It's not you

Mikan decided to leave, quoting that she had seen enough drama for the day. Atushi sighed. That girl is truly unusual. Why does she always actively look for chaos? Anyhow, his gaze turned back to Sumire and Masato.

"Did you bring the signed papers?" Masato asked.

Sumire nodded. "I did." She sighed. "Truly, I'm a bit conflicted entering. But it would be worse if I don't participate."

"I heard about Mamoru-san. I assume he will not be attending school for a while?"

"He shouldn't, but he said he will try to show up by Friday." Sumire sighs. "He really makes me worry."

Futaba giggled. "But that's what makes you two similar."

Masato sighed. "Indeed, you are both careless."

"Hey, are you two calling me stupid? Because you're comparing me to Ru, and Ru can be stupid-"

Atushi kept watching her, watching every single detail. She seems happier than the last time they met, and it seems like she has made friends. That's good, and yet a part of him felt lonely. This isn't the same girl who used to get bullied.

Then, how come she still has that clouded look in her eyes?

"Futaba, are you okay?"

Futaba laughed sheepishly. "It's okay, Succhan, don't worry."

Sumire shakes her head. "How can I not worry? How can he does this to you!" She said angrily. "Futaba, you can stay with me until he learns his lesson."

Atushi watched the interaction between the two girls curiously. He isn't the type to eavesdrop. However, from what he has gathered, these two have completely different personalities. How did they become friends?

He felt a sharp gaze on him and realized that Sumire noticed him staring.

"Anyhow, we can discuss this later. There is something I have to talk to you about too."

Futaba's awkward smile changed at those words, and a dark aura surrounded her. "I saw whose car you left this morning."

Sumire's cheeks reddened. "Um, so since you know, do I have to say anything?"

Atushi paused and stared at the girl's flushed cheeks. Sumire's reaction and Momoi's words. He felt his heartbeat increase. Does she have somebody special now? If that's the case, then perhaps he came here only to get his heart broken.

It did not take long before they reached the room. Four people were sitting on the seats and a man with white colored hair at the front with a clipboard in hand.

"Ah Ran-chan, and O-chan! Wassup!" Futaba said cheerfully.

Ran gave a silent nod.

The other guy returned the pink hair girl's gesture causing him to sweat dropped. What is that some sort of greeting?

But these guys, Atushi immediately recognized the man with the scowly face and the one who returned Momoi Futaba's gesture. Aren't these two members of the famous group Quatro Light? Atushi knew they were high school students. But he didn't think they would be attending the same school.

The nerves from earlier re-emerged. Forget so many rich students attending here. The level of musical talent is on an entirely different level. Can he truly continue attending this school?

"Kensho, get on with it," Ran said.

Huh? So the one who summoned them is the guy with the glasses? Although he looks around their age. He's wearing a dark green tie.

"Right. Actually, I'm sure you've all heard that the national concur is around the corner. The thing is, the eight of you have been nominated by the principal. I have already received most of your application forums except two." The 'Kensho' guy turned to Sumire and Masato.

Sumire looked over at Masato, puzzled. "You-"

"I had to wait for you."

The girl laughed softly as the two stood up and passed the acceptance form to Kensho. Atushi kept watching them despite only seeing how they interacted briefly. Atushi could conclude that Masato was somebody important to her.

'Another guy, and yet Senna-san doesn't seem to be the one Momoi spoke about.' Atushi frowned. Is Sumire still messing around? No, he shakes her head. The last time they met, she told him seriously.

'It's not you, nor is it Arashi-senpai. There is somebody far more important.'

____

Sumire didn't know how she sat through that meeting the entire time she felt Atushi watch her. The moment the meeting ended, she immediately bolted away and ended up skipping homeroom. The rest of the day, she was selective about which lessons she attended. She didn't take a chance in the lessons that. She sat close to him and always made up an excuse to leave.

When the final bell rang, Sumire bolted out faster than anyone. She was walking so fast that she was earning attention. But her fellow students have never had a good impression of her, so it didn't make much of a difference.

Once she was safely out of the school building, she dashed down the hill. Normally it would take students fifteen minutes to climb up and down, but she was running. So it only took her five, and after taking two detours, she arrived at a park.

'I asked Toh to meet me here since it would be bad if we were seen together.' But it's difficult to get parking in this area. Sumire scanned the area. Has he not arrived yet? He promised that they would take a stroll and have a meal together. But Toh has been away from the university for a long time because of her.

Maybe he isn't here? Sumire looked around for a few seconds before hearing a group of girls gossiping about a handsome guy. Sumire followed the girl's attention and spotted Toh not too far away from where she was sitting.

There were other girls nearby watching and taking pictures. For a moment, she freezes. It would be bad to draw attention to herself, but- Sumire slapped her cheeks. She needs to be brave.

She steps forward and immediately feels a pair of eyes on her. Toh was staring at her now, staring deeply into her eyes.

It reminded her of the way he looked at her the previous night and that kiss. She felt her cheeks redden. His lips curved to a smirk, and she felt her heartbeat increase and her face burn even more. Goodness, what is he doing to her?

When they first met, and even after she got to know, she thought he was a calm and composed individual with an elegant aura. He even uses formal language in his speech. But, the more she learns, the more she starts to understand that people are not what they seem like.