A/N: Hi~ This story's alive. :3 //shot.

I'll try to update another chapter in one or two weeks. Life's been busy. UvU

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Shoot.

Panting, I pressed my hand against the wall just for a five-second break to catch my breath. Just when we're going to have a report first thing in the morning, my body chose to get the Monday blues and oversleep. Now, how was I supposed to take the 15-minute walk to school in just 5 minutes?! I was sure I'd get a scolding or worse from Akashi-kun, who told us to be early to get started on the presentation even if our parts were done, if I wouldn't be able to make it!

I started running as quick as I can again but it was no use; my legs with so little stamina already gave up as my breaths turned heavier while it felt like there wasn't enough air around. Ah, dammit. I continued on my way at the poor best of my current ability nonetheless until I spotted a familiar mop of pinkish hair on a sluggishly moving male student wearing our gray and black uniform with his bag hanging loosely on his shoulder. Squinting to get a better view, I realized that it was indeed Kanato-kun and he was obviously still half-asleep with his eyes still slightly closed.

"Kanato-kun!" I called out as loud as I could as my morning voice sounded extremely weird, making my already sweaty face heat up a little due to embarrassment. I hoped he was too sleepy to even notice that.

He perked up and slowly smiled a warm smile, as if we weren't going to be late. As I waited impatiently and slightly bounced on my heels, he groggily walked towards me and before I knew it, his arms were wrapped around my small body as he nuzzled his face into my neck. His sniffing sent shivers all over my body, so I tried to push him away to no avail. I suddenly remembered Akashi-kun's words: playing "The Entertainer" could wake him up. Reaching for my phone, however, was already an useless effort for his arms were tightly holding me, ridding me of any movement.

"Cinna-chan~" he sang huskily as he slowly brought his face closer to mine, "You smell like strawberry shortcakes today... Let me taste you..." His breath tickled my ear as a pair of lips slowly made its way to -- HOLY COW.

In a long series of lalala's, I frantically sang the said classical song as my voice went different panicked levels and made me sound so weird that outsiders would find it funny and that Kanato-kun might not recognize what tune I was singing.

Slowly, his arms let go of my body, much to my utter relief. I continued singing, however, just to be safe. I didn't want to be harassed by a half-asleep giant in the middle of the street! His large hands were suddenly on my waist and before I could even squirm away, he lifted me up really high and danced in circles with a wide grin on his face. I shrieked as he did, halting my little song.

Finally, finally, he woke up. Bafflement filling his wide hazel eyes, he blinked for a moment then he gently brought me down to the ground. Never have I been so happy that my feet could touch the ground.

"Cinna-chan...?" His eyes being rubbed by his hands, he sleepily looked down on my haggard (and slightly harassed) being. He secured the bag on his shoulder and was about to say something when the alarming ringing of our school's morning bell resounded in the otherwise quiet surroundings, making the two of us jerk in surprise and be reminded of the important matter in hand.

"Uwaaa--!" cried Kanato-kun as his chocolate irises were first overcome by shock then fear. "Cinna-chan! We're late! We're laaate!" Without even giving me a second to respond, he grabbed my hand and started running toward the direction of the school, his pace unexpectedly fast that I couldn't even keep up. "You're slow, Cinna-chan!"

I waved my hand dismissively, panting and surrendering; I'd rather be extremely late than be in a situation of wanting to cut off my aching legs from my body. "Go ahead, Kanato-kun," I told him silently, wiping off the beads of sweat that formed on my forehead and breathing as much air my exhausted lungs could take. "I'm too tired..."

"Ehhh?! That won't do!" he exclaimed as he--waaaaah!--suddenly picked me up once again, carrying me princess-style in unexpectedly sturdy arms. Though his grip on my arm and my leg were tight and protective and he obviously made sure that my skirt won't show anything, I still couldn't but feel alarmed and frightened.

"Kanato-kun!" I squealed as he started running again, my body bouncing in his arms' grasp. It felt like his arms would get fatigued by my weight at any possible moment and I could fall on the hard ground. "This is completely unnecessary!" I scolded him frantically as I took a tight hold on his shoulder, hopefully not messing up his sleeve. "Please put me down!"

"No!" he responded firmly and stubbornly. "We're going to make it through the fifteen-minute grace period together!"

Finding the whole situation no longer negotiable, I shut my eyes and held onto my bag, my other hand holding onto his arm like my life depended on it.

It was almost a few seconds later when we arrived in the school grounds and I felt bits of humiliation take off from my body when he set me down. The gate's guard wasn't as strict as I expected; there was actually amusement playing in his eyes and lips upon watching Kanato-kun run to class as he carried me bridal style. He also remarked that Kanato-kun finally found a late buddy.

As they bantered, with Kanato-kun pleading to let us off this time since, according to him, he was five minutes earlier than usual, I worriedly glanced at the window I assumed belongs to Class 1-A. I froze; heterochromatic eyes were looking down on me like an eagle dangerously observing its prey. I'm dead. I turned away immediately, though I couldn't pretend that that didn't happen. Fake fainting suddenly seemed like a pretty option to take. Was it really possible to be terrified of the person you admire? (I will not say 'like' just yet, even with Yuki-chan pointing it out.)

Kanato-kun lost the negotiation but I didn't mind despite his apologies. I only wanted to get to class as soon as possible while, at the same time, the whole thought tied tons to my legs -- I'd rather be sick at the moment. We trudged quietly into the halls before we reached our destination. Our classrooms were actually beside each other. He bid me a curt farewell with a thank-you and a sheepish smile before he cautiously opened then closed the door. Just a second after, however, I heard their teacher's annoyed reprimand followed by Kanato-kun's frantic explanation. Though muffled, I was pretty sure what was happening.

I turned to my own classroom, my body resisting my mind's incessant urging. I didn't want to go in. I didn't want to go in and have people look at me, and surely some would look with pity or annoyance. Most of all, I didn't want to go in and encounter that person, especially now that I certainly made him displeased.

But the more I prolong this, the harsher my death sentence would be.

After a few deep breaths that weren't able to serve their purpose, I slowly reached out for the door's metallic handle with my slightly sweaty hand trembling. Before I could even touch it, however, the door flew open and revealed the very person I wanted to avoid today, his heterochromatic eyes narrowing at the sight of me. I immediately froze on the spot but was forced out of the state when he took a tight hold on my wrist that it hurt and jerked me into the classroom. 

Upon realizing where I was, my body refused to move. My classmates were watching me with amusement in their eyes, while my group mates had frowns on their faces. I bowed my head in shame, my long disheveled hair hiding my reddened face. All I wanted was to run away.

"And... uh... This is Akiyama Saki," Ayashikawa-san said after a few seconds of hesitation, "the person who made the wonderful presentation." I peered at her as I bit my lip. She smiled at me for a moment before turning back to the class. "And we are going to start our report."

We were sent back to by Akashi-kun and the other reporters, which was such a relief considering that I felt like melting just standing in front of the classroom. Before I could take my first step to my seat, someone held my arm all of a sudden. I turned a little to face the person, but that was a wrong move. He was more than intimidating; he was frightening when he stared me down. The weird feeling in my chest didn't help.

"Meet me in the Student Council's room during lunch break," he commanded under his breath, making sure I heard him clearly, before letting go of me.

I am dead.