DISCLAIMER: I, imuzuok, do NOT own Digimon, its characters and this computer I'm using.
In the previous chapter: Awkward and Fan Girls
An hour later the head of Bishie Kawaii Mizuii Fan Club left after saying thank you for the nice time. In that hour, Kouji looked amused as Izumi interacted with the members of her fan club. It was a truly amazing sight. They were just talking but they seemed to be having fun.
Kouji of course wasn't talking. He was just sitting there. But he was entertained by the different reactions his Tenshi was making.
Right now, the two were back in Izumi and Kouichi's room. "Seems like the members of your fan club are sweet." Kouji said.
Izumi nodded and smiled at him brightly. "Yes! I'd love to get to know them better!"
Kouji smirked. "Should I look forward to a lesbian Tenshi?"
"W-what?!! N-no!! OF COURSE NOT!!!!" Izumi argued.
Kouji grinned at her, liking how she reacted. The awkwardness was gone. "Oh, but you said-"
"NO! NO! NO!!!!" She argued. "Besides, I like a guy!" she said without realizing.
Kouji felt a pang in his heat. 'She likes someone?'
"You like someone from this school?" Kouji asked her. "You know; like like."
Izumi nodded her head, blushing.
Kouji frowned. "Do I know him?"
……………………………………………………………………………
Kouji looked at the person he was currently dragging. He was running and she was forced to run along with him. He was, after all, holding her hand. Her breathing was even and her face was a bit red.
She smiled at Kouji when she noticed him looking. Kouji smiled a small smile in reply and turned to look in front once more.
'Yeah, I don't love her but… I think I'm starting to.'
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A Private School
Chapter 26 Interaction
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Friday; First Period; Class 2A
"Congratulations on a job well done!!" Ms. Hikuchi said enthusiastically. The class cheered. I'm "I'm sure everyone is anxious to know the results of the contest."
The class shushed at that moment.
Ms. Hikuchi sighed. "However, the judges have not come to a decision as of now; therefore, it would be announced on Monday next week."
"Right now, I have important news. I wasn't able to tell you yesterday since we were given the day off to clean, but today, we are going to have our annual-"
KNOCK. KNOCK. The said teacher was cut off by, obviously, a knock. "One minute, boys." She said and walked towards the door.
"Good Morning!" The person who greeted her grinned.
Ms. Hikuchi paled. "Ms. Kei! I haven't told them yet. You were supposed to get here a bit later."
"Oh, come on Ms. Hikuchi! Don't be such a kill joy. The girls were already so excited!" Ms. Kei answered.
"Ok. Give five minutes to explain to my class." Ms. Hikuchi closed the door when the other nodded her head.
"Ms. H! Who was that?" Takuya impatiently asked.
"That, Takuya, was Ms. Kei." The teacher replied. "She's the class adviser of Seirin High Girls Class A."
The young men in the room either smirked, grinned, twitched or sighed as realization dawned upon them.
"I see you boys are getting what I'm trying to say." The teacher said. "Today, we are going to have our annual interaction with the girls of Seirin High."
The class, well most of them, cheered while the teacher shook her head and sighed.
"Anyway, I'm going to show them the rooms prepared for our activity. Be good, while I'm gone." Ms Hikuchi said and started walking out the door.
Izumi looked at Kouji who was looking irritated. "Kouji?"
Said boy turned to meet her gaze and shrugged.
"Is there something wrong?" she asked the boy diagonal her who did not respond. The boy in front of her turned to look at her as well. "Don't worry, Kouji's fine." Kouichi said.
Izumi frowned at the figure of Kouji who was facing the board again. "Mizui, he's just annoyed right now. He abhors interaction day."
"What is interaction day anyway?" she asked. Kouji could be heard groaning in frustration. "It's a day where we, the boys of Seirin High, interact with the girls of Seirin High." Kouichi said. "It's done every year so that the students would experience COED."
"YEAH! I love interaction day!" Takuya said enthusiastically, joining the conversation.
Izumi laughed quietly. "I get it. So, Kouji's worried about his fan girls?" Kouichi grinned. "Bingo."
Kouji glared at the three who laughed at his discomfort. "It's not funny. Those girls are terrifying! They could eat me alive!"
"They WANT to eat you alive." Kouichi joked. Kouji glared. "I hate you."
Izumi laughed. "Your love for each other is admirable."
Kouichi laughed with her as well. Takuya stopped laughing and turned to Kouichi. "So, Kouichi, how are you dividing the class this year?"
"Dividing the class?" Izumi asked confused.
Kouichi nodded. "As you know, we have 39 students in our class, which explains the reason why you don't have a seatmate." He explained. "Most of the classes including the girls have approximately 40 students. The girls' class merging with the boys' class would mean additional 40 students, 80 students all in all in one class. THAT, the administrators decided, would be chaotic."
"And so, the teachers made a way so that there would only be 40 students per class even when it is interaction day." Kouji added grumpily.
Izumi nodded in understanding. "I see. So, how are we going to be divided?"
"That, I cannot decide on my own." was Kouichi's reply. "I would have to consult Ms. H first."
Kouji sighed in irritation. "If I become principal of this school, I would ban interaction day."
"Oh c'mon, Kouji, you're biased." Takuya said with a huge grin plastered on his face. "The girls are sweet and loving!"
Kouji harrumphed. "Stupid female population. I hate the female population." He grumbled under his breath. Izumi raised a brow upon hearing this. "Well excuse me for being a female, Kouji." She whispered, irritably
"You're not included." Kouji whispered defensively as Takuya and Kouichi start a new conversation with themselves.
Izumi frowned. "And what does that suppose to mean?! That you don't consider me as a female?!" she almost shouted it out but she was able to suppress her voice.
"Tenshi, that's not what I mean." Kouji said stiffly.
"Whatever, Kouji." Izumi said and turned away from Kouji.
Kouji sighed. "Don't be so childish, Tenshi."
Izumi's frown deepened. "I can be childish whenever I want, Minamoto." She said and completely ignored Kouji.
It bothered her greatly that Kouji said those things. 'He said he hated the female population! How was I supposed to react to that? I mean c'mon! How am I supposed to react when the one I loved practically said he hated me?'
Izumi bit her lower lip. 'I can't believe I'm getting mad at him for something so small.' She sighed. 'What does he really think of me? Does this mean he doesn't think of me as a girl? D-does he actually hate me? What if he does?'
Kouji watched as Izumi fidgeted with herself. He was amused and annoyed at the same time. 'Why would she even get angry for that kind of thing? Why was she mad exactly, anyway?'
Kouji continued to watch Izumi, his own thoughts running through his head. 'Was it because I said I hated the female population? Nah. She should know by now that my feelings for her are anything but hatred.'
Kouji sighed. He stood up from his seat beside Kouichi and seated at the empty seat beside Izumi. "Tenshi, stop sulking."
Not looking at his direction, she opened her mouth to speak. "I am not sulking. I am merely thinking to myself. Thinking of the possible reasons why you hate me." She said in a whisper, not really wanting Kouji to hear.
Kouji looked at her in agape. 'She actually thought I hated her?'
"I should be the one angry with you." He grumbled. Izumi looked at him in confusion. "What the heck are you talking about?! You were the one who said you hated me!" she said in a low tone so that the others wouldn't hear.
"When did I ever say I hated you?!" Kouji said his brows meeting. "How can you even think I hate you? Do you have that little faith in me?"
Izumi opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by a very furious Kouji. As they say, there's a first for everything. And at this precise moment, it would be the first time Kouji ever got really really angry. And it's all because the only girl he considers important thinks he hated her.
"Isn't it obvious, Izumi?!" he grumbled, using her first name which, of course, surprised Izumi greatly. "I DON'T hate you. In fact, I feel the opposite. How can you be so dumb, thinking that I would hate you? Would I even bother talking to you right now if I hated you?" He added, his voice was monotonous but his eyes were in ablaze.
Izumi was speechless. He said he felt the opposite. 'Does that mean he loves me? Geez, Izumi! SNAP OUT OF IT! He said nothing about loving you!'
"Now, can you stop sulking Tenshi? You have nothing to sulk about because I just told you I don't hate you." Kouji said as he closed his eyes, trying his best to build up his dignity after that little speech of his. 'Why did I say that? I practically told her I loved her, which I don't think is true. I'm still figuring that out myself! And here I am, blabbing it to her when I'm not even sure. What the heck is happening to me?!' he thought.
Izumi decided to shake it off and think about later - MUCH later. "I just got carried away. Sorry." She said with a sigh.
Kouji just nodded his head, not meeting her eyes. He couldn't. Izumi was about to question why he didn't look at her when their adviser came in the room.
"Ok, I already told Ms. Kei to go to the assigned rooms for our class. All we have to do right now is to divide our class so that we could start." Ms. Hikuchi said. "Kouichi, I will need to speak to you regarding our agenda for today. There are minor changes for the interaction." She said looking at Kouichi who nodded and stood up.
"Class, you are again, given free time for now." She added. "Please do not create too much noise."
Kouichi looked at Kouji and Izumi who were sitting beside each other. He doesn't know what exactly happened but he had a feeling they got into an argument. He's never seen Kouji so angry before. Kouichi was worried but it soon disappeared when he saw Kouji's slightly pink cheeks. He grinned and walked away. 'I can't believe my brother's actually blushing. He's trying so hard to hide it.' He could've laughed right then and there but he didn't want his classmates to think he was losing his mind.
Izumi looked at Kouji. "Hey, Kouji?"
Kouji remained the way he was: eyes closed and arms in chest. "Yeah?"
"I said, I was sorry." Izumi said.
"I know." Kouji answered.
Izumi's brow twitched. "Then why are you being like that?"
"Like what?" Kouji asked 'innocently'.
Izumi groaned. "Sometimes, you're really difficult to deal with! Do boys have their monthly period as well, or is it just you?"
Kouji could contain his red cheeks no longer. He looked at his current seatmate in agape. "What the heck are you talking about?!"
"You know, monthly period. As in when a girl-" Izumi started but was hurriedly cut off by the lad who was suspected to have his monthly period.
"Tenshi, there are some things that women are not meant to share with the male species." He said trying hard (but failing) to hide his blush. Of course, Izumi found this adorable. However, even it was adorable; Izumi could not contain her laughter.
She took Kouji's hand and removed it from her mouth. "I understand Kouji." She said and started laughing. Kouji, upon Izumi's contagious laughter, laughed along with her.
The class grew silent, only the sound of Izumi's and Kouji's laughter.
"Kouji is… laughing!!" Someone, well, most of them said, staring in bewilderment at the laughing supposedly-stone-hearted Kouji. The class was once again silent, not noticing the door of their classroom opening.
When the two ceased laughing, the class was still staring at them. The class suddenly clapped their hands. "Wow, Mizui! You're the first one to make Kouji laugh!" and some more comments like that were made by the class.
Izumi was blushing furiously and Kouji was smirking.
oOoOoOo
Outside the room with Kouichi and Ms. Hikuchi
Kouichi listened attentively as their teacher slash adviser, told him the changes in the interaction. "Kouichi, this year's interaction would be different from the past years."
Kouichi nodded his head as the teacher continued. "We will have a two-day interaction. The first day would be more of the getting to know and planning. The second day, you would be having actual classes. These classes include Mathematics, Science and Technology, Physical Education, Music and Health."
"Health?" Kouichi asked in confusion.
"It's a new subject that the school's planning to teach." Ms. Hikuchi said. "It focuses on the human body and life itself. Health's supposed objective is for students to understand the hazards that may affect their health or their ways of living. This includes family relationships, self-discipline, parental guidance, diseases that may be passed through intercourse and the like."
Kouichi took a huge breath hoping to digest all the information as soon as possible. "Why?" Kouichi asked, unbelieving.
The teacher laughed at his reaction, expecting it. "Kouichi, we want our students to be aware of how life should be treated. This would, hopefully, improve your views in life and people. Besides, this subject would help you prepare for your future: when you have your own family!!"
Kouichi forced a smile. "Uh, so anyway, Ms. H, how do we divide the class?"
The said teacher clapped her hands together and answered. "I have already made the two groups." She said, handing a paper to him. Kouichi examined the paper and nodded his head.
"Go ahead and announce it to everyone. The room assignments are also written there. I'll see you in a while." She said then left.
Kouichi nodded his head and looked at the paper he was holding. "Kouji's not going to like this." He said to himself.
oOoOoOo
When Kouichi entered the room, he was surprised to see everyone staring at two particular people who were laughing. He took a deep breath, getting ready to call the attention of the class when suddenly applause was heard.
Kouichi observed the class and soon found out the reason of their actions. Apparently, the students were bemused by the fact that Izumi was able to make Kouji – the Kouji laugh.
"Class 2A!" Kouichi said aloud, getting the attention of the whole class. "I have here," he began raising the paper that Ms. Hikuchi gave him. "the groupings. I shall announce them now."
Kouichi took a deep breath. "The first group will be staying in room 307. The students are as follows." Kouichi said, enumerating the members of the group. He paused to take a breathe rand resumed. "The 18th member is Mizui, 19th is Takuya and lastly, I, Kouichi. Group 2 will be staying in Room 304."
Kouji frowned. He wasn't grouped with Izumi. He cursed silently. 'I have to do something about that.' He thought.
"Kouji, we're not in the same group." Izumi said sadly. Kouji looked at her and shrugged. "I'll do something about it."
Izumi blinked at him in confusion. "Oh, but I didn't mean that we should make a way to be group mates."
He looked at her apathetically. "You don't want to?"
"NO! I mean YES! I mean, of course I'd be more comfortable if we were in the same group." Izumi said doing weird signals with her hand.
Kouji smirked. "What are you doing Tenshi?"
Izumi stopped and pouted.
Kouji patted her head and stood up to go near Kouichi who was in the middle of announcing the second group.
Kouichi stopped reading and turned to face Kouji. Kouichi knew Kouji was going to go to him sooner or later. "What is it Kouji?" he asked. He already knew what Kouji wanted but the problem is; he couldn't comply with it.
"I want Tenshi to be in my group." He bluntly said.
Kouichi sighed. "I can't change the groupings Kouji. Ms. H made the grouping and it would be unfair for the others if I agreed to what you wanted."
Kouji knew Kouichi was right but he had to be in the same group as Izumi. Who knows what might happen. She could get found out! "Ask them, then."
Kouichi sighed. "Alright."
Kouji walked back to his seat beside Izumi as Kouichi spoke. "Everyone, it seems Kouji wants Mizui to be in the same group as him." Kouichi paused as the class turned to look at Kouji who was completely apathetic. "Now, I was wondering if it would be ok if I comply with what he wants."
Takuya raised his hands. "Does that mean Mizui and I wouldn't be group mates anymore?" he asked.
Kouichi nodded.
Takuya frowned. "If that's the case, then my answer is no." Kouji silently cursed Takuya for objecting. 'I'll get him for this.'
"Well, Takuya said no. What about the others?" Kouichi said turning to look at his classmates.
"Can we pick our group if we allow Mizui to change groups?" Zeke asked. Kouichi shook his head. "No, you may not."
Zeke shrugged. The others followed. Kouichi sighed. "Ok, so everyone who objects please raise your hands."
Takuya's right hand shot up immediately. It was then followed by another and another and another. Soon, almost half of the class was raising their hands. Keyword: almost.
Kouichi sighed. This was definitely going to be a problem.
"C'mon. Just let Mizui change groups!" one of the students, Zie, said.
Another, Areos groaned. "Why should we? It's unfair!"
"How about we do this as a thank you present for Mizui?" Argos, another student, said.
"Thank him for what?!" Ken said, joining the current conflict.
Argos stood up. "It was Mizui who made Kouji laugh."
Everyone was silent after that. Kouji and Izumi wondered why. Who cares if Izumi made Kouji laugh, right? Why would it be a big deal for them? 'Kouichi has some explaining to do.' Kouji thought silently.
Kouichi nodded his head. "I think the class has made a decision. Mizui, you are now part of group two."
Izumi looked at Kouichi in confusion. She wasn't sure how it exactly happened but she was glad she was in Kouji's group now.
Kouji stood up and walked towards Kouichi. "What the hell was that all about?" Kouji hissed.
Kouichi laughed nervously. "You see, last year, the class agreed that whoever makes you laugh would get treated by the whole class."
Kouji glared.
Kouichi raised his hands as a sign of surrendering. "We just wanted to see you laugh, bro."
Kouji glared.
"Oh c'mon. Stop glaring." Kouichi stated. "At least Mizui gets to be in your group."
Kouji glared then turned to walk back to his seat, irritated by the fact that his classmates made a bet concerning him.
oOoOoOo
-Izumi's POV-
I cleared my throat as I fidgeted in my seat. There's this one girl who keeps staring at me like I did something wrong. It isn't one of my fan girls, I'm sure of that. I'm also sure that she's one of Kouji's fan girls; the brunette who bumped into me when we had the Shakes fest.
I turned to look at Umi's sister, Sakura, who was beside me. "Hey, what's the name of the brunette behind me?" I whispered.
"Mikawa Kiara, why do you ask?" she answered me with a smile.
I shook my head, "Nothing." She looked at me strangely and listened to what the teacher was explaining.
After Kouichi explained what the activities were, the class divided into the two groups and went to their respective class rooms. I wished Kouji and I could have sat together but apparently, we were supposed to seat beside the opposite sex. I sighed, how ironic.
I once more squirmed restlessly in my seat. 'I'm really uncomfortable with this.'
"Hey, teacher." I turned to my left and saw Kouji raising his hand. Oh, and I also saw the blushing girl beside her. I mentally cursed the girl. I was jealous that that girl gets to sit beside me. I admit it. I'm just human after all; it's natural for humans to get jealous.
"Mizui, I believe, is not feeling well." I stared at him, shocked. 'What the heck was he talking about?' I thought. "I'd like to bring him to the clinic." He said. Although the words actually seem like he cared, the tone of his voice clearly said otherwise.
The teacher looked bewildered but complied to Kouji's request, anyway. He walked towards me grabbed my hand, which I liked by the way, and dragged me out of the room.
His intentions, I know nothing of but I am certain I like it this way; just the two of us holding hands. That's why I haven't uttered a single sound when he pulled me out of the room. He stopped abruptly. I surveyed our surroundings. 'Wait a minute, isn't this the garden near our dorms?' I thought. I didn't notice where we were going because I was too focused in Kouji. I sighed. "Kouji, you should know, I do not like cutting classes." I said.
He let go of my hand and the warmth of it I missed immediately. "I know. I just didn't like it in there. Besides, I noticed you didn't like it in there as well." He stated and sat on the grassy spot under the tree in the middle of the garden.
I shook my head and sat beside him. "I can't believe I'm actually cutting class."
"Stop whining, Tenshi. You know you don't want to go back in there." He stated and started closing his eyes. I looked at him quizzically. "You're going to sleep?" I asked him.
He nodded his head, "Yeah, I didn't have enough sleep. I was thinking of something."
"Thinking of what?" I asked. Well, I am a curious girl in nature.
He sighed and opened his eyes. He looked at me with a serious face. "How do you expect me to sleep if you keep asking me questions?"
I pouted at him. "You're the one who took me out here. The least you could do is entertain me."
He smirked. "Ah, but Tenshi, my mere presence is already entertaining you." He said. Can I be more obvious? I blushed! RIGHT.IN.FRONT OF HIM!! Argh! I mentally scolded myself as his smirk grew wider. "Touché, Tenshi."
I stuck my tongue out at him. "Real mature." He stated.
"Yeah, well, I'm not old. I'm still young: a fragile young lady." I said defensively.
His expression suddenly grew soft. I looked at him, waiting for him to say something.
"That's why I'm here." He said. I noticed his eyes drooping slightly. "I'm here to protect you from everything or everyone that might cause pain to your fragile self." The last things he said, I barely heard because the next thing I know, his head was resting in my shoulders.
I smiled. "You know, Kouji." I said, not expecting him to hear. "I don't want you to protect me. I want you to let me protect you."
"I know the reason you're so cold is because you don't want getting hurt. That's why, to protect yourself, you decided to build a high wall around yourself. I understand how you feel, because even I don't want to get hurt."
"But you know, Kouji? You don't need a wall of protection when you have someone else to protect you. That's why, please let me help you Kouji. Let me be a friend you can count own." I said, finally letting it out.
Right now, a friend is what he needs and not a lover. Kouji still has his feeling bottled up. And even though he actually shows emotions now, he's still so cautious. He's too vigilant for his own good. Someone needs to show him that. Sometimes, a person needs to fall down and get hurt to know how it actually feels to be happy.
I know he didn't hear me. I know, but I secretly hoped he did. I wanted him to know how much I want to be with him, even just as friends. It doesn't matter anymore, if he doesn't return my feelings. Of course I'd be happier if he did but if what he needs is a friend then I'm here.
All I really care about right now,
"Is that you'll let me be by your side from now on." I said silently, very silently.
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END OF CHAPTER
Everyone! I am really really sorry. I know I haven't been updating.
It's just that I've been having a tough life lately.
My grandmother died.
Then my brother suddenly gets dengue.
Then I get pressured to get into a good College.
Then I get pressured by all the project and tests.
And then I injure myself.
Sigh I don't know what to do anymore.
However, I promise that I would finish this. Although, I can not promise that I would update early, I would do my best.
Once more, I sincerely apologize.
I don't even know if this chapter is good enough. When I made this, I just kept in mind that I should update, no matter what it takes.
I apologize in advance if this hasn't met up with your standards.
I always try to do my best. And if this isn't good, I WILL try harder.
Immensely grateful,
imuzuok