Yikes!
Okay, you can kill me. So I haven't updated in months and months. I am really, really sorry. I have about a dozen reasons as to why I haven't updated, but then I'd just be making excuses. I have been slacking, even if I tried not to. But if you do want to know my reasons for being major late, here they are:
- I have other fanfics, those which I'm not going to post, to work on, too.
- I've got school, and I'm trying to be an honor student again this year. I have to work really hard.
- I'm working for the gazette this year and we have so many assignments. Right after this I have to go attend this Peace Camp to write a report for the paper.
- My other computer was terribly slow, and the internet conked out for a month and a half. My dad finally got us a new computer, and a new phone line, but this was just a month ago, and there were still adjustments to be made. (And Otaku Pitcher, if you're reading this, I'm sorry but I wasn't able to transfer KTMS – or my other story – to this computer. I finished two chapters while I was gone, but I can't post any because I haven't transferred it yet. Sumimasen!)
- I've got nothing to inspire me. (Honest!)
Well, there you have it. I know they aren't very good reasons but you can't blame me. I had all the time in the world during the summer, but now…each day goes by too fast. I'm lucky that I have a free day at least, but I still have some homework and a good deal of studying to do. I'd like to promise an update soon but I can't, story! The most I can do is have a chapter out by mid-December at the most. Sorry again, I'll try harder to keep up! ^-^ Hope you guys understand!
~ The supposedly dead author, BK0011
Chapter 4. Torn
The bell rang loudly, accompanied with cheers and the sound of chairs screeching as they were pushed backwards. Students started chattering, gathering their things and stuffing them into backpacks. The teacher sighed, collected his things, then called out a faint 'See you tomorrow, class!' before hurrying out. Lockers were opened, chairs were upturned, the noises died down, and at last the room was completely quiet. Well, except for the muted muttering of Yui Hongou. Her satchel was open, and she was carefully putting in her books, arranging them in an orderly fashion. When at last her packing was done, she zipped the stylish bag shut, checked her watch and, muttering some more, headed out of the room for a student council meeting (she was secretary).
***
"Hongou-san, I take it that you've written all that is needed?" Sawa, head of the student council, was adjourning the meeting. "Of course, Takahashi-san." Yui stretched, clicked her pen closed. These meetings are so formal. I'll be glad to escape to the library after. Her fingers still hurt from taking down notes. She shot a glance at them, seeing snatches of her neat script. This week's session was about the usage of cellular phones in the school premises. Tiresome. "All right, then. Next week, same time. Rumiko-san and I will speak to Miss Sakuya about our decision. You may leave." Yui tucked her notebook under her arm, and left quickly. She wanted to get to the library as soon as possible, because she wanted to return a book and browse through the newest selections as well. But when she got to the school gates, a steady rain was falling, and apparently she had forgotten her umbrella. "I'm always the lucky one, aren't I?" She grumbled, then paused as she took out her own cellular phone and began dialing her mother's office.
"Hey! Going out?" She froze. Oh, no!
He popped up behind her, fanning out an umbrella as he did so. Yui kept quiet. She didn't even dare to look at him. Not now. Not when I was doing so well. She had been doing well in ignoring him. During lunch, she made sure that her group - Miaka, Tetsuya, Keisuke and Taka - stayed far away from where Kotou and Shun ate. And although he sat next to her in the classroom, they barely talked to each other, and when they did, or when they had to, she never spoke, only nodded or shook her head. Group works went easy too - he had already made friends with some students (quite the talker he was), so she needn't be paired up with him, unless it was by seating arrangement, of course. So why did he have to appear and spoil everything for her, now? "Oi! Hongou-san. I've got an umbrella. I could take you home."
And yet, he's still so friendly, after I've been so horrid to him. I could kill myself. Well, I can't ignore him forever. She turned, putting on her best smile. "Thank you very much, Takada-san, but-" "Ah, just call me Shun." "Yes, well then, Shun, I'm afraid I'm headed for the library, and it's quite a walk from here. Don't worry - I can call my parents." She waved her cellphone stupidly. "The library?" "Yes, the big one in the business district. I have an overdue book." "Well, isn't that lucky! I'm supposed to go there too! Come on then, we can go together." Yui opened her mouth to say something, but the words stuck in her throat. What can I do now? "Ah - no, I mustn't. It's fine. My parents might want me home - and..." He looked at her. She swallowed. Their eyes met. "Hey, hey. It's okay. You don't have to accompany me if you don't want to. I'm cool with it, if you dislike me that much. It's just kinda rude, you know? I'm sorry if something happened yesterday, but if it's going to be like this, then..." He trailed off. Averting his gaze, he tried to look elsewhere, but Yui knew that his eyes were really on her. Loathing her. Glaring. They were hurt and upset, those blue eyes. I'm never going to escape from them. Something inside Yui shattered. What's wrong with me? Why am I doing this?
"Ahh, forget it." Suddenly he was grinning again, though not at her - at the rain. "I better go. See you, Hongou-san!" He started off, walking jauntily, not looking back - 'till Yui called his name. "Shun!" He stopped, quiet. He had only gotten as far as the sidewalk, anyhow. Yui could have hit herself. What am I doing? Way to go, Yui! This is swell! "Yes?" There was something teasing in his voice. Her face flushed scarlet. Damn! "I - I called my parents. They'll be out till seven, so it's okay for me to go the library. Um...I don't have a ride. The car is being used by my Aunt Shiomi, and I don't have money for the train, so..." The umbrella was suddenly over her head. She was out of breath from lying, and yet she could feel some relief in her. She gave a small smile. I can be nice to him, at least. After all, Suboshi was my friend - at least, I think he was. What difference would it make if Shun was, too? I'm not interested in him anyway - not in that sense, at least. "Hongou-san?" "Yui, if you please." "You should say thank you." "Oh - excuse me. Thanks." He laughed.
"Just kidding."
***
"So what do you plan on doing in the library, anyway?"
She scratched at her knee while they waited for the stoplight to change color. "Oh, Kotou and I decided to get a part-time job each, so we could help mom and dad settle in. We're both working in the library, but I had to talk with Mr. Kazuki for a bit, so he asked if he could go on ahead. He's probably there already. Besides, I want to earn some bucks - and it's a good opportunity to met new people, too." They crossed the street before talking again. The rain was still falling, but the umbrella was big enough to cover both of them, and more. It was dark blue and plain, with a team name written on the side. Yui guessed it was of some baseball or soccer team. She wasn't really the athletic type, though she did go for a run once in a while. "Do you play any sport?" Yui questioned. "Oh! Yeah. Glad you asked. I played baseball before - resident batter of my team. I had to leave them when we moved, of course, but maybe I can get into the varsity here." "What about Kotou?" "Him? Haha! He doesn't have a sporty bone in his body. He's more of the musical type - played the flute for the school choir, and had a few recitals already. Cool guy."
They rounded a corner, stepping in perfect harmony. Yui was feeling more comfortable with him by the minute, though she wasn't sure if she was supposed to feel that way. After all, wasn't it only the same day when she had showed him around the school most bossily? I regret it now, though. "The teachers seem to favor you a lot, hm?" Plik plik plik...the raindrops bounced off the umbrella. "Please don't start on that. I've already been called 'teacher's pet' enough, thank you." "N-no, I didn't mean it that way! Really. I just think you're intelligent." Yui could feel herself redden. "I'm just diligent, that's all. I could help you, if you want me to. We are neighbors after all." Quietude settled upon them as the library drew nearer. "Do you work there, too?" Shun gestured with his hand. "No, but it's almost like my second home. I'm quite the reader." Yui reflected on how her love for books had helped her in numerous situations, except for the biggest one of all - her stay in the Book of the Four Gods. Instead of helping her, it had gotten her into a LOT of trouble.
"Well! Guess we're here already. So this is where we part ways, huh?" "I suppose so." They stood at the entrance of the building, neither one really wanting to go in at all. It seemed nicer to just stand here in the rain...together. Yui was the first one to take courage, though. The blonde pushed the door open, and entered. Shun closed his umbrella, hung it on the rack, then followed. He headed for the circulation counter to speak with the librarian, while Yui hurried for the History and Geography section, which was the topic of her research. She trailed her finger on the shelf, searching for the right title.
"May I help you, Miss?" A pleasant voice came out from behind her. Without turning, Yui nodded. "Ah, yes. I was looking for 'The Great Emperors of Ancient Rome'. Would you by any chance know where it is?" "Oh, I'm sorry, miss, but that book has already been checked out. We do have other references that you might want to use, though - this one, and this..." Yui turned to look at him, as he began picking books off the shelf. Her eyes bugged.
"Shun! How'd you get here so quick?" The boy stopped collecting books and glanced at her. "Oh, Miss Hongou! It's me, Kotou, from yesterday." Yui snapped her head around to the main counter, where Shun was still filling out his information sheet. Oh, right...silly me, he DID say he had a twin. Yui slapped herself mentally and then turned back to Kotou, who smiled at her and stretched out his hand. "I suppose I should say, 'pleased to meet you', again. Kotou Takada." "Yui Hongou." She took his hand and shook it. "I'm on duty now and I can't chat for long, but would you like to come over later? My parents want to make up to you for yesterday." Yui nodded. "I'll see if my homework will allow it." "Well, here are the books. Choose one - they're all very helpful. I hope you find what you're looking for!" With a last nod of the head, he went away, looking for someone who needed his help.
Yui rifled through the selections he had picked, checking through the tables of content. Finally, she set the other books back on the shelf and walked to her table in triumph. She opened 'The Royalty of Early Roman Times' and quickly began taking notes. She was halfway done when her vision was suddenly blinded by two hands clapped over her eyes. "Guess who?" "Please. You know I don't like it when you do that, Tetsuya." He brought down his hands and took a seat beside her, grinning. "All right, all right. Cool down, Yui-chan." She sighed and continued taking notes. "What brings you here, to your biggest rival? I thought you hated the library." "I don't hate it - I just don't like it when you spend too much time here. And besides, it's only my biggest rival...for you." "So it is." "I just wanted to see your face. I knew you'd be here." "Thank you." He fidgeted a little, then spoke again. "Ne, Yui, how'd you get here without getting drenched? It's not likely that your parents would give you a ride at such a short notice...and the rain's really going down hard." Yui tilted her head a bit, trying to sound indifferent. "Somebody offered to take me." "Aw, you should have called me. I would've come." "That's sweet of you." He reached for her hand, and she made no moves to avoid it, even if she felt a strong urge to do so.
"Hey, Yui." He leaned in close and whispered. "Doesn't that guy by the counter creep you out?" Yui looked. It was only Shun. She tried to find any creepy-looking guy beside him, but couldn't. "No, I don't see anyone that looks less than ordinary." Tetsuya pointed him out. "That guy, right there. The blondie - he looks just like that demented yo-yo boy of yours." Yui turned to Tetsuya, shocked. "Suboshi was not demented~!" Tetsuya let out a low laugh. "Well, compared to Nakago he certainly wasn't. After all that you and Miaka told me, I'd say that general was a complete madman. I suppose Subo-what's-his-face was just sadistic - like all your other seishi." Yui stood up, grabbing her books. My seishi weren't sadistic OR demented! They were just misunderstood, like everyone else - only nobody eventually understood them - except for me. She hurried away.
"Hey! Matte! Yui-chan -" Tetsuya caught up with her, putting a hand on her shoulder. "I-" She pushed past him, walking as quickly as she could. At last she reached the circulation counter, shoving her book at the librarian, Mrs. Futori. "I'm borrowing it. Yui Hongou, student. Yotsubadai High." The librarian handed the book to Shun, who was standing at her side. "Stamp the check-out card in the back. Sign it." She turned and started looking for Yui's library card. Shun stamped the card, then handed the book back to Yui. "You forgot to sign it, Hongou-san." Darn! "A pen, please?" He handed her one. She took it, and was writing her name rapidly, when Tetsuya came up again. "Yui, I didn't think you'd care about it. I thought you hated your seishi as much as I did! You do, don't you?" Yui's head spun. I don't want to hear about it - don't want to hear the word seishi! Shun glanced up at Tetsuya. "Good afternoon, sir. Can I help you?" Tetsuya ignored him, pressing Yui on. "Come on, Yui, what did I say? Why are you mad?"
The librarian, who had finally found Yui's card, tapped Tetsuya on the shoulder. "Be quiet, young man. The library is no place to argue." He lowered his voice, but kept on, hovering around Yui. Mrs. Futori turned to the frazzled girl and handed her the small cardboard sheet. "Just write in the book's title, the date today, and your ID number." Yui scribbled furiously, trying to ignore Tetsuya's worried questions. "I'm sorry, sir, but it doesn't look like Hongou-san wants to converse with you right now." Shun's voice was steely as he said this. Yui raised her head. The twin was glaring at Tetsuya, who glared back steadily. "Come off it, this is none of your business." "Maybe it's not, but you shouldn't force a girl to talk to you like that." "Oh? And who are you to tell me that?" "Shun Takada. I'm Hongou-san's classmate." "Tetsuya Kawajiri. I'm Hongou-san's boyfriend." Yui could feel the tension between them. Her face grew hot. "Tetsuya, stop it. Let's discuss this outside." The librarian stamped her card, handed her the book and nodded. "Yes, you two had better go outside. You're making quite a fuss here." Yui glanced around here. People were staring. Yui took her book and began to stalk away.
"Hey!" Both Tetsuya and Shun started after her. Yui turned, her heart thudding.
SLAP!!
She rushed outside and into the freezing rain.
***
One's tugging at the side,
Another pulling here,
And I'm getting torn, torn,
Me, and my heart.