TODOKANU OMOI- My Friend's Love
Chapter 5
/What am I doing here?/ Yaten thought, leaning on the wall surrounding Ami's home. The question wasn't whether or not he should be here; he knew he had to be here to set things right. There was only one problem: What was right?
He wanted to believe that he was here to help Ami and Taiki fix their relationship. If he talked to Ami, perhaps they could do something to beat some sense into Taiki. That would be "right".
It was also a lie. If he wanted to fix Ami and Taiki's relationship, he would have gone to Taiki. Taiki, after all, was his friend; Ami was a fellow Sailor Scout. With whom he just happened to be in love with.
Maybe Jiro was right. Taiki dumped Ami, the reasons didn't matter any more. It was his chance to see if a relationship would work now, to see if Ami felt about him the way he did about her. Whatever happened, Taiki should be out of the picture now. But was it right to ask Ami out on a date? Especially since it had only been two weeks since the breakup.
It would be so much easier if he could think like Jiro, to have a goal and to go for it no matter what.
/Oh, no. Now I'm wishing I thought like Jiro. I really need help./
Yaten allowed himself to smile a moment at the thought before returning to his brooding. Whatever the reasons were, he knew he had to talk to Ami today. Maybe when he saw her, he'd figure out what was right.
A few minutes later, Ami emerged from her house. /This is it. The moment of truth./ Yaten took a deep breath. "Ami."
He must have startled her. She blinked, poised as if she were ready to run back inside, then changed her mind and headed towards him. "Good morning," she half-smiled.
"Morning," he answered. Then, "Do you mind if I...?"
She shook her head. "Not at all."
They walked in silence for a few minutes, both lost in their own thoughts. Yaten had thought of a speech, and had spent a sleepless night perfecting it. However, now that the time had come to tell her, he couldn't speak. /Ami belongs with Taiki,/ he told himself. /It's fate. It's no good fighting against fate. She'll be much happier that way. I mucked all of this up, I have to fix it./ Drawing up his courage, he began, "Ami, I..."
"I know why you're here."
Yaten was momentarily dumbfounded. "What?" he managed to ask.
"I'm okay." She gave him a smile. It was a bit shaky, but genuine. "I appreciate you being concerned for me, but I'm all right now."
"I-"
"Breaking up with Taiki was probably for the best," Ami continued, looking towards the sky. "It made me reevaluate what had been our relationship. I wasn't really very happy in it, and I don't think he was either. I think we tried to make it work because everyone was expecting it. Even I was expecting it.
"You know," she continued, "the first time I saw him, I thought he was handsome. But not only because of his appearance. I was attracted to his intellect. Finally! Someone who would be able to understand me! Someone who felt studying was fun, not something you did to pass entrance exams." She smiled wistfully. "Someone who I could hold a conversation with without having to explain what I'm talking about all the time. That was why I fell in love with him." She paused, then asked, "Do you think that's a shallow reason?"
"Why are you asking me?" Yaten answered, glumly.
Ami blushed. "I don't know. I don't even know why I just told you all of that."
"Don't tell me, you've never told anyone else before."
"Don't be silly! Of course I've told my friends. I... just don't understand why I told you." She looked back down at her hands. "Anyway, it isn't really important, is it? Who you love is who you love, regardless of the reasons."
"If you say so." Yaten winced inwardly. /She still loves him,/ he thought. It was supposed to make him happy; after all, wasn't getting them back together the reason he was here? It didn't make him happy. It hurt. And he dealt with that hurt the only way he knew how. "It sounded like a stupid reason to me."
"I suppose so," Ami looked towards the ground, then straightened up. "Even if it was a stupid reason, it was my reason. What about you? Haven't you ever dated anyone for a stupid reason?"
Hesitating, Yaten finally confessed, "I've never dated anyone at all."
"Why not? Too good for everyone?" Her voice was teasing.
/No, I've never really wanted anyone before. Except you./ He shrugged. "They've all been the same. Selfish, unthinking, twits who only want to date me to become popular. I don't call anyone like *that* dateable material."
"I will take that as a 'yes'."
"Good." Yaten shot her a smirk. "Because it was."
Ami laughed. "It's good to see you in good spirits again."
"'Good spirits? Have I been looking that bad?"
"Yes. Luna even went to your house to find out if you were all right."
"Luna, huh?" Yaten allowed a smile to grow on his face as he remembered the feisty black cat that enjoyed his attention. "How is she doing?"
"Just fine. Although I think she goes to see you partly to keep Artemis jealous."
"That sounds like Luna," Yaten laughed. "I guess I have worried her a bit."
There was a slight pause, then Ami said quietly, "She wasn't the only one who was worried."
Yaten's world seemed to freeze in motion. He glanced at Ami, trying to find out what she meant by that remark. /Does she really-? You idiot, that could have meant anyone. That jabbering blondie, curious to see if she can mend my broken heart to fit one of her romantic scenarios. No thank you./ "I've been fine," he said, coldly. "I'm old enough to take care of myself. There's no need to worry."
"Of course." Ami's smile vanished, and she bent her head to study the pavement they were walking on.
They remained silent until the familiar squat building of their school came into view. "I'd better go. See you later." Ami hurried towards the front gate, leaving Yaten behind.
Yaten groaned inwardly as he watched her go. That went horribly. And worse off, he hadn't accomplished anything.
* * *
"You're an idiot!"
Yaten glared at Jiro, munching determinedly on his lunch. He'd been calling himself that all morning; however, it was different coming from Jiro. He was beginning to regret having lunch with him.
"After everything, you're still wallowing in self-pity!" Jiro threw up his hands theatrically. "What is *wrong* with you?!"
"What?" Yaten said. "All I did was..."
"Nothing! She was concerned about you, you ... aargh!" Apparently Jiro had no experience with name-calling. "And what did you do? Fling it in her face! You're an... idiot!"
"Is that the only insult you can come up with?" Yaten retorted. "Maybe you ought to get a dictionary to help you with your vocabulary."
"I've got you for a friend, that's dictionary enough."
Yaten nearly smiled. That was the best insult he had ever heard Jiro say. "Jiro, what else could I have done? She's still in love with Taiki."
"You don't know that! You're just second-guessing. You could be wrong."
"And I could be right. Did that ever occur to your ameba-sized brain?"
Jiro opened his mouth to retort, then shut it as his eyes lit up with an idea. A mischievous smile grew on his face. /Uh oh,/ Yaten thought.
"You're a coward."
*That* was a sore spot. "I am not!"
"Really? Then go ask her on a date. I dare you."
"That is *so* juvenile, Jiro."
"Well, you're being juvenile." Jiro rapped on the top of Yaten's head. "We both know you want to ask her out. I'll do it for you if you want!"
"I don't need you to be my 'messenger of love'." Yaten sighed. "Look, Jiro, I appreciate everything you've done for me, but..."
"I want some yakisoba bread. Do you want some?"
Yaten glared at him through half-lidded eyes. It was near impossible to hold a lengthy conversation with him. He wondered how the thought process worked inside Jiro's brain. "No."
"Okay. I'll just be right back then. Sit tight." Jiro grabbed his wallet and hurried out into the hall.
"I wonder if there's any yakisoba bread left?" Jiro mused to himself, closing the sliding doors behind him. It was nearly one o'clock, but the yakisoba bread was not one of the more popular things the school bakery sold. There was still a chance there was some left. And like Gekiganger, he had to seize the opportunity when it presented itself.
He posed, ready to make a speedy dash to the bakery. His wallet was out, the halls were empty save Mizuno walking towards the stairs, and there was no obstacle to hi- Mizuno. Jiro paused, straightening out of his pose. /What a coincidence. We were just talking about her. I wonder where she's going./ She looked rather sad, but of course she would. Yaten was being an idiot and not asking her out like he was supposed to. An idea slammed into his mind. But would it work? And would he have time to reach the bakery before it closed? He checked his watch, then sighed. Being a Cupid meant making many sacrifices. Quickly, he resumed his heroic dashing pose, and sprinted towards her.
Ami was lost in thought, replaying the conversation she had with Yaten over and over again in her mind. She still couldn't tell whether she was in love with him, but she couldn't deny that just being close to him made her heart pound in her chest. Talking with her friends did no good either; it only made her more confused about how she felt. Minako had suggested going out with Yaten to see if she liked him more, but now that was impossible. /I wish I knew what to do./
"MIZUNOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
Ami blinked, reflexively taking a step back as a black blur whizzed past her to slam into a wall. It groaned dramatically before peeling itself from the wall, materializing into a person. "Yamada?" she asked, stepping towards him to see if he was all right.
Seeing her he immediately collapsed to his knees. "My savior!" he cried.
Ami was well aware of Yamada's theatrical bent; nearly the entire school was. "How can I help you?"
"I have a friend..." Abruptly, he frowned as if deep in thought.
"You have a friend," Ami prompted.
"He needs to talk to you right away."
"About what?" Ami grew nervous, hoping it wasn't an admirer wanting to ask her out. Her love life was troubled as it was.
"About what?" Jiro paused as if in thought, then, "We found this website on Nadesico, but it's in English. He can't read it." Jiro buried his head in his hands as if feeling his friend's pain. "Oh, the torture he's going through, knowing that there is information in abundance, but being unable to read."
Ami smiled in relief. "I'd be happy to translate it for him."
Jiro grinned so wide Ami was afraid his lips would split in two. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! He'll be so happy you accepted!" He headed back down the hallway.
"Isn't the computer room this way?" Ami pointed towards the stairs.
"Uh... yeah... but.... we printed it out for you. Y'know, to make it easier to translate and stuff." He made motions with his hand for her to hurry, glancing at his watch at the same time.
Shaking her head in amusement, Ami followed him to the film room. "Just what is Nadesico exactly?"
"The greatest anime ever created!" Jiro enthused. "Big robots, beautiful women, and Justice!" He paused to strike a pose, then slid open the doors to the film room. "After you."
Ami entered and immediately the door slammed shut behind her.
"Jiro, can't you close that thing more quietly?" Yaten turned to glare at his wayward friend and froze solid. Instead of Jiro, Ami was standing in the computer room, looking both confused and lost. "Ami?" He asked, mouth becoming dry. "What are you doing here?
Glancing back towards the door in confusion, she answered, "Yamada said there was someone who wanted to talk to me..."
Yaten nearly groaned. This all screamed "set up!" at him. "Jiro's weird. And he has an even weirder sense of humor."
"I... see."
There was no getting out of this. None at all. "This... this isn't what it looks like..."
"Oh." Her face was unreadable.
"It's not what you-" Yaten threw his hands up. He was going to kill Jiro for this. Very very slowly. "All right, it is sort of what you think. Jiro- I- "
"It's all right." Ami reached for the door behind her. "I'll just go and we can pretend nothing happened."
"No we can't." Yaten had put this off for long enough. It was time to own up. He motioned toward a chair. "Sit down. We've got a lot to talk about."
Hesitating for a moment, Ami walked over and sat down in the offered chair. Taking a deep breath of courage, Yaten dropped back into his own, suddenly unsure of where to begin. "Jiro told you?" She nodded solemnly. "I'm sorry it had to come out like that. I should have told you myself."
"It's all right. I understand why you didn't."
"And you're okay with it?"
"Of course! This isn't the first time something like this has happened."
Yaten was getting the feeling that there was something not right about the way this conversation was going. Ami was way too casual about this. "What about Taiki?"
She gave him a confused look. "What do you mean?"
Aha! "What exactly did Jiro tell you?"
"That you wanted me to translate something about some anime. Why? What else could it be?"
Yaten nearly groaned. So Jiro hadn't blabbed that Yaten was in love with her! And he was very close to blabbing it himself. Luckily, he had the presence of mind to realize it in time. He was about to say "nothing" when he glanced up and saw Jiro gesturing wildly at him through the window. Even if he put it off today, Jiro was stubborn and stupid enough to try something like this later. Not only that, but it was time to stop avoiding the problem. He had to start doing the right thing. "Actually..." he paused, drawing up courage. "I was wondering if you were free on Saturday."
"For translating?"
"For a date."
The world seemed to freeze in motion as Ami's eyes widened, comprehending. "Yaten, I..."
"You can say no," he quickly amended. "I know it's tasteless of me to ask, especially since you just broke up with T-"
"Yes," she interrupted him, quietly.
Yaten blinked. This was unexpected. "You are?"
Ami nodded, a slight blush on her cheeks.
His brain whirled about, thinking of something to do. No, no, think of a time first, then think of something to do. "Okay. I'll pick you up at 5 then?"
"Okay." She smiled, something that turned him into jelly. Outside they heard a whoop of joy. "Yamada?" Ami guessed as Yaten embarrassedly covered his face with his hand.
"I told you... Jiro's weird." Yaten glared at the closed sliding doors.
"Then I'd better leave you two to talk," Ami rose and walked to the door. She glanced over her shoulder before opening the door, asking, "Five o'clock?"
Yaten nodded, his eyes following her out. She left the door open, but Jiro did not make an appearance. "Jiro," Yaten called, drawing his features into a glare.
After a moment, Jiro peeked into the room, wisely staying in the safety of the hall. "Yeah?"
"You set me up, didn't you?" Yaten crossed the room to come face-to-face with him.
Jiro gave him an embarrassed grin. "Maybe. But it worked didn't it? Just like when Godai and Kyoko got together."
"I want you to promise to never, ever do that to me again."
"But...!"
"Promise!"
"Okay," Jiro sulked. "I gave up yakisoba bread for you you know."
Yaten relented. As angry as he was, he had to admit that Jiro had only tried to help. "I know. I appreciate what you did, but-"
Jiro beamed, cutting him off. "Always here to help!" He clapped Yaten on the shoulder in a gesture of manly goodwill, then struck a pose that reminded Yaten of the ending to a film. "This makes for a great end, doesn't it?"
/Not yet,/ Yaten thought. /There's still one more thing I have to do./
* * *
Taiki stared at his report, not really concentrating on it, but this pose made sure he was undisturbed. The last couple of weeks had been a living nightmare as the entire female populous had decided he needed "comforting" because of his breakup with Ami. He had tried telling them that he was at fault and wanted to be left alone, but, as usual, no one would listen. What was it with the females on this planet that made them so pushy?
Things had not worked out the way he had planned them. Yaten had disappeared for days, and Ami was clearly upset. "The best laid plans of mice and men can go awry," he murmured. The earthly quote was little comfort. He wanted to do something, but when he had tried to help, it had failed miserably. So he did nothing.
He heard the door slide open and elicited a small groan. "I am busy. Please do not disturb me."
"It's me, Taiki."
Yaten. Taiki glanced towards the door. "I haven't seen you lately. We were worried about you."
"I'm fine," came the reply.
"Then please tell that to Seiya. He has been making the house a mess since your disappearance." Taiki tried to lighten the comment with a smile.
"He is such a kid!" Yaten leaned against the door exasperatedly. "What has he broken this time?"
"The usual. Plates, glasses, vases..."
"Not the Ming in the hallway?"
"That remains unscathed." Taiki felt a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Yaten seemed to be back to his normal self. "You seem well again."
Leaving the comment unanswered, Yaten came over to sit beside him. Looking directly into his eyes, he said, "I'm going out with Ami."
Apparently inaction was the best idea after all. "Oh really?" Taiki tried to ask nonchalantly, but was bothered by the sudden dread in his stomach.
"If you don't want me to, just say the words and I won't."
Taiki was caught in hesitation. /Everything is going the way I planned. Yaten and Ami have a chance to be together. It is as it should be./ The news should have come as a delight, instead it was a dread. Yaten was staring at him expectantly, a mixture of hope and fear on his face. /If I told him "no," he would respect that and be true to his word./ The temptation was there. One little word would decide their fate. /I can do it. I can say "no"./
/But that would be unfair./
"There is this cafe in Shibuya," he said, forcing a smile on his face. "Every Saturday it features some poetry readings. Ami always enjoyed it."
The look on Yaten's face was worth it all. Never before had Taiki seen Yaten so happy. The smile was contagious. "Then, you're okay with this?"
"It is what should have happened a long time ago, if someone hadn't been so stubborn." He tapped Yaten's forehead fondly. "You remind me of Seiya."
Yaten groaned. "Don't say that. I was in such a good mood."
Taiki laughed. "Then I take it back. You and Seiya are nothing alike."
"Thanks." Yaten squeezed Taiki's shoulder as he rose. "I'm sorry about all those things I accused you of. I've never had a better friend." He glanced at the computer screen. "I'd better let you get back to work.
Taiki watched Yaten leave, a mixture of happiness and dread in his chest. /It's all for the best,/ he reminded himself. Before the doubts began to creep in, he returned to his computer and began to type furiously.
*******
Author's Notes:
A big "Thank you" to everyone who's replied to this fic so far. ^___^ This isn't the end... yet.