Winter Ballad
Disclaimer: Copy old disclaimer and paste it here.
Ch.4
"What happened?" Bierrez asked angrily.
Rath just looked at them and shrugged. "Tell her to keep her temper in check." He said.
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"Kitchel!" Thatz suddenly threw his head onto the pink-haired girl's lap. She shrieked. "You scared me!" She said pushing his head off. "Did Cesia say anything about the broadcast?" He asked with a concerned face.
Kitchel frowned. "Not really." Thatz gave a confused sigh. "There's something going on." He poked a finger into his cheek. "Rath and Cesia. Their personalities may be different, but they could be-"
"Hey!" Kitchel interrupted. "Opposites are bad!" Thatz shook his head. "Nope. In this situation, opposites attract." Kitchel nodded understandingly. Thatz suddenly gave a frown. "Hey, I have a bad premonition. Should I tell Bierrez?"
"What for?" Kitchel asked, raising an eyebrow. "Don't you know? Bierrez and Cesia are an item!" The pink-haired girl responded with a burst of laughter, hitting Thatz on the forearm. "You've got it wrong! Cesia just thinks of him as a friend-"
Thatz rolled his eyes. "This is why you don't have a boyfriend!" Ignoring Kitchel's angry squawks, he continued. "Friends become boyfriend and girlfriend then become husband and wife! In the end, girls always fall for guys who are nice to them."
Now it was Kitchel's turn to roll her eyes. "Yes, I'm sure you have a girlfriend with your amazing logic." She grumbled. Thatz yet again ignored her. "Man, I am really good at guessing at this sort of stuff." She poked him. "Then what am I going to get in music class?" She asked. He snorted. "Don't ask me, ask Delte!" Kitchel facefaulted.
Laughing a little, Thatz looked at her. "But then, it doesn't take a genius to figure that out."
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"Kitchel. Five points." Kitchel gasped. "Give me one more chance." She pleaded. "I'll amaze you with my great singing voice!" The teacher winced in reply. "You can amaze me next week." She replied, silently grateful for the fact that she didn't have to listen to Kitchel's horrible attempts of singing two times in a row.
Kitchel groaned as she returned to her seat. "Next, Rath." The teacher called out. Rath, instead of singing, went straight to the piano. "Now, start!" Ms.Cernozura instructed. Rath stood motionless before the keys.
Cernozura frowned. "What's wrong? Didn't you practice? Well for that I'll have to give-"
"Ms. Cernozura! Rath just transferred in." Cesia said quickly. Cernozura blinked in surprise. "Why didn't you say that in the first place? I'll give you until next week. If you can't play by then, you'll flunk. Understood?"
Rath bowed his head in acknowledgement and returned to his seat. "Next, Silk!" The bored blonde quickly moved into the seat.
Cesia looked up as Rath passed, waiting for some form of thanks. However, she received none. Glaring in his direction, she sniffed. He could at least appreciate me saving his butt. Rath Illuser, you are utterly despicable.
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Tintlett shivered. "Why do we have to stay here in the bleachers and watch the boy's volleyball game?" She complained. Kitchel nodded. "I feel like crap since Ms. Cernozura gave me that grade. Cold weather makes me worse." Cesia nudged them. "Shush you two, Tethesus is looking our way!"
The volleyball sailed over the net as the two rival teams bounced it back and forth. Rath served and the boys bumped it back. As it came over the net a second time, Bierrez tensed, ready to receive it. He jumped. Rath jumped. The collision knocked Bierrez to his feet onto the ground. Rath slammed the ball and it went flying. The crowd cheered.
Frowning, Cesia worriedly looked at Bierrez. He had gotten up and was glaring at Rath. They were both having a glaring match.
"Rath's spike is really powerful!" Tintlett said, forgetting that she was cold and irritated. "Guys have to be strong." Kitchel said in a blase way. Tupet snorted. "Men need three qualities." Kitchel rolled her emerald orbs. "Intelligence, raw instinct-" She was interuppted when a volleyball came her way. She squealed.
Delte, who was behind her, caught it. Rath came over to pick it up. Realizing that her crush was striding towards her, Tupet yanked the ball from Delte's hands and gave it to him. He avoided looking into her doe-like trance. Snatching it, he went back to the court. Tupet dreamily watched him. "And emotional sensitivity." She sighed happily.
Kitchel pretended to throw up. "Too many things to consider." She scurried away. Cesia gave a laugh. The girls turned back to the match. It became apparent to Cesia that Rath was sabotaging Bierrez's every attempt to get the ball. Bierrez was trying to contain his anger, patiently not saying anything as Rath bumped into him a third time.
However, even he could not endure his volatile temper when Rath knocked him to the ground yet again. "Hey, are you okay Bierrez?" Gil asked, his long purple hair drooping into his face. Bierrez nodded. "Time out!" He called, much to the annoyance of the opposing team. He walked over to Rath.
"You're dominating the game." He said angrily. Rath glanced at him coldly. "What do you mean?"
"We have to work as a team." Bierrez replied.
"We're winning. Isn't that what matters?"
"How you get there is just as important as the result."
Rath smirked. "Who said that? Is that from some book?" He gave a sardonic grin. "Brown-noser." Bierrez's eyes flared. Grabbing the collar of Rath's gymshirt, he growled. "What did you just say?" Rath eyed the fist. "Hit me. Go ahead." Bierrez hesitated for a moment. Rath gave a mocking smile. "Were you taught that violence was bad?" He then smacked Bierrez's hand away. "Wimp." Rath dropped the volleyball he was holding and left the court.
Bierrez's eyes glowed dangerously. Cesia watched, a frown gracing her face.
:000:
After the game ended, (Bierrez scored the winning point) Cesia was instructed to get some water from the water fountain. Carrying a riduculous looking teapot, she sauntered off. Nearing the fountain, she paused. Rath was currently drowning his face underneath the faucet.
Watching Rath carry on with his attempts of suicide became boring after a while so Cesia decided to break the stillness. "Rath." The said person turned off the faucet and glared at her. "Do you have something against Bierrez?" Rath ignored her. "You probably do, but I can tell you. Bierrez is a really nice guy."
Rath flicked his red bangs for a while then turned to look at her.
"So?"
Cesia faltered. "So...I think you're being too harsh." She crossed her arms over her chest while resting the teapot onto the ground. He eyed her for a bit. "Are you guys a couple?" Cesia stood there, shocked. "W-what?" She stuttered. Rath rolled his eyes and left the fountain. Cesia watched him go.
Rath Illuser, I think you're a snob.
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The school day was finally over. Students started leaving in packs while Alfeegi looked on with a menacing glare. Cesia was walking with Bierrez as usual. "I think results are important too, but the process is what really counts." She said as a way to console her downhearted friend. "Cesia." He said.
She blinked. "Yes?" He looked at her. "Forget it." A small angry mark suddenly attached itself to Cesia's head. "What is it? Tell me, tell me!" She cried impatiently. He stopped and turned around to look at her. "Am I a wimp?" She laughed. The look Bierrez had in his eyes and the way he had phrased the question as if his entire existence depended on the answer sent her into giggles.
"Of course you are! But you're a handsome wimp." He growled in response. "Don't play with me. I'm being serious!" Cesia laughed again. "Is that so? Mr.Wimp?" She pinched his cheeks. Bierrez grabbed her backpack. "Not you too." He said, then playfully started pushing Cesia down the sidewalk. Squeaking, she yanked her backpack out of his grip and pulled his hood over his head. Bierrez then started chasing her.
Rath had been walking behind them, casually observing this scene. Tupet suddenly popped up behind him. She quickly took advantage of this situation as a way to eliminate unwanted rivalry. "They look perfect together, don't they?" Rath stayed silent. "The funny thing is, is that they call themselves childhood friends only. Isn't that such a corny excuse?"
"Excuse?" Rath asked, slightly confused. "They're actually in love. Aren't they an item?" Tupet laughed a little. "I prefer being straightforward." She gave a snobby grin. "Rath-kun. You like me, don't you?"
He stopped and turned around to stare at her. "What?" Is this girl making a joke?
Tupet sidled nearer. "I know guys like you. You can never confess your feelings. I know you joined the Radio Club because of me." Rath gave a chuckle. He couldn't believe the nerve of this girl. The way she was coming to him was very...slutty. Tupet mistook his laughter. "Okay, I'll give you a chance."
The laughter subsided. "You're an interesting character. Shouldn't you put that imagination to better use?" Rath brushed her off and kept on walking. Tupet gazed after him, embarrassment and anger coming over her.
Rath Illuser. How dare you!
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A young boy fidgeted on his stool. He scratched his black hair (some parts were spiked with purple) and his dark brown eyes looked around the room.
"Zoma! Don't squirm!"
He suppressed a groan. Zoma had been sitting on the stool for well over two hours. Curse his sister and her artistic talents. He rolled his shoulders.
"Zoma!"
This time, he really groaned. "Can we please take a break? My neck hurts." The younger sibling complained.
Cesia looked up from her easel. "No. I did your homework, remember? If you keep fidgeting, I'm going to have to start all over." The threat seemed to quiet Zoma for a while.
He started fidgeting again. "I have to go to the bathroom." "Hold it in." Instructed his merciless sister. The phone rang. "The phone rang!" Zoma said as if it was a call from heaven. Cesia glared at him. "Don't you move from that spot."
She entered the living room and picked up the phone. "Hello? Mom?" Zoma snuck past. Cesia turned around just in time. "Zoma!" She hissed. The boy ran into the bathroom. Growling, Cesia adopted a gentler tone. "It's nothing mom. What is it?"
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Mrs. Yokaguchi sighed. "It's too expensive! Feel the fabric!" The customer haggled. "I assure you, it is of fine quality." She answered wishing the woman would just pay her and leave. "Give me a discount!" The customer demanded. "That's a good price!" She argued. "I'm a regular customer!" The other argued back.
Cesia snuck up on the quarreling ladies. "Mom!" Ms.Yokaguchi looked up. "Cesia!" The customer at once thrust a few dollars into her hands and left. "Hey wait!" Cesia's mother growled in distaste.
"Here's the package!" Cesia sang out, handing a heavy bag to her mother. "Thanks, dearie." "Did you eat dinner?" Cesia asked. Her mother fondly started smoothing out her coat. "I ate." She replied. Cesia gave her a glance. "You didn't eat instant ramen again, right?" Her mother smiled. "I ate decently. Now hurry and go back. I'm worried about Zoma being alone in the house."
Like a mother hen, Cesia started fussing. "You should dress more warmly." Waving her off, her mother again smiled. "Hurry home!" She called out. Cesia gave an affectionate hug and left the store. She turned back in one point, watching her mother busily work. Cesia felt a sense of sadness wash over her.
She walked past a outdoor fast food resteraunt. Rath was seated in the resteraunt eating his food. Both failed to notice the other. Cesia turned into an alley and left. Rath wallked out of the store. "How much?" He asked while peeling out dollars. Having paid, he left the store.
"Let go of me!" Cesia yelled while a drunkard attached himself to her. "Get to know me beautiful." He slurred. Cesia screamed as he started inching closer. "Mom! MOM!!!" She shrieked, trying to hold back the man.
"Cesia!"
Cesia's eyes quickly looked around. "Rath!" She breathed. Rath looked at the drunkard. "Who's this?" Cesia shook her head. "Let her go." He said, understanding Cesia's message. "Who the heck are you? Mind your own business! Go home and study hard!" He poked Rath's head hard. A vein twitched. Rath quickly grabbed Cesia's arm. "Let's go home."
The drunkard ran after them. "You little brat!" He said, stinking of alcohol. Then he punched Rath in the jaw. Cesia screamed. "What are you doing!" She pushed the man. He grinned and grabbed her arm. "Let's go and have a drink, little lady." Cesia, in vain, tried to tug the man's hand off her arm. Seeing as she could not, she decided to resort to barbaric behavior. She bit his hand.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! YOU LITTLE BIT-" During his tirade, Rath had gotten up and threw himself onto the man. Cesia grabbed a broom (which had popped up randomly) and started smacking the man with it (who was trying to strangle Rath).
"LET HIM GO!"
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"She flirted with me saying she wanted a drink, so being the kind Samaritan I am, I decided to take her to the nearest bar!" Ruwalk's eyebrow twitched. He couldn't believe the crap this guy was throwing at him. "Then this guy, out of the blue, smacked me! I'm the victim here!" The man whined.
Ruwalk adjusted his policeman's cap. "And then?" He said coldly. Across from them sat Rath and Cesia. Rath was staring glumly into his hands. Cesia gave him an apologetic look which he promptly ignored.
"You're drunk." Ruwalk stated simply as the man started bursting out into a random song about luck and girls.
"Have you seen me drinking?" The man stopped in mid-song angrily.
"There is enough evidence." Ruwalk responded, rubbing his temple with his knuckles. "Who are you to order me around? I am the great Kirkulus! No one is the boss of me!" The drunkard yelled.
While this was going on, Cesia rummaged for her handkerchief. She found it and gave it to Rath. He looked at her and she replied, point at his chin. He took the handkerchief and tried to wipe the blood off. Cesia gave a sigh when Rath fruitlessly reached the wound.
"Not there." She said impatiently. She grabbed her handkerchief back and dabbed at his wound. Rath jerked backwards. "Hold still." She commanded while wiping the blood. Rath blushed slightly. Having finished, Cesia sighed irritated. "You can't even fight, so why did you hit him?" He glared at her, his blush disappearing immediatly.
She flounced back on her hard chair. "My mother is going to kill me." She complained. Quickly she gave Rath a look. "Since I can't call my mom, can you call your parents?" She pleaded. Rath ignored her.
Ruwalk walked over to them. Cesia looked at him with puppy eyes. "Sir, we didn't do anything wrong. He was harassing us!" Ruwalk was extremely fed up with the excuses. "Be quiet! Just call your father so he can take you home."
Cesia suddenly looked down at her hands. "I don't have a father." She said simply. Rath looked at her in surprise. "My mom is working." Ruwalk scratched his head, embarrassed on touching a wound. He looked at Rath. "Then you call your father."
Rath looked at him coldly. "I don't have a father." Ruwalk sat back, even more embarrassed. Now it was Cesia's turn to look at him with surprise. Having been faced with both of their past lives, Ruwalk felt extremely guilty. "It's okay." He said, sighing, knowing that Garfakcy was going to chew his ear out. "You can leave."
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"Here." Cesia gave Rath some medicine. She clucked as she gazed at his wound. "I hope it doesn't leave a scar." Rath shrugged her off. "I'm okay." An awkward silence, then- "I didn't know you had no father too. My father died of an illness. How about yours?" Cesia knew she was treading on thin ice, but she wanted to relate to this boy.
Silence again.
"Do you like Bierrez?" Rath asked. Cesia jumped. "What? He and I are like family. We're not in that kind of relationship. His father and my father were best friends."
Rath nodded then suddenly looked at her. "Bierrez's father and your father were friends?" Cesia nodded. "Yup from the same high school we go to now." Rath tried to look disinterested. "Really. Let's go home."
She followed him. "Tell me the truth." She said abruptly. "You transferred here from Newton Science Academy because you went into some kind of trouble." Rath rolled his eyes. "No? Then why?" She persisted. "To find someone." Rath said, hoping that she would leave it at that.
She didn't.
"Who?" He looked at his shoes. "I don't know you well enough to tell you." Cesia sighed. "Alright. Anyway, about tonight-" Rath interuppted. "You don't have to thank me. I would've done the same for anyone else. Good bye."
Cesia glared at his retreating figure. "Hey Rath!" He turned around and caught the bag full of medicine. "Apply it three times in the morning and night! Don't forget!" She flipped her head around and walked off in a huff. Rath chuckled.
What a strange girl.
Yes. I know I haven't updated in a long time. I probably lost all my reviewers. So I've made an EXTRA LONG CHAPTER. Well at least I think it was extra long...Eheheheh.
