Chapter 8: Chapter 8

FALSE

(a fan-fiction)

Chapter 8

"I told you not to call me anymore." Shin gritted out, "I'm out with friends, this isn't the time and I don't want to hear about your boyfriend," Shin paused, "Have you heard from dad? No, I don't need money from him, or you. I can manage on my own." Shin caught herself, she couldn't lose her usual cool, not now, not with her useless mother. The woman never failed to rile her up. "I'm hanging up now," Shin pressed the hang up button on her phone not bothering to wait for her mother's response. In the past she might have hung onto her every word but she grew up and realised that the word 'mother' is earned and that the woman who gave birth to her doesn't live up to that title. Calming her heavy heart, she went to join the boys who were waiting for at the entrance of the amusement park.

When she reached the front gate she only saw Koshino and another figure who wasn't Sendoh, which could only mean that she's the raffle winner from their class' event.

When she reached them, she found that the girl was familiar so Shin bowed out of courtesy, she was a year above her and the head of the media department.

"It's nice to see you Kawai-senpai." she extended her hand to Kawai Marie. The blue-black haired girl hesitated a bit but shook her hand really quick.

"You are?" the way she asked made her look taller than her actual five foot three figure, but Shin guessed, the snobby air around her made her look much taller than she really was.

She swore they've met before since Marie and her team interviewed the Captain of the tennis club and Shin was introduced as the upcoming 'Ace' of the team. If she didn't remember her then the girl should get out of the 'media' business.

"Yuki Shintarou, Freshman. I…" Shin unconsciously bit her lower lip before saying, "I won the date with Koshino-san." she glanced at Koshino and saw him smirk at her knowingly.

"Where's Sendoh?" Kawai asked.

"I thought he was with you guys." Shin said, looking at Koshino.

Koshino spoke from behind Marie, "He forgot his wallet in the parking lot. So he went back to get it."

"Oh, right, you don't need to worry about the cash. Kogane gave me the tickets and the money for today." Shin turned to Kawai Marie, "You look really nice, what time did you get here?" she asked, admiring Marie's fashion, with her chin length blue-black hair, black mini skirt which made her legs look longer, she paired it with a loose white halter top, she looked fun and chic. She was waiting for Marie's reply but the girl ignored her and waved at a distance instead.

"Sendoh-kun!" she waved delicately, her eyes shining brightly with a bubbly laugh. Shin stood beside Koshino and saw Sendoh coming towards them in a plain black jeans and his Ryonan jacket over a simple white hoop-printed shirt.

Sendoh reached them with a light spring on his step. He politely stepped in front of Marie and smiled down at her, "You must be Kawai-san?"

"Hai, sorry I'm late." Marie scratched her head almost too cutely, "I'm the president of the school media department and we just had a meeting that took too long this morning. I'm sure you understand since you're also a second year and the ace of your team."

"Sure.." Sendoh kept smiling, "Don't worry about it."

Koshino took the tickets from Shin and took her hand in his, "Hey, I got the tickets, let's go in." he waved the tickets before pulling Shin to the entrance gate.

Sendoh began to follow but stopped when he noticed that Marie wanted to say something, "Is there something wrong Kawai-san?" Sendoh asked.

"Ah, I thought we were going on this date alone." Marie strategically stared at her shoes, "I… That's what I thought, anyhow, it's not important. The more the merrier." she said,

"Shin was picked by Kogane to be Koshino's date," Sendoh couldn't say that Shin won the raffle date with Koshino since it wasn't the case and he didn't want to seem like he and Shin's friend cheated. "Wasn't it supposed to be a double date?"

"Why do you call her by her first name? Why is she wearing Koshino's jacket and jersey?" her voice was high pitched and innocent but her eyes were probing and calculating which made Sendoh cautious of his answer, he didn't want to cause trouble for Shin.

Sendoh scratched his head, the girl was indeed a reporter, "You're truly a reporter aren't you?" Sendoh stared at her, this time he was no longer smiling but his face was still gentle, "Koshino invited her to watch our game today, so she went to cheer... him on." Sendoh frowned and shook his head to focus on Marie, "Let's enjoy today shall we?"

"Oh.. Okay, but it's just like her to be that fast just from a raffle date." Marie said off-handedly.

"What do you mean?" Sendoh frowned,

"Nothing, just rumors. Well, not rumours but she's got a reputation and—" marie was cut off by Sendoh,

"Marie-san, is it alright if I call you by your first name too?" Sendoh interrupted, he figured out where her rant was going and didn't want to hear the rest of it. Koshino's been giving him the r&r on Shin and he didn't need it from his date that day.

"Well.." Marie reverted back to her 'first-date-act' and stared at Sendoh with big, shiny eyes, "That would sound as if we're really close, but I don't mind since… we're in the same year and all."

"Haha, that's right. Should we go inside?"

"HAI!" she beamed up at him and they walked side by side.

They reached the entrance where Koshino and Shin were waiting on the other side, "What took you guys so long? We would've left you if it weren't for the tickets." Koshino handed the ticket to the ticket lady who allowed Sendoh and Marie to go in.

"Listen," Koshino said in excitement, "We're going around solo, if that's okay with you?" Koshino's eyes twinkled at Sendoh, telling him that he was just asking out of formality and didn't really care what the ace player had to say.

"Just don't get ahead of yourself," Sendoh's voice was cool but there was a clear warning there that he wasn't sure if Koshino may or may not have caught, "We'll meet at the Ferris Wheel in two hours." his voice was low and solid, the ones he gave when he was ordering the players at practice.

"Fine, fine. Take care of your date Mr. Ace, Ja!" Koshino turned to face Shin, his face sparkling with excitement so much so that Marie could wonder if it was really Shin who won the date or the dude.

Shin smiled at him before looking up at Koshino who was probably telling her what rides they should be taking first.

His gaze was caught by the #6 on her, she was still wearing a Ryonan Jacket #6 paired with her faded skinny jeans and white sneakers. Her straight white-blonde hair fell like waterfalls over her shoulders.

"Eh.." Marie's voice reminded Sendoh that he was on a date, "I guess it's true that she's popular with guys from other schools too."

"I think athletes in general are fairly popular." Sendoh started to walk and Marie followed beside him.

"Right. So, Akira-san, what should we ride first?"

Shin stared at Koshino, he was just her type. Good looking, not bulky but lean and muscular. He carried himself in a smooth manner. On top of everything, he seemed to adore her.

"You're too…" Koshino stood straight after failing to defend his post on the mini ice-hockey table, "good at this."

"To make you feel better, I'm a pro at holding rackets while you basketball players only use your bare hands.." Shin's sweet smile turned cocky, "Although, I'm better than you regardless." Shin put down the table hockey stick and together they left the arcade to find their next ride.

"Are you always this cheeky?" Koshino stared down at Shin who was looking at the map of the whole amusement park, deciding where to go.

"Maybe. I'm like this with everyone" she smiled up at him, then turned to the map again.

"Akira must have a lot of fun with you at home."

The comment piqued Shin's interest, "Why do you say?"

"He likes competitive and honest people." Koshino scratched his chin

"I don't know about honest, but I guess I don't like the feeling of hiding anything, it feels too much like losing."

Koshino stared at Shin, he didn't expect to hear something so profound from someone who looked so carefree, he waited for her to continue, "I know I'm competitive though, and that's why I hate to lose." she smiled, putting the map away and looking around at the rides, "I didn't think I'd get along with Akira-kun. When I first moved we only spoke a word of greeting to one another and I thought he was just putting up with me, but gradually, we started talking and I felt that it's because I was the outsider in the house and his family wanted to make me feel comfortable."

"Haha, that sounds like him."

"He's a bit weird, but he's also very cool."

Koshino took an abrupt stop and turned to look at Shin, his face serious, "Listen, Yuki-chan," he began, his voice low, none of the previous nervousness and lightness were there and that grabbed Shin's attention, without skipping a breath, he said "I like you." he breathed after letting go of the heavy words, "So, if you have something going on with Akira just tell me now and I'll back off."

"I…" Shin stared up at Koshino, "Koshino-san," her stunned face turned sly and mischievous, "No one has ever confessed to me this way before but," Koshino frowned at the last word, "But Sendoh-san and his family are like family to me and that's that. I like you too Koshino-san," she took a step towards him, taking his huge hands in hers, "I wouldn't go out with you today if I weren't interested in you."

Koshino was speechless for a moment. He stared down at her.

"Does that mean I... with you, do I have a chance?"

Smiled knowingly at him, "It depends,"

"On what?"

"If you have the courage to kiss me here, in the middle of all this pe-"

In a blink of an eye, Koshino's mouth was on hers and she smiled against his lips before opening up to him so he could deepen the kiss. The kiss was hot and hungry, not the sweet and shy one Shin was expecting for the gentle-looking guy. He bent down more and hugged her to him in a way that made her tilt her chin up more to allow access.

"Wow." Shin said, her eyes glazed, clutching Koshino's white shirt for balance. "I... Wanna get out of here?" She said, regaining her footing and disentangling herself from Koshino's embrace.

Koshino's face's brightened with surprise"I-" he stopped when he heard his voice almost crack, "I'll call Akira and tell him that we're going ahead." he said.

To be continued.

Happy Chinese New Year everyone! Thanks for the support. I really love this story, I hope you do too!