Unselfish Wish

Chapter 15- The Rivals

During the same time that all the battle preparations were going on, Mitsuru had been waging war on Kiyoshi at school. Whether it be sports, tests, or any chance to make it battle, Mitsuru did. And sadly, always lost. Fumiko always made sure to praise his efforts, which really felt like salt in the wounds. However, he was grateful that she knew him and spoke with him, at least.

He kept getting sly looks from Kurokawa Rika, who was still up to her usual underhanded methods of getting what she wanted. He still found her methods distasteful, but he could understand her feelings. She was still trying to cozy up and pretend to be cute in front of Kiyoshi, to no avail. She tried many things, tripping on purpose, fake messages, pretending that Fumiko pushed her, to name a few. Attempting to frame Fumiko had massively backfired, and she’d lost some of her most loyal followers as a result. Everyone in school knew how sweet and kind Fumiko was, so subterfuge was a poor choice in strategy.

Kiyoshi made it obvious to everyone that he was not the least bit interested and always passed her off to one of her many admirers. He was also not especially bothered by Mitsuru, as he knew that much of their interaction was politeness on Fumiko's part, though a part of him wondered who the other person she was split on besides himself was. He didn’t get the sense that it was Mitsuru. Rika was beyond frustrated that she was being thwarted at every turn. A few times, Mitsuru had tried to talk with her and explain the best thing she could do was be her true self and regardless of the outcome, find happiness that was not dependent on other people's opinions.

The group had experienced a few encounters with Yokai and as yet, all had been well within their capabilities. Fumiko had not needed to call on her own powers. She was impressed with her friends and their aptitudes. She did not tell Kiyoshi that she was conducting additional training with her guardians nearly every evening, but of course, knew about it. Her determination to improve only added to her charm. Always so independent, he thought.

Mitsuru decided to push forward with his confession to Fumiko. It wasn't ideal and he could see no sign that she was interested. His parents had met her here and there at various school events and definitely approved. He decided this would be his final push. The effort was beginning to bother him without any results. It had been months, and the winter holiday was fast approaching. Besides, it would stop that damn Rika from cornering him and trying to control him with her machinations. He found Rika oddly distracting, worrying about her when his thoughts should have been on Fumiko.

He didn't seem to realize that while he admired Fumiko, his feelings came nowhere near romantic.

He approached Fumiko while she was alone. Where her guardians had run off to he didn't know, but he was more concerned with getting his request in before they returned than where they had gone.

"Tachibana-san, may I have a moment?" She looked surprised but followed him to the courtyard. She wondered why he was calling her out. Her mind was still full of the decision between Kiyoshi and Tsukiyomi. He turned to her once they were far from other students. He grasped her hand. She was surprised, but did not draw away. She understood that this was important to him. "Tachibana Fumiko, I like you and would like you to consider becoming my girlfriend with marriage in mind." He bowed very formally.

She blushed and after taking a moment to consider, gently withdrew her hand. "Thank you for your feelings, Ishida Mitsuru. I am sorry, but I have someone that I love. I do hope that we can remain friendly." She returned his formal bow with one fo her own. She liked him, just not in the way he wanted her to. He was a good person, she could tell.

He looked at her, then nodded. He did not cry or get upset, but rather smiled.

"I already knew, but did not want to give up without telling you my feelings. I appreciate you listening to me this once." So saying, he bowed and walked away. Rika observed from a distance and bounded up to Mitsuru.

"See, you should have accepted my help-" He held up a hand to silence her.

"You confess to Moriyama and I'll listen to your complaints then." She pouted. She lifted her chin. "You only make that face because you know you've lost." She pulled away from him, angry. The cute facade had been slipping more and more as Kiyoshi's stoicism frustrated her, and her admirers had diminished considerably. He preferred her without the facade, even if she had a strong temper. She was not a gentle woman like his family would approve of, but he appreciated her honest side when it appeared. She was no pushover.

"FINE! I'll do it. But you're taking responsibility." She huffed.

"Whatever." He rolled his eyes.

She went off in a huff to find Kiyoshi. She happened to catch him just as he was going to look for Fumiko. He knew he really didn't need to worry, but...

"Moriyama-kun." She stood right in front of him, blocking his path. He sighed. This girl was seriously annoying.

"I'm sorry, Kurokawa-san, but I-"

"You're looking for Tachibana, right?" He looked startled. "Come with me, I saw her with Ishida just a moment ago." He followed her, clearly concerned that Ishida was alone with Tachibana. Rika was furious, but she wasn't about to give up before keeping her promise to Mitsuru. When it came to promises, it was something that she never went back on. They stopped at the very place Mitsuru had brought Fumiko. "It was here that I saw them. Don't you want to know what happened?" He finally looked at Rika herself. He nodded. "First, let me say something to you. I am the best girl in this school, you know, and I've decided that you must be my boyfriend." He stared. Was this supposed to be a confession?

"Why must I? Do you like me or something?" He asked, genuinely confused at where her arrogance came from. Who on earth had told her she was better than everyone else? Ugh.

"Well, I don't know. I just know that you're the best and should be mine. It makes me angry to see you waste your time on Tachibana." She claimed arrogantly while examining her elaborately manicured nails.

"That doesn't sound right. If you don't genuinely like me, then why are we having this conversation? I don't want to hurt your feelings, but it sounds like there is only your pride behind this confession. Besides, I don't just like Tachibana. I love her and want to marry her." She was effectively silenced by his words. Other than Mitsuru, nobody had dared to call her bluff. But she realized, as she thought this, that he was right. Only her pride was hurt. Strangely, she felt embarrassed for getting in someone else's way for her pride. It was an unsettling revelation for someone who had never really held herself accountable. She looked over to find Mitsuru grinning at her. She turned red. "I'm sorry, Kurokawa-san. I need to go find her. Will you be alright?" She just nodded. Kiyoshi ran away, still scanning for Fumiko. Mitsuru sauntered over.

"Well, shall I comfort your wounded pride, Rika?" He laughed, she grabbed his face.

"When did I give you such permission, Mitsuru?" He laughed again. "Fine, since you said earlier you will be responsible. Take me out to eat."

They walked away together, Mitsuru rubbing his face. Both felt oddly at peace, despite being rejected.

A few days later, it became apparent that despite being near polar opposites (other than looks), they made a good and caring couple, even if they constantly teased each other. Many felt that though this was a surprise, it was the only way to get over the "Fated couple" as Kiyoshi and Fumiko were referred to.