Author's Note: This was the original chapter three that was somehow mistakenly omitted - I don't know how or why this happened! But since I did write this chapter, I felt it only necessary to fix my screw up as soon as my noticed. Huge apologies to my readers who are probably drawing question marks about it. Please see the note in what is now chapter five for an explanation.

Three

"Quit slacking."

She flexes her hands and gives him a sour look in response. "Shin-kun, you've been really grumpy with me since yesterday. Why are you so mad? Did I do something wrong? Ah, I know I can kiss you and then it will all be better~"

"Keep away from me and get your work done."

"Okay, okay~"

Observing the entire situation from only a short distance away, Chiharu gives a firm nod. "Mm, it seems like Midorima-san is finally learning how to handle you, Ayame-chan. Maybe now I won't have to worry about looking out for you by myself."

A distinctive glare is shot in her direction from the green-haired man, no doubt because he is chagrined for the trouble Ayame has been giving him. Working together for the sake of the festival has been the most painful experience he has ever endured. At least, it seems that way by how he acts.

"Are your hands doing any better?"

Ayame's gaze dirfts down to her hands as she leans back in her seat. "Hm, I don't know. What do you think?"

"I think your recital will be ruined if they don't heal quickly. You are taking proper care of them, right?"

"You are too much of a worrywart, you know. I'll be juuuust fine. Plus, even if I can't do it then that's just too bad. Bad luck. Tell her, Shin-kun – it's just not in the stars for me."

He suddenly pauses in the middle of assisting with the construction for the class booth. "Ah, yes... Suoh, take this." After adjusting his glasses, he casually dips his hand into his pocket and passes something over to her.

"Hm? Ohh, this is a really pretty strap. Wait, are you giving me a present? It's not my birthday..."

"Oho Asa," he drawls, cocking his head. "This is today's lucky item for Aries. So your luck does not negatively impact me again. This should counter such a possibility."

"Do I get to keep it?"

The pointed look he gave her was telling enough. The item was being lended to her – not given as a gift. The fact that he goes that far still manages to draw a smile out of her as she dangles the strap in front of her face, admiring the cute character hanging at the end.

"That reminds me, Ayame-chan. You said you would help out the drama club with their music, right?"

"More like I was roped in~" she responds with a pout. "I really didn't want to. I guess I have a good excuse with my hands the way they are though, huh?"

"Don't you have any sense of responsibility?" Chiharu huffs as she rests her hands on her hips. "You need to at least have the decency to find a replacement for them if you don't think your hands will be healed in time. I know you have a lot of other things to worry about but–"

"I get it, I get it," Ayame pouts in turn.

Their banter larger stops there as they return to working diligently – that is, everyone except for Ayame. And as soon as the lunch bell rings, Midorima practically speeds out fast enough that by the time she manages to call out to him, he is already out of earshot.

"Hm, trying to escape me again today." She grins not unlike a predator cornering their prey – and perhaps that is an accurate comparison. However, before Ayame can march off and give chase to the green-haired man, she is caught by the shoulder.

"I didn't want to say anything in front of him earlier, but you are looking kind of pale today, you know? It might be good to take this break and go to the nurse's office and rest for a little while. Don't push yourself."

The show of concern seems wasted as Ayame brushes her hand off with a look of resentment. "I already told you that there's nothing more I hate than people preoccupying themselves with worries about my health. I think I know how to handle it better than anyone."

"You say that, but..."

"Catch you later!" Her tone is suddenly playful again as she gives a mock salute before skipping off. Chiharu sighs to herself but leaves Ayame to her own devices.

—

The wind is gently buffeting her. It is the perfect temperature outside, especially with the shade cast by the tree that she is sprawled under. The grass tickles at her cheeks, but the exhaustion is enough to lull her into sleep. It doesn't last long, though, as she hears the crunch of approaching footsteps. Ayame knows well enough to realize it's not Chiharu.

"Is that you, Shin-kun?"

"The bell already rang. I was sent to retrieve you." He seems so matter-of-fact about it. All business-like, signalling his disinterest in any personal association with her.

Ayame rolls onto her back, her long hair spreading out across the ground. She peers up at him and gives a small smile. "Chi-chan told me that I should rest in the infirmary, but I didn't really feel like being in there. Did you know? It smells like antiseptic in there."

"Are you sick?"

That almost sounds like concern in his voice. She sits up slowly. "Are you worried about me, Shin-kun?"

He adjusts his glasses without responding, wearing a frown on his lips.

Pulling her knees up to her chest, Ayame breathes out a small sigh. "Well, I guess it's true that I'm sick. I've been sick since I was a kid. Runs in the family, ya know?" She winks at him, as though it's all little more than a game to her. "Don't feel sorry for me. It's really mild – the symptoms come and go."

Disregarding the additional information, he queries, "Do you need to go to the infirmary?"

Resting her chin on the top of her knees, she answers, "Nope, I'll be just fine. You can go ahead and return to the classroom if you want. I'll be along here in a little while. Just tell Chi-chan so she knows. You're more help than I am, anyways."

Without missing a beat, he immediately turns around and leaves. Just as expected, Ayame thinks to herself. For as much as she fawns over him, his heart does not seem to be so easily swayed. Still, being alone is a bit depress—

"Here." Something cold presses against her forehead. "Drink it."

A little surprised, Ayame reaches up and takes the cold can from Midorima's hands. He then quietly settles down on the ground beside her, opening his own can and taking a drink. She was sure that he was going to just leave her behind without a second thought. But... he came back.

"What? Aren't you going to drink?"

"Of course!" she grumbles back indignantly, fiddling with the tab on the top of the can. A moment later and she's taking a large swig. The feel of the cold, bubbly liquid pour down her throat is enough to bring her back to her senses. "Ahh, I think it tastes even better because my beloved Shin-kun bought it for me~"

"Don't be stupid."

Ayame chuckles at his responses. Always on the mark – he never misses an opportunity to shoot her down. But for as cold as he seems on the outside, she wonders why he came back. Curiosity nagging at the back of her mind, she peers back at him and studies his face.

"What?"

"You could've just gone back to the classroom. I know you don't like me very much. So why did you come back? Did you feel responsible?" There is a short period of silence as though she is awaiting his response, then she claps her hands together, nearly spilling drink. "Ah! I got it. Chi-chan is working you to the bone so you thought it was better to take a break out here with me than have to work in the classroom with her."

"You're wrong." He takes another drink without looking back at her, finishing the last of his can.

Stroking her chin exaggeratedly, Ayame declares, "Hm, well if it's not that... then maybe you like me, after all! Does that mean you'll feel lonely when the festival is over? We won't see much anymore after that, you know."

Midorima sighs, as though exasperated by her incessant rambling. "I will hardly be lonely. You will keep pestering me even after the festival is over."

"Ohh, that's true! You know me pretty well."

"Unfortunately," he adds.

"Well, you're not running from me. So you can't hate me."

It takes him a moment to consider that, and then he nods. "I don't hate you."

"Then maybe we should date!"

"I refuse."

That doesn't seem to take the wind out of her sails. Ayame just laughs off his rejection before lifting herself to her feet. Having downed the last her drink, she reaches her hand out toward him, as though to help him up. "Let's get back to it, then. Chi-chan sent you to retrieve me, right? There isn't much time left before the festival. We should do our best!"

"You never do any work," he complains back at her, begrudgingly taking her hand while standing up.

"Well, you know, manual labor isn't really my thing..." No matter what he says, she always has an excuse handy to deflect the blame. But maybe that is part of her charm. Ayame is certainly one of the most charismatic people that Midorima has ever met.

After that muttered reply, an uncomfortable silence settles between them. One that Ayame seems content to leave untouched. Her lips seem pursed – and as Midorima peers over toward her, he notices that she is a little paler than usual. A layer of sweat has formed on her face – he can tell by the way the sun his it. And she seems to be a little short of breath.

"Suoh—"

"We could race to the classroom," she interrupts suddenly. It is almost as though she can sense what he is about to bring up. "I bet I could beat you. Do you want to give it a try?"

Annoyed by the very suggestion, he gives her a straightforward reply. "No."

Although he expects her to laugh off his rejection, Ayame instead stops in the middle of the hallway just as they are about to reach the staircase. Hunched over, she puts her hands on her knees – her breathing sounds even heavier than before.

"Suoh, you need to—"

"Walking is actually super tiresome, isn't it?" she says as she lifts her chin, managing a smile. "I probably sound like an old lady, panting after such a short tread. But don't worry about me."

"I'll take you to the nurse's office." It's less of an offer on his part and more of a statement.

Regardless of Midorima's stubborn nature, Ayame corrects her posture. The color is returning to her face a little bit, and she seems to have regained her composure a bit. "Thanks, but I'm sure Chi-chan will really complain if we both skip out. Head back without me, okay? I can find the Nurse's Office by myself."

"No, I will—"

"Oh, that reminds me..." She briefly presses her fingers into the pocket of her skirt and produces the strap he had given her earlier. "Shin-kun... this is the lucky item for which sign...?"

"Aries," he says matter-of-factly, taking the opportunity to adjust his glasses.

Ayame only laughs. "Haha, Shin-kun, you really believed me when I said we were polar opposites, right? But my sign is actually Scorpio. So I don't think this item is going to off-set my lucky much."

"I see. Then I will bring the proper item tomorrow." He holds his hand out expectantly, as though he assumes she will readily return the strap.

"You're so diligent. So I'll hold you to that. If you come tomorrow with the lucky item of the day for Scorpio, then I'll give you this back. Don't forget!" As though completely recovered, she sprints down the hall toward the Nurse's Office, not even pausing to look back even as a teacher screams at her to quick racing through the halls.