After almost half a year, finally, here is the next installment! Please excuse me if the writing for this one seems a bit lacking. I really tried my best, but not writing for so long can take its toll on you, he he (TwT)

Episode 8 seems to be the turning point of the story, so what's going to happen?!

Read to find out!

*Some dialogue is taken from the subtitles of the episodes with some modifications to incorporate the actual story. I don't know who the translators are since it is not noted, but credits to them! I own nothing except for my story and OC's! Credits to those translators and the Utapri Franchise!

Italics=Thoughts/Language/Songs/Memories/

*_*=Actions/Sound Effects

Episode 8: Strawberry Blonde Crisis Part 1

Gliding to the music, Ittoki, Shinomiya, and Hirjikawa-senpai danced together beneath the afternoon sun. Kicks in the air, quick spins and sways, the three upperclassmen fervently moved as sweat began to cling onto their skin. Haruka-chan was by my side as well, joining me as the audience.

Hm, this is very interesting... Mm~ this chocolate banana cupcake is delicious too.

Watching the three as I ate my cupcake, I was fascinated by the style of dance that they had executed. Their moves were sharp and boxy, their speeds increasing and decreasing at various unexpected times.

I've only mainly watched those from Apeiro (1) dance, so to observe someone else is rather different. How fun!

Soon enough, the climax peaked, and with the final breakdown of kicks, swerves and spins, the three Senpais flicked their heads to the sky, ending the performance.

Haruka: "Wah..."

Me: "Mmm~" *still eating*

Taking a break from practice, the upperclassmen came towards us, doing some stretches and self-contemplation.

Shinomiya-senpai: "How was our dancing?"

Ittoki-senpai: "The test is next week. I hope we can pass..."

Nodding enthusiastically, Haruka-chan reassured them. "It was wonderful. You got my toes tapping! I'm sure the test will turn out fine!"

Ittoki-senpai: "All right! And what about you, Miran?! What did you think?"

Me: "Hm? Ah-well..."

Setting down my Danish, I thought a bit before speaking. "I was merely observing, so seeing your creative process is certainly interesting. In the eyes of the general audience, I would say that your performance so far is good. But,"

IttokiShinomiya-senpai: "...But?"

With that single conjunction, I could already see their faces become slightly paler.

"But, as constructive criticism, based on the curriculum and standards held here, your results so far aren't excellent, nor are they great. There is still much more room for improvement, so please don't feel disheartened. You're all off to a wonderful path, but you have time pressured against you. The main issue that I see you have as a group is the lack of togetherness. You need to understand the music and each other more. After all, you'll want to be as polished and in sync as possible for next week."

Ittoki-senpai: "Ah... so you mean-"

Hrijikawa-senpai: "What she means is that you've still got a ways to go."

Shinomiya-senpai: "Eh?"

Hrijikawa-senpai: "Your rhythm strays too far off from the beat. That's a long way from perfection."

*DING~*

With the addition of Hirijikawa-senpai's words, the Ittoki-senpai and Shinomiya-senpai dropped their heads in defeat.

Ittoki-senpai: "Well that's..."

Shinomiya-senpai: "Let's be careful about the tempo."

Ittoki-senpai: "Yea..."

Trying to soothe the now stressed Senpais, I reassured them to lighten the mood and maintain motivation. "Now now," *sweat drop* "We're not aiming to be perfect. We're not fighting to be the best, we're aspiring to be our best. You're all already doing so well. You simply have the keep the work up! Don't let yourselves down, you three. Change up practice a little. Take breaks, analyse in pieces, but most of all: don't push yourselves too hard, as that will only push you backwards and not forward. Stay positive, and enjoy yourselves! Keep your chin up! Being positive and having a greater understanding in how to balance work and fun is key~"

Shinomiya-senpai: "Oh, that's right!"

Ittoki-senpai: "Ha ha, thanks Miran!"

"I've done nothing, so no need for thanks, he he... Hm..."

With the thoughts of that missing person suddenly crossing my mind, I grew quiet as I ate my chocolate croissant.

... Where is he?

Haruka: "... Miran-chan? Are you alright?"

Snapping back to reality, I smiled back at my worried friend and shook my thoughts away. "Ah, well, Class S's Idol Course students were recently given their latest task, but Ren has started to skip class again, so I was just wondering where he could be. He isn't at his usual hiding spots... It'd be worrisome if he got into trouble again, as Hyuuga-sensei isn't really happy about him right now. Not one bit." *sweat drop*

Haruka: "Oh, I see..."

Ittoki-senpai: "Eh... You even know his hiding spots? I didn't even know that he had hiding spots!"

Shinomiya-senpai: " I saw him talk to her before too, and it's not like how he talks to other girls! You must be special to him, Miran-chan!"

Haruka: "Eh?! Special? I had no idea!"

Me: "Well, we're not that close per say. We just get along with each other well..."

Or at least we did.

Visibly unamused by the conversation topic, Hirijikawa-senpai simply scoffed and steered us away from it. "Hmph, you don't need to waste your energy on someone like him, Miran. He's a waste of your time."

... Senpai doesn't like Ren at all, doesn't he?

Me: "Well... Oh?"

Setting my poppy seed muffin down, someone had caught my eye.

Hirijikawa-senpai: "Speak of the devil..."

Ittoki-senpai: "When did she get that muffin?!"

Walking down the nearby hallway, a familiar Strawberry Blonde with his usual, large gathering of girls crowded him.

Girls: "Really?!

"Ren! That's why you're a celebrity!

"How dreamy!"

Ah~ So that's where he's been.

Though he was a bit far away, his voice was loud and clear, so we were all able to hear what he was saying to his "ladies."

...

Ren: "It was such a beautiful rose that I bought the whole rose garden. You see, I thought I'd give it to someone as a present."

Girls: "Wahhh~"

"Kyaaaa~!"

"P-Please give it to me!"

"Give it to me, Ren-sama!"

Ren: "I will, if you sweep me off my feet..."

Girls: "KYAAAAAAA~!"

...

Watching from afar, Ren's creativity with his words and charms never ceased to impress others.

Haruka-chan: "...Hah..."

Me: "... Hm."

Ittoki-senpai: "Only he could get away with a line like that..."

Shinomiya-senpai: "Jinguji Ren... The goddess of love must be fond of him."

Resuming to eat my muffin, I began to ponder to myself. "The goddess of love...?"

I suppose that she would be...

"Nonsense. Come on, let's start." Breaking the Ren-centered conversation once more, Hirijikawa-senpai dismissed our talk quickly.

Haruka: "Ah, from the beginning right?"

Hrijikawa-senpai: "No. From the third phrase, if you would..."

Coming over to Haruka-chan's side as she was preparing to replay the routine, Senpai was clearly annoyed and was trying to keep his composure. Pointing to the desired start for practice, he continued giving direction, returning his mindset back to polishing the dance. "From here. I want to properly take advantage of this opportunity."

Haruka: "Ah, sure!"

And as Hirijikawa-senpai was doing well in steering his thoughts away from the Strawberry Blonde, said Strawberry Blonde had to unfortunately make his entrance and sour Senpai's mood. Again.

?: "Oh~?"

Walking towards us with half-lidded eyes, a casual strut and a loose hold on his rose, Ren came towards us with a smirk plastered onto his face.

Ren: "Since when did you become so cozy with the Little Lamb... Hirijikawa?"

"Little Lamb"...? I see that he gave Haruka-chan an odd nickname too.

Hirijikawa-senpai: "..."

Standing up as if to square up the rose-holding man before him, Senpai was clearly displeased. His frown grew deeper and his eyebrows scrunched even more when Ren took hold of Haruka-chan.

This isn't good, I thought, nibbling an apple pie bar as I watch the scene unveil before me. Should I intervene? Hm, Ren isn't in a good mood with me right now though... It may not be wise for me to.

Ren: "Ever since we met, she and I have been tied together by fate (2)."

Handing my friend the rose, Ren begain to speak smooth words once more. "I'd rather you not stray far. I've been looking for someone to feel the sea breeze with."

Haruka: "N-Now?!"

Winking, Ren continued to egg Haruka-chan on, telling her, "Of course."

Haruka: "Eeeeh?! Ah well-"

*sweat drop* Haruka-chan... I don't think he means it.

Completely falling for his words, Haruka-chan was sweet and considerate as always, panicking a bit as she was explaining how her schedule today was full.

Hrijikawa-senpai: "He's just teasing you."

Ah... I can always depend on Senpai for being the blunt one.

Hrijikawa-senpai: "You can't believe anything this guy says."

Haruka: "Eh?"

Ren: "That's a terrible thing to say about me. Though I can't deny it..."

Laughing to himself, Ren turned towards my direction. He must have not realized that I was there, as when we made eye contact while I was eating a caramel apple, he quickly looked away, his smirk thinning into a straight line.

Me: "Ah..."

Closing my mouth as soon as I opened it, I pouted to myself after failing to even say hello to him.

So he won't speak to me I see.

?: "Ren!"

Panting on over, Kurusu-senpai immediately made his way to the Strawberry Blonde. "What are you gonna do about the lyrics assignment? Have you forgotten Hyuuga-Sensei promised a harsh punishment if you didn't turn it in this time?!"

The opposite of Kurusu-senpai, Ren didn't seem to be worried about the issue at all, replying with a simple: "Is that right?"

Kurusu-senpai: "Ha, 'Is that right?' That's exactly what Sensei said you would say! Come on Ren, why are you acting like that?! Hey, Miran! Back me up here! You're his friend too!"

Trying to finish the muffin that I had neglected, I wasn't expecting for Senpai to call me out and help him. It didn't seem as though the timing of the situation was right for me to get involved, but it was already too late as I was brought in anyways.

Well, what should I say? I don't want to fuel the fire more than it already is...

Me: "Um, Ren...?"

Trying to take a peek at him to say something, I failed as predicted. I knew it... At this moment in time, Ren must be left alone to his thoughts. His heart is clouded right now, so no one should intervene until the opportune hour arrives... For the whole time,Ren didn't look at me. Not even one glance. He immediately shifted his head to the complete opposite direction of where I was. Ren was quiet, and he didn't even budge an inch.

What kind of face do you have on right now?

Ren: "... I'm getting a bit tired. Maybe I'll go take a nap!"

Feeling my heart drop slightly, my eyes laid on Ren's back, feeling what I assumed to be a hint of sadness. As I thought... He really is upset with me. So this is what it feels like when friends have a tiff with each other... *bites lip* This feeling, it isn't pleasant. It's the first time that someone is angry with me, so I'm not sure how to respond to this at all...

Kursu-senpai: "Wha-REN! Why are you ignoring Miran like that?! Geez, don't be a jerk now, what's your problem?!"

Me: "Senpai, it's alright-"

?: "Jinguji Ren!"

Of course... Sensei has now made his entrance too...

Walking towards us, Hyuuga-sensei arrived, and it was clear that the deeper-than-usual frown on his face showed how far from content he was with Class S's resident playboy. This time, it was business. A make it or break it matter. Oh dear, I can see that this may not fare well...

"You skip class and don't turn in any homework... " Sensei said, "Show me one more bit of this frivolous attitude, and I'll show you no mercy."

Pointing to the Strawberry Blonde, Sensei made a concrete declaration.

"I'll expel you on the spot!"

Kurusu-senpai: "E-Expel?!"

Ittoki-senpai: "Eh, seriously?!"

Showing the least concern on his face, Ren merely shrugged and smirked, walking towards Sensei. Calling him by his first name, all that Ren replied with was:

"A scowl is never popular with the ladies."

"Hmph," Hyuuga-sensei scoffed, his frown somehow deepening more that what I thought was possible. "Don't push your luck, Jinguji. I'm serious! I'd better have that assignment by the end of tomorrow! Otherwise, you're out of this academy, you got it?!"

And passing by him without one waver in his face, Ren simply bid us goodbye and never looked back.

Me: "..."

Looking down at my muffin, I decided to toss it, and that was something that I had never done with my beloved food before. I actually lost my appetite.

For the first time, food isn't as delicious as it usually is...

Dining hall

*ding dong, ding dong*

It was almost noon now, and most of our usual group of friends were gathered together while Kurusu-senpai was trying his best to prevent any... uniquely baked cookie of Shinomiya-senpai's from getting inside someone's mouth.

"It's his own fault," Tomo-chan said about the Strawberry Blonde. "He's always been such a slacker."

Ittoki-senpai: "Even though they're old friends, Masa and Ren are like polar opposites."

Haruka: "Eh? Old friends? Hirijikawa-san and Jinguji-san?!"

"That's right," Shinomiya-senpai replied, having seemed to stop in his cause of feeding everyone his cookies. "And of top of that, they're roomies."

Oh? Interesting how that worked out.

Tomo: "Masa-yan is the son and heir to the Hirijikawa Financial Group. And Jinguji-san is the son of the head of the Jinguji Financial Group. Because of the connection between their parents, it seems they've known each other since they were kids."

Me: "Ah, I see~"

I remember that... Those two... They were so close to each other. And for about 4 years, we were a trio... Those were beautiful memories.

Gently smiling to myself as I reminisced about my childhood, Kurusu-senpai who was sitting beside me must have noticed that I wasn't as chipper as usual because he turned to me with a worried look.

"Hey, Miran. You okay? You seem a little down. You're not even eating like you usually do."

"Me?" Surprised by the sudden question, I straightened myself. "Ah ha ha, you think so?"

Kurusu-senpai: "Yea. You seem to be dazing out a lot too now. Is it because of Ren?"

Me: "Ren? ... I mean-"

Tomo: "What? What did Ren do to Miran-chan?!"

Kurusu-senpai: "He was being weird and totally ignored her. The guy didn't even look at her as if she wasn't there!"

Tomo: "Ehhhh?! How rude!"

Me: "It's fine, really."

Tomo: "No it's not fine, Miran-chan! You of all people don't deserve that kind of attitude!"

Me: "Well ..." *sweat drop*

Ittoki-senpai: "For someone who seems to love ladies, I never thought that Ren would ignore any girl."

"That's right!" Shinomiya-senpai nodded, affirming to himself that something was definitely off about Ren today. "Say Miran-chan," Senpai said, coming to sit by my side. "Did something happen between you two? Something must have happened for him to act such a way."

Kurusu-senpai: "Right! I mean, you guys are close, aren't you? Sensei always made you find Ren when he skipped before, and you two seemed to click ever since! The way he treats you is completely different from how he treats his 'ladies.' He's not all half-hearted and syrupy with you, you know? It's like... the true side of Ren comes out when he's with you, if that makes sense."

Tomo: "What?! I didn't know you two were that close!"

Kurusu-senpai: "Yea, so do you have any idea for why he was being so cold?"

Me: "Hm..."

Thinking back to that moment before Ren restarted skipping, I remembered our unanticipated encounter.

Oh I have an idea... and it could partially be my fault.

Flashback

It was evening, and I was doing my usual routine of going back to my family for the night. Anders was in charge of picking me up this time, and he was already at the school gates waiting for me.

I need to hurry. I can't have Anders wait too long!

I was close to the school entrance, the night being quiet as everyone else was either studying in the school buildings or back in their rooms by now. I was passing by the hedge gardens when suddenly a familiar friend popped in front of me.

"Oh my goodness, I wasn't expecting to see you there!"

Looking downwards, I met the green eyes of my furry friend, now known as Kuppuru thanks to Haruka-chan.

"Meow, Meow~"

"He he, your fur is really soft. Ah, where are you going?"

Rubbing himself against my legs, Kuppuru soon walked towards the openings of one of the hedge gardens. He turned his head to me and gave a tilt to gesture me over.

... Does he want me to follow him inside?

"I'm sorry Kuppuru. I'm in a hurry to go somewhere else, so I can't go with you right no-hey wait!"

As if to purposely cut me off and give me no choice, Kuppuru darted off into the hedges, disappearing into the dark and leaving me behind in the still night. And there I was, torn between going my own way to Anders, or checking on what Kuppuru wanted to show me.

I can't just leave him like this, but I can't make Anders wait either. Oh, what to do...

Hurriedly pacing around to think, I ended up making my mind, taking my phone out to text Anders as I entered the hedge garden to find my feline friend.

This will be quick. Surely it's important if Kuppuru wants me to follow, right? Sorry Anders!

Speeding up to find my friend, I found Kuppuru just behind the opening to the clearing that led to a large fountain. He was just sitting there with the sounds of water lapping from behind the hedge, waiting for me quietly as his tail waved elegantly as if to tell me to come closer.

"Well there you are! What were you-"

"Meow!"

*starts whispering* "Why do you want me to whisper? What are you trying to show me Kuppuru?" And as soon as I asked, a girl's voice sounded out.

Girl: "Mm~ Kiss me..."

Uhhhh... Did I hear something?

Girl: "Yes, please kiss me one more time before you go~"

Oh no... I did hear something...

My heart sank a little from discovering the sound, having never been in such a situation before. Frozen to where I stood, I covered my mouth as I slowly backed away from the scene, no longer wanting to know whatever it was that Kuppuru wanted to show me.

"Kuppuru..." I whispered, "I don't think that it's a good idea to be here... This isn't our place. We can come back another time, okay? Let's go back."

Trying to coax him to follow me back out, Kuppuru did the exact opposite of what I was hoping for.

He darted out to the opening with a loud, scolding "Meowwwwww!"

Nooooooooooo! Kuppuru... *sweat drop*

Girl: "Eh? It's a cat! How cute..."

?: "He's not alone... Who's there?"

... I recognize that voice... He has keen ears... Oh Fate, what are you trying to tell me? Whatever it is, I don't understand...

Girl: "Eh?! Someone's here?! This is bad... I have to go now, bye!"

Hearing the sound of whoever it was that immediately left upon discovering the presence of a third party, I took it as my queue to leave too. I turned back, but was unfortunately stopped by the familiar voice.

?: "I know you're there... Be a man and show yourself while I'm still nice. Or if you're a lady, why don't you come out if you want a kiss too? I'll give it to you if that's what you want~ After all, it's not nice to snoop on someone else's privacy, you know. So come out, I'll let this all go if you do."

I didn't know that he could say such things, even for someone like him... Just what did you get yourself into now, Miran? I didn't mean to intrude on anyone... Maybe I should have just gone straight to Anders...

Sighing to myself, I straightened up and faced my Fate. He was right. I intruded on a private moment when I shouldn't have, and he'd come after me if I tried to leave, so I might as well show myself.

Well... Here goes nothing...

Walking slowly towards the opening, I was met with moonlight washing down on me. There at the fountain was none other than Kuppuru who seemed to be smiling at me. And then... there was him. At first, he had a face mixed between displeasure and curious anticipation, but as soon as he saw my face, his smirk turned into an open mouth as he became surprised instead.

I could tell that of all people, I was the last person whom he expected to see appear from behind the hedge.

"... Miran?"

This feeling must be what that man was talking about on TV before. The feeling of something being "painfully awkward." I didn't know that it actually existed, and that it could feel this... this tense.

"... Hello, Ren."

Kurusu-senpai: "...Well? Any ideas"

Bringing my mind back to the present, I sighed quietly, facing my friends as I hummed to myself, trying to think of a way to move onto a different subject.

I'm sure Ren wouldn't want every part of his life to be out in the open for everyone to know. No matter what happened, he's my friend, and I want to keep that trust.

"Um... It's a bit complicated, he he."

Side Info/Teasers:

1) Hm, have you figured out Apeiro yet~?

2) Instead of Haruka and Ren being tied together by Fate, it's Ren and someone else, don't you agree?

Thank you for showing continued or new support and love for Apeiro's Princess: The Beginning! I won't you darlings down. Again, thank you always!

Until next time!