Transferred into Hakuou!? (Hakuouki Fanfiction)

Replay 10: The Taming Of The Blackmailed

After the ordeal a few days ago, I've decided to stay at the kendo club. Kondou will be able to see my perservance and reopen the club, I'm sure of it.

I found out that the kendo club activities occur on every Monday and Friday, but according to Chizuru the members hang out in the clubroom whenever they are free. Kondou only comes in on Mondays and Fridays though. Instead, I stand outside the principal's office everyday after school, much to the dismay of many teachers. One of them include a certain teacher in black suit. He probably has several of the same clothings at home for I have never seen him in other clothes.

Some teachers want to take disciplinary action, but Kondou always stop them. "She'll go away after some time." He would laugh it off but there is a discomfort in his voice.

A week passes fast and I understand that Kondou isn't about to give in, so I follow him everyday after the school closes. I would stand outside the entrance and wait patiently for the principal to appear, and when he did I will follow till he reaches home.

I am about to do the same for today, but Kondou will be in the clubroom. Packing my books, I quickly head there. As my fingers trace the doorknob, I realise that there are people inside.

"I'm so tired of her stalking." My hand pauses at the knob. "I completely understand her intentions, but..." Kondou's sigh sounds so exhausted and it dawns on me that I have been doing something very wrong to him. Guilt forms a lump in my throat as I continue to eavesdrop.

Souji's voice answers quietly. "That kid does not have any self-awareness." A shiver runs down my back. Souji doesn't sound pleased at all. He must be a little annoyed that I am disturbing the school principal. "I will talk to her alone." Okay, maybe not a little annoyed. A whole lot annoyed sounds like it.

"Please don't be so hush on her," Kondou is saying. "She is...well, your to-be realtive after all. And she's younger than you too."

Souji laughs, and I almost jump. "Don't worry," he says. "I will treat her really nicely."

The 'really nicely' part is total BS, I just know it. I turn away, preparing to sneak off when Kondou speaks again.

"Anyway, I am happy to know that you and Mitsu-san finally have someone to depend on."

I stop in my tracks. That someone must be my father. I change my mind about leaving and step closer to the door.

"I guess."

"It feels like yesterday when Mitsu brought you to my house..." Kondou trails off.

"I am glad that my sister did," Souji says softly. "If it weren't for you, she would have collapsed long ago."

Uh-oh. Somehow, it feels like I am eavesdropping on the biggest secret Souji has. I'm considering if I should leave now or later when someone startles me. I bump my head onto the door with a loud thud, and sees Saito glancing at me.

"Sorry for blocking the doorway..." I whisper, hoping that the two people in the room don't hear me.

Saito doesn't answer but walks into the room instead. I swiftly scamper away from the scene, but not before I hear Souji telling Kondou that he will be right back. Cursing under my breath, I rush to the rooftop, thinking that it is the last place he will look.

Of course I was wrong--I've forgotten Souji is a psychic.

He opens the door of the rooftop and shuts it behind him quietly. With nowhere to run, I just back away, avoiding eye contact at all causes.

"You heard what Kondou-sensei said, so there's no need for me to explain."

He must be talking about the stalking thing. I swallow the lump in my throat. "I know. I will stop doing that." Souji cocks his head, expecting more. "And I will apologise to him. Both in person and in a letter." I gulp. "Can I go now?"

Souji's smirk answers my question. "You need to learn from your lesson, kid."

Lesson? But I've already realised my mistake! I open my mouth to retaliate when he comes closer to me. Automatically I take a few steps back until I can feel the cold metal fence. Souji doesn't stop walking and I have to turn my face away, not wanting to see him up close.

"Confront the school bully tomorrow after school." His breath tickles my cheek and I struggle to comprehend what he said. The school bully? Why would I confront him? I don't even know who he is. "Either that or you'll have to pay with your body."

My body!? My head snaps to face him. Our noses touch and my heart beats so loudly I fear that Souji can hear it. I am so close to him--so close that if I pucker my lips I will kiss him. The thought of kissing him makes my face heat up, and my foot moves without thinking. Unfortunately he shifts his foot and my heel hit the ground. I yelp in pain, clutching my leg.

"The same thing don't work twice on me, kid." His smile maddens me. "See you around." Souji closes the door behind him, and I hiss in frustration. This boy will lead me to my grave one day...

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I go and apologise to Kondou, who is astonished that Souji had talked to me so quickly. He is happy that I realise my wrongdoing and tells me to let bygones be bygones. I am this close to talking about reopening the drama club again when my hand slaps over my mouth.

Kondou looks worried. "Are you okay?"

My hand still over my mouth, I reply, "Of course I am, sir."

He laughs good-naturedly. "I hope you and Souji are getting along fine. He may be hard to read at times, but he's actually a nice kid."

Thank god for my hand which isn't moving away from my big mouth, or I would have exposed everything to Kondou. "Yes he is," I say, gritting my teeth hard. "He is a really nice kid." My voice is dripping in sarcasm but the principal doesn't hear it.

"That's great to hear it." He smiles, and my hand drops to my side. "Even though you're younger than him, I hope you will take care of Souji." He returns to his office with a wave, and I scoff. Okita Souji? A nice guy? He must be as fake as plastic people. It seems to me that I am the only one who knows his true nature and it pisses me off that no one else can see it. One day, I promise to myself, I will expose him in front of everyone.  

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Hey everyone! So happy to be back writing frequently. I'm also elated that you guys have been supporting this story even though it took a long time before it was updated.

So far into this story, I have been wondering a lot if I have been writing it well and properly. What I'm actually most worried about is showing Souji's personality. Will he do this? Will he do that? Does he like or hate this? And etc runs through my mind quite often. I am sorry if sometimes his actions are uncalled for, but I'm trying my best to improve on character analysis.

Once again, thank you for reading, and also always, I hope you guys enjoyed it!