Futari no Himitsu

Chapter 10:

Used

It was a common-practice in Japan to separate girls and boys during PE class. It was because boys play different sports than girls or maybe the teachers didn't want their male students to ogle at the female students' oh-so-revealing PE uniform.

Either way, Haruka was glad their first subject was PE class. For once in her life, she was glad to attend it even though it was her worst subject, she's terrible at sports, and she's even more terrible at group sports.

She was so glad it was PE.

After what happened this morning, Nanami Haruka didn't have the guts to see Tokiya again. After all, he held her hand and kissed her in front of the student body. After he left with that proud smirk on his face, the people who saw them were looking at Haruka as if she was some slut or something. Just thinking about it made her crouch down on the floor and sulk in a corner.

It made her uncomfortable, how he could carelessly do those acts without being ashamed of it. Boldness wasn't really considered a 'bad' trait, so she could consider it was naturally in Tokiya's personality.

Weren't they being too fast? They just got close to each other the other day, and now they're already on the PDA stage! This was all too much for Haruka's faint heart, just a little bit more of Tokiya's surprising antics her heart would explode from embarrassment!

"Everyone!"

Everyone turned around, only to see their sexy and beautiful PE teacher Sone Anna. She was wearing red trainer clothes that would usually make a person wearing them look stupid, but in her care she made it look hot. She had long black hair that was tired in a ponytail, her longs bangs were swept to the side. Haruka always found her beautiful; her perfect white skin was worth envying for. She was also kind and friendly to all students, making both boys and girls be her fans. She could be a model if she wanted. But there was one thing about her appearance that creeper the rosette: her dead empty-like eyes. Even if she was smiling, her eyes seemed to tell another story. Maybe it was just Haruka's imagination, though.

"Kondo-sensei is absent today, and apparently I have to take over his class." Sone-sensei groaned, rubbing her temples in annoyance while her other arm had a volleyball tucked underneath. "So we'll be having a joint class with 3-C!"

Some girls jumped in excitement, happy to have their friends from the other section to be their classmate again. Haruka stood frozen, forgetting the fact that she should be stretching her body rather than gawk on the new incoming students.

"Haru-chan!" A familiar voice shouted.

The rosette blinked. Her smell of vanilla shampoo enveloped her senses, a fiery red head that was on par with her hair was all she could she. She was suddenly trapped in a tight embrace; she did not have to guess who her perpetrator was.

"Tomo-chan,"

The energetic red-haired pulled away, flushing her signature 'Shibuya grin' at her. Haruka smiled back, a tint of pink colored her cheeks. It has been a long time since they talked, she was so happy to see her again. Especially after Tokiya's amusing feat, she really needed to talk with her girlfriend about boy problems.

.

.

After all the students finished stretching, Sone-sensei called for a volleyball match between the two sections. The athletic girls raised their arms energetically, wanting to be called and impressed their sensei, wanting to show who the stronger class is. As expected, Haruka was not part of their section's team. If this was an academic battle, she's always on the list. But if it's about sports, she was deemed as 'useless'.

"Tomo-chan!" One of the girls from the other group called. "Why don't you join the game? We'll win this for sure if you're with us!"

Tomochika looked at her friend, who was tuck-sitting on the corner. Haruka looked up, only to see the other rosette giving her a look of concern. She forced a smile, waving her hand in dismissal.

"I'm, Tomo-chan! Don't worry—"She didn't even finish her sentence, Tomochika looked at the other girls and faked a pained expression at them, holding her stomach.

"Ah! Gomen, gomen!" She said, clutching her stomach while her other hand was scratching her head. "I ate a lot this morning and I don't think I can play for now! Maybe later."

The girls from 3-C shrugged and started choosing other students for their members. The tall red-haired turned around and sat right next to a worried Haruka.

"Tomo-chan, you didn't have to do that." She frowned.

"Do what?" Tomochika feigned ignorance.

"You know what I mean!" Haruka raised her voice, but not enough for the other people to hear them. "I know you didn't eat this morning. You told me a few days ago you're on a diet." The red-haired girl tensed up, shocked that she was caught. "You made an excuse not to play so that I wouldn't get lonely.

The tall girl sighed; it was no use to lie if her best friend was the all-knowing Haruka. Even though she can be dense sometimes, she's good at telling whether a person is lying or hiding something.

"But I have to, Haru-chan." She shook her head. "I would exchange anything just to hang out with you again!"

Golden eyes widened, she was taken aback. "Tomo-chan…!"

"Saa…" She smiled teasingly, leaning closer before poking the rosette on the cheek. "Tell me about that romantic kiss this morning!"

Haruka became as red as her hair. "Y-y-you already know about that?!"

"Of course!" Tomochika in a tone that might as well be saying 'duh!' "It was what the whole school was gossiping early this morning!"

So there were many people who saw it…! The rosette wanted to slam her head against the wall. I don't know if I still have a face to show the school!

"So, was there tongue?"

The whole gym became silent. It seemed like Tomo-chan's voice was too loud because suddenly all eyes were on them. The matched even stopped because of her lewd question. Haruka's body tensed up, like a deer caught in the headlines.

"Was there tongue?" She repeated, sounding a little impatient. It seemed like she was still oblivious to all the stares the from all the people inside the gym.

"Shibuya-san," Sone-sensei coughed awkwardly, catching the loud-mouthed girl's attention. Then did she realized how loud she was, she gave Haruka an apologetic look but the rosette looked like she would faint anytime soon because of embarrassment. "Please talk about such… matters in private."

"Shut up, baba!" Tomochika shouted, making all the girls gasp because of her disrespectful action. "I know you want to know. I bet everyone," She said with emphasis, most girls blushed. "in this gym wants to know!"

After a few seconds, many girls nodded in agreement. Haruka squeaked, her heart felt like it was going to explode. This was more embarrassing than when Tokiya kissed her!

"For your information, Shibuya Tomochika!" Good thing Sone-sensei fired back, clearly pissed off that her ace in the track and field team was showing their usual interaction during club meetings. "I don't have any interest with my student's love life! I'm already happy with—"

"Oh right." Tomochika smiled teasingly. "I heard you're dating Ishimoto-sensei!"

Most of the girls in the gym gasped, while some (most likely Sone-sensei's fangirls) literally fainted. The PE teacher blushed furiously, before she could answer, the man mentioned appeared in front of the gym door.

He had black hair; his bangs always covered the left side of his face. His eyes were the color of yellow, but with a hint of green. He was wearing a white lab coat over a blue shirt. He was wearing black pants and pointed leather shoes. He was tall with a handsome face. Even though he was a science teacher, he's a really charming man. Most female students always ask him why he chose this profession instead of modelling, just like with Sone, he said he was here because of someone. It seemed like the two beautiful teachers have known each other for a long time, so everyone assumed that this 'someone' was actually her. This is Ishimoto Ren.

"Hone—"He shook his head, Haruka wondered why he mistook his colleague's name. "Sone-sensei, we need to talk."

"Uh-oh!" Tomo-chan shouted. "I sense a lover's quarrel!"

The other girls joined the teasing, shouting 'Don't break up!' or 'Our ship might sink before it even sailed!' Sone-sensai glared at them, before shaking her head and announcing to the class that she'll be gone for a few minutes and to continue the match without her. The girls shouted a 'Hai!', she gave them one last smile before standing outside the gym with the young science teacher.

The class started whispering.

"Don't you think they suit each other?"

"Sone-sama belongs to me!"

"Sone-sensei belongs to everyone; Ishimoto-sensei shouldn't hog her all to himself!"

Tomochika sighed, relieved that everyone forgot about what she said a few minutes ago. She turned and looked at her best friend, before she could open her mouth to ask her question again, Haruka beat her out of it.

"Is it alright calling Sone-sensei such names?" She bit her lips nervously. "Won't you get in trouble?"

The red-haired athlete blinked, before she bust-out laughing. No one seemed to mind them anymore, for they were still busy gossiping about the teachers.

"Oh Haruka!" She wiped the tear off her eye, "It's a norm for me to call her like that! Don't you remember I'm part of the track and field team and she's the advisor of the club? We're actually buds and we eat ramen together after practice! After all the ramen and sakes and I bought her, all she could pay back is to allow me to call her baba!"

Haruka nodded, though hesitantly. She knew Tomo-chan has the habit of being friendly with other people, to the point where she becomes over friendly and disrespectful. As her friend, she needed to remind the energetic girl about respect to other people.

In front of the gym, where the two teachers were talking, the beautiful shouted.

"—AI?!"

"I sense a third party!" The red-haired shouted, enough for her voice to echo until the outside of the gym.

Sone-sensei went back inside the gym with an angry look, it seemed like she heard Tomo-chan. She immediately went to the track and field ace, crushing her temples with her knuckles. The poor athlete winced in pain.

"Shibuya," She said with a smile but her tone was menacing, it sent chills to Haruka's spines. "Another word from you and I'll be giving you 100 laps on training. Understood?"

Tomochika straightened up, nodding fiercely.

Sone-sensei smiled again, now a demonic aura was emitting from her body. The two red-heads crawled away from her in fright. She turned and faced the court.

"Minna!" She shouted, catching their attention. "I'll be out for a bit! Please behave while I'm gone!"

"She's gonna have a date with Ishimoto-sensei!"

All eyes turned to Tomochika, she shook her head and made a gesture saying it wasn't her. They all turned to the other ace of the track in field team, a girl with short brown hair with a headband on her head, Ayumi. A nerve popped on Sone-sensei's head.

"That's it, Takahara. 10 laps on the oval later."

"What?!" Ayumi made the 'scream' face, the whole class laughed.

"That's all girls, see you in a bit!" She said before turning around to meet the other teacher, her voice became a whisper. "Who are we sending?"

"You know…" He said in a casual tone, their voices became softer and softer as they walked away from the building. "That corrupt politician…"

Once the two teachers were out of sight, the gossip, the game, and the two red-haired's chit-chat continued.

"Do you think it's alright for our teacher to leave like that?" She whispered.

"Meh," Tomo-chan only shrugged. "Enough about those two, tell me about the kiss!"

She still remembered… Haruka sighed in disappointment.

"No tongue or yes tongue?" Tomo-chan looked like she was going to explode from excitement; she was literally jumping while she was sitting on the floor.

The rosette blushed.

"N-n-n-no t-t-t-tongue…" The energetic red-haired snapped her fingers, shaking her head in disapproval. "He kissed me on the cheek… I do not think Ichinose-san is the type so lick someone's cheek, Tomo-chan."

"WHAT?!" Tomochika stood up from her sit in shock. "He only kissed you on the fucking cheek?!"

All eyes went on them again; the whole gym became awkwardly silent. Haruka pulled the red-haired back on the gym floor, covering her face with her hands. Tomo-chan laughed nervously, telling the other girls to not mind them. After they went to their own business, the red-haired leaned closer and lowered her voice.

"What?! They told me it was on the lips!"

"L-l-l-lips?!" Haruka stammered, clearly shocked. So that's why she was treated being called a 'slut' because they thought she was making out with the president in front of the gate in the middle of the morning!

Amethyst eyes widened, a sudden idea came to her mind.

"Hey, Haru-chan?"

Haruka blinked. "Yes?"

"Have you ever..." She paused, looking away bitterly. The rosette wondered why she was making such a reaction. "Kissed Ichinose on the lips?"

The rosette blushed crimson. She looked down, closing her fist in embarrassment. "W-w-what made you ask all of a sudden?"

"Just answer, Haruka."

Haruka looked up, surprised that her best friend called her by her real name. Whenever she does this, it only means one thing: Tomochika was dead serious. And Tomo-chan wasn't the type to act serious, no matter what. Deciding that she should throw her shame away, the rosette answered truthfully.

"No."

"Have you held hands?"

"Yes."

Tomo-chan sighed in relief, hands on her chest. "At least he did that one…" She paused abruptly, her eyes dilated before she shook her head. "No, even they would do such a thing if they're desperate…"

"Tomo-chan," Haruka whispered, getting worried and tensed up because of the way the red-haired was acting. It was weird; she looked like a detective who was close on solving something. The question is: what is the mystery she was trying to solve? "Is everything alright?"

She looked at the rosette with such intense eyes; it made her gasp in shock. After a few seconds, it turned into a smile and she shook her head.

"No, it's fine." She said, but Haruka knew better. Her smile was a forced one. "Just answer my last question honestly."

Haruka nodded hesitantly.

"What was his reason why he asked you?"

She blinked.

"What?"

"Please, Haruka." She grabbed her hands, eyes were pleading. "You have to tell me! It's for your own sake!"

Haruka tilted her head to the side, frowning a little. She did not know why Tomo-chan needed to know, but it seemed it sounded so important so she'll just tell her. After all, they are friends. She can trust her among all the people in the world.

"He told me he doesn't know."

"'He doesn't know?!" Tomochika repeated, but this time she was so shocked, she only said it in a whisper.

Haruka nodded.

The red-haired placed her hand under her chin, doing the 'thinking' pose. If this was a normal event Haruka would have teased her, but since her tone sounded as so sharp it could cut her skin, the rosette decided to shut up.

"Haruka, please don't be shocked." Tomo-chan said, but it was only scaring Haruka of what was coming. "I'm going to tell you something really important, but first, take a deep breath. I don't want you having a panic attack or something."

Haruka arched an eyebrow but followed. She inhaled slowly, and exhaled. Tomo-chan patted her on the shoulder and opened her mouth.

"You're being used."

Haruka only gaped, unable to react.

"And what's even more disgusting," Tomochika gritted her teeth, her fingernails digging on her best friends shoulder. She winced in pain but didn't say anything. "You're being used as a cover."

"Cover?"

"Don't you understand?" She removed her hand, Haruka sighed in relief. "Okay, Haruka. Take another deep breath. Because I thought you would understand as soon as I told you."

The rosette inhaled and exhaled. After she was finished, Tomochika spoke.

"Ichinose is gay."

Haruka deadpanned.

"…What?"

"I know you're shock, Haru-chan." The red-haired said in a comforting tone. "I am, too but—"

"You don't even know Ichinose-san." Haruka said, the volume of her voice increased as each word escaped from her mouth.

"But Haruka," Tomochika grabbed both her shoulders, trying to calm her down. "Doesn't it make you wonder? You're his first girlfriend. No one has ever seen Ichinose talked with any girl, so the whole school was shocked when we found out you're dating him out of nowhere!"

"And so?" She said in a voice that was much louder than her usual, it might as well be considered as 'shouting' in her case. "Just because he doesn't talk with girls you think he's gay?"

"Nanami Haruka." Tomochika shook her body softly, snapping her out of her growing anger. "It has been a long talk in our school that Ichinose and Ittoki are… like that."

Haruka made a face. She saw what they were like in the student council room. They acted like how Nanami would act around Shibuya. In other words, they were best friends. Has the world become this malicious they think of friendship as 'gay'? If that's the case, every single one of us is homosexual because we have friends of the same gender!

"And maybe Ichinose heard about the rumors about him, so he tried to use any girl he could find just to cover up his sexuality and—"

"SHUT UP!" The usually silent rosette exploded, rising up from the floor. "Don't you dare defame Ichinose-san in front of my face!"

"Haru-chan…" Tomochika looked up at her, clearly surprised that for the first time, she heard her best friend raise her voice. And to add the fact she was doing it to her, Shibuya Tomochika, her best friend. She looked away, biting her lips. "He changed you…"

Haruka took a step back, tears brimming in her eyes. She wanted to apologize; she didn't mean to shout at her like that. But it doesn't mean she's her best friend she could talk about Tokiya like that!

"I'm… I'm going to call Sone-sensei—"Before she could even finish her sentence, a volley ball appeared out of nowhere and hit her on the head. Haruka fell flat on the floor, a loud thud echoed across the wide gym as her head hit the ground.

"Haru-chan…?" Tomochika crawled closer to her best friend, turning her body and brushing her hair off her face. "Haru-chan, are you—"

Amethyst eyes widened when her fingers felt something wet on Haruka's scalp. She slowly pulled her hand away, face slowly contorting to horror when she saw a red liquid on her fingers.

"HARUKA!"

Author's Note: Inspired by a certain review xD

I borrowed the three non-UTAPRI characters from different animes because I certainly am not fond of OCs. Clue: The two teachers and the student who was told to run 10 laps xD Can you guess who they are?

I'm still waiting for more suggestions!