Title: Colleague

Author: Kuroi Tenshi [kuroi_22@hotmail.com]

Pairing(s): SenKosh ::waves flaglets happily:: ; SenRu; RuHana

Warnings: Shounen Ai; Uhm, words? Cursing (A lot, so be warned!)

Rating: PG-15

===================

Part 4

            "This is just great," he muttered under his breath as he stood behind a couple who were intent on accomplishing their current mission in life: making the guy's tongue a part of the girl's esophagus.

            He looked around, trying to ignore the indecent display of public affection done by the couple. But it only made him all the more embarrassed. It seemed to him that tonight was Couple Night. Couples were standing in line for the movie. And those who weren't were walking hand in hand around the crowded boulevard. He should have known. Weekends were generally known as Date Nights.

            Shoving his hands deeper in his pockets, Koshino frowned. The reason he decided to spend majority of the night in the theater was so he wouldn't have to see couples swarming all over the place. It seemed as if his plan was a doomed failure even before it has commenced. He was being bombarded with images of couples doing things that should've been reserved only in the privacy of their homes and rooms.

            And other than the reason stated previously (though a voice in his mind is arguing rather violently that there is another reason), he steadfastly refuses to acknowledge said "nonexistent" reason. He was there to watch the movie, period. The movie. Nothing else. The movie. THE MOVIE.

            As he moved forward to pay for the ticket, he noticed that thankfully, the couple stopped necking at last. They paid for their tickets and entered through the doors. He did the same, still wondering whether Reiko's insanity has spread and has infected him with her disease.

            It was madness that pushed him to even allow her to lock him out. And what's worse, he was seating in a dim theater surrounded by couples taking full advantage of the darkness to grope and do other things he would rather pretend not happening within his immediate vicinity.

~*~*~*~

            Hanamichi fixed the collar of his jacket and adjusted it so that it obscured his face even if just a little. He didn't know what the hell possessed him to come.

            Maybe I'm having an attack of temporary insanity, he thought quietly as he opened the door and blinked as his eyes adjusted to the sudden darkness. I've heard some girls talk about this and from what they say, it's perfectly normal… I think. Maybe I should have my head checked. This was a mistake, he decided.

            Why would I want to go there anyway? He sidestepped the couple, who appeared to be in deep lip-lock, leaning against the wall and continued with his musings. He knew it might break his poor mother's heart when she finds out that her only child has succumbed into the black void called lunacy but he figured she'd survive.

            It was only temporary anyway.

            As soon as he figures out what the hell is bothering him, he'll be okay. Whatever it is that's causing him sleepless nights for the past five weeks would disappear after he confronts it… once the mystery of what it is exactly is revealed.

            He squinted as he searched row after row for a seat. He spotted one but decided against it when he saw a couple doing more than watching the movie at the seat's left. It wouldn't help his already-fragile state of mind to hear their wanton cries of pleasure.

            He finally saw one near the middle row and made his way toward it. He figured it was safe enough since the couples on the row were actually watching the movie (thank you, Lord!) and a lone figure sat next to the empty seat amid the couples.

            "Excuse me… sorry… excuse…" he said as he trekked his way toward the seat. As he plopped down on the chair, he saw the one occupying the seat behind him and he stared at the familiar face. "Koshino?"

            Koshino knew the night was turning out to be more and more bizarre as the seconds trickled by. For one thing, he was watching a romantic movie all alone surrounded by necking couples (thank goodness none of said couples were in front or beside him otherwise a room in the nearest asylum is called for). Second, he was sure he recognized the voice of the young man making his way toward the empty seat next to him.

            He stared at the profile nearing, doing his best to identify him with the help of the poor lighting. When said man sat next to him, the name finally surfaced from deep within his brain but surprise took over and he was rendered speechless.

            "Koshino?" Sakuragi Hanamichi exclaimed.

            Just that moment, the poor lighting from the screen was blocked when a couple sat exactly three rows in front of them.

            It was Sendoh and Rukawa.

            The ones who went to the movie solo stared at the newcomers then turned to each other. "Are you—?" they both asked at the same time. Then stared at the two seated rows ahead.

            "NO FUCKING WAY!" they both exclaimed at the same time, blushing deep scarlet.

            They both nodded and settled into their seats, keeping their eyes fixed on the screen, eyes shifting periodically from the screen to the couple in front, then to each other then back to the screen. After ten minutes of eye straining shifting of eyes and awkward silence, they broke the false stillness.

            "I'm just here because my crazy sister locked me out of the house," Koshino said, explaining though the younger boy said nothing.

            "I was bored at my house so I decided that watching a movie could be fun," replied the redhead.

            After another minute, they both sighed. It was obvious what they were doing. But no one wanted to admit it; they were both happily lost in the Land of Denial.

            "I just—just wanted to see how well Sendoh's date is going, since I helped him," Koshino lied.

            "And I wanted to see for myself how the stupid kitsune will humiliate himself in his date," Hanamichi readily supplied. "Things seem to be going well."

            "Do you think they spotted you?"

            "No, what about you?"

            "I don't think so either. I only got here few minutes ago. Had you been trailing them for long?"

            Hanamichi reddened. "Not long… just from the stupid fox's house… But I stopped when they went to that hole in the wall resto. I went to Danny's to eat. Then went here ahead of them… not that I'm really intent on stalking kitsune or anything but if he makes a fool out of himself, I don't want to miss it."

            "Not that Sendoh's love affairs concern me but since I helped him a bit as his best friend…" Koshino shrugged then trailed off for a few seconds. "I wanted to see for myself how well my help… helped." He finished lamely.

            The one next to him nodded absently, seemingly intent on boring a hole on the back of the spiky-haired young man's head. "That stupid fox making a spectacle of himself is not to be missed, especially not by this Tensai!"

            They both lapsed into silence again before Koshino shrugged. "After this stupid movie, how about ice cream? I think I need to cool my head off."

            "Why wait for the damn thing to be over? Let's go already. I don't think I can take any more of this crap."

            Misery indeed loves company.

~*~*~*~

            "How does it feel?"

            Koshino looked up from his melted Choco Frenzy and looked at the redhead in front of him. Hanamichi was slumped on the table; head resting on the plastic top and staring at his own dejected, long-forgotten goo of what was once a colossal serving of Glutton Feast, which consisted of all 35 flavors. "How does what feel?"

            "How does it feel to bring two people in love together?"

            "Are we talking about Rukawa and Sendoh?"

            "How does it feel to bring them together?"

            "I didn't bring them together. I merely advised him a bit and such… it was really their own doing, really…"

            "Still, how does it feel? Do you feel satisfied that you brought two people who obviously had feelings for each other together?"

            "Why are we talking about this?" Koshino asked, trying to evade the question. He didn't think he could trust himself to answer that question just yet. He had the feeling he could never answer the question without feeling like a total hypocrite.

            "Just wonderin'…" Hanamichi straightened a little and sat upright, taking his spoon and playing with the ominous-looking purplish gooey substance.

            "I think someone's had a little too much ice cream," Koshino said, smiling a little while he played with his own desert. They remained silent again, both playing with their food.

            After leaving the theater, they deposited themselves in a booth tucked at the corner of SweetShoppe where they allowed two hours of friendly and jovial chattering to pass by. But after the first few hours, they got tired of talking and simply lapsed into silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

            "You still haven't told me. How it feels."

            Koshino set his spoon down and stared at the muddy liquid in front of him and refused to meet the redhead's inquiring brown eyes. Well, a damn hypocrite he was. "It felt good, very fulfilling. I felt like I did something so wonderfully…right." He almost had to spat the last word out. "I kind of felt that the two of them belonged together."

~*~*~~

Dear Sayaka,

            Now, don't get me started with calling you Sayaka-neesama or something as stupid as that. Hi-chan doesn't call me nor does he show me anything remotely related to traditional older sibling respect so… kiss my ass, Sayaka!

            In response to your letter two months ago (sorry, it got buried underneath the other art catalogues I had that I only saw it again when I cleaned my drawer last night), here's my supposedly monthly report. Things are still not going as planned. And before you go start streaming off with threats and promises of making my life hell for not keeping my solemn vow, hear me out first.

            Lance, the Greek god from Europe. Still a failure.

            I'm starting to think Hi-chan is doomed to be single forever. All my efforts for the last five months you've been away can be summarized it two words: BLOODY FAILURES. Had I not met Kogure Kourin (older sister of Ryonan's rival team's vice captain) I think I would've lost all hope. She's a pych student, by the way. And into match making, like... ahem… the goddess of the Craft herself.

            I need you here! Psychological terrorism can only go so far as making those who've been unjustly wronged (bodily damaged, to be more exact) keep quiet and not press charges against our dear little brother for his temper. I need a Real Pro (not that I'm saying I'm not, I just need reinforcement).

            I was hoping this certain person would be The One we've been waiting for since him but I'm sadly mistaken. He seems taken... or will be. Damn. But I really had high hopes for this one. I was sure it would only take a few more push before he professes his undying love for him. There were complications, of course, since I know you know about him through your own sources as he keeps Hi-chan's company. But… bloody hell.

            Who would've thought it would be this hard to get your little brother to be happy? Why the hell did he have to outgrow the stage where candies were his one and only true love? Then we could've brought him an entire candy factory to keep him happy!

            The things you do for family. And you owe me big time for this, sis. Just because you're dosing yourself with ecstatic fervor raiding all the Parisian boutiques there in France under the pretense of studying their culture and way of living doesn't mean you can dump all the hard work on me. I demand justice!

            Therefore, I'll see you in a few weeks. Otherwise, you might find your whole family standing outside the door of your chic French flat with the savage desire to stay there for more than three weeks.

            I miss you (remember, I like chocolates with almonds, ok? Dark chocolate is a definite no-no). Oh, by the way, I remember keenly Daddy saying you'd better not bring back a whole boutique as your wardrobe when you come for a visit. I don't think dear ol' Papa found it funny that a truck was hired for your luggage. I'll see you in three weeks, no more, preferably less, got it? And yes, Daddy and Hi-chan sends their love (Daddy said a bottle of wine would be great while Hi-chan demands the leather jacket you promised him from last time).

P.S. Oh, and guess what? The one I've been telling you about is this close to hitting it home with pretty boy. Can you believe it? I really thought he was the one for Hi-chan. Damn it all to hell. And they even look great together, almost as cute as he and Hi-chan had they been a couple!

The ever-dependable sister,

Reiko

~*~*~*~

            "Is it just me or are we seeing two outsiders too much lately?" Mitsui commented, dribbling the ball expertly while looking at the four at the far end of the gym cleaning. Correction, three of them were cleaning while one stood idle by another's side.

            Kogure turned at the direction his lover was looking at and smiled. "I think it's nice of them to drop by. It shows that they're good sports. They're not letting the competition get to their heads. I sense no hostility around."

            Mitsui eyed Hanamichi and Koshino who stood closer to each other while Rukawa and Sendoh continued to mop the floor. Hanamichi clutched his mop tighter for a few seconds before he resumed his work. Koshino only shrugged and did his best to get out of the way. He shrugged and eyed those carefully still. "At least the kind of hostility born from court games." He only smiled and shook his head when his boyfriend gave him a confused stare.

            Koshino leaned against the wall, trying his damnedest to keep still and not to fidget. Watching Sendoh moping floors side by side with Rukawa wasn't exactly his idea of spending his afternoon fruitfully. And contrary to what Sendoh promised him earlier that afternoon, he was not having fun.

            Hanamichi continued to mop somewhere nearby, pausing every now and then to shoot dirty glances at the two. Then he would catch Koshino's eyes and his cheeks would flame and he'd go back to working on the floor. Koshino knew he'd have to be stupid not to know how the redhead felt about the fox-eyed boy. And he knew the same redhead was probably unaware of his feelings. He knows he's feeling something for Rukawa but he's not aware of what exactly it is yet. It made the Ryonan player want to smack some sense into his thick read-headed skull. He's letting the boy get away if his only plan of action consisted of standing idly by while Sendoh whisked Rukawa away as he mopped floors.

            Damn, he was being a hypocrite again.

            He sighed and his frown deepened. He was being stupid again. He shouldn't be feeling this way. No, not again. He barely survived the first time and he's being stupid all over again. This would not do. Ramming his head against a brick wall would be better than experiencing that nightmare again. He's learned his lesson before; there's no need for a repeat performance on that one.

            Koshino straightened and walked toward Sendoh, who, during all those times, was showering the Ice Man with his sunny smiles and funny anecdotes that even brought a small smile to the younger boy's lips. He tapped his best friend on the shoulder and waited impatiently for Sendoh to acknowledge the fact that there is life outside of Rukawa after all.

            "Oh, hey," Sendoh said distractedly, transfixed by the sight of Rukawa's slender hands gripping the mop handle rather sensuously.

            I just wanted to say that you're a complete ass, Koshino said in his head but held his tongue. "I'm leaving. I just remembered that Reiko asked me to drop by the gallery to pick something up. I'll see you tomorrow. Or maybe not," he said when he noticed that Sendoh was looking at the pale boy with the mop and all the words coming out of his mouth entered and exited his ears without registering in his brain. Sendoh didn't even find it the least bit odd that Koshino was going to his sister willingly without arming himself.

            The shorter boy slowly nodded, biting the inside of his cheeks to keep himself calm. It seemed his true worth to his friend was slowly revealing itself when faced with Icicle Prince. Obviously, nothing compares to a block of ice. Not even more than a year of friendship.

            He trusted his true friend—best friend—to know, of all people, that he was not feeling well and that there was something bothering him. Well, he was sadly disappointed. "Goodbye, Sendoh," Koshino said icily before brushing past him and stalking toward the door.

            It was only until he had completely left that Sendoh noticed his friend's absence. "Hiro-kun?" He looked around, puzzled. He didn't understand why Koshino stormed off like that without telling him a reason.

            Rukawa paused to stare at him then went back to mopping, but not before he saw the disapproving shake of head from Hanamichi. He felt the side of his lips moved a little but ignored the sudden delight rushing into his system. He had floors to mop.

~*~*~*~

            Koshino threw open the door and marched toward the empty workstation Reiko usually occupied in the gallery. He grabbed the staple gun from the countertop and attacked the wooden table ferociously.

            The employees at the gallery didn't even blink an eye when he started murdering the countertop. Reiko paused from where she was twirling the black telephone cord around her finger as she spoke her friend on the other line. "What was that sound?" she repeated the question asked by the girl at the other end after a loud crash. "Oh, my brother's not feeling too well. He should be taking out the fireworks kit any second now…"

            The Ryonan player pulled the drawer out violently, grabbing the kit he himself stored there. He needed to blow something up. He grabbed the box of matches and a handful whatever was inside the drawer and stormed toward the back room where a door leads to an open area outside. The Countertop Massacre did nothing to help soothe his nerves. It was time to bring out the rockets.

            "I hope you're calm enough to talk," Reiko said quietly, sitting next to him Indian-style on the grass. She made a face. "The grass is poking my ass. I need to have a word with the custodian about letting the grass grow this much."

            Her brother didn't even give him so much as a sideways glance. She sighed. "I do believe there's another creature I'm sharing the oxygen with in this small patch of green, overgrown grass. Am I asking too much for a response?"

            "What do you want me to say?"

            She shrugged, looking at her younger brother's profile. He was sitting on the grass, legs spread across him with used matchsticks and burned paper bits scattered all over. "God, where'd you get that awful temper of yours?" She shook her head then grinned. "That angry, huh?" he only grunted in response. "It sucks, I know. But you gotta let it go."

            "I don't know what you're talking about."

            "Have you ever heard of the word denial?"

            "Yes and I don't give a damn about what you think, Reiko. I like the word. So shoo, get lost! Don't you have another poor soul to torture?"

            "I can't," she replied. "Not when my little brother's feeling so…" She trailed off then leaned closer to him and draped an arm on his shoulders. "Despite the fact that you love calling me a heinous bitch—which I know you don't mean—I can't and won't just sit here while you're obviously not feeling well, physically and emotionally. So why don't you let me drive you home?"

            He looked at her in mild surprise before shaking his head. "You don't have to do that," he said in a low voice. "I'm alright."

            "Hiroaki, you can't live eating just ice cream. I allowed you to eat that sweet stuff for days because I know it's your 'medicine' but this has got to stop. You don't have to torture yourself this way." She paused. "That's my job."

            He couldn't help but smile at what she said. He knew this was her way of comforting him. And she was right, sweet stuff for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert was doing nothing for him but give him teeth problems. Reiko grinned and burst out laughing. "Aw, come on!" He only shook his head while his shoulders shook with silent mirth. "I'll drive you home."

            "Are you kidding? Letting you drive is like inviting the Grim Reaper for tea!!"

            "My driving's not that bad," she argued.

            "I believe the telephone booth you crashed into last summer can attest to that."

            "Damn, I hate it when you get smart."

            Reiko put on the handbrake and turned to him. "You okay?"

            "Seatbelts, God's gift to man," Koshino said, eyes wide as he opened the door. He shook his head and sighed. "There are times when I get this sudden urge to run over whoever issued you a driver's license."

            "You're welcome for the ride," she smiled sweetly at him. Then chuckled. "I'll have to go back to the Gallery since the new exhibit will be arriving from France but I'll be home before dinner."

            "Which is in thirty minutes," he said, looking at his watch. "Stuff yourself with those drive-thru thing if you can't make it. Lord knows we don't need you starving to go crazy due to lack of nourishment."

            "Yeah, I won't forget to feed myself," she grinned as he stepped out of the black BMW. He was about to head to the gate when she blew the horn to get his attention. He turned and gave her an irate scowl.

            "What now?"

            She leaned to the passenger's side to better see him and gave him a small smile. "Don't mind him," she said. "He's a real idiot if he remains oblivious to the truth right in front of him. He's letting something precious and rare get away; it's his loss."

            Something flashed in Koshino's eyes before he shrugged. "He's stupid that way."

            Reiko stared at him a little longer before nodding slowly. "It's his loss," she repeated before settling back in her seat. With one final wave to her brother, she drove away. "Baka Sendoh," she muttered. "Baka Hiroaki."

~*~*~*~

            Sendoh looked up from his food and glanced around. Still no sign of him. He sighed. Where was Koshino?

            Lunchtime was almost over yet his best friend was still nowhere to be found. He bit his lower lip and paused. Come to think of it, he hasn't seen him at all, not even before classes began when they would usually walk to class together. He stuffed the chocolate cookie in his mouth and frowned.

            He's been seeing less and less of Koshino the past few days. He figured it was because he was always busy with Rukawa but now he wasn't so sure. Rukawa doesn't go to Ryonan, right? So he and his best friend could still hang out together when they're at school. The only problem is Koshino's missing.

            Five minutes before the bell rang, Koshino finally walked into the crowded cafeteria and Sendoh stood up. He was about to wave to get his friend's attention when Koshino turned to the group of guys from his class and sat with them. One of them turned to his direction and said something, which caused the whole table to burst out laughing.

            Sendoh sat back on his seat at the empty table for two. He glanced at the empty chair in front of him and the untouched tray of food he saved for Koshino. The chocolate ice cream had already melted.

Tbc

            Liked it? Hated it? Loved it? Lost your lunch? Gifts? Threats? Praises? Mail me and tell me! Send all C&C to kuroi_22@hotmail.com