Just So You Know
kalen1
Summary: Amou started invading the music camp of the participants of the concour and has a very naughty idea how she could finally make the story she adore so much, Violin Romance, come true.
Disclaimer: Again, La Corda D'oro is not mine and this would be the second time I'm wishing Ren Tsukimori is mine.
Recap: Hino had finally confessed to Amou and Tsukimori the truth regarding the magic violin while Amou is thinking of something wicked to do in order to hook up the two…
Author's Notes: Thank you very much for diligently waiting for me to update the stories and also for sending out your thoughts. I really appreciate it! I am thinking to end everything by chapter four. Men, I'm not really good in long stories. I usually do one-shot stories only but I really don't know what came to me that I had come up with this kind of fics.
Special Thanks To:
kuroxdoragon: I'm glad that you love Tsukimori's self rants. I was thinking desperately about it while writing it that really really really hot afternoon! I just want him voicing out his thoughts more rather than keeping it to himself, even with just this fic. And in fairness to Yunoki's character, he may seem to be a deceitful guy but I think he just had no choice since he needs to act 'perfect' to everyone. At least, we should be happy that he had let his true color appear to Hino. Just my own rabble about Yunoki… About the game truth or dare, to tell you the truth I really don't know what I'm going to do with those three so thinking it was the only way to force it out from Hino and Tsukimori so there…please don't hate me. Besides, he, somehow, gained interest about the game right? So there, trying to make excuse at my laziness to think of something else. Well, about the word 'ano', uhm, yah, I used it for other term of 'uhm', 'uh' or something to replace words that can't be explained, a filler, something like that. And yes, Tsukimori is cold but let's wait for things to heat up, shall we? I, too, was waiting on what my head will tell me to type in. And here's the update! Thanks for the review!
jv: It's great that you like my stories. I'm really grateful for that. Well, I just thought to reveal it to this chapter because…I really don't know…besides, I have no plans of writing up such a long fic. Actually, I had fics before that I hadn't even finish so this is like an attempt of me, trying to finish up a fic longer than one chappy. I put it under M rating so that there won't be any problem for the M part of the fic. Well, I think that's a good idea but just to set up people's expectations. Thanks for the thought!
AniMangaFrEAk19930: Ehehehe. Thanks for agreeing with my thought. And that's a good idea, maybe I should put Tsukimori's parents at the end of the fic…dancing, let's see… but it should really be interesting to see his parent's reaction after the slumber party thing.
SnowCharms: Again, I understand but please understand why I've put it under that rating. Just following orders. Besides, if I put it under T rating, and then suddenly switched it to M, people won't be able to see it right away and would think it was gone with the wind. Just a thought from my messed up brain. And yeah, okay, granted your wish, almost but not completely erased the Japanese words. Sorry, I really don't know how it works in the Japanese language, just saw those words that I cam up with from scanlated mangas and other fics that I've read. Thanks for putting up a review!
Enjoy!
Chapter Three. Cold Fever
"What do you think is happening inside?" Hihara asked in wonder with his eyes looking bored and sleepy
"Good question, no answer," Tsuchiura answered with a sigh as he closed his eyes.
The two participants of the concour are silently sitting on the cold wooden corridor, in front of the music room where Tsukimori, Hino and Amou are having their slumber party. Right after what they heard from Kanazawa-sensei, the two has decided not to sleep a wink in order to check what's happening to the so-called slumber party, or more like waiting for someone to get out of the room. But Amou, who had somehow foreseen what the other participants of the concour would do, had made sure that no one would be able to peek inside and more than that, since it's a soundproof room, no one would be able to hear what's happening inside.
"We really should have joined voluntarily," Hihara asked as he raised both of his legs and put his arms around it. "There's so many questions that I'd like to ask Kaho-chan." Hihara stared at the door with a sigh. 'I wonder what's Kaho-chan's favorite color, her favorite past time, how she'd like to be taken in a date and what kind of guy she really likes.'
"And who knows what could that Tsukimori is hiding," Tsuchiura said with a sigh with his left leg raised and his right leg stretched outward. 'I need to confirm if he really likes Hino. Damn that Tsukimori! How could he be so lucky!' Tsuchiura silently cursed the male violinist.
"So, going sneaky again but not so lucky to hear anything, are we?" Yunoki asked, standing not so far from the two. Hihara almost jumped upon seeing Yunoki.
"Yunoki! What are you doing here?" Hihara asked, almost jumping off to his feet as he dumbfounded to see the flutist standing by the corridor. "Yunoki, you're more like the sneaky guy compared to us!"
"Hmmm… I was just checking. So were you able to see or hear anything?" Yunoki asked as he approached the two and sat beside Hihara in an informal way where his legs are crossed.
"It's impossible to do anything from here. Amou made sure that we can't see what's happening inside and the door is also locked," Tsuchiura answered with his eyes close. 'That sneaky reporter! It seems that she has planned on this for a long time! What could she gain by doing this?!' he mentally cursed Amou as her image of laughing wickedly crossed his mind.
"I see," Yunoki said as he stared at the door. "Won't you guys go to bed and sleep?" Yunoki asked with a smile, looking at the two male companions. "I mean it's pretty obvious we can't do anything as of the moment, right?"
"Well, you know, just in case someone gets out. There's no bathroom inside, right?" Hihara said with his eyes full of determination and his fist clenched as if he's going in a battle.
"And you're going to sneak inside once someone opened the door?" Yunoki asked. 'Simple but might work… it may be a crude idea but there's no harm in trying…' he told himself.
"You bet that's right!" Tsuchiura answered. 'Wait till I get in there, Tsukimori! Just you wait!'
"That would be a great idea," Yunoki said with a giggle. "Perhaps, I'll be joining the two of you in this plan."
"This is so great! So everyone having fun?" Amou asked in a joyful tone as she lifted her can of juice up.
"Define fun," Tsukimori answered in a cold tone as he took a sip of the cold coffee.
"Nah, Tsukimori-kun, just when I thought you're ALSO having fun with what's happening," Amou said, looking bored as she slumped on the table, arms crossed yet holding firmly the can of juice. 'Ease up, ice prince! Or would it be because there's a permanent sting of a mosquito on your ass that you can't even smile for once! Good grief!'
"I can't have fun when the competition would be held very soon. I wanted to practice as much as possible to perfect my performance. Is that really hard to get, Amou-san?" Tsukimori asked in a very cold tone, glaring at the female reporter. "Or is there so much information on your head that nothing, especially with a sense, sinks properly in your head?"
Amou had her eyebrow twitched upon Tsukimori's comment. 'This guy would really have a lot of problems in the future. He just can't act normal!' Amou commented to herself. "Tsukimori, you're really boring…" Amou said with a sigh. "Anyway, let's just stop the truth or dare game. I'm already tired. Let's just have some free talk here," Amou said as she removed the bottle off the center of the table. The room suddenly became quiet as it seems that the slumber party is going no where. Amou sighed and opened another can of juice. "So, Hino-chan, I just wonder, did you have any relationships before?" Amou asked straightforward.
"Huh?!" Hino almost screamed at Amou's straightforward question, making her spill some liquid off the can of juice she's drinking at the moment. 'What's with this straightforward question?'
Tsukimori stared at Amou, trying to understand what's going in her head. His bored look ceased as a glint of interest came to him. 'You may be a really a major pain-in-the-ass reporter but you do ask some interesting questions from time to time. I thank you for asking that to Hino…' Tsukimori shifted her eyes and directed them to Hino who's starting to fidget, feeling uncomfortable with the question.
"Well, Hino-chan?" Amou called out her name just to remind Hino that she's waiting for her answer. "I told you no information leaks out of this room, right?" she said, waiving the can of juice in front of her. 'You better answer that question soon. I see that Tsukimori-kun seems to have gained interest with the conversation all over again.'
Hino sighed and said, "There's not much to say. I didn't have any boyfriend before." Hino slightly grimaced. 'This is really bad. They must be thinking I'm such a pitiful creature not to have the experience of having any relationship before.'
"REALLY?!" Amou suddenly slumped her hands on the table.
Tsukimori flinched at the sound. 'This girl is not just annoying but the sound she makes is really devastating! I could become deaf any moment from now!' he thought to himself, rubbing the other side of his right ear.
"What's with that reaction, Amou-san? I thought my ears could break!" Hino said, wincing from the pain she felt from Amou's loud scream.
"Nothing. I was just surprised, that's all…" Amou said, drinking another sip from the can of juice. "Besides, this kind of information is essential for the Violin Romance. Just imagine, Hino Kahoko, who had not have a boyfriend ever since, will end up with a very wonderful rival romance story!"
"That again?" Hino sighed as a sweat drop fell on her head. 'When will this 'Violin Romance' investigation ends? I'm already tired from all of this…'
"Of course, the concour won't be as exciting as it is without some magical or fairy tale like story. Violin Romance has been the long awaited story of Seiso Gakuen!" Amou proclaimed as the background suddenly sparkled around.
'Can someone shut this girl up? Anyone? Anything?' Tsukimori silently prayed with his eyes shut, hoping for his wish to come true.
Hino weakly smiled and then took a sip from her own can of juice, "Anyway, how about you, Amou-san? Did you have a boyfriend before?" Hino asked, trying to change the topic.
Tsukimori twitched his left eyebrow elegantly and mentally sighed. 'I don't really want to know and I don't really care. Please change the topic already.'
"Me?" Amou stared at Hino who's looking rather interested. Amou sighed and glanced at Tsukimori who had an annoyed face. 'Well, I think I know what's going inside this guy's head,' she inwardly smirked and said, "Well, I don't have time for that. I'm quite busy with my reports ever since middle school so I really had not taken that into consideration. You see, being a professional reporter is my dream ever since I was a kid so I really worked hard in order to get the hang of the fast pace life of a reporter."
"Ha? But that was…are you sure you're not lying, Amou-san?" Hino almost objected, eyes narrowing towards Amou. 'I definitely sense something strange about you, Amou-san. Admit that you're lying!'
Amou sighed. 'Hino-chan, can't you sense the irritated aura from Tsukimori-kun? Of course, I lied because I could bet, even for a million yen, that this guy over here won't bother listening to that.' She smiled towards Tsukimori and said, "Well, never mind that. I told you my life only revolves to reporting and that is that. So, how about you, Tsukimori-kun?"
"I'm not gay," he simply answered with his eyes closed. 'I'm not going to that level,' he added mentally.
Amou stared at her, both annoyed and surprised at Tsukimori's answer. "I'm not saying you're gay. I was asking if you had any relationship before. If you're not gay, how about with a girl?" Amou corrected. 'How come you answered like that? Though it would be a little interesting, and also disappointing, if you're gay…'
"I don't have time for that," Tsukimori simply answered with his eyes shut. 'This conversation is over! I don't want to answer to any of this foolish questions! I'd rather play the violin non-stop than staying here even for just a minute!'
"But you're a really popular guy, Tsukimori-kun," Hino said, quite surprised. "I think there are a lot of girls who admires you. Or would it be because there's someone you like, right?" she asked, quite surprised at Tsukimori's revelation.
Amou raised her eyebrow. 'Hino-chan, asking Tsukimori-kun that there's someone he likes…?'
Tsukimori twitched as his eyes flew open with the phrase 'there's someone you like' and made him really uncomfortable at the moment. "What are you… what are you trying to say, Hino-san?" he asked. 'Are you asking me who I like? Or are you asking me what kind of girls I like or…are you asking me to confess?'
"Well, that you have someone you like, at least, even from the past," Hino answered, finger pointing upward. "Come to think of it, you and Amou-san both had no time for romance. It seems that the two of you are alike in this way, compatible don't you think so?" Tsukimori and Amou both twitched and felt goosebumps coming over them.
Tsukimori gritted his teeth with his eyes hidden under his bangs. 'What made you think that I am compatible with this woman?! Hell no! To be even compared, to be assumed to be similar to this annoying woman is something UNACCEPTABLE!'
"Hino-chan…" Amou called out, gaining a confused look from Hino. "I think you're having some confusion with the way you use your words. We're definitely, as in DEFINITELY NOT compatible with each other. Besides, he's rather not my type," she said with a gloomy aura. Amou, for the first time in her life, had encountered a mind-bugging experience worst than the last time she watched a horror flick. She felt weakened by Hino's statement and felt like this was the biggest joke one told her in her entire life.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Hino said apologetically. "I just thought you guys don't have much time so…
"Enough," Amou said, slumping her hand on the table. 'I won't let that topic go on anymore! It's just too unbearable! Stop this nonsense anymore!' she said with her eyes shut and having a cross vein on her head. "It all seems that I'm having suicide by the look of it," she said with a sigh.
"Ah… okay," Hino said with a confused look. 'Did I said something really bad?' she asked herself. The three remained quiet for some time as they both let the intense aura passed by. Hino opened another can of juice and stared at the two who gave her a rather different impression. 'Tsukimori-kun must be mad for being branded as gay. Amou-san must be annoyed to open up the topic about having a boyfriend. Geez…' she said with a sigh as she took a sip.
"So, Hino-san," Amou started, after regaining from the shock, "Have you already have your first kiss?" Amou asked. 'I'm going to regain my dignity with this new topic! No way in hell I'm going to be deprived of my reporter nature, not from you, Hino-chan! I should be the one taking in control for the whole duration of the slumber party, not the participants!'
Hino blushed deep in red and furiously asked, "What are you talking about, Amou-san?" Hino nervously placed the can of juice on the table. 'Amou-san, how come you always end up asking questions that are so hard to answer?' she asked inwardly. "Can't you ask for a simpler question?" she finally asked, rephrasing the question that she had thought earlier.
Tsukimori silently smiled to himself. 'That makes, negative infinity plus two… good job, Amou-san…'
"What? I'm just asking!" Amou said in defense. "I was just wondering about some things about you guys and for the nth time, this not going out of this room!"
"You talking about this out of the blue!" Hino said, face still flushed. 'How do you suppose me to take and then answer that kind of question?'
"Well, I just like to know," Amou said, narrowing her eyes once again. "Aren't you curious too, Tsukimori-kun?" she asked, looking at Tsukimori's direction.
Tsukimori turned his face to the side and did not answer. 'Of course, I'd like to know as well. Why the hell are you asking me blatantly, Amou-san? Moreover, how does one react with this kind of question?'
"Being too shy, neh, Tsukimori-kun?" Amou said with a teasing smile. 'I know you really like to know as well. Just simply say yes. Why is it so damn hard for you to say a three letter word?'
"It really doesn't matter to me," Tsukimori started, eyes closed. "If Hino-san wishes to answer that question, that would be fine. If not, I'll respect it nonetheless."
Amou stared at Tsukimori and had a bored look on her face. 'Tsukimori-kun, you're not helping. Giving Hino-chan that kind of option only would make her not to say anything. Sometimes, please use the sense of being a normal person, will you? I'll not be able to get any information when you do this kind of stuff, when you say this kind of stupid reactions!'
Hino remained quiet for a moment and Tsukimori stared at her. 'Great, now you're not going to know anything about it. Thank you for having an idiotic head! Think about something…fast!' he cursed himself and coughed. Amou and Hino stared at him. "But must I remind you that since I was dragged in this predicament, that I had really not given any consent or whatsoever, that you have to answer that question as truthful as possible."
Amou smiled at Tsukimori's words. 'Finally, some intelligent words from the ice prince. I must say, that's a really good line, not expecting it, not a single hope, for you to come up with something that really sounds intelligent and…normal…'
Hino first stared at Tsukimori and ended up giggling, eyes closed. 'Well, he's right. He was forced to join us here…' Hino finally opened her eyes, smiled towards Tsukimori, and said, "Well, yes, it must be really troublesome for you to come here for that. I'm afraid to admit it but I think you're right. Even though we're not playing truth or dare now, it won't be no fun if I'm not going to answer that question, right? Well, honestly speaking, yes, I did have my first kiss back in middle school…"
Tsukimori's eyes popped open. 'What? Someone got her first kiss already? No way! Who's that demon and I'm going to regret he was ever born!'
"So if you have not had any boyfriend, how come you had your first kiss stolen, Hino-chan?" Amou asked, growing interested with the answer from the redhead. 'Yes, we need more information. Someone over here is seriously jealous and I bet he's already thinking of the perfect way of killing that guy… I'm just so happy to know it!"
Hino smiled after drinking another sip of her juice and said, "Well, it was really nothing. We had some game during a party. That was it all. Besides, it was just a short kiss, around five seconds, I think."
"That was fast!" Amou reacted, surprised and annoyed at the same time. "I wouldn't even call that a kiss," she added, taking another sip. Amou glanced at Tsukimori and saw him relaxed. 'Well, seems like that guy will still be able to live out the rest of his life.'
"Well, we just had a game. My friends told us to have a French kiss other than the chaste kiss but I threatened to leave before hand so that was that. I really don't like doing it that time," Hino explained with her eyes shut and took another drink. "By the way, Amou-san, you seem to have more experience in it than I do."
"Well, I may not have a boyfriend but I do admit that I had a lot of experiences with kissing," Amou said proudly, putting her right hand over her chest.
'I want to get out. NOW,' Tsukimori mentally noted himself, rolling his eyes.
"Well, first thing first. Do you guys know how and when to kiss?" Amou asked, looking at her two companions.
Hino stared at her and said, "Well, what I know is that once you're in that moment, then you kiss. Or something like that?"
"Tsk. Tsk. Hino-chan, you're really an amateur in this field. Well, how about you, Tsukimori-kun?" Amou asked.
Tsukimori blinked. Once. Twice. Thrice. It seems that words suddenly evaporated out of his head. All he could do at that time is to stare at Amou, surprised and confusion crossed his handsome face.
'Got yah!' Amou narrowed her eyes and had a teasing smile directed towards Tsukimori. "Well, Tsukimori-kun?"
"Do I really have to answer that?" he blurted out with the only set of words that came out of his mouth at that very moment as if he just scooped the words back inside his head.
"Well, of course! What kind of an answer is that?" Amou said, kneeling on the futon with her hands on her waist. "Speak up, Tsukimori Ren-kun!"
Tsukimori coughed and closed his eyes, "Ihadnoidea…" he blurted out straight, no pausing, under one breath.
"Huh?" Amou and Hino stared at him.
"What was that?" Amou asked, narrowing her eyes towards Tsukimori.
Tsukimori had his brows knitted. He's really annoyed at the moment. He suddenly slammed his hand on the table and yelled, "I SAID I HAD NO FREAKING IDEA!" Amou and Hino suddenly backed out, seeing Tsukimori suddenly burst out. Tsukimori, surprised by what he just did, slowly sat back to the futon, bewildered by the sudden change of reaction from him. 'What the hell am I doing?' he asked himself, gently placing her hand on his forehead.
"Ah, sorry to ask about it, Tsukimori-kun," Amou said with a twitching smile. 'Geez, for the first time, this guy really scared the hell out of me! It seems that all of his frustrations have been released at that time!'
"Ah, Tsukimori-kun, you sure you're okay?" Hino asked, worried though scared at the same time, to Tsukimori. 'He really looks, not just ready to kill, but totally wanting to kill someone at that time…'
"Ah…" Tsukimori faintly answered as if all of his energy was drained out of that simple yell. 'This is far tiring than I thought it should be. Heck, it's more nerve wrecking compared to the time I joined my mother in her concert.'
"Well, since that has already been answered…" Amou said out, though making sure, she's at the edge of her side, as far as possible from Tsukimori's position. 'It's better to get as far as possible before hell breaks lose…' She smiled weakly at the two and said, "But it seems that Tsukimori-kun felt unease with the topic so I think we should switch to another topic, shall we?" she asked.
"No, it's fine," Tsukimori said in a low tone, his eyes hiding beneath his bangs. 'Just go on. I don't want to think what else you would come up to ask, either to Hino or to me, that would really make me wish to hit the wall with my head.'
"Huh?" Amou asked, staring at the male violinist, not being able to understand what he meant to by 'it's fine', whether he's just too tired to react or to annoyed to react.
Tsukimori opened his eyes and darted an evil glare towards Amou. 'Do I have to repeat myself again, Amou-san?' That's what's Tsukimori had in mind to say to Amou but he did not blurted it out, quite hesitant that he might scream off his voice again. He had enough headache that he could ever endure for the rest of his life.
Amou had her brows and lips twitched, as if finding a hint by the way Tsukimori glared towards her. 'I guess, I should not ask again…' Amou closed her eyes, trying to forget the evil glare and had a deep breath. 'Guess, I should start with the safe way of explaining about kisses or I might end being in the front page of our school paper, instead of me, writing the front page of the school paper,' she thought with a sigh. "Well, if that's the case then you two should take into consideration the most important details before getting into the plunge, before kissing someone. For romantic type of people, the one thing they need to remember is to make that kiss one of the most unforgettable events in their lives."
"I think I know what you mean, Amou-san," Hino said, looking down with her two fingers placed on her chin. "A kiss for someone really special, for someone you really care for and like…"
Tsukimori blinked for a thousand times, for a moment there. How he did it, he's not really sure. He's not hearing this. He's trying to think that he's hearing something else. His eyes widened as he stared at Hino's serious face. 'Did she just said what I think she just said or am I imagining something else? So that means that Hino had someone in mind, someone she really likes…could it one of the participants in the concour?'
Amou stared at the ever changing face of Tsukimori. She never thought that she could be able to see the said musical prodigy to change his expressions from time to time. She never thought that Tsukimori has this other side of him and she never thought she would be able to see this side of him. 'It's a good thing that he was chosen as the 'sacrificial lamb'. This is so much fun that I have initially thought it would be!' she thought to herself in wonder, resting her left cheek at the back of her left hand. "So, do tell, Hino-chan, do you have anyone you specifically like? Perhaps one of the participants in the concour?" Amou asked out of the blue.
Tsukimori suddenly twitched, his eyes widening, as he stared at Amou's wicked face. 'You're the saint of all the annoyance that has been established on this world and the goddess of interrogation. I don't know whether I would thank you or kill you after Hino answers that question,' he mentally wonder to himself what he'll do with the reporter once the slumber part is over.
"Amou-san!" Hino suddenly yelped with a deep red blush on her face. "Why are you bringing this up right now?" Hino suddenly asked. 'Not this question. Not this question AGAIN!'
Amou had a bored look. 'So, not going to tell the most important information right away, neh?' Amou sighed and closed her eyes. "Well, it would be good to start with that," she started. 'I'm not easy to give up. I'll be able to spill it out of your mouth who you like whether you like it or not.' Amou opened her eyes and smiled sweetly at Hino. "Alright, let me elaborate things for you. It would be good to know who you like so that we could discuss from here what you could do once you were able to get that once in a lifetime chance. Kissing is not just plain meeting of lips. It involves more than that. Besides…" she paused, looking wickedly at her. "It would be nice so that Tsukimori-kun and I could give you what we think about that guy and how you're going to approach him. Right, Tsukimori-kun?"
Tsukimori had sweat dripping all over his face. 'What? Why are you asking me this? Is this something that I have to respond to? But…how the hell you respond to this kind of situation? I don't even know what and what to do in kissing! Heck, why do I feel like the room's getting hotter?'
Amou smiled. 'Maybe I should heat things up more for you neh, Tsukimori-kun?' Amou waved her hand towards Tsukimori-kun and added, "Of course, as a guy, you would certainly know about how a guy would feel about these things, right? Of course, we know that you had not been involved in a relationship but I know that you have an idea what kind of girl you'd like to end up with, what you can do for the girl and what you'll do for that girl. So, if it was you Tsukimori, you could tell us what ideas you have in mind regarding on this even without any experiences or whatsoever. Besides, as a guy you'd definitely know your most sensitive areas, right?"
Tsukimori felt dizzy for an unknown reason. It got hotter than the last minute. And heat is one of his enemies in life. He can't withstand too much heat. Worst case scenario, he was even bed ridden for a week because of just a simple heat stroke.
Amou giggled inwardly. "What the hell are you being silent about?" Amou said, taking another sip from the can of juice. "This is an important topic for both men and women, kissing! Come on! We're not elementary kids right now! We're already in high school! It is important to know what, the person you like, is thinking or their expectations, especially if you kiss them! Moreover, there's more than the lips to kiss, there are so many areas where one could place a kiss, right?"
Tsukimori felt that he had enough. His eyes are swirling. This is not a good sign. Moments later, he suddenly fell lump on the futon. 'I hate heat stroke…' he inwardly sighed.
"Tsukimori-kun, are you alright?" Hino asked, running towards Tsukimori. She sat beside him and held his hands. Her free hand moved to his forehead and suddenly a concern look crossed her face. "Amou-san, he must have another fever! He's really burning right now!" Hino yelled.
Amou quickly got up and said, "Wait here. I'm going to bring some cold towels." Amou sighed as she rushed towards the door. 'This guy…can't take up the heat, neh?' she said with a smile on her face. 'Wait, this must be a really good opportunity for them to get along more,' she said to herself, laughing inwardly. Amou glanced at the two as she held the doorknob and saw the gentle look from Hino towards Tsukimori as she gently lifts his head and placed it on her lap. 'I'm sure, after this, you'll owe me one big, as in really HUGE, favor, Tsukimori-kun.' Amou opened door and immediately had pressed the lock and then had closed the door right away.
And there came the surprise…
Amou stopped by the door and saw Hihara, Yunoki and Tsuchiura sitting on the corridor, sleeping. 'What the hell?' She had a huge sweatdrop on her head, seeing the three calmly sleeping. Tsuchiura is sitting with his head bent down, snoring softly while Hihara had already collapsed on the floor with a small pillow on his head, legs spread open, going on top of Tsuchiura's right leg. Yunoki, on the other hand, is elegantly sleeping with his back straight on the wall. 'Well, too bad for all of you,' Amou inwardly smirked. Amou started walking tip-toed, making sure not to wake the three sleeping guys on the corridor. 'Well, well, it'll be a hell of a night! Can't wait for tomorrow!'
"Tsukimori-kun…" Hino called, holding his hand tightly. 'He must be really stressed out. We should not have forced him to come along,' Hino said to herself with a sad face as she gently wipes his forehead with her handkerchief. "I'm sorry, Tsukimori-kun…" she said in a low tone.
Tsukimori slowly regained consciousness and slowly opened his eyes. The first thing he saw is Hino's sad face. "Hino?" he called, concern crossed the tone of his voice.
"Are you alright, Tsukimori-kun?" Hino asked, stopping from wiping his forehead. "We didn't expect you to collapse like that. It seems that you had your stress built in that…"
"I'm fine," he said, stopping Hino's words, yet not moving from his position. He closed as his eyes as he felt the warmth underneath his head. 'Soft and warm…'
"Don't worry. Amou-san is going to come back again to bring some cold towels. It seems that you got a fever," Hino said with a weak smile. "I'm sure she'll get some medicine for you too…"
"No need for that," Tsukimori said in a very weak tone. "I just got dizzy, that's all…" Tsukimori inwardly sighed. 'I don't think I'm sick. That woman said so many things that got me dizzy…'
The two remained silent for quite some time, not moving an inch, until Tsukimori broke the silence. "Hino…"
"Yes…?" Hino asked back, confusion on her face. "Is there something you need?"
"The one you like…what kind of a person is this person you like?" he asked, not opening his eyes. Hino was taken aback by the question and don't know what to say. Since Hino did not answer right away, Tsukimori suddenly became tense but did not dare to open his eyes. "I just want to know…"
"The one I like…" she paused and smiled at Tsukimori, "The one I like seems to be really short-tempered, most of the time. He's really unsociable and he even can't make a normal greeting towards the people of his same age. He's handsome but he always had his brows knitted. He's acts so cold to everyone and he's really annoyingly bossy at times…" Hino said, as she started to caress his blue hair.
"Sounds like an asshole," Tsukimori commented. "A very lucky asshole…"
Hino smiled and closed her eyes. "No…" she said. "He's not an asshole, I know. He may act harsh but he, at times, smiles warmly at me. His gentle music touches my soul and I know that he's always there for me. Besides, there's not much about me, nothing special. I have no special talents. I look ordinary, normal, I supposed. I should be the one considered lucky if he likes me back…"
Tsukimori opened his eyes and stared at Hino's face. 'I want to see that pair of brown eyes,' he said to his self as he lifted his hand and caressed her left cheek. Hino opened her eyes and stared at Tsukimori. "No. If it's me, I could say to anyone that I'm the luckiest guy in the world. You're already special as you are, Hino. You're kind to everyone, considerate to people's feelings. You never held grudges to anyone. Naïve and clumsy, I must say but other than that, something really special…someone I would really be honored to treasure in this world…"
Hino smiled. There are no such things as knowing what you must do at special moments, she knew it's the feelings that matters and it will all fall into place. Hino bend down and her lips descended towards Tsukimori, planted a soft kiss on his lips. "Maybe that is the reason why I have fallen for you, Tsukimori-kun…"
Tsukimori slowly rose from the futon and kissed her back, "I'm also in love with you, Kahoko…"
Meanwhile, Amou had already reached the kitchen, setting aside the idea of getting cold towel for Tsukimori. She knew better than anyone else that Tsukimori is not sick at all, at least, not physically… She slowly opened the door to the kitchen and found that the kitchen is not abandoned at all and saw a familiar figure, sitting on one of the chairs.
"Ah, Amou-san, what brought you here? I thought you guys are having your slumber party? Call of nature?" Kanazawa-sensei asked, with a cigarette on his mouth and some papers at hand.
Amou smiled and said, "I was." She slowly walked towards the refrigerator and got her a bottle of cold water. "It sure is hot here, neh, Kanazawa-sensei?" she asked, waving her hand as if she's under the hot steaming rays of the sun.
"What? That's impossible. All of the ACs are working just fine all over the house. The practice room that you're using were used by Shimizu a while ago. And I must say it's the coldest part in this house…" Kanazawa-sensei said, flipping some papers over. "There's no way it got broken with two hours of practice, unless you hammer it down…"
"Really? I wonder…" Amou said with a wicked smile and took a sip of the cold drink. "Because it seems things are getting hotter in there…" she said and left the kitchen.
"Huh?" Kanazawa-sensei had a confused look on his face. "What's getting… HUH?!" He almost screamed as Amou ran out of the kitchen, giggling on her way. After she had made sure that she was as far as possible to the kitchen, Amou pulled her cellphone off her pocket and started pressing some numbers. The phone rang on the other end and as a 'hello' came to her ears, Amou started walking again with a bottle of water on the other hand, "Ah, Fuyuumi-chan, everything's going into plan. Tsukimori-kun suddenly had a cold fever, I must say!"
Author's End Notes: I really don't know how Tsukimori felt about heat. I just ASSUME that he hates hot weather. Don't kill me for that. And I don't know if there is really a state called as cold fever. I told you guys! I have a messed up brain!
Last chapter coming up next!
Thanks and have a great day!