Chapter 5 - Aesthetic

Aesthetic/esˈTHedik/ - (adj) concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty

"Now what's the meaning of your appearance? Is that your natural self, eh, Sohma Momiji?" The student council president, Takei, questions him. Momiji points at himself at this. "Have you no male pride? If you're like this at your age, your life is on the fast track to failure!"

Momiji, on the verge of crying, defends his actions. "But... But this uniform looks better on me!"

Tohru stands in front of him, arms held out. "U-um, please don't be too harsh on him--"

"I am not being harsh, Honda Tohru! I am expressing an opinion in accordance with common sense."

The group of high schoolers suddenly hear a pair of footsteps coming up the stairs, making them turn towards the sound. A head of blond makes an appearance and then the figure makes its way onto the main floor. "And what is made up of common sense? Experience? Societal norms? Common sense has no place when it is always different in the eyes of each individual."

Tohru and Momiji light up at the familiar voice.

"Schwester!" Momiji runs towards Mayumi, hugging her waist. Her hands come up to cradle his face and she looks at him with a gentle smile.

"Hello, Momiji. The uniform looks cute on you."

"Hehe."

"Mayumi-san! It's nice to see you again!" Tohru greets her as she also comes near. The young woman pats her head as she smiles at her as well. "Hello, Tohru. It's been a while since we last met."

Snapping out of his infatuated daze from seeing the attractive female, he clears his throat. "Even so, miss, he is a boy and should act it. What will people think when they see him like this?"

They suddenly sensed an influx of a dark aura and they turned towards the source, immediately tensing up. "Shut up."

The council president rotates his body just to see Hatsuharu with a menacing demeanor, making him screech. "Quit playing king of the hill, you human trash."

"Wh-Wh-Wh-Wha--" He ends up on the floor, tipping over.

"Oi, Haru!"

"Um, Hatsuharu-san..."

Kyo and Tohru try to verbally stop him, but that doesn't work as Hatsuharu wasn't giving them the time of day.

"Fine, let me ask you: are guys wearing neckties never muggers? Are guys without piercings never bullies? Do guys with black hair never murder people?!" Hatsuharu's tone reflects his actions as he stomps over and grabs him by the collar, lifting him up. "Who do you think you are, eh? God?"

The three second years watch on in exasperation and the same thought goes through them. Black has arrived.

Kyo turns to the only adult in their vicinity. "Yumi-nee, shouldn't you be trying to stop this--" He halts himself when he sees the small smirk playing on her red lips. "Well, I'll step in when he gets too violent. But I also think that the council president needs a reality check."

Hatsuharu starts shaking him with his grip still on his collar. "Well, ain't that something! Give us a few words, God! Go on!"

"Mr. President!"

Somehow, when Kyo tries to step in more assertively, Hatsuharu turns the argument on him. While everyone was watching, Mayumi gave Momiji two lollipops. He accepts them with a smile and offers one to her, but Mayumi shakes her head, instead gesturing to the girl beside them. He lifts it up for her, asking, "Want some candy, Tohru?"

Mayumi starts listening again when Hatsuharu addresses the two female students by the council president's side. "Take Momiji there -- don't you think he's fine in that uniform? He'll grow eventually. What's the harm in waiting to dress like a man until then? If his sister already has an appearance like that, he'll be a real looker, trust me."After their hallucination of an older Momiji, they approve. "He's fine."

"Don't let him brainwash you!" The student council president comes back to life. He gets up in front of the Sohma group, who honestly could care less. Hatsuharu was stroking Momiji's hat while he was pressed up against his sister, snuggling into her warmth. Kyo and Yuki were looking in opposite directions while Tohru was looking spaced out. "Wh-Wh-What's the matter with you?! This is unheard of!""It's always best to wear what looks good on you, huh?" Hatsuharu sings out, not looking at him.

"Unacceptable! That's pure selfishness, and unfair to other students--"

Mayumi sighs and Hatsuharu cuts him off with a glare. "You just won't quit." Before he could continue, Mayumi whispers something into his ear. He turns back to the council president. "Okay, then, what if Yuki wore a girl's uniform?"A bolt of lightning hits him before he hallucinates a female uniform clad Yuki. "It's fine," he answers with tears running down.

"It's not fine!" Yuki looks at Haru with a dark gaze. "Haru, I'm cutting ties with you if you don't give it a rest."

He waves it off casually, pointing at his chin and leaning in slightly. "Rhetorical, it was just rhetorical. Don't be mad." He gives Mayumi a high-five, who has a mischievous smirk plastered on her face. "I guess it was a good idea to suggest something that has to do with Yuki," she says, laughing a little.

"Yumi-nee..." He face palms at their scheming. "I should've known."

The council president was in heaven, playing the scenario in his head. "Magnificent.""Don't imagine it!"His blunt command snaps him out of his stupor. He lifts a hand to his glasses. "O-Oh dear. I seem to have gotten carried away."

In the background, the two girls seemed like they were worshipping the two Sohma siblings and Kyo was looking at an ignorant Momiji, who was sucking on the lollipop. Tohru was back in her space cadet look while Yuki just looked embarrassed at everything, turning away.

"You're a formidable opponent, Sohma Hatsuharu." He turns back, pointing an accusing finger at him, his annoying screech coming back. "Then can you prove that's your natural color?!"Hatsuharu had his arms around his head, casually confirming he could. "Sure can!"

"Oho, you have proof? Hard evidence that--" Before he could finish, his tie is grabbed by Hatsuharu, dragging him. "W-Wait... Um... Excuse me...?" They go into the bathroom and a few seconds later, a shriek echoes out.

The president comes out and takes off his glasses, appalled at what he had just witnessed. "Incontrovertible proof. I see I still have much to learn about the world."

Hatsuharu comes out behind him, a smug look making its way onto his face.

Mayumi lifts a hand in front of her mouth. "Don't tell me..."

"Did he show him?"

"He showed him."

"You win for today!" He shouts while running away. "But I'll get you all next time!"

The two girls wave back at them. "See you later, Momiji-kun!"

Hatsuharu lets out a triumphant sound.

Mayumi crosses her hands over Momiji's shoulder and in front of his collar bone before looking at the teenagers. "So in the end, what did that person come here to do?"

They don't answer, done with the events that just transpired.

Tohru turns to the smug first year, still perplexed. "Um... How did you prove that was your natural hair color?"

Everyone freezes at her innocent question.

Hatsuharu places a hand on her cheek, leaning in. "Wanna do it and find out? I'm in if you are," he offers, a seductive ring to his tone.

"Eh?"

"It's fine, we don't have to be hugging each other to--"

His head is slammed to the ground by the two second-year males while Mayumi hugs Tohru close. She looks up at the older lady, confused at what was going on. Tohru receives a smile as Mayumi strokes her hair. "Let's keep that question unanswered for now. I'm sure you'll understand when you're older."

"Ah... ok." Tohru just accepts this, not particularly curious anymore.

Meanwhile, Kyo and Yuki pant, their chests heaving. "Black is the one guy I can't handle."

Tohru is still a little concerned, not understanding the situation. "U-Um..."

"Never mind. Don't worry about it, Honda-san."

Hatsuharu gets up from laying on the ground, now in a sitting position. He brings a hand to his head, his whole demeanor shifted. "I'm kinda tired now."

Kyo and Yuki slump their shoulders, the blue lines appearing. They were exasperated with Hatsuharu's switch personality, not having the energy to deal with his antics.

"Is that so? You're tired, huh?" Kyo asks, a little lifeless.

The bell then rings out across the school, alerting the students. "Oh, that's the bell!"

Tohru turns to the Sohma siblings, a question coming to mind. "Would you be willing to meet my friends before you go home today?"

Momiji's eyes seem to light up at her offer. "Tohru's friends? Sure, of course!"

Mayumi gives her an apologetic smile. "I would love to, but I have to return back to the estate."

Tohru waves her hands in front of her, a little frantic. "Ah, no, it's fine, really. I understand there are things that can't be helped."

Placing a hand on her head, Mayumi smiles. "I'm sorry. I hope I can meet your friends soon, though."

Tohru looks at the female Sohma. Mayumi-san is someone who smiles very much, but it almost feels like there's always an air of sadness around her. It reminded her of her own self in a way.

Mayumi lifts her hand away, a flicker of something in her eyes that Tohru couldn't explain. She turns to the other two second year Sohmas. "That reminds me-- Kyo, Yuki. Could you stay behind? There is something I need to tell you two."

"Ah, I'll go on ahead, then," Tohru says, understanding that this was a private matter that she shouldn't intrude on.

Momiji turns towards her, an apologetic light in his eyes that was reflected in his sister's as well. "We're sorry, Tohru."

"It's no problem!" She then makes her way back, trotting away.

"What's with the formal request?" Kyo asks the older female.

Her eyes turn downcast and the smile on her lips disappears, indicating something serious. "I'm not sure if you have already come to this conclusion or not, but there are rare cases where I am able to leave the estate." She holds up two fingers. "I either receive Akito's permission... or he comes with me."

Kyo's body stiffens while Yuki's eyes widen at her hidden message.

"I am not your only visitor."

"Oh, right. Sorry. I should be going back to Mayumi and the rest, too. They're probably worried."

"Akito." Mayumi walks up to the three of them, her face void of any expression.

He smirks as they turn towards her. "Ah, right on time."

Akito wraps his arms around her waist and she places her own around his slender shoulders. She lets him rest his head against her chest, his face turned towards the two teenagers. "Yuki, I hope you have a fun school life here." Akito pulls himself from Mayumi's embrace as they head in the direction to exit the school campus. "It'd make me happy if you came to visit sometime soon," he says, tilting his head back once more to look at them.

On their way to leave the vicinity, Akito feels the gaze of a particular person. Turning his head and stopping, Mayumi also halts. She doesn't turn her head, instead, waiting for Akito.

Through the glass of one of the halls in the school, Kyo's fiery gaze pierces into Akito's provoking eyes. After a few seconds, Akito starts walking again, prompting Mayumi to do the same.

"Tohru-kun is 'ugly,' apparently."

Shigure and Hatori are sitting in the space just outside one of the rooms of the main estate. Shigure was currently relaying what had happened prior to this. "On the car ride home..."

'She's really ugly. The worst.' Hearing the words that come out of Akito's mouth makes him look over. Akito was currently draped over Mayumi, sitting in her lap. 'She seems stupid, too. With a pathetic girl like that, I don't need to worry. Yuki is bound to come back to me. After all, he's still scared when he sees me. That proves he can't forget me, doesn't it?'

"If you lock up a kid in a dark room and psychologically torture him for that long..."Shigure thinks back to how Mayumi had set her fear aside and came to him on her knees, begging him to take Yuki and leave. She couldn't bear to watch him waste away like that, especially when his only salvation was her and Hatsuharu. After all, the others only looked at him with apathetic eyes, because he was the rat. The zodiac closest to God. "... I guess that would be too traumatic to forget."

"But Akito doesn't understand. Just as there are people who inflict pain, there are people who try to sooth that pain. If nothing else, that gives us courage," Hatori says, remembering the kind actions of Mayumi and Tohru.

Shigure smiles, looking forward. "Plus, there's the other thing. Tohru-kun is so cute, you just gotta love her!"

"That sounds criminal coming from you." Instead of just Hatori's voice, another one joins in from behind, making the two turn around.

"Mayumin!" Shigure greets her. She glances at him, then looks away, still standing.

"I agree that Tohru is cute, but if I hear any complaints about how you're mistreating or harassing her, I'll drag you back here, permanently," she threatens him. And yes, she was actually serious.

Shigure just chuckles nervously. "Relax, am I that untrustworthy?"

"Yes." The other two childhood friends answer in sync and with absolutely no hesitation.

Crocodile tears stream down his face as he looks to the side. "I see how it is. Not even my friends believe in me."