A soft, quiet yawn escaped from the back of my throat despite my attempts to suppress it. With a subtle stretching of my tired muscles, I continue to drum my fingers against the surface of my desk, listening to the older teacher drone away in the front of the class room about today's lesson. There was a rather wan but owlish look to him, as though despite having intelligence, he was overdue and wanted to get through the day quickly as it will come. As though he has done this job for far too long in his life.
He seemed well educated enough with his step by step explanation of grammar and punctuation usage, supporting the previous theory, but whether he took the job seriously anymore, it was hard to tell with such a monotonous attitude. Oh well, I suppose. You and me both, pal.
Most of the day was uneventful - other than what happened this morning with that boy and his odd bodyguard (which is his cousin, I might add, to my surprise when Hunny told me).
Stubbornly, I will admit, thanks to their help I had a better understanding of the layout of Ouran. Hunny explained much of it to me during our first class together - despite my attempts to avoid talking to him. He was much like how a teacher is to their student; explaining everything in the simplest form possible so I could understand, which was funnily ironic when you considered him a shota and all.
Wanna know the even strangest thing? He's exceptionally good at math - and that's just an understatement. Strange? I know, right?
Anyways, after our first period, we departed and I ventured on without the need of a guide this time.
And luckily, I arrived without much hassle to my second and my third period (which I'm in now. Modern Literature, just as a reminder). Many things were going on in the back of my mind since this morning, blocking out most of lectures from last class and now. Perhaps it was guilt or curiosity that ebbed me; my need to apologize to Hunny for acting rude and a curiosity of that big bastard's mindset swirled around in my thoughts. For being children in a privileged family, they seemed rather kind enough to help a commoner like me.
Admittedly, Hunny's childlike enthusiasm and optimism was a refreshing change to some of the more uptight assholes who have come here just for the fun of it. Though I was a little skeptical of the fact he was older than me despite having the appearance of a child, those one-sided chats he tried to have with me eased me a little, in a way that I knew I wasn't completely surrounded by close-mindedness.
And then there's that Mori or whatever the hell he wanted me to call him. For a lack of a better word, taciturn was the best way to describe him. In the short time I had to interact with him he rarely said a word unless needed. I suppose most people are like that, but his case, it just seems more... pensive; it's obvious something is going through his mind, although if it's because of arrogance or apathy, his words come unless he really needed too. But I could tell it isn't forced when he speaks. Just... I really have no clue.
He's a strange one, all right. And something about his quiet nature just rubs me the wrong way. I may blame my skeptical and cynical habits for causing frustration, but I've relied on them so far. I'm not going to give up on my instincts now.
Just, the next time I see him - avoid talking whatsoever. Associating with men like him, people might get the wrong idea. Being a woman, especially one like me, people are left to the imagination that I bounce from person to person since I'm a lower class in a... suggestive fashion. The very last thing I need is drama.
—
With my pencil in hand, I absent-mindedly tapped the end against the surface of my desk as I kept eye contact with the teacher's form so it wouldn't seem like I wasn't paying attention. The longer here, the more I was exhausted, it seemed, and found it hard to pay attention. Not that literature wasn't my favorite subjects that I'm bored of, mind you. But, goddamn, can he talk any more monotone?
He seemed bored himself, with half-lidded and droopy eyes almost as though he would fall asleep right then and there. And I knew, as my eye swept across the room looking for the clock, that I wasn't the only one getting fatigue rubbing off onto them. Although a majority of the students seemed more or less uncaring to begin with, there were an exception of students with face's yearning for knowledge and learning - one girl even bragged she would one day become a novelist in the footsteps of her father, grandfather and great grandmother. Cute she's adamant on continuing a family tradition, I'll give her that at least.
I found the clock on the far left side of the room, hanging about a white plaster wall. Almost simultaneously as I read the time and saw class was nearly coming to an end, the chime of the bell rang with a rhythmic tune. A number of relieved sighs sounded as well, and the teacher stops himself before giving the nod of dismissal wordlessly.
It was no exaggeration that I was the quickest to gather my books from the desk and leave before the others even moved to gather their things. With my guitar case strapped onto my shoulder, I strutted out of the room without so much as a peek back or a polite nod to them. The others didn't feel the same; I swore I could feel watching eyes on me till I disappeared out into the hall, and I could promise you they then gossiped to each other.
And no, that's not just me being paranoid - I could hear incoherent whispering anyways that was loud enough for me to make the assumption.
I ignored it, however, as students coming out of their classes for lunch break litter the halls and I squeeze past them with what little room I had left to get by. Though not intentional, them bumping into me and getting in the way was really starting to annoy me. This just had to be the most well liked school in Japan, didn't it. And the majority had to be smug face buckets of douche water. Being in this position of the lower class lost in the crowd of higher-ups in society was a irking thought that did not sit well with me.
I guess you could blame my low tolerance for feeling so short-fused. But actually... Blame my stomach. I'm hungry as hell! Getting hungry puts me in an awfully bad mood where I will pretty much snap at anyone till I get something in me. So while staying composed, I tried to hurry to the cafeteria for the long-awaited meal that I need.
Luckily the halls were beginning to die down a little, which made it much easier to walk to my destination. I was lost in thoughts of high-class food, I jumped when I suddenly heard a myriad of girls burst out into hyena like laughter from behind me. I stopped abruptly, and hesitated - my hands clutching harder to my books before I whirled around with a slight frowning of my brows.
But I quickly realized it wasn't me that their laughter was directed at, and usually I would sigh and leave matters alone, but when I noticed another girl surrounded by three others, lying on her stomach with her books, most likely, sprawled out in front of her, I instantly got a bad vibe.
"Aw, I'm so sorry. Did you trip on 'accident' onto thin air? You're such a kluz, you should really watch where you walk next time." One auburn girl said with sarcasm before giggling with false innocence. The other bitches joined her, their laughing out of sync with each other to create an ear bleeding worthy sound. The way she said that though, it was obvious that she tripped her herself on purpose. My eyes narrow as I watch.
"It looks like the poor thing can't even stand. How pitiful."
The girl on the floor moved to get up on her knees and gather her books, strands of long dark brown falling from her shoulder and in a disheveled mess. There was an inscrutable expression on her face as she reaches for a black leather bound book, which was the closest to her. "Is that really all? Not going to say a word again? You can't be so empty headed as your unprepossessing face would detail, would it?" Another girl with blonde hair said haughtily as she smirked.
"Now, now, Sayuri," Another girl with black hair chimed with a cruel, arrogant smile as she batted the air with her hand. "That isn't a very kind thing to say to a expressionless eyesore such as this one. Such words are distasteful for you to even bring up, especially when handling the less fortunate. If you want to properly put lessers in their place, use much more sophisticated words."
"Oh, you're so right, Emiko-senpai!" the blonde ditz replied seeming shamefully, her curled up hand hovering over her mouth. "Father would be most upset dirtying myself with a fondling of lower standing. Oh, thank you so much for reminding me."
This is so painful to watch, I thought nettled. Not because of the pitiful looking girl, but for the sheer arrogance of these bitches. See, kids? This is not how children shouldn't be raised. For those of you reading and are wanting kids, look at them and think twice for your sake. You don't children this pathetic, do you?
The brown haired girl finally rose to her feet, her books tucked to her chest tightly with crossed arms. She remained impassive as she looked over her shoulder at them. Not Mori impassive, but more like she was putting up a strong front, perhaps. "I'm sorry, but I would appreciate if you would leave me alone, please. I have done nothing to you." she told them with an even tone.
Eh? Have they been bugging her all day?
The one known as Emiko scoffed, long lashes falling over azure blue eyes when she blinks. "It's not what you've done, foundling. I think you know that very well. Better than anyone. We have to put people like you in their place so they don't even think of rising beyond that position, it's just how things work around here." she told her arrogantly like it was common knowledge.
"Yeah, Emiko-senpai! You tell her." The auburn cheered with a smug grin.
"Haha, she has a point, pygmy. You should do well to learn the rules." The blonde, Sayuri, said with a gesture of her hands as she shrugged.
A visible finch came from the brown haired girl, but she remained stoic, staring coolly at them. "Oh really? If that's how the system works, then why are the three of you even here if that's it? It's ironic, don't you think."
While the two behind Emiko have jaws dropping, seemingly offended as their eyes glare and then their jaws clenched and fumed, the smirk on the black haired girl did not waver in the least. "My, my. You certainly have confidence for a lesser. Of course, that's simple to answer, though I'll keep it simple enough for you to understand," she combated with mirth. "Not all of us are a shame upon our family, after all. We're proud children of our honored names, giving to us by birthright. You on the other, are just a little eyesore that your poor parents decided to keep because you're just a failsafe. Can't have something like you taint the school grounds with hope of success when you have none." She went on in a conceited mien. "Besides, it's too much fun and we need something to entertain us. Why not you?"
It was painfully obvious there was something personal happening before me. I felt empathetic as I watched the girl's hands begin to tremble with indignation - out of sight of the girls. It hurt to see someone being whipped with personal attacks, and from what it seemed, they were really personal. Very much so. And yet somehow, her expression didn't falter. She remained stagnant. "And yet you have enough time on your hands to learn everything about me." she chuckled dryly as her eyes fluttered shut. She then turned away, her eyes still closed. "You have too much time on your hands when you could be trying to work towards benefiting others. But you waste it to attack me. Go ahead and say what you want about me because I have heard it all, and I know that I'm not the pathetic one here. Wanna know who is?" Her eyes half-lidded as she looked back with a smirk. "Go to the restroom and look in the mirror. You do that plenty when you want to cover that ugly face of yours with makeup."
Those blue orbs of hers go wider than saucers.
Ooh, that's gotta hurt, I thought with a cringe. If I didn't hate women who were so conceited, I think I would feel just a tad bit bad for her. But it seemed as though it was well deserved.
With that, she briskly turned away and started to wander away from them. Clearly, what she said greatly bothered the bitch as that smirk was starting to contort into a deep frown, her eyes bore into the girl's back as though she had the power to reduce her to ashes.
I even felt myself smirk as I turn to leave. A part of me actually wanted to shake her hand and praise her for shooting down puffed up bags of ego, but it was best not to get involved. It would go against what I told myself to not to do.
However, a sudden loud yelp of pain, followed by a thud against the floor caused something inside me to drop, and I go wide eyed as I swivel back around. That Emiko bitch had her by the back of her hair, twisted up in her clenched fist. The girl's hands were clasping hers in an attempt to lessen the pain. With a raging expression, the raven haired girl tugs hard on her hair and the girl exclaims with anguish as she grimaced.
"Y-You... You... You disgusting pygmy," Emiko growled, her voice trembled some from hurt pride. "How dare you insult the daughter to the Kurosawa name! After I am finished with you, I will see to it my father do's away with you and that disgraceful family of yours!"
"L-Let go of m- Aah!" she tried to retort, but a tug at her hair stops her.
Emiko clicked her tongue. "Ah, ah..." Suddenly, that expression shifted from pissed off into a rather psychotic looking smile that was sickeningly sweet. "You can't talk unless I say so, pygmy. You need to learn your place, remember?" she cooed, and her cohorts smiled with anticipation.
The girl wasn't able to coolly keep face, and her eyes rage up at the psycho bitch. "You're sick..." She muttered shakily. "I swear, if you don't-"
"Ah, no talking!" Emiko sneered as her hand tightened and gave another pull before the girl spoke any threats.
Words could not express the rage that was filling inside me as I could feel the pressure of it behind my eyes and my jaw tensing up and my hands clenching the book in my hands. If you were ever curious as to why I express hate of the rich and famous, you're seeing why right here before you, ladies and gentlemen. My natural instincts took over everything and I found myself stomping over quickly, dropping my books to the floor.
"Hey!"
Despite all reservations I held, and especially my promise to mother, I took a hold of the girl around one arm and with the other...
Slap!
The back of my hand collided with her cheek, eliciting a sharp crack and then gasps from her minions - all which echoed in the now empty hallways. She stumbles in the direction I sent her in before she stumbled to stop. Eye round with shock, she brought a hand to her cheek once she comprehend what just happened. Trembling whimpers escaped though her lips, her eyes turning vulnerable and wide now she has tasted her own medicine.
The two other bitches muttered murmurs of worry for themselves as their gaze flickered from their friend and me, which I was glaring with a stare that could melt metal - and oh how I wish it could have, but their expressions like lost children were enough.
My eyes soften as I look down at the girl in my grasp. "Are you all right, kid?" I asked as kindly as I could sound. Those brown eyes of hers drift up to me, almost in shock and surprise as though she thought I was another one of her bullies. She hesitated as her gaze studied me thoroughly for a moment, her expression much expressive than before. But then her facial muscles relax, her expression dims and she quickly wipes away tears that were rolling down her cheek as if embarrassed I've seen them.
"Yes, I am. Thank you." she murmured with a straight face. She was very quick to keep her cool, I noted, appearing as though what happened was nothing. Strong girl, I mused.
"How dare..." I suddenly heard a feminine voice hisses in a breathy voice. I almost forgot that bitch was still there what, with her in a trance of disbelief. I'm guessing those parents of hers never gave any sort of discipline. And that much was evident as I stare back at her with furrowed brows. "How dare you strike me-"
The moment her head snapped up and goes to scold me, she suddenly stopped herself. While still holding her cheek, her anger seemed to fade and now she appeared... amused. "You... You're the other middle class student I have heard of. The yankee." she commented suspiciously as she straighten her posture.
Releasing my hand from the girl's shoulder, I returned a hard look into her blue eyes as I place a hand on my hip. "A yankee, huh?" I remarked back, but otherwise didn't feel too curious. I have already known. A smirk on the corner of my lips creases. "I suppose you can call me that if you like. You're entitled to your opinion, after all. No matter how bias."
"Bias, you say," she said slowly. Her hand falls from her cheek, her arm to her side, and a sardonic smile grows on her lips to a barest hint of it. "How utterly ironic," A taunting arrogance riddles her voice. "I'm struck for doing what I must, and I am the bias one? Perhaps you should have understand the definition before randomly assuming such."
With a scoff, I fold my arms across my chest and lean onto one leg. "Very contradicting to have a bias assumption." I retort with bravado.
Her egotistical smile falter a little and her eyes dimmed into a hard, foreboding glare. "Assumption that may prove to be true. And the evidence is clear, yankee." she said, referring to the slight red mark adoring her pale cheek.
I sighed. "I hope you know using such insults have no effect on me, hussy. They only serve to give me a headache because of your ignorance." I countered as my lips purse and my two finger therapeutically rub the side of my temple for effect.
"Then I have only succeeded," She was starting to regain her smugness as her expression reveled in delight that she was countering my words after the other. I've dealt with countless competitive people like her before; people who think they can cleverly combat any sort of insult that comes their way. She may have higher education, but it seems she lacks one thing. And that, my friends, is common sense (and common decency).
However, growing bored of this incessant throwing of insults, my response to her was a disinterested look and a soft sigh as I readjusted myself in place. "Think what you like. It's not like I'll go crazy that you think you're better than me, especially when you pick on others and assault them." I said with a harden glare.
"Oh, her?" She replied, her eyes flickered at the silent girl behind me who was watching tentatively. "She had to be put in her place. A girl like her, trying to become proper and luxurious like one of us is very unsightly. Not that a commoner like you could comprehend."
So even the rich and famous were cruel to their very own citizens of the same class. Now that it was mentioned, I never really stopped to think of how far some first class men and women would go with their ruthlessness. It was all the same to them, no matter who or what the human is to them.
Her words disgusted me, and feeling irked by this, my hand clenched into fist within the folds of my arm. "Who are you to play dictator?" I snapped, my brows furrowed.
"Since the day I was born, mind you." she said. Her smugness was coming from some limitless supply, and I could practically feel and smell it from her. "Everyone who attends Ouran comes from very prestige families, and have wonderful reputations among their fellow people. We can't have two commoners and a lesser come and taint the ground of this beloved school just because the staff fail to run you off."
My brows flew up in shock, and then frowned.
You kidding me, bitch. My god...
The amount of arrogance in her words was astonishingly horrid, and I naturally was detested by such dark and entitled behavior. People like me - and some other student that supposedly is middle class I have yet to meet - are entitled to the sweat on our brows because we put our all into it. I worked my ass off in order to obtain a high education and become something my parents could they were proud of. We're all capable of feeling some sort of entitlement to something, but this crossed the line for me.
Exasperated, I run a hand through my hair to the ends with a light sigh. "How unsightly..." I murmur lividly. "I fail to see what makes you so goddamn special. Being born to a rich or royal family doesn't mean anything in the long run when it comes to the real world. What talents do you have proving you're something worth noting?"
She snickers. "I have many talents that have been appraised by even the highest leaders of our society-"
"That wasn't meant for you to answer, hussy. I give two shits less of who you are." I interjected indignantly, and she glares with contempt. "I just met you, and already my eyes are burning just looking at you. Think I care how special you are? I just witness as you attack a girl you were clearly antagonizing. You and those 'friends' of yours." Seeing her lips about to part, I assumed her next words and interjected. "And I don't want to hear anymore accusations about her. They don't apply to me."
"Hmph!" she grunts with puckered lips. "Well of course it wouldn't. Two birds of a feather flock together, after all."
At least she finally stopped smirking as her lips pulled down into a deep frown. I wasn't at all sure of what was the history going on here, and a great deal of me advised to turn away and ignore the whole thing before it blows out of proportion. But my maternal instincts will not allow this, and my convention will show as I continued to lock narrowing eyes at her.
"I'm growing tired of looking at you..." I growled lowly after what seemed like an hour long staring contest.
"As am I." She drawled before briskly, she turned around on her heel. The hem of her dress ruffled and flowed with the movements as she then nodded her head towards her fellow bitches, motioning for them to leave. As though she could sense my smoldering eyes watching her retreating form, she peers over her shoulder while she saunters between the other two. Eyes that were pretty yet menacing. Anything but gentle. "You will rue the day you decided to speak to me like this, yankee. I'll have you grovelling like the second class citizen you are after I'm through with you..."
I know had I not harden over the years, the threat would bring all sorts of worry for me. But I only scoffed, uncaring. I then turned, stuck my bottom out towards her, and patted it. "Kiss my ass." I hissed, causing her face to grimace before she turned away and I could swear she was making gagging sounds.
Ha! I love doing that.
I was lost in the feeling of victory that I belatedly realized my behavior. Self-consciously I fumbled to compose myself, standing straighter and brushing away imaginary dust from my shorts. As I bent down to aimlessly brush down to my stockings, the corner of my vision caught the blur of yellow and I suddenly remembered the silent spectator.
When straighten up and turned to her, almost forgetting she was there, she was watching me with wide, bewildered eyes and clasped hands to her chest and slightly parted lips. My habit would usual put her on top automatically with all the other judgmental stares I have gotten, but looking into hers a bit awkwardly with more focus I could not see any sort of condescending aura in her eyes.
They seemed to almost sparkle in awe with how wide they appeared. It was as though I was a creature once thought to be extinct, and she was the founder of the said creature. Such a comparison didn't sit well with me.
She was silent, and I as well. We were watching one another expectantly for one person to say anything besides silence. But the wordless exchanged caused the air to feel stifled and tense. Her expression didn't falter, and something about it made me think of mother. She had the markings of Asian descent of the sightly slant eyes and the softer edges of the bones of her face. And speaking of eyes, hers were a coffee brown just like mother's as well.
Wide and almost soft in appearance. Thinking about it as I look into them, some remembrance of the past stirred in the depths of my mind and even sightly I did feel a bit homesick. Before I could catch on, the tense atmosphere was start to become beyond uncomfortable. She cocked her head but made no sound whatsoever or indication she could feel the tension and I cleared my throat awkwardly, adverting my eyes away.
I have nothing to say, good or otherwise.
Seeing the books lying on the almost pink floor, I decide to use that to break out of the awkwardness and then knelt to retrieve the books that fell from her arms. I gave her a straightforward look as I stood up and hand the small stack to her. "Here," I said to her simply, keeping my tone as neutral as I could.
She snapped out of a supposed trance and shook her head, as though to clear it from her thoughts. Her eyes snap down to the books in my hand. "Oh, thank you very much." she said in a polite voice, as if what happened never did, as she slumped over and gathered them to her chest. With them back into her grasp, she strained a slight smile.
I, however, did not return it as I threw a nod in her direction and strolled off to the first floor stairs. The little voice chiding me for being impolite was too quiet to heed. I didn't think much of this but before I got a few feet away from her, I heard her voice. And I could tell it was directed at me.
"You know, that was a really brave thing you just did." She said with a tone that almost suggested she was smiling. And when I stopped and turned around, she was indeed smiling. A barely noticeable one, but it was there. "I never thought anyone, especially another girl, could have stood up to her like you just did."
I quirked a brow as I fully turned around and fold my arms. That skeptical part of me yelled to leave it alone but I was a little curious. "Really? You make it sound as if she gets her way. Unless..."
"Mm," She hums with a nod, finishing my sentence. Her lips formed into a frown as she stared off to the side, a thoughtful look crossing her features. "She does. Though I think because of how she acts, more people would. But her father is among the leading bosses in the yakuza of Japan,"
I paled. The air suddenly became non-existent from my lungs; they felt as though they have collapsed. "I'm sorry, but did you say she's the daughter of a yakuza group leader? Please tell me you didn't." I should have trusted my instincts, but I was still denying this information. Maybe I just heard her wrong or maybe she was misinformed-
"Mm-mm," She turned her head to me and shook her head. "I did." Oh, how lovely... Her words took quite awhile to finally sink into my muddled mind. The blood drained from my face and every organ in my body felt as though they have shut down. My first day... and I backhanded a mobster's daughter.
I'm so screwed...
She must of have noticed the shock registered on my face because she then said with a worried look in her eyes. "I'm so sorry. I wanted to tell you, but I didn't think you would go to such extremes. I really am sorry." Her lips taut and she moves to give me an apologetic bow, her dark brown hair cascading over her shoulder.
"Um..." This was a strange position to be in. This girl must be part of a family better off than most or was born from a royal linage, and yet she was bowing and apologizing to me: A girl with a mother who owned a convenient store and a father a full time nurse, both parents who gave me a comfortable enough life without such luxuries. While it was awkward, something about it was pitiful and humbling.
Unsure of what to say or do, I rub my arm subconsciously as I frown at her. "Why are you apologizing?" I asked instead, although a bit dumbly.
"Because it was because of me that you had to step in and stand up for me. It's because of me that you did that, and I am so sorry. Please forgive me."
The way she was acting, while it was pitiful, it reminded me of mom. My lips began to fall and my eyes narrowed as I thought this. Once upon a time, she was once a obedient housewife who had such tendencies to apologize constantly. A people pleaser, if you may call it. As a little girl, it never occurred to me how such behavior detested me. Growing up, it was always "sorry this" or "sorry that". I have grown used to it until now.
Damn it! How is some rich girl bringing back such memories? However, I let out a exasperated sigh and reach out a hand to pat her shoulder. I suppose there was something about her that triggered my maternal instincts mother gave to me. And when she peers up to me hesitantly, I gave her a smile. If there is one thing I couldn't stand, it is women acting so submissively.
"Don't sweat it, kiddo," I say with a easygoing attitude. She almost seemed perplexed as she straighten her posture and blinked at me. Placing a hand on my hip, I raised a clenched fist up with a lopsided smirk. "Think some daddy's girl is going to get me down? Hell no!" I declared with vigorous mettle. "As if she can do anything so harmful. The worst she can probably do is go tell daddy on me. Ha! Well she can go ahead! Bring it on! I'll take that bitch on and her hooligans one by one!" With a fist flourishing into the air with a challenging smirk, it didn't forget the apprehension I could feel, but in the face of others, I have to be confident.
But... I think I'm laying it on way too thick. And only did I realize that and became self-conscious when there was a stifled giggling and a snort of someone's nose as though they were gasping for air. The girl had one hand pressed against her mouth, her body hunched over sightly as her face broke into a grin as she laughed.
Instinctively I scowled, feeling the heat gather at my cheeks. "H-Hey, what's so funny!?"
After about a few seconds of laughing, she was able to get a grasp of her laughter as it faded into silence. She clears her throat, sneaking in a chuckled I noticed, and looked at me. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to laugh or anything," she said apologetically. "It's just... When I heard that a middle class yankee was attending Ouran Academy, I never expected how different you seem to be."
"Oh?" I quirked a brow at her as I fold my arms across my chest. "And what did you expect me to be?" I knew how I worded it made it seem as though it was in an accusatory tone where she could interpret it differently than it just being a simple question.
She blinks with a curious look on her face, apparently not interpreting it how I thought she would. "I wasn't sure, to be frank." She replied, regarding me with coffee brown eyes. "Word gets around, but it also becomes muddled and said differently. Some of what they said... was a little over the top."
I was curious but reluctant to ask what she meant by over the top. But it was probably best that I didn't, so I shook it off. "Really now?" I said instead.
"Yes. And even I was a little worried myself - please don't be offended." She hurriedly added as to not add more salt to wounds but I shook my head to assure her and she sighed with relief. "But it seems it was only bias assumption. You seem kind. After all, not many people would jump to someone's defense like you just did. Most would turn an eye and leave."
I stared at her, incredulous of her statement, as a frown formed from such a displeasing thing to hear. "I wouldn't say that," I told her in the most honest opinion that should be common knowledge. Her surprise that someone stepped in the way of a bully, it spoke volumes. It brought memories I wish never happened and I glance away as I felt lost in thoughts. "I'm not the type of person to turn my back while someone is being beaten down. Even if I'm meddling in something I shouldn't, it's just who I am. And even if I don't like the person, I'm not like any rich prick..."
The unintentional scowl, I could feel it wrinkling the skin between my brow as they puckered. "I'm just... not the kind of women to step on those weaker than me..." Things that I have kept away within a tightly sealed box were threaten to leak out - the lock rusted and haggard after a seeming lifetime of keeping them concealed.
I suddenly realized with a hard impact of reality that I wasn't alone as I rattled such nonsense and I calmed myself before I looked back to her with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry. I was... I was just rambling off. Don't mind me."
While I was expecting to see a face with bewilderment, I received quite the opposite. She was staring at me attentively, almost with saddening eyes as though she could have understood my words. She shook her head. "You're a very interesting person," She said with a smile teasing on her lips. Was that an insult? As if she seen I was question the purpose of her words, she adds seamlessly. "The way you act, you greatly remind me of a character in a story I'm writing."
I raised a brow, one corner of my lips curving into a lopsided look. "Eh?" Was all I could really say.
"The way you act and even the way you think, you and her are so similar that I'd think you were her brought to life." She explained with a slight laugh. "I know that must seem silly and random-"
I cut her off with a casual wave of my hand, giving a ghost of a smile. "No, no. It's fine. A little weird, but fine." I told her and she smiled in response. But it was a little cute, though. And intriguing in an coincidental kind of way - a fictional character unknowing bearing semblance to you even though the person simply had the thought during a daydream. Almost feeling too comfortable I instinctively studied her thoroughly, looking for some kind of hint of the usual royal arrogance in richies.
For a moment, I was silent as I tried even harder to find... something. Anything that told me she was only one of them in disguise. But to my frustration, I literally could not find a single hidden intention in her young yet owlish appearance. She was pleasing on the eyes, that regal look to her suggesting she was high class. Yet there was just something that didn't fit the bill but I didn't know for certain. It was as though the smugness I've come to expect wasn't there - almost like Hunny.
I would look harder but she noticed bashfully how observational I must have appeared and flickered her eyes around the room, looking uncomfortable. "Um, could you please not look at me like that? It's... a little creepy." she said as the books against her chest wrap a bit more tightly as though anticipating I was plotting some sort of evil scheme and she was nervous.
Talk about blunt. But understandable. Noticing that I was leaning forward a little too closely, I slump myself back, allowing the weight of the guitar to pull my back to a straighter form. "Sorry." I said simply. Suddenly remembering my poor books I dropped to the floor, I turn away and shuffled past her to retrieve them.
Perhaps I was being too paranoid or alarm, but I could feel eyes on me as I knelt and gathered my textbooks safely into my arms. When I stood up, clutching my books securely in place, I turned and saw that girl, watching me with a straightforward face. I really didn't know what to say now that little event was over and done with. It felt somewhat awkward on my part. I broke my promise by jumping to her defense, and worse that I earned scorn from a mobster's little brat because of it.
Usually I would have regret ever helping one of them, but for one reason or another, I couldn't bring myself to think baleful thoughts about this girl. Perhaps because it would feel as though I was hating on a little girl with how baby-faced she looked. But there was another factor I reckoned. Like Hunny (and maybe Takashi, I don't know), her eyes did not regard me with skepticism and disgusted glares. If I had to guess what, I'd say she was intrigued. As if in her eyes, I was a stranger that she seemed to think amiably of. A polite gaze.
Either she was just being genuine or...
No, no way. Not possible...
She was still watching me expectantly. Flustered under her stares, I briskly turned on my heel and tried to leave before the air became too tense. But... "Um, excuse me. Please wait," She called and I abruptly stop with a jerk, resisting a groan. "Are... Are you heading to the dining halls?" she asked tentatively.
I gave in and turned from my side, my face neutral. "Yeah, why?"
She looked cautious as she peered over her shoulder and back at me. My brows furrowed at that. "If you don't mind, could we go together? That is, if you don't mind." She echoed, her shoulder slumping slightly as her eyes downcast.
"What? You don't know how to get there yourself?" I asked curtly. But the suddenly falling of her face was like a slap to the face. Why did she look so worried- No, she looked scared?
"Um... I'm sorry. You're right, I do. Forget I asked-"
A deep exhale passed my lips, cutting her off. Goddamn, you stupid conscious! "It's fine. If you want to go together, than go ahead." Her gaze finally looked up to mine, seemingly oblivious of the exasperated look I had as they brighten from my defeat. "We're going the same way, after all. But just don't fall behind; I'm a fast walker."
The tensed up muscles of her face relax and the tension I noticed in her shoulders slumped to ease them off. "Kay," She gave a quick nod before she picked up the pace to catch up with me.
This was another strange sight to behold: A regal girl dressed promptly in her fancy school dress while she walked along side someone like me, a commoner, as if getting to know one another. Whether this bothered her or not, I could not tell. Peering out of the corner of my vision, her expression was overall passive and it did not change when she saw my eyes.
"I'm Naomi, by the way. Fukui Naomi." she introduced amiably
I was tempted to not answer her as she expected me to do the same. However, remembering that I pissed off a mobster's kid, things couldn't get any worse.
"Watanabe Homura." I greeted dryly before advert my eyes away.
She made a thoughtful sound. "Homura. A name that mean "flames"." Strangely, when I curiously peeked out from the corner of my eye, she smiled. A very small, faint smile. "I think it's a very fitting name."
-Author's Note-
Mainly filler chapter, I'm sorry. X( This chapter is (mostly) dedicated to a friend whose birthday passed a few days ago. Naomi was an OC that I offered to make so she feels part of it because I'm just that awesome of a FanFiction friend (~ ^_^)~ LOL XD Sorry, that was conceited.
Anyways~ Happy Belated Birthday, Mimi-chan ^_^
And thank you so much for reading :)
P. S. Thanks for introducing the abridged series to me, Hellosweetie4737. I'm almost tempted to make a reference in the near future :3