Chapter 36

DISCLAIMER: Do not own Baka and Test or anything related to it, also do not own Gintama (should any references appear).

Kinoshita Hideyoshi

Having already had his first kiss, Hideyoshi was now not wanting Kou to steal his first kiss like he had been a few days ago, but now he was not wanting Kou to taint his lips that had been blessed with the touch of his sister's own; so he was still keen on changing Akihisa into an actor on par with Kou's own level.

But did he have any want for Akihisa's own lips? Before he had thought up his plan, he had given kissing Akihisa some thought. Hideyoshi still had feelings for her, but they were being replaced with more feelings towards his sister. Still... it was forbidden for him to be with his own blood...

Akihisa still held a place in his heart, and that small place was yearning for her. No, rather, that small place just had the intelligence to know not to hold feelings for his own sister and was using Akihisa to hold presence in his heart and mind.

But he could feel his feelings for his sister growing more and more with each passing day; a wave of feelings coursing through him as a result of their kiss. Just thinking about the kiss again made his fingers go up to his lips automatically, without thought.

Hideyoshi knew he would soon have to choose between the two of them. Akihisa, the one only a small part of his heart yearns to be with, but that his mind knows is not forbidden. Or Yuuko, his sister, the one who most of his heart belongs to even though it's forbidden. To choose Akihisa would hurt his heart so much... while to choose Yuuko... she probably wouldn't even return his feelings...

"follow your heart."

Those were the words his sister had told him weeks ago, and he still held those words fresh in mind. She told him to follow his heart, but his heart was divided between two people. How can he know which one to choose? The one who more of his heart yearns for? But that would be... his own sister...

She had given him her advice... and it was now up to him to decide if he was going to follow it or not...

Yoshii Akihisa

Today was the day that would determine whether or not she would acquire the role of Prin- Phillips the Samurai. For the sake of Hideyoshi's first kiss, she was wholly intent on giving her absolute best. Akihisa wasn't going to let Hideyoshi risk having his kiss stolen by Kou, instead she was going to possibly kiss him or, you know, just fake the kiss... but the temptation was just so tempting...

But no, no, no! She couldn't just so selfishly steal Hideyoshi's first kiss like that... he'd probably get mad at her... maybe... had she ever seen him get mad? Akihisa couldn't imagine Hideyoshi being mad, and was slightly tempted to steal his first kiss just to try and see a different side of him.

But no, Akihisa knew how it was to get your first kiss just so suddenly stolen without any warning or prior knowledge; and knowing that, she wasn't going to be selfish and steal Hideyoshi's own. Besides... he would probably rather prefer it be with his sister...

Akihisa's excited expression began to sadden, the girl shaking her head to try and regain her excitement. She couldn't let something like that to distract her; instead, she needed to focus on overcoming the obstacle right before her: Fukui Kou. After overcoming him, she could focus more on winning Hideyoshi over.

Minami...

It was a soft whisper in her head, running right under the surface of her mind. Her expression now fell saddened as she knew what she was doing to him. Over the few days, she had appeared to be completely focused on helping Hideyoshi, but she still saw how Minami was taking it all... she still saw the sad expression in his eyes...

It gnawed at her heart...

But like Yuuji said, she couldn't not hurt him if she was going to be falling in love with Hideyoshi... there was nothing else she could do... Akihisa didn't want to hurt Minami, but she had no choice...

"Akihisa, is something the matter?" Looking up, she caught sight of Hideyoshi standing in front of her. For the last couple of days, he had seemed a lot happier than usual and even sometimes had gotten lost in thought when they had been discussing the play and acting. Akihisa didn't know what could have made him so happy, and she was too afraid to dwell on it.

She raised her hands, trying to reassure Hideyoshi. "Everything's completely fine, Hideyoshi! Why would something be the matter?" After giving off a nervous laugh, she lowered her hands and leaned in towards him. "Anyway, today is the day! Don't worry Hideyoshi, I'll make sure I'll be the one to kiss you!"

Hideyoshi just stared at her with a blank stare in response. "You know, we're just going to be faking it. We don't have to kiss; we won't kiss." He shook his head at the puppy dog face Akihisa was starting to make before walking on pass her. "Anyway, we better get to the club. They're waiting for us."

Akihisa nodded and followed after him. She was confident with having had Hideyoshi as her teacher, and there was no way she was going to let Kou steal the spot-light. She'd show him, all for Hideyoshi's sake.

She'd show him.

Gym - Some time later.

In just a few minutes, they would begin. Both Akihisa and Kou were dressed up as Samurai with wooden swords, Akihisa having her long hair in a ponytail while Kou's own short hair made him look similar to a prince. The other members of the club were also present, some being necessary for participating in the Phillips' Audition that was taking place.

Kanada Aoi, the club president, was sitting in her chair with a script book in her hands. "Alright!" She exclaimed, hitting the book across her hand before continuing. "Akihisa-chan, Fukui, I'll be looking for you to remember your lines, use correct gestures and expressions, act and use emotions accordingly, and be able to cooperate with other actors and keep up the pace of the story." Now, she used the script book to point towards Kou. "Fukui, since you're the senior-most out of the two of you, you shall take the first try. Give it your all!" She exclaimed, a grin on her face as she leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms.

"Everyone in position!" Was her last exclamation.

A/N: Is anyone a bit agitated about Yuuko and Hideyoshi to the point of where you're thinking "JUST CONFESS ALREADY! YOU BOTH LOVE EACH OTHER!" so that you can get more Akihisa X Minami?

Due to time constraints, this chapter was ended early to be able to get out today. Next chapter, which should be coming earlier instead of later, will be setting up for some Akihisa and Minami. To make up for today, do you think I should go ahead and write out their date (if Akihisa accepts)?

I already have some work down for the next chapter, and I intend to start writing half of a chapter every day so that I can start getting these out much sooner, can make them longer if it calls for that, and give more thought into them. And also, I won't have to worry about unforeseen circumstances or worrying about getting the chapter up. This can also allow me to focus more on other story ideas I may or may not have for the twins and other characters of the Baka and Test series; and also the four ongoing stories I have out on here.

I want to say it on here, if anyone is curious upon seeing the summary or reading Contract, I just want to say that only one person inspired me to think of that idea - Yuuko.

Yes, Kinoshita Yuuko.

By the way, this author note is a much larger portion of the chapter than it should be.

Also, here's some trivia: At first, this chapter was meant to have Kubo wondering if Miharu had now become his enemy in acquiring Akihisa's love but it was turned down in favor for what you have just read... unless, you know, you skipped all the way down to the author's note for whatever reason...

Anyway, until further notice, expect Friday regular chapters to either come out on Thursday or Saturday instead of Friday.

9

...

Story Creation Room

"Ahem," The author coughed into her closed fist before looking up at the readers. "anyways, apparently, yesterday, all the characters were out doing something instead of being in here. And right now... well... they already went to bed so it's just me sitting around at this big, round, Camelot table. So anyway, the author note up above talks quite a bit for me so I suppose I should just be quiet now...

"Well, I hope you're enjoying the story... any comments, suggestions, or criticism or critique shall be taken into consideration. However, I would very much prefer not to have any flames or profanity, if you don't mind. Ah yes, one more thing... I have the plot of the- wait, I think I may have told you this before... but anyway, I'll tell you again. I have a pretty good idea of how the rest of the story up until the end will play out, so this story does now have a set plot-line. Soon, we shall learn who Hideyoshi will choose. But the story won't end there, we've still got Minami around here somewhere.

"Now, I think that is all there is for me to say. See you around."