Angsty Natsuki will be angsty.
Same day – After School - Fuuka Gakuen Student Council Room
While Natsuki was crying in turmoil, Shizuru was stuck alone in Fuuka Gakuen Student Council Room with work.
Shizuru's desk was buried under mountains of paperwork that needed to be looked over. They ranged from school repairs to club activities. As the Fuuka Gakuen Student Council President, Shizuru was expected to go above and beyond what was required of a regular Student Council President.
Shizuru checked her watch. It was nearly six o'clock and she barely scratched the surface.
"Working hard I see," a soft voice said. A familiar figure entered the room.
Shizuru smiled. "I'm afraid so," she replied. "But you know I rather be doing something else, Kikukawa-san."
Yukino nodded. "I feel the same way."
They shared a smile. "Are you about to head back?" Shizuru asked.
"Yes, but I came here because there's something I wanted to show you," Yukino said with barely contained excitement. She fished in her book bag. When she found the item, she held it up for the other girl to see.
Shizuru gasped. A glint of excitement flared in her red eyes. "You're brilliant, Kikukawa-san! How in the world did you manage to get that?" she asked.
"I got lucky that's all ... And I didn't get it just for me," Yukino winked. "I got it for us."
The happy sparkle in Shizuru's eyes grew brighter. "Oh Kikukawa-san, I could ask you to marry me right now!"
Yukino giggled. "Would you like to have a go at it?"
Shizuru rubbed her chin in contemplation. "Now? Ara, I don't know. I do have all this paperwork I need to look over."
"I can help you with that later," Yukino offered with a knowing smile.
"Then it's settled! We shall go back to my room right now!" A very excited Shizuru took Yukino by the wrist and rocketed out of the Student Council without wasting another second.
Same day – Several Hours later - Natsuki's Apartment
Natsuki did nothing but cry for an hour or two. Mai had patiently waited beside her friend. Natsuki had cried until she was too tired to do so anymore. When the tears finally stopped, the first thing Mai did was force feed Natsuki. Just by looking, Mai could tell that her friend hadn't been eating or sleeping properly. Mai made sure Natsuki was well fed and resting comfortably on the couch. Only then she asked her distressed friend about what had happened.
Although a bit reluctant at first, Natsuki explained everything that had happened between Shizuru and her. As Natsuki was finishing her story, they heard a knock at the door.
Mai answered it. Two uniformed Fuuka Students stood on the other side. It was Nao and Chie.
"Yo," Nao grunted.
"Good evening, Mai-kun," Chie, the more sociable one of the two greeted.
Mai gave them both a small wave. "Hey you two! Come on in."
"We came over because we were worried," Chie said, following Mai inside. She took a seat next to Natsuki on the couch and tossed the girl a warm smile. "Is everything all right? How's our little Natsuki-chan?"
"Been better," Natsuki croaked with a weary smile.
Chie's brows rose. The Ice-Princess had let her get away with the nickname, 'Natsuki-chan.' Her worries doubled.
Nao also shared Chie's concerns but she was less subtle in expressing them. "Oi Kuga, your eyes are red. Have you been crying?"
Natsuki wrecked her numb brain for a quick dismissal. She just explained everything to Mai and she really didn't feel like starting all over again. Plus, she didn't want Nao to make fun of her dilemma. Thankfully, Mai came to her rescue. "Everything is all right, Nao," her friend said.
"Eh? Then why does Kuga look like shit?" the young red-head rebutted.
"Give her a break, Nao," Mai reprimanded. "The issue is very personal and it's kind of hard for Natsuki to talk about it ...," Mai trailed off, hoping Nao would get the hint.
The red-head couldn't rationalize what Mai had said. "Personal? Come on! How bad could it be? What could possibly have happened that the mutt can't talk-" Nao's speech came to an abrupt halt. Her eyes went wide as a realization hit her. "O-oi Kuga, you didn't get- ... D-D-Did you g-get r-r-raped?" Nao's trepidation quickly turned into anger. "T-TELL ME WHO DID IT? IMMA BEAT THE SHIT OUTTA HIM!"
"N-No! It's not that you idiot!" Natsuki blushed, exasperated that Nao would jump to that conclusion.
Chie also had her worries. "Hmm, that's a relief to hear Natsuki-kun but if that's not the case then ... then ... A-Are you- ... Y-You're not pregnant, are you?"
"WHAT? Kuga, are you really p-p-p-p-p-," Nao stuttered in panic.
"I'M NOT PREGNANT YOU NITWITS!" Natsuki yelled at the two. She didn't know where they were getting these ideas from. "Mai, could you just tell them what's going on before they jump to anymore ridiculous conclusions?" she begged.
Mai was kind enough to relay everything that Natsuki had told her. The two newcomers listened quietly until Mai was finished.
Nao was the first to criticize. "THAT'S what you two fought about? Just say sorry and be done with it!"
"She's right, Natsuki. I don't want to be mean but it is your fault," Mai said.
"I know that already and I'm going to say sorry!" Natsuki mumbled with a disgruntled sulk. "You guys don't get it! Shizuru and I fought before but it was never like this. This is the first time she stopped talking to me for weeks. I-I must have done something to really tick her off."
Mai shook her head. "Don't think about unnecessary things. Just apologize first. Kaichou-sama is probably waiting for you to come talk to her."
Natsuki nodded. "I-I suppose you're right. What about- ... you know- ... the other thing?" she asked with a small blush.
Mai smirked. "What other thing?" She knew exactly what Natsuki was talking about but feigned otherwise. She wanted the other girl to say it out loud.
Natsuki's face flushed a darker shade of red as she continued to prattle. "Y-You know, a-about me and S-Shizuru ... erm ..."
The three other girls groaned in unison. "Kuga, just say it already! You. Like. Fujino! We all know it!" Nao snapped. Natsuki's blush spread to her ears and neck when she heard the red-head's blunt words.
"If you can't say it to us then how are you going to say it to Kaichou-sama?" Mai scolded her.
"But Mai, do I really have to confess first?" Natsuki sniveled. "I-I'm so bad at it. Can't I just drop hints and let Shizuru do it instead?" There was also something else to worry about. Natsuki and all her friends knew Shizuru had feelings for her before but now, she wasn't so sure anymore. The older girl hadn't said anything about it in ages. "What if Shizuru doesn't feel the same way anymore?" she asked.
Mai exhaled tiredly. "Didn't you tell Kaichou-sama that you just want to be friends?"
"Yeah?"
"Then knowing Kaichou-sama, she's going to try her best not to force herself on you. So even if she still feels the same way, she probably won't tell you. There is no other way around this, Natsuki. You HAVE to make the first move," Mai explained.
Her friend had a point and Natsuki had no room to argue. She was going to have to confess to Shizuru. The very thought of it made her heart beat abnormally fast.
"Hmmm," Chie made a speculative sound. She looked deep in thought. It intrigued the other three girls in the room.
"What are you thinking, Four-eyes?" Nao asked the raven-head.
"O-Oh, it's nothing ... I think," Chie replied.
Chie's answer intrigued them even more. "What it is?" Natsuki inquired.
"Well," Chie took a deep breath. "I've just been hearing rumors about Kaichou-sama and Kikukawa-san." She shifted apprehensively in her seat before she went on. "They are said to be … dating."
"WHAT?!" Natsuki hollered. Everyone was stunned from the news just delivered by the gossip queen of Fuuka Gakuen. "Is that really true? A-are you sure about it?" Natsuki asked. Her voice cracked and she felt a familiar sting in her eyes. She was barely holding back the tears. 'Did Shizuru really move on?'
"Well, according to Kaichou-sama's neighbors, Kikukawa-san visits Kaichou-sama every evening and she doesn't leave until it's nearly midnight," Chie explained. "I've ... also seen them leaving the school together."
"Chie-san! Why didn't you say anything before?" Mai exclaimed.
"I just thought they were discussing Student Council business! They walk back together quite often. They've been doing that ever since I've known them. I'm surprised Natsuki hadn't noticed," Chie said. "On the bright side, these rumors didn't come out until people found out about Kaichou-sama's sexuality so we can't know for sure. The rumors might be false."
"They have to be false!" Mai said forcefully. "Kaichou-sama is in love with Natsuki! She probably still is! She just doesn't seem like the type to move on that fast!"
"Mai, this is Fujino we're talking about," Nao deadpanned. "She's the hunka hunka burning love of Fuuka Gakuen. She practically has the whole school chasing her around. I wouldn't be surprised if she did move on."
Natsuki paled. Mai immediately put her arms around the shaky girl "Not helping, Nao," she snapped.
"I'm just telling you guys to keep an open mind. Maybe she got over Kuga. Maybe she's seeing someone else now," Nao said defensively.
Mai was still befuddled. "But- ... But with Yukino-san?"
Nao shrugged. "Maybe she's into girls with glasses, you know, dorky looking girls."
This time, Natsuki's tears did fall but she wiped them away with her sleeves quickly. "I need to go," she said and tried to shrug Mai's hand off but the other girl held her in place.
"Wha- ... Where are you going?" Mai asked.
"To Kikukawa's room. I need to know if all of this is true. I'm gonna go ask her right now," Natsuki said.
"Don't be rash, Natsuki-kun. Let's think about it a little bit more," Chie tried to console her friend but Natsuki shook her head.
"Nearly three weeks, I've been doing nothing but thinking. Now I want answers and I want them now," Natsuki said. Her pleading eyes met Mai's concerned ones. "Please, I need to."
To Natsuki's relief, Mai finally nodded with a reassuring smile, "Alright, but I'm coming with you."
"Okay." A few minutes later, Natsuki marched out of her apartment with three worried friends following close behind.
Same Evening – A few minutes later - Fuuka Gakuen Dormitories
Natsuki, Mai, Nao and Chie headed towards the Fuuka dormitories where Haruka and Yukino shared a room.
The whole way, Mai had been telling Natsuki to calm down, expect the worst but hope for the best. When they finally arrived in front of Yukino's door, Natsuki gave a sharp knock and impatiently waited for someone to answer.
"Hold on." They heard a muffled gruff voice. No doubt, it belonged to Haruka.
The door opened not long after. "Hey," Haruka greeted but frowned when she saw the crowd of people gathered at the door. "What's going on?" she asked.
"Can we speak to Kikukawa?" Natsuki asked. "There's something I need to ask her."
Haruka shook her head. "She's out," she answered, much to everyone's dismay. "Actually, I'm about to head out too so if you all don't mind-"
"Do you know where we can find Kikukawa-san?" Chie probed. Natsuki was getting more restless by the minute and they wanted answers, fast.
"Well, she's over at Fujino's right now," Haruka said. "In fact … Kuga, I've been meaning to talk to you about that."
Natsuki's interest was instantly piqued. "What is it?" she asked.
"You and Bubuzuke are close right? D-Do you know if there's something going on between her and Yukino?" the blonde asked with a tint of anxiousness in her voice. "Yukino has been coming back to the room pretty late. She spends a lot of time in Bubuzuke's room. I-It's not something new though. They've been doing this for a while and I thought nothing of it. But- ... but after I found out that Bubuzuke likes g-girls, I don't know what to think anymore. So I keep wondering if the two of them are- .. erm ..."
'So Suzushiro noticed it too,' Natsuki thought with a painful pang inside her chest. Maybe Yukino was the reason why Shizuru didn't come over to her apartment anymore. 'No, I shouldn't be assuming. I should ask Kikukawa first ... or Shizuru.' She couldn't allow herself to give up just yet. "We were wondering the same thing," Natsuki replied Haruka with an honest answer.
"O-Oh, all right ... " Haruka tried to sound nonchalant about it but her edgy demeanor said otherwise. "Well, I'm about to head over to Bubuzuke's room to see what's going on? You guys wanna come with?"
Natsuki didn't trust herself to speak. She was also a nervous wreck herself. She gave a silent nod and the group of girls started heading for Shizuru's room.
Same night – A few minutes later – On the way to Shizuru's dorm
Shizuru lived in the same building as Haruka but on a different floor. The group had started trudging their way to Shizuru's dorm room. Haruka and Natsuki were being so quiet to the point that they were making the other three girls uncomfortable. Mai tried to make some small talk on the way to ease the tension.
"So Suzushiro-san, I see that your malapropism is getting better," said Mai.
"Yeah, Yukino's been helping out."
"That's good!" After that, the conversation was dead again. Natsuki didn't help matters by emitting an air of trepidation.
After what seemed like a long awkward journey over a flight of stairs, they were finally at their destination.
"We're here," Haruka announced. This time, no reprimanding look from Mai could stop Natsuki from pounding on Shizuru's door. She banged on the door for a while. Haruka signaled Natsuki to stop after the 6th knock. The blonde pressed her ears against the door. Also curious, Natsuki mirrored her actions.
"Can you hear anything?" Nao whispered.
Haruka and Natsuki shushed the red-head. They both continued to listen intently. Then Natsuki heard it. She heard voices coming from the other side of the door.
"Who do you think it is?" a voice said.
"Ara, I don't know but I'm too busy to care. Maybe if we're really quiet, they'll go away," another voice answered.
Haruka heard the voices too and her anger instantly shot through the roof. "WE CAN HEAR YOU, IDIOTS!" she shouted. "I'M NOT LEAVING UNTIL YOU OPEN THIS DAMN DOOR!"
Surprisingly enough, the door opened soon after Haruka's outburst.
A peeved and agitated Shizuru came to view. Natsuki examined the older girl up and down. She checked to see if there was anything that might suggest that Shizuru and Yukino were doing something intimate. The older girl was still wearing her school uniform and nothing looked out of the ordinary. Natsuki felt relieved but not for long. She needed to confirm her suspicions with Shizuru. Depending on the older girl's answer, Natsuki would decide whether or not to tell Shizuru about her feelings.
Natsuki took a deep breath. 'This is it,' she thought. She didn't know what was going to happen from this point on but she wanted to give it all her best before giving up on Shizuru. 'I'll ask to speak with her in private. I'll apologize first. Then I'll ask her about Kikukawa.' With that in mind, Natsuki spoke, "Shizuru, there's something I need ask you."
"Yeah, me too," Haruka added.
Shizuru held up her hands to stop them both from speaking further. "Ara, I am sure whatever you have to say is very important but I am extremely busy right now. So you will have to talk to me tomorrow. I apologize for any inconveniences." Shizuru spoke with the speed that would make a bullet envious. The door slammed in the visitors' faces as soon as she was done talking.
The five astounded girls gawked at the closed door.
Haruka turned to Natsuki. "Did she ... Did she just-" she sputtered.
"Told us to piss off because she's too damn busy to hear what we have to say," Natsuki finished for Haruka with barely restrained anger.
"And then she-?"
"Slammed the door in our faces? Yes, she did," Natsuki growled.
"AH, HELL NO!" Haruka roared. She took several steps away from the door. "STAND BACK!" she ordered and nobody argued with her. When the area around the door was cleared, Haruka made a mad dash towards it. She collided with the door, causing it to break away from its hinges. The door fell down with a loud thud.
"YOU CAN'T DISS ME THAT EASILY BUBUZUKE!" Haruka yelled and proceeded to charge into Shizuru's room.
If Natsuki's mind wasn't so preoccupied, she would commend Haruka's strength. "Better follow her," Chie reminded and they all ran in after the blonde.
Natsuki didn't know what she should be expecting when she entered Shizuru's room but she certainly wasn't expecting to see Shizuru and Yukino situated side by side at the dining table. Each had their own laptops in front of them.
"Haruka-chan!" Yukino exclaimed in surprise but didn't get up from her seat.
Shizuru on the other hand, stood up looking exceedingly infuriated. She pointed at the broken door. "Was that really necessary?" she demanded in a clipped tone.
Haruka ignored her question. "What the hell is this?" the blonde asked, gesturing at the set up in the room.
Natsuki was also quite puzzled. "What are you two doing?" she asked.
"We've lost another tank! Kaichou-sama, you're our only tank left!" Yukino suddenly yelped. "No! The mage and healers are dying!" The girl began to click away on her mouse at an alarmingly fast speed.
"No!" Shizuru's focus shifted from the intruders to her laptop. She sat down and started mimicking Yukino's actions.
"What's a tank?" Nao wondered out loud.
Chie was also at a loss. "Beats me."
"A mage?" Mai uttered.
Haruka and Natsuki could only shrug. They too didn't know what was going on.
Yukino sucked in an annoyed breath. "Our two healers just died and the third one's almost dead," she said.
"Healer?" Natsuki muttered. It was beginning to sound more familiar now. Natsuki had heard these terms constantly being used in role playing games.
"But how-" Shizuru stammered.
Yukino sighed. "It happened while you were answering the door," she said.
"Damn it all!" Shizuru exclaimed, surprising several people in the room except Yukino. This was the first time they heard her curse.
"Third healer is dead. No one is healing us now!" Yukino informed. Not a second after, the girl threw up her hands in exasperation "And I just died!"
"What the hell is going on here?" Haruka asked. Since no one was in the mood to answer any questions, Natsuki decided to go and stand behind Shizuru and Yukino to see what they were doing.
"I'm the only one left!" Shizuru said as she desperately clicked on her mouse. "No … NO! The monsters are all ganging up on me! Blasted! I'm dead!" She thumped her hands on the dining table with an agonized grunt.
Yukino started typing on her laptop. "Kaichou-sama, Tejari messaged me. He said you are a horrible group leader."
"Great! Now my reputation is ruined!" Shizuru spat.
Natsuki shook her head, "Oh, please. You're overreacting. It's just a game." That was what the big fuss was about. Shizuru and Yukino were playing a massive multiplayer online game.
"Just a game?" Shizuru stood up. Her glare was set on Natsuki. "Kikukawa-san was kind enough to get us the latest expansion for this computer game! A special event is being held for a small group of privileged individuals like us, who managed to get the game before its official release. We only get one chance. ONE! To complete this dungeon and we failed because you all kept DISTURBING US!"
Natsuki's jaw dropped. Was Shizuru serious? It was just a game and the older girl looked like she was about to lose it.
"Could you forget about your stupid game and listen to me for one second?" Natsuki snapped. Her patience was thinning out with every passing moment.
Shizuru let out a bitter chuckle. "So this is a stupid game, is it? You were quick to yell at me when I interrupted your video game. In fact! That's it, isn't it? This is revenge for that time I interrupted you. You are doing this to spite me!"
"What? You think I'm that childish?" Natsuki seethed. Her anger was about to hit its boiling point.
"Ara, I don't recall you acting very mature that night when you were yelling at me like a spoiled brat," Shizuru said, her anger matching that of Natsuki.
"And you're a damn hypocrite because you're acting the same way right now!" Natsuki retorted.
"At least I didn't break down your door like a barbarian!" Shizuru snapped back quickly.
It was then that everything began to get out of hand. Natsuki marched towards Shizuru. Everyone started yelling at the same time; some were protesting while others panicked. Mai, who still had a steady head, threw herself between Shizuru and Natsuki before the chaos broke out. If the anger driven Natsuki did get to Shizuru then who knew what she would have done. Shizuru was also not helping the situation by uncharacteristically fanning the flames with her taunts.
Mai waited until she had a firm hold of both Natsuki's shirt and Shizuru's arm before screaming. "SHUT UP! ALL OF YOU!"
To Mai's surprise, the yelling died down and all the attention focused on her. Mai sighed in relief. She kept her hold on both Shizuru and Natsuki just in case before speaking in a much quieter tone. "Now Natsuki, didn't you have a question for Kaichou-sama?"
Natsuki and Shizuru were locked in a glaring match. Mai was worried that her friend wasn't going to listen but then Natsuki spoke in a strained voice, "Yes," she said.
"Well … aren't you going to ask her?" Mai encouraged the other girl.
Shizuru scoffed. "Don't tell me you broke down my door just because you want to ask a question? This is more stupid-"
"Kaichou-sama! Please just let Natsuki ask the question!" Mai scolded the older girl.
"Fine! Ask me that damnable question but this has better be good!" Shizuru jeered.
Natsuki was instantly incensed. "Damnable question? Why you-"
"Natsuki! Can you just ask the question? Please?" Mai pleaded, trying to keep both girls on track.
"Fine! Shizuru, are you dating Kikukawa?" Natsuki asked.
Shizuru was flabbergasted by the question. "Wha- What kind of stupid question is that?"
Right then, Natsuki's anger finally peaked. "JUST ANSWER IT DAMMIT! ARE YOU OR ARE YOU NOT?" she shouted.
Shizuru also blew her top "I'M NOT!" she yelled back.
"FINE THEN!"
"FINE! ARE WE DONE HERE?"
"I GUESS WE ARE!"
Both Shizuru and Natsuki brushed Mai's hands off and turned their backs to each other. They both began to take off in opposite directions. Shizuru headed for her dining table while Natsuki strode towards the front entrance.
"Wha-ah, h-hey! Wait a minute! Natsuki, d-don't you want to say something more?" Mai asked frantically.
Natsuki stopped walking and whipped around. This gave Mai some hope. The situation may yet be salvageable.
Shizuru still had her back to Natsuki. The younger girl's glare softened. It wasn't her intention to fight with Shizuru like this. Natsuki wasn't the one who broke down Shizuru's door but she didn't exactly stop Haruka from doing it. So it was partially her fault. She made a mistake. "It was a mistake-" Natsuki began but Shizuru cut her off.
"Yes, you made a big mistake coming here. Everything was fine until you came along," she shot back before Natsuki could finish.
Mai gasped. She looked to Natsuki and saw the damage those words had done. Tears were welling up in her friend's eyes.
Natsuki disappeared from her spot before Mai could do anything about it.