Chapter 4 Edit

It was a bit of a ways from the dining hall, but the walk seemed swift as Hani-san consumed my mind. I seemed to only be able to think back to his form during practice today. I had never seen him this way before. Of course, I had seen his stoic face before, but this was different in some way. Though usually, I was accustomed to Hani-san radiated indifference. So, it is no wonder that seeing him so powerful and authoritative changed the way I viewed him.

Though my musing were cut short by the loud sound of chatter coming from the dining hall, different conversations coexisting at different volumes as I approached by my lonesome. Eyes focusing on the area in front of me as I managed to redirect my thoughts from Hani-san to my protesting stomach.

The only time in which I ever think I will be thankful for the loudness that Ouran students seemed to posses is in this instance, in which the thoughts about my partner may have turned slightly obsessive if they were allowed to proceed.

Instead I focused on a new task at hand as I proceed to walk over to the very distant, gold covered cousin of the commoners vending machine. Truly the two had almost nothing in common, except they both sell food without the involvement of human interaction.

I was not too concerned about what I would eat in this time but, but rather I was more worried about how much longer I could go without food before my body gave out.

I swung my bag over my shoulder as I reached into my pocket and fished out my wallet. Retrieving my card and transferring it to my mouth as I shoved the leather holder back inside its confines. The returning the plastic back between the pads of my fingers.

I chose a random meal and paid for it using my card before rescuing it for its stand. And pocketed my card in my shirt with hopes that I did not lose it.

I had at first intended to sit inside the hall and eat with someone, despite not seeing any familiar faces, but the noise was too much. Instead I exited as quick and without incident. Wandering again down the hall in search of quiet and solace to try and enjoy my mandatory meal.

I roamed, looking through open archways, meandering about as I watched my feet move one in front of the other. I thought briefly thought about heading for the library, though for some reason I felt the urge to look up.

Able to catch a glimpse of a small courtyard a few yards off, just around the river bend as some would say.

A small fountain peeked out of the hedges, growing clearer as I neared the structure. This smaller version of the main courtyard at the entrance was more simplistic in architectural design though what it lacked in grandiose nature it made up for in fauna.

The fine polished marble was smooth, with little ornamentation and ease to perceive. Reminding me a great amount of my mother. Pure as lilies, "wet from the first kiss of morning rain" as she once sang to me.

It was my own little perfect area where I could sit and enjoy being by myself, and nature always found a way to make me more relaxed. It gave me a feeling similar to holding my mother's hand.

As I sat embracing my surroundings, I slowly began to nip at my food. Eating small pieces at a time. Steadily I continued until I realized I was grabbing for air, and there was no longer anything to me to enjoy.

It was a good lunch, but I say that very loosely due to the fact that I do not recall eating any of it. Especially in such a short time.

I put the over glorified empty container down beside me on the stone slab fountain with full intentions to move it later. But for the moment I wanted to immerse within my surroundings.

Though I seemed to have taken my immersion too far, because I was unable to hear or feel a presence approaching from behind until after they had made themselves known.

I heard the sound of someone clearing their throat and jumped a few feet in the air, almost falling backward into the water in the process.

I only barely managed to catch myself on the edge, fingers gripping the rough texture harshly. But still nowhere near enough to tear the calluses thick skin on my hands.

I wiped my head around quickly to see Hani-san, his cold gaze in place as he stared me down almost expectantly.

"Hani-san, what are you doing here?"

I finally stuttered out, one hand fisted around the fabric of my blazer as I seemly gripped my beating heart.

"I was looking for you."

He responded evenly giving my body a quick once over before he returned to staring intently at my face.

"Well, I was just sitting here eating. It is a nice area you know. Well you might know better than me, seeing as you are more accustomed to the campus than I am. I have never attended this school after all. But I guess that we are both first years so we might be in the same boat of circumstances if you think about it."

I rambled on without so mush as taking a single breath in between. I was not usually this talkative or decomposed, but I also never been this nervous around someone. Though my social interactions were usually limited within my family and house servants.

"Ah! But, how did you know that I was looking for you? Did I interrupt something when I stepped into the training room? I am sorry about that, I did not think that anyone had noticed my presence. Let alone that I had managed to disturb you."

I was about to continue my long and outdrawn one-sided conversation when Hani-san interrupted me.

"Shirahata-sempai told me."

He stated blatantly as he took a tentative step closer to me. Hands tucked away in his pockets.

"Shirahata-sempai? Do you mean the boy with light brown hair and green eyes?"

I asked reminiscing for a brief moment.

"Is there something wrong Hani-san?"

I asked after realizing that the blonde's focus remained locked on me even after my incisive ranting that lead to nowhere.

"Is there something on my face?"

I asked brushing my fingertips over the corner of my mouth, only to find a rice grain to have been stuck there. My tongue darting out to lick the rice off my finger as Hani-san watched intently.

I brooded as I walked down the winding and polished hallway on my way towards the library. If Mizuri-san had wanted to meet for our project the only reasonable place for him to be would be the library.

Both double doors were easily pried open in my search, the patter of my feet muffled by scarlet carpet beneath well polished shoes.

I strode in and made a B-line towards the back, the section we were in yesterday afternoon. Mizuri-san seem to like that area, if the smile on his face was anything to go by.

But to my irritation there was no one sitting in that back area which was near a window. Nor lying on the desk that caught the perfect amount of light.

Calming myself, I closed my eyes and brought my hand up to pinch the bridge of my nose. It took a few deep breaths to clear my head though it was definitely needed.

I honestly couldn't think straight at the time; my temple was throbbing and what should be common sense to me didn't even think about slipping into my mind.

It was only because of my growling stomach that I thought to in the eating area. My hasty feet moving towards the crowd of students hungry from the work they did. Or lack of in some cases.

It was difficult to search through all of the heads that sat well above my own. It was in times like these that I hated my short height. It made things so difficult sometimes.

After about thirty minutes and no luck I gave up my search for Mazuri-san. His black hair and average height had made the hunt a little more than difficult and all the more frustrating.

I took a turn to the left out of the cafeteria l, ignoring my protesting stomach as I continued on. I walked down the hall looking out through the open archways every flew seconds. Though, only after seeing a familiar tuff of black hair from behind did I stop.

I stared for a moment, squinting a I tried to make out the figure sitting on the polished slab that looked to be a fountain. Walking closer, the figure could clearly be made out as Mizuri-san. Seemingly alone in the garden like area where he sat with a small lunch.

Approaching my classmate and partner I cleared my throat to alert his attention. Watching as the boy jumped, whipping his body around to look at me with wide eyes.

Somewhere inside me I felt a small itch as I refrained from catching the boy, despite his larger size. Though it wasn't the height difference that stopped me from reaching out. But rather it was how indecent the act would have been should I drag a boy I barely knew into my chest.

Instead I watched as Mizuri-san miraculously caught himself. His knuckles white as his fingers balled around the edge of the fountain. His shoulders were tense and if my classmate weren't wearing such big glasses I probably would have been able to see his eyes widen and his eyebrows rise behind his hair.

It took him a few seconds, but after seeing me he managed to calm himself.

"Hani-san what are you doing here?"

He asked sounding thoroughly surprised despite having just reigned in control on his emotions.

"I was looking for you."

I responded curtly, my eyes quickly roaming up and down his frame before being drawn back to Mizuri-san's face. But pale skin that looked so soft and smooth to the touch, slightly rosy cheeks, and small plump pink lips all drew my eyes back to his face.

As I watched I began to notice more things about my partner. Like his hair, it was jet black and thick. Messy with strands flying up in unusual areas. I wondered if it was as soft and fluffy as it looked. Even yesterday his hair didn't not seem to be combed neatly, just left to do as it wished. Yet for some reason the disheveled look suited him.

And his glasses, they were thick lenses with big rims that weren't easy to see past. It made me a bit curious to what was hidden behind them, and my fingers itched to move them.

Then there was his odd fashion sense and perpetual cold state. He wore the Ouran school uniform, blue blazer and necktie included; but under the blue I could see the black fabric of a hoodie that pooled at the back and peaked from underneath blazer sleeves.

"…I did not think that anyone had noticed my presence. Let alone that I had managed to disturb you."

I caught the last bit of Mizuri-san's rambling and tried to piece two and two together so it didn't seem as though I was staring off rather than listening to raven haired male.

"Shirahata-sempai told me."

I stated blatantly as he took a tentative step closer to him. My hands tucked away in my pockets as my eyes remained locked on his face.

On his cheek next to the corner of his mouth happened to be a grain of rice, positioned temptingly close to his lips. And internally I kept questioning how wrong it would be to brush away that rice and kiss those lips for just an instant.

There is defiantly something wrong with me. With all of my thoughts as they revolve only around Mizuri-san.

"Is there something on my face?"

Mizuri asked me as he brushed his fingertips over the corner of his mouth, picking up the rice grain that had been stuck there. And God that sinful pink tongue darting out of his mouth to lick the rice off of his finger was anything but helpful to my already straying thoughts.

"And now, what are you going to do?"

I asked pulling myself out of my imagination, refusing to let it run rampant with thoughts of Mizuri-san.

My partner did not answer me right away, instead he sat seemingly confused for a moment from what I could see. Eyebrows probably rising behind long black bangs and thick frames.

"I was planning on sitting here for the rest of my break. I truly enjoy being in nature."

Mizuri-san finally answered, a gentle smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Though you are free to join me if you want, I am not opposed to some quiet company."

He further explained, turning his head to look at some of the bigger trees in the courtyard before redirecting his attention back to me.

"Come with me."

I said all too suddenly, pulling one of my hand out of my pocket and grabbing one of Mizuri-san's own. The raven boy's palm and fingertips were both icy to the touch, a stark contrast to my smaller warm ones. I don't know what sparked my sudden spontaneous actions, but I decided to drag my partner to a nearby shady tree that looked comfortable enough.

Its branches were spread wide enough to shade the tree and then some, leaves thick and healthy from constant care. I decided not to waste time and sat down, the sound of grass crunching below me. And looking up at Mizuri-san I watched as he hesitated to sit down, waiting patiently as he finally lowered himself to my level.

The wind rustled the raven locks, sweeping them to the side slightly, and bustled through tree leaves. My partner's glasses reflected the sunlight as he looked on at the area around us. Mizuri-san's cheerful smile was enchanting, calming me down as I leaned back on the bark of the tree.

I closed my eyes and listened to the sound of the wind and a few birds in the distance, the feeling of Mizuri-san's body pressed comfortably against mine. It didn't take too long for my limbs to grow heavy and stiff, my mind drifting off as I feel asleep.

I don't know how long I was asleep, and I could feel the crust beginning to form in the corners of my eyes. I looked around only to see the sun past its highest point in the sky. It was well after noon, and my lunch break was most defiantly over. I didn't initially remember what I was doing before I fell asleep, but as I looked over and saw Mizuri-san and when I did my memories began to return.

Mizuri-san and I were sitting together under this tree, but the last time I checked the boy besides me was not asleep, and defiantly had on glasses. The frames in question were resting innocently on Mizuri-san's lap rather than his face, leaving the pale skin and rosy cheeks exposed to anyone who happened to catch a glance.

Reaching forward I tentatively picked up the frames, looking through the lenses only to find that everything seemed clear. The was no change between the world around me with and without Mizuri-san's glasses. It seemed as though our prescriptions may have been the same, but that couldn't be the case because I had near perfect vision.

A low grown and shifting weight beside me startled me enough to jump from my seat, my own hands ripping the incriminating evidence from my face as my heart hammered away in my chest. I whipped my head around to see my raven-haired partner peeling open sleepy eyes. Hair swept to the side revealing ruby red eyes that shone like diamonds and reflected the world around him.

Within a few seconds I was entranced and Mizuri-san had left me in awe. Those blood orbs widening as he looked back and forth between my face and his glasses that I happened to be still holding.

I was too shocked to move when my partner shot up, quickly snatching his fake frames out of my hands and hastily shoving them back onto his face. Mizuri-san had wasted no time sanding up, quickly brushing off the grass and dirt that clung to his uniform.

I could only watch as Mizuri-san rushed about, stopping by the fountain to pick up his bag before hastily walking off. His figure growing smaller and smaller in the distance as he left me sitting there, visibly amazed and confused.

It took me a few minutes to gather my thoughts again, barely able to pull myself off of the ground onto shaky feet. It took me most of my energy to keep my face in a neutral expression as I wander around aimlessly. My mind hazy and unfocused, but somehow always managing to return those red eyes.

I didn't know where to go from here, or what I wanted to do with myself, so I left it up for my body to decide. My feet taking me where they wished with me only along for the ride.

Somehow, I had ended up in the library where Mizuri-san and I were yesterday. My shoes sinking into the soft red carpet that was spread throughout the entire room as I passed by heavy, polished, wooden double doors.

The table near the back where we sat yesterday was empty, light shining down at just the right angle through a window to illuminate the secluded area. I pulled a chair settling down as I waited for something, anything. Hoping somewhere deep inside that Mizuri-san would come here like we agreed on earlier today in class.

I waited for so long until I began to think about the concept of waiting and had to find a way to distract myself so I didn't go insane. Staring at the bookshelves, doors and ceiling as I twiddle my fingers.

Evidently Mizuri-san never did come, but instead Takashi came when it had gotten late enough in the day. Carrying both of our bags as he stood in front of me at the table.

"Mitsukuni, it's time to go."

He stated, looking down at me as he blocked my view. His hand that held my bag outstretched and waiting for me to take it.

I looked up at him blankly, nodding as I got up from the seat and let my feet hit the floor before accepting my bag. I began my tread towards the parking lot with Takashi not far behind me. Our steps echoing in the quiet hallway as the usual comfortable silence was shared be tween the two of us.

Outside the sky had already grown dim, colours of violet seeping into the clouds as they moved across the darkened background as a black limousine pulled up just as effortlessly as the movement of the clouds. Stopping outside of the school gates, a chauffeur stepped out and bowed before moving to open the door for me and Takashi.

I slid into the limo first, feet dangling over the edge unable to reach the floor just yet, Takashi following after me sliding across the leather seat as the door was closed behind us. Seconds passing before we heard the familiar open and shut of the drive's door and the rev of the engine before we pulled off.

The ride home consisted of me looking out of the tinted window as the trees passed while I felt Takashi's eyes on my back. Though despite how much I know he wanted to my cousin never question my change in attitude or what had happened today.

Only when the car pulled to a stop did I look away from my window, Takashi waiting for me to get out the car before we walked to the house. Both of our expressions equally blank as the front doors to home grew closer.

"Mistukuni-nii!"

I heard a voice cry out, soon after a silhouette slightly bigger than my own was flying through the air and towards me. My reaction time was too slow, and before I had the chance the chance to dodge, I was met with an attack. A small foot to my chest that pushed me backwards and onto the ground.

Takashi's eyes widened as he watched me fall before running over to help me back onto my feet.

"Chika?" I asked with a groan, my body aching from just the brief contact.

"You'll have to do better than that if you don't want me to surpass you Mitsukuni-nii!"

I hardened my eyes after trying to rub away some of my pain, a sharp glare directed at my younger brother. My chilling gaze wasn't uncommon to my brother, but it always managed to make the ten-year-old uneasy where he stood.

"Not today Chica." Takashi said in my defense, blocking me off from Chica's field of vision before opening the front door. I could hear the sound of my brother huffing and grumbling as we stepped inside. Servants bowed to greet us as Takashi and I went a separate way from each other.

"What happened today?" Takashi asked looking down at me, his face unreadable to anyone unfamiliar with him. I opened my room door with Takashi following behind me and closing the door in after us.

"We'll talk about that later, it's been a long day today."

Going to school the next day was the same as usual, breakfast with Takashi before we slid into the limousine parked outside. The schoolyard was filled with the bustle of the student bodies. Girls in big yellow dresses and boys in blue blazers walked through the front doors chatting with each other as they headed to their morning classes.

Takashi and I made our way to our homeroom where I saw Mizuri-san. He was wearing the same fake frames from yesterday that covered his eyes, but this time today when I tried to look at him the raven turned his head away.

The first time he did it I thought it had been a coincidence, but after the second and third time I realized that Mizuri-san had been purposefully avoiding me. Not only in class but for the rest of the day, in fact all week whenever I caught a glimpse of Mizuri-san he seemed to vanish in the other direction.

It was infuriating trying to catch the boy, and for three day I chased him not able to get a single word in. It could have only been by chance that I happened to catch him in the Library just after lunch on Friday.

Mizuri-san had been pulling books from shelves and stacking them in his arms when I came up behind him and touched his back. I had to move quickly to catch the books that fell from my partners arms, standing in front of him when he had finally calmed down.

"You've been avoiding me." I stated blatantly as I walked over to our table to rest the books that I had down. Mizuri-san hesitated before following me, resting his own pile of books next to mine.

"…You saw my eyes." He finally responded after a time, his shoulders tense and his body movement defensive as he turned his head to once again look away.

"They are beautiful. You don't know what I would give to see them again."

I commented looking intently at him, my eyes boaring holes into his figure. There was an uncomfortable silence between us as my partner stood unsure of what to do with himself. And beneath the thick frames I could partially see the heat rising on his cheeks.

Spontaneously, I decided to take a chance. This could either improve my relationship with my partner or completely destroy it.

"Mizuri-san." I called out getting the boy to look at me. Reaching a hand out I cupped Mizuri-san's cheeks and brought his face closer to my own, tiptoeing a bit so I wouldn't hurt him. I tilted my head to the side pressing my lips against his own.

Thank you once again for putting up with me and for your continued reading. Review, follow and favourite because I am fueled by your support. Hell, start up a conversation with me, I will 11/10 times respond. Even if you admit to being a creepy stalker.