Author's Note: Hey, chapter nine here. You know the drill…read then review!!!
COMMENT ON THE REVIEWS:
Your little nagger – alright, I updated already. Happy?
SVZ – me too. I hate to dress up when I don't need to…lol
Mutsumi – o nga, it's too much. Demo, what can I do? That's the whole poem
CherryBlossom Gurl13 – um, well, when you review next time, can you please check the spelling? Thanks.
Gracelyn – this is the first time that you reviewed this fic, actually. J
A Friend – Well, I don't know how to put more romance in it when they are only friends.
Clad Magi Gar – um, well, I don't like Yuusuke-Botan. I'm a Kurama-Botan shipper
Bianka-chan – why, thank you. Actually, I didn't plan for this fic to be this confusing or something, it just sort of happened. Keiko is so very confused, ne? lol
Jesanae Tekani – thank you for the compliment. I try to do my best to please readers.
Rose Angelz, Serenity07, Jen23, Big Rikku Fan, Elementalmoon, BabyBlueBlitz – thank you all, guys…
Disclaimers Applied!!!
Mixed EmotionsChapter 9: MUSTARD MADNESS
"Don't you think the movie was great?" Niki asked me slyly and I had to glare at her as I looked behind me.
There you were. A slight smile on your face indicating that you find whatever Omi had been talking about, amusing. And as he began to talk more animatedly, your smile grew wider and you eventually broke into fits of laughter.
Then, you looked at me. I tried to smile at you, you know, to reassure you that everything was fine and that I, too, am having a good time in this god-awful date.
But I couldn't do it because in truth, I'm having the worst time of my life. Yeah, this is worse when Kia was screaming and shouting at me whenever she's having a jealous fit.
You turned to Omi and said something to him and when he nodded, you walked faster and held my arms as Omi walked towards Niki to talk to her.
"Hey, are you not having a good time?" you asked, a frown appearing on your pretty face.
I shrugged. My way of saying 'yeah, I'm having a bad time right now. But don't mind me, as long as you're enjoying yourself.'
I heard you sigh so I looked at you. "I told you. You shouldn't have tagged along. You would have enjoyed your time if you spent it with Kuwabara and played some video games," you told me that I had to frown at that.
"Look, Kei, I told you I'm doing this for you, alright? If you're enjoying yourself then its really okay, its fine with me," I said, and then, "besides, it's not like this is the worst date I've ever encountered in my whole life."
Of course, that last line was a lie. This is the worst date of my life. Not because Niki is such a lousy date or something, but because I can't bear to see you getting sweet and flirting with Omi Zekuna.
Well, not exactly. You don't exactly flirt like some girls do, you know, those shameless girls like Kia, but whenever you smile or laugh at whatever Omi had said, and Omi had that look of delight on his face…ugh! I wanted to grab you and drag you behind me while I punch Omi's nose 'til it bleed.
Of course, that would be a sure way to end our friendship so I hold on to my control and hoped that it won't snap any minute now.
I know that if I don't behave myself tonight, well, I don't want to think of the consequences anymore.
You sighed again, and I realized that I'm the one who's keeping you from enjoying yourself tonight. So I turned to look at you. "Kei, I don't want to be the reason why you won't enjoy the night. I'm really okay, you know. You don't have to worry about me," I said and added a smile for effect.
The things I do for you. I swear, ever since I started to like you, I'd become a mush; so soft inside and under your power. I usually wouldn't give a damn if I act so barbaric and immature and it displeases you.
Well, not exactly. Because, back then, I was afraid you would get mad at me and slap me. Physical pain that I'm afraid to endure. But now, I'm afraid to displease you because that might ruin whatever chance I have in having you.
And, well, I think I should not think about displeasing you especially since you smiled at me in return. "If you say so," you said before squeezing my arms and let it go to talk to Omi again.
Damn! I wanted to talk to you for a few minutes more, my heart screamed.
But my mouth kept shut.
I guess I just need to ask you out myself some time later so that I could have you all to myself. Then maybe, just maybe, I could find the courage to tell you what I'm really feeling.
I never noticed that I'm walking beside Niki once again until she spoke to me. "Well, I'm so sorry if I'm such a lousy date," she said coolly as if it doesn't really matter to her.
I looked at her and grinned at her but she only rolled her eyes at me. Then, we both found ourselves laughing over our silliness that you and Omi looked at us in confusion.
Not bothering to explain our sudden outburst, I just looked at you and smiled sheepishly to tell you without words that everything is fine now.
Truth be told, it's not really Niki's fault why I'm having such a lousy time. She'd been a good company and thank Kami I'm comfortable around her lest I would be tongue-tied. Then I would be in a fouler mood than now.
Actually, it's my fault. If I weren't such a jealous fool, then everything would have been fine.
Yeah, the night started out fine, or for me, bad. Omi arrived on time, dressed up and all in slacks and everything while I had on my usual jeans and a nice blue shirt.
Then, it was decided that we all go and see a movie. I was outnumbered, three is to one, and so I had to torture myself for two hours to watch a romantic comedy.
More like your taste, so I had really expected that you will suggest that we see it. And, well, though Niki is not that soft and mushy type of girl, well, she's still a girl so it really isn't a surprise when she agreed with you.
What really surprised me was when Omi agreed with you. I mean, what the hell, and I thought he would agree with me to see that new action movie on.
But no, he just has to please you and agree with you.
I mean, if I am in his situation, even if I want to please you, I won't go and waste my money and two hours of my time to watch a movie that I know I don't really like and I know would bore me to death. What's the deal with the boy meets girl then fall in love, and after some conflict, get back together to live happily ever after, anyway? To watch and really like that kind of movies is simply beyond me.
And then, when we were already inside the movie house, I leaned towards you so that I could hear what you and Omi are talking about, but every time I do that, Niki just had to poke my side hard that I am now expecting it to bruise and be in its ugly violet color. Well, maybe I could use it as an excuse to see you because I know you'll take care of my soon to be bruised side.
So in the end, I haven't heard what the two of you had been talking about while the two of you were cuddling in the movie house; and didn't really understand a thing that happened in the movie. And Niki even had the nerve to ask me if I enjoyed the movie?!
So, I think it was pretty understandable that I am having such a bad time.
***CHANGE OF POV***
It would be a lie if I say that I am enjoying my date with Omi tonight. Of course, I would have, under a different situation.
That is, if you aren't behind me sulking like a child or glaring at Niki. I should have known that I would not enjoy the night with another guy when you're tagging along. I would just keep wishing that it was you I'm with and not him.
But of course, it was your idea in the first place, and you insisted, so what can I do? I swear, if you blame me tomorrow that you didn't enjoy the night, I would just have to tell you that I didn't enjoy the night, too, because you were sulking like an immature child.
"So, what would you like to eat?" Omi asked me that jolted me back to reality.
"Huh?"
"What would you like to eat, I said," Omi repeated patiently and flashed me a weak smile.
Good old Omi. He had been very patient with me all night. This isn't exactly the first time that he had to repeat what he said to earn a response from me.
Yeah, I tried so hard to focus my whole attention to him and be the kind of girl I knew he liked, but with your presence so near, how could I do it?
"Whatever you want to eat is fine with me," I said and smiled at him in return. But out of the corner of my eye, I saw you frowned and just lowered your gaze on the menu when Niki nudged you lightly.
Now, that's one thing I've noticed the whole night. I kept seeing Niki nudging you at one point or another, and I guess it's her way of telling you to behave. Well, I think I'd like to try that on you some other time.
"I'll have a Chinese Beef Steak," I heard you tell the waitress and before I could stop myself, I blurted out.
"You're allergic to mustard," I said.
"I know," you said and shrugged, then looked at the menu again.
"Well, you can't eat that. It has mustard," I pointed.
"No, it hasn't. You cooked that for me once or twice," you argued that I had to sigh, exasperated.
"Yuusuke, when I cook for you, I just don't add the mustard so that your whole body won't swell. I'm not stupid," I snapped.
"But –" you said then stopped and turned to Niki who burst out laughing. "What?" you asked, irritated.
"You're allergic of mustard?" Niki managed to choke out. "That has to be the stupidest thing I've ever heard."
I saw you scowled at her and I myself am having a hard time controlling the laughter's that's welling up inside me.
"Go on, laugh at me," you said. "Let's see if I would pay for your dinner tonight."
At that, Niki tried to stop laughing, because I myself am shocked when you said that you'll pay for everything that you and Niki would spend for the night. Niki didn't have to pay a single cent. "Sorry," she said, but everyone knows she didn't mean it.
Then, you turned your eyes at me and my heart skipped a beat, "Are you really sure that –"
"Yuu, between the two of us, I'm the one running a ramen house and knows how to cook. Don't you think you should trust me a little bit on this?" I asked.
"Oh, alright," you said then looked down at the menu again. Then, as if I haven't said anything at all, you turned to the waitress who was still patiently waiting to take our orders.
"Miss, does this really have mustard in it?" you asked and pointed at the menu.
I had to throw my hand in exasperation as Omi and Niki smiled at me sympathetically. Yeah, now they know that I have this great best friend who won't even believe me that Chinese Beef Steak has mustard.
"Oh, grow up, you stupid man," I almost yelled in irritation and glared at you.
I saw you squirm on your seat as Niki cleared her throat nervously. Both of you knew what my temper can do. But Omi, not knowing a single thing about me, and maybe he thought I'm just a sweet girl all the time, tried to hold my hand, but I pulled away from him.
"Order something for me, I'm going to get some fresh air," I said to Omi, and throwing one last look at you before I stomped out of the restaurant, not caring at all even if the waitress stood there, gawking at us.
***CHANGE OF POV***
I scowled at Niki even when she nudged me and glared at me. Why the hell am I supposed to go after you when you're the one who got irritated easily. Is it really my fault that I want to make sure if Chinese Beef Steak has mustard or not?
"Come on, you're the one who won't believe a word that she said. You should go after her before she completely lost her temper," Niki told me as I slumped in my seat.
"Why should I? She's the one who's being immature over this," I sulked at Niki, all the while keeping my voice low so that Zekuna won't hear us.
Niki raised an eyebrow at me. "And you're not being immature by not going after her and saying sorry?" she mocked.
"I just don't see why she's making an issue out of that mustard thing," I said and stole a glance at Omi who ordered for all of us, and had apologized for the scene that had happened.
"Just go after her," Niki coaxed me quietly.
"This is so unfair," I sulked again when I noticed that Omi stood up.
"I'll go look for her," he said quietly, obviously disappointed because of what happened.
I sighed. I knew I was defeated so I stood up. "Alright. I'll go talk to her."
"No need," Omi said coolly. "You're the one who made her upset, remember?"
I was shocked, really. This is the first time that Zekuna talked to me with anger in his voice. Usually, he's polite and soft-spoken. But, it didn't really throw me off-guard.
"That's right," I snapped. "That's the very same reason why I should be the one who should talk to her," I said, then, not bothering to hide my annoyance on him, I glared at him.
He glared back.
"Um, guys. Calm down, will you?" Niki said uncomfortably. "Look, Omi, I think it's better if Yuusuke would talk to her. He knows her mood swings better, so he will know what to do."
When Omi sat down (after throwing me one last look, mind you), I smiled weakly at Niki before walking out of the restaurant to look for you.
I saw you at the front porch, a frown on your face. I sighed, then slowly approached you. But before I could utter a word –
"What are you doing here?" you asked me coldly that I had to wince.
"I –"
"Are you going to tell me that the food is already served and I have to eat it now before it gets cold?" you asked almost sarcastically.
I shook my head. What else am I supposed to say when I know I could make things worse just by opening my mouth?
"Well, what are you doing here? I remember telling everybody that I want to get a dose of fresh air," you said coldly.
"I came to say sorry," I said through gritted teeth, not because I was forced to do so but because I realized how stubborn I was being a few minutes ago.
"Am I supposed to be grateful for that?" you spat and I had to cringe. This is horrible and more serious than I thought. I already said sorry and you're still mad at me.
And accepting the fact that I made things worse with every word I said, after having proven that, I just shook my head again.
Then, a bitter laugh. "What are you sorry about, Yuusuke? Sorry that you didn't trust me enough? Sorry that you made a fool out of me in front of Omi and Niki…and that waitress?" you asked coldly.
"It was supposed to be a joke!" I protested and Kami knows where the hell that sentence came from. One can never really shut up when you're supposed to me a talkative jerk like me."
"A joke?" you repeated incredulously that I knew I'm dead this time. "You want to make a joke out of me?"
"No," I said and furiously shook my head. "You've always thought my allergy on mustard is funny so…um, I noticed that you're feeling rather down, and…um, you know, I thought I could make you smile if I act childish or stupid…" and feeling that my heart might burst from nervousness because you're looking at me intently and I know I'm not making any sense at all – "Please forgive me!" I cried as I took your hand and placed it above my heart.
Your eyes softened before you burst into laughter that I had to sigh with relief. At least, I got through this, right?
"Alright. But don't do that again, okay? Or I'll put lots of mustard in your ramen the next time you dropped by my place," you warned but I paid no heed to it because I was once again attracted to your eyes which seems to dance with glee.
"Agreed," I said in a deep voice, aware that I'm still holding your hand. But since you aren't protesting, why let it go?
But then, "You can let go of my hand now, you know," you mumbled then looked away as a blush crept on your face.
So I awkwardly let go, even if I don't want to. "Um, that's right," I said nervously. Kami, I'm so stupid.
"Maybe we should go back," you said and tried to turn around to enter the restaurant again.
"No," I said loudly as I grabbed your arm. When you looked at me in confusion, I could feel my face go hot. "I uh," I stuttered, "Can we stay here for a minute more?"
You shrugged and walked towards me again that I had to fight a smile from forming. We sat down on the wooden bench as we both looked up, watching the stars.
Before I could stop myself, I put my arm around your shoulder and sighed. You stiffened for about two seconds before finally relaxing as you lay your head on my shoulder and sigh in return. It was really nothing, but for me, it was enough.
I haven't got enough time to enjoy the feeling of you in my arms when you stood up and looked at me. "We should get inside. Those two might be wondering what happened to us."
I nodded and followed you as you walked. But before you enter the restaurant, you stopped and not even bothering to look at me, you said. "You don't really believe I'd fall for that 'it was supposed to be a joke to make you smile', right? I'm not that stupid, really."
Author's Note: So, that's done…'til the next chapter
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