And here….the much anticipated third installment of Ao'iro…. *bows* thank you very much ^^\/
I believe that all of you are progressing with your tutees?" asked Sensei nicely to the class of third-years.
"We've almost covered the whole year's syllabus sensei!" boasted one boy.
"Yeah? We're done already!" scoffed another.
"You can't be serious!" squealed a girl, "It's only been two weeks!"
"I'm done with everything," drawled a husky voice from the back.
"You have?" Sensei tried not to let his surprise show. The boy was lounging comfortably on his chair, legs on the table, arms behind his head….acting as if he owned the world. Or at least the classroom. Sensei twitched. As far as the other teachers were concerned, Mitsui Hisashi was a delinquent. He was every teacher's nightmare. Well, he was tame compared to that Sakuragi Hanamichi and infinitely more responsive than Rukawa Kaede, but a nightmare, nonetheless. It wasn't just because the boy was aggravatingly sarcastic and had a wiseass mouth- it was mostly due to the fact that, much as they'd like, they couldn't do anything about him. Or to him, for that matter. He was, after all, the only child of Mitsui Eien, and everyone knew who Mitsui Eien was. In Sensei's case, he'd decided to give the boy a chance. Well, another chance actually, since he'd blown the million chances given him before.
"Yep. We've learnt the many different ways of sleeping, snoring and faking through all the activities under the sun. Except basketball of course," Mitsui added, almost as an afterthought.
The class blinked. Sensei gave him a crooked smile.
"Well, that's nice, but I was hoping you'd been doing something more productive."
"Sounds productive enough to me. You wouldn't know how many different variations there are to sleeping. I mean, you can sleep while walking, sleep while talking, sleep while cooking, sleep whi--"
Sensei cut him off. "You were supposed to teach your ward BIOLOGY and MATH."
"Well, sleeping's biology isn't it? There's the conversion process going on, cellular repair……hell there's even physics and chemistry involved! And math! I keep score on the number of heartbeats, pulses, stomach contractions….you name it!"
Sensei twitched. He most certainly twitched.
Mitsui smiled innocently at him.
"OUT!!! TO THE HEADMASTER'S!!! NOW!!!!!"
Mitsui sighed. 'Yare yare. This always happens to me. They keep threatening expulsion but it never happens.' He loitered outside the office awhile before being summoned in.
"Mitsui Hisashi." The voice sounded tired, and far from reproachful.
"Yep. That's me." Mitsui flashed a megawatt smile at the man seated behind the stacks of papers. "You should hire another secretary and fire the current one. She's not much help is she?" he commented, eyeing the piles.
"That isn't the point. Didn't we agree not to meet anymore?" asked the exasperated headmaster.
"Well, I thought it only polite that I drop by once in a while."
"This is the fourth time today."
"True. I must miss you more than I'd thought."
The headmaster resisted the compulsive urge to rub his aching temple. "Can't you drop by, say, after you graduate?"
Mitsui shook his head. "Nope. I'd miss you too much."
He sighed. "A month?"
Another shake.
"A week?"
"Too long."
"Three days?" suggested the headmaster helplessly.
"Deal!"
The balding man smiled wearily, and dismissed him. He had to attend to the documents- they were pressing matters- but if this boy was going to disrupt him every other hour, then may God save his soul.
Mitsui's hand was on the doorknob when the old man asked something that had been on his mind for a while now.
"Why Shohoku? Why not Kainan or Shoyo?"
Mitsui opened the door and stepped through before answering over his shoulder.
"Anzai Sensei."
Rukawa came home to a messy apartment. Correction, a very messy apartment. Wasn't it just this morning that he'd tidied the whole place up? He remembered sweeping up the popcorn from the floor, and washing the dishes in the sink. And he also remembered clearing the table and sweeping the floor. What was this then? His cleaning had been futile. Wasted. He had messed everything up again.
Rukawa stormed angrily through the bits of popcorn and Pocky™ sticks on the floor. The culprit was singing in the shower, blissfully unaware of his approaching doom.
"Kaze ni nare kazu eino distress~~" sang Mitsui feelingly.
'Oh, you'll be distressed all right,' thought Rukawa evilly as he kicked open the door.
"~~ oritachi no so--" Mitsui jumped a mile high at the sound, "Bloody hell! What happened to the damn…….." he froze. As did Rukawa.
They stared at each other for about five seconds before Mitsui recovered and started hurling profanities at the other boy. He grabbed his towel and hastily wrapped it around his waist.
"Screw it Rukawa! What the hell is your frigging problem?!!"
Rukawa blinked. He was still very much in a state of shock. Seeing his sempai bare was, um, a first.
"Oi! I'm talking to you! What the hell is wrong with your tongue?!!"
'I'm sorry but I think I might have bitten it off,' his inner voice said sarcastically. Audibly, he replied, "Baka."
"What the @*#%@(*$&?!!!!! I'm the victim here!!!! You storm in on me showering and call me a baka? Some nerve you got!"
Rukawa mumbled another "baka," before practically fleeing from the bathroom into the solitude of his bedroom. Slamming the door shut, he leaned against it, panting heavily.
Five minutes later, he looked up and caught sight of himself in the mirror.
The blush still stained his pale cheeks.
Mitsui grumbled as he put on his clothes. What the hell did the boy think he was doing, walking in on him like that? It was embarrassing. Not that he was feeling particularly humiliated or anything. He was a pretty open guy so these things weren't really so….controversial? Anyhow, Rukawa seemed to have been more embarrassed, though why he should be Mitsui could not fathom. His face had flared up immediately. Maybe he was one of those more conservative ones.
Anyhow, Mitsui yanked on his jeans and grabbed his working apron from the clothesline. He was working the evening shift today at the store. 'There probably wouldn't be too many kids…' he thought listlessly. Funnily enough, he found that the pull to the job was the children. He didn't know he was good with children till he started work at the store. They were cute little angels, with the occasional devil. Er, perhaps it was the other way. They were cute little devils with the occasional angel, and he found that they took his mind off a lot of things, which was a blessing really.
He whistled all the way to work.
Rukawa peered from behind the door. After listening attentively for about 5 minutes, he eventually concluded that the other boy had really left and was nowhere within the apartment. Relieved, he stepped out of his room.
Surveying the mess, he sighed and began to tidy up.
Sendoh was in town again. He'd manage to persuade Koshino to accompany him to get a new pair of slacks, and now that they'd done the errand, they were walking around, hoping to find some form of entertainment. Koshino was grumbling about how the train ride to Shohoku was not justified by the errand they had to do. The ride took about a quarter of an hour, while the slacks…… less than 5 minutes. So, Koshino, being Koshino, thought it only sensible(and economical) that they hang out awhile longer there. Sendoh was more than happy to oblige.
"Ne, Hiro-kun, there's that sundae store that opened up a few weeks back. The ice cream's really great. Can we get some, huh? Can we?"
Koshino looked at him irritably. "Sundaes aren't cheap you know," he snapped.
"Aw, come on! It'll be my treat! Really! You don't have to pay a cent!" insisted Sendoh.
Koshino grudgingly agreed. "Well, all right I guess."
"And you know what? Mitsui-san works there as well!"
Koshino raised an eyebrow at his friend as he was dragged along.
"Here's your order miss, hope you enjoy it! Don't forget- its Sundaes Everyday! Where every day's a sundae!" Mitsui smiled while bowing slightly before addressing the next customer. "And how may I help you……..Sendoh? What are you doing here? And…...you've brought along that friend of yours…..erm…… Koshi-something right?" he exclaimed in surprise.
"Koshino," grumbled Koshino, mildly annoyed that the other boy didn't remember.
"Right. Koshino. What brings you to town?" he asked cheerfully.
"Stupid Sendoh wanted some slacks."
Mitsui's face broke into a grin. "Ah. Okay. So, what does Stupid Sendoh want? Unless he's too stupid to decide of course."
Koshino rolled his eyes. "I'll go get a table."
"Oh, that's okay, really. The table's not going anywhere," cracked Mitsui.
Koshino growled while Sendoh looked amused. "I want a triple fudge sundae," he told Sendoh before storming off in a huff.
"Don't mind him Mitsui-san, Hiro-kun's always like that. He's actually a really nice guy," Sendoh smiled apologetically after his friend had gone.
"Right. Why are you apologizing for him?"
"No reason."
"Ah. Okay. So what will you have?"
"What do you recommend?"
"Weeeeellllll, I would say the cinnamon flavoured one. Real nice."
"All right. I'll have that one then." Sendoh responded without hesitation.
"No kidding? You're not going to try it first?" Mitsui raised an eyebrow.
"Can I?"
"Why not?" Mitsui handed him a small cup.
"Ummmm…….nice….." Sendoh licked his lips. "I definitely want that."
"All right. One cinnamon delight and triple fudge sundae coming right up!"
"You know, Mitsui-san, I really think the apron suits you," remarked Sendoh as he admired the other boy in his work clothes.
"Shut up Sendoh. We went through this before," warned Mitsui, preoccupied with filling out the order.
"I know, but I can't help saying it again. It looks real cute on you."
"I appreciate the compliment, but I hope you'll stop commenting on it. It's bad enough that it has frills and little bunnies. It has to be yellow of all colors!" complained Mitsui, adding the fudge to Koshino's sundae.
"What's wrong with yellow?"
"It's such a happy color damn it! I feel like a loony in this shop!" 'Not that I mind,' he thought.
"You seem to be enjoying yourself though," teased Sendoh.
"Shut up."
"Admit it. You like dressing up in frills and kawaii little rabbits and yellow aprons and a huge yellow sun!" taunted Sendoh playfully.
"So what if I do?" challenged Mitsui defiantly, pausing awhile while working on Sendoh's order.
"Ahah! So you do like dressing up in frills and kawaii little rabbits and yellow aprons and a huge yellow sun!"
Mitsui rolled his eyes. "Think whatever you like Sendoh."
"Plus, you're cracking such painfully lame jokes here!" the younger boy pointed out.
"Who's lame?!!!!" Mitsui growled at the boy.
"Well, since we're talking about you, and no one else, well, I guess it has to be you who's lame," Sendoh replied carelessly.
"Here are your sundaes. Now get out of my sight."
"What? No 'Sundaes Everyday' speech for me?" gasped Sendoh in mock horror.
"Get lost Sendoh."
And the boy obliged, a huge grin plastered on his face as he carried the tray to their table outside.
Koshino glared at him as he sat down.
"What?" asked Sendoh innocently.
"You were flirting with him," accused Koshino.
"I was not!"
"I was watching you the whole time! You were flirting with him!"
"Maybe. But so what? You jealous Hiro-kun?"
"BAKA! Of course not! It just means that I have to warn Mitsui-san to stay away from you!"
"Now why would you do that?" asked the boy, feigning innocence and naïvete.
"Because I know how you are, Sendoh Akira. Once you've set your eyes on someone, you're not going to stop till you get him."
Sendoh sighed and shook his head. "Ah. You know me so well Hiro-kun."
"I wish I didn't," grumbled the other.
Mitsui yawned as he walked through the dimly lit streets. It was past midnight and the streets were deserted. The thought of his nice, cozy bed at home made him pick up his pace. Or rather, Rukawa's nice, cozy bed.
'Nice of Rukawa to put up with me for so long,' he mused, 'he could have thrown me out anytime but I don't hear him complaining. Of course, not that I hear him much.' Mitsui chuckled to himself. His teammate was like a mute- grunting and snorting every so often, and choosing to open his mouth only when deemed necessary.
Their apartment block came into view. "I'll take a nice warm shower before I settle down for some beauty sleep," Mitsui told himself as he waited for the elevator, "it's Saturday anyhow, and I don't have to get up till late."
He was still making plans for tomorrow when he unlocked the door and stepped into the apartment. There was a slight 'click' as Rukawa's bedroom door shut. Mitsui raised an eyebrow. Was the boy waiting up for him? 'Nah, not possible.' He shrugged it off and went to his room.
Minutes later, Rukawa lay in his bed, listening to Mitsui's soft singing in the shower. He had, for some reason, stayed up to wait for his sempai.
Now that he was home, Rukawa's eyelids suddenly felt very heavy and he dropped off to a peaceful sleep.
"Moshi moshi?" Rukawa answered the persistent ringing of the phone. It was only nine in the morning damn it! Who would be crack enough to call at nine on a Saturday morning?
"Mitsui-san? It's me, Sendoh. Did I just wake you up or something? Were you planning to sleep in late?" Sendoh's cheery morning voice spilled out over the receiver.
Rukawa sat up abruptly, more awake than before. What did Sendoh want with Sempai?
"Mitsui-san? You there?"
Rukawa grunted in what he hoped sounded like Mitsui's deprecating style. His curiosity was getting the better of him When did Sempai have anything to do with the porcupine?
"I guess you're not up to talking yet huh?" Rukawa could actually hear Sendoh's smile, "Well that's okay. I just wanted to ask if you're still mad over yesterday," Rukawa's ears perked up at the word. 'Yesterday? They were together yesterday?'
"I know you're not, I mean, you're such a forgiving person, right Mitsui-san?"
'Forgiving? Sempai?' thought Rukawa ludicrously.
"Anyhow, are you free today? I was wondering if we could have a game of basketball or something."
"D'aho." Rukawa slammed the phone down, not caring whether Sendoh recognized his voice. So the porcupine was after Sempai. Well, he'll just have to see to that………
Hitora-san- well, I sure I hope I didn't disappoint you with this chapter! ^^;;
Megane-chan- ano….. ^^;; that's really hard to say. See, I never thought about it- I just wanted him there for that purpose. Ehe. Wakateruu. I know I don't make sense. Suman. ^^;;
qkslvr- sou da naa~~ much obliged! ^^
doujin- really? I hope I don't disappoint then! It's Sendoh so it's um, expected??!! /lol/ Mitchy's the best, ne?
Hanabi Reeza- *squeal* you're a MitSen fan too?!!!! KYAAAA!! This is just so wonderful! *glomps Reeza-san*
Unquestionable- *sigh* if every guy selling sundaes was like Mitchy….. I'd be the first in line!!!!!
jess- miranda- awwww, how can I not oblige when you've asked so nicely? *pat pat* sou? I'll bet the stores'll be crammed to the brim if Mitchy was there! /lol/ A Mitchy lover? YAY!!!!!
Hisashi loves Yelen- gee, thanks loads for the compliment. It's not as much my flair for writing as Mitchy's charm. He exudes such sexiness….. *sigh* Oh, before we go all gooey-eyed on him, let me say that Mitsui Hisashi deserves not only the MVP title, but also MGP, MHP, MCP(um, not the way most people'd see it of course.) Go figure! ^^
Mayumi- thankies!! *huggles* of course the story's getting somewhere- it has to right? Surely no one writes a stagnant story…. Ehe, well I do. Sometimes. There. I've just contradicted myself for the millionth time. ^^;;
KISS rocks- well I don't know about you, but I don't think you rock. I'm a real nice person see, and I hate to bitch and claw, but if you're not going to give anything constructive on my review page then I'm gonna have to ask you to say…. GET LOST?!!?!! Ahahaha~ now that wasn't so bad now was it? ^^\/
Rikku::Lenne::Paine::Leviathan- whew! What a typeful! LOL. Thanks loads for the comliment! *huggles*