Chapter 9: Decided

The sky was dull, the clouds shielding the sun's view of Hyotei academy.

Inside the Fujishima manor Hikari sat eating breakfast, whilst Haru sat in the study and researched about business etiquette and other useful things. Today's the day. Hikari thought to herself, butterflies inside her stomach. What if Mizuki was being threatened? Or something else with catastrophic implications? Hikari's mind raced, not knowing what to expect.

Meanwhile…

Atobe sat drinking his morning coffee, looking extremely focused. Today's the day Ore-sama will do something reckless, even if it means being hated.

Just like that, the day began.

The aura inside of Hyotei academy was different than normal as everyone could almost sense that something bad was going to happen. Mizuki also had the feeling that something was going to happen. Once the car arrive, Hikari stepped out, looking different than normal. She seemed more concentrated than her normal goofy self.

Mizuki looked at Haru and Hikari, hate in her eyes. Hikari ran to Mizuki, trying to smile like normal. It didn't work. Instead, she decided that hiding what she was feeling would be pointless.
"Mizuki-chan, why are you ignoring me? I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry I judged you based on the person you like. I'm sorry!" Hikari was sincere, sounding repentant.
"I'm not mad at that. I just hate you."
For the first time, Hikari saw Mizuki properly. Mizuki looked like most teenage girls, now wearing contact lenses, a miniskirt, and too short bangs- with cheap looking hair extensions that didn't match her hair colour. But, most importantly, her expression. The happy, cheerful friend Hikari had once known was nowhere to be seen, as it was replaced by pure hatred.

"Mizuki-chan…" Hikari managed to say, her hands shaking.
"Leave me alone, an idiot like you will just slow me down. Your nowhere like me, we live in different worlds, Hikari. You got into Hyotei through lots of expensive tutoring, whilst I got in by brains alone." Mizuki walked off, only stopped once she saw the thing in front of her. Haru stood there, looking more annoyed than ever before. With his fists clenched, he no longer looked like the grade a student that he was. He looked pissed off.

So, what do you expect a grade a student to do in that situation?
He lifted up his fist, punching Rin Mizuki in the face. People looked at them, as they were attracting attention. At that moment Atobe arrived, looking not too surprised. Instead of getting annoyed, which would be a normal reaction from the Student Council President. Instead, he dragged Hikari by hand out of the crowded area.

"Atobe-san…" Hikari said, her heart beating too hard.
"Keigo-kun." Atobe corrected. Hikari sighed.
"Keigo-kun, what are you doing?" Hikari said, not sure what else she should say. Nothing would've been a better thing.
Atobe had dragged them around a corner, no one in sight. They were alone, the two of them.

A grin appeared on Atobe's face, almost as if he had a bright idea. However, that grin vanished as he saw Hikari's expression. She was crying. With all that had happened, why wouldn't she be?

Atobe placed his hand on Hikari's head, patting it gently. Hikari looked up, and hugged him. There was the urge for him to wrap his arms around Hikari and tell her 'it'll be okay.' He ignored it. Atobe hugged her back gently. At that moment the worst person walked round the corner. Mizuki looked at them, pinching her bleeding nose.

"Hypocrite." Mizuki said, looking more annoyed than before.
Hikari looked at her, not caring any more. "So?" She said, sounding disinterested.
Atobe grinned, then laughed slightly.
"Let's go." Atobe said, dragging Hikari by the arm.

Surprisingly enough, Haru didn't get into much trouble for punching Mizuki in the face. Well- not after Atobe explained the situation, twisting the truth ever so slightly. What really kept him out of trouble was the donation Haru's parents gave to the school.
Hikari sighed, annoyed that her best was a colossal bitch.
"Fujishima-sempai, are you okay?" Chotaro asked, noticing that Hikari looked as though she was on the verge of a mental breakdown. "Let me show you something."

With that, Hikari ended up in a music room, a piano in front of her. Chotaro played a classical piece, one Hikari recognized- it was canon in D. It was a soothing melody, almost seeming to reassure Hikari that everything was going to be okay- even if it wasn't.
"Fujishima-sempai you should cheer up, if you don't I'm afraid buchou will be worried."
Hikari looked up, realizing that she had made Atobe worry. Not only that, but Haru could've gotten excluded.

"Excuse me." Hikari said, leaving. Chotaro carried on practicing his piano, understanding where Hikari was going. The student council room- where Atobe would be.

Keigo-kun… Hikari thought to herself. A grin immerged as she realized she had called him by his first name, without having to be reminded.

She opened the student council room's door without knocking to see Atobe sat in at his desk.
Atobe stood up, looking shocked. It didn't last long, as Atobe composed himself quickly.

"Hikari-chan, what are you-?" Atobe was going to say but was stopped by Hikari running in giving him a hug.
"I'm sorry. Really sorry for making you worry. You really are a big idiot deep down you know. That's it, I have to call you Ahobe* from now." Hikari said firmly, laughing slightly. Atobe looked down, grinning smugly.

"You owe Ore-sama."
"What is it this time?" Hikari asked, her voice fluent with sarcasm.
"You stay by Ore-sama's side, and go on a date with me."

Hikari sighed as dramatically as she could, the king of Hyotei was a handful.

But alas, that's not where their story ends.

* Aho means idiot, or is a softer way of saying it (nicer than the word 'baka')
Don't worry, there will be a sequel!