Hello! It is good to be back here again! :) Here's another chapter (this story gets longer and longer, but no worries, we're getting closer to the end, I promise!) for you guys. Hope you will enjoy it. I leave you to Akashi and Chiara, let them know what you think ;). I also wanted to say thank you, cause there are so many of you who are reading this, liking, following, ugh, I just don't know how to express my gratitude. Thank you and I love you. Yours, Ada.
"It is so nice to see you again." Kimiko smiled at me viciously as I raised my eyebrows. Did she really want to start this meeting from the other side of the barricade? If so, two can play that game. I will definitely not remain calm and collected. She's got nothing on me.
Akashi was standing next to me, observing the situation; no, actually he was just staring at me, probably waiting for my answer. "Aren't you going to introduce me?" she continued.
"I think you are old and responsible enough to do it on your own." I muttered and turned around, following the porter's signs. I didn't want to involve myself into conversation with her, cause I'd probably loose my temper. It would look bad to start the conference with an enemy. I mean, we're already some kind of rivals, so I guess it wouldn't make such a difference. But Akashi's here and I cannot let myself fall into her trap.
The redhead only bowed slightly to Kimiko and followed me, staying a few steps behind me. I was looking at the brochure, trying to calm down. I really am an unlucky person - firstly this weird morning, now this fake smile and kindness. I wanna go home so badly!
"Is everything alright?" Akashi asked me; I nodded my head. "I feel seriously offended, when you avoid answering so boldly." he added, coming closer.
I shrugged and looked at him; I was too confused to think straight. So I gave him the folder with our documents and entered the room. Quite many students were already there. Everytime someone new came in, the noises would stop. Everyone would quietly judge the intruders. I smiled creepily and curtseyed. I recognized some familiar faces, actually few guys waved at me. That definitely boosted up my confidence a little.
"You're going to leave it all without a comment?"
"I don't like wasting my tounge for worthless people. If you wait a little, you will understand, what I mean." I replied, preparing my stuff to make notes. I just wanted to start those lectures, get involved in the projects and stop thinking about all my problems. Akashi only looked at me suspiciously and reached towards his own bag. He didn't even manage to take out his notebook, when he heard a sweet, honey-coated voice above his head.
"I'm sorry, is this place taken? Can I sit?" Kimiko's smile was innocent, but I've seen everything. Her trying not to grimace at the sight of me. Why was she so desperately clinging to Akashi?
The redhead nodded, not really having any other choice. The girl sat down next to him and offered him a hand. "If I remember well, Chiara didn't introduce me properly. My name is Kimiko Ami, the President of high school in Osaka. If I am not wrong, I have a pleasure with the famous Akashi Seijuro? The Captain of Generation of Miracles?"
"Indeed. Can I help you?" he asked, accepting her hand. I observed it all from the side, snorting contemptuosly. Knowing Akashi, he'll probably be as chivalrous as ever. He's always been like that towards women. At least one of his virtues hasn't changed.
Only after a while I noticed a rather short and slender boy, looking at us from behind Kimiko. He had a confused look on his face and he seemed not to enjoy girl's flirting. Could it be her admirer? I leaned head on my arm, pretending not to see.
"Oh, no worries, I just wanted to see how does it feel to meet someone so popular. Are you friends with Chiara? Or just cooperate? Let me guess, you are her vice-president?" she was burying him under all her questions, and I could only giggle.
"I'd rather have my skills to be known before my position. You may be surprised, but currently I serve as a Student's Council President of Rakuzan." Kimiko opened her mouth wide and started laughing, covering her face with her hands.
"Impossible! You won against Chiara? How did you do that?! Woah, you must be really something, Seijuro-kun! No one with a healthy mind tries to compete with her. I've heard rumours, that she literally bites everyone, who dares to challenge her. And when something doesn't go the way she wants it? Are you sure you are in one piece?" she mocked, throwing dreadful glances at me. I felt my cheeks becoming red from anger. Endure it, Attaviano, you can't hit her with your notebook, cause it would be your end! Did she just call him by his name? What an impertinence!
Akashi looked at me.
"I see Chiara as a perfect rival. I like challenges, and I consider her the most difficult, I've ever had to overcome. I don't think that jeering at her would belittle her worth and dignity. It only suggests, that she is extremely difficult to defeat." he answered and I almost hit the desk with my falling jaw. He was defending me. Akashi frickin' Seijuro was dissing Kimiko. Where's my popcorn?!
"I didn't mean to offend you." she stated, clearly confused. She tried to desperately save her already terrible situation. I grinned at her and winked. If somebody's eyes could kill, I'd probably be laying dead in this audience room. Thank God Akashi throws worse glances. Man can get used to that. "Chiara's hegemony finally came to an end and I cannot believe there is someone stronger than her."
"It only means that you were too weak to confront her." Akashi summed up and I snorted, gathering all the attention.
"I'm sorry, had to clear my throat. Akashi, do you perhaps have this main folder I gave you?" I asked. He gave me the demanded thing and turned away from Kimiko. I somehow smiled at him. I mouthed a silent 'thank you' and believe it or not, but I still think he nodded at me. It was short and really fast though, he could have just meant something else. At least Kimiko had a face almost reaching Akashi's hair color. She huffed and started paying attention to her nails, trying to calm down. I knew I had to expect some kind of revenge from her.
The group finally went quiet, as the teachers entered the room. They talked all of us through upcoming week, answered the most important questions and let us fill in the documents. I stole a glance at Akashi's papers - he had chosen the same subjects as me. Fine, I could stand it.
After about two hours we were sent to receive materials at the table. I stood up, making my way to the growing line, when I heard someone calling my name.
"Chiara-san?"
"Yes?" I turned around, only to meet the same boy, that was sitting next to Kimiko on the conference. He was biting his lip nervously and avoided my gaze. "Can I help you?"
"I just... wanted to apologize." he started. I looked at him suspiciously. Did he do something? No, I always remember people trying to pick up on me.
"Wha-"
"I mean Kimiko-san and her behaviour. She was really rude to you then and as her vice-president I did nothing to stop her from talking. And it doesn't make her look good, bashing others. So please, accept my apology, I'll try my best next time. It's just... Akashi-san's sharp and smart answers saved the situation."
I smiled at him, trying to hold back a laughter. He was so adorable!
"No worries, I got this. It's not the first time I encounter Kimiko and her moods. By the way, you weren't in a Student's Council last year, right? I'd remember you, cause I met her few times before coming here. You're a first year?" I asked.
"Yes, my name is Mimura Reiji, it's nice to meet you, Chiara-san." he answered, bowing slightly. "I got a chance to work in a Student's Council because I managed to create the best project in a school contest. I am really glad I received this opportunity."
"There is something about working for people that makes you smile, am I right?" he nodded excitedly. "Well, anyway, as I said, no need to worry about Kimiko. You can say we had... a rough situation and ever since she's not too amiable. How do you manage to stand her?"
"I simply don't listen most of the time, and if I can, I get out of her way."
"Ya! You shouldn't talk like that about your President!" I laughed whole-heartedly. He was surprisingly a nice person. And I haven't had a decent, normal conversation in a while. I hoped my boys missed me a bit.
I looked at Reiji for a second longer, only to remember his facial features. He wasn't extremely handsome, but his face was pleasant to watch and he had a pretty cute smile. Everything about him seemed rather normal. I mean, I am always surrounded by extraordinary people, so Reiji's presence was calming me down.
We moved with every step closer to the beginning of the queue, and I totally forgot about Akashi. He wasn't even next to me, so I couldn't notice how Kimiko grabbed him by his arm and tried to talk to him. Only after a while I felt an intimidating presence behind my back. I turned around and saw redhead glaring at Reiji. My new friend looked away, his face slowly blushing.
"Who are you talking to?" Akashi asked abruptly.
"This is Mimura Reiji, Kimiko's vicepresident. He was sitting next to us. And where were you? I didn't see you in the queue." I answered, slightly angry with his voice tone. He had no right to behave like that.
"Something stopped me. Now, let's take our materials and leave. The driver is waiting. As for the next time, try not to disappear from my eyesight."
"It's not like I can do that. You basically see everything." I muttered and pouted. Why did it felt like a parent nagging me? How embarrassing! I smiled shyly at Reiji and bowed. "It was nice talking to you. See you soon, I guess."
"Y-yeah, you too, Chiara-san." Reiji stuttered and left us quickly. Were those sweatdrops I noticed on his forehead? I turned my attention to Akashi again, ready to argue with him.
"Why do you have to be like this?! He did nothing wrong. He was just apologizing for Kimiko, for God's sake! Stop scaring away people from me. You think I didn't notice how other students react to me in Rakuzan?" I hissed. Akashi only smirked and with a gentle smile received our documents from one of the teachers. I said a short greeting and we left the room.
I took my coat, ready to enter the car, when redhead caught my hand and turned me around to face him. It was no longer raining, so we could stay outside without worrying about getting wet. He was staring at me for quite a while, making people around us interested in this situation. I wanted to slap him so badly.
"How am I supposed to like anyone, who is looking at you like that?" he whispered. I jumped, scared. "He talked with you for about five minutes, yet he's already head over heels for you. Do you think that makes me comfortable? You are mine, please remember that. Now, let's go."
I was so confused I listened to him immediately. I sat in the car and looked outside the window. We still haven't talked about the sleeping thing. And I could bet my everything, that this conversation would take place really soon.