WHEN YOU LIKE SOMEONE YOU DON'T
AN: Thanks to everyone who reviewed despite the fact that I haven't updated for over a year! Thank you!!! I will try and update as much as possible, but the chapters may be shorter than before. Once again, thanks a lot!
Everyone's eyes went to the door, curious to see what Haruki's expression would be like. Surprisingly he didn't seem to be in a bad mood. In fact he was smiling. And smiling quietly brightly at that. "Everyone," Haruki began. Everyone strained their ears to hear what Haruki would say next. "I have good news. I have found someone else who has written the script and songs for us. It's not Romeo and Juliet but it'll do just as well. From now on she will be the co-producer. Let me introduce, Kurayami-san!"
"WHAT!" Kenshin and Kaoru yelled in unison as Airi stepped out from behind Haruki.
Okita stared in surprise. He shook his head with a small smile. That girl seemed to have a talent for involving herself in things.
Airi waved her hand, "hey everyone! Let's all work together, ne?
Airi began passing out a copy of script to everyone.
"I'll expect everyone to have this mastered by tomorrow," she said promptly, showing a serious side to her, which couldn't usually be seen. Today is Thursday. The performance will be on Sunday. We don't have much time. I'll expect everyone to cooperate and if anyone plays the fool or doesn't take his or her role seriously, I won't hesitate to switch you with one of the understudies. First things first, I'll divide you all into small groups and you can go into practice rooms to practice."
As Hiro watched Airi sort everything out, he gave a sigh of relief. Maybe, just maybe, they'd be able to pull this off... or so he hoped. He crossed his fingers silently, desperately hoping Himura-san and Kamiya-san wouldn't do anything stupid until the production was safely over.
Kaoru pursed her lips as she walked slowly down the corridor.
"Kenshin will be at practice room 4," Airi told her, "I want you two practice your songs together. I'll come by and see how you guys are doing as soon as everything here's been sorted out."
Kaoru sighed as she stopped outside the door. She was about to push the door open when she heard the piano and a singing voice coming faintly from behind the door. She opened the door slightly, being careful not to make a sound. She peeked in through the crack.
Inside the room, Kenshin sat at the piano. He sang softly as he played the music from the score. Sunshine poured into the room, lighting the piano and it's player like a spotlight, distinguishing them from everything else in the room, which at that moment looked colorless and gray.
Kaoru held her breath, taking in the soft melody of the piano and the singer's harmonious voice. It was in perfect tune, reaching out to her, making her heart beat faster. It seemed as though time had almost stopped, every second clinging onto her, not wanting to pass. Suddenly the music stopped and Kenshin looked up realizing he wasn't alone.
Kaoru jumped, blushing, to have been discovered. She stammered, "uh... A-airi told me you'd be here... so we can uh.. practice."
"Uh... right," Kenshin murmured awkwardly, "well... come in."
Kaoru shut the door behind her and took a seat next to Kenshin at the piano. Kenshin found himself suddenly overcome with a heavenly fragrance. He found himself staring at Kaoru, her long, sleek raven black hair, falling from a high ponytail, her sapphire-blue eyes delicately wrapped by long lashes, her pale porcelain skin with just a hint of pink at her cheeks. He held his breath, his heart starting to race. Her soft pink lips pouted slightly, giving him a sudden urge to just lean over and kiss it.
He coughed trying to shake the thoughts out of his head. "Uh..." he began, "there aren't that many songs to learn. The main one is Eternally Together. I'll sing through the song first so you can hear what it's like."
Kaoru nodded and Kenshin played a short introduction on the piano. He started to sing.
"...death won't do us part. I love you more than the number of stars in the sky. We'll be eternally together..."
Suddenly Kaoru realized she was blushing like mad. She glanced at Kenshin. She jumped slightly as their eyes met. They both turned away quickly, staring in the other direction awkwardly.
Kenshin broke the silence, "uh... you can repeat after me now. I'll sing the first few bars and you can follow..."
"Sure..." Kaoru replied her voice shaking slightly.
Airi softly shut the door of practice room 4. She smiled as she turned away. It looked as though they wouldn't be needing her help at all.
"Well, thanks Himura-san for your help," Kaoru said as she got up, "I'll see you tomorrow then."
"You're welcome," Kenshin replied, the atmosphere between them slightly awkward, "see you tomorrow."
As Kaoru reached to open the door, Kenshin called her.
"Kamiya-san!"
Kaoru turned to face him, her cheeks starting to burn up again. "Yes?" she asked questioningly.
"I-I'm sorry about... well... about acting... immature," Kenshin began, his eyes on the ground as he fidgeted with his fingers, "I just wanted to apologize for being such a... brat."
Kaoru's eyes opened wide in surprise. She smiled warmly, "it's okay. I wasn't exactly much better myself."
Kenshin looked relieved and his face broke into a cute grin. They stared at each other and burst out laughing. "We were really stupid, weren't we?"
"Yes," Kaoru replied wiping the tears from her eyes, "I can't believe we were so immature."
Kenshin coughed slightly and asked, "if you aren't busy tomorrow night, would you like to have dinner with me? You know, it's just my way of apologizing and maybe we could be... friends..."
Kaoru gasped slightly. She didn't know how to respond. "Tomorrow? Oh, tomorrow's Friday! I'm sorry, but I have a dinner date with Yukishiro-kun." Kaoru found herself regretting the words as soon as they had left her mouth.
"Oh..." Kenshin replied, his voice slightly colder than before, "well then, that's to bad. See you tomorrow Kamiya-san." Kenshin stood up and left the room leaving Kaoru staring behind him.