[ Ayanokouji's POV ]
After that sudden confrontation with Ms. Chabashira, nothing new occurred, of course. Every class went as usual.
As lonely as I can be, at the atmost corner of the classroom, I have, not intentionally though, cornered myself as well.
The class has now decided to atleast, behave properly during the class. During the short Recess, the usual discussion of how to comply with the situation goes on.
Not to mention, the sudden uproar of forming Study Groups. The main lead taken by none other than, Hirata. As popular as he is, along with his good capability in Academics, made him attract more participants in the Study Group than any other.
Sure thing..him having it incredibly nice, isn't he?
But what's more surprising is...
During my talk with Erza. Her face. That expression sure was different. But when I said, its different, it wasn't a lie. Did I catch her off guard? She is not a type of person to behave like that, unless there's some sort of reason to make her more worked up.
The bell rang indicating the beginning of the Long Recess or the Lunch Period.
My eyes shifted from the front to the scarlet color haired girl, as it slitted as soon as the figure came at my sight.
What should I do with you? The feeling of thrill and restlessness, which is within me, increases overtime. But moreover...
Who are you?
Where are you from?
Why are you so determined to be partners with me?
When will I get my answers?
I sighed mentally.
I saw Hirata came upto Sudou, Yamauchi and Ike.
"Hey Sudou, Yamauchi and Ike...we are all preparing for the next Mid-term Examination which is in 3 weeks." The three's gaze fixed onto them as Hirata spoke. "We thought of studying in Study Groups. Would you like to-"
"No!" Sudou said a little loud causing the girls to flinch, of course not Erza or Horikita. "I am not aiming for a studious job anyway."
"But it will be beneficial for the class..." Hirata insisted as Kushida came into the scene.
"We dont need it... we can do it ourselves." Ike and Yamauchi agreed with Sudou. Ike glanced often towards Kushida.
Maybe its because the fact, they are jealous about how Hirata is so popular? I can guess it for Ike and Yamauchi. But for Sudou, its a bit different, he never liked Hirata from the first day of class. And maybe, not wanting to look so frail infront of the girl he desires to be with.
I saw Erza turning in a slight manner to look upto the scene. I thought people's circumstances doesn't concern you? But I guess, we can always make exceptions.
"But-" Hirata was cut off.
"Goddamn NO!!" Sudou got up frowning, eventually banging the table in front of him. Come to think of it, during these past days, I've never seen Sudou raise his voice like that. Other than that situation at the Convenience Store.
"Leave that guy, he is having Anger issues..."
"Don't mess with him, Yousuke..."
"Lets go Hirata, talking to him is a waste of time and effort."
Comments were delivered to Hirata against Sudou. Hirata, on the other side, had a worried face, worn on him.
Sudou clicked his tongue as he glared at the owners of those comments.
Things going out of hand...
The three stomped out of the classroom. Finalising, perhaps Sudou being the old him again.
The other students in the classroom, started gossiping and whispers were heard.
"Excuse me, but have you got some time?" A strict voice beside me, called out.
"...Yes Of, course. What is it?" I answered.
What does Horikita want?
"Are you eating lunch with anyone?" She asked.
"....Not really. Why?" I questioned back.
"I am treating you today." Horikita proposed while she arranged her desk.
"...Why?" I asked as I stared at her.
She sighed.
"You always eat that one type of lunch, don't you? That Cheap one, right?" She looked at me.
Oh. So you noticed? Why were you looking at my way?
"Uh..I guess. You know quite a number of things." I said.
"Stop your blabbering." She said as she stood up signalling me to follow her.
I got and did the same. Between the time we took to reach there, none of us spoke, of course.
But why is she being such a soft-hearted girl, so as to treat me a decent costly meal, also when we overheard her conversation earlier?
Something is not right?
I sat as Horikita insisted to let her buy the meal.
After some moment, she now came and sat beside me while placing the lunch boxes in front of us.
The smell is appetizing. I glanced at Horikita who was staring at me.
I didn't start eating, of course. I was glancing back and forth towards her and the appetizing, costly lunch before me.
"Why don't you start eating?" Horkita asked with a sense of worry evitable in her tone?
"Well.... just wondering why would you propose a costly lunch, suddenly." I said.
"...If you fell ill during your examination or get malnutritioned then the Class Performance will be affected, and I don't want that." She reasoned herself.
Not being honest, huh?
My eyes gazed from her to the food as I proceeded to take a bite from the lunch offered.
"Thanks for the food." I said and I took a bite of the croquettes, still feeling the stares from beside me. "Delicious-"
Before I could complete my sentence I saw Horikita, taking a sudden bite from her lunch as she proceeded to eat. Part of me believed, she was somewhat, relieved?
" Is the food to your liking?" She asked.
"Indeed. Its really delicious.'' I answered.
"Now then." She proceeded to eat and talk, and for me I did the the same. "Now that you're enjoying the lunch, lemme tell you, not everything comes for free."
I see. Your kindness, was really an illusion, indeed. As one can expect.
"So, the lunch-" I was cut off.
"Its a bribe." She finalised. I sighed.
"You really have the unusual ways of doing things don't you?" I asked.
"Let me say this to you again. I want you to help me to get promoted to CLASS-A. You shall be an accomplice of mine. Agreed?" She stated.
"What will be my benefit?" I asked.
"...You too can get promoted, but since you have no intention or interest of doing so, either way you have to, since you have already ate lunch bought from my own personal POINTS." She said as she wiped her mouth with a napkin.
"...Tell me the reason to why you want to get promoted so badly?" I asked.
She looked at me.
" .....For myself. Anything except this I cannot tell that to you."
I will get an upset stomach today, no wonder. Though I managed to eat but lets see how much I can digest.
"No worries, its fine. And okay, I ll help you with whatever you want." I sighed.
We both stood up to return to our class after throwing our dishes.
"Will you be telling this to any 'other' person?" She asked out of nowhere.
I stopped while walking as I turned to her side. She stopped too. She was now behind me.
"Who?" I asked.
"Kushida or Wistaria?" She asked.
Or do you mean only, Erza Wistaria? Well, she indeed, listened your convo. the more reason for her to help you? Like me? But you can't bribe her now, can you? Not like you both are close, to ask for favours.
"Do you want me to tell any words to anybody?" I asked.
Lets make you confess.
"....Well, I dont want anyone but if its Wistaria, I think she can understand the situation and perhaps help us?"
You mean, help YOU? Hmmm.
"Sure, I can atleast do a favour to someone who bought me such a nice meal." I proceeded to go.
Well now, Erza, will she become a part of this too, or not?
But how come I am in between two agreements? A Wistaria agreement and A Horkita agreement?
Interesting.
[ Ayanokouji POV end ]
[ Erza POV ]
( Before the school ends )
".... Hello there...".
A voice, known to me was evitable from my side of the table. I glanced.
Ayanokouji. I hummed in response.
"Wanna-" He got cut off by...
"Erza~ lets go together! To the dorms!!" Kushida exclaimed. Not only herself, but also brought Airi too. Was holding her arm at her side.
I sighed and looked at Ayanokouji.
"Continue what were you saying." I demanded.
"... Actually... wondering if you could accompany us..." He spoke the words I didn't want to hear.
Seriously?
Just where did it go wrong? When did it became all this hectic? They are so-
"Eri? C'mon lets go..." Airi smiled.
Whatever.
"Sure." I said in a non-chalant manner.
"Yay!!" Kushida cheered.
( On the way )
The path we are all walking, its longer than usually it's supposed to be. I WONDER WHY?
This is all so weird why am I here? Gosh..but its not that bad..
Kushida and Airi was walking at the front whereas me and Ayanokouji's were at the back.
I glanced at the sideways towards Ayanokouji.
The distance....its so short. Our hands might collide any moment.
...What?
WHAT IN THE ACTUAL WORLD AM I THINKING !!??
I might've gone crazy. Yeah. Because.. Because he did all of that sudden 'thing' today at the hall. Damn it!
I could feel warmth clinging onto my cheeks slowly.
Nononono. Get a hold of yourself! Whats wrong with me?
Don't care.. Don't care-
"Hey, you okay?" The male voice whispered as his body bent down to my height.
I looked at him and he looked at me. Faces centimetres apart! I hurrily turned my face as if I had something stuck in my eyes.
"Yes..I am fine." I lied. Of course.
"...Good."
Huh? Before I could realise or understand. I found myself getting dragged by Ayanokouji to a side of an alley.
His hands gabbing my small yet strong wrist. My legs following his swift motion. I was left agaped.
I should resist! But why...Why can't I?
"Whats-!" His hand covered my mouth and my body was leaning onto his, who himself was leaning onto the wall of the building. His legs were resting between my legs as I, myself could feel his body temperature.
What the hell?
He glanced here and there outsude. As he now, finally looked at me and my eyes glaring at him.
Perhaps realising the situation and position we were in, he let go of me after some moment?
"Would you please care-" I got cut off again!
"Looks like they are gone.." He said as he slid down his hand inside the pockets.
"You could have done it some other way." I said. My whole day was damned from first to last...GOD!
He looked at me with his poker face. "Ah..right I could've."
"So what is it?" I asked finally calming my head and myself down.
"First, lets take a scenario. Suppose A student is wary of B student and vice-versa , now due to circumstances, B student asks A for some help, which is for personal issues. What do you think, Student A should do?" His gaze landed onto mine as he finished his talking.
Is he talking about-
"Horikita Suzune. Correct?" My gaze now piercing onto his.
"....I shouldn't have even tried changing my words." He blinked and leaned onto the wall again. "Indeed, its Horikita."
I landed my hands onto the side of my waist as I stood passionately.
"Well, I noticed Horikita inviting you somewhere, now assuming she let any information out?" I slitted my eye. "Or perhaps asked for you to do some kind of charity work?"
( After Ayanokouji described what happened at the Cafeteria )
Now that he have explained what he has been asked to, its kind of suprising, she'd ask for ME to help her. Ha!
Not like we are close, anyway.
So, why bother, right?
No. Looking at those three today, it seemed fair enough to let her guard up for someone who is a 'Lonewolf by choice'!
"She is prolly thinking about the Class Performance, no doubt." I let it out.
"Yes..she is..moreover...she didnt say anything but probably it has to do something about her older brother, Horikita Manabu."
...Horikita...Manabu?
"Isn't he..." I tried to say.
"The Student Council President." He said.
"Must be perceptive and 'unique' to be in that respective position." I said my thoughts out.
"Atleast from my side, not like I have, myself conversed with him anytime soon, but definitely, Horikita's once complexion after looking at him was tensed. So-"
"Observe. That's the 'least' we could do." I proposed.
"Are you implying, you're gonna help her?" He said.
I ran my fingers through my hair as I stretched out.
"Since I dont have any reason to accept and also don't have any reason to decline, I am saying that, I am doing this with my own accord." I declared.
Intuition tells me, this situation will bring something unexpected!
"Why?" He asked. Pfft!
"You'll understand soon, Ayanokouji." I said.
Silence covered between us.
"...Erza.." He called.
"Yea?"
"Were you, perhaps...blushing at that time when I brought my face close to-"
"NONSENSE!" I blurted out. No this isn't what I wanted to say.
"If you say so. But it was good to see you like that, to be honest."
What? What is this guy saying...
My eyes widened at his words as I looked at him hurrily.
Pat! He patted...my head as he walked forward..!
"...."
No one. No-one, in this 17 years of my life, showed such action to me. It feels weird.
I followed him as I put my hood on.
"You are weird." I said as I walked beside him. My head positioned low.
"...I know." He said out. " But atleast you are aware of that."
[ Erza POV end ]