As usual, speeches and thoughts in between '*' are in English, the rest in Japanese unless stated otherwise.

Disclaimers : Besides Ling-Er and Kaori, the other SD characters are copyrights of Inoue Takehiko.

Chapter 5 ; Love Sensation (Part II)


'Targets: Stay out of fights. Ignore idiot Rukawa. Pass exams. Win Haruko-chan's heart. Be a genuine genius!' posters and banners can be seen all over Sakuragi's room. Smiling, Sakuragi marked another date off his calendar triumphantly. Just then, the Sakuragi Gundam entered his room. Chyuichiro, Yuji and Nozomi were laughing their heads off as they saw it. (Smokes came out of Sakuragi's head as he turned boiling red) Yohei controlled himself as he confronted Sakuragi, "Cool down. They just don't know the true virtue of a genius." And Sakuragi laughed. "That's right! Idiots don't understand geniuses! Muahahahahaha!" (sweatdrops)
"So, Hanamichi, do you have confidence in winning Haruko's heart?" Nozomi asked. "Stop asking stupid questions, of course I CAN. I'm genius Sakuragi Hanamichi. Who can resist me?" he boasted. "50 girls already did," they all mumbled under their breath. They each got a bump in their heads for that.
"They're having a party at Glasses Boy's house tonight. This is your chance, Hanamichi!" Yuji encouraged with tears in his eyes as he rubbed his temple. Sakuragi narrowed his eyes. "How do you know?" The Sakuragi Gundam smiled knowingly at each other. They each took out a short note. 'Join us into welcoming home party for Kogure at his house tonight. PEACE. Akagi Haruko.' Sakuragi took out his note. "I thought I'm the only one with it…" he said, heartbroken.

There were many people present for the 'party'. The 'organizing committee' had promised Kogure to help him clean up after the whole party. There were even unexpected guests, including some Kogure did not know- the freshmen in the Shohoku basketball team. Tono, Kei and Kai. Not to forget the other benchwarmers, Yasuda, Anta and Shozaki. Haruko invited her best friends, Fuji and Matsui along too. All in all, the party was a merry one.
Ling-Er (having trouble catching up with them as they speak quickly without giving time for her to interpret like Haruko, Akagi, Kaori and Mitsui did) mixed with Fuji and Matsui while Haruko and Sakuragi were deeply involved in their own conversation. The Sakuragi Gundam was spying with obvious camouflages. Yohei, again, did not join them but was in a lip fight with Kaori. The guys were busying discussing the University Cups (which, of course, was won by Kanagawa University), as Uozumi and Jin were there too. The younger ones listened attentively. Akagi was checking his watch every few minutes anxiously, and Mitsui teased him continuously.
It was almost nine when a pretty girl with wavy hair stepped into the house. "Hi," she greeted breathlessly. Silence. Everyone looked at her suspiciously. "Sister! What are you doing here?" the twins, Kei and Kai, broke the silence. She looked at them in surprise. "Kei, Kai! What are YOU doing here?" she asked back. "You know each other?" several voices asked in unison. They explained that the girl was their elder sister. "Who invited you?" the twins demanded.
Akagi coughed. "Guys, meet Norimaki Keiko," he introduced. "Akagi Takenori's girlfriend," Mitsui added and Keiko blushed. Akagi glared at him, who was laughing hysterically. Everyone nodded, showing they understand. "Gori has a girlfriend, Gori has a girlfriend," the Sakuragi Gundam cheered. Haruko was complaining the fact that Mitsui get to know her brother has a girlfriend before her. Immediately it was noisy again. Kogure smiled as he saw that although his best friend was trying to 'act' mad at Mitsui, he looks happy, sharing quick glances with Keiko. He stole a glance at Ayako, who looked away when she saw him looking at her. If only I can settle my own love life…

"I can't believe brother has a girlfriend and did not tell me!" Haruko complained to Sakuragi. "You can do that too," he told her mischievously. Haruko looked confused. "How?" "Simple, accept me and don't tell him," he replied, "Didn't I tell you I'm a genius?" Haruko laughed. "You're so naughty," she scolded. Sakuragi crossed his fingers. She did not continue and he was losing hope…when she added, "But I agree with it." He was in e-cloud 9 for a whole 5 minutes before Haruko could bring him down and back to reality.

"So?" Ayako asked. She and Kogure were alone, outside the house. The night breeze was cold, especially when it was nearly winter. "So what?" he asked innocently.
"You know, Kogure," she replied. "I can't believe you are such a coward."
"You know I'm not, but we just can't…"
"Can't let everyone know that we're an item? That I love you, and you love me? Is there anything wrong?" Ayako demanded, her voice nearly cracked.
"But… Miyagi-san… I can't hurt him. I can't betray him. I know how he feels about you," he told her, the reason sounding lame even to himself, true as it was.
"You know how I feel towards him. You know… that I liked you since I first became the Shohoku team manger," she told him drily.
"I miss you, Ayako," he said.
"I miss you too." They embraced. "Don't worry, I'll announce to everyone, later," he whispered. Ayako smiled and leaned on the older boy's chest happily. They were too busy with each other to notice another one's presence near them.

Miyagi didn't know what he was feeling. Everything seemed blur. His dearest Aya-chan has a boyfriend, and it's one of his most trusted friend. He wanted to marched between them, separate them, and beat Kogure up, but he couldn't. Ayako was happy with Kogure. He couldn't hurt Ayako. He couldn't make her mad at him. Perhaps, it was the best thing to do… unless Kogure hurt Ayako. He swore he could never forgive Kogure if he did anything to hurt Ayako. And he turned away, tears rolling down his cheeks.

Surprisingly, Rukawa started feeling lonely. Sakuragi wasn't picking up fights with him anymore. In fact, he was practically ignoring him. Haruko, too, paid less attention to him. It was rather boring without Sakuragi's entertainment. He walked outside the house, towards the back compound. He was surprised when he saw Kogure and Ayako being so intimate. He coughed, startling them. They blushed, and excused themselves and went inside the house to joined the party. I suppose I'm the only one who has this feeling… of loneliness.
"Rukawa-kun," a voice called. He looked around. It was Ling-Er. She approached him. "Join in the party. That redhead is ignoring you, but doesn't mean you can't have fun," she told him. He snorted. What would SHE understand? "You're shutting yourself. Give a chance to others to know you," she continued. He kept quiet. She continued with her philosophy. Though she was talking to him, he realized she was trying to convince herself. She looked as if she was repeating quotes from somewhere. Somehow, he felt better, as if he had received a great motivation talk.
He turned to her when she stopped. He approached her, raising his hand for a handshake. Ling-Er jumped back in fright. Forgot she's weirdo… "Thanks," he muttered. Ling-Er smiled, though her face was pale. Then she ran off. Can't believe I let a weirdo advice me… he went inside. To enjoy himself.

Everyone thought the night was perfect. Everyone was enjoying themselves. Miyagi as the only exception. Mitsui was struggling about his feelings towards Ling-Er when Kogure announced that he and Ayako started becoming an item a few weeks before he left to study in Tokyo. Then , he frowned when he remembered that he owed her a number of treats. How could she eat so much…isn't she afraid of gaining weight?
Even a certain stalker thought the party was great A prefect chance to pick on a certain girl. If only she could come out alone again. Mitsui couldn't be there to protect her. No one would. He would have his revenge on Mitsui. He couldn't wait. If he didn't have the chance that night, he would strike the next morning. He promised himself that.

"Ling-Er-chan, how come you are not afraid of Kogure-kun? Fuji was asking when Kaori joined in the conversation after she finished quarreling enough with Yohei, grumbling and complaining about him. "I understand that you're not afraid of Akagi-kun and Mitsui-kun, but Kogure-kun is just as adorable as the other good-looking guys you freak at," Matsui added. Akagi and Mitsui, who were nearby, overheard them and glared over. (heat and smoke released from their bodies) Are they trying to hint her that we're extremely horrible looking?
"Not me. I don't understand she's not afraid of Mitsui. Not many guys with scars across their chins are 'good'," Kaori revealed her thoughts. The other two girls nodded. Ling-Er shrugged. *They won't understand, not when I myself don't understand it. * Around Akagi, she felt secured. With Mitsui, she had the wonderful feeling of being understood and loved. As for Kogure, she felt at ease. He was very special, very different from other guys. She believed she made a great improvement. At least she wasn't afraid of three guys, and tried to befriend Rukawa (though failed). She couldn't explain why she did not have the fear she used to have, she was glad.
"Look at Haruko and Sakuragi," Kaori pointed to the couple who were laughing happily together. The girls looked over and grinned wickedly. "Time for fun," Fuji whispered naughtily. Kaori shook her head. "You girls go ahead. Ling-Er and I have to leave. Brother will be mad if I stay too long," she informed them, then explained that Ling-Er will be staying overnight at her house.

What? Why is that little girl there with her? She's ruining my plan! Arghh! Never mind. I'll just add her to my victim list. Another girl won't be much of a trouble for me. Blame yourself for interrupting my master plan.
Wait… who is that guy? Isn't he the on who spoilt my plan that day? What is he doing here? What is he doing with the girls? Never mind. I guess I'll just leave it till tomorrow. Sometimes patience is important. I'll make sure they pay for my patience, and my waste of time. The punishment HAVE to be twice as bad as tonight's suppose to be.



Author's Note: I shortened everything, since I figure two all romance chapters would be way too boring. Next chapter there'll be more excitement. For sure. Remember to review. And erm… no one tell me what you think about Ling-Er's pic… :~~~(

Next Chapter: Confusion; Main plot: Friendly matches, the stalker struck Ling-Er again and Mitsui confessing his feelings~ Mix them all together you get the next chapter, confusion~ :)