The Consequences of Heart

It was after our date when I saw her. Her head was drooping below her shoulders, as if dwelling on a certain problem she could not handle. I walked toward towards her, out of curiosity at first, but then realized it was a good chance to organize a meeting with the older brother of Suzune, Horikita Manabu.

“Akane Tachibana, if I'm not mistaken.” She looks up at me. The first thing I see is hopelessness in her eyes. “I believe you are the girl who sticks around the president.”

She proceeded to look down at the floor once again, overlooking my existence.

“Did something happen?”

“Don't talk to me, Ayanokoji-kun.”

“I won't relay the information you send to me, rest assured.”

“I couldn't care less about that... just go away.”

She didn't bother looking at me. Prying into this case was the least I should have done, but I dug further.

Because I had a feeling that I was linked to this problem in some sort of way.

“Tachibana, I did not come here to comfort you, nor lend you help. I come here to ask you a favour.”

She finally looks up. “A favour?”

I nod, “I want to meet up with Manabu tomorrow at the latest. If you can't do so, then forget what I said.”

She narrowed her eyes, “What do you want with the president?”

“Nothing much. I felt an urge to tell him something regarding a problem within the year, that caused a bit of controversy.”

“Hm, I guess I could contact him. But why do you need to see him tomorrow at the latest?”

“Because the climax of the controversy will reach on Monday. I'd like to resolve things before it is too late.”

The lies I uttered had not been planned, more like improvised.

She looks at me with an unconvinced face, “Fine... I’ll set one up for you...”

I’m sure she did not trust me, but was forced to realize my story was plausible.

Coincidentally meeting her that day, saved up a lot of trouble.

Because that brings me here, to the present, face to face with Manabu.

The next day

“Oh, there you are Ayanokoji.”

“Good morning.”

We meet outside the first-year dormitory, just as we had planned the day prior. I had not informed him of the details of this arrangement, as I told Tachibana that I would prefer telling him myself face to face. Now that I stand in front of him, I can finally tell him about my lingering unease.

“Let's go into my room and talk, it's quite cold today.”

“I suppose it is...”

And so, we settle in my room.

As I sit in front of him, I sense a feeling of tension looming in the air, deriving from his presence. His presence had always exuded some sort of tension, however today, it multiplied drastically.

It is obvious to see that Mr President was undergoing a problem of his own.

I decide to pounce on this assumption.

“I can see you are having trouble, Manabu. As if the trouble exceeds that of the capacity of yourself, is that not right?”

He looks at me with sharp eyes, “I came here to listen to your story, so if you can get to the point and end this quickly, I would appreciate it.”

Ah, that's right. I forgot I had to ‘consult’ him about the controversy in our year. Guess I oughta spill the beans.

“I’m dating your sister.”

“Hm, I see. That-... wait... do you mind repeating that?”

“I'm dating Suzune, your little sister."

He laughs, “Haha! Come on, Ayanokoji! I never knew you had these types of jokes inside you!”

“Oh?” I reach my hand out to the mittens lying on the desk, “These mittens, Suzune bought it for me.”

“...”

“...”

Silence brimmed my room. I’m sure by showing these mittens to him, he would be convinced I was, in fact, dating Suzune. After all, why would I go out of my way to buy something of this sort if I was not forced to do so?

“I see, so you are not lying. Mm, that is quite unexpected. But if it is you, I’m sure you don't have any feelings for her. After all, she is leagues behind you.”

Feelings, eh? I can't ascertain the feelings I have in my heart. Is it love?

“Who knows?”

“Is it really fine though? To have attention of that calibre sprung onto you? I’m sure you would've considered that.”

I did consider it, but I chose to follow through regardless. If it means spicing up my limited time at this place, I would go to such lengths.

“Ayanokoji, maybe you should reconsider. I know you have not a single ounce of love towards that sister of mine. If you are interested on those types of romance, I can introduce you to slightly competent girls. Of course, no one can truly match up with you. But, at the very least, girls like Tachibana would do you better than Suzune. How about it?”

I know his words are a lie. I can feel it, he is testing my dedication to this relationship.

“Suzune may not be competent with me, but it feels like I have learnt a handful of new ways when I was around her.”

He laughs once again, “Aha! Is that so, Ayanokoji? Then, I will not interfere with this relationship. After all,” he places his hand on my shoulder, “I had always dreamed of seeing you as my brother-in-law.”

“Huh?”

Is he implying... marriage?

I guess I haven't considered marriage yet, but I feel as though it is too early to have such thoughts in my mind, at least, for now.

“Maybe I will marry Suzune,”

“Was that a joke?”

“Could be.”

“I see.” He laughs again, “I knew it, I’m no match for you, haha!”

Seeing him smile like so despite of what he has to deal with in the future was nice to see.

However, I did not invite him here for laughs or jokes. The serious matter that he has tried his utmost to forget is what I am trying to make the subject of this conversation.

“You know, lately, I feel as though I am being stalked,” I say suddenly.

Manabu widens his eyes, with his mouth opening gradually, “...you too?” he mutters.

“So I was right after all. You are being stalked, Manabu.”

I was spot on with my prediction. Manabu is feeling distressed due to being stalked by grown men. The reason Tachibana displayed such expression yesterday was because of Manabu growing distant from her, because Manabu is shouldering everything by himself without telling a single soul.

This prediction of mine was not arbitrary. Lately, I, too, have been recognizing someone feasting their eyes on me for a few hours.

Getting stalked truly is a scary thing.

“It's time to spill everything, Manabu. What has been happening recently?”

He sighs, as if he could not imprison his distress for any longer. Even he knew it was time to lean on someone's shoulder.

No, I was wrong. I should've realized...

That this is Manabu we are talking about.

“It's nothing, Ayanokoji.”

“Hoh?”

He gets up and heads towards the door, before wearing his shoes.

“Leaving already? I still need to make tea.”

“The conversation is over.”

“No-" I rush towards the door and stand in his way, “The conversation has just started.”

“Move.”

“Are these grown men, perhaps, blonde? If so, I have a lead as to who it is-"

“I don't care, I have a plan. Everything will be fine.”

"Is that so? Yet this reassuring plan continues to make you feel distraught?"

"Just shut that mouth, I don't want to hear it,"

"Well, isn't that unfortunate."

I refuse to make him leave like this. Not when I was the one who created this mess.

Strange movement had been happening behind the scenes on this campus.

And these strange movements started after I dated Suzune.

“Is feigning ignorance really the only option to cease the matter? Think about it, Manabu.”

“You know, I felt as though we became closer today. The heart of Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. I felt as though I finally had a grasp of it. However, I’m still far from you, and I brainwash myself, thinking I’ve known you better. After all, your true motive today was for me to spill everything onto you, wasn't it? Not to tell me you were dating Suzune.”

“And if I say yes? Would you continue to shoulder everything?”

He frowns. His brow dug deeper into his face.

“Move, Ayanokoji. We can always go at it again, just like that night.”

“Mm?”

I look straight into his eyes.

Why did I not realize it before? Manabu is fully resolving to be alone till the very end. I thought I had a chance to take a peek of his heart, but I was wrong.

This is the student council president of the Advanced Nurturing High School.

“As you wish, president."

I move out of his path. I should have known there was no stopping his independence. I miscalculated his character.

As he moves past me, I tell him one last line, “She will cry a flood, your little sister.”

He ignores me once again, and glides right past me.

Neglecting my warnings to protect me was not a good choice.

A huge consequence shall soon befall him. A consequence that only he and I am fully aware of.

Until then, I will continue to wait.

A few minutes later, a fire had started at the 3rd-year dormitory.

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I'M SO LATE AGAIN! I'VE BEEN WRITING FOR 2 HOURS AND 15 MINUTES OH MY GOD.

Anyway, for those who are confused at this chapter, I'll explain it in the next chapter. As for the cliffhanger, I'm sure I said before that I wanted to write a serious fanfic, so there you go. (More Suzune X Kiyotaka next chapter)

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Thanks for reading!