Chapter 8

A/N: Sorry for not posting for so god damn long! I'm still in the middle of having my trials, so tragic! Anyway, I felt really bad for not updating for one entire month so here's another chapter to keep you guys happy! I wasn't going to post this yet because I'm currently writing some bonus chapters, which should be included before this chapter but I think you guys won't mind, right?

Anyway, I'm praying too for when I can update again! IGCSE is coming, which means I might not be able to update as frequently as I used to anymore. But for now, enjoy this chapter!

Tsuki's POV

"Shiny… So shiny…. Shiny…!" Shigeru stares at the chandelier above him, completely transfixed by the sparkling glass. His green eyes gleam in happiness, a dreamy look on his face, his ebony hair still as messy as ever.

It's only been a few days since the kidnapping incident and I already found out plenty about Shigeru, like his obsession with shiny objects. If he even catches a glimpse of anything with bling on it he'll go nuts, going into this trance, sometimes even trying to get his hands on it no matter what. We already had to pull him away from actually yanking off Banri's new watch recently. And don't even get me started on cute things…

After I returned to Ayakashi Hall, I was pelted with hugs and squeezes, welcomed warmly to my new home. I managed to settle down properly, getting on friendly terms with the other residents. Zange managed to recover and is up and about again, back to annoying Banri again. Everyone's treating me normally, helping me to fit into their lives at Ayakashi Hall and I'm glad for this.

I have completely forgiven everyone although I still has some reservations about them, constantly keeping my guard up. I even forgave Soushi as his intention was only to protect Ririchiyo. I feel that every decision he makes revolves around Ririchiyo, he really thinks of her all the time. I just wish that he'll think of himself more. Like I always do.

Yes, I don't know why but I think I'm crushing on Soushi. Hard. Maybe it's that aura he always radiates. Or the way he smiles so warmly. Maybe it's his pretty odd colored eyes. Maybe it's the look on his face when he's looking at Ririchiyo…

Wait, wait, WAIT! I shake my head to clear my mind. Get a grip, Tsuki! Soushi once mistrusted you! How can you like someone like that!? But honestly thinking, afterwards he did seem very sincere about his apology and now he's so friendly with me… By the term 'friendly', I mean by normal 'friendly' in a sophisticated and normal way. Not like… a certain annoying numbskull that doesn't even know when to back off!

Shigeru has been sticking to me like glue ever since I accepted him as my SS agent. He's so infuriating! Every time he sees me he'll just run over and grope me, gushing about how cute and shiny I am or something. I don't know what the hell his problem is! Just because I accepted him it doesn't mean he can do whatever he wants! Everywhere I look, he's always there, grinning at me; everywhere I go, he tags behind me like a dog; everywhere I am, I can hear his voice calling "Tsuki-chan!" from a mile off! I mean I even have nightmares of him chasing me, my name being called so constantly that I wake up in a cold sweat.

Ugh, he's so ANNOYING! But… I'm still indebted to him. He spoke up for me when no one would trust me and most importantly he put his own life on the line just save mine. A simple 'thank you' isn't enough, I want to do something for him but I don't know what. I thought of giving him some ointment for his injuries the other day but by the next day, his wounds had completely disappeared without a trace. So it's not just his feathers that heal quickly huh…

All this while, Shigeru's still basking in bliss as he admires the shining chandelier, oblivious to everything happening around him. I roll my eyes to heaven and groan loudly. This guy is a lost cause all right. I sigh and walk over to him, waving a hand in front of his face.

"Oi, Shigeru! Earth to Shigeru," I snap my fingers, "Dork! Idiot!"

Shigeru blinks rapidly before switching his attention to me, snapping out of his stupor. He focuses on me before reacting.

"Oh, Tsuki-chan! Ohayo! You're finally here," He grabs onto both of my hands and gushes, "I was so lonely without you! Now that you're here, the world's shining again!" His eyes are glittering as brightly as the chandelier above him in happiness. There he goes again…

"Enough with the poetry already, it's so disgusting." I can't believe he actually responded to being called a dork and an idiot…

"But it's true! Every time I see you the whole world shines for me-"

"MANIAC! You're so cute in that school uniform, Tsuki-chan!" Nobara's hysterical shrieking interrupts our banter. I turn my head and Nobara materializes right next to me, her face beet red and her glasses all fogged up, breathing out in a little huffs as she eyes me hungrily. Shigeru's face drops, his eyebrows becoming knitted in frustration.

"Of course I'm wearing a school uniform! School's starting again after all," I hold out a hand in a 'stop' gesture as Nobara tries get a word in, "And you're not allowed to hug me or squeeze me or feel my thigh through my stockings, so don't even bother asking."

"But Tsuki-chan! You have such nice longs legs with a smooth complexion! Can't I just loop one finger-"

"No way, Nobara-" I just about to say something witty when Shigeru suddenly grabs my arm, yanking me onto his lap.

"She's mine, Nobara! Hands off," He shouts angrily, his face contorted in anger as one of his arms snakes around my waist protectively, "Only I can touch her thigh!"

I can feel my face heating up rapidly as I try to wiggle out of Shigeru's grasp. What the hell is this guy blabbering about!? Nobara's homosexual comments I can handle but this!? Sexual harassment this early in the morning? And what about him being able to touch my thigh!? Is he some kind of pervert or something!?

"LET GO OF ME, YOU PERVERT!" I push myself off him, stumbling and barely regaining my balance as I back away from him. This guy's mental!

"But Kageyama! Let's share! You can have the thigh and I can have the legs-"

"Woah! Calm down, man! Ain't the time to be fighting this early in the morning! Just chill, Shigeru." Renshou comes in just in time to restrain a pissed off Shigeru, patting him on the back. Shigeru pouts, storming off to a table in the corner to sulk. Oh my god, he's so childish! He really has a problem! Nobara shrugs and goes back to read her swimming model magazines, much to my relief. Well, at least that's over…

"Hmph, looks like we're attending the same school. Don't try to be too friendly to me, we're only acquaintances." Ririchiyo suddenly approaches me, wearing an attire that's similar to mine, Soushi at her heels. Hang on, Soushi's here! I try to smooth down the strands of my hair that are sticking up, making myself look as presentable as possible. Ah, he looks as good-looking as usual…

"Ohayo, Chiyo-chan, Miketsukami-kun!" I try to distract myself by greeting Ririchiyo and Soushi enthusiastically.

"Hmph, if you forget to bring any school supplies later, don't come crying to me."

"Hai, I won't." So she's actually saying that I can ask her for extra school stuff later if I'm short on anything. She really is conscientious!

"Ohayo, Yoake-sama. It's the start of school again, are you nervous?"

"Me? Nervous? Why would I be nervous? It's just school, you know." I try to say it as neutrally as possible when I'm actually dreading to even set foot outside the building; I'm in such anticipation that I didn't really get a good rest last night.

"Tsuki-chan… Ohayo," Karuta comes over and shoves a chocolate pastry into my hands, "For energy." She says, pumping one of her fists. Even though she always looks so expressionless, she does have so much energy when it comes to food.

"Arigato, Karuta-chan!" I say as I wolf down the little pastry, the chocolate spreading through my mouth. So good! I feel a bit optimistic now; I can survive anything with chocolate!

"So are all of you ready for school?" Nobara asks.

"Almost, just let me finish my ramen." Renshou says, slurping down the last of his noodles.

"Eh!? You're still in high school!?" I point at Renshou and exclaim. Now that I'm paying attention, he's actually wearing my school's male uniform. He looks so mature; I thought he was already working!

"I know right! You'll think he was a loan shark or a construction worker or something, right? Ha ha!" Nobara laughs.

"I found it hard to believe it at first as well," Ririchiyo says before whispering in my ear, "So how's your SS today?"

"He's been all over me this morning…" I sigh loudly and reply in a hushed tone.

"You should have seen Miketsukami-kun just now… He kept comparing me to a butterfly and just because I couldn't get out of bed, he actually offered to take off my clothes off for me…"

The both of us look at each other and sigh. The both of us are unfortunate to end up with overbearing SS agents so we can only confide in each other. At least there's someone that understands me in this sense.

"I don't care about school, school's stupid and it's for goodie-goodies." Banri mutters, looking surly. He's wearing a school uniform as well but in his 'delinquent' way. Looks like we're school mates too.

"Eh~ but Rascal! You were so excited to go back to school yesterday! So excited that you started preparing one week in advance~ Even getting a new school bag~" Zange chimes in.

"NO! I only did that because I wanted to-"

"Watanuki…" Karuta suddenly comes over and holds Banri's hand, "Let's walk to school together with everyone…" She says as she tilts her head slightly to the side, making Banri's face flush violently. I swear his face is so hot I could fry an egg on it.

"H-Hai! Karuta!"

Aw, that's just so… cute. I have the gist that Banri might have a crush on Karuta… No, he does have a crush on her. It's so obvious. But I admit they go very well together!

"Tsuki-chan~ Ohayo~" Zange bounds over and greets me in his sing song voice.

"Ohayo, Zange. Are you feeling any better?"

"Hai hai~ SHIGERU-TAN! OHAYO~" Zange suddenly bounces over to a sulky Shigeru and tackles him into a man hug.

"Zange! Let go of me!" Shigeru manages to say, sounding quite strained. I can't help but give a snigger. Now you know how I feel, you idiot.

"You're going to school too~ Ne, Shigeru-tan? Shouldn't you change?"

"Yeah! I'll do it now!" Shigeru stand up and starts to take off his shirt. Wait, he's changing out here in public!? Can't he go somewhere else? This idiot, he doesn't even think, does he!?

"Oo~ Shigeru-tan is changing! I want to see if he has any six packs~"

"What an idiot." Ririchiyo says as she averts her eyes.

"I got to agree with that," I groan before I shout at Shigeru, "CAN'T YOU GO SOMEWHERE ELSE AND CHANGE, YOU BONEHEAD!? NO ONE WANTS TO LOOK AT YOU!"

"But don't you want to look at me?" As Shigeru completely loosens his tie, he flashes me a brilliant smile. Ugh, what a narcissist!

"NO, I DON'T!" I cover my eyes but I see that he actually really isn't revealing any bare skin. He takes off his necktie and his suit before wearing a jacket similar to Banri's.

"Why are you making such a big fuss? Did you really want me to take off my shirt that badly, Tsuki-chan?" He says as I gasp in horror: He's wearing the same school uniform as Banri and Renshou. That means…

This idiot goes to the same school as us! SHIGERU IS GOING TO THE SAME SCHOOL AS ME!

"Wait… How old are you, Kageyama?" Nobara's forehead creases in confusion.

"15!"

"EH!? YOU'RE 15!?" I gasp. My SS agent is younger than me!? I can't believe I'm getting pushed around by someone that's one year my junior!

"Tsuki-chan! But age doesn't matter, does it? I'll still get to see you, no matter what. Classrooms can't keep us apart, not even the universe could," Shigeru suddenly moves closer to me and whispers, "And I'll make sure that I'm always with you, won't leave you alone for even a minute." His words send a chill down my spine, a foreboding feeling coming over me, making me shudder.

I have a bad feeling about this…

"I'm Tsuki Yoake. I'll be your classmate from now on." I try not to let my emotions show as I stand before my new class's scrutinizing gaze. It's barely ten seconds before the whispers break out.

"That's the new student? I was wishing for one of those tall, sexy types. Too bad."

"But she does look pretty cute, like one of those lolli types."

"Her eyes creep me out though. Those red eyes makes her seem like she's mad or something."

"Oh my god, that hair! White makes her look so freakish and those eyes, ugh."

"Like, is she an albino?"

Everyone converses in hushed tones, occasionally sneaking peeks at me. Rirchiyo shifts awkwardly in her seat, her hands clasped together as she stares at me, trying to give me a reassuring look.

Here we go again, it's the same everywhere… Dark shadows perch on their shoulders, magnifying their insults tenfold, determine to break me. Their distorted voices drill into my head, causing my head to ache. They're here again… I was so used to their absence at Ayakashi Hall that now when I'm faced with a full scale attack, I can feel the fibers in me slowly unraveling, bit by bit, bit by bit.

As their voices merge to form an unbearable cacophony, I finally reach my limit. I slam a hand on the nearest table, startling its occupant before I launch into a long rant.

"WILL ALL OF YOU SHUT UP!? Anyone that calls me a freak or an albino is going to get it from me! If you talk behind my back, I swear I'll gouge out your eyes!" My eyes ablaze and my body shaking with anger, the words are out before I can even stop them. The entire class falls silent, silent to the point that all we can hear is the chirping of the birds outside. Everyone has that same, taken-aback look on their faces, gaping at me.

The shadows disperse as quickly as they appeared; leaving only a wispy, black smog.

"Yoake-san! Please take your seat now." The teacher coughs and ushers me to my place awkwardly. As I make my way to my seat, I keep my head held high, keeping my gaze on my desk, trying to block out the comments that start to fly my way.

"Woah! She's a feisty one. Better not mess with her."

"Hoh~ I didn't expect that! Is she trying to be braver than she is?"

"Bet she's all talk. A dog barks louder than its bite after all."

"Watanuki… Tsuki-chan is a good person, why are they being mean to her?" Karuta looks at Banri and although she doesn't show it, I can tell from her tone that she's upset.

Banri, whom was already fidgeting in his seat for a while finally stands up abruptly, landing a foot on the table and striking a delinquent pose.

"What the hell are you all saying!? I'm more of a delinquent than 10 of her combined!" He shouts, pointing a finger at himself and saying defiantly. Karuta get to her feet slowly and address the class as well.

"Tsuki-chan is a nice person… I like her…" She says slowly and gives me a small smile, making me freeze in my tracks. But what surprises me most is Ririchiyo's statement.

"Hmph, you herd of sheep! Just because you never met someone like her, you just assume things. What mindless people you all are." She says steadily without batting an eyelid, "I'm revolted by just the sight of all of you."

As I see the three figures standing up for my sake, I have to restrain myself from breaking down or letting any tears form because I'm so touched.

Looks like there really are sincere and good-hearted people in the world…

"Thank you." I whisper to them from the depths of my heart.

The four of us had lunch together up on the roof before heading back to class after break. I tried hard to ignore the shadows that hovered over everything, whispering deceitful things to me, just focusing on the conversation that the four of us are having. I need to keep my cool, no matter what.

As we pass by students from other years in the corridor, snippets of their conversation manage to catch my attention.

"Did you see that new exchange guy? He's so hot!"

"I know right! He's in my class! That guy looks so cool and mature!"

"Wow! You're so lucky! He's such a dreamboat!"

"He's so tall and he has such pretty hair!"

Exchange guy? Judging by the description, this 'guy' sounds vaguely familiar…

"He's got such beautiful eyes I could just die- OH MY GOD! He's coming this way!" A group of girls suddenly squeal hysterically and sprint pass me, tripping over themselves as they run in the direction of an ebony haired boy with piercing green eyes coming towards them.

Surprise, surprise. It's no other than my SS agent.

"Hey there! You're new, right? Need someone to show you around?"

"Want to hang after school?"

"Oo, let's have lunch together tomorrow!"

"What's your name, cutie?"

The girls all latch onto him like leeches, clinging to his arms as they flirt shamelessly, batting their eyelashes and twirling their hair in a bid to get his attention. Shigeru looks like a deer in the headlights again as he stands motionlessly, looking very awkward.

"Boy, is Shigeru popular with the ladies." I note as we watch the group of girls fawn over him, engaging in a violent tug of war to win his affections.

"Hmph, all those people are like sheep, just crawling all over him like parasites." Ririchiyo crosses her arms and says.

"Watanuki… Why do people go to Shigeru but not to you?"

"Eh?"

"Watanuki is a good person too… and I like Watanuki…" Karuta says and Banri's face turns a delicate shade of red.

Is this what I think it is? I stare at Karuta, dumbfounded by her sudden 'confession'.

"…like how I like Chiyo-chan and Tsuki-chan…" Karuta finishes as she holds Ririchiyo's and my hand, swinging them back and forth happily. I give Banri a sympathetic look as he looks down at the floor to hide his expression, Ririchiyo patting him on the back.

Oh, Karuta just 'friend zoned' him… She really has no idea, does she?

I'm temporarily distracted for a moment and because of this, what happens next was due to my carelessness.

"OH! TSUKI-CHAN!" Shigeru suddenly spots me and a wide grin breaks across his face as he pushes the girls off him, making a bee-line for me. Oh, darn.

I dither, trying to hide behind Banri but to no avail.

"Tsuki-chan! There you are!"

Looks like I won't be having a very dull school life after all…