Don't you just hate headaches?
Before the reading the chapter, I would like to greet some people. ^_^
Shirodachi: Hanagata will appear here… sometime… I hope.
sLL: Yep, I looks like a movie to me too. Do you thnik Fujima-san is a little OOC?
frozenfemale: I'll be glad to give you Fujima-san, but lets give my OC's a little bit of him. ^^
Alexia: Sen is nice. I like her too. You own Kenji too? My my…
Iron Kitty: Thank you so much for giving time on reading this fic of mine.
nothingtodo: OMG! You finally read it! *is so happy* Yeah, Kana is a punk.
Anyway… Chapter 5 of The Fan is updated. Read… read… Rukawa-kun wants attention too.
And finally, here is chapter 5! Enjoy!
Chapter 5 - Uncertainty
"Hey, You doin' something tonight? It's Friday, we have band practice, wanna come?" Teru called to Fujima as soon as he saw him walk out of his room. His roommate was wearing his new school uniform.
Fujima thought for a while. "What time?"
"Around six. Let's meet back here after school." Teru carefully wiped the face of his red electric guitar. "I'll introduce you to my bandmates, so you'll get to meet other people."
"Sure." He nodded and opened the door. "See you later."
Thank goodness it was a bright blue sky that welcomed him when he went out to the parking lot. It had been three days since he started school at Daigo University. Everything seemed to work out just fine. He met a few good friends and easily adjusted with his subjects and professors.
When he reached the area where his car was parked, he saw Kana leaning against the door of his car. She seemed to be waiting for him. He noticed that she too was wearing her uniform and thought that it really looked good on her. The skirt wasn't that short and wasn't that long either, although it revealed flawless long legs. Her hair was neatly tied in a pony tail and still she didn't wear any make-up. However, Fujima was a little disappointed because her cute belly ring was out of sight.
"You're up early." Fujima greeted. She was seriously gazing at her nails by the time he approached her. She was wearing black nail polish today.
Startled by his sudden arrival, Kana quickly picked up the brown paper bag that was on the floor and handed it to him with both hands.
"Thank you for lending me your jacket." She bowed her head, "Here, I washed it."
Fujima reached for the paper bag and opened it. It was his jacket alright. The jacket was neatly folded and smelled fresh from the laundry.
Kana looked up and tried to meet his eyes but her sight fell on his shoes. Nice shoes, she thought. Then slowly she looked all the way up from his pants to his coat. He looked very well-groomed and clean. She could smell the spicy scent of his aftershave from a distance. The aroma lingered through her nostrils, forcing her to take a deep breath.
"Thanks." Fujima said, waiting for her to say more.
She just couldn't look at him. Every time she tried, she felt nervous. It was a scary and uncomfortable feeling. Kana felt a lump on her throat and found it hard to speak for a while.
Fujima waited.
"I'm really sorry if I freaked you out the other day, Fujima-kun." Kana began. "I was only trying to protect myself. They…they… were laughing at me when I came in… I couldn't do anything else."
"Why?" That was all he could say.
Kana bit her lip and took one quick glance at him. "They always do that. I don't know. Sometimes they just talk about me without any reason at all, it's like I carry some sort of curse or disease."
He looked confused.
She laughed nervously. He saw her dimples suddenly appear. "Anyway, it's nothing. I should go now. See you at school!" She turned around and walked away.
"Kana-san!" Fujima called but she ignored it. She hurried out of the drive way and into the streets.
Fujima ran his fingers through his hair and then entered the car. A lot of questions suddenly flowed inside his mind as he started the engine. Does her brother or Eichiro know about that? Why do those people have to tease her? What's with her anyway that they don't like? She seems so tough on the outside, but inside he could sense her loneliness and despair. He knew that because he could see it through her eyes when she talks. Then he thought about those things that Yukari told him. Everything seemed to be so perplexing and mysterious. It was all up to his instincts. He didn't know what or whom to believe. It was like he wanted to know everything at the same time. The more he tried to ask questions and learn the answers, the more interesting it became… she became.
Kana was really not far away when he reached the road. She was walking alone, looking dazed, not knowing of the car creeping up behind her. He carefully drove his Celest beside the rim of the sidewalk and slowly followed her. Fujima opened the window and tried to get her attention.
"Why'd you run off like that? I thought you needed a ride to school?" He said, exchanging glances at her and the street from time to time.
"Remember what Teru said the other day when I wanted to borrow his bike?" She continued to walk, not looking at him. "After I borrow it, I need to use it again and the day after. I don't want you to think that I'm just being your friend so that I could ride with you everyday."
She was really a tough one, he noted.
"Thanks, but I'm used of walking everyday." Kana said coldly.
Fujima couldn't help but laugh. It was the first time he laughed, not because he found her statement funny. It was her determination that made him feel lighthearted all of a sudden.
"Laugh all you want. I don't care." She rolled her eyes annoyingly.
He shook his head and opened the passenger door with his reach, the car was still moving. "I don't mind."
"Don't mind what?" She stopped and raised an eyebrow.
He slowly halted the car.
"Driving you to school." He replied coolly. "We go to the same school don't we? We live in the same apartment. It can't be helped."
Kana fell silent.
"We're going to be late." He informed. "You coming or not?"
"Alright." She gave a loud sigh and then smiled, showing him her dimples once again.
She was silent when Fujima started to drive at a more maximum speed. The girl just blankly stared at the window. Her eyes were full of questions and answers that he wanted to uncover. It was too early, he thought. Maybe someday he would know. But not today.
"So, are you and Eichiro officially a couple now?" He started. Fujima knew that it wasn't like him to be asking questions like that but he couldn't help but ask.
Of all the questions to ask. Kana turned to him with wide eyes. "Excuse me?"
"I saw you the other day by the stairs when he fetched you." He replied casually.
He received a quick and heavy punch on the arm. "Ow!"
"You were spying on us?!" She raised her voice. Her face was crimson but then she laughed. "To tell you the truth, I don't know. We're usually like that but, he doesn't consider us as a couple."
"I'm confused." He admitted, taking a long look at her when the car stopped in front of a traffic light.
"Me too. It's just like we understand each other but no commitment." She tried to explain. "I don't really know."
"Have you asked him about this?"
"I try to, but he changes the subject. So I just let it pass."
The traffic light turned green again and they continued their ride to school. Fujima made a quick right turn and pursued on their conversation.
"Are you comfortable with that?"
Kana shrugged. "It's been six months. I'm used to it. Why?"
Fujima frowned. "I just find it unusual. If you both like each other why deny it? When two people share the same feelings, they always end up in a relationship. I guess the both of you are still not ready for that."
"Maybe." She gave it a thought.
"You love him don't you?" He suddenly had to ask.
She didn't answer. She didn't know what to answer. Or did she?
"It's alright. I'm sorry, I just got curious… Kana-san?" Fujima looked at her. She was trembling, her fists closed and her eyes almost filled with tears. It was really different from they way she acted a while ago.
"I don't really know if it's love." She responded. Her voice shaky.
"Don't worry. You'll be able to distinguish that when the right time comes." He comforted her. "Sometimes, it's harder to say no when you really mean yes."
They reached school after a few minutes and separated at the main hallway. Fujima went to his classmroom and pushed away all those thoughts for a while. He concentrated on his subjects until the rest of the day.
* * *
Teru was wearing a black shirt with skulls in the background when Fujima arrived back at the apartment. Kana was there and she wore a simple navy blue top and her usual torn bootleg jeans. Her hair was down and tucked behind her ears.
"She said she wanted to tag along." Teru said, eyeing her.
"You said it was okay." Kana defended. "Anyway, he would be very bored if he was alone in the studio."
"He's not going to be alone. That's why I asked him to come, so he could meet the others." The tattooed guy explained.
Fujima took off his school coat and went to his room without saying a word. The two continued to argue from the outiside. Then, he went out wearing a white Nike t-shirt.
"Let's go." Fujima invited, going out of the room once again. Teru brought along his guitar and Kana followed.
The studio they went was mediocre looking and airconditioned. The walls were painted blue and black with framed posters of different pop and rock bands.
Teru led them to a room at the second floor of the small building. Three people welcomed them when they entered.
"What took you so long?" A man with spiky red hair and a pair of earings on each ear said. "I thought you said six?"
"Yeah, you're twenty minutes late!" Exclaimed a younger looking man with the hair same as Fujima. He had an eyebrow pierce similar to Teru's.
"Hey, who's the freshie? We didn't ask for auditions." The third one wearing rimless glasses and had his hair dyed in white, looked at Fujima.
"Guys, this is my new roommate. Kenji Fujima. He's a friend of my cousin." Teru introduced Fujima to his band. "He's new to Nagai."
"Hey." The three of them chorused.
Fujima nodded.
"This is Hiroshi, our front man." Teru pointed to the young man with the pierced eyebrow. "Can you tell he's the youngest? And this is Kyo. Our drummer." He turned to the guy with spiky red hair.
"Ryutaro. I play bass." The one with the glasses and white hair introduced himself. He held out his hand to shake Fujima's.
"Nice meeting you guys." Fujima grinned. "I'm looking forward on hearing you play."
"We're good." Kyo snickered, twirling his drumsticks.
Hiroshi suddenly rapped on the wall to get their attention. "Listen, let's cut the formalities short okay? We need to practice six songs today. I don't think my voice can handle it if we start sharing our life stories to each other."
The band nodded.
"I'm sorry, Kenji. We'll all chill out some other time. I'm not throwing you out or anything, you can stay but we have to start our practice as soon as possible."
"No problem." Fujima agreed, looking at Kana who had not said a word since they came.
"Good. Okay men, let's start." Hiroshi clapped his hands.
The band began to set up their equipments. Fujima and Kana sat quietly on the couch watching them tune their instruments. They started to play very loud and Fujima felt like the noise gave him a sudden headache. Kana looked at him from the corner of her eyes and sighed.
"I'm going out for a bit. I'm not really fond of Hiro's voice." She confessed, standing up and walking out of the room.
"I'll go with you." Fujima rose from his seat. He gave eye signals to Teru saying that he's going out for a while.
The moon was already up, illuminating the sky while the stars were still hiding beneath the hazy clouds. Kana was outside the building, sitting on the front steps. In her hand was a cigarette stick and a lighter. Fujima appeared moments later and sat beside her. He eyed her curiously as she lighted the cigarette. Then she offered him one. Fujima instantly shook his head and kept on looking at her anxiously.
She started to make circles with the smoke, not paying attention to the person beside him. Finally he said something.
"When did you learn how to smoke?" He watched the smoke fade in the night.
Kana made a face. "I forgot. But it was just last year. Why?"
"Just wondering. You look like someone who has been smoking for a very long time." Fujima observed. "No offense."
"Is that bad?" She raised an eyebrow and made some more circles.
Fujima nodded. "Believe me, smoking doesn't fit you."
Kana pursed her lips and looked at him. Why is he telling this to her?
"Why do you smoke anyway?"
"I just do it whenever I feel nervous about something." She shrugged.
"So, are you nervous right now?" He said, never taking his eyes off her.
Shit. Why was he asking her questions like that? Was she really nervous? Why the hell did she start to light a cigarette in the first place? Because she just felt like it. Did that mean she was nervous about something… or someone? She could feel his eyes on her. Those big deep blue eyes of his which made her uneasy. I am nervous. Why? Was it because of him? She shook those thoughts away, trying to think of something else to answer, but his voice broke her thoughts again.
"Have you ever tried quitting?" He leaned forward, resting one arm on his knee.
She shook her head. "Nah."
"Why not?" Fujima stared at her fascinating profile.
"No one has ever asked me to." She answered briefly.
Then all of a sudden, Fujima raised his hand and took the cigarette stick away from her lips and threw it away on the side walk.
"Hey! What's the big idea? Why did you do that?!" Kana's face became furious. "What was that for?"
Fujima looked at her gravely. "I'm asking you to quit."
The impact of what he just said struck her like a brick on the head. She blinked twice, mouth agape.
"Will you say that again?" She requested.
Fujima smiled triumphantly. "I would like you to quit smoking." He repeated.
Kana laughed. A merry girlish laugh that made his heart soar. The tone of her voice was cheerful and heart warming. He would do anything to hear her laugh like that again.
"Right, and the next thing you know is, you want me to quit drinking." She shook her head.
Fujima gently placed a finger on the tip of her nose and tilted his head forward. "No, not really. Just smoking. I'm not that strict." He flashed her one of his boyish little grins.
She wiggled her nose and moved her face away. "A-are you trying to seduce me?" Kana asked nervously. "Because if you do, it's working. I have this thing for guys who smile with their eyes closed y'know."
That made him laugh.
"Hey!" Kana pouted, blushing a little.
He took his time to get hold of himself again. "So, are you… going to quit?"
Kana gave a brief nod, looking away from his eyes.
"I'm glad." Fujima looked up the night sky, smiling.
The feeling was magical. Kana left like she was flying when she saw him smile like that. It was also the first time she heard him laugh. She could feel her cheeks burn everytime his eyes fell on hers. Her insides were tingling whenever he showed some concern for her. What was it about him that made her feel that way? Whatever is was, she didn't want it to stop.
"Are you doing anything tomorrow?" He asked, gazing into her big black eyes.
Kana nodded. "Eichiro's going to take me to the mall." Then she laughed. "We're going to look for some punching bags."
"A date?" Fujima asked curiously.
She shook her head and smiled awkwardly. "Just hang out. Wanna crash in?"
"I can't." He sighed. "I'm going to do some researching for a report."
"Oh." Kana gave a disappointing look.
"There will be some other time." Fujima said. His happy mood seemed to disappear.
Teru's head poked out of the door, then the rest of his body followed. He was frowning.
"Are you two love birds finished? I asked for some accompaniment here." Teru said grumpily. He folded his arms to his chest and leaned on the wall. "Or are you just going to sit back and talk there?"
"The last choice was kinda good." Kana replied standing up. Fujima stood up as well, placing his hands inside his pockets.
Teru gave Fujima a menacing glare.
"Don't blame me." He shrugged. "She's a good talker. Besides, the noise was giving me quite a headache."
"You haven't heard them give their best yet." Teru informed him proudly.
Kana rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Your ears might bleed."
"Shut up! I didn't take you here to tick me off." Teru shot back.
"Whatever." Kana hurried up the stairs before them and they followed. The three of them went back to the studio and continued to jam until they finished.
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