Empty Promises

|4| Prince Charming

A/N: Recommend reading: Up to chapter 47

"Ika- Hanami," Rui's voice called.

I clicked my tongue in annoyance. Ever since he walked me home that day, he had been trying to make conversation at any chance he got. Of course our understanding of the term 'conversation' was very different. I was pretty convinced he thought this gave him the right to pick on me on every given occasion. 

So, our conversations always ended up being quite similar to the one we had on our first walk home. In other words, him criticizing whatever I said and me counter-attacking.

Today, I had no idea what he wanted but whatever it was, I just wanted to get it over with. 

I turned around ready to complain but out of nowhere, a bouquet of flowers obstructed my view and interrupted whatever I was planning to say. 

I had to blink a few times to convince myself I wasn't imagining it. Rui was giving me flowers?

"I thought they were pretty and reminded me of you," he smiled, his tone much warmer than usual.

And, without even waiting for my response, he turned around and walked away.

"What's the meaning of this?" Kiara's eyes were wide in shock. 

The students surrounding me kept murmuring between one another as they kept stealing glances at me, then to the bouquet and finally to Rui's retreating figure. 

I didn't really mind the staring nor the attention I was suddenly receiving. What bothered me were certain things I picked up on.

"He's giving flowers to... her?" 

"I heard she's just a bratty child desperate for attention," another one said.

"She's always thinking she's so pretty. No wonder she has such serious attitude issues," they whispered between one another. 

"Did you know she was sent to the principal's office not long ago?"

"Yeah, didn't you hear the rumours? They say she keeps whining and complaining whenever she doesn't get the lead on the school play."

I frowned in displeasure. Really? Was Fuyuko the one responsible for those rumours? Most likely... 

Classes continued like normal and by now, I couldn't care less about the other students staring at me wherever I went. In fact, I had even come to enjoy it. Everyone was now acknowledging me. I didn't get the lead at the school play so maybe this was the universe's way of repaying me, I was finally getting my moment to shine. 

Despite that, I couldn't shake this feeling of uneasiness. What had me so skeptical was Rui's behaviour. 

"Oh Hanami," one of the girls from my English class called my name as she made her way towards my desk, a sweet smile gracing her lips. "That is a beautiful bouquet you have."

"Thanks," I replied, a bit weirded out by the sudden interest she had taken in me.

When I had first arrived at this school, I found it quite difficult to make friends. Everyone already had their friend group and weren't looking forward to open up to just anyone. That's why I first started talking to Kiara. She was an exchange student who found herself in the same situation as me so we decided to stick together and eventually became friends. 

"I can't believe you managed to charm (L/N) Rui of all people," she raised her eyebrows in surprise. "But I don't doubt it, you're so pretty," she complimented.

I frowned. Since when was she complimenting me? 

I continued talking to the girls from my English class and surprisingly enough, they were very nice. They kept complimenting me and gushing over my relationship with Rui and, honestly, it felt good. For once, I was the center of attention and it was something I wasn't used to so it made me feel important.