Disclaimer: Refer to previous chapter. And the one before that, and the one before that, and… …
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To say Nakuru was confused was an understatement. For, who knows how many times, during this week, she was yet again the subject of every girl's hatred. And the fact that she didn't even have to physically do anything this time has to count for something too. Completely glued to her seat, Nakuru forced her frozen facial muscles into an apologetic smile. At least, what she hoped to be an apologetic smile. I wonder what I did this time, ruby eyes flitted across the room nervously. The glares increase tenfold. Nakuru flinched, oooook, so the smile thing didn't work.
Feeling that she at least deserved a chance to redeem herself, Nakuru cleared her throat to speak. And let her mouth hang slightly agape upon realising that she didn't even know what to say in defence. Considering she didn't know what she did in the first place. Now she's really nervous.
Rinku glanced at Nakuru with evident worry. It's quite obvious that the girl had absolutely no idea what to do. She the glanced around the room, brows furrowing in thought. This simply would not do, silence means guilt, and by the looks of it, Nakuru's getting guiltier by the second. Biting her lip in determination, Rinku walked to stand beside her friend, noticing with relief that Lena had done the same. After all, safety in numbers, right?
"This means that Kinomoto-san's going to be coming here a lot, right?" Nakuru grimaced at her friend, really, it was just a bit too squeaky. But fortunately it worked. A buzz broke out immediately across the room, heads coming together to exchange excited whispers. Well, this is turning out to be a great morning.
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The mood in class 3-A on the other hand, was much more relaxed. In fact, no one even heard the announcement. A very common occurrence, seeing how noisy the room is. The noise, that is now precisely bothering one annoyed class representative. Running a hand through his hair in resignation, Touya heaved a sign. Looking down at his sloppy writing across the page, not even reaching a quarter of the page, he had a sudden urge to throw his hands in the air the punch someone really, really hard.
"You seem to be having a good morning," A sarcastic voice drifted from somewhere over his head. Touya looked up through his fringes. None other than the ice block himself was standing in front of his desk, smirking. That sadistic bastard. Touya growled slightly, some friend he has, laughing at a friend in need. Glaring his best evil eye, Touya crossed his arms.
"It's not my fault that I'm the stinking representative and I'm the one who has to do the organization for the festival." Touya exclaimed hotly, blowing a piece of hair out of his face. However, he was thrown off track when his friend shifted slightly at his words. No, not just shifted slightly, but shifted slightly in discomfort. Brown eyes widened, Touya leaned in unconsciously, peering up at the boy in front of him.
Frowning, Touya tapped his jaw in thought. Despite the urge to shout out something on his own, he has known Yue long enough to know that he will only speak in his own time, and never someone else's. So, Touya forced himself to be quiet and waited.
And waited.
And waited.
And wait –
"Oh for god sakes, WHAT?"
Yue smirked at his friend's flushed face. But as soon as the moment passed, the smirk disappeared. Now Touya was even more curious, since Yue practically lives on seeing discomfort in his friends.
"I…" Another shift. Yue looked away.
"You?" Raising an eyebrow, Touya prompted.
Clearing his throat, Yue took a breath before speaking again. This time, looking Touya in the eye. "I think you should work on the festival at my house."
Touya blinked. Well, what else was he suppose to do? He watched as the silver haired boy stalked away. Stalked away. Touya sighed, oh well, whatever he says.
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"Kinomoto Touya." Rinku nodded. Nakuru bit into her chocolate thoughtfully. "Nope, never heard of him."
Lena slapped her forehead in resignation. They have, for the entire lunch, been trying to make Nakuru realise how dangerous her situation is. That is, how dangerous it is in a school full of jealous teenage females.
But of course, nothing's getting through.
But if we are to work together, shouldn't we at least be familiar with each other first? I mean, it just wouldn't do for us to be arguing when we're supposed to be co-operating. Nakuru eyed the third floor, Yue……
Realising what she had thought of, or rather, whom, her eyes widened. So surprised that she was Nakuru actually physically recoiled, jerking backwards at the direction of her thoughts. Ignoring the worried looks coming from her companions, she shook her head. Despite her effort, her thoughts drifted back to their last meeting. In that hallway. With that girl. And the headache. And of course the ring… …
"…kuru?"
Nakuru vaguely registered a voice speaking to her, looking up, Rinku's face came into focus. "Whaa?"
The brown haired girl pursed her lips, obviously worried. Nakuru smiled brightly, in what she hoped was a reassuring smile, "Aww, don't look like that Rin'. I was thinking about how good dinner's going to be today!" Just to prove her point, she became starry eyed and dreamy, perhaps a little drooling as well. Mildly disgusted and relieved, Rinku smiled and turned away, resuming her conversation with Lena.
Surprised that her friend actually bought the story, Nakuru blinked a few times before she realised that she had gotten away with it. Shrugging, she resumed her line of thoughts. I just really don't get him at all. One minute he's nice, the next he's cold as ice. Then he's mad at me for no reason. Yet sometimes he'd be all embarrassed and shy. What's with him? Unwilling, Nakuru felt drawn to the third floor windows again, shifting her gaze. And all the strange things that have been happening, they all had something to do with him. The kiss, the ring. I wish there was some way I could understand him… …
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Yue was, frustrated, to say the least. The plans for the festival, due in two weeks, are nowhere near done, let alone the actually preparations. Half of the class representatives don't even know that they'd be in partners. Especially the seniors, Yue thought, gritting his teeth, much good they are. Then, then, then. Letting out a slow breath, Yue looked out the window. He knows that even with all those reasons, he would not be as frustrated as he was right at that moment.
It's because of her. Violet glinted dangerously in the bright afternoon. He doesn't get her. He gave her her ring, so why had she come back last time? Doesn't she get it? It's dangerous to be around him, and she has been through enough as it is. There's no need for another trip to the hospital. Anger flared as Yue continued his thought. He had tried to smooth things over, but she just won't listen.
And especially since I haven't seen her for so long……Covering his eyes, he swallowed. Trying to rinse his suddenly extremely dry throat. No matter what, every time he closed his eyes, that image came up. The image of a flustered, dazed, alluring, red head, from that day in the hospital. He knows perfectly that this frustration and anger was brought on by himself. He has been trying to avoid her, not that that was hard, in order to avoid thinking of THAT as much as possible. As result, this is what became of him.
Yue clenched his eyes tighter, trying to rein his feelings into control. God knows that he needs this time alone, last time was enough proof as it is. Last time, I almost lost it. I almost gave in.
Then, why, why did I invite her to my house?------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strangely, Nakuru was in a good mood. Actually, she was in an extremely good mood. She was actually skipping and humming as she walked towards her house, maroon hair swaying away behind her. She had just found out the answer to her question. The key into the mystery room. The central piece of the puzzle. The … … surely you get the point.
For the first time in the past few days, a real grin appears across Nakuru's face. She had just found out that Kinomoto Touya, was none other than Yue's best friend.
She had figured out how to get through to the ice block.
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Author's note: ah, now I know why some authors prefer to do a story all at once. In order to write this chapter, I actually had to re-read a lot of my stuff and keep reminding my self to include certain things. So if there are factual mistakes, please go easy on me.