2nd chapter~!
To Silver Moon: What can I say? Thanks a whole lot! And yeah, I took note of the tenses and I changed the last two chapters, starting from this one I stick to past tenses. Tell me if I did it wrong. I actually like the idea of the high school arc, I started this story to delve deeper into the characters' interactions, and as you said it, the outcomes are limitless. Which is why it's confusing to fit the plots at times, hha. Again, attraction will be subtle. They're middle-schoolers after all.
To NerdyPengy: Glad you like it! I tried, but the KnB characters still escaped me sometimes. These three chapters mainly revolved around two people's interactions with Yume, one of which is Akashi, so I think you'll enjoy it!
To angela340278: Thanks! And no worries, I'm not planning on abandoning any of my stories. It's just that 'kibun tenkan' things? Well, the next update will be next week~
Pairings : Undecided
Warnings : Teikō Middle School Days.
Disclaimer : I own only the OCs.
Chapter 24 - A bolt from the blue
The bustling rowdy students were bustling from places to places with either messages or materials on hands and there was almost no vicinity in Teikō that was free from noise during this period. One would think that there was no escape. Manai Yume found it differently as she weaved her way through the crowds without actually paying attention to where she was going.
Yume was dazed. Her mind was filled with her previous exchange and she was not sure what to feel. The noisy corridors did not affect her thoughts in any ways. So distracted she was, she failed to realise that her bestfriend had been in a strangely good mood even before she found her.
Good mood is an understatement. Momoi practically had flowers blooming around her, complete with star sparkles. The huge knowing smile on her face with the occasional squeals at curiously nothing only confirmed her state of bliss. To bystanders, it appeared as if the girl was floating instead of walking.
Momoi covertly glanced at her brunette friend before she squealed loudly, earning her more than a few bewildered stares. This finally snapped the disoriented girl from her reverie. With a shake of her head, she levelled a curious stare at her pinkette friend. "..Sat-chan? Did something good happen?" she asked with bewilderment.
"Ehh? What are you talking about, Yuu-chan? I'm always like this!" she exclaimed, pretending innocence while smiling that knowing smile of hers. At her friend's suspicious gaze, she waved off her hand. "Really! It's nothing important!"
Had Yume the space on her brain to entertain Momoi and whatever silliness of hers at the moment, she would have asked further. As a matter of fact, she only quirked her brow in confusion, but pursued it no more. If it was something she needed to know then she trusted her friend to tell her.
Besides, there're lots to-do for her. For starter, Yume had to submit the clubs' paperworks to her beloved President. She had the feeling that the redhead was waiting for her at the Student Council office with that unnerving smile of his. She had to be quick since she was also needed at her class for preparations, something about an animal-cafe?
She sighed in defeat. "Sat-chan... I'll see you later? I need to give this to Akashi-kun.." she frowned unhappily, hugging the papers to her chest.
In any other situation, the pinkette would complain and insist on company. "Oh? Okay! Then I'll see you in class, Yuu-chan!" she grinned before waving her hand and skipped away like a children high on sugar, successfully confusing the brunette even more.
Yume shook her thoughts away, sighing as she did so. She did that often lately. Fate seemed intent on messing up her school life and she fell for it every single time. She refrained another sigh as she slid the door to the Student Council office. Apparently, only the person she needed to see was present.
A knowing smile crossed his features as Akashi took in the state of the girl by the door. When she finally stood before his desk, he urged her report with a simple motion. "Go on." he said curtly.
The brunette handed the paperworks she collected before she adjusted her posture. "Everything is in order, Akashi-kun. I compiled all of the events on the files." she reported.
"Also... The budget matters with the Choir Club is settled. Regarding the event held by the 1st strings of the Basketball Club… N-Nijimura-san told me Akashi-kun and Midorima-kun had known, so I only got the list."
Akashi didn't miss how his Treasurer stammered on a certain name of his senpai nor did he miss the slight tint of her cheeks. Something did happen after all, as he predicted it. He was aware of how the girl desperately avoided the other and decided to step in. His senpai was kind of out of it these days, so he found it necessary to mediate the two.
"Good job, Manai-san. Is there anything else I need to know?" he questioned her in a professional tone.
"None at the moment."
The redhead nodded, feeling satisfied. "I see. You can go help with your class' preparations, Manai-san. We are done here." he told her.
Yume bowed and turned on her heels, she was about to step out of the office when she heard the distinct voice of her President. "Personally, I think a deer suits Manai-san most." he spoke, his tone laced with amusement.
The statement was lost on her. It seemed so sudden and weird until the realisation hit her in the head. 1-B was hosting an animal-themed cafe. Something about which animal suits the students most to wear during the festival.
Still, she was confused. It's true that she hadn't decided on which animal yet, but why a deer? "...Do I... remind you of a deer?" she asked, hesitantly meeting the piercing ruby eyes.
Akashi flashed her his trademark smirk. "Manai-san is naïve and docile, almost like a frightened deer. There is also the famous saying, 'deer caught in the headlights'. I think it described you best."
Ah. She really shouldn't have expected otherwise from the redhead. Yume was disgruntled on the inside, while on the outside, her eyes twitched. A sadist, that's what the redhead was. "Please excuse me." she spoke before she left the room slightly annoyed.
In contrast to her grumpy mood, the redhead was amused. He chuckled to himself, finding it entertaining to ruffle the girl's feathers. Akashi enjoyed the reactions he got out of her. Of course he wasn't joking when he said a deer would suit her. Not overly cute, a bit on the plain side, but hiding a certain depth within.
The sight that greeted Yume when she entered her class was of Momoi in a white rabbit-ears with pink lobes. She looked adorable and just huggable. Her friend wasn't the only one in the animal-get-up, but others paled in comparison to the pinkette. Sometimes, she wondered why the pinkette wasn't a model. The girl received numerous offers when they went out together.
"Yuu-chan!" Momoi squealed when she spotted her bestfriend who was staring at her with wide peridot eyes. "Do I look nice? Do I? Do I?" she chanted in excitement, turning 360 degrees to show off her new looks, her rabbit ears flapping around as she did so.
What thoughts Yume had vanished at her friend's antic. She smiled indulgently. "Mm. You look nice, Sat-chan. It suits you." she complimented while eyeing the white ears on her head.
"Thanks!" Momoi grinned widely. "Oh, and here!" she pulled out another set of ears and pushed it to the brunette's face. "I picked this out for you, Yuu-chan! Isn't it cute? I just know this will definitely suit you best!" she held the pair out expectantly.
A light brown ears with white spots, and a pair of ivory horns in the middle of the headband; deer.
Another twitch. Of all things to choose from.., Yume thought with mixed feelings, she just had to choose the same one he chose. She wasn't sure if she should take it as a compliment or a joke, seeing as two different people told her the same thing without knowing.
Yume was curious. Was she really deer-like? Unlike Akashi, Momoi certainly meant well. The redhead on the other hand, seemed intent on making fun of her.
"Momoi-san? Manai-san? Can we get some help here?" a classmate of hers called.
The two girls whirled at that. "Oh, sure." they replied before approaching their classmates. Even still, the pinkette didn't forget to dump the pair of ears to her bestfriend who took it hesitantly.
Teikō's Cultural Festival required each class to participate in the festival by showcasing some types of event. The usual would be cafes, haunted houses, or food stands. Often times, the students get creative and held a different event instead. Their aim was the same however; to win the prize. It changed every year, but without a doubt, desirable.
In Teikō, the grading system was that the class that earned the most, won the rewards. It was usually some kind of privileges, like choosing the destination of the school trips, or exemption from cleaning duties. Last year's was a month-worth, luxury lunch vouchers for the school's cafeteria. Witnesses claimed that the elusive matsutake was in the menus.
"So what's your class doing?" Aomine casually threw the question as he walked with his arms folded behind his head. "Mine was Haunted House, I think. Got the props-making job." he grimaced. "..boring and too much work." he muttered in dismay.
Unfortunately for him, he shouldn't have said the last words at all. Because his childhood friend heard it loud and clear. "What's that, Dai-chan? Are you dumping your responsibility on someone else?!" she demanded, jerking the teen from his slouch.
"N-No! There're more than enough people to make the stupid props! I'm needed at the club!" he defended as he backed away, trying to keep the advancing pinkette away.
Momoi narrowed her eyes skeptically, she spotted the lie when he said it. "I know you're lying to me, Dai-chan! I'll tell the teachers if you skip tomorrow!" she threatened, intent on following her words.
"Che." Aomine clicked his tongue petulantly as he resumed walking, leaving his companies behind. "You're being annoying, Satsuki." he grouched.
"Oh no, you don't! You're being irresponsible and I'm telling your mother about this!" Momoi fumed, standing her ground with her hands on her hips. That better changed his mind.
And changed his mind he did. As soon as the word 'mother' fell out of the girl's lips, he froze where he stood and cold sweats began to form. "...Y-You wouldn't..." he croaked in disbelief.
"You know I would." Momoi smirked triumphantly, feeling proud of herself. Of course the great Aomine Daiki feared his mother, that fact would never change.
After what seemed like forever, the tanned teen sighed in defeat as he slumped. "...All right. You win, Satsuki..." he grumbled.
The whole exchange earned an amused chuckle from the caramel-haired girl. It's been a while since the three teens walked home together whenever there wasn't club practice and every single time, the two childhood friends would bicker over small details. And since it was the Cultural Festival this weekend, there was no club activities for the whole week. It always amused her and she would just watch and laugh. She tried to mediate the two once, but not twice. From experience, they were better left alone. Besides, their various expressions were just entertaining.
...Which was likely the same reason why the redhead liked to tease her. He probably found her reactions funny. Somehow, Yume found it disturbing and her giggles ceased almost immediately.
Unaware of this, Momoi continued the conversation. "Anyway, to answer your question, our class is doing animal-ears cafe with classic theme. Yuu-chan and I are waitresses!" she jumped with excitement, grinning as she pictured the both of them in the adorable animal-get-ups.
Amidst this, the brunette was silent as she was mulling over a certain redhead's tendencies to toy with her. Aomine glanced at the two girls as he hummed enigmatically, his thoughts wandering. Then seemingly out of nowhere, he sighed. Which offended Momoi.
"What's with that, Dai-chan? Do you have something to say?" she asked with a frown, glaring at the taller boy in ire as her eyes twitched.
Aomine gave the girl a side glance before he shrugged. "Nah." he replied boredly.
His lack of response prompted the pinkette to pout indignantly. "Hmph. You better do your job properly, Dai-chan!" she pestered him since she was dissatisfied with his reply.
"Yeah, yeah..." Aomine drawled lazily, not bothering to look at the girl as he answered.
Momoi was even more irritated, a tick formed on her temple. "I'm serious!" she cried, stomping after her childhood friend.
This time, instead of chuckling, Yume sighed. If this was how Akashi felt whenever she panicked in front of him, then she begrudgingly understood his reason. This and that were different however. Now that she knew, she would strive to completely mask her expressions.
The same routine continued for five days. And finally, on the weekend, Teikō held a 2-days Cultural Festival.
Saturday, First day of Teikō's Cultural Festival
With the D-day upon them, the students were making final checks of their preparations before the gate was officially opened for the guests to enter. The same applied for the Student Council members, Akashi had told them that there was to be a meeting before the festival began.
So first thing in the morning, Yume headed to the Student Council office after she dropped her bag at her classroom. The first two members present, without questions asked, were Akashi and Midorima. Then three minutes later, the 2nd years, Takeda and Kuga arrived.
"First, I would like to thank you for being here on time. As we are tight on time, I will go straight to the point. Please keep watch of the students during the festival. In case of troubles, alert the Disciplinary Committee who should be patrolling in each floor."
All of them nodded in understanding at their President's speech. They knew that there would be a lot of guests and the Disciplinary Committee wouldn't be able to monitor every nook-and-crannies, so they didn't complain with the redhead's order.
Akashi nodded in assent. "Good. Finally, I would like to thank you all for your hard works. Good luck for all of us." he smiled.
And for the very first time, that smile wasn't the slightest bit oppressive nor threatening that the members were used to, especially for a certain brunette. It was just... a smile.
The gentle encouragement worked wonder for Kuga and Takeda, while Midorima only adjusted his glasses and Yume blinking in disbelief. As they were about to leave, their President asked one of them to stay as he had something else to say.
"Manai-san, can you stay for a while? There's something you need to know. I assure you it won't take long." Akashi smiled. His usual smile this time.
Despite her apprehension, Yume agreed. "Uh... sure." she replied in slight reluctance.
Midorima raised his brow at this, but didn't comment. He only gave the two teens a curious glance before he exited the room and left them alone. This was Akashi after all, there's nothing for him to be worried of. And no, he was not concerned.
After the footsteps of the Student Council members receded and could no longer be heard, the redhead smiled in a way that creeped the girl somehow, and she back-stepped instinctively. To any other females, that smile would appear heavenly and enhance his good looks. But to Yume, it said 'proceed with utmost caution'.
Akashi didn't bother to address her reactions, he didn't seem bothered. "Miyazawa-san came looking for you to the office yesterday. You wasn't in, so she left me with a message intended for you." he informed, noting how the brunette tensed slightly at the mention of the ravenette.
"'The Choir Club would definitely display a dazzling performance on the Cultural Festival! We will earn both the school and students' recognitions! Then we will win those excellence awards from the national and international competitions!'" he quoted with less vigour than how the girl delivered it to him.
"She also invited us to the performance. By us, I mean the Student Council members. The Choir Club will be performing on both days, so she expect your attendance, Manai-san. Miyazawa-san specifically emphasised on your name." Akashi smiled amusedly, watching for the girl's lack of reactions.
"I see." Yume sweatdropped, but showed nothing else. "I understand. I will be in attendance." she nodded with a small smile. Maybe she should invite Momoi to come along, she seemed like she would enjoy it. Aomine... she wasn't sure. For what she knew, the tanned boy wasn't the aesthetic-type. He wouldn't like it.
"Before you leave." Akashi cut to her thoughts, meeting the pair of pacifying limegreen orbs. "Are you familiar with the annual Stamp Rally event, Manai-san?" he asked in indiscernible tone.
The topic itself wasn't anything noteworthy, but the way he said it... Now that was something. Yume had to remind herself not to give in to her discomfort and itches on her feet that were telling her to make a run for it. She managed a wary nod, not believing her voice at the moment.
Akashi smiled, his eyes forming crescents. "There's the popular belief going around about the pair of boy-girl winning 1st place will be a happy couple."
Uh... Okay? It's indeed a new information for her, but Yume still failed to see the importance of it. Akashi didn't seem like the person who would talk of something as irrelevant as a rumour, much less spread it. So why...?
"Do you want to participate in the race with me, Manai-san?" and there went the thunder. Akashi smirked cheekily as he finally got out a reaction out of the brunette.
Yume had no doubt that the redhead must be feeling smug inwardly at his success despite her internal struggle at keeping her expressions in check. She couldn't see herself, but her face was definitely scarlet, her eyes wide in bewilderment and everything about her must be amusing. Even her response was a mess.
"I-I'm b-busy! V-Very very busy! I-I have lots of s-shift to cover a-and it's definitely, absolutely, utterly and completely impossible!" she screeched in a frequency she wasn't aware she was capable of.
Now she was back-stepping, her gaze glued to the floor and she gave in to her instinct to escape. "I-If t-that's all, I-I'm needed at my class. T-Thank you and good bye!" she quickly scurried away, speed walking towards her classroom because running in the corridors was frowned upon and she didn't need the authority to remind her of it.
After he could no longer see nor hear the girl, Akashi allowed himself a lighthearted chuckle as he recalled her panicky state. It's a good thing he was alone, because he actually laughed out loud in his amusement. When the laughters subsided, he let out a soft whisper for him to hear.
"How cute..."
So yeah, how is it?
Reviews are very much appreciated!
Next time, things are changing between Yume and her friends! Will it be the end, or will there be more?
