Disclaimer: Me no own. But can I own POT, Ouran and Naruto characters at least?
Review replies!!
livelyrose: Thanks but I don't think I'm good enough. But maybe I should try it...more chance for me to spread the Tezuka love!
mariku-chan12: Nice analogy there!!!! Thanks for liking my oc!! Many ppl don't like fics with ocs but i'm glad i have readers like you and the others that read my story! Yes this is the story when Tezuka is a freshman. The other three will show up later in the story.
singer in the wind: no don't die!!! come back!!! I need you to read my fic!!!!!
alasforgotten32491: LOL you're right!
ShadowedSilverMist: Of course you can keep him!! The plushie with him as a waiter is hot looking too...
R.O.T.T: yeah I'm so sorry! I'm still permanent resident from Japan. So I'm practicing my English through here too. So please support me?? (Smiles a Mina smile)
yuuko0711: Hehe keep reading and you'll find out!
Izaquix078: (Joins Izaquix078) Hallellujah! Hallelujah! My lord one of the 1x10 to the infinity girls has fallen in love!
blackorchid143: Aww if it's not too much trouble for you. Will you review?? (Smiles a Mina smile) or if you prefer (smirk like Tezuka. Sorry that was just too fuglee)
Lien-Chan: Aww i wish i had the ability to make people laugh! Will you make me your apprentice??
Wingless-Crying-Angel: Keep laughing! I need to acknowledge that I was able to make people laugh!
kuro-chan10307: Oo Tez is getting punished! Must drag Mina over to come see this!
Thanks so much to other reviewers such as: unknown player,Moonlight19, leafninja95, fightingpheonix36, NekoGuyFan
White Alchemist Taya, vnienhuis!
I love question marks and dot dot dots! I hope you guys don't mind!
Oh man writer's block is not fun at all...I was stuck for at least 3 days!!! Oh by the way I hope you guys aren't getting tired of my story because I have a long way to go. Also, i changed the fic to t-rate just in case. Enjoy!!
Chapter 22: It's a lie!Tezuka Kuimitsu can never be sick. The cough and sneeze was part of is dream, right?
"Beep Beep" a high pitched sound of the thermometer alerted Tezuka. Tezuka Kunimitsu almost never makes a mistake. He rose proudly until he was betrayed by his thermometer, 39.6 degrees Celsius it read.
"This" he wormed out of his bed "is a defnite fever." The stoic boy concluded as his body also betrayed him and he was forced to use the wall to support himself. At this rate, going down the stairs would put his life at risk.
"Kunimitsu, you're one minute later than our usual wake up time. What are you doing?"
Have to give credit to my mother. Just one minute late and she knows something is wrong. But he wasn't so thankful when Ayane Tezuka busted his door open.
"Kunimitsu! Wake up!" The said Kunimitsu calmly lifted his head up. "I don't feel well, mother."
"Oh?" as far as she remembers her son, nurtured with her care, she proudly nodded ,only got sick in 1st grade when he wasn't used to hiking in the snow.
"Aha! You were taking a shower for 30 minutes last night. No wonder you're sick!" Ayane pointed a finger at her son's nicely shaped nose.
Tezuka mentally wiped the sweat drop off his face that his mother didn't know he used ice cold water on his naked body yesterday. That piece of foolish fact might send her tearing at his flesh. So he didn't complain nor resist as she coaxed him back to his bed. "I'll tell Mina-chan you won't be going to school today."
Right that Aizawa girl was the cause of his present dizziness and he doesn't want to think about the exact quote right now, afraid that his temperature will rise at least 2 degrees Celsius. Maybe he'll, or must concentrate on his sleep right now.
At school…
"TEZUKA'S NOT HERE?" Inui Kun and I were the only ones smart enough to put earplug right before Oishi was able to let out his mother hen-like shrill.
"I never thought he was the type to ever be absent." Hitomi agreed while grimacing. "Maybe he's broken hearted from yelling at the boy yesterday. Nyah it so scawee."
"I don't think he's as delicate as you, Kikumaru-kun." I shook my head. "His mom told me something about he has a fever because he showered too long. Not that I understood the whole story."
"Did you say something to him yesterday?" Fuji's grin widened suddenly.
"I talked to him on the way back, but I didn't say anything offending." I looked at the smiling tensai reproachfully. Was he accusing me?
"Anyway." I cleared my throat "Oishi-Kun, before we go to class council meeting today, we have to go around freshman classes ok?"
"eh, why?" kaga interrupted. "Remember that orphanage we went to?" All of them nodded minus Oishi. "I was thinking we'll ask for fundraising ideas."
"Yeah, I think they need to renovate some part and some new supplies." Miyuki added. "Would we have eough funds though?" Kawamura kun said worriedly but his opinion changed once Fuji placed my eraser in his palm.
"MOERUZE! IT"S FUNDRAISING TIME!"
" So let's all follow his lead and suggest ideas ok?" I winked.
After the council meeting…
"Not bad…" I couldn't help but grin while Oishi shrugged beside me.
"I didn't understand most of what you said."
Flashback…
"And to conclude this motion, I believe that in addition to benefiting the Kamiseya institution, I hope to promote our school spirit. By adding such events in the year, it will raise our reputation and allow students to socialize…"
End of Flashback
"Don't worry" I assured the boy next to me. "It wasn't meant to be understood. I was biding time so that president will just get tired of listening to me and approve of freshmen fundraising.
"Good job but the first event is a class play. We don't even know what play nor do we know if our classmates are gifted in acting."
"Don't worry. Don't worry." I said joyfully as the mother hen continued to frown.
In our class…
Cinderella, sleeping beauty and snow white. As simple as these plays maybe to perform, the storyline is so well known that it's not interesting.
"I agree that these ideas are adorable." I said masking my headache, "However, let's try to appeal to a bigger audience than just a play for girls and kids."
Oishi kun sent an expression as to say "Worried now?"
"How about Naruto Shippuden movie 4? Or Harry Potter?" An energetic voice projected. "No Eiji, this is not going to be a movie theater." Oishi Kun immediately reprimanded. Most of the class agreed because the effects will be difficult to do, though some Naruto and Harry Potter fans were immensely disappointed.
"How about Princess Mononoke?" the whole class turned toward the quiet voice in the corner. I was surprised at the owner of the voice. As far as ever since I transferred here, she has never spoken aloud in class unless she was forced to, with a trembling voice that is.
"But would that be too violent?" Oishi Kun's simple question earned a dark red blush on Miyuki's face and I resisted the urge to clonk his head.
"I think it's a good idea" I smiled warmly toward Miyuki, "the story is well known in Japan and it gives us the chance to observe human destruction of nature."
"But…" Oishi Kun stammered.
"Well said." Kinomoto Sensei voiced his opinion. "But I must agree with Oishi that we must be able to have a clear plan to do this."
I furrowed my eyebrows.
"For example, this storyline involves complicated backgrounds and characters. How are we going to make sure that the stage will be realistic?"
"I was thinking we can have everyone bring in old brown or black clothes to serve as costumes." I said thoughtfully.
"And we can drench them in blood, I mean food coloring for the scenes of war." The whole class shivered at Fuji's suggestion.
"I like drawing bears! We can use those as masks!" one of the girls added and many of the students shouted suggestion.
"Um guys… I think we should discuss who gets what part." All students pursed their lips. "I think choosing randomly will be fair." I saw grimaces on their faces. "But we're fundraising through this play, so we'll have tryouts so the talented can get the roles." "We'll start off with Ashitaka." Oishi squeaked across the board with the chalk.
Even though this character is a quiet and polite gentleman, the boys that wanted to try out were outgoing, assertive and loud.
Probably they want to hog the spotlight. I thought until I saw Inui-Kun raise his hand.
"I have a question actually." He said when Oishi was about to write his name on the board.
"Are we allowed to nominate?"
"Umm yes."
"But Aizawa-San." Oishi reprimanded.
"The nominated will have a final say in the taking the position." I finished.
"Then I nominate Tezuka." A small smile escaped my lips since the person I predicted Inui-Kun was going to nominate proved to be correct.
The class on the other hand was letting out muffled giggles.
"Tezuka-Kun? Would he be too stiff?"
"He is the definition of polite and elite!"
"Tezuka Kun will be the best and I'll try out for Mononoke Hime so I can do the Kiss scene!"
But since he was absent, his consent will be decided tomorrow unless…
"Anyways, let's move onto Mononoke Hime." Oishi said.
Of course many girls raised her hands. But the whole class's jaw dropped when a smooth long white arm was raised.
"Can I try out?"
"Of course, Fuji-Kun." I smiled encouragingly. The cerulean tensai always managed to fascinate people with unique ideas and I was proud of him for that.
"Nyah noo!!! Fuji do you want to be an Okama (Guys that cross dress as girls)?" Apparently Kikumaru didn't have the same idea.
"You have to try out for a manly role, something omni-potent something…"
"Eiji, do you know what omni-potent means?" Inui questioned from 2 desks afar. "Nope nya but it sounds good when you and Mina-chan use it!" the class roared with laughter. "Oh Nya I got it! I nominate you , Mina chan!"
"Me?" I pointed at myself confusedly.
"Nya as Mononoke Hime." I could see Hitomi one row away trying to second the suggestion, but I was faster.
"Thank you but I have to help with the directing." No way I was painting red paint on my face and wearing heavy day earrings.
"So to conclude this, people who want to try out for these characters shall come to tryouts at the time listed and the rest will take part as the herds of animals."
"Everyone please bring in old clothes for costumes!" Oishi added hurriedly.
After school…
Should I go visit Tezuka-Kun? Or shouldn't I? I don't want to bother him when he's resting but it would be ill-mannered if I don't go visit him.
"Oi, Ore-sama is talking to you." Seems like I was too engaged in self-conversation as I passed by the park.
"Sorry," I looked up but my smile disappeared quickly.
The voice wasn't unpleasant but the expression the owner wore was full of arrogance. Purple hair, big black mole on the side of his face, huge white gold watch, crisp clean clothes, shoes made by an expensive maker…
"Oh!" I gave an outburst. "You're that overdressed monkey!" I covered my mouth quickly when I realized what I said.
His friends sniggered loudly. There was one sleeping soundly, not awakened by any noise.
"Ahem.." the boy continued as though the insult bounced off him. "Ore-sama allows you to date me."
"Huh?" I furrowed my brows. Is he mistaking me for someone?
"But I don't know you."
"You just referred to ore-sama as familiarity." He answered though I was an idiot. "But I don't blame you for wanting to get to know more about Ore-sama. Let's see Ore-sama is good looking, hair styling every 3 days, skin care every night…"
I would have walked away if his blue haired friend wasn't studying me through his spectacles like a predator watching a prey. To run away at this point would be similar to falling into a trap. After the first few words, I began to tune him out. Rather I found something else that was interesting to look at.
"Hey Atobe," one of his friend with a giant brown ponytail called. "I think she's only paying attention to your mole." He was right; I just found his mole peculiar since it was so noticeable.
"I don't blame you for wanting to stare at every inch of ore-sama."
Is this guy plain stupid?
"Um…if I preferred to look at your mole rather than your face, that's not much to boast about." I expected he and the rest of Hyotei, would be ready to jump on me and I should be bracing for a long sprint.
But to my surprise, they were howling with laughter.
"Tell you what." Atobe said trying to put a finger under my chin, from which I backed away immediately.
"You amuse me so I'll save you of the need to join them (the girls shouting "Atobe sama!" outside of the tennis courts) to compete your way up to date me."
"You're too kind" I scoffed sarcastically. "I told you I'm not good enough for you." "Here's a deal." The nerdy looking guy proposed "Play a doubles match against Atobe. We'll give you a handicap since you're a girl. He'll play on his side alone while I'll be your partner.
"Not bad Oshitari. No wonder, you're the prodigy of hotei." Atobe smirked, earning a higher pitched scream from the crowd of girls.
"Satisfied? Oshitari is one of the best players of Hyotei, a starter by the way."
"No" I said as I began to walk away. Who knew such mental people existed.
"Bad luck dudes." Shishido laughed, "Never thought she would reject both of you guys."
Continuing my walk…
So should I or should I not? But I didn't have to question myself as a pair of arms caught my shoulders.
"Mina-Chan, you're later than your usual time!" Ayane Tezuka crossed her arms in front of her chest.
Well yeah…I wasted sometime with the Hyotei idiots.
"Can you watch Kunimitsu for me? A friend from Australia is here and today is her last day staying here."
"Oh…sure oba-san. How is Tezuka kun?" I asked as she ushered me inside.
"He's fine I'm sure he'll be able to go to school tomorrow." Hehe I guess I'll tell him about the play tonight.
"Contact number is here, medicine is here, he knows the dosages and well, just keep him company because he hasn't been sick for a period of time so he might feel a bit insecure and lonely. Thank you!"
Lonely and insecure? The Tezuka Kunimitsu?
"Iterashai!" I sent Ayane off at the entrance.
Let's see his room is second floor.
"Come in." the baritone voice I knew so well called.
"Hi Tezuka kun." I smiled at the vulnerable figure on the bed.
"Aizawa-san, yes, I'm feeling well. Thank you." Tezuka cowered subconsciously at the sight of the girl who took a seat on his desk chair uninvited.
She was the person who caused him to be sick. What is mother thinking of asking her to come over?
"Did you eat anything? Do you want me to make porridge for you? When do you have to take your medicine?"
What is she? His baby-sitter? Tezuka Kunimitsu certainly doesn't need a baby-sitter dammit!
"No, it's fine. I will take my medicine at 7" he said contrary to his trembling heart.
"Ok, then today's Homework was…"
After awhile…
"So…just don't worry about the homework. You'll have a day to catch up." He nodded. "And do you remember we said we should fundraise for the orphanage?" I fidgeted. "We decided to do a play." Not to mention I am guilty of the idea.
"And we're performing Mononoke Hime."
"Oh…"
"enurpleindaprotagonist." I said quickly.
"Hn?"
I inhaled deeply. "The class nominated you to play Ashitaka, one of the main character." Another silence began.
"But I don't know the story."
"You call yourself Japanese and you don't know Mononoke Hime?"
"I'm obliged to label myself as Japanese. But yes I don't know the movie." He mused, crossing his light blue pajama covered hands behind the back of his head. "So I doubt I can play the main…"
"Then I'll tell you the story." I scooted the chair closer to his bed. "I'll hand out the line's guide tomorrow to everyone tomorrow. So don't worry about memorizing them yet."
"You don't want to do your homework instead?" he questioned somewhat eagerly, hoping to wiggle out of his role.
"But I finished it." I grinned. "You just said you have to complete the line's guide." "That won't take long. Just copy and paste from online."
"I can read the book." He said.
"That takes too long." And I want to make sure he knows his role. Oops I forgot to tell him there are tryouts, and the characters have not been officially decided.
"So I'll make this short, read the book if you want details. Your role, Ashitaka, who is about 17 years old is supposed to be the heir to the Emisee clan but one day a tatarigami (literally, curse god) tramples through his town. Tatarigam was actually a giant boar named Nago that protected the forest. Nago was shot by the humans and the gunpowder that the humans used caused unbearable pain and flesh to rot, giving the appearance of a bloody ramen ball (Watch it on youtube! Type in Mononoke Hime) Ashitaka was forced to kill the boar and as he shot his arrow, the veins of the boar extended and wrapped around his forearm giving Ashitaka the curse. This curse is supposed to eventually eat away his flesh and lead to death. But Hii-sama, his clan's prophetess advised him to head west, which she found out where the boar came from and find out a way to rid of his curse. So Ashitaka starts his journey and his arm inflates whenever there was a combat and surge of energy was given to Ashitaka. Remember the boar hated humans so he gave energy to the one with the curse to encourage more killing between humans. As he travels, he finds out that Shishigami's forest is the sacred forest where gigantic and archaic animals live some including: 300 years old wolf god, 500 years old boar who crossed the oceans, shojos(the monkey spirit who plant trees in the night to recover the forests that humans destroyed.) As our protagonist passes by a stream, he finds two people being washed off by the current. One becomes conscious and explains that they are both from Eboshi's place which is across the river. Eboshi's place is inhabited by groups of women, men and the injured. Eboshi is a kind hearted women towards human, demonstrated by buying all the females slaves to make metals (Iron I think) and not fearing any illness, she bathes the injured and wrap their wounds with cloths. However, she is unfair towards the nature. She orders people to assemble guns that are powerful enough to destroy the whole forest with one shot so that the land can be used for human inhabitation. And it turns out she was the one that killed Nago, the boar that almost ruined the Emisee clan. She claims that by destroying the sacred Shishigami's forest, Mononoke Hime will return to being human. (She was raised by the 300 years old wolf god) and shishigami's neck has the nonaging and no death elixir that may recuperate the injured people that lives in her place."
"So basically," I was getting tired of explaining. "You act as the buffer between human v.s. nature conflict."
"I've never acted before." Tezuka said bluntly.
"Yes you have, you're not stoic everyday as I'm not able to smile everyday." But she does smile everyday…Tezuka thought. "But you keep that mask on anyways and that's acting."
"I don't act; I just like to stay quiet."
"Then what about when your doctor recommended you to quit tennis?" Hazel eyes opened a bit wider. "I doubt you were able to be as focused as usual."
How did she know?
"So don't worry about how you'll do, just have fun and experience something new, ok?" I smiled as he gave a small nod.
Then I extended my hand towards his forehead. "It looks like your fever is pretty much gone. But keep taking your medicine, it might come back."
He was so cute lying there, reminding me of Akane. Both of them are like small children, vulnerable and insecure about expressing their feelings but they willingly accept my opinions and thoughts. That is why I value them, because they acknowledge me and give me a sense of identity.
What is the shameless girl doing? The conscience police alarmed the owner of the body.
No clue, but come closer. I never knew she had such long lashes. Tezuka trembled at the sneaky voice that came from the back of his mind.
I never knew she had such ruby, soft lips, is her skin smoother than silk? We can compare it.
Tezuka was at the breaking point as chocolate tresses caressed his neck. It was like eating a chocolate truffle, so soft and transitory but ever lasting on the sweet feeling.
"You have really nice eyebrows. But the arc is too high, makes you look grumpier than you actually are." I said as I moved my thumb from the forehead toward the linear bush. "So can I pluck it?" I was met with a scrunched up pug-like face.
"I'll make you some porridge. I withdrew my hand and left Tezuka's room.
After he made sure that his companion's footsteps landed on the last stair before he felt the spot where her hand had landed. Her hand was cool and soothing but it wasn't soft and smooth as her face is. Rather it was small, fragile and dry.
Acting…it seemed so easy for her but how would he perform?
After all, his sophisticated face almost never had the much experience of frowning or smiling and let god save him from crying. Who nominated him anyway? Whoever, it was, he'll make sure the person receives a full medusa glare, Tezuka version.
"Hmm I should add some green onion, it's good for runny nose." I hummed softly and skipped toward the refrigerator.
"Ouch," did the corners of the counter have to be made so sharp? I rubbed the spot on the forearm sulking but I gasped at the sight of what I saw. There was a dark red bruise forming a second after I had collided into the corner and it was spreading like wildfire until it was the size of a rice cake. Afraid that excess rubbing may lead to bleeding, I stared at it, fear igniting in my eyes and heart. But in the corner of my eyes, I caught sight of a blue PJ figure.
"Oh I was going to bring it up for you." I said as I quickly hid my bruise from view as I grasped the porridge bowl.
"You said I was well right?" But he was not expecting an answer as he took a seat in the kitchen.
Tezuka Kunimitsu was trying hard not to look at anything other than the bowl of porridge. For a moment, he was in a moment of uh…hallucination…no, Tezuka Kunimitsu does not hallucinate, he was foreseeing…that's not close ether…but when he saw his neighbor and companion stirring the pot of porridge, he could picture her turning her sweet face toward him and say
"Anata, okaeri nasai, do you want shower, dinner…or me??"
"Are you ok??" I seemed to have burst a bubble when the tone of my voice caused him to drop his spoon. "You don't have to grip your spoon that hard, it isn't running away."
And his half a smile was disturbing to look at. His lips seem to tremble and the corners of his mouth lifted up reluctantly.
The bespectacled genius nodded quickly and took hold of his spoon again.
"Oh yeah, Tezuka-Kun, would you try some? My uncle sent it to me from Kumamoto." "Hm?" the supposedly stoic boy looked up but realized this was a huge mistake when he caught the chocolate brown eyed girl nipping at a strawberry innocently and lovingly. A rush of heat surged through his cheeks.
"Uh…I'm going to get my medicine!" he declared more hastily than he would have liked but this didn't matter now.
His nose felt like something was going to drip any second. Isn't this the feeling he felt yesterday? Tezuka thundered up the stairs as fast as he can.
"Um…boys sure are weird." I grinned as I tossed up the small medicine bottle up in the air and caught it in my hand. "Oba-san said the medicine is in the kitchen."