Disclaimer: I do not own School Rumble or its affilated characters etc. The story however, is mine.
Reunion Chapter 1
Somewhere in the middle of the ocean near Japan, Harima Kenji was sitting in the dingy quarters of the ship's crew aboard the ship which became his home. He had spent quite a long time on board and had become used to the life at sea. He even became a veteran member on the ship and had trainees under his wing as well. However, during all these times, Harima never managed to abandon one dream he had brought along from land.
So there he was, scribbling away at the blank sheets and piling up stacks of manga when he had finished. He put his pen down to rub his eyes and headed over to the deck for some fresh air. The waves relentlessly hit the sides of the ship and a cool wind blew over the top, giving Harima just what he needed. He looked up. The sky was clearest he had seen it in years and it seemed to him that all the stars made it to the party. Harima breathed in deep and looked towards the front of the ship. There was still no sign of land. He breathed in deep once again and recalled his conversation with the captain earlier that day. A distant footstep told him that one of his crewmates was up and about.
"Gettin' eager huh?" he said as he leaned against the rail beside Harima.
Harima gave no answer. He wasn't sure of himself. He assumed that by the end of this voyage, he would be ready to face what he left behind in Japan.
"I still get the shivers thinking about it," was his final answer.
"C'mon," said the crewmate as he lit up a cigarette. "Y'know ya have to face it sooner or later. We all gotta do what we can to survive the storm."
"Right, survive the storm," muttered Harima, "What's your storm Earl?"
The crewmate known as Earl took a puff of his cigarette.
"Parents-in-law."
The both laughed for quite a bit, although it wasn't that funny. Harima eventually settled down and resumed his gaze at the stars.
"They're especially bright today huh?" said Earl.
"Yeah."
"Y'know uh, I'm not trying to psyche ya out or anything, but what if it hasn't blown over? What if ya get back on that sand and realize nothin's changed? Or even worse, thing's changed in the way you didn' want 'em to?"
To this Harima Kenji had no answer. What if Earl was right and thing were as he had left it? What if something happened that would make it worse? What could he do? He could not run away again. Harima stayed silent. Earl expected no answer. Sky above the ship twinkled ever so brightly in white.
There was 30 days left until the ship arrived in Japan.
-
The airport was not at all full this time of the year. It was not a holiday, nor was it off school season. However, those who were there all in turn seized what they were doing to marvel at the mesmerizing beauty of one woman. Her hair flowed over in gold as it shone against the sunlight escaping through the elaborate glass panels of the airport. Her auburn eyes sparkled like stars as she gracefully made her way out. She smiled as she stepped out and gazed upon a sight familiar to her.
"Ahhh, it's been so long" Eri said as she quickly recalled the days she had spent here.
However, there was only one familiar sight she was eager for, and had forced her to fly across the world.
It was nearly two weeks ago in London. Eri had just spent the day shopping and was exhausted. She was enjoying the sun on her luxurious balcony as she lay in an arm chair enjoying a glass of wine. Her relaxation was ruined by a phone call. At this she gave a frown, assuming it was probably the creep who has been bugging her for days. She reached for her cell phone and when she did, her face spread into a smile. It was a call from none other than Takano Akira, a friend whom she met in her better days in Japan. She happily answered, relieved to hear her friend's voice once again, despite her monotone.
It was this phone call that had changed her plans. Akira revealed that she has indeed stayed in touch with Harima. It had started two years ago when she coincidently met him at the docks in France. From then on, he constantly sent her mails which she replied to by sending mails to his destinations ahead. He frequently asked for the situations of his friends and families, or those whoused to be. However, Akira gave no replies and insisted that ifhe so desired to know, he would have to find out for himself when he returned. It was this that finally persuaded Harima to return to Japan. Eri listened to her intently, wondering why he had never bothered to visit her. Akira had told him that she was in England. Wasn't France close to England? And the fact that he was on a ship would make it reasonable for him to land in England, despite that he was on a small fishing boat and not a cruiser or an oil rig. However, she did not bother to consider that factor, as she was trapped in her own world of reasons.
Akira then revealed that she had told Yakumo of his coming as well. To this Eri gave a sharp reply.
"You told her? W, Why? How come she needs to know about this?" she asked, before she realized that she was giving too much of her hidden feelings away. Before she could recover, Akira beat her to the buzzer.
"It's funny you asked me why I told Yakumo, but didn't ask me why I told you."
Eri knew there was no hiding from Akira but she had tried anyways.
"W, well yea. W, why did you tell me? This has nothing to do with me."
"I told both of you about Harima because I felt it was enough."
"What's enough? There's nothing between me and Hige," retorted Eri, as she let slip her old habit.
"I think waiting 3 years for an idiot who left without saying a word is long enough. It's time to settle all of this once and for all."
Eri stuttered. "W, what do you mean I'm waiting for him? You listen to me, I have never..."
"I've said all I need to say. He's coming to Japan in 20 days and if you have anything more to say to him, send a mail to the address I sent you in 15. Then it should get to him. Bye."
And that was the end of Akira's voice, leaving Eri's heart pounding nervously.
Now she saton the bench of the airport caught in deep thought until a familiar face appeared.
"Miss Sawachika, it is wonderful to see you again," greeted Nakamura.
"Nakamura, it's been a long time, I'm glad to see you. Have you been well?"
"Quite, Miss," replied Nakamura as he picked up her bags, "Shall we depart then?"
It was at the backseat of her Limo when she inquired him once more.
"Nakamura, did you confirm the mail that I told you to?"
"Yes, Miss. The mail you requested was sent to Mister Harima Kenji."
"Thank you, Nakamura."
"Pardon me Miss, but what has made you come to Yagami once again. I recall you saying when you were leaving for England that this place reminded you of someone you did not wish to think about and that you would never return here again."
"Right... right, I said that. But there's some problem here I need to take care of. I want to see it to the end."
There was 5 days left until Harima arrived in Yagami, Japan.
-
The train bound for Yagami was fast approaching and one young woman was most eager of all the passengers. Tsukamoto Yakumo propped her elbow against the windowsill as she watched the sights fly by. She was trapped in deep thought. He was coming back, Akira told her, and she was as much excited as Eri had been. She was currently attending an university in Tokyo. However, during her second year in high school, Yakumo was advised to apply to a renowned university there and she had surprised everybody by claiming that she would attendsomewhere near Yagami. She told everyone that she wanted to stay close to her sister, but in her heart she could not decide whether or not this was the real reason. She secretly wanted to stay near Harima and read his manga. However, by the end of her second year Harima graduated and when she did as well a year later, he had already disappeared.
"Next stop is Yagami Station. Next stop is Yagami Station."
She was so drowned in her thoughts that she was startled when she saw her sister out the window along with her boyfriend, Karasuma Ouji. Her sister was a lot more beautiful since the last time she saw her. It was true that love encourages the beautywithin women. Yakumo knew that she was happier than ever now that she finally had Karasuma by her side. It did not take a psychic.
"YAKUMOOOOO!" cheered her sister gleefully as she stepped out of the train, "I'm so glad you decided to come back, even if it's for a little while."
At this Yakumo pondered. Was it really going to be for a little while? Her heart was pounding at the thoughts hidden behind the question.
"Thank you Onee-san," replied Yakumo.
"Your always welcome Yakumo, but I was wondering; why did you decide to come now? It's not even break."
Tenma's eyes sparkled as she looked at her, and Yakumo stared back until she softly said, "because I want to be like you."
"What? I didn't hear you. Say it again, Yakumo."
"No, it's nothing Onee-san. Let's go home."
There was 4 days left until Harima arrived in Yagami, Japan.
To be continued.
