“Aya, can you help out the student council at lunch today?!”

“We need you in the girls’ basketball team for the sports festival next week!! Please, Aya!!”

“Aya! Aya!! Where are you going?! I wanted you to help the teachers with the planning of the sports festival! What do you think about…”

Aya slumped down into her chair, watching the clock at the end of the classroom tick away what little time was left of lunch.

She glanced wearily to her side at Hikaru, seeing her laughing with Itsuo, an empty bento sitting on Hikaru’s table. They looked like they were talking about something fun. Aya stared at the scene bitterly. She didn’t even have time to have her own lunch yet.

But… that wasn’t the important issue.

She wanted to talk to Hikaru.

Aya opened her mouth, planning to join in to the conversation between Hikaru and Itsuo.

“Aya!”

Mr. Abe, their homeroom teacher, was waving at her from the door of the classroom, half his body outside. He was doing a poor job at concealing a grin that was stretching on his face.

“Yes, yes…” Aya replied.

Aya picked herself up from her chair and Hikaru flashed a glance at her. But, Aya was too tired to notice. She headed to Mr. Abe, following him out the door. Despite how tired she was inside, no one outside could really tell except her close friends.

She maintained her perfect posture, head held high, and a serene expression glued to her face. Students glanced briefly at Aya with admiration as she strolled past them.

When Aya stepped out to the hallway outside the classroom, Mr. Abe closed the door behind her.

She flicked a dull glance downwards and saw that Mr. Abe was holding a few pages of paper inside one hand.

“Aya, I have happy news for you!” Mr. Abe announced.

“What is it?”

“The results just came back from the other schools in Japan, and you scored the highest, again! In the whole country!”

“Wow…” Aya tried to feign excitement, but her eyes were glancing back at the classroom door, wanting to go back in.

“This is a seriously amazing achievement, Aya!” Mr. Abe continued, not noticing that she was looking elsewhere. “As your homeroom teacher, it’s really been an honour for me to teach you.”

Aya nodded. I wonder what Hikaru and Itsuo were talking about… Did she even notice I left…?

“Have you given some thought about your future?”

“Huh?” Aya blinked, then gazed back at Mr. Abe. He was looking at her with a lively face.

“Your future.” Mr. Abe repeated. “Where you’re going to university? What course you’ll be enrolling in? Your career?”

“Um…” Aya laughed. “I haven’t really given it much thought to be honest, Mr. Abe…”

“Oh, right. Your family probably has it all planned out for you, right? The Kuramoto last name, I would imagine, carries great privileges and responsibilities.”

“That’s… true…”

Noticing the discomfort on Aya’s face, Mr. Abe’s eyes softened. “Oh. Sorry, Aya, if you didn’t want to talk about it. I got carried away.”

“No, no.” Aya shook her hands in front of her. “It’s fine, Mr. Abe. You’re absolutely right. Those are definitely things that I should be thinking about.”

Mr. Abe smiled gently. “You don’t have to hide it, Aya. I know that there’s a lot of pressure on you to do well, and you’ve done a great job. You shouldn’t worry too much.”

“Right…”

“Anyways, I borrowed you from your friends for long enough. I’ll let you go back in now.”

“Thanks, Mr. Abe…”

Aya gave a brief bow to show her gratitude then headed back inside the classroom, thinking about Mr. Abe’s words.

Ugh… he’s right, Aya!

All this time, you’ve been thinking only about yourself and Hikaru that you haven’t been looking at the bigger picture at all!

Would my family even approve of a relationship between me and another girl?!

What about all the bad publicity that it would bring to the Kuramoto name if the news went around!!

Am I just going to ruin my family’s legacy just because of my own selfish desires?!

…

Aya sighed, a serious expression on her face as she sat back down at her seat.

Hikaru was staring at her from the moment she entered the classroom. She could see that Aya was clearly troubled by something.

“Hikaru?”

Itsuo’s voice broke her attention, and Hikaru swung her head quickly back to him.

“Ye-yes!” Hikaru said, smiling.

“Are you okay? For a moment there, you looked worried.”

“I-I’m…” Hikaru glanced back to Aya briefly, then at Itsuo. “I’m just worried about Aya…”

“Aya…” Itsuo’s eyes turned cautiously to Aya. “Listen, there’s something I need to tell you about her…”

“What is it?” Hikaru raised her eyes.

“Come here…”

Hikaru leaned into Itsuo, and so did Itsuo. Seeing this, Aya flinched from the side. Going to Hikaru’s ear, Itsuo whispered quietly.

“Aya’s putting on an act… I saw her real personality yesterday at the school rooftops… she’s not that nice of a person as you think she is…”

“Wh-what?” Hikaru leaned back, staring dubiously at Itsuo.

“It’s the truth.” Itsuo said, then quieter as he glanced at Aya who was looking away. “She threatened to expel me from the school yesterday… for no reason…”

“Co-come on, don’t joke around like that, Itsuo.” Hikaru waved a hand, laughing. “Aya’s not that kind of person.”

“I’m serious.”

“…”

“Don’t tell me you don’t believe me…”

Pausing for a moment, Hikaru shook her head slowly.

Itsuo sighed, palming his forehead. I guess I’ll have to show her some proof…

Glancing at Hikaru, Aya’s face brightened up, seeing that the conversation between Hikaru and Itsuo was ending. Great! Now, I can finally talk to Hikaru!

Aya opened her mouth, then the bell rang, signalling the end of lunch.

…

Are you serious?!

Leaning back into her chair, Aya rested her cheeks on her hand, irritated that her lunchtime had ended without an opportunity to talk to Hikaru.

~x~

Riinng!

Students around the classroom began packing their bags, and Mr. Abe closed his textbook, gazing around the room.

“Remember the exam next week! Don’t forget to study, everyone!”

Hikaru was picking herself up from the desk, and Aya could see Itsuo beginning to approach her.

Not this time!

Aya quickly sprung up from her desk, grabbing onto Hikaru’s hand.

“H-huh?” Hikaru glanced at Aya, caught off guard.

“L-let’s have a talk, Hikaru…” Aya laughed. “I didn’t manage to get to talk to you the whole day today!”

“Oh, right! Yes, of course, Aya!” Hikaru smiled, then glanced down at Aya’s hands holding onto hers. “Aya, you’re…”

“Woops! Sorry!” Aya released her hold of Hikaru’s hands, amidst the jealous stares of students from around the classroom.

“Hey,” Fumiko’s voice shot out from behind Aya, and Aya turned to look at her purple-haired friend. “Today, we’re supposed to go to the karaoke together!”

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Aya paused for a second, recollecting the agreement that she had made with Fumiko yesterday.

“I-I remember that…” Aya smiled, then turned to Hikaru. “Hikaru, you’re coming along as well, right?”

“Um…” Hikaru said, then glanced at Itsuo. She remembered that she had already ditched Itsuo yesterday. A second time would be too much. “Can Itsuo come along too?”

Aya flinched, hearing that.

Noticing Aya’s reaction, Fumiko glanced at Hikaru sharply.

“No, don’t bring—”

“I-it’s fine, Fumiko.” Aya interrupted with a weak smile. “Let’s all go together and have fun, shall we?”

“Uh…” Fumiko stared at Aya, but wasn’t able to gauge what her friend was thinking. “If you say so, Aya…”

“Great!” Hikaru beamed, then turned to Itsuo. “You can come along with us for karaoke today!”

Itsuo laughed feebly. “Just what I was hoping for…”

“But, Hikaru…” Aya moved near Hikaru, lowering her voice. “I really need to talk to you…”

“S-sure, what is it about?” Hikaru glanced nervously at Aya’s face, surprised by how close she suddenly got. Aya’s face carried a serious look, her dark eyelashes shrouding a pair of sparkling hazel eyes.

“Let’s go somewhere private…” Aya whispered back, glancing around at the students inside the classroom. She didn’t notice that Hikaru was staring at her.

“O-okay…”

Aya made a move to lead Hikaru out of the classroom, but seeing this, Itsuo jumped from his seat.

That girl, Aya, is dangerous! Itsuo thought inside his head. I shouldn’t let such a poor, innocent girl like Hikaru go somewhere alone with her!

“Hey, Hikaru! Wait up!” Itsuo called out to the two of them, then reached out, grabbing Hikaru by her shoulder.

Aya scowled at this, but quickly realised that there were still students inside the classroom watching, and a friendly mask fell over her face.

“What is it, Itsuo?” Aya asked, then pulled Hikaru closer towards her. “Also… I would appreciate it if you didn’t grab onto my friend like that.”

Itsuo didn’t let go though.

“I just have something to say to Hikaru.” Itsuo said. “Can you give us a second?”

“Well, I also have some things I want to talk to Hikaru about.” Aya smiled. “You can talk to her after me.”

“It’s important!” Itsuo insisted, feeling Aya pulling Hikaru away. He tugged Hikaru in his direction. “It’s — um — about the school work!”

“Well, you can ask that any time!”

“But, if I ask later, I will forget!”

The tugging war between the two of them made Hikaru light-headed. Not to mention, her arms were starting to hurt.

“E-enough!” Hikaru yelped, shaking her shoulders from their grasps.

The two of them immediately released their hold of Hikaru, surprised by how loud the normally soft-spoken Hikaru was speaking.

“I-I’m going to put down some things inside my locker…” Hikaru said, feeling breathless, then quickly turned for the door before anyone could say another word.

“Hikaru…” Aya stared at her back as she disappeared from the classroom.

Damn it! She’s gone!

Aya glared bitterly to her side at Itsuo, who was staring with a concerned face at the door where Hikaru left.

This is all his fault… Aya grumbled inside her mind.

Itsuo shivered, feeling a cold sensation running down his body. When he turned to look at Aya though, she was already looking the other way with an elegant smile.

~x~

The karaoke place was tucked away in the corner of the heavily populated streets of Tokyo. The entrance led to stairs that spiralled downwards until the group reached a dimly lit front desk, with muffled music buzzing against their ears.

“Welcome!” A short girl standing behind the desk bowed, then smiled energetically at them. “How can I help you today?”

The group that came to the karaoke was Aya, Hikaru, Itsuo, Fumiko and Sana. Fumiko had said that her boyfriend with another group would be joining them later.

Being the most experienced person in the group with karaoke, Fumiko stepped up to the front desk to talk to the employee there.

“This place is so dark…” Hikaru said.

“I agree…” Sana said, squirming.

The two of them seemed completely out of place, and it was showing on their faces.

“Come on, it will be fun!” Aya laughed gently. “Haven’t you ever been to a karaoke before, Hikaru?”

Hikaru shook her head.

“I will sing with you.” Aya said. “That way, you won’t have to be nervous.”

Itsuo glanced between Aya and Hikaru, feeling uncomfortable about how close the two of them were. He was certain that Aya was trying to manipulate Hikaru somehow. It didn’t make sense to him how the most popular girl in the school was clinging so much to someone as plain as Hikaru.

“You don’t have to worry, Hikaru.” Itsuo chimed in. “I’ll sing with you too.”

Meanwhile, Sana was standing nearby, ignored by the group. She didn’t really care though, she was just here to look after Aya and Fumiko as she always did.

She laughed politely at the side, as Fumiko walked over, re-joining the group.

“All done!” Fumiko smiled. “We’re in room 7.”

“Thanks, Fumiko.” Itsuo said, then reached for his wallet. “How much did it cost? I’ll just pay you back now—”

“Don’t worry about it!” Fumiko said, ushering the group past the small corridor excitedly.

Reaching the door with a label ‘7’ at the front, Fumiko pushed open the door, and the group followed her in, to see a small room with a large screen at the end, and a long table in the middle with comfy seats. Moving around the room were green specks of disco lights.

“Waah! I’m so excited!” Fumiko said, walking immediately over to a smaller screen next to the large screen. She was tapping buttons on it, choosing the songs. “Aya actually came with me for once!”

“Haha…” Aya smiled weakly, closing the door behind them.

As the rest of them were sitting themselves down, Aya made sure to position herself next to Hikaru, squeezing up next to her, and subtly pushing her away from the group.

Music began playing in the speakers, and Aya glanced at the small screen to see that Fumiko chose a bunch of J-pop songs, as expected of her friend’s music tastes.

“Goodbye my friend... You’re still my loveee… It’s very frustrating… and it’s very sad… You’re not coming back againn… But even still you’re my loveee…”

Fumiko was already singing loudly in the mic, and Sana clapped her hands, dancing slightly to the music.

She was pretty good at singing. Even, Aya was impressed.

“Wow, Fumiko’s really good…” Hikaru whispered to Aya, her eyes staring with a struck expression at Fumiko.

“Yeah… she is…” Aya glanced down at Hikaru’s face in the dim lighting, her words trailing off. They were really close to each other. Aya was leaning onto Hikaru’s shoulder, and she could make out each one of Hikaru’s eyelashes.

Aya wanted to just lean closer and kiss Hikaru.

But…

She glanced around at the room. Itsuo and Sana were both engrossed by Fumiko’s singing, while Fumiko was also deep inside her own world, singing at the front of the room.

Maybe I could… Aya thought to herself. No one’s looking…

She glanced back at Hikaru, then with trembling lips, grabbed onto the side of Hikaru’s face.

“Huh?” Hikaru turned to look at Aya.

“Hikaru… I… you got something on your face…”

“O-oh, really?” Hikaru said, noticing how close Aya’s face was.

Aya pretended to wipe at the side of Hikaru’s face, then smiled, shuffling backwards.

“It’s gone now.”

“Thank you, Aya…”

Hikaru turned back to watch Fumiko’s singing, while Aya was beating herself up inside.

What— what the heck was that, Aya?! Aya turned her face away from Hikaru, feeling frustrated. Why am I always such a wimp? And, did I actually just try to kiss her in front of everyone?! Ahh! I want to die…

After Fumiko finished her song, Aya applauded dejectedly with the rest of the room as Fumiko bowed, smiling proudly.

“How was that, Aya?” Fumiko asked. “Were you listening? Was my singing any good?”

“You were amazing, Fumiko,” Sana said, but Fumiko was waiting for Aya’s answer.

“Yep, you were very good, Fumiko!” Aya forced some semblance of a smile on her face, and Fumiko squealed.

“Okay, next song, you sing, Aya, I’ve already chosen…”

Fumiko was at the small screen pressing something, when the door to the karaoke room opened.

“Hey Fumiko, sorry, we’re late!”

A masculine voice came from the door, and Aya turned her head to see a tall, spiky black-haired boy with a fit build standing there, with two other guys behind him. The boy was wearing a leather jacket and denim jeans, an outfit suiting a motorcyclist.

“Oh, Daike! You’re here!!” Fumiko said, then bounced towards the boy, hooking his arm and pulling him in.

“Daike, I want to introduce you to my best friend!” Fumiko dragged the boy in front of Aya, then stretched her hand out towards Aya, indicating. “This is Aya Kuramoto!”

Aya smiled, showing a perfect set of teeth. Inside, Aya was annoyed as she remembered that Fumiko was bringing along her boyfriend and some other guys.

But still, she was a bit curious what type of guy Fumiko would like.

Glancing up at Daike’s face, Aya saw that he was definitely good looking, with a chiselled jaw and some features that seemed of a foreign blood.

“Wow, so it is actually the Aya Kuramoto.” Daike said, as the two other guys that came along with him, entered the karaoke room. All of them looked similar to Daike, with devilish good looks and fashionable attire.

“Really? It’s her? She’s here?!”

A boy with straight white hair falling just above his black eyes darted over to take a look, while the other boy, who had long combed-back black hair, also strolled over with a look of interest on his face.

“You’re even prettier than the pictures! I can’t believe I’m actually seeing you!” The boy with white hair said, then bowed his head repeatedly. “I’m Chuuji! It’s nice to meet you, Aya! I’m such a big fan—”

The boy with long black hair falling to his shoulders slammed a fist down at Chuuji’s head, sighing as he did so. “Sorry about that, this kid is just an idiot. Please ignore him.”

“What did you say—”

The boy grabbed Chuuji into a headlock, stifling any complaints, then smiled at Aya. “My name is Hiroto. It is good to make your acquaintance in this fine evening.”

“Um — Hi, it’s nice to meet you all…” Aya bowed her head briefly, before Fumiko proceeded to drag them away to introduce the other people inside the room.

Once introductions were done, Aya found herself sitting on one side next to Hiroto, while the other, trying to keep Hikaru close by so that Chuuji, on the side of Hikaru, wouldn’t try any funny business, which is what Aya presumed that he would do.

So far, her suspicions were being confirmed… at least according to her.

“Hey, hey, so Hikaru, what songs do you like to sing?” Chuuji was asking enthusiastically on Hikaru’s side. He was on the shorter side of things in terms of height for guys, especially when compared to Daike and Hiroto, and his build was skinny, like that of a girl. But, that didn’t make Aya any less protective.

“I’m not really sure, I don’t really sing…” Hikaru responded.

“Really? But you look like you would be a good singer! How about we sing a song together—”

“Please, Chuuji.” Aya interrupted with a smile. “I don’t think Hikaru wants to be forced to sing if she doesn’t want to.”

“Ohh, of course, Aya!” Chuuji’s face lit up, hearing Aya talk to him. “I’m sorry, I should had thought of that!”

“Aya, Aya, you’re up to sing!” Fumiko was saying loudly as she ran back from the small music selection screen at the front to sit with Daike.

“Ugh…” Aya made a face. She wasn’t in the mood to sing.

Noticing this, Hiroto raised his hand up, smiling at Fumiko. “I’ll take this song, if you don’t mind, Fumiko. It’s one of my favourites.”

“What? But I picked this for Aya…”

“Please.” Hiroto insisted, then turned to smile at Aya. His eyes were sharp, and he had long eyelashes for a guy. “Sorry for being selfish, but would you let me take this one, Aya?”

Aya, being a master of manipulation herself, could easily see through Hiroto’s guise.

Hiroto probably saw that I didn’t want to sing… now he’s pretending he wants to sing, so that I won’t have to… Aya thought to herself. Does he actually think that will make me like him more?

“Sure.” Aya smiled, feigning ignorance. “Please, sing to your heart’s content.”

“Thank you.” Hiroto smiled back,

Fumiko narrowed her eyebrows with frustration, and Daike laughed by her side, trying to cool her down.

“Please, Fumiko. You don’t look good when you’re angry.”

“Well, that’s because…”

Fumiko leaned back in her seat, complaining to Daike about something, while Hiroto picked up the mic off the table to sing, deciding to stand in front of the room. Aya was instantly relieved when he left her side.

Grabbing onto Hikaru's shoulders, she shifted her closer to her and further away from Chuuji.

"Hikaru... um, so about that thing I wanted to talk to you about..." Aya said, but her eyes twitched when she saw Itsuo coming over from the other side of the room, sitting down next to Aya.

“Hey, Aya, I just want to ask you—” Itsuo started.

“Ahhh!!!” Aya screamed, jumping up from her seat, shocking everyone in the room. “I can’t take it anymore!!”

She grabbed onto Hikaru’s hand, dragging her up to her feet, then dashed for the door, swinging it open and leaving. The door slammed shut behind them.

“A-Aya?!” Hikaru’s breath came out in broken gasps, as Aya pulled her through the long corridor that was only slightly brighter than the dimly lit karaoke room.

After several steps, Aya stopped, shoving Hikaru against the wall and holding her there by her shoulders.

“Wh-what’s going on?!” Hikaru gazed into Aya’s eyes, frightened, but she didn't try to take Aya's hands off her shoudlers. “Are you okay, Aya?”

“I-I’m fine. Everything’s fine.” Aya said, breathing deeply. She stared back into Hikaru’s eyes, holding onto her gaze, then she paused for a moment. “…No… it’s not fine actually…”

“What do you mean?” Hikaru asked. “Are you sick? Do you want to go home? I’ll go with you—”

“No, it’s not that!” Aya snapped. “Hikaru.” She sighed. “Haven’t you noticed? All this time?!”

“Wh-what…?” Hikaru slowed down. “…You’re starting to scare me, Aya…”

“I…”

Aya took a breath.

“I like you…!”

“…”

Hikaru shuffled uncomfortably, glancing to her side. “Well, I like you too, Aya, you’re my best fri—”

Aya leaned forward and pushed her lips onto Hikaru’s, then time froze.