chidori-san : thanks for the advice. here is the next chapter (wohoo!) and let's hope that i don't run out of ideas.
sabaku no aruka : i'll bare it soon enough.
i love my reviewers! muah!
me no own, me no money, you no sue
Literary Obsessions Chapter Four: Time Together
Akira Yuu sat on his table at the hostel. A couple of short bond papers were laid on his table. He twisted his pen around his finger and did some occasional pouting when the idea he started to think of were too shallow for the paper he was about to write. He had already spent the past thirty minutes gathering ideas on what to write but the paper remained blank. He stared at the paper and crossed his arms over his chest and huffed. It was no good... he couldn't think of anything to write.
He stood up and went near the window. It was a good thing that third year students can have their own room at the hostel, but of course at a higher lease. He frowned when he looked out the window. Even with the help of nature, ideas still avoided him like a plague. Then, the intercom in his room rang.
"Sempai," the voice on it said. He didn't even answer to it. He only sighed. "You're sister's coming up to see you."
Yuu did a quick turn and almost ran to stash the blank papers on his desk. He threw everything that was cluttered around on his closet and was just in time when Aiko knocked and opened the door. "Onii-chan! Ohayo!" Aiko greeted and was grinning widely at her brother. He grinned back at her.
"Hey, Ai." He said while giving his sister a hug. "I missed you. How are you?"
Aiko beamed at him. "I'm fine, onii-chan. I just wanted to visit you and Fuu-chan..." she paused then sat on the bed, slightly bouncing on them before carrying on. She saw something peeking from his closet and smiled. "And 'kaachan wanted to check up on you. She said you were always out and couldn't reach you." She dusted her skirt then stood up and put on a face before speaking. She imitated Edna of 'The Incredibles'. "What have you been doing Onii-chan?"
He laughed at her and patted Aiko's head. "Nothing. You know that I have this whole internship at stake so I'm always out applying for it." Aiko rolled her eyes. "Yada, yada. Yeah, yeah, I know that! I was just kidding." She then went to the door and opened it. "Your place is too crammy, I'm starved and I want to see Fuu-chan. Let's say we go out?"
Yuu scratched his head and glanced slightly on his table, but decided to spend his day with his sister. He grabbed his jacket from the rack, grabbed his keys and followed her to the door.
The two siblings ate out first on their restaurant. Yuu introduced his sister to the rest of the crew. Then, they went to the mall where Aiko bought some stuff to give Fuuko and begged Yuu to tour her around Tokyo University. Yuu always said 'no'. But his sister seemed out of it.
"Come on, why not?" Aiko retorted. She was not getting tired of annoying Yuu so that he'll say 'yes'. She then turned her back on his and taunted him. "Are you afraid that I'll see your new girlfriend?" Yuu's face changed and it made Aiko smile even more. "Oooh, I'm telling! Onii-chan's got a girlfriend! Onii-chan's got a-"
Yuu clamped his hand over his sister's mouth, but muffled sounds of her teasing was still heard. "I don't have a girlfriend!" He waited for her to stop singing before removing his hand. She was still wearing that smile that annoyed him. "Fine! I'll tour you. But only for a while, then we'll see Fuuko. Got it?"
Aiko clasped her hands in front of her in delight. She jumped up and down like a little girl. "Yey!" She pulled her onii-chan's hand and ran. "Let's go!"
"And this is the Students' Center. I think it is self-explanatory so I don't need to tell you." Yuu said with his hands stuffed in his pocket. Aiko stuck her tongue out to him. They both laughed. She stopped and looked around.
"If this is the Students' Center, then how come there's not a lot of students here?" Aiko asked before settling herself at one of the tables and ran her hand on it like a child. He took a seat beside her.
"That's because the mall is only a few blocks away. And if you noticed, it's only quarter to ten. The mall's not open yet but majority of the students still have classes." Aiko only bobbed her head a little and continued looking around. The wind blew past them.
"Speaking of classes," Yuu leaned his chin on his palm. "What are you doing here?"
"Foundation Week. No classes." Aiko answered a matter of factly, and her eyes became slits as she was staring at the other direction. Yuu raised an eyebrow and followed her gaze... and his eye caught something purple and silver.
"Isn't that Fuu-chan?" Aiko asked, her eyes still stuck at the two persons at the table near the Sakura tree. "And... isn't that Mikagami, the Ice Cold Prince?" Yuu almost blurted out in laughter but still managed to suppress it. Aiko looked at him and he pretended to be scrutinizing the two. "Yeah, maybe it is." He answered nonchalantly. Aiko almost smacked him. "Hey!" Yuu said while holding to Aiko's hand that was about to hit him.
"You forgot to tell me Ice Man went here! I could've stopped Fuu-chan's suffering!" Aiko litanized. "Look! Now, she's stuck with him again! I thought I told you to take care of her!" Aiko took back her hand and glared at her onii-chan.
Yuu laughed at Aiko's childishness. "Maybe it's because she wanted to go here and I know that you'd stop her once you knew he was here." He patted her head again, and she pouted. "Besides, it's just Mikagami. He doesn't bite, you know." Aiko only pouted some more. Yuu's face turned serious when he looked back at the two again. Aiko didn't speak but snapped her head up when she saw Fuuko stand up. Aiko stood up, too. "I'm gonna go surprise her."
With that, Aiko ran after Fuuko. Yuu only looked at his sister ran. But, his gaze fell again on Mikagami, who seemed to be following Fuuko with his eyes. Yuu's eyes narrowed, then stood up as well.
"Guess who?" Aiko covered Fuuko's eyes as she reached the latter. Fuuko did a quick turn and saw a beaming Aiko at her. "Aiko-chan!" Both of them squealed and hugged each other.
"I'm so glad to see you! How are you? What are you doing here? Where's Akira-kun?" Fuuko asked simultaneously. "Woah, woah, slow down, Fuu-chan! One question at a time." Aiko laughed and guided Fuuko to one of the benches near the soccer field. Fuuko only smiled back.
"So, how are you?" Fuuko asked immediately once she was seated. "I'm fine. I just got a week's vacation since its our Foundation Week." Aiko said as she prepared the items she was going to give to FUuko. "And here, the rest of the guys wanted to give you these." Aiko gave her one paper bag filled with cards, food and chocolates. They were from the Hokage team. "I told them I was going here, so I was transformed into a messenger." Then, Aiko picked up another paper bag and gave it to Fuuko. "And, these are from me. Mom just sent me a bunch of stuff I can't find any use of, so she suggested I gave some to you."
Fuuko's hesitated taking the bag. It was huge. When she opened it, it was full of girlish stuff like branded, stylish clothes, jewelry, and a set of Victoria's Secret Garden stuff. "I can't take these." She said, trying to shove it back at Aiko.
"Trust me, you'll need them. Besides, even if I lived a hundred years more, I'd bet you I'd still have loads of those." Aiko then opened one chocolate from her bag. "Mom even sent you some more stuff at home but I can't bring it here. I figured I could just wait until vacation to give it to you. You're like our long lost sister or something. Chocolate?"
Fuuko didn't take the chocolate. Instead, she smiled at Aiko. She felt thankful for having Aiko as a friend. Then, she thoght of Yuu again. "Where's Akira-kun?"
Aiko stopped eating and looked around. "Now that you've mentioned it, I thought he was right behind me. Where is onii-chan anyways?"
Mikagami was still staring at the direction where Fuuko walked off to when it was suddenly blocked by a figure wearing a jacket and its hands on the pockets. "Hey. Don't you know that it's impolite to stare?"
Mikagami looked up and saw Yuu standing in front of him. "Sempai." Yuu just smirked at him.
"May I?" Mikagami just nodded and Yuu sat beside him. "So, I see you got in touch with one of your acquaintances again." Mikagami didn't answer. Yuu gave the other a side glance and stared at the direction where Mikagami was previously staring. "How are things with you and Kirisawa-kun?"
Mikagami only remained silent. He didn't want to comment about Kirisawa now that he was in front of someone he assumed was close to her. Not that Akira-sempai was a blabber mouth. He just figured he might say stuff that would bare his new found respect for Fuuko.
"You know, you should treasure your friends more if you want to get on with your life faster." Yuu continued while standing up, ready to leave Mikagami alone. "Kirisawa-kun's a very good friend and she's worth to treasure. She knows a lot about you, and you really should open up to her." Yuu said and stepped over the bench. He faced Mikagami before turning around to walk away. "I don't know what made you trust me, but I do hope you do the same to her. I'd kill you if she asked me to." Then, he started walking away.
Mikagami's head snapped up and quickly processed what Yuu just said. He muttered the first word that came into his mind. "Naze?"
Yuu stopped but didn't turn around. He smirked, and said, "You'll figure out soon enough." Then he left to find Aiko and Fuuko.
Mikagami was staring at the same direction again, stunned at what his Akira-sempai just said.
"Ah! There he is!" Aiko pointed at the direction where Yuu was seen walking towards them. "Onii-chan! Where the heck have you been?"
Yuu just smiled sheepishly while scratching his head. "Gomen. I just ran into a classmate and had a little chit chat." He then turned his attention to Fuuko. "Hey, how was class?"
"Don't have one for today. I just found out that two of our professors are out on a convention and just asked us to pick up the hand-outs and assignments in the Office of the Dean. Nice, huh?" Fuuko said and took her paper bags from the bench. The three of them started walking. "Hey, I thought you were applying today?"
Yuu looked at his sister. "I was supposed to. But, Ai came in without notice at eight in the morning. I was supposed to be at the briefing at eleven."
"You didn't tell me you had a briefing today!" Aiko said, putting on a face. "Not my fault."
The three of them laughed. "It's alright. I still have other chances in the upcoming offers." Yuu assured. Checking his watch, he then invited the two to a little tour of Tokyo. Aiko hadn't been there since she was ten and was more than ecstatic at the invitation.
Mikagami still sat there on the Students' Center. He didn't need Akira-sempai mentioning what the latter just said a minute ago. His brows furrowed. He was trying his best to change.
First year - that was the first time he and Akira-sempai had this talk. He was a new member of the Law Student Council. He was both a popular and legitimate candidate for First Year Representative... that was something rare to find. Heck, he won by a landslide during elections; and Akira Yuu was their party's candidate for Student Council Vice President.
At first, Mikagami wasn't really talking to any of his party members and even suggested that they don't make him talk at any occasion during the campaign. But, one person did his best to make the 'Ice Prince' talk. Akira-sempai knew how to get along with people well... and he even made Mikagami to be at least approchable. And thus, Mikagami found a new friend in Akira Yuu.
Their friendship was more brotherly than friendly. Akira-sempai helped him in his difficulties and Mikagami did the same. And both of them being in the Student Council promoted that relationship and whenever Mikagami was alone, the senior would be there to talk to him. That's how he knew about some of Mikagami's friends in high school... although the latter managed not to disclose information that were too personal.
But now, even if he did manage not to disclose matters that were too personal, Akira-sempai had to mention about him and Kirisawa. He irritatedly stood up. He decided to go to and wait near the classroom where his next class would take place.
"Wait here. I just need to use the Ladies' Room." Aiko said before stalking away to the Comfort Room. She didn't even wait for their reply. They were now sitting at the mall's food court, eating some ice creams. Fuuko continued eating her ice cream and Yuu stopped for a little while and stared at her.
"So," he started. "I saw you and your 'Mi-chan'..." Glare. "...talking. What did you guys talk about?"
Fuuko shot him another glare. "None of your business, Akira-sempai." Yuu almost laughed.
"I see you're already getting close and comfy with Mikagami now." Yuu was now poking his ice cream. Fuuko remained silent. "I'm glad." Fuuko stopped eating and looked at him.
"You are?"
Yuu looked at her, then took one helping of ice cream. "No. Actually, I'm jealous."
Fuuko almost choked, although she stopped eating. "What?" She cleared her throat before talking again. "That was a joke, right?"
Then Yuu's expression changed, and he gave her a wide grin. She glared at him again. "You're so fun to tease."
"Not funny, Akira-kun. That wasn't funny at all."
"What did I miss?" Aiko asked as she sat back on her seat.
They were now walking back to the hostel. Yuu and Fuuko walked behind a very happy Aiko. The latter, stretched and skipped happily. "What a day! I'll never forget this!" She then stopped and went in between the two. "Ne, onii-chan, next time be ready! I'm sure I will come back here." Both of them remained quiet and Aiko looked at the two of them. Yuu didn't even answer her.
"Are you sure I didn't miss anything? You two are awfully quiet." Aiko looked at FUuko, then at her brother. She then sighed and stopped walking. "Hey, I'll walk to the train station myself. You guys go home now, ok?" With that she waved the two of them goodbye. "See you on winter vacation, Fuu-chan, onii-chan! Sayonara!"
The two of them just watched Aiko ran towards the train station. They looked at each other then turned away. Fuuko was the one who started walking first. Yuu followed her suite.
"You're awfully quiet."
"So are you."
"Look, I told you, it was only a joke."
"Not funny, Akira."
Yuu scratched his head. "Hey, I thought you were a good joker. It was only a joke, don't take it too seriously."
Fuuko remained staring at the pavement. Yuu placed his arm around her shoulders. "Come on, lighten up!" He said as he shook her lightly. She let out a small smile.
"Demo, I was really glad to see you two talking. You two seem too pre-occupied with whatever you were talking about. You didn't even notice us, even if Ai-chan's voice was too loud."
They both laughed. "Let's go home, Fuuko, or Yomura-sensei might kill me if he found out that you're not home when he calls."
"I'd love to see that." She laughed when he pouted.
It was another day of World Literature. By now, everyone had been well introduced to their own partners that Fuuko saw the other pairs whisper something to each other occasionally. Some of them would even find something funny, and some were already chatting to each other and only pretended to listen. She smiled at them. Mikagami, however, was another story.
She did want to talk to him, like the other pairs were doing. But, she didn't know what to say, and she definitely didn't want to end up on the wrong side of the ensui. But then again, she thought that she had survived high school without getting killed by him and she still managed to irritate him to the point where he wished he was never born. She glanced at him, then at her wristwatch. 'Ten more minutes before Harukawa-sensei gets here. Might as well talk to the ice cube.'
Mikagami was then writing, or rather doodling. He knew that some of the murmurs around the room were about him, and he was getting bored. A bored Mikagami was not a good sign.
And just when he thought he was almost in solace with his boredom, Fuuko sat beside him. She managed not to talk to him for a few minutes. So, he wasn't surprised when she did.
"Oi, Mi-chan, nice to see you." She said with that gleam on her face again. He looked at her and she offered him a cookie that she was munching on. He took one, remembering he didn't have any breakfast earlier.
"Taste good?" She asked. He didn't answer, and she started talking about many stuff.
...and he could feel their classmates' stares on the two of them. Even though he only nodded at her statements, the fact that he was conversing with Fuuko was enough to make the students whisper about them. He mentally slapped himself.
And Fuuko, didn't give a damn about that as she did in high school.
Harukawa-sensei entered the room. The students fell silent and the professor started her class. 'Thank God.' Mikagami muttered mentally.
"I need you to submit a draft of your presentation two meetings from now. I'll extend its submission until prelims. Please do this well. I don't want to do any editing for you. You're already in college, you guys should know what to do." With that Harukawa-sensei stood up and dismissed the class early. Mikagami, being Mikagami, passed a note to Fuuko before standing up.
'Students' Center tomorrow at ten. Don't be late.'
Fuuko smiled and crumpled the piece of paper. 'That was SO very Mi-chan. Always needing to get things done early.'
A/N: So, ok, another chapter done. Thanks to my precious reviewers, I get to write more and more, and I get Aiko-chan to visit Tokyo and her onii-chan. So, Yuu's feelings are getting a little bit obvious... and so are Mi-chan's, although he's still not used to all the eyes that are always onto him. See, now Trivia Question #3 is now answered! And I don't think I'll be writing another Trivia Question. It gives me additional headaches. Well then, til next time.
Oh, and just for the kick out of it, if you want to give out suggestions on what could happen next, include it in your reviews. Thanks...