Author's note: I'm the kind of writer who, even if you ask me to give a spoiler, or to clarify a plot device, I won't do it~ Maybe I will point you to the right chapters, if you ask?
I can only recommend you to reread the story after it's been completed, if things still don't make sense by then ;)
Best Left Unspoken
She really didn't know how to face the regulars on Monday, and so, because she had been granted permission to arrange her own club schedule…she opted not to go to morning practice.
Her emotional outburst in front of Atobe was one thing, but…
The thought of one silvery-haired boy kept coming to her mind…
"Yo." Nao nudged her with an elbow. "Princess. Aren't you going to answer Queen Mother?"
"Uh?" Shizuka snapped out of her daze, looking over to see that it was none other than Sakaki Yukina who was outside their hallway window.
"Sakaki-san…"
The auburn haired girl turned and moved from the window; an unspoken command for her to follow.
Shizuka glanced to Nao. "I'll be back."
"Don't you eat any apples she offers you," Nao drawled, sending her off with a lazy wave.
Shizuka followed Yukina at a respectful distance, although, it did nothing to lessen the amount of curious and knowing stares other students sent their way.
"Kagami, I'm sure you have questions."
She glanced at the back of the girl who spoke.
In fact, she had many questions. But, she didn't dare ask.
"You may not have heard of it," Sakaki Yukina started off, "I was also a returnee. First year of senior high."
"In many ways, it is more difficult for a returnee to be accepted in Japan, than a foreign transfer student."
Those words…
Shizuka could understand them, a little bit.
"All of a sudden, everything you have been taught to aspire to in western education landed you in trouble here." As she spoke, Yukina glanced around her surroundings; at the school she had spent three years of her adolescence in.
"Individualism is grudged against. It is unacceptable to be different. It is unacceptable to stand out. If you are unwilling to conform, then you are cast out."
Much like the students in class 2-F, now that Shizuka thought of it.
"Keigo was the first to acknowledge me as I am."
Again, she had used that name so familiarly.
Shizuka was curious when Yukina glanced back over her shoulder, wearing a small knowing smile.
"You remind me a bit of myself."
Yukina had paused before the stairs area, turning back to face her. She was waiting, Shizuka realized, and was offering to answer any questions before she returned to the third floor of third year students.
"…Sakaki-san…" Shizuka hesitated to say, awkward. "I have felt…at times…that you were actually looking out for me."
But then, how was she to explain the unfortunate events that she had gotten involved in? She had had no desire to make any assumptions, however… Why had Sakaki Yukina never denied anything?
"That incident with the serrated blade; the nurse had told me you only learned about my injury the same day it occurred, when you went to talk to the chairman of the health committee."
…The events that preceded that, and the events that followed…how many of them had been her shaping?
"Kagami."
Sakaki Yukina inclined her head regally, eyes closing briefly and wearing a small cool smile.
"This is as far as I will take you."
"Do you desire the truth…?" Turning, the auburn haired girl ascended the stairs. Glancing back down momentarily, the graduating queen said with another small, knowing smile, "…Then, the rest is up to you."
"Kagami."
The coach appeared quite satisfied when she approached him at afternoon practice.
"Good work on Saturday," he told her clearly. "You may be proud."
She had newfound respect for this man. In most circumstances, the values of the child reflected the education given by the guardian. It was easy to see why he and her father had been friends.
"No," Shizuka denied modestly, "I still have a lot I hope to learn from your daughter."
Before he got to assigning her tasks for the day, she looked over and saw their dark haired captain getting out of the changing room, followed by Kabaji. He caught sight of her, his dark eyes narrowing.
Urk.
"…Coach," she said. "Any chance you would like me to run an errand to the teachers' office, right now?"
He handed her the list of drills he wanted her to supervise, claiming curtly, "There isn't."
Coach…couldn't he humour her a bit?
Well then…the first years should be…in the opposite direction. She pivoted on her heels.
"Oi! Are you seriously avoiding this Ore-sama right now!?"
Could she succeed in avoiding him if she weren't serious?
"Kabaji!"
No sooner had he snapped that command than she felt herself being lifted away from the ground underneath her feet.
What-
"Got her." Kabaji reported dutifully with two words, holding her over his head.
Ah-!?
"I get it!" she protested. "Put me down."
Her heart was still hammering away inside her chest when she was set down before Atobe.
She needed to be more wary of that one. He may be a giant, but he could be fast.
"Oi, you," Atobe Keigo was wearing a speaking frown, crossing his arms unyieldingly before him, "Are you really that upset with me, ahn?" he demanded.
…
Being upset at Atobe Keigo, she felt…was almost like being upset at a mirror reflection of oneself. Because his eyes could see through everything. Because he never challenged a weakness that wasn't there to begin with.
A truly…terrifying opponent.
Smoothing her track uniform, she replied as evenly as she could, "…About that matter you wanted to pursue…"
"Ahn?" He seemed to click his tongue, cutting her off, and simultaneously granting reprieve in the way only he was able to do. "Forget it," said Atobe, curtly, eyeing her with his hawk-like gaze. "A guy in my position wouldn't want to be hated."
She peered at him carefully, wondering if he meant that.
The tennis captain snapped his fingers. "Kabaji!"
She stepped back when Kabaji approached her side, but he only held out an envelope to her with both hands.
"…What's this…?" Shizuka asked as she accepted it with both hands. It was fancy looking, sealed with the Hyoutei emblem. Something important…?
"This year's graduation ball will be held on Friday," said Atobe. "That's your invitation."
"Graduation?" she asked. "…I'm not-"
"Ho…?" At the mere sign of protest, Atobe quirked an eyebrow, forestalling, "Are you going to tell the third year members that you won't be congratulating them on that day?"
Ah…um…
"Ma. You don't have to prepare anything," he said decisively, half-turning from her. "Just bring yourself to practice on Friday."
Not that it would change anything at this point, but, "…President, why did you make it on the Friday before exam week?" Shizuka questioned. "It would have made more sense scheduling it after the exams…"
He gave another click of his tongue, this time in impatience. "Fool," Atobe said, managing an answer that wasn't an answer at all, "It is meaningless if it isn't on Friday."
"Oh…" She didn't understand in the least…but if he was back to calling her a fool and offering her choices that weren't really choices at all, then she supposed things have gone back to normal. She would prefer to keep it that way. "Alright."
On that cue, Kabaji began heading back to the fields. Atobe followed suit, but not before responding his approval, "Fum…That's more like it."
"Manager," the members of the boys' tennis club said to her upon finding her outside the changing room, "Thank you for the hard work."
The brunette looked at them. "Don't play around after this, you hear? A student's duty is to study. Final exams are next week."
They laughed. She was strict as ever. That was their club's primary manager, alright; just as though the side she showed them on Saturday never happened. It was cute; the way she held no reservations in ordering them, the sons and heirs of corporations, about. They have gotten used to it, though, after accepting the fact that she only ever had their best interests in mind.
"See you tomorrow, then," they told her, glancing back over their shoulders at her.
Was she waiting for someone?
…
She straightened from the wall when the door opened again, and Shishido came through, eyes glued on the notes of the review booklet in hand. He glanced up and noticed her presence, the frown of concentrating giving away to a questioning expression. "Oh, Manager. How's everything?"
He was closely followed by his doubles partner Otori, who gazed over his shoulder at her, blinking. "Kagami-san, are you heading straight home, today?"
Since the last of their art projects have been submitted, there was no longer reason for her to stay late, unless it was to study.
"Otori-kun," Shizuka said, briefly looking over his way. "Do you have some time, now?"
The rest of the regulars looked stunned by this. She had never singled one of them out, and without even offering an explanation.
But Otori, much to their further surprise, responded to her request with a calm and reassuring composure. As though he had been expecting something like this. "Kagami-san, shall I walk you to the station?"
He turned, inclining his head in apology to the guy next to him. "Sorry, Shishido-san. I will go ahead first, today."
Not sure what to make of this situation, Shishido only replied, "Yeah…"
The regulars watched the silver-haired boy catch up to the girl who was heading outside.
"What's this…" Oshitari would be lying if he said he had foreseen this development. "…Is this the camaraderie between fellow artists…?"
He checked with their captain with a quick glance.
Atobe was wearing an unreadable expression, his eyes on the two's retreating figures; musing aloud, "Otori…huh…?"
They had walked in silence for a while, savouring the warmth of the afternoon sun. It truly felt like spring, these days. Moreover, the very presence of the person next to her…it was warm, and pleasant. He made anyone feel comfortable with him.
Soon the school gates were out of sight, and the number of students who were around their immediate surroundings dwindled.
"Kagami-san," Otori Choutarou chose to speak. "You will have your works up at the Senior High Interschool Spring Exhibition?" he asked. "Will it be alright?"
She kept her eyes ahead, just barely smiling. "…Well, it is one of the conditions set by the headmaster in allowing me to transfer here." She knew the reason he asked that question. Time and time again, she had shown unwillingness to reveal her art to others, or even to work in the same studio space her fellow art students.
"You may have already guessed," Shizuka acknowledged. "The reason why I keep my art to myself…" she struggled to find adequate words "…it's so that there would be no ambiguity before the judges."
He peered over at her, curiosity in those chocolate brown eyes.
"Since my old school stressed the uniqueness of each its graduate," she explained, "it had strict policies regarding plagiarism. We were even given our own studio space."
Despite that…
"Jacques-Pierre…"
She saw the flicker of recognition in his eyes, at the mention of that name.
To this boy, somehow she felt an obligation to explain herself.
"He was my first mentor, my closest friend, and my greatest inspiration." And now…her greatest rival. "It was owing to him that I took an interest in art."
If she thought back, now, she couldn't even picture what it would have been like if they haven't met.
"For three years, we were inseparable," Shizuka said, reminiscing. "We practiced under the same masters, enrolled in the same classes, and studied the same topics. To most outsiders, the artworks we created were similar enough to be mistaken."
…Was it around the time when she had begun seeking her own style…? That their relationship grew estranged a bit…
"Otori." She posed the question to him. "You have seen 'Undefeated' in person." That time he had visited her apartment…he had a very convinced reaction to it. "Tell me…are your thoughts on it still the same?"
Ever since what had occurred last Saturday, his thoughts have kept returning to this very question.
After what had been much contemplation on his own, he could finally answer her, now, when he was being asked this question.
He paused in his steps, facing her slowly. "Kagami-san, a part of the artists' soul exists in their works, right?" She was the one who had reminded him of that. "This means, in essence, the artwork is like a child that will always be longing for its parent..."
He gazed at her with his lovely brown eyes, grasping the silver cross that hung around his neck. "Kagami-san, regardless the reason you can't say, I have faith that someone with as much respect for art as you," Otori answered her with certainty, "will not intentionally sever those bonds."
…Oh…?
He…just answered what she had requested to hear, but not in a way she had expected.
"Otori-kun…" Shizuka gave a soundless chuckle. "That's quite a leap of faith to take."
"Kagami-san," the silvery-haired regular politely insisted, "It isn't only me. The others may not have had the chance to say it, but I'm sure they feel the same."
Toward his genuine confidence, she found she had no words.
…
"…I know…" That was her slightly embarrassed reply, before she resumed walking.
The rest of the week went by quickly, too quickly. Although she spent every spare moment studying, she doubted she would be ready in time for the exams.
"Still stuck on that problem, I see…"
Shizuka looked up at the sound of Oshitari's smooth voice. The blue haired regular sat himself down in the seat opposite from her, before the pink pencil case and blank notebook on the table in front of him. He leisurely pressed against his glasses frames. "Shall I render my assistance, my lady?"
"Um…" That seat…
"Ah," Oshitari said with a chuckle, "If you mean Katsuji Nao-san; saw her playing on her phone on my way in the library."
Nao… Her friend did claim that she couldn't concentrate in a quiet and subdued environment.
She considered his offer for a moment.
"Help me," she requested, pointing to the statistics problem she couldn't figure out.
Perhaps it was the way she had said it…he turned aside a bit, laughing to himself.
…
So will he help her or not…? She was about to go crazy trying to solve this!
"Sorry, sorry," he suavely apologized. "Didn't expect you to be so direct about it."
Was that so? She couldn't help it if it came out desperate. She wasn't used to asking for help.
"Oshitari-san," she reattempted, "As soon as I was old enough to understand, my father had taught me two things-…" And he was giving in to laughter before she could finish that thought.
Yeah. She was leaving.
"Oi, Oi." Oshitari easily caught the wrist of her hand that was reaching for her friend's belongings. "That's not good…can't be giving my lady an excuse to not attend the event this evening, na?"
He settled back in his chair, flipping open his notebooks. "I'll be serious," he promised with a touch of his frames. "Rather attend without these troublesome problems in mind, na?"
She sat back down, although reluctantly. "Oh…? Are all the club members going to be at the graduation ball?"
Enigmatic as always, Oshitari Yuushi only quirked a tiny smirk, and replied, "Even if it's my lady; will understand when you see it."
She didn't understand.
As extravagant as he was, she had at least thought that Atobe's taste in fashion tended toward the classier style.
What…is with this black and white princess style dress…
'Dress' wasn't the right word. It was an actual ball gown, wasn't it?
"Please, Miss," the household maids Atobe had brought along to the venue beseeched her, "Let us help you change into this."
Shizuka held up a hand, needing a moment to collect her thoughts.
"Sure…if your young master doesn't mind me not coming out of this room."
…
When she had finally given in and had appeared atop the grand staircase a while later, it was with utmost effort that she displayed no unpleasantness on her face.
"For goodness' sake. You're late." Atobe ascended the carpeted steps toward her. "You missed Ore-sama's opening speech!"
Oh? She felt bad that she didn't feel worse about that... "Atobe…" Shizuka stared down at him, until he came up to her level, and she had to peer up. "You're…shining?"
He arched a shapely eyebrow. "Ahn?" He made a sound like a scoff while slanting her a look, saying as a matter of course, "Girl, be awed by this Ore-sama's brilliance!"
Not that…but…what was it that he was attired in? His silver, fur-trimmed coat was positively gleaming, parted in the center to reveal an extravagant waistcoat underneath, and a jeweled cravat on top.
No, she didn't want to ask.
"Come," Atobe requested with a flick of his wrist, extending his hand and long fingers palm up to her. Lace cuffs dangled from his forearm. "The music won't start without an opening dance."
…She hesitantly surrendered her gloved fingers atop his hand. "I take it that you just designated me as your dance partner."
"Fum…" Again, he slanted an artful look at her on his handsome face. "You want to be?"
He took possession of her hand, taking a firm lead down the steps. Then toward the center of the ballroom.
Keep calm. Don't look at the others. Don't register the stares.
"…Oi," Atobe noticed the way her eyes had glazed over, and chided, "Are you trying to will yourself into an out of body experience right now!?"
His voice wasn't helping.
"For goodness' sake." She heard the snap of his fingers, and barely registered the start of the orchestra music. His hand enclosed hers on her skirts, reminding her to lift them up lest she tripped.
"Oi, listen carefully," Atobe Keigo commanded her attention on him. His hand went to her waist. "Ahn? Ore-sama is above child's play," the dark haired Hyoutei King stated as he drew her into the flow of music, and they were soon joined by other pairs. He appeared smugly amused by something, a curl on his flawless lips. "Ma. Ore-sama does agree that you are best suited for an expression of delighted surprise."
Excuse me…?
He paused there, one hand reaching for the elegant light purple rose sticking out of his coat's breast pocket. To her surprise, he seemed to be offering it to her.
"My princess," Atobe Keigo said with a firm, astute dark blue gaze, "Is proud and diligent regardless of background; a flower that can blossom in the harshest of cold."
"Ma." He wore a confident smirk as he lifted the rose, tucking it into one of the open spots on the tiara the maids have put into her hair. He asked her, and quite clearly at that, "Are you my princess…?"
Just as she stood there, wearing incredible questions on her face, she felt her hand drawn to the side.
"Or, are you mine…?" a smooth, chuckling voice asked her.
Her eyes met with Oshitari Yuushi's deeply amused gaze. He, too, was decked out in a costume resembling that of an aristocrat's. Though his was dark, and gave off a sharp and sinister feeling. From his breast pocket, he freed a rose that was a stunning, electric blue. "She is one to see beneath my surface," the blue haired regular said, "as wise beyond her years as she is beautiful."
He, too, reached up and placed his rose into her tiara. "Saa…" Oshitari questioned in his trademark suave voice, drawing back with a slow, sophisticated wink, "Are you my princess?"
Oh…?
She was starting to understand what was happening…
Mukahi Gakuto followed up with a moonsault, twirling to a stop right before her on one knee. He had to adjust his cravat before presenting her a glorious red rose. "My princess," he said boldly, obviously reciting his lines, "To most she is unreachable, but for her, I will scale even the highest of towers!"
Towers…? Was he referring to Rapunzel…?
Shizuka looked at him in wonderment, before chuckling to herself. He was really into it, huh…
"My prince." She bent down in a low curtsey, drawing up her skirts. "If you will be so kind…?"
"Oh?" Grinning, the red haired regular got up, fixing his rose into her tiara. He then looked around with a puzzled frown. "Ryou? Ryou, sheesh, what are you doing?"
Facing one of the marble columns with an arm braced against it, Shishido snapped back, "I get it! J-Just give me a moment!"
She saw him draw in a deep breath, and then turned toward her.
"Shishido…" He looked like a warrior prince straight out of a fairy tale. His outfit was even completed with a cape.
"Don't say it." Shishido held out a hand, eyes squeezed shut in disconcertment. "This is also a test of manliness." Or so he seemed to be trying to convince himself.
Another deep breath, and he finally looked at her with his honest, direct gaze. "My princess or whatever," Shishido Ryou said with a straight face, "Has courage to brave a new world on her own; whose actions speak louder than words."
"Ah…" She watched as he turned around, satisfied with his performance. Before he spun back.
"Crap. Almost forgot," he muttered, ripping the deep blue rose from his pocket. He approached her, and she bowed her head to make it easier for him.
"You…" She glanced up at his voice. "You don't look half-bad in a dress," he complimented awkwardly, surprising her.
"What?" Shishido demanded. "Even I can make a compliment like the other guys," he uttered with difficulty.
"Ah…you're the first one, though?" Shizuka told him.
"What!" His gaze zeroed in on Mukahi, who took it as his cue to run.
…
…This…was Oshitari's setup, wasn't it…? He was the only one in the club who knew of her fondness for fairy tales.
Were these guys attempting to cheer her up…? From the shock she had received on Saturday…
A pair of strong arms enfolded her shoulders. Akutagawa Jirou grinned unabashedly at her, saying in perfect English, "My princess, will you wake from this enchantment with a kiss, or shall I…with you…" He trailed off, straightening from her back to look over his shoulder at his teammates. "Ara…? I forgot the rest."
His teammates returned his look with exasperated expressions. How could he not even recite one sentence properly?
She laughed. "Thanks…Jirou."
He stopped scratching his head in a sheepish manner. Grinning cheekily, he presented her with not one, but three iridescent, orange-yellow roses. "Ku-chan, which one do you want? The original, backup-chan, or backup backup-chan? Ara? I can't tell them apart..."
Pfffft. She couldn't help it. They have probably thought Jirou would lose at least one.
Otori, who was talking to Hiyoshi, looked over to see that Jirou had completed his addition to her crown of roses. Giving his friend a pat on the shoulder, the silvery haired boy headed her way.
Wow…he…really looked the part. All he was missing was the white horse…although that would really be overdoing it.
Otori Choutarou stopped a few paces from her, bending in a handsome bow. He straightened up, placing right hand over his heart, right below his pure white rose. "Aa… My princess is kind and gentle as new fallen snow. I will cherish and protect her from all evil."
With a kind smile, he offered her the lovely white rose. Amazingly, he took the initiative and placed it into her tiara. Before he retreated, he again bowed to her.
Oh…? Was that really Otori…?
Kabaji dutifully gave her a fairy green rose. He tucked it next to Atobe's purple rose. "Thanks, Kabaji-kun." He, too, gave her a smart bow.
That left only Hiyoshi Wakashi, who didn't move away from the column he was leaning against with folded arms. She might not even have recognized him, if she hadn't seen him with Otori earlier. The image was so different.
"Hah!?" he demanded when she stared at him in his costume outfit. He was tugging at his high collar as though it was bothering him. "I won't say it!" he stressed. "Definitely won't say it!"
"Well, that's fine…" Shizuka started to say. Her eyes landed on the shy pink rose pinned to the front of his coat. Her hand went to her mouth.
"Quiet!"
She hadn't said anything yet…
"Just whose fault do you think-" Hiyoshi cut himself off, as though recalling something that shouldn't be said.
"Um…"
She did feel a little apologetic that he got swept along in this. "By any chance…is that meant for me?" Shizuka asked.
Embarrassment worked its way into his visage, and he kept his gaze pointedly averted. He snatched the rose, holding it out to her with one hand. "I-It's not like I have any use for it!"
Geez…really, too cute.
She grabbed his gloved hand. "Hiyoshi-kun, can you dance?"
"N-"
"Perfect," she said, pulling him along. "Be my partner for this dance."
"What. Why-!"
"Shi-Zu-Ka."
Nao couldn't contain it anymore, she dropped the remark in the middle of their study session on Sunday. "You've been in a good mood for a while, now. It's creepy." Michi laughed, looking up from her textbook.
…
Shizuka touched her cheek. Did she normally have an indifferent expression on her face…?
Neglecting her notes for the umpteenth time, Nao placed her chin on the palms of her hands.
"Say, Shizuka. Do you know what day March 14 is?"
"White Day," Shizuka answered. Good thing she had looked that up beforehand; she had a feeling her friend might test her on it.
Nao raised an immaculately trimmed eyebrow. "Is it because you received something on Friday?" she questioned.
"Ah…it's not like that," Shizuka replied. "Although…I did receive abundant kindness from them."
"Is that right?" Nao appeared skeptical. She then waved it off. "Well, whatever. I ain't involving myself in something this complicated."
"Nao, you shouldn't be saying the same about studying," Michi told her.
"Argh."
Shizuka set the picture on the stand next to her worktable. It was a group photo Hiyoshi had taken for them on Friday, and she had gotten it custom framed today.
No matter how many times she looked at it, it still brought her a fond laugh. It was a memory that would last her a long time.
She adjusted the tiara on top of her red haired Shishido plush doll, poking at one of the roses. They were silk roses, she had found, and high quality ones that were likely fade resistant.
To her, the pink one stood out. Just imagining how they would have convinced Hiyoshi to accept wearing it on his chest.
Oh…? A thought struck her, causing her to blink.
These colours…?
Her gaze went to the rolls of wrapping paper arranged in their craft organizers.
Come to think of it…didn't the colours exactly match?
She stepped back, hand going to her mouth.
'Even if it's my lady,' Oshitari had said enigmatically that time in the library, 'will understand when you see it.'
Oh…? Can…it be…?
'Just whose fault do you think-' Hiyoshi had begun when she stared awkwardly at the colour of his rose, before he had caught himself. Had he been implying that it was somehow her doing…?
'Fool.' Atobe's ambiguous words. 'It is meaningless if it isn't on Friday.'
Ah…what…
What was this feeling…?
