(Okay, I started writing this story over a year ago, and stopped. Because I have absolutely no idea where the story is supposed to go. But I don't like leaving unfinished work around, so I decided to try and see this thing to the end. If things seem to go forward as if without a sense of direction, please forgive me, and also any 'OOCness' you may encounter.

Thanks and please enjoy. Jaa na! x )

a romantic story

1. a romance novel

She looked, almost in shock, at his name written on the book card.

Mikagami Tokiya.

She could not believe it at first. She had rechecked the title on the book cover thinking, "Maybe I'd grabbed the wrong one..." But no, 'Confessions of Love' by Mikito Shinichirou, the sappiest, mushiest, funniest romance novel she had ever read, and she had absolutely loved it. It's a romance novel! So what the hell is Ice-boy's name doing here!?!

She would've laughed at the idea, but she had just been in too much shock. "Excuse me, miss. Are you going to borrow that?" the librarian spoke up, interrupting her thoughts. She was smiling at her radiantly. "Hai!" she answered back, and wrote her own name on the book card, then handed it back together with her library card.

There was a small, mischievous smile on her lips as she left the library.

I really have to ask him about this next time I see him...

That afternoon she was lying in wait for him. The first thing she greeted him with was, "I didn't know you like romance novels."

"Huh?" She could not read whether he was trying to avoid her unspoken question or not, but what he was trying to convey with that monosyllabic grunt was clear enough: what the hell are you talking about?

"Hihihi..." she laughs a little devilishly. "I've been to the library, and I see you've taken out Confessions of Love. So... how was it?"

He smirks as he answers, "It was the most idiotic piece of literature I have ever come across."

"WHAT???" Kirisawa was offended, for she had of course, loved the romance story. "Then why did you read it in the first place???"

"I was making a report about contemporary literature covering all genres." He answers coolly.

"-'Sigh'- And I actually thought you were showing some semblance of humanity... Should have known your heart is made of ice!"

He smirked again, and walked away.

"Oi, chotto matte ne! I'm going home now too, so might as well walk with you..."

He was not surprised at this. Even though he remained cool and distant, Hokage still seems to consider him a friend, and treated him accordingly. That is, he was always subject to childish pranks and name- calling and much teasing, mostly coming from the purple-haired monkey beside him now. It was indescribably annoying and aggravating of course, but... the feeling of having friends was just too... new to him, that he was curious enough about it not to put a stop to them. And there was Yanagi... For her, he would tolerate all of the craziness of Hokage, just to be around her.

And so he let Fuuko tag along. It was not the first time they had walked together; it turns out their houses lay in the same direction, so when it happens that they're going home at the same time, they walked together.

A girl that was seen walking with him would certainly find herself the object of hatred of every other girl in school soon afterwards. But, it seems, not Fuuko. Everyone seemed to know about her. Evidently, they all believed that she "posed no threat". After all, "what can Tokiya-sama possibly find attractive in a loud-mouthed, violent, un-sexy tomboy?" It seems that Kirisawa Fuuko is the only girl 'allowed' to walk with him.

He found this situation extremely amusing.

He had to endure Fuuko's almost non-stop chatter until they parted of course, but... this he would not admit even to himself, it was good to have a friend walking with you and talking with such... enthusiasm. Even though she was annoying most times, some times he had almost smiled.

But today, she was quiet. He would have been relieved, but one glance at her showed that she was a bit upset.

It's about the book... She must have really liked it. Maybe I was a bit harsh about the way I spoke of it...

He was surprised to find he was actually concerned. Maybe I am starting to think of them as friends too, he thought. He was glad he actually felt that way. Because he knew that was how his Onee-chan would have wanted him to feel.

He had changed. In ways he really hadn't noticed at all.

So he said, "Stop thinking about it. The book really has no intellectual value after all."

And then there was an ear shattering "BAKA!!!" shouted right into his ear, and Kirisawa was walking furiously fast away from him.

It seems he had upset her more without intending it.

That was not his problem then.

He continued to walk, now keeping a prudent distance from Kirisawa.

Guess he hasn't changed much after all.