Thank you all for being patient with me. I know that I update as if I was some kind of turtle. I promise to become more of a rabbit! Way to describe myself, huh? laughs

Anyway, I'm glad that you guys continue to read this story. THANK YOU VERY MUCH EVERYONE!!

I, imuzuok, do not own Digimon.

In the last chapter: Stupid Shakespeare

Kouji looked at her, clearly confused. "But I thought Shinn was your first kiss."

"Well, ROMEO, if you would've stopped interrupting me a while ago you've heard that I was going to say that Shinn kissed me on the cheek which was my first kiss from a BOY." She said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Oh." Kouji said quietly. "I'm sorry."

"For not listening to me?" She asked.

"For being your first kiss." He said.

She blushed. "It doesn't matter that much."

She smiled at his blushing face. 'Besides, why wouldn't I want to have my first kiss with my first love?'

Kouji smirked. "Stop staring Princess. You wouldn't want me to melt, now would you?"

She laughed. "Yeah, yeah. Let's go, Romeo. Kouichi's expecting us." She said and started walking.

Kouji smiled and started walking as well.

She stopped and turned to him. "Kouji, to answer your question before…"

He stared at her. 'Question? Oh. The do YOU want to kiss question.' He thought.

The wind blew, as if to add effect to what she was going to say. "I don't mind doing the kiss in the play… especially since I'm going to do it with you." She said with a smile and started walking again.

Kouji watched the blonde walk and smiled. "Maybe Shakespeare isn't so bad after all." He said instinctively.

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A Private School

Chapter 21 Kouji no Tenshi

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-Flashback-

The whole class held their breaths, their attention intently towards the two performers who were currently staring into each others eyes.

Ok, so, maybe Takuya was on the verge of tackling Kouji to the ground. Of course, the class wouldn't want that. After all, this is the much awaited kissing scene!

Takuya was teary eyed and Kouichi was grinning while the whole class gulped as Kouji and Izumi slowly closed the gap between them.

The space between their lips was no more than centimeters apart when the two pulled away. "Kouichi, can we do this some other time?" suggested the two in unison.

The whole class, excluding Takuya, groaned. "Oh, c'mon, Kouji and Mizui! You two have been saying that every time we rehearse the kissing scene!" Kouichi argued.

The rest nodded. Takuya glared. "Don't force Mizui into kissing that KOUJI!!" he said with balled fists.

The class sighed. Izumi and Kouji shook their heads. "Kouichi, we promise that we will do the kissing scene when the time comes." Izumi said calmly.

Kouji agreed. "Let's just move on to the next scene."

Kouichi sighed. "Alright. Everyone, on to the next scene!"

-End of Flashback-

Kouichi sighed as he remembered their past rehearsals. 'We only have 2 weeks before the performance.' He thought. He averted his gaze to Izumi and Kouji who were practicing their lines. After the garden encounter, they seemed to be getting along pretty well. 'My problem is: they refuse on doing the kissing scenes.'

He sighed once more. 'All the other scenes were perfect, though.'

Kouichi shook his head. "Listen up, everyone! As you all know, there are only 2 weeks before our performance."

Everyone nodded.

He smiled. "I would like to inform everyone that costume fitting would be tomorrow, and all the props should be finished by then."

Some groaned upon hearing this. Now, they had to cram.

-Izumi's POV-

Kouji and I were throwing lines. We still haven't done the kissing scene. We both agreed to do it on the day of the performance though.

I don't know if I can hold my feelings for him for much longer. There are times during practices that I feel like telling him. Sometimes, I wish Kouji was really in love with me, just like Romeo is with Juliet.

But then, I realize that it can't possibly happen. Why would even Kouji fall in love with a cross dresser like me?

"Princess." Kouji whispered.

"Uh, yeah?" I said still a bit occupied with my thoughts.

He shook his head. "What's wrong?"

I gave him a confusing look. "What do you mean?" I asked.

"You seem out of it. You missed your cue." He said.

"Oh." I said quietly. I didn't realize I was missing my cues.

"Darn it, Princess!" He hissed. "What the hell is in that head of yours? You're spacing out again!!"

I sighed. "I'm sorry, Kouji."

"Look, if there's something bothering you, you can tell me." Kouji said.

I nodded and smiled at him. "I know."

He was being un-Kouji-like again. Although I didn't know Kouji before, I can see that he changed, at least, with me. I think.

-Flashback-

-Normal POV-

"Romeo?" Izumi said as she looked at the lone wolf sitting on a branch of a tree.

"Hm?" Kouji said as he looked down at the blonde cross dresser below him.

"Oh. Never mind." She said as she went back to reading her script.

The two decided to rest under the garden's tree. It was a weekend, meaning: no classes. Izumi have been thinking of something concerning Kouji for a while now. She can't seem to say it out loud, though.

Kouji jumped of the branch of the tree and sat beside the girl/boy. "No secrets, Princess." He stated.

She sighed and looked at him. "It's not that important, really." She assured.


He smiled slightly. "Maybe not, but I'd like to hear it."

She smiled at him as well. "I was just… wondering."

He nodded. "Go on."

"You seem different."

He raised a brow at this.

"I mean…" She paused, thinking of how to explain her thoughts. "I notice that you act differently when we're alone."

She fidgeted a bit. "Well, it's just that, I don't know. It feels like you seem more open when the others aren't around."

He laughed.

This time, it was her turn to raise a brow.

"Sorry, Princess." He smirked. "I don't know if you'd believe this but, I was thinking of the exact same thing."

She looked at him with wide eyes. "Really?!"

He nodded. "It amazes me how much you changed me."

"I did?"

"Ever since you came, it's as if I'm not Kouji Minamoto anymore."

She frowned at this. "Is that good or bad?"

He shook his head. "Honestly, I don't know,"

"Oh." She said silently.

"However, I do know that…" he paused and looked at her. "… I like the new Kouji."

She smiled at him. "So it's good?"

He smirked. "Princess, you sound so hopeful."

She clapped her hands together. "Oh but of course!" Her eyes twinkled. "Knowing that it is I, Izumi slash Mizui Orimoto, who melted the ice barrier of THE Kouji Minamoto, makes me glad!"

He laughed. "Since when does my name have a THE before it."

"Since I made it that way!" She said childishly.

"Well then, your highness. If it makes you feel better, it is YOU who 'melted the ice barrier of THE Kouji Minamoto'." He said in a matter of fact tone.

Everything seemed to stop. "Really?"

He nodded.

She hugged him. Kouji turned a bit red at this. "P-princess?"

"Kouji, I'm truly happy to hear that." She said, not letting go. "It's the least I can do after what YOU did for me." She whispered.

He smiled warmly and slowly hugged her back. "You already did more than enough, Izumi." He replied.

Although she didn't know what EXACTLY that meant, she felt glad knowing she was of some good to the person she loved.

At that moment, she realized, she liked hearing her name being said by him.

-End of Flashback-

I smiled sadly. Remembering those times really does put me in a good mood. However, I can't help but feel that our relationship will never be more than that.

-Normal POV-

Kouji sighed. "Prin-"

"PRINCESS!!!!!"

The two looked at the running figure who yelled 'Princess'.

Kouji frowned, realizing it was Izumi whom he called princess.

Takuya now sat beside Izumi. "Hey there, Princess!" he said cheerfully, looking directly at Izumi and Kouji's frown deepened.

"Takuya, you do realize calling me that sounds gay, right?" she said with a laugh.

Kouji, although furious with Takuya, smirked upon hearing that. Takuya laughed. "It doesn't matter, Princess."

Izumi laughed again as Kouji's brow twitched. "Takuya. What do you want?" Kouji said the annoyance in his voice unnoticed by the boy in question. He (Kouji), however, didn't fail to notice how different her laugh was.

Takuya grinned. "To watch MY Princess rehearse!"

Izumi, once again, laughed. "Yeah, yeah."

Kouji grumbled and muttered something under his breath.

Izumi raised a brow at Kouji. She couldn't hear everything he muttered but she did hear some words like stupid, idiot, Takuya, Princess and Izumi. "Kouji?" she said.

He glared at her. "Idiot." He stood up and left.

Izumi could only stare at the retreating figure of Kouji. "What just happened?" Takuya asked.

Izumi frowned as Kouji walked away muttering, 'Stupid Takuya. Calling MY Princess HIS. Idiot. Stupid Izumi. Allowing stupid Takuya to call her Princess. Why does she laugh at everything he says, anyway? How come she never laughs when I talk to her?' over and over again.

-Kouji's POV-

I sat comfortably under the tree at the dorm's garden. What was I thinking? Why did I walk out like that?

Because you were jealous.

I sigh, upon hearing that nagging voice in my head.

It's been a while.

I know. You were too busy and were shutting down all my efforts of voicing.

And now would be a right time because…, why?

Because, mister, you know IT. You just don't want to admit it!

What are you saying?

Oh c'mon, Kouji! It's obvious! You're jealous!

Ha! KOUJI MINAMOTO and JEALOUS do NOT go together!

Yeah, right. That's coming from the guy who's currently having a conversation with himself.

Oh, shut up!

Listen, you know I'm right. Heck, I AM right. After all, I AM YOU. I'm your inner self. The side you do not want to reveal.

No. YOU LISTEN TO ME. I do not FEEL JEALOUS!!

Really? So you mean Takuya calling HER Princess didn't affect you at all.

Yeah, well, that isn't jealousy.

What about when Takuya said, "To watch MY Princess"?

Still not jealousy.

What about when Takuya made her laugh?

That doesn't count.

Rrrriiiigghhhtt. Was my nagging self's reply.

You-

Look! Here she comes!

I turned around to see a not so happy cross dresser. "Romeo." She said.

"Orimoto." I said, refusing to call her 'Princess'.

She raised a brow at this. Apparently, she noticed.

Oh, right Einstein. I wouldn't have noticed it.

Put a sock in it!

"Is something wrong?" she asked while sitting beside me.

"Nothing." I replied.

Her frown was now evident. "You haven't called me by my last name since the first day we met. I'm sure there's something wrong."

"If you weren't going to believe my answer, then why did you ask the question at all?" I stated simply.

She stared at me. "Why are you being so cold?"

"Aren't I always?"

Soon after, there was silence. She didn't speak, nor did I. The wind blew silently as the birds chirped. After a few minutes I heard her make a sound. I looked at her at the corner of my eyes.

"Darn it." I muttered to myself. She was crying. I could see her tears slowly trickling down her face. She was trying to hide it with her hair but to no avail.

You made her cry. GREAT!

I didn't intend to, you know. By the way, do you have to be so sarcastic??

Heh. I refuse to answer such a question.

"I-I'm sorry. sniff I don't know what you're sniff mad about but…" she started slowly. "sniff I-I don't want you sniff to be so distant. Kouji, I-"

I smiled slightly. She's the only one who cried for me… who cried because she was afraid of losing me. "It isn't your fault. I just got a bit irritated. Takuya also called you Princess and I didn't want that. And you looked so happy when you're with him and when you're with me you seem like-" Crud. I just said my thoughts out loud. Darn it!! Why did I say that? It's not like me to speak without thinking.

Hmm. Let me think. Oh, right! Since now, I guess. By the way, it's rude to interrupt someone who's talking.

Darn it. This is a serious matter. Be quiet.

She looked at me as she dried her tears. "Is that all?"

I nodded slowly, a bit embarrassed.

OOOhhh…… REALLY???

YEAH. OK! I admit it! I can feel embarrassed. Geez. Well, it's not like someone's going to find out what my thoughts are.

She suddenly hugged me. And I have to admit, I like the feel of her warmth.

Of course, you do.

Bother me some other time.

Fine.

"Let's go back. Kouichi would be looking for us. It's costume fitting remember?" I said and broke free from her hug and started walking.

I could feel her gaze at me. I turned around and gave her the best smile I could muster at that time. "What are you waiting for, Tenshi?"

She looked at me with surprise in her eyes but smiled nevertheless. "I think I like Tenshi better, Kouji."

I smirked. "Of course you do. Besides you're my Tenshi, right?"

"Most certainly." She said and laughed silently. "C'mon, let's go."

Yeah. She's definitely my Tenshi. Ever since she came, my life has been full of… well… life. She changed me. It's like I could feel her guiding me all the time. I could feel her support, her care towards me.

I motioned her to follow me. And she laughed heartily. I haven't noticed it before but… her laughter makes me smile. She is definitely not a princess.

That's right. Izumi Orimoto isn't a princess. She's an angel. Best of all, she's MY ANGEL.

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END OF CHAPTER

Sigh. That's the end of the twenty first chapter!!

If ever you guys were wondering, Kouji no Tenshi means Angel of Kouji.

Anyway, I hope you like this.

Immensely grateful,

imuzuok