From the Heart
Author: sky75rk
Genre: Romance; Yaoi
Status: One-shot
Pairing: SenRu
Chapter title: 99 Ways to Know You Love Someone.
A/n: Mucho thanks to Meg and Freyritz for coming up with 99 Ways to Know You Love Someone list which was posted on our school paper, Screeve. Dedicated to Sendoh and Rukawa fans and to all those who really reviewed on this fic. Also dedicated to my friend, who made a fic (though angst) of Subaru and Seishirou, thanks friend! Even though you're a non-yaoist and all! And for making your latest fic, The Warrior Is a Child with the pairing of Subaru/Kamui! This is chapter 4 of From the Heart and also a special episode. Think of it as a late Valentine Fic, which wasn't posted due to lack of time.
When you see a one-liner sentence inside a parenthesis, it means that it's the quiz you're reading.
***
Sendoh looked at the figure leaning against him. What happened was considered impossible but it happened. Though he himself couldn't believe it, well, he better will, cause the proof's right beside him, sleeping comfortably against him.
How long was it? Two years? Or possibly three? He can't exactly remember when but how it happened remained vividly on his mind.
Sendoh stared at the battered magazine stated at the table. It all occurred because of that particular magazine and Sendoh couldn't be more thankful. He hoisted himself and reached out for the magazine gently, so as not to wake up the sleeping boy. He turned the magazine to the last page and saw the quiz undone yet.
Memories kept flooding back.
***
Sendoh picked up his monthly magazine in the sports store. He habitually walked over the counter and paid for it, getting his receipt and lazily waving his hands to signal that he wouldn't be needing any plastic for it in the process. He scanned the pages of the magazine. Articles about basketball, tennis and volleyball were written there. He was about to close the whole magazine and focus on the street when the very last page caught his eye.
The background was all covered in pink and red hearts. It seems to be a quiz. A LOVE quiz for that matter.
Sendoh looked puzzled. A love quiz on a sports magazine? How odd was that? Suddenly, Sendoh drifted back on what month it was. It struck him.
It was February [hey! I told you that this would be a late valentine's fic!]! No wonder there was an article like that in his magazine!
Sendoh read: '99 Ways to Know You Love Someone or 99 Ways to Know that Someone Loves You. Check the box to know and sum up all the boxes you've checked. Turn to the next page to see the results.'
Sendoh started to scroll down the following sentences when he remembered that he have to meet Rukawa that afternoon. After that incident [I'm not going to tell you.], Sendoh started to become fast friends with Rukawa. Still, they were enemies on court. On court. They weren't that close, but Sendoh hoped they would be. Rukawa, in his perception, really needed a friend (Or maybe because Koshino told him that). So Sendoh took a fast trip back to their house to drop his magazine and quickly ran to the café he said he would meet Rukawa.
***
Rukawa was not really an early bird, but for some reason, he is now. That precise morning, he decided to take a trip downtown, wide-awake, to the bookstore and directly headed to the sports section to buy his usual magazine. Despite the lovey-dovey glances of the girls who knew him and who- apparently- was attracted to him, he remained oblivious and headed out to the sports section, silent as ever.
He took his magazine, Sports Monthly to the counter and paid for it. He dismissed the checkout clerk when she wanted to place the magazine inside the plastic bag, when in fact; she just wanted Rukawa to stay longer.
Rukawa turned the magazine to page 11 where the article about the IH is written. Surprisingly, the high school teams of today were really talented. Like he was during his high school days. Now, in college, he was still in the basketball team, together with Sendoh.
Sendoh. It was a good thing that he remembered him. He had to meet Sendoh for the afternoon for a project. Damn that teacher anyway! Why will he pick him and Sendoh to be partners, Rukawa thought. And why did that project have to be done with someone older!
Rukawa checked his wristwatch. It was still early to go to the meeting place, but, what the heck! Rukawa started to walk towards the café. Suddenly, the magazine dropped from his hand and landed on the ground. Rukawa glanced down to pick it up when the page the magazine turned to caught his eye.
A quiz. Moreover, a love quiz.
'Who the hell put this article in this magazine?' Rukawa just shrugged and dropped by his house to leave the magazine. Later, he'll just have to finish reading the magazine later.
***
The meeting went on as scheduled. Who would've thought that Rukawa was an early bird? Sendoh just contemplated on their project and how it would be done. Surely, there would be an easier way, Sendoh thought. It was getting late and he has to go to sleep soon. When he was about to sleep, Sendoh's mind drifted over the time when he and Rukawa were talking that fine afternoon. Then, he remembered the magazine.
Sendoh flipped over the last page and decided to go over that quiz. He read the first instruction:
Write the name of the person in your mind before you decide to take this quiz.
Sendoh was shocked. He thought at first to write the name of the person you thought you were in-love with, not the person on your mind. Sendoh sighed and wrote Rukawa's name on the dotted lines. While thinking, I'm not a Homo.
Then, Sendoh scrolled down to the next line. It read, 'If you already wrote the name, then proceed to take the quiz.'
Sendoh then obeyed and read the first line.
(He/she is on your mind before you sleep.)
Then the boxes were shown after the sentence. Sendoh checked the 'Yes' box before even realizing that he did. As he glanced, he realized what he have done and tried to erase his answer when a print, in bold red letters seized his eyes. It said:
'This is also an honesty test. Don't erase what you've checked and make sure that you checked the true answer. NO CHEATING!'
Sendoh sighed again. The magazine is against him for some reason. Sendoh grunted and lay the magazine at his side table and settled to go to sleep.
***
(Dream sequence)
The scene, which happened that afternoon, replayed in his sleep. Sendoh saw Rukawa by the window. Simultaneously, Rukawa turned his head directly to meet Sendoh's and waved. Sendoh was stunned. Rukawa? Waving to him? Unbelievable! Sendoh managed to wave back in spite of his stunned reaction. Something is horribly wrong with Rukawa today.
Sendoh sat down facing Rukawa. He asked for an apology for being late but Rukawa countered that he was just early, so there's no need to apologize. They started to work on the plans of their project.
After what seems like forever, and their heads are aching, they intended to call it quits and finish for the day. They paid their bills and headed out of the café, saying good-bye and planned for their next meeting. When Sendoh turned the opposite way, Rukawa called his name and whirled back. He saw Rukawa, a few spaces away from him, advancing to the latter.
'What the hell is wrong with you?' Sendoh asked, but his question was unheeded. Rukawa kept on advancing and advancing and Sendoh kept on taking a step backward. The eyes of Rukawa showed lust for some reason. Rukawa took a step forward and Sendoh took one backward, another step, ano-
There was a loud crash in the second room of the second floor. Sendoh winced in pain as he awoke and actualized that he fell from his bed and hit the side table. Sendoh cursed himself for being so careless. At that time, he felt something atop his hand.
It was the magazine, turned exactly at the last page. Sendoh growled, reasoning that it was only a coincidence and that the quiz is not haunting him. Sendoh resolved to finish the quiz so, as he wouldn't he bothered again. He read the second question.
(He/she is in your dreams.)
Sendoh growled even more loudly as he checked the 'Yes' box. Then the next,
(He/she is the first thing on your mind when you wake up.)
Sendoh frustratedly checked the 'Yes' box. After dreaming that weird dream, it's not a question why he was thinking about Rukawa first thing in the morning. So now, the three questions done and 96 more to go, what could be worse?
'This is getting ridiculous! I'm going to school!' He stood up, left the magazine lying on his bed and got ready for school, thanking God that it was a school day and it was morning already.
As he entered the school premises, his mind kept going back on the magazine. Thinking, what would be the next sentence, would he check yes or no, and the such. Sendoh kept on trudging the hallway to get to his respective classroom. No doubt that this is going to be one hard day.
And a hard day it was. He just recalled that he had 7 classes that day and 6 of them included Rukawa in it. He understood that Rukawa is studying in advance to keep being in the team and he was lucky that in his last subject which, was Psychology, the latter wasn't in it. For the first time in his life, he hated Rukawa being studious and all. He wished right here and then that Rukawa wasn't trying so hard that he was in advance classes. With him, for Christ's sake!
He was having a hard time avoiding Rukawa that day. How could he face him after that dream? Whenever Sendoh sees his face, he keeps on recalling his previous dream. Whenever he suddenly stares at Rukawa's blue eyes, he relives the lust that was in his dreams. Now, tell me, how could he have face Rukawa today?
The only program left in his schedule is basketball practice. It shouldn't be hard. Besides, it's only PT today. He'll survive.
After changing into his usual attire during practice, he directly headed towards the gym. As soon as he opened the door, he heard a sound of a dunk in the court. He looked at the ring and saw Rukawa beneath it.
A fellow teammate patted Rukawa's shoulder. "Nice, Rukawa. You're in shape today,"
Sendoh suddenly smiled when he heard Rukawa's name and the compliment. 'He's getting better and better everyday.' He thought. 'But he's not going to defeat me yet,' Sendoh added, competition in his voice.
***
Rukawa arrived at his house and headed to the kitchen. He was tired and he needed to rest, but before that, he needed a drink first. He opened the refrigerator and took out some water and poured its contents in a glass and drank. His eyes traveled to the sports magazine he bought the day before. He had started that quiz, much to his dismay. And the funny thing is, the quiz he was doing it on was Sendoh.
Rukawa believed that it was a coincidence that he happened to think of Sendoh before taking that quiz. Something that he almost regretted. So far, he had read the first three questions/sentences and checked yes on the first one, no on the second and no on the third. Rukawa was relieved. At least it was a good start to know that he already checked a 'No' box which meant there was absolutely (now) 8 out of 10 chances that he might actually be in-love with Sendoh.
'Come to think of it, Sendoh was acting weirder than usual. Perhaps he's pondering on something,'
Rukawa decided to read the fourth question (or sentence, whatever works for you).
(You smile every time you hear his/her name.)
Rukawa looked thoughtful for a moment. Yes, he recalled a time, in the middle of their Chemistry class, that he did smile, a little I might add, when he heard the Sendoh aced their earlier exam. Of course, he too was happy that he batted second place in the highest rate. But was that involved?
'Well, it did say that so-' Rukawa reluctantly checked the 'Yes' box.
Proceeding to the next sentence,
(All the love songs make sense to you.)
'Definitely a no,' he thought as he checked the 'No' box.
(You doodle her name when you've got nothing to do.)
Rukawa checked the 'No' box, feeling relieved that he was checking 'no' instead of 'yes'.
***
Sendoh glared the magazine, commanding it to melt on its own. He was getting very mad at the outcome of each question/sentence. Ok, he checked yes for the first until the fourth, no on the fifth, (feeling very relayed that he finally checked a no) then again, a yes on the sixth.
Yes, the sixth was a yes. Sendoh hated to admit it but he actually doodled on Rukawa's name when he was trying to avoid him. He didn't know why, he just did.
Sendoh wanted to crumple the page of that certain magazine if only it wasn't a prized possession of him. He had collected the whole edition of this magazine and all are still intact and no crumple pages. Sendoh read the next.
(You give him/her gifts on special occasions.)
Sendoh marked the 'yes' box, reasoning that it was Rukawa's birthday and the gift meant nothing more than platonic. There was no hidden agenda. Period.
So, he was being honest with this test after all. He could've stopped taking the test immediately when he wanted to, but some force encourage him to go on [mainly this author].
(You give him/her gift even when there's no occasion.)
A 'Yes' again. This time, he reasoned out that he gave that give because he thought it was cute and it reminded him Rukawa. Still purely platonic. He didn't know that on the other side of Kanagawa, a familiar boy was also checking the same.
Rukawa checked the eight question/sentence with a sigh. He admits that he'd given Sendoh a gift just because he wanted to be even with him after he got a gift on his birthday and he got Sendoh a gift for the second time because he just saw it and thought that it suited Sendoh. Why? Can't friends give gifts to friends?
(You prepare his/her food when you have the chance to do so.)
Both bishounen checked 'No'.
Sendoh took a glimpse at his digital clock. 9:30 p.m. it was getting late and he have to get up early for tomorrow. He closed the magazine and put it on the table. He turned off the lampshade and closed his eyes to sleep.
At the other side, Rukawa also decided to call it quits and turned to slumber.
***
The next morning, Sendoh got up and prepared for school earlier. Much to his dread, when he saw that there was still an hour before classes, he picked up the magazine and read the 10th sentence.
(You cry, every time he/she cries, or even just when she's sad.)
'Did Rukawa even cry yet?' Sendoh thought for a moment.
Sendoh shook his head, marking 'No' to the sentence.
(You dedicate songs on the radio for him/her.)
Sendoh glanced at his stereo, the one that was almost covered in cobwebs. It hadn't been used for ages and Sendoh wasn't sure if he knows any modern songs. Definitely a no.
(You call him/her up just to say you miss him/her.)
Sendoh marked 'No'.
Just as he was about to read the thirteenth question/sentence, Sendoh glanced at his digital clock. Only 45 minutes to go before classes. Sendoh placed himself on his feet and went to the kitchen to eat breakfast, then quietly dismissed himself and went to school.
***
The past few weeks have been literally weakening. It was all study, projects and extracurricular for Rukawa and Sendoh. Both of them had a hard time tearing themselves from schoolwork and basketball practice to even spare the time of completing the quiz.
It was already early in March. The magazine, which was bought late in February, was completely forgotten by the two bishounen. Schoolwork and practice already drains their energy that they could not even lift a finger to read the magazine. Both of them have been together to complete their projects, and they had enjoyed working on them, a thing they will not and could not admit to each other. But, each passing day, without them noticing they are getting close unlike before.
It was weekend, the two days that they have to rest. Sendoh was pacing back and forth, ultimately bored out of his skull. He wanted to see Rukawa, but he has no reason for Rukawa to see him.
Sendoh went upstairs and sat on his study table. He opened the drawer in hopes of finding something that would occupy his time while he's in his house. He saw the magazine, which was long forgotten and retained that he didn't finish the quiz he started on. He picked up his sign pen and opened the magazine at the back page. He only answered 12 out of the 99 questions.
Sendoh groaned. There was something inside of him that wanted to see Rukawa no matter what. He didn't recognize this feeling. It was as if he was missing Rukawa's company now. Their projects are completed, no reason to see Rukawa now. Even if he wanted to, he doubt that Rukawa would even agree to his proposition for them to hang out. Only one proposition would make him agree, which is for them to play one-on-one. But, he was not on the mood to play. He just wanted to see Rukawa.
Sendoh groaned again. It was getting irritable, the feeling I mean. He just decided to read the thirteenth question/sentence.
(You miss him/her every second when you're not with him/her.)
Sendoh checked the 'Yes' box. Damn right he did! He missed the silent man's companion!
'Wait~! This is Rukawa we're talking about!' Sendoh screamed in his mind. 'I'm not a desperate Homo! I'm not even a Homo!' [Yet.Hehehe.]
Much as he hated to admit, he was being honest when he checked the yes box.
'Why am I starting to feeling this way?'
***
(You dream about your future together.)
Rukawa gazed at the ceiling for a moment to ponder. He did dream that he would be the best among all, though he also dreamt that Sendoh would be the one who will prevent him from going on top. One time, when he almost believed that he would not defeat Sendoh, he said to himself that it is ok to go to the top even if Sendoh is with him, after all, they are on the same team, however, does that count?
'I guess so,' Rukawa told himself as he marked the 'Yes' box. He completely forgot that this was a love quiz. He just found this lying beneath the books of schoolbooks he used these past few weeks for his research. It was boring and he wanted to sleep, something he didn't have the chance of doing so far. When he took the advance classes to make sure of his position in the team, he had no idea that it was going to be REALLY advanced. He barely had the time to think!
Rukawa sighed and concentrated to the magazine he was holding.
15. (You love everything about him/her.)
Rukawa's hand habitually was about to mark the 'Yes' box when he recalled that he was doing the quiz on Sendoh. He remembered that he had hated Sendoh during his high school days and he still is irritated with him.
/Just admit it. You're beginning to like him. You've even started to enjoy his company! / A voice inside of Rukawa countered.
'Like is different from love,' Rukawa retorted in his even voice.
/Similar, nonetheless. / Rukawa could just see the face of his damned voice smirk.
'Shut up,'
Rukawa marked the 'No' box.
(You hug him/her and never want to let go).
'I never even hugged him,' Rukawa told himself while checking the 'No' box.
Rukawa progressed in reading the 17th question/sentence when he suddenly realized why he was taking the quiz. Actually, no particular reasons. Rukawa dropped his pen and picked up his basketball. He is going out today.
Before exiting his room, Rukawa got one last look on the magazine lying carelessly on the table. 'This is really stupid. Why would I take that idiotic quiz on Sendoh?' Rukawa was getting angry and somewhat confused. Still, no matter what he do, he finds himself contemplating on the next question/sentence and found out that he should finish the quiz fast.
***
Sendoh passed by the local basketball court and heard someone playing. Sendoh ran quickly, hoping that the one who was playing was the one who he is thinking of. As he approached the basketball court, he saw the tall, lanky brunette under the ring, dripping with sweat. Sendoh felt the smile take over his face once again (not that it hasn't) and made his way towards the standing brunette.
"Akira," Rukawa called out.
"Kaede," Sendoh acknowledged.
Just then, Sendoh felt someone shaking him.
~
"Akira! Akira!"
Sendoh, Akira opened dazed eyes.
"Akira, you were daydreaming!" Sendoh's sister told him, hiding a smirk.
Sendoh focused his eyes on the girl in front of him. "Onee-san! What are you doing here?" he asked, incredulous.
His sister gave him a full-blown smirk. "Just thought I'd visit my small brother. Why, can't I?"
Sendoh gaped.
Sendoh's sister nudged him. "So who's the lucky girl?"
Confused, Sendoh asked. "What girl?"
"The girl you were daydreaming about! And-Oh! You should probably check the yes box on the next question. It says '17. (You daydream about him/her)'" Sendoh's sister quoted.
True enough, the next line did say those words. Sendoh figured that his sister must've read this before. His sister was fond of sports too. So, grumbling, Sendoh checked the 'Yes' box hoping that his sister didn't see the name that was scrawled on top.
His sister nudged him again. "Come on, tell me! Who's the lucky girl!"
"Give me a break," Sendoh muttered softly.
***
Sendoh breathe a cry of relief when he finally escaped the irritating antics of his sister. After what seemed like hours of taunting and pissing and trying to get an answer out of his on vocal chords, Sendoh finally manage to slip out of the house and leave his sister alone, letting her do what she wanted and leaving Sendoh's peace to himself.
As Sendoh came to, he saw that he was walking towards the basketball court. [A secret rendezvous,,, hahaha,,,] He heard the sound of a ball being dribbled so he jogged to see who's playing.
He saw a sitting Rukawa, shirtless, dripping of sweat, obviously did a hard workout. He tried not to gape and was glad that he succeeded. The last thing he wanted to do was drool in front of Rukawa.
Rukawa saw him and acknowledge his presence. He packed his things up and started to walk away, with Sendoh beside him. They were crossing the street when a speeding car came. Sendoh abruptly pushed Rukawa aside, letting him stay on the dangerous side. The speeding car halted a few paces away, allowing them to pass.
Rukawa looked at Sendoh incredulously and said. "Why did you do that? The car would stop, you know,"
Sendoh smiled embarrassingly. "Hehe,,, how should I know? I'm just happy that it did stop, or else you could've been injured (1),"
Rukawa stared at him, confused at his actions.
And that's were it all started.
***
Sendoh now gazes at Rukawa's sleeping face, unable to believe that everything that that magazine said is true.
Sendoh picked up his sign pen and peered at the quiz that brought the two of them together. He realized that the last number he answered was number 17. He began reading it, then said to himself that he would finish it now, cause he knew that all his answers would be a 'yes'.
He began reading it on number 18.
(All your stories include him/her.)
(You write letters to him/her, though your handwriting is not that pleasing, though your handwriting is not that pleasing.)
(You compose poems/ songs/quotes and dedicate it to him/her.)
(Forever is not a fantasy to you.)
(You kiss him/her, wishing for it to last forever.)
(Being with him/her for a while means a lot to you.)
(His/her smile completes you day.)
(You look at him/her and see an angel in front of you.)
(You're never ashamed to declare your love for him/her in public.) [PDA]
(You text him/her just to say 'I Love You,')
(You include him/her in your prayers.)
(You get his/her assignments when he/she is absent. You even do his/her chores.)
(You visit her when he/she is sick.)
(He/she is the reason why you cry and he/she is also the only person who can stop you from crying.)
(His/her face is tattooed on your mind.)
(It's okay to get bankrupt if it's for him/her.)
(You tend to be sweet, even of you're not.)
(He/she is always your inspiration in everything you do.)
(You never get tired of him/her.)
(You always worry about him/her.)
(You always remind him/her to take care.) [Cause he/she might slip along the way.]
(You always tell him/her to go to bed early.)
(You sleep at the same time he/she does.)
(All of his/her jokes make you laugh.) [Even if sometimes one doesn't refer it to a joke.](2)
(You have a pendant with his/her face carved on it.)
(Everything just falls into place.)
(You can't bear to get mad at him/her for so long.)
(You never get bored when you're talking to her.)
(His/her name's on tope of your phonebook.)
(You call him/her "Baby", "Angel" or "Hun" or other sweet words of endearment.) [Even if he/she doesn't like to be called that] (3)
(Math or any other hard subjects seems easy.)
(You keep a picture of him/her in your wallet.)
(You look at your inbox, and see messages only from him/her.)
After finishing reading the 50th sentence, Sendoh stopped and scanned the whole page. Then, he erased all the 'her' in the magazine so all that remains is 'him' or 'his'. After all, he is doing the quiz on Rukawa, right?
Then he proceeded again.
(You call him up every day.)
(You don't answer your phone's call waiting when you're talking to him.)
(You always want to be close to him.)
(You hangout with his friends.)
(All things given by him are displayed in your room.)
(A portrait of him stand beside you bed/ under your pillow.)
(You know that no one compares to him.)
(You spend time with his naughty brother/sister.) [if he has one]. (4)
(You don't get irritated in his long hours of bath.)
(You always want to be informed about the things happening to him.)
(He can always depend on you.)
(You believe in everything he says.)
(You try to do everything he asks you to do.)
(You would do anything just to be with him.)
(You always inform him where you are and what you're doing even when he's not asking.)
(You stand up for him.)
(You always use the perfume he wants on you.)
(You can eat in front of him.)
(You remember him when your phone beeps.)
(Every day seems like Valentine's Day whenever you're with him.)
(You accept him for who/what he is/isn't.)
(You enjoy imitating him.)
(You go insane when he's mad at you.)
(You stay on the dangerous side of the road when crossing the street with him.)
(He always looks great to you.)
(You say 'I love you' and you're 100% sure about it.)
(You never tall her lies.)
(You feel terrible when you've hurt him.) [So you refrain from doing so].
(You don't force him to do something he doesn't like to do.)
(You feel very comfortable with him.)
(You don't get embarrassed even after getting humiliated in front of him.)
(You spend a lot of time thinking about what to give/do on his birthday.)
(You can tell him everything.) [Even your deepest, darkest secret.]
(You can't wait to see him again even though you were just with her a minute ago.)
(You know you could sacrifice everything just for him.)
(You always want to hold his hand.)
(You get the lyrics of his favorite songs.)
(You watch the shows/movies he likes.)
(You enjoy the feeling of having his head, rest on your shoulders.)
At this, Sendoh gazed upon Rukawa and smiled.)
(You can understand what he's saying/feeling even just through his eyes.)
(He's the only boy you flirt with.)
(You always have time for him.) [Despite your busy schedule.]
(You learn a lot from him.)
(Lifetime seems such a short moment to express your love for her.)
(You shower him with compliments and it really comes from your heart.)
(You help him accomplish his chores no matter how hard it may seem.)
(You always understand him.)
(You respect him a lot.)
Sendoh was about to check the last sentence when Rukawa stirred and opened his eyes. "What are you doing?" Rukawa asked.
"Just finishing this quiz I didn't finish before, Kaede,"
Rukawa stared at the magazine for a while and leaned back again to rest on Sendoh. "You know," Rukawa started to confess. "I did the very same quiz before. On you,"
"Oh?" "Aa. And what did you do?"
"Simple," Rukawa answered. "When we came together, and I still haven't finished that damned quiz," Sendoh smiled as he heard his beloved curse the quiz. "I picked up my pen and put a large checkmark on that page cause I know that all my answers would be yes,"
Sendoh smiled and kissed Rukawa softly. "Ja, that's what I'm going to do,"
Then, Sendoh placed a very large checkmark on the page and smiled sweetly at Rukawa. "There, what do you think?"
Rukawa snuggled even more closely to Sendoh. "Much better," then fell asleep again.
Before releasing the magazine, Sendoh read the last line and smiled. 'You didn't have to say that,' he thought to the magazine. 'I already know.' Then fell asleep with Rukawa after placing the magazine back to where it belonged. At the table.
//You can't bear losing him.//
***
Whew! Done at last! Did you know I spent one month writing this? This is my longest fic ever written! And I'm glad that it's now finished!
(1)- The part where Sendoh pushed Rukawa aside. It happened to me in real life. With whom? I won't tell. = P!
(2)- (4)- the original piece of '99 ways to know you love someone' didn't include the one with the sort of bracket. I added it to fit in the story.
The characters are not mine. They belong to Takehiko Inoue. And the '99 ways to know you love someone' list is exclusively made by Meg and Freyritz as I've mentioned earlier, posted in our school paper. I'm just borrowing it and I do not intend to take it.
Thanks people for reviewing! [If you are planning to.]
-=sky75rk=-
Author: sky75rk
Genre: Romance; Yaoi
Status: One-shot
Pairing: SenRu
Chapter title: 99 Ways to Know You Love Someone.
A/n: Mucho thanks to Meg and Freyritz for coming up with 99 Ways to Know You Love Someone list which was posted on our school paper, Screeve. Dedicated to Sendoh and Rukawa fans and to all those who really reviewed on this fic. Also dedicated to my friend, who made a fic (though angst) of Subaru and Seishirou, thanks friend! Even though you're a non-yaoist and all! And for making your latest fic, The Warrior Is a Child with the pairing of Subaru/Kamui! This is chapter 4 of From the Heart and also a special episode. Think of it as a late Valentine Fic, which wasn't posted due to lack of time.
When you see a one-liner sentence inside a parenthesis, it means that it's the quiz you're reading.
***
Sendoh looked at the figure leaning against him. What happened was considered impossible but it happened. Though he himself couldn't believe it, well, he better will, cause the proof's right beside him, sleeping comfortably against him.
How long was it? Two years? Or possibly three? He can't exactly remember when but how it happened remained vividly on his mind.
Sendoh stared at the battered magazine stated at the table. It all occurred because of that particular magazine and Sendoh couldn't be more thankful. He hoisted himself and reached out for the magazine gently, so as not to wake up the sleeping boy. He turned the magazine to the last page and saw the quiz undone yet.
Memories kept flooding back.
***
Sendoh picked up his monthly magazine in the sports store. He habitually walked over the counter and paid for it, getting his receipt and lazily waving his hands to signal that he wouldn't be needing any plastic for it in the process. He scanned the pages of the magazine. Articles about basketball, tennis and volleyball were written there. He was about to close the whole magazine and focus on the street when the very last page caught his eye.
The background was all covered in pink and red hearts. It seems to be a quiz. A LOVE quiz for that matter.
Sendoh looked puzzled. A love quiz on a sports magazine? How odd was that? Suddenly, Sendoh drifted back on what month it was. It struck him.
It was February [hey! I told you that this would be a late valentine's fic!]! No wonder there was an article like that in his magazine!
Sendoh read: '99 Ways to Know You Love Someone or 99 Ways to Know that Someone Loves You. Check the box to know and sum up all the boxes you've checked. Turn to the next page to see the results.'
Sendoh started to scroll down the following sentences when he remembered that he have to meet Rukawa that afternoon. After that incident [I'm not going to tell you.], Sendoh started to become fast friends with Rukawa. Still, they were enemies on court. On court. They weren't that close, but Sendoh hoped they would be. Rukawa, in his perception, really needed a friend (Or maybe because Koshino told him that). So Sendoh took a fast trip back to their house to drop his magazine and quickly ran to the café he said he would meet Rukawa.
***
Rukawa was not really an early bird, but for some reason, he is now. That precise morning, he decided to take a trip downtown, wide-awake, to the bookstore and directly headed to the sports section to buy his usual magazine. Despite the lovey-dovey glances of the girls who knew him and who- apparently- was attracted to him, he remained oblivious and headed out to the sports section, silent as ever.
He took his magazine, Sports Monthly to the counter and paid for it. He dismissed the checkout clerk when she wanted to place the magazine inside the plastic bag, when in fact; she just wanted Rukawa to stay longer.
Rukawa turned the magazine to page 11 where the article about the IH is written. Surprisingly, the high school teams of today were really talented. Like he was during his high school days. Now, in college, he was still in the basketball team, together with Sendoh.
Sendoh. It was a good thing that he remembered him. He had to meet Sendoh for the afternoon for a project. Damn that teacher anyway! Why will he pick him and Sendoh to be partners, Rukawa thought. And why did that project have to be done with someone older!
Rukawa checked his wristwatch. It was still early to go to the meeting place, but, what the heck! Rukawa started to walk towards the café. Suddenly, the magazine dropped from his hand and landed on the ground. Rukawa glanced down to pick it up when the page the magazine turned to caught his eye.
A quiz. Moreover, a love quiz.
'Who the hell put this article in this magazine?' Rukawa just shrugged and dropped by his house to leave the magazine. Later, he'll just have to finish reading the magazine later.
***
The meeting went on as scheduled. Who would've thought that Rukawa was an early bird? Sendoh just contemplated on their project and how it would be done. Surely, there would be an easier way, Sendoh thought. It was getting late and he has to go to sleep soon. When he was about to sleep, Sendoh's mind drifted over the time when he and Rukawa were talking that fine afternoon. Then, he remembered the magazine.
Sendoh flipped over the last page and decided to go over that quiz. He read the first instruction:
Write the name of the person in your mind before you decide to take this quiz.
Sendoh was shocked. He thought at first to write the name of the person you thought you were in-love with, not the person on your mind. Sendoh sighed and wrote Rukawa's name on the dotted lines. While thinking, I'm not a Homo.
Then, Sendoh scrolled down to the next line. It read, 'If you already wrote the name, then proceed to take the quiz.'
Sendoh then obeyed and read the first line.
(He/she is on your mind before you sleep.)
Then the boxes were shown after the sentence. Sendoh checked the 'Yes' box before even realizing that he did. As he glanced, he realized what he have done and tried to erase his answer when a print, in bold red letters seized his eyes. It said:
'This is also an honesty test. Don't erase what you've checked and make sure that you checked the true answer. NO CHEATING!'
Sendoh sighed again. The magazine is against him for some reason. Sendoh grunted and lay the magazine at his side table and settled to go to sleep.
***
(Dream sequence)
The scene, which happened that afternoon, replayed in his sleep. Sendoh saw Rukawa by the window. Simultaneously, Rukawa turned his head directly to meet Sendoh's and waved. Sendoh was stunned. Rukawa? Waving to him? Unbelievable! Sendoh managed to wave back in spite of his stunned reaction. Something is horribly wrong with Rukawa today.
Sendoh sat down facing Rukawa. He asked for an apology for being late but Rukawa countered that he was just early, so there's no need to apologize. They started to work on the plans of their project.
After what seems like forever, and their heads are aching, they intended to call it quits and finish for the day. They paid their bills and headed out of the café, saying good-bye and planned for their next meeting. When Sendoh turned the opposite way, Rukawa called his name and whirled back. He saw Rukawa, a few spaces away from him, advancing to the latter.
'What the hell is wrong with you?' Sendoh asked, but his question was unheeded. Rukawa kept on advancing and advancing and Sendoh kept on taking a step backward. The eyes of Rukawa showed lust for some reason. Rukawa took a step forward and Sendoh took one backward, another step, ano-
There was a loud crash in the second room of the second floor. Sendoh winced in pain as he awoke and actualized that he fell from his bed and hit the side table. Sendoh cursed himself for being so careless. At that time, he felt something atop his hand.
It was the magazine, turned exactly at the last page. Sendoh growled, reasoning that it was only a coincidence and that the quiz is not haunting him. Sendoh resolved to finish the quiz so, as he wouldn't he bothered again. He read the second question.
(He/she is in your dreams.)
Sendoh growled even more loudly as he checked the 'Yes' box. Then the next,
(He/she is the first thing on your mind when you wake up.)
Sendoh frustratedly checked the 'Yes' box. After dreaming that weird dream, it's not a question why he was thinking about Rukawa first thing in the morning. So now, the three questions done and 96 more to go, what could be worse?
'This is getting ridiculous! I'm going to school!' He stood up, left the magazine lying on his bed and got ready for school, thanking God that it was a school day and it was morning already.
As he entered the school premises, his mind kept going back on the magazine. Thinking, what would be the next sentence, would he check yes or no, and the such. Sendoh kept on trudging the hallway to get to his respective classroom. No doubt that this is going to be one hard day.
And a hard day it was. He just recalled that he had 7 classes that day and 6 of them included Rukawa in it. He understood that Rukawa is studying in advance to keep being in the team and he was lucky that in his last subject which, was Psychology, the latter wasn't in it. For the first time in his life, he hated Rukawa being studious and all. He wished right here and then that Rukawa wasn't trying so hard that he was in advance classes. With him, for Christ's sake!
He was having a hard time avoiding Rukawa that day. How could he face him after that dream? Whenever Sendoh sees his face, he keeps on recalling his previous dream. Whenever he suddenly stares at Rukawa's blue eyes, he relives the lust that was in his dreams. Now, tell me, how could he have face Rukawa today?
The only program left in his schedule is basketball practice. It shouldn't be hard. Besides, it's only PT today. He'll survive.
After changing into his usual attire during practice, he directly headed towards the gym. As soon as he opened the door, he heard a sound of a dunk in the court. He looked at the ring and saw Rukawa beneath it.
A fellow teammate patted Rukawa's shoulder. "Nice, Rukawa. You're in shape today,"
Sendoh suddenly smiled when he heard Rukawa's name and the compliment. 'He's getting better and better everyday.' He thought. 'But he's not going to defeat me yet,' Sendoh added, competition in his voice.
***
Rukawa arrived at his house and headed to the kitchen. He was tired and he needed to rest, but before that, he needed a drink first. He opened the refrigerator and took out some water and poured its contents in a glass and drank. His eyes traveled to the sports magazine he bought the day before. He had started that quiz, much to his dismay. And the funny thing is, the quiz he was doing it on was Sendoh.
Rukawa believed that it was a coincidence that he happened to think of Sendoh before taking that quiz. Something that he almost regretted. So far, he had read the first three questions/sentences and checked yes on the first one, no on the second and no on the third. Rukawa was relieved. At least it was a good start to know that he already checked a 'No' box which meant there was absolutely (now) 8 out of 10 chances that he might actually be in-love with Sendoh.
'Come to think of it, Sendoh was acting weirder than usual. Perhaps he's pondering on something,'
Rukawa decided to read the fourth question (or sentence, whatever works for you).
(You smile every time you hear his/her name.)
Rukawa looked thoughtful for a moment. Yes, he recalled a time, in the middle of their Chemistry class, that he did smile, a little I might add, when he heard the Sendoh aced their earlier exam. Of course, he too was happy that he batted second place in the highest rate. But was that involved?
'Well, it did say that so-' Rukawa reluctantly checked the 'Yes' box.
Proceeding to the next sentence,
(All the love songs make sense to you.)
'Definitely a no,' he thought as he checked the 'No' box.
(You doodle her name when you've got nothing to do.)
Rukawa checked the 'No' box, feeling relieved that he was checking 'no' instead of 'yes'.
***
Sendoh glared the magazine, commanding it to melt on its own. He was getting very mad at the outcome of each question/sentence. Ok, he checked yes for the first until the fourth, no on the fifth, (feeling very relayed that he finally checked a no) then again, a yes on the sixth.
Yes, the sixth was a yes. Sendoh hated to admit it but he actually doodled on Rukawa's name when he was trying to avoid him. He didn't know why, he just did.
Sendoh wanted to crumple the page of that certain magazine if only it wasn't a prized possession of him. He had collected the whole edition of this magazine and all are still intact and no crumple pages. Sendoh read the next.
(You give him/her gifts on special occasions.)
Sendoh marked the 'yes' box, reasoning that it was Rukawa's birthday and the gift meant nothing more than platonic. There was no hidden agenda. Period.
So, he was being honest with this test after all. He could've stopped taking the test immediately when he wanted to, but some force encourage him to go on [mainly this author].
(You give him/her gift even when there's no occasion.)
A 'Yes' again. This time, he reasoned out that he gave that give because he thought it was cute and it reminded him Rukawa. Still purely platonic. He didn't know that on the other side of Kanagawa, a familiar boy was also checking the same.
Rukawa checked the eight question/sentence with a sigh. He admits that he'd given Sendoh a gift just because he wanted to be even with him after he got a gift on his birthday and he got Sendoh a gift for the second time because he just saw it and thought that it suited Sendoh. Why? Can't friends give gifts to friends?
(You prepare his/her food when you have the chance to do so.)
Both bishounen checked 'No'.
Sendoh took a glimpse at his digital clock. 9:30 p.m. it was getting late and he have to get up early for tomorrow. He closed the magazine and put it on the table. He turned off the lampshade and closed his eyes to sleep.
At the other side, Rukawa also decided to call it quits and turned to slumber.
***
The next morning, Sendoh got up and prepared for school earlier. Much to his dread, when he saw that there was still an hour before classes, he picked up the magazine and read the 10th sentence.
(You cry, every time he/she cries, or even just when she's sad.)
'Did Rukawa even cry yet?' Sendoh thought for a moment.
Sendoh shook his head, marking 'No' to the sentence.
(You dedicate songs on the radio for him/her.)
Sendoh glanced at his stereo, the one that was almost covered in cobwebs. It hadn't been used for ages and Sendoh wasn't sure if he knows any modern songs. Definitely a no.
(You call him/her up just to say you miss him/her.)
Sendoh marked 'No'.
Just as he was about to read the thirteenth question/sentence, Sendoh glanced at his digital clock. Only 45 minutes to go before classes. Sendoh placed himself on his feet and went to the kitchen to eat breakfast, then quietly dismissed himself and went to school.
***
The past few weeks have been literally weakening. It was all study, projects and extracurricular for Rukawa and Sendoh. Both of them had a hard time tearing themselves from schoolwork and basketball practice to even spare the time of completing the quiz.
It was already early in March. The magazine, which was bought late in February, was completely forgotten by the two bishounen. Schoolwork and practice already drains their energy that they could not even lift a finger to read the magazine. Both of them have been together to complete their projects, and they had enjoyed working on them, a thing they will not and could not admit to each other. But, each passing day, without them noticing they are getting close unlike before.
It was weekend, the two days that they have to rest. Sendoh was pacing back and forth, ultimately bored out of his skull. He wanted to see Rukawa, but he has no reason for Rukawa to see him.
Sendoh went upstairs and sat on his study table. He opened the drawer in hopes of finding something that would occupy his time while he's in his house. He saw the magazine, which was long forgotten and retained that he didn't finish the quiz he started on. He picked up his sign pen and opened the magazine at the back page. He only answered 12 out of the 99 questions.
Sendoh groaned. There was something inside of him that wanted to see Rukawa no matter what. He didn't recognize this feeling. It was as if he was missing Rukawa's company now. Their projects are completed, no reason to see Rukawa now. Even if he wanted to, he doubt that Rukawa would even agree to his proposition for them to hang out. Only one proposition would make him agree, which is for them to play one-on-one. But, he was not on the mood to play. He just wanted to see Rukawa.
Sendoh groaned again. It was getting irritable, the feeling I mean. He just decided to read the thirteenth question/sentence.
(You miss him/her every second when you're not with him/her.)
Sendoh checked the 'Yes' box. Damn right he did! He missed the silent man's companion!
'Wait~! This is Rukawa we're talking about!' Sendoh screamed in his mind. 'I'm not a desperate Homo! I'm not even a Homo!' [Yet.Hehehe.]
Much as he hated to admit, he was being honest when he checked the yes box.
'Why am I starting to feeling this way?'
***
(You dream about your future together.)
Rukawa gazed at the ceiling for a moment to ponder. He did dream that he would be the best among all, though he also dreamt that Sendoh would be the one who will prevent him from going on top. One time, when he almost believed that he would not defeat Sendoh, he said to himself that it is ok to go to the top even if Sendoh is with him, after all, they are on the same team, however, does that count?
'I guess so,' Rukawa told himself as he marked the 'Yes' box. He completely forgot that this was a love quiz. He just found this lying beneath the books of schoolbooks he used these past few weeks for his research. It was boring and he wanted to sleep, something he didn't have the chance of doing so far. When he took the advance classes to make sure of his position in the team, he had no idea that it was going to be REALLY advanced. He barely had the time to think!
Rukawa sighed and concentrated to the magazine he was holding.
15. (You love everything about him/her.)
Rukawa's hand habitually was about to mark the 'Yes' box when he recalled that he was doing the quiz on Sendoh. He remembered that he had hated Sendoh during his high school days and he still is irritated with him.
/Just admit it. You're beginning to like him. You've even started to enjoy his company! / A voice inside of Rukawa countered.
'Like is different from love,' Rukawa retorted in his even voice.
/Similar, nonetheless. / Rukawa could just see the face of his damned voice smirk.
'Shut up,'
Rukawa marked the 'No' box.
(You hug him/her and never want to let go).
'I never even hugged him,' Rukawa told himself while checking the 'No' box.
Rukawa progressed in reading the 17th question/sentence when he suddenly realized why he was taking the quiz. Actually, no particular reasons. Rukawa dropped his pen and picked up his basketball. He is going out today.
Before exiting his room, Rukawa got one last look on the magazine lying carelessly on the table. 'This is really stupid. Why would I take that idiotic quiz on Sendoh?' Rukawa was getting angry and somewhat confused. Still, no matter what he do, he finds himself contemplating on the next question/sentence and found out that he should finish the quiz fast.
***
Sendoh passed by the local basketball court and heard someone playing. Sendoh ran quickly, hoping that the one who was playing was the one who he is thinking of. As he approached the basketball court, he saw the tall, lanky brunette under the ring, dripping with sweat. Sendoh felt the smile take over his face once again (not that it hasn't) and made his way towards the standing brunette.
"Akira," Rukawa called out.
"Kaede," Sendoh acknowledged.
Just then, Sendoh felt someone shaking him.
~
"Akira! Akira!"
Sendoh, Akira opened dazed eyes.
"Akira, you were daydreaming!" Sendoh's sister told him, hiding a smirk.
Sendoh focused his eyes on the girl in front of him. "Onee-san! What are you doing here?" he asked, incredulous.
His sister gave him a full-blown smirk. "Just thought I'd visit my small brother. Why, can't I?"
Sendoh gaped.
Sendoh's sister nudged him. "So who's the lucky girl?"
Confused, Sendoh asked. "What girl?"
"The girl you were daydreaming about! And-Oh! You should probably check the yes box on the next question. It says '17. (You daydream about him/her)'" Sendoh's sister quoted.
True enough, the next line did say those words. Sendoh figured that his sister must've read this before. His sister was fond of sports too. So, grumbling, Sendoh checked the 'Yes' box hoping that his sister didn't see the name that was scrawled on top.
His sister nudged him again. "Come on, tell me! Who's the lucky girl!"
"Give me a break," Sendoh muttered softly.
***
Sendoh breathe a cry of relief when he finally escaped the irritating antics of his sister. After what seemed like hours of taunting and pissing and trying to get an answer out of his on vocal chords, Sendoh finally manage to slip out of the house and leave his sister alone, letting her do what she wanted and leaving Sendoh's peace to himself.
As Sendoh came to, he saw that he was walking towards the basketball court. [A secret rendezvous,,, hahaha,,,] He heard the sound of a ball being dribbled so he jogged to see who's playing.
He saw a sitting Rukawa, shirtless, dripping of sweat, obviously did a hard workout. He tried not to gape and was glad that he succeeded. The last thing he wanted to do was drool in front of Rukawa.
Rukawa saw him and acknowledge his presence. He packed his things up and started to walk away, with Sendoh beside him. They were crossing the street when a speeding car came. Sendoh abruptly pushed Rukawa aside, letting him stay on the dangerous side. The speeding car halted a few paces away, allowing them to pass.
Rukawa looked at Sendoh incredulously and said. "Why did you do that? The car would stop, you know,"
Sendoh smiled embarrassingly. "Hehe,,, how should I know? I'm just happy that it did stop, or else you could've been injured (1),"
Rukawa stared at him, confused at his actions.
And that's were it all started.
***
Sendoh now gazes at Rukawa's sleeping face, unable to believe that everything that that magazine said is true.
Sendoh picked up his sign pen and peered at the quiz that brought the two of them together. He realized that the last number he answered was number 17. He began reading it, then said to himself that he would finish it now, cause he knew that all his answers would be a 'yes'.
He began reading it on number 18.
(All your stories include him/her.)
(You write letters to him/her, though your handwriting is not that pleasing, though your handwriting is not that pleasing.)
(You compose poems/ songs/quotes and dedicate it to him/her.)
(Forever is not a fantasy to you.)
(You kiss him/her, wishing for it to last forever.)
(Being with him/her for a while means a lot to you.)
(His/her smile completes you day.)
(You look at him/her and see an angel in front of you.)
(You're never ashamed to declare your love for him/her in public.) [PDA]
(You text him/her just to say 'I Love You,')
(You include him/her in your prayers.)
(You get his/her assignments when he/she is absent. You even do his/her chores.)
(You visit her when he/she is sick.)
(He/she is the reason why you cry and he/she is also the only person who can stop you from crying.)
(His/her face is tattooed on your mind.)
(It's okay to get bankrupt if it's for him/her.)
(You tend to be sweet, even of you're not.)
(He/she is always your inspiration in everything you do.)
(You never get tired of him/her.)
(You always worry about him/her.)
(You always remind him/her to take care.) [Cause he/she might slip along the way.]
(You always tell him/her to go to bed early.)
(You sleep at the same time he/she does.)
(All of his/her jokes make you laugh.) [Even if sometimes one doesn't refer it to a joke.](2)
(You have a pendant with his/her face carved on it.)
(Everything just falls into place.)
(You can't bear to get mad at him/her for so long.)
(You never get bored when you're talking to her.)
(His/her name's on tope of your phonebook.)
(You call him/her "Baby", "Angel" or "Hun" or other sweet words of endearment.) [Even if he/she doesn't like to be called that] (3)
(Math or any other hard subjects seems easy.)
(You keep a picture of him/her in your wallet.)
(You look at your inbox, and see messages only from him/her.)
After finishing reading the 50th sentence, Sendoh stopped and scanned the whole page. Then, he erased all the 'her' in the magazine so all that remains is 'him' or 'his'. After all, he is doing the quiz on Rukawa, right?
Then he proceeded again.
(You call him up every day.)
(You don't answer your phone's call waiting when you're talking to him.)
(You always want to be close to him.)
(You hangout with his friends.)
(All things given by him are displayed in your room.)
(A portrait of him stand beside you bed/ under your pillow.)
(You know that no one compares to him.)
(You spend time with his naughty brother/sister.) [if he has one]. (4)
(You don't get irritated in his long hours of bath.)
(You always want to be informed about the things happening to him.)
(He can always depend on you.)
(You believe in everything he says.)
(You try to do everything he asks you to do.)
(You would do anything just to be with him.)
(You always inform him where you are and what you're doing even when he's not asking.)
(You stand up for him.)
(You always use the perfume he wants on you.)
(You can eat in front of him.)
(You remember him when your phone beeps.)
(Every day seems like Valentine's Day whenever you're with him.)
(You accept him for who/what he is/isn't.)
(You enjoy imitating him.)
(You go insane when he's mad at you.)
(You stay on the dangerous side of the road when crossing the street with him.)
(He always looks great to you.)
(You say 'I love you' and you're 100% sure about it.)
(You never tall her lies.)
(You feel terrible when you've hurt him.) [So you refrain from doing so].
(You don't force him to do something he doesn't like to do.)
(You feel very comfortable with him.)
(You don't get embarrassed even after getting humiliated in front of him.)
(You spend a lot of time thinking about what to give/do on his birthday.)
(You can tell him everything.) [Even your deepest, darkest secret.]
(You can't wait to see him again even though you were just with her a minute ago.)
(You know you could sacrifice everything just for him.)
(You always want to hold his hand.)
(You get the lyrics of his favorite songs.)
(You watch the shows/movies he likes.)
(You enjoy the feeling of having his head, rest on your shoulders.)
At this, Sendoh gazed upon Rukawa and smiled.)
(You can understand what he's saying/feeling even just through his eyes.)
(He's the only boy you flirt with.)
(You always have time for him.) [Despite your busy schedule.]
(You learn a lot from him.)
(Lifetime seems such a short moment to express your love for her.)
(You shower him with compliments and it really comes from your heart.)
(You help him accomplish his chores no matter how hard it may seem.)
(You always understand him.)
(You respect him a lot.)
Sendoh was about to check the last sentence when Rukawa stirred and opened his eyes. "What are you doing?" Rukawa asked.
"Just finishing this quiz I didn't finish before, Kaede,"
Rukawa stared at the magazine for a while and leaned back again to rest on Sendoh. "You know," Rukawa started to confess. "I did the very same quiz before. On you,"
"Oh?" "Aa. And what did you do?"
"Simple," Rukawa answered. "When we came together, and I still haven't finished that damned quiz," Sendoh smiled as he heard his beloved curse the quiz. "I picked up my pen and put a large checkmark on that page cause I know that all my answers would be yes,"
Sendoh smiled and kissed Rukawa softly. "Ja, that's what I'm going to do,"
Then, Sendoh placed a very large checkmark on the page and smiled sweetly at Rukawa. "There, what do you think?"
Rukawa snuggled even more closely to Sendoh. "Much better," then fell asleep again.
Before releasing the magazine, Sendoh read the last line and smiled. 'You didn't have to say that,' he thought to the magazine. 'I already know.' Then fell asleep with Rukawa after placing the magazine back to where it belonged. At the table.
//You can't bear losing him.//
***
Whew! Done at last! Did you know I spent one month writing this? This is my longest fic ever written! And I'm glad that it's now finished!
(1)- The part where Sendoh pushed Rukawa aside. It happened to me in real life. With whom? I won't tell. = P!
(2)- (4)- the original piece of '99 ways to know you love someone' didn't include the one with the sort of bracket. I added it to fit in the story.
The characters are not mine. They belong to Takehiko Inoue. And the '99 ways to know you love someone' list is exclusively made by Meg and Freyritz as I've mentioned earlier, posted in our school paper. I'm just borrowing it and I do not intend to take it.
Thanks people for reviewing! [If you are planning to.]
-=sky75rk=-