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Chapter 2

"Say, Ryuuji, would you like to go out with me?"

As soon as those words left Ami's lips, all activity and commotion within the classroom stopped immediately, and all gazes were immediately fixed upon me. Some glared at me in jealousy, and others in disgust, while the prevailing majority were staring at me in surprise. Frankly, I would have done the same, if my eyes wide in confusion were any indication. For a second, I thought that I had heard wrong, but from the way that Ami was looking expectantly at me, with a positively radiant smile, I knew that my ears were not deceiving me.

"What?" I managed, despite having heard her clearly the first time. In a panic, I looked around at my fellow classmates for some help. Taiga refused to meet my gaze while Kitamura gave me a thumbs up. Damn it Kitamura, you're supposed to stop her! To my surprise, Minori also gave me a thumbs up from beside him. Not you too, Minori!

"Ryuuji," Ami cooed, drawing out each syllable of my name, "Will you go out with me?"

And with that, the life was sucked out of the room as the gravity of her words finally sunk in for the rest of the class. Kawashima Ami, the resident school idol and object of every male's affections, was really asking out me, Takasu Ryuuji, the intimidating delinquent and object of fear for all of my classmates. It wasn't really hard to understand why everyone had gone into shock.

I swear that I saw one of Ami's friends pass out right on the spot. Maya-san, I think her name was. Anyways, despite all of that, Ami just stood in place, seemingly oblivious to what was occurring all around her, the same unwavering smile still on her face.

I nervously chuckled, "Kawashima-san, you should stop joking around like that."

I mean really, she had to have been joking. There was no way that the Kawashima Ami could actually be asking me out, right? This just has to be a joke, or I'm dreaming. That's it, I'm dreaming! Please tell me that I'm right. Please?

However, Ami gave a small pout that I had to admit was incredibly cute, even in the midst of my situation, "Ryuuji, I'm not kidding."


The stares are killing me right now. Does everyone really have to be looking in my direction? You're all making this more uncomfortable than it has to be! I'm just as shocked as you are, so can't we just leave it at that?

If you couldn't guess, I said yes, after I had confirmed that I was not dreaming by bashing my head into my desk, an act that I'm sure is going to spread around the school and only add to my fearsome reputation, but as of right now, my reputation is the least of my concerns.

"Say, Ryuuji, what's wrong?" Ami asked from beside me, her small and delicate hand clutching mine, which was drenched in sweat. Needless to say, I was having a silent freak out at the fact that I was walking home, holding hands with Ami.

"I'm just feeling a little uncomfortable." I admitted, although a little might be an understatement. With the way people were gaping at us, it was more like I had been dropped onto another planet where everyone was looking at me as if I were an alien.

For once in my life, I was relieved to have intimidating features, because that meant that with a simple glare, I could instantly send heads turning the other way. But when the entire school was looking at you, that made things very difficult.

Thank God we were right at the school gates. I don't think that I could have lasted much longer with so much focus on me at one time. It's weird. I always thought that being the center of attention was preferable than being shunned, but now, I'm starting to rethink my position.

Ami smirked, "Well, I know a way back home where no one will disturb us."

Was it just me, or was the way she said that extremely suggestive? I know that my teenage mind is probably skewing my senses, but Ami definitely was trying to get at something. Nodding dumbly, I let myself be dragged along by a surprisingly forceful Ami off into a small side street that was completely empty, true to her word.

"Wait," I started, causing both of us to stop in our tracks, "I just have to ask one thing."

She looked at me with that fake smile that she wore so well, "Sure!"

"Wh-why me?" I stammered. In response, Ami leaned forward, until we were mere inches away and my heart was beating furiously.

"Because, you're the only guy who knows the real me." Ami whispered into my ear, causing me to go beet red at her close proximity. As much as I tried my best not to, I couldn't stop my breath from hitching slightly as she did so. Damn it, I'm only a teenager! What was I supposed to do?

"Just kidding!" She laughed, "Actually, it's because I don't want any guys to bother me by asking me out, and everyone would be too scared to talk to me if they knew you were my boyfriend. And besides, you're no threat to actually try to make a move."

Ignoring the jab at my manhood, I sighed, "I guess I can see your point."

"Plus, it would make Minori oh so jealous, now wouldn't it?" Ami added with a sly smirk that revealed all of her true icy demeanor. Damn, she was really scary when she wanted to be.

"Why should that matter to me?" I replied quickly, crossing my arms over my chest in faked indifference.

"Come on Ryuuji, I'm in showbiz, and you aren't fooling me with that!" She chuckled, and in retrospect, I should have remembered that Ami put on a convincing act every day to the public, and that she was going to see right through me.

"How did you know?" I groaned in defeat, knowing that I wouldn't be able to talk my way out of this situation.

Ami raised an eyebrow, "Do you really think that no one notices how much you stare at her? Honestly, I think that the only person who doesn't know is Minori herself."

And with that, my head dropped in shame. Here I thought that I was being subtle in my little glances towards Minori, but I guess that I was completely wrong.

"Anyways, I don't think you're in any position to complain. I mean sure, Minori has no idea of how much you like her," Ami slid up next to me and wrapped herself around my arm once more, displaying her…assets, "But you're dating me, Kawashima Ami. You know, most guys would kill for this chance."

Yup, that's not conceited in the slightest. But of course, Ami was right. I was well aware of the fact that there were likely more than a few obsessed guys currently thinking of a way to get rid of me so that Ami would be single once more.

"Yeah, more than I want to think about." I muttered softly, although Ami, with her acute hearing, picked it up immediately.

"So there, I'm right!" She proclaimed.

You know, with that haughty attitude, she was really starting to remind me of a certain leader of the SOS Brigade with this conversation. I just hope that Ami didn't have the power to shape the world, because I can only imagine the kind of things that she would come up with. And yes, I like Suzumiya Haruhi. Is that such a crime?

I shook my head, "Anyways, how is this going to work? I mean, people will be expecting us to act like a real couple, right? We can't just tell them that we're dating and expect that they'll just buy it."

"Don't underestimate me." She chided, as if I were a small child. Look, I don't need you talking down to me, Ami!

"I've already planned it out. We'll make a big deal of it when we're at school, and we'll go to a family restaurant or something every Friday. That way, people will see us out in public enough to accept that we're going out." She explained, and I actually found myself nodding along.

I mean, aside from the fact that she picked a needlessly convoluted solution that belonged in a shojo manga more than anything, Ami had surprisingly came up with a half decent plan. Although, I half wondered why she had waited until now to put her plan into action, considering that probably half the school had asked her out already.

I opened my mouth to ask her just that when we were interrupted by some familiar voices.

"Yo, Takasu!" Kitamura called out, forcing me and Ami to whip around to see him approaching us, flanked by Minori and Taiga. While he and Minori had their usual blithe grins on their faces, Taiga greeted us with an expression that let us know that she was in one of her irritable moods.

"Hey Kitamura." I answered back, giving them a small little wave.

"Stupid Chihuahua, do you want to let go of his hand?" Taiga asked coldly, an edge to her voice.

"Hm? But Ryuuji is my boyfriend." Ami replied in her "normal" voice.

At those words, Taiga silently chewed on her lip with her cheeks puffed up in anger, trying to formulate her response, but finding none, she blew out a small breath and turned to speak to me.

"Hey, Ryuuji," She started, her head bowed low, "Does this mean that I should stop coming over?"

"Why would it mean that?" I asked, completely confused by why Taiga was suddenly asking me such a weird question.

"Well…" She trailed off, pointing a finger at Ami, who I could tell was enjoying the way that Taiga had seemingly receded, although she did an admirable job of hiding it.

Ah, now I get it. The reason she had seemed so upset was because she was scared that I would stop cooking for her. I don't want to sound arrogant, but I always had a feeling that my bentos were much better than she let on with her normal reactions to my food. You see, the secret comes in the cooking of the rice. Growing up around the kitchen, I found that the traditional method of simply steaming it left it somewhat bland, so after some trial and experimentation, I think that I've found the optimal mix of spices and herbs to add that little extra something.

First I take…err, I'm getting off topic now.

I laughed, "No, you can still come over for dinner tonight if you want, and I'll keep making bentos for you to take to school, don't worry."

"So, Ryuuji, can I come over as well?" Ami suddenly asked.

I scratched my head, "Why?"

"I'm your girlfriend." She replied, with irritation evident in her tone.

Oh, right. I almost forgot. That would explain why Ami seemed so angry at me. You know, for someone who wasn't taking our so called relationship all that seriously, Ami had really already committed to our status as a couple. I was actually quite impressed by her acting skills.

"Well, I guess so." I conceded, not really sure if no was truly an option.

At the time, I didn't seem the harm in inviting both of them over. It was only later that I would come to regret those words.


Well, it looks like things are getting started for our fake couple! Like last time, please review or PM me if you guys want this to continue! Each and every one of your thoughts is huge for a story in a small section like this, and I won't rest until Covers is on top and everyone knows about the Ami x Ryuuji pairing! Thanks for reading so far, and I'll try to update soon!