New chap again! I'll make up for my supreme laziness in the past ^^
FlamerBitch ~ Er…I had supposed you'd know it'd be a Mary Sue once you see the words "Self-Insert". Thanks for taking time to review!—Don't you have anything to say about the story? Ah, well…^^;;
Butthead ~ Haha, sorry if I look like someone who is too conscious of reviews XD I'm not really, but in order to know whether I'm improving or not, I need feedback from your people, right? But thanks for speaking your mind anywayz! *bows*
Maybe I could revise this from the beginning…if I have the time to do so ^_^ For now please bear with me as I stick to my plan. But now that I know what you guys want, I would avoid these mistakes in the future. Ne? ^_^
11 ~ Sweet Sixteen
"Even if we know it's cruel, what other choice do we have but to follow our path?"
"You left out one thing: Whoever said there is only one path?" – from Gensoumaden Saiyuki
"Look, Kaoru-chan! They're looking at us—we're becoming popular!" Fuki tossed her grayish black hair over her shoulder to get a big impression by the crowd of students watching them, although they were in truth taking a look at the probably most unique teenager they have ever seen.
The would-be new student on the other hand observed the buildings one by one to get the feel of the surroundings strange to him. This is going to be my second home for the next few years or so. I have to blend in—I really need that, he added in his mind as he saw the sea of people eyeing his hair. He could also faintly hear parts of conversations.
"Is that a new hairstyle from the US or something?"
"Is red 'in' this season?"
Or even "Gosh, that new kid's a walking flower!" and the sort.
One freshman girl strode over to him and adjusted her ponytail before asking in a very soft and shy voice, "Hey, are you…um…a boy or a girl?" The baffled outsider coughed a little—probably from shock—before answering, "Uh, boy, I guess." The girl smiled up at him (she's really short compared to the new guy), and sauntered away.
Am I really that strange-looking to these people? He heard shushed voices as the three of them went by the corridors during dismissal. After a few minutes he politely tapped Kaoru's shoulder. "If you don't mind, who are those girls and what are they doing?"
Kaoru turned around to see what he was referring to. "Oh them? They're the Rukawa Shinietai (R. Brigade)." The girls in cheerleading uniforms were in a perfect cheering formation executing high jumps and kicks while shouting, "Love me love me love me RUKAWA! YAY!". "They cheer every game and practice session Rukawa-kun's in. You know him already, don't you?"
"Yeah, I heard him before in my old school. He's kind of popular," the boy agreed.
One cheerleader (that girl wearing "KA" and part of the "Rukawa Three") went over, her face registering insult. "What do you mean 'kind of'?! That's below understatement! We demand respect from you to our Rukawa-sama!"
The other girl (this time wearing "RU") butted in. "Don't bother telling him that. He must be an accomplice of that freak Sakuragi! See, he has red hair too!"
Who's Sakuragi? He wondered as the third ("WA") got beside the other two. "Oh my God, this place is already creeping with redhead jerks who are trying to beat our beloved Rukawa-kun!"
The "RU" girl nodded. "Don't worry. We are here to protect our love and get rid of the pests!"
"So yo! So yo (Right! Right!)!" the other backups chorused, their pompoms in the air.
"I think we'd better vamoose," Fuki commented. Kaoru nodded. "Yeah, before they break us apart."
They pushed the boy away to the entrance of the school cafeteria. "Ahem, now this is our caf, where we obviously take our lunches. Noodles are the best choice, but the veggies here aren't so bad either."
"So now we showed you the classrooms, the corridors, the cafeteria…" Fuki trailed off as she can no longer add another. "So where else?"
The new guy suggested, "How about the gym?"
Kaoru shook her head. "Sorry, but it's off-limits right now for the basketball players. It was never like that before, but it might be some sort of secret training." She picked a flower from the bush nearest to them. "Why are you interested? Are you a basketball player, or just a fan?"
He scratched his head thoughtfully. "You might say that."
"Okay! That's all for today!" Ryota as the new captain and replacement of Akagi called for a dismissal as the others headed straight to the locker room. "Mitsui-sempai, are you coming to Akari-chan's party?"
"Aa (yeah)," the three-pointer replied as he took off his shirt, dripping with sweat. "I'm still wondering why she chose us, though. What about you, Akagi?"
Akagi was already dressed in respectable-looking slacks (hey, at least it wasn't a gorilla suit ^_^). "I'm in. Too bad she didn't invite Kogure."
"She did." The glasses-wearing senior contradicted, wearing a normal outfit: checkered shirt and dark pants, and his hair was combed primly. He followed the others go out of the crowded room. "She just called our house last night and invited me. Where's Sakuragi?"
"Here!" The red-haired monkey of the club answered, inside the showers. "I'm still preparing!!"
Akagi took out a little box wrapped neatly in colored paper and a big bow nestled on top. "Okay, it's still intact. So where's Rukawa?"
"He left about thirty minutes ago, Akagi."
Mitsui frowned a little as the kitsune's name was brought up. "I really can't get that guy. A while ago he looked like he couldn't wait to get out of practice, and he looked really tired when he just entered the gym. Is that a bad sign, or is he excited about her little get-together?"
"Duh! I'm voting for the first one." Ryota made some last-minute touches to his wrinkled shirt. "Hurry up, Sakuragi, or we'll be late!!"
Sakuragi emerged from the locker room grumpily, but his outfit still looked the same as always, just a white shirt and the same school pants.
"What the, you baka!!" Miyagi spat out as he took a glance at the freshman. "You made us wait too much just to see you wear like garbage as always?! You are going to embarrass us in front of the Americans!"
"Oh yeah? You look you could use a really good makeover yourself!!" They started to make a fight as two fists hit their sorry heads. "You two monkeys! STOP WASTING TIME AND LET'S GO!!"
"Wakateru, Gori, you don't have to punch me…"
"Hi guys, you made it here!" Ellyta welcomed them warmly on the front gate. The starting five of Shohoku was, indeed, present and accounted for: Sakuragi was being pulled in the ear by the Gorilla Former Captain, Akagi Takenori, who was wearing slacks. Mitsui looked absolutely devilish in his slick jacket, and Miyagi right in his heels was wearing a buttoned-down shirt. Kogure looked handsome in his checkered shirt.
And Sakuragi…well, he looks the way he is everyday. "Sorry we're late, Akari-chan, it's this monkey's fault!" they apologized.
The only person missing in the entrance was the ace of Shohoku. Did he reject my invitation? She asked herself queasily, but on the surface she looked pleasant in her kimono-type dress with long sleeves. "Come on inside, dinner's ready!"
"Whoa, what a house!" Sakuragi and the others were astonished as they entered Ellyta's place, an old-fashioned Japanese house with hanging lanterns on the trees that surrounded the area with different dimmed colors. It is a little close to being a mansion, but these kind of houses were said to have been ancient palaces of the past Emperors, and they're only seen by historical pictures in Kanagawa. Now it seemed the players were inside their Japanese History book. "It's nothing like the modern houses and buildings in Japan," Akagi whistled.
Mitsui was speechless for a few moments. "It's really grand, but homey."
"Aren't we a little too dressed for this place?" Miyagi asked uneasily as he looked at his teammates' appearances as if they were attending a fancy ball.
"You all look great," Ellyta complimented. "I really like your outfit, Kogure-sempai."
Kogure smiled at her. "You too, Ellyta."
Sakuragi snuck up between the pleasantries. "Oi, oi, what about me? I'm a lot better-looking than the usual genius, if that's possible! Nyahahahaha!!!"
"Uruse (shut up), Hanamichi!" Akagi pulled his ear once more. This time it was starting to stretch from all the torture it received. "You look more like a ruffian to the rest of us!" The others laughed and Ellyta slid open the door for them.
The room was enchanting to the eyes of the modern citizens of Japan (or China if you think about it). Antiques were everywhere and porcelain decorations like cats and handmade fans stood on a beautiful shelf. They could only stare at the stuff in amazement as they followed the blonde to the dining room located in the far corner of the house. They paused at the entryway.
Sitting in the low table in front of them was a lavish feast, all coming from old Japanese recipes. "Wow!!! This is paradise!" Sakuragi immediately went to one side and rubbed his hands together with glee.
"Where are your manners, baka zaru!!" Akagi shouted at him.
"It's okay, Akagi-san. We're here to have fun!" Ellyta sat on the other end of Sakuragi and motioned for the open-mouthed others to join. "C'mon guys, you can't just stand there all night."
"Before that, Akari-chan, we brought something for you." Each of them (even Sakuragi, whoa!) handed out a gift. "Arigato (thanks)!" She took them one by one and carefully placed them in the cabinet near her, her face flushed. "You really shouldn't have."
The other three followed and knelt down on the vacant spots. Eyeing the food hungrily, they weren't sure yet where and when to begin, since this was ancient style dinner and they never listened about it in school. Man, I wish I paid more attention to class for once! the only thought in the heads of the players besides Hanamichi, who couldn't wait to grab a morsel, and Akagi who patiently waited for the host to begin as described in the History class he attentively participated in everyday like any other subject.
Ellyta cleared her throat. "Well, now that we're here, I might as well…" The sliding door in the entrance made a sound.
"Is someone there?" Kogure asked Ellyta and she shrugged in reply. Suddenly they couldn't actually believe what they saw standing in the hallway.
It was Rukawa himself! He had on a traditional yukata (or a male kimono) and tight pants, in his hands held a small present. Surprisingly he was the only member of the club who dressed right for Ellyta's party. "Rukawa-kun!" Ellyta whispered in shock. He really came here! But why… Then she remembered her guests and stood up to lead him to the table. "We're glad you decided to come in. You're just in time for dinner!"
"I'm not! You interrupted a very good time of eating!!" Sakuragi glared at him. Rukawa as usual replied, "Do ahou." The others were a little rattled with the newest guest who just arrived.
"How did Rukawa know what to wear?" Miyagi whispered to Mitsui. "It's like he's psychic or something!"
"I don't know," Mitsui whispered back. "But that Rukawa's something else. Does 'Mystery Man' ring a bell to you?" Akagi and Kogure agreed with them.
"Ok, now that idiot kitsune's here……Akari-san, hayaku (hurry up) and say what you are gonna say so we can eat!" BONK! The reward for that is—what else—a one-of-a-kind punch by the gorilla captain.
Ellyta chuckled and never felt happier in ages as she saw the complete Shohoku players—including Rukawa—were present for her party. "Okay, we might as well start now."
Sakuragi was brimming with joy. "YAY! Itadakimasu (Let's eat)!" He took a pair of chopsticks in front of him and took a piece of shrimp. As he was beginning to pop it into his mouth, he realized the silence of the room and stopped.
The others watched Ellyta close her eyes and with palms against each other she started to pray quietly. But what's eye-catching was that Rukawa—beside Akagi and Kogure—was doing the same thing. What the…? The others didn't know what else to do but follow their lead and pray, though they were occupied with something else. This is totally weird. Rukawa knows what to wear, and now he's praying. How did he manage to learn all these by sleeping in classes?
After a few minutes Ellyta and Rukawa opened their eyes and returned to their normal stance. Everyone else sighed in relief—they gave up their silly method after less than 30 seconds. The American blonde smiled and announced, "Well…Itadakimasu!"
"Hi, Hiei, I'm finally back home. Sorry I was late in calling."
"What took you so long? I was starting to think you got lost in the place."
"Sort of. I have to ask two guides to direct me to this apartment."
"Guides?"
"Never mind that. I have your schedule. You need to take the test tomorrow, by the way."
"Are you done then?"
"Yeah, I think only missed out 7 questions. Why do you want me to take it first anyway?"
"Simple. Now I would find out the answers. Write them down on a piece of paper, and make sure they're numbered."
"I should have known. Aren't you afraid the monitor will catch you tomorrow?"
"Don't worry, no one caught me in the past. You know I'm too fast for them."
"Yeah. But what if I refuse to give them?"
"You wouldn't."
"…You really know me that well, huh?"
"Of course."
"So you're gonna join me in the tryouts this year?"
"How many times do I need to tell you it's a waste of time?"
"I'm not sure. You owe me a favor, you know."
"Let me guess. If I say no, you won't give me the answers, correct?"
"Yep. You know me that well, don't you?"
"…Sometimes I wish I don't."
"I just noticed, Ellyta," Akagi began as he looked around the house after dinner. He held a glass of lemon tea while the others lay down on the floor, completely full and exhausted from the fight they made right after eating. "Where are your folks? We never saw them tonight."
It was fortunate the space was large enough for them or they might've broken an antique on the other room. They were still pretty energetic until Mitsui and Ellyta took out bottles of sake. Sakuragi was sprawled in the center, while Mitsui was dead drunk with sake in the corner of the room. Miyagi was sleeping soundly beside the rebounder and mumbling "Aya-chan…" in his sleep. Rukawa was nowhere to be found, for he was drinking in another room. "I'll kill those who will disturb me", he said.
Ellyta sipped on her tea and stretched out her arms. "My brother was the last family I had. He was my official guardian when I was still very young and he took care of this house along with his best friend Chiharu. But when he died years ago, Chiharu-san took me to America."
"I see." Kogure sat up. He didn't actually joined the fight a while ago, he just got a lot of bruises and wasted a lot of energy from stopping it. "I was asking myself a while ago how an American like you knew and lived in Japanese culture we practically never even heard about."
"I'm actually Japanese," she corrected him and she stared at the full moon behind the tranquil movement of the branches of the tree. "I asked Cloud before why we look different from the others, and he just smiled and never told me. That question went on for years."
Sakuragi yawned and rubbed his head. Ellyta looked at him behind her and smiled. "Anyway, I guess I'd better prepare the guest rooms for them."
"You mean we're going to spend the night here?" Kogure asked in wonder.
But Ellyta already stood up and carried the tray of empty glasses to the kitchen counter. "It's no big deal. I already called your parents, and I have extra rooms in the other side. As long as you don't break anything, that is." She finished washing the glasses and placed them in straight rows. "Besides, I won't do anything to you guys while you are sleeping."
"Well, sure but…" Akagi continued Kogure's indecision. "It's not that. We might, you know, invade your privacy or something. After all, you're a lone girl here and we're all guys. Aren't you feeling…"
Ellyta grinned. "Dayjoubu (Don't worry), I know you are nice people. Mitsui may be a gangster and a delinquent before, but Anzai-sensei changed him somehow. And the others may be a riot, but they're really considerate guys." She pointed to the room to her left. "I think Rukawa-kun's asleep right now there, so it would be best not to disturb him."
Akagi and Kogure had to think for a minute. "Okay. If you insist, but can't you at least throw this monkey out? He's the only one reliable enough to destroy your house." He looked at Sakuragi.
She glanced at his tired face and shook her head. "I don't know…it seems to me he's just as reckless as Rukawa-kun, so no harm done."
"Just as reckless as Rukawa?" Akagi echoed in disbelief. Did she say that for real? But Ellyta didn't add more to that and headed for the stairway. "I'm going to prepare your rooms. Can you two help me bring them up here? They look like they could sure use a hand."
~*Next Chapter – He's Not Only Asleep…*~
Ek…I can't think of a better title…………T.T