Fools13
warning: this chapter sucks. I know it, and so will you, once you've read it. If you read it. It exists for the dull purpose of advancing time. But I still have no excuse for the poor quality, except that I'm really fucking tired right now.
Soujiro's mother woke early the next morning.
Last night, she'd heard the doorbell ringing and wondered who'd be calling at such a late hour. She'd only been made more curious by the sound of raised voices-her son's.. and a woman-no, girl's.. But, she knew her son had a volatile temper that he could unleash, and would not like her to come meddling in his affairs. So, despite her concern, she did not get up to see about the commotion.. It was probably just some jilted lover of his, she supposed. Oh yes, she knew about her son's lascivious habits. He was growing up to be just like his father. The thought saddened her.
It was with some surprise that she noted that Soujiro didn't send the girl away.
Eventually, she fell asleep, lulled by the murmuring voices from down the hall.
Thus, the next morning, she decided to indulge her curiosity and check up on her son, She'd noticed that he'd been looking poorly the last few days. But again, every time she'd asked, he'd accused her of trying to interfere in his life.
She sighed as she gently eased open her son's door. Peering through the crack, she was gladdened to see that for once, her son looked restful in his repose. Normally, she'd found on the other occasions that she'd watched him sleep, that his face looked locked up on itself; cold, and hard, and blank. Now, a small smile played on his lips and the arc of his shoulders traced a relaxed line down to where his elegant hands lay curled up in the sheets. Whomever that girl had been, she seemed to have done Soujiro some good.
Mrs. Nishikado hoped that it wasn't just the result of some hanky-panky.. She would not abide that sort of behavior in her house.
She would ask Soujiro at breakfast, if he came to breakfast, who the girl had been. But, she didn't expect that she'd get an answer, not when her son kept so much locked up inside.
---
Soujiro rose, feeling refreshed and calmer, despite the relatively small amount of sleep he'd gotten that night.
He wasn't terribly surprised to note Tsukushi's absence. He hoped she'd gotten home all right. He felt obscurely guilty that he'd not offered her a room to stay in last night, but at the same time, relieved that he'd not have to face her prying questions this morning. (Though, Soujiro realized that if he decided he did want Tsukushi to hang around more, he'd have to answer them eventually. He'd deal with that hurdle if and when he came to it. Not now) Dressing swiftly, he joined his mother and brother at the breakfast table for the first time in days.
"Morning, dear." His mother greeted, looking up from her coffee.
"Jiro! Jiro! When are you going to take me to the park?" Soujiro's little brother bounced up and down on his seat.
Soujiro smiled fondly at the boy, "Maybe later.."
"Are you going to school today?" his mother inquired.
".yeah." Soujiro replied without thinking. Why not? It would give him something to do.
"Good. Are we going to meet your lady-friend anytime soon?"
Soujiro scowled. He didn't think his mother had woken up last night. He must have been wrong. "She's not my girlfriend, mom."
"That's too bad, dear." She clearly didn't believe him, "Will you please tell her to try and keep more normal hours next time she visits?"
Mrs. Nishikado sighed as her son lost his temper at her.
"Why do you keep trying to interfere, when you don't understand anything!" Soujiro fumed, and stormed out the door, struggling to regain his composure.
He only gets that upset when he really cares about something, his mother mused. Nevertheless, a slow tear trickled down her cheek. She just wanted her children to be happy. Why did men have to be so difficult?
Herr youngest son, noticing her sad expression, tried to cheer her up in typical 9 year old fashion.
"Don't cry mama! Look at the pretty leaf I found in the garden."
Gradually, her mood lifted as she watched the antics of her child.
----
Soujiro, outwardly composed now, strode through the school gates, just in time for the start of the day. Instantly, he was mobbed by his coterie of female admirers. "Nishikado! We missed you so much! You promised you'd meet us at Joliana's. . where were you? Have you been sick?" They variously preened, pouted and flirted as he moved through their midst. .
Soujiro just smiled inwardly, and ignored them all, his handsome face showing no sign of the slight amusement he felt at their foolish attempts to latch onto him. He found it hard to believe these moronic prattlers were the same girls he'd wasted so many nights with, and spent so much of his energy seducing.
They bored him immensely.
To their wondering eyes, his glittering dark eyes and smooth features showed all the emotion of a rock. Perhaps he'd been taking lessons in impassivity from Rui?
Still, his cool attitude bothered his admirers not at all. He was rich, he was hot, and he was justifiably known as a skilled lover. Nothing could deter them from their frenzied pursuit of such a well-endowed man.
Except, of course, for the class bell.
At last, Soujiro allowed himself an amused laugh, as the flock of girls turned tail and fled, mere seconds before class was to begin. It was nice to not be hindered by such mundane concerns as lessons and bells.
"Oh, Nishikado." A teasing voice cut through his musings. Damn. There was one left. Turning, he was displeased to come face to face with Asai.
"Yes?" he quirked an eyebrow, "Is there something I can do for you?"
"Oh, yes." Asai simpered, "There's been this simply awful rumor going around that that uncouth commoner bitch was throwing herself at you. I was just wondering if it was true?"
Soujiro leered nastily, "And just why might you need to know that? There's plenty of me to go around." Asai giggled as Soujiro cupped her chin in his hand an ran his thumb slowly along her jawline. She reached out to pull him into her predatory embrace. . but too late. .
Soujiro had already turned away and was walking briskly towards the leafless gardens. "But not for the likes of you!" he called, laughingly, as he departed. That was fun. He smiled once more, as a furious Asai glared daggers at his retreating back.
How dare he?! . But of course, he was Nishikado Soujiro; he could do as he wished. Asai was pissed off. Two years at this school and she'd never once managed to sleep with any of the F4. Even her friends had at least received a kiss from Soujiro, or one of his 'once in a lifetime' seductions. But he'd never once chosen Asai. And now, he was hanging out with that slut Makino. Asai knew just who to blame for her frustrations. If only she could find a way to make that girl suffer .
---
Tsukushi was tired. She'd barely managed to get through the first few lectures of the morning. It didn't help that she could feel Asai's evil eye boring through her back all morning. Idly, she wondered what it was she was supposed to have done this time. Not that it mattered. She thought that soon she'd become completely inured to the worst the other girl could do to her.
Tsukushi breathed a sigh of relief as the lunch bell rang. At least now she could relax for a few minutes. Fighting her way through the crowds in the cafeteria, she retreated to a quiet corner, where she could at least pretend she didn't hear the taunts of her classmates. Tsukushi had just opened up her bento when a shadow fell over her. Expecting to find some bully intent on harassing her out of the cafeteria, she turned, am icy glare already forming in her eyes. Seeing as it was, instead, Nishikado Soujiro, her jaw dropped.
"Yo." he drawled, "Hey poor-girl, why are you looking so stunned? You see a ghost or something?"
"Hey," Tsukushi managed, noting the return of the boy's more usual carefree attitude. "I didn't expect to see you at school. The rest of the F4 still aren't around."
"Ah, I got bored," Soujiro shrugged, and without asking permission, took a seat across from Tsukushi.
Behind her, Tsukushi sensed the venomous glares of Eitoku's female population turning her way. Again.
On entering the cafeteria, Soujiro had paused, surveyed the room, and headed directly for Tsukushi. This behavior had not gone unnoticed by his fans, most of whom were now busily recapitulating last week's gossip and embellishing it with fresh lies and innuendoes.
Tsukushi suddenly yawned. Soujiro looked at the girl in some concern; she did look tired. "What time did you get home last night?" he inquired.
"Umm, 430-5ish. ." Tsukushi mumbled, "I missed my train, and had to wait half an hour for the next one to come through. . almost fell asleep at the station and missed that one too."
"You should have stayed with me," Soujiro teased, just to see the look on Tsukushi's face. "I wouldn't have minded. There's always plenty of room in my bed for a cute girl."
"Pervert!" Tsukushi, as expected, flushed scarlet. But then, regaining her composure, she impulsively stuck her tongue out at the startled boy, "Besides, as you've told me before, I'm not cute. So I guess there wouldn't be room after all."
Oh, did I really say that? It was Soujiro's turn to blush ever so slightly. Tsukushi grinned suddenly at her newfound ability to silence the flirtatious boy. Picking up a rice ball from her bento with her chopsticks, Tsukushi waved the food gently in front of Soujiro's face.
"Have you eaten today?"
"Ah, No . .." Soujiro was startled by the sudden conversational shift, but after a moment's thought, recalled, that he had walked away from breakfast without eating.
"Idiot. Eat this." She continued holding up the rice ball. The boy was so thin already; what did he possibly live on? With all those servants, you'd think he'd be better taken care of.
Soujiro grimaced. He was not used to letting anyone take care of him like this. But he could see that Tsukushi was not giving up. And it was gratifying, in a way, to feel that someone cared about him. He gave in and daintily plucked the morsel from her chopsticks and ate. He did, however make the requisite mutterings about "poor people's food" when he was done. Still Tsukushi seemed satisfied, and beamed at him, before going back to her own meal.
This is weird. Tsukushi thought. Why do I feel so comfortable with this boy? Why is he showing me so many sides I've never seen before? When he looks at me with those beautiful dark eyes, I don't see the sensual playboy any more. . but I don't know what it is that has replaced it. . She did know that she saw pain; both old and new in his gaze. And she wanted to make it stop, as if by helping him to overcome his wounds, she could somehow heal her own.
Luckily, she did not have to dwell on these thoughts long; for lunch was rapidly drawing to a close.
"Shit! I've got to get to class!" Tsukushi yelped, looking at her watch in some dismay.
"Bah." Soujiro waved dismissively, "You should skip it. Classes are for idiots."
"Easy for you to say! You've had all this stuff already. But I've got a big exam on Friday-if I don't go to lecture, I'll fail!" Distractedly, Tsukushi gathered her stuff together, and stood to leave.
"Tsukushi," Soujiro stopped her with a word.
"Eh?"
"I'm glad you came by last night."
"Ah. . it was nothing. . " Tsukushi blushed, and stammered, as Soujiro impulsively grabbed her wrist and pulled her back to the table.
"Hah. Rui was right.' A sudden mischievous smile lit up Soujiro's face as he surveyed the captured girl.
"Huh?" Tsukushi was thoroughly confused now.
"You are cute when you're surprised." With these words, Soujiro let go of her wrist, and swiftly getting to his own feet, started to walk away, "See ya tomorrow!"
Tsukushi was left to shake her head in dismay. What sort of strange game did the boy think he was playing?
In the hall, she was almost knocked down by a horrified Kazuya. "Tsukushi, Is it true? Oh Tsukushi, if that monster touched you, I'll kill him!"
"Kazuya, what are you talking about?"
"Everyone is saying terrible things about you and Nishikado! But I just can't believe that my sweet, innocent Tsukushi would be seduced by such a monster! Tell me it's not so!"
"Relax, Kazuya," Tsukushi almost laughed, "I was just helping him, while he was. . sick ."
"Oh!" Kazuya's eyes filled with relieved tears, My precious Tsukushi is still untainted.. I still have a chance to win her now that Doumyouji's gone! Almost skipping now, Kazuya breathlessly dared ask, "Hey, Tsukushi, do you want to come over sometime after school. maybe catch a movie or something?"
"Sure," Tsukushi absently replied, her mind already dwelling on the impending calculus exam. She'd hardly even caught the question. Nevertheless, an elated Kazuya collapsed, unnoticed behind her, in a paroxysm of exhilaration. Tsukushi could be his! He didn't even notice when a fuming Asai kicked him as she stormed to class..
Poor Kazuya. No one ever took him seriously. Good thing he was too dense to notice.
---
The rest of the day passed pretty much uneventfully. Tsukushi went to class, and tiredly dragged herself to work, Thankfully, today she only had to work one shift at the dango shop.
She did notice that Yuki was somewhat more distracted than usual. But the other girl didn't seem to want to talk about it.
The cause of her abstraction became plainly obvious when, as their shift wound to its end, Akira walked in the door.
"Good evening!" he greeted cheerfully, "Anyone care to join me for a drink, on this fine evening?"
Yuki blushed and looked away. Tsukushi mouthed a faint "oh" of sudden understanding.
"Evening, Mimasaka," Tsukushi replied coolly, as her friend busied herself with cleaning off the counter. I wonder what I missed yesterday? "What brings you here?"
"Well, I was hoping for some company this evening," he turned to look meaningfully at Yuki. "Though, I also thought to ask you, if you knew where I might find Soujiro? I heard rumors today that he actually came to school."
Tsukushi nodded slowly, "True, but I don't know where he is now. Why would I? Look, I have to get home. I'll catch you later. Yuki, you want me to walk you home?" Tsukushi was eager to be gone, and to get away from the sudden discomfort she felt on mention of Soujiro's name.
Yuki looked up at last, having come to a decision, "Nah, I'll be fine on my own. I'll see you tomorrow!"
"Bye!" Tsukushi stumbled out the door, already deep in thought. Akira and Yuki? She wouldn't have thought it possible. But, sneaking a glance back behind herself, there they were, already deep in conversation. "I hope it's not just a rebound from her infatuation with Soujiro? I think that I'm going to have to have a little chat with Akira before this goes any further. . . ." Tsukushi shook her head and continued on her way. She had too much else on her mind right now to spare much worry on Yuki; especially as she was fairly confident the other girl could handle herself just fine.
-----
The next morning passed much like the last, except that Tsukushi actually managed to get adequate sleep for once. Even though her neck was stiff from collapsing across her textbooks. Still, her attention span in class was divided between the professor and the bitches behind her, who kept throwing spitballs at her, until she turned to glare-at which point they'd steal her notes. It was exceedingly frustrating. Tsukushi's concentration was utterly shot; she had no idea how she was going to pass her exam if she couldn't even grasp what was being taught in lecture.
"I can't take this anymore." Tsukushi sighed as the lunch bell rang. And so, despite the rather chilly weather, she retreated to her favorite hideout on the emergency stairs. Sinking down onto the cold steps, she let out a grateful sigh; quiet at last. Maybe she could even get some studying down, and try to figure out what it was she was supposed to have learned today.
Half an hour passed rapidly, as Tsukushi ate and flipped pages She was starting to get chilled through, but there was no way she was going to reenter the school building until the absolute end of the lunch period.
"So here's where you went off to! Aren't you cold out here?"
For a second, Tsukushi almost thought Rui had come back, and she was torn between the pain of missing him, and not wanting the complication right now- and then she realized that the man standing over her was not, in fact Rui, but Soujiro. A feeling of unexpected disappointment warred with relief.. . . and happiness to see him?
"Hey. It's not that bad out here. Have a seat." She waved a hand at the upper stairs upon which her papers were spread out. Gingerly, Soujiro shuffled them aside, and sat down.
"Damn, that's freezing!" he yelped as the cold seeped into him from the chilled concrete.
"Wimp." Tsukushi smiled, and reached into her schoolbag, "Here! I thought you might show up today, so I made you this!" She pulled out a bento, just like the one she'd so recently finished.
"I am capable of getting my own lunch, you know." Soujiro grimaced, made distinctly uncomfortable by Tsukushi's attention.
"Riight. I bet you would have forgotten to eat again, if I didn't remind you. Seriously! You have to eat." Boys could be such idiots. "Besides, I had to make Susumu's and mine anyway, so I had extras."
Soujiro sighed, and began to eat. There was something about Tsukushi's cooking that sent a warm glow spreading inside his soul. He blinked in thought. It wouldn't do for Tsukushi to realize the effect she was having on him. Fortunately, he reflected, the girl was dense enough that she'd probably not notice a thing weird about his behavior.
"What are you studying?" he inquired, idly flicking through her scattered notes.
"Calculus," Tsukushi made a face. "I'm not getting anywhere. This one theorem has me completely stumped."
"Hmm. . . Let me take a look at that." Soujiro bent closer, and began to explain the proof.
Once again, Tsukushi was struck by the surprising intelligence of the F4. Unfortunately, she had to interrupt Soujiro in mid-explanation.
"You're so good at this stuff. Do you think you could help me with this after school today? I have to run to class in, like, two minutes. Please? I'm really afraid I'm going to fail this exam if I don't figure this stuff out ASAP."
"Umm. Sure." Soujiro nodded. He was not used to anyone actually asking him for academic help. In fact, the only time he could ever remember helping anyone with their school work was the other week, with Tsukushi. Well, it was never too late to try something new. "Why don't you come over to my house this afternoon?"
"Cool! Thank you so much!" Tsukushi smiled brightly, and jumped to her feet, "I'll see you in a few hours then!" with a last wave, she dashed off to class.
Soujiro shook his head again, and more slowly climbed to his feet. Just what was he getting himself into?
---
As promised, Tsukushi showed up at Soujiro's house promptly after school. She only had a few hours before she had to get to work, and she needed to make the most of the time she had.
"Hey," Soujiro greeted her at the door, "No waking up the whole house this time."
"Huh?" Tsukushi blinked stupidly, "Why are they sleeping in the middle of the day?"
"It was a joke, you idiot." Soujiro smiled, "Come on. Let's get to work."
They settled in at his desk, and Tsukushi dumped out her texts and notes. As the late afternoon sun, filtered through the wide windows, warmed their backs, Soujiro and Tsukushi began to talk math. Gradually the light faded, and Tsukushi finally began to feel as though she was finally getting a feel for the material. She was amazed by how patient Soujiro became when she failed to grasp a point, and by how he insisted that she think each problem through, and try again no matter how badly she screwed up. "If it had been Tsukasa helping me," Tsukushi reflected grimly, "He'd have given up on me by now and just done it all for me-that is, if he even knows how to do math. . . . It's nice to have a friend who's actually willing to help me do it for myself. And it's good to see that Soujiro's still in a more relaxed mood today. . ."
Soujiro, himself, was surprised by how naturally teaching came to him. Trust Tsukushi to help reveal the undiscovered depths in a person. Though, on second thought, he really shouldn't be that surprised; after all, he had been teaching the tea ceremony for some years now. He was good at that, so there was no reason he shouldn't be good at other kinds of instruction as well. . . .
"OK, got it?"
"Yeah, I think so. Let's hope I can remember it all for another two days."
"Ah.. you'll be fine."
"You think so?"
"Yeah. Don't worry so much. It's just school.. . . "
"Easy for you to say. You don't need to worry about getting into a good college." Tsukushi muttered under her breath as she gathered her papers back together.
"'Jiro! Mama says to tell you it's time for dinner!" Whatever Soujiro had been about to reply was drowned out by the noisy entry of his hyperactive little brother. "Oh!" The little boy suddenly noticed Tsukushi, and was momentarily silenced, before uttering happily, (and very loudly) "'Jiro's got a girlfriend! What's her name?"
"Tsukushi's Not my girlfriend," Soujiro blushed faintly, as he growled in reply.
"Hi, Tsukushi! Are you sure you're not 'Jiro's girlfriend? Are you staying for dinner?"
Tsukushi blushed even redder than Soujiro had, mere moments before. "You should listen to your brother," she replied firmly, "And no, I don't think so. I have to get to work soon."
"Aww, come on!" the little boy pled, "I never get to meet 'Jiro's friends."
"That's not true!" Soujiro protested, "The F4 come here plenty often."
"'Kasa's scary, Rui's weird, and Akira makes fun of me," the boy pouted. "They don't count."
Tsukushi was forced to stifle her laughter at the descriptions of the other boys. Nevertheless, she still didn't intend to stay for dinner.
Soujiro added his voice to his brother's invitation, "You should stay, Tsukushi. After all, you're the one who thinks I never eat! How else am I supposed to prove to you that I really do?" Besides, he silently hoped that Tsukushi's presence would make dinner with his family a bit more bearable. When his father was home, the family meal was an uncomfortable thing; filled with trivial conversation, and the gaping silences of meaningful things left unsaid.. Sometimes, when his father wasn't there, it was worse. For then, the silences filled with tension, as Soujiro's mother tried not to think about where her husband was and who he might be with, and Soujiro tried to beat down the urge to tear his father apart when he came home. The confused prattle of his little brother, on these occasions, as the child tried to lighten the dreary mood, only seemed to accentuate the rifts tearing the family apart. Anything was better than that. This was why Soujiro so rarely ate at home. But with a stranger at the table, perhaps his family could pretend to hold together for a few minutes, pretend to care about each other. And maybe, just maybe, Tsukushi could help fill the silences with something. . . . So please, let her stay, just a little while longer.
Tsukushi's stomach answered for her; an embarrassingly loud growl rumbled through her gut.
"I take it that's a yes, then?" Soujiro teased, taking Tsukushi's bookbag away from her. Tsukushi just shrugged in resignation.
"You sure your parents won't mind?"
Soujiro shook his head. "My mom's not like Tsukasa's. You'll be fine."
"Ok, then."
"Oh goody!" Soujiro's little bother bounced off down the hall to tell the butler to set an extra place at the dinner table-and to tell his mother all about the girl 'Jiro brought home.
----
Dinner itself was uneventful, which was a relief for all concerned. Soujiro's mother remembered Tsukushi from the time she'd visited before with Rui. It was, after all, easy to remember such things when Soujiro brought so few people home. She was under the impression that Tsukushi was still dating Tsukasa, and asked after the Doumyouji family. She seemed somewhat confused when Tsukushi could only shrug and look away. But other than that bit of uncomfortableness, the meal went smoothly. Soujiro's little brother prattled away unselfconsciously at Tsukushi, who was only too happy to chatter back at him, in between bits of inconsequential conversations with Soujiro and his mother about school, her family, her jobs, etc.. . . Afterwards, Soujiro and his brother walked Tsukushi to the door.
"Your brother is really cute." Tsukushi told Soujiro
"Does that mean you don't think I am?" Soujiro teased.
"You're not going to get any compliments from me!" Tsukushi laughed, "You already get enough of that from every other female on the planet."
"Hmph." Soujiro pouted, "But I want to hear it from you!"
"Anyway, thanks for the math help, and dinner!" Tsukushi grinned, spun on her heel, and ran off down the street. If she didn't run, she was totally going to be late for work.
Absently Soujiro shut the door, and bent to pick up his little brother.
"She's nice." The young boy commented, as Soujiro lifted him onto his shoulder. "Why isn't she your girlfriend?"
"She likes somebody else," Soujiro muttered.
Curiously, his brother bent down to stare at Soujiro's face, "You like her, don't you?"
Without thinking about it, Soujiro found himself responding, "Yeah, I suppose I do."
But the dawning realization did not make him happy.
--
Later that night, Soujiro called Akira. It was really time for him to pull himself out of his rut and try to get back to his normal social routine.
"Yo." Akira answered his phone with a smile, shushing the girl sitting at the table with him,
"Hey, man. What're you up to this evening?"
"Dude! Where have you been? I've been looking for you all week!"
"Eh, I was.. sick.. So, are you up for hitting the clubs tonight?"
"Ah. " Akira accepted this explanation with an unseen nod, "Actually, I'm sort of busy tonight. I'm seeing this really cute chick. and I'm afraid you might try to steal her away." He winked at Yuki, who promptly blushed crimson and studiously began to contemplate her drink.
"Right. You know I wouldn't do that to you! I'm sure she's too old for me anyway, knowing the women you date." Soujiro laughed, "Oh well. Are you free tomorrow? Good, let's meet up then at the Blue Cat?"
"Great," Akira smiled, it was good to hear Soujiro acting like his usual self again, "Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I ran into Sakurako today. She said we have to come to her birthday party next weekend. . . . Yeah, we've only got a week and a half to drink ourselves into oblivion before then, so you'd better get started.. . . .What? . . . No, you know we can't skip it. You want her to make your life a living hell? I certainly don't. Besides, you know she's friends with Makino. If we refuse to show, she'll sic her on us. No good can come of that!"
"Shit." Soujiro grimaced, "I'm going to get started on preemptively forgetting the event. See you tomorrow!" He hung up the phone, wondering when he would get to meet Akira's new lady-friend. No matter; if Akira was serious about her, he'd meet her soon enough, and in the meantime, he should at least try to entertain himself. With a final adjustment to his clothing, and to his attitude, Soujiro went out into the night. He would play the lady-killer. He would buy drinks and be merry. But he didn't think he'd bother to get a hotel room for the night. Somehow, he just didn't feel the need tonight.
To be continued..
next up, Tsukasa! I bet you wonder why I've been ignoring him? (cause I couldn't think of anything to say.) But it's time to give him something to do. Maybe I'll even write some Rui too.
warning: this chapter sucks. I know it, and so will you, once you've read it. If you read it. It exists for the dull purpose of advancing time. But I still have no excuse for the poor quality, except that I'm really fucking tired right now.
Soujiro's mother woke early the next morning.
Last night, she'd heard the doorbell ringing and wondered who'd be calling at such a late hour. She'd only been made more curious by the sound of raised voices-her son's.. and a woman-no, girl's.. But, she knew her son had a volatile temper that he could unleash, and would not like her to come meddling in his affairs. So, despite her concern, she did not get up to see about the commotion.. It was probably just some jilted lover of his, she supposed. Oh yes, she knew about her son's lascivious habits. He was growing up to be just like his father. The thought saddened her.
It was with some surprise that she noted that Soujiro didn't send the girl away.
Eventually, she fell asleep, lulled by the murmuring voices from down the hall.
Thus, the next morning, she decided to indulge her curiosity and check up on her son, She'd noticed that he'd been looking poorly the last few days. But again, every time she'd asked, he'd accused her of trying to interfere in his life.
She sighed as she gently eased open her son's door. Peering through the crack, she was gladdened to see that for once, her son looked restful in his repose. Normally, she'd found on the other occasions that she'd watched him sleep, that his face looked locked up on itself; cold, and hard, and blank. Now, a small smile played on his lips and the arc of his shoulders traced a relaxed line down to where his elegant hands lay curled up in the sheets. Whomever that girl had been, she seemed to have done Soujiro some good.
Mrs. Nishikado hoped that it wasn't just the result of some hanky-panky.. She would not abide that sort of behavior in her house.
She would ask Soujiro at breakfast, if he came to breakfast, who the girl had been. But, she didn't expect that she'd get an answer, not when her son kept so much locked up inside.
---
Soujiro rose, feeling refreshed and calmer, despite the relatively small amount of sleep he'd gotten that night.
He wasn't terribly surprised to note Tsukushi's absence. He hoped she'd gotten home all right. He felt obscurely guilty that he'd not offered her a room to stay in last night, but at the same time, relieved that he'd not have to face her prying questions this morning. (Though, Soujiro realized that if he decided he did want Tsukushi to hang around more, he'd have to answer them eventually. He'd deal with that hurdle if and when he came to it. Not now) Dressing swiftly, he joined his mother and brother at the breakfast table for the first time in days.
"Morning, dear." His mother greeted, looking up from her coffee.
"Jiro! Jiro! When are you going to take me to the park?" Soujiro's little brother bounced up and down on his seat.
Soujiro smiled fondly at the boy, "Maybe later.."
"Are you going to school today?" his mother inquired.
".yeah." Soujiro replied without thinking. Why not? It would give him something to do.
"Good. Are we going to meet your lady-friend anytime soon?"
Soujiro scowled. He didn't think his mother had woken up last night. He must have been wrong. "She's not my girlfriend, mom."
"That's too bad, dear." She clearly didn't believe him, "Will you please tell her to try and keep more normal hours next time she visits?"
Mrs. Nishikado sighed as her son lost his temper at her.
"Why do you keep trying to interfere, when you don't understand anything!" Soujiro fumed, and stormed out the door, struggling to regain his composure.
He only gets that upset when he really cares about something, his mother mused. Nevertheless, a slow tear trickled down her cheek. She just wanted her children to be happy. Why did men have to be so difficult?
Herr youngest son, noticing her sad expression, tried to cheer her up in typical 9 year old fashion.
"Don't cry mama! Look at the pretty leaf I found in the garden."
Gradually, her mood lifted as she watched the antics of her child.
----
Soujiro, outwardly composed now, strode through the school gates, just in time for the start of the day. Instantly, he was mobbed by his coterie of female admirers. "Nishikado! We missed you so much! You promised you'd meet us at Joliana's. . where were you? Have you been sick?" They variously preened, pouted and flirted as he moved through their midst. .
Soujiro just smiled inwardly, and ignored them all, his handsome face showing no sign of the slight amusement he felt at their foolish attempts to latch onto him. He found it hard to believe these moronic prattlers were the same girls he'd wasted so many nights with, and spent so much of his energy seducing.
They bored him immensely.
To their wondering eyes, his glittering dark eyes and smooth features showed all the emotion of a rock. Perhaps he'd been taking lessons in impassivity from Rui?
Still, his cool attitude bothered his admirers not at all. He was rich, he was hot, and he was justifiably known as a skilled lover. Nothing could deter them from their frenzied pursuit of such a well-endowed man.
Except, of course, for the class bell.
At last, Soujiro allowed himself an amused laugh, as the flock of girls turned tail and fled, mere seconds before class was to begin. It was nice to not be hindered by such mundane concerns as lessons and bells.
"Oh, Nishikado." A teasing voice cut through his musings. Damn. There was one left. Turning, he was displeased to come face to face with Asai.
"Yes?" he quirked an eyebrow, "Is there something I can do for you?"
"Oh, yes." Asai simpered, "There's been this simply awful rumor going around that that uncouth commoner bitch was throwing herself at you. I was just wondering if it was true?"
Soujiro leered nastily, "And just why might you need to know that? There's plenty of me to go around." Asai giggled as Soujiro cupped her chin in his hand an ran his thumb slowly along her jawline. She reached out to pull him into her predatory embrace. . but too late. .
Soujiro had already turned away and was walking briskly towards the leafless gardens. "But not for the likes of you!" he called, laughingly, as he departed. That was fun. He smiled once more, as a furious Asai glared daggers at his retreating back.
How dare he?! . But of course, he was Nishikado Soujiro; he could do as he wished. Asai was pissed off. Two years at this school and she'd never once managed to sleep with any of the F4. Even her friends had at least received a kiss from Soujiro, or one of his 'once in a lifetime' seductions. But he'd never once chosen Asai. And now, he was hanging out with that slut Makino. Asai knew just who to blame for her frustrations. If only she could find a way to make that girl suffer .
---
Tsukushi was tired. She'd barely managed to get through the first few lectures of the morning. It didn't help that she could feel Asai's evil eye boring through her back all morning. Idly, she wondered what it was she was supposed to have done this time. Not that it mattered. She thought that soon she'd become completely inured to the worst the other girl could do to her.
Tsukushi breathed a sigh of relief as the lunch bell rang. At least now she could relax for a few minutes. Fighting her way through the crowds in the cafeteria, she retreated to a quiet corner, where she could at least pretend she didn't hear the taunts of her classmates. Tsukushi had just opened up her bento when a shadow fell over her. Expecting to find some bully intent on harassing her out of the cafeteria, she turned, am icy glare already forming in her eyes. Seeing as it was, instead, Nishikado Soujiro, her jaw dropped.
"Yo." he drawled, "Hey poor-girl, why are you looking so stunned? You see a ghost or something?"
"Hey," Tsukushi managed, noting the return of the boy's more usual carefree attitude. "I didn't expect to see you at school. The rest of the F4 still aren't around."
"Ah, I got bored," Soujiro shrugged, and without asking permission, took a seat across from Tsukushi.
Behind her, Tsukushi sensed the venomous glares of Eitoku's female population turning her way. Again.
On entering the cafeteria, Soujiro had paused, surveyed the room, and headed directly for Tsukushi. This behavior had not gone unnoticed by his fans, most of whom were now busily recapitulating last week's gossip and embellishing it with fresh lies and innuendoes.
Tsukushi suddenly yawned. Soujiro looked at the girl in some concern; she did look tired. "What time did you get home last night?" he inquired.
"Umm, 430-5ish. ." Tsukushi mumbled, "I missed my train, and had to wait half an hour for the next one to come through. . almost fell asleep at the station and missed that one too."
"You should have stayed with me," Soujiro teased, just to see the look on Tsukushi's face. "I wouldn't have minded. There's always plenty of room in my bed for a cute girl."
"Pervert!" Tsukushi, as expected, flushed scarlet. But then, regaining her composure, she impulsively stuck her tongue out at the startled boy, "Besides, as you've told me before, I'm not cute. So I guess there wouldn't be room after all."
Oh, did I really say that? It was Soujiro's turn to blush ever so slightly. Tsukushi grinned suddenly at her newfound ability to silence the flirtatious boy. Picking up a rice ball from her bento with her chopsticks, Tsukushi waved the food gently in front of Soujiro's face.
"Have you eaten today?"
"Ah, No . .." Soujiro was startled by the sudden conversational shift, but after a moment's thought, recalled, that he had walked away from breakfast without eating.
"Idiot. Eat this." She continued holding up the rice ball. The boy was so thin already; what did he possibly live on? With all those servants, you'd think he'd be better taken care of.
Soujiro grimaced. He was not used to letting anyone take care of him like this. But he could see that Tsukushi was not giving up. And it was gratifying, in a way, to feel that someone cared about him. He gave in and daintily plucked the morsel from her chopsticks and ate. He did, however make the requisite mutterings about "poor people's food" when he was done. Still Tsukushi seemed satisfied, and beamed at him, before going back to her own meal.
This is weird. Tsukushi thought. Why do I feel so comfortable with this boy? Why is he showing me so many sides I've never seen before? When he looks at me with those beautiful dark eyes, I don't see the sensual playboy any more. . but I don't know what it is that has replaced it. . She did know that she saw pain; both old and new in his gaze. And she wanted to make it stop, as if by helping him to overcome his wounds, she could somehow heal her own.
Luckily, she did not have to dwell on these thoughts long; for lunch was rapidly drawing to a close.
"Shit! I've got to get to class!" Tsukushi yelped, looking at her watch in some dismay.
"Bah." Soujiro waved dismissively, "You should skip it. Classes are for idiots."
"Easy for you to say! You've had all this stuff already. But I've got a big exam on Friday-if I don't go to lecture, I'll fail!" Distractedly, Tsukushi gathered her stuff together, and stood to leave.
"Tsukushi," Soujiro stopped her with a word.
"Eh?"
"I'm glad you came by last night."
"Ah. . it was nothing. . " Tsukushi blushed, and stammered, as Soujiro impulsively grabbed her wrist and pulled her back to the table.
"Hah. Rui was right.' A sudden mischievous smile lit up Soujiro's face as he surveyed the captured girl.
"Huh?" Tsukushi was thoroughly confused now.
"You are cute when you're surprised." With these words, Soujiro let go of her wrist, and swiftly getting to his own feet, started to walk away, "See ya tomorrow!"
Tsukushi was left to shake her head in dismay. What sort of strange game did the boy think he was playing?
In the hall, she was almost knocked down by a horrified Kazuya. "Tsukushi, Is it true? Oh Tsukushi, if that monster touched you, I'll kill him!"
"Kazuya, what are you talking about?"
"Everyone is saying terrible things about you and Nishikado! But I just can't believe that my sweet, innocent Tsukushi would be seduced by such a monster! Tell me it's not so!"
"Relax, Kazuya," Tsukushi almost laughed, "I was just helping him, while he was. . sick ."
"Oh!" Kazuya's eyes filled with relieved tears, My precious Tsukushi is still untainted.. I still have a chance to win her now that Doumyouji's gone! Almost skipping now, Kazuya breathlessly dared ask, "Hey, Tsukushi, do you want to come over sometime after school. maybe catch a movie or something?"
"Sure," Tsukushi absently replied, her mind already dwelling on the impending calculus exam. She'd hardly even caught the question. Nevertheless, an elated Kazuya collapsed, unnoticed behind her, in a paroxysm of exhilaration. Tsukushi could be his! He didn't even notice when a fuming Asai kicked him as she stormed to class..
Poor Kazuya. No one ever took him seriously. Good thing he was too dense to notice.
---
The rest of the day passed pretty much uneventfully. Tsukushi went to class, and tiredly dragged herself to work, Thankfully, today she only had to work one shift at the dango shop.
She did notice that Yuki was somewhat more distracted than usual. But the other girl didn't seem to want to talk about it.
The cause of her abstraction became plainly obvious when, as their shift wound to its end, Akira walked in the door.
"Good evening!" he greeted cheerfully, "Anyone care to join me for a drink, on this fine evening?"
Yuki blushed and looked away. Tsukushi mouthed a faint "oh" of sudden understanding.
"Evening, Mimasaka," Tsukushi replied coolly, as her friend busied herself with cleaning off the counter. I wonder what I missed yesterday? "What brings you here?"
"Well, I was hoping for some company this evening," he turned to look meaningfully at Yuki. "Though, I also thought to ask you, if you knew where I might find Soujiro? I heard rumors today that he actually came to school."
Tsukushi nodded slowly, "True, but I don't know where he is now. Why would I? Look, I have to get home. I'll catch you later. Yuki, you want me to walk you home?" Tsukushi was eager to be gone, and to get away from the sudden discomfort she felt on mention of Soujiro's name.
Yuki looked up at last, having come to a decision, "Nah, I'll be fine on my own. I'll see you tomorrow!"
"Bye!" Tsukushi stumbled out the door, already deep in thought. Akira and Yuki? She wouldn't have thought it possible. But, sneaking a glance back behind herself, there they were, already deep in conversation. "I hope it's not just a rebound from her infatuation with Soujiro? I think that I'm going to have to have a little chat with Akira before this goes any further. . . ." Tsukushi shook her head and continued on her way. She had too much else on her mind right now to spare much worry on Yuki; especially as she was fairly confident the other girl could handle herself just fine.
-----
The next morning passed much like the last, except that Tsukushi actually managed to get adequate sleep for once. Even though her neck was stiff from collapsing across her textbooks. Still, her attention span in class was divided between the professor and the bitches behind her, who kept throwing spitballs at her, until she turned to glare-at which point they'd steal her notes. It was exceedingly frustrating. Tsukushi's concentration was utterly shot; she had no idea how she was going to pass her exam if she couldn't even grasp what was being taught in lecture.
"I can't take this anymore." Tsukushi sighed as the lunch bell rang. And so, despite the rather chilly weather, she retreated to her favorite hideout on the emergency stairs. Sinking down onto the cold steps, she let out a grateful sigh; quiet at last. Maybe she could even get some studying down, and try to figure out what it was she was supposed to have learned today.
Half an hour passed rapidly, as Tsukushi ate and flipped pages She was starting to get chilled through, but there was no way she was going to reenter the school building until the absolute end of the lunch period.
"So here's where you went off to! Aren't you cold out here?"
For a second, Tsukushi almost thought Rui had come back, and she was torn between the pain of missing him, and not wanting the complication right now- and then she realized that the man standing over her was not, in fact Rui, but Soujiro. A feeling of unexpected disappointment warred with relief.. . . and happiness to see him?
"Hey. It's not that bad out here. Have a seat." She waved a hand at the upper stairs upon which her papers were spread out. Gingerly, Soujiro shuffled them aside, and sat down.
"Damn, that's freezing!" he yelped as the cold seeped into him from the chilled concrete.
"Wimp." Tsukushi smiled, and reached into her schoolbag, "Here! I thought you might show up today, so I made you this!" She pulled out a bento, just like the one she'd so recently finished.
"I am capable of getting my own lunch, you know." Soujiro grimaced, made distinctly uncomfortable by Tsukushi's attention.
"Riight. I bet you would have forgotten to eat again, if I didn't remind you. Seriously! You have to eat." Boys could be such idiots. "Besides, I had to make Susumu's and mine anyway, so I had extras."
Soujiro sighed, and began to eat. There was something about Tsukushi's cooking that sent a warm glow spreading inside his soul. He blinked in thought. It wouldn't do for Tsukushi to realize the effect she was having on him. Fortunately, he reflected, the girl was dense enough that she'd probably not notice a thing weird about his behavior.
"What are you studying?" he inquired, idly flicking through her scattered notes.
"Calculus," Tsukushi made a face. "I'm not getting anywhere. This one theorem has me completely stumped."
"Hmm. . . Let me take a look at that." Soujiro bent closer, and began to explain the proof.
Once again, Tsukushi was struck by the surprising intelligence of the F4. Unfortunately, she had to interrupt Soujiro in mid-explanation.
"You're so good at this stuff. Do you think you could help me with this after school today? I have to run to class in, like, two minutes. Please? I'm really afraid I'm going to fail this exam if I don't figure this stuff out ASAP."
"Umm. Sure." Soujiro nodded. He was not used to anyone actually asking him for academic help. In fact, the only time he could ever remember helping anyone with their school work was the other week, with Tsukushi. Well, it was never too late to try something new. "Why don't you come over to my house this afternoon?"
"Cool! Thank you so much!" Tsukushi smiled brightly, and jumped to her feet, "I'll see you in a few hours then!" with a last wave, she dashed off to class.
Soujiro shook his head again, and more slowly climbed to his feet. Just what was he getting himself into?
---
As promised, Tsukushi showed up at Soujiro's house promptly after school. She only had a few hours before she had to get to work, and she needed to make the most of the time she had.
"Hey," Soujiro greeted her at the door, "No waking up the whole house this time."
"Huh?" Tsukushi blinked stupidly, "Why are they sleeping in the middle of the day?"
"It was a joke, you idiot." Soujiro smiled, "Come on. Let's get to work."
They settled in at his desk, and Tsukushi dumped out her texts and notes. As the late afternoon sun, filtered through the wide windows, warmed their backs, Soujiro and Tsukushi began to talk math. Gradually the light faded, and Tsukushi finally began to feel as though she was finally getting a feel for the material. She was amazed by how patient Soujiro became when she failed to grasp a point, and by how he insisted that she think each problem through, and try again no matter how badly she screwed up. "If it had been Tsukasa helping me," Tsukushi reflected grimly, "He'd have given up on me by now and just done it all for me-that is, if he even knows how to do math. . . . It's nice to have a friend who's actually willing to help me do it for myself. And it's good to see that Soujiro's still in a more relaxed mood today. . ."
Soujiro, himself, was surprised by how naturally teaching came to him. Trust Tsukushi to help reveal the undiscovered depths in a person. Though, on second thought, he really shouldn't be that surprised; after all, he had been teaching the tea ceremony for some years now. He was good at that, so there was no reason he shouldn't be good at other kinds of instruction as well. . . .
"OK, got it?"
"Yeah, I think so. Let's hope I can remember it all for another two days."
"Ah.. you'll be fine."
"You think so?"
"Yeah. Don't worry so much. It's just school.. . . "
"Easy for you to say. You don't need to worry about getting into a good college." Tsukushi muttered under her breath as she gathered her papers back together.
"'Jiro! Mama says to tell you it's time for dinner!" Whatever Soujiro had been about to reply was drowned out by the noisy entry of his hyperactive little brother. "Oh!" The little boy suddenly noticed Tsukushi, and was momentarily silenced, before uttering happily, (and very loudly) "'Jiro's got a girlfriend! What's her name?"
"Tsukushi's Not my girlfriend," Soujiro blushed faintly, as he growled in reply.
"Hi, Tsukushi! Are you sure you're not 'Jiro's girlfriend? Are you staying for dinner?"
Tsukushi blushed even redder than Soujiro had, mere moments before. "You should listen to your brother," she replied firmly, "And no, I don't think so. I have to get to work soon."
"Aww, come on!" the little boy pled, "I never get to meet 'Jiro's friends."
"That's not true!" Soujiro protested, "The F4 come here plenty often."
"'Kasa's scary, Rui's weird, and Akira makes fun of me," the boy pouted. "They don't count."
Tsukushi was forced to stifle her laughter at the descriptions of the other boys. Nevertheless, she still didn't intend to stay for dinner.
Soujiro added his voice to his brother's invitation, "You should stay, Tsukushi. After all, you're the one who thinks I never eat! How else am I supposed to prove to you that I really do?" Besides, he silently hoped that Tsukushi's presence would make dinner with his family a bit more bearable. When his father was home, the family meal was an uncomfortable thing; filled with trivial conversation, and the gaping silences of meaningful things left unsaid.. Sometimes, when his father wasn't there, it was worse. For then, the silences filled with tension, as Soujiro's mother tried not to think about where her husband was and who he might be with, and Soujiro tried to beat down the urge to tear his father apart when he came home. The confused prattle of his little brother, on these occasions, as the child tried to lighten the dreary mood, only seemed to accentuate the rifts tearing the family apart. Anything was better than that. This was why Soujiro so rarely ate at home. But with a stranger at the table, perhaps his family could pretend to hold together for a few minutes, pretend to care about each other. And maybe, just maybe, Tsukushi could help fill the silences with something. . . . So please, let her stay, just a little while longer.
Tsukushi's stomach answered for her; an embarrassingly loud growl rumbled through her gut.
"I take it that's a yes, then?" Soujiro teased, taking Tsukushi's bookbag away from her. Tsukushi just shrugged in resignation.
"You sure your parents won't mind?"
Soujiro shook his head. "My mom's not like Tsukasa's. You'll be fine."
"Ok, then."
"Oh goody!" Soujiro's little bother bounced off down the hall to tell the butler to set an extra place at the dinner table-and to tell his mother all about the girl 'Jiro brought home.
----
Dinner itself was uneventful, which was a relief for all concerned. Soujiro's mother remembered Tsukushi from the time she'd visited before with Rui. It was, after all, easy to remember such things when Soujiro brought so few people home. She was under the impression that Tsukushi was still dating Tsukasa, and asked after the Doumyouji family. She seemed somewhat confused when Tsukushi could only shrug and look away. But other than that bit of uncomfortableness, the meal went smoothly. Soujiro's little brother prattled away unselfconsciously at Tsukushi, who was only too happy to chatter back at him, in between bits of inconsequential conversations with Soujiro and his mother about school, her family, her jobs, etc.. . . Afterwards, Soujiro and his brother walked Tsukushi to the door.
"Your brother is really cute." Tsukushi told Soujiro
"Does that mean you don't think I am?" Soujiro teased.
"You're not going to get any compliments from me!" Tsukushi laughed, "You already get enough of that from every other female on the planet."
"Hmph." Soujiro pouted, "But I want to hear it from you!"
"Anyway, thanks for the math help, and dinner!" Tsukushi grinned, spun on her heel, and ran off down the street. If she didn't run, she was totally going to be late for work.
Absently Soujiro shut the door, and bent to pick up his little brother.
"She's nice." The young boy commented, as Soujiro lifted him onto his shoulder. "Why isn't she your girlfriend?"
"She likes somebody else," Soujiro muttered.
Curiously, his brother bent down to stare at Soujiro's face, "You like her, don't you?"
Without thinking about it, Soujiro found himself responding, "Yeah, I suppose I do."
But the dawning realization did not make him happy.
--
Later that night, Soujiro called Akira. It was really time for him to pull himself out of his rut and try to get back to his normal social routine.
"Yo." Akira answered his phone with a smile, shushing the girl sitting at the table with him,
"Hey, man. What're you up to this evening?"
"Dude! Where have you been? I've been looking for you all week!"
"Eh, I was.. sick.. So, are you up for hitting the clubs tonight?"
"Ah. " Akira accepted this explanation with an unseen nod, "Actually, I'm sort of busy tonight. I'm seeing this really cute chick. and I'm afraid you might try to steal her away." He winked at Yuki, who promptly blushed crimson and studiously began to contemplate her drink.
"Right. You know I wouldn't do that to you! I'm sure she's too old for me anyway, knowing the women you date." Soujiro laughed, "Oh well. Are you free tomorrow? Good, let's meet up then at the Blue Cat?"
"Great," Akira smiled, it was good to hear Soujiro acting like his usual self again, "Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I ran into Sakurako today. She said we have to come to her birthday party next weekend. . . . Yeah, we've only got a week and a half to drink ourselves into oblivion before then, so you'd better get started.. . . .What? . . . No, you know we can't skip it. You want her to make your life a living hell? I certainly don't. Besides, you know she's friends with Makino. If we refuse to show, she'll sic her on us. No good can come of that!"
"Shit." Soujiro grimaced, "I'm going to get started on preemptively forgetting the event. See you tomorrow!" He hung up the phone, wondering when he would get to meet Akira's new lady-friend. No matter; if Akira was serious about her, he'd meet her soon enough, and in the meantime, he should at least try to entertain himself. With a final adjustment to his clothing, and to his attitude, Soujiro went out into the night. He would play the lady-killer. He would buy drinks and be merry. But he didn't think he'd bother to get a hotel room for the night. Somehow, he just didn't feel the need tonight.
To be continued..
next up, Tsukasa! I bet you wonder why I've been ignoring him? (cause I couldn't think of anything to say.) But it's time to give him something to do. Maybe I'll even write some Rui too.