Title: Word Says
Pairing: Tokiya Mikagami x Fuuko Kirisawa
Rating: K
Theme: #12, In a Good Mood
Warnings: OOC!Mikagami, OOC!Fuuko. Lack of creativity. General lack of plot.
Word Count: 958
Disclaimer: I don't and won't ever own Flame of Recca and its characters. Please don't sue, I'm already broke.

A/N: First off, hello, Erika here! How has everyone been? Me? Let's just say I've been set back by a year in college, and have been struggling not to fail anymore, hence the lack of updates. :) I'm so sorry, really, but I totally haven't forgotten about this project… yet. :P Note that this is the first time I've written something again in the creative department after n months (years?), so please bear with me if this is a bit plain and lacks humor and creativity.

I've no beta, all errors and typos are mine.

Word says that he's getting softer.

Once, they say, he actually nodded and acknowledged the presence of a lower classman who waved at him while he was on the way to his next class. Another instance, they say, they saw him signalling and kicking the soccer ball back when it went astray from the school's soccer field.

"He smiled—" A pause, as if thinking thoughtfully, "—when this little girl, Ganko, I think he called her, went for a school visit. It was just for an instance… But I definitely saw it. If it's even still possible, I think he became more handso-"

"Hanabishi, please stop talking like you're an outsider being asked for an interview. And don't even attempt at giving flattery; it comes out as more of an insult. And please do not talk while your mouth is full, I don't want spit on my food."

"—Look, he even speaks longer sentences now."

Tokiya lets out an exasperated sigh. He knew it wasn't a good idea to eat at the café, what with the spreading news and all.

A smirk forms on Hanabishi Recca's face. "Not like you haven't always been, but I'm sure you are aware right now that everyone's talking about you. They say you've become more socially able now."

Taking another bite of her food, Fuuko asks, "How many girls and boys have been added on your fan list this time? I'm sure that smile earned you at least – Recca, what the hell, slow down, you're not on an eating contest!"

"Shorry, fer'sh jusht fife moar minitsh—" He swallows, "—'til my next class. I just realized I'm running late." With that, the young man drinks quickly then stands up. "Later, you both," he says before leaving Tokiya and Fuuko.

"Mataku, that Recca. I say he should have his schedule tattooed on his arm," Fuuko says, finishing the last bit of her own lunch. "Well, back to the topic at hand, I'm sure that rumoured smile earned you at least—"

"62 people."

"Excuse me?"

"62 people were added to my fan list, if you want to call it that."

"Gee, I didn't know you actually care enough to count them."

"I don't. But I find a list of names of people I don't know every day on my locker. It's starting to get annoying. Today, there were 62 new people." He explains in a matter-of-fact tone as he sets aside his now empty plate. He observes her at the corner of his eyes as he wipes his mouth.

The purple haired girl blinks a few times before trying to suppress a snigger – and then failing horribly. Tokiya rolls his eyes. "It's not funny, Kirisawa. Imagine your locker being cramped everyday and failing to be of any essential use."

Fuuko grins and teases, "I'm sorry, but your fans... They never fail to astound me. I might just sign up on your official fan club just for fun." She tucks a stray lock behind her ear and starts to play with the ice cubes on the glass with her straw. "Seriously though, I think there's some truth in the speculation going around. In any case, you're being more talkative now," She adds when he didn't reply.

"Someone has got to talk and reprimand you guys for always being loud."

Fuuko smiles knowingly. He may continue to deny it, but she knows he has changed. It doesn't at all surprise her. People change, no matter how much they refuse to. What has her wondering about is what brought about his especially good mood the past few days. Well, at least he doesn't snap at us every chance he gets now. "So, are you spilling?"

"About what?"

"Why you're in a good mood."

"I'm not. I'm actually pissed off right now. I'm going," He says, standing up.

The girl quickly grabs his wrist and pulls him back down. "Nope, you aren't." He looks at her with his eyebrow raised. "Yes, I am. Let go."

She tightens her grip.

These actions quickly spawned some mumblings and gossips at the other tables. Fuuko then lets go.

"Oooh. They're being friendly with each other!" "Who is she? Why is she close to Tokiya-sama?" "Oh my, she's being clingy to our Toki-chan!" "The nerve of that monkey girl! How can she even—"

Tokiya instantly sends dagger looks to the rumourmongers. He then turns around and looks at Fuuko, and, as if a sudden realization struck him, he smirks.

The purple-haired girl raises an eyebrow. "What? Mi-chan, Don't worry about me, I'm used to—"

He suddenly takes her hand in his. Slowly, he bends down, before finally, his lips touches the back of her hand.

Sounds of shattering plates, dropped utensils, and loud gasps echo throughout the café. Fuuko, herself, is astonished and is keeping still on her seat, holding her breath. She doesn't know if this is his idea of revenge for her teasing, but it's certainly making her… feel weird. At least, her stomach's being weird. She can swear there are moving, fluttering little things in her abdomen.

He stands up, his hand still holding on to hers. "Well, okay. I won't go. We are," He says, pulling her up. She bites her lips and follows him, all the while looking at their locked hands. Slowly, as if ravishing the feeling of everyone's head following them, they exit the place together.

Screw the rumours of him being softer.

"Aah-aah~ I knew there'll be an exciting development," A dark haired young man says, grinning as he hides himself behind one of the café pillars. "Domon will be so crestfallen when he hears about this."

Word will say that the Tokiya Mikagami's got himself a girlfriend.

Translation Note(s): Mataku – I don't think there's an English word that is the direct translation of this one. In this case, it's kinda like the expression, "Geez/Gee" or "Honestly/Really now" said in a very exasperated way. :P

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