Author's Note: Of course I do not own anything except for my own character Kyosuke Kurai ^_^. This is actually I very old, stashed away work of mine I wrote after I was completely devastated when I finished the anime. Hope you enjoy it!

School Days

Alternate Version

Chapter One

Swaying Hearts

I had been watching her for a while now, but for some reason that was all I could do. Watch her as she shyly tried to take charge of class, but for the most part it was in vain. She, our student body president and a member of the committee, was the target of my affection. Her face was almost always in a worrisome or sad demeanor, but I thought, wouldn't it be beautiful to see her smile. It would be beautiful if, for once, Katsura Kotonoha smiled.

"Oi! Kyosuke! What are you staring at?" The shrill voice of Ome Kozua pierced through my thoughts.

"None of your business…" I always came off as a cold person to others and I expected it to stay that way, so I stood up from my seat and made my way down towards the door; it seemed that the bell had already rung.

"Geez you're a bit moodier than usual." She didn't seem to be frightened away by my cold complex and that angered me slightly.

"I suppose I am." I looked back to see Kotonoha left in a defeated state; I wanted to be there to tell her everything was going to be ok.

"You're such a bother Kyosuke." Ome still hadn't left, and her constant use of my first name was irritating; she was neither friend nor relative; merely a classmate.

"I'll see you later Kozua." And with that I left her there, and headed towards the long, raven haired girl I longed to take care of.

At first I could do nothing but stand by her; I didn't know exactly what I was doing, at that moment, in her presence. I looked so calm on the outside, as I always was, but on the inside I was sweating bullets. I felt her curious and somewhat scared gaze fall upon me.

"Oh Kurai-san what can I do for you?" Her gaze kept to the floor, letting her bangs droop on her face, and still her eyes looked sad.

"I was wondering…" I looked up at the ceiling, wondering what lie would come up next. "If you needed any help?" I looked back down at her. "You know with the festival coming up and all."

"You'd be willing to help?" She seemed surprised by my willingness to participate.

"I saw those three girls were giving you a hard time."

"They weren't they were just…they just want everything to go well." She was standing up for them, but why? But then I realized that was another reason why I liked her so much; she was kind; perhaps too kind for her own good.

"Well if they ever pick on you again, I'll be here; I'm pretty sure they'll think twice once they see me." I gave her a small smile, hoping to reassure her.

And there it was, the long awaited smile had finally appeared.

"Thank you Kurai-san, I'll let you know if I need help."

I watched her leave and sighed. Would I ever get to profess my love to her? If only she wasn't involved with anyone else. From recent rumors, it was said that she was Itou Makoto's girlfriend. At least that was she had claimed in class.

Lately, I've only heard bad things about him. Some say he and Katsura broke up, but she's still in denial. In my opinion, Itou probably doesn't have the balls to break up with Katsura and is just seeing other women behind her back; telling everyone else, but her, that they aren't together. My anger boiled at the thought of cheating on Kotonoha. She was so beautiful, kind-hearted and fragile.

The School Festival was well on its way; the day for all young couples to admit their feelings towards one another. I wondered if Itou would dance with Katsura, or if I would have the chance to dance with her.

I made my way towards the train with no one but Kotonoha on my mind, when all of a sudden a certain someone caught my attention.

"Makoto?" I called out to the boy in front of me who had a girl latched onto his arm.

"Ehh?" He slowly turned as if fearing an encounter; what was he hiding?

As he turned to face me, I recognized the girl who was holding on to his arm affectionately. It wasn't Kotonoha, but Sekai. The dormant anger in me was beginning to awaken as I realized he was cheating on Katsura.

"Oh hey Kurai-san!" It was Sekai who addressed me.

"Aren't you with Kotonoha…"My voice was calm, my stare cold and my aura all too chilling.

"Uhh Kurai-san?" Makoto looked completely caught off guard. "I'm sure she's too busy with committee member duties." His hand rose to scratch the back of his head. He was a coward.

"I see, well then, see ya." I left promptly and was sure to have confused them.

I arrived home full of anger and resentment towards Itou Makoto; who was he to break Katsura's heart! I was happy that my mother had provided me with my own apartment; I truly appreciated the privacy, as I sat down on my futon.

"She deserves better than that fool." I muttered to no one in particular.

Just then my phone started to ring.

"Hello."

"Hey Kurai, this is Sekai. Can I talk to you?"

"What is it?"

"About today, me and Makoto…we're just caught up in a bunch of stuff." Was she trying to explain herself?

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Just so you don't tell Kotonoha…she doesn't need to know."

"You're at his house right now, aren't you?" I grew disgusted with her.

"I…no of course not!"

"Goodbye Sekai." I didn't need her to say yes to prove my point.

"No wait! Kurai!" I already hung up the phone before her voice could reach me anymore.

I decided then and there that tomorrow I would dance with Katsura Kotonoha; she deserved better than Itou. She deserved someone who would love her unconditionally, who would take care of her; someone to protect her. I vowed to profess my love to her tomorrow. My heart was no longer swaying; it was anchored down by none other than Kotonoha.

Author's End note: Right, well I'd love some reviews ;p who wouldn't? I'll have the next chapters up right away, once I'm done editing.