Chapter 10

Disclaimer: I don't own Nwp.

Last chapter: What did he do to deserve this? He sunk lower in his chair, trying to hide himself with no success. Quickly he glanced over at Akira, who was looking out the window next to his desk, smiling and making little coo-ing noises at the birds that were in the tree. Shuji smiled slightly. His boyfriend really was cute. Suddenly he blushed and sunk lower into his seat, hoping that no one had noticed him.

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After class the group had their rehearsal for their Romeo and Juliet performance. So far no one had come up to him to ask him if it was true that he and Akira were going out, but he suspected that as soon as the class had time together without teacher supervision, they would. But it wasn't until halfway through rehearsal when Nobuta told him and Mariko that they needed to practise their kiss that the questions started.

At first it was just Akira.

"Kiss? What kiss?" He faced the question towards Nobuta but was looking between Shuji and Mariko who were currently the only two on stage.

"The kiss between Romeo and Juliet, Akira. You know, when they die for each other." She replied to him, not sure whether he really didn't know the story of Romeo and Juliet, or just didn't realise that Shuji would have to kiss someone other than him.

"Wait, Shuji can't kiss Mariko!" Ken, the boy they had met at the movies on the weekend spoke up. Everyone looked towards him.

"Yeah!" A few other students agreed.

"Why not?" Mariko asked, knowing the answer but wanting to get the awkward situation out of the way so they could continue rehearsal. The stares that Akira and Shuji had been getting all day were starting to annoy her.

"Well, you know..." Someone replied, trailing off. There was silence for a minute but it was soon broken by a girl by the name of Matilda.

"Because Akira and Shuji are gay!" She yelled out. Everyone was now either looking at the floor or at Matilda for a change. Shuji was looking at a spot on the wall out of the corner of his eyes, trying desperately not to look at anyone else. Akira was watching a fly that was flying around the room, and seemed to not be paying any attention to the people around him.

"So?" Mariko challenged.

"So, wouldn't it be weird and gross? I mean, come on, Mariko. I know you two went out a while ago, but he's with Akira now. It's creepy! If he kissed you just after he kissed Akira, it would be like an in-direct kiss!! Disgusting!" Matilda made a face at the thought. Shuji looked down to the ground, trying to blink away tears at the hurtful words he had heard.

"No, it's not creepy. Shuji and Akira love each other, what's wrong with that?" Mariko asked.

"Well for one they are both boys." A boy named David said.

"So? I for one think it is great that they have found someone they both love." Shuji reminded himself to thank Mariko as soon as they were alone. He didn't expect anyone to stick up for him like that.

"Akira love Shuji-kun!" Akira suddenly sang loudly, causing everyone to look at him. He giggled and spun around on the spot. Still Shuji did not look up, the tears threatening to spill any moment now.

"Gross! It's disgusting! Shuji the Mr-once-popular and Akira the freak! It is so wrong!" Matilda said, crossing her arms in front of her. Suddenly instead of the sadness that was taking over him, Shuji felt anger overwhelm him. He looked up, directly at Matilda.

"Akira is not a freak." He said, not loudly, but loud enough for the whole room to hear him clearly.

"Uh, you may not see it, but he is. He acts like a two year old, makes stupid hand signs and says the most ridiculous things." Matilda replied.

"He may act strange, but Akira is the most thoughtful, kind, and loving person ever, and I am glad he is my boyfriend, whether you agree to it or not!" Shuji ended up yelling. The room was stunned into silence as he walked swiftly from the room, the tears finally not being held back as he began to run away from their rehearsal room.

"I think you should apologise, Matilda." Mariko said, once Shuji had gone.

"Over my dead body." She remarked, leaving from another door.

"Those who do not accept Shuji and Akira's relationship, please leave." Nobuta said. She expected it to be half the class, but when only one other person left, she was grateful and extremely happy.

"I think we will leave rehearsal for today. We will continue tomorrow afternoon." She said but no one left.

"Nobuta, we want to know more about Shuji and Akira!"

"Yeah! When did they start going out?"

"Why didn't they tell anyone?" They were all the same questions that Mariko had asked when she found out, but Nobuta found herself unable to reply.

"I think it would be best if Shuji or Akira answered those questions." Suddenly everyone turned to Akira who was still the room, however, just watching everyone around him now. He had a dark expression on his face. The group started to fire questions towards him.

"Akira loves Shuji-kun, and that is all." Akira told them, then he too left.

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Hikarisailorcat