Akari's POV

Today was the day before the art exhibition. That means that today's going to be another busy day. We'll have to move and hang the artworks and get everything in order. Well, these two weeks have been tough. Our fundraising from the other day was a success and we collected paintings and artworks that the students submitted. Our art club also made some artworks as well, though it's just Mari, Shou, and I. Yumi was unexpectedly good at art too and she submitted several paintings.

I straightened my uniform as I look in the mirror. I looked at my painting that was lying beside my study table, I'm glad it turned out nicely. I had been working on that painting for a week straight, despite all the other work from the art club. The painting was too big to fit in my bag so I had no choice but to hold the painting on the way to school.

I went downstairs and saw Granny making the breakfast as she listened to the weather forecast on the TV. "Morning, Granny."

"Morning, Akari-chan. I made omelets today, here you go," Granny said as she put my plate on the dining table. I dropped my bag and painting on the chair beside my seat. Granny also got her plate of omelet and sat in front of me.

"It's really delicious!" I exclaimed as I ate the omelet.

Granny chuckled, "Eat a lot, I can make more. You've been working hard lately so you need to eat more to get energy."

"I will," I nodded.

"How're things going?" She glanced at my painting. "The art exhibition is tomorrow, right? Work hard, Akari-chan," Granny smiled.

I nodded once more, " Yeah, I will. Thanks, Granny, things are busy right now. Though it'll be back to normal in a few days after this is done."

"I see... I'm glad that you're doing all these things. Making friends, participating in events, and joining clubs, I couldn't be happier," Granny laughed in joy.

A small smile appeared on my face when I saw Granny happy. Then, I noticed the time and put my bag on. "I have to get going now," I stood up and picked up my painting.

"Ah, okay. The weather forecast said it's gonna be sunny today but you should bring an umbrella in case," she said.

"Okay," I said as I put down my painting to wear my shoes. After I was done, I took my painting and called out, "I'll be going!"

"Have a safe trip!" Granny replied.

I walked my way to school like usual. As I was strolling along, I stopped and stared at my painting once more. 'Don't worry! This looks nice!' I encouraged myself.

Just then a droplet of water fell on my painting, as the watercolor smudged. 'Noo!! What's going on?' I glanced up at the sky as another droplet hits my face, and another, and another. 'Why does it have to rain out of all time?! I thought the weather forecast said it won't rain today??'

I quickly took a shelter underneath a roof of a closed down store front. I opened my bag to take out my umbrella but I couldn't find it. 'I FORGOT MY UMBRELLA! This way I'll be late to school, too' I could run in the rain but the problem is my painting...since it's painted with watercolor, the whole painting will be ruined. I waited awhile, for the rain to stop, but it didn't.

'Whether I submit my painting or not is my choice, it's not mandatory, so should I just put this painting over my head and run to school?' I felt uneasy about my choice but at this moment the important thing is that I won't be late for school and that I don't catch a cold. The rain doesn't seem like it'll stop in a while.

I've got no choice. I put the painting over my head as I prepared to dash in the rain. But a dark blue umbrella appeared in my sight. "Hey, elephant girl. What do you think you're doing? Are you just going to let the painting you work hard on to be ruin by the rain?" This voice... that bastard? The umbrella lifted up as he revealed his face.

"It's not like I have a choice.." I looked away.

"Come."

I narrowed my eyes with doubt. "If you're letting me share your umbrella with you then, no thanks."

"You just don't know how to be thankful huh? Well, then I'll get going. Let's see if you find anyone else to share your umbrella with," He smirked and walked away.

'I hate to accept it but, he's right. Mari and Natsumi are probably at school already.'

"Wait!" He turned to me again with a grin. "I'll come with you." He came back to me and pulled me by my waist beside him, under his umbrella. Then he put his hand on my shoulder, "W-What are you doing??"

"There isn't that much space under this umbrella you know? We have to be close together so that your painting won't get ruined. Let's go."

"J-Just so you know..you'll be dead if you try to pull off anything weird."

"I have nothing to pull on you. Don't worry," He laughed.

After what it seemed like hours, we finally arrived at school. I saw that most of the students had their umbrellas and some ran because they don't have theirs. I really felt angry at myself for forgetting my umbrella.

When we got to the shoe lockers, Ken closed his umbrella and put it in the rack. I changed my shoes and walked away without saying anything.

"Hey, where are you going? You won't even thank me?" That bastard....

"I have no reason to. I could've just run here but you're the one who offered to share the umbrella," I said coldly.

He sighed, "Although, it's just a thank you... you really have no manners, elephant girl."

I flinched when he said that. I decided to thank him, my painting would be ruined by now if he didn't come. "Than--"

"Ken!~ There you are!" Nao Yumiko ran up to that bastard, saving me from thanking him.

"Ah, Yumi! Morning."

"Good morning!"

While they were greeting each other, I quickly slipped away and went to the club room to put my painting. I glanced at the painting once more thought back again. He really did save me. I actually didn't want to ruin this painting. It was what I was working on for the whole week after all.

"I guess I owe you one..."

Yumi's POV

It sure is pouring down. "Why is Ken not here yet??" I mumbled under my breath as I leaned on the wall near the shoe lockers, waiting for Ken. The other students were looking at me, either with gazes of admiration, adoration, jealousy, or hatred. I closed my eyes, not wanting to make eye contact with anyone. I was used to it, but it's still disturbing every time.

Then I heard Ken's voice, I opened my eyes and saw Ken and that girl.....Akari? Why are they together? They seem to be having a conversation, an unpleasant one that is. I approached them.

"....you really have no manners, elephant girl."

"Ken!~ There you are!" I ran up to Ken. It sounded like Akari was about to say something, but I seemed to cut her off.

"Ah, Yumi! Morning."

"Good morning!" I replied. Akari disappeared when I was about to greet her too. But that's not important. "So? Why were you guys together?"

"She forgot her umbrella so I just shared her mine."

"Hmmm..." I stared at Ken closely. "Is there anything going on between you too? If so, I gotta be careful!"

Ken chuckled, "We're just friends," then he stared back at me, "It's not like there's anything going on between us either, right?"

"Huh--"

"Yumi, I'm telling you, we're over."

"Whatever," I shrugged. I didn't want to admit it. I still want to be with Ken. He's the only one I've got right now.

We walked together to our class. "Hey Ken, by the way, what was that earlier?"

"What?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Elephant girl??" I remembered him calling her that when I approached them.

"Ah...that! It's a name that suits a girl that strong like her. She's like an elephant you know??" Ken started to explain and laugh. 'Ken's laughing?' "She popped a soccer ball with her hands you know???"

"Ohh...." I didn't care what he was saying, he sounds too excited as he's talking about her. He never laughs in front of me, ever since I came back. I buried my thoughts and tried to put up a conversation. "Aren't you being a hypocrite right now? Remember? You yelled at your friend since he was calling me 'Giraffe Girl'? You even told him that I have a name and made him call me by my name." I laughed as the memories flashed back in my head. "You even got in a fight, and then afterward you even confe--"

Ken cut me off and stopped walking. "Stop. That was in the past Yumi." Then he went silent.

Ken's POV

Yumi's right....Maybe I might have been quite mean to Akari. But to be honest, she the one who's meaner. Like what just happened, even though I helped her she didn't even bother to thank me. Will she be nicer if I treat her nice?

Then I felt a knock on my head. "KEN!" Yumi interrupted me from my thoughts as she hit me on the head.

"That didn't hurt at all, Yumi."

"I just lightly knocked on your head. Why would I hurt you?" Gahh if it was that elephant girl, I think my skull would be cracked by now. Thank god, it's Yumi.

"I don't think I can stop calling her elephant girl...it would be weird to start calling her name after all."

"Heh? Do what you want," Yumi said as she went ahead of me.

>>>>>>>>>>>

Natsumi's POV

Uwahh, it's been so tiring these days. Well, it's fun so it's worth it~ But everyone's so harsh! Maa-chan is busy with many things such as leading us and organizing things. Aki-chan is also busy trying to get her jobs done. Shou and the boys were also busy doing the posters and banners. Yumi was just helping out everyone as much as she can. I also had to think of the decorations and the layouts and run errands sometimes.

"Natsumi-chan, earlier Aoi-sensei asked to bring some equipment she put in the storage room. Can you go get them? They're labeled, 'Art Club' " Mari called out as she hangs the paintings.

"Okiee~," I said as I left the club room and head to the storage room. I scanned the storage room and saw the three boxes labeled 'Art Club'. There were more boxes than I thought. I might have to bring these and come back and bring them again, but that's too much work. Oh well, might as well just bring all of them at once. I still have to work on the decorations anyway. I cautiously lifted the boxes one by one. They were kinda heavy and due to its size, I couldn't see what was in front when they were stacked together.

As I was on my way back, I accidentally bumped into someone. I panicked as the thought of the boxes collapsing came into my mind. But a hand pushed the boxes back in place before they were about to fall. Then my view was cleared as the boxes in my eye level were removed.

Instead, I saw, Nishida-senpai in my view, holding two of the boxes. I stepped back as I was surprised from seeing his sudden appearance. "S-Senpai?! Ah, a-are you okay? I'm s-sorry I couldn't see where I was going," I spurted out quickly as I avert my gaze.

"I'm fine, what about you?? A girl shouldn't be carrying around this much boxes, you should ask for help."

'Oh my god!! Nishida-senpai is talking to me!! Senpai has noticed me!!!!' I was squealing inside.

"Umm.... are you okay??" I snapped back into reality.

"Y-Y-Yeah!! I'm fine!" There's no way I could talk normally when senpai is right in front of me, talking to me.

"So, where are you bringing these to?"

"To the art club!"

"Ah, are these for the exhibition?"

"Yup!"

"I'll help you bring the boxes there, lead the way?" Nishida-senpai smiled.

"Y-Yes!!" I said as I started walking rigidly, I could feel my face burning, I mean senpai just smiled at me!!! We started walking together to the art club, I tried to walk as slow as possible, I didn't want to get there yet.

"Are you okay? Is the box still too heavy for you?"

"N-No!!! That's not it! I'm strong so it's fine," I put on a reassured smile. Senpai stared at me for a second, then he started laughing. 'H-Huh???? Why is senpai laughing at me?? Is there something on my face?? Did I say something weird??'

"You... You're really odd aren't you?" He said between his laugh.

"O-Odd....??"

"I don't mean it in a bad way--" Soon we arrived at the art club. "Ah, looks like we're here."

I nodded. "I didn't get to know your name yet, what's your name?"

"N-Natsumi."

"I'm Nishida." I know :3. "It was nice meeting you," He smiled. What an angelic smile he has T^T.

"Oi! What took you so long?" Ryouta came out and took the box I was holding, then he saw Nishida-senpai. "Nishida-senpai? What are you doing here?"

"I was just helping out, as you can see," he smiled.

"Oh, thanks for the help!" Ryouta said as he went back inside the room to put the box and came back to take the boxes from Nishida-senpai.

"Then I'll get going, bye~" WIth that, senpai was already gone. I went back inside the room and slouched on the chair as I begin to sulk. But, I was happy nonetheless.

"Heh? Aren't you happy you got to meet Ni-shi-da sen-pai?" Ryouta teased and said his name syllable by syllable.

"Ehh~? I have no idea what you're saying," I lied and tuck Ryouta on the shoulders.

"You say that, but you've been smiling since he left. You're grinning from ear to ear."

"That's not truee~" I said in a girly voice. That was so weird.

Ryouta sighed at me and shook his head. "Just get back to work."

>>>>>>>>>>>

Akari's POV

We've been working nonstop for two hours. Since our last class was Aoi-sensei's class, she told us we could skip and start working. The others also got permission from the teachers.

We're almost done with everything. The banners, decorations, crafts, and sculpture parts are done. The only thing left to do was hanging some more paintings.

Just as I finished my part of hanging, I heard girls' voices from the other side. I stepped down from the small chair I was standing on and slowly walked to the side where the voices were coming from. There, I saw some girls flocking over that bastard.

"Ken~ Come on! You've been busy with this stupid exhibition and you're not even making time for us!" A girl whined.

"Yeah, we're starting to feel lonely!"

"Ahaha, sorry guys. There's been too much work lately. And Sayumi-chan, it's not a stupid exhibition. The members and I put a lot of effort to it," Ken replied.

"But! But it's not only that! You could hang out with us when you're done with the club activities but you always went home with that Nao Yumiko! Why? Who is she to you??"

'Wow, they're so annoying. I even feel bad for that bastard-- wait no, never mind. He deserves it since he's the one who was playing with those girls' I thought to myself.

Just then Nao Yumiko popped up out of nowhere. She hugged Ken's arms and smiled at the girls. "Well, that's cuz he's my boyfriend!"

I stared at them dumbfounded. 'What?! I thought they're not dating anymore. Maybe they got back together?!' The other girls also looked stunned. I don't know why but even that bastard seemed surprised.

"Wha- what do you mean his girlfriend?!!" One shouted.

"Ken is it true???"

"Ah...." Ken averted his gaze and smiled sheepishly as he scratched his cheeks with one finger.

"No way...."

"It can't be!" The girls cried and ran away. Wow...dramatic much.

"Thanks, Yumi. I was in a pinch," Ken patted her head.

"Geez, just call for help when you need," Yumi pouted. A few seconds later, both of them laughed happily. They look like they're enjoying themselves.

Just then, I sensed a presence behind me. "Ararara~ look at this." I spun around to see Mari with a mischievous smirk.

"Mari! Don't scare me like that!" I yelled quietly.

She ignored what I said and teased, "Somebody's jealous~"

"Ha?? What are you saying? Why would I be?"

"Well, you were looking at them so carefully and didn't even notice me calling you."

"Um-- no! It was just noisy over there so I went to check. And seriously, why would I even be jealous of something like that. It's not like I like that bastard," I babbled and shivered at the thought of me liking that bastard.

"Whatever you say~" Mari giggled.

"Mari -_-"

Mari laughed, "Let's clean up now. If Yumi and Shou finish hanging the paintings, we'll be done! And we can see how everything looks and be proud of ourselves!" She smiled and clapped.

As we were picking things up and putting everything back in the boxes, Ken and Yumi came back. She must've finished her job. After a while, Shou came back too.

"We're done! But let's finish up cleaning and look at everything once again. Shou-kun, Yumiko-chan, and Ken help us clean," Mari smiled.

"Okay~" Yumi and the three of them started collecting things we don't need anymore.

Natsumi looked like she was having fun, cleaning. She even hummed and sang a few songs while using the broom as a mic. She was in her own little world, I could even see sparkles flying out beside her. Mari scooped beside me and whispered, "Hey, Akari-chan....Natsumi-chan is acting weird isn't she?"

"Yeah, look at that goofy smile on her face," I replied as we both continued to observe her. The others were staring at her too.

"Let's ask her!" I held Natsumi's shoulders from the back and Mari grabbed Natsumi's hand and we dragged her to the meeting table.

"What's wrong? Aki-chan, Maa-chan??" She giggled. 'Omg, something is definitely going on with her.'

"That's what we were about to ask you," I sighed.

"Teehee~" Natsumi stuck her tongue out. "Guess I was found out~!"

"Of course, you were so obvious," Mari pinched Natsumi's cheek.

"R-Really?" Natsumi cupped her cheeks. "No way~"

"So? What's up?" Mari took a seat.

"Earlier...I met with Nishida-senpai~" Natsumi covered her face with her hands, hiding her shy face.

"What?! What happened?? Give us the details!!"

"While I was bringing the boxes I bumped into him and he helped me out! We even exchange names!!"

"Awnn...that's wonderful! You're a step closer to him now!"

"Ahh....so it's still having an effect on you." I turned my gaze to Ryouta, who was sweeping quietly near us.

"Oh! Ryouta was there too when I came back! Right??" Natsumi grinned at Ryouta.

"Yeah, she couldn't stop smiling since then," Ryouta gave Natsumi a small smile back and when she turn around I saw a glimpse of a frown on his face.

What's wrong with him?? Last time too...when we were talking about Nishida-senpai. Maybe he doesn't like him? But he said he knows him. Maybe they just don't get along. Who knows.

"But...he laughed and call me odd...." Natsumi started to pout.

"Why???"

"I don't know, but I'm happy enough to see him laugh," Natsumi smiled sheepishly.

Having someone you love.....huh? I looked at my bracelet as I clutched my other hand over it tight.

"Akari-chan? Is there something wrong?" Mari titled her head.

"No. It's nothing.."

After we finished talking we went back to cleaning. Because everyone was helping out, we were able to get things done quickly. We piled the boxes in the corner and made the place look neat.

"Guys! Come here, let's look at how well we've done," Mari giggled and called us outside the room. Everyone gathered around and looked at the place in awe. Wow, it actually turned out beautifully. I didn't actually notice it at first because I was too busy working but once I took a good look at it, it looks magical. All the paintings, crafts, sculptures, artworks, and the place itself seemed like it was sparkling.

"Wow..." the bastard broke the silence.

"We actually did this?!" Ryouta squeaked.

"Yup~ it's all us," Yumi grinned.

"I. LOVE. THIS!!!!" Natsumi jumped around putting her hands up high in the air. Shou didn't say anything but I could see a small smile on his face as he gazed around the place.

Mari giggled, "I can't agree more to that."

"Yeah..." I said in a small voice.

"Yup! Everyone did a great job! Be proud of it!" We spun around to see Aoi-sensei smiling with her thumbs up.

All of us smiled and grinned at each other. Mari put her hands out. "Who's in?" We all looked at her, huddled together and put our hands out, stacking on top of each other. "I couldn't be happier that this turned out great. Although it has been tough these days, it was fun! Let's give it our all tomorrow! 1! 2! 3!" Mari chanted as we all lifted our hands to the air.