Chapter One
"Is this some kind of sick joke!" Miyabigaoka's Student Council President, Igarashi Tora demanded, slamming his hands on the table.
"As much as I'd like it to be a joke, it isn't," Seika High's President, Ayuzawa Misaki, growled back.
Her cousin, Ayuzawa Sayuri, who had lived in Tokyo all her life, had been sent over by her father to stay at her house. And of course, he expected Misaki to take care of Sayuri, including the matters of education. She had expected Sayuri to enroll in Seika High, but...
She turned to said brunette in question.
"Why the hell do you want to study in Miyabigaoka?"
Sayuri, who had been inspecting her nails all the while, simply shrugged.
"It seemed like a good school," was her calm reply.
A vein popped out on Misaki's head. Her cousin was driving her nuts.
Tora growled. He was extremely irritated as well. About two hours ago, Maki had burst through the doors of Miyabigaoka's Student Council room.
"Igarashi, Ayuzawa Misaki's cousin has applied for the entrance exam for our school!"
Tora's eyes had widened at this. Then he remembered how tough the exam was for him. He smirked.
"Did she pass?"
Maki looked down at the papers which held the results. He read through till he found the name 'Ayuzawa'. He read it.
"Yes she did Igarashi kaichou." Maki gulped.
"WHAT!" Tora yelled, slamming his hands on the table.
"Prepare the car for me." He growled. "We're going to Seika High."
Tora rubbed his forehead. It was hot in the room, and his head was starting to hurt.
"You do know we can't afford Miyabigaoka's school fees," Misaki gritted her teeth. She did not have many excuses left, but she had to stop her cousin from entering Miyabigaoka. Who knew what would happen to her if she enrolled in there? Igarashi Tora was despicable beyond human comprehension. But the problem was Sayuri was stubborn. Even more stubborn than how Usui was a pervert alien.
"I figured I'd go for the scholarship." Sayuri stood up.
"I don't understand why you're so objected to it, cousin. Miyabigaoka's a good school." Her sky-blue orbs flicked to her fuming cousin.
"Besides, I don't want to be an obstacle to you. You've already got so much on your schedule. I'll just add to your burden and slow you down." Putting a hand on the window ledge, Sayuri looked out into the sunset. She really did not want her cousin to keep worrying about her. Their family was poor, and with her added, finances would tighten even more.
Sayuri was just going to be a first-year at high school. She had a mature mindset for her age, kind of like Misaki.
She glanced at her cousin, noticing Misaki's reluctance was crumbling. She knew of the incident with Igarashi and Miyabigaoka. But she also knew her cousin had student council work, her job, her studies and now, her new relationship with Usui to juggle. If she joined Seika, Misaki would be constantly plagued with worry. Misaki's frown was already deeply embedded into her forehead. If she added to Misaki's burden, that frown would never go away.
This was the most she could do for her caring cousin. Getting onto her knees, Sayuri used her last resort.
"Igarashi kaichou, please, let me enter Miyabigaoka."
Tora's lime-yellow orbs widened. Then he smirked.
"Fine," Tora agreed. This is going to be interesting, he thought. If Ayuzawa Misaki can provide that much entertainment for me, surely her cousin can as well.
"Really?" Sayuri's sea-blue eyes widened. Tora nodded.
"Arigatou!" Exclaimed the brunette softly. Her eyes softened as she smiled at him. His eyes widened what a picture of beauty. Indeed, this is going to be interesting.
The door opened, and Usui stepped in.
"Usui!" Misaki gasped.
"Ah, Usui-chan! Guess what? I'm going to Miyabigaoka!" Sayuri smiled at him.
"Really? Good for you," Usui returned the smile. Sayuri was like his little sister.
Turning to Tora, his expression changed. His emerald eyes hardened into a glare and a frown laced his lips.
"You better take care of her, or else." He narrowed his eyes. Both men stayed like that for a long moment.
Then, Usui turned to Misaki.
"Well, Misaki, shall we go?" Usui asked.
"Ah, yes! See you, Sayuri-chan, Igarashi kaichou." With a wave, Misaki and Usui were gone.
Tora stood up and glanced at Sayuri. He took in her appearance.
Straight, honey-brown hair that fell into layers behind her back, the tip touching in between her shoulder blades. Her eyes were an endless sea of blues, starting from the lightest hue to the darkest. Long, thick lashes lined each eye. Her double eyelids were defined. Her skin was much akin to a porcelain doll's. Her cheeks were stained pink under his intense gaze. Her mouth pouted out, her full lips a lush pink.
Her neck was slender, her body slim. Her figure was quite good as well. She had long limbs and slender ankles.
She brushed her away from her face. Her fringe hung into a V-shape at the middle and the sides were long.
"Shall we go?" Tora offered his hand.
"Okay," she replied calmly, before taking his hand and following him and Maki out of the door.
And into her new life.
Miyabigaoka was big. It was much grander than Sayuri had expected. It was white all over, with silver ledges. It had a blue tint to it as well. As she had expected, Igarashi kaichou's limousine had tinted windows, that could not be seen into from outside, but could see outside from the inside. The car drove into the gates, and then rolled into a stop outside the grand entrance. After a few seconds, the door clicked open.
Tora stepped out, then turned and offered his hand to her. Taking it gracefully with a grateful smile, Sayuri stepped out of the car after him. Maki followed after. Gaping at the school, Sayuri stood speechless.
"What's wrong?" A grinning Tora asked, striding past her with his hands in his pockets.
"It's nothing." Sayuri blinked before she followed him into the building. Through winding halls and past walls they walked, past tall windows that stretched from the ceiling to the floor. They finally reached a pair of double doors; Tora opened them. He strode over to the large oak desk and sat on the sofa behind it. Removing his jacket, he threw it over the top of the sofa. Maki followed after, but stood beside the sofa at the left arm. Sayuri stood before the powerful president and his assistant, unsure what to do. Snapping his fingers, Tora barked orders at Maki. Sayuri found herself being ushered to another door. Pushing her through the door, Maki gave her a pile of clothes. Miyabigaoka's uniform. Sayuri stared at it, the silky material soft beneath her fingertips.
Slowly, she unfolded the dress. The tie was navy blue, with a white v-shaped line on the bottom of it, with an M on it. The uniform was a navy blue, the jacket a snow white with puffy short sleeves. The ends of the skirt ended at the ankles.
It was... too... what was that word? Oh yes, old. The skirt looked like what was worn for a ball, if she wore the uniform; the skirt's edges brushed the floor. She did not like it one bit. She was used to pleated skirts. The longest skirt she wore ended just before her knees.
She grimaced. She did not like the skirt. Could she appeal? She stood there, unsure what to do next.
A knock sounded on the door.
"Sayuri?" Igarashi Kaichou's voice sounded. "Are you alright in there?"
"Umm, yes... But..." Sayuri trailed off; debating if she should tell him she did not like the uniform. If she did, she risked getting kicked out of Miyabigaoka.
"Did you scald yourself in the shower?"
How did he come to that conclusion! "N-No..."
"Did you fall down and hurt yourself?"
"No..."
"Then did you injure yourself anywhere?"
"N-No!" Sayuri stammered her face flushing.
"I'm coming in~" The door clicked, then opened. Tora stepped into the washroom. Sayuri stood in the middle of the lockers and the showers, uniform clutched to her chest.
"You haven't changed?" Igarashi sounded surprised.
"Um, n-no... It's just that... Well..." Sayuri stammered, her face flushing even more.
Tora raised his eyebrows, "what's wrong? Is the uniform too big?"
"No, it's just that... The uniform... It's..." Sayuri trailed off again, revising the happening of her getting kicked out of Miyabigaoka.
"What's wrong with the uniform?" Tora asked, taking the fabric from her. He checked it over, not finding any faults with the sewing or tailoring.
"It's too... It's too old-fashioned for me." Sayuri flushed even more. Crap, I said it.
Tora burst out laughing.
"I see, I see. So you just don't like it." Tora snickered, his shoulders shaking.
"S-Sorry..." Sayuri blushed even more, feeling embarrassed now.
"It's alright. I guess I can appeal to the Principal for you. But of course, I'll need another reason other than the uniform being too old-fashioned for you."
"Umm, how about you say... I'm allergic to silk?" Sayuri suggested.
"Hmm, that could work. Well, let's give that a shot. Come on." Grabbing her hand, he tugged her out of the bathroom.
"W-Where are we going?" Sayuri gasped, trying to keep up with his big strides.
"We're going to the Principal's office." Tora grinned.
"What! No!" Sayuri's protests had no effect on Tora. Soon, the pair stood outside a pair of double doors. Tora raised his hand and knocked.
"Enter," a deep voice boomed from inside.
Sayuri's eyes widened, and her knees turned to jelly. Tora took hold of the handle and twisted it, opening the door.
"Ah, Igarashi. How may I help you?" The Principal was old, around in his 50's. His hair was mostly grey, and he had a thick moustache.
"Is she the new student?"
"Yes, Sir." Tora bowed, placing a hand over his heart in respect. "However, it seems she is allergic to silk... So she is unable to don our wonderful uniform."
He sounded sarcastic on the wonderful part. Sayuri bowed as well.
"Oh, really, what a tragedy. If you could wear it, I'm sure you'd look beautiful." The Principal smiled, his grey eyes glittering.
"Yes, I'm sure as well." Sayuri smiled apologetically.
"I think we could call the tailors to make another for you, out of another fabric." The Principal reached for the phone.
"No, Sir, I shouldn't trouble you. Please, don't bother." Sayuri masked her face with a wounded expression. "Please, don't bother."
The Principal, on seeing her close to tears, hesitated. "Well, okay. Then come to school in a blouse and skirt, if you could."
"Yes, Sir. Thank you very much." Sayuri and Tora bowed again, before they left the room.
"What was with that expression just now?" Tora grinned. "You looked like you were going to burst into tears."
"It's called acting," Sayuri smiled, clasping her hands together in front of her stomach.
"Good expression." Tora smirked, putting his hands in his pockets.
"I'll take that as a compliment." Sayuri smiled wider.
"Kaichou." Maki came out of nowhere.
"GAH!" Sayuri fell back, surprised.
"Sorry," Maki apologized, helping her up before turning to Tora.
"It's already evening." His simple statement made Tora turn to the windowpanes.
"Ah, it's late. I'll fetch you home." Tora turned to Sayuri.
"Oh, okay... Thanks." Sayuri smiled at him. He does not seem as despicable as cousin Misaki described him as... But, of course, I still don't know his true colors. I can't judge him yet. Well, better to be friends than enemies... Besides, keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.
They got into the limousine again and the car rolled out of the gates. I wonder what's for dinner... I guess curry rice. I should eat lesser at Misaki's place... I can't make them spend so much on me. Or maybe I could get a job to help out with finances... Maybe I could ask Misaki for a job? After all, she was working at Maid Latte...
"We're here. Sayuri?" Sayuri felt a nudge to her shoulder.
"Oh, sorry. I was just thinking. Thanks for the ride, Igarashi-kun." Sayuri got out of the car and waved as they drove off.
"She sure is interesting." Tora grinned as he removed his jacket again. "Maki."
"Yes, kaichou?" Maki saluted.
"Don't take your eyes off her." Tora smirked, and then directed his gaze out of the window.
"Yes, kaichou." Maki smiled. Kaichou's fixated on a girl again... Maybe this one can change his mind set.
"I'm home," Sayuri called out as she shut the door.
"Welcome back," Misaki, Suzuna and Misano greeted her. They were all munching on bunny-shaped apples.
"Thanks," Sayuri took off her shoes and walked into the kitchen, kneeling beside Misaki. She poked an apple with a toothpick and bit into it.
"So, how was Miyabigaoka?" Misano asked, helping herself to her third apple.
"It was okay," Sayuri poked another. "Igarashi-kun even talked the Principal out of making another uniform for me."
"Eh? Another uniform?" Misaki questioned, taking her fourth apple.
"Mm, yeah. The uniform didn't really appeal to my taste." Sayuri poked a third apple.
"So, Igarashi kaichou helped you talk to the Principal about it?" Misaki crunched on the apple.
"Well, actually, he pulled me all the way to the Principal's office and lied that I was allergic to silk." She poked her fourth apple.
"Eh? He doesn't seem to be as bad as big sister said he was." Suzuna munched on her fifth apple slice.
"Well, I don't know for sure yet. After all, he might be acting." Sayuri munched on the apple.
"Hmm, that could be a possibility." Suzuna then got distracted. "Oh, by the way, the drugstore at the next town over has a 2x point event tomorrow. If you're going there, onee-chan, use this." She handed Misaki a card.
"Okay," Misaki took it. The four of them continued to eat apples.
After a while, Misano cooked dinner. As Sayuri had anticipated, it was curry rice.
"Itadakimasu," the four of them dug in together.
"Thanks for the meal," Sayuri smiled at Misano.
"No problem," Misano smiled back.
As she settled on the mattress Misaki had laid on the floor for her, Misaki slid the door open.
"Be careful of him." Misaki warned before she walked over to the desk and flipped open her book.
"Okay, cousin." Sayuri snuggled below the covers and let the darkness pull her under.