Author's notes: We get to see more Fujioka+Asuka friendship interactions. So cute! Thank you all who read and review. -hearts- XD Anon, Asuka's mom is always mean. I wonder what wonderful Asuka-otomen moment will finally melt her hardened heart?
When he finally found Fujioka's class during study period the next day, those obnoxious twins were a human barrier between Asuka and Fujioka. He'd dealt with more annoying types before… Despite their harsh language, they didn't seem the type to get into a physical altercation.
Catty eyes were on him at once. "Asuka-chan has come!" They said as one.
Fujioka looked up from his work and smiled at him. It was a little like Ryo's that it made his heart stop momentarily. Shaking his head to clear it, he stood next to Fujioka's desk as the twins sidled next to him, caging him in. "…"
"Did you need something Masamune-kun?"
"I was wondering if you had time to help me with—"
"Oh-ho! What a ploy to get closer to Haruhi!" Said the one on the left, and when he paused the other continued with more snark, "Well, it's not gonna work. You know he's already taken right?"
"Wh-what, th-that wasn't," Asuka stammered as he turned bright red.
"Hikaru! Kaoru! I'll give you my lunch if you stop bothering us!"
The Twins 'feh'-ed at him and slunk away. "We'll catch up with you another time, Asuka-chan!"
I sincerely hope not, Asuka thought with a grimace.
"Don't worry about those guys. Were you struggling in one of your classes?" Fujioka asked gently.
He nodded. "I have no idea what's going on in English."
"How about this: I can tutor you when I have free time during study period and then during Host Club time. I'll convince Kyouya-senpai. Do you bring a lunch from home?"
"Yes."
"Then we can also study during lunch period, if that's okay with you?"
Asuka bowed as he smiled happily. "Thank you so much," Straightening, he frowned slightly, "but will you be alright today since you gave away your lunch?"
"Yeah. I always make a second one in case I need to bribe those two."
C-cool, Asuka thought suddenly. Fujioka is cool and prepared, like a war general used to fighting demons. But, Asuka secretly envied him too, since he wanted to make his own lunches. Maybe things were really that different when one was raised by a single father. Ryo had it hard enough with her father completely rejecting the feminine… Maybe it didn't have to be that way.
"Let's meet in your classroom during lunch. I know how difficult it can be to get around a monstrously-sized building like this."
Asuka nodded and after another expression of gratitude made it back to his class.
When the dreaded English class was over, Asuka set the books aside and pulled out his bento box leaving his chopsticks on top of the lid until Fujioka could join him.
The trio of his fangirls looked disappointed but understanding when he explained that he was getting extra help from Fujioka during the lunch period.
"Ah-hhhh-ah!" One of the Hitachiin twins exclaimed, arms stretched out, and commented in English about something relating to the room. The other glanced at him and spoke rapid-fire English, saying Asuka's name. Then they laughed so that the freshman knew that they were talking about him.
He felt his ears burn.
"Shut up and get out!" Fujioka raised his voice in enunciated English, his finger lifting to the doorway. "You're being rude," he continued in their native language, "and we've made a deal."
"Right, right," they sighed together as if it were a hardship to part from their classmate. "Why does Haruhi always have to be so boring?" said the lamenting voice on the right as the two exited.
"Now, let's get to work, shall we?" Fujioka smiled warmly with a tilt to his head that made Asuka's heart flutter.
Not thinking anything of his senpai's cuteness, Asuka devoted himself to Fujioka's knowledgeable words in between bites of his mother's terrible homemade food.
At the end of their lesson, Fujioka looked deliberately at Asuka's half-eaten bento. "Would you like me to bring you a bento? I can't imagine your stomach feels very good after eating all that burnt and vinegary food. No offense."
Asuka flushed. "It's okay, Fujioka-senpai. You needn't trouble yourself."
"Trust me. It's no trouble at all," Fujioka replied easily. "I just need to know if you like sweet, subtle, or bitter things?"
"I'll eat anything as long as it tastes good," he stated bluntly.
Fujioka grinned. "Then you'll have to eat whatever I give you. Is that a deal?"
Asuka nodded.
Fujioka glanced at the clock on the wall. "Well, I've gotta get to my next class. See you later at the Host Club." Fujioka packed up his bento and grabbed his bag, heading to his next class.
Since no one else was in the classroom, Asuka walked over to the trashcan and emptied his bento, so his mother wouldn't scold him later.
His stomach growled and cramped. He grabbed his thermos and sucked water down. He hoped it settled before Kendo Club in a few hours.
TBC.
