DAY 3
Authoress' notes: It took me quite long to update. I've been busy with completing the requirements for college. Anyway, I had a hard time writing this chapter. I had the ideas, I just can't seem to write them. Hehe. For those who know the song, yeah.. I know.. old song. But it fits. :P
Chapter title: Day 3: Sing for me.
Rating: K+
Warnings: OOC-ness. And again, no one proofread this.
Number of words: 3 864
Spoilers: I don't think there are any...
Disclaimer: I do not own Flame of Recca, otherwise, I'll already be writing a ToFuu Sequel. :P The song '214' is by Rivermaya. I do own Natsumi Suzuki, though.
DAY 3
How about summarizing things? Yes? Good.
Yanagi had been getting used to the attitude she was portraying. She felt less guilty today than yesterday. The girl was being a very good actress, she just silently hoped that she won't get 'that' used to it that she might forget that she's a really nice girl.
Recca had been coping up with his situation. He found other ways to amuse himself other than being with his princess... like, putting pointy objects on the chair of the sardonic owner of the bar in the beach, spiking the drink of the minors (and being chased by the parents), and many, many more pranks which he managed to pull off rather successfully.
Domon spent almost the entire day with Natsumi. He did not mind Fuuko being with Mikagami that much anymore, as his attention was caught by the red-head.
Ganko and Koganei, on the other hand, had been really, really busy. Well, busy in the sense that the former's been trying to calm down the latter. Why he was nervous, the others didn't really know.. Nor could they actually care less.
As for Mikagami and Fuuko? Well, let's not include them in this summary, okay?
--…--
"Oh come on, Mi-chan. Stop reading that darned book and let's just go outside."
For the last ten minutes, Fuuko had been bugging Mikagami to go outside and get some air. She had been reasoning out that the darned vacation was not for reading darned books and that they did not rent the darned flat to become his library.
"Kiri—"
Kagerou passed by the living room and gave the two of them a smile before heading out. Mikagami coughed before continuing, "Fuuko, will you please stop using the word 'darn' in every sentence? It's giving me a headache."
"But that's beside the point. Come on, let's head out."
"Why don't you just go out yourself?"
"Because..!" She exclaimed. Why was she trying to persuade him anyway?
"…Well, it isn't really fun going out by myself. Yanagi's as cold as you are, if not much colder. Ganko and Kaoru had been busy since yesterday. Recca's pulling off pranks at everyone and Domon's been spending every darned minute with Natsumi," the fuujin-wielder reasoned out. Those were true anyway. Everyone's doing their own thing right now.
Tokiya sighed. He closed the book and looked at Fuuko. "Aren't you jealous of Suzuki-san? She's Domon's center of attention now."
Fuuko laughed at his statement before answering, "Nah. That's just plain ridiculous. Domon's one of by best buddies. And that is all. If anything, I'm happy for him. Seriously though, Mi-chan, you really thought I'd be jealous?" The girl laughed again and sat down beside Tokiya.
Mikagami shrugged. He closed his eyes and twisted his head from side to side. He had been reading for 2 hours already before Fuuko came to disturb him. "Not really. Who knows, maybe you like gorillas better than humans."
Fuuko grinned. "Oooh, could it be that dear Mi-chan just want assurance that I'm not gonna pick Domon over him?" The girl teased. She likes the way he scowls whenever she teases him like that. But he didn't.
"Like he's any competition, if ever," Tokiya retorted, rolling his eyes.
His companion raised an eyebrow. Oh, this man… this man was just soooo full of himself. "Maybe not, but Akihiko-kun is," Fuuko replied before sticking her tongue out.
Mikagami turned to face her.
"Minami Akihiko?"
"Yup. Remember him? I bumped into him a few weeks back. Heard that he's quite popular too," supplied the girl with a grin on her face.
That Akihiko? He remembered him alright. The bastard who accidentally bumped into the monkey on his way home? The bastard who thought it would be nice to walk Fuuko home saying that he would pass by her home anyway? The bastard who's always second to him in class? Competition? No way! Not that he cared though.
"Yeah."
"I already told you, right? He walked me home twice."
Wait. Twice? He thought it only happened once! "Twice?"
Fuuko nodded her head. She sported a dreamy look on her face, making her companion think that she was happily daydreaming about the bastard. Tokiya opened his mouth to talk, but closed it again. He fought the urge to ask if she actually admired Minami Akihiko. He shook his head.
"You're starting to scare me, actually," Tokiya supplied as he raised an eyebrow. Well, in his point of view, she was starting to look like some of his fan girls, with that look on her face.
The fuujin-wielder finally erased the dreamy look she wore. She blinked. Bah! And here she thought he would actually get jealous… well, not actually jealous, but she thought he'd actually get curious. "Uhuh, and why is that?"
"I'm starting to think you've become some giddy fan girl daydreaming about some prince charming who'd sweep you off your feet," He stopped for a moment. Fuuko continued to stare at him.
"What I'm actually saying is, you look like a scary idiot."
Fuuko fought the urge to punch him right then and there. "That's the difference between you two. He's MUCH kinder and warmer," the wind-child retorted, looking at him straight in the eyes.
'Come on, Tokiya! It won't kill you to ask her if she likes him. Just feed your curiosity,' the voice inside him insisted. But he wouldn't allow it. Of course he won't. He wouldn't give Fuuko the bliss in seeing him actually become curious about her love life. No way in hell.
"Then, I think he's gay for being too kind and warm," He stated, smirking as he leaned his head an inch closer, staring straight back.
Fuuko's eyebrow twitched dangerously. "What? Now you call male people 'gay' for being warm and kind? Maybe you are the one who's actually a homo. You've never had a girlfriend before! And at least, Akihiko is much more likeable than you!" She clenched her fist. No way will she back down on a staring competition.
Much more likeable than him? Does that mean that she really likes him? 'Don't assume things, Mikagami. Just ask her if you want to be sure." Darn it. That voice in his head weren't making things easier for him. 'Oh, shut up!'
"Explains why I have a greater number of fan girls than him… And how can you be so sure that I never had a girlfriend before?!" He asked and raised his voice a little louder, raising an eyebrow.
Silence.
They didn't notice it that time, but their faces were awfully close to each other already that an outsider would not think that they were actually arguing if seen in that position. And unfortunately, Recca entered the room at the worst time.
Recca blinked. It took a while before the image formed and registered on his head. He broke into a smirk. Mikagami and Fuuko noticed his presence and realized the position they were in. They suddenly widened the gap, looking away from each other.
"I-It's not w-what it seemed, Recca," The only girl in the room said, her face flushed.
Mikagami, on the other hand, stayed quiet.
The Hokage leader just laughed and walked away, but not before saying, "You don't have to explain anything, Fuuko."
"But—!" Before she could say anything else, he was gone already. She sighed and leaned on the sofa.
Silence.
Both of them shifted on their seats uncomfortably.
More silence.
Fuuko tucked stray locks of hair behind her ear. Mikagami closed his eyes
"Uhmm.. I'll go ahead and get some fresh air."
Shigeo walked in and looked at the both of them before passing by them.
"Hmm.. I think I'll stay a bit more here."
She walked away, and he followed her with his eyes.
--…--
Day quickly became night and the Hokage, along with Kagerou and Shigeo, all gathered in the flat.
Kaoru buried his face on his hands. He really didn't like Ganko's idea, but couldn't protest. The dreaded night came. All day yesterday, all he did was practice the song that he'd sing for the competition later.
"Tee Hee... You can do it Kaoru-kun! Don't fret, you still have 2 hours to prepare for the big night!" Ganko said, a hint of mischief was obvious on her twinkling eyes.
"Ganko's right, I'm sure your girl would be pleased with what you're gonna do," Fuuko added in encouragement. Hey, the lad doesn't have a bad voice, so he'll do alright... unless he has stage fright. It was just a few hours before when Ganko told the others about their plans.
2 hours passed quickly, and soon enough, it was time for the fang boy to perform.
Where were tragedies when you need them?
--...--
Kaoru took a deep breath. He was there already, so he better make the most of it. "Before I sing the song, I would like to dedicate this song to a lady. She might not realize it, but she's special to me. For you, I sing," The young lad said with all courage.
In the audience:
Recca sweatdropped. His hime was really doing a great job on her act. If he didn't know her, he might have already thought that she was just some cold girl and a snob.
Tokiya and Fuuko stood beside each other and didn't say anything, although Fuuko chuckled softly at Sakoshita's well portrayal.
Domon on the other hand, was too busy with Natsumi, whom he invited to come to see the show. He introduced her to the others the day before, and they all welcomed her eagerly.
Ganko stood quietly. She felt a tingling sensation somewhere in her heart. Why that happened, she didn't know, but it was not exactly a bad feeling to have, was it?
On the stage:
Music started playing and Kaoru cleared his throat, holding the microphone carefully with his left hand, waiting for the cue note. He changed his plans a little, he changed the song... he was supposed to sing 'True' but decided against it. He did not practice the new song, actually, but he hoped it would come out right.
Am I real?
Do the words I speak before you
Make you feel
That the love
I have for you will see no ending?
Kaoru closed his eyes. He heard the song years ago, and became a favorite of his since then. It was from a foreign group. Even so, it was fine to him... didn't matter to him, as long as the song's good. He thought it was perfect for the girl.
Well if you look into my eyes
Then you should know
That you have nothing here to doubt
Nothing to fear
You can lay your questions down
'Cause if you'll hold me
We could fade into the night
And you'll know.
Kaoru opened his eyes, revealing golden brown orbs. He turned his heads towards the Hokage, who were looking intently at him. Then he shifted his attention to Ganko, wanting to know what she thought of him, changing the song. She didn't seem to be too bothered by it. He smiled.
The world could die
And everything may lie
Still you shan't cry
'Cause time may pass
But longer than it'll last
I'll be by your side.
He shifted his gaze to the whole crowd as he sang the chorus, who got their hands up in the air and started to sway them along with the music. They seemed to be enjoying his little performance.
Take my hand
And gently close your eyes
So you could understand
That there's no greater love tonight
Than what I've for you
Well if you feel the same for me
Then let go
The dark brown haired teen stretched his other hand out and closed his eyes again, feeling the music and pouring his heart out. He quietly wished that the girl would take his hand right now... 'Kami-sama, help me.'
We can journey to a garden no one knows
Life is short my darling
Tell me that you love
So we can fade into the night
And you'll know
Kaoru was doing great. He opened his eyes and soon after, he repeated the chorus part of the song again, with the additional lyrics, "Forever by your side". Then came the short instrumental.
At the audience, people seemed to start to admire the talent of the youth in front of them. "He's good. He's really good."
The world could die
And everything may lie
Still you shan't cry.
'Cause time may pass
And everything won't last
But I'll be by your side
Forever by your side...
The Kougan-anki master closed his eyes as he hit the high notes. The Hokage was dumbstruck. The lad has a good voice. Even Tokiya blinked a few times before finally giving a small smile. "Crap! This guy can really sing!" A man suddenly exclaimed.
Forever by your side…!
The audience stopped swaying and listened silently as he hit a higher note.
So you won't cry…!
When the music volume dwindled down, the audience roared and applauded, obviously very pleased with Kaoru's performance. The fang boy wished that the girl felt something, even if it's just the slightest bit. 'End of Performace. Exit stage – right.'
Great efforts needed great rewards.
--...--
"Since when had you been able to sing like that?!" Recca exclaimed and directed the question to the embarrassed fang boy as he finally shut the door before any strangers get into their lodge. It looked like the brown haired teen had been able to get a group of fan girls of his own as he was being followed all the way into their flat by girls who had their eyes on him… or on Mikagami. One thing's for sure though, he became a little bit more famous.
Kaoru just smiled sheepishly. He didn't expect for him to win the contest. The prize was a large trophy, an item of his choice at the local souvenir shop, and twenty thousand yen.
"I assume you're gonna be treating us sometime soon?" Fuuko chimed in, sticking out her tongue. She was just kidding of course, but Koganei nodded his head immediately after that.
"Hah! Since you agreed, we won't back out now, are we, guys?" Domon asked, grinning. Everyone nodded. And then it was set.
All of them proceeded to eat dinner. Recca and Domon bid everyone good night after that. Well to put it in their words, they said, "We're gonna prepare for tomorrow's feast by getting our energy back!" And they went to their room, laughing.
After a few minutes, Ganko went ahead and said her good night. She hasn't talked much since the contest. Kaoru looked at her oddly. He didn't know why she was acting that way, and it really bothered him. Was she mad because he changed the song? Didn't she like it? The fang boy sighed.
Looks like there won't be any sweet dreams for the both of them tonight.
--…--
It was already late in the night, but Fuuko decided to take a stroll at the seashore. The beach was really beautiful at night. The sound of the waves hitting the shore were soothing… and the white sands on her feet felt good. It isn't everyday when she get to enjoy sometime alone like this.
She looked ahead of her and saw a familiar figure sitting on the sand. The girl grinned. It wasn't everyday that she'll get to enjoy a time like this, yes… it also isn't everyday when you get to see him look so... carefree? That wasn't really the right term, was it?
She approached him. Silver locks glimmered as the moon's light hit his face. His eyes were closed. She smiled and sat quietly beside him. "It isn't really polite to stare, you know."
She was taken aback and looked away. "Sorry. I was just fascinated, you know," She defended.
He smirked.
"Don't get the wrong idea, I'm not fascinated by your face! You just looked so…" She trailed. She couldn't find the right term to describe it. She looked at the sea as she racked her brain for the right word.
"Vulnerable..?"
She suddenly faced him the moment he uttered the word. "Right! That's it," She agreed, wearing a grin on her face. Fuuko averted her gaze towards the vast sea once again. "So, you're admitting that you actually looked--"
"I love the sea, you know," Mikagami stated before she could finish her own statement.
She chuckled softly. "Not obvious, really, Mi-chan. I like the wind."
"It's not because it's related to water, my element."
She didn't say anything more, but he seemed like he still had something to say. She suppressed a smirk. She decided not to ruin the moment where she get to hear him talk freely.
"It's just soothing… and deep," he mumbled. His face almost looked solemn. His voice wasn't icy. His demeanor seemed different than usual. It was almost as if she was seeing a different Mikagami Tokiya. She blinked.
"Mi-chan..." She called.
He faced her.
"…Are you sick?" She finally added, trying so hard not to smirk and come out as being sarcastic. Tokiya raised an eyebrow. He was starting to regret it that he just started babbling.
"No, no.. Mi-chan. I mean, I was just surprised. That's all. Thanks." She said with a sheepish grin on her face.
He just nodded. Well, he surprised himself too. Why he just started talking was a mystery to him as well. "It seems that the bruise you got yesterday has healed now," Fuuko said, changing the subject, as she touched his lower lip. He backed away slightly as he felt electricity run through his body. He cleared his throat.
"Yeah, it was just a small bruise, anyway."
She chuckled softly at his reaction. "Mi-chan, you're still uncomfortable with human touch, huh?"
He rolled his eyes, but he put on a small smile anyway. "No. Human touch is okay. Monkey touch, on the other hand, can be quite uncomfortable," He stated as he glanced at her at the corner of his eyes.
"Yeah, right. As if it's new to you. It's not like we haven't been holding hands for a few days now," She retorted in a matter-of-factly tone.
"That's different with you touching my face,"He replied with a smirk.
"What? Afraid I might pinch your charming face?" She laughed.
His smirk widened. "So you're admitting now that you find me charming?"
"No. I will if you'll admit that I don't look like a monkey. Come on… I might be tomboyish, but do I really look like a monkey?" She looked at him expectantly. He had the feeling that the question wasn't rhetorical.
Silence.
She pinched his nose suddenly, giggling. "Come on, Mi-chan!"
He struggled to keep her hands away from his face. But Fuuko's not your ordinary girl. Her strength is really different. He sighed. "Alright, alright!"
Fuuko stopped and grinned. "Say it! 'You don't look like a monkey. I had just been too prideful to admit it.'"
"No!"
The young lady posed to pinch his face again.
He sighed. "Okay. Okay. You don't look like a monkey. I had just been too prideful to admit it."
Kirisawa Fuuko sported an annoying winning look on her face. "There." She patted him. "That wasn't so bad, right?"
"Yeah, monkey."
"Meh, you can't change the fact that you admitted already that I do not look like anywhere near a monkey."
"You forced me. Don't be ridiculous."
She just stuck out her tongue. She lied down on the sand. Afterwards, she proceeded to close her eyes.
When he looked at her, it didn't seem bad at all. That he said that she didn't look like a monkey, that is. It was true anyway, he just wouldn't admit it. His ego wouldn't let him admit it. He shook his head. Shifting his gaze to the moon-lit sky, he smirked.
"Kaoru did exceptionally well, don't you think?" His companion asked.
"Yeah. He's quite a singer, actually."
"Hmm.." She mumbled. She paused for a moment to think. Then she grinned. "Sing for me, Mi-chan."
He averted his gaze to look at her. He raised an eyebrow, as if saying, 'Are you insane?'
"I think you're quite a singer too, Mi-chan, from what I've heard," She stated, chuckling softly.
"What do you mean?"
"Some said you actually sang in your class once, as a part of a class activity. Everyone was enticed by your voice, apparently. Your professor back then became a fan of yours too."
He shrugged. Yeah, he remembered that. It was not one of his fondest memories, actually. Every student in the room seemed to want to throw themselves at him after he sang. Thankfully, the bell rang soon after he sang, and he made a run for it.
"Can you please, sing for me then, dear Mi-chan?" She asked again.
"No."
Fuuko pouted. "Kill joy. Please?"
"No, Fuuko."
"Just one chorus of any song, please??" She nagged.
"Why do you even want me to sing?"
Fuuko shifted her body sidewards. "I don't know. I just want to hear you, I guess."
"Not good enough of a reason," he simply answered, shaking his head.
Fuuko gave up and sighed. "Alright, alright. Have you ever sung for anyone? Like Kaoru-kun did?"
He contemplated on it for a second. "Yeah, for Mifuyu-neechan," He finally supplied, his eyes hinted a bit of sadness, and his companion noticed that.
"Oh.. err.. I'm sorry, Tokiya."
Calling him by his first name meant that she was serious about her apology. He just nodded, before adding, "I'm only going to sing for the one I love. It only means I've never sang for anyone other than nee-chan."
She felt a pang of pain somewhere inside her, but she shrugged it off and put on a grin. "Are you trying to console me, Mi-chan?"
Silence.
Fuuko struggled to think of a topic so she could strike a conversation and break the uncomfortable silence that engulfed them. "Errr.." She mumbled. And then she remembered what he said earlier that day. There's really no harm in asking, right? "So… am I right that you never had a girlfriend?"
"Yeah," He immediately answered.
"Oh."
Then it was his turn to ask.
"Do you… like Minami?" He asked hesitantly.
"No, not really," She replied, glancing at him at the corner of her eye.
"I see."
Silence.
"Let's go back to the flat, Mi-chan," She said, sitting back up and tugging on his shirt. "It's really late."
"Yeah, let's." He stood up and offered her his hand. She took it and stood up. He let go of her and walked on ahead. Fuuko rolled her eyes. She caught up and grabbed his left hand. She swayed their linked hands. He looked at her oddly. "What?" Fuuko asked, smiling. He suppressed a smile. He didn't really mind her being around him and pestering him… But now his hand and arm was being held and swayed by her, just like what the lovey-dovey couples in the movies do.
The weird thing is, somehow, he still didn't mind.
--…--
Authoress' Notes: How was it? Sorry if there were typos and/or grammatical errors. I'll edit every chapter after I finished the story. :)
c",) Reviews make my day. Flames will be laughed at. Constructive criticisms are always welcome. c",)