Eleventh! *starts counting her fingers to see if she got it right* Thanks again for reviewing!
Frack: now that you've mentioned it, Rukawa IS ooc… *sweats* I have to admit, it's pretty hard to keep him to his ice block character especially when ur writing romance about him… hmmm, let's just say this is a slight change of behavioural pattern due to … um, due to hormonal imbalance that most teenagers face! And let's just say he's really, really naïve, or he really doesn't take notice of his fans that he can barely spot one under his nose, or … I've run out of ideas. Sorry!
Tiran: Thanks. You sound so delighted (SO EVIL!! RUKAWA IS SOOOO EVIL, CAUSE OF THE EVIL PLAN!!) :P
Tensaispira: Sorry that you injured your…??? (what part of the body did you injure??). Keep on reading!
Joy: Relax – I'm not going to cut your head off if you don't review… *rethinks it* no, maybe I will… *starts thinking brutal thoughts* ANYWAY, this chapter is here, so enjoy!
Maemi: hi! I tried to review your fanfic, but I didn't login and was kicked out of the review box. T_T. I'll do it now, if you don't mind: I really like it! I have NEVER seen such a complicated plot and love twists. I'll read it for new updates as soon as I finish uploading this chap!
Nellie: At least you reviewed!! : D
Leika: Not to worry. I like your imagination. Maybe you should let it run wild and tell me about it so I can steal some ideas! Ha ha ha! (sorry, just kidding)
Girl_sport17: Thanks! This chapter will surprise you even more. Was I hard on my brother? Well, if you've met my brother, you wouldn't think so! (Kidding). Thanks for reviewing!
Poetic Phoenix: THAT was a LOOOOOOOONG review. I was checking the review page, and I saw this looong essay and I was like: Hah?? Still, thank you so very much for taking the time to do so! And I am REALLY, REALLY pleased that you imagined it was you! That was rather the whole purpose of this fic – so you can put yourself in the character's shoes. : ) Hope you like this chapter!
Chapter 11.
Akima smiled, calmly watching from a distance as Ika crept up to her bag which she had left right by her locker. Once a fool, she thought, always a fool.
Patiently quiet, she barely blinked when Ika took out one of her expensive watches and bracelets and slipped them into the bag. Ika was being very careful, looking around every split second to watch out for people. Akima had to admit, Ika was rather good at being a criminal. That should make her father's upturned nose even prouder than it already is.
Looking victorious and pleased, Ika straightened up and acting convincingly as if nothing had happened, she sauntered off to her next class, which she was already fifteen-minutes late for, having to wait for everyone to clear the place before she could commit the deed. If it worked, and Ika was sure it would, Miss Akima Hanashi would find herself kicked out of school and left to beg for leftovers by the sidewalk. Let's see how she handles that!
Almost giggling, Ika pushed open the door to her classroom and stepped in.
Almost giggling too, Akima hit the 'STOP' button on the camcorder.
The headmaster watched it for the sixth time.
Waiting patiently in the seat across him, Akima glanced around the neat room and rows and rows of bookshelves lined up against the wall. She was in the midst of counting all the books when the headmaster swivelled around in his chair and sighed at his desk.
She waited expectantly.
"Akima…" he finally said, taking his thick glasses off and rubbing his fingers over his temples. Then, turning to the intercom, he abruptly pressed a button and told the young secretary to go and get Ms. Kirani.
Akima almost laughed in triumph.
The headmaster then looked at her again, as if contemplating what to do with her. "Akima…" he said, as if he didn't know what else to say other than her name. "I don't know how to interpret this but –"
"There's nothing to interpret, sir," Akima shrugged, suddenly feeling uneasy. "What you saw truly happened, and we both know what it means."
He didn't seem to want to agree with her.
Growing frustrated, Akima jerked around when the door slammed open and an irate Ika Kirani stepped in. When Ika saw her, her eyes widened and she looked confused. "What is it?" she asked rudely, directing the question to Akima.
Akima glared.
"Ms. Kirani," the headmaster said slowly. "Ms. Hanashi here has something that you might want to see."
"I don't want to see anything this pathetic girl has," Ika snapped even as the video sprang to life on the TV screen. "She has nothing but –" She was silenced by the scene playing in front of her. "WHAT??"
"Caught on candid camera," Akima murmured brightly.
Obviously aware of what had happened and what was happening now, Ika snarled. "You piece of cow dung!" she started yelling. "Why, I'll make sure you never – "
"SILENCE!" the headmaster screeched. "Ms. Kirani, I do not appreciate you screaming in my office. Let's settle this in a calm manner." He leaned back against his chair. "I need you to tell me the truth."
"The video's a lie!" Ika boomed. "It's a lie! It's a lie!"
"Then what where you doing, fooling around with Ms. Hanashi's bag and putting your belongings in it?"
Ika faltered, lost for words. "I…" she sputtered. "What does it matter?? If I say it's a lie, then it's a lie!"
Akima got to her feet. "Who's lying, horse-face? Who accused who?" Producing a tape-recorder out of nowhere, she hissed: "Since you practically have no brain, you probably don't remember. Here's a reminder." She pushed the PLAY button and the conversation between Ika and Kaede yesterday filled the room.
"… She still seemed bloody happy. So I accused her. I placed my purse in her bag and then had the headmaster spot-check it and walla! Caught!…"
Ika had turned beet-red in both anger and embarrassment. "Lies! All lies!"
"As stupid as you are, I'm sure you'd recognize your own voice," Akima snapped, "or do I have to remind you about that too??"
The headmaster cleared his throat. "Ms. Kirani," he started. "I think this confirms where you stand in this case." Ika glowered at him. "Please don't do this again. You can go now."
Ika gritted her teeth as Akima looked at the headmaster in disbelief. "I want both tapes," she demanded, pointing at the videocassette and the audiocassette which Akima held protectively with her.
"What?" Akima exclaimed. "Not on your life!"
"Give it to her, Akima," the headmaster told her, sighing some more. When Akima stared at him blankly, he held his own hands out and took the tapes from her. Giving the tapes over to Ika, he said: "You can go now, Ms. Kirani."
Akima whirled on the headmaster as Ika made her escape. "Aren't you going to punish her?" she asked wildly. "Are you just going to let her go like that? What about those tapes? You know she's going to destroy it! Why did you give it to her??"
The headmaster sighed again. Once again, he rubbed his temples as if a headache was coming around. "Akima," he said it almost impatiently. "You must understand that Mr. Kirani is one of the main sponsors and donors for the school. I cannot mar his daughter's reputation and risk losing him. The school has a lot of activities planned and we need the financial support."
She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Can't mar their reputation…" she repeated, as if in a trance. She didn't know whether to beat her head up against the wooden desk or wail like a crazy asylum member. "But what about MY reputation??" she demanded. "Don't you care even the slightest for what I've suffered through? Doesn't it matter to you that I've been unfairly treated and that people will keep on thinking I'm a thief?"
The headmaster's lips thinned. "Does your mother sponsor the school?" he shot back.
Akima flinched at the abusive question. "No –"
"Has she donated a single cent to the school's needs?"
"No, but –"
"End of this argument." The look he gave silenced her. "I will apologise by taking back your punishment of three days of suspension. You can come to school as usual. You may go now. Have a good day."
She gawked at him.
He sighed again. "I'm sure you understand, Akima. The school depends a lot on the Kirani family. Now please go."
At the dismissal, Akima grabbed her bag up, fought the tears back – all the while cursing her way-too-sensitive eyes – and headed for the door. Pausing by the door with a hand on the handle, she turned back to the headmaster.
"Yes, I do understand that Mr. Kirani's money plays a big part in the school's bank," she said bitterly. "But what I don't understand is why because of money, some people can't even afford to be human."
With that, she wrenched the door open and left.
Review! What do you think she should do??