Jealousy & Awkwardness

Disclaimer: I do not own Hana Yori Dango

"Kiesha, you okay? You look as if you're in a trance for a minute." Yuki asked, there was concern written in her eyes. They were walking on the ground of Eitoku before going to their classes.

"Of course I am! Why wouldn't I be? And call me Kushi, since I'm in the US no more." Tsukushi reminded her friend. She was feeling thankful, at least she got a friend who really cares for her. But honestly, she wasn't okay. Shigeru's voice kept on repeating in her mind, and the fact that she's Tsukasa's girlfriend had an impact on her. She still likes Tsukasa...for sure. They were still walking when F4 and Shigeru came up and approached them.

"Hey Yuki! How come you spend more time with Kushi than me?" Soujiro asked, pouting.

"Oh come on, enough of the lovey-dovey! We're in public, if you must know!" Akira told his friend teasingly. Tsukushi and the others had a good laugh, but they subsided quickly and all of them turned to Tsukushi. She seemed to get what they wanted her to do, and her face looked pensive when she spoke.

"Sorry about yesterday, I just wanted to surprise you." She told them apologetically.

"You sure took us by surprise. Really, you're so beautiful, so different, so...va-va-voom!!!" Akira exclaimed merrily, as his hands went up the air as if shaping Tsukushi's body. Once again they had a good laugh, and Tsukushi hit Akira on the arm playfully. Tsukushi turned and looked at Tsukasa and saw his hand interlocked with Shigeru's. She felt like there was a lump stuck on her throat and she couldn't think of what to say. It was Shigeru who broke the silence that reigned around the group.

"So you're Japanese name is Tsukushi? And you're Tsukasa's childhood friend?!" Shigeru asked, she was hinting something but Tsukushi couldn't decipher what.

"Um, yeah. I'm Tsukasa's childhood friend, and F3's as well." Tsukushi looked at Tsukasa and met his eyes, but she turned away quickly. 'just a friend...right', Tsukushi reminded herself. But when she asked Tsukasa how he was, however, all her thoughts were deleted...just like that. He was extremely gorgeous, wearing a black shirt and jeans and his cologne was so manly that Tsukushi almost forgot to breathe.

"So, how are you this morning?"

"Never better. Listen, about yesterday, I didn't mean that. I didn't know it was you, Tsukushi." Tsukasa had said her name so low and gentle Tsukushi could have sworn she saw the sincerity in his eyes, but it was gone when she looked up again. Tsukushi said it was okay and told them she'd see them at lunch, saying it without meeting their eyes. She then walked away briskly, with Shigeru and Yuki running to catch up with her.

Akira watched them leave as he turned to Tsukasa. They were walking towards the lake, not wanting to attend any of their classes.

"You ain't over her yet, are you Tsukasa?" Akira said seriously. Tsukasa looked at him questioningly and asked why.

"Saw the glare you had when I said she's so sexy. Good thing whiny Shigeru didn't notice. I guess first love never dies, eh Soujiro?" Akira turned to his friend, although he knew he's not going to get a good answer.

"I have no idea, bro. I didn't know what first love was until I met Yuki." Soujiro said dreamily, remembering the first time she met Yuki.

"Ewww! Haven't you had enough of your mushy stuff when we were talking with the girls?" Akira had a screwed look on his face and looked like he was going to puke. He turned to Rui instead; who gave him a thumbs-up.

"To tell you the truth, I haven't forgotten her to begin with." Tsukasa said flatly, he sounded so true.

"Well, to that I have no doubt. She's your childhood sweetheart, wasn't she?" Akira said teasingly, remembering the times when Tsukasa would often blush at the sound of Tsukushi's name. But Soujiro was serious when he opened his mouth to say his part.

"What are you gonna do now? Surely, Shigeru wouldn't let you off that easily. Be careful, you saw her one time when she didn't get what she want, she turned pretty violent...throwing things everywhere." Soujiro reminded him. Akira nodded, but they were surprised by Rui's reaction.

"Just whatever you do, don't make Tsukushi look like the villain in the story. Defend her by all means, Tsukasa. Don't ever let go, make a decision that you won't regret." Rui advised his friend, then said he's going home to sleep and turned around to leave them.

"Hey Rui, what's that supposed to mean?" Tsukasa asked, puzzled. He looked at his friends, who had the same blank expression as he was. But he had a point, Rui, he always had the point...he has always been the logical one among the four of them.

"Kushi's coming in late. She said she has to meet her other friends." Yuki informed them, she came without Tsukushi, and F4 immediately asked her where she was.

"Wonder who might those people be?" Akira was wondering, then something popped in his mind. 'Could it be Shizuka, and that Kazuya guy?', he asked Soujiro, but even he had no idea. Then they heard Tsukushi's laughter echoing down the hall and saw her walking to them, with her were a pretty girl and a naïve-looking boy. They seemed so happy together.

"These are Shizuka and Kazuya. This is Shigeru, F3 and Yuki. You do remember F4 don't you?" Tsukushi said while pointing alternately to introduce the people at the table. Shizuka and Kazuya said hello, F3 waved, and Shigeru and Yuki smiled, but Tsukushi noticed someone missing. She asked where's Rui.

"Sleeping, as usual." Was the simple answer Akira gave her. Shizuka and Kazuya took the seats beside Akira, leaving Tsukushi to sit beside Tsukasa. Tsukushi took the chair reluctantly. She was feeling awkward and her mind went completely blank when Tsukasa smiled at her, she returned the smile shyly.

All the while Shigeru was watching the whole scene. How Tsukasa smiled at her rather sweetly, and Tsukushi's crimson cheeks when she smiled in return. She felt a pang of jealousy eating her inside when she saw this. She tried to ignore the awkward scene between her 'boyfriend' and Tsukushi that morning, but it's a different story when it's the second time around. She gave a glare but nobody seemed to notice.

"So Tsukushi, are you dating someone right now?" Shigeru asked through gritted teeth. Tsukushi turned to her then to Tsukasa, but this time she was sure his eyes were telling her to say 'no'. Tsukushi's insides did a sort of somersault when she saw the reaction in Tsukasa's eyes.

"No, I don't have a certain someone right now. I just arrived from the US so I didn't have the time to meet guys, but I had many suitors back in New York." Tsukushi shot back, making Shigeru flush with embarrassment and anger. Akira and Soujiro smiled secretly. Still the same Tsukushi...bold and frank, they thought.

"Well, in that case...do you mind bringing one? I'm having a date with Tsukasa this coming Saturday. I'll be glad if you could come with us." Shigeru said, encircling her arm with Tsukasa's. She planned to make Tsukushi jealous.

"Ahh, I'm not sure. But I'll try, I'll inform you if I have a date to bring." Tsukushi said, smiling. Why did she agree to this date thingy? Damn! She cursed silently.

"I can come with you if you want. We can go to the amusement park." Rui suddenly came out of the blue, making everybody jump from their seats. Tsukushi introduces Shizuka and Kazuya again, and somehow Rui managed to smile a little at the sight of Shizuka. The latter blushed in return.

"So Tsukushi, do you want me as your date?" Rui asked politely.

This time it was Tsukasa's turn to get jealous. He felt relieved when he heard Tsukushi said that she's dating no one, but now Rui's included in the picture. Is Rui betraying me? Tsukasa thought, frowning and unconsciously grasping the tablecloth roughly. Soujiro and Akira exchanged nervous glances, not knowing what their friends might be thinking. Shigeru on the other hand, smirked. 'Now Tsukasa won't be able to run after Tsukushi', she sighed inwardly.

"Sure! I'll be glad to. Thanks, Rui." Tsukushi wasn't sure about what she did, but she had no choice, better let fate decide on what's gonna happen to her and Tsukasa. Shigeru said it's settled, to the amusement park on Saturday. Tsukasa stood up, and left the café angrily. Shigeru went after him, and Tsukushi came running with Yuki at the sound of the bell. Shizuka and Kazuya left not too long after that, and F3 was left, alone in the café.

"What the heck did you just do, Rui?" Soujiro shook his head and ran his hand on his hair. Rui shrugged, saying he did nothing wrong. Soujiro asked him again, but Akira spoke before Rui can utter a sound.

"I know you are helping Tsukushi, but Tsukasa is our brother and you know that. You're not into other people's businesses until Tsukushi came. Is there something that we missed between you and Tsukushi?" Akira didn't want to believe that Rui had just asked Tsukushi for a date.

"Wait and see. Patience is a virtue. I'm not betraying Tsukasa, he's one of my best friends, and I'm just helping him. Nor do I like Tsukushi, there's only one girl that I like...and you know who she is." Rui stood up, leaving the two pondering. He was right, it was Shizuka whom Rui likes...only Shizuka.

"This is gonna be one tough game for Tsukasa and Tsukushi. Wanna party tonight? Just help me meet some girls." Akira asked Soujiro.

"Ditto, Aki." Soujiro stood up, and both men walked together out of the café.

They're going to have a hard time, especially Tsukushi and Tsukasa.

I wanna thank you all for your comments! My story is already written in advance, so I can update as fast as I can...plus, summer has just started...anyways, thanks again! Merci beaucoup!