A/N: Sorry if it took so long for me to update this story. Got addicted with Monogatari series hehe. I re-watched the whole thing. By the way the next update will take a month I guess, cause starting tomorrow I'll be busy with stuff. bear with me :'))
Chapter V
"Oh God! Why did I forget?!"
She kept on huffing and chasing her breath. Her purple twin tail jumps from up and down as her feet drags her body away from the crowded street. She finds the time to stop and look from left to right to make sure she's going the right way then looking at the Nav on her phone. It's almost 6 in the evening, what is she expecting anyway? He probably left. They plan to meet before lunch so he can treat her then tour her around. The meeting with HTT members took awhile then after they ate lunch her best friend tours her around the busy street of Tokyo. She received a message from her father regarding the date with a certain someone, the reason why she is running full speed to where they decided to meet. He offered her though, to pick her up on her apartment but she declined and agreed to meet at the meeting place they arranged.
Her tracks stopped as she looked up the stairs and saw the roof of the shrine buildings. The lights coming from the view at top made her mouth curved up as she panted from the long run. She starts to climb the stairs of Kanda Shrine and every time she gets closer the colors surrounding the area became so vivid. Her heavy breathing fades away as she ascends from the stairs. Wow, her eyes sparkled as she beamed at the colorful lanterns of Kanda Myojin Shrine. It felt nostalgic to her. When she was young she often visit shrines with her mother. After they offer their greetings and all her mother buys her takoyaki. Tears escape her emerald eyes reminiscing the days spent with her. What would she give up to return those precious days? Everything. She wiped them away and as she looks to her left side she found the reason why she was there in the first place.
He was standing still, his head held up staring at the sky above but as if like looking at nowhere and deep in thoughts. As she studied him, she felt loneliness. The corners of his lips are slightly pulled down. The night sky glorified his beautiful azure eyes. They were so captivating yet felt so empty. The purple head's smile vanishes and replaced with worry. Yes, she doesn't know him but she cannot force herself not to care knowing he might really be the man she once loved. Even if that's not the case, she just cannot ignore. It's in her nature, to just simply care.
"Eriha-kun.." Her lips tremble. The blond young man in front of her turns his gaze toward her. His expression remained the same even after looking at her. "You're late" he said. She ducked her head and apologized. She was waiting for him to get angry and scold her so her burden will ease but no… he did not. "I'll take you home" the words came out from his mouth. The blond then started to walk toward the exit passing her by. Taken aback by his action the purple head immediately snap out of her unnecessary thoughts and yanked Eriha's dark double rider jacket. "Le— Let's eat something!" she almost shouted, her cheeks crept up a flush. "It's the least I can do.. Please." She said as her head ducked and still clinging at his vest.
Guilt.
He was so good to her yesterday and what did she repay him? Making Eriha wait on her for almost half a day, she did not mean to though still… she felt guilty. It's the least she could do.
"Takoyaki."
"Ehh?" She lifted her head to look at his back, a hint of blush still visible on her cheeks.
"Let's eat Takoyaki." He said now looking at her wearing a stoic expression on his face. The purple head's eyes bored to him while her mouth slightly open. She stared keenly at the blond for quite a bit before she nodded in agreement. Both of them then went to the nearest Takoyaki vendor not uttering any word, completely silent in a loud crowed. Most of the people they pass by particularly guys tend to steal glances at the purple head. The blond brow rose noticing the annoying stares. The purple head though was left with her own thoughts. Her head stuck staring at the ground watching as her feet drags her body. Her thoughts drifted to a very significant memory in her past. They're not alike or is he fooling me?... She stole a glance at the blond. His beauty was illuminated by the vivid lights of the lantern. It was breathtaking. His blond locks shone magnificently. He has a perfect masculine face and the way he carry himself is so elegant. As expected of the Ayase heir. The people who are passing them were at awe at his beauty. She is not though, more like she was bothered. It felt like she was walking with a stranger. The young man beside her is different from the boy she once knew and he's different from the man she met at the restaurant.
Eriha noticed her nibbling at her finger repeatedly while her head ducked. He sighed, "Nozo—"
"Ayooo. What a perfect looking couple. Do you wanna buy some Takoyaki?" Eriha got interrupted by the Takayoki vendor. Not noticing they already reached the stall. The two young teen exchanged glances with each other. Eriha's expression remained stoic while the purple head's cheeks were painted in red. The vendor smiled at them. "2 boxes please." Eriha said casually. "Yosh! Coming right up." The vendor then started to make some for the two. "Is regular flavor fine with you, Nozomi?" he suddenly asked. Nozomi just nodded not looking at him. Her gaze is fixated at the Takoyaki the vendor is making.
"Is something wrong?" the blond beside her suddenly asked. Her attention then went to him. She shook her head; a smile crept to her face, "Mama used to buy me takoyaki whenever we visit shrines." Its Eriha's turn for his eyes to bored into her. His gaze then turned to where the takoyaki's. "From now on let's eat takoyaki whenever we visit a shrine." He uttered. The smile on Nozomi's face grew. "Yes." She answered cheerfully. Of course he knew, he knew about that tragedy…
After they paid for their takoyaki –Eriha insisted to pay even though Nozomi is the one who wanted to treat him as an apology- they sat on a nearby bench. Eriha's face became much lighter than before. It seems like he's not angry at me anymore? Another smile crept at Nozomi's face while looking at her takoyaki. "I'm really sorry… Something came up and I forgot that the date was today. I hope you don't feel that I'm avoiding you." She said with an apologetic voice.
Eriha got bothered on her way of apologizing, "I'm not really angry.. Well, yeah a bit.. But don't take it to heart. I'm sorry if you felt that I'm sulking because of that." Nozomi noticed that the Eriha right now is the Eriha she met at the restaurant. He is kind of smiling now unlike earlier where he looks like he is secluded. "I just remembered something unpleasant… No.. More like… Something I regret.." Nozomi felt like he is staring into space once again when he turned his gaze away from her. He jerked up and look at her once more "So, don't worry anymore. It's not your fault." He said giving her a smile.
However, Nozomi is the type who can't just brush off something like that. She faked a smile and nodded. She is still worried about this stranger beside her, this person who is decided to be her fiancé, Known yet unfamiliar person. "Let's get to know each other more, Nozomi." Nozomi peered at him, it seems like he just read her thoughts. "Yes." She nodded.
Suddenly both of them heard a weeping voice. Eri was the first one to notice the little boy then Nozomi. The boy kept surveying his surrounding from left to right while wiping his tears. Eriha stood up to approach the boy, Nozomi's mouth curved into a smile at his action. "Are you lost?" he asked. The boy stepped back not because he got startled more like he got a bit scared. Eriha's brow creased. A giggle from Eriha's back resound, it was Nozomi who was laughing. Nozomi then stepped in front of the boy then leaned down matching his height. "Hello I'm Nozomi, what's wrong?" She asked with her angelic smile. The young boy with brown hair almost stopped crying. Then she patted her head and the boy let him. "Yosh, Yosh, That's a strong lad." The corners of Eriha's mouth curved up. "Tell me, what happened?" Nozomi asked once more. "I- I can't fi- find Mama" the boy whimpered. Nozomi took his hand in a gentle manner, "We will find her." she said smiling at the boy.
"Hey hey! Look guys, the poor boy still can't find his okaa-san ~" Someone out of nowhere suddenly said in a teasing way. The three of them then turned their way on where it came from and found a pack of guys that look likes street thugs. Nozomi hugged the kid instantly thinking that these guys are up to no good.
"Don't bother helping him. His mother abandoned him because his father abandoned them. Right guys? Right?" one of them said. The two with him agreed with laughter. Nozomi covered the boy's ears. "I think his mom is a whore and he's a bastard child." The one with black hair said followed with laughter once more. Nozomi stare with wide eyes and mouth slightly open when a hard punch straight to the face landed on the black haired. He fell on the ground looking upward at the blond. Veins popping out on Eri's fist, his eyebrows pulled down together and his upper eyelids rose in a stair. While his lips tightly closed with the red margin of the lips becoming narrower, and the lips becoming thinner.
The black haired placed his palm on his swollen cheek "You bastard!" He shouted at Eri. "Kenji!" They all looked at the woman running towards them. "Kenji!" She cried again. "Mama!" The boy let go of Nozomi's hug and run towards the woman who came. The two met with an embrace. "Kenji, I'm glad you're okay." She patted her son. "Mama" The boy cried out. The woman is followed by a shrine guard, when the thugs saw the guard behind her they all ditched the scene, one grabbing the black haired away. He hissed at the blond before they finally disappear.
"Bye bye, Nee-chan!" The boy said after her mom says her thanks to the two teen that saved her son.
"Goodbye, Kenji-kun" Nozomi cheerfully waves to the little boy. The mother and son then exited the shrine. "Let's take you home too, it's almost dark" Eri said to Nozomi. She turns her gaze to his swollen knuckle. Her eyes narrowed and her lips pursed, "We need to buy a cold compress for that first," pointing at Eri's hand. She gently grabs his right wrist and faced his knuckles towards her to examine "it looks bad, can you move your fingers?" Eri did what she said with a puzzled look. "Good, it seems like no broken bones" she said after Eri was able to move all of them then she gave him a wide smile. The blond's head lifted, his eyes widen and his mouth slightly open. He let out a chuckle, "Yeah, let's do that."
"Hmmm?" Nozomi cocked her head and raised a brow.
After buying a cold compress in a small mart a couple walks away from the shrine, both got back and sat on one of the shrine benches. Nozomi held the compress and gently pressing it on Eri's swollen knuckles. "You punched him hard are you aiming to be a boxer someday?" she teased followed by light giggle. Eriha deadpan, "You're enjoying this aren't you?"
"I do." Nozomi said smiling with eyes and mouth. The blond let out a sigh followed by a smile, he then gazed at the stars while being tended by Nozomi. "I did it for myself." He mumbles. Nozomi's lips drew a line, the corner of her eyes wrinkled. She did not say a thing and kept on tending Eri's hand.
"Aren't you gonna ask anything?" His voice almost cracked. It's not that she does not want to know, "I have no right to know… It seems so important." Her emerald eyes now meet his azure orbs. Sadness was painted all over her face, "I don't know how to enter the depths of your heart without causing you pain." His gaze is stuck on her as if like the people walking behind her does not exist. She's all he can see, this unknown girl who is showing him so much thoughtfulness. The sadness on her face then changes into a smile, an angelic smile, "So I'll wait. When you feel like its okay to talk about it. Talk to me, Eriha-kun." She said.
Eriha lowered his head, a corner of his lips lifted up, "…Yeah"
"How did it go?"
"What?" He gave his best friend a questioning look. "Your date I mean." The navy haired answered while checking out the beautiful pendants auctioned in the jewelry store. The blond scratches the back of his neck, "It went well.., I guess." He said. Umi asked Eri to help him with Kotori's gift for her upcoming birthday. They are now visiting some shops in Akihabara to find a good gift for his girlfriend.
The navy haired gave him a genuine smile, "That's good to hear. It looks like Toujou-san is an interesting person." Eri's brow rose, "How can you say that?" his bestfriend chuckled, "Because the smile on your face is so obvious." It made Eri cover his face with his hand. A flush crept up on his cheeks. "It— It's not like that!" he said in defense. Eriha tried to calm himself down, "It's because I'm glad that she's more like her father. She's very kind…" The corners of his mouth turned up as he explained. The navy haired smiled after hearing that.
Nozomi helped Nico to put up the posters that Tsumugi made for the upcoming club fest. They talked about it at the meeting days ago that they will hunt for a drummer. They are childhood friends. Nozomi's mom is friends with Nico's. Nozomi as a child is not the shy type, she's very playful. She always teases Nico and Nico always gets irritated. However, Nico never leaves her. When Nozomi's grandmother died she cries almost every day. Nico always brings her lilies to cheer her up. In their elementary grade most of the students calls Nozomi the odd one because she wears her grandmother's sweater. That's when Nozomi started to become shy.
'Baka! Don't get affected on what people say!' What Nico always tells her at that time. He cares for her so much that's why he is so important to her. Sadly Nico and his family needed to transfer because of his father's job. That's when a certain blond came to the picture and showed her the same care Nico gave her. So why isn't Nico her first love? If Nico is the first one who cared for her so much. The purple head smiled at the thought. She took a gaze at Nico who is plastering the posters on the bulletin board, It's not like he is not handsome or anything. Nico is very handsome that's why lots of females confess to him. Scholars and Elites. He just rejects them because he said it's not his priorities at the moment. Plus I really don't care about that stuff, so why? Her thoughts got interrupted when a brunet suddenly startled them.
"Oh oh?! What's this?" the brunet looked pumped after seeing the poster. He looks so giddy Nozomi commented as she studied him then she remembered that her best friend kind of have a grudge on this kid. As she thought he is quite pissed when she stole a glance at the short black haired. Oh.. Now I know.. Because he is hot tempered. The purple head giggled.
"Ritsu, come on we have a meeting to attend." A familiar voice spoke. The three of them turn to where the voice came from. They found a blond whose busy flipping and reading a pamphlet on his hand. "Eriha-kun." Nozomi called him cheerfully. That's the only time when the blond tore his gaze away from the pamphlet to look at the owner of that familiar voice. His cold aura diminishes when he saw her, "Nozomi." The brunet on Nozomi's side put a hand on his chin and tilted his head looking at his blond friend. "Good morning, Eriha-kun." Nozomi said giving him an angelic smile. A smile crept up on Eriha's lips, the brunet narrowed his eyes at his action. "Good morning, No-"
"Who the heck told you that you could call her on her first name?!" The short black hair interrupted their eye lock. He glared at the blond. Ahh I forgot to tell him about Eriha-kun. Nozomi tried to get Nico's attention, "Ahh, Nicochi we-"
"Huh?" It's Eriha's turn to glare at the short black haired. "I have all the right to call her that." He said giving him a smirk. A vein popped out on Nico's forehead. "Don't get so cocky, Yazawa. You're lucky you're still stepping foot on this school." That's the last straw that causes Nico to grab Eriha's collar and pushed them upward, "You bastard!" Eriha grabbed both of Nico's hand that were clutched to his shirt and tried to push them away to let go. The brunet tried to help breaking Nico's hold but Nico pushed him away using his body. Poor Ritsu slammed his butt on the floor. Then Nico used all his strength to push Eri's back on the wall, pinning him. "Please stop, Nicochi." Nozomi cried out. She held his left shoulder and begged him to stop. "You're choking him!" Eriha is literally choking. He's struggling for air. Nozomi almost cried at what she is witnessing. Nico stopped when he heard Nozomi's whimper. He finally turns his way to her and saw Nozomi's tears falling. Nico slowly let go of Eriha's color. The blond was then able to catch his breath, "Haahhh… Haahhhh.. *cough* cough* ack.."
"Nicochi.." Nozomi's eyes swam with tears. Eriha turn to look at the purple head, he was still in pain, he tried to raise his hand towards her, "Nozo-"
"Don't cry. Don't cry… I'm sorry.. I'm sorry, Nozomi." Nico hugged her then patted her head. "Nicochi…" She buried her head on his shoulder. "I don't like seeing Nicochi like that." He hugged her tightly. Eriha slowly hanged his arm that's supposed to reach her. He ducked his head in silence. "Seitokaichou, are you alright?!" a worried brunet rushed to Eri's aid. Eriha pushed the brunet's hand who tried to check his condition, "I'm fine, Ritsu." Nozomi pulled her head away from Nico's shoulder after hearing Eri's voice. She escaped Nico's hug and rushed to where the blond is, worry is written all over her face and leftover tears. "I'm fine." He told her while fixing his uniform. Ah, again. His gaze is set on something far far away.
"What's going on here?" Nozomi quickly turn her gaze to where it came from. A navy haired young man and right beside him is a red haired girl wearing a cold expression. A female version of her fiancé, she gulped at the thought. The navy haired though made her heart skip a beat. He is captivating indeed. His long shiny blue hair and his beautiful amber eyes makes you melt inside. Then his composed aura, he's an epitome of perfection. The blue head's eyes bored to Nozomi's as if like he's studying her. He inches their gap, Nozomi's mouth fell slightly open thinking what this beautiful guy will gonna do next. Well, the next thing he did made Nozomi's cheeks fluster. The amber eyed wiped away a tear on her emerald eyes. "Such a shame.. The one who caused this should be punished." He said with a straight face then his amber eyes darted at the blond.
Eriha let out a sigh of exasperation, "Why am I the one you always accused when someone is crying?" The blue haired tilted his head with narrowed eyes, "Are you saying that you have nothing to do with it?" The blond avoided eye contact and kept silent. The blue haired turn his head again at Nozomi and apologizes. Nozomi shook her head and told him that it's not Eriha's fault in fact she apologized for her friend's behavior. Nico just ignored them and continued putting up the poster and flyers. Nozomi sighed at her friend's behavior. The blue haired gave her a smile of understanding. "My name's Sonoda Umi by the way." He introduced himself. "Toujou Nozomi." She replied with a smile. "It's nice to finally meet you, Toujou-san." Nozomi cocked her head, "Hmmm?"
"I'm this guy's best friend." Umi pointed at the sulking Eriha. Nozomi's mouth was making an 'oohhh'. "I'm Tainaka Ritsu, we met at the HTT club but did not properly introduce ourselves." The brunet beside the blond blurted. "This here is Nishikino Maki, she's my fiancée." He continued pointing at the red head that is now standing beside him. Maki bowed her head when Nozomi and she meet eyes. "Toujou Nozomi. Please take care of me." She gave the two a friendly smile. The blue haired attention got back to the blond, "We have something to talk about." He said to him. Then his gaze went to the brunet and the red head. "Go to the council room first and wait for us there."
However, before they could go to their separate ways, the red head walked towards the short black haired who is now busy plastering. "Huh? What's this?!" she almost shouted then tears down one of the flyers. "Are you kidding me?!" she glared at the short black haired then shoved the flyer in his chest. "Oh God, not again.." The brunet sighed. Maki's eyebrow drew together and she greeted her teeth. "Tsk! What's your problem, Spoiled brat?!" Nico retorted. He is now glaring back at her and tightening his jaw. Nozomi is confused on what's happening. She decided to approach them but got halted by Eriha who grabbed her arm. She looked at him in confusion, her lips were pressed together. "It's okay, you don't have to handle everything." He said giving her a reassuring smile. "Look." He pointed at the brunet who is now nearing the two. Nozomi is still worried, she looked at the blue haired but Umi just remained calm and silently watched what will gonna happen.
"Maki, it's okay. I'm not offended" Ritsu held his fiancé's arm to calm her. Now Maki got angry at Ritsu "Why are you always saying that?! Aren't you angry that he keeps on humiliating you?!" Ritsu patted her head and gave her a smile. "You already got angry for me, that's enough. Hehe." Maki avoided eye contact, the flush was visible on her cheeks "You're too kind, Ritsu." Ritsu scratched the back of his neck and faked a laugh. Nico on the other hand did not bother to say a thing, he just let it slide. Nozomi clasped her hand and smiled happily. A smile crept on Eri's face when he notices the purple head's cute action.
Umi then stepped in between, "Could I make a proposition?" All of them stared at the navy haired giving him a questioning look. "This upcoming club fest there will be a battle between HTT and us student council. If we got the highest remark then Ritsu will automatically be part of HTT." he said staring at Nico. All of them raised a brow except for Nozomi, Nozomi thinks it's a good idea.
"Let me join your little competition." A girl with light brown hair and green eyes entered the scene. "Tsubasa" Eri mumbled. Nozomi's gaze went to Eri, she stared at the blond whose gaze was fixed at the mysterious girl. Tsubasa approached Eri and held Eri's necktie as if flirting with him, Nozomi's eye twitched. "If UTX wins, Ayase will do whatever I want." She giggled looking straight into Eri's crystal blue eyes. Eri sighed in annoyance, "I haven't even agreed joining this farce."
"Okay, Eri will do that" Umi uttered. Eri's mouth fell open after hearing what his best friend said. Nozomi giggled at what's happening but bothered at how clingy the mysterious girl at her Ayase. Well, he actually belongs to her since he is her fiancé.
"What's in for us if we win?" Nico interjected giving Umi the pissed look.
"Double club budget."
"Deal!" Nico grinned.
"This will be fun." Tsubasa giggled.
Maki doesn't give a damn though and Ritsu? Ritsu is confused as hell.
To be continued ~