𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 || Alternate ending

A Friend | 7

As Scaramouche sat there, listening to your words, he paused. "What do you mean?" he asked, gazing at you with a puzzled expression. "Why would you invite me?— you're weird," Scaramouche muttered, looking away. You grinned, "you're a loner, and I'm a loner. Is it not the perfect idea? I've always wanted to go to the Naganohara Firework Show!"

He laughed, "why would I want to go with you?" he scoffed, "I've already been there before, it's boring!"

"Really?!" you leaned closely in excitement. "What was it like?— Were the fireworks pretty?— Who did you go with?" there was a spark of curiosity in your eyes and Scaramouche, feeling overwhelmed slightly backed away. "I- uh," he stumbled to find the right words. "It was... I don't know! It was a long time again, I don't remember."  he said, pushing you away. Though a bit disappointed, you were still intrigued. You've always wanted to go to the Naganohara Firework Show. It was said that the show was so beautiful that it could captivate anyone. "Can you try to remember? Who did you go with there?" you asked.

Scaramouche trying to answer your question, rummaged through his memories. "I don't know?— probably with my mom or something..." he stopped as he locked eyes with you. "Actually no, that wouldn't make sense... but It was definitely someone, besides, why does it matter to you? Are you a child, fireworks are so plain?"

Someone.

You gasp quietly at his comment. You were almost offended by his words. "What? No! Fireworks are nowhere near plain! They're amazing. Especially when it goes off into the sky, and 'boom!' colourful explosions are everything." you explained. There was a look of joy in your expression, and for once, Scaramouche saw a genuine smile graced upon your lips.

He hummed, resting his head onto the palm of his hand. "Are fireworks really all that impressive?" he asked. You looked over and nodded, "they really are! I'd love to see them up close one day." Looking up at the sun rise, you lift your hand high up as if to grab the sun. "It's fine if you don't want go with me this year. But it'd be nice to go there with a friend."

A friend.

Those words caught Scaramouche off guard, "I—!" He uttered, flustered but still wanting to say something. "—I doubt I could trust some random women who puts weird things into strangers hair!" he blurted before quickly looking away. Your head immediately turns to Scaramouche, "—hey! What do you mean weird things?" You exclaimed, however paused when noticing that his ears were bright red. "Are you blushing?"

"NO! IM NOT." He immediately yelled, shaking his head yet still refusing to look at you.

He looked at the ground and clenched his hand tightly. 'A friend... that sounded like a nice thing to have.'

—

Once resolving the issue, you go back upstairs with Scaramouche to your dorm where Ayaka, Thoma, Raiden Ei, and Yae Miko waited to bid their fair-wells to you both before they can return home.

"We'll we back tomorrow to bring in more furniture!" Thoma smiled, ruffling you hair. "Be sure to get some rest before then," Ayaka reminded you with a gentle voice. Ayaka's small reminders to take care of yourself always seemed to motivate you— even if it's just by a little. It made you happy that she cared, and you didn't want to disappoint her. However, Scaramouche on the other hand seemed quite annoyed.

"Don't forget to eat three meals a day." She'd say,
"I know."
"Remember to drink milk everyday!"
"You told me that already."
"Drink a lot of water, okay?"
"Okay."
"Don't forget to drink milk,"
"You said that already!"

Scaramouche sighed, "I'm fine, just go already," he pushed his mother towards the door. Yae Miko chuckled as she followed Ei from behind. She looked back at Scaramouche before she left and smiled, "have a good night rest!" She said... a bit too happily. Immediately after they had left, Scaramouche was relieved and flashed you a quick glance.

You quickly look away and shift your attention back to Ayaka who's as going on about the details of your dorm. "There's not much furniture at the moment, but the couches and tables should be delivered soon— besides that and unpacking your things, the dorm is almost ready!" She explained. There was this look in her eyes, she seemed proud, as if she was in awe at you for achieving some independence. Getting a dorm wasn't that special, really. It was something you should of gotten long ago but never had the chance.

Thoma placed a hand onto your shoulder, "If you're feeling unwell at any time, please let us know as soon as possible. Don't go out if your feeling any sort of discomfort, okay?" He said.

You nodded.

"ANY sort of discomfort," he repeated.

You nodded again.

He smiled at you, "We're trusting you to take care of yourself, okay? We have to go now. Message me if you need anything," Thoma reminded you one last time before lifting his hand away from you. A part of you didn't get it. Why did people always have to worry about you? Just because you were more frail the others— just because you had different needs— was the only reason why you were treated differently. You hated seeing the worried face on others. That bittersweet sympathetic, half-hearted smile never failed to make you feel guilty.

"Alright, I'm fine. You and Ayaka should hurry, the Kamisato clan gets busy very quickly!" Your expression shifts into a more energetic look. You turn Thoma around and playfully slap the back of his shoulder, "there's nothing to worry about. At least now I don't have to spend half my entire day sitting in a chair for private tutoring!" You grinned.

"Okay! I wish you the best of luck at school. Come get me at student council if you ever need to." Ayaka says before walking towards the door. She gives you a little wave and a short smile before leaving. The sound of the door closing echoes through the dorm.

You look over to Scaramouche, "there's only one bedroom here so we're going to have to share," you stated, walking over to grab a box. He ignored you and instead, went to look around the dorm. As the principal's son, Scaramouche was used to living in a large house with a bedroom the size of the dorm you're sharing with him now. He was probably not used to living in such a small space.

You could hear him opening and closing the empty fridge, walking around the empty living room, and examining the boxes you had brought in. "It'd be nice if you could help," you commented as you placed the carton of food Scaramouche's Mother had brought for him onto the counter.

He looked at you, "This place is shit," he muttered, sitting onto the empty living room floor. "Well, there's not much we can do, can we?" You said, glancing over to Scaramouche. "Scaramouche, how about you help move some boxes into our room while I set up the kitchen. According to Yae Miko there should be some covers and a mattress to set up the bed."

"Hmm. Trying to make me do work, do you know who I am?" He laughed as if why you said was a joke.

"Well then, Kunikuzushi, can you help set up the bed's in our room?" you asked again.

The difference between the name Scaramouche and Kunikuzushi. Scaramouche was a name that gave him power, it was a title— a nickname given to him as a reward for being the son of Raiden Ei. Kunikuzushi on the other hand was just an ordinary boy. It was name that didn't belong to 'the principal's son' but rather his own... this was something you learned as you observed between Scaramouche and his Mother.

"Tsk, fine" he murmurs annoyingly before forcing himself to get up. "Rich kids," you whisper to yourself.

Hearing as Scaramouche went to the bedroom, you heard as he paused before entering. "What the fuck?" He uttered, feeling confused. You looked back in curiosity and saw him standing outside the room. "What's wrong?" You inquired, slowly approaching him.

Looking into the bedroom, you became just as baffled as Scaramouche.

Inside the room, the 'beds' were already set up. Expect the other one was broken and cast to the side. Thus none but one singular bed remained in the center of room— that one singular bed consisting of bright red covers and heart shaped pillows. You looked at Scaramouche who had a look of horror on his face.

"Sweet dreams - Yae Miko,"