Chapter 20

Three weeks had passed since then, and everything had seemingly returned to normal. Haruki had gone back to school, surprising everyone, especially her fangirls. Isuke had kept her promise to help Haruki pay her hospital bills and all other debts, but Haruki wouldn't let her pay all of it. She had found a temporary night shift job as a waitress while waiting for Isuke's parents to finalize the paperwork for the café. Haruki had quit her weed dealing business and returned all the weed to her supplier. Of course, it was met with rejection at first, but when Isuke's mama went to have a talk with the supplier, everything was settled.

Haruki was lucky to quit when she did, because someone exposed her secret as a weed dealer to the principal, but no evidence was found. Isuke was furious at Haruki's secret being exposed and she suspected it was Sumireko's doing, so she went to confront her one day after school with Haruki.

"Great, just the person I wanted to see," Sumireko said with an eye-roll. "Your parents had paid my family a visit and all the photos and documents of your brother had been returned to them. I no longer keep any copies. What could you possibly want from me again?"

"My parents went to your house?" Isuke said, shocked.

"Acting all shocked now, are we?" Sumireko said sarcastically. "Although I don't understand why you're scared to let the whole world know of your little brother. I'm proud of my relationship with Mahiru, I'm not scared of you exposing us to the whole world."

"Yeah, after your father somehow, miraculously gave his blessing. Though Isuke wondered… did your maid's other psycopath personality forced him to do so?" Isuke asked, a saccharine smile on her face.

"Do not call her a psychopath," Sumireko said in a warning tone.

"Isuke will call her whatever Isuke likes."

"Hey… hey," Haruki began, as she stepped in between the two girls, trying to stop an incoming fight. "I think we've gotten sidetracked a tiny bit, Isuke-sama."

"Right… sorry," Isuke muttered to Haruki, before turning to Sumireko. "Did you or did you not tell the principal about Haruki's weed business?"

"Why would I waste my time exposing a low life loser when I have nothing to gain in return?" Sumireko said.

"So it wasn't you?" Isuke asked.

"Nope, wasn't me," the heiress confirmed. "Besides, if I want to expose someone's secret, it would be something juicy, like Isuke's." Sumireko's blue eyes flashed dangerously, a cunning smile on her lips as she finished her sentence.

"You'll live to regret it if you do that, Sumireko. I promise you that," Haruki threatened.

"Relax… as I've said before, her parents had made sure that I don't have anything related to her little brother. Sure, you double-crossed me last minute, but I had my fun seeing Isuke being brought down by someone like you. But in the end, all seems well because both of you can still be friends despite all that. So, you actually have me to thank for for testing how strong your friendship really is. And I'm pretty sure both of you will be back into each other's arms in no time," Sumireko said, a sickening sweet smile on her face.

Isuke hated to admit it, but there was some truth in the queen bitch's statement. Haruki also kept quiet because she knew that Sumireko was partly right. She still hoped that she and Isuke will be together again someday.

"Well, if there's nothing else from both of you, stop wasting my precious time," Sumireko said coldly and left them.


"So… I guess you're back together with the leech, huh?" Nio asked as she jumped out from the shadows and suddenly implanted herself in front of Isuke and Haruki while they were both walking to their class the next day.

"Well, good morning to you too, Nio," Isuke said sarcastically. "I don't like the tone of your voice and the choice of your word."

"Guess I deserve it," Haruki said sheepishly as she rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly.

Isuke sighed and turned to Haruki. "Haruki, can you leave us alone for a while? I'd like to have a word with Nio." She turned and looked Nio menacingly in the eye. "Alone."

Haruki nodded in understanding and left them both.

"You don't know her like I do," Isuke said calmly to Nio once Haruki had walked into the classroom. "You think that she did all these for money, but actually she did all these for her family. Not like you'd understand even if I tried explaining to you. Your only love is melon buns."

"Hey, melon buns are nice and they're not complicated, unlike human relationships!" Nio said defensively. "Melon buns will never break my heart! Melon buns will always be there for me whenever I need them the most! They will never break my trust. You see where I'm going with this?"

Isuke wanted to come back with a snide remark about how Nio will be forever alone with that kind of mind set, but she remembered how Nio had been there for her when she felt the most depressed she had ever been in her life.

"Nio, you have been a very good friend to me, and you were there for me when I needed someone the most. For that, I'm thankful," she said instead. "But it's not like Haruki and I are getting back together anytime soon. We're only friends as we speak."

Nio was expecting Isuke to tear her a new one, with how Isuke was biting the insides of her cheek. So, when Isuke started her monologue about how thankful she was to Nio, she was surprised. Nio wasn't sure what to make of this, but one thing she knew is that ever since Isuke had met Haruki, Isuke had changed a lot. "Wow… who are you and what have you done with Isuke?"

"What do you mean? I'm always the same old me," Isuke said with a roll of her eyes.

"Hah! The old Isuke would never say what you just said to me," Nio said in disbelief. "But whatever, if there's one thing I could be grateful for about you having Haruki in your life, it's this. She had turned you into a softy and I benefit the most from it. So, fine, you have my blessings to be her friend, or whatever. But keep telling yourself that, because both of you are still so obviously in love with each other that everyone and their mothers can see it from outer space."

"Who are you calling a softy!?" Isuke said and punched Nio extra hard on her arm, but even her remark and punch lacked any real bite. "And please, I don't need your blessings to be friends with whoever I want."

"For what it's worth though, I hope she's worth all the pain and heartache she put you through," Nio said as she rubbed the spot where Isuke had punched her.


Although they were only friends at the moment, there were still some lingering feelings between them. It was apparent in the way Haruki was looking at Isuke now, who was talking to a random girl.

"If you still love her, why don't you go ask her out?" Haru asked as she closed her locker, startling Haruki. She had been staring at Isuke for the past ten minutes while listening to Haru telling her about her day, or attempted to listen to Haru. With how immersed she was with staring at Isuke, Haru could tell that her friend wasn't even paying any attention to her.

Before Haruki could answer, a rich, preppy student walked up to her and greeted her. "Hi Haruki-san! So, there's this rad party at a club this coming weekend," the girl said while giving the flyer to Haruki. "This party encourages you to bring a plus one. Since I'm going and I don't have a plus one yet, I'd like to invite you."

"Oh?" Haruki said as she looked at the flyer. The party was hosted by one of the rich kids in school. Haruki had never gotten invited to these kind of things, but ever since she dated Isuke, her popularity had been extended to the students of the higher social status. "But I can go alone if I want to, right?"

"Of course!" the girl chirped. "But if you ever change your mind, my number's at the back of the flyer. Ciao!"

"Wow, you're getting more and more popular among the rich kids day by day, Haruki," Haru said. "And she just asked you to be her plus one."

"Nah, this kinda thing isn't my scene," Haruki said and handed Haru the flyer, but she rejected it since Tokaku got an invite and was bringing Haru as her plus one.

Haru sighed at her friend for still being as oblivious as ever. And right now, her friend's attention was glued to Isuke again. "I think you should go, Haruki. And you should ask her too," Haru said, referring to Isuke. "You've never been to one of these things before. It'll be fun."

"Hmmm… maybe I'll think about it," Haruki said thoughtfully as she strode towards Isuke, who was still talking to the same girl.

"Yo, Isuke," Haruki greeted, deliberately interrupting her conversation with the girl.

"… think about it, Isuke-sama. It'll be fun. Bye!" the girl said as soon as Haruki interrupted their conversation.

"Ok, bye!" Isuke plastered on a sweet smile as she waved the girl goodbye.

"Ugh, thank God you're here," Isuke said as soon as the girl was out of earshot. "This peasant girl just won't quit talking to me, asking me to join their social event that their club is organizing this Friday night."

"Oh, what club?" Haruki asked.

"Isuke doesn't remember. Probably some nerdy club or something," Isuke said, rolling her eyes. "I just don't get why these peasants are approaching me lately. Is Isuke not bitchy enough or something?"

Haruki laughed. Ever since the whole fiasco about her secret being exposed, everyone was pleasantly surprised to find that Isuke had stood by her side and supported her. They were even more surprised when they learned that Isuke and she are still friends even though they had broken up. This had unintentionally caused Isuke to be popular again, especially among students of the lower social status, and in turn had made her become more approachable for them.

"I think my niceness must have rubbed off on you, Isuke-sama," Haruki laughed.

"Hmmm… maybe so," Isuke said distractedly as she checked her fingernails. "So, what are you doing after school today?"

"Oh… I gotta work after school today as I'm taking double shift this week."

"Ah… that's too bad," Isuke said with a non-chalance shrug. "Nio asked me to go shopping with her and I was just wondering if you'd like to tag along. Oh well, seems like I have to listen to her non-stop gossips for the whole afternoon then."

"Oh, have fun."

"Yeah." Isuke slung her bag on her shoulder and began to walk away, feeling disappointed with herself at her lame attempt to ask Haruki out by using Nio as an excuse. She never knew that asking someone whom you really really like to go out with could be so hard. Suddenly, she has all the respects for all her pursuers who had ever asked her out before.

"Say, Isuke…" Haruki began, stopping Isuke in her tracks and causing her to turn around. "I was thinking if you are going to this party this Saturday?" She held the flyer for the pinkette to see.

"Oh yeah, I got an invite. But I don't think I'm going, though," Isuke replied, feeling her heart beating in her ribcage as she wondered if Haruki is going to ask her to be her plus one.

"Oh," Haruki said, seemingly disappointed. "You have something going on this Saturday?"

"Nah, I'm just helping out my parents to design the room for my brother," Isuke said. "You should totally go and have fun, since you got an invite. But aren't you supposed to be working, anyway?" You could always cancel your work and ask me to the party as your plus one, I could cancel my chore for you is what the old, selfish, self-centred Isuke would say, but she wasn't her past self anymore. She shifted her weight while waited for Haruki's reply.

Just then, the bell rung and all the students had cleared the hallway, leaving only both of them there. Isuke waited expectantly for Haruki to say something.

"Yeah, so maybe I won't be going to that party too," Haruki said finally. She thought she saw a flash of disappointment in Isuke's face but it was gone immediately.

"Ok, so… I'll see you at recess later, then?" Isuke asked with a small smile.

"Yeah," Haruki responded, and Isuke couldn't help but to notice that there was a tightness in Haruki's voice. She wanted to ask Haruki what was bothering her, but Haruki had already turned and walked towards the opposite direction to her class.


Everything seemed to be back to normal again while Isuke, Haruki, Nio, Haru and Tokaku were having lunch together at the school cafeteria during recess. Well, as normal as it could be between Isuke and Haruki, as the palpable tension between them could be felt by their friends.

When Isuke excused herself to go to the washroom, Nio quickly sidled up to the seat that was previously occupied by Isuke, effectively sitting next to a clueless Haruki now. Tokaku quirked an eyebrow as she wondered what Nio's antics could be this time.

"Hey, Haruki," Nio greeted.

Haruki stopped eating and turned to look at the blonde in response, but before she could utter a single word, she was suddenly kissed by Nio on the lips. Tokaku's eyes widened in surprise while beside her, Haru squealed in shock.

When Haruki came to her senses, she quickly pushed Nio away. "Woah, what the hell was that for?" Haruki asked in alarm as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

"I was just wondering what the fuss is all about with you… but eh, I've had better," Nio said with a smirk.

"What…?"

"You've got everyone turning their heads to you wherever you go," Nio began to explain. "You've got the high and mighty Inukai Isuke wrapped around your little finger, so I was just curious, that's all."

"Curious about what?" Haruki asked incredulously.

"About your magical lips, what else?" Nio replied, like as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"… And…?" Haruki asked, still clueless.

"And I've told you, I've had better. Geez, are you that dense? Makes me wonder what Isuke sees in you, seriously."

"Just get straight to the point already, trash!" Tokaku said impatiently.

"OK I will!" Nio said, with a hand salute. "Here's the thing, Haruki. I'm tired of seeing the two of you dancing around each other. Both of you are still so obviously in love with each other, so just make a move on her already!"

Haruki was dumbstruck, not knowing how to respond. "I… heh… after what I did to her, I'm grateful enough to still be her friend," Haruki said, blushing a little as she scratched the back of her neck. "And besides, she wants us to work on our friendship first before anything else, so I'm just respecting her wishes."

"Yeah, keep telling yourself that. Do you really believe that she wants to be just friends with you?" Nio asked, and when there was no reply from the oblivious redhead, she face-palmed. "Seriously, they say love is blind and I still really don't understand what Isuke sees in you. She wants to be more than friends with you, idiot, but she doesn't know how to express that. She never had to pursue anyone before, so you are kinda like an unchartered territory for her. If you're waiting for her to make the first move, all of us will grow old and die before she's ever gonna do that. So," Nio stood up and looked down squarely at Haruki. "Do you wanna be more than friends with her too, Haruki?"

"O-of course that's what I want but-"

"No buts! If that's what you truly want, then you gotta make the first move!"

"Spoken like a true love expert," Tokaku deadpanned suddenly. She then looked at Haruki. "As much as I hate to admit it, I have to agree with this trash here. It's such an eyesore seeing both of you dancing around each other. If you need any help on how to make the first move, I can help you. Have you asked her to the party this Saturday?"

"I did, but she's not going. And I'm working too, anyway, so…"

"Ask her out for another event then," Haru said. "You were together with her for a brief period of time, Haruki. Ask her out like how you did it before."

"It was different the last time," Haruki tried to explain.

"How was it any different?" Nio asked. "Oh, I get it. You need a bet to get you going. Ok then, how about this. If you can ask her out and she says yes, I'm gonna pay you-Ow!"

"Too soon, trash!" Tokaku said, smacking the back of Nio's head. "Don't listen to her, Sagae-san."

"Well, then maybe you could just go to her house and just get it on with her," Nio joked as she rubbed her head, seemingly unfazed by Tokaku's nickname for her and the smack she received.

"Wh-what? N-no," Haruki stuttered, her face turning as red as her hair.

"Why are you blushing like a virgin?" Nio asked. "Don't tell me you haven't done it with her?"

Haruki swallowed. "I-it's none of your business!"

"Holy shit! You two really haven't done the deed yet? You're still a virgin?" Nio asked in disbelief and then guffawed.

"Hey, don't make fun of her," Haru said, defending her friend. "She's just waiting for the right time. When Tokaku and I had our first time-"

Tokaku immediately cleared her throat loudly, effectively cutting her girlfriend off from revealing anything else.

"Ok, I'd believe it if Haruki is really waiting for the right time," Nio said. "But Isuke?! All her first dates always end up in sexytimes. Kinda hard to believe that she hasn't done it with you yet."

"Maybe that means she really loves you then," Haru told Haruki as a matter-of-factly. "You're more than just one of her many flings to her."

"Unbelievable!" Nio exclaimed, and then snickered. "Who knew Isuke could be such a romantic at heart?"

"Well, I for one, find it believable. Love is powerful. It can change people and even move mountains!" Haru said dramatically.

Just then, Isuke came back and Nio quickly moved away so that Isuke could sit next to Haruki (but not before Isuke sent a glare to Nio first).

"So, what were you guys talking about while I was gone?" Isuke asked casually,

"Um... nothing!" Nio replied quickly.

"Why are you so nervous? You know what, Isuke doesn't care," she said with a dismissive flip of her pink hair, but when she felt a pair of golden eyes glued on her ever since she sat down, she turned to look at Haruki curiously. "What?"

"Nothing, Isuke-sama," Haruki said with a goofy grin on her lips.

Isuke scowled and shifted her attention to her nails, pretending to check them out. She could feel her face getting hot from Haruki's intense stare, and she wished that recess would be over soon. As if on cue, the bell rang and Isuke immediately stood up, thankful that it had saved her from the awkward tension.

Haruki stood up as well, following Isuke from behind, her eyes still trained on her. The conversation earlier with her friends while Isuke was gone still lingered at the back of her mind as she started to see Isuke in a new light.


Ok, so if all goes according to plan, next chapter will be the last chapter! And yeah, there will be smut.

PS: I enjoyed writing Sumireko and I wished I had more time to flesh out her character. As I was writing this fic, I realized that Sumireko is a complicated character (well, she is a complicated character in canon, so), which I have unintentionally created a backstory for. There is so much to explore with her relationship with her maid (Banba, of course!) and her relationship with her parents. I wish to write more about them and flesh out her character, but then this fic will never end if that's the case.

Maybe one day, when I'm inspired enough, I'll write a little snippets or glimpses of all these side characters in this universe. Or if anyone would like to pick Sumireko up from this universe and flesh her character out, be my guest!

TL;DR.