Answer the Chase 2

"Ne, we could ask Kubota-kun."

The can almost slipped from Tetsuo's grip as he spluttered, earning him patiently tolerant looks from the huddle of girls in front.

"You think it's a good idea?"

"You want a straight answer, don't you?"

Tetsuo made a small sound of disbelief. Apparently it wasn't discreet enough, when the heads whipped around to give him more hostile glares. Self-preserving instincts kicked in, but he manfully resisted the impulse to cover his head. On the other hand, it didn't stop him contemplating retreat, something he should've done earlier on as soon as he'd realized what they were conferring about. Damn the fallacies of pride, it wasn't worth the questionable dignity of staying put in his seat.

Kubota was anything but a 'straight answer' kind of person. Neither was now-council president Matsumoto. The third year wise guy from two years back hadn't been the only person to put two and two together, but he was the only moron who'd taunted Kubota with it. It had been a spectacular free-for-all, and the talk for the rest of the week; unassuming, bespectacled first year Kubota Makoto gaining instant infamy after landing his senpai and a host of inferior underlings in the school ward.

Something of his musings must have shown on his face, when he realized that the girls were still staring at him. Hastily rearranging his grimace into some semblance of blandness, Tetsuo was prepared to withdraw as subtly as possible, when Satsuke lunged out to snag his sleeve, and asked in tones of great suspicion, "Tetsuo-kun, do you know something that we don't?"

"No. Let go." And of course, it was the worst possible thing to say, girls being the terribly contradicting creatures that they are. He tried not to let his horror show as they collected themselves as one to swarm around his own desk.

"So is it true or not? About Tokitoh-kun and –"

"No! I don't know! No idea!" Tetsuo cut them off with frantic shakes of his head as he tugged vainly at the unbelievable grip on his arm. If they didn't voice it out loud, he could pretend the question didn't exist. He didn't want to think about it, because when he did, he had to think about the other rumours that had begun anew after Tokitoh Minoru transferred to Araiso High in their second year.

Not that he paid them any attention of course; rumours came and went as soon as they were proven true or false. Some were idiotic, some were dull, and all weren't worth chewing on.

But Kubota wasn't a 'straight answer' kind of guy, and Tokitoh was… well, he'd never dare call Tokitoh dense, just… uninformed.

"You know something." Kari's eyes were still narrowed in distrust, and Tetsuo fervently wished himself far away. "No, what makes you think that?"

"You would know, wouldn't you? You're a guy, after all." He stared at Mikihisa. What kind of dumb logic was that? She scowled at his sad ignorance. "You probably hear stuff that we don't, and his desk is next to yours. You're chummy with Kubota-kun, aren't you?"

Who the hell tried 'chummy' with Kubota? Respected definitely. And feared assuredly among the poor saps who'd messed about on the wrong side of the Exec Comm. Kubota was likeable enough in that I-don't-poke-my-nose-into-your-business-you-stay-out-of-mine way. He intimidated because he was a mean fighter and devious negotiator, and he intrigued because no one knew anything else. He could smile and laugh and say something and stay serenely aloof and hide everything. Tokitoh did most of the talking, boasting and challenging and meaning every word of it. He did most of the quarreling too; the loud bits, anyway. Kubota would match him retort for retort, and Tokitoh would finally scowl and punch him in the chest, and it couldn't have been hard enough if Kubota was still standing and holding on to Tokitoh's wrist and saying something too soft for anyone else to hear –

"…Tetsuo-kun, is there something wrong?"

"…no."

"You just smacked yourself over the head."

"…can you let go of me now please?"

Releasing his arm, Satsuke peered warily into his face. "I think you're turning green."

"…"

Shrugging, the observation was blithely waved aside, and the girls leaned in closer with something eerily akin to predatory intent. "So, Tetsuo-kun –"

"No," he snapped, and this time he managed not to cringe at the dark frowns. "I'm the last person who knows and the last one who wants to know, okay? Go look for someone else – just not Kubota."

"Just not me what?"

It was, undoubtedly, the most magnificent stunt Tetsuo had ever pulled off, never mind the lurching in his gut. Tetsuo didn't skip a beat, and supremely maintained a straight face when the gaggle around his desk drew back enough to let him see the last person he wanted to see. "The girls wanted to ask you something."

 "Oh?" Kubota dropped into his seat languidly: smooth, silent and at his own unhurried pace. Tetsuo didn't wonder that they'd miss him returning to the class from wherever he'd been.

"What did you want to know?" Kubota leaned back in his chair, head tilted in mild curiosity, and Tetsuo relaxed slightly, no longer completely fazed by the poisonous glowers that promised later retribution. Right now, he simply felt vindicated. He allowed himself a small grin as the girls flushed and floundered and sneaked furtive looks at each other. For all their speculating, when it came down to the crunch, no one wanted to rub Kubota the wrong way round.

"We – we were wondering if you knew where Tokitoh-kun was." Tetsuo hid his now too-wide grin behind his hands. If Kubota recognised the poor attempt for what it was, he didn't let on. He leaned back further, until his eyes met the ceiling.

"Suyama-san wanted to see him." Tetsuo sat up, the grin fading into some concern. The girls stirred with a different kind of interest. "Why? Is something wrong? What does the principal want?"

Kubota shrugged, his expression bland. "Saa ne…" He turned his head and smiled. "So… what was it you wanted to ask?" And Tetsuo wanted to groan in frustration when the bell shrilled the end of recess. He had never seen anyone or anything scatter so fast. True vindication indeed. Relieved, he settled back into his seat, only belatedly realizing that, while the rest of his classmates found their places, Tokitoh's chair was still empty.

"Hey, Kubota."

"Hmm?"

"Is Tokitoh really alright? It's nothing big, is it?"

Kubota shrugged again. "Who knows? I don't keep tabs on him." And Tetsuo wanted to smack himself over the head again. Shit, the one thing he had been convincing himself to not think about.

"…Tetsuo?" Brooding, he glanced up, and his brow immediately furrowed in mounting alarm and wariness. Kubota's eyes were glimmering with thoughtful amusement, and it shouldn't have been scary, but it was.

"What did the girls want to ask?"

Tetsuo's head hitting his desk was an audible thunk.

TBC