Author: I have always been a fan of Andou Takumi and Sugimoto Mao despite what people may say. So, I decided to make a fanfic involving the two. Enjoy follow TakumixMao fans! ^^
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Strobe Edge. All credits belong to Sakisaka Io-san and the publishers
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Chapter I: A Cold Morning Breeze
Inside the noisy halls of this school, bustling students chatter away without a care in life. Not too long ago, my name was whispered in a hush-hush tone by the same students.
"Did you hear what Sugimoto-san did?" "How shameless! Poor Andou!"
In no way am I playing the part of the victim here. They were right to talk about what I had done. I, Sugimoto Mao, had it all back in middle school. A great set of friends. Good grades. Cutest clothes. Almost everything every girl our age has ever wanted. ALMOST. Except for one thing.
Ichinose-sempai.
Ichinose Ren. I remember back in those days his very name send shivers down my spine. There was no way though that he is to return my feelings. He was perfect in every way, almost like me. He had good grades. He has a very good relationship with his best friend, Andou Takumi-kun.
Every girl admired him and I'm not immune to his charms either. Before I knew it, my eyes always followed him, stealing glances towards him during P.E., the only class we shared. He was tall, a lot taller than me. His broad shoulders made him seem so mature. His hair was always neat, his bangs softly rested against his forehead, sometimes hiding his sharp, brown eyes that always seemed so stern yet caring at the same time.
I loved him. Loved him enough to commit such a heinous act. To go out with his bestfriend in order to get the chance to get close to him and catch his eyes. To use another human being's earnest feelings just for a chance to be something more than just Sugimoto Mao, just another one of the hordes of girls who admired him. I wanted him to see me - to look at the me that longed for his affections. At the time, that was all that mattered, everything else were just steps to reach that ultimate goal.
I leaned against the frame of the open window in the hallway. This area is usually secluded since it's by the back stair way which is barely used by students or teachers. The chatters were far away now so I can finally hear my own thoughts. I looked out below by the school garden. I remember Takumi-kun had asked me out in a hidden area in our middle school's garden...
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"I have always looked at you, Mao. Will you go out with me?" were his words. At the time, I felt numb - unmoved.
Andou Takumi has always been friendly with all the girls in school. If they weren't talking about how hot Ichinose-sempai is, they're talking about how hot Andou-sempai is. My eyes were half way closed, my long eyelashes brushed against my dark hair as I looked up to meet his gaze. He was looking at me but not with his usual goofy grin - No, he looked very serious.
He took my hand, enveloping it in his as he placed it against his chest before continuing, "I'm serious, I really like you."
Though our eyes steadily looked at each other, I still felt nothing. No anticipation, no excitement, just... empty. Then a small thought jolted through my body as an image of Ichinose-senpai appeared in my mind. That thought - that small possibility of being noticed by him if I were to pretend I'm interested in Andou brought so many emotions all at once that I felt like the very air is being choked out of me. I couldn't breathe. My fingers twitched as I allowed my small, pink lips part as a response escaped from them. "Sure. I'll go out with you... Andou-senpai."
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My eyes drifted to the side as I hear people approaching. I hear a group of familiar voices as their laughter echoed through the hall.
It was Kinoshita-senpai and her group of friends. Following them not to far behind were the boys from her class, one of them standing out from the rest. It was Takumi-kun. He was smiling and laughing along with the group til he spotted me. His smile quickly turn sour as our gaze met. I turned away, the black strands of my hair swaying as a light, cold breeze entered through the open window.
I hear footsteps approaching me but I kept my gaze outside, allowing my features to appear nonchalant.
"What are you doing here?" I heard Takumi say as he leaned his back against the wall close to the window. My gaze drifted to the side to catch a glimpse of him glaring at me.
"Didn't I tell you that I was coming for you?" That caused him to look at me and to his surprise, he saw me looking at him as well.
His blonde hair that framed his face swayed a bit as the breeze picked up once more. I knew it wasn't going to be easy, that just because he didn't turn me down when I said told him "I'm coming at you, fair and square." when Kinoshita-sempai left him to confess to Ichinose-sempai did not mean that he's going to start treating me nicely. I did still hurt him after all. I can't blame him for having his guard up at all times when I'm around.
"Don't worry," I finally said, closing my eyes as I let out a small sigh. "I just wanted to see your face." I allowed myself to smile a genuine smile before taking my leave.
I wondered what kind of face he had on as I walked away but I fought to the best of my abilities not to turn to look at him. After all, I knew that though he appears to be okay, he still had feelings for Kinoshita-sempai so I'll take my time. I'll take my time and win him back fair and square as promised.
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