LOVE, TRUE, FAITH

8. A Triangle Has Three Sides

            " Hi! My name is Makino Tsukushi, you are?" Tsukushi fluttered around the hall and was busy with her introducing to various schoolmates. Rui decided to return to their original table when he noticed Sakurako leaving. Seeing Tsukushi getting further and further away from their table, it quickly became obvious that Tsukushi would not be returning back to her seat for a while.

For Rui, the orientation seemed endless and senseless. Apparently, besides Sakurako, a lot of new girls from other classes had noticed Rui sitting neglected in the quiet corner of the hall. However their constant approaches always turn out to be fruitless; Rui's rejections were dismissively cold.

Resolutely, Rui forced an image of Tsukushi from his mind and glanced across at her. After all, he had decided to come to this orientation party of his own free will and Tsukushi did not force him to come. If only Tsukushi would come and keep him company, he would be willing to put up with all the boredom. Didn't she realize that he needed her? As if his efforts at telepathy had actually worked, but not exactly the way he had wanted, Sakurako suddenly appeared before him again.

*****

" Are you alone…again?" Sakurako's voice echoed close behind him, so close that the overpowering scent of her branded perfume almost had Rui choking for air. Tsukushi never wore perfume. Rui held his breath, in a polite way so as not to hurt Sakurako's feeling, and looked up. Fortunately, before Rui could open his mouth, Aoike Kazuya, flew in to intercede, as promised.

" Rui…urhh…I need to go to the Gents…and I am afraid to go alone…can you accompany me?" Kazuya asked. Rui was utterly amused by Kazuya's excuse and almost wanted to laugh out, but he managed to control himself.

 " Okay…" He agreed and turned to Sakurako, " I am so sorry, Sakurako…you are new to this school. The Gents here is quite spooky during night time." Rui tried to make Kazuya's excuse sounded more convincing, even though he knew that the excuse itself was already a joke. However, his ultimate motive was to get away from this red-hair girl.

" It's okay." Sakurako replied, disappointedly. How would she be able to make Rui realized what he had been missing out for ignoring her presence, when she could hardly even strike up a proper conversation with Rui? When love at first sight is not working for this lover boy, communication seemed to be Sakurako next and only available option. 

" You are so kind, Sakurako-chan." Kazuya quickly pulled Rui away as though he was in a hurry, leaving behind the poor Sakurako, who just stood rooted to the spot. She was cracking her head hard for a good reason to un-convince herself that Rui was totally NOT interested in her.

*****

" Okay…that's enough, she couldn't see us from here."  Rui shook Kazuya's hand away from his arm and wanted to move off.

" Rui-kun…" Kazuya gave Rui a tug.

" What now?" Rui turned around and noticed Kazuya's face turning pale blue.

" What happen to you? Are you sick?" Rui asked worriedly. 

" I…I really need to go to the toilet, that wasn't an excuse." Kazuya stammered.

" Then go, what are you waiting for?" Rui was confused.

" I…I am afraid of the dark…you…you are right…the male toilet is really spooky at night…I don't dare to go alone…" Kazuya voiced out his fear.

[**Sweat drops**]

" Haiz…let's go."

"Arigatou…" Kazuya staggered behind Rui, as though he had just drunk a few bottles of Whisky.

*****

" For someone who is attending a party, you seem so gloomy…. don't you think so, Y-U-U-K-I-C-H-A-N? " Tsukushi commented, tilting her head playfully to one side as she hovered above the petite girl who was seated alone. The table was clean with no empty plates or cups. Even the chairs, beside the one taken by Yuuki, were in their original positions and intact -- an indication that Yuuki did not have any companionship even before Tsukushi had approached her.

Yuuki slowly looked up and despite being clearheaded, Yuuki's eyes seemed dazed. She is one of the transfer girls in my class… Yuuki finally recognized Tsukushi's face, but not her name. Nevertheless, she was getting a little shocked to hear her name being called out so affectionately by someone whom she just met for a couple of hours and this alone was enough to make her feeling really guilty for not able to remember Tsukushi's name.

" Gomen ne, I know who you are, but not your name…" Yuuki remarked meekly, but with honesty, unlike Sakurako.

" Tsukushi! Makino Tsukushi." Tsukushi said, feeling amused to see Yuuki's face turning as red as a tomato.

" You seem bored." Tsukushi continued as she pulled out a chair and had herself seated beside Yuuki. Yuuki forced out a smile in order to let Tsukushi know that she wasn't bored, but it failed miserably. She knew it, because she could see it from Tsukushi's expression.

" I don't like parties." Yuuki muttered softly.

" Oh…then why don't you just stay at home if you don't like to come? Its not compulsory anyway…" Tsukushi said.

" I don't like staying at home either…" Yuuki muttered her reply so soft that Tsukushi failed to catch what she was saying.

" Huh?"

" Nothing…" Yuuki said, with a weak smile.

" Well," Tsukushi stood up, grasped both her hands together and took a deep breath before she went on, " Since you are already here, why not just enjoy yourself?"

" Enjoy?" Yuuki looked up, with her eyes meeting Tsukushi's.

" Hmmm…" Tsukushi continued, pressing her clasped hands to her chest, " Shall we grab something to eat? My tummy is growling." Tsukushi suggested and paused to wait for Yuuki's response.

Yuuki actually found herself liking Tsukushi because Tsukushi's cheerful and positive attitude reminded Yuuki so much of herself before she had been transferred to Eitoku High. Sometimes, Yuuki wondered if her brother ever noticed these changes in her because he did not mention anything at all.

" Okay." Yuuki finally nodded.

" Yokatta!" Tsukushi exclaimed and quickly pulled Yuuki up from her chair. " Let's go."

 … To be continued