A/N: Oh goodness. It's been a bit hasn't it? I hope everyone had a good holiday season! And somehow are making it through this pandemic. The inspiration to write this chapter kind of hit me suddenly and I had this chapter pretty much fleshed out in two days. But that's also because the good stuff of the story is coming along and we are going to learn so much about Sana! Also, have you guys heard that a new company has licensed Kodocha and there is going to be a re-release of the entire series? Including an actual release of the second half of the season? That was never released in the US? I wish they would reboot it and actually go by the manga but it may or may not be too dark for the genre it's in.

Anyway! I really hope you guys enjoy this chapter because I have very much enjoyed writing it!

Chapter 34: Support

The hot water was running as he sprayed the stain remover on his white school uniform shirt. His baby sister was sitting in the living room, TV blasting, watching whatever it was kids her age watched these days. He started running his school uniform through the hot water, dark red blood bleeding into a light pink through his fingers.

He clenched the fabric tightly, thinking about how unfair this fight was, his rival gang member recruiting older kids to fight their battles.

Despite that, Akito still won the fight. A little bruised and bloody, he still came out the victor.

But he needed to get the blood out of his uniform before his mother got home. If she found out he got into another fight…

"On this week's Child's Toy, we actually have some exciting news! Our very own Kurata Sana has just been casted into a big movie role!"

"So, Sana-chan, how does it feel to be a real super-star, now?"

"Oh Zenjiro-san! You give me too much credit. Besides, I'm just a supporting role… I think?"

"Now, now Sana-chan. You are not very modest, so don't try it. You got to be pretty excited?"

"What're you tryin' to say, huh!?"

Akito stepped out of the kitchen, watching his little sister laugh at the TV program. He recognized this show. His sister was obsessed, watched the program every day after school.

His eyes trailed to the program, the main character, that auburn-haired girl, popped up on the screen. She was singing some stupid song with her guitar, his sister singing along.

They were the same age, that girl and him. But the difference was, she was a super-star, adored by probably thousands of people. Her life was made for her. She didn't have to worry about anything.

Meanwhile… he was barely hanging on to his life by threads.

The blond walked back into the kitchen, his hands back on his uniform, attempting to clean away the blood on his hands.

.

She didn't see him until the following day, back in homeroom. Sana had so much to say to him but yet, every time, her words fell at her lips. Her heart quickened at the sight of him, her throat tight when she thought about how he stood up for her.

They greeted each other like usual.

"Good morning, Lone Wolf!"

A sharp nod.

And before Sana could get another word in, she was dragged into a conversation with Mami, Hisae, Gomi, Hiroshi, and Aya about the School Festival. They bounced ideas off one another, but nothing seemed to stick.

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Tsuyoshi and Hayama conversating. She wondered what they were talking about. Tsuyoshi seemed to be pretty adamant about something, but the lone wolf just waved him away. She could see the frustration in his eyes, the frown on his lips.

"What do you think, Sana-chan?"

Said girl turned back to the conversation she was supposed to be paying attention too, everyone's eyes on her.

"Umm, what?"

"Earth to Kurata Sana! Sheesh, girl! You're super distracted today, aren't you?" Hisae said, crossing her arms in front of her.

Sana rubbed the back of her head, laughing in embarrassment.

"Sorry. I'm just really an airhead all the time."

Her friend group laughed.

"At least we know that your personality on TV was real and not just acting! Probably why your show was so good!" Gomi said and Hiroshi nodded in agreement.

It was the first her acting career was mentioned since yesterday. After lunch, the day continued with stares and questions, but at least it wasn't the people from her class. And probably because they had seen Hayama's reaction to it.

"Well, at least you guys know that I was authentic!" Sana shrugged and the rest of the group laughed.

"So, all the time you were making fun of Zenjiro, all real right? Because he was lowkey kind of creepy." Hisae asked and Sana couldn't help but snort.

Zenjiro definitely was the type of person who had to grow on you. It took Sana a little bit for her to really appreciate his lack of humor, but his weirdness was something that always made her laugh. Because he didn't try to be pathetically awkward. He just was.

"Oh yeah. Zenjiro-san gave me plenty of ammunition to work with! He really made it very easy for me to tease him. And he knew it too." Sana grinned as she thought about her times on set with him. Zenjiro may have looked for misery, but he was always good to her.

"But he was a good guy! A little pathetic at times, and I really questioned some of his life choices, but he always looked out for me."

It doesn't have to be hard.

Sana reminded herself as they continued to ask her questions about her short time in stardom. The questions were innocent enough, nothing too detailed.

"Hey! I got a great idea!" Hiroshi said, interrupting the flow of the conversation.

"And what exactly is that?" Hisae asked.

"Let's put together a play!"

"A play?" Mami, Hisae, Aya, and Sana all asked at the same time.

"No, yeah, yeah! That makes perfect sense!" Gomi added, slapping Hiroshi on the back. "I mean, think about it. Everyone in this class is pretty dramatic, especially the girls."

"Hey!" All the girls simultaneously answered, especially Hisae as she slapped her boyfriend upside the head.

"BUT, the best part, is that we LITERALLY have a FORMER actress in our midst! We would kick every other classes ass with a play!" Hiroshi finished and Sana's eyes widened as she thought about acting on stage again.

"Did I hear you guys say a play for the school festival?" Tsuyoshi cut into the conversation as he took a seat next to Aya. He kissed her cheek and she blushed.

"It's the most perfect idea! Like it seriously makes the most sense for us!"

The world around her shrunk as the class breaking out into excitement quieted around her. She spiraled into her own world, standing at the front of the stage, front and center with all the lights shining on her.

She was 12 years old again, thousands and thousands of nameless faces watching her. She was grinning, taking a bow, wondering if she had managed to please the people in the audience, wondering if her acting and work was good enough.

Sana looked to her left, her mama and Shimura were applauding, proud smiles encompassed their faces. And to her right, there stood Rei. He was without his sunglasses, his soft, brown eyes admiring her, loving her. Her heart swelled at the bright smile that just grew bigger and bigger as the applause grew wider.

And then there was a loud groan, and shouting voices, and a loud snap that caused her to look up.

It happened so fast that Sana wasn't sure what happened until she was on her bottom, screaming and shouting all around her. She was grabbed by her arms and pulled away, someone shouting for emergency services.

Her horrifying realization hit her as she saw Rei's glasses sitting on the floor, the frames and glasses shattered.

"Sana-chan? Hey, Sana-chan? You okay?"

The auburn-haired girl was back in her seat, broken out of her trance, all eyes on her as they looked at her in worry.

"What?"

"Sana-chan, are you okay? You're as white as a ghost." Aya asked softly and she looked down at her hands, realizing she was digging so hard into her palms, she left bruising from her nails.

"Oh! Yeah! I'm fine!" She answered, hiding her hands in her lap and smiling at everyone. "Sorry, I spaced out again. Silly, airhead me." She laughed awkwardly. "I think the play is a great idea! We should totally do it!"

She gulped hard, the words leaving her throat in such a strain. Her friends continued to look at her in concern. And while she really hadn't wanted to do the play, it seemed as if the whole class did and Sana wasn't going to ruin that for them.

"Alright! Let's do it!" Hiroshi and Gomi shouted in excitement, the rest of the class joining in one by one. It seemed that her small episode of daydreaming had already been forgotten. She sighed in relief as no one probed any further.

"Sana-chan… are you sure you're okay?" Tsuyoshi asked quietly as everyone else was joining in the excitement and she smiled, appreciating his worry but also not needing it.

The girl grinned at him. "Yeah, sorry. I didn't mean to worry any of you! I just got lost in la la land per usual."

Tsuyoshi seemed to buy it was he smiled in relief and nodded.

"Now, if you don't mind, I am going to run to the bathroom because if I don't, I'm going to go here and that would be absolutely horrifying."

Before anyone could make a comment or stop her, Sana was out the door and racing to the bathroom, her chest growing tighter and tighter, her breath becoming shorter and shorter. Her heart was quickening, body quivering by the time she reached the bathroom and entered a stall. Sana closed it shut and leaned her head against the door of the stall.

She screwed her eyes shut, trying to keep from gasping as images of Rei filled her mind.

Rei, please make it stop.

.

He watched as she ran out of the classroom with a hurry in her step. He clenched and unclenched his fist, tapping his foot slightly against the floor as the rest of their friends continued their talks about the play they wanted to do for the school festival.

Had they paid any mind to her and her past, they would have known that was everything she didn't want to do. Had they paid any mind to her; they would have noticed her entire change of demeanor. Had they paid any mind to her; they would have picked something else entirely.

And that seriously pissed him off.

He was already in a bad mood, with Tsuyoshi reprimanding him for yesterday's outburst and his questioning of her past, but if they had just done their damn research, they probably would know everything they needed to know about Kurata Sana.

Kurata Sana was such a damn good actor.

So good it infuriated him.

And he had no idea why.

When Kurata returned, she continued to wear that grin on her face, spoke like nothing had happened, like nothing bothered her.

He frowned, this anger consuming him.

Why did she have to lie about what she felt? Why wasn't she just honest that something was wrong? And that it bothered her? Why was she such a people pleaser? Why did she care so much?

And why the hell did it bother him so damn much?

He looked away in a silent huff, hating what she was making him feel.

He hated that she made him so angry over the smallest things. He hated that she made him so worked up about what she was feeling and why she looked so sad. And most of all, he hated that he couldn't figure out why.

"You're going to give yourself a bleeding ulcer if you continue scowling that hard, Lone Wolf."

Kurata teased as she grabbed her bookbag and swung it over her shoulder. The school chime went off and he knew he had math to go to next. She smiled at him and he wanted nothing more than to grab her by the collar and tell her to stop faking it, to stop hiding behind these façade smiles.

To just be fucking honest for once.

"If you don't want to do the play then you should say something instead of acting like it doesn't bother you."

Her eyes went wide at his comment, obviously not expecting him to say anything. But she just rubbed the back of her head and laughed it off… like usual.

"What are you talking about? I'm totally fine with it!"

He glared harder. "Really? Are you really?"

She looked at him in confusion, her mouth tightening.

"I- I don't know what you're talking about." She crossed her arms and turned away, nose in the air.

"You're a really good actor, aren't you?"

Her entire body stilled almost immediately. Her arms dropped at her side and she looked at him with eyes as wide as her face. Her mouth parted open. And in her eyes, he saw… fear. Hayama's own brows lifted slightly, surprised at the intensity of her own eyes, an emotion he hadn't seen in her since they met.

"Come on, Sana-chan! We need to go!"

Hisae grabbed Kurata by her shoulder, oblivious to the tenseness of the conversation- or just not caring. And just like she had been doing, her entire personality shifted, and she grinned brightly, clutching her bag tightly.

"Yeah, let's go!"

She didn't bother to look back at him.

He watched as she disappeared into their group of friends, leaving him behind.

"What's going on between you two, anyway?" Akito could hear Tsuyoshi ask, concern laced in his voice. He sighed roughly, throwing his own book bag behind his shoulder.

"Absolutely nothing." He retorted, not really feeling this conversation or anything that was to come of it.

He needed to talk to Fuka if anything. Because after his research yesterday, only she knew the truth behind Kurata's past. And if Kurata wasn't wanting to speak on it, then Fuka would.

.

Tsuyoshi drummed his fingers on the desk, trying to keep his sanity together with all of life's recent events.

He thought things were going to be better considering that Akito was seemingly opening himself up once more. His relationship with his sister had seemed to improve, he was more involved and made better efforts to hang out with them all, and he seemed to foster this interesting and intriguing relationship with Sana-chan.

Things seemed to be improving and it seemed like they could continue school without a hitch.

That was until Gomi revealed a mysterious past about Sana and now both Sana and Fuka were not speaking to one another. And somehow, it seemed like Akito was in the middle of it all.

The blond said there was nothing going on, but Tsuyoshi knew better. He wasn't as dense as he was in elementary or middle school. He didn't need Akito shielding him away from the horrors of life, Tsuyoshi understood that enough himself.

Besides, there seemed to be his own troubles stirring at home… he just wasn't sure how he wanted to confront it yet.

"You look stressed, Tsuyoshi-kun."

The brown-haired boy looked up from his desk and smiled as Aya took a seat next to him. He was always overjoyed to see his girlfriend, especially since she always kept him grounded. When it seemed like the world would break, Aya always was there to keep it together.

"I'm just trying to figure out what's going on."

Aya sighed deeply as she looked down at her hands in her lap.

"It does feel like things are changing quite rapidly, doesn't it?" She asked, her voice low. She was always soft spoken, especially as children. But she found her voice throughout middle school and now in high school, she wasn't afraid to say what was needed.

"I tried talking to Akito-kun, hoping maybe he would be willing to open up to me. But it seems like he's staying true to keeping to himself for right now."

"You know, I will say, Akito-kun surprised me quite a bit yesterday with his outburst during homeroom and the cafeteria. It wasn't like him to speak up, especially in concern to Sana-chan." She stated.

"It surprised me too." Tsuyoshi added. "But at the same time, it doesn't."

Aya looked at him in confusion.

Tsuyoshi smiled, reminiscing on their younger days, when Akito was constantly getting himself into trouble, back when he was still hanging out around Hitorashi-san.

"Akito-kun has a way of standing up for his friends, without it coming across as too affectionate or caring. I can probably recall several times he's stood up for me, not really caring about the consequences that followed."

Aya smiled with understanding. "I remember before we started dating, Akito-kun found me, and told me what kind of chocolate you liked. He didn't say it then, but I realized he told me so we could realize our feelings for one another."

The brown-haired boy chuckled. "Akito-kun definitely did what he could to push us together. Part of it was definitely to get me off his back when he was still hanging around Hitorashi-san."

Aya pursed her lips, frowning slightly. His girlfriend was as sweet as could be, but if there was anyone that she harbored feelings of resentment towards, it was definitely Hitorashi Ayumi.

"I was glad when he put an end to that."

"You and me both."

Tsuyoshi sighed, stretching his hands.

"I'm hoping that we can get things cleared up before the spring festival, at least."

Aya grabbed his hand and kissed his knuckles. "We just have to have faith in our friends."

That's all they really could do for now, Tsuyoshi thought as he smiled at her.

They had no other choice.

.

Fuka was sitting down in the library when she felt a shadow loom over her. She looked up from her textbook and saw no other than Hayama Akito looking down at her with the same apathetic look on his face as usual.

"Yes?"

Without saying anything, he dropped his bookbag and sat across from her. She rose a brow at this. After their conversation yesterday, she really didn't have any desire to see or speak to him. Her heart was still mending, and she knew that he would want to talk about Sana; a topic and person she was trying to ignore.

"Why did you leave me in charge with her?" He asked, his voice displeased, and he was frowning slightly.

Fuka sighed, knowing that this was coming.

"I'm trying to study."

"And I was trying to live my life in solitude until you threw this mess in my face." He barked back, his frown deepening.

Fuka didn't appreciate the comment. She closed her book and shot back a glare of her own.

"You got yourself involved when you decided to take her side."

"There are no sides here, Buka."

There he went again with that stupid nickname. Fuka wanted to rip her hairs out. Why was it that all of a sudden, they could have a normal conversation, but just a few short weeks ago, she was struggling to find the words?

"It feels like there is." She retorted but he didn't react. The brown-haired girl really wanted to know how he was so good at just remaining calm about everything. It didn't matter what came his way, Hayama Akito never flinched.

"I researched her past."

Fuka froze.

"I have a question."

Her heart quickened and she bit her lip.

"And… what is your question?" She was afraid of what it entailed. But mostly, she was afraid of going back to that time in their lives. Fuka always wished she could erase those memories from her mind. She hated seeing her best friend like that, hated what it did to her.

"She quit because of the accident, right?"

Fuka nodded slowly.

"She never had the heart to go back after." The brown-haired girl mumbled, eyes looking at the desk and not at him.

"She is really good at acting, isn't she?"

She looked up at him, and in that moment, realized that Hayama was far more perceptive than anyone gave him credit for. It was something Fuka always knew, Sana's ability to mask every emotion she felt, hide or run away from every problem that came her way. But she could honestly say she was shocked that someone else other than her was able to detect the same flaw.

Fuka smiled sadly.

"Far better than anyone has ever given her credit for."

Akito stood up, throwing his bookbag across his shoulders. He turned his back to her and Fuka sighed, really hating that every conversation they ever held, mostly centered around Sana.

"You are a better person than people give you credit for, too."

Fuka was stunned, her mouth opening slightly as he spoke those words. He walked away, leaving her heart fluttering.

.

She seethed through her teeth as she watched her prince flirt with that hideous and attention seeking girl. Tapping her fingers against her arm, Ryu Chisaki glared ferociously. Kurata Sana put her hand on Akimoto's arm as he said something that made her laugh. Chisaki almost lost it Kurata lightly hit her prince against his shoulder.

But what aggravated her even more was seeing the endearing smile on Akimoto Hiro's face.

He looked at her like she was the only person on this planet.

Chisaki yearned for that, had yearned for that since they had met in elementary school.

She would never forget the moment they met. They were in 4th grade and Chisaki had fallen off the swing set. No one helped her as everyone just watched her cry to herself.

But here came Akimoto Hiro, knight in shining armor, helping her up and carrying her all the way to the nurse's office. Of course, she had been embarrassed and people teased her endlessly for being carried by a boy smaller than her.

At first, she was horribly mean to him, upset at the ridicule.

But her heart swooned when she smiled at her and said there was no reason to be embarrassed. That people would say whatever they wanted to say.

It wasn't until middle school that she realized she loved Akimoto Hiro. The older they got, the more attractive the Prince of Jinbou grew. And soon, he had flocks of girls chasing after him. Her glares were substantial enough to ward them off, but also, he was never serious about any girl.

The only girl he had seen him put any effort was Hayama Ayame.

Chisaki was envious beyond measurement at first. She didn't understand what he was doing with someone three years younger than him. Chisaki wanted to murder the young blonde girl. But then she realized that Hayama Ayame was no threat. He merely saw her as a little sister. She still wasn't a fan at how close the two were, but she knew it was something that she would have to endure to be with him.

But as of recent, all his time was occupied with that damn Kurata Sana.

It didn't matter that she was a year younger than him, and Chisaki was the same age.

Hiro was captivated by her and she had no idea why.

Kurata Sana wasn't anything to look at. She wasn't very pretty nor did she have a great figure. She was very loud and overly optimistic. The only thing that girl was any good at was smiling and gymnastics, even though she hated to admit it.

And now here she was, being a TV star.

The infuriated Chisaki, seeing Kurata Sana up one her once again. Because it continued to captivate the attention of her prince.

"Look at her grubby hands all over him, Chisaki-chan."

"Ugh, I just want to rip her hands off."

Chisaki could hear her two best friends say.

She clicked her tongue, calling to attention of her friends. They went wide eyed, shutting their mouths. The dark purple haired girl narrowed her sharp black eyes. She was tired of hearing them. They just kept voicing what she already knew.

She needed something on Kurata Sana, some dirt, something that would make Akimoto Hiro look at her in disgust.

After the news broke yesterday about her being an actress, Chisaki looked her up. She needed to know how talented, if any, she was and what she's starred in. She needed to know everything about this girl.

The first article to pop up surprised her definitely. Not really expecting those turn of events, Chisaki knew that there was something there she could use. But she wasn't done either. She continued her search late into the night, screen shotting and taking notes of every mishap in this girl's career.

Was it fair?

Not necessarily, but all was fair in love and war.

"Did you find anything on her, Chisaki-chan?"

She smiled wickedly.

"Maybe."

She watched as Kurata and Hiro said their goodbyes and though she longed for Hiro smile, she had some business to attend to with Kurata Sana.

"Time for some fun." She stated, really to herself, but walked in the direction of Kurata Sana.

Chisaki cut through the group of students in front of her and caught Kurata as she was walking down the hall. She cleared her throat, stopping the girl in her tracks.

"You really are a sight for sore eyes, aren't you Kurata-san?"

Kurata Sana turned towards her and rose a brow. "Uhh, can I help you?"

"We haven't met yet. I'm Ryu Chisaki."

The former actress looked at her in confusion, tilting her head to the side.

"Uh, it's nice to meet you… I think? Kurata Sana. But I guess you already knew that?"

Her confused innocence was really playing Chisaki's nerves.

"It's hard not to know the girl who's been hanging around Hiro-kun." Chisaki stated.

Kurata Sana sighed deeply, almost like she was disappointed in where this conversation was going.

"Oh." She had the nerve to say and that pissed Chisaki off. It was a condescending oh. The kind of oh that Chisaki has heard one too many times.

You're one of those girls.

Oh, you're the obsessed girl.

Oh, you're the girl that scares everyone away.

"Look, whatever idea you have of Hiro-kun and I, I guarantee you it's not really that." Kurata Sana said, her face void of emotion. Even her tone of voice seemed neutral. Whenever Chisaki had seen her with others, she was very charismatic and vocal, a grin constantly on her face.

Chisaki glared.

"Right. Like we haven't seen the way he looks at you."

Her blank face turned to that of confusion again. Chisaki wanted to smack it off.

"I don't really know what you mean but I promise you that there is nothing going on between Hiro-kun and I." Kurata said but Chisaki wasn't convinced.

"And even if there was, I don't think it's any of your business who he does and doesn't date."

The dark, purple haired girl narrowed her eyes fiercely as Kurata gave her a small frown. Her chest felt like it was going to erupt.

Who did this girl think she was?

"Who the hell do you think you are saying something like that!" One of her best friends spoke.

"You haven't known Hiro-kun nearly as long as Chisaki-chan has! You have no right to say something like that!" Her other best friend spoke.

Kurata Sana crossed her arms in front of her, the frown deepening.

"It's kind of pathetic to me that you go around harassing other girls who are even remotely close to him." Then her frown deepened, and her eyes turned sharp, like she just realized something. "You better not have harassed Ayame-chan. Because that would have been a low blow, especially considering she is three years younger than you."

Chisaki took a step closer. "And what right do you have to call me pathetic?" Her blood was boiling. This girl was no one. She didn't care that she was once famous. Kurata Sana was just a has been. There was nothing special about her. Nothing at all.

"You show up to our school and act like your hot stuff. You run around being loud mouthed and obnoxious. And not to mention, you create ruckus everywhere you go. Your nothing special. And you can stop looking so surprised right about now." Chisaki watched as her eyes grew bigger and bigger, her frown deepening further.

The fourth year could see people stopping, looking onwards. She was starting to cause a scene.

Good.

"Ryu-san. I have no idea who you are. I haven't ever heard of you before this. Hiro-kun never mentioned you and I'm glad he didn't. Because, here you are, attacking someone you've never met. Kind of sad, isn't it? All because you harbor feelings for someone who doesn't like you back." Kurata Sana retorted and Chisaki almost growled. She could hear her two best friend's gasps.

"You think you're so great, don't you, Kurata-san? Just because you were an actor. But I looked you up. I know about you, and your rebellious stages as an actor and how people loathed working with you."

Her eyes went wide and Chisaki smiled wickedly.

"That's right. Little Miss Pop Star. I read all about how you made it difficult for directors and your fellow castmates. All because you wanted things done your way."

Chisaki watched as Kurata Sana bit her lip and dropped her hands at her sides, fisting her hands.

"Quite the diva, weren't you?"

"You don't have any clue on what you're talking about!" Kurata responded, her voice raised slightly. The crowd and whispers grew behind her. She chuckled, her plan coming to fruition. "You weren't there and didn't know the working conditions."

"Right, right." Chisaki waved her hand. "Your little manager was the one who always bailed you out though, wasn't he? What was his name again?"

The dark purple-haired girl watched as the former actress went completely still, a thing grim line on her lips, eyes scrunched in a frown.

"Sagami Rei, right? The one you called your boyfriend, your pimp?"

Kurata Sana froze solid.

"Isn't that disgusting, girls? Who refers to their manager as their pimp? What kind of relationship did you have with him anyway?" Her best friends snickered.

She could hear the chatter behind her, people whispering about Kurata Sana and this relationship she had. Chisaki couldn't help but smirk. Her work here was just about done.

"Don't you dare say his name like you knew him! You knew nothing about him! And you sure as hell knew nothing about our relationship!"

Chisaki was slightly taken aback by the sudden force in Kurata Sana's voice. There was anger. Anger and sadness in that voice. The auburn-haired girl was gritting on her own teeth, a vicious glare settling over her normal cheerful face. The fourth year was almost frightened at the sudden change.

"You have no right to talk about him like you knew anything about him!"

The crowd began to murmur and Chisaki looked behind her, seeing people look at her with contempt. Her two best friends looked at her in confusion.

"What is Ryu-san doing bullying third years?"

"Is she jealous or something?"

"She's being a bitch, isn't she? So typical."

Chisaki turned around, fury filling her. Clearly, her own idea was turning against her. Because now it seemed like she was causing the ruckus. But weren't people listening? Kurata Sana was the one who was in a scandalous relationship in the first place!

"You're the one who was in a relationship with an older man!" She yelled in self-defense, in panic. Some people caught onto that statement, and they looked more intrigued but before she could say anything else, Chisaki felt herself being pushed aside.

She practically fell into the arms of her best friends as a tall figure loomed over her.

Chisaki quivered at the look of the new figure standing over her.

She gulped, fear filling her.

.

He settled with her being shoved into the arms of her best friends. But he hadn't wanted to hit someone like this since back before he quit his messy gang lifestyle. He was sure that had he hit her, Akito would have broken her entire face.

She looked at him in fear as his eyes pierced right through her. His golden-brown eyes turned dark, cold as he threatened her with a single look.

The blond hadn't meant to rush into the scene. He hadn't meant to put himself between this callous girl and Kurata. But his blood was boiling as he watched this idiotic fourth year pester and harass Kurata with business that was not hers to bother with.

Akito pushed through the forming crowd he had watched grow from afar. He was going to walk right by it until he heard Kurata's name through the grapevine. And in that moment, the blond just knew something was wrong. Call it intuition or whatever, but something told him that he needed to be there.

He could hear selected parts of the conversation, but when he watched Kurata froze and then saw her eyes break and her heart shatter, his body reacted. Akito couldn't explain it, but next thing he knew, he found himself between the group of fourth years and Kurata Sana.

"Ha-Hayama?" He could hear Kurata whisper.

"You have a big mouth. Why don't you try shutting it for once?" He said coldly towards the fourth year. Her eyes went wide, and she sank further into the arms of her friends.

Akito turned around to find a shocked Kurata Sana staring at him with eyes as wide as saucers.

"Let's go." His said, softly and lowly.

But the eyes behind him were obvious and he really wanted everyone to stop starring. He grabbed Kurata by her shoulders, turned her around and he started guiding her forward. Stopping for a minute, he turned around and hardened his glare.

"Why don't you all scram and mind your damn business?"

With the utterance of a cold and calculated threat, the group of students that were watching, dispersed within a matter of seconds. Even the three girls that had harassed Kurata were gone. His glare alone was enough to scare people away.

Turning back to Kurata, he fished the beanie he stole from his sister from his pocket and threw it over the former actress's head.

"Wha! Hayama - !?"

"Hold on." Akito muttered and grabbed her by the hand, pulling her behind him as he briskly walked to the only place he could think to take her.

.

Sana was huffing and puffing as Hayama pulled her along. She couldn't see as this beanie was thrown over her head and he had a hold of her hand, so he took away two of her senses. She continued to nag at him, but after he told her "trust him," Sana stopped bothering him.

When Hayama finally stopped pulling her, he released her hand. She heard a rustle and opening of a door. Before she had a chance to pull the beanie off, she felt him grab her shoulders again.

"Here. Watch your step."

Kind of hard to watch my step when I don't even know where I'm going.

She wanted to say but decided against it.

She felt him guide her, his hands heavy on her shoulders.

Her feet were planted on the floor, balance normal. That's when she felt the beanie be pulled right off and it took a second for her eyes to find clarity. She rubbed at her eyes and blinked a few times. Hayama was standing in front of her, beanie in one hand, the other tucked into the pocket of his school pants.

They were in the old dance studio that he had shared with her at the beginning of the year.

Sana couldn't help it, but she began to laugh. Her laughter echoed in the small room. She bent over slightly; small tears kissed at her eyes.

"Tha- that was so much fun! It was like being on a rollercoaster without actually being on one!" She continued to laugh, smiling at the spontaneity of that moment, of Hayama Akito coming to her rescue.

"… Glad you had fun." She heard him mutter.

Her laughter died down slightly and she was now chuckling in small bursts and he just stared at her with these apathetic eyes. So different from the cold, ruthless eyes she had just witnessed not only a few minutes ago. He was turned away, eyes drifting to another part of the room.

"I know about him. About your old manager."

She sucked in a breath the moment those words came out of his mouth. Sana held the smile on her face, trying to ignore the aching of her heart.

"Oh yeah? Kind of shocking, huh?"

Hayama's eyes turned to that of confusion. He was trying to be considerate, that's what she got from him. Trying to be considerate and not accusatory like Ryu Chisaki was. At least, that's what she hoped.

"Sagami Rei, right? The one you called your boyfriend, your pimp?"

"Isn't that disgusting, girls? Who refers to their manager as their pimp? What kind of relationship did you have with him anyway?"

Ryu Chisaki's words came back to her. Those words that people loved to throw in her face. It wasn't the first time someone had said something like that too her. And it wouldn't be the last.

No one understood.

No one understood the relationship she had with Rei.

Everyone assumed and speculated. It was never about him being her boyfriend or pimp or whatever everyone else wanted to say. It was never about any of that. People thought the worst of her, thought the worst of her mother, thought the worst of Rei. But no one understood how much love and respect was there between her manager and her.

The tears she tried so hard to fight back, to keep from falling since all this mess was revealed, fell from her eyes. Tear after tear, she could feel the wetness on her cheeks. The anguish in her heart, the aching she longed to just release, she felt so heavy with every tear.

As Kurata Sana stood there, her tears spilling so freely as she chocked back a sob, Akito turned towards her, mouth slightly parted and eyes wider, staring at her in shock and… concern. Seeing this side of her, just how vulnerable she could be, made him rethink everything he ever thought about Kurata Sana.

He realized he hated seeing her like this.

It happened in a matter of seconds, not enough time for him to react, but Kurata walked towards him with her head down, and landed onto his chest. It took him for surprise, no doubt. She dug her head into his collarbone, her left hand grasping tightly onto the collar of his school shirt, the other grabbing a fistful of his uniform further down.

She cried quietly into his chest, her tears staining through.

Akito dropped the beanie onto the floor.

He reached across her back with his right hand and placed a hand on her shoulder, grasping her tightly.

Kurata gripped tighter, digging her face further into him, if that was even possible.

With his left hand, he placed a hand to the middle of her back.

Akito hugged Sana tightly to him, and for the first time in a long time, was scared to let go.

A/N: I about squealed when I finished writing this. I have been so desperate to write Sana and Akito together in this story. And truly, the best is yet to come fo these two. Of course, there is always drama in high school. Our favorite duo is not exempt from it. Sana finally finds herself an "enemy," I guess you can say. All her battles have been internally and with Fuka, and they will continue to stay but there are some outside forces working against her too now. Ryu Chisaki is not going anywhere also. We have not seen the last of her.

Also, I am really trying to incorporate the big manga/anime moments into the story however I can. The bicycle scene where Akito rescues Sana from her house is actually one of my favorite scenes hands down and I kept struggling in how I would incorporate that into this story. Well, here it is! I hope it did the original justice too. I am constantly referring back to the original manga and anime, seeing how I can work around certain moments and themes. I'm just really excited for what's to come and I know you guys will be too.

As usual! Reviews, comments, etc. are always welcomed! I know it's been a while but I would truly love to hear what you all had to say about this chapter!

Till next time!

- Dark Waffle