Disclaimer: I will own Prince of tennis!...in my next life
Noo I was suppose to finish updating by 3/11/07 to make it a perfect month but I finished WRITING it at 11:30 PM but typing and reviewing it took long!
Review Replies!!
kenshinroks2111: Glad you liked it )
Lileth Azmaria: I hope this chapter will get you too )
ShadowedSilverMist: Thanks! That's so sweet of you. )
DaydreamerMagby: Hehe you tempt me to do more of those.)
mienne: sorry it took long to update!! But my explanation was posted last chapter.( (That's to symbolize my apology)
LittleAngel22493: Hmm should I be evil or nice? P
Khmer-Angel: Right back at ya! )
White Alchemist Taya & kuro-chan10307: swtjapgrl: Hey Tez!!! Are you jealous?
Tezuka: HMPH!
swtjapgrl: So you are?
Tezuka: Please go away. (Shuts the door)
Swtjapgrl: Mina help me!!
Mina: Tezuka-kun?
Tezuka: (Opens door immediately) Yes, Aizawa san?
swtjapgrl: I see how it is…
alasforgotten32491: you're a sharp reader aren't ya? )
Thanks for reviewing!! I hate to nag but everyone Please review this one too!
O yeah one more announcement! To Anyone who reads Naruto Fanfiction. I just posted my first naruto fic titled Hiashi's mistake. Please read it if you have time :)
Chapter 16: Would you like a flower?
None of my business anyway. The 4 eyed boy tore his gaze away from the window. He looked down at his incomplete application for athletes. There were only 2 blanks left: father's signature and insurance policy number. I guess father's late from work again… Lately, Tezuka Kazuma has been coming home late. As any typical housewife, Ayane continued preparing dinner for her husband and left it in the kitchen. Deciding to take a break, Kunimitsu trotted down the stair for a cup of water. Savoring the feeling of the fluid rushing down his throat, he cleared his mind along with it. However, there was a slight gasp from the living room. Tezuka Ayane was folding the freshly done laundry. "Something wrong?" The younger Tezuka softened from the usual expression to express concern. She had been unaware of her son creeping near her. "No, nothing." Being a Tezuka, she was also famous for the calm tone that hid her emotions but her hands weren't fast enough to hide what she was holding. There on her hands were her husband's gray trousers and a pink lacy handkerchief. The stoic boy raised his brow and connected his mother's gasp with the objects down at her hands. "Does this mean…?" he began but was cut off buy his mother. "Kunimitsu, can you help me put these folded clothes in the closets?" Taking this as a sign to be quiet, he nodded and gathered up the clothes that smelled of fabric softener.
Meanwhile…
"Cough…cough…cough…" Seriously, if this keeps up, my internal organs will come out soon. I patted my chest to calm the nauseous feeling. The sink was repainted red and my hands were deadly pale. I sighed in disgust but began to dilute the new color with water, "Dingdong"
The door bell rang and I was forced to flood the sink to be rid of the crimson fluid. I wiped my lips free of it but the metallic taste remained, making me shiver. I hurried down the stairs to get the door.
"Dad!" I hugged the man that owned the same eyes as me.
"You're finally home early." I freed him of his work bag and urged him toward the bathroom.
"You must be tired, go take a shower first. Then come eat dinner." But I realized I didn't prepare anything
"Sorry I couldn't cook dinner today…" I paused to invent an excuse but thankfully, he just smiled and patted my head.
"That's ok. Besides, there are so much good leftovers in the fridge. It's not fair that you always cook something for us but you eat the leftovers."
Obediently, he began to head up to the bathroom.
"No," I continued to follow him as I headed toward his room to put down the bag. "The main concern of a chef is appreciation."
After hearing the bathroom door clicked, I was about to head into the kitchen to warm up some food but the door opened again.
"Mina… are you feeling well?" he said hesitantly, "There's some drops of blood here." I heard the male voice announced hesitantly. Yikes! I said inwardly and ran into my room to get the first thing that came to my mind.
"Sorry dad!" I felt myself tremble but covered it up with perkiness.
"I'm sort of on my red boat…" I said holding up a packaged, square cotton as proof.
"I'll clean up really quickly; I'll only take 10 seconds." I literally yanked him out of the bathroom and shut the door.
Whew that was close. I exhaled softly. What a genius am I? I smiled sarcastically.
First I throw up blood until my organs come out and I command dad to take a shower after the reformation? I should have checked first. I inspected the floor, the sink, the wall and finally satisfied, I threw away the covering of the pad in the trashcan to support my lie. When I headed toward the kitchen, my dad was already there, emptying a bag of dark red substance into the rice cooker.
"Seki-han (Pink rice with red beans)" he said, "I heard it's good for women going through menstrual cycle."
"Er…haha thanks dad." I laughed forcefully. This is not funny.
In the morning…
"Morning, Tezuka-Kun!" I greeted him with usual enthusiasm. School is starting again but there's a lot to look forward to: charity work, tennis season and maybe…more homework? My neighbor acknowledged my presence with a mere nod and we started to walk.
"Good morning, Tezuka oba chan." I gave a slight bow toward the woman that was tending the plants. She waved back with a smile. Since I used smiles to conceal my emotions also, I figured out right away that Tezuka Ayane was not in the best of the moods.
"Is everything ok at your house?" I said as I petted a dog that was looking up at me from its fence. "I mean, your mom looks troubled a bit…"
Hmm didn't mother just smile at her now? The tall boy gripped harder on his duffel bag.
"Oh by the way, I haven't seen your dad lately…he's working too hard too…" But I regretted instantly when I saw his thin lips pull into a straight line. At the mention of his father, Tezuka's expression seemed soured.
"So that's it isn't it?" I pestered but predictably, Tezuka remained silent.
This is a definite yes sign. As I was hypothesizing the cause of the Tezuka depression, I was cut off by Tezuka's mechanical tone.
"This is my family's affair." His voice was like a cold surge that collided with my passionate wonder.
A feeling of rejection gnawed at the heart but I continued, "But Tezuka-Kun, I troubled you and your mom last time when I had a fever. Let me help."
His mask seemed to express a sure No
"And I know the perfect way to confirm a cheating husband," I grinned, "Though I never thought that your father does such things."
Tezuka shrugged, I don't think so either but what was with the pink handkerchief. And his mother's continuous sighs?
"So do you give me the permission to proceed with my plan?"
"No…" he began but as a consequence, he was faced a pair of hazel puppy eyes.
"You don't trust me?" I said dramatically. "I'm sure you would want your mom back to her happy state?"
I was ready to bite his ear so he can at least give me a glare. This game of translate the expression was wasting my energy.
"Can I say no?" he sighed. He was ready to hold up a white flag.
A little more push. "If you don't trust me, that's ok." I bit my lip "…and you don't feel that this problem is not a big deal…" I was thinking of more heart trending words but there was no need.
"Fine" he glared and began to walk faster. How did she realize my problem so fast anyway? Oh but then I gave it away with my silence. Was I supposed to lie? No… I don't know how to lie… He watched the girl walking next to him from the corner of his eyes. Innocent face and scheming brain do not go together.
"Then can I have your father's work number?" I asked while taking out a memo book.
"Wait, I didn't give you permission to embarrass him at work." He growled defensively. "Even if I am trying to detect a private affair, I don't intend to embarrass anyone." I said and smirked at his outburst.
"I don't even know if I'm right with such assumption." Tezuka felt like backing out again. "With my 13 years of my life, I can honestly say it is impossible that my father is having an affair."
"But you should confirm…" I braced myself for the final persuasion. "I always admired your family. Compared to my family, your family is traditional, each member plays a vital role. Like a jigsaw puzzle that can't be completed if there is a single piece missing. In my family, it's different. If one member is gone, he/she will be missed but that doesn't mean we can't survive without one another. That's why I want to prevent your family from falling apart."
When I finished, we were pausing from our walk and I was directly looking into his eyes. I was about to blush from how close I was to the cold genius, but I never leave a job incomplete.
"So…will you trust me?" I asked not breaking the eye contact. His final nod seemed to be more confident, which signified my permission.
"So what's his work number? When is his lunch time? Oh and are you free some time this week?"
Sweat dropped from the back of the stoic head. Just then she was overemotional…now she's demanding. What a bipolar…The rest of the walk was a complete hell for Tezuka as I continued to probe over his family matters. He was never happier to see my friends approach me. He left quickly to exchange his outside shoes for the inside shoes and headed up class. Damn it! I wasn't done. I sighed internally but grinned. This plan will be fun.
"Mina what's wrong?" Miyuki took notice. "Yeah, you're like experimenting with your face or something." Hitomi copied my frown then my grin.
"Heehee nothing.." I slipped on my inside shoes but took it out quickly when I felt a prick.
"Ouch!" I said examining my shoe. There was a thumbtack glued to the white slip-on
"Bastard! who did such thing?" Kaga said aloud as she grabbed the shoe from me and pried off the thumbtack.
"Eh…let's go. It was just a prick." I said urging my friends to go to class.
"Damn it!" A girl with sheet of raven black hair cursed.
"Hmm too bad the thumbtack didn't penetrate her foot any further" the red head lamented.
"She would have ended up with a cane!" the blond grinned.
"No worries my friends…" the leader said, "There's a lot more to come."
First period was PE…
"Hey Mina, can I have a tissue? I ran out." Kaga was clutching her runny nose.
"Yeah sure! Leave it on my desk when you're done with it." I was going to head toward the field first to warm up. With that, Hitomi followed me out. A certain red head smiled in the corner.
"Kinoshita sensei" she called as she headed toward the front, "Can I go to the bathroom?" "Of course, meet us in the field afterwards," the good natured lady answered, not catching that sinister smirk as the flaming red head strutted towards the bathroom. When she came out from the restroom 10 minutes later, the classroom was already empty. Of course, she was going to the field but not before examining a certain packet of tissues.
After first period…
"I'm really sweaty…" I groaned as picked up my tissue. I felt my nose itch and my skin tingle as I wiped my face with it. Then in a second, I began to sneeze continuously and my face burned. My left hand covered my nose and my right hand desperately pressed against my cheeks.
"What's wrong?" Miyuki ran towards me alarmed.
"That smell…." I breathed out in between my sneezes. "Those tissues have pepper on it." Before I knew it, Miyuki was also sneezing next to me.
"Probability that the tissues contain 3.28 table spoons of pepper, 87." Square framed glasses glinted behind us. Inui snatched the tissues out of my hands threw it away in the trashcan.
Inhaling deeply, I looked at the data master reproachfully. "How come you didn't suffer with us?"
"That amount of pepper is nothing compared to Kawamura's specialty. Do you care to try some? Aizawa san? Andoh san?" I ran and pulled Miyuki along to get away from the sinister smile as fast as possible.
In the hallway…
"That was priceless." The black haired giggled and banged her fist on the wall.
"See? I do these things better than you." The red head wasn't able to hide her smirk. The most popular girl in school is being embarrassed what is not funny about this?
"Anyway guys, get ready, it's my turn." The blond head said. This is competition. She was going to pull a successful prank no matter what.
4th period is chemistry…
"I don't like labs. I could never do the experiments right." Hitomi grumbled as we headed upstairs to the science room
"But isn't it better than listening to Mr.Yamanaka?" I said, "My notes somehow became an ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics because the ends of the sentence are usually scribbles."
"Truly his class is a nice period to catch up on sleep. He restates what the book said anyways." Kaga agreed with me.
Miyuki, being the quiet girl she is, just smiled and listened to our grumbles.
In the science room…
"Yes, Hitomi, you're doing great!" I complimented as I watched her stir the concoction safely.
"Aizawa-san and Andoh san can you please help me pass out these notebooks?" Yamanaka sensei asked, or more like commanded.
Oh that's right…I'm monitor this week and so is Miyuki…I recalled. I detested leaving my group unattended. By unattended, I mean Hitomi who absolutely hates science and Kaga, who is extremely clumsy. Of course I love them dearly but faults are to be acknowledged, not ignored.
"Er…ok Hitomi add this, I already measured out the amount." I said holding up a small graduated cylinder of acetic anhydride. "After it boils, add this, which is 10 mL of ethanol. We should have crystallized aspirin after this."
Now the fate of our lab grade depended on Kaga and Hitomi. I glanced back time to time to see everything was fine. But when I had about 5 notebooks left to pass out, I heard Kaga's scream. Our solution was bubbling intensely. It was at the point where it was leaking out of the flask and giving rise to smoke. Then I saw three clear bottles, one extra from what I had left them with.
Pyridine! My mind put together as I remembered our preparation ingredients. I saw thick foam boiling up in the flask of the nearest group that I stood by, scooped up the foam in a beaker and dumped it up hurriedly into our smoking concoction. Immediately, the boiling content tranquilized.
"Are you okay?" I asked concerned as I turned to my table partners. Kaga was clinging onto my arm and Miyuki was attempting to clean off the mess on the Bunsen burner. "What is going on here?" I looked up to see Mr.Yamanaka glaring down at the spilled gray liquid.
"Pyridine…Sensei." I began nervously as the tall figure caused me to cower.
"Pyridine was not called for in this experiment, explain yourself." Dark eyes bore into mine but Hitomi took the attention away from me.
"Sensei, it is my fault. Mina already gave me the measured chemicals but when I stepped away from the lab table to get a beaker tong, there were three bottles of solutions identical in color and amount." I was proud of her for getting her words through. This instructor is the strictest teacher in this whole school.
"And you, Aizawa-San?" He just can't let me off the hook. What did I do? I looked up nervously, "What were you rushing about when you were suppose to remain composed and calm at all situation and have only the instructor take care of any accidents?" His question sounded ignorant, so I was determined to reason with him.
"When I left my table, I left my lab partners with the two necessary solutions. However, I observed that there were three solutions and realized that it was pyridine since I saw it before the lab started, which catalyzes the reaction between water and acetic anhydride. I added alcohol foam to suppress fire." To my surprise the towering figure smiled.
"And I'm sure Fuji-Kun is there for the same reason?" In the midst of panic I didn't notice that Fuji was merely inches away from my table with a beaker in his hand and Tezuka was about to reach for a fire extinguisher. Fuji gave an elegant nod and Tezuka became the next target.
"And what are you doing there Tezuka-Kun?"
With equal air of dignity, Tezuka's head was held high, "Carbon Dioxide was necessary, Sensei."
Mr. Yamanaka nodded pleasantly, "You three must have studied ahead on your own. I'll give 50 extra points toward your lab grades." I was overjoyed that I didn't notice a small mound of white powder on the floor. Before I was able to utter a scream, I was slowly beginning to skid and was about to kiss the skeleton used for anatomy studies.
"Not so fast…" I felt smooth arms grabbing hold of my arms. The impact twirled me around and my forehead collided with my savior's cheek.
"Are you okay, princess?" A deep blush crept on my cheeks as I locked gaze with a pair of cerulean orbs. Never have I been more embarrassed of my current position as the class roared with laughter and claps of hands.
Well that totally backfired…The blonde head sent a nasty glare toward the center of the attention as the red head sent a triumphed smile in her direction.
"Whew." I exhaled as I placed the lab book back on the shelf. Today is really not my day but off to lunchtime. I celebrated too soon as a girl with sheet of black hair bumped into me. But this was not a slight bump. It was a tumbling bump. The Shelf was not really a supportive structure either and books were raining down. I landed on my butt and braced myself for a rain of books. But the contact never occurred. I opened my eyes disbelievingly to come in contact with a flaming red cat or more specifically, Kikumaru kun.
"Hoi Hoi Mina Chan, are you okay?" people around us were clapping at the acrobat. "You're amazing!" I complimented. "10 books and you managed to catch them all in a second." I took half of the stack to shelve it back.
"It's a good training nyah, especially if I'm rescuing a princess!" That's so sweet but if she was a real princess, he should focus on catching the princess, not the books! I felt a bruise forming on my bottom with a tingling pain.
"Mina…" Kaga sighed exasperated, "We shouldn't let you out of our sight. I think you're being targeted." She narrowed her eyes toward anyone that cast a glance on us. I wouldn't want to leave either! But then…I have to meet up with Tezuka-Kun. Realizing that I won't be able to tell my friends the reason to not spend time with them, I was forced to think up of a lie, fast.
"Hey guys," I began, "I won't be able to spend lunch with you guys because…I have to plan with Tezuka kun on what we're going to do for my dad's birthday." I said in one breath.
There it sounded real and we are planning something for a father…just not mine. I patted myself on the back but was met with giggles.
"Mina today really isn't your day." Hitomi's voice echoed through the hallway.
"Right, you can't even think up of a reasonable excuse." Kaga finished for Hitomi then whispered, "I see a start of a beautiful relationship."
"Excuse me?!" I demanded horrified. Did they mean that I what think they mean?
"If he makes you happy." Miyuki is sweet but this is unnecessary sweetness. "Don't worry we will leave you two all alone."
I scoffed, "Our relationship is as similar as my relationship with my books. They are all helpful and polite indeed…" More giggling continued so I had no choice. "You guys are right. I'm not telling the truth but it involves his family so I rather not say anything about it." My friends nodded understandingly. I should have done this in the first place. Then they didn't have to tease me! But my thought was interrupted.
"Have a nice date!" the three echoed but they all froze in a minute when my voice reached their ears.
"Hey which of you want exposure to the acetic anhydride that someone concocted earlier?" I glared.
In the grass field near the lake…
"This will not take long but the main purpose of lunch is to eat." I said as I spread out my lunch.
"Are you sure you won't embarrass him?" Tezuka eyed me sharply while leaning against a tree.
"Sue me if I do." I repeated again, "You just sit here, eat lunch and relax." I beckoned him to sit down and pointed down at my lunch.
"Then can I at least ask what you are going to..." he looked at me hesitantly as I turned on my cell phone and dialed the number. Since I was ignoring him, he had no choice but to start opening up his lunch box. I cleared my throat and attempted to make my voice deeper and matured.
"Hello? IBM Corporation. This is Tezuka Kazuma, how may I help you?" a deep voice sounded on the other line.
Yeay! Someone actually picks up the phone in the corporation. Well of course, this man carries the name of Tezuka, meaning that he stays in his office at all times including fire, rain and earthquake. So hearing him answer the phone during lunch break is no surprise. "Hello…I am calling from Yamanaka Flower shop." Here I saw Tezuka drop a piece of sushi from his chopsticks. I sent him a dirty look that warned him not to interfere. "Oh…I'm not interested in purchasing any flowers right now." I heard impatience from Tezuka Kazuma.
Whew concise and brief. "Please wait sir," (Tezuka stopped drinking water) "I'm tring to promote my store so I am offering a free order and delivery just for you!"
"Is this a scam?" The wire sent through the response. (Tezuka was trying not to cough up the water he drank.)
"No, no" I answered quickly, "My address is 2535 Minami Doori and the rest is the same as your corporation." That's because I didn't know it! This was the Boutique's address, Well, it's a white lie, they do sell flowers there.
"Oh…that's not very close to the IBM Corporation." The deep voice was beginning to sound insecure. The younger Tezuka raised his eyebrows as he went to poke my lunch. She is really bad at directions…He thought as he began on another piece of eel fried sushi.
"It is in a distance that I am willing to deliver." I said smoothly.
"How did you get this number?" I can imagine his glasses glinting.
"Random digit-dialing, Sir." Good thing I learned some statistics. And stop with the questioning! I want to end this clean! The stoic boy seemed have finished eating and sat close to me to hear the conversation clearly.
"Okay then…I want a Hong Kong wrapped violet roses. Clear wrapped first and tied with opal colored ribbons"
He knows what he wants My head clicked, this may cost quite a few dollars.
"And the address will be?" I scribbled down the order, "Hmm..3224Yamato Daichi." Tezuka looked at me questioningly. This is the IBM workplace address. Why not just send it to his recipient? Tezuka thought as he placed a hand over his full stomach.
"And also we provide special name cards. Your recipient is…?" This is the moment of truth Tezuka and I both held our breaths.
"Then put Hayashi Sumire." I felt color drained out of my face and when I looked over, Tezuka was completely rigid.