"GREEK GOD" IS A SONG CREATED BY CONAN GRAY. I DID NOT HAVE ANY PART OF THE WRITING OR PRODUCING OF THE SONG. IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND THIS WORK BETTER, I SUGGEST YOU LISTEN TO THE SONG.
It had been two months since Yumeko transferred to Hyakkao Private Academy. It had been two months since Mary had fallen to the house pet system, and two weeks since Yumeko pulled her out of it. Even if Mary was only a housepet for a week, it broke her.
She wasn't even treated as a pet. She might as well have been trash. Her former friends would spill drinks on her. She could barely sit down before her lunch was thrown or eaten in front of her face. Sadly enough, that wasn't the worst part of it.
It was the names they called her.
Her "accepting" friends didn't refer to her by her name or even "mittens." No, they insulted her body left and right. It was like all it took was a tag around your neck to be seen as something to throw around.
And it was Yumeko's fault.
It was a week, yes, but the feeling of being less than a human- less than living lasted longer.
--
Yumeko adapted to situations effortlessly. Being friends with Mary was difficult.
It was a spoken fact that Mary hated Yumeko, but Mary's body language told a different story. The blushing, squirming, trying to hide a smile when Yumeko hugged her. Was Mary uncomfortable, or did she want to be uncomfortable?
Yumeko had become addicted to trying to read Mary. What would happen if I grabbed her arm? How would her eyes look if I held her hand?
Yumeko's "testing" had changed after one incident. Yumeko had been going to hug Mary when she stopped her with a finger to her forehead, "Not today, red-eyes."
Yumeko froze. She was surprised, but not as much as she was enthralled. Her heart raced. She quickly recovered and pouted as Mary lightly flicked her back.
Yumeko had never questioned why she loved trying to figure out Mary. It's like she had spent so much time trying to figure out how another person felt instead of wondering about her feelings.
She had an inkling of what they might be but decided to save that thought process for another time. Definitely, not when Mary was anywhere near her.
--
"I'm not even surprised she would bet something like that."
Yumeko had been invited to gamble by the Youtube Idol Yumemi Yumemite. Ryota had just said that if Yumeko lost she'd form a duo with Yumemi and become an idol.
Mary had Yumeko figured out. She'd bet anything for a good gamble.
"Mary~ can you please come! I'd love for you to be there!" Yumeko asked. Her eyes were soft.
"I'm not into idols," Mary replied.
Yumeko pouted. Her puppy dog eyes looked through Mary's soul.
She tried to resist, but how could she when she looked so damn cute? Cute? Yumeko was far from cute. She ruined her status and friendships. Well, that's what Mary wanted to believe. After the debt settlement party, her reputation had become more respectable. Defeating Jun and becoming a human again was more than enough for people to recognize that they shouldn't mess with her if they didn't realize that before she was a housepet. Her "friends" should've known better, but they showed their true colors anyway. Yumeko might've helped more than hurt.
"Fine."
Yumeko giggled and thanked Mary as she took her hand. Mary's eyes looked to the ground as Yumeko's soft and slender fingers wrapped around Mary's.
"I'm looking forward to seeing you in the crowd! You're going to love the song I'm singing!" Yumeko cheered.
"You can sing right?" Itsuki asked from across the table.
"I've never sung for an audience before. I'm sure it'll be a fun challenge."
"We'll just have to see," Mary added.
--
Yumeko was a natural performer. She took on many roles for gambling and found a way to channel her sweetness and grace into playing an idol. Nobody, especially not Mary, could deny that she was adorable.
This is what Yumeko wanted. She wanted to entice the audience into believing she was innocent and kind.
As Yumeko watched Yumemi perform, it was obvious that she was throwing the score just a tad. She was a trained professional. There's no way her voice wasn't as strong as her past performances. If Yumemi was going to throw it, Yumeko might as well take advantage of it.
The sound of cheering signaled Yumeko to get ready. As she walked on stage, she searched for her friends. Each of them waved to her so she could find them. Mary sat back in her chair with her arms crossed. Yumeko giggled at the site.
Her music started. It was airy and dreamlike. The instrumental fit Idol Yumeko to a tee. Then the lyrics started.
Oh, I don't really care if you like me or not, but I know that you want me to
The audience gasped at the change of mood, Yumeko kept her painted smile.
Oh, anything I do I know you're gonna watch to rumor up that I'm a fool
Yumeko said more than sung "fool." The audience watched as Yumeko's sweet facade cracked under the tone of the song.
You and all your friends have to walk in a squad, 'cause y'all are so insecure
Overcompensate 'cause you're sizing me up the oldest trick in the book
Mary's hypnotic state broke when Yumeko glanced at her. She had a feeling that this wasn't just any song.
There's nothing you could do to dampen up my mood
There's nothing you could say won't like you anyway
I know that you've been hurt don't mean that it's our turn
Yumeko only pretended that she was acting during the song. She was also pretending like she was looking behind Mary.
'Cause I know what you really want a little more confidence
This is where it's gotta stop I'm tired of hearing it
You're just going to be a fraud with nothing but fickle friends
Greek God
Yumeko added a smirked to the last two words. She knew Mary was having a hissy fit in her mind. It was the perks of finally figuring her out.
Itsuki quickly picked up on the energy. She looked at Mary expecting her to be furious, but she was blushing. Itsuki would've laughed if she didn't want Mary to know that she'd been caught.
I don't really like how you never shut up 'cause you've got dirt on everyone
And since you always swear that you've wanted me gone then why don't you go get your gun?
Yumeko had figured out why she was so infatuated with trying to figure out Mary. It was because she was infatuated with Mary. It was easy to give so much affection to Mary because she wanted Mary close. The time Mary stopped Yumeko was fascinating. It was the first time she showed Yumeko how she felt. She almost liked it better than Mary freezing.
Learning this made it easier to figure out how Mary was feeling.
You don't really hate me
You're a little baby
You don't wanna end me
You wanna befriend me
And it's not surprising
I can see you smiling
Every time you kick me you aren't gonna win me
Mary felt the same way as Yumeko but in a different sense. Yumeko had ruined her life, but she came out of it stronger than she went in. Yumeko was an angel disguised as a devil. Mary hated Yumeko so much that she loved her. On stage, Yumeko made sure to wink when she said "baby."
Mary hadn't found this discovery yet. All she knew was that she was supposed to be mad at Yumeko for out right calling her a "little baby," but she wasn't. She didn't like how her heart skipped a beat when Yumeko's soft voice filled her ears with the words "you aren't gonna win me."
I don't care about your little threats
All the kids in your clique are pretend
I don't mind when you play with my head
I'll flip around play with yours instead
"Fuck you, Jabami Yumeko," Mary mouthed. The bridge hit Mary deep. She knew it was Yumeko's intention. What she didn't know was why the last part sounded more like a confession than a lyric, or the entire point of choosing this song to sing when her life was on the line.
I don't like what you said to my friends
One day you're gonna regret ever messing with them.
The song wasn't bad for her voice, but it wasn't a vocal song. The high note was easy on Yumeko's soprano voice. Either Yumeko chose an easy song to ensure a win (not Yumeko's style), or she sang it just to prove a point.
The last chorus wasn't heavy with ad-libs like Yumemi's. It was the same chorus as the first two, except for one thing. Yumeko was staring Mary straight in the eyes. Throughout the entire performance, Yumeko would only glance at Mary before returning to looking around the audience. Every time Yumeko called Mary a "greek god" was different. Sometimes, Yumeko taunted Mary. Other times, it was like confessing her name in front of everyone. Yumeko's Greek God.
Once the song ended, the audience hesitantly clapped unsure of what they saw. This perfect idol that charmed them into liking her just said "F U" to the entire audience.
Yumeko's friends were the only one that caught the meaning. Ryota and Itsuki went between looking at Yumeko and looking at Mary. Mary glared at Yumeko, while the girl on stage presented the audience with a bow and a smile.
"Are you okay?" Ryota finally asked.
Mary still refused to look anywhere but the girl on stage. After taking a deep breath, she responded.
"I'm getting my gun."
--
Nothing could ever go to plan when Yumeko was in a gamble. Well, nothing could go to plan for the opponent or the spectators. Yumeko had won the idol gamble and exposed Yumemi. Although Yumemi's fans didn't care that their idol thought they were disgusting, they did care that the person who caused this mess hadn't been caught.
This led to another gamble with Kaede. As a result, Kaede lost several billion yen and the right to his life to Yumeko and Itsuki. This didn't stop Mary from forgetting the stunt she pulled. Even when Yumeko and the president were talking about their gamble, Mary still couldn't shake off the bitterness she felt towards Yumeko. The worst part about it was she wasn't mad because of Yumeko's song choice. She was mad because she didn't know how she felt.
So after she congratulated Yumeko and Itsuki on their wins and win, she left for her dorm.
--
Mary couldn't sleep.
She paced through her dorm wondering why she felt this way.
She had never wanted to hate someone so bad, but she couldn't hold the grudge. Something in the back of her mind told her how dangerous Yumeko was. Another part blamed it on Yumeko being new to the school. Then it reminded her of what she saw today. She's obsessed with gambling. She'll put anyone's life on the line, even her own.
Was she a bad person for still not hating her? Was it because her mind spun when she heard Yumeko say her name? Or the hugs out of nowhere that made her heart burst.
Mary laughed at herself. She couldn't feel resent for not hating a bad person but felt guilty because she never returned the affection.
Lightbulb.
It hit her like a waterfall. The water rushing into her eardrums. A chant saying over and over again the words she didn't want to hear and tried to ignore. She shivered under the icy water. It was so heavy.
I like Jabami Yumeko.
She laughed at how ridiculous it was. It was a funny joke. Even if there was no other explanation for her odd behavior around Yumeko, she still tried to refuse it.
All the moments she shared with Yumeko played in her mind. She got to today's gamble. Then an even more detrimental realization came to her.
Yumeko knows I like her.
The thought was scarier than her earlier revelation. Yumeko put her life on the line just to tell Mary her own feelings.
Mary's hands ran through her hair.
Who is this girl?
--
Mary was late for school the next day. Everyone who knew Mary knew she doesn't take her studies lightly. To maintain her scholarship, she must go overdrive on every aspect of her school life. That's part of the reason why being a housepet was out of the question.
Here Saotome Mary was walking in an hour late to class.
This concerned Yumeko. Her plan backfired. The seedlings that she planted in Mary's mind with her song sprouted from a drop of water. She never meant to hurt Mary. She just needed to open her eyes.
Mary clunked into her seat beside Yumeko and took out her notes. The black-haired girl tapped her fingers on the desk to catch Mary's attention. Her twin tails hit her face as her head spun toward Yumeko. Even from across the desks, Yumeko could see the bags under Mary's eyes. They were droopy like the rest of her features.
"You good?" Yumeko mouthed.
Mary breath laughed and nodded as she gave Yumeko a small smile before returning to her work.
A smile.
Yumeko had just gotten a sincere smile out of Mary.
--
"We need to talk after school. I would talk now, but I've missed enough classes for the entire year." Mary and Yumeko were leaving their first block with Ryota not far behind them.
"You only missed one," Ryota questioned.
"Exactly."
"Sure, let's talk. Why don't we go out to eat?" Yumeko knew what they were going to talk about, and it terrified her. So much for a gambling addict, she couldn't take the repercussions from her bet.
"I was thinking more about my dorm. We can order in if you'd like though," Mary responded.
"I've never seen you this nice, Mary," Ryota mumbled.
"Oh, shut it, Car-Boy," Mary simply rolled her eyes at him.
The trio made their way to the cafeteria to meet up with their first-year friend. Itsuki had already gotten her food and was eating at their table. Yumeko and Mary took the seat adjacent to each other.
"Imagine being an hour late to first block. Couldn't be me." Itsuki started.
"You act like you don't take literal days off so you can vacation half-way across the world," Mary countered.
"That is true, Suki. We kinda get worried when you forget to tell us you weren't going to be at school for a week because you were in Europe." Ryota took Mary's side for a change.
This shocked Itsuki and sparked an argument between her and Ryota.
Mary rested her head on her hand. The lack of sleep was slowly catching up to her, but before it could fully take her, Yumeko's hand caught her attention. There was nothing strange about it. It was just so available. Mary's nerves stung as she nonchalantly grabbed her hand. If Yumeko could show Mary so much affection, there should be no reason she can't do it back.
Yumeko whipped her head to look at Mary. She couldn't find much in her closed eyelids, but the pink on Mary's ears said enough. She squeezed Mary's hand in return. This elicited the reaction Yumeko was only partly searching for. As Mary's eyes shot open to look at the other girl, Yumeko went back to her lunch.
Itsuki stopped her and Ryota's argument once she noticed the scene in front of her. She checked with Ryota to see if he saw it too. When he confirmed that he saw it, Itsuki was about to confront the girls in front of them, Yumeko used her non-occupied hand to shush her friends.
"Is she asleep?" Yumeko mouthed. Her eyes motioned to Mary who's head was sliding out of her hands.
The two nodded in confusion and looked at the girls' intertwined hands.
Yumeko just moved Mary's arms so that they were covering her head. Yumeko slipped her hand out of Mary's reluctantly.
The group made sure to talk quieter, but it didn't stop them from rushing Yumeko with questions. Each time, she found a way to dodge answering and change the topic. She didn't want to tell their friends anything before she was sure of what Mary was thinking.
--
The school day had come to an end, and Yumeko was walking to Mary's dorm. The anticipation built in Yumeko's stomach as she knocked on the door.
It was Friday so Yumeko had taken her uniform off and swapped it for a red sweatshirt and black sweatpants. Her long black hair was in a mid-ponytail but still stopped at the small of her back.
There was shuffling behind the door before a moment of silence. Finally, the door opened to reveal Mary in an equally casual outfit. The strangest thing to Yumeko was that she was still wearing her twin tails and black ribbons.
"You put your hair up?" Mary asked.
"Yes, it gets in my face. Can I come in?" Yumeko asked.
Mary stepped aside to let Yumeko in. Mary's dorm was the same as everyone else's. There was a desk with a lamp in front of the window. Although, her bed had the long side to the wall in the farthest corner from the door.
"I didn't realize there was so much space in the dorms," Yumeko pondered.
"I felt claustrophobic from the way they put it," Mary explained moving to sit on the floor near her bed. Yumeko followed suit and sat next to her.
They fell into a void of silence. Their anxious thoughts brought up different scenarios of what would be the result of this conversation. Yumemi decided to not think about the future and break quiet: "I hope you liked my song."
"I can't stop listening to it," Mary blurted out.
Yumeko could see the somber honesty on Mary's face. "What did you think of it?"
Mary stared at the black carpet. She placed her words thoughtfully in the next sentence: "You have a nice voice. No wonder you got such a high score."
"That's not what you really think. You know I didn't choose the song because it would give me a high score."
"I'd rather believe that than the reason you actually picked the song."
The words made Yumeko's heartache. "So, why did I choose it?"
"You wanted to make me realize my feelings."
"Was I right?" Yumeko tried to catch Mary's focused eyes. Mary's cheeks turned red under Yumeko's curious gaze.
"Does it matter?"
Yumemi grabbed Mary's hand. This forced Mary to look at Yumeko. "Yes."
The blonde was confused. She averted her eyes back to the ground: "You already know the answer."
"I'd like to hear it out loud." Yumeko smiled.
Mary scoffed. "Are you kidding me? Do you want to be right so bad that you're going to hurt me again?"
Now Yumeko was confused. "I don't understand how making sure I'm right would hurt you? I don't want to get the wrong idea."
Mary took Yumeko's other hand. Her entire body was now facing Yumeko. "I know you don't feel the same way, so stop leading me on."
Yumeko silently giggled. She tried to lighten the mood but Mary only seemed even angrier. "It's not leading you on if I feel the same."
Mary's eyes widen and her already prominent blush got deeper, "You do?"
Yumeko could finally give Mary a real laugh. "C'mon Mary, you scared me for a second. For such an observant gambler, you're pretty oblivious to hints. I guess I can't blame you because you don't want to like me."
Mary was still on guard: "How did you know?"
Yumeko finally looked away from Mary's eyes, "I made you a housepet. I'm sorry by the way."
Mary knew somewhere in her heart that Yumeko wasn't actually sorry. That was a tiny part of her though. Yumeko had apologized and that was all that mattered. Would it wash away the fear of falling to the bottom again? No, but it proved that Yumeko never intended to put her through that. "Thanks."
"I love reading you. You were so hard to figure out at first. That's only because I didn't know why I loved testing you so much. Once I figured out why it was easier to figure you out."
"Ahh, you're so sappy," Mary grumbled making Yumeko laugh. "How did you test me?"
Instead of an answer, Yumeko let go of Mary's hand and picked up the other girl's fringe to run her fingers through it. The blonde's breath caught in her throat. "You always said that you hated it. If you hated it so much, why would your eyes sparkle? Why would your heart beat so fast? Your cheeks also give away more than you'd like them to. Like now," Mary sputtered and only made Yumeko's smiled wider. "Gosh, you're so beautiful," Mary was like a robot and Yumeko had just poured water on her. Even after Yumeko's fingers finally met the tips of her hair, they lingered before pulling back.
Yumeko had never touch anywhere near Mary's face. She could tell that the other girl loved hugs and sweeter gestures. The slight pull of her hair seemed possessive; not that Mary was complaining.
"Why do you like me?" Yumeko asked shyly.
Mary chuckled out of her frozen state, "Why do you think I was up all night? I think it's your confidence. You're so physical with me without worrying what anyone else will think of you. You gamble like you've been given a hand that will win you millions. You can do all of that, and still be so kind and caring. You let Tsubomi have second place. You're so kind to Itsuki even if she literally threatened to take your nails away. You still performed with Yumemi even after she lost. You're so nice to me even if I was so horrible to you."
"Please Mary," Yumeko interrupted. "You think of me way too highly."
"Are you telling me not to like you? Trust me I tried. It didn't work out." Mary chuckled.
"It's just scary. I don't want to hurt you. I don't want to lose you." Yumeko confessed.
"Too late. I'm stuck with you," Mary assured.
"If you're going to be stuck to me, you might as well be closer." Yumeko decided that a subject change was better than completely spilling her self-hatred to Mary.
Mary once again became flustered. "Goodness Mary, I was talking about our relationship. Unless you want me to be closer?" Yumeko leaned toward Mary's face.
"Ah! I know!" Mary exclaimed as she moved back a bit. After regaining her composure, she suggested: "Can I call you my girlfriend?"
"Can I call you my Greek God?"
"Yumeko!"
"It's a yes or no question, but whatever your answer is will be mine."
"You're so cruel."
"Aww, you know you like me."
"If you call me Greek God, I get to call you Lady Luck," Mary mumbled.
"As long as I get to call you mine."
"So you are possessive."
"Is that a problem?"
"As long as you don't get overly jealous."
"I'll try, my Greek God."
"I hope you know my mom actually has Greek ancestors."
Yumeko clapped, "That makes it even better!"
"It's only like 20 percent though."
"Whatever you say, Greek God."
"You're pushing it now."
"Aww, I guess I'll have to sing you the song again to remind you how I feel."
"Or you could kiss me-" Mary didn't realize what she was saying before it was too late. Their banter was so effortless and easy that Mary thought she could say anything. Now she was hiding her head in her knees while Yumeko fell over laughing. "I didn't mean to- you don't have to-"
After Yumeko caught her breath again, she reassured Mary, "I know, I know. May I kiss your cheek at least?"
As if Mary's heart rate couldn't get any faster. She knew what the answer was, but how was she going to tell Yumeko? Taking a deep breath she lifted her head and nodded. Yumeko smiled gently as she leaned toward Mary. Tucking Mary's framing pieces behind her ear Yumeko placed a soft kiss on the center of Mary's cheek. Her shaky breaths tickled Yumeko's neck.
Once she pulled away, she didn't go far from Mary's face only stopping inched away to place connect their foreheads. "It's okay y'know. I don't bite unless you want me to."
"Oh my gosh!" Mary pulled back and covered her face. "You ruined the moment!"
"I have to loosen you up somehow. I've just found the perfect method." Yumeko assured.
"I kinda wish our song was a bit happier." Mary thought out loud.
"It sounds happy. It's only a little spicy, and it fits kinda perfectly."
"Spicy?"
"You're a little baby~"
"I don't know how I feel about 'baby.'"
"I could call you highlighter like Itsuki does."
"We're breaking up."
"Sunflower!"
"Not bad, I kind of like it, but what's with all the names with my hair?"
"Your eyes also turn yellow I hope you realize that." Yumeko opened her phone. Mary had a feeling about what she was going to do. Her suspicion was confirmed when she opened YouTube.
"I don't think you understand. I literally dissected every word of that song trying to figure it out."
She started the slow melody. "Then you must've gotten the bridge eventually."
They sat in silence as the song played. Their eyes closed and their hands somehow finding their way to each other. Once the song picked up, Yumeko started humming the lyrics.
It was pure bliss. It was the opposite of the first time around, but it worked for them. Their relationship had always had a bite to it like the lyrics, but their feelings were dreamy like the instrumental.
Mary was Yumeko's Greek God, but she brought her to Elysium. Dancing around without fear. Could they ask for more?
"GREEK GOD" IS A SONG CREATED BY CONAN GRAY. I DID NOT HAVE ANY PART OF THE WRITING OR PRODUCING OF THE SONG.