Disclaimer: I do not own the manga/anime series Hareluya II Boy or any of its characters. This story is a work of fanfiction. No profit is being made from it.
Author's Note: This story takes place after "A Temporary Parting." Kuwata Konomi is named after a character from the manga/anime series "Black Jack."
Makoto Ichijou heaved a deep sigh as he and Hibino Hareluya stepped out of the school's entrance. "I'm glad that's over. That last test was a killer."
Hibino grinned. "What's wrong? Were the questions too much for your limited mind or were you too busy flirting to study?"
Ichijou glared at him. "And how much studying did you do?"
"Hah, the great Ore-sama need not concern himself with such things" Hibino said dismissively.
Ichijou was about to reply but before he could do so a friendly female voice both of them knew well called out, "Yoh."
They turned to see Yamana Michiru hurrying over to them with a happy smile on her beautiful face.
"Hi Yamana" replied Ichijou as he returned her smile. Hibino gave a nod of greeting.
"I've got something to tell you" she said excitedly. "You guys remember that competition I entered a few weeks ago?"
Ichijou and Hibino nodded. Yamana had submitted some of her silver jewellery designs to a magazine as part of a competition intended to find talented new designers. The winner of the competition would have their designs produced by a top company and displayed in an upcoming jewellery show.
"I got a letter from the company today. I came in first place" she said happily.
"That's amazing" said Ichijou delightedly. "Good for you Yamana. I knew you could do it."
Hibino's grin broadened. "Well done, just as I'd expect from one of Ore-sama's servants."
Ichijou shot an annoyed glare at him but Yamana just laughed. She knew that was just Hibino's way.
"Thank you both" she said. "To celebrate, let's all go to eat okonomiyaki."
"I accept" said Hibino eagerly.
"Good idea" Ichijou agreed.
The three friends arrived at the okonomiyaki restaurant and sat at their usual table.
"So Yamana, this is a really big achievement" said Ichijou.
"It is" she replied. "I can't believe out of all the designs submitted, mine got first place."
"Hey, you deserve it" said Ichijou. "You worked hard and put your heart and soul into what you created, just like me and the guys with our music."
Hibino took a short break from devouring his food to say, "Well said" before going back to eating.
"Plus now that the big jewellery companies know what you can do you're practically guaranteed a place with one of them" Ichijou added.
She beamed. "Thank you. Oh, I have something for the two of you."
She reached into her pocket and took out two tickets. "Ta-da!" she said brightly.
Hibino and Ichijou stared at the tickets in surprise.
"The show is in a month. I'd really like both of you to come" she said.
"Sure we'll come" said Ichijou as they accepted the tickets.
"The great Ore-sama will grace the show with his presence" Hibino agreed.
"Thanks again guys. I have one more spare ticket but I haven't decided who to give it to."
Her smile faltered for a second as she thought how much she wished that Okamoto Kiyoushiro could be there on that day. She pushed the thought away and her smile returned.
Ichijou noticed the brief change in her expression and knew what it had to mean. He grinned internally as an idea came to him.
The next few weeks passed quickly and before they knew it, it was the day of the show.
Yamana stood in front of a mirror brushing her hair. She still had the third spare ticket, having asked several of her other friends if they would like to come to the show, but all of them had said they were busy with one thing or another. That struck her as slightly odd but she decided not to dwell on it.
She had just put the hairbrush away when the front doorbell rang. She hurried over and opened it curiously.
"Hibino, Ichijou" she said warmly. Then her expression became slightly puzzled. "I appreciate you guys coming but aren't you a little early? The show isn't for another hour."
"We know" Ichijou replied. "But first we have a surprise for you."
"A surprise for me?" she repeated.
Hibino was grinning even wider than usual. "That's right" he said.
"Close your eyes and don't open them until we say so" said Ichijou.
Yamana was bemused but did as he said. She heard footsteps and realised someone had walked in front of her.
"Okay, open your eyes."
She did so and her eyes instantly widened as she saw who stood before her.
Okamoto smiled kindly. "Hello Yamana-san."
She felt her eyes tear up. "Okamoto!" she exclaimed happily as she hugged him tightly.
He laughed cheerfully as he returned the hug. "I'm glad to see you too" he said. "And I'm so proud of you. I knew you'd achieve your dream and be a jewellery designer."
"Well I haven't done that just yet" she laughed.
"Maybe not but you've taken a great step towards it" he pointed out. "You should be proud of yourself."
After a moment she drew back, still beaming joyfully. "How did you get back here?" she asked.
"Hibino-san and Ichijou-san called me and told me everything" he explained. "They paid for a flight here for a few days and asked everyone to come up with excuses why they couldn't come to keep the ticket available."
She turned to Hibino and Ichijou. "Thank you so much" she said, her eyes filled with joy and gratitude.
"Meh, it's no big deal" said Hibino, waving his hand dismissively. "Ore-sama is feeling generous today."
Yamana nodded and gave him a warm smile of appreciation. Hibino smiled back awkwardly and then, feeling self-conscious, he turned and glared at Ichijou.
"You had better not tell anyone about this or I will kill you" he growled.
"I won't" he replied.
Silently he thought, besides who would believe me?
After Yamana had composed herself they set off for the conference centre where the show was being held. At the entrance they were met by a smartly-dressed woman.
"Hello Yamana-san, it is good to meet you" she said. "I am Kuwata Konomi, the organiser for this event."
"Pleased to meet you" Yamana replied. "These are my friends Kiyoushiro Okamoto, Makoto Ichijou and Hibino Hareluya."
"Splendid. I hope you young gentlemen will enjoy yourselves here" said Kuwata.
"We will Kuwata-san" replied Okamoto.
Ichijou smiled and nodded in agreement while Hibino gave a nonchalant shrug.
Kuwata frowned slightly at Hibino but it disappeared as she turned back to Yamana. "Please come with me. The show is about to start and there are a few details to sort out."
"Okay." She turned to her friends. "See you later guys."
"See you later Yamana-san" said Okamoto.
"It'll be a great show" said Ichijou as he gave a thumbs-up of encouragement. Hibino said nothing but his brilliant grin and small nod showed his support.
She gave them a bright smile and then followed Kuwata backstage. The three guys proceeded to the auditorium where they took seats.
"Thank you again for allowing me to be here Hibino-san, Ichijou-san" said Okamoto.
"No problem" replied Ichijou.
"Indeed" Hibino agreed. His usual sly grin appeared as he added "but if you truly wish to thank Ore-sama then you will pay for all the okonomiyaki he wants later."
"Of course Hibino-san" he answered.
Some things never change Ichijou thought.
Yamana gazed at the glass cases that held the pieces of silver jewellery she had made and submitted herself. Soon these very pieces would be displayed to the audience, which included some of the best designers in the world. It was still hard for her to believe that this was actually happening and she was tempted to pinch herself to see if it wasn't just a dream.
Kuwata glanced at her watch. "Where is Jirobo-san? He should be back by now. The storage room isn't that far away."
Yamana remembered that Jirobo was one of the crew members she'd seen during the rehearsal. He had been civil enough when she'd tried to talk to him but had always kept his distance saying that he was too busy to talk.
"I'll go and see what's keeping him. Maybe I can help" she said.
"Oh that's quite all right Yamana-san. There's really no need to…"
"It's okay, I don't mind" she called back cheerily as she started off down the corridor.
It only took a moment for her to get to the main storage room. Noticing that there was a trolley loaded with cleaning supplies next to the door and that the door was ajar she was about to call to Jirobo but then she heard him speaking.
"Yeah, the show's underway… No, no problems. Everything's going according to plan."
Curious, she inched closer to the door and peered in.
The room was mostly empty except for rows of boxes piled up along one wall. Jirobo stood in front of the boxes with his back turned. He was a tall, wiry young man with immaculately styled hair, wearing a t-shirt and jeans that appeared casual but were actually top designer labels.
He was holding a phone to his ear and talking into it. His voice was low but she could hear what he was saying.
"Okay I've left the back door unlocked and turned off all of the security cameras. In just a minute I'll set off the fire alarm and while everyone's rushing out you guys get in quick and grab as much jewellery as you can."
Alarmed by what she'd just heard Yamana backed away carefully. Once she was a fair distance away she turned and ran back down the corridor.
I have to get the guys she thought as she ran.
In the auditorium a stylishly dressed model strode across the catwalk, demonstrating a line of aquamarine jewellery as an announcer elaborated on the various accessories she wore.
Okamoto tried to at least appear interested but in truth he didn't much care. Really he only wanted to see Yamana's work but that wouldn't be shown until later.
Hibino must have noticed his lack of genuine enthusiasm because he leaned closer to him and asked in a seemingly casual tone, "enjoying the show so far Kiyoushiro?"
"Huh? Oh yes Hibino-san, thank you for asking."
A smug, teasing smile appeared on Hibino's face. "I'll bet you'd enjoy it a lot more if Yamana was one of the models."
His cheeks turned crimson and he sputtered out, "what? Um, uh, no, that is, I…" He glanced at his other friend for support but Ichijou's only response was an amused knowing smile of his own.
Just then Yamana came running up to them with an alarmed look on her face. "We've got trouble" she said.
"What's wrong Yamana-san?" Okamoto asked anxiously as Ichijou and Hibino tensed, mentally and physically preparing for a fight.
"Follow me" she replied.
The guys stood up and the four of them rushed out of the auditorium.
"These guys are going to rob the show?" Ichijou asked as the group ran down the backstage corridors.
"That's what Jirobo said" Yamana replied. "He said he'll set off the fire alarm to cause a diversion."
Just then the fire alarm went off. A second later the announcer began urging people not to panic and head for the nearest exits.
"There he goes" said Ichijou darkly. "We should stop his accomplices first."
"The back door to the building isn't far" said Yamana. "We should get there before they have time to steal anything but I don't know how many there are."
"Heh, even a thousand of them won't be a problem for Ore-sama" Hibino laughed. "I hope they can provide at least some amusement."
They arrived at the back door to find Jirobo and a gang of six thugs pouring into the building. All of them were carrying large bags. Hearing the group approach, one of them looked at them in surprise.
"What the hell? No-one's supposed to be back here. They should all be rushing outside" he said.
"So what? Let's just take them out and grab the jewels" another one snapped.
Hibino laughed as he reached behind his back and drew a wooden sword seemingly from thin air. "This won't take long" he said casually.
With that he leaped forwards and swung his weapon at the first thug's head. With surprising speed he ducked under the blow and tackled Hibino. Undaunted, Hibino slammed his elbow down on his opponent's back and then took him down with an upwards swing.
The second thug tried to blindside Hibino while he was distracted but Ichijou intercepted him. The thug growled and threw a volley of punches but Ichijou evaded them all and landed a right cross to the jaw that knocked him sprawling.
Yamana and Okamoto stood back and watched the fight. They were of course concerned but not particularly worried. Hibino and Ichijou had overcome worse odds than this and they were confident that their friends could handle themselves here. Sure enough it wasn't long before all of the thieves were out cold.
"Well that was disappointing" said Hibino.
"Now we should tell the organisers what's going on so we can get the show back on track" said Ichijou.
Some time later, after Jirobo and his accomplices had been taken away by the police, the show resumed.
"I wonder which model will wear Yamana's work" Ichijou mused. He, Hibino and Okamoto were all back in their seats.
"It doesn't matter" replied Okamoto. "I know everyone here will be awed."
Just then the announcer spoke. "Ladies and gentlemen, Daystar Jewellery is proud to present the winner of our recent competition, wearing her own designs, Yamana Michiru-san."
Okamoto, Ichijou and Hibino's jaws all dropped as Yamana stepped onto the catwalk wearing beautiful pieces of silver jewellery. She walked gracefully down the runway with a look of calm confidence on her face as the announcer began describing her work. As she walked past Yamana smiled and winked at the guys.
"So beautiful" said Okamoto in awe.
"Heh, Ore-sama was right as always" said Hibino.
Yamana walked back to the stage and bowed. The audience applauded, with the three of them clapping loudest of all, especially Okamoto. She smiled joyfully.