magi13: It's good that you find my story interesting. Please continue giving it your support.
CyberQueen: Thank God I got my Oc right! I always want them to react like normal people and their actions must be affected by their personalities, too.
Their gates will close around you
Chapter 4
An awkward ride
"Kazutso-san, um..." Yuki walked over to me, as soon as I had finished packing my books. She had her hands close to her chest almost in a nervous manner and her brown eyes kept glancing around the class that was being emptied by the other students.
Her behavior made me immediately feel slightly worried of what she would have to say, but I tried not to show it. "Yes?"
She looked away again, but then our eyes met. "T-the h-headmaster wants to speak w-with you."
At the moment she said that, I was just about to put the pencil case into the bag, but my hand stopped and I froze. That had definitely not been something I had expected and wild thoughts for the reason of this summon were going around inside my head faster than I could've counted to ten. There had never been a time that I had been called to the school's office like this, never before has even the headmaster of my old school called me either.
A blond hair came then into my mind among the chaos of my thoughts and a frown tugged the corners of my lips. Takuma wouldn't have already told Kaien about Kei, right? Oh, I knew I shouldn't have trusted him!
The fear of getting expelled was already making me dizzy, but then Yuki seemed to notice my state. "I-it's nothing serious! H-he just wants to k-know how you've b-been s-since c-coming here."
My shoulders immediately relaxed from reflects and I silently let out a sigh under my breath. For a moment, it had felt like my heart had stopped. "I-I see."
"B-but after it, we can head to town." Yuki smiled broadly and I managed to give a one small one back.
Suddenly, I realized that I couldn't remember the way to Kaien's office. "Could you possibly tell me where K- headmaster's office is?"
"Eh? You don't know where it is?" Yuki blinked, but then her eyes widened and she covered her mouth. "S-sorry. I t-though that he had s-shown it t-to you o-or something..."
"He didn't." I admitted, feeling a little stupid for not asking him to show me around on my first day.
"Oh." And then we both fell silent with an awkward atmosphere.
So, he didn't say anything after all. A guilt for accusing him at first started to scratch my insides, as I remembered how sweetly Takuma had smiled at the times we had talked. It hadn't looked like he had been a dishonest person to begin with, but I had still become suspicious of him. No doubt he was already a sweet looking guy, however, despite this I still didn't feel convinced that he could keep a secret. I mean, he also looked like those obvious, empty airheads that would say things without thinking. Not to mention he had done something unthinkingly, too.
My eyes slid down to my desk to see a thin carving of a 'BITCH' on its surface. It was permanent and wouldn't come off until somebody would change the desk. Honestly, I had been really hurt, when I had read it for the first time and I still got a little ache in my heart from it. Who could even do something like that was rather obvious, since I had received many death glares and looks from the girls of the class. Yori and Yuki were the only ones that didn't do that, though. I had been so lucky, when I had started sitting next to them.
A flash of silver moved from the side and I looked towards Zero who was walking towards the upper door that was wide open. I unconsciously reached for my newly patched palm and felt a shiver run down my spine from the memory of him ripping the old one off. Maybe I should confront him for it or tell Kaien, but is it worth it? Now that I think about it, it wasn't anything too serious. He just gave me a scare.
"Kazutso-san, Zero isn't such a bad person." Yuki's voice made me look at her again instead of Zero. Her eyes were soft and she had a small smile on her face. "He may look bitter and grumpy, but he just doesn't know how to express himself."
I almost raised an eyebrow from her words. All of that just made the silver haired prefect look like a misunderstood puppy from some drama, which I couldn't imagine perfectly. He definitely didn't send an impression of a good person, but somehow Yuki didn't look like she was lying. Wait a minute. Could she be...?
"Do you perhaps have a crush on him?" The question came out as soon as it entered my mind.
Immediately, Yuki flinched. Her eyes wide and shocked and mouth hanging open. "H-huh?"
"Good question. Even I'm not sure." Yori said with a thoughtful tone behind her brown haired friend. Both Yuki and I almost forgot that she was there at all because she had been so quiet until now. Her already large eyes looked at the female prefect, expecting an answer. "Well, do you like him that way?"
"W-what are you saying!? Of course I don't!" Yuki's voice rose a bit and I almost covered my ears from it.
Huh, I'm actually disappointed from her answer. As I thought of that, I felt a little embarrassed that I had even asked something like that out of blue without thinking. "Sorry, Cross-san, but I thought you were from the way you talked about him."
"It's only natural since they're childhood friends and adopted siblings." Yori said.
A little surprised rose in me from the sudden new information. Yuki had told me that Kaien wasn't her actual father, but I would've never imagined that Zero would have that kind of relationship with her and the school's headmaster. It seemed really unlikely that they were even that close given the difference in personalities. Though, that wasn't something that was any of my business.
Sayori seemed to make an expression that almost showed the same disappointment that I had. "Though, I had also thought that they had already moved on with their relationship."
"W-what relationship?" Yuki muttered and looked completely lost and flabbergasted, but then shook her head. "A-anyway, shall we go Kazutso-san?"
"Sure. Bye, Wakaba-san." I said, seeing that the subject was over and then followed the petite girl out of the classroom.
Nothing had changed since the morning. The students still kept badmouthing me behind my back and sent me looks that were the nastiest I had ever received. It was astounding how much some people could actually hate someone that continued showing it for a full day. I had once been really angry at my mother, but I couldn't manage being like that for a half of the day. Really, if I had known that speaking to someone from a Night Class was going to cause something like this, I would've tried sneaking back to my dorm with a disguise or perhaps I would've also bleached my entire hair blond.
Though, the students also seemed to direct their looks towards Yuki who continued walking, obvious to everything happening around her. I started to think that she was doing it on purpose, but that thought started to seem more unlikely when she looked at me and smiled sweetly. It reminded me of one of my friends back at home who had similar personality to Yuki's and by that I came to conclusion that the brown haired girl was too innocent. She must be pretty obvious then, too.
As we walked towards the headmaster's office, I started to think too much again. What would I even say to Kaien, for example. That the school was full of mentally damaged students who were bullying me? That he needed to change one of his prefects that had some attitude issues? Or perhaps he wanted to discuss about that blond, happy-go-lucky idiot who was the source of my current problems?
Seriously, I think I'll get grey hairs for all of this stress. My shoulders slumped down. Seriously God, are you punishing me or something? Kei is already scratching me to the point of insanity, isn't that enough?
"Here we are." Yuki said and brought me back to the real world. We were both standing in front of a simple brown door and she knocked against its surface with her knuckles. "Headmaster, I've brought Kazutso-san."
"Come in!" Came a cheerful answer almost instantly and Yuki opened the door revealing a simple, cozy room. Kaien perked up behind his desk as soon as we came and waved his hand. "Yuki! Michi-chan, too!"
"Hello, headmaster." I said simply, not knowing how else to address him. He seemed like a type that didn't care for titles or anything too formal seeing how he was currently dressed in a simple sweatshirt. Seriously, is he really running this school by himself without it collapsing?
Kaien waved his hand dismissingly. "Oh, no need to be so formal with me, my dear. You can call me simply Kaien-san or Kaien."
"H-headmaster, I d-don't think that's appropriate, sir." Yuki said, her face completely serious and matching her voice.
"Aw! Yuki! You're such a good girl!" Kaien gushed and I frowned, finding his behavior slightly disturbing. Though, Yuki didn't look like she was even bothered by his over doting way.
She turned to me and smiled again. "W-well, I'll be off now. I'll see you by the school's outer gates at 5pm. Is that fine?"
"Yes. See you later, then." I smiled back and waved as she excused herself, but when I turned towards Kaien, I cringed visibly. He looked ready to burst into tears.
"My sweet Yuki and precious student have already started a friendship..." His eyes watered even more and he pulled out a napkin out of nowhere. "This makes me so happy!"
I tried my very best not to back away, but I did anyway and this movement didn't go unnoticed by him. His smile fell for a moment and I felt a little relieved from that, he wasn't so hyper anymore, but I started to realize that my actions had been rude and felt hear gathering to my cheeks.
"Is something wrong, Michi-chan? Are you not feeling well?" Kaien asked with genuine concern lacing on his tone.
The question caught me off guard and I almost frowned. I had been quite sure that he would be offended and not worrying over me. "No, I'm fine. Um, so what did you want to see me for?"
"Oh! That's right! Please, you can sit down." His cheerfulness returned quicker than ever and he gestured towards a comfy looking couch near his desk. I did as he suggested and took a place in the middle of the soft thing. To my surprise, it was more soft that I could've imagined and almost yelped, when I thought I might sink into it. Kaien placed his head on top of his palms and his smile brightened. "So, how have you been?"
"I'm well, thank you." Next thing I know we'll be talking about weather.
"That's good to hear. How about your roommate? Have you gotten any new friends?"
My fists clenched naturally and I glanced down at the floor for a second or two, before looking back at the light haired male. "About that. Is it possible that I could...change my roommate... or not have any at all?"
His eyes widened and his smile dropped again as soon as it had appeared few moments ago. He looked comical and blinked owlishly at me like he hadn't heard my words at all. "Eh?"
You can't be serious. I wanted to groan, but bit my tongue and continued. "I would like to change my roommate."
"Did you have an argument with her?" Kaien asked, still looking a little taken aback.
"You could say that." It was supposed to come as a mutter, but he heard it clearly because his eyebrows knitted together into a frown.
"Is it serious?" He asked carefully.
The events that had happened since yesterday evening played in my head. Momo and me yelling at each other, her ignoring me after that and my towel in the toilet. The night and morning in the suffocating silence and only waiting for another strike from her like she could explode. It hadn't helped that I kept worrying about Kei making a noise that would reveal him. Then there were those morning incidents as well.
Honestly, I could've cared less what a bunch of strangers thought about me. Especially over a reason as silly as talking to one of their idols, but that didn't mean I was less bothered by it all. But the carving on my desk had made me fear what those fan girls would be up to next and I was not too eager to know.
"Yes." I said with eagerness in my head for him to consider my request. My fingers were already playing with the hem of my skirt.
Kaien linked his fingers and stared intently at me, which seemed out of character for him, but then he closed his eyes and let out a breath. "Well, I can look for another room for you, but there aren't any roommates left. And one single room for a single person would cost more than a shared one, you know."
The way his eyes were looking at me was pointed and it took a little while until I realized what he was trying to say. My parents had already used quite a lot on my education in the academy and on my uniform and room, so adding more to their bill would only cause strain on them. They would need to work more and who knows when they will collapse from too much stress and overworking themselves. But they also wouldn't do something like let me drop out from school. So everything looked like it lead to a dead-end.
Staying with Momo would be the best choice, if I would look from my parents perspective, but it wouldn't be so great for me. A shiver went down my spine, when the towel incident came back to me once again. It shouldn't have been such a big deal, it did make me angry, but it also informed that Momo meant business.
Though, there was always Yuki and Sayori who I could talk to. Even though I wasn't sure, if they could be counted as my friends. We hadn't really talked to each other that much during the week and the exchange from the end of the class had been the longest conversation I had had with them. They weren't luckily fan girls and wouldn't bother me like the others.
If things would turn out much worse than before, I could always tell Kaien about it and he could try solving the problem for me. I wouldn't start pretending that things were okay when they weren't. Though, I was a little worried how exactly Kaien would try solving things, considering that he didn't seem to have any backbone and on top of that he was an overly doting father who wouldn't even be able to kill a fly. At least that was how I saw him, but I had to admit that he seemed very serious as he was looking at me. Those strange colored eyes didn't have any softness in them, but were calm and calculating.
"There is no need for that. I'll try talking to my roommate." Though, in truth, I wasn't sure, if I would do that.
"That's good to hear." Kaien's smile returned, but it was small and soft and not that wide and bright one. Also, his eyes stayed the same, as the calculating ones. "Yuki told me that you'll be going to the town today."
"Yes. We plan on leaving at 5pm. Is there a curfew that we should follow or something?" I asked and he shook his head.
"As long as you'll be back before it gets too dark, it's all fine. I can't believe how fast my little girl is growing up! She already goes out with her friends! The joy of being a parent!" He started to ramble on and on about Yuki again and returned back to what I had expected him to be.
Still, I wasn't as uncomfortable as I had been at first. I got some things straightened up and now it felt like a little load of rocks had been lifted from my shoulders. Who would've thought that talking to this lolicon would make me feel better?
"By the way, I also heard that you're an acquaintance of Ichijo Takuma." Kaien said rather easily, sounding truly happy, his smile even wider.
Something felt like it dropped inside of me as soon as the name was mentioned and I felt how my insides started to boil from irritation. I had heard that name more than enough times already and I didn't need another reminder for my sour mood. "Yes, something like that." My voice was steady, but even I could feel and hear how it lowered to a sound that resembled irritation. "Excuse me, but can I go now?"
"What? But we've not even fully started this conversation!" Kaien's smiled didn't vanish and I grew vary of what he was about to say or ask next. "So, is Takuma-kun nice?"
This time, my eyebrows knitted together in confusion and slight horror. The way he was asking that almost made me think that he was planning a matchmaking. "He's... alright? I guess?"
Kaien nodded looking even more happier. "That's good, that's good." However, his smile dropped suddenly and he looked frightfully serious. "Michi-chan, you must understand that the Day Class and the Night Class have little contact with each other, right? And your interaction with Takuma-kun, as I have heard, was-"
His words made something build inside of me and before I even knew it, I cut him off. "Headmaster, in all honesty, I had no intention and will have not any desire to have any further interaction with Ichijo-san. Not then and not in the future." My voice was firm, surprising how it hadn't cracked or that I had not even spelled something wrong. I felt irritated and because of it I probably found more courage to be bold. "Now, can I leave?"
Kaien didn't say anything. He stared at me, with surprise in his eyes, but then it disappeared and his face morphed into an expression I couldn't read. "Michi-chan, are you being bullied?"
Every muscle in my body tensed, but I tried keeping my expression neutral. My heart beat was quicker than usual and I feared that it might be heard in the room. "No."
"That's a relief!" Kaien sighed and placed a hand on top of his chest. "With all the admiration the Day Class has for the Night Class, I was worried how they would react, when you talked to Takuma-kun. But as long as any problems have not risen then I supposed everything is well. Oh, I also hope that you'll have fun, when you go to the town today."
I forced a small smile on my lips and then stood up, giving a little bow to his direction. "Thank you."
Thank God this is over. My back is covered with sweat.
"Alright, so the mailbox is this way." Yuki smiled and took few hurried steps ahead. "Is there anything else that you want to do here?"
"Not really." I said and glanced at the street around us. Honestly, I just wanted back inside the walls of the academy as soon as possible.
The town had very old styled buildings, I hardly saw any cars or mobile devices and that was already something. It was beautiful, charming, with cute shops and flowers on windowsills, but there was only one thing that made me feel out of place. It was how people dressed and just how the whole atmosphere felt like.
Currently, I was wearing long, white socks with baggy and black shorts that hung from my waist. The short heels of my black leather boots with silver zipper made some metal sounds with every step and the black jacket with white lines on the sleeves was half open to reveal the lone white T-shirt under it. I looked like a city girl that I was and Yuuki looked completely different that it was slightly scary.
Her cloak was long and plain beige colored with simple round buttons to keep it around her petite frame. Under it she had her school uniform and nothing else, but despite the way she dressed it wasn't any different from people around her. They all had clothes that didn't stand out and the colors they also had were similar to Yuki's jacket. Or simply to put there were only brown, dark green, black, soft grey and etc. colors around. No bright yellow or shockingly pink were anywhere in sight and that unsettled me. It was almost as if I had gone back in time.
I didn't also seem to be the only one to notice things like that. Because some people had already glanced at my way and few old ladies even obviously pointed towards me a little while ago. It would've been so much better, if I had been swallowed by the ground than having to suffer all the staring again. Just when I got out of the academy, even the elder people had to give me looks and make me uncomfortable. The letter was almost crushed in my hands from how harshly I had clutched it near my chest.
Suddenly, I almost stopped walking, when I thought of something. "Cross-san, don't you have to patrol today, too? Doesn't the Night Class have lessons today?"
"Oh, y-yes they have, but Zero can handle them until we get back."
"You really didn't have to come to show me around, if you were busy." I said, a little worried that she would have to hurry back and miss her duties.
She must have caught my expression, because she stopped and turned to fully face me. Her voice was almost panicking. "I-it's not like that! T-this shouldn't take long and it's n-not even d-dark yet!"
"Are you sure? We can hurry, you know?" I truly didn't want to feel guilty for keeping her away from her duties, but I also wanted to get to my dorms before the Night Class would be in sight. The sun had already begun to set down and its lights on the sky were gentle orange and yellow.
Yuki seemed to think my suggestion for a moment. "Well, alright. But only if it's fine with you."
I smiled, liking her sweet attitude. It was quite hard to sometimes meet people that were modest and polite and thought of others, especially if you had been born in a city. But Yuki seemed to be raised well and it was an everyday mystery to me from now on how she didn't end up like that foster father of hers.
So, that's how we ended up hurrying towards the mailbox in a full sprint. I hadn't even realized how fast we had tried to run until I started to breathe harder, following Yuki who knew where we were exactly going. She was also far ahead of me and surprised me yet again with how fast she was. Her feet moved rather quickly and when her large brown eyes glanced over her shoulder at me she seemed to almost let out a laugh before looking back ahead of herself.
She almost looks like a child, was what I thought after seeing the glint in her eyes. They had been bright and full of mischievousness that I almost couldn't believe it to be Yuki who had sent me that look. Maybe she did get something from Kaien after all.
As I thought of that childish man, the conversation that had happened in the school started to bother my mind. I just couldn't find a good reason for all of things that I didn't understand and it was mainly concerning the Night Class. I wasn't planning on digging deeper than I had to, but I had to admit that I was a little curious of them. It was just really strange and suspicious, the way students were separated between night and day like two different species. All people in the Night Class were obviously very beautiful and fair, but that was the thing that made me confused. Was it just coincidence that they were all like that?
A shiver went down my spine, when I thought all of their pale skins. Had they all some kind of medical condition that kept them away from the sun or were they just taking care of their appearances like that? That would certainly cross the line of being narcissistic and it also made me wonder, if Takuma was like that. His skin had also been pale, but I couldn't really imagine him with a darker one.
"A-alright! We are here." Yuki panted and placed her hands on her knees, before looking down at the clock on her wrist. "We may be back just in time for my patrol, too."
"T-that's good." I nodded while leaning against a wall with heavy breaths. I certainly had not run that much since I was in grade school. My eyes slid towards a yellowish box that was against a fairly large building that had a wooden door and a sign saying 'POSTAL SERVICE' in bold letters. I walked towards it and looked at Yuki with an awkward side-glance. "So, I just put this in here, right?"
"Yes." She gave me a small smile and I bit my lower lip and turned back towards the task at hand.
What honestly would those gave me life think about my situation? My hands were honestly shaking now that I was starting to think things even deeper. The tips of my toes squirmed uncomfortably inside my shoes and the bottom of my stomach started turning from nervousness. The images of two bewildered faces kept popping into my head in different kinds of aspects and angles that a shiver went down my spine and my fingers started to feel strangely sweaty.
Oh, for the love of God! Don't think so hard!
I inhaled deeply, yet quietly, and slid the paper object in. The faint sound of how it landed on top of the others of its kind was like having a rock pierce you, but I felt how my shoulders relaxed slightly. I wasn't sure, if waiting would be the worst part of all of this, but at least one of the worries was now off from me.
Me and Yuki started walking calmly, rather than running back. This time we didn't speak and were surrounded by a peaceful silence and the busy town life. Few shops were still open and people went in and came out of them almost every second. I certainly had not really thought of what kind of town the place was, but I liked its old atmosphere. Which also reminded me that I would need to find some more appropriate clothes to wear from now on, if I wanted to go out anymore, that was. In my own town, there were even more people and less of them paid any attention how you dressed, because everyone looked almost the same. You did not stand apart from the crowds.
It was also strange how I wouldn't need to use phone so much anymore, or rather I couldn't. There was no reception or internet almost anywhere. Momo had certainly told me that there should be at least one phone booth somewhere in the town, but I wouldn't even bother using it. The other thing was that from instinct I kept reaching into my pockets to grab my own mobile device, only to realize that I would not be able to scan any pages on the internet nor listen to ay music. It was frustrating and even more strange than what I was used to. The worst part was that I had to endure all of it until I could move back in with my parents.
Like now, my hand twitched towards the side of my jacket, only to stop, when I remembered that I had left my phone to the Sun Dorm. And of course when I thought of the dorm, my mind drifted to Kei who was probably snuggling into my old shirts all the time I walked. But for the first time in a week, I could've cared less what that cat of mine was up to. Momo had already left to her home, most of the rooms were empty and the place was quiet like it was hunted. I wouldn't need to worry about that fur ball getting discovered nor did I have to worry about being expelled for a while. The feeling of utmost relief was enough to almost make tears fall from my eyes, but I held them back and felt a smile gracing the corners of my lips.
Now, all I needed is a nice bath and a goodnight sleep. The smile turned to grin, once the happy situation became more and more clearer to me. My feet started to feel so light that I could've started skipping.
"Y-you seem to be happy. A-are you excited to h-hear what your p-parents will say?" The question snapped me back and my mouth stopped smiling. Heat flooded to my cheeks, when I realized that I had grinned like an idiot, next to Yuki no less.
Putting the smile back on I looked back at her and nodded happily, though a lie was making its way into my mind. "Yes. I told them all kinds of stuff about the academy on that letter."
"That's good to hear. I'm glad you find the place to your liking. You've seemed so down that I thought that was not the case." The way her voice was steady made me realize that she had not stuttered. The smile that graced her lips was genuine and a healthy blush colored her own cheeks.
The sight made my own smile drop to a softer one, but I still kept it on. Finding her reaction and words kind of heartwarming and encouraging, despite that she wasn't even trying to bring me those kind of feelings. She truly was different form the young people nowadays. She was innocent and a goody-two-shoe daughter of a headmaster. Someone who acted like a perfect daughter and that was probably why Kaien adored her so much.
Suddenly, her eyes widened and she waved her hands in front of her nervously. "T-though, I-I'm sorry f-for assuming s-such things."
Well, you were right for the most part. The face of that blond male flashed in my eyes for the hundredth time in a single day and the nerves in the back of my head felt like they were twitching from the irritation I was feeling. I was mostly not down, just feeling utter resentment.
"It's alright. Thanks for worrying." My smile also turned into a true, happy one, after I pushed the negative feelings away. "Will you be able to make it for your patrol?"
She nodded. "If we keep on like this, I might just make it."
"Good to hear." I said and then noticed that she was staring at me with those brown eyes of hers. They blinked few times and I noticed how her steps were slowing down a little and because of that I started to worry, if I had something on my face. Though, I didn't feel like there was and raised an eyebrow. "Cross-san?"
Whatever she had been thinking had been cut off by me and the cheeks were once again colored with pink. "I-I'm s-sorry! I-i-it's just t-that y-you talked n-normally j-just now!"
A frown made my eyebrows knit together and this time I truly did stop. "Excuse me?"
"A-ah! I-I d-d-didn't m-mean t-t-t-to be rude!" Yuki's voice rose an octave too high and her face looked like a white wall. "K-kazutso-san, y-you've just b-been t-t-talking so p-politely and s-stiffly u-until now. A-and r-right now y-you used w-words s-such as 'thanks' or 'good to hear, instead of 'thank you' and 'that's good to hear'. I-I don't m-mean to say t-that it i-is w-wrong-"
I raised my hands to cut her off, pitying how she started to look like she could faint or fall to pieces any moment. "Cross-san, please, take deep breaths."
It was true. Even with her, Yori and Kaien I had not talked like that until just now. But it was only because I had been so caught up with the moment with the brown haired girl that some words had just slipped by like I had been talking to a friend from back home. I wasn't sure how I should've felt about that, but I honestly didn't mind much what I had done. It just meant that I liked her and was fine with being relaxed around her, too.
The paleness seemed to disappear from her face, but she kept her eyes down and placed her hands in front of her lap, giving me a small bow. "I-I'm s-sorry."
"It's alright. You did nothing wrong. It was just a truth..." That was mostly all that came out of my mouth. But neither of us moved and we just stood there now, in an uncomfortable silence. Yuki had not even raised her head from the position and I started to feel self-conscious by just standing there while people kept passing by. "Um, can we go now?"
"O-oh, right!" Yuki finally rose and we started walking again, the atmosphere not changing a one bid.
Way to go. I almost sighed, wanting to get back to the academy faster than before.
By the time we were already half-way there, the air started to turn a little more chilly and I started to bury my body as deep as I could into my own coat. The stores that had been open a while ago started to close and only small amount of the bars and restaurants stayed open and the lights of the windows started to dim one-by-one. It all made it even more clearer that it was not summer anymore, but autumn was finally catching up and soon we would not have to wait long for the snow to fall.
I kind of missed the white winter after a year, but I knew that as soon as the white substance would cover the earth I would miss the smell of the grass and the warmth of the sun and the ground. I wasn't that kind of person who took a lot of vitamin D like a crazy, but I preferred warmth, when it was cold and the other way around, when it was hot. Or as my father would say, I was moody about the whole cycle of seasons, especially, when they changed.
Out of nowhere, a car, much fancier than what I had ever seen, drove from behind a corner, making me almost stop walking again. It was completely black limo, that shone quite well in the dim light of the streets like a clear mirror. It was not like the old fashioned ones that barely moved around the place, but modern and pricey looking. Even the wheels looked out of place with the scenario around them and it looked like the whole thing had been transformed back in time to 18th century.
The people around the place also noticed it and started to whisper and point at it. The whole reaction reminded me how I had been the subject of their attention few minutes ago with my outfit, but now I understood even more why that had been the case. Anything that didn't blend in would obviously be noticed immediately. Well, at least I'm not being stared at anymore.
The car continued moving forward as did I with Yuki who also was staring at the moving vehicle. However, she also soon ignored it with me and turned her attention back to the direction we were going to. Though, as soon as the car passed by us, I swore I heard how its wheels gritted against the stony road, but ignored it. Its owner was probably already on their destination and I still kept thinking that even when there was a sound of the window sliding down.
Maybe I had kept ignoring the weird facts that the car obviously couldn't be from around here, but as soon as a voice called out from behind me I felt my whole being freeze like ice. "YUKI-CHAN!"
Both the said girl and me almost jumped and Yuki whirled around to face the speaker, but I didn't move an inch to even do so. My hands began to sweat and my stomach made many flips around the place, but the painful stabs of nervousness didn't make me move at all.
"I-ichijo-senpai!?" The name made my whole world spin from different emotions. "W-what are you d-doing here!? Shouldn't you b-be in school!?"
A nervous laugh followed after and the voice made me flinch. "I had some family business to sort out and just came back to visit a certain shop before I would go back to the school. What about you?" A pause followed and for some reason I feared that he was staring at the back of my head. Those thoughts soon became reality. "Who is your friend?"
"Eh? Y-you don't recognize K-kazutso-san?"
Oh sweet Buddha, Zeus, God, Yuki shut up! I gulped, finding my feet frozen to the ground, when the brown eyes came to my view and once they saw me they frowned with worry. Well, I couldn't actually blame her for that because I felt like diving into the ground and staying there six foot under her feet.
"K-kazutso-san, y-you d-d-don't look so good!" Yuki covered her mouth with her hand. "A-are you f-feeling sick? D-do y-you need to s-sit?"
"Is she alright?" The sound of the car's door opening made me want to start running.
The foot steps got closer, every second was painfully quick and soon I felt another presence right near me. My heart hammered against my ribcage almost aguishly hard and for a moment I forgot how to breathe properly. I was afraid, so afraid and nervous that I could've thrown up to the ground. I had not eaten much today to begin with, but currently I felt like all the meals of the week would come up my throat.
Don't look at him. Don't look at him. Don't look at him. Just walk. Just walk. Those were the things I kept repeating in my head, but against all of them I twisted my neck very slowly to the side and then up. My eyes trailed against the fine looking fabric of a buttoned, light yellow shirt up to the broad shoulders until the sight of golden locks and green pair of eyes made a chill crawl down from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. It was like I forgot that there were any people around me at all.
Takuma was still like I remembered him. Fine, smooth looking face with innocent eyes that widened, when they met mine. His nicely shaped lower lip dropped down with utter surprise and shock, at least that was what he looked like to be feeling right now. The thin eyebrows almost reached to his hairline and part of them disappeared behind the neatly combed bangs. The emerald eyes had opened so wide that I easily could distinguish long and dark eyelashes that were like girl's, but mostly I noticed how close he was for me to almost feel the heat of his body against mine. I didn't know, if I was disgusted, afraid or flustered from it.
However, the dumbfounded look didn't last for a long time and soon his lips pulled up in a full-bloom smile that was almost blinding with the pearl white teeth. "It's you!"
My legs staggered back and I felt how my shoulder hit Yuki's. Her one arm was soon wrapped around me for support. "A-are y-you a-alright?" Her voice was full of concern, but I couldn't reply and only stared with absolute horror at the boy before me. It was like my soul was leaving my body from the mere sight of him. "Ah! Y-you r-really l-look pale!"
I was mostly in an emotional shock. I had not expected to see the blond male so suddenly and in the town no less. Just when I had been so frustrated and angry with him, but now I didn't even want to look at him in the eye. The stares we also got from the townspeople was also something that made me want to bury myself and it soon started to become harder to breathe.
Just breathe, inhale. He's not going to hurt you, just get a grip and walk. But it was like being a deer caught in headlines, as I kept staring up at those confused, green eyes. The expression he made was almost childlike and it was then that I was also making the same face at him.
The past events flashed in my mind and every glance, every glare and whisper kept coming back to me. The whole day had been nothing, but emotionally stressful and now it was coming back with a full blow. Takuma, he was the one who had caused every single one of those fan girls to hate me, but now that he was right before me I only felt exasperation and nervousness. Even my heart beat was echoing in my ears and my hands kept sweating with equal rhythm. I just couldn't bare to talk to Takuma even for a second, when I felt like collapsing where I stood.
Gulping seemed to help me, because I was finally able to move my limbs and started to walk to where I was going to in the first place. The comfort of Yuki's arms left me immediately, but I didn't stop. Though, I still felt a little dizzy and my mind couldn't work clearly what was happening. Maybe this is what they call it, when a person's is in too much shock.
"K-kazutso-san! W-where a-are y-you going!?" Yuki called after me and I heard how she tried to catch up with my pace.
"T-to my d-dorm." Talking was almost as hard as walking, but I did manage to mutter that out.
"Y-you c-can't! Y-you look like a g-ghost! I-ichijo-senpai!"
"Y-yes?" The voice replied a little confusedly.
"C-could y-you p-possibly t-take u-us back t-to the academy, p-please!? Ka-kazutso-san needs r-rest!" Yuki was asking with the tone of pleading obvious on her voice.
That was when I froze once again and almost fell over from surprise. I wasn't sure where the last bid of my strength to whirl around came from, but when I did my eyes immediately darted towards the blond male. He looked down at the much smaller girl in front of him and then his gaze slid to me and my fists unconsciously clenched. They were bright and thoughtfully analyzing me, with softness on his face.
The mere suggestion, the mere thought of actually him giving me a ride was making my insides squirm uncomfortably. That would mean that we would be together in a small space together and even thought Yuki would come with us the fact didn't make me feel good either. He could possibly interrogate me why I had not come and meet him with Kei in the forest or ask more questions about my cat.
Please say no, please say no, please say no! But despite my inner pleading, another charming smile broke on his features and I felt another chill go down my spine.
I quickly looked at Yuki almost with a crying face. "There is no-"
"Of course! Ladies first." Takuma was faster than me and within seconds he was next to the shiny black door and gesturing for use to come inside.
Yuki's face was the absolute opposite of mine. She bowed deeply. "T-thank you! Let's g-go Kazutso-san!"
"Y-yuki-" I tried to speak, but she grabbed my hand and was already dragging me towards the car and the beaming Takuma. My stomach dropped yet again from the sight of him. "I-I-"
"I'm s-sorry that I-I didn't n-notice your state m-much earlier."
"Th-"
"I-I sh-should've known t-that y-you're tired."
"Yu-" But I was helplessly pushed in, in my weak state and soon the door was slammed firmly shut and Takuma took a seat opposite of ours.
I literally started to feel trapped like mouse, when the car started moving with a slow speed. The seat underneath me felt soft and the whole place smelled like leather and fresh cleaning supplies, but the pleasant smell did not make me feel better. In fact, I started to have overblown thoughts of the seat eating me alive. Maybe in another, more reassuring circumstances I would've even tired to enjoy the ride, but not now. Not when there was a pair of green eyes looking at me curiously.
Yuki on the other hand stayed calmly, but worried next to me, as my shoulder pressed against the car's door almost begging to get out. She kept asking me questions and if I needed anything, even when I didn't seem to be paying any attention to her. In my mind, it was hard to decide, if I was angry or just upset with her. I mean, I obviously had not wanted to get into the car. But Yuki had had strangely strong grip, even when I had tried pulling away. She may have meant only good for my wellbeing, but I was currently feeling same emotions towards her as I felt towards Takuma. Though, not so strongly.
Takuma had turned his attention to the side on the bag that was place next to him. He was rummaging through it, with a little frown pulling on his face like he was not able to find something he wanted. He didn't even glance towards me nor give me that smile that overly happy smile that I found creepy, but seemed to concentrate for the first time since I had met him. Honestly, it made me suspicious what he was up to by actually taking us back to the academy so easily like this. The car only added to my suspicions that he was truly a rich kid and had plenty to waste, his good looks also were another proof of that. He must have used some kind of skin lotions to make his whole face look so clean and spotless. Does he even go out, with that whiteness of his?
The car turned around a corner and the movement made me realize that I had been staring at the blond boy too long. Flustered, I looked down at my lap and tightened my fists next to my thighs. After I had told Kaien that I didn't want to have anything to do with Takuma, here I was. Why had I not been able to act normally and just walked away? I bit my lower lip and wrapped my hands around my torso. Yuki had not stopped asking questions and I kept wondering how many more she had left until my ears would fall off.
I glanced up at Takuma again, only to look back down. From the dark window I saw how the houses kept passing by. Ugh! Why can't this thing go faster!?
"Um, Kazutso-san, was it?" His voice made me freeze and timidly look back up. He was smiling and holding a bottle of water in his hands. "Would you like some? I haven't opened it yet."
I stared at him and then at the bottle. Truth to be told, I was thirsty, I had not drank anything since the lunch time and the running and walking had certainly taken a toll on me. And even thought a silly fear of the liquid being poisoned crossed my mind, I gave a small nod and Takuma returned it with another smile.
"Thank you." My voice was small and awkward and I carefully reached out towards the offered bottle and almost couldn't get a proper hold on it.
"So..." He started, once I twisted the cork open. "May I ask why you two were in the town today?"
"Oh, K-kazuto-san needed to find a mailbox to send a letter to her family." Yuki answered with small smile and I almost leered at her.
Do not tell him the details! I swallowed my irritation with the water and felt quite happy, when my dry throat got its relief.
"So you helped her to find it, Cross-san? How thoughtful. It's a relief that we can always trust on our school's disciplinary committee." Takuma's smile and voice were both smooth, but they made me stiffen, when their attention went to me. To Yuki's and my surprise, he lowered his head. "I'm terribly sorry about the scene I had caused the other day. It was not my intention to cause you any trouble."
The bottle in my hands started to shake, when I almost dropped it. With my other hand I tried to support it and with my eyes I looked at Takuma, trying to find something that would hint his dishonesty. But even after hearing his soft tone and seeing the apologetic smile on his face, I could not bring myself to belief him. It seemed all too convenient that he had appeared today to the town and I was there with Yuki. Also, even a bonehead could understand before they cause a scene. The glares and outraged shouts the girls had given me had been very obvious on that day.
Takuma's expression, however, remained the same and he did not raise his head from the small bowing position he was making. He did not even move, when nobody was saying anything in the car.
"It's alright." I forced a lie from my mouth, even when the same irritation from earlier today started to bubble back up. He was helping us right, so it would be quite rude for me to start arguing with him.
Takuma raised his head with what appeared to be a relieved smile on his face. "I'm glad that you're not upset."
Don't start feeling happy yet, pretty boy, I almost muttered, but took another gulp of water. But when people just kept having such happy looks on their faces, like Takuma did, it was hard for me to be fully angry. My parents know this and always use the same trick on me.
"How are you at the Cross Academy? I hope you like the place." He continued the conversation rather easily and politely, but the smile stayed on place.
I shrugged, avoiding his eyes. "Fine, I guess."
"That's good to hear! I remember on my first day I got lost for hours in the main building until someone found me and told me where the class was." His expression fell as a sigh escaped from his lips. "It was scary."
"Eh? I-ichijo-senpai, you g-got lost?" Yuki stared at him with disbelief and he chuckled awkwardly.
"Sure did. The place had been much bigger than what I had thought it would be. It happened few times after that, too." He rubbed the back of his head rather sheepishly.
The sight of him like this made me almost relax. He was certainly much taller and bigger than me and obviously on an upper grade than me and Yuki, but now he looked like a normal boy to me. He had seemed like a scatterbrain from the start and the image of him actually starting to panic in the middle of a dark hallway made a small smirk pull my lips up.
"Kazutso-san, are you and Yuki-chan on the same year?" Takuma asked curiously and I gave a nod. This seemed to make him beam. "You two are friends, then?"
"...I-I guess so?" I glanced unsurely at Yuki, not wanting her or me to get the wrong idea, but I only see her give me a sweet, accepting smile.
This made my heart swell with happiness, out of nowhere. Now that Momo and the rest of the school's female population seemed to hold a lifetime grudge against me, it brought a great joy to me that I was not entirely alone. The atmosphere became much lighter and my shoulders relaxed unconsciously and I allowed myself to lean more deeper into my seat. The thought of really going through almost a whole year without anyone to truly talk to was more terrifying than I had realized.
Suddenly, remembering that it wasn't just the two of us, I looked back at Takuma whose smile had widened even more. Now that I got a proper look at him, his hair wasn't that golden, only some small strands of it. Mostly it was just very light blond all over.
"By the way, I-ichijo-senpai. What s-shop w-were y-you going to visit?" Yuki asked, looking like she would tilt her head in curiosity.
Like a magic word had been said, Takuma leaned closer, almost standing up from his spot. "Well, there is this new manga that has been recently released and I wanted to go and buy it! It is an adventure story with dragons and fairies in it, so I absolutely had to have it!"
Yuki seemed to be thinking of something. "I remember that you like reading manga a lot."
He nodded vigorously, looking like an excited kid. "That's true. But recently my shelves are getting pretty full and I can't find any other places to put them in, expect under my bed that is. I tried to put them under Shiki-kun's, too. He didn't seem to be happy about it, though. Haha! I also tried to put them into Kaname-kun's room, but he also hadn't been really keen on the idea."
The entire time he had been talking, I had been staring at him with wide eyes. I had not at all been thinking what his hobbies or likes were, but hearing that he preferred manga was quite a smack to the face. For one reason, he didn't seem like the type to like something like that, books would've suited him better. Also, when he dressed fancily like he currently was and driving in an actual limo it was even harder to imagine him actually reading manga. Or even like it so much he started blabbering.
Simply put, I was extremely surprised by this new information. His behavior and facts I did not know about him kept shocking me. But seeing these things, actually put me more at ease. Though, I was also wary, because I was dropping my guard down around him so soon after what had happened.
Takuma suddenly stopped talking and that was when I noticed that he was staring at me. An expression of embarrassment crossed on his face and he laughed weakly. "Sorry. I got a little too excited. It must sound silly that I read manga."
Silly?
"No, not really." I looked around awkwardly, not really wanting to make an eye contact. "If you like it, then you like it."
When I looked at him again, his embarrassed look was gone and he seemed to be happy. However, before he could say anything the car stopped.
"Ichijo-sama, we've arrived to our destination." The driver, who I had not paid any attention to, spoke from his spot on the front.
"Eh? Already?" Takuma blinked, sounding disappointed, but sighed deeply at the end. "Fine. Thank you."
"It was no problem, Ichijo-sama."
Such a respectful driver, I thought as we exited the car and I saw the long, stone stairs up to the large gate and wall. The air was much more colder now that the sun was barely seen on the horizon and once the car drove away the three of us started walking up. I, of course, staid close to Yuki while Takuma walked with a respectful distance to us.
My hold on the bottle, that he had given me, tightened, once I glanced towards him. He had a small smile on his lips, like he found the walk pleasant and a breeze moved his bangs gently on its hold. I couldn't deny the fact that he had indeed been nice to talk to in the car. He had not done anything wrong or said anything rude. He had even shared his own interests with us light-heartedly, not showing any doubt or negative feelings. Even Yuki had been comfortable with talking to him like to a friend. And most of all, he had not talked about Kei and revealed a thing to the brown haired prefect.
I wiped my sweaty hand against my jacket and looked thoughtfully up at the academy that's gates stood open like they had been waiting for us. I still was skeptical about him and his character and couldn't say that I was still fully trustful of him, but maybe I could give him a chance. If he truly did mean it, when he said he wanted to meet me and Kei again, then I guessed that would be okay.
Though, the fan girls would be absolutely murderous, if they ever found out that I had been talking to him again.
As if they had heard my thoughts and sent a curse after me, I missed a step and soon found myself falling with a yelp. Luckily, my hands were able to soften my landing, though I wouldn't be surprised, if I found a bruise later.
"Kazutso-san!" Yuki was almost immediately crouched down next to me and looking like she had stepped on a kitten.
"Are you alright?" Takuma was next and I felt my cheeks turn red from embarrassment. I just had to be clumsy now.
"Y-yeah..." I managed to push myself up, but winced from the dropping pain on my arms. "Just a little surprised."
"The water!" Yuki said and I was puzzled from her choice of words for a moment, but then turned around to see that the bottle had fallen from my hands and was resting few steps behind us. The cork had been loose it seemed, because it was off and some water was already dripping away.
Stiffening, I scrambled up and ran to it. Half of its content was already gone and I bit my lower lip with a frown. Quickly, I took it up and rolled the cork back on and then looked at Takuma awkwardly. "Sorry."
He blinked, but then smiled. "It's nothing serious. At least you aren't thirsty anymore."
It was like a battle inside of myself was ended by one side winning, once I saw that sweet smile. Aw, I really have to ask him then. I glanced at Yuki who looked at me up and down. At least, when she's gone.
"A-are you h-hurt anywhere?" She asked worriedly and glanced towards Takuma for a moment, looking kind of nervous.
I looked down at myself to confirm my answer and dusted some dirt off from my sleeve. "No, I don't think so."
Yuki's shoulders dropped. "T-that's good. W-w sh-should hurry now, though."
"Oh, right." I said lamely back and followed her up again, but right when she was in some distance I looked at Takuma and took a deep breath. "R-remember, what y-you asked on my dorm's gates?"
He seems to perk up and his eyes look even brighter. "Yes?"
I could almost hear and recognize that excited edge on his tone. A smile was tugging the corners of his lips, but he seemed struggled to keep it from widening more. He was being patient.
I can hit myself later for this.
"Well..." I glanced to the side, feeling embarrassed for even opening my mouth. "I...I guess it could be okay."
"Can we meet tomorrow, then?" Was it just me, or did he seem even more excited?
I shrugged carelessly, shifting my weight on my legs a little impatiently. "Sure."
"Is at 5pm alright?" He asked and this time I met his eyes.
Yup. He's grinning.
I shrugged again. "Sure."
I've got a bad feeling about this.