Author's Note: Dear Readers, a light chapter for you since I haven't updated in a while. I am thinking of fast forwarding the story events to two years later when everyone is older. Appreciate your feedback on that. Thanks for the read. Much Love, XX
Moving Along
''Oy…''
Fay blinked and sat up. ''Wha…''
Takeda was staring at his girlfriend who had woken up, and he poked her forehead. ''You were snoring peacefully.''
Fay blushed when she realised that she had fallen asleep in the university library. She sat up straight without making any comments and put on her jacket.
Takeda sat down next to her. ''You okay?'' he asked, noticing her frown. ''Did I disturb you? I have a class soon so I didn't want you still sleeping here. Next time a creep might wake you up with a kiss…''
Fay looked at his concerned face. ''I am fine,'' she answered. ''I was up all night trying to finish my assignment.'' She answered, packing her books and standing up. ''I have class too.''
Takeda helped her stand up, and picked up her books. ''You don't normally leave your assignments until the last minute,'' he remarked. ''Are you slacking off?''
Fay rolled her eyes. ''Not really. I got busy with father. He needed my help planning something.''
''Something?"' he asked curiously.
Fay patted his cheek and kissed him lightly. ''Later, love. We are both late..' she said, taking her books from him and waving goodbye.
Takeda raised his eyebrow. He chuckled lightly and walked away muttering cheeky girlfriend to himself. He walked straight to art class and sat in his seat. It was an elective that he had taken, and was thoroughly enjoying.
He was always an artistic person and he never faced any difficulties with the painting assignments. He found it fascinating that his class was a combination of theory and practical work. It was truly one of the classes he enjoyed.
When he first enrolled in class, he also got quite surprised when he saw Tachibana Kippei in class with him. He never thought Tachibana as an artistic person. It was a 3-hour class that was combined into two parts. The first half was theory based, and the second half was actual practice. They had a lot of different projects and elements to work with.
Today's subject was glass painting and he was curious to see how it would work. He sat down on the working station when he noticed that Tachibana took a seat across him. ''This should be interesting.''
Takeda nodded. ''It sounds interesting,'' he said, agreeing with him.
Tachibana took out the tools, tracing paper and placed them across them. ''So Takeda, how's the girlfriend? I have been hearing interesting things from Chitose.''
Takeda raised an eyebrow. ''I doubt Chitose is one to gossip.''
Tachibana shrugged, 'I was just curious,'' he said honestly. ''I haven't seen you with a girl for a while. It's a good change for you. You seem more relaxed.''
Takeda smirked tracing the photo onto the glass. ''Was I ever tense?''
''You know what I mean…''
''A girlfriend is not always an answer to everything,'' he said quietly, concentrating on the drawing. ''It just felt right and she seems to be way more understanding than I thought.''
''She's giving you space..''
A lot of space, he thought to himself. ''Yes and no. I think this is a new experience to her as well. She is quite careful how to act.'' I had sensed a couple of times her willingness to act spoilt, but she withdraws herself. Hmm…
''and…'' Tachibana began.
''Enough Kippei. You know I don't indulge people who are nosey. My girlfriend is off-limits as well.'' Takeda responded.
Tachibana rolled his eyes.
Fay was on a break and decided to spend some time in a coffee shop. She was busy reading a book when suddenly someone took a seat across from her. ''Why, hello.'' Said a cheerful voice.
Fay blinked in surprise and couldn't help but smile when she realised that it was Tachibana An. ''What brings you here?''
An poked her nose, ''you, missy. You're talk of campus..'
Fay's eyes widened. ''and why is that?'' I am rarely someone to be talked about.
''All the girls in the bathroom are discussing how you ended up with Takeda. He's quite popular but was always unapproachable.''
Fay pursed her lips. It's not like I was the one pursuing him… she thought. She sat back, and shrugged. ''It just happened. We recently started going out. He asked me out during Christmas.''
An drummed her fingers on the table thinking quietly. ''Just be careful…''
Fay laughed. ''be careful of what? We are at university. People should be more concerned about their studies than whom I dating.'' Fay stood up, picking up her books. ''I need to run. See you.''
I will not even concern myself with such crap. The last thing I need is stupid girls' infatuation with Takeda. I never even realised if he was popular or not. To me, he was weird when we first met. Fay walked across campus until she reached her last class. It was a class that she shared with Oshitari Yuushi.
He waved at her when she walked into class and indicated that she take a seat next to him.
Fay sat down and gave him a smile. ''How are you, Yuushi?''
Oshitari looked at the young girl net to him and gave her a genuine smile. ''Its been good here and here. Just focusing on the usual stuff.''
Fay talked to him for a while until class started. The class was management and it was quite a boring subject but the professor teaching them always tried to make the class fun and used real life examples to make his point. It was more of a discussion based class than a boring lecture.
It was around 4pm that class ended. Fay walked out with Oshitari and headed towards the university gates. ''Thanks for keeping me company, Yuushi.''
''Anytime,'' he said, as Fay walked away from him.
Oshitari retraced his steps and decided to walk to the music room. He had left his saxophone there earlier and told the music attendant that he will pick it up later when he was done with classes. When he walked into the music room, he found Akutgawa Jirou playing the piano.
Jirou was a long time friend of his and Atobe and it had been a while since he had seen him. Jirou had joined the student exchange programme in France and had spent the last year in Paris. The three of us always spent time together, but since university had started its been crazy for all of us. ''Yo.'Jirou,'' he said softly. ''I didn't know you were back.''
Jirou looked up and smiled. ''Yuushi. Yuushi..' he said his name as he played a dramatic tone on the piano. ''I came back a couple of days ago. I sent you a message on whatsapp.''
Oshitari smiled sheepishly. ''My phone is being fixed so I probably missed your message.'''
Jirou was Jirou. Always cheerful, yet never put his sleep aside. Oshitari was always surprised that as much as Jirou slept in class, he was the only one that got full grades. He always wondered how he did it. ''Yeah. Yeah. Lets go grab Keigo and go somewhere and eat.''
''I think he's gone for the day. If I am not mistaken he finishes early today.''
Jirou stood up, ''so we will go and get him from his house. I can see Fay as well.'''
Oshitari walked out with him after picking up his saxophone. ''She was just with me. She did say that she was going home.''
Jirou stuffed his hands in his pocket as they walked on the streets. ''Still as gorgeous?''
''Yep. She still has the same beautiful legs as well.''
Jirou laughed. ''Keigo still an ass around her?''
Oshitari looked serious. ''To be honest, no. He has calmed down a bit. I think he's finally starting to acknowledge her.''
Jirou raised an eyebrow. ''that's new.''
''Fay also started dating that Takeda boy..'''
''Ren?''
''Yes. I think that's his name. ''Oshitari recalled.
Jirou whistled. ''Wow. Ren is actually older than us. He's a good kid. I shared a class with him. He keeps to himself though.''
'He seems like a good match.'' Oshitari agreed.
Atobe Keigo was at home lounging in the pool area when someone disrupted his peaceful thoughts. He looked up glaring at his sister at the noise she was making as she splashed in the pool. ''Must you make so much noise.''
''weather is beautiful. Worth a plunge.'' She said jumping again into the pool and splashing him.
''OY! MY BOOK!'' he snarled, annoyed at his book getting wet.
Fay got out and started arguing with him when they saw that they were being watched. Fay looked up and found Oshitari, Jirou and Ootori watching them with a smile on their faces. ''Jirou!'' Fay exclaimed, running to him. She hugged him tight totally disregarding that she was completely wet and in a swimming suit.
'Jirou lifted her up and hugged her back. ''My honey bun..''
Oshitari smirked. ''This honey bun has a boyfriend, so its best to let go of her.''
Fay blushed while Jirou let her down. ''You're right. I forgot. I don't think Takeda would forgive me.''
Atobe scowled and sat back down. ''What brings you guys here?'' he asked, after calming down.
''I want to go and eat so thought I'd drag you with us,'' Jirou said. ''You too, Fay. Come and join us?''
Fay thanked him, but declined. ''I have to finish my assignments,'' she said. I doubt brother dear would want me to join them. She stayed with them for a bit and then left. Fay loved the boys. When she was younger and her brother was mean, Jirou and Ootori would always protect her from his nasty jabs.
As she walked towards the main door, she stopped. Wait a minute. Why should I care what Keigo thinks? He never put my welfare first. I want to spend time with them. Fay ran back and stood in front of Jirou. 'You know, I made a mistake. My assignments are due day after tomorrow, I will join.'
Atobe stayed completely quiet and the others just chilled on the lounges.
''We leave in 30 minutes. I will book Zuma.''
Fay nodded and ran off.
''Che…'' Atobe mumbled, standing up. ''I will go and get ready.''
They all followed him and sat in the large living room while Atobe headed upstairs to change.
Half an hour later, both siblings were down stairs. Fay was dressed in a royal blue mini skirt and a white sleeveless ruffled shirt. She had on white pumps and carried a blue Chanel to complete her outfit. Her hair was let down.
''You dressed up for me,'' Jirou smiled.
'No,' Fay chuckled. ''I dressed up for Zuma.''
Jirou took her hand and led her out. ''We will walk ahead,'' he told the others.
Atobe raised his eyebrow. ''Since when did Jirou pay so much attention to Fay.''
Ootori walked along, and smiled. ''Jirou always had a soft spot for her.''
Oshitari smirked. He looked at Atobe, ''and how are you handling your future brother in law,''
''Shut up, Yuushi.'' Atobe hissed.
The five of them were finally seated at the restaurant. Fay sat next to Ootori, away from her brother and began talking to him. They were talking about his recent trip and how he found it quite refreshing to do something different.
''It is interesting to study abroad. There are so many things to learn. The culture, language, city, etc… wow. I wonder if I had the guts to do that.'' Fay said excitedly.
''It's not easy,'' Ootori admitted. ''You would be completely cut off your world.''
They continued talking and eating. Oshitari was surprised that Atobe was being rather pleasant. It seemed that his sister's presence was not bothering him. They were busy eating when Fay got a message.
She pulled out her phone and realised it was Takeda.
Girlfriend, want to come to a shooting class with me tomorrow? Takeda
Wow, shooting? Fay thought, she wasn't sure how to react but said yes. She wanted to experience new things with him.
Takeda replied with details of their outings tomorrow.
Fay resumed back to her companions. She looked over at Ootori and Jirou. They are so different, yet they get along so well. Is it the same with me and Keigo? Although father says we are more similar than we would like to think. Her eyes caught her brother's. He looked for a second and then away. At least you don't look at me so coldly now, Keigo.
Surprisingly lunch went well. Jirou kept flirting with Fay while Atobe ignored them and talked to Ootori and Yuushi.
They all walked out of the restaurant and Atobe found himself returning home alone with his sister while the others walked towards the other direction.
''Keigo…''
He glanced at her but kept walking.
Fay followed him and grabbed his arm. ''Father's birthday is coming up soon. Want to plan something together?''
Atobe shook his arm, letting her go of it and frowned. ''Plan something? I doubt he would like a party or a crowd…''
''No. I wasn't thinking of a party. I was thinking if we can arrange for the three of us to do something.'
Three of us? More time with you?
Before Atobe could answer, his phone rang. He answered it, ''Atobe.''
Fay stood next to him as Atobe talked on the phone.
He finally hung up and looked at her, '''We have to go to the hospital. It's not good.''
Fay looked concerned at the look of seriousness on his face. She held his upper arm, ''Keigo…''
''Let's just go, Fay.''