Chapter Two, Text Messaging

I went to my history class feeling better about the day. Riku was quite talented at helping me to feel better about whatever was going on in my day. I told her about what happened to Honey and my encounter with Akane. She knew everything about what had happened in high school between me and her. It was comforting to be able to convey something that had happened without using words. We both knew the story, and she didn't need to ask about it and I didn't need to tell. Akane trouble was rarely some little easy spat that blew over like nothing. Akane trouble was usually a small tremor before turning into an earthquake.

As I took my seat in history, I was unable to avoid noticing the fact that Morinozuka-sama's gaze was on me. And if I noticed it that meant that the girls in my class had also noticed it. I didn't look at him, though I could feel his eyes from halfway across the room. He was keeping his eyes on me, but he made no attempt to walk over. He sat exactly two rows to the left. I determinedly kept my gaze out the window. If I didn't look at him either, I might be spared the envy of the girls in the class. I didn't need them to shift their transfixion from adoration to jealousy. That was the last thing I needed.

Shortly before the teacher arrived in the classroom, a wad of paper landed on my desk. I frowned and grabbed it, quickly unfolding it. Precise, neat writing had written one word on the paper. Hi, M. I frowned, thoroughly confused by the message. Mori was not a man of many words, but I hadn't thought him to be the type to pass notes in class. I scrawled back a hesitant hello, feeling foolish as I let the paper ball roll towards him. I couldn't throw if my life depended on it.

As the teacher went through attendance, I received the note back via air. Our history teacher tended to be rather oblivious to things like it. I unfolded the paper to see several digits written in a flowing script. His… cell phone number? I never knew Mori to be one to take such an interest in girls. He seemed more like the type to keep in the shadows and just observe. I stuffed the paper into my pocket as the teacher called on me. Of course, my wandering attention had caught his attention. I answered his question and he allowed me to return to my seat.

I wasn't usually one to text message in class, but this was Mori-sama. I pulled out my cell phone from my pocket and put his number into my phone. What do you want? I asked.

As the teacher jumped into a lecture that I was hastily taking notes on, my phone emitted a soft vibration. I felt it in my sleeve where I had stored it. The only good thing about this ridiculous dress was that it sleeves perfect for concealing cell phones. I subtly slid it into the palm of my hand, quickly glancing at the response listed.

Shiori-san? How did you get my number?

Who are you? I demanded in return. Morinozuka-sama just gave me this number.

The response I received was almost immediate. Why text a stranger, when a stranger hands you a number? _ Honestly, you're hopeless. Something about that response seemed familiar. What about it though…? My sleeve buzzed again and I checked my newest message. It would be just like you to not remember who I am. It's Ashia.

Ashia…? Ashia Shinishiki? No –Ashia Ootori now. She had gotten married to Kyoya Ootori last year. I had been one of the select few that she had invited to her wedding. I had been a year older than her, but she had gotten along with everyone. Ashia had never gotten on the wrong side of anyone at Raiden really. But she had always been close with Shizu Takanari, Shirabuki Shizuka and Amamiya Otomiya. I had been one of the older students that she had befriended. We had been a little closer than most of the others. She had always been kind to me. She was easy to get along with.

Why did Mori give me your number…?

Did you input the digits correctly? Maybe he meant to give you Honey-senpai's instead. There's only one number different between mine and his.

I checked the paper, and sure enough I had gotten the numbers wrong. I turned my attention back to the lecture, having apparently only missed a large section of what was going on. I would make it up later, if it happened to be related to whatever assignment I had to report on, otherwise it was useless.

You're right. He gave me Honey-sama's number. I sent that to her. Eerie that you two have only a digit difference.

Haha. Was her only response.

We should really talk again sometime, Ashia-san. I've missed our talks. I told her honestly. She had always been a comfort. Out of the people whom I had been friends with, I considered that Ashia was the only decent one left out of them. People changed at the flip of a coin. I knew that better than anyone. One day you were friends… The next you were enemies.

If you come by the Host Club, we could talk then. My husband has asked me to come by afterwards, as usual. If you ask Honey or Mori-senpai I'm sure they'd be happy to bring you.

I will, thanks Ashia-san.

I listened to what I was to report on and wrote it down. I would be off to the library tomorrow in order to finish this report. It was unlikely that I would have enough time to finish it at home. I correctly dialed the number Mori had given me as we made our way towards one of the computer labs for our research.

Hello Honey-sama. I texted simply.

His immediate response surprised me. Hello Etsuna-san! :)

I wondered if it was such a good idea for me to be texting him. He was in class too after all. How did you know it was me…?

Because I just met you –and most of those whom possess my number, I have their own as well :)

Well your cousin gave me your number but I accidentally talked to Ashia-san. We went to Raiden together and I was hoping to talk to her again. She suggested I go to the Host Club.

Do you want to come? I entered the library, sending a fast agreement. I caught Morinozuka-sama's gaze as he held the door open for me. I smiled up at him and my phone went off. I ignored it briefly. I chanced a moment to thank the stoic cousin of my new acquaintance.

"Thank you for giving me that number, Morinozuka-sama," I murmured.

"You are welcome," he said.

I checked my phone as I headed up the stairs. Takashi and I meet outside the second library. If you want a ride meet us there. See you at the Third Music Room in the high school if I don't see you at the library :)

I chuckled and put my phone away. He had told me where to meet him for a ride, and where to meet if I didn't want it in some way that was quite simple. It was pleasant as well. I pulled my phone back out, texting Ashia one last time.

I'll be there. See you… then. I didn't know exactly when "then" was though.

I can't wait! Came her energetic reply. Well, I just thought it to be energetic.

I headed to one of the computers, ready to research what I had been assigned. I felt happiness burning through me as I was unaccustomed to. I had missed Ashia since my graduation. Riku had always been a close friend, but our distance between schools and everything gave a form of limitation between us. Ashia was the only person left from Raiden that I was willing to talk to. Well out of those that had been close to me. After Akane-san's betrayal it was nice to have at least a few connections with people who didn't talk to her. Ashia had never communicated with my ex-friend. I suspected that she had more perceptional awareness of people's personality.

I was notoriously lacking in that area. I tried to be aloof towards my peers to keep myself safe. My uselessness in knowing how people acted had backfired several times. Many people liked to take advantage of it. I had realized that around the time of graduation when Akane-san and my last beau got together. They had both done it to me. I lacked character judging ability. It made my life hard, to be cautious around people. I got drawn into them too easily. They always seemed like good people. But they weren't always. It was better for me to keep distanced from people.

I knew that it was better for me to be with people. I liked them. But I was also afraid of meeting new people. I was afraid of getting hurt again. Yet, here I was. Agreeing to go to a club with total strangers. I had no idea who they were. I was going to meet them. And I was a little nervous about it, although my joy at being able to talk to Ashia was better than that. When I had graduated I had resigned myself to the fact that I wouldn't be seeing her again. Now I had the chance to talk to her again and I was excited for it.

She at least would be a comfortable figure. I didn't always do well when I was surrounded by strangers. I barely knew Honey-sama enough to count him as a comfortable figure. Today I also had the day off from work, which was convenient for this. I wondered what exactly the Host Club was about. What it was like. I mean I heard all about them from Riku. She had gone there as Ootori-sama's customer, but had moved to Mori-sama when he got married. She had been one of the few who couldn't remain with him while knowing he was married. She had told me it was due to honor. But I knew that she still harbored some feelings towards the married man. She at least tried to not do too much about it.

Riku was nice like that. She always tried to do the right thing. But since university started, she had stopped going. I wondered what she would say when I told her that I had gone? I didn't text message her for fear of her retaliation. She would do nothing to jeopardize her position or her grades here. She was a good student. A very pure one, if I would have to describe her. Then again, I could be described as pure too. People had called me it. I didn't mind. It was true. I was young in the way that I had experienced very little. In general, I mean, I hadn't experienced much.


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