écriture fatale
by crisis rain
Disclaimer: Kaichou wa Maid-sama!/Maid-sama! belongs to Fujiwara Hiro. Fiction plot & originals belong to crisis rain. No infringement intended.
"Sir, you should head back to the car."
The polite voice of his trusted aide and friend held a formal yet pleading tone of urgency, yet it fell on the deaf ears of the young heir. A puff of warm breath escaped into the frigid air as Igarashi Tora stood silently, as if in thought, as his golden eyes surveyed his surroundings. It was just the plain sight of a school, with a grove of stark, barren trees lining the pathway. The soles of his leather boots crunched against the particles of ice and snow, grinding it against the floor as he turned around to face Maki.
"Just another moment."
"Yes President... but please do not take too long."
Tora paced down the pathway, contemplating whether he should go inside the school. Maki had wished with his fierce might that it would cause bad press, and to show himself amongst the common rabble would only further disrupt his current seize of power and control over the company. But despite the fair and reasonable warnings, the tyrant heir just could not help but...
He stopped in the middle of his tracks when his eyes caught the familiar frame of the girl, staring through a large window up on the second floor of the school. She looked pensive, staring out the window at the distance. A smile crept up on his face before he turned away, looking somewhat satisfied.
"Alright Maki. Let's head out."
The dark-haired aide nodded in acknowledgment, escorting the Igarashi heir to a back parking lot where a black sedan was parked. Opening the door for the student council president, Maki nodded approvingly to Tora.
"The Sakurai family will be waiting for you shortly."
With a firm snap the door closed behind Tora, who then glanced back outside with a weary look.
He had finally made it to the front gates of Oukashou High, but by that time the throng of festival-goers had increased unexpectedly. Aratake Gouki gritted his teeth as he tried to make his way past the crowds, trying to ease his way through as quickly as possible. He wasn't sure if Nakata had gotten here yet, but he had to go make sure.
He needed to see her face to make sure she was safe.
"Dammit!" He swore under his breath. It was becoming increasingly more difficult to move anywhere now that the main event of the festival was happening soon. He had recalled Hisui talking something about the illumination lights the school had installed in the main courtyard. Most likely the source of all of this traffic was the result of the people heading towards the square at this moment.
Gouki's eyes caught sight of the school's front doors. Dislodging himself from the thickness of the crowd, he began to sprint towards the entrance, narrowly colliding into other passerbys that loitered in the courtyard. Slowing down his pace, he began to walk quickly down the corridor, eyes darting around in case he would catch her in his sight.
'Please Sui. Please, for god's sake.'
He was already making his way to the second floor when a familiar underclassman caught his eye. What was her name again...? The light-haired girl who looked petite for her age was climbing down the stairs, a clipboard in hand, and did not notice him.
"Hey! You – er, that junior!" He instinctively grabbed her arm to stop her, and in her shock, Kitagawa let out a small squeal.
"U-U-Ummm! D-Do I know y-you?" She squeaked fearfully, noticing how menacing he looked. Gouki's forehead creased and darkened, apparently unaware that he was scaring the poor girl. "Yeah – well, no. I mean, I'm looking for Sui – I mean, Hisui. Kogarashi Hisui? Your senior?"
"O-Oh." Came Kitagawa's stuttering reply, and she glanced away quickly. It was a bit scary to look at him directly in the face. "U-Um... Kogarashi-sempai is out on s-school grounds... s-she's on d-duty at the moment..."
Gouki's face shifted into one of confusion. "Out on duty? She isn't at the nurse's office?"
An uncomfortable look passed over Kitagawa's face. "W-Well... ever since an incident occurred on school grounds... H-Hanazono-sensei – I mean, the school nurse – told everyone on the health committee to patrol the school in case someone gets h-hurt again."
"Whoa there, hold up – someone got hurt? How?" A bead of sweat rolled down the side of Gouki's temple. There was a knot in his stomach that was beginning to tighten and constrict uncomfortably.
"Y-Yes. A senior – er, a student who used to attend this school... he attacked a student but was gone before we could report him to the authorities." Kitagawa explained, and trailed off when she remembered how Sagawa had been hurt by Nakata's knife. "The s-school didn't want to cause a disturbance s-so we haven't called the police yet."
"Idiots." Gouki breathed hard, his brow tightening into a scowl. "So Hisui – she's outside?"
"Y-Yes." Kitagawa stammered. "B-But she's with Teranishi-sempai, s-so...!"
He was already making his way down the stairwell. "Thanks junior!" And he sprinted back down the corridor, whence he came from.
If his hunch was right – Nakata would have arrived already. He had nothing left to lose, after all.
"Teranishi...! Teranishi!"
Her undulated cries trembled out as waves of panic coursed through her body. The auburn-haired male who laid wounded beside her was unresponsive, save for the ragged breathing that was becoming increasingly shallow. And although it was winter, sweat was lining Teranishi's brow as he struggled to cry out against the pain of the blade that was lodged tightly in his arm.
"Hi... sui... get away..." Teranishi managed out in a raspy voice, looking paler than before. He was losing blood – but if she were to remove the knife there was no way to stop him from bleeding out. She could feel her eyes moistening, but she dared not cry in front of the brute who had done this to Teranishi.
Footsteps approached her, and Hisui looked up to see Nakata already approaching her menacingly. Her grip squeezed around Teranishi's arm, and he yelled out in pain at her attempts to stop the flow. Her eyes defiantly met Nakata's steely gaze. "Don't you dare touch him – urghhghh!"
Teranishi choked loudly as he bit back the agony and pain of seeing the health representative's head crack back as Nakata dealt a particularly hard slap across her face.
Hisui was stunned for a moment and felt tears coming to her eyes but she bit her lip in retaliation. She would not let him win. Her hand crept up to the side of her stinging face, and she fiercely glared back at the thug. She will not be helpless this time. Not when Teranishi is depending on her...!
"You and your goddamn look!" Nakata roared, clearly in a state of furious anger. Maybe it was the drugs, perhaps the humiliation of having lost time and time again. With Kogarashi Hisui marked as his personal vendetta, he was about to swing down another fist to hit her when her hand shot out and crashed against his pelvic region. Feeling like he had the wind knocked out of him, Nakata stumbled back in shock and fell over. Hisui panted hard, quickly getting up to her feet as she winded back her fist and steeled herself.
Teranishi grunted with effort as he attempted to sit up, cradling his injured arm. The rest of his body felt cold, and the warmth was draining out of him. Hisui shot him a worried look. "Teranishi, please don't get up! The blood flow – you need to put your arm in elevation above your torso!"
Her attention was quickly cut back to Nakata who furiously came charging back at her again. In her weakened state, Hisui could only brace herself by jutting out her right elbow, effectively allowing Nakata to gore himself against the point of her arm. Not enough to stop him but just enough to faze him slightly, Hisui shrugged off the groaning delinquent and let him fall to the cold floor, before quickly pinning his neck down with her forearm and effectively immobilizing Nakata.
"There's nobody here to help you this time." Hisui spat, fear turning into anger when she remembered that one cold night when he had approached her with his gang of thugs. "How does it feel, Nakata? To be beaten by a girl?"
He made some motion to speak but Hisui only tightened her hold and he began to gargle desperately at his windpipe being crushed by the health representative.
"Hisui."
She turned her head to meet the tired gaze of Teranishi, who looked much worse than before. "Hisui. He's not worth it." He managed out, before groaning out in pain once more.
Upon seeing her partner in such pain, Hisui's anger dissipated, and she released Nakata and quickly flew over to Teranishi's side. "I'm so sorry. I'm sorry." She apologized, before trying to help him up. "C'mon, let's get you to Hanazono-sensei."
Teranishi hesitantly glanced back over at Nakata who still lay on the floor, choking a little as oxygen returned to his lungs. Swinging his bloodied arm over her shoulders, he allowed himself to be helped up, and began to walk towards the back entrance towards the school.
Nakata heaved out a last cough, spitting phlegm onto the concrete path. Wiping his mouth with a dirty sleeve, his legs pushed himself up and he staggered a bit before setting his blurring vision upon the retreating back of the health representative. To him, she was the embodiment of his humiliation – the cause of his downfall. The sole reason his life had spiraled downhill.
This was his last chance.
He charged forwards, having found renewed strength – and crashed into the girl, sending both her and her classmate tumbling down once more. Hisui let out an undignified shout as she hit the ground once more, feeling her jaw scraping against the floor. Before she could get back to her knees she felt his fist connect to the same side of her face where she was hit earlier.
Her head fell back down to the floor, her mind unable to process what had happened. Black dots perforated her vision, and she couldn't quite hear clearly outside of her right ear.
"...up!"
Voices sounded muted – they sounded distant...
"...et up...!"
She squinted, still dazed as the cold, white floor slowly began to sharpen back into focus.
"I said get up!"
When she was unable to do so, she felt her upper body being hauled up by a rough hand at the nape of her uniform collar. Hanging limply from his hold, Hisui found herself staring at her scraped knees – raw, bloodied, and looking worse for wear.
Huh?
Another blow came again, this time harder than the last. A ringing noise came, and she saw white before it changed into black. Feeling her scraped cheek touching the concrete floor, Hisui dimly deduced she must have been hit again. That's funny. I don't really feel anything...?
"Stop!" The muffled voice of Teranishi rang out. "Don't... er... gain... any... more!"
What was that, Teranishi? What did you say?
"...ui! ...over... ere... quickly!"
More voices? Where are they coming from?
"Sui!"
This time she could hear in strange clarity, and Hisui found herself staring back up at a pair of frightened eyes. She knew those eyes – ones she had seen some time ago, when all he could do was cry like a baby. It took her a second as her eyes cued in the rest of his face, the details forming together a familiar childhood friend. A slight smile cracked over her dried lips.
"Oh... Gouki... it's... you..." She asserted in short breaths, puffing slightly as the pounding against her head began to drum against the muted sting she could faintly feel on her face.
"Don't move, Sui! We're getting the ambulance!"
He sounded so desperate. A momentary look of confusion passed through her eyes. She didn't quite understand why he looked so scared – so... sad?
"There, there..." She comforted weakly, reaching a scraped palm to touch his face. "Don't cry... Goucchan..." Something warm ran down the side of her face, but she could barely feel it in the cold. He clasped her wounded hand in his, gripping it gently yet tightly.
"Hang on Sui, don't fall asleep on me." He growled, face twisted with a mixture of anger and despair. But despite his protests, she was starting to find herself falling asleep; her lids heavy as the cold air continued to siphon her consciousness away.
Gouki's arms trembled as he held his unconscious childhood friend close to him, before looking up to see the sound of approaching footsteps. Hanazono – and a couple of other faculty staff members came arriving on the scene, looking as white as a sheet. "Kogarashi-kun...!"
"Help him first." Gouki gestured to Teranishi who laid painfully on the floor while his good hand was gripping tightly around his wound, trying to stop the blood flow. "And please call the ambulance...!" Struggling to compose himself, he picked up Hisui with ease and held her tightly as if she would flee from him again. When the other teachers saw the severity of the wound on the side of her face, their looks changed from incredulous to frozen terror.
"Please, call an ambulance!"
"Then it is agreed?"
In the setting of a particularly expensive parlour room, the tense atmosphere could rise and match the level of décor. Seated on a silk cushion was Igarashi Tora, dressed in a fine suit that was neither too gaudy or too plain that seemed appropriate for someone of his stature. Across the ebony-plaque low table was a young girl of his age – her features soft and lush, and her dark, silken hair tied back in an elegant bun. She looked a little meek and shy, but a happy blush was present in her cheeks.
Hanagata Juunichi seated in the far back behind his master, eyes closed somewhat. He opened them and took another look at the girl. In his head, he nodded approvingly. She came from a reputable family, she was fair, and would certainly prove to be the best match for his young master.
The Igarashi heir himself stared back at the strict gaze of the man seated beside his lovely daughter. And to the girl's other side, was her smiling mother. The head of the Sakurai company looked at him, expectant of his answer.
"Yes." Tora merely replied, before turning to the matchmaker who nodded in acknowledgment. "As my father promised before. Unfortunately due to his ailing health, he cannot be here with us today."
"I understand." Sakurai replied evenly. "May he recover soon."
"Chiyo." His wife quietly and gently nudged her daughter. An embarrassed look filled her features, and the young girl nodded quickly before lowering her head in a respectful bow.
"T-Then... please take care of me... Igarashi-kun..."
Returning the bow with his own, Tora stared at the floor in his respectful posture. Golden eyes unflinching, he felt nothing inside.
"I look forward to the future, Chiyo-san."
The stillness in the waiting room was deafening to Gouki's ears. As he sat restlessly in his seat, he glanced around him. An ashen-faced Kogarashi Sayaka sat beside her husband who shared the same, grave face – holding his hand tightly in hers as she awaited news about her daughter. The sound of muffled crying and sniffling could be heard as well – Endou, Shinohara and Kitagawa sat together, with the bespectacled girl trying to comfort the other two while fighting back the urge to cry herself.
As for Teranishi, who required much more urgent treatment, he spied an unknown middle-aged man sitting by the corridor, grasping his hands together. Judging by his features and the familiar auburn hair, Gouki surmised that it was Teranishi's father.
The sound of the metal door opening was abrupt and caused everyone to look up at the disturbance. A nurse quickly walked out with a pad in her hands, approaching the crowd.
"Teranishi-san?" She called out. The man stood up nervously, walking up to the nurse with a trembling look on his face.
"My son...? How is he?"
"He's fine, Teranishi-san. We gave him a tetanus shot in case his wound would become infected and the doctor's patched him up. He will have stitches for about a month or two, and we recommend having him come back once a week to have the wound cleaned with redressed." The nurse smiled faintly back when she saw the relieved look on the man's face.
"He's recovering right now in the emergency ward. Would you like to see him?"
He nodded, and she gestured for him to follow her. Kogarashi Sayaka stood up, her lip trembling.
"W-What about my daughter...? We haven't... we still haven't heard news about her..."
The nurse turned around to look at the woman, before averting her gaze. "Kogarashi-san is still under examination. We will let you know as soon as she's ready to see you."
Sayaka sank back down into her seat, quiet tears forming in the mother's eyes. Kogarashi Katsuo comforted his crying wife by stroking her back gently, quietly hushing her. Gouki stared back at his hands, unable to watch any longer. How much more did they have to wait?
She felt like she had been asleep for a very long time.
Hisui first noticed that there was light spilling around everywhere when her conscious mind acknowledged the heavy feeling pressed against her body. It didn't feel real, but the brightness of the white, morning sunlight was jarring enough to pull her back to reality. The hum of something running low in the background caught her attention, and then she noticed that she was placed in an unfamiliar bed in an unfamiliar place.
Where am I...?
"You're finally awake!"
Hisui's field of vision was quickly covered by the face of a woman she didn't recognize. Blinking back dumbfounded, Hisui stared as this woman had cocked her head to the side, staring back at her quite intently with a smile on her face.
"E-Erm..." She began, but barely made any noise. Her throat felt parched, and she automatically started to choke.
"Oh dear me!" The woman fetched a glass of water from the bedside table, cupping it to Hisui's lips. "Here, drink some water. It'll help." Doing as she was told, Hisui gulped the water down, an immense feeling of relief washing down her throat.
"T-Thank you." The health representative managed out, and glanced back at the woman while wiping her mouth with her sleeve. Long, locks of golden hair fell around the woman's shoulders while her face was delicate and beautiful – very beautiful. She would have mistaken this mystery woman as a model if it weren't for the patient garb that this woman was wearing. "U-Um... who're you?"
The woman smiled. "My name is Mayumi and I'm your roommate for the meanwhile. You can call me Mayu!" There was an unexpected energy in her voice. "And you're Hisui-chan, aren't you?"
A questioning look appeared on Hisu's face. "How did you...?"
Mayu laughed, pointing to the foot of her bed. "Patient chart. You were brought here last night, all banged up. Are you okay?"
It was an innocent-enough question, but a flicker of pain flashed across her face and Hisui winced, realizing that a wad of bandages was resting firmly on her right cheek. Trying to sit up so she can face her visitor a bit more clearly, Hisui began to recall traces of the events that had happened prior.
"I... I was hit. A lot." She fumbled slowly, and the image of Teranishi lying on the floor with Nakata's pocketknife lodged in his arm flashed across her mind. "...and my friend! He was stabbed!"
Mayu let out a small gasp. "Could it be...? That friend of yours, he was admitted to the hospital yesterday evening...?"
Hisui blinked rapidly, mouth dropping open. "He's okay?" Mayu shook her head. "I'm not sure. All I heard was there was a commotion yesterday night about a high school boy getting stabbed... it was terrible news. But I'm sure he's alright." Mayu pressed a gentle hand over the health representative's own hand. "You need to focus on getting better yourself, alright?"
"T-Thank you." Hisui mumbled, but was unable to stop the tears falling from her eyes. "I... I just feel... responsible for all of this somehow..."
In an unexpected motherly gesture, Mayu wrapped her arms around the girl's shoulders and pulled her gently into an embrace. Hisui's heart skipped a beat at this sudden motion, her wide eyes blinking as she stared at the fabric of the patient garb resting upon Mayu's chest. A nice smell enveloped her – something familiar...
"No one is to blame except for the person who hurt you." Mayu comforted softly, a small smile on her face. "Please don't blame yourself."
Hisui sniffed, rubbing the tears quickly out of her eyes. "S-So um... Mayu-san, what are you in the hospital for?"
Mayu smiled back gently at the girl's question and let go of her embrace, hesitance forming in her eyes as she gazed at Hisui. "Well, it's a bit complicated..."
Immediately catching the hint, Hisui bowed her head. "It's alright, you don't have to say. Thank you... for keeping me company."
Mayu beamed back – her smile like a radiant sun. "Of course, you're always welcome, Hisui-chan."
The sounds of a television running in the background. The subtle ring of water flowing out of a faucet. With a small squeak, Tora's firm hands turned it shut and he grabbed a towel to dry off his face from the cold water. He had barely made it back to the comfort of his own house before late evening, with the busy preparations he had been attending to for the past week. Sighing as he walked back into his bedroom, he sat down the couch as he listened to the news, while picking up a clean, fresh shirt to put on.
"...in other news, a man has been arrested after injuring three students in a vicious attack on Wednesday evening. It had occurred on school grounds at Oukashou High School while the yearly school culture festival was taking place. The principal had declined to comment about the security..."
Sharply glancing up, Tora fixed his gaze at the television screen, hands frozen for a moment before slowly buttoning the rest of his shirt up.
"Two of the students had been attacked with a small knife, and all three is currently recovering from minor injuries at the local hospital. They are all expected to make a full recovery. However, many parents are critical at the handling of the situation, and the alarm raises at how vulnerable local schools are with the rise of crime in the area..."
An uncomfortable knot had settled at the bottom of Tora's stomach. A tightly twisted knot that wrung around itself, and it worried him at what this feeling might indicate.
He was engaged now – but when did that ever mattered? With a grunt of effort he pushed himself up from the couch, and turned off the television as if silencing the news would keep the troubling thoughts out of his mind.
Making his way down the corridor, he could hear the familiar voice of Dr. Kogarashi conversing quietly with Hanagata. Tora's brisk walk quickened, and turned sharply into the parlour room where he found the doctor and his trusted footman at the scene.
"Once again thank you for coming out of your way tonight." Hanagata bowed respectfully before Dr. Kogarashi, and straightened up as he gaze at the shorter man with a serious expression. "It means a lot to the Igarashi family for you to personally come when... you should be spending your time at the hospital."
Kogarashi Katsuo merely shook his head, a small smile on his face. "She is in good hands. I must do what I can to ease the suffering of Chairman Igarashi."
It was then Hanagata noticed the young heir's presence, and slight alarm rose in his eyes. "Young Master – it is late." He simply stated. Tora ignored his footman, brushing him off with a cold stare.
"Did something happen? Why is Hisui not here tonight?" He questioned bluntly, attention focused on the doctor. Katsuo's smile vanished, but he did not look angry or particularly sad. A solemn look settled on the man's features.
"I don't blame you if you were unaware of what happened recently, but Hisui is in the hospital." Katsuo began carefully, watching the Igarashi heir's face. "She... was involved in an incident that occurred at her school two days ago. Of course, they've arrested the young man responsible for attacking her and two other students..."
At this point Katsuo's voice trailed off as Tora's mind recalled the news broadcast he had been watching just a few minutes ago.
"Oukashou High." Tora simply stated, the pieces fitting together in his mind. Katsuo nodded, a little alarmed at the accuracy. "Yes... unfortunately it happened during the culture festival..."
His head was hurting. But being the master of masking his emotions as he was, Tora merely smiled politely back at Katsuo.
"My condolences. I wish a quick recovery for your daughter."
"Yes, I do hope so as well. Thankfully it wasn't too serious, the doctors say her hearing might be slightly impaired but I'm just glad her face won't scar..."
His heart clenched. Face? Scar?
Hanagata cleared his throat loudly as if to interrupt politely, before smiling serenely back at Katsuo. "Dr. Kogarashi, the hour is growing late and I do not mean to interrupt your conversation. You'd best be heading back home."
Katsuo nodded in agreement. "Yes, I'm sorry for taking so much of your time, Tora-kun. Thank you for your condolences, please, have a good night."
Tora watched the doctor as he was escorted out of the house, his hand gripping the second floor railing tightly. There was no question as to whom this 'young man' Dr. Kogarashi had spoken of – that unmistakable stench of that rotten low-life was written all over this.
Slamming a fist against the wall, uncaring at the fact that there was now a misshapen dent upon it, Tora glared at the air in front of him, seething with anger.
No one touches his toy.
No one.
Hisui sat in the comfort of her hospital bed, a half-lidded stare forming the features of her face as she watched the scene unfold before her. For the hundredth time, she had to reiterate that she was feeling fine and requested to be discharged immediately. Her mother and Gouki apparently thought otherwise.
"You had a concussion, dear!" Kogarashi Sayaka exclaimed, straightening the flowers in the vase beside her bed. "You were barely conscious for two days!"
"It was a light concussion." Hisui corrected. "And I'm feeling fine now, the doctors have done a wonderful job of patching me up. Mother, please." She moaned when her mother shot her a glare.
"Sui, he hit you so many times your right eardrum was almost perforated! Doctor says he thinks you should stay here for at least another day. We don't want you fainting again." In an interesting reversal, Gouki could be seen sitting on the stool beside her cot while he lectured her about her wellbeing. An angry puff escaped the girls lips.
"Oh come on, I was just feeling a bit dizzy from the side-effects of the anesthetics!" Another protest came. Sayaka did not heed her daughter's cries for escape, but continued to peel and slice the apple in front of her.
"And besides, your father's insurance is generous enough to pay for your hospital bills. You should just take advantage of this opportunity and rest for a while." Sayaka reasoned, handing her daughter a plate of sliced apples. Hisui pouted, but nonetheless accepted the fruit offering. "I'm sorry dear, that this happened in the middle of your cultural festival."
Hisui silently chewed on her apple. Gouki warily studied her face, wondering what was going through that head of hers.
"If Gouki wasn't there in time, I can't imagine what would have happened to you..." Sayaka sighed aloud. Gouki's fist tightened.
"Huh?" Hisui stared back at Gouki, who glanced away from her gaze. "Oh... speaking of which, what happened to Nakata...?"
"In jail. And here's hoping that he stays in it this time." Gouki quickly answered, taking a slice of apple for himself.
"Oh... I see."
'"I see?" That's all she's got to say about it...?' Gouki was beginning to wonder if her memory was a bit loose on what happened. "Sui... y'know... for someone who almost got beaten to death... you sure are calm..."
Hisui grimaced. "Truthfully... I don't quite remember what happened."
Gouki's heart fell. The doctors had warned her parents that her memory would be a bit fuzzy regarding the circumstances. It wasn't harsh damage that would incur a more serious wound, but he had cautioned that she may not remember about the attack as a way for her mind to cope with the trauma. While the police may not have a credible statement from her – the victim – it was more than enough proof from the statements Teranishi and Sagawa gave.
Sayaka shared a weary glance with Gouki, before breaking to a forced smile. "That's alright dear. As long as you're safe. And what better news than the charity ball next week?"
In Sayaka's attempts to cheer her daughter up, Hisui merely grew more confused at her mother's words. "Charity... ball?"
"Charity ball?" Gouki echoed her words.
"Yes, yes! The one that the Igarashi Group is throwing for Christmas Eve! Our family was invited, don't you remember?"
A struggling look came over the health representative's face. "Hrmmm... I don't really recall."
"You'll be out of the hospital already by then. You'll enjoy an evening with some good food and music... oh, I hear there will be live performances for the fundraiser!" Sayaka exclaimed excitedly as she set to work on slicing some pears next. "There will be people of your age, Hisui. Afterall, it was Tora-kun who invited - "
Hisui nearly choked on the piece of apple she was in the midst of swallowing, covering her spluttering mouth before looking incredulously back at her mother. Sayaka squinted at her daughter with a discerning frown.
"Oh come on Hisui, why do you keep giving me the same reaction? It can't be that bad?"
Gouki sat in his seat, still and pensive. A charity ball, thrown by that zaibatsu brat? To him, it was clear that Igarashi Tora was openly taunting him. His brow furrowed, his expression shifting into a dark scowl.
"Fine, fine! You're never going to get off my case if I don't go!" Hisui exclaimed, exasperated before burrowing her face into her pillow. Her muffled voice came through as she spoke into the padded fabric. "It's like you're never going to let me live it down unless I go."
Across the room, Mayu glanced up from the book she was reading before chuckling to herself, a knowing smile creeping over her face. She gazed at the heartwarming scene before her for a moment, and then focused back on her book.
A/n: Double update. Feeling productive. Mostly a filler chapter to get some essential story plots out of the way.