Title: Crazy Love Webs
Disclaimer: Slam Dunk is not mine. Britney Spears, Usher, Linkin' Park and Simple Plan are not mine, neither are their albums and their songs.
Warning/s: Foul language is present; there is also yaoi and, very rarely for Slam Dunk, some Yuri. Obviously, Miyagi and Haruko are the only "normal" people in this fanfic. There might be some twisted sense of humor…
A/N: It's the idealism, not the realism…
Summary:
Rukawa is Sendoh's crush. Sendoh is Koshino's crush. Fukuda has two crushes: Koshino and Jin. Jin likes his best friend, Kiyota, who has a thing for Maki, who had set his eyes on Fujima. Fujima, on the other hand, kept his feelings for Hanagata who has a crush on Haesegawa, who had always hid his feelings on Mitsui, who loves Kogure, who likes Akagi. Akagi likes Uozumi, who had come to like Uekusa, who likes Miyagi, who loves Ayako, who had suppressed her feelings for Haruko. Haruko had finally come to like Sakuragi, who had tried to stop his feelings for Rukawa. Try to figure out what will happen next in this crazy love web.
man, that was long
(OoOoOo) Changing of scene
(Flashback) self-explanatory
/ text / song
Chapter four: Extremely Bizarre
Life is like music. Everyone is made of a unique note, and when they meet, they produce tunes. Every moment; second, minute, hour, day; is like a beat; and together with the flow of life, it bonds the world with rhythm, just like the pulse of a person. The world is like a living million-year-old singer, singing her story…
However, here in the eastern part of Kanagawa, the ground is literally shaking in regular intervals… The loud stereo system of Shohoku high school is too loud. Everyone in Shohoku can hear the music loud and clear. Heck, even the houses are shaking.
Let's take a look at what is happening at the now suddenly seemingly empty fair grounds of Shohoku High School.
Oh, they're at the all-purpose hall.
/ All my people in the crowd
Grab a partner take it down/
The stage light was opened, and it revealed 12 good-looking troublemaker boys. Some girls screeched. The principal winced. Lights went off. Doors closed. The only thing that provided light that time was the light from the stage.
/It's me against the music (Uh-huh)
It's just me (And me)
Yeah (Come on)
Ho
(Hey, Britney)
Are you ready?
(Uh-huh, are you)
Uh/
The boys quickly moved to their respective positions, and then faced the audience. All the girls (except the teachers and parents) went wild. Some boys whistled. Teachers clapped.
Mitsui and Rukawa are the leaders. They are on front. Behind Mitsui and Rukawa is Tokiya, the third best dancer of the group. The others are positioned in such a way that everyone can be seen.
/And no one cares
It's whippin' my hair, it's pullin' my waist
To hell with stares
The sweat is drippin' all over my face
And no one's there
I'm the only one dancin' up in this place
Tonight I'm here
Feel the beat of the drum, gotta get with that bass/
They moved in unison. They used the beat of the song as their guide, making them look wholesome, as if they were dancers in a show that went out of the TV screen.
Girls continued to shriek. Some went nearer the stage so they can take a picture of the group. It can be for the school paper, or for their scratch book, or for their snapshots collection, or for their businesses…
/I'm up against the speaker, tryin' to take on the music
It's like a competition, me against the beat
I wanna get in a zone
I wanna get in a zone
If you really wanna battle, saddle up and get your rhythm
Tryin' to hit it, chicata
In a minute I'mma take you on
I'mma take you on/
Thirty percent of the audience went in front, almost directly under the stage, so they can have a better view. More and more flashing lights from the cameras appear.
The principal smiled. Maybe he did under-estimate the boys… The group is now showing off hot moves, making girls shriek louder. A teacher shrieked with them.
/All my people on the floor
Let me see you dance (Let me see ya)
All my people wantin' more
Let me see you dance (I wanna see ya)
All my people round and round
Let me see you dance (Let me see ya)
All my people in the crowd
Let me see you dance (I wanna see ya)/
After the chorus, the boys went to another formation. This time, Tokiya and Mitsui were the one in front. Rukawa is slightly behind them, in the middle of the two. This time, their formation is: two people at the side, and the other is in the middle, although slightly behind.
/So how would you like a friendly competition
Let's take on the song (Let's take on the song, let's take on the song)
It's you and me, baby, we're the music
Time to party all night long (All night long, all night long)
We're almost there
I'm feelin' it bad and I can't explain
My soul is bare
My hips are movin' at a rapid pace
Can you feel it burn
From the tip of my toes, runnin' through my veins
And now's your turn
Let me see what you got, don't hesitate
I'm up against the speaker, tryin' to take on the music
It's like a competition, me against the beat
I wanna get in a zone
I wanna get in a zone
If you really wanna battle, saddle up and get your rhythm
Tryin' to hit it, chicata
In a minute I'mma take you on
I'mma take you on/
Girls shrieked louder, if ever that is still possible. Residents of the nearby village are all wearing earmuffs… Sendoh dragged Koshino near the stage. Rukawa Touya, Uekusa, Haesegawa, Hanagata and Haruko went there, too.
/All my people on the floor
Let me see you dance (Let me see ya)
All my people wantin' more
Let me see you dance (I wanna see ya)
All my people round and round
Let me see you dance (Let me see ya)
All my people in the crowd
Let me see you dance (I wanna see ya)/
The twelve boys parted to two, Rukawa's group and Mitsui's group. Those who know the lyrics of the song by heart 'ooh-ed'.
/Get on the floor
Baby, lose control
Just work your body
And let it go/
Rukawa and Mitsui moved nearer each other, while the others continued their hot moves.
/If you wanna party
Just grab somebody
Hey, Britney
We can dance all night long/
All the others stepped backwards, arising into a new formation, making them look like they are also audiences to Mitsui and Rukawa. Mitsui stepped forward, making his gap with Rukawa Kaede smaller. This angered Rukawa Touya… and made Sakuragi Hanamichi and Sendoh Akira and Haesegawa jealous.
/Hey, Britney
You say you wanna lose control
Come over here
I got somethin' to show ya/
A lot of people 'ooh-ed'. Most girls rushed to the stage, almost causing a stampede. The principal's smile went wider. It's a success, for all he cared. This indicates a successful fair.
Mitsui played as Madonna, who is now challenging Rukawa Kaede. Rukawa Touya can only stare at them in surprise.
/Sexy lady
I'd rather see you bare your soul
If you think you're so hot
Better show me what you got/
Mitsui and Rukawa Kaede showed their hot moves; which made every girl shriek. They looked so hot, if you'll lick them, your tongue will burn…
Mitsui mouthed the lyrics of the song, and it really looked like he was the one who is singing. When Britney's turn came, Rukawa was the one who sang.
/All my people in the crowd
Let me see you dance
Come on, Britney, lose control
Watch you take it down
Get on the floor
Baby, lose control
Just work your body
And let it go
If you wanna party
Just grab somebody
Hey, Britney
We can dance all night long/
All the others went back to life, continuing their dance, moving in harmony.
/All my people on the floor
Let me see you dance (Let me see ya)
All my people wantin' more
Let me see you dance (I wanna see ya)
All my people round and round
Let me see you dance (Let me see ya)
All my people in the crowd
Let me see you dance (I wanna see ya)/
They continued to dance, but the audience can notice that they are trying to form something.
/All my people in the crowd
Let me see you dance
Come on, Britney, take it down
Make the music dance
All my people 'round and 'round
Party all night long
Come on, Britney, lose control
Watch you take it down/
The all-purpose hall ROARED.
0o0o0
The backstage was in havoc. It should have been called "the place of mayhem for the diminutive chaos makers" (TPCDCM). Jackets tossed in the air, drumsticks thrown off, papers of lyrics scattered everywhere on the floor, shoes stinking off on everyone's nose… but heck, they don't care. All they can smell is VICTORY.
Everyone was screaming their asses off. They are all out of their selves. Well, who wouldn't be? They are now one step near their easy school life.
Everyone, that is, except Rukawa. Hey, what are you expecting? This is 'the' Rukawa Kaede we are talking about.
He yawned as he neared his bag, which was at the bench, together with the others' bags. He removed his jacket, folded it, and put it inside. He loosened his wet-from-sweat turtle neck. God knows how freaking HOT it is in here. Not to mention that there are some nincompoops that are releasing energies, which do turn to heat.
Who said that he didn't listen to his teachers' lectures?
He yawned again. Maybe he should take a shower while people are still busy celebrating their victory.
He grabbed an extra shirt, underwear and pants from his bag, then his bathing necessities. He'll have to meet Sendoh at the anime booth… Then he has to look for his brother so he can clarify the Touya-Mitsui-Kogure issue… All the while avoiding those girls, of course. They already multiplied, for all he knew.
He opened the door. Good, no one else is in the changing room. He stared at the two doors in front of him: the shower room for the girls, and the other for the boys. Both seem empty. Shrugging, he went on to shower.
After five minutes, an all-fresh-and-clean Rukawa Kaede went out on one of the shower rooms. 'He is all wet and tasty. Not too mention that he is naked, except for that towel on his waist…' A nasty Sakuragi thought. Sakuragi was about to take a shower, too, because of the same logic that Rukawa has; but he heard that someone else is in there.
Rukawa was about to dress up when he felt heavy eyes on him. 'That dumb ass… can he be, at least, less obvious?' he hissed to himself as he went to unfold his black shirt. Then, his eyes furrowed as he saw the shirt that he grabbed. 'What the heck is this shirt doing in my bag?' He thought, obviously distracted by the print of the shirt. If one can look clearly, he can see a dragon with three fingers. The dragon's middle finger is raised.
He pouted, but wore it. He has no choice but to wear it, right? He can't possibly go back there while he's almost naked. As he wore it, he saw another red buttoned shirt on the floor. Based from its 'not-neatly-folded' mode, it fell on the floor. Damn, these are his brother's clothes!
Who put it in his bag anyway?
Fine.
Him.
Rukawa got it. He sighed, and put it on the bench. He should wear his boxers first, because he can feel some dumb ass's eyes on his butt. As he wore his boxers, Sakuragi neared him.
"Hey, Rukawa." Sakuragi said. Rukawa chose to ignore him. He finished wearing his boxers. He was about to wear his pants when he felt hard and strong arms grab his shoulders.
"Damn it, you stupid fox, stop ignoring me for once!" Sakuragi jerked Rukawa. He pulled the fox so that they are now face-to-face. He pushed the fox to the wall.
Rukawa paled more, his eyes widened and fear went through his spine. He tried his best to pull away, but he is still tired from the dance. His strength can not be matched with Sakuragi's. If ever, it will be a one-sided match.
"Get away from me, dumb ass!" His voice was way louder than his usual tone. Sakuragi's honey eyes changed. It was suddenly filled passion and desire, instead of the usual fascia of irritation and soft adoration.
'Great, Kaede. You pushed the dumb ass too far. Now he's itching for you…' This was the first thought that entered his mind. He squirmed more, kicked here, kicked there, pulled Sakuragi's hands with all his might, but it was of no use. The dumb ass is too strong and determined.
Hanamichi firmed his grip on the fox. "Stop squirming!" However, the fox did not. Sakuragi had enough. He had to stop this fox. There was only one thing that entered his mind.
He leaned over and kissed the fox.
Rukawa was in total shock to even move or react. His eyes are wide open as he watched the dumb ass kiss him. Finally, he went back to his senses.
He kicked Sakuragi on the gut. Sakuragi writhed on the floor, holding his stomach. Rukawa knelt beside Sakuragi. He pulled the other's collar as he glared at him. "Who the fuck are you to steal my first kiss?"
Sakuragi can only smile weakly as he replied. "You've never been kissed? I may be an admirer, perhaps? Believe me, Rukawa, I'll be the only one to love you like this."
Rukawa glared. He quickly wore his pants, and then got the red shirt and his used clothes. He stormed out of the shower room. On his way out, he bumped Mitsui and his other teammates. "Hey, Rukawa, why the crossed face? All of us should be celebrating!"
Rukawa glared at the red-head on the floor. "Ask the fucking son of a bitch dumb ass."
All of them stared at the two. No one had an idea what happened.
Hanamichi only smiled in victory. Can you imagine that the heart throb of the school had never been kissed before? And, of course, the TENSAI is the fox's first kiss.
0o0o0
Rukawa wore a tiny smile on his face. Sometimes, he can't help but feel that he should've entered the drama club. He deceived Sakuragi again…
Yes, he was angry, mad, fuming, livid, furious, enraged and infuriated at the redhead for stealing a kiss, but it isn't his first kiss. If it was, the dumb ass should have been at the emergency room now.
He had to thank his brother for stealing his first kiss. Else, the dumb ass could have been his first kiss…
The idea was totally sickening.
He wiped his lips. That dumb ass… not only is his eyes honey, his lips actually taste like honey, too. Well, he saw a honey lemon candy in the dumb ass's pocket.
His brother stole his first kiss when he was still ten (Touya was fifteen). He got so angry at his brother that time. When he asked Touya what the heck was that for, Touya said "Don't you like that? You love, although in a sibling's way, your first kiss. No one else can steal our first kisses, Kaede. A lot of people are trying to get mine, and a lot of people will try to get yours."
He turned to chibi that time. Only two words entered his mind: dumb and ass. He kicked his brother in both knees, and then ran to their father. When he told his father what happened…
(Flashback)
"Daddy! Daddy!"
Mr. Rukawa, who was reading the paper that time, was surprised to hear his usually-calm son scream. A red-faced, teary eyed ten-year-old version of himself appeared in front of him. "What happened, Kaede?"
His son was trying really hard not to cry. "Daddy… Touya kissed me! He kissed me on the lips! His tongue was moving… squirming in my mouth! It's so yucky!"
Tetsuya dropped his newspaper on the floor as he stared at his son. Kaede was pouting. "What! Why…"
Kaede's red faced made him look like a ripe tomato with oyster sauce on top. "He told me he kissed me because he wants me to be his first kiss."
Tetsuya raised a brow. "What?"
Kaede continued. "He said…" Kaede mimicked his older brother's deep voice. "Don't you like that? You love, although in a sibling's way, your first kiss. No one else can steal our first kisses, Kaede. A lot of people are trying to get mine, and a lot of people will try to get yours."
Tetsuya stared at his son in surprise. Then…
3…
2…
1…
He laughed.
(End of flashback)
And, at that moment, there were only three words that registered in his mind: crazy, dumb and ass. He remembered how he cried… actually wailed in front of his father. His father had to give him new CD's in order to stop him from wailing.
Now, he is so grateful to his brother, he can buy Touya a hundred CDs. Anything he wants.
0o0o0
Mitsui went out of the backstage first. The second one to get out is Rukawa Kaede. They were like the opposite of each other. Mitsui is all happy and contented while Rukawa was crossed.
"Hey, Rukawa, our next dance is at 1:00 pm. Maybe we could celebrate a little before that, right? I would treat you and the others. See you later at the pizza booth beside the keychain booth. You can take anyone with you. Be there on 10:00 am."
Rukawa Kaede raised an eyebrow. 'I can bring anyone? Are you sure?' he thought sarcastically. He has nothing against people who are overly happy, but he is irritated to hell that time. And his sempai, who is jumpy and singing and smiling and laughing and out-of-character all of a sudden, is getting to his nerves.
"What if I take my older brother with me?"
Mitsui stopped, and then frowned at the crossed and gloomy boy behind him. "That one was good, Rukawa. No. If it were ordinary circumstances, I should have kicked you by now. But, of course, I'm in a too-happy-to-be-irritated mood today, so I won't bother you."
Rukawa "HMP-ed" and went over the anime booth.
'The hell with overly-happy people.'
0o0o0
Fujima smiled at the tanned man walking beside him. "That was wonderful, right?" Maki smiled at him, too. "Yes, it was really wonderful. I never expected that four of the five starting members of their basketball team are good at dancing."
Fujima stared at Maki in confusion. "Huh? I only saw three of them."
Maki chuckled lightly. "Well, all of the starting members of the team were there, except Akagi."
Fujima furrowed his nose. "Huh? I only saw Sakuragi, Mitsui and Rukawa." Maki raised an eyebrow at him. "Hello! Miyagi was at the front! Maybe you didn't recognize him because of his now-empty earlobe."
"He removed his earring?" Fujima was in deep thought.
In fact, he was too engrossed in his own little world that he didn't notice that there are some people heading their way to him.
0o0o0
Hanagata is too crossed to even think properly. Heck, if an innocent chicken was crossing his way, he could've killed it or skinned it alive. It is such a good thing that Haesegawa, his second best friend and his crush, is always there to guide his bewildered mentality.
"Toru, calm down, will you? Why are you so angry with Kenji?" He asked, pulling his best friend's arm. All Toru wanted to do was to box Fujima, 'just in case he will come back to his senses'.
Toru inhaled a large amount of air. He then adjusted his glasses. He smiled at the boy beside him. "Maybe I should forget our problem with Kenji for a while, ne, Haesegawa?"
The boy smiled. "There is no problem with him, Toru. Yes, you better forget him right now. We have the all day to enjoy. After Shohoku high school's fair, then maybe you should confess your feelings to Kenji."
Toru's sleeve fell. "What?"
Haesegawa chuckled lightly. "Oh, c'mon, Toru! Don't deny it! You like him." Toru stared at Haesegawa. Did he really look like he likes Fujima? He is just concerned for his best friend.
Haesegawa tapped Toru's shoulder. "The two of you look good together. You'll make a good pair." Toru gasped. "You mean… you have nothing against…"
Haesegawa smiled. "Yes, I have nothing against homosexuals and bisexuals. Why would I? I'm a bi, too. You remember Mitsui from Shohoku high, right? I like him. I stalked on him once…"
Toru can do nothing but gasp. He had always hesitated telling Haesegawa how he felt because he thought Haesegawa is straight…
Somehow, this is becoming a good day.
0o0o0
"Hi, Fujima-san and Maki-san!" A chirpy female voice greeted them. Maki turned to the owner of the voice, but Fujima is still thinking how Miyagi looked like.
"Hi. Ayako, right?" Maki said as he reached out to shake hands with Ayako. However, he felt heavy eyes on his back. It was Miyagi. "Uh… Hi, Miyagi."
Ayako took Maki's hand. "It was nice you came here, Maki-san. Enjoy the fair!" Miyagi took Maki's hand from Ayako. "Yes, of course, they will enjoy the fair! Right Maki-san?"
Miyagi was giving Maki a tight handshake, a very tight handshake at that. "Miyagi, I would like to continue this handshake more, but your grip is too tight…"
Just then, a paper fan made its way to Miyagi's skull. "Miyagi! Don't be like that! They are our visitors!" Ayako said as she slapped the paper fan to Miyagi's head four more times.
Maki can only stare at them in disbelief. "Eh… Ayako, you can stop hitting poor Miyagi now. I'm pretty sure he already understands what you want to say." Kogure said as he tried to stop Ayako.
"This is not a POOR boy!" Ayako said as she continued hitting Miyagi's head. Maki smiled, then elbowed Fujima. "Hey, Fujima, Miyagi's here."
Fujima turned to Maki's direction. True enough, Miyagi removed his earring. "Ah… Hi, Ayako and Miyagi. Good morning."
Ayako stopped hitting Miyagi. "Oh, for a while I thought you were asleep…" Fujima only smiled at the comment. "No, Ayako, I wasn't asleep. Can anybody sleep while standing up?"
Ayako and company, namely Kogure and Miyagi, can only chuckle in reply. "Yes, Fujima-san. We know someone who could sleep while standing, walking, and cycling."
Fujima and Maki both stared at them. Just then, a familiar voice shouted. "Hey, Miyagi! Look, I got the game! Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow!"
Miyagi almost jumped. "You got it?" He ran to the direction of their three-point shooter. "Heck, can I borrow that?" "Sure, just go to my house anytime, but not this week."
"OK! Yippee!"
Mitsui finally saw who they were talking to. "Maki and Fujima? Oh, you guys are here…" Kogure only chuckled at Mitsui. "Hisashi, of course they're here." Fujima and Maki smiled at Mitsui.
"Did you guys like our number?" He asked their visitor. "Of course, Mitsui. It's great!" Fujima complimented. Maki nodded in approval. Then, he turned to Ayako. "I still don't understand what you were saying a while ago, Ayako."
Ayako chuckled. "Forget about it, Maki-san."
Kogure extended an offer. "Would you guys like to come with us?"
0o0o0
"Let's get out of here, Rukawa-kun." Sendoh commented as he felt heavy eyes on them. Of course, there were the fan girls in the distance, stalking on Rukawa. Rukawa shrugged as he led the way to the comfort room. Sendoh followed.
"Are you always stalked on?" Akira asked his companion.
'Yes, and I know who stalk on me regularly. Including you.' Kaede can only reply in his thoughts. However, he did not voice it out.
"About your number, Rukawa-kun… It was great!" Akira exclaimed. After getting no reaction, he pouted. "Aren't you going to say anything?"
Rukawa shrugged. "Like?"
Akira only shrugged. "No, forget it. Hey, you know what, we can not enjoy the fair if your fans are always stalking on you. What if you change, so that they can't identify you?"
Rukawa raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"
Akira got his hair gel. "This."
0o0o0
"Hey, Fukuda, got no one to spend the day with?" A familiar voice asked Fukuda. Fukuda turned to the owner of the voice. It was Koshino. He neared Fukuda, who was sitting near the burger booth. Fukuda nodded in reply.
Koshino sat in front of Fukuda. "One burger, please." He said to the student taking care of the booth. "What burger will it be? We have…"
"Plain." He said as he gave the money to the student. The student smiled as he told the others in the 'kitchen' to make a plain burger. Koshino nudged Fukuda. "Hey, where are your assistants?"
Fukuda stared at him like he was crazy. "I don't have any assistants." Koshino pouted. "You know what I mean. Those three children who seem to follow you everywhere." Fukuda shrugged. "They have stuff to do."
Koshino nodded. He watched Fukuda eat his burger for a while.
"Here's your burger and your change, sir. Have a nice meal." The student said as he handed Koshino his burger with a tissue
Koshino and Fukuda sat across each other, eating their burger. At long last, they finished their burgers. Koshino stood up. He threw his tissue in the garbage bin. "Do you want to go with me, Fukuda? Sendoh left me for Rukawa." Fukuda stood up as he threw his tissue to the garbage bin, too. "Yes."
0o0o0
A smile is comforting, yes, but a certain redhead's isn't. A crooked grin can barely be called a smile. But, it can still be called a "smile", and a smile can attract a lot of people, including a brown-haired girl named Akagi Haruko.
"Hi, Hanamichi." Haruko suddenly appeared in front of Hanamichi. He waved to the girl in front of him. "Good morning, Haruko-san!" Hanamichi answered in a sing-song way. "How are you today, Haruko-san! Is Haruko-san alright?"
Haruko giggled. "Yes, Hanamichi, I was alright. But my friends left me… and I have no one to spend the fair with… Would you accompany me for the fair?" She asked as she smiled pleadingly to Hanamichi.
Hanamichi gulped. How can he taunt Rukawa with Haruko-san around? But, nevertheless, he wants to spend a day with Haruko-san… But…
And now, this is the question where his mind remains restless. Who does he like? Haruko-san or the kitsune?
"Hanamichi, are you alright?" Haruko asked as she waved a hand in front of him. Hanamichi was surprised, yes, but he won't show this to Haruko… "Yes, this genius will accompany you in today's fair!"
0o0o0
The crowd is getting thicker and thicker by the minute. It's getting hotter and hotter by the minute, too, and a certain hotheaded teen-age boy is really getting moodier and grumpier as each second passed. His companion, who can feel this change, then spoke up in order to prevent an 'eruption'. "Let's go outside the school for a while."
Koshino was really crossed. "OK, we better go out. God knows how hot it is in here." They made their way out the school.
Yes, the noise can still be heard, but it is more peaceful out here. The people are all busy in the Shohoku high school. There were a lot of background noises heard: the voices of the people inside, the screams of the people who rode the scary ride, the loud stereo playing "In the End" by Linkin' Park, and other noises too indistinguishable and unimaginable to be clearly defined.
Fukuda sighed. He can't see Jin from here… but heck, Koshino is here, so it's alright.
Koshino sighed, too. Not because of Jin, though, but because of Akira. Fukuda is fine to be with, but he wants to be with Akira. However, Akira is with his forever, undying crush, Rukawa Kaede.
Akira sees him as a best friend… just a best friend. 'Maybe that will remain as it is forever… Just like that…' Koshino was in a very deep thought that he did not notice that his tears are flowing and Fukuda is looking his way.
"Here." Fukuda offered a clean hanker chief. Koshino looked at his companion. He blushed, but nevertheless, accepted the hanker chief offered. Fukuda sighed. "It's Sendoh, isn't it?"
Koshino was taken aback. "How…" 'How did he know about that?' Fukuda shrugged. "I just observed."
A dozen more teardrops and Koshino's eyes will get red. He smiled bitterly. "That's weird, right, Fukuda? My best friend did not notice that, and yet, you did. I had always 'liked' Akira since we were in junior high…"
Koshino sighed. "Am I suppressing what I feel too much? Or is it that Akira's numb?"
Fukuda slipped his hands to Koshino's shoulder. "I'm just observant."
Koshino can never be more surprised at Fukuda's gestures . "You…"
"Yes." Fukuda did not let Koshino continue. He pulled Koshino in a deep kiss, explaining to him everything that's unspoken for a long time.
0o0o0
In the shadows…
"I'll check that!"
0o0o0
Nine thirty a.m., Shohoku high fair grounds.
The sun is radiating heat like hell. A lot of things are happening. Some people bought some drinks, while others were eating snacks. Most Shohoku high school seniors are on the booths. Some are still going around the booths, and others are on the rides. Their screams can be heard clearly. A considerable number of people are running because the jail booth announced that all people wearing sandals will be jailed.
However, there are two certain people who do not look like they are going out of the comfort room soon. "What. Did. You. Do?" A fox was glaring at the reflection of the broom head beside him.
Akira ignored the question. "I changed how you look, of course. Your fans are crazy… they'll follow you around."
Kaede was, again, furious, mad, enraged, livid, angry, and irritated. "I never wanted to be a porcupine, you dolt." He slapped Akira's hands away from his now-porcupine-like-hair.
Akira was not the type to take seriously what Rukawa did. "I'm sorry about that… It's supposed to look like mine, but your hair is too thick and heavy, so it ended up like a porcupine… Hey, Rukawa-kun, don't be angry! You'll thank me for this, because for once, you can explore the fair grounds without the ache of stalkers. They'll never identify you now."
Rukawa sighed. This dumb ass here has a point, but… "I…"
"Don't be angry…" Akira said as he gave Rukawa one of his best smiles. Rukawa turned away, hiding his blush.
"That's alright, I guess. This is your shirt, right?" Akira said, giving the red buttoned shirt to Rukawa. "Wear it above your current shirt. Don't button it…"
Rukawa did as told. He stared at his reflection again. He blushed. "I'm not going out."
Akira laughed. "Oh, yes you are. How can you enjoy the fair if you stay here? Here are some eyeglasses, just in case you don't really want anyone to recognize you."
Rukawa literally snatched the glasses away from Sendoh. He quickly wore them.
"There, Rukawa-kun. No one can recognize you now."
Rukawa 'HMP'-ed as he marched his way out of the comfort room.
0o0o0
"Umm… Ayako-san, what fast food chains did your school invite?" Fujima asked nicely. Truth be told, he's already starving. "Well, a lot, I guess. Hungry, Fujima-san?" Fujima smiled. "Yeah, actually."
Ayako led the way to the pizza booth. "Mitsui told us to meet at the pizza booth… Maybe we could eat there while we wait for him."
Maki, who was looking at different booths, turned to Ayako. "Where did he go, anyway?" Ayako shrugged. "He probably met some old friends."
"With Kogure?"
Ayako quickly turned her head to her right, where Kogure was walking a while ago. "He also went with Mitsui?" She asked Miyagi. Miyagi shrugged. "I don't know… Those two had been acting weird since we practiced to Rukawa's house."
Fujima smiled a knowing smile. He noticed that too. "Just let them, Ayako-san. Might be personal." Ayako shrugged.
When they neared the pizza booth, they saw a familiar face. "Sendoh?" Miyagi asked, surprised to see him alone. "I thought you're meeting Rukawa-kun today."
Akira just laughed. The teenager beside him just shrugged. When Miyagi asked once again, Akira laughed more. This, of course, annoyed him.
"Why you…" Miyagi was about to kick the laughing broom head had not Ayako held his arm. "Rukawa? What the…?" Ayako asked, surprised.
She neared the teenager with eyeglasses. "That's you, right?"
Rukawa glared at her. "No." Ayako giggled. "You… you…" She laughed. All Rukawa can do is glare at her.
Fujima neared them. "Oh, Rukawa-kun, avoiding stalkers and fans?" Rukawa blushed, and then nodded. Fujima just smiled. Maki sat with them. "This pizza booth is nicer than the burger booth, right?"
Miyagi answered. "Yeah, of course. Those section 8 and 9 sophomores do not know anything about arranging seats." Fujima stood up and ordered. "One Hawaiian and a supreme pizza, please."
The sophomore smiled and told the others what was ordered.
Ayako, at last, stopped laughing. "Hey, Rukawa-kun, could you try smiling? That frown you are wearing right now doesn't suit your new look." She teased. Rukawa ignored her and continued eating his pizza.
Akira laughed at him, too. "How do you like Rukawa's new look, Ayako-san?" Ayako laughed with Akira again. "I'm so speechless. I never knew you could convince him to dress up like that."
Rukawa glared at her. Again.
0o0o0
"Mitsui…"
"I know… I know, Kogure. You like him more than you like me. That's why…" Mitsui sighed. He tried to stop his tears from flowing, but heck, they won't.
"You don't understand, Mitsui-kun!" Kogure exclaimed. "I liked him, right, but Rukawa-san helped me sort things out."
Mitsui's eyes bulged. "Rukawa? Touya? You talked to him?"
Kogure continued, ignoring Mitsui's question. "I now know why I don't want to be with you… because I also feel the same way. I'm afraid, I guess. Besides, we are both boys. This is abnormal… weird… not supposed to be!"
Mitsui pinned Kogure to the wall. "Stop it, Kogure! Just answer me: Do you love me too?"
Kogure bit his lip, so Mitsui can not hear his sobs. He turned his gaze to the floor, not wanting to meet Mitsui's eyes. Mitsui held Kogure's chin, forcing Kogure to look at his eyes. "Answer me, Kogure!"
"…"
"KOGURE!"
"Yes!" Kogure screamed, pushing Mitsui away. Mitsui stumbled backwards, but his left foot supported his weight so he did not fall to the ground. Kogure ran away from Mitsui. He was aiming to get downstairs, where there are a lot of people. There, Mitsui can not ask him these questions. However, Mitsui can run faster than Kogure.
Mitsui caught Kogure's left hand. Kogure tried to pull it away, but Mitsui's grip is strong.
In one quick fluid motion, he pulled both Kogure's hands and pulled him in a deep kiss.
0o0o0
In the shadows, yet again…
"I'll check that!"
0o0o0
A/N:
Yes, I know, it was a pretty long time since I updated.
Other people's so-called romances, if it is even romantic, is coming up in the next chapter.
Do you guys think it is even romantic? I think that, because of too many pairings and happenings, I can barely concentrate on the romantic scenes. It's hard to do it all in one.
Oh, before I forget… I know that Me against the Music is a little too feminine for them to dance… It took me four chapters to realize…
I accept flames, yes, I have nothing against them, but I would highly appreciate it if you can tell me what's wrong without flaming me…
As I said a while ago, it's the idealism, not the realism.