CHAPTER 12

"Ichinose and Jinguuji? No, they can't be," Masato's blunt and fast response was not something that Syo would expect no matter how normally close the pianist was with the boys.

It was a typical recess time for the students, except for the fact that more STARISH members 'served' as Otoya's bodyguard. Four of them which were Natsuki, Syo, Masato and Otoya were eating together before Otoya vaguely said that he needed to go to the restroom. Instantly, the café was shaken by the ear-splitting sounds of three screeching chairs, being pushed due to the 'command' from the redhead. As if the determined looks that each of them cast was not dramatic enough.

"No, you can't go alone. Have you watched a lot of movies? The target will get attacked a lot in the restroom. Anyone can be your enemy at this rate."

"Yes, Hijirikawa is right if only he doesn't sound too dramatic," Syo supplied despite he himself could not restrain himself from reacting strongly a few seconds before.

"But, guys... I think you guys should take it easy sometimes. You know, it's because everyone is looking at us right now," the redhead said carefully.

Then only they calmed down. The illusory fire around them whenever Otoya decided to do something that would jeopardize (?) his life such as playing soccer, going to back to the orphanage and going to restroom slowly faded away, much to the redhead's relief.

Now, while Natsuki took an extra precaution which was waiting for Otoya around the stalls, Masato and Syo were waiting outside.

"That's fast," Syo commented, unable to believe what his ears served him.

"What?"

"The fact that you deny my claim about Tokiya and Ren... that was fast."

"I just want to make it clear for you about what I believe," Masato stated. "And that's not because Ichinose and I are like two peas in a pod or any sorts that you guys usually make fun of us. As for Jinguuji, he's my friend and roommate. I know him like the back of my hand."

The sarcasm in Masato's words started to suffocate Syo. He aimed this conversation would comfort him since God knew how encumbering for him to be suspicious of his own friends.

But it seemed like Masato took his words as offensive and decided to pick a fight with him instead. This was more shocking than what Tokiya and Ren had done; always disappeared, talked to each other seriously which was cut short whenever Syo joined them and glared at Otoya or Cecil whenever they spent time with Haruka.

"Then, what makes you so sure that they don't have anything to do with Otoya's death?" Syo said as he looked around, making sure that their conversation was not eavesdropped by anyone.

"Do you really think that someone like Ichinose has time to do something cheap like ruining someone's relationship by killing the husband? A workaholic like him?"

"But, we don't really know what he has in his mind all the time."

"Exactly. It's not like you stay in his head for the whole day, right? Please don't leap to conclusions if you don't have any evidence," As Masato's eyes sized up to emphasize the fact that Syo was being ridiculous, Syo could feel that his skin started to peel off his face.

He knew it. Masato was insulting him.

"I was about to say that we should find out more information about them but now, when you blindly defend them with those baseless reasons, I think you also easily jump to conclusions, Hijirikawa. Face it! They are normal human beings like us. They have feelings..."

"They love Nanami. That's where your justification came from, right?" Masato asked back. "Face it, Kurusu. We all love her. Why don't you just say that we are all the suspects now? Why do you exclude the rest of us?"

"It's because I trust you, Hijirikawa. All this time, I look up to you and that's why I am telling you this."

"And I trust Ichinose and Jinguuji. Ichinose was with me in the bookstore when the murder took place. If you think that he's suspicious, you might as well get suspicious of me. Does that mean you're suspicious of me then? You don't really look up to me, do you?"

"Wait, what's wrong with you, seriously? Why are you twisting my words..."

"I know. Jinguuji and Ichinose don't have a very sweet personality. They sometimes annoy us with their selfishness but they won't ruin STARISH just because Nanami chose Ittoki out of us. Instead of being suspicious of them, maybe you should be careful with Shinomiya instead. He has a mental disorder so anything can happen, right? He the craziest here, you know."

"Don't insult Natsuki!" Syo could not care less when he started yelling in the open area. Once his selfless best friend was suddenly dragged into their argument, it was enough to touch his nerve.

"The same goes to you, Kurusu"

"What are you doing, guys?" Otoya's puzzled voice found the perfect timing to stop Masato and Syo from almost jumping to each other's throat. The friends turned before their eyes met with another pairs of red and green eyes right away.

"Nothing, Ittoki," Masato said. His blue eyes that Syo swore that they almost got red slowly summoned back the coolness that they always cast.

Something felt wrong. He knew despite their daily fracas, Masato and Ren were close but this was the first time.

This was the first time he saw Masato insisted on something without solid evidence. He was a man with determination. He already smelled something fishy lingered around Tokiya and Ren, even before Cecil became part of Saotome Academy. That was why after he thought it over, he expected Masato to help him matched the puzzles that he kept to himself, even from Natsuki.

But it was useless. Masato was worse. He blindly defended them.

"Yup. We just... talked about assignments," he supplied, forcing himself to smile at the redhead and Natsuki who clearly expected more explanation from him. He helplessly prayed that none of them could clearly hear what kind of topic that he had initiated which caused both of them to lash out at each other. "Are you guys done? Should we get back to class?"

He avoided everyone's eyes and could not care less if they ended up interrogating Masato after that. The guy was dependable if it was not because of his blind defense for Ren and Tokiya.

All Tomochika could do was rubbing her best friend's back. It had been ten minutes and as much as she herself did not experience it, it still pained her to see Haruka vomiting continuously. Her hands were pressed against the toilet bowl for a support.

"Haruka, should we get a medical help from outside of this school instead?" Tomochika said.

"It's okay, Tomo-chan. I am fine," the composer said weakly, unlike her words. Her hands were shaken since her energy was wasted from vomiting so much. "This is normal. I can handle this much."

It was typical for Tomochika. Even she could expect that Haruka would convince her that she was fine which was not convincing at all, the future idol would never get sick of trying. Haruka was not fine and as much as it was so scary if Haruka's pregnancy would spread around the academy, her constitution should be their priority at this point.

After they were done, Tomochika slowly lifted her and held her shoulders for support. Outside, they bumped into Natsuki who was back from cafeteria.

"Haru-chan, there you're."

Normally, she would not mind if Natsuki lifted her up, hugged her or overall treated her like the cutest dog in the world. No matter how big the guy was and how sometimes his hug could break her bone, she did not mind it. He was her friend. She could allow such body contacts.

But, not from now on after what Tomochika had revealed to her. If that was how any of STARISH members showed their affection when she only had her eyes on Otoya, she could not allow it.

She should keep the distance between them.

So, when Natsuki lifted his arms to trap her in a hug, she already flinched and moved away. It embarrassed him for sure in such a public space. Especially when Natsuki's loud voice drew everyone's attention to them, his fans or STARISH's fans already snorted at how unacceptable Haruka treated the guy.

"Shinomiya-san, what are you doing here?" she said. She did not lift her head yet but she could expect flustered blinks from the guy and the shocked face from Tomochika.

"Well, I am just wandering here and the boys said that you already went straight to toilet after having your meal. Are you okay?" He approached again and that was when she felt something snapped in her.

Something that urged her to scream at the top of her lungs.

"Can you just ask me without invading my personal space!? Why do you have to hug me or treat me like a dog!? I hate it!"

The corridor froze with silence. All those mumbles, cheerful chit chats and jokes around them were stopped by Haruka's shriek. Tomochika could feel that whatever soothing words that she always had for her best friend faded away while Natsuki could only stare at the composer in disbelief.

What just happened? It was too devastating that he found it hard to believe. Were those hatred and shriek really came from a sweet person like Haruka?

"Haru-chan, listen. I am sorry if I offend you but while you do really look like my Elizabeth, that's not the only reason why I care about you. I..."

"I don't need to know about whatever reason you have. Whatever it is, it doesn't change the fact that I am not comfortable with how you always touch me."

As the realization finally hit her, Haruka could tell as much. She did not have to look around. It was recess so students were still occupied every inch of the academy here and there so she could feel eyes were drawn to her. It was bound to happen. She caused it so she had to pay for it.

"I am sorry, Shinomiya-san. I don't mean to yell like that," as she apologized, she was madder at herself. She yelled because she wanted to protect herself. She screamed because Natsuki would always touch her without permission. It was the time where she had to draw the clear line between her and the boys.

But the innocent and soft-hearted side of her had whispered in her mind that she was mean to Natsuki who had always genuinely cared about her which was another thing for her to despise.

"It's... it's okay, Haru-chan," Natsuki said. His voice quivered which was something that was so unfamiliar and it broke her heart instantly. "I am sorry if I..."

"It's okay. Now you know what should you be careful with, excuse me. I need to rest before the next lesson," Haruka said, ignoring everyone who had glared at her. She walked away as soon as possible as her heart helplessly prayed that she could disappear from the place as soon as possible.

Disappear... what a beautiful miracle it was.

Meanwhile, it was definite that Natsuki felt ashamed and insulted. He might appear as an airhead most of the time but it did not mean people could throw any kind of insults to him. He still had feelings but he chose to not let the negativity clouded his mind or else...

Someone inside him would explode or avenge on him which would never be the moment for him to let it happened.

"Natsuki..." Tomochika initiated. Seeing how the always bubbly guy slightly bit his lips while his hands were balled into fists, it was upsetting. "I believe Haruka didn't mean anything when she said such things to you. As much as I understand your feeling, just like how she said it, you should keep your distance from her. Haruka has a lot of thoughts in her mind."

All Natsuki could do was sighing.

I am sorry, Haru-chan. I will behave after this.

"She hasn't been in our room yet. Can you look after her if you have time? I have something to do with Ringo-sensei until seven."

With that words, it threw the determination to Otoya to look for the sweet composer. He went straight to the lake while warning his friends to not follow him this time. His guess was right. His sweetheart was sitting by the lake, hidden by the thick bushes. Hugging her knees while orange eyes stared lifelessly at the shimmering water, she looked fragile but at this moment, Otoya was scared, even to put his hand on her shoulder. Tomochika had told him about what happened between Natsuki and Haruka which was surprising.

"Haruka..." he said as soft as possible like a higher voice would break her apart. As soon as she turned to look at him, her hands quickly wiped off the tears that threatened to stream down her cheeks.

"Otoya-kun," she remarked, bitter smile was curved in shortly after. "What are you doing here?"

"Tomo had told me what happened during recess. You and Natsuki," he said, sitting in the same postures with hers.

"You must be here because you want to scold me..."

"No, I am not," he denied instantly. "Rather, we're all worried about you, especially Natsuki. He wanted to apologize but he doesn't know. Not how you seem you aren't comfortable with..."

"I don't need any apology. I just want them to give me a space to breathe," she said sternly. It was harsh and Otoya could only conclude that it was because of her pregnancy that she no longer could control her emotion well. "I don't need too much concern from them."

Them? Does she mean STARISH?

"Haruka, if you have something in your mind..."

"Yes, I have," she said. Slowly, she shifted her position, facing him. This time, as much as his love to her blossomed so much that it drove him crazy, it was not the time for that. Rather, she looked like she was carrying around a raining dark cloud on her head. "Otoya-kun, I think I have to leave this place."

The words that she carried did not mean as soft as her voice. Rather, it was like a lightning which struck straight to the redhead's heart.

"Wh... what? Why?"

"Because of my child," she said, smiling as if she had told the best news in the century to him. "It's too risky for me to stay here. I can't do any physical activities and I believe there are people who already have their suspicion. In no time, people will know that I am carrying a child. I don't want to lose my baby..."

"But I don't want to lose you," Otoya interposed, breaking her sentences before she exposed too much details and tore his heart. "I don't even want to think that one day you'll leave this place when it's my dream to sing your song, to share my happiness with you..."

"Your dream is to be like the principal. Your dream is to be an idol so that you can sing for your happiness and your fans'. That's what you told the principal on our first day. That's what you carry with you when you decide to set your foot in this place. Remember that," Haruka said. Standing up from her position which was like a hell for the redhead since it would mean she would follow her decision and leave him alone, he quickly stood up. "I am just someone who you happened to be in the same class and composed your first song. After you debut, you will have the chance to encounter a lot of people who will love and appreciate you. You'll gain more love..."

She was being ridiculous was just what the guy could think of. How could she think that he could just replace her with anyone like she was just a doll? She meant everything for him even he never directly said it out.

The view of her back facing him was the only thing his mind could register. He wanted her to stop blurting out more unpleasant words so he stepped forward and enveloped her frame into his embrace.

The embrace which carried his love, attention and desperation.

"Please stop talking," he said, his head leaned against hers. His voice was husky, which caused her eyes to size up. She could not see him but she could tell he was fighting the urge to shed tears. Man, what she had done? She wanted the best for him but was it still called the best it if it caused him to cry instead? "Please stop talking if you still want to leave me because I don't approve it. I need you to be here. I need you beside me."

She slowly held his arms which encircled her neck, returning the affection. She was speechless in her spot. It might be because of her pregnancy but she had grown to fond of Otoya's smell. No matter how he was sweaty from playing soccer with Syo, she found him endearing.

You sure love Daddy's smell, right? It's sweet, right? But honey... you need to learn how to stay away from your dad after this. We can't stay like this. It's not safe for you and I don't want to lose you.

This time, Otoya cried but Haruka lost all her energy to comfort him.

There were no words left for their situation.

Putting on complete uniform without too much make up, all the girl had in her mind was her roommate.

Her beloved but stubborn roommate. When she left their room earlier than usual, Tomochika knew that Haruka had made a crazy decision. All she could do was looking for Otoya especially in the cafeteria while inhaling deeply for oxygen.

As expected, Otoya and others including Tokiya were sitting at the same table, having breakfast. Eyes with different colors all drawn to her which made sense since she was not the usual herself; vivacious and noisy. But at that morning, she threw all of her demeanors to the window. All mattered was Haruka.

"What just happened? Why do you look so..." Syo could not finish his words since it was clear that Tomochika wanted to talk to Otoya.

"Otoya, you... you have to find Haruka this instant."

"What? Why? She isn't with you?"

"No, she wasn't in our room when I woke up. I believe she's seeing the principal to quit school right now. You have to stop her, Otoya-kun!"

When it comes to Haruka, he did not need a second warning. Otoya immediately left the table, running as fast as his legs could carry him.

Haruka, please... Please don't do this to me.