Chapter five.
edited as well!
This is going a little longer than I wanted it to go, but I don't wanna throw the characters around too fast. But I'm having fun doing this! Thank you for reading!
Disclaimer: Nope, I haven't got enough money to buy Flame of Recca from them! :P
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She leant on her arms as she sighed. It was obvious to other people that she had been thinking about something. Something that was serious to her had obviously had come to her mind.
Fuuko sat in the café toying with her coffee.
She had never had a taste for coffee, well till today.
Mi-chan had introduced a good one to her today. Today? Actually it was night now, the sun had long set, and the one that had been with her had left not too long ago.
Fuuko massaged her head as if she had been thinking too hard. She then clenched her teeth and hit the table with her fist.
"Mi-chan.... you idiot."
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The weekend flew by and Fuuko did not talk to any of her friends the rest of the weekend before she knew it, it was time for school
Fuuko walked to school that morning.
Her usual walk to school was nowhere near as exciting as it usually was.
She was not rushing to school, no happy smile and no waving at people she knew. She slumped all the way to school.
A few people noticed the unhappy look on her face.
Fuuko was almost at school when she heard voices call her.
"Fuuko! Please tell me you did that math homework!"
Fuuko did not even have to turn around to know who it was.
She turned and felt a smile return to her face.
"Recca!" she said with a smile. It suddenly dropped as she noticed someone following him.
".... Yanagi....." she said a little out of character.
"So did ya?" he was a little surprised when Fuuko started to turn around to go to class.
"Sorry Recca! I'm in a hurry!" she ran off with out looking and them and went to class.
"Eh?" He stood there puzzled.
Fuuko refused to let him see the pained expression on her face.
I'm so sorry.... Recca.
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"Oh maaaann.."
Recca groaned again. He started cursing Domon in his mind for getting him in detention again on the first day of school. Then again, he should have done his math homework as well, that would have given him a few brownie points for the teacher he was with today.
Math homework? Oh that's right, what was wrong with Fuuko she seemed a little out of character today. Where was she on Sunday? Her mother said she did not want to talk to anyone that day. What had happened?
And why had Yanagi's phone been tied up a lot recently? A lot of the time her phone was busy, and when he asked she just said her parents were using the phone or something like that.
Fuuko.
Hime'.
Something was going on. were they hiding something?
Why was Fuuko acting so. different about Mikagami?
Fuuko since he had known her, had never acted in such a way in front of any man. Recca looked annoyed that she would feel something for that ice man.
He felt his anger rise at the thought.
What? Why should he be angry, maybe it was good that his longest childhood friend was finally taking an interest in the opposite sex.
But still, Fuuko was very close to him, and he could admit important to him, if Mikagami hurt her in anyway he would incinerate him.
And If Mikagami made her cry. There would be no words to describe what he would do. To make Fuuko cry was unforgivable. Recca had never really seen her cry at all. She was not the type, even in sentimental moments she did not cry. His Hime would cry because that was the type of girl she was, but Fuuko had a strength about her.....
He had always admired it..... even if he teased her about it..... he had never asked her to be like a girl, even though he teased her about being a tomboy a lot. Recca had always found it comforting to have a female friend that he could relate to.
So if Mikagami was the one she liked and he hurt her, there would be no forgiveness.
He looked out the window, he could not see if anyone was outside waiting for him, surely his hime would be there, they were meant to walk home together after all.
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Recca hurried out of the building to see if anyone was waiting for him.
He slumped when he realized that there was no one. He put his bag over his shoulder. He sighed heavily, oh well there was always tomorrow. He had not been spending too much time with his Hime' recently, it was almost becoming normal.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" said a voice not too far behind him. He had not been paying attention that he did not recognize the voice for a moment.
"Hi_" he stopped when he realized it was not her but he still smiled, but it was more of a welcoming a friend smile.
"Fuuko, you had detention as well?" he assumed. She rolled her eyes.
"I managed not to get that today thank you very much." She said with her arms crossed. The two started to head home. Fuuko looked around half expecting Yanagi and/or Mi-chan to come over the horizon to see them or something like that, but it did not happen today.
Their walk was unusually quiet. Recca could not help but feel that something was weighing on his friend's mind.
They got to the point where they made it to the park which meant the two of them would have to part. Fuuko paused.
"Hmm? What's the matter Fuu.Eh." Recca noticed the pained look on Fuuko's face it was only for a moment but it was there. She looked at the play ground, she was unusually sighy today.
The sun's ray began to dim as sunset was about to start.
"Do you mind. if we sit in the play ground for a while?" she asked. Recca surprised by her request said nothing but complied.
She sat on one of the swings. Her attitude a little down and she had barely said anything insulting or funny to Recca the whole day, it was starting to freak Recca out.
Something had to be wrong, but he did not know if acting like his normal self was the right thing to do.
He leant on one of the posts that held the swings up as he waited her to get off the swing. She finally started to talk.
"Yanagi.... how is she." she asked softly. Recca was about to answer when he realized how out of context the question was, and even more surprised that he did not know the answer to that because he and his hime had not spend much time together recently, not much alone time anyway.
"Ahh.."
"I thought so." She sat there for a moment. She then got up and walked over to him and faced him directly. Recca had never seen her look so serious right in his face before. She just stared at him in face for a while, but slowly that look began to soften. Her eyes started to gain a feminine softness that he had never noticed about her before.
The sunset rays of light formed a soft glow about her emotion filled face.
And for the first time in his life. looking and Fuuko had given him the idea that Fuuko was an attractive woman.
He erased that thought as soon as it was born, the girl in front of him was Fuuko Kirisawa. his best friend and former rival.
"Fuuko."
"Yanagi." she said suddenly, though it sounded like it was hard to say.
"Huh? What about her Fuuko?"
She kept the serious look on her face while she said this as if it was difficult to say.
"Yanagi. she." Fuuko started to speak, but she stopped she saw the look on Recca's face. She thought about all the times he had fought for his princess. They way he felt about her must have been more than anything she knew. She just. she just could not.
"Yanagi. she.. You. make a great couple." she finally said. Recca looked a little surprised.
"Ha?"
"You. you're so devoted to her, you're like. you're like her knight in shining armour."
Fuuko kept on going, not exactly what she was going to say, but it would have to do. Fuuko then looked down as if hiding her face from him. She started to lean closer to him.
"Fuuko. what. what's the matter?" he asked worried, he had never seen her this way. She looked at his face, he had never shown her so much worry before. Not to her face anyway. Not since her since her fight with Gashakura, but that was different.
Please stop looking at me like that. she thought. Fuuko found herself leaning closer to Recca.
"Recca.."
Recca dropped his bag on the ground.
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"Hello?"
"Oh hello Mrs. Kirisawa, this is Yanagi, would Fuuko happen to be there?" asked the voice on the phone. Mrs Kirisawa smiled.
"Oh Yanagi-chan, I have not seen you for a while, how are things?"
"They are fine thank you."
"I'm sorry but Fuuko is not home yet, she might had detention or something."
Yanagi was a little surprised that Fuuko's mum did not worry that her daughter might be in detention, then again. it was Fuuko, Recca and Domon they were talking about, the three constantly got in trouble. It was a wonder that Fuuko could still keep her grades up, unlike the other two.
"Oh ok, thank you anyway."
"That's alright."
Yanagi sat at her study desk
Yanagi was not stupid. Something was going on with Fuuko, she was purposely avoiding her.
Did she know something?
If so, what did she know? What did she assume or suspect?
Strange. she had called Recca's number not long ago, and he was not available either. Then again, he did have detention. again. perhaps he was not home yet?
She heard her phone ring. She looked at the Phone ID.
".... Mikagami-sempai."
She was about to pick up the phone but hesitated. She suddenly gazed upon a photo that was on her table.
It was the whole Hokage after the UBS. She stared particularly at herself, Fuuko and Recca who were rather close together. She then noticed Fuuko's arm linked onto Mikagami-sempai's. She then smiled.
"Fuuko. I'm not blind you know."
She did not answer the phone.....
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"I just want the two of you to be happy."
Recca was surprised by what she had said.
Right now her head was leant on Recca's shoulder and her hands rested on Recca's chest. Recca was paralyzed with surprise.
"....."
"I know how much you must love her. Please take care of her."
Recca did not know what to say as his longest childhood friend rest on his chest. To his own surprise he did not resist her.
"Recca.."
He found his body softening and he slowly placed his arms around her frame. Fuuko did not resist either.
They stood there for a while. To anyone looking past they would have looked like lovers spending a special moment together. Recca did not push her away, rather he stood there holding her.
Slowly they parted, it was a little embarrassing as each of them smiled sheepishly.
Fuuko had the remnants of a tear on her cheek but she had a smile. Recca picked up his bag and smiled sheepishly at her, neither one knew what to say now.
"I..... suppose I should be going now, it's starting to get late." Fuuko said. Recca nodded. Fuuko turned to leave, but before she left she said something to Recca that she had been meaning to say.
"Heh, it's too bad I never beat you Recca, I wonder what it would have been like if I beat you and you were my ninja." She teased a little. Recca just smiled and put his hands on his hips. She started to walk away. What he said next surprised her, she wondered if he had remembered telling her the same thing years ago.
"I would have been happy. to be your ninja. Fuuko." He said with sincerity that usually only reserved for Yanagi. Fuuko smiled and left to go home.
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Fuuko walked inside and stretched as she fell onto the couch. She thought about the day as it had progressed. what a strange turn of events.
She hugged herself a little.
Recca.....
She had never been held by a man before. Not like that. never like that.
She remembered feeling how his body relaxed accepting her sign of affection and holding her.
She did not know why she had done it in all honesty. She would never have imagined doing it. But right now she had gone through a lot of emotions that she could not explain. she would just have to deal with it and find out what it all meant.
"Fuuko, Yanagi-chan called not long ago." Called her mother. Fuuko's eyes went up a little.
"Yanagi."
Fuuko walked over to the phone, she hesitated before picking it up. It could have been important.
She dialed the number.
"Hello?"
"Yanagi. you called?"
"Fuuko.." There was silence for a moment.
"We need to talk."
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Fuuko walked over to Yanagi's house that night, it was decided she would probably sleep the night. They had done that a lot in the past but not recently due to a lot of things.
Fuuko arrived at Yanagi's house and after dinner they sat in Yanagi's room. First Mi-chan said they had needed to talk, now Yanagi. who was next. Recca?
What was she? The Middle man firing wall?
"Fuuko. have you talked with Mikagami-sempai?" Yanagi asked a little worried. Fuuko looked away a little not knowing what to say. Fuuko sat on her bed and looked down for a moment.
"Yanagi."
". please. what did. he say."
Fuuko paused heavily as she recalled that night. ____________________________________________________________________
"Why walk all the way to this Café Mi-chan?" she said as they sat down.
Mi-chan shrugged as he composed himself.
"It seemed better this way." He said. Fuuko waited anxiously for what Mi- chan would say to her. It could be so many things, things were just a little too strange recently. But one thing was for sure to her.
"It is about. Yanagi. isn't it." she said almost sadly. Mikagami looked down a little as well.
"So.... you know." he said quite sure. She looked at him with determination.
"To tell you the truth, I don't actually know that much, I just know you were probably with her about a week ago at the movies. I heard your voice." Fuuko said as if denoting their possible relationship.
"....." Mikagami turned to the waitress who had decided they might want their order now.
"I'll just have a cappuccino." He said. Fuuko paused heavily not sure what to get.
"I. I'll just have a hot chocolate." She said, she was never really into coffee. Mikagami's brow creased a little.
"How old are you? She'll have. a Macchiato Latte." He concluded. The waitress gave Mikagami a wink and walked off.
Fuuko rolled her eyes, no woman seemed to be able to resist him even if he had NO charm and demanded that everyone keep a mile distance from him. Perhaps it was the mysteriousness about him that made him such an interest for the girl's at school. Though Fuuko frankly disliked that he refused to get to know anyone that well.
But she had to admit, when he did spend time with her or any of her friends she liked him a lot. The more time she spent with him, the stronger her feelings got, no matter how she tried to fight them.
But this whole, Yanagi and Mi-chan thing.
"What's that?"
"You'll like it." he had decided.
Fuuko had tried to remain on the topic of Yanagi and Mi-chan, but found herself in denial, and did not want to know if they were indeed having a relationship but finally the topic would return to it.
"I have. something to confess Kirisawa."
Fuuko detested that Mi-chan called her Kirisawa, as if she were a guy or something, she would have preferred Fuuko, but then it would show they were possibly good friends.
". Yanagi and I. have been spending time together."
Fuuko's heart, no matter how ready for it she was, still sank. She knew it was true that they had been spending some time together, because of the phone call. but she wanted. she wanted so bad to be wrong.
Her fist was clenched ready to punch him out.
How dare he. how dare he, Yanagi was Recca's girlfriend. not his. Didn't he know how much this would hurt him. didn't he know how much it would hurt the group.
. didn't he know how much it would hurt her.
Fuuko refused to acknowledge the fact that, that idea had come to her head.
"Mi-chan. I."
"But it's not what you think."
Fuuko's ears perked up to hear what strange scenario would have put them in the same theatre together alone.
Strangely Fuuko found her self willing to listen.
"..... you know. that Yanagi. reminds me of my sister." He looked directly at Fuuko as if he had some purpose or something to prove.
"I know that. but. what does."
". You have no idea the extent how she looks like her." Mikagami seemed a little in agony over the idea. It was not like him, the Mi-chan she knew would accept that fact and move on, but he did not seem himself at this point of time. He. he was opening up to her.
When she thought about it, why was he telling HER about this. Was it because of something he thought she knew or he had something to prove?
". even her eyes are similar. every time I look at Yanagi I see my sister and how much. I wish she was here now. My sister was the one who raised me when I was young. No matter what I do to block it out. I want Yanagi to be by my side, I keep telling myself she is not my sister. but when I'm not thinking about it I believe that Yanagi is my sister."
"..... I don't understand Mi-chan. if that is how you feel, then. it's ok right? I mean, it's not like you and Yanagi are. or have done anything si."
The look on Mikagami's told her other wise. Her face went pale.
Mikagami looked down a little she had never seen his face ridden with such guilt before.
"..... we had promised to keep our meetings secret because we knew that Recca would never understand. Why she agreed to spend time with me as my sister I never understood...... but I was selfish. I was happy to leave it as that. To feel like I was with my sister again. but about two weeks ago. I walked her home and at her door. something came over us. I don't know what. but.... Why she_"
Fuuko almost jumped up with rage as if not wanting to hear the rest, but she had to, she just had to. She already knew what might have happened.
Mikagami had kissed her, or Yanagi had kissed him or. oh it did not matter!
"Why? WHY? Mikagami just look at yourself!" she had said Mikagami rather than Mi-chan this time. she felt something inside of her boil up.
She was mad... real mad...
Even with out hearing the full story, she did not want to hear anymore.....
"What do you mean?"
"Are you blind?! Every girl in school, moral or not has a thing for you, whether it be a small attraction or a huge infatuation, but yes Mikagami every girl in school for some unknown reason can't help but be slightly attracted to you." Fuuko held her head in agony over this matter, she did not care that she was saying what was truth now. Fuuko's fist hit the table.
She was PISSED...
"I can't imagine what it would be like for Yanagi to spend so much time with you and not feel ANYTHING." Fuuko shook her head. She did not want to know about what had happened between Yanagi and Mikagami.
"...... I am sorry, but. it had just sort of happened, it is totally out of character for me, and I am sure it is for Yanagi. Nothing was meant by_"
"If that's true then why did you let it happen!" Fuuko was a little hysterical now. What was she to do?! What could she do??
It was obvious that Mikagami probably was not interested in having a relationship with Yanagi, and perhaps Yanagi was not either, but the deed was done, they had done the wrong thing against Recca.
Definitely against Recca. and against her.
. .....against. ....her?
Wait a moment why was she even here? What did this have to do with her???? And why did she even care of their matters, why did this matter really hurt her?
Was it because she loved Recca like a childhood friend should and she did not want her friend to be hurt like this. Or.... was it her own heart breaking? Why was it she felt so hurt by Mikagami.
He barely noticed her. True, buring the UBS they had gotten a little close, she had hugged him often then, she held him back by holding his hand on occasions, they had debated and held conversations..... but recently it had been only routine meetings at school and the occasional outing, but on each time they had been together he seemed to enjoy himself right?
Like he actually enjoyed being with her and the others. even if his sarcastic and arrogant attitude showed other wise..
Yet she had still had her eye on him at school and had a picture of him under her pillow. Though she could not classify her feelings as love. but yet her heart broke to hear such things from him.
"." she calmed herself down and regained her composure.
"What will you do. with what you know now?" a surprise question from him to Fuuko.
". I believe you will not pursue a relationship with Yanagi right?" she assumed. He nodded. He cared about Yanagi. but the resemblance to his sister was too striking, it would be too strange. and then there was Recca.
". what about. Recca?" she dared ask. Her face showed complete seriousness.
". I do not know. that is why I asked to speak with you."
"hmm?"
"You are Recca's best friend. I thought it best that you know so you may know what to do."
"...... will you tell him?"
No answer of course.
"..... he would burn you till there was nothing left."
"What will he do with Yanagi?" he asked. Fuuko paused heavily and looked down as she knew that she did not know the answer to that. Would he leave? Would he get angry? What?
". I......I do not know."
There was silence for a while when Mikagami finally spoke.
"Forgive me. Fuuko." He said, finally saying her first name. Fuuko looked a little confused, it was not her he needed forgiveness from. He then stood up.
"You should go home, it is getting late." He said.
She just stared at him.
"You ask me for forgiveness. why?" she asked puzzled. He looked at her for a moment but then started to walk off and paid the bill.
Fuuko stared at him as he walked away from her. She sat back down in her seat as she toyed with her 'Macchiato Latte' that Mikagami has prescribed to her. She tried to process the information that had entered her head. She then hit the table with her fists.
"Mi-chan.. You idiot."
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"Fuuko?'
Fuuko snapped out of her thoughts. She then looked directly at Yanagi.
No. Fuuko could not blame Mikagami wanting to spend with Yanagi because of that sisterly thing he had. And she could not blame Yanagi for spending time with him. She was a nice girl and probably would do it to make him feel better or something like that. But the fact is, the two of them had.
". you kissed." she answered. Yanagi's face went pale and guilty. Fuuko looked at Yanagi determined.
". Tell me." Fuuko started. ". why. what. what had happened?"
Yanagi looked away a little a tear streaked her face.
".I. I don't know. I. I don't feel that way for him. but we were spending. just so much time together. that for a moment."
Yanagi looked down and started to cry. Fuuko could not help but pity her for some reason.
". that night we had, had so much fun, I had never seen Mikagami-sempai smile so much before. he must have been very happy. and for one moment. just one moment. I had forgotten. the man I loved." She confessed it all.
Fuuko just looked down as Yanagi cried to herself a little. Fuuko tried to stay angry with Yanagi but found. ...she could not.
Fuuko sat next to her and held her as Yanagi cried.
"I. I. I didn't mean to. it was an accident. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it." she kept blubbering. Fuuko held her and comforted her as best she could.
"Yanagi. what. what are you going to do."
". what. do you mean?" Yanagi asked.
". what. what will you do about Recca?" she asked slowly, could Yanagi live with the secret? Fuuko would not say, she failed to do so before and somehow she felt even if she was his best friend. she could not do it. it was not her place.
Yanagi. what will you do? ___________________________________________________________________
Fuuko returned home after school that day. Recca had not turned up for school. Fuuko did not want to think of why he was not there. It should be ok though right? Yanagi was at school today though Fuuko had not met her in any classes. They shared no classes, and Fuuko had been busy during breaks. she walked home with Domon. She was surprised to hear of a new woman in his life. She was right, that girl. what was her name? Kasumi actually seemed interested in Domon and he liked her as well. This led to that, so on and so forth.
Fuuko was happy for her devoted friend to finally find someone who returns his feelings, and is someone who he cares about to. She then opened the door to her room. She felt a little exhausted and lay on her bed. She rummaged under her pillow again.
She looked at the photo again.
Mi-chan. what will you do? What do you really feel about us? About Yanagi?
About me?
The door started to open. Fuuko immediately sat up and hid the photo.
"Who is_" Fuuko's eyes widened.
"Recca?!" she said surprised. Even more to her surprise Recca's eyes looked redish. like he had been crying. His school clothing a bit messy, he had obviously been lying in bed before he had come to her house.
Yanagi. must have said something.
"Recca. I."
Recca suddenly walked over to her immediately and plummeted himself into her and embraced her. In her surprise they were sprawled in the bed.
Recca lay on top of her holding her in an embrace.
Fuuko paused heavily as she could hear her friend begin to sob.
"Recca."
Fuuko said no more as she let her body relax and she wrapped her arms around him.
.. Recca.
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I'm glad to write more about Recca and Yanagi rather than just Mi-chan and Fuuko all the time, it's fun. Though Fuuko is my favourite character so no matter what FoR so no matter what she will always be a main character : ) I can't help it _
I know a tofu lover probably has a gun out or called a bounty hunter to kill me already, but really it will go a good way just not yet.
edited as well!
This is going a little longer than I wanted it to go, but I don't wanna throw the characters around too fast. But I'm having fun doing this! Thank you for reading!
Disclaimer: Nope, I haven't got enough money to buy Flame of Recca from them! :P
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She leant on her arms as she sighed. It was obvious to other people that she had been thinking about something. Something that was serious to her had obviously had come to her mind.
Fuuko sat in the café toying with her coffee.
She had never had a taste for coffee, well till today.
Mi-chan had introduced a good one to her today. Today? Actually it was night now, the sun had long set, and the one that had been with her had left not too long ago.
Fuuko massaged her head as if she had been thinking too hard. She then clenched her teeth and hit the table with her fist.
"Mi-chan.... you idiot."
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The weekend flew by and Fuuko did not talk to any of her friends the rest of the weekend before she knew it, it was time for school
Fuuko walked to school that morning.
Her usual walk to school was nowhere near as exciting as it usually was.
She was not rushing to school, no happy smile and no waving at people she knew. She slumped all the way to school.
A few people noticed the unhappy look on her face.
Fuuko was almost at school when she heard voices call her.
"Fuuko! Please tell me you did that math homework!"
Fuuko did not even have to turn around to know who it was.
She turned and felt a smile return to her face.
"Recca!" she said with a smile. It suddenly dropped as she noticed someone following him.
".... Yanagi....." she said a little out of character.
"So did ya?" he was a little surprised when Fuuko started to turn around to go to class.
"Sorry Recca! I'm in a hurry!" she ran off with out looking and them and went to class.
"Eh?" He stood there puzzled.
Fuuko refused to let him see the pained expression on her face.
I'm so sorry.... Recca.
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"Oh maaaann.."
Recca groaned again. He started cursing Domon in his mind for getting him in detention again on the first day of school. Then again, he should have done his math homework as well, that would have given him a few brownie points for the teacher he was with today.
Math homework? Oh that's right, what was wrong with Fuuko she seemed a little out of character today. Where was she on Sunday? Her mother said she did not want to talk to anyone that day. What had happened?
And why had Yanagi's phone been tied up a lot recently? A lot of the time her phone was busy, and when he asked she just said her parents were using the phone or something like that.
Fuuko.
Hime'.
Something was going on. were they hiding something?
Why was Fuuko acting so. different about Mikagami?
Fuuko since he had known her, had never acted in such a way in front of any man. Recca looked annoyed that she would feel something for that ice man.
He felt his anger rise at the thought.
What? Why should he be angry, maybe it was good that his longest childhood friend was finally taking an interest in the opposite sex.
But still, Fuuko was very close to him, and he could admit important to him, if Mikagami hurt her in anyway he would incinerate him.
And If Mikagami made her cry. There would be no words to describe what he would do. To make Fuuko cry was unforgivable. Recca had never really seen her cry at all. She was not the type, even in sentimental moments she did not cry. His Hime would cry because that was the type of girl she was, but Fuuko had a strength about her.....
He had always admired it..... even if he teased her about it..... he had never asked her to be like a girl, even though he teased her about being a tomboy a lot. Recca had always found it comforting to have a female friend that he could relate to.
So if Mikagami was the one she liked and he hurt her, there would be no forgiveness.
He looked out the window, he could not see if anyone was outside waiting for him, surely his hime would be there, they were meant to walk home together after all.
_______________________
Recca hurried out of the building to see if anyone was waiting for him.
He slumped when he realized that there was no one. He put his bag over his shoulder. He sighed heavily, oh well there was always tomorrow. He had not been spending too much time with his Hime' recently, it was almost becoming normal.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" said a voice not too far behind him. He had not been paying attention that he did not recognize the voice for a moment.
"Hi_" he stopped when he realized it was not her but he still smiled, but it was more of a welcoming a friend smile.
"Fuuko, you had detention as well?" he assumed. She rolled her eyes.
"I managed not to get that today thank you very much." She said with her arms crossed. The two started to head home. Fuuko looked around half expecting Yanagi and/or Mi-chan to come over the horizon to see them or something like that, but it did not happen today.
Their walk was unusually quiet. Recca could not help but feel that something was weighing on his friend's mind.
They got to the point where they made it to the park which meant the two of them would have to part. Fuuko paused.
"Hmm? What's the matter Fuu.Eh." Recca noticed the pained look on Fuuko's face it was only for a moment but it was there. She looked at the play ground, she was unusually sighy today.
The sun's ray began to dim as sunset was about to start.
"Do you mind. if we sit in the play ground for a while?" she asked. Recca surprised by her request said nothing but complied.
She sat on one of the swings. Her attitude a little down and she had barely said anything insulting or funny to Recca the whole day, it was starting to freak Recca out.
Something had to be wrong, but he did not know if acting like his normal self was the right thing to do.
He leant on one of the posts that held the swings up as he waited her to get off the swing. She finally started to talk.
"Yanagi.... how is she." she asked softly. Recca was about to answer when he realized how out of context the question was, and even more surprised that he did not know the answer to that because he and his hime had not spend much time together recently, not much alone time anyway.
"Ahh.."
"I thought so." She sat there for a moment. She then got up and walked over to him and faced him directly. Recca had never seen her look so serious right in his face before. She just stared at him in face for a while, but slowly that look began to soften. Her eyes started to gain a feminine softness that he had never noticed about her before.
The sunset rays of light formed a soft glow about her emotion filled face.
And for the first time in his life. looking and Fuuko had given him the idea that Fuuko was an attractive woman.
He erased that thought as soon as it was born, the girl in front of him was Fuuko Kirisawa. his best friend and former rival.
"Fuuko."
"Yanagi." she said suddenly, though it sounded like it was hard to say.
"Huh? What about her Fuuko?"
She kept the serious look on her face while she said this as if it was difficult to say.
"Yanagi. she." Fuuko started to speak, but she stopped she saw the look on Recca's face. She thought about all the times he had fought for his princess. They way he felt about her must have been more than anything she knew. She just. she just could not.
"Yanagi. she.. You. make a great couple." she finally said. Recca looked a little surprised.
"Ha?"
"You. you're so devoted to her, you're like. you're like her knight in shining armour."
Fuuko kept on going, not exactly what she was going to say, but it would have to do. Fuuko then looked down as if hiding her face from him. She started to lean closer to him.
"Fuuko. what. what's the matter?" he asked worried, he had never seen her this way. She looked at his face, he had never shown her so much worry before. Not to her face anyway. Not since her since her fight with Gashakura, but that was different.
Please stop looking at me like that. she thought. Fuuko found herself leaning closer to Recca.
"Recca.."
Recca dropped his bag on the ground.
__________________________________________________________
"Hello?"
"Oh hello Mrs. Kirisawa, this is Yanagi, would Fuuko happen to be there?" asked the voice on the phone. Mrs Kirisawa smiled.
"Oh Yanagi-chan, I have not seen you for a while, how are things?"
"They are fine thank you."
"I'm sorry but Fuuko is not home yet, she might had detention or something."
Yanagi was a little surprised that Fuuko's mum did not worry that her daughter might be in detention, then again. it was Fuuko, Recca and Domon they were talking about, the three constantly got in trouble. It was a wonder that Fuuko could still keep her grades up, unlike the other two.
"Oh ok, thank you anyway."
"That's alright."
Yanagi sat at her study desk
Yanagi was not stupid. Something was going on with Fuuko, she was purposely avoiding her.
Did she know something?
If so, what did she know? What did she assume or suspect?
Strange. she had called Recca's number not long ago, and he was not available either. Then again, he did have detention. again. perhaps he was not home yet?
She heard her phone ring. She looked at the Phone ID.
".... Mikagami-sempai."
She was about to pick up the phone but hesitated. She suddenly gazed upon a photo that was on her table.
It was the whole Hokage after the UBS. She stared particularly at herself, Fuuko and Recca who were rather close together. She then noticed Fuuko's arm linked onto Mikagami-sempai's. She then smiled.
"Fuuko. I'm not blind you know."
She did not answer the phone.....
____________________________________________________________
"I just want the two of you to be happy."
Recca was surprised by what she had said.
Right now her head was leant on Recca's shoulder and her hands rested on Recca's chest. Recca was paralyzed with surprise.
"....."
"I know how much you must love her. Please take care of her."
Recca did not know what to say as his longest childhood friend rest on his chest. To his own surprise he did not resist her.
"Recca.."
He found his body softening and he slowly placed his arms around her frame. Fuuko did not resist either.
They stood there for a while. To anyone looking past they would have looked like lovers spending a special moment together. Recca did not push her away, rather he stood there holding her.
Slowly they parted, it was a little embarrassing as each of them smiled sheepishly.
Fuuko had the remnants of a tear on her cheek but she had a smile. Recca picked up his bag and smiled sheepishly at her, neither one knew what to say now.
"I..... suppose I should be going now, it's starting to get late." Fuuko said. Recca nodded. Fuuko turned to leave, but before she left she said something to Recca that she had been meaning to say.
"Heh, it's too bad I never beat you Recca, I wonder what it would have been like if I beat you and you were my ninja." She teased a little. Recca just smiled and put his hands on his hips. She started to walk away. What he said next surprised her, she wondered if he had remembered telling her the same thing years ago.
"I would have been happy. to be your ninja. Fuuko." He said with sincerity that usually only reserved for Yanagi. Fuuko smiled and left to go home.
___________________________________________________
Fuuko walked inside and stretched as she fell onto the couch. She thought about the day as it had progressed. what a strange turn of events.
She hugged herself a little.
Recca.....
She had never been held by a man before. Not like that. never like that.
She remembered feeling how his body relaxed accepting her sign of affection and holding her.
She did not know why she had done it in all honesty. She would never have imagined doing it. But right now she had gone through a lot of emotions that she could not explain. she would just have to deal with it and find out what it all meant.
"Fuuko, Yanagi-chan called not long ago." Called her mother. Fuuko's eyes went up a little.
"Yanagi."
Fuuko walked over to the phone, she hesitated before picking it up. It could have been important.
She dialed the number.
"Hello?"
"Yanagi. you called?"
"Fuuko.." There was silence for a moment.
"We need to talk."
__________________________________________________________________
Fuuko walked over to Yanagi's house that night, it was decided she would probably sleep the night. They had done that a lot in the past but not recently due to a lot of things.
Fuuko arrived at Yanagi's house and after dinner they sat in Yanagi's room. First Mi-chan said they had needed to talk, now Yanagi. who was next. Recca?
What was she? The Middle man firing wall?
"Fuuko. have you talked with Mikagami-sempai?" Yanagi asked a little worried. Fuuko looked away a little not knowing what to say. Fuuko sat on her bed and looked down for a moment.
"Yanagi."
". please. what did. he say."
Fuuko paused heavily as she recalled that night. ____________________________________________________________________
"Why walk all the way to this Café Mi-chan?" she said as they sat down.
Mi-chan shrugged as he composed himself.
"It seemed better this way." He said. Fuuko waited anxiously for what Mi- chan would say to her. It could be so many things, things were just a little too strange recently. But one thing was for sure to her.
"It is about. Yanagi. isn't it." she said almost sadly. Mikagami looked down a little as well.
"So.... you know." he said quite sure. She looked at him with determination.
"To tell you the truth, I don't actually know that much, I just know you were probably with her about a week ago at the movies. I heard your voice." Fuuko said as if denoting their possible relationship.
"....." Mikagami turned to the waitress who had decided they might want their order now.
"I'll just have a cappuccino." He said. Fuuko paused heavily not sure what to get.
"I. I'll just have a hot chocolate." She said, she was never really into coffee. Mikagami's brow creased a little.
"How old are you? She'll have. a Macchiato Latte." He concluded. The waitress gave Mikagami a wink and walked off.
Fuuko rolled her eyes, no woman seemed to be able to resist him even if he had NO charm and demanded that everyone keep a mile distance from him. Perhaps it was the mysteriousness about him that made him such an interest for the girl's at school. Though Fuuko frankly disliked that he refused to get to know anyone that well.
But she had to admit, when he did spend time with her or any of her friends she liked him a lot. The more time she spent with him, the stronger her feelings got, no matter how she tried to fight them.
But this whole, Yanagi and Mi-chan thing.
"What's that?"
"You'll like it." he had decided.
Fuuko had tried to remain on the topic of Yanagi and Mi-chan, but found herself in denial, and did not want to know if they were indeed having a relationship but finally the topic would return to it.
"I have. something to confess Kirisawa."
Fuuko detested that Mi-chan called her Kirisawa, as if she were a guy or something, she would have preferred Fuuko, but then it would show they were possibly good friends.
". Yanagi and I. have been spending time together."
Fuuko's heart, no matter how ready for it she was, still sank. She knew it was true that they had been spending some time together, because of the phone call. but she wanted. she wanted so bad to be wrong.
Her fist was clenched ready to punch him out.
How dare he. how dare he, Yanagi was Recca's girlfriend. not his. Didn't he know how much this would hurt him. didn't he know how much it would hurt the group.
. didn't he know how much it would hurt her.
Fuuko refused to acknowledge the fact that, that idea had come to her head.
"Mi-chan. I."
"But it's not what you think."
Fuuko's ears perked up to hear what strange scenario would have put them in the same theatre together alone.
Strangely Fuuko found her self willing to listen.
"..... you know. that Yanagi. reminds me of my sister." He looked directly at Fuuko as if he had some purpose or something to prove.
"I know that. but. what does."
". You have no idea the extent how she looks like her." Mikagami seemed a little in agony over the idea. It was not like him, the Mi-chan she knew would accept that fact and move on, but he did not seem himself at this point of time. He. he was opening up to her.
When she thought about it, why was he telling HER about this. Was it because of something he thought she knew or he had something to prove?
". even her eyes are similar. every time I look at Yanagi I see my sister and how much. I wish she was here now. My sister was the one who raised me when I was young. No matter what I do to block it out. I want Yanagi to be by my side, I keep telling myself she is not my sister. but when I'm not thinking about it I believe that Yanagi is my sister."
"..... I don't understand Mi-chan. if that is how you feel, then. it's ok right? I mean, it's not like you and Yanagi are. or have done anything si."
The look on Mikagami's told her other wise. Her face went pale.
Mikagami looked down a little she had never seen his face ridden with such guilt before.
"..... we had promised to keep our meetings secret because we knew that Recca would never understand. Why she agreed to spend time with me as my sister I never understood...... but I was selfish. I was happy to leave it as that. To feel like I was with my sister again. but about two weeks ago. I walked her home and at her door. something came over us. I don't know what. but.... Why she_"
Fuuko almost jumped up with rage as if not wanting to hear the rest, but she had to, she just had to. She already knew what might have happened.
Mikagami had kissed her, or Yanagi had kissed him or. oh it did not matter!
"Why? WHY? Mikagami just look at yourself!" she had said Mikagami rather than Mi-chan this time. she felt something inside of her boil up.
She was mad... real mad...
Even with out hearing the full story, she did not want to hear anymore.....
"What do you mean?"
"Are you blind?! Every girl in school, moral or not has a thing for you, whether it be a small attraction or a huge infatuation, but yes Mikagami every girl in school for some unknown reason can't help but be slightly attracted to you." Fuuko held her head in agony over this matter, she did not care that she was saying what was truth now. Fuuko's fist hit the table.
She was PISSED...
"I can't imagine what it would be like for Yanagi to spend so much time with you and not feel ANYTHING." Fuuko shook her head. She did not want to know about what had happened between Yanagi and Mikagami.
"...... I am sorry, but. it had just sort of happened, it is totally out of character for me, and I am sure it is for Yanagi. Nothing was meant by_"
"If that's true then why did you let it happen!" Fuuko was a little hysterical now. What was she to do?! What could she do??
It was obvious that Mikagami probably was not interested in having a relationship with Yanagi, and perhaps Yanagi was not either, but the deed was done, they had done the wrong thing against Recca.
Definitely against Recca. and against her.
. .....against. ....her?
Wait a moment why was she even here? What did this have to do with her???? And why did she even care of their matters, why did this matter really hurt her?
Was it because she loved Recca like a childhood friend should and she did not want her friend to be hurt like this. Or.... was it her own heart breaking? Why was it she felt so hurt by Mikagami.
He barely noticed her. True, buring the UBS they had gotten a little close, she had hugged him often then, she held him back by holding his hand on occasions, they had debated and held conversations..... but recently it had been only routine meetings at school and the occasional outing, but on each time they had been together he seemed to enjoy himself right?
Like he actually enjoyed being with her and the others. even if his sarcastic and arrogant attitude showed other wise..
Yet she had still had her eye on him at school and had a picture of him under her pillow. Though she could not classify her feelings as love. but yet her heart broke to hear such things from him.
"." she calmed herself down and regained her composure.
"What will you do. with what you know now?" a surprise question from him to Fuuko.
". I believe you will not pursue a relationship with Yanagi right?" she assumed. He nodded. He cared about Yanagi. but the resemblance to his sister was too striking, it would be too strange. and then there was Recca.
". what about. Recca?" she dared ask. Her face showed complete seriousness.
". I do not know. that is why I asked to speak with you."
"hmm?"
"You are Recca's best friend. I thought it best that you know so you may know what to do."
"...... will you tell him?"
No answer of course.
"..... he would burn you till there was nothing left."
"What will he do with Yanagi?" he asked. Fuuko paused heavily and looked down as she knew that she did not know the answer to that. Would he leave? Would he get angry? What?
". I......I do not know."
There was silence for a while when Mikagami finally spoke.
"Forgive me. Fuuko." He said, finally saying her first name. Fuuko looked a little confused, it was not her he needed forgiveness from. He then stood up.
"You should go home, it is getting late." He said.
She just stared at him.
"You ask me for forgiveness. why?" she asked puzzled. He looked at her for a moment but then started to walk off and paid the bill.
Fuuko stared at him as he walked away from her. She sat back down in her seat as she toyed with her 'Macchiato Latte' that Mikagami has prescribed to her. She tried to process the information that had entered her head. She then hit the table with her fists.
"Mi-chan.. You idiot."
_____________________________________________________________
"Fuuko?'
Fuuko snapped out of her thoughts. She then looked directly at Yanagi.
No. Fuuko could not blame Mikagami wanting to spend with Yanagi because of that sisterly thing he had. And she could not blame Yanagi for spending time with him. She was a nice girl and probably would do it to make him feel better or something like that. But the fact is, the two of them had.
". you kissed." she answered. Yanagi's face went pale and guilty. Fuuko looked at Yanagi determined.
". Tell me." Fuuko started. ". why. what. what had happened?"
Yanagi looked away a little a tear streaked her face.
".I. I don't know. I. I don't feel that way for him. but we were spending. just so much time together. that for a moment."
Yanagi looked down and started to cry. Fuuko could not help but pity her for some reason.
". that night we had, had so much fun, I had never seen Mikagami-sempai smile so much before. he must have been very happy. and for one moment. just one moment. I had forgotten. the man I loved." She confessed it all.
Fuuko just looked down as Yanagi cried to herself a little. Fuuko tried to stay angry with Yanagi but found. ...she could not.
Fuuko sat next to her and held her as Yanagi cried.
"I. I. I didn't mean to. it was an accident. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it." she kept blubbering. Fuuko held her and comforted her as best she could.
"Yanagi. what. what are you going to do."
". what. do you mean?" Yanagi asked.
". what. what will you do about Recca?" she asked slowly, could Yanagi live with the secret? Fuuko would not say, she failed to do so before and somehow she felt even if she was his best friend. she could not do it. it was not her place.
Yanagi. what will you do? ___________________________________________________________________
Fuuko returned home after school that day. Recca had not turned up for school. Fuuko did not want to think of why he was not there. It should be ok though right? Yanagi was at school today though Fuuko had not met her in any classes. They shared no classes, and Fuuko had been busy during breaks. she walked home with Domon. She was surprised to hear of a new woman in his life. She was right, that girl. what was her name? Kasumi actually seemed interested in Domon and he liked her as well. This led to that, so on and so forth.
Fuuko was happy for her devoted friend to finally find someone who returns his feelings, and is someone who he cares about to. She then opened the door to her room. She felt a little exhausted and lay on her bed. She rummaged under her pillow again.
She looked at the photo again.
Mi-chan. what will you do? What do you really feel about us? About Yanagi?
About me?
The door started to open. Fuuko immediately sat up and hid the photo.
"Who is_" Fuuko's eyes widened.
"Recca?!" she said surprised. Even more to her surprise Recca's eyes looked redish. like he had been crying. His school clothing a bit messy, he had obviously been lying in bed before he had come to her house.
Yanagi. must have said something.
"Recca. I."
Recca suddenly walked over to her immediately and plummeted himself into her and embraced her. In her surprise they were sprawled in the bed.
Recca lay on top of her holding her in an embrace.
Fuuko paused heavily as she could hear her friend begin to sob.
"Recca."
Fuuko said no more as she let her body relax and she wrapped her arms around him.
.. Recca.
_________________________________________________________________
I'm glad to write more about Recca and Yanagi rather than just Mi-chan and Fuuko all the time, it's fun. Though Fuuko is my favourite character so no matter what FoR so no matter what she will always be a main character : ) I can't help it _
I know a tofu lover probably has a gun out or called a bounty hunter to kill me already, but really it will go a good way just not yet.