Chapter 2

EMA

"So, you work with a couple of hot guys, huh?" Makoto teases, nudging me with his elbow. "Tell me more~"

"Give it a rest, not right now Makoto," I moan into the wooden library table, "I've got to study for final exams. No time to talk about him..."

I look up at him when he doesn't say anything.

His steely iris soften to a feathery grey."Oh? Come on now," He says, nudging me again, "don't look so depressed. I'll tutor you later for that, so... Indulge me a little. I want to hear about this 'date' with that new acquaintance of yours."

The way he emphasizes 'date' sends an electric jolt down my spine. "Why the interest?" I ask, shifting my face so that I could see him better.

"Why the interest? Why your interest?" Makoto says, reaching to stroke the stray strands of hair out of my face. "You obviously like him- heck, more than you like me~" he teases. "You keep dozing in and out of dream land~ Talking about a handsome doctor." He smiles, curiosity playing in his eyes. "Tell me more, won't you?~"

What did I say…? I was so tired when I arrived I can't even recall... I feel the heat rise in my cheeks, "I don't know what you're talking about…"

"Okay, fine, fine if you want to play dumb with me." Makoto leans back in his wooden chair, " I'll leave it be for now… But I do want to hear about it eventually, okay?" He rocks on the wooden legs of the chairs balancing on two and then leaning forward and landing the other two legs on the concrete ground.

"Yeah, sure, sure, I'll tell you later," I say, waving him off.

I dare a peek at the plastic clock hanging on the opposite wall. The library is ancient wood, and you'd expect the building to be a little more well... sophisticated, but whatever practical mind designed the interior must have done it blindfolded. The loud click of the second hand chips away the time. It's a wonder how anyone studies here. It's a place only suitable for taking naps.

Half past 4..."Say, don't you have class?" I ask, stifling a yawn.

He only groans in response.

"Get going before you're late."I shoo him away. "Go, go, hurry up!"

"Yeah, yeah…" He hurriedly gathers his binder and pens, giggling like an idiot as he slinks off.

-later-

Oh shoot, I must've fallen asleep… I better get back to the dorms soon otherwise they'll close up for the nig- The tick of the clock in the emptied library interrupts my thought- the hand's just past six.

"Ah! No, I have the evening shift at the clinic!" I whisper to myself.

I'll be late for sure, if I don't run! Only 15 minutes until my shift starts!

I quickly sweep my papers and textbook into my side bag, and throw my pencil into my already messy bun.

I'll cut through the alleyway to cut off some time…

I bust out onto the pavement, the squeaky back door slamming abruptly behind me. The cool autumn breeze sweeps through my wisps of hair and ruffle my long skirt. Shadows begin to collect in the recesses of the buildings as the sun nears the finale of its descent in the sky.

I only jog a couple of steps before being bulldozed into the wall.

What the hell…?

"Agh… I touch the side of my head. A dull pain reverberates back to me, making me wince. I bring my fingers back into view. The cherry red splotches that dye my fingertips send my head spinning even faster. Damn I'm bleeding...

"Ow…" I try my best to find my bearings again. I catch the sneakers of the woman I ran into in my peripherals. "Oh I'm so sorry! I totally didn't see y-" I sputter. She literally came out of nowhere.

"Oh, Emalyne Hinata," she peers down at me, scowling with her hawk-like amber eyes. You clumsy little rat. Fancy meeting you here… We need to talk."

A cold chill runs the air. Such an evil stare...

Two more girls round the corner of the alleyway.

I feel my way along the brick wall to the entryway. "I'm already running late, so I've got to go. I'm sorry for bumping into-"

"Best you stay where you are." The tall woman grabs hold of my shoulder as I pass, shoving me down to my knees again.

"Geez, what's the big idea?-" The asphalt digs into my bare knees. I glare up at her. "I said I'm sorry, so what's your problem?" I'm in no mood for games.

"Stay put." She says stepping on my fingers. I feel the pebbles embed themselves in the flesh of my palm. I clench my lips together to keep from gasping.

"It's not fair! Why does Makoto spend so much time with you!" the smallest of the girls blurts, rage quaking her high voice.

Shut up… The defiance drains before I can voice it.

"Makoto is for everyone. You need to stop taking all of his time." The second one adds, crossing her arms.

"What are you talking about…?" I manage, wincing. "Are you hearing yourselves right now? You're talking some pretty crazy...you-know-what." I laugh dryly. The pain in my hand subsides to a dull throb. Maybe it's just grown accustomed to the pressure now...

"Don't act like you don't know what you're doing! It makes me sick! What makes you think you're so special, huh?" the squeaky one pipes again.

"Enough, girls," Eagle Eyes calls them off. "She's nothing special… She just..."

"Needs to be reminded of her place."

Icy water streams down my face. Dribbling into my eyes, and soaking my clothes.

She's not on my hand now at least. I rub away the dirt, exposing the raw splotches on my palm. I pull my shirt sleeve into my hand, clenching the white fabric tight to the shallow wounds.

I don't have time for this.

It seems to go on forever, but it only could have been around ten seconds.

They crinkle the plastic bottles, now empty. And they… throw them at me?! I duck, covering my head.

"Don't make us remind you again." The vulture wears an ugly smile on her painted lips.

"Pff, remind me of what? Makoto and I aren't even like that." I throw the nearest bottle to the banks of the alleyway as I stand. "You best not jump so quickly to conclusions. There's a word your type, you know- delusional."

"If that's true, then stay away from him." An ugly smirk creeps across her face like the shadows that stretch along the asphalt. She folds her arms, perhaps daring me to defy her. "Tell me you don't like him" she frowns even deeper, "and hell if you can manage that much, you may as well make good on your word and stay the hell away."

To hell with truth.

"I don't." My voice cracks. Or maybe it's just the sound of my heart shattering. What does it matter to tell some fools what they want to hear? "Bye."

My legs carry me quickly out of the alley, pounding on rugged pavement.

I feel something dribbling down my face… Did I hit my head that bad…?

I dab the liquid from my face, examining my fingers and expecting to see hideous red.

… Why… Tears…?

SUBARU

I stand at the end of the alleyway. I had seen everything. Heard everything… My legs won't even move… Because I had done nothing.

Nobody should be treated like that… I could've stopped them. Something rips my gut. Terrible guilt. Why didn't I do anything!? What's wrong with me?!

Suddenly the pavement is passing below my feet, carrying me towards her.

"Was that… Subaru?" I catch the squeak of one of the girls as I pass between their huddle.

"Hey! You! Hold up! Are you okay?" I call after the woman who maintains her brisk pace. My practice gear bounces against my legs, slowing me down. I can't help but instinctively reach out towards her.

"I'm fine. Leave me alone." She grits her teeth, clenching her drenched bag tightly to her chest. "I've had enough for one day."

"Hey, look, I'm no good with talk either… But hey! Slow down for a sec-" I make a quick motion behind us, not that it matters, her eyes remain focused straight ahead. "I saw it all- what they did to you was horrible."

She avoids my eyes. "I don't want to talk about it." She turns sharply only to glare at me, a single watery trail streaming down her porcelain cheek.

I never knew a tear could have so much meaning. So much feeling. Strength and weakness. In her single tear I see both and for some reason, I feel like I know her so well.

I catch the red shimmer in her hairline. "Let me take you to get that checked." I say, trying to get a better look. She could really end up in a bad spot if she fainted from that or something!

"Thanks, but I don't want to." She brushes away my hand which reaches towards her. "Don't."

She's as stubborn as an ox!

"I know a place, and the doctor won't charge you, 'kay? So just come on." I motion the way we're headed. "You're walking that way anyway."

I walk beside her in silence, and she doesn't argue with me… so I take it that she doesn't mind.

"Hey, so... I know it's not my place to say, but if you're new here… Then you should know before it's too late… It's best if you don't hang around guys like Makoto."

With the way she looks at me now, I feel like she's mentally shredding me to ribbons. In fact, it almost feels like she's slapped me without even raising a hand...

I feel the heat rise in my cheeks, "It's not like t-that. You know, not like you're not good enough… It's not that." This is not coming out right… "It's not that at all…" I say it again. Her eyebrow arches and she briefly gives me a sideways glance. "What I mean is that Makoto's a heartbreaker." I can't find a better way to put it. "It sounds ridiculous to say this, but he has tons of fans- So many that no one even aims to date him. And that entourage of his can get ugly..."

"Don't say anymore. Cause you're wrong. About him." She lets out a huff, followed by a sniffle- together, almost sounding like a laugh. Her face contorts into something of doubt and concern. "At least... He wasn't always like that- like how you say…"

"You… Knew him before this?" There was a time Makoto wasn't a prince…? Hard to believe. Much less, no one knows where he came from before college. He doesn't talk about that.

She continues, ignoring my question. "Regardless… This is not highschool. Foolish romances and rumors have nothing to do with me." She wads her sleeve in her hand. "It's wasted time. So count me out."

"This…" She shifts her bag in her arms so that I can peer in, "This is what I'm worried about."

A dozen papers had smeared penciled in answers and side annotations, and her textbook had become a waterlogged mass.

"I'll help you!" I almost immediately want to take that back, I don't even know if I can help. "-What kind… of work was that?" I do my best to ask tentatively.

"Physiology and anatomy." Her eyes lower in dismay.

"Oh… Yeah, I don't think I'll be much help to you… but... I think I know someone who can," I offer. "My oldest brother works at a clinic nearby, in fact that's where I'm bringing you. I'm sure, maybe after we get your head looked at, he could help you get caught up after he's done with his shift. I'm sure it'll be no sweat off his back." I say.

A grin glides across the young woman's face. "I'd really appreciate that."

There's something beautiful about the way her cheeks pull up that smile. Something soft… genuine… Something cute in the way her left cheek dimples...

I didn't realize before, but… she's actually really pretty when she smiles. All she was doing was glaring at me. I couldn't have noticed...

I return the smile. "N-no big deal of course."

"You don't mean Masaomi-"

"Masaomi likes to help-" we start at the same time.

"You know, Masaomi, huh?" I'm a bit surprised."I'm actually one of his younger brothers, Subaru."

"O-oh… Is that so? He talks fondly of you and your brothers." Her cheeks dimple as she smiles again. "I'm an intern at the clinic, my name's Ema," her cold aura has dissipated quite a bit. "So you're one of the thirteen, huh?" She laughs to herself. "I guess the odds are pretty high that I'd bump into an Asahina…"

Damn, I turn away, as I feel the heat burning my cheeks, that smile, again?

She laughs quietly. "How lucky am I…"

Considering how bad her luck was earlier today, I'm surprised she considers herself lucky at all...

Her more cheerful tone snaps me back, "I'll be fine from here, you should go wherever you were headed in the first place," she says. "I'm really okay, it's not too cold out, and being wet, well, it's not so bad- so long as I can get these papers fixed up."

"I'll join you." I say. I'm concerned about that gash on her head… She's acting like it's nothing but… being that it's neither shallow or deep, it does look painful. "Either way, I'd like to see Masaomi, so I'll stop in too." I add. I cringe a little at how big of a lie that was. The less I see my brothers, usually the better off I am. I can hardly find enough time away from all thirteen, and here I am saying I'd happily visit one of them…

What's gotten into me…?

MASAOMI

-at the clinic-

"Oh, Subaru, what a surprise! What brings you by?" I ask. Kaname visits, sure… But Subaru…? Something is seriously off.

"You wanted to see me, huh?" I raise an eyebrow, skeptical.

Ema peeks out from behind Subaru's frame. Her hair wet and plastered to her face and damp clothes clinging to her skin.

My heart feels like it's on a fast elevator going down.

"What happened…?"