His Equal

Meeting Her

After going through the welcoming ceremony, we were all supposed to head to our homerooms next. Although I wasn't expecting to see Akabane and Nonomura still tied at the hip. After everything that happened in their class, they still have the stomach to be with each other. I watched Nonomura smile, the one that always pisses me off. 

I watched as she clung to Karma, while he just smiled down at her. What a bunch of fools, getting caught up in one another. They're not going to last, not with all the hard work that's going to come our way the next couple years. I walked into class 1-A taking my seat in the front row, just like I did back in junior high.

If it's anything like junior high, then Akabane will prove to be a worthy rival. Nonomura is close to being on the same level as Akabane, but she is no where near his natural intellect. I smirked to myself, knowing that the next couple years were going to be interesting.

⊱ ────── {.⋅ ♫ ⋅.} ───── ⊰

Two months have passed since school began, and I already have the student body lining up to work for me. Everything is going according to plan, and nothing can take me off the path that I have started. I have to take pictures for the newspaper club, since they wanted to do an article on me as well. 

Although, Akabane and Nonomura seem to be fitting in fairly well. They haven't been scorned by any of our former classmates, which isn't shocking, since they both got the top scores the year before. Everyone seems to be respecting them, even though the two were in E class. Some things change in the end, I suppose. 

"Asano, that photo shoot is starting soon, you might want to get down to the photography club room."

"Ah, I see, thank you for telling me. I'll be back later, so resume studying for finals."

I walked out of the classroom, making my way down to the photography room. I entered the room, to see a black haired girl setting up her equipment in a hurry. I cleared my throat, and she glanced at me, then went back to what she was doing.

"Sorry, I wasn't expecting you to come early. You can take a seat, I just need to finish setting up and then we'll be taking your photos real quick."

"Alright."

I sat down on the simple chair, and watched her work quickly. She was adjusting the backdrop, for some reason. I don't know much about photography, but I assume the backdrop is to give a setting of one's choosing. She soon finished, then she turned towards me, her eyes scanning my appearance.

"You want to change or anything before we begin? Some people are weird like that, so I wasn't sure if you would be one of those people or not."

"No, I'm perfectly alright with what I'm in now."

"Alright, well do me a favor and stand in front of my backdrop, then do whatever pose you feel most comfortable with."

I walked over, crossing my arms as I stared into the camera, when I heard that soft voice I've heard almost every day.

"Sakura? What are you doing here? You're supposed to be in your music club right now!"

"Sorry, I had to drop by and give you that American recipe you wanted! I would've forgot otherwise."

The photographer smiled at Nonomura, giving her a hug before putting the recipe in her bag. Seems like those two know each other fairly well.

"Thanks, now I have to get back to work. We'll catch up later, alright?"

"Oh yeah, definitely! It was great seeing you too, Asano!"

Nonomura waved at me, while I glared at her. She seriously is too nice for her own good, is pisses me off. She soon left the room, leaving me with the photographer. She stood behind her camera, then she smiled at me.

"Seems like you have a thing for my friend there. How long have you known her for?"

I felt my eyes widen, before I scoffed looking away from her. She doesn't know anything, she's just trying to make conversation.

"I've known her since junior high started, although I'm not into her. She's too much, even on a good day."

The photographer chuckled at what I said, which caused me to look at her. What does she find so funny?

"Sure, and I have bubblegum pink hair! You may think you have your feelings on lock down, but for the exceptionally perceptive, like myself, that's not the case. Now, shall we get back to what we came here to do, Mr. Asano?"

I glared at the girl in front of me, feeling anger coursing through my veins. Just who the hell does she think she is, to tell me something like that? She has no idea what she's even talking about, she doesn't even know me. I regained my composure, posing while she took the photos.

I couldn't get what she said out of my mind though. How could she tell so easily? I've just shown that I dislike Nonomura, nothing more and nothing less. Even Nonomura thinks I get irritated with her every time I see her smile.

"Alrighty, we're all done here today! I'll get these to the newspaper club, so then they can finish their piece on you! Can't wait to read what they write about you, Mr. Asano."

"You say you're perceptive, yet you seem to be unintentionally trying to get on my nerves."

She just grinned at me, which made my blood boil. Is she going to say anything to that or not?

"It's easy to see who you truly are,"

She said, as he made her fingers into a rectangle while she looked at me. She had one eye closed, and her stare told me she knew more than she let on.

"That nice guy facade doesn't really suit you though. I just see you more as a ruthless cutthroat guy who does whatever he wants to get where he needs to be. All within in the rules, of course. Have a good day, Asano."

Before I left, I turned around to face the girl who was now putting equipment away, curiosity getting the better of me.

"What's your name?"

She turned around to face me, that grin never leaving her face. 

"The name's Asuka Teruhashi, although it's not worth knowing. I'm just a simple photographer, no use to you. Have a good day."

I left the room, walking back towards my class, thinking about the interaction. She is much more perceptive than I thought anyone would be. I will have to be more careful around her. Asuka Teruhashi, that's a name I won't be forgetting for quite awhile.