Dance at Okayama

Category: Tenchi Muyo!

Type: Fantasy/Romance

Pairings: Mihoshi/OC, a bit of Tenchi/Ayeka

Disclaimer: I do not own Tenchi Muyo. Any character you have not heard of is mine.

Summary: In an alternate reality Koichi Seiyama is a new student at Okayama High School. On his way to the school on his first day, he crosses paths with a certain blond-haired girl...

Key:

Narration

Speech

Thought

Author Note

Chapter 2: Bully for Koichi

The following day, Koichi got out of bed just in time. He gets dressed, packs his books, and gets downstairs with a little time to spare, all with a bright smile on his face.

Natsumi was downstairs already and she notices Koichi all ready to leave AND his smile. You're up early? AND you're in a good mood?

What? What's the problem?

Oh, nothing. Natsumi takes another bite of her cereal. It's just that, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you already had a girlfriend...

Um... Koichi slowly turns away from Natsumi.

Hmm? Natsumi notices Koichi's sudden mood change, and drops her spoon. Oh...my...gosh... She bolts up from her seat. You do, don't you? C'mon, tell me! What's her name? What's she like?

Koichi desperately tries to act calm. You don't know what you're talkin' about, Natsumi, okay...?

Natsumi begins to act excited over this. There's no use in trying to deny it, Koichi! I know you more than you know yourself!

Koichi grabs his breakfast on the table and leaves. Whatever, sis. I gotta go. See ya.

As Koichi leaves the house, Natsumi joyfully thinks to herself. This is too good... Koichi, having a girlfriend on his first day!

Walking over to the school, Koichi has an unexpected run-in with a sort of muscular character with spiky black hair and a scar on his left cheek. His name was Tsume (no, not from Wolf's Rain). Hey, you!

Koichi obviously had to slant his vision upwards to see Tsume's face. Hmm? What is it?

You're the new kid that goes to Okayama High, right? Koichi Seiyama?

Yeah. Why?

Then is it also true that you know Mihoshi Kirumitzu?

Yeah. Is there a point to all this?

You bet your tiny little ass there is!, Tsume says angrily as he grabs Koichi by the collar and pushes his back up against a wall.

Hey! What's with you!

Now, you listen to me! If you know what's good for you, you'll stay far away from Mihoshi! You got that?

Huh? Clearly, this guy has some sort of relation (or relationship) with Mihoshi. What for?

You don't need to know! Just do what I tell ya, and no one gets hurt! Specifically, you! Finally let go of his anger, Tsume shoves Koichi to the ground.

Watching Tsume walk off, Koichi thinks to himself. What was that all about? Looking at his watch, Koichi sees that he was already 3 minutes late. Oh, man! I'm late! Mihoshi's gonna be so upset...

Outside the school, Mihoshi glances at her watch again. Oh, Koichi... She sighs and heads inside the school.

Just as she does, Koichi comes by a little too late. Heavily panting, he tries to catch his breath. Okay... I'm here, Mihoshi... Mihoshi? ...Mihoshi? Dejected, Koichi walks inside and to class...

Later that day, Koichi tries to apologize to Mihoshi at lunch. Um, Mihoshi?

Mihoshi sips a bit of her lemonade, not even making eye contact with Koichi. Yeah?

I just wanted to say I'm really sorry about this morning...

Mihoshi simply continues to sip her lemonade.

I really am, you know. And I'd like to make it up to you.

Hearing these words, Mihoshi turns to Koichi to see the sincerity in his eyes. Oh, really? How do you plan on doing that?

Well... I don't know yet, but I will. I promise...

Mihoshi sighs. But then she grins. Well, okay. I guess I could forgive you. Since this is a first offense., she finishes before giggling.

Koichi then lets out a relieved sigh. That's a relief.

Tenchi and some of the others sit down with the two. Ryoko sits down closest to Tenchi with a lunch tray. So, Mihoshi, I hear Koichi-boy here stood you up this morning-- Ow!, she cuts off as an elbow hits her in the side.

Tenchi whispers over to Ryoko. Don't say anything to anger them, Ryoko!

Oh. Gotcha. Sorry.

Mihoshi cuts in the whispered conversation. I can hear you just fine, Tenchi, and it's okay - We're not angry.

Ryoko continued to shoot her mouth off. So, does that mean you kissed and made up-- Ow!, she cuts off again, this time having Ayeka's elbow in her side.

By the time Kiyone and Washu walk over to the table, everyone was already silent. Hey, guys., Kiyone begins. Oh, by the way, Sasami, someone told me to give this to you. Kiyone hands Sasami a folded-up note signed "To Sasami".

Upon taking the note, Sasami unfolds it and reads it to herself. Hmm... Hey!

By then, everyone was filled to the brim with curiosity. What?, everyone asks in unison.

At this point, Sasami dashes for the bathroom, apparently to read the rest of the note in privacy.

Ayeka becomes strangely worried. What's wrong with Sasami?

Ryoko chuckles at Ayeka's obliviousness. Don't you know anything about secrecy, Ayeka?

Sasami returns to the table about 3 minutes with a beet-red face.

Well?, everyone asks in unison and even more curiosity.

Sasami tries to regain her composure and slowly begins. The note...was from Shinji. He...asked if I wanted to go to the dance with him...

Everyone gasps. Washu is the first to eventually speak. Way to go, Sasami!

Ayeka couldn't help but embrace her little sister. Oh, I'm so happy for you, Sasami!

Mihoshi was happy for Sasami, but felt like she had to ask. So, Koichi, why was it you were late this morning?

Koichi had almost completely forgotten. Well, I kinda had a run-in with some big muscular goon on the street.

Something stirs within Mihoshi. Did he have spiky black hair?

Now that I think about it...Yeah, he did.

Suddenly, Mihoshi begins to feel uneasy. And a left-cheek scar?

Yeah! How'd you know?

Just then, everyone forgets about Sasami and looks at Koichi worriedly.

What? Was it something I said?

Ryoko leans back in her seat. Oh, boy. It was nice knowin' ya, Koichi...

Shut up, Ryoko!, Ayeka yells, tired of Ryoko's rudeness.

Wait... Is there something here I'm missing?

Mihoshi looks down at her lap in humiliation. Let me explain, Koichi. You see, that guy you met, his name's Tsume, and he's... my ex-boyfriend...

By this time, Koichi was wide-eyed.

Mihoshi politely continues. Ever since I broke up with him, he just can't seem to let me go. So he refuses to let even one other guy get close to me. You know, until I take him back. Not that it'll ever happen, though.

That explains a lot... But wait; what about Tenchi?

Tenchi simply sinks into his seat. Why bother with me? I've already got my hands full with Ryoko and Ayeka...

Mihoshi continues even further. Anyway, maybe it's best if you listen to Tsume, Koichi. All of the other guys that went against Tsume's orders ended up... Well, they--

...got the snot beaten out of them., Ryoko interrupts abruptly.

Hmm... Well, I've dealt with bullies before. This time isn't that different.

Ryoko smiles at Koichi's bravery. Heh. You're pretty bold, kid. Stupid and foolish, but bold.

I'll take that as a compliment...

Several hours later, school finally lets out. Koichi is the last to leave the school. Who would be there to meet him but Tsume.

We meet again..., Tsume says with a sinister look.

Koichi simply giggles to himself. Well, well. If it isn't Mr. Over-Compulsive himself! What, you here to massacre me too?

I warned ya to stay away from Mihoshi, didn't I?

Little did the two know, Mihoshi was watching from the school's entrance. Oh, no... Koichi, what'd you get yourself into?

Here we go... Now, you're probably gonna start beating my face in until I come to my good senses, right? I know how you muscle-bound bullies are...

You read my mind, kid..., Tsume says, cracking his knuckles.

But, before you do beat me up, you should know something, Tsume...

Really? And what might that be?

I like hanging out with Mihoshi...

Tsume looks at him with wide-open eyes.

Even if you beat me up, it won't make a difference.,Koichi continues. I'll keep on hanging out with her... And there's nothing you can do OR say to change that...

Mihoshi looks away for about a minute. He...likes hanging out with me... Just as her heart was touched, she hears a punch being landed. Looking outside, she gasps as she spots Tsume standing over Koichi, who was covering his left eye. Oh, no! Koichi!

Tsume cracks his knuckles again. Hope you enjoyed living, kid...

Koichi simply kept his eye covered and did nothing.

All of a sudden, just before Tsume could hit Koichi again, Mihoshi steps in the way and blocks his path.

Mihoshi!, Tsume and Koichi say at the same time.

Tsume clenches his fist. Step out of the way, Mihoshi... I don't-- Cutting him off, Mihoshi slaps Tsume in the face. Tsume simply holds the hand mark on his face and stares at her. Mihoshi...

Mihoshi clenches her own fists down at her sides. No more... Mihoshi's eyes begin to water. I don't want to see any more people get hurt because of you... Because of me...

Tsume only growls and shakes a fist at Koichi. Don't go thinking this is over, kid! You got lucky! And with that, he walks off in a huff.

Mihoshi kneels down next to Koichi. Are you okay, Koichi?

Eh... I've been better... AND I've been worse...

Mihoshi motions Koichi to remove his hand from his eye. His eyelid and the area around it had a mixing color of black and red. She helps Koichi get to his feet. Come on. Let's go get you an ice pack for that eye...

At the nurse's office, the nurse helps tend to Koichi's shiner. How's that?

Koichi puts his hand to the ice pack to keep it in place. Great. Thanks.

As the nurse briefly leaves the room, Mihoshi approaches Koichi. I'm sorry about Tsume... It's my fault that he's like this...

Koichi continued to hold on the ice pack. What do you mean?

I should've realized Tsume's problem earlier. If I did, I would've been able to help him.

It's too late. The guy's beyond help now.

You have a point. So...you ready to go?

When you are.

As the two leave the school and walk over to that corner, before they separate, Mihoshi breaks the silence. I heard what you said when you met up with Tsume.

Uh...What'd I say?

...That you liked hanging out with me.

Oh... Well, it was true...

I know... I could tell... Mihoshi gives Koichi a short but sweet kiss on the cheek just before she walks in the direction of her house, leaving a stunned Koichi. ...See you tomorrow...

Koichi walks over to his house in a daze. On the way, all he could think about was the kiss...

...Well, that AND Mihoshi...

TBC...