How do Dropouts love? Part 2
-" As the costumes address, by the end of March, the third years are graduating in an all-groomed ceremony held on the Cherry Path. But the most important matter reside in the filling of the soon-to-be empty seats of the Elite ten as each member got to propose a naertyhujklmlkjhbgdfghjklmloiuytrezrtyuiop.' This literally was all she heard.
Just nonsensical blabbering is all she heard people saying for the past two months.
These past few days, all that she felt, all what she heard, all that she made fell flat in every meaning of the word.
She didn't just feel different. She felt like a whole new person. Her mind. Her soul. Her body.
In every possible way, she felt more needy.
In need for someone's presence while she cooked. The need of someone advise in her cooking. The needs of her body have become more demanding on each passing day.
She felt as if she missed something to satisfy her. To complete her.
She wasn't like this before. She never was.
She was always so independent. So solitary. Yet now, she is all messed up and lacking for some reason.
If she had to point it out, she would say it started the night after that visit at the Polar Star. She can't recall most of what happened that night anyway.
All she remembered was partying. Playing a few round of poker. Eating and drinking that damned juice. And then, it's all went blank.
From where she found herself that morning, she assumed nothing fishy could've happened.
So did she start feeling this way just after it?
-"zertyuisdfghjkkuni-senpai. Kinokuni-senpai?" The professional voice of the headmistress was calling her name was only thing brought her back to reality.
-" Yes?" Nene responded in inquiry more than anything. That didn't seem to unsettle the blonde who had gotten used to her senpai's absentmindedness, and maybe another senpai's abstinence on his responsibilities.
-" I was asking if you had any suggestion on who your seat will be passed down to after your graduation?" she repeated.
-" Well, I think the first best option for now is that the seat will instantly be passed down to Tadokoro Megumi and from then on out, time will tell." She spoke calmly, flashing a small smile to the blushing bluenette at her side.
-" Therefore, the names that were suggested for the seats competition other than the already ascending members are: Ibusaki Shun, due to his high Shokugeki Record, Mito Ikumi for her facility work at the Don RS, Isami Aldini for his outstanding service for the school and the council and Marui Zenji regarding his academics and new theories. If other names come to any of you, inform me as soon as possible. Meeting dismissed." Upon her announcement, the members started gradually leaving the room. Either to go alarm their friends of the news, or to just go tend to their own business. Only four members stayed in the room.
A Nene weirdly fiddling with her thumbs on her lap. A suspiciously calm Kuga who has been watching intently the changes in his entourage. And our favorite redhead and blonde pair conversing something at the farthest end of the room, with a pile of papers held between them.
-" Yukihira-kun, what the hell is happening? Ishikki-senpai hasn't been showing in the council nor the campus for the past week. What happened?" the angry, clearly worried, queen asked the commoner.
-" I really don't know." He scratched the back of his neck and sighed heavily " Senpai seems to be going through something these past few months, It's just…" He sighed as if preparing himself to speak the worst. " We haven't seen senpai's naked ass this month."
For anyone other than the gang, this would've been the most absurd thing to say, but to them, it was enough to make the paper's scatter on the floor and the heiress's eyes to widen in horror.
-" Oh my God." Erina gasped, hands clasped on her mouth.
-" We haven't been willing to tell you, but senpai seems to be having a tough time. He holed himself up in his room. He rarely wakes up before noon these days. We have been worried sick about him for not pestering us anymore. Fumio-san is doing her best to get something out of him, but, till now, nothing." He looked down, his clutched fists signs of his frustration.
But the soothing touch of the heiress brought the courage that he needed to look up once again.
-" Don't worry Yukihira. Senpai has always been a lone fighter. Whatever it was that is annoying him, he will emerge victor." She smiled at him gently, to which he nodded." It looks like we aren't the only ones that are affected by this event." Their eyes instantly glanced at the awkward pair still sitting in the meeting table. " I just hope our celebration will maybe fix things up."
-" What?" The blonde jumped at his question, slowly turning her head to meet that of the confused first seat. His head tilted sideways and question marks hovering over his head.
-" You gotta be kidding?" Clearly he wasn't.
Her palm met her face, just like every other time she was with this guy. She sighed.
-" It's been a year, Yukihira-kun." She incredulously spoke, his eyes immediately lit up in proud recognition.
It was about 2 PM when she had enough, the old dorm Madonna stamped her feet on the staircase of the now empty dorm, shaking the wooden floor at her heavy steps.
A withering garden and ditched responsibilities… Nah-ah-ah… She had to do something to shake the boy out of his state.
After all his constant youth talks, who could've thought that the all- so- lively Ishikki Satoshi will go through the usual teen depression phase.
As she stood before room 206, she could hear the muffles and shuffles of him stirring over the bed.
So he is pretending.
She furiously knocked at the door, the wood bending at the violent impact.
-" Ishikki, stop playing you're asleep. I'm done with this. And here I thought you were the senior here. I don't know what gotten over you, but you need to knock out of it. Everyone is worried sick about you. Where had the funny, friendly, easy-going Ishikki gone? Come out here boy and man up a little." She spoke scornfully. In all the years she had known the boy, she had never seen him like this.
But what to do? Her ways had always been about tough love.
He kept his silence, a sound of a weight being pushed to the soft mattress was the only thing she heard.
She was furious. The hell is this guy she is talking to? W hy isn't he already popping his stupid, all-smiles face out of the ceiling to nag her?
-" Okay, boy. Got no choice, I'm bringing this door down and drag you out from your ears." She yelled, her voice betraying no hesitation.
She took a few steps backward, and taking a deep breath, she de…
-" Even if you do, I'm not leaving this room." She stopped mid-charge at the response of a broken male.
A voice that held so much regret and misery that it pierced the Madonna's steel heart.
-" There is no reason for me to leave this place." He continued in that same tone. Deep and clipped. " I have nothing to give anymore." Fumio didn't know her feet were in march until she hit the railing.
A lump caught in her throat prevented her from speaking a word. She just listened in pain at what was coming after.
-" Because… for the first time,… I gave my everything, and it was no enough."
-" For our victory. For Tootsuki. For our Senpais that have joined us today despite their busy schedules. For the future. And for…"
-" …My late birthday celebration." The gallery blankly stared at the giddy redhead, before swiftly clinging their glasses and having their toast a.k.a Ryoko's sake.
A year before, the Rebels have defeated Central, dethroned the dystopian Nakamura Azami, and Nakiri Erina was freed from her cage, so it's a day of party and joy for everyone. Well…mostly…
-" Why are we here again?" An outraged Eizan was now far sitting, grudgingly drinking the beverage and avoiding to spit some controversial nonsense.
-" Celebrating our loss, I guess." A stoic Nene responded from his side. Despite cold, howling winter wind outside, the warmth of the Nakiri mansion's heaters allowed her to dress up a little more sophisticatedly. A turquoise cocktail dress with camellia-patterned lace on the back was more than enough to complement her neat bun and pale complexion.
-" In a way, it's a celebration for us too." She noticed her comrade grimace at her. " A celebration of our redemption." She said holding her cup a little higher, then turning it down in a flash.
-" It's actually very funny that the headmistress herself insisted on the party being held in her own castle." He spoke, his voice still holding that bitterness that screamed "PUNK".
-" She was the big winner and ultimately the price of the whole thing, so…" She responded, leaning her back on one of the marble pillars.
A long silence stretched between the two as Nene's eyes travelled around the room watching everyone's interactions.
Until it struck her. Something is missing. Someone.
-" Eizan-kun." She turned to the boy who glanced at her from behind the rim of his glass. " Have you seen Ishikki? I can't recall seeing him enter." She noticed his raised, amused eyebrow before he brought the cup down.
-" Ishikki hasn't been going around the school for more than a month now. I haven't seen his face for about two weeks. From what I heard, he is hiding himself from the world for some reason. And here I thought the two of you had a thing going on. However, I don't blame you, you too seemed very weird for the longest now."
-" What are you talking about? What thing?" He replied with a long sip of sake. " And yeah, I haven't been feeling very good lately." She sighed.
Her body still tingled at times and her inner void is getting bigger and bigger as time passed. She might have to see a doctor soon.
It was then that the ballroom's door opened, revealing a well-groomed, tight in navy blue tuxedo Ishikki Satoshi. His head was left untouched like always, but everything from his posture to his fragrant seemed all fresh and new.
As soon as he entered, all the present jogged to his side, imprisoning him in a ring of happy, yet melancholic looks.
-" Senpai." A teary Megumi spoke. " You came.*sniff* Are you okay? Does anything hurt?"
He chuckled: " Don't cry Tadokoro-san, you'll ruin your wonderful make-up. And of course I'll come. How I wouldn't come celebrate our victory? Especially when Nakiri-san has clearly shown interest in killing me in my sleep if I didn't?"
Everyone turned to look at the blonde headmistress. Wait did she seriously…?
-" Ohhh, so that's why that envelope was fuller than the others." The realization struck the dump creature that is Soma.
That day, little did he know, he delivered an invitation and death threat.
-" Sure I had to. Ishikki-senpai had been one of the rebellion's core members, so it would've been a shame to not have him with us. And since Saiba-sama couldn't make it, his presence has become more mandatory for this one-year anniversary of victory." The Queen of Tootsuki spoke in her haughty tone, arms crossed under her chest.
They just stared at her in silence. Her head high as she spoke her people.
-" Cous, you can be scary at times." Alice found it more fitting to speak in the detriment of her friends.
-" What if? Fear is the weapon of a ruler too. Anyway, now that senpai is here, the party can officially start." She announced and everyone hailed their ruler and started celebrating.
At that moment, he turned his eyes from his friends, and looked into those two rubies he hadn't seen in so long.
When cyan met ruby, almost instantly, the urges that Nene suppressed for so long and the electric shocks that have been filling her entire being came back. Her hands shaking, her soul filling, her face heating.
She had to control this. Since when did simple eye contact with the boy do this to her? Why are her needs growing more than they've ever had before?
She clutched her hands together and prayed to God to bless her with strength to fight this plaguing disease within her.
The long buffet table was emptied, the bottles were drunk and the dance floor was crammed. The party was on full swing.
-" Hey Senpai." Daigo called, lightly tipsy from the sake. " Take those clothes off and spice this party up."
-" Yeah, yeah, senpai. Come onnnn. " His friend Shoji threw himself over his friend's back, nearly falling to the floor.
-" Sorry guys,…I just don't feel like doing it." He flashed them a smile before leaving the floor and towards the seats by the walls.
-" Uhhh. Bummer.*hiccup* Since when did senpai never wanted to be freeeee*hiccup*?" the drunk pair pouted at his dismissal.
Yet, far from the soft music and the joyful roars and the continuously toasting cups, by the pool of the Nakiri mansion, stood a lone third-year.
It was early December at the time, a few ice fractals were floating on the glimmering blue water and the grueling winter wind was far from bearable especially in such a thin dress.
She didn't think enough when she got out to be honest, all she wanted at the times is to flee the premise as soon as possible. Those sensations were uncontrollably rampaging inside her head, whispering things that she shouldn't even be considering lately.
She thought that maybe some fresh air and the chilling breeze will help her recover. And they did mostly, since all she felt at the moment were the goose bumps on her exposed skin.
-" It's really cold out here." She tried to warm herself up by rubbing her forearms lightly. The friction producing enough heat in this weather.
Or so she thought. The moment she felt a new-found contact over her shoulders, a blue blazer was now protecting her skin from the wintery strokes.
Ishikki was the one who joined her outside, left only with a thin white, button-up shirt to shield him from the wind. But that didn't seem to affect him on the least.
-" I knew you'd be here. It's gotten a little too noisy inside." He sighed relaxed. " It's very beautiful here." He looked down at the reflection of the moon on the glossy, semi-frozen water surface.
-" Heh, and here I thought you loved noise and ruckus." She sarcastically spoke, her body burying itself deeper into the foreign, but familiar warmth almost instinctively.
He chuckled once again : " A lot of people have told me this today. People change you know, I just can't tolerate noise these days."
He noticed her glance sideways at him, her face hiding by his blazer's collar.
Looks like the rumors were true. But if she were honest with herself, this Ishikki seemed different in a good way. Less annoying. More serious. His whole presence radiated with pure shine, refinement and elegance. His eyes were glazed with a polish that caught the moonlight perfectly within the ocean inside. His neck was long and defined, almost like a place for her to rest her hands on. His torso was….
She stopped her raging train of thoughts before it went somewhere it wasn't supposed to. There were the thoughts she was fighting this whole time. She felt her face heat up and her hands tremble in what seemed like anticipation and raw lust.
She clutched at the sides of the blazer and tried to breath in and out of this state.
She had to compose herself. He was here. She can't afford to show such things by his side.
She took the best course of action of the moment. To engage in a pointless, distracting conversation.
-" I heard you haven't been showing around lately. You can't keep hiding in those wide fields for too long. You're second seat, and a third year, you are supposed to set the exemp…." Her attempt of a scornful girl came short when he straight up attacked her lips.
In the split of second, his hands were holding her hips up for a lift. The few upper buttons of his shirt were already opened. And his lips ravaged hers passionately.
She was on her toes, the blazer that was on her shoulders was now resting on the floor. Her hands rested on his clavicles reaching more and more to relish in his touch.
For her, it was all blank, fast and incredibly satisfying. For the first time in months, that frustrating emptiness within her soul was filled. Her mind was dancing and her body was fluttering and tickling in every part.
As tongues went in, ohhh she can't possibly find words to describe this pleasure.
She didn't know why, but this whole…. Things has surely been what she had longed for since their night at the dorm.
Wait what?
It was then that it began dissipating. The dark fog that has clouded her memories from that night.
She recalled her initiation. Her confession. Her inner turmoil that led her to those deeds. And his response to her.
She recalled melting in his immaculate touch. Sliding her hands on the muscles of his back and abs. Digging her nails in those endless twirls. And offering her most precious possession to him. Twice.
By the time his hands travelled up her sides, arms and cupped her face, realization has already struck her to the very core, and tears were already streaming down her face, resting on the sides of his palms.
How did…How could I have done that? So, that's why… Oh my God.
She momently bit his lower lip, forcing him to break their kiss immediately. The aggressiveness of her action causing his lip to bleed slight.
When she set free of his grip, her hand flew to directly slap the hell out of him.
They stayed like that. Her hand still held in the air after her attack, her whole body trembling in anger and insult.
With a reddened cheek, his face stayed turned where it went after the slap. His expression unreadable behind his bangs.
-" YOU FOOL…" She yelled at him, bringing her hands to rest on her chest. " YOU DID THIS TO ME, AND YOU KNEW I WOULDN'T REMEMBER ANYTHING FROM THAT NIGHT. NOT SHOWING YOUR NASTY FACE TO HIDE YOUR SHAME." She was breathless, her face flushed from rage. " YOU TARNISHED ME. YOU SICK." Her tears were uncontrollable at this point.
He stayed silent, not even bothering to face her.
She was furious. Against him, but more against herself. This has always been him. Making her hate herself more and more. Always making her doubt herself. Always making her unsatisfied with her resources.
She was an idiot to have trusted him that day. She is an idiot for knowing hjim at all.
Face red and eyes puffy in tears, she grudgingly glared at him from under her bangs.
A look of hatred and disgust.
She rapidly spun on her heels and walked out of him, the last thing she said came as a warning: " Don't ever come near me again." And she walked away without sparing him a single glance.
Feeling her presence completely disappear from the mansion, Ishikki finally dared to straighten his face and himself.
He was a total mess. A bloody lip, a swollen cheek, a crumpled shirt, he looked like he had been mugged or something.
But his straight shoulders and tensed jawline betrayed no fear, doubt…or regret.
He turned when he heard nearing footsteps. He sensed another presence other than the two but ignored it. He was wrapping thing up after all. And all final act needs an audience.
The newcomer handed Ishikki a handkerchief.
-" Better clean that. You look like a broke banker." Kuga joked, giving his friend the piece of tissue.
Ishikki obliged and started cleaning the blood off the side of his mouth.
-" So, Miss Pigtail did this to you." He spoke, looking forward. " Must've done something really horrible to her to make her slap and yell at you like that." He spoke, getting no response from brunet.
A heavy sigh escaped Kuga's lips, and for one of those fewer times, his voice was serious: " Nice bags you got there at the reception, to where? Start talking before I begin weaseling my way to it. And if that's the case, you won't like my reaction if that happens."
