A/N: TADAA! I'm alive! I'm so sorry for not updating since, forever. There's been school, and writers block, and school, and lack of time, and school, and homework, and did I mention school? In fact every excuse up there is linked to school. 'Cuz my writers block wouldn't be that bad if I had more time, which I don't have because of school =.= Anyway, enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon. If I did I would own Iris and Dento, who are too awesome to be owned by me. ...I like this chapter name 8D
Chapter 12 – Help from Haruka
The next few days Hikari had attempted to confess to Kengo were quite hectic. Kengo and Yumomi were stressed because they had to help with all of the arrangements for the wedding on the following Sunday. They had to send out invitations to all their friends in their class and make sure that the others asked their parents. It went quite well, except that they had somehow missed out on Jun when they were sending out invitations.
"I can't believe you forgot me!" he had yelled in the middle of classes after everyone had been talking about the wedding. He pointed an accusing finger at both Kengo and Yumomi and said, "You're going to be fined 100 Yen for that!"
"Stop fining people," Hikari scolded from beside Kengo. "It's really annoying." She threw a glare a Jun before continuing to read her invitation. She had been glaring at Jun as much as she possibly could all day since he had interrupted her very important words.
She sighed and buried her head between her folded arms on the table.
"What's wrong?" asked Kengo.
She turned her head and looked at him. Maybe she would tell him right now. She stared right into his face and felt heartened. She raised her head from the table. She would do it.
"Is it lunch time yet! I'm hungry," groaned Satoshi from across the room. Kasumi hit the back of his head while the class burst into laughter.
Hikari let her head fall back onto the table. It wasn't the right mood to confess anyway, she thought, though she still felt a twinge of annoyance at Satoshi's complaint. She sighed again as the bell rang and the others filed out of the room.
Kengo and Yumomi looked down at Hikari with confused looks. "Go ahead without me," said Hikari. "I just need to...rest my head."
As odd as this was, Kengo and Yumomi dismissed this as pure Hikari-ness and walked out of the room.
Hikari fell back into depression mode until she heard someone walk up to her. "Really guys, you can go." She looked up and saw Nozomi smiling down at her instead.
"Ohh, hey!" Hikari stood up. "It's been a long time!" Hikari, realizing what she said suddenly felt puzzled. What she just said didn't make much sense since Nozomi was in the same class as her the whole time.
Nozomi, reading the look on Hikari's face, said, "I guess I haven't been around lately." Nozomi motioned for Hikari to walk with her to the canteen while they talked, and Hikari complied.
"But you've been busy, right?"
Nozomi sighed and put her hands behind her back of her head. "Well that's the thing. I don't feel like I'm getting anywhere with Shinji."
Hikari tilted her head. "So he's still...hmm...what's that word...emo?"
"Er – I guess so? Well, at least he stopped asking me to stop stalking him."
"Yeah! See, you're getting somewhere – wait." It took Hikari a while to process this sentence. Then she doubled over in laughter. "S-stalk – haha – I can't believe he called you a stalker."
Nozomi rolled her eyes. "I wasn't stalking him."
"Actually, it does look like y-you were," Hikari managed to choke out in between laughs.
"No, I wasn't!" argued Nozomi. "I was just...trying to help him become a better person." She saw that Hikari was still laughing hard. "Are you okay? It really wasn't that funny."
Hikari stopped laughing suddenly and felt sort of embarrassed because some people had gave her weird stares at the sound of her laughter. "I don't know...I guess I'm just depressed or stressed or...I don't know!"
Nozomi patted Hikari's shoulder slightly. "So is there any reason for your depression or stress or whatever it is?"
Hikari went into the explanation of her trying to confess, since Nozomi wasn't there to see it herself.
"Maybe you should try to get him away from everyone," she suggested. "Since you're neighbours you could just go to his house."
Hikari thought about it then shrugged. "I don't know. It'd be sort of awkward since his mum is always at home."
"Then, we should ask Haruka what to do," said Nozomi. "I think right now Haruka would be the best to ask for advice."
Hikari collected her tray and food and looked sceptical. "Really? We're talking about Haruka." Haruka was always reading the boy advice section of teen magazines and always told the other girls about it. Not that any of them thought that the advice would actually work.
Nozomi didn't say anything, but she smiled and jerked her head in one direction. Hikari looked where Nozomi was indicating and gasped.
There was Haruka, and next to her was Shuu. And she was holding his left arm and leaning on his shoulder with a look of extreme happiness. Shuu was smirking as usual, but it was more triumphant than usual.
Hikari let out a small cry and ran to Haruka. "Oh my god. Are you guys a couple now? Kyaa! You guys look so cute. When did it happen? Yesterday? This morning!" The very hyper girl jumped up and down squealing excitedly. But Haruka and Shuu didn't answer and of her questions and remained the same.
"Don't bother," said Kasumi who was sitting in front of Haruka. She had a bored expression on her face. "They've been like that since we got here."
"Heh, they're in their own world," Satoshi commented gleefully, looking at Shuu and Haruka as if he's never seen them before. "Love can make people act very weird."
"Don't try to act like you know anything about love," snapped Kasumi.
"Eh? I didn't say anything," Satoshi said looking confused.
"Hmph, whatever!" Kasumi began eating again.
Dawn shook her head at the poor boy and took a seat next to Haruka while Nozomi sat across her. "Hey, where are Kengo and Yumomi?"
"They already finished eating and went somewhere. They've been busy the whole week," Kasumi answered. She picked up her tray and stood up. "I'm done too. See ya guys later."
Satoshi turned around and frowned. "Is it me, or does it seem like she's in a bad mood?"
The group gave him exasperated looks before Satoshi finally got the message and scooted off, trying to find Kasumi. Haruka giggled and finally detached herself from Shuu's arm.
"Satoshi has a point though," Nozomi commented. "You guys look happier than I've ever seen you." Haruka grinned in response.
Shuu however, stopped smirking and flicked his hair in his usual way and said, "Not true."
Hikari chuckled. "That's what you say, but even if you're not smiling you still look happy." For even if Shuu's face held a frown, his bright eyes could not hide their joy. Hikari sighed, wishing that she could be as happy as they were.
Nozomi leaned forward and whispered something in Haruka's ear. Shuu raised an eyebrow, not knowing what they were talking about, but Hikari had a pretty good idea what it was. Haruka's expression changed from confused ("Well, I already knew that," she said) to happy ("Yup, what else would you expect?") to thoughtful ("Hmm...maybe not...") to completely ecstatic. "I've got it!" She grinned at Hikari with a triumphant look. And Hikari didn't really like it. "I've got the best idea ever."
Hikari gave Nozomi a doubtful glance. Nozomi nodded encouragingly and even showed her a thumbs up. Hikari relaxed after that; if Nozomi thought it was okay, she would be fine. "Whatever your plan is, let's go for it!"
Shuu, who still had no idea what was going on. "Girls," he muttered.
"Ya gotta love 'em!" Haruka said with a nudge. "Well, ya gotta love me, at least. Anyway, could you do me a huge favour?" Shuu was not the type to go out of his way to do something for someone, but since this was Haruka asking...
"No."
Haruka's expression turned mad for a while, then surprisingly turned sweet again. "Please?" Shuu cringed. That woman...she dared to...she went so low as to...SHE USED THAT FREAKIN ANIME-STYLED POUTING THAT MADE SPARKLES FLY AROUND HER FACE. And no one could resist that.
"Y-yeah...sure," Shuu mumbled. Hikari felt sorry for Shuu, then again, even Kengo couldn't say no to that kind of look. She would know; she tried it. "But it depends, what kind of favour is it?" Hmm, Shuu was more resistant to 'the look' than she thought.
"Just ask Kengo if he's free tomorrow at...maybe around six," Haruka told him.
"But he's probably busy with the wedding preparations and all." Haruka gave him 'the look' again. "I mean okay! In fact, I'll go find him now!"
Shuu stood up abruptly and ran out of the canteen. Haruka giggled in satisfaction. Nozomi just looked kinda freaked out. Maybe she hadn't used 'the look' before.
"Was that Shuu?" she asked in disbelief. "Did someone replace Shuu with a look alike when I blinked, or something?"
Haruka grinned. "It's called girl power." She stood up, twirled and flashed a victory sign.
Nozomi shook her head. "Something is wrong with this canteen today." She stood up and walked out of the canteen.
Hikari turned back to Haruka. "So you're sure he likes me. 'Cuz if he doesn't it'll be so embarrassing and awkward."
Haruka rolled her eyes. "For the last time, yes."
"Okay, okay!" Hikari said raising her hands in defence. "So why'd you ask Shuu to ask Kengo if he was free tomorrow?"
Haruka grinned. "We're going to the movies!"
Hikari stared blankly at Haruka. "...That's it?" So much for a ultimate confession plan.
Haruka's vein throbbed in her temple. "It's a great plan! You'll see, just meet us in front of the cinema at six. And make yourself look pretty."
xxxxx
Kengo glanced back and forth between his timetable stuck to his locker and his bag as he packed for the next half of the school day. He and Yumomi had finished lunch early, mostly because Kengo wasn't that hungry, and Yumomi went to check the schedule for the wedding again. Why didn't we just get a wedding planner? Kengo thought. Actually, he was sure that they did have a wedding planner, because his mum had been thanking God that they had one. Maybe Dad forgot to tell Yummomi. He sniggered at the thought that Yumomi was running around trying to organize a wedding when it was already being organized. Really, since when did kids in middle school start planning weddings?
He stuffed his science books into his locker just as Shuu walked up to him. "Hey, Kengo, I've got to talk to you." Kengo stood up straight but hit his head against the top of the locker. Shuu smirked while Kengo cursed inwardly at himself.
He rubbed his head and winced. "What's up?"
Shuu, now back to his smirking self, said, "Are you doing anything tomorrow at around six?"
"Nope, why?"
Shuu merely shrugged. "I don't know, Haruka just asked me to ask you."
Kengo sweat-dropped. "Well that's really helpful."
"Guys!" said Haruka walking up to the two with Hikari by her side. "Did Shuu tell you about going to see the movies tomorrow?"
"Who's going to see the movies tomorrow?" asked Kengo confused.
"We are," Haruka told him ask if this was very obvious.
"You didn't tell me we were going to see the movies," Kengo said to Shuu.
"Well Haruka didn't tell me we were," said Shuu. "I just got here two minutes ago and then Haruka comes running here. She could've just asked you herself."
"So you are free, right Kengo?" asked Haruka, in a voice that sounded like saying 'no' would get you killed.
Kengo and Hikari sweat-dropped at Haruka's tone. "Sure, I'll come," answered Kengo.
"Great," said Haruka happily. "Let's go Shuu." And with that, Haruka giggled and walked with (or you could say dragged) Shuu.
"Do I really trust that girl?" Hikari asked out loud shaking her head.
"Are you going to the movies tomorrow too?" Kengo asked her. Hikari smiled and nodded. "Did Haruka invite anyone else?"
"Not that I know of," Hikari said. "She might invite the others."
The bell rang again and the two looked at each other. Of course, they were going to be late for class.
XOXOXO
Hikari looked herself in the mirror. She thought she looked okay; she was wearing a plain white blouse with a black cardigan, skinny light-grey jeans and her black Converse shoes. She knew Haruka told her to look nice to go to the movies and maybe Haruka meant a pretty skirt of whatever but she was too used to wearing plain jeans whenever she went to watch a movie. And she never went without her black cardigan; it was sort of a tradition.
She could guess what Kengo was wearing: some khaki jeans and a T-shirt that was mostly green. Then again, he wore that kind of clothes every day.
She checked her blue handbag for what she needed. Purse – check. Hand-phone – check. Tissues – check. The tissues were just in case she cried in the movie. Haruka didn't tell her what movie they were watching, so it could be a tragedy. Or a comedy that was so funny that she would cry.
She was just about to go downstairs and took one last quick glance at the mirror and froze. She stepped closer to the mirror and stared at her reflection. There was a spot where her hair was sticking upwards. But that was enough. Hikari took out her hair band and yellow clips and spent ten minutes re-styling her blue hair back into a pony tail. She grinned at herself triumphantly before checking her pink Poketch. It read five forty-five. The movie started in fifteen minutes.
"Not again," she groaned and started running down the stairs.
xxxxx
Kengo and Shuu watched Haruka pace back and forth in front of the popcorn counter muttering, "Where is that girl?"
"Hikari better get here soon before Haruka explodes," Shuu said, amused. "Is she always late?"
"No – unless there's something wrong with her hair," Kengo said uncertainly. "Well, when she thinks there's something wrong with her hair."
"I'm here!" Hikari cried running up to the three, panting as she arrived. "I had to run...and get here...took me five minutes."
"Not bad," stated Kengo, grinning. He usually took fifteen minutes to walk here from his house, and they were next door neighbours.
"Heh, great timing right?" Hikari managed to say. As she predicted, Kengo was wearing khaki jeans and a dark green T-shirt with bold black words saying 'Too Cool for School'. Shuu was wearing a white shirt and black jacket with blue jeans. Haruka wore a light pink dress which didn't look overly formal and just above casual.
"Finally!" said Haruka. "You know, it's not good to keep us waiting. And it's not a good habit to be late on dates."
Hikari and Kengo stood there, stunned and slightly confused. When it seemed no one was going to say anything, Hikari spoke up. "What do you mean by 'date'?"
Haruka smiled, trying to look innocent. "What? I did tell you that we're on a double date right? That's why I didn't invite the others."
Hikari and Kengo gaped at Haruka, then to Shuu who just flipped his hair and smirked and then looked at each other. A date? Them? Now? They turned to look in opposite directions and both turned slightly pink. Hikari tugged at her hair awkwardly, which that in itself was a huge action since she never touched her hair in fear or messing it up. Kengo had put his hands in his pockets and was trying to stare straight through the ground.
"Jokes!" yelled Haruka. "Haha, your faces were priceless." Haruka giggled and took Shuu's arm. "We should go in now."
She and Shuu walked towards the counter to get their tickets checked. Hikari and Kengo stared at Haruka. "Well, let's go." Kengo with his hands still in his pockets walked to join Haruka and Shuu leaving Hikari alone, still pink in the face.
Kengo acted like what Haruka just said was no big deal. But Haruka had been very smart. By just stating the idea that the two were on the date made the whole thing awkward. Now Hikari couldn't think of this movie as anything but a date. And Kengo must feel the same way.
Hikari stopped staring into nowhere and caught up to the others. Haruka gave her a thumbs-up sign and nudged Hikari slightly. Kengo, who didn't see Haruka's gestures, smiled slightly nervously at Hikari. Hikari smiled just as nervously back.
If anything came out of this night, Hikari promised herself she would thank Haruka a hundred times over. If not...Hikari would make sure Haruka wouldn't have any more great ideas.
A/N: It's funny how one statement could change the whole atmosphere on what was supposed to be a normal night. But that's show business! Well...no it's not, but you know what I mean. Anyway, I'll really try to update soon! I'm going to work on the next chapter of this story before updating any other ones. Hmm, if I was Hikari trying to confess...I'd - well I actually wouldn't do anything since I'm more of a 'look from afar' kind of person. Just out of curiosity, what would you guys do?
Oh! Oh! Did I mention that I love the new BW characters? Oh I did...ehehe... And with every new season there are new pairings. Like Nagaishipping (AshXIris), which I don't support since I'm with Pokeshipping. And Wishfulshipping (DentoXIris) – I LOVE THE FREAKIN NAME! And it could be cute. But it's too early to tell xD
Please review, because it motivates me to write faster...and I'd know how my story is so I could improve it. – Bye!