Chapter 16

"Achoo!"

Hario stopped walking and turned around. "Hey, you okay?"

Ya'mo sniffed. "Yes, I'm fine. It's just the weather around here. It's unusually cold."

Hario caught a falling snowflake with his gauntleted hand. "I've noticed too. I remember this place as somewhere that's always sunny, but now… something's wrong here."

Ya'mo observed the dreary forest. Everything was covered under a thick blanket of snow and a cold draft passes by with a deadly embrace. The weather from neighboring lands wasn't like this and they weren't heading north. The change here was immediate since she had noticed the trees weren't dry and most of the flora and fauna were still alive, albeit barely. A big change in the climate would devastate the ecosystem since the wildlife wasn't suited for the cold. Moreover, if there were towns that were affected, people would be suffering from this sudden arctic blast.

"This would mean a spell has been cast here to drastically change the land's climate." The mage voiced out. "But to pull such a feat would require a source of massive amounts of magical energy to maintain it, not to mention how broad the range is. This is a force of nature and even I could not – Achoo!"

"Are you okay? I know an inn not that far from here. I know those people and maybe they could explain what happened to this place."

Ya'mo nodded and pulled up her purple scarf as the two continued their walk.

They got out from the glacial forest and passed through agricultural fields that were rendered useless because of the cold. The people would no doubt be affected and it angered Hario to know someone was responsible for this. The low temperature wasn't affecting his determination to stop this anomaly from continuing.

Someone's got hell to pay for.

"Look," Hario said, eyes squinting towards the horizon. "I can see the village from here. I wonder if they're –" He then heard a 'wumph' sound behind him. He turned around and to his surprise, he saw Ya'mo fully sprawled out in the snow. He quickly went to her and held her in his arms.

"Ya'mo! Ya'mo!" Hario exclaimed.

The girl was breathing in gasps. Hario felt her forehead and discovered she had a very high fever. He knew her magic could only heal injuries and not cure sickness. The two afflictions were different and Ya'mo needed to constantly remind him that she wasn't a miracle doctor who could always heal him whenever he got injured. Flesh wounds she could heal but grievous injuries and diseases were of higher arcane arts that needed specialization. Those were beyond her reach and the situation she was in right now was one of them.

Why didn't she say earlier that she was sick? Was she enduring it all this time?

Damn! If I had known, I would have never taken this route!

Hario took her staff and then carried her in his arms, running towards the town.

"Please, Ya'mo. Just hold on."

x-x-x

Shawn. Just the sound of his name made Eri's blood boil. She knew what sort of person he was: handsome and rich. Those two aspects were always a good start for a pompous person and he seemed to never disappoint. Eri was also that, beautiful and rich, but it was people like Shawn that made her look bad. Granted, she acted the same way sometimes but Shawn embraced that very nature; he even looked proud of it.

Manipulative and deceptive, he was transferred as a foreign student but he didn't go to school. Only his cronies went there. He was a "special case", given tutorials at home or make-up lessons. Karasuma also had that privilege a year ago because of his illness but he still managed to attend class as much as he could. Shawn on the other hand had no such valid excuse except for a flimsy pretext in the name of business. Eri suspected that Shawn was only here to goof around and to search for another candidate for his collection. He had flirted with Karen of all girls when he had heard good things about the timid but athletic girl from Harry McKenzie. And after that had failed, he then picked Eri as his next target.

The nerve of that guy. He used his family's influence to get information about her. His grandfather had a connection with Eri's father through business. He found out that she was once in an arranged marriage but it hadn't materialized. So he came here to finish the job. To make it look presentable, he claimed that it would be for the betterment of the relationship between their families. Rich people had that sort of mentality. Their offspring should wed into another rich family to retain or increase their wealth and prestige. Eri did not like that awful tradition at all.

Fortunately, Eri's mother spared her from that fate and gave her freedom after the botched wedding arrangement a year ago. The only downside was that if she wasn't tied to any person, then she would be on the market, so to speak. Shawn used that to get to her and the only way she could think of escaping his grasp was to find herself a man.

And the man she picked was Harima.

Despite how galling it sounded, and how frustrating it was to admit it, Harima was the perfect candidate for the job. It wouldn't work if it were any other man. They would instantly agree because at stake was a beautiful fiancée and an inherited wealth if it went through. It would be another Shawn all over again. But it wasn't the same with Harima.

Harima was unique among all the boys she had encountered so far. He wasn't fazed or blinded by fame, wealth, and charm. He only agreed because he wanted to "repay" his debt from when she had opened his eyes and stopped him from sliding back into delinquency.

If that was the case, she should have slapped him, even more, all those times he'd annoyed her before.

However, she didn't inform him that he was now practically representing her ill father. Since her father couldn't attend the meetings himself, Harima would stand in his place for the Sawachika family. In effect, Harima was now the head of her family's business. Still, he didn't ask nor wonder for what reason he was there. He didn't use his title whatsoever and he asked only what few things entered his mind, such as knowing this particular restaurant. He didn't become awestruck or drooled in the face of luxury. Sometimes, he looked distant and unassuming.

Why he was so different in her eyes was beyond her understanding. He was the only boy who had confessed with such heart, sincerity, and tenacity. She would have automatically rejected him, but for some reason or another, she didn't do it out of reflex. Right there she knew he had something that most boys didn't have: conviction. He had confessed in his sorry state and didn't even bother to sweet talk or impress her first. Instead, he grabbed her hand and mightily declared his love - in public, no less. Sure, it had been a mistake but for the first time in her life, he had made her consider a guy's confession.

It had been a very straightforward move. It left an impact on her and for days, it stuck in her mind. It also didn't help that Harima once lectured her that she shouldn't be so harsh towards a boy's confession, reminding her that boys would do anything for a girl's attention.

Combining his words and his own confession, it resounded. It stood up that he was unique among all the boys she knew. The fact that, when rumored to be romantically linked with her, he seemed annoyed instead of being proud. Beauty and wealth were worthless in the eyes of this man and that realization made her see him in a different light – both positively and negatively.

In all the awkward and infuriating interactions they had at the beginning, he made her feel… inadequate like something was wrong with her for him not to notice her. What did a boy want in a girl that she didn't have? It was demeaning and yet this made her realize the qualities in him.

Beauty and wealth had no meaning for this man. As a result, he saw her as a normal high school girl, not the sole, beautiful daughter of a rich family. She didn't have to conform to any image when it concerned him. She can act however the hell she wanted around him without any pretense - be it kicking, kneeing, slapping or punching him, she didn't care. They argued and smack talked all the time but if she thought about it, when did she have such lively conversations with anyone other than her female friends? And when did she become so open and eager to be with a man other than her workaholic father?

This was when she realized what she liked in a boy: to treat her as the person she was born as, not for the person she was born into. He was different alright and, she may never admit this for eternity, he might be the person she wants to be with.

But as with all things worthy and eye-catching, it must be taken with effort and determination. She could buy anything with a price tag but not this. Fate won't simply hand it to her that easily.

To crack this man out of his shell would be a feat. It was now a challenge, and Eri doesn't back down from any challenge. His heart was as stubborn as hers but knowing what kind of heart he has was an advantage. She knew the workings of how to soften that kind of heart.

Tough love, just like the time she slapped the hell out of him. It momentarily pushed him out of his comfort zone and he finally acknowledged her. A little push here and there and he'll find out they're the same deep down. Her activities were the sort of things that would need her to order him around. A bit pushy and bossy but that was what a hard-headed person like Harima needed: a strong, invincible will to demolish the wall around his stubborn heart.

It wouldn't be that hard for Eri, given her fighter nature but everything became complicated when some perfect girl managed to get involved: Yakumo Tsukamoto, the younger sister of Tenma.

Even before, Eri had seen potential in this girl. She was beautiful and projected the air of a perfect girl. She took care of everything house-related without depending on anyone. Knowing Tenma and her clumsy way of life, it was remarkable that Yakumo, the younger of the two, could shoulder all the responsibility without getting mad at her older sister every day. She was definitely a girl born to be a housewife. Despite being hounded by boys, she was naive of her popularity. Eri had always rejected offers quickly as a sign not to mess with her, but Yakumo just shook it off calmly.

What was she trying to pull? Eri wasn't like her who would leave a door slightly open, giving them false hopes. Hanai in particular was a beaming example. Eri would have told him to scram and it would be over but Yakumo put it off like she wanted that boy to suffer longer. He wouldn't go to such great lengths of stupidity if he had known from the get-go it would all be in vain. If she thought about it, Yakumo's way was far worse than flatly rejecting them as soon as they confessed.

And then she got involved with Harima.

At first, Eri thought Yakumo had only been caught in the crossfire. She was Tenma's sister after all and Harima would undoubtedly befriend her first to gain better rapport with Tenma. The shy girl even admitted that she was not dating Harima during the culture festival. But over time, it escalated to the point that Yakumo showed clear signs of interest in Harima.

The rumor about Harima and Mikoto going out was false, and Eri deeply regretted how it nearly ruined their friendship. It happened with Tenma too. Granted, she was slapped by her little sister like some sort of divine punishment or sibling vengeance but Tenma saved their friendship the day after. The older Tsukamoto didn't give up on making amends even if she didn't deliberately do anything that merited a cold shoulder. Eri was ashamed of herself and she thought that it was silly of her to put their friendship on the line due to jealousy.

All of this was NOT the same with Yakumo. She wasn't on such friendly terms with her. She was cool with her in the past, before she got herself involved. It seemed very dubious how Yakumo was not bothered when she was around Harima but was very uneasy with other boys and even actively escaped from them. The highpoint was when the two were somehow handcuffed together during the walking festival. The sight of the two acting like nothing was wrong was very irritating. The sight of the two of them (almost) kissing felt like another slap to the face. Yakumo was no longer on the sidelines and she became a real tangible threat. If that wasn't enough, Harima was now living with her! Eri hadn't expected that move. If she had known that was a possibility, then she would have accepted Harima's request to stay at her house first before Yakumo did it.

Eri couldn't believe she actually agreed. How could Yakumo allow an engaged man, her fiancé, to stay under the same roof as her?! The audacity of that girl; and making it look like she was doing it out of charity made Eri look bad.

This was a war begging to happen.

That… tramp Yakumo would never stand a chance. She and Harima are never meant to be together. How did those two get along in the first place? Yakumo was so soft and timid that it undermined her "perfect image." Harima needed someone strong-willed and not easily swayed, one who would fight tooth and nail for him. Would Yakumo go that far? Eri doubted that. Whereas Eri had shown to Harima that she was that kind of woman in their past activities, Yakumo would have waited for the apocalypse to happen first before doing something. She was everything Yakumo lacked and it was only a matter of time before Harima noticed it.

Eri would win this war. She had never been in this kind of situation before and she truly believed that many boys were fighting for her behind her back, but this was almost like child's play. The prize wasn't much but she would win.

Attacking first would look like a desperate move. She would bide her time, and before the war even started, it would already be over.

Eri felt the limousine stop. This is it. "We're here."

"I know." Harima replied flatly.

"Remember, just like I told you."

"Yeah, yeah."

"Let's go."

They got out of the limousine. Eri wrapped an arm around Harima's as was their custom and they started to walk. She put up a practiced smile.

This war is practically over already.

x-x-x

"Hey sis, what are you doing?"

"I'm making a snow bunny!"

"A... snow bunny?"

"Yeah! You squish some snow together like this and put small stones for eyes and then leaves for ears, and ta-dah! You have a snow bunny!"

"They're cute, but sis, we have to go back now. We'll get in trouble if the palace guards find us outside."

"HMPH! But everything is so fluffy and cold and white and shiny!"

"We've taken enough time. Let's go. I can... sense someone approaching."

"Your hunches are usually right so... maybe next time?"

"Of course, next – ACHOO!"

"Hey, you okay? Are you sick?"

"Don't worry about me, sis. I can – ACHOO!"

"Hey! Who goes there? Stop, you little rascals!"

"Run, Ya'mo! I don't wanna be caught by that grumpy guard again!"

x-x-x

Ya'mo slowly opened her heavy eyes. Her vision was blurry and her head felt like it was stuffed with cotton. She started to get up but someone stopped her.

"Hey now. Don't push yourself too hard."

She lay down as her vision went wild making her nauseous. The feeling was so horrible that she just wanted to vomit and be done with it. A hand then settled on her forehead and she looked up. Hario was sitting beside her. She could sense there were other people around the room but in her weak state, she could barely make them out.

"Take it easy. I'm here." Hario said comfortingly.

His hand... It's so warm. "What happened?" the mage asked.

Hario took away his hand from her forehead. "You collapsed on the way to the town. Good thing the villagers are generous and lent their help."

"Hario here once drove the bandits out before," an elderly man said, "though he did so because they mocked him for being a knight. Also, in these dire times, helping each other is the only way to survive." Ya'mo smiled in his direction in a thankful gesture and the old man quietly nodded.

"It doesn't matter anyway since it's my fault the village fell into a bigger hole than before." Hario said rather dejected.

"Don't blame yourself over this, young man." the elderly man responded.

"What... do you mean?" Ya'mo asked weakly.

"The one who caused this is one of the Fallen Elites of the Dark Lord." The elderly man answered. "Their group was disbanded but there are still some among them who harbor resentment, and their hate has driven them to continue their ways. The Dark Lord is no more so they've been free to do whatever they please. The one who recently arrived here is a witch well versed in weather manipulation. At first, we were reluctant to let you into our village but Hario insisted you're a mage. I know the difference between the two so do not worry."

Hario stood up and grasped his sword. "Just stay here and rest. I'll take care of this."

"But... you can't do it... by yourself." Ya'mo feebly answered.

The knight crouched once again on one knee and replied, "Don't worry about it. Trust me, okay? Stay put and rest. I won't be long." He stood up and left the room.

The elderly man's gaze followed the knight. "Such a noble young man," he said, a smile making wrinkles in his cheeks. He looked back to the bed and continued, "You have yourself such a nice boyfriend, young lady."

"No, it's not like-"

"Come on, people. Give the girl some privacy. We still have things to do around the village. I heard that knight's growling stomach when he left and I'm sure he's finding food first before doing anything else."

As the room emptied of people, Ya'mo felt her face become warm, but she wasn't sure if it was due to her fever or the old man's words.

X-X-X

"Oh, you must be Kenji." Shawn said upon seeing Eri and Harima. There was a small crowd milling around them, watching, after having already been greeted by Shawn earlier. "I guess it's Harima Kenji since we're in Japan. I have a friend who has a similar sounding name, though he's more sophisticated and handsome." A soft laugh echoed throughout the crowd. Eri didn't find it funny at all.

"Glad to finally meet your acquaintance." Shawn continued and extended a hand towards Harima. Eri eyed his manicured hand and she wanted nothing more than to slap it away. Of course, she was carefully guarding her expression so it was not obvious. Harima was also looking at the hand in front of him, his face also unreadable.

Harima took Shawn's hand and shook it, "It's nice to meet you too, Shawn. I haven't seen you in school even once. You must be a busy man."

Shawn was taken aback. He retracted his hand and replied, "Yes, I'm here to manage some of my grandfather's businesses. School is only secondary."

"I'm sure that is the case." Harima quickly replied. "I heard that you didn't attend this restaurant's grand opening last year. Is that true?" At this, whispers began in the crowd. Eri was fighting to keep a smirk from forming on her lips. Harima was doing a rather good job at following her instructions.

"Ah yes, that." Shawn said rather lamely. "My attendant didn't inform me of the date. I fired him afterward."

"Oh, I nearly forgot. Thank you for inviting my fiancée and me to your restaurant. May we come in now?"

"Yes, of course." Shawn said as he made way for the two.

Harima bowed in modesty and the two walked past Shawn who looked like he was at the bad end of a conversation.

When Eri and Harima were in their respective seats, Eri couldn't help but praise Harima. "You controlled the conversation and you made him look like a chauffeur. That's good."

"I only did what you told me to." Harima demurred.

"No. In this line of work, presentation is everything. Simply doing it isn't enough. You did great earlier."

"Huh? A compliment? Well, I do learn from the best. From you, I mean."

He called me the best! Eri victoriously said in her mind. Ha! Take that, Yakumo!

"Just don't get cocky." Eri replied flatly though she was inwardly happy. "This is just the beginning. We're still not out of the woods yet. Just remember what I told you earlier and this will end smoothly – not for Shawn, of course. "

"Gladly."

The evening went beyond all of Eri's expectations. Shawn was always put in his place and whatever rebuttal he managed to make was followed by trapping him in his words on what he previously said. It was almost pitiful how he was cornered by his own mouth and Harima took full advantage of it. One was Shawn apparently demeaning him for being a manga artist but Harima maneuvered the conversation to his art inspirations by talking about Japan's famous local artists and then to foreign artists like what he saw during a museum exhibit. That visit to that boring art gallery finally bore fruit.

This of course was a topic Shawn did not remotely know one bit about and he remained totally clueless with what Harima was talking about. He only learned enough about arts and fashion or whatever it was, to look good in his eyes.

People around them saw how much of an "aficionado" Eri's fiancé was to fine arts and it raised their impression of him. When it was Shawn's turn to share what he knew in the field of art, he simply couldn't since he simply didn't know. He only changed the topic altogether which made him lose credibility further with how ignorant he was.

The dinner went better than expected and Harima had been more than eager to finally taste that oyster he'd been waiting for, for what felt like a lifetime ago. Eri felt happy for him and she treated this as his reward for him for doing such a fantastic job earlier.

The journey home was very peaceful. Since they were in Tokyo, their ride back to Yagami City would take over an hour. To pass the time, Eri had decided to lean on Harima's shoulder for a short nap. He didn't nudge back nor push her away as he too was relieved that the night was over. Even the most hardened delinquents could fall prey to sleep with a belly full of delicious food and a soothing environment late at night. The two slept side by side and the last thought Eri had before she fell asleep was…

This war is over.

Author's Corner: BY the gods. I haven't updated this in 3 months?! I'm terribly sorry. I was hooked by the OPM hype train and I started to write an OPM fanfic so then I somehow forgot all about this.

Now to answer some reviews:

ConanTheCimmerian: Harima's manga will show from time to time. I forgot to say in the PM. I make a subtle reference about it. Yakumo did say she would read Harima's new manga as a past time and so far she has read it twice – and those have been revealed like a story. So yeah. It would be like an omake of sorts in the future, I guess?

Jhonka75: The flashbacks, as redundant as they seemed to be, were not only there just to lengthen a chapter. It's also for my sake whenever I read a chapter, and it helps me explore their characteristics and motives. Just like in this chapter, it anchors the reader (myself included) on Eri's side because we get to know it personally instead of assuming we all know how Eri's mind works already. I can't say if this is the desired effect with every reader but that's just how I approach it.

Paucius: I'll try to link the story to the current lore of School Rumble as much as I can. There will be tons of references to the manga and anime in this story. Nostalgic, isn't it? As for the Tsukamoto's father, I do say he is quite important if Yakumo is concerned. It would be a waste not to include him, especially in Yakumo's POV.

RandomReview: Well, the competition here is mostly in their minds. Remember, Harima was also like this when it comes to Tenma as he thought of outrageous assumptions. School Rumble is like that and that's why misunderstandings are everywhere in the series. It's quite the same for Eri and Yakumo as they too are very privy of their thoughts much like Harima. I guess Sarah too as she is on Yakumo's side.

I do hope I'll update again soon. Rest assured dear readers, I haven't abandoned this. It may look like it but I'll try my best to finish this. I did say multiple times now that this has a definite ending. One note: I will be updating all the chapters to correct mistakes like grammar or spelling. The story will still be the same so readers won't be missing much from the story clean-up.

As always, reviews are appreciated, no matter how short or long they may be! It would still be very appreciated!