Disclaimer: I don't own Rosario + Vampire or Dai Guard
Author's note: I realize I made a mistake on chapter 1. Shunsuke is actually Akagi's first name, not Aoyama (His first name is Keiichiro). That was me being an asshat, which I have corrected now but I decide to record my shame in this AN. XD
Jokes aside, I have already gotten a couple of reviews saying I'm mistreating Tsukune. While I can understand the sentiment (And I'm happy there are people who care about Tsukune), I'd like to say I don't hate him. If I do then I won't write stories about him. For example, you won't caught me dead writing a story about Naruto.
There are writers who like to spoil and pamper their favorite character. Making everything go their way. Sadly, I'm one of the few (possibly sadistic) writers who like to do the opposite. I tend to throw a lots of shit to my favorite characters, and then have them climb out that figurative shit mountain and be triumphant in the end. All in good time of course.
;)
Tsukune holds his head high. In spite of all the curious glances throw into his way.
There's no need to stare at the ground. Especially when there's no way to hide his bandaged head from plain view.
The salary man vampire walks the same hallway he's been walking for two years. He walks toward his Public Relationship Division 2. Even before reaching the door he hears Akagi's spirited. "Good morning everybody!"
Such youthful energy gives a smile to Tsukune's face. He pushes the door to his division open. "Good morning everyone."
"Wow! What happened to you Aono?" Akagi drops his bag onto the floor.
"High School reunion." Tsukune waves it off as he walks towards his desk. He keeps a nonchalant smile on his face.
"Oh~ This has got to be good. Did you have too much beer, or not enough coffee?" One of his female co-worker asks with an impish smile on her face. Fuuka Tanigawa, the one with dark tan skin and short blonde hair. For some reason her expression makes Tsukune think of Yukari. Even if they can't look further apart.
"Run out of sweet Mocha. Had to take bitter." Tsukune instinctively reaches his hand towards his hair. He manages to catch his movement to avoid another minor headache. The salary man vampire settles for a face scratch instead. "My head... slip in the bath."
"I was hoping to dig up some dirt on our good boy. Boring~!" Tanigawa throws her arms around her chest. She sits back into her chair and lets out a disappointed huff.
"Aono does feel like a sweet Mocha boy than someone who drink black coffee." Shizuka Irie offers her usual emotionless comment. It's hard to imagine this mature looking woman is just twenty years old. Even if her height, posture and look suggest otherwise.
"Ha! Sweet Mocha boy. I like that title!" Tanigawa throws her arm up. Almost like she's ready to give Irie a high five.
"Now, now everyone. A little joke to light up the day is not bad. But let's not make Aono-Kun uncomfortable." A slow clap echoes in the room. Everyone turns their attention towards their division head Haruo Oosugi. An old, portly gentleman with a pair of glasses and a mustache on his face. "It's important we make everyone feel welcome in our division."
"Yes sir!" Everyone in the office give a serious reply as they go back to their work.
"This pile is for Mr. Aono." The woman with long, curly brown hair puts down half of the pile on Tsukune's desk. She dump the rest to Akagi.
"Hey! What's that for Ooyama!?" Akagi's head jerks upwards in protest.
"Aono is injured. So you need to help out your co-worker a bit." Ooyama Noriko gives her usual motherly smile to Akagi. "Work off your extra energy."
The energetic man puffs out a sigh. He hangs his head down in defeat.
"I can take them all. Don't want to bother you..." Tsukune reaches his hand toward Akagi's desk. Akagi takes the document pile up with both of his arm. He shoves them out of Tsukune's way.
"No way man. You need to take it easy once in a while. Stop being a brave soldier all the time." Akagi laughs in an exaggerated way as he repeatedly slap Tsukune's shoulder. "You are going to make me look bad!"
"You are quite capable of making yourself look bad without Aono." The sarcastic comment comes from Ibuki Momoi. The girl with short red hair and even shorter temper. "I bet Aono will finish his work before you. Even with that head injure handicap."
"I'm not that dumb!" Akagi protest in loud voice. He throws his face towards Tsukune. "Let's see who finishes his work early Aono! May the best man wins!"
The pilot of Dai-Guard buries his head into his work afterwards.
"It's not a race, Akagi. If you only care about speed, you'll make too many mistakes." Aoyama walks behind everyone carrying his tea mug. "Don't make yourself do the same work twice."
Tsukune shakes his head and focuses on his own work. He can't help but have a smile on the corner of his mouth.
Light Pink Lover
Chapter 6 Back Alley Dream Boy
The last piece of document set properly into its rightful place.
"All right everyone. This day is done. Good work." Cheers erupt inside Public Relationship Division 2. Everyone start to grab their belongings.
"All the wrap up of that fair is finally done... let's party!" Fuuka turns her head towards Tsukune. "You aren't getting away this time, Aono."
"Isn't it weird to party on Monday night?" Tsukune looks outside the window. It's already dark outside. "Besides, it's already late and I need some rest for this head trauma."
"You didn't look traumatized to me." Shizuka moves her eyes to look at Tsukune's desk. A huge pile of finished, and organized paper sits on it.
"Come on man. Just a quick beer and you can leave? We work together so we got to stick together." Akagi throws his arm around Tsukune's shoulder. "I even helped your share today."
Tsukune looks at his energetic co-worker's face. He smiles at Akagi. "Alright. Just a quick beer."
"Ha! We finally got Aono on board. Our division's heart breaker will be next." Fuuka shares a quick high five with her conspirators.
"Some fun time after hard work is good for recharge. But, don't party too hard you'll miss tomorrow's shift." Division leader Haruo says as he tidies his own desk.
"Sir, yes sir!" Once again everyone shouts in unison. This time with much more pep than morning. Everyone finishes their tidy up and walks out of their office one by one. Chatting topics with their own friends.
Tsukune is the last to leave their office. He walks behind the crowed. A few steps away from his happy co-workers.
It makes the salary man vampire nostalgic. Watching Akagi and Momoi gets into another fight. The women from their division chatting gospels. Or their three portly stooges Ishizuka, Taguchi, Ijuin talking about guy stuff.
Those simple things reminds him of the good time in newspaper club back in Yokai Academy.
Last Sunday is a pretty good indication he can't go back to the good old time anymore.
The girls: Kurumu, Mizore and Ruby all have their own lives. He feels like an intruder more than a friend in that supposed high school reunion.
As for Moka... well, she's Moka Akashiya. She obviously doesn't need him to be happy.
"Oh, are you waiting for someone?" Tsukune hears Noriko's voice from the front. He moves his head. Trying to find an opening through the wall of people to see what's going on.
Standing right besides a tree outside their 21st Century building is Yukari Sendou. Her big Witch hat covers her face. She's also wearing a purple blouse, short yellow skirt, and black cape instead of her professional looking suit.
For a split moment she looks like something that jumps straight out of Tsukune's memory. From ten years ago, when they are all happy in Yokai Academy's newspaper club.
It only takes another moment to realize she's much taller. Her hair is also much longer reaching all the way towards her legs.
"Hi there. I'm waiting for an indigo guy." Yukari rises her head to show her face to the crowd. Tsukune immediately shrinks back. He silently tries to slip into a back alley.
"Oh, you are waiting for Aoyama? I'm sorry but he left early like always."
"Nope, the other indigo guy." Yukari's laughter makes everyone spin their body to look at Tsukune. Kind of awkward. Since he's in the process of imitating Solid Snake.
"Oh... hi there everyone." Tsukune waves to his co-workers. He throws away a cardboard box.
"That trick only works when the guard didn't see you. Tsukune, you dummy!" Yukari bends over like a shrimp. She has one of her arm pointing at Tsukune. Her other hand is covering her stomach. Trying to stop her stomach cramp from laughing too hard.
"Aono? You two know each other?" Akagi scratches his head. He walks besides Tsukune and pulls him up from the ground.
"Yeah... we went to the same high school." Tsukune looks away from his co-workers and Yukari. A sheepish smile on his face.
Tsukune's co-workers look at him and back at Yukari again. Ibuki finally breaks the silence. "She looks a bit young. But Aono also have a young looking face..."
Chiaki Nakahara lets out a nervous chuckle. The resident short haired girl with glasses is often mistaken for being much younger than 25. Mainly due to her petit and delicate face, and her somewhat timid personality.
"That was cold of you Tsukune Aono. Trying to give me the slip instead of introducing me to your buddies." Yukari crosses her arms in front of her chest. The wink on her face betrays her true emotions.
"Right. Everybody from Public Relationship Division 2. This is Yukari Sendou, a friend from high school. And Yukari, they are my co-workers..." Tsukune lets out a sigh of resignation. He walks in front of everyone, telling Yukari their names. "...And we are missing Aoyama, who always go home on time."
"Aono, you sly dog. Why haven't you told us you got such a cute girlfriend?" Fuuka squint her eyes. She gives Tsukune a light punch on his shoulder. The blonde girl has a mocking smile on her face.
"Yukari and I aren't dating. We just met again last week!" Tsukune waves both of his arm over his head. His animated gesture makes his co-worker either chuckle or laugh.
Yukari pouts her face at Tsukune's reaction. "You don't need to deny it so fast. Do I embarrass you or something?"
"No! That's not what I meant!" Tsukune jumps up on his feet again. Once again drawing the laughter of his co-workers.
"Yet both of you are on a first name basis." Ibuki's comment gives Tsukune a light blush on the face.
The more outgoing ones from his division surround Tsukune. Giving him some light punches on his shoulder. Or roughs his hair a little.
"Now, now. That's enough jokes on Mr. Aono's expense. Aren't we going to have a quick drink before we all go home?" Division head Haruo claps his hands again.
"Yes Sir!" Everyone lets go of Tsukune. The guys slip him thumb ups when the girls aren't looking.
"So, you are going to have a drink with your buddies, Tsukune dear? Mind if I tag along?" Yukari jogs her way besides Tsukune. The young Witch slips her arm into Tsukune's once again.
"Well... I'm just going to have a quick one before I go home. Don't you have classes to prepare?" Tsukune scratches his chin with his index finger.
"Already taken care of. I'm a genius after all." Yukari puffs out her chest with a confident smile.
"Classes? Are you a teacher Miss Sendou?" Ibuki turns her head towards Yukari.
"Call me Yukari. As for your question, professor actually. Tokyo University, faculty of science. Physics professor." Yukari chuckles as she look down at her own cloth. "I usually dress professional, but a girl got to show her best to the guy she likes, right Tsukune?"
"Why are you asking me!?" Tsukune gives Yukari a puzzled look.
All the women in their group lets out a loud sigh in front of him.
The three portly stooges drag the clueless man away from Yukari. They each give him a noogie. "Someone like Miss Sendou is a god send to you. Stop taking her for granted."
"What are you guys talking about!?" Tsukune runs his finger through his ruffled hair.
"You are in for the long haul Miss Yukari. My condolences." Ibuki puts her hand on Yukari's shoulder. She gives the Witch a sympathetic nod.
"That's nothing new. He actually got smarter from high school." Yukari turns her face towards Tsukune. She tips her feet and pets Tsukune's head. "Be a good boy now."
"Since when have I been a bad boy...?" Tsukune throws his arms up in bewilderment. His stance breaks when he meets Yukari's puppy dog eyes. "Okay, trying to sneak away from you was a shitty thing to do."
"So you finally noticed." Yukari jumps up and gives the salary man vampire a hug. As she's close to Tsukune she whispers into his ears. "I'm sorry..."
"What for?" Tsukune gives her another bewildered look. The always cheerful Witch breaks her eye contact with Tsukune. Her sight fixes on the ground. Her face a sheepish, almost ashamed look.
Such look does not go with Yukari Sendou.
"What happened on Sunday. I didn't think Moka would actually hurt you..." Tsukune pinches her nose before she can continue on that train of thought. "...OW!"
"I was the one who wanted to go out and talk with her. I was also the one who pushed her murder button. Stop blaming yourself for it." Tsukune releases her nose. He runs his hand on Yukari's hat. "You were the one who drag everyone to that 'reunion' right?"
"Wha, what are you talking about?" Yukari suddenly freezes on the spot. She looks up to Tsukune with surprise on her face.
"I'm not an idiot... Ouch! Okay, I am. " Tsukune recoils back from the pain. He touches his head wound by accident when he tries to scratch his head.
"Yes, you are. You big dummy." Yukari giggles at Tsukune's carelessness.
"But, I'm not that stupid." Tsukune scratches his chin while looking thoughtful. "Kurumu was openly mad at me. Mizore treats me like I was not there. Ruby doesn't even want me to call her first name. And Moka... she is still being Moka Akashiya. None of them are even friendly with each other."
"You were the only one who was trying to have a good time. Doesn't take a child prodigy to figure out who was behind the thing. How did I do?" Tsukune turns his head towards Yukari. He has a somewhat smug look on his face.
"So you figured it out. You are good, for a dummy." Yukari giggles again as she looks down on the ground in front of her. "I thought If I just bring you back, maybe thing could go back to the way it should. It's pathetic isn't it? I always thought I'm smarter than everyone, but I keep doing useless things..."
Tsukune puts his arm around Yukari's shoulder. The salary man pulls her close to him. "I don't think you did something useless. Seeing how the girls look at me now. It gives me some closure. I know they don't need me to be happy with their lives. Hell, if anything all of them are happier without me meddling in their lives. That's something I won't be able to do myself. Because I'm afraid."
He turns to look at Yukari right in the eyes. Pinching her cheek while giving her a smile. "So thank you, for doing something 'useless'. For me."
"You, why you insist being an idiot!" Yukari blushes as she locks eye with Tsukune. She hammers him in the chest with her fist. She runs her other hand over her face. "You are going to ruin my make up!"
"Hey! Aono! What's taking you so long!" Both Tsukune and Yukari looks ahead. They realize everyone have walked half a block away from them. Akagi is waving his arm frantically at them. "Are you thinking about pulling an Aoyama on us again!?"
"You better not be making Miss Yukari cry Aono! Or else I'll give you a piece of my mind!" Ibuki says as she pulls up her sleeves.
"Haha... Sorry about your make up. Let's just have a beer with my co-workers and have a good time. Alright?" Both Tsukune and Yukari start to laugh. Tsukune turns his head to look at Yukari once again.
"I'd like that, you spoony boy." Yukari holds Tsukune's hand in her own. The two of them run forward to catch up to Tsukune's co-workers.
