Your Typical New Kid

by

Stars of Gold

Chapter 13: Competition

That very same night (A/N: same day as the last chapter, not including the Specials), Emi stomped angrily into her room, slamming the door behind her. "DAMN YOU NARUMI!" She screamed at the top of her lungs. She knew that he wouldn't be able to hear, because the walls were perfectly soundproof. Taiki, who had been lounging in a corner of her room, looked up from the magazine he was reading. "What's wrong, Emi?" He murmured, dropping the magazine and bringing her into a hug. She was about to reply, rather angrily, might I add, when Taiki cut her off by kissing her on the lips to calm her down.

A few moments later, he'd pulled away, and she was much more calm than before. "Thank you. Narumi gave me another job. He wants me to sing at the Last Dance. I also have to find a duet partner." She paused, then looked up at Taiki. "Taiki-kun, would you mind doing me a favor?" He froze. "Please would you sing with me at the last dance?" She asked sweetly, staring up at him from beneath her eyelashes. "No." He said stiffly. "Please? I'd do anything," She pleaded. He considered. "Anything?"

"Anything."

"Well, then, in that case, I want..."

"Yes?"

"Matrimony."

"...WHAT?"

He laughed. "Don't worry, I'm just kidding. But anything, you say?"

She nodded. "Anything except for matrimony. We're way too young for that."

"Hmm...Would you give up your matchmaking plans for a month?"

"A week." She bargained.

"Three weeks."

"Two weeks."

"Deal." And they shook on it.

"Great! So now we're all set. Practice starts tomorrow at seven; I'll come by at six to wake you up." He groaned, but gave her a short and sweet kiss before glancing at the clock on the wall. "I'd better go. It's getting pretty late. Night." She smiled slightly and nodded once. "Oyasumi, Taiki."

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"Taiki, it's time to get up." She said softly into his ear, just as she knew his mother always would. He groaned, saying, "Mom, can't I just have five more minutes...?"

"Taiki, Emi will be waiting for you at the bus stop. You don't want to keep her waiting now, do you?" Emi said in a perfect imitation of his mother's voice, enjoying this little game. "No, I don't." He agreed, then turned over to meet her bright blue eyes. "Gyaah! You're not my mother!" He exclaimed, startled. "But your eyes are familiar. Where have I seen them before...?" Emi giggled uncharacteristically. Taiki blinked. "I'm your girlfriend. Don't you remember?"

"Girlfriend?"

"Yes, Watanabe Emi. You don't remember me?"

"E-Emi? My g-girlfriend?"

"Yes. Now, it's almost time for practice. You agreed to do it last night, so get out of your bed and get cleaned up. I'll be in the kitchen if you need me."

She walked off to the kitchen, leaving Taiki utterly confused.

Thankfully, he was much less confused after his bath, and greeted Emi from behind with a hug around her waist and a kiss on her cheek. She smiled playfully as she placed bacon and eggs on his dining table. "So do you remember me now? Or do I have to remind you?" He sighed. "Shut up," He mumbled, burying his face into her hair. "It was so funny. It was as if we - mmmph!" She never go to finish that sentence, as he had jammed his lips over hers.

She was taken by surprise, but adapted to the situation and turned around so that she was facing him, their lips never parting. He moved his arms slightly to allow her to turn, but locked them down onto her waist as soon as she turned fully. She tangled her fingers into his tousled brown hair and he ran his tongue over her lips, seeking entry. She obliged, parting her lips and shoving her own tongue into his mouth. They explored each other's mouths for some time before she pulled away, gasping for air. "No time for that, Taiki-kun. It's almost time for band practice. Eat up, eat up!"

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"Ohayo, minna." Emi greeted as she stepped into the room, pulling Taiki behind her. Several murmurs were heard in reply, and as Taiki looked around, he realized that he knew none of these people. No, wait... He squinted, then blanched. Nanaho. She was his old partner, the one who had been overly possessive of him. He almost turned to run, but Emi, who did not let go of his hand, glanced at him reassuringly before meeting Nanaho's icy stare. The tension rose in the room as the two had a brief staring match, but Nanaho looked away first, and Emi walked away the victor. The others tensed as Nanaho began to bite the inside of her cheek, her face furious. Finally, Emi addressed their leader. "Hara-san, we are here for band practice. I believe that you are the ones who will be playing the musical accompaniment to the Festival's Last Dance, am I right?"

"Damn right we are, and we're gonna knock their socks off, right boys?" Their classmate, Hara Ayumi was enthusiastic, turning to the band behind her. "I'm a girl, Ayumi-san." Nanaho reminded her, looking slightly annoyed. "Right, right, gomen, Nanaho-chan. Anyway, Emi-chan, Taiki-kun, you guys ready to sing for us?"

Emi smiled at her and nodded once. Taiki grinned, a gleam in his eyes. "Let's do it." The group broke out in cheers, and Emi squeezed his hand, smiling up at him gratefully. He winked, then turned to Nanaho, (whose eyes were questioning) giving a slight nod. Without speaking, the two girls already knew why he was doing this.

I want to see how well you two can get along, his eyes read. "I couldn't get along with her, so how are you going to?" He murmured to Emi. She smirked, looking up at him through the corner of her eye, and whispered back. "As far as I'm concerned, I've already won the first and second round. It's just a matter of time before I win the third, fourth, fifth and sixth." She turned her gaze to Nanaho, having a conversation through her Alice, telepathy.

She flicked her blue eyed gaze to Taiki for a second, then turned back. You wanna compete with me for him, don't you? She asked in her mind. Nanaho too glanced at Taiki, then returned to Emi, determination burning in her dark brown eyes. Yes, but without his knowing. She replied.

I don't want to fight with you.

Too late. You started the fight ever since you arrived here, princess. You ruined my chance with him.

So you want me to simply disappear?

Yes.

Deal. I'll stay away for one week, and if you can get him by then, I'll back off.

How will I know if you stay away?

Nonoko-chan will give him a Truth Serum - of a sort.

Alright. But I'm going with you when you get that Truth Serum. I want to make sure that it works.

Alright. Now, let's start practice; everyone's staring at us.

And indeed, they were staring while the two had been having the silent conversation, but they were more curious than anything, knowing Nanaho's Alice. Then they blinked.

"Come, let us start practice. What song shall we begin with?" Emi asked, making several people jump. "Um, let's begin with Valentine..."

So how was it? Review please.

Stars of Gold