Ch. 6: Sleeping Beauty, Otherwise Known As Yue

'That couldn't have been any better timing.' The Student Council President, called Nana, confidently walks up to us, with the biggest smile on her face. 'Why does her walking toward me make me feel like she's about to force her existence on me?'

"Hi there…Mr. Takahashi. I'm…"

"Nana. Student Council President, Nana."

"Oh! So, you do remember me!"

"Um, sorry. Not exactly. Kikyo just said your name a little while ago, so I just remembered from then." After saying that, I saw a brief look of disappointment on her face, but it disappeared as soon as it came.

"Oh…well…that's okay! There's a lot of time for you to remember me. I went to the same school as you, Kikyo, and Renji, back then."

"Is that so? Then I apologize for not remembering."

"No, no! It's okay! You probably just don't recognize me, is all. I don't really look quite the same as I did, so it's understandable. Anyway…why are you still here? Don't you want to sign up for any school clubs?"

"I haven't really given it much thought since it's my last year and all."

"That should be the very reason for you to join something! At least come and check it out. I'll walk with you." 'I really don't remember this girl, because I think I would recall someone being so annoying.'

"That's really nice of you!" 'I suddenly remembered why I stayed behind in the first place and looked at Sleeping Beauty, who was still staring outside. "Ummm..." 'She can't be this aloof, right?'

"Yue! Aren't you coming? You're going to daydream the day away." 'So. Her name is Yue?'

Sleeping Beauty finally takes her attention away from the courtyard and looks directly at The President with distant eyes. 'She's so beautiful, it's almost angelic. I wonder if she's in a relationship?'

"Why are you suddenly talking to me like we're friendly with each other?" 'Pfft! Hold on a second…did I hear her right?' Trying not to laugh, I bring my attention to see the President no longer smiling. You could see that she was forcing a calm composure.

Nana puts on a forced smile and says, "What do you mean? I always…"

"You don't have to waste your breath on me. I'm sure "The Twin" already likes you."

' "The Twin"? I guess it's better than the number of things she could've called me.'

"You don't have to be rude. I was only trying to include you. You're always to yourself. You should socialize a little more."

'Maybe I should probably stop this before it escalates. Although…it is pretty fun to see them go back and forth. Sleeping Beauty's, or otherwise known as Yue's, temper reminds me of a lot of Kikyo's.' "Well, when I do start socializing, you definitely won't be…"

"She's right, Yue!" 'And speak of the devil.' Kikyo was leaning against the doorway, as if she were there, watching the whole time. "It'll be good for you, to come to the fair. You promised me you would, remember?"

After Yue and Nana give each other cold stares, Yue rises from her desk, looks at Kikyo and says, "Since you so kindly reminded me, Kikyo, I will go…WITH YOU." Sleeping Beauty brushes past me as if she no longer noticed I was there, walks towards Kikyo.

"You're too kind, your highness. I wouldn't like anything more than the grace of your presence." And with that, they left me alone, in the classroom, with the President. 'Well that was a total 180.'

"Sorry about her. She doesn't really listen to anyone except Kikyo."

"Does she always check out like that?"

" 'Check out'?"

"Space out."

"Ohh! Haha, yeah. Ever since she transferred here, 2 years ago, she's never really liked to socialize, or participate in anything that involves her to actually interact with people."

'So she's antisocial. I guess that would make sense, if she's the girl I helped 3 years ago. It would only be natural.'

"Shall we go, then? I know you said you haven't thought about joining anything, but you never know. You might end up changing your mind, after Kikyo's performance."

"Kikyo's performance?"

"Yeah! Did she not tell you? She's the president of the school band. They've even entered competitions and won every time. Why do you think everyone ran out of here right when the bell rang. I know club fairs are supposed to be fun, but your sister is the star of the school. I'm surprised she didn't tell you."

'That's a good point. Why didn't she tell me she was going to be performing today? But still, I was gonna go either way. Since Sleeping Beauty is gonna be there.'

"Alright. Lead the way, President Nana." The President's face lit up to my response of us going together.

'Did we really go to school together back then? I wasn't really someone to be swooning over, so what exactly does this girl see in me?'

—

"Thank you so much, Madam Vice! I really need all the help in studying I can get!"

"Yeah! The entrance exam for the school I'm trying to get into seems more difficult than I thought it was going to be."

"It's no problem, at all! I'll keep you girls updated on meeting times!"

"So, Madam Vice? Has anyone signed up for the band club?"

"Actually, there's been quite a handful of new recruits wanting to join."

"As expected!"

"Yeah, but Madam Vice can't let just anyone join. She has a reputation to uphold! I can't wait to hear the new songs your band will play this year!"

"Me too! You guys are like actual celebrities!"

"Well, we'll let you get ready! We can't wait to hear what your band has for us, Madam Vice!"

"Thanks girls!" After waving the girls off, Kikyo turns to find Yue hiding behind a podium, not too far away. Kikyo walks over and finds her eating a steamed bun. "What are you doing, hiding over here?"

"You guys are quite the celebrities. I always seem to forget."

Kikyo solemnly stares at Yue as she continues to eat. "Yeah, well, that's all thanks to our guardian angel! Now, come on! It's time to meet up with the others and get ready." Yue throws the wrapper to the steamed bun in the trash and walks with Kikyo to meet the other band members. "So, I have to ask. Did you really not realize that he wasn't me? This morning? When you were sleeping?"

"I did. But by that time, I was already holding his hand." Yue pauses, contemplating whether to ask her next question. "Did I…really hurt him that bad for him to go to the nurse?"

Kikyo could see, by the look on Yue's face, that she was really asking out of concern. "Can't say. Why are you curious?" Kikyo stares into Yue's eyes, smiling teasingly, as she waits for an answer.

"I just want to make sure I didn't hurt him too badly."

"Then why don't you just ask him yourself?"

Yue looks at Kikyo with irritation. "Why would I do that?"

"Because we're walking right towards him." Yue looks ahead and sees him with the Class President. And seeing how Nana now has her arm around his, they have already gotten pretty close. "Oh, yeah. Where is Kaname's jacket anyWAY HEYY!?"

"Let's go this way." Yue pulls Kikyo out of sight from Kaname and Nana.

"What! Why are we avoiding them?"

"Because I don't feel like dealing with Nana more than I already have today."

Kikyo looks at Yue's face and sees that she's squinching her nose. Kikyo smiles to herself and says, "Okay. If you say so. I hope everyone is ready to perform today."

—

"Our bass player quit." Renji says nonchalantly, as he's the only one sitting at his drum set, on the auditorium stage.