The Inconveniences of: Rumors

Blush tinted the brunette's cheeks. "W–What are you talking about?" she inquired, truly curious.

"You know what we're talking about, Mai!" Keiko said angrily, slamming her palm down onto the desk for an added effect as if they were going through with some serious-business interrogation. Mai flinched, leaning back in her chair as she listened to her friends rant. "You got Kahaya Yoshiaki-sempai's number the other night and there are rumors going around that you two have already 'done the deed'!"

Is that why she had felt everyone's disapproving gazes on her back?

Mai blanched, nearly choking on her own saliva, and froze in her seat. She had been completely stoned during the entire party and had no recollection whatsoever of any guy named Yoshiaki or even 'doing the deed'. Now that they mention it, her period was a bit late. "I–I…" she stuttered, not able to find the words to express her horror.

"Oh, Mai," Michiru started, her hands rubbing Mai's shoulders in what was supposed to be a sort of comforting manner. "Please tell us this isn't true…"

But Mai couldn't deny the claims. She honestly couldn't remember that night at all, save for when she got home to an extremely POed Naru. She stood suddenly, escaping from the little barricade her friends had formed, and jogged hastily out of the door. "I have to go," she yelled back to them.

The called after her, telling her that class was about to start, but Mai refused to turn around. "Excuse me," she stopped someone in the hall, bowing politely, "Can you tell me where I might find a boy by the name of Kahaya Yoshiaki? I believe he's a third year."

After extracting the information, she made her way to the class room he was supposedly in. She slammed the door open in a rage, not caring that she was way out of her league, crowded around by a ton of third years. "Kahaya Yoshiaki-sempai," she called out.

Everything immediately silenced, until a boy, who was surprisingly tall and clearly very intimidating, raised his hand, a smirk prominent on his face. "That's me, Taniyama-san," he replied smugly, hoping off of his desk. After making his way through a crowd of girls that had surrounded him, he stopped before the brunette standing in the door way.

Sure, she had seen him around the school before. He was very popular, always talking with younger girls or cutting class with his friends on the roof. And his conceited attitude pissed Mai off to no end. "I think we need to talk," she eyed the upperclassmen girls whispering about her and then turned back to the boy towering over her. "In private," she suggested further, seeing as how he didn't look like he was about comply with her wishes.

"Ah," he hummed, smirking further. Mai was guessing he had just twisted her words into something rather inappropriate. She scowled beckoning for him to follow her up to the roof. Of course, Mai was a little worried he would try something now that they were alone, but she could deal…hopefully.

"Look," she started, turning to gaze at Yoshiaki spitefully once she knew they were alone.

"Oh, someone sounds peeved," he said playfully.

Mai was not in the least bit amused, however. "You spread those rumors about us, didn't you? Well, you need to sop them now. I can't have people staring at me everywhere I go, it…it's mortifying! Why would you spread something like that?"

"It's called popularity," Yoshiaki said with a big smile, circling around the smaller student almost as if he was going to eat her alive, "Something I believe you have no knowledge about, dear Mai. And who ever said those were rumors? That night…you can't even remember, can you?"

She held her breath. "First off, I don't care about popularity. There's no need for it, really. And second off, tell me what really happened."

He chuckled, reaching out to grab a lock of Mai's brown hair, but she pulled away from him. The scowl upon her face deepened as he attempted in making bodily contact, which she was not quite ready for after hearing those rumors. Which they were; they had to be. There's no way. She was only 17 years old, for heaven's sake!

"So we didn't really do it," he admitted, his blonde hair blown by a strong breeze, "but we definitely could have. I mean, you were totally stoned. You wouldn't have been able to fight me off."

"How dare you even think something like that," Mai howled, throwing her fist at him and striking his cheek. He was a little surprised, but captured her wrist to prevent any future attempts. He twisted it into a very painful position, and Mai cried out, unaware at the tears forming in her eyes.

"Mai," she heard her voice being called by a familiar voice, and turned in the direction it was in, letting the tears that stung her eyes fall freely. It was Naru to the rescue, holding her bento that she must've forgotten at home.

"Naru," she cried, pulling away from Yoshiaki as if she had done something shameful although it was excruciatingly painful on her part. Naru's eyes narrowed dangerously and he stepped in front of her as though he were a knight in shining armor. Mai buried her face into his back and sniffed. "Thank you. Thank you so much, Naru."

"I suggest you go to class," Naru told the taller boy, his gaze never wavering. He wasn't scared. Hell, he could kick this guy's sorry ass to next Tuesday! He should, for hurting Mai, but he wouldn't. Naru knew that it would only make his assistant more upset than she already was. "The bell already rang."

Yoshiaki didn't argue, much to Mai's surprise. Instead, he raised his hands in a white flag gesture. "You win, Mai. I'll stop the rumors." And with that, he left.

What the hell was that? You think the guy would put up more of a fight. But he…just gave up? (But she hadn't seen the horribly threatening glare that Naru was giving him) Mai sighed in relief, slumping against the back of her savior.

"Mai," Naru's tone softened as he turned around just in time to catch her limp form. She was trembling, and usually it was an adorable sight, if the one who had caused her to do such was him, but since it was not, the sight just angered the narcissist. "What did he do to you?"

She shook her head and was incapable of answering him, so she just buried her tear streaked face into his black shirt. "I'm sorry."

He lifted her into his arms, and held her close to his chest. "I'll take you home."

…

Eh, gay chapter, protective Naru, random rumors. What else can I do! I fail, I know. So I hope you liked this really badly written chapter. Only 75 more to gooooo~! Are you prepared?

By the way, the 'Losing Keys' one is chapter 45. A long way to go, but I promise I'll update fast. Have a safe move SnowSisters!

Next time on The Inconveniences…the inconveniences of: bras! Let's just say it's a good day for Mai.