Here's chapter 9. (bows) please forgive me for the absurdly long delay! I wanted to continue writing even though my college has started but then I found myself just lacking time to do so. I'm sorry, but time management is not my forte. I finally managed to write this because of my semester break. Unfortunately though, I've been slacking off so much that I wasted the semester break away. I will now disappear for another 3 months. My apologies once again, but I really don't think that I can write with the workload I have so do enjoy what I have managed. Comments are welcomed. If you spot any mistakes in the grammar, please let me know. Typed it late at night, brain wasn't really functioning.


Chapter 9: Answers

Autumn, the season the weather becomes colder, the leaves change color and eventually drop off. The season in preparation for winter. Red hues take over what was once green and the falling leaves have been likened to that of the sakura. But without question, the degrees of enjoyment for both are vastly different. People flock to see the sakura fall, the same attention isn't given to the humble autumn leaves.

Natsuki walked leisurely, passing tree after tree, carefully gracing each one of them with a glance. At any other time, she may have wondered why she was having such weird thoughts. But at this very moment, the red hues of the falling leaves brought to mind something else. Something she didn't mind as much, so she let it pass. It surprised her, how she never took the time to watch simple things, like leaves falling from a tree, so much that it fascinated her. Why do the leaves fall?

She felt a brush on her forehead, and drew back. Her hand shot up to grasp the object in question, and brought it down to eye-level. She held the leaf by its stem, twisting it back and forth between her thumb and forefinger. The repeated action made the color seemingly spread out from the leaf, and that caused a smile to break from her lips.

"Autumn does suit you," she murmured to no one in particular. Perhaps, to that thought in the mind. She stopped the twisting, and stared at the leaf closely. She sighed, and dropped her hand, with it the leaf. She watched as the leaf glided to the ground. But her contentment of watching the leaf was interrupted by a boisterous voice.

"What was that?!"

Natsuki came to attention and turned to the voice, grimacing as she did so. She knew that voice all to well. While it seemed as though the voice wasn't talking to her, she did question what its owner was doing out here. Slowly, she searched for the source of the commotion. Soon, she spotted the culprits, and instinctively stopped, not wanting to get too close. At a not too distant clearing, the Head Executive and her assistant stood at one side, while a lower ranked member, in his distinctive white uniform stood in front of them, which also happens to be the receiving end of what appeared to be a long lecture.

She silently pitied him, but as it was none of her business anyway, she made a move to leave. She had no intention of getting spotted. She looked away, but then she felt a pair of eyes on her.

"Kuga-san," was called.

She stopped, and eyed the caller. It was the assistant. And somehow the assistant's calling have also drawn the leader's attention.

"That's enough," Haruka said, obviously to the Executive member in front of her. "You may go; I'll deal with the problem later."

"Understood," came the reply. He respectfully backed up. "Well then, excuse me."

Natsuki watched the Executive member take his leave, before she refocused her gaze on the other two. She sighed softly, such that no one heard it but herself. "What do you want?"

Haruka stared at Natsuki, keeping the air of intimidation around her though she probably did not notice that it intimidated no one. "Just a word."

Haruka stepped forward while Yukino followed and reluctantly, Natsuki matched the move. However, both parties stopped at a suitable talking distance. Not too close for comfort yet not too far that they would have to raise their voices.

"You seem pretty close to Fujino lately," Haruka commented, not wasting a second.

Natsuki's eyebrow twitched. She knew somehow that Shizuru would be what Suzushiro wanted to talk about. Perhaps she even knew that it would be regarding their closeness, because Suzushiro had been giving her unsettling stares since she saw their interaction the other day in the Student Council Room.

'Ah, it seems that I have to part with my Natsuki, we were just having a good time, no?'

She resisted the blush she felt was coming at the memory. "And which part of that is your business?"

Haruka raised an eyebrow. "It was you who wanted to hold back from her that she lost her memories of you. What you're doing now defeats the purpose, doesn't it?"

Natsuki knitted her brows. It annoyed her how Suzushiro spoke as though she understood everything. As though she knew what it was like, to be in her shoes. "You-," she paused, "don't know what my purpose is."

But then again….

She looked down.

Neither do I…..

"That's true, I don't," Haruka replied. "My only problem is that with your…unrestrained interaction with that bubuzuke onna, even if nobody says anything to her, she might still be triggered to remember."

Natsuki looked at Suzushiro, slightly unsure. What had just been said does hold credit, but that wasn't what the thing that was troubling her. "Why is that a problem to you?"

"Of course it's a problem!" Haruka said forcefully. She balled up her right fist in front of her. "It's not only my problem, it involves the entire Student Council, no, the entire school!"

Natsuki blinked, and then stared wide eyed at Suzushiro. "Wh-What?"

Haruka pursed her lips in displeasure at the other girl's incomprehension. She turned to Yukino. "Yukino, explain."

Yukino nodded and stepped forward, drawing Natsuki's eyes from Haruka to her. "Let me explain, Kuga-san. Actually, kaichou has been different ever since that incident."

Natsuki cast Yukino a sideways glance. "Like that's not obvious enough."

The retort threw Yukino off. "I'm sorry, but I wasn't talking about her memory." Natsuki's silence prodded her to continue. "Since then, she has been doing all her work as seitokaichou diligently, and she pays keen interest in the school's restoration. She also doesn't push her responsibilities to Haruka-chan anymore."

"Do you know what that means?" Haruka asked, before Natsuki could say anything. And she didn't wait for Natsuki to answer either. "That means, that somehow something in her memory of you was causing her to slack off! And that's why, well, if she regains her memory by herself it can't be helped, but if that doesn't happen and you change your mind about your silence, I want you to not say anything at least until she graduates."

Haruka took a deep breath. "I hate to admit it but that bubuzuke onna is a really capable seitokaichou. She always has been. It's just that she's never taken her work seriously before. Now that she is, we need her. No, the school needs her."

Natsuki turned away from Haruka. "That's selfish."

"You're one to talk," Haruka replied, but her tone was free from any accusation. She folded her arms. "One selfish act for another. This is far."

"Fair, Haruka-chan," Yukino corrected.

The one being corrected whipped her head around. "Not now, Yukino. This is a serious conversation."

"…Haruka-chan…," Yukino said helplessly.

Natsuki found herself grinning at the exchange. Slowly, she turned back to face the Head Executive. "And what makes you think that I will do as you say?"

"Kuga-san, this is just a request. I thought to let you know," Haruka said. "Whatever you do from here, use your own reasoning to decide."

--

'Whatever you do from here, use your own reasoning to decide'

Natsuki leant back against a tree and stared at the spot where Suzushiro and Yukino had been just moments ago. The two had abruptly taken their leave after that last sentence in a manner that didn't entertain anything else she had to say. Not that she had any in the first place. Her brows furrowed.

What the hell? If that was what she wanted to say, why bother with everything else?

Natsuki paused, and then looked up once again to the leaves. But despite that, one certain thing Suzushiro said did catch her attention.

'That means, that somehow something in her memory of you was causing her to slack off!'

She sighed, and turned away from the tree. "Something in her memory of me?" What could it be?

"Ah, it's Natsuki!"

Natsuki found herself without a chance to even turn to look as by the time she did so, the caller had already found its way to her side. She could've sworn the voice sounded first at a distance. But, she looked down at the black haired wild child now beside her, that was to be expected. "Mikoto."

She looked down the path Mikoto came from and spotted another expectation walking slowly towards her. She straightened herself from the tree. "Mai."

Mai lifted her hand and waved. "Natsuki."

"What are you doing here?" Natsuki asked when Mai finally joined their side.

"Mikoto couldn't stand being indoors all the time, so I finally decided to let her out for a walk," Mai answered.

Natsuki eyed Mai's roommate, who seemed to be in her own world, marveling at just about everything. "You talk like she's your pet."

Mai grinned cheekily. She reached out to pat Mikoto's head. "Mikoto, didn't I say not to run around?"

"Mai!" Mikoto clung onto Mai, rubbing her head into Mai's bust at the same time enjoying the head pat. "But I finally get to go outside!"

Natsuki watched the proceedings with vexed interest. "How's her injury?"

"That's not an injury! I'm fine!" Mikoto declared, uncaring that the question wasn't directed to her. "Right, Mai?"

Mai laughed helplessly, before she looked at Natsuki. "Actually no, it's not fine. The wound hasn't healed completely yet, but it doesn't seem to be troubling her."

Natsuki smiled at Mikoto who still clung onto Mai. "She's a tough girl."

"She is," Mai agreed, eyeing the girl in her arms. She promptly turned her attention back to Natsuki. "What are you doing here?"

"Nothing. Just thinking," Natsuki replied.

"What? Stop, stop. Every time you do you just end up with negative thoughts," Mai said.

Natsuki's brows furrowed. "What do you mean by that?"

"Ah! Ani-ue!" Mikoto exclaimed suddenly. She released Mai and ran up to the approaching black clad figure. The other two too, turned to look.

"Ani-ue!"

"Mikoto-chan," he greeted. He smiled at the others as well. "Mai-san, Natsuki-san."

"Reito-san."

"Kanzaki," Natsuki greeted in turn. "No, or is it Minagi now?"

His eyes lightened at the mention of his other name. Or true name. No one knew for sure for he never clarified. Perhaps this would be his chance. "Mah, about that, both are fine I suppose."

"Both are fine?" Natsuki asked. "That isn't practical."

He chuckled lightly. "You're right, that certainly won't do. In that case," he looked down at his sister. "Mikoto-chan, which do you prefer? Kanzaki or Minagi?"

"Ani-ue is ani-ue! Nothing else matters!" Mikoto stressed.

Mikoto then received another round of head patting, this time from her ani-ue. He shifted his attention to Mai. "What does Mai-san think?"

"Eh? Me? Um…I think it doesn't really matter to me, because I call you Reito-san," Mai answered.

He grinned, and looked to Natsuki. "Then Natsuki-san should call me Reito as well. Saves all the trouble, am I right?"

Natsuki's brow twitched. There was somehow something intimate in calling first names, and she wasn't sure she was comfortable when it came to the male in question. "I'll stick with Kanzaki," she said flatly.

"May I ask why?" Kanzaki questioned.

"I'm more used to it," she explained, then shot a look to Mikoto. "And Minagi makes me think of your sister."

"I see. That's fine then," he replied. "More importantly, shouldn't Mikoto-chan be resting?"

The question was probably directed at Mai, but the subject answered it herself.

"Ani-ue too! I've had enough rest!"

Mai chipped in. "Mikoto is right. You should be resting too, Reito-san. How's your shoulder?"

"I'm honored Mai-san is worried."

Mai blushed. "That-anyone would be worried! Ne, Mikoto?"

Mikoto nodded. "Hmm!"

"Mah, thank you for your concern. The wound hasn't healed and it still hurts to move but I wanted to get some fresh air," he said. Much of his days had been spent in the dorm, so it's no surprise he wanted to get out for a while.

"Hmm! Outside air is the best! And Mai promised to let me eat ice-cream-" Mikoto stopped, before she whirled back to Mai's side. "That's right! Mai! Ice-cream!"

Mai inwardly groaned. "And I thought you finally forgot about that."

Mikoto shook her head excitedly. "Let's go!"

Mai sighed. "I got it, I got it." She looked at the other two. "Would you two like to join us?"

Reito shook his head. "I was never fond of ice-cream."

"One has to wonder if Mikoto is truly your sister. There doesn't seem to be any similarities," Natsuki interjected.

"Being siblings doesn't mean we have to be similar, wouldn't you agree, Mai-san?" he said instead.

"Eh? I…I guess?" she answered, caught off guard.

Mikoto tugged at Mai's arm. "Mai, hurry up!"

"Okay, okay," Mai looked at the older girl. "Natsuki, are you coming?"

Nastuki shot her a glare. "Do I need to answer that?"

Mai smiled. "I suppose not. I'll have to catch both of you some other time then."

"It's okay. Please take your time and enjoy the ice-cream, Mikoto-chan," Reito said.

"Yes, ani-ue!" Mikoto nodded, already pulling Mai away.

"You're not kicking off school, are you?" Natsuki asked.

Mai turned her head to look at Natsuki. "There's no way I'd do that. I'm just getting her a simple one from the school cafeteria."

Mikoto's eyes widened. "Eh?? That's not fair, Mai!"

"What do you mean not fair? I told you until your wound heal, you're prohibited from leaving the school grounds."

"Mai!"

"No."

"Mai!"

"I said no."

The remaining two watched the petty bickering up until Mai and Mikoto disappeared from sight. Kanzaki laughed lightly while Natsuki merely grinned.

"I'm envious," Kanzaki remarked.

Natsuki raised an eyebrow, and cast him a glance. "Of Mikoto?"

He shook his head. "No, more of their relationship. They're very close."

She held her eyes; however she wasn't looking at him. Slowly though, they fell down. "Yes," she replied, her voice falling short. "Very."

It didn't go unnoticed. Kanzaki rolled his eyes to look at the blue haired girl. But it didn't last; he turned away, and chose to instead focus his attention on a distant object. "Natsuki-san."

She looked up with apprehension, the tone of the third year's voice startling her. What added to it was his turned away gaze. "What?"

For a while, he seemed to be battling with himself with whether or not to speak, and this made Natsuki even more anxious. Kanzaki was well known for having a smart mouth, and he was a man of confidence too. He never was at a lost for words, and there wasn't many issues or people that he couldn't tackle. He wasn't the fukukaichou of the Student Council just for show. Then what is it that he wants to say that he seems unable to bring himself to? Natsuki gulped, and waited.

Finally, with an obvious intake of breath, he broke his silence. "How is…..Shizuru-san?"

Natsuki drew her head back slightly, as though he shot her with the mention of that name. Maybe he did. But it would be the question, not the name. He should know better. She lowered her gaze to the ground, and an almost painful smile took over. "Still like that."

He flinched at her answer, having not expected the resigned tone in her voice. She had sounded like someone who fell out of a twentieth story window falling to her death. And have accepted it. He sighed. "I see," and after a moment her added, "I'm sorry."

Now she was startled. Her gaze found its way back to him in less than a second. "Why are you apologizing?"

"Because there is nothing else I can do," he answered.

Her brows came together as she looked away. "I don't want sympathy."

"Then I'm sorry for that as well," he said.

Natsuki said nothing in return, not because she didn't have any, but because she felt it unnecessary at this point. She had sensed it; this wasn't what Kanzaki truly wanted to say. It was just the prelude, which means that the real thing should be coming soon. There was no need to say things that might direct the conversation elsewhere.

"Natsuki-san."

Said person puckered her ears.

"May I ask you something?"

This was it. She turned to face him and found that he too, was now facing her. She hoped that he couldn't see that she was unnerved. "What is it?"

"As of now," he started as he stared at Natsuki in the eyes. "What is your relationship with Shizuru-san?"

The surprise was evident on her face. "What is my relationship…with Shizuru?"

The nod that followed was so light it was barely noticed. "Are you two…friends? Or is it…more than that?"

She felt herself grow warm, and upon realization she quickly turned her face away from Kanzaki's unwavering stare.

More than that?

It was what Shizuru wanted from her before. But the question was 'as of now', and as of now, Shizuru and her…what are they? What is their relationship? Friends? She was very tempted to say so, but somehow that notion didn't sit well with her. It didn't feel right.

'Natsuki may ask anything of me'

'I like Natsuki much much more'

Do friends say such things to each other? She couldn't even compare, because she didn't have many. And when she thought about it, neither did Shizuru. Despite all the fame and glory and fawning over that the kaichou received. It could be said, that they were everything to each other.

"I-I don't know," the reply came finally.

Kanzaki seemed to have expected that answer. "I shall change my question then. What is Shizuru-san to you?"

She froze.

What is Shizuru…to me?

"Even if you don't know what your relationship is, you should at least know what she means to you, am I right?" Kanzaki asked.

She gulped. Her eyes found their way back to Kanzaki, glaringly so. "Why do you want to know this?"

He seemed to sigh, and a small smile came to his lips. "Now, now Natsuki-san, there is no need to be so serious. I'm sorry; I'll get to my point."

She visibly relaxed, but the glare remained.

He closed his eyes for a moment, and then opened them again. "If I said…I want to date Shizuru-san, would you allow it?"

She was taken aback. "What? But, but I thought that you like Mai!"

"I do like Mai-san, but," his smile disappeared, "I've always liked Shizuru-san."

Her eyes widened. There had been tons of rumors circulating school about Kanzaki and Shizuru, but she didn't expect any of them to be true. Because Shizuru always denied any sort of involvement other than platonic.

"I confessed to her before, two years ago, but she rejected me," he continued, knowing that she obviously hadn't heard this before. "She told me she couldn't accept my feelings because; there is someone else she likes."

She swallowed. Her throat felt tight.

Someone else…was it…me?

"She never told me who it was, but from the way she spoke of that person, I immediately knew I was no match," he said, seemingly answering her unsaid question. "But I was still able to be by her side as her friend, and when she ran for the seitokachou position, I ran for fukukaichou just to be able to be by her side."

Natsuki did not respond. The information was somehow puzzling.

"Then Mai-san transferred here, and then I found that I like Mai-san. But it would appear that I fail again. She chose Tate-kun," he chuckled, although Natsuki did not share his humor. He did not mind. "Now, Shizuru-san has lost past memories of you, so that is why this time she might accept my feelings. I want to try again, if that is alright with you."

She remained silent, but then suddenly inhaled a breath. "Why are you asking if it's alright with me?"

"Because she has already rejected me, and I have already accepted her reason that she likes someone else. I want to take advantage of the situation, yet I want to respect her wishes and the only way for me to do that now is by asking you Natsuki-san. Because you're the someone else Shizuru-san spoke of," he answered.

A blush came to her cheeks at his last sentence. Though she figured that as much, otherwise he wouldn't be having this conversation with her, to hear him say it straight to her face, she couldn't help it.

He smiled upon seeing the red that now tinted Natsuki's cheeks. "It's a nice feeling isn't it? To know that someone likes you?"

She blushed deeper. It wasn't so much what he said, but who he meant behind what he said. It indeed is a nice feeling.

Because it is Shizuru…..she rejected Kanzaki……because of me

Her breath hitched at the thought and she promptly directed her eyes away from him. They settled instead on the ground. "I'm sorry."

He raised an eyebrow in genuine surprise. "Why are you apologizing?" The conversation seemed the exact opposite of one just moments before. "Please, Natsuki-san. I don't want you to take it upon yourself that Shizuru-san rejected me because of you. That was Shizuru-san's decision based on her feelings at that time. So don't apologize. That will not change anything. Instead," he paused. "May I have your answer?"

"My answer?"

If it's alright with me? How can it be? Why isn't it?

"That's why you asked me what Shizuru is to me?" Natsuki questioned.

He nodded. "Yes. Based on your answer, I may not have to ask if it's alright with you. I'm sorry. I do realize it's rude."

Natsuki opened her mouth to speak, but then something caught her eyes. She followed it, perhaps unconsciously so, but she would not resent it. Her open mouth gradually cam to a shut, with nothing having left it. Not even air.

"Shizuru," she breathed.

Kanzaki raised both eyebrows at the name. Then he turned, following Natsuki's eyes and then he too, seemed to be at a lost for words. He swallowed. "Well…indeed."

In actuality, neither of them was looking directly at the object of interest. Nor did they see her. But both of them knew that it was her. No one else had such a commanding presence. No one else was more sought after. No one else had more fans than even Kanzaki himself. And no one else has her fans follow her around, every second they have to spare. So while they had not seen Shizuru herself, it could only be her at the centre of that human circle now making its way slowly towards…wherever it was headed. Only Shizuru had the power to attract so many bees.

And unsuspecting eyes. Even other students, who previously were minding their own business appeared to be unable to stop themselves, and cast the human circle, its epicenter to be exact, at least a glance before resuming their businesses. Even the two in conversation. Kanzaki was first to break out of the trance.

He let out a chuckle. "It would seem that Shizuru-san is being hounded today as well."

Natsuki kept her gaze fixed on what she wanted but has yet to see. "She is hounded everyday."

He looked her way and laughed some more. "I suppose that is also true." He turned his vision back to the person of interest. "But…Shizuru-san does have a certain charm, and charisma too that some people cannot help but to be attracted to her. Like a moth to a flame," he shot her a glance from the corner of his eyes. "Wouldn't you agree, Natsuki-san?"

"A moth to a flame?" she repeated, ignoring his question. "Is that how you see yourself and Shizuru to be?"

He blinked. "Something like that perhaps. Why do you ask?"

"Once the flame dies," she turned, finally breaking away from that human circle to stare straight at him. "The moth moves on to a new one."

His expression at that moment could be described as shocked, speechless, and to some degree, even threatened. He said nothing for a while, but with obvious effort, he reassumed his calm exterior, and offered Natsuki a barely there smile. "I must admit, I never thought of that. And what about you, Natsuki-san? How would you define yourself and Shizuru-san?"

Natsuki closed her eyes, and looked back towards the circle, which she now noticed has come to a halt. But its epicenter still eluded sight. She frowned. "I wouldn't define us at all." She stared still. "We just are."

Suddenly, a crack formed on the circle, allowing the outside to see its centre for the first time since its appearance. She straightened, her eyes searching for only one thing whilst ignoring all other insignificant bees. Then she saw it, those chestnut locks. Its owner had her back to her.

A stray

She willed her stare to sear right into the back of the other's head. Willed herself to be noticed.

Who got picked up

As though she felt the existence of a pair of eyes intensely admiring the back of her head, Shizuru turned. She did so slowly, still entertaining the whims of her fans for small talk and gracing them with a smile. She blinked at what she saw at a distance. Red locked onto green.

And thus

The smile faltered for just an instance, such that no one but she who was passionately watching noticed. No, it was safer to say that only she had the ability to see the change. The smile quickly came back on, but it was different. It was real. It was for her. Exclusively for her.

Lost the ability to survive on its own

Natsuki felt herself grow warm and shades of red appeared on her cheeks. Shizuru did not miss it. She still spoke to those around her, but her eyes were now solely fixed on Natsuki. She raised an eyebrow suggestively and then giggled, apparently to something that was said by a fan, for some of them were laughing too. But Natsuki knew it wasn't so. That giggle was meant for her.

She grew redder, and the owner of the crimson pair smirked. Even through the distance, even though there was no exchange of words, Natsuki felt herself being teased. But that's not to say that she minded it at all. She smiled back at the teaser.

The crack closed, the fans now flocking closer and tighter with renewed interest. Natsuki scowled, her eyebrows twitching. But other than that, she made no other move. She merely watched the circle with disdain. A breath was exhaled, and then she turned to Kanzaki with a start, as though just realizing that he was indeed still there.

It was clear from the glint present in his eyes that he had been observing her interaction with Shizuru. His smile was one that is amused.

"No," Natsuki said.

"No?" he asked, clarifying as he did not understand the 'no' that came from nowhere.

She looked into his eyes, calm and steady. "That is my answer."

Comprehension slowly took over his features and he let out a resigned sigh. He chuckled and smiled at her. "I'm still no match to you, Natsuki-san."

She shot him a bewildered look but remained silent.

"I knew you would say that. But I still wanted to try," he continued. "I think…that even if you said yes, Shizuru-san herself would still have rejected me again."

Her expression lightened with surprise. "Why do you think so? Didn't you say that this time she might accept your feelings?"

He softened. "Do you really not know? Shizuru-san still thinks of you. No, she's always thinking of you. Do keep that in mind."

She was taken aback, though her expression and eyes deceived him. The ends of her mouth curved up into an ambiguous smile. Shizuru herself had said it before. She hadn't forgotten it. She hadn't forgotten anything. "I know."

He smiled, pleased with her answer. "Well then," the look he gave her now was one filled with mischief. "I'd best leave the two of you alone."

"Eh? The two of us?"

She quickly caught on that he meant Shizuru and her. Her brows furrowed in confusion as how could they be alone when the kaichou was surrounded by so many of her fans? She looked over to the human circle, and stopped. She blinked. There was something different. While mostly still there, it was slowly dispersing. And she soon found out why. Its epicenter, the honey, was no longer there. She turned back, but Kanzaki too has disappeared.

"What the-?"

Then she sensed it. A scent. It filled her nostrils, and warmed her to the bones. The very familiar scent of green tea. And it belonged to only one person. Shizuru was close. Very close, though she knows not exactly where. It surprised her how much it didn't surprise her. She had anticipated it. From the moment she saw that Shizuru was gone, she knew with utmost certainty, that Shizuru would come to her.

A rustle sounded behind her.

"Did you enjoy looking at me that much-"

It was a whisper right next to her ear. She grinned.

"My Natsuki?"