Yuzu stood by Mei's locker, fidgeting with her clothing. She hadn't seen mama so disheartened in a while. The possibility that this was all Yuzu's fault ate at her stomach. Mama said that a few of the Chairman's people came over to take custody of Mei, and that Mei agreed, but Yuzu needed to hear Mei's stance first-hand. Yuzu even dared to hope that she could get Mei back. We barely had a chance to even try being a family. Yuzu bit the inside of her cheek.
As the students started showing up, Yuzu checked every face looking for Mei. After a few minutes, she caught sight of Mei and waited as Mei approached. Yuzu looked down at her feet. What if Mei was angry? If Yuzu made things worse for her, would she hate her forever? Yuzu nearly ripped her shirt from fidgeting.
Mei just walked right up to her locker, changed her shoes, then started walking away. Yuzu cocked her head. Seriously?
"Hey!" Yuzu called. "Don't you have something to tell me?"
Mei turned around. "Like what?"
Yuzu scratched the back of her head and clenched her teeth. "Look! I need to know. Why did you leave? Did your grandpa force you to go with him? Would you rather come back? What's going on with your engagement? For gods' sakes, what are you feeling? Are you okay?" Yuzu looked off to the side and blushed. She hadn't meant to ramble so much.
Mei slowly walked up to Yuzu. She leaned in, causing Yuzu to step back. Yuzu blushed harder. Mei's dull expression morphed into a gentle pleading smile. Yuzu completely forgot her frustrations and just gawked at how cute Mei was.
"Are you going to rescue me," Mei purred. "From my mean grandfather's house?"
Yuzu's cheeks were burning, and she looked to the side. This was the last thing she expected. Mei actually wanted–
"Just drop it," Mei said. Her face reverted to her empty expression, and she turned away. "It was my choice to leave to my grandfather's house. Just leave me alone." Mei walked away.
Yuzu slumped over, defeated. As Mei was about to enter the building, Yuzu straightened out and called, "Are you mad about what I did?"
Mei just stopped, waited a few seconds, and then continued on. Yuzu sighed. Well, she didn't say 'yes.' I'll hope that's a good sign.
Yuzu headed up to homeroom. A teacher she didn't recognize approached. Oh, yeah. This person was probably substituting in for Mr. Amamiya. Yuzu scowled at the mere thought of him, hoping this would be permanent.
"Aihara Yuzu," the teacher said. "Head to the chairman's office. He would like to have a word with you."
Yuzu felt like she got punched in the gut. Oh, shit. This is it. Time to finally pay the price for having a mind of my own and trying to help someone. Yuzu dragged herself to her execution site. She knocked on the door.
"Enter," said a muffled voice from inside. Ugh, I feel like I'm entering the dark lord's evil lair. Yuzu opened the door and entered. She hunched her shoulders while she approached the chairman at his desk. "Sit down," he said.
Yuzu sat down on the other side of the desk, the silence of the room making her gut tighten. Yuzu gulped. She wasn't going to go down without a fight. She'd argue her point to the bitter end!
The chairman folded his hands and cleared his throat. "I wanted to thank you," he said.
Yuzu stared. Huh?
"I was shocked, to say the least, to hear an accusation like that against my granddaughter's fiancé. However, when I investigated it, Mei came forward about everything. You went about it horribly, but it was the brave first step that my granddaughter needed to get out of a horrible situation. So, you have my thanks."
Yuzu's palms were still sweating, but she couldn't help but smile. "Y-yes. I couldn't just stand by while something like that was happening."
"Which shows good character," the chairman said. "Plenty would rather turn an eye than take a risk that could fail. Mei, herself, was too frightened to come forward because of the trouble this could cause the academy. But my granddaughter's safety is what's most important here."
Yuzu blushed. She hated this guy's guts. How dare he show her that he actually has good intentions and integrity?
"However," the chairman said. "Even though you'll be given leniency because of your efforts to expose this issue, you'll still be serving a week's worth of detentions." That didn't sound bad since Yuzu came in here assuming he'd expel her.
"Yes, Sir," Yuzu said. She had a chance of getting back in her grandpa's good graces. She held back from grinning widely.
"You'll be attending the student council every day this week to assist with any tasks they give you."
Yuzu almost yelped. Seriously? Oh, god. Being there with Mei is gonna be so awkward! Yuzu put on a nervous smile. "Yes, Sir."
"Now get to class. And remember: The leniency for your show of character will only go so far. Focus on your studies or you will not last long here."
"Yes, I promise," Yuzu said as she stood up. She doubted she could keep that promise very well. Yuzu walked over the door, but then remembered that there was something she still needed to know. "Did Mei say anything about why she moved to your place?" Yuzu asked.
"Do not concern yourself with that. She wanted to leave, so respect her wishes. Focus on your studies."
Yuzu frowned. Would it kill them to give her a bit of closure? These Aihara's were so darn closed off.
Yuzu stepped out into the hallway and shut the door. For a moment, she just stood there, watching the perfect studious drones walking down the halls. Focus on my studies? Maybe I should stop worrying about Mei. If she just doesn't like us, then we ought to let her go…
Yuzu couldn't take it anymore. She let out a loud groan and laid back in her chair, wishing that she could speed up the clock hand. She felt a stack of papers whack her in the head.
"You're not even half-way through this stack of papers," Mei said. "They need to be sorted before the day is over or–"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Yuzu said, forcing her body to straighten back up. Today's the last day, Yuzu! Just finish these and your week of being Mei's slave will be over! Mei went back to her chair and got busy with something. God knew what. No matter how much Mei did, she always found something new to work on, and it never drained her. Her posture was as strong as ever. Her flowing black hair was as beautiful as ever. That skin still looked as smooth as–
Yuzu smacked her cheeks. What the hell am I thinking? Yuzu got back into the tedious rhythm of sorting papers but went through it slowly. The letters and numbers looked like a jumbled mess. Yuzu glanced across the room. Mei was chatting with the girl with pigtails. They seemed to get along. Were they friends? Did Mei even have close friends? Yuzu bolted upright. Why the hell couldn't she focus? It was like Yuzu was a cat and Mei was a dangling string.
Yuzu had decided to respect Mei's wishes and let her live without them. What was the point of continuing to worry about someone who didn't want her help and didn't even like her? If this was what she wanted, then that was that. However–Yuzu was probably just imaging this to cope with her failure–it seemed like whenever Yuzu was focused and getting things done quickly, Mei was treating her nice. Not just not smacking her in the head, but using kind words. Yuzu almost admired Mei's dedication to hard work. Yuzu picked up a pen and started biting it.
A member of the student council entered the room, returning from an errand. "President!" she shouted as she ran in and went right up to the president. Mei's eyes looked hopeful.
The girl handed Mei a clipboard. "Your request has been approved! Not only that, but it's been funded and they're already getting the first steps underway! Your argument must have been amazing!"
Mei blushed. Yuzu cocked her head. Of all the things to melt away Mei's cold robotic expression. Yuzu hadn't seen Mei show her excitement on her face like this before. She was cute like this.
"Yes," Mei said, flipping through the pages on the clipboard wildly. "They've all been signed."
The pigtail girl went up to Mei's side. "Congratulations, Mei-Mei! You went above and beyond in getting the data and running the statistics to prove your point. You earned this."
Mei was bright red and just kept flipping back and forth through the pages, as if she were too nervous to just put the thing down. Geez.
"This is a win," Mei said. "But it's just a start. I'll have a lot more work next week, following through with it."
"What's to worry about?" Said one of the two girls who was sitting at the same desk as Yuzu. "The president's practically a goddess. She'll handle it like it's nothing." Yuzu continued idly sorting papers but glanced at Mei. Mei was biting her lip and her fingers were tapping on the clipboard. Sure, she was excited, but she was obviously also nervous about the pressure. Was no one else in the room seeing that? The girl who had brought the report had gone across the room to work on something else, her expression relaxed. Pigtail girl's face was beaming.
Yuzu sighed. She'd already decided to stop worrying.
Nevertheless, for the next hour, between every paper she sorted, Yuzu couldn't stop herself from sneaking glances at Mei; the president's nervous excited dedication was inspiring, worrying, and beautiful. Yuzu chewed hard on the end of her pen.
Yuzu pushed the stack of papers across the desk. She finished just in time. Yuzu, the two girls she'd been sitting with, and pigtail girl all filed out of the room. I guess Mei is still doing something. Not surprised. When they exited, pigtail girl turned left and the rest of them turned right.
Then, as if the two girls' studious side just flipped off, they started chatting in a gossipy tone. Yuzu trailed behind them. God, could these girls move any slower?
"Are you sure?" the taller girl whispered. "You really think it was the president?"
Yuzu's attention snapped.
"Definitely," the shorter girl said, not worried about keeping her gossip quiet as the code required. "I saw her with Mr. Amamiya back before he got exposed. It didn't look appropriate, but there's no way I was getting involved."
"Wow," the taller girl whispered. "I can't believe it was the chairman's granddaughter. Damn, he was stupid."
Yuzu stopped and let the two walk ahead, their voices petering out. Yuzu turned to leave in the other direction. That bitch saw them and was just going to let it slide?
Yuzu froze. Mei was leaning against the door of the student council room, her arms behind her. Oh shit, did she hear that?
Yuzu stood there like an idiot, her legs not letting her flee. Mei stood up from the door and walked past Yuzu. She turned and watched Mei's back. Mei stopped. She turned around and faced Yuzu. Yuzu's face shot to the side; her jaw clenched.
"I," Mei said and then sighed. "It's been moderately relieving this week to not have Mr. Amamiya around. So, thank you. That's all I had to say." Mei turned and left, her posture slightly faltering as if she were in a hurry.
Yuzu's body felt light. Her heart pounded. She watched Mei until she completely went out of sight.
Then it was like a dam broke. Yuzu jumped up in the air and pumped her fists over and over, her mouth overtaken by a massive grin.
"I did help her!" Yuzu shouted. It was worth it after all! And on top of that, Mei actually thanked her. Yuzu clutched her shirt over her heart. Gosh… Maybe–just maybe–she appreciates me a little bit. That's enough. Yuzu teetered through the hallway, feeling like a queen. Why did something so simple elate her so much? She brushed the thought aside and just enjoyed the uplifting feeling.
Yuzu kicked her shoes off and strolled in the apartment.
"What happened to you?" Mama said. She was making dinner and grinning at Yuzu. "Was detention today super fun or what?"
Yuzu stumbled towards her room. Oh shit. She was still high off Mei's 'thank you.' Yuzu rubbed the back of her head. "Eh, he. I'm just relieved that it's finally over. Oh, what's for dinner? That smells amazing."
"Just get dressed and get your butt in here. It's almost ready."
Yuzu went in her room and changed out of her school clothes into some casual attire. She frowned as she looked at the rolled-up futon on the edge of the room. This morning, she'd done a pretty good job of letting Mei go. Now, her heart ached for a second chance.
Yuzu sat at the table with mama, greeted with chicken curry. Yuzu started scarfing it down.
After a few minutes, mama let out a sigh. "Have you by any chance talked with Mei today? Your detention was at the student council, right?"
Yuzu gulped down her food. Mama mused about Mei every day since she left. She was really hopeful about having someone new in the family. Yuzu's head drooped. "Yeah," Yuzu said. "But I don't think she's going to change her mind. But I also think she doesn't dislike us. I don't know. I can't figure her out."
Mama toyed at her food with her chopsticks, like a kid longing for a toy she'd lost. "At least she's staying at her grandpa's place instead of her dad's."
Yuzu perked up. "Huh?" she asked. "She's been staying with her dad? But hasn't he been travelling?"
"Yeah. He's out there chasing his dreams. Mei's been waiting for him to come home for five years. That's…" Mama's voice cracked. "That's why I was so excited. Mei had a chance to have a new family she could see every day. I just didn't want her to be lonely."
Yuzu stabbed her chopsticks into her food. Mei's been living alone for five years? Her dad was out travelling instead of raising her? No wonder Mei was so closed off.
The pair finished their meal mostly silently. Yuzu kept trying to change the few conversations away from Mei. She couldn't bear to keep seeing mama like this.
After dinner, Yuzu strolled into her room and collapsed onto her futon. The sun was setting. She watched the blue-sky fade to black and the stars pop into view.
Yuzu's arm rested to the side, where Mei's futon was supposed to be. She closed her eyes and her memories of the student council room flooded in: Mei's gorgeous blush at seeing her hard work paying off, her nervous tapping at the stress she'd go through next week, her perfections faltering after she'd forced herself to thank Yuzu.
Mei was amazing. Her dedication was inspiring. But she wasn't a goddess. She struggled. Yuzu imagined Mei as a child, coming home every day after school, having worked so hard, her efforts rewarding her with another day of her father not returning. Yuzu felt tears slide down her cheeks.
Yuzu sat up and wiped her tears with her sleeves. I've never felt so messed up before. Mei drives me to joy and pain so easily. What is this?
"Hey, Yuzu! Check this one out!" Harumin yanked Yuzu by the arm and dragged her toward a dress on display. Yuzu complied but just kept staring blankly into the distance. "Hm, it's hot, but it's feelin' too try-hard to me. Gotta stay casual. Are you even listening, Yuzu? What's with you?"
Yuzu sharpened her attention and saw Harumin glaring at her with pointing eyebrows and pouting lips. Yuzu tried to chuckle casually, and she stroked her chin. "Yeah. Very hot. Very casual. Very try-hard."
Harumin sighed deeply. "Alright, spit it out. What's hogging that brain space so much that you can't even enjoy shopping?"
Yuzu wrestled with how much she wanted to tell her. "It's about the president. Yanno, my new step-sister?" The two started walking toward the exit of the shop.
"Uh, huh?" Harumin said. "The chick who you saved from that garbage teacher and then thanked you for it by excommunicating herself from your family?"
Yuzu sighed and looked up. "It's not like that. Well, I mean I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit disappointed that she still doesn't like me. But I think she might like me a tiny bit. I don't know. Why does that even bother me so much? If she wants to be away from me so much then she can screw off, right? But I keep wishing she'd come back. What's wrong with me?"
The two walked in silence past the crowds of people for several seconds.
Finally, Harumin said, "You just like her. It's natural."
Yuzu blushed. "Huh?"
"Don't ask me why. Seems like a bitch to me. But you saw something under that cold exterior and ya can't just give up on that. When you like someone, ya won't let that go just 'cause the outside pokes you sometimes." Harumin grabbed Yuzu's head and pulled it onto her chest. "Come back to mama Harumin for motherly advice anytime, baby!"
Yuzu just went along with it, the words 'You just like her' echoing in her head. When they reached the exit door, Harumin let go and said, "I'll let you sort out your itty-bitty feelings! In return, get back into the shopping spirit with me tomorrow!" The two waved and smiled.
"Yeah, I'll try," Yuzu said.
You just like her. You like her. You like her. Oh no.
I'm totally crushing on Mei.
Yuzu strolled the unfamiliar streets, her body screaming at her to run back home. It was somewhere around here. The luxurious houses looming on all sides made Yuzu feel like a lost peasant. Still, she had to try one more time. That was just what one did for someone they like.
Yuzu read the address on one of the houses and gulped. It matched what Mei's Grandpa's should be. Yuzu pressed the button on the intercom with her shaking finger. She told the person who answered that she was here to see Aihara Mei. After three minutes of Yuzu staring at the sky, the gates opened, and Mei stood right in front of her.
"Uh, hi," Yuzu said.
"Hello," Mei replied, standing as still as a statue. "What are you doing here?"
Yuzu gulped. Why do I like someone so scary? Yuzu stepped forward. "Can we talk?"
Mei just stepped aside and walked along side Yuzu toward her enormous home. "Make it quick, I have a lot to do."
Yuzu smiled nervously. On a Saturday?
The two entered the building and Yuzu held her arms behind her back, gawking at the wide-open spaces, the expensive statues, and the fancy architecture.
Mei opened the door to her bedroom and closed the door behind her after they entered.
"So, what do you want?" Mei asked, walking over to her desk, and staring at the papers she had out.
Yuzu fidgeted with the end of her right sleeve with her left hand. "Why won't you come home?"
Mei looked in Yuzu's direction but didn't look up at her. "I don't want to."
"Mama told me about your dad." Mei's eyes went wide. "I know what it's like to lose a parent. I'm sorry you've had to go through that. But that's why mama and I want you back so badly. You don't have to be alone anymore!"
"It's none of–"
"My business? Yeah, I know, but I still want to help! I can't stop wanting to. Because I keep seeing how much you're actually hurting inside." Mei looked up at Yuzu as if to counter that point. "You can't deny it, not with me. You've got a good poker face, but it's not fooling me. If you can't rely on your dad, then please come back to us! We're here for you!"
Mei's statuesque figure broke and she hurried toward Yuzu. "Shut up!" she yelled. Yuzu saw tears pooling in her tense eyes.
Mei pushed Yuzu against the wall. "Don't say a word about my father!" she cried.
Yuzu tried to push back, but Mei held her against the wall. "Mei! Stop! You're going to be okay!"
Yuzu slipped out of Mei's grip and clutched Mei by the wrists to hold her off. "You aren't alone anymore!" Yuzu said. "Because I care about you!"
Mei's struggling ceased and her eyes bulged. It was like she just gave up, unable to process what she'd heard.
"What's this commotion?" A muffled voice came from outside the door. The door opened, revealing the chairman. Yuzu let go of Mei's wrists and Mei stepped backwards, her whole body slumping. "And to think I actually gave you a chance," he growled. "Get out of my house! You'll also be expelled. Don't you dare take one step on my school again!"
Yuzu's heart pumped and her body shook. The look on the chairman's face made it seem like he'd much rather throw something at her if he could.
"I… I u-understand." Yuzu said through her faltering voice. She made to leave the room.
"Grandfather," Mei said. Yuzu stopped against her better judgement. Mei brushed past Yuzu and addressed the chairman. "I was the one who attacked Yuzu. She was just trying to talk to me, and I lost control of my temper. This was just a misunderstanding. Please forgive me." Mei bowed low. Yuzu gawked. Mei was standing up for her?
The chairman stood there, clearly confused and whiplashed. He tipped his glasses up and cleared his throat. "Whatever the case is, the commotion is unacceptable. Please leave. I will clear this up with Mei later."
Mei rose and the chairman walked off. Yuzu rushed past Mei and scurried through the building to leave as quickly as possible. She bit back tears while she stepped out onto the street. Why did things always turn out like this? She felt like her feelings were strangling her.
"Yuzu!"
Yuzu swirled around. Her first name coming from that voice made her heart swell. Mei stood a few feet away, breathing heavily. She looked at Yuzu, guilt weighing on her eyes. Mei looked almost unrecognizable from the president she had met on the first day of school. She looked scared and confused.
"I'm sorry for getting you in trouble," Mei said with a light bow. "I'll make sure you aren't expelled for my outburst. Family has to look out for each other, right?"
Yuzu clutched her heart and bit her lip. A cold gust of wind flew past the two of them, and for a moment, all Yuzu's anxieties slipped away. She just stared at Mei and let the sight of her beauty warm her back up.
Mei turned to leave. "And," She said, looking at her feet. "Tell mother I'll be back home by Monday."
"Yeah, yeah, don't worry about that!" Yuzu said into the phone to mama. "The point is that Mei stood up for me! I think some part of what I said got through to her. She said that family looks out for each other. She's coming back home!"
"Really? Oh, Yuzu, you darling! I'm so proud of you!"
Yuzu couldn't help but giggle and skip down the street. "Yeah! I feel like we're finally gonna be a family. Mei and I are really gonna be sisters–"
Yuzu halted. Wait… sisters?
