Author's Note: Here's an update for those who have been so anxious…and don't worry our favorite couple are too much in love to allow misunderstandings to keep them apart…but they're not out of the woods yet…
Special thanks to TrueSalvation…your words about my writing deeply honored me…I hope you like this chapter.
AM I LOSING YOU?
The next day dawned bright and sunny; an absolutely sparkling fall day…however, it may as well have been a dark day with continuous heavy rain falling for all Kaname and Sousuke cared. Because for them the day was bleak and hopeless, their futures in jeopardy…all based on the misconstrued beliefs that one had betrayed the other…and that the other ceased to care…
At Maison K, in Kaname's apartment she had dragged herself up as her rooster alarm clock summoned her from a fitful sleep. After Sousuke's curt attitude toward her last night the hurt raged inside like a blaze out of control. She showed signs of the damage with red rimmed eyes from crying herself to sleep as she looked into the bathroom mirror and prepared for the day. And as she thought about the events of last night while in the shower her tears flowed again…
Meanwhile at the Tigers Apartments in the efficiency unit that Sousuke now called home the Mithril mercenary had spent the night taking apart and cleaning each and every weapon in his arsenal. After exchanging that emotionally charged glance with Kaname sleep was elusive and downright nonexistent…coupled with constant mental images of her kissing Tsubaki chased away all need for rest in him as he bent over his task and devised new and increasingly cruel ways to dispose of his rival…
I could nab him after school at knife point, drag him over to the storage shed behind the girls' softball field, and torture him by sticking bamboo shoots up his fingernails until he promises to back off from Chidori…or…
If he doesn't I could capture him and take him to an uncharted island in the Pacific…I'll make sure that he disappears…just like I made those Sandinistas in the jungle of Nicaragua disappear…
Or I could booby-trap his club's meeting room…then strap a bomb made out of high explosive plastic to him and detonate it if he doesn't promise to leave Chidori alone…or…
And it went on all night…
As the sun peeked through the glass door Sousuke was finishing cleaning his Styr automatic machine gun, his thoughts now on Kaname and how seeing her kissing Tsubaki affected him…
I wonder…did she melt in his arms like she did in mine that night in her kitchen? Did she kiss him the same way she kissed me? He rubbed the barrel of the gun harder as his scowl darkened…and then came the doubts to bludgeon him…
Is she regretting saying she'd wait for me to figure things out about us so she's reconsidering and letting Tsubaki get close to her? Has she decided that she'd rather be with HIM then with me?
That thought grew in Sousuke a sense of inadequacy as he continued to brood remembering the flirting contest that Tsubaki had won by bringing twelve girls to the park that day…while he had not been able to entice even one…
Realistically, he does have a way with women…proving it that day…while I almost ended up having to strip in front of everyone, being humiliated…until Chidori came and saved me...again…
His motions calmed as he remembered Kaname that day, appearing like a heavenly being dressed as a porcelain Japanese doll in her mother's kimono…a breathtaking bluebird who swooped in from nowhere and not only rescued him…but sparked envy in every man gathered there as she claimed to have been a married woman who was so taken by Sousuke she slipped away from her husband to share a meal…with him…
Kaname was…dazzling that day…so beautiful that I was speechless, not even recognizing her and until she had revealed her true identity my heart was pounding nervously…then when she laughed in her lively way and I saw that she was Chidori…it pounded with an entirely different emotion…
With that thought Sousuke gazed at the rising sun and he was reminded of another dawn…in Hong Kong when she seemed to emerge from the darkness of death as the sun rose around her…as did his hope for a future…and filled with a new and ironclad resolve he made his stand…
I CAN'T lose her…not to Tsubaki or any other guy here at Jindai…or anyone else for that matter. She's MY Angel… I won't let anyone take her away from me…And I'm going to do whatever it takes to win her back…
Now focused on his next objective, Urzu-7 got up and headed to the shower…
As the morning progressed to the start of the school day Kaname got off the train in Senagawa and walked over to the Jindai campus alone…feeling lonely as she used to way before…like when she first arrived in Japan…
It really is strange…my life is not like it was when I first got here…yet away from Sousuke I-I feel so disjointed…like something's missing…making me feel so lost…
Her pretty face was melancholy as she walked to the high school, yet even as that she caught many an admiring eye from the young male students and commuters streaming along to school or work with her. However, she was oblivious to the attention as she hastened to the new school gate. As she waited in line to run her ID card through the scan she glanced at the iron monstrosity that Sousuke had built back in the summer. It was…to her eyes…ascetically homely…an eyesore…however functionally it was quite exceptional, protecting the school from any trespassers that might try to harm the students or faculty. And the principal herself was so impressed by the sturdy design she said it was to remain.
I was so pissed at him when he had this thing built…but now that I see it for what it is…it really is quite a good protection for the school…he really did a thoughtful and generous thing…
Kaname's benevolent thoughts were interrupted as her turn to scan came to be admitted to school grounds and as soon as she did she heard her name called…
"Kana! Yo Kana-chan!" Kyoko's cheery voice carried over as she bounded over and linked arms with Kaname. "Ohayo!"
She responded breathlessly, "Easy Kyoko…so what has you so excited today?"
"Oh come on, Kana…everybody knows all about the big formal dance we're having…it's all over school."
"Boy, good news travels fast," Kaname said amiably as she groaned inwardly Man, we don't even know where we're gonna have this thing yet and it's all over school?
As if scripted in the melodrama that recently has become her life Kaname was then approached by Mikihara Ren, who hurried over with an excited look. "Chidori-san! I have very good news! My father arranged for us to have our dance at the Park Hotel in Shinjuku…in their Grand Ballroom!"
"Wow, you're kidding!" Kyoko squealed. "That's one of the most elegant hotels in Tokyo…why, all the celebrities meet there…this is too cool!"
"Wait there's more," Ren stated. "My father also arranged for us to have the Suppin Girls as entertainment for the dance."
Now Kaname was amazed. "Really Ren-san…that's awesome…how'd he manage that?"
Ren smiled and replied enigmatically, "Oh he just called in some favors."
Yeah I bet…the yakuza can pretty much get whatever they want…oh well "I see," Kaname said and then added, "I'll call the public relations committee together during free period before lunch so we can design posters and tickets."
"If you get a design together today Chidori-san, I can have them printed right away," Ren said.
Kaname looked at her pointedly. "Don't tell me…your father can help us with that as well?"
Ren gave her a sunny smile and shrugged, "He has another close associate with a large printing firm who owes him a favor."
Hmmm, I'm sure "Well okay…since you're on the PR committee, when we all agree on what the designs for posters and tickets should be, we'll give them to you to get them printed."
"Look, there's Shinji…and Sousuke," Kyoko pointed over at the bike rack, where both boys seemed to be in deep conversation. She tugged at Kaname'a arm. "Let's go tell them about the dance, Kana."
Biting her lip Kaname hesitated as her eyes lowered, memories of last night causing a feeling of panic at confronting Sousuke. "I-I don't know, Kyoko…,"
"Oh come on, Kana-chan…are you gonna stay mad at him forever? 'Cause I don't know what happened between the two of you, but the way you both have always looked out for one another since he transferred here it's obvious you really like each other…a lot. And you did say you two kissed."
The memory of that night again flashed into her head as Kaname allowed her eyes to travel over to the lean yet powerful form of Sousuke as he stood listening to Kazama as he rambled on, his typically dour expression unchanging. And her heart filled with yearning as she thought about the current situation between them…still…
However, Kyoko was undaunted as she literally dragged Kaname through the crowd over to the bike rack…
Meanwhile Sousuke was half listening to Shinji as he was rambling on about last night's special on arm slaves that was featured on the all-mecha all the time cable channel while his sharp eyesight immediately spotted the object of his affections. So he scrambled to find what to say to her should she come over to talk…however, considering how he saw her and Tsubaki close and exchanging a kiss his initial inclination was to distance himself…and run like the devil…
There she is…Can I face her after what I saw last night…her kissing that fool? There's no balcony separating us now Sousuke brooded as he was battered by mixed emotions… yet he remained…
"Hi guys!"
Kyoko's exuberant greeting caused both boys to turn toward the girls approaching. Kyoko was lively and animated as always but Kaname seemed loath to join them as Sousuke instantly ascertained the reason for her reticence. The charged atmosphere between Urzu-7 and "Angel" went largely unnoticed by Tokiwa and Kazama who grinned at each other shyly …
"Hey Kyoko," Kazama greeted her. "What's up?"
"Oh you guys are never gonna believe what! Our dance is gonna be at the Park Hotel in Shinjuku and you'll never guess who's gonna play for us!"
"Who?"
"The Suppin Girls!"
Kyoko was beside herself with excitement so Shinji addressed Kaname, "Is it true, Chidori?"
"Sure is," Kaname affirmed. "Rem's father set everything up for us…which reminds me, I gotta go and make an announcement before first period to get the PR committee together during free period today to design tickets, determine the price, do posters so I'll be seein ya…"
She whirled away to beat a hasty retreat but was halted in her tracks. "Kaname, wait!"
For the first time since she and Kyoko came over Sousuke spoke, his expression one of gravity as he seemed quiet as usual but with an underlying sense of urgency. And as the two stood before each other Kyoko gauged the tense situation and tugged at Kazama's sleeve…
"Shinji, let's go."
Kazama gaped at the two and nodded. "Uh…yeah…see ya, Sousuke." Kyoko waved and pulled him away leaving Kaname and Sousuke there by the bike rack…
The comely student VP waited as the young mercenary regarded her, his finely honed sense of observation seeing the concealed but present signs of stress on her face. Deeply concerned he asked, "Are you okay?"
Shooting him a brief peculiar look, she quickly covered with a smile as she stated, "Couldn't be better…why do you ask?"
"You look tired…did you get enough sleep last night…after we…,"
"Blew each other off? Hell, sure I slept like a baby…didn't you?"
Sarcasm dripped from Kaname's words like dew from a leaf and Sousuke's belly burned as he could feel the waves of hostility hitting him full force. He sighed as he candidly shook his head. "Actually…I was up all night…I couldn't sleep."
Her frosty demeanor thawed as her eyes became filled with apprehension and she came closer to gaze at him and he returned the favor. As their gazes locked Kaname lowered her head and admitted, "Really, so was I…all I could think of…was…,"
The shrill electronic ring of the first period bell rang and all students began to file into the various buildings to get to class so Sousuke pointed out, "We'd better get to class."
Kaname nodded. "Yeah."
She turned to head off to class and since he was in the same class Sousuke fell into step with her. As they walked along his thoughts were swirling as he pondered about what Kaname was about to tell him before the bell for class rang…
So she didn't sleep either…and her eyes are red…even though she's tried to cover it with makeup…was she crying? And if so, why would she have been crying? Did I cause her to cry? Or did something happen with Tsubaki to make her upset? He scowled as the thought infuriated him If he did ANYTHING to hurt or upset her…peacetime or not, I'll pump him with every bullet I have…
They arrived at the class door and before they walked into the room Kaname turned to Sousuke and said, her eyes soft with sincerity, "After I meet with the PR committee I'm having lunch in the quad by the activities building if you want to talk later."
Sousuke nodded as he stated, "Yes, I think we need to…talk…about our situation."
"Yeah," she agreed. "So come look for me in the quad during lunch…we'll eat together…and talk."
Sousuke saw no guile in those beautiful coffee orbs that continued to captivate him and her suggestion was immensely appealing. "Understood," he responded.
_____________________________________________________________________
However, at lunchtime Sousuke stood in the student council room and watched Kaname through the window as she was surrounded by their circle of friends. His mind teemed with uncertainty why am I here instead of down there? I told her that I wanted to talk to her about our situation…but now I'm terrified to actually talk to her…
He thought about his conversation with Kurz the night he fled from Kaname after kissing her and how Urzu-6 had chided him and then tried to give him the benefit of his wisdom…
"You're a damned idiot!"
Sousuke sighed, "I know…so what do I do now?"
Kurz sighed as he replied, "Sousuke, let me ask you a question…have you ever liked a girl before now?"
Sousuke was at a loss as he responded, "Not that I can recall…I've always been on combat missions in battle zones."
Kurz continued, "But you had R and R…leaves and liberties…so whatja do?"
Sousuke thought a minute and then answered, "I took that time to clean and maintain my weapons…and read up on the latest innovations in warfare from various periodicals."
"That's what you did when you had R and R? You never tried to find some girl to be with?"
"Affirmative."
Incredulous, Kurz said, "You gotta be kiddin' man…you're seventeen, dude…didn't you ever even crush on some hottie at the base?"
"Of course I admired some of the women on the Danaan…and on the base…but for their fighting abilities…their looks weren't important."
Sighing again Kurz said, "So you're saying that in your entire lifetime…you've NEVER once had a thing for a girl…never even had a wet dream about any girl."
Blushing at the crude statement Sousuke retorted, "That's personal, Kurz."
"Ah-ha, so you have!" Kurz crowed in triumph. "So out with it…who is she?"
Sousuke said irritably, "If you must know…it's Kaname."
Kurz snickered, "So Angel's your first love, huh…how cute."
Getting very annoyed Sousuke snapped, "Look, if all you're going to do is make glib observations I'm hanging up."
Kurz surrendered, "Okay, okay…chill out, dude…what you need to do now is make it up to her."
"And how do I do that?"
Kurz proceeded, "Well you…woo her."
Now he was completely baffled. "Woo her? What's that?"
"You bring her gifts…flowers…candy or something that shows you're thinking about her… and you take her out to eat, see a movie...,or something…just to let her know you're sorry you screwed up."
Sousuke thought carefully about this and then answered, "Is that so?"
Kurz affirmed, "Yep…believe me bro, those are the tried and true ways to make it better when you blow it with your girl."
Thinking about what Kurz told him Sousuke said, "Understood…thanks Kurz."
"Hey no problem…just give Kaname my love…well, you know what I mean," he said jovially. "Good luck."
'Woo her' Kurz said…bring her gifts…take her out to eat…to let her know I'm sorry…but how do I do that when she's mad and probably won't even talk to me? I haven't a clue…
Sousuke's reverie was cut short by the soft summons of Mikihara Ren who with Hayashimizu had approached him…and he turned to them, eyeing Ren quizzically as Hayashimizu came to him and told him to follow. As he complied Sousuke addressed the student council president…
"Begging your pardon sir, but when you requested I meet you at lunch you neglected to tell me the reason you wished to see me…and…" he added as he gestured toward Rem, "why Mikihara-san is here."
Hayashimizu continued his trek as he answered, "Sagara-kun, with the imminent event of the Autumn Leaf Cotillion I thought that your training in the art of love should proceed at an elevated pace…so I took the liberty of asking Mikihara-san to assist us…I take it you have no objection?"
"Uh…," Sousuke hesitated then thought about the logical reason behind Mikihara, a girl, being involved in his special training…and seeing the obvious wisdom in Hayashimizu's tactic acquiesced, "Negative, sir."
"Then let's go."
Always obedient Sousuke followed as the student council president led him down the hallway with Ren in tow and they headed down to the home economics room. He was perplexed by the action until he spotted the set up of a table and two chairs that looked like a table for two at a restaurant complete with lace tablecloth, candles, and budvase with a single red rose.
He turned to Hayashimizu and asked, "With all due respect Your Excellency, I fail to see the reason for this…if I may ask what we are doing here?"
Hayashimizu replied evenly, "Sagara-kun, one thing you must learn when it comes to women, chivalry is paramount…a man who wants to impress and win a woman must show her the utmost courtesy and respect."
Sousuke nodded. "Understood...so how do I accomplish this?"
"Allow me to show you…See I have brought Mikihara-san to dine with me…and I want her to know what an honor it is."
He went over to one chair and Ren followed to stand by as Hayashimizu pulled the chair out for her to daintily take the seat. The president adjusted the chair under her then he made his way to the other chair. After he sat down he addressed Sousuke.
"So Sagara-kun, did you understand what I just did?"
Sousuke stood there and mulled over what he had seen the student council president do and made several observations…the first being that he noticed the very solicitous manner in which Hayashimizu treated Mikihara…with subtle and gentle touches on her shoulder as he adjusted her chair. The other thing he took note of was Mikihara's reaction…her lovely face was alight as she enjoyed the attention shown to her, eyes sparkling and creating a most fetching picture. He then imagined Chidori reacting the same way to him…and his heart soared.
He answered, "I think so, sir."
Hayashimizu and Mikihara both rose and the president gestured to Sousuke. "Now Sagara-kun, it's your turn…pretend that Mikihara-san is Chidori…and show her the same courtesy."
Surveying the scenario Sousuke frowned in concentration Pretend Mikihara is Chidori? Well, I suppose it is feasible…both are Japanese, female, and have ideal physiques…but in other ways they're as different as night and day…Mikihara is refined and dignified while Chidori is…lively and assertive…like a bluebird compared to a dove…
"Uh…Sagara-san?"
Ren was patiently waiting, bringing the mercenary back to the present. He shook himself and rose to the challenge of attempting to do something completely alien to him and approached her from the rear, just as he saw Hayashimizu do…
From his observation post to the side the sempai directed, "Now Sagara-san, you seat the lady you have brought to dine with you…showing her you care…"
"Understood."
Sousuke pulled the chair out and waited as Ren sat down, then adjusted the chair. Then a chimera was painted by his imagination as Mikihara suddenly morphed into…Chidori!
Chidori…I remember that night in your kitchen…when I came up from behind you and…wrapped my arms around you…and called you my Angel…
Closing his eyes Sousuke lost himself in the fantasy, moving his hands slowly, delicately from the chair to her shoulders, caressingly running his hands though her silky hair…
He was so deeply into his daydream that Hayashimizu rose and cleared his throat loudly. "Sagara-kun…you can let go now."
At the sempai's summons Sousuke came rushing back to reality and whipped his hands away from Ren's slender shoulders. "Please forgive me sir, ma'am," he said blushing and completely flustered as he came stiffly to attention ready to receive swift retribution for his breach in protocol.
Ren rose and tried to put the disconcerted young soldier at ease. "That's quite all right, Sagara-san…Chidori-san would probably really appreciate your being so attentive to her."
Standing as if Commander Mardukas were there reading him the riot act Sousuke's expression relaxed as he looked at her and said, "Do you really think so?"
Ren smiled and nodded. "Uh-huh…I think she'd find it quite endearing."
"Hmmm." Sousuke became thoughtful as Hayashimizu came and laid a hand on his shoulder.
"That was very good, Sagara-kun…are you ready for the next lesson?"
Sousuke snapped to attention again as he replied, "Affirmative."
"Then stand by and watch this."
"Yes sir." Sousuke relaxed to Parade Rest and proceeded to watch…
The sempai went over to the clothes rack by the sewing machines and withdrew a deep crimson velvet cloak. He then came over to stand behind Ren again, this time with the cloak in hand. He addressed Sousuke as he opened the cloak…
"Sagara-kun, when a man is out with a lady it is also customary to assist her with her wrap…both taking it off and putting it on…first putting it on…"
He gently placed the cloak around Rem's shoulders and allowed his hands to linger around her in a loose embrace…and once again Sousuke picked up a very subtle underlying bond between the two as evidenced by Hayashimizu's ardent attention toward Mikihara and her radiant expression…and again his thoughts were of Chidori…
Hayashimizu then took his hands and just as gently as he helped put the cloak on he slid it off Mikihara's shoulders…then handed it to Sousuke…
"Now Sagara-kun…you try it."
With a look of ambivalence on his even features Sousuke came to stand behind Mikihara and held the cloak for her to slip into…and Hayashimizu stood aside to observe when a ring tone sounded, prompting the sempai to take out his cell phone. After he answered he looked up to apologize…
"Please excuse me but I must take this in private…so carry on." And he went into the home economic faculty office leaving Sousuke and Rem…alone…making the Mithril sergeant even more uncomfortable…
His awkward demeanor was not lost on Rem who wanted to set him at ease. "Sagara-kun, we should just go ahead…don't worry, I'll do my best to assist you."
"If you think so." Sousuke was doubtful.
"Uh-huh…just do as Hayashimizu-sama showed you." She waited there as Sousuke took the cloak and began to wrap it around her…
Just like Hayashimizu…only I'm doing this for Chidori…my Angel…
And then the vision from before revisited his mind's eye as a virtual reality of Kaname, …with her silky mane stood before him waiting for him to help her into her wrap … tantalizing him and luring him to again lock his arms about her …embracing his beloved…with eyes closed in ecstasy…
.
As this was transpiring, the captain of the amateur karate club, Tsubaki was entering the second floor hallway of the activities building and made his way down to the new club room, won by him in the infamous flirting contest, which was an anomaly since he was ordinarily a man who was not a skirt-chaser…he was musing about this as he stepped into the hall…
Huh, the reason I won that thing was to get our club the room…not to get any women…hell, there's only ONE woman I want…and only one thing stands in my way…Sagara!
The activities rooms on the second floor had glass panels along one side, enabling anyone in the hall to see what was taking place in all the rooms…the home ec room the very first…and when Tsubaki inadvertently glanced in as he was passing…he stopped dead in his tracks…What the hell? That's Sagara…with another girl!
Meanwhile Kaname, after hearing about her friends' pairing up for the dance at lunch and having had her private pity party under the stairs of the activities building, composed herself and then began climbing the stairs to head to the student council room. She planned to use the computer in the office there to knock out the basic ticket design she and the PR committee had decided upon to print out and give to Ren to have printed…and with the news of the event having spread so fast…she had to move quickly…
She skittered up the stairs and as she entered the hall she saw Tsubaki, his face pressed against the glass panels that looked into the home ec room. Puzzled she came over to see what had the karate captain's rapt attention…
"Hey Tsubaki, what's up?"
Startled he whirled around and came to face Kaname and with a nervous giggle he greeted her, "Hey Chidori…what's goin' on?"
"That's what I was about to ask you." She went to the panel but Tsubaki blocked her way, taking hold of her shoulders.
"L-look Chidori, let's go to the karate room…I'll show you what me and the guys are working on for the Culture Festival." He tried to steer her away but she rebuffed his attempt…
"Sorry Issei, but I can't now…I need to head to the student council room to do the ticket design for the big dance…so if you'll excuse me…"
Kaname again tried to push past but stopped with a stunned expression on her face as she saw what was going on in the home economics room. And with the same morbid fascination as one who cannot avoid staring at a wreck on the highway, her eyes were riveted to the very intimate scene unfolding within…
So that's why he dissed me…again…even though HE wanted to meet with me…but…to be with…REN??? Something's not right…
She then headed to enter the room…
"Chidori…wait!"
Seeing the potential explosive encounter dead ahead Tsubaki tried to run interference but Kaname was not about to be denied in her desire to get to the truth. She and Tsubaki strode in and her heart constricted as she saw what appeared to be a very private and intimate scene…Unable to believe what she was seeing Kaname cleared her throat…
"Hope I'm not interrupting anything…" She spoke in a subdued tone…quite unusual for her…
"Huh?"
At the softly uttered statement both Sousuke and Ren responded in surprise to someone entering the room. However, when they saw it was Kaname and Tsubaki Sousuke' s manner became panicked as he immediately withdrew his hands from Ren's shoulders in the twinkling of an eye.
"C-Chidori…this isn't …I-I can explain," he stammered coming forward to entreat her but Kaname sidestepped him as if he were not even there and addressed Ren…
"Mikihara-san, I was just heading over to the student council room to do a ticket design mock up to give you to take and get printed…"
Ren, also anxious to avert a very volatile situation began to explain. "Chidori-san…it really is not as it appears with me and Sagara-san…," but Kaname grinned and held up a hand.
"Hey, don't sweat it, okay…Sousuke's free to do whatever he wants…and I had no business barging in on you two."
Sousuke came forward to try again. "Please Chidori…let me explain…"
She abruptly cut him off. "Explain what…that you wanted to 'talk about our situation' then kept me waiting while you were up here with Ren?"
Her voice became agitated and for a moment she was herself…vintage Chidori Kaname in all her furious, outraged glory. And Sousuke visibly flinched as he waited for her to mete out the usual punishment with her harisen. However, like a summer thunderstorm, the rage passed as she sighed and added, "But that's okay…if something came up that was urgent…I understand."
Kaname cast a glance at Sousuke and saw how his expression was mixed… taciturn as he was stifled by her claim and yet his eyes were broadcasting a plea that tugged at her heart as if to say…Please believe in me …but having seen him holding Ren, with his eyes closed as if he were in heaven caused it to lurch painfully…
She said, "I have only a half hour before my next class so I gotta jet… I'll see you guys in class…and again I'm sorry." She then took off …hurrying out of the room…
Sousuke said, "Kaname…" but she was gone.
Ren then made to save face as she bowed politely and also exited leaving behind the two bitter adversaries…
Sousuke stood there in the home economics room with Tsubaki, who was glaring at him accusingly but the mercenary was raw and in no mood to deal with the karate captain. However Tsubaki, filled with indignation foolishly spoke…and in doing so performed an action that was tantamount to waving a red flag before a bull…
"I never figured you to be a two-timer, Sagara…but I know what I saw."
Sousuke scoffed, "And what was that?"
"You …making time with another woman…you're despicable and I'm glad Chidori saw it."
Beyond mere anger Sousuke fought the rising urge to take out his gun and empty the clip into Tsubaki or beat him senseless…instead he spoke in a low deadly voice…
"Tomorrow, after final period…on the basketball court on the roof of the athletics building."
Tsubaki snorted, "What the hell are you babbling about?"
Sousuke met his glare with a coldly baleful look of his own. "You've been challenging me to meet you for the longest time now…I'm telling you tomorrow's the day…you want it…you got it…but be prepared for the worst when you come."
Tsubaki laughed contemptuously as he said, "Fine by me…and if you chicken out again…I'll come looking for you."
The Mithril sergeant grinned back evilly as he answered, "You needn't worry…I'll be there."
Tsubaki snorted then turned and left as Sousuke watched him. He then reached for his cell phone and hit the speed dial code for Mithril…
"Urzu-7…requesting immediate pick up and transport to Merida Island base ASAP….Affirmative." He hung up and sprinted from the room…
NEXT…FIGHTING BOY WINS BACK GIRL