A light wind brisked past the cherry blossoms, causing them to fall to a smooth stone path. Grass of lush green coloration spread throughout the confined landscape as park benches were stationed by the path. A couple walked along this path, the young lady hanging affectionately from her boyfriend's arm. The young man had short messy dark brown hair, his build being relatively normal for those with a tall height. His deep green orbs rested on his girlfriend who's hair was tied into two pigtails on either side of her head and held that of a shining silver coloration with a purple like tint. Her Deep purple eyes rested on him with a sincere smile of warmth.
It's been years now since the world famous idol Hirukitan and I became a couple.. Am I the luckiest guy or what?!
"Kaen," His petite girlfriend spoke gently, catching his attention.
"Oh, yes? Is everything alright Hirukitan?"
"Mhm, as long as I'm with you, I'm the happiest I could ever be. I just thought.." She now began to nervously toy with her hands, "I was just hoping we could… Take another step in our relationship.. I love you so much…" Kaen lost himself in her nervous gaze for a moment, gently taking her hands in his own with a smile.
"Of course, what do you want to do? Just name it and I'll make it happen."
A gasp of relief now sounded from her mouth, "Really?" She questioned, causing Kaen to answer her with a nod.
"In that case.." She added, "P-Please.. Kiss.. Me…"
"I see. So it was that, then?" He questioned, lightly picking her chin up with his curled index finger. "We'll do it at the same time, okay?"
"Mhm.." She replied, closing her eyes, "On three.. Okay..?" Kaen now did the same as their lips began to near each other.
"One.." She spoke softly. "Two…"
The dream now began to fade away to reveal the brown haired young man sleeping with a dumb smile on his face. "Hirukitan.. I.. Love.. You…"
"Three!" a familiar voice exclaimed with traces of irritation in her tone. A foot now jabbed into the center of Kaen's stomach, waking him up with a distorted face of pain as he grabbed his hurting abdomen to subdue the pain.
"Azusa," He yelled, angrily rolling along the floor as he winced in pain, "What the hell?!"
He now looked up to see a girl his age who wore a white dress shirt under her long sleeved navy blue blazer. Her skirt too was of grey coloration and her shoes were black to match her stockings that reached up to her thighs. Her two black pigtails now jumped as she put her right hand on her hip,
"Serves you right, you pervert!" She retorted, her face holding an expression of disgust and anger as her mahogany colored eyes narrowed with aggravation. "You were probably dreaming of that idol girl you fantasize about all the time again weren't you?!"
She then sighed, looking around his room with disappointment towards the collection of posters, cd's, and last but not least, the body pillowed that laid across his now empty bed, all revolving around the same girl. The popular singing idol, Hirukitan.
"Though I guess when you live a life that revolves around her, it's bound to happen… You really are such a geek…"
"If you recognize that.." He continued to wince, "Then why did you kick me..?"
Azusa now made her way to his door on the other side of his room, "Breakfast is ready so stop dreaming and wake up already before we're late for school." The door now came open as Kaen rose up, rubbing the back of his head with his left hand. It then shut as Azusa exited, allowing Kaen a brief moment to yawn.
"Damn.." he scoffed, "What's up with her today anyway..?" A small meow was now heard from under his bed, causing his attention to turn to a small black kitten that sleepily trotted its way out from under the bed where it leaped to his lap and stood on its hind legs to nuzzle it's head under Kaen's chin.
"Aww," He adored, lightly taking the kitten in his hands as he connected it's forehead with his own, "Did the mean little Azusa scare you?" A small pur was heard in response, causing him to smile happily as he continued to cuddle the kitten playfully, "You're the only one who gets me, isn't that right Hirukitten?" It gave a cheerful meow, causing the young man to gently let it down on the floor where he sprung to his feet and stretched.
"Right then," He sighed once more, "Another day in paradise I guess." Hirukitten gave yet another meow of agreeance, scratching its ears as he began to get dressed.
He now made his way down stairs that were stationed at the middle of the hall in between five rooms, loosely wearing a navy blue blazer as well as a white dress shirt with grey slacks and black dress shoes. He loosened his red tie from his neck, allowing it to hang comfortably. His eyes now wandered to his fellow dorm mates who sat alongside one another at the table.
"Morning." He called as his eyes now rested on the miso soup, grilled salmon and steamed rice.
"M-Morning." They replied back with traces of nervousness in their unified yet untimed voices. There was a brief moment of silence as Kaen took his seat, giving thanks for the food.
"Oi," he said, trying to spark conversation. "What's up with you guys this morning? Seriously, it's like a funeral in here.."
The blonde haired young man to his right shifted his rectangular rimmed glasses, hiding his ocean blue eyes behind their lids. "You could say someone died," he responded with a mutter. The table now bumped up, causing a yelp of pain from the blond haired young man as his head now rested on the surface of the table.
"Oi Romio," Kaen questioned, "What gives? Oiii."
"Just leave that idiot be." Azusa responded, making Kaen even more curious.
"Come on, what's going on guys?" he questioned irritably
"W-Well.." A girl with pink hair started to say as her purple eyes shifted to her hands as she nervously wringed them. She now looked to Azusa who darted her eyes towards her, "Eep!" She shrieked in fear.
"You too Miku?" Kaen questioned with surprise.
Kaen now slammed his hands on the table, "Come on, spill it!" he spoke angrily. "What are you guys hiding from me?!"
"You really want to know?" Romio questioned, adjusting his glasses dramatically as if the pain from before had subsided.
Kaen nodded with a gulp.
"Your idol Hirukitan is.."
"Shaddap!" Azusa yelled, delivering a drop kick to Romio's right cheek and knocking him out of his chair. The tv now powered on, revealing a news channel where a reporter with brown hair and matching light brown eyes sat.
"Crap, I was too late-" Azusa spoke with surprise.
The reporter now heard her report, "The popular singing idol known as Hirukitan has commented that she will be issuing a hiatus of her work. The young star says she has no idea when she may come back or if she will come back at all." The screen now changed to the popular idol as she was met with a barrage of cameras and mics for a statement.
The reporter continued. "She further explains that she will be focusing more on her personal life rather than her life as an idol. As for the next report-"
The tv now shut off, leaving Kaen standing from his seat at the table as he looked to the tv with disbelief.
"Hirukitan is… Retiring..?" He questioned, lost in shock and sadness.
Azusa smiled nervously, trying to comfort him, "Now now, she's not retiring.. It's just a hiatus so…-"
Azusa now noticed Kaen's face as he choked back tears. "D-Don't cry about it you big baby!" She yelled with surprise at his reaction.
"I'mb mnot crwying" He retorted as he turned away to secretly sob to no avail.
"No, you clearly are…" She responded once more.
A hand now rested on Kaen's left shoulder, causing Kaen's gaze to shift to Romio who now stood beside him.
"I'm sorry Kaen," He said, attempting to comfort his friend, "you had to know the truth.."
Kaen wiped his eyes, making his way back towards the stairs solemnly, "Whatever, I'm going back to my room. I'll just be with Hirukitan until she comes back from hiatus…"
Azusa grabbed his right arm with a nervous smile, "You're not actually being serious.. Are you?"
Kaen turned to meet her gaze with a serious expression of resolve, "I'm 100% serious."
She sighed, "Of course you are..." She now looked to him authoritatively, "Not happening. You're coming to school with us whether you want to or not."
"Who's gonna make me? Gonna stop me with your washboard chest?"
"W-W-Washboard?!" She yelled irritably, before putting him in a crunching headlock, "Take it back right now.
Kaen gasped for air, "You.. have a flat.. Manly.. C-chest… to go.. With your.. M-manly.. Strength..!" Azusa now began to squeeze tighter, causing Kaen's face to lightly shift color. He tapped her arm multiple times to admit defeat, only to no avail.
"Ro-Romio..! M-Miku..!" He managed to gasp, "H-Help m-e..!"
Romio sighed, giving a nervous smile as he rubbed the back of his head, "Those two are definitely childhood friends aren't they..?"
"Afraid so…" Miku replied nervously.
The school bell now sounded throughout the facility, causing students to make their way to their classes. Kaen walked through the hall, emitting a purple aura of despair as students began to take notice. He walked on and on, passing the beige walls with people chatting alongside them as the sound of his feet tapping the deep brown hardwood floor under him lightly stood out. His eyes narrowed in thought, causing others to whisper to one another.
"Look." One guy whispered, "It's Akabane the delinquent..."
"He looks pissed…" another guy replied.
A random girl clenched her hands to her chest, "So menacing.." The comments kept coming.
"Heard he was in a gang.." one guy whispered.
"I heard he assaulted a teacher once.." a girl followed up.
*Where did all these rumors start anyway?* Kaen thought. *None of it's true. If that really was the case, why would I go to school? There'd be no point in bothering.*
His thoughts now produced a sigh when two boys walked by, "Hey, did you hear about Hirukitan's hiatus last night?"
"Yeah," The other replied, "I hope she's okay. What if something is wrong with her health?" Hearing these comments caused Kaen's brow to slant even more as his eyes narrowed once again. The two before now stepped back looking to Kaen as their gazes caused him to pause.
"What is it?" He questioned curiously after noticing their gaze.
A shiver now bolted down their spine as their eyes widened with a nervous smile.
"W-We're so sorry!" they yelled in fear, running off towards the other end of the hall.
"H-Hey..!" Kaen said, reaching out his hand. Everyone now stared at him as his head sunk.
*Damnit all, why did I have to get stuck with this nasty glare.. I mean seriously.. Not to mention Hirukitan's hiatus… If what those guys were talking about has any weight, she could seriously be in the pits right now… I hope she's okay.. Maybe I should write to her again and ask how she is doing..? Nah, I'm sure she's receiving tons of letters concerning her hiatus, I shouldn't make the burden any heavier.. Besides, it's not like she really ever wrote me back.. I wonder if she ever read them..*
He now reached his classroom with a door frame outlined in dark wood along the beige walls with windows in between the back and front doors as well as the windows that peered out the back of the school behind him. The familiar sound of a rattling door now rang throughout the classroom, allowing Kaen to slip his hands in his pockets where he slouched over to his desk and sat down at the back right of the room near the windows that peered out towards the front of the school.
The familiar sounds of a rattling door rang out through the room once more as an average sized teacher with brown hair and matching brown eyes stepped in with a black role book in hand.
"Alright class," he announced, "Take your seats, we'll begin our lesson just as soon as I introduce our new transfer student."
"Ehh?" the class questioned in unison as Kaen stared out the window.
"I wonder who it is." One girl whispered excitedly.
"You think it'll be a cute girl?" one guy questioned.
"Settle down." The teacher announced, "Ms. Hirasawa, please come in."
The door rattled open once more, revealing a girl with shining silver hair that was tied into a pigtail on the right side of her head. Her bangs stopped just above her magenta colored eyes and she wore the same school uniform as the rest of the girls with a pair of purple rimmed glasses resting on her nose.
"M-My name is Hirasawa Yuuki.." Kaen's head now began to turn, eventually facing towards her as his mouth fell slightly agape. "Nice to meet you all," She continued, giving an embarrassed bow, "I hope we can be good friends.."
Hiruki...tan..?" Kaen questioned to himself in disbelief.
"Hey, doesn't she seem familiar?" a few people questioned quietly amongst each other.
"Definitely," some replied, "But I can't quite place her."
"She's so pretty!" One girl whispered with excitement.
"I'll say!" A guy replied back with enthusiasm.
Yuuki now gave a nervous smile to the class as they continued surveying her.
*That's definitely her! Kaen frantically thought to himself. Wait! Wait! Wait! What?! Hirukitan?! Here?! Why?! How?! Ok, slow down Kaen. Judging by her appearance, she definitely looks the part with a few moderate adjustments to her hair and facial features. Glasses, this is new but doesn't completely out her from being Hirukitan. After all, Hirukitan could wear contacts on stage so it's certainly a possibility. That shining silver hair. She has cut it but why? It's not too short but not too long. It looks like it would reach down to her upper back if it was let all the way down compared to Hirukitan whose hair reached her waist before. There is always the possibility of a haircut. No no no, not the issue here. Why would she come here of all places? In the area? Not a chance. Hirukitan is somewhere in Tokyo. After all, I sent her letters so I should know. Kaen's eyes now narrowed in frustration, Ugh, this is killing me. What's more.. Hirukitan is an idol. She would have no problem introducing herself in front of a high school class. After all, she practically introduced herself to all of Japan as her career started to be on the rise. But this girl has tripped over her own words. An act? Nope. That is pure awkwardness she's emitting so why…? Why do they seem so similar..? All reason leads to it being Hirukitan but…*
Kaen continued to think to himself, quietly yet frantically rationalizing every possible aspect between Yuuki and Hirukitan. Yuuki who now nervously stood at the front of the class scanned the room, meeting Kaen's gaze with one of worry.
*H-He-He's staring at me..!* She squeaked internally with embarrassment as a small blush covered her face, *Have I done something wrong?! Did I mess up somewhere?! Ummm!*
Kaen continued rationalizing, unaware as to the effects of his stern narrow gaze.
"Well Ms. Hirasawa," The teacher said, breaking her from her flustered trance, "Please take your seat in front of Mr. Akabane at the far right."
*H-H-Him?!* She questioned worriedly in her mind. A moment of silence now passed.
"Ms. Hirasawa?" The teacher questioned.
"R-R-Right..!" She responded worriedly. She now began to stumble over worriedly as Kaen continued to be lost in thought.
*Maybe I should just ask her.* He thought, soon bringing his hand to his face as he closed his eyes with disappointment, *No, that's so forward and what if she thinks I'm weird for it? Come on, think.. There has got to be a way to figure this out..!*
Yuuki eventually made her way to the desk in front of Kaen's where she sat down, still feeling his stare which caused her to play with her hands nervously with a slight blush. Kaen now gave a small gasp as he laid eyes on the red cord which her hair was tied with.
*A red cord..?* he questioned to himself curiously.
With this, class started, causing the teacher to drone on until classes switched throughout the day. Yuuki nervously felt Kaen's occasional gaze from behind her throughout the day, keeping her on edge until the sound of the ending bell rang throughout the school.
Kaen now hurriedly packed up his things, leaving his seat and making his way to the door. Yuuki's eyes followed him curiously.
"Hirasawa-san!" A group of girls approached her with a black haired girl at the front of them, her purple eyes looking at Yuuki with excitement.
"Y-Yes?" She questioned curiously.
"How would you like to come to a cafe with us? We would love to learn more about you. What do you say?"
Yuuki's eyes now followed Kaen who now left the room, deep in thought.
*I'm not thinking straight right now.* he spoke internally, rubbing the back of his head. *I'll sleep on it for the night and decide on it tomorrow..*
"Hirasawa-san?" the black haired girl questioned, breaking Yuuki from her trance.
"O-Oh, I'm sorry." she replied nervously. "Who is.. That?" The girls now turned, seeing Kaen just before he managed to turn the corner.
"A-Ah.." The girl with purple eyes replied, smiling nervously. "That would be Kaen. He's known around here for being a delinquent. I would try and stay away from him if you can.. He's definitely not someone you want to mess with."
"R-Really?" She questioned worriedly.
Time eventually passed as Yuuki postponed their offer, promising to go with them another time. They in turn showed Yuuki around the school until eventually, the sun began to sink into the horizon. Yuuki stood at the door of "Shining Star Dormitory", where inside her new boarding roommates resided. She raised her fist lightly to the door, her head sinking almost immediately after.
*How should I greet them..? Should I have brought a gift..? I know I should knock but.. I'm so nervous.. What will they think of me..? Will I fit in with them..?*
She now saw that she was overthinking, causing her to take a deep breath where she then sat her bags down and knocked lightly on the door in front of her. There was a brief moment of silence until the door came open to reveal Azusa.
"Oh, hi." She said curiously, "Can I help you?"
"U-Um! Hello, I'm um.. My name is H-Hirasawa Yuuki.. It's n-nice to meet you." She now bowed.
"Hirasawa.. Yuuki?" Azusa questioned curiously, "Where have I heard that name before?" A moment of curiosity passed between the two. Azusa now connected her fist with her palm, housing a warm smile on her face, "Oh right! You must be the new dorm member Otonashi sensei was telling me about."
Yuuki now slightly lifted her head to meet Azusa's gaze, "O-Oh, yes.. That's me."
Azusa now took Yuuki's hands in her own. "I see! My name is Akamine Azusa. Please come in, it's nice to meet you."
Yuuki now did as instructed, smiling with relief at Azusa's hospitality as they took off their shoes and made their way into the living room. Yuuki now sat her bags down once more at the door as both Romio and Miku took notice of her presence.
"Oh, is that the new girl?" Romio questioned. Curiously, drying off his hands with a rag in the kitchen as he peered out through the empty bar space. He now made his way around the door, kneeling down in front of Yuuki where he lightly grasped her hands in his own, "My name is Romio. What is your name?"
"Hirasawa.. Yuuki.." she replied nervously, bringing her free left hand to her chin as a small blush of embarrassment covered her cheeks.
"Yuuki…" He spoke softly, "surely your parents chose that name to match your snow like hair. What a beautiful name. If you ever need anything, I'll be right here so don't hesitate to call on me for help." He now gave her a wink, causing her breath to skip a beat.
"O-Okay.. Thank you.."
"Anytime." He replied, before Azusa chopped him over the head, causing him to quickly let go of her hands as he grabbed the spot of impact.
"As this idiot said before, his name is Romio. He's a player when it comes to girls so don't take his advances seriously.
"It was a joke.." Romio sighed as steam rose from the top of his head where he was hit.
"O-Oh.." Yuuki replied nervously as a smile that matched her feelings formed on her face. "I see." she said with a nervous giggle.
"Ah," Miku now turned the corner, "She's so adorable and shy!" she gasped, running up to meet her curious gaze at a close face to face level.
"H-Hello." Yuuki replied.
Miku now took Yuuki's hands in her own, "My name is Hayashi Miku. Oh, but everyone here just calls me by my first name so you can too okay?"
"I-Is that really okay?"
"It's fine~. Go ahead, try it out." There was now a moment of silence between the two as Yuuki looked to her nervously.
"Mi..ku..?" She questioned. The pink haired girl now let out a small gasp of bliss, "You're so cute! Let's be good friends, okay?"
Hearing her words caused a smile to form on Yuuki's face as Azusa began to look around. "Hm, there's one more we have yet to introduce you too." She now turned to Romio who just so happened to recover. "Where's Kaen? He came home already didn't he?
"K-Kaen..?" Yuuki questioned nervously.
"Oh.. Do you already know him?"
Yuuki's mind trailed back to what the other girls said about him. "N-No.. Not exactly," she replied with a shuffle of her hands.
Azusa now breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, that's a relief.." She said, "I was afraid you had heard some rumors about him."
"Rumors..?" She questioned.
Azusa rubbed the back of her head with a nervous smile, "Y-Yeah well… We'll get to that another time, okay? For now, let's just have you meet him first so you can form your own opinion." Azusa now looked up towards the stairs, cupping her hands around her mouth. "Kaen, come down stairs and meet our new dorm member!" They waited a moment, but he gave no response. This now caused Azusa to take Yuuki by the hand, "Well, if he won't come to us, then I guess we have to go to him. What could he possibly be doing up there anyway?"
Kaen sat at the small table beside his bed, leaning back against the frame as he faced the ceiling with closed eyes.
"So similar.." He groaned. "But there's no way she would actually be here, right? I mean, why come to this school? Not that I'd be complaining but..-"
"Kaen?" Azusa called from behind the door. "You in there?"
"Y-Yeah," He called back, "What's up?"
"I'm coming in."
The door now came open and in stepped Azusa as well as Yuuki. "Why didn't you come down earlier?" Azusa questioned, "We have a new dorm members so…"
Kaen's eyes were nervously locked on Yuuki as she scanned his room with shock, laying her eyes on his posters as well as the collections he held, all centered around the famous idol Hirukitan. In an instant, her face shifted to that of a red color, causing her to nervously avoid eye contact with Kaen as she clutched her skirt nervously while she fidgeted around.
"Hi-H-Hirukitan! L-Listen! I-It's not what you-!"
"Eh?" Azusa questioned, looking back towards Yuuki with curiosity. "Hirukitan?" She now looked back to Kaen who held a large blush on his cheeks. "You mean the idol you practically worsh-"
"Stop! Stop! Stop!" Kaen interrupted frantically.
"Per.." Yuuki mumbled to herself as small tears of embarrassment welled in her confused eyes. She now clutched her hands together that rested on her chest. "Pervert.." She squeaked with a flustered face, quickly bolting from the room and down the stairs. She then sat on the couch, clutching a red pillow and digging her face in it out of embarrassment, leaving Romio and Miku confused as they went to quell the problem.
"Per.. vert..?" Kaen questioned in shock. His head now fell to the small table he was sitting behind. "Life means nothing anymore.." he mumbled, his face directly against the surface of the table.
"H-Hey now.." Azusa replied, unsure as to how she should comfort him.
Miku, Azusa, Romio and Yuuki now sat at the kitchen table where Yuuki nervously looked at her hands.
"What?!" The three exclaimed in unison.
Azusa's eyes showed that of disbelief. "You're actually Hirukitan, the idol Kaen is into?"
"Y-Yes.." She replied, "I wanted to keep my identity a secret… but I think Akabane-San knew who I was the moment he saw me.." She now sighed, "That explains why he was staring at me earlier.."
Azusa now produced a sigh of her own, "Well… It is Kaen we're talking about so…" Yuuki now thought back on the vision of his room, causing a small blush to cross her cheeks.
Azusa who noticed this smiled nervously, "Listen, putting the idol business aside for now.. Do you think you could try and forgive him? He may be a weird worthless geek but I promise he is a good person." She now scratched her cheek nervously, "I also think his heart may have been crushed a little bit.."
"Poor Ka-chan.." Miku sighed, "I hope he's alright. He has a lot of admiration for Hirukitan, he told me so himself.."
"Admir..ation..?" Yuuki questioned.
Miku nodded with a warm smile, "Mhm, he's always talking about how inspiring her music is and how it picks you up when you're down. He really likes you a lot."
Yuuki's blush now grew on her face as she fidgeted with her hands once more. "I.. see…"
Romio looked to Yuuki with a smile, "If the two of you are to be living in the same dorm, it's best to try and get along. After all, there is no point in maintaining an awkward silence between you two."
Yuuki nodded, "I may have overreacted.. As an idol, things like that should be a normal occurrence for me.. After all, I had a hand in selling such merchandise so.."
Azusa smiled nervously, *Normal is a little lenient.. Especially in Kaen's case... He has it bad for you…*
"I was just so surprised," Yuuki continued, "It was the first time I h-have seen something like that…
Romio smiled pitifully, "Yeah.. A spectacle like that would surprise anyone, I'm sure.."
"I-In any case, I um…" The three now looked to her curiously. "I w-want to get to know him too, so.. I.."
Hearing her words caused Azusa and the others to smile happily. "Why don't you make a deal with him?" Miku suggested cheerfully.
"A deal..?" Yuuki questioned in response.
"Mhm!" Miku agreed excitedly with a nod. "If all of Ka-Chan's stuff bothers you, just get him to put it away."
Azusa smiled, "It's worth a try right? We could never get him to do it but maybe if the idol herself asked, I'm sure he would do it in a heartbeat."
Yuuki twiddled her thumbs nervously, "You.. think so?" Azusa nodded, "Mhm, I'm sure of it."
Yuuki thought for a moment before standing from her chair. "Okay then, I'm going to t-talk with him." She and Azusa now made their way to the stairs as Miku and Romio sat silently with smiles on their face. She and Azusa eventually arrived at Kaen's door where a depressive atmosphere seemed to seep out of the room.
"S-Should I really go in..?" Yuuki questioned, turning to Azusa with an anxious smile.
Azusa's expression matched her own, "He'll feel better after you talk with him… I'm sure of that much so.."
Yuuki now gave a confident nod, "R-Right then.." Suddenly a knock was heard on Kaen's door. "A-Akabane-san." Yuuki called from the other side, "I'm coming in." She now grabbed the door knob, noticing that a variety of loud bangs and rustlings came from the other side. She now entered, noticing that the posters had been stripped from the walls and his discs as well as his other pieces of his collection were hidden.
*I didn't even have to ask…* Yuuki thought internally with a nervous smile. The door now shut behind her as she rested her hands behind her back.
"Y-Yo." Kaen said, raising his right hand as he avoided eye contact with her.
Yuuki stood frozen, trying to find her words. "U-Um.. I.."
Kaen noticed her nervous posture, Guess I should make the first move..
"L-Listen," He started, "About earlier.. I'm-"
"I'm sorry!" Yuuki interrupted, giving a low bow as she closed her eyes out of embarrassment, "I overreacted.. And hurt your feelings.. I w-wasn't trying to be mean.. I was just so surprised and I um..!"
"H-Hey," Kaen replied, nervously trying to calm her. "You don't have to apologize. Look, it was my fault. I never thought I would actually meet you in person so I didn't think I would have to worry about the merchandise." He now gave a bow himself, "I'm really sorry you had to see that. P-Please don't take it the wrong way. I'm just.. A really big fan. I really love your music and I guess somewhere along the lines, I may have gotten a little carried away.."
"N-No, I-I understand.. As an idol, stuff like this is bound to take place so.."
"Then.. You don't hate me?" Kaen questioned curiously.
She shook her head, "N-No, it's alright.. Can you keep them stored away though?" A small blush now formed on her cheeks, "I-It feels weird seeing so many posters of myself..
"O-Oh, sure thing.." He replied with a nervous nod.
There was yet another silence between the two as they both fidgeted in their own nervous ways.
"H-Hey um.. Can I ask you something..?" Kaen questioned curiously as Yuuki sat on the other end of the table from him.
She nodded, "Yes?"
"Why did you go on hiatus from your idol work? Are you feeling alright? You're healthy aren't you?"
Yuuki put her hands up reassuringly, "Of course I'm healthy. I just… need some time to myself is all. The life of an idol is pretty draining when dealing with a public audience all the time so..."
Kaen now sat back, breathing a sigh of relief, "That's good to hear. I was worried you were thinking of fully retiring from the idol business. Guess I was fretting over nothing.."
"U-Um, Akabane-san?"
"Oh," He said, raising his hand and gesturing to show his lack of formality. "You don't have to call me by my last name, you can just call me Kaen like everyone else if you want."
Yuuki now nervously avoided eye contact, O..kay.. Kaen.."
The young man's eyes now darted away as a small blush crossed his cheeks *Damn, I wasn't ready for that.. That's adorable.*
Yuuki now saw his reaction, causing a blush of her own to form on her cheeks, "Wh-Why are you embarrassed?!" She questioned with a flustered face. She now pouted, "You're the one who asked me to call you by your first name…"
"Ah, sorry sorry. I just had something on my mind. What did you want to talk about?"
"Oh, well.. It's just that.. I heard you really enjoyed my music. May I ask why you like it as much as you do?"
"O-Oh, well.." He replied, nervous scratching his chin, "That's kinda…" He now rubbed the back of his head, a nervous smile covering his face as he avoided her curious gaze.
"Kaen! Hirasawa-san!" Azusa called from below the stairs. "Dinner is ready! Come down, we're all about to eat together!"
Kaen now hurriedly got up from the table, rushing to the door as Yuuki looked to him curiously, "Guess we should go down and eat while it's hot."
"Oh, right…"
"Also, about your question.." He said as he lightly scratched his cheek out of a nervous habit. "Could I maybe give you an answer later?" He now turned to her with an anxious smile, "Of course I have my reasons but.. I think when an opportunity presents itself, you would understand a lot better so..."
Yuuki now stood to her feet with a warm smile, "Alright then." She now gave a small bow, "I'll be in your care, so I hope we can become good friends."
Hearing her words caused a warm smile to grow on Kaen's face, "Same to you."
"Kaen! Hirasawa-san!" Azusa called once more.
"Yeah, Yeah!" He called back, "On our way down!"
The two now made their way down the stairs, meeting Romio and Miku at the table.
"Right then," Azusa claimed, sitting plate after plate in front of her fellow dorm mates. The plates looked to contain the reminisce of curry rice, giving off a purple aura of death as Romio and Kaen looked to their dishes in fear. Kaen slowly turned his head to Romio.
"You weren't making dinner..?" He questioned in disbelief.
Romio adjusted his glasses to an upward nudge. "I thought Miku was preparing it.."
The two now darted from the table, only to be stopped by Azusa at the bottom of the steps, "Where are you two going?" She questioned. "Don't you need to eat something?"
"You know," Kaen replied nervously, "That's really alright.."
"I don't really feel that hungry right now.." Romio added.
Azusa now grabbed them by the shoulder, "What are you two saying?" She questioned, bringing them back over to the table where she sat them in their seats. "Hurry and eat before it gets cold."
Romio and Kaen nervously looked to one another and back to the living bowl of food in front of them. Kaen then slowly turned his head to Yuuki as she took her first bite.
*Is she insane?!* Both he and Romio questioned in unison. A look that contained a mixture of fear and pity crossed their shocked expressions as she swallowed the first bite. Yuuki then forced the best smile she could before her soul seemingly left her body, leaving behind a mere white husk of what used to be a human being. Romio now adjusted his glasses once more, picking up the plate of death silently with one hand as he walked over to the sliding glass door beside them.
"No, my hand slipped!" He yelled, hurling the plate through the glass door.
Azusa jumped back in shock, "Your hand didn't slip at all! Why would you do that you idiot?! Now I have to make another serving!"
Romio raised his arms to the sky defiantly, "I won't let you take my soul!" He yelled, running to the stairs as Azusa gave chase.
"Come back here!" She yelled angrily, chasing him up the stairs. There were sudden loud bangs as their muffled voices yelled to one another.
"Come out you jerk!" Azusa said annoyed with his antics.
"I refuse!" He retorted, as if resembling a spoiled child.
Kaen now looked to Miku who sat at the table, noticing how she ate every last bite with a smile of pure bliss.
"Want any seconds?" He questioned her with a nervous smile.
"Can I?!" She replied excitedly.
He now slid his plate over, "You really will eat anything won't you..?"
Miku continued to eat away happily as Yuuki finally started to come back to her senses. She now gripped her spoon, attempting to force another bite.
"You don't hafta force it down you know…" Kaen sighed pitifully.
Dinner eventually wrapped up as Kaen and Yuuki left Miku to the dishes as she turned out to be the only one who ate. Azusa came down to help her as Romio stayed locked in his room.
"Do you have your room yet Hirasawa-san?"
"Oh, not yet." She replied, giving a shake of her head. "Everything happened so fast that I never really had the chance to find it."
He smiled nervously, "Yeah, you get used to it after a while of being here." He now scratched his right cheek with his index finger, "I can show you to your room if you want."
She gave a nod, "O-Okay." The two then got up from the table, Kaen leading the way as Yuuki grabbed the few bags of luggage she had sat down at the door. She then trailed behind him, going up the stairs.
"Sorry for how hectic things have been." Kaen said with a nervous smile, "Not very much of a welcome, huh?"
Yuuki shook her head, "You don't.. Need to apologize. I had a really fun time. Everyone was so nice and I got to learn a lot about you all from just a little bit of time with everyone." She now smiled brightly, "This dorm.. Is a lot of fun!"
Seeing her radiant smile caused a blush to cross Kaen's face as his right index finger scratched his cheek with a nervous chuckle. "You think so?" They now reached Yuuki's new room, causing Kaen to twist the brass knob on the spruce colored door. The door opened, revealing a window at the far back of the room as well as one to the left where a bed with white sheets rested at the back left corner in between the two windows. A closet was stationed to the left of the door, in front of the bed as a dresser stood stationary to the right of the room.
"Sorry about this," Kaen said, allowing Yuuki to walk in as he stood at the door, "This is the only room we have left, I hope you're fine with it."
Yuuki now walked over to the bed, laying her few bags down on the floor where she sat on the bed to test it's softness with a smile.
"Right then," Kaen said, rubbing the back of his head as he avoided eye contact. "Did you need anything? If not, I'm gonna call it a night."
She shook her head with a smile, "I'm alright. Thank you, Kaen."
A small blush crossed his face as he held a smile on his face, "N-No problem. Good night Hirukitan."
"Good night."
He now closed her door, noticing his face was feeling hot with embarrassment. He in turn got ready for bed, laying down until he drifted off to sleep. Later that night, Yuuki laid in bed, thinking of the rumors she had been previously told. She tossed and turned, rolling over to where her gaze was fixed on the ceiling.
*Everyone here is so sweet… she thought, remembering the various antics of when she was first introduced to the dorm. And Kaen.. Why does he have such a bad reputation..? Sure, on the outside he can be scary.. But… He's so nice and warm when you get to know him..He's nothing like the rumors at all… I.. want to be better friends with everyone.. She now produced a yawn, What a nice.. Dorm…*
With this, she eventually fell asleep as the night slowly faded into morning.