Me: wOOt Chapter Three! Yay oh right uhm the disclaimer...who should do it today? -thinks- ah i got it!
Kish: What am i doing here?
Me: You're doing the disclaimer, just read this -hands him cue card-
Kish: Why am i doing this missy?
Me: because you're not in this story so this is he only air time you get.
Me: Oh wait! I wanna thank these people for reviewing so fast! They are:
DayDreamGirl BluBaby: Thank you for being my 1st reviewer! Yes my i' will become I's :p
SarT.LovesRyouShirogane: You will have more!! x3 Thank you.
ShiroAnubis: I don't hate you, it's slow starting i think but the story should work itself out. Thank you.
ForeverxKatie: Hyperactivity is fun. RxI is good if you can imagine it. Unfortunately Masaya will pop up once in this chapter...and in a later chapter(Though he's an evil – in that one). Thank you.
dbzgtfan2004: Thankies! Yup Ichi Ryou all the way.
Kish: Well now that's over. Missy here doesn't own Tokyo Mew Mew, nor does she own her life because...uh her college stole it? O.o''...ForeverxKatie i knew someone would support Kishhigo, finally!
Me: Yeah, they were the first 5 people to review! Thankies...And ACTION!
School, it was hard enough just forcing herself in through the gates, knowing that Aoyama was on the other side in the same building as her. She didn't have clue how she was going to cope, she just hoped she could keep up her icy facade long enough to help her last the day.
Ichigo was just begging not to go in today, she had spent that entire morning trying to decide whether or not to attend and had only just managed to convince herself to leave, well that and she was pretty sick of seeing only the four pink walls of her bedroom.
She was definitely living a nightmare, she couldn't even bring herself out of her gloomy thoughts, it was getting beyond a joke and she just wanted to forget about it, even if it was for just a few minutes.
She whined as she neared the school doors dreading the day ahead, true she was late, but at that moment she honestly didn't care. She was still quite annoyed with the way she had acted earlier at the cafe when she found out she was late. What ever happened to copying Shirogane? She wondered. She hadn't even meant to go there in the first place, let alone babysit the place while Shirogane was out. Well it was my own fault for breaking the window, how am I going to pay or that? she thought, irked that she would be loosing more of her hard earned money.
Maybe it really was impossible to keep her cool when that jerk was around, well she still had to continue, even if it wasn't working out to well, there was a good chance she would see Aoyama when she got inside and she wasn't going to let him see how hurt she was. Opening the school doors, she walked in determined. Enter Icy Ichigo.
-
"Sorry I'm late," she apologised, as she slid open the class room door.
"It's not a surprise," the teacher mumbled, clearly used to her constant routine of turning up late. "Take your seat Momomiya-san and see me after class, lets see what excuse you have this time."
Ichigo's friends grinned at her as she took her seat and watched her slump down in her chair with a sigh.
"So what happened this time?" Miwa asked, leaning in closer to the tired red head.
"Yeah Ichigo, I know your usually late," her other friend Moe said. "But you've never been this late before."
Ichigo stared blankly ahead of her, watching the board but not actually paying attention to what was being written. She shifted her gaze to her friends, and sighed sadly. "I wasn't sure I was going to come in at all today, you know?"
She had her elbow on the table, her head resting tiredly on her hand. She sighed again. "I kind of got into some trouble at the cafe, that's why I'm so late."
"But I thought you quit?" Miwa said, watching her friend with concern.
"I did but I sort of, maybe, kind of broke the window," she said with a nervous laugh.
"Ichigo, I knew you were mad at your boss," Moe gasped, faking shock. "But vandalism is a crime you know?"
"Heh heh, it was an accident okay, but I did get a slight enjoyment from it," Ichigo laughed. "Stress relieving."
"Wow Ichigo the delinquent," Miwa announced laughing. "Well that's one way to get over someone."
"Uh, yeah," Ichigo said, her voice taking on a sad tone. "Maybe."
"OH Ichi! I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought him up," Miwa cried, earning a sharp snap from her teacher. "Gomen sensei."
"It's fine, it's fine, it's just I thought..." Ichigo trailed off, voice wanting to cry but no tears present. "I thought that if we was in a relationship...then maybe, h-he might've worked on it, i-instead o-of just ending it..."
"Ichigo...don't worry about it," Moe reassured her, putting her hand on the one Ichigo had laying on the table. "Maybe you can talk to him? Get him to reconsider."
"M-maybe, but I don't think he will," Ichigo breathed out slowly, blinking blankly. "He was so final, saying something like I like someone else..."
"It's up to you Ichigo, what ever you choose to do we'll support you okay?" Miwa said confidently.
"Yeah, of course we will," Moe added, enthusiastically.
"Thanks you guys," Ichigo smiled, cheering up. "You're the greatest."
Ichigo was so grateful to have confided in her friends that weekend, they were the only people she had told and she was happy they were there to comfort her. She had called them that night when Aoyama left her after calming her sobs down to sniffles, to hear them talking to her and offering comfort and advice it really made her feel better, she knew she could count on her friends when she was down.
To be honest she didn't think she would have made it even to the school if it hadn't been for her friends taking her mind off things. But then again her friends weren't always the most calming people, especially when they didn't give up.
"So how did you break the window if it was by accident?" Moe asked, with pretend accusation.
"Eh heh heh," Ichigo scratched her head nervously. "It's a long story."
Moe and Miwa got closer on side of her, leaning in. "We've got all day, Ichigo"
"G-guys come on," she whined, sweat dropping. "Just drop it."
"Awwww," they cried. "Ichi--"
-Slam-
"You three, you're disrupting the class," the teacher yelled angrily, slamming a book down on Moe's desk. "All three of you will have triple homework, and detention. Now pay attention."
"Hai," the all replied, practically crying.
-
"Ugh!" Ichigo slumped onto the bench seat. "Talk about harsh, I think that sensei got out the wrong side of the bed this morning."
It was now lunch and the young girl now sat aggravated on the school bench staring up at the sky. Still the sky had refused to change it's gloriously perfect weather, Ichigo was starting to wonder if maybe autumn had gotten bored of being the rainy old month it was and wanted a change.
The only thing different from that morning was that now in school every one was so noisy, she couldn't find a second to spend some piece and quiet with her self. It really was annoying, especially with all the fan girls screaming. Ichigo sighed, she wanted to eat her lunch but she just wasn't hungry, she also wanted the noise to die down, after all going two days without sleep would make anyone more likely to get a headache and her head was pounding.
Restless, Ichigo jumped up and began walking away from the ever growing noise of the kendo fan club, or more precisely the Aoyama Masaya fan club.
The buzzing, squealing noise rose as she began walking away, so she started to walk faster speeding up with every step she took. What are they following me or something? Gah! Just be quiet already!
Ichigo spun around, Medusa hair flying every where as she gave the hoard of girls a death glare. "Would you all just SHUT--"
"Ichigo-san!"
"UP! Eh Mas...Aoyama-kun." Ichigo gasped, bringing a hand to her mouth. Why is he talking so friendly to me? He just dumped me and here he is calling my name so cheerfully.
"Ichigo-san, how have you been?" he asked casually. He was still in his kendo gear and was covered in sweat, the vicious pack of club members hissing and growling at her from behind him. She rolled her eyes and looked at him coolly.
"Oh I'm just dandy," she replied sarcastically, putting her Icy Ichigo act into place. Unfortunately the tree hugger didn't notice the tone of her voice and continued to talk to her, unknowing what he was doing to her emotional state.
"Are you sure? You look a bit pale, maybe you should see the school nurse," he said, eying her face concerned.
Well of course I'm not feeling well, not eating or sleeping properly will do that to a person, courtesy of you Aoyama, she thought angrily. "I'm fine I don't see why you're so concerned, it's not like you're involved with me," she spat coldly. Ouch, this is really hurting. How does Shirogane do this?
"Ichigo, are you still upset over the other day?" he asked, looking down cast.
Of course I am, you broke up with me with out a good reason. I feel like you just threw me away. "I don't care that you dumped me for no reason," Ichigo said flatly.
"I didn't do it for no reason Ichigo, we were growing apart," Masaya spoke quietly.
"I can't here you if you mumble," she sighed. Her resolve was breaking, she could feel it. She just wanted answers, a good reason not just that. "I-if we were growing apart, shouldn't we have been able to work it out, like a real couple?"
"Ichigo-san, it's not like that," Masaya told her.
"Then what is it like!" she cried. No more, I can't take it, I can't hold on.
"Ichigo you don't love me, you may think you do but you don't," he explained in a to-the-point way. "I've noticed all this stuff, all little things that you'd probably never realise. You spend more time with him then you ever have me. That's what I meant."
"Who? I don't love anyone else, I love you," she cried, not noticing the tears rolling down her cheeks. "There's no one else, I don't get how you can just end it because of that."
"Ichigo-san I don't want us to be like this, I thought we could still be friends, but maybe you'd rather not," Masaya said loosing his patience. "I know it's hurting you, but you have to move on."
How? How do I move on? I've loved you for so long and you've protected me so much, you've been understanding and forgiving...so why now, why are you doing this to me? Ichigo's eyes glazed over and hardened, her tears stopped abruptly as she looked up at the guy she had dedicated her life to. "You're right...it'd be best if we weren't friends Aoyama."
She spun on her heel and tore off brusquely down the schools path, she had no intention of listening to the calls he shouted out asking her to stop, she just kept her head down and traipsed towards the building dejectedly.
Triple homework, detention, no job and a broken heart...great. I couldn't keep that stupid act up and now he knows just how pathetic I am. I can't help it though, it's just not fair, how on Earth could he come to that conclusion? Who could I possibly be in love with?...Ugh this is so confusing, my head hurts. Stupid Shirogane, stupid Aoyama, I could swear they're out to get me...why do they both hate me?
Well if that's how they're gonna be then I'll have to keep acting like that, although I'll have to do it better, those two will never get to me again.
Ichigo stopped and looked up, the bell had gone signaling the end of lunch. She sweat dropped as she noticed the tree just inches away from her face and quickly dried her tears. Guess saved by the bell really counts in this case, heh.
She turned around heading for her class, maybe if she got there early her teacher wouldn't make her stay behind for the detention, then again this was Ichigo Momomiya, the girl most likely to trip over air. The likeliness of her getting in on time was the same as her turning naturally blonde...it just doesn't happen.
--
"Welcome to Cafe Mew Mew. I'll be your waitress for today, allow me to sh- Ichigo-san!"
"Hey Lettuce, how's it going?"
The green haired girl stood there still quite shocked at her friends appearance in the cafe. "Good, I thought you had quit Ichigo-san?"
Ichigo smiled warmly at her friend. "I have, but that never meant I couldn't be a customer."
"Oh," Lettuce said, sound rather disappointed. "Well allow me to show you to your seat, or would you sit with Mint-san?"
"Ah that'd be great, I needed to talk to her any way," Ichigo told her, her smile faltering a bit. "I'll tell you as well Lettuce, sit with me a second would you?"
"Uh, it's really busy in here today Ichigo-san," Lettuce said, embarrassed. "Gomennasai Ichigo-san."
Ichigo sighed and took her seat. Mint's tea set was there but no Mint. "It won't take long Lettuce, please?"
"Oh okay, I'll listen," she agreed, sitting down and looking around nervously.
"I want to tell you why I quit, also I'll need you to play along with something too," Ichigo started, she noticed her friends shocked look. "Don't worry it's nothing bad."
"Mhm," Lettuce nodded, listening.
Ichigo took a deep breathe to steady herself and build up her nerve. "Well you see I quit because I'm sick of the way Shirogane treats me, but you know all this...the reason you didn't see me until this morning," Ichigo paused, a down cast expression on her features. "The reason is because Aoyama broke up with me the night I quit...I hope you don't think I was avoiding you lot."
"Ichigo-san, I'm so sorry," Lettuce sniffed, holding her tray to her chest. "But no, we didn't think you'd been avoiding us, we were just worried that's all."
The strawberry let out a relieved sigh and relaxed in her chair. "That's good to know, now about the other thing," Ichigo said carefully, pulling her friend close so she could whisper in her ear. Lettuce turned red and gasped as she listened to her friend talk.
"Ichigo-san is that really necessary?" she asked, covering her mouth. Ichigo pulled back and rested her head on her hand, eyes closing slowly. "It is Lettuce, believe me. I'm just so sick of the way he picks on me just because my emotions show through so much, I will never allow my ears to pop out again."
"You sound so final, you're really aggravated by this aren't you?" asked the porpoise shyly.
"Yup, I will no longer be the source of his jokes, I won't be belittled or teased any longer," Ichigo announced, punching the air.
"Okay then, shall I take your order know? You know what we serve so I didn't think a menu was needed," Lettuce smiled kindly.
"Ah...uhm a strawberry chiffon cake, and uh just tea please," Ichigo asked, her hand on her chin as she thought. "Thank you Lettuce."
"You're welcome, I'll be back in a few," she said, getting up. She mumbled to her self as she walked away. "I hope you're not making a mistake Ichigo-san..."
"Huh? Did you say something Lettuce?" Ichigo asked, her ears picking up sounds a normal person wouldn't.
"Oh no, just hoping I don't drop the plates this time," Lettuce laughed nervously, running off to the kitchen.
"How strange..." she thought. "Wait where's Mint? Her tea's still here and it's probably cold."
I wonder where every one is, Mint's just disappeared and I haven't even seen anyone else other than Lettuce...well I guess Zakuro's at a photo shoot or something, Akasaka-san is obviously working in the kitchen and well I guess Pudding's some where...wonder how Ryou is?
"What!" Ichigo screamed, snapping out of her thoughts, a few customers gave her strange looks. No, no, no! I meant Shirogane-san, and I don't care what he's doing, I don't, I don't, I just don't!
"Wah! Pudding wait don't do tha-Crash, thud- Agh! Oh no!"
Ichigo's head snapped to face the direction of the noise. On the floor lay two girls, smashed plates, a burst ball, squashed cake and various other objects of mess and chaos.
"Oh dear, I thought this would happen," a familiar voice said. A tall man with long brown hair stood at the kitchen door. "Pudding-san go take these replacements to their tables, Lettuce-san you do the same...It's just so busy."
"W-we're so sorry Akasaka-san!" Lettuce cried, getting up and bowing repeatedly. "I'll go clean it up right now.
"That's okay Lettuce-san go and serve your table, Ryou'll clear this up," Keichiiro smiled, causing her to blush. "Uhm, Pudding are you okay?"
They all turned to face the young blonde girl sitting on the floor. "O-oh, the room is spinning na no da!"
Keichiiro lent over and picked the monkey girl up. "Is that better Pudding-san? How's your head?"
"Arigatou, it's fine but I'm really dizzy na no da," Pudding whined, holding her head.
"Come on Pudding-san, let's serve the customers before they leave hungry," Lettuce said, taking the renewed order and leaving the kitchen.
She came back over to find Ichigo giggling like mad at the table. "Sorry about that Ichigo-san, here's your order," she apologised, bowing.
"That's okay, to be honest I didn't expect anything less," Ichigo took up her fork and placed some cake in her mouth, her eyes lit up and she squealed quietly. "Wow this is so good! Uh Lettuce, where's Mint?"
"Hm," she stopped walking off and turned to face Ichigo, staring up in wonder. "Oh I don't know, she was here earlier...I wonder where she went?"
As if on cue an annoyed shout could be heard coming down the stairs. "Shirogane-san this is unacceptable, you march right over to her house and apologise!"
"Mint get to work and quit bugging me," a voice replied, also annoyed.
The two girls watched as the Lorikeet came stomping down the stairs, following the blonde genius. Mint was fuming and her boss had nothing but a cool expression plastered on his face as he walked towards the kitchen.
"Shirogane stop walking off and listen to me! Now I understand exactly what Ichigo is always going on about, you are such a jerk!" she yelled, poking him hard in the back. "It's like you don't even care about her, you are so arrogant!"
Ryou turned sharply around to face her. "Back off and get to work, we're over run today and customers are waiting," he glared at her. "Besides aren't you the one always ordering her around and winding her up, and you're supposed to be her best friend."
Saying that, he walked into the kitchen, door slamming shut behind him. Mint stomped her foot and gave the door a death glare. "Even so, it's not like what I do ever hurts her," she grumbled. "She knows not to take it seriously. Baka jerk."
She spun around and stalked off to her table moodily, she moved her head noticing a head of strawberry coloured hair in the crowd. Her pace slowed as she walked over and sat in her chair, staring incredulously at her friend. "Ichigo why are you here?" She turned her head to face Lettuce. "Shouldn't you be getting back to work, there are customers waiting."
"H-hai," Lettuce stammered, running off to serve them.
"Ichigo, I thought you quit," Mint said, sipping her tea. She grimaced as the cold liquid ran across her tongue and down her throat. "Ugh, Lettuce fetch me some tea would you?"
"Hai!" She called from across the room.
"I have quit Mint," Ichigo said. "But I never said I wouldn't visit."
Ichigo took another mouthful of cake, drinking her own tea afterwards. She sighed heavily and faced Mint. "Actually, I needed to talk to you about something."
"Oh really, and what would that be?" Mint asked, raising her eyebrow.
"We broke up, he said I was in love with someone else and he didn't want to be with me," Ichigo heaved, yawning loudly. "Not only that but because of him I got no sleep and I got detention...I have so much homework."
"I always thought he was an idiot Ichigo, but to break up with you on a suspicion just proves it," Mint said haughtily, she traced her finger lightly over a pattern on the table watching her friend.
"Oh Mint what was that argument about?" Ichigo asked curiously.
"Nothing really, just trying to get the boss to see some sense," Mint frowned. "For a genius he certainly is thick. Honestly he should never had said that to you, but boys will be boys I guess; they speak before thinking."
Ichigo laughed happily at her friends analysis. "I agree, he must have really annoyed you for you to explode like that."
"Oh he did Ichigo, only I can talk to you like that," she mused, smirking evilly. Ichigo scowled at her blue haired friends who she then realised wasn't even paying her any attention. "Speak of the devil."
Ichigo watched as her former boss walked out of the kitchen, broom in one hand, the other straining to hold a bucket with a mop in it at his side. He was looking at the mess on the floor that had been created by the clumsiest workers there. He put the bucket down and sighed as he began sweeping it away, a bored expression was all she could see on his face but he seemed to be thinking.
"Ah Mint I forgot to say," Ichigo said, grabbing her arm and pulling her close. Mint listened intently as her friend whispered in her ear, a small smirk gracing her lips.
"I see, well just don't keep everything bottled up okay, you can talk to us," Mint assured her. "Now where's Lettuce with my tea?"
"Ah I'm here Mint, so sorry," she called, running over with the tray. "It's just so bus-eek!"
"Lettuce!" the two girls cried. "Not again..."
Ichigo and Mint got up and walked over to her. Ichigo took hold of her hand and pulled her up. "You okay Lettuce?"
"Ah I'm okay, arigatou Ichigo-san," she said, dusting herself off. "I'll go get some more."
Ryou was watching this all with a bemused expression. Why is Ichigo here? He wondered, still sweeping the mess away.
Mint saw him staring and grinned suspiciously. "Shirogane-san, come clean up this mess, since you are the one with the mop."
He frowned at her and walked over, picking it up and bringing it with him. "I'll remind you that I am the boss and you are the employee, so you do it," he said, handing her the handle.
"But I'm busy and the cafe is, as you said before 'over run and customers are waiting', so you do it," she walked off, watching over Lettuce like a hawk so that she didn't drop her tea again.
Ryou turned to face the Irimote standing near him, she had been watching this all finding it extremely amusing. He rolled his eyes and faced her. "Didn't you quit?"
Eh? Oh crap Shirogane's standing there and here I am with a stupid expression on my face! Quick must fix this, must not show emotions. "Is this how you treat your customers Shirogane-san?" she asked coolly, her amused expression completely gone to be replaced with absolutely no emotions. She faced him now taking in his confusion and raised eyebrows, she smirked. "Shouldn't you be working?"
Ichigo turned around and headed towards her table, she could see Mint with her hand covering her mouth, trying not to laugh she guessed.
What the heck just happened?! Did she just best me? Ryou's head spun with what he just witnessed. What happened to ditzy Ichigo? A second ago she was smiling and the she just...well I don't know what she just did.
"Keep it up Ichigo," Mint smiled a crocodiles smile and Ichigo just nodded. Can't allow Shirogane to know anything, I won't risk being brought to tears again.
Well it's longer than my other chapters but it kinda wasn't what I had planned...ugh my stories all ways take on their own life! Why?! I think they hate me...TT-TT
Any way it would've ended a bit different but I can add that for the next chapter.
Just to add I wana thank every one who reviewed. Especially MANGApunk who pointed out something for me XD
5 Reviews minimum please people! Hope this was okay :D