The day starts out normal for me. My morning was normal, as well as my classes. History class with Akasaki-sensei becomes uneventful and finally lunch is here.

I didn't drift into the reception to do some self-study with Hibari like usual or accompany some of the members in their patrols. Instead, I was stuck in the library, studying my ass off like I was supposed to last night back was unfortunately out cold the moment I had got home after taking a long warm shower.

What a drag… Right now I would have been with Tsuna and the others or Hibari and- Wait…

I sigh aloud, resting my head over my folded arms. Damn this… I can't even study properly and my exams are tomorrow. It's pitiable enough that I have to retake these stupid make up exams with a bunch of students I probably convicted for littering once or twice.

I thought it would all be better for me if I got through all of that in the reception room with Hibari and quit but I feel worse then ever. Akasaki-sensei always seemed to be my distraction but it never lasted long with him. For some reason I didn't even know if I still held those feelings for him.

He was a man above me. He needed his career, I didn't want to be selfish enough to take that away from him all just for the sake of accepting my feelings.

Just don't get too carried away Ayame…

"Oh, still studying Ayame-chan?"

I find it hard not to jerk my head back up when I hear that familiar voice ring in my head. Speak of the devil…

"A-Akasaki-sensei! Wh-what are you doing here?"

Somewhere on the other side of the library, someone shushes me harshly. It makes me shrink my shoulders down in embarrassment, hell if I still had that arm band on I would have picked up that hard back on Geometry and send it flying to his face. But alas, I was in the presence of a teacher.

I guess that wasn't really why I didn't do it…

The older man chuckles softly, "sorry to scare you. I was returning a book and just so happened to see you here. How are things?"

"Fine, I guess." I offer a small smile of reassurance for myself, "um sorry I can't make it today sensei."

His next smile has my heart fluttering wildly in my chest like always, "it's alright. But I think you left your text book with me; I forgot to give them to you last time."

Nodding happily, he bids a goodbye and finally leaves me; I let out a breath I seemed to have been holding onto for a long time. No, I was wrong before. I was still hopelessly in-love with that man. It made me remember those times that when every time I saw him I would have these terrible urges to just scream out my feelings and throw myself against him.

But he was my teacher. I think that's what kept my tongue in.

[+][+][+]

"Hey check it out; Sakurai isn't wearing her arm band."

"Didn't you hear? She quit the disciplinary club."

"What! You serious? Did Hibari kick her out?"

"Nah, I heard-!"

Calm down Ayame. They can't help it, you know that.

I should be used to this now; being branded

Just then, I felt a bold tap to my shoulder. Readying a glare for any random student probably just itching to get another root for this pointless gossip, I falter a little when I see the gentle smiling face of Yamamoto.

"Yo, Ayame-chan." He waves a little, "want me to walk you to your class?"

"Um," what? "If you want to… I guess."

"Great!" The ecstatic baseball player then proceeds to sling an arm right around my shoulders, catching me completely off guard as a few other witnessing students gasp and stare in shock.

"D-did you see that!"

"I did! What the hell! I just saw her with Gokduera-san last week!"

Oh. Shit.

"Wh-what the hell are you doing Takeshi!" I quickly shove him off before anymore whispers enter my ear but the clueless teen just blinks down at me like he heard nothing at all.

"What's wrong Ayame-chan?"

My jaw drops open, yet I manage a few simple words out.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN WHAT'S WRONG! I SHOULD BE ASKING YOU THAT!" My flustered cry must have reached the next floor as the crowding student suddenly fall silent. Yamamoto looks a little dazed by the volume and I blink back as I hear several of the students shuffling to the side, creating a path for some invisible God, either that or he really was coming.

The silence becomes unbearable; I don't even have enough time to escape. Oh god, please no!

"Hm? Ayame-san?" It's Kusakabe, standing right beside an indifferent looking Hibari who yawns quietly into his hand as his entrance.

"Ahaha, Kusakabe-senpai… Nice to see you again."

He doesn't respond, in-fact he can't as a certain president of delinquents suddenly sends a piercing glare to every direction out there even without moving his head and raises his almighty tonfa like a judging mallet.

"You all have until three to get to class; anyone who doesn't make it will be bitten to death."

The hallway is quickly deserted even before Hibari could make it to two. I stand my ground though, despite the sudden trembling of my fist by my side. Behind me Yamamoto laughs that carefree laugh; unfortunately it does nothing to soften the atmosphere.

"We should get to class Ayame-chan. Since you're a senior I don't want you to get in trouble."

"… You go ahead Takeshi. I-I can get to class by myself."

I can see the slight amusement in Hibari's eyes as his surrounding men exchange a few awkward, unsure glances.

"Ahaha, I guess it can't be helped then."

Again, Yamamoto surprises me with his hand firmly on my far shoulder, I sharply turn back to meet his confident face with a mildly shocked one of my own. I makes me miss the sudden spark I see go off in the prefect's eyes as he tips his chin up a little higher, looking down on us like the prey he always comes across.

"T-Takeshi, really I-it's alright!" I wave my hands in-front of me in a panic, nudging myself away all the while. This was just too much. Yamamoto had done nothing wrong; and with the fact of his weird behavior…

The teen doesn't give in though, his grin just spreads. "What are you talking about? The kid asked me to look after you."

"L-look after me?" A sudden blush takes over my face. This can't possibly be Yamamoto's way of looking after someone…!

"Hey. Are you just going to stand around or are you asking me to kill you, herbivore?"

Blunt as always!

"Ah, sorry Hibari-senpai. I'll take Ayame-chan to class now, sorry for the bother."

With that, Yamamoto surprises me again by suddenly reaching to grab my hand. I stumble backward into the opposite direction. I really didn't want to leave just yet though. There was something that bothered me about the way Hibari pointed his entire stare right at me like Yamamoto had not been there the whole time.

I knew he still hated to admit that being involved with Tsuna and the others brought him the best thrill his entire prefect life but with the future now to look forward too everyone was trying their best to get back to how it all used to be. I know I did…

It wasn't easy… The thought made me keep my eyes forward as Yamamoto quickly led me down the hallway. I didn't look back; I knew that if I did it would just remind me of why I put up with Hibari the past two years since I got to Namimori.

"Ayame-chan…" I don't even realize that we're not even inside the building anymore as Yamamoto releases my hand.

We're up on the rooftop now that I take a look around and feel the breeze hit my face. For a second I'm starting to suspect the worst when Yamamoto turns to me with a sudden serious expression on his face.

My shoulders shrink back as he sighs and opens his mouth.

"I need to tell you something."