DISCLAIMER: I don't own RK

I can't even begin to explain the horrid events that led to this delay. I'll spare you, dear reader, the agony and will let you proceed i reading this chapter...

Anyway, here's the Misao/Aoshi bit that I promised. I like this couple too. Misao reminds me so much of myself and I might have lent her some of my experiences I know exactly how she feels.

Ah! This is cracking me up! Before I know it, I'll spill out my love life here.

Enjoy!


Pretend to be Nice

Chapter Three: School Bukol

(A/N: Ummm 'Bukol' is a tagalog (Philippine Language) word that means a bump in the head. Just want to share that information.)

Misao was hidden among the shadows, she took a step forward, then back again. She breathed in the night air and tried to gather as much courage as she can before she finally took that step forward she's been berating herself about on taking a couple of minutes ago.

Finally, she was there.

"Aoshi-sama, she said almost breathlessly. How much more desperate can she sound? He acknowledged her presence by casting her a brief glance. He was already in his nightclothes.

"Ummm... I just wanted to congratulate you personally about your being Student Body president."

"Thank you."

"Uh, I just wanted to tell you that I just might transfer to your school next semester."

He faced her fully now.

"Why?"

"Oh, um...nothing. I just wanted to try something new, I guess..." 'Because I want to be with you・while I can...'

"I suggest you think this over."

"I already did."

Think more. It would be inconvenient transferring schools in the middle of the school year."

There was no use arguing. If I tell him more, he'll know of my 'real' intentions. I just remained quiet.

"I guess, because I liked your school more than mine. I went there a while ago, you know."


Flashback

"Miss, may I help you?"

Misao was feeling so out of place that she didn't realize someone was already talking to her.

"Yeah, um...actually, I'm looking for somebody."

"And who is that?" the boy was so nice to even bother talking to her. Misao looked down at her red uniform then at the black ones the female students were sporting.

"Shinomori Aoshi... automatically, her face reddened. 'Even his name makes me blush'

"Oh, the new Student Body President. His victory was just announced a while ago before classes finished. You can just wait a little while then maybe he'll come down. It's time anyway."

The boy flashed her a smile.

"Really! He won? He didn't even say that he was nominated! Thank you so much!"

"No problem." Then he left her alone. Misao found a place to sit while waiting, a broad smile on her face. 'I have to tell everyone about this!'

She went to the nearest pay phone and called home to set the necessary preparations.

She now sat again and waited. But only after a while, she begun noticing the crowd of people thinning until she was the only one left.

'Maybe he had something important to do.'

But she had been waiting for more than an hour, still no Aoshi. She glanced towards the huge building and heaved a sigh, finally giving up, she started on her way home.

End Flashback


"Yes, I remember you saying that."

"Yes, uh...your school was so huge, unlike mine. Ummm... I just wanted a change of atmosphere..."

"You can do that next year. No need to hurry."

"But..." 'But then, you'll be gone...'


The next day at school...

(Kaoru)

I tried to fight off the familiar feeling of dozing in Prof. Saito's class. Don't get me wrong! I'm not the only one. His monotonous voice drawling voice is enough to pull those eyelids close.

Looking around, I realized that more than half the class has also fallen into a sleepy stupor.

Surprisingly, Sayo (who's almost legendary now because she's the only one who could survive Saito's class.) wasn't paying any attention at all. She was just holding her pen, but wasn't jotting down any notes.

'She must be thinking about the date...'

Figures. We have still yet to think of a plan so that Sayo could tell Sano about their date without Megumi condemning us to death.

Speaking of Megumi, she seems to think her nails are more interesting than Saito's lecture on Charles Darwin's theory of Evolution.

'Really, how many times must we go through this?'

Tsubame, who sat beside Sayo, (They're both on my right, a few seats away.) seems keen on keeping her head up today. I tried to stifle a laugh when she failed.

Unfortunately though, I didn't stifle it enough so as not to attract any attention towards me. And in situations like these, there's only one person you would really love not to pay attention to you.

"Kamiya!"

'Ooops! Somebody please kill me!'


(Kenshin)

Kenshin was leaning his head on the glass window that looked out at the corridor. His long hair covered his face and beside no one can really tell if his eyes were closed. They're almost too thick to see through. He decided it was safe to close his eyes when suddenly Saito's voice increased in volume and suddenly he doesn't seem to be talking about Darwin anymore.

"Yes, Miss Kamiya? Is there something you would like to share to our class?"

For a while he thought that maybe Kamiya 'did' had something to say. But realized he was wrong when he saw the girl standing a few seats away from him while blushing to the roots of her hair.

She shook her head.

"Oh, please do Miss Kamiya. You seem to find it very amusing..."

'That Saito is evil.'

Still, Kaoru remained silent.

"Well then, if you're not going to tell us, I might as well ask different questions. Tell me, what similarities can you think of that supported Darwin's theory of evolution?"

At first, the girl just stood there and stared. No one was up to helping her. No one was up to challenging the wolf yet.

'This is torture.'

As she was about to speak, Saito interrupted her.

"And don't mention ludicrous behavior as you have kindly demonstrated this already."

Again, the girl blushed. But only for a while, amidst sniggers from their classmates, Kenshin saw one other thing. A glint of strong-headed determination flashed through those blue orbs. Then she begun speaking,

"Some similarities cited between humans and monkeys are that both are bipedal in locomotion. By bipedal, it is meant that both can walk on two legs. Another is a thumb positioned further from the other fingers, giving the ability to grip objects."

There was silence. But, Saito didn't seem to be satisfied.

"And how do you think is this correspondence of relationship shown?"

'Where the heck does he get his questions?'

For a while Kaoru remained silent. She seemed to be contemplating on how she would answer. Finally, she smiled. Full of confidence, she said,

"Reproduction. It is the same among all mammals. From courtship to birth and even nurturing, there are remarkable similarities."

She seemed to have wanted to say more but Saito already stopped her.

"Very good, Miss Kamiya. Good thing you've got a brain on top of that head of yours. It would have been an ugly scene if you weren't able to give me a single answer. I reckon you were elected class president?"

The girl nodded.

"You may now sit down."

Then Saito continued where he had left off with that same hypnotic voice.


(Kaoru)

'Phew! That was a close call. Good thing I've read about those! Who knew Saito could be so evil?'

I stole a sideward glance at Megumi who was no longer looking at her nails and was already looking at me. She gave me a smile that I returned. But it soon faded away as Sano's head collided with her shoulder. (Sano sat beside Megumi and was heavily sleeping, the whole Sano I mean, not just the head)

She winced and pushed Sano who abruptly woke up, ruffled his hair, looked at Megumi then gave a huge yawn right at Megumi's face. I bit my lip to stifle my laugh at the look of disgust on Megumi's face.

Sayo giggled and Tsubame lightly slapped her hand. She blushed then looked again at Sano. The rooster head caught her eye and smiled at her.

'Shit those two! What if Megumi saw them!'

Fortunately though, she was currently rummaging through her bag for alcohol.

'Sano germs, she's thinking about Sano germs'

Sayo smiled back at him (This is progressively becoming more disgusting.) but in a second, she had that glazed look again.

I risked another glance at Sano and Megumi who were arguing under their breaths and noticed another person looking my way.

'I almost didn't notice him...'


(Kenshin)

The Kamiya girl finally sat down. Kenshin watched her from the corner of his eye as she shifted her stare from the people at his back and to her friend to her right.

He watched as torrents of emotions took turns on taking place on her face. Upon sitting down, he saw relief, then gaiety at something she saw, then worry, after which was amusement then that fierce look of determination.

'Her eyes say too much.'

After a while, he realized that the girl's expression has changed again. 'She looks dazed...'

For a while he considered himself mistaken.

'Is she looking at me?' his mind dared to think. The girl was openly staring at his direction and Kenshin immediately felt conscious of the way he looked.

He shifted his gaze, trying to ignore the sudden quickness of his heartbeat.

He avoided her piercing stare and instead looked at the huge glass window on the wall that looked out at the corridor where many students were passing through.

But, he couldn't see the students. There was actually just one torso to look at.

It was the body of a tall, stoic-looking man.

'Shinomori Aoshi'

Suddenly, he realized how stupid he was. He berated himself for reacting the way he did and even daring to think what he thought a while ago.

He turned to look at Kaoru who was still staring at the man behind him. And then, slowly, another blush crept to her cheeks and she looked away.

Aoshi had already left. Kenshin remembered her reaction, remembering the dazed look she had on.

'She looked so... so...'

He couldn't think of a word.

Slowly, a smile crept to her lips.

'She looked so dumb!'

'What am I thinking? Kenshin, get a grip!' he shook himself. 'Saito's so boring he makes people dream while awake!'

When he felt that he was back to normal. He cleared his mind and focused on the lesson.

'That was interesting...'


(Kaoru)

'That was embarrassing!' I thought of the moment my eyes met with Aoshi's. 'What if he saw Saito berating me? He mightthink I'm a bad student! Or worse, undeserving of my position..!'

I thought of the moment my eyes met with Aoshi's.

I looked back at where Aoshi had been and then I just saw that red headed kid looking at me.

'And why was he staring at me a while ago?'

I heard Saito clear his throat and I quickly turned my head back to the notes I was writing. I risked a glance and heaved a sigh when I saw that he didn't notice that I wasn't paying attention to him again. Who knows what he'll do if he caught me again? I wouldn't even dare to think what he could do. Geez, old men are too sensitive. But, as long as I didn't make any noise, he wouldn't show us his fangs.

Finally (after about a millennium, I think) class was dismissed. Oh, joy! Megumi was already good and ready to go.

'She's anxious to prepare for her party.'

Tsubame was ready as well but Sayo was taking her dearest time putting back her notebook in her bag. Megumi called out to her and all she could do was to stare at Sano who was giving her the 'look'. What stare, I don't know. It's just one of those looks that kind of translates into some form of secret language with only a certain person.

Megumi was getting impatient. I could picture her foot tapping impatiently as she places one hand on her hip and the other making circles on her forehead while she had her brows knitted.

She doesn't want to get wrinkles, you see.

I assured Sayo that I'd take care of it. I dropped my pencil bag and in the process, all of my pens, pencils and markers were scattered on the floor.

I told Megumi to go on ahead outside the classroom. When Megumi was finally out of the room (with a little help from Sayo and Tsubame), I made my way towards Sano who seemed torn apart on whether he's going to leave (seeing that Sayo has already left) or help me.

"Sagara-san, may I have a minute?" he nodded and faced me then helped pick up my marker.

I took in a gulp of air and tried to tell him in as much as a straightforward fashion as I can master.

"Sayo wanted me to tell you that you may have to cut your date short."

At this, Sano seemed surprised. "Hey! How did you know--- what? Did you say something about cutting our date short?"

"Keep your voice down. I'm really sorry. Tsubame and I really want to help the two of you but, it's actually Megumi's birthday on Saturday. So, you see, she needs to be there before two pm.."

"Really? I didn't know that…" he seemed thoughtful for a moment. (Which was weird because seeing Sano think is as rare as an occasion as a blue moon.)

"That cuts the park bit I guess…"

"Sayo's really sorry. But, Megumi made us promise we would go."

"Right. And why are you the one telling me all these, again?"

"Oh, you know, after yesterday, Sayo can't really risk being seen talking with you in front of Megumi. You know Megumi's really uncomfortable when you're around."

"That's the understatement of the century, Kamiya. Did you know that?" he smiled at me then added, "I guess I don't really have a choice, don't I? It's either this or no date at all, right?"

"Sorry." He nodded as if to say he understood.

"Uh… is there anything else?"

"Nope! Thanks for understanding…"

"What else could I have done?" there was a twinkle in his eye as he said this and for a while, I was quite sure what Sayo like in him.

I waited for him to be a few paces ahead of me before I went out. (In case Megumi saw us and react the way she did yesterday.)

When I was finally out, I was just in time to witness Megumi (who stood not too far from the classroom) gave Sano's ruffled hair a disapproving look while Sayo and Tsubame tried chatting nonchalantly as if nothing out of the ordinary happened. They were huddled near the balcony.

Near them was a boy leaning on the balcony rails, looking down at the people below.

Suddenly, I had an idea and I told my friends to go on ahead and that I wouldn't be able to walk with them home.

"And what are you supposed to do here by yourself? Meet Dream boy?" asked Megumi.

'Expect her to say that.'

"I just remembered that I have to tell the other officers about something…" I lied.

"It's okay, we'll just wait for you." Sayo insisted. (Probably returning the favor)

"No, this will take a while.."

"It's alright, we'll just wait for you. I mean, we could just grab some snacks and--"

"Megumi, " I interjected. Time for desperate measures. "didn't you say you had to buy something for your party?"

"Oh my gosh! I totally forgot! I'm supposed to pick up the dress for my party today!"

"Well then, by no means, go ahead. I'm fine."

'C'mon, already! I can't grit my teeth any longer!'

And so, finally they were gone. When they were well out of sight, I turned and walked towards the redheaded boy who seemed to have not noticed anyone around him at all.

"Hi, Kenshin!" I burst in.

No answer. I leaned on the balcony and looked down at the people. I saw Megumi walking ahead as she looked back every now and then at Sayo and Tsubame who tried to catch up.

"Um… are you waiting for your friends?"

Again, no answer. I tried to think of anything to say.

"Hey! It's Megumi's birthday on Saturday… Want to go? Everyone's invited…"

Silence. I totally forgot about the insult Megumi threw at Kenshin yesterday.

So, I guess that's a 'no'.

"Hehe… I was really nervous when the wolf asked me all those questions a while ago. But, I guess we're lucky. He usually tortures five students when he's in the mood…hehe…"

'God! I feel stupid!'

I stopped laughing at my self and making myself look like an idiot when Kenshin turned to face me and just stared directly into my eyes.

For a while, I thought I forgot how to talk.

His stare (although he was wearing glasses) was so intense that I had this gut feeling that he could turn anybody into stone if he tried.

So, we just stood there while he stared and I gaped like an idiot. It seemed to go for an eternity when suddenly, he seemed to have realized that there wasn't any sense in all of these and he took his stare off me.

I felt as if I just started learning how to breathe again.

Then, he just went past me and walked away, while I stared at his retreating back.

'Well, so much for small talk!'


Well, there you have it folks... phew...! To all of those who reviewed, thank you so much. I hope you review this chapter too... Is it log enough!