Title: Oops
Authoress: NeKo Meow [Pusa Myaw]
Summary: "Oops" is not a good term. "I have a bad feeling about that oops."
Disclaimer: I do not own La Corda D'oro.
Genre: Romance
Rating: K+
Pairing: Ryoutarou Tsuchiura / Nami Amou
"Come on, Tsuchiura. Just give me a little time. I just need to ask you some questions and you can go now," Nami insisted, following the green-head pianist.
"I don't have time for that."
"You do, if only you stop running away from me, we could have used those time for my interview."
"I'm not interested, ok?"
"But I am, just a tiny bit of information is enough."
Ryoutarou sighed. It was their cultural festival, the time for him to relax and have fun with his friends. Nonetheless, this obstinate journalist doesn't want to leave him, nor take her eyes off him. The reason was plainly for a little interview wherein, she would ask questions regarding the concourse—and as what Ryoutarou knew, those questions can lead to something personal, in which he didn't imagine answering for the world to see. For the nth time, the greenhead pianist heaved a deep exhale. "Leave me alone."
Silence followed. Ryoutarou supposed she stopped from pestering him and opted to pester another concourse participant instead. He was going to sigh in relief when a loud 'thud' echoed behind him. In instinct, he turned his head lightly and looked what or who it was. His eyes gradually dilated, as his breath hitched. "Oi!" he muttered, approaching whoever it was.
"Oi, are you ok?" he repeated, kneeling and holding that someone's shoulder to shake it lightly. "Amou? Are you ok?"
The brunette only mumbled incoherent words before groaning. She held his right arm for support, and slid her hand on his wrist.
"What just happened—"
He wasn't able to finish his words when he felt a cold metal encircled his wrist with a 'click'. Ryoutarou looked at his companion. At first, dazedness on his face, however it slowly lessened as realization hit his mind in full force. He glared at the girl. "What's this?"
"Got you! Now we can spend more time together for my interview."
"Take this off!" Ryoutarou lifted his hand, but only to pull the brunette's hand in the process, restraining his action more. "Take this handcuff off!"
"I will." Nami smirked. "After you answer all my questions."
"Where's the key?"
"Interview first, Tsuchiura."
Ryoutarou sighed. He knew how grating the woman could be. If she wanted something, she could get it. "Fine, just make it fast."
"Sure." Nami smiled and pulled her notebook. "First is about the contest. How did you feel when you found out you're one of the top three?"
"Well, what do you think?"
Nami paused from scribbling and looked at him. "Really? You're making this hard for yourself."
"What kind of answer you wanted to hear? Of course, I'm happy, who could not be. "
"Good enough." Nami sighed. "So next question…"
They had been talking for almost thirty minutes now. Mostly, their conversation revolved around the concourse and how he handled those challenges. Nami tapped her shoe on the floor, feeling tired of standing. "Why don't we find a place to seat?"
"Don't tell me we're not yet finished?"
"Oh, no, we're not yet, Tsu-chi. I have more interesting questions to ask."
Ryoutarou's lips formed into a tight line. His brow furrowed and anger flashed in his bullion eyes. "One question."
"Huh?"
"One more question and you'll take this handcuffs off."
"But I have a lot to ask."
Ryoutarou didn't speak more; he kept silent, eyes avoiding her.
"Fine. One question." Nami grumbled, fixing her hold of her notebook and tried to look for a good question. Her face lit excitedly as she peered at the lad. "Last question."
"Make it faster."
"You have to answer this. Are you ready to love again?"
"Do I have to answer that?"
"Don't answer me with another question. So what? Someone in mind?" Nami eyes glittered with pure excitement, anticipating the word he would say.
"No and none."
"That's it? Not even admiration, something like that?" Nami grunted. "You're boring."
"Hey, it's not my fault that I'm not interested to anyone."
"Closed for any commitment, I see." Nami nodded. "Ok, I think, that's enough for today. Thank you for your cooperation."
"Don't give me that look and take this handcuff off already."
"Wait, I just need to take a picture of you." she held the camera but she wasn't able to hold it properly. She hissed. "This is hard."
"You can do that later after you take this off."
"Ok. Please hold my notebook. I'll get the ke—Oops."
"I have a bad feeling about that oops."
"Oh my! I think…" she looked at Ryoutarou. "I'm sorry I lost my key."
Ryoutarou inhaled. He closed his eyes as his finger pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Don't worry, my classmate has one. She must be in our clubroom."
~NeKo Meow~
"Where is this friend of yours now, Amou?"
"Fine, probably she's somewhere. We will look for her." Nami explained, sighing mentally when they found that even the clubroom was locked. How would she get the key for the handcuffs? Where could that girl be?
They started walking towards the school ground when Nami caught a glimpse of the two persons she was meaning to interview. Her feet started to amble to their direction, nonetheless stopping afterwards when a force pulled her back. She scowled. "I need to get there!" she whined.
"We need to find your friend first and unlock this." He lifted their hands.
"I swear, Tsuchiura, I'll treat you to any place you want, just let me follow them."
"I don't want to be a stalker."
"Come on, just once. Susan might be there with her boyfriend as well." Nami lied, telling that her friend must be there, however she knew, without a boyfriend. "It's like hitting two birds with one stone…well three birds, that is."
"Are you sure she's there?"
"I definitely am." She mentally winced.
"Ok."
~NeKo Meow~
"Couples only." The student in his guard uniform muttered, preventing the two from entering.
Nami scowled and tried to bribe him, nonetheless, he was too devoted with his job he didn't find the bribe appealing. "This is my boyfriend." She pointed at Ryoutarou, in which the guy coughed in surprise.
"You're not very convincing."
"Oh, we are…" Nami held his arm closed to her. Her eyes sought for his just to tell he should act too.
Ryoutarou only looked back, one brow rose. Nami had to nudge him again and flashed her puppy eyes. She didn't know she has one. "I promise, I'm going to treat you." She whispered to him.
The lad only sighed and encircled his arm around her waist, feigning a smile. "Yes, we are."
"See." Nami nervously chuckled. "You scared me there, honey. I thought you're going to deny our wonderful love for each other." She tried to pinch his arm.
"You can enter."
When they were away, they detangled themselves from each other as though a bomb landed between them. "That was weird!" Nami commented.
"If not only for that stupid key, I wouldn't have done that."
"Likewise, Tsuchiura, anyway, let's go sit there."
They were striding on their seat when the man halted once more, making Nami to tumble back. "Don't tell me." His eyes locked at the two people at the other side.
"Who else?"
"Let's go, I don't want to stay here any longer." He attempted to turn around but Nami tugged his hand.
"We're already here. I just need to capture this."
"You can do this after we found your friend."
"Now is the right time. Endure it for a while."
"Is there a problem, sir, ma'am?" a girl in her waitress uniform, approached them. Judging by the look of her, she could be as resolute as the guard in the entrance. Nami had to exhale a 'Why are they so serious' statement to ease her ire.
"Yes—"
"No, there's nothing. We'll take this seat." Nami placed her free hand on the lad's mouth to prevent him from talking, as she dragged him to the seat they choose. She ordered something for them just to make the lady leave them alone.
Ryoutarou glared at her direction and turned his head at the other couple to glare too.
"Just think that I'm going to treat you now. You can ignore them if you want."
"Really, how can I ignore them?"
Nami winced and sighed afterwards. She knew, although the lad was firm, the matters about heart could be very sensitive. Moreover, there they were stalking the girl he previously liked—Nami was unsure if until now he still does—and the lad that won her heart.
"Ok, just look at me." She didn't know where it came from, but obviously it distracted the guy from his train of thought. "Much better." Nami gave an uneasy chuckle, suddenly feeling her heart raced against her chest. "Boyfriends only see their girlfriends alone. So, why don't you act all the way for the meantime." She felt embarrassed afterwards, but she had said it already she couldn't just take it back. It seems effective, anyways. She mumbled.
"Looking at you just remind me of that stupid key."
Nami pouted. "If that would make your mind occupied, then just stare at me." She held her camera, cussing silently when she could not focus on her desirable spot. A little bit to the right…she mumbled. 'Click'
"Oi, what are you doi—"
Nami ducked at his side and forcefully pulled his head away from the couples' curious eyes. "That was close, I thought they saw us."
"Are you trying to break my neck?"
"Sorry, I forgot to turn off the flash."
"Ahem, ma'am, sir. As much as I don't want to break your little moment, but your order is here." The waitress harrumphed, placing their orders on the table. "If you need my assistance just call me. Have fun."
The two, hearing the lady, distanced from each other. Ryoutarou cleared his throat and looked at their food. "Why this?"
Nami straightened her skirt. "They look nice though."
"Well, for girls it i—"
"Just try it." Nami scooped some cake and put it in his mouth. "So, how is it?"
Ryoutarou frowned but eyes softened afterwards. "It's not bad."
"See. Oh, wait...they are leaving."
"But we're not yet fi—" Ryoutarou coughed.
Nami smirked, eyes gleaming teasingly. "Do you want to stay here with me?"
"Of course not, we're looking for your friend, remember?"
Nami had to suppress her mirth when she heard him stuttered and face colored with a distinguished red. It was a chance sight to see, Nami pulled her camera, although it was hard to focus, she was able to capture his flushed face. "Perfect."
"Hey!"
"Let's go." She dragged him away. Anyway, even though he doesn't want, she could always drag him like a dog. "I saw them enter that booth." Nami pointed.
"Oi, wait, I thought we're looking for your friend."
"Y-yeah, I saw her there too." She lied again, curling her lips as she looked away.
Ryoutarou only sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. Journalist.
"Sorry, but you cannot get in." another student guard muttered. Nami huffed, thinking why the entire students today were serious with their jobs.
"Is it because, it's only for couples? Can't you see we are?"
The lad shook his head. "Obviously, you are," he mumbled and Nami lightly flushed after exclaiming another lie. "But this is for those who have reservations."
"What? Why do you make this kind of booth… how about the others who want to get—"
"I'm sorry, we will leave now." Ryoutarou pulled the girl away, avoiding her thrashing.
"Tsuchiura, we need to go there!"
"Didn't you hear? We can't."
Nami pouted and lifted her head and glanced at a certain direction. Her face brightened. She mustered all her strength as she tried to stop and drag the man back.
"What are you going to do?"
"I just need to peek." She tiptoed and peered by the opening at the side of the booth. It was higher than their heights that Nami had to jump every time she needed to peek.
Ryoutarou, realizing it was hard to look at her, attempted to help her instead by trying to lift her up.
"He-hey!
"D-don't move…" he warned but it was late when he figured that they were inclining.
With a thud, both fell on the ground, Nami on top of him, securing her camera. "Stupid, why do you have to lift me?" she groaned, feeling the throb of her forehead when it hit his.
"It's difficult looking at you."
"Geez." Nami pushed herself away but only to be tugged back to him. "Hey!" Nami complained. Her face awkwardly burrowed on his chest.
"Stay." he mumbled.
Silence roared between them, only after the shock subsided, Nami felt the tremble of her companion's chest, as a merciless laugh erupted from his lips.
She scowled, trying to move but no to avail. "Get up already." She glared.
"I could literally feel your pulse." Ryoutarou sniggered.
"Stop feeling my pulse!" she glowed. "I was… surprised, is all."
"I know, I know." Ryoutarou muttered not moving an inch. "They were there, they might see us."
"Hn."
"It actually fun doing this."
"So, you realized."
"Only if you're not heavy, and we're not handcuffed."
Nami chuckled. "So true."
"Are you two going to stay like that?" A voice at the side harrumphed.
The two hurriedly moved, distancing but failing miserable because of their handcuffs.
"Susan!"
"Yoh! Somebody told me you're looking for me. But I guess I'm disturbing something, probably later instead."
"No!" both said in unison.
Ryoutarou stood up and offered to help Nami. "We need the key of the clubroom."
The girl tilted her head. "Isn't Nami has one."
"O-oops."
"I have a bad feeling about that…Again." Ryoutarou turned his neck lightly and looked at his companion.
"I forgot I have a spare in my locker."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I was too engross looking for a way to get the key of this handcuffs I forgot I have a spare key for the clubroom in my locker."
"Nami, have you lost another key of that handcuffs." Susan, as what Nami called her, huffed and tapped her foot on the ground. "We will lose our entire spare if you keep on doing it."
"I'm sorry, this will be the last."
"Fine, I need to go now, I was just looking for you. I thought you need my help but it seems you don't. Anyway, see you tomorrow." Susan bade, waving her hand.
After the girl was out of earshot, Ryoutarou placed his free hand at his side and arched a brow. "So, don't tell me, we've been wasting time."
Nami just giggled guiltily. "Come on, Tsuchiura, don't be like Tsukimori. I said I'm sorry."
"Let's go and take this off."
~NeKo Meow~
"Finally." Ryoutarou flicked his wrist to ease the soreness.
"I'm sorry about that. But thanks, anyways. I have collected more scoops than the planned." Nami smiled, placing her camera on the table together with the handcuffs.
"Don't mention it. It was kind of fun, I have to admit."
"Really?"
Ryoutarou exhaled. "It is. It's been a while."
"Relieved from your little problem?" she teased, chuckling.
"Yes, I admit." He smiled. "Anyway, aren't you going home now?"
"I will. I'm just going to put these stuffs to its proper place."
Closed for any commitment, I see. The words echoed in his brain, occupying his mind.
Closed indeed. My feelings should be closed for a while.
"Done. Are you waiting for me?" Nami muttered.
"Probably."
"You're still acting, aren't you?" Nami laughed. "Ok, join your girlfriend walk the hallway."
"I need to go now." Ryoutarou bade.
"Aren't you going to give your girlfriend a goodbye kiss?" Nami joked.
I locked it and put the key somewhere else that no one can ever get. No one can ever open it without it…
Silence followed before the two laughed in unison. Nami stopped and glanced at the still laughing guy.
"Is my joke that funny? You don't have to force yourself."
But…
"No, I just realized something."
"Huh?"
He strode forward to her, stopping when they are close enough before leaning.
I forgot about the spare key. And definitely, this girl has it.
