WHEN YOU LIKE SOMEONE YOU DON'T
AN: It has been AGES since I updated. Sorry minna-san~!! It's just that with school and stuff, things have been incredibly hectic. It still is. I've got some free time on my hands so I'm sitting here and typing this now. Thanks to everyone that reviewed. And the people who sent e-mails, I WUV you~!! This chapter goes to all of you!
Disclaimers: insert standard disclaimer here.
- Chapter 3 -
Sano scratched his head, feeling pretty shocked himself. Who would have thought that Jou-chan would have had such a voice. He shook his head in disbelief.
"Wow... how come you never told us your cousin could sing?" Okita asked Sano.
Sano shrugged. "I never knew... come to think of it, Jou-chan has never sang in front of me before. Even when we go to karaoke... she just sits and listens..."
"Really, I don't know why she stays away from it. She is really good, you know," cut in a voice. It was Haruki. Sano grinned.
"Yeah, she's good. So is she Juliet?"
Haruki smiled mysteriously. "You'll just have to wait to find out like everyone else. The cast list will be posted up tomorrow morning before school."
"That's pretty fast," Amakusa commented.
"Yeah," Haruki agreed, "but we are really racing against time. We were informed really late about the competition. We almost missed the deadline to sign up..."
Sano's mind drifted off as Haruki continued to tell them about the competition and the play. Would Kaoru make it? It looked pretty promising judging by Haruki's expression. But then, he could be wrong. In fact Tomoe had been really good too. Sano crossed his fingers and hoped that Kaoru would be cast as Juliet.
"I can't believe it!" Kaoru wailed, "I totally blew it!"
"What did you do now, busu?" her ten-year-old brother Yahiko asked. Kaoru scowled as she hit his head with her bokken. They were practicing their kata in the dojo. Kaoru's father was the creator of Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu, a new kendo style. It was very successful and he had dojos all over the country and a few overseas.
"Don't call be busu, Yahiko-CHAN," Kaoru shot back as she stuck out her tongue.
"Don't call me CHAN!!!" Yahiko yelled indignantly. Kaoru sighed and left the practice room, leaving her brother fuming by himself. She propped her bokken against the wall of her bedroom.
Kaoru stripped off her training gi and hakama and got into the shower. As the cold water sprayed onto her face, she thought about what had happened during the audition. She felt her face turn red just at the memory. Had she totally screwed up the last note of that song? She couldn't remember what she had sung. Frustrated, she banged her fists on the wall.
Okita hummed as he walked towards his house. He had felt like walking home so he had sent his driver ahead. He smiled softly to himself. The audition had been pretty good. He was sure that he'd get the role. He had auditioned for the part of Mercutio. It was a pretty good role with some sword fighting and a decent amount of lines. He had to sing one or two songs though.
"Eh! Watch where you are going!" yelled a voice.
Okita looked up with a start. His eyes widened slightly. A girl with long ash blond hair scowled back at him. "Excuse me?" Okita said confused. What had he done?
The girl stuck out her tongue. "In case you haven't noticed, there is a huge puddle at your feet."
Okita looked down in surprise. She was right. If she hadn't stopped him, he'd have stepped right into the puddle. He blushed. "Uh... thanks," he muttered sheepishly, "but you didn't have to be so rude."
The girl shrugged. "Gomen. I'm having a bad day. Nothing personal."
Okita stared at the girl surprised at the informal way she addressed him. [For your info, in Japan, you normally address someone older than you and someone you don't know very well in a formal manner. Japanese are quite serious about these matters.] He then noticed that her eyes were a startling emerald green. "I take it you are not Japanese?" Okita asked.
"What makes you think that?" the girl asked laughing.
Okita frowned, "well, your hair is blond, and your eyes..."
The girl laughed, "nope. I'm one hundred percent Japanese. Sorry to disappoint you. My hair's been colored and my eyes... contacts." Okita nodded. The girl smiled, "my name's Airi. Kurayami Airi."
"Okita Soushi desu. Hajimemashite, Kurayami-san," Okita replied, "which high school do you attend?"
"Oh, I only arrived last night. You see, I lived in England for the past two years. I'll be starting school tomorrow. At Takatori," Airi replied brightly, "what about you Soushi?"
Okita spluttered for a second. Soushi? He hardly knew this girl! Why was she addressing him in such a familiar manner? Even though she had been living in England, she did know that she was being awfully rude, right? Okita felt Airi's eyes staring at him. Realizing that she was waiting for an answer, he cleared his throat. "I'm attending Takatori as well."
"Really?" Airi's face brightened, "cool. So is that your uniform. Not bad... I'm guessing the girls wear something similar but with a skirt?"
Okita nodded. "Yeah. So which year are you in?"
"Second. Do you know anyone..." Airi began but she was cut off by someone calling her.
"Airi-chan! Hurry up!"
"Oops..." Airi muttered, "sorry but I have to dash! See you in school, Sou-chan!"
Okita watched with a slightly open mouth as Airi bounced off. Sou-chan? No one had ever called him that. In fact, that nickname was saved for his cousin Soujirou, NOT him. And besides, what was that Airi's problem? He had never met anyone so open and rude. Not to mention so bubbly and bouncy... and totally hot. What the hell was he thinking? That girl was a major pain in the ass. Shaking his head he started to walk towards his home.
"So, who's Romeo? And who's playing Juliet?"
Misao sighed. She cursed her shortness. It was impossible to see the cast list on the wall. "Excuse me?" she shouted trying to get closer to the list. However, she was pushed back by the crowd and landed on the floor. "Ouch!"
"Are you okay?"
Misao looked up. It was Seta Soujirou. As he helped her up she thanked him. Soujirou smiled, "it's no problem. Anyway congratulations."
"Huh? Why?" Misao asked. Then realization struck her. "No way!" she squealed, "I got my part?" Soujirou smiled in amusement as Misao started bouncing all over the place. I can't wait to tell Kaoru..." Misao stopped in mid-sentence. She turned to Soujirou, her expression serious. "Tell me... did Kaoru get the part?"
"Uh..." Soujirou frowned slightly.
Kaoru took out her chemistry textbook from her locker. She knew the cast list was up already but she couldn't get herself to go and look. She looked up. Sano was walking towards her with a triumphant grin on his face. Kaoru sighed. She knew she wouldn't make it. She slammed her locker door shut.
"Yo, Jou-chan!"
Kaoru frowned, "I don't see why you are so happy. Oh yeah, the free lunches for a month. Leave it to you to find joy in food and eating."
"Aw, Jou-chan, that hurt," Sano said, feigning a very realistic hurt expression on his face. He grinned. "If it makes you feel better, let's just call off the bet."
Kaoru raised her eyebrow skeptically. Sagara Sanosuke, saying no to free food? Was the world turning upside down? Kaoru felt his forehead. "Hey, are you ill or something?"
"Jou-chan!" Sano muttered, "I'm fine. Really, it you want to, let's just call the whole bet thing off. Instead, you can just buy me a really big lunch today."
Kaoru smiled, "fine. I don't know what's wrong with you today, but sure. I want to call the bet off. It was really stupid anyway. I'll just buy you a really big lunch today instead."
Sano smiled happily, "so the bet's off?"
"Yeah."
"Hey," interrupted a voice. It was Okita. "Sano, let's go to class." He turned to Kaoru, "Kamiya-san congratulations."
"What?" Kaoru asked surprised. "What do you mean?"
Okita stared at Kaoru, "what do you mean? You didn't know? You got the part."
"Huh?"
Okita smiled amusedly. "You are Juliet."
"WHAT!" Kaoru yelled. She turned to Sano her eyes blazing. "Hey... that means I won the bet! You don't have the right to call it off. And me buying YOU lunch?!"
Sano stepped back slightly, smiling weakly. "Hey, Jou-chan, I said you could call it off if it make you happy... so you called the bet off yourself... I didn't make you do anything..."
Kaoru glared at Sano. "You SNEAK!" She was about to say more when someone cried in a genki voice.
"Soushiiiii~!"
Sano and Kaoru stared at the girl shocked as she flung her arms around Okita and gave him a huge hug. Okita blushed. He pushed her back. "Uh... Ai- I mean Kurayami-san."
Sano raised an eyebrow. He checked out the girl. She didn't seem to fit in the school, with her blond hair and green eyes. She looked really out of place. But he had to admit, she was totally hot. Kaoru stared her jaw drop open.
Airi turned to Sano and Kaoru and smiled. "Hi, I'm Airi. Nice you meet you. You must be friends of Sou-chan's."
Kaoru raised an eyebrow. Sou-chan? How close were these two anyway? And who was she? She smiled weakly. "Urm... hi. I'm Kamiya Kaoru. This is Sagara Sanosuke, my cousin."
"Uh... hey," Sano said, still looking slightly dazed.
Airi tapped Okita lightly on his shoulder. "I have to go and see the principal now. I'm having chemistry next lesson. What about you?"
"I have chemistry too," Okita replied.
Airi smiled, "cool. Save me a seat, okay? Ja."
Okita watched as Airi bounced down the hall. He felt slightly confused about what had just happened. Sano gave him a grin. Okita groaned. Now he'd have to explain things to Sano. Otherwise he'd never hear the end of this. Slowly, he started to explain to a grinning Sano and a shocked Kaoru, what had happened yesterday.
Tomoe put her books away into her locker feeling rather dejected. So she had lost her part after all. She bit her lip. She wanted to cry but couldn't.
"Tomoe," called a voice softly.
Tomoe looked up from her locker. She tried to smile, "Kenshin. Hey."
"Are you okay?" Kenshin asked feeling concerned. He felt bad that Tomoe hadn't got Juliet. What he couldn't believe was that Kamiya Kaoru had gotten the part.
Tomoe nodded. "Yeah, a little disappointed but okay."
Kenshin smiled. "What about I take you out to lunch today to cheer you up?"
Tomoe's face brightened. She was about to reply 'yes' when someone interrupted them.
"Ara? Kenshin?"
Kenshin looked at the newcomer in surprise. "Airi-chan?"
Airi smiled. "Kenshin! What a surprise. I didn't know that you were in this school!"
"Yeah. It's really great to see you again." Kenshin turned to Tomoe. "Tomoe, meet Kurayami Airi, my really close friend since elementary." He turned to Airi, "Airi, meet Yukishiro Tomoe, my friend."
My friend. That's what he had said. Not my special friend, not my girlfriend, but my friend. Tomoe bit her lip. Was that all she was to Kenshin, a friend? She smiled weakly. "Hello. Nice to meet you."
Airi smiled good-naturedly. "Hey, nice to meet you too." She turned to Kenshin, "so, you want to go for lunch or something after school? Or are you busy keeping up with your schedule?"
Kenshin laughed. "No, I'm not busy that is. Sure. In fact I was asking Tomoe whether she'd like to go out for lunch with me later."
"Cool!" Airi said, "we can all go together. And I have someone I want to invite as well."
"Urm, sorry," Tomoe cut in, "I'm busy today. Maybe some other time." Tomoe banged her locker shut and walked off.
Kenshin stared after her. He shrugged. Girls were really weird sometimes. He turned to Airi. "What lesson have you got now?"
"Chemistry, with Saitoh-sensei."
"Same," Kenshin said, "want to go to class now?"
Airi shook her head. "I have to go see the principal first. You go ahead."
Kenshin nodded, "sure, see you."
"Ja."
"The difference between an alkane and an alkene is..." Saitoh stopped explaining as a girl entered the classroom. He frowned, "I see that you are very early for class. I presume you are Kurayami Airi?"
Airi ignored Saitoh's heavy sarcasm. She nodded enthusiastically, "yeah. Sorry, I had to see the principal."
"Of course," Saitoh answered, "now take a seat next to Tsuzuki-san."
Airi scanned the room. She frowned. "Saitoh-sensei, I would like to sit by Okita-san."
Okita sat up in his seat, suddenly aware of all the stares on him. Kenshin sat up too, surprised. How did Airi know Okita?
Saitoh's eyes narrowed slightly. "I'm afraid that in my class you sit where I assign you. Now, please take a seat so I can continue the lesson."
Airi clenched her teeth. She frowned. "Sensei, I would like to sit next to Okita-san."
The class broke out into whispers and giggles. Okita felt like hiding under the table. Saitoh's golden eyes gleamed dangerously. He asked, "why is that so, Kurayami-san?"
Airi looked straight into Saitoh's eyes. "Because," she started slowly, "he is my BOYFRIEND."
Character focus
Skipped, due to time constraints. If I do this, I'll have to post this story a day or two later. You don't want that, ne? Anyway, next chapter, look out for the entire cast list for Romeo and Juliet: the musical, and character focuses for Kamiya Kaoru and Sagara Sanosuke.
O-kay, so what's Airi's problem? What does Saitoh say? What's going to happen between Kenshin and Kaoru at the R&J audition? Coming to you in WHEN YOU LIKE SOMEONE YOU DON'T Chap 4~!! You gotta see it!
Uh... sorry, I'm in a very corny mood. Thanks to everyone that reviewed.
flyingangel777 – Thanks. I'm glad you like the character focus. It's actually to help me keep track of the characters. ^^ And don't worry. I don't want to make Tomoe really snobby. I like Tomoe~!
Lid02 – O.O Thanx...
lil-miss-kitsune – Thank you!!
sephirya – I'm glad you like it
Kurokumo – Here's more!!!
Falconess106 – Heh, thanx. I wasn't too sure about doing this ^^
l3al3yanime – did she sing bad? Of course not! This is Kaoru we're talking about!!
Kitsune KeNsHiN – ^^ Arigatou gozaimasu!!
pensquared – yes, Kaoru got the part! And you like the character focus? Thank you!
Human Chew Toy – I really love your name. ^^ Here's another chapter. It's been so long since I've updated I'm afraid you have already exploded.
StarWars-Freak – No, I didn't know actually. I haven't seen Weiss Kruz. But Takatori is a REAL school in Japan. I'm not joking.
MP1 – is it going to be K&K? I don't know. At first it was going to but now, I don't know. I guess I'll just let the story develop on it's own.
sakurablossoms6 – K&K is really sweet. I love the pairing. For this fic? I dunno yet. This author loves angst and tears. So I might make it helplessly depressing ^^. Just joking. Don't worry.
meant2Bmatched – oh my god, you praised me for updating frequently but look how LONG I took to update. I feel so bad!!!! But holidays are over and schools started again!! Means busy schedule!! But I'll try to update at least once a week, okay?
Misao mei mei – I loved WHEN THE WORLD... it's a great fic!! The last chapter was sad!!! I cried bucketfuls. Don't worry! I'm trying very hard to make this fic an original.
Califpinay3001 – glad you liked it
Aimi-chan – thank you! It means a lot to me that people think my writing's good.
Lil Kurohyou – fine, I'll rewrite it later when I'm more free. Here's the next chapter!
J1N – you like the profiles too? I like writing it too!!! It's fun!
Shippo5 – I'll try to keep my chapters long. It's getting harder though...
Chibi Binasu-chan – you don't like Tomoe? She not that bad. ^^
an – you like it!! You like LOVING YOU too? Thanks!
Fan4000 – thank you!!!
To all those who sent e-mails – I'm so SORRY!!! I accidentally deleted your e-mails!!! But I read them! And appreciated them! It was your E-MAILs that got me working on this chappie!!!
Thanks again to all those who reviewed. Please do it again and make my day! And here's a hint... more reviews faster chapters!!