Chapter 5

I smiled, 'He seemed particularly pissed off today. He went into the locker room without saying a word to me.'

I hummed softly to myself and waited for him to come out.

10 minutes later he emerged and I could see the droplets of water in his hair. I decided I like the wet look on him.

"Smiley, you still here?"

"Hai. Can I walk you home, Hana-kun?"

"I'm not a girl. I don't need you to walk me home."

I smiled, "Hai. I know. But I want to talk to you, and can't friends walk each other home?"

"Who's your friend?"

"You," I said with a smile as I followed him out of the gym.

"I'm not your friend. Rukawa is."

I raised an eyebrow, "Oh? You're jealous of Rukawa? Don't-"

He cut me off, "What the hell are you talking about, Smiley?! Who would possible be jealous of that kitsune?"

'He is jealous of Rukawa. But for what reason? Is it because of me?' I wondered unable to stop grinning at that thought.

"What are you grinning about?!"

"Nothing. I just find you so kawaii."

He actually blushed, "Teme, Smiley!! Who are you calling cute!?"

"You, Hana-kun…"

"What about Rukawa?"

I was disappointed, 'We're back to Rukawa now are we? Why is that?'

.

"Aren't you excited? He was very curious about you," I said.

No reply. He never replies unless prompted.

"Ru?"

"No."

"How can you not be excited?" I asked, "I was totally jealous."

He didn't reply again.

"Oooh, Valentines in this weekend. I've decided!"

Silence.

"You're not going to ask me what I've decided, are you?"

"No."

"Well, I'm going to tell you. I've decided that I'm going to tell him on Friday, what he means to me."

That got his attention, "You are?"

"Yep. Don't you think it's a great idea? It's the perfect day, Valentines Day and my birthday. I got a good feeling. Because it's my birthday and everything," I added to myself, 'and personally I'm afraid that if I continue to wait he'll fall for you.'

"Bad idea."

"Why?" I asked curiously.

"Just is," he stated.

"What's the suppose to mean?" I asked, "and can you please explain. 3 words or less is not appreciated."

"Just don't," he said.

"What? Did you not hear 3 words or less isn't appreciated. Are you scared he'll say yes? Anyways I can't just wait for him to realize it. That's just a stupid idea. I don't think he'll ever realize it. I left him a bunch of hints too. You got to agree with me that waiting is a terrible idea."

"I'm waiting," he said softly.

I realize that moment he likes Hanamichi much more than I do. Because I was scared and nervous of telling Hanamichi how I felt, but he was terrified of letting Hanamichi know how he feels. Rukawa was afraid, afraid that Hanamichi will reject him and destroy that last spark of hope he has. Odd how I understand what he feels.

"Well, I can't wait. I'm not like you."

.

I was feeling extremely nervous. I don't know why, I'm so nervous. I'm so prepared. I planned out what I wanted to say and how to say it.

I saw him walking towards me and I smiled, "Hana-kun."

"Smiley."

"Do you know tomorrow's Valentines Day?"

"Of course the tensai knows that."

"Do you know it's also my birthday?"

"No. Why would the tensai know such trivial facts?"

I pulled out a rose, "Will you be my Val-"

"Why are you giving me a red rose?" he asked cutting me short.

"Because it's red like your head," I blurted and the moment I said it I regretted it deeply.

"Teme?! Are you making fun of the tensai?!"

'Why did I say that?' I groaned inwardly and took a couple of deep breaths, "no, no. What I wanted to ask was, will you spend Valentines with me? I would be the best birthday present ever."

"Why would I spend Valentines with you?"

"Because I asked you?" I suggested hopefully, "I want you to be my Valentine."

He looked at me, "You're trying to mock me! How dare you!"

I shook my head and said, "Hana-kun, I'm serious. I like you and want you to be my Valentines. I'm not trying to mock you or anything of the sort. Why would I do that to someone I like?"

He froze and then turned and began walking back to the locker room in a robot like manner.

"…" I smiled, 'kawaii…'

"Hana-kun…"

He ran like crazy into the locker room.

"…" I frowned, 'what's that suppose to mean? Did I scare him? Was I coming on too strong? Maybe he's just overjoyed and thinking of what to say and how to accept me… Yes, that must be it…'

~T.B.C