oOo
Garden of Eden: Heartstrings
oOo
Summary:
She was beautiful, in a haunting sort of way. And he couldn't seem to keep away from her despite his well known aversion towards the fairer of sexes because somehow, she made it okay to be curious. Though she was strangely tragic, there was a daring spirit inside that was reckless to the point where he might have called it suicidal. He knew it, because he could relate to that whimsical edge.
()()()
she was either very brave or very stupid
Chapter 4
confrontations
She saw it.
Tsu-fucking-kino Usagi slipped a note into his locker.
Honest to fucking God, she saw it. She saw Minako's fucking, impassive snobby bitch of a cousin do it. She knew what she saw. She couldn't possibly have imagined it. It wasn't luck. It couldn't be. There was no way.
Everyone knew where Mamoru's locker was.
And what the hell was that?
Why was he staring at that paper like it was freaking amazing?
It wasn't amazing. It isn't.
Mamoru smiled slightly, intrigued. He pocketed the note. He would ask her later, he told himself.
Rei's temper snapped.
--
They were talking about her.
Usagi grimaced. She'd been hearing shit all morning, in the halls, change rooms, classrooms. It wasn't like she wasn't used to being talked about—people did way worse at Kyoto and Usagi could count her graces in at least being free of getting physical with anyone. Still though, what was everyone so interested in? She'd gone through the last three weeks in relative silence and people had accepted her easily—well, ignored more like it but she hadn't minded the lack of attention as it had been a rather new and welcome change for once.
No queen bees, no self-absorbed jocks, no idiotic womanizers and no overused personas of school bad boys. Even the bitchy girls had left her alone.
Why the hell were people talking now that she had settled? What was the whole point?
Even though she could care less about other people's opinions, this was getting ridiculous and so Usagi racked her brain for any social suicides she might've committed—but came up blank. Nothing. Zilch. Nada.
Was it something I said? Usagi pondered sardonically.
They were talking about her and she didn't know why. She felt strangely curious about the reason. Azabu had been boring and in conclusion, caused her life to be boring as well. A little excitement perhaps would do her a little good?
"Did you hear...?"
"I heard she did some bad, shady stuff in Kyoto. That's the reason she got sent here."
First, it was a group of curious boys. The kind that were turned on by the idea of a bad girl. Which wasn't that bad, because it was just guys being guys. Who the hell said 'shady' anymore, anyway? There was nothing to worry about there.
"Oh yeah. Now that you mention it, she did say she got expelled from her old school on the first day."
"Tch, what a stupid move."
But then, it was a group of snobby rich girls with self-esteem issues, ramming on her to make themselves feel better. Usagi found that just plain sad. So instead of getting angry, she pitied them. Nobody liked it when someone felt sorry for them after all. It was a matter of pride.
"Can you believe she even comes from that dump? I mean, Tsukino-san looks so classy..."
"What are you talking about? She looks too good to be true. No one can be that perfect. She's hiding something. Besides, she doesn't even wear her uniform right. She wears it like a punk." The last word was spoken derisively.
After that, there were the self-proclaimed gossips of the school. And oh sure, her little fashion statement with her uniform was a completely reasonable thing to base their impressions on. She didn't know that you could still judge someone when everybody wore the same thing. Airheads.
It was like they didn't even care that she was walking right by them and could hear every word they said. You'd think that with the way intrigue seemed to follow rich kids like wet blankets they'd have learned to gossip quietly and whisper with the stupid etiquette classes they were given and their crash courses on false pretenses and fake attitudes or underhanded deals. Seriously, Usagi barely ever heard any of them swear. In Kyoto, there wasn't a single teenager or adult that didn't let it rip. Every other word spoken had been a swear, come to think of it.
"Whatever. I say she's a bitch—"
Never mind, Usagi thought dryly. How controversial.
Usagi snorted quietly to herself and ignored the glare that the gossip gave her and the nervous, sheepish look on the face of her lackey friend. She rolled her eyes, wagging the fingers of her right hand in a mocking wave. She'd have felt sorry for the other girl as she seemed rather nice compared to the other one, but what was the point? She'd never stand up for herself anytime soon anyway if she hadn't done it on her own already. She'd probably gotten used to being a follower and now that Usagi knew of their opinion, her curiosity was sated.
She didn't need to intervene any further so she turned back to the board in time for Renji-sensei to search out a victim for his next question.
It'll die down after a while anyway.
--
Or not. Usagi thought darkly.
The soft whispers—that were actually a bit loud—had turned into people placing their hands in front of their mouths, furtive glances, discreet pointing and many paranoid looks given to her as though to check whether or not she knew they were talking about her. Of course she knew! What the hell did they take her for?
A Class-A moron, duh. It was annoying.
They were so stupid, only exercising caution now that she was already positive they were talking about her. So this wasn't going to die down after all. It was going to get worse. This was so stupid. They suddenly thought they were so much better than her. Granted, it had been amusing for a while, watching them as they each competed for who could slight her in the cruelest way possible, only for it to backfire as she calmly ignored the insults to her person, the rumors about her—she had to admit she couldn't be insulted when some of them had a grain of truth anyway.
But then the pranks came.
Oh God, the pranks came along and then it was just a whole new level of low. Some of them were irritatingly unoriginal, but the fact that they tried was still a mild nuisance.
They vandalized her locker. Her gym strip went missing. Spitballs became common. Her homework was stolen and she was given detention. They did as much as they could to get her to trip, pushing, shoving. Anything to see a loss of dignity. And then there was the fact that people constantly tried to spill things on her. Things that would stain.
She'd already had to go through a whole day of school walking with a coke stain on her school blouse. She was only grateful she wore the black one that day over the optional white.
But she still didn't react.
She still went to class. She left the vulgar words etched onto her locker. It wasn't that bad being called a bitch—they could do worse. She went to gym borrowing Minako's extra gym uniform or alternating with Ami as Makoto was a bit taller than her, and Rei—well, just the thought of Rei spoke for itself. She had ducked every spitball with ease and calmly accepted her detentions, showing up for attendance and then slipping away once the teacher supervising left. She would hand in her assignments a day late, ignoring the admonishing or skeptical looks her teachers gave her.
Usagi couldn't really prevent herself from tripping though, so she did her best to step over the extended legs and strengthen her balance against the shoves. And if all else failed, she grabbed onto something when she could. The food stains were a little over the top but she calmly wiped the condiments off her clothes and then continued to eat, knowing her prolonged presence in the cafeteria with Minako often angered them further at her subtle show of defiance.
Sadly, She was beginning to despise ketchup though.
When a lengthened period of attacks passed and hadn't stopped, Minako, Ami and Makoto began to see the light after her skillful lying and hiding skills had run out, deteriorating with her weariness. They had been suspicious over the way she mysteriously began to constantly forget her change of clothes for gym but had backed off at her insistence. It was only in a matter of days that they soon expressed their worry for her when they became completely aware of the fact that her 'legitimate reasons' had actually been lies and excuses. Usagi waved them off and shrugged.
People had become a little more apprehensively merciful with their harassment though.
Usagi raised a brow one day when Minako unleashed a dangerous glare when she thought she wasn't looking. Then Makoto joined in, threatening people by holding up capable fists. The protective gestures had been touching, but unnecessary. Usagi continued her days unaffected. She was not going to talk to Setsuna about this. But then even Ami—sweet, reasonable Ami began to let a roll of scathing comments loose when people attempted to verbally assault her when pranks eternally ceased to rattle her.
When even the normally shy, peace-keeping Ami lost her temper, Usagi was left to re-evaluate her situation.
Was it really getting that bad? She frowned, the reason for their sudden animosity continued to remain anonymous. It wasn't until she walked down the hall, thinking of skipping P.E. class today that she passed by a group of girls near the bathroom whispering fervently about her wrong-doings.
--
"—trying to gain Chiba-kun's attention like that. Who does she think she is, putting a slip in his locker? She probably threw herself at him on the first day and still hasn't gotten over the fact that he's rejected her."
Usagi narrowed her eyes. Chiba again.
Aah, the fangirls. Of course.
But why do they think it was her that put a note in his locker? They barely even talked or hung out, how could she possibly know where his locker was?
"I don't know...Tsukino-san doesn't really seem like that. She barely says a word, Yukina-chan."
"Oh, Kairi-chan...haven't you learned? It's always the quiet ones you should watch out for."
"I don't know..." the one called Kairi hesitated. Her meek protest went unheard.
"And that little whore thinks she's above fighting back. Have you seen the way she just brushes things off like they're nothing?!"
"But...I admire Tsukino-san for her level temper though...and she doesn't seem like a bad pers—"
"Shut up, Kairi!" The one called Yukina snapped. "God, you should know that people are just fakes. Nobody's for real except for some people like us."
Well, that was mildly hypocritical.
"Tsukino isn't one of them. You're just a wuss. What are you, scared that Tsukino-san will hate you? You're pathetic, if anything you should hate her! She's the one who's new, invading our school like she belongs here and taking Chiba-kun away from..."
There was a rustle as they went into the stalls of the bathroom. Usagi missed the name of the person she had supposedly taken Chiba from.
"I mean it's so obvious that they belong together!" Yukina continued as they walked out to touch up their make-up. "They look so good next to each other and if I have to lose Chiba-kun to anyone, then I'll be glad it'll be to her. At least she's one of us, so she deserves him. Not like Tsukino. What kind of name is 'rabbit' anyway? Her parents must've been high. Or maybe it's just her slutty alter-ego—"
Slut...slut...slut.
I'll make you feel good...good...good...my fair bunny. I'll take care of you—
The thoughts hit her conscience dully.
"Tch, and to think...she's related to Aino-sempai! Hah, what a disgrace."
"Maybe we should go Yukina-chan. We're going to be late—"
She walked away. She didn't need to hear this anymore. Her steps were rapid and soundless against the linoleum floor of the halls.
On second thought, P.E. sounds good right about now.
She walked quickly to her locker, and felt a small sliver of gratitude at her gym strip being where she left it for once. She'd have to thank Setsuna for offering her another lock. The woman had a strange way of knowing things. She slipped the white shorts on, tugging a little so they covered to mid-thigh. As she slipped her boots off and pushed her feet into her blacks sneakers she pulled the hem of the uniform's black t-shirt to her waist and tightened her ponytail out of habit.
--
"Tsukino? Where's Tsukino?"
Usagi jogged onto the upper field. "Hai!"
"You're late, Tsukino." her teacher answered gruffly.
Usagi bowed, contrite. "I'm sorry, Himura-sensei. It won't happen again."
Himura-sensei was a broad-shouldered man in his early thirties. His hair was short and he wore his clothes practically for the subject he taught at Azabu. He observed the young girl critically, noticing how she stayed in her submissive bow. She must've felt his hard stare as her azure eyes peered up at him through the shroud of her unruly fringe. His stare clashed against her own, and her back straightened unnoticeably to anyone else.
"It better not happen again."
Usagi rose from her bow, looking him in the eye fearlessly.
"Thank you, sensei."
He turned his onyx gaze away from her.
Hmph, interesting.
He gave it a slight thought before dropping the duffel bag of soccer balls to the ground.
"We'll be playing elimination. Half of you will play on the left side of the field, half of you on the right. Beat the teams you verse and you go on to play the winners from the game on either side. Understood? Groups of five. Make it quick." Himura-sensei explained. "Tsukino, once you've got a team get on the field. Are we clear?"
"Crystal."
As Himura-sensei walked away, Usagi became surrounded by the three girls she was beginning to accept. They wouldn't be leaving her alone anytime soon anyway.
"So what was the hold-up, Usa?" came Makoto's boisterous voice.
Minako's voice came next. "Yeah, I thought you weren't going to come again."
Usagi shrugged. "Like I said, I got held up by Renji-sensei. The guy has it out for me."
"Tch, only like everyone else." Makoto quipped.
"Whatever. Where's Ami? We need a group of five."
"Right here, Usagi-chan!" Ami called. She had taken to calling her with the -chan suffix after Usagi told her to drop the -san.
She came up next to Makoto, followed by Rei. Upon seeing each other the two radical opposites of the group gave each other strained nods. Ami looked apologetic.
Usagi turned. "Let's go."
"God, we're coming, Tsukino. Who made you leader?"
"Touchy." Usagi smirked as Rei bristled. "Himura did. Satisfied?"
There was a stare-down. Each respective eyes said words they wouldn't voice in front of their audience.
I don't like you. was what Rei's said, molten violet eyes snapping.
Usagi raised a perfectly arched brow, cerulean eyes glittering. You don't have to.
"Move it, ladies!"
"Tch. After you, Tsukino." Rei extended an arm in mock courtesy.
The three spectators watched the exchange, poleaxed as they followed the two girls to the field.
"Alright, positions!" the group of five arranged themselves accordingly.
Makoto and Ami positioned themselves in defensive positions. Makoto's height and agility with Ami's superior sight proving a worthy defense. Minako stationed herself a little in front of them, as she had no real experience with soccer. Rei herself used to play competitive soccer and jogged for position of center forward—the player that went for scoring goals.
Not today. Usagi thought grimly. I could use a little venting.
She stepped into place quickly, stumbling into Rei as though on accident. Rei seethed as Usagi made no move to allow her to play the most aggressive part of the team but took a breath.
"Sorry, Hino-san." She didn't look sorry.
She'll probably get murdered anyway. Rei comforted herself. Azabu has the best soccer players.
"It's fine." Rei bit out. "I'll just play on the side."
Himura-sensei tossed the ball between Usagi and her opponent, a slender girl with dark chocolate eyes and thick honey-brown hair, lighter than that of Makoto's chestnut locks.
Rei inwardly rejoiced. The girl Usagi would have to face was Nagai Eri, a girl of respectable skill in all sports. She looked Eri in the face with respect and found the respect mirrored back at her as Eri gave her a slight grin.
"Play hard ladies, your men are watching!"
Usagi's competitive spirit grew and she bent her kees in ready position, her body tense in wait. There was some cheering from the boys of the class that just arrived, but she ignored it. It had been a while since she played—the girls on the sideline grinned smugly at her and her eyes narrowed—but she would make sure she enjoyed this no matter what.
Was that Yukina-san playing goalie? Usagi wondered. Who knew she could play sports past her fucking gossiping?
Usagi went into game mode, staring past Eri at Yukina. Yukina gave a slight nervous shuffle. She hadn't heard what she said, had she?
Shit.
Himura blew the whistle. Usagi smiled.
You're mine.
The girls either watching or not playing in the game on the other side of the field watched in awe. Eri and Usagi had gone for the ball at the same moment, their long and toned legs extended. Everyone was sure that Eri would get the ball. She had reigned in soccer for nearly forever, just as volleyball was Minako's area of expertise.
But it was with shocking finesse, that Usagi stole the ball from Eri's sure feet.
--
Mamoru walked over towards the girls side of the field with the rest of the boys. Not for the first time, he wondered why Azabu had some units in the physical department be separated from their usual co-ed classes. He found it pointless to separate them just so the girls wouldn't be so over outmatched by the boys. It wasn't like they couldn't keep up with them if they really wanted to.
"Man, I can't believe Himura's actually going to make us watch the girls play soccer today." some of the guys complained the closer they got to the other side.
"Aw, come on you guys. It can't be that bad." Motoki grinned, folding his arms behind his head. "If it makes you feel better, at least you get to watch girls get aggressive. Plus, there's those shorts they wear as part of the school code."
"I didn't take you for a closet pervert, Motoki." Mamoru answered him as the rest of the group murmured appreciatively to themselves, their spirits signicficantly lifted.
Motoki held his hands. "Hey, hey. I only got eyes for Reika."
"Uh huh." Mamoru raked a hand through his windblown hair. "That's why you stare at Aino-san longer than you're supposed to."
Motoki looked away. Their other friend Kunzite, came to his rescue.
"Can it, Mamoru. Everyone knows you got the hots for the new transferee, Tsukino-san." He smirked, an action so unlike him that Mamoru nearly took a double-take. It was almost unnerving how Kunzite's coloring resembled Usagi's with his pale, almost white hair and blue-gray eyes. The only thing setting them apart was his last name and his tanned skin from playing co-captain on the senior boys soccer team that Mamoru led.
Mamoru scowled. "Those are just rumors."
He had heard of how people began terrorizing Usagi soon after the day he received the note in his locker. There was suddenly more hostility towards her, whereas before everyone accepted her, not caring about her existence. Now though, they pranked her, degraded her, insulted her and just did everything they could to make her life a living hell. The reason for the sudden dislike towards Minako's cousin was still obscure to Mamoru but he had a feeling that it had to do with him.
Everyone in Azabu regarded him in high esteem. The girls obsessively hung on to his every word and most guys avoided him out of resentment before they got to know he was relatively apathetic to the attentions of the female population in their school. A part of him felt guilty for becoming curious about Usagi, knowing that if he hadn't taken such an interest people wouldn't be bothering her so much.
It was too late though. He should've been trying to get people to leave her alone but that would only add fuel to the fire, leaving him stuck to turn a blind eye to all the things happening to her.
"They don't seem like rumors to me." Jin griped, the blonde hair he received from being part American, waving in the slight breeze. Mamoru, Kunzite and he had met just last year and though Mamoru didn't trust them the way he trusted Motoki, he could admit to appreciating their company.
The two other boys of their small rag-tag group were Nasaki and Jin's brother Zach, though they called him Zoi for no other reason except for a childhood incident that caused the name to stick. Their parents had found it humorous to name their younger son with a name foreign to Japan while Jin received an average Japanese name. The six young men weren't necessarily friends but had grown exceptionally close due to many afternoons at soccer practice.
"It's true, Mamoru." Zoi nagged. "Ever since she got here, you've started skipping again."
He was always the most academically dedicated.
"Ooh, what have you been doing with Minako's cousin? Going off in secret for a little action?"
"Despite what you think, I'm not interested in Tsukino-san." Mamoru denied. "I respect her because she's Aino-san's cousin and I respect Minako. Besides, Tsukino doesn't bother me like the rest of the idiotic girls at this school."
"Okay, okay." Motoki placated, holding his hands up. "Whatever you say.You don't like her—"
"I still say he's crushing on her." Kunzite sniffed, before glaring at Nasaki.
Nasaki had punched him in the arm. "Leave Mamoru alone, Kunzite. Don't get cranky because the girl you like is dense."
"I don't like Minako." Kunzite muttered under his breath, but he quickened his pace until they were all standing at the sidelines with the rest of the guys.
Usagi and Eri's teams had already set up. Jin whistled. "Man, check out Tsukino's legs."
"Shut up, Jin."
"I thought you didn't like her, Mamoru."
He glared and the group silenced. "Look, can we just watch the fucking game?"
He turned back to the game, ignoring it when Rei as well as the girls standing on the sidelines with them gave him surreptitious looks. He observed Usagi carefully, knowing that she wasn't paying attention to him by the determined expression on her face.
There was something different about her today. She looked more alive, angrier.
"I feel bad for Tsukino's team. They're going to get crushed," came the imperious comments of the girls standing next to them.
"No kidding. She'll probably miss all her goals."
"Or better yet, she'll trip over her own feet trying to get the ball there!" The girls laughed, raucous and snide.
It grated on Mamoru's nerves. He stared at them coldly and they immediately shut up.
Motoki and the others laughed but watched with attention. It had to be interesting if Tsukino was going to play, after all.
Himura blew the whistle. It gave a loud screech...
Her breathing had escalated from the adrenaline. She felt hot and light with the need to exert the extra energy. The whistle had gone off.
The next thing Mamoru and everyone else knew, the ball dropped and Usagi's leg lashed out. She kicked the ball through the opening in Eri's stance and twisted around the girl with flawless—almost primal grace. A slight flick of her ankle and the ball was in her control. Usagi streaked towards the opposite net. She avoided all the other team's eager defenders like it was the easiest thing she'd ever done. And when she had ran for a few minutes, stopping a fair distance away from the net she kicked the ball.
The ball went arcing towards the net swiftly. The girl playing goal-keeper who he recognized as Moriyama Yukina from freshman year, looked so stricken with fear by the speed and force with which the ball moved. The ball was zooming in fast, but Yukina still didn't move. She stood, completely immobile and suddenly panicked. What do you do when you play goalie again, she wondered before she was hit with faultless accuracy. There was a sickening thud as the the soccer ball made contact with the girl's soft stomach.
"Oomph!" she grunted, flying backwards. She was cushioned by the crisscrossing pattern of the net before keeling over.
There was unanimous silence as people stopped to let what they just observed sink in. Tsukino Usagi—the slip of a girl who looked harmless—was more than they all expected.
Yukina was pale when she collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath as the ball bounced away, suddenly harmless as it rolled to her right. There was a flurry of voices once Usagi lowered her leg.
"That was the craziest shit I ever saw! Go, Tsukino!" Jin howled before muttering, decibels lower. "Damn, that's hot."
"Oh my God! Did you see that?!"
"What the hell!" Kunzite and Zoi gawked.
"She was trying to kill Yukina-san!"
One of Yukina's friends—was it Kairi?—ran over to her in concern, slinging her arm over her shoulders.
"Good thinking, Moriyama! Of course you're supposed to stand still when a ball's flying at 'ya like that! " Himura-sensei commented with false approval before scowling. "For God's sake, Yukina—move next time. It's your own damn fault you got hit. Tsukino, I ain't gonna ask you to apologize—whatever happened Yukina must've deserved it, you look mighty pissed off. And I don't know what shit you're trying to pull but you better not take out every goalie on the opposite side."
Usagi gave Yukina a rueful look, crossing her arms. She looked so fearlessly combatant.
"Holy shit." Mamoru breathed.
She wasn't even winded and she looked the exact opposite of contrite despite the pain that tortured Yukina's face. In fact, she looked...grimly satisfied? Mamoru paused, thinking at that but found that it was plausible for Usagi to look unrepentant. She had spent weeks being penalized by teachers and ostracized by peers.
And Yukina was always known to be a gossip. Mamoru remembered. She probably did something to piss Usagi off.
"And another thing, Tsukino. Those are some fine legs you got, but you best give some leeway to them goalies from now on now that ya scared all the girls and guys shitless. Do another person like that and you won't have to skip my class, I'll kick you out."
Wait. She'd never given him permission to refer to her with her first name—
Usagi didn't look to be listening or surprised that she was caught. She was watching Yukina get off the field with her friend.
It all happened so fast. Mamoru thought, dazed. But he was brought out of his reverie when he felt her stare on him as Yukina and Kairi walked by him. She looked to be a little questioning for whatever reason. He didn't really approve of what she did, but he didn't disapprove of it either.
He crossed his arms. Was that really necessary?
She snorted, almost incredulously.
"Did ya hear what I just said?" Himura-sensei grumbled.
Her eyes were smoldering as she looked at him steadily. "Loud and clear, Himura."
Of course it was.
"Alright!" Himura-sensei clapped his hands. "Winner, Tsukino's team! Take a break. Aino, cool your hothead of a cousin off, will ya?"
"Uh, y-yes sir!" Minako stuttered, stunned as they made their way off the field.
His lips twitched in amusement.