A hard day's night
"......... And then I kicked him on the shin with all my might and rushed to work. That Medusa guy really had it coming."
Tsukushi closed her eyes to calm herself down. But then the image of that annoying stranger frozen in time came to her and she started giggling.
"Oh Tsukushi, you did not! Hahaha! I can't believe you did that"
"I did and I wished I had aimed a little higher. You should have seen how arrogant he was when he said that I was from the lower class. And he would have punched me if I did not react faster. If he had not delayed me, I will not be late and lost that bonus Mrs. Takeuchi promised."
"You know Tsukushi, I bet you were already itching to kick him before he wanted to hit you. But I do agree that he was no gentleman. To think he wants to beat up a girl. "
"You are like the twin I never had Yuki You really know me. Let's not talk about that baka. Let's talk about the preparation of the party. Kenshee came by the shop earlier to tell me that he saw you preparing the party all by yourself. Has Yumi been bullying you again? She is the head of the organizing committee; she should at least help out."
"It was nothing of a big deal. Anyway, it will be better without her around. She will raise hell if she happens to break her nails while arranging the chairs or something. "
"I felt so bad that I did nothing to help with the preparation Yuki. It should be everyone's duty since the party is for all of us. "
"Don't be Tsukushi. You have to work Not many of us have to earn their own living at this age. Moreover your family needs the money. So you just try to come straight from work so that you get to enjoy my masterpiece. I also made your favorite apple pie. So be there fast or I won't guarantee you will get to eat one."
"Thanks Yuki. And I know you save one for me. Just don't let them push you around. After all, you might not see them after the party."
"Exactly the point Tsukushi. I want to end my junior high memories without leaving any grudges. Yawn......Well, it's getting late and both of us got to wake up early tomorrow.
"Yawn..... You are right. And yawning is contagious. Good night Yuki. See you tomorrow."
"Yap, goodnight"
Makino Tsukushi would like to just stay lying on the floor and sleep. But knowing that her brother would probably step on her when he wakes up to go to the bathroom, she dragged herself up to go to the bedroom her whole family shared. Just as she about to open the door, she noticed the kitchen light was on.
'Someone has forgotten to turn the lights off. What a waste of electricity. 'Tsukushi thought.
She walked towards the kitchen but stopped short when she saw Mama Makino seated at the dinning table back facing her. Mama Makino hunched a little with her head rested on her hand. Then Tsukushi heard her mother sniffled. Walking closer she saw that Mama Makino has a piece of hand-written letter in her other hand. The dinning table had some bills strewn across it.
"Mama." Tsukushi called out softly and put her hands on her mother's shoulder. Mama Tsukushi immediately crushed the letter and pressed her hand down firmly at the letter before turning around face Tsukushi.
"What is the letter about Mama? Why are you crying?" asked Tsukushi worriedly.
"Oh, I am all right. I am just feeling sentimental. The letter is from a childhood friend and when he mentioned about our childhood days, I was feeling nostalgic."
"But you looked so sad and didn't seem to want me to see the letter."
"Of course I do not want you to see the letter. It's about the embarrassing stuffs I did when I was a child. And I could not help feeling sad when I remember how carefree I was as a child and now ...well, look at the table."
Tsukushi felt sorry for her mother. "Things will look up Mama. They always do" Then she gave her mother a smile. The signature smile of Makino Tsukushi always reassures people around her and this time was no exception.
It's after midnight at Rui's room, the F3s are still held hostage by their leader. Luckily for Rui, he is a sound sleeper. And a little chaos like the F3 roaring, complaining, fighting and yelling does not affect him.
"Soujiro and Akira will go to the party. Before four thirty Akira will have to seduce her and drive her to the woods. I and Rui will be watching from the tree house I got them to build. After you ditch her, you join us at the tree house. I have gotten some guys to hide behind the bushes. When she is alone, they will spray colored ink at her. Which Wahahahaha! That will show her to go against me!"
"Yawn! How did you get the tree house and the people with the spray so soon? You just add these to your plan an hour ago."Akira asked.
"So I will just have to make a few calls, duh."
"I told you Soujiro. He is really off his rocket and he just proves it. All that planning for this" said Akira and shakes his head.
"I thought we are all going to the party. I told her the F4s are going to be there. So all of us have to be there" Soujiro voiced out while Tsukasa was giving Akira a head butt.
Tsukasa turned to Soujiro and said "You promised her, not us. That girl is just trying show off us to all her stupid friends, and we F4s are not some slut's display items. By the way Soujiro, are you losing your balls? That kind of girl is desperate to be involved with one of the F4s so why should you go along with her."
"Hey! No need to get so worked up over this. I admit I have gotten a little carried away by that girl. But you should have seen her boobs. They are "wow". So don't go. I will just have to turn on my sex appeal."
"What sex appeal? You mean your animal instinct? Hahaha" Akira finally managed to regain conscious after that head butt.
That night was a very long night for the F3s. Tsukasa looked tiredly at his sleeping friend and thought what is wrong with Rui's ears. For a moment there Tsukasa wanted to shake Rui up but did not as he looked at the other two arguing with each other. He wisely felt that the other F2s are enough trouble to deal with so instead of waking Rui up he will just drag Rui with him later at noon.
It's been a hard day's night, and I been working like a dog
It's been a hard day's night, I should be sleeping like a log
But when I get home to you I find the things that you do
Will make me feel alright
A Hard Day's Night(Lennon/McCartney) Lead vocals: Lennon and McCartney