Ghost writer

By dee1600

Author's note: I know that most of you would be pissed with Misao in the last chapter. Isn't Misao so pathetic? Only after I made the chapter did I realize that she almost resembled Anthy Himemiya in many of the episodes from Revolutionary Girl Utena (Shoujo Kakumei Utena) … slapped around all over the place! Ah, but a girl who is at the end of her rope would either have to breakdown or break out!

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"I heard from Mr. Shishio that you've been steadily coming to class late? You better shape up, weasel! I don't like my morning practice ruined by your incompetence!"

Misao cringed. There never was a guidance counselor quite like Hajime Saito. His tactics were deadly and straight to the point. Right now, he was carrying his bokken and swinging itover her head. He then placed an apple on top of her head. "Stand still, weasel!" Saito then distanced himself from Misao and swung the wooden sword. The bokken struck the apple and cut it in two. Saito is definitely one guidance counselor no student should mess with.

"Do I make myself clear?"

"Y-yes, Mr. Hajime."

"If I see you in this office again, I'm going to hit you with this stick. Now, beat it. Your presence unnerves me!"

After which our heroine hurriedly left the room and stopped in the hallway to calm her rapidly beating heart. Misao then sighed. It has been three weeks since she last met Aoshi. Ever since that time, there was no word from him.

"I guess it's better this way." Aoshi must have called it quits. And she wanted it that way. So why was it that she felt so miserable?

She had been down in the dumps for the past few weeks. She hadn't been studying and had gotten a few failing marks on her exams. Mr. Shishio had practically threatened her with more detention but nothing seemed to faze her out of her glum state. That didn't mean that she wasn't scared every time she had to face Mr. Shishio but somehow she had become apathetic to his continued warnings. Her grades have steadily lowered and she was now placed on the failing list, hence, her visit to Mr. Hajime's office. As she went on her way, a figure emerged behind her, watching her take the flight up of stairs to her classroom. That figure was Aoshi, who was constantly observing her from afar.

Unknown to Misao, Aoshi had not given up yet. Realizing that Misao would not give in to his request, he formulated a change in strategy. Removing himself from her line of vision and regulating himself as a bystander, he surveyed her daily run-ins with people in the school. If the bullies were to attack her directly, he would then step in to defend her. But, for the time being, as long as no aggressive assaults were directed towards her, he had forced himself to watch over her.

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Aoshi then followed her as Misao reached the second floor. And there, lo and behold was Tomoe. She was livid.

"A C-MINUS on my chemistry research paper! Misao, that is UNACCEPTABLE."

Misao just stayed quiet. Tomoe could not see her expression because her head was stooped, her shoulders hunched.

Tomoe then grabbed Misao's left ear and shouted: "DO YOU HEAR ME, MISAO? THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE!"

Misao looked up at Tomoe defiantly. She was getting tired of being Tomoe's servant!

"I can't do this anymore, Tomoe."

Tomoe then angrily shoved Misao to the wall. "WHAT DID YOU SAY?"

"I SAID I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE!"

"Are you raising your voice against me, Makimachi? Remember, you are an underclassman and you have to show respect to your elders." With that, Tomoe slapped Misao on the cheek. Her cheek stung but Misao stood her ground. She continued to stare at Tomoe with contempt. Seeing this, Tomoe's mouth drew into a grim line. So, the weasel has suddenly learned to fight back!

"Might I remind you that our deal is that you do my paper until the end of the semester."

"And how about Aoshi's paper? Was that part of the deal too?" snapped Misao.

"Ah… that was a practical joke. Seeing how hooked you are to my Shinomori, I thought it would be fun to have a few laughs. And I think you fell for it --- hook, line and sinker!" said Tomoe with a smirk. As she began to walk away though, a figure blocked her way. Tomoe was shocked to come face to face with Aoshi. What was more startling was the glare she was receiving from him. It was menacing and intimidating. His voice however was controlled when he spoke.

"Going somewhere, Tomoe?"

It looks like the game is up!