I'm posting a triple chapters today~ I've said it before, but I have things planned on December, so I might not be able to update in the usual pace. I've also posted the first Chapter for my new story - My Dignified Imouto. It's in about 2000 words range, a light reading. Also, thanks a lot for the reviews - it honestly encourages me to write. So here's the fourth Chapter, Enjoy~

Pairings : Undecided

Warnings : Teikō Middle School Days.

Disclaimer : I own only the OCs.


Chapter 4 - Threads of Fate

Following the decree issued by Teikō's Principal, Yume had to drag her heavy legs back to class.

She's feeling conflicted and perplexed with the Principal's 'order'. When the election came, and Yume is officially titled the Student Council Treasurer, how will it affect her regular schedules - her life?

Yume sighed dejectedly as she slides open her classroom's door. Her depression must be obvious - or her 'bestfriend' is a mother hen - because Momoi flung herself at Yume as soon as she opened the door.

"Are you okay? What happened? Why do look sad? Did he say something? W-Wait..! He DIDN'T say anything about cancelling your Special Academic Excellence Scholarship, did he?! Tell me he DIDN'T..!"

Momoi shook Yume back and forth as she shrieked in a horrified tone. She looks like she's just seen a ghost - pale and disbelieving.

When Momoi finally stopped, Yume smiled weakly. "It's fine, Sat-chan."

She then whispered in a hushed tone. "He only invited me to join the Student Council." Or more like an implied coercion.

Momoi smiles in relief at that. "That's good..or rather, that's amazing, Yuu-chan!"

"You received a personal invitation!" Momoi whispered in an excited tone.

Yume shook her head, before she took Momoi by her hand and pulled her to their seats - the corner seats.

Yume and Momoi lean closer to keep their conversations to themselves.

"You see, Sat-chan.. There're apparently two first years pre-selected to enter the Student Council as the President and the Vice-President.." Yume confessed the 'top-secret' information she just received from the Principal.

It is top-secret. Logically, with the members already selected, there's no need to hold an election - but Teikō did. To establish reputation for the newly elected members - who would accept those who didn't even went through screening and competition?

Momoi squeaked at that. She quickly covered her mouth, before hushing again. "They must be good..!"

Yume nods. "They are. The Principal said they excelled both academics and clubs."

Momoi could understand where does the Principal came from. Teikō, after all, favours those who succeed brilliantly above the rest.

"I may know who the President might be.." Momoi whispered, perking Yume's interest. "It's most likely Akashi-kun from 1-A, the first year representative."

The first year representative? Yume recalled the redhead on the entrance ceremony - the same one she was just thinking about.

'So his name is Akashi..' Yume mentally noted. 'Even his name sounds regal somehow..'

Yume also couldn't help but feels a sense of familiarity when the name 'Akashi' was mentioned. She didn't know any Akashi, though.

"It's quite obvious though." Momoi huffed indignantly. "Must be the blood."

Yume blinked at that. She then tilted her head in confusion.

"It's Akashi, Yuu-chan." Momoi paused as she stared at Yume's expression for a recognition - which isn't present.

"..Akashi-kun is the son and heir to the huge conglomerate of Akashi. Inc." Momoi delivered the news as Yume's eyes finally widen in recognition. "That's why people mind themselves around Akashi-kun.."

Of course. Which Japanese wouldn't know that humongous corporate said to be able affecting Japan's economy with just a word? Their influences are just that great.

Yume kind of shivered at the revelations. She doesn't think she wants to work with someone with such an overwhelming and pressuring background.

One wrong move, and her school life might just be over. That's worse than Teikō's expulsion penalty.

"Akashi-kun is not that bad though." Momoi shrugged her shoulders dismissively. "He's a bit intimidating, but other than that, he is okay."

"Eh?" Yume muttered in bewilderment. Momoi spoke like she knows this 'Akashi-kun'. Momoi's information networks might be wide and accurate, but isn't Akashi-kun being 'okay' based on Momoi's own perception?

"..Did you, perhaps, know him personally, Sat-chan...?" Yume asked cautiously. There's no way that Momoi is somehow his relative or something like that, right..?

"He's in the basketball club." was Momoi's short reply - and that's enough to lift Yume's worry.

What's left is only that Yume has to steer clear from this Akashi-kun. It's either a peaceful school life - or hellish and troublesome one, perhaps even none at all.

The school's bell then rings, signalling back to class and studies. It's either the chirping sounds of little birds - or the squeaking sounds of tyres to those who hear them.


Yume is feeling like fate is playing along with her little legs. It seems fate is having a completely different things in store for her - despite her concrete plan.

Yume is a rational girl with a good head on her shoulders. She'd always be able to decide right from wrongs after pondering over her choices.

So, when she starts tripping over her own feet - starting from blurting her thoughts at a random boy, getting embroiled with the Principal's dictates and now the situation she's in - she can't help but wonder if she's suffering from a brain freeze or a case of recurring bad luck.

'..Should I just go home and return the books tomorrow..?' Yume conflicted internally as she clutched her school bag to her chest.

The current librarian in charge is a student Yume knows but unfamiliar with - the seemingly 'perfectionist' greenhead male from the entrance ceremony.

What's with these students she met at the entrance ceremony? Did she manage to inadvertently tangle her threads of fate with those students'? Why do they keep popping out on her when it is clear she wants nothing to do with them - excluding Momoi?

Speaking about Momoi, she headed to her club after her boyfr- childhood friend, picked her up by their classroom.

Okay, so Yume has decided that the greenhead stood out in a not really good way - the Golden Maneki Neko (it even moves) that's out of place and was not there before must have belongs to him - and she strongly wishes to keep him out of her life, her school life at the very least.

Only, since fate doesn't seem to agree with her, Yume might as well just get this done once and for all.

Yume inhaled sharply, prepping herself ready, before she slowly approached the librarian-on-duty's desk.

Yume felt like sighing, to wash out her frustrations with today's happenings.

"Excuse me.."

The bespectacled boy looked up from his book at Yume's quiet mutters. He had that unfriendly look on - it seems to ask her business.

Yume returned the frown with a courteous smile. She wouldn't want to necessarily involve herself with the boy more than she already had by intruding his private space.

"I'm returning books." Yume reached for her school bags, pulled out the books and her Student ID and placed them on the desk.

He nodded taciturnly as he took her Student ID and entered her details along with the books' title as he ran his eyes through, not missing a single detail.

His eyes seems to widen a fraction for an instant when he noticed the books Yume was reading - all those that helps studying and preparing for school lessons.

Yume wanted to leave soon. She wishes to borrow more books to help with her studies, but she doesn't find herself wanting to stay longer than necessary.

The male librarian finally returned her Student ID. Along with her ID, a question - rather weird and off-topic - was delivered.

"What is your horoscope?"

Yume find herself just-smiling as her mind is muddled with what she just heard. "Hai (yes)?"

"Your horoscope." He repeated, not having any qualms in the least.

Yume is doing her best to keep her smile on place as she answered. "I'm a Pisces."

The boy tapped his glasses over to the bridge of his nose. Is it just Yume, or the boy looks slightly friendlier?

"Oha Asa said Cancers and Pisces' compatibility are the best." The boy finally looked up to meet eyes with Yume. "It is nice to meet you. Chinami ni, Pisces' lucky place for today is the convenience store."

It was a nice and standard introduction if you take out the astrological signs and fortune tellings.

And did he said convenience store? Why, Yume had a part time job there today. What luck - or rather what does fate - will bring her now?

If basing on today's series of occurrences, then fate might just throw Yume a meeting with the rest of the students she met back on the entrance ceremony.

Who's left again? The charismatic redhead, the gigantic purplehead, or perhaps the energetic darker-bluehead of Momoi's childhood friend?

Yume waved off the overall weird introduction as she inclined her head, excusing herself out with a small smile.

'I really should avoid him.' Yume is all but opposed to that notion.

The boy is rather...eccentric? She's not even sure about horoscopes and fortune tellings - she's even the girl here - and the boy seems to take them into a whole new level.

Yume really should not associate herself with such a weirdo to protect her harmonious school life - which is pretty much threatening to break down after the Principal's order.

'No. I shouldn't think like that.' Yume shook her head to dismiss her negative thoughts as she lightly slapped her cheeks.

"It'll be fine." She assured herself.


'¥5470'

Yume has been working for quite a while in the line of convenience stores, yet never had she seen such an amount to be paid just for snacks and treats.

You heard - or read - it right. Snacks and treats.

If you are curious about what leads Yume's eyes almost bulging out from her eye sockets, we will return to the time just a bit earlier.

Yes. It was a peaceful afternoon like any other days when she worked here. It was, until one certain giant came and raided the store.

The same purplehead she was considering earlier. Yume jinxed herself. She will just think less now.

Although, even with that humongous amount of snacks that would last a week for at least 10 children, the giant still doesn't look happy.

Yume could also feel the intense stare he directed to her, and she did nothing. She tried to ignore the obvious glare as she busied herself with putting his snacks and treats into the plastic bags.

"...Is there anything I can help you with..?" Yume sighed as she finally relented.

Customer is the King. Yume is the worker. That simplifies her choices.

The giant pouted like a child. "There's no maiubou and nerunerunerune candy.."

Yume blinked at that. 'Ah. Those treats that were popular with kids.'

The kids in the neighbourhood loves those treats, and they ate the store's empty. It seems the tastes just suits their palates - kids'.

'I had restocked it before, has it come, yet..?' Yume wondered as she tried to recall the promised delivery date.

Yume had taken the liberty to order for more stocks. Her manager had approved of Yume's experiences and business management skills - she's given the liberty part-timers usually wouldn't.

"..It should have been today..." Yume muttered under her breath as she frowned a bit.

Stocks delivery normally came morning to early noon, and Yume would be in school - she would never be there to accept the package.

"Please wait for a moment." Yume bowed a bit as she went to the storage, to look for the delivered box of treats.

She inspects the neat storage, which she and her manager tidied up regularly. Yume opened the boxes until she found the right two.

"This is it. They were delivered." Yume noted with a small smile as she stacked the two medium-sized boxes together and lifted them easily.

Yume had worked for quite a while now, many kinds of part-time works generated her muscles - she's stronger than she looks.

*Thud*

Yume softly landed the boxes where the purplehead could see - his eyes are sparkling.

Yume then turned to him with a hidden sweat drop. "How much do you want?"

The giant didn't hesitate at all as he replied excitedly. "All!"

Yume kept her forced smile intact even when she is inwardly wondering and chastising the boy's method to spend money. He will also ruin his teeth. There's a limit for everything.

Yume then added the prices for both maiubou and nerunerunerune candy into his shopping list.

'¥9830'

That amount for just snacks and treats. Is he a rich man's son..?

Following the store's regulations, Yume had to give the boy a bonus. It's plausible since the giant spends just that much money.

Yume then plucked out a small containers of mint flavoured bubble gum and a sports drink.

She then handed it to him. "It's a bonus." Yume smiled. "...And you might want to brush your teeth longer.."

He nods eagerly as he took the offered treats, his eyes twinkling in a playful manner. He then grabbed his plastic bags easily, slipping it into his arms.

He then smiled his rather bored-looking smile. "Arigato, Cashier-chin." The giant then waltzed out of the store happy.

Yume watched as the boy left and the automatic door slides closed. What an encounter.

Yume sighed tiredly as she mumbled weakly. "What's with today.."

Yume could feel her head throbbing, she needs a good night rest today.

She could only hope tomorrow, fate will take it easy on her.


Author's note:

So yeah, how is it?

Read and Reviews~