"Harue-kun, don't tell me...."
".....What?"
".....that the one you like is Yuna-san."
*Whoosh!*
Two hands travelled at the speed of light and reached their destination after making contact with Ike's mouth.
"-?!"
Ike's eyes widened with surprise and were met with Harue's defeated stare.
"Ike-kun, shall we go somewhere private?"
A humble request, no, more like a respectful order that cannot be disobeyed. Ike only nodded because the passage of his voice was blocked.
Harue saw how he cooperated nicely so he removed his hands from his mouth and got up.
Ike also got up reluctantly. Harue walked without looking back, expecting Ike to follow behind.
Ike understood his intention and silently accompanied him. No one had their attention on Ike and Harue because they were practising.
Like Kagome and Paro, Ike and Harue we're having a discussion of their own. But for the two boys, they went outside the auditorium.
The door closed, leaving only Ike and Harue outside into the corridor. Well, it was not entirely empty but from time to time, some students passes by to get to their respective clubs or for something else.
It may as well be isolated since there was no one to eavesdrop on their conversation.
"Ike-kun, first of all, I want to say....How?"
"What?"
"How did you figure?"
Ike crossed his arms and smiled at Harue.
"You were showing it so blatantly."
"Heh!!?"
If what Ike says is the truth, then he may not be the only one to know about this. A chill ran down Harue's spine. If some else knows it, then did he or she tell Yuna already?
The mere thought of that made Harue frustrated.
"Does anyone else know about this?"
"Hmm? From what I see, I think I am the only one that has an idea of what's going on. Nobody shared any story or rumours concerning your love story with me. So I guess it's only me."
Hearing that made Harue sigh with relief but there was still a chance that someone may know about Harue's crush and not tell anyone else.
There was no guarantee from Ike.
"Ah, just to add. My best friend Kouki already knows. So only the two of you that are aware of me and Yuna-san."
"Oh, is that so?"
"Nevertheless, how did you find out."
Ike's corner of his mouth raised higher than it was before, which made Harue filled with uneasiness.
"Have you seen yourself how you react?"
"....is it that conspicuous?"
"No, it's not really. But I have been noticing your odd behaviour around Yuna-san."
Part of Harue was glad it was not noticeable to that extent and part of him was still worried that anyone else recognized his intentions.
Ike elaborated on the 'odd' behaviour he detected about Harue. He wanted to ask Ike about that but Ike was planning to say it anyway.
"When you are with another girl, let's say Paro-san or Hishimi or even Kagome-san, you look at them casually in the eyes and talk to them. But with Yuna-san, your eyes wander occasionally."
'.....He is not wrong...' Harue reminisced about those moments.
Because Yuna was so dazzlingly beautiful to him, that is why he could not keep his sight on her for too long.
If he did, then he would be revealing his true feelings right in front of her through his face.
"Have you also noticed that you stutter when you are chatting with her alone?"
"....I-I do..."
Harue was thinking it is hard not to. After all, how can he admire such a beauty and talk fluently at the same time?"
"Your lips quiver when she gets close to you. Your ears get redder although it is not blatant because of your hair covering it. Sometimes you don't know what to say to her and she is the one who leads the conversation because you cannot change the topic....Should I continue?"
".....All of that...?"
He was shocked himself.
His thoughts wildly rambled as he was so surprised by the number of details running through his mind.
Every time Yuna and Harue conversed, he was trying to recall every single smallest detail. At first, he did not notice all of that. However. when Ike pointed all the signs out, it was obvious.
He remembered and quickly felt cringe.
He hid his face because he could not bear the truth and he squealed like a girl. Well, he sounded like a girl with his androgynous voice.
"Wasn't that too conspicuous!?!''
The embarrassment seeped through his fingers and reached Ike. Now, he was feeling sorry that he struck Harue with all of that facts.
Ike tried to alleviate the depressing aura around Harue.
"W-Well, as I said before, I don't think anyone else knows about this. They are pretty oblivious and some of them are dense."
It kind of worked since Harue removed his hands and tried to calm himself down.
Ike was glad that he was not self-loathing right now.
"More like, it is you who is too observant, Ike-kun. How the hell did you detect all of that?"
"Family trai-" Ike retracted everything he said and covered it up immediately, "I mean, I have good eyes..."
He pretended like he never said the word 'family' as he thinly smiled at Harue. Moreover, Harue did not pry anything about that matter.
He did not want to get involved in his personal affairs so he decided to pretend to have not heard it as well.
"It is like you have powers."
"Hahaha. You are flattering me."
"Seriously though, no one has ever told me about that."
"Haha..." A wry smile appeared on Ike's mouth.
This small chat that got digressed from the main matter helped Harue to regain his composure. Even though it wasn't much, he acted alright in front of Ike.
Since he knew about Harue's crush on Yuna, it was time to make a request.
"Ike-kun, do you mind if you kept this secret? Only me, you and Kouki need to know this."
His anticipated gaze with his concerned facial expression glued to Ike, begging for him to accept.
There wasn't much choice for him to choose since he felt some sympathy for him.
That is why he agreed.
"I will. I promise."
"Thank you very much, Ike-kun."
"Don't mention it."
Still, Ike was worried about Harue. Will he be successful in his love life? Or will he get rejected? He wanted to probe into Harue's intention.
"How long do I have to keep this a secret?"
Harue lifted his head and vaguely replied, "When I will confess to her."
"And when is that?"
"...When the time is right..."
Ike sighed in his mind.
"Even if it takes 10 years?"
"D-Don't say it like that. You are mean!"
Harue pouted.
'Cute.' Ike's thoughts wavered and wondered how is anyone going to reject this guy if he is this cute.
He doesn't know if a girl would be comfortable if she was with someone cuter than her. But for the boys, Harue won their hearts.
'Why is he waiting so much? Just go and confess.'
He was so sure that Yuna would not deny Harue's confession. He just needs the courage to back him up.
......
Meanwhile, a few minutes before Harue and Ike were going outside to discuss about Yuna, Kagome and Paro had their own serious conversation.
"Chiziwa-senpai, do you know why we are here." A tinge of anger intruded Kagome's voice.
Paro's gaze remained unperturbed by Kagome. She replied with a lack of fear.
"I think I know why. Is it about Rina-san?"
"Yes."
"So?"
"....So...?"
Kagome was taken aback. Her hand brushed through her blond hair majestically and acted as if she heard wrong.
"I am sorry but it seems that I heard wrong."
"No, you heard perfectly to what I said. I can confirm it."
Shocked again by Paro's manner of speaking. Kagome wanted to lash out at her but she calmed herself down with great effort.
She wondered why she was being like this. She was brimming with confidence.
"Did you not forget what I said the other day?"
"Yes. I did."
"Then when are you planning to kick her out?"
"I am not."
Paro was casual and fearless simultaneously. Kagome was surprised at the fact that she did not do as she expected.
"Why?"
"Because I said so. My decision is final."
"Wait! Do you know what you are doing? You are endangering the Drama Club's potential of getting to the top."
"You are wrong, Kagome-san."
A confident and determined smile emerged from Paro's face. Her demeanour completely bewildered Kagome. She declared with 100% certainty.
"I am doing the opposite. Trust me."
"...Wha...? That girl is not going to be on our level."
"Have patience Kagome-san. It is the only thing that you need right now. Wait and see the result."
Kagome lost her cool. A chilly feeling came from behind her. Her eyes were getting upset and her voice became cold.
"Did someone influence you?"
Paro looked at her dead in the eyes, understanding her motive. Although Kagome was like this, she has the same goal as Paro.
That is to be number one in the tournament. But with Rina as an addition to their club, Kagome felt uncomfortable and her goal seems to get bleak.
As a result, for higher success in performing, she wanted Rina to quit the Drama Club. In a way, she was filtering out members that were not decent enough.
Gathering strong members isn't bad all but, she is incapable of seeing the future.
And with Rina, that seems to be the case.
Being number one is not only in her mind, but everyone else's in the club. However, with that kind of mentality, it is sure to collapse the club as a whole.
"Kagome-san, have you forgotten about the rules of the club? Which one is the most important?"
"...."
"We should have fun, right?"
Paro's kind smile brightened as she approached Kagome. She put a hand on her shoulder and reassured her.
"I understand that you are worried about Rina-san's performance. I really do. But you and I have the same aim. To be number one."
"Then all the more reason to kick her out."
"No, Kagome-san. I am doing this because I WANT to be number one. I believe in Rina-san's potential. You can see how hardworking she is."
Paro glanced at the stage where Rina and the others were practising. That made Kagome observe her too.
"Believe in Rina-san. Or at least believe in me, Kagome-san. After all, I am the President of this club. I wouldn't want any bad will for my club. I am doing this for our Senpai who have gotten so close but yet so far from being number one. So..."
"....."
"Believe in me."
"....."
She took her hand off of Kagome's shoulder and remained as optimistic as ever. She waited for her reply with great anticipation only to be denied by her.
"I do not believe in you."
She turned away and walked down the stairs towards the main stage. Paro looked down and her smile diminished as she failed to persuade her.
"But..."
Paro lifted her head and saw Kagome who stopped in her tracks.
"I believe in results. If Rina-san is not good enough and brings calamity in our club, then I am holding you and only you responsible for this."
Paro regained her grin and agreed with her.
"Do not worry. That will not happen. I assure you."
"...."
Kagome walked down and joined the others to practise. Paro, who was alone, felt burden-free.
She knew that Kagome would confront her however, she was still afraid that it would ruin the performances due to her bad relationship with Rina.
But that was avoided and it all ended well.
.....
The sun has already gone and the darkness was just beginning to enshroud the sky.
Kouki finished his late-night practice, as always, and exited the swimmjng pool. He changed his clothes and was ready to go home
He walked down the corridors, in the direction of the shoe lockers. But before arriving there, there was light protruding from inside the auditorium's door.
He figured that he investigated and opened the door.
He was welcomed by the sophomore acting members which consisted of Yuna, Seita and Daisuke as well there were the 3 first-years, Nami, Fujita and Rina.
"Oh!! Practising late night again!?"
With his loud voice, he signalled the members and waved to them.
"Yes, Kouki-senpai! Don't push yourself too hard!" It was Yuna that replied to him.
"Yes Yes! Everyone! Work hard!!!"
"""Thank you very much!"""
He waved them off and so did all the members. He closed the door.
Kouki walked slowly to the shoe locker because his mind was bombarded with questions, regret, guilt and anxiety.
"Come on Harue..."
He muttered to himself.
"What the hell are you waiting for?"
He clutched his head in pain and gritted his teeth. Sweats started to form and flowed down his forehead.
"If you don't do it..."
His grip tightened and amass the brown hair on his head. It only caused pain for him.
".....I'm going to regret this!"