AN: minna! Thanks again for the reviews. Maeko-san, thanks so much for the
advice. I'll try to abide by them. Sorry if I can't make my chapters
longer. But I'll make it up by uploading chapters faster. But I won't be
able to write the next chapters as fast as the first three since my classes
are going to resume tomorrow. I didn't have any class last Friday,
yesterday and today. So I was able to write one chapter per day. But my
classes are going to start again tomorrow, so I'll have less free time. But
don't worry, I'll try hard to be able to write the next chapter sooner.
Please allow me a moment to rant about my finance teacher. He just pisses me off!!! He's gay (I have nothing against gays, but he's just so biased!!!) so he gives girls lower grades. If you're pretty, he'll hate you on sight! And he had us write a paper about any current issue and give a recommendation on how to solve the problem. I wrote about corruption. My recommendation began with "there are many ways on how to stop corruption. And these are the best of the lot:" and I went on to enumerate the different tactics that I got from the World Bank. After that, I finished it with "and therefore, I greatly recommend that the government take corruption seriously and put a stop to it". I didn't know that he was only looking for the part with the phrase "I recommend". He didn't even read the rest of the paper! It was so obvious since he encircled the phrase "take corruption seriously and put a stop to it" and wrote (with red ink) "HOW". I nearly shrieked! At the beginning of the paragraph were the words "..many ways on HOW to stop corruption. And these are the best of the lot:" he didn't read them!!!!!!! And when I pointed it out to him, he merely shrugged and said that he had already recorded my grade so it can't be changed. I got a very low score!!!! Damn that guy/girl, whatever he thinks he is!!!!!
WHEW! All finished. I just had to get that out of my system. Now on with the story!
************************************************************************
"So, the Tokugawa Era ended when the Shogunate was overthrown by the Royalists. Then the Meiji Era..." the teacher droned on. From his seat, Ryu was engaged in his favorite pastime-gazing at Honda Tohru, who was presently taking down notes, as usual. She really was diligent in her studies, though for him, school was just a necessity. He was the son of a rich shipping magnate, earning a high school diploma, not to mention a college degree, was a must. He opened his notebook and drew some doodles. (his doodles were what would constitute as "sketches" to other people) He was a very talented artist. *Yawn* This is so boring! Who cares about what happened to some guy during the Bakumatsu!!! he looked down at his work, and was quite surprised. Without being conscious of it, he had made a sketch of Tohru. It was a simple one (what do you expect? It was supposed to be a doodle.), a picture of her taking down notes, with this determined look in her eyes. hmm. not bad. Suddenly an idea formed in his mind. (you'll find out in the later part of the story what his idea is).
"Honda." The teacher called.
"Hai.." Tohru got up nervously.
"Who was the Choshu leader who negotiated the Satsuma-Choshu alliance with Saigo and Okubo?"
"Anou.. Um..." Tohru frantically searched through her notes. After a few moments (and a lot of panicky thoughts) she found the name that she was looking for. "Katsura Kogoro desu" She sighed in relief. To her side, she saw Yuki smile at her, and Kyou nodd in approval. That was close!
"Right. Katsura Kogoro played a leading role in the new government's Charter Oath, abolition of feudalism and other reforms; he accompanied Iwakurato the West in 1872-1873, resigned his posts in protest against the Formosan expedition of 1874, and died during the Satsuma rebellion." The teacher continued.
Ryu smiled. He loved the way Tohru panicked about anything and everything. He loved her energy. He looked at his two rivals. One was staring out of the window with a bored look on his face. The other was staring at the teacher, writing down something once in a while. You can't find two more opposite guys, he thought. Are they really cousins? he mentally shrugged. He couldn't care less. But then, Yuki glanced at Tohru, and at the other side, Kyou did the same. Tohru seemed to notice and immediately gave the two guys a sweet smile. This got Ryu grinding his teeth. Guess I really have a lot of work to do.. he thought grimly.
"Souma Yuki" the teacher hollered. The teacher was in a mood for recitation.
"Hai" the silver haired student gracefully rose to his feet. All over the classroom, girls swooned. Some guys drooled.
"After their defeat, Katsura Kogoro had escaped from Kyoto. Where did he hide himself for three months?"
Without a moments hesitation, Yuki calmly answered the difficult question. "he hid himself in the small onsen inn in Kinosaki. He stayed at Tsutaya for Three months." The members of the Princess club shrieked, the other students were amazed. Even their teacher had an awed look. And Tohru, his beloved Tohru, was practically beaming at Yuki. This made Ryu even madder. Prince Perfect Yuki. What a geek! he thought angrily.
In her seat, Hanajima stared at the handsome male seated at the back of the class angry denpa's.. I wonder.
Yuki sat back down, and returned Tohru's smile with his own. The Princess club hissed again.
*RRRIIINGGG* the bell sounded. It was lunch break. Ryu got up and walked towards Tohru. The girl was about to go towards Yuki, when Ryu intercepted her.
"Honda-san-" he said calmly.
Tohru's eyes widened.. "Akamatsu-san!" she said, her hand flying to her chest in a gesture of surprise.
Ryu smiled at this. "Honda-san is so cute when she gets surprised." He said. This produced a blush on Tohru's face. "ah! Iya." she said, flustered, waving her hands. Ryu caught her left hand and held it. "I'm telling the truth Honda-san. Hontou ni kawaii" Tohru stiffened slightly. Completely taken by surprise at such a bold act, but was too innocent to get insulted. Yuki and Kyou's eyes widened in shock, they had never dared to hold Tohru's hand, and here was this new comer who was so bold as to do such a thing . They were waiting for Tohru at the side, along with Hanajima and Arisa. The two girls were surprised too. Though only Arisa's face showed it. Hanajima had her usual stoic expression.
By this time, Tohru's face was very red. But she had yet to remove her hand from Ryu's grasp. "Anou, did Akamatsu-kun want something from me?" Tohru asked hesitantly, still in a state of shock. "Aa. Since Honda-san wasn't able to join me for lunch yesterday, I was wondering if you are free today."
Tohru glanced at her friends. They really didn't have anything planned today. Sure, she had intended to join them for lunch, but that was merely because of habit. She had lunch with them everyday.
"Ahh. hai. I'm free today." She said hesitantly.
"Great. You'll join me for lunch then?" Ryu said smiling sweetly at her.
"Hai." She looked over at her friends, "You go on ahead without me. I'll have lunch with Akamatsu-kun." She waved at them cheerfully.
"See you later Tohru." This was from Hanajima.
"Aa. Later Tohru." Arisa said this.
Yuki and Kyou just stared for a bit, then Yuki smiled weakly and Kyou sent a glare at Ryu's direction. Both then walked out. Tohru was of course, oblivious to all this, and just smiled innocently at them all.
"Shall we?" Ryu said to Tohru. "Ah! Hai! Akamatsu-kun is so kind to offer to have lunch with me today." She said with her usual cheerful voice. She gave him a smile. This set Ryu's heart soaring.
They found an empty seat at the canteen. Some students were already giving them curious glances. Most of them from girls. Akamatsu-san is so cool. They must be wondering what I'm doing with such a guy. Tohru thought nervously. "Honda-san, is something wrong?" Ryu asked when he saw the uneasy look on Tohru's face. "No! its nothing." Tohru said quickly, afraid to offend him. Ryu looked skeptical, but didn't press the issue. "So where does Honda-san live?" Ryu started the conversation. EEP!! Tohru panicked. I can't very well tell him that I live with the Souma's! "Uhh. well. I live near the Soumas" She said, altering the truth a bit. "Really? No wonder you're so close with them." 'Close' is an understatement. Ryu thought with annoyance. "Um.. yes. Yuki-kun and Kyou-kun are so kind to become friends with me." Was the shy statement from Tohru. "Of course not. They're rather lucky that you agreed to become friends with them. Honda-san is a very special person." This produced another blush from Tohru. But before she could give a reply, a high-pitched voice rose over the din. "Too- ru!!!!!" Tohru turned to her side and saw Momiji plop right beside her.
"Momiji-kun!" Tohru said, delighted to see the young boy beside her.
"Konnichiwa" Tohru looked up to see the owner of the new voice. It was Hatsuharu. He gave Ryu a nod.
"Hatsuharu-kun, you're here too." Tohru said smiling. She was so happy to have them here. Akamatsu-san is very nice, but he was flattering her too much that she was beginning to have an attack of shyness.
"To-ru, where are Yuki and Kyou?" Momiji asked cutely, laying his head on her shoulder. "And who is he To-ru?" he said, clearly referring to Ryu.
"Ah. Gomen. I forgot to introduce you. This is Akamatsu-san. Akamatsu-san, these are my friends, Momiji-kun and Hatsuharu-kun."
"Akamatsu Ryu desu. Yoroshiku." Ryu said casually, though inside he was irritated by the intrusion. Why is she surrounded by males? he thought.
Haru simply nodded. Momiji looked thoughtful. "To-ru, you still haven't answered my question. Why aren't you with Yuki-kun and Kyou-kun today?" Momiji said dripping with innocence. The statement riled Ryu to no end.
"They're having lunch with Hana-chan and Uo-chan. Akamatsu-san invited me to lunch today." Tohru explained to the bunny. "Eh?! To-ru is having lunch with some other guy. Well, Haru and I will stay here, to chaperone you!" Momiji said, smiling. "After all, To-ru is precious to us. We'll guard you!!!"
Haru simply raised an eyebrow, but sat beside Ryu all the same, making it clear that he was staying.
Guard her?!!! What does he think of me? A molester?! Ryu was getting angrier and angrier. But he couldn't very well object to their presence. After all, they were Tohru's friends.
"That's great Momiji-kun. I've missed Momiji-kun already." Tohru said. The statement produced a giggle from the rabbit.
"Ne, To-ru, do you know what day tomorrow is?" Momiji said, shifting in his seat restlessly. Excitement was stamped on his every move.
"let's see. Tomorrow is March 14, so its white's day"
"Yup!!!! And tomorrow, I'm going to take you out to dinner! Its going to be my White's day gift to To-ru! Just you and me. It's going to be our date!" was the high-pitched wail.
"Hontou?! Momiji-kun is so nice! I'll be looking forward to our date." Tohru said with a giggle. The rabbit really amused her. And he was just so cute.
WHAT?!!!! I was planning to take her out tomorrow. Damn! The day was getting worse and worse for Ryu. All his plans were getting ruined. They had classes tomorrow, so the only time they had free to go out was in the evening, so he couldn't go out with his angel during lunch. This caused his temper to rise even more. You could practically see smoke coming out of his head.
All this while Haru just sat silently. Observing the scene with some amusement. He could feel the guy getting angry, though he didn't know why. a mystery. he thought. He was still surprised though that Yuki and Kyou had allowed Tohru to be alone with some other guy. What were they thinking? but he left the issue for the moment, thinking to ask the rat and the cat later.
And thus the scene continued. With Momiji babbling to Tohru excitedly about their "date", Haru staying silent, and Ryu boiling with rage.
************************************************************************
AN: that's it for now! Gomen about the Rurouni Kenshin insertions. I just couldn't resist making it their history lesson! *grins* Please feel free to give suggestions. And I'll try my best to follow them. *waves* thanks for reading minna-san! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
By the way, I would like to invite you all to Audiogalaxy.com it's a fun place. Its supposed to be a site where you can download songs, but it got sued, something about piracy. But anyway, the place has lots of messageboards and we use it to roleplay or just chat about silly topics. Most of the message boards become communities, with the same people coming in. we practically know each other there. I belong to the Gundam Wing messageboard. Just type Gundam Wing on the slot at the top of the page just beside the word "go". Thanks again!
Please allow me a moment to rant about my finance teacher. He just pisses me off!!! He's gay (I have nothing against gays, but he's just so biased!!!) so he gives girls lower grades. If you're pretty, he'll hate you on sight! And he had us write a paper about any current issue and give a recommendation on how to solve the problem. I wrote about corruption. My recommendation began with "there are many ways on how to stop corruption. And these are the best of the lot:" and I went on to enumerate the different tactics that I got from the World Bank. After that, I finished it with "and therefore, I greatly recommend that the government take corruption seriously and put a stop to it". I didn't know that he was only looking for the part with the phrase "I recommend". He didn't even read the rest of the paper! It was so obvious since he encircled the phrase "take corruption seriously and put a stop to it" and wrote (with red ink) "HOW". I nearly shrieked! At the beginning of the paragraph were the words "..many ways on HOW to stop corruption. And these are the best of the lot:" he didn't read them!!!!!!! And when I pointed it out to him, he merely shrugged and said that he had already recorded my grade so it can't be changed. I got a very low score!!!! Damn that guy/girl, whatever he thinks he is!!!!!
WHEW! All finished. I just had to get that out of my system. Now on with the story!
************************************************************************
"So, the Tokugawa Era ended when the Shogunate was overthrown by the Royalists. Then the Meiji Era..." the teacher droned on. From his seat, Ryu was engaged in his favorite pastime-gazing at Honda Tohru, who was presently taking down notes, as usual. She really was diligent in her studies, though for him, school was just a necessity. He was the son of a rich shipping magnate, earning a high school diploma, not to mention a college degree, was a must. He opened his notebook and drew some doodles. (his doodles were what would constitute as "sketches" to other people) He was a very talented artist. *Yawn* This is so boring! Who cares about what happened to some guy during the Bakumatsu!!! he looked down at his work, and was quite surprised. Without being conscious of it, he had made a sketch of Tohru. It was a simple one (what do you expect? It was supposed to be a doodle.), a picture of her taking down notes, with this determined look in her eyes. hmm. not bad. Suddenly an idea formed in his mind. (you'll find out in the later part of the story what his idea is).
"Honda." The teacher called.
"Hai.." Tohru got up nervously.
"Who was the Choshu leader who negotiated the Satsuma-Choshu alliance with Saigo and Okubo?"
"Anou.. Um..." Tohru frantically searched through her notes. After a few moments (and a lot of panicky thoughts) she found the name that she was looking for. "Katsura Kogoro desu" She sighed in relief. To her side, she saw Yuki smile at her, and Kyou nodd in approval. That was close!
"Right. Katsura Kogoro played a leading role in the new government's Charter Oath, abolition of feudalism and other reforms; he accompanied Iwakurato the West in 1872-1873, resigned his posts in protest against the Formosan expedition of 1874, and died during the Satsuma rebellion." The teacher continued.
Ryu smiled. He loved the way Tohru panicked about anything and everything. He loved her energy. He looked at his two rivals. One was staring out of the window with a bored look on his face. The other was staring at the teacher, writing down something once in a while. You can't find two more opposite guys, he thought. Are they really cousins? he mentally shrugged. He couldn't care less. But then, Yuki glanced at Tohru, and at the other side, Kyou did the same. Tohru seemed to notice and immediately gave the two guys a sweet smile. This got Ryu grinding his teeth. Guess I really have a lot of work to do.. he thought grimly.
"Souma Yuki" the teacher hollered. The teacher was in a mood for recitation.
"Hai" the silver haired student gracefully rose to his feet. All over the classroom, girls swooned. Some guys drooled.
"After their defeat, Katsura Kogoro had escaped from Kyoto. Where did he hide himself for three months?"
Without a moments hesitation, Yuki calmly answered the difficult question. "he hid himself in the small onsen inn in Kinosaki. He stayed at Tsutaya for Three months." The members of the Princess club shrieked, the other students were amazed. Even their teacher had an awed look. And Tohru, his beloved Tohru, was practically beaming at Yuki. This made Ryu even madder. Prince Perfect Yuki. What a geek! he thought angrily.
In her seat, Hanajima stared at the handsome male seated at the back of the class angry denpa's.. I wonder.
Yuki sat back down, and returned Tohru's smile with his own. The Princess club hissed again.
*RRRIIINGGG* the bell sounded. It was lunch break. Ryu got up and walked towards Tohru. The girl was about to go towards Yuki, when Ryu intercepted her.
"Honda-san-" he said calmly.
Tohru's eyes widened.. "Akamatsu-san!" she said, her hand flying to her chest in a gesture of surprise.
Ryu smiled at this. "Honda-san is so cute when she gets surprised." He said. This produced a blush on Tohru's face. "ah! Iya." she said, flustered, waving her hands. Ryu caught her left hand and held it. "I'm telling the truth Honda-san. Hontou ni kawaii" Tohru stiffened slightly. Completely taken by surprise at such a bold act, but was too innocent to get insulted. Yuki and Kyou's eyes widened in shock, they had never dared to hold Tohru's hand, and here was this new comer who was so bold as to do such a thing . They were waiting for Tohru at the side, along with Hanajima and Arisa. The two girls were surprised too. Though only Arisa's face showed it. Hanajima had her usual stoic expression.
By this time, Tohru's face was very red. But she had yet to remove her hand from Ryu's grasp. "Anou, did Akamatsu-kun want something from me?" Tohru asked hesitantly, still in a state of shock. "Aa. Since Honda-san wasn't able to join me for lunch yesterday, I was wondering if you are free today."
Tohru glanced at her friends. They really didn't have anything planned today. Sure, she had intended to join them for lunch, but that was merely because of habit. She had lunch with them everyday.
"Ahh. hai. I'm free today." She said hesitantly.
"Great. You'll join me for lunch then?" Ryu said smiling sweetly at her.
"Hai." She looked over at her friends, "You go on ahead without me. I'll have lunch with Akamatsu-kun." She waved at them cheerfully.
"See you later Tohru." This was from Hanajima.
"Aa. Later Tohru." Arisa said this.
Yuki and Kyou just stared for a bit, then Yuki smiled weakly and Kyou sent a glare at Ryu's direction. Both then walked out. Tohru was of course, oblivious to all this, and just smiled innocently at them all.
"Shall we?" Ryu said to Tohru. "Ah! Hai! Akamatsu-kun is so kind to offer to have lunch with me today." She said with her usual cheerful voice. She gave him a smile. This set Ryu's heart soaring.
They found an empty seat at the canteen. Some students were already giving them curious glances. Most of them from girls. Akamatsu-san is so cool. They must be wondering what I'm doing with such a guy. Tohru thought nervously. "Honda-san, is something wrong?" Ryu asked when he saw the uneasy look on Tohru's face. "No! its nothing." Tohru said quickly, afraid to offend him. Ryu looked skeptical, but didn't press the issue. "So where does Honda-san live?" Ryu started the conversation. EEP!! Tohru panicked. I can't very well tell him that I live with the Souma's! "Uhh. well. I live near the Soumas" She said, altering the truth a bit. "Really? No wonder you're so close with them." 'Close' is an understatement. Ryu thought with annoyance. "Um.. yes. Yuki-kun and Kyou-kun are so kind to become friends with me." Was the shy statement from Tohru. "Of course not. They're rather lucky that you agreed to become friends with them. Honda-san is a very special person." This produced another blush from Tohru. But before she could give a reply, a high-pitched voice rose over the din. "Too- ru!!!!!" Tohru turned to her side and saw Momiji plop right beside her.
"Momiji-kun!" Tohru said, delighted to see the young boy beside her.
"Konnichiwa" Tohru looked up to see the owner of the new voice. It was Hatsuharu. He gave Ryu a nod.
"Hatsuharu-kun, you're here too." Tohru said smiling. She was so happy to have them here. Akamatsu-san is very nice, but he was flattering her too much that she was beginning to have an attack of shyness.
"To-ru, where are Yuki and Kyou?" Momiji asked cutely, laying his head on her shoulder. "And who is he To-ru?" he said, clearly referring to Ryu.
"Ah. Gomen. I forgot to introduce you. This is Akamatsu-san. Akamatsu-san, these are my friends, Momiji-kun and Hatsuharu-kun."
"Akamatsu Ryu desu. Yoroshiku." Ryu said casually, though inside he was irritated by the intrusion. Why is she surrounded by males? he thought.
Haru simply nodded. Momiji looked thoughtful. "To-ru, you still haven't answered my question. Why aren't you with Yuki-kun and Kyou-kun today?" Momiji said dripping with innocence. The statement riled Ryu to no end.
"They're having lunch with Hana-chan and Uo-chan. Akamatsu-san invited me to lunch today." Tohru explained to the bunny. "Eh?! To-ru is having lunch with some other guy. Well, Haru and I will stay here, to chaperone you!" Momiji said, smiling. "After all, To-ru is precious to us. We'll guard you!!!"
Haru simply raised an eyebrow, but sat beside Ryu all the same, making it clear that he was staying.
Guard her?!!! What does he think of me? A molester?! Ryu was getting angrier and angrier. But he couldn't very well object to their presence. After all, they were Tohru's friends.
"That's great Momiji-kun. I've missed Momiji-kun already." Tohru said. The statement produced a giggle from the rabbit.
"Ne, To-ru, do you know what day tomorrow is?" Momiji said, shifting in his seat restlessly. Excitement was stamped on his every move.
"let's see. Tomorrow is March 14, so its white's day"
"Yup!!!! And tomorrow, I'm going to take you out to dinner! Its going to be my White's day gift to To-ru! Just you and me. It's going to be our date!" was the high-pitched wail.
"Hontou?! Momiji-kun is so nice! I'll be looking forward to our date." Tohru said with a giggle. The rabbit really amused her. And he was just so cute.
WHAT?!!!! I was planning to take her out tomorrow. Damn! The day was getting worse and worse for Ryu. All his plans were getting ruined. They had classes tomorrow, so the only time they had free to go out was in the evening, so he couldn't go out with his angel during lunch. This caused his temper to rise even more. You could practically see smoke coming out of his head.
All this while Haru just sat silently. Observing the scene with some amusement. He could feel the guy getting angry, though he didn't know why. a mystery. he thought. He was still surprised though that Yuki and Kyou had allowed Tohru to be alone with some other guy. What were they thinking? but he left the issue for the moment, thinking to ask the rat and the cat later.
And thus the scene continued. With Momiji babbling to Tohru excitedly about their "date", Haru staying silent, and Ryu boiling with rage.
************************************************************************
AN: that's it for now! Gomen about the Rurouni Kenshin insertions. I just couldn't resist making it their history lesson! *grins* Please feel free to give suggestions. And I'll try my best to follow them. *waves* thanks for reading minna-san! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
By the way, I would like to invite you all to Audiogalaxy.com it's a fun place. Its supposed to be a site where you can download songs, but it got sued, something about piracy. But anyway, the place has lots of messageboards and we use it to roleplay or just chat about silly topics. Most of the message boards become communities, with the same people coming in. we practically know each other there. I belong to the Gundam Wing messageboard. Just type Gundam Wing on the slot at the top of the page just beside the word "go". Thanks again!