Ambie's Note: Here's number three, FUN-NESS! Once again, I'm sure there are a few similarities. ENJOY!
Disclaimer: Still not mine, no matter how awesome it'd be...
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Chapter Three:
"…for your homework this evening, I want you to do problems 7-19 odds; NO LOOKING IN THE BACK OF THE BOOK HANABI!" Ms. Shanagi said as the bell rang to release the students for the day and Ms. Shanagi exited the class immediately after; she obviously wasn't too into the whole teaching thing.
The way Tsudandi High worked was this; students started the day with their Homeroom Teacher, then the teacher switched out for five classes in between until the end of the day when your Homeroom Teacher teaches a second class. It was different from what Misaki was used to, but it wasn't a huge change from her last school. The only thing that was 'drastically' different was the fact that all the students in the school ate lunch together for an hour, but that was a good change.
As Misaki started putting her books into her bag, she was startled by a slam on her desk, "So Misaki-chan…how ya liking this school? It's gotta be pretty different from your old one in Hichuri City, right?" Ryuunosuke asked curiously, joined by Yuri.
Misaki zipped her bag up and shrugged simply, "I dunno…it's kinda different, but for the most part it's the same."
"How's it different," Yori asked.
Misaki looked at Yori and smiled, "The biggest difference I've picked out so far is the fact that the guys here are…different from the ones back home."
By this point, Misaki could tell that Ryuunosuke's curiosity had been peaked again, "How so; more attractive, less attractive, nicer, jerky-er, etc?" He asked with a smirk on his attractive face that Misaki had gotten used to throughout the entire day.
"More attractive and strangely nicer, but that doesn't mean I'm talking about you though Ryuunosuke-kun," she replied with a light laugh.
Yori smirked, "'Course you weren't talkin' about Ryuunosuke, cuz you were talkin' about me right?"
Misaki laughed and pat Yori on the head, "Maybe, maybe not…I hardly know you guys."
Ryuunosuke smirked again and cleared his throat, "My name's Ryuunosuke Hanabi, I'm 17 years old, I've lived in this town for a year, my favorite color is green, my favorite food is definitely ramen, I like a variety of music," he listed and smiled at Misaki again and cleared his throat once more, "I enjoy going to the beach, I play on the soccer AND basketball teams, I'm a bit of a flirt, but I can't help the fact that I like girls…uh…damn, what else is there!?"
Misaki raised an eyebrow, "Ryuunosuke what're you—"
Yori smirked like Ryuunosuke had done before, "I'm Yori Kintoka, I'm 17 years old, I've forever lived in this town, MY favorite color is blue, I enjoy eating anything that involves meat, my favorite drink is anything that has caffeine in it, I listen to whatever type of music that's playing on the radio," he said in one breath, "I don't play any sport but I was 'jokingly signed up' for the Drama Club by somebody named Ryuunosuke, I like to joke around with anyone who will play along and um…uh…shit, I ran outta stuff to say."
Misaki blinked cluelessly a couple of times, "Uh…ok so what was all that about; just so you know I barely processed any of that and—"
She was cut off by Ryuunosuke, "Alrighty Misaki-chan, Yori and I just told ya everything we could think of about ourselves; it's your turn to tell us about you."
"Say what now," Misaki questioned.
Yori crossed his arms, "C'mon, it's only fair Misaki-chan."
Misaki sighed in annoyance, "Fine, ok," she said and thought to herself for a second. "I'm Misaki Tsubaku, I'm 17 years old, I just moved here from Hichuri, my favorite color is any type of blue, my favorite food is anything that's NOT made with tofu," she trailed of momentarily to think of what else to say, "I like any music that's not boring, I'm a black belt in karate and I'm involved with two other forms of Martial Arts, I enjoy talking to people about IMPORTANT matters…uh…that's about all I can think of right this second."
Ryuunosuke nodded with a smile, "What about your 'type,' y'know, what kinda guy you're into?"
Misaki blushed slightly, "HUH!? You and Yori didn't say anything about your type, so why should I?"
Yori sighed and nodded, "Fair, fair," he said. "I prefer someone who has an aura of mystery surrounding their usually open exterior, I like a girl who is aggressive, but I also like a girl who's a sweetie. Looks aren't quite as important as their attitude, but if you're just plain gross and ugly, I ain't gonna bother approaching you…it may sound kinda jerky, but that's the truth."
Misaki nodded, "I can understand the 'gross and ugly' part, but I also agree you sorta sound like a dick." She said and turned to Ryuunosuke who appeared to have a light blush across his face. "What about you Ryuunosuke-kun, I'll tell if you go before me."
Ryuunosuke's blush disappeared and his previously nervous expression changed to his cocky smirk, "Alright, I hope you have a pen and paper ready to take notes Misaki-chan, cuz I know how much you're into me," he said with a grin. "Ok…I like a girl who's independent, but not to the extent that she doesn't need my protection, although I'm not sure what kinda protecting a girl'd need here. I like happy girls who have the ability to change the atmosphere in a room for the better, but I don't want them to be loud and always bouncing off the walls. Like Yori said, looks aren't the important thing, but she can't be shit-ugly either. I uh—never mind, it's your turn Misaki-chan; what kinda guy do you like?"
Misaki could sense that there was more to Ryuunosuke's description, but she dismissed it. "Fine, ok…I'll tell you but don't go around tellin' the world," she said and sighed. "I prefer a guy that's willing to listen to my problems, in return I'll listen to his. I don't wanna guy who's overly jealous, but I'd like him to let people know we're together; y'know a guy who'll willingly stand up and say 'she's my girl and I'm proud of it.'" By this point Misaki could feel her face getting hot, but she chose to dismiss it and continue with her description. "I like a guy who has a sense of humor, and knows the wrong and right times to use it; he's gotta be able to cheer me up when I'm not feeling too happy. The most important thing to me is that he'll give me time to get used to him before approaching me with: 'hey Misaki, do you wanna go out with me; we can make-out behind the Grocery Store!' Ugh, I can't even stand the thought of some guy I've never seen before coming up to me and asking me out!" She explained leaving the parts that involved 'lots of love and sweetness and romance' out of her description.
Yori blinked a few times seeming confused, "You don't care if he's shit-ugly?"
Misaki laughed lightly, "Well if he's actually 'shit-ugly' I'm not gonna do EVERYTHING as planned; I probably wouldn't like a relationship that involved lots of kissing and cuddling, but I'd give the guy a chance if he gave me the chance to get to know him and he promised to be faithful."
"So a manwhore like Ryuunosuke is outta the question then, Misaki-chan," Yori asked with a smirk towards his friend.
Ryuunosuke's deep blue eyes widened, "'MANWHORE,' I'm definitely NOT a manwhore Yori!" He exclaimed and shook his head. "A flirt/womanizer would've been A LITTLE more appropriate for me…I just don't like the thought of being called a manwhore by anyone…"
Misaki raised an eyebrow, "So you ARE a womanizer…meaning Yori-kun was right when he said you were outta the question."
Ryuunosuke shook his head, "No…I'm not just talkin' to girls cuz I wanna get in their pants, I actually ENJOY talking to 'em; honestly I'm not lookin' for a relationship with anyone."
Yori smirked and nodded, "I knew that, I just enjoy making you look like a dickhead." He said and turned to Misaki with a flirtatious grin on his face. "Y'know Misaki-chan, Ryuunosuke may not be lookin' for a relationship, but I am; if you're interested I can give you my number and other contact information."
Misaki shook her head with a laugh, "I don't mind getting your contact info, but it's not because I'm interested in being with you in a relationship; I'll just accept the info so I can call to talk to you…maybe…" She said. "Alright, what is it?"
"Sweetness," Yori said and grabbed a piece of paper from his folder and a pen; he quickly—and sloppily—jotted down his home phone number and his cell number on the sheet and handed it to Misaki. "If you can't get a hold of me on one, call the other."
Misaki nodded and attempted to read the sloppy writing, "Ok…is that a 5 or an 8, cuz I definitely can't tell. What about this one, is that a 3 or an 8…damn Yori your writing sucks majorly."
Yori crossed his arms and turned away from Misaki's annoyed expression, "Well I'm sorry that I'm a guy who doesn't give a shit about my handwriting!"
Misaki laughed and looked at Ryuunosuke who seemed to be upset about something, "Ryuunosuke-kun…can you give me your number and other contact info?" She asked, deciding to not bother Ryuunosuke with questions about his current state.
"Oh…sure, do you have paper and a pen," he asked and Misaki handed him the paper she had just received from Yori that had extra space on it, "thanks." He said and began to write…A LOT neater that Yori.
Once he finished soon after, he handed the sheet back to Misaki who accepted it happily. "Thanks Ryuunosuke, I can actually read EVERYTHING you wrote down…unlike a certain someone named YORI!" She said and tucked the sheet into her jacket pocket and glanced at the clock on the wall; her eyes went wide when she saw the time. "SHIT, it's already 3:30!? I was supposed to meant Tsukiki a half-hour ago…I've gotta go now; I might call one of you two tonight…that or I'll text you, that way you can get my number and stuff." She said and rushed for the classroom door. "C'ya tomorrow guys," she said and added in a whisper, "man I hope she hasn't been waiting too long."
Once Misaki exited Classroom 2-3, she rushed down the single flight of stairs and headed for the double, glass doors of the school building. After she ran out of the building, she headed straight for the spot Tsukiki had told her about earlier that day; she just hoped that Tsukiki wasn't upset or scared because of Misaki's carelessness.
***
Misaki ran down the road towards the park that she some how remembered from this morning. She remembered where it was, but Tsukiki never told her where she would be waiting, Misaki just hoped that her seven year old sister would be easily found.
Misaki ran for a few more minutes, until she reached a bench in the park area. Luckily there was a semi-loud, "Hey Sissy, where have you been?"
Misaki quit running and followed the voice of her kid sister, "I'm SOO sorry Tsukiki, a couple of guys were talking to me and I lost track of time and—you weren't waiting too long were you?"
Tsukiki smiled up at her sister and hopped off the white bench, her curled ponytail bouncing as she stood. "Nope, I was only here for a couple of minutes; me and Mom talked a little before I left."
Misaki couldn't help but feel a wave of relief wash over her, "Good, but I'm still sorry; I didn't forget I promise."
Tsukiki laughed and nodded, "Okie-dokie, I believe you Sissy." She said and smiled sheepishly. "You said you were talking to guys, are they your boyfriends?"
Misaki was shocked by her sister's sudden question, "Huh!? No…they're just some guys in my home room and we just met today and—"
"Didja get their phone numbers, is that why you were late," Tsukiki asked with a grin that seemed out of place on the face of a 1st grader.
Misaki's face turned red and she laughed nervously, "Uh…um…well, kinda, but I didn't PLAN on this to happen it just—"
Tsukiki giggled and lightly smacked her sister on her left arm, "I'm just kidding Sissy; I just figured that you'd want a boyfriend or something…"
Misaki blinked cluelessly a few times, "Tsukiki…why would you know about this; you're only in elementary school!"
Tsukiki giggled again with a shrug, "So, just cuz I'm younger than you, you don't think that I know what a 'boyfriend' is? Heehee…you're funny Sissy!"
Misaki laughed with a nod, "Ok, ok…I won't question you anymore." She said and shook her head. "SO," she exclaimed, anxious to change the uncomfortable subject, "are ya hungry Tsukiki? If you wanna; I've gotta little bit of money on me, maybe we can get some take-out?"
Tsukiki gasped and hopped up and down happily, "Ok, let's go get some Chinese Food; I love the Sweet n' Sour Chicken!" She said excitedly while continuing to bounce. "Or if you don't want any Chinese, we can go to the Ramen Shop and get some Miso Ramen and we can eat until our bellies pop out cuz we're so full!"
Misaki smiled kindly at her young sister and nodded, "Whichever one you want Tsukiki; I'm buying so we CAN eat until 'our bellies pop out'!"
"I get to choose, Dad always chooses," Tsukiki said in disbelief and slightly bitterly, but she smiled right after. "Ok…we can go get Ramen so it won't cost so much; I wanna be able to do this everyday, so you can't go spending all of your money!"
Misaki laughed and nodded, "Everyday huh? Guess that means I'm gonna have to find a part-time job then."
Tsukiki laughed and grabbed Misaki's right hand, "Yup, I guess so!" She exclaimed and began to run towards the center of Hagakue. "Let's go Sissy, we're gonna have so much fun eating like fat piggies!"
At that Misaki laughed and followed Tsukiki without complaint. The two sisters walked and talked for a few minutes, until they approached a Specialty Ramen Restaurant. The building was small, but it was rather nice, the doors were glass and double and when the customers walked through them a glorious bell sounded alarming the Chefs that someone is ready to eat their food. When the doors closed behind the girls, Misaki looked around and saw that the smallish place was rather packed; mostly with High School students still in their uniform.
Tsukiki still had a hold of Misaki's hand, but she looked up at her elder, half sister with a grin, "This place is called Ashita Koso Ramen which means 'Tomorrow for Sure Ramen,' it's always full like this on the weekdays after school."
Misaki nodded, "It's understandable considering the High Schoolers eat at 11am and are stuck in the same classroom from 12-3." She said and she and Tsukiki walked to two empty stools and took their seats.
The Head Chef walked up to the counter and smiled at Tsukiki, "Hey there, Tsukiki-chan; it's been a while since you've been here. How're Hikari and Kazuki doing," he asked kindly.
Tsukiki smiled up at the older man, "Mom and Dad are doing good." She said and looked at Misaki with a giggle. "This is my Sissy Misaki, she just moved in with me, Mom and Dad yesterday!"
The Chef looked at Misaki with a smile, "Hi there Misaki-chan, my name's Akira Jiombu; you can just call me Akira, there aren't any needs for formalities."
Misaki nodded and smiled at the kind man, "Hi there." She said. "So Tsukiki tells me that your Miso Ramen is good."
Tsukiki laughed and bounced in her stool, "Uh-huh, uh-huh; it's my favorite, but I like the chicken, the beef and all the other kinds too!"
Akira laughed happily and nodded, "She sure does, she's not picky like a lot of my other younger customers."
Tsukiki nodded triumphantly with a happy grin, "Yup-yup, I'm not picky!" She said and looked at Akira with the same grin. "Okie-dokie Chef-man, can I have a LARGE Miso Ramen please!?" She ordered excitedly and turned to Misaki. "What are you gonna get Sissy, you should get the same as me!"
Misaki laughed lightly but nodded in agreement, "Alright, I'll have what she's having." She said and received a nod from Akira and he disappeared into the kitchen of the Ramen Shop. While the chef worked Misaki tilted her head in curiosity, "I wonder why this pace is called 'Ashita Koso,' it's kinda weird when you think about it; 'tomorrow for sure,' I dunno it just seems kinda strange to me."
Tsukiki raised a light eyebrow at her sister's mumbling, "Huh, what did ya say Sissy?"
Misaki escaped her sea of thoughts and smiled at Tsukiki, "Nothin' I just think this place has a funny name."
"I do too, but it's not nice to tell the people that," Tsukiki said, "that's what Dad told me anyways."
Misaki nodded, "Do you do a good job listening to Dad?" She asked, curious about Tsukiki's mannerisms.
"Yup I do," she answered, "I only answer the phone for somebody I know, I only answer the door for people I know and I don't talk back; I do what Dad says the first time he says it!"
Misaki smiled and pat her blonde sister on the head, "Good girl; your Sissy is proud of you!"
Tsukiki smiled excitedly at the loving gesture of her newly-found sister, "Heehee, and YOUR Sissy is proud of you too!"
"Why's that," Misaki asked and quit patting Tsukiki's head.
Tsukiki giggled, "Cuz you have money and we got Ramen together," she exclaimed, "keep up the good work Sissy!" She complemented and hopped out of the stool she was positioned on and wrapped her arms around Misaki's waist in a loving hug.
Misaki didn't pull away, she just returned the hug and kissed her little sister on the top of her head. Although the two of them only met the previous day, Misaki couldn't help but feel loving towards Tsukiki; she had always wanted to looked up to as a 'big sister,' and Tsukiki did a good job doing so.
After a couple of seconds, Tsukiki stopped hugging Misaki and hopped back into her stool and waited for the order. The two sisters didn't have to wait too long until Akira returned with the large bowls of Miso Ramen; they were placed in front of the two customers.
"Alrighty then girls, the total's gonna be 120 yen and—actually I think I'll discount that cuz one of you is a new customer," He said and thought to himself for a second and nodded right after. "Ok, the total's gonna be 50 yen."
Misaki nodded with a happy smiled and removed 50 yen from her wallet she had had in her coat pocket all day; she laid the money on the counter and Akira accepted it. The Head Chef headed back to the kitchen after a kind, "thank you."
Tsukiki and Misaki giggled happily at how well prepared the bowls looked, "Aren't ya excited Sissy!? This Miso Ramen is gonna taste SOO good," Tsukiki asked and started bouncing in her stool again, "YAY!" She exclaimed and reached for two packages of chopsticks and handed one package to Misaki.
"Thanks Tsukiki," she said and opened the white-packaged eating utensils. Once they were open Misaki threw the plastic into the trash and pulled the wooden sticks apart; Tsukiki did the same.
At that, the two sisters exchanged looks and giggles and began to eat the well-prepared meal. Right when the first bite went into Misaki's mouth, she gasped at the amazing goodness that was the food; it was probably the best tasting ramen she had ever eaten at a restaurant.
After a few minutes of eating, then FINISHING the food Tsukiki and Misaki disposed of their chopsticks and left the bowls on the counter; they left the restaurant right after. When they got outside, Misaki looked up at the sky and saw that the moon was to be full tonight. For some strange reason, Misaki felt like something bad was going to happen, but she couldn't explain it or even take a GUESS at it.
"Ooh the moon's gonna be full tonight," Tsukiki said while also looking at the sky; she giggled. "It's been a long time since the moon has been full when the weather was good…the last few months it was raining and stuff."
Misaki smiled wiping her mind of the bad thoughts, "Do you like the full moon Tsukiki?"
"Uh-huh," she replied, "I like to go out in the backyard and lay in the grass and look up at the sky; it's really pretty cuz you can see the stars and the moon's craters and—"
Misaki listened to Tsukiki's energetic explanation as the two of them walked back to their house. Although Tsukiki's innocence and enthusiasm made Misaki happy, Misaki was still unable to completely wipe away the bad thoughts…she decided that she'd be careful even if she didn't need to be.
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Ambie's Second Note: Not much to say except that I like reviews and all that stuff! Hope you're enjoying this story...
