but it could have been worse

Once, a student made the mistake of praising Ayame's hair.

"Sohma-kun," she began. "Your hair is so beautiful." She paused, gazing at his face with a reverent sort of hope, as though her compliment could spark a mutual passion in him.

Given to lyricism of a rather wistful nature, she drew closer. "It's paler than a lily, and whiter than the snowy hilltops of Haku. How did it become such a lovely color?"

"Ah, yes," he said. He put a hand to his chin, and she was certain: there was more to Sohma Ayame than what met the eye. Despite what everyone said, she could see that a glimpse of the refined soul he possessed truly shone from within.

Then Ayame looked at her, and straightened his red waistcoat. He said, "I see, I see. Such wonderful words from a devoted fan of mine!"

"A fan?" she stuttered. "No, that's not it." She shook her head. "I just wanted to say this, since I've never been able to speak to you before. I've never been able to have a crush on anyone else, and I think the reason why is because, well." Her voice began to shake.

Ayame mistook her hesitancy for confusion. "Don't worry!" He laughed, pulling her along by the hand. "There's no need to fret over lost moments -- your insight is truly admirable. You may proceed to praise me as much as you wish." He clasped his hand in hers, and even though he was warm, she began to feel very cold instead.

"But that's not why I came," she said.

"I won't hear of this injustice! As a part of my illustrious fanclub, you are entitled to the same benefits as everyone else, are you not? It is impossible to imagine! To think, that for all this time, you've been deprived of the ability to gaze upon my visage. However, I do know of a fitting solution."

"Look!" Drawing out a sheaf of 3-by-6 photographs from his desk, he slammed them down onto the counter with enough force to rattle the legs. "You may have these all for free," he said, a smile on his face.

Pressing his other hand to his heart, he kissed the outstretched back of her palm, a courtly gesture towards a girl whom he could care less about. "Now, isn't that enough?"

"Sohma-kun, I--"

Trembling, she pulled her hand back and slapped him.

As his face began to sting, she spun on her heel. Her eyes began to well up with tears as she left, crumpling the tiny letter in her pocket.

--

Shigure laughed, lounging on a chair. "But it could have been worse, Aaya. At least you didn't ask her to buy the photographs."

"How rude!" said Ayame. "I was merely attempting to be polite to her, and she repaid my favor with this." He touched his cheek again.

Shigure folded his arms behind his head. "I guess she doesn't appreciate your charm enough. Right, Ha-san?"

"I wouldn't know," said Hatori, filing through his paperwork. "I've never been around to see it."

Ayame gazed at both of them, winding a lock of hair around his finger. Shock still registered on his face. "I just can't understand people like that," he said.

"Neither can I, Aaya," replied Shigure. He took a deep breath in, and then exhaled like he was breathing out a long deep cloud of cigarette smoke. "I have to say, neither can I."