The More Loving One
A Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou Fan Fiction
by: KCC
Disclaimer:
Rights to Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou belong to Masami Tsuda (manga), Hideaki Anno (anime) of Gainax and Right Stuff (anime - US release).
Spoiler Warnings/ Note:
This is loosely based on the "14 Days" arc so, if you've never seen/ read this part of the anime or manga, don't read this fanfic.
* * *
How should we like it were stars to burn
With a passion for us we could not return?
If equal affection cannot be,
Let the more loving one be me.
- W.H. Auden
* * *
Part One
Tonami had looked forward to this moment since the day he left for Okinawa three years ago.
He walked the halls of his new high school -- not really sure how he would find her.
I'll know her when I see her.
He had this image of her in his mind -- relished the many nights he had concocted and manipulated her image to suit his mood: witch, bitch, tomboy, psychopath, fat pig, demon from hell.
It was his memory of her that pushed him to succeed and become who he was now.
He pretended not to hear the girls who whispered in admiration as he walked by. He pretended not to notice them eye him with interest.
He had spotted Rika Sena a few minutes ago. He grinned as he remembered the look on her face when she saw him. Who would have thought I'd change so drastically? No one is going to be able to recognize me.
He knew Tsubaki Sakura was in section D, but that would have been too easy. He wanted to test if his mental picture of her was accurate.
I wonder where she is right now.
* * *
"Tonami Takefumi?" I wonder if it's him. Tsubaki's brow wrinkled a little as she tried to recall the face to go with the name. The kid who was always getting picked on in junior high.
She shrugged and continued eating -- pushing Tsubasa, who was helping herself to her bento, aside. She smiled. "Wouldn't it be great if it were our Tonami Takefumi?"
Rika shook her head in response. "This guy didn't look at all like the Tonami we were classmates with."
"Aren't you a little worried?"
"Why should I be?" Tsubaki managed to grab the last rice ball before Tsubasa could gobble it up. Trust Aya to bring up a good point.
"You were a little wild in junior high." Rika nodded -- agreeing with Aya's statement. "It's a good thing you've mellowed."
Tsubaki mused over what her long-time friends were saying. It was true, she was a wild devil in her younger days and she did remember how she treated Tonami Takefumi. She had long ago regretted her actions and had tried her best to change her ways.
"I'm better now." She mumbled, half-heartedly. "Much nicer, too."
* * *
The rest of the day witnessed Tsubaki's growing depression. What if it is him? She wasn't paying attention to her Science teacher. Do I apologize? I wonder how I can make it up to him. She doodled in her notebook -- drawing a volleyball net and the ball.
Sports was her comfort. It was only when she was playing volleyball did she feel truly free to express herself. I should go play basketball later. That always cheers me up. She proceeded to sketch a basketball and a rough image of her making a dunk. It couldn't be Tonami. Why would he come back here anyway? She heard the bell ring and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Hey, what do you want to do during the break?" Rika, who sat in front of her, leaned over her desk.
"I'm thinking of going to the basketball courts to play a bit."
"Play what?" Aya approached them from her seat, dragged the chair beside Tsubaki and sat down.
"Basketball. I want to practice my dunks."
The two girls nodded. They looked over to Tsubasa who was listening to the Yinyang CD while eating Pocky™ and decided not to bother her.
* * *
He saw her then, as she and her friends were coming out of their classroom. He tried to assess how accurately he had pictured her. Still the same short hair, the same confident swagger and yet...
"There's something different about her." He muttered under his breath, watching Tsubaki Sakura walk by his classroom.
He watched as her short skirt swirled around her legs that would have been too long and lanky on someone else, but were perfect on Tsubaki. His eyes widened as he observed her smooth and elegant hand tuck her hair behind her ear, exposing more of her healthy, glowing complexion.
She could be a model.
"She used to be such a tomboy." He hadn't expected her to be this beautiful. "A minor setback in my plans." He grinned and decided to see where she was going. Time to put the plan into action.
* * *
She was getting ready to try to dunk the ball again. The last one was close. I just need more leverage. Tsubaki ignored the sweat the streaked from her forehead down to her chin. I'm sure I'll be able to make one this time. She breathed and focused her eyes on the net.
I can do this.
He watched her get ready to dunk the ball. Saw the concentration and determination radiate from her. He was rooted to the spot where he stood -- unable to take his eyes off her.
I can do this. She ignored the beads of sweat trickle down her face and sting her eyes. She eyed the net. I can make the jump. She dug her shoe into the ground, making sure she had enough leverage.
She took his breath away. Every movement of hers was fluid and graceful -- it was as though his mind processed her actions in still frames and slow motion.
He flinched at the swear word that followed when the ball bounced off the ring.
Damn. Tsubaki knelt on the ground, catching her breath. I was so close.
He saw her kneeling on the ground, head bowed as she was trying to catch her breath.
Now I make my move.
Tonami walked over to where the basketball had rolled and picked it up. He dribbled it as he walked towards her.
The sound of the bouncing ball broke through her reverie. Her head snapped towards the source. Her eyes followed and she frowned at what she saw.
Who the hell --
It was a blur of motion -- one minute he was slowly making his way towards her while dribbling the ball, the next minute he was up in the air dunking the ball.
Irritation bristled through Tsubaki -- not only did this stranger have the audacity to intrude, he also managed to dunk the ball.
She stood up and glared at the guy.
He glared back.
He was surprised to discover how tall she was and didn't need to tilt her head that far back in order to look him straight in the eye.
That's right, notice me. Look your fill. He could feel her agitation and it fed his will to continue the staring match. Let's see who'll back down first.
Tsubaki didn't understand why she felt the way she did about the stranger. She realized that the guy was not going to give in. Well, I'm not going to lose this one. Her chin rose a notch -- a challenge.
When he saw her defiance and distress, Tonami knew he had done what he had set out to do.
Plan A, completed. He turned around and walked away.
I've got your attention now, Tsubaki Sakura.
She continued scowling at the departing figure. "Who was that guy?"
"That was Tonami Takefumi." Rika answered cautiously -- afraid that she might trigger a reaction in what was already a volatile situation.
The anger dissipated from her and was replaced by surprise. "That was him?!?"
She looked at him with more scrutiny.
He was tall, well-tanned and had an athletic physique -- the muscles on his back defined themselves through his shirt as he swaggered off the court.
"That definitely is not our Tonami Takefumi." Tsubaki picked up the basketball and tried to balance and twirl it on her fingertips.
Aya sensed the uneasiness Tsubaki tried to hide. Her friend was as transparent to her as glass -- a result of years of friendship.
She decided not to say anything, though -- her friend was troubled enough as it was.
"Hey, want to go bother Yukinon? I think she and Arima are busy with some school project."
That was another thing they had in common -- a love for pranks and mischief.
Tsubaki brightened visibly.
* * *
Yukino was surprised to have her friends drop by during lunch. She frowned as they approached her -- mischief gleaming in their eyes. She tilted her head to look at Rika who was a few steps behind Tsubaki and Aya -- a silent question. Rika shrugged her shoulders and shook her head in response.
"Yu-ki-non." Tsubaki rubbed her hands together in anticipation. "Are you busy?"
Aya tried to suppress her laughter -- her breath coming out in hisses.
"Nope. I finished the school project before breakfast this morning. What's up?"
Trust Yukinon to be so studious. "You're taking the fun out of bothering you." Tsubaki pouted.
"Yukino, teacher wants to see you in his office."
Aya and Tsubaki turned to the origin of the message and snickered.
Maho stood at the entrance to her classroom and watched Aya and Tsubaki advance towards her. Having spent most of her summer with them, she knew she was about to be involved in one of their pranks.
She sighed and braced herself.
* * *
"How was your first day at school?"
"It was fine." I managed to shake up one pretty little she-devil who will no doubt spend the rest of her evening wondering about me. Tonami took the bowl of rice his mom offered. "My new classmates are all very nice."
"Did you meet any nice girls?"
Tonami gave his sister dagger looks. "None of your business, sis."
* * *
The encounter with Tonami Takefumi bothered her more than Tsubaki expected it would. There's something very familiar about him -- something I can't put my finger on.
She took out her photo album and flipped through the pages until she found the picture she was looking for. It was a class picture from junior high.
She ran her finger through each face until she found Tonami Takefumi. She peered closely -- looking for clues; similarities ... anything.
She clenched her teeth in frustration when she realized she couldn't find anything.
She remembered his arrogant look and the irritating smirk on his face when he made the dunk. She suddenly wished she was in junior high again. I may not be that Tsubaki Sakura, but I can still beat your ass any day.
She rubbed her hands together as she relished the idea.
Tomorrow. I'll get even.
~ to be continued
* * *
Author's Notes:
- This Auden poem is one of my absolute favorites. It also describes the relationship between Tsubaki Sakura and Tonami Takefumi very well.
- Yes, Tonami has a sister. We don't get to see her in the anime, but she does make an appearance in the manga.
- As I've mentioned in my spoiler warnings, this is a free interpretation of the events that transpire between Tsubaki and Tonami. I didn't really make a conscious effort to chronicle the events as they happened in either the anime or the manga. The scenes that I've written, though based on either the anime or manga, are not chronologically accurate. What mattered to me was the telling of their story.