Proposals

Another week rolled on by, and school was becoming 'normal' for Subaru.

The commute didn't seem so bad; also now that he often had company most mornings, with either Kei or Shiori waiting at the station, and occasionally the small follower of Inori trailing along too.

Classes were going well; as he was dutifully paying attention and learning.

Breaks where also fairly eventful, now with a host of people who talked with him - mostly the blue duo, but sometimes Momofuji, Hoshikawa and Sato appeared for a little chat, and sometimes even Kei's friend Jiro Sirokane tagged along with Akashi as well.

Subaru was still given plenty of time to himself; letting him read, or occasionally find something new - like the clubrooms in the old building, or stumbling upon something else - like Junko and Wada all over one another during lunch, in the back unused classroom.

Rarer occasions saw Onomiya come into contact with him during school times, and occasionally a few more tiny notes appeared in his desk and were then delivered back to the quieter Inori, without further incidents, so school life was going well.

Outside of school; Inori was being respectful, sometimes lingering around, but no longer 'stalking' the 'Princess', while returns to the station mostly included an escort by Kei, or when she was practising with the other footballers - sometimes Onomiya wrangled Subaru to the Takashi household for some gaming time and often a meal too.

It also seemed an unspoken rule that if something was required from Subaru, one would have to make the journey to 'her' desk, where the 'Princess' was usually resting at.

While Subaru hadn't told anyone else the real reason for his apparent unwillingness to proactively move, no one ever asked either, so things came his way, but that was okay too, as less movement was preferred.

Today a different classmate arrived before Subaru's desk, this one was the taller guy, he'd seen up front, who'd apparently plucked up the courage to come talk to Subaru - totally out of the blue this recess.

Seto Ishikawa stepped right before Subaru and looked to 'her' with a big grin, flicked his head to move his longish fringe aside and gave a cheesy pick-up line.

"Hey girl, you want to hang, after school, somewhere nice?"

"Uh... No thank-you."

Subaru didn't hesitate with the polite rejection, having had practically no contact with him before this interaction.

No way...! Was that an attempt at hooking up...? I don't care... but what brought this on..?

Subaru's clear rejection didn't compute, as the other tried again.

"I'm saying a lovely lady like you could go out with me for a bit..."

He was clearly angling for something - that had no chance of happening, since Subaru was keen to avoid being discovered by anyone else, and especially since he was not attracted to other guys at all.

"Sorry, no."

"I'm one of the cool guys, and I'll defiantly treat you right... come on give it a shot..."

"Thanks, but nope..."

Persistent, but also without a clue...

He kept grinning at Subaru like he was winning 'her' over.

Geez take the hint... Its guys like you...

"Aw... don't play hard to get, that's so lame these days... and you're far too pretty for that."

Eh... Who's lame...? Major cringe factor too...

"I promise you'll have a whole lot'a fun, I'll make you a true treasure..."

Seriously, ew... what a sleaze...

Subaru was beyond being polite then.

"Hard pass there."

Seto thumped his table suddenly with his palm.

"Hey!"

Subaru did well to hide his shock at the unexpected outburst, and kept his eyes on the other guy's, who leaned down over him slightly.

"I came over to give you a chance, and you have the nerve to talk to me that way?"

Full of yourself much...? Is he making a scene so I'll quietly shy and submit...?

"I... am... not... interested!"

Subaru stated slowly and surely - so it might finally seep in.

...ever... dude...

Seto's smile was all gone now, replaced with an almost pouting frown, but with anger flashing in his eyes, as he remained with the spread hand on Subaru's desk top.

"Hey, she said no, so take the ego hit... and piss off"

Kei appeared beside and stepped up between the small desks, glaring upward slightly at Seto.

"Going to show off for the Princess are you?"

Kei simply huffed and didn't back down.

"You've been rejected Ishikawa, I'm just saving you from more embarrassment."

His anger blazed, as he made a random grab at Kei's shirt then, but she was watchful and had much quicker reflexes - intercepting his hand and twirling his fingers and wrist over harshly.

"Ow, ow, ow, hey - let go ya..."

She gave a truly chilling stare his way, and he finally snapped silent.

"Go on..."

But he didn't say a thing, so Kei released him, and he retreated away, as she hissed a final.

"Get lost."

Subaru watched him slink off to his own desk, as did a few other onlookers the scene had attracted.

"You all right?"

With the threat gone, she turned her calm blue eyes his way.

Subaru nodded; pretty sure he'd never be able to step in for someone like she just had.

Kei returned to her seat and put her elbows on the desk, then her chin on her hands and sighed.

"Are you?"

Subaru asked, seeing her in quite a down mood now.

"Yeah, it might lead to some more trouble later, but I can handle it..."

She didn't bother to look at Subaru again.

"Thanks anyway."

"Yeah don't mention it."

Seto's brazen move looked to have annoyed a few of the classmates, as both Tachinana and Inori behind him, both stared daggers Seto's way, while slightly upsetting Akane directly ahead of Subaru too, as he pouted angrily like he was the one that had been done by the hardest.

It all eventually settled, and classes resumed, then the incident was mostly forgotten about as school finished for the day, and amongst all the movement of everyone doing their own thing after the bell, Kei leaned closer and whisper to him.

"Can we meet up at our usual spot... soon?"

Subaru nodded, knowing she meant the almost abandoned restrooms.

Subaru got to it pretty promptly, but only waited a moment till Kei arrived, though she seemed a bit distracted, but before he asked for the reason they were meeting she spoke up.

"Subaru, I think you and I..."

She hesitated over her thought, but eventually pushed on.

"I think we should both... go out...together."