A/N: G00d day, dear reader.. It's yuki here again, writing again n0w that's sch00l's finally out (th0ugh n0t f0r g00d, waahh..).. Wahehe.. Anyway, last chappie, Mi-chan's starting t0 d0 'the m0ves' f0r Yanagi, and during the princess' birthday, Fuuk0 t00k part in the Ice Bl0ck's preparati0n.. It was supp0sed t0 be just an 0rdinary hunt f0r the perfect birthday gift, but seemed like it garnered m0re results than expected.. Yihi.. Wahehe.. Well, read 0n..
Disclaimer: Flame of Recca still d0esn't bel0ng t0 me… sigh… I wish it d0es, though…
Special Thanks:
T0 Lime,
Waah, s0rry f0r n0t updating a.s.a.p.. I really d0n't kn0w if this chappie w0uld satisfy y0u, but I really h0pe it w0uld.. superb fic? What a flattering descripti0n.. thank y0u.. mwah..
T0 chid0ri-san,
Yep, here's the c0ntinuati0n.. h0pe y0u'll like it..
T0 Aruka Arishima (presently Sabaku n0 Aruka),
Waahhh.. I'm really very s0rry f0r n0t being able t0 reply t0 y0ur mail.. s0rry.. it was l0st in my mailb0x.. s0rry.. :'( Anyway, I h0nestly want t0 thank y0u f0r y0ur review.. n0w that I've updated, I h0pe y0u will be able t0 update as well.. kn0w what? I really really miss y0u that I'm awfully s0rry that I've been unable t0 reply t0 y0u.. :'( G0d bless.. thanks again f0r the review.. this chappie's f0r y0u.. labyu..
T0 ShinjuJaganshi,
Y0ur welc0me.. thanks f0r y0ur review t00.. I l0ve Hiei as well, and I'm thinking ab0ut writing a yyh fic.. wahehe..
T0 applepower,
Thank y0u.. let me tell y0u that I'm really flattered.. h0pe y0u'll like this 0ne as much as y0u liked the previ0us chap..
T0 TIMES,
Thanks.. h0pe y0u'll like this chappie as well..
T0 Tokio Naotaki,
N0 need t0 be s0rry.. I'm really thankful that y0u were able t0 review the sec0nd chappie.. reviews uplift my spirit much, especially when I'm d0wn.. anyway, I l0ve the t0fuu pairing as well.. they're really s0 cute t0gether.. and d0n't y0u w0rry, I'll d0 my best t0 keep 0n writing and updating.. I'm d0ing this all f0r y0u readers.. G0d bless..
T0 iced-fractals,
Kate, nag-update na k0… wahehe.. thanks a l0t f0r y0ur review.. s0ri kasi ang tagal k0ng mag-update ha.. sulat ka naman sa f0r.. (mag-recruit b?) wahehe.. waahh, miss k0 na h0n.. sana classmates uli tay0 next year.. miss y0u.. salamat uli.. para se0 t0h, sana magustuhan m0.. labyu..
T0 J0mai,
Thank y0u.. here's the c0ntinuati0n.. h0pe y0u'll like it..
T0 Yanagi-chyan,
Waahh.. y0u actually reviewed! Thank y0u very much.. I'm s0 glad that y0u liked my fic.. h0pe y0u w0n't be disapp0inted with this chappie.. and by the way, c0ngratz f0r having finished 't0 catch a husband'.. w0ah, y0u're a fast writer.. and a great 0ne.. wai.. thanks a l0t again.. and s0rry c0z it's written in Fuuk0's POV, s0 maybe Mi-chan's feelings are s0mewhat hidden.. but still, h0pe y0u'll c0ntinue reading.. G0d bless..
And n0w, 0n t0 chap 3..
CRUEL FATE
By: yuki kawaii
I smiled, and I felt like laughing. I glanced at Tokiya but he shifted his gaze away from me. I shrugged. Why was I surprised anyway? After all, he knew that I was financially incapable of buying Yanagi a gift; I should have known that he'd share the gift with me.
But still, I couldn't seem to accept what he had done, and that he did that. That happening was just so impossible. It was so nice of him. So unlike him. I shook the thought away as Yanagi took the cake from the fridge. Mmmm, the icing looked totally yummy, having it freeze in the fridge for a while. The word fridge echoed twice in my mind as I imagined the white icing of the cake turning silver.
CHAPTER 3: CLOSING THE GAP
As more days passed, the gap between me and Tokiya decreased, although it never came to the point where he was outwardly warm and open to me. He was the same Fridge Boy, and I was happy about that. When we were with the gang he still treated me coldly and gave me his ice cold glares whenever I messed with him, and on special occasions he addressed me with "monkey" like he always did. But yet, I couldn't deny the fact that things have changed between us - a lot.
I really couldn't tell when it started. Was it when we went out together in search for the perfect gift for Yanagi? Hmm, maybe that event counts. But maybe it was also during the lunchtime of one particular day when coincidentally, we were both unable to prepare our packed lunches during the morning. And so, the two of us went down to eat at the cafeteria, becoming somewhat isolated from the rest of the gang.
He let me fall in line before him, right behind a school staff. "I've never imagined you being a gentleman." I told him teasingly as I received the tray that he handed over to me. I gave him a mocking grin, and he seemed slightly annoyed. I was amused.
"Really?" He shot back. I actually thought he took my statement as a compliment, but it seemed like he accepted it as something far from that. "You're obviously more feminine than I am on most occasions, so I've always imagined you being a gentle man." He commented, making the word 'gentleman' two separate words, an adjective pertaining to a noun. "Definitely, a man who's more feminine than masculine – a gentle man" He added, emphasizing his last two words.
I shot him a glare, but before I could bark a wise remark at him, I was distracted when I accidentally bumped the tray of the man before me. I really didn't give a thing on who he was or what he was buying; all I cared about was that he was a big important man buying a slimy something which he accidentally poured on my me and my precious shoes when he attempted to straighten his tray that I have carelessly bumped. Got that?
"Eep!" I reacted in a little too girlish way, immediately withdrawing my foot but being unable to save it from the mess. "Watch out, you freak!" I demanded, and the man looked at me, puzzled. Yeah, it's Fuuko Kirisawa shouting at a school staff and calling him a freak. I then mumbled several apologies and he looked like he wanted to kick me out of school, but he just nodded and walked away after being given another bowl of slimy soup. Whew, I actually thought I was safe. But when he was about three meters away, he looked back and told me calmly, "Meet me at the guidance office after class, freak." And his statement garnered a round of applause from the audience.
I froze. So, that was how it felt when you were called a freak in front of everybody. Especially when you did acted like a freak. Everybody's eyes were on me then, but hell, who cared? I didn't, I told myself bravely. Or maybe, I did. I looked around. Guys were laughing at how weak I seemed to look. Yahoo, Kirisawa the tomboy actually screamed girlishly just because of some soup and placed her bravery at the wrong place. On the other hand, girls were smirking at how awful I looked. Trying-hard Kirisawa attempts on a lunch date with the star Mikagami, and ends up looking gross and idiotic, thus shaming her date.
Hell, who cared! I wanted to scream my lungs out. But, as I felt awfully uncomfortable as I stood there being watched by everyone, it seemed like I did care after all. Will you just stop looking at me, please! My vision was blacking out and I clenched my fist tightly.
"Hey." I was distracted. My momentum was lost. I felt a hand on my shoulder. A comforting hand. A hand which actually spoke, "I'm still here with you". His hand Caring.
I sighed, and I could feel my fist loosening its grip. Good thing. Whew. I was actually readying myself to pounce on every living thing in the cafeteria and tear them to death.
"You look awful. Clean yourself. Now." The star behind me commanded. Thanks, I always knew that friends make you feel good when you feel bad. Well hey Mikagami, you just did. Thanks a lot, you jerk. But I guess I'm feeling too awful to speak those things out to you.
I sighed. Maybe I should just follow his advice, or his command, rather.
I nodded, I handed him my wallet, I left. Simple as that. But until I was at the comfort room I could still feel people's eyes burying through me, as if they've just read the headline on the newspaper: Fuuko Kirisawa – as eye-catching as Tokiya Mikagami in her own lousy way. Bravo, bravo. To hell with you all.
As I enter the comfort room, I wished I was able to bring packed lunch that day. So that I wouldn't be at the cafeteria that moment. So that I wouldn't line up behind that moron. So that… I wouldn't shame Mikagami. And then I thought, did he regret being with me at that time? Somehow, I felt like I've no face to show him anymore.
Still, I walked back to the cafeteria after cleaning myself. Will he still be waiting for me? Probably not. If I've been so embarrassed about looking like a rotten freak, maybe his thrice as embarrassed being with a rotten freak. Hey, that's just Mikagami-like, right? Maybe I'd just buy myself a new meal. I reached into my pocket for my wallet. And then I remembered - he has my wallet. So, maybe I'd just starve myself to death.
I was about to walk out from the cafeteria yet again when I heard someone call my name.
"Hey, Kirisawa!" Deep masculine, fully controlled call. So, he didn't left me out. Good for me. The opposite for him. I actually saw girls scowling at how he seemed not to mind eating with me after the incident.
I walked on to the table where he was, and sat opposite him. I started to eat without a word. In my silence, I heard everyone around us talking about us – about how Tokiya Mikagami was so kind and thoughtful that he tolerated eating with the lousy freak.
For the first time in my life, I've felt really, really down. I was so down that I skipped all my classes that afternoon. But heck, I never forgot to drop by the guidance office. Another sin was all that I needed to be kicked out of school.
I walked along the desolate corridor; I was too tired to drop by the locker room. Guess all I needed then was a good night rest.
As I strode by the back door, I could make out a figure in the dark. The figure walked towards me and as the last sunrays of the day showered upon him, my expectations on who he was were made true. So, what was up? Don't tell me he was waiting for me. No way on earth would he do that.
But, as he stared back at me wordlessly in a calm manner, it seemed like he really was waiting for me. I continued my walk home and he simply followed my pace. We walked in total silence that I wanted to scream for no reason, but I just kept my mouth shut. In our serenity, the events of the day replayed in my mind. I frowned. What a mess!
I felt a hand gently pat the top of my head, resting there for a moment. I dropped him a quizzical look, but he was looking straight ahead. He slowly guided my head to rest on his shoulder, and I let him. The feeling was too comforting to decline. For some time, I silently thanked God for giving me the Ice Block. Who could have guessed that he'd be the one to be with me at that weary moment, to chase away my blues?
After some minutes that seemed like blissful eternity, I felt his hand carefully withdrawing. I almost frowned for the lost of security that I've felt, but then, when I saw that we were already at the intersection where our paths would part, I mentally scolded myself for hoping to be with him forever. Let's just say that I've felt like a vulnerable child who never wanted to part from her caring mother. Ugh, nevermind.
"Hey, thanks for waiting up for me. It would be quite spooky to walk home alone, huh?" I tried to sound cheery, but I guess it sounded more pitiful than anything else. Like I owe him my whole life because he's been there in my weary moment. I sighed. Why was I feeling all too gloomy anyway?
He nodded. Just that. And he stared. Like he was studying me. Weird how I felt uncomfortable under his stare.
"Don't look at me like that." I made a shooing gesture and tried to sound casual. But, he never budged. Now, why was I feeling nervous?
He reached down into his pocket, but his stare never left me. I saw him pull out my wallet.
"Here." He spoke as he handed it to me. I grinned. "Thanks! I almost forgot about it." I laughed, but it came out to show how nervous I was then.
Stupid Fuuko, what are you nervous about?
He smiled a smile that every girl would die for, and my own smile faded for an unknown reason. I instinctively looked at him as I reached for my wallet, and I felt myself captivated by his stare, drowning in his eyes. And then I heard my own heart loudly thumping, and felt the tips of his fingers brush across my palm as he placed the wallet there. For God knows why, I felt like I was going to faint because of his handsomeness.
"You're gaping like an idiotic monkey who just saw a 30-feet tall banana."
"Huh?" And then I was back to earth. Oh, the stupid moron! What have you just said!
"I told you that you were gaping like an idiotic monkey who just saw a 30-feet tall banana." He told me once again, much to my dismay.
"Oh yeah? Well you're acting like a cold and hideous monster from who-knows-where, announcing domination over a place that you've just invaded." I retorted. "Like an alien or something." I added after a second of doubt.
"Look who's talking." He shot back with a smirk. "May I ask you? Who among us was the one who just went back to earth a minute ago?" His eyes flashed triumphantly.
A was stuttering for some seconds. "Uhm.. I was uh.. hey, who told you-"
"Earth calling Fuuko." He injected in a monotone. "Earth calling Fuuko." He repeated once again, and then his third attempt was cut when I grabbed his collar.
"Stop it, or I'll make you incapable of saying even one more word in your whole life." Like, it was out of my mouth before I could stop myself. But instead of seeing a shocked or a glaring Mikagami before me, what I witnessed was a laughing one. I was the one surprised at his unexpected reaction.
"Oh yeah?" He questioned. And then he released his crumpled collar from my hold. "Maybe you could try doing that tomorrow." He said, and he casually left me behind, Fuuko Kirisawa gaping once again. He looked back, now smirking, and pointed at my dropped jaw. And his mocking laughter rang into my ears.
I could feel the blood in my head boiling with anger. Mikagami, you got me this time, but I'll never let you laugh at me again. How dare you make me weak using your adorable laughter? I winced when I realized that I've just used an intolerable adjective to describe his laughter. I huffed and was off towards home.
As I walked, my head started to cool. I noticed that I was still holding on to something – my wallet. Weird how I managed to strangle him with an occupied hand. I laughingly shook my head.
And then, I noticed something peeking out from my wallet's folds. I opened it and saw a piece of paper inside. I took hold of it and slid the wallet into my bag.
Open the folds one by one. The instruction was written neatly on the paper. It took me a while to remember whose handwriting it was. I opened the first fold.
Stop frowning. I figured it was a command, more than anything else. I opened the next fold.
Why? He wasted a fold just for that? I laughed. What's the big deal if he did, anyway? I continued on.
It makes you look more like a monkey. Veins throbbed impatiently at my temples. Thanks for the encouragement, are there more? Next.
No, more like a gorilla. Next, please. I tapped my foot edgily.
It makes you look older than you seem to be. And, how old did I seem to be? The next fold answered my question.
(which is about 30). Oh, and you even put a smiley flashing a peace sign, huh? I knew that my face was already red in anger.
And mainly, Ooh, a cliffhanger. I opened the last fold.
It doesn't suit you. It doesn't suit me?
For a moment, all my anger was gone. What did he mean with that? It doesn't suit you. I read once again. Did he mean that smiling was what suited me?
I was filled with confusion all throughout my walk home. Every step that I took, it was only one certain lad that I thought about. His image, his attitude, his actions, his letter…
I stopped, and suddenly, the image of him smiling as he handed me my wallet flashed across my mind.
It made my heart melt.
I shook my head, and I ran. Faster and faster, like something was following me. I was scared, very scared. I knew what was happening to me, and I wished that this feeling would just go away. Gosh, I was probably falling in love, and I hated it!
TSUZUKU
A/N: Yey, it's finished! I'm very s0rry that it t00k me a l0ng time t0 finish it. And s0rry c0z I think.. it isn't g00d en0ugh.. well, what d0 y0u think? Anyway, I h0pe y0u'll leave me a review.. I really need y0ur criticisms (and enc0uragements, if there are s0me).. H0pe y0u'll keep reading my stuff.. Thank y0u very much.. G0d bless y0u guys..
yuki
Wai, d0n't y0u just think that vacati0ns's have m0re things in st0re f0r y0u t0 d0 than sch00l days? Well, I d0 think s0, c0z n0w I've g0t l0ts 0f things 0n my checklist.. anyway, happy vacati0n, every0ne..
Just a tidbit from the next chapter:
"We usually walked home together. Wait, replace usually with always. Our routine never failed, even for a day."
Chapter 4: More than a Friend…