Chapter 1: Crossed Paths
A/N: It's been a while since I've ever done anything School Rumble related, my first story was 'Harima's Chance' although I enjoyed writing it, I look back at it now and cringe slightly at the grammar mistakes and misspelled names. This story is a bit of a rewrite of Harima's Chance you may see some similarities but also different elements in the story as I thought the previous story was kinda rushed. Hope you all enjoy this old/new story.
"You're shutting down the tea club?" Yakumo asks, Itoko looks ahead of her at the two distraught former members of the club Yakumo and Sarah. Itoko folds her arms looking at the pair.
"For a club to operate we need three members, since Akira graduated we now only have two" Itoko explains, Sarah gently picks up her tea cup and takes a sip. "It's a shame because this club gave me a break from after school duties" Itoko expresses her dismay.
"It'll be easy to get another member, any boy would join if they know Yakumo is here" Sarah plans, Yakumo flinches at the plan. Itoko sighs as she looks across the table at the timid Yakumo.
"What do you think?" Itoko asks, Yakumo darts her eyes from Sarah to Itoko. Yakumo places her hands on her lap and lowers her head.
"Erm...I'll have to think about it" Yakumo answers, Itoko simply shrugs and stands out her seat. Yakumo and Sarah look up at Itoko.
"I see, so for now the tea club is officially off until we find more members" Itoko proclaims, Yakumo and Sarah both nod in unison. "Let me know if you find a new member, I'll see the two of you around school." Itoko says, Itoko digs into her pocket and pull out a key. Itoko places the key on the table "Don't forget to lock up" Itoko reminds the two of them. Itoko leaves the room.
"Well this is no good, the tea club is the only place we can relax in the school" Sarah says as she stretches. Yakumo looks down the full tea cup in front of her.
"What about Satsuki? Can't we ask her?" Yakumo questions, Sarah pauses before answering the question.
"I think she's too wrapped up in the basketball club" Sarah answers, Yakumo has a small pout. "We could just ask any boy and they'll join" Sarah pushes her idea onto Yakumo.
"But...I..." Yakumo tries to speak up.
"I don't want to pressure you into doing something you don't want to do" Sarah reassures causing a smile to emerge on Yakumo's face, Sarah slightly groans.
"Well...we can still hang out after school at my place, I don't mind making tea there" Yakumo suggests, Sarah rubs the bottom of her chin.
"I guess you're right" Sarah says as she finally finishes sipping her tea. "Without Tenma at home, I'm going to guess you need a little company" Sarah assumes, Yakumo sighs as she stands out of her seat and picks up Sarah's empty cup.
"It's quiet, but I still have Iori with me" Yakumo answers, Sarah stands out of her seat and grabs her coat. Sarah turns around to see Yakumo pouring the remainder of her tea down the sink.
"But do you miss talking to someone at home?" Sarah fires another questions, Yakumo rinses out the two cups and places them on the side.
"I guess so, but it's best for sis to be with Karasuma now" Yakumo answers again, Sarah nods her head as she puts her coat on. "I still put out two lunch boxes by mistake every morning" Yakumo confesses, Sarah chuckles at Yakumo.
"I'd probably do the same, but with that extra lunch box you can make me something right?" Sarah hints, Yakumo pauses before shrugging her shoulders. Sarah pouts at Yakumo's gesture. "Anyway are you good to go?" Sarah asks, Yakumo nods her head. Yakumo follows Sarah to the door of the tea club.
"Goodbye tea club" Yakumo mutters, Sarah opens the door and the two exit the room.
Meanwhile a motorbike appears outside MangaCorp headquarters a dark figured man wearing a helmet is sitting on the bike "They say in life you either get love, money or success, some people are lucky to get all. I'm not one of those guys, my chance at love is gone and I'm broke for money. My only chance is success by drawing manga." The man takes his helmet off, revealing it's Harima. "After a year, I've learned I can't have all but I can at least get one" Harima climbs off his motorcycle with his manuscript in hand, Harima walks through the double doors of the headquarters.
"This place hasn't changed a bit" Harima walks up to the receptionist with the pointy spectacles. "I hate being in this town, it's full of memories of her..."
"Good morning welcome to MangaCorp, how can I help you?" The receptionist asks as she types on the keyboard in front of her. Harima nervously gulps before replying.
"erm...I've booked a viewing for my manuscript with-" Harima is interrupted.
"Is that Hario over there?" An ambitious voice calls out, Harima looks to his right where the voice is coming from. Harima sees a smartly dressed man sitting at one of the side booths of the reception. "Come over here, I've been expecting you" The man reassures Harima, Harima bows his head to the receptionist and walks over to the smartly dressed man.
Meanwhile on the walk home "Have you started the assignment yet?" Sarah asks, Yakumo continues to stare off into the distance at the trees she's passing. "Hello? Earth to Yakumo?" Sarah teases.
"That Tsukamato chick looked so cute this morning" "She always looks cute" "Why won't she give me a chance?!" Yakumo starts to hear multiple thoughts in the distance. Yakumo snaps out of her trance as she hears Sarah. "I'm sorry Sarah" Yakumo apologizes.
"It's fine, you've been dazing off a lot lately" Sarah giggles, Yakumo rubs her forehead.
"I'm sorry Sara" Yakumo apologizes again, a smile emerges on the face of Sara.
"No need to apologize, I daze off all the time in class. If it wasn't for you and your notes I'd be struggling" Sarah assures Yakumo, a petite smile emerges on the face of Yakumo.
"Hmm..." The Editor says as he turns the page of Harima's manuscript, Harima is sitting opposite The Editor with high hopes. "Oh...I...see..." The Editor mumbles as he reads the last of the pages, The Editor places the manuscript on the table.
"I was thinking it could be a volume series than a one-shot series, I have more time on my hands so-" Harima is interrupted.
"I've seen you draw and write better, I think there is something missing" The Editor comments as he faintly flicks through the manuscript on the table.
"W...what do you mean something is missing? I didn't forget to write my name or something?" Harima jokes as he folds his arms, The Editor shakes his head.
"At the moment I don't know what it is, I just prefer your old work. What happened to the love story?" The Editor asks, Harima clenches his fist tightly and looks down at the floor. "I just don't think a sports, horror and sci-fi is your style" The Editor comments.
"I...I...see" Harima stutters, The Editor notices Harima's disappointment. Suddenly Harima feels a sharp pain in his head, Harima raises his hand ready to put it on his head but decides against it. "What was that? Am I coming down with something?"
"Don't get yourself down, all great writers struggle at some point. All you have to do is keep trying" The Editor places his hand on Harima's shoulder.
"Thanks" Harima mutters, The Editor takes his hand off Harima's shoulder. "Do you have anything else I can do instead?" Harima asks, a smirk emerges on The Editors face.
"In fact, there is a job opening for a layout artist to assist other artists. It's a starting point that can help raise you creating your own stories for publishing" The Editor suggests, Harima raises his head looking across at the The Editor.
"Really? I'll take it!" Harima's sudden change of attitude surprises The Editor, Harima stands out of his seat in excitement. The Editor joins Harima and stands up as well.
"Perfect, all we need to see is your high-school diploma" The Editor drops a bombshell on Harima, Harima suddenly freezes in place.
"erm...let's say for instance I don't have a high-school diploma..." Harima asks as he twirls his thumbs, The Editor squints at Harima sending shivers down his spine.
"I'm sorry it's a regulation that all our workers have at least a high-school diploma" The Editor informs. Harima begins to grit his teeth together before opening his mouth, The Editor tilts his head confused as he's looking at Harima.
"Well...it's a good thing I have one...I was joking, of course I have one. I just need to pick it up from somewhere..." Harima scratches the back of his head as he nervously laughs, The Editor begins to chuckle as well.
"Good one" The Editor comments, soon the laughter dies down. "Well when you find your diploma, give me a call and I'll sort everything out for you" The Editor says.
"T...thanks" Harima hesitates. "What am I supposed to do?! Wait...maybe Itoko will give me a free one...I am her cousin after all" Harima plots.
"See ya tomorrow Yakumo!" Sarah waves in the distance at Yakumo, Yakumo waves back.
"Get home safe" Yakumo says as the two go their own separate ways, Yakumo continues to daze off into the distance as she passes building after building. "That highschooler looks cute, do you think she likes an older guy?" Yakumo looks from side to side to find out where that thought was coming from, she's unable to find the source.
Meanwhile Harima walks up to his motorbike, he spots the parking ticket on his motorbike. "Screw this" Harima rips up the ticket and sits on the bike, Harima looks up at the stars in the sky. "I wonder how Tenma is still in America?" A faint blush appears on Harima's cheeks, Harima shakes his head. "Idiot forget about it, remember it's either love, money or success. All I have left is success" Harima quits staring up at the stars and looks at the side walk to see a familiar face with a school uniform on walking. "Wait a minute isn't that..."
Yakumo looks ahead of her to see a biker dressed in black, Yakumo's eyes widen as she looks ahead of her. "Is that...Harima?" Yakumo wonders as her pace quickens slightly.
"Crap...crap...what do I do?! My past is behind me now that includes everyone" Harima looks to his side and puts his helmet on his head, Harima puts his hand to his ear pretending he's on the phone.
Yakumo stands besides Harima "erm...excuse me...your name wouldn't happen to be Harima?" Yakumo casually asks, suddenly Harima flinches after hearing Yakumo.
"Tandnai amd aks ialdn aaldj" Harima starts to speak a gibberish language as he pretends to speak on his invisible phone. "Sorry Tenma's sister, our paths can't cross. I'm a new man now, new man means new people." Harima apologises.
"He doesn't seem to speak Japanese...I thought it was Harima" Yakumo thinks to herself, Yakumo bows her head. "Sorry for intruding" Yakumo apologises as she walks away from Harima and continues her walk down the side walk whilst occasionally glancing over her shoulder.
"Please go, I'm no longer the Harima you once knew" Harima thinks to himself as he spots the glances from Yakumo. Harima has a sigh of relief as he sees Yakumo leave his sight "I'll just get that diploma thing from Itoko and everything will be just fine" Harima gets his head back into the game. Harima revs his motorbike and takes off.
The door to the Tsukamoto residence opens, Yakumo enters her empty home. Yakumo switches the lights on and takes her shoes off "Meow!" Iori comes rushing towards Yakumo and jumps into her arms.
"Hi Iori, did you miss me?" Yakumo asks, Iori begins to playfully jab Yakumo's fingers. "You're probably hungry aren't you?" Yakumo asks her cat. Iori continues to jab her Yakumo's fingers. Yakumo carries Iori into the kitchen, Yakumo gently places Iori on the worktop before she opens the top cupboard. Yakumo notices that there is no cat food left, Yakumo exhales as she closes the cupboard. Yakumo looks down at the upset face of Iori "Don't worry Iori I'll go get some more" Yakumo responds.
"Interesting..." A faint but familiar voice says behind Yakumo, Yakumo slowly turns around to see the same Ghost floating above the counter. Yakumo takes a few steps back distancing herself from The Ghost, Iori hisses at the ghost. "Your power seems to be getting stronger, you're hearing more and more thoughts" The Ghost says, Yakumo looks away from The Ghost. "Even now in this big empty house, you're destined to be alone forever. Your sister isn't here too" The Ghost says.
"She's just helping Karasuma that's all, she'll be back" Yakumo says timidly, a sly smile emerges on the face of The Ghost.
"Do you really think she'll come back?" The Ghost asks, Yakumo simply nods. "How foolish, once love fills someone's heart they forget about the ones around them. Meaning Tenma is going to forget about you" The Ghost points at Yakumo "Face the truth, if Tenma truly cared she'd be here right now with you wouldn't she?" The Ghost starts to hover closer to Yakumo.
"She...she needs to help someone else now, it'll be selfish of me if I stopped her from going with Karasuma" Yakumo answers, The Ghost rolls her eyes.
"The ever selfless Yakumo, giving up her happiness for others. Is that how you truly feel?" The Ghost asks, Yakumo opens her mouth ready to speak but The Ghost disappears before she could even answer.
"I just hope Itoko didn't move out in the last year..." Harima worries as he stands outside of Itoko's door, Harima takes a deep breath as he knocks on the door. Harima begins to anxiously tap his foot on the floor "What if it isn't Itoko? Some crazed old man or something?" Harima wonders, suddenly Harima hears the door unlock. The door swings open, Harima tries to peek in but swiftly avoids getting hit in the face with the door. "Whew that was close, I didn't even know the door opened that way" Itoko pauses whilst looking at the wonderer at her front door.
"And who are you again?" Itoko asks, Harima scratches the back of his neck.
"er... can I talk to you about something?" Harima asks, Itoko squints at Harima.
"So you disappear for an entire year, you show up at my door and you want to talk about something...nah I'm good" Itoko starts to close the door until Harima's foot blocks the door from closing.
"Please, this is important. I need to speak to you" Harima places his hand on the side of the door looking directly in Itoko's eyes.
"If this is about a loanshark I can't help you with that" Itoko comments, Harima immediately shakes his head.
"It's not about that, can I come in?" Harima pleads, Itoko pushes the door wide open. Itoko takes her hand off the door and folds her arms.
"You're not coming in, whatever you have to say do it here" Itoko orders, Harima has a short sigh.
"Ok...Ok..." Harima agrees. "I'm trying to get a job but they need me to have a high-school diploma" Harima explains, Itoko's expression reads I don't care.
"And you're telling this because?" Itoko questions, Harima clenches his fist tightly before bowing his head to Itoko.
"Please, would you be able to get one for me? Maybe change someone's name to mine on a diploma or something?" Harima pleads, Itoko raises her eyebrow at how serious Harima is being.
"No chance, I'm not loosing my job because of you. Get it the old fashion way, by going to school!" Itoko lectures, Harima raises his head looking at Itoko.
"Please Itoko, it's for a job I really want" Harima tries again, before he could receive an answer Itoko had already slammed the door. "After all the things I do for her...it's not fair" Harima groans as he turns his back to the door. "Go to school? Not a chance" Harima proclaims as he looks up at the cloudy sky, suddenly drops of rain come from above. Suddenly the sharp pain starts again at the back of Harima's head, Harima puts his hand on the back of his head "The hell was that?"
"Thank you, come again" The store clerk yells as Yakumo walks out of the convenience shop with a bag full of cat food and treats, while holding an umbrella in the other hand. "I hope I didn't get too much" Yakumo worries as she walks down the side walk, Yakumo takes her attention off the cat food and notices the same motorbike she saw earlier. On that motorbike was a man dressed in dark clothing with an umbrella above him, it's Harima resting his head on the handles of his motorbike.
"It is Harima" Yakumo thinks to herself, Yakumo slowly approaches the sleeping Harima. Yakumo puts her bags down at the side Harima's bike, Yakumo takes a deep breath before putting her hands on him. "erm...Harima?" Yakumo calls out.
"For the last time...Napoleon...It's beef...not bacon..." Harima utters in his sleep, Yakumo continues to try and wake Harima. The rain starts to become heavier, a number of people are running to safety under a shelter.
"Harima...you'll be sick if you sleep outside in this weather..." Yakumo says with concern, Harima's eyes begin to twitch as he sees a faint blurry figure standing before him.
"T...Tenma?" Harima mutters, Yakumo takes a step back away from Harima. Harima's eyes continue to open and close to wake himself up, the figure standing in front of him is now clear. Harima flinches at the sight of Yakumo, whilst Yakumo puts her hand over her mouth in concern for Harima.
"A...are you okay Harima?" Yakumo asks, suddenly Harima's sunglasses fall off his face. Yakumo sees that Harima's eyes are open, Harima groans as he lifts his head off his motorbike handles. Yakumo tilts her head looking at Harima's face.
"Tenma's sister?" Harima mutters, Yakumo takes a few steps forward towards Harima. Yakumo places her hand on top of Harima's head, Harima looks up at the hand on top of his head.
"Harima you're burning up, you can't sleep out here you'll get worse" Yakumo gives Harima some advice, Harima continues to faintly blink whilst looking at Yakumo. "What's the cute girl doing helping a bum?" Yakumo hears a clear thought in the distance, Yakumo shakes her head to ignore it. "Please Harima...get up, you'll get sick if you don't" Yakumo pleads again, as she taps Harima.
"Guess I have no choice...she'll keep pestering if I don't, then she'll be the one ending up sick" Harima accepts the offer, Harima sluggishly stands off his bike. Yakumo bends down to pick up the cat food, Yakumo assists in helping Harima walk forward. "Wait...I need my manuscript" Harima proclaims, Yakumo looks over her shoulder at the thick bunch of papers on his bike. Yakumo hands Harima her umbrella and swiftly picks the manuscript up, the two continue to walk forward back to Yakumo's home.
"Luckily my home isn't too far away" Yakumo thinks to herself as she supports Harima "I wonder if his bike will be okay?" Yakumo wonders as she looks over her shoulder.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed this chapter, there will be plenty more to come. I am still writing other like "My Study Buddy" I'm just struggling from writers block and after watching School Rumble again, I decided I need to pay homage to my first story. Hope to see you again in the next chapter.