Mean Girls

[oneblackcat]

She hurts so much inside, she doesn't even know how else to deal with it.

It was simple enough, wasn't it? The hurt was because of Flayn. Was it her perky, happy, perfect innocence demeanor? Her exoticism? Noguchi had genuinely tried to understand what it was that made Flayn so much better than her in Yukimura's eyes that his preference would be so blatantly displayed. It was bad enough to face the sting of rejection, but the slap of humiliation on top of it? She would be lying if she said it hadn't led to a few wet spots on her pillow that night.

The doubles match only made it worse, and that was on top of the rumor he and Flayn had stolen away to a private lunch together in between. How bold was she being without classroom eyes on her? Already she'd proven willing to hold his hand in public view. Whatever the answer, it was clearly enough to have Yukimura bewitched.

It wasn't that she'd ever been particularly close to him. Like most girls, Noguchi had only watched and yearned from a distance for most of junior high, and then into high school. He was just perfect. Beautiful, well-mannered, talented across multiple spectrums.... and there was something about him that captivated her like steel to a magnet. His very presence was an irresistible force. Noguchi had known a couple of little crushes before him; none had held so intensely or for nearly as long. She was simply desperate.

And then, she was also angry. That project reassignment felt like robbery, the one chance where finally they had a reason to talk, and even if he didn't take an interest, it was such a special thing just to be able to sit with him, and she could look up and he was right there.

Until he wasn't, because someone decided to finally show up and be without a project partner, and then decided to turn the charm up to 21 right there in front of everyone. Now Yukimura was being so intimate with her he even personally styled her hair before the match, she'd heard. That long, soft, green mass of curl. He'd complimented it before, too, hadn't he?

She hurt, and she was angry, and those feelings fueled a dark desire to hurt and humiliate back. She wanted Flayn to suffer the way she did, to feel the misery her presence had inflicted. And why shouldn't she? Wasn't it good to learn not to stick out from the crowd so much? It was Flayn's own fault for being so forward and shameless and completely, utterly disregarding of the comfort of others. Did she think she was the only girl in the world who liked him?

Given Yukimura's clear affection for her tresses, it wasn't hard for her and Konishi (bless her best friend, confidant and partner in crime who understood everything) to settle on a punishment. And when Yukimura excused himself to get some supplies from the back room, and then Kudou-sensei left the art room to do whatever it was he wanted to do that wasn't teaching, opportunity knocked.

With mental placations of the near future, she slid over to Flayn's table and into the chair across from her with an awkward smile.

"Morning. Mind if I join you for a bit? Since you were late joining the class, I never really got a chance to properly meet you."

Comments

[senseskill]

Without a sound, and barely a shift in his body language, Yukimura descends into private crisis.

For all the Valentine gifts he's received and reciprocated as is custom a month later, he has basically no experience with romance and dating. It was a leap just to go to a touch of hands as a friend would do; that's quickly escalated into territory solidly in the camp of couples. It isn't that he minds, but what does this mean about their status now? Neither of them made a confession, and this is hardly the time for one. Does Flayn consider them to be dating without even the need for such a thing? Yukimura hasn't exactly been shy about his own signals. Was that normal to officiate with a handhold where she's from? What is he supposed to do now?

Breathe. Breathe and focus and stay calm. It's not the most important thing right now, says at least the greater half of what remains of his cognitive function.

"You don't need to worry about that," he assures her. "While it's true he'll eventually be informed, the student council president is thorough and well-organized. He'll want to know all of the facts and prepare a formal report before he gets the headmaster involved."

[seems_fishy]

"Who is the student council president? I do not think they can prevent my father from acting... rashly. Particularly if they are so rational themselves."

Belatedly, she looks at their hands.

Then back at Yukimura.

"I am sorry, is my hand getting too sweaty?"

[senseskill]

Yukimura is not quite sure what to make of this continued concern. How would her father even know to act?

"No, it's not at all... More importantly, how is your father going to get involved before being told about it? Are you expecting him to stop by and check on you for no reason? --Ah, I'm sorry. I got carried away. To answer your question, the student council president is Hiroshi Yagyuu. He's played tennis for the school for years, so I know him well.

"In any case, you only need to think about taking care of yourself right now. Leave everything else to me."

[seems_fishy]

She smiles wryly.

"I imagine someone will tell him sooner rather than later. If they are so ill disposed to me, I can easily imagine others who feel similarly about them. And would be willing to make their lives harder accordingly."

And school would be the most convenient weapon.

"But you are right I shouldn't be worrying about them... Though, since you are worrying about me, I almost feel no need to."

[senseskill]

Yukimura can privately admit he's not concerned with whatever fate has in store for bullies. Particularly not bullies that had targeted someone he was fond of. Suspension was the minimum he would accept in consequences, and he had no reason to think it was a case he'd need to argue. What a strange position this is to be in, though, finding Flayn's father such an easy figure to identify with after the way they butted heads about Marui at the beginning of the year.

Flayn's admission makes him smile just a little. "Is that so? Then you can leave that to me too, if you like."

He leans back slightly to check over her tresses. She's rearranged things a bit since class.

"It doesn't look like she was able to do any damage. Thank goodness..."

[seems_fishy]

"Because you came to my rescue so swiftly!" Flayn said quickly. "I shudder to think what might have happened if your reflexes were at all slower."

[senseskill]

The flush of pleasure in his expression from her praise betrays his true feelings beneath the requisite modesty.

"It was nothing really. Although I must admit, tennis will do amazing things for your grip." Konishi might be feeling a bruise around her wrist in the near future. There wasn't really time or mind for considering how much grip strength was needed in an emergency. You simply grabbed, and the urgency of the moment did the rest.

[senselessness]

"It was something, because it made her stop," Flayn contradicted. But she did it with a smile.

"I must go and face them all at some point, mustn't I?" Her voice quivered slightly on the last words. "I wonder if I made it worse for myself by not just holding my head up and sticking it out. But in that moment, I could not... could not face anyone. I still do not want to."

[senseskill]

Yukimura thinks about that for a minute. He's never been the best-versed in social situations. But the feeling she describes is relatable in another way.

"...A long time ago, when I first started playing tennis. I found myself across the net from a taller, more experienced opponent. To be honest, it was scary. I was losing, he was taunting me, and I didn't know what to do. In the end, unable to escape and at a loss for other ideas, I smiled at him.

"As the match went on, pretending I was happy and in control made him uneasy, and he self-destructed. I was able to make a comeback from those mistakes, and won the match. I don't know if pretending is the answer for you. Having gotten to know you over these few weeks, I wonder if pretending is even necessary. I've seen firsthand the brightness of your heart, and the resilience of your smile. They don't have the power to take those things away from you.

"I think you should show them that."

[seems_fishy]

It is hard to picture such a scenario as Yukimura describes, but even harder to call him a liar. She can't picture him losing, but she can picture that smile. And she wonders how often he smiles without feeling it now.

"Well, if you will go with me, I can smile about that," she said shakily.

[senseskill]

It isn't exactly a well of confidence coming from Flayn with that suggestion, but if Yukimura has noticed, he isn't commenting on it. Instead, he rises, leaving his hand offered for use pulling herself up and standing with enough confidence for both of them.

"Yeah. Let's go back together."

For the time being, it was probably best for his peace of mind and hers alike that he stick close to her for the rest of the day, gossip be damned. And if gossip was going to happen anyway, rather than be upset about it, maybe he should focus his energy on finding a way to leverage it instead of fight it.