After her incident with Morinozuka in the library, Asami couldn't help but feel his eyes on her now. When Asami arrived at school, the cousins always seemed to appear soon after her, Honey greeting their eager fans. In an attempt to avoid any more embarrassing situations, she began going directly to her homeroom upon arrival. When walking to practice he'd be gazing out the window at her. As Asami ate lunch in the cafeteria with Hina, she'd catch his desperate glances. Originally, she had assumed she was just paranoid. But as the rest of the week carried on in a similar fashion, the weight of his eyes intensified, and so did Asami's attempts to avoid him.
After informing Hina of the two incidents, earlier that week. Her friend had become
absolutely delighted at the situation. Nagging Asami consistently about attending
the upcoming party the host club was holding. Teasing her with suggestive winks and sporadic fits of laughter following Asami's terrified expressions. At Asami's request, the pair had begun eating lunch outside in the courtyard. The odd baby fountain creating a soothing trickle of water. It was still early spring, a cool breeze carrying cherry blossom petals along, twirling Asami's hair off her neck. A small shiver overwhelmed the archer as a result of the breeze. With a soft sigh the heaviness of someone's eyes once again settled onto Asami's shoulders. She glanced timidly up at the large glass windows, her eyes finding Morinozuka's longing stare.
"He's at it again!" Came Asami's exasperated whine. Hina glanced up at the window, before
turning to her friend with a mischievous smirk. Standing up abruptly, she began waving frantically at the senior in the window.
"Hina, no don't! Sit down!" Asami desperately cried, frantically looking between her
friend and the window in embarrassment, attempting to pull her friend back down
onto the concrete stairs. Soon the senior nodded before walking away from the window, continuing on his way. With a sigh Asami turned to Hina.
"Ugh, why would you do that?" She exclaimed exasperatedly. Bringing her hands up to rest on her cheeks, ears flushed red with embarrassment.
"Oh relax, he seemed amused." Her friend replied with a soft chuckle.
"I've already embarrassed myself enough in front of him." Asami groaned, hands coming to rest
on her lap, eyes finding her shoes. Hina looked at her sympathetically, shifting her hand over to Asami's tenderly. "You know, Mori-senpai doesn't really talk much…" Hina began patiently, pausing a moment. Her timid friend nodded mutely in acknowledgement. "So, if he wanted to tell you something, he probably wouldn't use words. I know you're worried but maybe you should give him a chance to say what he needs instead of avoiding him." She continued thoughtfully. A soft smile covering her face, as Asami's eyebrows began to scrunch together in thought.
"But, how?" Asami questioned carefully.
"Why don't you try coming to the host club's party tomorrow!" Hina immediately replied, a sneaky grin taking over her face. Asami glanced up suspiciously at her friend.
"Did you do that on purpose?" She questioned suspiciously. A small smirk covering her face in return.
"Maybe, maybe not!" Hina grinned, shrugging her shoulders playfully. A bell sounded out,
announcing the end of lunch. "Just think about it." She reassured her friend.
Smiling down at Asami, noticing her friend had become lost in thought. Her
eyebrows scrunched together again in concentration. "Come on, or we'll be late
for class." Hina continued, swatting Asami's arm playfully as she stood.
Trotting lightheartedly in the direction of the west wing, Hina glancing over her shoulder occasionally at Asami.
"Wait for me!" Asami hollered, cheerfully stumbling after her friend.
Asami stepped forward softly, beginning her last sequence before lifting her bow, eyes glazed over in thought.
Should I go? If he did want to say something, what did he want to say? Thwack!
"Oh…" Asami sounded out softly. The arrow had missed the target completely. Inhaling deeply, she closed her eyes in momentary meditation. Drawing the arrow back in concentration. Exhaling her chest tightened. Smokey eyes appeared from inside the darkness of her mind. Her breath hitched, arrow releasing from her grasp. It sat embedded in the dirt underneath the target.
I can't focus, she thought releasing a frustrated sigh.
"Alright, why don't we end here," Asami smiled, turning to her teammates. A small cheer
sounded out following the announcement. Changing into her uniform, she mutely made her way to the awaiting limo.
What if Hina was right? What if he does have something to say? Shifting uncomfortably Asami glanced out the window at the passing scenery, eyes glazed over in thought once more.
He stared at me all week! I should have thanked him properly in the library. His eyes are
just so intense, it's like he can figure out everything I'm thinking, just from looking at me!
"Miss," came the soft call of her driver. Chocolate eyes refocusing, she delicately slid out
of the limo, making her way up the stone walkway to the traditionally styled
home. The slanted panel roof and sliding paper doors comforted Asami with their
simplicity. The bamboo fountain in the nearby garden, released a steady
clack as water trickled through. Large vibrant bushes, and lush moss, encroached
on the tiny stone lantern sitting next to the pond. Koi fish swam rhythmically in
a circle around each other. The family garden was Asami's pride and joy, having taken care of it since her childhood. Walking through the door quietly, she removed her shoes, and slid on baby pink slippers. Looking down at her watch she caressed it affectionately.
What should I do?
The constant click of her heels resonated in the empty space, only aiding to increase her anxiety.
The dark hallway was illuminated by the soft glow of the moon. Reaching her destination, she stood outside the grand ballroom doors hesitantly. Hand pausing on the golden handle, as Tamaki's announcement sounded out through the door.
"Good luck my darlings!"
The eager chatter already filled her ears once more, overlapped with the soft sound of an
Orchestra. She glances down at herself unsure. Her sky-blue dress shimmered in
the dim light, the v-neckline and side slit accentuated her athletic figure. Tiny crystal flowers adorned her softly curled hair, as it fell down her back. Her gaze hardened on her outstretched hand. A sudden flood of determination filled her.
"Okay…Let's do this!" Asami declared to herself.