Chapter 3: Engage the Enemy

The afternoon lesson drug on, and Hitomi, normally a good and attentive student, found her mind wandering, wondering what Ms. Satama wanted. When the bell finally rang, she gave a sigh of relief.

Anders looked at her. "Heading out?" he asked.

"Not yet. Ms. Satama needed something from me."

"Foiled again," he commented, shaking his head. "Be careful getting home, okay? You know, come to think of it, I don't think we've exchanged contact information. If you're going to be leaving late, I'd feel better if you could message me if you need me."

She looked up at him, noticing his hopeful expression. "Of course, Anders. You're a good friend. I trust you with it." She handed him her phone and he put in his information. She sent him a message, and knew he had hers now. "You be careful, too."

"Hey, I'm a guy. I'm supposed to be the tough one," he replied with a laugh. "Good-night Hitomi-chan." He got up and left, leaving her in the room with Ms. Satama. Fenris was already gone. She hadn't gotten a chance to speak with him about the note yet, but she guessed it could wait until tomorrow.

Heading to the front of the class, she addressed her teacher, "Ms. Satama, you wanted to see me?"

"Yes, I hope I didn't worry you. It's nothing bad. I was hoping to convince you to run for student council."

"What?" Hitomi asked, her eyes going wide. That's the last thing I expected to hear? "Why me?"

"You're a good student and the others seem to look to you as a leader already. I think you'd been a good fit."

"I don't know...I had planned on just focusing on my studies."

"This would help you get into a good university."

Hitomi realized the truth of what she said, but she had never sought out that kind of responsibility before.

"Can I think about it?" Hitomi asked hesitantly.

"Of course, but don't wait too long. Here is the application. I'm going to need it by the first of next week if you plan to run."

"Thank you, Ms. Satama."

Hitomi stood outside the door, leaning against the wall. Today has been a day of surprises. But, I still have some time to figure out what I want . She put the form into her bag and walked to the shoe lockers, but what she saw caused her to duck back behind the divider: Fenris was talking with a first year girl.

"Senpai," the girl said in a quiet voice. "I...I like you, will you go out with me?" she asked, her words coming out in a jumble, the syllables all running together.

Fenris paused. "Motoko, is it? I am afraid I cannot return your feelings." Ouch, that poor girl. And Rika wonders why I'm not interested in pursuing a boy. That would be my luck.

"Do you hate me?" Motoko asked, obviously not taking his simple no as an answer.

"I barely know you, why would I hate you?" he asked. Things must be different in Tevinter, indeed. I don't think he understands what she's asking him.

"So there's already someone you like, then?" Motoko persisted. I really shouldn't be listening to this. Hitomi went to head back to the classroom, when Fenris's next words stopped her short.

"There is." What? Fenris likes someone? The girls are going to go nuts.

"Who is it? Have you told her?" Motoko questioned.

"I...I am not ready to tell her yet." Damn, that Motoko sure is tenacious. I kind of feel bad for Fenris.

"Then...why can't I be good enough for now?" Motoko asked.

His tone changed. "I already told you no. Show a little dignity." Yikes. Hitomi heard Motoko sob and her feet running away. "Wait, I didn't mean... kaffas." A sigh.

I really should go. She moved to leave again, but a hand falls on her shoulder, and she found herself pushed up against the row of lockers. Fenris leaned over her, one hand next to her head, blocking her in. "Did you get a good show, Hitomi-chan?"

"I didn't mean to listen in, you were the one having that conversation in front of the shoe lockers!" she spat back at him.

"Oh, so the little mouse finally has a backbone?" he growled. "Your boyfriend is not here to protect you this time."

"What? Are you talking about Anders? He's not my boyfriend," she said, pushing against his chest, but he doesn't budge.

"No, not Anders, the one who walked you to school. The two of you were laughing, you are obviously close..." he trailed off.

"Walking...that was my little brother. Wait, what does that matter?" She ducked out from under his arm and turned to face him. "I can't believe I fell for your stupid apology note. I was right the first time, you're not a good person."

His face fell, and she immediately regretted her words.

"Sorry, that was mean of me. I didn't mean that. But you can't go around treating girls like that. Like what you did to Motoko. I'm sure it's just because you're new, and not used to the way things are here, but you need to understand how to handle them better."

His eyebrows shot up, but then his shoulders slumped. "I know. I keep telling them no, but they do not seem to give up."

"That's because you're not doing it right."

He seemed thoughtful. "How should I do it then?"

"Hm...you have to make it sound like the problem lies with you, not them. Like, you could say something like, 'I can't because I don't know when we'll be moving again'."

"That one might work...but that Motoko girl seemed pretty determined."

"Yeah...I've never really had to do this myself, either," Hitomi laughed, tucking a strand of her long hair behind her ear. "Guess I'm not much of an expert, sorry. I think I'd just lie and say I had a boyfriend or something, try to spare their feelings."

"So you don't have one, then?" he asked, grinning.

"Why do you care?" she questioned.

"Because I have an idea. How about you be my girlfriend?" he suggested. "That would keep them away, correct?"

"No, no way. I don't even really know you," she said.

"It wouldn't have to be for real. We could just pretend to go out for a while, until they back off."

"That's even worse. Who would agree to a fake relationship?"

His smile didn't falter. "You are going to say yes. If not now, then soon."

Hitomi narrowed her eyes at him. "Not even if you were the-"

"I can teach you my strategy on Age of Dragons," he blurted out, interrupting her. "When I beat that boss, I was not even trying very hard."

She gaped at him. "Still no. I don't need your help . I'm going home now."

He moved toward her, and she took a step backwards. "This isn't over, Hitomi."

She blushed at the informal use of her first name.

"What about the girl you like? You could just tell her how you feel. Then you wouldn't have to have a fake girlfriend," Hitomi pointed out.

"That is different. Yes, the more I think about this, the more I think it is perfect," Fenris said.

"Goodnight, Fenris-san," she said as she walked away from him, and was relieved when he didn't follow her. Hitomi walked over to her shoe locker and opened it. She placed her school shoes inside and slipped on her others. When she emerged from inside, she was happy to see that Fenris was nowhere to be seen.

She couldn't bring herself to go to the arcade, worried that he had headed there after school, so she just went directly home that night. She got in some good study time, which made her mother happy.