Disclaimer: I do not own Corpse Party!

Chapter 5: Rumors

3 Months Later/

It was the beginning of December; it was usually Ayumi's favorite time of the year. However, she couldn't feel happy at all. Over the past year she's lost so many friends including a sister. She also managed to lose Kishinuma as a friend, while being pregnant with his baby. At this point the only person in her life was Satoshi.

Back then she'd probably be happy about that since she always wanted Satoshi's affections…

As she headed towards the shopping district she passed by a window with a cradle display. Ayumi approached the window and gazed at the cute set up. She smiled to herself while placing a hand over her stomach. She really needed to start buying some supplies for the baby. She wanted to wait though until her next ultrasound to learn the sex of her baby.

Ayumi faced away from the window and looked up at the gray clouded sky "Hm, is it going to snow?" she said to herself.

She probably should get her shopping done quickly before the snow. She thought to herself as she shoved her gloved hands into her oversized coat's pocket. As she headed towards the clothing store she noticed Yoshiki and Kaoru walking along. Their hands were clasped and they both had this big stupid smile on their faces. Just the sight of them made her heart twitch in agony.

As they headed towards her, Ayumi glanced frantically around as if trying to find an escape route. Just before they crossed the street she ducked into an alleyway. She sighed watching them walk past her as they continued on their merry way. When she felt they were long gone she slipped out from the alleyway and headed towards the clothing store.

When she entered she noticed a few girls from her school pointing at her. One was whispering something in another one's ear. She sighed to herself then walked passed them and simply ignored them. While Ayumi was looking at a dress one of the girl's approached her "Hello Shinozaki!" she smiled.

Ayumi turned to face the girl with a confuse expression "Oh hello?" she guessed there were rumors about her in school. Though, she probably shouldn't be surprised.

The girl scanned the dress in Ayumi's hand "Do you think you'll be able to fit that?" she giggled.

"Um, excuse me?" her eyes narrowed.

Another girl then joined her friend "Yeah? I mean with that tummy of yours." She pointed towards Ayumi's stomach.

"Yeah, you should like work out. Don't you think? It's not a very good image for a class rep to be so fat!"

So the whole school just thought she was getting fat? She wasn't sure which would be worse the gossip she was fat or a rumor she was pregnant. She silently thanked whoever out there was looking out for her. That would mean Yoshiki wouldn't be suspicious of her rapid weight gain. Then again he probably didn't care.

He seemed too busy sucking face with Kaoru to notice anything these days. She sighed and placed the dress back on the hanger "Yeah. Gee I guess you girls are right! I should get right on that!" she sounded surprisingly cheerful even though that fat statement kind of hurt. She just shrugged it off and left the girls.

Yoshiki and Kaoru stopped before a doll shop. He glanced at the doll display in the window and he rubbed his chin as he inspected it. He had no idea what he was looking to give his little sister for Christmas. He knew his sister enjoyed dolls and teacup sets. Perhaps he should hit an antique shop or something of the sort? He glanced at Kaoru and noticed her glancing at a store close by, a jewelry shop.

He smiled "Is there something you like?" he asked her.

Kaoru glanced back at him while turning a light shade of pink "Oh! It's nothing!" she almost felt embarrassed for looking. She knew he wouldn't be able to afford such an expensive gift in his current outcome. She didn't want to make him feel obligated to go out of his way to find her a perfect gift. She then wrapped her arm around his "I'll be happy just spending Christmas with you!"

"You know—." He paused "When a girl says that they usually mean they secretly want a gift." He chuckles.

"Oh? Are you an expert in girls now?" she giggled.

He shrugged "Must be those stupid chick flicks you make me watch." He grinned.

She elbowed him playfully and the two of them laughed together. Then the two of them entered the doll shop and Yoshiki glanced around as if he knew what he was buying. As he scanned through he stopped before one doll. She was dressed in black robes and had a black book resting on her lap. For some reason he couldn't help but feel like that doll is something Ayumi would like—being all cultist like.

He knew that Ayumi seemed to have drifted away from the stuff after the Sachiko Charm. She used to dabble in the cult stuff so much he almost thought it was impossible for her to give it up. Kaoru who was standing beside him glanced at the doll "She's creepy." She said.

He nodded "I agree. I doubt my sister would like anything like this."

Satoshi stood out in the hall before Naomi's room in the hospital. His hand clutched down hard on the flowers he brought for her. He sighed and then reached for the doorknob; slowly he opened the door to find Naomi sitting on the bed staring blankly at a wall.

"Hello Nakashima!" he smiled.

She turned to look at Satoshi and to his surprise she smiled at him "Hello Mochida-kun!" she replied quietly.

His heart danced with joy, she was doing so much better. She didn't even look like the same girl and it even looked like she was healthier. He moved further in the room resting the flowers in a vase on a table close to her bed and sat himself down in a chair "How are you feeling?" he smiled.

"I'm feeling much better. The doctor says I should be able to get out by Christmas."

"Really? If that is so, then you'll be able to attend the Christmas formal!" He practically was asking her to be his date without even knowing it. Though he was going to ask Ayumi to go with him since he knew she had no one. He almost felt a tad guilty for ditching Ayumi so suddenly but he couldn't help it. He was just so happy that Naomi was getting better.

Naomi blushed "Oh? You mean—for us to go together?" she asked.

He nodded "Yes. Well, I hope you'd go with me."

She nodded "Yes! I'll go with you!" she smiled brightly at him. She couldn't help but cry a little over the happiness.

"Great! Then it's a date!" he jumped from his chair.

She couldn't help but giggle at his outbursts. She smiled and thought about Seiko and how she would have wanted this for her. Yes, she was still devastated about Seiko but after a good while she's been able to cope. She needed to live her life. Seiko would have wanted her to do that.

"Hey, how is class rep and Kishinuma?"

"Them? Well you know? Fighting, the usual stuff." He scratched the back of his neck. He didn't really want to tell Naomi about Ayumi's situation. It wouldn't be fair and it wasn't his business to tell. Though, he would hope Ayumi would tell Naomi. He felt she would be much better off once Naomi was in the picture.

"Really? Even after all that time?" she thought as she thought of her friends.

He nodded "Right?" he laughed.

Naomi sighed and then felt a tad jealous for a moment. Perhaps Satoshi and Ayumi grew closer during her absence. Though judging by Satoshi's lack of interest in Ayumi other than friends she doubted it went far. She then smiled "I can't wait to get out of here and go back to school."

"Me too!" Satoshi smiled back at her.

The next day Ayumi sat at her desk staring at the clock. She really needed to pee but she already excused herself an half an hour ago. She knew the teacher would be crossed if she asked again so she sighed and tried to hold it in. She glanced back at Yoshiki and noticed him actually paying attention in class for once. She smiled lightly and couldn't help but notice how extremely attractive he was when he actually paid attention.

She then glanced towards Satoshi who looked her way giving her a confused look. She just smiled and shrugged while she turned in her seat to listen to her teacher drone on about some boring lesson. When class dismissed she quickly got out of her seat. She was careful of inching her stomach out from within the desk and before Satoshi could call out to her, she dashed out of the classroom and headed for the bathroom. As she entered a stall and relieved herself she could hear some girls talking about boys.

"So did you do it with him yet?" one of the girls asked.

"Mind your business!"

She recognized that voice. It was Kaoru's voice and she sighed as she remained in the stall. She didn't want to come out and be bothered by that girl. Just looking at her made her stomach want to hurl.

"Aww come on! Tell us!" the other girl whined.

Kaoru blushed while turning away from her friend and crossing her arms across her chest "No, not yet. I want to wait till its special."

Ayumi sighed feeling relieved that they hadn't had sex yet. She didn't even know why she was still hanging onto him. She told herself three months ago that she would give up on him. Yes, it was hard watching him with Kaoru but he seemed happy. Who was she to take his happiness away by telling him that she was pregnant with his child! No, it was her fault and she would accept the consequences on her own.

She waited till they left and then exited the stall. She washed her hands and left the restroom to find Satoshi leaning against the wall in the hall. She smiled "Mochida-kun, something up?" she asked him with a smile.

He nodded "Yeah, I visited Nakishima-san. She'll be able to leave soon."

"Really?! That's so great!" she felt so happy for Naomi.

"Yeah-and I sort of asked her to the formal." He told her with an apologetic look.

Ayumi smiled "That's okay! I'm happy for you two!" She wouldn't have a date now. But, she really didn't care. She probably wouldn't dance much anyways since her feet would be too swollen. She rather sees Satoshi have a good time then a boring time with her.

"But-what about you?"

She shrugged "I'll be there. As class rep I have to be present. Besides, I wouldn't be much of a fun date anyways." She probably would be spending most of it in the bathroom or something. She really did need to pee a lot now these days.

He hung his head low "I feel so bad…"

She shook her head "Don't feel bad! I want you two to have an amazing night. You guys deserve it!" she shot him a smile.

"If you say so…" It still didn't set well on him. But, what was he going to do? Ayumi was stubborn and she wouldn't take no for an answer. He just would have to make it up to her somehow. He just wasn't sure on how.

"Yep! Anyways, I have a meeting to go too." She sighed. Hopefully she'll be able to concentrate during this meeting.

"See you later!" he smiled and watched as she walked off.

Yoshiki shoved his hands in his pockets as he stalked through the halls. He was supposed to meet up with Kaoru but something came up and she had to go home. It was really bummer since he really wanted to see her. As he was walking he noticed Ayumi heading somewhere. It was probably another meeting or something boring like that.

When she went to turn the corner she stopped and noticed him. She gave him a smile but he didn't return it. She sighed and continued her way down the hallway. He was really being an ass to her and he knew it. He probably should lighten it up and try to be friends with her again. She seemed depressed to the point she was eating so much.

He didn't want to be a douche but she was really getting fat. It was unlike someone so active like her to be that way. He even noticed her scores seem to drop a little. Not by much but not her average high scores she usually pulled. So, after today he was going to try to be a little nicer to her. If not for her then for Satoshi's sake since he seemed to be caught in the middle of it all.

Ayumi bit down her bottom lip when Yoshiki didn't smile back at her. It almost seemed like she didn't even exist to him anymore. She lowered her gaze and headed towards the classroom where the meeting was taking place. Once she entered she noticed her teacher poking around on her phone. She looked up and smiled "Hello Shinozaki!" she greeted and then pointed towards a desk "Take a seat."

She looked confused and sat herself down. She was sure there was supposed to be a meeting today. She glanced up at her teacher "Um, isn't there a meeting today?" she asked.

The teacher nodded "Yes, well more like a one on one with me." She smiled.

"Oh…"

The teacher sighed while crossing her hands above her desk resting her chin upon them. She looked towards Ayumi and studied her features "There are some rumors going around Shinozaki…"

Yep, here it comes. She knew she couldn't hide it forever…

A/N: Wow can't believe I was able to produce a chapter this quickly! Heheh anyways thanks for all the reviews! I really appreciate it! :)