Chapter 10: Third Parties
"May I have your autograph?"
Several minutes earlier, Tsukino Usagi was hurriedly taken inside the school clinic; little did she know who did it and how awkward the situation was to become,
"Oh, uh, yeah," the voice chuckled, "sure."
It almost sounded forced, but at the same time, honored.
There was a short exchange of dialogue between the fan and the star. Usagi could even hear the scribble of the pen down on the paper. The clinic was so quiet that you could hear the clock ticking.
"Thank you so much!" the lady exclaimed, "When my little brother sees your autograph, I'm so sure he'll freak out."
A shout of laughter came off,
"That's very nice to hear—well it's been nice meeting you."
"Oh, same here!" she giggled, "By the way, congratulations on your last season at Europe!"
"Thank you very much."
"You have my utmost welcome." The female replied cheerily.
When she heard the two bid farewell, Usagi continued pretending that she was still asleep. Shortly after that moment, she could hear some footsteps approaching her side.
A chair from nearby creaked when someone sat upon it.
A sigh escaped from the person who sat down,
"So you're Tsukino Usagi, huh?"
The pleasant baritone voice waited for a reply,
"You're a new student, aren't you?"
Usagi had to admit, it was truly rather interesting to hear someone speak in British accent. Although out of the blue, her heart skipped a beat when she felt a hand touch her arm.
It slowly drifted towards her fingers then at her palm,
"You have a very fragile body, do you know that?"
Usagi knew there was something strange by the sound of that statement. She tried to flinch, but her body wouldn't obey,
"Basing from what happened, I'm sure you're not the athletic type. You must've been admitted because of a…a…performing arts talent…yes, something like that…"
A sigh escaped from the stranger again,
"It's useless talking to an unconscious woman…there's no fun in it." He added with a complaint.
Suddenly, Usagi sensed that something was near to her face,
"But you sure are a cute one…I wonder if you have a boyfriend already."
The stranger beside Usagi backed away from her the moment they heard someone shouting nearby,
"Where is she! What happened! Is she alright!"
"Who, sir?"
"Ah—Tsukino Usagi—she's a friend of mine!"
"She's doing fine, sir. Right this way."
The outraged voice was familiar to Usagi's ears. It only dawned to her a few seconds after that the voice came from Haruka Ten'ou.
"Usagi! Oh God, are you okay?"
When Haruka was finally ushered to Usagi's cubicle, she instantly went off to her side, holding her by the head and the other feeling her hand.
Seiya Lights, the man Usagi suspected who was with her, stood up from his chair and answered on her behalf,
"She's alright, but she's still unconscious."
Harula's gaze snapped towards the young lithe man who wore an annoying and disgusting football uniform,
"Are you the reason why she's here?" Haruka demanded, standing up herself, "I heard she was knocked down by your football. It wouldn't have happened if your teammates weren't so Goddamn careless—and if I knew any better, you must be the one who threw the ball at her!"
There was a short pause of silence between the two and Usagi was starting to feel sorry for Seiya Lights.
"I sincerely apologize for causing this accident," he began, "I admit it was all my fault."
Haruka tore off her gaze from Seiya and sat gently beside Usagi,
"I understand that my presence is no longer needed anymore—"
"You're damn right it isn't." Haruka hissed.
"—however if she needs any further treatment, please do tell her to approach me for any financial requirement."
To that offer, Haruka didn't bother to reply. Seiya Lights stopped from there and left the clinic silently.
When he was gone, Haruka leaned over to whisper in Usagi's ear,
"I'm here right now…I'll take good care of you…so just rest."
The next thing Usagi knew, she was gradually falling asleep.
Strange, but she swore she felt something brushed against her lips before she went back to slumber.