DISCLAIMER: I don't own Rk, but I did just recently bought an RK cd soundtrack haha... which happens to be full of electric guitar renditions of some of the themes... doh!

Hey guys! Sorry it took me so long to update... I just finished with the exams and now, I'm on a break... Haha! And they say college is fun, I've felt nothing but misery. I have limited food resources, that's the reason for my demise but nothing huge like oh, maybe a failing mark or a toxic teacher... nothing like that... Now, on with the reading...

I fixed the indentions and I checked for some typos this time. Just found out about this new rule about replying to reviews... so sorry if I didn't reply to any of the reviews...Geez! Life is complicated!


Pretend to be Nice

Chapter Two: School and Home

Finally, we're alone!

Sayo, Tsubame and I were walking our way home. (We lost Megumi on the last corner, she had to stop by a shop and she doesn't want us snooping around at whatever she's buying. No one ever figures out what goes on in her mind!) Tsubame finally blurted out what she's been meaning to ask a while ago.

"So, aren't you guys going to tell me what's really going on?"

"We probably will, once Sayo stops giggling to herself and looking at nothingness…" I commented looking at Sayo who had that blissful smile on her features.

"By the way, I'm really sorry about what happened. I know I was supposed to back you up but something stupid came up and I just totally forgot."

Sayo giggled again. For what reason, I think I have an idea.

"It's okay, Megumi came too late. We were already saying goodbye when she showed up."

"Wait! You mean, it wasn't just notes that he needed from you? C'mon already, spill it. Give me the juicy details!" I rubbed my hands together. People say I love meddling with other people's lives because nothing ever happens to me (at least nothing that constitutes as romantically exciting…) so they almost always tell me to get a life, but hey, what're you going to do?

"Wait a sec, I don't get it. What's going on?" Tsubame asked.

So I ended up giving Tsubame a little narration about my talk with Sayo at the ladies' room. Sayo was adding some details here and there (usually followed suit by a deep blush, something weird must've really happened. I have no idea how far it could've gone. Maybe Sano professed his love for her in front of the multitude of students…) Wait! My imagination's running wild again. Now, back to the real world.

"Oh, you could've told me, Kaoru. Then, I would've held Megumi back instead." Tsubame accused me.

"Well, so-rry! But, Ms. Tae completely blown me away with that stupid proposal of hers!"

"Wait! What proposal? Did she give you a task as class president already?" It was now Sayo's turn to wonder. About the part where I said nothing ever happens in my life, scratch that. Things DO happen in my life. It's just that it's usually the stupid kind that happens.

Tsubame just giggled. "Ms. Tae asked Kaoru to befriend that new student, Himura Kenshin…"

Tsubame just had to bring that up didn't she?

"It's not funny, Tsubame. Honestly, what was she thinking? I can't go around babysitting the guy! He's harder to deal with than Yahiko!"

With this, both Sayo and me turned to look at Tsubame, who abruptly stopped giggling and bowed her head and was now looking at her feet.

Yahiko's this guy who usually hangs around us because he likes Tsubame. Problem is, Tsubame doesn't seem to be sure yet IF she has feelings to return to Yahiko. Poor guy, he might as well pray for a miracle. Well, he's just another guy who's less fortunate than me, I guess.

For a while, we just walked in silence. I just sighed (thinking about my making-friends-with-Himura dilemma.) Tsubame just blushed, (I hope she's not thinking about Yahiko…) and Sayo giggled (who knows?)

Then, we finally remembered about Sayo… and Sano.

"So, what happened, Sayo?" I inquired quickly. "We're not going to let you off so easily unless you give us details, you know."

Sano just blushed for who knows how long and said in this really dreamy, oh-so-breathless kind of voice the following words.

"He asked me out."

There, simple. Four words and that was enough for Tsubame and me to shriek and disturb a whole neighborhood.

"When?"

"Where?"

We asked simultaneously. Talk about giddy with happiness. Makes me want to think about when we FINALLY experience what Sayo's experiencing. I shudder at the thought.

"Mayflower Café', Saturday, 11am…"

"Eleven a.m.? That early! What're you planning to do? Brood on your possible future life together?"

"Well, you do know that my brother would never let me out late so, we plan on spending the whole day together. After the restaurant, we go to the movies, my choice of film, by the way, then we stroll in the park…"

I silenced myself in order to absorb what Sayo just said. It was just way too shocking. I mean, I've always known that Sayo likes Sano, but Sano liking her back? That's a gem! But then, Tsubame gave a small shrieking sound.

"Saturday? But, Sayo, Saturday is…" she wasn't able to continue what she was saying. Well, she didn't need to because we already got the point.

Saturday is Megumi's birthday! And we're all invited! Sayo seem to have realized this little mishap too.

"What am I supposed to do? I already said yes to him. What if he becomes angry and never asks me out again? Or worse, think that I'm just toying with him. Or if I go on with the date, how could Megumi ever forgive me?"

"Calm down, Megumi's party starts at 2 pm, any chance of you getting there at that time?"

"Well, then I have to tell Sano to cut the park bit…"

"No biggie! Parks are boring anyway! Honestly, why people even go there, beats me!"

"People don't go to parks by themselves. They go there usually with the person they like because it offers them a chance to talk and get to know each other better." Tsubame came full swing on defending the noble significance of parks. Sayo nodded in agreement. I just calmed down and prayed for redemption. I'd expect that kind of answer for hopeless romantics like Tsubame and Sayo.

"Okay, fine. Parks are great. Whatever. Look, you need to tell Sano that you might have to cut your date short."

"Or telling Megumi that you might be late…" Tsubame added.

"Okay. We'll figure this out. Then, you can tell them tomorrow."

It all seemed so easy.

Meanwhile….

Shinomori Aoshi had just arrived at their Inn. He was surprised, although he hid it well, when a storm of confetti greeted him and an overexcited Misao was suddenly waving a huge banner at his face.

The banner said, "Congratulations on being Student Body President!"

He looked around at the people around him and his usual friends; Beshimi, Hyottoko, Shikijou and Hannya were also there.

Omasu and Okon led him into the hall while Misao slipped away into the kitchen.

He darted an inquiring glance at the now arriving Misao, who held a cake on her two hands, and Misao just set the food on the table (a little clumsily, he observed.)

"How did you find out so quickly?" he finally asked.

"What're you talking about? That kind of information ought to leak out!" she said cheerfully, handing him a slice. "Nah! I'm just kidding! I went to your school a while ago, and I couldn't help finding out."

For a while Misao just stared at him as if wanting to say something when Okina finally arrived.

"What is this all about? What's the party for?"

"Jiya! You came just in time for Aoshi-sama's party!"

"Aoshi? It's a bit too early for his graduation, am I right?"

Finally Okina stepped into the hall, with Misao on tow behind him. His old and weakening eyes squinted at the words on the banner. "Really! Student Body President! That's our Aoshi! Okay, now time for some sake!"

"Jiya! We're not even old enough to drink yet." Misao interjected once again.

"Oh, right. So I guess all the sake goes to me! Hehe…Can you pass me the that bottle of sake, Okon-chan"

"Okina-san, that's the vinegar."

"Ah, right. Sorry about that. It's my eyes, you see."

"I thought you were already getting some glasses?" Aoshi asked.

"Yes, I have. Aoshi, can you get them for me tomorrow? I'll tell the doctor about you."

"Sure." Was his curt answer.

"Aoshi-sama might become busy, Jiya. I'll just pick up the glasses for you tomorrow."

"You? My little angel?" Misao cringed a bit at this endearment her grandfather always used. She wouldn't have minded it if it came from someone else. She blushed at the thought of 'him' calling her names like that.

"Oh, right. I forgot. You're a busy man, Aoshi."

"Not that busy Okina-san. It's just the start of the semester."

"Then, can you get them for me? I understand that the doctor's clinic is not that far from your school, is it not?"

"I'll get it." He answered. Misao just looked at him as he sipped his tea (his favorite drink! She made sure she's know those types of things about him…)


Kenshin felt the blood rush back to his shoulders as he finally dropped the huge backpack he carried with him everyday.

"I'm home…" he said. One of the few words he'd dare let slip from his lips.

Someone in the kitchen stirred. It was his father mixing what he could only assume to be food in a casserole.

'I wonder what weird concoction he's got in there…'

"You're just in time, get the garbage out." was all he said after taking a brief glance at him. Kenshin followed his orders (for he knew better than to dissuade them) and mutely finished his chores after placing his bag in his room.

When he arrived back home, he found his father sitting on the couch, his luxurious ebony tresses spread about him.

"Dinner's ruined." He grumbled.

Kenshin made his way to the kitchen and stared at what looked like blackened ash. He shot a wary glance at his father.

"Well, I did try." He said in defense.

Kenshin just shrugged, already used to his father's curt answers that usually sounded more like grumbling than actual words. What did he expect, anyway? Seijiro Hiko wasn't exactly the domestic type!

He sighed and tried to search in their refrigerator anything that was worth eating. Nothing but rubbish, he thought dryly. Bottles of beer on one side, on the other, a half-eaten pie (probably given by one his father's female costumers. His dad is a ceramic artist. They also have a store selling ceramics and other bunch of stuff his father makes.). He didn't even dare guess what else was inside the other containers. 'Someone seriously needs to go grocery shopping tonight and I have a funny guess that it'll be me.'

He finally found some pasta and by himself, started making something other than blackened ash. His father just continued lounging on the chair.

Finally, the silence was broken when his father spoke.

"So? How was school?"

"Fine…"

"Made any friends?"

Kenshin mumbled something.

"Met any pretty girls yet?"

At this, Kenshin almost dropped the spoon he was using to mix the sauce.

Seijirou Hiko was quick to conclude that something interesting might have happened today to his docile son. It was rare for his son to do anything out of the ordinary. And so, he decided to stand up and inquire a bit more.

His eyes glinted with mischief at the thought of prying into his quiet son's existence. Casually, he walked into the kitchen and in a voice that sounded so natural, it almost sounded as if he was just making an inquiry about what his son was cooking, said:

"So… like somebody yet?"

At this, Kenshin stopped whatever it was that he was doing. He knew about this. It's his father's way of prying into his life again and showing concern. He pushed his glasses further up on the bridge of his nose and answered calmly,

"No, father. I don't like anybody yet."

Then he went on to draining the water from the pasta that he was cooking.

"Ah… that's too bad. You are after all, my son"

'What does that have to do with anything about me liking somebody?' Kenshin thought and just looked at his father.

He is so unlike him. Sometimes he wondered if he was adopted. Not that it would make much of a difference.

He did ask his father about this once. But, he just laughed it off as if he just said something amusing.

As he continued on his 'housework' (No one else was around to do it. He and his father are pretty much on their own), his father continued on making comments on how he should dress, act and all those stuff. Almost everything he said fell on deaf ears.

"You should be more manly. And you should get rid of those glasses, they make you look like a dork!" (Thanks, father! Thanks for being really proud of me… he thought vehemently)

"Remember, girls like guys who have confidence."

He pointed out that confidence isn't the only thing he was lacking. Height and good looks were to name a few.

"What are you talking about? You have your mother's looks and my blood is in your veins. It's everything that made ME irresistible!"

Honestly, he had no idea sometimes whether his father says all those things to appease him, his father's hopeless son, or his father himself.

Kenshin just shrugged it off. Really, he didn't care. His father could gloat all he want, he'll just go about living his life like always. (No matter how mundane it is.)

"I need some money. I'll go grocery shopping. Spaghetti's cooked. Eat if you're starving." He said all that in one breath and in a monotonous tone that could have lulled the risen dead back to eternal sleep.


It was almost sunset when Kaoru arrived home. She lost track of the time because she sat and ate ice cream with her friends a while ago to make plans on what they should do. When she arrived, nobody responded when she announced herself.

That is, until she heard the soft pitter-patter of foot on the floor. She smiled at the sight of the two children, Suzume and Ayame, Dr. Genzai's granddaughters. Dr. Genzai is a doctor who lived in the house next door.

"Kaoru onee-san! Welcome home!" Ayame hugged one of her legs.

"Where are father and Dr. Genzai?"

"They left a while ago. They told us to tell you to take care of dinner."

At this, her face fell. It wasn't because she was afraid. It's just that the kitchen brings about 'haunting' memories from her, a result of her horrid cooking. She just couldn't understand. No matter what food concoction that came to her mind, it never seemed to have worked. Mostly, during one of the rare moments that some poor guy consented to tasting her 'food' ended up in the toilet for hours on end.

She sighed. She didn't want these children to fall victim to her demise.

"Alright, girls! Prepare yourselves, we're going out to shop!"

When she finally arrived at the grocery store with Ayame and Suzume who went skipping ahead of her, she wondered what would be safe to cook. (For her, at least.)

'Maybe I should settle for instant noodles…' she wondered.

Due to her wonderings, she didn't notice whom Ayame and Suzume were talking to.


Kenshin was looking on with amusement as he watched one child carry another in order to reach for some bread on the shelf. When it looked like they were in danger of falling, he quickly came to their aide and caught them before they even hit the ground.

"Thanks, onii-san!" one of them said. He smiled down at her. He straightened himself up and reached for the loaf of bread they were trying to reach only a while ago.

"Here." He handed it to them and smiled as both flashed him a grateful smile.

"You know, you shouldn't be going out by yourselves like this…"

"No, we're not alone! We're with Kao-nee san. She just went to get something."

"Really? Where is she?"

Both girls pointed towards one direction and Kenshin had to stop himself from sprinting towards the opposite direction as he laid eyes on the president of his class.

He tried hard to get out of the scene before the girls starts calling Kaoru's attention or worse, introduce him to her.

"Listen, I'm really in a hurry. So is it really okay if I leave you now?"

"But you haven't met our Kaoru-nee san yet."

"No, that's okay. I really have to go." 'Please spare me this torture!'

"Well, okay."

Kenshin then hid himself behind some shelves. Kaoru was near the counter and the exit so it would be hard for him to go out and not get noticed by her. Unless, he's not the only redhead she knows.

From behind the shelf he was hiding he took a peek through the spaces and watched as Kaoru made her way towards the girls. She told them to stay where they are after thanking them for getting the bread.

She scanned through the shelf of instant noodles which was incidentally the shelf hiding Kenshin from her view. Kenshin watched her through the spaces as she contemplated on which one to buy.

As he watched her, he somehow forgot where he was or what he's doing there. He didn't notice how beautiful she looked when she's just quiet. (He usually sees her chatting with her friends and laughing her head off). When her mouth didn't utter words, her eyes spoke volumes. Even though she was just scanning through some instant noodles, there was a look in her eyes that was so different, so intense. Whether he liked it or not. He was being drawn into those eyes. He heard some of the words she spoke.

"What's the use anyway? I always end up burning everything!" she muttered and Kenshin had to duck his head to hide his laughter.

'Well, what do you know? She doesn't know how to cook...' He found that piece of information interesting. 'So, she isn't really Miss Perfect like I thought she was…'

He was contemplating on this new discovery and removed his glasses to wipe it clean with a hanky. When he looked up again, it was much to his surprise to see Kamiya Kaoru staring directly at him through the space on the shelf.

That caught his breath. She seemed equally astonished as well. He knew her stare to be intense but he had no idea how it feels to have that stare directed right at you. She was just looking at him, as if trying to place where she has seen him before.

'I'm not wearing my glasses right now, so maybe that's why she doesn't recognize me…'

He continued staring back at her when finally, she looked down, a blush creeping to her face. With her head bowed she begun to walk away to the counter.

Kenshin put his glasses back on and watched as she and the little girls exited their way through the doors. He soon followed, totally bewildered by his own reaction.


Ha! So, that's one chapter down! Whew! I'm feeling kind of crabby because it seems useless... well, just wanting to try to relate the situation about these people. And that part about Misao, I had to add that because the story was lacking on some of the Misao/Aoshi pieces. More on this couple next chappie. Just want to describe Kenshin's relationship with his father.

Also, I DO hope that you guys REVIEW, just a simple "Hey I read your story..." kind of review... or if you want you won't have to write anything at all. I JUST need to KNOW that SOMEBODY IS READING this... so that maybe I could get a move on in updating faster.

I also have a very important QUESTION: How many year levels are there in the high schools in Japan? And from what age do they enter highschool? Is it 16? Because, I'm from the Philippines and our school system is different. It takes four years to graduate from highschool starting when we're 13 years old so that we get to go to college when we're only 17... YEHEY! Anyway, if anyone knows, please answer this. It's causing me a major dilemma...