"What should I do now?" Shou asked to himself.
"Ah! Shou!" Ome came around the corner holding the sweets.
"Amy? What are you doing here? Where's MARs?" He looked around nervously.
"Shou just admit that you wanted to ask where Aira was."
"No! That's not it! That's definitely not it!"
"No use trying to explain yourself to me. Here." She gave him a goodie bag wrapped with a brown ribbon.
"Thanks but you know I-"
"Don't like sweets? Of course I know that. I made it with less sugar just for you, Hibiki and Sasahara."
"Sasahara?" He was trying to recall who that was.
"I guess the only freshman you have a problem with is Adams Seiji." She shrugged.
"Who said I had a problem with him?!" He yelled. He let some steam out as he sighed. "Putting that aside, have you seen Aira?"
"Yeah." He stared at her twitching his eyebrow.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?!"
"See, you did want to know where Aira was."
"Amy…" He was starting to get annoyed.
"I did see her and gave sweets as well. She was with someone else but I'm not telling you who that is, yet. She went home already just in case you wanted to walk her home."
"Who ever said that?!" He blushed.
"I guess I was thinking too much?"
"What are you planning on doing after this?"
"Finding everyone else and giving them these bags. What are you going to do?"
"I'll wait for Hibiki and Wataru."
"Oh? They joined clubs?"
"I finished all my work as treasurer of the student council. Hibiki's running errands as vice-president and Wataru joined the Theater Club."
"He was interested in acting?"
"No. I think he was forced to join by girls that couldn't find me or Hibiki to join."
"Aren't you 2 just wonderful friends?" She shook her head.
"What were we supposed to do? The girls wouldn't give up! I had to hide under a table and Hibiki had to hide next to a garbage can to get away from them!"
"Oh? If only I could've been there!" She snapped her fingers. It was obvious that she was mad that she missed a chance to take those pictures.
"I think it's actually better that you didn't take those pictures…"
"Anyway, go get Wataru and wait for me and Hibiki by the gate ok?"
"Was that Ome's voice I just heard?" Mion wondered out loud. She was walking to the auditorium to practice her singing. She was looking at her foot movements and humming to herself at the same time.
"Oi, Takamine Mion." She looked up to see 5 girls that looked ready to bully her. In a way she didn't really care. She was more annoyed than ever. Her eyes squinting showed that.
"What's wrong? Scared to see us?"
"Oh? That's what you think of yourself?" Mion purposely tried to annoy them.
"Hey! Don't act so high and mighty!"
"I'm not. What about you senpai? Needing to bring 4 other girls with you to badmouth me. Are you that cowardly?"
"Shut up!" She tried to slap Mion but she dodged it as if she were dancing.
"Hey… Isn't this getting bad? Harune Aira and Amamiya Rizumu were easy but…"
"What did these girls do to Aira and Rizumu?"
"What'd you girls do to Aira and Rizumu?" Her facial expression showed that she wasn't joking anymore.
"Nothing…"
"Oh really?" She grabbed a girl by the collar. "Mind telling me the truth?"
"It wasn't us! Some girls from the soccer team injured Amamiya and some 3rd years ripped up the clothes of the fashion club!" Mion let go. She was surprised that she didn't know any of this.
"We weren't in the wrong!" They all ran away as Mion slumped down. She stared at the floor in surprise.
"What kind of friend am I…?" Jiro came around the corner to see the face of a stunned Mion. He approached her slowly wondering what could have gotten into her.
"Mion Chan…?" She didn't answer him. When he sat in front of her she started to tear up. "Huh?!"
"Higuchi what do I do…?"
"A-About what?"
"I'm such a bad friend to Aira and Mion! What do I do?" He never saw her cry like this.
"It's ok-" He reached to pat her head.
"No it isn't!" She punched him in the knuckles. He needed a few seconds to react.
"Ow!" He was holding his hand as she started panicking.
"Ah! I'm sorry!" She pulled him toward the nurse's office 3 doors down.
"Higuchi Kun now?" The nurse sighed.
"Hai?" They didn't know what she was talking about.
"Sasahara was just here with a cute girl. Amamiya chan really is cute! What if they become a couple…?" She started laughing. Hearing about Rizumu coming to the nurse's office didn't exactly make Mion feel better. When Higuchi saw Mion's eyes droop, he tried to get her mind off of it.
"Fumie Sensei! I got punched and it hurts!"
"Ara, you got into a fight Higuchi Kun?"
"No… I was the one that punched him…"
"Ma! You guys were in a fight?"
"That's not it! Fumie Sensei please help me!"
"Sorry I have to go on another errand so… Takamine Chan you help him!" She dashed out of her chair.
"Are you ok? How bad is it? Let me see!" Higuchi pictured roses in the atmosphere as he was in a position where he could lean down and kiss Mion's hair.
"No! How would I ever explain it if I do it?!" Mion looked annoyed that he was shaking his head like he was crazy.
"Mou! Stay put so I can bandage your hand!" She put both of her hands on his face.
"But if I do that…" He went red.
"Just stay put until I've bandaged your hand. It looks like it really hurts…" She put the first aid kit on the table and took out some bandages and surgeon tape to hold the bandages. Higuchi smiled at how hard she was trying to help him.
"Thank you Mion Chan…" He smiled at her as she looked up.
"What are you talking about? It's my fault that you had to be treated… And it's all my fault anyway…" He stretched her cheeks.
"You expect me to believe that?! Mion Chan, you can't beat yourself up for things you didn't cause. I'm at fault this time ok?"
"You're not! Just let me be!" She slapped her own cheeks. He stopped her with both of his hands even if one hurt.
"What's gotten into you Mion Chan?!" Hearing him yell made her feel even worse. Her eyes burned as she started crying.
"I'm still not good enough at this point… I don't deserve such good friends…"
"Why…? Mion Chan…"
"I didn't know that Aira and Rizumu were being bullied to the point where they were tearing up… What kind of friend am I if I don't even know that?"
"I guess that is a bad friend…" He said softly. She started tearing up even more.
"I don't need you to tell me that!" He hugged her.
"But that doesn't mean you can't make it all better now does it?" She didn't say anything because she wouldn't stop turning red and blinking. "What's wrong Mion Chan?" He let go of her.
"It's not 'What's wrong Mion Chan'! Why did you suddenly hug me?!" She gripped his hand as she got out the bandages again.
"Ow! I'm trying to help so be a little more gentle Mion Chan!"
"I don't want to." She wrapped the bandages around his hand tightly and sealed it with the surgeon tape. She gave it a pat to check if it was tight enough.
"Mion Chan!" She laughed. When she finished she got up.
"I don't say this often so listen carefully Higuchi." She opened the door and turned his way as she put a hand on the wall. "I'll try harder." There was a small smile on her face. It was a genuine smile. She ran off right after.
"Isn't that a bit unfair Mion Chan?" He covered his mouth with the back of his hand from embarrassment. "Wait… What was it that she said?"
"Mion Chan! What's that supposed to mean?!" She could hear him down the hallway. Her mouth curved into a secret smile.
"Ah! Mion!" Ome came up the stairs.
"Ome?"
"The one and only. Here." She handed her a goodie bag wrapped with purple ribbon.
"T-Thanks…"
"Mion? Did you fall on your head?"
"Of course not! Why would you even think of that?!"
"Because something's off about you… You're really nice right now…"
"I'm always nice! Mou!"
"And that's the real Mion I know. What? Did Higuchi do something to you?"
"He didn't do anything! He really didn't hug me!" She was slapping air as her voice got louder.
"Ah I see… Then Mion, here's a question for you. How would you feel if Wataru knew about this?"
"Y-You're not planning to tell him are you?!"
"I might. But then again… Isn't the person you don't want to know about this most of all Jun?"
"That's right…"
"Then why am I…?"
"Alright. Don't worry. It was just a question." She sighed.
"Ome? What did you mean by that?"
"Nothing. I was just asking."
"That's got to be a lie!"
"Say whatever you want! Go meet up with Aira and Rizumu while you still have a chance!" She start running.
"You heard our conversation didn't you?!"
"Who could you be talking about?"
"Spying is unfair Ome!"
"I don't spy Mion Chan! It's called passing by!"
"Get back here Ome!"
"No way! If you want to know where Aira and Rizumu are, Rizumu's with Sasahara on the 2nd floor and Aira's by the gate!" Mion chased her down the stairs only to lose sight of her.
"Mou! Why can't I ever catch up to her?!" But as she peered out the window Ome was right. Rizumu and Sasahara were chatting near the window in the hallway of the 3rd floor. As Mion caught a glimpse of a bandage on Rizumu's face, she felt like rushing to her. But before she could do that, she saw Aira running back to the school's entrance. She decided just to go to Aira first and dashed down a floor to meet her at the entrance. And she succeeded.
"Mion Chan?!" They almost bumped headfirst into each other.
"Aira! Are you okay?!" She grabbed her arm. Aira flinched because she felt pain. Mion let go immediately.
"What's wrong Mion Chan?"
"I'm sorry Aira. Did you get hurt there?"
"I'm ok now! Seiji Kun bandaged it up for me so it'll heal in no time!"
"That's good…"
"And since you're here, Mion Chan, let's go get Rizumu Chan and Ome so we can all go home together!" She pulled her arm as they ran into the school together.
"Aira! Can we go find Rizumu? I want to talk to you guys about something…"
"Sure!" They raced down the hallway and found Sasahara and Rizumu coming toward them. Mion and Aira grabbed both of Rizumu's arms in unison.
"A re?" She didn't know what they were doing.
"Sorry Sasahara Kun! We'll be borrowing Rizumu Chan for a little bit so you can wait there until we're done talking ok?" Aira said, not sounding like her usually shy self.
"Chotto! What's wrong you 2?!" They finally stopped when they went into the music room. Mion faced the 2 of them.
"Aira, Rizumu. I'm sorry for being a terrible friend." She bowed her head at them.
"Mion Chan... What is this all about?" They both asked scared at her sudden change in behavior.
"Is it so wrong for me to apologize?!" She covered her mouth because those words came out of her mouth from anger, not what she really wanted to say. "Sorry that's not what I meant to say… I'm sorry that I didn't know that you 2 were bullied…"
"Ya ne! Mion Chan! We weren't bullied!" They laughed in unison.
"Why do you keep denying it?!" She punched the floor as she slumped down.
"But-"
"Why do you refuse to admit it to me, your best friend?!" They reached to help her up.
"Mion Chan-"
"I want you guys to depend on me not keep these things from me so I don't worry!" They started feeling bad too. Sasahara came around the corner and leaned on the wall near the door.
"Why do girls have so many problems…?"
"My sentiments exactly." Ome appeared right in front of his face. He was going to open his mouth to say something but she covered his mouth.
"What are you doing here? And let go of my mouth!"
"Weren't you supposed to wait around the corner? What are YOU doing here Sasahara?" Her facial expression gave him a pretty good idea of what she was thinking. She released his mouth when he looked like he was suffocating.
"Zhang! Are you trying to kill me?!" He whispered enough to make her feel irritated.
"Not really. I have a question for you, that's why I'm here."
"Another riddle?"
"They're normal questions Sasahara! Anyway, what do you think of Toudou Hibiki Kun?"
"What do you want me to tell you?" He was trying to annoy her.
"Your honest opinion Sasahara Kun." The menacing aura around her pressured him.
"He's too much of the type that everyone likes. In short he's annoying and too nice."
"Are you referring to him being too nice and hurting Rizumu in the process?"
"Who ever said that-"
"Keep your voice down!"
"Then you stop the weird remarks!"
"Ok fine. Then just what is your relationship with Rizumu?"
"We're classmates." He said bluntly.
"Then why'd you hug her?" He jumped from surprise and embarrassment.
"What are you talking about?!"
"Don't try to deny it! I saw it with my own 2 eyes!"
"That's not proof!"
"Oh? You're asking for proof? I have it right here." She pulled out pictures that showed a calm expression on his face as Rizumu was being held in his arms. He froze.
"This girl… When did she…?"
"There's no need to know when and where I saw that."
"Zhang!"
"Hai?"
"Never mind… Say whatever you want about our relationship…"
"Then you guys are more than friends right?"
"Stop lying!"
"Ok I was joking. Anyway. Here. For you and Rizumu." She threw 2 bags at him; One tied with cerulean blue ribbon and the other tied with a black ribbon.
"Since you're here why don't you give it to her?"
"Sorry but I've got other business to take care of. And so… Have fun walking the girls home ok?!" She ran off before he could protest. He looked down at the bags and a note fell out.
I know that as her friend I should be with her to protect from the bullying but I have to get something straightened out with the senpai you don't like and his friends. Until all of this is under my control, I hope you will protect Rizumu when I'm not around.
"Fine…" He walked around the corner and waited.
"We're sorry Mion/Mion Chan! We didn't know it hurt you so much!" They fell down too.
"To tell the truth, I really wanted to tell someone that I was lonely and needed someone there to support me! But because I was so weak, I felt that if I did people around me would come to hate me because I would be too reliant on them!" Aira spoke the truth as she covered her watery eyes.
"I'm sorry too Mion! I didn't want to tell you because I was so worried that you'd hate me for being so weak! I thought that if you didn't know… We would be happy friends forever!"
"Baka Aira! Baka Rizumu! I wanted to be a better friend to you 2! I wanted to be there to comfort you and be there for you guys forever!"
"We're sorry…" Tears flooded their eyes as they let out cries too. Mion went over and hugged the 2 of them. They hugged her back too.
"You guys are and always will be my best friends! You 2 were the only 2 that reached out to me when I was still a lonely super model. You became my friends even when I was stuck up and made you angry so you would leave me alone! I really value our friendship! So please…"
"Mion Chan…"
"I don't want to drift away from you guys… So please… Tell me whenever I'm doing something wrong or when you're in pain... I'll help you in any way I can… So don't break ties with-" The words coming out of her mouth made her cry.
"We would never be able to break off ties with you Mion Chan." Aira said as Rizumu agreed with her.
"You're always going to be our most important best friend!" Rizumu yelled as she put a hand on Mion's shoulder to reassure her.
"Thank you Aira, Rizumu… Please promise me this though." She wiped away her tears and looked at them seriously. They stared back at her waiting for her request. "Please promise me that from now on, we won't hide our true feelings from each other. No matter what."
"Mion/Mion Chan…" They looked confused by the promise she proposed.
"I know it's something hard to promise since we're all in the habit of hiding our feelings but I want to try! Friends share how they feel with each other and help each other overcome any obstacles that get in the way of becoming even better friends! I want to be that kind of friend to Aira and Rizumu who supported me no matter what!"
"We want to be that kind of friend to you too Mion Chan/Mion! We promise!"
"Aira… Rizumu…" They uncovered their cheer bracelets.
"We'll promise on our friendship won't we Rizumu Chan, Mion Chan?"
"Un!" Aira put her hand in the middle, followed by Rizumu. Mion put her hand on top of Rizumu's hand. As the girls reconciled, Higuchi looked in on what they were doing. As Mion slammed the door open, he jumped back.
"Higuchi?!" She was embarrassed to see him so soon.
"Hai?" He didn't know what was going on at all.
"Ah! Higuchi/Higuchi Kun!" Aira and Rizumu appeared behind Mion.
"What a coincidence!"
"Honto ni ne! Let's all go home together since you're here!"
"Sure…" As the girls walked out he stood there for a few seconds. He also got a note from Ome.
When Hyuuga Wataru and I aren't around, protect Mion.
"What exactly does she mean by this?" He continued to stare at the note while he walked behind the girls. The corner of Sasahara and Higuchi's eyes met.
"Yo Kazuya!" He waved. Sasahara just glared back.
"Nee? Since Higuchi can call you Kazuya can I too? It's easier that way!" Rizumu looked at him like a little girl begging for a toy from her father.
"Suit yourself." He said as he turned around. Aira looked at him and saw a tint of red.
"Does Sasahara Kun like Rizumu Chan?" Aira didn't seem to like the idea. Mion also realized how he felt toward Rizumu.
"Knowing Rizumu, she hasn't noticed anything at all..."
"Let's go home now shall we everyone?" Aira and Mion pushed them all out of the school. Seiji was waiting at the gate.
"Aira Chan! Did you find your handkerchief?"
"Hai! Thanks for waiting!" She happily conversed with him making Rizumu and Mion realize something too.
"Aira really is oblivious to her own matters too isn't she…" Mion wasn't really one to talk.
"It seems like Adams likes Aira but she doesn't know yet…" Meanwhile what was on Seiji's mind was the note he received just like Sasahara and Higuchi.
Things are going to get worse from here on so protect Aira. Especially when Callings and I aren't there.
Hibiki walked down the hall trying to get rid of the scene he saw.
"Hibiki!" Ome waved as she ran to him.
"What's up Amy?" He smiled warmly at her.
"You… Did something happen with Rizumu and Sasahara?"
"Nothing happened!"
"Is that so? Well anyway I need to talk to Callings so let's go home right now."
"But I still-"
"Please I know you finished all your work. You're probably just making an excuse to not see Rizumu. Let's go home. Ima. Ima sugu ni!"
"Chotto-" They got to the gate in a matter of 2 minutes. Shou and Wataru were standing there waiting for them.
"Hello Amy Chan!"
"Hello Wataru! Now let's get going shall we?" She threw 2 bags at Hibiki and Wataru. There wasn't much to explain about what it was.
"So what exactly do you need to talk about to the point where you need all 3 of us to go home with you? It's about MARs isn't it?" Wataru asked, perceptive of what Ome was getting at.
"I'm amazed. If you knew that much then can you guess what I'm trying to say?"
"That Callings needs to make it clear what their relationship is with MARs?"
"That's right. But I don't expect you to know the other part."
"What do you mean?"
"MARs is having a hard time in school. And I don't mean in grades if that's what you're thinking. Even Rizumu scored in the top 70." This just made the conversation become strange.
"I see…"
"I'll leave that to you guys to figure out. Now I need to ask. What is your relationship with MARs?"
"We're…" They didn't seem to know how to describe it. She sighed.
"Then what's your relationship with KIYUMI?" She said, annoyed at the silence.
"Friends probably…"
"Hm… Well then I'll be taking my leave. I want you guys to carefully think this all through because before you know it, MARs can end up being taken away by certain people…"
"What do you mean by taken Amy Chan?" Wataru caught on to her phrasing of the sentence.
"I'll make this a multiple choice question. What do you think I mean when I say MARs will be taken?"
a. MARs is going to transfer out of your reach.
b. MARs is going to be in a boy-girl relationship soon.
c. MARs is going to be kidnapped sometime in the future.
Callings eyebrows twitched at the last 2 choices.
"What kind of answers are these…?" They said in unison.
"I'm leaving it up to you guys what you decide. But you guys should act fast if you still want to be the closest to MARs. That's all I have to say for now." She skipped down the sidewalk and stopped around the corner.
"What are you trying to say to Callings?" KIYUMI surrounded her.
"Lots of things. What's it to you girls?"
"We're a part of Callings' business! We deserve to know!"
"You're sticking your noses in the wrong places KIYUMI. The reason why you got INTO Callings' business is because you were very pushy with your feelings. I'm not saying that's bad but perhaps you guys are being aggressive about the wrong things."
"What are you talking about? We like Callings so-"
"I can see that but have you ever stopped to wonder how they feel? I know that you have a grudge against MARs but think of it like this. This is all 'what if' so don't think bad of it. If Callings actually liked MARs even before you came into the picture, that would make KIYUMI the wall that blocks them from becoming a couple. And with that, your anger and hatred for MARs would increase because they are getting in the way of your love. Are you going to continue to help bully MARs to win over Callings? Don't lie about it. I've already collected enough evidence to prove to Callings that you are all a part of this mess."
"Then why haven't you told them or MARs?"
"Because doing so could possibly break MARs and end their relationship as friends when Callings realizes just how in the dark they were."
"Then you're telling us to give up on Callings so they can have a happy ending?! Why?!" Rie yelled as she started tearing up.
"That's not it. At this rate, MARs, Callings and you guys won't be happy. MARs is approaching a relationship with those 3 boys, Callings doesn't know how to react to your feelings no matter what and you guys will keep hurting MARs to get Callings when that's not your wish from the bottom of your heart."
"How do you know how we feel?! We were so angry and frustrated when MARs took away our first loves away right in front of our eyes! How could someone like you understand our pain?!" Mii let out her feelings.
"You're right. I don't understand your feelings. But I know that you girls are actually very nice girls that only act mean to cover up the pain and insecurities you have inside. That's something I understand…"
"That's not it! We'll do anything to get Callings!" They covered their ears.
"When you lie too much, eventually that lie becomes the truth. Is that really how you feel?"
"But if we don't try, Callings would slip from us and we'd be alone again…" They broke down. Ome kneeled down and patted Mii on her back.
"Yukimura Rie. Let me ask you. If Takamine Mion and Higuchi Jiro become a couple in the near future, how would you feel?" Rie froze from shock.
"I…"
"Think it over carefully girls. Is what you're doing justifying your feelings for Callings?"
~~~~~~~~Realization can really sting but in a way it makes you stronger. Rely on yourself to find out the truth. Someone's not always going to be there to tell you it.~~~~~~~~