A/N: Because I took so long to update, I'm diving straight into the story. For any of you who actually care for what I have to say, you can just read the author's note at the bottom. Other than that, enjoy!
I don't own Kodocha or any of its related contents.
'Thoughts'
"Speech"
"Flashback/Dream"
Crimson Ties
-O-
Chapter 5: Deal With the Devil
-O-
"I'll give you my dirty little secret."
- Dirty Little Secret, The All-American Rejects
-O-
"Holy shit."
"Did she really just do that?"
"She's dead."
I could hear everyone behind me making all these snarky and concerned comments, but the only thing I was focused on was the perverted asshole in front of me. He was glaring viciously at me with those stupid, golden eyes of his and booooooooooooy, was he PISSED.
GOOD.
So was I.
"I've never hit someone before." Oh great, Sana. Let the damn guy know that you've never hit someone before! That will TOTALLY make your life better.
But the devil made no sound. He was just staring me down with fire in his eyes. I got him pissed. Like BEYOND pissed.
"You bitch." He sneered as his eyes flashed with this wild look. I gulped slightly, stepping back. Was I scared? Pshhh, NO. I was not scared. But to hell if he thought I was going to let him hit me!
"And you're nothing but a selfish, cruel prick!"
And there we were, in this heated staring contest. The side of the pool was our arena and there was thunder clashing and rain falling. (Okay, not really, but hey, wouldn't it have been better?) He was the poisonous cobra and I was the courageous gopher.
"I tried, you know? I tried giving you the benefit of the doubt and thinking, 'Hey, maybe this perverted asshole isn't that much of a dick and is just hiding his real self deep inside' but in the end, you just turned out to be a heartless asshole."
I could hear someone whistle behind me
Well, that's not helping.
THANKS TO WHOEVER DID THAT.
The air got really tense after that. And he narrowed his eyes at me some more and I swear, if looks could kill, I would seriously be dead. (I know, stupid cliche. Whatever. Sue me.)
I just didn't understand what was taking him so long to counter attack! I mean, I was ready! BRING IT ON HAYAMA. GIVE ME YOUR BEST SHOT.
"Sana!" I heard my name being called but I didn't dare turn around. I had a feeling Hayama would strike with a cheap shot. He just seemed like that type of guy.
Speaking of the perverted cheetah, he still looked absolutely furious. Had he never been hit by a girl before? Or just hit period?
Ha, imagine that. I was the first person to ever land a blow on him. Hehe.
"What's going on? What happened?" That was Tsuyoshi. So that meant the other person who called out my name was Hiro.
"Why don't you ask your friend over here, Tsuyoshi." I said still staring at the guy in front of me.
"Akito?" I could hear Tsuyoshi ask in this questioning, almost frightened voice.
But the pervert didn't budge. His eyes were locked on mine and we just stayed still in this heated staring contest. I wonder what's going through that head of his? He's probably thinking of all the ways he could kill me right now. HA. As if I'd let him even lay a FINGER on me!
"Sana?" That was Hiro again. And he sounded really concerned. I don't think since the day we met that I've ever heard him sound like that.
"He tried drowning Mami earlier and I stopped him." The jerk wouldn't speak, so I would.
"Again?"
Wait, what? What does he mean again?
I took my eyes off of Hayama and turned back towards Hiro an Tsuyoshi. Hiro looked like he was fuming and Tsuyoshi just looked sad and disappointed.
"Again? What the hell is that supposed to mean!?" I shouted. I looked down at Mami almost immediately for answers. She was shivering and clutching onto Hisae and Aya. Her eyes were still red and puffy and she looked absolutely miserable.
"He did it before. During our freshmen year." Hisae said, hesitant with her words.
I turned sharply towards Hayama and I seriously think I growled while I dug my nails into the skin of my palms. So that was what he was talking about in class earlier today! It all made sense now! The damn jerk!
"How could you? You tormented her not once, but twice?" I gave him the nastiest glare I had ever give anyone.
"Still think I'm all talk, Kurata." There was something malicious in the way he said that. There was no perverse undertone or smirk hitting those god awful lips of his. His face was blank with this blind rage that I caused.
"I think that you truly are fucked up if you think it's okay to drown someone." I countered. He stepped closer to me, looking down with those penetrating eyes of his. He came closer and closer until we were only inches apart.
"You don't know what I'm capable of." He then grabbed my arm and squeezed it tight.
"Get your hands off of her!" There was Hiro again. I didn't need him to save me. I was perfectly capable of handling this jerk by myself.
But Hayama's eyes shifted upward, looking at Hiro. But this time, it was different. Before, he would give Hiro these taunting smirks, like if he was rubbing something in his face. But this time, he looked like he was ready to hunt.
"I would stay put, Akimoto. Wouldn't want to relive the past, would you now?" You'd think a comment like that would be filled with unnecessary sarcasm, but he was completely serious.
I don't know what Hiro did, but he remained quiet and Haya-jerk over here still had his hand around me.
"Watch your back, bitch."
And with that, he pushed me to the floor and threw me this cold, icy glare that honestly, for a second, scared the hell out of me. As I laid on the floor, I watched as he walked away, his dumb cronies following behind him. He didn't look back once. But I could see all the hostility and resentment towards me.
"Sana! Are you okay?!"
Hiro came to my side and touched my shoulder, which brought me back to here and now. I looked up to those green eyes of his and gave him a confident smile.
"Yeah. I'm perfectly fine." He helped me up gently and I looked over at Mami, who was gazing at me with these big, watery eyes that made me want to kill Hayama more than I already did.
"Mami..." And I immediately kneeled down next to her and she tackled me into a hug. She cried and thanked me over and over for what I did. I felt the tears biting at the brim of my eyes, but I wouldn't let them fall. No. I had to be strong. Strong for Mami. Strong for everyone.
"Shh… it's okay, Mami. He won't do anything to you anymore. I promise." She shifted her watery eyes at me and I gave her one of my gentle smiles. I was being the Sana that everyone in Osaka knew. The soft, kind Sana. And I didn't really mind.
"We should get you guys into some dry clothes before you catch a cold." Tsuyoshi offered. I looked back up and there stood Tsuyoshi, Nakao, Aya, Hisae, and Hiro. They all nodded in agreement. I helped Mami up and we made our way out of the pool and headed towards the girl's locker room.
Everyone was walking ahead of me, except for one person.
Hiro.
What was he doing?
I stopped walking and turned back at him, my arms crossed in front of me. I noticed that I started shaking a bit. Stupid water. It got me all cold. Ugh. If I got sick from this! I swear! I will hurt someone! Cause' I HATE being sick!
"Hey. You just going to stand there all day or are you coming along?" I asked him.
He looked up and stared at me with these long, sad, disappointed green eyes. I was almost taken aback by how familiar they seemed. I felt like I was looking in the mirror, staring at my own reflection from now that long ago.
"Hiro? Are you okay?"
"I couldn't do anything." What did he just say?
I threw him this confused glance. I mean, the guy was muttering. I couldn't understand what he was saying. But whatever it was, he sounded really upset.
"I should have been the one saving Mami. I should have been the one he threatened. I should have been the one he was fighting. Not you." He sounded angry. Really angry.
But what the hell was he going on about? He didn't think I was capable of handling my own against him or what?
"Now listen here, I am perfectly capable of putting that guy in his place! Just because I'm a girl that doesn't me-"
"No!"
Whoa.
That threw me off.
"That's not it! That's not it at all, Sana!" He stepped closer to me and grabbed my shoulders. "I know you are capable. I know you are strong. I see it! I see how resilient and stubborn you are! I see how you never give up!"
I would be lying if I said those compliments weren't totally making me blush right now. Because, Hiro didn't compliment me. Sure, he teased me and poked fun at me, but not like this.
"I don't want him to hurt you, Sana!"
And the truth finally comes out.
I kind of frowned. What? Did he think I couldn't protect myself? Had I not proven myself already?
"It's not what you think, okay? I know you can protect yourself. I know it. But I don't want him hurting you! I know what Hayama's capable of. You don't. That guy-" he stopped talking, looking away. "That guy. He can do things that no one even fathoms. And he's hurt too many people I care about. Too many!"
I could feel his pain stirring something within me. His voice was shaking and he looked so lost and helpless. His usual bright green eyes were so dull. His words were pulling at the strings of my heart and I knew that he was speaking from his heart. He actually cared.
Hiro wasn't just another guy who was looking to get laid. He wasn't just another girl who went around and broke hearts. He was a good guy with a selfless heart that was wounded and scarred. He might have been weird at first, but it was probably because he was hiding himself. He didn't want to get hurt again.
And I knew exactly how he felt because I was doing the same exact thing.
So I hugged him.
I felt him stiffen under my hug but I didn't really care. He was probably shocked. Ha. I would be too! I had been nothing but sarcastic and bitter sense I been here. Yet, he put up with my selfishness. The least I could do is pay him back for being a friend.
And what better way than one of my famous hugs?
Back at home, people said my hugs were miracle touches. Not trying to brag or toot my own horn or anything, but I kind of have to agree.
He finally hugged me back (he better have!) and his body finally relaxed. I was probably drenching him now (oops) but he didn't seem to mind.
"I'm sorry I couldn't do anything but stand behind you like a little girl." I laughed, rolling my eyes. I pulled away from his hug and looked at him.
He had this sheepish smile on his face as he rubbed the back of his neck.
It was kind of adorable.
WAIT. NO. FORGET I SAID THAT.
STUPID SANA! DO NOT get INVOLVED.
"Little girl huh? What are you trying to say!" I had to tease him a bit because hey! That comment was a little on the degrading side you know!
He chuckled. "Yeah, sorry about that. I guess my pride was a little bruised knowing that a girl half my size was fighting battles I lost."
I smirked. "Well you better get use to it, buddy! Cause' this 'little girl' is going to win the exact battle you lost!"
He had this quirky little smirk on his lips now and his eyes were dancing with this mischievous little glint and I swore he was up to something.
"Something tells me you just might."
That wasn't expected.
At all. Like what the heck!?
Hiro was being all flirty now. With his stupid smirk and sparkling green eyes and tousled brown hair and oh my god, Sana shut up before you say anything more embarrassing.
"Ye-yeah well of course! I'm Sana Kurata!" I winked at him and turned away from him, bouncing with every step I took till we stepped outside the pool room. I gave Hiro a quick goodbye and ran towards the locker room to change.
I saw Mami, Hisae, and Aya in there. Mami looked at me and half smiled, which was a good thing. I gave her a small smile; the smile of mine that I gave to people who needed some kind of hope.
After we left the locker room, the guys were waiting outside for us. They claimed to want to "protect us" from Haya-jerk and his stupid cronies. Of course I said I was more than capable to take care of myself but Hiro went all weird on me again and said he wanted to protect me this time.
When did I give the guy permission to be all nice and flirty with me? Like seriously?
We just started becoming friends. He ain't allowed to hit on me!
ANYWAY. We all went our separate ways and I made it home (safely I might add). When I got home, I went to look for my mama to tell her all about my disastrous day.
"MAMA! WHERE ARE YOU."
And thats when I felt something hit the side of my head. I stumbled back a bit, confused to what the heck just happened. Because honestly, that really hurt!
"What the heck!"
"Shush now daughter!"
I turned around to see my mama glaring at me with this glare. And I matched her glare with my own. And I have to say, my glares are pretty effective.
"You're never going to believe what the heck happened today!" I was fuming as she gave me this questioning look.
And so I told her everything! I told her about Hayama and how weird the devil was acting today and then how he threatened Mami. Then when I got to the part about him almost drowning Mami, I swear I almost tore the house apart.
As usual, Mama just sat there and listened until I was finished. She told me I was very brave and I did the right thing. Of course I did the right thing! To hell if that bastard thought I was going to let him get away with that crap he pulled!
Once I finished my convo with Mama, I headed upstairs and called my very best friend!
"Hello?" I could hear Fuka ask on the other side. Seriously? She should known then to greet me with a simple hello. We're best friends after all!
"I'M GOING TO KILL THE DAMN BASTARD, FUKA. I'M GOING TO SKIN THIS GUY ALIVE." Okay, so maybe I might have overdone it a little too much.
"That bad huh?"
"FUKA. It is terrible. This guy is a menace! He willingly tried drowning one of my new friends! Who does that Fuka? Like honest to God, who does such horrid things like that?"
Fuka gasped on the other side of the phone.
"Sana. Maybe you shouldn't be getting involved with a guy like this." But before I could say anything, she cut me off. "I know it's not who you are to let something like this go, but when someone starts threatening your life, it's different."
"No can do. I'm already too caught up in this." I could hear her sigh. She's upset with me, but Fuka already knows me. She knows I won't let this jerk do whatever he pleases.
"Did you just listen to yourself, you idiot? This guy tried drowning someone, Sana. Drowning. What if he comes after your life next? What are you going to do? Dance and joe your way out of it? If this guy is as bad as you say, you know that this is serious."
This is what separated Fuka and I from each other. As much alike as we are, Fuka wasn't one to face danger. She was the rational one of us. She knew what she could handle and what she couldn't. She knew when I was getting too out of hand or when we were dealing with something out of our hands. I was always stubborn and hard headed, rushing into things without fully thinking things through. Fuka thought ahead, with what consequences we could face.
And at this moment, she was thinking ahead before me. Which, I kind of hated sometimes.
"Yes, yes. I know, Fuka. I know. The jerk's dangerous, but I have a plan!" Okay, I really didn't, but I needed Fuka to get off my case about this.
"You have a plan? I highly doubt that." Damn that Fuka. She knew me so well.
"I do! I do! It's a good plan!" Good one, Sana. Good one.
"Oh yeah. And what is this glorious plan of yours?" Think Sana, think!
"I can't tell you! It's a secret." I said in a hush, hush tone.
"Because you have nothing, you liar!" I laughed. Oh Fuka.
"Just wait, Fuka. Just you wait!" I could hear Fuka laughing on the other side of the phone. SHe was probably shaking her head, thinking how stupid I was for doing something so crazy. but hey, that's wy she loves me.
"I can't wait to hear how miserably you failed."
"Thanks for the faith, best friend."
"You're welcome, best friend."
We talked for a good hour or so. We usually do. Since I'm not physically there anymore, we have to resort to talking on the phone for long periods of time just to catch each other up on our lives. I asked her about Yuta and told her about Hiro and his weird, flirty, protective behavior, which she totally flipped out about.
"Ohhh he likes you!"
I blushed, remembering the way Hiro looked at me. "No! He doesn't! He's just being a good friend, that's all!"
"Sana, please. You are not that dense. Actually, you can be. But that's not the point. Point is… this Hiro person likes you."
I scoffed as I flopped onto my bed, phone close to my ear. "Fuka no. Not now. Not again."
There was a brief moment of silence between the two of us and all I could think about was the stupid, stupid mistake I made months ago and how it ruined everything. I didn't want that to happen again. Hiro was a nice guy. Though a little sensitive, he would make a great friend in the near future, someone I could learn to lean on.
And to hell if I would let any unnecessary feelings come in the way of that.
"Sana… this is different. It's not like with Nao-"
"No! Fuka! It's exactly like him. Hiro reminds me a lot of him. If you take out the bitterness and replace the brown hair with purple and green eyes with blue. Hiro is a nice guy and I don't want to ruin it like I did with Naozumi." My heart started feeling heavy and all these feelings of regret and guilt came back rushing.
It was like a wave of water hitting me at full force and I felt like I was drowning.
"It's not all your fault, Sana. Besides, you can't let what happened with Naozumi haunt you forever."
Yes I can.
"How is he? Naozumi- I mean. Is he doing well?" I stopped, and thought about my question. "I haven't talked to him since, well... since I left."
"He's doing good, Sana. As well as can be expected."
I sighed in relief. Is that bad of me? I hope not. I never wanted things to end up how they did with Naozumi. He was my best friend since I could remember. But because stupid feelings and emotions got involved, it destroyed something great.
"Th-That's good. Very good. Great actually! Stupendous!"
"Sana."
"Right. Okay, I have to go to bed so I could make this awesome plan go into effect tomorrow! Goodnight Fuka!"
"Uh huh. Don't dwell on it too much, girl. The past is the past. You can't change what happened. You just have to move on. And let me know how this amazing plan of yours goes. I can't wait to hear about it."
And with that, we said our goodbyes and I rolled myself in my blankets, trying to figure out how in the world I was going to deal with the Haya-jerk. All extra feelings aside, first thing was first. I had to take down the evil snake.
-O-
Aside for my hatred for a certain, perverted, sex crazy blonde haired gang leader, I really like Jinbou High School. Besides the annoying fan girls that worship the ground that heathen walks on, the people are pretty great when they're not worried whether Hayama will go after them next. The teachers, who also cower in fear to this jerk, are not so bad either.
Do you see what I'm trying to say now? This school isn't so bad when you take out the one factor that ruins it in the first place.
When I walked into school that morning, everything was pretty normal. Well, as normal as I would expect. What happened yesterday was pretty hushed, especially because it happened after school so nobody was here.
But that didn't mean that Hayama was getting away with what he did. No sir. He was going to pay for it.
"Sana!"
I looked back at whoever was calling me and it happened to be Hisae, who looked a little panicked. I suppressed the urge to growl, thinking that Haya-jerk was up to his evil ways again.
"Hey Hisae! Whats up?"
A look of panic flashed in her eyes. "You shouldn't have come to school today, Sana. You should have stayed home."
I blinked. "What?"
"You should have stayed home!" She grabbed my shoulders and tightened her grip on my shoulders.
"After what happened yesterday. After what you did to Hayama, it's dangerous to be here, especially by yourself."
I didn't know whether to be insulted or happy by Hisae's concern. Obviously, after yesterday, it was evident that I could take care of myself. So, I was kind of offended she thought that I needed to stay home and hide.
"I'm positive Sana can take care of herself, Hisae."
I went wide eyed at the new voice creeping up behind me. I turned around and saw Hiro Akimoto standing right in front of me with a grin stretched on his lips. He seemed a lot more different than yesterday. He seemed a lot more collected, cooler, together.
Huh, how weird.
"Look Hiro. Sana showed a lot of bravery yesterday but she can't possibly take on Hayama on her own! He's lethal and deadly and-"
"-she's capable of taking him down." He placed his hand on my shoulder and I immediately thought to Fuka's words yesterday.
He likes you.
NO. Sana. STOP. We're not doing this again.
"Because we're all going to help her stop him."
Wait, what?
"Wait, what?" I gazed over at him this confused, questioning look.
"We're your friends. We're not letting you do this alone."
I locked eyes with Hiro and I could see the confidence in his bright green eyes. Eyes that reminded me a lot of crystal blue eyes. But, pushing that aside. He was smiling at me with the utmost determination and I couldn't help but smile.
"Guys, look. I appreciate that you're worried about me, but I've dealt with guys like Hayama before." I shook myself away from Hiro's grip and stood in front of my friends with a firm smile. "I've got a plan up my sleeve, which will stop Hayama from doing anything to me or the rest of us."
And with that, I turned around and stalked off.
Great.
Now I've really got to come up with something.
I've really got to stop doing that.
I groaned and rubbed my temples as I walked through the hallway.
I needed a plan . I needed a plan fast.
What could I do? What can I possibly do against him and his army of gang members?
Nothing was coming to me as I strolled through the hallways . I kept bumping into people and getting shoved from side to side.
Normally, I'd explode BUT I was too busy thinking of a way to stop Haya-jerk. And it was a lot harder than I thought. I REALLY didn't wanna hear it from Fuka either. (Trust me, you wouldn't either.) She's BRUTAL when she's right and you're wrong. And this was something I wanted to be right about.
It wasn't until I crashed right into someone that I stopped thinking because the pain in my forehead was slightly unbearable. I looked up at the person I crashed into and was about to give them an earful, but I went wide eyed instead.
It was the pervert himself.
And he looked different today.
For a moment, we both just kind of stood there, staring at each other. Instead of the perverse arrogance or the haughty attitude or the hostile demeanor he usually sported, their was something else.
Something that almost looked like pain and sorrow.
Whoa, where did that come from?
But I think I must have reacted too much because the second I showed it, he glared at me and scoffed, pushing me aside with a rather hard push. And even as he stalked off and people steered clear out of his way, i couldn't help but look back.
I watched his back grow smaller and smaller as he disappeared into the sea of people at Jinbou High School. It was then I realized something. Something that I should have seen a long time ago.
He was human.
I mean, I always knew he was an actual human because come on, he can't be a robot. Now that's just silly! Unless, he really was robot and the government was slowly but surely taking over the world with robots that were designed to look just like humans! That could be a possibility.
But I'm sure robots can express the agony that was in his eyes for the split moment.
I wonder what deep, dark secrets a guy like him has?
I went to class pondering on that, ignoring everybody and anybody. Tsuyoshi and Aya greeted me, but I just replied with a simple smile and hello, then went back to thinking about the possible ordeals that a guy like Hayama could have faced to cause him to turn into what he turned too.
And it wasn't until Hiro touched my shoulder (seriously though, what was with all the touching of the shoulder?) that I jumped out of concentration.
"Umm, you okay in there?" He asked, concerned filled in those beautiful green eyes of his.
"Huh? Oh yeah, I'm fine!" I gave him my famous smile. You know, the one that usually tricks people into thinking I'm okay. And for the most part, it works.
"Oh, okay. Come on, I'll walk you to class." He gave me a gentle smile as I got up from my seat. I looked at him weirdly, giving him this conspicuous look to which he just smirked at.
What a weirdo.
"Gee thanks."
"Huh?" I grabbed my school bag and put it on, wondering what the heck this guy was talking about.
"You called me a weirdo. And I said gee thanks." He chuckled a bit and I bushed. I really gotta learn how to stop saying everything I think. I'm going to get into a lot of trouble one of these days if I don't learn to control my mouth.
"Cause' you are weird, if you haven't noticed." He scoffed, rolling his eyes with a playful smile.
"Yeah, well I ain't as weird as you. Nor crazy." I actually took some pride in that. So what if I was crazy? At least I had some sense of adventure!
"Some people find that attractive you know? It's not all bad." I gave him a cheeky grin and walked ahead of him, hands clasped behind my back.
I was absolutely NOT flirting with him. I was just being nice.
"Well, is that so?" He came up behind me and whispered in my ear and I swear my face heated up. What in the world was Hiro thinking?! I quickly moved away from him and scratched the back of my head.
"Well duh. I said it myself! Anyway, I gotta run! See you later!"
And without a moment's hesitation, I left. My heart was beating really fast and my face just wouldn't stop burning up.
There was no way in hell I was going to fall for Hiro. I absolutely refuse it. I was going to stick to me "No Boys" plan. I absolutely refuse to allow another friendship to be destroyed because of my incompetency.
I went throughout most of the day successfully avoiding Hiro and his flirty ways. Mami found me at lunch and thanked me profoundly. Of course, I told her it was no problem. I totally didn't mind giving Hayama a well deserved slap.
it was a pretty normal day overall, except for this whole Hiro being flirty and Hayama being silent. I was so sure he was would have done something to avenge what I did to him yesterday.
But nothing so far. I decided to ditch my last class, because honestly, I am a coward and don't wanna face Hiro. And it will make things worse because Hayama's also in that class and the tension between those two is almost frightening.
So I just resorted to sitting outside the gym, by the track, basking in the sunlight of the nice spring day. This had actually been a good day.
"Didn't take you for a deviant now, Kurata."
Maybe I spoke too soon.
I turned around with a look of annoyance at my new company. With much attitude, I rolled my eyes and looked away from him, trying to ignore his presence. Though, I was awfully curious about earlier this morning.
"Goes to show you don't know anything about me." I retorted as we locked eyes.
"I know that you're an annoying pest who sticks her nose into business that has nothing to do with her." I narrowed my eyes at him and growled inwardly.
"You're going to make me cry." Again, sarcasm people.
"I can make people do a lot of things." I narrowed my eyes at him again. If he was stupid enough to think I didn't catch that subtle message, he had another thing coming. "And I can do a lot of things to make people cry, as you have seen."
"What do you want, Hayama?" I stood up and came face to face with the slippery snake.
"It's not what I want, New Girl. It's what I know that you should be more intrigued… well, concerned with."
And then there was that coy, sly smirk that I had been waiting for.
But that's not what I was worried for. Not at all.
"What on earth are you talking about?" I asked in both shock and interest.
"The green eyed bastard has really taken a liking to you, hasn't he?" What the hell? How would he know that?
"That's none of your business." I spat.
"On the contrary, New Girl, it's plenty my business. The moment you crossed me, anything concerning you became my business." There was something dark and twisted in the way he said that and I didn't like it one bit.
"I wonder how he would feel if he learned the truth about you." I was growing anxious. What on earth was Hayama going on about? What truth?
Unless…
Oh no.
The smirk on his lips grew. "What you failed to understand, Kurata, is that I've gotears everywhere." He walked closer to me, his lips coming to my ears.
"And I know your dark, dirty secret."
My heart stopped.
"You know, you criticize me for breaking hearts, but you're a heartbreaker yourself, aren't you? Tsk. Tsk. Such a hypocrite." I feel my jaw clench and the nails of my fingers dig into the flesh of my palms.
"It would be a shame if Akimoto learned of this, wouldn't it?" He pulled away from my ear and I felt my heart sink to my stomach.
How could he possibly know?
There was no way he could know. No possible way.
How?
How?!
HOW?!
"Not only Akimoto, but what would your friends think of you? The school?"
Damn you, Hayama Akito. Damn you.
"It's interesting really. I never pegged you for a-"
"Shut up!" I yelled at him as I grabbed him by his collar and brought him close to my face. I knew my face was red and I scrunched up my brows together gripped his collar tightly, hoping that maybe I would be able to choke this bastard to death.
"You, you stupid, vile, despicable being, have no right to talk to me about this! You have no right! So just shut up!"
I take back everything I said about Hayama from earlier in the day.
"I'm the one calling the shots here, Kurata. I'm the one with your dirty little secret," I gripped the collar to his shirt harder, "so I would consider your next choice of words and actions a little wiser."
Hayama is not human.
"What do you want." I seethed through my teeth as I let him go and tried (yeah, I tried) to push him with all the force I had.
His smirk dropped and his eyes went all malicious and evil again.
He is a heartless, soulless thing! that enjoys causing grief and panic.
"I want you to apologize to me. In front of the whole school. On your knees."
Oh fuck no.
"You've got to be shitting me!"
Normally, I stray away from foul language because I really do think it's indecent to use, but holy hell this guy is fuckin (excuse my french) crazy.
"There is no way in hell that-"
"Don't forget about what I know, Kurata." There was that stupid ass, perverted smirk of his and I wanted nothing more than to wipe the floor with it!
"And I have no problem letting this school know that you're nothing but a filthy liar."
Hayama is the bane of my existance and I will burn him to the ground.
"You're seriously blackmailing me?" I was in disbelief. How the hell does this guy think he can just come here and blackmail me like this? Who the hell does he think he is?!
"I play the game far better than you could imagine. I warned you the second you decided to cross me, I always win."
You haven't won yet, asshole.
Think Kurata. Think! You can't show weakness! You have to fight back! Come on, Kurata!
"So what do you choose? The decision is up to you."
Now would be the perfect time for a plan, Sana. You know, that plan you so confidently told Fuka and Hiro you had!
"You're a damn prick you know that?" Stall time, Sana. Stall time.
"You're not getting out of this. It's pointless to stall."
Damn. Why the hell does this guy have to be so damn smart? Why couldn't he just be stupid like all other gang members.
Come on, Sana. What would your mama do? Or Fuka? Or just about anybody?
Wait.
I got it.
It was brilliant! It might not work, but I'm crossing my damn fingers, praying to Kami it does!
I shook my head and smiled at him, which really surprised him because he dropped that holier-than-thou facade and frowned at me with this puzzled gaze.
"What the hell are you smiling about?"
Hook.
"Oh… nothing." I snickered, inside hoping to God that I don't mess this up. "Just that it's funny you know something about me when I know something about you."
He went goggled eyed for a second before narrowing his eyes.
"You're full of it Kurata. You're bluffing."
I gave him a confident smile. "Am I?"
He stood there, watching me carefully. He was probably trying to read my next move, trying to figure out what I was going to do next. Too bad he wouldn't be able to figure it out.
"I know that inside, you're feeling guilty over what happened," And now, starts the lie, "I know that till this day, that incident still follows you. I know that the school would also stop fearing you if this secret ever got out."
Okay so I admit, total bull. But that was the best I could do. Besides, what I saw in his eyes earlier today were eyes of guilt so I had something to go on.
In the blink of an eye, Hayama grabbed me by the shoulder, (okay seriously? What the hell is with this shoulder thing? Enough already!) and threw me against the wall, his eyes flaming with absolute resentment.
For what?
Probably for me.
"Who the hell told you?" He seethed through his teeth, glaring intensely into my eyes.
Gotcha.
Line.
"Does it matter? All that matters is what I know." He was literally burning holes into me. I don't think I've ever seen somebody so upset. But hey! MY PLAN WORKED.
IN YOUR FACE FUKA. HA.
He narrowed his eyes and growled. But my shoulder was starting to grow uncomfortable as he pushed me harder into the wall.
"Tell me! Who told you!?" I was actually surprised at the force Hayama was using. He was gripping my shoulder like his life depended on it. But it was strange seeing him get so worked up over my lie, which in some ways actually applied to his life.
"That isn't important! What's important now is that we both know each other's dirty little secret, isn't that right Hayama?" Honest to Kami, if looks could kill, I'd be six feet under at this moment.
"So where do we go from here?" He remained quiet and I just felt a sense of victory course through me. That just goes to show that I can take care of myself.
"I guess I can play this game pretty well, won't you say?" Sorry, I couldn't stop myself from the snarky comment. It just felt so good to finally have the upper hand again.
He finally let go of me and took a step back. I rubbed my shoulder out and waited for his response. If he ever decided too.
Well, Sana. This time is better than no time.
"I have a proposition for you. A deal if you might say." I finally said it. Now let's hope he takes it.
"We both know something very… dark… about each other. We could either fight it out and tell the whole school about our dirty little secrets." He glared, his nostrils flaring. "OR, we could come to a mutual agreement."
He scoffed. "A mutual agreement? I could easily tell your secret."
"As I, Haya-jerk. Now let me finish!" I coughed. "You stop tormenting people and sleeping with all these girls and running this school-"
"Who the hell do you think you are-"
"-AND I will leave you alone. I won't even look twice your way! We will steer clear from each other! Does that work?" I gave him a confident grin of my own, one that usually gave me the right of passage.
"No. That does not work." He came closer to me until we we're only inches apart. "You think you have the upper hand, therefore, you can demand all you want. But don't forget that I know your secret and at any time I can let it loose."
"I know that! But I also-"
"Yeah I know you know mine." He leered at me and I had the urge to punch him. But I couldn't because we were in the middle of coming to an agreement (well, somewhat).
"But you've sacrificed nothing. I am the gang leader of Crimson Wolf and I won't bow down to your damn orders. You don't control me."
"Enough with your superiority spiel! Point is, I know something about you and you know something about me! We could sit here and argue who has more leverage all day, but frankly, I have things to do and I'd rather not waste anymore time with someone like you." I poked him in the chest, which surprised him. "And I know you don't want to be around me anymore than I do, so unless you want your secret to stay a secret, you've got to give it up."
Damn. I didn't know that I could do that. Good job Sana.
He sighed roughly, probably screaming on the inside. He's probably thinking of different ways he could kill me and get away with it. I wouldn't doubt it.
"If you so much as even look at me, your secret will be let loose." He said.
And sink!
"As long as you don't touch my friends or other people, I won't even acknowledge that you exist."
"I'm not finished. You wanna put down rules, I have a few of my own." I crossed my arms and waited patiently as he gave me the rest of his rules to this bargain.
"You will not pry. You will not speak to no one of this and what you know. And you will top interfering in matters that do not concern you. Like with what you did with Shota."
"Fair enough."
"I'm not done."
He's not done? What the hell! What else!?
"You will not talk to Akimoto Hiro."
I felt my chest cave in on me and shock course through my body.
"Wh-what?"
"You will not speak to Akimoto Hiro. If you as even so much look at him, within the next seconds, your secret will be out."
There was a moment where we both just stared at each other, but I couldn't contemplate what was going on because this bastard just forbade me from speaking to one of my new friends. My heart dropped to my stomach and suddenly I became furious because who in the world did Hayama think he was?!
"You can't stop me from talking to Hiro!" I retorted. He scoffed.
"I can and you will." Once again, he came closer to me but instead of settling right in front of me, he moved to my ear and whispered, "You wanted to play this game and now we will. Your turn."
He then pulled away and with one last venomous glare, he turned around and walked away. I stood there, almost in a daze. I was trying to comprehend what just happened. Hayama just forbade from speaking to Hayama. I wasn't even allowed to look at him.
If I did, secret's out.
And I absolutely could not allow that to happen.
Not only that, I had an even bigger problem.
I had no idea what Hayama's secret was. I was totally bluffing. And luckily, it worked and he fell for it. But he, he knew. He knew what happened with Naozumi. Which meant he possibly could have known why I was here in Tokyo in the first place.
I was royally screwed.
A/N: I am so sorry that this took almost like 4 months to update! I so did not mean for that to happen! I was going to update during winter break but I just got so caught up with everything else that I didn't. But alas, here we are!
This chapter sets up the plot for the actual story. You get some character development and we touch on Sana's big secret(s)! ANd I think you guys will really enjoy them as they come to light. Also, Hayama's past was sort of touched on also! And Hiro, I just love Hiro. Him, along with Kyo Kotetsu from my Two Worlds Collide story, are my favorite OC's of mine.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I made it extra long because I took so long! Normally, each chapter is about 7-10 pages but this one is almost 20 because I took so long! So extra treat for you! Let me know what you think! Do you have an ideas? Speculations? Let me know in your reviews! They are welcomed and encouraged! They keep me going!
So until next time!
-Dark Waffle