Chapter 1
"I'd like to give you a business proposition."
A voice jolted Haruki from her daydream in the middle of class. Class had actually ended a long time ago but Haruki, being lost in her daydream, didn't hear the bell ring.
"Huh?" Haruki asked, still in a daze. A student with long peach coloured hair and icy blue eyes was staring back at her.
"Earth to Sagae. You've been daydreaming for the past few days now," the student said matter-of-factly, snapping her fingers in front of Haruki's face. "I said I'd like to give you a business proposition."
"Why, if it ain't the queen bee herself in the flesh!" Haruki exclaimed with a hand covering her mouth in mock horror. "To what did I deserve this honour for you to grace me with your presence?" The student in front of her was none other than Hanabusa Sumireko, the popular queen bee. The wealthiest student in the school, and possibly, the country. Apart from all that, she was also an heiress. She could get everything she desired with a just a snap of a finger. Everyone would be falling over their feet trying to get it for her. So, what could the wealthiest student in the school possibly want that she couldn't have, until she needed Haruki's help? "If it's about doing your homework, I charge a higher price now." Smiling, she took a box of Pocky out and opened it. "And oh, if you want me to beat people up for you, triple the price now."
"Meet me after the last period at the deserted parking lot," Sumireko stated calmly. "I'll let you know then." The heiress stood up and turned to leave, but at the last second, she turned her head back towards Haruki. "And oh. Be stealthy. I don't want anyone to know that I'm striking a business deal with you."
Haruki smiled while watching Sumireko striding out of the classroom. In Haruki's line of business, she didn't need anyone's advice on how to be stealthy.
After the last period ended, Haruki walked towards the deserted parking lot. No cars were parked here due to the parking lot being quite a distance from the school. Haruki spotted a small group of students hanging out in the corner of the parking lot, passing around a joint. If the group of students spotted her, they wouldn't recognize her as Haruki was wearing a hoodie to cover herself from head to toe.
Haruki's handphone beeped. It was a message from an unknown number.
"I'm parked behind the bushes." The message read. Snickering to herself, Haruki slipped her handphone into her hoodie pocket and walked towards the bushes. True enough, Sumireko's limousine was parked behind the bushes.
"Wow, you really went all the way to make sure that you were not spotted with me, huh? Made me feel like we are secretly seeing each other or something," Haruki joked as she got into the limousine.
"You're late," Sumireko said with a calm demeanor, dismissing the redhead's joke. "But that's to be expected. Exceed my expectation the next time, Sagae."
"Ah, sorry," Haruki apologized. "I got some stuff to take care of." She took a look around Sumireko's limo. Having never been in one before, she was completely awe-struck. Not only was it huge, it was as elegant as the heiress.
"So, I take it that no one spotted you," Sumireko stated, referring to Haruki's choice of disguise.
"Yep, even if there was anyone who spotted me, they wouldn't've recognized me," Haruki said proudly while pointing to her hoodie.
"Are you ready?" Sumireko asked, wasting no time to get straight to business.
"As ready as you are, Your Highness," she humoured, a playful glint in her eye. "Although, can I ask, what could the wealthiest girl in school possibly want that she couldn't get until you need someone like me to help you get it?" she paused before continuing, "Never mind, that was a rhetorical question. My terms and conditions: one, I charge higher price for doing homework and assignments now, two: if you want me to beat people up for you, triple the price now, three: don't ask me to kill anyone. I don't provide that kind of service. Four: Weeds or other kind of drugs-"
"I know all your terms and conditions," Sumireko cut the redhead off. "I do my homework before acquiring someone for their service."
"Right. So, how can I be of service to you, Your Excellency?" Haruki asked, mocking the wealthy girl with a bow.
If Sumireko was annoyed by Haruki's immature jokes, she didn't show it. Instead, with a graceful calm that only the heiress queen bee could pull off, she took a picture out from her purse and handed it to Haruki to look at it.
"Do you know her?" Sumireko asked, her tone flat and devoid of any emotion. Or, at least, she tried to be.
Without missing a beat, Haruki answered, "Do I know what colour the sky is? 'Course I know her!"
Pink hair, golden eyes, signature midriff top that showed off her flat stomach and a perfect manicure to top it off, everybody in school knows the ever oh so popular Inukai Isuke. Haruki couldn't say that she was surprised to see the picture of the notoriously sexy pink-haired girl as the object of Sumireko's desire that she couldn't have. The whole school knew about their tragic love story. Although, the tragic part was more for Sumireko. Heck, they were like a perfect couple, what with both of them coming from the same family background, with the same status. However, their love story didn't last long as they broke up after only about a month of dating.
Rumour has it that Isuke was the one who ended things, though it didn't come as a surprise. Everyone knows that Isuke is a playgirl. She is famous for being a playgirl, after all. People pine after her, but she doesn't accept anyone easily. She has a certain standard and she considered anyone who doesn't meet her standard to be beneath her. Even if she accepted her pursuer and they started going out, it wouldn't last long as once she got bored with someone, she would dump them like a worn out purse. Usually, her relationship lasted only a few weeks.
So, it came as a surprise to Myojo High School when Sumireko and Isuke started going out. There were no rumours or sightings of Sumireko pursuing Isuke. Furthermore, both of them were having a cold war with each other at that time. Then one day, both of them just held hands at school and started declaring their love for each other to everyone. Everyone started gushing over them them like they were some sort of Hollywood power couple. "Of course, everyone would idolize them," Haruki mused. Who wouldn't? The rich and the famous getting together. To top it off, both of them are popular in school. It was like a match made in heaven.
Their relationship was an embodiment of perfection, with no quarrels between them. Everyone thought that finally, Isuke was able to hold onto a relationship for more than two weeks. Some were even making bets that she would toss Sumireko away within a few days. As soon as their relationship lasted over three weeks, everyone stopped with their bets and just enjoyed the eye-candy.
That was why the moment both of them broke up, everybody took it hard. Well, everybody except for Haruki. She had to laugh at each and every one of the fangirls' disappointment and heartache over their idols' breakup. As sudden as their relationship started, it ended out of the blue too. Everyone witnessed Sumireko and Isuke quarreling at the school courtyard one day. Isuke was shouting loudly at a tear-stricken Sumireko, telling her it was over. It was an ugly break up because Isuke looked equally shaken, but not as heartbroken as Sumireko was. Nobody knew the reason for the breakup, though everyone assumed it was Isuke the promiscuous playgirl's fault, as with every single one of her breakup. Everyone sympathized with Sumireko, and they began to side her. The whole ordeal made Isuke's popularity slide down a few notches. She hadn't had anyone pursuing her for a few weeks after that. People started talking behind her back, calling her mean names, but no one was brave enough to say it to her face.
Weeks passed. They never talked to each other anymore, or even looked at each other when they passed each other at the hallway.
"Whewww," Haruki whistled. "I thought you were over her. I mean, you had everyone swooning over your feet after the break-up. So, you want me to help you get her back, is that it?"
Sumireko scoffed. "No. I could get anyone to do that. What I want you to do is far more than that. It won't be an easy feat, especially for someone who are of different status from her."
"O-kay, I'm all ears," Haruki said slowly, waiting for Sumireko to continue. "I've done a lot of difficult things for cash, so what could be so difficult this time?" she asked with a cocky smirk.
Sumireko folded her hands calmly on her lap as she continued, "I want you to seduce her, make her fall madly in love with you, and before she knows it, you break her heart. And when you do, embarrass her publicly. Embarrass her so deeply that she has no guts to show her face at school for weeks."
Haruki was wrong. Apparently, there were far more difficult things she had yet to accomplish. Sumireko allowed a few seconds for the redhead to let it all sink in.
"So, are you in?"
After a few seconds of silence, Haruki let out a breath. "Wow… I thought I've heard and done it all. And people thought Isuke is the crazy one. You do realize that, by asking me to do all that, not only are you asking the impossible from me, but it makes you look like a crazy bitter ex-girlfriend?"
"I know how it looks like, but nobody will ever know that it was a ploy. Nobody will ever know that I hired you to do all these," Sumireko countered. "To everyone else, it would be like you are her next pursuer, only difference is that you succeeded in making her falling madly in love with you. Then you'll…"
"Break her heart in public like what she did to you," Haruki finished for her.
"Exactly," Sumireko smiled sinisterly. "I want her to feel how I felt."
Haruki seemed to ponder about Sumireko's business proposition to her for a while. "Hmmm… is it worth it though, Hanabusa-san? I mean, after how she broke it off with you, she's not as popular as she used to be anymore. Hasn't she already got what she deserved?"
Sumireko raised an eyebrow. "Do you always question whether people get what they deserve before carrying out an assignment?" She waited for a response, but none came. "That's what I thought. Besides, only I get to judge whether Isuke got what she deserved. People ignoring her and calling her mean names is not a sufficient punishment. I want to destroy her."
"They were pretty mean names, though…" Haruki muttered under her breath, but Sumireko heard it.
"What's with that remark? Do you always defend your victims too now? Are you buddy-buddy with her?"
"What? No, of course not! We'd never be friends!" Haruki said quickly. "Too quickly", Sumireko thought, but she let it slide.
"Then what's the issue?" the queen bee asked.
"I don't know, man…" Haruki began hesitantly, scratching the back of her head awkwardly, feeling all her confidence slipping away. "It's not an easy task. We all know how she is. And like you said, we are of different statuses; I'm nothing but a lowlife scumbag in her eyes. She wouldn't even bat an eyelid at me. What makes you think she'd fall in love with me so easily?"
"Hey, I did mention that it won't be at easy feat for you, didn't I? That's why I hired you. I could easily get anyone to get her back to me. I could easily get anyone to beat her up. But who else can I get to do a task like I just assigned you?" Sumireko smiled genuinely this time. "Besides, you're pretty popular with the girls too. I'm pretty sure you'll easily win Isuke over, if you really set your eye on her. And the way you stood up against her that day made her speechless. I've never seen anyone making the high and mighty Isuke speechless."
"Heck, no. There's no way I'd set my eye on her. Oh boy, and I'm popular with the girls? Don't make me laugh, Hanabusa-san," Haruki laughed nervously. "I've never even had a girlfriend or a boyfriend, for that matter. Me, popular with the girls. That's the biggest joke of the century. And after what happened at the basketball court that day, she'd wanna kill me more than anything. She wouldn't want anything to do with me after how I've embarrassed her in front of everyone."
"Oh, but you are popular, Sagae. You don't know it because you are either too dense, too blind or too pre-occupied with your own…" the heiress gave Haruki a once-over before continuing, "burdens, to see all the girls flocking to you. But I see it. And if you could make Isuke speechless, I'm pretty sure you can make her do anything for you. Really, no one is more fit to do this for me other than you."
"Hmm… I don't know what alternate universe you came from, man, but now you are overestimating me," Haruki said with a chuckle. "Even if what you said is true, I don't even have the experience in the matters of the heart. I've never even pursued anyone in my life, and the first person I have to pursue is the most difficult person to deal with on Earth? Gimme a break."
"Then I'll help you," Sumireko offered. "I've dated her before. I know all her likes and dislikes. She'll fall head over heels for you in no time. Then you can execute my plan."
"If a smile can kill, then this is it", Haruki thought as she watched Sumireko's vampire like smile. "Man, this girl got issues. I wouldn't blame Isuke for breaking up with her…"
"Well… I still think it's mission impossible, Sumireko. Thanks for hiring me, though, but it's no deal," Haruki said with a finality, before turning to get out of the limo.
However, she was stopped by a firm hand on her shoulder. She could have shaken the hand away easily and got out of the car, but it was what Sumireko said that stopped her.
"One million yen."
Slowly, Haruki turned around. "Come again?"
"I'll give you one million yen for completing the task. On top of that, I'll pay for all the things to buy for you to win her over, I'll pay for all your dates with her." Sumireko gave Haruki a smile that sent a shiver through her. "I know about your debts, Sagae. The many mouths to feed, your mom's hospital bill."
One million yen is a lot of money.
"It will lessen your burden."
It can help to pay off Haruki's mom's hospital bill.
"What do you say, Haruki? You need the money. Think of your siblings. Think of your mom."
Haruki was torn.
"Think of your family. They need you. After all, this is the sole reason why you took on so many dangerous deals, right? This is a big break for you," Sumireko said, her smile sinister.
"H-how did you know about my family?" Haruki asked, tension evident in her voice. She had never told anyone about her burdens before. Well, people at school knew that she is dirt poor and that she has a lot of responsibility for her family, but only her close friends knew about her mom's condition. And she only had two close friends in school. One of them is Ichinose Haru, whom she had known since young, so she knows Haru would never spill her secret. The other friend, well, let's just say that she is too self- absorbed to care and gossip about other people's family life.
"I told you before, I did my homework," Sumireko replied smugly. "And I can say with confidence that your family situation is the cause of your daydreams in class."
She has to be selfish.
"I didn't… alright, fine…," Haruki sighed, finally giving in. Deep down, she knew Sumireko was right. Her mom's hospital had been piling up on top of other debts. She couldn't concentrate in class because of all these. "But I want two million yen." Haruki pushed her luck, watching Sumireko arched an eyebrow. "What, it's for insurance in case Isuke hurt me for even looking in her direction."
"Deal." Sumireko extended her hand. "Two million yen for completing the task."
"And on top of that, you'll pay for all the expenses for courting her, bringing her out on expensive dates," Haruki replied, taking Sumireko's hand for a handshake, a sign that she had accepted the deal.
"Didn't I agree to that already?"
Sometime after that, Haruki was walking on the school field towards the bleachers, her usual hangout spot. It was the only spot that she could escape her reality, if only for a while.
"You're late again," a voice said as she went under the bleachers. Her pink-haired companion was already waiting for her on the worn out couch, with a box of Pocky in her hands.
"Sorry, Isuke-sama. I had a long day, that's all," Haruki said with a jovial smile on her face. Seeing her friend always did that to her, no matter how tired she was.
"Isuke's already started without you. Don't blame Isuke if she finished it all," the pinkette huffed. She hated waiting. "And also, why are you never punctual? I'm already one hour late, and you managed to be later than me every time," she grumbled with a hint of annoyance in her voice. "It's your sister's turn to be at the hospital today, so what could be more important than hanging out with Isuke?"
"Awww…. Isuke-sama really want to hear about my day? I didn't know you cared," Haruki teased with a toothy grin, as she sat down next to Isuke.
"I don't. I'm just annoyed at your time-keeping management," Isuke huffed with a roll of her eyes. "You're lucky for doing well in your studies, otherwise you'd have been expelled a long time ago for always being late to class."
Haruki chuckled at Isuke's unique way of showing concern and giving compliments. She would come back with a clever remark like how Isuke wasn't any different as she was always sleeping in classes and managed to get away with it every time, but she decided against it. Isuke would say that she is rich, so she could get away with anything.
"Don't worry, Isuke-sama. I won't get expelled. The principal loves me. I'm here to stay so you don't have to worry about missing me," Haruki said in a sing-song voice, making light of the situation. In truth though, she had been called to the principal's office a few times for always being late and absent, but because of her good grades and her family background, the principal gave her a few leeway. Well, half-truths because sometimes when she was late, she was taking care of her business but that was also for her family. The principal had been kind to her, offering her counsellor's support instead of punishing her, but she seldom showed up at the counsellor's office.
"Yeah, 'cause everyone looooves a delinquent, right?" Isuke stated sarcastically.
"Well, I don't know about everyone, but I know that you do," Haruki teased while nudging her elbow playfully at Isuke's arm, earning a shove from the pink-haired girl. "But enough about me. What's that?" Haruki asked, pointing at the box of Pocky still in Isuke's hand.
"This?" Isuke said indifferently with a shrug of her shoulders. "Oh, just your favourite snack, is all."
"Oh my God, is it the limited edition?" Haruki gasped as she quickly snatched the box from Isuke's hand. "It is the limited edition! Thanks, Isuke-sama. You really went all the way to get this for me? That's so kind of you."
Isuke could laugh at the Pocky-eating idiot's hearteyes from just a box of Pocky. How simple. "Idiot," she muttered absent-mindedly. "Isuke's always kind."
Haruki gave the pinkette a heart-warming smile. Upon seeing Isuke's tinted blush, she decided not to push it any further and started opening the Pocky box. The last time Haruki made fun of Isuke's embarrassment, she got a punch in the face, and so, she had learned the hard way. Haruki offered Isuke a piece of the Pocky stick, which she rejected, before taking a bite into it. "Mmmm… this is really delicious," Haruki gushed in between bites. "Thanks a lot, Isuke-sama." It's not everyday Isuke went out of the way to do something for someone without expecting anything in return and Haruki wanted to savour every moment of it.
"Only you would be gushing over a box of Pocky," Isuke said, the corner of her lips lifting up to form a small affectionate smile while watching the Pocky-loving idiot chewing away.
"Heh… well, it can't be helped. They're my favourite," Haruki replied while finishing the last bite and kept the rest away for next time. "So, did you finish all the weed, or did you leave some for me?"
"There's still some more left here," Isuke said, tossing the half bag of weed to Haruki.
"Awesome," Haruki drawled as she started to light the weed up. "With my Pocky, my weed, and my favourite person in the world in my favourite hangout spot, this is the life!"
"You really are an idiot, aren't you?" Isuke asked as she lied down on the couch, propping her legs on top of Haruki's laps. As if out of habit, one of Haruki's hands automatically went to massage Isuke's legs. "This weed's all for you. I've gotten my fair share of high."
"Awww… I know I'm your favourite person too, Isuke-sama," Haruki teased, giving Isuke a wink.
"Sh-shut up and get high already, you dumbass. You're really pissing Isuke off," Isuke warned, but the bite in her tone was non-existent, as she was too busy getting annoyed at the redhead's flirtatious gesture.
"So, how's your day?" Haruki asked as she took a puff.
"We're not that kind of friends, Haruki," Isuke hummed lazily as she closed her eyes. "But let me entertain you, because I know you're dying to tell me about your day. Please keep it short and simple, though. You know how long winded stories can bore me."
Haruki snorted. Leave it to Isuke to know all her tricks by now.
"So?" Isuke asked as she opened an eye to look at the redhead. "I don't have all day, you idiot."
Haruki was deep in thought as she tried to think of a way on how to tell Isuke about her deal with Sumireko, especially one that involved her pink-haired companion as well. She didn't expect Isuke to show an interest in her day today. Usually, when Haruki asked Isuke about her day as an opener, Isuke would brush her off and just leave it at that. In all of their time spent together under the bleachers, Isuke had only encouraged Haruki to talk about her day a total of four times, this being the fourth time.
Most of the time, they would just sit together in a comfortable silence while getting high. Haruki would share bits and pieces about her day sporadically. Sometimes, she would share a bit about her assignments, but never about her clients' or her victims' names as she lived by the client confidentiality code. Sometimes, Isuke would tell Haruki to shut up when she was not in the mood to talk, but mostly, Isuke would close her eyes while listening to Haruki's ramblings, so Haruki never knew how much Isuke had heard, anyway. As for Isuke, she never shared anything with Haruki, as she would remind Haruki that they were not that kind of friends every time Haruki asked her about her day.
"Sorry."
"Haruki, haven't I told you before to change that habit of yours?"
"Heh yeah. I'm trying my best, Isuke-sama," Haruki said as she twiddled her thumbs nervously. There was no way around it, except to be direct. "I bumped into your ex today."
"Be more specific," Isuke asked, yawning as she closed her eye. "Do I have to ask you which one, or do I have to play guessing game with y-."
"The queen bee," Haruki replied and held her breath. She looked at Isuke, who still kept her eyes closed. Haruki could feel a hint of tension on Isuke's face as she waited for the pinkette's response, although it disappeared immediately the moment she opened her eyes.
"Oh? Let me guess," Isuke stated calmly as she inspected her fingernails, a frown on her face. She really needed to get a manicure soon. What could Sumireko possibly want from Haruki? The two of them had never interacted before, not that Isuke was aware of, anyway. Isuke deduced that there is only one reason why people of all sorts of family background and status look for Haruki. "One of your clients today?" she asked carefully.
"Yeah," Haruki replied, her tone unreadable.
"Hmmm…" Isuke hummed thoughtfully, her eyes still on her nails. Haruki had never told her her clients' name before, so what had changed this time? Maybe it was because Sumireko was her ex, she decided. "The Hanabusa family is rich, so don't accept anything for less than ten thousand yen."
"She will pay me two million yen if I managed to complete the assignment. I accepted it."
"Wow," Isuke breathed, smirking. "Smart move." She stretched her arms and relaxed herself once again. "Well, I'm happy for you, Haruki. You're finally gonna be rich. You can finally help that pesky family of yours. Pay off your debts and hospital bills, etcetera etcetera. And you don't have to be so selfless anymore taking on so many cheap assignments just to support your family. Finally taking Isuke's advice to be selfish, huh? I would say that I'm proud of you, but I'm more proud of myself for giving you the correct advice."
"Yeah… finally, huh?" Haruki replied, forcing a smile while fiddling with her Pocky box.
"Why that face?" Isuke asked, annoyed. "Isuke doesn't give out her compliments easily."
"Ow!" Haruki suddenly exclaimed while clutching her right hand in pain. Her long forgotten weed that she still held in her right hand had burned out and it burned her fingers.
"Oh my, how clumsy," Isuke tutted. "Let Isuke see." The playgirl sat up and reached for Haruki's injured hands, examining the burned fingers gingerly. "Well, at least it didn't
ruin your manicure."
Up close, Haruki could see the concern in Isuke's beautiful golden eyes. It warmed her heart, as well as giving her heart a couple of somersaults, knowing that only she got to see this side of Isuke.
"Th-thanks, Isuke-sama," Haruki breathed, her voice coming out not as steady as she would like.
She hoped that Isuke did not catch the unsteadiness of her voice, but it was too late. Isuke immediately dropped her hand and looked away. "Just a minor injury. Nothing to thank me for. It will heal on its own." She lied back down on the couch and feigned sleepiness. "So, is that all you want to tell me? That you're gonna be very rich soon after bumping into my ex? If that's how your day was, how boring. It's making Isuke sleepy now so Isuke's gonna sleep and don't bother her again."
Haruki chuckled while watching Isuke clambered back to the couch and tried to hide the blush on her face. She didn't expect much from the popular playgirl, so her sporadic kindness towards Haruki caught her off-guard sometimes.
Haruki smiled as she watched Isuke drifting into dreamland. She knew they were not that kind of friends. She knew there will never be anything more between them, as Isuke preferred to keep their friendship this way. Away and hidden from everyone else because Isuke would rather die than being seen hanging out with a low class citizen like her. So, it wouldn't feel wrong to betray her in the end, right? She was only doing it for her family. So, why then, does she feel conflicted for what she was about to do?
So, this is my first IsukexHaruki fic that I've contributed because there are so few fics of them I wanna cry. Anyway, this is my pet project during the COVID-19 Stay-At-Home order. I've actually completed this fic. Phew! It's been a long time since I've written anything and I may have become rusty. Also, English is not my first language, so there might be some grammar errors.
Feel free to comment and review!
