Title: Kaede Jr.
Author: Aki Midori
Mail me at: autumn_wind04@yahoo.com
Warnings: Yaoi, OOC (i think)(intended), OC... the works
Pairing: SenRu (what else?)
Rating: G - PG
Genre: Romance/Humor (I hope)
Author's Yap:
Not too much today... eh well, just wanna thank all those people who reviewed... You guys sure knew how to boost up my morale! Here's your chapter three, and I hope you'll enjoy it! Sorry for the typographical errors... They're all over the stuff. Next time, I'll be more careful...
Again, I want to say that this is for all the SenRu fans... Yes! This is a SenRu!!! Belated Happy Birthday, Akira! This chapter's for you! Yeah, I know, his birthday was days ago... but oh well. And yeah, this fic is also for miku... the brat who wrote Expectations and Game Again and Title behind my back... She had the gall to let me find out for myself that my friend is actually booming here in FF.Net... Hmp! I still haven't forgiven you for making me cry, you dolt! :P To my pals, qkslvr and White Meteor and all the others... thanks for being my pals. Your mails brighten up my day.
(So much for 'not too much yapping today'...)
Enjoy! ^_^
Disclaimers:
*Aki-chan pointing gun at Rukawa's brain*
Kaede: I... b-belong t-to A-Aki-chan...
*Aki-chan pointing gun at Sendoh's *Toooot**
Aki-chan: Say it or I'll shoot.
Sendoh: I belong to Aki-chan! I promise!
*Bang!*
Sendoh: Watch it, Aki-chan! I said it already!
*Bang!* *Bang!*
Aki-chan: I've always been trigger-happy... Literally. Nyahahahaha!
*looks at Kaede Jr.* Hey, kid, what about you?
Kaede Jr: Yours, of course, Aki-neechan...^_^
Aki-chan: Good boy... ^______^ Wanna borrow this thing?
Kaede Jr: Hai!
(Hehe... borrowed the disclaimer from Shinri...^_^... but mine's a bit more brutal.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Kaede Jr.
Chapter Three: AKIRA Jr., Little Cupid
"Wake up! Wake up, you big meanie! You promised we'll go out today!"
What did I do to deserve this? The little monster actually barged into my room while I was sleeping oh-so-peacefully, jumped into my bed, jumped over me like he would to a donkey, and jumped and jumped and jumped on my back until I opened my eyes. And of course, giving him a dirty look did not work one bit. So I did what I could.
I ignored the brat and tried to get back to sleep.
*Ow!* The f****** maggot actually had to bite me. Hard.
"Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!"
"Away."
"Up! Up! Up! Up! Up! Up! Up! Up!"
Sleep! Sleep! Sleep! Sleep!
"Wake up! You promised!"
"Correction... you coerced me into agreeing."
"Ne, what does co-erced mean?"
"Nothing that could be deciphered by that puny brain of yours. Now go away."
"What does de-zi-ferd mean?"
"Go away."
"Waaaaaaaake uuuuuuuuuuup!!!!!!!!"
*Thud!*
"Ow!"
"Serves you right, you big meanie! Hmmp!"
I gave the little monster the dirtiest stare (probably Sakuragi's 'The Glare') I could muster, but it didn't work. As the last remnants of sleep faded away from me, I discovered the mess my brother made...
Feathers were all over the place... That would explain the absence of my pillows. Books were scattered on the floor... That would explain the loud thuds I heard earlier. I could barely make out the words 'Kaede Jr. King of the World' was engraved deeply on my desk... That would explain the scra- Wait a minute...
"Shit, you used a sharp object?" I asked. The demon happily bobbed his head up and down. "Don't ever hold a sharp object again, you little doofus. You could have been hurt!"
"Bring me to the theme park," he said.
Remember your mantra, Rukawa Kaede. You're calm, you're cool, you're the Ice Prince. You're the Ace of Shohoku. King of Monotony. You don't even say any other words which go beyond the necessary insults that should be bestowed upon a certain red headed moron. You are fuckin' calm, cool, and collected. You will not blow your head off because your freakin brother might have been injured while engraving something which would stroke his goddamn ego. You are so goddamn calm, that you will just stand up, go to the bathroom, take a warm shower, and prepare yourself so you could bring the little maggot to the freakin' theme park.
And why the hell do I feel that something is *very* different today? Something's not quite the same... I couldn't put my finger on it.
Yes, my room's a mess, thanks to that freak who's currently *redecorating* my bed. Yes, my room *is* a bit 'different' from its former spic and span state. Okay, fine, it made a whole lot difference... But no... it's not it. Look around and -
What the hell...
Are those SPIKES on my brother's head?
I shook my head to wake my still hibernating cerebrum, and stared hard at the little demon.
He used to be such a cute kid. Demonic, but cute. Blue eyes, like mine... Chubby face, like mine used to be... Pale skin, like mine... Gorgeous, unruly, jet-black hair, like mine...
Now, he is the miniature version of my greatest rival.
Yes, I understand that since their meeting the other day, my brother actually worshipped that smiling 'aho, probably because they came from the 'same kind', but I never thought that he would throw his damn gorgeous looks just so he could look like a damned hedgehog. This kid is going too far.
"You like my spikes?" he asked innocently. "I did it myself!"
"Hell, no," I snapped. "Fix your hair."
"Hell, no," he said, echoing my former words.
"Don't swear."
"You just did."
"I'm older."
"Okasan said that-"
"Fine!" I snapped before he could undergo a full-length speech on our mother's lectures on morality.
"Come on! The theme park is cool! And besides, I heard your cap'n say that you don't have a prac-tice today because the theme park is soooo good that we were recommended to go! And-"
He rattled on and on and on and on but I barely listened. The kid is such a chatterbox, and I still love my eardrums, thank you very much. I just snatched a blue printed towel (which was PLAIN before) from somewhere and went down to the only bathroom in this house, leaving the yapping tike alone on my harrassed room.
Where did my peace and solitude go? Those quiet times seemed so far away, they were like scenes from a distant dream. The hot shower actually worked its magic on my raging nerves. That kid is my living nightmare. I don't know why the hell he grew up like that. I was a mischief when I was kid, but hell, I don't make anybody's life a living hell. What's worse is that the tike could actually get away with the troubles he make with a stupid smile and a single bat of his stupid eyelashes.
And to think that my parents thought that he was a little *angel*. It confirmed my suspision that there *is* something wrong with my parents' brains. Little angel my ass.
Which reminds me... just yesterday, when I brought him to practice with me (I have no other choice, do I?), he acted like the perfect kid. He just sat there on one corner and watched the whole practice. Of course I didn't waste any time displaying my skills to the brat, but he seemed unimpressed and bored. Oh well, I thought... He doesn't like basketball, anyway. But he looked okay with the women and the benchwarmers fussing over him. He was also talking to Haruko's little cousin. He just smiled and chatted with the everyone and laughed with them.
All in all, he acted normal. He was so goddamn behaved, that chills ran down my spine. I knew that something's wrong. I checked everything. The shower room, the locker room, the balls, the walls, my bags, the lockers... everything. But nothing's wrong.
Up until now, suspicion was still creeping through my veins. Yeah, I guess I should give him more credit. Maybe he could change and actually be behaved and nice, but judging from what he did just now... I don't think so. I lived with that kid for seven years. I know him inside-out. Of course he's up to something. I'd find out sooner or later.
Just now, I should enjoy my shower. It was only during my moments inside this bathroom that I could get the quiet and peace I oh-so-deserved. In here, there could be no demons. No mess. No chaos.
Why did that stupid kid spiked his hair? What is it that Sendoh had that drew the kid to him? They bonded almost instantly. I could feel it. The little turd actually lights up when he sees that smiling rival of mine. Also yesterday, when I was playing one-on-one with Sendoh, the kid actually cheered for him. Talk about betrayal. Suddenly, they were like best buds.
Oh well, birds of the same feather flock together. Let those demons unite, for all I care. I just hope they'd leave me alone. Especially that Sendoh.
Yesterday, he was smiling even more than usual. He was burning even more than usual. He was so *happy* for some reason. He was grinning like the hentai that he is. He was bright and bubbly and he irritated the hell outta me. I would have left him grinning alone, if only he wasn't so damn gorgeous yesterday.
Yes... I admit. I actually thought he looked more gorgeous than usual yesterday. I don't know why, though. He was just wearing a simple white shirt and blue shorts. Nothing different.
Must be sunstroke.
Must be exhaustion from babysitting the spawn of the devil.
Or maybe it was just the way he *shone* yesterday.
Whatever it is, I don't want to know.
"Are you sleeping in there? Hurry up, will ya!" the bakemono shouted from outside as he pounded on my door. I sighed and turned off the shower. I must have been in here for an hour or so. Oh well... back to hell again.
I dried myself slowly, deliberately annoying my little brother. I wrapped the towel around my waist, took a deep breath, and opened the
door.
... Only to have flour dumped all over me.
How could he have set a booby trap that fast?
Two words...
Sendoh Akira.
Remember your mantra, Rukawa Kaede. You're calm, you're cool, you're the Ice Prince. Turn on your heels, go back to the shower, and ignore those two ignoramus laughing their heads off.
***********
Why did he have to look so goddamn handsome today? And who told him he could come with me and the halfwit to the theme park? How did he find out that we were going out anyway? Why does he have look so cool? How did he get inside the house? Where was the flour from? The terrorists are together, so am I entitled to die today? Why do I have the feeling that I'm going to prison at the end of the day? Why are they so close? What are they laughing at now? How much more disasters are going to happen? What am I eating? Why is Sendoh looking so gorgeous? Where did that pair of sunglasses came from? Why did my brother suddenly have the same pair? What am I doing here? Where am I? What am I? Who am I?
Am I making any sense at all?
Maybe not.
It was knocked out when I walked out of the bathroom for the second time (thank heavens there were no more booby traps), and I finally saw Sendoh Akira without flour and anger obscuring my view.
He took my breath away, damn it.
What's so cool about that blue polo shirt and blue loose jeans and that stupid sunglasses anyway? What's so cool about that smile, or about his whatever? What's so cool about the suave way he smiled as he took off those sunglasses, and said,
"Hi! I hope you don't mind my joining you, but Kae-chan invited me and I just couln't resist.'
Nothing is so cool about that. It's not even cool at all! And what was that 'Kae-chan' thing? He made my brother sound like a nitwit!
So now I'm walking a little behind those two idiots who are currently whispering about and nudging each other like they've been best buds all their pathetic lives, with no freakin' idea as to why I'm here. I should be home. At my bed. Sleeping. Dreaming about victory and its glory.
What do I get instead?
A lousy day at the theme park with two lousy idiots for companions.
Life couldn't get any worse, right?
Next thing I knew, a cotton candy was shoved into my face by a smiling Sendoh.
"Ne, Rukawa-kun, I hope you like cotton candies," he said as he practically beamed at me. Why is he so damn perky today?
"Eat it. It's good," my brother said as he shoved huge pieces of the fluffy candy into his mouth.
"It's pink," I said. Ever since I was born I had the aversion to the color pink. Don't know why, though. Maybe I just hate *happy* and *perky* colors.
"It's good," he insisted.
"But it's pink."
"But Akira-niichan bought it for you!"
Akira-what?!
I looked at the two co-conspirators of my agony and saw them smiling happily at each other. They looked as if *they* were the siblings. Since when did my brother start calling him oniichan? He never even called *me* that. Come to think of it, he never addressed me as anything but 'you big meanie' or something else. He never called me by my name. Nor did I ever hear him address me as Kaede-niisan, or just plain oniisan. I don't know how that happened, but it did. And now I'm actually hearing the word 'oniisan' from him, but it wasn't addressed to me.
Am I supposed to feel this pang of hurt I'm feeling now? Am I supposed to feel betrayed? No, maybe not. Anyway, I never called him by his name, either. I realized just now that I've never even used the name 'Kaede' on him. I called him tons of names... from maggot to imp to turd to nitwit... but not once have I called him Kaede. But at least I still regard him as my brother.
No, I have no right to feel hurt. After all, it's just the little demon we're talking about. I never really liked him anyway. He's just a big pain in the ass.
"Rukawa-kun, is something wrong?" Sendoh asked. "You're more quiet than usual." Oh no, you don't. Don't be worried about me. Nothing's wrong. You just stole my brother from me. How could anything be wrong?
In fact, I should even thank you, right? After all, I did nothing except to berate his existence. No, nothing's wrong.
"The cotton candy. Eat it," my brother said. I gave both of them my best glare that could rival the do'aho's death glare and grabbed the stupid cotton candy from Sendoh.
"Thanks," I muttered. Sendoh beamed again and happily placed an arm around my shoulder, causing chills to run down my spine. I stiffened instantly, out of instince maybe. If he noticed it, he paid no attention. He just continued to walk with me as he held the little nincompoop with his other hand.
"Hey, look at that!" my brother exclaimed as he looked at the huge boat which swung to and fro. "I wanna ride there!"
"You sure?" Sendoh asked.
"Yup, yup!"
"Let's go get the tickets," Sendoh said as he pulled us both to the ticket booth. The brat couldn't stand still when we were standing in line. He was having the day of his life. Good for him.
When it was our turn for the ride, I wasn't very surprised when he sat next to Sendoh. I just took my place at the corner, Sendoh next, then my brother, as the operator secured the metal bar in place. Geez, what's a metal bar to do when the one it's supposed to protect is more than six feet tall?
The huge boat started to swing, and my brother and Sendoh started to squeal. Yes, Sendoh actually *squeled*. Jeez, what a moron. As the boat swung higher, I noticed that Sendoh was squeezing himself to me. Jeez, the boat swings to and fro, not from side to side. And right now, Sendoh's arm was around my shoulder again as he whooped with joy with every swing.
What is this warm feeling?
Must be the humidity.
And then I saw that the little ninny was actually pushing Sendoh to me. What is he up to? Thankfully, the ride was over. As we piled out the stupid boat, I felt the after-effects of the ride. My stomach was
actually whirling, I had to sit down at a nearby bench.
"Ninny! Ninny! Ninny!" the little demon was exclaiming. He was making fun of me.
"Shut up, do'aho." Perfect rebuttal.
"Ninny! Ninny!"
"Ne, little brat, you shouldn't do that to your older brother," Sendoh scolded gently. The little traitor actually ceased jumping up and down and left me alone. Sendoh looked at me, concern etched in his normally perky face, his eyes boring holes into mine. "Are you alright?"
I chose to keep quiet.
Why does his eyes have to be so *blue*?
The little brat tugged on his sleeve and whispered something, breaking off our eye contact. He listened intently, nodding every now and then, his face lightening up with every nod. What are these two long-horned demons up to now?
Oh well, so long as they leave me alone, I'll be okay. I looked around the place and saw a white signboard saying 'No picking of flowers'. Sheesh, why does someone have to make his life complicated? Couldn't he have just written, 'Don't pick the flowers' or something like that? If he wants to be unique, he could have said 'Don't touch the damned flowers'. What kind of stupid warning is 'No picking of flowers'?
"Ne, Rukawa-kun, what are you thinking of?" Sendoh asked.
"Nothing." Just berating some stupid man for writing that stupid sign. I'm thinking of stupid things so I wouldn't think of my brother's betrayal. Of how he would follow your orders with one simple reprimand while he ignores me. I'm thinking of a stupid signboard so I won't be able to feel this acute pain I felt when I realized that you've been close to my brother in the span of a few days when I myself have tried to reach out to him for years (before I finally gave up), but he never even noticed me. I'm thinking of the stupid flowers so I wouldn't be able to ask myself the question: "Where have I gone wrong?"
Where have I gone wrong in trying to get along with my brother? Somewhere along the way, I must have done something wrong. I don't know when, I don't know why, I don't know how. Did I do something to hurt him? None that I know of. I've grown weary of trying to get along with him. I've grown weary of trying to make him look up to me as a brother. Weariness turned to annoyance. No one can blame me. He *is* annoying. He's such a little monster. I don't know why, though. He doesn't lack attention. He's gotten too much, as far as I'm concerned. He doesn't have a traumatic past or something. His mental health is all right.
Maybe he's just that way because that's the way he is.
Am I making any sense at all? Maybe not.
Oh well, I'm thinking of that stupid signboard so I wouldn't think of how good this moron beside me looks today. I'm thinking of the stupid signboard because I've suddenly had this strange feeling stirring up inside me whenever he touches me, or smiles at me, or looks at me. I'm thinking of the possible fallacies of the stupid signboard because I don't want to find out as to why he evokes so much feelings in me. It's so goddamn pathetic and cheesy. I'm not one of those things.
I'm thinking of the stupid signboard because I don't want to admit that I'm jealous.
I'm jealous of Sendoh because he's closer to my brother than I have ever been.
I'm jealous of the little brat because he's closer to my rival (and perhaps my only friend) than I have ever been.
I'm jealous because they got along so well with each other. It was as if I was left alone in the background.
But then again, isn't that what I wanted? Isn't that why I don't talk to much (well, I think too much, that's what), and avoid people too much? Because I want to be left alone? Because I want solitude and peace?
I'm thinking of the stupid signboard because I don't want to think of the things I'm thinking of now.
So I divert my attention towards an innocent signboard which says,
'No picking of flowers.'
I could barely make out whispers of 'Thank you, pal!' and 'Anytime, niichan' as I stared daggers at the poor signboard. Should I criticize another item? If the signboard is alive, he would be weeping by now. I've been too hard on it.
"Ne, Rukawa-kun..." I looked at him. He smiled at me. Butterflies flew in my stomach. Must be hunger.
"Nanda?"
"For you." And he handed me a bunch of pathetic looking flowers which were still dripping wet, roots protruding from the stem.
"What the hell are those?"
"Ah... flowers?" He was cringing now.
Like duh.
"For what?"
"For you?" Cringing even more...
"Where in the earth's surface did you get those?" I asked. He looked at Kaede (so I called him that, already... I'm tired of thinking of other names) and the brat smiled sheepishly. He was hiding his hands behind his back.
Somehow, I have the feeling that something's going wrong. Something must have transpired while I was deep in my thoughts.
From a distance, I saw a strange-looking old man running towards us at great speed (rivalling that of Miyagi's during fastbreak), whilst pulling a wheelbarrow with one hand and holding a familiar sign on the other. As he got nearer, I could see the faint traces of anger etched on his wrinkled face. And I could actually make out the familiar stupid words on the familiar stupid signboard...
No picking of flowers, it said.
"Damn yer little juveniles!" he exclaimed. He's getting nearer. "Can't yer read the damn signboard?" He looked potentially dangerous.
"Is that an ax on his wheelbarrow?" Sendoh asked, his eyes widening as the gardener yet got nearer. People were now looking at us with curiosity.
Kaede was tugging on my pants, and as I looked down, I saw his soiled hands. Then I looked at the now wilting flowers on Sendoh's hand. He kept tugging. The crazed gardener dropped the wheelbarrow (was he a super man or something?) and pulled out a glinting ax. I gulped. Sendoh did the same. Kaede kept on tugging at my pants.
"What?"
"Ne, what does ju-ve-nile means?" he asked.
"Damn yer good-for-nothing teenyboppers! Yer molested my pretty babies!" the lunatic cried out as he waved his ax in the air. Is he gonna kill us?
Okay, Rukawa Kaede. This is your where your mantra comes in. You're calm, you're cool, you're the Ice Prince.
"Don't ask," I snapped as I scooped the little troublemaker and ran for my life, a yelping Sendoh close behind.
Why is life so complicated?
**********************
Did I do something wrong? Did I? Someone tell me now, so I wouldn't be thinking of how unfair life has been to me. What did I do wrong? Somebody tell me, please.
I don't deserved to in this *jail* with the two antagonists of my life.
Why is this happening to me? All I wanted in life is to have my solitude and win all the games I'm ever going to have and be the best goddamn player in the whole freakin' world. Is that too much to ask for? Why am I locked inside a stupid room with this two morons who are crying their hearts out?
"...So you gotta hang on till tomorrow...." Ah Kami-sama, not the high note.
Please not the high note... "Come what maaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!" Ah shit. "Tooooooo-morrow! Tomorrow! I love ya, tomorrow! You're always a day aaaawaaaaaaaay."
Someone shoot me please.
I should have let that crazy gardener kill me with that ax, than stay here inside a closed, soundproof karaoke room with two lunatics who have nothing better to do than croak and molest their vocal chords. And the two monsters had the gall to tie me up in a chair after my third attempt of escape. Shall I thank them for not gagging me?
"Hey, Rukawa-kun, wanna try one song?" Sendoh asked as he pushed the mic towards me. I choose to ignore the baka before me.
"Why don't you sing a song for him, Akira-niichan?" Kaede suggested.
"No thanks," I interjected before Sendoh could actually agree. "My ears could only hold so much torture, thank you very much."
"You haven't heard him when he *really* sings," Kaede argued. "Go ahead, Akira-niichan. Show the big meanie what you've got."
Sendoh smiled at him and patted his head before he took the mic. When he looked back at me, his eyes lost all its mischief and were replaced by utter sincerety. Deep pools of blue stared at me as he walked over to the karaoke set and punched the numbers for the song. His eyes never left mine even as the first chords sounded off. I was drawn to him. It feels so strange. So alien.
Should I be thinking of signboards again?
*Tomorrow morning if you wake up
and the sun does not appear
I, I will be here.
If in the dark we lose sight of love
hold my hand, have no fear
cause I, I will be here*
He has no right whatsoever to have a freakin good voice like that. Where was the croaking, crying, vocal-chord-molesting Sendoh Akira earlier?
Damn, where are those stupid signboards when you need them?
*I will be here when you feel like being quiet
When you need to speak your mind, I will listen
And I will be here when the laughter turns to crying
Through the winning, losing and trying, we'll be together
'Cause I will be here*
You will be where?
*Tomorrow morning if you wake up
and the future is unclear
I, I will be here
Just as sure as seasons are made for change
Our lifetimes are made for these years
So I, I will be here*
I'm calm, I'm cool, I'm the Ice Prince.
*I will be here, so you can cry on my shoulder
When the mirror tells us we're older, I will hold you
And I will be here to watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all the things you mean to me
I will be here*
Who's beautiful?
*I will be true to the promise I have made
To you and to the one who gave you to me, oh oh*
Who gave who to whom?
*I, I will be here
And just a sure as seasons are made for change
Our lifetimes are made for these years
So I, I will be here
We'll be together
Cause I will be here
I... will be here*
Silence.
More silence.
He was staring at me. I was staring at him. The bakemono was staring at us.
More silence.
My palms are sweating.
My armpits are sweating.
Why did he sing that song?
More silence. More staring.
And then he suddenly stood up, freed me from those ropes (where they got that, I don't want to know), and walked towards the door.
"Let's go out and eat. I don't think the gardener would still be hunting for us," he said in tone I have never felt before. He sounded dejected. Kaede and I could only follow him in silence as we walked out of the rented karaoke room. It was mid-afternoon already. The air was humid while we were walking towards nowhere, with Sendoh a few steps ahead of me and my brother.
Again, I felt the tugging on my pants. I looked down to my brother and I was actually surprised to see him serious. I raised an eyebrow in question and he bobbed his head towards Sendoh.
"What?" I mouthed.
"Cheer him up," he mouthed back. I looked at Sendoh's dejected form and felt the insistent tugging again.
"Fine," I whispered. How do I get a moping guy's attention? Heck, why is he moping, anyway? My brother yet again tugged at my pants and touched his throat. Hey, I actually have a bright kid for a brother. Can this twerp read minds?
I cleared my throat and yeah, I got Sendoh's attention.
Now what do I say?
*Tug*
I looked down. Kaede bobbed his head again towards the forlorn hedgehog.
"Er, you have a nice voice," I said... albeit awkwardly. Hey, I'm not used to this bullshit, no one can blame me. "Good song, too."
Did he just brighten up? "Thanks," he said and smiled and walked alongside me and Kaede. And *then* there was a tug on my pants again. I sighed. One more tug and it will fall off.
"What?"
"I want that teddy bear," Kaede said, while pointing to a brown, fluffy, chubby bear with a red tongue sticking out a smiling mouth, almost as big as he is, sitting on top of a shelf. Probably the prize for the shooting game.
"I'll get it for you," Sendoh said and pulled us both towards the booth. The rule says that the player has to shoot ten of the moving ducks for the bunny. Twenty for a stupid-looking dog, and thirty for the huge bear. And needless to say, the shaking moron who was holding the gun missed fifteen out of thirty all. Kaede pouted.
"Do'aho," I mutter. To think that this dolt is a basketball player. I tried my luck and of course, being the great tensai that I am, I won. The smiling operator handed me the bear and I practically threw it towards the waiting brat. He actually squealed and hugged it so tight and he smiled at me.
I made him happy.
Somehow, it's enough.
Sendoh had been gone the whole time I was shooting the moronic-looking ducks, and when he came back, he had with him a huge, white teddy bear.
"I already won one," I stated.
"Er, actually, I bought this one," he said sheepishly as he scratched the back of his head.
"You don't think I'd win, do you?" This moron dare doubt my shooting prowess?
"No!" he protested. "No... actually this little brat told me while you were busy shooting that you like teddy bears too and since I can't win one since I'm kinda shaky though I don't know why I am, I bought this for you. So... well... Here."
The great, suave Sendoh Akira stuttered stupidly. Where's a tape recorder when you need one?
He thrusted the bear towards me again. I automatically accepted it. He actually beamed. He is the most complex man I've ever met my entire life. He beams everytime I notice him, he looked happy when he's with me, et cetera, et cetera. And then, there was the song. Could it be that he-
No, don't think of *that*.
Are there any more stupid signboards?
"Cute bear," a tiny female voice said, breaking my reverie I looked down and saw a little girl with brown ringlets and *pink* cheeks and a *pink* dress. I remember this girl from yesterday. He was talking with Kaede and the other members of the team. This one's Haruko's little cousin!
Was Kaede actually standing tall? Did he just *fix* an imaginary mess in his *spiked* hair? Was he *blushing*?
Was this girl the reason why the little demon was acting behaved and gentle-mannered yesterday? Whaddaya know... even demons could have crushes. I looked at Sendoh and he was actually smirking. Hn... he's enjoying the scene.
"His name's Mr. Teddy."
"Honto? I wish my Take-niichan could give me one of those," she sighed wistfully.
"I wish I could give this to you, but I like this one," Kaede said almost wistfully.
"Oh well, Take-niichan and Haruko-neechan could get me one of those," the girl said and smiled. "I got to go now, Kaede. Haruko-neechan must be looking for me. Ja!"
"Won't you get lost?" Sendoh asked.
"Nope. There they are," the little doll said. I saw Haruko and Akagi-sempai walking towards me and my company.
"Rukawa-kun! What a surprise to see you here!" Haruko exclaimed.
"I'm with them," I said.
"I heard you're doing great," Akagi-sempai said. I nodded. "You never changed."
"Oh well, we wanna stay and chat, but our parents are here and their waiting for us," Haruko said. "Come on, Kim[1], let's go. Say good-bye to Kaede Jr. now."
"Bye, Kaede," she said as she walked away with her two cousins. Akagi-sempai and Haruko-sempai waved one last time before disappearing into the crowd.
The little twerp was just staring right ahead.
And yet again, there was a tug at my pants.
"I want that dolphin," Kaede said as he struggled to hold the huge bear and pointed at a blue crystal dolphin inside a store full of breakable things. Jeez... it was as if nothing happened at all. The gentle-mannered, kind, poised Kaede was gone. The devil is back.
"What do you need that for?" I asked.
"Okaachan loves dolphins, right?" he countered. I sighed in defeat as we trudged towards the store, me and my brother holding huge, fat teddy bears.
When we got inside, I told the brat to stay away from the crystals, especially since he was struggling with a bear as big as he.
"Here, let me hold that for you," Sendoh offered as he tried to pry the bear off Kaede's grasp. Kaede resisted.
"It's mine."
"I know. I'm only gonna hold it for you for a while because it's dangerous for you to carry huge but cute things here. You can't see anything with Mr. Teddy blocking you view, right? You might crash into those," Sendoh said while pointing towards the crystal displays. For once since I've seen them together,
Kaede shook his head defiantly at Sendoh.
"It's mine." He held it tighter.
"Lemme just hold it for a while. It's dangerous." Sendoh pulled harder.
Next thing I knew, they were engagin in a tug of war. They were getting nearer the crytals. I was about to tell them to lay it off when Kaede lost grip on the teddy's arm which threw Sendoh off balanced and sent him hurtling towards the crystals with a loud crash. Kaede tripped on his feet in surprise and fell towards another shelf of crystals.
Kami-sama... why me?
*******************
"Hey, is he hurt?" Sendoh asked as we walked home.
"No," I replied.
The sun was already setting when we got out of the crystal shop. Sendoh insisted to pay for all the damage. I offered to pay for half of it since this little terminator caused half of it, but he wouldn't listen.
Now, I'm carrying both the sleeping troublemaker (he dropped dead the moment we finished cleaning up the mess he and his co-terrorist did) AND his teddy bear (still wouldn't let go of it). Sendoh was carrying mine.
"I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused," he said.
"That coming from an instigator such as yourself?" I asked. He grinned sheepishly. "It's okay. I'm used to trouble anyway. I've lived with this kid for all his life."
"Ne, Rukawa-kun, I haven't seen you talked that much before," he said.
I only shrugged. I may not talk a lot, but I *think* a lot. I say a lot of things on my mind. I don't see the point in so much talking, anyway. Words aren't very important to me.
We finally reached my apartment and I tried fishing for my keys in my pocket, but to no avail of course. Sendoh gently placed the white teddy bear beside the door and fished for them himself. He was suddenly so close. His eyes bore into mine. Blue against blue.
And suddenly, Kaede's hand shot upwards and pulled Sendoh towards me. And our lips touched for the briefest moment before I instinctively pulled away.
I stood still.
He stood still.
We both looked at Kaede... the devil's advocate was still sleeping. Or pretending to be asleep. I don't know.
"Hey," Sendoh said, breaking the deafening silence. "I guess I gotta go."
"Sure."
"Thanks for the wonderful day. You two are fun to be with," he said with a smile.
"Sure."
Rukawa Kaede, you wimp! Don't you have anything else to say?
"Bye," Sendoh whispered and started to walk away.
"Oi." He turned around with an- expectant?- look on his face. "Thanks for the day, too. I've had fun."
"I'm glad," he said and smiled one last time before walking away. I stared at his retreating figure for as long as I could see him. When he disappeared from my sight, the little brat sighed and shifted in my arms.
"You little maggot," I whispered, almost fondly, "you're not playing cupid, are you?"
He grunted in response.
"You are such a pain in the ass," I said and kicked the door open.
The living room was still a mess, thanks to my little brother and his activities, of course. There were still some flour in front of the bathroom door. There were broken plates and glasses. There were paper airplanes, paper boats, paper-whatever everywhere.
Oh well... home sweet home.
I guess.
**********
tsu.zu.ku
**********
Ne! Sorry for the delay for this chapter! Got lots of things to do... Gomen, gomen! Thanks for all those who reviewed... you really helped a lot! I personally mailed all the signed reviewers to say a few words to them, and for those anonymous reviewers whom I can't personally mail, I just wanna give you a biiiiiiig hug and a biiiiiig thanks for reviewing.... *kiss**hug*
And the song 'I Will be Here' was sung by Steven Curtis Chapman. Don't know when...
[1] Yes, Kimmmyyyy, it's you! Ne, you still want to kidnap Kaede Jr? *grin*
See you in the next chapters!
Please review...
ja!
Aki-chan
Author: Aki Midori
Mail me at: autumn_wind04@yahoo.com
Warnings: Yaoi, OOC (i think)(intended), OC... the works
Pairing: SenRu (what else?)
Rating: G - PG
Genre: Romance/Humor (I hope)
Author's Yap:
Not too much today... eh well, just wanna thank all those people who reviewed... You guys sure knew how to boost up my morale! Here's your chapter three, and I hope you'll enjoy it! Sorry for the typographical errors... They're all over the stuff. Next time, I'll be more careful...
Again, I want to say that this is for all the SenRu fans... Yes! This is a SenRu!!! Belated Happy Birthday, Akira! This chapter's for you! Yeah, I know, his birthday was days ago... but oh well. And yeah, this fic is also for miku... the brat who wrote Expectations and Game Again and Title behind my back... She had the gall to let me find out for myself that my friend is actually booming here in FF.Net... Hmp! I still haven't forgiven you for making me cry, you dolt! :P To my pals, qkslvr and White Meteor and all the others... thanks for being my pals. Your mails brighten up my day.
(So much for 'not too much yapping today'...)
Enjoy! ^_^
Disclaimers:
*Aki-chan pointing gun at Rukawa's brain*
Kaede: I... b-belong t-to A-Aki-chan...
*Aki-chan pointing gun at Sendoh's *Toooot**
Aki-chan: Say it or I'll shoot.
Sendoh: I belong to Aki-chan! I promise!
*Bang!*
Sendoh: Watch it, Aki-chan! I said it already!
*Bang!* *Bang!*
Aki-chan: I've always been trigger-happy... Literally. Nyahahahaha!
*looks at Kaede Jr.* Hey, kid, what about you?
Kaede Jr: Yours, of course, Aki-neechan...^_^
Aki-chan: Good boy... ^______^ Wanna borrow this thing?
Kaede Jr: Hai!
(Hehe... borrowed the disclaimer from Shinri...^_^... but mine's a bit more brutal.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Kaede Jr.
Chapter Three: AKIRA Jr., Little Cupid
"Wake up! Wake up, you big meanie! You promised we'll go out today!"
What did I do to deserve this? The little monster actually barged into my room while I was sleeping oh-so-peacefully, jumped into my bed, jumped over me like he would to a donkey, and jumped and jumped and jumped on my back until I opened my eyes. And of course, giving him a dirty look did not work one bit. So I did what I could.
I ignored the brat and tried to get back to sleep.
*Ow!* The f****** maggot actually had to bite me. Hard.
"Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!"
"Away."
"Up! Up! Up! Up! Up! Up! Up! Up!"
Sleep! Sleep! Sleep! Sleep!
"Wake up! You promised!"
"Correction... you coerced me into agreeing."
"Ne, what does co-erced mean?"
"Nothing that could be deciphered by that puny brain of yours. Now go away."
"What does de-zi-ferd mean?"
"Go away."
"Waaaaaaaake uuuuuuuuuuup!!!!!!!!"
*Thud!*
"Ow!"
"Serves you right, you big meanie! Hmmp!"
I gave the little monster the dirtiest stare (probably Sakuragi's 'The Glare') I could muster, but it didn't work. As the last remnants of sleep faded away from me, I discovered the mess my brother made...
Feathers were all over the place... That would explain the absence of my pillows. Books were scattered on the floor... That would explain the loud thuds I heard earlier. I could barely make out the words 'Kaede Jr. King of the World' was engraved deeply on my desk... That would explain the scra- Wait a minute...
"Shit, you used a sharp object?" I asked. The demon happily bobbed his head up and down. "Don't ever hold a sharp object again, you little doofus. You could have been hurt!"
"Bring me to the theme park," he said.
Remember your mantra, Rukawa Kaede. You're calm, you're cool, you're the Ice Prince. You're the Ace of Shohoku. King of Monotony. You don't even say any other words which go beyond the necessary insults that should be bestowed upon a certain red headed moron. You are fuckin' calm, cool, and collected. You will not blow your head off because your freakin brother might have been injured while engraving something which would stroke his goddamn ego. You are so goddamn calm, that you will just stand up, go to the bathroom, take a warm shower, and prepare yourself so you could bring the little maggot to the freakin' theme park.
And why the hell do I feel that something is *very* different today? Something's not quite the same... I couldn't put my finger on it.
Yes, my room's a mess, thanks to that freak who's currently *redecorating* my bed. Yes, my room *is* a bit 'different' from its former spic and span state. Okay, fine, it made a whole lot difference... But no... it's not it. Look around and -
What the hell...
Are those SPIKES on my brother's head?
I shook my head to wake my still hibernating cerebrum, and stared hard at the little demon.
He used to be such a cute kid. Demonic, but cute. Blue eyes, like mine... Chubby face, like mine used to be... Pale skin, like mine... Gorgeous, unruly, jet-black hair, like mine...
Now, he is the miniature version of my greatest rival.
Yes, I understand that since their meeting the other day, my brother actually worshipped that smiling 'aho, probably because they came from the 'same kind', but I never thought that he would throw his damn gorgeous looks just so he could look like a damned hedgehog. This kid is going too far.
"You like my spikes?" he asked innocently. "I did it myself!"
"Hell, no," I snapped. "Fix your hair."
"Hell, no," he said, echoing my former words.
"Don't swear."
"You just did."
"I'm older."
"Okasan said that-"
"Fine!" I snapped before he could undergo a full-length speech on our mother's lectures on morality.
"Come on! The theme park is cool! And besides, I heard your cap'n say that you don't have a prac-tice today because the theme park is soooo good that we were recommended to go! And-"
He rattled on and on and on and on but I barely listened. The kid is such a chatterbox, and I still love my eardrums, thank you very much. I just snatched a blue printed towel (which was PLAIN before) from somewhere and went down to the only bathroom in this house, leaving the yapping tike alone on my harrassed room.
Where did my peace and solitude go? Those quiet times seemed so far away, they were like scenes from a distant dream. The hot shower actually worked its magic on my raging nerves. That kid is my living nightmare. I don't know why the hell he grew up like that. I was a mischief when I was kid, but hell, I don't make anybody's life a living hell. What's worse is that the tike could actually get away with the troubles he make with a stupid smile and a single bat of his stupid eyelashes.
And to think that my parents thought that he was a little *angel*. It confirmed my suspision that there *is* something wrong with my parents' brains. Little angel my ass.
Which reminds me... just yesterday, when I brought him to practice with me (I have no other choice, do I?), he acted like the perfect kid. He just sat there on one corner and watched the whole practice. Of course I didn't waste any time displaying my skills to the brat, but he seemed unimpressed and bored. Oh well, I thought... He doesn't like basketball, anyway. But he looked okay with the women and the benchwarmers fussing over him. He was also talking to Haruko's little cousin. He just smiled and chatted with the everyone and laughed with them.
All in all, he acted normal. He was so goddamn behaved, that chills ran down my spine. I knew that something's wrong. I checked everything. The shower room, the locker room, the balls, the walls, my bags, the lockers... everything. But nothing's wrong.
Up until now, suspicion was still creeping through my veins. Yeah, I guess I should give him more credit. Maybe he could change and actually be behaved and nice, but judging from what he did just now... I don't think so. I lived with that kid for seven years. I know him inside-out. Of course he's up to something. I'd find out sooner or later.
Just now, I should enjoy my shower. It was only during my moments inside this bathroom that I could get the quiet and peace I oh-so-deserved. In here, there could be no demons. No mess. No chaos.
Why did that stupid kid spiked his hair? What is it that Sendoh had that drew the kid to him? They bonded almost instantly. I could feel it. The little turd actually lights up when he sees that smiling rival of mine. Also yesterday, when I was playing one-on-one with Sendoh, the kid actually cheered for him. Talk about betrayal. Suddenly, they were like best buds.
Oh well, birds of the same feather flock together. Let those demons unite, for all I care. I just hope they'd leave me alone. Especially that Sendoh.
Yesterday, he was smiling even more than usual. He was burning even more than usual. He was so *happy* for some reason. He was grinning like the hentai that he is. He was bright and bubbly and he irritated the hell outta me. I would have left him grinning alone, if only he wasn't so damn gorgeous yesterday.
Yes... I admit. I actually thought he looked more gorgeous than usual yesterday. I don't know why, though. He was just wearing a simple white shirt and blue shorts. Nothing different.
Must be sunstroke.
Must be exhaustion from babysitting the spawn of the devil.
Or maybe it was just the way he *shone* yesterday.
Whatever it is, I don't want to know.
"Are you sleeping in there? Hurry up, will ya!" the bakemono shouted from outside as he pounded on my door. I sighed and turned off the shower. I must have been in here for an hour or so. Oh well... back to hell again.
I dried myself slowly, deliberately annoying my little brother. I wrapped the towel around my waist, took a deep breath, and opened the
door.
... Only to have flour dumped all over me.
How could he have set a booby trap that fast?
Two words...
Sendoh Akira.
Remember your mantra, Rukawa Kaede. You're calm, you're cool, you're the Ice Prince. Turn on your heels, go back to the shower, and ignore those two ignoramus laughing their heads off.
***********
Why did he have to look so goddamn handsome today? And who told him he could come with me and the halfwit to the theme park? How did he find out that we were going out anyway? Why does he have look so cool? How did he get inside the house? Where was the flour from? The terrorists are together, so am I entitled to die today? Why do I have the feeling that I'm going to prison at the end of the day? Why are they so close? What are they laughing at now? How much more disasters are going to happen? What am I eating? Why is Sendoh looking so gorgeous? Where did that pair of sunglasses came from? Why did my brother suddenly have the same pair? What am I doing here? Where am I? What am I? Who am I?
Am I making any sense at all?
Maybe not.
It was knocked out when I walked out of the bathroom for the second time (thank heavens there were no more booby traps), and I finally saw Sendoh Akira without flour and anger obscuring my view.
He took my breath away, damn it.
What's so cool about that blue polo shirt and blue loose jeans and that stupid sunglasses anyway? What's so cool about that smile, or about his whatever? What's so cool about the suave way he smiled as he took off those sunglasses, and said,
"Hi! I hope you don't mind my joining you, but Kae-chan invited me and I just couln't resist.'
Nothing is so cool about that. It's not even cool at all! And what was that 'Kae-chan' thing? He made my brother sound like a nitwit!
So now I'm walking a little behind those two idiots who are currently whispering about and nudging each other like they've been best buds all their pathetic lives, with no freakin' idea as to why I'm here. I should be home. At my bed. Sleeping. Dreaming about victory and its glory.
What do I get instead?
A lousy day at the theme park with two lousy idiots for companions.
Life couldn't get any worse, right?
Next thing I knew, a cotton candy was shoved into my face by a smiling Sendoh.
"Ne, Rukawa-kun, I hope you like cotton candies," he said as he practically beamed at me. Why is he so damn perky today?
"Eat it. It's good," my brother said as he shoved huge pieces of the fluffy candy into his mouth.
"It's pink," I said. Ever since I was born I had the aversion to the color pink. Don't know why, though. Maybe I just hate *happy* and *perky* colors.
"It's good," he insisted.
"But it's pink."
"But Akira-niichan bought it for you!"
Akira-what?!
I looked at the two co-conspirators of my agony and saw them smiling happily at each other. They looked as if *they* were the siblings. Since when did my brother start calling him oniichan? He never even called *me* that. Come to think of it, he never addressed me as anything but 'you big meanie' or something else. He never called me by my name. Nor did I ever hear him address me as Kaede-niisan, or just plain oniisan. I don't know how that happened, but it did. And now I'm actually hearing the word 'oniisan' from him, but it wasn't addressed to me.
Am I supposed to feel this pang of hurt I'm feeling now? Am I supposed to feel betrayed? No, maybe not. Anyway, I never called him by his name, either. I realized just now that I've never even used the name 'Kaede' on him. I called him tons of names... from maggot to imp to turd to nitwit... but not once have I called him Kaede. But at least I still regard him as my brother.
No, I have no right to feel hurt. After all, it's just the little demon we're talking about. I never really liked him anyway. He's just a big pain in the ass.
"Rukawa-kun, is something wrong?" Sendoh asked. "You're more quiet than usual." Oh no, you don't. Don't be worried about me. Nothing's wrong. You just stole my brother from me. How could anything be wrong?
In fact, I should even thank you, right? After all, I did nothing except to berate his existence. No, nothing's wrong.
"The cotton candy. Eat it," my brother said. I gave both of them my best glare that could rival the do'aho's death glare and grabbed the stupid cotton candy from Sendoh.
"Thanks," I muttered. Sendoh beamed again and happily placed an arm around my shoulder, causing chills to run down my spine. I stiffened instantly, out of instince maybe. If he noticed it, he paid no attention. He just continued to walk with me as he held the little nincompoop with his other hand.
"Hey, look at that!" my brother exclaimed as he looked at the huge boat which swung to and fro. "I wanna ride there!"
"You sure?" Sendoh asked.
"Yup, yup!"
"Let's go get the tickets," Sendoh said as he pulled us both to the ticket booth. The brat couldn't stand still when we were standing in line. He was having the day of his life. Good for him.
When it was our turn for the ride, I wasn't very surprised when he sat next to Sendoh. I just took my place at the corner, Sendoh next, then my brother, as the operator secured the metal bar in place. Geez, what's a metal bar to do when the one it's supposed to protect is more than six feet tall?
The huge boat started to swing, and my brother and Sendoh started to squeal. Yes, Sendoh actually *squeled*. Jeez, what a moron. As the boat swung higher, I noticed that Sendoh was squeezing himself to me. Jeez, the boat swings to and fro, not from side to side. And right now, Sendoh's arm was around my shoulder again as he whooped with joy with every swing.
What is this warm feeling?
Must be the humidity.
And then I saw that the little ninny was actually pushing Sendoh to me. What is he up to? Thankfully, the ride was over. As we piled out the stupid boat, I felt the after-effects of the ride. My stomach was
actually whirling, I had to sit down at a nearby bench.
"Ninny! Ninny! Ninny!" the little demon was exclaiming. He was making fun of me.
"Shut up, do'aho." Perfect rebuttal.
"Ninny! Ninny!"
"Ne, little brat, you shouldn't do that to your older brother," Sendoh scolded gently. The little traitor actually ceased jumping up and down and left me alone. Sendoh looked at me, concern etched in his normally perky face, his eyes boring holes into mine. "Are you alright?"
I chose to keep quiet.
Why does his eyes have to be so *blue*?
The little brat tugged on his sleeve and whispered something, breaking off our eye contact. He listened intently, nodding every now and then, his face lightening up with every nod. What are these two long-horned demons up to now?
Oh well, so long as they leave me alone, I'll be okay. I looked around the place and saw a white signboard saying 'No picking of flowers'. Sheesh, why does someone have to make his life complicated? Couldn't he have just written, 'Don't pick the flowers' or something like that? If he wants to be unique, he could have said 'Don't touch the damned flowers'. What kind of stupid warning is 'No picking of flowers'?
"Ne, Rukawa-kun, what are you thinking of?" Sendoh asked.
"Nothing." Just berating some stupid man for writing that stupid sign. I'm thinking of stupid things so I wouldn't think of my brother's betrayal. Of how he would follow your orders with one simple reprimand while he ignores me. I'm thinking of a stupid signboard so I won't be able to feel this acute pain I felt when I realized that you've been close to my brother in the span of a few days when I myself have tried to reach out to him for years (before I finally gave up), but he never even noticed me. I'm thinking of the stupid flowers so I wouldn't be able to ask myself the question: "Where have I gone wrong?"
Where have I gone wrong in trying to get along with my brother? Somewhere along the way, I must have done something wrong. I don't know when, I don't know why, I don't know how. Did I do something to hurt him? None that I know of. I've grown weary of trying to get along with him. I've grown weary of trying to make him look up to me as a brother. Weariness turned to annoyance. No one can blame me. He *is* annoying. He's such a little monster. I don't know why, though. He doesn't lack attention. He's gotten too much, as far as I'm concerned. He doesn't have a traumatic past or something. His mental health is all right.
Maybe he's just that way because that's the way he is.
Am I making any sense at all? Maybe not.
Oh well, I'm thinking of that stupid signboard so I wouldn't think of how good this moron beside me looks today. I'm thinking of the stupid signboard because I've suddenly had this strange feeling stirring up inside me whenever he touches me, or smiles at me, or looks at me. I'm thinking of the possible fallacies of the stupid signboard because I don't want to find out as to why he evokes so much feelings in me. It's so goddamn pathetic and cheesy. I'm not one of those things.
I'm thinking of the stupid signboard because I don't want to admit that I'm jealous.
I'm jealous of Sendoh because he's closer to my brother than I have ever been.
I'm jealous of the little brat because he's closer to my rival (and perhaps my only friend) than I have ever been.
I'm jealous because they got along so well with each other. It was as if I was left alone in the background.
But then again, isn't that what I wanted? Isn't that why I don't talk to much (well, I think too much, that's what), and avoid people too much? Because I want to be left alone? Because I want solitude and peace?
I'm thinking of the stupid signboard because I don't want to think of the things I'm thinking of now.
So I divert my attention towards an innocent signboard which says,
'No picking of flowers.'
I could barely make out whispers of 'Thank you, pal!' and 'Anytime, niichan' as I stared daggers at the poor signboard. Should I criticize another item? If the signboard is alive, he would be weeping by now. I've been too hard on it.
"Ne, Rukawa-kun..." I looked at him. He smiled at me. Butterflies flew in my stomach. Must be hunger.
"Nanda?"
"For you." And he handed me a bunch of pathetic looking flowers which were still dripping wet, roots protruding from the stem.
"What the hell are those?"
"Ah... flowers?" He was cringing now.
Like duh.
"For what?"
"For you?" Cringing even more...
"Where in the earth's surface did you get those?" I asked. He looked at Kaede (so I called him that, already... I'm tired of thinking of other names) and the brat smiled sheepishly. He was hiding his hands behind his back.
Somehow, I have the feeling that something's going wrong. Something must have transpired while I was deep in my thoughts.
From a distance, I saw a strange-looking old man running towards us at great speed (rivalling that of Miyagi's during fastbreak), whilst pulling a wheelbarrow with one hand and holding a familiar sign on the other. As he got nearer, I could see the faint traces of anger etched on his wrinkled face. And I could actually make out the familiar stupid words on the familiar stupid signboard...
No picking of flowers, it said.
"Damn yer little juveniles!" he exclaimed. He's getting nearer. "Can't yer read the damn signboard?" He looked potentially dangerous.
"Is that an ax on his wheelbarrow?" Sendoh asked, his eyes widening as the gardener yet got nearer. People were now looking at us with curiosity.
Kaede was tugging on my pants, and as I looked down, I saw his soiled hands. Then I looked at the now wilting flowers on Sendoh's hand. He kept tugging. The crazed gardener dropped the wheelbarrow (was he a super man or something?) and pulled out a glinting ax. I gulped. Sendoh did the same. Kaede kept on tugging at my pants.
"What?"
"Ne, what does ju-ve-nile means?" he asked.
"Damn yer good-for-nothing teenyboppers! Yer molested my pretty babies!" the lunatic cried out as he waved his ax in the air. Is he gonna kill us?
Okay, Rukawa Kaede. This is your where your mantra comes in. You're calm, you're cool, you're the Ice Prince.
"Don't ask," I snapped as I scooped the little troublemaker and ran for my life, a yelping Sendoh close behind.
Why is life so complicated?
**********************
Did I do something wrong? Did I? Someone tell me now, so I wouldn't be thinking of how unfair life has been to me. What did I do wrong? Somebody tell me, please.
I don't deserved to in this *jail* with the two antagonists of my life.
Why is this happening to me? All I wanted in life is to have my solitude and win all the games I'm ever going to have and be the best goddamn player in the whole freakin' world. Is that too much to ask for? Why am I locked inside a stupid room with this two morons who are crying their hearts out?
"...So you gotta hang on till tomorrow...." Ah Kami-sama, not the high note.
Please not the high note... "Come what maaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!" Ah shit. "Tooooooo-morrow! Tomorrow! I love ya, tomorrow! You're always a day aaaawaaaaaaaay."
Someone shoot me please.
I should have let that crazy gardener kill me with that ax, than stay here inside a closed, soundproof karaoke room with two lunatics who have nothing better to do than croak and molest their vocal chords. And the two monsters had the gall to tie me up in a chair after my third attempt of escape. Shall I thank them for not gagging me?
"Hey, Rukawa-kun, wanna try one song?" Sendoh asked as he pushed the mic towards me. I choose to ignore the baka before me.
"Why don't you sing a song for him, Akira-niichan?" Kaede suggested.
"No thanks," I interjected before Sendoh could actually agree. "My ears could only hold so much torture, thank you very much."
"You haven't heard him when he *really* sings," Kaede argued. "Go ahead, Akira-niichan. Show the big meanie what you've got."
Sendoh smiled at him and patted his head before he took the mic. When he looked back at me, his eyes lost all its mischief and were replaced by utter sincerety. Deep pools of blue stared at me as he walked over to the karaoke set and punched the numbers for the song. His eyes never left mine even as the first chords sounded off. I was drawn to him. It feels so strange. So alien.
Should I be thinking of signboards again?
*Tomorrow morning if you wake up
and the sun does not appear
I, I will be here.
If in the dark we lose sight of love
hold my hand, have no fear
cause I, I will be here*
He has no right whatsoever to have a freakin good voice like that. Where was the croaking, crying, vocal-chord-molesting Sendoh Akira earlier?
Damn, where are those stupid signboards when you need them?
*I will be here when you feel like being quiet
When you need to speak your mind, I will listen
And I will be here when the laughter turns to crying
Through the winning, losing and trying, we'll be together
'Cause I will be here*
You will be where?
*Tomorrow morning if you wake up
and the future is unclear
I, I will be here
Just as sure as seasons are made for change
Our lifetimes are made for these years
So I, I will be here*
I'm calm, I'm cool, I'm the Ice Prince.
*I will be here, so you can cry on my shoulder
When the mirror tells us we're older, I will hold you
And I will be here to watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all the things you mean to me
I will be here*
Who's beautiful?
*I will be true to the promise I have made
To you and to the one who gave you to me, oh oh*
Who gave who to whom?
*I, I will be here
And just a sure as seasons are made for change
Our lifetimes are made for these years
So I, I will be here
We'll be together
Cause I will be here
I... will be here*
Silence.
More silence.
He was staring at me. I was staring at him. The bakemono was staring at us.
More silence.
My palms are sweating.
My armpits are sweating.
Why did he sing that song?
More silence. More staring.
And then he suddenly stood up, freed me from those ropes (where they got that, I don't want to know), and walked towards the door.
"Let's go out and eat. I don't think the gardener would still be hunting for us," he said in tone I have never felt before. He sounded dejected. Kaede and I could only follow him in silence as we walked out of the rented karaoke room. It was mid-afternoon already. The air was humid while we were walking towards nowhere, with Sendoh a few steps ahead of me and my brother.
Again, I felt the tugging on my pants. I looked down to my brother and I was actually surprised to see him serious. I raised an eyebrow in question and he bobbed his head towards Sendoh.
"What?" I mouthed.
"Cheer him up," he mouthed back. I looked at Sendoh's dejected form and felt the insistent tugging again.
"Fine," I whispered. How do I get a moping guy's attention? Heck, why is he moping, anyway? My brother yet again tugged at my pants and touched his throat. Hey, I actually have a bright kid for a brother. Can this twerp read minds?
I cleared my throat and yeah, I got Sendoh's attention.
Now what do I say?
*Tug*
I looked down. Kaede bobbed his head again towards the forlorn hedgehog.
"Er, you have a nice voice," I said... albeit awkwardly. Hey, I'm not used to this bullshit, no one can blame me. "Good song, too."
Did he just brighten up? "Thanks," he said and smiled and walked alongside me and Kaede. And *then* there was a tug on my pants again. I sighed. One more tug and it will fall off.
"What?"
"I want that teddy bear," Kaede said, while pointing to a brown, fluffy, chubby bear with a red tongue sticking out a smiling mouth, almost as big as he is, sitting on top of a shelf. Probably the prize for the shooting game.
"I'll get it for you," Sendoh said and pulled us both towards the booth. The rule says that the player has to shoot ten of the moving ducks for the bunny. Twenty for a stupid-looking dog, and thirty for the huge bear. And needless to say, the shaking moron who was holding the gun missed fifteen out of thirty all. Kaede pouted.
"Do'aho," I mutter. To think that this dolt is a basketball player. I tried my luck and of course, being the great tensai that I am, I won. The smiling operator handed me the bear and I practically threw it towards the waiting brat. He actually squealed and hugged it so tight and he smiled at me.
I made him happy.
Somehow, it's enough.
Sendoh had been gone the whole time I was shooting the moronic-looking ducks, and when he came back, he had with him a huge, white teddy bear.
"I already won one," I stated.
"Er, actually, I bought this one," he said sheepishly as he scratched the back of his head.
"You don't think I'd win, do you?" This moron dare doubt my shooting prowess?
"No!" he protested. "No... actually this little brat told me while you were busy shooting that you like teddy bears too and since I can't win one since I'm kinda shaky though I don't know why I am, I bought this for you. So... well... Here."
The great, suave Sendoh Akira stuttered stupidly. Where's a tape recorder when you need one?
He thrusted the bear towards me again. I automatically accepted it. He actually beamed. He is the most complex man I've ever met my entire life. He beams everytime I notice him, he looked happy when he's with me, et cetera, et cetera. And then, there was the song. Could it be that he-
No, don't think of *that*.
Are there any more stupid signboards?
"Cute bear," a tiny female voice said, breaking my reverie I looked down and saw a little girl with brown ringlets and *pink* cheeks and a *pink* dress. I remember this girl from yesterday. He was talking with Kaede and the other members of the team. This one's Haruko's little cousin!
Was Kaede actually standing tall? Did he just *fix* an imaginary mess in his *spiked* hair? Was he *blushing*?
Was this girl the reason why the little demon was acting behaved and gentle-mannered yesterday? Whaddaya know... even demons could have crushes. I looked at Sendoh and he was actually smirking. Hn... he's enjoying the scene.
"His name's Mr. Teddy."
"Honto? I wish my Take-niichan could give me one of those," she sighed wistfully.
"I wish I could give this to you, but I like this one," Kaede said almost wistfully.
"Oh well, Take-niichan and Haruko-neechan could get me one of those," the girl said and smiled. "I got to go now, Kaede. Haruko-neechan must be looking for me. Ja!"
"Won't you get lost?" Sendoh asked.
"Nope. There they are," the little doll said. I saw Haruko and Akagi-sempai walking towards me and my company.
"Rukawa-kun! What a surprise to see you here!" Haruko exclaimed.
"I'm with them," I said.
"I heard you're doing great," Akagi-sempai said. I nodded. "You never changed."
"Oh well, we wanna stay and chat, but our parents are here and their waiting for us," Haruko said. "Come on, Kim[1], let's go. Say good-bye to Kaede Jr. now."
"Bye, Kaede," she said as she walked away with her two cousins. Akagi-sempai and Haruko-sempai waved one last time before disappearing into the crowd.
The little twerp was just staring right ahead.
And yet again, there was a tug at my pants.
"I want that dolphin," Kaede said as he struggled to hold the huge bear and pointed at a blue crystal dolphin inside a store full of breakable things. Jeez... it was as if nothing happened at all. The gentle-mannered, kind, poised Kaede was gone. The devil is back.
"What do you need that for?" I asked.
"Okaachan loves dolphins, right?" he countered. I sighed in defeat as we trudged towards the store, me and my brother holding huge, fat teddy bears.
When we got inside, I told the brat to stay away from the crystals, especially since he was struggling with a bear as big as he.
"Here, let me hold that for you," Sendoh offered as he tried to pry the bear off Kaede's grasp. Kaede resisted.
"It's mine."
"I know. I'm only gonna hold it for you for a while because it's dangerous for you to carry huge but cute things here. You can't see anything with Mr. Teddy blocking you view, right? You might crash into those," Sendoh said while pointing towards the crystal displays. For once since I've seen them together,
Kaede shook his head defiantly at Sendoh.
"It's mine." He held it tighter.
"Lemme just hold it for a while. It's dangerous." Sendoh pulled harder.
Next thing I knew, they were engagin in a tug of war. They were getting nearer the crytals. I was about to tell them to lay it off when Kaede lost grip on the teddy's arm which threw Sendoh off balanced and sent him hurtling towards the crystals with a loud crash. Kaede tripped on his feet in surprise and fell towards another shelf of crystals.
Kami-sama... why me?
*******************
"Hey, is he hurt?" Sendoh asked as we walked home.
"No," I replied.
The sun was already setting when we got out of the crystal shop. Sendoh insisted to pay for all the damage. I offered to pay for half of it since this little terminator caused half of it, but he wouldn't listen.
Now, I'm carrying both the sleeping troublemaker (he dropped dead the moment we finished cleaning up the mess he and his co-terrorist did) AND his teddy bear (still wouldn't let go of it). Sendoh was carrying mine.
"I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused," he said.
"That coming from an instigator such as yourself?" I asked. He grinned sheepishly. "It's okay. I'm used to trouble anyway. I've lived with this kid for all his life."
"Ne, Rukawa-kun, I haven't seen you talked that much before," he said.
I only shrugged. I may not talk a lot, but I *think* a lot. I say a lot of things on my mind. I don't see the point in so much talking, anyway. Words aren't very important to me.
We finally reached my apartment and I tried fishing for my keys in my pocket, but to no avail of course. Sendoh gently placed the white teddy bear beside the door and fished for them himself. He was suddenly so close. His eyes bore into mine. Blue against blue.
And suddenly, Kaede's hand shot upwards and pulled Sendoh towards me. And our lips touched for the briefest moment before I instinctively pulled away.
I stood still.
He stood still.
We both looked at Kaede... the devil's advocate was still sleeping. Or pretending to be asleep. I don't know.
"Hey," Sendoh said, breaking the deafening silence. "I guess I gotta go."
"Sure."
"Thanks for the wonderful day. You two are fun to be with," he said with a smile.
"Sure."
Rukawa Kaede, you wimp! Don't you have anything else to say?
"Bye," Sendoh whispered and started to walk away.
"Oi." He turned around with an- expectant?- look on his face. "Thanks for the day, too. I've had fun."
"I'm glad," he said and smiled one last time before walking away. I stared at his retreating figure for as long as I could see him. When he disappeared from my sight, the little brat sighed and shifted in my arms.
"You little maggot," I whispered, almost fondly, "you're not playing cupid, are you?"
He grunted in response.
"You are such a pain in the ass," I said and kicked the door open.
The living room was still a mess, thanks to my little brother and his activities, of course. There were still some flour in front of the bathroom door. There were broken plates and glasses. There were paper airplanes, paper boats, paper-whatever everywhere.
Oh well... home sweet home.
I guess.
**********
tsu.zu.ku
**********
Ne! Sorry for the delay for this chapter! Got lots of things to do... Gomen, gomen! Thanks for all those who reviewed... you really helped a lot! I personally mailed all the signed reviewers to say a few words to them, and for those anonymous reviewers whom I can't personally mail, I just wanna give you a biiiiiiig hug and a biiiiiig thanks for reviewing.... *kiss**hug*
And the song 'I Will be Here' was sung by Steven Curtis Chapman. Don't know when...
[1] Yes, Kimmmyyyy, it's you! Ne, you still want to kidnap Kaede Jr? *grin*
See you in the next chapters!
Please review...
ja!
Aki-chan