Chapter 3

SUBARU

I've never seen Masaomi look like that. He gets worried, but it's always in a way that's predictable… Like surprise, and then- gone- hurt, and then gone-he puts on a face that's used to dealing with emergency…

So why does he look so tentative? I watch as Masaomi kneels in front of a soaked Ema, tending to her head as she sits patiently on one of the waiting room benches.

His fingers work skillfully, delicately dabbing the cut with a cotton swab.

I regret sitting across from her. Watching her make those faces is hard to bear….

"There you go," he says gently, "Do you're best to keep it clean while it heals. You won't need stitches as far as I can tell." A pensive look catches hold in his warm eyes. "I'm sorry that happened to you… Those girls must have had some screws loose to do that to you for no reason." Masaomi says sighing.

I feel like my head's about to burst, She didn't tell him the truth?!

EMA

I might have omitted some details. It's not that I want to lie to him, but it seems I've already caused him enough trouble for today.

Meanwhile though... I can feel Subaru's cobalt stare boring wholes into me. He's clearly wondering… what the purpose of lying to Masaomi is.

I know I'm going to have to tell him sooner or later because he's definitely… Definitely skeptical… I can just sense it.

From what I can tell, if it's one thing Masaomi's good at, is having patience- I'll tell him. Just not now. I nod reassuringly at Subaru. Please just let me tell him on my own time… If it comes to that…

I really don't think it's that big of a deal.

"Subaru, thanks for walking Ema here, but you can go home now. I can take care of her until she's ready to head back to the dorms."

"Hmm?" I interject, "I still have three more hours before my shift is over... I work until close, remember?"

"Nevermind that," Masaomi says patting my head which was now barely holding in a bun, "you've had a rough day, take the rest of the day off. The clinic has been slow, so I can handle checking in the few patients that I still have to see." He pauses, considering, "If you'd like to stick around for another hour or so, I can walk you back to the dorms-"

"Yeah that sounds good," I hurriedly reply. I hate to admit it, but I don't want to go back alone, much less in the dark... I scold myself for such pathetic dependence.

"A-actually," Subaru stutters, "if you want to go sooner, I wouldn't mind either."

"Oh, really?"

MASAOMI

Subaru… For some reason I feel frustrated. I use a smile to mask it. Why do I feel so desperately that I want to be the one by her side…? I quell the burn of irrationality that builds in my gut. I'm not jealous. I'm not.

The bell hanging on the door handle chimes as it opens, welcoming another patient.

Before I can turn to see who it is, Subaru cuts in.

"You-" Subaru lowers an eyebrow at the person who just entered, "This is all your fault. You did this to her."

Ema immediately swings her head in the direction of the accusation and I follow suit.

"Ah-? Makoto?" Her eyebrows arch in surprise at the man.

Subaru balls his fists at his sides, his fingers clenching so tight. So tight that he looks like he might actually hit him...

"My fault?" the young man asks, tilting his head, puzzled as he shifts looks between Subaru and Ema.

MAKOTO

A slim but well built man stands in front of Ema... So- he's the hot doctor, huh...?

I notice a bandage on her head… What happened…? I feel my heart sinking and fight the urge to push past him. I reach out… "Em… What happened? You're... hurt?" My voice crackles as I search her eyes but they're void of any reassurance. She looks at me, but it's almost as if she's looking through me. "How- who…?" My mouth searches for the right words.

"This is your fault Makoto, you jerk!" The school's top basketball player is here too.

Just what happened? He's raising his voice at me. What did I do?

He looks like he's going to take a swing at my face… I take a step back, withdrawing my hand.

He points at Ema, "Your group did this to her, Makoto!"

The doctor shoots a glare in my direction.

Who…? Did what…?

MASAOMI

Everything makes sense.

He fills in all the missing pieces- why she was late, why those girls threw water at her- it certainly wasn't without reason.

Because of Makoto.

Makoto...

That name…

Makoto…. where have I heard that name? I try to think, racking my brain. Makoto, Makoto, Makoto; it's familiar… But from where?

"Woah, woah, calm down, what happened?" Makoto asks, settling a hand on Subaru's shoulder.

Not a good idea to console him when he gets like this... The only one that is strong enough or dumb enough to fight with Subaru is Natsume.

"You're so ignorant!" Subaru slaps the hand that rests on his shoulder. "You have half of the university's girls worshiping the ground you walk on and you don't even realize it. So high and mighty that you don't realize how much trouble you're causing for people. She got caught in the crossfire 'cause you're too busy playing around with hearts to care," he grits his teeth, gesticulating wildly. I'm proud of Subaru for not swinging. It's taking a lot for him to refrain from doing so.

Makoto shifts away, seemingly ignoring Subaru who keeps scolding him.

He bends down to look Ema in the eye, "Hey, look," he gently lays his fingers over her sloping shoulders, "I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to cause you trouble, okay?"

She nods. Smiles even… for him?... Why…?

My nails dig into the fleshy part of my palms. I take a breath. Why does that bother me so much? I fight the urge to push him away from her. If I don't control myself, I'll do exactly what Subaru didn't…

"The last thing I ever want is to hurt you."

I take a slow breath. Let him do whatever he wants, if he's a shallow guy then she'll realize it sooner or later. She's smart. She's rational.

A conflicting idea sprouts again, Can't that be enough? My nails are close to piercing the flesh of my palm...

I try to pry myself from watching. But… But I can't. I can't… I don't want to see her get hurt. I can't let her get hurt.

Seeing her come in with Subaru… Bleeding… Hurt... Just this once is almost more than I can handle…

EMA

Makoto's posture fills with concern as he kneels in front of me. "I didn't know I've been causing your trouble, Em." His warm fingers cradle my hand. "I never meant to cause you to get hurt," he touches his forehead to my hand. "I'm sorry."

My heart flutters and I immediately rush to quell it. The touch of his hand… The soft skin of his face warming my own...

"I'm okay, Makoto. Don't worry." I run a hand atop his feathery raven hair.

Is it wrong? To kid myself for just a second? To imagine he cares about me as more than just a friend…? When he treats me like I really am special…

I shake my head slightly.

Perhaps those girls were right... Maybe I do wish I could be someone more to him.

But… He doesn't like me. He can't like me.

I squint an eye to try to soften the princely aura that glows in a halo around him.

Sparkling and... handsome. His hair casts into his eyes tinting his irises a deeper shade of grey.

He's always just been the greatest friend… I suppose he has a fan group for a reason… What's not to like?

And yet I never consciously thought of him as handsome until now.

Even when we were dating...

...

It never occurred to me back then. That he was entirely handsome. His personality. The resolution, courage, and simplicity... His intellect, honesty, and spontaneity. And his looks. He's fairly pale, but his fair complexion, light eyes, and dark hair. He's handsome. Through and through.

He grins, "What's with that face? You look disgusted… Are you really appalled by me? Appalled that they'd even think that you were into me?" He immediately slips back into his friendly character, quietly joking with himself. He ruffles his fingers through my messy hair, careful to avoid the bandaged part.

"Oh, what's this?" He flips the pencil in his hand, "Gosh Em, you shouldn't keep this sort of sharp thing near your head, what if you fell asleep and stabbed yourself right through the noggin'?"

"Ugh, you're so morbid," I say, shoving him jokingly. "That's not gonna happen."

This is how we're suppose to be, I remind myself. This is the extent of us.

Is that the sound of my heart cracking again?

"Yeah?" He frowns briefly gliding the pencil behind my ear, "Thanks to me, it's not."

He stands back to his full height. "We should get you back to the dorms… Of course, only if her work is done for today," he says turning towards Masaomi.

"Go ahead." Masaomi nods, giving a reassuring smile.

"Come on then, Em." Makoto turns back to me, extending a hand to help me up.

I follow after him, but grab his arm before he opens the door. "H-Hey..." I stutter. "Apologize…"

He turns halfway, giving me a half glance.

"If you know it's your fangroup's fault, apologize to Dr. Asahina. Subaru too." I say firmly.

He turns around fully now.

What… is he doing?!

He bows swifly, swinging his torso to be almost parallel with the ground. "I'm sorry for inconveniencing you. And I'm so grateful that you took care of Ema for me."

...

He swings his university jacket over my head. "You'll catch a cold walking around with cold hair." He says avoiding my eyes.

The jacket reminisces of heat and carries the casual, yet specifically welcoming scent of him.

"I-I don't need your-" I start, taken aback. Makoto's gentle smile gleams in the early moonlight.

The corners of his lips turn up slightly, "Always causing me trouble... Just keep it on until we reach your dorm."

SUBARU

What a flirt, I couldn't help but glare. Did he really mean that apology?

He's as charismatic as they say. With each step they take down the sidewalk outside the clinic I feel the tension in my shoulders finally begin to cease. Someone like her doesn't seem to fit being with a guy like that. She's gonna end up getting hurt if he gets tired of her…

I shake my head, reaching for my bag.

I don't consider myself a fool. I may not know her as well as Masaomi or the prince… But if he gives her up… I know exactly what I'd do.

EMA

-OUTSIDE-

The silence thickens the brisk evening air.

"So tell me what happened… The girls… Because of me…" Makoto trails off.

I fiddle with the sleeves of his oversized jacket that cover my icy fingertips. I vaguely sense Makoto's trying to catch my eye, and I'm suddenly grateful for the hood which shadows my face.

I quickly turn my head, grinning wildly, "You really are popular, and, yeah that's good and all." I look away, stifling the tremble of my voice. I draw in a quick breath before continuing, "If I'm causing you trouble though… Maybe… Maybe it's better if you and I just… weren't even friends."

His footsteps lag behind mine. I turn to look his way. He can't disagree...

I stumble as his arms pull me backwards. His warm breath heats the back of my neck. I feel the muscle in his forearm tighten as it wraps around my torso; I can feel his heartbeat drumming softly into my back...

"M-Mako…?"

Can't we stay like this… forever?

"I-I mean...Sorry." his whisper comes out in a crackle of subdued energy, as he distances himself again. The arm around me leaves just as soon as it had come.

"Don't say things like that Em…" His dark eyebrows furrow, as he shifts his weight from foot to foot. "You know how it makes me feel... Don't say you're going to leave me."

My face feels like it's on fire. I nod slowly, "This your way of saying you want to stay friends... right?" I attempt to lighten his seriousness. He doesn't mean anything by this… He couldn't have.

I try to shake the nostalgia- the almost longing to be back in that familiar warmth- that undeniable comforted his grasp. I turn to begin walking again.

He holds tight to my wrist stopping me mid stride. "Wait-Don't misunderstand. I-"

"Oy! Em? Is that you?" a voice echoes from a ways down the road. A tall man runs towards us. I feel the warmth fade as he releases my arm...

Upon closer inspection…

"Oh, it's Masaomi's brother."

"You've already forgotten my name?" Kaname asks sarcastically. "Kaname. Remember?" He over enunciates, jokingly, "Why the hood? Why're you hiding that beautif-"

"Kaname, don't just go running off like that." A younger boy appears huffing behind him. "Why'd you take off like that?"

"You better get in better shape Fuuto, otherwise you'll be in danger of losing your good looks!" Kaname laughs heartily, slapping the younger boy on the back. "Oh, excuse my bad manners, this is my younger brother, Fuuto." He motions to the boy doubled over beside him."Fuuto, these two are Ema and…"

"I don't care." he interrupts impatiently, waving a dismissive hand.

"Nice to meet you too," an edge of irritation surfaces in Makoto's voice as he forces a tight lipped smile..

Fuuto… Fuuto… Fuuto Asakura… that's who he is! The boy all the freshman girls in high school talked about. He's a tv star? Or a pop star, I don't remember…

"Oh~? You don't want to meet the lovely princess?" Kaname asked, stifling a cackle.

A wave of moonlight floods my face, making me squint a little as Kaname flips my hood off before I can protest.

KANAME

"It may have been the hideous jacket, but surely you have enough sense to say hello to the pretty lady." I can't help but smile a little at the slightly irritated look on Makoto's face.

I look to Fuuto. Don't you have something to say?

His mouth pulls taut. He sighs, blowing his fringe from his eyes as he looks away.

We'll see how long you can keep up that act… My brothers… No doubt, they're so much fun to tease!

I suddenly get why Hikaru gets his kicks and giggles from hanging around them.