Part 3

Author's note: Okay.. Kanzaki, Kikuchi and Miyabi all under the same roof? Haha! Sounds like every man's fantasy! Well.. except for Kikuchi who would have a hard time dealing with the two.

I turned and called out to Miyabi for help. She goes down in a hurry and stops abruptly, seeing Urumi lifeless in my arms. We carried her into her room and lay her on the bed.

"Is she... is she still..." Miyabi started.

"Get some hot water quick" I ordered her in a hurry.

Miyabi stood up and left the room.

Urumi twitched. Her blonde hair fell over her eyes and I brushed it away.

"Ki—Kikuc---" she uttered.

"Urumi, shut up. You can barely move. I will tell you when to speak" I snapped.

Maybe it's the panic talking but whatever it is, I wanted her to be okay. This is the first time I saw her like this. She thinks she can handle everything. I don't know what happened to her but I would get the head of the man (if ever it was a man) who did this to her.

Miyabi entered with a basin and a small towel.

"Here... let me do it... You wait outside coz I have to take off her clothes first" Miyabi shoved me out of her room.

And there I waited... and waited... and waited.

Darn the suspense. I have to keep my mind occupied or else I'd come barging in there and do more harm than good. I decided to take an evening stroll. It would do me good I suppose. I just have to do anything to get my mind off it.

I dashed out of the door and took in deep breaths of the evening air.

The neighborhood was deserted. What is the time anyway? Why did she come, looking like that at this hour? What in the world happened?

Aargh!!

I hate not being able to answer everything. I feel so... so ignorant! The night made raucous noises which made me sick to the stomach. I sat down on one of the benches in the park and hung my head in the air. Images of my past with Urumi flashed through my mind.

Yeah... we really were good friends. She was a problem child, that Urumi. Unlike her, I don't have any problems whatsoever with my family. I don't know if her intelligence really is a blessing or a curse. Once in a while she would come to my house and fool around with my computer. She would force me to teach her. I doubt it if she really doesn't know how or she just wanted company.

Come to think of it...

I almost.. dare I say it, fell for her. But when she left Seirin and lost contact with us for a year, I started to dismiss my feelings as a passing cloud. Now... now that she's back, what is she for me, really?

"Eh? Is that you Kikuchi?"

I bolted upright.

"Sensei??!"

Onizuka beamed and slapped me on the back. Aargh! What is it with everyone today?

"Everybody at school tells me you're familiar with that Kanzaki" he sat beside me and puffed on his cig.

"You could say that, why? You're having a hard time with her? Sorry sensei, I can't help you in that department" I said simply.

Onizuka looked at me and grinned a mischievous grin.

"You fool Kikuchi! Whoever said that I was asking for help? From where I'm sitting, it's you who need my help!" He laughed.

I felt my brain stop all functions of my body for a second.

"My student obviously likes his classmate. I'm not just going to stand here and let him make foolish decisions!" he continued.

"If ever there is someone who makes foolish decisions, it's you Onizuka. I don't make wrong decisions" I said finally after letting my brain function again.

"Eh? You're right! Haha!!" He guffawed.

I sighed helplessly. Well, there you have it. Class 4's great teacher Onizuka.

"Ne Kikuchi... holding back doesn't help y'know. Two people who outwit each other everytime they meet is not a pretty sight. A man lowers his pride for a woman"

"Since when have you been an expert in these things?" I scoffed.

"You're a smart boy Kikuchi. You know what I mean"

And with that, he stood up.

"Well, have to go. The boys are waiting for me at the bar. It's going to be karaoke night!" He pumped his fists in the air.

I nodded thoughtfully and let him walk away.

Maybe he is making sense this time. It's obvious that he wants me to realize once and for all how I feel for Urumi. But the thing is... I don't really know.

I stood up and headed back to Miyabi's house.