A/N: This is a Mystery story, people. :D. You'll learn her secret soon enough. Have some patience, all right? And also, I've indeed put up various changes since I don't want to use the previous ideas I've had before. :D. If you were reading carefully the first chapter, I think I've put enough idea on that about the secret of her family. :D
Disclaimer: I don't own anything—except the plot.
Dedication: I'm into #TBT today so, after accidentally watching the video of Carrie—that song from before—I've decided to dedicate this chapter to EUROPE *things they change, my frieeeend. Carrie, Carrie, Carriiiiiiiie* (I don't have a good voice :O.)
-;-
When the lights fade out, all the sinners crawl
All family has its secrets
Death is only the beginning.
-;-
No one was able to know how much pain Ayuzawa Misaki has seen, how much torture she had undergone and how many deaths she had witnessed.
-;-
The Grim Reaper
.
The Grim Reaper
.
The Grim Reaper
.
Three:
I frowned at Sakura when she recklessly plugged out my iPod that was connected to my laptop before slamming the gadget closed that it nearly crushed my fingers since she did it without any warning. After doing that, she ripped the headphones off my ear before sinking down on my bed and smiles at me as though she did nothing wrong. I glanced back at the path she created which was consisted of fall out books which she so obviously kicked off her way. From the door, I sighed in envy as Shizuko graced the way with her obvious gracefulness and elegance.
Why can't Sakura be so much like Shizuko? She's like a tornado!
"May I inquire why you're acting so violent against my things inside my own bedroom?" I asked her and switched off my iPod since with Sakura around; I don't think I'd ever get the peace that I want.
Sakura smiled at me again, her reddish eyes had that amused tint in them that sometimes, I can't help but wonder if she was really in the right state of mind. "Why don't we do something fun today? My treat."
"Can't." I answered swiftly before she starts thinking I agreed. "Can't you see? I've got assignment to finish today." And aside from that, I don't think the plan of going out in broad daylight when it's my precious weekend rest is a good idea. I'd rather the company of the wall instead of exposing myself to danger.
By the door, Shizuko said, "You've already got your assignment done last night. I was keeping tabs on you. You don't like wasting your weekends on doing assignment."
I glowered at her. "Since when did you become my stalker?"
"You lied to me." Sakura hissed at me through gritted teeth.
I exhaled. Sometimes, it was really troublesome having roommates. "Okay. Fine. Since you were so kind to me, I'd give in this time. What do you want?"
"I'm kind to everybody!" she shrieked noisily before slamming her back on the soft futon, her mop of slightly wavy orange hair were sprawled messily all over the cover which created a fire-like appearance. She could really be beautiful if only she weren't so noisy and catastrophic.
I arched an eyebrow at her depressed appearance before darting a quick glance on Shizuko by the door who simply squared her shoulders. I sighed. She really could be useless sometimes, too. "Is there something wrong?" I asked Sakura after shutting off my laptop. "You look like someone killed your favorite dog."
She sneered at me. "I don't have a dog, stupid."
"Will you please stop making it look like my name is stupid?" I frowned again. "I was trying to make you feel better since you look depressed. But seeing you're still so good with throwing nasty remarks, I guess you weren't that sad after all."
I nearly got kicked off my bed when she started thrashing as though she was possessed until she finally returned to her senses and jumped up on a seating position to face me. "I was depressed and sad, okay?!"
"E-Er… yeah, obviously." I decided to say. "So, what's the reason?"
"Usui Takumi!" she screamed on my face.
And almost automatically, even my mood turned grim and sour. Usui Takumi, Usui Takumi, the epitome of rudeness and bad conduct. Okay, I must admit that he really had the looks but that doesn't give him the right to bully weak girls like Sakura. "What did he to do you?" I ask in annoyance as I clenched and unclenched my fist, thinking about stuff I should make him do so he'd bid goodbye to the spotlight. "Tell me and I'd do something about it."
She snorted at me as though what I've said was the most ridiculous thing I'd ever say my entire life but proceeds on telling me the gist of her depression anyway. "Have you already forgotten what happened last Wednesday?" she hisses at me. "I humiliated myself in front of Usui Takumi! He's like the hottest guy that ever existed in this place and I made myself look like a complete fool before him!"
I paused, and glares at her. "That's it?"
"What do you mean by that's it?!" she screamed on my face. "He was my Prince! I was supposed to change his bad boy image and now, he thinks I'm a dork because I allowed myself to be used as a goalie for soccer!"
Oh, God… what a Drama Queen. Once again, by the door, I thought I saw Shizuko roll her eyes. I decided not to imitate her with the way Sakura looked right now. She looks so ready to bite my head off. "Look, Sakura, stop making a fuss out of it, okay? It wasn't like he did it on purpose. It's an accident and he apologized for it. I'm pretty certain he wasn't the type of guy who would remember something as trivial as that."
"It wasn't trivial for me!" she screamed against my ear again.
I rolled my eyes. "Okay, then, if it was so important for you, what do you plan to do to raise your reputation again?" I asked as sardonically as I could. Shizuko chuckled darkly at that. I was beginning to think she was the type to laugh at people who would crash down the ground. "Do you have a plan?"
"Oh, my God, you do understand me after all! You're my best friend in the world!"
"Oof!" I gasped when Sakura suddenly threw her arm around me and together, we tumbled down the bed since the force of her embrace was too strong for me to handle. I tried pushing her off since I never really like people touching me but then again, this would be the first time someone had touch me without actually hurting me. "Okay, so, what is this plan you're talking about? And please, make sure it's worth all our time, okay?"
She smiled at me and composes herself again, her wild mess of auburn red hair were easily smoothed out as she run her long fingers through the red strands. I thought she looked like a model doing that. "I want you to do something for me."
My forehead creased. "Who?"
"You." she rolled her eyes, and I thought she was thinking I was the most incompetent person in the world. "I want you to embarrass yourself in front of Usui Takumi—"
I was quick to interrupt her as I swiftly got off the bed and the line of war and stood next to Shizuko. "Oh no, no, no, I can't do something like that. I don't want people to see me as that girl who embarrassed herself in front of—ugh—Usui Takumi. I can't, Sakura—"
"I thought you were my best friend?!" she wailed and starts thrashing on the bed that she almost looked abnormally possessed. "Isn't it that best friends does what they think is right for the reputation of their other best friend?"
I was about to respond to that but Shizuko beat me to it. "You've got one twisted way of thinking about the idea of best friends, Hanazono." She said, her voice as cold as ice.
I elbowed Shizuko before turning back to Sakura again and inwardly frowned at the sour expression she had. "Look, I want to help you, I really do. But not this way, okay? If I… if I help you, then it would mean I would get—ugh—popular and I don't want that."
"You'd get popular anyway because you're a dork."
I glared at her but went on with my explanation anyway. "You should just forget about it, Sakura. And besides that, I keep on thinking that Usui Takumi is the kind of guy that doesn't deserve someone like you. You're way too serious for someone like him. He looked like a playboy to me. He's probably more of a frog than a Prince—"
"Stop badmouthing him or you'd earn the hatred of his fan girls—"
I snorted again. "Look, you don't have to do anything to please him, okay?" I approached her again when I was certain it was safe now to get near her and started arranging my things. "If he's really into you, it wouldn't matter to him if you allowed yourself to be made a human goalie right in front of his face." I smiled at her again. "And whatever you do in front of him, he would never mind it because he likes you—that is how it means to like and be liked, okay?"
She stared at me for a moment and I couldn't help but stare back at her, too, and when I realized my current situation, I quickly look away and dumped my laptop into the lamp table and stuffed the books back to their shelves before I got up on my feet again.
When she continued staring at me, I quirked an eyebrow at me. "What is it?"
"Shizuko is right."
Behind me, Shizuko let out a low whistle. "I always am—but what about this time?"
Sakura pointed out her auburn eyes. "Your eyes, there's indeed something about them. If you look at it carefully, I must admit there's something about them that quite distracts me."
Despite the sudden anxiety I've felt when she said that, I tried to casually brush it off with a laugh. "What distracts you? That must be because you're nervous about facing that Usui Takumi guy again." she frowned again upon hearing that and I know I've been spared temporarily. But behind me, I could almost feel Shizuko's penetrating gaze on my back.
.
I indulged myself with various activities for the rest of the week since it was called the Probationary Week for Miyabigaoka students.
By morning, I was exerting too much effort for my almost two-hour Math class followed by my next subjects, which I loved the most. Lunch is a busy time, either. It was something I couldn't get used to with all those noise breathing against my ear and students staring at me whenever I'd hang out with either Shizuko or Hideki-kun—who would have ever thought Hideki-kun is pretty famous around Miyabigaoka? Well, I wouldn't be surprise anymore. Truthfully, he's pretty cute. Sakura is one creepy person. I didn't know she was a fan of I-love-hot-guys-like-Suzuki-Hideki-and-Usui-Takumi-even-if-they-already-have-girlfriends thing-y, thus, resorting to her collecting tons of pictures of them secretly taken by amateur—or probably even professionals—photographers of the school.
It was weird. I'm not really sure why those girls go gaga over someone who is probably more frog than Prince once he spoke. Hideki-kun is an exception. I already know that he was a real prince inside and out. Everything he's doing is something that would make Shizuko feel utterly loved. Speaking of Shizuko, that dork. Like that creep Sakura, Shizuko is such a cold-hearted jerk. Most girls would usually swoon once their guy does something sweet for them—like giving them chocolates or giving her a ride wherever she wanted to go (selfish woman) or probably carrying her too heavy things—but Shizuko? Hell no, she isn't one to showcase her emotions. Even if Hideki-kun being whipped on her is already way too obvious, she still doesn't show anything. She's like a stone—yeah. That's Shizuko Kaga, a living stone.
Back to that bastard Usui Takumi, aside from the fact that he is nothing but a pain in the behind that does nothing but appear out of nowhere and stole books from me or remind me of what path I should take on or stare at me and scowl and frown and glare at me as if I was the most annoying person he's ever seen, he's a bully, too. I noticed that when he repeatedly snickered at me—along with his bunch of friends I think were actually other forms of bullies too—when I nearly slammed my face against the table since my mind was flying again.
I never dared speak with him anymore after that.
School could be fun, I must say. But it was a bit hectic and really tiresome and I could say it as early as now that I would never get used to it. My schedule back in the city—or near the city—isn't as busy as this. Miyabigaoka Academy could literally kill me.
And aside from that, what tires me most is the endless chitchat with regards to the hottest boys in school—one hides behind the name of Usui freakin' hot Takumi. Ugh. That was such an ugly title. I mean, seriously, who would be smart enough to give that so called man-meat a title such as King. Seriously, King? King? As in King—the ruler? That was such a ridiculous thing to call him! And to me, he doesn't look like a ruler… he looked like a ruler, you know, that instrument used for measuring.
Damn that bastard for being popular when he's more frog than Prince.
Still annoyed since that Usui Takumi guy really knows how to push my buttons, I stuff all my things inside my backpack and yanked out my wallet since I'd be having lunch with Shizuko and the others again. I checked out my wristwatch and hurriedly dashed out of the classroom before I get late again and received a mouthful from Sakura for getting actually late for lunch. I was running and since it was still the start of the blizzard season—you know, what with all the month of September is offering—the wind whipped hard against my loose bun that it sent the rubber band wound around my hair off my locks and put my hair into extreme mess. I froze, since there were still many people walking on the area near the cafeteria, and either Shizuko or Sakura are nowhere near I.
Students both near and distant my spot snapped their heads on my direction the moment I stood frozen. Quickly, I pick up my rubber band and tried my best to hide my face with my hair when someone suddenly yanked me by the elbow with such brute force before shoving me off the ground, my things scattered on the ground since it all flew off my grip.
"Hey—" I cried out in exasperation as I got thrown off. I glared up at the guy although I was certain meeting them in the eyes isn't really the best thing to do as of the moment. "—the hell is wrong with you?!"
I know it wasn't the guy's fault—those blames have been long embedded within me and I learned to defend myself from people whose hands were too free and harsh against my skin. His eyes were blank and I tried to save myself by rubbing hard the leather that was my bracelet, trying to free him from the charm he was currently under. But my anxiety seemed to have only doubled my hypnotizing effect on him that he was already on the process of launching himself on me for a way too public assault. I probably thought it was the end of my stay here when a flash of blonde and green flickered before me and next thing I know, the guy who was about to assault me lay sprawled on the floor after being thrown off and is already immobile. I covered my mouth with my shaking and slightly dirty hands to refrain myself from releasing my scream before staring up at the person who saved me … for now.
And instead, I met none other than Usui Takumi's furious and slightly bewildered eyes. Silence reigned over all over the place; even the witnesses of the unexpected violence went still for fear that they may incur the anger of the person everyone seemed to be intimidated of. He walked towards me with such exaggerated slowness as if he was measuring my reaction before lifting his own pale but big hand to reach forward my wrist.
His voice was slightly distracted when he spoke. "Are you okay?"
I couldn't find my voice so I settled on nodding. I was silent when he pried my hand off my mouth and brought it up to him examining the scrapes on the heel of my palm as well as the ones on the bones at the back of my hand.
"We need to get you to the infirmary." He mumbled in an almost whisper before looking towards our spectators. I looked around too just in time to see Shizuko, Hideki-kun, Sakura and Yukimira-kun arriving along with Kanou-kun and that guy who called me an idiot before. Shizuko was also bewildered at the sight of us on the ground and the guy who was still flat on his back before shrugging off confusion and glared at the people surrounding us and murmuring.
"Scram. Show's over, people." She says in such threatening voice. And with just that, students dashed off as if going against her unreasonable—but for now, reasonable—wish would cost them their lives. She walked towards Takumi and me and not so discreetly shoves him off me. "Are you okay? What happened?"
I shake my head. I wished a bit of lying would save my ass from this. "I'm fine. It's nothing. Don't mind me. No need to bring me to the infirmary—"
Takumi exhaled through his nose, completely against my decision. "Are you kidding me?" his voice rivaled much of Shizuko's and immediately translated that my life could be on the line too with this people around me. "You got shove on the ground and you're telling me you're fine—"
"Give Misaki some space to breathe, Usui." Shizuko shot back easily, pushing him away again. She turned to me. "You pick a fight with a guy this time? Did he hurt you? Tell me."
"He didn't. I'm fine."
"She got pushed around and nearly got assaulted." Takumi, once again, butted in; anger was still present on his tone. "I saw everything. Damn, good thing that fucked-up subject made me late, dammit."
I frowned at him. "Stop cursing." He stared at me in astonishment that he swiftly covered with his usual poker expression before shrugging and looking away.
Shizuko transferred gazes on both Usui Takumi and I before staring at Yukimura-kun. "Get his I.D, rookie. You know what to do."
Yukimura simply scowled at her. "It's Yukimura, Ice Princess—ow!" he glared at Hideki who elbowed him by his ribcage before jogging off towards the guy and snatches his I.D off with ease. "Hey, pal, that was such a nice move. You know how the Academy works so, if I were you, you better pack your things now and say bye-bye." He was practically jumping back to us and hands over the gold plated I.D to Shizuko. "Here you go, Ice Queen."
What? They're kicking him off school? "No, no, don't expel him. It wasn't his fault." I swiftly defended him, since, in truth, it wasn't really his fault.
Takumi glared at me. "Yeah, right."
"Then whose fault is it?" Shizuko retorted effortlessly. "Yours? Usui's? Tell me." And of course, I've got no answer for that since, no matter how much the guilt is eating me up, I couldn't carelessly say that he was under… under my…under—in the end, I exhaled and remained quiet. Shizuko seemed displeased over my reaction, as if she was expecting something else. "Then I guess that settles everything. Suzuki, you know what to report on the Principal. Get on with it and I want that person out of the Academy in no time before he wreaks havoc again."
Wreaks havoc… huh? I stared at the poor guy who didn't really have a hand on my almost accident again as he got dragged away by men in black who I didn't know were actually around here somewhere.
They stood and Yukimura volunteered to help me up and smiles my favorite smile since amongst this group of hostile people, he was actually the one most goofy. "You all right, Misaki?"
I tried to appear enthusiastic even if my butt actually hurts. "Yeah. I'm good."
"Apparently, Misaki is still going with me to the infirmary." All eyes snapped on Shizuko again when she spoke while Takumi seemed ridiculed since he invited me out first—that doesn't really sound proper on my ears. "I'll bring her to the infirmary myself since it would look improper if you bring her there yourself. I don't want any troubles for my roommate just because people from your fan club were jealous of her."
And with just that, everyone was easily dismissed.
But I was so certain that on my peripheral view, I saw someone with nearly brown hair disappeared behind a thick array of trees of the Northern Forest.
.
"I told you to be careful, did I not?"
Looking up to meet Shizuko's cold gaze, I sighed and watched her instead as she continued to dab the cotton carefully against the swollen skin of my palm. Unfortunately, I didn't just obtain scrapes; I've got a few bruises too. "You did, didn't you? We were face-to-face when you gave out that advice."
"So, what's that all about? You weren't supposed to get in trouble, Misaki. We should be thankful Usui was around… or it would have ended up a bit bloody."
'You don't know anything, Shizuko.'
A frown marred her exquisite face. "Excuse me? I don't know what?"
Ah, there goes my habit again of unnoticeably speaking out what's inside my messy head. "It's nothing. And it isn't like I wished for it to happen. You know that I'm trying to keep a low profile as much as possible."
Her frown remained on her face. "What I don't know is why."
"What you don't know is why what?"
"Why do you want a low profile? Usually, people here wanted to be popular—they wanted to be part of the in circle. They wanted to be a member of the most famous groups here in Miyabigaoka. They wanted to be on the top of the food chain. So why? Why do you want to be the scum on their feet?"
"I never really wanted to be the scum on their feet. I just don't do well under peer pressure and well, I don't want to become popular." I looked away and out to the pile of white stretching before my eyes. "I want to be as invisible as possible. I don't want trouble coming from anyone—just like before."
She hummed and I took that as a confirmation that she won't be saying anything anymore since she went silent too. She wrapped a flesh colored bandage on my left wrist—the affected one—before reaching out for my other hand that carries the bracelet. "This is beautiful," she says. "—and slightly familiar, I think."
I was suddenly enveloped in anxiety upon hearing her say that. "You've seen it before?"
"In a picture, I think. But it doesn't matter now. Your bracelet has a certain charm. Does it have any sentimental value in it?"
I suddenly felt nostalgic at the mention of the word sentimental value. I touched the bracelet and felt its warm temperature before smiling at Shizuko. "Yeah. It came from my great, great, great grandmother. It was pass down on the first child of the first child of every generation. It was told that whoever wears it would protect the person from any kind of physical harm. My mother's mother gave it to her when she was five and ever since then, she became lucky and stayed off harm's path."
"Hm, I see. So it was probably an antique, huh?"
I smiled at her again. "Yes. It was a very old family heirloom. And I feel so lucky inheriting this one. It lives up to the words used to describe it, you know. It protects me from anything, or probably calls out for help and then aid arrives."
She eyed me again as if I spoke some Pig Latin before standing up and getting her bag by the vacant stool. "Well, we need to get going. I don't want to get late in class."
"Yeah."
We got out of the infirmary together when we saw Usui Takumi standing by the hallway as if he was waiting for both of us; his bag was slung across his chest he straightened his back at the sight of us and from behind me, I thought I heard Shizuko sighed. "Well, I guess I would have to go to class ahead of you. When a fight is about to break out, I'm out of here."
Well, thanks for being a great friend, Shizuko. I was frowning when she finally turned the other direction and left me all alone to the antagonistic presence of Usui freakin' annoying Takumi. My shoulders slumped down as soon as I faced him. "What?"
"What? Is dropping by to see you a bad thing already?"
"Except that you don't normally drop by to see me. You bully me, remember? Thanks for helping me and all. You've done what the Miyabigaok Icon was supposed to do, so thanks. You don't need to pretend that you're worried at me."
His anger was suddenly visible as he took further steps toward me that made me back off. He won't hit me, wouldn't he? "Pretend? You think I'm pretending?"
"Um, er… I'm getting late—"
"You are really something, Ayuzawa. I can't believe you." He shook his head in disbelief before smirking and walking off on the opposite direction from me.
I bit the inside of my cheek, unable to believe that I just said something stupid again before tugging hard against my hair. There was the feeling of regret, of course. But somehow, I don't really feel like I regretted dishing him off like that. If I continued doing that, then, he'd no longer pay attention on me. It's bad enough that what the guy experienced a while ago doesn't have any effect on him. It would be a problem if he gets too involved with me.
I should stay out… like always.
.
The next day was a lot suffocating than I originally planned.
With Usui Takumi becoming my hero for the day and all those whatnots, people now stared at me as if I grow out another head or two. It was annoying. Not only that, I got called via centralized announcer—which was heard by the entire academy—and got interviewed with regards to the incident yesterday. While Shizuko pretended as if she know nothing, the others feigned ignorance as well to save asses. Sakura backed me up slightly saying that the guy was probably drunk or something that immediately resorted to expulsion due to Public Disturbance and Physical Injury.
I felt guilty, of course, but I couldn't do anything about it. If I begged for the student, I fear that it would only rouse Shizuko's suspicion—and I don't want.
To save yourself, you must sacrifice a few things—even if it already reaches the point wherein you have to pay the retribution with someone else's life.
Another week passed by in what seemed like a blur. It was all going fine until Sakura warned me about a coming party come December which happens to be about three months away—yeah, she was way too excited about that. As for school schedules, I find it hard to fit that kind of party thing in since I was busy with homework and school activities and other stuff related to school. I wasn't an English scholar for nothing, you know. And besides, I love educational pressure. It brings out the best of me and makes me feel secured with regards to my school standing. As soon as school is over, I swiftly switched my phone on and instantly received tons of emails coming from Mom. My Mom is a nagger, which is something I know of very much. Since I rarely get to call them, she's been flooding my phone line with her calls as well as my inbox with her messages that seemed a bit repetitive the more I read it. Of course, it was natural for her to worry about me since I also worry about them over there too. But I hope she'd come to understand that I've chosen this kind of path since it would all be for the better of everyone's future.
Even so, I decided to stay put on a vacant bleacher seat and type in an email for my worrywart of a mother.
Mom, I started.
School is great. You don't need to worry much about me. I'm eating breakfast, lunch and dinner on time. I get to bed as early as I could too when our professors aren't giving us tons of assignments. I'm good, Mom, so you should be too. I don't want a day to come when Dad would call to inform me you've been sent to the hospital—again—because I'm not answering on your calls. Don't make me look like a bad daughter, kay? You know the reason why I'm doing this. The people here are great—well, most of them. My roommates were cool with me—they are Sakura and Shizuko. They are fun to be with and whenever we're all together—even if they keep on dishing out nasty comments against each other—it was fun. I hope you could meet them, one time.
I love you, Mom. Always remember that—you and Dad, I mean. Tell him don't get jealous once he reads this. I know him too well to know that he's the type to jump the gun without properly reading this. I miss both of you and well, I hope I could come home anytime soon if only Miyabigaoka Academy allows us to leave the school grounds even if it's vacation—they've really got a ridiculous but golden rule here.
P.S: don't flood my inbox, Mom. It could only receive as much, okay? I'd email you again once I've got my schedule cleared from killer math equations. And yes, the weather here is too snowy, too. I've got three more months before my birthday. I'm expecting an email from both of you by that time.
Don't kill yourself over my lack of response Mom, okay? I don't want to be responsible for anything. You know how my childhood went. I'm done with all the blaming and hurting and getting beaten and witnessing ugly things and being thrown off like a dead raccoon to the streets. I came here because I wanted to accomplish something. I wanted to be free, Mom. I wanted this to end. You know me. I don't do well when it comes to blurting out my emotions. I can fight this alone, Mom. I can do this—I know I can. So please, will you trust me? I want to come home one day when I've already got things settled. I want to be able to look at you proudly and say, "Mom, look at me now. I'm no longer like the pathetic me back in the past". Please try to understand that—I know you will.
I'll come around once everything is polished and done. I don't want to leave things unsettled. Our clan started this. I'm the last generation of this coterie. I'll end it.
I'll end our curse.
I love you,
Misaki.
As soon as I hit the SEND button, I shut off my phone again because I know that as soon as she reads my message, she'd immediately either call or email me back. And I don't want to hear—or read—her heartbreaking messages and pleas for me to get back home because I might end up doing as she wishes. After all, I've got a weak spot for my Mom. My mother is very much like me—in terms of physical features, I mean. She had raven hair too and amber eyes a lot bigger than mine that she uses to show too much of her emotions. Mom is an open-book. One look at her and you could easily guess what she's thinking—or feeling, for that same matter. She's danger-prone too—disaster-prone, trouble-prone, however one want to call it. When we were still new on our current place, she used to get lost a lot and Dad and I would always go to the trouble of searching for her in the middle of the night.
That is how the use of cellular phones invaded our lives.
And now, I'm beginning to really miss her. Easily, I dismissed the thoughts before it gets out of control again and walked back to where Sakura and Shizuko are waiting for me.
Sakura beamed at the sight of me. "We've got Gym altogether tomorrow!" she announced loudly. Since Gym is a subject we only take every Thursdays, it didn't have any definite schedule yet. But now, it seemed as if everything's set now and we'd be taking the subject I dreaded the most. "And, we'd be taking it with the boys."
Now that totally caught my attention. "What?! I thought subjects are taken only based on genders?"
She rolled her eyes at me and waved one hand in dismissed. "Yeah, it was. But Gym is only taken every Thursday, so, yeah, suck it up. Did you have anything against boys?"
"What—no." I looked away, avoiding her gaze immediately.
She didn't seem to notice that—good thing she isn't as smart as I am. "Then, everything is settled. You'll enjoy Gym, that's a definite promise."
Yeah. I'd totally enjoy that once I get attack another couple of times just by merely sitting on a corner even if my hair is already covering my face.
"And what's up with that loser hairstyle of yours." I gasped when Sakura suddenly jumped forward me and yanked wavy locks of my hair off my face to get a full view of me. I was about to stop her when Shizuko's hand came in automatically and halted her hand from doing anything that could possibly be destructive for all of us. Sakura frowned. "What? Is there something wrong now with trying to help her gain attention since she's beautiful not because she's the student who got attacked by a rabid dog in broad daylight!" she huffed loudly and glared at me. "And you, what were you thinking getting simply attack just like that! If I were you, I would have ended up clawing the face of that bastard."
"But I'm fine now." I swiftly retaliated. "I'm cool. It happened for like, weeks ago. I'm over it. Get over it now, too. The boy is already out of the Academy." Please, please, please, drop the freakin' subject already.
"But I can't." she all but wailed. "I mean, I know that most boys in this Academy are kind of psychotic and neurotic—"
Shizuko decided to act smart of all times. "Psychotic and neurotic are two connotations of the same gist."
She hissed at her dangerously. "Oh, shut up already."
"Hah, I dare you to say that again—"
"Okay, stop." I glared at both of them but only enough to keep them off from clawing and killing each other. "Seriously, don't fight. It's ugly when my friends start murdering each other. I don't like it. I'm done with all the blood and hurting."
Sakura stared at me as if I grow out my fourth head and that was when I came to understand the complications of my own words. I just revealed a very vague detail about my past right in front of them! "Er, what are you talking about, you weirdo?"
I looked away and into the direction of the lounge beside our dorm. "Nothing. I thought both of you are starving?"
"Yeah. Well, now that you mention, I think I'm ready to eat a full course meal any moment now."
I arched an eyebrow at her. "What about your diet? I thought you want to attain a slim figure come December due to that freakin—" I shake my head when she threw a glare on my direction. "—I mean, the dance?"
"Who cares about diet now? Screw that freakin' thing. I'm hungry and I want to damn eat."
From beside me, Shizuko said, "Rabid dog." In an utterly low voice it was almost hard to hear it. Both Sakura and I were uncertain, of course, so when she glared at her without any concrete evidence at hand, she merely shrugged us off as if what she said isn't something offensive.
I sighed. I've got such nice friends.
Sakura went inside the lounge first to place our usual order before I trailed along, Shizuko following behind, when the background started to spin around and I found myself falling on the ground. I gasped when something white flashed out of nowhere and made contact against my stomach before dragging me back and against a hard body. I look back up and saw no one but Usui Takumi.
Arg, goddammit! Why, oh, why do I have to meet him now of all days when I'm feeling damn not good? Slightly alarmed, I tried to push myself off him but he ended up tightening his grip on me and pushing me hard against his really hard stomach.
"If you're going to fall down because you're over thinking things, it'd be better if you'd stay in your dorm and stop troubling others." That and he released me and since I was struggling off his grip, I ended up charging head on against the ground. Everyone within a three-mile radius locked their gazes on us.
I glared at him, instantly put off by his reaction since he just shove me on the ground—which is very like him—and couldn't help but feel extremely humiliated since his action didn't even consider the time and place. Shizuko seemed astonished too but she kept her usual expression and simply glared at the spawn of the Devil before me.
"Usui." She said in a tone almost threatening.
Pursing my lips, I glared at Usui Takumi out of irritation. "Why you little—" He shrugged before entering the lounge without preamble. My mouth fell open in shock. How could that little prick do this to me? He was such—he really is—that damn… that… that… that—
I fought against the tears that are threatening to break off my eyes as I stood and dusted my pants and shirt off from dirt. Shizuko was immediately beside me. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." I was glaring over the path Usui had walked on before I adjusted my backpack and turned back to the direction of our dorm. "I'm sorry, Shizuko. I suddenly don't feel so good. Tell Sakura I went off ahead back to our room. Thanks." So, before she could even say anything that might make me change my mind due to coercion, I made a quick spin and walked back inside Hino.
.
Yukimura was grinning at me like an idiot when he suddenly drape his arms over my shoulder and dragged me with him out of my room since Linguistics is over and I'm on the move towards my Rudiments of Shakespearean Language subject. Yukimura was really nice and well, I like him. Odd as it were, he was one of the very handfuls of guys who were able to resist me that is why I feel very safe with him.
I frowned, though, at the sight of his suspicious grin. "If you'll be asking for money, I'm gonna tell you that I'm really short for money as of the moment—"
He actually had the nerve to snort at me and places a light kiss on my temple—something I find affectionate and cute instead of threatening—before jumping ahead of me, walking with his front facing me. "I just came because I know you'd let me borrow your History—"
I grinned at him. "Sure."
"Really?"
"Yes. But—"
"Aw, Misaki!" I was startled when he suddenly dropped on his knees and hugged mine as if we weren't on a public place. I looked around—too flustered to even say anything properly—since Yukimura is indiscreetly hugging me and all I wanted to do is nothing but smack him on the head. "Don't be like that! You know that I love you so much and you are my best friend and I treat you as my little twin sister—"
"Okay, okay, fine. Fine!" I whacked him in the head, still embarrassed since people are already giving both of us odd looks, before pulling him by his arms and punched him hard on his stomach. "You are such a dork, Yukimura."
"I know you won't be able to resist my charm."
I snorted at him and went on to swinging my bag around so I could smash it on him when I ended up smashing it against someone instead. I froze, and quickly spun around just in time to see Kaon Umekoji holding her right cheek, which is actually starting to turn into an angry shade of red. My mouth fell open in shock.
"Oh, my God, I'm terribly sorry." I dropped my bag and attended to her immediately, slightly hesitant to touch her because she might get mad at me when she suddenly look up at me and smiled as if nothing happened at all. Confusion gnaws its way to my head. "Er, I-I'm so sorry—"
Her smile was genuine enough to assure me that she isn't like any other girls in this Academy. "It's fine. I'm all right. And I know you didn't do it on purpose. Accidents happen, you know."
I was dumbstruck. "Yes, of course. But still—"
"You're Misaki Ayuzawa, right?" she smiled another genuine smile on me again and somehow, it felt as if my brain started to get fuzzy and the urge to throw up erupted on my stomach. I ended up nodding before my mouth could even betray me. She lend out her hand. "Hi, I'm Kaon Umekoji. I am almost on your every class, but you haven't taken notice of me. I've always wanted to get close to you—you know, like Kaga-san and Hanazono."
Oh. "Oh, is that so? I'm terribly sorry for being rude. It's a pleasure to meet you, Umekoji-san."
"Please, call me Kaon. And let's settle with calling you Misaki." Another smile before she looked over my shoulder and acknowledged Yumikura. "Good afternoon to you, Yukimura-kun."
Yukimura simply looked away as if speaking with her was the least thing he'd do. "Yeah, hello to you too, Umekoji."
In spite of being obviously dismissed off, Kaon still smiled good-naturedly and turns back to me. "Well, I guess I'm running late for Biology. I hope to chat with you more next time, Misaki."
"Yeah. So am I." I didn't know she was such a nice girl. She smiled at me and stared down at my bracelet before reaching forward and caressing it.
"You've got a very nice bracelet. I hope I could find one like that on stores here in Miyabigaok." And with that, she walked away with such refinement that is obviously stated on every sway of her hips.
I could only follow her in a daze. Kaon Umekoji is so… so beautiful. I can't believe someone as beautiful as her is actually kind and very good-natured. It's a good thing she's different from those other girls who keeps on sneering at me. I was still staring at her when someone actually crashed against me that sent me—again—on the ground. "What the—oof!" I glared up instantaneously in time to see Usui and Hideki-kun—along with that guy who called me an idiot (I recently found out he's Hyoudo Aoi)—standing before me. And obviously, that bastard Takumi was the one responsible for my crashing on the ground again.
What is with grounds and me?
Hideki-kun shot Usui a suspicious glare. "Takumi," he reprimanded before adjusting his bag and helping me up. I accepted his help gingerly, my anger blatantly directed against his damned friend. "—Misaki, are you okay?"
I pretended to remove invisible dust off the shirt I'm wearing. "Yeah, I'm good. Thanks, Hideki-kun. At least not everyone in this goddamn Academy had a screwed way of thinking and immature mind." I got my History notebook and handed it out to Yukimura before grinning at him. "I guess I gotta run, Yuki. Thanks, Hideki-kun."
He smiled at me genuinely. "Anytime, Misaki."
Yukimura simply laughed. "I'll treat you lunch whenever for this."
With a scowl on my face, I glared at Usui Takumi. "Suck it up, bastard." That and I slammed my bag against his face before running. Suits that jerk, hah! At least I got even with him even if what I did seemed immature either.
.
"Why is everyone staring at you, Sakura?"
Sakura, with her beautiful and really glossy auburn—almost bloody red—soft locks, actually snorted at me—how unladylike—before resuming to eat her Caesar salad and sniffing on a bottle of zero-fat milk. "Not me. Obviously, you."
I frowned. "Why?" as far as I'm concern, I'm a part of the Obscure Club and I'm supposed to be nonexistent in the eyes of these people. It was ridiculous, to be truthful. I didn't know girls from prominent families—who probably live in bigger households than mine—could actually act that way towards some… some guy who's even more of a frog than a Prince. They were screaming at the sight of him, swooning whenever he speaks—which, for my taste, seems to be containing tons of nonsensical things and only pretending to be smart when, in fact, he's a complete jackass—and probably has dedicated their lives just to smell his freakin' feet.
Ridiculous, I know. And I wasn't joking about it.
But what's more confusing is the fact that I have no effect on him when he should be the one falling for my unintentional traps. It was a good thing; of course, since I never really wanted someone as great as him to admire me but really… really? Does he really have that much power over his mental spirit that he could simply shrugged me away—and not to mention shove me off the ground after feeling up my butt (yeah, I consider his hugging me from the back as his way of touching my ass) as if I wasn't a woman—just like that? Usui Takumi really is a damn, cocky bastard.
I am the living witness to that.
That creep.
Shizuko was one lucky woman. She had someone like Hideki who respects her in every angle and point. I wished I could meet someone like him—someone respectful like him.
Usui Takumi is a cocky bastard. I absolutely hate that guy.
"Hello, Misaki, I'm talking to you." Automatically, I snapped my gaze back at Sakura who already has her perfectly thin eyebrow arched at me. "Rude, much?"
I shake my head out of my reverie—Usui should better be out of my system. "I'm sorry, what?"
"I said you're ugly." I glared at her and she simply lifted both of her hands at me, admitting defeat. "What, I was kidding. You're really beautiful, you know. But your beauty is kind of bordering on the freaky side. But anyway, everyone wanted to bite your head off because you simply smashed that ugly bag of yours against Takumi-sama's beautiful face—and I'm already telling you that no one, as in no one, has ever done that to him. His face is way too beautiful to be simply smashed by a bag just like that."
I snorted. "He deserved that. I wouldn't simply smash my ugly," I emphasized the word with such sarcasm. "—bag against someone if that someone hadn't offended me. I am an anti-violence person. I'm not usually vicious until I've been offended."
She stared at me—finally noticing my annoyance—before she pushes away her bowl of veggies and stares up at me. "Is something going on between you and Takumi-sama?"
I can't believe she's asking me this kind of stupid question. I sounded like I was choking when I lashed at her. "What? Now why would you asked that kind of thing now? That's disgusting."
"Usui Takumi is far from disgusting—"
"I don't do that kind of thing, okay?" I groaned loudly, dropping my head against the wooden table and repeatedly slams my forehead against it.
From in front of me, Shizuko decided to open her really smart mouth. "I wouldn't really do that if I were you. You're losing such massive number of brain cells by doing that."
"Thanks for the obvious, Shizuko." I tuck my hands under my chin in depression and stares out at the white background before me when Hideki's tall and bright figure bolted out to the entrance of the cafeteria and looks around as if he was searching for something—someone. At the sight of me, he waved and runs towards our table, extremely out-of-breath.
In spite of my previous annoyance, I greeted him with forced enthusiasm. "Good afternoon to you too, Hideki-kun."
He simply shook his head. "I don't think this would be a good afternoon for now, Misaki." He said wearing a dead expression on his usually sunny face. He turned back to Shizuko where I find his eyes frequently fixed. "Remember that guy who suddenly attacked Misaki on her way to the canteen weeks ago?"
Shizuko, for the first time, seemed confused. "What about him?"
"He just committed suicide, Shizuko." He replied, and a very visible shudder runs on his skin. "He was found in his room just later this afternoon. He hanged himself by the bathroom and… and…" he stole a quick glance on me which suddenly made my heart palpitate out of anxiety. "—there was something else too. But I don't think this is something we should discuss in public."
No, no… no… please, no. "Why are you stealing glances at me like that, Hideki-kun?"
He gulped, and I was instantly suspicious of what's coming next. "I don't really think you're allowed to know something—"
"Spit it out, Suzuki." Shizuko hissed before grabbing him by his arm and pulling him down to the vacant seat next to her. "What is it, tell me?"
He stared at her as if he really didn't want to say it in front of Sakura and I but due to Shizuko's penetrating gaze, he gave in. "When he died… he had carved a name all over his skin. It was freaky. There was also the same name scrawled all over the walls of his room, there were some pictures—stolen pictures taken of the said woman." Finally, Hideki stared at me. "You are all over the crime scene, Misaki. And before I leave, the police was already on the move to investigate you."
No, no, no… this wasn't supposed to be like this, dammit. Why, why, why, why, why?! My hands shook and I have to pull them down to my lap and under the table to hide the very visible tremors. Dammit, why this early? I am so not ready to leave yet, darn it.
Hideki's expression softened into concern before he reached out for my hand and held mine. "Hey, I didn't mean to frighten you—"
"I," I hurriedly stood and gathered out my things, stuffing them all in my bag without concern if they were well organized. It would only be a matter of time before the school finds out about this and I can't let them get a hold of me as simple as that. "—I need to go—" I pushed my chair back only to froze when it collided against something—someone. I spun around anxiously and anxious brown eyes crashed against hypnotizing yet hateful green orbs. It was tantalizing, but I don't have the time to be tantalized as of the moment. I need to do something that would divert the attention from me to somebody else.
I glared at Usui—surely, this person is up to no good again. "Sorry." Then, I turn to the others. "I'm sorry. I suddenly remembered that I have something to do. I—"
""You aren't going anywhere, Ayuzawa." He said in a voice so cold it almost had me frozen. "You're coming with me for investigation."
"No. I don't want to see him."
"Sad to say, we don't take no for an answer—" I hurriedly made a dash but he was a lot faster than I when he took hold of my elbow and dragged me back as harsh as he could before bending on his knees and suddenly throw me off to his broad shoulder.
A loud—and strangled—gasp escaped the confines of my throat. "What the—Usui, put me down, you bastard!"
"I am the biological son of my father and mother, thank you." He turned to Hideki, ignoring my qualms as I punched him hard on his back even if our spectators are already staring at our direction with widened eyes. "Hideki, Kaga, come on."
"Put me down!" I screamed at him, still trying to get off since our slight touches is already giving me the shivers. "Put me down, I said, you sadist!"
"I'm not one either." He drawled on. "And that isn't on my line of sexual pleasures. Hideki, Shizuko, let's go. We've got work to do with this lady."
He spun around and I noticed that Hideki looked obviously apologetic and defeated while Shizuko still had that poker-faced expression on her. Sakura, on the other hand, seemed utterly shock over what just transpired. In the end, she simply waved. "Well, I guess I'd see you in Gym, Misaki." She said in lieu of goodbye.
Argh! What a traitor!
But my heart was absolutely pounding as I was literally got carried out of the cafeteria with all those students staring at me as if we are in some kind of staring contest. Some glared, some were shock and some even looked ridiculously envious since Usui—freakin' bastard—Takumi was almost touching my butt. I couldn't accept that kind of fact that they wanted to be in my position. But if they really wanted to covet my position, then, I wouldn't mind one bit.
But most of all, I was mostly aware and damn conscious of his touch on my back since his hand was freakin' warm and it was making my thoughts turn blur and definitely messy—and I hate all that is messy and vague. It was turning my knees into a puddle, as if the bastard is well aware that I'm anxious and afraid and that he was simply there to comfort me—even if he had almost knocked me down the ground awhile ago just to keep me from escaping again. He must have noticed that I'm totally good on that department.
Well, if one would base it on experience…
I shake my head. Now isn't the time to think about my ugly past. I should be thinking of excuses that would keep me off the case. I should be thinking of… of lies. Yes, lies… because I'm also good on that sector—lying, I mean. All my life I've been lying, so I should be used to it by now. I shouldn't be feeling guilty about it. I shouldn't be hesitating to control people now since I've lived that way—it was another means to save myself from pending dangers. I should be—ow!
I glared at Takumi since I got thrown off by him again. "What the hell is your problem—"
"Usui, she's still a woman however way you look at it." Shizuko said, interrupting me from releasing the string of profanities that are about to come out of my mouth. "And as far as I've been informed, she isn't a suspect. She was merely involved since he had scribed her name on his skin. After he attacked her a mere two weeks ago, she no longer had any other close contact with that person. He's probably a stalker."
Hardly a stalker, I want to say but I was afraid of the possible outcome. And as far as I'm concerned, he was supposed to be already out of the school—that's what I've been told of. So, how come he's still within school grounds? Has the Academy's barriers been faltering? Or is it simply because of me?
I decided to choose the former.
Takumi easily dodged off Shizuko's intelligent response with another smart comment from him. "Everything and everyone involved in the case is already a suspect, Kaga." He stared back at me; his eyes were challenging. "There could be a reason why he got her involved in this." He emphasized the word reason and I was immediately put off and feeling nauseous again.
I glared back at him. "As far as I'm concerned, Usui," I spit out his name with too much distaste. "—You aren't the designated person to interrogate me this way. I thought I was to be brought to the police?"
When I glared at Hideki, he deliberately avoided my gaze. "Er… Misaki…"
"What? What now? Investigation cancelled already?"
"Misaki, the truth is—"
"Let me, Hideki." I glared heatedly at Takumi when he butt in to Hideki and I's discussion when he has certainly no right and resisted the urge to punch right straight on the kisser. Next to him, Shizuko simply sighed. Squaring his shoulder in a way that really irritated me—making me curse him to the fiery pits of Hades—he stood hovering right in front of me as if he was trying to intimidate me. "For your information, Polka Dots, the people who are to investigate you are none other than us."
My mouth fell open. "You're kidding me, you liar."
His grin doubled. "Hell no am I kidding you. We own Miyabigaoka Academy, Polka Dots and that means we live up to its name and wordlessly kicks out problem students who taint the school with ugly behaviors. We are the police. We watch over the school in the shadows and observe students who seem to be befitting for the titles of black sheep and hooligans. And if you're one of them, I won't hesitate to personally kick you off to where you belong."
What—what the hell! "Then you should have kicked yourself out as well, Usui. You seem to be one of those black sheep that taints the Academy air with your really NASTY PRESENCE. And how many times do I have to tell you that I didn't do anything with that guy who seemed to be even freakier than you? Are you really that bias?"
"We'll see, Polka, we'll see." He met my eyes again—not as if we aren't already in a glaring contest—before snapping his smoldering green eyes back to Hideki who is currently anxious beside us. "Come on, Hideki. We've got a case to solve." And then he glared back at me, and smirked evilly. "I'll see you later, Polka Dots."
What the fuck is wrong with this person calling me Polka—wait. I dropped my eyes on the shirt I was wearing and noticed that my bra—my polka-dotted bra—was actually peeking through the slit of my white V-necked shirt. Alarmed, I swiftly covered my chest with my hands even if it was already minutes too late. "Y-You… you pervert!" I screamed at his retreating back.
He simply waved out his well-toned arm. "Not my type."
"You aren't my type either, you bastard—"
"Right back at you."
"Why you jerk—"
"Stupid, relax." I glared at Shizuko who had stayed quiet most of my argument with Usui before following him through her depthless gaze. "He won't kick you out. Not until he has found a concrete evidence, of course, which I highly doubt he would seeing that you are my roommate and I get to monitor all your movements. Trust me; you're not a suspect in this but, of course, another victim. Don't let him get into your head. Usui just really loves to annoy people."
Well, that fact already seemed too obvious. But since she was trying to cheer me, I decided to simply nod. "Yes. Sure."
"Good. Now get back to class before you get late. Gym starts within fifteen minutes. I'll see you later." In extreme and awful silence, I watch as she retreated bearing such confidence and radiating conviction on every sway and movements of her body. I was already tired as I made my way to the Gym to prepare for the class I dreaded the most. Going back to cafeteria after what happened doesn't seem like a good idea now. People might suddenly jump on me and bite my head off since that pervert Usui had injudiciously touched my butt—that pervert.
Stupid bra. Stupid pervert.
It was weird how I could get so tired when it was just late in the afternoon and that I've only been to school for almost four hours. It was annoying.
Miyabigaoka Academy is really planning to freakin' kill me with headaches. With my shoulders slumped down—portraying my loss of energy to survive the day—I walked towards the direction of the Gym.
Seriously, damn that pervert.
-;-
"This is M.S.K.A speaking. I have a job for you and I need the results as soon as possible."
"Go ahead M.S.K.A"
"Kindly do a very extensive but stealthy investigation about an English erudition student named Ayuzawa Misaki."
"Roger, boss."
"You know how it works: keep it a secret. Report to me as soon as you can."
"Yes."
Now, Ayuzawa Misaki, we'd know what kind of secrets you've been keeping in the dark from Miyabigaoka Academy. Get ready to spill your guts much later than sooner.
.
As always, do tell me what you think, okay?
Haha. It's unusually long today. I don't know why I love writing long chapters so much. Anyhow, this wouldn't be as long as my previous M-rated fan fiction, okay? TGR would probably only span for around fifteen to twenty chapters. I plan to finish this as early as I could before school starts and before we transfer back to Manila because by then, I might not find the time anymore to type in my stories. :D.
Questions?
AndyBunny