Forever Midnight
By Riyukku Sayuri
Rating: PG-13
Author's Note: Um... well, there isn't much for me to say, but well... I suppose that chapter three is a bit more confusing than chapter two!! --;; Anyways, please read and review! Domo arigato!!
Chapter Three
Guilt Trips
As Izumi began to follow up with the everyday cycle, she began to see more and more of the cruelties in the social world. High school's social world was much crueler than grade school's and much bigger to spread rumors with. Izumi had seen even some of the most popular girls fidget with the fact knowing that they could be exposed by simple people as Izumi. There was one girl who wasn't afraid of any rumors whatsoever, and that one girl was Kikyo.
She was so sure of herself that she had supporting lies to support "the act". She faked things like how Kouji was her boyfriend yet acted cruelly to her to hide that fact. Or maybe that she was cheating on Kouji to be with Takuya and Kouichi. They all believed her stupid lies and none did not fall for them except for the five who were being used as part of her crazy schemes.
She made it clear that she owned the popularity. A simple welcome-back-to-school prom was going to be held, and she made it clear that one of the boys was going to be prom king and she was going to be prom queen. She had made sure that everything was set up perfectly, that Izumi would not be prom queen.
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"Ah, Izumi, are you going to the prom? Junpei-kun called awhile ago and asked me if you were going," Mrs. Orimoto questioned. "Hm? Me? Oh Oka-san, I doubt I'm going to go," Izumi sighed sadly. "And why is that, Izumi?" Mrs. Orimoto asked, coming to her daughter's side. "I... I just won't fit in. Don't worry about me. Worry about Otou-san, for he is so ill," Izumi said sadly.
Mr. Orimoto had gotten ill during the summer and was in the hospital, the doctors assuring the Orimotos that it was not cancer or anything quite so serious. However, he was weak and needed to stay at the hospital where doctors could quickly tend to him.
"Oh, Izumi, why won't you fit in?" Mrs. Orimoto questioned, wrapping her arms around her daughter. "Oka-san, I just won't," Izumi said sadly. "Izumi, why is it you believe that? Just tell me," Mrs. Orimoto pushed. "Oka-san, I just won't!" Izumi said angrily, being pushed to her limit.
She quickly stomped up the stairs and entered her room. It was painted a lovely lavender color with fuchsia fuchsias. It was lovely and it contained a small bed fit for a girl of Izumi's age and size with rosy pink bed sheets, pillowcase, and quilted blanket. The room also contained a flat screen monitor and a tiny black computer. It had two small speakers and a fuchsia see-through keyboard set that also included a mouse of the same style with an oak computer desk. A rosewood desk resided on an empty corner of the room, next to a small window with fine, clean windowpanes.
Izumi dropped to her fuchsia bed, sighing heavily. Why must my heritage ruin my life? Why must people like Kikyo live? Why? Why? Oh why?! Why was I cursed with such a life? I might as well die, but what would my friends think of me then? Izumi's heart cried in pain. She stared to her ceiling, where glow-in-the-dark stars hung. They weren't glowing now, but they looked awfully pretty with all of the silver glitter Izumi had sprinkled on there.
She wanted to cry, but she knew her mother would hear and surely come in, invading her privacy. So she got off of her fuchsia bed and headed toward her computer desk. Its shiny oak wood shined beautifully from the rays of sunlight that entered through the window. The windowpanes looked like shining crystals because of the yellowy sunlight that penetrated the clear glass.
"Okay, let's see... who shall I e-mail my troubles too?" Izumi asked herself. "Ah, Kouji's a good listener. I'll just e-mail him since he's not online," Izumi declared. Quickly, she got onto her e-mail system and decided to e-mail Kouji.
The letter contained:
Dear Kouji-kun,
Konnichiwa. I really am glad that you and Takuya have stood up for me when I could not. Are you going to the back-to-school prom? I... I might not. I suppose you could say I'll only humiliate myself. If you are going and expect me to be there, gomen nasai, for I doubt I shall go. Kikyo will make me look like some sort of moron, so I'll refrain from going and humiliating myself for good. Reply back.
Love,
Orimoto Izumi
Izumi sent the e-mail and looked around her room. She remembered her newly installed cordless phone. It was a lovely see-through fuchsia color with tiny fuchsias in a darker purple on it. Just then, it began to ring and she hastily picked it up.
"Konnichiwa?" Izumi answered. "Izumi? I got your e-mail," a deep voice answered. "Oh Kouji! I'm so sorry!" Izumi wailed. "Well, I can't go without you, Junpei would freak out, Kouichi would be lonely without your companionship, and Takuya would be angry since Tomoki's going to be there for our "reunion". Please don't miss it and I'm not one to really care by voicing it out," Kouji said calmly and collectively.
"Really?" Izumi questioned, tears welling in her eyes. "Hai," Kouji replied. Izumi's heart began to melt, knowing that they really would miss her if she didn't go. "Oh Kouji-kun, thank you so much for reassuring me! At first, I was going through a whole lot of guilt trips and felt so alone! So, knowing how you've matured to listen, I e-mailed you and... now I'm awfully sure I can do this! Domo arigato Kouji-kun!" Izumi cried happily.
Izumi began to sob quietly, tears of joy falling from her emerald eyes. "Kouji-kun," she sniffled. "Hm?" he replied. "Would you have the honor of helping me shop for my prom dress?" Izumi questioned hopefully. "Hai, if that is your wish," Kouji replied. "Oh domo arigato! Domo arigato!" Izumi squealed. "We shall go tomorrow! Oh domo arigato! Let's go to the Jiyuugaoka Mall right after school!" she squealed happily.
"I must go! I must tell Oka-san! Ja ne Kouji-kun and many thanks to you!" Izumi squealed delightfully. "Ja ne," Kouji replied in a happier tone.
They hung up and with that, the guilt trips for Izumi had ended and the next day they were to go shopping for a fine prom dress for Izumi. He made sure that he would bring money in case Mr. and Mrs. Orimoto could not provide, for Izumi had informed him that Mr. Orimoto was ill and unable to work.
I'll do my best to please you, Izumi-chan. Those guilt trips you had... I had them as well. If you cannot provide for yourself, I shall provide for you...Kouji's heart admitted honestly.
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a/n: Okay, yes, it is quite odd, isn't it? XD Much longer than the first two chapters, but – hopefully – it is just as pleasing! Please read and review! Domo arigato for taking the time to read my fanfic! Read and review! Domo arigato!!