Chapter 12- Haiyū's Crush

I devised a plan for today to avoid seeing Byakuya's annoying face in the library so I could read at least a chapter of a book.

I woke up early in the morning, around the same time the Monokuma announcement came on as I quickly put up my hair and tied my shoes and headed out the door.

A few early morning people were awake as soon as the announcement came on, such as Chihiro, and as I passed her, she thanked me for the advice yesterday as she seemed to be a bright and cheerful mood as I walked up the stairs and onto the second floor.

I just had to hope Byakuya wasn't awake yet as I made my way towards the library. All I really wanted was to read a book in peace without any disruptions. Not that Byakuya was a disruption, it was just that his presence in the same room as me seemed a bit awkward.

As I opened the door to the library and gazed inside, I found myself sighing deeply as I looked over at the table to find Byakuya sitting in the same chair as yesterday with a book in front of him. Great.

I walked in and gazed at him with a disgusted glare as he noticed me enter. "You're here..."

"You are too. I thought you would have not come back," Byakuya said in a sigh as I walked passed the bookshelves and grabbed the same book I read yesterday and made my way to Byakuya's table. The least Monokuma could do is give more seating options in here...

"I came early so I didn't have to see you... It's easier to read in here than my room," I answered as I walked over.

"Agreeable..." Byakuya said as he gazed down at his book.

"Look at that. We have something in common," I said sarcastically as I sat down and opened the book in front of me to start reading.

Minutes passed by in silence as I kept myself embraced in the wise words of Shakespeare's plays as I remembered all my amazing performances as a kid. The only thing I really enjoyed until I stepped off the stage and went back to my family...

How my parents were abusive and always gave me beatings after a performance when I wasn't good enough. Because I wasn't strong enough... And was as delicate as a flower... I didn't want that... So I tried to become stronger but it never worked out as all I remembered was sometime in grade school, someone saved me from these beatings... I couldn't remember who it was... But all I knew was that I was grateful to them. Whoever it was...

I was then snapped out of my thoughts as Byakuya started talking to someone else inside the library, but I couldn't see who. "Fukawa, could you be any more obvious?"

I looked behind me with a furrowed brow as I then saw Toko standing behind a bookshelf and staring directly at the two of us. I looked at her confused as Byakuya continued talking. "The sight of you repulses next. But I can smell you from here. Take a shower."

Toko looked shocked at Byakuya as I heard her gasp softly as a blush shown on her face and drool was almost falling down her chin. How long was she looking at us? And how come I didn't notice it?

"Don't make me repeat myself," Byakuya said to Toko as he continued to gaze down at his book. "Just do as I tell you. Your stench is an insult."

I then looked over at Toko as she looked down at the ground with a sad look as she walked out of the library with her head hanging down. I looked back over at Byakuya as he continued staring at his book. How could he be so mean to people?! She wasn't doing anything! Well, sure she was being a little creepy standing there with drool dripping down her chin but it didn't mean he had to throw an insult at her.

"You didn't have to be rude," I spoke up as Byakuya glared at me with an annoyed look. I didn't like Toko all that much, but it didn't mean that she deserved those offensive words. "You could politely ask her to leave."

"Asking politely only makes them think you're soft. If you want them to do something than you have to add force into what you're saying," Byakuya explained as he then looked up at me and then rolled his eyes softly. What was that for? "You keep showing up. I don't understand how you stand me."

"Oh, you're not that bad," I said with a small playful smirk. He was pretty difficult to deal with, but I knew how to hide it well.

"'Not that bad', hm? Should I ask you politely to shut up? Or are you not going to?" Byakuya asked me as I looked back at him with a smirk. This was going to be fun...

"What're you going to do about it?" I asked playfully with the same smirk. Another fun hobby I liked to do, mess with people... I didn't think Byakuya would do anything about my annoying voice. But he did...

I watched confused at first as Byakuya sighed and stood up. I thought he was leaving as he walked passed his seat but I was wrong as he walked over to where I was sitting and I looked up at him with a furrowed brow as he then leaned forward and put both of his hands on each of the chair's arms and stared down at me intensely. What the hell?!

I felt my face heating up as I sat there scared completely as he continued to look down at me as I stayed silent.

"I'd just have to force your mouth shut then," He said quietly as I felt my face heat up even more. What was he planning on doing?!

"W-What?!" I managed to say scared as I saw Byakuya smirk slightly and then flick my forehead with his finger. Ouch! "What do you think you're doing?!"

I then did the only logical thing I could think of and kicked Byakuya square in the stomach and sent him back a few feet as I watched him clutch his stomach where I kicked him. Me on the other hand was heating up even more and trying to catch my breath as I looked angered at him. What was he thinking?!

"I tried to shut you up," Byakuya sighed as he walked back to his seat across from me. There were plenty of other ways to make people be quiet that avoided having them stand so close to the other person!

"I don't know what the hell is wrong with you! Why would you do that?!" I practically yelled. Not caring that this was a library.

"Why would I have to tell you? The reason is because I have to shut you up," Byakuya said as he sat down and continued reading as if that moment just now was nothing.

"I-It was a joke!" I said with a flustered expression.

"I'm guessing something went through that head of yours if you're that red," Byakuya said, looking up at me. How much was I blushing?!

"Maybe there was! Why does it matter?! Guys don't usually get so close to girls who they just met a few days ago!" I argued as I tried to hide my red face.

"Then maybe for once I want to get to know someone, and that someone being you," Byakuya said and I raised my eyebrows in shock. Is he saying he wants to become friends with me?! No... that couldn't be it...

"Well, you start by talking, not whatever the hell that was!" I said as I felt my face still a little heated up.

"What exactly do I ask? Your favorite Shakespeare play?" Byakuya asked sarcastically. Well, it wasn't a bad start...

"Well... sometimes people talk about themselves and start from there..." I explained as I tried to think of something to say. I wasn't really good at this friendship thing either. "So... you're taking over the Togami corporation. What's that going to be like?"

"There's responsibilities that come with owning a company. I believe it's going to be filling up my schedules with piles of paperwork and business meetings," Byakuya explained as I found myself close my book and actually listen to him. Perhaps he wasn't so bad as I thought... "What about you? You're an actor, yes? You must have a dream role to play."

I thought about this for a second. I practically played in over hundreds of different plays and movies that ended up being popular all over the world. I felt like I did everything when it comes to the filming industry, but there was still one thing... "Me and my sister always dreamed of having our own filming company to produce our own movies and tv shows..." I them remembered the image of my dead sister from the video flash through my eyelids for a quick second. "But since now we're stuck here for possibly the rest of our lives, I don't think it'll happen. I haven't seen her in quite a bit of time."

"Sister? Do you mind telling me about her?" Byakuya asked.

I sighed deeply as I tried to recall any memories I had of her. Not much came to mind. It seemed almost a blur to me as I tried to remember moments I spent with her, but all that came was a blank. But yet I knew how my sister was... "Well... I don't remember much... But she was really nice and we always got along. She was a really good sister, until she left to pursue her own dream. It's been a couple years now..." I then remembered the day she left to go and pursue her own dreams of... something... I couldn't exactly remember what though...

"Once we get out of here, would you try to find her?" Byakuya asked as he glanced down at his book.

"Of course," I answered with a small nod. The video was still on my mind and I was worried if she was alright. "Do you have somebody to go see?"

Byakuya stayed silent for a moment before answering. "I guess I have my parents and the company to go back to, and, maybe my brothers."

"Do you miss them?" I asked with a furrowed brow. I honestly was curious. And it felt nice getting to know Byakuya.

"My parents? I guess so, my brothers though, I can't really remember every single one of them," Byakuya answered as I looked at him confused. How many brothers did he have to loose count?

"How many siblings do you have?"

"I don't know precisely, more than a hundred, I'm sure," Byakuya answered calmly and my eyes widened in shock.

"H-Hundred?!" What goes through his parent's mind when it comes to having so many kids?!

Byakuya pushed his glasses up and nodded. "The owner of the company will have as many heirs as they can and have them battle to be the owner of the company. The ones that loose are looked down upon for the rest of their lives."

I looked at him shocked. I'm guessing he was the one that won that battle against his many siblings. Being the Ultimate Affluent Progeny proved it. He must have gotten lucky then. And I guessed the owner of the Togami Corporation had to be ruthless and no such feelings of emotion.

"T-That's a bit harsh," I said, still shocked by this news. So, he had to have many different heirs when getting out of here... That meant fucking multiple woman... Why did it matter to me though?!

"However I think I don't want as many as my father did. I would still have to keep track of all of them," Byakuya explained to me and I didn't know if it was making the situation any better. That narrowed down his children to what, fifty?!

"Did you ever think about changing that tradition?" I asked calmly while looking up at him with a hopeful look... Wait, why did it matter to me?! He could fuck over twenty woman and I wouldn't care...

"Many times," Byakuya answered as I sighed in relief. I felt like I wanted to slap myself across the face... It didn't matter to me!!! "I find it useless to have so many heirs if you just look down at the others."

"But... You could never fall in love with somebody..." I said quietly as I avoided his gaze by looking down at my closed book.

"You're doubting me now?"

"You said it yourself. How could you have a lover when you don't even want friends?" I asked him.

"People can change. And, really, love can sprout from the oddest situations," Byakuya explained as I looked up at him.

"Really?" I asked. It was the first time I noticed it, but he was kind of handsome. His face and blonde hair with his glasses showing his blue eyes from behind the glass. I didn't know why, but I felt trap in his gaze for a few moments. How was it that I realized how handsome he was now..?

"What?" Byakuya asked me while looking confused. I snapped out of my thoughts quickly as I wanted to punch myself across the face even more. He noticed that I was looking at him weird... But still, I could say people looked handsome and cute without meaning it in a romantic way.

"N-Nothing," I said quickly as I stared down at my feet as I felt my face heat up slightly. Not now...

"Why don't you just say it? You know you'll say it eventually anyways," Byakuya asked me as I looked up at him confused. Say what?! There wasn't anything I wanted to say?! I think...

"What do you mean?!" I said nervously while trying to sound calm, it wasn't really working.

"You obviously want to say something, so, say it," Byakuya said. What did he want me to say?! Admit that he was handsome?!

"It's n-nothing important!"

Byakuya then furrowed his brow and crossed his shoulders while glaring at me. Is that how he was planning to get the truth out of me?!

"Don't give me that look! I-I just have a lot of things on my mind with being stuck here," I said nervously.

"Then tell me some, you shouldn't really bottle everything up," Byakuya said as he pushed his glasses back up. It seemed to be a habit of his.

"N-Not right now..." I said while glancing behind me and towards the doorway behind us. I was worried someone might overhear our conversation. Perhaps Toko was still somewhere watching us, or maybe Chihiro was seeing us talk again... Or even worse, Makoto could be hearing our conversation.

Byakuya followed my gaze and then looked back at me. "What are you looking at? If you're worried, you can just close the door."

"It's nothing! People don't always have to say what's on their mind!" I said when looking back at him.

Byakuya nodded and looked hack down at his open book.

Soon enough, about two or three more hours passed as me and Byakuya spent it reading and talking a bit as I felt myself grow a little closer to Byakuya, it that was possible. He didn't admit that we were friends but I found myself become at least acquaintances with him.

After having those nice conversations with him, I left the library to go have lunch in the cafeteria and see if I could find any of my other friends to hang out with.

As soon as I exited the library, I looked over confused to see Toko glaring at me near the doorway as I exited the library. She looked at me with a mix of anger and disgust in her eyes as she bit her nails.

"Is something wrong?" I asked her as soon as I exited into the hallway.

"W-Why are you getting close to T-Togami?" She asked me and I looked even more confused at her.

"What do you mean...?" I asked.

"Y-You know what I mean! T-Talking to him while acting all innocent, it's an all an act, isn't it!" Toko said to me as I just looked genuinely confused at her.

"I don't think I understand," I said calmly to her.

"F-Forget it! J-Just don't come anywhere near me and Togami's relationship!" Toko said to me before running off as I stood on the hallway confused. Were they together? It didn't really sound like it when Byakuya basically called her out earlier today.

I just shrugged it off as I walked down the hallway and down the stairs towards the cafeteria.

After entering, I walked straight towards the kitchen and entered to see Aoi leaning against the counter while eating a donut. Typical Aoi...

She turned towards me and greeted me while her mouth was stuffed with a chocolate donut.

"Don't choke on that donut. I know you wouldn't want that to happen," I said jokingly to her as I walked towards the counter and checked the fridge.

"It's the least of my worries right now," Aoi said while managing to swallow the donut in her mouth before stuffing yet another one in her mouth to replace it. "I was more worried about you. I couldn't find you anywhere. I was hoping you would want to go for a swim with me and Sakura bit you weren't in your room."

"Oh! Sorry! You should have said something sooner. I was in the library with Togami," I explained to her as I poured myself a cup of milk.

When I mentioned Byakuya, I watched Aoi's eyes widen in shock. "You talked to him?!" She seemed surprised, and I had to agree with her. I was a little shocked myself that he talked to me. "He wasn't mean or anything?"

"N-No actually. We had a nice conversation," I explained as I took a sip of the milk.

"Wow! It seems impossible for Togami to act like that when he always acts like there's a stick up his butt," Aoi said while looking at me impressed. "How'd you do it?!"

"I-I don't know. We just... started talking about stuff and I guess it worked out," I said as I thought about it myself. How come Byakuya acted so different this morning when he was a complete asshole at first...

"Worked out, huh? Wanna say that again without that ridiculous grin on your face," Aoi said with a playful smirk and I almost chocked in my milk at those words. What ridiculous grin?!

"I-I don't know what you mean," I said nervously as I sat my glass down on the counter.

"Oh come on! You don't think I noticed it!" Aoi said as she gave me her usual happy grin.

"Notice what?!" I asked completely confused.

"Just say it, Haiyū! I saw the way you looked when speaking of Togami just now! And there's a small blush on your face. It's fairly obvious isn't it?" Aoi said to me and I looked at her with a furrowed brow. What did it mean exactly? "Seriously! You won't say it! You like him, Haiyū!"

I felt myself become frightened at these words. I... what?! There was no way I liked someone like Byakuya. He was a jerk, how could I fall in love with a jerk like him?! I had no idea that I loved him. How could I not notice that?!

"There's n-no way I like someone like him," I said while giggling nervously.

"I know! It's crazy to think someone as amazing as you could like a jerk like Togami!" Aoi said before stuffing another donut into her mouth. "But you totally do!"

I couldn't believe it... But perhaps I did like him. The way I acted and talked was different than anyone else I've ever met.

I couldn't believe I was admitting it... I had a crush on Byakuya Togami.

(Message from the future version of author: I did more research on Byakuya's family and found out that they actually throw out the failed heirs... So... Not everything Byakuya says in this chapter is correct information but I'm too lazy to change it)