Heightened Senses

Chapter 2: Being Cocky

The next morning I left the house early, so as to find the tennis courts and give Akaya his paper. I used an excuse of school work, it seemed to gain my fathers approval and he let me walk to school.

The doctor's visit had been normal, as they all were. We just talked about what had happened and made sure that I was fit.

I had Cataracts from a personal trauma. I don't exactly have a great recollection of everything, but I don't mind. I grew up this way. The doctor had been talking about a surgery that could give me the ability of sight, but he was still unsure if I was able to undergo the procedure.

Not that I minded, I did not want to see the world for how ugly it is when I can be in the dark.

I heard the pick pocking of a familiar sport. It was obviously tennis. I walked up and stood a yard or two from the sound. I waited as someone spoke, obviously just walking up to me,"Is there anything I can help you with?"

He sounded kind enough,"I am looking for someone."

"Well, who may that b-"

"Oi! Yukimura-buchou!" Another voice came up, with a familiar aura. One that disgusted me,"Niou-baka[1]. I am busy talking here."

The aura stopped,"Suzoki?"

I continued to look to where the sound of tennis was coming from as I spoke back,"Yes, I still do not appreciate the prank you tried to pull on me."

"Ehehe... Still not over that?"

"You had a stupid reason for it, too."

"Saa, I already apologized for it all. I didn't mean to play a trick on someone who is-"

"Blind? Yes. Stupid? No. I still find the way you view me very annoying."

"We-"

The pocking stopped,"Suzoki-chan?"

I turned to the voice and walked up to it,"Kirihara-san."

"Hm?"

I held out the paper,"You left this in class. I figured that it may be important."

I felt him take the paper,"Ah! You found it! My slip!"

I heard as he yelled out and ran off,"Sanada-fukubuchou, I found my slip~!"

I smiled softly before Niou's voice interrupted my pleasentness once again,"How do you know seaweedhead?"

I turned on my heel- still holding my bag,"Ja ne, Yukimura-senpai... Niou-baka."

Akaya's POV

I walked back to wear Dea had previously been,"Nah, where did she go?"

Yukimura-senpai spoke,"Apparently Niou angered her."

I ran over to Niou,"Why did you make Suzoki-chan mad?"

He took the water bottle from his lips,"She angered herself. Not my fault she holds a grudge against me."

"Saa[2]?"

He hit me in the head,"Suzoki, that's who."

"Don't hit me!"

"So, how do you know her seaweedhead?"

"She is in my class."

"Obviously, but how did you meet her."

"Why should I tell you?"

"Because if you don't," he put me into a headlock,"I'll do something."

I tried to get out as we both heard a yell,"Stop fooling around and get back to practicing you two!"

We both stood straight,"Hai, Sanada-fukubuchou!"

Dea's POV

I was still early even though I took my precious time walking to homeroom. I sat in my seat, not really wanting to be here today. Maybe we would have a substitute in a class.

I dozed off for the rest of class as far as I could tell.

When I did wake up it was time for the switch and I stood, heading on to my Math. Afterwards, seeing as math was no big deal- just numbers, I walked into Japanese.

I dreaded the class even though I was fluently speaking it. I wasn't the best at it. I would have much rather spoken English, but class was no longer avoidable seeing as sensei acknowledged my presence with a hello.

No skipping to day, than.

I place myself in my usual seat and waited for the torture to begin.

"Suzoki-chan?"

I looked to the familiar voice,"Kirihara-san?"

"What are you doing in the class?" His voice rang, getting louder as he got closer and took the seat next to mine.

"Um, doing what I have been for the first part of the school year. It's only the 3rd week after all."

"That means that we've had Japanese together this whole time?"

I put my pinky into my ear,"Saa, Kirihara-san, you can be much too loud."

"Aa, gomen."

I took my pinky out,"No, it's okay," I gave him a smile,"I like that about you."

Akaya's POV

I was once again glad that she was blind, seeing as my face had once again flushed.

She sure did know how to do a lot of things unintentionally. Well, at least she was nice, ne?

"Kirihara, Suzoki. Stop talking and pay attention!"

Dea said nothing, but turned her focus to sensei where as I responded,"Hai, Tachi-sensei."

I turned my focus to the lesson, seeing as this was one of my favorite subjects. Very enjoyable, unlike English.

I couldn't help but glance to Dea who seemed to look confused, the only given hint being her mouth forming into a frown. I couldn't help but wonder why she found it so hard.

Sensei soon handed out the days work and let us all get started- letting us speak quietly. This was not unusual for Tachi-sensei, but it was odd to go back to a class with less talking afterwards.

I turned to Dea, who had her Kanji/Braille worksheet. I wanted to say something, but she seemed to beat me to it.

Dea's POV

"Did you get today's lesson, Kirihara-san?" I said, pushing my hand through my unruly feeling hair.

"Yes actually."

"Ano," I paused- I wasn't one to ask for help often.

"Need help?"

I looked to him,"Don't sound so cocky."

Hmph, his impression was once again wavering. His bratty-self better be glad that the good overweighs the bad.

I was glad that when the bell rang Kirihara had given me some answers. That technically isn't asking for help.

I stayed seated- not wanting to go for lunch. I felt Akaya stand,"Suzoki-chan, what's the matter, ne?"

I didn't respond, but did stand up and toss my bag over my shoulder.

"Um, want to eat lunch with me today?"

I paused,"Arigatou, but not today Kirihara-san. I'm not fond of lunch."

"Okay, okay. See you in English!"

And he was off.

I turned to the right, the opposite direction of him, and to the front of the school. I sat on the bench by the front office and waited. I had my Japanese homework in front of me, but I knew that I was not going to work on it.

Instead I thought, about a lot.

I mainly pondered on why Akaya was so nice to me. I hadn't done anything special. Though, at the same time I felt like it was a feeling of exhilaration to be able to talk to someone normally.

Some would say that my good deeds have caught up with me, but I don't have many good deeds that are to be rewarded. Maybe I should just leave it as it is.

I heard the bell sound as many people shouted to others when running to class. I continued to sit on the bleacher, all I was missing was Physical Education. It was my personal take leave class. If I felt like not going I would be excused.

It left me to think, again. I shook my head and picked up my homework- maybe I should just start on this to clear my mind.

Oh. That worked so wonderfully.

Geography came and went.

It wasn't anything new, but as the bell rang I almost felt myself laugh- I would see Akaya in English.

I walked into the classroom- early from being only down the hall. I plopped down in my seat and took out the homework- second pocket in my small binder.

I set it on the desk, it was complete. Than I heard the boy,"Ehhh? That was homework?"

I turned to the voice, obviously it was Akaya.

"Did you not complete it, Kirihara-san?"

His silence was answer enough as I stuck out my paper,"At least get a few down."

"Nh? Bu-"

"Do it. You don't want a detention, right?"

He took the paper quickly, so he must have understood.

It didn't take him long to copy my answers and hand back the paper. The bell had rung a few minutes before, but Tsuki-sensei was busy with something.

"So, did you eat lunch, Suzoki-chan?"

I nodded. It would not be so hard to lie to this boy.

"Are you sure?"

I sighed,"Positive, Kirihara-san."

"Hm," he sounded to be in thought,"can you change the suffix you put on the end of m-"

"Class, quiet down. We are behind schedule today so let's begin."

Talking was inevitable even when we had to read our portion- seeing as my book order had finally come in.

Akaya's POV

Just as English had gotten a bit more exciting, it had reverted back to its old ways. I didn't need a detention so I couldn't sleep, but I didn't want to read the passage.

I glanced over to Dea, who's hand was quickly going over the dots in her book. She turned the page shortly after. Man, she could read like the wind!

I couldn't even get through a few sentences. Ugh.

Maybe I could get her to help me.

Dea's POV

I turned the page and finished up the passage. It was much simpler than I would have expected, making me wish there was something else to do.

Class continued on silently as the bell sounded- signaling the freedeom from classes. I closed my book- taking it up to sensei's desk. I turned around to leave, but hit someone.

"Neh! Gomen! Gomen!"

I looked up to the voice,"No, it was my fault Kirihara-san."

"No, mine."

I did not protest, at least he was honest.

It was silent for a moment until he broke it,"Saa, can we walk for a moment?"

I nodded, not like I had any rush today. We walked out the door as he continued to speak- me following his voice.

"I was wondering if you could, um, help... me."

I felt heat beat down on me as we left the building.

"Ano, with what?"

"With English."

I smiled,"Not so cocky now, ne~?"

"Naah! Suzoki-chan~!"

He yelled to me, letting out the suffix. I smiled,"When were you thinking about?"

"Ne, tomorrow after school. I don't have tennis practice tomorrow."

"Um, okay."

"Is it okay if we take the bus?"

"Saa, sure. I'll just have to tell my father."

I heard slight joy in his voice,"Yes, good. I need all the help I can get."

"Haha," I heard the pick pocking sound I had this morning,"I must be off now."

"Okay by- Wait!"

I turned,"Honto[3]?"

"I meant to finish asking you about the suffix you put on my na-"

"Akaya! You're late! Sanada-fukubuchou and Yukimura-buchou are looking for you!"

"Naa, hai, Jackal-senpai!"

He turned back to me, but I shoo'ed him off,"Don't get in trouble with your senpais now."

He sighed in defeat,"Bye Suzoki-chan."

"Ja ne, Kirihara-san."

[1] He tried to get her with a hose and honey. Quite odd if you ask me.

[2] Saa: Another version of 'who'. or just a noise people make.

[3] Honto: I'm thinking that's another form of 'what'.

Again written by Firegurl :]

~Tai.