The last three days were very busy for Saito, help Tsubasa in the organization of the new excursion, it took more time than he had thought. Fortunately only the last details were missing and everything would be ready. After that, he would take a few days for rest.
Although, he kept busy most of the day, he always took time to go to the library and read a little, it was one of his favorite pastimes and also helped him relax. The place was quiet and calm, despite the constant coming and going of the students.
He was quiet for a while reviewing some copies in the history section, his favorite. And how not to stop to browse the books that told so many stories and facts of the past and that attracted him so much. He did not know how long he was submerged in the book he had in his hands, when suddenly all his tranquility disappeared, giving entrance to the emotions that had lately plagued him.
He had seen Chizuru arrive by one of the hallways and embrace him before he could understand what was happening, it surprised him. The first thing he thought when he saw her running, was to tell her not to do it, the last thing he wanted was to see her in the punishment room, he would not allow it, but the words stuck in his throat before the unexpected show of affection.
The only thing he could hear was the strong beating of his heart as if it would come out of his chest at any moment. He felt the warm arms of the young girl around his neck, as she pressed her slim body to his in a warm embrace. He felt nervous and, he could swear, he was blushing.
He did not tend to be very affectionate with people, and if it had been someone else, already, he had put that person away, but with Chizuru everything was always different. She was warm and smelled very good, her soft perfume and the smell of flowers in her hair filled his senses. They had never been so close and although he felt really nervous, he did not want her to move away, not yet.
Vacillating, he responded to her hug, placing his free arm on her lower back. He wondered what he had done to receive so much affection. Although at that time he did not care much, he liked the feeling of having her in his arms, he could stay like this for a long time and it would not bother him.
When Chizuru moved away a little, he could see in her face a shy smile; her cheeks were slightly pink, which made her look adorable and much prettier than she was.
"And that was for ..." Saito barely knew how to finish the question, trying not to sound very clumsy, or seem nervous; although he was almost sure he did not get it.
Chizuru smiled and finished separating from Saito, now a little embarrassed. She did not really think much about what she was doing. When she saw him in the hallway, she only felt a huge desire to hug him, although she did not know if she had done the right thing. Saito sometimes seemed distant, and she did not want to make him feel uncomfortable. First, she felt him shudder and thought that her gesture might not like him, but when he hugged her back, her fears were forgotten. She felt his strong arm tighten gently around her.
"It's just that, I'm happy" She said, feeling Saito's hesitation in his question. That made her smile even more, the young boy was so sure of himself, and rarely was left speechless. She knew it was her fault for taking him by surprise.
Saito smiled slightly before the words of the young girl, he had a slight idea of the reason for so much emotion, but still he had to ask.
"Why?"
"I got ten on my math test" She said excitedly, as if trying to convey him her joy.
He was happy for that, he had no doubt that she would succeed. He confirmed it when he was giving his last round as he did every morning before entering classes, and he found Nagakura placing the grades on the mural. He was so proud of Chizuru to see the qualification obtained as if it had been his own achievement.
He tried to look surprised by the news, but he was not good at it, the only thing he could do was express what he really felt.
"It's an excellent rating, congratulations!" He smiled.
"You already knew, no, Saito-San?" Although Saito was not very expressive, she knew when something really surprised him.
Saito nodded without looking away.
"Why did not you tell me?"
"I wanted you to see it for yourself; you worked hard to get it." On top of that, he did not want to miss seeing her beautiful face full of surprise and excitement, when she finally knew it.
"I did it with your help. Thank you very much, Saito-San"
Saito shrugged. "You do not have to thank me; I just reminded you what you already knew."
Chizuru denied softly, Saito was very humble, never wanted to receive the merits that belonged to him, but she was clear about it, without him she would never have obtained such a high qualification.
"Anyway, thanks." She smiled widely.
Saito watched her smile. He did not remember ever being very excited to get a good grade, if it was important, but he was not going to jump for joy because of that; however, he had to remind himself that this was Chizuru, that's how she was, and he liked how she was.
"Are you so happy?" He could not help asking. He did not know when his curiosity about Chizuru would cease.
Chizuru nodded. "I know that getting a ten for you is nothing new, you're the best student I've ever met, but it's the first time I get ten in math."
"I'm not always good" He said with a serious expression. "Once I was some distracted that I made a little mistake on one test, and I got one point less."
Chizuru looked at him perplexed. His face was so serious that she could not tell if he was talking serious or just joking with her. One point less? That still left him with an excellent qualification, he had the right to make mistakes like everyone else, but maybe that bothered him. It spent only a few seconds until he smiled almost amused. Yes, he was just joking with her.
"A real tragedy." The girl smiled him back.
"Talking seriously, Chizuru, I'm not perfect, I just effort myself in what I do." Saito kept the book in its place, and they began to walk towards the exit.
"For me, you are" She said firmly without giving him time to protest. "We're going to celebrate after school, okay?"
"Sure." He could not refuse.
"I'll tell Okita-san and Heisuke -Kun" she said excitedly leaving Saito at the exit, but not before wrapping him in another warm hug that this time, he corresponded more securely.
Saito smiled softly when he saw her walk away. The attitude of the girl had him hypnotized and the light that she radiated was what most enchanted him. He had never felt this way with anyone, so dependent, he missed her too much when she was not around, and he needed to see her, to see her beautiful smile that illuminated everything.
He could deal with anything, but when it came to feelings, he was a complete disaster. He thought about talking to someone about it, maybe Tsubasa, or his friends, but he quickly dismissed it, they were all meddlesome, and they only would overwhelm him with questions that he would not to know how to answer. These feelings were new to him.
"Saito-San, ready for the meeting?" One of his subordinates pulled him out of his thoughts. For a moment he forgot that the discipline committee had a meeting with Hijikata. Nothing to worry about, they were just routine meetings to make sure everything was in order.
"Come on" He said in a neutral voice. Following the young boy, he thought about his date today. He was in a good mood, just waiting for nothing to happen that could ruin his mood.
"Can't you come?" Chizuru looked at Souji curiously. The young boy rarely refused an invitation to go out.
"No" The young chestnut reclined his shoulder of the locker. "We promised koundo- San to begin cleaning the basement today. We will be in trouble if we do not comply." The last part he said with a little grin making Chizuru smile.
"And although I would like to get away from work, this time it will not be possible. You've never seen koundo-san really furious, right?"
"Only once." The girl smiled at the thought. "It's not so bad."
"I do not want to take any risk." The young chestnut remained silent for a few seconds, looking at the girl in front of him.
"Hajime-Kun turned out to be really good at teaching, huh?"
Chizuru nodded in agreement with his words.
"But he did not have it very difficult neither, he has a good student."
"I'm not very good at math."
"Well, we can say that that changed. I'm happy for you, Chizuru-chan."
"Thank you, Okita-san"
"Tell me something, did Heisuke also approve? Or, can I leave him all the cleaning in the basement?" He asked with amusement.
"He passed with a very good grade. You can't escape, Okita-San"
"I see" He said, feigning disappointment.
Chizuru smiled. "Listen, what do you think if I help you clean up? We'll finish faster and then ...
"It's not necessary, Chizuru-Chan." Souji cut her off. "Go and have fun, and make Hajime-Kun have a little fun too, that guy works too much."
"I wanted to celebrate with all of you."
"We'll do it, but now, just let me try to be a responsible young boy" He said jokingly.
"Sure, I would not take that away from you. Koundo-san will be very happy. "Chizuru grinned softly.
"I just hope he does not get used to it." Souji said as he looked over his shoulder watching the group gather near the door of the theater room.
Chizuru stared at him as he relaxed his shoulders and crossed his arms instinctively. Okita was a good person and very funny, that's why the reason he had many fans. She wondered what Souji thought of Kenji's sister. She had to tell him about the girl, after their meeting in the cafeteria, but the young chestnut did not say much about it, Souji found the situation amusing.
"Okita-San?" She called him softly, causing the young boy to turn his eyes towards her. "You never told me what you think about Kaori-chan, when she sent you the gift; I didn't know she was Kenji-san's sister."
"I think that the morons always have pretty sisters." The chestnut guy smiled mockingly, pointing in her direction, giving her to understand that he was also saying it for her and her brother Kaoru.
Chizuru denied in his response, always appreciating his good humor. Although, in partly she was agreed, his brother used to act like an idiot many times.
"Actually, I can't say much about it." He said more seriously. "I do not know her and neither the reason why she gave me a gift."
"She seems to be a nice person." The girl added.
"Of course, that's something that you would say."
Souji would have continued with his little jokes if it were not for the unexpected impact to his left side. He opened his eyes in surprise and tightened his jaw to face someone who boldly hit him. He turned to point of letting go of the words when his eyes focused on the young girl in front of him.
"Hey, girl, are you trying to pull me down, or what?" He let go harder than he wanted to sound.
"I'm sorry, Okita-san, Akari jumped up in a gesture of apology. "It was not my intention, I just ...
He snorted, inspecting the young girl carefully, her face clearly embarrassed. The girl obviously had not done it on purpose. He raised an eyebrow in confusion towards Chizuru when he heard her giggle.
"What?" He asked curiously.
"I'm sorry, Okita-San. It's just that, Akari-chan could not throw down you, even if she wanted to, you're heavier, and stronger than her." Chizuru looked at him sympathetically.
"I guess not, but even so it hurt." The young chestnut turned his attention to Akari. "You'll be in trouble if you keep throwing people down the hallways. Also, usually, I do not be very friendly when I'm hurt. "
"Excuse me, please, Okita-San, I was distracted." The girl bowed again, she really felt it.
Souji exhaled heavily, really could not be too bad with this girl.
"All it's okay, Akari-chan. Just be more careful, I would not like you to hurt yourself." He said, putting aside his mocking tone and gently stirring her hair passing by. "I'll see you later; I have to see to Koundo-san."
Chizuru nodded with a smile, seeing him go. Souji seemed to be very hard, but he really cared for others. The young girl looked at her friend again as she continued in silence.
"Are you okay?" She asked softly.
"Okita-San sure thinks I'm a fool." The brunette said, the red of her cheeks leaving her face.
"I do not think so, he was worried about you."
"At least he does not seem to be mad at me, that's good.
"He's not."
"Good thing." Akari exhaled. "I would not like to be one of those who bother Okita-San." Chizuru looked at her, her friend looked really relieved now.
"I heard that some students are rehearsing for a new play. Do you want to go have a look, Chizuru-Chan? "
"I do not think that they let us through."
"Well, we can always sneak around a bit."
Chizuru said nothing, but still so, she followed her. She was glad to see her friend in her usual cheerful attitude, but she did not intend to go anywhere without permission, she did not want to get a punishment, and to ruin her date with Saito. She was going to miss Souji and Heisuke, but she was excited to celebrate her small victory with him.
This chapter is a bit shorter. I will try to update soon. Guest thank you for continuing here.
