“What’s that?” Staci eyed the steno-pad her boyfriend was flipping through.

Anji lowered the steno-pad on the table, and sighed in defeat. “It’s Keiko’s note, for what they’re worth, which isn’t much, sad to say.” He lightly scratched the side of his jaw, his eyes looking at some imaginary object in the distance.

Silence hung between the two, until Anji had no choice but to look back at Staci. A mild expression of guilt crossed his face. “What?”

Staci pulled her lips to a thin line. “Were you going to show them to Rina-san?”

“Wh--? Where is this coming from, all of a sudden?” Anji felt his face flush. He had been planning on taking it to Rina, as they had agreed to continue the investigation where Keiko had left off. Looking at how Staci’s eyes had started to glisten with worry—wait—worry over what?!

How much more am I supposed to take before I say something, Anji?” Staci quietly said. “I understand your wanting to protect your sister, but how did Rina-san ever get involved?” Staci put a hand to her chest. “I’m Keiko’s friend! More than Rina ever has been! She’s only worried about protecting Nakaijima and her little ‘administration.’”

Anji looked down to the steno-pad. “That’s only half true…”

“Really? Would Rina-san ever consider Keiko’s feelings about this?” Staci folded her arms and continued in an accusatory tone. “Like, does Keiko even know you have her notes?” Her eyes narrowed as she watched Anji’s guilty shrug give him away.

“She probably hasn’t even noticed, the idiot.” Anji sulked. Nothing was more emasculating than being scolded by your girlfriend.

“But when she does.” Staci held out her hand. “Give them to me.”

Anji straightened up. “Huh? Why?”

“I’m going to give them back. It’s much more likely that she’ll forgive me if I was the one to take them.” Staci winked. “I can just say that we were alone in your bedroom, and--”

“I got it, I got it!” Anji cut Staci off. He shoved the steno-pad into her hands, his face glowing red at the mere suggestion—

An accomplished expression now occupied the place where Staci’s worried frown vacated. She welcomed the memo into her possession, and smiled. “Now what’s got you all coy?” I guess I don’t have to worry about Rina-san, now. Staci flipped the memo shut, and tucked it into her purse.

The Unicorn Academy : Episode 17

Jiro’s Snitch! Who Rats Keiko Out?! 

“Why didn’t you have them with you?” Kakeru had a haughty tone in his voice.

Regardless of it suiting him, Keiko loathed it nonetheless. What right did he have to—

--oh, wait. Just an hour ago she was going to give him those notes.

“I’ve given up.” Keiko kept digging through her things, knowing full well that they weren’t going to find it. I know where I left it. I didn’t lose it. It was taken. Probably by the same people who broke in and cut off my hair. Keiko absent-mindedly stroked the back of her neck, touching skin and fabric where her ponytail used to be.

Another hand bumped hers, and she jerked away, spinning to face Kakeru. He was looking at her critically, his slender violinist’s fingers messing the scruffy strands falling on the back of Keiko’s neck. “You’re cuter with short hair.”

Keiko felt her pulse begin to race. This was unreal. Why was the star of the Unicorn Academy expressing such tender gestures? While they were both—

“A cuter boy, you mean.” Why was she sabotaging what might be her only high school kiss was a mystery to her. Not that she was sure that was exactly what was happening, but—

When did she get so laid-back about this?! Keiko’s eyes widened, and she was about to protest when she felt Kakeru pull her forward. The room spun, and she found herself bowing nearly into Kakeru’s lap. “Uh…”

Kakeru’s blushing face was conveniently out of Keiko’s sight. “Of course as a boy, you idiot.” He grumbled, and roughly pushed her to the side.

Keiko caught herself, and glared up at Kakeru. “Hey! You know, I’m delicate anyway!”

Kakeru crawled up from the floor, and dusted off his pants. “You have too much stuff to be a real guy.”

Keiko pouted. “Some of it can’t be helped…”

“Well, I’ve done my good deed for the day.” Kakeru disdainfully looked ahead. “I should get going.”

Keiko remained seated on the floor, watching Kakeru gather his things. “Where to?”

“A part-time job.” Kakeru picked up his violin case, and flung his briefcase over his shoulder.

“A job?” Keiko echoed.

“That’s what I said.” Kakeru walked through the doorway. “I’m not telling you where, so don’t bother following me.”

Setsuko rounded the corner and stopped short of bumping into Kakeru. “Ah!”

“Ah!” Kakeru replied. Keiko swore she saw his face light up. Grrr…

“Shiranui-kun. Part time job?” Setsuko smiled politely.

Don’t you dare smile back. Keiko silently threatened the violinist. Even so, even moreso, he ignored her.

Kakeru let out a smile of humility. “Feels more like part-time.”

“Have a good time, then.” Setsuko bowed, and then redirected her attention to Keiko.

Kakeru cast Keiko a last warning glance before heading off.

Keiko made sure he got a healthy glare back. What was that for? I ain’t gonna steal your chick.

“Shall we go to the café?” Setsuko sweetly suggested.

Eh? Keiko turned to Setsuko. “I’m sorry?”

“Where Shiranui-kun works.” Setsuko tilted her head and shrugged gently. “I have extra clothes. And…a bit of makeup…” Setsuko gasped as Keiko took both her hands and cupped them in hers. “Eh?”

Keiko’s eyes glistened behind her glasses. “As I thought, Otaru’s girlfriend is so kind!”

Setsuko made an embarrassed scrunch of her face, and looked away. “That’s not…”

“Let’s get going!” Keiko’s sudden enthusiasm silenced the demure girl. “I mean, if Kakeru’s playing, then it must be standing room only, right?”

Were it anyone but Setsuko, then perhaps someone would have brought Keiko’s suspicious behavior to her attention. But the transformation from Fujishige Kei to Amuro Keiko went smoothly, without any interruption. They snuck into the Phoenix School dormitories with no trouble, and in an hour Fujishige Kei was no where to be seen.

Setsuko looked on in awe. “Otaru-kun was right. You’re beautiful.”

Keiko’s cheeks burned. “Thank you.” She looked at her reflection, and gave a satisfied smile. That’s right. He thinks I’m cute. A small victory, somehow…She sighed, and pouted out her glossy lips. “But he thinks I’m dating ‘Kei.’”

Setsuko stood next to Keiko in the mirror. “That’s ironic, isn’t it?”

Easy for you to be so smug. You’ve got two guys who adore you. Keiko resentfully envied.

A knock sounded, and both girls turned away from the mirror.

“Who could that be?” Keiko wondered out loud. Setsuko left Keiko’s side and went to answer the door. Keiko observed herself in the mirror critically. She didn’t remember clothes being this snug on her before. Given Setsuko was smaller than her, but also, boy’s clothes were loose-fitting in general.

She leaned forward and examined the modest cleavage in her reflection. “I had forgotten I had boobs.” She muttered. She looked up in the reflection to Otaru in the doorway. She spun around and froze, staring in disbelief that she would have so unwittingly walked into this very situation.

Their eyes locked on each other, and all went still, save for the racing heart in Keiko’s chest. This is bad. This is dangerous. This is exactly what I was trying to avoid!

An amused expression crossed Setsuko’s face. “Oh my, you two haven’t met?”

Keiko shot Setsuko a look. You had this planned, did you?

“Fujishige-san has said so much about you.” Otaru stepped towards Keiko, who apprehensively stepped back.

I did not! Keiko defended silently, her heart pounding a thousand beats per second. “Ah-ha-ha-ha!” She giggled slightly. “Surely you must be joking!” She shot Setsuko a pleading look, begging to be rescued.

“I invited Amuro-san along to observe Shiranui-kun’s playing this evening.” Setsuko stated, as though it were the most natural thing. “She doesn’t get out nearly enough, so--”

Keiko and Setsuko exchanged glances. This wasn’t too far from the truth, actually. Even as a Phoenix student, Keiko never involved herself in the matters of the Unicorn Academy.

“Are you sure that’s what you want to be doing?” Otaru gave Setsuko a concerned look.

Setsuko beamed. “Definitely!” She looked to Keiko. “Well? Do you have everything together?”

Keiko scrambled around for the purse Setsuko had lent her. “Y-yeah! Ready to go!”

The three teenagers made their way to a small open-air café without any interruptions. The only complain being that Otaru appeared distracted by Keiko’s presence. He was unable to carry out a meaningful conversation unless Keiko contributed somehow. This both frustrated and frightened Keiko. Was there an inkling of recognition in all those sideways glances?

As expected, the café was a full house, with a modestly-sized queue trailing out of the doorway onto the sidewalk.

“Wow, it looks like we’ll be waiting for at least half an hour at this rate.” Setsuko observed.

“Not that the wait is so bad. Look.” Otaru pointed out the white-iron gates with tea candles lining the top. Hanging baskets lit up with white illumination, “It’s like a setting straight out of Shakespeare.”

“Or Jane Austen.” Setsuko smiled in a swoony appreciation.

Keiko searched her mind, trying to come up with another parallel to mirror their romantic sentiment. But she barely knew Jane Austen and Shakespeare, short of their movies.

A waiter came by, offering glasses of iced tea to everyone waiting for a seat. Keiko’s eyes followed, and landed on Jiro and Staci seated near the gazebo where the speakers and music equipment were being set up. What the--?! Keiko stepped forward, but took care not to get out of line. What’s Staci doing with Jiro?! She felt the urge to eavesdrop—

“Amuro-san.” Otaru offered her a glass of tea.

Keiko stumbled back a bit, and looked up to Otaru with wide eyes. “What?”

“You should keep cool in this heat.” He held up the tea for her to take. “It’s cooling off now, with the sunset, but still. You should hydrate yourself.” 

 

Keiko felt a sudden flash of familiarity in this situation—a feeling which caused her appreciation to swell beyond the simple gratitude for a cold drink—

“Go ahead.” Otaru took one of her hands, and placed it on the dewy, cold glass.

Keiko stared up to Otaru in disbelief. Is this how she would be treated if—if he knew? Or if, perhaps, Fujishige Kei was to just disappear…how then, would this be..?

“Ah! There he is!” Setsuko reached past them to point out the slender violinist who stepped onto the gazebo podium.

Keiko strained her eyes to get a good look. Kakeru practically blended in with the black and white music stands and other frail-looking members of the quartet. “Ah. There he is.” Keiko echoed, though she was more interested in what Jiro and Staci were doing…

“So what’s got you so worried about that?” Jiro kept watching the quartet set up. “Do you really think Nimai is a threat to your so-called relationship with Amuro?” Hi silently let the question hang in the air for a moment before turning his head towards the girl. He arched an eyebrow curiously. “You told me you were doing it just to keep tabs on the neighbor. Don’t tell me you’ve gone and fallen for the guy.”

“He’s my best friend’s brother, Jiro-kun.” Staci forced out.

“You’re losing your touch.” Jiro lifted his iced coffee and stared ahead at the quartest as they tuned. “Unless you’re crazy enough to actually want to be found out.”

Staci turned and looked straight at Jiro. “What would you care? As soon as you graduate, you’re out of here! You don’t have to worry about facing the truth next year--”

Jiro lifted a hand to silence her. “They’re starting soon. Let’s watch.”

Keiko tried to conceal her blush as Otaru offered her and Setsuko their seats. She couldn’t shake this feeling. It was just so odd having Otaru treat her like a girl after months of being “one of the guys.”

Otaru seated himself next to Setsuko, keeping a noticeable distance from Keiko so he could watch her. Keiko noted this action with a twinge of resentment compounded with excitement. What did he think of her? Was she being as odd as she felt? Her heart wouldn’t stop pounding. She quickly looked away and decided to focus her attention on the musicians.

Kakeru took no notice of all the classmates scattered amidst the patrons. It was nothing extraordinary. This was a popular place for the upper-class student body of the sister schools. It wasn’t good to think that any of them were there for him. It just added unnecessary pressure on himself. Additionally, that way of thinking was only suited for a soloist. Tonight he was a member of a quartet. He daren’t threaten that dynamic.

He turned the page of the ensemble’s first piece for the evening.

Keiko snapped to attention as the musicians fell into a unison ensemble. Her ears opened, and she blocked out all outside noise to focus on what Kakeru had to say—not through spoken word, but through the crescendos and chords of the music. This was his way of communicating.

Otaru sat back and let the two girls get absorbed in Kakeru’s performance. It was inevitable. The Unicorn Academy was full of talented individuals—the simple fact is what merited its high tuition—but even so, Kakeru stood apart as a young musical prodigy. Gentle-spirited people with a love for the beautiful always fell under a spell with the young violinist on stage.

“I’m glad we came.” Jiro spoke just loud enough above the music to break Staci out of her spell.

Staci’s consciousness returned back to the table, and back to the boy next to her.

“It’s really good to see Kakeru gaining some recognition while paying for his tuition.” Jiro clicked his tongue and shook his head. “What asshole parents, you’d think they’d meet him halfway, at least.”

Staci couldn’t help it. Her eyes watered. “The poor guy.” She knew where this was going.

Jiro looked to Staci through the corner of his eye. No smile, just seriousness. “If you think about it, Obari-sama is the only family he has, really.”

Staci put her fingers around her coffee, and stared at it. She tried not to let Jiro’s words get to her. Burying what she knew about the music hall wasn’t going to make it go away. But Jiro really thought so, and he was graduating in a few months.

So was he just trying to keep her quiet long enough to he could graduate scot-free? So if she did confess, she would go down alone?

Kakeru’s violin-playing rang in her ears. But she wouldn’t go down alone.

Jiro reached over to Staci, and placed a hand softly over hers. “Look at him, Staci-chan.”

Staci shook her head. “Don’t make me, Jiro-kun.” Her voice shook, her emotion being held back with the last ounce of self-control she had.

Jiro smiled. “Go on. I won’t force you.” His voice was gentle, full of understanding and sympathy. But his eyes reflected knowledge and control.

Staci lifted her cool blue eyes, lined with hot tears threatening to spill over her long lashes. Kakeru played on, not caring about her, or Setsuko, Otaru, or even Keiko. He just kept playing, as if everything had gone away.

“Do you really want it to get out?” Jiro watched Staci’s eyes closely, wagering on when the tears would finally trail over to the beautiful girl’s cheeks. “Have Obari-sama resign, and Kakeru over there loses his only chance at the elite education he so deserves…”

Staci looked back down at her coffee. Kakeru-kun, forgive me..!

 

 

“Wow, look at him.” Setsuko admired.

Keiko and Otaru both focused in on Kakeru, whose expert playing and flying fingers were the object of Setsuko’s current affection.

“Is he even thinking?” Keiko wondered out loud. A smile found its way to her face. She knew that guy up there. She knew him.

“You have to wonder sometimes.” Setsuko sighed wistfully, a smile appearing to match Keiko’s. “Sometimes, after practicing so much, you can lose yourself in the feeling. That’s when you play with your intuition…” Setsuko giggled. “Kakeru used to scold me when I did that. He would get angry that we’d practice and practice—only for me to drift off to la-la land when we finally had to do a once-through.”

The three went silent again. Setsuko sighed again. “Aah…we’ve lost him for sure. Look at how happy he is.”

Keiko and Otaru both watched the quartet. Kakeru’s eyes were lowered, focused on the music stand. But as the other players would turn the pages, Kakeru was always a beat off, and would turn the pages late.

“If he’s not thinking about the music, what is he thinking, I wonder?” Otaru mused, and gave a curious nod to Keiko.

Wh—he—was he starting a conversation with her?

“I dunno…what do you think about when you’re daydreaming?” Keiko smiled bac, taking her eyes off Kakeru and onto Otaru for a moment.

His energetic smile was calmer, his green eyes more muted than normal. Rather than feeling uplifted and refreshed by his presence, Keiko felt pushed back, pierced down by his watching her. His smile was different. It was restrained and reserved—the kind used for a stranger, not for a best friend.

When Fujishige is gone…will I ever see that real Otaru again? Keiko looked back to Kakeru. After this, I feel closer to knowing the real Kakeru, or the real Setsuko…

She turned back to the girl who had started al this—and a pang of guilt stabbed her at what she saw. “Setsuko-san…” Keiko whispered. The girl stared on at the quartet, watching intently as the tears of regret streamed down her face.

Otaru looked to Setsuko, and took her hand gently. Keiko quickly looked away.

“We can go, Setsuko-chan.” Otaru whispered.

“No…I want to stay.” Setsuko whispered back, not bothering to dab away her tears.

“You’re the only one holding on to this, Staci-chan.” Jiro continued to watch the performance. “Shiranui-kun and Kizawa-san have both moved on, along with the rest of the school. Are you really going to take this on alone?”

“No!” Staci protested, maybe a little too loudly.

“Mm?” Jiro looked up curiously.

“I’m not the only one!” Staci looked straight at the class president—before realizing her slip. “I mean--”

“Hmm…is that so, now…” Jiro droned, boring through Staci with suspicious eyes. “Someone’s pressure you into this, then?”

“No! It’s not that!” Staci tried to recover from her mistake, but she knew that everything was unraveling now.

Jiro leaned forward, and he lowered his voice. “Well, whoever’s behind your change of heart better keep to himself, or else he’ll be on the bench so fast--”

Anji-kun! Staci’s eyes went round. “It’s not Anji-kun! It’s Fujishige!!” She slapped her hands over her mouth.

Jiro’s eyes narrowed to slits. Staci knew right then that she had blown it.

Otaru stood from his chair, helping Setsuko to her feet.

Keiko remained seated, looking up to the two in confusion. “He’s not finished yet!”

“He won’t be for a while still.” Setsuko dried her cheeks with the back of her hand. “He’s paid by the hour.”

Otaru’s eyes widened. “Not by the song?”

Keiko didn’t quite understand, but she picked up on the idea that this was not normal.

Setsuko looked down, frowning slightly.

“He’s worth more than that.” Otaru hissed.

Keiko stood, and took her purse. “Let’s go.” All of this is depressing me. She darkly thought as they walked out of the café.

The three walked alone down the street in silence for a while. There was still some awkwardness about Setsuko’s sudden crying spell.

Setsuko broke the silence by making a noisy stretch. “Ah, what I’d do to heart Shiranui-kun’s scolding like before, just once more.” She turned and looked to Keiko and Otaru with a bashful smile. “But I can hardly hold a bow, let alone playing chopsticks. Doing a sonata ever again would be a joke.”

“Setsuko-chan...” Otaru started.

“Don’t think that way!” Keiko protested, which caused Setsuko to turn around. She swallowed, realizing she just stuck her nose into yet another thing thatdidn’t concern her. “You’re admired and remembered by everyone! You had something great, you know what it’s like…” Keiko looked to Otaru who was absorbed in what she was saying. Her cowardice was telling her to shut up, but her pride was egging her on. “People like you, and Kakeru, and Otaru—kun.” Keiko quickly tagged on the formality. “You all are something special, something that won’t fade away just ‘cause of some misfortune!” It’s you guys! You guys change the world for the rest of us!” 

 

“Keiko-san…” Setsuko turned around completely.

This is Amuro’s sister..? Otaru watched with keen interest. How could Sempai be so quiet about someone like her?

“Beethoven went deaf before he wrote his most famous symphonies!” I think. Keiko tried something more familiar. “And! And! Just look at Kakeru! His parents practically disowned him over nothing! You don’t see him giving up! Even after--” She paused, realizing she was about to blow her cover right then and there. Even after I broke his violin…”And you! You have so many people who love you! Who’d give you the world if they could! So maybe you have to make a change in your plans—so what?! You still know music! Right?” Keiko took a breath. She realized she’d been ranting. “I mean…”

Setsuko pulled Keiko into a tight hug. “Thank you, Keiko-san.” She whispered softly. “Thank you. Kakeru-kun, Otaru-kun—we are who we are for people like you.”

Stopping at the ever-familiar gates of the Unicorn Academy, spirits were high as the students exchanged parting formalities.

“I really look forward to the concert now!” Keiko said with an almost saccharine sweetness.

“If tonight was any indication.” Otaru agreed.

“It’ll be an exceptional send-off for the seniors.” Setsuko brightly finished. “With any luck, Shiranui-kun could get a free ride his final year.”

“Let’s keep our fingers crossed.” Keiko held up both hands to make the gesture. “Well, then…” She said in closing. She took a few steps back from the other two.

Both Setsuko and Otaru blinked.

“Where are you going, Keiko-san?” Setsuko asked.

“Just a walk—I’ll catch up with you later.” Keiko smiled and waved. I’m gonna enjoy being a girl just a bit longer. “Maybe I’ll swing by and see my brother.” Since he’s obviously not with Staci.

“Alright! Don’t be too long!” Setsuko called. “It might be the weekend, but there’s still a curfew!”

“Right!” Keiko called before turning her heel.

Otaru turned to Setsuko, who smiled and shrugged towards Keiko. He paused for a moment, and looked to the girl who walked away. Not a word exchanged between the two friends. Otaru started after her.

“Amuro-san!” Otaru’s voice called Keiko’s name, causing her heart to skip.

She turned around, and did her best not to smile. “Otaru-kun.”

Otaru joined her at her side. “Not to speak poorly of my classmates, but I would feel better if you were accompanied on this campus.”

Keiko smiled wryly. “Accompanied by you, you mean?” She watched Otaru blush uncomfortably. Now that’s not playing fair! She scolded herself. You’d never be comfortable teasing him if you didn’t already know him!

“You don’t want to see Fujishige-kun?” Otaru changed the subject.

Keiko felt her stomach turn. “I’d rather not talk about him.”

Otaru, being the sharp fellow he was, dropped it. “What you said back there.” The two stopped at a fountain in the central rear garden, behind the headmaster’s office. “To Setsuko…”

“If I was out of line, I apologize.” Keiko interrupted. “It just drives me mad to see Setsuko-san so down on herself, as though it was her fault.”

“It’s not that.” Otaru slipped his hands into his pockets, and turned to face the fountain. “Setsuko and Kakeru are exceptional people. You are right when you say that they’ll change the world.” He turned to Keiko, and stared at her with an uncharacteristic seriousness. “But you included me in that group. And we’ve only just met.”

Shit. Keiko tensed. She felt her pulse begin to race. Think fast. Think fast. “Well, Fujishige-kun has told me about you…” Great, now all I am doing is putting this off until I can handle this as a guy.

Otaru stepped towards her, observing her closer. “You really don’t look a thing like your brother.”

Keiko flushed. She fidgeted. Couldn’t he see how flustered he was making her? “I get that a lot…” She coiled away slightly when she realized that Otaru was finger a few strands of hair by her ear. Ooooh God…She tried not to, but Keiko looked up to Otaru, trying to read his peculiar behavior.

“Your hair is shorter, too.” Otaru stated quietly, fading off, as though expected Keiko to cut him off with another excuse.

He knows! He knows!!! Keiko caught her breath, her eyes widening. “Otaru, I--”

“Sempai, I’m sorry.” He pushed some of Keiko’s hair from her face, and leaned in closer.

Her pounded heart exploded into a panic. Not now! Not like this! “Otaru, please--!” Keiko could feel his fingers start to press into her scalp. Tears of failure started to sting her eyes.

“—I fell in love with a photograph…” Otaru closed what little space was between them, pressing his lips onto hers calmly.

Keiko closed her eyes, letting the rushing sound of the water drown out her thoughts. For a moment, she could forget about Fujishige Kei and remember her true self. The smell of chlorine was so clean, the night time Spring air was slightly chilly, and the taste of cinnamon and peppermint lingered on her best friend’s lips.

Otaru’s fingers softened, and slid down to the base of Keiko’s neck. He pulled away, and the two stared at each other.

Keiko was breathless. No. She couldn’t let this happen. She couldn’t let this happen. She couldn’t handle this while she was living a double life. She had to keep the two separated. “Don’t tell him what you just did.” She whimpered with wide eyes.

Otaru stared back at her with equally wide eyes. “I…I’m sorry, Amuro-san.”

Keiko pulled away, staring at him in disbelief. So he didn’t know? She didn’t know what to think. “I…I should get going.” Keiko stepped back, finally shedding the last few of Otaru’s fingers on her skin. “Just…forget about this, okay?”

“I won’t.” Otaru didn’t follow. “You’re wrong, people like you are no less forgettable from people like Setsuko, or Kakeru.”

“Then try to forget it.” Keiko turned her back to walk away. “I’m not real, Otaru-kun. Not by a long shot.”

“Then show me what is real!” Otaru grabbed Keiko’s shoulder and spun her around.

“Let me go!” Keiko threw a fist at him, and it was dumb luck that it connected with Otaru’s jaw.

Otaru stumbled back, holding his jaw where the girl hit him.

They both stared at each other in shock. A moment of silence hung as they both stood in disbelief of what just happened.

It finally clicked with Keiko. She flailed her arms. “Oh my gosh! Are you okay?!”

“If I say ‘yes,’ will you hit me again?” Otaru rubbed the spot where he was socked.

“It was an accident!” Otaru whined. “I thought you were--”

“What?” Otaru smiled. “Kiss you again?”

Keiko blushed at the thought.

Otaru dusted himself off. “Well, that was fun!” He stretched his arms and flexed his shoulders. “I’ve never been punched by a girl before!”

“Uh—we should put something on that…” Keiko suggested in complete awkwardness.

Otaru stared up at Keiko in silence. He was outstretched on the floor of the vacant bedroom, which belong to Anji and Fujishige—though neither were there.

Keiko knelt next to Otaru, reapplying cold compresses where she had hit him. She looked back at him, trying to think of something intelligent to say. “Don’t try looking up my skirt.” Was the best she could come up with.

“Wouldn’t it be better in the nurse’s station?” Otaru’s green eyes followed Keiko’s hands. “If either one of them shows up right now…”

“They won’t.” Keiko insisted, and felt the need to explain. “I mean—they won’t misunderstand…”

Otaru studied her face, and smiled slightly again. “Well, I guess I can relax, then. It’s my own fault for winding up like this.”

“I’m the one that punched you.” Keiko corrected.

“It wasn’t bad enough for ice.” Otaru chirped cutely. “Fortunately for me, you hit like the girl you are.”

Fortunate for us both. Keiko thought.

“I meant what I said, back there.” Otaru cut into Keiko’s thoughts. “Even if it sounds crazy.”

“Otaru-kun, I…” Keiko started, but was interrupted by the opening of the door behind her.

“Are you crazy going out wi--” Kakeru burst in mid-rant, causing Keiko to grimace and Otaru to sit up quickly. Kakeru’s face matched Keiko’s—a look of violation mixed with embarrassment.

Kakeru stood in the doorway, looking down his nose at the two. “I see the two of you have finally met.”

Keiko stood, straightening out her skirt. “No one’s here right now, Kakeru-kun.”

“You’re here.” Kakeru stated obstinately.

Keiko scowled. “I am not who you are looking for.”

“You’re as good as any.” He reached over and took her by the arm. “Come on.”

“O-ow! Hey!” Keiko stumbled over her own feet as Kakeru dragged her out of her own bedroom. The door slammed behind them, and they were alone in the hallway.

Keiko narrowed her eyes and folded her arms over her chest. “Do you mind?”

“You’re way to comfortable with this.” Kakeru scolded.

“Comfortable with…” Keiko faded off, expecting Kakeru to finish her sentence.

Kakeru clenched his jaw. Keiko watched his throat flare, ready to snap a bitter retort at her, but the door opened, and Otaru stepped out.

“Excuse me.” Otaru quietly said, holding the cold compress to his face. “I best be getting back, if you don’t mind.”

Both Kakeru and Keiko snapped their attention to Otaru, withering glares on their faces.

“You…” Kakeru stepped towards Otaru threateningly. “You stay away from Keiko-san, do you hear me?!”

“Kakeru! Stop it!” Keiko tried to intercede between the two.

“What’s gotten into you, Shiranui-kun?!” Otaru backed up.

“What’s this?” A commanding voice rose over the ruckus. The trio jumped to their separate corners when they identified that voice as Headmaster Obari’s.

“Shuu-san.” Kakeru’s temper immediately quelled.

Keiko felt her face flush again. It was just her luck that she would be a girl for once with Obari-sama there! This was fate, wasn’t it?”

And he did notice her! Yes! “Have we…met?” He asked her. Totally swoon-worthy.

Keiko felt short of breath. “M-maybe…”

Kakeru flat-stared at the scene. “Should we leave you two alone?”

“Did you need me to escort you home, Miss?” Obari offered his hand in a charming manner.

“Oh, I was just going, I don’t want to trouble you…” Keiko feigned bashfulness. 

 

“No trouble, none at all.” Obari smiled.

Father my children!! Keiko mentally screamed.

He escorted her down the hallway. “This way, Miss.”

Keiko snapped back to reality with a quick smack to the back of her head. “Ow!” She glared at Kakeru, who in actuality never left her side.

“A mosquito.” Kakeru claimed innocently.

“Why you..!” Keiko poised herself to hit him back.

“Kakeru.” Obari spoke up. “I need to speak with you. About Fujishige-kun.”

All three teenagers looked to Obari with round eyes. “Eh?”

“Did something happen?” Otaru asked.

Obari looked to Otaru, as though just noticing his presence. “No. Please excuse us.” Turning to Kakeru, he nodded down the hallway, and turned to walk away.

Kakeru was expected to follow. He turned back to the other two. “Go home.” He started to follow Obari, but caught Keiko by the wrist. “You.”

Keiko made a fist with the hand Kakeru had seized. She looked up to him, her eyes hard and resentful.

“Wait here for your brother.” He ordered, and released her. “I’m going to see what trouble Fujishige has gotten himself into this time.”

END EPISODE 17

Coming soon! Episode 18: Otaru’s Betrayal! Why Did You Kiss Me? 

Go Back To Episode Index