A/N: And I present to you the next chapter! Things are heating up between the two rivals… This chap's set two months after last chappie.
The More You Hate, the More You Love
"Okay class, we've been practicing this play for two months and two weeks now." The teacher announced. "Is everybody ready for the play two weeks from now?"
"Yes!" Everybody replied enthusiastically.
"Great! How about you, Kazuki and Juubei? After all, you guys are the most important characters in this play."
"Of course! I can't wait!" Juubei replied.
"Yeah, I am." Kazuki said halfheartedly. "I'm just not looking forward to the kissing scenes."
Later that day when classes were over, Juubei suddenly approached him, after not doing so for two months. Ever since Kazuki snapped at him that day two months ago when he went to his house after watching a movie with Emina, he stopped teasing him or talking to him, and instead began to hang out with Emina more often. Kazuki, though he acted indifferently, was disturbed with Juubei hanging out with Emina.
"Hey. I'm just wondering if you're still that pissed off at me."
"Why wouldn't I be?" Kazuki answered back dryly.
"Hm, I guess you are, huh. Anyway, why don't we go watch a movie tonight?"
"Approach my house again and I swear this time I'm going to kill you."
"I'll take that as a yes."
"Just try, moron."
"I'll be over at seven."
"No, you won't"
"See yah!"
"Tomorrow."
"No, tonight."
"Whatever."
Later that night, Kazuki found himself (again) delving in his closet for something to wear. Why am I just complying with everything he says? My body is acting on its own!
Later at seven, Juubei came to pick Kazuki up. To his surprise the guards did not stop him. One even waved at him.
"I'm ready." Kazuki emerged from his house looking good in a white and red shirt with jeans.
"Ooh, so you told your guards I'd come?"
"Yeah whatever. But this is the last time I'm going out with you."
"Really, now? I don't think so."
"Humph."
After getting back from the movie three hours later, Kazuki was surprised when Juubei actually pulled him close and gave him a kiss.
"Goodnight."
"Wh-what was that for?"
"Nothing, just a goodnight kiss. See yah tomorrow!"
"Uhh, yeah, whatever. G-goodnight."
The two weeks passed by so fast, and the next thing he knew, Kazuki was dressed up in his real Juliet costume: An ornate and lavishly decorated dark red dress with golden lining and high-heeled silver colored shoes. His hair, which was a little below his shoulders now, was allowed to flow freely, and he was wearing a plain red headband. He tried to stifle a gulp. This is it. My mom and dad even cancelled their business meeting in the US just to attend this play, so I can't let them down. I must act well! I will, as long as Juubei's the prince. Kazuki slapped his forehead. What the hell am I saying? I couldn't care less if Juubei's the prince… right?
Juubei was also dressed in his real Romeo costume: A blue and white striped shirt with rounded long white sleeves and blue pants with black shoes. Mom and dad are here… What will be their reaction when they see me kiss Kazuki? I mean, they even turned down an important offer from their client in London just to be here… I have to act well!
And so the play started, with the Chorus (a random student) starting the recitation of the prologue.
Two households, both alike in dignity, in fair Verona, where we lay our scene, from ancient grudge break to new mutiny, where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loints of these two foes a pair of star-crossed lovers take their life; whose misadventured piteous overthrows do with their death bury their parents' strife. The fearful passage of their death-marked love, and the continuance of their parents' rage, which, but their children's end, naught could remove, is now the two hours traffic of our stage; the which if you with patient ears attend, what here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
Skipping to the last scene…
Yea, noise? Then I'll be brief. O happy dagger! This is thy sheath; there rust, and let me die. (Juliet)
Kazuki stabbed himself, and blood gushed out. They put a pad inside his dress and a bag of artificial blood, so no need to worry here, folks XD. He grabbed Juubei's hand and collapsed on him.
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A glooming peace this morning with it brings. The sun for sorrow will not show his head. Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things; some shall be pardoned, and some punished; for there never was a story of more woe, than this of Juliet and her Romeo. (Prince)
After the play (Which went by quite smoothly), Kazuki got out of his costume and changed into normal clothes. Ginji ran to meet him.
"Kazuki! You did well! I really believe no one could have been better than you." Ginji praised.
"Thanks." Kazuki paused for a while. He then gave Ginji a friendly hug. "I'm so glad I took the time to get to know you and be my best friend."
"Come on, now… Don't speak like you're going to die or something!" Ginji laughed.
"Yeah, I guess, but I'm just thankful you're my best friend." Seeing his parents, he waved goodbye to Ginji and ran over to them.
"Mom, dad, thanks for coming."
"Of course! We wouldn't miss this play for anything in the world. You were great, Kazuki."
Juubei then approached him together with his parents. To their surprise, their parents glared at each other.
"Mom, dad, what's wrong?" Kazuki asked.
"Hmmm, Kakei family, I see. You won't get another chance at securing a client!"
"Oh yeah?! And we'll make sure you don't get invited to a business meeting ever again."
"What the hell's wrong with them? I didn't even know our parents knew each other." Juubei whispered to Kazuki. Kazuki nodded.
"Juubei! Don't talk with anyone from the Fuuchoin family!" Juubei's mom pulled him away.
"And you too, Kazuki! Get back here!" Kazuki's mom pulled him away as well.
"What's happening anyway?" Kazuki asked his parents.
"Those hoodlums betrayed us!"
"We only went away from you because you're doing dirty business!"
"Oh yeah?! You don't have any proof for that, you traitors!"
After that, both families walked out, dragging a confused Juubei and Kazuki with them.
Once they got home, Kazuki's parents told him the story of why they hate the Kakeis.
"We found an enormous oil deposit on the farm we purchased twenty-five years ago. We thought it would make us rich, so we decided to invest in an oil company. We formed the Fuuchoin and Kakei oil company after a couple, Juubei's parents, proposed a partnership. It was going well for fairly eight years, when the Kakeis decided to betray us and walk away with an enormous amount of money. We tried to bring the business back up, and together with my dad's help we brought the company back up again. We sued the Kakeis and filed a lawsuit against them, but they won and so we had no choice but to let them go. They then decided to start a food chain business with the money they stole from us, and we had been in war ever since." Kazuki's dad relayed to him the story.
"But isn't that all over now, dad? I mean, the company's doing very well and we're living a comfortable and luxurious life. Isn't it time to forgive them?"
"Never! Traitors deserve to burn in hell!" Turning to Kazuki he continued more softly, "Anyway, you don't have to worry about all of this now. Go to bed, that play must have made you tired. Goodnight." Kazuki's father kissed him on the forehead and went to their room. Kazuki started up the stairs and went to his own room as well. Before he even realized what he was doing, he picked up the phone in his room and called Juubei.
"Hey, Juubei, did your parents tell you the story on why our parents are angry with each other?"
"Yes. Oooh, I noticed one thing about you."
"Huh?"
"You called me Juubei! Ha! At last!"
"What?! You moron… Don't think this means something…" Kazuki blushed.
"Oh? Then why did you call me?"
"Nothing. I just wanted to know if your parents told you the story. Anyway, goodnight then."
"Yeah, goodnight. Oh, and Kazuki," Juubei paused for a while. "I love you."
"Wh… what?" Before he could even react, Juubei put down the receiver on the other side.
What the hell? Was he joking or was he serious? How the hell does he expect me to answer that? Eeeyaah! Kazuki entertained panicked thoughts until he fell asleep. Oh well. I'm going to confront him tomorrow at school…And I have to talk to Ginji as well…
Meanwhile, Juubei was relieved. Ah there, I finally said it. I have to thank Emina for her advice. So I love Kazuki, huh? Of course I do… Anyway, I gotta face him at school tomorrow so I'd better turn in…
Flashback
Juubei was hanging out with Emina as usual. They were sitting in silence, when Juubei finally spoke up.
"Hey, Emina-san, can I ask for your advice?"
"Of course, Juubei-san. I'll be glad to help you anytime."
"What do I do? I think I feel something for someone but I'm not sure…"
"Do you blush when you're around that person?"
"Yes."
"Do you feel like you always wanna be with that person, or like, you crave seeing that person always?"
"Yes."
"Then you're in love. There's no denying your feelings."
"In… love?"
"Yes."
"Thank you so much, Emina-san! And by the way… Since we're so close now, can I call you Emina?"
"Of course! Can I call you Juubei?"
"Yeah."
"Okay then. Bye! I gotta run now!" Juubei waved happily.
"Yeah! See yah tomorrow!" I wonder if I'm the person he's talking about? I wonder… maybe he'll confess it to me! Emina then walked home, excited on what the day may bring.
End Flashback
Juubei asked me that question almost two months ago now. I wonder if he's too shy? Emina asked herself. I gotta be patient… Emina then went to sleep, excited to go to school on the next day.
End of Chapter
A/N: So how did you like it? Please read and review… I need two positive reviews for me to update!
Explanation notes:
'But' in the context of Romeo and Juliet means 'unless', and 'happy' means 'lucky'.