Shocking Bravo

"Kazumi? Come on, time for school."

I yawned. I had been up late talking to Miharu last night. I wasn't feeling ready for class. I got dressed and shuffled out to find breakfast on the table. Or what was left of it. I smiled despite my hunger. Miharu really had an appetite.

"Yukinari, Kazumi! Are you coming?"

I mentally groaned. "Morning, Kirie." Making sure Miharu was clothed, I dragged my brother out the door before Kirie decided to beat him for no reason. It really ticked me off to see him in the pain she caused him.

We walked to school, and it was a nice, normal day. No Lisa, no men to attack Koyomi, Tomoka seemed in a good mood… You know, now that I thought about it, Yuki had a lot of girls in his life, and his house. He was allergic, too. I had to give it to him. He was a brave boy.

Speaking of boys, I thought. Kazuharu Fukuyama. I'd heard much of him, and his nut of a sister. Stick a sign on his forehead that reads "Sleazy pervert." Today was my first day at Mizuno High, but I knew to avoid this guy. So much for a lack of attackers, and so much for good moods. Oh, plus Lisa. Again I found myself with a little grin.

Surprisingly, he didn't say anything cheesy, perverted, or anything at all. But I let my friends walk on. Lisa followed at a safe distance, splitting off after a while. I walked alongside the "pervert." Why, I don't really know.

"You're Puny—I mean, Yukinari's sister?"

I nodded. "My name's Kazumi."

"Kazuharu Fukuyama, at your service. But you can call me Fukuyama."

"You don't seem as bad as Yuki said…" I had to admit, there was a certain charming quality about him.

"I've made a resolution this year. I long to change my sleazy ways."

"Is that so?" I laughed, but not mockingly.

"Yes. If you, and everyone else, would give me a chance, you would see I'm really not just a pervert."

Tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, I smiled. "Well, it was nice meeting you. I hope people can start to warm up to you and see you for who you know you are."

He smiled back and separated for class.

Back home, we flopped down on the couch, Tomoka turning the TV on to watch…whatever that kiddie show she liked was. "Is it just me or did Fukuyama seem quiet today?" Kirie wondered aloud. Yuki nodded in agreement, and Koyomi gave a sigh of relief, but her gaze still held a wary gleam.

"Speaking of, I saw you talking to him," Miharu giggled, glancing knowingly at me.

"Talking to him?" Yuki sternly looked me over, as if to see any visible proof that I had been groped.

I shrugged. "Just talking. For a moment." Kirie looked skeptical. "What? To be perfectly honest, I'm picking up a change in him."

"Change how?" my protective brother asked.

"He's done chasing, done…trying so hard. He wants to love and be loved." I realized that sounded a bit unlike me on my part. Not wanting to be taunted for a supposed crush on the guy, I added, "He just wants someone who understands him."

Knowing I was what you could call an empath, the group took my word for it and changed the subject. I had a feeling that while they believed me, they weren't ready to believe the boy who cried womanize.