WOW! That Friday went on for quite a while. 5 chapters! I'm glad it's over I wanted to get on to another day. I posted the last chapter up just a few days ago, but couldn't wait to post up the newest one. I get like that. If I have somethign to give someone I never can hold my patience. Anyway, I was reading my reviews just bit ago and I was feeling happy that people enjoy this story. Thank you everyone I hope you like this chapter!
Chapter 14: Tomo's Correct Answer
"So, did everyone have a good weekend?" Miss Yukari questioned the class in front of her with glowing grin.
"Yes." Everyone said in unison.
"Good, good, I hope you really enjoyed it. I mean that."
The class wasn't smiling anymore, though. She seemed unusually happy for the beginning of a school week.
"I'm glad to see your happy Miss Yukari." A small voice spoke.
Miss Yukari looked over and saw Chiyo innocently looking up at her.
"Aww, how sweet, Chiyo, but in fact I'm not really happy. Actually, I'm in such a horrible mood that I figured that I should put on a big smile so that you all felt less threatened by me. My weekend was from hell." She explained with an odd joy filled voice that seemed more threatening than benevolent.
Chiyo's smile faded in an instant along with any hopes the class had for an easy day.
"Everyone seems to be here today. No…Wait a sec, Tomo is not here. Hmm… I guess today won't be all bad." Yukari said checking off her role. She then picked up her lesson book and began writing on the chalk board.
Yomi looked over at Tomo's empty chair feeling responsible for her absentness. She had her head rested on her hand and her glasses off. She didn't feel like wearing them. Beside her folded glasses on the desk was Tomo's phone, ready to be returned to Tomo.
Kagura turned around to Yomi who seated a few seats behind her and pointed to Tomo's seat. She moved her lips saying silently "You seen her?" Yomi couldn't understand what Kagura was trying to say, her lips moving were nothing more than a blur. She made puzzled face at Kagura who then tried speaking up a little louder.
"Have you seen Tomo today?" Kagura whispered.
Yomi shook her head slowly, and then squinted a little. She saw Miss Yukari sneaking up behind Kagura. She quickly made a motion for Kagura to turn around. She twirled her hand around in the air. Kagura didn't move she just kept looking at her with a stupid look on her face.
"What does that mean?"
Kagura then mimicked Yomi. Miss Yukari was just looming over Kagura with her fake smile on. The whole class was in seconds looking at Yukari as her stiff smile slowly turned into a twisted face of anger. Yomi then tried pointing.
"What are you pointing at, Yomi?"
Yomi was getting fed up with Kagura's ignorance and just shouted at her, "Turn around!"
"Agh, you don't have to yell." Kagura said then flipped around.
"So, what are you two talking about?" hissed Yukari.
Kagura screamed a little upon seeing the monstrous face of her teacher. The rest of the class sat in complete silence trying not to further her anger.
"You two don't push me today. I tried being non-threatening, but I doubt I can keep up that guise if you two keep talk-"
The class door slammed open interrupting the frightening speech Yukari was giving. Tomo was standing in the doorway with a huge grin spread across her face.
"I'm here!" she chirped.
"All three of you! OUT! OUT! OUT!"
"What did I do?" Tomo asked unknowing of Yukari's rage.
Kagura slowly turned her head towards Tomo. Tomo then let her grin down and immediately computed her in her head what was happening. She saw Kagura's horrified expression and angry Yukari standing over the poor girl.
"Uh-oh." She peeped.
Tomo, Kagura and Yomi walked together in the halls, the three of them "exiled" from class. At least that is how Yukari put the wording. Chiyo walked in front of the nervously.
"Why are you walking so stiff Chiyo?" Kagura asked.
"I'm afraid that if I do a bad job then Miss Yukari will punish me." Chiyo said keeping her head pointing straight ahead.
"I don't get it. Why did Yukari have Chiyo walk us around the school?"
"I know!" exclaimed Tomo, " It's because her punishment for us was so cruel that she decided just to let us leave, Chiyo is here to keep us together so that in between classes she will bring us back so we face our punishment. Is that why you're here Chiyo?"
"No, I'm here to make sure that you three don't talk in the halls. So please keep quite…I don't want her to kill me."
"She isn't going to kill you." Kagura reassured Chiyo.
"Yeah, she would just violently torture you." Tomo said.
Chiyo turned around with big tears in her eyes.
"Tomo!" Yomi scolded.
Tomo flinched expecting a fist to come down on her head, but Yomi didn't move from her position. She was standing on the other side of Kagura to the left. Tomo was walking on the right side of Kagura. The large bandage on her head was out of view of everyone. She actually wondered why no one had come to question it, but it had just been conveniently out of view for a bit. Tomo knew that she couldn't let that go on any longer so she spoke out.
"Have you guys seen my head?"
"Huh, yeah, I saw it the day I met you." Kagura said.
"No, I mean look." Tomo turned her head around and pointed to the huge white bandage kept on with medical tape.
"What the…" Kagura gasped.
Chiyo placed her hand over her mouth.
Yomi glanced over for a second, but didn't say anything.
"How'd it happen?" Kagura asked anxiously awaiting Tomo's answer
Tomo closed her eyes proudly, "It happened on my way home from Yomi's house."
Yomi cringed as Tomo said that. It reminded her of her failed attempt to express her feelings to her.
Tomo continued her story, "Yup, I don't know if I left at the wrong time or what, but I was just walking and the next thing I know…BAM…!" Tomo shouted.
Chiyo waved her arms nervously trying make Tomo quiet down, but Tomo just kept talking.
"…Chihiro ran right into me knocking me down and the weird part was that Mr. Kimura was chasing her trying to apologize for something."
"That is freaky." Kagura commented.
"I know, but even weirder, he walked me home!"
"He did!" Kagura and Chiyo exclaimed at the same time, Chiyo quickly covered her mouth and looked around for Yukari.
"Did he try to make any moves on you?"
Tomo then went silent for a second.
Yomi was intently listening to Tomo's story, feeling responsible for Tomo's injury. She thought that if she didn't kiss she would have stayed a little longer and avoided her run in with Chihiro.
"Well, how was Kimura?" Kagura asked again.
"He…he actually was not bad."
"Really."
"Please, guys, for my sake, keep it down." Chiyo pleaded, "Why can't you be more like Yomi?"
"Hey yeah! What' up with you Yomi?" Tomo asked.
Yomi just looked at her wondering why she was acting so typical. Last Yomi saw her she was very lifeless and shocked.
"Did she forgot about what had happened on Friday? Did that bump cause amnesia?" Yomi thought. She doubted it, but wanted to see for sure.
"Hey Tomo!" Yomi said.
"Hey, now you're talking."
"Tomo, why where you at my house on Friday. Do you remember what happened?"
Tomo thought, "Of course I remember, talked for a bit, and then fell asleep. Then you gave me a test! After that I left."
"Test?" Yomi thought, "What is she talking about, "She remembers everything else that happened, but not the kiss. Maybe that bump did do something."
Yomi then immediately grabbed Chiyo by the arm and dragged her off to the side of the hall. Chiyo yelped at the sudden grab.
"Chiyo, is it possible for someone to forget something that happened in a day, but remember everything else besides that one thing?"
"Umm…I think so. I have heard stories of people blocking out certain events that had traumatized theme. It's a natural self-defense."
"Well, what if they get a major blow to the head right after the event happened. Do you think that can cause a weird sort of amnesia or something?"
"I'm not really sure, I don't think it's impossible, but it does take some time for an event to make it into long-term memory. Maybe if the event was still in their short-term memory and the injury affect that part of the brain, but I'm not a doctor or anything."
"Hmm…that must be the case." Yomi said rubbing her chin.
Chiyo smiled and rejoined Kagura and Tomo who were beginning to act up. Chiyo tried to quiet them down the best she could. Yomi smiled as she waved her small arms around trying to calm down to energetic girls. She was unsure, though, whether Tomo truly forgot about Friday night or not, but decided it was best not to talk about it. She was curious why Tomo said that she gave her a test, though. Yomi walked over to the three.
"Tomo, what test did I give you?"
Tomo looked at Yomi, ignoring Chiyo who was still stressing out, "She must still be testing me." Tomo concluded, then spoke up, "Oh, you'll see my correct answer when we get to Kimura's class."
"Correct answer?" Yomi repeated with confusion.
"Yup, I thought it over all weekend. Just you wait! You'll be so proud of me."
"Um…sure…" Yomi was completely oblivious to what Tomo was talking about, but she then suddenly remembered that she had to return her phone, "Anyway, Tomo, I got your cell."
Yomi held it up and Tomo snatched it away, "Thanks, Yomi. Did I get any calls?"
"Nope."
Tomo messed around with her phone as if it was the first day she got it. Then the four girls continued walking down the halls of the school. Kagura was a bit intrigued by what Tomo had said about a "correct answer". She knew that if Tomo was involved it would be entertaining.
Miss Yukari's strange punishment had ended and Kagura looked at the clock as she sat in second class. Her mind swelled with anticipation for what Tomo would unleash in Kimura's class. Usually Kagura wouldn't have been so anxious to see what Tomo had to offer, but recently things have been very strange and Tomo was the cause of it all. Kagura didn't know the reason Tomo decided to want Kaori, but it sure shook things up. Then the next thing she knows Tomo has an usual story involving Mr. Kimura chasing Chihiro with the end result being a cool, or at least Kagura thought, bandage on her head. Now Tomo is spouting out news of her latest plan. Kagura slammed her hand on her desk.
"Why does Tomo always have all the fun? She always seems to have something interesting happening to her. She sees hilarious sight like Kimura Chasing Chihiro and even brought on a complete overhaul on Kaorin's personality. Though, Kaorin seems to only act more relaxed around Tomo. I wonder what makes her so lucky to have such a cool life."
Kagura turned away form the clock and looked at Tomo. She was poking holes in her eraser with a pen. Then she looked in Kagura's direction and smiled. Kagura smiled back.
"What doe she do differently? She has to be going at life differently for it to give her so much action."
Kagura looked around the room slowly. She saw Sakaki sitting in her chair, she looked a little out of it. There was Osaka struggling to keep her eyes open. Then she noticed Kaori sitting dreamily looking over at Sakaki.
"That's it! Tomo is dating Kaori and she is a girl. Tomo is a girl, too! That is her approach on life. So, if I'm right, I need to date another girl to make my life more action packed."
Kagura smiled as she solved her problem.
"You look happy." The male teacher said to her in a cunning tone.
"Huh?"
"I guess you wouldn't mind solving this problem then?"
Kagura smiled weakly and go up out of her chair to answer the math problem written on the board. She sloppily wrote down the wrong answer to concerned with her own quest for an action packed life. She then sat down.
"What?!" the teacher shocked, "Did you even look at the problem?"
"Yes, sir." Kagura answered.
"Then why did you write your name in place of the answer?"
"Oops."
The class had a laugh and the teacher held his head feeling hopeless for the students. Then the bell sounded for the class to end. The teacher packed up his things and left the classroom slowly and disappointed. Kagura smiled at him to try and cover for her stupid mistake, but he just shook his head. As soon as he left Kagura darted out of her seat over to Sakaki.
"Hi." Sakaki greeted.
"Hey, Sakaki! I have a favor to ask you."
"Shoot."
Kagura leaned over and whispered into Sakaki's ear. Sakaki shook her head after Kagura pulled away.
"Why not?" Kagura whined.
"I already have enough people saying things as I walk down the hall."
"But, it's just for pretend. Ya know I'm not like that."
Sakaki just shook her head again. Kagura crossed her arms angrily and turned around. Osaka's face popped up.
"Whatcha talkin' 'bout?"
"Nothing." Said Sakaki.
Then Kagura's face lit up with an idea. She pulled Osaka outside into the hall. Osaka let out a yelp as Kagura forced her out.
"What's up?" Osaka asked.
"Will you please do me a favor?" Kagura pleaded.
"Sure, anything for a friend."
Kagura whispered into Osaka's ear then pulled away when she was done hoping not to see her head shake in rejection. Osaka didn't shake her head, though.
"This is only for pretend? Why?"
"'Cause, I'm it's the only way to make my life more interesting. Haven't you noticed how much fun Tomo is having? Don't you want to have an awesome life full of adventure?"
"Well, I would like that…" Osaka trailed off still unsure of what to say.
"Please! Please! Please!" Kagura groveled.
Osaka sighed, "I guess so, but ya can't go kissin' me or nothin'. Huggin' is fine, though, I like hugs."
"Heh," Kagura laughed, "Like I would kiss a girl and I don't really see any reason to hug you."
Osaka just looked at Kagura. Kagura slowly and shakily raise her hand to Osaka's.
"Ok, now you have to hold my hand. Otherwise this won't look convincing and if it isn't convincing then what we are doing is pointless."
Osaka silently grasped Kagura's hand.
"It's rough." She commented.
"Yeah, I know. I lift weights so my hand had gotten a little a calloused. Anyway, we are going to walk back into the class and I will make the announcement. Then our lives will change for the better!"
The two girls awkwardly walked into the classroom holding hands. The whole class was busy wrapped up in their own business and nobody noticed that they even stepped out. Chihiro noticed, though, she had kept her eye on Osaka the whole day. She was still stressing over what Osaka had told her at the theater.
"What is she up to." Chihiro spoke softly to herself.
Tomo across the room was hanging around Yomi.
"Ok, Yomi get prepared for my correct answer. I should do it before Kimura gets here."
"Ok, you better hurry he should be here any second."
"Sure thing!" Tomo gave a thumbs-up and began walking across the room, but she stopped her in her tracks when she heard Kagura yelling at the front of the room.
"Listen everyone!" Kagura shouted still holding Osaka's hand.
The class quieted down and looked at her.
"Ok, everyone. See this?" She held her and Osaka's hand up, "Osaka and I are now officially dating!"
Osaka waved and smiled at the class. The boys in the class started hooting and the girls gasped. Chihiro sat silently in her desk looking at Osaka smile.
"She must be up to something. This probably has to do with me and Kaorin, but what is she going to do. I'll have to keep watching her. I do not want to get in my business."
Sakaki and Yomi looked blankly at the spectacle and Tomo cheered. Chiyo walked over to Sakaki.
"So, Tomo is dating a Kaorin and now Kagura is dating Osaka. I don't get it."
Sakaki just kept looking at Kagura and Osaka, "I don't get it either."
The class suddenly silenced when they saw Mr. Kimura walk in the room through the door Kagura left open.
"Why did everyone go silent? Did I miss something?" He asked.
Kagura an Osaka stood looking at him. He turned his head stiffly towards them. He observed the two girls. Osaka smiling at him and Kagura looking like she was about to run away. He then walked past them to his desk and set his briefcase down.
"So, why are you two holding hands?"
Osaka figured she should answer, "Because we are d-"
Kagura slapped her hand onto her mouth. She did not want him to know, but her attempt was futile. Tomo shouted out.
"They are dating now!"
"Ah, thank you Tomo, is your head doing good?"
"Yup, thanks for asking."
Mr. Kimura's face then turned bright red and he turned around. His arms shot straight into the air.
"Yippee!" he shouted.
He then turned around and straightened his tie. Kagura and Osaka fled to their seats as they saw it was time for class to start. Tomo also crept to her seat along with Chiyo.
"Alright, everyone," Mr. Kimura began, " I have a new rule for this class. Chihiro already knows what it is. Don't you, Chihiro?"
The class turned their heads towards Chihiro who was hiding her face in embarrassment. She could here a few whispers from students questioning why Mr. Kimura was pointing her out. A chair then screeched across the floor. It nearly tipped over as Tomo leaped up with her hand raised.
"Yes, Tomo?" Mr. Kimura acknowledged her.
"Before you make your announcement, I have one really quick."
Mr. Kimura shrugged, "Be quick."
Tomo sloppily made her way to Kaori who was sitting peacefully until Tomo yanked her up. She dragged her to the front of the room and Kaori stumbled behind her. Kagura's eyes lit up as she realized this must be the thing Tomo was speaking about earlier.
"Pay attention, Yomi! This is my correct answer!" Tomo shouted.
The class turned their head over to Yomi. She smiled nervously and the class then turned back to the front.
"Correct answer?" Kaori repeated.
Yomi was in her seat cringing at what Tomo might do, "No, no, no" she repeated to herself.
Chihiro was also tense in her seat waiting to what crazy plan Tomo had.
Kagura watched closely hoping to witness a humorous display. She watched as Tomo smoothly move her head closer to Kaori. It seemed like slow motion to her as she saw Tomo wiped her tongue across her lips. Her arms wrapped around Kaori. Kaori didn't struggle at all she didn't have a clue what was happening. Kimura's glasses glared as he watched. The whole class was in total silenced staring closely as Tomo's lips met to Kaori's.
"Oh my g… where? Where is my camera?!" Mr. Kimura freaked out yanking the drawers from his desk.
The students in the class didn't cringe or gasp or even blink. They never expected to see anything of that sort, not even form the most spontaneous girl in school. Kagura looked in astonishment as she saw what Tomo meant by the "correct answer". Chiyo was covering her eyes with both hands. Sakaki blushed and tried to look away, but felt compelled to look. Yomi was in her seat staring at Tomo with her lips pressed against Kaori. Drops of tears silently flowed down her cheeks. She was completely frozen. Osaka was aware of Yomi's reaction to Tomo's stunt and took a mental note.
"Everything is making more sense." She thought to herself
Chihiro immediately bolted up from her chair causing it to toppled over with a loud crash, "What the HELL do you think you're doing!?"
Tomo let go of Kaori and shifted her attention to Chihiro. Kaori leaned back on Mr. Kimura's after Tomo let go of her. She blushed profusely and began fanning herself. She felt embarrassed and saddened that her first kiss was not by Sakaki, but she couldn't help but feel a bit satisfied. A little smirk appeared on her face, but she tried to hide it.
"What are you talking about?" Tomo asked.
Chihiro began walking to the front of the classroom, "Tomo, I have put up with you long enough. I watched in the background as you and Kaorin spent so much time together! I never said anything at all! I supported Kaorin, but now I am not going to support her anymore! Tomo, I hate you, you ruin everything!"
Chihiro charge rapidly at Tomo with her fist raised high. Kaori knew what Chihiro was going to do and she didn't want her to. She pushed Tomo out of the way, but just the slightest bit too late. In an instant she felt the full force of Chihiro's fist smash into her face. Her cheek was pounded by a surprisingly powerful force. Everyone cringed at the sound the strike made. She twirled downwards to the floor and a sudden thought sparked in head. She knew she was now facing downwards and it would be inevitable to escape the pain of her nose crunching on the tile. An instant feeling of regret bolted through her heart right before nose collided with a loud echoing crack.
Everyone jumped when Kaori's face smacked into the floor. A few boys in the front row darted over to her, but Mr. Kimura ran in circles yelling about first aid and bandages. Kaori lifted herself on her arms and stared at the ground. The boys knelt down to try and lift her up but she waved her arms in protest without turning her head. They reluctantly backed away. Tomo lowered herself down. She saw blood flowing from Kaori's face down onto the spot on which she fell. The small puddle was beginning to grow. She turned her head away slightly trying not to see the gruesome sight, but she could not ignore the heavy gargled breathing that came from her. Everyone could hear the sound, it made their souls flinch to hear such a distressing noise coming come from the normally shy Kaori. Kimura even silenced when he heard the desperate sounds to gather air. It didn't seem right that she, of all people in the class, would be the one in such a position.
"Kaori." Tomo said in concern. She remembered a conversation with Yomi concerning on what to address her by and she thought now an appropriate time to start calling her by her true name.
"Kaorin, I-I didn't mean…" Chihiro tried to speak, but she couldn't think of any words powerful enough to portray her regret for what she had done.
Tomo tried to wrap her arms her to help her lift up, but then she coughed up a spurt of blood. She then burst out in tears. Chihiro's heart was slowly breaking as she observed the pain she had put her friend into. Every second that passed her by she could feel a needle puncture her heart. She slowly backed away wanting to look away from what she had done, but her guilt was forcing her to keep her head straight. She couldn't take the site anymore and so she ran out of the class in shame.