Chapter 36: Shock

~Byakuya's POV~ Leo Gonzalez was expelled from Hope's Peak Academy.

After I demanded it to the headmaster and if he refused my order I'd have a restraining order filed against Leo.

I was dead-serious too.

It took all my willpower not to rip Leo limb from limb, and whenever I'd be tempted, June would somehow feel it and put her hand on my arm, calming me down a bit.

But not by much.

June was pale and shaking after Naegi and I had heard the screams, rushed on to the scene, and I shoved my fist through the door so I could unlock it from the inside. As I looked down at my fist, I realized it was sort of scratched up and bleeding. I hid it behind my back.

June had looked terrified when we pulled her out of there.

But now, most of all, June looked shocked at basically everything that just happened. She's probably still processing everything.

God knows what Leo did to her in that closet.

The very thought of him hurting her in any way, shape, or form made my blood boil.

June was still pale and shaking as the headmaster practically interrogated all of us--he was getting tired of inviting Leo and me to his office, I could tell.

Even without June there was six witnesses in total that can all be sure of what they saw.

Leo didn't have a fighting chance.

So, after collecting our statements and considering the fight Leo and I had before all this, the headmaster officially declared Leo expelled from Hope's Peak Academy, never again to set foot on school grounds as a student.

Also, if he decides to mess with June, it's been decided a restraining order will be filed.

Think I'm overreacting? Sure, whatever. This is nothing compared to what I'll do to Leo if he touches June ever again.

If Leo so much as lays a finger on June, I'll kill him on sight.

My family has its lawyers--the kinds that are worth millions--so I could easily get out of going to prison for murder, so there's literally nothing holding me back.

Except there is.

June. She wouldn't want that. No matter what Leo did to her, she would never want me to kill him, mainly because she's good; she's a way better person than I am or will ever be.

And, I admire her for that--it's one of the many things I love about her.

Of course, I couldn't tell her that. No matter how much I'd like to confess. Because there's one thing standing in my way.

Fear.

Specifically, fear of rejection.

The fear of confessing to her and her not feeling the same; the fear of ruining our friendship--again.

I've been thinking over what Naegi told me to do--ask June to be my date to the Christmas Gala.

Naegi had convinced me to ask her after seventh period, but with what just happened with Leo... I really don't think that's an option.

However, Naegi reopened the idea anyway as we all arrived at June's dorm room to calm her down.

As Erin took June's key for her dorm room and stuck it in the lock, Naegi leaned toward me and whispered, "Not to sound like an idiotic jerk, but what about asking June to be your date to the Christmas Gala? What happens now...?"

"Well, obviously I can't ask her now, especially after what's just happened! She needs time," I whispered back. "But, don't worry... I'll... I'll ask her. Just not today. Or tomorrow. Maybe not this week, either... You know what? Maybe I shouldn't ask her at all."

Soon, Erin unlocked the door and we all went inside. Naegi continued to whisper. "Oh no you don't, Byakuya...! We discussed this already! You're going to ask her! Not today, probably not tomorrow, but you're going to do it at one point." Why won't he just let it go? It's not like she'd say yes anyway!

"Look, Byakuya, I get you're scared. Probably of rejection. I'd be scared too. But, there's a time when you've got to suck it up. Happiness isn't going to come to you if you don't at least try. So, with all due respect, please grow a pair and stop whining like a child and just ask her already! It's one question!" Naegi whisper shouted.

"I am NOT asking her today!" I hissed.

"Well, obviously not! However, you're going to ask her soon. Just, not that soon." Naegi said.

I sighed. "Fine. Fine! I'll ask her, just not today... not tomorrow either. I need to give her time."

Naegi nodded. "Of course. It's fine." he said.

Eventually, we sat June down on her bed and we all sat or stood around her. Erin had gotten a wash cloth and had started dabbing June's cheek where a red mark had started to form.

Leo had slapped her.

I clenched my fists.

"This is ridiculous," Erin grumbled. "I'm getting tired of dressing your wounds."

June winced. "S-Sorry..."

Erin gave her a look. "June, you know good and well I didn't mean it like that. It's not your fault at all; it's his. We all know that. I'm just saying I'm sick of seeing you hurt all the time..." she said.

"I know... It's just... It always seems to happen to me," June said. "Does the universe hate me or something?"

"No," I immediately replied. "The universe loves you." I love you.

I cringed at myself. You're pathetic, Togami.

"Trust me, June, it's NOT that the universe hates you, it's that Leo is an asshole-stalker that won't leave you alone. But now, thankfully, we won't have to worry about him ever again--he's expelled now, remember? We all watched it happen. He's gone for good." I said.

June nodded. "You're right. He's gone and it's not my fault and the universe doesn't hate me either," she said with a smile. "After all, I was lucky enough to end up with you."

I tried my best to keep from blushing. "Th-Thanks." I said.

Everyone looked at June. June immediately noticed. "Er--I mean--I was lucky enough to end up with all of you...!" she corrected herself.

"If I ever see Leo again," Erin grumbled, fortunately changing the subject. "I'll wring his neck and hang him by his toes..."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Luckily, however, a time will never come when we are faced with Leo Gonzalez ever again.

Finally, finally that bastard was gone from lives.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Days eventually came and went, and thankfully June seemed to be doing well, she seemed to be moving on fast.

I was glad that she didn't pay Leo any mind or think about what was almost done to her, because whenever I looked at her now, all I could seem to think about was what Leo almost did to her and how he put his hands on her.

Honestly, knowing what he almost did to June--it kills me.

But, I tried my best to not let it show.

Everyone else did their best not to let it show, either.

They mainly occupied themselves with the many preparations for the Christmas Gala, which was now only in two days.

Time sure does fly.

"Okay, Byakuya, this is it," Naegi said after seventh period had ended and the school day was officially over. "It's been literally almost two weeks now since you said you would suck it up and ask June to be your date! I'm NOT letting you delay it another day! June told us all she moved on from the whole incident, and we've moved on too. Which means, now you ask her. I still can't even believe I let you wait this long... Also, everyone else already has a date."

I arched an eyebrow. "Really, Naegi? Do you have a date, then?"

Naegi turned pink. "Y-Yeah... I do..."

"With who?" I pressed.

Naegi scratched the back of his neck. "With... with Kyouko..." he admitted. I felt a smile form on my lips.

"Finally. I was wondering when you'd confess your undying love for Kirigiri." I said. Naegi glared.

"I-I...! It wasn't... it wasn't like that, and you know it...! All I did was ask her to be my date and by some miracle, she said yes," Naegi sputtered. "And, besides, you're the one to talk. I bet you're dying to confess your undying love for June."

I felt myself blush. "Shut up, Naegi, if you want to keep your hand." I threatened.

"Alright, jeez, Byakuya," Naegi said. "Look, I'm just saying ask June NOW before someone else does. And, actually, I witnessed at least three guys ask her."

My eyes widened as I clenched my fists. "You did?"

"Yes, I did. You're lucky you have a friend like me, Byakuya, because I kept them off her by saying she already had a date. June didn't question me but she told me thanks because, apparently, she was going to turn them all down herself. And, get this, she said she didn't tell them yes because she was waiting for the right guy to ask her and I'm willing to bet all the money in my wallet that she was talking about you."

I blinked. "Really? You better not be joking about this, Naegi."

"I swear I'm NOT. June really did say those things! So, I suggest you ask her right now before she gives up hope and says yes to the next guy that asks her," Naegi said before he nodded his head in a direction. "Plus, just look! She's standing right over there."

I looked to where he had nodded and saw June was standing alone by her locker, preparing to put her combination in and open it to get her things.

She's alone.

"And she's alone," It was like Naegi had read my mind. I guess since we spend time together he just knows me like that. "You're not going to find a better time than this to ask her, trust me."

I sighed and rolled my shoulders. "Alright. You're right, Naegi. This opportunity probably won't arise again," I said before I blew out some air. "I'm going to ask her. Now."

Naegi smiled. "That's the spirit! You go, Byakuya! You can do this!" He pushed me forward in June's direction. "Now, go!"

I took a deep breath before I walked up to June, who hadn't seen me and was working on the combination to her locker.

Okay, Byakuya, it's simple--just stay calm, ask her the question, and don't make a complete fool of yourself. Can you handle that?

Yes, yes you can.

I was about to open up my mouth and get June's attention when suddenly, before I got the chance to speak, my face was met with a locker door.

I winced and immediately jerked back at the sudden impact. Pain bloomed in my nose.

June's head whipped around from behind her locker door, her eyes widened as she gasped. "Oh my God--Byakuya, I'm so sorry...! I didn't see you, I swear...! It's just, you know how my locker is sticky and it gets stuck and... I'm guessing I probably yanked too hard and the door just swung open and... I'm sorry...!" she said all at once, her cheeks turning red from embarrassment.

I brought my fingers up to the bridge of my nose and tossed my head back, my fingers squeezing the bridge. "It's alright... I know you didn't mean it... And, don't worry, it's not broken or bleeding... I don't think it's bleeding...," I brought my head back down to show June. "Is it bleeding?"

June leaned in and inspected my nose and I blushed at how close she was. I was tempted to lean in as well and run my fingers through her fiery, red hair, but I suppressed the urge and shoved it deep down.

"Uh... No. It's not bleeding, thank God," June let out a sigh of relief. "I'm really sorry! I'm... I'm just--"

"--sorry?" I finished for her and chuckled. "You mentioned that a couple of times."

June turned redder. "Y-Yeah... I'm sorr--er, I mean...," She laughed. "I guess I should just shut up. So... Uh... Did you need something?"

Oh, yeah, back to the real reason why I'm here.

I began to rub my arm. "Well... I... I actually came over here to ask you a question..." I said.

"Okay. What is it?" June said.

You can do this.

"Um... I, uh... Well... I was wondering if...," Oh God, I sound like an idiot already. I must be sweating bullets. "Er... I was wondering if maybe... Goodness, this was much easier when I was saying it to my bathroom mirror...!"

Did you seriously just say that? YOU'RE AN IDIOT!

June smiled and giggled. "Okay then..."

Oh God.

"Alright, I'm just going to stop sounding stupid and actually say it now," I said. "June, you know how the Christmas Gala is in just two days now?"

June nodded. "Oh yeah. Believe me, it came up real fast...! Lucky we're almost finished decorating the gymnasium, huh?" she said.

"Yes, exactly," I said, agreeing. "Well, the Gala is coming up really soon and since it's a social that encourages everyone bringing a date... I was just wondering if maybe you'd consider... being my date... to the Gala...?"

Okay. It's out. You said it. It's done. The hard part is over now. It's officially out there.

Now all that needs to happen is for her to say yes... IF she even wants to...

It was silent and I just stood there for what seemed like hours. Everything and everyone around me had stopped and all I was focused on was June.

Her eyes were widened and her mouth slightly agape, like she couldn't believe what I just said.

She probably thinks I'm a fool... She's probably grossed out and disgusted... She probably only thinks of me as a brother...

"I'm sorry, forgive me, Byakuya... But did you just say what I think I heard you say...?" June said, looking unsure.

This is your last chance to back out and save yourself from possible rejection and humiliation; it's fight or flight, Togami.

But I shoved down my flight instinct and decided to go with fight. "Y-Yes. I did say what you think you heard. I-I want you to be my date to the Christmas Gala."

I looked out the corner of my eye at not only Naegi watching me intently, but Leon and Ishimaru had arrived next to him and were also watching.

Oh great. A crowd to watch me get shot down.

I suddenly heard June's voice. "Well, in that case, then yes, Byakuya, I would love to be your date to the Christmas Gala." she said.

I had to replay that response in my head for about five times before it actually registered.

She said yes.

SHE SAID YES.

On the inside I was cheering and jumping up and down excitedly like a teenage girl, but on the outside I nodded and made sure to keep my voice normal. "That's great. I was hoping you'd say that. So I guess that means I'll see you at the dance... my date." I winked at June.

June's cheeks were tinted pink. "Y-Yeah... I'll see you too... my date..." she said.

I gave her one last smile. "See you then, June." Then I gave her a small wave, turned around, and walked off toward Naegi, Leon, and Ishimaru.

"Well?" Naegi asked eagerly, Leon and Ishimaru leaning in eagerly.

"She said yes." I said happily.

Leon pumped his fist in the air. "Alright, Byakuya! Nice one, dude! I knew you had it in you!" He offered his hand to Ishimaru. "Well, pay up, Kiyotaka. You owe me now," Then Leon turned to me. "We all placed bets on whether you would ask her and whether June would say yes or not. Ishimaru was one of the people who thought you didn't have the guts to do it."

Ishimaru just stared at his hand. "Uh, actually, classmate, I believe it was you who said Byakuya didn't have the guts to ask her and it was me who said he did. So, I also believe it is you who should be paying me."

Leon froze before immediately pulling back his hand. "You know, actually, I don't really remember if there was a bet at all... It's all a blur, really..." he mumbled.

Naegi clasped a hand on my back. "Congrats, Byakuya! I knew you could do it! Was I right, or was I right?" he said.

"Yes, Naegi, you were right." I admitted. Naegi smiled.

"Of course!" he said, and I laughed.

"Now," Leon said. "All we have to do is buy our sexy-ass tuxedos and we'll be ready to stroll into the Gala with our hot dates and we'll look awesome while doing it!"

I didn't really know who Leon's date was, but I recently found out from June that Ishimaru's date was Erin. And, also, it was Erin who asked Ishimaru, not the other way around.

"That is the plan," Naegi said. "and nothing should ruin it now. We're all past the hard part, after all. So, this Gala should be a night to remember."

As it turns out, Naegi was right; the Christmas Gala was definitely a night to remember... But NOT in the way any of us expected it to be.