i DON'T OWN MIRAI NIKKI. IT BELONGS TO SAKAE ESUNO-SENSEI.

CHAPTER 15: CONFESSION AT THE SCHOOL FESTIVAL

Yuno's POV

(Yuno's dream)

I couldn't move my body. I could not open my eyes. I felt so weak and cold.

Am I sick?

Lying on the floor, I heard someone trying to unlock the padlock, using some keys, and then I heard a metal door was opened, and that someone took me out.

Wait, was I in the jail? In the cage?

"This is for the best. Even if this is a different world, this Yuno is still Yuno. I can't abandon her."

I heard his voice. Definitely a male voice.

Who? Why is his voice so familiar in my ears? Who are you?

X X X

At afternoon ...

Actually I wanted to stay at the class because of my friends. Hinata. Mao. And Kousaka-kun. I wanted to be with them until this last role training was finished. But when I saw Kasugano-san at the parking area from the window of my class, I felt like I needed to see this more, especially when she walked towards Aru-kun's bike, and to make it worse, the albino was there too.

I didn't know what they were talking but I saw Aru-kun let Kasugano-san sat on the passenger seat and then they left.

I frowned.

So it's true.

Last night, I got a picture from unknown number in my cellphone. It was an image of Aru-kun pedalling his bike while Kasugano-san was sitting on the back seat.

Is this Kasugano-san's number? Is this from Kasugano-san?

I turned my head away, feeling so annoyed.

X X X

Aru's POV

I was surprised after Hinata told me that Yuno had already gone home when I would like to escort her home after the role training.

"She looked in hurry," The Tomboy uttered. "I thought she already told you."

I forced a small smile. "Thanks, Hinata."

"... and did she also tell you that her parents are in Hongkong for a week?"

I held my breath before uttering, "No ... not yet ..."

Hinata sighed. "Are you guys not getting along?"

I didn't answer her.

Something's weird here ...

"Thanks again, Hinata." I left her before smiling gratefully.

I sent Yuno a message to ask if she was already at home. But no reply coming from her after I had been waiting for almost a half of hour. So I called her, but she didn't pick up although I had tried for eight times.

I decided to come over her house. I had knocked on the door of Gasai Residence for several times but I got no responses.

Sighing tiredly, I sat on the terrace floor of her house.

X X X

Yuno's POV

When will he go home? My mind grumbled while hiding myself behind the wall.

I just came from the nearest market to buy food supplies since tonight, I would be alone at home. (Mama joined Papa's business trip for a week).

I opened my cellphone and read his latest message.

Hinata told me that you went home in hurry, and she also said that your parents are in Hongkong for a week. Will you be alright for being alone at home tonight? Where are you?

I just sighed and put my cellphone inside my bag. Assuming that he would be there for a long time, I went to the back yard and entered my house silently from the back door so I would not meet him.

X X X

At the next day ...

Aru's POV

I thought I could meet her at the morning when I picked her up. But I was wrong. I had been waiting for her for almost a half hour and she didn't go out. I even called her, but she didn't pick up.

I was relieved when she was with our friends at our class, preparing the performance.

"Something's wrong, Akise-kun?" Mao asked innocently.

Beside her, Kousaka started joking, "What are you talking? 'He's-here' is something wrong. He rarely attends the class."

I chuckled bitterly as Hinata jabbed him in his ribs while glaring as if to say, 'Shut up!'

"Ough!" The dark haired boy grimaced.

"Yuno-cchi!" The Tomboy called her.

"Why are you still here?" Yuno walked to us before glancing at her. "You should go to the changing room. Juliet costume's there."

The tomboy laughed a bit before leaving us.

"I go with you." Mao followed her as she was in the costume department.

"Well, better I go back to my own position." Being uncomfortable with Yuno and me, Kousaka went to the lightning section.

I stared at her and would like to ask her. But she looked away, leaving me behind. I followed her and stopped when she reached the first aid kit hanging on the wall.

"Take this." She said coldly, putting a bottle of eye drops into the palm of my hand. "They're very red."

I smiled, realising that she still cared about me. I took her hand gently and put it back into the palm of her hand. "Sorry. I'm not accustomed to take it by myself."

She gave a long sigh to hold her rage. "Then sit!"

I did what she asked. I sat cross-legged on the floor while she was kneeling beside me.

"You must wait for around 2 minutes." She covered the bottle and put it back into the first aid kit.

"Thanks." I closed my eyes and tilted my head down for a few seconds. I could feel the cool and fresh sensation in my eyes, the effect of the drops.

She was about to leave me, but I would not let this chance to run away. Opening my eyes and blinking a few times, I grabbed her wrist.

She glared at me.

My eyes narrowed when Yuno tried her best to release herself but then she got frustrated as I was much stronger than her. Being defeated, she stopped struggling.

"Why are you mad at me?" I asked her.

"Gasai-san!" One of our classmate called her, and he was the person in charge of sound. "Our turn is 30 minutes later. Go back to your position, please. I also want to check the sound with you." He saw me and smiled weakly, "Sorry, Akise. Could you continue it later? We need your girlfriend this time."

"Yeah sure." I nodded and then eyed her. "After the performance of our class, it's my turn. I'll come to you after it's over." I released her soon.

She just looked away.

X X X

Yukiteru's POV

Standing behind the stage, I felt so anxious. My heart was beating fast to the point that I thought it would fall at any second.

"H-hey," Hinata Hino called me, stuttering beside me. Seeing her in gown and make up, now I realised that she was definitely a girl. She even wore a wig (brown long hair) to make her more feminine. My classmates had done a great job in changing her there.

"Hey," I greeted back.

"G-Good luck, Amano-kun." She said, blushing.

"Yeah, you too." I grinned nervously.

Then I heard Yuno Gasai's voice from the speakers, opening our performance by narrating. I looked up to the window near the stage. To the sound room at the second floor.

I saw her smile at me and give me a sign, telling that it was my turn to enter the stage.

I nodded.

X X X

20 minutes later ...

The last scene was over and I sat on the chair, tiredly. My cheeks was still blushing, recalling many kisses that I did in it. I could not believe I could do it well. Thinking that I almost ran away before the last scene started, I realised what an idiot I was.

"You were doing great, Amano!" One of my classmates praised me. "When you put the transparent tape on her lips, it's really smooth."

"Thanks." I smiled shyly. Suddenly my eyes met Hinata Hino and I saw she was blushing, looking away hurriedly.

I gulped.

At least I'm not the one who feels so embarrassed here.

My eyes wandered everywhere and then caught a pink haired girl looking at me longingly.

Gasai-san?

X X X

Aru's POV

The leader of the band looked at me seriously, checking my outfit when I entered the room. He texted me last night that I should wear a long sleeve white shirt, black jeans, maroon necktie, white socks, and black sneakers. Well, I did it. But I let my white shirt untucked and my necktie loosened.

He nodded in satisfaction.

"Wear it!" He ordered, throwing clothes at me.

I caught them instinctively before it landed on my face. I frowned, realising it was a black blazer with Sakurami High School emblem on it. The school that was exploded last year.

"I'm not a high schooler." I muttered.

"But you're with us right now. Just wear it for this occasion."

"I heard from the teachers that we'll go back to our previous school as the renovation is almost done," his friend talked to him while I was wearing it.

"Maybe we'll move at the next semester," the leader responded.

His friend saw a bouquet of pink roses with white ribbon on the table and eyed his leader. "Is that yours?"

"Yeah. I'd like to give them to someone. Are you done, Akise?"

"Yes." I replied. I did wear it, but I didn't attach the buttons.

"I never know you have a girl whom you like," his friend said to the leader.

"Actually I have known her for some years. She's younger than me, but she's so great," the leader smiled. He grabbed my shoulder from behind and tapped it playfully. "As expected, you're fit to be a high schooler, Detective Boy." He mocked before passing by me. "Let's go to the stage now."

I followed him, not too excitedly for the show.

X X X

After MC mentioned the name of our band, all the members went onstage and stayed on their own positions. As predicted, the band name was cried out by the spectators from the middle schooler to high schooler. Some of them (read: the girls who claimed themselves to be my fans) cried out my name. But others, who didn't know, whispered curiously to guess who I was. They thought I was from another High School, being asked to replace the previous drummer.

The vocalist (did I ever say that our vocalist was a girl?) stood in front of us, talking to the leader. I took this chance to look at the spectators, wishing to find Yuno among them, but unfortunately, she wasn't there. On the other hand, I saw Kasugano-san on the front row with Orin-chan beside her.

I sighed, hiding my disappointment.

After the MC went off the stage, the leader gave me a sign to be ready as my position as a drummer included timekeeping and embellishing the musical timbre.

I nodded.

The song that we played was "Kyouki Chinden" (a.k.a the third opening song of Future Diary), and soon the metal music was heard from this stage loudly.

X X X

Hinata's POV

"Yuno-cchi! Look! Detective Boy is there!" I pointed to the stage from the window of our class as we heard the song to start.

My pink haired friend calmly walked to the window, eyes being directed to the stage, to her boyfriend, to be exact, who was playing drums with amazing agility.

"Whoa, he plays like a pro," Kousaka could not hide his admiration.

"Akise-kun looks so mature there!" Mao commented as she realised that he was wearing Sakurami High School blazer. "What do you think, Yuno?"

"Yes, he's so great." Yuno muttered flatly, her hand gripping a card. It was written 'please meet me at the backstage after my performance is over.'

"Ahem. Is that from your admirer?" I teased her.

"Kind of." She smiled weakly at me.

X X X

Aru's POV

Around three minutes later, the song was over, and surprisingly for me, the spectators wanted more. It was too bad that we just planned to play one song her.

I went off the stage and walked to the backstage, following my leader. I raised my eyebrows when I saw Yuno there.

"Akise, you go back to the music room with others. I'll be there soon," the leader ordered, taking his bouquet of pink roses on the table at the back of the stage (he had prepared it before we went onstage) and then walking straight to where Yuno stood. Clearly he didn't realised that I had no intention to follow his order.

I grunted as I got a bad prediction. I held my breath in caution.

"Thanks for coming, Gasai-san. I'm truly appreciated ..." He showed her the bouquet. "... and I wish you could accept this."

She just stared at him before she realised that I was standing not far behind him. Soon her eyes were focused on the flowers.

"Pink roses ...," she mumbled.

"Yes, like your eyes ... and your hair. They're beautiful. Just like you." He let the bouquet hanging right in front of her.

My hands tightened into balls I approached them and stood beside her.

"I think there's a misunderstanding here, senpai." I smiled nicely, just to find myself gritting my own teeth. I pushed his bouquet to his chest and stated, "I'm dating her."

He looked so confused, but he hadn't given up yet. "Nonsense. I saw you with a blue haired girl recently, and she told me that she's your girlfriend."

I just blinked, hiding my surprised expression.

Is this Kasugano-san's plan?

I smiled casually, although I growled inside, especially when I realised that Yuno was staring at me annoyingly. Wait! Why did Yuno deliberately let herself be seen with another male by me from the first place?

Is this Yuno's plan to bring me down?

"You just got the wrong information, senpai. That's all. Excuse us." I grabbed Yuno's wrist and pulled her lightly.

X X X

Yuno's POV

I didn't want to be a troublemaker. I also didn't want to make frontal war statement to Kasugano-san or Aru-kun as much as possible. So this was that I could do, letting the worst situation to hit him on his nerve.

So how does the revenge taste?

I could not believe that my inner side could be this ... dreadful.

We stopped when we were at the back of the school building and found it was so quite since everyone's attention was directed to the festival and the stage.

"Yuno ..." His tone was so low, and it hinted the fury inside. He lowered his head so his bang could hide his eyes. "Kasugano-san had always been waiting for me every time I wanted to go the police office from our school, because it was near her house. I wasn't in position to refuse because you know, I always behave, to be kind and polite to everyone. But I swear. There is nothing happened between us."

"I see ...". Truthfully, I was tempted to show him the picture that Kasugano-san sent to me on his face. But in the end, I thought it wasn't needed.

"I didn't tell you because I thought it was just a needless thing to say to you. I'm sorry."

I smiled.

"You're forgiven." I uttered sincerely.

He lifted his head, surprised. Maybe he didn't think that I could accept his sorry so fast.

I smiled at him, silently admiring him. My friends were right. Aru-kun was so cool right now, in this style. Messy (because of his loosened necktie, the top button of his shirt and the buttons of his blazer that weren't attached and his untucked shirt, and mainly his messy silver hair), but still attractive.

"Yuno ..."

"Hmm?"

He put his hands of my hip and pulled it to his body.

"Can we ...?" he pleaded, leaning in.

I nodded shyly. But when he was trying to bring himself to close the gap between us, I heard someone's voice in my dream rang in my head.

"Wait here, Yuno. It'll be over soon."

I pushed him away immediately, and a little too harshly, I guessed.

Both of us were shocked with my negative reaction.

"Yuno?" Aru-kun looked questioningly.

"S-sorry ..." I stuttered, struggling to release myself from him. "Let's ... let's go back to the festival." I leaved hurriedly as if I didn't need to make sure if he would follow me or not.

What did I do?

X X X

Aru's POV

I followed her silently, recalling her reaction a few seconds ago. What was going on here? Did she remember something? Or ...

Soon I walked beside her.

"Is it something from your dream?" I questioned carefully.

She looked at me, amazed, before lowering her head. "A-ah, well ..."

"What is it? What was your dream?" I asked again, but this time with a cold tone. Unconsciously my grip on her hand tightened.

"Aru-kun..." She looked so offended. A painful expression was on her face. "... you're hurting me."

I released her soon. "Sorry ..."

"That's okay."

I lowered my head, thinking what I had just done. I hated to admit that recently, it was more difficult to compose myself every time I saw Yuno with a too-friendly-male-friend, and it became worse if she was thinking about Yukiteru-kun, especially in front of me.

I knew the reason for this wasn't about just my mission as an Observer anymore. It was more than that, even more than love.

I changed our topic. "Anyway, will you be alone at home tonight? Or do you plan to stay at my er ... someone's house? "

"First, yes, I will be alone at home tonight. Second, yes. I did plan to stay at Hinata's house two days later. However, I haven't said anything to her yet. Not to mention there was always possibility that my parents would refuse this idea." Yuno explained.

"It's dangerous to let a girl stay alone at night, and your house is really huge."

She smiled as if she was reading what I was thinking. "Are you offering me to stay at your house tonight? Or are you offering yourself to stay at my house?"

"Actually your first question is about my plan A, and the second one is about my plan B." I smirked.

She gave a long sigh.

"So ... will you stay at my house tonight? My parents are at home and they will be happy with your presence. Besides, I think there won't be any random issues about you and me living together even though ..." I stopped as I was aware what I would say later could invite more complaints from her.

She stared at me curiously as if she wished me to say more.

So I continued,"There are three bedrooms at my house. My parents', mine, and guest's. But Kaa-san uses the guest room as a storeroom. So ... when you're staying at my house, you will definitely sleep in my room."

Her eyes widened as a bizarre idea came to her mind (unfortunately, as expected), her cheeks flushing. Hurriedly I tried calming her down.

"I mean ... you can use my room as I'll sleep on the sofa at the living room."

Now she looked more relieved. But it didn't mean she would accept it.

"Thanks for the offer, Aru-kun, but no. I feel more comfortable with being at my own house." She didn't look at my eyes when saying it as if she didn't want me to catch her reason.

I glanced at her seriously. I thought I already gained her fully trust, but now it looked like I had returned to the beginning. What was she hiding from me now?

"Could I stay at your house tonight?" I asked suddenly.

She gazed at me, lost in her own thoughts.

"Could I?" I repeated.

"Sure. But I won't tell my parents and I hope you don't tell it to everyone."

"Don't worry about that," I assured as tonight, I might find out the reason she was acting this way. But before that ...

"Yuno."

"Yes?"

I said openedly, "I hope you never challenge me again by ... letting me to see you with another boy or man in unordinary situation like before, Yuno, because I don't like it."

She stared at me innocently, listening to my sincere explanation, before she concluded.

"You can make that long sentence into one word, Aru-kun. It's jealous." She said it compassionately and smiled when she saw a surprise look from my eyes. "And don't worry, it's normal for us to feel that way as long as it's not too much."

I laughed bitterly and took her hand as we were going to the festival area.

X X X

"Akise-kun, Gasai-san, could you two come to my room now?" Our homeroom teacher asked us when we were passing the corridor.

"Yes, Sensei." We replied together.

"Please sit down." He asked us when we reached his room. "I want you to take this." He gave me a closed envelope. "And Gasai-san, you too." He gave her another one.

"What is this?" Yuno questioned, confused.

"Your IQ test result. You two got the first and the second positions for having the best scores. I give you right now because I want to congratulate you all more personally. Congratulations, you two."

"Oh my. Thank you, Sensei." Yuno smiled shyly, cheeks blushing.

"Thank you, Sensei." I said politely.

"You're welcomed." Then he looked at me seriously. "Now, Akise. There's something I want to talk to you privately." He eyed Yuno hopefully. "I'm sorry, Gasai-san. Could you leave us alone?"

"Of course, Sensei." Yuno nodded. "I'll be waiting outside." She said to me before leaving.

X X X

After the festival was over, I returned the blazer to my senior. Then I took my bike at the parking area while Yuno was waiting for me at the gate.

"Aru-kun!"

I swallowed hard when Kasugano-san called behind me. It was unfortunate this area was so quite.

I sighed, holding my patience. Now what?

When I turned around, I was shocked when my lips grazed something.

Automatically my hand touched my lips as the blue haired girl in front of me smiled shyly, but full with satisfaction, cheeks reddening. Wait, were they her lips?

"That's my reward for you, Aru-kun, for performing so well on the stage."

"Thanks. But you don't have to-"

"Then call it a 'replacement'." She cut off, bangs covering her sad eyes. "She didn't want to be kissed by you, right?"

I didn't answer her as the image of Yuno who pushed me away appeared in my mind.

"She doesn't love you." Kasugano-san stated.

"It's not im-"

"But I love you!"

I held my breath for her sudden and firm confession.

"I love you, Aru Akise, and I'll do anything for you to make you happy." She said desperately.

"Kasugano-san, I-"

"I got a feeling that she has another man in her mind, and he's not you."

I blinked at her in surprise. Was this her real ability as a kind of shrine girl? Or was this just a female intuition? Well, it wasn't that her last words bothered me so much. In fact, I didn't need someone to say or remind those to me.

"She just took you for granted, Aru-kun," she said pleadingly.

"Well, I-"

"If she could give you a chance, why don't you give me a chance? I won't waste it. Unlike her."

I gave a desperate sigh. She always cut off. Clearly this girl didn't give me any chance to excuse. It was wasting my energy if I tried speaking to her again. So I just keep my mouth shut.

She looked at me as if she realised what she had done, and silently gave me a chance.

I started speaking with polite but steady tone. "Thank you for your affection, Kasugano-san, but I couldn't. I believe, one day, you will find someone who will cheris your feelings more."

"But, Aru-kun, that girl-"

"That precious girl is Yuno Gasai, Kasugano-san." I corrected her calmly. "She is the only girl that I love, cherish, and want."

She bit her lower lip and started sobbing. Not far behind her, Orin-chan was peeking at us, from behind the tree.

I nodded, giving her a permission to come here to comfort her mistress.

"Omekata-sama ..." Orin-chan took her hand before glaring at me. "You'll regret for turning her down, Aru."

I smiled at her apologizingly.

X X X

"What took you so long?" Yuno pouted when I came to her with my bike.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I met someone there ..." I said easily before glancing at her amusingly. "... and I think I don't need to explain it more since you're there too, hiding behind the wall."

Her eyes widened in shock. Her pink head turned away soon to cover her awkward expression.

I chuckled. "It's okay, Yuno. I don't get mad."

She nodded regretfully. "I'm sorry."

"No problem."

"I feel sorry for her, Aru-kun."

I stared at her and saw sincerity and empathy in her thulian eyes.

She's not 'her'. She is my Yuno.

"So do I. But there's nothing more that we can do."

"But are you sure?"

"What do you mean?"

"Are you sure you still want to be with me after all those things she said? We both know that she's right."

"Yes, I'm sure." I said without any doubt.

She looked at me as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she kept herself silent.

I took this chance to help her to get on my bike, and for the first time in this life, I wasn't too curious to know about her feeling right now. Well, her feeling and sympathy towards Kasugano-san, to be exact.

TO BE CONTINUED ...

X X X