An Uninvited Guest

Walking to Misei's house, Arata was having a hard time keeping his heart calm. Even if he was on better terms with her. Going to someone's house, especially one where he'd never been to before was a bit nerve-racking.

However, he had already made up his mind, alongside the fact that he promised those two that he'd help. Misao had messaged him the address of Misei's house, so all there was for him was to walk on over.

It was a bit on the father side, seemed that she lived slightly away from the city. However, as he walked. Arata had a feeling as if he was being followed. Not like a criminal planning to do him harm, this area was a fairly safe place. No, this felt like someone more familiar to him.

"I know you're following me." He said, directing this to a tree. Out popped Matsu from behind it. He couldn't tell when, but she had been following him, rather poorly at that for a while now.

"Aww, you caught me." She said, a bit more cheerful than he'd think someone would be if they got caught doing this.

"What are you doing exactly?" He confronted her. He may not dislike her, but now wasn't the time for him to be seeing her.

"I just wanted to thank you about earlier. You know, on behalf of the club." He was certain that she had given her gratitude at that moment. "Also, I was wondering where you're going right now." She continued on.

"Well, I'm just on a walk." He lied, feeling that Misei would be pretty upset if he just told this girl of his true plans.

"Oh, well then can I walk with you?" She bought it, but her request wasn't what he wanted. After all, he did have a destination that he didn't want her to know about.

"S-sure, I guess you can stay with me for a little." He allowed it, but he was going to have to take a little detour. Matsu was glad and stayed by his side while they walked through the streets.

"So, Arata." She started the conversation. "You've been sad, right?"

"Sad? About what?"

"About you and president Jingu. I know that you haven't been yourself lately." The only time he could think that he saw her last week, was during the club meetings. At that time, he might've stood up to Misei, but that was the most he'd talked to her all week.

"How would know about any of that?"

"Because, you've always got that look when something's wrong." He wasn't sure what she meant by that. Arata was fairly certain he was his normal self during school. "I mean, when you're thinking hard about something. You got that look on your face when you do that." She imitated what he looked like, furrowing her brow. It was kind of silly, was that really what he looked like?

"Well I'm not against you worrying about me." He said. "But I'm taking care of it, so it won't be a problem when we get back to school." Arata spoke so confidently about this, but the reality was that he was quite afraid of what was going to happen at her house.

He took and mulled over what she said. This girl was concerned for him, a bit more than he'd expect from someone that he never hung out with.

"You know, you're not the first person that's asked me about this." He said, trying to make it sound like it wasn't just her that he was focusing on.

"That just means that a lot of people care about you, right?" He did wonder about that, was that for him? Or for Misei's sake?

"It's just that, with the way everyone's been talking about it. You'd think that she was my girlfriend, or something."

"Uahh! She's not, right?" That got her off-balance.

"Ha! Me with her? As if I'd ever have a shot with her." The thought of dating Misei was laughable. Arata would have a better chance with anyone else, even Erina. "And before you even ask. No, I'm not interested in any girls right now." He anticipated the question. At this point, he was getting used to the repetition. Though, if this was what spending more time with these people was going to be like, going back to his normal life was going to be bliss.

"Yeah… Yeah you're right, that is silly." Matsu perked right up. Checking the time, he knew he should really get there soon, or else they'd get mad at him.

"Well, I think it's time for you to go home." He told her, when she tried to protest he stated that he had another thing he had to take care of on his own. Once she walked of a bit dejected. Arata finally turned towards his destination once more. "Let's see, if this is right, her house should be… What the?!"

There was no way, if this was her house, then she lived in quite the mansion. This place was huge, he had never seen a house this big in person. Arata messaged Misao about this, to make sure he was at the right place.

"It's the big house." Was all she texted him back with. So believe or not, he was at his destination. Walking up to the front door, a massive one at that, he was already doubting himself. Arata stood frozen, finger up to press the doorbell. Yet for some reason, he just couldn't.

That fear was surfacing again, he might've talked a big game before. However, standing here now, was he capable of doing it? He didn't have to make that decision, as the door opened before he rang the bell.

"What are you doing?" It was Misei, from her point of view, he looked rather odd.

"Oh, well I was just about to ring the doorbell, that's all." He felt strange talking to her. The feeling he was getting from her, it was like she was pretending like everything was normal.

"Misao said that it sounded like you were confused. So I was about to go and make sure you weren't lost." She was the one that wanted to look for him? Considering their current standing, he didn't think she'd seek him out. Unless… She wanted a moment alone with him? "Please, come in."

As he walked in, that thought stayed with him. Perhaps she felt the same way. It was almost too frustrating, that neither had said anything to each other properly for almost a week now. Yet, something was holding them both back. What was it?

As if by tradition at this point. His thoughts were broken by a surprise guest.

"Hello!" Before Misei closed the door. Matsu popped up, scaring both of them. Arata spun around, tripping over himself to try and see who had came in through the door. Meanwhile, Misei jumped back from the uninvited guest. She tripped and fell right on top of him.

Reeling from the pain of the impact, Arata slowly opened his eyes. Then, his gaze met with hers. If only for a moment, it was like something was told through just their eye contact. Matsu peered over them, clueless to what she had done wrong.

"I-I'm sorry, Let me get up first." Misei was the first to break their silence. As she picked herself up, he soon followed. His heart was beating uncontrollably. Expected, considering the shock he received, but it wasn't the only reason he couldn't keep calm.

"What are you doing here?" He confronted the dumb looking girl standing before them. "I thought I told you to go home."

"Well, I guess I lied." She giggled, as if that wasn't a big deal. "When I saw you walking to here, I couldn't believe how big this house was. I just had to get a closer look, I didn't know that President Jingu lived here." He was so preoccupied with this grandeur of this house, that he must not have noticed her stalking him.

"If that's the case, could you kindly go home?" Misei asked her, at this point. Misao had come in to find what all the commotion was.

"Aww, but can I stay. Please…" She was begging her. Arata thought this was a rather strange display at the moment. Why would she want to hang out here? It's not like she really knew Misei, Misao, or even Arata all that well.

"I'd don't think that is…"

"It might not be that bad if we have one more." Misao interrupted. A welcome surprise for Matsu, not for Misei. As those two argued about it, while stilling appearing nice to each other. Arata wondered why Misao would ask for that. It didn't seem like something she'd do.

Unless she had a plan with that. He knew that she wanted him to get in good graces again with Misei. If that's the case, then Matsu probably wanted to help out, and she could see that. Of course, they're doing this to help him out here. It was time to step up.

"I mean, I wouldn't be against it if Kusano joined us." He broke up their minor argument. "It's just studying, right?" He tried to play it cool, not wanting to sound like he really wanted her here. Partially because he didn't, but if she was going to help. He was going to accept it. "It's your choice though, Jingu."

"Fine…" After a short moment to think it over, she knew there wasn't much options for her. She was outnumbered on this, so she was going to have to deal with it.

"Yay!" Matsu leaped in joy. She jumped onto Arata and gave him a hug. Much to his chagrin. Not that he was that upset about it.

Now all the pieces on the board were set. There was only one chance he had at this. Arata was going to make sure that it was the only one he needed.