Before meeting with Sugimura, I had to change back into my normal attire, a pink short sleeved sweater over my uniform. I don't dare wear the school's P.E. uniform around that man. The one time I made that mistake, he berated me for it, calling me a "lowly commoner," and attempted to forcibly strip me out of it. I fought back his advances until he chose to stop. Needless to say, that night was spent weeping.

Not too far from the school, I see the black car that Sugimura always rode in. I pace my way their, fixing my hair a little for him. A hair out of place was all he needed to criticize me. As I approach the car, I see the profile of his face. His face is porcelain flawless, and well defined, with brown eyes as cold and glossy as marbles. His brown hair is perfectly tamed, groomed in the most professional of ways. He is what people would think of when they hear young, handsome businessman.

I open the left side car door, seating myself next to him. He turns to look at me, a frown breaking the image he has. "What took you so long?" he asked, though it felt more like a command.

"I had to take care of things for the gardening club," I respond, looking away from him. The car sets itself in motion.

"You're still doing that?" His tone is condescending. "I thought you'd drop it by now."

"I enjoy gardening. It gives me something to do outside of my studies."

He scoffs and lifts my chin up, forcing our eyes to meet. His eyes look more hungry for me, than they do seductive. "If you need something to do, you're always welcomed to meet me after class."

The way he said that sent a chill all throughout my body. I gently push his hand away from my chin and look away from him. "I enjoy gardening. Nothing feels more satisfying to me than seeing my work blossom." Though my intentions of joining the club were to avoid both my father and Sugimura, I grew to love the time spent. Setting the seeds in the soil, watering them on a set schedule, watching the vegetables take shape and grow, I love every part of gardening. For those moments I am not the daughter of the president of Okumura foods, I am not the planned fiancee of a soon to be politician, I am myself. Telling him the joy I feel would be useless though, he wouldn't care even if I told him.

He gives a condescending smile, "Enjoying commoner's works?"

I remain quiet. Everything I want to say will only come back to hurt me.

His glare leaves as he looks ahead. "At least you picked a lady-like activity to partake in, but did it need to be so dirty?" I can feel his eyes looking me up and down, looking for any imperfections. "You either cleaned yourself up well, or you didn't do work."

I bite my tongue. He's not looking for a response, only to attack me. He places a hand on my right thigh, sending an alarming jolt. I push the hand away, hearing an audible scoff of disappoint from him.

Finally I arrive home. I couldn't leave the car any faster. I turn to him, giving him a light bow. "Thank you," I say out of courtesy.

Before I could run back up, I hear him call me out. "Saturday evening you and I will be accompanying me to a dinner with potential investor."

I nod, "Have a good evening Sugimura-san."

"As well as you Haru." And with that, the car drives away. I let out a sigh of relief, knowing I won't have to see him until then.

In a little bit of time, I am in the penthouse my father and I live in. The penthouse is much too large for only two people to live in, but father wanted to have a beautiful sight when he had guests over. This was rare, but when there were, it was always a large group. Everyone who came would treat me nicely, would ask me about who my academics are going, would ask me about my plans with Sugimura. Every shallow, uncaring question met with a shallow, quick response from me. All of my father's guests saw me as another Okumura to benefit from, someone who could make them riches if they remained on my good side.

I look around, wondering if father is home. I hear his voice coming from his study, it sounds like he's talking to someone from his work. Whether it be in person or not, I would much rather avoid that kind of situation.

I head to the balcony to water the vegetables I have growing there. Potatoes, carrots, a variety of peppers, all still seedlings, but one day they will grow. As I do so, I recall the boy I met at the rooftop of the school. He was cute, and he seemed kind from our small interaction, but appearances are only skin deep. For all I know, he could be another Sugimura. The second year blonde delinquent was heading up to the rooftop as well. Was he friends with the fluffy haired boy, or was he in trouble?

I place the watering can to the side and decide to head to my room and do some studying. I pass by my father's study and can still hear his voice. It must be very important if he has to deal with it personally. I guess tonight will be another night without talking to him. I enter my room, and lay on my bed. I look up at the ceiling, the boy still in my mind. Maybe I will check up on him tomorrow. He did help me when I needed it, if he is in trouble I should offer the same kind of hospitality.