*Under the sea, under the sea—! Well, no, not really- we're actually here: Otogibana City. At the track, specifically, where Okami-san and her hunter have finished Toyotama's eighth training session in an attempt to make this fish-out-of-water a successful runner. Just look at the poor thing; it's sad just how bad she is at this!*
"Toyotama, next time don't get ahead of yourself when you run or else you'll just keep tripping!"
"I'm trying, Ryoshi-sensei, but…"
"Do you want to get what's-his-face or not, Toyotama! Step it up," I say, putting one of my hands on my hips.
"Yes, Okami-sensei," she says tiredly. This crap has been going on for a week now and Toyotama has improved practically not at all. We have another week but this girl is in serious need of more time.
"Do you think it's going well?" asks Ryoshi. My heart pounds a little faster. It's defiantly because of the exercising we've been doing, not because Ryoshi's face is close to mine or anything like that!
"I think we both know the answer to that…" We cringe as Toyotama trips, screaming, to the ground… again.
"Aww, man!" I whine as Ryoshi sighs.
"I am OK!" Down the track Toyotama gives us a thumbs up… from the ground. I look past where her body lies in a heap towards the sun—which is going down. Toyotama slowly walks back.
"Okay. Let's call it a day."
"But-! But I haven't gotten any better!"
"Uhhhh suuurre you have! Just….hang in there! Heh…" Ryoshi rubs the back of his head. Of course.
"Just keep working and focusing, okay?" I tell her.
"There's still plenty of time."
"Right…," she says nervously. At this point, even she knows how poor her running skills are. I swear, this girl was born with legs, right?
"Hey, Okami—sensei?"
"Yeah?"
"Remember when you mentioned before about endurance? And that you have to focus on your reasons?"
"Mmmhm."
"Well…I was wondering… what do you think about?"
"Don't bother crying out, Ryoko. No one's coming." Shiro pushes me against the wall of our classroom. It's empty—he's made sure of that. "No! Don't touch me! Please…!" The last part is whimpered, pathetically. Shiro laughs. "I love it when you beg. It's my favorite part of our time together." I scream as I struggle to push him away. I'm weak, so weak, and it's hopeless. In that moment I promise myself that I'll never let this happen again. If I could just get away-
"Ryoko!" Ryoshi's worried voice startles me into reality. His hands are on my wrists, holding them. I look down. My hands are balled into fists.
"I-I'm sorry. I guess I zoned out," I say. My eyes stay glued to the dusty track pavement.
"I'll see you tomorrow." I turn away from them, and leave quietly. Not five seconds later I hear Ryoshi's voice. It's surprisingly manly—but that happens more and more these days.
"Ryoko! Wait!" He quickly catches up to me. "What happened back there?"
"None of your business!" I snap angrily. "God, Ryoshi! Quit over-reacting." I turn to leave but that idiot grabs my hand again!
"No! There's something wrong, and I want to help you! You are the most important thing in my world and I'm not going to let anyone hurt you!" He says passionately.
"Even yourself."
I try to scoff, but even I know it sounds pathetic.
"Listen to me, I'm fine, okay?! Just back off!" I snarl.
"I'm Okami Ryoko! I… I don't need help from you or anyone, got it?"
"Really?" He says softly.
"You don't?" Very gently, he takes my hand and opens it so the palm is displayed. Tiny crescent dents mark where my fingernails dug into the skin. Only Ryoshi would even think about noticing something like that.
All I want is to be strong. There's no doubt I'm tough. But being tough and being strong are very different things.
"I'm…"
Ryoshi moves suddenly. His arms encircle me and pull me close to him. Ryoshi is holding me. He is holding me.
Our bodies fit. Perfectly. His arms are warm and strong…Some of his dark hair is against my face and my face is right where his neck is. Ryoshi's scent isn't like…cologne or anything. It's like… comfort. Affection. Trust. Mixed with soap. How someone can smell like these things, I don't know, but Ryoshi does.
It is then that I realize he doesn't smell like those things. I link him with them. Ryoshi is those things to me.
Oh my God. What is wrong with me?!
And what's more is that he knows me so well. He saw what I needed before I did. And he did it for me. I should punch his lights out! Only I can't because I'm too busy noticing how good it feels. There! I SAID IT! IS EVERYONE HAPPY NOW?!
Much too soon, he pulls away. I want to punch the crap out of myself for wishing he would stay.
"I'm sorry if that was too sudden. But I had to do something. You looked so scared." Anyone else would have just thought I looked pissed off.
"Please. I can tell you're not ready right now but just remember, no matter what it is, you can always tell me about it."
Silence. Say something you idiot! I shout at myself. More silence. Then...
"…I know, Ryoshi."
*Later, at Ringo and Okami-san's dorm…*
When I get home, Ringo is waiting.
"Ryoko, did something happen today?" she asks suspiciously. I dump my school bag on a chair by the door and sit down.
"Pff, no. Jeez, Ringo, what are you, my mom?" She frowns skeptically.
"Hmmm. I don't believe you, but okay. How was the training session?"
"That girl is never gonna make this with the way things are going. She's determined though, which sort of makes up for the fact that she's totally weak."
"Well, no one can stop a girl after her one true love speaking of which did you see Ryoshi today?" she asks slyly—with that evil grin that freaks everyone out but especially me because that means she's trying to play 'Matchmaker' with me again.
"Ugh, yeah. And he's not my true love," I huff, arms crossed sulkily. *The truth hurts—especially when you've got Wolf's Clothing on!*
Ringo sighs wearily. "I would have thought that after all this time you would have learned, Ryoko." She plops down next to me and grins.
"You can't hide anything from me." I lean away.
"Okay, okay! No need to go all psycho on me…!" She laughs and starts the preparation for dinner.
*The next morning…*
"Rise and shine, Ryoko-chan!"
"Huuuhhhhnn?" Ringo's smiling face is staring down at me.
"Time for school!" I blink in a haze and slowly sit up.
"How did you sleep?" Ringo asks innocently.
I blush suddenly. The dream comes back to me.
"Never mind, I already know." She smirks.
"'Kiss me, Ryoshi!'" she mimics in a crappy impression of my voice. Oh my God! Did I talk in my sleep?!
"GAH! I-I! IT'S NOT WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE!"
"Really?" she snickers evilly.
"It's no big deal, Ryoko, everyone has an awkward dream every now and then, and it's obvious you're in love with him, so—"
"AHHHH!" I scream in anger and total humiliation. This day is going to be absolute shit.
I get dressed quickly and run outside the dorm building, unable to take Ringo's teasing stares. Stupid Ryoshi. If only he hadn't hugged me and said those things. This is completely his fault! Lousy screw up! As soon as I step foot on campus, Toyotama crashes into me.
"Okami-sensei! Please, something has gone super wrong!" I frown.
"What's the problem?"
"I was watching him yesterday after the session. He was in the track hall after school, like he always is. But then this girl came out of nowhere and started talking to him, and she said that she was the one who saved him after the bike accident! He was so happy… He totally fell for it! Okami-sensei, you should have seen her… she was gorgeous! And I think she's on track with him, too!"
"Shit," I mutter.
"That is a problem. Let's take it back to Alice." Once inside HQ, Alice looks up a brief description of the girl on the student database.
A picture of a girl our age pops up on screen. She has long, twisted, flowing platinum blonde hair that curls up at the ends, which immediately makes me think of seaweed, for some weird reason. Her eyes are a pale, glass green and she's smirking in a way that makes me wish I could smack her.
"The name's Nomagii Umi," Alice says critically.
"She's a first year. Her record indicates no particular felonies or misdemeanors, although it states here that she runs a sort of trade facility. Other than a few marks received for skipping class and foul language, she appears to be an average student."
"However, things are not always as they appear, isn't that so, dear Alice?" A voice from the entranceway exposes the President.
"Well, well, Lisdt. Decided to come work perhaps?' asks Alice sarcastically.
"Hardly," he says lightly. "I simply heard tell of a rumor that there was an issue with a request."
"Since when has the ever worried you, President?" I ask, irritated.
"In fact, we have someone poaching on our territory," Alice cuts in, pointing at the screen.
"Hmm. Nomagii Umi… I seem to recall Otohime mentioning her once, I suppose I could go and fetch her." He picks up his cell phone. *Of course, the president would never actually go out and get her—too much work*
"Otohime! Yes… yes. I was wondering if you could come to the HQ client lobby and discuss a potential threat…Nomagii Umi. Perfect. See you in a minute, then." Cheerily, the president pats Alice's head and silently moves back down to the secret Headquarters.
"Do let me know how it works out, won't you Alice?" he calls over his shoulder.