Sorry, I had to repost this chapter. I changed the title from "Friends" to "Bad Day" as I thought the former was inappropriate. There were just too many errors, and I am very sorry! It is indeed a sin to post something with many errors. If you see any more, please tell me, and I shall be glad to correct 'em all.
Hello again, everyone! Thanks very much to all those who've read and reviewed! I really enjoyed and appreciated 'em!
Heehee, sorry for this very late update. But I did warn yah all last time that I mightn't be able to update soon. School was just too much. I mean, they keep shoveling us with weekly exams, and the chapters that we study are really no joke (I mean, veeery long chapters!). Worst of that is our classes are often canceled because of external conflicts (storms, etc), meaning our exams would all have to pile up on a teeny single date. And of course, they'd refuse to let us off the projects.
Sigh. The life of a student…amazing, neh? Still, I love student-hood (cheers for the students!). And I think I better stop blabbering right now.
Today is the second day of our preliminaries…and I just thought I'd finally finish this chapter before I forget about it. I can't promise that I'd be able to post the next chapter soon, but please bear with me. I'm sure y'all understand. Thanks!
With no further ado (again), here is the fifth installment! Chow!
ooo0oOo0ooo
Bad Day
Sawada Shin opened up an eye blearily. Darkness surrounded him. What time was it?
The glow-in-the-dark clock on his bedside told him that it was only 2 AM. He sighed and stretched heavily against the hard bed. Sweat trailed from his naked chest and torso as he stared up at the ceiling, and waited for exhaustion to claim him again.
Since returning from the Kuroda's, he stumbled in his apartment and drained an ice-cold Gatorade from the refrigerator, but this did nothing to lessen the dull sensation in his chest. In fact, it seemed to worsen as a sense of clarity sharpened the scene that played over and over his head. Physically, mentally, and emotionally, he was tired. But even the confines of his bed did nothing to shield him from the flashes of pigtails, moonlight, and a mocking grin in a dark suit. He fell in and out of sleep, drifting from fantasy to reality, reeling and seeing jumbled memories exaggerated into dreams.
He blinked up at the ceiling once more and groaned; it was only thirty minutes past 2 and he was awake again. What could get him peace?
"Nothing," he murmured ironically. Whether he was asleep or awake didn't matter. Nothing could give him peace. In a few hours it would be sunrise and he would have to drag his feet to school again. Of course, that meant facing Yamaguchi. He could almost see her entering the classroom all teeth and smiles. She'd probably be gushing all over Shirokin grounds, and of course, her fellow teachers including the students would find her weirder than ever. What would she say should they ask her?
"Damn you, Shinohara," he muttered vehemently. Frustratedly, he went to the fridge and took out the gin that he kept. He was no drinker and he knew he would have a hell of a hangover in the morning. Nevertheless, he unscrewed the cap and drank straight from the bottle. Heat waved and slid down his throat, settling briefly in his chest as he halted, heaving deep breaths. In two more gulps, his dark room was already growing hazier. The room felt hot, his skin even hotter. Oh shit.
Damn you, Yamaguchi.
His last remembrance was the much hated scene but before he could protest, a drunken and dreamless sleep claimed him at last.
oo0o0oo
For a very long time, Kumiko lay down at his bed staring blankly at the ceiling. It was already morning but she hadn't managed to close her eyes the entire night. No matter what she did, she could do nothing to remove the flashing events in her head. Everything happened so fast, she hardly realized it happening.
…Kumiko, he had murmured softly as he held her eyes in his mesmerizing gaze. Will you let me become a permanent addition in the family?
She bit her lip as the words echoed once more into her memory. What had she answered again?
I-I'll think it over, she had answered. For the umpteenth time, she thumped her head back violently against her pillow and groaned. "No, no, no, ya stupid prick! Why did you say that? What the hell is wrong with you?"
Long ago, she would have felt ecstatic at receiving the proposal of that one man—her knight, as she sappily called him. But things seemed different now. Or was the real thing always different?
For some reason, she felt worse when she heard that Shin left in a hurry.
Of course you'll feel worse, yah twerpy goose. 'side from Kyou and the rest o' the kumi, who can you really talk to?
"Stupid," she murmured with a temper. Why would she even want to share intimate details of her life to him?
But then again, hasn't she always treated Shin with more as a young friend than a student? Outside her family and Shinohara, Shin was the only person who got close enough to be labeled as a friend, no matter how informal it may seem.
How about Fujiyama? Or Uchi and Minami and…
"Shut up, shut up!" she shouted at the silent ceiling. "Stop confusing me! That's the end of it!"
A wary knock resounded from outside the door. "What?" she spat, not even caring to move from her place.
"Ah…ojou, are you alright?" came Minoru's voice. "Boss and Kyou-san are really worri—"
"Of course I'm alright!" she cut impatiently, though softening immediately as she thought of her grandfather. "Just—just leave me for a sec, ok. Had a rough night."
"Do you want any—"
What part of "leave" was so hard to understand? "JUST GO!"
Needless to say, raising her voice and snapping at Minoru did nothing to lighten her mood.
oo0o0oo
"Shin's been acting weird," Kuma's voice sounded amidst the rowdy classroom. They occupied their usual space but the absence of Shin made their group less cheerful. Even Inuzuka wasn't fun without Shin's teasing.
Uchi, deeply immersed in playing his "borrowed" Gameboy Advance, suddenly screamed in frustration. "Fuuuck! My frickin' Charmeleon died! What were you saying again, Kuma?"
Minami ignored Uchi and replied to the big guy directly, "Yeah. He seemed a bit off today. He wasn't himself these past few days…and he didn't come banging with us yesterday!"
"Yeah, and today, he just went straight to the rooftop without even stopping to greet us. What the hell is wrong with that guy?" muttered Noda with a frown.
"He's always at the rooftop—die, sucker!"
"—but without even talking to us?" wondered Kuma. "And when I did try talking to him, he just ignored me."
"Tch. It's serious then." Uchi solemnly shut the Gameboy and looked up at them. "It is obvious that Shin has a big problem."
"That's what we've been saying, yah moron!"
"But do you know the problem?"
None of them spoke, and with their silence Uchi ventured with a look that made even his freckles serious. "But I know."
"WHAAA?" the three huddled around him, and even Inuzuka was fairly interested as he inched closer to them, the "I want to be good" sign on his head bobbing in excitement. Uchi smiled cattily as they chorused. "What did Shin tell yah!"
"Captain Uchi knows everything! Nyahahaha!" and with a little cough, he added secretively. "It is obvious that…"
"…that…?"
"..that…."
"…that….."
"..thaaaaaat….."
"…that…?"
"…thaaaaaaaaa—"
Losing his cool, Kuma suddenly lifted Uchi by the scruff. "JUST SPIT IT!"
".AHH! THAT SHIN'S BEEN DUMPED!"
At that, everyone in the classroom stopped their noise and stared at him. Including a certain pig-tailed woman who was standing motionlessly from the doorway.
Still not noticing her arrival, Minami blurted the first thing that came into his mind. "That's stuuuupid, man. Shin doesn't even have a girlfriend."
"Yeah, he's, umm—got this allergy on girls." Added Kuma.
"Hey—let me down!" screamed Uchi who was still hanging from the large teen's grip. When he finally settled onto a chair, he continued. "Shin's been shifty on us these days. Acting weird. Maybe he ain't got a girl yet, but Commander Uchi's sure it's a love prob."
"Commander Uchi? Fuck, that's even more stuuupid than Shin having a girl."
"Hmm, now that you mentioned it, I think it is possible."
"EH? Not you, too, Noda!"
Noda shrugged. "You never know with Shin. He's always been secretive."
"I wonder," said Uchi brightening suddenly, "Could it have something to do with—"
BAM!
Everyone jumped in surprised. Some literally fell from their seats, Kuma flinched, and Minami gulped. Behind the teacher's table stood a very pissed Yankumi wielding an equally pissed-looking baseball bat.
BAM! Everyone jumped again as Kumiko struck the table with her bat for the second time. And the same thought seemed to simultaneously cross their minds.
WHERE THE FUCK DID SHE GET THAT BAT?
She looked down at them unsmilingly, a slightly sadistic glimmer in her eyes. "So."
They waited; what else would she say after "so"?
But she said nothing more as, with a glazed look, she stared into empty space beside the window…a place a certain redhead usually occupied.
She frowned and swirled the bat like a baton; those occupying the front inched back, fearing her wrath.
"Sawada's missing. Where is he?"
Kuma gulped, unable to speak, and pointed up.
"Inuzuka," she called.
"Y-yes?" stuttered the blondie. In a careless swing, the baseball bat flew straight at the boy. Fortunately, he caught it before it could hit his face, or his repentance flag.
"You're in charge of the room while I'm away," she muttered and started for the door. "Bash anyone who tries to leave."
"EHHH?" Screamed Noda simultaneously with the other students. "You can't do that!" But Kumiko was already gone before they could all protest. "What's wrong with that bitch?"
"I've got a veeery bad feeling about this," said Minami. "I'm sure she's getting Shin."
"Yeah, Shin in a bad shit plus Kumiko in a bad shit makes even badder shit."
"Man! Let's go after 'em!"
"You--can't--go--ouuut…"
"What the fu—"
And the four came face to face with a scary-faced Inuzuka. He looked twice more menacing with the baseball bat in his hand.
Needless to say, this was the worst shit for all of them.
oo0o0oo
Shin lay supinely on the wooden bench. An opened magazine shielded his face from the glare of the sun. He groaned as another sharp pain crossed his temple; the rest of his head already felt numb and swollen.
The rooftop door opened with a bang and he flinched; loud sounds are hell in a hangover.
Familiar treading footsteps neared and he immediately knew who it was. The scent of fresh soap and tea leaves brought a dull pang on his already befuddled head.
But isn't this why you frequently visit the rooftop alone? Just to catch her attention, have her with you even for some spare minutes? Today was no different. Part of him didn't want to see her, but his better half wanted her to find him alone, as is their usual morning ritual.
"This is the second time you skipped my class this week."
"Unh," he murmured. The tone of her voice told him that she wasn't in much of a mood either. How ironic.
"Don't tell me you're too tired from last night. Hmpph, well, that could be just it. You're just a lil twerp."
What the hell? "If you troubled yourself with coming here to tell me just that, thanks a lot."
"Is that all you're gonna say?"
"What? Do I have to ask you to go away?" Fuck. That sounded so childish. His head throbbed even more.
Kumiko did not speak and looked down at him for a full minute before settling on the floor beside him. She dangled her legs through the bars and sighed. Last night's proposal and loss of sleep did much to kick her mood. But seeing Shin in a similar state somewhat made her feel somewhat better, and more forgiving.
"I heard you were dumped," she murmured tersely as she stared at the distant buildings.
"You listen too much to trash," he replied irritated.
"Uchi was the one who said the "trash.""
"Hm."
Silence.
"You left last night. Everything's been prepared for yah."
"Hm."
"Why?"
He shrugged. "Got something to do."
"What were you gonna do?"
"None of your damned business."
Bristling at his answer, she muttered with a sneer, "Well, I was your host last night so you should've told me."
"I was in a rush. Couldn't find you."
It was amazing how the words came fluidly off his mouth. He answered all the questions without a sweat, but inwardly he was squirming. Why the interview? Why can't she just leave him in peace?
She paused, as if hearing his thoughts. "Am I bothering you?"
You are…and you aren't. "Didn't you come here to fetch me for class?"
"Yeah. I guess I did." She sounded a bit sad, and Shin felt his conscience sting him. Brightening for a moment, she added. "So, why're yah drunk then?"
"How did—"
Laughing and waving a hand impatiently, she scoffed. "Smelt yah. From the door, and even in this wind, I could smell the liquor off yah. Not even an hour of bathing or cologne could get that smell of yah for now. Kyou and Uncle Kyosuke always had that after smell when they're drinking together."
"Hmmph. Some dog sense you got," he muttered.
She pouted, "I heard that. It's just something yah learn from living with the kumi. Really, I thought you were smart!"
He felt himself grinning as he muttered sheepishly. "I am."
Her robust laughter echoed throughout the rooftop, carried by the wind. For a moment, a smile passed his hidden features as he imagined how ridiculous she looked whenever she laughed. Estranged silence soon replaced that moment, and a vague sense of foreboding filled the youth's chest. For some reason, he felt that nothing was going to be the same between them, not after what he witnessed the previous night.
For a brief moment, Shin wondered if he should prod on her to confide on him (something much unlikely from Sawada's nature) and pretend to sound surprised. But it was just too painful to do that at the moment.
As though playing an ironic sync with his mind, she whispered. "You know, last night…Shinohara proposed to me."
I know. I saw, he wanted to blurt out but didn't. Instead, a strange pang of remorse wormed his insides; hearing from her still hurt. He squeezed his eyes shut, fervently willing the mental image of the memory, almost wishing that she had not come up the rooftop at all.
At his silence, she continued. "I—I'm not sure how to feel, really. I haven't answered him yet but Grandpa and the others already know about it. It's funny, really, hehe. I've been dreaming of him for years, and now he's finally proposed, and I didn't answer properly."
She hasn't given him her word yet. For a fleeting moment, thrill passed his insides, dying almost immediately with realization.
…but she will, soon.
Fighting to stifle a groan, Shin struggled to sit up, the magazine falling from his face and onto the cement floor. He urged a glance at her before looking in another direction. What would she think of him if he asked about her answer? He wouldn't want her to think he was prying, or that he was interested. Still, his eyes unconsciously drifted to her and the words fell out of his mouth as though it was the most casual question in the world.
"Are you going to marry him?"
A sharp breath was caught in her throat. Am I going to marry Shinohara? Her practical side told her that it was one of her best wants and fantasies; she should accept it. But under his, Shin's, dark, almost accusing gaze, the answer seemed to elude him. Slowly, she raised her eyes sideways and was vaguely surprised to find him staring at her all the while. There was a hopeful, almost hungry gleam in his eyes, as though he was waiting for something—a miracle—to happen. Heat suddenly shot up her neck and ears.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" she demanded.
"Why don't you just answer my question?" he countered, still looking at her. Under normal circumstances, he would just break the contact and move on. But he still groggy from gin and he could hardly care less. Or probably, he was just too desperate to care.
"So what if I do?" she spat back. Sawada grimaced and looked away; she might as well throw him down the balcony for all he cared. Kumiko nibbled her lower lip and continued uncertainly. "Shinohara is a very special person to me."
Special. Feh. I'm sure you felt more than that last night.
"Why are you telling me this?"
Her eyes widened at the question and she felt a slap of realization. Why indeed was she telling him all those things?
Suddenly remembering her earlier reason, she muttered. "Because—because you're more than just a student, Sawada. You're—you're my friend."
A frown passed involuntarily across his forehead. Friend. Only a friend. Of course, with Shinohara around, who was he to expect for more? Forcing an uncaring shrug, he painfully lowered himself to the bench to lie down once more. If he were a lesser man, he would have cried.
Cry? Heh. Such a stupid thought so early in the morning.
He wanted to hurt her for saying that, and in a moment of spontaneity, he uttered something which could have killed all the birds in the trees in grief.
"Friend?" he muttered sarcastically and laughed dryly. A cold sense of dread passed Kumiko's chest. And there was definite reason for that dread.
A gunshot, decided Kumiko, was better than Shin's next cold phrase: "Sheh. What gave you the idea?"
Cold silence passed between them. Kumiko was still too shocked at his statement to reply; Shin, on the other hand, agonized inwardly, knowing that he had intentionally hurt his sentimental teacher.
Slowly, she murmured, "I thought—"
"Really, Yamaguchi. Since when did you think correctly?"
The passing breeze suddenly felt colder. Her pigtails slapped against her neck in wild disarray but she only stared at Shin who was lying comfortably on the bench. Did she really hear correctly? Was that really Shin—the smug Shin Sawada—that she knew?
No. It must be just the drink.
Finally, Kumiko forced a cough and shook her head disbelievingly."You're a bad drinker."
"And you're a bad teacher."
Automatically, a lump formed on her throat and she felt like crying. Instead, Kumiko gave an undignified sniff. She would never, ever cry! Not ever over a stupid redheaded student who called her a bad teacher!
Shin listened with closed eyes as Kumiko left the rooftop wordlessly. He noted the faint squeak of her rubber shoes, and her treading manner. He would have felt better had she punched his nose, or slapped him senseless. He wished she would bang the door behind her, just some indicator of her anger. But she did neither; even going so far as to closing the door silently as though wary of disturbing him.
Shin stared up longer at the slowly passing clouds for a few more minutes. What happened? He managed to make her smile, and laugh. And he just had to be a fucking bastard at the end. Shaking his head in self-disgust, he slowly stood up and followed the path she took to the classroom below.
ooo0oOo0ooo
How was it? I know yah people might hate me for this chapter but this is really part of the events. Please tell me what you think.
Hotdogs?
Spices?
Flatworms? (Where the hell did this come from?)
Please review!