::Between Love and Hate::
Himura Kawaii
Chapter Six
*** Disclaimers apply... Blah blah. RK's not mine. Hail the Great Watsuki- sama. I'm now a college stud, but still poor!!.... Don't sue me! ^_^ the song ain't mine either!!
Kaori shook her head.
Him?
Me?
No way!!!
What was I even thinking?
"Um Kenji, I think we should go home now, a big headache seems to be coming my way." Kaori faked a groan and rubbed her temples.
Kenji creased his forehead in worry. "Maybe I hit you too hard."
You could say that again. Kaori thought.
"No, it's nothing." Kaori denied as they walked towards Kenji's car. "I should just take a rest or something."
"Okay, I better take you home, then." Kenji held Kaori's hand and helped her into the car.
This feels good. Kaori found herself thinking.
What am I saying? God.
Kenji pulled up in front of Kaori's house and for the hundredth time, asked her if she was going to be all right. Kaori felt really sick for deceiving Kenji.
"I'm okay, Kenji. I just need some rest, that's all."
"Okay." Kenji nodded reluctantly. "I guess I'll see you on Monday."
Kaori went inside and sighed. She ALMOST felt guilty for doing such a thing to Kenji.
He deserved it for being Mr. Perfect.
Kaori rushed to her room and heard the phone ringing.
"Moshi moshi?"
"Hey Kaori!" Misao's bubbly voice registered on the phone. "Wanna come with the gang.? We're just gonna walk around in the snow and do whatever."
Kaori smiled. "Yeah, sure. Pick me up?"
"Okay. Should we call Kenji too?"
"No!" Kaori almost shouted. "I mean, no. he might be doing something else with his time."
"Oh, okay. See you in fifteen minutes!" Then Misao put the phone down.
Kaori put the phone down too and looked for her white mittens.
She rushed downstairs to see Yoshi coming in with a girl of his age. She was pretty, with short hair and a somewhat shy air.
"Hey, Yosh." She greeted her brother and ruffled his hair. She turned to the girl beside him. "Hi there"
"Quit messing with my hair, busu!" Yoshi patted his brown hair, but it still remained tousled. "This is Tsubame, my friend. So where are you going again?"
"Hajimemashite, Tsubame-chan!" Kaori sneered at her brother. "None of your business."
Tsubame smiled shyly at Kaori and bowed. "Hajimemashite."
"What do you see in my brother?" Kaori couldn't help herself from teasing Yoshi.
Tsubame turned beet red and bowed her head while Yoshi pulled Kaori's hair.
But Kaori wouldn't stop. "You must be new here, or else you wouldn't go with Yoshi! Hahahaha!!"
Tsubame nodded and quietly said, "Yes, we just moved here from Kyoto. Actually, we live in the same village."
Kaori nodded and smiled. "Well, if my brother here does anything stupid, just tell me so I could whack him, okay?" Kaori immediately liked Tsubame. She would be good for Yoshi, Kaori thought. "Aren't you leaving?" Yoshi pointedly asked Kaori.
"Demo, I better go, I could hear Misao and Shino's bantering from here. Nice meeting you Tsubame-chan!" She stepped out of the house and met the rest of the gang outside.
Meanwhile, Kenji was sitting by his window, staring absently at the snowflakes falling down from the heavens. He was also thinking of the short moment he and Kaori shared earlier. Something was there; he knew Kaori couldn't deny that. But still, something's still stopping her from warming up to him.
He was also worried about her headache. Maybe he should call her to make sure she's okay. Or maybe he should come over and see if things were good with her.
A group of teenager caught his eye and somehow, they looked familiar.
"Sou? And Meimi? Misao?" He leaned closer to see if it were really they.
A black haired girl with blue mittens was stomping on the snow, and a tall brown-haired guy was kicking snow on her.
"Kaori?" Kenji almost shouted.
What is she doing out there? Isn't she supposed to be sick?
He could now see her giggling with the rest of the gumi. Her tinkly laugh made his stomach feel queasy.
Kenji felt anger and pain surge over him. She didn't have to lie just to get away from him. She could've told him that she didn't want to be with him.
Why did she have to lie to him in his face?
"Shit." He cursed himself and repeatedly banged his head on the wall. "Shit."
He watched as the gang passed by, until their bodies were as tiny as the snowflakes that were covering his windowsill.
"You want war? I'll give you war." Kenji angrily muttered as he made up his mind to fight fire with fire.
"So, our topic would be "Death Penalty." Professor Kawano was saying. It was a chilly Monday morning and everyone would rather be out in the snow rather than inside the classroom, debating on a topic that was so cliché. At least that was what Kaori thought.
The professor droned surnames of the members of the pro team and Kenji, Arashi and Meimi were on the same team, while Kaori, Shino, Sou and Maki were on the con team.
The debate started, with Kenji opening with a statement. Kaori answered his statement with equal ferocity and soon, the chilly room was heating up with a battle of words and everyone else was getting worked up.
Everyone, the gang particularly, was surprised at Kenji's sudden bravery in front of Kaori. It was almost as if he was challenging her, the way she was challenging him before. Kaori, herself, was shocked at this new side of Kenji and was unable to focus on her attacks. Arashi and the rest of Kaori's team tried to make their points known, but they weren't able to focus on the debate too. They were too distracted with the drama that was unfolding before them.
Kenji and his team, on the other hand, were on a roll, their points were well stated. It was obvious that they would win.
And they did.
Everyone was amazed at how Kenji stood up to Kaori. He hadn't let himself be intimidated by her this time. The class developed a new sense of respect for Kenji, and Kaori was too dumbfounded to think.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Meimi asked Shino.
Shino smirked. "I think the guy finally had enough."
"Oh well, just as long as there won't be any fights." Misao commented.
The start of a boring week? Definitely not.
The next days of class were like mini-battles and surely, not a single person in class was bored. Exams keep popping up, recitations and seat works were aplenty. But what was more interesting was the fact that Kaori and Kenji were obviously trying to outdo each other in everything. If Kaori got a higher grade in math, Kenji would definitely top a history quiz.
It kept the class on their toes. Everyone was always expecting something else to happen.
"Soon, someone would hold a betting area for those two." Shino joked as the gang watched Kenji and Kaori spar during training.
Arashi shook his head. "Someone should knock some sense into Kaori's head."
"I would." Misao volunteered.
"And I'd talk to Kenji about this." Shino agreed.
Arashi nodded as his gaze fell on a poster pinned to the gym's bulletin board. It was an ad for the coming Winter Dance. Normally, he and Kaori would always go together with the rest of the gumi.
An idea struck his head.
"Misao?"
Misao looked up hopefully. It was, after all, the first time Arashi addressed her personally. "Hai, Arashi-sama?"
"Do you want to go to the dance-"
Misao's jaw dropped.
"-with me?"
"I'd love to." Misao almost immediately answered.
Arashi's eyes lit up. "You would? Thanks."
Misao grinned. "No, thank you."
Arashi smiled slightly and stood up to call for a time-out between Kaori and Kenji who were almost killing each other.
Later that night, Misao and Meimi were hanging out at Misao's room.
"And then he asked me to the dance!" Misao's eyes twinkled as she related the earlier events to the two girls.
"Oh Misao! I'm so happy for you!" Kaori hugged her friend. She was really happy for Misao. If anyone deserved Arashi, it would definitely be her. Of course, there's still some of the pain. But she knew time could heal wounds.
Meimi propped her head up with her hand. "Are you really? Because we all know something went on, whatever that was, and I don't want any hard feelings between you and Misao."
Kaoru shook her head and smiled sincerely. "Iie. I meant everything I said. I'm really happy for you Misao."
"Thank you so much Kaori!!" Misao hugged her two friends. "I'm so happy he finally did something!"
Meimi smiled. "Yeah, about time too!" She turned to Kaori. "Hey, what's up with you and Kenji?"
Misao took her cue. "Yeah, what's up, Kaori? You know you can tell us."
"Nothing." Kaori tried to smile but failed. "Everything!"
"Spill." Meimi leaned closer to her.
"I don't know what happened. When we last talked, he was so sweet and Monday came and he looked ready to charge me like some bull." Kaori bit her lip in confusion. "Why is he doing that?"
Misao chuckled. "And so what? I mean, Kaori, you said it yourself, you hate him. So what if he decides that he hates you too?"
Meimi joined in. "Yeah. It's his right to do to you what you're doing to him. No offense."
"But." Kaori looked as if she was about to cry. "I don't understand. I know I hate him, and that I shouldn't be bothered by what he does or does not do. But still.-"
"Admit it Kaori." Meimi interrupted, unable to take the suspense any longer. "Admit that you like him."
"It'll make all of our lives easier, too!" Misao grinned.
"For one, you say you hate his presence, but when he's not there, you look for him! Don't you deny it, I know you!" Meimi pointed out.
Misao nodded. "Plus when he gave that report, I saw you listening intently to him. If you hated him as much as you say, you wouldn't be caught dead listening to his amazing narration of the Civil War!"
"Three, you've turned down a number of guys. Why didn't you turn Kenji down when he asked you? And don't blame it on us because were always like that with every guy who asks you out!" Meimi was clearly enjoying this.
"You like the guy Kaori, plain and simple. You were right when you said that he is everything you're not. You just couldn't accept the fact that you've found someone who complements you in every aspect. The thought of being able to find the right guy and how you could make it work scares you." Misao lectured.
Kaori started whacking her head with Misao's bokken. "No. no, no nononononono. That is so-"
"True?" Meimi filled for her.
"C'mon Kaori, I could feel the tension between you two in front! And I sit on the back!!!" Misao affirmed.
"How could I have been so blind? All along I've been refusing to accept the fact that I like him. And now he hates me! Aaaaaarghh. How could I make it up to him?"
"Hey, I've got it!" Meimi snapped her fingers. "Why don't you ask him to the dance? I'm sure he's dying to go with you."
Kaori looked hesitant. "Are you sure that will work?"
"Trust us." Misao waggled her eyebrows.
"But what if he turns me down? I mean all the humiliation."
"He won't turn you down!" Misao assured her.
"And if he does," Meimi added, "you would deserve it, from the way you've been treating him since he came here."
Kaori sighed. Inside, she felt anxious and somewhat happy to have known the truth before it was too late.
"Okay. Tomorrow then." She smiled bravely at Misoa and Meimi. "Thanks you guys."
Meimi shrugged. "Okay, now who wants a makeover?"
Meanwhile, Shino and Kenji were having the same kind of talk at the pool hall.
"Man, I'm telling you, get over her." Shino was saying while Kenji stared into space.
"I know. Do you think I should continue what I'm doing?"
"Yeah. She wouldn't fall for the nice guy. She doesn't want to be challenged either. She doesn't like you as you are too! Forget her."
Kenji nodded. "You're right."
"What about the dance?" Shino asked. "You have to take someone or else you'd be the third, ermm.. 7th wheel?"
Kenji grinned. "I know who I'd take. I'd have to fetch her from Kyoto, though. But I guess it'll be good to see her again."
"Who?"
"Ah, she's my ex-girlfriend."
"A mystery. I'd love to meet her. Is she anything like Kaori?"
Kenji laughed at this. "Oh, no. they're worlds apart!"
"So does that mean no more suspense and fights in class?" Shino kidded.
"I guess not! From now on, I'd be the indifferent Kenji, the way I was before I met Kaori in school." Kenji promised. "I wouldn't give a damn about her, that's what she wants, right?"
Shino shrugged. "Who knows what women REALLY want?" Shino patted Kenji on the back. "Some of the nicest guys finish last, I realize that now."
"Yeah, well, tough luck for me. wanna play some pool?"
They both laughed and went to one of the pool tables.
Nice guys finish last; you're running out of gas
Your sympathy will get you left behind.
Sometimes you're at your best when you look the worst.
Nice Guys Finish Last
Green Day
*** Whew.. sorry it took so long for that to come out. This one's pretty long, ne? I didn't mean for it to be long, though. Just flows. Hehe. Guess what? I got a high grade in NatSci! I'm really a contradiction. The more absences I make, the higher my test results become. Cool! Thanks for your wishes for luck, minna!! Muaah! I appreciate them so much.
Oh no, now there's another complication. I mean, when will KnK end up together?! Maybe in chapter 9.? ::hint hint:: But they WILL. I promise! Just some more hindrances.
More soon. I just don't have the energy to type anymore. I just came home from a street-dance workshop. my muscles are soooooooooree. #_#
Please read and review!! Oh, yeah, for those who read Twisted. watch out for a sequel!! :) 'til next chappie!!
Himura Kawaii
Chapter Six
*** Disclaimers apply... Blah blah. RK's not mine. Hail the Great Watsuki- sama. I'm now a college stud, but still poor!!.... Don't sue me! ^_^ the song ain't mine either!!
Kaori shook her head.
Him?
Me?
No way!!!
What was I even thinking?
"Um Kenji, I think we should go home now, a big headache seems to be coming my way." Kaori faked a groan and rubbed her temples.
Kenji creased his forehead in worry. "Maybe I hit you too hard."
You could say that again. Kaori thought.
"No, it's nothing." Kaori denied as they walked towards Kenji's car. "I should just take a rest or something."
"Okay, I better take you home, then." Kenji held Kaori's hand and helped her into the car.
This feels good. Kaori found herself thinking.
What am I saying? God.
Kenji pulled up in front of Kaori's house and for the hundredth time, asked her if she was going to be all right. Kaori felt really sick for deceiving Kenji.
"I'm okay, Kenji. I just need some rest, that's all."
"Okay." Kenji nodded reluctantly. "I guess I'll see you on Monday."
Kaori went inside and sighed. She ALMOST felt guilty for doing such a thing to Kenji.
He deserved it for being Mr. Perfect.
Kaori rushed to her room and heard the phone ringing.
"Moshi moshi?"
"Hey Kaori!" Misao's bubbly voice registered on the phone. "Wanna come with the gang.? We're just gonna walk around in the snow and do whatever."
Kaori smiled. "Yeah, sure. Pick me up?"
"Okay. Should we call Kenji too?"
"No!" Kaori almost shouted. "I mean, no. he might be doing something else with his time."
"Oh, okay. See you in fifteen minutes!" Then Misao put the phone down.
Kaori put the phone down too and looked for her white mittens.
She rushed downstairs to see Yoshi coming in with a girl of his age. She was pretty, with short hair and a somewhat shy air.
"Hey, Yosh." She greeted her brother and ruffled his hair. She turned to the girl beside him. "Hi there"
"Quit messing with my hair, busu!" Yoshi patted his brown hair, but it still remained tousled. "This is Tsubame, my friend. So where are you going again?"
"Hajimemashite, Tsubame-chan!" Kaori sneered at her brother. "None of your business."
Tsubame smiled shyly at Kaori and bowed. "Hajimemashite."
"What do you see in my brother?" Kaori couldn't help herself from teasing Yoshi.
Tsubame turned beet red and bowed her head while Yoshi pulled Kaori's hair.
But Kaori wouldn't stop. "You must be new here, or else you wouldn't go with Yoshi! Hahahaha!!"
Tsubame nodded and quietly said, "Yes, we just moved here from Kyoto. Actually, we live in the same village."
Kaori nodded and smiled. "Well, if my brother here does anything stupid, just tell me so I could whack him, okay?" Kaori immediately liked Tsubame. She would be good for Yoshi, Kaori thought. "Aren't you leaving?" Yoshi pointedly asked Kaori.
"Demo, I better go, I could hear Misao and Shino's bantering from here. Nice meeting you Tsubame-chan!" She stepped out of the house and met the rest of the gang outside.
Meanwhile, Kenji was sitting by his window, staring absently at the snowflakes falling down from the heavens. He was also thinking of the short moment he and Kaori shared earlier. Something was there; he knew Kaori couldn't deny that. But still, something's still stopping her from warming up to him.
He was also worried about her headache. Maybe he should call her to make sure she's okay. Or maybe he should come over and see if things were good with her.
A group of teenager caught his eye and somehow, they looked familiar.
"Sou? And Meimi? Misao?" He leaned closer to see if it were really they.
A black haired girl with blue mittens was stomping on the snow, and a tall brown-haired guy was kicking snow on her.
"Kaori?" Kenji almost shouted.
What is she doing out there? Isn't she supposed to be sick?
He could now see her giggling with the rest of the gumi. Her tinkly laugh made his stomach feel queasy.
Kenji felt anger and pain surge over him. She didn't have to lie just to get away from him. She could've told him that she didn't want to be with him.
Why did she have to lie to him in his face?
"Shit." He cursed himself and repeatedly banged his head on the wall. "Shit."
He watched as the gang passed by, until their bodies were as tiny as the snowflakes that were covering his windowsill.
"You want war? I'll give you war." Kenji angrily muttered as he made up his mind to fight fire with fire.
"So, our topic would be "Death Penalty." Professor Kawano was saying. It was a chilly Monday morning and everyone would rather be out in the snow rather than inside the classroom, debating on a topic that was so cliché. At least that was what Kaori thought.
The professor droned surnames of the members of the pro team and Kenji, Arashi and Meimi were on the same team, while Kaori, Shino, Sou and Maki were on the con team.
The debate started, with Kenji opening with a statement. Kaori answered his statement with equal ferocity and soon, the chilly room was heating up with a battle of words and everyone else was getting worked up.
Everyone, the gang particularly, was surprised at Kenji's sudden bravery in front of Kaori. It was almost as if he was challenging her, the way she was challenging him before. Kaori, herself, was shocked at this new side of Kenji and was unable to focus on her attacks. Arashi and the rest of Kaori's team tried to make their points known, but they weren't able to focus on the debate too. They were too distracted with the drama that was unfolding before them.
Kenji and his team, on the other hand, were on a roll, their points were well stated. It was obvious that they would win.
And they did.
Everyone was amazed at how Kenji stood up to Kaori. He hadn't let himself be intimidated by her this time. The class developed a new sense of respect for Kenji, and Kaori was too dumbfounded to think.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Meimi asked Shino.
Shino smirked. "I think the guy finally had enough."
"Oh well, just as long as there won't be any fights." Misao commented.
The start of a boring week? Definitely not.
The next days of class were like mini-battles and surely, not a single person in class was bored. Exams keep popping up, recitations and seat works were aplenty. But what was more interesting was the fact that Kaori and Kenji were obviously trying to outdo each other in everything. If Kaori got a higher grade in math, Kenji would definitely top a history quiz.
It kept the class on their toes. Everyone was always expecting something else to happen.
"Soon, someone would hold a betting area for those two." Shino joked as the gang watched Kenji and Kaori spar during training.
Arashi shook his head. "Someone should knock some sense into Kaori's head."
"I would." Misao volunteered.
"And I'd talk to Kenji about this." Shino agreed.
Arashi nodded as his gaze fell on a poster pinned to the gym's bulletin board. It was an ad for the coming Winter Dance. Normally, he and Kaori would always go together with the rest of the gumi.
An idea struck his head.
"Misao?"
Misao looked up hopefully. It was, after all, the first time Arashi addressed her personally. "Hai, Arashi-sama?"
"Do you want to go to the dance-"
Misao's jaw dropped.
"-with me?"
"I'd love to." Misao almost immediately answered.
Arashi's eyes lit up. "You would? Thanks."
Misao grinned. "No, thank you."
Arashi smiled slightly and stood up to call for a time-out between Kaori and Kenji who were almost killing each other.
Later that night, Misao and Meimi were hanging out at Misao's room.
"And then he asked me to the dance!" Misao's eyes twinkled as she related the earlier events to the two girls.
"Oh Misao! I'm so happy for you!" Kaori hugged her friend. She was really happy for Misao. If anyone deserved Arashi, it would definitely be her. Of course, there's still some of the pain. But she knew time could heal wounds.
Meimi propped her head up with her hand. "Are you really? Because we all know something went on, whatever that was, and I don't want any hard feelings between you and Misao."
Kaoru shook her head and smiled sincerely. "Iie. I meant everything I said. I'm really happy for you Misao."
"Thank you so much Kaori!!" Misao hugged her two friends. "I'm so happy he finally did something!"
Meimi smiled. "Yeah, about time too!" She turned to Kaori. "Hey, what's up with you and Kenji?"
Misao took her cue. "Yeah, what's up, Kaori? You know you can tell us."
"Nothing." Kaori tried to smile but failed. "Everything!"
"Spill." Meimi leaned closer to her.
"I don't know what happened. When we last talked, he was so sweet and Monday came and he looked ready to charge me like some bull." Kaori bit her lip in confusion. "Why is he doing that?"
Misao chuckled. "And so what? I mean, Kaori, you said it yourself, you hate him. So what if he decides that he hates you too?"
Meimi joined in. "Yeah. It's his right to do to you what you're doing to him. No offense."
"But." Kaori looked as if she was about to cry. "I don't understand. I know I hate him, and that I shouldn't be bothered by what he does or does not do. But still.-"
"Admit it Kaori." Meimi interrupted, unable to take the suspense any longer. "Admit that you like him."
"It'll make all of our lives easier, too!" Misao grinned.
"For one, you say you hate his presence, but when he's not there, you look for him! Don't you deny it, I know you!" Meimi pointed out.
Misao nodded. "Plus when he gave that report, I saw you listening intently to him. If you hated him as much as you say, you wouldn't be caught dead listening to his amazing narration of the Civil War!"
"Three, you've turned down a number of guys. Why didn't you turn Kenji down when he asked you? And don't blame it on us because were always like that with every guy who asks you out!" Meimi was clearly enjoying this.
"You like the guy Kaori, plain and simple. You were right when you said that he is everything you're not. You just couldn't accept the fact that you've found someone who complements you in every aspect. The thought of being able to find the right guy and how you could make it work scares you." Misao lectured.
Kaori started whacking her head with Misao's bokken. "No. no, no nononononono. That is so-"
"True?" Meimi filled for her.
"C'mon Kaori, I could feel the tension between you two in front! And I sit on the back!!!" Misao affirmed.
"How could I have been so blind? All along I've been refusing to accept the fact that I like him. And now he hates me! Aaaaaarghh. How could I make it up to him?"
"Hey, I've got it!" Meimi snapped her fingers. "Why don't you ask him to the dance? I'm sure he's dying to go with you."
Kaori looked hesitant. "Are you sure that will work?"
"Trust us." Misao waggled her eyebrows.
"But what if he turns me down? I mean all the humiliation."
"He won't turn you down!" Misao assured her.
"And if he does," Meimi added, "you would deserve it, from the way you've been treating him since he came here."
Kaori sighed. Inside, she felt anxious and somewhat happy to have known the truth before it was too late.
"Okay. Tomorrow then." She smiled bravely at Misoa and Meimi. "Thanks you guys."
Meimi shrugged. "Okay, now who wants a makeover?"
Meanwhile, Shino and Kenji were having the same kind of talk at the pool hall.
"Man, I'm telling you, get over her." Shino was saying while Kenji stared into space.
"I know. Do you think I should continue what I'm doing?"
"Yeah. She wouldn't fall for the nice guy. She doesn't want to be challenged either. She doesn't like you as you are too! Forget her."
Kenji nodded. "You're right."
"What about the dance?" Shino asked. "You have to take someone or else you'd be the third, ermm.. 7th wheel?"
Kenji grinned. "I know who I'd take. I'd have to fetch her from Kyoto, though. But I guess it'll be good to see her again."
"Who?"
"Ah, she's my ex-girlfriend."
"A mystery. I'd love to meet her. Is she anything like Kaori?"
Kenji laughed at this. "Oh, no. they're worlds apart!"
"So does that mean no more suspense and fights in class?" Shino kidded.
"I guess not! From now on, I'd be the indifferent Kenji, the way I was before I met Kaori in school." Kenji promised. "I wouldn't give a damn about her, that's what she wants, right?"
Shino shrugged. "Who knows what women REALLY want?" Shino patted Kenji on the back. "Some of the nicest guys finish last, I realize that now."
"Yeah, well, tough luck for me. wanna play some pool?"
They both laughed and went to one of the pool tables.
Nice guys finish last; you're running out of gas
Your sympathy will get you left behind.
Sometimes you're at your best when you look the worst.
Nice Guys Finish Last
Green Day
*** Whew.. sorry it took so long for that to come out. This one's pretty long, ne? I didn't mean for it to be long, though. Just flows. Hehe. Guess what? I got a high grade in NatSci! I'm really a contradiction. The more absences I make, the higher my test results become. Cool! Thanks for your wishes for luck, minna!! Muaah! I appreciate them so much.
Oh no, now there's another complication. I mean, when will KnK end up together?! Maybe in chapter 9.? ::hint hint:: But they WILL. I promise! Just some more hindrances.
More soon. I just don't have the energy to type anymore. I just came home from a street-dance workshop. my muscles are soooooooooree. #_#
Please read and review!! Oh, yeah, for those who read Twisted. watch out for a sequel!! :) 'til next chappie!!