Natsuki, throughout this whole thing, also had plans of his own. After all, it was a rare opportunity that the teachers and Headmaster would be gone. If he didn't make a move now, he'd lose his chance forever.
Everyone loved flowers. Because they were beautiful, and held true meaning. Natsuki researched multiple meanings of flowers, and decided that he liked the meaning of orange roses, the best.
Desire. Passion.
Because whenever he looked at her, he felt a strong warmth and desire overcome him. When she smiled and laughed, he wanted those expressions to be aimed at him. When she was kind and happy, he wanted it to be because of him.
He wanted so much. It was a selfish desire, but the girl he loved was very selfless.
They'd make it work out somehow, he thought. As he ordered a bouquet of orange roses online, he kept reassuring himself.
It would work somehow.
Haruka was in her room, working on a music sheet diligently. Before Ringo left, he had asked her to fix the arrangement on one of her songs. She knew she had the ability to do it, but it was just a matter of how to do it.
But, as talented as the girl was, she couldn't make anything work for the moment, and realized she just wasn't in the mood.
Sighing in defeat, the composer dropped her pencil, deciding to take a break.
I should buy some drinks, she thought, I think we finished the last of them.
Taking her wallet and a purse, Haruka intended to go to the student store, and stock up on drinks.
As soon as she opened the door, however, she realized that she wanted to close it just as quickly.
Right in front of the door to her room, Haruka was witness to her best friend, Tomochika Shibuya, and her classmate, Otoya Ittoki, kissing passionately.
Haruka gasped, and placed a hand over her mouth.
The couple noticed her immediately, and pulled away embarrassingly.
"H-Haruka...!"
"This isn't what-"
"You weren't-"
"I can explain-"
"I-"
"We-"
They spoke over each other, faces as red as their hair. Haruka didn't say anything, but just quietly backed up. The way she was looking at Tomochika, however, shouted a silent message.
Talk to me! Now!
Tomochika nodded in understanding, and shifted her gaze to Otoya. "Go, I'll see you later."
"But-"
"Just go, dummy!" She said teasingly, quickly slamming the door shut behind her.
When it was just the two girls again, Haruka remained silent, face bright with regret and embarrassment.
Tomochika was no better, as her usually bold and bright gaze was downcast in defeat and in shame.
Bravely, Tomochika spoke up. She coughed into her first, and shuffled her feet awkwardly.
"Um, sorry about that."
"..."
"I, I didn't think you were back yet! I still probably shouldn't have done that, though, so sorry."
"No, Tomo, it's okay. I was just confused. When had you and Otoya...?"
"Ah, just today! He came up and confessed to me! It was the perfect chance, since Headmaster and the other teachers are gone."
"I'll say."
"Haru, please don't tease me! Otoya's actually really romantic. Look, he got me roses."
Tomochika showed off a beautiful bouquet, lined up with plump, red roses.
Haruka, who was knowledgeable in the language of flora, was in awe.
Red roses usually meant true love. For someone as honest as Ittoki to give Tomochika that, is...
Is utterly genuine, Haruka thought.
"They're beautiful!"
"That's what I said! Anyways, we're dating now, and we think we might try to keep it going, even when the adults come back. You'll keep our secret, right?"
The shorter red-haired girl smiled. "I don't think it's a secret when you're kissing in the hallway."
Tomochika playfully threw a pillow at her face.
"Don't remind me!" she barked.
The night dragged on. Tomochika left to see Otoya, which left Haruka alone in her room.
She heard a knock on the door, and expected it to be her roommate.
But it wasn't. It was her friend, her blond friend.
"Oh? What are you doing here, S-"
Before she could finish, the person walked in, nearly pressing a bouquet of beautiful roses into her hands.
They were orange.
Haruka stared at them for a moment, realizing the situation.
Oh, she thought, I never thought for a moment that he would like me that way...
"Haruka?" the male asked quietly, "Haruka, I love you. I adore you, even."
"..."
"Even if it's just for a little while, I want us to be together. Can we?"
The girl was silent, looking down at her shoes as if they were more interesting.
"I-I don't know..."
"I don't want you to do anything you shouldn't have to. But I wanted to let you know how I felt, before the love rule would come back again. I wanted to tell you, before we lost the chance to."
"No, I understand that...But, I think I have my answer." The girl answered, looking up to meet his eyes.
"And...?"
"For just a little while, let's be together."
"Haruka...! That's great, so great! I could kiss you!"
She blushed, and stumbled over her words.
"Y-You could...if you wanted to...I'd be okay with that."
"Then, if you're okay with it..."
The girl closed her eyes, and leaned a bit forward.
She felt warm, soft lips meet her own. And she set the flowers aside, so her hands could place themselves around her new lover's neck.
And in that moment in time, Haruka never knew such sweet bliss, such kind love.
Never.
Returning from the florist's, Syo headed as quickly as he could to Haruka's room.
He found that his heart was beating dangerously. So loudly, so quickly. Because of a simple girl, who had charmed him with her simplicity.
After all, Syo needed someone like Haruka in his life. He needed a balance.
The blond thought of a list of things to say when he would confess to Nanami.
Nanami, I've loved you since I saw you.
Nanami, you mean the world to me.
Nanami, you don't even have to accept. If you just knew my feelings that would be enough.
Nanami...
All those sweet words sounded gross to him. He would have to think of something better. First, it would probably be better to address her as 'Haruka' for a situation as intimate as this.
Haruka, the way you make me feel is...
Haruka, I think I've always...
"Syo!"
The violinist broke out of his stupor, and looked to see who was calling him.
It was Otoya, but the red head wasn't alone.
Tomochika, happily and affectionately, was clinging onto his arm. In her hands was a brilliant bunch of roses.
Syo smiled. So, his friend did have the guts to say something, after all.
"Hey, congrats, you two."
"Ah, thanks!" the guitarist smiled sheepishly.
He gave a loving gaze to the girl on his arm. "I'm so glad I decided to tell you, Tomochika."
"Me too. Although I'm sure I would have told you, too, eventually."
"Told me what?"
"That I've always loved you too, silly!"
They laughed, and Syo felt a pang in his chest. That's what he wanted, he realized. Nothing but a beautiful bond to connect Haruka and himself with.
Loving words and sweet whispers. Jokes and laughter. Roses and holding hands.
He was so distracted, Tomochika had to snap a finger in front of Syo's face.
"Hello? Earth to Syo!"
"Ah, sorry about that!"
"It's fine!" Otoya cut in, smiling cheesily. "So, who are those flowers for?"
Syo looked down at the bouquet of irises, and gave a dreamy sigh.
"Well, if you wanna know...they're for Haruka."
This was the moment where Syo expected some happy shouts, cheers, or praise from the red-heads. Something like "Good for you!" or "Go get her!"
But they didn't say anything. At all. Their eyes widened, and they looked between each other worriedly.
Syo was confused. And his heart was pounding wildly.
"What's wrong? Isn't this a good thing?"
"Syo..." Tomochika began sadly, not making direct eye contact.
"What?" he snapped, "what is it, already? These are for Haruka. Is that bad? What's wrong with you two?"
"It's Natsuki," Otoya finally spoke up, "before you, we ran into Natsuki. He also had a big bouquet of flowers and he..."
No, Syo thought, no, that idiot can't be doing what I think he's doing.
"...he went in the direction of Haruka's room!" Tomochika admitted, almost guiltily. "He told us that he liked her, and we didn't know you liked her either, so we told him which way her room was! We're sorry!"
The blond took a moment to let this all sink in.
Natsuki Shinomiya, that bumbling, air-headed fool, was somehow a step ahead of him, and wooing the only girl he cared romantically about, as they spoke?
Was that all there was to it?
Once again, Natsuki was getting everything Syo couldn't have. Better violinist skills, a bigger build, a stronger heart, and now the girl he cared about...
The rest of Otoya and Tomochika's words were meaningless to him. He walked ahead, ignoring their concerned shouts.
He walked ahead, ignoring the unusual beats in his heart, and the strange wetness in his eyes.
It didn't matter, anyways.
The entrance to Haruka's room was slightly open. Syo stared at the gap between the door and the wall, and didn't say anything.
He listened first.
And what he heard was giggles, laughter, and loving words, all behind the door.
Syo could recognize Shinomiya's voice. It made him sick. It made him want to throw up.
His face was contorted into a less than friendly expression, and he carefully opened the door.
Sitting on the bed was Haruka and Natsuki. He had his arms around her, and a big bouquet (bigger than Syo's) lay on Nanami's bedside table.
No no no, Syo thought frantically, this is wrong.
That should be me, sitting there.
The couple noticed Syo's sudden presence, but greeted him obliviously. Because they didn't know what he was thinking, of course. How could they, hen they were suddenly so in love and holding hands and laughing...
"Syo!" Haruka greeted, "How are you?"
"Did you need something, little Syo?" Natsuki playfully called out, "Haruka and I, well I guess you can tell, but we-"
"Are in love." Syo finished, voice deadpanned. "Terribly in love, right?"
The two were slightly off put by this, but agreed nonetheless. Natsuki nodded slowly, and Haruka seemed concerned.
"Syo, is something wrong?"
"..."
"Syo...?"
"No, nothing's wrong." He admitted, tears threatening to fall out, "I'm really happy for the both of you, really. So happy."
He didn't realize it, but his flowers fell out of his hands, and when Haruka noticed they were irises, something in her clicked.
Oh no, she thought, oh no oh no oh no.
Natsuki noticed this, as well, and stood up. "Syo, listen, we can talk about this-"
"No, we can't." He denied, tears falling out, "Just ignore me, for all I care! You're happy, and I'm not. What else is new?"
Against his better judgement, the blond fled. Sprinting down the hall, he ran and ran and ran, ignoring the shouts that followed after him.
He tripped once or twice, but that didn't stop him, as he kept running.
He needed to be away, he realized.
He needed to be alone.
Tomochika and Otoya were about to part ways. They were holding hands under the moon, and smiling at each other.
"You think he'll be alright?" Tomochika asked, wondering about Syo.
"I think so. Syo's strong. When we played soccer together, he always got back up no matter what!"
"That was then," she pointed out, "I meant now."
Otoya sighed, and pressed his forehead against Tomochika's. For comfort.
"I'm not sure," he admitted, "I think I should go talk to him after this."
"Me too."
However, before they could kiss or anything, Otoya noticed something terrible transpiring, out of the corner of his eye.
It was Syo, heaving violently, with hand placed over his chest. He was staggering near the flowerbeds, and he looked like he had just ran a mile, but judging from his appearance, he hadn't.
No, the violent breathing wasn't a result of running.
It was the result of a heart attack.
Otoya screamed for the blond, and ran as quickly as he could to his side. Tomochika, confused and lost, realized what was happening.
She started panicking. Following her boyfriend's footsteps, she screamed frantically.
"Syo!"
No response, because his voice wasn't working well. All he could really feel or understand was the sharp pain in his heart, and the warmth of blood in his body. Rushing, rushing, rushing.
Falling to his knees, the blond felt someone's hands hold him up. He looked up and faintly saw Ittoki, trying to talk to him, but it was useless.
Syo couldn't hear a word he was saying.
His vision warbled but eventually faded to black. He fell over, heart being crushed underneath its own weight.
No more, he thought, I'm tired.
Let me sleep.