Ring here people…ehehehe. I know, I know.. You're all dying to throw anything at me right now for not updating. What can I say? I'm the queen of procrastination. Anyway, I'm here now and I just want to thank you all for always reminding me to update. You always keep me up to my feet whenever I'm down, with your reviews of course.
Mushy moment inserted:
To my reviewers, this chapter is dedicated to all of you. You are the reason why the urge to finish what I've started never died, and your reviews made me smile and lift my spirit when I'm down. I love reading your reviews and I'll try to insert more wackiness and weirdness in my fics to follow. Love all of you.
Mushy moment ended…hehehe!
So lets continue, shall we?
Disclaimer: Its almost Christmas break (yey, bakasyon na nman!!), you all know that if there are no classes, there are no allowances. I'm even poorer than the last time so I can't buy FOR copyrights. I can never own them, I guess. Reality sucks. ching!
"…"- speaking
'…'- thoughts, thinking
oOo
The following morning…
My head feels weird. I feel like I'm swimming into a thick fog but my body, well, it feels like lead, so heavy. I can't seem to move it the way I want it. What is happening to me?
Fuuko woke up with a heavy feeling. Something is definitely wrong today, that she knew, but can't seem to identify the source of uneasiness crawling at her. That is until…
"A-choo!"
'Huh! Was that a sneeze? Who would --! Oh yeah!'
The said girl bolted up from bed when she realized what had occurred. The ever-hyper, unbeatable, unstoppable Fuuko has fallen ill. As soon as she sat up, dizziness sets in.
"I can't believe this! I have the flu!?" she tried to close her eyes to stop the swirling feeling.
'How did I manage to get sick? What happened yesterday?' she tried thinking the events of yesterday and memories of a kitten and the rain and Mi-chan holding an umbrella and…
'Wait a minute. A hu-what!! A kitten!!?'
She immediately opened her eyes and looked around her room. And voila!! A kitten is sleeping soundly at one corner near the table with bear stuff toys, beneath it is a multitude of blankets.
'Oh! I guess it wasn't a dream after all.'
Fuuko tried to stand up to get a closer look at the kitten but felt heavy and dizzy all at once.
"Ok, abrupt standing!? Bad idea, have to make a mental note."
She tried crawling towards the cat. That was the picture her mother saw as she entered her daughter's room.
"Fuuko dear, thank goodness you're awake just in time, and what are you doing on the floor? Did you by any chance change your mind about cleaning stuff under your bed?" the mother asked curiously.
"Head's gone crazy today. I think I have the flu." Answered the daughter. She stroked the head of the little furball and the kitten woke up and meowed.
"Well good morning to you too, Michi. How was your sleep? All warm and fuzzy I bet." Fuuko continued to caress the silky feel that is the kitten's fur. Again, the furball meowed as if answering her question with, 'you better believe it!'
"Well, if you're ill you can't leave the house like that. Who knows what will happen on your way to school. You should just rest and mind you, not on the floor this time, Dear. You have a habit of resting there. Its not good for you." The mother assisted the daughter to the bed.
"But mom, I can't stay home, I've got--" before Fuuko could finish her sentence her mother cut her off.
"No Fuuko, if you're ill you shouldn't be outside, you should be resting;"
"Listen mom, I can't afford to make an absent today, I've got quizzes and lots of school stuff going on. I just can't."
'plus, I'll never hear the end of it if Domon and Recca found 'out I got sick and can't come to school.'
Her mom looked at her, ready to argue but Fuuko spoke again,
"Ok, I promise I won't stay up after school and I won't pummel Recca or beat Domon today. I won't do anything really stressful, ok. And I'll drink medicine if you want. Just let me go to school." Not that she's planning to do any beating today, she barely has energy to stand up and go to the bathroom without having her room spinning in her head as it is.
Her mother saw the persistence and determination in her daughter's face and couldn't deny her the simple request.
"Fine. But you have to keep your promise. And I'll tell Toki-chan that you're sick so he'll take good care of you. Don't you worry about Michi. I'll feed him and take good care of him while you're at school. " Said the mother and added before leaving her,
"And dear," she paused before the door, "Toki-chan will be here any minute now so I suggest you prep up for your boyfriend, ne?"
"I'll bet he is." Was all the wind child could reply as she slowly stood up and walk to the bathroom.
Thirty minutes later, the doorbell rang. Fuuko's mom opened the door and was not surprised to see her daughter's 'boyfriend' on the other side.
"Well, good morning Toki-chan. Come in, I'll just call Fuuko ok." And led him to the sofa.
"Good morning to you too Kirisawa-san." Replied the poker-faced Mikagami.
"Fuuko, Toki-chan's here. Hurry up." Called out the mom.
"So how are things? Forgive my daughter for being slow today, I'm afraid that she's gone ill. I think she has the flu but she's too stubborn to not attend school today." The mother started the conversation.
Mikagami was mildly surprised to hear the news, because he forgot that a normal human being would get sick if you stay up under the rain for too long. He realized then that he had always thought Fuuko was incapable of being under the weather. He was so impressed with her victorious battle in the UBS that he forgot she is also human. He was also surprised to feel something towards the wind child other than indifference. He dare not name that feeling but in close inspection, it would seem like it was a close relative of concern, if not concern at all. He gently shook his head to clear his mind and paid attention to Fuuko's mom.
--
When Fuuko heard the doorbell rang she picked her bag up and went to the door as fast as she could. She was afraid that her mom would spill the beans and she'll end up looking like a weakling in Mikagami's eyes. That's the last thing she wanted right now. So as she neared the pair having a conversation, she mentally conditioned her self to appear nonchalant about her ordeal and pretend she's feeling better.
"Oi you two, I think we should go now, I don't want to be late today. I know my professor's dying to give me detention again so I won't give him that satisfaction." She tried to appear well for her mom and Mikagami's benefit and kissed her mom and said goodbye.
"Fuuko, be careful ok, don't tire yourself. Toki-chan, don't let her get tired ok. Bye you two."
As the pair went out the door and started for school, silence once again reigned. Knowing Fuuko, Tokiya expected that any minute now, she'd start the conversation. Yes he knew her alright, his little chatbox.
He waited, 'any minute now…'
And waited…
It occurred to him just now that he is looking forward to hearing her voice everyday. Not too feminine and not too manly either, just the right pitch for her, undeniably Fuuko's. Not that he will admit it to her up front. Over his dead, delectable body.
'Ugh, did I just use the word delectable in reference to my body? The monkeys must really be rubbing in on me.'
He looked at Fuuko and wondered what's on her mind. She should be chatting her lungs out by now.
"Ok, you impostor, what have you done to the real Fuuko and where did you take her?"
Fuuko looked at Tokiya with watery eyes, a sudden intake of breath and answered intelligently,
"A-choo! sniff W-what?"
"You're in poor state of health today, maybe you should stay at home instead."
Hearing this, she went back to the old argument,
"Not today Mi-chan. Recca and Domon will never let me forget about this day if they find out I skipped school because of a little flu." She sniffed again and continued walking.
"Will you stop thinking about what other people will think and start thinking of your own health?" He admonished her.
She was mildly shocked to see Mi-chan acting like he is concerned about her at all. He was not known for his warm demeanor and welcoming attitude.
"Wow, Mi-chan, you're the only person I know who can use the word 'think' three times in a sentence." She tried joking but it ended up sounding somewhat off.
"That's because you spend most of your time with a gorilla and a sea monkey. No wonder your grammar is limited. And don't you dare think I don't know what you're doing. Stop changing the subject."
"I'm not. I just find it funny, that's all. Is that a crime now?!" she answered back.
"You are stubborn." He tried reasoning with her, but secretly enjoyed the little exchange of words. 'At least she's now talking.'
"You sound like my mother." She shifted her bag and was glad, for the first time, to see her beloved school in view. She felt tired but was determined not to show it. All these chitchat has her feeling drained somehow.
"Maybe because she has good sense," was Tokiya's reply.
No comebacks there. What can she say? She knows her mom too well and understands her concern. But she also knew that if she stopped talking and really entertained the sickness she'd feel more sloppy and sick. She has to maintain the perkiness to save face.
'I survived the UBS then so there's no reason for me to get so worked up in this minor nuisance. '
They were now crossing the gate and Fuuko tried her hardest to suppress an in-coming sneeze in Tokiya's presence. She knows he'll make a big deal about it again. She ended up with runny nose instead.
'Shoot! I need tissue!'
"Oi, Mi-chan I need to go now, see you at lunch." And she quickly dashed away from Tokiya, trying to sniff her way out.
"Hey be careful…"
It was all he could say before Fuuko went inside, doubting she heard his parting words. However, the students outside heard this and were sending weird glances his way. Figuring out that the school populace is still not use to seeing them together much less hear him say 'be careful' to Fuuko, Tokiya only gave them a cold one and proceeded inside as well. He doesn't need to explain to anyone.
--
As the first class started, Fuuko tried her hardest to pay attention to what the teacher was saying. She scribbled a little here and there, wiped her nose and looked at the board again. It was doubly hard to pay attention because of the flu and the runny nose but she's determined to learn. And in Fuuko's book, determination will get you a long, long way. She just had to do it until the bell rings.
--
Lunchtime…
Fuuko walked slowly inside the cafeteria and tried looking for an empty table. She found one and sat there heavily. She put her head on the table and breathed deeply, closing her eyes.
'I'll just wait for them here.'
While pondering on how to survive the afternoon classes, she felt someone sat on the bench on her left side. She raised her head a bit and saw it was Tokiya.
"Hey." She said weakly. Tokiya only stared at her for a minute or two, but it seemed hours to her. Then suddenly he stood up and went in line. 'Weird guy,' was all she could process at the moment. When he returned he was carrying two tuna sandwiches, two tetrapack orange juices, bottled water and a brown packet, which he gave to her.
"Drink this after you've eaten." He instructed to her and started eating.
The rest of the gang entered the cafeteria only to see the two 'lovebirds' eating their lunch. Still getting used to the idea of them being a couple. Recca greeted them,
"Oi ice man, tomboy, you two getting cozy again?"
Fuuko was thinking of a good comeback but Tokiya beat her to it.
"Don't start Hanabishi. Or I swear I'll slice you into half before you can even say hime."
"Happy eating to you too, ice block. Geez, what's wrong with you today?" Recca looked at Fuuko and noticed the red nose, puffy eyes and concluded the undeniable.
"I'll be damned! I thought I'd never see the day when the great Fuuko Kirisawa finally gets sick. Haha, bet you think I wouldn't notice, would you? I've known you practically all my life. Hey Domon check Rudolph out. Man that's --" Recca continued to laugh.
Meanwhile, Yanagi saw the danger signs when she happened to look at Fuuko's 'boyfriend', and immediately clamped a hand over her man's mouth. Tokiya was giving the flame caster the death glare, his hand shook as if controlling his urge to get the ensui and make the threat come true.
"Uh, Sempai, Fuuko, please excuse us. I think we'll get something to eat now. C'mon Recca, I'm hungry." And Yanagi pulled the flame caster away from the table, away from trouble, not that she thought Mikagami capable of losing his temper, but just to be on the safer side.
"Is it true Fuuko darling?! You are ill? Would you like me to rub your feet or carry you on my back for easier transport? Please anything, my sweet. I'm your manservant for today!" Domon went to her other side and was about to hold her hands when Tokiya spoke.
"Careful Ishijima. I wouldn't touch someone else's girl if I were you. I know you value your hands so much so I suggest you keep them to yourself." Tokiya eyed Domon and he backed off a little bit.
"Domon, you oaf. Why would I want to be carried around on someone's back? I can walk, thank you very much." Fuuko replied with less gravity than usual and without the bashing. Domon sensed that she really is sick. He understood then so he backed off.
Fuuko looked at Tokiya, then at Domon.
'Is it just me or they've suddenly gone weird. Mi-chan has never been so protective, at least not to me. And Domon has never been so, I don't know, easily disheartened. Must be something in the water. Hmm.'
Regie Amagiwa chose this unfortunate time to make his presence known. He overheard the bulky guy's outburst a while ago and thought he might be of some help to the hot chick he's been pursuing.
"Hey baby girl, heard you're sick. Want me to take your", he looked at her clothes and said, "pain and sickness away? Just say so, you know. I can do a lot of things, if you know what I mean." The statement sounded so innocent but knowing who gave it, one can only assume that it's far from being innocent. There is an underlying suggestion of some sort. And that, my friends, did not go unnoticed by Mikagami. Before Fuuko can say anything, Tokiya stepped in.
"Amagiwa, I know you can be a 'sensible' guy when you want to so let me give you some sound advice." He looked at Amagiwa with dead seriousness before saying,
"Leave Fuuko alone. She has me at her beck and call so there's no need for your presence to be near her again. I'm being polite today so don't make me angry. I can be very cutting and cold when there's a need." It was said so casually like they were talking about the weather or the newest trend in cars.
"Did he just say beck and call? That is just the sweetest thing!"
"Wow, I didn't know Mikagami-san could be a devoted boyfriend!"
"Major burn there Amagiwa!"
"Kirisawa is so lucky to have him as her boyfriend."
"I wish I was her.'
Whispers, comments and occasional outbursts can be heard inside the cafeteria. Fuuko was stunned to silence with what she heard. Domon was also silent. Amagiwa, with face as red as a tomato, left them immediately and went outside to nurse his injured pride. Meanwhile Recca and Yanagi went to their table and assessed the damage, if there where any. Good thing they found none. Recca broke the silence.
"Another commotion in your record Fuuko. Whew! At this rate, you'll be more popular than me."
"I didn't do it. Mi-chan did it." She could only gaze at Tokiya.
Tokiya's reply,
"Drink your medicine. No more stress for today." He opened the bottled water and gave it to Fuuko. The people at the table could only feel amazement at the turn of events. Fuuko popped one tablet and gulped it down with water.
"Arigatou." She said. It was so faintly spoken that he doubted any of the occupants of the table heard her, except for him of course.
"I promised your mother I'd take good care of you, right?" a lop-sided grin graced his face and before she knew it, it was gone.
"I might actually like having you as my boyfriend, Mi-chan. I think I'll keep you around for a while." She smiled shyly.
There is this air of vulnerability around her that his male ego can't help but react to. And frankly, he doesn't give a damn if he looked like the overprotective boyfriend.
She was about to comment something but it got lost when she,
"A-choo! sniff Kami, I hope it doesn't get worse. I think I'll be having one hell of an afternoon. Guys, I better get going. Lunchbreak is almost over. See you later." She wiped her nose with tissue and proceeded to stand up. Tokiya followed suit and together they walked towards her classroom.
--
As the afternoon progresses, Fuuko was feeling a little better and she was able to make a joke or two with Recca and Domon. Yanagi laughed and was glad to see Fuuko doing okay. Their last class got cancelled due to a meeting their teacher had to attend to. They left the classroom and went outside to wait for Mi-chan.
--
"Comeback here you Idiot! Give me back my notebook!" Fuuko shouted before going after a certain flame caster.
"Oi, Fuuko, take a chill pill. I just want to borrow your notes for a little while." Recca answered from above, on a tree.
"Oh, no you don't. It won't work this time. The last time you had that line, you ended up copying my assignment." She jumped up and grabbed a tree branch and swung across it to get to Recca.
"Hey be careful. You shouldn't be too confident right now, you're still sick. And besides your answers were wrong so you should be saying sorry to me." He dodged her punches and dropped to the ground.
"You ingrate! Not all of them, some were correct! Will you stay still so I can hit you!" she jumped from the tree and landed on the ground with a thud. She was still recuperating after all.
"Fuuko dear, do you want me to hold Recca down for you?" Domon butted in, trying to get her attention. Yanagi was just enjoying the scenery and occasionally scanning the area for Mikagami. She is after all the early warning device (for Recca).
"Fine, fine! I'll give you the notebook. No need for unjust violence, tomboy." Recca had nowhere to run, he was cornered so he had no choice.
"That's right, mama's boy, give it back." She held out her hand to have Recca place the damn notebook in.
She went back to where Yanagi was currently staying and sat beside her.
"That was quite a work-out, Fuuko. But you shouldn't tire yourself up." Yanagi greeted her.
"Yeah, I know. I feel kind of tired after the running. But man, I swear your boyfriend is swift as ever." She wiped the perspiration on her forehead and cooled off for a while. Mikagami arrived shortly after.
"Ready to go? I bet your mom is anxious to see how you fared in school." He looked Fuuko over and noted the perspiration and the deep breathing.
"Don't ask. Let's just say I needed to put someone in their place and I think I succeeded." She looked at Recca and stuck her tongue out.
"More like chase and scare to death, if you ask me." Recca mumbled and silenced himself when he received glares from both Mikagami and Fuuko.
"Sempai, Fuuko, we need to get going now. I need to stop at the day-care center to get some things. We'll see you tomorrow, ok." And Yanagi pulled Recca behind her as they left the group.
Domon suddenly spoke,
"Fuuko baby, mom asked me to relieve her in the flower shop today so I won't be able to walk you home." Domon was about to grab one of Fuuko's hands when he heard Mikagami say,
"Ehem, Ishijima, remember what we talked about? No touching." Tokiya eyed him meaningfully and Domon raised his hands up.
"Alright ice block. You win this time, but you can't deny our happiness forever, goodbye my Fuuko for now." with that, he started walking as well. That left them all alone under the shade of the tree.
"You're tired. Let's go home." He helped her stand up and she brushed her skirt before walking. As the two got out of the school grounds Tokiya can't help but ask her,
"You chased Recca again, didn't you?"
"Yep, and he got totally busted." She can't help but grin. However Tokiya could not share her humor.
"You shouldn't have done that. I told you not to wear yourself out. You're still sick and if it gets worse, I'll never be able to forgive myself." He said. They were now heading in an intersection. Fuuko realized the gravity of the situation and some of the happiness drained out of her.
"I'm sorry Mi-chan. It's just that I do that every day and you know, can't help myself. I promise I won't disobey you again." She said with remorse. As they were waiting for the green light for the pedestrian, a car pulled over and guess who's inside.
"Hey there sugar plums, need a ride?" Regie Amagiwa asked.
'The nerve of this guy, honestly!' Fuuko said without hesitation, "Go away! I'm not interested!"
Tokiya smirked and can't help but gloat, "You heard the lady. Before I change my mind about being nice for once." The green light's on and the two started walking. Once again, Amagiwa was left with shattered ego. (a/n: the poor sod, I think I'm beginning to feel sorry for him, hehe)
"Kami, he really is dense! I mean does he own a titanium skull or something? What could he possibly see in me anyway? He's better off with some bimbo." Irritation then confusion, and then irritation again, these are the emotions Tokiya is getting from Fuuko.
'You don't know what he sees in you?! Give me a break, Fuuko. You're every man's fantasy. You're the one who's dense.' He looked at her again and shook his head.
"Don't mind him." They were now in the busy streets near Fuuko's house when he spotted his favorite café.
"Would you mind if we go inside for a while?" he asked.
"Not at all. But I gotta ask you, what are we doing inside?" He didn't answer that, instead, he led her to a booth near the window. A waitress immediately attended their table and Tokiya gave her their orders, one hot choco and a cup of coffee.
"Oi, Mi-chan I'm not paying. I'm still in high school and living with my parents." She opened her wallet to prove her point.
"Relaxed Kirisawa. I'm buying. Seeing you so down, you remind me of a kitten we found yesterday. I was almost tempted to buy you warm milk but you might take it as an offense." He regarded her for a moment. She had that clueless look on her face, and then she smiled a little.
"Gee, thanks Mi-chan. But you shouldn't do this often, a girl could get use to this. Worse, she might get the wrong idea. Hehe." The statement was disguised as a joke.
'Was that a warning of some sort?' Tokiya was trying to decipher Fuuko's statement when their order was brought to them.
She distracted herself with her hot choco and looked outside. She saw the poster of the movie she once saw with Yanagi, the very 'romantic' movie that got her attention. Tokiya was stirring his coffee. He placed the spoon on the side and was about to drink when Fuuko interrupted her.
"Mi-chan, can I ask you something?" she didn't wait for his affirmation and dealt the next question.
"Have you ever kissed a girl?" Tokiya spitted his coffee in the cup and got a tissue to wipe the mess. To say he was surprised by her question was an understatement.
"What?" he asked again, just to be sure he heard her correctly.
"What was it like?" she looked at him with such anticipation that he felt flushed. Never in his entire high school years, did he remember ever blushing. That is until now.
"Why are you asking me these questions?" he was fighting the blush and was losing miserably.
"Well, first of all, I'm just curious and second…" she paused and looked at him again, effectively making him somewhat squirm in his seat, which he will never admit to anyone, just for future references.
",,,you look so damn cute when you blush like that." She smiled mischievously. She looked outside the window again.
He could only gape at the outrageous girl in front of him. When he finally decided that his voice is falter-proof, he asked her intelligently,
"What?"
--
To be continued…
oOo
Ringgetsu chatbox:
Guys, guys! Hehe, I'm so pleased with myself right now for finishing another chapter of this fanfic. I know I've been so busy and for a while I have not been updating but hopefully this installment will make you happy and gooey and flushy and all that stuff. Comments and reviews are accepted, wholeheartedly. That's the least I can do for making you wait. I hope this chapter will meet your expectations.
Haha, now the plot is really showing. I think you have your guesses as to what the next chapter is all about. To those who don't, I'll give you a clue; look at the summary of this fic. Suggestions are also encouraged. And before anything else, I made Amagiwa a little less troublesome and just a tad bit annoying na lang for Mikagami, I kind of feel sorry for him, having his pride shattered not less than twice a day. That can't be healthy for a person's demeanor.
Thanks again to those people who thought my grammar is okay and to those who reviewed the last chapter. Hope to see your comments again. I'm outta here.