Part 9 Sorry it was such a long wait.

"Hikaru, it's not what you think. He just kissed me to upset you. I didn't do anything to encourage him." Touya babbled uncontrollably. "He was the trap set by Waya."

I really should put him out of his misery but he looks so cute when he's flustered. "So is it true he's a better kisser? Are you gonna start comparing us? Will I never measure up to Ochi-sama?" Hikaru started giggling at the stunned look on Akira's face.

"If you heard everything why did you look so horrified?"

"Because I don't know if even antibacterial soup is strong enough to get rid of Ochi germs…" Hikaru ducked the blow Akira mimed at his head. "No really if I hadn't reacted the way Ochi wanted and expected he might have done something worse. Ropes? I shudder to think."

"Don't say that word in any conversation that has to do with him. That's just too creepy to even think about."

"It almost makes me feel sorry for Waya. I'd have to run scared too. I can't believe they'd sick someone like that on me. I thought they were my best friends." Hikaru wiped a tear off his cheek. "I wouldn't sick Ochi on my worst enemy."

Touya shrugged and looked a little guilty. "I'm not as good a person as you are I did just sick Ochi on my biggest rival."

"No you just returned him to sender. You didn't search him out to hurt Waya. You just weren't going to let him hurt me." Hikaru pulled Akira in closer and hugged him. "Thank you for protecting me from him."

"Isn't it time for us to head back?" Touya blushed bright red. "We wouldn't want to be late."

I can't believe thanking him is enough to make him blush. He just gets cuter and cuter.

Why is he thanking me so much? I don't really deserve it. Isn't it my responsibility to protect him?

"Where have you guys been? You're both flushed are you catching a cold from the water? Maybe we shouldn't have used cool water." Akari asked worriedly. "Hikaru don't just shake your head tell me what's wrong."

"We're fine we just ran from the other side of the campus so we wouldn't be late." Hikaru said as he climbed back into the dunk tank.

Touya nodded in agreement as he joined Hikaru on the platform. He smiled down at Akari who blushed under his close regard. She really is too nice. Thankfully she doesn't seem to be too brave otherwise she might have nabbed Hikaru ages ago. Clang. Touya felt every muscle in his body clench from the cold of the water.

"Damn, that's cold. I guess we got too hot. I mean from running and all." Touya smirked up at Hikaru who blushed.

"Poor baby, was it just like taking a cold show...er" Clang Sploosh. "I don't want to play anymore. Akari you owe me big for this." Hikaru came up sputtering.

Perfect timing. It was worth using the rest of the break to run over and grab them. "We are so sorry to put you through this." Rika said as she walked towards the booth. "Please as a thank you let Akari and I take you to the movies tomorrow. My mother got free passes from a client. Akari mentioned you like action movies Shindo, "Winter kill" is supposed to be really good."

"Oh what a shame. We just watched that last Sunday. It was great. You'll really enjoy it." Touya tried to look sorry but it came out slightly more relieved then apologetic. He shot a meaningful look to Mitani "You'll have to find someone else. It would be a shame to waste tickets."

"Wow, I've really been wanting to see that movie. Akari I'm supposed to be meeting Kaga tomorrow so How about we escort you two? You haven't seen him lately have you, it would give you a chance to here about what he's been doing." Mitani immediately took the opening Touya had given him. "Great. No objections We'll meet you in front of the theater at noon."

"But the movie doesn't start until 1:30.." Rika stuttered. Damn that was an agreement why am I letting this brat throw my game off.

"Well this way we'll be able to treat you ladies to lunch as a thank you for the tickets." Mitani sealed the deal before Rika could recover and find a way out. I'm looking forward to watching her and Kaga that should be fun. Damn I hope he's free. He was the only one I could think of who might be able to handle this man-eater.

"Whoa." Hikaru whispered in Akira's ear. " I never would have thought Mitani would be that slick. She looks ready to scream but he has her trapped. If looks could kill we'd be having his memorial tomorrow."

"I'm just glad he was here. Otherwise she might have talked you into seeing it again." Touya shuddered. "The thought of being trapped in a dark theater with that woman is almost as scary as Ochi."

"Ochi… ropes… dark… Nope Ochi wins not even Rika is that scary."