Isuke was calling for her parents, and this definitely isn't what her parents would do in order to calm her down.

Haruki couldn't help but groan a bit at the loss of contact, but gritted her teeth and determinedly pushed Isuke down onto her bed, rapidly tucking her into the sheets before the other girl could so much as reply.

"S-sorry, Isuke-sama," she said, lowering herself into a bow on the bed and trying very very hard not to think about how incredible Isuke's lips had felt moving against hers. "I'm really sorry, but we absolutely can't do this right now. You're not yourself, and it wouldn't be right. If there's anything else at all that I can do for you instead…"

To Haruki's immense relief, Isuke responded with a short, sleepy laugh.

Staring up at Haruki through half-lidded eyes, she smirked.

"It figures that even dream-Haruki would be stupidly chivalrous like this…but Isuke isn't drunk, you know. I have a very, very high tolerance…"she mumbled, shifting so that she was lying on her side.

She closed her eyes.

"But, well, if you're going to insist on being your usual, overly noble self, even in Isuke's dreams, then…I'll just go into a different dream," she said, letting out a quiet sigh. "One where you're not so...overly noble."

Haruki cleared her throat and hesitantly edged a little bit closer to her.

"Th-then, should I just leave you to sleep? Or, er…go to a different dream?"

Isuke slowly shook her head.

"Stay…here. Unless…dream-Haruki is too noble…for even that…"

Isuke's head drooped, and she went quiet.

...she's asleep.

After a moment of stunned indecision, Haruki collapsed beside her roommate.

She suddenly felt bone-tired.

Her mind whirred with a million different severely panicked thoughts, and her continued proximity to the girl who was causing all of these panicked thoughts wasn't helping matters.

Isuke just kissed me. She just kissed me. What—why would she…?

Haruki thought back to the time Isuke had kissed her inner thigh; she took a deep, calming breath.

Okay, dude. Calm down. Maybe it's like that time. Maybe she just tried that to get back at me for…something.

But what had Haruki done to provoke that kind of reaction? She couldn't think of a single thing, especially since they had just been sleeping for the past few hours.

Besides, Isuke had seemed far too disoriented and groggy to have been contemplating anything like revenge or retaliation. She seemed to have been acting purely on…

On what? On desire?

No, no, that was impossible.

Haruki swallowed hard, looking at the girl now sleeping peacefully beside her.

When I'm only half-awake, I tend to just ramble and say silly things. Maybe that's what Isuke was doing.

The kiss was just…a really random action.

Haruki had seen people do really weird things when half-asleep before, like pouring beer into their cereal, wearing their pants on their head, kissing the dog instead of the spouse…

But…all of those things are rooted at least a little bit in a conscious desire, aren't they? A desire to pour something into the cereal, a desire to wear something on their head, a desire to kiss someone…

So maybe…

Haruki's gut clenched uncomfortably at the new possibility this idea brought up.

Maybe Isuke just wanted to kiss whoever she had been dreaming about? She had been muttering some guy's name…

Clearing her throat, Haruki sunk down into the covers.

Her head was starting to hurt.

At…at the very least, Haruki was relieved that Isuke seemed okay now.

I'm glad I managed to calm her down.

As Haruki lay there beside her roommate, she slowly realized that this was the first time that she had been in any position to help Isuke, and not the other way around.

For the past week, and even at Myojo, Isuke had always been the one helping her out in her own Isuke-sama-ish way, giving her advice and offering solutions to Haruki's problems.

Haruki, meanwhile...

…I don't even know about any of Isuke's problems.

Haruki hardly knew anything about Isuke's past at all, aside from the fact that she wasn't biologically related to either of her dads.

And it had taken this entire incident for Haruki to figure that fact out.

Dammit…what the hell have I been doing?

A kiss should really have been the least of Haruki's worries right now.

Wrapping her uninjured arm slowly around the other girl, Haruki sighed.

"…and you're the one always telling me to be more selfish," she said, smiling apologetically at her friend.

Before she started worrying about the kiss, Haruki should have been working on finding out what had caused Isuke's nightmare in the first place.

I have to help her out too, once in a while. I have to start pulling my own weight around here.

Haruki nodded decisively, her frayed nerves slightly soothed.

It wouldn't be good to pry, but if she could slowly try and get Isuke to talk about whatever she had dreamed about, maybe Haruki could begin helping her for a change.

She closed her eyes and let out a sigh.

Yup. That's what I'll do. The kiss was the last thing you should've been thinking about, Sagae Haruki. It wasn't…it really…

But Haruki couldn't help but touch her lips and think back again to the feeling of Isuke's mouth against hers.

Regardless of the meaning or reason behind the kiss, there was one thing that Haruki couldn't deny: she had really, really liked it.

Sheesh. The second I find out that I really like her that way, all of these things keep happening.

Turning over onto her side, Haruki smiled ruefully at Isuke's sleeping face.

"...well, you've definitely convinced me that I really, really like you, Isuke-sama," she said, brushing a hand affectionately over Isuke's cheek.

As if I even needed more convincing.

Isuke didn't stir, her expression once again undisturbed and tranquil.

Despite everything, Haruki chuckled.

"Sleep well, Isuke-sama. I'll be right here."

A/N: If you were confused about who the boy was, please check out the eyecatch in episode 8 (it has Banba's picture but Isuke's information, for some reason).

Relationships are all about reciprocity, right? It's time for Haruki to help Isuke out, too :) Though Isuke's problems may not be as immediate or obvious, I definitely think that it'd be difficult for someone to live through the death of their little brother and years worth of severe parental neglect without any lasting consequences whatsoever on the psyche. So yeah. If you're still a bit confused, hopefully everything will become clear by the end of the next chapter :)

Ha. So the kiss in this chapter actually wasn't the one that I was asking you guys to be patient for, lol. This kiss doesn't really count as their first one. It's like kiss number zero. Their preliminary kiss, or something, for reasons that you'll discover in the next chapter. I've got something more special planned for their first real kiss together, so please wait just a bit longer for that! :) Also lolll I'm sorry. I don't mean to tease with all of these incomplete kisses, but this time it wasn't my fault. It was Haruki's. Believe me, I totally would've liked for them to keep going, but y'know, Haruki strikes me as the kind of person who wouldn't do anything unless she was 90000000% positive that full consent was given. So it's her fault this kiss didn't become super steamy and such. Blame Haruki. I'm innocent.

This chapter took forever to write, partially because I wasn't sure about the order I wanted to do things in and kept rewriting everything, and partially because this week was super busy. But the good news is that since I kept rewriting stuff, the next chapter should hopefully be up soonish! Or not, since it's the 4th of July tomorrow, lol, and parties and barbecues galore. We shall see! :) Also...people requested an appearance for pretty much every single member of Class Black haha (except Kouko. Poor Kouko. It's okay, you still have Irena-senpai) but since I'm not quite sure I'll be able to find a purpose for each one of them, some of them might get bigger roles than others. I'll try to fight them all in, though! :)

One last thing: I've been getting a few messages/reviews about possible illustrations, lol. I'm very very sorry to say that my artistic abilities are nonexistent. If any of you guys are talented with drawing, then it'd be totally awesome and cool to see something done by you, but I'm afraid that you won't be seeing any drawings for this story done by me. Unless you want to see stick figures, which I can totally do. Or maybe not. Even my stick figures kinda suck.

Well, then, please leave any feedback you want to, as always, and see you next time! And Happy Almost 4th of July, folks! :D