Hi everyone! Here is another installation of my fic. I've been too busy with life that's why I never had the time to update. This would be longer than most of the chapters though since I have fused two chapters of what I originally planned as one. Hope you will like it.
Once again, I do not own Tora Igarashi, I just want him for my fantasies.
THE FALL OF IGARASHI
CHAPTER 8
Keira was busily arranging her table getting ready to go home when a thought crossed her mind.
"What was Tora's problem? He seemed so mad that I got too nervous in the class," Keira sighed. "More like afraid" whispered a part of her. "The kid must have some issues on his own that sometimes affect him emotionally. Oh well," she mentally added.
Gathering her things, she then proceeded to walk towards the main hall. It was almost too eerie now since the hall is empty. Her phone suddenly rang startling her. It was Akane.
"Hello, Akane-san?"
"Hi Kei-chan. Are you free tonight?"
"Hmm.. yeah. Why?"
"Would you like to go out with me? You see, my boyfriend has a night out with his colleagues. He invited me, of course but I don't want to be out of place when they begin talking about how they handled their work and all. Please Kei-chan…" Akane requested.
"Okay, I'll go with you." Keira answered. She really doesn't want to go but she also thought that she needed a break to her monotonous schedule. Besides, she doesn't really have work to do tonight plus Ren had been nagging her to hang out and socialize with others. It's not that she's antisocial, it's just that she's more comfortable to just laze around at home than to go out.
"Great! I'll pick you up at 7. Just wear anything casual. See ya!"
Keira then pocketed her phone and immediately went home to prepare.
It was an enjoyable evening. Keira did not expect to enjoy the company of those young doctors. She and Akane were eating in a posh restaurant together with five young doctors, Harima, Akane's boyfriend who is in his early 40's, Subaru and Daichi both opthalmologists who look like they're in their early 30's and Emi and Megumi, twins, psychologist and neurologist. She really thought that she'd be out of place but alas, they were too stressed to talk about work related issues. They were happily chatting and Keira noticed that Daichi was more attentive to her.
"Hey, Keira, do you enjoy teaching?" Daichi casually asked, his eyes never leaving her face.
"Yeah, I'm loving it!" was Keira quick reply. She smiled as she thought of the school activities she had fun participating in. Their some setbacks though, like the time when she got drunk and Tora had to send her home. She pouted then, not noticing Daichi's curious stare.
"Really? Aren't you teaching in Miyabigaoka High, the school for rich kids?" Daichi inquired.
"Yeah!" Keira absentmindedly answered remembering Tora's odd behaviour a while ago.
"Hey, isn't that the school where the Igarashi heir is studying? I heard he's ruthless and a bully, is that true?" Subaru asked getting interested with the conversation.
"Uhmm.. yeah. He's my student. But no, he is not ruthless and a bully," Keira smiled.
"Why are you defending him? Not ruthless? Not a bully? Ha! More like murderous!" her inner voice argued.
"Ah, I see." Subaru said though not really convinced.
Daichi though, tried to change the conversation.
"So Keira, won't your boyfriend get mad if he knows that you're hanging out with us?
Everyone except Keira, who was clueless, rolled their eyes at Daichi's sudden query. Even Akane smiled, for she knew that Daichi had taken an interest in Keira.
"Mmmm… No…" Keira shyly blushed. "Actually, I don't have a boyfriend." Keira reluctantly supplied, glancing sideways, failing to notice Daichi's smirk.
"Oh I see." Daichi replied who now widened his smile.
Megumi smiled at their interaction then proceeded to talk about her lovelife. Keira released a sigh of relief as the topic changed. She always felt uneasy talking about her non-existent lovelife. Anf just like that, their evening progresses as they chatted away.
Meanwhile, Tora and Maki were still in the campus. Maki was amused looking at Tora who almost tirelessly paced back and forth near the window of their Student Council Office. Tora had received an urgent call from his father regarding the reports of consecutive losses in their clothing branch in Los Angeles. His father wants him to personally solve the problem and he wants it fast. Tora would of course go, however seeing how he's pacing around, Maki could only guess what's bothering him. And he would bet his life that it had something to do with a certain teacher.
"When will you schedule the flight?" Maki asked for the second time, hoping this time it would reach the person in question.
"We'll go tonight. Inform the pilot of our destination," Tora hastily replied. "But first, prepare the car, I'm going out." he quickly added.
"Hai," Maki bowed.
Staring aimlessly at his limo's window, Tora thought about what was ahead of him. He could be gone for good one or two weeks, depending on the situation of their clothing company. However, he couldn't help but think about Keira. It's just so strange that he feels wistful every time he remembers her. It's a wonder why he's feeling this way. He needed to know why. He needed to just see her and maybe clear up whatever he is feeling.
An hour. It had been an hour since Tora and Maki arrived in Keira's apartment. Nobody said a word. Everyone stayed quiet while waiting inside the limo which is parked a block away from the said apartment. There was no sign of Keira yet.
A couple of minutes had passed when suddenly Tora went still. Maki couldn't understand what happened until he saw the couple walking just outside the car.
Keira couldn't feel more awkward at the same time nervous when Daichi offered to walk her home. Never did she experience to walk home with a guy and she had absolutely no idea how to behave. She mentally wished they would already arrive at her apartment to end her agony. Her only respite is that Daichi took control of their conversation in which her sole participation composed only of a nod and a nervous laugh. She never really heard Daichi's animated talk. She was more like zombie walking because her anxiety is eating her up.
"Keira? Keira? Keira?" Daichi almost pouted. "I guess I should just kiss you instead since you are clearly not listening." Daichi eagerly declared.
"Kiss? What kiss?" Keira instantly covered her mouth with her both of her hands while shooting daggers with her eyes.
Daichi laughed at her gesture. "You're so fun to tease!" he exclaimed while pinching her nose. Upon noticing her apartment, Keira's face lit up.
"Oh, here we are! Thanks for walking me home." Keira automatically bowed practically hiding her relief.
"Anytime, sweet!" Daichi smiled as he ruffled her hair.
"See you again soon!" Daichi waved before walking away.
Keira waved happily. She felt like being freed from a heavy burden. Of course, she like Daichi, he is a decent and lively young man afterall, however she doesn't really felt eager to be alone with him or any other man especially since they only met a while ago. Call her cautious or paranoid but she never really like to associate with the opposite gender.
Just when she was briskly looking for her keys, a shadow materialized over her shoulders. Turning back, she gasp at the unexpected face behind her.
"Ohh Tora-kun, you silly! You scared the lights out of me! Don't you dare shock me like that again!" Keira almost slapped his shoulders but stopped midway when she noticed Tora's steely gaze at her. She immediately sensed that something is wrong with Tora.
"Eh… I didn't know you already have a boyfriend Sensei," Tora plastered his fake smile while staring intensely at her eyes causing Keira to step back.
"Huh? No, Daichi's just a friend." Keira remarked rather gently. She had this extreme suspicion that Tora's not up for any jests tonight. He looked like a hawk ready to pounce on his prey with just one wrong move and she can't help but think that she is the prey.
"Hahaha, it couldn't be. I haven't done anything wrong." Her inner voice assured her, though it hadn't done anything to calm her jittery nerves.
"Hmm… So, Daichi's his name huh…" Tora murmured with his eyebrows raised.
"Yes, yes. You see, I was invited by Akane-san, our school nurse to accompany her in a get-together with her boyfriend's colleagues and since I don't have things to do, I went out with them, hahah" Keira enthusiastically explained. She wanted nothing more than to distract Tora's menacing mood that have mysteriously zeroed in on her.
"Ah, so you went on a group date?" Tora darkly chuckled.
"Kyaaahhhh, he's mad! He's really, really mad! What have I done?" her insides are already screaming with alarm.
"Oh no, no!" Keira waved frantically. "We only ate and chatted a little and besides, we're mostly girls." Keira nervously smiled and showed her hopefully convincing angelic innocence.
"Wait, why am I even explaining this to him?" she mentally kicked herself.
"I see." Tora clamped his mouth, schooling his features.
Instant relief washed over Keira. She really thought Tora won't calm down. The brat must be having issues he'd want to take out to others.
"By the way, why are you here Tora-kun?" Keira tapped his shoulder showing her genuine concern. The brat who towered her had been fuming mad since this afternoon.
"Life of this particular rich kid must be very demanding for him to act like this." Keira mentally shook her head with regret for this brat.
"Oh, I was actually here for this," Tora motioned to take something from his right pocket and Keira was curious of that something. She was so focused with his hand movements that she wasn't able to notice him smirk. When he raised his, there was nothing. Her brows furrowed and confused, Keira mentally shouted "Kyaah, Tora-kun had just snapped and lost his sanity!" alarm bells were now ringing inside her head.
Whatever she had been thinking must have shown in her face since Tora chuckled again, this time a bit more relaxed.
"Actually, I'm here for this!"
It happened so fast. One moment, Keira was eagerly listening to what Tora has to say and the next moment she was staring at the most startling pair of lime-colored eyes that seemed too close for comfort. It was like some movie she had seen not so long ago. Except that she was not only seeing it but feeling it as well. Tora had his hand at the back of her neck and move her closer to him and kissed her. She felt his warm eager lips caressing her soft, plaint ones. Keira's eyes widened as she felt Tora licking her lower lip and gaining access to her delectable mouth. Tora held her tight and he smelled like winter, clean, crisp and a little minty. She felt feverish and weak inside. She suddenly heard herself moan softly and couldn't help but blush all the more as Tora released her now swollen lips and chuckled. It was just a few seconds and Tora is now back at nibbling her lower lip. Her senses were almost drugged by Tora's never ending gentle assault on her lips until she heard a click and a hearty chuckle. The brat took a picture of them kissing! How can he even do that?
"What did you do?" Horror-stricken Keira grabbed Tora's phone but failed. He is a good foot taller than her afterall.
"I'll be gone for a week so be a good girl and don't go on random dates." Tora exclaimed, obviously thoroughly pleased with himself?
"Until then, make yourself busy," Tora arrogantly chuckled. Gone were the tension and his menacing aura. Instead, he radiated pure glee. He was excellently in high spirits as he rode on his limo living a bewildered, dumbfounded Keira.
Author's Notes: I had a hard time writing this chapter. Towards the end, I have been biting my nails while imagining a possibility if I could bite Tora-chan's lips too. Nah… that would be too…impossible. (^_^)