Disclaimer: If I say "yes", then I'd get sued.
Beta: iloveyounowgoaway (see, I would shameless advertize her writing but she has none! –you should all go leave her messages complaining about this)
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Part 2
-o-
Not good; nothing was working.
"Good afternoon! This is your student announcer speaking, and before you all leave, I just want to take this time to address some upcoming events."
-But in a way, it was expected. Maybe it was his low self-esteem… but that's common; it's one of the many effects of unrequited love.
The halls were bustling with chatter, busy with students packing their books. There were students laughing with their friends, students calling on their cell phones, and students making out with their respective other. Everyone was in perfect contentment as they restlessly waited for the end of school…
-Except Allen.
After Kanda had rejected his attempt at poetry, Allen –feeling his confidence empowered with his newfound mindreading ability- didn't give up hope. He followed Kanda where ever he could, whether it was in class or between periods, and recited Wadsworth whenever he could catch the other boy's attention.
-But Kanda was not impressed.
In fact, he was so unimpressed that he simply started ignoring British boy. –Which brought so much sadness to Allen that his back started to hunch over.
For some reasons, having the ability to read Kanda's thoughts didn't change anything. It was really odd -Logically speaking, Kanda should be swooning for him by now…
Maybe Kanda really wasn't gay…
Allen sighed. Maybe he should give up hope right now? But then again… he liked Kanda a bit too much to give up, unless Kanda flat out rejected him.
-And why would Allen want to risk such heartbreak? He wasn't so sure himself. Maybe, there's something special about Kanda… Or maybe, Allen was just a fool who had a thing for assholes.
Allen sighed again, feeling as out of place as ever as he buried his face in his locker. Trying to forget his dejected state, he attempted to tune into the afternoon announcements.
"Tomorrow is the Track tournament-"
"-I can't wait for this weekend-"
"-Kinda' feel like eating out tonight-"
Allen strained his ears, trying to listen to the speaker despite the barrage of thoughts.
"-team and its fifth consecutive win-"
"-I hope no one noticed my mismatched outfit-"
"-Color Pastels or Nude Pastels for the portrait-"
"-that's it for the school events. Now for-"
"Guass's Law applies in the elect-"
The thoughts were too overbearing as they began increasing in numbers (more of more gathered towards their respective lockers). Already frustrated by his loveless state, the noise took a greater toll on Allen than ever before.
"Can you guys just shut up?"
Allen Walker's abrupt outburst rang thought the halls. Students stopped what they were previously doing to glare wordlessly at the boy. But the silence lasted only for a few seconds.
"The nerve of that guy!" "What a loser!"
"I know!" "Telling us to 'shut up'"
"So rude!" "Retard!"
"He must think he's some tough guy." "Wimp."
The thoughts came on stronger than ever, much angrier than before.
"He's such a weirdo." "Issues."
"I know!" "What was that?"
"He has serious problems." "What's with him?"
The thoughts crowded Allen's mind, bringing his hands towards the sides of his head. Clutching shut both ears, Allen tried his best to block out the noise. And right in the middle of his breakdown, with perfect timing, Lavi emerged from the stairs and into the halls, before rushing fervently towards Allen.
"Allen!" he called out. "Where were y-
"Whoa!" Lavi stopped mid-sentence to gawk at his friend, who had his head jammed into his locker. "What happened now?"
"Don't ask," Allen replied after hearing his thoughts. "You won't believe me any ways."
"Well… if you say so…" "I would say 'you can tell me anything' but maybe now isn't the best time…"
Allen smiled at that thought, opening his mouth to compliment Lavi's loyalty towards their friendship. Lavi, however, continued on too quickly before Allen could reply.
"So anyways, where were you all day? I looked everywhere for you between period!" "We always walk to class together on the breaks…"
-And at the sudden mention of "breaks", Allen felt all the memories he was trying to suppress break free, replaying themselves painfully before Allen's eyes.
All the:
"H-hey Kanda-"
"What do you want?" "What now?"
"I was just wondering if you wanted to hear more poe-"
"No." "Annoying."
"O-Ok…"
and the:
"H-hey Kanda, how about now-"
"No." "Why is he everywhere? Is he following me?"
"But-"
"No! I'm busy." "Maybe he'll take a hint."
"O-ok…"
came rushing back towards Allen. Feeling as depressed as ever, Allen groaned loudly.
"Please Lavi, don't remind me! I've had a terrible day." And he didn't know what he was doing wrong.
He was just doing what Kanda wanted him to do! Unless… Allen misinterpreted what he said?
-What were Kanda's exact words anyways? It was something like "I only like sophisticated people, and people who enjoy poetry" …or was it "I'm only into sophisticated people, ones who enjoy poetry"?
Allen had been doing the former of the two with no success… maybe it was the latter then. Maybe that was the reason he had been failing! It was probably because he was approaching the situation incorrectly! Why else would he be met with so little success –after all, he could read minds!
-But then, what did "sophisticated" mean anyways? Where was Allen even suppose to start, seeing as how he failed so miserably before…
"Hey Lavi," Allen asked timidly, slowly lifting his face out of his locker, "what makes a person sophisticated?"
"Eh?" Lavi was surprised by the sudden question. "Why do you ask?"
"Well," Allen paused, wondering how to best explain himself, "I was just curious… I mean, I thought it was just someone who was into poetry and stuff, but I guess that's not it. –Maybe I'm just too dumb and simple-minded to understand the term…"
Lavi laughed softly at Allen's short, self-conscious monologue before giving him a friendly pat on the back.
"Well, I don't know about that! I think anyone can be sophisticated if they really tried. I mean, just because someone likes poetry doesn't mean he/she is sophisticated –it just means you like poetry. But if a person is sophisticated, there's a good chance they'd enjoy poetry (1). Apparently, good poetry moves the soul, always evoking emotions, though I personally can't say I feel that way."
Lavi glanced at Allen after he finished speaking, chuckling as Allen stared at him, brimming with admiration. "Adorable."
"Does that clear things up a bit?"
Allen nodded dumbly before breaking out into a smile. Muttering a quick "thanks", he threw a few books into his backpack, closed his locker, and sprinted off before Lavi could protest.
Feeling his self-esteem revitalize under Lavi's reasoning, Allen rushed home to formulate a new, foolproof plan. And it wasn't until after he ran seven blocks did he realize something was amidst.
-Not only had he just left his friend (again), but he didn't think to question how Lavi knew such good advice; it was just too logical –and Lavi wasn't that smart.
Maybe he read it up on reasoning somewhere, Allen thought, unwilling to run back for an answer, or maybe, he had always been like this, and I never noticed.
He was feeling too optimistic and simply didn't want to lose the mood. –He had a plan now, and a pretty good one at that.
-o-
Nighttime approached quickly as a tired Kanda readied himself for bed. Sleep… that was something he really needed. After seeing that stupid beansprout everywhere all day (it's seriously seemed like that kid was following him!) he really needed some well deserved rest. After a quick shower, he changed into his pajamas and fell fast asleep.
A few hours of peaceful slumber passed by before Kanda felt himself being slowly awakened. There seemed to be some sort of light noise present in the room.
Irritated, Kanda climbed out of bed. What was that soft thud? It sounded a bit like ticking.
Instinctively, Kanda found himself checking the clock and alarm, wondering if it was a mechanical malfunction. After a thorough inspection, he realized there was nothing wrong with either.
Tick. That sound.
Kanda glanced the room again after catching the noise again, more alert than ever.
Tick. There it was again.
The window, it was coming from the window. A burglar?
Reaching for the kendo stick, the one he always kept by his bedside for emergencies, and cautiously approached the window. Taking a minute to ready himself, he quickly pulled back the curtains, revealing the bare glass.
Nothing, there was nothing there. Kanda sighed in relief but the feeling passed as swiftly as it appeared. Where could that noise be coming from then?
Maybe the burglar was hiding somewhere else?
Kanda turned, preparing to leave the room when he caught a flash with the corner of his eyes. A rock, he saw a small object on his window before bouncing off. Was someone outside? But who would ever…
…no, don't tell me it's-
Kanda's face paled as he rushed to the window, heaving open the pane in a hasty motion.
There was a person outside, standing on his lawn, under the moonlight sky. –And sure enough, it was Allen Walker.
"What do you want?" Kanda yelled angrily, feeling his face flush with fury; what was wrong with this boy?!
"I was just wondering if you had some spare tim-"
"Are you kidding me?? It's two a.m., and you wake me up from sleep to ask me if I have some 'spare time'?? What were you thinking?"
Allen was successfully taken aback by Kanda's display of emotion. –But he can't back down now! Not after all his planning!
"I thought you would find it romantic…" Allen muttered softly.
"What? What did you say?"
"N-nothing!" Allen replied, blushing slightly. I can't believe I actually said that out loud… good thing he didn't hear.
"Look, I don't know you're trying to do," Kanda continued on, ignoring Allen's volume management issues, "but I don't have time for this." "He better not be planning to recite crap to me."
Kanda raised his arms in preparation to close the window.
"W-wait!"
"Why?" "What do you want now?"
"B-because I have something to show you! W-well, no, not really. More like I have some gifts for you… no, well, that's not exactly it either…" Allen's voice trailed off near the end. Kanda continued stoically glaring at the boy.
"Hurry up and say it!" "Stop wasting my time."
Allen straightened his posture at the command and attempted to look Kanda in the eyes. But feeling the intimidating glares to be too much, his eyes fell back towards the ground.
"W-well Kanda… I sort of came here today because I… I don't know. I mean, I just wanted to…" Allen paused to take inhale deeply, "I have a chess board!"
"Wha- You're kidding me."
Allen reddened at the comment. "N-no, I'm not… But if that's not enough, I have a violin too! –Oh, and this plant! –It's a Vinca minor 'Traditional'!" (2)
When Kanda didn't say anything, Allen took that as a sign for him to continue.
"I brought these things and I figured we could talk about them. Like we could play a few games of chess, play a few songs –or even just discuss the quality of the wood on this violin-, and we could talk about the history of this plant! That's sophisticated right? –And apparently, it's a low-maintenance flower that grows from summer all through winter!"
Kanda didn't hurry to reply. In fact, he didn't hurry to do anything at all. He just stood there, his mouth hanging open and staring at the spectacle in front of him. And for the first time ever, Allen Walker had succeeded in accomplishing what no other being had ever done before; Yuu Kanda was at a lost for words. Instead he just stood still by the window, thinning and pursing his lips. Taking a long breath, he shut his eyes.
He has never been more infuriated in his life.
"Look Allen," he said slowly, emphasizing each word with a biting tone, "I don't know what you could possibly want from me, but I don't have the time for this. I don't know if you're trying to tell me something or if you're just plain out of your mind. If it's the first, then whatever it is you're after, I'm not interested. –And if it's the second, it's not really my problem, now is it? Just go see a therapist or something, and leave me alone!"
And with that, Kanda banged his window shut. Allen originally thought of protesting, even after hearing those heart-breaking things, but soon realized it'd be better not to after perceiving Kanda's thoughts through the closed pane.
"Disgusting… it's usually those girls who does this kind of things. And if he was acting with the same intentions as they have, then I can honestly say I've never been more repulsed in my life."
…Well, that was the 'direct rejection' Allen was waiting for, wasn't it? And though he thought he was prepared for it, it still stung.
…In fact, it stung a lot. Allen dropped the items in his hands as he fell to his knees.
Why was this happening? Why didn't Kanda like him? Wasn't he just doing what he wanted him to do?
Or was it because none of that matter –because he was male?
Who was he kidding? There was no way Kanda could ever like him… he never had a chance…
His hands, his face… they felt wet -Allen had been crying. Bring a hand towards his heart, he clutched it roughly.
It hurts… everything began to hurt… a lot.
Guess Kanda really is that heartless …
Allen
The influx of feelings was just too much for him. Allen slowly dropped to the ground, hugging himself lightly.
Allen
He always… kinda… knew… that Kanda wouldn't return his feelings… So why did it hurt so much? Was he really expecting something more?
Allen, wake up.
…Seriously Allen, wake UP!
Allen felt himself being pulled away from reality, feeling a burning pain on his cheek. After taking a few seconds to register what had happened, he felt his face wet with tears as he laid still, slumped on the floor; Lavi had slapped him awake.
"Geez Allen, what were you dreaming of?" Allen looked up to see Lavi's worried face overshadowing him. He opened up his mouth to stammer a few times incoherent words before successfully stringing together a comprehensible phrase.
"What dream?"
Lavi eyes widened, in a mix of shock and amusement.
"What do you mean what dreams? Don't tell me you don't remember! You were sobbing and muttering all through class. And I can't believe the teacher didn't hear you -you were so loud!"
"I-I don't know what you mean." Allen didn't know if he was more embarrassed or confused; I wonder how the class reacted…
Wait… what was Lavi even talking about? Dream? …What dream?
Did he mean that what just happened was a dream? But it couldn't be -it felt so real! There was no way that it was all a dream.
" I really don't know what you're talking about." Allen said, rephrasing his previous statement.
"Don't tell me you don't remember! You were whimpering and everything!"
Allen opened his mouth to retort before realizing something very important –he wasn't hearing thoughts anymore! …Was Lavi right? Allen paused to process what Lavi was saying, also using this time to take in the surrounding scene.
It would seem as though class had recently ended, and there weren't many people left. The only people left loitering around were a few people, most of whom probably had a free period, and – Kanda.
Kanda…the same person who had broken his heart…
…Was it really all a dream? –Well, it would be a lot more convenient if it was. It would mean that Kanda didn't hate him.
But dreams were supposed to be his sanctuary, the one place he could escape to when he was depressed! -It was also the place where he always ended up with Kanda! And if his dreams weren't a safe retreat for him, then what was Allen suppose to do?
…Kanda…this was all Kanda's fault! If Kanda wasn't such an ass, then none of this would be such a problem! -And he invaded Allen's most private place!
Look at him, carrying about his life with a clean conscience! Allen thought bitterly. I bet he planned all of this! That jerk!
Getting angry at Kanda was Allen expressing his inevitable denial, but it didn't really matter; Allen felt like he needed this. Kanda needed to face his wrath, to atoll for the pain he's caused Allen.
Allen felt his rage rise, in almost an unreasonable fashion. Climbing off the ground in a swift motion, Allen stomped off towards him, as angry as ever. Kanda didn't notice his presence at first, and only realized Allen was present when the British boy gave him a rough shove.
"What's wrong with you? Why do you always have to ruin everything?!"
When Allen first shoved him, Kanda looking ready to kill. But when Allen started speaking, his initial fury transformed into confusion.
"What are you talking about, you stupid beansprout-"
"You can't resist being an ass everywhere, can you – even in my dreams! And you won't even tell me what I did wrong! Tell me now: why did you reject me even though I tried so hard to win you over?!"
"What are you-"
Allen pressed Kanda up against the wall before he could finish, glaring daggers; Allen had never been so upset in his life.
-Though he realized he was being unreasonable, Allen really felt like deserved this. …Even in his dreams, he couldn't find love…
…And if he couldn't find love in his dreams, where else was he supposed to look? He already knew he couldn't obtain it in reality.
…But then, it wasn't really Kanda's fault… especially if it was just a dream…
Feeling slightly calmer, as he thought it all out, Allen lightened his hold on Kanda (though he didn't completely pull away).
Allen smiled nervously, almost as a sort of indirect apology.
"Kanda," he started, pausing to sigh, "I know I'm acting really odd but there's something I really need to ask you. Let's say… hypothetically… this person –a girl- found out the type of personality you'd fall in love with and tried his –I mean her!-, tried her best to fit that type of personality. You would fall for that, wouldn't you?"
Kanda frowned, feeling undignified by the assault and ridiculed by the sudden change of mood. He pushed Allen away with a quick "get off" before walking back towards his seat for his schoolbag. But before he left, he turned around to look Allen in the eyes.
"To answer your question: no, I wouldn't."
Allen looked taken aback, surprised at the fact that he actually got an answer.
"W-why?" Allen quickly inserted, trying to squeeze out information. Kanda snorted as a playful smirk emerged onto his face.
"Isn't it obvious? Why would I fall for someone so fake? I mean, I'd like to think I would fall for people because they're unique. –Even you! I'm still your friend even though you're an idiot –and that's because I appreciate you for the way you are. Wouldn't it be stupid if everyone who approached me had the same personality? And…
"…Why are you blushing?"
Allen didn't know how to reply to that, or rather, he didn't want to; he might end up saying something stupid and ruining the mood. Instead, he just stood there, smiling…
Kanda watched Allen a bit longer before Lavi approached to join the scene. Both exchanged a puzzled look, in reference to Allen, before nodding in agreement; sometimes, there was just no point in questioning that boy.
As Kanda and Lavi proceeded to exit the classroom, Allen snapped out of his daze and ran after them. Feeling as cheery as ever, he began chatting animatedly with both, sneaking a few glimpses at Kanda every now and then. And when Kanda and Lavi launched off into a heated debate over who was smarter, Allen stole himself a small smile as he watched on.
Kanda Yu… I knew there was a reason why I liked you.
I guess having the ability to read minds doesn't really change anything with you... and maybe, it's better that way...
It makes you more mysterious.
End
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(1) In case you guys didn't really get that, I'll explain it. There are a few types of reasonings (four, I think; I don't really remember because I haven't done them in a couple of years) and one of the reasoning is "if… then".
The "If…then" works like this: If Bob eats an apple, then he will get diahrea.
But it wouldn't work like this: If Bob gets diahrea, then he probably ate an apple.
See how that works? "If… then" is not a two-way form of logic.
(2) Yeah... I just googled "sophisticated plant".
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A/N: Some of you guys voted on my profile poll that you think I should write more fluff… but I don't know, I think these kinds of endings are just better…
I mean, I always skip the fluff part of a story, because it's always the same thing (I just like the scenes that lead up to the fluff; all the attention building and stuff)… But maybe it's just me.