Getting Carried Away

Today's arrival at school was met with more than the usual level of stares and whispers that Subaru was accustomed too, as he noticed added attention on his arrival, but with Shiori as a friendly escort all the way to their class, it was only looks and chatter.

Appears everyone knows... or is finding out this morning about the news... I still can't believe their still making such a big deal over me...

Shiori had caught on that he was concerned.

"Don't fret, their just happy that you are."

"Huh?"

Subaru had been lost in his thoughts, as they made the slow start up the stairs.

"About you and Akashi..."

"Oh right... yeah."

He could feel a little grin creep over his face then.

I wonder if Kei's getting this treatment too... And if she'll be okay with it...?

Surprisingly Kei was already in the classroom when they arrived, and each gave a small smile and glance at the other, before Subaru settled into his nearby seat, while Shiori watched over the 'boyfriend' carefully.

"What do you want now?"

Kei asked Shiori, who stayed right up to the side of 'his' desk.

"Just a friendly reminder for you both; that flirting during class is strictly a no no."

Flirting... I wasn't aware we were doing that...?

She stated in a kind way, and then got more serious as she closed in toward Kei only.

"I believe Subaru really likes you Akashi..."

Tachinana said assuredly, before adding some more to the already flabbergasted teen.

"...Just to let you know; a few in our year have decided; that if you break her heart - we don't care who your family is... we'll find you and make you pay for it... okay?"

"Wha...?"

"Now, have a nice day."

The plain girl turned about and walked away to her own seat and set down her bag, like everything was totally normal.

Kei dwelled on what had been spoken to her, as Subaru fidgeted for a few seconds, until he caught someone glaring at him.

Oh crap...! She looks real pissed...

Minami Tetsuko was giving him an evil stare, as she arrived and apparently overheard Shiori's earlier words, or from someone else, and Subaru knew exactly why too.

I figure she just learned of our... status... If looks could kill: I'd be doubly dead...!

She glared on until the next student arrived and bumped into her, but Minami grabbed Tsumugi's arm and held her before the open doorway, then proceeded to have a hushed conversation, while giving the odd glance their way.

"Kei... do you think we need to worry about Minami...?"

His neighbour looked over, but without hesitation reassured him.

"Nah, I think she knows there's nothing she can do..."

Subaru noticed a new student, waiting patiently just behind the two blocking the front entrance, but grew a little concerned as the tiny girl showed the slightest bit of alarm as she overheard their nearer conversation.

Minami eventually grew aware of Inori's presence too, and finally let Sato go, then allowed them to pass, before taking her assigned seat to probably continue to brood.

Subaru's lingering unease stayed in the back of his mind, till their first break of the day saw Minami spring from her chair and walk towards him.

Here she comes...

She walked up to his desk, looking past, like she meant to pass by, but suddenly stopped and dipped down, right over to Subaru's ear and softly whispered.

"I know a secret... about you - but I'll tell you and Kei later, after class."

It gave him tingles, both good, but mostly bad, however that was all she said, as she promptly leant back up and proceeded to stroll by, heading for Tsumugi again, near the back of the room.

Subaru kept his eye on her, but then looked past Kei's concerned face, searching for Inori, who watched on too, and saw Subaru give a slight beckoning hand gesture, to abandon her seat and toddle over briskly.

"What did she say?"

Subaru ignored Kei for a moment, as the tiny Inori came up directly before his newly emptied desk, and then asked her.

"What did you hear this morning Araki?"

"Tetsuko said she had 'a huge bombshell - that would blow their world apart', in reference to your newly confirmed relationship."

Inori blankly reported, but with only that to say she waited in the brief silence before quietly adding.

"Do you think she could refer to your closely guarded secret, somehow?"

She said quietly, but apparently not quietly enough.

Akane suddenly slipped her hands around Inori's tiny waist, making her yelp slightly, before wrapping her arms around from behind and peering up from her side.

"Hi Araki... so are you talking about the anime... with the bombs and secret relationships?"

Inori had frozen, not at all sure what to do with the combo of a sudden question and body contact.

"I like that one too..."

Thankfully Akane hadn't quite heard everything, and now distracted Araki as Kei leaned over from her seat to inquire too.

"So what do we do?"

"She said she'd tell us after classes..."

"So we just get out of here real quick then."

Subaru knew that would be a problem, but that was something to be concerned about then, as the next class was about to begin, and everyone returned to their seats.

The bell drew nearer, but apparently Kei had got some sort of a plan in action.

I've organised a distraction, so just leave your bag and we'll take the back exit.

A neatly written note read, that had been tossed Subaru's way earlier on in the English lesson.

The moment the chime sounded, the class soon rose for the customary bow, and while Kei was focused forward, Subaru glanced about with anxious nerves.

Jiro nodded, as soon as moment was allowed, and he stepped out into the space between the desks, and blocked the path of the tanned teenage girl who tried to come their way.

"Hey, uh, Okamoto... did you happen to know the softball clubs schedule for the week?"

He asked Akane, giving added reason for his obstruction, which irked Minami now.

Kei lightly held Subaru's hand as they slipped the opposite way, to the back of the room.

"Miss Tetsuko and Miss Tachinana, can I have a word with you both?"

Subaru heard the teacher call out from up front, gifting them extra time to get away.

"Uh? Sure Mrs Matsumoto... what is it about?"

Minami turned about and went to the waiting teacher, as Kei opened the rear door to the room and waited for Subaru to quickly shuffle out.

"We need to hide somewhere, till she gives up."

"Will she?"

Subaru was half pushed along the corridor, past the normally used front entrance to 2-A and towards the first major hurdle - the stairs.

"We need to be quick... so can you manage..."

Subaru probably only matched a normal student's movement at leaving, going down the first few downward steps, the best he could manage, but apparently that wasn't good enough for Akashi.

"This will take too long - here."

Kei stepped down two stairs lower, and then promptly scooped Subaru's legs out from under him.

"Ah!"

Subaru was held, carefully and closely, as Kei bobbed him down the flight, much faster than he could do on his own, and in short time, as they neared the last steps, Minami's voice called out from above.

"Sekiya - Kei!?"

Kei kept him in her arms, and quickly marched down the corridor, past several first-year spectators, who gave comments as they went by.

"Kya - a real Princess hold!"

"- For the 'Princess' too!"

"OH my... I'm so jealous!"

"Is that her fair prince?"

They were all ignored as Subaru's 'Fair Prince' scooted 'his' bundle along the long corridor.

"Hey you two!"

Tetsuko yelled at them, now having reached the first floor too, but Kei quickened her pace, apparently with no difficulty at all.