Emiko's Secret

"I would like to join your club." Mitsuko's supposed friend, Emiko-san, turns to Fulvius-kun as they return to the classroom after lunch break.
She is inquisitively looking at him while quickly blinking.
"Why would you want to join our group, not interested in the arts anymore, huh?" He sneers, "Has Mitsuko sent you to snoop on us?"

"No, never. I realized I'm not very talented in the arts, and Mitsuko has been acting quite weirdly lately and unfriended me on social media, so I thought maybe you guys are actually better people to hang out with," Emiko states with a smile and appears to be sincere.
"Alright. I will ask Hinata-san for her opinion, and if she agrees, we will let you in." After giving his response, Fulvius-kun shouts, "Hinata, come, Emiko-san wants to join us."

The situation seems odd. But given how unpredictable Mitsuko is, it's possible that her story is true. Additionally, we need to attract more members if we want to grow as a club. However, is she reliable? Will she nullify our efforts and reveal our secrets to the public? But hold on, I need to discover a way for her to join while remaining discreet. She'll need to be raked, I guess.
"Emiko-san, there are a few requirements before you may join our club," I state.
"What exactly are they?" Emiko enquires hastily. Her eyes make it clear that she is afraid of being rejected. Joining our club seems to be very essential to her.

"You must first have a secret that you are reluctant to share, and then you will share it with us. The next step is to pledge loyalty. If you violate it, you will be punished by making the secret of yours known to the entire school," I say.
"I've got something in mind, all right. Should we discuss it now or later?" She asks while displaying a hint of fear in her eyes.
"Meet us near the lab room after school," Fulvius and I agree unanimously. There is no way we will reveal our club's specific location to her until we learn the secret.
"See you later, Emiko-san." I add as I wave goodbye.

I am in a deep conversation with Fulvius outside the lab room. He asserts he hasn't been anticipating my objection to what he has recently done to Mitsuko. He inquires about my relationship with her. In addition, he states that despite his lack of complete trust in Emiko, he would cleverly use her to obtain data on Mitsuko.
Why are you so focused on Mitsuko-san? I ask him.
"I'm doing it to rule the class, of course. She gets in my way," he mumbles just before Emiko shows up.

Emiko whispers as she draws nearer to me and places her palm next to my ear. She mutters the same thing to Fulvius after I give her my nod of approval. Without saying a word, we begin to move in the direction of the secret room, leaving poor Emiko to follow us like a dog.

We welcome her warmly when we get there.
"In what ways may I help? Do I need to plant anything?" Emiko enquires.
"You can serve as my temporary assistant. Behave as you did when you were with Mitsuko. Bring my stuff when I need it, and let's get friends, of course. Discuss anything with me." Fulvius winks at me as I spoke confidently. I'm wondering if my confidence will get his attention.

While Emiko washes the dishes, Fulvius approaches me. We are making fun of her little secret. He eventually makes a hand contact with my cheek. I shudder.
He stares at me and says, "I'm sorry, there was a speck of soil on your cheek. Then, in a seductive voice, he says, "You did a great job. Be sure that I will repay you after I reach the top of the class." Emiko is pausing too frequently to look at us, so I can see how this conversation catches her attention. I encourage her to continue doing the dishes since I want some privacy with Fulvius.

"As the days go by, Hinata-san, I find you to be more and more fascinating. You are attractive, and I just found out that you are also quite smart." Fulvius speaks in a soothing, extremely warm tone.
"Are you dating anyone?"

"I am not. I wanted to spend this time of my life concentrating on my studies and hobbies. Not going out or looking for a guy." I answer his question while trying to keep my excitement at bay. I find it hard to believe this is happening.
"Why do you ask?" I inquire.
"I admit that my curiosity won. It's time to water the beans."

He changes the subject so quickly that I begin to wonder if he has feelings for me, and it irritates me greatly that he turns to something else.
"Do you believe what Emiko-san said, Hinata?"
Fulvius is certainly contemplating that secret a lot. This is worse than changing the subject to plants. This suggests that he may be interested in Mitsuko. That irritates me even more.
"Who knows. Maybe."
 Without saying anything else, I shrug him off and go to water the plants.

Isolating myself is helpful for me when something upsets me. Even if only for a short while. I can't let him see my frail side. I often wonder what Fulvius is up to. In whom, if anyone, is he interested. Perhaps all he wants to do is use everyone around him to satisfy his ego.
However, I somehow feel that he likes me.

 Simply put, he wants it to be undetectable that he is interested in me. He asked me if I was single, so why would he ask that if he wasn't into me? He's probably not jealous of Emiko, but finds it amusing to think about her secret. Hinata, calm down. Everything will work out for you. Fulvius-kun will be yours.