Just In Between
By Starian Princess

Chapter 3- Impressions May Last

"I-I'm fine." I answered, smiling at the ebony haired boy standing in front of me. He looked vaguely familiar and yet I couldn't remember where I had seen him before. He seemed to be my age though if not about a year older, so I supposed that he was probably a schoolmate or something along those lines.

"That's good to hear. I wouldn't want a beautiful girl such as yourself to have gotten hurt because of me." I froze at that, as I stared in shock at the teasing smile playing on his lips.

I couldn't stop my heart from beating so fast. Where hadthat come from? Surely, he wasn't actually referring to me now was he? One thing's for sure though. I'd never heard a guy use a line like that before, on me at least. Kenshin used to say I was attractive, pretty or even hot at some point. But never would he refer to me as someone beautiful. To me, hearing that was so much more than what it actually meant. But of course, that was just me. I am an extremely sentimental person, you see, so I wouldn't expect many people to understand that.

Realizing that he was probably waiting for my response, I shrugged, "I think you've got the wrong girl. I'm not beautiful…"

Somehow while saying that, I had immediately turned a deep red. And what was stranger was the fact that he started chuckling in amusement. How do I get myself into these kinds of situations? I sighed inwardly.

"My name's Soujiro Seta." To this, I looked at him again. Had I even asked for his name? This guy was odd. Period.

"I know you didn't ask for my name Miss Kamiya, but it is rather unfair, isn't it, to know someone yet they don't know who you are?"

He chuckled again and flashed me a wily smile. And I just stood there, watching him do so. He was beginning to annoy me for some reason. He acted as if he knew me really well; calling me Miss Kamiya like an old friend… I frowned. Then I realized a startling revelation.

I hadn't even given him my name to begin with! How in the world did this guy know who I was?


I couldn't help but enjoy the way her face turned from a look of suspicion, to one of extreme surprise. She was just too cute. Of course, I knew her! But I had to explain myself without stirring any more feelings of distrust. I understood that she may not have thought about it but there were actually numerous possibilities for me to know of her identity. Better go with the obvious though.

"How do you know who I am?" But before I could even begin to clarify, I found that those fiery cerulean eyes of hers were already leering me down. She sure was an interesting girl, I mused.

"Calm down, Miss Kamiya. It's written right here on top of your package." I laughed it off good-naturedly and handed her the said package I had caught in my hands, just before I had touched the ground. Maybe that would tame her for now. It was a good thing I had seen it or else I wouldn't have had a good enough excuse.

Like I said, of course I knew her. I am, after all, the student body's secretary and I make it a point to know who the transferees are. Well, at least that'shalf true. But there was no way she could find out now, that she had been the center of discussion in our year ever since she arrived. I swear that if it weren't for human morality the other guys would've jumped her by now. Needless to say, I'm glad for good ol' decency.

I hadn't really cared about it when I first heard about the new girl, but the minute I'd laid eyes on her I realized that I should've paid a lot more attention. I couldn't believe the girl didn't even find herself beautiful! One could definitely see that she was far more than that. I didn't do her enough justice, plainly stated.

She seemed to calm down after my elucidation, but still she kept herself wary of me. I wondered then if I maybe resembled the wolf in The Three Little Pigs story. Nah, that couldn't be it. I'd prided myself in being rather good with the opposite gender, ever since I was a kid in fact. Could she possibly think that I'm some sort of stalker? No way.


I'm seriously beginning to think that this guy's some sort of stalker. I mean, come on, you can practically see it in his eyes. He smiles like a maniac (for one thing) and talks like he owns the place, for heaven's sake! Well, street to be exact, pavement maybe but… oh gosh, I just remembered! Groceries, Mrs. Welcher's, shower, breakfast, Dad, Mom- no, angry Mom more like it. I mentally cursed whichever god was listening. I'd completely lost track of the time.

Well, I mused, meeting the hot-hot-hottiehad to be equivalent to something. And in my case, it was this guy.

Glancing up at him again, I took my package out of his hands and thanked him with as much accommodation as I could muster. I know; I make it sound like it'd be something so difficult to do. But still, I couldn't help but admire that he looked pretty cute. Hmm, nah, the hottie was cuter. I shrugged and began to take my leave.

"Well, I'm a bit behind schedule here so I think I have to run now. It was nice meeting you though. Bye!" I gave him a small wave, holding the parcel to my side and slowly- very slowly- inching away. You'd think I was trying to evade a rabid dog or some other wild beast, but he had that kind of effect on me. What was a girl to do?

I didn't think he had other tricks up his sleeve.


It amused me, how she suddenly ended up looking like some terrified little rabbit- prey to be exact. But maybe that was just my morbid sense of humor taking the wheel. Nevertheless, something made me want to continue our conversation- maybe even spend the day with her even. But the rational part of my head thought that that was too much to ask. Hey, a guy can still dream right? There was only one way to get that by her though, and that was asking.

"I could help you out with your schedule if you want," I started, testing the waters. I then decided to add to that since I didn't want her to be suspicious again, "Figured you were new around here." Okay, so that wasn't an inquiry but more of an assertive suggestion. Anyhow, who's keeping track? At least this way, she just has to agree.


I can't believe I have to agree. I mean, yeah, I don't have to. But wouldn't it be rude if I didn't? A sweet guy says he wants to help me out with my chores. Should I be looking a gift horse in the mouth? This is getting highly frustrating.

"Are you sure? You don't have other things to do today?" Let's try being positive here. Maybe he'll just take the hint.

"Nope, I'm all yours." Or not.


With a smile like mine, how can she possibly think of refusing? Still, she gave out a soft sigh and I knew it wasn't because she was already having fantasies about me. No, something tells me it'll be harder to win this one over. Kaoru Kamiya was one tough cookie, you could give her that much and a hell of a lot more. This served to intrigue me further. What could be hiding behind that poise- that grace? I mean, she's not a cheerleader, definitely not a ballerina, and a far cry from a Prima Donna. She was delicate yet not so fragile, feminine yet not submissive, innocent yet not at all dense.

And as I studied her; from those long wispy lashes to the fine, ethereal strands of raven hair, down to her seemingly endless span of purely female leg, I decided then that I would stop at nothing to make her mine. She was definitely a prize worth winning, why not make the bet? After all, I still have to change her obvious opinion of me. There's more to Soujiro Seta than meets the eye, that's for sure.

-TBC-