Episode 4: Love on the third floor
***
"Sagara, I heard Kamatari's finally going to play?" Misao asked.
"Stick your nose in your own business Makimachi."
"I wonder how Kamatari looks in a jersey? I bet he looks better than you as a girl and as a guy."
"Buzz off!" he yelled swatting her.
"Hahahaha." Shiro laughed pointing at her.
"God morning class. Please turn to page sixty four and do exercises 6, 7, 9, 13, 15, 17, 22, 23, 27 28." The class' jaw dropped collectively.
"Maybe you're leaving some out Mr. Himura." Shiro called.
"Hmmm you're right, 30, 31,33, 36 and 41."
"Awww thanks a lot Tanada!" they started throwing paper balls at him.
***
"Kaoru." He called motioning for her to come to him.
"Hey sweetie." She smiled resting her back on the tree he was leaning against.
"Let's skip school." He said wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Oh no, not again!" she said wiggling her finger no.
"Come on Kaoru, we never get to hang with each other anymore."
"We see each other everyday!"
"Yeah but not with all these weirdos."
"Those weirdos are our friends Enishi." She pouted putting her arm on her waist and looking up at him through her bangs.
"I'd much rather be with you." he whispered kissing her softly.
"Hmmmm that was nice." She winked kissing him on the nose. "What do you think about dinner tonight?"
"I don't know Tomoe…"
"Sheesh sometimes I think I compete with your sister for affection!" she pouted once more.
"Oh you know she always comes first." She started nodding before realizing what he just said.
"Enishi Yukishiro you are dead!" she yelled running after the laughing junior.
***
"Chemistry laboratory will starts on Friday, now I want you guys to pair up with a girl." he smiled watching as each girl turned a different shade of pink. "Let's get some romance going on here."
"Yukishiro and Kamiya emanates enough for the entire class!" Shiro whined.
"Ooooh it must have taken you a long time to look that word up cheeseferbrains." Misao muttered.
"Which reminds me, Mr. Tanada and Ms. Makimachi are partners." Kenshin said gravely trying not to smile.
"WHAT?" both screamed standing up and looking at him with I'll-kill-you-if-it's-true look.
"Hahaha." Sano laughed pointing at the two.
"It's time you two love birds kiss and make up." Kenshin laughed.
"I'd rather kiss someone's ass first." Misao said under her breath.
"You do that a lot already." Shiro retorted.
"Now be nice." Sano chuckled.
"Oh and Mr. Sagara, since we are 31 in this class one won't have a partner so I'm suggesting you group up with Mr. Tanada and Ms. Makimachi."
"Suggest it to someone else coz me and Okon here are already partners." He said getting nervous.
"It's Omasu." The girl blushed.
"No, Ms. Oni will just find a new partner. You're with Tanada and Makimachi."
"Yeah Sano, suffer with me." Shiro called.
"Sir! Please anything but those two idiots, I want to have a future." She pleaded grabbing hold of Kenshin's legs.
"Uhm, it's not like I'm asking you to marry them. It's just for lab and I'm sure Mr. Tanada and Mr. Sagara will turn out to be very nice young men once you get to spend some time with them."
"The only thing they will turn out to be is the cashier in the supermarket." She said sobbing into his pants.
"What did you say?" both boys asked standing up once more.
"Now Ms. Makimachi don't over react." He smiled.
"Yeah weasel, you're the luckiest girl in the entire junior's class right now." Sano said sitting down.
"Oh don't make me gag!" Misao said being dragged back to her seat.
***
Enishi scowled as he watched his girlfriend flirt with their teacher. He knew Kaoru had a crush on him even if she denied it to the high heavens. The way she tucks her hair behind her ear and the way she tilted her head to one side told him this, he knew because that was how she got him.
"What was that about?" he asked his every word dripping with contempt as she returned to her seat.
"I just asked him if he could give me pointers because chemistry is killing me." she said reorganizing her things.
"You could have asked me for help." he said sourly.
"Had it been math I would consider that but as of right now it looks like I am the one that can tutor you." she smiled.
"Tomoe can help you." he said not taking his eyes off of her.
Kaoru shivered, she was never comfortable with Tomoe although she was warm and friendly toward her she had always felt a certain uneasiness when they were together. The fact that she was the only real family that Enishi had and the fact that the two of them were very close made her feel threatened by his older sister
Tomoe was just too perfect in Enishi's eyes and this made her resent her and make her feel like she had to compete all the time. But to Tomoe's defense she had never really sent any signals that Kaoru wasn't welcome. On the contrary she was actually nice to her but that was just how Kaoru felt and she knew she had to get over this inferiority complex because she really did love Enishi.
"Then I'll take them as well." he said. Kaoru looked back at him.
"But you have basketball practice, everyday practice starts next week right?"
"I'll skip it, one day won't make a difference." he said.
"But…" she stopped at the look he gave her. "Great we get to spend an extra hour each week together." she chirped happily.
"Ms. Kamiya, Mr. Yukishiro would you share what you are discussing with the class?" Kenshin said calling the attention of the two.
"Um sorry Mr. Himura we were just…"
"What we were discussing is no business of yours." came Enishi's cold remark.
"Everything that goes on in my classroom is my business Mr. Yukishiro." he said staring the boy straight in the eye.
"You don't know anything about us, who do you think you are?" he ground out.
"I am you teacher and I would appreciate it if you would give me some respect."
"You earn respect you don't get it from an occupation." he finished looking out of the window.
The class grew silent. Kenshin looked at the boy for a moment before breaking out a smile and continuing with the lesson.
***
1600
The class began emptying out trying to beat each other to the front door. Kenshin began erasing the blackboard.
"Mr. Yukishiro can I speak to you." he said not turning around. Kaoru looked back at him and he waved her away. When the classroom was empty save for the two of them he asked Enishi to sit in front of him as he dusted his hands.
"Listen I think we got off on the wrong foot." he smiled sitting on the teacher's desk. "I don't know what you have against me but I don't think you have judged me fairly and I do not understand why you...."
"I don't like you Mr. Himura understand that." he said crossing his arms.
"What have I done that makes you so angry? What is it about me?"
"If you want to bond with someone, go ask Makimachi because I don't think I will be much of a bonding companion." he said sarcastically.
"Hmmm I was hoping we could iron things out but it seems you would rather clean the bathroom with your tongue than talk to me." he said fixing the papers on his desk.
"Can I leave now?" Enishi asked coldly.
"I really wish you would give me a chance Enishi because I would really like to get to know you." Kenshin sighed as he sat behind the desk. He looked at his student and shook his head.
"Please ask your mother to see me this Friday after classes." he said motioning for him to leave. Enishi stood up and left the classroom slamming the door behind him.
***
Kenshin sighed as he entered the teachers' lounge the usual barrage of gossip greeted him as he tried to reach his cubicle without getting sidetracked.
"Hey listen to this…capital of Morocco: swerswesam. That's not even a word!" students' tests were popular readings in the lounge.
"I caught one of the boys looking up my skirt again." One of the girl teachers sobbed.
"You think they're together? I thought Kamatari Sagara was the only queer in this school."
"Have you seen Tanada and Sagara? They never leave each other's side!"
"It would be a scary day if I found out those two were gay."
"Why coz they're such a waste?"
"For the women maybe but for me it's coz they're so big manly men I won't feel safe every time I go in the bathroom."
"Himura!" someone called him just as he was three steps away from his cubicle.
So close…so close…
"Yeah?" he turned seeing Coach Makoto walk toward him.
"Listen I need a little help with the team." He said scratching his head.
"Why too many new talent?" he asked confused because Shishio Makoto never asked for help, not even when they were in high school.
"Well no…you see I sorta recruited some delicate individuals that I think you might have a special understanding with." he said embarrassed.
"Delicate individuals? What does he have a heart condition?" he asked even more confused.
"Well no…its Kamatari Sagara ok! I desperately need him on the team and I don't really know how to handle homos."
"Hey just what are you saying Makoto?" he said suddenly understanding what Shishio was getting at.
"NO I don't mean that you're gay. It's just that I heard the teachers talking about how they heard…oh hi Ms. Komagata." He smiled as Yumi passed by.
"Buzz off Makoto." She said not even turning.
"Ok." he said his eyes all hazy, little hearts coming out of his ears. As soon as she turned the corner,"…Kamatari saying he thinks you're cute and maybe you know he'll listen to you." Kenshin did a double take with the sudden change in the person he was talking too.
"Who are you?" he said looking totally bewildered. "One minute you're normal, then you're all gooey and out of it, then you're normal again."
"Well you see Ms. Komagata has this effect on me. She slipped something in my food two years ago and I haven't been able to stop thinking about her ever since." He said.
"I heard that Makoto!" Yumi threatened from across the room.
"ehehe so anyway about Kamatari?" he said ducking so Yumi wouldn't see him.
"One you don't call them homos, not unless you want the gay lib burning crosses on your front lawn. And two he likes half the guys here ask one of them to do it." he said finding the situation rather funny.
"See you know so much about homos! Come on help me out, it could be like old times, of course there weren't any homos then. You think being a homo is contagious? I really don't get homos." Kenshin just shook his head.
"For the sake of Kamatari's and the team's sanity ok I will help you." he said throwing his arms up in the air exasperated.
"Thanks man you're a pal!"
"Ah Yumi, he's over here." He said pointing to Shishio and walking away.
"Why would you do that you evil homo?" Shishio shouted.
"Homo?"
"Is that why he doesn't have a girlfriend?"
"Oh my what a waste…"
"I am not a HOMO!" Kenshin shouted before closing the door and sealing all the gossip inside.
***
notes: sorry all shishio fans, I just wanted a new twist to his character…
***
"Sagara, I heard Kamatari's finally going to play?" Misao asked.
"Stick your nose in your own business Makimachi."
"I wonder how Kamatari looks in a jersey? I bet he looks better than you as a girl and as a guy."
"Buzz off!" he yelled swatting her.
"Hahahaha." Shiro laughed pointing at her.
"God morning class. Please turn to page sixty four and do exercises 6, 7, 9, 13, 15, 17, 22, 23, 27 28." The class' jaw dropped collectively.
"Maybe you're leaving some out Mr. Himura." Shiro called.
"Hmmm you're right, 30, 31,33, 36 and 41."
"Awww thanks a lot Tanada!" they started throwing paper balls at him.
***
"Kaoru." He called motioning for her to come to him.
"Hey sweetie." She smiled resting her back on the tree he was leaning against.
"Let's skip school." He said wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Oh no, not again!" she said wiggling her finger no.
"Come on Kaoru, we never get to hang with each other anymore."
"We see each other everyday!"
"Yeah but not with all these weirdos."
"Those weirdos are our friends Enishi." She pouted putting her arm on her waist and looking up at him through her bangs.
"I'd much rather be with you." he whispered kissing her softly.
"Hmmmm that was nice." She winked kissing him on the nose. "What do you think about dinner tonight?"
"I don't know Tomoe…"
"Sheesh sometimes I think I compete with your sister for affection!" she pouted once more.
"Oh you know she always comes first." She started nodding before realizing what he just said.
"Enishi Yukishiro you are dead!" she yelled running after the laughing junior.
***
"Chemistry laboratory will starts on Friday, now I want you guys to pair up with a girl." he smiled watching as each girl turned a different shade of pink. "Let's get some romance going on here."
"Yukishiro and Kamiya emanates enough for the entire class!" Shiro whined.
"Ooooh it must have taken you a long time to look that word up cheeseferbrains." Misao muttered.
"Which reminds me, Mr. Tanada and Ms. Makimachi are partners." Kenshin said gravely trying not to smile.
"WHAT?" both screamed standing up and looking at him with I'll-kill-you-if-it's-true look.
"Hahaha." Sano laughed pointing at the two.
"It's time you two love birds kiss and make up." Kenshin laughed.
"I'd rather kiss someone's ass first." Misao said under her breath.
"You do that a lot already." Shiro retorted.
"Now be nice." Sano chuckled.
"Oh and Mr. Sagara, since we are 31 in this class one won't have a partner so I'm suggesting you group up with Mr. Tanada and Ms. Makimachi."
"Suggest it to someone else coz me and Okon here are already partners." He said getting nervous.
"It's Omasu." The girl blushed.
"No, Ms. Oni will just find a new partner. You're with Tanada and Makimachi."
"Yeah Sano, suffer with me." Shiro called.
"Sir! Please anything but those two idiots, I want to have a future." She pleaded grabbing hold of Kenshin's legs.
"Uhm, it's not like I'm asking you to marry them. It's just for lab and I'm sure Mr. Tanada and Mr. Sagara will turn out to be very nice young men once you get to spend some time with them."
"The only thing they will turn out to be is the cashier in the supermarket." She said sobbing into his pants.
"What did you say?" both boys asked standing up once more.
"Now Ms. Makimachi don't over react." He smiled.
"Yeah weasel, you're the luckiest girl in the entire junior's class right now." Sano said sitting down.
"Oh don't make me gag!" Misao said being dragged back to her seat.
***
Enishi scowled as he watched his girlfriend flirt with their teacher. He knew Kaoru had a crush on him even if she denied it to the high heavens. The way she tucks her hair behind her ear and the way she tilted her head to one side told him this, he knew because that was how she got him.
"What was that about?" he asked his every word dripping with contempt as she returned to her seat.
"I just asked him if he could give me pointers because chemistry is killing me." she said reorganizing her things.
"You could have asked me for help." he said sourly.
"Had it been math I would consider that but as of right now it looks like I am the one that can tutor you." she smiled.
"Tomoe can help you." he said not taking his eyes off of her.
Kaoru shivered, she was never comfortable with Tomoe although she was warm and friendly toward her she had always felt a certain uneasiness when they were together. The fact that she was the only real family that Enishi had and the fact that the two of them were very close made her feel threatened by his older sister
Tomoe was just too perfect in Enishi's eyes and this made her resent her and make her feel like she had to compete all the time. But to Tomoe's defense she had never really sent any signals that Kaoru wasn't welcome. On the contrary she was actually nice to her but that was just how Kaoru felt and she knew she had to get over this inferiority complex because she really did love Enishi.
"Then I'll take them as well." he said. Kaoru looked back at him.
"But you have basketball practice, everyday practice starts next week right?"
"I'll skip it, one day won't make a difference." he said.
"But…" she stopped at the look he gave her. "Great we get to spend an extra hour each week together." she chirped happily.
"Ms. Kamiya, Mr. Yukishiro would you share what you are discussing with the class?" Kenshin said calling the attention of the two.
"Um sorry Mr. Himura we were just…"
"What we were discussing is no business of yours." came Enishi's cold remark.
"Everything that goes on in my classroom is my business Mr. Yukishiro." he said staring the boy straight in the eye.
"You don't know anything about us, who do you think you are?" he ground out.
"I am you teacher and I would appreciate it if you would give me some respect."
"You earn respect you don't get it from an occupation." he finished looking out of the window.
The class grew silent. Kenshin looked at the boy for a moment before breaking out a smile and continuing with the lesson.
***
1600
The class began emptying out trying to beat each other to the front door. Kenshin began erasing the blackboard.
"Mr. Yukishiro can I speak to you." he said not turning around. Kaoru looked back at him and he waved her away. When the classroom was empty save for the two of them he asked Enishi to sit in front of him as he dusted his hands.
"Listen I think we got off on the wrong foot." he smiled sitting on the teacher's desk. "I don't know what you have against me but I don't think you have judged me fairly and I do not understand why you...."
"I don't like you Mr. Himura understand that." he said crossing his arms.
"What have I done that makes you so angry? What is it about me?"
"If you want to bond with someone, go ask Makimachi because I don't think I will be much of a bonding companion." he said sarcastically.
"Hmmm I was hoping we could iron things out but it seems you would rather clean the bathroom with your tongue than talk to me." he said fixing the papers on his desk.
"Can I leave now?" Enishi asked coldly.
"I really wish you would give me a chance Enishi because I would really like to get to know you." Kenshin sighed as he sat behind the desk. He looked at his student and shook his head.
"Please ask your mother to see me this Friday after classes." he said motioning for him to leave. Enishi stood up and left the classroom slamming the door behind him.
***
Kenshin sighed as he entered the teachers' lounge the usual barrage of gossip greeted him as he tried to reach his cubicle without getting sidetracked.
"Hey listen to this…capital of Morocco: swerswesam. That's not even a word!" students' tests were popular readings in the lounge.
"I caught one of the boys looking up my skirt again." One of the girl teachers sobbed.
"You think they're together? I thought Kamatari Sagara was the only queer in this school."
"Have you seen Tanada and Sagara? They never leave each other's side!"
"It would be a scary day if I found out those two were gay."
"Why coz they're such a waste?"
"For the women maybe but for me it's coz they're so big manly men I won't feel safe every time I go in the bathroom."
"Himura!" someone called him just as he was three steps away from his cubicle.
So close…so close…
"Yeah?" he turned seeing Coach Makoto walk toward him.
"Listen I need a little help with the team." He said scratching his head.
"Why too many new talent?" he asked confused because Shishio Makoto never asked for help, not even when they were in high school.
"Well no…you see I sorta recruited some delicate individuals that I think you might have a special understanding with." he said embarrassed.
"Delicate individuals? What does he have a heart condition?" he asked even more confused.
"Well no…its Kamatari Sagara ok! I desperately need him on the team and I don't really know how to handle homos."
"Hey just what are you saying Makoto?" he said suddenly understanding what Shishio was getting at.
"NO I don't mean that you're gay. It's just that I heard the teachers talking about how they heard…oh hi Ms. Komagata." He smiled as Yumi passed by.
"Buzz off Makoto." She said not even turning.
"Ok." he said his eyes all hazy, little hearts coming out of his ears. As soon as she turned the corner,"…Kamatari saying he thinks you're cute and maybe you know he'll listen to you." Kenshin did a double take with the sudden change in the person he was talking too.
"Who are you?" he said looking totally bewildered. "One minute you're normal, then you're all gooey and out of it, then you're normal again."
"Well you see Ms. Komagata has this effect on me. She slipped something in my food two years ago and I haven't been able to stop thinking about her ever since." He said.
"I heard that Makoto!" Yumi threatened from across the room.
"ehehe so anyway about Kamatari?" he said ducking so Yumi wouldn't see him.
"One you don't call them homos, not unless you want the gay lib burning crosses on your front lawn. And two he likes half the guys here ask one of them to do it." he said finding the situation rather funny.
"See you know so much about homos! Come on help me out, it could be like old times, of course there weren't any homos then. You think being a homo is contagious? I really don't get homos." Kenshin just shook his head.
"For the sake of Kamatari's and the team's sanity ok I will help you." he said throwing his arms up in the air exasperated.
"Thanks man you're a pal!"
"Ah Yumi, he's over here." He said pointing to Shishio and walking away.
"Why would you do that you evil homo?" Shishio shouted.
"Homo?"
"Is that why he doesn't have a girlfriend?"
"Oh my what a waste…"
"I am not a HOMO!" Kenshin shouted before closing the door and sealing all the gossip inside.
***
notes: sorry all shishio fans, I just wanted a new twist to his character…