A/N: I am really sorry for the underlines, I don't understand how to change them at all. Here is Chapter 3, some reviews really gave me more motivation to continue on. So thank you. And the final note is that they actually go to a Junior High school, I made the mistake and wrote high school last chapter.
The constant ticking of the wall clock in Zakuro's classroom was not the only thing keeping her distracted from her work. It was already 11:29 A.M. . . . now 11:30 and no sign of Shirogane anywhere on the campus.
'He was proably just joking around yesterday. I shouldn't take him so seriously. I mean honestly, why would he bother coming to Daikanyama Junior High when he owns a huge pastry corporation?'
She eased back in her chair and stretched her tense arms. The sudden jerk of her arms made her release the grasp on her 0.5 mechanical pencil. The pencil fell to the ground rolled to the right of her desk, near the door of the classroom. Zakuro nimbly leaped from her seat and reached for her pencil. Her timing was about 5 seconds too late.
"I think this is yours." Zakuro stared at the hand with her pencil and looked up to thank the person when she froze in shock. In the open doorway stood Ryou standing in the school's attire.
In a hushed tone she sarcastically spoke, "I should've known, you always like to be fashionably late."
"It is nice to meet you, classmate." Ryou gave a devious grin and helped her up. She walked back to her seat in utter horror as everyone was so entranced to see Ryou come up to the front of the class.
The teacher of the class, Fujiwara-sensei, collected himself and got the classes' attention. "Ah, thank you Miss Zakuro for letting in our new transfer student into the classroom. This is Shirogane Ryou, he has transferred from…let's see here…oh Taiwan! How fascinating!"
"Thank you Fujiwara-sensei, the pleasure is all mine. I am really excited to see the way Japanese students are brought up in junior high.
Zakuro couldn't control herself from rolling her eyes, which Fujiwara-sensei caught her doing.
"Is there a problem Miss Zakuro?"
"No,no Fujiwara-sensei! It was just my contact, and it was irking me for a bit. I can't wait to show Shirogane-kun around the school!" 'Shit…I really need to know when to shut up.'
"I didn't assign someone to do that yet, but since you insist I will let you do that then."
Ryou gave his plastic smile, "Thank you. Please take care of me, Zakuro-san."
"My contact was irking me Fujiwara-sensei!" Ryou badly imitated Zakuro and laughed it off.
"Oh shut up, and what was that with being from Taiwan? You can't even speak Mandarin!" Zakuro shoved Ryou with her hip as they walked down the hall corridors. "I can't believe you actually did this."
"Hiya Zakuro!"
Zakuro's ears twitched. High squeaky voice, and happy aura coming closer only means…
Ryou turned around and waved, "Hey Berry, how are you doing?"
"Eh?! Ryou-san I should be asking you that! Oh no! Is there an alien attack somewhere? Robbery? Global warming crisis? Political dilemma?"
"Nothing of that sort Berry." Zakuro placed a hand over Berry's mouth to shut her up of the nonsense spilling out of her. "For some queer reason, boss has decided to come to school with us."
"Is that such a bad thing? I just want to check up on my Mews Mews and keep them out of harm's way." He sighed and leaned against a nearby locker.
"Liar."
"Zakuro, don't be all sad and moody about it. You lately have all this negative chi running in your body and it will lead to a shorter lifespan." Berry whined and patted her back, sighing.
"Okay, ever since you and Tasuku have been dating your weird-ness has shot through the roof. Where is the old, and CALM Berry?"
"Give it a break Zakuro, at least she is more outgoing and less edgy than you." Shirogane pulled down on his eyelid and stuck his tongue out.
"No arguing allowed! As upperclassmen you two should be ashamed of yourselves!" Berry pouted at the nonchalant couple.
"Don't try to act like the good guy here….*sigh* well at least let me see your schedule." Zakuro plucked the crumpled piece of paper in Ryou's hand. She scanned it intently and lowered her eyes in disgust. "Why is it that you are in all of my classes…including my lunch period?"
"Didn't I say why I wanted to come to this school?"
"Not exactly, all you said was that you are going to transfer to this school."
"It's because I wanted to take care of my dear Pomegranate." He revealed his signature grin gain to Zakuro.
Berry eyed Zakuro suspiciously, "Ooooh! Is there something going on between you and Boss Shirogane? Hmm?"
The last comment had caught her off guard, and she blushed furiously, "…Not at all…. …let's just go to gym now. I don't want Takahashi-san yelling at me again for skipping attendance." Zakuro stormed down the hall, pulling Ryou by the collar.
"Oi! Is this any way to treat a new student?!"
*Dribble* *Dribble* *Dribble* *Shoot*
"Red team gets another point, now the score is 86-82."
'Takaoka! Move to the left and pass to Yagami!" A brown haired guy, in a red jersey, passed the ball to his teammate on the court.
"Intercepted! Shirogane takes the ball back black team's possession."
Zakuro grimaced at the bruise on her arm that she had received earlier. Today was basketball tournaments, and she lucked out on the girls' tournament. Now boys were stepping it up and showing off towards the crowd. Her supersonic ears picked up a few conversations.
"Wow, look at the new guy, he is so good at basketball! And with his help, the team is catching up to the red team!"
"I know! And he is really cute looking too; I wonder what class he is in."
"His name is Shirogane Ryou, I heard he came all the way from Taiwan to study here! How lucky of us!"
'Already making a star of yourself…' She looked up and saw Ryou jump to win a slam dunk. His expression and seriousness on the game was impressive, and she couldn't help but smile. 'Go Ryou…'
*THUD*
"Five personal fouls! Yagami! You are out! Shoving a player leads you to a disqualification!"
'Huh? What happened?" Zakuro blinked twice to take a double-take on the court. No "swishing" sound had been made and there lay Ryou on the side of the court. "Ryou!" She leaped from her seat and came over to his aid. Placcing his face on her lap, she checked for any injuries.
"Just a hit on his head and a few scratches." Coach Takahashi muttered as he jogged over. "Zakuro, take him to the nurse and let him stay there for a few moments.
With one hand on his side, Zakuro pulled the half-conscious Ryou towards the infirmary. The door slid open, but the small white clinic room was empty. She read a small note on the nurse's desk. 'Have to run a few errands, will be back later.'
"I guess I have to help be Ryou's nurse then…" Zakuro helped Ryou to the factory-made cot and pulled a blanket over his sweaty body. 'He got too sweaty from the game…' She rummaged through the desk and found a small towel. Zakuro wiped a few drops of sweat from Ryou's forehead and brushed his golden locks to the side. 'This will do.' After one final glance, she turned around but felt a grasp on her arm.
"Please stay with me, Zakuro." Ryou looked so tired and vulnerable now. Not like the hot-head boss she is use to seeing.
"This is definitely a new look. You know you didn't have to go that far out to make a score. It's not like the NBA is going to draft you from America if you score."
"….I only played today to impress you."
"That wasn't necessary." Zakuro away from Ryou. 'Why is he the only person that makes me feel so nervous and conscious when I am around him?' Zakuro had never really been loved or cared for when she was younger. All the people she adored had cast her away and made her an emotionless hull in the modeling business. Now, a complete stranger she had met a year earlier made her a Mew Mew. Her whole life was now dedicated for a different reason for living. "Other people thought you were amazing though."
"It doesn't matter what the other people thought! I just…wanted you to be the one cheering me on!" Ryou had gotten so infuriated he sat up from the cot. "If I had just heard you say-"
"I love you, Ryou."
Zakuro gave a small chaste kiss on Ryou's lips. She stood back up and walked toward the door, and whispered, "…More than you'll ever know."
