I'm sorry for the late (again) update... TTTT... I'm actually feeling kind of pissed off right now because I was supposed to have uploaded this chapter days ago, but what happened was that when I uploaded it on ffnet it said that the file was either (a) empty or (b) it's messed up. I was about to eat a man whole! Well, anyways, I'm having a hard time uploading new chapters since I have no internet connection and we moved to a new house smacked in the middle of nowhere where any signs of modern civilization is kilometers away. But, the environment is quite nice since it's so relaxing (Like trees, birds, and fields of green etc...etc... ) But, I had to write the chapters manually... The problem lies with uploading. I think that's it.
Pretend to be Nice
Chapter Five: Words could Do so Much More
(Kenshin)
Kenshin just stood and watched while his father smiled to the lady beside him.
"Miss Carfax, I am with a son, but, I assure you, I have no wife." Kenshin noted the considerable brightening of the lady's face. Finally getting the situation, he rolled his eyes and told his father in a dry tone about the costumer seeking an appointment.
After a few minutes, he was already wondering what the heck he was doing on the rooftop. He didn't know what came over him, after climbing the flight of stairs that led to his room, he immediately went through the window and climbed his way to the roof to get some air.
And now, he's stargazing. Lying on his back with his hands beneath his head, he started counting the stars finding nothing else to do.
He stayed that way for quite a while until he heard his father join him.
"Don't you think it's a bit late?"
"I'm stargazing. When did you expect me to do this? In the afternoon?"
His father seemed taken aback and for a while just stared at him as if only seeing him for the first time. He himself was wondering where he was getting all these spunk.
But whatever emotion passed through his father's eyes, it was anything but anger contrary to what would usually be in case of a normal father-son relationship. No, whatever it was that passed through those dark pools, it was amusement with a hint of pleasantness to it.
Kenshin stared at his father for a while before his anger, (when he started being angry, he could not remember) finally dissipated. For two reasons, (1) he didn't exactly have anything to be angry about, he realized and (2) being angry with his dad would be close to stupid since his father would only find it amusing.
"So, who was that lady?"
"My client's guest. Apparently, she had a very keen interest on my pottery and was actually eager about meeting me."
'Interested in you is what you mean...'
"Miss Frances Carfax, English" his father added in a blissful tone that irritated him. His father was now lying in his back too beside Kenshin.
Kenshin only shook his head as if to say his father has gone crazy.
"Oh, come on! Indulge me for once. You know my taste with women had always been trans-continental!
"Whatever, Do whatever you want then." he stood up and begun his descend to his room.
"Who knows maybe she has a niece who might be interested in a ceramic artist's son." his father teased. Obviously he's in the mood to probe into his son's life again.
"I think I'll pass." he grumbled. He absolutely had no intention of involving himself with opposite sex right now.
(Kaoru)
"Come here, Kaoru." I raised my head from the book I was reading to give my father my full attention.
"What is it father?" I looked at him with some caution. My father is very strict and he usually chooses his time on when to be serious and strict and when to be loving.
"I'm proud of you." He then looked directly at me and smiled.
I must admit that I myself am very happy and for the first time in a few days, it's not entirely because of my being elected.
My father isn't exactly the fun-loving type. He raised me up as if I was made out of porcelain and there was always room for new rules to be imposed but less for some quality time with him.
So, his compliment was really something.
I then smiled back. He was always so quiet. "Be the best." Here we go again, more expectations. But, I'm used to it by now. I nodded my head to say that I understood.
My father has always had high expectations for me and I've always strived so hard to reach his standards.
There were more moments of silence until it was broken by the ringing of the phone.
"I'll get it." he nodded and proceeded on reading a book.
It was Sayo.
"I already told Megumi."
"You told her what?" She hadn't told Megumi about Sano, had she?
"Umm... I already told Megumi that I would be late for her party."
"Oh. So, what did she say?"
"Well, she asked me why..." 'Typical of Megumi...'
"And so I told her that my parents wanted me to have another check-up at the hospital."
Sayo is very sickly and she had frequent visits to the hospital. She said she just had a weak immune system.
"Did she buy it?"
"Um... yeah, I think. I mean, she didn't say anything else."
"You know, Sayo, we should really tell her the truth."
"But, you know how much she hates him. How can it be okay with her? You remember her reaction when she saw me talking to him, right?"
"Okay, okay, I know. But, maybe we could do it slowly, then, we'll tell her."
"That's a good idea. But, how?"
I so wanted to pull my hair and bite my nails out of frustration at this point.
"I don't know yet. But, we'll think of something."
"Okay, ummm... bye then, I guess..."
"Bye!"
I put down the phone and kneaded my temples to ease my self. After that. I went straight to bed, totally unaware of the challenges of the day ahead.
The next day... (Friday)
"Are you getting this, Miss Kamiya?"
'Are you kidding me? Of course not!'
For a while there, I was lost, totally not believing what Prof. Saito was doing to me.
"I want then your written report on my desk by Tuesday. After I check it, then you can proceed on reporting on chapters 2-6 to the class."
What was I supposed to do? I nodded and said yes and my death was sealed. What a wonderful life I have, don't you agree? Then I remembered Aoshi's words.
'He's testing you.' But he what he didn't mention was what 'test' Prof. Saito had in mind for me is something a little bit closer to torture. Well, I'll just have to prove myself, right? Like crush head on to disaster, right? I sat down and jotted notes about my report. Really, was there anything else I could've done?
I felt my classmates' stares at me. I swear, they're practically burning a hole in me now. I took a sideward glance at Megumi who looked as if she was worried. I know that she would offer help later but I would like all of them to know that I can do this on my own.
Beside her was Sano, who, as usual, had no idea what was going on because he was dozing off the whole time.
(Kenshin)
"What happened?" he heard one of his classmates ask a girl.
He had come to know that the two people who sat behind him were named Takani and Sagara. Why their teachers allow these two to sit beside each other is beyond him. The two were always in a fight.
The girl scowled at the boy when he asked her so the boy, known as Sanosuke Sagara, asked Kenshin instead.
"What happened? Why are you all staring at Jou-chan?"
'Jou-chan?' his mind questioned.
Kenshin did not answer and instead looked at Saito who seemed oblivious to the stares he's been receiving.
Sano was already talking with somebody else. Kenshin couldn't help but overhear their conversation.
"Ah, Saito really wants to torture Kamiya, right?"
"No, you think? I think it's more like he wants to kill her."
"What's up with him anyway?"
"Yeah, why is he picking on poor Jou-chan? The bastard. Yo, fox! I really think your friend needs your help this time."
"I know that, you dimwit! I don't need your help to figure that out!"
"I'm just telling you that's all! Geez, what's up with you? You've got the painters in today?"
"You! You really have no decency at all!"
"I was just asking a question. Why are you so red?"
"I'm not red!"
"Yes you are. Look in the mirror, your face is all red."
"Will you two keep your voices down? Unless you want Saito to notice you." One of their classmates finally had enough brain cells to stop the two people from fighting.
"It's your fault if Saito decided to torture us next. rooster-head." Megumi hissed vehemently.
"Gee... you noticed my hair? Took me half an hour to fix it." Sano reached one hand to his hair which was like what Megumi had said, really gave him the appearance of a rooster head.
Kenshin just stared at Saito, who as usual looked nonchalant about the hostile stares of his students. Kenshin didn't understand himself, but somehow, deep inside, an emotion in him was growing for the teacher, and it's not exactly nice.
"So, what're you going to do about Prof. Saito?" Tsubame asked me for the nth time after I declined their offer to help me.
"I really have no idea. But, I'll think of something."
"Are you sure you don't want a little help?" Sayo interjected.
I shook my head. "I have to prove to him what I'm worth. So, I'm in this alone."
"But, really, what a bummer, right?" Megumi commented, her pretty head nested on her delicate hands. I smiled. "I guess I have to start researching today, huh?" Megumi looked at me queerly.
"And don't worry, I'd still make it to your party tomorrow." she then smiled, fully satisfied now.
It was then that Yahiko arrived. Sayo quickly nudged Tsubame who looked quite irritated by the boy's presence.
"Hi Tsubame." he spoke. Tsubame just nodded and didn't say anything. There was an awkward moment, which was only interrupted by the arrival of Aoshi.
"Good afternoon, Shinomori-sempai." he nodded in acknowledgement and looked at me queerly as if to inquire whether I was okay. Out of the blue, Megumi began shooting her mouth off.
"Shinomori -san, good thing you're here. Maybe you could help our friend Kaoru. Seems like Prof. Saito's intending on giving her the worst school year ever."
He then looked at her then back at me.
"Is this true?" I nodded my head slowly then added almost abruptly.
"But it was nothing I didn't expect. After all, you did warn me, right?"
At these words, Tsubame, Megumi and Sayo shot me curious glances.
"Then I guess I shouldn't oblige you to attend the officers' meeting later." Is he concerned with me? Do I dare hope?
"No, I should go. As an officer, I am obliged to go to that meeting." I smiled and he just looked at me.
"Then, we should both go now. I was on my way before I saw you."
"Alright then."
I walked away with him and took a parting glance at my friends who were all (except for Yahiko who was busy oggling at Tsubame) sporting knowing glances.
I should've just kept my mouth shut. I should've just gone home and thanked Aoshi for exuding me from the meeting.
Why on earth would I have even bothered to go to a stupid meeting when I was told that I could go? Really.
Okay, so what happened was I went to the meeting with Aoshi. And like the good officer that I am, I approached our agenda dead seriously.
We were talking about the upcoming school dance. Yippie, right? Well, maybe for the normal students who don't have to shoulder yet another responsibility.
As officers, we were told which part of the program to handle, thus, we were divided into committees. Neat, huh? and so now, I'm part of the committee that would handle the guest speaker's need. We hunt him down, ask for an appointment then make arrangements.
I sighed as I walked. Megumi and the others had already gone home and Aoshi didn't even offer to walk me home. Not for the first time today, I felt stupid. What was I thinking? Just because my father was all chummy with Aoshi yesterday doesn't mean that he'll start 'seeing me'. I then went straight to the library since I have to find some reference books for my report.
I looked through rows upon rows of history books and found that the one I need was not there. I found myself staring at the empty space where the book should've been when suddenly that space was filled by the book I was looking for.
I looked around the for the person who had returned it and found myself face-to-face with none other than Himura Kenshin himself.
'Whoa! Where did he come from?' he only stared at me some more then he withdrew and looked down at his feet.
'What is with this guy? One moment, he's all stony and intimidating then the next, he's shy and unmoving...'
Automatically the things I had to do popped up in my mind like some mental checklist.
Hey! I can multi-task, right? I flashed the Himura guy a smile and asked him a bunch of questions.
"So, you're interested in World History too?"
No answer.
Things are never easy with that guy. Kenshin just kind of shuffled his feet and was slowly turning away from me.
"Ah, w-wait! I just wanted to uh... ask you where to find some other books I could use as reference."
Wrong question, Kamiya.
(Kenshin)
'What does she take me for? A librarian?' Kenshin looked at the girl in front of him. She was smiling sweetly and here he was gawking like an idiot.
With one shaky finger, he pointed to the shelves to her left then prepared to scram. Then he suddenly felt her hand on his shoulder.
"Can you suggest which book?"
What a lovely conversation.
(Kaoru)
'Do the pretty eyes, Kaoru.' I told myself as I tried my hardest to look charming.
'Maybe he's just scared of people. I wonder what happened to make him this way.'
Kenshin was all ready to go, but, I'm not letting go of his shoulder. He's not going to get away from me, not this time.
He sidestepped away from me and took one book from the shelves and handed it to me.
"Oh my gosh! His hands are totally shaking! What is he afraid of? Do I look scary?"
I smiled and thanked him and had another go at conversation.
"So, come here often?" He just blinked at me. 'He's not dim, right? Maybe I should use sign language? But, I don't know how.'
I casually flipped through the pages and continued talking.
"You seem to be the type who reads a lot. Do you read fiction?" I continued looking through the pages.
"You know I read a lot of Dumas' works and oh, Stevenson and---- Hey wait!"
Kenshin's back was already turned on me and he was sprinting away from me!
'What the hell is wrong with this guy? And why is he looking at me like I'm some kind of a psycho?'
I walked faster and tried to catch up with him, clutching the book under my arm.
"Hey! Don't run away! I was just talking to you!"
I was already panting, how the guy could move so fast while carting that huge bag of his around, I have no idea.
I called out his name a few times but he continued on running.
'Really, how immature of him just running away just like that!' Everyone was practically watching us now.
I called out to him again and then, that's when it happened, he suddenly stopped in his tracks and I was so surprised I wasn't able to stop myself from running on time and thus, I ran smack into his huge backpack and bounced off, yes, bounced as in like a ball, and fell on my bottom on the floor.
The whole library burst out with laughter. Even the usually sour librarian was giggling! I was so embarrassed I felt the heat on my face. And Himura, instead of helping me stand, just gawked at me like an idiot!
WHAT-AN-IDIOT!
I wanted to cry out and shout all known swear words at him but had more dignity than to do so.
When I finally realized that neither Kenshin nor anyone in that forsaken library was going to help me, I helped myself up and tried to stand with as much pride I could master. But, that didn't stop the people from laughing!
So, what was I supposed to do?
Walk away, that's what.
I swallowed hard and walked past Kenshin and went out of the library.
When I was finally out, I wanted to cry but the whole library was still bursting with the laughter!
I can't even hear my conscience with all that laughing! I couldn't even will myself to cry. I just walked away as far as I can, as quick as my feet can.
I was too caught up with my misery that I didn't know that someone was following me. I felt the presence though. And thinking that it might be some maniac or just some kid from the library who followed me and wanted to point his pudgy fingers at me and shout 'Ha-ha!', I looked back and there he was, Kenshin Himura.
(Kenshin)
'She finally noticed me.' Kenshin thought. He had followed her when she went out of the library. Kaoru stared at him for quite some time and for a while, he felt afraid on what she might do.
'She looks angry.'
Wrong!
'She IS angry...'
Kenshin had absolutely no idea on what to do about the situation. So, instead, he handed her the book she was supposed to take out of the library. She had dropped it on her fall.
She snatched it angrily away from him.
'She looks like she's going to cry...' he thought.
'Maybe I should say sorry...'
He wanted to, he really did. But, no word would form in his mouth. Instead he just stared down at his feet.
Kaoru breathed exasperatedly at his behavior. And finally letting her anger out, spatted at him.
"In case you're wondering why you don't have any friends, well, maybe now you know!" she said coldly then walked away.
Someone asked me whether I hate Megumi. Well, the answer is no. I like Megumi because she is so much like my best friend! So, most of the stuff about Megumi here was based on her. Imagine, there's a person in this world who is like Megumi. HAHAHA! Anyway, my bez' usually does act like Megumi, yes, she comes near my crushes just to piss me off and she usually says things that more often than not embarrass me. But, I still love her because despite all the teasings and sometimes bitchiness, there lies someone who cares. She'd be laughing her head off when she reads this so I'm going to stop now.
Also, the whole concept of this story is actually based on my friend's experience. She was actually asked by our class adviser to befriend this guy who never speaks to anyone. Well, things happened differently in real life but it did get my imagination working! Also, I'd just like to share with you guys, the character I lent all my experiences to is Misao. Haha... no wonder she doesn't have that much scenes, but, I'll give more Misao-Aoshi action soon. I hope some girls out there who experience Misao's situation, like falling for an older guy, can relate to her in some way and at the same time with me. Shucks! I haven't talked about 'that' part of my life for a long time so I'm kind of getting nervous whenever I write the Misao-Aoshi bits. hehe... Well, hope you enjoyed! And please review! Although I don't reply much to reviews, that doesn't mean I don't want to! I love reading your reviews! And I hope you have more patience with me since I suck so much in updating on time...
