17 Chapter 17: Dawn

Why did she say that? I really thought my cover would be blown.

"You can go ahead inside now, Eli. I'll come in shortly."

"Why, of course. You wouldn't want other people seeing you kiss goodbye. I understand your need for privacy. Please don't stay out too long." Elizabeth-san went on with her usual long rants. Then, she went inside. But what really stuck in my mind was the fact that she said we would… kiss. What am I imagining?! Damn, I'm blushing!! This is embarrassing!

"Are you ok, Takaiyama-kun? You're a little red…"

"Oh, n-no, I'm fine. We don't have to k-kiss or anything…"

"Kiss…?" Damn it! What am I saying?!

"N-no! Th-that's not what I meant, I just don't want Elizabeth-san to get any ideas. That's all. Hehehe…" I tried to laugh it off.

"Elizabeth-san? How did you know her real name? Do you know her by any chance?" Hiroisora seemed surprised that I knew that name. Crap, it is one thing after the next. How much trouble am I going to be in tonight?

"Huh? You told me that. Hehehe." I lied. She never told me anything about her… Ever.

"I did? Yeah, I suppose. Since I trust you, I guess I really did." She smiled at me. I feel really guilty right now, especially when she said that she trusts me… I have been hiding things from her since the time we met. I'm a terrible person… "By the way, Takaiyama-kun…"

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry!" She bowed to me.

"Hey, why are you suddenly apologizing?"

"It's because I told Eli you were my boyfriend…" She couldn't look me in the eye.

"Oh…" Man, I feel much worse now. That is the same thing I'm doing to her, and yet… "It's okay. Don't worry about it." I forced a smile.

"But, you're already pretending in front of everybody at school. I just selfishly told her that because I want them to stop forcing me to go on dates and stuff…"

"Hey, I said it's okay. I better go now. Good night, Hiroisora." While I kept my forced smile on my face, I then turned around to go home. I just can't face her right now. She's a genuinely nice person, and yet I'm using her.

"Good night… Takaiyama-san…" I faintly heard her while walking away.

---

It's a good thing that today is a Saturday and there is no club activity scheduled. I couldn't sleep last night. When I got home, all I can think about was my conversation with Hiroisora. The irony that she's bothered by the fact that she used me yet I'm doing the same thing to her, and that apparently she is being forced to date other guys. I guess Elizabeth-san wasn't lying when she told me before that Hiroisora's father is worried about his daughter not having any relationships.

I went down to eat some breakfast. Then, I saw Uryou at the doorway again, barely opening the door.

"Hey, Uryou. Why don't you let your guest inside?" I asked him. He hurriedly slammed the door.

"Oh, it's nothing."

"What do you mean, it's nothing? You're talking to someone outside. Let them inside the house."

"She's about to leave." He really doesn't want to let this person inside no matter what. What is he hiding? I must find out.

"She? Is she the one who visited last time?"

"N-no! She's not outside. She already left—"

"Forget it, I'm inviting her inside." I grabbed the door knob and opened it myself. "Sorry for my brother's attitude." I bowed down before looking at who was outside. "Please come inside and—" When I looked up, I was surprised. It was a cute girl.

"Ah. Good morning. You must be Takaiyama-senpai! It's nice to meet you." She bowed to me.

"Oh. Good morning. So, are you a friend of Uryou?" What is a cute girl like her doing here? Uryou said she was looking for me. I wonder why…

"Yes. I'm his classmate at school."

"I see. Come on, let's talk inside. Sorry for my brother's manners." When I turned around, I saw Uryou's face. He was blushing so much. Wait, does he like this girl? Hmm… I like where this is going.

---

While we were in the living room, Uryou was sitting beside our guest and he was really quiet. I served tea for all of us.

"Um, I came by the other day to see you, Takaiyama-senpai."

"I'm sorry, but I don't think we've met before. So, I don't remember your name…"

"It's okay. We haven't met before." Oh, so how come she knows me?

"I see. May I ask why you came by to see me? Can I do anything for you?"

"Well, I just wanted to thank you."

"Thank me? For what?"

"That you have been so nice to my older brother. He's a little weird, but he's a good person, although most people see him as just a weirdo. He's never had a close friend before. So I just wanted to thank you, Takaiyama-senpai." I don't understand what she's saying. "Oh! I'm so sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Jirai Tsunagi."

"Jirai? You mean, your brother is Jirai Kagami?!"

"Yes." Ok, now I get it… But what the hell?! Why does he have such a cute little sister! And I'm stuck with my freaking brother?! It's so unfair!!!

"Oh. So that's it." Uryou suddenly came out of his self-imposed silence.

"What do you mean, Uryou?" I was curious to what he meant.

"I thought she was going to confess to you."

"That's why… You won't let her come inside the house to meet me?"

"Yup. Hahaha!" He does realize that Tsunagi is just beside her, right? I mean, he's basically telling us that he likes her, but in a very roundabout way.

"Why would I do that?" Tsunagi seems really confused. "I already have someone I like." Oh, damn. That's going to sting for a while, Uryou…

"W-what?! No!!!" He screamed in agony.

After talking more for a bit, she said she was going to leave.

"Thank you very much for your hospitality. I'll be going on ahead, then."

"Okay, I'll walk you to the door." I had to. Uryou was still in a state of shock. I opened the door for her. "Well, thanks for coming. I'm sorry things didn't work out for you and my brother." I said it jokingly. "He's also a little weird. No, he's really weird. But, he's my precious weird little brother."

"You know what, Takaiyama-senpai? I guess we're both into weirdos. Hee-hee." She smiled at me and then left. Wait, does that mean she likes… Uryou?! Damn it! Some guys have all the luck! I won't tell Uryou about this! I'll let him suffer a little more. This is what they call justice!

---

During the following week, we were busy on preparing for the play. Our club was very productive in terms of our progress in costume and props. Nariyuki believes that if we memorize our scripts during summer vacation, we'll all just forget it by next semester. In order to avoid wasting time, rehearsals will begin during the next semester. We've read the script and planned the choreography of some parts and whatnot. Nariyuki really knows her stuff. I'm just glad she's our leader.

I'm surprised nothing awkward happened between me and Hiroisora, especially after that night I walked her home. I thought she would react to the way the night ended, but it seems I was the only one bothered by it. Also, during this time, I resolved that I would go through with this. If I falter now, I don't know what would happen to our house or to my family. Hiroisora's father and Elizabeth-san don't seem like evil people, but they sure do care a lot about Hiroisora. I'm sure they would do anything for her happiness, even using me. It is something which I understand. I'll do what they want. Even Hiroisora has her reasons for pretending to be in a relationship. I'll just have to take responsibility someday. Right now I'll follow the conditions Elizabeth-san gave me, and focus on this play that we're doing.

---

There are only 2 weeks remaining for our summer vacation. Our club still has one activity left to do, which is go to a summer festival. There is one coming up this weekend, and we all plan to go.

While we were reading our lines during one of our club meetings, I made a mistake and then we took a break. My mind is recently not focused. Even though I said to myself that I won't waver on my resolve, I still can't help but feel guilty towards Hiroisora. Maybe if I can do something for her, it might lessen the guilt I feel…

"Are you ok, Takaiyama-kun?" Hiroisora asked me in concern.

"Yeah. My mind is just wandering off lately."

"You can talk to me about it, if you want." Damn, she's really such a nice person. I'd like to take up the offer but my concern is about her, so I can't talk about it with her.

"Thanks. I'll be fine." I smiled at her.

Our reading session continued. After a while we took another break. When I looked at Hiroisora, I saw her sigh. It seems she's bothered by something as well.

"Are you ok?"

"Hehe. I just asked you the same thing earlier." She's right. I forgot about that. "But, unlike you, I'd like to talk about it."

"Haha. Ok. I'll listen."

"Remember I told you about the practical exams in swimming after the summer break? I haven't had the time to practice since we've been busy here…" She looked really worried. Hey, I got an idea.

"Well, since we have the day off tomorrow, why don't we go to the public pool? I'll teach you how to swim." This way I can really do something for Hiroisora.

"Are you… asking me out on a date?"

"H-huh? N-no! It's not like that!"

"You're really flustered now, you know. It's kind of cute." She smiled at me.

"Fine, we don't have to go."

"I was just kidding. Of course I'll go with you. I want to pass those exams."

"Now that it has come this, know that my fee is pretty high."

"Would a kiss be enough? Or maybe two if you'd like. The other night you were asking for one…"

"Wh-what are you saying?! What if other people hear you?"

"Now you're ashamed to kiss me? What did I do?" She's clearly exaggerating now.

"Fine, I won't teach you how to swim." She grabbed my arm and started to plead.

"I was just teasing you. You're starting to not be fun." She then pouted.

"Okay, I'll teach you how to swim if you stop teasing me. If we have a deal, then let go of my arm. Deal?"

"Boo. You're no fun." She let go of my arm.

"I got used to it by now. You do it every time." I smiled at her.

"How am I going to tease you now?" She was thinking hard. Now I see that she really enjoys teasing me.

---

Hiroisora and I decided to meet in front of the train station near our school. The public pool is just a walking distance from there. I arrived 10 minutes earlier than our meeting time. As I stood there waiting for her, a car suddenly pulled up in front of me. The door opened and someone grabbed me. When I was inside the car, I realized that it was like a small limousine. The seats were facing each other, and on the other side, Hiroisora and Elizabeth-san were seating beside each other.

"What happened?" I was confused.

"I'm really sorry, Takaiyama-kun!" Hiroisora was bowing down to me from her seat. "When my father heard from Eli that I was going out with you, he became excited…"

"Excited… how?" I almost forgot that Hiroisora is kind of rich. When I think about it, her house was big. Also, this car is not something an ordinary person will have.

"When I reported to Kari-sama's father that you were going to a public pool to teach her how to swim, he was very pleased. He was so excited that he said your first date can't be in a public pool, which is why we are going to a private resort. Of course, it has already been paid for and that you don't have to worry about anything. Additionally, there are only a few people there, so you can practice to your heart's content." Elizabeth-san explained in detail what is happening, as if it was nothing.

"Takaiyama-kun… I hope you're not mad that our plans changed. I tried to convince them that this wasn't necessary, but they insisted."

"No… It's fine. I was just not prepared for this." I forced a smile. This really is shocking for me.

"Oh, I forgot to say something." I have a bad feeling about what Elizabeth-san is going to say. "Kari-sama's father wants to meet you. You'll be having dinner with him after I pick you up by 6 P.M. tonight."

"What?!" Hiroisora and I reacted at the same time.

"Father didn't tell me about this!" Hiroisora exclaimed in protest.

"Of course he didn't; he texted it to me just now."

"Um, do I have any say in this?" I asked in desperation.

"No." Elizabeth-san answered bluntly.