NINE

There's a kind of irony in the fact that, after having told Twelve not to get involved with Mishima Lisa, he meets her himself. Nine does not like irony, as it never holds positive connotations. This instance is no exception to the rule.

He's dodging the girls in his class (and some not in his class - how did they even learn of him?), hands shoved deep into the pockets of his slacks, and turns a corner in the hallway once he hears squeals come from behind him.

It's frustrating that he can't tell them to leave him alone, because that will bring more attention to him. Which means he can only hasten his steps and hope they don't do anything asinine like break into a sprint. When he turns the corner, however, he runs into someone. Literally.

The girl yelps, arms comically pinwheeling as she falls backwards. He's planning on apologizing quickly and leaving when the girl brushes back her bangs and he realizes who she is. Mishima Lisa. Irony at its finest.

"I'm s-sorry," Mishima Lisa mumbles, peering up at him. It's obvious when she recognizes him, for her eyes widen a touch and her lips part. But that isn't what he's focused on.

It's her eyes. He stiffens at the sight of them, before the surprise ebbs away. The urge to walk away returns, twofold.

"It's fine," he says blandly, and is about to keep walking when an arm loops around his own. Nine barely suppresses a twitch at the contact.

"There you are!" says one of the girls he was attempting to dodge. She smiles widely up at him. He does not return it. "I thought we wouldn't be able to catch you!"

"So mean!" whines another. "I bet you saw us but kept walking!"

He only answers with, "I see."

A third sidles up next to him, gaze leaving his to take in Mishima Lisa, still sprawled on the ground. "Lisa! How wonderful it is to see you! Come to think of it, you never eat with us during lunch time! Satomi misses you, y'know."

Mishima Lisa pales, getting up. "Sorry, I-I...eat with other people." Obviously a lie.

"Uh-huh?" the girl responds. It's clear she doesn't believe her. "And who would these other people be? I didn't know you had friends apart from us."

Mishima Lisa wrings the hem of her skirt, avoiding her eyes as she stammers. It's almost painful to watch. Either way, he is annoyed by the three schoolgirls latching onto him. He shakes them off. "I have somewhere to be. If you'll excuse me."

Predictably, they aren't too happy. "But Arata-kun!"

"I-I should get going too," he faintly hears Mishima Lisa say, before he notices her walking from the corner of his eye. He's taller than her, however, so it's next to impossible for her to overtake him.

He realizes then that he's been looking at her from his peripherals for too long; he looks away. Nine doesn't walk faster, but manages to outstrip the girl anyway. Because she's just too slow, obviously.

A/N:

This is so far the longest of my chapters, which may be because of how difficult it is to pin Nine down, but also because of the amount of dialogue and such used. And some semblance of a plot is forming, hallelujah.

Thank you to TheRoseShadow21 for reviewing! Please do continue to favourite, follow, and review!