Disclaimer: I hereby declare that I in no way own Princess Princess.
Author's Note: Here's a brief explanation of the Japanese school year for high schools (it's quite different from what the U.S. has).
In Japan, high schools tend to run a three-term school year (trimester system), having a first term from April 1 to late July. The exact date of the beginning of the summer break and its duration vary across regions, but commonly the break lasts for about six weeks.
A second term lasts from early September to late December with a two-week-long break for New Year's at the end of the year. The term is followed by a third term from early January to late March and a brief week-long spring break. The graduation ceremony occurs in March, and the enrollment ceremony in early April.
Mikoto couldn't stand it. Another day of princess duties had wrapped up, and with it, another day of watching his fellow princesses make their desire for each other known anyone who bothered to pay attention other than themselves. Whenever Kouno turned his back to Shihoudani, a faint blush would appear on the latter's face, his mouth parted as if he was about to say something. But the instant Kouno turned his gaze back on the other, Shihoudani would shut his mouth and turn around to hide his blush, and that's when Kouno would stare at Shihoudani with face that screamed of longing, only to turn back into his chipper self the minute the latter had regained enough composure to him in the eye again. Plus there was the fact that they'd only look at each other in the bath while the other wasn't looking.
"Why can't one of them just confess already?" Mikoto muttered to himself. "They're driving me crazier than usual here!" As if to emphasize his point, Mikoto shoved his hands into his pockets.
And promptly stopped in his tracks.
"No no no," he said as his fingers searched every crevice his pockets had, then promptly did the same with every other pocket he had on him. "I left my room key back in the changing room," he moaned. With no other option left to him, he turned back to lair of his shame and torment, best to get it over with quickly. He noticed Shihoudani was just leaving, so he bowed his head and picked up the pace, only barely picking up Shihoudani's comment about him finally giving in to his hidden desire to wear women's clothing and determined not to let it get to him. He was just about to head in when he heard it.
"Stupid Yuujirou!"
Mikoto froze. That was Kouno's voice. And it sounded sad. What was going on? What could have happened in the short time he'd been gone? Shihoudani hadn't looked any different than usual, though Mikoto really hadn't bothered to pay much attention to him. Should he go in there and ask, or would he learn more just by standing here and listening? Was it really okay to eavesdrop on his friend like this?
Of course, while Mikoto was stuck arguing himself, Kouno continued his personal rant, oblivious to his audience. "Just tell me already! Tell me you love me. Or kiss me. Or ask me out. Hold my hand for longer than usual. Something! Just do something to let me know I'm right. Please."
Wait a minute, Mikoto thought. Does he know? He know's and he's still not going to tell Shihoudani?! He heard footsteps. Kouno was about to leave. Crap crap crap! If he see's me, he'll know I heard! Wait, I've got it! Mikoto turned around, walking back the way he came as quickly as possible without making any noise, then promptly turned around again. Now I'll look like I'm just coming back, Kouno won't suspect a thing! Speaking of Kouno, there he was, just leaving the changing room.
"Oh, Mikoto," Kouno started, only to have the pink-haired princess to cut him off.
"Yeah, I forgot my room key, just going to grab it real quick." He wrapped his hand around the door handle.
"Mikoto-"
"What's going on?!" It wouldn't open.
"The door stays locked remember? That way no one gets an extra view of the princesses. But Mikoto-"
"Natashou-senpai!" Mikoto was banging his fist on the door now. "Open up! I forgot something!"
"He and the others are still cleaning up back stage. They'll probably be another five minutes at least. But Mikoto-"
"I can't wait five minutes standing here! I want as little to do with this princess job as possible!"
"Mikoto-"
"Maybe I ask Natasho-senpai for the key. But there's no telling what kind of "inspiration" he might get out of that!"
"Miko-chan!"
"What?!"
Kouno stared at him for a good five seconds before a wicked grin took shape on his face. Only then did Mikoto realize what he had done.
"I mean, don't call me by that stupid magical-girl name!" Damn, he really was getting too used to this job.
"I just wanted to tell you that I've got your key right here." Kouno was still wearing that evil grin. Mikoto dreaded what he and Shihoudani would subject him to tomorrow. Deciding it was best to cut his losses and run, he took his key, muttered something along the lines of "thanks," and made his way back to his room.
"So Kouno likes Shihoudani and Shihoudani likes Kouno," Mikoto said to himself, now sitting on his bed, trying to put all the pieces together in a way he understood. "And Kouno knows that Shihoudani likes him, but won't say anything because he wants Shihoudani to be the one to confess. Meanwhile Shihoudani has no idea that Kouno feels the same way, and so he's probably too afraid to admit his feelings. And to top it all off they're roommates."
He checked the calendar. "And if I'm going to put an end to all this before next term starts, I've only got a week. Yeah, I'm going need some help," he sighed.
Mikoto couldn't stand it any longer.