A/N: Ah, it has been so long since I've updated this. For that, I apologize. It's been a crazy year. I got married and we've had a lot of life changes and challenges in the last few months. So, finding time to write has been non-existent. But! I am now back and working diligently on getting the next few chapters out!

This chapter is a quick interlude before I post the actual play. I am almost done with Chapter 48 so I decided to post this one while I finish typing it up. I was originally going to have them together but it was over 30 pages long and that's just too long of a read. So, please enjoy this quick interlude while I finish up next chapter!

Chapter 47: School Festival Interlude

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Hiro was staring at her with such an emotional yet vulnerable look in his eyes. Sana could see the guilt swimming in his beautiful, green eyes. Distress overtook his face and she sighed with a small smile as she pursed her lips.

"Ya know, you don't have to look so guilty. It wasn't your fault." He gave her a frown.

"It feels like it is."

"You weren't the one that hit me with those sticks."

The fourth-year bit his lip.

"I know. But I may as well. I should have known better."

Sana scoffed, waving her right hand in front of her. "Honestly, I don't think it would have made a difference, Hiro-kun."

"Chisaki's mind was pretty much set. She wanted to give a whack at me."

He frowned again. "Do you have to say it like that?"

Sana chuckled slightly. "Look. Am I pissed about this? Of freakin' course. Now I've got everyone telling me to not do the play. And it's her fault. But I have to admire her dedication."

"Are you sure she didn't hit you hard on the head?" Hiro asked, and Sana thought it was warranted. After all, who said that about someone who brutally assaulted you?

"She was a girl who knew what she wanted. A bit deranged, but she was strong in her conviction." The former actress shrugged her shoulders and Hiro sighed heavily. He ran a hand through his hair and paced around the room.

"Whatever. All that doesn't matter. She shouldn't have done this to you. And I'm so sorry she did."

"You're right. She shouldn't have. So, why are you apologizing for her?"

Hiro's jaw steeled and Sana frowned at him. She really disliked that he was trying to clean up after Chisaki's mess.

"I – I don't know." He looked out the window, hanging his heads between his shoulders. "I guess I've been apologizing for her since we were kids."

"Oh I dunno. Maybe it's time to stop that, huh?"

He looked at her with such remorse, like this was all his fault. But she already told him it wasn't. And she meant it. Sana didn't blame him. Hiro didn't know she was going to take a stick and beat the crap out of her with it.

"Yeah… yeah. It's time to stop making excuses for her."

Sana could tell he wanted to say more. Or maybe do more. He was standing with such hesitancy, rocking back and forth. Frankly, his behavior made her a bit nervous. So of course, she had something to say about it.

"Is there something else bothering you? You're looking a little agitated over there."

Pursing his lips, he swallowed.

"Is it – I mean, can I hug you? As a way to say sorry. And make myself feel better about this whole thing." He forced a laugh, but his question made her go wide-eyed.

But then she smiled and sagged her shoulders. "Of course, you dummy."

So Hiro hugged her, fiercely. And she knew that his feelings were wrapped in his embrace as she could feel how strongly he felt for her. But Sana also knew that his guilt and relief was in there too.

When he let her go, he sighed again. Though, it didn't seem as heavy as before.

They exchanged a few more words of conversation before he left the room. When Hiro grabbed the handle of the door, he stopped and looked back at her with sad eyes.

"You got quite the guard dog out there, ya know?"

Sana cocked her head, not quite sure what he meant by that. He laughed at her, shaking his head.

"Hayama's pretty protective of you, is what I'm saying. He wasn't too keen on me coming in here. But ultimately pushed me in."

The former actress could feel her cheeks heat up, but instead of letting herself get bothered by it, she scoffed.

"I certainly don't need him dictating who can come in here. I'm not some type of damsel in distress."

Hiro shook his head and laughed again. But this one seemed a little more incredulous than the last. This made Sana frown.

"I don't think that's why he's doing it. But you know what, why don't I let you figure that one out, huh?"

This time Sana really had no clue what Hiro was saying. But the conversation was cut there as he waved goodbye and wished her better. He didn't give her a chance of rebuttal and now she was left with these confused feelings.

But there wasn't much time to dwell on them as her mother walked back into the room. And right behind her was the school nurse.

"Daughter."

Like a child in trouble, Sana ducked her head slightly.

"Mama… please don't make me go to the hospital right now!" Like a child, she yelled out. The school nurse looked at her, then her mom in concern.

"I promise as soon as the play is done, I'll go! But I have to finish this. I have to."

She hated begging. Sana never thought herself to be low enough to beg. So she hoped her mom would find mercy on her.

"Well… Okay!"

The entire room went silent as her mother cheerfully agreed with a smile on her face and fan out in front of her. The school nurse looked at her with her jaw on the ground and Sana couldn't help the ridiculous smile on her face.

"Bu – But Miss Kurata! I completely advise against that! Your daughter has suffered a severe injury and if she doesn't go to the hospital – "

The oldest Kurata put her hand up and cut off the nurse, giving her a knowing look.

"My daughter is her own person. And I cannot stop here when her stubbornness takes effect." She explained with a resigning sigh. "Now! That being said…"

Her mother's brown eyes turned towards her, and Sana gulped as she narrowed them. "Sana. Whatever happens to that leg of yours, know it is your consequence for this action. It is not a decision you must take lightly. This is your health."

"I know that! And I take full responsibility! But I cannot back down from this now! I refuse!"

Kurata Misako shook her head as she scoffed slightly. Then turned towards the school nurse and gave her a sweet smile. "Well, there you have it. You will not be held liable. That I assure you."

The school nurse looked at both women in exasperation, shocked by their collective decision. In the end, the nurse she gave up all attempts and threw her hands in the air. "Crazy! Both mother and daughter! Completely insane!"

"If you're going to walk around on it, at least take these crutches until you get to the hospital!" The nurse shoved a pair of crutches in their direction and continued muttering complaints and Sana was thankful for the additional support.

Because truthfully, she didn't know if she could walk at all.

"Well, that settles that!" Sana grinned at her mother and Misako raised a brow.

"My dear daughter… have you thought about what actions you want to take next?"

"Actions?" The auburn-haired girl asked with a slight head tilt.

"While you were talking to Akimoto-san, I went to speak with your school principal, and it seems that you have a decision to make."

Sana frowned slightly.

"Will you be pressing assault charges on Chisaki-san? And her friends?"

Taken aback by the question, Sana bit her lip. The girls definitely deserved to be punished for hurting her. Jealousy at that level was grounds for expulsion indefinitely. But to press charges? That made the knot in her stomach uneasy.

"You don't have to decide now, but the police will want to know soon."

"Police?" Her mother nodded slightly.

"Yes. They assaulted you. That is a crime."

"Geez. Why did she have to go and do something so stupid. Especially so close to her graduation." The former actress thought out loud, mulling over this decision.

Chisaki ruined her life by taking that first swing at her. Sana knew that there was no way the girl and maybe her friends wouldn't be suspended, if not expelled from school. But to bring criminal charges against someone? That would ruin her future.

That was a fate she did not want in her hands.

"Love has a way of bringing the best and worst of someone." The eldest Kurata stated as she took a seat next to her. Sana sighed and grabbed at her head.

"Ya know, Mama. I never asked for any of this. But somehow, I'm always in the middle of trouble."

Kurata Misako let out a hearty laugh as she rubbed the top of her head and Sana frowned. "I don't see what's so funny!"

"Oh daughter. This sudden self-reflection you have of yourself is certainly enlightening." She gave her a proud smile. "You have always been so naïve, and to find introspection now of all moments, is certainly a moment to laugh at."

Sana didn't really get it. And didn't appreciate the naïve comment, but she knew her mom was right. Things usually went over her head and that was simply something she couldn't help. Rei told her hundreds of times, Fuka even more. Her mother, constantly. Why would now be any different?

"Good trouble, my dear."

"Good trouble?"

Misako padded down on her head gently and gave her a genuine smile. "You have always found yourself in good trouble. Always with another person's well-being in mind. Always thinking about what's best for not only you, but the people around you. Sagami-san and I spoke of it often. You always put yourself in good trouble. And for that, nothing to be ashamed of."

"I just want to do what's right." Sana replied, thinking of all those times she found her back against the wall.

"And that, Kurata Sana, is why you are my daughter."

Before Sana could get another word in, the door opened violently, and both Sana's and her mother's head turned quickly to the new body inside.

"SANA-CHAN!?"

Hayama Ayame was staring at her with frantic, brown eyes, her chest laboriously huffing, hair frazzled, and her uniform on sloppily.

"Ayame-chan? Did you run all the way over here?" Sana chuckled as the blond rushed towards her.

"I just heard what happened! Are you okay? Holy sh – What the hell did she do to you?! That – that stupid – UGH!"

Ayame was fuming and Sana couldn't help but laugh. Hiro and Kyo were both right when they said that the Hayama's mother's death affected her personality. Sana was getting used to this new, or rather old side, of Ayame. But the former actress quite enjoyed her.

"Sana-chan! It's not funny!"

She sighed loudly, huffing and puffing. "Yeah, yeah I know."

"Damn it, Ayame! You can't just barge in!"

Akito was at the door, glaring at his sister. He looked over to her, a slight up and down look before turning his attention to his sister.

"You're kidding, right? You didn't even bother to tell me that Chisaki did this to her!?" She yelled back. Sana could see Akito's nostrils flare.

"I was a little busy saving Kurata's ass." His jaw steeled and it was then that Sana realized that as different as the Hayama siblings were, they shared some very interesting traits. And that was their anger.

Because Sana couldn't believe how much Ayame mirrored her older brother currently.

"You were sitting outside the nurse's office! You could have grabbed me then!"

"And what exactly were you going to do? Exactly what you're doing now! Just causing a scene!"

"Oh? I'm causing a scene?! I can show you what causing a scene is!"

"Okay, that's enough you two. Quit your bickering!" Fuka interjected herself between the siblings, grabbing Ayame's shoulder and putting a hand to Akito's chest.

"This back and forth isn't doing anything!" Her best friend looked at the blond and glared. "Your sister was worried. Back off, okay?"

Akito's golden-brown eyes flickered, and the glare stayed a moment before he released an exasperated sigh. Shaking his head, he looked back to her and then stalked out with his hands stuffed angrily in his pockets.

"Things have been a little tense. Give him a break, okay?" Fuka asked with rueful smile. Ayame released a long sigh and smiled tensely.

"Is – Is it okay to come in?"

Aya poked her head into the room, her voice concerned.

"I think most of the commotion is done. Please, come in Sugita-san."

In all the yelling, Sana forgot her mom was still here.

"Everyone is getting so worked up for nothing!" Sana grumbled as she crossed her arms. But then the whole room turned to her, and she looked at everyone with a look of disgruntlement.

"What?"

"Unbelievable." Fuka shook her head as she walked out.

"Sana-chan! Chisaki could have killed you!" Ayame came closer and the former actress rubbed the top of her head and grinned.

"But she didn't!"

This didn't help the situation because now Ayame was giving her the same deadpanned look that her older brother gave her very frequently.

"Ayame-chan. You need to stop hanging out with your brother so much because you're starting to mimic his mannerisms, ya know?"

"Are you feeling better, Sana-chan?" Aya asked as she took a spot next to Ayame.

"A little. Pain isn't as bad. Where's Tsuyoshi-kun?"

"He followed after Akito-kun. Making sure he was okay."

Ayame scoffed and Aya gave her a pleading smile. "I'm sure they'll be back soon."

"Well they have too! The play is starting in a couple hours, and we are all supposed to be at the gym now!"

Nobody thought she was paying attention, but Sana was keeping an eye on the clock. She saw when the second hand passed by the 30 mark and watched as it ticked closer to 2pm. Ayame looked at her incredulously, then back to Aya and then back to her.

"She's kidding, right? You're kidding… right?"

The seriousness on her face made the youngest Hayama go mortified.

"Sana-chan… you can't be serious?"

Ayame turned to her mother. "She's serious?"

Kurata Misako nodded, and the young blonde looked back to her. "Sana-chan! No – "

"Don't Ayame-chan."

Putting a hand up, she cut her off and the young girl looked taken aback.

"I'm doing this. You can't stop me."

"And Ni-chan is okay with it?"

Sana frowned, again bothered by the notion that Akito was her keeper?

"Not that it's his choice… but Akito supports it."

The shock on her Ayame's face was enough to push Sana over the edge.

"Why do you make that face? Why is everyone making that face?" Sana turned to her mother and back to Ayame.

Said girl corrected her face.

"What face?"

"That face! Everyone has made it every time I tell someone Akito supports my decision!"

But the room stayed quiet as her mother and Ayame looked at each other. And Sana didn't get it, nor like it. They looked at one another like they were communicating telepathically or something! And Sana didn't like it!

"Well what?!" She asked and Ayame bit her lip.

"It's just – "

"Kurata."

The conversation was cut there as Akito stepped back in, a wheelchair in his hands.

"Are you ready?"

Deciding to pocket that conversation for another day, Sana smiled brightly at the older Hayama.

"Finally! Yes! Let's go!"

"Ni-chan!" Ayame cried out but he silenced her with a quick look.

He rolled the wheelchair closer to her and locked it. He came around and helped her out of bed. After assuring she was in the wheelchair okay, he unlocked it and turned her around.

"She will be alright."

Akito said sternly as he looked at both her mother and his younger sister. The worry didn't go away from Ayame's face. And her mother looked content.

"Oh, that I know." Her words sounded a bit smug for Sana's taste, but Akito merely nodded.

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Ni-chan?"

Sana could feel the hesitation as he rocked the wheelchair back for a moment. She looked up to him and saw the hardness in his golden-brown eyes. But then he shifted and looked back to her with a glare of confidence.

"Nothing will happen to her."

And then he pushed off.

They exited the room and Sana felt like a weight was lifted from her shoulders. Looking down at the wrapping around her left leg and foot, she bit her lip.

"The moment I see something going wrong, I'm calling it."

His tone was authoritative and absolute. And Sana knew there was no arguing with him.

So, instead, she looked up and smiled. "You got it, boss monkey."

He looked at her for a minute, eyes calculating and definitely caught off guard. But he shook it off and sighed.

And onto the theater they went!

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When they entered the gym, Sana was surrounded almost immediately by their classroom. People began to crowd around her, asking her what happened and if she would still be able to do the play.

They wouldn't give her room to breathe as she was confined to the wheelchair until she got to the dressing room, where her crutches were waiting for her. The school nurse arranged them for her, and Akito ensured they were delivered.

Akito was ready to yell at everyone to back off until she did it for herself.

"Guys! I'm OKAY! Okay? Nothing's going to stop me from doing this play today! So, just give me a little room, will ya!"

Their classmates backed away and Akito hesitantly gave Aya control of the wheelchair. As they wheeled her away to the dressing room, she looked back to him and gave him a thumbs up with a shit eating grin.

Once she was out of sight, he sighed and rubbed the back of his head.

The blond winced as his left arm ached with too much of a back-and-forth movement. He shook it off as he made his way into the boy's changing room.

"Oh hey! Classmate Hayama! Over here!" Yunichi shouted with his bright smile.

"Mami's aunt brought all the guy's costumes over! Yours is hands down the best!"

Yunichi slung the costume over to him and Akito sighed. Putting a stupid costume on and doing this damn play seemed useless and overrated. Where they should be right now is the hospital. And Sana's leg should be getting looked at.

But of course her stubborn self just had to do this stupid thing.

"Man! Don't we all look so freakin' cool in our costumes! Mami's aunt did such a good job!"

Akito could hear Hiroshi saying behind him. Yunichi was cheering him on and Gomi was grumbling something about his hunter's costume being too bulky. The blond zipped open his bag and looked down at his costume.

It took all of five seconds before he plunged it into the trash and Tsuyoshi and the boys were chasing after him.

"Come on, Akito-kun! It's not that bad!"

"Classmate Hayama! You gotta do it! You'll look badass in it!" Hiroshi shouted next to his ear.

"Badass? I'll look ridiculous!" He looked back at the boys, where Tsuyoshi had his hands around his waist to pull him back, Gomi had his hands around Tsuyoshi's waist, while both Yunichi and Hiroshi grabbed his shoulders.

"Dude! You look fine! Come on!" Gomi pulled back with all his strength.

"Classmate Hayama! What do you eat? And how do you train? Because you're too strong!"

"I said I'm not putting that stupid thing on!"

"If you don't put it on, Sana-chan is going to be sad! And she's already had a bad day!"

Akito stopped mid step and glared down at his best friend. Under Tsuyoshi's sniveling, brown eyes, he could see the smugness and the blond wanted nothing more than to wipe it off. The former lone wolf inhaled deeply and sighed with frustration.

"… Dammit."

He stopped pulling against the boys and they all removed themselves from him one by one.

"Yay! Classmate Hayama will put on the costume!" Yunichi jumped in the air while the other three boys celebrated.

It felt like as of late, his glares carried no weight because they all ran off with glee on their faces and the only remaining person didn't seem to give a rat's ass.

"That was a low blow." The blond shoved past Tsuyoshi and the glass-eyed boy smirked.

"I simply don't know what you mean, Akito-kun."

Fingering the costume in his hands, Akito sighed roughly once again as he hung his head low.

This was ridiculous. He was going to look absolutely ridiculous.

"The things we do for the people we love, huh Akito-kun?"

"I don't love her!"

But it didn't matter what he said because Tsuyoshi left the changing room laughing like a stupid Hyena. Akito growled before shoving the costume to the table and pulling his PE shirt off. Looking in the mirror, Akito could see the redness on his face and shook his head.

He didn't love her.

He had a stupid infatuation that would go away.

Yeah, it would go away.

But even as he pulled the costume on, and repeated that to himself, Akito couldn't stop the way his heart continued to beat hard against his chest.

A/N: More of the aftermath of the attack! Next chapter, we finally get to the play! I hope you guys are excited! I know I am!

Anyway, please let me know what you think! Reviews, comments, thoughts, etc. are always welcomed!

As always! Till next time!
- Dark Waffle