Chapter 11

"So, she believes what he really is now?" Rika asked on the phone an hour after eating dinner. She did not forget the decision she made to call Keiichi on the phone and discuss the Akio issue. Just like before, Rika knew that Keiichi was the key to changing fate, and the girl was going to win again.

"Yeah," Keiichi replied, sitting on his futon bed in his bedroom with the phone up to his right ear. "Mion said he practically confessed, and then I mentioned what you heard."

"So, then she's on our side!" Rika was at the kitchen table with Hanyuu sitting across from her. Rika's spirit was beginning to come to life, even if Hanyuu had a look of uncertainty.

Keiichi smiled. "Rika-Chan, our friends don't take sides. We are all in this together." Once again, his words moved the girl, and that got her grinning.

"Yes," Rika said in her mature voice, "we all defeat fate when we are together." She gave Hanyuu a look, telling her that everything would be alright. Hanyuu could only reply by staying silent and blinking a few times.

"That's right," Keiichi said cheerfully, "now have a good night. We will talk to Mion about all this tomorrow."

And with that, the two hung up, and Rika glanced over at Hanyuu. "See Hanyuu? Everything will work out."

"Rika, I will do everything in my power to help you bring down this new enemy," Hanyuu said. "But please be aware of any consequences that happen."

"What consequences?" Rika asked, slightly curious. It was almost as if Hanyuu was hiding something.

"I don't know, but we have fought so hard the last time. It's not likely to get through it in one piece again."

"Hah! Like that was one piece. Lots of people got hurt."

"Exactly, so we must be careful. Akio pretends to be a great guy, just like Miyo Takano."

The next morning, Keiichi and Rena met up with Mion on their way to school, just as usual. It was refreshing, since recently she had been walking to school with Akio. Now that Mion knew Akio's true side, she was unwilling to do anything with him.

"Didn't I tell you Keiichi-Kun was right, did I?" Rena asked happily as she and Keiichi walked by Mion's side.

"I'm sorry I didn't listen to you guys," Mion said, "I feel embarrassed, honestly." She looked down slightly and gave a look of shame.

"It's okay, he did act very charming, he did." Rena giggled, and looked over at Keiichi who had his head up, staring at the clouds. "Keiichi-Kun, you okay?"

"Huh?" Keiichi glanced over at Rena and smiled softly. "Yeah, I was just wondering how we are going to deal with this."

Rena, too, looked up at the sky. "Yeah, it's gonna be so awkward to see him. Especially for Mi-Chan." She turned to her green-haired friend.

Mion had her arms placed behind her head as she shifted forward with her friends. Her face was serious. "He already knows he's not getting what he wants," she said. "So, it won't be too difficult."

"But did you break up with him, did you?" Rena asked.

Mion was quiet. Although she had a disagreement with Akio, she never actually officially broke it off. Which meant that she had to face him head on about it as soon as possible.

Keiichi watched Mion awkwardly. He knew that it would be a tough act for any human being, but if anybody could do it, Mion could. However, he also knew that even though she was tough, Mion was also just like any other ordinary girl. Before he could say something, Mion spoke.

"I'll tell him it's over first thing," she said.

"You will?" Rena asked anxiously. "We don't want you to get hurt, Mi-Chan."

Mion smiled as she looked at Rena. "Hey this is me you're talking to. I promise." And she kept her promise. After the three made it to school, Mion pulled Akio to the corner of the classroom and told him that it wasn't going to work out.

"Mion," Akio said calmly, "I believe we can be good together. Give me a chance, and I'll show you how well I'd do by your side."

Mion knew he meant helping her lead the village, and it wasn't going to work on her. She shook her head. "Sorry Akio, I already said no. And, the more I think about it, the more I realize you're not my type."

Akio gave a soft glare. "And what exactly is your type?" He was looking right at Keiichi, who was across the room chattering with Rena, Rika, and Hanyuu.

Mion noticed his curious and disrespectful stare at the boy, and she kept a strong face as she watched Akio closely. "Dating isn't that important right now. It's being a good leader and taking care of my friends. I'd still like to get along with you as well."

The girl was aware what Akio was up to, but she also knew that she wasn't going to let it happen. So, the best way to end things was to be on good terms with the guy.

Akio, on the other hand, was not taking it too well. He kept his glare on Keiichi and then went to his seat.

Mion sighed and went to her seat, where she finally explained to Shion what was going on, because she overslept and didn't walk with to school with her. Her sister couldn't believe what she was hearing, and she was very disappointed that things weren't meant to be for Mion and Akio.

On the other hand, Shion trusted her friends, and accepted the truth. "Is he still coming to club activities?" she asked, and then glanced over at Akio, who was sitting in his desk all bummed out, while a few of the younger students surrounded him. He didn't acknowledge them much.

"I don't think he joined club activities for the fun," Mion answered. "It was all part of his plan." In the end, the whole group was aware of Mion's decision to let Akio go, and it was a very awkward day for all of them.

Everyone did their best to avoid Akio, who did his best to do the same. Everyone was relieved that Mion wouldn't get hurt, except for Rika and Hanyuu. Even if Mion did tell Akio it was never going to happen, Rika remembered there was an older and strong looking man involved with the guy's plan. And Hanyuu agreed that Akio was not going to go down so easily.

During their last hour, Rika finally got Keiichi's attention by gently tugging on his shirt. That got him to talk with her in the corner of the classroom while Ms. Chie was out.

"He's not the only one in on this," Rika said to the boy, "we need to be careful."

"Don't worry, Rika-Chan," Keiichi said sincerely, "Mion has got it under control."

"Mii." Rika looked down, still feeling worried. She didn't know what else to say to him.

Keiichi frowned. "I'll be on the lookout. We all will."

"But we can't do that forever. We need to find a solution to the problem." Rika's voice was serious yet calm.

"I'll talk to Mion," Keiichi replied. It ended with that, and Rika had nothing left to do but hope. Hope that Keiichi was right and hope that everything was under control. And most importantly, she hoped that things wouldn't end in tragedy.

After school, Mion and her friends brought the desks together for club activities, and then went for her locker to find a game. The rest of the group sat at their usual seats, except for Akio, who grabbed his stuff and was on his way out of the classroom.

"So, no more club activities for you?" Shion asked Akio, who stopped at the door and turned to her with a smile. The girl was shocked to get that reaction from him.

"Not today," he said modestly.

"Akio probably has to cook for his father," Satoko suggested, even if she did know what was going on.

"No," Akio said.

"So, it's the end," Shion said. There was an awkward silence and everyone at the desks were looking down, trying to avoid eye contact with Akio. The vibe was intense.

"It's been fun," Akio said, and left without looking back.

The group glanced over at Mion, waiting for her to make a conclusion. "Well," she said, "we will still have fun!" And nobody spoke of Akio for the rest of the club, even if Keiichi did tell Rika he would talk about him with Mion later.

"I'll call her tonight," Keiichi said.

As Mion and Shion walked home together, they talked about how fun the club was and how cool it was to see Akio leave. "It shows he was just using you, what a jackass," Shion said. She then laughed before giving Mion a sympathetic smile. "I'm sorry, Sis."

"It's okay," Mion replied softly, "I was in the clouds, and the more I think about it, the more I feel it wasn't real. I mean, I just met the guy, ya know?"

"Yeah, and I did think it was weird for you to go for a guy like him. I mean, you are more for the funny type, right?"

"Shion! I don't care about dating. It's just me, you, and our friends." They didn't talk about it anymore, and right when Mion got home, the phone rang.

The girl picked up the phone, not wondering who it could be since she got calls all the time. But once she answered it, her stomach flipped.

"Mion, hey. It's Akio."