Hello again, Here is Chapter 4 of Love Trials The Chronicles. I would like to take a moment and apologize for the time it took to get this out. My creativity took a vacation without permission, but since it is back I made this Chapter a little longer for your enjoyment. Once again I am very sorry and I hope you enjoy this please R & R and let me know what you think…
Love Trials The Chronicles
Chapter 4 – Tug o' war
Tsukasa Nishino stood in front of her fan club speaking gently. "I would like to thank all of you for your support and best wishes." She bowed respectfully and watched as the twenty or so young men bowed in return.
She sighed as she turned away. It is not easy dealing with these over zealous young guys. I understand their worship but it is still a challenge to be nice.
She wandered towards work letting her mind wander. What should I do about Satsuki-chan's request? I do still care for Junpei-kun but if he loves Toujou it is not my place to interfere, or is it?
She growled in frustration just thinking about everything. It had weighed heavily on her mind the night before leaving her tossing and turning for hours. Throughout the day she had found herself unable to concentrate as memories of her and Junpei kept popping up.
She felt torn and it confused her. I love him and I need to decide if trickery will help me end up in his arms again. Satsuki could be right? Maybe together we could pull him and Toujou apart. Is that what I want though, love brought by deceit?
Her thoughts ran in circles until her heart spoke up. She glanced up to see the bakery door awaiting her. She tucked it all away and put on a happy smile opening the door.
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Manaka Junpei lay sound asleep as his subconscious mind spoke….He was standing on the roof watching Aya-chan when from behind he heard voices. He turned around quickly surprised.
"Manaka-kun we have come to save you." Nishino and Satsuki stood behind him looking worried. They stepped closer and each picked up hand and began tugging him towards the door. "Don't you want some tea?" Nishino offered sweetly as Satsuki tried another alternative.
"Manaka-kun I have to show you something in the Movie Club room." They were both cajoling him and dragging him towards the door.
"Wait what about me?" Aya-chan spoke clearly and he whipped around to see himself slowly leaving her behind. He tried to call out but found he could not get the words to form. Seeing the desperate sadness etched on her features and the lone tear, he sat up with a start.
He found himself sitting over his homework a big blob of drool slowly soaking his geometry homework. His heart racing and his thoughts in turmoil he tried to remember what he had been dreaming about. As with all dreams, this one was already gone and he had no idea what the emotions roiling inside were about.
He sighed in frustration and pulled out a fresh sheet of paper and began copying the now ruined first copy.
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Nishino left work, tired from the shift. Tonight sure was a busy time. People must get really hungry on Thursdays. She sighed and rolled her shoulders easing the stress before pulling out her cell phone. Dialing Satsuki's number she waited rather impatiently.
"Moshi-moshi?" Satsuki answered sounding perky as always.
"Hello, It is Nishino and I have reached a decision. Could we meet at the Theatre near where I work?"
"Yeah give me ten minutes and I will be there." The phone went dead and Nishino disconnected the call. Am I doing the right thing? For love I would do anything so this must be right.
She sat down upon the bench in front of the theatre and began to wait. She pondered her decision letting her thoughts wander.
"Hello, well what is it?" The voice snapped her back to the moment and she glanced up to see Satsuki excitedly waiting.
"I'm in, you can count on me to help with any plan plus I might just have a few tricks up my sleeve as well." Nishino grinned when Satsuki relaxed.
"I knew you were my only real competition. Partner's it is…let's shake on it?" She held out hand and Nishino easily gripped it. They shook hands and Satsuki sat down as they began to plot.
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Junpei wanted to catch up with Aya as soon as possible. He hurried through his morning routine and scrambled out the door. She is going to love my idea I think. It had hit when he had finally finished with his homework the night prior. A. Dream. Sequence. It was too perfect, for the main hero or heroine.
Junpei quickened his pace as he spotted Aya-chan. He was so intent on catching Aya that he never saw the soft body until it collided with his muscled chest.
"Junpei-kun, just the person I was looking for." Nishino stood holding on to him trying to steady her balance. Green eyes focused entirely on him were twinkling with happiness.
"Nishino-chan what are you doing so far from your own school?" He set her back on her feet and steadied her before letting his hands drop back to his sides.
"I needed to talk to you after school and I wanted to catch you now to arrange it." She smiled softly as a slight blush warmed her cheeks. "So could we uh talk after school, maybe at your place?" She leaned up close and whispered in his ear. "It is something rather private and I don't want to be overheard."
He glanced at her quizzically a moment. "I guess we can, I'll meet you here okay?"
She nodded and giving him a quick hug, turned running off in the other direction. He smiled watching her long legs eat up the distance until he could see her no more. I wonder what this is all about.
"Junpei-kun, hey Junpei-kun" He was brought back to find Aya standing nearby calling his name. He chuckled nervously before responding.
Good morning Aya-chan, just the person I hoped to catch up with." He smiled genuinely happy to see her.
Aya blushed and glanced at the ground, a small smile lifting the corners of her mouth.
"I have a great idea to run by you, Aya-chan." He paused a moment to take a deep breath. "What do you think about a dream sequence with the main hero or heroine?"
Her eyes widened in surprise and her smile grew before she spoke. "I think that is a really good idea. How about we put it in the scene with the homework?" Her mind was racing with ideas and she pulled out a notebook and began jotting down notes.
Junpei blushed realizing how close to his own experience she had just hit upon. Some of the enthusiasm waned. "I think that is okay." He walked beside her as she wrote. "We need to hurry otherwise we are going to be late."
Aya crammed the notebook back in her bag and picked up her pace to keep up with Junpei. They reached the school and parted ways.
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Nishino sighed as the final bell rang. She was still unsure of how to pull this off. My idea and I can make it work…somehow. She stretched idly watching for her usual followers hoping to avoid them. She peeked through the crack and watched as they headed for the gymnasium to continue their search.
When the last ardent young follower was gone she slipped out the double doors and into the sunlight. She hurried up the street making her way towards Junpei's designated spot. Her thoughts were in a turmoil excited to see him alone and yet fearful he would reject her advances. Hopefully he still has some feelings left from our time together. Maybe I can use that to my advantage.
Nishino shook her head ruefully. Am I really as bad as Satsuki? I am planning to manipulate Junpei and I am wondering this very question? She chuckled at the irony of her own thoughts.
A dark head above the rest caught her attention. He stood idly staring off into space. She knew Junpei well enough to know his mind was busy plotting on the movie he dreamed of.
She snuck up behind his distracted form and gently laid her hand over his eyes.
"Hey stranger, guess who?" Her voice a warm throaty purr she almost ruined her moment by laughing.
"Nishino?", he guessed haphazardly wanting to turn and look. She let go and gave him a quick hug.
"You are too good you know." She smiled before falling into step beside him and glancing up at his treasured face. "So is your place all right for talking?" She asked the question hesitantly letting a slight blush grace her cheeks.
"Of course, anything for my Nishino…" He spoke the words without thought and was surprised to see the happy look on her face.
His words warmed her and she smiled with a soft look. This may be easier than I thought, because it seems he may still care. She reached over and grabbed his arm to hold onto and beamed when he smiled down at her.
They made their way in quiet solitude towards Junpei's place, arriving before either of them expected. He gently disentangled his arm so that he could unlock his door and held it for her. She walked in and slipped off her outdoor shoes.
Padding across the carpet she set her bag down and plopped down on his tatami mat. Junpei closed the door behind her and slipped his shoes off. He watched as she dropped on his mat and thought about being a good host.
What do I say? What do I say…quick…offer refreshments? "Would you care for some tea?"
Nishino glanced at him in surprise. "I would love some truly." He is quite thoughtful when he wants to be. She watched as he wandered to the kitchen and she listened to the soothing sounds of him preparing the tea.
Can I do this? Can I really go through with this and advance my cause? Her thoughts were wandering when Junpei walked into the room carrying a tea caddy. He made his way towards Nishino and the table and sat the tray down upon the low table. Dropping down beside her he pushed a cup of hot tea in her direction.
"Here you go I hope you like green tea?" He asked it as a question even though he knew it was her favorite. He smiled goofily and waited for her teasing.
"Junpei, you silly, you know it is my favorite…" She picked up the cup and sipped at the hot brew. She let out a grateful sigh as the first warmth surged through her.
Junpei waited patiently until Nishino seemed ready to talk. Ah now I will find out why she needed to speak in private. He hid his grin and just leaned back on his heels.
"Uh Junpei I have a big problem and you might be the only one that can help me." Nishino ducked her head and let a slight blush warm her cheeks. "Eto…you know of my fan club…well you see…one of the guys." She took a deep breath trying to still her rapid pulse. "He won't take no for an answer and has become troublesome." She ducked her head and trembled purposefully looking vulnerable.
"Really…you need my help how?" Junpei looked troubled by Nishino's confession. Lost in thought and worried for Nishino he wasn't paying attention.
Nishino waited for the right moment and picked up her cup. She could see that Junpei was distracted by her confession and knew the time was right. She held the cup up high and upended it down the front of her letting the cup slip from her trembling fingers.
"Oh oh, I am so sorry, my nerves you know…Ah my school uniform will be ruined." She glanced at him surreptitiously and let her guard down. "Could I use your shower and could you please wash my clothes?"
He glanced at her in shock and nodded numbly. Nishino in my shower…Nishino in my shower…is using my towel…in my shower. "Uh sure…I can do that, the towel is hanging in there. When you are ready please pass me your clothes and I will throw them in to wash." He gulped and tried to make the images leave his mind.
She made her way into his bathroom and closed the door before slowly stripping. She made sure her matching bra and panties were on top. My best pair, he better appreciate this. She smiled saucily in the mirror and stepped over to the door. Grabbing the towel she easily wrapped it around herself and then opened the door.
Junpei heard the quiet clip of the bathroom door when a knock on his front door startled him. He popped up and wandered over. Who would be here? He opened the door and peeked out to find Aya-chan standing on his porch looking nervous.
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Here is an end to Chapter 4, please let me know what you think….