Gumi filled a donabe* (a clay pot) with ⅔ of water and set it on the counter near the stove, she also laid a three inch slice of Kombu seaweed on the water's surface to soak for thirty minutes. Then she began to whip up the sesame sauce and pronzu sauce in two separate bowls for the shabu shabu* (a popular Japanese hot pot dish). As usual Gumiya invited Rook and Akaito over for dinner and it was up to Gumi to serve the three young-adults a large and satisfying meal. The last time Rook and Akaito stayed over for dinner, Gumi overworked herself by preparing a dozen dishes. This time she decided to keep things simple and execute a nabe* (or nabemono, a one-pot dish). Once the two sauces were done, she set them aside and moved onto the ½ head of napa cabbage and ½ bunch shungiku.

"What time are they coming over?" Gumi asked as she washed the two vegetables.

"Um…in an hour. Though I'm pretty sure that Rook will get here before Akaito." Gumiya replied. "By the way, what are you making?"

"I'm making shabu shabu. Don't you see the sesame sauce and pronzu sauce on the counter?" Gumi said. "Can you set the table for me, please? I have my hands full with preparing the shabu shabu and rice. And we both know you aren't are a good cook."

"Yeah, whatever." Gumiya muttered with a roll of his eyes.

Gumi smiled at her slothful older brother and turned back to the wet yet clean vegetables in her hand. She laid the napa cabbage head down on the wooden cutting board and pulled a stainless steel chief's knife out of the black wooden knife block. Before she had a chance to start cutting up the cabbage, her cellphone began to vibrate in her back pocket. I hope Rin-chan isn't texting me. If I don't finish the shabu shabu then Akaito and others will get mad at me. Gumi wiped her hands on her retro light blue apron and pulled out her smart phone. She wasn't surprised to see a picture of Rin and her phone number flash on the screen. She placed the phone on the counter, away from the ingredients and pressed the answer button.

"Moshi moshi* Rin-chan, what's up?" Gumi greeted warmly.

"Hey Gumi-chan! Let me tell you what Len did this morning." Rin said.

Gumi picked up the stainless steel knife and proceeded with chopping up the napa cabbage head and shungiku. The green-haired girl nodded and repeated the word 'mmhm' while putting the vegetables aside and turning off the stove so that the white rice could cool off. Gumi then picked up the enoki, sliced it in half, and thoroughly washed it while the blonde droned about the events that took place earlier today. Rin had recently come down with a cold and it kept her in bed the entire day. Rin explained to Gumi that Len was kind enough to cancels his plans with Ritsu and Oliver to cater to her every whim for the entire day. I wish Gumiya would ditch his friends and help me out when I'm sick…but he's eighteen and I'm sixteen, I have no control over him. Gumi sighed under her breath and picked up a shiitake mushroom.

"Anyway we have to sign up for a club by the end of the week! I was thinking that we could join the archery club or maybe dance team. Key club sounds kind of boring, but the mask and slogan are so kakkoii*!"

"I was thinking about signing up for track. With me and CUL-senpai on the track team, our high school will be unbeatable!"

"Aww Gumi-chan! You know I'm not a very fast runner! I want us to join a club together."

"Just join the dance team or cheer squad with Miku-chan…besides you're already the president of cooking club so you should worry about your own club instead of joining another one."

"Yeah you're right…oh, did you hear?! After Mew-senpai graduates from high school she's going to study aboard in New York City, I also heard that she's taking V Flower-senpai and Chika-senpai with her as well."

"That's amazing news! We should congratulate her tomorrow! Anyway I have to finish preparing this shabu shabu, I'll talk to you later."

"Bye-bye, sleep well Gumi-chan!"

"You too, Rin-chan."

Gumi smiled warmly and ended the call. I've always thought about studying aboard in Europe with CUL-chan and Avanna-senpai, but I won't be able to do that because I haven't applied for the program. If I study aboard then I won't be able to see Len-kun and there's no doubt Miku-chan will become his girlfriend during my absences. I must stay here and attend the same college with Len-kun! Gumi pumped her first determinedly then continued decorating the shiitake mushrooms and carrots.

The following day Gumi had strangely woken up before her alarm clock; the green-haired girl smiled at her reflection while buttoning up her blue blazer. I know Len-kun is going to try out for the soccer team today and I want to be there to support him! I will cheer him on during his try-outs and afterwards I'll give him a present…It's too early to confess my feelings to him, but for now I'll display small acts of affection. Gumi stepped a bit closer to the mirror and applied a bit of strawberry scented lip-gloss to her pink lips. On my way to the train station I should pick up a box of strawberry pudding. Len-kun loves strawberry pudding. Gumi happily placed an Armin nendoroid* on top of her books, zipped up her bag, and raced downstairs.

"Ohayo!" Gumi greeted.

"Ugh, good morning…I'm not going to school today." Gumiya muttered.

"Why not?" Gumi asked, stuffing her lime green bento into her leather school bag.

"I have something important to do today, but that's none of your business." Gumiya muttered.

"What could be more important than getting an education? If you keep this up, you'll become a ronin*." Gumi scolded.

"Damare*! Go to school." Gumiya growled.

Gumi shot Gumiya a glare before turning away and shouting ittekimasu*. I bet Akaito-senpai and the others influenced ani* to skip school…ani is a very intelligent young-man, but what if they encourage him not to go to college? What if he forgets everything he learns while hanging out with those lunkheads? If he fails the college entrance exams then he'll become a ronin or what if he finishes his senior year with a C average?! It'll be hard to get into a university with those kinds of grades. Gumi sighed and pushed her negative thoughts into the deepest abyss of her mind. She then sprinted up the street and entered the nearest convenience store.

"Irrashaimase*!" A male employee greeted from behind the counter.

"Ohayo gozaimasu*!" Gumi shouted energetically.

The schoolgirl raced up and down the aisles until she came upon the snack section. Does this store even sell strawberry pudding?! Gumi stooped down and scanned the rows of scrumptious goodies until her gaze landed on a pink rectangular box. Yes! Strawberry pudding! I should buy something for Mew-senpai as well…but what would she like? Gumi picked up the box and ambled over to the adult section. The adult section barely had any candy and there were a couple of erotic magazines lying around. I think Mew-senpai likes Lotte Black Black gum…hopefully she'll accept my kind offer. Gumi happily snatched up the pack of gum and skipped over to the counter.

"How are you?" The employee asked as he scanned her items.

"I'm super genki*! And you?" Gumi replied.

"I'm still kind of tired, but I'm hanging in there." The employee smiled. "That'll be ￥5000."

Gumi unzipped her leather bag and pulled out a black faux leather wallet. I didn't think it would be that cheap, well at least I have more money for the train. Gumi handed the young male employee a crisp ￥5000 yen note. She grabbed her plastic bag and exited the convenience store, now heading towards the kasumigaseki station.

•••

Len kept his eyes on the prize; he lightly kicked the soccer ball towards the goal and swiftly dodged the other soccer players without losing the ball. Once he neared the goal, he sped up and gave the ball one powerful kick. The goalie attempted to deflect the soccer ball by leaping into the air with his arms extended, but his attempt failed and the ball whizzed past him. The second and third year players stared at the blonde in shock. No one expected him to make a goal.

"Ganbatte* Lenkun!" Gumi and Miku cheered.

The petite blonde glanced at the two schoolgirls and smiled weakly. He waved at the other players before jogging over to the anxious teens. I'm so happy that Len-kun scored a goal! Now he'll defiantly get on the soccer team! Oh, I almost forgot! I have to give him my present. Gumi quickly unzipped her bag and began to dig around. Miku raised an eyebrow at Gumi, before shuffling closer to Len.

"Len-kun, I got you something." Miku uttered shyly.

"You did?" Len asked, a bit surprised.

Gumi excitedly wrapped her fingers around the box containing the Armin nendoroid, but she never took her eyes off of Miku and Len. The blue-haired girl pulled out a medium size Rainbow Alpacasso plushie; strapped to its next was an envelope, possibly containing a letter and goodies.

"Thank you so much Mikuchan. I love it." Len smiled.

"You're welcome!" Miku exclaimed nervously.

"I also got you something, Lenkun." Gumi said quickly.

Gumi whipped out the box of strawberry pudding and the Armin nendoriod. Len nearly dropped the plushie, but he contained his happiness and gratefully accepted Gumi's present. I didn't know Len was a ladies man… Namine stared at the three teens. That's Len for ya! Go get 'em tiger! As the redhead turned to face field again a soccer ball suddenly slammed into his face.

"Ah, Namine-kun!" Len gasped. "Thanks for the gifts! I have to go!"

The blonde jogged off, leaving the two girls alone. Why did Gumi give Len a present? I thought I told her to lay off him…maybe it's just a friendly gesture, but to be on the safe side I should at least ask her about it. Miku nodded at her thoughts and opened her mouth to speak, but there was no sign of Gumi. Gumi furiously stomped down the hallway. The nerve of that girl! How dare she give Lenkun a present! I didn't mind letting her cheer with me, but she crossed the line! This means war! A hand grabbed Gumi's shoulder and jerked her into a classroom.

"Why are you stomping?" asked a familiar voice.

A deep blush spread across Gumi's cheeks as she gawked at the tall senior in front of her. Her skin was pale, her thick jet black hair hovered above her butt, the blazer hid the tattoo on her left bicep, and her black stud earrings were barely visible. She wore a bit of mascara and black lipstick, but her mature face was naturally beautiful. The busty senior plopped down at a wooden desk and smiled at her young admirer. I never realized how much Umichaan looked up to me. I can make her blush or faint just by looking at her. Mew held back a smirk.

"The truth is…my best friend Miku has a crush on Len-kun and I have a crush on him too! We both cheered him on during the soccer tryouts, but she gave him a gift…I didn't like it at all…my chest got tight and my adrenaline began to pump." Gumi explained.

"Sounds like someone is jealous~!" A voice sang.

A pink-haired female senior dropped a stack of textbooks onto the desk in front of Mew. A plastic smile was plastered on her face, the ends of her short pink hair were thick and curly, she also wore black lipstick with a bit of mascara and eyeliner, and her nails had perfect French tips and her entire nail was covered in black nail polish. Chika wasn't very fond of freshmen like Gumi or junior high students such as Len, but she never showed it. Instead she often teased them in a playful manner.

"I'm not afraid to admit that I'm jealous of Miku…but I'm also pretty steamed! I want things to go right for me this semester." Gumi said.

"Umichaan, I like you a lot but she you shouldn't let some guy get in between your relationship with Miku. Even if you did become Len's girlfriend…what would happen if you two broke up? Who would you run to? I'm a very busy senior so you can't always run to me, Rin will try to cheer Len up if he's heartbroken about the breakup, and Gumiya will probably rub all of this in your face." Mew said bluntly.

Gumi hung her head. She's right…I could back down and let Miku take Len from me…or I could continue fighting till the very end! I'll make him choose one of us! He'll defiantly choose me! Gumi brightened up and nodded at Mew. Oh, I should give Mew-senpai her present! Gumi dug around in her bag until she found the pack of gum. She then bowed respectfully and held out the pack of gum.

"Congratulations Mew-senpai! I heard you were going to studying aboard in New York City and I just wanted to thank you for all the guidance and support you have given me over the years." Gumi said.

She's going to thank her with a pack of gum?! How tactless… Chika rolled her eyes and returned to the copier.

"Arigatou*, Gumi-chan. I love Lotte Black Black gum." Mew said.

"I'll get you a better gift next time." Gumi said.

"You don't have to do that." Mew assured. "Anyway you haven't signed up for a club yet. Have you decided which club you were going to join yet?"

"I was thinking about joining the track team, but a club hasn't really come to mind." Gumi admitted.

"I think you should join track, because Cul and I will be joining as well since Fashion club is on a hiatus." Mew smiled.

I've heard about that second years running speed and I will definitely not let her outshine me on the track. At least she's only taking track…if she had stumbled into my fashion club, I would have rejected her…though she does have great taste in fashion. Chika bit her lip and picked up a stack of flyers. Why does Mew like mentoring that little girl…she'll be graduating in the third semester, she doesn't need to waste her time mentoring small fry. The jealous pink-haired girl stayed there until Gumi had left the room.

"Aren't you taking your 'guardians' to NYC as well?" Chika asked dryly.

"I am, I hope you don't have a problem with that." Mew replied.

Mew released Aoki Lapis and Merli from her heart shaped locket. Geez, what's gotten into her today? Mew glanced over her shoulder at Chika.

Gumi happily raced down the hallway towards the nearest exit. I'm going to join the track team so Cul-chan, Mew-senpai, and I can be together. I still won't take my eyes off of Lenkun and Mikuchan…I'm going to war today and I won't lose! Fire blazed in Gumi's eyes as she burst through the double doors. Lenkun will be mine!

•••

Just in case you didn't understand some of the words just take a look at this, just as a warning there will be a lot of Japanese words mentioned throughout this fanfic

Clarification:

Donabe- a clay pot which can be used over an open flame

Shabu shabu- A very popular one pot dish in Japan, typically served in a donabe

Nabe- Also known as Nabemono, refers to a variety of one pot dishes

Nendoroid- A 10cm plastic figure designed as a chibi or super cute deformed character

Ronin- Someone who fails the college entrance exams

Moshi moshi- Hello (use for phone only)

Kakkoii- Cool

Damare- shut up

Ittekimasu- I'm leaving

Ani- Japanese for older brother

Irrashaimase- Welcome (store/shop greeting)

Ohayo Gozaimasu- Good morning (formal)

Genki- energy

Ganbatte- do your best

Arigatou- Thank you (informal)