Mai walked aimlessly through the Fuuka Academy campus, gazing vacantly at the ground, not thinking about anything. A sharp gust of autumn wind buffeted her school uniform, snapping her out of her trance. She brought her hands up and looked at them, and saw them tremble. She tried to make them stop but they wouldn't listen, so she clenched them instead and drove them resolutely to her sides.
You're Tokiha Mai, she told herself. You're stronger than this!
Looking up and taking note of her surroundings for the first time, she began her march home. She would not involve Natsuki, or Tate or Mikoto or any of her classmates. She had enough to worry about. Besides, she thought, it's stupid! There's no way I could be raped! It was a practical joke. Or someone was stalking her. It couldn't be a date-rape because, first of all, she didn't have time to go on any dates and second, who was going to do it – Tate? Reito? Ridiculous. And again, it could all just be a misunderstanding.
Telling herself this, Mai's thoughts drifted back to what happened in the Chairman's office...
"D-date-rape!" Mai repeated incredulously.
The school nurse approached her in a comforting gesture. "Tokiha-san, the drug we found in your blood is called Rohypnol. It's a depressant that causes loss of memory, disorientation, and great tiredness. It's a commonly used for date-rape because the victim's normal mental processes are impaired and they lose all memory of being raped. For that reason it's illegal in Japan."
Mai's brow furrowed in confusion. "But…but…it can't be…"
"Tokiha-san," said the policeman, stepping forward. "Rape is a serious charge. Please think carefully about where you went, who you spoke with and anything that seemed out of the ordinary in the last forty-eight hours."
"No…! I mean, I'm a girl," she said, blushing heavily in embarrassment. "—I'd know if I was…was…"
"Tokiha-san," cut in the Chairman. "We understand. It's not your fault. However, someone gave you an illegal substance, which, even if there wasn't rape, may have put your health at serious risk."
Mai couldn't say anything about that. But she didn't want this. Didn't want this associated with her. Didn't want to have to deal with it. Takumi was relying on her. She was having fun with her friends. Things were going well with Tate. She got a decent job. She lives close to school. Everything was fine. She desperately didn't want this. But she didn't state this, as even to her it sounded insane.
The large study doors to the Chairman's office creaked open. Mai glanced over her shoulder and found the President, Fujino Shizuru standing in the doorway, a mild look of concern on her face. "Ara – don't tell me Tokiha-san is in trouble?" she asked, walking forward.
Mai turned her face away. She felt she could die right on the spot. Even the President is going to get involved in her problems.
"Not exactly," Fumi responded. "Rather, Tokiha Mai may be a victim of a crime. Since you are living with her, Fujino-san, we thought it might be best to ask for your input as well. Sensei?"
"In short, my findings from the blood test conducted yesterday show positive results for the drug Rohypnol, which is illegal in Japan and popular as a date-rape drug."
Fujino, who had been standing beside Mai, now stepped directly infront of her, ignoring the Chairman, the nurse and the policeman. Turning her back to them completely, she bent slightly forwards and reached out to touch Mai's chin in order to compel her attention.
"Is Tokiha-san alright?" she asked her in a soft, personal voice, thick with Kyoto-ben warmth.
"H-hai…" Mai responded meekly, mesmerized by Fujino's personal attention.
"Does anything hurt?" the older girl asked gently.
"N-no…just a little tired…"
The policeman cleared his throat. "We need to get a statement in order to begin the investigation…"
Fujino ignored him. "What does Tokiha-san want to do right now?"
Mai blinked. "Um…er…" she stumbled about stupidly, but Fujino didn't budge and waited for her answer. "I have work…I need to get ready…"
"Alright," she responded quietly. "Lets go home," she said, and placed a hand on her shoulder but didn't push.
"We still need to get the statement," the policeman said, stepping forward.
Fujino continue to stand infront of Mai with her back turned to the others like a shield. "I understand, officer," she responded, not looking back. "We'll fax you a complete statement and if you need anything else please feel free to contact me at any time."
Now visibly annoyed, the policeman moved forward again. "Rape is a serious charge. We need to make sure all the facts check out. Young women may not remember everything clearly, they may sometimes make up false charges because of—"
"Officer," Fujino cut the man off, slicing the air like a knife made out of dry ice. "Aren't you a little confused? Tokiha is the victim," she admonished. Mai all bust gasped at the murderous coldness of her voice. The warm Kyoto-ben that was so close and engaging turned instantly into a dagger against the man, who himself looked as if he had been dealt a mortal wound.
"Now," she said to Mai, her voice switching instantly back. "Shall we go? That's alright, isn't it, Chairman?"
"As long we can get Tokiha-san's statement, I see no reason to keep her here."
The policeman looked befuddled and no longer willing to approach the Council President.
Since it seemed like Fujino was really going to walk her all the way home, Mai finally came back to herself and broke free as they left the Chairman's manor. "I'm okay from here, Fujino-san…please…"
"Will you really be okay, Tokiha-san?"
"Nn. I'll be fine, thank-you Fujino-san. You really saved me," Mai said, bowing her head. "A-about the statement…"
"I understand. I'll manage it. Do you want to keep it quiet for now?"
"...Please."
"Alright. You can leave it to me. If you want anything, call me right away, okay?"
"Okay."
Fujino continued to look at her, concerned. Mai didn't know what to do so she just bore it while looking at the ground.
Suddenly stepping forward and taking her by the shoulders, Fujino once again compelled her attention. "Are you sure that you're okay?" she asked again quietly, privately, attempting to search the younger girl's face.
"Nn."
"There's nothing that hurts? You don't feel sick?"
"I'm alright…" she responded, finally blushing under the attention.
After several moments of further scrutiny, Fujino's amber eyes released her and she smiled. "Alright. I'll see you later."
Coming back to herself as Mai continued to make her way back to her room, she blushed to herself, remembering Fujino-san. So, she thought to herself, that's the famous kaichou-san of Fuuka Academy. No wonder she has such a huge fanclub. It was like I was just a little kid compared to her.
