AN: Thx for all the great reviews guys. Nobody told me it felt THAT good to
have someone review. ^^ Aah! So sorry guys, I don't know what happened. I
put up the new chapter but it wasn't working. Anyway, here's the next
chapter. I decided to just leave the 1st chap as is.
ToinKs: Thx for your enthusiasm. It helps me a lot to know that ppl will want to read my work.
Amyza: I was pondering about Tsukushi and Tsukasa. I didn't know how well it would bode with the readers if I made Tsukushi together with Tsukasa or Rui due to the different opinions. Thus, I didn't really write about that but when I do decide, I'll definitely add them into the story. It was really great getting your review because I've always loved your stories!
fresh8: Thx for the correction, I was so SURE that I had put Doumyouji in the summary and realized I misspelled it throughout the whole 1st chap. Thx again.
LyCheECaNDy: Thank you so much for reviewing! Like I said, it really helps boost my self-esteem. Plz do comment on it now ^^. Even if you want to diss my story, I don't mind.
Ruth: Thx! That was mainly why I wanted to write this story, because I haven't really read one like this. Sorry about making you remember new names. ^^ As for the real F4, Mimasaka Akira DID show up in the first chapter in the very beginning. That was him dropping off Mimasaka Akemi. And don't worry, I will write them into this. Thanks for reviewing!
Kara: Thank you. I was hoping to leave it at a somewhat interesting point so everyone will come back and read it. ^^
*** Chapter 2: The Red Tag ***
Tsuki yelled nonstop about a crazy guy who had knocked her down. "I mean, what is his problem? What kind of an idiot runs in a hallway? He couldn't at least notice two extremely beautiful, sophisticated, and well dressed people going his way?"
Yusuke's eyebrows shot up, "Sophisticated? Beautiful? Maybe I am, but you?" She sounded incredulous and then turned away in a carefree manner, "Well, if you say so."
Akemi brushed her hair back, "Why are you complaining? I hear he's a hunk."
Yusuke grinned, "He sure is. Imagine a tall, dark, and handsome student dressed in the uniform except with a partially exposed, muscular chest. Man, no one looks that good in the school uniform." She sighed and fell back on the grass.
Akemi smiled maliciously, "So, are we going to let this guy get off the hook just because he's cute? I say we teach him a little lesson."
Kin opened her eyes and said her first words, "What did he do?"
"What do you mean what did he do? He ran into me! That's enough to make anyone mad!" Tsuki yelled.
"Oh?" Kin inquired, turning to the girl with short choppy, reddish hair.
Yusuke chuckled softly, "He yelled at her." She answered.
Akemi immediately burst out laughing. "Are you serious? I have got to see this guy."
Tsuki frowned, "This isn't funny. He's cheeky, I admit. Thus, I have to punish him for it."
"Fine, you want to do the usual?" Akemi asked, still laughing.
"The usual." Tsuki said with a glint in her eye.
~*~
Ryuichi leaned back leisurely in his chair at the cafeteria. There was a turn of events after his hectic first day. He was surrounded by a mass of boys and girls. It helped that he was good looking and athletic. He was charming which captivated the girls, and he was easy going, this got the guys. Ryuichi smiled, popularity does amazing things to a person.
"Oey, Ryuichi, you're so lucky." His friend grinned at him.
"Why is that?" He asked, not liking the grin his friend was giving him.
"Well, you ran into Doumyogi san, right? Dude, to be able to touch her is practically impossible. Now her friend, Akatsuka san is, like, wow."
"I totally agree," another student began, "She is always turning down offers to be a model. The whole of F4 is beautiful. Mimasaka and Hosokawa are like goddesses themselves."
"But Akatsuka, I think, is the most beautiful."
"Yeah, but it's not like anyone can get close to her."
"She's so cool and indifferent."
Ryuichi yawned loudly, waving his hand at his friends. "Akatsuka, Akatsuka, that's all I hear day in day out. Please, can we talk about something other than a long legged, black haired beauty?"
"Ah, you say that only because you have yet to meet this girl. She is amazing. Can you imagine five foot ten inches of porcelain skin topped off with a killer body, not to mention she's from one of the wealthiest families in Japan?" His friend breathed.
"Whatever, man, I frankly don't care if this Akatsuka is pretty or not. Brains and beauty don't mix, and I go for brains." Ryuichi said with closed eyes, flopped on the table.
"Uh, Ryuichi, man.she's coming this way." Came an urgent whisper and insistent poking on his arm. "Dude, I think she heard you." The whisper changed into a cheerful, falsetto tone, "H - Hi, A - Akatsuka san!"
Kin glanced nonchalantly at the boy who was stammering at her. She walked gracefully up to the student sleeping at the table and slammed her hands down on it. Ryuichi's head popped up at the loud sound and the cafeteria became instantaneously quiet.
He was confronted by arresting sea green eyes and he choked slightly, This girl is definitely the most beautiful girl in school. "Akatsuka san?"
Her lips curled upwards and she leaned forward, "What's with the formality? Call me Kin. I just wanted to have a nice chat with you, see what kind of person you are. Apparently you.retaliated when my friend blew up on you."
He frowned at her straightforwardness, "So what if I did? Jeez, everyone acts like she's a goddess or something. I'm not allowed to talk back to her?"
Kin almost laughed. "Interesting," she said and walked out of the classroom.
"That's Akastuka?!" Ryuichi asked. "Why didn't anyone tell her she was that pretty?!"
The boy's population in the class laughed heartily as Ryuichi blushed at the thought of being caught bad mouthing the girl.
~*~
Yuhara Ryuichi's days of popularity were short lived, for exactly one week after school started, he opened his locker to find the nightmare of all nightmares hanging innocently before him. The little piece of paper fluttered a little as the locker door swung upon, its red surface gleaming as though taunting him.
He plucked it from his locker and turned it around to read the carefully inscribed words on the back, "This means war." And it was signed, "F4." Ryuichi held the slip up to his friend Hayashi Hisato. "Hey man, what is this thing? Who's 'F4'?" He asked.
Ryuichi had expected his friend to calmly explain what the little red tag was. What he did not expect was for every single student in the hallway to gasp and fling themselves as far away from him as possible. That is, everyone except Hisato.
Hisato groaned and smacked his head, "I KNEW this was going to happen. C'mon, we have to get out of here. By the way, you owe me my life for helping you. God, who knows what'll happen to me now." Hisato kindly yelled (mind you, I'm being sarcastic) as he grabbed Ryuichi at the neck and went hurtling out of the school building.
When they were safely secluded in one of the many gardens of Eitoku High School, Hisato finally released Ryuichi who collapsed on the ground, gasping for air.
"Do you - mind - explaining what - what- what the hell is - going on?!" Ryuichi gasped.
"Uh, ok. Well, first things first, you're going to die." Hisato stated cheerfully before breaking down and falling on the floor next to Ryuichi. "Why did I help you? Do you realize I'm going to die with you now? Any other normal person would have done the first thing on their mind which is run away. But NO, I have to play some idiotic friend/hero and save you during your last moments of freedom."
"What are you blabbing about, Hisato?" Ryuichi asked.
"Dude, you just got the Red Tag!"
"Which is.?"
Hisato sighed, took a deep breath, and plunged into his explanation, "Basically it's a declaration of war that can only be made by the F4, the four most prominent and dare I say, beautiful girls in school. The first F4 consisted of four guys. Our F4 is the next generation. All four are from the same families and are all related in some way to the first F4. The F4 consists of Doumyogi Tsukiyama, Akastuka Kin, Mimasaka Akemi, and Hosokawa Yusuke. Anyway, the Red Tag is not only a declaration of war that turns F4 against you, but the entire school. The entire school will do whatever they can to ensure that you quit school."
"."
"Ryuichi?"
"So, why did you help me again? Do you want to get kicked out of school too?"
"No way." Hisato paused and thought for a while, "I don't know why I helped, alright? I guess I'm just too nice."
"Well, I'm not quitting school."
"Uh, I'm happy you're so determined, but I seriously doubt it's worth the risk. If it were my case, I'd simply transfer out of school."
Ryuichi stared at Hisato intently, "Are you going to stick with me throughout this?"
"I've got no choice now."
"You're a good man." Ryuichi smiled, he was glad to have met Hayashi Hisato. "Listen, can you fight?"
"Um, I take Tae Kwon Do."
"Good, if we stick together, we'll manage." He winked at his friend, "Optimism is the way to go."
"In my opinion, you're way too happy for someone who's been red tagged." Hisato said, shaking his head sadly.
Before Ryuichi could respond, they heard someone yell, "He's over here!"
"Shoot!" Ryuichi whispered, then with a nod at Hisato, the two leapt up and began running.
A horde of other male students came crashing after them, throwing eggs with deadly aim. After almost five minutes of running, Ryuichi and Hisato glanced back to see that they only had six attackers left. They stopped, gasping for air after all that running.
"Hisato, you ready for this?"
"As ready as I will ever be, Ryuichi."
They turned at the six grinning students and waited. The six guys walked up and surrounded their target, as the leader spat on the floor. "I would first like to congratulate you for managing to keep your distance for so long. That's a first. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ebina Eisuke and I will be beating you up this afternoon."
Ryuichi scoffed, "We'll see." With that, he launched himself at the nearest boy, his fist pulled back and slammed into the guy's stomach. The guy hunched over in pain and as he did, Ryuichi's elbow came down on his back with a crack. As soon as Ryuichi had attacked the first student, the rest of the little gang had swung into action.
At least one guy is down, Ryuichi thought as he was forced to flip over in the air to avoid an incoming fist. He looked over for a fleeting moment to check that Hisato was holding up. His friend had already managed to knock out one of their aggressors. He was now furiously parrying two uniformed students at once. In between, catching fists and dodging kicks, Hisato was able to kick and punch with amazing speed.
Ryuichi rocketed his leg at the leader, hoping to knock him out with a kick to the head. The guy grabbed managed to grab his leg and with one hand holding Ryuichi's ankle, the other hand flew at Ryuichi's face. Ryuichi grabbed Ebina's fist while struggling to release his foot. Before he could react, the leader's leg swung up and Ryuichi gasped in pain. He was thrown on the ground, though even if he hadn't, he would have fallen. The pain was indescribable. Ryuichi groaned and rolled to the side. He'd never been kicked there before. When he heard from others how much it hurts, he had gone out of his way to insure that that area was always.safe.
The leader stood back and smiled menacingly, "So, we did see that I've beaten you up."
"That was cheap." Ryuichi managed to moan. He forced himself to get up but as soon as he did, he was kicked in the stomach. He winced in pain but jumped up, swung in around and kicked his attacker full in the face. Without checking to see if his victim was fully out, he sprang over to Hisato and helped him.
Ebina opened his eyes. "Jeez that hurts." He gingerly touched his nose, but that caused more pain and he saw that his hand was bloodied. "That moron broke my bloody nose!" He jumped up; wincing at the pain the sudden movement caused and then reached down to pick up a fallen branch. He walked silently up to the four fighting students. He raised his arm and brought it down on the back of Ryuichi.
"Stop." A stern yet emotionless voice commanded and the branch paused mid- flight. All movement in the area came to a halt and for a few seconds, only the heavy breathing of the worn out fighters could be heard.
Akastuka Kin frowned as she laid her hand on the branch and then, grasping it, she yanked it from the student's hand. She looked pointedly at the leader, clearly asking for an explanation.
"I- We were- just following the Red Tag order, Akastuka san." He stuttered.
"Now you may leave." She said coldly.
"Y-yes! Right away, Akastuka san." And he immediately motioned for his lackeys who picked up the two fallen students and they limped out of sight.
Ryuichi stood there, still panting slightly, turning red in the face. "Thanks," he muttered.
Kin's eyebrows shot up, "I did not stop this fight for you. I do not like that guy." She said simply and then turned to leave.
"Wait!" Ryuichi called hurriedly. Kin stopped but did not turn back. "Can I make it up to you?"
She did not answer, and instead continued to walk.
Ryuichi shook his head in confusion, "What a major attitude change from the last time I saw her. I don't get that girl." He turned to his friend, "Hisato, are you okay?"
"Never been better." Hisato said sarcastically and the coughed. "So, this is going to be us, everyday from now till we graduate, or till you quit school."
"Fabulous." Ryuichi said. There were things that people shared that always made people best friends. Getting beaten up is one of those, Ryuichi thought as he and Hisato made their way back to school.
ToinKs: Thx for your enthusiasm. It helps me a lot to know that ppl will want to read my work.
Amyza: I was pondering about Tsukushi and Tsukasa. I didn't know how well it would bode with the readers if I made Tsukushi together with Tsukasa or Rui due to the different opinions. Thus, I didn't really write about that but when I do decide, I'll definitely add them into the story. It was really great getting your review because I've always loved your stories!
fresh8: Thx for the correction, I was so SURE that I had put Doumyouji in the summary and realized I misspelled it throughout the whole 1st chap. Thx again.
LyCheECaNDy: Thank you so much for reviewing! Like I said, it really helps boost my self-esteem. Plz do comment on it now ^^. Even if you want to diss my story, I don't mind.
Ruth: Thx! That was mainly why I wanted to write this story, because I haven't really read one like this. Sorry about making you remember new names. ^^ As for the real F4, Mimasaka Akira DID show up in the first chapter in the very beginning. That was him dropping off Mimasaka Akemi. And don't worry, I will write them into this. Thanks for reviewing!
Kara: Thank you. I was hoping to leave it at a somewhat interesting point so everyone will come back and read it. ^^
*** Chapter 2: The Red Tag ***
Tsuki yelled nonstop about a crazy guy who had knocked her down. "I mean, what is his problem? What kind of an idiot runs in a hallway? He couldn't at least notice two extremely beautiful, sophisticated, and well dressed people going his way?"
Yusuke's eyebrows shot up, "Sophisticated? Beautiful? Maybe I am, but you?" She sounded incredulous and then turned away in a carefree manner, "Well, if you say so."
Akemi brushed her hair back, "Why are you complaining? I hear he's a hunk."
Yusuke grinned, "He sure is. Imagine a tall, dark, and handsome student dressed in the uniform except with a partially exposed, muscular chest. Man, no one looks that good in the school uniform." She sighed and fell back on the grass.
Akemi smiled maliciously, "So, are we going to let this guy get off the hook just because he's cute? I say we teach him a little lesson."
Kin opened her eyes and said her first words, "What did he do?"
"What do you mean what did he do? He ran into me! That's enough to make anyone mad!" Tsuki yelled.
"Oh?" Kin inquired, turning to the girl with short choppy, reddish hair.
Yusuke chuckled softly, "He yelled at her." She answered.
Akemi immediately burst out laughing. "Are you serious? I have got to see this guy."
Tsuki frowned, "This isn't funny. He's cheeky, I admit. Thus, I have to punish him for it."
"Fine, you want to do the usual?" Akemi asked, still laughing.
"The usual." Tsuki said with a glint in her eye.
~*~
Ryuichi leaned back leisurely in his chair at the cafeteria. There was a turn of events after his hectic first day. He was surrounded by a mass of boys and girls. It helped that he was good looking and athletic. He was charming which captivated the girls, and he was easy going, this got the guys. Ryuichi smiled, popularity does amazing things to a person.
"Oey, Ryuichi, you're so lucky." His friend grinned at him.
"Why is that?" He asked, not liking the grin his friend was giving him.
"Well, you ran into Doumyogi san, right? Dude, to be able to touch her is practically impossible. Now her friend, Akatsuka san is, like, wow."
"I totally agree," another student began, "She is always turning down offers to be a model. The whole of F4 is beautiful. Mimasaka and Hosokawa are like goddesses themselves."
"But Akatsuka, I think, is the most beautiful."
"Yeah, but it's not like anyone can get close to her."
"She's so cool and indifferent."
Ryuichi yawned loudly, waving his hand at his friends. "Akatsuka, Akatsuka, that's all I hear day in day out. Please, can we talk about something other than a long legged, black haired beauty?"
"Ah, you say that only because you have yet to meet this girl. She is amazing. Can you imagine five foot ten inches of porcelain skin topped off with a killer body, not to mention she's from one of the wealthiest families in Japan?" His friend breathed.
"Whatever, man, I frankly don't care if this Akatsuka is pretty or not. Brains and beauty don't mix, and I go for brains." Ryuichi said with closed eyes, flopped on the table.
"Uh, Ryuichi, man.she's coming this way." Came an urgent whisper and insistent poking on his arm. "Dude, I think she heard you." The whisper changed into a cheerful, falsetto tone, "H - Hi, A - Akatsuka san!"
Kin glanced nonchalantly at the boy who was stammering at her. She walked gracefully up to the student sleeping at the table and slammed her hands down on it. Ryuichi's head popped up at the loud sound and the cafeteria became instantaneously quiet.
He was confronted by arresting sea green eyes and he choked slightly, This girl is definitely the most beautiful girl in school. "Akatsuka san?"
Her lips curled upwards and she leaned forward, "What's with the formality? Call me Kin. I just wanted to have a nice chat with you, see what kind of person you are. Apparently you.retaliated when my friend blew up on you."
He frowned at her straightforwardness, "So what if I did? Jeez, everyone acts like she's a goddess or something. I'm not allowed to talk back to her?"
Kin almost laughed. "Interesting," she said and walked out of the classroom.
"That's Akastuka?!" Ryuichi asked. "Why didn't anyone tell her she was that pretty?!"
The boy's population in the class laughed heartily as Ryuichi blushed at the thought of being caught bad mouthing the girl.
~*~
Yuhara Ryuichi's days of popularity were short lived, for exactly one week after school started, he opened his locker to find the nightmare of all nightmares hanging innocently before him. The little piece of paper fluttered a little as the locker door swung upon, its red surface gleaming as though taunting him.
He plucked it from his locker and turned it around to read the carefully inscribed words on the back, "This means war." And it was signed, "F4." Ryuichi held the slip up to his friend Hayashi Hisato. "Hey man, what is this thing? Who's 'F4'?" He asked.
Ryuichi had expected his friend to calmly explain what the little red tag was. What he did not expect was for every single student in the hallway to gasp and fling themselves as far away from him as possible. That is, everyone except Hisato.
Hisato groaned and smacked his head, "I KNEW this was going to happen. C'mon, we have to get out of here. By the way, you owe me my life for helping you. God, who knows what'll happen to me now." Hisato kindly yelled (mind you, I'm being sarcastic) as he grabbed Ryuichi at the neck and went hurtling out of the school building.
When they were safely secluded in one of the many gardens of Eitoku High School, Hisato finally released Ryuichi who collapsed on the ground, gasping for air.
"Do you - mind - explaining what - what- what the hell is - going on?!" Ryuichi gasped.
"Uh, ok. Well, first things first, you're going to die." Hisato stated cheerfully before breaking down and falling on the floor next to Ryuichi. "Why did I help you? Do you realize I'm going to die with you now? Any other normal person would have done the first thing on their mind which is run away. But NO, I have to play some idiotic friend/hero and save you during your last moments of freedom."
"What are you blabbing about, Hisato?" Ryuichi asked.
"Dude, you just got the Red Tag!"
"Which is.?"
Hisato sighed, took a deep breath, and plunged into his explanation, "Basically it's a declaration of war that can only be made by the F4, the four most prominent and dare I say, beautiful girls in school. The first F4 consisted of four guys. Our F4 is the next generation. All four are from the same families and are all related in some way to the first F4. The F4 consists of Doumyogi Tsukiyama, Akastuka Kin, Mimasaka Akemi, and Hosokawa Yusuke. Anyway, the Red Tag is not only a declaration of war that turns F4 against you, but the entire school. The entire school will do whatever they can to ensure that you quit school."
"."
"Ryuichi?"
"So, why did you help me again? Do you want to get kicked out of school too?"
"No way." Hisato paused and thought for a while, "I don't know why I helped, alright? I guess I'm just too nice."
"Well, I'm not quitting school."
"Uh, I'm happy you're so determined, but I seriously doubt it's worth the risk. If it were my case, I'd simply transfer out of school."
Ryuichi stared at Hisato intently, "Are you going to stick with me throughout this?"
"I've got no choice now."
"You're a good man." Ryuichi smiled, he was glad to have met Hayashi Hisato. "Listen, can you fight?"
"Um, I take Tae Kwon Do."
"Good, if we stick together, we'll manage." He winked at his friend, "Optimism is the way to go."
"In my opinion, you're way too happy for someone who's been red tagged." Hisato said, shaking his head sadly.
Before Ryuichi could respond, they heard someone yell, "He's over here!"
"Shoot!" Ryuichi whispered, then with a nod at Hisato, the two leapt up and began running.
A horde of other male students came crashing after them, throwing eggs with deadly aim. After almost five minutes of running, Ryuichi and Hisato glanced back to see that they only had six attackers left. They stopped, gasping for air after all that running.
"Hisato, you ready for this?"
"As ready as I will ever be, Ryuichi."
They turned at the six grinning students and waited. The six guys walked up and surrounded their target, as the leader spat on the floor. "I would first like to congratulate you for managing to keep your distance for so long. That's a first. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ebina Eisuke and I will be beating you up this afternoon."
Ryuichi scoffed, "We'll see." With that, he launched himself at the nearest boy, his fist pulled back and slammed into the guy's stomach. The guy hunched over in pain and as he did, Ryuichi's elbow came down on his back with a crack. As soon as Ryuichi had attacked the first student, the rest of the little gang had swung into action.
At least one guy is down, Ryuichi thought as he was forced to flip over in the air to avoid an incoming fist. He looked over for a fleeting moment to check that Hisato was holding up. His friend had already managed to knock out one of their aggressors. He was now furiously parrying two uniformed students at once. In between, catching fists and dodging kicks, Hisato was able to kick and punch with amazing speed.
Ryuichi rocketed his leg at the leader, hoping to knock him out with a kick to the head. The guy grabbed managed to grab his leg and with one hand holding Ryuichi's ankle, the other hand flew at Ryuichi's face. Ryuichi grabbed Ebina's fist while struggling to release his foot. Before he could react, the leader's leg swung up and Ryuichi gasped in pain. He was thrown on the ground, though even if he hadn't, he would have fallen. The pain was indescribable. Ryuichi groaned and rolled to the side. He'd never been kicked there before. When he heard from others how much it hurts, he had gone out of his way to insure that that area was always.safe.
The leader stood back and smiled menacingly, "So, we did see that I've beaten you up."
"That was cheap." Ryuichi managed to moan. He forced himself to get up but as soon as he did, he was kicked in the stomach. He winced in pain but jumped up, swung in around and kicked his attacker full in the face. Without checking to see if his victim was fully out, he sprang over to Hisato and helped him.
Ebina opened his eyes. "Jeez that hurts." He gingerly touched his nose, but that caused more pain and he saw that his hand was bloodied. "That moron broke my bloody nose!" He jumped up; wincing at the pain the sudden movement caused and then reached down to pick up a fallen branch. He walked silently up to the four fighting students. He raised his arm and brought it down on the back of Ryuichi.
"Stop." A stern yet emotionless voice commanded and the branch paused mid- flight. All movement in the area came to a halt and for a few seconds, only the heavy breathing of the worn out fighters could be heard.
Akastuka Kin frowned as she laid her hand on the branch and then, grasping it, she yanked it from the student's hand. She looked pointedly at the leader, clearly asking for an explanation.
"I- We were- just following the Red Tag order, Akastuka san." He stuttered.
"Now you may leave." She said coldly.
"Y-yes! Right away, Akastuka san." And he immediately motioned for his lackeys who picked up the two fallen students and they limped out of sight.
Ryuichi stood there, still panting slightly, turning red in the face. "Thanks," he muttered.
Kin's eyebrows shot up, "I did not stop this fight for you. I do not like that guy." She said simply and then turned to leave.
"Wait!" Ryuichi called hurriedly. Kin stopped but did not turn back. "Can I make it up to you?"
She did not answer, and instead continued to walk.
Ryuichi shook his head in confusion, "What a major attitude change from the last time I saw her. I don't get that girl." He turned to his friend, "Hisato, are you okay?"
"Never been better." Hisato said sarcastically and the coughed. "So, this is going to be us, everyday from now till we graduate, or till you quit school."
"Fabulous." Ryuichi said. There were things that people shared that always made people best friends. Getting beaten up is one of those, Ryuichi thought as he and Hisato made their way back to school.
