Hello, all. Seems I'm just in an updating mood (rare enough). So enjoy!
ArtificialAngel: Well, I usually do. Though, I wouldn't have ever if it hadn't been requested. I think I mentioned before, I've only seen the English anime, so I'm used to Hiyono calling him Ayumu. Sorry about that, but thanks for reviewing!
DarogaDaae: O.o.. yes, go odd pairings! Though.. odd, straight pairings aren't my thing.. but I suppose it's not going so badly. Thanks for reviewing!
The next day, school had gone about as interesting and quickly as it always did, which for Hiyono (unlike just about everyone else that was stuck in the rat maze), was fairly interesting and rather quickly. Perhaps it was due to the simple fact that, no matter who you were or how long the classes seemed on some days, if you didn't want to be out of school, you found yourself in last period in the blink of an eye. It was one of those days for the Yuizaki girl, and she tried to think of any way she possibly could to put off her exit. She considered stopping time altogether, but soon ran into the complication that she didn't know how.
The next best alternative was the newspaper room, which she spent many hours in. It was like her home away from home, and she knew she'd be safe there-- her own little haven. However, when she stuck her head inside the door, she noticed Ayumu laying back in one of the chairs, a magazine over his face. If she woke him up, then she'd have to talk to him. Any other day, that would have been the thing she most wanted to do, but not today. She knew when she talked to Ayumu, one of two things would happen: she'd either seem very nervous and he'd catch on, then ask or what was up; or, she would bug him too much to the point where he'd head home. Going home meant time wasn't stopped, and time not stopping meant tonight would happen.
Quietly closing the door to let her friend sleep in peace, Hiyono sighed to herself. There was no avoiding it, "Might as well make the best of it." She thought, getting a determined air about her. If she had to go through with her deal-- and it was Hiyono, Miss Honesty-- then she'd do it the best way she knew how. She even grew a bit excited at one point, "Maybe he'll take me to that new little Italian restaurant that just opened up." This, of course, led to her scheming a plan, "If I eat too much, maybe I'll scare him away with it... or he might just cut the date short if he thinks the bill will be too much." Maybe this date wouldn't be so bad; after all, what could be bad about a free meal?
--
And a free meal it wasn't. The date started off fine as Hiyono was surprised to see Kousuke on time. Hiyono, always being on top of things, was a bit early, but she didn't mind waiting. Those few minutes before Kousuke arrived, when she was standing outside, leaning against the wall of the abandoned school, looking up at the still night sky, and feeling the gentle night air sweep past her; they reminded her of a calm before a giant storm. It unnerved her a bit, to think that the date might be that storm. Though, if that was the most of her worries, then she could still consider herself quite lucky.
Soon enough, she was joined by the sound of footsteps belonging to none other than her brightly-haired date. She pushed off the wall slightly and stood straight up, watching as he approached her. The tense air between the two once they got within a few feet of each other foreshadowed a very awkward night and Hiyono inwardly sighed. She only hoped that Kousuke wouldn't try any incredibly lame moves or lines on her.
"Wow." He remarked, being the first to speak.
"Huh?" she wondered, being drug from her thoughts.
"You're even cuter at night."
Hiyono then swore she saw him wink at her and grin. She sighed again, "So much for that." Still trying to not let the night go too badly, she brought up a new topic, "Where are we going?"
Kousuke flashed a pair of tickets in front of her face, "A concert." He replied, simply.
"This is where the storm crashes and burns." She thought, trying to hide her fear of his answer to the next question, "What kind of concert?"
"Hm..." Perhaps he hadn't thought this through very well. It seemed like a good idea at the time, and he thought he might even impress her with the tickets; they would have been very expensive if he had bought them. Shrugging his doubt off, he resumed his cocky smirk and handed one to her, "Just a little classical music." He said, motioning to his own ticket, "By Eyes Rutherford."
Hiyono blinked once, twice, three times, then let out an ear drum-shattering, fangirl squeal. Kousuke thought he might have gone deaf, but Hiyono convinced him he hadn't when he still heard her voice, "Oh, my god, Eyes Rutherford?! How did you get these tickets?! I tried so hard and they were all sold out!"
Seeing that he had scored big time, Kousuke went along with it, "Well, he's a friend of mine. I can even get you a private interview, if you want." He offered. Eyes might kill him for the annoyance, but he was sure it would be worth it.
The fangirling continued, and the redhead just chuckled-- he'd scored big time with the tickets. In her excitement, Hiyono actually glomped Kousuke. True, she glomped him into a wall, and it hurt like hell, but once again, it was well worth it. Once the blonde had calmed down enough to take a breath, she beamed at Kousuke, "You're not that bad once I get to know you." She offered.
That was enough encouragement for the Blade Child to hook his arm around her slender waist and motion down the road. The two started walking, and after a moment of silence, he spoke again, "So why do you hang out with that Little Narumi anyway?"
Hiyono blinked, "Ayumu?" She wondered what had brought the brunette up, but then got to thinking about her answer. Finally, she replied, "Well, he's really smart and he's nice under all that tough guy attitude." At that point, she cast a sideways glance to the boy at her side, "Just like you!"
Emerald eyes blinked in surprise, "Just like... wha- hey! I am not like that loser Narumi!" he exclaimed, "I'm much better."
The shorter one just snickered, "Of course you are." She agreed, sarcastically. Kousuke just looked off to the side, huffing slightly and muttering about how insulting it was to be compared to Ayumu.
--
Eventually, the two reached the concert hall where Eyes was performing. Trying ever so hard to regain his coolness in Hiyono's eyes, if he ever had any, the redhead opened the door for her. Seeing the gesture, she offered him a small smile before walking in with her date in tow. As they made their way to the entrance of the auditorium, Hiyono muttered to herself, "Eyes Rutherford live in concert..."
The elder of the two heard her dream like sigh at the end and scoffed, "What's so great about him, anyway?"
"He just doesn't think anyone's great." She thought to herself, wondering if Kousuke made those comments just out of jealousy. Of course, that answer was obvious. "What isn't great about him?" she countered, "He's got wonderful skills, great looks, a charming accent, that sexy brooding look..."
This went on until Kousuke had had about enough, "And he's cold, arrogant, high priority." He interrupted, "Won't listen to anyone else, thinks he's always right..."
Hiyono tilted her head, "Why don't you like Eyes? I thought you said you two were friends."
She'd caught him there. "Well...you see, we're not exactly friends..."
"So you lied to me?" she asked, accusingly. Kousuke also detected a slight hint of betrayal, though she should have expected that much from him.
"No, no!" he said quickly, "I know him and all, really well. We Blade Children have to stick together and all..."
"So then why don't you like him?" she repeated, calming down almost immediately.
"I told you. He's just arrogant and always so cool and smooth." He scoffed again at this, "I don't see what's so great about him."
"He must just be jealous." She thought, trying to hide the amused smile forming on her lips. Her hand came down to pat the sulking teen on his bright head, "Of course."
The two eventually made their way to their seats-- front row, of course-- and sat in silence while the other occupants of the hall whispered and muttered about this and that. Kousuke looked around, slightly annoyed at the lack of anything to do. He'd never liked watching Eyes' concerts, but knew that it would score big points with Hiyono. The girl to his side was content with awaiting the famous boy's presence. Kousuke just chuckled to himself at her anxious silence.
He surveyed the crowd to see no one of any real interest seated near him, so he turned his attention back to his date. His emerald eyes scanned over the blonde, and he realized that she was more breath-taking than he had originally realized. His first glance at her told him she was cute and peppy as hell. Perhaps it was just the low lighting of the theater, but now she seemed more beautiful than cute. Her honey-colored hair was still in its normal pigtails, but the soft light bouncing off of her head gave her hair a golden shine. Her eyes sparkled with the candles that were lit along the edge of the stage. The whole mood of the concert and soft setting brought out a side in her he didn't think he'd see, especially not so soon. This wasn't the same loud girl he met in the park.
Suddenly, a cheer rose from the crowd, clapping ensued, and the silver-haired Blade Child stepped out onto the stage. It wasn't until he was seated and began playing his first piece that the crowd quieted down to better hear the talents of the young professional. Hiyono leaned forward just a little bit more, watching delicate fingers strike ivory keys rapidly as the song built its momentum. A small smirk covered Kousuke's lips as his hand slid over her own, their fingers intertwining. He was watching the blonde much more than he was Rutherford, by far, and noticed when her lips moved, speaking silent words.
He leaned into her just the slightest, "Hm?" he murmured, hoping to catch her next words.
"He's...amazing." She whispered once again, as if not to ruin the mood.
"Yeah, well, he's not that great..." the redhead muttered, downtrodden that she hadn't been speaking of him.
"Just like..." she trailed off, mesmerized by the pianist.
"Just like...?" he pressed, "Like me?" he asked in his head. Who else could she compare Eyes to? Not that Kousuke and the blue-eyed boy had anything in common.
"Just like Ayumu." She replied, almost unconsciously, "Their skill is so impressive, the both of them."
Kousuke sighed and hung his head, "Still on about Little Narumi?" he groaned, "What does she see in that loser?"
Finally snapping out of her daze as the song ended, short and abrupt and the crowd's chatter and clapping took over, the brown-eyed girl looked to the boy at her side. "Huh? Something wrong, Kousuke?"
Hearing his name spoken, his head rose and green clashed with reddish-brown as their eyes met, "No, nothing."
It was only for a second, but in that instant where their eyes locked, Hiyono felt like time had stopped. She saw a rare passion in those deep green eyes that she only saw in few. She had seen it in Ayumu whenever he was determined about solving a case, or when he was bringing down a culprit and unveiling the answer that no one else could seem to reach on their own. Other than that, no one held such a love of excitement and life. He almost reminded her of her own vivaciousness .
"If you say so." She said in a sing-song voice, telling him she could see through his disguise easily enough.
Her only response was a chuckle as a second song reached its climax. He leaned back, looking toward the stage for once, glancing over to her every now and then, "Maybe she's not the cute little ditz I first took her for."
All done this chapter, finally. Next one will be up eventually and will get into a bit more of a romantic setting, after-the-date type of thing. It's up to you all if you want a full on lemon yet or not, so review!