Standard disclaimers apply

August ended far sooner than Miyuki and Izumiko would have liked. Before they'd realized it, they found themselves taking the plane ride back to Tokyo, and from there, the bullet train ride to the outskirts of Hojo Academy's grounds.

Much like last year, Mayura and Sagara were in separate classrooms from their partners. Mayura found herself in class 2-B while Sagara was in class 2-A. This left Izumiko and Manatsu together in class 2-D; unfortunately, this set-up created problems for Izumiko.

Izumiko, not for the first time, wished she and Miyuki were in the same classes while walking with Manatsu to meet Mayura and Sagara at the library. Ever since the school festival last year, it was like a light switch had flipped on for all the boys on campus. She had even heard rumors that she was considered the most desirable girl to date on campus.

Every homeroom, there would be a large group of boys standing around her desk with gifts, poems, etc.; all asking to be her boyfriend. It had gotten to the point where Mayura had needed to come into her class and make it clear that their continuous requests for courtship were bordering on harassment and that she would report them if they didn't leave her alone.

While that had stopped the boys during homeroom, it had not stopped their attempts in the hallways. Despite Mayura's threats, it was obvious that it was not as easy to place blame in such a public place as the hallway. If Mayura reported their stalker-like badgering, the boys could counter by saying that they had merely been passing by; after all, the hallway was used by everyone, right?

This went on for three weeks until one day during late September, a boy made a mistake. Izumiko was studying with Mayura, Manatsu and Sagara in the library when she excused herself to go to the bathroom. A third year, Hayate Kawaguchi, noticed Suzahara heading to the restroom. Hayate, seeing this as a golden opportunity, positioned himself in such a manner that he would be the first to see her leave the restroom.

When the timid girl came out, Hayate cornered her before she could get back to her friends. Now, while she had become better at expressing her thoughts and feelings, there were still times when the situation overwhelmed her. Unfortunately for Izumiko, dealing with boys was one of those times.

"Good day Suzahara." Izumiko, while still freaked out, responded to the upperclassmen:

"G-g-good day Kawaguchi. Can I help you with something?" Hayate inwardly smirked at how innocent Suzahara was; did the girl not realize what his intentions were?

"Well Suzahara; you could help me by doing me the honor of being my girlfriend?" Izumiko's eyes widened as fear settled into the pit of her stomach. Unlike the other boys that had asked to date her, Kawaguchi was older than her. She could tell that Kawaguchi would not be happy if she said no.

"I'm flattered that you want to date me but I don't w-w-want to be your girlfriend." Kawaguchi, just as Izumiko had expected, was less than thrilled about her rejection. In his outrage, he gripped her arm and gave a painful squeeze.

"How Dare You?! Do you know how many girls would be honored to be in your position?!" A pained cry escaped her lips as Kawaguchi unconsciously tightened his grip. "Answer me, you mouse!" Suddenly, a shadow materialized behind the senior before a hand appeared and karate chopped him on the side of his head, knocking him unconscious. Izumiko looked up before relief flooded her body at the site of Miyuki's angry look drilling into Kawaguchi.

The stress was too much for her. Tears streamed down her face as Izumiko began to sob. Suddenly, much like the incident in the alternate plane, Miyuki knelt down and gently pulled her into his chest, allowing her to seek comfort from his presence.

It was at this moment that Mayura and Manatsu came back with both Yukimasa and Honoka. Upon seeing the scene, Honoka was not pleased.

"Could someone please explain to me why one of my council members is sobbing and a student has been knocked out?" A first year boy, who'd witnessed the whole thing, started to explain how Suzahara had been cornered by upperclassmen Kawaguchi and asked to be his girlfriend. When she'd refused, Kawaguchi started to hurt her by gripping her arm sharply. Suddenly, Miyuki interrupted, saying:

"I had been coming to see what had happened to Suzahara because she was taking too long to go to the bathroom, even for a girl; that was when I knocked Kawaguchi out. I wouldn't be surprised if the arrogant bastard bruised her arm!" Yukimara, while his first instinct was to scold his son for allowing this to happen, realized that Miyuki had taken the right steps to protect Izumiko. He'd neutralized the threat quickly and stayed with Izumiko to make sure she was alright. In addition to this, Miyuki had asked the siblings to get him and Honoka in case the situation required disciplinary action. Well, what do you know? Miyuki is becoming a man before my very eyes. After all; it takes a true man to know not only when and how to act in the face of a crisis but when to call for help. Especially with how much he hates asking me for help.

"Miyuki;" Yukimara said as his son turned to face him, "why don't you follow me to the nurse's office with Suzahara? I know she may not be up to it but I need to examine her so Kawaguchi's punishment can be handled appropriately." Miyuki nodded as he gently stood, despite Izumiko's tight grip on his sleeves.