Boys Before Flowers

XXXIII.

joukido has logged on

compudatabyte: It's about time.

joukido: had to study some more.

compudatabyte: Sure. Biology again?

joukido: anatomy. but it's just as difficult.

compudatabyte: Soo soo.

joukido: hey, so you're in on the drama right?

compudatabyte: What?

joukido: you know, with Ishida and Mimi.

compudatabyte: Oh, sure. Sort of. Ken told me something of it that he heard from Hikari.

joukido: why did it start?

joukido: koushirou?

joukido: ?

compudatabyte: Sorry. Why did it start? I really can't be sure.

joukido: i never figured them to argue that much. i didn't even think they talked.

compudatabyte: I knew that they did. She was with Ishida's band last year, near Golden Week? It was right after the big COMPUTECH exposition.

joukido: i didn't know. it must be serious.

compudatabyte: Highly doubtful. In most occasions, these kind of juvenile antics are based off of petty circumstances. High school life, eh?

joukido: soo. the good old days.

compudatabyte: But your question does spark my curiosity. Why would Mimi and Ishida be arguing?

joukido: sorry koushirou, i think i just skipped a chapter.

compudatabyte: I understand.

joukido: i'll talk to you after quarter-finals.

compudatabyte: Right, okay. Do your best.

joukido has logged off

XXXIV.

The sensation of wanton love. That was how he would describe it.

Holding hands.

He glanced at their interlaced fingers.

Gratuitous, meaningless and somehow everything that mattered at that exact moment.

Love for love's sake. Beautiful in its empty purpose.

XXXV.

"It's like a fairytale!" Mimi exclaimed, the night chill gathering pink at her cheeks. "Like the candy house in Hansel and Gretel!"

"Didn't the children get eaten in that one?" inquired Yamato. Mimi turned her gaze from the bright gingerbread house to make a face at him.

"The witch died, not the children. Don't be so cynical. Today we are not at war. Just for today, so enjoy it."

"Whatever." said Yamato. He made a face back.

They were still holding hands.

"There are games over there!" They ventured towards the festival games, driven solely by Mimi's excitement. Mimi knocked over bottles displaying bold Western titles and won a small bear, which she gave to Yamato. In turn, he played a miserable game of Wanage, but somehow managed a kaleidoscope. They both won balloons and, through a well-played session of Goldfish Scoop Yamato received a spotted goldfish, which he gave to Mimi.

Afterwards, while they were enjoying crepes with powdered sugar, she took time to reexamine her gift.

"She's so cute!" Mimi squealed, holding the plastic bag at eyelevel, "Tsuyu-chan."

"Tsuyu?" He asked.

"She's so cute…" she said again, giving the goldfish a dreamy look. But her smile transgressed suddenly to a pout.

"Tsuyu-chan looks so sad."

"An expressive goldfish?" Yamato actually grinned, "She probably doesn't like plastic bags.'

They finished their crepes and moved on to other parts of the festival. Both Yamato and Mimi hung silver bells on the Christmas tree for good luck. They drew fortunes from a box of hollow, painted chestnuts. Yamato's fortune read:

You have a true heart, and the power to grant wishes. Believe if only for the sake of believing.

Mimi's fortune said:

Your kind spirit will take you far. Don't despair, tread with caution and you will find unexpected happiness.

"These sound contrived."

"They're not!" Mimi protested, "Believe if only for the sake of believing."

Yamato made another face.

Hours wound by. At eight-thirty, the man dressed as Santa Claus said a magic word to light the Christmas tree from the highest star to the lowest light. Then people started to dwindle home. Mimi and Yamato meandered farther into town. They went to Akiwa pond, out of sight from all monuments except for Tokyo Tower, peaking modestly from over the skyline. There, one of the few areas relatively obscured from the mainstream, wide stepping stones stretched across the shallow water. Either vaguely remembered this place; neither could be sure why.

Mimi stepped out onto the first stone, holding Tsuyu-chan's bag in two hands.

"She must be very unhappy."

"Maybe." Yamato shrugged.

Mimi untied the bag and gingerly let its contents (Tsuyu-chan included) drain into the pond. Tsuyu stayed in place, momentarily disoriented. Then she swam away. Mimi sighed. Yamato said,

"It's better this way."

She crouched, tucking her knees recklessly into her chest and balancing on her toes. Stepping stone on a stepping stone. Yamato hung back on the shadow path.

"I wish I could just swim away." She said.

XXXVI.

Time passed. Yamato walked Mimi home.

She said,

"I hope Tsuyu-chan will be happy."

Yamato gave her his kaleidoscope.

"Since you don't have your goldfish anymore."

"Thank you."

She wanted to say, Tomorrow we'll be at war again. But then, Yamato said,

"How…does this keep going?"

"What?"

"I'm tired of it. This 'war'. Let's just end it."

Mimi remained silent. Then,

"No."

Yamato looked at her, rolled his eyes and laughed.

"You're so…"

"Don't make fun of me." She said seriously. She added quietly, "Of course it doesn't matter to you."

"Mimi…"

"Goodnight."

She felt his eyes on her only for a moment before his arms enveloped her by surprise.

"Let go." She whispered.

"Why are you doing this to yourself?"

"Cut it out. You're embarrassing me." His chest pressed tightly into her back as his possessive hold tightened. Mimi did not struggle against him. Instead, her eyes fell to the ground. They stood a moment in silence.

"I'm sorry." He said.

"You're not."

"I say things I don't mean."

"You do things you don't mean, too."

"I brought you flowers."

"Flowers aren't enough."

"What is-"

Voices from down the hall startled them. Yamato relinquished his embrace, settling for her hand instead. They followed each other a ways up, finding a vacant balcony usually used for smoking and resumed the conversation.

"When will it be enough?"

Mimi stared at him, then turned away and, for a while, examined the curious skyline. From this angle there were no popular sights –only lights, glistening across the black horizon.

"You tell me."

"Stop it." Said Yamato.

"Stop what?"

"Stop distancing yourself from this problem."

She smiled with innocent sarcasm,

"What problem?"

"Look, it's a game, war, whatever you will but how long…" He paced three steps, "How long before one of us…cracks?"

Mimi opened her mouth but he interrupted,

"It's been fun. The last three days, spending time with you. It was fun." He sighed, pushing a hand through his hair and causing it to spike at slightly odd angles, "But you have…your…"

He paced slightly, then cursed.

"Feelings aren't just games. You can't just contain anger or…resent or hurt by playing around with them, pretending it doesn't exist. Don't be…don't be so…juvenile."

Mimi stood still, momentarily stricken. Yamato looked down, away, for an instant. Then he cleared his throat and continued past her.

"Goodnight."

She mouthed, 'Please wait'. But he didn't hear her, of course.

The last thing Yamato said that night was:

"Don't stay out too late."

But she stayed in the balcony for a while despite this, crouched low and fixated on the city lights. There were times when her stomach clenched terribly, and her eyes stung with unshed tears.

Mimi wiped her eyes irritably.

"Don't be so juvenile."

XXXVII.

Monday.

Anticipation hums across the school.

"What do you think will happen?"

"Did they really go to Shimane?"

"I'm so jealous!"

Everyone simmers eagerly.

But Monday comes and goes.

Tuesday.

A growing tremor of excitement.

"Everything is so tense."

"This is nerve-racking."

"Do you think Mimi-chan is okay?"

Students casually drop by classrooms 3-B and 2-E for information, but neither has anything to say.

Tuesday goes by, also.

Wednesday.

Mimi and Yamato suffer more inquiry as people continue to visit their classrooms.

"Was he…you know?"

"Is Shimane good? I mean, I want to take my girlfriend up there…"

"Did you actually go? I mean, are you guys…well?"

Mimi replies,

"What homework did I miss?"

Yamato replies,

"Idiot."

Thursday.

Mimi and Yamato are called to the Principal's Office.

"I don't normally take interest in the affairs of students, but this case has exceedingly risen to my attention. I will not make assumptions, or dictate your affairs and relations outside of school, but when it interferes with the normal functioning of Seiwa Academy…this 'war' must come to an end."

Mimi says,

"There is no 'war', Principal. It was a very silly affair that got out of hand. I apologize."

Yamato looks at her, and the principal looks between them.

"Very well. But please measure your relationship, at least until the gossip dies down. Seiwa does not need this kind of publicity."

"I understand, Principal."

"I understand."

They leave the office. Mimi gives Yamato a meaningful look and walks away.

Students, deterred by receiving no answers, wan from visiting classrooms.

Thursday goes on its way.

Friday.

Gossip has died down. People wonder amongst themselves.

"What happened? Did the principal threaten them?"

"Do you think they broke up?"

"I heard that the war was off, completely."

Yamato goes to Classroom 2-E at lunch. Everyone holds their breath.

"Tachikawa, may I speak to you?"

"Sure." She makes no motion to move.

"Toru wants to know if you'd be interested in singing with us for the Christmas Concert."

"I'm sorry. I need to study for midterms."

"Alright."

Yamato leaves. Everyone exhales.

"She turned him down!"

"They are definitely broken up."

"It's really too bad. They were a cute couple."

Later that night, Yamato goes to band practice.

"How was Shibuya?"

"No more Shibuya for Yamato –the war's over now."

"Does that mean Tachikawa is still single?"

Saturday.

The War is old news. Sora tells Taichi,

"What a relief. I'm really glad it's all over."

"I don't trust it. It was too easy."

No one visits Classrooms 2-E or 3-B, except the usual friends and occasional suitors.

Seiwa Academy returns to normal.

The final bell rings. Mimi talks with Nanako and Yumi.

"Is it really over?"

"Yes."

"Did you…did you really go to Kyoto?"

"Yes."

"Did you…with, I mean…?"

"Did I miss any notes from last Saturday?"

The final bell rings. Yamato talks to Taichi.

"Is it really over?"

"Yes."

"Did you really go to Kyoto?"

"Yes."

"So, did you? With Tachikawa, I mean?"

"Idiot."

Mimi leaves.

Yamato leaves.

They meet accidentally in front of the school.

Yamato says,

"Do you want to go somewhere?"

Mimi replies,

"Alright."

XXXVIII.

Akiwa Pond, while settled beneath a cherry tree also hid from the afternoon sun, and Yamato stayed once again on its shadowy edges. Mimi hopped from stone to stone, regarding her uniform skirt carefully as she peered through the water's surface.

"I wonder if Tsuyu-chan is happy."

The winter wind rustled them, slightly.

"If I sing with you, what will I sing?" He looked at her curiously, and she returned his stare.

"Whatever you want. The act is getting old."

"I want to sing something slow…a love song." For a moment, her gaze drifted towards an unseen point and held there. Then she turned around, and quietly crossed to the other side.

"I know it's not a challenge," her voice hummed low, close to his ear, "but if it were, what would you give me?"

"It's not a challenge."

"But if it were," Yamato felt her fingers playing over the edge of his tie, "…would you keep your promise?"

"Promise?"

"Or did you not mean that, too?" Though she remained close, her voice had lost its tender tone somewhat. And somehow, it seemed naïve, desperate too.

"…yes, I would keep my promise."

Mimi whispered,

"Okay."

XXXIX.

"This is getting a little ridiculous." Hikari slammed her pencil on the table, startling Takeru out of work. "Why would the war just be…over?"

With a huff, she stretched her arms back, then settled across the desk. Ken and his family had left for Hong Kong on holiday, leaving Takeru and Hikari to study alone. Takeru watched her face, cutely pinched in irritation.

He said,

"You know Nii-chan and Mimi. The war started just as irrationally."

Now Hikari gave him an inquisitive glance.

"What do you mean?" Takeru returned her glance, thinking to himself in silence.

"You know why they're fighting?" Hikari inquired louder.

Takeru blinked. She leaned over the desk with a steady, imploring stare.

"Do you?"

"It…it started a while ago." He paused, giving her a serious look, "Don't let this get around, okay?"

Hikari nodded affirmatively. Takeru continued,

"Remember Nii-chan's Golden Week concert?"

"How could I forget?" And Hikari swooned, unabashed towards Takeru's sudden change in expression, "Hitoribocchi no SEE-SAW. What an incredible song."

Takeru cleared his throat,

"Mimi sang at the SEE-SAW premiere concert, and the two or so before. During the time, they were…how do I say this…involved?"

"Involved?"

"Yeah. They…well, they obviously liked each other, I mean."

"Oh."

"It's hard to tell. Hm, actually, I think SEE-SAW was written by Nii-chan about Mimi…anyway, they spent a lot of time together and it got complicated."

He paused,

"Is someone at the door?"

"Complicated as in…?"

"Just…complicated."

Takeru shifted carefully and listened for the front door.

"I thought I heard someone knocking."

"Finish the story."

"The rest I'm not really sure of…Yamato said that Mimi told him she liked him, and he said that he liked her but…"

Daisuke burst in the room.

"The door was open so I let myself in, sumi-masen! Oh, beautiful Hikari-chan. What's this about a war?"

His eyes narrowed on Takeru.

Hikari said,

"World War II. It's going to be on the entrance exam."

Takeru said,

"Let's go out for noodles. My treat."

"Well as long as you're treating for me," said Daisuke, "I'll treat for beautiful Hikari-chan."

"I'll treat for myself."

"I'll buy for everyone."

"I guess that's okay."

"No, I'm buying dinner for beautiful Hikari-chan!"

"No."

"Stop calling me beautiful."

"But it's true!"

"He has a point."

"Shut up, Takeru."

"Yeah, shut up."

"You shut up too."

"Yes ma'am."

XXXX.

"We're going for a new kind of sound." Said Toru importantly, "No more SAD EMO KID music."

Eight eyes blinked at him.

Reiichi said,

"SADIE MONKEY? What's that?"

Everyone nodded in mystification.

Toru coughed.

"Never mind. Anyway, Mimi-chan's beautiful voice will help us define this new sound-"

"Hey, that's would really get us some publicity: SADIE MONKEY ROCK N' ROLL! Teen-Age Wolves was getting kind of old."

"Ahem." Said Toru, "We're not changing our name."

"How about TEEN-AGE MONKEY!"

"We're not changing our name!"

Reiichi, Keitaro and Toru argued amongst each other.

Mimi leaned over to Yamato,

"Can I pick my song?"

"No. I'll pick, to make it fair."

"SADIE WOLVES ROCK N' TEEN-AGE MONKEY!"

"WE'RE NOT CHANGING OUR BAND'S NAME!"

Mimi said,

"Idiots."

Yamato looked at her. She smiled.

XXXXI.

After ramen, Daisuke went home.

"HUUU! DAISUKE-KUN!"

"Go away. I need the toilet."

With similar grace and excitement, Jun Motomiya brought her elbow crashing into his head.

"RESPECT YOUR OLDER SIBLINGS!"

"GET OFF ME YOU HAG!"

"QUIET! WHY IS NO ONE IN THIS HOUSE EVER QUIET?!"

"Sorry, Okaa-san."

Daisuke and Jun shuffled meekly into the bathroom.

"Daisuke…" She whimpered, as soon as the door was shut, though it sounded much more like a ghost and twice as disturbing, "You're still friends with Takeru right?"

"Takeru." He snorted comically, and lifted his head with pride, "My nemesis of love."

"Oh, is he ACDC? I didn't know."

"AC…DC?"

"Anyway, please get me tickets to Yama's next concert."

"I don't have any money so, no."

"I'll give you money."

"I'll take the money but…no."

"DAAAIIISSUUUKKEEEE…" begged Jun, implementing a ghostly expression that, once again, defined the slight expression of terror on Daisuke's face. He shuffled to the left, then the right, tangoing in this fashion until his legs hit the toilet.

"Fine! Just stop doing that."

"OH!" Jun lunged in his direction –Daisuke just managed to dodge –for the hand-framed picture of Yamato she kept on the wall.

"THANK YOU!" But this was said to the picture more than anything. Daisuke shifted uncomfortably over the toilet lid.

"Whatever. Now get out."

"Fine, fine." Just before she left, however, she said over her shoulder, "How does Hikari feel, by the way, with you swinging both ways?"

"GET OUT!!"

"QUIET!"

"Sorry, Otou-san."

XXXXII.

YOU HAVE ONE NEW TEXT MESSAGE.

Ne, I'm so glad the war is finally over. Is everything okay between you and Ishida?

Sora

Reply?

-------yes

TYPE TEXT HERE((Everything's okay. I'm in their Christmas concert. It will be tough to learn a new song, but everyone will manage. Please come see us! See you tomorrow, maybe? Ja!

P.S. the war is not over yet, Sora-chan. I'm planning something special. ))END

Send?

------yes

End of Act VI.

Notes.

1) I have no idea why Koushirou and Jyou use AIM.

2) Wanage is the Japanese version of horseshoes, or ring toss.

3) Irrelevant, however: Tsuyu is a Japanese female name meaning 'dew'

4) I don't know if I mentioned this before, but Shimane is a place in the country. Yamato and Takeru's grandmother lives up there, and it can be seen in Our War Game where the gang battles…that one…digimon.

5) Hitoribocchi no SEE-SAW is an actual song that Yama's band sings.

6) SAD EMO KID, when pronounced in Japanese can sound (I think) something like: SAAD-IIMO-KIDDU. When pronounced by a person who does not speak English very well, it can sound similar to SAAD-IIMON-KII (Sadie Monkey) by some stretch of the imagination. Okay, maybe not. Eh.

7) ACDC, while also a band (I think), is slang for bisexual. I'm not sure if they use it in Japan, but maybe Jun's…worldly, or something. I don't know.

A long one, and yet still uneventful. Next chapter is the last, most likely. I'm going to write a Takari soon. I can feel it in my bones.

--Artemis