Chapter 8

Emarista the Torturer: I really hope that I can get Tsukiko better for you soon. bows Sorry for the long update.

School brought me back to my senses, and I sighed at the thought of what I had said to Toki. I always said it to him, and every time I said it…he didn't slap me. Was it better not to slap me to my senses? Or was I already slapped? "Yasu-san? What's the problem with this sentence?" Another student asked me, bringing me from my thoughts.

"Come on over to my desk, Reah-san." I nodded with a soft smile at the girl, she moved through the desk clumsily, and I really wanted to tell her to be more careful. I saw her finally drop the paper at my desk, and I pulled it close to me as I read it with interest. "Well, I think the sentence just needs a bit of work. The sentence is too simple for someone writing an essay for college and such." I saw her smile in agreement, and she quickly snatched up her paper and went clumsily back to her desk. She began writing, and after what seemed like days, the bell rang. 'Lunch Bell.' I started to go down, until I saw a few girls around Uotani, Tohru, and Saki.

"Ane-san! Could you please hang out with us today?" The girl's hair was dyed, and the three were in middle school uniforms. The other two were talking to Kyo and Yuki Sohma.

"I don't know, but you can't keep coming to this school every day."

"But Ane-san!"

"I really want to be with Yasu-san today, I need some help with my work."

"Ane-san…please?"

"Fine, but you better be keeping your promise to going to school."

"Yay!" I guess it began to be that way, and I went to the teacher's lounge lazily. I really wanted to spend the day with Uotani after school, but it seemed that I didn't have the chance today. The teacher's lounge was the best place to be, away from all the students. At least that's what I thought, except for the few hentai teachers around.

"Tsukiko, how did your class go? How were the changes in the curriculum?"

"Well, Akina…it really didn't help my students, they almost failed their exams." I looked at my friend silently, and she sat down with her coffee and I sipped my tea slightly.

"Tsukiko, it really doesn't help you push yourself so hard, I heard Toki had to see to you twice." I looked at her, blushing slightly as I tried to pull my face back in.

"Yes, well…I was a little stressed yesterday. You see, Uotani-san was told by me who I was…and she kind of got mad when I was angry at Toki."

"Tsukiko, you're hiding again."

"Well, she wanted me to 'fix' my heart. I didn't know how to say that…"

"Makes sense, I wouldn't worry too much, besides…lunch is almost over." I nodded with a slight bow to Akina. I made my way to my classroom, looking at Uotani for a second. She was talking with Tohru, and smiling happier than I could have made her smile. I almost thought of giving up, but I made my way to the desk, beginning the small lecture on math we were doing, and it seemed to make everyone sleepy. "Your homework is on page ninety-five, six through ten even. Everyone quietly wait in your seats and work on any assignment you choose. I sat, grading a few of yesterday's homework absentmindedly. 'I can't get them to write this out well enough for me to read, I hate this…' I actually disliked it, but in the end, I couldn't be that way all the time for them. I heard the packing of the familiar black bags, and I could hear shuffling towards my desk. The bell rang, and everyone ran out except for someone…I could hear his or her voice.

"Yasu-san, why are you crying?" I looked up, seeing that Tohru Honda was in front of me. I felt my eyes slightly, feeling a tear that had fallen from my eye.

"It's nothing, something got in my eye." I stood up, going into the bathroom stall, tears came out as I broke down, and it hurt. Maybe it was because of Uotani, how I couldn't make her smile like Tohru could, and I couldn't protect her like I am. Maybe it was because she had a better life than I did, a better mental state, better ideas…and maybe I just was too jealous of her life. I wanted to be someone that could be a friend, and I couldn't even keep confidence in myself. I could hear a knock at the bathroom stall I was in, it was Tohru again.

"Yasu-san! What's wrong?" I couldn't exactly say I got something in my eye, right? I looked up at her face, I couldn't smile…I couldn't see any way to smile around this girl.

"I…I'm fine." I got up, walking out, and then hearing her again. She kept following me as I walked home, and I wondered if Yuki and Kyo were looking for her. For now, I guess I would allow her in the apartment. I told her my problem, but what she had said in return would not console my heart. The moment she made Miso soup, I actually forgot my problems, and I let her words in as she spoke. Maybe…I could get along with her after all?

TBC…