split into small groups of eight, Maruki, Jikan and a sport jockey in their homeroom class Tachi were all on the same team. Accompanied by two more boys and three girly girls, they all formed one team. To the jock’s misfortune, all his friends were on their opposing team. The jock that tried getting Maruki into his soccer team ever since he started school there, stared at him as he moved to his quarter.


The game started, Maruki and Jikan were on the sidelines waiting for their team to go up. Finally their Team A scored a goal and there were up next, against Tachi’s Jock friends. Ignoring him still, Maruki was followed onto the field like a puppy.
“Kaore are you going to make the first goal?” Jikan playfully hopped up, using Maruki’s shoulders to push himself up. Still ignoring him, Maruki took his position on the field away from Jikan.


In moments the game got started, there was no surprise that Tachi was the first with the ball. Being his quiet self, Maruki stood off to the side, close to the line. It didn't take long for the game to come his way, the ball was feet from him. With no warning or call, the ball was thrown to Maruki, who stood dumbstruck, not knowing what to do. Tachi’s friends, who were bigger and brawnier came straight for Maruki, tackling him to the ground, knocking the wind out of him.


Off on the other side of the frozen crowd stood a frozen Jikan. For someone Fumi size to tackle someone Maruki’s size so roughly was uncalled for in the game. Laying flat on his back, eyes slit open he was still able to see the bright blue sky above him. His parted, full lips heaved as his chest rose and dropped slowly. Being such a closed person and never involving himself in sports, Maruki had never encountered such a hit before. A small hand pressed to his chest, trying to relieve some of the pressurized pain gently.


Jaw to the grass, eyes glaring at Fumi, Jikan finally broke through his frozen ice block and shoved his way through the crowd that stared down at Maruki.
“Kaore kun! Kaore Kun! Kaore Kun! Are you all right?” An exasperated Jikan darted to his friend’s side, assisting him up. Maruki pushed himself up slowly, a light cough passing his red lips. Still huffing lightly, he looked up to Jikan with lidded eyes, still feeling dizzy. Jikan looked up at Fumi who was laughing to his friends still, a fire in his eyes. “Fumi don't you ever touch my Maruki again!”


That's when it hit him. Jikan was not defending him, he was not being overly kind, he was obsessing over him. His lidded eyes widened at Jikan’s words, he couldn't believe his ears.
“You, you’re Maruki?” He was definitely taken back a little. Maruki was not something that could be owned he was a person. Those sweet coffee eyes that beamed above rose cheeks scanned over the crowd that hovered over him and Jikan.
“Uh, uh. I’m fine!” Maruki sprouted to his feet quickly, brushing himself off. Throughout the crowd of previously worried peers, he could see that they were now judging him. Maruki’s eyes caught the sight of Tachi walking his way, making him cringe a little.


Tachi had an entertained grin on his lips, his black hair pushed to the side for the game.
“You took that hit pretty good Kaore.” Tachi was never one to give lower class classmates the light of day, but knowing Maruki’s hidden greatness in sports, he always tried to take him under his wing. Tachi offered a hand to Maruki to shake. “Please be a member in my sports club.” That hand remained offered to him.


Maruki stared at the hand that was at his chest level, for he was shorter than Tachi his glassed eyes coffee rose to meet Tachi’s almost black eyes, blinking innocently.
“Um, no. I’m sorry Tachi kun. I don't want to be locked into something like that.” He looked back to the offered hand that was not being pulled away, wondering what Tachi was thinking.


Jikan jumped in again, slapping Tachi’s hand away.
“He doesn't want to! And don't touch him like he’s a client! He’s a peer remember that!” Metaphorically, Maruki had a comical gigantic sweat drop fall from his head. Jikan was getting a little out of hand.


Maruki rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassment settled over his face.
“Jikan please.” Looking out at the class, Maruki couldn't help but feel embarrassed due to Jikan. He ruffled his hair and looked back to Tachi. “I’m still going to have to decline.” That was the end of this argument. Maruki gathered the courage and walked away, he had enough of this class.


Back in the hollow, empty change room bathroom, Maruki quickly changed back into his uniform. For the rest of the class he was going to go to the library and study for more important subjects. Back in the plain uniform, and the awkwardly small gym outfit back in it’s bag, Maruki slung it over his shoulder and headed out to the long thin hallway again. Quiet as a mouse, Maruki attempted to sneak out of the gymnasium unseen.


“Kaore kun!” A voice echoes through the small hallway down to him. Maruki glanced back over his shoulder after slowing his step. Seeing who it was, he looked forward again, quickening his pace. The person started in a jog down the hall to catch up to Maruki. “Kaore kun! I just wanted to know if you were all right.” The person followed Maruki down into the main hall of the school.


Maruki remained forward watching his reflection in the clean waxed floor.
“I’m fine Jikan, no just leave me alone.” He spoke with a defeated tone, as if he gave up on something. Jikan felt nothing but guilt, as if it was all his fault. Taking one attempting step forward towards Maruki, he decided to return to class and give him some space. Though it was a painful decision for him, he thought it would be the right one. Though it was not his place either, Jikan decided to have a word with Tachi, hoping he could convince Maruki to join the club.


Through smooth, pink lips, Maruki let out a deep quiet sigh when he got to a quiet cubby in the library. It was always quiet in the library, but this corner in the back was exceptionally quiet. The boys slumped himself into the plastic chair, throwing his head into his palms. His small, soft fingers grabbed bundles of thin strands of black silk. Though a simple haircut he got at a cheap salon, it suited him very well. Silky black bangs off to the side, thin black flips down against the back of his neck, and his cute little ears showing only slightly.




Tightening the grip on his black hair, Maruki attempted to hold back another break down.
“Why do people do this?” mumbling to himself knowing no one else was around to hear his thoughts. He couldn't get Jikan out of his head, he was a stupid boy who always stuck his nose where it didn't belong. Taking a deep breath and letting out slowly, Maruki finally gathered himself again. Quietly clearing his throat, the boy dug in his bag for the English notebook to study future lessons.


Looking through the book, lost in its elementary content, time went by faster then normal. The bell rang for next class to start, startling the focused boy slightly, causing him to look around to see if he was caught jumping. Being safe from strange eyes, he gathered his belongings and darted out of the library to his class, which was on the other side of the school.
“Phew, made it.” The black haired boy mumbled to himself quietly.


Still upset about the football incident, Jikan sat away from Maruki, just for this one class. His eyes darted back to him now and then, just to make sure he was still there nonetheless. It was not a rare incident, but Jikan didn't talk to him the entire class. Math, not Jikan’s favorite subject, paying attention in this class was not something that he was good at, at all. Instead of copying down formulas like the rest of the class was doing from the black board, Jikan drew graffiti and wrote words of nonsense in his notebook. In his subconscious mind, his hand wrote what he was unaware of as to what he was thinking, Maruki’s name had been written down many times. Looking down at his paper, his dark eyes widened and a deep rose blush grew on his cheeks. The blushing boy slapped his notebook shut, causing the girl in front of him to look back at him. Giving her a quiet snarl, she clicked her tongue in disgust and turned back around again.


Class ended loudly with everyone wanting to leave quickly. As always, Maruki was the last to leave, not caring for being trampled in the halls. Jikan approached his desk as he was bent down organizing his bag. Darting his eyes up only for a moment, only to see a cowering, shy Jikan fiddling with his fingers.
“What is it Jikan?” There was a hint of irritation in his voice, he obviously didn't want anymore incidences today from him.


Stepping back slightly, Jikan rubbed his fingers together roughly, a nervous habit of his.
“I, I just wanted to say that I’m sorry. I didn't mean to cause a scene last class.” Not only did he embarrass Maruki, but he also made him uncomfortable around him, and he knew that. “And I just wanted to know if you were all right?” Jikan spoke quietly, almost scared of Maruki. Losing Maruki as a friend was not something he could afford to do right now.


Maruki looked up at the nervous boy blankly for a moment before dropping his gaze to finish gathering his things together.
“It’s fine Jikan. Really.” About being all right, he wasn't too sure about. From the hit in the game, he recovered fine, not even a bruise. About being called ‘his’, he was still not entirely sure about. Maruki is a very independent person and never considered himself an item that could be owned and given away. If he considered himself belonging to anyone, it was his mother until he was old enough to move out on