Playing the Secret's Game - Original - Series [Chapter 03]

"Asche!" Asche spun around at the mention of his name and instantly regretted it. A tidal wave of high school students was walking in reverse to him in the hallway. But that's not the reason. He regretted it because he should've realized that the person calling towards him was that girl from yesterday's lunch period. Allison? Amazon? Allie? 

Asche can't remember her name. It's a pretty long and complicated name. He decided to stick to Allie. Short and easy to remember.

The girl was looking all cheerful and was waving like a madman at Asche. A few heads turn towards her and some people glance uneasily at the two. Asche inwardly sigh and turned back around. He didn't have time for her. Who does she think she is acting all friendly towards him? He hardly knows her. He doesn't even remember her name.

"Hi!" She ran towards Asche. "Do you remember me? It's me, Aaralynn!"

Ah! Aaralynn. That's it. How could he not remember her? She's weird. Asche just walked away in long fast strides. Aaralynn quickly caught up. 

"We have our next class together. Advanced Algebra, right? Can I sit next to you? The seat next to you is always empty and it feels like all the other seats are taken. Maybe because I am new, but it feels like the seating arrangement is permanent even though it isn't. But everybody has their own seat and seems to like to stick to it. So there's none left for me. Except sitting all the way in the back beside that jerk jock, Branden. And I don't like him. So I am sitting next to you," she rambled on without even giving time for herself to breath.

Asche just sigh. If the girl just decided where she will seat herself, then why bother asking in the first place? Asche thought bitterly to himself. 

"So you like me?" Asche asked quietly. 

"Yes!! Very much!!" Aaralynn answered grinning hugely. Yup, Asche decided. She's weird.

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Aaralynn tried to stay awake during Advanced Algebra, but Mr Hudson's droning about finding x during a y intersection or something like blah-blah-blah was making Aaralynn dizzy and drowsy. The only thing keeping her awake is the uncomfortably low table that would have break her back if she tried bending over and lay her head down on the table. Aaralynn had a feeling Mr Hudson was doing this on purpose, so his students will have a hard time falling asleep in his class.

Aaralynn looked over at Asche who was sitting to her left. He was staring out at the window, not paying the littlest bit of attention to her or the lecture. After a while, Asche could feel the intensity of Aaralynn's stare and turned towards her.

"What now Allie?" Asche murmured. Yes, Asche can't remember her name again.

"Allie? Is that your nickname for me? I love it!! Thank you so much. I officially decide that only you can call me Allie!" Aaralynn whispered back excitedly. Asche just rolled her eyes and then continue his gaze outside the window.

Advanced Algebra was a double period class and they have to spend two hours at this goddamn classroom listening to lectures or doing worksheet. Because it's the start of second term, it's all lectures at the moment. More ever, there are the stupid low tables Asche always thought Mr Hudson place on purpose so students will have a hard time falling asleep.

Asche's head that was propped on his hand is falling asleep when he felt a weight at his right shoulder. His head snapped back and he saw Aaralynn's head leaning on his shoulder fast asleep. Asche shoved her head away and he went back to sleep.

Aaralynn woke up with a start, confused. Then she followed what Asche did. There in the Advanced Algebra class, they slept side by side, heads propped on their hands.

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"I can't believe this!" Aaralynn complained to Karista. "Mr Hudson got mad at me for falling asleep in his class when it's clearly his fault for being boring! Huff!"

Karista just shook her head and play a little smile on her lips. They're now in Study Hall, the last class of the day. Study Hall is full of people who have no activities to attend to at school. In short, it’s a place for lazy people who like to slack. Plus, in Study Hall, the students can do anything they want, because Mrs Grimmers is the world's best teacher. Obviously, Asche was in the same class too.

Aaralynn wanted nothing more than to join Asche at the back of the classroom, but after the last episode with Karista, Aaralynn made sure not to come in contact with Asche in front of Karista. At least not until she can prove Asche is a nice guy. Which of course, she strongly believes in and which of course, Karista strongly opposed in.

"Bear with it. I learned my lesson last year for taking a math class under Hudson. Thankfully, I chose Calculus instead of Advanced Algebra this year! Ms Matthews is a nice teacher."

"What!? No fair! You could've warned me about Hudson at the beginning of the year! Then, I would go to Calculus instead of Algebra!" Aaralynn sighed unhappily and crack open her Advanced Algebra II textbook. She has extra work to do; give to her by Mr Hudson as a punishment.

Karista was busy with her upcoming chemistry exam and was buried deep in her textbooks and notebooks. Taking a risk, Aaralynn craned her neck to take a look at Asche. His Advanced Algebra II textbook covered his sleeping face. His feet up at the table and his arms crossed behind his head. It was apparent he was done with his extra work. He must be secretly smart, thought Aaralynn, or at least a closet nerd.

Aaralynn giggled at term 'closet nerd'. She always finds it funny. Thinking back, maybe she doesn't mind enduring two hours of Hudson Hell as long as it's with Asche. Aaralynn turned back to her own work and started on question one. Maybe one of these days, Asche could tutor me, Aaralynn thought happily.

"Hey Ari?" Karista called.

"Yeah?" Aaralynn replied. 

"I am going to the restroom for a while okay?"

Aaralynn nodded and Karista left. Then Aaralynn looked at Asche again and she couldn't believe her luck! Dangling from Asche's pocket was his phone!

Slowly, Aaralynn make her way to the back of the class and pulled out Asche's phone, making sure Asche wouldn't wake up. Then she saved her number to his phone and miss called her own phone.

After saving his number, Aaralynn place the phone back to his pocket gently and left for her seat while smiling happily. She didn't see Asche smirking face behind his book.

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Playing the Secret's Game - Original - Series [Chapter 02]

"Aaralynn?" Karista was waving a hand in front of Aaralynn's face and was snapping her fingers occasionally. Aaralynn tried to focus on Karista, but it was hard. From where she was sitting in the cafeteria, she could easily look out the window overlooking the lake and see the sleeping form of Asche there. Karista, who was sitting across her couldn't.

Reluctantly, Aaralynn turned back towards her new best friend. 

"Yes?" She asked distracted. 

"As I was saying...” Karista started saying, but stopped when she saw Aaralynn was not with her mentally anymore. Irritated, Karista turned towards whatever it is Aaralynn was staring at. Asche. Asche Faber.

Karista's expression darkened. "Aaralynn!" Karista practically screamed. A few heads turned their direction. Aaralynn's own head snapped back to Karista. Abandoning her lunch, Karista stood up and dragged Aaralynn out of the cafeteria.

When they got to a quieter part of the school, Karista blew up.

"I told you to stay away from that guy. He will only hurt you! Now tell me the truth, you like him don't you!? I saw you stare at him lots of times!"

Aaralynn nodded. "Yes. I do like him Karista. I don't believe he will hurt me. He's beautiful. You know what I mean? Like really beautiful."

Karista sighed. She knew what Aaralynn was talking about. Asche was a handsome young man. He would be the subject of crush of many girls if only they weren't so frightened of him. Karista believed that Asche would endanger her friend if she lets Aaralynn go on like this.

"You don't know that do you Aar? That guy will hurt you! More physically than mentally! He's a sick psycho who likes hurting people! I've seen the people he tortured who got in his way lots of times. They are all deranged now! You got me? Stay away from him!!"

Aaralynn looked away in contempt. 

"Fine!" Karista bellowed. "It's really up to you! Just trust me when I say he'll hurt you!"

Karista walked away from her friend. Aaralynn could only look at Karista's retreating figure all the while thinking, ‘I'll show her he's a nice guy.’

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The next day, Aaralynn decided to stay away from Karista just a little bit longer. Karista sent her messages of apology. Aaralynn messaged back saying she was never mad at Karista and assured her it's all alright. But Aaralynn decided to stay away from Karista just a little bit longer until she can get just a little bit closer to Asche.

So today Aaralynn avoided Karista the whole day and went to the lake with her lunch. As usual, Asche was there. Lying down, eyes closed. Aaralynn walked towards Asche and sat down beside him. It was a fine spring day and the breeze blew quietly. Aaralynn cast a glance at Asche. Up close, he was more marvelous than Aaralynn had ever seen him. Milky white skin and contrasting dark hair. It's all too beautiful. He looked peaceful and still in his sleep.

Or at least that's what Aaralynn thinks. He's asleep. Until he opened one eye and caught Aaralynn's face right on top of his, her chocolate eyes staring down at him. Surprised, he sat up quickly and they ended up banging foreheads.

Aaralynn jerked back and rubbed her forehead a little. Then she looked back at Asche. Asche's eyes went wide with horror and his face was of sheer shock. Aaralynn can't help but giggle a little. 

"You'll catch a cold sleeping here," Aaralynn said airily. Like she hadn't been staring and merely passing by.

"What do you care?" Asche replied a bit roughly and scooted a little farther away from Aaralynn. Aaralynn just smiled at him. 

"Get lost," Asche muttered to Aaralynn. She shook her head a little bit.

"No, I love it here. It's a fine spot here. Don't you get a little bit lonely spending it alone? I decided you share it with me."

Asche pulled Aaralynn by the hair closer to him. Aaralynn whimpered a little at the roughness. "I said get lost. Or I'll hurt you. I mean it."

"I know you mean it. I heard the stories," Aaralynn tried to say it as steadily as she could, but a little bit of fear interlaced in her voice.

"So get lost!" Asche shoved her away and lay down again.

"But I don't believe it!" Aaralynn said firmly to Asche. How hard-headed is this girl? Asche sighed to himself. He just wants to be left alone. This girl had ruined it for him.

He turned around so he wouldn't be facing her and tried going back to sleep. To peace. Sleep is like peace to Asche. No one bothered him. No teachers to get on his back, no father nagging and beating him up, and certainly no random girl bothering him right now.

Asche shut his eyes for a long time. But sleep didn't come. He could still feel the girl there, eating her lunch and doing whatever she wanted to do. Asche couldn't care less. He didn't even know her.

But there's something about her. She wasn't scared. Not at all. There's no sense of fear in her, which he usually sense in people who came in contact with him. Even the adults. Even his drunk and abusive father. To an extent at least.

He doesn't remember her from anywhere, but she remembered seeing her face a couple of times. Sighing, he sat up. Even she deprived him from peaceful sleep. 

"I am Aaralynn," Aaralynn chirped happily. Asche grunted, not really caring. After a while, Aaralynn noticed that Asche is not replying. "I know you're Asche."

Asche grunted again. Of course she knew him. Who doesn't? He's the terror of the town after all. Everybody knows him. Everybody fears him. He could hear people talking about him. Whispering. Always whispering and pointing where ever he goes.

Some of them wondered why he wasn't put into a lunatic asylum or locked up somewhere safe. Some wondered how he is able to freely walk the streets and attended the local school like a normal person. He wasn't normal. He's twisted and likes to hurt people.

They remembered his first victim. 6 years old Asche. A brown street puppy. Roasted and cooked alive in the microwave oven at his house. His father, equally twisted, had beaten him hard. Very, very hard. He broke the tendons in Asche's right shoulder and slices him from the neck to his chest with a butcher knife. The scar poked through the collar of his shirt up until now is proof. Asche was admitted to the hospital for three months.

At the age of 13, his second victim was a girl who lived across his street. She was a very annoying girl and was cruel to everyone. She wouldn't treat anyone nice and no one liked her. She tried to bully Asche once because he looks lean and frail and seems to be a very easy target. Asche made sure there wasn't a second time. 

Late at night, he would creep into the girl's room, tie her wrists to her bedposts and plaster her mouth. The girl woke up, unable to scream and saw Asche before he blindfolds her. Then slowly, Asche would cut parts her cheeks and slowly drag the knife across her legs. He could still feel the thrill just by remembering it. Her whimpers of fear and tears. He was never caught. The girl was sent to a mental asylum shortly after.

More victims come afterwards, whether humans or animals, old or young, boy or girl, man or child. Asche didn't discriminate his victims. Just for the pleasure of instilling fear into people is enough to satisfy his sick mind. His reputation grows and by the years, the sense of fear was everywhere and his need didn't need much satisfying anymore. His victims lessened, but the fear people have for him had not.

Except for this one girl. Whoever she is. She's still there, waiting for Asche to say something, staring at him.

He felt many stares before. But her stare by far made him very uncomfortable. He never felt uncomfortable being stared at. He was used to it. Everywhere he goes people will stare. It's not something new, being stared at. But why is this girl so special? Why isn't she afraid of him?

In frustration, Asche left Aaralynn alone, walking away and never looking back.

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Playing the Secret's Game - Original - Series [Chapter 01]

It's like falling in love with the Devil. Aaralynn knew the first time she saw him. Black hair, pale skin, dark eyes. Eyes that's filled with hate, anger and agony. The way his ghostly aura tells people he's dangerous. He didn't seem the strong type. Not buff or freakishly tall, but his aura screamed "Stay clear!" and that's what people did.

They stayed clear of him. Let him pass in the hallways, avoided sitting next to him in class, refused to be teamed up with him by the teacher. Anything they could do to stay clear of him. But not Aaralynn. Never Aaralynn. 

The first day Aaralynn moved into her new school, she caught a glimpse of him. He was in the school office, just waiting to be called in to the principal's office for one of his many troubles. Aaralynn had been in the principal's office that day talking about her transfer. When she finally came out of the office, she saw him. Waiting. Just staring into space and fumbling with his pockets. He was disturbingly beautiful. That was Aaralynn's first impression.

Then he went into the office and disappeared from her sight. That moment, Aaralynn realized it was love at first sight. Yes, she fell in love with the Devil.

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Asche. That was his name. Asche Faber.  Disturbed kid. Mentally sick with an overwhelming desire to hurt someone. All the time. So why hadn't Aaralynn's love for Asche changed when she knew that? He had been the talk of the school, heck, even the town!

Maybe it's the power of love at first sight. Aaralynn reasoned. She would do anything to defend her feelings. No one had known about her love. Not even her new found best friend, Karista who she had told everything about herself. Not everything, maybe. Not about Asche. 

Aaralynn got most of her information on Asche from Karista, and Karista had told her to stay away from the psycho. So how could Aaralynn ever told Karista about her feelings for Asche? 

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Aaralynn never tried avoiding Asche. She would purposely bump into him at the halls and would deliberately sit beside him in the classes they shared, and would have plopped down beside him near the lake during lunch if only she didn't have to sit with Karista.

Aaralynn never felt like Asche resented her companion. Instead, she thinks he ignores it. But that's all. He never resented or welcomed it either. He just lets Aaralynn be there, where she wants to be. She wonders if he knew about her little love. 

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Barriers - Prince of Tennis - Oneshot

"Oshitari, what are you doing over there, ahn~? Ore-sama demands you to come over here," Atobe ordered when he saw Yuushi on the other side of the cursed fence surrounding the court area. 

"Why don't you make me, Atobe?" Yuushi challenged him, feeling the need to tease his buchou, after all, this is a rare chance that he doesn't get everyday.

"Don't think ore-sama won't dare to go over there," he said, his pride not letting him back down, especially against Yuushi. 

Yuushi chuckled in his trademark Kansai way, "I'd like to see you try, Atobe."

"Then ore-sama demand you to stay there until I arrive," he said and quickly disappeared from Yuushi's view. A few minutes later, Atobe ran around the court and reached the place where Yuushi previously was. Previously was, because he is nowhere to be seen now. Atobe cross his arms across his chest.

"Hmph, that Oshitari. He's skipping practice again..."

The next day at practice, Atobe was determined as captain to give Yuushi a piece of his mind for his disappearing act yesterday when he, of all people, had taken personal time out of his hands to go after Yuushi. No one stood ore-sama up and gets away with it.

"Where's Oshitari?" he asked the tennis club and all 200++ members shook their head. He gave his orders to everybody and then went to look for Yuushi again. "Oshitari!"

Like yesterday, Yuushi was leaning against the fence, on the OTHER SIDE. He turned around when he heard Atobe.

"Ah, Atobe. What is it that you need?" he asked casually.

"Ore-sama demands you to come over here," he said again, the same event repeating itself.

"Like I said, make me."

"Hmph. Once bitten, twice shy, who do you think ore-sama is, Yuushi?" Atobe said and stepped back a few paces.

Yuushi shot up his eyebrows at the sudden change in his name-calling. Suddenly, a huge gust of wind came and blew away pieces of dirt and dust at him, accompanied by a constant whirring sound. He looked up to see a helicopter, with the Atobe Corp. insignia on it, whoop-whooping overhead. He raised his eyebrows up even further. A huge grappling hook was lowered and it hung there for a few seconds before finally latching itself on the top of the fence. Realizing what's going on, Yuushi quickly stepped back.

Atobe gave a thumbs up at the direction of the heli as a 'go' signal and the heli flew away, dragging the length of the fence away with it as it groans from being released from it's nails and bolts.

"Prepared, I see," Yuushi said, as the fence was pulled away from the earth and trails behind the helicopter like a harmless charm at the end of a chain. Without the fence in between them, Yuushi felt vulnerable, but he was careful and experienced enough not to show any emotions.

"You think ore-sama will fall to the same trap twice, ahn~? Yuushi?"

Yuushi gave a small frown, "That's damaging school property, Keigo-chan~"

"Nothing I can't pay for," Atobe said and walked closer towards Yuushi, now that the fence is gone. Yuushi stood rooted in his spot, his pride not letting him move. Yuushi scoffed. Finally, Atobe stopped in front of him, slightly looking up at the taller.

"What did you want, Keigo?" Yuushi asked. Atobe searches his eyes, but was disappointed when his insight is useless against the tensai. Atobe had never been able to read Yuushi before and it's starting to frustrate him because Yuushi was the only person he doesn't have a sense of control over.

"To give you a piece of my mind for skipping practice," he said, coolly.

"Wouldn't you rather kiss me instead?" Yuushi asked and tilts his head to the side, one hand sliding onto the captain's face, traveling down his cheek, his jawline and rested at the nape of his neck. Atobe shivered slightly and pulled on Yuushi's school tie, effectively pulling him down in the process and lock their lips together. Yuushi's eyes opened wide, but then he smirked into the kiss and shut his eyes, kissing the older boy back.

A few moments later, they broke the kiss, panting and look into each other's eyes. "You asked for it, ore-sama is only giving you what you want because ore-sama can."

Yuushi almost rolled his eyes. "But you enjoy it too," he teased. Atobe can feel his face heating, but Atobe doesn't blush. Oh please. Such plebeians expressions such as blushing is not in his dictionary. He looked at Yuushi, realizing he wasn't able to face him for more than a few seconds and he had to look away.

"Ore-sama can't deny that," he said. Yuushi felt a sense of triumph.

"You know what, Keigo? I am so glad you ever decide to take that cursed fence down," he said and leaned back down to kiss Atobe.

Only Obsession - Prince of Tennis - Series [Chapter 07]

"Happy birthday, Mukahi-kun!" Izumu yelled the moment she notices Gakuto at the school gates. She ran towards him and attacked him with hugs that he tried to fend off without much success.

"Thank you, Ishiki! Now get off! Hey…" he trailed off and eyed Yuushi who was walking behind her and coming towards them.

"Happy birthday, Gakuto," Yuushi said and Gakuto nodded at him.

"Thanks," he said with a grin. "Where are my presents?"

"Aren't my hugs enough?" Izumu asked, tilting her head to the side in an attempt to act cute and innocent.

"What makes you think so?" Gakuto shot back, sticking his tongue out at him. Yuushi chuckled.

"Sorry, Gakuto… For this year's present can you wait?"

"But birthday presents not given on their birthdays are meaningless!" he whined.

"I am sorry, but things came up yesterday. Will you please wait?" Yuushi asked with a sigh.

Gakuto reluctantly nodded his head. "Okay… But you promised!"

"Yes, I will not disappoint you," Yuushi assured him and Gakuto gave up a small smile.

---

"And you said there's nothing going on between you and Mukahi-kun," I said while we walked to our respective classes, once we're out of Mukahi-kun's ear shot.

"There's nothing," Yuushi said with a chuckle, but I wasn't entirely convinced, especially after the exchange earlier. "You doubt me aren't you?"

"No…" I lied and waved to him. "My class is this way, bye…"

"Bye," he said and I turned around and entered Class 3-C.

"Shishido-san! Good morning!" I chirped, seeing him sleeping on his desk and ruffled his already messy hair. Since he cut his hair, he hadn't been taking good care of it.

"Morning," he said and yawned looking up at me. "Where's your sister?"

"I didn't come with her this morning, I spent the night at Oshitari-san's," I said. He looked surprise.

"You did? Erm…. Did A-… ah… never mind," he said and waved it off.

"What did you want to say?" I asked, confused when he cut off his sentence.

"Nothing," he said and I tilted my head, confused.

"Okay then…" I sat down in my seat and heard the classroom door opened. I looked up and saw my sister. She walked my way.

"Good morning, Izumu. How was your day?"

"Um… Fine…?" I said, not feeling too sure of what she meant. She nodded and went to sit beside a sleeping Jirou. She started shaking him awake and he stared at her with blank eyes before going back to sleep, facing away from her.

"Is it just me or those two seems like there's something going on between them?" Shishido-san asked and I almost jumped out of my skin, turning back to face him. I contemplated what he just said and frowned. Not possible. After all, I am pretty sure the person Izumi likes is…

No. I shook my head and earned a weird stare from Shishido-san. I will not let myself think about it. The relationship between those two is really not my business. Not anymore. I made sure to convince that to myself when I flew to Japan so many years ago without telling Keigo-kun.

"Well, something might or might not be going on with those two. How is it my business?" I asked him. He shrugged.

"Well, you're her sister."

You're her sister. What a convenient excuse to care.

"It's still none of my business," I told him and looked forward when the bell rang for homeroom. Shishido-san sensed my hostility towards my sister, and he decided not to probe anymore. Good for him. Also good for me too, because I REALLY don't care anymore.

---

"It's not every day you asked me to skip out of class," Yuushi commented as he went to meet Keigo in his Student Council office. "What is so important that it calls for this rare occurrence?"

Keigo sighed and got up from his chair, walking towards Yuushi.

"Was it true that Izumu spent the night at your house?" he asked, not bothering to beat around the bush. Yuushi felt his eyebrows shot up.

"Where did you learn that?" he asked.

"I have my ways," Keigo replied, not backing down. Yuushi sighed. There's no way he can talk himself out of this one. When it comes to Izumu, Keigo was super persistent.

"Yes, she did," he replied. Keigo stiffened considerably and Yuushi can see that. "She fell asleep on the car ride home and in no state to go back home. So I brought her home with me."

"What do you mean she's in no state to go home, ahn?" Keigo asked, skeptical.

"Well, pardon my intrusion on your life and your past, Atobe, but even I who wasn't close to them know there's something going on between the Ishiki sisters. Don't tell me you did not notice that?" he asked. Keigo looked confused.

Maybe it's true that Izumu doesn't really like her sister, but he never really wondered how the relationship between actually fared and what Yuushi said just sparked his curiousity. But his pride won't let him ask.

"Oh, of course I knew," he said with a scoff. "But let us come to the important part of the conversation. Oshitari, I want to withdraw from taking care of Izumu."

Yuushi was shocked for awhile, but he was the poker-faced fighter after all and was a professional when it comes to masking emotions. "Why? Are you letting your jealousy overpower your decisions? It's so not like you, Atobe."

"What jealousy are you speaking about?" he asked, challenging Yuushi.

Yuushi might lose a friend over this, but he has to make a decision sooner or later anyway. His love or his friend? And right now, the correct choice is pretty obvious. He was a romanticist after all, he survives on romance. "That Izumu spent the night over at my place."

"Why should I be jealous of that? She used to spend nights at my place all the time," he said, not willing to back down. He felt the need to win this argument.

"But that was then, this is now. And you did not sleep holding hands with her, did you?" Yuushi said, a tone of smugness creeping into his voice, although he knew how childish his argument sounded. This is bad, he's losing his poker-face façade and he is falling prey to his own feelings about to burst out of his chest, but he can't really help it.

Keigo looked like he has nothing else to say. Yuushi turned around and promptly walk out of the door, smirking to himself as he walked back to his classroom. As he passed by 3-C, he can't help but smile as he saw Izumu biting on the end of her pencil as she tried to solve a question.

---

"Izumi!" I banged my hands on her desk. Jirou woke up with a start and rubbed his eyes.

"W-what?" he asked and yawned, then turned around and goes back to sleep.

Izumi looked at me with her usual poker face. "Yes, Izumu?"

I pulled at her hand and dragged her with me out of class, and onto an empty and unused classroom in the old building where I am sure we could get some private time among the 1500 students of Hyotei Gakuen.

"What are you doing here actually, onee-san?" I let go of her hand and turned around to ask her. She tilted her head.

"To see you and Keigo-kun obviously," she said.

"And both kaa-san and Daddy are fine with that?"

"Of course, Daddy and I even had a hearty dinner last night to welcome me home. You were meant to join, but that Oshitari person called home and said you were spending the night at his place. Ah, by the way. Speaking of him, I advise you to stay away from him."

"Why?" I asked, confused. Where did the sudden resentment towards Oshitari-san came from?

"He's not good for you," she said. Then the bell rang and leaving me full of questions, she walked out of the classroom. "Listen to my advice. I know what I am saying."

I stood there for a full minute before snapping back into focus and walk back to my class.

---

"Ah, today was so tiring," I complained and stretched in my seat and rolled my shoulders trying to loosen the knot that's been building up. Shishido-san did not reply as usual, so I turned around to look at him. He was half-asleep on his desk. I banged my hand on the table in front of him. "SHISHIDO-SAN!"

He jumped up, startled, but was fully awake.

"Is it time to go home?" he yawned. It was raining again outside. It's that time of the year after all.

"No, we're going to celebrate Mukahi-kun's birthday in the clubroom," I said and stood up, pulling at his arm. "Let's go!"

He yawned again, but got up anyway. I shook Jirou awake and told him about the party and he quickly went into 'active mode'.

"Izumi! Izumi! You're coming too right?"

"Well, Keigo-kun asked me to, but…" Izumi trailed off and looked a bit uncomfortable.

"Yay, then let's go," Jirou said and held Izumi's hand, the latter who only shrugged and followed us. Shishido nudged me and I turned to look at him with a confused face.

"What?"

He pointed to Izumi's and Jirou's direction that were walking a few paces in front of us, still locking hands.

"What am I suppose to see?" I whispered back to him. He rolled his eyes as if to tell me I am dense and something like that coming from him sounds, who might as well be called the King of Dense of Hyotei, sounds like an insult.

"Are you really so stupid?" he whispered back as we walked down the stairs. I shot him a scowl. He rolled his eyes. "Sorry I asked, I mean you can't even tell that Oshitari-,"

"Shishido-san!"

We both turned our heads to see Ootori-kun. "Ootori-kun!"

"Choutaro! What are you doing here?" Shishido-san asked.

"We're all going the same way anyway," he said. "Good to see you again, Ishiki-senpai!"

"You too," I said to him and quickly turn back to Shishido-san. "What were you saying about Oshitari-san?"

Shishido-san looked uncomfortable and he gulped. Ootori-kun looked back and forth between the two us, and then he looked like he realized something.

"Shishido-san! Did you..!?"

"No! I almost did! But I didn't thanks to you interrupting me!"

"What are the two of you talking about?" I asked, confused.

"Shishido-san! Watch what you say next time," Ootori-kun said with a frown. Why are they talking about this so openly in front of me?

"What is it? What is it? What about Oshitari-san?"

"What about me?"

"Oshitari-san!" I said and ran back up the stairs towards him. "They won't tell me!"

"What were you going to tell her?"

Shishido-san quickly shook his head. "Nothing, see ya all over there," he said and dashed away with Ootori-kun following closely behind, leaving me and Oshitari-san all alone. I looked at him and shrugged.

"Shall we go?"

He nodded.

---

"Here, since you're both the last ones to arrive, you have to go run some errands," Shishido-san said and handed Oshitari-san and I a piece of paper. Oshitari-san took it and ran over the list. "It's the batsu game for being the last. Hurry back before Gakuto comes. We don't know how much longer Hiyoshi can keep him distracted, so don't waste time."

He disappeared back into the clubroom and we both stood outside. "What errands are we supposed to run?"

He folded the piece of paper and pocketed it. "Just to get some things from the storage room. I can do it by myself. Just stay here."

"I'll go with you," I say and followed after him. We walked over to the storage room behind the school where they kept almost everything in there. He switched on the lights, but it was still dim and dark inside.

"Find candles and some party decorations," he said and disappeared into a corner. I walked toward the other side of the storage room and move around some boxes. Candles… candles…

"Oshitari-san… nee… Oshitari-san?"

"Hm?" his voice drifted back towards me through the dark. I could not see him through the dimness.

"How are the boxes sorts in here?"

"I am not sure. Alphabetical?"

I looked at the box I was holding. It was labeled 'Unused uniform'. I pushed it back into the rack and walked over towards Oshitari-san.

"Oshitari-san? What are you looking at?" I peeked over him.

"Old library books," he said and pointed to the label before placing the box back into its rack. O is close to P, so I skimmed the rack beside it. "Izumu, why do you call me 'Oshitari-san'?"

"Eh?" the question was so sudden it took me off guard. "Because it's polite…?"

"Try calling me by my name," he said. I stood up straight and turn around and almost screamed when I saw how close he was to me. When did he get so close, and why is he leaning down on me like that? I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"W-what for?" I choke out.

"I want to hear you say it," he whispers and I can feel his fingers twirling my hair.

"O-Oshitari-san?"

"No, 'Yuushi'… Say it."

"I can't," I said and feel the heat invading my cheeks.

"Why not?"

"It's so embarrassing," I pouted and looked away.

"Just try it," he persisted and I just have to relent.

"Y-Yuu.. Yuu… Yuu… Yuu… Ohitari-san," I stuttered.

"Try again," he said. I breathed in.

"Y-Yuu… Yuu… Yuu… Yuushi!" I said in one breath and turned around so I won't have to see him.

"Good girl. Say it again."

"Don't make me," I whine. He smirked, but it only lasted for a fraction of a second that I wasn't entirely sure that he actually did.

He stood back up moving around me to pick up a box like I didn't just humiliate myself. "I found what we're looking for. Let's go back before they start sending a search party."

Still feeling the heat on my face, I nodded and walked after him.

---

Choutaro handed the last piece of cake to Izumu. She took it and mumbled a thank you before running back to Yuushi's side. Choutaro eyed them as they stood closer to each other than usual, especially on Yuushi's part.

"Ootori? Is it all finish? Go clear it away."

Choutaro jumped in his spot. Standing next to him was his captain, speaking to him. He blanked out for a moment before snapping back to focus.

"Oh, uh… yeah…" he said and carries the box away from the table, sending a quick hurried glance at Yuushi and Izumu. He shrugged and walked away. Keigo caught Choutaro's eyes wandering and he instinctively followed. His tightened his jaw and almost break the fork he was holding in one hand. He set his empty plate down on the nearest table and meant to walk over there when a hand on his forearm stopped him.

"Keigo-kun, don't do something you'll regret," Izumi told him. "Calm down first."

Keigo took a deep breath and Izumi directed him away from the scene.

Izumu turned around right at that time to see Keigo walking away with Izumi. She tried her best to keep her face straight.

"Izumu?" Izumu snapped up towards Yuushi.

"Y-yes?"

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, never felt better," she lied to her teeth. "Let's go elsewhere, Yuushi!"

Yuushi's eyes widened, but he let a small smile play on his lips.

"Where do you want to go?"

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