บท 9: After School Fun Time
The classroom went silent when the cold voice spoke. I could feel everyone's stares filled with curiosity. Even Yuu, who came to greet me, went silent and stood off to the side with Akira.
"...Do you need something from me, Tanaka-san?" I was just about to stand up when he spoke and had to sit back down.
"Yes, but first I must ask a question. Where were you during recess?" Tatsuya's tone was chilling to the bone. I couldn't resist shivering.
See? See!? I told you he was mad and would take it out on me!
"I-I had to tutor someone." As soon as I finished speaking, I heard something break.
Everyone in the classroom turned to see the Raging Dragon had broken the back of his chair. The wood had given out under his hand and was now full of splinters, and chips of wood had fallen around it. I met his glare that promised pain if I mentioned anything about him. I chewed my cheek.
I turned back from the burning gaze to meet the freezing one.
"Tutoring? I see." Tatsuya looked displeased. "How often will you be tutoring?"
"Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays." I promptly answered. The frost in Tatsuya's eyes lessened a bit as he pushed up his glasses.
"Very well. On the days you are free, you are to report to me in the library. As we have an audience,-" Tatsuya's frigid blue eyes leered at the crowd of students who haven't moved since he started talking. After being jolted by a chilly gust of wind, our classmates went back to packing and leaving. "-I will discuss further matters tomorrow. Do not be late." Tatsuya warned with one last icy glare before leaving.
The room temperature immediately went back to normal. I shivered from the sudden change along with several other people in the classroom. I glanced back to see if the dragon was still there, but he had also disappeared as soon as the conversation ended.
"Uhm, are you okay, Haru?" The voice was sweet and warm unlike the previous person who spoke to me.
"Ah...yeah." I hesitated to reply to Yuu. I wanted to say no, but that would lead to a conversation and we know that leads to friendliness.
"Geez, first the Raging Dragon and now the Ice King." Yuu's cheeks puffed up like a chipmunk's cheeks full of nuts. I couldn't help but soften at the cute expression.
Wait a second. Ice King?
"Class rep. has a nickname, too?" It's only the second day, and another target has a nickname. Yeesh, they work fast.
"Of course, Haru wouldn't know." Akira, who was silent this whole time, jumped in at the chance to provoke me. "The man's too busy to gossip." Akira finished with a snicker. I flicked his forehead. "Ow!"
"Yuu-kun, we have a club meeting today, right?" I plastered a smile on my face as I heard Akira whining beside me. Yuu nodded. "We should go." I finally got to stand up without interruption.
"Whaaaaat? You're in the same club as Yuu?Why didn't you tell me?" Akira stuck out his bottom lip in a pout as he grabbed my hand. "I thought we were best friends! BFFs tell each other everythinggggg!" Akira cried as he tugged my arm.
"That's funny." I titled my head. "Last I checked, we didn't even exchange phone numbers. So, are we even friends?" I landed the finishing blow with an innocent look.
"..." Akira was stunned, and I took the chance to pull my hand out and leave. "Wait! You can't drop a bomb like that and leave! Give me your phone number!" Akira scrambled to gather his stuff and rushed after Yuu and me.
"Ew! Get away! You have swim practice today, don't you?! Don't be late!" I cringed in disgust and ran away.
Luckily, our clubs meetings were in opposite directions, so he couldn't follow us.
"You and Aki-kun are pretty close, huh?" I was suddenly reminded that someone was next to me.
"Ah? Eh, not really?" I shrugged. "I've only known him since yesterday."
"Really? You guys seem like you've known each since middle school." Yuu pouted as he grasped my sleeve.
"Really. I really don't know him that well." I repeated myself to make it very clear.
Yuu wasn't really the jealous type, per say. After all, he doesn't really hold any "romantic" feelings toward the MC. He only sees her as something to play with. I suppose when he sees her become cuter after falling in love with him, he couldn't hold himself back from wanting to dissect her anymore. That's when he starts putting distance between the MC and those around her, leaving only him. That way, no one would question when she disappears.
But, like, why is he scouting out my relationships already? That only happens after the player enters Yuu's route. What's happening!?
"Okay. I believe you, Haru." Yuu smiled and hugged my arm. I tensed up.
"G-Good." I pulled my arm, but Yuu held steadfast. "Uhm, Yuu-kun, could you let go?"
"...Why?" Yuu peered down into my eyes. I quickly turned my head the other way to avoid his gaze.
"I don't think guys really do this? Also, I'm uncomfortable?" My voice was wavering as I tried not to speak too high in fear of exposing my disguise. Thankfully, Yuu let go.
"Sorry! I just have a really bad habit of clinging to people. You can ask my other friends. They would tell you about it." Yuu lightly blushed from embarrassment.
"Oh, okay." I couldn't think of any other response, but luckily the club room was nearby. Before anything else could happen, I rushed to the door and opened it.
"Oh, it's the two boys!" Someone who appeared to be a senpai greeted us. "Welcome! Please take a seat as we wait for the other members." I nodded and headed for a seat behind the other members who've already arrived.
Of course, Yuu sat right next to me, which then lead to the our seats being the center of attention.
"Yuu-kun! I'm glad you joined!"
"Who's your friend? You're both so cute!"
"Yuu-kun, do remember me from middle school?"
"I heard you're really good at sewing. Is that true, Yuu-kun?"
Haha, I wonder why he's so good with a needle, too. Hahaha...
Well, the girls bombarding Yuu with questions really lifted the focus from me, so I didn't mind the chatter. I sat idly while Yuu conversed and gave input when needed. Soon, all the members arrived, and the president started her welcome speech.
Meetings were everyday, but it was only mandatory for members to attend at least 4 meetings a week. Different days focused on different aspects of home economics, but the president herself admitted they mostly cooked or sewed for fun. Meeting lengths varied depending on what members were doing. Members taught and helped each other. Blah blah blah.
With the introductory speech done, the president gestured to a pile of yarn on a table. She planned for the first meeting's activity to be friendship bracelets, or in this case, club bracelets. Everyone gathered around the table full of colorful string of all shades and textures.
"Haru, do you wanna match? This can be friendship bracelets for us, too!" Yuu excitedly glanced around the pile, looking for the perfect colors.
"Eh, do we have to? That's a little embarrassing." I admitted as I looked at him apprehensively.
I'd rather not have anything that ties me to you. Thank you.
"Haaaruuu!" Yuu immediately looked at me with teary eyes and a pout.
"What's wrong with having a matching set, Suzuki-kun?" One member pipped in.
"Yeah! You should be happy Yuu-kun wants to match with you!" Another came in.
Soon, I was being badgered by everyone no matter what excuse I gave, leaving me no choice but to give in. I glared at Yuu who was silent the whole time I was being swarmed. He simply returned an innocent smile like he didn't plan that.
"What's you favorite color, Haru? We'll make it out of our favorite colors!" Yuu asked me sweetly. "Mine's yellow!"
Are you sure it's not red? Because you really seem to love the red blood gushing out of innocent animals...
"Uhm, blue?" I offered up the first color I happened to look at.
"Oooh! Nice! Is baby blue fine? It'll be cute with the yellow!" Yuu eagerly gathered the two yarns.
Cute, huh... Well, I guess we could pull that off since we are the more feminine looking type of guys. That doesn't really help me look less girly, though...
Not that I really had a say. Yuu pulled me back to our seats before I could say anything.
After everyone had picked their yarns, the president started explaining how to tie the strings to make the bracelet. I struggled a little at first but got the hang of it soon enough. Sadly, my bracelet still came out a bit wonky in the end.
"This is harder than it looks, huh." I mumbled as I compared my finished product to the example the president handed around.
"Do you want me to make yours, Haru?" Yuu offered. I glanced at his to see it was even better than the sample.
Of course, it is!
"Nah, it's fine. Maybe I'll try again another time and compare." I gave a small smile as I tied the bracelet around my wrist. "It's not too shabby."
"You did really good for your first time!" Yuu praised seriously. I couldn't help feeling a bit sheepish.
"No, I didn't. You don't have to tell me that." I fiddled with my bracelet out of embarrassment as I felt heat rush up to my head.
"...Haru?" Hairs instantly raised at the back of my neck. I quickly looked up.
Yuu was smiling like normal, but there was a hint of the real Yuu in his eyes.
"Will you tie mine?" Yuu asked with a light tone.
"O-Okay." I gulped as I was handed the neat bracelet.
I avoided any eye contact as I wrapped the yarn around his wrist. After I finished tying it and was about to pull my hand back, Yuu suddenly grabbed my wrist. I flinched and looked up.
"Has anyone ever told you how cute you are?"
ความคิดของผู้สร้าง 
SkyHighLimits
SkyHighLimits Just gonna leave you with that. ♪(´ε｀ )
Many thanks as always for all your support!
I’ll admit this chapter didn’t quite flow from my hands as fast as the other chapters. I need to start really thinking about fleshing out the story. Like I said before, I just have ideas and an end(? Even that’s uncertain XD). Didn’t really think about the beginning and middle and connecting stuff. ^^; I’m such a good writer, right?
Anyway, until next chapter! <3
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