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 4: Dance Night I
Running into the school, Koichi slows down and walks at an even pace. Tsume must be really desperate to send those guys onto me! I wish the guy would get a clue!
Koichi walks into his first period class and sits down next to Mihoshi. Morning, Mihoshi.
Good morning! You were almost late. What happened?
I had a little run-in with Tsume's gang of ill-grammatical goons.
Oh. Those two...
You know them?
Yeah. Ginji and Hayato. But don't worry about them - they're practically harmless.
Yeah, I caught on just five minutes ago.
Mihoshi quietly giggles.
Later that day, the gang sits together again at lunch. Ryoko was the first to speak when they sat down with her lunch trays. So, Tenchi, you decide who you're taking to the dance? And be sure to make the right choice!
It was hard for Tenchi to break it to Ryoko. Here goes nothing... Well, Ryoko, I...gave it a lot of thought, and... Well, I've decided to go with... w-with Ayeka...
You see, Tenchi? I knew all along you'd make the right-- WHAT? YOU'RE GOING WITH HER?
Sorry... Tenchi lies low in his seat.
YOU'VE GOTTA BE KIDDING ME! HOW COULD YOU CHOOSE HER OVER ME?
Tenchi felt bad enough with letting Ryoko down. She had to make it worse by yelling. I... Well... He tried to say something, but the words wouldn't come out.
Ryoko looks like she's about to cry. Trying to hide this fact, she dashes for the bathroom.
Poor Ryoko... Ayeka says surprisingly. I feel rather sorry for her...
Washu rises up from her seat. Don't worry - I'll speak to her..., she says, following Ryoko.
If anyone should talk to Ryoko, it should be her own sister., Kiyone states. So, Sasami, you decide whether or not you're going to the dance with Shinji yet?
Sasami suddenly analyzes Kiyone's question and blushes. Well, I think... I will go to the dance with him...
Heh! I thought so. And you're going with Koichi, is that right, Mihoshi?
Mihoshi looks over at her and nods happily. Yeah, I'm really excited about it!
Kiyone then turns her attention to Koichi. Well, I'm happy for both of you. But, you'd better watch yourself, Koichi. You'll never know where Tsume's gonna turn up next...
Koichi nods with a serious look on his face. I know...
By the end of school, Koichi was about to head home to put on his suit. Right before he opens the exit door, he thinks to himself briefly. I just know Tsume's gonna be waiting out there once I open this door. Well, nothing's gonna ruin this night for me. Not even Tsume. He opens the door to see...
Hey there, squirt!
...Tsume.
I thought you'd be here.
I believe you remember Ginji and Hayato.
Vaguely... But, yeah.
Care to finish what we started?
I've got no time for this..., Koichi says, walking past Tsume, Ginji, and Hayato.
Tsume doesn't even turn around to him. Heh... You're really something, you know that, kid?
The name's Koichi.
Whatever. You know, no one's ever stood up to me before you did. I'm pretty impressed.
And your point is?
...If you go to the dance with Mihoshi tonight, I can't guarantee your safety afterwards...
I'm not afraid of you...
Is that so? Tsume suddenly swings his fist at Koichi.
Without even turning to him, Koichi ducks down and evades it. Forget it, Tsume! I'm on the school track team! You can't touch me!
I may not be able to, but they can, Tsume says, referring to Ginji and Hayato.
With that, Ginji and Hayato double-team on Koichi. Ginji tries to uppercut Koichi. He dodges it and trips Ginji to the floor. Hayato tries a sweeping kick, but Koichi jumps over it and knocks Hayato aside, causing him to stumble.
Tsume, watching it all, grinds his teeth. How'd you do that?
To tell you the truth, I don't know myself. But I watch a lot of movies. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a dance to get ready for. Koichi begins to walk away.
You little... Tsume unveils a switchblade and flicks it open. He runs at Koichi.
Turning around, Koichi sees Tsume rushing at him and thinks quickly. He tries to step swiftly to the side, but the blade still leaves a mark on his right cheek. Koichi puts his hand to it and feels blood. Tsume! Have you gone crazy?
You bet I have! Prepare to die!
Koichi was doing everything he could to avoid every thrust of Tsume's blade. Eventually, Principal Nobuyuki had no choice but to step in. What the hell is going on here? He spots the bloody switchblade in Tsume's hand and the blood seeping from Koichi's right cheek. Tsume, you've gone too far this time. Mr. Katsuhito had informed me to be aware of your actions, and now I see why. I'm sorry, but I have no choice but to suspend you from school! For two weeks! Now, get out of here before I make it a month!
Tsume couldn't believe what he heard. He hands the blade to the principal and walks off with his hands pocketed.
Nobuyuki then looks over at Koichi. Are you hurt?
I'm okay...
Good to hear. Now, you'd better get home and clean that wound of yours.
Yes, sir. Koichi walks towards his house.
Nobuyuki looks down at Tsume's switchblade in anger.
At home, Koichi was washing off the blood until his sister walks in. Koichi! What happened to you?
I got into a fight... That's all...
What? With who? Where?
Koichi begins to tell Natsumi about Tsume and her grudge against him.
That's awful... And you still plan on going to the dance?
I don't think I have anything to worry about. Because of his suspension, Tsume isn't allowed into the dance. And when I'm walking with Mihoshi, I don't think Tsume would dare to make a move.
So, in a way, you'll be using Mihoshi as a shield?
WHAT? C'mon, Natsumi! I'd never do that!
Whoa... I'm just joking around, little bro...
Koichi gently places a bandage on his cheek wound.
What are you gonna tell Mihoshi if she asks where you got that bandage?
I'll tell her... I cut myself while shaving.
Heh. Subtle. Very subtle.
Later on, it was almost 7:00, and Koichi already had his suit on.
Stop me if I'm going too fast...
He wore a type of tuxedo, dark blue pants, black shoes, a red bow tie, and a small corsage. Slowly combing his hair, Koichi thinks to himself. Well, this is it... The night of my life... I just hope I'm ready...
Meanwhile, at Mihoshi's house, Mihoshi was also preparing himself. She wore a baby-blue dress with white lace, long white gloves, and glass slippers. She even had her hair down for once. For crying out loud, I look like Cinderella..., she says to herself before giggling. I wonder if Koichi will like my dress... I don't wanna disappoint him...
Suddenly, there was a ring at the door. Mihoshi's mother had answered. It was Koichi. Ahh, you must be...Koji, was it?
It's Koichi, Mrs. Kirumitzu.
Ah, of course. Mihoshi, Koichi's here., she calls to her daughter.
Mihoshi daintily makes her way down the stairs. Hi, Koichi...
Whoa... Koichi simply stands there, in awe of Mihoshi's dress.
Koichi?
Wow, Mihoshi... You look beautiful...
Oh... Mihoshi blushes deeply at his remark. Thank you...
Mihoshi's mom was almost teary-eyed. Oh... This is such a cute picture... Oh! Photo-op! I'll get my camera! She immediately bolts out of the room.
Koichi simply looks at Mihoshi looking at him. What's the matter?
That bandage... Did you get hurt?
Obviously, she was referring to the bandage over the mark Tsume gave him. Oh, this? I, uh...cut myself while I was shaving...
Mihoshi still looks at him skeptically.
Yep... I knew that wouldn't work...
Koichi...
Oh, boy... Koichi tears the bandage off to reveal a nearly healed scar. It was... Tsume...
Mihoshi gasps.
He had a switchblade. It was earlier today... If Mr. Nobuyuki hadn't stepped in, I would've been a goner...
A tear falls from Mihoshi's eye.
Mihoshi?
It's all my fault... I'm so sorry, Koichi...
No, Mihoshi... Koichi approaches her and wraps his arms around her, trying to comfort her. Please don't cry...
When he lets go, she wipes the tears from her eyes. Sorry about that... I'm ready...
At last, Mihoshi's mom returns with a camera. Found it! Now, smile!
Koichi and Mihoshi stand side-by-side, smiling wide.
A great flash, and Mihoshi's mom squeals with joy. Ohhhh... Don't you two look CUTE!
Mihoshi shakes her head in embarrassment. Oh, mom...
Upon walking out the front door, Koichi turns to Mihoshi. Oh, I almost forgot! Koichi takes a small box out from his pocket. Here... He opens it to reveal a golden ring with a tiny diamond flower on top.
Mihoshi practically goes breathless.
Don't get me wrong - it's nothing like that. I just bought it because I thought it might look good on you... He slowly slips the ring on her right hand's index finger.
Oh... Now I do feel like I'm in a fairy tale... A small tear escapes Mihoshi's eye.
Mihoshi? What's wrong?
Nothing... Mihoshi wipes the tears away from her eyes. It's beautiful... Thank you so much, Koichi...
So, you ready to go?
Mm-hmm! Mihoshi takes a hold of Koichi's arm and clasps it with hers and the two walk to the dance together.
Not too far off, a shadowy figure in a familiar alley looks on at the couple, its arms crossed. No principal OR suspension is gonna keep me from gettin' my girl back!
TBC...