Alright. Chapter 2. I finished the novel so I can start writing other things, but I'm so far behind on uploading OTHER things, it really doesn't matter.

I wonder if other people have my problems. I mean, who WRITES more than they want to upload? Idiots, that's who.

Anyway, READ ON!

---

It was a day just like any other. Ryuuta, new Ouendan Leader (and still partway rookie) was wondering why Kai could do practically everything from shogi to kenjutsu, when he suddenly felt a horrible, gut wrenching feeling. Someone needed help.

"Please… please…" A silent prayer went off in Ryuuta's mind, "Someone… help me… Ouenda------n…!"

Ryuuta turned to Ittetsu and Atsushi, and they nodded in reply. In a flash, they were gone.

---

Tanaka Hajime was a member of the elite in his cram school. Not only was he a musical genius, but he also knew every aspect of the human body. No one would ever expect him to be having trouble on the quiz that lay before him. However, something else was on his mind, and he knew he had to finish the quiz quickly. He just wasn't sure he could do it so fast, not without help…! He barely got his name down when he placed his head to the desk in concentration. He needed help, and he needed it badly. "Please… please…" Hajime prayed silently, "Someone… help me…" He tensed up mightily, and his pencil eraser snapped off, "Ouenda------n…!"

Something in the back of his mind sent his heart pumping. He looked up and around for its source, and there, hidden in the back of the class, seemingly unnoticed by the teacher, were three men, dressed from top to bottom in gakuran outfits. They were cheering for him, and Hajime suddenly felt like he could do anything.

Pencil flying, Hajime practically burned a hole in the paper as he finished the paper and rushed up to turn it in. Bowing respectfully to his tutor, he practically flew from the room and out of the school. The Ouendan that had intently assisted Hajime blinked at each other, "Was… that it?" Ittetsu asked.

"I doubt it…" Ippongi Ryuuta replied quietly, "Come on, follow me…" and with that, the Ouendan disappeared lightly, intent on pursuing the young student, who was rushing at full speed down to another school.

---

Hajime stopped on the cobblestones right outside of the new school's class. Looking up, he peered at the second story window. Apparently he was looking for something within the classroom. Ryuuta blinked and the Ouendan waited for him to make his move. Hajime took a deep breath, and without thinking of the consequences, he began to cheer.

Ryuuta found himself at a loss of words. The young man in need of help was… helping someone else? "Do you feel it, Ryuuta san?" Atsushi asked.

"Yeah. That girl in the classroom… who's taking the test… Tanaka Shinju…? She needs help…"

"And our target…"

"Is cheering her on…" Ryuuta smirked, "Things just got interesting. Ittetsu-san, Atsushi-san." The men saluted their leader, "We've got a fellow Ouendan to assist…"

That's exactly what they did…

---

Later on, a large man stood in front of a quaint little home on the outskirts of Yuuhi Town. He tapped his shoes into place on his feet and adjusted his gakuran accordingly. The door suddenly opened, and a middle aged man peered suspiciously at him, "Who is this?"

"Good afternoon, Sir," The man in the hat said, bowing low to the other male on the other side of the portal, "My name is Doumeki Kai, from… the cram school that your son attends. I have come to speak to him."

The man's eyes bored holes into Kai's chest, wondering what the man was talking about. Why was he dressed in a gakuran? Was he a student? At that age…? Finally, he turned to a young man, "Jirou, get your brother."

"Yes, Father," Jirou said, scrambling away, screaming for Haji-nii-chan. Kai waited for a long while, and finally, a young man approached his father, adjusting his glasses.

"You called, Father?"

"Haji-nii-chan's" father pointed at Kai, "Don't take too long with your peer," he grumbled, walking off. Kai suddenly felt real tense when the young man looked after his father, and turned to the man before him. Why did his father say "peer"…? He had never seen this man in his life!

"Good Afternoon, Young Man. My name is Doumeki Kai. Yours?"

"T…Tanaka Hajime," The young man said lightly. For a hot blooded cheering type, he certainly knew how to be anything but loud, "May I help you, Doumeki-san?"

"You may. I don't suppose you remember me, I'm…" Kai stopped mid-sentence, and chose his next words very carefully, "your 'high school's lead Ouendan'… yes… of course… but I doubt you recognize me…?"

"I'm afraid I don't," Hajime said politely. He smiled lightly and tried to keep the conversation going, even though he had no idea where to take it, "Is there a specific reason that you need to speak with me?"

Kai thought hard about what to say next. He had learned stuff like this from Yamaguchi Yoshi, the Squad Director before him, but he had never actually recruited anyone before. This was a first for him. Finally, he took a deep breath and continued, "You seem like an Ouendan type. You think you might be interested?"

Hajime blinked, unable to think of what to say, "An Ouendan? I'm not sure I can, Doumeki-san. I'm awfully busy with my studies."

Ah yes, that cram school of his. They were hard to get into, so Kai could understand his unwillingness to leave it. He didn't know what to do…! "T…Tanaka-san… We're short one… I do believe you would be a perfect addition to our squad, and I'm pretty sure our other members won't make fun of you too much for being the new guy in the group…"

"Excuse me?"

"Look…" Kai tried a different angle. He wasn't sure what else to do, so he tried one last thing that he was told would always work, "I'm begging you. Tanaka-san…" He shut his eyes and suddenly dropped to the ground. Hajime took a step back when he saw the much older Kai drop to the ground, bowing before the young man in humility. It was a last ditch effort, and he was only doing it for the good of the squad, "…Please… Tanaka-san…"

"G…Get up…!" Hajime said suddenly, looking around to make sure no one was watching, "D…Doumeki-san, just what are you doing?"

"I will not remove myself from the floor until you answer my question, Tanaka-san," Kai said in all seriousness. It took a moment for Hajime to finally answer him.

"…! D…Doumeki-san…" Hajime suddenly smiled, and sighed lightly, "Doumeki-san, I'll do what I can to help you… just…please!"

Kai took the hint and stood, making Hajime fidget nervously. In a flutter, a card was out in-between the director's middle and index fingers. He placed it into Hajime's hand, "This is the address to our headquarters. I would like you there tonight, at five thirty, if you could…"

"Well, I have dinner with my family until six…"

"Then arrive as soon as you can," Kai said, "Thank you so much for your consideration, Tanaka-san." He turned to leave, and Hajime looked down at the card. Suddenly, a question appeared in his mind. He wanted to know more about the Ouendan, and spoke up to ask Kai the question.

"Wait…! Doumeki-san! Where are you…?" but it was too late, the Ouendan Director had disappeared as if he was never there in the first place. Hajime looked down at the card, and blinked at the address on it. What mess had he gotten himself into this time…?

"Hajime-chan!" Chouko called, "I need you to go to market for me!"

"Y…yes Mother!" Hajime replied, shoving the card in his pocket, closing the door and tending to his mother's whims. That Kai guy… what a strange person…

---

Hajime sighed lightly. It had been two days since he had blown up at Aoi, and even though he apologized profusely to the Cheer Girl (who accepted it with a smile), he couldn't shake the feeling of morbid sadness that befell him and the rest of the Ouendan. He really was just a recruit, but they all loved him like a brother, and the thought of him leaving forever left a stinging feeling on all of them. How could he ever leave them? It just didn't seem fair.

However, life wasn't fair, Hajime reminded himself. He made sure he had some books to read up on, a few changes of clothes and his toothbrush (had to have the toothbrush!) Afterwards, he hefted his suitcase and books up and started out the door.

"Where do you think you're going…?" The young Ouendan stopped in his tracks and turned around slightly, an embarrassed smile on his face. Just great… Ittetsu found him…

"Hello, Ittetsu-san…" Hajime said, chuckling, "I was just heading off to visit my folks. I mean, they know I've been at a dorm for the past year or two, but I'm sure they want to see me when it's so close to Seijin Day." Ittetsu rubbed his chin.

"I suppose that's alright," He said. However, before the recruit could about face and retreat, Ittetsu pointed at him, "But take someone with you."

Hajime was taken aback, "What? Why?"

"Perhaps they'd like to know one of your roommates," Ittetsu said with a smile, "Just take someone along." Hajime knew the truth. They wanted to keep tabs on him.

"Yeah, alright… I'll take someone along…" The Ouendan said, trying not to let the groan in his voice become too prominent. He turned around and walked off, deep in thought. Who should he take along that wouldn't turn his entire world upside down…?

---

"I'm so glad you invited me to visit your family, Haji-kun!" Aoi said with a smile. Hajime sighed, because the worst part was she was the best choice available. How come all the other Ouendan had to be so WEIRD? "I'll make the best impression on them ever, I promise I really do!"

"Yeah, that's great; just don't go overboard, alright?" Hajime asked, raising his hands together in prayer, "I'm begging you."

"You can count on me, Haji-kun!" the Cheer Girl proclaimed as the two approached the doorway to his house. Hajime looked at Aoi, and she smiled back, as if begging him to ring the doorbell. Everything about her seemed extremely but joyfully tense, like a cat preparing to pounce on its prey. It scared Hajime just a bit, but finally raised his hand and knocked lightly on the door. Silence ensued, but the two could hear feet shuffling on the other side of the doorway.

A young twelve year old girl threw the door open and squealed with delight at the man in front of her, "Haji-nii-chan!" She shouted, leaping up and sailing into the man's arms. The Ouendan caught her and hugged her tight.

"Shinju! How have you been?"

"Much better, thanks to your asking!" She said, nuzzling Hajime's thick gakuran and sighing in contentment. The moment she released her brother, she rushed inside and shouted to the inhabitants within, "Mama! Papa! Jiro-nii-chan! Haji-nii-chan is home!"

Grabbing her brother's wrist, she drew him inside with a joyous shout. Aoi heard the entire house suddenly shift from bored to excited, and she could feel the energy take a turn for the better. Aoi liked the feeling of the household. It was filled to the brim with love. That's why Hajime was always so happy when he talked about his family!

A young boy, probably about fifteen, entered the entryway as Hajime took off his shoes and placed them away, "Hey, nii-san. How are you?"

"Wonderful, Jirou. And you?"

"Healthy as always!" Jirou replied, rubbing his nose with a contented smile.

"Hajime-chaaaan!" Aoi blinked lightly as a bright, smiling woman suddenly erupted from the dark recesses of the household, waddling up to her eldest son and grabbing him in a hug, "You're safe! I'm so glad!"

"Mo…Mother…!" Hajime gasped, red as a beet. Aoi tried to keep from giggling at how cute he looked, "I'm…! I'm fine! The… the squad's a good squad…!"

"My poor baby, all alone without his dear mother who birthed him and suckled him and loved him and washed his underwear and…"

"Mother…!" The Ouendan recruit's siblings watched this spectacle with bright, shining eyes. Chouko was a little overbearing, and it was always fun to see their mother take out her love on someone other than them. Besides, Hajime hardly blushed around them, so it was fun to see him squeal like a stuck pig, "I…! I need to introduce you…!"

"Oh, my apologies!" Chouko said, smiling at Hajime's guest, "I didn't know he was bringing his girlfriend to meet his family!"

The recruit sighed and decided that this torture was the gods' punishment for being mean to Aoi beforehand, "Mother… she's just a coworker."

"Uh huh…" Jirou said, smiling lightly and nudging his brother as Chouko and Aoi began to speak to each other, "Like you haven't been doing anything to her. I would do it to her…"

"You would do what…?" The entire room suddenly felt a whole lot colder. Tanaka Susumu, Hajime's cold, strict father, entered the entryway and glared at everyone else, "Why are we all standing here in this room? Our guest must have a place to rest. Shinju, go secure some tea, now." And suddenly, the happy, relaxed attitude of the family seemed to disappear. Everyone scrambled to make Aoi's stay much easier, all but Hajime, who was stuck staring into the face of his father, "Well then, Hajime. How have you been?"

"Much better… thanks to your asking…" Hajime practically stuttered. Aoi suddenly felt out of place, and stopped speaking. Now she knew why Hajime was always so soft spoken, "…it's nice to see you again… Father…"

Susumu suddenly smiled, and clapped his son on the shoulder, much like Kai would do when he was pleased with the recruit's work, "Studying hard?"

"Of course."

"Good, good," And suddenly the smile was gone, "And yet you haven't introduced me to your friend? Have I taught you nothing?"

"…! I'm sorry!" Hajime cried. He immediately began with the introductions, "Father, this is Kanda Aoi-san! Uhhh, Aoi-san, this is my Father, Tanaka Susumu."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Tanaka-san. Please regard me favorably…" Aoi murmured, bowing low before the man. She was glad Kai wasn't like this; it would have been terribly uncomfortable for her…!

"Ahh, of course, child. What a well behaved young woman!" He said, smiling brightly. Hajime tried not to chuckle. If it was anything less than a guest, he wouldn't have said anything like that, "Come, Kanda-san, you shall have a seat next to mine at the table tonight."

"I thank you, Tanaka-san…" Aoi said, following closely behind him, Hajime at her heels. She knew it was hard, but she really wanted to do a good job for Hajime. She'd give the Tanaka family a good impression of the Ouendan if it was the last thing she did! Maybe then Susumu would let Hajime stay an Ouendan!

…At least, she could hope…

---

The food was good, and the table was handsomely prepared. Aoi found that even though Susumu was strict, the entire household ran like clockwork. Hajime was lucky to have such a wonderful family. She spoke politely, and tried to keep from fidgeting slightly when the family made fun of her friend. He was such an integral part of the family; she felt a little left out.

"So Hajime-chan," Chouko said, smiling at her son, "Tell us more about Aoi-chan. How did you two meet? It couldn't have just been that you were both Ouendan, could it?"

"Yeah, hey nii-san, when did you two become an item?" Jirou asked, poking his chopsticks at his brother.

"I'm sorry for interrupting…" Aoi suddenly said, glancing at Hajime's frustrated face, "But I am… Haji…me-kun and I are just squad members. Our relationship is purely platonic."

There was silence as the people stared at Aoi, chewing very slowly. "Oh, I see… platonic," Chouko said with a smile. She then spoke up with something that made her eldest son's face go aflame, "So you're not getting married yet, Hajime-chan? When can I expect you to…?"

"Leave Hajime alone, You," Susumu said to his wife, hardly paying her any attention, "He's too busy with his studies to worry about a relationship."

"But Darling," Chouko said, almost too quickly, so she sounded almost like she was whining, "I want some grandchildren."

Susumu didn't seem to believe that his wife deserved to be looked at, and instead ate what was in front of him as he spoke, "You'll get them when the time comes… but now…"

"Mother, Father…" Hajime turned to each of his parents in succession, attempting in vain to calm the rising storm, "must we talk about this now…? We're supposed to be having a nice time…" He gestured to the children across from him, who were picking at their food, "Can we save it for another time?"

Hajime tensed when Susumu bristled. Any time at the Ouendan HQ Kai would have accepted such a plea, but his father was anything but open minded, "Hajime, you would do best to watch your tongue when speaking to your parents."

Even Aoi shrunk back at the man's tone. She picked at her dinner as the man stared at his son. The dinner suddenly turned from warm to cold…! "Y… yes Father. My apologies." Susumu returned to sipping his tea, and Aoi shivered lightly.

---

Hajime soon found himself doing much of the chores he had once done when he was younger. He fluffed towels out and folded dried clothes, and was soon found by Aoi, who had been given a tour of the house by Shinju, "Hi, Haji-kun," She said, watching him as he folded the laundry, "Your family seems very nice."

"I'm glad you think so," Hajime replied, finding it much harder to look at her now that everyone was insistent that they were really going out.

"Oh, I was looking at some of your family photos, and I had forgotten how adorable you looked in a ponytail," The recruit blinked, his face tinged with red, "Do you remember? You used to have the nicest black hair… and you tied it back…" Aoi giggled, "You looked especially nice on your thirteenth birthday…"

"Why bring it up now?" The young man asked (trying to get rid of his red face) as the Cheer Girl sat down and looked at a few photos on the wall. Aoi then turned to Hajime and smiled.

"Don't you remember, at the beginning of dinner? Your mother was talking to me about how she was surprised that you had shaved it." Aoi said, smiling brightly, "She told me how much she loved your long hair."

"What are you trying to do, make me feel guilty?" Hajime pointed out that, "It was you who wanted me to shave it."

"Oh…" Aoi said innocently, "Did I?" A smirk had appeared on her face.

Hajime felt almost put upon. How come women always ganged up on men for no reason at random times? "Yeah, you said, 'Haji-kun! Your hair is so dull! You need to change it!'"

"I don't sound like that…" Aoi said, looking away with an angry look on her face. It was true though… it was she who had convinced him to shave it off. Well… almost… kinda… maybe kinda sorta…

---

Hajime didn't seem to be very comfortable. Everyone was staring at him. The leader, Ryuuta, smiled at the young man, "So! Kai actually went along and grabbed you, huh?"

"I don't think 'grabbed' was the proper term, Ippongi-Sempai…" Hajime murmured. Ryuuta burst into laughter, "Ahhh, was it something I said, Ippongi-Sempai?"

"Oh GOD that's rich! 'Sempai' indeed!" The leader walked off to laugh properly. Hajime wondered if he had somehow insulted Ryuuta and he was just trying to be nice…

Atsushi and Ittetsu gave him a warm welcome into the fold and Sayaka said that he would make a fine addition to the Ouendan. Anna gave him a welcome kiss on the forehead (and the recruit melted), and Aoi walked up to inspect him properly.

"M…may I help you, Aoi-san…?" Hajime asked, thoroughly embarrassed and still red in the face. She stared intently at him, and he continued to twitch. A woman never actually looked at him that way before! "I mean… if there's something on my face…"

"Haji-kun…" Aoi said suddenly, interrupting the new recruit. He gave her an acknowledging murmur, his face trying its very hardest to return to a normal color, "Your hair is so dull! You need to change it."

Hajime looked up at Aoi, "Wait, what?" He asked, blinking.

"Your ponytail… It's so… How can I say this…?" Aoi thought lightly, "Perhaps you need a change, Haji-kun?"

"I'm not changing my hairstyle," Hajime replied with a "And that's that" tone, wondering why she would be so forward about it. They weren't on familiar terms at all! What kind of wacky Ouendan troop was this, anyway? "I like it. My mother happens to like it too."

"Ohhhh…" Aoi smiled, placing her hands behind her back and smiling maliciously, "So you're doing it because you'd do anything to make Mommy happy, right?"

Hajime gave her a half-banked stare; his face had returned to relative normalcy, "Do you enjoy trying to manipulate men with the 'Mommy's boy' accusation?" He asked, making Aoi smile brightly.

"I was thinking, it's more of a conviction, right?" Aoi stood up, "You've gotta change! Haji-kun, you're not just some boring old normal person now! You're an OUENDAN. And you should show the others that you hold the conviction to focus wholly on being one!" Hajime continued to blink at Aoi, and she winked, "Come on, Haji-kun! What kind of hairstyle just SCREAMS 'conviction'?" The recruit turned to see where his room was that Kai had spoken of. Maybe he would think twice about staying in the dorms now that he saw what his roommates would be like… However, Aoi would not be ignored, "Haji-kun…!"

The recruit thought about it, and turned to face the Cheer Girl, "Well, you know…" Hajime said, just to humor the young woman, "The Buddhist monks? They shave their heads when they enter the order. It's supposed to symbolize the fact that they don't need anything, not even their hair… but…" The recruit smiled lightly, "You'd need a lot of conviction to shave off all of the hair you've spent so long to grow out."

"Wow, Haji-kun, you really are good at this kind of stuff!" Aoi said. Hajime wondered if SHE was just humoring him now… "Well? What do you think? Could you be convicted enough to shave your head?"

Hajime smiled at Aoi, "I don't know, could you?"

"Touché…" Aoi said with a perfect accent, giggling under her breath, "but I guess wearing our Cheer Girl uniforms is my conviction." Hajime blinked expectantly at her, and she gestured to the outfit she was wearing, "If I wore this around my parents, they'd be so horrified…"

Hajime was taken aback about the fact that Aoi suddenly opened up to him so much. Perhaps that was why she spoke so informally to him. She already felt comfortable around him… but why…? "I'm sure everyone gave up something to be known as an Ouendan. It's an honor, but it's also a curse. You're never really the same when you become a cheerer." Aoi smiled, "I was just surprised to see that you didn't seem to have given anything up yet…" She bowed lightly to the recruit and started out of the living room, "I'm sorry for bothering you, Haji-kun. Forgive me."

Hajime thought about what the Cheer Girl said. Was it true? Had the others given up things for their lives as Ouendan? It was true that, seeing Kai, he seemed to have the strength, smarts, and willpower to do nearly anything he wanted, and that Ryuuta guy seemed like the type to be starting trouble, not ending it (although he'd NEVER say it to the leader's face!) Everyone seemed so weird, and could have been working for his or her own ends… but they gave it all up to cheer for people they didn't even know. That… was their conviction. Suddenly, Hajime knew what he needed to do. He turned to the retreating Aoi, and smiled at her, "Hey, Aoi-chan. Do you know where Ryuuta-san's shaver is…?"

---

"I gave up my… my hair because…" Hajime thought about it wholeheartedly, "Because my hair symbolized me and my family… our bond…" He reached up to touch his shaved head, which was already beginning to grow back, and it felt slightly prickly, "And this head… this is the hair of an Ouendan!"

"Well said, Haji-kun," Aoi said with a smile. It disappeared, however, when she saw how sad he looked.

"But… I'm not going to be an Ouendan forever…"

"Haji-kun…!"

"So I'm don't think… I'll ever shave my head again…" Hajime turned to his friend, "You know, you said I looked nice with my hair long. It'll only take a few years… but it'll be back to normal soon."

"I suppose…" Aoi said with a halfhearted smile.

The two were interrupted when Chouko called for her son. Hajime looked up from his pile of laundry as his mother entered the room, holding a small package in her arms, "Ahh, here you are, Hajime-chan. I wanted to give you something."

"Something… for me?" Hajime asked, as if a gift were a surprise. It was true that it was rare for him to get a gift from the other Ouendan, but it was almost Seijin Day, after all!

"I thought you might enjoy it, for Seijin Day…" She handed the gift to her son, and Hajime inspected the package, all wrapped up in a bow.

"I… Mother… Thank you…" Chouko led him to a seat so he could tear the paper off, and Aoi watched with vested interest as Hajime lifted the cover and stared at what was inside, "…Wh…what is…?" Taking a moment to finger the craftsmanship of the textile within the box, the Cheer Girl watched as he held up a formal dress kimono, expertly made, darkly died, and probably very expensive, "Mother, you…"

"Your father and I picked it out together," Chouko said with a smile, "we wanted to congratulate you, Hajime-chan. You're an adult…" Hajime looked up at his mother as she tried to keep from crying, "I… I can't call you 'chan' anymore…"

"Mother…" Hajime tenderly laid the kimono back into the box, placed it aside, and stood to hug his weeping mother, "Thank you… so much… it must have cost a fortune…"

Aoi watched the scene unfold, a silent fly on the wall. She smiled brightly, remembering that Chouko mentioned that Susumu helped find the kimono as well. Susumu must have been so proud of Hajime, growing to his age so healthy and smart. The Cheer Girl did her best to stand and slide from the room without being noticed. For such a loud Ouendan, she did a perfect job at being soundless.

"Aoi-chan… are you leaving?" Aoi suddenly turned around, seeing Shinju standing before her. Aoi had wished to apply her shoes and slip out of the house without being spotted, but it was almost obvious that she would probably be caught. Hajime's siblings were very bright, after all, "Was our hospitality not good enough for you? We all did our best to make you at home…"

"Oh, Shinju-chan," It was surprising how comfortable she felt around Hajime's younger sister, "I'm not leaving because of that. I just don't want to steal away your time with your brother anymore."

Shinju blinked, "But… if you're…" The girl flinched when Aoi placed her hand on the girl's head and smiled.

"Take care of my Haji-kun for me, alright?" She asked, smiling brightly. Shinju blinked at the strange action of the woman, who straightened up, applied her shoes, and left the house.

Hajime's younger sister blinked at the door that Aoi left out of, and suddenly placed her hands on her hips, "'MY Haji-kun'? I knew it! They ARE an item…!" And with that revelation prominent in her mind, she turned on her heel and went to finish her chores.

To Be Continued...

---

Aoi has a conviction to let Hajime go. The Ouendan tried their hardest to hold onto him, but overall, it's his choice.

Will Hajime choose to return to the cheerers he loves?