Mina turned her laptop off. She poured tea into the cup before walking to window. She had little time until dinner. She watched from office window as students of three schools headed for dorms. She wondered if Momo was among the students. She wanted to meet Momo to apologize, but her duty kept her busy. To tell the truth, she didn't have courage to meet the girl. She also worried since Momo had bruise on face when she came the other day. She wondered what had happened to her. 'What should I do? I miss Momo' Suddenly a pair of arms encircled her waist, startling her.

"Is he out there? You can see him?"

The familiar voice calmed Mina. "I thought you have practice today," she said before taking a sip of her beverage. She felt chin on shoulder and soon after soft sigh followed. "What is it?"

"What is it what?" Sana asked.

"Tell me what happened."

Sana pursed her lips. "He rejected me."

Mina stifled a chuckle.

"You can laugh, I know you will."

"No, I'm sorry."

"He said he just wanted to be friends," Sana said, leaning head against her best friend's. "Only friend."

Mina pulled corners of lips up slightly at Sana's gloomy face. "So, the flirty and player Minazotaki Sana finally falls for someone."

"I didn't say that I'm falling for him," Sana replied.

"Then what are you doing here, weeping?" Mina chuckled when the other girl pushed lips out.

Sana put chin back on Mina's shoulder. "And what about you? I met Xiumin and looks like they had fight."

"They fight?" Mina asked and felt Sana's nod. "That's why he has bruise."

"You meet him?"

Mina nodded. "He's mad at me, really mad," she said. Sana turned to look at her and she could feel her confused gaze. "It's something relates to Academy."

"I know you're keeping something from us. Well, it's your duty." Sana turned gaze back to window, tightening her hug. "Agghh,"

At the heavy sigh Mina giggled. "What?"

Sana pressed lips together. "If I were a boy I'd have you as girlfriend."

Mina let out small laugh.

"Seriously, we'll make a perfect couple."

"Thank god you're not," Mina said while looking at her only friend. "You aren't my type anyway."

"That's rude." Sana made pouting face but then laughed. "But I'm glad too. Besides, I don't think can compete him. Hey, do you think he could see us here?"

"Why?" Mina asked. When the girl had mischievous smirk on face she shook head. "No, don't ever think about it."

"Why not? It works before."

"Sana," Mina warned her crazy best friend, trying to release herself. Sana leaned to kiss her cheek. But before she could pull away from the hug a thud sound got her attention.

They turned around to find Jimin and Mark at doorway, mouths agape. Books scattered on floor before them.

"W-what are you two doing?" Jimin looked at Mina, turned to Sana, and back to his partner. "She's trying to kiss you."

"Jeez, they caught us Mina."

Mina rolled eyes, pushing Sana's arms. She cocked head at the grinning girl, walking back to desk to continue her work.

San approached the still stunned boys. She stood beside Jimin, taking his shoulder. "Just saying, she's my ex."

"What!?" Jimim dropped his jaw, shocked.

Sana gave light pat to the boy. "Let's go." She grabbed Mark to leave. When she felt glance from Mark, she stopped. "What?"

"Is that for real? You two...she's your ex?" Mark asked, shocked as well for he never noticed it.

Sana rolled eyes, facing the boy. "My ex-roommate, you know that. Seriously, you boys are really boring."

"Poor Jimim, he really thought the other way," Mark said, taking glance at office room.

"Not my problem." Sana giggled and continued to walk. "By the way, do you have partner yet?"

"For ball? No," Mina said.

"Really? You're famous violinist. I bet girls won't say no if you ask them."

Mark smiled sheepishly. "You think so?"

Sana suddenly halted. "Or, you come with me," she said, folding arms.

"Come with you?" Mark asked; couldn't believe his ears. "You mean come together? As partner?"

Sana nodded.

"That's...wait, what about Xiumin? I thought you'll come with him."

"Well, I changed my mind. I want to go with you," Sana said and gave her flirty wink. "What do you say, will you come with me?"

Mark nodded, grinning widely. "Sure."

-----------

Mina drew her cardigan sweater close to warm her body from the chilly air. She held a book in hand while the other hand was holding vacuum flask filled with her favorite beverage. The drink would keep her warm. After school she decided to have reading time at her usual place. Today Jimin asked her help for ball preparation. Sadly, Jimin would be her partner again for this year. Weeks ago she had expected it would be Haru.

She halted as she found someone sitting at her favorite place. "Do we have meeting here? I don't remember Sana mention it."

"There is something I want to talk with you," Krystal said.

Mina approached the girl, sitting beside her. "If you want to ask about the issue, you have mistaken person. You should ask Principal kahi not me."

Krystal turned to the girl. "You know I can't do that."

"Then you're wasting your time because I have no answer for your curiosities," Mina said and was surprised when the girl took her arm.

"Yes, you do. I know you."

Mina lifted an eyebrow at the girl who was still holding her arm, earnestly looking at her.

In the meantime, Momo was walking across ground toward student representative garden. She shoved hands into her running pants pocket. 'What should I say? What if she's mad at me?' She bit lower lip. "Maybe this isn't good." She turned around to head back to dorm but after some steps she halted. "No, I need to talk with her. You can do it Momo, yossh!"

After gathering courage, she walked off. As she approached the garden she heard voices. She recognized Mina's voice. The other person is... 'Krystal-ssi?'

She quickly ran to hide behind hedge as the president girl left the garden. 'What was she doing there with Mina?' She then left her hiding place. She chewed her lower lip, wondering if she should go to other side. She decided it was better not showing herself. She sat down over grass, folding legs. Suddenly her mouth went dry from nervousness. 'Now or never Momo' She inhaled. "Mina, are you there?"

The boyish voice stopped Mina's reading. She closed her book. "Haru?"

"Hey," Momo said, licking her lips. "Uh, did I disturb you?"

"No, it's alright. What are you doing here?"

Momo took a long breath. Before she could say something Mina continued.

"I'm sorry, I really am," Mina said. She moved gaze to hands on lap. "You're right, I shouldn't do this. It makes me just like them." Her lips curled up slightly in a bitter smile. "Using people talent to make money."

"Honestly it pissed me, moreover it was you, of all people," Momo said and added quickly. "But I'm not angry anymore." She looked down, rubbing palms. "Mrs.Bae told me how important this Academy to you."

"She did?"

"Yeah," Momo replied. "I'm sorry for blowing a gasket, and saying such thing."

"I would do the same," Mina replied. She knew it very well for it was exactly what she did when she found out that the woman who had brought her into Academy, the one who gave her home, was using her. "So, it means you forgive me?"

"If you forgive me as well," Momo said. When a giggle replied her, she turned her head. "What's funny?"

"I'd never be able to hate you, you know."

The honest words threw Momo's guard off. She closed her slightly open mouth. "Oh, thanks, I mean, thank you for...for forgiving me,"

Mina stifled a chuckle. "Did I make you speechless?"

Momo once again looked at hedge, rolling eyes. "No," she lied and heard small laugh from the girl. She couldn't help a smile. "By the way, the ball is next Friday."

"It is."

"Are you coming?"

"Maybe."

"Maybe?" Momo knitted her brows. The girl hummed. "With...Jimin?"

The question made Mina smile. "How about you? You will come with your...girlfriend?"

At the mention of her fake-girlfriend, Momo pushed lips out. "I hope for my Romeo with silver mask actually, but unfortunately he won't come."

Mina laughed. "I know you're gay."

"Hey," Momo said. "I'm not gay."

"Oh, you are," Mina teased.

"No, I'm not."

"Yes."

"No." Momo turned her body to face hedge. "Well, maybe," she said and joined in Mina's laugh.

After that silence fell upon them.

"It's dinner. I should get going."

"Someone's afraid of his girlfriend."

"Stop it," Momo said and rose to feet. "You're not coming?"

"Will you feed me?"

"Mina," Momo said to the laughing girl on the other side. "See you tomorrow." She then turned around to leave.

"Haru,"

Momo stopped. "Yes?"

"Thanks."

Momo smiled, although the other girl couldn't see it. "Have good reading time Mina," she said. She shoved hands into pants pockets, leaving the garden with happy mood. She took a glance behind, smiling wider.

Momo couldn't wipe grin from face. She laid body down over grass, letting out small chuckle.

--------
Final bell rang, announcing the end of school. Momo rose from chair together with her classmates, giving a bow toward teacher. After the teacher left she sat back. She was clearing her desk when basketball team boys walked in. "Guys, what's up?"

"Hyung," Tatsuya greeted before sitting over a desk next to Haru's. "Just want to know if you guys get partner yet. Well, hyung has already," he said to Haru and caught paper ball from him. "How about you guys?" he asked Kwangyum and Xiumin.

"Do we have to?" Tzuyu asked.

"That's the rule. You can't come alone," Tatsuya answered.

Tzuyu sighed. She wasn't sure if she could ask a girl to come with her. Actually there was a girl but unfortunately she was taken already. "Haven't got one yet."

Jungyeon nodded in agreement. She straightened up when she realized something. She swiftly turned to the girl sitting next to her. "Nayeon ahh... will you come with me to ball? Pleeeease."

Nayeon grimaced. "Actually..."

"What, you have already?" Jungyeon leaned closer. The girl nodded slightly. "What about me?"

"But I can ask him to look for another girl, and go with you," Nayeon said. She couldn't resist Kwangyun's pouting face.

"Really?" Jungyeon cheered up. When Nayeon nodded she pulled the girl into hug. "Thanks Nayeon !"

"Looks like I'm going alone," Tzuyu said with sigh. She looked aside when she noticed murmurs from the other side of the room. Some girls were chatting and glancing toward them. And then a girl left the group, walking toward her.

"Xuimin-ssi,"

Tzuyu looked up at a girl with long wavy hair. "Yes?"

"Will you come to ball with me?"

Tzuyu glanced at the others. They gave thumbs up, encouraging her. "Uh, yes," she replied.

The girl smiled happily, turning on heel, walking back toward her friends.

"Someone got a partner finally," Jungyeon teased. She caught crunched paper from Tzuyu.

-----------

Finally the ball came. They were standing in front of Academy hall, watching hundreds of St. Mary's Academy students dressing in tuxedo and dress. Only high school students were allowed to attend the ball. Nevertheless, students of junior high school- in uniform -also came to see their seniors.

"How do I look?" Momo looked down at her outfits. Tonight she wore tuxedo- grey jacket suit with black lapel, silver waistcoat and matched color of bow tie, and black pants for bottom. Tzuyu and Jungyeon also wore the same tuxedo. "I look stupid."

"No, you don't. You look absolutely handsome Haru," Tzuyu said while helping Jungyeon with her tie. "Finished."

"Thanks," Jungyeon said to Tzuyu and turned to Momo. "My designer is the best. I bet she will stun to see you in tux."

Momo smiled a little at the thought but it soon vanished as she realized that her partner was another girl.

Tzuyu noticed sigh of disappointment from the shortest girl and gave light pat. She turned around when she noticed her partner approaching. "Hi, you look beautiful in that dress," she said to her classmate who wore black dress. The girl smiled shyly. "Let's go inside," she said, turning to Momo and Jungyeom. "Guys, see you later."

After Tzuyu left with her partner, Momo and Jungyeon waited for their partner.

Momo nudged Jungyeon. "Your partner," she said. But her gaze then caught president of School of Theatre who walked next to Nayeon.

Jungyeon turned around and was stunned to see the girl. She had seen Nayeon in dress before yet it still astonished her.

"It's not good?" Nayeon looked down at her blue dress.

"No, no I mean, it's really good, nice, on you," Jungyeon said, stunned. She had noticed that blue was Nayeon's favorite color. "You look beautiful in blue."

Nayeon tucked hair behind ear, blushing slightly. "Really?"

Jungyeon nodded, offering an arm. "Shall we?"

Nayeon giggled, taking the arm.

"Sorry brother, going first," Jungyeon said to Momo.

Momo pushed lower lip out at Jungyeon before smiling at Nayeon. 'Jungyeon you better realize it soon' She shook her head, watching the two. "Wait, why did she come with Krystal-ssi?"

"Because they are cousin."

At the voice Momo turned around, but the word got her attention. "Cousin?"

"You don't know? Well, very few know that they are cousin actually," Kei replied. "You look handsome tonight. Let's go inside darling." She took Haru's arm.

Momo reluctantly let the girl hold her arm. They headed to hall but her mind was kept by the fact that Nayeon was Krystal's cousin. 'Nayeons's family name is Im' She slapped head mentally for not noticing it.

Students and teachers of three schools filled the hall. Momo looked around her, hoping to see Mina but couldn't find the girl. She spotted Principal kahi, Sana and some men she believed as committee members. There were also foreigners with them.

"Don't worry she is coming too," Kei said. "The King and Queen will be the last."

Momo could only clench her jaw as she saw smirk on the girl's face. Suddenly students started to squeal as MC announced appearance of their King and Queen. She moved gaze toward main entrance. But due to her shortness she couldn't see them. Finally she could see the pair as they approached center of the hall. She couldn't help staring at Mina.

Mina wore elegant strapless red dress. The floor-length dress fitted the girl's slender body perfectly. Mina's usually straight hair was curly and pulled up in one side.

Momo was stunned by the sight.

"They make a perfect pair, don't you think?"

Momo tried her best not to pull arm off and leave the girl. Although she didn't want to admit but Kei was right. Jimin looked incredibly handsome with white tuxedo, red waistcoat and red tie matching Mina's dress. She unconsciously took deep breath as jealousy invaded her.

"The King and Queen will do the first dance," Kei said, smiling as she noticed the jealousy.

Momo closed her eyes in annoyance. She really didn't need the narration, particularly from the girl. She opened her eyes when center lights turn off and the MC boy spoke up.

"...and the lucky pair for tonight is..."

Momo closed her eyes as suddenly she was under spotlight. Squeals from other students caused her to open eyes. Everyone was looking at them, some in surprise, and some in disappointment. Two months ago they had performed together as a couple at Academy festival but tonight they paired with another person.

"We are the lucky pair darling," Kei said. She placed the other hand on Haru's arm, walking off.

Momo tried not to look at Mina. But again, she couldn't avoid the girl. Slowly she brought gaze up. Mina seemed to be surprised as well. Her heart beat faster with each step. Her eyes glued to the girl in red dress as they approached the pair.

Momo inhaled and turned to face her fake-girlfriend. Kei had small smile on face. The girl stepped closer and put hand on her shoulder. She then took the girl's other hand. She stepped out as music played on. For her surprise the girl could do dance. After some steps they spun around. She couldn't help stealing glance at Mina.

"I'm here and you're looking at another girl? I can feel jealous too, you know," Kei whispered in Haru's ear.

Momo clenched her jaw but tried to suppress her annoyance. Jimin spun Mina around and their eyes met. Those eyes which could see into her soul were looking at her. As she couldn't bear the guilty, Momo spun around, bringing her partner with her. At moment she felt like a jerk that she was using the move to make the person who had taught it to her jealous.

Mina could only swallow a breath as she watched Momo dancing with another girl. It should be her. She turned to her partner when Jimin spun their bodies around. She offered a smile at him but her eyes once again looked for another person. Sana said everything would be alright again, but she didn't feel it will. Honestly she didn't know how to turn thing back as before.

Kei slowed her step as it came to an end. She had noticed that Mina would take glance toward them now and then. She moved hand to Haru's jaw. "Kiss me."

Momo jerked head up, surprised. "What?"

"I said kiss me," Kei said, leaning to kiss Haru's lips. But before she could kiss Haru, he released her, stepping back. "Haru,"

"Do whatever you want. But you'll get nothing from me," Momo said.

Now everyone was looking at them in confusion.

Kei took a step closer. "In case you forget we have a deal, or you want me to reveal your secret, and make her lose her position and reputation?" She smirked but it vanished as she looked into Haru's eyes. There was something different in them.

"I will do it myself."

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