I was in a daze, slightly disoriented with a ringing in the ears. In the fog, I could just barely feel a hand on my back, working to hold me steady. I could barely hear my name called through as if underwater and far away.
Then, just as quickly as it came, it was instantaneously lifted.
"Are you alright?" Soma queried with deep worry in a concerned tone.
"I'm okay, I'm okay…" I said to assure him, not thinking that it was something that needed emergency services. It tried to look to Soma as he cradled me, guiding me to a seat, only to feel a throbbing sensation just below my left orbital socket, limiting the movement of my left eyelid. "Get me some ice and a cotton cloth please," I requested instinctively, coming from my first aid training, knowing that I have to deal with the swelling as soon as possible.
There was a cacophony of voices: some scrambling to fulfil my request, others asking if I am really ok… or some disagreement between the two resident logger heads on what would be a better course of action.
Isshiki senpai took charge, ushering everyone away so as not to crowd and give me space. Soma stayed beside me, of course. Meanwhile, Sakaki handed me the requested materials, and I am thankful for her big sisterly kindness.
My good eye roved around to see who else remained, and found Tadokoro standing slightly away, holding her paddle. I was under the impression that she would be apologising profusely. Instead, she seemed…
Lost.
Odd. … I… I am not sure, I mean… was an apology not appropriate now.
…Not that I am going to demand it.
It may have been an accident.
Right?
…
Whatever; what is within my control now is to address the injury.
"Is it...bad?" I asked, taking the ice off for a moment.
"It's red," Soma replied.
"Any blood?"
"Nope."
That is good, considering the force that was used. Who knew that Tadokoro could make such a mean hook? "Alright. Then I just have to reduce the swelling."
"Hey, Arato-san, Do you think you are able to speak with the crowd in this state?" Sakaki asked, hooking her long purple hair behind her ear.
"Oh..." The whole reason for this game was to work out my worries prior to meeting them.
Soma seemed to catch on, "I'm sorry… I should not have suggested playing this."
I quickly turned to my boyfriend, "It's alright, accidents happen." Afterall, I am sure Tadokoro would not do something like this on purpose… I gazed over to the subject, and she was still dumbfounded. "Look, I think the ice is working." I assured Soma, drawing his attention before he could turn to her, lest it added to her guilt.
Of course it would not work that quickly but I did not want him to worry.
"So you're still going to do it?" Soma asked, confirming my intent.
Considering that I only had a few more days to settle this, as well as it being more effective to speak to them directly, and that I have already told my mom my next moves, I should stick to my commitment.
Besides, if there was going to be bruising, it would be more pronounced in a few days, and it would be worse to come out and speak then.
"If you insist. I suggest refreshing yourself and checking yourself in the mirror before heading out." Sakaki helped me up, "I will bring my concealer just in case."
I took Sakaki at her word, and followed her while Soma made our final preparations, supporting my decision.
As I made my way across the room, I glanced over to Tadokoro standing in the same spot, still speechless.
It was a sultry summer in the air when we got to the gates where the Aida Shion fans were. Word must have gotten out as there seemed to be more than yesterday… even some news crews seem to be present, likely drawn by curiosity.
I could not help but feel a little surreal of the moment, of thinking how much of a contrast it is to be standing in the perfectly manicured garden, safe and unbothered, and just beyond the gate, was the open world, where the crowd of people were: chaotic and unpredictable.
I just need to disperse them, and that will be one less problem on my plate. One less problem, so that I can focus on getting back with Erina-sama.
"Why?" Soma asked from beside me.
"Huh?" Did Soma just read my mind?
"Why do they bother standing outside the gates for Aida Shion? They have been there for a while, right?"
I looked out there, and studied the crowd, and thought that Soma brought up a valid question. Why would they do this?
Well, there was one way to find out.
A hand grabbed onto mine, our fingers interlocking, followed by a firm squeeze. Our eyes met, and I saw courage and willingness to face this challenge with me, come hell or high water. "Ready?" His lopsided smile presented confidence for both of us.
I took a moment to centre myself, psyching for what was to come. Just pull it off, quickly like a band-aid. "Yes."
The moment we got to the gates, there was the expected coding of people surging forward. Thankfully, campus security was there to hold them back.
Just barely.
I stood in front of them for a moment, studying the crowd. Everyone seemed to want to get their word in, asking me why I would want to dump a celebrity, some asking if I knew how evil I was to play with Aida Shion's heart, others asking if I would give him another chance.
…and there even was a voice coming over the crowd asking what my cup size was.
I just stood there, waiting for the crowd to realise I was waiting for them to quiet before speaking.
Which they eventually did.
Under the camera lenses, from the professional shoulder mounted kind, to the handphone type, I was highly conscious that it was as if the world was staring at me.
A presence approached me from behind, and the feeling of safety and reassurance came over me. Soma had taken a step forward, positioning himself a little closer.
It was just what I needed right then to get me going.
"Hello everyone. I understand you're here because of what allegedly happened between a certain idol and myself." I scanned the crowd to confirm that I got their attention. "To avoid misinterpretations, I would not give such rumours life by dignifying them with a statement."
I could see questions were ready to be sprung out.
One thing I learnt in making public statements from working with Public Relations professionals, was to keep things short and to the point.
"I will say, though, that I had never intended to date, nor have I ever dated an idol." My pointed tone should be enough to satisfy them and put an end to this. "Now, I would like to ask all of you to kindly disperse and not harass me on this matter any longer."
I would like to think that my words had got through to them as I saw movement in the crowd to waver in their conviction to stay. Nonetheless, there were others that were not deterred, scrambling to get a word in as we began to head back into the safety of the school ground.
Then, some rando called out, 'Who's that next to you?!"
And that was what caught the crowd's curiosity. Their attention went on to Soma, activating my protective instinct. The hairs on the back of my neck pricked as I wanted to shout into the crowd to leave him out of this, to protect him from any fallout from this whole ridiculous fiasco.
But we already had our plan to walk off without saying anything else, and Soma had agreed to take cues from me, as well as not to engage or we may be dragged into an uncontrollable situation.
After all, they should give up after we had made a statement.
Unfortunately, the situation just got a lot worse, "Is that an injury under your eye?!"
Those words made me check my steps, suddenly feeling very conscious of that spot on my face.
It cannot be, right?
I thought we did a good job in covering up…
As said, we were not going to engage, and I consciously ignored that question and carried on.
Apparently, that did not go the way I hoped.
"Is Aida Shion's girl a battered woman?"
I almost choked the moment I read that headline.
Within the text of the celebrity gossip article, which started by recalling the gossip between Aida Shion and I, then his dedications, followed by tracking me down to Totsuki. And finally:
Within the walls of the prestigious culinary school, may lie a nefarious situation that many girls had unfortunately found themselves in: as a battered woman.
What the-
Arato Hisako, reportedly a second year student, had come out of the gates to address the crowd outside the school gates today where fans of Aida Shion idol braved the hot summer heat after following a tip off of the mysterious girl's return after a period of absence.
Curiously, right behind her, was a red haired boy.
"That's Yukihira Soma!" an ex-student of the school remarked when we asked around, "He's the one who declared that he will use us as his stepping stones during the entrance ceremony last year."
"Stepping stones".
Such words naturally elicited images of a ruthless person.
Seeing such a person silently standing behind a vulnerable girl making a speech that denied any relationship when questioned seemed suspicious; What more when it was observed that Arato Hisako was showing signs of concealing a fresh injury on her face.
So, we ask: Is Aida Shion's girl a battered woman?
WHAT THE -
Could she have been instructed and forced to make such statements?
If it were true, the charge for violence may be imprisonment with work for not more than two years, a fine of not more than JPY 300,000, or misdemeanour imprisonment without work, or a petty fine.
And that would barely compensate for the mental anguish that the woman will have to carry for the rest of her life.
Fortunately, there may still be hope for her.
Though it was never said, the humble Aida Shion may be heroically trying to save her from her circumstances by loudly dedicating his recent spate of hits to her, despite the fact that she had broken his heart… albeit perhaps being forced to.
We look forward to seeing how Aida Shion responds to such development. As of now, the fans are still outside the gates, waiting to see how things play out.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing abuse, reach out for help today at 5555 279 889.
We have reached out to the school for comment but have yet to get a response.
I could barely contain my rage. Soma must have anticipated it as he had brought me up to the third floor balcony of the Polar Star dormitory in the late afternoon before showing me the article, perhaps a place where I can rant and let out my frustration while pacing around.
And that I did.
Soma just listened while on a bench, nodding supportively.
I wish I had not met that guy. I wish I had not agreed for that outing. I wish that I had rejected that rehearsal invitation…
What made it even worse, was that Soma had been implicated!
I got to hand it to the article's author, though, for it was carefully worded so as to avoid defamation claims while being concisely wounding. It was also amazing that it came out so quickly.
With everything out of my system, I took a few deep breaths, and looked at my boyfriend. He was deep in thought. Settling next to him, I apologised.
He looked genuinely confused at that. "Why are you saying sorry?"
"I'm sorry for dragging you into this." I leaned against him, revelling in his presence, "And that it sullied your name."
He smiled reassuringly and wrapped his arm around me, "No need to apologise. It's all just speculation." He pulled me closer, and gave me a peck on my crown, "We will clear all this up soon enough."
How amazing is he to be so sturdy as a rock in this storm? I leaned against him just a little more. In the evening breeze and under the darkening sky, we just sat there to appreciate the moment of quiet.
And each other's company.
We had immediately come up here when the news came to us, so we have not seen what the other residents thought, much less the rest of the school… and my parents.
Sigh.
"So what are you thinking?" I asked after a while, trying to get my mind onto something else.
"How do you know I'm thinking of something?"
"You have that look whenever you're stewing on a thought." I replied, pulling back.
Soma chuckled, "Yeh, I was thinking how tough it must have been to be standing there for a whole day in this kind of weather."
Ha! I knew he is a person who loves living on the edge but, "You're not thinking about the article?"
"Yeh. I mean, it sort of bothers me, but we can't do anything at this time, can we?" Soma shrugged. "I'm just thinking if there is a way to win them over and it would clear this up quickly."
"Hmm." His unconventional way of thinking really brings another perspective on the matter. That could be an idea that we can explore…
"Hey guys. Sorry to interrupt both of you." Isshiki-senpai came through the balcony door, his usual friendly smile on his lips.
"Oh, senpai. Is it dinner already? Thanks for fetching us." Soma said, getting up from his seat.
"Actually," Isshiki-senpai hesitated for a moment, before adding, "The Headmaster has requested for you."
A/N: There is an idea that a butterfly flapping its wings could theoretically cause a ripple in the air, creating a tropical storm on the other side of the World.
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