Disclaimer: Angelic Layer and its characters do not belong to me as they belong to their respective owners, Clamp and others. This fan fiction is purely written because I'm a fan of Misaki and Oujirou, a decent couple (IMO) in spite of the problems that accompanied this particular pairing. There are too few O+M stories out there. You realize the five years of difference? There are probably spoilers for the entire TV series. Read at your own risk. This deals mainly with the Anime version of Oujirou, not the weird shoebox who seems unnaturally drawn to Misaki's undies. Review, if you'd like, or flame. But no amount of flames is going to stop me from writing this, because, I like writing this story. You don't have to review, as the point of writing and reading fan fiction is simply to have fun.

Angelic Layer

For the Love of Adolescence

Chapter One

Oujirou smiled tolerantly as he faced his brother sitting behind his desk, only those barely imperceptible lines that graced his forehead to give an inkling of the frustration he was going through now. A man well in his prime, Mihara Ichirou was definitely not a man who accepted a decision of what he believed was made imperturbably, and that was what he believed Oujirou had done, after dropping the bombshell on him. Pleads, declarations, yells – there was nothing Ichirou hadn't tried to convert Oujirou to back away from his statement, revealed just fifteen minutes ago. Oujirou had just acknowledged his decision to back out of Angelic Layer. The man had been ranting ever since then.

And he was still ranting now.

Ichirou most definitely didn't believe him; Oujirou knew. Ichirou was there when he had seen Oujirou sacrifice part of his childhood for Angelic Layer, where his beloved Angel Wizard was born. He had witnessed the dedication his kid brother possessed as he trained Wizard's vitality and battle instincts to a certain extent where it exceeded the average Angel - second only to Athena herself. Although Ichirou's love for Angelic Layer was somewhat different from his, the notion that his brother's day could be lightened up simply by his handiwork was as endearing to the man as training Wizard was to Oujirou. Having a great fondness for Angelic Layer was something that the two brothers could finally find themselves having in common, a rather forward step from the bleak distance that had haunted their relationship back then. To have that one connection broken...

There was no doubt that Oujirou had actually made Ichirou truly angry, possibly for the first time in life.

"... could that be possible, Oujirou?" the man was saying heatedly. "You can't fool me; Oh, I know, this must be April Fool's Day. No, it's only February, so..."

"No, I'm not pulling your leg, brother-"

Ichirou then made some inaudible reply, something about  Oujirou hitting his head, and with a small smile, Oujirou gently shook his head with a certain kind of firmness that belied any ideas and prospects Ichirou might have grasped on.

"W-What...?"

"I'm sorry, brother," Oujirou said gently. "But I really do mean it when I said I'll quit Angelic Layer."

Considering Ichirou's expression, it was clear the other man wasn't going to give up without a fight. Of course. But he had to admit that he was a little moved by the display of emotions the man was illustrating. Unless Ichirou was convinced otherwise, the assumption that Oujirou's fading interest in Angelic Layer was correspondingly to his fading of interest over him, was likely going to stay there. Based on past experiences, no amount of assuring and consoling was ever going to change his mind.

"Just..." Ichirou sighed in defeat," Just tell me why you're doing this...so suddenly. You didn't honestly expect me to take this seriously... did you? Oujirou?"

"It looks like it's going to rain," remarked the boy, glancing behind his brother's shoulder to peek out of the windows. Stormy clouds were already starting to gather in the sky, promising to shower this particular section of the streets with heavy downpour. It was amusing how the weather suddenly seemed to agree with his present mood as of now.

And it was only morning. Seemed like he needed to hitch a ride to school today.

Ichirou scowled. "I won't accept it, Oujirou. No, I won't! You'll come to your senses immediately... I know you will... and that's the truth!" Obviously contented for now, Ichirou pointedly shifted his gaze elsewhere, Oujirou watched as the slight trembling of those fingers betraying the words that were spoken just a second ago. His older stepbrother, so predictable... He and Shuuko were really suited for each other, after all – he, who seemed helplessly clueless outside from Angelic Layer and his diversions, and she, the gentle firm lady with the patience of a saint who could budge him in the right direction.

"But I really-"

"No buts," Ichirou interrupted hastily, even covering his ears just to prove his point," You obviously hit your head on something or... or you wouldn't have barged into my room – without knocking, mind you – and give me all this nonsense about quitting Angelic Layer."

"I quitted because-"

"Don't want to hear it," Ichirou sang loudly, ignoring Oujirou's look of dismay," You may decide to resign, dear brother, but I do hope you realize that I'm not giving up without a fight."

It was a little disconcerting, to see his brother flustered like this. If he were to forget everything and go on as if nothing had happened... the sudden compelling urge to reassure this man, who was his brother, overshadowed all his logical reasons for the moment, and Oujirou found his mind drifting away from the loud voice of Ichirou, and, instead, was graced with a flickering image of an adolescent of twelve, the very picture of innocence and loveliness, weaving the ability to penetrate into the barriers of his heart – and at the same time, exposing himself to vulnerability. And he immediately realized his error. Oujirou hadn't realized he had slipped into oblivion. Whatever inclinations that had ceased Oujirou's control the instant before were gone, and he was faced, once more, with the harsh boundaries of reality.

"Then... a fight, it is," agreed Oujirou with a flippant smile. "One-on-one combat?"

"Heck, no," snorted the man. Counting the numerous times that Oujirou had beat him at physical combats, Ichirou would let his brother slip through his fingers even before he knew what was happening! Perhaps something he was already familiar with would be more appropriate than obtaining a broken nose. Something...

Like Angelic Layer.

"Angelic Layer," Ichirou mused his thoughts out loud, unaware of Oujirou's vanished smile. "Yes, yes, Angelic Layer! That's what we'll do!"

"You?" echoed the teen with a slightly incredulous tone. "Sorry to rain on your parade, but believe me when I say I'll win the fight hands down." His brother wasn't capable of moving as much as a muscle of an Angel, let alone take on Wizard!

"What do you say, Oujirou?" The man was absolutely ecstatic about it. "We'll fight. Angelic Layer. Well?"

What exactly could Oujirou say?

"A-All right," he found himself replying. "Angelic Layer it is, then. But just one question..."

"What?"

"What Angel are you going to use against Wizard?" Would it be that proto-type his brother was working on? From what Oujirou had seen, it could prove to be much of a disadvantage for Wizard – no, wait – that wasn't invented until after a few months later. If memory served him right... Oujirou would have to settle for a light-speed Guardian, the latest creation developed in the industry. It was not nearly as formidable as the high-leveled Angel Fire, but it contained a few techniques that could definitely throw Wizard into disarray. Or...

"Isn't it obvious?" Ichirou raised an eyebrow. "You're going to fight against Hikaru!"

Oujirou's brains stopped racking.

"Hikaru, as in, current Champion angel in Tokyo?"

Ichirou nodded enthusiastically.

"I didn't quite hear that right."

"Oh, you heard me."

"Why would you use Hikaru? I don't think Misaki would agree to-"

The man's eyebrow went higher. "When did I say I'm using Hikaru?"

In the midst of the confusion, Oujirou tried to bring the pieces together. If Oujirou was going to fight against his brother in an Angelic Layer fight with light-speed Hikaru involved, who no one but Misaki could fully handle, and since Ichirou couldn't move an Angel if his life depended on it, that meant...

Dear Lord.

"On second thought, let's move on to a more promising opponent than Hikaru, shall we," Oujirou was saying smoothly," In fact, let's rewind this conversation and forget this ever happened."

"I don't think so," the insufferable man replied just as smoothly. "Who else had ever beaten you and Wizard in battle, aside from Misaki herself?"

"Shuuko-san!"

"I happened to remember she lost her Champion title to Misaki, dear brother. You're going up against the best, of the best," Ichirou was enthusiastically saying, as if he had forgotten about the tension earlier. "So don't you dare back out of this-"

"Why not Shuuko-san?"

"Why not Suzuhara?" the man countered. "If you don't want to fight her, then take back all the stuff that you said!"

"I can't fight her...!"

"You seemed unusually opposed to fighting Hikaru and Misaki, Oujirou," Ichirou's tone switched from forceful to one of wariness," Could it be-"

"That's impossible," Oujirou blurted out before he could stop himself. His face grew hot under Ichirou's close scrutiny and he looked away, struggling for a more fitting answer. Why was everything blown out of place? "My refusal to face her has nothing to do with the reasons why I'm quitting. I just don't feel like fighting her, that's all. So you can stop assuming that now, Ichirou."

"You said it, I didn't," the man replied with interest. It was a little surprising, seeing his younger brother so riled up by something so small. And yet, how long had it been since he was treated to this rare sight of Oujirou stiffer than a tree? Not since he stole all of Oujirou's comic books, that was for sure. "So... you yield?"

"All right," nodded Oujirou hesitantly. "But really... all this, just so you could keep me from walking out of Angelic Layer?"

"Exactly. If you defeat the Champion, I won't say anything about it," Ichirou paused. "But if you do..."

He couldn't help scowling at the older man – he was unknowingly making Oujirou committing everything against what he had told Misaki!

~

The rest of the morning passed by with a blur. Although Oujirou appeared to have kept attention to his classes, his superiors felt his interest lay elsewhere – but they didn't push it, for Mihara Oujirou was a role model student with straight As and occasional Bs, and that was enough. His friends, on the other hand, were a tad bit annoyed with the lack of attention he paid them, and only with a flustered apology accompanied by his trademark smile did they seemed mollified and resumed chatting about this week's athletic games, leaving Oujirou alone with his muses once more - at least until he was courteously jolted back to the school cafeteria again.

It was not before lunch ended that he finally realized the utter incompetence of his reactions toward the upcoming battle with Suzuhara Misaki. Allowing personal feelings to blend in with confrontations was a no rule, regarding Angelic Layer, and yet, Oujirou had done exactly that. If he kept this up, then he might really lose to Misaki even before the fight had actually begun, his concentration wavering as thoughts of the girl kept intruding into his mind, like it or not. By winning against her in Angelic Layer, Ichirou would finally open his eyes and see the point that Oujirou had been trying to get across and remove further setbacks in trying to accomplish what he had set on himself earlier.

"Two more classes to go," Oujirou rummaged through his locker and took out his books. Up until now, he had barely survived through all his classes – with the exception of three exams he indistinctively couldn't recall were assigned, which he was sure would mark a horrible report. Not the best of days, obviously.

//I'll make it through the day//, Oujirou swore fervently at the slight stirrings of a headache that would soon befall him. If he was going to give in to the pressure of his first day back in the present, how the heck was he supposed to survive the rest of the year – the rest of his life? //I could always move. Or I could steal Misaki away and we'd run off together to an island with only our love to keep us alive...// Oujirou smirked in amusement. //Don't think so.//

It was going to be a long day.

~

Coming out of class – a minute after the bell rang – Oujirou was still distracted enough by the memory of swarming mathematical questions in his head that he only managed to avoid knocking over someone who was about to enter into the same room.

"Excuse me..." he began, before realizing that that someone he was apologizing to was none other than Kit!

"Oh, it's all right," smiled the girl who had developed a raging crush on him all the way back in his third year at school – and still did. "It's my fault, really, for not paying attention to where I'm..." and she trained off as she finally took in exactly who she had bumped into. Her eyes grew huge, and she stammered out," O-Oujirou-san... I... uh, that is... y-you're Oujirou! No, I mean..." she clamped her mouth closed and red spots appeared on her cheeks, apparently flustered.

Oujirou couldn't help but smile. "Actually, I believe I would be the one apologizing for running into you. Mathematics has that way of messing up your head."

Relieved, Kit flushed again and replied," Well... um... I... I think I'd better make my way in there now. My Math teacher will have a fit if I'm late for class again, Mom would have a fit if she finds out I have detention for the third time, and I'll have a fit if she grounds me."

Oujirou nodded in agreement. At the age of fifty – or was it forty-nine? – he would've thought their Math teacher would mellow with time, but apparently, the aging man had decided to remain as stubborn and exasperating as he will ever be. The person responsible for granting Oujirou the horrors of experiencing his first detention – all because he was a mark below the average grade. "Anyway, gotta go. Maybe I'll see you around, sometime."

"O-Oh, maybe I'll see you around too," Kit stuttered, her eyes never leaving Oujirou's face," Well, now that we're friends and all..." and she realized what she'd just said. "I mean, not friends friends ... more like, new friends... uh, on the way to being friends," Kit actually squirmed. "You know..."

Oujirou couldn't help laughing. "Yeah, we're cool. Anyway, good luck with him." He pointed into the room. "He's in a bad mood, so..." he shrugged.

Kit shivered. "Hmm, creepy."

At that moment, someone came up towards them, puffed and out of breath. "Kit!" she cried. "I've been looking for you since forever! Where'd you go, anyway?" asked the girl accusingly.

Kit cast imploring eyes at Oujirou, who stifled his own smile. Politely, Oujirou said," I have to get going to my next class, so see you around..."

"Kit."

Kit's friend suddenly realized that her friend had been talking to someone standing next to them – and then she noticed the famous blue eyes and the almost laid-back pose that only Mihara Oujirou could manage. "Holy jeebus!"

"Stop it, Ayu," Kit interrupted her – and turned to Oujirou. "I'm sorry, she's just a little..." She did a motion of twirling her fingers on her temple.

Oujirou did his best to keep a straight face while Ayu glared murderously at her friend. Kit ignored her and faced Oujirou directly. "Oh, hey!" she suddenly exclaimed. Oujirou could almost see a light bulb on her head. "If you're not busy with work and Angelic Layer and all... my friends and I were... uh, all set on going to this new movie coming out... ever heard of Painful Indecency? It's made by this guy who directed those action flicks..."

Oujirou shook his head no.

"Well, one of my friends couldn't make it... and... I-I was wondering if... if you wanna take his place? That is, if you're not doing anything this weekend," she added quickly, blushing for the umpteenth time. "Aaah, just forget I said anything! I'm sure you are and all... with your, uh, girlfriend and everything."

Oujirou refused to acknowledge the question behind it.

"If I weren't so cramped with tournaments and schoolwork, I'd say yes," he murmured instead. "But thanks for asking. Maybe some other time."

Kit's shoulders slumped with disappointment. But before she could say anything, Ayu put in," There's going to be a tournament this weekend, so we'll see you there, right?"

Surprised, Oujirou started to reply with a," I quitted Angelic Layer," before he realized it and paused. Even though Ichirou was already informed of his decision just this morning, Oujirou had – nearly – forgotten about the Angelic fight with Misaki, so it was obviously unsafe to announce his decision to these girls, at least until the fight was over and the winner announced. Gossip traveled around school faster than a bullet train could ever manage.

"Yeah," was all he said. He didn't believe in lying, and technically, he wasn't lying. Ayu did say they'd see him there, didn't she?

His tournament with his ex-girlfriend – no, make that ex-would-be-girlfriend – was around the weekend, and Oujirou figured he needed all the time he had to shape Wizard up. Waving a hand goodbye, Oujirou hurried to his next class – his last class, thankfully – leaving Ayu and Kit standing alone outside class.

There was a tense silence, before Ayu finally spoke up.

"It's so obvious he likes you."

"You really think so?" she squealed. "Just think – everyone would flip out!"

"Green with envy."

"Especially Mia – you know how she liked him for a long time."

They made their way towards class, convulsed in laughter.

~

It took Oujirou a good hour to finally reach the stadium, having encountered mild problems with traffic along the way. It was unexpectedly full with screaming fans – no doubt Ichirou had a field day advertising this upcoming match – and he backed away, slightly overwhelmed. Ichirou should have been here already – and yet, there was no sign of the man anywhere at all. He was half hoping his brother would back out of the fight, but one memory of the man's exasperatingly determined face totally crushed that little hope.

He spotted Misaki just then, seated right where she should be, out at the Layer, and after he got his heartbeat to calm down, he supposed it was finally time to meet with her face to face. He may be many things, but cowardice wasn't exactly one of them. A look – a touch – would be more than enough to put Oujirou off from his resolution, and he eyed Misaki's back warily.

This is bad – really, really bad.

Where was Ichirou?

@~@~@~@~@

Hey... Misaki.

The battle had only begun, and yet, Hikaru was pulling out moves Oujirou couldn't believe even existed. Wizard was doing his best to evade those lethal attacks, and doing admittedly poor at so. But such, was the champion, and he berated himself for not expecting it.

You didn't even ask me why we're fighting now, did you.

But instincts, honed by the long months of Angelic Layer practices, finally made it easier to defend against himself, even take on the offensive, especially when he had gotten used to Misaki's fighting style. Oujirou took that opportunity to glance at the girl's face, furrowed in concentration as she observed his angel intensely. Again he felt that familiar pang – he supposed he was hardly to blame, as it would definitely take a while to recover from her completely.

I guess Ichirou didn't tell you... it's just like you not to ask, isn't it? Or did he...? Misaki?

Her vivacity was what attracted him to her, at first. It was an intrigue, to ponder over the mysteries of the girl, and finding out exactly what she found exciting, from a Neko stuffed toy straight down to battered old boots. A person who found the positive sides to everyone – excluding the negativity, of course – such a person was rare to come across by, and it captured Oujirou's interest almost immediately.

Then he made the mistake of falling in love.

Dear Misaki... Why won't you look at me...?

Oujirou lunged Wizard forward for the final blow.

Have I hurt you badly?

@~@~@~@~@

Murmurs and whispers rose from the audience, the noise increasing its volume as the ripples of confusion swept through the people present in the Stadium, as they took in the sight with disbelieving eyes. Of course, it certainly wasn't easy stunning these over-enthusiastic (screaming) fans who devoted themselves to Angelic Layer battles, into silence – these people come into the stadium to join in the excitement of watching Deuses participate in battles with their Angels, Three-year-champion Shuu, and notably, the 'Prince of the Layer'. And more notably, the remarkable Hikaru and Deus Suzuhara Misaki.

"I can't believe it," gaped Kobayashi Kotarou, one of the many faces among the back rows," Why doesn't he kiss her feet while he's at it?"

Tamayo took that moment to tear her gaze away from the Layer and directed her gaze to her right, where she noted the many – apparently awestruck – expressions that comically mirrored Kotarou's, and her own. To perform such an action in front of everyone took major guts; Tamayo had to admit, especially when a reputation like Mihara Oujirou's was hung on the balance. "So he just wants his feelings to be known. Isn't that sweet, Kotarou?"

"...whatever!"

Initially, the stadium was filled with the usual immense cheers from fans that marked the finale of an Angelic Layer fight, the excitement stirred even more as the fight concerned high-level angels – their favorite Wizard, and Hikaru, particularly after Suzuhara Misaki was officially declared the victor.

Their favorite prince had lost.

Not surprising, of course, considering that she was the champion. But no one had expected Mihara Oujirou to rise from his seat with an expression that had Tamayo blinking in surprise – it seemed uncharacteristic of the young guy to react to his loss so seriously – and making his way towards Misaki with a slowness that also had Kotarou protectively on the edge of his seat. They watched.

And stared dumbfounded as the ever-so-charming boy of a young seventeen took the liberty to kneel down in front of the curious Misaki – and at that moment, Tamayo's romantically-honed instincts had begun to kick in – and was treated to a sight of an Oujirou with his lips pressed against the hand that belonged to the dumbfounded Misaki. Needless to say, it was a sight that had rendered both of them stunned speechless – Kotarou, because of the fact that they were really confirmed, Tamayo, because it was possibly one of the most romantic scenes that Kotarou was not capable of. "But I like him just the way he is," amended Tamayo, glancing at her crush out of the corner of her eye," So what if Misakichi's got Oujirou? I've got Kotarou!"

"It's such a shame," squeaked someone sitting on Tamayo's left," I know at least twenty girls who'll bawl their eyes out when they find out Mihara Oujirou's taken!"

"Really?" Surprised, Tamayo squinted closer at the front. "I didn't know he has that many fans-"

"See those girls over there?" the stranger pointed to the front rows, where the hordes of females were loudly yelling out their protests. "They're Oujirou-san's most active fans. I'd say Suzuhara Misaki'd better watch her back or who knows what might happen? Pains me to say they're highly protective of their Oujirou-san!"

"My friend could take care of herself just fine."

"You're friends with Suzuhara Misaki?" It was the girl's turn to be surprised. "That means you friends with Oujirou-san too! Can you get his autograph for me?!"

"Uh... why not?"

@~@~@~@~@

"Oujirou-san..."

Misaki wouldn't look at him.

"Congratulations, Misaki," Oujirou smiled cheerfully after releasing her hand.

Yes, congratulations.

His touch lingered just an instant, before his hand fell limply back to his side. It was over.

I didn't see your move coming, and so... Wizard ended up trampled right out of the Layer.

"It was a good fight, Oujrou-san," Misaki was saying vibrantly. Too vibrantly. It would take a fool not to notice that Misaki was struggling for insouciance she couldn't ever hope to accomplish. Her emotions were all over her face, revealed like an open book. Oujirou watched, charmed by the slight blush staining her cheeks. "I had fun fighting with you."

"Yes, it was fun..."

What a pity.

But Misaki... even though you won...

I still acknowledge my decision to sever all ties to everything we share in common, including Angelic Layer.

If it means to erase you out of my life.

But Misaki... who'd take your place? You must know there is no other person like you...

Do you?