PHASE 2
Houki

What a strange dream.

Houki Shinonono opened her eyes and got up. She felt dizzy, and her head was still very painful. It took her quite some time to recognize where she was—the sick bay.

Huh? Why am I here?

She unconsciously reached out for the wooden katana placed next to her. The familiar sense of touch silenced the turmoil in her confused heart, and the memory from last night dawned upon her.

Ichika.

Her face went scarlet at the thought of her childhood friend… No, more than a childhood friend. Her crush.

Crush? What am I thinking about? She threw the katana across the room, breathing heavily. Yes, just admit it—he's your crush!

She shouldn't deny her true feelings, yet her mind disagreed with her heart. She flopped back onto the futon again and buried herself under the sheets.

Ichika, Ichika, Ichika…

She kicked off the blanket and fumed in irritation. The harder she tried to block out his face, the more firmly his smile was stuck in her aching head. Then, suddenly, the door slid open, and Ichika Orimura stepped in, with the same smile she thought of on his cheery face. "Houki! You're awake! Are you okay now?"

"I-Ichika…"

"Here." He placed a small glass bottle into her palm. "This should help you to ease your headache. You know that you don't have the stomach for liquor, why did you ask for wine from Chifuyu-nee? No wonder you didn't seem to be yourself yesterday. I was really worried for you, y'know."

She began to blush. "How…did you know—?"

"Chifuyu-nee told me. And I should've noticed the sweet smell from you earlier." He ruffled his hair casually. "Well, just rest here for today. I'm going off for breakfast." He turned to leave the sick bay.

"Wait, Ichika!" She rushed forward and grabbed him by his waist.

"Eh? H-H-Houki?"

"Don't…move. Just stay…with me."

"Uh…I-I haven't had my breakfast yet…" He pulled her arms off him and turned to face her…

When she pulled him to her face and planted her lips on his.

… …

Finally, she realized what she was doing, and she pushed him away roughly, her face in a deep shade of red. For some reason, her heart soared with joy, beating faster and faster at the accomplishment.

Ichika stood stunned on his spot, unable to react to the sudden happening. Patches of pink crept onto his cheeks, and he stammered, "W-W-W-What d-did y-y-you j-just do to m-me?"

She felt like chuckling at his hilarious expression, but stopped herself almost immediately. She then replied him with a crimson-faced pout.

He stared at her for a moment before he moved closer to her, his eyes never leaving hers. "Houki…"

She widened her eyes (which were still locked with Ichika's) in shock. Is he…is he finally making his move? He's not playing dumb now, is he? "I…Ichika—" She closed her eyes and waited for it to come…

But she only felt his cool hand on her forehead.

"Hmm, you don't seem to have a fever…maybe your headache hasn't subdued yet…?"

Anger bubbled inside her. She slapped his hand away.

"Houki? What's wrong?"

She snatched the wooden katana off the tatami and smacked his back with all her might. "I hate you, you idiot! Go and die already!"

TO BE CONTINUED…?