Standard Disclaimer Applied
Title : The Sakuragi Cousins
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CHAPTER 11 : Dr. Michelson
Monday, 7:00 AM
He just have to wear the tight vest and all will be well. The invitation for the professor from the Biology Department had been prepared; the first draft of the May fair calculated. The morning ceremony starts at 7:10. The qualifiers for the YSCEP were to be presented; the General Managerial Arbitrator formally acknowledge. After the ceremony, Hanamichi just have to give the proposal to the principal, then go visit the neighboring university to leave the invitation.
Antoine came with him, of course, though he's also a non-regular. The two of them, together with Guillen, Mary Anne, and Luthiana Hikaru, were presented to the warm reception of Yusenko students. The faculty greeted them one by one. Some prominent students also welcomed them. Van and Gail were among them.
Van is the captain of the soccer team, a combined girls and boys team since the male population is pretty low. Yusenko could almost pass as a girls' school and many people thought it so. She also plays for the university as a recruit. A member of the fashion club, 3-A class president, volunteer for Environmental Watch and School Beautification Committee.
One of the prominent fashionista, Gail Lenard is the noted 'Sex Goddess'. She walks around the campus with that carefree and sensuous elegance, hiding the mind of a very determined chemist and a well-rounded actress. A distinguished stage actress gifted with an operatic voice. She usually works with Van, also an aspiring director, in the Dramatics Club.
It amazes him that most of the population in Yusenko have multiple clubs and activities. The reason is, only 80 students get admitted per batch in Yusenko Kanagawa-ken. They say they take 50 in Yusenko Okinawa. They both have the junior and senior high school in their compound; both considered as separate legal governments, yet they interact and support each other as a unified body. Unfortunately for the lazy minds, there is a cut-off grade. The students should maintain a grade of 65% or above; otherwise he/she will be recommended to study in another school. Therefore one can count that there'll be one or more slots available in each batch. Furthermore, Yusenko is a private school with a few full scholarship grants. Only five branches are in Japan: Okinawa (Naha), Kanagawa (Hakone), Hiroshima (Onomichi), Miyagi (Sendai), and Hokkaido (Sapporo).
The ceremony was already finished. Still other minor students flocked to them. Some junior high students were also there, mingling nonchalantly with the higher levels. It was as if no batch/level barriers hold them. There was brotherly exchange, no formality to hinder them. What totally overwhelmed Hanamichi were their smiles. They smile more frequently and more wholeheartedly than all normal Japanese students he had known put together. Their enthusiasm was immense yet well controlled.
Akita-sensei led the three boys to their room. Coincidentally, they were in the same class, 2-B. Despite being non-regulars, Hanamichi and Antoine were designated in that room. The room's capacity is only twenty and the three of them were the only boys in it.
Akita-sensei, the accommodating History teacher, introduced them to their homeroom adviser, Ms. Hideki Raiko, a long-legged, voluptuously bodied Trigonometry instructor with skin seductively brown and hair wavy black falling beside her healthy frontal assets. That would have explained why boys and girls love their Math subject, but still fail it nonetheless.
Hanamichi would have loved to sit in his class; unfortunately he has to attend his real school, at Shohoku. He wasn't supposed to go back there this Monday. YSCEP's main adviser, Akita-sensei, persuaded him to resume there until he is called back by Yusenko. He could file his schedule via internet, and all transactions and would be given to him via net just the same.
"What do you plan today?" Antoine finally inquired after they got themselves outside 2-B. Non-regular like the redhead, he's got nothing to do in there.
"Go to the old hag and give her this draft. Then head to the university."
"Would you like me to come?"
"Not necessarily," he said a bit hesitant; he nearly bit his tongue then. "I'll go straight to Shohoku after that. Why don't you go home and rest?" Hanamichi wanted to die, looking at the dismal expression of his cousin. How it almost pained the both of them to depart.
"But probably you could come with me," he reclaimed. Hanamichi thought of it stupid to have dismissed him.
"No!" Antoine startled him. "I shall go and we will see again." The younger one smiled reassuringly before disappearing.
The door of the principal's office was brutally torn open. Principal Mikiko held on her chest when the redhead slammed a folder on her desk.
"There's your stupid draft, you old hag! I don't want to hear anything from you so better shut your pie hole or else!"
The poor door received another harsh bang. Mikiko-sensei started blinking at the battered door that the redhead left.
Hanamichi was pissed off, majorly. Antoine's absence caused him to be irritated. He felt almost lost without him, walking through the empty halls. Especially when he got out, the world seemed to him a vast and cold jungle. Deep in him lingers a hollow spot. He could not understand why the emptiness that struck him feels so fresh when he had lived with it for years. May it be because of Antoine? That his presence returned spoiled him? Or the fear of losing him again too intense?
At the left of Yusenko lies Liwette University. Approximately a 600 hectare land near Mt. Hakone with a lone extension of a lab in Manazuru, Liwette is a haven of radicalism. There are large buildings and agricultural lands that make up departments, laboratories, or special facilities in and around the campus. Hanamichi entered a private gate which connects Yusenko and Liwette located on the east wall of the high school. He walked pass some departments, stopping to ask college students on where the Biological Science department is.
Finally he got there. The building, they say, is the largest. He looked for the Biotech department and only met a student assistant along the way.
"I'm sorry, but Dr. Michelson is out. He must be just around the campus. He doesn't have classes at this hour," said the gentle student.
Hanamichi cursed under his breath. He wanted so much to give the invitation to the college student and let her give it to him, so he, Hanamichi, could be gone. But he was to make sure the letter lands on the doctor's hands. He has to give it personally. The problem is he didn't know where to look. There were lots of twists and turns here that he's bound to get lost. Nevertheless, Hanamichi walked out bravely and after several misleading directions, he eventually got himself lost.
***
The light in the greenery was delightfully mild. It tended the flowers well, provided also with the right amount of nourishment the plants need. Temperature control serves another factor. He knew this was the reason why the roses were unnaturally healthy. Their colors radiated in the surroundings and they burst open excitedly, wearing their big round petals.
It gives joy to him to see them. That's why he's always here, away from the harsh environs that beset him everyday. Silence could be heard in the vastness; and that soothes him. He likes to contemplate there, to drown in the intoxicating smell of the flowers. He loves the roses, most especially the red ones. His grandfather loved them too. He used to play in his grandfather's garden during vacation when he was a kid. He would stoop down and smell the roses, imagining the scent to linger all over him. Then he would pick them up, kiss them over and over on each petal, and keep them to his room. He would do it on a weekly basis, sometimes daily when he has nothing to do. Red roses were mostly his preference. He would keep them in his room until they wither, and would not let anybody take them out. Each week he would have a fresh bunch; and he would keep them just the same, until they dry up and possibly disintegrate. That was his bad habit. He could not part away from them. Every book he had would have a dozen or more dried flowers stuck to its pages. His parents grieved for his sanity. They tried everything to break the habit, constantly occupying his time enough to prevent his going to the garden. Sometimes they even thought of not visiting his grandfather's house or some such tactics. Forceful confiscation of the flowers would make him throw a frightful fit. Therefore leaving his grandparent's country house would be a tiresome affair for his parents. He was generally a good son, but the rose-keeping was his unnatural habit. To think they called him queer for that.
The only one who could understand him and support his whim at that time was his grandfather. They share the same passion with the roses. His grandfather told him that the first time he saw a rose, he immediately fell in love. On a lighter aspect, his older brother was another rose lover in the family; though he did no such thing as keeping them in his room until they decayed, he has pictures and items related to it.
Now that he has grown up, he had stopped keeping roses in his room, though once in a while he would have that strong urge. He likes to visit the greenery instead, or tend roses on his garden. But he never dared pick them up, afraid that the old habit would start. He had no one to share his uncanny pleasure since his grandfather had died years ago. His older brother also died.
Noises came from the entrance; feet scrapping on the ground could be heard. He was annoyed, who could possibly have dared destroy his solitude? Moving away from the roses, he straightened his posture. He's quite ready to greet anyone and snap back at them wittingly and politely.
The unforeseen stranger came near his aisle. And as he was to face the intruder who materialized suddenly to his right, he felt his heart stop.
"Uh...," the stranger gave a nervous laugh. "This is silly."
A deep blush spread on the young man's face; seeing it made him feel a thrill on his spine.
"Oi! Where the hell's...."
He took in everything and nothing of what the fellow said. Bluntly staring at the intruder, he could not tear his eyes from him. The scent of roses became more intoxicating, it seems. His heart felt like jumping out from his chest.
"..... the exit here?" The young one finished. Unfortunately, his inquiree did not comprehend him and could only stare oddly at him.
"Hey, Mister?" Still there was no reply from him.
Until he felt himself stupid for gazing unabashedly, he intended to grasp back his composure.
"H-hai! I'm sorry. What was it again?"
"I asked where's the exit here," Hanamichi irately repeated. The guy has been looking at him awkwardly for some reason. A hint of fascination. Fascination that in a matter of seconds was stripped naked. Hanamichi realized the intensity of those gray eyes. Instantly there was a throbbing at the back of his head. Those eyes reminded him of some time past; yet he could not remember.
The older man had an unusual creamy white skin. He's in his late 20's, Hanamichi reckon, but already he has his hair all white, cut short and appearing soft. He wore silver-rimmed eye glasses, giving off an intelligent aura. Crimson hue was evident on his cheeks, the only color present on his pale face. Grey pants and a white polo tucked-in was his apparel. Obviously, he's respectable in manner and state. Hanamichi thought he had seen a man with the same feature as the guy in front. He just couldn't remember where. Pictures of hundred of people flashed abruptly in his mind. Pain surged pass his eyes. He nearly flinched at the vague memory. He refused to show it in his facial cast.
"Are you... lost?" was the apparently disorganized reply. Whether the guy is someone with an irreversible skin disorder that killed off all his melanin pigment or just some albino punk, Hanamichi didn't care. Anyway, the pale guy was extremely handsome to be pitied at; albinism would be considered a beauty factor than a disorder. Nevertheless that seemingly innocent question pissed off Hanamichi.
"Teme! I need an answer, not a question, baka!" Hanamichi was already beet red, due to anger and embarrassment.
"I'm sorry." The pale guy sounded so mortified. He smiled apologetically at the fuming redhead. "Follow me and I'll show you." He turned around mechanically. But all of a sudden, he stopped and faced the redhead even before he could take his first step. "Anou, this might sound strange but.." Those gray eyes sparkled with unknown mirth. "Would you like some strawberries?"
"What??!!"
"Please follow me," the white haired man said frighteningly gleefully, unmindful of Hanamichi's alarmed face. The sight of the redhead stirred him. Currently he was trembling with excitement. He didn't know why.
"Hoy, matte!" They turned along the aisle to the side blocked with blurred glass panels. An entrance door awaited them at the end of the panels. Hanamichi was still screaming at the guy who was consumed in his own excited thoughts, when they came inside rows of strawberry plots. A 40 by 20 meter compartment sunned efficiently by the slightly oblique wall of the roof.
Grumbling, Hanamichi barely noticed where they were, until the white man held a plump red strawberry in front Hanamichi's face, touching his lower lip.
Speechless as he was, he dared not move. The gesture was startling and unexpected, leaving him no room to think it through. The pressure on his lips was quite tempting. In the end, he opened his mouth and took it, the stranger's finger slightly brushing his lips.
It was sweet, very juicy. The taste spreading inside his mouth and erupting with freshness.
"How does it taste?" the odd man asked after Hanamichi had apparently swallowed the fruit. He noticed that the queer man was tall; actually taller than him, about Van's height. He was also a foreigner, no doubt.
"It's, um, it's..." Staring at the man, he didn't know whether to bellow or... what? "... good."
They stared at each other for a while. Until the white flashes which caused Hanamichi's headache returned and he finally snapped out of it.
"Teme! Are you playing me around?! I was asking for the door!"
"It's there." The man simply pointed to his left where a two-door lies. On top of the door was a big bold exit sign.
Hanamichi blushed. "Y-yeah! I know that!" He turned his heels to that direction but came to a stop as he remembered something. "Hey, do you happen to know where Dr. Michelson is?"
The albino guy suddenly beamed. "Why, of course! I happen to know exactly where he is. He happens to be right in front of you."
"Nani?! You're Dr. Michelson!?"
"I guess I have to state that formally to you, don't I? Yes, I am Gabriel Michelson and the only Michelson here in the university."
"Eh? And I thought you'd be an old man."
"I hope I didn't disappoint you."
"Not really. Actually at first I thought you were a student."
"Really?" There was a sly curve on the man's lips which somehow freaked out Hanamichi.
"H-hai... Well, anyway, here." He trust a cream envelop to him. "The students from Yusenko are inviting you to be their guest speaker. The details are in there so just read. Make sure you reply soon. It's for the third year seniors."
Dr. Michelson nodded as he scanned through the invitation. "Yes. I've heard of this. And don't worry, I'll definitely be there." Sweet smile grazed his pale lips.
Without saying much as goodbye, Hanamichi quickly headed for the door. He was already late for Shohoku but he guessed he could make a slip.
"Excuse me, but can you tell me your name?" Dr. Michelson half-shouted.
"No!" He threw back irately. What's with that guy? He's going to be late for class.
"But will you be there?" The professor continued right when the redhead was at the door.
"Possibly. How the fuck should I know?" He banged the door shut. It was enough; he needed to get out of there.
***
He was late. It was 9:00 and he's dead late. The front gate was already closed. But Hanamichi was not one to fret over the matter. He had been late for a couple of times. At the back wall was every juvenile delinquent's back door. He would slip into the 9 o'clock class; and if someone tried to ask him where he's been, he would just knock him off. Or show him the principal's slip instead.
After banging into the principal's office to get himself a proper excuse slip, arguing with the school secretary, and harassing the poor principal, he set himself to class.
"Oi, Hanamichi! Were have you been?"
Their teacher wasn't there. He's unusually late, Hanamichi thought. It was ten minute pass nine.
"None of your business, Noma!" he bellowed. Immediately the students inside the room looked at him. That pissed him off.
"What?" he screamed. All of them got started and returned to whatever they're doing. Sakuragi Hanamichi seemed a lot more fearful today.
"Hanamichi, is there something wrong?" Yohei asked when the redhead settled down his seat. The redhead was unusually tempered for some unknown reason. It's too risky to ask but Yohei felt nervous of it.
"Did Haruko finally dump you?"
Yohei wanted to kill Takamiya on the spot. For sure there'll be headbutts for all of them. Surprisingly, Takamiya was still standing unharmed; Hanamichi hadn't launched at him yet. And he didn't budge. Something must be clearly wrong.
"Sensei's coming!" one student gasp. Everyone turned to there proper seat. The rest of the gundan went to their respective rooms. Unfortunately for them, their teachers were already there. There were two visible options: either they barge in, looking more of a delinquent than they already are, receiving demerits and dirty glances from their teachers and classmates; or they could skip their classes and be delinquents nonetheless.
Yohei and Hanamichi were a different case. With Hanamichi doubly tempered and uncaring while Yohei worried himself sick of his friend's current disposition.
"Class, I would like you to excuse me for being late. Something unexpected came and it concerns our class. Now..."
He tried to act normal, but he didn't feel like it. Emptiness inhibited his core; rage and displeasure dominated him. Inwardly he was at lost, like a part of him had been forcefully torn off. Again, he knew why. His dear cousin had returned, the pain off losing him was too strong now that he's near.
"We have a new student who just came from France. He'll be in this class..."
Ever since, the young boy was one for him to protect, to cherish, to love. He had never really devoted himself to anyone; not till he came. He was loved by his mother and sister; in response he loved them too. But his mother and sister were too occupied battling and serving their purpose. They gave him love that did not ensure his trust or satisfaction.
"Please, come inside," their teacher gesture. Hubbub sparked inside as the new student went to his position up front.
"Konnichi wa, minna-san."
Hanamichi imperceptibly gasped.
He wanted someone to love. Someone to protect. Someone to love him back with the same ardor and trust. Someone who could affect him and be a vital part of him.
Staring at the corner of the window sill, he drew his arms across his chest.
"Hajimemashite watashi wa Antoine Gibrone desu, dozo yoroshiku!"
Bright morning sunrays reflected along the window played in the corner. He did not dare look up. From the moment he raised his first tone, Hanamichi knew it was him. He didn't need to look at him; he could recognize the young boy's mere presence, the sweet air of fresh night.
Antoine could see him from the corner of his eyes. On the last row near the window, Hanamichi sat pensively, not looking at him, though acknowledging him at the same time. He noticed those strong tanned hands gripping hard on his arms. He was trembling. Antoine was also slightly fidgeting.
"Very well Gibrone-san. Please take your seat."
There was a blank seat in front of Hanamichi.
"Hai, sensei."
As the young one approached his table, they caught each others eyes and a jolt ran down his spine. Class resumed nonchalantly however, unaware of two disturbed souls. Hanamichi was so near, yet they were held in restrain by an invincible wall. Of the sworn secrecy and discretion. Antoine composed himself, oblivious of the sighs and stares of girls nearby. He had tied his hair at the back tightly. That gave him a boyish form. A very fair blond boy with striking blue eyes. He sparked up the very room like an ethereal being. Breathtaking, majestic and refined. Completely different, some would say, to the other boys' feature. Most especially to the old Hanamichi, they would think. No one would ever suspect that the brash basketball player and the cute transferee had any relation whatsoever. Even Yohei would not think that Hanamichi's shift to 'contentedly happy' mode was because of the blond sitting in front of him.
Period after period, all was natural; they did not speak nor formally acknowledge each other, until lunch time came when the redhead was suppose to hang out with his gundan or practice basketball at the court.
"Hanamichi!" Yohei called, clearing his desks and his things.
Antoine stood up to leave the room, distracting Hanamichi for a while.
"Y-yeah... what?"
"C'mon. Let's hurry up before the others get impatient, or Takamiya's intestinal worms get impatient." Yohei chuckled as he bent down to grab his bag. "Let's go, Hanami--" He's gone. The black haired boy blinked and scratched his head.
"Hanamichi?"
"Marie...."
Clear was the sky and air still. It was a good afternoon.
"Ah! I hate it when you call me that." He smiled sweetly at his intruder.
The boy by the door laughed. "I know you do. I think I'm going to call you that from now on." He chuckled, trailing towards the shorter boy.
The latter frowned, stretching a hand that carries a rectangular package. "That is so annoying of you!"
He grabbed the package from the dainty hand. "I know." Then he laughed.
"Hana-chan!"
But Hanamichi only smiled at him. "You never told me."
"You never asked," Antoine prompted. "Besides I intended to surprise you."
"Well, you did!" They both laughed.
"It's nice here," Antoine exclaimed as he scanned the horizons of the rooftop.
"And quiet too."
The rooftop door suddenly opened much to Hanamichi's surprise. Antoine stood there relatively at ease, not caring a bit of the intrusion. It was some seconds before he fully realized the presence of the others.
"Hanamichi?" was Yohei startled gasps as he saw that the redhead was not alone. The three gundan came tagging along behind him.
"Teme! What took you guys so long? I'm starving. C'mon!" Hanamichi blurted out while Antoine tailed him behind, ignoring the bewildered stares of the gundan.
Throughout the lunch break, Antoine and Hanamichi conversed freely and lively. Usually they talked in cheery, sporadic outburst, things that do not seem to make sense at all. The gundan, most especially Yohei, almost dropped their lunch. They gaped as they listen to the two's excited conversation. Yohei couldn't comprehend his best friend's sudden change of tone, especially to someone whom he thought the redhead had met for the first time. Hanamichi was wholly different to look at. His smile, his laughter, his sweet voice, his glittering eyes; all these invokes a strong and pure emotion which altered drastically his whole being. There was something very pure and beautiful about the way he smiled at the blond boy.
Antoine, on the other hand, floated in youthful grace. He was like a child, thoroughly happy with his beloved. Standing beside Hanamichi, he becomes more effeminate looking. Maybe because Hanamichi was more masculine in form than Antoine.
Yohei felt a pang in his chest. The new student was drawing Hanamichi's attention from them. It was a complete shock for them. It was all too sudden: the coming of the transferee and Hanamichi's altered character. All too mysterious, it was, too suspicious.
Since then, a peculiar affinity had transpired between the foreign transferee and Hanamichi. Gibrone could be seen with Hanamichi, standing nearby silently with a queer air. He would be at the basketball practice, on the bleachers, on the corner, by the door, near the gundan. Always there, silently watching, unnoticed, generally aloft to everyone. He was friendly in class. The girls adored him. Yet he closed himself to them in a way that only those with acute sensibilities could distinguish.
But everything's different with Hanamichi. To him, Antoine would be like a child, cuddly and adoring little Antoinette. And Yohei noticed it all. The way their eyes would light up; the way their surroundings would change; the way they look at everything and nothing simultaneously. It was as if they've known each other all their lives. Do they? Have they known each other? That was the only explanation for it. They could see that Hanamichi held Antoine in high pedestal. So the gundan automatically treated him well.
However, one peculiar hobby of the young blond was that he always have a camera at hand, whether video or digital or both. And always it contained footages of Hanamichi during lunch, basketball practice, or at any given chance.
"I've a collection of Hanamichi's pictures," he once told the gundan when they inquired. "Some of them I got from footages."
"Really?" Ookuso exclaimed in disbelief.
"Hai. I even got his very first picture."
He had other eccentricities in him. But it seems that Hanamichi knew them beforehand and had shrugged it off as something natural. Some people had noticed the awkward relationship of Antoine and Hanamichi. They call it bizarre and intriguing.
***
The students expressed their gratitude through loud applause and presentation of gift of appreciation. Dr. Michelson casually stepped down the podium, only to be met by Mikiko-sensei.
"Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge with the children." She gave him her hand which the university professor gratefully accepted.
"You're very welcome, Mikiko-san. And thank you for giving me this chance to meet these brilliant students. It seems you train your children here in a different way."
"Yes, we do," she replied. They were currently weaving through the throng of teenagers as they speak. "We make pride of that. By the way, Dr. Michelson, how is Liwette's genome assessment coming into?"
"Oh, well I should say. It's coming along just fine. We've coordinated with other institutes here in Japan. Anyway, um, you have very interesting individuals here."
"That is very flattering, Dr. Michelson. I heard that Yusenko graduates are quite exceptional in Liwette," the principal boasted.
"Definitely. And as I've experienced with these students, majority of them would definitely excel in the university," he added, fidgeting slightly afterwards. "I'm a bit intrigued... For example-- that fascinating young man who came to me, he was rude but interesting."
Mikiko frowned. "Oh dear! I'm afraid I didn't see any boy coming up to you today. I'm sorry--"
"No, no! It was the boy who gave me the invitation. The one with red hair. I did not meet him today."
"Oh, that prick!" Mikiko-sensei cursed unabashedly. "I'm sorry for Sakuragi Hanamichi's rudeness."
"What's his name again?"
"Sakuragi Hanamichi. He's one of the YSCEP qualifiers. A second year senior non-regular from Shohoku. I hope that you would forgive his misconduct." Mrs. Mikiko would have begged and kneeled for forgiveness if need be, but she didn't have to go that far.
"Don't worry. I find him very fascinating despite is brashness. Nevermind that." He waved the topic aside. "I heard that Ms. Kubota is having some problems with her workload after her partner left Japan. Now, I was just wondering if you'd accept my help on that since I don't do much in the university and projects are not that aggravating."
"Well, I think we could immediately arrange for that, Dr. Michelson. You would be much welcome."
-_-;; TBC
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(~_~;)
Blue6-Blood6]6 : bweheheheh!!! by now, i've written your bios so beware. nyahahahhaha!!! you can kill me now, if you see me. i said if.... i miss you too RA-sama. *sniff* and i'm sorry... NOT! you, ha... it's as if you don't know me, ha?
(^_^ ); : need aspirin, kid? i'm having one to so... want one? (^_~;)
mischief14 : yaoi? go figure... bwehehehhe....
chibi-onna : ahhhh.... kawai, chibi-onna! kawai chibi-onna!
Hirame : well, yeah the story's getting creepy and so is me...... WAIT A MINUTE!!!
Zackire : ah, yes.... i love my story too.... tehehehhe.... nah, thanks.... enjoy.
chris : easy, kid. don't blow you head off. you might be right, you might be wrong..... (^_^;)
keli : HanaRu? eh.................................................... that's quite complicated.... um, see ya.... e-he.
that's it... i'm done for. Nothing much here......what'll do next? hmmmmmmm...............
(@_@)