Resisting Temptation (A Kyoya Ootori Fanfic)

Chapter 11

(Seina's POV)
I walked into my classroom with a larger stack of books than usual. At least one for every subject, two notebooks, a record book for my mother's collection of relics, which I had promised go over and fill in this month. Then on top of that I had some business to do for my Uncle. I sighed and ordered them by priority before opening the first book. It was going to be a long day.
By the time my friends showed up in class, I had finished with the first book and moved onto the second. My hand was racing along the page trying to keep up with my brain as I frantically scribbled character after character. Then I heard two familiar voices approaching.
'Ah Seina! You're here early. Working hard as usual!' Hikaru clapped his hand on my shoulder, which in turn knocked my writing hand causing an ugly slash of ink through the middle of my homework assignment. I grabbed his wrist before he could escape and yanked him down to my level.
'Look what you did! You idiot! I was almost done and now I'm going to have to start all over again. Why can't you be more careful!?' The twins stared at me shocked by my outburst and Kaoru stepped in, trying to mitigate the situation.
'Hey Seina. We're sorry but it was an accident. He didn't mean to.' I shoved my chair back from my seat and stood up.
'I've had enough.'
I stood against the wall outside the classroom, running my hands through my hair, teeth gritted in frustration. I knew my behaviour had been out of order but I was not in an apologetic mood. I had too much to do. I didn't have time for them to be causing me trouble. I was tired and cranky, having gotten no more than 2 hours sleep the night before. I just needed to work my way through it then stop and do nothing. I heard footsteps and turned to see Haruhi.
'Hey. They told me what happened. Are you ok?' I nodded.
'I'm fine.' She looked at me thoughtfully.
'I know there is a lot of pressure on you but they're not the ones piling work on you. They're your friends. They didn't mean any harm.'
'I know. I'll apologise later. I'm just feeling a little high strung. I have a lot to do.'
'Alright. But Seina? Sometimes it's alright to give yourself a break.' I smiled, grateful to my friend. 'Thank you Haruhi.'
I worked hard all day. Every spare moment in lessons, every break. I spoke briefly to the twins to apologise for snapping at them before retreating alone to a corner. There I sat and churned out page after page of work. I never stopped even when my hands were aching and blistered. Mori-senpai had to physically pry my left hand open in order to give me a bowl of noodles. I barely looked up as I thanked him, eating while I read. At the end of the day I went straight home and settled at my desk. A couple of hours after dinner I was finally finished. I slumped down on my arms exhausted but I wasn't quite done. I slowly rose to my feet and made my way to my father's study.
Upon reaching my father's study I knocked and entered. The room was radically different from my mother's or even my Uncle's. He lacked the insatiable thirst for knowledge and curiosity in all things that left their studies adorned and cluttered. His was cold, stark and disorganised. Everything had a place but it was usually the wrong place. Not that I would ever dare tell him that.
'Father, I have the documents for Uncle.'
He gestured to the right. 'Please put them on the left.' I nodded.
'Yes father.' Thankfully he made no more requests of me as I left his study. He hardly looked up as I closed the door behind me.
I moved to my mother's study. Once again I knocked and entered. Her study was warm and a wave of heat hit me as I walked through the door. My mother was sat on her sofa with Tatsuo, her hand on his arm as they laughed at some joke he'd made. I couldn't help wondering if I could have been so carefree without the burden of so many responsibilities.
'Mother, I finished with your record book. It's all up to date.'
'Could you place it on my desk please Seina?' I stepped across to the desk and placed the book in the centre.
She then moved over on the couch and held her hand out to me. I took it and she gave mine a reassuring squeeze. She pulled me down to sit between them and kissed my head.
'Seina, you know I am so proud of you and how hard you work. You are so smart and so dedicated. Many people could stand to be more like you.' She hugged me to her. I smiled. Tatsuo reached over and ruffled my hair.
'My clever little sister.' I pushed him away playfully, laughing. This was my favourite place to be, my mother's study, cuddled between her and my Oni-san. I yawned into my hand.
'I'm so tired.' My mother ran a gentle hand through my hair.
'Go on to bed then, get an early night.' I gave each of them a kiss on the cheek.
'Goodnight.'
'Seina, give yourself a break. You look worn out.' I nodded and went to bed.