52 Malice

"What are you talking about? It's just a small crush from middle school. Ara never even met him again."

Okada Koharu's voice sounded really upset. It was as if she didn't approve of Ara liking someone else. This, of course, put a damper on Rin's mood. She was really into the thought of Ara being with the archer prince.

Suzuki Ara smirked at Koharu.

Sorry girl. It's not like that anymore…

She thought it's the best time to tell them about Kou.

"Actually, we did meet again," Ara started, and as expected, Koharu tensed, while both Rin and Miharu looked excited.

"It turned out that Kou is friends with my brother. The reason why I was not able to pick up your call the other time was because they were at home."

"Oh my! Isn't that destiny?"Rin had that dreamy look on her face again.

"I agree. Weren't we just talking about him last time at the hospital? Then he suddenly appeared in your life again." Miharu chimed in, and Ara almost laughed because the two made Koharu's mood worse.

"So how was it?"Rin prompted, the stars were back in her eyes.

"How was what?"Ara retorted with a mischievous grin. She loved teasing Rin, she realized.

"Aw come on Ara, don't torture my gossipy heart anymore. How was your meeting with the archer prince?"

Rin pouted so cutely that Ara couldn't help but chuckle. Of course, Koharu wouldn't let this love story continue, so she butted in again.

"What are you asking her about Rin. The guy just visited their house for Aki. Also Ara said she doesn't believe in love at first sight."

"It's their second time meeting – and each time Ara closes and opens her eyes, it's a third, fourth, fifth sight," Rin insisted unabashedly and Ara's laughter became a bit loud she had to clamp her mouth with her hand.

Rin's logic was... erhm... unique and interesting.

"Well, it was okay," Ara answered. "If there's a chance, I'll introduce you."

"Really? That's great – ah and Ara does that mean you have a close relationship now? Because you just cannot introduce him to us if you're not that close, right?"

Ara shrugged. "You can say that…"

Well, they were engaged so they could be considered close. Besides, she already noted that Kou wasn't like other people of his status that were mostly overbearing and snobbish. Her first impression of him seemed to be incorrect too. Kou was not really that quiet. It's just that he only spoke when he had something to say or when he's spoken to. There's a difference, right?

The point was that if she introduced her friends to him, she thought he wouldn't mind.

Soon, the lunch break was over, and they returned to their respective classes. Because of the scene earlier, her classmates were once again okay with her. But she ignored them completely. It's tiring to deal with them all the time.

When classes were done, Rin and Miharu returned to her classroom. It was strange because the burikko was absent.

"We're going to the baking club," Miharu said. "Are you going to see Midori?"

Ara nodded. "I discovered I liked drawing so I'll hang out at the art club until we graduate," she explained. "Where's Koharu?"

Miharu and Rin exchanged looks. "She was with us but she suddenly said she had to go somewhere. Anyway, we're going now Ara. Have fun with your activity too. See you tomorrow," they said and then left.

Ara wondered what the burikko was up to, but didn't bother searching for her. She immediately went to the art club room to see Midori, not seeing an unhappy pair of eyes watching her secretly as she walked away.

Ara, however, felt them. The malice was so strong not to miss it, and she smirked as she continued on her way.

Ichihara greeted her happily as soon as she entered. Even the other members of the club smiled upon seeing her.

"Hey, you skipped on me yesterday!" Midori teased as she watched Ara prepare her sketchbook and a new set of soft and colored pencils.

"Sorry. I had something urgent," she apologized with a wink, eliciting a chuckle from the other girl.

"I heard," she commented knowingly as she rolled her eyes. "Glad you're able to settle it immediately."

"Yeah…"

Ara then pulled Midori to the side and whispered to her. "Be careful. Expect something to happen soon."

"What do you mean?" Midori was confused. "She'll strike again? Even after you helped her and her family?"

"Of course. Did you ever think it's over?" Ara looked at the other girl with a serious expression.

Koharu was reaching the end of her rope. All the lies she built were crumbling down. People like that tend to self-destruct – but they didn't do it alone. They took people with them. It was that kind of malice she felt earlier from her.

Midori shuddered at the thought. "I'll tell Hiroaki. He's been walking me home since our talk with you."

Ara nodded. Koharu herself was not the problem actually. The problem was the person who seemed to be working for her, the one who tampered with her car. With that person still unknown, there was no telling what would happen.

Ara was one hundred percent sure she would be okay. Her body might be weaker now, but she's sure she could still easily lift and throw someone as heavy and huge as Horgall easily. Also, even if she did not fight, her brother and Kou were there for her to keep her safe. But Midori who was the real target might not be as lucky.

"Tell Sonoda to pick you up too, so you can go to school together," she advised, and the other nodded.

"I'll try to see if I can ask someone to watch over you."

"You mean like a bodyguard?" Midori asked. "Isn't that too much?"

"Something like that. It may sound paranoid, but while the person who meddled with my car's still out, we need to be extra careful."

Midori looked hesitant, but seeing as it's about life and death situation, she agreed. She didn't want to give Okada Koharu another chance to hurt anyone.

"I'll try to find the mystery guy, and when he's out of the picture, we can relax," Ara assured her with a smile.

"How will you do that?"

"Well, we'll just have to push the crazy rat more over the edge so she'd make contact."

Ara's face fell. It meant she had to spend more time with the burikko.

Urgh…