Chapter 6
Disclaimer: I do not own Flame of Recca. (But remind me to steal it when the opportunity comes up :)
Ok, i'm going admit there is going to be more Tofuishness on this chapter, i think i've deprived people and myself enough :P
-------------------------------
Mikagami Tokiya: It isn't right.....
It's beed four weeks since Fuuko's mother's death. The funeral was held a few days after the announcement. All Fuuko's friends had supported her in this time. When she eventually returned to school, even some of the people who were jealous over the attention she was getting from Mikagami paid her their respects. As far as everyone could see, the vibrant, lively and insanely happy girl that was known as Fuuko Kirisawa... had gone in hiding. All that was left was her shell.
Sometimes she would pop up, but it was not nearly as much as it used to be. She did not even challenge Recca to a fight anymore. Like she could no longer find the strength in her to do it. Out of the turn of events that had affected her life, the only two things that seemed to return her to her former state was Ganko coming back into her life and... spending meaningless time with Mikagami Tokiya. And those times were beginning to get more frequent. At least she started to hang around her friends again.
She did seem happy.
The only thing that got to most girls was the fact she was starting to 'voluntarily' spend time with their Mikagami-sama.
When asked of her relationship with the Ensui wielder she would come to life and professed they were insane and there was no way she would be interested in that jerk, But her actions, might have shown otherwise. The only one who remained oblivious to the concept that Fuuko Kirisawa was slowly falling for him... was the ice boy himself. The idea was too cliché' for most people to believe in. The damsel in distress being saved by the handsome prince. Or another way of looking at it was two people with the same problems coming together because they needed each other's support or become attached to someone because of empathy.
But in real life... people who come together on those reasons.... rarely have a lasting relationship.
Fuuko could not help but cling to the only person who could possibly understand what she was going through. And Mikagami knew this.
And it frightened him...
--
A few weeks had passed and it was beginning to snow now. Christmas was not too far away. The whole Hokage had decided to go christmas shopping together. Sure it made it hard to hide what everyone was getting for each other, but Yanagi felt it would be a good thing for them all to spend time all together. Sort of like a reunion gathering. Even though they all saw each other frequently, it was unusual for them all to be together. Meeting at the shopping centre seemed to best thing to do.
Everyone, save the Iceman Mikagami turned up on time. Yanagi looked worried, her first instinct was to talk to Fuuko about it. It was a funny thought to her. About two months ago Fuuko would have been the last person of the group, perhaps besides Domon whom she would have asked about Mikagami's where abouts.
They had tried so hard to get him to come. He insisted he was not the type to galloping around chasing monkeys everywhere. Fuuko teased him and teased him to try get him to come, which was not working, he just shot back with his own Monkey retorts. It was when Yanagi came up to him being sweet and asking him to please, please, please come, he finally agreed. Fuuko growled at him for being such a jerk, but not seriously. She knew Yanagi had a special place in his heart because her similarity to his own departed sister.
She would never hold it against him, if she had found someone who was like her mother in anyway, she probably would have decided to never that person alone.
"Ah, Fuuko? Do you know if Mikagami-sempai is coming today? He's a little late." she asked a little worried. Fuuko shrugged a little then put her hands on her hips, like she used to.
"Hmph, that jerk, after all that cajoling he isn't even here. I swear he can be such an idiot."
"hmph, only Monkey's would think that after only waiting five more minutes." said the Iceman.
Fuuko spun around to meet his face.
"What was that?!"
Yanagi sighed a little as she watched the two continually return smart alleck comments, one after the other. She smiled as well. Mikagami's presence seemed to bring out the old Fuuko every now and then.
Koganai interrupted the two.
"Geez, when you two are finished can we go to the Food Court, I'm starving." he wailed.
Fuuko and Mikagami stopped and looked at everyone else who was standing there bored waiting for them. Obviously this sort of thing happened between them often. Domon resented it and joined in half the time, but every time he did Fuuko would turn him into a star that shone far far away in the sky.
"Ah! Sorry! Mi-chan and I were just talking." she grinned and joined the group.
"Rrrriiigghtt... just talking." wailed Recca, who was bored watching the two constantly barrage each other with unintelligent comments every time they met each other. Did they think it was fun or something???
"Fuuko! I want to buy something from the toy shop, I saw it on TV the other day." said Ganko as she held her hand. Fuuko grinned and squeezed her hand.
"Definitely! My treat today!" she announced to the eager girl. She had promised Ganko she would spend as much time with her as she could Ganko was all the family she had left, even if she did not live with her. The family she had stayed with had no problem with it and understood Fuuko's feelings, apparently they knew what it was like to lose a family member. Though Fuuko did not know what family member it did not matter and she felt happy that she approved of Ganko's new family. They had 'leant' Ganko to her a lot, and had treated Fuuko as a part of their family. Things seemed to be looking up for the Wind Wielder finally.
She still thought of her mom often, but knew she had to go on with her life. She was strong at heart even though recently she had weakened. She was not one to mope around and feel sorry for herself for too long. Her friends did not need someone like that. She tried her best to be happy for her friends. And most the time, when she was around them, she really was in a good mood..
"Yay!" Ganko lift her hands up happily.
Yanagi smiled. It seemed Fuuko was finally coming back to them. The group started to walk down the mall. It had suddenly dawned on Recca that Fuuko was wearing her hair up! Though she wore the clothes she usually wore, seeing Fuuko with her hair and and the fact she had actually bothered to put her hair up made Recca gawk.
And she looked like a girl!?
"Fuuko! I just realized, today you look like a GIRL!" he blurted out without thinking.
After receiving a punch to the face she retorted back.
"And what's that supposed to mean!?" she demanded. Everyone looked at her and suddenly agreed.
"Your hair has gotten long enough to tie up now Fuuko, it looks good." Ganko commented. Fuuko went red in the face. She was not used to be flattered about her looks. She knew it was a bad idea to tie her hair up, She had no done that... since she cut it years ago. She knew everyone would make a fuss. She had no reason for doing it, if that was what everyone thought. It had just been getting longer, and she had not been in the mood to get it cut.
"You should keep growing it Fuuko, it's starting to look kinda feminine." Yanagi agreed with a smile. Fuuko crossed her arms.
"Agh, I dunno what he fuss is about, it's just my hair for Christ's sake, I just got bored of it always down. Sheesh." She wailed as they finally arrived at the Food court. "If you're all gonna be stupid about it, I'll get some scissors and snip it off myself." she concluded. They all shut up about the topic. Fuuko could not help but feel a little red in the face.
It was a compliment she was not used to having... it felt... a little nice though. She stole a look at Mikagami, just for a moment, or as long as she dared without anyone thinking of it. Did he think so too?
AGGHH!!!!! CLEAN YOUR HEAD OUT WITH SOAP FUUKO KIRISAWA! she screamed at herself. Don't even think about something like that.
--
"Aaahhh..... it's so good to sit down." Fuuko sank in her favorite couch and dropped five shopping bags onto the floor. Recca, and Domon groaned as they dropped Yanagi's, Ganko's, Koganai's and Fuuko's shopping on the floor as well. Mikagami walked coolly past them and put one down. Ganko and Koganai ran upstairs to play the computer. They had bought a new game and even though it was not near christmas yet had convinced Fuuko to let they play it. She had laughed inwardly, Koganai could be such a kid sometimes. He and Ganko got a long so well too, he was like her older brother even if they teased each other constantly.
She could not help but think it was like her and_ 'stop right there'
She was constantly blocking out her thoughts, or stopping them half way through nowadays, she thought to herself.
"That was so much fun, we should do that again sometime." Yanagi smiled sitting on the couch next to her. "I hope you guys did not mind carrying our luggage." she said sweetly.
Recca groaned.
"Why in the world were we the designated luggage boys? I'm my Hime's ninja, but not everyone else's bus boy!" He pointed at Mikagami rudely.
"Bah I'll do anything for my Fuuko-chan." Domon had stars in his eyes. Fuuko threw a couch pillow at him.
"Who said I was yours!?"
"Why didn't you help us carry anything MIKAGAMI-SAMA!!" he wailed, accusing Mikagami of thinking he was some sort of prince or something if he thought he was above carrying some of their christmas shopping.. Mikagami did not even look up from the newspaper he had started reading since he had got to the house.
"You did not ask." he replied cooly. Recca fell on the floor and grumbled something unintelligent.
Something suddenly came to Yanagi's mind as she was sitting there seeing all the things that Fuuko had bought for christmas, and seemed to be her groceries as well. Fuuko lived all alone in the house. It was a nice house, nothing grand, but Definitely nice, her mother had good tastes, but, Fuuko lived alone here, how could she afford it? She looked at Fuuko.
"Aaa, Fuuko, can I ask you something?" she asked not sure if she should. Fuuko looked at her puzzled
"Sure, go for it."
"You... live alone here right? Do you pay the mortgage? I was just wondering." she asked. Fuuko paused a little. Yanagi was worried she might have hit some nerves. Even Mikagami looked over the newspaper.
Luckily Fuuko shrugged and smiled.
"Actually, my mother had already finished paying that about a year ago. She... she was pretty well of, she worked really hard, that's why she was away so much. Luckily she had life savings and life insurance... all that goes to me, she was an only child, and my grandparents have passed away and dad... well, that's another story. But I was thinking of getting a job, you know, so I don't have to eat in to my mother's savings too much. Only use her savings for house bills and stuff. But."
She looked a little sad as she thought about the topic. Yanagi waved her hands a little.
"Oh! I'm sorry, did I_"
"No, no, no Yanagi, it's fine, I was wondering when someone would wonder how I could afford to live here. My mother wasn't here for me much, but she wasn't silly, incase something happened to her, she had always put something aside for me. I guess I'm glad she was at least thinking about the future. But this house is kinda big for just one person, I was thinking of moving out, this place is a little high maintenance for me." she admitted. Everyone just sat there unsure of what to say. Recca finally piped up.
"Were you thinking of a full time or part time job?" he asked. She paused. Realistically, a part time job would probably not cover too much of the bills. She might have to put off study for a while and get a full time job for the time be_
"Don't even think about getting a full time job, Monkey, I'm not wasting all that time tutoring you, so that you decide to quit school and work." he said rather seriously and hard. Everyone looked at him. Fuuko did not even fume at him for calling her monkey or snapping at her. She could not help but go a little soft. Sure he was a little harsh on the tongue, but sometimes it was his way of showing that he cared. It was not his way to go all softy on someone.
Fuuko got up with renewed spirit.
"Well I'm going to cook dinner for everyone!" she announced to everyone with jubilation. Recca's eyes bulged
"Are you nuts?! Last time I had your cooking I almost died!" he said holding his neck and looking like he was going to puke.
"I was 13 last time!" she threw a blunt object at him. Domon tried to grab her.
"I'll eat your cooking Fuuko!" he declared. She threw another blunt object.
"Do you have to try grab me to tell me that?!"
"Oh, I'll help you Fuuko." Yanagi volunteered. Fuuko grinned and put her hands on her hips.
"I've got a great idea, Mi-chan made this great dish last week, I want to make that one. Oh, you can make the salad Yanagi since there is so many of us. " she looked at Mikagami who was still reading the paper ignoring what was going on around him.
"What?! Mikagami has eating dinner with you, ALONE?! BEFORE ME?!?!"
Fuuko punched Domon in the gut, if they were outside she would have turned him in to a new part of a star constellation. And she didn't want a whole in her roof right now.
"Hey, aren't you going to help me make it Mi-chan?" she asked. Mikagami put the newspaper down. He got up. For a moment Fuuko's face brightened a little. She could not help it. She hated, and loved this feeling she got in her gut when he was around. The tomboy fuuko was telling her to stop thinking like this, but the more female side of Fuuko was telling her too keep thinking like this as much as she wanted. There was nothing wrong with it right?
Stop it Fuuko, this is Mikagami Tokiya, and you're Fuuko Kirisawa, no explanation needed! Said the tomboy trying as hard as it could to stop these thoughts and feelings.
He was man, and she was a woman what was there to feel bad about? Said the girl inside. The voices were trying to rationalize everything that was going on in her head. But no matter what came to mind, she could never come up with an answer about what to do...
To her surprise he started to head for the door.
"Eh? M.. Mi-chan? where are you going?" she stammered surprised with his actions. The bright look on her face dropped instantly.
"I'm going home. This day has been eventful enough for me. You monkeys take care tonight." was he quick and simple explanation.
He did not even look at her as he walked out the door.
"But Mi-chan I_" She tried to find a smart thing to say, to get him to say but she realized she had nothing to say that would. The old Fuuko would have sworn obscenities to tease him into staying, but the old Fuuko did not feel anything this big for the Iceman. She watched him walk down the dark street without looking back.
Completely speechless... she felt her heart sink to the floor...
Everyone else in the room felt that happen too. Recca's eyes went up, he had remained blind to the idea that Fuuko was slowly falling for Mikagami, but now there was no hiding it from everyone. She was acting too strangely around him, for it to be just nothing but... friendship. He and Fuuko had been friends for the longest time, and there was no way anything would have or could have happened between them. That was why he had decided it would be the same for Fuuko and Mikagami.
But Mikagami treated her differently than Recca had when it came to her life problems. To Recca, he had always just seen Fuuko in a pinch, he did not see her as a girl in trouble, because he did not see her as the feminine type. She was stronger than most girls, even than some guys when it came to life. But Mikagami had treated her like she was actually female, even if he professed to her many time in insults that she could not possibly be one.
It was girls like his Hime that were in trouble, girls... or guys like Fuuko, were just in a pinch. There was a big difference. But seeing his tomboyish childhood friend like this... made him think other wise... maybe she really was a girl under there. Why else would she look so forlorn when Mikagami left.
She stared out the door a little longer than was needed to before she turned around to look at everyone. She blinked at little at the way everyone was looking at her.
"What???" she demanded being more old Fuuko-like. Funny how she transformed so fast. Everyone pretended to not know what she was talking about. Yanagi piped up again.
"I'll help you cook Fuuko." she re enlisted her help. Fuuko smiled a little, she could no help but feel a little stupid. Everyone must have noticed how she was acting just then. Why else would they be so quiet. She knew she could not hide these moments that were too out of character for Fuuko Kirisawa for much longer. She really, just had to accept how she felt about the IceMan. She had banged her head on walls many times about it, trying to get the thought out of her head. She would never admit it to anyone, even if they confronted her about.
It just sounded so ludicrous, the High school heart throb and the High school Tomboy? Even with her changes, she still could not accept it. No way! She should not even like that ice jerk...
She realized that trying to insult him in her mind had become increasingly more difficult.
"Ummm, hello, is anyone home?" Yanagi waved her hand in front of Fuuko's blank face.
"Oh!"
Recca snickered. He could not resist saying it.
"She's thinking of Mikagami." he teased. Yanagi covered her face in embarrassment. They were not meant to say anything!
Recca found another blunt object on his face.
**
Mikagami walked quietly down the dimly lit road. He had been walking for about 10 minutes now before he stopped and looked back in the direction that he had come from.
Above him one of the street lamps lights flickered softly as if to acknowledge his presence.
He knew what he was doing. He had to leave.
He was not stupid, or oblivious as most the Hokage or the school had thought. He had already realized that Fuuko Kirisawa had taken an interest in him.
So, why did he leave??? would be the 5000 dollar question. It was not that he disliked her.
There was no question that Fuuko Kirisawa was a very attractive, smart and ambitious person. He really did not give a damn what others at school would think of him or her if they were together. He and her did get along well. So what was the problem? Other than the fact he was Mikagami Tokiya and she was Fuuko Kirisawa, two people deemed incompatible by everyone.
A lot of people would call it baggage. And part of the reason was he and Kirisawa had a lot of baggage. They had a lot of their own problems. They both had a lot of pain from things that had happened to the both of them. And it was that pain that had brought them closer to each other. A lot of people who probably looked at this idea from a far would say its good they are coming together because of each other's pain and that it was not uncommon.
But to Mikagami, it was not the right thing to do. It was the same reason he would not and could not have tried a relationship with Yanagi (minus the fact that Recca 'owned' her.), he would have based their relationship on a lie, a past problem from the very start. Basing it on something that had caused him pain, and he would have got attached to her because of it. Just because she looked like his sister, he would have been with her.
But relationships based on such things, rarely work out. They are started because of the wrong reasons, not because of their love and feelings for one another. But because the two people rely on each other to make each other feel better or for mutual emotional, and empathetic gain.
That is why he had to leave, he could not lead Fuuko on or have her think they had a chance.
It was not going to happen between them. They were attached to each other only because Fuuko had gone through the same pain he had gone through. He was her shoulder to cry on in the beginning, and though they became close, a relationship would not be the right thing to happen. If she had not gone through it all, he would not be here to begin with...
Even knowing all this... The reason Mikagami had left that night because she was beginning to get under his skin, he dared to admit that thought to himself, he might as say it like was...
...and he was petrified....
He had never intended it to get this far.
He was afraid he would get to the point that he did not care their relationship would start because of the wrong reasons. So he had to stop it now, because for him,
... It is not the right thing to do... for him.
___________________________________________
Phew! That was fun! I hope I did not make it too sappy, it's REALLY hard to write a gradual tofu, it's really hard to write a non sappy TOFU in general! but hey, love no matter what the reason or who it is, is sappy full stop! hah hah, so it is to be expected! :P
Well Fuuko's feeling are finally starting to be recognized. FINALLY, Mikagami's are a little too. But it's not gonna be that easy, we've got two complicated individuals here! So don't think it's gonna happen fast :)
*There will be a heap of development in the next chapter I hope, so stay tuned and feel free to give me any idea about how this will go or end. I think there will be about another... 2-3 chapters to go, four to the very maximum, i doubt it though since i write kinda longish chapters... i have not decided. Depends thoroughly on what happens in the next chapter, so lets find out together ne?
A HARD EARNED BATTLE IS WORTH MORE AND IS MORE MEMORABLE THAN THE ONE THAT IS EASILY WON AND FORGOTTEN :) ... which i find totally true! :) Got that idea from Brotherhood of the Wolf, though i'm sure there is a quote like that somewhere out there! :)
Thank you for reading and please review if you have the time! makes me write faster! :) thank you to everyone who has reviewed thus far! :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Flame of Recca. (But remind me to steal it when the opportunity comes up :)
Ok, i'm going admit there is going to be more Tofuishness on this chapter, i think i've deprived people and myself enough :P
-------------------------------
Mikagami Tokiya: It isn't right.....
It's beed four weeks since Fuuko's mother's death. The funeral was held a few days after the announcement. All Fuuko's friends had supported her in this time. When she eventually returned to school, even some of the people who were jealous over the attention she was getting from Mikagami paid her their respects. As far as everyone could see, the vibrant, lively and insanely happy girl that was known as Fuuko Kirisawa... had gone in hiding. All that was left was her shell.
Sometimes she would pop up, but it was not nearly as much as it used to be. She did not even challenge Recca to a fight anymore. Like she could no longer find the strength in her to do it. Out of the turn of events that had affected her life, the only two things that seemed to return her to her former state was Ganko coming back into her life and... spending meaningless time with Mikagami Tokiya. And those times were beginning to get more frequent. At least she started to hang around her friends again.
She did seem happy.
The only thing that got to most girls was the fact she was starting to 'voluntarily' spend time with their Mikagami-sama.
When asked of her relationship with the Ensui wielder she would come to life and professed they were insane and there was no way she would be interested in that jerk, But her actions, might have shown otherwise. The only one who remained oblivious to the concept that Fuuko Kirisawa was slowly falling for him... was the ice boy himself. The idea was too cliché' for most people to believe in. The damsel in distress being saved by the handsome prince. Or another way of looking at it was two people with the same problems coming together because they needed each other's support or become attached to someone because of empathy.
But in real life... people who come together on those reasons.... rarely have a lasting relationship.
Fuuko could not help but cling to the only person who could possibly understand what she was going through. And Mikagami knew this.
And it frightened him...
--
A few weeks had passed and it was beginning to snow now. Christmas was not too far away. The whole Hokage had decided to go christmas shopping together. Sure it made it hard to hide what everyone was getting for each other, but Yanagi felt it would be a good thing for them all to spend time all together. Sort of like a reunion gathering. Even though they all saw each other frequently, it was unusual for them all to be together. Meeting at the shopping centre seemed to best thing to do.
Everyone, save the Iceman Mikagami turned up on time. Yanagi looked worried, her first instinct was to talk to Fuuko about it. It was a funny thought to her. About two months ago Fuuko would have been the last person of the group, perhaps besides Domon whom she would have asked about Mikagami's where abouts.
They had tried so hard to get him to come. He insisted he was not the type to galloping around chasing monkeys everywhere. Fuuko teased him and teased him to try get him to come, which was not working, he just shot back with his own Monkey retorts. It was when Yanagi came up to him being sweet and asking him to please, please, please come, he finally agreed. Fuuko growled at him for being such a jerk, but not seriously. She knew Yanagi had a special place in his heart because her similarity to his own departed sister.
She would never hold it against him, if she had found someone who was like her mother in anyway, she probably would have decided to never that person alone.
"Ah, Fuuko? Do you know if Mikagami-sempai is coming today? He's a little late." she asked a little worried. Fuuko shrugged a little then put her hands on her hips, like she used to.
"Hmph, that jerk, after all that cajoling he isn't even here. I swear he can be such an idiot."
"hmph, only Monkey's would think that after only waiting five more minutes." said the Iceman.
Fuuko spun around to meet his face.
"What was that?!"
Yanagi sighed a little as she watched the two continually return smart alleck comments, one after the other. She smiled as well. Mikagami's presence seemed to bring out the old Fuuko every now and then.
Koganai interrupted the two.
"Geez, when you two are finished can we go to the Food Court, I'm starving." he wailed.
Fuuko and Mikagami stopped and looked at everyone else who was standing there bored waiting for them. Obviously this sort of thing happened between them often. Domon resented it and joined in half the time, but every time he did Fuuko would turn him into a star that shone far far away in the sky.
"Ah! Sorry! Mi-chan and I were just talking." she grinned and joined the group.
"Rrrriiigghtt... just talking." wailed Recca, who was bored watching the two constantly barrage each other with unintelligent comments every time they met each other. Did they think it was fun or something???
"Fuuko! I want to buy something from the toy shop, I saw it on TV the other day." said Ganko as she held her hand. Fuuko grinned and squeezed her hand.
"Definitely! My treat today!" she announced to the eager girl. She had promised Ganko she would spend as much time with her as she could Ganko was all the family she had left, even if she did not live with her. The family she had stayed with had no problem with it and understood Fuuko's feelings, apparently they knew what it was like to lose a family member. Though Fuuko did not know what family member it did not matter and she felt happy that she approved of Ganko's new family. They had 'leant' Ganko to her a lot, and had treated Fuuko as a part of their family. Things seemed to be looking up for the Wind Wielder finally.
She still thought of her mom often, but knew she had to go on with her life. She was strong at heart even though recently she had weakened. She was not one to mope around and feel sorry for herself for too long. Her friends did not need someone like that. She tried her best to be happy for her friends. And most the time, when she was around them, she really was in a good mood..
"Yay!" Ganko lift her hands up happily.
Yanagi smiled. It seemed Fuuko was finally coming back to them. The group started to walk down the mall. It had suddenly dawned on Recca that Fuuko was wearing her hair up! Though she wore the clothes she usually wore, seeing Fuuko with her hair and and the fact she had actually bothered to put her hair up made Recca gawk.
And she looked like a girl!?
"Fuuko! I just realized, today you look like a GIRL!" he blurted out without thinking.
After receiving a punch to the face she retorted back.
"And what's that supposed to mean!?" she demanded. Everyone looked at her and suddenly agreed.
"Your hair has gotten long enough to tie up now Fuuko, it looks good." Ganko commented. Fuuko went red in the face. She was not used to be flattered about her looks. She knew it was a bad idea to tie her hair up, She had no done that... since she cut it years ago. She knew everyone would make a fuss. She had no reason for doing it, if that was what everyone thought. It had just been getting longer, and she had not been in the mood to get it cut.
"You should keep growing it Fuuko, it's starting to look kinda feminine." Yanagi agreed with a smile. Fuuko crossed her arms.
"Agh, I dunno what he fuss is about, it's just my hair for Christ's sake, I just got bored of it always down. Sheesh." She wailed as they finally arrived at the Food court. "If you're all gonna be stupid about it, I'll get some scissors and snip it off myself." she concluded. They all shut up about the topic. Fuuko could not help but feel a little red in the face.
It was a compliment she was not used to having... it felt... a little nice though. She stole a look at Mikagami, just for a moment, or as long as she dared without anyone thinking of it. Did he think so too?
AGGHH!!!!! CLEAN YOUR HEAD OUT WITH SOAP FUUKO KIRISAWA! she screamed at herself. Don't even think about something like that.
--
"Aaahhh..... it's so good to sit down." Fuuko sank in her favorite couch and dropped five shopping bags onto the floor. Recca, and Domon groaned as they dropped Yanagi's, Ganko's, Koganai's and Fuuko's shopping on the floor as well. Mikagami walked coolly past them and put one down. Ganko and Koganai ran upstairs to play the computer. They had bought a new game and even though it was not near christmas yet had convinced Fuuko to let they play it. She had laughed inwardly, Koganai could be such a kid sometimes. He and Ganko got a long so well too, he was like her older brother even if they teased each other constantly.
She could not help but think it was like her and_ 'stop right there'
She was constantly blocking out her thoughts, or stopping them half way through nowadays, she thought to herself.
"That was so much fun, we should do that again sometime." Yanagi smiled sitting on the couch next to her. "I hope you guys did not mind carrying our luggage." she said sweetly.
Recca groaned.
"Why in the world were we the designated luggage boys? I'm my Hime's ninja, but not everyone else's bus boy!" He pointed at Mikagami rudely.
"Bah I'll do anything for my Fuuko-chan." Domon had stars in his eyes. Fuuko threw a couch pillow at him.
"Who said I was yours!?"
"Why didn't you help us carry anything MIKAGAMI-SAMA!!" he wailed, accusing Mikagami of thinking he was some sort of prince or something if he thought he was above carrying some of their christmas shopping.. Mikagami did not even look up from the newspaper he had started reading since he had got to the house.
"You did not ask." he replied cooly. Recca fell on the floor and grumbled something unintelligent.
Something suddenly came to Yanagi's mind as she was sitting there seeing all the things that Fuuko had bought for christmas, and seemed to be her groceries as well. Fuuko lived all alone in the house. It was a nice house, nothing grand, but Definitely nice, her mother had good tastes, but, Fuuko lived alone here, how could she afford it? She looked at Fuuko.
"Aaa, Fuuko, can I ask you something?" she asked not sure if she should. Fuuko looked at her puzzled
"Sure, go for it."
"You... live alone here right? Do you pay the mortgage? I was just wondering." she asked. Fuuko paused a little. Yanagi was worried she might have hit some nerves. Even Mikagami looked over the newspaper.
Luckily Fuuko shrugged and smiled.
"Actually, my mother had already finished paying that about a year ago. She... she was pretty well of, she worked really hard, that's why she was away so much. Luckily she had life savings and life insurance... all that goes to me, she was an only child, and my grandparents have passed away and dad... well, that's another story. But I was thinking of getting a job, you know, so I don't have to eat in to my mother's savings too much. Only use her savings for house bills and stuff. But."
She looked a little sad as she thought about the topic. Yanagi waved her hands a little.
"Oh! I'm sorry, did I_"
"No, no, no Yanagi, it's fine, I was wondering when someone would wonder how I could afford to live here. My mother wasn't here for me much, but she wasn't silly, incase something happened to her, she had always put something aside for me. I guess I'm glad she was at least thinking about the future. But this house is kinda big for just one person, I was thinking of moving out, this place is a little high maintenance for me." she admitted. Everyone just sat there unsure of what to say. Recca finally piped up.
"Were you thinking of a full time or part time job?" he asked. She paused. Realistically, a part time job would probably not cover too much of the bills. She might have to put off study for a while and get a full time job for the time be_
"Don't even think about getting a full time job, Monkey, I'm not wasting all that time tutoring you, so that you decide to quit school and work." he said rather seriously and hard. Everyone looked at him. Fuuko did not even fume at him for calling her monkey or snapping at her. She could not help but go a little soft. Sure he was a little harsh on the tongue, but sometimes it was his way of showing that he cared. It was not his way to go all softy on someone.
Fuuko got up with renewed spirit.
"Well I'm going to cook dinner for everyone!" she announced to everyone with jubilation. Recca's eyes bulged
"Are you nuts?! Last time I had your cooking I almost died!" he said holding his neck and looking like he was going to puke.
"I was 13 last time!" she threw a blunt object at him. Domon tried to grab her.
"I'll eat your cooking Fuuko!" he declared. She threw another blunt object.
"Do you have to try grab me to tell me that?!"
"Oh, I'll help you Fuuko." Yanagi volunteered. Fuuko grinned and put her hands on her hips.
"I've got a great idea, Mi-chan made this great dish last week, I want to make that one. Oh, you can make the salad Yanagi since there is so many of us. " she looked at Mikagami who was still reading the paper ignoring what was going on around him.
"What?! Mikagami has eating dinner with you, ALONE?! BEFORE ME?!?!"
Fuuko punched Domon in the gut, if they were outside she would have turned him in to a new part of a star constellation. And she didn't want a whole in her roof right now.
"Hey, aren't you going to help me make it Mi-chan?" she asked. Mikagami put the newspaper down. He got up. For a moment Fuuko's face brightened a little. She could not help it. She hated, and loved this feeling she got in her gut when he was around. The tomboy fuuko was telling her to stop thinking like this, but the more female side of Fuuko was telling her too keep thinking like this as much as she wanted. There was nothing wrong with it right?
Stop it Fuuko, this is Mikagami Tokiya, and you're Fuuko Kirisawa, no explanation needed! Said the tomboy trying as hard as it could to stop these thoughts and feelings.
He was man, and she was a woman what was there to feel bad about? Said the girl inside. The voices were trying to rationalize everything that was going on in her head. But no matter what came to mind, she could never come up with an answer about what to do...
To her surprise he started to head for the door.
"Eh? M.. Mi-chan? where are you going?" she stammered surprised with his actions. The bright look on her face dropped instantly.
"I'm going home. This day has been eventful enough for me. You monkeys take care tonight." was he quick and simple explanation.
He did not even look at her as he walked out the door.
"But Mi-chan I_" She tried to find a smart thing to say, to get him to say but she realized she had nothing to say that would. The old Fuuko would have sworn obscenities to tease him into staying, but the old Fuuko did not feel anything this big for the Iceman. She watched him walk down the dark street without looking back.
Completely speechless... she felt her heart sink to the floor...
Everyone else in the room felt that happen too. Recca's eyes went up, he had remained blind to the idea that Fuuko was slowly falling for Mikagami, but now there was no hiding it from everyone. She was acting too strangely around him, for it to be just nothing but... friendship. He and Fuuko had been friends for the longest time, and there was no way anything would have or could have happened between them. That was why he had decided it would be the same for Fuuko and Mikagami.
But Mikagami treated her differently than Recca had when it came to her life problems. To Recca, he had always just seen Fuuko in a pinch, he did not see her as a girl in trouble, because he did not see her as the feminine type. She was stronger than most girls, even than some guys when it came to life. But Mikagami had treated her like she was actually female, even if he professed to her many time in insults that she could not possibly be one.
It was girls like his Hime that were in trouble, girls... or guys like Fuuko, were just in a pinch. There was a big difference. But seeing his tomboyish childhood friend like this... made him think other wise... maybe she really was a girl under there. Why else would she look so forlorn when Mikagami left.
She stared out the door a little longer than was needed to before she turned around to look at everyone. She blinked at little at the way everyone was looking at her.
"What???" she demanded being more old Fuuko-like. Funny how she transformed so fast. Everyone pretended to not know what she was talking about. Yanagi piped up again.
"I'll help you cook Fuuko." she re enlisted her help. Fuuko smiled a little, she could no help but feel a little stupid. Everyone must have noticed how she was acting just then. Why else would they be so quiet. She knew she could not hide these moments that were too out of character for Fuuko Kirisawa for much longer. She really, just had to accept how she felt about the IceMan. She had banged her head on walls many times about it, trying to get the thought out of her head. She would never admit it to anyone, even if they confronted her about.
It just sounded so ludicrous, the High school heart throb and the High school Tomboy? Even with her changes, she still could not accept it. No way! She should not even like that ice jerk...
She realized that trying to insult him in her mind had become increasingly more difficult.
"Ummm, hello, is anyone home?" Yanagi waved her hand in front of Fuuko's blank face.
"Oh!"
Recca snickered. He could not resist saying it.
"She's thinking of Mikagami." he teased. Yanagi covered her face in embarrassment. They were not meant to say anything!
Recca found another blunt object on his face.
**
Mikagami walked quietly down the dimly lit road. He had been walking for about 10 minutes now before he stopped and looked back in the direction that he had come from.
Above him one of the street lamps lights flickered softly as if to acknowledge his presence.
He knew what he was doing. He had to leave.
He was not stupid, or oblivious as most the Hokage or the school had thought. He had already realized that Fuuko Kirisawa had taken an interest in him.
So, why did he leave??? would be the 5000 dollar question. It was not that he disliked her.
There was no question that Fuuko Kirisawa was a very attractive, smart and ambitious person. He really did not give a damn what others at school would think of him or her if they were together. He and her did get along well. So what was the problem? Other than the fact he was Mikagami Tokiya and she was Fuuko Kirisawa, two people deemed incompatible by everyone.
A lot of people would call it baggage. And part of the reason was he and Kirisawa had a lot of baggage. They had a lot of their own problems. They both had a lot of pain from things that had happened to the both of them. And it was that pain that had brought them closer to each other. A lot of people who probably looked at this idea from a far would say its good they are coming together because of each other's pain and that it was not uncommon.
But to Mikagami, it was not the right thing to do. It was the same reason he would not and could not have tried a relationship with Yanagi (minus the fact that Recca 'owned' her.), he would have based their relationship on a lie, a past problem from the very start. Basing it on something that had caused him pain, and he would have got attached to her because of it. Just because she looked like his sister, he would have been with her.
But relationships based on such things, rarely work out. They are started because of the wrong reasons, not because of their love and feelings for one another. But because the two people rely on each other to make each other feel better or for mutual emotional, and empathetic gain.
That is why he had to leave, he could not lead Fuuko on or have her think they had a chance.
It was not going to happen between them. They were attached to each other only because Fuuko had gone through the same pain he had gone through. He was her shoulder to cry on in the beginning, and though they became close, a relationship would not be the right thing to happen. If she had not gone through it all, he would not be here to begin with...
Even knowing all this... The reason Mikagami had left that night because she was beginning to get under his skin, he dared to admit that thought to himself, he might as say it like was...
...and he was petrified....
He had never intended it to get this far.
He was afraid he would get to the point that he did not care their relationship would start because of the wrong reasons. So he had to stop it now, because for him,
... It is not the right thing to do... for him.
___________________________________________
Phew! That was fun! I hope I did not make it too sappy, it's REALLY hard to write a gradual tofu, it's really hard to write a non sappy TOFU in general! but hey, love no matter what the reason or who it is, is sappy full stop! hah hah, so it is to be expected! :P
Well Fuuko's feeling are finally starting to be recognized. FINALLY, Mikagami's are a little too. But it's not gonna be that easy, we've got two complicated individuals here! So don't think it's gonna happen fast :)
*There will be a heap of development in the next chapter I hope, so stay tuned and feel free to give me any idea about how this will go or end. I think there will be about another... 2-3 chapters to go, four to the very maximum, i doubt it though since i write kinda longish chapters... i have not decided. Depends thoroughly on what happens in the next chapter, so lets find out together ne?
A HARD EARNED BATTLE IS WORTH MORE AND IS MORE MEMORABLE THAN THE ONE THAT IS EASILY WON AND FORGOTTEN :) ... which i find totally true! :) Got that idea from Brotherhood of the Wolf, though i'm sure there is a quote like that somewhere out there! :)
Thank you for reading and please review if you have the time! makes me write faster! :) thank you to everyone who has reviewed thus far! :)