Concern

It was finally the season for one of Hyoutei Gakuen’s grand event, a spectacular winter trip for the third years.

especially looked forward to the skiing activity.

“Maa, I can’t see your pretty legs now that you’re wearing those long pants…” Oshitari Yuushi said as he approached .

With one last tug on her shoelace, the girl peeked up at the navy-haired boy, and stuck her tongue out.

“Hn… I’ll get to see them somehow…” Oshitari smirked cheekily.

“Don’t you dare try anything, Yuushi!” The girl answered teasingly. The two had been pretty close friends since their first year.

Oshitari had always teased her and the girl never minded his bold behavior.

Besides, he never carried things too far; he was also serious when necessary.

In general, thought he was a great guy.

+++

“Why are you following me? What about Mukahi-kun?” turned her head back and questioned Oshitari.

“Gakuto has other friends. Besides, I like to follow you…”

“Oh, and I want to see your sexy legs…” The boy spoke in a low, husky voice.

rolled her eyes. Yuushi was at it again.

“And now… if you don’t look where you’re going… You will-“

Before Oshitari could finish his sentence, he heard a loud thump.

had tripped over a stone and was now lying flat on the snowy grounds.

“Ouch…” She moaned in pain.

Oshitari just shrugged before lifting a hand out to the fallen girl.

grabbed the hand and struggled to pick herself up.

She felt an aching sting on her right leg.

“Can’t be helped…” The boy said, looking down at the girl.

With one swift action, Oshitari dragged the girl to her full length and clung onto her arm. “Hold onto me then…”

appreciated his offer as she snuggled against his arm. It was warm.

Oshitari hid a worried face as they continued to pace forwards.

+++

After a while, Oshitari noticed that seem to be walking less steadily.  She was pulling him down, and it appeared that her legs were giving way.

He bent down a little and grabbed the girl’s legs to carry her in his arms.

“Maa… you’re quite light….” Oshitari continued to pace forwards to the holiday resort where they were staying.

just lay there against his warm chest. “Thank… you…”

Oshitari looked down at her and gave her a small smile, then knocking the top of her head lightly.

“Such a silly girl…” He thought to himself.

+++

Anxious teachers, worried friends rushed over to express their utmost concern; Oshitari just brushed them off, not wanting the girl to be surrounded (and suffocated) by so many others.

“She’s fine; I’ll bring her to her room.” Her boy commented as Mukahi walked past and gave his doubles partner a wink. caught a glimpse of Oshitari smirking as she looked up. She was a little suspicious; she hoped the boy wasn’t up to any tricks.

+++

Oshitari lowered to a chair, adjusting her right leg properly so the girl could rest comfortably.

“What with that smirk, Yuushi?” spoke in a disbelieving tone.

“Nothing…” The boy said, grinning, and headed for the toilet to get a warm towel.

This made the girl a little nervous. She was always like that when it came to Yuushi.

Soon after, the boy returned and sat down by .

“I told you I would be able to see those pair of pretty legs…” Oshitari said in his low Kansai accent as he attempted to remove the girl’s pants.

“Oie!” the girl resisted as she smacked the boy’s hand lightly, a tinge of pink surfacing on her pale face.

"Aww, don’t be shy…” the boy spoke softly, stroking the girl’s face.

could feel her heart accelerating with every touch, “B-but… You’re not even my boyfriend or anything! It’s natural to be embarrassed! Besides, it’s Yuushi! I don’t know why! But my heart keeps fluttering!” The girl blurted out.

She let out a gasp.

Oshitari had not expected that bare confession, he contemplated for a moment and gave that smirk again.

“So… will you be my girlfriend?” he whispered into her ears, brushing a few strands of her hair away.

“…”

was too shocked (and happy) for words.

“I take that as a yes then…” Oshitari’s lips curved into a pleased smile, and moved forwards to brush those lips against the girl’s.

felt a warm tingly sensation.

Yet, she felt a little cold at her legs.

+++

“W-what…!” gazed down at her exposed legs and glared at the tensai.

Oshitari just patted her head and proceeded to use the warm towel to wipe the wounds. He was appreciative that the girl had stopped fidgeting.

was content.

Yuushi didn’t want to see her legs or anything; he just wanted to attend to her wounds.

She was touched as warm tears of happiness trickled her cheeks, making Oshitari a little stunned. He wiped the tears off with his fingers, edging forwards to kiss the girl again, grasping onto her with another hand.

returned the kiss as Oshitari smiled into the tenderness of their union.

Oshitari knew that he had been hiding his immerse concern for the girl all along but he just couldn’t figure out how to show it. And so, he did it by teasing and following her steps everyday, every moment, never letting out of his sight, watching over her.

He was her protector, her guardian angel, her knight in shining amour.

//Summer. 2 Jan ’05.