Chapter One: Silver Lining

Disclaimer: I do not own Ao No Exorcist or Kazue Kato's characters.

"Kyah~ Yukio-kun is so amazing!" "He got top marks in the entire first year class!" "He's so tall and handsome too!" "Yukio Okumura is so dreaaaa~my!"

There was a group of girls already swooning over the boy and classes hadn't even started yet.

"E-Excuse me. Can I get pass, p-please?"

The four girls turned around with a glare. There stood a shy looking girl, her head bowed and nervously swirling her foot around. The leader of the group, a loud brunette, sneered at her, "And what makes you think we've got to go? Just buzz off."

She gave the shy girl a shove, making her stumble backwards. Luckily someone was just passing by and caught her before she could fall.

The group of girls shrieked, "Ewwwww! She touched it! Let's hurry up and go before she spreads it to us!" They tore off down the hall, leaving the two alone.

Fixing her glasses, the girl looked at her savior with a blush, "A-Ah...T-Thank you...uhm...?"

He smiled, "I'm Rin...Rin Okumura. You?"

"M...Mizuki. Hirabayashi Mizuki. I thank you greatly. I am in your debt."

Mizuki stood up from Rin's arms, blush faintly there. He grinned anyways, sheepishly rubbing his head, "Don't mention it. I was just walking by anyways. Those girls were trying to bully you right?"

Mizuki just nodded, the light catching her glasses so he couldn't really see her eyes. Even if he could her bangs covered the tops of them. Rin laughed, if his brother Yukio was a girl she would surely be it.

Her hair was pitch black and long, pulled up into twin ponytails with decorative hair ties. He couldn't tell what her eyes looked like behind the glasses yet so the color was a mystery. She wasn't too short yet not really tall. And her arms were a bit little yet her thighs were a bit big.

"Class is about to start so I should get going. I-I'll make sure to repay you. See you around, Okumura-san."

Mizuki waved and then turned around to head into the classroom. But Rin was so stubborn and stopped her, "Wait! You take advanced classes right? If you are you should see my twin brother Yukio. When you do tell him you know me and I bet he'd take you to me."

She merely nodded and he was off in a flash. Heading straight to her seat, Mizuki hung her head to sigh, "I don't even know who this Yukio person is. Or if I even have a class with him."

Suddenly the bell rang and the teacher walked in. He cleared his throat and shuffled his papers, "Good morning class. Today is the day you fine young men and women start your high school careers. And I shall be working with you your first year here. I am your home room teacher Mr. Takashi. Any questions?"

One girl raised her hand, "Are we all students who take advanced classes in this home room? It's pretty small."

Mr. Takashi laughed, "I suppose you're right. You lot are all taking advanced classes. There is only 15 of you in here. And you guys already have a student class president!"

((Mizuki's POV))

He smiled sweetly while I felt my stomach drop before fluttering vigorously, my throat beginning to close up. My breaths were beginning to come in faster, the boy next to me eyed me from the side. I squeezed my eyes shut, 'Oh man I hate getting put on the spot like this! Oh geez please don't make me so say a speech or something! I feel like I'm about to puke...

"Hirabayashi Mizuki. Please greet your student peers."

It felt as if I were going to pee on myself so I squeezed the feeling away. I stood on shaky legs, wobbly walking to the front and nearly tripping to fall, slipping on air. Luckily I grabbed the edge of a desk, but not so luckily the class erupted into chuckles.

"Awwwnnnn our president is such a cute little klutz!"

A blush erupted across my cheeks and I smoothed out my skirt. I stood up in front the board behind the little podium, clearing my throat. I made sure I was in the sun from the open windows enough to cast a glare over my glasses.

I didn't want my peers to look me in the eyes nor me to them so I looked at the tops of their heads. It was close enough, "I-I-I...am the first year president, H-Hi-Hira-Hirabayashi M-Mizuki. I-It is a great h-hon-honor to be with you all. A-And I-I-I will d-do my best!"

I finished with a shy smile and I could've sworn if my voice was any softer they wouldn't have been able to hear me. That's when I got a few comments, "Does she have a stuttering problem?" "Awwnnn she's nervous!" "Hirabayashi-san's voice is so cute."

Mr. Takashi clapped a hand on my shoulder, "It's alright, Hirabayashi-chan. You can return to your seat now."

Instead of returning to my seat I looked up at him, lips trembling and cheeks flushed, "Actually...M-May I b-be excused to the rest-restroom?"

My voice squeaked towards the end and he laughed before giving me a lamented hall pass, "Of course. And when you're finished, would you mind picking up some worksheet copies from the copy room? Thank you."

I nodded before dashing out of the room, thankful for the escape. The restrooms were at the end of the long hallway. After I had finally relieved myself of my embarrassment and washed my hands, I was walking to the copier room.

As I made my way down the steps I heard some angry whispering and a few kicks towards a wall. I peeked my head over the edge of the stairwell, surprised by what I saw. It was Rin, angrily kicking the wall and muttering to himself.

Tentatively making my way down the steps I moved over to his side, tapping his shoulder, "Rin...whoa!"

Dropping down to a crouch within a second, I narrowly missed the arm that swung backwards on reflex. The boy looked down at me in surprise, "Ah! Mizuki! I'm sorry! It's just that you snuck up on me and my nerves are a bit on edge. But cool move on dodging that. You're reflexes are amazing."

I nodded once before fixing my glasses, "It's quite alright, Okumura-kun."

He reached out with his hand but I stood up on my own, dusting off nonexistent dirt from my clothes. Clasping my hands together loosely in front of my womb I gazed around him, "Why are you here and kicking the poor wall?"

He seemed to smile in embarrassment, scratching at his cheek as he averted his eyes, "Um, well, er, uhhh...Ya see."

Suddenly he turned to me with hard eyes, his hands encasing mines completely. He leaned in more close than needed, "This school is way to big and I got lost on my way to class so could you PPPLLLLEEAAASSEE help me get there?! This will be you paying your debt to me, Mizuki. I'm already seven minutes late!"

I could only stare back at him for a moment in shock, my eyes wide even though he couldn't see. How could he not know that all first year home room classes were up one floor? Did he not pay attention during the campus tour?

I quickly dismissed the thought, giving him a tiny, closed-lipped smile, "Sure. But I am on my way to the copier room so you must accompany me. It isn't far away."

Now it was Rin's turn to stare wide eyed. His finger came up to point at my face, "Hey...you didn't stutter that time. You must be comfortable we me now or something!"

I stiffened. I most certainly did not stutter that time...maybe I was comfortable. It wouldn't be so surprising since he gave off such a cozy aura. Shrugging it off, I brushed away his hands before walking through the stairwell doors.

After we had collected the papers, I scanned his schedule and told him about how he could get to a lot of his classes. Since I didn't want him to get into too much trouble I excused him from being late with his teacher, "E-Excuse Okumura Rin, sensei. He was h-helping me c-ca-carry important papers. I-I am the first year president, H-Hira-Hirabayashi Mizuki."

The teacher gave a stiff nod before going on with the lesson. Rin nudged me a bit, "Thanks. I so totally owe you a bunch now."

I gave a hum of approval before taking the papers back to my home room. The stack was pretty heavy so I struggled with opening the door using my elbow. It bounced open abruptly and since I was leaning heavily on it, I nearly fell to the floor.

Quickly, I regained my footing, the stack of papers threatening to slip from my fingers. Mr. Takashi chuckled as he plucked the papers from my hands, "Thank you, Hirabayashi-chan. Next time I'll send a helper with you. Was it too heavy?"

Thankful to have the weight gone, I nodded, "Mm. I-I didn't think I-I was going to m-make it."

He sorted through the papers before setting them down on his desk. I took that as my cue to go back to my seat. Once I was the there the boy who was eyeing me earlier leaned over to whisper, "I can be your helper if you'd like Hirabayashi-san."

He smiled and I stared at his bright face. Dark blonde hair pulled into a low braid and dark brown eyes. His hand jutted out towards me, "My name is Ibuko Benkei. But you can just call me Benkei-kun. Nice to meet you."

I shook his hand gently, "T-Thank you for the offer B-Benkei-kun. I sh-shall remember t-that next time."

I smiled as he let go of my hand and I turned back to the front where Mr. Takashi was explaining the basic rules and the reasons for the papers. Engrossing myself in that, I played the rule of the perfect student and listened.

((Time Skip))

I was standing outside the double doors, looking in uncomfortably. Lots of people grouped together as friends wandered around. The loud buzz of chattering and laughing filled my ears, making me cringed and turn away. That place was not meant for me. Not at all.

Suddenly a hand landed on my shoulder, "Hey! Hirabayashi-san! Wanna come eat lunch with me and my friends for today?"

I let out a breath before looking back at Benkei, a smile on his lips, "S-S-Sorry but I c-can't. I'm too n-nerv-nervous around-around others."

It was true. The outside world was a scary thing and adolescence were scary too. But the blonde just shook his head, "Nonsense. You shouldn't let that bother you. Besides, I'm here with you and these guys are awesome."

I couldn't really run away if I tried because he had swiveled me around an stirred me towards a table near the left end of the room. He was chattering away the entire time while I was literally trying not to have a panic attack in the middle of the dining hall.

"Say hey to my friends. You guys, she's the first year president!"

My eyes nearly rolled back in my head as I gazed at the four faces at the table. It was the same four girls who had given me dirty looks this morning. Now the four of them had forced smiles, "Hello President-san! Were sorry for this morning!"

I calmed down after a moment and just disregarded the act, "I-It is f-fine. Y-Yo-You were only j-jok-joking anywa-ways. Right?"

I gave a warm smile and they looked down with guilt, the brunette pushed her sweet bread over to me, bowing her head, "Forgive me dear President-san. I didn't know you were our president. I am Sango Kawaguchi."

The girl next to Sango blushed, looking down with her curly pink hair covering her face, "My name is Momoe Shido."

Her voice was so soft and high like a small child and so was her figure. She was definitely moe. Across from her sat a stubborn looking girl with striking red hair and deep green eyes, "Name's Ryouko Himura. Pleasure to meet you"

"I'm Umi Tachibana. Won't you tell us your name?"

Umi had striking orange eyes and glossy purple hair. A smirk played on her lips and she set her head in her hand. Her voice was lazy and womanly, my voice sounding all the more childlike, "I-I am Mizuki H-Hira-Hirabayashi. It is n-nice to meet y-you all."

I internally reprimanded myself. I stutter the same way when I say my last name. It was so embarrassing. Sango chuckled and pointed to the open seat, "Go ahead and sit and eat. I have you my sweet roll for Pete's sake!"

Taking her word, I cautiously sat down as if scared to break the sturdy wooden chair. I opened the package and watched as they carried on in conversation, munching on the bread. It was actually quite good.

"Miiiiizuuuuuukiiii-chaaaaaannn!"

My heart instantly took off like a race horse. Who dared to call my name out like that? It was putting me on the spot again and I was already gonna wet myself earlier. I glanced around and a few other girls...and boys, named Mizuki turned around at the yell. But there he stood in all his boisterous glory, Rin Okumura. He seemed to be dragging someone along by the arm, the person continuously holding his glasses to his face. He was a bit taller than Rin and had a similar hairstyle.

My heart swooned a bit when the two stopped a bit from me. I stood up, sweet roll forgotten on the table. I titled my head at Rin, "W-Why are y-you dragging t-this po-poor guy around?! That is-isn't nice Okumura-san."

I pouted a bit but the teen just laughed, "Mizuki this is my younger twin brother, Yukio. I was just telling him that you just look like the gender bend of each other. Hell! You could be OUR twin!"

I blushed deep at the thought before stopping to stare at Yukio. That face looks familiar...it was the face of the youngest exorcist! Yukio Okumura!

Just as I opened my mouth to speak the four girls behind me sighed in unison, "Okumura Yukioooo~..."

At the sound of his name, Yukio stood up before looking down at me. He gave a tiny smile, "Hi, there. Rin was only a tad bit right this time. It's nice to meet you, Hirabayashi-san. We share home room together."

His face was thrown sideways and the edges of the room turned black. It took me a moment to realize I was fainting. I had just greeted a totally cute boy with glasses let alone THE Yukio Okumura! Plus my panic attack had came back full force.

'My cloud had a silver lining...'

((A/N)): Well this is my OC Mizuki Hirbayashi. The only reason I didn't mention her eye color is because I have two different options and couldn't decide. But she really does wear glasses. And she gets super nervous around others, hence half the reason she fainted. The other is because she finds glasses attractive so, Yukio is just her fantasy. Anyways, I'd like to know how I did please! Reviews are welcome.

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