Moonlight Sonata
By Luna Stop Swearing
Disclaimer: Standard disclaimers apply. The song used at the beginning of the chapter, Malaya, is off Cynthia Alexander's album, Insomnia and Other Lullabyes. I think I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but it's beautiful. Song and album. ^^
Warning: Nothing you haven't seen before
A/N: Contrary to popular belief… I'm still alive! I hope people are still interested! Additional ramblings at the bottom… don't want to keep you from the fic itself! ^__^
Episode 6: Nataka
"Here we are,
A game of chance,
Pale Moondance,
Strange romance,
We shall find we shall discover
What is ours we shall recover."
-- Malaya, Cynthia Alexander
Sounds of, "Do you know what's going on?" and "Why are we here?" were the most prominently heard questions as the entire senior batch attended the caucus in the auditorium that had been the result of Urumi's notes, wagging tongues, and the notice on the blackboard. Had they items to sell, it could have been compared to a Moroccan market- students sat in their own little circles, their 'cliques,' laughing and chatting loudly. Some of them ran around and chased each other like little kids, playing 'war.' Others chose to stand around like mannequins. And others even decided to continue eating lunch in the auditorium.
Kikuchi was staying put in his dark corner by the Monobloc chairs, contemplating the current situation, driving himself mad by wondering what Urumi could have planned, when he noticed several students whispering amongst themselves, then rushing off to draw the curtains and bar the doors. A stack of Monobloc chairs almost fell on him when several of his batchmates abruptly yanked the stack from its initial position. After surviving a near-fatal chairslide, he stopped one of the people pushing chairs against the doors of the auditorium.
"What's going on?"
The student he'd stopped was none other than Rika Sasaki, the president of Class 3-3. As he'd been told that she was putting the finishing touches on her sculpture and disliked being bothered, he wasn't able to meet her and had instead given the note to the VP of the class. At 5'4, Rika looked like a cutesy version of Lolita, minus the nymphet appeal. She had auburn, chin-length hair, and wide purple eyes that often made it seem like she was always being startled. Rumor had it that she was dating the art professor, Yoshiyuki Terada. Some people even said that they had been engaged since she had graduated from junior high. Kikuchi didn't want to assume anything yet since he didn't know Rika all that well, and because he didn't trust rumors. All he was aware of was that she was a fantastic artist, her work had already won prizes, and she was the perfect example of the saying, "small but terrible." Rika could make anyone pay attention if the need arose (which was why she was always elected class president). And when she got mad, not a trace of her angelic-ness could be found on her face. This time, though, she seemed to be in a very amiable mood as she helped Maria Yamamoto, Kyo Maehara, and Aki Maeda jam the door with the school flag. She looked both surprised and happy to see him (or maybe she wasn't, Kikuchi couldn't really tell with those eyes).
Apparently, she didn't hear Kikuchi's question, as she immediately responded with, "Kikuchi-kun! Long time no see! How are you? Anyway, glad to have you on our side!"
What the heck is she talking about? Never mind… just say yes and nod. "Yeah." He casually gestured towards the throng. "Big turn-out." Okay, congratulations for the lamest follow-up ever, Yoshito! Just exhale, and find a way to escape.
Rika laughed as she pushed more chairs against the door. "What else do you expect? Urumi's organizing it, so everyone's going to participate. Besides, everybody's psyched to leave their mark on the school. "
Time to change the subject, time to leave. "Rika, have you seen Urumi?"
"She was backstage just a few minutes ago."
"Thanks."
"Don't mention it."
He dodged bodies, chairs, bags, and whiteboards, and jumped people, lunch bags, and bags as he made his way to the stage- quite an easy feat for the black belter in karate. There, he saw Urumi on the large stage, bending over to talk to someone below her on the auditorium floor. This sighting only increased his eagerness to get to the stage faster. All his plans were shattered as a pair of firm hands yanked him backwards, much like he had done to Yoshikawa earlier in the day.
Curiouser and curiouser, thought Alice. This day just gets weirder and weirder. And people keep yanking me.
"Kunio," he deadpanned, identifying the grabber. Tomoko, Anko, Yoshikawa, and Kusano were with him. Glancing over his shoulder, he noted that Urumi had conveniently disappeared. He inwardly groaned about having come so close to cornering her and squeezing some much-needed information out of her. Deciding to let it pass, he thought it better to find out how his friend was holding up. "How's Fujiyoshi?" When he had left the clinic, Fujiyoshi had been saying Basu gasu hakusaku while being placed onto a stretcher by several medics, along with several other students, as Moritaka-sensei couldn't handle the influx of heatstroke patients.
"At the hospital, recovering nicely, along with other heatstroke victims all over Tokyo." Kunio smirked. "Have you heard? It's officially the hottest day ever recorded in Japan."
"Thank you for reminding me," Kikuchi replied dryly, tugging at his collar. "And Miyabi and entourage?"
"Went with him to the hospital," Tomoko replied. "Those two should really confess to each other already." Even before freshman year, the Onikumi liked the idea of Fujiyoshi and Miyabi together, and would go to extreme lengths to get the two of them together. It really drove the Onikumi insane that Fujiyoshi and Miyabi both liked each other and acted like a couple, but neither would confess their feelings for the other. In sophomore year, they noticed the possibilities of K and K getting together. This last year of high school was dedicated to getting both couples together by any means imaginable. The conspirators were running out of time, though- they graduated in two weeks.
"Yeah, it's getting irritating already."
"Besides, it's already too obvious that they're crazy about each other," Kusano agreed.
"And for what purpose did you yank me here?" Kikuchi finally remembered the first question he'd wanted to ask the Onikumi.
"We wanted to know whether you knew what was going on, what Urumi's planning."
Kikuchi helplessly threw up his hands. "I have no clue! All she wanted me to do was deliver notes to the class presidents, then write the message on the blackboard."
"What were in the notes?"
"The same thing that's on the classroom blackboard! I was going to ask her what she was planning and why she needed to involve the entire senior batch, but someone had to pull me back here…"
"Geez, I'm sorry, alright? Remove the stick up your ass sometimes. That can't be too healthy."
Before Kikuchi could dazzle Kunio with his wit, the auditorium grew dark. A spotlight was trained on the stage, and at that, the red curtains parted, revealing the only décor on the entire stage: a flag with an inverted black swastika placed on a blood red backdrop, the sacred senior flag. There had been an underground turnover ceremony of the senior flag over a year ago, from the graduating batch to the incumbent seniors. Only other class presidents and officers were allowed to witness the event. Ryu Takahashi and Urumi Kanzaki had been bestowed the honor and responsibility of protecting the senior flag and image by its former protectors, following a long tradition of bearers. There had been talks of a blood compact by the more extremist seniors, but it had been ruled out as being too, well, extreme. The extremist seniors and Ryu, a war freak, had been disappointed. As the new protectors of the flag, Ryu and Urumi were given the rules for its usage and care: (1) No member of the admin should see it, and (2) The flag would only be used in times of distress (i.e., batch scandals), and celebration (i.e., graduation). Only once did this batch of seniors ever get to see their flag; that one time when all four classes were accused of cheating on the math exams, and the class presidents held a caucus to decide on one alibi.
Handel's Hallelujah Chorus, the senior anthem, was played. The assembly immediately stood up, saluting the flag of seniority, while a very intimidating figure in a general's attire, with pins and everything, came out from the left wing of the stage.
Kikuchi groaned. Ryu Takahashi would never miss out on an opportunity to (1) appear onstage, (2) wear that stupid general's uniform, (3) exert his authority, and (4), ham it up. Ryu was the president of Class 3-1, Seirin High's Theater Arts Guild, and the student council, so it was understandable why he was so revered (it also helped that he looked very much like Eiri Yuki). Ever since he was young, power had been a way of life for him. His father had been a high-ranking official in the Japanese army, while his mother had single-handedly run her family's business empire. Girls flocked to him, at least a third of the high school female contingent, an eighth of those Gravitation fangirls. At school, he was a celebrity, much like Rie Tanaka was (they'd been tagged as the 'Star Couple, even though they weren't seeing each other), and would often get asked typical, fan-girlish questions, like "If you were stranded on a desert island and couldn't bring a boat, what color underwear would you bring along?" Although numerous articles in the school organ (from the fangirls) spoke of him as having the ideal high school life (rich, handsome, smart, talented, etc.), he openly spoke of how he wished he had a loving family instead of a Ferrari. When he thought about it, Kikuchi realized how much Ryu and Urumi really had in common, which was probably why they got along well. And, despite his obvious arrogance, Kikuchi liked him. In a strictly platonic sense, of course. It was hard not to like Ryu. He exuded arrogance, sure, but he was just too easy-going, too amiable, too funny… the man was a paradox.
Once Ryu had cleared his throat, the audience shut up and paid attention. He knew that eye contact was key in getting the message across. He had to make the audience feel the speech, get them all riled up. Most importantly, he couldn't fail Urumi. Once he'd read the note, he felt the surge of evilness that he assumed had also flowed through Urumi's fingertips as she wrote the message. And when she approached him backstage to elaborate her plan, he knew he couldn't say no. His only regret about the whole thing was that he wasn't the one who had thought of it.
"Fellow batchmates, you will bring about the destruction of the administrative war machine, the elimination of the administration's tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Seirin High, and security for ourselves in the last few weeks of high school, and that of batches to come." He started mentally applauding himself. Okay, that sounded good. "Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped, and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely. But this is the year-"
An airplane zoomed overhead, making the next few words inaudible. Ryu seemed oblivious. People still had no idea what was going on.
"Much has happened since our graduation from junior high. The administration has made many rash, unwise choices with concerns to student welfare and education, and we, the student council, kneel before their decisions, totally powerless. They have made a mockery of the capabilities of students, even going so far as to add another day to the already curse-worthy school week, a day which we consider our rest day! Saturday! Well, they have belittled us enough. The tide has turned. We students of the Seirin High are marching together to victory. Of what we are about to do, people will glorify this batch. Students 10, 20 years from now will speak of us and our doings until we pass on into legend. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory."
Complete silence.
Then Ai Takahashi (completely unrelated to Ryu, but for her, that made it seem like they had a 'bond' of sorts), a rabid Gravi fangirl and president of the Ryu Takahashi Fan Club, screamed out, "I love you, Ryu!!!!!!!!!!!" Then the fangirls started going crazy, screaming every bit of adulation they had for the dictator-slash-megalomaniac-slash-playboy. Then the rest of the batch joined in.
Urumi rolled her eyes as she cued the Hallelujah Chorus for Ryu's finale, which consisted of him spreading his arms wide and bowing repeatedly, while the audience cheered, stomped their feet, gave catcalls, applauded, and threw yen and rose petals onstage (Ryu's fangirls could easily be spotted as they carried around velvet pouches filled with red rose petals, which they scattered on the ground he walked upon. This sparked quite a conflict a while back, since the school cleaners were not at all pleased about having to sweep all those rose petals. In the end, it was decided that the fangirls would have to sweep up the rose petals immediately after they hit the ground). She turned on her phone and dialed a number she knew well.
"Urumi-chan," the person on the other line said in a cute, high-pitched voice.
"It's almost over. We got the message across… I think. Where are you?"
"Bay Bridge."
"Situation?"
"Teachers behind me. All or most of them, I think. I recognize Kochitani's car, the Cresta, Sanomaru's…Teachers on bikes, too."
"Well, be careful. I don't want to lose one of my best people."
The girl on the other line rolled her eyes. Not that Urumi could see, anyway. "Just how long have I been working for you?"
Urumi let out a genuine laugh. "Excellent. Return to base."
"Roger that."
~*~*~*~*~
While Ryu was giving his speech, something, somewhere else in the school, was happening.
(Since almost every part of it is filled with swearing and other unprintable material, the author has decided to just give a synopsis of the events that transpired, minus almost all of the dialogue, upon the insistence of several concerned parents and morality activists.)
Rie Tanaka had stolen Fukuroda-sensei's car in plain view of the faculty room (which overlooked the parking lot), which was relatively easy for her since she was used to that kind of delinquency, her brother being a gang leader and all. After jamming the key into the ignition (which she'd stolen earlier during P.E.), she sent out a flare, which was the signal for her friend Ysa Villongco to run to the faculty room and tell the teachers that Rie had stolen Fukuroda's car, provided that they hadn't noticed yet. Then she drove the car to the school gates. Lucky for Rie that Commissioner Sakurai had attended an afternoon seminar on modern teenagers.
Once someone had opened the door to the faculty room and Ysa had yelled out that a student had stolen Fukuroda's car, the teachers in the room started rushing to the window. Rie put on a black ski mask, opened the car door, stepped out, waved her middle finger at them, went back in the car, and sped off.
It didn't take the teachers long to respond. Fukuroda got out his shotgun (which he kept in his foot locker). Uchiyamada, as usual, refused to bring the police in, and would make do with whatever resources he had: the teachers. He ordered all the other teachers to stop what they were doing and find cars or bikes or something and chase after the student and the car. Other teachers with cars joined in the chase for the renegade. Several teachers with no cars, like Fuyutsuki, were forced to rent bikes and scooters, or ride in other teachers' cars.
After an exhaustive search of every possible Onizuka haunt, Ysa found Onizuka smoking in the men's bathroom on the third floor, when he should have been teaching Social Studies to Class 3-1. She quickly informed him of what was really happening, and he nodded, saying that he'd help Rie ditch the car, then sneak her back into school. He got on his motorcycle and joined the chase.
Anyway, the teachers in their cars and on their bikes were now chasing the beat-up old Toyota along Tokyo Bay Bridge.
The part-time teenage idol singer smiled as she threw her cellphone onto the passenger seat, having finished her conversation with the catalyst, who most people simply called Urumi Kanzaki. The purpose of her actions was to distract the teachers from figuring out why the entire senior batch were missing from their classes. That was easy- she'd been drag racing since she was 15. Now that her initial mission was over, another one emerged: to get rid of the car and go back to school. That, however, was not as easy as the first.
Turning on the radio (it was set to K-OLD, and Rie didn't particularly like it since it usually played enka and opera stuff) and changing the station to NUJAPAN, she checked the rearview mirror once again, and noted that she had to think of something insane fast, since teachers were gaining on her. She pushed down on the gas pedal hard and turned the car around, heading towards Kichijoji Point. Driver's High by Laruku was playing at that time.
"How appropriate," she groaned. "Something about flirting with death through driving." A second passed. "Great. I'm talking to myself… The stress must be really getting to me. Argh… and I have to appear on guest star on Ayumi Hamasaki's new PV… Tasukete!!"
Suddenly, someone started rapping at her window. It was a man wearing a Pikachu head, riding a Kawasaki Z2, which gave his identity away. Still slightly shocked, she rolled down her window quickly. "O-Onizuka-sensei?"
The man lifted the front of his Pikachu head and grinned. "Tanaka-san… heh. Get on."
"WHAT?" It was terribly hard to maintain a conversation and drive. Well, it was easier on a cellphone, but when someone was talking to you from outside your window, well… "I'm DRIVING, if you haven't noticed, sensei. I don't see how I can just get on your bike."
"Just stop the car. Ba-ka."
"Urusai! I… I can't!"
"Are you scared, Tanaka-san?"
That did it, apparently, as Rie slammed on the brakes, got out of the car, and jumped onto the back of the motorcycle, wrapping her arms around Onizuka's waist. She had been raised by her brother, Kyo, the leader of the Kichijoji-based gang, Kami no Kaze, to show no sign of weakness. He didn't want her to grow up spineless, someone who would cry about every single hurdle that life shot at her. When they were orphaned, Kyo imposed a strict (and probably the only) rule in their house: she could never cry. The concept of not crying was new to her then since, all she had to do to get attention was cry, and her mother or father would baby her. "But where are otousan and okaasan now?" He had asked her once when she tried defending herself, saying that it wasn't wrong to cry. She hadn't been able to answer, knowing then that she had been defeated.
"Otousan died because his body was too weak. Okaasan died because her mind was too weak. I can't allow you to follow their paths, Rie. Crying is weakness. Never show it." To be called a coward was the worst insult to either Rie or Kyo. Both refused to be called 'weak,' or 'scared,' or 'cowards.' It was simply not acceptable.
"I am not scared," she told Onizuka firmly. "And I can explain everything, sensei…"
He laughed as he drove into an alley, a little-known shortcut heading back to Seirin. They were already well past the speed limit. "Whatever you say, Tanaka-san. Your crony already told me everything I need to know, so it would be better if you shut up for the duration of the trip and hope that the administrators don't know you did it."
"I was wearing a mask…"
"Well, you aren't now." He took off the Pikachu head and threw it away. It fell onto a pile of dog poop.
"That I know."
"I hope you didn't leave any incriminating evidence."
Rie cupped her pocket. Something didn't feel right. Then she pinpointed the problem. "Uh-oh."
Back in the Toyota, her cellphone started ringing.
~*~*~*~
After giving everyone important details of tomorrow's happenings, Ryu and Urumi
dismissed their batchmates and told them to blame it on heatstroke. The seniors
were thrilled with the duo's scheme-nothing like that had ever happened at
Seirin before, and they were more than happy to make their mark in the school's
dull history. Kikuchi waited in a corner until he was sure that Urumi was alone
(Ryu's fangirls had immediately formed a phalanx around their god and escorted
him out) before approaching her. She had just jumped off the stage, and looked
incredibly pleased with herself.
"Ah, Kikuchi-kun," she smiled at him. "Did you like our performance?"
"It was… interesting," he admitted. "Where did Ryu get his speech?"
"I'm surprised you don't know,'" she said, feigning shock.
He adjusted his glasses. Same sarcasm. Same wit. Nothing's changed, ne, Kanzaki? I'll feel sorry for your husband. If you ever find the mental capacity to submit yourself to someone else, that is. "I'm only human, after all."
"Of course you are…" Urumi murmured in the low, sexy voice she rarely used. In all their time together, Kikuchi had only heard it at least once or twice. "…With a brain and the ability to think… and a penis that's becoming erect as I speak…" Her hand 'accidentally' ran over the general area of his pants where the other best friend of man resided.
Kikuchi's initial reaction was to grab his crotch and run away. Because he had a niggling thought that initial reactions were always the best, he did so, only stopping at the exit when he heard Urumi laugh.
"I can't believe you fell for that!" She gasped, trying to squeeze in words between all the laughing.
He looked down. No wood. For a moment there, he didn't know how or what to feel. Betrayed? Amused? Angry? Stupid? RELIEVED that the mere sight of Urumi did not wake up his demons? He just watched Urumi laugh and try to regain some dignity for a while. Urumi… sometimes I wish you'd always smile. Always laugh like this. Even if it means I have to make an ass out of myself… Shit, what the hell is wrong with me? He let it pass. "Very droll, Kanzaki. So, Ryu made his own speech?"
She rolled her eyes and started heading towards the exit. "No. But it was still so…"
"Exaggerated?"
"Yeah."
"So… big day tomorrow."
"I'm going to sleep at Onizuka's place later tonight after I get some things from home. And several other people are coming back at around 8 to camp in the classrooms. We're going to start preparing at around 2 AM or so. Are you coming?"
Say yes, say yes, say yes, you horny idiot, say yes.
"Am I really needed?"
"You're my right hand man." She regretted saying that the minute it left her lips. He'll think you're hitting on him! Wait, Urumi-chan… are you hitting on Kikuchi-kun?
Shut up, shut up, shut up… NO I AM NOT!!!
"If I am really your right hand man, I would've known, and Ryu wouldn't."
"Am I detecting a hint of jealousy, hmmm, Kikuchi-kun?"
"NO!"
"You like me, don't you Kikuchi-kun?" She asked, half in jest. Her young, inexperienced heart thudded in anticipation. I know it's flaky… but I really hope he says yes… GAH! I am such a girl!
How the fuck are you going to answer that? You can't let her know that you like her… she might push you away. She's done it before, remember?
He did remember. Sanzo had hit on her years ago, but at the slightest hint of attraction, Urumi turned him down. Her mother had warned her against love, saying the stuff was for fools. And Urumi was certainly no fool.
"Grow bigger boobs and we'll talk," he grinned.
"For God's sake, Kikuchi, you of all people should know that I cannot simply water my breasts and watch them grow like melons."
As she said that, Kikuchi already had a little picture in his head, of Urumi lying topless in a garden with a watering can, drizzling water on her breasts. He shook off the thought and tried to focus. She did an akambe when she noticed that he seemed out of it.
"And, wait. Why did you say I of all people should know that you can't water your breasts… and so on? I'm not a woman, and I'M NOT GAY! And I'm no Sanzo Hisashi!"
"But so what if Ryu knew first and not you? Now you know, and so does everyone else."
"You're changing the subject."
"Because I know you're uncomfortable with the previous subject."
He was right- it was a good idea to change the subject. She did another akambe. "You can 'akambe' all you like for all I care… wait, what do you need with several thousand boxes of orange Jell-O and goldfish? And sand and baby oil, how do you explain that? And the chickens and frogs? And everything else?"
"You'll see."
"And where is the speech from?"
"Tsk tsk. Always impatient. All in due time, Kikuchi-kun."
~*~*~*~
NOTES:
Cultural background of the swastika: Maybe some of you were offended by that. Maybe some of you thought it was cool. (Or for you Flips, asteg) Anyway, I would just like to explain the background of the swastika, pre-Hitler. The word "swastika" comes from the Sanskrit svastika - "su" meaning "good," "asti" meaning "to be," and "ka" as a suffix. Until the Nazis used this symbol, the swastika was used by many cultures throughout the past 3,000 years to represent life, sun, power, strength, and good luck. It is the oldest cross and emblem in the world. It has been found in ancient Rome, excavations in Grecian cities, on Buddhist idols, and on Chinese coins dated 315 B.C. It forms a combination of four L's standing for Luck, Light, Love and Life. Even in the early twentieth century, the swastika was still a symbol with positive connotations. For instance, the swastika was a common decoration that often adorned cigarette cases, postcards, coins, and buildings. During World War I, the swastika could even be found on the shoulder patches of the American 45th Division and on the Finnish air force until after World War II. Then after WW2, everything went down the toilet for the swastika.
Enka- A representative genre of Japanese popular songs, songs in the traditional style. This appeals to the older set. Sort of like… how The Beatles would seem to 6 year-olds.
Akambe- This is a gesture mostly done by children. You pull down the skin under your eye and stick out your tongue. Urumi did this once in the anime.
GLOSSARY
I can only suppose that you've been in the (anime) ficverse long enough to know basic Japanese. But if you're a n00b, then…
Basu gasu hakusaku- This is actually "Basu gasu baku hatsu," which means 'bus gas explosion.' This is a typical Japanese tongue twister. Apparently Fujiyoshi's not that good at them.
Baka- All-around Japanese insult, meaning, 'idiot.' It's used so often that I think it's required for every anime to have it.
Urusai- "Shut up!"
Okaasan- Mother.
Otousan- Father.
Kami no Kaze- Literally, God's Wind. I apologize if it seems cheesy. It was the result of a spasm of intellect, which doesn't come very often, I'm afraid.
Tasukete- "Help me!"
~*~*~*~
What could Urumi want with Orange Jell-, goldfish, sand, chickens, baby oil, and frogs? What's going to happen to Rie Tanaka and her cellphone? Will Urumi's 'garden' ever grow? Will anything happen between K/K during the sleepover at Onizuka's? Where did Ryu steal his speech from? Curious? Find out in the next episode of Moonlight Sonata! Stay tuned!
A/N: If anyone's noticed, there's a pattern with my updates- they're all on a Friday. Unfortunately, this one was a little late because I had an anxiety attack last Friday, due to the giving of report cards. I did quite well, though, and was inspired to improve this chapter (my pathetic excuse as to why it's a little late ^^;;). I think this must be my longest chapter yet. I hope you guys liked Ryu's speech, even though I ripped most of it off of a famous before battle speech. I just changed some lines and added more to fit the current situation. If your knowledge of history is up to par, you may have come across it. Cultural references abound. And I gave some of them away already. I also apologize if it got a little messy towards the end, Kikuchi and Urumi's thoughts and all. AND watch out for the exchange student from the Philippines, Ysabel Villongco. She will appear in almost every GTO fic I write (yes, I have another plot up my sleeve), as well as in Allence of the Weed's debut fanfic, which is, as of yet, untitled. A further note. Is anyone still interested in any new chapters of Moonlight Sonata?
Second A/N: I'm going to the Beijing for the summer, one and a half months, I believe, an educational trip. You guys know what that means… no further updates until May. Don't worry guys, I will work on the fic so I can immediately post something upon my return. If I can use the Net over there (hopefully it'll be in English), I'll try to post.
Author's Note for the Flips: Was anyone else (aside from Riyuji-kun) at the Animax Carnival at Glorietta? There was a really… kakkoii Onizuka cosplayer (I even got a nice picture of him!), too bad he didn't win. _ On to the reviews.
Allence of the Weed: I was wondering whether you'd notice that little detail… Nothing gets past you, ne? I was worried that maybe I made Fujiyoshi-kun a little too OOC.
DarkFusion: I'm not sure if getting high on flour is at all possible, but I can safely say that I won't be among the first to conduct experiments. That part was partially inspired by an episode involving Onizuka's cop friend, if anyone remembers. Urumi did the same thing to the 'drugs.' Actually, I wasn't even going to put that in. That was really last minute.
Scarlet: Good thing na bumenta sa 'yo 'yun, at napakahirap isulat 'yun. ^^;; (Is it just me, or do I seem to say that about all my chapters?) A little implied Fujiyoshi/Miyabi, no real stuff yet. If I can work it into my storyline, I will, for all the F/M shippers here. But Random House is expensive! *ponders* Ah, the price of quality education.
Seth7: Of note is this: It's not Ichijoji, it's not Kichigoji. It's Kichijoji. Thank you for pointing that out! Additional info: Kichijoji is a bustling shopping area. Anyway, thanks for the link and the recommendation of kanji cards. I'll be sure to check those out when I have oodles and oodles of euros/dollars/yen.
Riyuji.Raicho: Good luck with the cultural reference hunt! I'll be sure to imbed more. ;)
Aeris: You did? Yay! *Throws confetti* Anyway, when Moonlight Sonata is over (*sob*), I'll probably post all the cultural references.
duh-hikki-zealot, Ezrael Andvari, dsL0CaTed.BoDy.PaRt: Glad you liked the last chapter! Glad you noticed that, Ezrael-san. Didn't think anyone else would. dsL0CaTed, yep, we Flips are really something alright… ^__^
Kairi21: General Santos… *sweatdrop* Gomen ne! I thought you lived in Manila. I forgot to mention this in my last chapter, but Kairi-chan, you can probably find some software that teaches you Japanese. I have one or two of those, and another one to help me with my Chinese. ^^;; As for how old I am… people have been asking me that a lot lately, and I feel obligated to make them guess. ^__^;;
Garnet-chan: Yes she did! She also did some voice work for another anime I really like, Azumanga Daioh. She's also one of my favorite seiyuu singers… along with Seki Tomokazu and Yui Horie, of course. And she's so cute!
Additional information on Seki Tomokazu: He did the voice work for Kunio and Shindou Shuuichi's vocals for Gravitation, (which I'm currently obsessed with, hence the reference to it somewhere in this chapter), and is part of the J-pop seiyuu group Project Weiss.
Rie Tanaka in Moonlight Sonata: This Rie Tanaka is a young idol singer/actress, who tries very hard to balance both schoolwork and showbiz. She's been friends with the Onikumi for quite a while now, but is not one of them. However, she is eager to help out in Urumi's schemes, partly because this boosts her popularity and album sales, for some reason.
Chareon: Hehe, thanks for the support, but I seriously doubt I'll be a famous author. I don't mind all the questions, by the way. ;)
Shadow ScytheX: For a majority of the hormonally-charged teenage male population, it is. Thanks!
Elle30: I can sympathize with you! Ah, well, c'est la vie. Anyhoo… St. Scho's not a bad place, from what I hear. ^__^ Personally, I'm afraid of Ragnarok Online. I'm afraid I'll get addicted. Though I would like to try it at least once, I'd rather my money go to anime and manga. Or music. ^^;;
Mari Kreuz: Yumi-nee-san! Thought I'd lost you there for a bit. Buti na lang, hindi. And yes, I watch that stuff. *shame face* Or used to, anyway. Unearthed it on otou-san's comp. ^___^ I always make it a point to squeeze in some random reference to our country… Ang saya saya!
Until the next episode!