Wow I was lazy yesterday...I only have this for today, too...

Chapter 4

What really happened (part 1)

Dearest Reader,

By now you are, no doubt, wondering what really occurred between Yukari and Junpei on the evening prior to when the story is currently taking place. I will now change the hands of time to reveal to you exactly what happened and why Yukari cannot remember...Oh yes, my name is Gina. I work for Igor, it is a pleasure to meet you.

This is the day before the current..

As on any normal afternoon, Junpei could always be found sleeping in class. However, a nice breeze was coming in through the window that Saturday, making everyone a bit sleepy. It was almost summer break. No one was really interested in hearing about some ancient poet anyway, not even the teacher. As the sun shown brightly from the windows, so did Minato's obvious lack of anything to do but take a jot notes and nod incoherently. Yukari was avidly taking notes, due to the fact that it'd all probably be on the exams—the teachers liked to work that way.

The only sounds were a few random things like; the clock ticking away, one or two pens meeting paper, the teacher writing on the chalkboard, some whispers, and a few light snores from some of the more "nonparticipating" students.

The teacher turned around and sighed at her class, seeing how discordant they were.
"Who today—aha. Junpei!" She said quickly, not expecting him to even move. Instead, Junpei looked up at her. She'd only said half of the question before he'd cut her off.

"Thirteen?" He asked in a half-conscious daze.

"Y..you're right..." The teacher said as she looked down at her teaching book, unsure what to do now. She could now say she'd really seen it all.

Junpei grinned at his victory then as soon as the teacher turned back to the board with a mortified expression, he dropped his head back down. Minato looked over at him with a quirked eyebrow and then realized that Junpei had not in fact been sleeping, like Kenji behind him, but he had actually been apparently writing something. Minato leaned over very slightly to possibly get a glimpse at what it said but he only saw two or three characters in very sloppy handwriting so he shrugged and looked back at his own moderately neat notes. He peeked ahead of him and his eyes widened at how lengthy and perfect Yukari's notes were.

While Minato started to hastily make quick, barely legible notes from over Yukari's shoulder, Junpei continued to scribble down some well placed words. After a moment, he thought to himself That should do it, I hope and the slowly, carefully and quietly tore the page out. The teacher only looked back for a second, scowling a little after seeing Kenji, then turned back to the board. Once it was safe to proceed, Junpei folded the piece of paper a few times then shoved it in his pocket.

Minato only glanced over at Junpei, who was now grinning, for a second, then went back to trying to copy as much of Yukari's notes as he could. Junpei watched Minato work for a moment then watched shifted his attention to Yukari, who was completely oblivious to Minato's actions. Not that it really mattered to him, he himself would've done the same thing. Junpei settled with this for a few minutes until he confessed to himself that he really wouldn't because he didn't take notes anyway.

After what felt like eternity, the bell rang. Junpei shot up, his chair hitting Kenji's desk and waking him up right before the teacher turned back around, ready to scold him. She had been so looking forward to lecturing him about the importance of staying awake in her class that she told him to stay after anyway. She was going to give Junpei at least a small lecture for his usual routine but when she turned to his desk he'd been long gone.

Junpei had said a hasty goodbye to Minato, saying something about the dorm too quick to comprehend then sped off like he was late for tea with the Queen of England. Minato stood there next to his desk with his hands in his pockets for a few minutes, staring after where Junpei had just been, a puzzled look on his face. He then turned to Yukari, who was just closing her notebook.

"Did you notice anything strange about Junpei?" He asked, walking up to her desk. She looked up and got that look she always got when speaking about Junpei; Disdain.

"When is he not strange?" She asked, her voice sounding very unenthusiastic.

"Well he just seemed really in a hurry to do something today..."

"Probably because he's been sleeping all day." She scoffed. Minato gave her a puzzled look, wondering if she knew he'd answered a question correctly without Minato having to tell him the answer. He considered telling her that Junpei hadn't even been sleeping but decided to just drop the subject all together.

"There's no archery club today...want to study with me in the library?" She asked, giving him her signature bright smile.

"Let's see...no swim team, no student council and no art club today, Kenji's busy.." He said, giving a quick glance at Kenji, who was nodding tiredly at whatever the teacher was lecturing him about. Yukari looked at him patiently, still waiting for an answer.

"Sure." Minato said after a minute, giving her a charming smile. She nodded and collected her books then they walked together to the library, discussing what was going on currently in their clubs.

Finally, when most people were leaving, they decided to start back to the dorm. While they were putting all the library books back, Yukari paused. Minato looked at her while sliding the last book into it's place.

"Minato-kun..." she began, sounding a little nervous.

"You have a lot of friends..." she began and he responded with a nod.

"So I was wondering...you're always hanging out with that girl, Yuko-chan...you aren't..." She trailed off, hoping she didn't have to finish. Minato flashed her another smile and shook his head.

"We're just good friends." He said and she nodded, blushing slightly.

"I was just curious..." She said quickly as they gathered all of their belonging and then finally headed back to the dorm.

Meanwhile, Akihiko was out walking Koro-chan while Mitsuru was settled in the lounge with what seemed to be a very intriguing book. Junpei was slouched out on the chair parallel to her, looking bored. Mitsuru had glanced up at him every half hour or so for the last two or three hours. He hadn't done a thing, made a sound that entire time. She was indeed curious as to what he was doing but didn't really think it her business and therefore settled with thinking he just had nothing to do.

When Minato and Yukari finally got in, they both had just sat down when Akihiko and Koromaru got back, apparently having met Fuuka on her way back from Paulownia Mall with Natsuki. They all found a comfortable spot to sit and engaged in conversations with each other. Akihiko just decided to watch the evening news, Junpei started to watch as well but grew bored quickly and decided to listen in on his team members' conversations. While Fuuka and Mitsuru talked about what seemed to be the upcoming exams, he only heard bits and pieces of words from Minato and Yukari's conversation. Something about "the stupidest" something...

What Junpei couldn't hear was Yukari telling Minato about some of the dumbest things Junpei had done since she'd met him, since Minato had brought up Junpei's odd actions again.

After a little while, one by one, the lounge started to clear out. First Fuuka, then Akihiko, then Minato, then finally Mitsuru—who insisted that Junpei and Yukari consider going to bed soon. She'd almost started on about how it was unhealthy for them to stay up late, but knowing her audience, she didn't quite see the point.

I am sure you are very curious as to what happens next but, unfortunately, my master insists I get rest before revealing to you what happened next. I am very sorry for this interruption and I vow to tell exactly what happened tomorrow, even if it kills me.

Sincerely,

Gina

I'm really sorry about this cut off, everyone, and the fact that I'm only adding one chapter today. But it's really long so I think it should count as at least two. My mom insists I go to bed early for the same reasons Mitsuru might have said so I'll put out at least four chapters tomorrow, since I too vow, even if it kills me. -LackOfPaitents