Alinea

"Ara-chan, are you doing club activities today?"

Ara looked up to see Midori jogging towards her. She was the only one left in their classroom as she was the one assigned to return the books to the library today, and everyone had either hurried home to prepare for the trip or went to their clubs.

"I don't think so. The trip is on Monday so I want to do some shopping."

Midori's eyes lit up. "Hiroaki and I will go shopping too. Do you want to come with us?" she invited, and Ara laughed.

"Don't be like that Midori-chan. Sonoda will be unhappy if a third wheel tags along on your date."

Ara wouldn't want to intrude in their time alone as lovers. Midori blushed at her words. Still, she tried to invite her.

"Hiroaki wouldn't mind. In fact, he's happy we get along. He'll probably ask you about fighting too," Midori said, and then stopped as if remembering something important. "Ah! Hiroaki will take up your time pestering you to teach him! Let's ditch him and let's go shopping together instead."

Ara laughed out loud. Midori was so funny. Since she beat Sonoda up, the guy had been asking her about fighting techniques. Ichihara had been worried Ara would really teach him and overexerted herself when she's still supposed to be in the period of recovering from her injuries.

"Silly girl. The guy would cry if you ditch him on your date,"Ara said, just as her phone rang.

Oh?

Ara frowned as she checked her phone and saw the caller ID. Midori who saw her expression became curious and peeked on her screen.

"My darling prince? Oh my God! Ara-chan, who is that?" Midori shrieked excitedly, and then as if she remembered something she started jumping. "Ara-chan that's your boyfriend, the archer prince, right?"

She was so similar to Rin with her starry eyes at this moment.

"I want to know too,"Ara thought, as she looked at the caller ID. She had no idea who that was or how the number got recorded on her phone.

"What are you waiting for Ara-chan? Answer it!" Midori urged as she shook her, so Ara had no choice but to pick it up.

"Hello?" she said awkwardly as she racked her brain about the caller's identity.

"Too slow," a familiar baritone complained on the other end and Ara was surprised.

"K-Kou?" she stammered.

"Who else? Didn't you see the caller ID?" Kou asked as if he was sulking, and Ara felt a bit guilty, but wronged at the same time.

"But the caller ID's not your name."

"Oh? What is it then?" Kou prompted, and Ara didn't know why she felt embarrassed as she answered.

"My Darling Prince,"Ara retorted, and Midori giggled in front of her. Though she couldn't hear Kou's words, it was obvious what they were talking about.

"But isn't that me?" Kou countered and Ara's mind went blank. Who was this flirty guy?

Well, technically he was right, but still…

Ara thought she would change the ID name later, but Kou seemed to read her mind.

"Don't you dare change my name on your phone," he warned. His voice was light however so Ara had no idea if he was serious or not.

"Why? You like your nickname on my phone?"Ara asked in frustration, and this time, Midori totally understood the conversation so she let out a laugh.

"Who's that?"

"It's Midori,"Ara answered. She knew Homura Ryuu knew who Ichihara was so she didn't bother explaining.

"Put me on speaker," Kou asked suddenly, and since they were the only ones there, Ara obeyed.

"Midori-san," Kou spoke to her suddenly, and his voice made Ichihara stop and blush.

"Kyaaaa Ara-chan your prince has a good voice," Midori raised her thumbs in approval, forgetting Kou could hear her.

"Midori-chan he's talking to you,"Ara reminded her and Midori settled down.

"Yes?"

"Your friend wants to change my name on her phone after she put 'My Pretty Darling Princess' as her name on mine. Is that fair?" Kou demanded out of the blue that surprised Ara.

HA? WHAT? WAIT? WHAT?

"No, it's not,"Midori answered, completely siding with him. She then turned to Ara. "Ara-chan, don't change his name on your phone," she scolded her who was still clueless about what's going on.

"But I didn't…"

Ara's voice trailed off as memories flashed in her mind – memories that she thought were just dreams. The flirty prince one stormy evening, the alcohol, the kiss…

Ara's face turned red. She remembered now. She did put her nickname as My Pretty Darling Princess on Kou's phone. But she thought it was just a dream.

Not.

She mentally screamed.

KYAAAAAAAAA

Kou seemed to be satisfied with Midori's reprimand, so he let out a soft laugh.

"My pretty darling princess, your classes are over right? I came to pick you up."

Huh?

"But I still have something to do – "

"I will return the books for you," Midori volunteered suddenly as she took the books resting on the table.

"But Midori-chan, Sonoda's waiting for you."

"It's okay. He's still at the dojo. I'll do this."

"Thank you Midori. Can you please tell your friend to stop spacing out and meet me outside?" Kou was totally taking advantage of Midori, but the latter didn't mind.

"I will. She'll come out in a minute,"Midori answered before ending the call and handing the phone back to Ara. "Hurry up Ara-chan, your boyfriend's waiting for you,"Midoru rushed her, so she had no choice but to go.

"Sorry and thank you Midori-chan. I'll treat you next week,"Ara promised.

"Introduce me and Hiroaki next time. Let's go on a double date," Midori said as she waved good bye.

=====

Outside, Homura Ryuu's black Maybach Zeppelin was parked a few meters from the school gate. Inside, the prince who was looking very handsome in his black sweater and pants sat with his long legs crossed had a satisfied look on his face. He lazily put his mobile phone back in his pocket, and fixed his glasses as he waited for Ara to come.

In his hand, the book Kazehaya Gin gave him about dating tips rested. Before coming here, he had read a bit and it was stated there a valuable lesson he learned and applied today.

"If your girl wants to argue about something, make sure to get her friend on your side so you have someone who will assist you."

True enough, it was what happened just earlier with Ara. It was a good thing that Ichihara girl was with her.

Hmmmm… This one's effective.

Koutaishidenka took a pen in his hand and encircled the very useful tip on the book. This dating thing... he was learning well.

Kazehaya Sensei would be proud.