Satomi Otsuka's P.O.V
Oh no! Not again! I can't believe I have done this again. I fumble with the key in I got stuck in the lock, trying desperately to retrieve my key before any of my fellow teachers see what I have done. If they find out about this, they would never let me live it down. Oh, come on I almost have it… just a little more…
"Used the wrong key again?"
Damm, so close. As if mocking me, my key suddenly comes loose now that I have been caught.
"Yes," I admit with a blush growing on my checks.
"This is the second time this week Satomi. Are you trying to beat your record from last year of having twelve locks replaced?"
"No," I sigh, turning to face one of my oldest friends. "You know I don't do this on purpose Aya. For some reason, things like this always happen to me."
"I know, I know," Aya smiles. "No one is upset, and you need to cheer up because it's Friday and we have that double date to go on this evening."
"He isn't going to be wired like the last one?" I worriedly ask as we start to walk down the corridor. I don't think I could ever forget the last friend Aya set me up with.
"Relax it's fine," Aya assures me with a smile. "Anzai was a nice guy… he just had some wired interests."
Yuki's P.O.V
Perfect. I smile as I look into the mirror. Tonights going to be fun.
Unlike Hikari, I am not much of a social bird and was surprised to be invited to a party tonight at our school's freshmen dorm. At first, I was going to turn down the invitation but before I could speak Hikari said that both of us will be there. Yui is coming too, but like me, she seemed to be hesitant to come. Hikari sure is something as she managed to get two anti-social creatures to go to a party with her.
"Are you done yet?" I turn to face Hikari who is laying on my bed looking bord.
I had a feeling like she was watching me when I was changing, but every time I looked back to check on her, I just saw Hikari reading from one of my magical girl manga's. It was probably just my imagination, but I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching me. It wouldn't really matter if Hikari did see me though because we did use to take baths together, but the feeling of being watched was a really uncomfortable one.
"Yep," I tell her. "All done."
"Good! Let me have a look!" Instead of just asking me to twirl for her, Hikari gets up off of my bed and circles me herself. "Oh, I'm so jealous! You look so good when you dress up and never have to put in any effort into looking your best!"
"Hey, you look pretty good too Hikari," I reply.
"Oh… sure your just saying that to be nice…" Hikari says with a blush.
"No, I mean it," I confirm. "You look cute Hikari."
"Cu… cute…" Hikari mutters as her face burns up before shaking her head. "Let's just forget about it and get going."
Hikari starts to leave, looking flustered and follow giggling quietly. How can Hikari be jealous of me when she is so cute herself. All I have down is put on a pair of blue jeans and an old top from my wardrobe where Hikari has made a real effort. My childhood friend is wearing a light blue dress, and from the looks of it, she even has put on some makeup. Hikari really is cute, and I should be the one who is envious here. If it weren't for the fact that she only sees me as a friend and I would mess up our friendship, I would have asked Hikari out a long time ago.
Yui's P.O.V
"Hey, Yui can you help me hang this?" A voice asks as I put down the tray of food I just carried into the room from the kitchen.
"Oh… okay…" I reply, stepping towards the girl who made the request. "What do you need me to do?"
"Just hold it straight while I pin it up," She answers as she starts to put some pins into the banner. If I remember correctly, the girl I am helping is called Akuro Nagata. "Hey, Yui your friends with Yuki, right? So I was wondering what person she is…"
I look towards Akuro and seeing her blushing slightly. Does she like Yuki? Well, Yuki is a friendly person, and she does have a way of drawing your eye because it's hard to not consider her beautiful. It shouldn't be that surprising Akuro want's to date her.
"Well, Yuki is… a nice, friendly person," I tell her.
"Do you know if she is dating anyone?" Akuro asks with her blush growing.
"No, she's single," I answer.
Yuki told me herself that she isn't dating anyone and looking for a girlfriend. I'm surprised that I agreed with her and said I wanted a girlfriend too. I'm not sure why I said that, I'm not even sure if I like boy's or girls. I don't know why I told her that. I just went along with Yuki.
"That's good," Akuro says as a small smile grows on her face. "I thought that Yuki might have been dating Hikari."
"Yuki and Hikari are just childhood friends," I assure her which seems to make her happy. "Hikari told me they have been friends since elementary school."
We finish pinning up the banner in silence, but I can tell that Akuro was happy after our talk, but I can't shake the slight pain in my heart. I'm not sure what caused it, but ever since I started to suspect Akuro likes Yuki my chest has hurt and that pain only got worse when Hikari was brought into the conversation. I'll have to look up what caused this pain later. I hope it's nothing serious.
"Hey, Yui! Can you help me carry some more drinks?!" A voice calls out to me from across the room.
"Sure!" I call back.
Unknown P.O.V
Perfect. This is just perfect. All of the first years are in one place and in a building that doesn't have any charms or spells to block our analyzing magic. The only problem is I have to keep my friends on a tight leash as both of them want to attack now instead of waiting. They just don't know the value of patients at all. They want to kill on sight instead of waiting for the right moment where we can cover our tracks or better yet, frame someone else.
There she is. It is easy to spot Yuki amongst the growing crowd of girls. She has this air about her that makes her stand out and the whispers and stares she is causing only help me to pinpoint her location. As I expected ever since Yuki reviled her power, she has been the center of attention. Hopefully, that attention will get to her either through arrogance or shame I can work with either when it comes to recruiting her. Worse case I can always just use that girl Yuki is always with. I'm sure if I were to kidnap Hikari Satou, then Yuki would come around to my way of thinking. Girls like her always look out for their friends after all.
"How about a weak monster?" I turn to see my green haired friend looking at the growing crowd of students. "If we can't attack then lets at least send in one of our weakest monsters to test their skills."
"That would be fun to watch," Now it's my blonde haired companions turn to speak up. She is drooling as she stares out of the window. "I can already hear their screams of terror."
"Patients you two your time will come," I say with a smile. "And on that day we will all have our fill of fun. We just need to wait. Let's just observe for now and plan." Both of them let out a sigh, but I can see that both my friends won't be trying anything. "Don't worry. Our time will come soon."
Hikari Satou P.O.V
Tonight is going to be great! I haven't been to a party with Yuki since we were in middle school. I can't wait until we get there and the party starts! Maybe after a few drinks, I could get Yuki to dance with me. I could perhaps ask Yuki to dance with me, and then she might finally feel the way I want her to feel for me. That's doubtful. Yuki is too dense to notice me in that light. But that's what makes her cute and makes me love her so much.
Ah! Here we are at last! I can see some lights that someone has set up outside the first year dorm and smell the food already. Whatever they have set out for the party must be delicious! I can already feel my mouth water just thinking about trying all the snacks on offer.
"There she is,"
I can't help but here the whispering around us. I know it's not about me but Yuki they are talking about. Well, Yuki is pretty amazing! She is cute, friendly, and caring! Who wouldn't like her!
"Is she the one that can stop time?"
"She must be super powerful,"
"She sure is handsome,"
Hearing comments like that last one really does make me wish I was dating Yuki. That way, I could kiss her and show everyone who is looking our way that Yuki is mine and mine alone.
"Hey, Yuki can I hold your hand?" I ask feeling jealous as I hear more comments about how beautiful my Yuki is.
"Sure," Yuki replies, offering her hand to me.
"Now we can't get separated!" I tell her happily.
If I can't kiss her, then I will settle with holding her hand! Already I can hear the comments people are making as they see us and as someone asks if we are a couple I can't help but smile. We may not be a couple right now, but maybe tonight we can get together! We can confess our love for each other, kiss and then go back to Yuki's apartment to share the night together in that intimate way only lovers can share the night. I can feel my face heat up as well as other parts of my body just thinking about spending the night with Yuki! I need to calm down. Someone will notice something is wrong if I keep imagining things like that. Thankfully I spot Yui and see the perfect distraction from my pleasant fantasies.
"Hey! Yui!" I call out waving my free arm.
Yui nods as she sees us and smiles when she walks towards us. The perfect distraction. Yui is so pure and innocent that I can't imagine any thoughts like the ones I have been having will continue coming to mind for much longer.
"Welcome," Yui shyly smiles. "You're both rights on time… the parties only just starting."
"Perfect!" I reply.
Miyu Himura P.O.V
"How much longer are you going to take?" I ask, knocking my knuckles lightly against the wood of my bathroom door. "The parties starting."
"You can go one without me," Comes the response. "You're the one everyone wants to see tonight, not me."
"But we agreed to go together," I remind her feeling slightly annoyed that she is trying to get out of going especially after she practical forced me into attending this party.
"I'm still going," She tries to assure me, but after all her false promises she has made before I don't believe her. "Just go, have a good time, and I will meet you there."
"Fine," I sigh giving up. "I'll meet you there."
I step away from the door walking over to the small table by the window where a single picture rests. It has become a ritual to do this every time I leave my room. I run my finger over the photo gently stroking the face of my sister. So many things unsaid surface in my mind as I stare into my sister's eyes nearly making me cry, but I can't complain. My sister wouldn't want me to shed tears; she would want me to live my life. With a nod of my head, I find the strength to walk away from my sister and head towards the door. My sister was always stronger than me. It should have been me and not her that died that night.
Rei Shimizu P.O.V
I can do this…
It's just a party… no one would try anything there…
I can do this…
So what if some boys will be attending the party… It doesn't mean they will try anything…
I can do this…
"Hey, I got you a drink since you aren't feeling so good,"
My knuckly tense up gripping the sink so tightly the skin of my fingers turns white. How nieve and trusting I was. How sweet and innocent he acted. I should never have trusted him. I never should have drunk and eaten the things he gave me.
"It will make you feel better,"
Feel better my ass. That stuff burned my stomach and made me puke blood. Men are devils in disguise and should never be trusted. He was my friend and he still posied me for years just for his sick enjoyment.
I can't do this…
I can't go to this party tonight. I can't join Miyu. I can't. I need some air, I need to be alone. I'll just go for a walk and think about things.
Yuki's P.O.V
I am feeling overwhelmed here. There is just so much going on and so many people. I don't know how Hikari can handle being here as I watch her go from person to person talking about various things. We have always been like this. Hikari has always been good with people and lived in the light while I hid in the shadows doing little to get noticed. I bet Yui and I are alike in this regard, and we both enjoy a quiet life in the corner.
As overwhelming as the party is, I can still admire the efforts whoever organized this party went to. The decorations suit the mood, and the food and drinks they provided will be enough to satisfy everyone who attends the party tonight. Hikari seems happy, at least as she moves from table to table talking and sampling while dragging Yui and me along with her. I don't have her stomach, I don't know how Hikari can continue to eat as I am starting to feel sick.
"Hey, Yui, Yuki!" Hikari calls out, running towards us with more food in her hands. "You got to try these next!"
"I'm not sure can," I complain, but Hikari isn't interested in any of my objections.
"Sure, you can!" Hikari tells me, pushing a cupcake into my hand. "You have to try this it's soooo good!"
"Ok, I'll try it," I reply taking the cupcake. When Hikari's like this, there is no chance in her accepting no for an answer. But despite how full I am, I enjoy the little cake. This cupcake is just like Hikari said it would be.
"Soooo… was I right?!" Hikari says, leaning in close to me. "It's good Right?!"
"Right," I nod, turning to face Yui, who has been another unfortunate victim of Hikari's endless food tour. "What do you think, Yui?"
"Oh, it is delicious," Yui says after whipping a few crumbs off of her lips.
Miyu Himura P.O.V
I should have known she would have shown up. Rei always does stuff like this, and I just wish for once she would keep her promises. I only came to this party because she wanted to go and now Rie can't even bring herself to show up. I should just go back to my room and call it a night.
"Oh, wow. What a pretty dress."
I have heard a lot of comments like that recently. It's no big deal people have been saying stuff like that about me all my life. I was always the pretty one, the smart one, the one that… no best not to think about it. Not while I am somewhere, people can see.
"Himura-Senpia is so beautiful,"
It would seem that the first years have filled the gaps in my fan club left by last years graduates.
"Isn't she the one that stopped time?"
Stopped time? I turn and follow everyone's gazes who like me have turned to look at the girl in question. She must be very powerful to be able to freeze the flow of time. But she doesn't look like much at first glance.
"Didn't she tell Miss Aya that she got her power by being lazy?"
Maybe she isn't so special. But I will keep my eye on her.
Yuki P.O.V
Everyone is staring at me again. Maybe I should have kept quiet and lied about my power. It's getting really uncomfortable being the centre of attention all the time.
"Didn't she tell Miss Aya that she got her power by being lazy?"
I really should have thought of a better answer than that.
"Hey, Yuki!" I don't recognise the voice and turn around to see a pretty smile and a pair of green eyes staring right at me. "It's strange to see you without Hikari attached to your hip. Let me guess. Trouble in paradise?"
"Oh no, it's nothing like that," I reply, taking a step back as this girl comes a little to close for comfort. "Hikari is just…" Where is she anyway? She was here one second and gone the next. Knowing Hikari, she is most likely after spotting some pretty cupcake or cute cat picture. "…somewhere else at the moment."
"Well since she is somewhere else," She says, stepping to close to me before muttering. "Probable with someone else." I step back, and she follows. "How about I keep you company."
"I…"
"My name is Akuro Nagata by the way," She says as my back hits the wall not giving me a chance to respond. "It's good to finally meet the famous first-year who can stop time itself. I hope we get along."
This girl is too close. Akuro is just like Hikari, only pushier. She steps closer, and I can feel Akuro's breath on my skin. She's really too close for comfort. I feel sweat trickle down my spine as I realise that Akuro doesn't look like she will stop at just being this close to me, but before she can proceed, I see out of the corner of my eye a hand appear on her should and watch as someone tugs her back.
Hikari Satou P.O.V
This one looks so cute! I can't believe that someone was able to make such cute kitten faces on these cupcakes. The kittens look so good it's almost a shame to eat them but they look too good to pass up the chance of tasting one. Picking on up with a black and white kitten painting on the top of the cake, I take a bite.
It's soooo Gooood! It tastes just as good as it looks! I should pick one up for Yuki I'm sure she will love it. And if she were to get a crumb on her cheek, it wouldn't be so bad. I could pick it off and see that cute blush of hers as my finger touch her cheek. I can't wait!
I'm smiling as I turn around to where I left Yuki only to stop dead in my tracks before I can take a single step. The poor cupcake in my hand doesn't stand a chance as I feel in crumble as mt fist tightens. Yuki. I can't leave her alone for a second without someone hitting on her. I don't think I act. Dropping the squshed remains of the once beautiful cupcake I walk over to whoever this girl is that's getting to close to my Yuki and before I know it I'm pulling her off of my Yuki.
Unknown P.O.V
"Looks like things won't be as boring as I thought they would have been," I hear the words but don't turn away as I watch the two girls standoff with each other as everyone watches the fight that about to unfold. "About time we got some good entertainment."
"Make sure we are recording all the data from this," I say without taking my eyes off of the standoff.
"I wish I could join them. I brawl is the perfect way to enjoy a party."
"If you were down there the fight would be over before we had a chance to learn anything useful," I reply. "Just watch for now and your time will come before you know it."
Hikari Satou P.O.V
I am stood between Yuki, and this girl glaring at her and receiving a death stare in response. All around me I hear the silence of the room as all eyes are on us. I don't care. I don't care what anyone thinks of me as long as they stay away from Yuki. My fists still clenched I ready myself for a fight as I see the anger in this girls eyes, but right at the last moment, I see someone step between us.
"There's no need to fight," It's Yuki speaking I a calm voice, but with hints of nervousness mixed in from all the stares, we are receiving. "Can… can both of you calm down and…"
"That bitch just shoved me!" The girl yells.
"You shouldn't have…" I stop as I see Yuki step towards me.
"Hikari calm down," He voice is so soft and I'm powerless against it. "This isn't like you."
I drop my head in shame but not because of the fight. Yuki doesn't know the real me, if she did, then I'm sure she would run for the hills the moment she discovered what I really am and never talk to me again. I take a deep breath. I can't let Yuki see that side of me. I have to be the happy, energetic girl Yuki knows if I don't want to lose her for good. I look past Yuki as see the other girl talking with someone else and see the fight is over before it started. I look to Yuki and see her soft, friendly smile. It's unfair that she can have this effect over me.
"How about we take a walk outside and clear our heads before rejoining the party?" Yuki suggests and I nod in agreement.
Maybe that wasn't so bad. I have Yuki all to myself again and even get to go on a walk alone with her. Maybe I can also hold her hand again!
Yui's P.O.V
I should have stepped in. I should have been by Yuki's side as she got between Hikari and Akuro and helped to stop things. But instead, I ran. Instead, I hid in the bathroom, leaving Yuki to do everything by herself. I'm a terrible friend, I wouldn't be surprised that Yuki would hate me for abanding her like that. I just never been…
"Oh sorry…" I turn around and feel a scared as I see a tall, strong-looking girl stood in the doorway with emerald green eyes, dark hair and tanned skin but my fear soon passes as I see the way her hand is shaking. "I didn't mean to disturb you I'll… be going…"
"It's fine I was just leaving," I reply as I go to leave but stop as I see that it is not just the hands of this girl that's shaking but her whole body that's trembling. "Are you ok?"
"No," She quickly replies without hesitation sounding almost as if she has answered that very question time and time again. "But you can't help me. No one can help me."
"I might be…"
"No," She cuts me off. "Just leave. I'll be fine by myself."
With that, I leave feeling my heart race as I fear what this girl would do to me. I don't think that she would hurt me but then again I never thought a sweet boy like him would have… No, I can't let myself think like that. This is a party. Not a place for thoughts like that. As I walk away I see another girl walk into the bathroom but one that was more elegant than the tomboyish first girl. I hope she will be ok in there.
Miyu Himura P.O.V
"Are you ok?" I ask stepping closer to Rei as she leans over the sink trembling. "I'm sorry." I place a hand on her back and feel her heart hamming away in her chest. "I shouldn't have made you come with me if I knew you would have been like this. I can take you back to your room."
"I'm fine," Rie replies looking up at my reflection in the mirror. "I just need to get used to being around strangers. Some of them might end up on the Track Team with me."
"It's ok if you can't do this," I tell her while I start to gently rub her back.
"I have to do this," She responds shaking her head. "I know they won't try anything but I can't help it. He ruined me."
"You didn't deserve what happened to you Rie," I tell her. "Now let's just forget about the party and call it a night."
"Ok," Rie sighs. "Ok."
Akuro Nagata P.O.V
"I don't care how but I won't let her get away with it," I say letting out my frustration as I punch a cushion. "I won't let her walk away after what she did tonight."
"Calm down and think for a moment," I hear one of my friends say, but I don't care to turn around and see which one said that. "Please just calm down and think. Nothing happened the fight ended before the first fist landed."
"Nothing happened!" I punch the cushion so hard the chair beneath it breaks. Having magic that can enhance your strength really has some downsides. "I was this close, this close to Yuki and that dumb little girl ruined everything. Now I want her to pay for it."