Chapter Three: The Next Day...
It was already 7am the next morning and the sun was only half-risen. Tidus still lay on his bed hugging his Chocobo doll snugly. His unfolded blanket was just lying on the floor. The morning sunlight which was pouring in through the window shone on his face. He tossed and turned, trying not to be forced out of bed by the bright sunlight until his father figure entered his room.
"Get up, Tidus." He told him as he spread open the curtain to let sunlight fill the room.
Tidus, still wanting to get more shut-eye, turned and hugged his stuffed Chocobo tighter. "Auron, just five more minutes. I'm still sleepy..."
"And five minutes is exactly what you have left before school starts."
Tidus rapidly got up. "What!!!? Already!!!? I can't believe I overslept!!!"
He immediately jumped out of bed and rummaged his drawer for something to wear.
Auron turned back to the door and said something to Tidus before he walked out. "Come down for breakfast later."
After around three minutes, Tidus darted to the living room, grabbed his backpack and didn't even bother to eat a few pieces of toast.
"Aren't you going to eat? " Auron called after him as he slammed the door open.
"No time, Auron! I gotta go!" He answered as he burned out, running all the way to Zanarkand High.
Auron heaved a sigh and sipped his hot chocolate. "That boy never changes...he is the same one that I knew since I met Jecht..."
Tidus rushed to Zanarkand High and didn't even stop to catch his breath. He was already late and being later is far worse. He ran faster until he reached the construction site where the accident yesterday happened. It was different from how it was yesterday. Everything was in shambles.
He stopped, partly because he was so out of breath, and partly because he wanted to reminisce on how he saved Yuna from certain death.
Panting, he walked nearer to the same place where the steel pipes caused such an impact.
"This is where I saved her..." He thought, not removing his eyes from the disfigurement on the concrete ground.
Everything flashed back to him. He saw her walking, heard the steel pipes fall and lastly...saved her. His eyes widened even more. What did he do after the pipes crashed? He dived out and then---
"Oh yeah..." Tidus finally remembered. "I hugged her and..."
He let out a small breath. "I wasn't even aware of that..."
Tidus stood there, his gaze still fixed on the damaged mark on the sidewalk. He actually couldn't believe it...then after that, she collapsed and lost consciousness. He caught her before she hit the ground and because of that, he was able to hold her in his arms. It was like an instant dream come true.
He looked at his hands... "Wow...I can't believe I was able to hold her like that..."
He continued staring at them for what seemed like minutes until---
"Hey Tidus!!!"
Tidus wheeled around and saw Wakka from a distance. He smiled and waved at him. Wakka waved back and walked towards Tidus.
"Hey man!" He brightly greeted him with a pat on the shoulder. "Why up so early in the morning?"
Tidus flickered. He almost forgot. He was already late for school.
"I---gotta go!" He said as he streaked past Wakka, only to be stopped when Wakka grabbed his arm.
"Relax, man!" Wakka said, keeping a firm grip. "The schedule's been changed. So don't worry about being late."
Tidus calmed down a bit. "Hwah..." He let out a breath. "I'm glad."
They grabbed their backpacks and walked on to Zanarkand High. Just as they were halfway through, they hear a voice call them from behind.
"Hey Tidus! Wakka! Over here!"
They turned and saw their blonde, vibrant friend prancing towards them. Perhaps Rikku's cheerful 24/7, even in the morning. Wherever she goes, she always wears a happy smile.
"Um, Tidus?" She asked.
"Yeah?" He replied.
"Thanks...for saving Yunie yesterday and for looking after her......" Rikku thanked him. She sounded grateful, yet her tone was not as blissful as she usually says it. Tidus knew she really meant it, but...
...Yunie? Who could she be? Is Rikku possibly referring to---?
"Oh, I almost forgot!" She added. "Yunie's my cousin! Her real name's Yuna but I just call her Yunie! Her mom and my dad are brother and sister! Pretty cool, huh!?"
So she and Yuna were related all along. Too bad he can't say the same for their personalities.
"Well, let's go!" Rikku skipped ahead and led the way. Tidus let out a breath and Wakka just lightly shook his head but followed her later on to Zanarkand High. They had to run for Rikku already sprinted ahead.
They reached Zanarkand High five minutes earlier than what they thought. They entered the building and into the corridors to their lockers to get ready for their first classes that day. Tidus took out his schedule and read it.
"Okay, so we're having Math first...with Auron." He said, sounding frustrated.
"Hey, cheer up, ya?" Wakka tried to perk him up. "I'm betting Sir Auron will be a little softer to you from now on!"
"Hee hee hee, yeah! Soft and cuddly!!!" Rikku teasingly annoyed Tidus, which made him headlock her in sort of a friendly way.
After fooling around for quite a while, they all grabbed their backpacks and walked on to Math. Tidus was already quite used around these parts of the school so he didn't need anymore directing.
"Uh, what time is it?" Wakka asked.
Rikku looked at her digital wristwatch and exclaimed. "Seven o' five!"
"Wait!" Tidus shouted, stopping them both.
"What?" Wakka and Rikku turned and asked him with confused looks on their faces.
"Give me a second here." Tidus opened his backpack and took out his schedule. He read it, and to his terror, Math classes already started---
"SHOOT, WE'RE FIVE MINUTES LATE!!!"
Without a second of hesitation, they rocketed through the corridors and to the Math classroom. Being late for Auron's class can somewhat mean an instant death sentence. They hurried on for they were too young to die...
"This is it!" Rikku cried. "Sir Auron's gonna kill us!"
"Save the last goodbye's, Rikku!" Wakka shouted, running behind them. "We might get a chance of surviving if we hurry."
Tidus didn't say anything. His mind was too focused on getting there on time.
"Speaking of lateness, how did Auron get here before us? He was at home even after I took off!" He wondered, but for now...
"I better worry about that later. Showing up there on time's more important than this!!!"
They sped on. They kept on running until they spotted the door to the Math classroom a few feet away. They almost dived for the handle in much hurry. Even worse, they fumbled the doorknob carelessly. After ten seconds, they finally opened the door...
"You three!" Auron glared fiercely at them. "Why are you late? I want an explanation for this!"
Tidus, Wakka and Rikku were breathing hard and fast, leaning against the doorframe for support.
Rikku started to answer. It wasn't easy for she was exhausted. "We...we...we got...we got ummm..."
It was also no easy task to make up an excuse.
"We got lost..." Tidus finished for her.
Auron stood up and walked towards them. "Well, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and take your seats before I change my mind about taking marks off your assignment!"
Tidus froze...he was so occupied with keeping Yuna safe last night that he completely forgot to do his assignment. He took a sideways glance at Rikku and Wakka, slightly hoping that they forgot to do their assignments too. But he suddenly remembered that---
"I hope Sir Auron doesn't notice the slight differences." Rikku nervously thought as she handed the paper to Auron. She would be dead meat once Auron finds out that she did get some "help" from a little gadget.
Wakka just plainly handed over his assignment, his face calm, and somehow, anxious at the same time. Unexpectedly, Auron didn't ask for Tidus's assignment. He just walked back to his desk right after he took Rikku and Wakka's assignments.
The three of them sat beside each other near the window. Tidus was still wondering......did Auron just forget about it? Nah, he wouldn't. Auron's taking all this assignment stuff very seriously
The whole class, also suspicious of the fact that Tidus just got away, stared at him. But a small group of guys dressed in dark leather jackets weren't just staring. They were glaring fiercely at him...
Auron fixed their assignments then looked at Tidus. "You were probably tired, after yesterday's events." He told him. "Risking your life for Yuna was a hard task." And after he said that, he made a small smile...
Tidus was slightly surprised. Auron wasn't usually like this. Rikku poked him lightly with her elbow and Wakka gave him a friendly punch on his arm. Tidus slightly blushed from embarrassment but felt praised at the same time. Only the group of guys were looking at them with murderous faces.
"Hey!" Tidus whispered to Wakka. "Who are those guys? And why are they looking at me like that? Like I'm some kind of wanted criminal?"
"Listen to me, man." Wakka lowered his voice while lowering his head. He pushed Tidus's head down to make sure no one is eavesdropping. Rikku also huddled with them to listen. "Those guys are..." He paused, thinking of the right words to describe them.
"Seymour's lackeys!" Rikku told them in a loud whisper. "You know, they do everything Seymour does! Almost everyone here in school is scared of them! They're bullies!!!"
Tidus finally understood. So they were Seymour's cronies...no wonder they look intimidating, although Seymour himself doesn't look like it.
"And that Seymour's far worse than all those thugs put together!" Rikku cried out, no longer whispering. "Can you believe it? He forced Yunie to be his gir---"
Before Rikku could finish, Wakka rapidly took out his lunchbox and immediately stuffed a chocolate muffin in her mouth.
"Yum! Hee hee, thanks Wakka!" Rikku said as she chewed on the muffin.
"No TALKING and absolutely no EATING in class!!!" Auron roared at them in a tone that made the whole class freeze.
Tidus, Wakka and Rikku were stunned. They all uneasily looked at Auron, who was now standing in front of them. Rikku gulped and hid the muffin behind her back while letting out a small "Heh heh heh heh...". Wakka kept quiet and pulled his chair away from Tidus and Rikku. Tidus just didn't
say anything but he could hear Seymour's cronies sniggering at them.
"I see you've been having quite a conversation." Auron said, strictly looking at them. "Especially when I'm at the point where I'm examining your works."
He read Rikku's assignment. Tidus and Wakka could see Rikku shaking. Wakka snickered.
Auron checked Rikku's work more carefully. "You've improved, Rikku. Only eleven mistakes out of twenty problems."
Tidus was surprised. He never knew Rikku was this bad at Math. She couldn't even perfect her assignment even with the help of a calculator. He grinned at her, which made her look at him with a wound up face.
The school bell rang through the corridors, signaling break time. Tidus, Wakka and Rikku, slowly accompanied by Auron, stepped out of the classroom and headed for the lockers.
"Hey! Sir Auron! Nice get-up!" Rikku said as she looked at Auron's outfit from his shirt, leather pants and high-cut leather shoes, all of which are black, up to his red trenchcoat. Although Tidus hated to admit, he does look like a badass in that apparel.
"So what made you wear that anyway, Auron?" Tidus asked.
"My style of clothing..." Auron answered stiffly "...is none of your concern."
Tidus just groaned and walked on. Rikku pranced ahead in front of the three boys. She skipped faster ahead until she spotted a familiar friend leaning on the wall, reading a textbook.
"Hey Lulu! How're you doing?"
Rikku smiled and approached Lulu. Lulu just smiled back. Tidus just waved at her but Wakka? Well, Tidus just noticed that he's acting a bit differently right now. He kept his hands in his pockets and his head was down but somehow, he was always taking a secret glances at Lulu. The funny thing is he would always turn red with every peek.
"Hey Wakka! Is something wrong? Why are you blushing?"
Wakka snapped back to the real world. "N-Nothing! It's nothing. I'm alright! No need to worry about me, ya?" He answered all of them, still sounding confident.
Rikku wasn't just about to let Wakka get away. She was planning to expand her little "game" into something bigger. She smiled a mischievous smile and poked Wakka with her elbow, which made him jump slightly.
"Stop that! Will 'ya!?" Wakka complained, sounding annoyed.
"Why? You haven't been yourself since you laid eyes on Lu---"
---Wakka instantly grabbed Rikku by her mouth, causing her to make muffled sounds.
"Mmmmf! Mmmmf!"
"Will you shut up!?" Wakka angrily whispered to Rikku, who was struggling to get out of Wakka's strong grip.
"What was that?" Lulu asked with a hint of suspicion in her voice.
Wakka started to look shaky. Now Tidus and Auron knew what's going on. Wakka had a little "something" on Lulu. Wakka was just good enough to hide it yesterday at the Flowing Moon but today, he's losing his touch.
Tidus was wondering if Lulu would ever feel the same towards Wakka...
...and if Yuna would ever feel exactly the same towards him......
"Nah, maybe not..." Tidus disappointedly thought.
Rikku managed to pull Wakka's hands of her mouth. "You meanie! Go give him detention, Sir Auron! Condemn him to a lifetime of assignments!!! He's a meanie! MEANIE!!!" She cried as she hid behind Auron and nudged him towards Wakka.
"I don't think that will be necessary, Rikku." Auron replied shakily for he was still being pressed on by his playful student.
"Well, I'm not the one with the big mouth that just rants on things carelessly!" Wakka jokingly annoyed Rikku back.
"WHAT!!!? Sir Auron! Did you hear what he said to me!? Make him scrub the toilets! Give him loads of grueling assignments!! Make him stay after school!!! Just do anything as long as you give him a proper punishment!!!" Rikku pushed Auron even harder but still, he won't move.
Although Rikku was starting to get on Auron's nerves, he can't seem to be angry at her. There was something about her, well maybe a part of her that's making him anger-free. Perhaps it's her cheery personality or maybe just her whole self. She was just so...cheerful!
Tidus slowly shook his head. He knew Rikku wasn't the type who easily gives in. The only way to end this is to just talk her, Wakka and Auron out of it.
"C'mon Rikku, just let it rest." He told her with a pat on the shoulder. "Let's go grab something to eat at the cafeteria. I'm starving!"
"Same here." Lulu stepped forward. Wakka sort of looked insecure the moment she spoke.
Rikku was just about to not let him get away again---
"Don't-You-Say-A-Word!!!"
---until Wakka stopped her...
Rikku let out a small "Tsk!" and snapped her fingers. Luckily enough, Lulu didn't suspect a thing. Tidus thought...how far is Rikku gonna go just for this......? And how far would he be going just for...
"I better drop that business for later." Tidus finally ended his thoughts.
Minutes later...
"Hey Sir Auron! Buy me a sandwich, will 'ya?" Rikku confidently asked Auron while all five of them were walking. Tidus was amazed on how honest and straightforward Rikku can get. She, of all people, is asking Auron, of all teachers, to just buy her a sandwich. How can she just boldly do that? Did she just forget that Auron is currently the most feared teacher in Zanarkand High?
"Rikku!!" Lulu scolded her. "How can you just say something like that!?"
Rikku's face brightened even more. "Don't you know? Teachers get a 50% discount! It's just one way of saving, you know? And besides..." She stopped and looked at the ground, her face not so bright anymore. "I'm broke..."
"Why did you have to buy all those muffins anyway?" Tidus asked her.
"I was unable to control myself!!!" Rikku screamed. "Now I'm never gonna it eat a muffin again! Not a single one!"
Wakka whistled in surprise. Is she trying to pull his leg again? Well, if she ever is, it's not gonna work this time. After she put him through a lot of trouble with Lulu almost finding out that he has a cru---
"Wait a minute!!!" Wakka's mind got hold of itself. "What am I thinking!!!?" He wildly shook his head.
"Now you're acting even weirder than before!!!" Rikku forgot about nagging Auron into buying her a sandwich and walked towards Wakka. Of course, it's not all the time she acts younger than her age. She also has her mature sides and of course she cares about her friends too. She leaned forward. "Are you sure you're alright?"
Wakka eventually stood up straight. "Yeah, I just got distracted by uh...something, ya?"
"Maybe it's from too much practice. You should take a rest between Bltzball practice sessions too." Lulu unexpectedly stepped forward and put a hand on his shoulder. Wakka reacted to this badly. He jumped carelessly and felt a sudden rush of blood to his head.
Rikku sighed.
"C'mon."
She gestured Tidus and Auron to tag on with her to the cafeteria.
"Hey Rikku! Wait up!"
The two boys hurried and followed her for she already ran faster ahead. Since Tidus was a fast runner in some way, it didn't take him long to catch up with Rikku. Now that Auron is, in Tidus's case, an old man, also quite a bulky one, he had a hard time catching up with his two other students. He felt kind of uncomfortable for it was quite funny to see a teacher, especially a greatly feared one run after his two students.
Rikku finally stopped in front of the doors to the cafeteria. Tidus and Auron caught up soon but with their breaths short.
"Rikku..." Tidus said despairingly, his breathing hard and his hands on his knees. "You run too fast..."
Rikku just popped out a happy smile. "It's just me naturally and you better live with it!"
Auron just heaved a sigh...he was tired from all this running.
"Better watch yourself next time, old man." Tidus sarcastically reminded his father figure which made him look at Tidus as if he was ready to kill. Rikku tried to brighten up the mood by not forgetting to ask Auron to buy her sandwich. To Tidus's surprise, Auron eventually agreed. Heck, he even asked her which flavor she wants.
That afternoon...
Tidus was walking alone through the hallways of Zanarkand High. It was just a few minutes past lunch time and he was on his way to his next class. Tidus thought...things will be slightly better from now on...
...but what about Seymour...?
"Nah, best not to think about it." He thought back.
An hour ago, while he was eating lunch along with Auron and Rikku at the cafeteria, they had a fun time just chatting about anything that came to their minds. Rikku did most of the talking while Auron added in a few reminders about lessons and assignments. Since Tidus and Rikku are both happy-go-lucky and easygoing, they chose to ignore this and yakked on how Wakka reacted with just a simple pat on the shoulder from Lulu.
What Tidus liked about that moment that it didn't feel like a teacher-student relationship. It felt something much bigger than that. Something like...a family. It's been a long while since Tidus felt this kind of warmth. It's also been a long while since he felt belonged to that kind of family.
Now Tidus knew the reason why Rikku suddenly ran off is that she wanted to give Wakka and Lulu some "alone" time.
"Rikku...that girl's always looking for trouble." Tidus gladly said to himself. But it's good to have Rikku as a friend. Always cheerful, always optimistic about everything and especially, she always cares for her friends, and that includes Auron. Somehow, Rikku treats Auron more like a best buddy than a strict Math teacher. Tidus meant, why would she just casually ask for a sandwich?
But for now, he just has to focus on getting to his next class. He took out his schedule and read it. He'll be having Music next. He remembered that yesterday. Now that he knows what's in store for him next, there was only one problem and that's to find it.
"But where do I start?" He asked himself. Zanarkand High's bigger than he thought it would be. He hoped that he wouldn't have to walk all the way to the next building just to attend Music classes.
He looked at his watch.
"Damn, only five minutes left!"
He started to walk faster, slowly becoming anxious. He walked on until he was actually running. This time, he dashed faster searching both sides of the hall for the Music Room.
Tidus was starting to feel uneasy and tense. Little by little he was running out of time. He took no time in worrying and rushed ahead without looking at the path in front of him. He ran faster ahead, looking at all the signs above the doors but none of them seems to be the Music classroom......
Tidus was starting to get more and more troubled with every passing minute. He kept on running until---
---he bumped into someone...again...
He was just pushed slightly backwards after the hit but the person he run into lost her balance and landed on the floor, making her books scatter.
"I'm sorry! It was my fault! I---"
Tidus was surprised. The person he bumped into happened to be someone he knew. She had mismatched eyes and a long tinkling earring.
"Y-Yuna!!! What are you doing here!!!?"
Without waiting for more, Tidus stretched out his hand and held Yuna's. He had a firm grip around it and pulled her up to her feet. Yuna eventually stood up and tidied herself up.
"Tidus! Wh-What a surprise! I never thought I'd see you here!"
Yuna smiled happily at him. Tidus couldn't help but feel his insides heat up.
But Yuna forgot, her books were scattered around the corridor. She blushed slightly from embarrassment and quickly gathered her things.
"Hold on. Let me help you. It was my fault."
Tidus also bent down and helped her pick up her books. After all was back to its proper place, Yuna wrapped her arms around her things and looked at Tidus straight into his blue eyes.
"Um...thank you..." She said and eventually, she smiled at him.
Tidus blushed even more. "Nah, you shouldn't thank me. This wouldn't have happened in the first place if I wasn't so careless." Tidus told her. Somehow, he felt himself calm down even for just a little bit.
"But if it wasn't for your lack of care, then I wouldn't have come across you in the first place." Yuna answered him with a giggle.
Tidus thought...Yuna was acting strangely cheerful today, just like her cousin Rikku. She wasn't exactly like this last night, when he walked her home...
"So, where are you supposed to be going?" Yuna asked him, her happy smile still on her face.
"Well..." Tidus thought for a while. "I'm having Music next and I'm......I'm lost."
Yuna hastily put her hands behind her back, just a sign of liveliness. "That's where I'm going too..."
Tidus's eyes faintly widened. Was he hearing right? Did Yuna just say she's headed for Music classes too?
"How about if we go there together? Since you told me you're lost, maybe I can show you the way."
She said this in a cheery manner. Tidus found it hard to say "no" so he gladly accepted to walk with her to Music.
Yuna, with Tidus closely following her from behind, walked along the empty hallways. Tidus was starting to get more and more naive with every step. He had absolutely no idea about this part of the school. He was glad that Yuna was there to show him the way but it felt kind of funny being directed by a girl and all.
"Say Yuna." Tidus started. "What do we do in Music anyway? I mean, do we have a lot of note-taking to do?"
"Well, maybe a little." Yuna answered him. "But it's mostly about going up to the front and singing a song that your teacher assigns you to carry out." She informed him.
Tidus was somewhat taken back. "Sing in front of that many people!?" His mind screamed. "No way! Not in a million years! My voice isn't that good! Man, I'd rather suffer from Auron's Math assignments than make a jackass out of myself in public..."
Tidus was in deep thought. He never expected that Music classes can be this......embarassing. He wondered...what would Rikku do in a situation like this...?
He was so deep in thought---
"Hey Tidus!"
---he was already in his own world, forgetting that Yuna was now standing in front of him with a puzzled look on her face.
"Wh-Wh-What!?" He tripped over his tongue.
"Are you alright?" She asked, somewhat worried.
"Y-Yeah..." Tidus replied. "I was just......thinking of something. I'm fine, really."
Yuna straightened herself up. "Maybe you think too much."
"Yeah, I guess. It's been happening a lot lately." Tidus told her.
Yuna suggested. "You should stop thinking once in a while." She said, her blue earring making that tinkling sound again. "What I meant to say is......you shouldn't think too much."
She giggled after saying that. Tidus somehow felt himself lighten up.
"Come on! Let's go or we'll be late!" Yuna called back for she now sprinted ahead of him...
"This is it, the Music Room." Yuna announced as she opened the door to the classroom.
As they both stepped inside, Tidus suddenly felt all eyes on him. A small group of girls at the back we're giggling with their mouths behind their hands. Tidus by some means gained some popularity since the incident yesterday at the construction site. Putting his life on the line just to save Yuna from certain death was a very risky thing to do.
"If it isn't Yuna. You're just in time."
The teacher sitting on the desk stood up and approached Yuna. "And I see the new student is with you." She said as she turned to look at Tidus from his spiky blonde hair to his yellow and black sneakers. "Do you mind introducing yourself?"
"I-It's Tidus." He answered uneasily. He could feel all eyes scanning him. He was having that awkward feeling again.
"Okay Tidus. Now that you've introduced yourself, I am Miss Raine. I will be your instructor in Music for the rest of the year and I expect that you'll enjoy this subject. You and Yuna may take your seats over their."
Miss Raine is a teacher with long black hair held back with a headband. She also had a kind face which matches her personality.
She pointed at two vacant chairs near the window. Tidus and Yuna slowly walked to their seats and placed their bags beside their chairs.
As Miss Raine started to write down some pointers on the board, Tidus leaned towards Yuna and asked her something......
"Hey Yuna!" He whispered. "So how do Music classes go on? Do we have to jot down something first?"
Yuna whispered back. "You'll find out soon, don't worry."
After Miss Raine was finished with the board, she went in front of the class holding a small box.
"Class," She began. "In this box are pieces of paper with your names on it. Now your names will be chosen randomly. If I happen to take your name out, you will have step up to the front and perform a song that I will assign you to sing."
Tidus wished he hadn't heard this because the moment he did, he felt even more nervous. He took a sidewards glance at Yuna and to his surprise, she was looking perfectly calm.
Miss Raine put in her hand in the box....
Slowly.....very slowly.....she took out a folded piece of paper. Tidus shut his eyes from agitation. He was hoping that he wouldn't be the pick of the week.
As Miss Raine unfolded it, she read it first before announcing the one who will sing in front.
Miss Raine declared the name that she picked who surprisingly turned out to be......
"Yuna. Will you please step forward?"
Tidus let out a sigh of relief. He looked around only to see his classmates doing the same. He turned back to look at Yuna......
Yuna slowly, yet determinedly stood up and walked to the front. Tidus could see her closed hand on her chest. He could also see her taking slow, steady breaths.
Although she looked pretty confident, Yuna still felt a little uneasy about things. With all of her classmates watching her, it won't be that easy. She felt even uneasier when she knew that Tidus would be listening to her singing...
"Alright Yuna." Miss Raine began when she finally stepped forward. "I want you to sing Suteki Dane. I will cooperate with the piano over there." She pointed at an expensive-looking piano at the corner of the room.
This is it...Miss Raine sat herself on the piano and positioned her fingers on the keys.
Yuna took a deep breath......Miss Raine signaled her that she was about to begin until finally...
Her voice flowed out gracefully like the wind......
"My heart was swimming in words gathered by the wind..."
...my voice bounded into a cloud-carried tomorrow..."
The moment Tidus heard the first few lines, he felt......different somehow...
He felt like there was something heavenly surrounding him......he couldn't describe it......it was...something else......
"My heart trembled......in the moon-swayed mirror...
...soft tears spilled with a stream of stars..."
That feeling was gradually taking over him little by little......moment by moment......time by time....
"Isn't it wonderful......if we could walk holding hands...
...I'd want to go to your town, to your home..."
...Until at last, he felt himself being taken over by that certain song called "Suteki Dane..."
"......into your arms..."
Tidus gently closed his eyes and listened on......the song was beautiful...
"I dream of being against your chest...
My body in your keeping...disappearing into the evening......"
He closed his eyes and slowly...yet, tenderly......he felt that he was being drifted into......somewhere else......
"It's wonderful, isn't it.....?"
"Hey!"
Someone was shaking him lightly by his shoulders.
"Wake up!"
Tidus was still shaken so he had no other choice but to get up. He slowly opened his sleepy blue eyes. In front of him, he could see a blurry vision of...
"Y-Yuna!"
Tidus immediately stood up from his chair and wheeled around. He was still in the Music Room except that everyone was gone including Miss Raine. There was only himself and Yuna in the room now.
"You must have fallen asleep after the song. I tried to wake you up but Miss Raine and the others already left." She told him as she gathered her books and wrapped them around her arms.
Tidus wildly shook his head to get rid of his drowsiness. He actually couldn't believe he fell asleep just because of the song.
"C'mon, let's go." He said as he swung his bag over his shoulders and led Yuna out of the room.
Zanarkand High seemed pretty lively today. All the students were either walking down the hallways or just talking happily with one another. But as for Tidus and Yuna, they were also having a fun time chatting. But the fact the he dozed off back in Music was still hard to believe.
"How long have you been living together with Rikku?" Tidus asked while they were halfway past the Laboratory.
"Just a few months ago when we started High School." Yuna replied. "Rikku's a very cheerful girl. She's fun to be with, actually. Every morning, she would come running into my room and say "Yunie, wake up! Rise and shine or you'll miss breakfast!!!"
Yuna tried to imitate her younger cousin's light voice and she just let out a small laugh. Tidus chuckled and listened to her go on with her story.
"Rikku usually cooks every morning. Her favorite has always been blueberry waffles with milk." She told this story in a contented tone.
Tidus looked down and started to speak. "You're lucky...you get to live with your cousin."
"But I don't see anything wrong living with Sir Auron." She tried to lighten him up.
"But it's much worse living with my old man." Tidus took a deep breath. "Too bad he's the only family I have left......my mom......she went ten years ago. I was only seven back then and I didn't have any brothers or sisters......that's why you're lucky you have Rikku as your cousin......and as your family......"
Tidus wasn't sounding himself that time. He was so far from his typical confident self.
Yuna didn't know what to say......she never knew that Tidus had such a hard past. She tried to think of words that would brighten up Tidus's mood...
"I'm sure you'll get used to having Sir Auron as your father."
Tidus was astonished from what Yuna said. He knew from the very beginning that he and Auron wouldn't get along well but......why does he have that feeling that those words will come true?
Yuna spoke once more. "I'm the one who's supposed to say "You're lucky". At least you have Sir Auron as your father figure if I must say. Both my parents are gone......you're lucky you have someone like Sir Auron to take your parents' place......"
Tidus half wanted to eat his words. When he caught a glance at Yuna's face, he saw that she was cheerless. He felt sympathy burning inside of him...not to mention humiliation.
"Look..." He quietly said as he put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry I brought that topic up. I never knew it would make you sad. I---"
"No, it's alright." Yuna replied by putting her hand on Tidus's that was on her shoulder. "You don't need to apologize. I'm just glad that you told me a part of you."
After what seemed like a long time, Tidus let out a warm smile.
"Yeah, same here..."
Tidus and Yuna continued walking to their lockers until they saw a group people running towards them.
"Tidus! Yunie! Over here."
Rikku darted towards them and skipped excitedly in front of them. Behind her were Wakka, Lulu and Auron all looking exhausted. Wakka had both hands on his knees, Auron was leaning against a locker fro support and Lulu was breathing hard and fast with one hand on her chest.
"Rikku..." Lulu looked as though all the air in her was vacuumed out. "Don't you...don't you ever get tired from all this running around...?"
Rikku ignored her and announced the good news to Tidus.
"Guess what! We're gonna have a Blitzball practice this afternoon!" She declared, still skipping around like a kid who just found a new toy. "Durren's our goalkeeper but you're still the midfielder. Wakka and Brother are the two offensives while Jassu and Linna play the defensives!"
Wakka, who appeared to have regained his breath, stood up and greeted Tidus with a light punch on the shoulder.
"Meet us and the Abes at the stadium. You know where it is, right? It's just behind the school buildings. You won't have trouble finding it, ya?"
Auron stepped forward. "Just make sure you don't forget your studies. I don't want to see your test papers plastered with "BLITZ" all over it."
Lulu just let out a breath. She was totally not into Blitz thinking that it was only "kid's stuff". She tried to change the topic by coming close to Yuna and giving her a sisterly hug.
"So Yuna. How did Music classes go?" She asked thoughtfully.
Yuna gave her a little smile. "They went well, Lulu."
All six of them started to talk about...things. Well, many things except for Blitzball. Wakka and Rikku found it hard to refrain from talking about Blitz. They didn't want Lulu to feel left out. Startlingly, Auron also left out school-related matters and made a good conversationalist out of himself. Yuna thought of telling them about Tidus dropping off in Music but she chose not to. She didn't want Tidus to feel embarrassed.
Surprisingly enough, Tidus didn't talk much. His mind was too clouded to think....
He tried to stay away from them for a while by walking some distance away from them. He looked at the other direction---
---and saw a familiar group of men, all wearing dark leather jackets walking to their direction. Tidus somehow recognized them......he suddenly remembered that he already saw them that morning....in Math class.
To add up to his alarm, a blue-haired boy with a spiteful face was leading them.
"Seymour!!! And his lackeys!!!"
They all acted insolently, as if they owned the place. Seymour's lackeys viciously shoved the students who were in their way off. One of them was even rude enough to just slap off a girl. Many other students were scared stiff and fled the scene.
Rikku also noticed them and let out a terrified gasp. She panicked and quickly hid behind Auron. Wakka was also able to make them out and stood protectively in front of Lulu.
Seymour ordered his minions to stay behind. He had some "business" to take care off with Tidus.
"So Tidus." He said, his eyes glowing with malice. "We meet again."
Although he spoke in a formal manner, Tidus hated it to his very core. Just by the sight of him made his insides burn.
"What do you want?" Tidus coolly, yet crossly asked him.
Seymour took a side-step, giving Tidus a clear view of his lackeys.
"I just wish to introduce my men to you. I suitably call them the Guados. Quite a splendid name, isn't it?" He officially informed him though there was a hint of wickedness in his voice.
"So what if they're called the Guados!!!? I don't give a damn with what you call them..." Tidus countered back at him.
Seymour looked at loss for words but he didn't show this. Instead, he changed the matter.
He reached out his hand towards Yuna's face. Yuna fearfully trembled the moment his cold hand fervently caressed her face.
Tidus couldn't take this any longer....
"THE HELL ARE YOU TRYING TO DO!!!?"
That was it. Tidus's rage finally went past its limit. He grabbed Seymour's wrist away from Yuna and furiously slapped it off.
Seymour looked disgusted but he adeptly disguised it with a cool surface.
"I was merely examining how......beautiful your girl is."
As if Seymour didn't hear Tidus's warning, he still reached out his hand to stroke Yuna's face but before he got the chance...
...Tidus took hold of Yuna's wrist and pulled her behind him. He will never let Seymour take Yuna...
"Don't---"
He won't let him...
"---even---"
Not even once...
"---think about it..."
Or he won't forgive himself....
Seymour was now infuriated. He turned his back away from Tidus and his friends and walked towards the Guados.
"Let's go."
Before Seymour took a step away from them, he turned to face Tidus and gave him a final note.
"Let us meet next time."
"You wish..." Tidus breathed out.
Minutes passed...
Wakka, Rikku and Lulu were all looking at Tidus with amazed looks on their faces.
"Wow..." Rikku quietly said. "I can't believe you were able to do that, Tidus!"
Tidus's emotions were now from furious to puzzled. "Huh? Do what?"
Wakka stepped forward and flung his arm around Tidus's neck, putting him in headlock.
"H-Hey! Lemme go!"
"Can't you see!?" Wakka happily told him. "You're the first guy I've ever met who had the guts to stand up to Seymour!"
"Wakka's right." Lulu advanced, a serious and amazed smile on her face. "They're Zanarkand High's most feared bullies. Except for Seymour. He has admirers instead."
Rikku's eyes moved to Tidus's hand.
"Hey Tidus." She said, somewhat innocently. "Um, I was just wondering....how long are you still gonna hold umm...you know, Yunie's hand?"
Tidus slowly looked at his hand and to his embarrassment, his hand was still holding Yuna's wrist. Tidus blushed and immediately let go of her wrist.
"I-I-I'm sorry! I-I didn't mean to hold your hand that long! I---"
Yuna also blushed and turned away from Tidus. The others had a pretty weird reaction about this.
Rikku was suddenly forming ideas, that sinister smile on her face again. Wakka and Auron both grinned while Lulu showed off a mature sort of excitement.
"Hey guys," Tidus asked them. He was feeling uncomfortable now. "Look, it-it was an accident. Don't take it seriously. It was no big deal. Everyone makes mistakes!"
"I-may-not-be-so-sure-about-that!" Rikku cheekily warned them.
They all left the school building and into the school grounds with Rikku usually prancing ahead. Tidus and Yuna couldn't look at each other in the eye that time....
Author's Notes: That chapter was a bit longer that the last two chapters, right? Well, it was purposely written to be that lengthy. Think of it as an apology for the surprisingly long delay. It's the least I can do to make it up to you guys, especially the reviewers.
Again, I'm sorry. I hope you guys will forgive me.