Heat Wave

The weekend came slower than I hoped. I wanted to escape the crazy atmosphere from school. It was just yesterday that I received the call from Elizabeth-san. I couldn't sleep last night. When I woke up today, I couldn't go back to sleep. I decided to go down and have breakfast. My brother was seating at the table already eating. My mother was washing the dishes.

"Good Morning." I greeted them even though the morning is definitely not good for me.

"Oh, Uteki. You're up early. Have a seat." My mom then excitedly put a feast on the table. There was rice, meat, soup, even dessert.

"Umm, what's the occasion? Is it Uryou's birthday?" She suddenly hugged my head tightly and then she started crying.

"I'm just so happy that my son is a perfectly normal adolescent boy!"

"Huh? What are you talking about? I've always been a perfectly normal adolescent boy!"

"I'm just glad you've made a decision. You were not sure of your preferences a while ago, but now we're sure you like girls. Right, Uryou?"

"What is she talking about, Uryou?"

"Even though it's only possible to happen with a miracle, you seem to have a girlfriend, Onii-chan." He answered in his usual matter-of-factly manner. And I wanted to punch him, as usual.

"What?!"

"See, mom? I told you, he doesn't like girls. Look at his surprised expression when he heard 'girlfriend'."

"Why, you!"

"Why are you hiding it from us? Don't worry, I'll be sure to go home late every day. So I won't catch you in our house doing whatever you want with your girlfriend."

"That's not the point here!"

---

Even my family misunderstood what is happening. I decided to leave the house. My mom would just pester me with questions that I won't have answers to. I walked around aimlessly and I wound up in the park. The park is big enough that stages can be set up where various events are held. Today, there were many people. I wonder what the event is. I walked towards the stage area. People were preparing for a concert. I saw a banner that was placed for advertisement. It says 'Come see Kei-chan perform at 3 pm today!' Who is 'Kei-chan'? Is she an idol or something?

I continued to walk around. It was still before noon, but a lot of fans are already starting to pile up. Now these are what you call fans. I was looking at the crowd when I bumped into someone.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Are you alright?" I asked the person. He was wearing a fedora hat, sunglasses and a trench coat... In this weather?

"Yup. But you should be more careful so you won't bump into people." I do bump into people often. Wait, that was a girl's voice.

"Are you hiding from someone, by any chance?"

"H-how can you tell?!"

"Um, nobody wears that in broad daylight and in this heat. Also, you look suspicious walking around like that."

"Really?!" Wow, she really had no idea.

"Yeah. You stand out more rather than being in disguise—" She suddenly dragged me by the arm and took me behind a tree, hidden from the view of everyone around.

"Hehehe." Why is she laughing?

"What's so funny?"

"I'll give it to you. You're really a diehard fan to see through this disguise."

"Fan? No, you just stand out—"

"No need to hide it anymore. I'll give you my autograph if you don't tell anyone I'm here."

"I'm telling you, I'm not a fan—"

"An autograph is not enough? Ok, how about a photo with me? No, no, that would be bad. Um, what about a backstage pass for my concert—"

"Wait! Can you please listen to me?!"

"Are you going to blackmail me? I've been generous in my offer to — mmm hmm." I decided to close her mouth with my hand.

"Please listen first, ok?" She nodded. "First, I don't know who you are. Second, if you really are disguised, then it's not working. Are we clear now?" She nodded again. I let go of her mouth.

"Help m—" She started to scream so I closed it again.

"Stop that! People will misunderstand this." She nodded yet again. I don't know if she understands any word I'm saying right now. I decided to let go of her mouth slowly this time. She didn't scream. Thank goodness.

"So, if you're not a fan, then why are you here?" She removed her sunglasses. I somehow recognized her face.

"I happened to walk by."

"Nobody goes to the park these days without going to events and such."

"I just happen to like nature..." Wait, I remember now where I saw her. "...You're that Kei-chan!"

"Stop shouting! They'll hear us." She covered my mouth and looked around to see if anyone heard us. I nodded. She let go of my mouth.

"Why are you hiding?"

"I don't know if I can trust you... What if you're some stalker or worse, a pervert...?"

"I'm leaving."

"No, please! I need your help!" She grabbed my arm to stop me. You should say that before you insult people.

"Help? How?" I hope I don't regret this. I've regretted a lot of things recently, I don't want to add this to the list.

"To be honest, I've been receiving mails and texts from a stalker. I wanted to find out who he is, so I came here in disguise to look for him."

"How sure are you I'm not that stalker?"

"A-are you?" Her face became terrified.

"No."

"Then it's fine." She smiled at me. Wow, she's too trusting.

"So, how do you plan to find that stalker?"

"Well, if anyone is overly excited to see me then that must be the stalker."

"Huh? Everyone here is overly excited to see you! They're your fans!" What is going on with this girl?

"Oh, no! You're right! What am I going to do now?" Her eyes started to become teary while looking at me as if asking for my help.

"Hmm. I have an idea."

---

Kei-chan's concert started. The place was more packed than it was earlier. After about 2 hours, her performance is now about to end.

"Thank you everyone for coming! I love you all!" She shouted at her microphone so everyone would hear it. Everyone responded with a load cheering of her name.

She came down the stage and headed to her trailer. When a staff offered to escort her, she kindly refused since there were other jobs to do. She started to walk slowly towards the area where the trailers were parked. The area had few people walking around since the staff was busy clearing up the stage. She was walking briskly now, as if trying to outpace someone. She felt someone was following her. When she neared the trailer, she started to run. Then, when she reached her trailer and reached for the door, someone came out from the door, grabbed her arm, and covered her mouth. She was dragged to the cluster of trees nearby. A few moments later, someone followed them.

---

"Let her go!" I shouted. "Is that what you want to tell me?" I pointed at the man who followed us here in the woods. "Or maybe you wanted to be the one to do this to her?"

"Tsk, who are you anyway?!"

"Takaiyama Uteki! From Chiheisen Acadamy! Saviour of idols from stalkers such as yourself!"

"What are you talking about? Huh? You have no proof!"

"The fact that you are here is proof enough. Didn't Kei-chan told you to meet her after the concert? She sent you a text. There is no way you didn't receive that. And when you saw someone else take her, it pissed you off. It was your great chance but someone else did it first. Am I right?"

"Shut up!" He took out a knife. "I was going to use this on her, but you deserve this more for messing with my date with my beloved Kei-chan." He charged towards me.

"Look out!" Kei-chan tried to warn me, but I was too scared to move. I think this is the part where I'm going to regret this. I closed my eyes, and waited for the searing pain that is caused by a knife cut. It never came. I slowly opened my eyes, and I saw him lying in the ground. There were police officers around him. Apparently, they used taser guns on him before he could reach me.

"Are you alright?" Kei-chan approached me. My knees gave up on me and I fell on the ground.

"Hehe, yeah."

"That was a very dangerous plan! You could have been hurt!"

"Yeah. I thought I was going to regret it. At least he's caught now." She started to tear up again.

"I don't know why you would do this for a stranger, but thanks." She sounded happy.

The police asked me a few questions before I was allowed to go home. After she thanked me, her manager and the other staff came and took her back to her trailer. They left shortly afterwards. It seems that they were coordinating with the police for a while now. They weren't fond of the plan I thought of, but since they were desperate to catch the stalker, they agreed anyway.

I realized I haven't had lunch yet and it's already evening. I'm so hungry right now. Man what a day. I did not expect that to happen.

I had some money with me, so I decided to buy some dinner from the nearby convenience store. They had discounted bentos. I bought one and ate it at the bench outside the store. While I was eating, someone called me.

"Hey! Takaiyama!"

"Oh, Jirai. What are you doing here?"

"Hehehe. Well, I don't think you would understand the greatness of it even if I tell you."

"You watched Kei-chan's concert, right?"

"What is this?! I didn't know you were a fan! Even with my dear Kei-chan you are my rival!"

"I'm not." I continued to eat while trying to ignore him.

"When will you be contented, you greedy scum! You already have Hiroisora-sama, and now you want Kei-chan as well?!"

"Huh? Even you believe that rumor?" I suppose he is the first one to believe the rumor.

"Are you still denying it? Are you ashamed of Hiroisora-sama, by any chance? Huh? Huh?"

"Because it's not true. That's why I'm denying it."

"Hmm... Ok, I believe you."

"You do?"

"Yeah, there is no way a fag like you will have a beautiful girlfriend like her."

"And I suppose you do? Never mind, as long as you believe me."

"Wow, I didn't know I still have a chance with Hiroisora-sama. Praying at the shrine really works! Hahaha!" I admire his persistence. Or stupidity, whichever it is. "Hey, did you hear about what happened to Kei-chan?" I better not tell him what happened exactly. His exaggeration skills are too great; he's going to tell the world about it too.

"What happened?" I really wish I could brag. Tsk.

"There was this stalker who attacked her, but someone saved her. Man, I wish I could have been the one to save her."

"I see." That was me! I was a hero! Hahaha. Playing dumb is hard.

"Oh look, she just posted something on her account. She says 'I would like to thank all my fans who came today. And to my hero, Saviour of Idols, thank you so much! Don't worry, your secret identity is safe with me (。^_・)ノ' Wow. What a lame name that was."

"Lame...?" I was at the heat of the moment. But yeah, it was lame. I wish I could take that back.

---

After that little adventure I had, it was back to regular school life. And by regular, I mean that I was back to this big misunderstanding. I still wasn't talking to Hiroisora and Nariyuki. I specially avoid Nariyuki, since she's pestering me come back to the club.

We had our midterm exams a few weeks later. My head wasn't into studying, because I was worried that Elizabeth-san already knows the truth. But since she hasn't called me yet, maybe she still doesn't know.

"Takaiyama!" Jirai called me. I wonder what it is this time. "You know what comes next after the midterms, right? It's pool season!" More peeping from him. Great.