The Lovers Card
Chapter: Two
A/N: Yay! Finally one more month and Digimon 04 will air!! I can't wait! *Happiness* Only problem is that school also starts. Oi.You know I'm actually sorta excited but also sad. I like my freedom!!!
*****
"Izumi-chan! Are you going to ditch us again for lunch?!" a pretty girl complained, clutching her lunch bag in annoyance, "You haven't eaten with us in a week!"
"Gomen Mimi-chan! But I...I committed to something awhile back! Don't worry I'll be done soon though," the blonde reassured. "Just a bit longer."
"Fine, but what could be more important then your friends?" Mimi prodded, "Unless it's a boy."
"I-Iee!!" Izumi screamed, shaking her head furiously, "N-No way!! I'm just busy! Busy!" Avoiding any more questions, she took off towards the main building, leaving her friend to sigh in frustration.
"That Izumi!!"
*****
Reaching the art room at the speed of light, Izumi huffed, trying to catch her breath. Already inside, and behind his equipment Kouji greeted, "You're late," and continued to work on his paints.
"Why you!" clenching her fist she growled, "I'm the one doing you a favor! Be nice!!" Taking her usual seat in front of him, she glared daggers at the back of the canvas and though, 'Jerk.'
"Whatever," responding with his usual answer Kouji just started to paint, his brush strokes, the only noise in the room.
**Flisk-Flisk**
The sound grated Izumi's nerves. The silence, besides Kouji himself, always got to her. It was too bizarre to be so quiet and she constantly had to fight the urge to run out of the room screaming. Clenching the hem of her dress, Izumi couldn't take it anymore and started, "Kouji how much longer until the painting is finished?"
"About another week," he answered, ignoring that strangled look on her face. "Perfection is a delicate process."
"Another week?! But I've already been here too long! My friends are starting to question where I've been!!" she argued, eye twitching. "What am I supposed to tell them?"
"What you've been doing?" he offered, not moved by her sudden burst of emotion, "Why can't you just tell them the truth?"
"And be humiliated?!" Izumi shrieked, jumping to her feet. "I can't tell them what I've been doing! Spending time with Y-You!! Of all people!!"
Stopping his brush for a moment, an unreadable expression crossed his face, before he answered, "If I'm that horrible to be with...then just go. I'll finish this on my own."
Turning his back on her, Kouji moved to go wash his hands, as Izumi sunk back into her seat. Feeling awful for what she had just said, she apologized softly, "G-Gomen...that was out of line."
"If that's how you feel then just go!" he suddenly shouted, startling her. Back still turned to her, his face was shadowed by his bangs as he repeated, "Leave. Please."
"I." not sure of what to do, Izumi got up and quickly ran out of the room. 'I really did it didn't I? I'm such an idiot! How could I say such a cruel thing? Even to him!!'
Still leaning against the sink, Kouji gazed out the window. 'Venus really was only a dream wasn't she...?'
*****
Hugging her legs, Izumi sat in her room and gazed at the pouring rain outside. Laying her head down, the pitter-patter on the glass made her remember the sounds of Kouji's brush. 'Why are thinking of him all of a sudden? Stop...Stop!!'
Grabbing a stuffed bear, she chucked it across the room, her anger getting the better of her. Watching the toy hit the wall and land on her carpet, Izumi's rage soon diminished and she sat ashamed of her actions. "I'm always getting so upset...I shouldn't be so high strung...because when I get like this...I hurt people."
Recollecting images of what had happened earlier, Izumi felt worse as she remembered Kouji's harsh words.
'Leave!' his voice echoed.
"I deserved to be kicked out...I was really nasty...I didn't want to hurt him but my frustration just took over...How...How am I going to make it better?" she deliberated, hugging herself. "I wonder...what kind of guy he really is."
*****
The next morning Kouji could be found in the art room, gazing at one particular thing. Eyes locked on the picture he had dubbed 'Venus' he held a can of paint remover in one hand. 'This painting...somehow has lost its shine.'
About to soak the canvas with the dissolving liquid, he was halted when a shrill voice shouted, "Stop!! Stop!! What are you doing Minamoto?!" Dashing into the room out of breath, Izumi collapsed into a chair and panted, "I...I run all the way to school to see it...and you're about to destroy all your hard work? Baka!!"
"Aa." Gaping in shock, Kouji just asked her, "What...are you doing coming to see something you abandoned?"
"Abandoned?!" Izumi yelled, waving her fist at him, "You kicked me out!! I never said anything about quitting! Orimoto Izumi doesn't know the meaning of that word!!" Sitting up straight, she pointed towards his chair in front of the portrait and ordered, "Now sit. We still have awhile till class starts and you're going to use that time doing something constructive!!"
Staring at her for a long moment, Kouji shook his head. Taking at seat like she instructed, he pulled out his easel and brush and began to paint. Not expecting him to talk for the remainder of the morning they were there, she was startled when he spoke, "Orimoto...you're a strange girl."
"Strange? How rude is that!" scowling from behind the canvas, Izumi countered, "You're the strange one!! Kicking me out, and then painting me like nothing happened the next morning! Strange! Strange! You're the strange one!!"
"Hn, Maybe you're right," he answered, smiling faintly. 'But you're still a strange girl...Orimoto Izumi.'
"I'm glad you agree! Baka Kouji," she growled, not noticing his grin. Firmly crossing her arms she added, "And when are you going to finally let me see it? I want to know how well it turned out!"
"When..." Kouji began and peeked his head out to meet her eyes. "Venus's shine will blind us."
"W-What kind of answer is that?!" Izumi asked, her heart beating rapidly. 'Stop it! Stop beating so fast! He has a demon's eyes!! Argh they're making my heart want to jump out!!'
Noticing the odd expression she was wearing, Kouji stopped to ask, "Daijobu? You look like you have to go to the bathroom."
"Nani?! Iee! I'm fine!" she blushed, looking away from him. 'What is wrong with you?!'
Giving her another weird look, he returned to painting but muttered, "Definitely crazy."
*****
Sitting in her last class of the day, Izumi sighed, stifling a yawn from boredom. Stretching she wondered when the teacher would shut up and let them out for the afternoon. Placing a heavy head on her palm, she listened half-heartedly to the lecture but felt her mind soon travel...
'Minamoto Kouji.Why am I thinking of you all of a sudden? I don't understand you. Always so cold and distant, even in the almost two week he's been here, how many people have you spoken to? All the girls seem to think you're cool but I wonder if it's because you truly hate us so much? Or are you scared?'
Shaking her head at the ridiculous notion that he was frightened, Izumi frowned as her thoughts continued to badger her brain, 'Why do I even care? I just met the guy and already we both declared our mutual hate for each other...but I...do I really dislike him that much? He really irritates me! And infuriates me. And drives me mad with his stupid silence! But no, I don't think I hate him. Maybe...maybe I should try to be his friend? Gah! That boy! I can't stop thinking about him!!'
Slamming a fist on her desk, she earned herself a scolding from the teacher and stares from her alarmed peers. Blushing terribly, she forced a smile and resumed contemplating her next move. 'I'm going to try hard and be his friend...that strange guy. Why do I want to know about him so much? He's a mystery. I want to get to know him...I'm such an idiot!'
Spying at her friend, a few desks away, Hikari stared at her flustered face and wondered, 'Izumi-chan? What's wrong with her?'
*****
Hurriedly rushing to the art club as the bell rang, Izumi scurried through the crowds of students. She had promised to meet Kouji after school to finish up the painting and for some reason her blood was pumping, causing her face to flush in excitement. 'Baaakkkaaa!! Don't get red! You're only going to see baka Kouji!!'
"Izumi!!" a voice called her back, breaking her train of thought. Halting her feet with a screech, she swiveled around and exclaimed, "Takuya!" in surprise and asked, "What are you doing here?"
"What are you doing in the arts department Izumi? You never usually come in here, did you join a club?" Takuya questioned, his curiosity getting the better of him, "I followed you here after class."
"Aw...Takuya..." Izumi muttered, not sure if she should tell him, "Bah! Why are you worried? I'm a strong girl, I can do what I want!" mock annoyance, coating her words.
"I was just worried...I mean you haven't been to basketball these last few days and...I haven't seen you at lunch..." he trailed on, a faint blush appearing. "I just thought...something might be wrong."
"Takuya." Izumi smiled, eyes softening. "Takuya! Daiboju! I'm all right! Don't worry about me!"
"Ha...Yea. I guess I'm just a worrier," he muttered sheepishly, scratching his head. "Well okay seeya tomorrow Izumi? Ja ne!" with that he ran off, leaving her to herself.
"Ja ne!" Izumi called hollered back, waving until she could no longer see him. When he was out of sight, she quickly turned her heels and darted up the stairs of the tall building and made her way to the art studio. 'That Takuya...ever since we were little kids, he's always looking out for me. I'm so lucky to have such good friends like him and Sora, Hikari and Mimi!'
"I-I just thought you might be lonely so I baked you these.Please accept them Minamoto-san!" a girl's voice cried out, causing Izumi's feet to freeze in place at the top of the stairs. Maneuvering her head to see what was going on, she gasped when she saw one of her close friends. 'Mimi...chan?'
Standing before Kouji, Mimi held out a bag of cookies as she continued, "I just thought you could use a friend. Always up here alone and I just wanted..."
'Mimi...Kouji...' Izumi thought, her heart suddenly feeling ten times heavier then it just did, 'Why do I feel so lonely all of a sudden?'
Shattering her mind with his next statement, Kouji took the gift and replied, "Arigato."
'K-Kouji!' Izumi choked silently, watching them from her hidden location. All intelligent decisions flying from her head, she dashed away from the scene, clutching her heart and berated herself crying, "You idiot! Idiot!" as sudden tears trailed down her cheeks. "Idiot! Why...are you crying?!"
-TBC.?
A/N: Oi @_@ Poor Izumi, though I don't think I like this chapter. Please Review and tell me what you think! I'll only update if I receive at least 10 Reviews. Arigato!
-Hikari no miko
Chapter: Two
A/N: Yay! Finally one more month and Digimon 04 will air!! I can't wait! *Happiness* Only problem is that school also starts. Oi.You know I'm actually sorta excited but also sad. I like my freedom!!!
*****
"Izumi-chan! Are you going to ditch us again for lunch?!" a pretty girl complained, clutching her lunch bag in annoyance, "You haven't eaten with us in a week!"
"Gomen Mimi-chan! But I...I committed to something awhile back! Don't worry I'll be done soon though," the blonde reassured. "Just a bit longer."
"Fine, but what could be more important then your friends?" Mimi prodded, "Unless it's a boy."
"I-Iee!!" Izumi screamed, shaking her head furiously, "N-No way!! I'm just busy! Busy!" Avoiding any more questions, she took off towards the main building, leaving her friend to sigh in frustration.
"That Izumi!!"
*****
Reaching the art room at the speed of light, Izumi huffed, trying to catch her breath. Already inside, and behind his equipment Kouji greeted, "You're late," and continued to work on his paints.
"Why you!" clenching her fist she growled, "I'm the one doing you a favor! Be nice!!" Taking her usual seat in front of him, she glared daggers at the back of the canvas and though, 'Jerk.'
"Whatever," responding with his usual answer Kouji just started to paint, his brush strokes, the only noise in the room.
**Flisk-Flisk**
The sound grated Izumi's nerves. The silence, besides Kouji himself, always got to her. It was too bizarre to be so quiet and she constantly had to fight the urge to run out of the room screaming. Clenching the hem of her dress, Izumi couldn't take it anymore and started, "Kouji how much longer until the painting is finished?"
"About another week," he answered, ignoring that strangled look on her face. "Perfection is a delicate process."
"Another week?! But I've already been here too long! My friends are starting to question where I've been!!" she argued, eye twitching. "What am I supposed to tell them?"
"What you've been doing?" he offered, not moved by her sudden burst of emotion, "Why can't you just tell them the truth?"
"And be humiliated?!" Izumi shrieked, jumping to her feet. "I can't tell them what I've been doing! Spending time with Y-You!! Of all people!!"
Stopping his brush for a moment, an unreadable expression crossed his face, before he answered, "If I'm that horrible to be with...then just go. I'll finish this on my own."
Turning his back on her, Kouji moved to go wash his hands, as Izumi sunk back into her seat. Feeling awful for what she had just said, she apologized softly, "G-Gomen...that was out of line."
"If that's how you feel then just go!" he suddenly shouted, startling her. Back still turned to her, his face was shadowed by his bangs as he repeated, "Leave. Please."
"I." not sure of what to do, Izumi got up and quickly ran out of the room. 'I really did it didn't I? I'm such an idiot! How could I say such a cruel thing? Even to him!!'
Still leaning against the sink, Kouji gazed out the window. 'Venus really was only a dream wasn't she...?'
*****
Hugging her legs, Izumi sat in her room and gazed at the pouring rain outside. Laying her head down, the pitter-patter on the glass made her remember the sounds of Kouji's brush. 'Why are thinking of him all of a sudden? Stop...Stop!!'
Grabbing a stuffed bear, she chucked it across the room, her anger getting the better of her. Watching the toy hit the wall and land on her carpet, Izumi's rage soon diminished and she sat ashamed of her actions. "I'm always getting so upset...I shouldn't be so high strung...because when I get like this...I hurt people."
Recollecting images of what had happened earlier, Izumi felt worse as she remembered Kouji's harsh words.
'Leave!' his voice echoed.
"I deserved to be kicked out...I was really nasty...I didn't want to hurt him but my frustration just took over...How...How am I going to make it better?" she deliberated, hugging herself. "I wonder...what kind of guy he really is."
*****
The next morning Kouji could be found in the art room, gazing at one particular thing. Eyes locked on the picture he had dubbed 'Venus' he held a can of paint remover in one hand. 'This painting...somehow has lost its shine.'
About to soak the canvas with the dissolving liquid, he was halted when a shrill voice shouted, "Stop!! Stop!! What are you doing Minamoto?!" Dashing into the room out of breath, Izumi collapsed into a chair and panted, "I...I run all the way to school to see it...and you're about to destroy all your hard work? Baka!!"
"Aa." Gaping in shock, Kouji just asked her, "What...are you doing coming to see something you abandoned?"
"Abandoned?!" Izumi yelled, waving her fist at him, "You kicked me out!! I never said anything about quitting! Orimoto Izumi doesn't know the meaning of that word!!" Sitting up straight, she pointed towards his chair in front of the portrait and ordered, "Now sit. We still have awhile till class starts and you're going to use that time doing something constructive!!"
Staring at her for a long moment, Kouji shook his head. Taking at seat like she instructed, he pulled out his easel and brush and began to paint. Not expecting him to talk for the remainder of the morning they were there, she was startled when he spoke, "Orimoto...you're a strange girl."
"Strange? How rude is that!" scowling from behind the canvas, Izumi countered, "You're the strange one!! Kicking me out, and then painting me like nothing happened the next morning! Strange! Strange! You're the strange one!!"
"Hn, Maybe you're right," he answered, smiling faintly. 'But you're still a strange girl...Orimoto Izumi.'
"I'm glad you agree! Baka Kouji," she growled, not noticing his grin. Firmly crossing her arms she added, "And when are you going to finally let me see it? I want to know how well it turned out!"
"When..." Kouji began and peeked his head out to meet her eyes. "Venus's shine will blind us."
"W-What kind of answer is that?!" Izumi asked, her heart beating rapidly. 'Stop it! Stop beating so fast! He has a demon's eyes!! Argh they're making my heart want to jump out!!'
Noticing the odd expression she was wearing, Kouji stopped to ask, "Daijobu? You look like you have to go to the bathroom."
"Nani?! Iee! I'm fine!" she blushed, looking away from him. 'What is wrong with you?!'
Giving her another weird look, he returned to painting but muttered, "Definitely crazy."
*****
Sitting in her last class of the day, Izumi sighed, stifling a yawn from boredom. Stretching she wondered when the teacher would shut up and let them out for the afternoon. Placing a heavy head on her palm, she listened half-heartedly to the lecture but felt her mind soon travel...
'Minamoto Kouji.Why am I thinking of you all of a sudden? I don't understand you. Always so cold and distant, even in the almost two week he's been here, how many people have you spoken to? All the girls seem to think you're cool but I wonder if it's because you truly hate us so much? Or are you scared?'
Shaking her head at the ridiculous notion that he was frightened, Izumi frowned as her thoughts continued to badger her brain, 'Why do I even care? I just met the guy and already we both declared our mutual hate for each other...but I...do I really dislike him that much? He really irritates me! And infuriates me. And drives me mad with his stupid silence! But no, I don't think I hate him. Maybe...maybe I should try to be his friend? Gah! That boy! I can't stop thinking about him!!'
Slamming a fist on her desk, she earned herself a scolding from the teacher and stares from her alarmed peers. Blushing terribly, she forced a smile and resumed contemplating her next move. 'I'm going to try hard and be his friend...that strange guy. Why do I want to know about him so much? He's a mystery. I want to get to know him...I'm such an idiot!'
Spying at her friend, a few desks away, Hikari stared at her flustered face and wondered, 'Izumi-chan? What's wrong with her?'
*****
Hurriedly rushing to the art club as the bell rang, Izumi scurried through the crowds of students. She had promised to meet Kouji after school to finish up the painting and for some reason her blood was pumping, causing her face to flush in excitement. 'Baaakkkaaa!! Don't get red! You're only going to see baka Kouji!!'
"Izumi!!" a voice called her back, breaking her train of thought. Halting her feet with a screech, she swiveled around and exclaimed, "Takuya!" in surprise and asked, "What are you doing here?"
"What are you doing in the arts department Izumi? You never usually come in here, did you join a club?" Takuya questioned, his curiosity getting the better of him, "I followed you here after class."
"Aw...Takuya..." Izumi muttered, not sure if she should tell him, "Bah! Why are you worried? I'm a strong girl, I can do what I want!" mock annoyance, coating her words.
"I was just worried...I mean you haven't been to basketball these last few days and...I haven't seen you at lunch..." he trailed on, a faint blush appearing. "I just thought...something might be wrong."
"Takuya." Izumi smiled, eyes softening. "Takuya! Daiboju! I'm all right! Don't worry about me!"
"Ha...Yea. I guess I'm just a worrier," he muttered sheepishly, scratching his head. "Well okay seeya tomorrow Izumi? Ja ne!" with that he ran off, leaving her to herself.
"Ja ne!" Izumi called hollered back, waving until she could no longer see him. When he was out of sight, she quickly turned her heels and darted up the stairs of the tall building and made her way to the art studio. 'That Takuya...ever since we were little kids, he's always looking out for me. I'm so lucky to have such good friends like him and Sora, Hikari and Mimi!'
"I-I just thought you might be lonely so I baked you these.Please accept them Minamoto-san!" a girl's voice cried out, causing Izumi's feet to freeze in place at the top of the stairs. Maneuvering her head to see what was going on, she gasped when she saw one of her close friends. 'Mimi...chan?'
Standing before Kouji, Mimi held out a bag of cookies as she continued, "I just thought you could use a friend. Always up here alone and I just wanted..."
'Mimi...Kouji...' Izumi thought, her heart suddenly feeling ten times heavier then it just did, 'Why do I feel so lonely all of a sudden?'
Shattering her mind with his next statement, Kouji took the gift and replied, "Arigato."
'K-Kouji!' Izumi choked silently, watching them from her hidden location. All intelligent decisions flying from her head, she dashed away from the scene, clutching her heart and berated herself crying, "You idiot! Idiot!" as sudden tears trailed down her cheeks. "Idiot! Why...are you crying?!"
-TBC.?
A/N: Oi @_@ Poor Izumi, though I don't think I like this chapter. Please Review and tell me what you think! I'll only update if I receive at least 10 Reviews. Arigato!
-Hikari no miko