Hey, UknownHero here and welcome to another chapter of, drumroll please, He Knows! I have a two week break and I may as well spend it writing. Plus I may be away for a while in the coming months to uh... focus on... studies. *cough* Spider-Man PS4 *cough*. And I have to keep up with all the updates to YanSim just to keep things consistent and... sigh, I really need to update more. So let's gets some reviews out of the way.

To Mark the Mark: I'll consider it. What I have planned for Oka is starting to sound stupider and stupider as I think about it, but uh... I'm gonna roll back a few things to make things work. To a random Guest: Don't worry, Kizana won't be the flat character she is by the end of her week. To MElessSmasher: Okay, I admit, I shouldn't have made Ayano go loud but there is something behind it which we will know shortly.

That's it for now! Let's the meltdown begin!

Chapter 9: The Deceiver

Senpai must be mine.

A simple sentence, but a truth nonetheless.

No matter who gets in the way of our destiny, I'll cut them down.

Whoever tries to hurt him, I'll break them in two.

And if they cross me, I will destroy their lives.

I am a devotee, an admirer, a fan, an enthusiast, an aficionado, a follower, a supporter, a fanatic, an addict.

But there is only one thing my Senpai needs to be perfect.

Senpai must be mine.

"Why the Hell am I doing this?" Osana wondered out loud as she walked towards the Principal's Office. "I know it's going to be a big fat no! Lazy asshole barely even cares about Akademi. I'm not seeing security cameras being built, and nothing about finding the Yandere and that would make our lives so much easier! Ugh, why isn't he fired yet?" She complained before sighing. This wasn't going to get any easier, was it?

When she finally got there, she saw that the door was closed, muffling the principal's voice. He seemed to be arguing with someone over the phone. Osana was going to just wait until the phone call ended before she knocked on the door until she got curious.

This argument sounded heated, personal. Nothing about school matters if her cynical interpretation of the principal was correct.

Doing a quick check, she confirmed that the door was unlocked. So she ducked down and slid the door open just a little to listen into this.

"…Saikou-san, I assure you that everything is going well in Akademi. I assure you!" The principal stated, clearly frustrated by this conversation. "The police are investigating and there is no evidence so far. Everything is safe and going according to plan."

'Safe? Plan…?' Osana thought as her eyes widened. 'Wait, Saikou-san? Is he… No… hold on…'

"…I remember the deal and its conditions, but rest assured she will be here once she returns." The principal said calmly. "Yes, sir, I will not let the daughter of Ryoba leave this school, no matter how dangerous she is. But, there are limits to what I can do. As long as she doesn't cause too much trouble, she will be here."

'…What? Ryoba? Who the Hell is Ryoba!?' Osana was now panicking. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. 'Oh God, no! No no no! No… I'm being paranoid… I'm being paranoid!'

"Hey, who's there!?" The principal shouted out. Osana swore before running as fast as she could away from the office. "Get back here! Dammit!" He demanded as he tried to give chase, but his age and weight slowed him down to a crawl.

"Oh God, he knows doesn't he!?" Osana whimpered. "He knows… He knows!"

There was no doubt about it; the principal knew who the Yandere is.

(Meanwhile…)

"So what is it, Kizana-buchou? Will you accept my challenge?" Ayano taunted, her name coming out as if it was an insult.

"…Hmph. Fine, if you want the lead role then I will accept." Kizana said. "I assume that it will be a scene from Romeo & Juliet and whoever the audience likes more will get the lead?" Ayano nodded. "Very well, but I get to choose."

Ayano just nodded again, seeing that was fair in this situation.

Not that it mattered. Her plan was already in motion.

"Aishi-san…" Taro whispered out, surprised by the girl and her outburst. Who knew this quiet, shy and weird girl would be this… brave, to be the only one to actually stand up against Kizana in his time with the Drama Club.

It gave him a newfound respect for her honestly.

"We will be doing Act 2: Scene 2; the Capulet's Orchard. Everyone, places! This will be one of the scenes we will be doing for the Student Council so let us treat this as practice for the real thing!" Kizana ordered as all the other club members started setting up the stage and such. "Romeo-kun, have you memorized your lines?"

"Wh-What? O-Oh…" Taro got out as he scratched the back of his head. "Er… I guess…?"

"Do not worry, Romeo-kun, you have just entered the world of the stage so I will forgive you for your shortcomings if they happen to show during this." Kizana reassured while Ayano glared at the Club President. "I thought this will be a waste of time but, now that I think about it, this will allow me to show the new members why I am the lead and must be the lead."

"That's because you never let anyone have the lead role…" One of the veteran female club members grumbled to herself.

"Did I hear small talk!? Your voice must only be used in the play or instructions, for example GET TO WORK!" Kizana shouted out as the others started to rush.

'God, I really can't stand her.' Amai thought as she gripped her tray tighter as a few of the club members came over to eat some of her snacks. 'Ugh, I hope she'll be taken down a notch by this girl.' She then shook her head. 'Hold on, Odayaka. Keep focus. I have to keep watch just in case she comes.'

After a few more minutes, the stage was set with most of the props in place. The lighting was good enough, the props in the right places and there on the left of the stage, on the soapbox that was supposed to be a balcony were Ayano and Kizana with Taro standing to the right, frantically reading his script.

And that's when Ayano realized her mistake.

She was going to talk about Senpai.

She was going to talk about being in love with Senpai.

She was going to be noticed by Senpai.

"What is this? Getting cold feet?" Kizana taunted. "And after such bravado only a few minutes earlier…"

"A-A-Ah…" Ayano squeaked out, shivering on the spot. However, she just silently gave her a determined expression.

"Well, since you are so confident in your abilities, I insist you go first." Kizana said as she stepped off the soapbox, causing Ayano to shiver more. "Go break a leg."

Ayano was going to break her legs after this.

"We're starting Scene 2 from Line 2, where Juliet is talking to herself about the love of her life she had just met while Romeo listens to her in secret." The director called out. "Romeo! You're up! Any time you're ready!"

"Oh, we're starting? Oh crap…" Taro mumbled to himself as he flipped over to the page. "U-Um… okay! I'm ready!"

"Why are you telling me!? I meant go when you're ready you insolent cretin!" The director shouted out.

"You be quiet and know your place, boy!" Kizana shouted back. "Your name still escapes me! That's how unimportant you are!"

"For the third time… I'M YOUR VICE PRESIDENT! Tsurozo Yamazaki!? YOU LET ME RUN YOUR CLUB WHILE YOU WERE AWAY YOU BIT-" The Vice President started to yell out, only for to him to be interrupted again.

"SHUT UP!" Kizana hissed before turning to Taro, smiling sweetly which was a serious change from the red-faced angry expression she had on her a second earlier. "Any time you are ready."

"O-Okay." Taro replied with a nod as her turned and looked into Ayano's grey eyes, which showed all the fear she never experience until now. "Um… it's your line… Juliet-chan."

Welp, she peed her panties.

"A-A-Ay… me…" Ayano got out in a high tone of voice. Already, she was failing the very challenge she had set.

'Okay, you can do this…' Taro mentally encouraged himself as he looked down on the script. "S-Sh-She speaks: Oh, speak again, bright angel! For thou art as bea-glorious to this night, being over my head as if a winged messenger of heaven, unto the white-upturned wondering eyes of mortals that fall back to gaze on him when he bestrides the lazy-pacing clouds and sails upon the bosom of the air." He read out in a soft, yet caring and love-struck tone. It was almost if he was there, talking to himself in the middle of the night as he gazed upon the angel and not on a stage fully of crappy props with his angel stand on top of a soapbox in front of some fake flowers.

Silence.

"...Holy shit, he can actually act." One of the club members stated in surprise.

"Curse HIM…!" The Vice President cursed to the heavens.

'Um… why isn't Aishi-san doing anything?' Amai wondered as she looked at the frozen girl.

"Ah…!" Ayano squeaked out… before passing out.

THUD!

"A-Aishi-san!" Taro cried out in worry as he rushed up to the fainted girl. "Aishi-san! Ayano-san! Wake up!"

"Well, it seems she has fainted from your performance." Kizana stated. "It seems that I will be Juliet."

"What!?" Taro exclaimed.

"Why are you acting so surprised, Romeo-kun? She barely got out two words and then fainted." Kizana pointed out. "She has terrible stage fright, which will make it impossible for her to be an extra, let alone the lead role."

"I… I… I can't argue with that…" Taro relented.

"Well, someone take her to the infirmary. We do not want her to interrupt our rehearsal." Kizana said as two members lifted her up and carried her out of the gym. "Come on now, Romeo-kun. We may as well do the scene again."

Her arrogant personality.

"Romeo-kun?"

Her commanding tone.

"Romeo-kun~"

Her haughty voice.

"Romeo-kun…?"

God, this was one of the very few people he actively disliked! There were limits to how nice he can be, goddammit! There was nothing he could think of that redeemed her! He wanted to… He wanted to…

"Sorry, but I can't. You see… I'm very busy. I'm the secretary to the Drama Club's President and it's sort of a mess right now. But thank you for the offer."

"Look, I'm sorry but… I really, really need money right now and I don't have any part-time jobs because of Drama and my cousin's the only one who actually pays… me…"

"...And thanks again for taking over for me in Drama. My cousin is a slave driver sometimes so if you-"

"You know, I thought my final year would be easier, that I could actually get to act in the plays the club sets up. But Kizana never lets me even be an extra."

"I went like; 'How could you? Getting someone to do your work, you lazy nincompoop. Do you understand how honoured you should be as my secretary? I should fire you on the spot!'Ugh, I want to choke her sometimes!"

"I challenge you, Kizana Sunobu! To the lead role of Juliet!" Ayano declared, a fire in her eyes.

"Romeo-kun!"

"It's Taro!" Taro snapped. "It's Taro Yamada and don't you forget it! And I'm not your Romeo! If all else… Kokona Haruka is my Juliet!"

There was a collective gasp as Amai dropped her (clear and empty) tray.

Taro couldn't help but enjoy the shocked face Kizana had before it quickly turned sour.

"O-Oh, my useless cousin? Why her over me?" Kizana asked in an annoyed tone.

"I don't know, maybe because she runs the club while you do nothing but be a bitch!" Taro shot back, getting another reaction from the crowd. "And you're not even a quarter of the actress you think you are!"

"S-So you think she's a better actress than me?" Kizana growled, but Taro saw that the sweat drops on her forehead forming, and it wasn't from the lights.

"No, you think she's a better actress than you." Taro replied. "…And that's why she's going to come here and show you whose boss!"

"What?" Kizana got out, losing her accent for a second before becoming angry. "What!?"

"You heard me the first time. I'm not gonna let you work her to death just so you'd have the spotlight." Taro stated as he leaned in close, their noses almost touching. "Art thou gasted of a dram dare from thy cousin?"

Kizana only glared at the boy. He must've read Shakespeare before. "I am not gasted of mine cousin. I am gasted for thou, because if 't be true the lady dost not prove she is better than me thou wilt becometh mine lover." She said.

"...Huh?" Taro got out in a confused tone.

"If she sucks, you become my boyfriend." Kizana translated.

"...Okay." Taro answered with a nod. "And Kokona becomes the Club President when she proves herself on Friday."

"Friday?" Kizana questioned.

"To show the Student Council who's the real President." Taro answered.

"Such unfound confidence." Kizana sighed out in a piteous tone.

"No. I believe in her, and that won't change." Taro stated in determination, causing Kizana to hold back a gasp and take a step back.

"Taro..." Amai whispered out with wide eyes.

"Such passion they have for what they believe in." The Vice President wept out. "Such beautiful prose."

"But... it was all real." Amai pointed out as she picked up her tray.

"I know, but that's what makes them actors. As expected of Buchou, despite her personality. She is why I stay in the club." The Vice President replied as he pulled out a handkerchief and blew in it. Amai didn't really understand. Maybe he was a masochist.

"Still... I have to admit Taro, you're really good at acting." Amai admitted as Taro jumped off the stage.

"Really? Thanks." Taro said sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Yeah... acting..." Kizana muttered out quietly. "...Club is dismissed. Pack up and go home at once. Remember to practice in your own time." She said as she walked off stage, heading out of the back of the gym rather than the exits the other members used. Taro narrowed his eyes at the stage as all the props were being put away before shaking his head.

"Taro, what made you do that?" Amai had to ask as they started making their way to the exit. "That wasn't you back there."

"I know... but seeing Aishi-san stand up to her and just knowing Haruka-san and that she's going through..." Taro answered. "I want give her the break the world owes her."

"Taro, I love that you want to help but now..." Amai trailed off just thinking the consequences, the opportunities the Yandere now had, of his words and actions.

"We'll... We'll find a way to deal with her." Taro said. "Let's meet up with Osana."

Amai nodded as they took off to the school.

Meanwhile, a familiar girl with purple hair sighed as she retreated into the shadow of the gym.

"I'm so sorry Taro but..." Kokona tried to apologize before she trailed off, just knowing how futile it was. "Stupid, stupid, stupid!" She told herself, punctuating every word by banging her head against the gym. Probably wasn't a smart idea because she hit the wall just hard enough to knock herself onto the ground. And to make things better, she gave herself a massive bruise. "Owowowow...! Stupid!"

Taro and Amai saw Osana sitting down behind one of the sakura trees near the entrance of the school. She seemed to be worrying about something, looking around occasionally until she spotted them. "Osana, you talked to the principal?" Taro asked as they walked towards her.

Osana just shook her head in response. "Guys... he's not going to help us." She stated as she stood up.

"W-What...?" Amai gasped in disbelief.

"Excuse me? Osana, what do you mean?" Taro pressed, wanting more information on Osana's demeanour.

"Look, we need to get out of here now. I'll talk about it on the way home. It'll be safer hopefully." Osana suggested as she hugged herself, glancing around in fear. Taro was truly concerned for his childhood friend so he nodded.

"Alright. Let's get home." Taro said as grabbed her hand, hoping it would make her feel safer. Osana could only blush while Amai's eye twitched a little as they started walking out the school.

After a few minutes of silence and a quick look around, Osana felt safe enough to talk. "Okay, I was eavesdropping on the principal. He was talking to someone from the Saikou Corporation." She started to explain.

"Saikou?" Amai repeated in confusion before taking on a more thoughtful expression. "Well, that does make sense. Akademi was built thanks to their funding. All of Buraza Town is practically run by Saikou. All of Japan is run by Saikou."

"Yeah, but... I think he was talking to the CEO and..." Osana continued before wincing. "He's... He's helping the Yandere, guys."

"What!?" Taro and Amai exclaimed.

"Wait, hold on! What do you mean by that!?" Amai frantically asked.

"I mean he won't be helping us, he'll be working against us." Osana answered. "He made a deal with someone in Saikou Corp to have the Yandere here by... dammit, he never mentioned when."

"Ugh... We can't deal with this..." Taro groaned. "Our main focus is taking the Yandere down. Nothing more. If the principal gets in our way, we'll deal with him but right now we need to focus on stopping her from killing Kizana and Haruka-san."

"Right, that stupid thing." Amai sighed out. "He... made a bet with Kizana-san. If Kokona doesn't show she's better that her... well... he... becomes her... boyfriend." She weakly said.

"WHAT!?" Osana shouted out before glaring at a nervous Taro. "Baka! Baka! Baka!"

"H-Hey! Quit it!" Taro got out as he shielded himself from Osana's fists. "I'm sorry! I got caught up in the moment!"

"Either way, we need to keep watch on both of them." Amai said. "Hm... it would be a lot easier to keep an eye on them if we managed to get Haruka-chan and Kizana-san in the same room."

"But they hate each other, Amai." Taro pointed out as Osana stopped beating on him. "I doubt they could stand being in the same room for even a minute."

"Then we force them." Amai stated with a serious expression on her face. "Even if we have to drag them kicking and screaming." She growled with a crazed look in her eye.

"Y-You scare me, Amai-chan..." Osana admitted. "But... It would make sense to get them in the same room."

"Alright, that sounds like a plan except for the kicking and screaming part." Taro stated. "Tomorrow I'll try and convince Haruka-san to attend Drama Club. It could take all day so I want you two to go on overwatch."

"There's still the play we have to worry about." Amai pointed out.

"Right, I think they're doing the double-suicide as well..." Taro remembered with a wince. "We're gonna have to keep an eye on the props as well. I can't do though... I'm going to be too busy dealing with the play and such."

"Yeah, and I can't enter the clubroom again without looking suspicious..." Amai muttered out before she and Taro slowly turned their gaze towards Osana.

"...I'm going to be kicked out of Cooking Club, am I?" Osana deadpanned.

"Uh... a little..." Amai sheepishly replied.

(Meanwhile...)

"Ugh... Oh..." Ayano groaned out as she slowly regained consciousness.

"Oh, you're awake. You need to go home now before it gets too dark." The nurse said as she started packing up her stuff.

'Hm? Dark?' Ayano thought as she pulled out her phone. It was getting rather late. How long was she out for? She couldn't help but mentally beat herself up for fainting in front of Senpai. Why couldn't she handle more than a few seconds being around him? Her emotions were too powerful for her own good.

She couldn't help but smirk however. She may have failed Plan A, but Plan B was already in motion.

(Wednesday)

(Lunch)

"Ugh..." Kokona groaned as she stumbled her way to the rooftop. Tired. Hungry. Headache. Self-loathing. Yep, just another day as the Unluckiest Girl in Japan. At the very least she can look forward to the bento she made for herself. As she got to the roof, she sat on a nearby bench, placed the bento on her lap and opened it. "Maybe I can take a quick nap after I eat..."

"Oh! Koko-chan!" A voice suddenly called out to her. And since she was not prepared for it well... she jumped in her seat, her bento fell out of her lap and food-first onto the ground. "Oh... sorry about your food..."

"Don't worry, Saki. I wasn't hungry anyway." Kokona lied, suppressing the urge to sigh as she picked up her empty bento. "God, I haven't seen you all week. How's it going?"

"Nothing much. And uh... sorry about that bucket the other day. I couldn't find you anywhere." Saki apologized.

"Why are you apologizing? The bucket was from Musumeand her dumb friends." Kokona grumbled out. "God, on top of her father pressuring my dad, she has to torture me every chance she gets."

"Don't worry, things will work out in the end Koko-chan." Saki comforted her friend, wrapping her arm around her. "So, I heard you've been hanging around some new people since you came back. Come on, what's happening with that?"

"Yeah. I made a new friend and..." Kokona then sighed dreamily. "...He's nice. You should meet him soon."

"Oh, it's a boy, is it~" Saki teasingly sang out as she nudged her friend's shoulder. "Are you gonna stand under the sakura tree on Friday? Get him to plant his enchanted sword in your cave of wonders, do battle with the fearsome dragon within?"

"...What is that metaphor?" Kokona asked in confusion. "And who's the dragon in that?"

"Chlamydia." Saki answered happily.

"Okay, leaving now." Kokona deadpanned as she stood up and walked away.

"Wait, hold on, Koko-chan! I'm kidding!" Saki exclaimed as she chased after her friend before remembering something. "Oh! Wait! Give me sec, I have something!"

"Hm?" Kokona hummed out as she turned around to see Saki reach into her pockets.

"Here. You need this more me." Saki said as she gave her a rather large stack of notes.

"Huh? This is over eighty-two thousand yen!" Kokona gasped out. "Where did you get this type of-" She then stopped herself before dragging Saki over behind the air ventilation machine. "Saki, please tell me you didn't." Kokona begged, hoping she was wrong.

"Huh? What!? No, it's not anything like that! I just worked overtime for a few weeks." Saki quickly replied. "The closet thing I got to it was almost selling one of my bras..."

"Thank you..." Kokona breathed out in relief. "Please, don't even think about doing something like that for me."

"Koko-chan, you can't keep this up you know. You can't do this by yourself!" Saki called out. "This whole thing is a mess! Talk to the Counsellor, talk to me. I care about you Koko-chan and if anyone finds out-"

"No one will. I'll make sure of it." Kokona interrupted, determination in her voice. "Just... please, don't try and help me. I'm already too deep in this."

"...Just... don't lose yourself, okay?" Saki said before leaving her friend alone, just hoping she would figure out how screwed up her situation was and escape.

Kokona looked down at the money in her hand before putting it in her wallet. "Just another couple million to go..." She muttered out as she started walking out from behind the ventilation machine. She wondered if she could grab some free samples from the Cooking Club or buy some lunch off of someone.

When she got down to the first floor, another voice got her attention. "Hey, Haruka-san." Taro greeted as he walked up to the purple-haired girl. "How's your day going?"

"...Suddenly a lot better." Kokona admitted as she looked into her crush's eyes. "Um, so, Yamada-kun, why do you want to talk to me?"

"Hm, I don't know. Can't I just be with a friend?" Taro kindly pointed out. It was a nice response, but Kokona couldn't help but feel a little stab to the heart when he said friend.

However, she was determined to turn that statement around.

"Well, why don't we go somewhere else to talk?" Kokona suggested as she led him outside through the front entrance. "I really need the fresh air. Classes have been torture lately and I need to clear my head."

"Yeah. It's nice to be out." Taro said as he took in a deep breath, taking in the sight of the sakura trees. "...You ever wonder how old the sakura trees are? They've been here so long that I wonder if the school was built around them."

"No but... It would be nice to know." Kokona admitted as she stepped forward. "This school is so beautiful, no matter if it's at dawn, or in twilight. Dusk and day, you can still enjoy this peaceful air. When the rain falls, it only makes this place brighter once the clouds have been cleaned from the sky. Even at its darkest, this school will never wilt." She mindlessly expressed, feeling the slight breeze in the air. Then, she snapped back into reality and turned around, seeing Taro stare at her. "O-Oh... s-s-s-sorry, I was just... I was just lost in my head." Kokona stuttered out with an embarrassed blush.

"No, it's okay." Taro encouraged as he stepped closer to her. "What you said... it sounds like something straight from a book, a play. An elegant soliloquy from a lady with eloquence."

"Y-You're just saying that." Kokona replied, trying to hide her increasingly intense blush.

"No, I'm not. It's coming from the bottom of my heart." Taro stated honestly. Kokona could feel her heart beat faster before she shook her head, remembering what had happened yesterday.

"...If it's about that stupid challenge you made with Kizana, you can forget it." Kokona said as she narrowed her eyes. "I can't believe you did that. I... can't stand up to her! I can't-" She then stopped when Taro grabbed both her hands.

"Haruka-san, I made that bet because I believe in you. I know you can do this on Friday." Taro asserted. "The Drama Club needs you on stage instead of in the background, letting someone else in the spotlight."

Kokona hesitated to respond. She really didn't want to complicate her life further. "I... I'm sorry, Taro, but I can't-" She tried figure out an excuse as she averted her gaze only for Taro to touch her should to get her to focus on him.

"Yes you can." Taro stated as he grabbed both her hands and stared deep into her eyes. "Kokona-san..."

This caused Kokona to blush even more intensely. No one had said her name like that before part from her father. "P-Please, d-d-don't say my name so informally..." She breathed.

"Kokona-san, please... believe in yourself like I believe in you. Show the world that you deserve more than this." Taro said as the bell rang. He let go of her, making her suddenly feel cold. "We have to go. See you in Drama."

"Yeah. Bye." Kokona shyly replied as she watched him walk away. "...Yeah. I'll be there, definitely." She whispered to herself... before a bucket crashed into the ground right next to her, creating a small crater in the ground. "WAH!" She screamed as she jumped away.

After a few seconds to catch her breath, she looked closely at the object that almost killed her.

"What the... Why is it full of dumbbells!?" Kokona exclaimed before looking up to see who dropped it off the roof. However she didn't see anyone. "Oh... Why is the world out to get me? This happened last year too." She sniffled before she hurried to class.

Meanwhile, Ayano couldn't help but sigh in frustration. She missed her by that much. The bucket must've clipped something on the way down.

She discovering she wasn't the most patient person, but she saw the opportunity and had to take it. Though, it took a lot longer than anticipated (all those dumbbells were really heavy), she still went for it. Plan B was still in motion however. Now she just had to set up Plan C and D just in case B failed as well.

She was done with Drama. She milked everything she could out of the place and could always sneak into the gym on Friday. Plus, she couldn't do anything with Senpai just around the corner hunting her and causing her crippling nervousness to act up. And his friends were going to be watching so she just didn't want to plain risk it. It was time to set her sights on the most dangerous person to her plans and future.

But right now it was time for Biology, her favourite class.

After all, you have to know thy enemy.

(Afterschool)

"TTTTTTTRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTOOOOOOOOORRRRRRR!" The Vice President cried to the heavens. "Oh, how she wounded me! To stab us in the back, she chose now of all times. Curse you, AYANO AISHI!"

"All she said was that she wanted to do other things and that her heart wasn't in it." One of the club members calmly pointed out. "I don't blame her." She then deadpanned.

"Well, you should!" The Vice President growled.

"I'm sorry but um... who are you again?" This only caused the Vice President to scream in frustration because no one knew his name; despite the fact he has told everyone several times. Meanwhile, the more important characters were going over their own plans and wasting time.

"Who the Hell is Cordelia, anyway?" Osana asked Taro as the scene was getting set up. She had recently joined the Drama Club and was quickly put to work as one of the stage hands as well as the understudy for the character of Cordelia... whoever that was. Mysteriously, Kizana wasn't here so the Vice President took over.

"I think it's the name of the Nurse that serves Juliet." Taro guessed as he flipped through the script. "Though, she's still listed as Nurse in the script. I guess it was edited to give her a name somewhere in here but I'm not seeing it."

"Such a shame. I read through the script and she was one of the few that supported Romeo & Juliet's relationship and she wasn't even given a name... I think." Osana sighed out.

"Hey," Taro started to whisper, signalling Osana to lean in closer. "Has Amai seen Kizana-san yet?"

"No, I'm getting constant updates and she hasn't seen her all day." Osana answered as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "This is so frustrating."

Suddenly, the door to the gym slammed opened as someone ran in before tripping over their own feet and slammed face-first into the ground.

"Kokona-san!" Taro exclaimed as he and Osana ran up to her while she picked herself up from the ground. "Are you alright?"

"Am... Am I late...?" Kokona asked as Osana helped her up. "Er, I'm here, Yamada-kun." She then flashed the best smile she could muster.

"Hey, you made it just in time." Taro said with a smile. "Hey, um, I haven't seen your cousin around school. What happened?"

"Oh, Kizana is called in sick and she told me to take over for today." Kokona answered. "Still have to do my secretary duties laterbut I'm excited to do some rehearsals! Ah, and I see we have a new member! Hi, I'm Kokona Haruka, secretary of the President."

"Osana Najimi. Pleasure to meet you. Guess I decided on a club. Someone quit to join another." Osana greeted as she shook her hand. "So... when you mean take over... do you mean like... take over as Juliet?" Osana guessed.

"H-Huh?" Kokona got out dumbly before rubbing the back of her neck. "She said that since we're going to compete against each other, she said that I can practice being Juliet."

"...That's... nice of her..." Taro vacillated while narrowing his eyes a little.

"Well, it was... more like... 'You don't stand a ghost of a chance but I may as well let you feel the joy of being Juliet until I take what is rightfully mine back.'" Kokona mockingly imitated her cousin's voice. "But it's something, right?"

"Everyone! Places!" The Vice President announced, interrupting their conversation. "We need to practice Romeo & Juliet's first kiss! To Romeo and Juliet, remember, the school had allowed us to have a real kiss on stage so do not hold back in showing us passion!"

"Excuse me." Taro got out in surprise before looking at Osana, right before she grabbed him by the collar.

"You better not feel anything, got it?" Osana threatened. "You're mine... and someone else's..." She whispered into his ear.

"Don't worry. You can't have a true love's kiss when you already had it." Taro purred, causing Osana to blush and shiver.

"D-Dummy..." Osana mumbled out, trying to avoid his eyes. "Don't screw up, got it?"

"I won't with you watching. You'd probably throw something." Taro joked, earning a punch to the shoulder. "O-Ow!"

"Romeo! Juliet! Up on stage now!" The Vice President called out.

Taro and Kokona hurried up on stage and flipped open their scripts, trying to find the scene. "Good luck." Kokona told her crush.

"Thanks. You won't need it." Taro stated.

"Alright, we are starting from Line 26! Whenever you're ready, Romeo!" The Vice President shouted out as everyone went quiet.

Taro took a deep breath and held Kokona's hand. He had to do this to help her. "If I profane with my un-worthiest hand, this holy shrine, the gentle fine is this: My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand to smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss." He whispered into her ear, so passionate in his words that Kokona almost thought he was in love with her.

God she wished that was true.

"Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much," Kokona replied with a blush as she put her hand over Taro's. "Which mannerly devotion shows in this; for saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch, and palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss."

"Have not saint's lips, and holy palmers too?" Taro questioned, noticing how… nice and smooth Kokona's hands were.

"Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer." Kokona answered sheepishly. She felt herself bleeding into Juliet. And… she liked it.

"Oh, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do; They pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair." Taro said as he gripped Kokona's hand a little bit more firmly.

"Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake." Kokona said, truly lost in his eyes.

"Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take. Thus from my lips, by yours, my sin is purged." Taro whispered out as he closed his eyes.

They stared into each other's eyes, feeling each other's breath on their skin. It was like an invisible magnetic force was bringing them closer… and closer…

Almost, their lips… only millimeters apart…

"Okay! That's enough! We're out of time, time to pack it up everyone!" The Vice President announced as everyone started to put away their props. "You two did great!"

"Huh?" Both Kokona and Taro got out, snapping back to reality.

"Oh, uh... yo-you did great, Kokona-san." Taro chuckled out nervously.

"U-U-Um, thank, T-T-Yamada-kun." Kokona stuttered out before panic-bowing. She shivered when Taro gently grabbed her chin and tilted her head up.

"Please, call me Taro from now on. There's no need to be formal with me." Taro said before glancing to the side. "Hm... I'm gonna head home now."

"Oh, well... see you tomorrow." Kokona said as she avoided his eyes.

"Y-Yeah... Well... going home now..." Taro chuckled out nervously before running out the gym, with Osana following suit.

"...Tomorrow." Kokona repeated as she placed a hand on her chest.

Meanwhile, Taro and Osana were at the back of the gym, just thinking about what had happened when Taro and Kokona were on stage.

When they almost...

"Taro... back there... that wasn't acting at the end... was it?" Osana asked fearfully, feeling tears starting to escape her eyes.

He didn't respond. Taro just clutched his chest as he leaned against the wall.

He saw the spark within Kokona's eyes.

The same he saw within Osana's and Amai's...

Right before they sealed their fates with a kiss.

He was already too late.

Taro was starting to fall in love with Kokona Haruka.

Save Game... Quit!

So... wanna make the play go like Romeo x Juliet? No, not the Leo DiCaprio one, the anime one. The one I thought had a genderbent Tybalt or someone else. They had pink hair. And yes, it actually exists.

Also, spot the SAO Abridged reference! The only way in hell I'll watch SAO!

UknownHero signing off, my friends!