Woah! Thanks for the endless support guys! Love you all! As a show of gratitude, here's an extra long chapter.
13th December, Saturday
Kawasaki Bus Station
"W-what are we going to do?"
"I honestly don't know."
Kirihara looked from one distressed face to another and fumed. "Are we pretending this isn't happening?" He gestured wildly across the road where a mysterious girl had been hanging around the traffic lights. She seemed rather determined to get their attention for reasons unknown.
"Well it is a little late to put up a farce," Yagyuu bluntly admitted, equally flummoxed as the next person.
"Who is she though?" Jackal asked the million yen question plaguing their minds. "I mean the way she's looking at us, as if we ought to know her – not the other way round." He drew circles in the air.
"Akaya! What are you doing!?"
There was a loud smack, swiftly followed by a yelp of pain.
The two turned around to find the Marui chastising the Junior Ace who was cradling one of his hand to his chest. There was a glaring red mark on the skin from being slapped hard when the latter was about to wave at the girl.
"– but I feel sorry for her!" Kirihara cried as though it justified his actions clearly. "Jackal's right! What if we know each other? We've been doing nothing but gawk!"
"That doesn't give you the permission to invite a stranger over to us!" the redhead grounded, hands on hips. "What if she's a bad guy? A shady reporter in disguise looking for dirt to make us look bad? How are we going to explain ourselves to Yukimura if it hits the headlines tomorrow?"
Rolling his eyes, Jackal sighed, "I doubt it will go that far." He was tired of the bus ride from the camp to embroil in a petty squabble.
Noticing how unusually quiet a certain individual had been, Yagyuu prodded, "What besieges the mind, Niou-kun?"
"She looks very familiar," the Trickster narrowed his eyes, analysing the distant puzzle.
"Do enlighten us."
"Well apart from the shorter fringe. There are some semblances no? Height, hair colour, her primordial sense of fashion, the comedic way her face turns purple with rage as she shakes a fist at us… possibly plotting to skewer us while we're at that subject." There was a profound pause. "The manager… ring a bell?"
"Akemi-chan? Her?" Marui threw his head back and guffawed. "Nah, that's impossible! Our girl can't even compare with her –"
"Are you lot coming!?" a livid voice shouted over the traffic noise. "Or so help me, I'm taking this chiffon cake home for myself if you don't haul your butt over!"
A dangerous spark entered his violet eyes. Without a second thought, Marui raced towards the bustling traffic, shrieking the manageress's name in sheer delight while his similarly echoed behind. The lights turned green a second before the redhead's feet touched the pedestrian crossing. A sigh of relief went around the regulars.
Frozen to the spot, she watched the impending doom bouncing towards her, the colour draining from her face. Seconds later, she was unceremoniously engulfed in bear hug that caused her to lose the grip around the bulky tote.
"Senpai! It's you!"
Another tackle from the other side nearly threw her (and possibly all three of them) off her feet.
Niou watched the 'happy' reunion with an aloof expression. "Which is worse? Being called less cute or Marui acknowledging you if you have cakes?"
"Urgh, these two are just –" Jackal sighed in exasperation, throwing in the towels. Once on the other side, he faltered to a stop before the messy heap. He was joined later by Niou and Yagyuu.
Books, possibly thrown off from the double impacts, were strewn across the pavement nearby. It would make intervening difficult without traipsing over the books. If there's even one tiny scratch, they're all goners – irrespective of identities. The manageress's fondness for the literature was well-known among the regulars, once proudly stating that reading's a lifestyle not a hobby to pass time.
"Get off! Get OFF!"
With one mighty push, Akemi managed to extricate herself from the two boys. They're heavy enough without their enormous duffle bags and backpacks thank you very much. She was gasping heavily for air; that embrace could have suffocated her to death. "Geez! I appreciate the warm welcome," she tidied after her dishevelled appearance, "but that was taking the cake."
Speaking of cake...
Akemi tuned out the spiteful noise grating her ears.
...having successfully pinched the container, Marui was eagerly stuffing her homemade chiffon cake into his mouth, much to Jackal's disapproval.
As though seeing her for the first time, Kirihara stared in wonderment as he picked up the books from the ground. "Senpai… your hair…"
Her black wavy hair had grown since they last met. The gentle convolution now reached beyond her shoulders. But that wasn't the feature that left them speechless. Her hair that used to be one-length was cut short above the eyes, putting more emphasis on her soft brown eyes.
"Honestly, can't people live in peace without all these kerfuffle?" Akemi sighed irately, taking one book at a time from the junior. "Might as well make a live coverage of every changing point of their lives."
Judging from the excessive reactions, going back to School come Monday morning would be absolutely spiffing.
Maybe Sanada could activate his lethal glare?
"It's hard to explain but senpai looks different (t0 the point neither recognised her) without the long fringe. Why out of the blue?"
Once his hands were emptied, a bemused Kirihara watched as she attempted to shove everything into the tote. He had taken a peek out of curiosity. The pages were yellow with age, smoothened from being passed from hand to another and carried that strong musty whiff of old books. Nevertheless, the books appeared to be given great care by whoever left their signature on the front page of each books – which led him to question…
"Were you at the library, senpai?"
Akemi waved a hand. "Nah, the library's closed at this time of day. I was at the Atobe Estate earlier for reference books." She patted the overstuffed bag. "With the enter exam approaching and Keigo-san's consent, I thought why not. I've always wanted to borrow a couple to read but never got around to." Her eyebrows fell flat. "And do please stop making a big deal out of my hair," she implored irately. "It's only a cut to the fringe, not a whole makeover. As to why… well imagine trying to see the board but can't because your hair is in the way. I should have had it cut sooner."
"Could have fooled me; sure you're not trying to seduce someone?" Niou leered. "The Monkey King perhaps?"
Yagyuu threw his arms around the bloodthirsty manageress just as she lurched forward. Begging for forgiveness in his mind, his restraining hold tightened. "Akemi-san! Let's be reasonable adults and talk it over!" He glanced at the gleeful Trickster desperately. "Stop laughing, Niou-kun! You're aggravating –"
"What's going on here!?" a thunderous voice interjected.
Yagyuu's focus momentarily lapsed at the sound of the vice-captain's voice. Feeling the careless slip, the noirette wrenched herself free from his clutches with a loud gasp. "Thank heavens," she sighed in relief. Thinking that he deserved a better greeting than the rest, she beamed happily, "Welcome back, Genichiro-san!"
Sanada turned to her. "Do I know you?"
Oh dear...
...not her neighbour too.
Joining the vice-captain at his side, an amused Yanagi dipped his head. "Good to see you again, Akemi-san." He let out a short chuckle as a dubious Sanada scanned the girl for tangible clues. "Dare I say that hairstyle suits you?"
Akemi had received nothing but niggling questions about her new look that it merely took a simple compliment to delight her. She opened her mouth, poised to thank him. But the words dried up in her throat the instant she caught sight of the captain crossing the road towards them.
Jersey fluttering proudly from his shoulders, Yukimura surveyed the group assembled before him. "Sorry for the delay everyone… paperwork." A chorus of understanding went around the five who had left the premise early while the Big Three tackled the odd documents. Best left to the experts, as they said. Satisfied at the response, he nodded his gratitude and turned to the only girl in their midst.
Akemi stood her ground despite her innards shrinking back from the significant gleam in his eyes. Breathing took more strain than usual. Something… something shifted behind the slate blue pools, but it flickered from existence the moment she noticed it as though conscious of being seen.
"To see you fine and healthy heartens me, Akemi-san. If I may be so bold to add – and I do apologise in advance if I cause offense –" he gave her a melting smile – "you have a pair of striking eyes."
Unable to come up with a response, the noirette could only manage a small smile. It collapsed the minute an argument broke out between Marui, Kirihara and Jackal. Her cake was reduced to pitiful bite-sized portions, upsetting her into scolding the redhead for his lack of self-control – to which the vice-captain gladly threw in his two cents.
From the edge, Yukimura studied the manageress sombrely, replaying her facial expressions in his mind over and over again until the last smile was clearly imbedded in his vision.
XXX
19th December, Friday
Atobe Manor
Aggravating… absolutely aggravating.
Violent waves crashed against the edge of the deep blue pools, the young heir gnashed his teeth. He always prided in the joys and gratifications his well-thought-out gifts brought to his family, friends and household staff (no exception).
Girls?
The imported chocolates and flowers had done more than satiating them.
Atobe drearily wished that moronic ingrate could as easily be assuaged as the hungry cats but that wouldn't be like her.
Fortunately, he adored a good challenge and blessed with the charisma, looks and valour to complete to turn it in his favour. Get to know the girl, ask her out on a date, dazzle her, more dates and eventually a love confession. He came off the victor at the end of each twelve trials. Those girls were easy picks, despite the incredulous mixture of personalities and demands that could be infuriating and trying at time. It's just outrageously simple.
And yet…
"I appreciate the kind thoughts," a mellifluous feminine voice filled his bedroom with frost, "but I cannot accept such a lavish gift. It hurts my conscience knowing that amount of money, which could have benefited countless charities, were spent needlessly on roses imported from Ireland. I'm sorry." There was a brief pause. "Good day, Atobe."
The parting words dropped like a bomb.
He stood on his feet, having gotten out of the plush sofa without realisation. Like a gobsmacked fish, his mouth flapped noiselessly as he gawked at the condescending words:
Total Affection Points
– 40
Five months!
Five months of monthly allowance saved up for a pair of premium tickets of The Phantom of the Opera… gone up in smoke just like that.
Why? What went wrong? Hadn't he been vigilant from the start? Wasn't obtaining her name on the eighth attempt a sign of good fortune? Mother of algorithm, how was it possible to attain a negative value!?
In retrospect, it shouldn't come as a surprise worth faffing over. Catching that ungracious girl alone for a brief chat was a milestone alone. He should be pleased.
His shock-filled eyes zeroed in on the negative.
A demonic monster awoke with a start. It curled its lips with blatant animosity, barring its jagged teeth. A low rumble akin to thunder reverberated from the back of its throat until an animalistic growl was fully released. Its unadulterated wrath burnt the very air it breathed.
With a loud thud that sent the teacup clattering on its saucer, a bedroom slipper plummeted down on the ornate coffee table.
"Don't think for a second that I'm about to give up easily!" Atobe rasped in a mutinous tone. "I'll show you! I'll show you who's boss!"
Eyes burning with determination, he fell back heavily on the sofa. Within five seconds, the special route faded into appearance.
Atobe wrinkled his nose in disgust as the toe-curling music played in the background. Whoever composed soundtracks for such atrocities ought to be shot in the foot for the ignominy it brought onto the music world. The unbearably dull plots were awful enough without this added filth.
'These kind of improper games shouldn't be made in the first place.'
Briefly he reflected on his own situation and argued that it was all for research. With less than a week, he needed something more unique than the ordinary stuff for a Christmas present. Quick before she buggered off over the festive period for a skiing holiday with her family in Hokkaido.
Much to his frustration, he hadn't any luck with the twelve girls despite completing their respective routes. Now he's pitching everything on this one… a hidden character unlocked after completing all routes.
Gripping the console, Atobe steeled himself as his target appeared outside the library. No matter how many times, the uncanny resemblance always struck him hard. His telly was nearly wrecked the first time she popped on the screen like a ghost… except she wasn't.
Dark as raven feathers, hair sleek and glossy that spilled down the waist. A pair of rimless glasses glinted in the afternoon light from its perch on her nose. Her voice was soft and fluid as she introduced herself as a fellow third year from the next class. Done with the pleasantries, she left the screen without leaving a name, presenting the gamer their first challenge.
Akemi
Kaneko Akemi.
Written in Kanji, Akemi meant vermillion fruit instead of the bright beauty he was well acquainted with. Aside from the straight hair and glasses, Doki Doki Love Catch's most elusive character's physical semblance to Noda Akemi hit several marks right on the spot.
Character wise?
Charming personality of a potato.
Atobe had a strong suspicion that accursed Oshitari was heavily involved in the development phase. More and more evidences emerged each time the route progressed or was replayed, making him wonder what his true motive when he presented this dodgy gift on his birthday. Vexing him was no doubt part of it.
'If that spineless idiot shows up, I'll skewer him alive. And then I will –'
"Oi, Keigo. I'm coming in –"
A loud crash and, as quickly as it came, an eerie silence fell. Nothing stirred until the chandeliers came to life. Shadows slunk into the corners, shying away from the light that flooded the room.
"What? Starting the party without me?" Closing the door behind him, Oshitari entered deeper into his captain's room. He found the young heir lounging in front of the television. The news appeared to have been muted so he could read in peace.
Atobe looked up from his book. "Who invited you in?" His opinion on the arrival of his pesky teammate was apparent on his expression and voice.
Oshitari sighed dramatically. "I sent a text half an hour ago; you had plenty of warning." He raised an eyebrow. "Pray tell though, what were you doing in the dark with the curtains drawn?" He grinned like a Cheshire Cat. "You look oddly flustered."
The Hyotei captain jumped off the sofa as though electrocuted.
"Get your mind out of the gutter!" Atobe lambasted, affronted by the repulsive insinuation best left unspoken. "You have the gall to waltz in and sully the grounds of my manor with fallacious tales drooling from that uncouth mouth of yours! Why, the weather hardy of flower wilts in the very air you breathe!"
"Likewise, Keigo. It wasn't I whose mind strayed to that subject," Oshitari retorted evenly, accustomed to his theatrics for years that he didn't flinch. He struck a magazine on his chest before another hissy fit erupted. "As a good friend and comrade, I've brought this catalogue for your exclusive perusal. You'll find plenty of great Christmas gift ideas to – ahh – appease the Rikkai manageress."
Alarm sounded in his head. It might be a fluke. Putting on his guard, Atobe glared contemptuously at him. "I, Atobe Keigo, don't entertain common herds like you. For that reason, your help is not appreciated. Shoo! Away from my sight!"
Oshitari relented with a sigh of defeat. "Coming here was pointless. Ah well, at least my sister-in-law will be delighted. My sister wanted to get her hands on one of these beauties for a long time. 'The Spring/Summer collection is selling like hotcakes,' she said. 'Hottest trend in the market'."
There was a pause. Next second, the magazine disappeared from his grasp. The bespectacled boy smirked; his plan spinning into works.
Atobe browsed through the catalogue with rampant determination. As each page was turned, the excitement in his eyes died a little and blood drained from his face until his lips turned white. He stared at the pictures, numbed from shock. The catalogue was filled with models clad posing provocatively in their scanty lingerie.
Casually, Oshitari leaned over the magazine. "Ah, good taste. She'll certainly look ravishing in it," he exalted, taking on a professional mannerism as he paused for thoughts. "Hmm… however, I personally think number fourteen," he pulled out the page as a person who knew the content like the back of his hand, "does the best job in highlighting her curves and boosts those –"
A second bang, more violent than the previous, rattled the windows.
Oshitari blinked in a daze. He had distinctively felt a gust of wind whooshing past his right ear. His gaze turned from the hyperventilating captain to the magazine lying splat on the ground behind him in a messy heap beside the door. He had come very close to checking-in at the hospital.
A half-hearted yelp escaped from his throat when a hand seized his collar and jerked him forward. He breathed a nervous chuckle. "L-let's not be too hasty."
"I agree. Slow and painful deaths suit you. How would you like? Fire? Water? I suggest jumping without a parachute."
"Can I don't choose?"
"Oh but I insist."
"Keigo-san?"
"I wouldn't want my hands dirtied"
"Keigo-san?"
"Is your brain hollow or does it not exist inside that impenetrable skull of yours? What? What are you pointing at?"
The room plunged into heavy silence.
Just as it were few days ago, a stunned Atobe stared at the nonchalant figure. She had hinted at a surprise then; a haircut was the least expected. Having possessed a private grudge against the old fringe, he was quick to accept the change. It flattered her eyes more, accentuating the vivid gleam as though undaunted by the long hours of revision.
Today…
…that spark was absent.
Akemi met his open stare with a stolid expression but underneath that thin layer of frost hid a trace of hostility.
Did some of Sanada rub off on her?
The chocking hold around Oshitari's neck released. He inhaled deeply with relief, air rushing into his oxygen-depleted lungs. He cautiously crept away from the two; too many rumours drippling from the mouths of the Rikkai regulars.
"Forgive me for the intrusion but I did knock several times," Akemi said. "Michael took the caramel brownies to the kitchen for warming up. When you're done with whatever you were doing before I barged in, you know where to find me."
"Oh… okay."
"By the way, you dropped this." The proffered item was taken without a peep. She started back towards the door. "If I were you, I wouldn't throw it around like confetti… boys," she murmured audibly.
Bemused, Atobe lowered his gaze and did a double take. Throwing the lingerie catalogue over his shoulder, Atobe darted after the girl. "It's not mine, Akemi! I swear!" he exclaimed; cheeks an attractive shade of red. "It's Oshitari's! Ask him! You know that I'll never participate – let alone lay a finger on this kind of vulgarity!"
"No need to defend yourself," she coolly assured. "I'm honestly fine with it."
"What's with that candid attitude? I am astounded you're accepting this preposterous misconception without question!"
"It's all part of growing up. Once in a while, take a glimpse if it makes you happy."
"Do you hear yourself when you speak? Come back here, missy!"
"I'd rather you not come within a mile of me, pervert king."
A violent surge of fire ripping through the atmosphere could be felt through the thick walls.
"You're not getting away easily, potato!"
"P-p-potato!? Why you… you're – you're an eggplant! Even your hair's the colour of it!"
"It's royal purple! ROYAL. PURPLE."
"Aubergine!"
"HA! Aubergine isn't a shade close to purple! I win this round, foolish potato!"
As their voices faded in the background, Oshitari picked up the magazine from the floor and brushed away the creases. "Shame she didn't enrol at Hyotei. School will be more enjoyable with her around. Ah well, we can't have everything running in our favour the whole time." He gave the cover an appreciative onceover, feeling a smirk tugging at his lips. "For all his bombastic personality, Keigo is still an innocent boy." He walked towards the sofa, picked up the remote and started to surf between channels until he came to a stop at a particular one.
"Very clever of you, Keigo," he sneered. His glasses reflected the hazy silhouette of a raven-haired girl. "You left the PS4 on."
XXX
20th December, Saturday
Kuwahara Restaurant
"A toast to a smashing holiday!"
"Cheers!"
"Hear, hear!"
"Oi Bunta! Get off that table!"
"MARUI!"
It was less crowded this mild winter afternoon when the restaurant's usually packed during lunch hour. Jackal had reserved the whole place for the nine of them. Their din and banter more than made up for the lack of numbers.
Amidst the jubilant excitement, there came a weary sigh. Akemi stirred the dregs of her miso soup miserably. She should have declined the invitation. But they would somehow succeed in persuading her into joining one of their exhausting revelries.
"It's rare to see you in the doldrums at the end of an exam. You wouldn't stop talking about it yesterday," Yanagi chuckled good-naturedly. Taking his green tea in hand, he raised the cup. "Come, let's drink to an academic term gone."
She gave a bleak smile. "Sorry if my pessimism is spoiling the atmosphere. I just can't put my mind off a few things," she confessed with a frustrated sigh. As soon as she had finished that sentence, the phone resting beside her hand vibrated.
It's a call…
… from the King himself.
Yesterday's group study session didn't start off on good terms. Neither of the two could focus on a page for more than a minute without getting on each other's nerves. When the subject of her weak grasp on history was broached in the middle of their pettifoggery, a rightfully upset Akemi had vowed to prove the pretentious airhead wrong and stormed out of his castle. Late night self-study was disrupted; her phone went off intermittently to the barrage of aggressive texts demanding an apology for damages to His Majesty's royal man-pride. Until exam ended this morning, the phone remained off. Her inbox was filled with more texts, the latest being five minutes ago, she checked.
This one had taken a repentant tone?
"Aren't you going to answer it?" Yanagi queried.
"Of course." After a moment of hesitation, she picked up the phone but faltered over the green icon.
On one hand, that remark was uncalled for…
…on the other, she probably crossed the line yesterday too.
Murmuring an apology to Yanagi, she rose to her feet and quietly slipped out of the restaurant. Hardly anyone paid any heed, except for a pair of slate blue eyes noticed her return several minutes later. She looked chirpier, smiling at ease as she made a witty comment to Yanagi.
"A drink to a peaceful academic term next year!" she giggled. Their cups met in mid-air with a sharp clink. Cautious of the hot content, they took a couple of delicate sips before setting it down on the table.
After a few moments of content silence had passed, Yanagi asked, "Did Miyagi-sensei pass a form around this morning?"
While winter holiday meant grievous amount of homework, students were given opportunities to participate in an outreach programme organised by the campus. A poster was attached to notice boards in every classroom last Friday, so they had plenty of time to decide. Forms passed around this morning must be filled out with maximum of three options. But the homeroom teacher remained the final judge who would assign students their roles based on their academic performance, work attitude and interests.
Akemi nodded firmly. "I'm not about to let such beneficial chance slip."
"But aren't you leaving on the 24th for Sapporo?"
"Late night flight."
"Convenient."
"Or lucky. My father booked it way back in October. Can't complain though, I've always wanted to visit the wild sceneries of Hokkaido… though it's probably buried under feet of snow."
Yanagi chuckled. "So, which did you pick?"
"National Museum of Nature and Science or nothing at all. Options were limited," she explained, shrugging nonchalantly. She brought the cup to her lips. "Why waste three days of school holiday on something that doesn't interest me?"
"Can't say I disagree… ah Seiichi –"
In reminiscence of her first time at the Kuwahara Restaurant, Akemi nearly choked on her drink.
"– nice of you to join us," Yanagi smiled as the captain took a seat across the table, once occupied by Sanada. Meanwhile in the background, the noirette struggled to remain discreet smothering the coughs into a tissue. "Tea?"
"Please."
"We were having a chat about the outreach programme." Yanagi gently placed the teapot on the table once the cup was filled. "Registered?"
Yukimura nodded. "They've added more this year, it was hard to decide," he chuckled sheepishly. "But in the end, I was drawn to the rich histories imbued in the walls of the Tokyo National Museum. I've been an intern there as assistant art restorer over summer holidays since middle school," he explained to a clueless looking Akemi (eavesdropped). "Trying something new won't do anyone bad though." He paused to drink a mouthful. "Science communicator at the Science and Nature Museum sounds fun."
The noirette stiffened.
"What a coincidence; Akemi-san signed up for that."
"Really now?" Yukimura gave a meaningful smile. "What are the odds we'll work together?"
XXX
21st December, Sunday
National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo
It was as if that day…
…he had placed a curse on her.
Akemi stared, utterly gobsmacked.
Surely the email addresses were mixed up? A mirage?
But there's no mistaking the willow figure. It's too solid to risk a roundhouse kick even for a test.
"Good morning, Akemi-san," the Rikkai captain greeted with an incandescent smile, receiving a brittle one in return.
Once the lights in the conference room were dimmed, the gap between their chairs widened discreetly. It was dark enough to view the projector screen comfortably and pick out the head science communicator's wrinkled face in the dark.
Leaning back against the chair, hands in a tight clasp in an effort to stop them twitching. The urge to bolt was spreading across every nerves in her being like crackling electricity. She gazed ahead at the screen, ignoring his piercing gaze as Dr Honda stepped back from his laptop.
"Both of you know each other?" the head science communicator asked gruffly, regarding the student through grey eyes that sparkled with a childlike enthusiasm.
Yukimura nodded on their behalf, seeing as his partner was decidedly mute. "Very well in fact."
Akemi didn't like the glint in his eyes.
"Jolly good! First and foremost the museum welcomes you two. Although you'll be here for three very short days, we're delighted to have you on our team. Now before I start the briefing, let me…"
XXX
About an hour later…
After each were given a polo shirt and temporary staff passes, the two students were granted liberty to roam around the museum to familiarise themselves with the facilities and exhibitions, as well as the rest of the museum staff.
Watching Dr Honda's retreating back, she was hit with a harrowing realisation.
She's left alone with the captain…
"… kemi… sa… Akemi-san? Akemi-san?"
Her mind jerked back with a start. She blinked owlishly at a concerned Yukimura studying her closely.
"You look extremely pale. Are you alright?" He paused. "I think your stomach needs warm food or at least something sweet to drink. We can have an early lunch."
Realising the proximities of their faces, Akemi took a step back and looked away, insecurity washing over her. Her face was stripped of its only armour… the long black tassels that once framed her eyes and eluded the sharpest of eyes. She wheeled around. "I'm fine. Go on without me. I want to look around this level more in detail for research. Don't want to get caught out by simple questions… I'll nip by when I'm hungry."
Yukimura raised his hand but she was already moving towards the Evolution of Life gallery with long and deliberate paces. He let his hand fall to his side. A grim shadow fell over his features. He had seen that look before… in the courts… in the eyes of his opponents and those who crossed him.
The very same paralysing fear reflected on her form.
XXX
22nd December, Monday
National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo
Kids.
They're a funny bunch.
How do they manage a feat at such an innocent age that would leave an adult scratching their heads?
A tiny hand reached up to tug on her skirt.
"Onee-chan! Can I keep this?"
Biting back an exasperated sigh, she turned around to find a smug-looking boy gazing up at her. Her heart nearly failed upon the sight of a genuine meteorite sample in his clutches. "H-hey! Where did you get that from? You're not supposed to touch any exhibits – much less take it home with you!"
"Eeehhh?" the unimpressionable kid moaned in protest. "It took me ages to get it out of that stupid shelf. Nobody will realise a tiny piece of rock is missing."
She stood corrected…
… not-so innocent and bright.
His flagrant indifference irked her. Taking a deep breath for composure, she perched her hands on her hips. "Return the meteorite to where it belongs – now." She glared reproachfully when the stubborn boy refused to comply. She's having a stare-down with a six year old kid? Unbelievable…
Akemi eventually won.
"Tsch! This place is boring," he grumbled under his breath, turning around.
Rather than feeling elated, her skin prickled with severe irritation. She tailed the disgruntled kid, keeping a sharp eye as the meteorite was returned to its rightful place. After the boy left, she inspected the rest of the displays, checking to see if the boy managed to slip off with one. 'Can't be too careful with those goblins.'
Twenty in the guise of kindergarteners.
When Akemi was informed by Dr Honda that she's charged with taking the spotlight as tour guide for today, she did not expect a group of kindergarteners waiting at the entrance hall. Gritting her teeth, she stalked into the main gallery. Being misinformed was one of her many pet peeves.
She stopped abruptly, ears perking at the sound of two voices having a lively chat nearby.
"Oh, Yukimura-kun!" the feminine one crooned; Akemi shivered despite the good centralised heating. "There! Over there! What's that embedded in that rock? It's beautiful… and huge!"
The captain chuckled softly. "What you're pointing at is a mineral called olivine. This rock you're referring to," he briefly paused, "is actually a type of meteorite called pallasite. Compared to other space rocks, this is considered a rare fine among collectors worldwide."
"I never knew… You're so knowledgeable, Yukimura-kun! I bet –"
"– you're the top student in your year," Akemi echoed dryly in a droning voice.
Scowling irately, she peered over her shoulder at the idle figures. The doe-eyed kindergarten teacher had been clinging onto the captain's shadow since the start of the tour, hanging on every word as though his voice breathed life into her. Meanwhile, he remained blissfully oblivious to her overindulgence for his attention.
The noirette rolled her eyes. 'Geez, what is he playing at? Wake up suddenly blind, aren't we? She's practically swooning at your feet, Mr Flawless. Head over heels? More like head lost in a bottomless well.' Her nose wrinkled with disgust. 'Honestly does she not think it inappropriate to openly flirt with a boy who barely reaches the legal driving age? For heaven's sake woman, you're in the mid-twenties!'
Sensing a murderous aura lurking in the air, Yukimura looked up to find a pair of eyes scowling darkly at him.
The noirette turned on her heels and strode off with her head held high. She was miffed. Their in-a-world-of-their-own behaviour meant that she had her hands full the whole morning with kids who would stop at nothing to unhinge the temporary museum guide cum babysitter. And she thought the tennis club was bad enough.
From monitoring the kindergarteners (wishing she was born with more eyes), supervising the interactive activities (led by experienced science communicators) from the shadows, accompanying whingy ones to the toilet (maintaining a proper distance from the male's to avoid giving the wrong impression), to dropping hints that taking home the beautiful and shiny rocks would earn them charcoals from Father Christmas and a visit from the Grinch himself.
Of course that went smoothly…
Horrified by the first sign of welding tears, Akemi flinched back with her hands waving frantically in front of her. "S-s-s-sorry! I d-d-didn't mean it that way!" she chuckled nervously, bending down to the small girl's height. "What I mean of course; it's wrong to take things that don't belong to you."
She tried to sooth the kindergartener with sweet words with no luck. Her conscience shrivelled in shame as the soft sniffles turned into hiccups. She chewed on her bottom lip, feeling infuriatingly helpless at this kind of situation.
"Akemi-san? It's almost time to break for lunch. Koizumi-sensei is rounding up the children as we speak."
The noirette jumped to her feet, startling the captain. She wheeled around. "Y-Yu-Yukimura-san!"
The captain studied her flustered expression for moment before turning to the tiny figure behind her legs.
Realising her worst fear, Akemi went into panic mode. "I-i-it's not what you think! I was just –"
"Oh dear, what do we have here?" Walking around the stunned noirette, Yukimura stooped down to the girl's height just as it was done. "May I ask for your name?" he asked with an affable smile, wiping away the tears gently with his handkerchief.
When he withdrew his hand, the girl's face was dried of tearstains. "Marika… Yamane Marika," she answered almost apprehensively, as though her unique name was an old subject of ridicule. "Just Mari, please," she added in a small voice.
"Marika? Jasmine?"
"Y-yes."
Yukimura's smiled broadened. "A beautiful name. Do you know it holds many meanings in the language of flowers?"
She shook her head.
"One of them is 'cheerful'… It puzzles me why a raincloud is floating over your head."
Floored, Akemi could only stare on.
Marika pointed a tiny finger at one of the glass cabinets filled with Cambrian fossils adorning the wall to their left. "I… I just want to bring one home to show my grampa. He used to collect rocks like these back when he walked better. I did ask onee-chan nicely," she added in a dejected manner.
This surely was the right moment in her life to curl up in a dark corner and be forgotten.
Gripping his chin, Yukimura mulled it over while the morose figure wallowed in guilt. Marika craned her neck to get a better look at his elegantly chiselled features. Her eyes, though red and puffy, were dry and filled with longing that sent another lethal dagger through Akemi's stomach.
The noirette dropped her gaze in shame. Her fingers twisted messy knots around the hem of her skirt.
"This is troublesome," the captain frowned. "I'm afraid taking it away isn't possible."
"Eh? Why?" a dismayed Marika blurted.
'That's right; why?' Akemi glowered at his back, conveniently forgotten that she was the one who started this mess.
"You see, Mari-chan… the nice people at the museum worked really hard scouring the globe for these." Yukimura glanced at the various exhibits around them; the girl mimicked his moves. "Bringing them to the museum and putting out for display takes a lot of time and effort. Their diligence enable people like you to view and learn about them in your hometown." A tender but apologetic smile tugged at his lips. "It will upset them if it goes missing. I'm sorry, but I have to agree with onee-chan."
"But… I understand."
"Thank you. Now come along; it's lunchtime. Best not let your friends wait."
Wearing a frown, Akemi watched the devastated girl joined the other kindergarteners outside the gallery in the hallway. Marika stayed at the back of the group and kept mostly to herself as Koizumi-sensei led the group towards the escalators.
"It'll be nice to have many kids in the house one day, right?"
"I find your question absolutely disturbing."
Chuckling sheepishly, Yukimura rose to his full height and turned around. "Sorry – slip of a tongue. Shall we proceed with the programme? I'm sure you're famished too."
"We? We!? I thank you for the help just now but I find you mucking around unacceptable!"
"Akemi-san, you're not making sense… I don't understand where you're getting at."
"Then think harder," she spat before stalking off – not in the direction of the escalators or lifts as he was aware of. "Top student my foot."
XXX
4:43 pm
Having said her part, Akemi quickly disappeared into the building, something about the cold and needing coffee. Nobody stopped or followed her.
Upon hearing someone whispered her name, a certain kindergartener picked up her head and blinked in surprise.
"Yo, Mari-chan," Yukimura waved. He knelt to her eye-level, heedful of the box behind his back. "Did you learn anything new today?"
She nodded. "Onee-chan knows a lot. I don't understand most of them though..."
Considering the discrepancies in their extent of knowledge, Akemi struggled hard to make things easier for the nonplussed kindergarteners understand her. It was very obvious. "There will come a time," Yukimura reassured. "Don't let it discourage you from learning. Drop by the museum anytime; the doors are always open to you. Why not bring your grandpa along next time?"
Mari wanted nothing to do with the museum but she hadn't the heart to say it aloud. Clothes rustling with movement alerted her to look up. Sitting on the palm of his hand was a small emerald box which had the museum logo imprinted on top. With a bit of persuasion, the girl was cradling the box. She pried the lid open and gasped. Carefully, she scooped up the fossil from its perch and turned it around in several angles. "It looks like the empty shells of the gardens snails living in the back of my house."
"It's an ammonite. This one, you can keep."
"Really!?" The delighted girl threw her little arms around his neck in a hug. "Thank you! I'll take good care of it! Promise!"
"You're welcome." He gently pried her off, chuckling. "Don't forget to take good care of yourself too – and your grandpa."
"I will! Thanks again, onii-chan!"
Yukimura waved goodbye to the overjoyed kindergartener as she joined the departing kindergartener group at the back. Once they disappeared from view, he made to turn around but faltered at the acute sensation of being watched.
The windows on the second floor were frosted, curtains drawn to provide a dramatic atmosphere for the gallery inside.
His eyes lingered on a particular one. He swore there was a silhouette of a figure there seconds ago.
XXX
5:10 pm
Crisp air rushed into the entrance hall. Already, her face was starting to feel numb. Steeling herself, Akemi adjusted the scarf around her neck and pushed her way through the doors. The transition from the museum's warmth to the nippy outdoors created an irrepressible shiver racking her body.
'Two more days,' she sighed heavily, worn to the bones. Her legs were heavy as lead and the bag definitely weighed like a barrel of bricks despite having packed light for the commute. 'Being a science communicator much less a guide is so demanding. I'm sure more than half the kids didn't understand what I said. How does one simplify science? Urgh… thank goodness for shifts.'
Her mind inevitably drifted.
Captain Flawless was a natural with children, no doubt about it. He had a kind of vibe which she couldn't construe. Perhaps it came with being an older sibling himself.
Brushing away that thought, Akemi checked her watch.
Fifty minutes…
What or where should she go to kill some time?
Leaning against a column, Akemi assessed her location. Figuratively speaking, she's in the middle of Ueno Park. The closest tourist attractions were Tokyo National Museum and the National Museum of Western Art, both directly linked to the path in front of her and located on its opposing ends. The latter didn't appeal to her taste, not even the slightest. In spite of her outburst in front of Atobe, she wasn't confident about the history paper. Tokyo National Museum consequently became a no-go zone.
She could wander around the park… aimlessly?
'It's better than nothing.' Feeling defeated, the noirette heaved her back off and promptly bumped into someone who happened to pass by at that unfortunate moment.
"I'm sorry!" two voices exclaimed at the same time.
Heart filling with dread, Akemi slowly raised her gaze and felt her heart dropped.
Cursed...
… well and truly.
Much like her, Yukimura had changed out of the museum polo. His white button-up shirt, tucked at the bottom into the belted grey trousers, was peering through the opening between the collars of his black military jacket. As the shock abated, a solemn look took over his features as he regarded her silently.
Akemi turned away. Her jaws were unnaturally taut.
"Mari-chan really liked the ammonite." His measured tone gave nothing away that he's sensing an air of uneasiness about her.
"I know… I saw."
She hung back, shifting weight between feet.
"I didn't tell her it was you."
Her body flinched at the first sound of movement.
"G-good. Thanks… umm… well… bye."
A hand caught her wrist before she could move.
Yukimura met her venomous glare unwaveringly. Underneath all that wrath, he saw the fear flickering in the shadows and something akin to doubt. He shook it aside and said, "Let's go home together. By the time we arrive at Kawasaki, it'll be pitch black. I don't doubt your capabilities; you can take care of yourself. But," There's always a 'but', "it'll trouble me greatly if I'm not accompanying you to the train station at least."
She broke the contact and sighed in defeat, exhaustion returning to haunt her. "No need. I have a prior engagement in Tokyo. Your courtesy is well accepted though." Pulling her wrist free, she gave a swift bow and broke into a run.
XXX
5:23 pm
Among the couples, families and friends idling about Ueno Park, Akemi watched the decorative light bulbs adorning the trees danced above her head in the light breeze. They looked very much like Christmas baubles and the electric blue glow was all the more entrancing.
Brows knitted into an irate scowl.
How does he keep doing it?
She heard a pair of skates skidding to a stop.
"You shouldn't be standing there for too long. Someone might accidentally bump into you."
'Been there. Done that.' Akemi clenched her eyes shut, praying that he'd melt into a puddle. "This spot is just fine and comfy, thanks," she asserted firmly.
"Come on, the middle has more room for easy manoeuvring. You won't enjoy the fun if you stay put."
"Fun?" She raised her head to glare at him. "Do I look like I'm having 'fun'? Try being the unwilling one! Said it before and I'll say it again – I. Can't. Skate."
Yukimura, who was supposed to be on the train back to Kawasaki this second, had managed to track her down at the nearby Winter Market. It was inevitable that she succumbed to curiosity once more, instead of staying put on the park bench.
Her fault but not entirely, as she'd cordially reminded the insufferable captain.
"With all due respect, you did put on the skates yourselves."
"That's because the tickets were paid! Yukimura-san is sly!"
That she'd known for a very long time and confounded her still.
Unused to the cumbersome weight on her feet, Akemi nearly lost her balance in the process of turning around. One of her failing hands caught the handrail before she could make intimate acquaintance with the frosted ground. Hands tightly curled around the railing, she searched the vicinity for an escape route. There was only one… on the other side of the ice rink.
Which genius designed this hell hole?
Akemi frowned at her feet, the gates in the far distance and back to the captain. "I was nine the last time I skated," she blurted. "Tripped over my own foot and struck the ice on my chin. I had to have stitches. It was embarrassing," she mumbled almost incoherently.
A smile of sympathy crossed his features but Yukimura remained undeterred. "I did offer to teach." He backed a few paces and stretched out his arms. "Come on, I'll catch you if you fall. Upon my heart I swear."
She shook her head frantically, legs trembling with fear.
Five more attempts later, the captain eventually caved in to pity. Her face was on the unsettling side of white. It was time to leave the rink anyway.
He was prepared to guide her back when an approaching danger alerted him. Quickly changing tactics, he took a couple of long strides and caught a screeching skater in his arms. The sudden momentum threw the both of them into the barrier, a few feet away from an alarmed Akemi.
"Yukimura-san!" Before she could move a muscle, the situation was being brought under control.
With his assistance, a girl who looked about her age was on her feet once more. The way he had handled her, as if a porcelain doll. The girl was a blushing mess, stammering so much her apology sounded gibberish to the noirette's ears. Noticing her watching, the girl's eyes flickered in her direction. Her coy gaze darkened to a sinister look that bordered on smugness.
Planned…
… the crash was intended.
Akemi felt her blood boil. 'The length these selfish idiots will go through. Her daft act could have cost herself and the captain so much grief!'
Oblivious to the murderous look attached onto her back, the girl slithered away on her skates, giggling like the fool she was.
Yukimura sighed in relief. "That could have ended badly."
Taken aback, Akemi rounded on him. "You know it wasn't an accident and you let her off!? Unbelievable!" Blessed with the grace of an elephant on ice, she pulled herself along the edge of the rink using the handrail for leverage.
"Wait –"
She ignored his call.
She hadn't gotten far before another near-miss had her think twice. After a long stretch of tensed silence in which a battle of wills was held, she grudgingly allowed herself to be guided to the gates. She shook him off once they're out and stormed off – awkwardly because of the skates' cumbersome weight.
In spite of everything, Yukimura went after her. It was amusing to think she got a little green-eyed.
XXX
Christmas jingles blasted from the speakers, lights twinkled like meteor showers above their heads, tantalising smell of hot food and muffled voices drifted from the stalls dotting each side of the winding path. It wasn't packed on a Tuesday evening, so there were plenty of rooms to relax and stretch their limbs about.
They strolled through the Winter Market, neither pausing to browse the stalls nor inciting a conversation. Down the wide path, they walked side by side in silence.
Bringing the cup to his lips, Yukimura poured a generous amount down his throat, filling his chest with soothing warmth. Vanilla latte. Extra sprinkle of cinnamon. It was a surprise treat. He watched his silently fuming companion out of the corner of his eyes. Her soft brown pools were glazed over in deep thoughts, only the minute flicker betrayed the fact she at least was conscious of where she's putting her foot.
Had it been more than two weeks since he made that call? Daily club reports still came through his inbox but that's the extent of their exchange. Business purpose. No packages. Nothing personal. He'd assumed she wanted to tackle her own problems. He waited. Even upon his return from the camp, he waited.
Gradually though, he became acutely aware that no matter how long he waited, she won't approach him… or acknowledge his presence. Her guard was always up in full force. He resolved stage a private confrontation. Seeking out the girl – never mind catching her alone – was in itself a tricky task.
He combed through the memories and found the symptoms matched point to point. Once upon a time when the noirette was bent on avoiding a clueless Hyotei captain… he began to re-examine his strategy.
XXX
Akemi grimaced at the nasty taste washing into her mouth. She opened the plastic lid, and to her dismay the latte wasn't even half gone. Suddenly sensing a presence nearby, her eyes snapped up to meet a familiar pair.
"Drink's gone cold?" Yukimura asked with an amused lilt. He had finished his minutes ago.
She narrowed her eyes threateningly. "Never you mind."
"It's in my nature to be curious." He paused. "That said, Akemi-san. How's the book coming along? I've been wondering about it for a long time."
She froze in her steps.
Yukimura came to a halt in front of the stunned girl. His face hardened with a grim expression.
Akemi averted her gaze… and lowered them to her feet. For the first time, he saw guilt etched into her eyes. If only she had accepted his offer – to help her around her dampened spirit to write again, she wouldn't be in this awful chancery and the fear of rejection would never arise.
Specifically, the fear of him turning down her apology. Did she deserve it? What if he wouldn't forgive her? Revoke her managerial position as punishment? The paintings he left beside her bag in the clubroom, did he intend to torment her further with guilt?
Doubts.
All of them her fault the situation spiralled out of control. And now she's facing the consequence.
Akemi couldn't bring herself to face him, much less ask him for feedbacks on the completed chapter. It lay wasted in the drawer of her study desk until it passed the biweekly submission deadline. She couldn't give a definite date if her editor queried for it. Despite the continuous support, she sensed his patience waning.
She was a let-down.
A warm hand came to rest over hers. "Careful, you're going to spill the latte over yourself. Here… I'll throw that for you."
Before she could protest, his slender fingers were already worming dexterously underneath hers. She flinched at the movements and watched on helplessly as the cup was removed from her grasp.
There was a pause.
"… is there something on my face?"
Yukimura shook his head, a sombre smile on his lips. "Akemi-san, know that I didn't take it to heart."
"Huh?"
"As I thought, I shouldn't have scrupled. If you weren't trying to evade me," he gave the stunned noirette a significant look, "I'd have gladly read over your draft." Turns out, the editor contacted him yesterday about the allegedly unfinished chapter – to which he kindly reminded that she was occupied with exam preparation and was settling back into writing.
Akemi gawked.
He lied… for her?
Guilt returning in full force, she hung her head in shame. "I… I didn't ask you to…" she trailed off, fumbling for the right words. "That is to say I… I appreciate your help." She swallowed a sigh of frustration. 'Unbelievable. I've struggled for days on end to be upfront and apologise. How did I end up thanking him instead?'
Her ears perked at the strange noise.
Shoulders trembling, Yukimura struggled to control the onslaught of laughter. He threw up his hands.
A red-faced Akemi threw one last glare at the captain and started into a brisk walk. She shoved her hands into her coat's pockets, simmering like a whistling kettle. Behind her, the distinctive sound of footsteps falling on the path followed her closely. As the anger evaporated, her strides reduced to a normal pace.
They were walking side by side again, their shoulders separated by an inch gap.
Fighting down the urge to bolt, she swallowed hard and focused on the road ahead. He lingered close, observing the people around them, but kept a respectful distance. It was all she could ask for. Her mind was in a dire need of sorting out.
She glanced up at the swathe of lights twinkling idly over their heads.
"Two nights," the girl eventually broke the silence, garnering his attention. She took in a deep breath. "Give me two more nights and I'll have the next chapter brushed up for your critique. Just a few things I need to tweak. It'll be easier on you, hopefully," she added, stealing a fleeting glance.
"Two chapters in one go? I'm always up for a challenge."
A wan smiled with a touch of relief tugged at her lips. "Thank you… I owe you one, Yukimura-san."
XXX
6:02 pm
Standing beside the Ueno Park's gate, Yukimura could only stare at the sleek black Aston Martin sitting in the pickup/drop-off point.
Who was she meeting?
Waving goodbye, Akemi jogged up to car. The classy vehicle looked fresh from the manufacturer. Its body seemed to glow under the kaleidoscopic lights, making the cars in the vicinity look like cheap metals. More than a handful of heads turned, causing the noirette to become flustered under their stares despite knowing that she wasn't their object of fascination.
The driver dipped his head respectfully, appearing rather amused by the way she was reacting. Hand on the handle, he fluidly opened the door just and she almost threw herself into the vehicle in haste. He closed the door swiftly and clambered into the front seat.
The Aston Martin began to pull out of the layby, giving him full view of its license plate.
Of course…
…it had to be him.
XXX
6:38 pm
Atobe Manor
The young Atobe heir returned from a brief bathroom break, only to find his mother had spirited Akemi away. Following the maid's direction, the miffed boy stormed down the labyrinth of corridors to one of the many guest rooms in the west wing.
Occasionally, his itchy hand would tug at the chequered silk tie worn around his neck. The tartan pattern was a design of his late grandfather's close friend created decades ago, and since became an emblematic association with the Atobe family. They're normally used on special formal occasions – tonight was an exception.
Stopping outside an oaken door, Atobe gave it two raps on the knuckles. A maid came to greet him moments later.
"Is it Keigo? Come on in!" his mother's chirpy voice rang out from inside.
Biting back a weary sigh, he entered into the room and glanced around. His mother was grinning like a schoolgirl with a juicy gossip to tell, a camera poised in her hands. Beside her stood a figure clothed in a lavishly designed wedding dress. A long veil with floral lace details was pinned to the high bun, spilling down her back to spreading elegantly around the skirt's hem like a cascading waterfall.
A strange feeling rising inside his throat, Atobe found himself unable to take his eyes off Akemi.
I probably should have said this in the previous chapter... to clarify some confusion, the poll wasn't made to decide the end pairing nor a 'majority wins' kind of vote.
Yukimura - 36.5 (added 4 from review)
Atobe - 32.5 (added 8 from review)
Kirihara - 2 (no change)
Niou - 2 (no change)
Sanada - 2 (no change)
The poll is now closed for voting. Thanks for participating! Trivia for this chapter will up on tumblr. I'll post a picture of the wedding dress too ;)
Thanks for reading and see you next chapter!