Author's notes: The 25th chapter is here; enjoy the story! Pointers:
Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon …lalala
Summary: The rules have been broken and now, someone has to suffer the consequences…
Note to readers:
Well, after reading my story for quite some time, some of you must be wondering about the pairings. The pairings seemed to keep changing every time and you can't seem to quite work out what the final pairing will be.
I would just like to say this. I didn't want to reveal the pairings because it's my way of doing things. I just hope that you guys would enjoy the process and also, make things a little interesting by guessing the pairing.
Whether or not the final pairing is the one which you really wish for, I just hope that you would still enjoy my story. You can scold me all you want if the pairing is not the one you have been wanting, or flame me or whatsoever.
I just want people to enjoy my story and keep along the suspense and excitement. That is all, I'm not angry, just hope that you guys would understand. (: Thank you.
For Reviewers:
Fiorella Takaishi – Hey thanks for the review and your support all along too!
Tomboy 601 – Yup, that's why. Thanks for the review too!
Takerus Lost Angel – Thanks for the review, and well…I don't really intend to do nasty things to the fans. :)
Celestial-Dragonz – Hey, thanks for the review!Well, it could be a decoy…
TogetherAgain – Thanks for the review!
Raena – Thanks for the review! Hmm…the next few chapters would have more clues as to who the culprit is…
CHAPTER 25:
Double Effect
"…I've realize something much, much greater than that…" She looked into the blue eyes. "I…" Takeru wasn't prepared for what she was going to do. The lass uplifted her toes and pecked him on the cheeks. "I like you, Takeru."
"…" Takeru was bewildered. He was bowled over by the sudden confession from the brunette that his mind went blank. "Catherine…" He looked right into her glittering eyes full of passion.
This shook the lass awake and she blushed. She went muttering over her sentence as she looked away from the blonde's eyes. "I'm…I'm so-so…sor-sorry!" She muttered. "I…I…do-don't mea-mean anything at all, serious!" Then, she looked right into his eyes again. Her heart thumped fast, that she almost felt that heart was going to pop out. Then, she blushed at the sight of Takeru.
"Erm…" The blonde looked up, as he scratched his head, feeling kind of embarrassed. "Let's…"
"Go home." The lass nodded uncertainly. Then, Takeru agreed and the 2 of them went home, after a long day of fun…
-- -- --
The brunette wasn't prepared too, as Daisuke hugged her from behind, she froze.
"Hikari, I…" Daisuke's heart thumped fast. "I…I like you…"
"…" She wanted to move yet she can't. She was stunned for the moment until her mind came back to her conscious again, wanting to be free from the sudden hug. "Daisuke…let…go of me…" She said slowly. Daisuke, instantly let go as he moved back.
"I'm…I'm sorry!" He apologized. Then, he felt awkward that he went up to hug a girl. He dare not look at the brunette, who had her back still facing him.
"…Daisuke…" The brunette muttered. "I…"
"I'm sorry!" He looked up. "But…" He tried to voice out yet he restrained. "But…But…"
"…" She looked back. "I don't think that…now…"
"It's okay, it's getting late!" He spoke. He laughed, though clearly showing that he faked it, "Let's go home now!" The brunette merely nodded and the 2 of them went home too…
-- -- --
The next day…
"Takeru!" 1 of the boys called out as he passed the ball to the blonde. Clearly in an empty area, the blonde released a shot into the air. However, he was a little bit slow, resulting in a miss. Then, the game went on as the opposing team got the rebound. Takeru, however, stood on the spot, looking tired and restless.
After a while, they went on to cool down, preparing for the lessons ahead. Takeru sat down by the bench as Hayato approached him. "Here," He held out a bottle of mineral water to the blonde.
"…Thanks," He smiled as the spiky-headed sat down beside him. He then started drinking, while looking at the empty court.
"What's wrong? You look so restless today," Hayato asked.
"Huh? Do I?" Takeru gave a puzzled look.
"…Well, there you go," He smiled. Takeru gave a muddle look on his face with his mouth opened.
"Nothing's wrong," He threw the bottle away and packed his bag. "Let's get going or we're going to be late for classes…" He stood up while Hayato followed.
As the 2 boys walked, Hayato started asking again. "You can't hide from me. We've been friends for long. I know how you're feeling right now,"
"…" Takeru kept quiet. "Well, come on, stop asking stupid questions and get to class already!" He smirked and ran along the corridors, with Hayato chasing behind him…
-- -- --
During break…
"Oh my…" 1 of the petrified looking girls covered her mouth in shock as more and more people gathered around the lockers. Right in the middle was Masumi with her jacket in her hands, smeared with red paint over the back. Masumi wasn't looking too happy with it at all.
"Hey, I'm going back first," Hayato said as he walked back to the classroom. Takeru, on the other hand, was walking pass and noticed the commotion going on.
"What's…going on?" He walked into the crowd. Then, he gasped upon seeing the ruined jacket. "What the heck…"
Then, Kazumi and several other girls walked to Masumi. "What…What happened?" Masumi remained quiet, still holding on to her jacket. Then, 1 of the girls noticed a paint brush and she took it out. Then, everyone started commenting again.
"…" Takeru observed until he felt his phone vibrating. He answered. "Hello?"
"…Tada…" A sneaky voice came. Takeru scowled.
"So…you did that?" He asked, still staring at the girls. The voice snickered hard and evilly.
"…Well? How was it? Splendid work eh?" The voice laughed. Takeru gripped even tighter onto the phone.
"…Stop it, will you?" He demanded.
"My, my…Please, do control your little temper there…" The voice sneered.
"What do you want?" The blonde growled. Then, the voice laughed again.
"Well, of course, the main show's just getting started..." She snickered and the call hung up. All of a sudden, a brunette's name was called out.
"Hikari, I've found your brush!" Chisato called out, as she waved at the brunette. Hikari ran there excitedly, until she realized everyone else staring coldly at her. Masumi dropped the jacket. "…Oh no…" Chisato gasped, as she went to block Hikari.
Masumi walked slowly towards the brunette. Everyone gave way to her, and continued watching. All of a sudden, the girl thrust her hand towards the brunette's shirt and pulled her. "…You did that…" She glared, and Hikari froze.
"I've got to get a teacher!" Chisato murmured in a hurry, as she ran down the hallway.
"…I…I don't know anything!" Hikari cried, looking afraid. Masumi merely listened and pulled Hikari into the girls toilet along with her other friends. All of a sudden, the people dispersed back into the positions, still commenting. Takeru watched in horror as he stood there, with a call coming right in.
"So?" The voice came. Takeru kept quiet. "This is just a simple test…To see if you could continue to abide by the rules…well…it's that simple…" She laughed.
"…You…" Takeru growled. He gripped even tighter. The voice laughed again.
"Well…if you want the game to end fast…I suppose I could…" Takeru gritted, restraining himself from the correct actions. "Well..."
"…" He gritted, clenching harder and harder, his veins bulging out.
This…is this the right choice to make?
He hung up the call and ran towards the toilet, until he noticed someone else running towards the same direction. It was Daisuke. "Hikari!" He yelled as he ran inside, and the blonde froze on the spot, right outside the toilet.
"…Daisuke…" He murmured, as he continued walking into the toilet, slowly. The crowd was already dispersed. He noticed the hot-head standing right in front of the girls.
"Hey, can't you be more gracious like a lady?" He provoked, leaning against the wall. Masumi paused and glared into the hot-head's eyes.
"…Don't butt in here." She said coldly.
"…Hehe…" Daisuke snickered, as he crossed his arms. "Let her go, before I really hit girls…" He demanded.
"…" Masumi looked at Hikari and then back at Daisuke. She sneered. "Count yourself lucky today…" Then, she walked off along with the other girls. Takeru was just standing by the door, watching all along. Daisuke approached the brunette.
"Are you okay?" He asked. Takeru furrowed.
"…" Hikari sniffed and ran out of the door, only to bang into Takeru. The blonde looked right at the brunette. The 2 of them froze until Hikari got up and apologized. "I'm sorry!" She ran out of the toilet, crying hard. Takeru got on his feet as Daisuke walked.
Takeru was facing Daisuke, and the hot-head walked passed him, pausing right beside him. "You were right there…Weren't you? Then, why didn't you help?" He asked. Yet, there was no answer and Takeru stood there, looking all shocked. Daisuke shook his head in disagreement as he walked out briskly, with the blonde still standing on the spot.
"…" He scowled and looked down. "I…wanted to help…" He said, looking sad…
-- -- --
He stood alone by the chairs, looking at the vast, grand, blue sky. He was all alone, with emptiness in the air. He stared, at the sky, looking all lifeless. Then as he sighed, wanting to leave the roof, he received a call. "Hello…?"
"…My, my…That was all so exciting…" The voiced mocked.
"You're too much…" Takeru growled.
"Why? Isn't that my obvious plan?" The voice laughed and Takeru yelled.
"Why can't you stop all these nonsense?!" He yelled into the phone.
"…You have already violated the rules…" She sneered as Takeru gasped.
"…What did I do?" He asked, still in shock. Then, the snickering sound came again. Takeru sneered.
"Well…I suppose you have forgotten what you did…" She laughed. Takeru gritted and yelled.
"Damn it! What the heck should I do to make you stop?!" He roared, totally vexed with the situation.
"Let me remind you that this is all part of the game, and there's no stopping until 1 of us perishes!" She cracked. "Of course, you almost resorted to saving her, until that durian-head went to save Hikari…"
"…" Takeru was dumbfounded.
"You shall soon face the consequences…" She hung up and Takeru stood on the spot, still on the phone. He slowly let down and scowled. Then, placing the device on the table, he walked to the corner.
"…" He breathed in hard. And then, he let out all he felt to the vast sky. "Ahh----------hhh!" …
-- -- --
The Next Day…Early morning…
Catherine was exceptionally early that day, hoping to finish her class duty fast. Just as she walked into the class, shoving the door aside, she saw Hikari standing by the window and seemed to be enjoying the morning breeze. Then, the brunette turned and also realized the lass looking at her. She merely smiled and nodded her head as a form of greeting. The lass nodded and went to her seat.
Just as Catherine was taking out her books, the brunette asked. "Hey," Catherine looked up confusingly at the brunette as she continued, "Takeru…What do you think of him…?"
"…" Catherine was stunned, never expecting Hikari to ask such a question. "Well…" She frowned. "He's not too bad…"
"…Is that so…" Hikari replied. Then, she bent down, laying her hands on the frame, relaxing with the breeze. "Sometimes…" Catherine looked up again. "I feel that I just don't understand people like him…"
"…Hikari…" She murmured.
"There's just this urge for me to understand him…To know him better…To…be his friend…" She sighed. Catherine frowned as she heard, staring at Hikari, seeing her looking so serious for the first time. Then, a smile from the brunette shook her awake. "Well, I won't bother you then. I'm sure you have things to do…Bye." She walked out slowly, still smiling on her face.
"…" Catherine watched as Hikari walked to the door. "Hikari…" The brunette stopped and looked. "Takeru's just like any of us…" The lass winked. "It isn't hard to understand someone as long as you have the heart to do so, no matter who they are, they're all the same…"
Hikari listened. "That is what I believe…Takeru's just like everyone else, someone who needs love and companion, like you and I do. He's just the type who rather keep things to himself and settle his problems alone, that's probably what makes him himself…" She smiled.
-- -- --
The blonde walked along the doors, hoping to get some paint from the art room. Just as he was about to enter, he overheard a conversation. He peeped and saw Masumi in the room, sitting down by the tables in the middle. "Masumi…?" He mumbled.
The girl was painting, totally focus in her work. Takeru observed. It was a fanciful-looking painting, brilliantly colored with focused details. It was a simple portrait of a young woman. She looked rather noble and glamorous. Takeru was bewildered and all of a sudden, he tripped down.
"Who's there?" Masumi turned immediately, only to find the blonde on the floor, growling in pain. "What are you doing here?"
"…I'm sorry…" Takeru got on his feet and apologized. Masumi ignored him and intended to stop her work. Then, Takeru stopped her. "Can I ask…who that woman is?" The blonde took a closer look and noticed the person in the painting looking somewhat like Masumi. He gulped.
"...She's my sister…" She said as she continued painting. Takeru stared for a moment.
"Surprising eh? Not many people know that I've got a sister. She passed away when I was young…"
"…I'm sorry…" Takeru looked down apologetically. Then, he noticed the shiny earring like accessory on the jacket that has been smudged with paint. He looked up and noticed the same accessory on the painting. "That jacket…it belonged to your sister?"
Masumi nodded. Takeru frowned as he leaned against the table. "Well, if there's nothing else, I suggest you leave me alone…"
"…Well…" Takeru pondered. "Do you really hate Hikari that much…?"
The girl smirked upon hearing that. "Not really…I've already played with her once, and that's all I'll ever do…"
"Played with her once…?" Takeru's attention was derived. He walked towards Masumi. "What do you mean?"
The girl smirked again and looked up at Takeru. "The photo of me crying was all set up by us." She then turned back to continue her painting. Takeru was totally shocked upon hearing the news.
Don't tell me that they have been the ones coming up with all the scheming plans to frame Hikari…No; wait it can't be…Why would Masumi want to ruin her own stuffs?
"…" He gulped. "Masumi, are you and…"
"But the photo taken was just something we wanted to keep for ourselves." She smirked. "Who knows how the heck the photo got leaked out…"
"…No way…" He murmured. Then, he stared into the air, with several things in mind.
If that's so…That means there's someone else out there trying to frame Hikari…Who is that person?
"I…better get going…" Takeru turned without hesitation and left the room…
-- -- --
At night…In the art room…
A shadow cast upon the ground, with the moon hanging up on the night sky. The figure walked slowly, with her fingers fidgeting on the lighter. Then, she walked up to 1 of the paintings placed beside the sink. She smirked.
"My, my, isn't this Hikari's work?" She touched the painting and scratched on it. "This…" She lit up the lighter and positioned her hand in front of the painting. "Is the end of it…" She burnt the painting and snickered as she continued watching. Then, all of a sudden, 1 of the paintings near the sink fell and caught the fire.
"No, what is going on?" The room was soon in chaos, with scorching fire burning the room…
-- -- --
The next day…
"Hey, have you heard? Masumi has been called into the Principal's office regarding the art room being burnt down yesterday night…" There was a commotion in the class, and Takeru was listening all along.
"…What happened?" He murmured. Then, the commotion continued.
"And I heard that Kazumi dragged Hikari to the roof…" She frowned. "Something bad sure is going on…" Takeru stood up, in shock. Daisuke overheard the same thing and he ran out of the class. Takeru followed slowly up to the roof.
-- -- --
"Miss Shiomizu, I suppose you very well know the seriousness of the matter…" The principal looked up at Masumi, who looked rather displease.
"But the problem is that I didn't do it!" She yelled back. Then, the principal sat upright.
"I hope you would understand that without a proper witness or evidence to prove your innocence, we can't do much about it…" He sighed.
"…Why am I the suspect?" She glared.
"According to this…" He placed an earring on the table. "We found it the sink I'm sure it belongs to you…" Masumi was dumbfounded.
"…I left it in the room after work." She answered firmly but the principal merely nodded.
-- -- --
"It's your entire fault!" Kazumi pulled Hikari. The brunette struggled in pain.
"Let go of me!" The brunette fought back, and managed to make Kazumi let go. "What did I do?"
"You've got Masumi into big trouble now!" Kazumi yelled, glaring murderously at Hikari.
"…She didn't do it…Did she?" Hikari sounded shocked.
"Stop faking, will you?!" Kazumi pulled Hikari's shirt.
"I'm not!" She struggled again.
Just then, Daisuke arrived at the door, almost wanting to walk out and stop Kazumi…
-- -- --
"And from what I've heard, the source of the whole incident seemed to be Miss Yagami's painting. It was badly burnt and other than that…" Masumi gulped. "There seemed to be some dispute between you and she and that could be the reason why you wanted to burn her painting…"
"I'm telling you, I DIDN'T DO IT!" Masumi shrieked as she clenched her fists tight, sounding very annoyed. The principal shook his head and looked up firmly…
-- -- --
"This is your entire fault! You've been nothing but trouble to us!" Kazumi had lost control. She let out her hand, wanting to slap Hikari on the face. It was then, Daisuke wanted to run out and stop her. He ran out towards the 2 girls.
"Hikari Yagami, this is for you!" Kazumi gave a strong swift, wanting to slap Hikari. Just then, it was as though everything had stopped in time. The surrounding was blank, totally empty. There, Hikari was still unsure what had happened. Kazumi couldn't believe her eyes. There, in front of her, a blonde stood. He had been slapped.
"Kazumi…" He said, as he moved his hand up and grabbed the girl's trembling hand. "Stop it…" He looked at her, firm and right. Daisuke froze on the spot...
-- -- --
"I'm afraid…you would have to be suspended from school until the truth arises…" He sighed, and Masumi froze too, totally jolted by the sudden announcement of suspension…
TO BE CONTINUED
A/N: Sorry for the long wait, here's chapter 25, all done. Sorry I haven't been updating for quite a while. I had a whole week of exams and also, I didn't get the feel to write the story, sorry! Anyway, hope you would enjoy the chapter! Do comment if you could!