A/N: Sogetsu School is not mine. It's a real Ikebana school as well as a known style in Japan. If the brand name, Beaubelle, and the school name, Hayanari Miyako, exists, it's purely coincidental.
"Suit up, guys and girls. Alice Academy is having a new student."
xoxo
Ms. A
Ms. A's new post on her blog blared up on Hotaru's phone. She was tempted not to look at it as for the last two weeks, all that was posted in the blog was about the party but, seeing her companion's face changed her mind. She read it in seconds and chose to ignore the news. After a minute, her phone blared up again. Shouda Sumire sent her a long rant. Not wanting to read what the seaweed brain sent her, she deleted the message and finished her morning tea beside her boyfriend.
"Another long message from Sumire, I presume?" Ruka asked. Hotaru stared at him.
"She sent one to me as well." He chuckled.
"I don't have the energy to read her long rant regarding her displeasure with new students." She said while sipping her tea.
"Well, she can be very…sensitive. You know how she is. People tend to befriend her…us because we're different." He took a scone from his plate and gave it to Hotaru. She looked at him.
"Why are you giving me your scone?"
"You're just drinking tea." Ruka observed, motioning towards her half empty cup.
"Eat your scone." Hotaru pushed her plate to Ruka. The blonde stared at her for a while before sighing.
"Are we going to fight because of a scone?"
"We won't if you eat it." Hotaru took another sip while looking at him. Ruka relented and took back the scone.
A knock on the door gained the couple's attention and they watched as the door swung open, revealing Hotaru's head butler, Ishizaki Ibara. He strode purposely towards them and bowed stiffly.
"What it is?" Hotaru asked, settling her cup against the saucer.
"A package has been sent to you, Lady Hotaru." The butler announced as he presented a Brown box and a small, White envelope. The raven-haired girl reached for the package and placed it on the breakfast table.
"Is that all?"
"You mother, Lady Hisaya, wishes for you to visit the main house this weekend. She made it a point for me to remind you to bring home at least a souvenir from her favorite Japanese sweet shop." He bowed lower, humbling himself more in order not to incite her cold personality due to his message.
"Have Gaku order five boxes of Daifuku. Let him sign it under my name. I'll pick it up after school."
"Yes, Lady Hotaru."
"You can leave." The girl ordered with a wave of her hand and the butler bowed once more before exiting the room.
Once they were alone, Hotaru grabbed the box from the table and dropped it on her lap. She flipped open the card pasted on the lower right corner of the box and a smirk bloomed on her face. She opened the box and saw several discs, multi-colored packets, and a pile of papers which she assumed to be reports and a list of recommendations for her company's newest project.
"Judging by your wicked smirk, I take it its good news?" Ruka's voice perked her up and her smirk grew bolder at his expectant expression.
"More than good news. The new operating system that my company has been developing for a while now has reached the final stage. We just need to test it." She answered, passing the card to the blonde. Hotaru replaced the lid before setting the box aside.
"Have you thought of where you want to test it?" The boy asked as he read the contents of the card.
"Why do you think I went to Alice Academy?" She inquired, her hands clasped together on her lap and her back straight.
"Because I'm there?" He teased.
Hotaru rolled her eyes at Ruka and the boy laughed at her heartily. He might not be her reason for attending the Academy but, he was one of the reasons for which she stayed. A reason that shouldn't be known, maybe except for the person himself, because God knows how much gossip and annoyance she had to endure.
"I know, I know. It's because the Academy allowed you to use us as a guinea pig for your products."
"You benefit from it." She stated simply.
"I'm grateful for that, by the way." Ruka responded with a slight smile.
"Which is why you don't get to complain. Now, finish your scone. I want to talk to Principal Shiki about the testing schedule this morning." Hotaru finished as she drained her cup.
"You're not going to look at what's inside the other envelope?"
The girl stared him and the boy pointed at the White packet, with his butter knife, lying at the table.
"Why should I? I'm certain that it's just a letter aiming to scare me."
"What?" Ruka sat up straight and reached for the letter.
Hotaru watched him idly as he tore at the envelope and flipped open the sheet of paper. For a minute, there was silence in the room as the Golden Boy read the missive. Sound returned as Ruka breathed out heavily. Hotaru could see him shaking either from nerves or anger, she couldn't tell.
"You should read it." Ruka said, eyes hard as ice, his hand holding out the letter. Hotaru could see the cut up letters from newspapers and magazines which only proved her suspicion right.
"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked, discarding the letter to hold Hotaru's hands.
"Because it's not important."
"It is important. What if something bad happens to you? What do you think I would feel?" He gripped her hand tighter as he looked deeply into her unique eyes.
"Nothing is going to happen." The girl assured, bestowing him one of her rare smiles.
Ruka looked at her face, searching for any hint of fright or any uncharacteristic misgivings but, found none. He gave out a resigned smile and leaned forward to kiss the tip of her nose. He heard her sharp breath and he took advantage of her unguarded state as he swooped down to claim her lips. He nibbled on her lower lip, biting into the soft flesh, making the normally reserved girl moan in pleasure. He slipped his tongue, swirling the tender appendage with hers, tasting every corner of her sweet cavern. He urged her closer, his arms slipping to grip on her waist and curl on her neck as her hands clutched tightly on his shoulders.
He dipped his lips down her jaw, planting butterfly kisses on her flesh causing a sinful groan to escape from her lips. Her hands flew on his hair and he loved feeling her touch as she messed his golden locks.
"I know how much independent you are and it's one of the reasons as to why I'm in love with you but, it's also a reason for me to worry. I want you to rely on me, even just a little bit. I don't want to wake up one day and find out something happened to you. It will kill me." Ruka declared, softly and tenderly on her ear and Hotaru brought her hand to turn his glazed eyes to her.
"If it will make you feel better, I'll come to you." She vowed, making the blonde smile enough to melt her heart. She took a bold move and planted a light kiss on his lips before schooling herself back to her usual reserved self. Ruka blinked at the speed of her change but, recovered himself by chuckling at his girlfriend's attitude.
"Okay, I'll settle for that. I'll do the same to you, too."
"Of course, you would. Who would clean the mess that you make?" She said, standing in order to ready for school.
"I don't make a mess. I just happen to get dragged by the guys." He countered, scooping their bags from the chaise on the other side of the room and opened the door for Hotaru.
"That's why I told you not to join them." She stated, giving him an unamused stare before walking away.
"They're my friends. They're your friends. They've all been nice to you even if you're seldom nice to them." Ruka closed the door and hurried to walk beside the girl.
"I'm never nice to them." She exclaimed, looking at the boy beside her.
The blonde laughed at her before twining his fingers with hers. He felt her tighten her hold on his hand.
"Yeah, you're only nice to me." He teased.
"Don't get cheeky." She retorted with a small smile playing in her lips.
They walked out of the house, the servants bidding them a safe travel and a wonderful day at school. Hotaru merely inclined her head, a sign that she recognized their well-wishes while Ruka expressed his sentiments more openly, leaving almost everyone in the household with fluttering hearts and flaming cheeks. The couple climbed inside the waiting car, the chauffer holding the door open. Once they were safely ensconced, they pulled out to school.
Hotaru's residence was only a mere fifteen minute ride from the Academy and the short amount of time was spent in silence as the two took advantage of the solitude they have as in school, they are surrounded by people who might be friend or foe. The silent, cozy atmosphere fizzled as the chauffer stopped the car and announced that they have arrived. Ruka gathered their belongings as the chauffer, once more, held the car door open for them in order to climb out. The Golden Boy held out a hand to help Hotaru out of the car which the girl pointedly glared at. Ruka merely chuckled at her and simply waited for her. As soon as they were out, the chauffer bowed deeply in respect and drove away from the Academy.
The couple walked side-by-side as the students parted a path for them to walk. Their schoolmates greeted them. Well, greeted Ruka as everyone is afraid of the Ice Princess. Eyes were trained on the couple as they went towards the Grecian-inspired Pavilion, some following in their footsteps in order to catch scent of any information that they can get so that they can brag to their other friends that they are close with Japan's richest elites.
Upon reaching the Pavilion, the couple and their unwanted entourage heard the loud ravings of Sumire as the rest of their friends and some nosy gossipers watched on. Unable to stand the girl's shrill voice, Hotaru donned her new and improved Baka Gun and aimed at the ranting girl. Her furious chatter was quickly silenced as the girl fell on her back with a well-placed hit on her head and all eyes turned to look at Hotaru with a satisfied glint in her eyes.
"You guys, you're finally here! Thank God! I can't stand listening to her for one more minute!" Koko wailed as he ran towards the arriving couple.
BakaBakaBakaBakaBaka
The raven-haired girl lowered her arm the same time Koko fell to the grass, his leg twitching. Ignoring Koko's groans of pain and complains, Hotaru strode towards the group occupying the biggest and coolest table in the Pavilion.
"Took you long enough. What have you been doing? Ah, no need to answer that. Surely, you and Golden Boy over there," The raven-haired boy nodded his head at Ruka, who was busy helping Koko recover from Hotaru's attack, "Were busy sucking face." The lazy drawl of Natsume reached her ears to which the girl pointedly ignored. She gracefully sat at the empty space beside Misaki, who was tending to an incapacitated Sumire at the moment and placed her bag on the seat next to hers.
"Oh, how sweet. You're reserving a seat for Ruka." The ruby-eyed male mocked from across her.
"Is there a particular reason why you're gracing us with your presence this morning, Hyuuga?" She finally said, flicking a cold stare at the ruby-eyed man. She didn't particularly need to ask him for she already knew what made him come to school.
"Not much. There's nothing to do at home. So, here I am." He shrugged casually.
"What do you want me to do? Congratulate you?"
"Dudes, it's early in the morning and you guys are already sniping at each other. Let's play nice since, there's a new student. We should all be in our best behavior." Tsubasa tut-tutted as he flipped up his collar, raked his fingers on his hair, flashed a smile, placed his chin in-between his pointed finger and thumb and bestowed them with a wink. The girls giggled. Hotaru resisted the urge not to gag at his foolish attempt to look like a dashing debonair.
"Speaking of the new student, do you know anything?" Misaki asked Hotaru, seeing as Natsume had something particularly nasty to say.
The specific question perked Sumire from her stupor and straightened up. She glared at Hotaru.
"Before I do anything to you, I have the same concern. Better say it now before I strangle you." The Green-eyed girl hissed as she narrowed her eyes, resulting her to look like a cat.
"I appreciate the threat but, it's not enough to scare me. I clearly remember that Harada asked me first. Do you wish to pay for her and yours as compensation to me as I labored to get the information of the new kid?" The dark-haired girl smirked wickedly.
"Fine, I'll pay you double if that would make you spit out whatever dirt you dug up." Sumire answered, her teeth gritted in annoyance.
"Done. I'll expect my payment tonight." Her eyes were basically shimmering with glee which only made the Green-eyed girl to grow more irritated.
"Get on with it." She hissed.
"She's the fifty-seventh generation heiress of the famous Kyoto Kabuki School, Hayanari Miyako, the fourth generation successor of the Sogetsu School, one of the most popular Ikebana styles that's predominant at this time and the daughter of the Prime Minister of Japan, Koizumi Iemon. Her name is-"
"Koizumi Luna." A sickly, sweet voice echoed at the Pavilion. Heads turned at the new comer's direction. Long, creamy legs appeared from behind the tree in front of the couple bench. Shoulder length, strawberry-blonde hair bathed with the morning light. Cold, sapphire eyes studied each face in the Pavilion, gleaming with wit and mischief.
Luna strode purposely towards the popular bunch, her hips swaying hypnotically, making every male's throat constrict. Natsume straightened up, his ruby-eyes raking Luna's entire figure with a predatory glint and his lips curled into an indulgent smirk.
"It's nice to finally meet you. Well, all of you." She purred, stopping inches away from their table as her sapphire eyes drank in their faces before stopping at Natsume.
"I can't say the same to you." Sumire retorted and everybody held their breaths as the Fashion Queen's notorious hatred for new students made an appearance.
Luna flicked her attention to the Green-eyed girl who was blatantly sneering and appraising her. She smiled cattily.
"You must be Shouda Sumire, the daughter of the President of the House of Councilors of the National Diet, Shouda Chuchi and the second generation heiress of Beaubelle, Japan's number one fashion line. I must say that both my mother and I adore your mother's design. I hope you maintain the quality of designs when you're out in the field. I would hate for my favorite brand to go stale." Luna exclaimed, her eyes scrutinizing the Green-eyed girl from head to toe before staring back at her and bestowing her a heavenly smile.
Sumire sucked in her breath as the girl insinuated that she had no eye for fashion and that she would ruin her mother's hard-earned reputation. Whispers erupted all around her and she didn't like any comments directed towards her. At that moment, Sumire had never been so humiliated in her entire life and at the hands of a new student too! She opened her lips to teach the spiteful bitch but, Hotaru beat her to it.
"I can assure you that she'll do a much better job than her mother. After all, she designed this year's Spring collection. As a loyal customer, surely you know that her designs were the most talked about styles this quarter. Everywhere you look, there's at least one or two persons wearing her design." The cool beauty stated from her seat, her soft but strong voice carried throughout the entire Pavilion which made all of the students gape at her gallant rescue and defense for the stunned Sumire.
"You do know a lot, Imai Hotaru." Luna expressed, her smile never leaving her face as she stared at the cold, amethyst eyes of the Ice Princess.
"Isn't it normal to know information about people? Especially in the world that we live in." She stated in a "matter-of-fact" way.
"Yes, that's true. I wonder what else you know." She voiced out, her eyes flashing hungrily.
"Wouldn't you like to know."
At that moment, a slow, drawled out clap boomed out of the Pavilion and startled everyone from the intense scene happening before them. Everybody eyed the ruby-eyed male sitting at the head of the table, as if he was a king, with a smirk playing on his lips. He looked at Luna with interest in his eyes and everyone gathered at the Pavilion had one thought which Alice Academy's Sex God chose to proclaim.
"You're interesting."
Hotaru watched as the girl's smile turned seductive, a sweet, sinful charm that made every male weak on the knees but, made her feel cautious. Underneath that smile, she sensed a dangerous threat, an ominous feeling that's a vivid representation of her own desires only that Luna seemed more malicious than she expected. It would seem that in this moment, she would share Sumire's sentiments. She didn't like the expression painting her pretty face. Oh, she didn't like it one bit. The girl smells of trouble.