"I missed you too, newbie, but try to tone it down a notch. Emotional greetings make me uncomfortable." Natsu joked with a smirk.
"I'm sorry. I guess I'm just surprised to see you. How did you find me?"
"The boss told me you'd be out for a while. He wouldn't give me any more information than that. I hadn't gotten a chance to thank you properly for what you did. You really saved my ass that night. Anyway it didn't sit right with me, you just riding off into the sunset like that. So I did a little bit of asking around."
"Oh?"
"Yeah…so-o-o…you gonna invite me in or will I be spending my entire visit standing in your stairway?"
"Oh. Right. Ugh. Sorry. I've been a little frazzled lately. Make yourself comfortable."
"Don't mind if I do."
Natsu boldly flopped down on Misaki's bed and took his backpack off. He unzipped the main compartment and rummaged around inside.
"Um, can I get you anything? Are you thirsty?"
"Nah, I'm all set. Thanks though" He removed a medium sized package with a flourish. "Aha! Here it is. I got you something. It isn't a big deal but I thought you might like it."
Misaki turned it over in his hands. You don't deserve it, his inner demons taunted menacingly, why would anyone want to do something for someone like you? You know what the sign said. You know what you are. Why won't you say it out loud already? Misaki shook his head to silence their nasty voices.
"You didn't have to do that."
"I know. I guess I'm just an extraordinarily thoughtful person."
"I wouldn't go that far."
"Now you're sounding more like yourself. Go ahead and open it."
Misaki opened the box to reveal a strange plant in a small ceramic pot.
"It's an orchid," Natsu explained "caring for one is an excellent hobby and a real art. I also brought a little booklet along with it that contains more information. You know they're revered for their symmetry and are seen as examples of rare beauty."
"Wow…you sure you're not trying to sell me something?"
Natsu laughed.
"Not this time. The first one's free, to get you hooked. After that I will start charging."
"There's always an angle with you, isn't there?"
"Not a-a-a-lways. Just a majority of the time."
"So is that what you came here for, to give me this?"
"Well I didn't intend to commit a floral hit and run. I also brought this." Natsu removed a GameCube with the cables, two controllers a number of games including Mario Kart. "Wanna play?"
Misaki admittedly felt this was a tad bit childish but he didn't want to be rude by rejecting Natsu's considerate gesture.
"Sure."
They hooked the console up to the small tv in Misaki's room. Although he had his doubts when they began, he found his mood was improving with each race. He was even having fun.
"Damn! Not another blue shell! You know that's the kind of thing that tears friendships apart, newbie."
"I'm not here for friendship. I came for victory."
"Oh, he gets through Rainbow Road once without falling off and suddenly we have a hotshot on our hands."
"You bet your ass."
Takahiro poked his head in tentatively. He seemed absolutely beside himself. See, he's going to be fine. I knew it would be an adjustment at first. Before long he will be completely over Usagi-san. This is all for the best.
"Sorry to bother you boys. Misaki, will your friend be joining us for dinner?"
Natsu checked his watch.
"Damn! I lost track of time! I gotta scram. I have to go meet my lady-friend at the movies. I'll have to take a rain check."
He grabbed his backpack and started to run out.
"Natsu-senpai! Your stuff!"
Natsu stopped abruptly.
"Eh? Oh. You can hang on to it for a while. From the looks of things, you'll be on bed rest for a while yet. This can keep you amused. Take the time to train for our rematch."
"Sure. Thank you, Natsu-senpai."
Natsu started to leave then seemed to remember something else. He looked embarrassed and unsure of himself.
"Hey, Misaki-kun, I just wanted to say…people are full of shit. Ok? No one can tell you what you are. You're the only one who can decide that. Ok?"
"Ughm. Ok?"
Natsu left. A cloud of confusion hung in his wake.
Misaki bolted upright. A blast of pain shot through his body as he did so. He was sweating. He had laid down for a nap after eating and immediately lapsed into a nightmare. He could still feel his assailant's hands on him upon waking. He rubbed his arms viciously, trying to make the crawling feeling in his skin go away. It was useless.
He got up and started pacing. Should he go get Takahiro?
Don't bother him with your pathetic whining.
The tormentor residing in his psyche was running on full steam tonight. Should he call Usagi?
I don't think I even need to remind you how much he doesn't want to hear from the likes of you.
Maybe Natsu? They had had a nice time but Misaki didn't actually know him all that well.
I have no other choice. I have to talk to someone. Misaki picked up his cell and dialed.
Usagi glared at the blank page as if he could make words appear out of pure intimidation.
"Damn."
He stood, defeated, and headed into the living room. He hadn't been able to write a single line. His spirit was not speaking to him. He was not in the story tonight. There was something else, some nagging feeling in his gut. You have to go to him. You have to go see him right now. He's in trouble. As much as Usagi tried to reason with himself, he could not get past the notion that something very wrong would happen to Misaki if he did not get there as soon as possible.
"Screw it."
He grabbed his coat and rushed out the door. His mind didn't know why he was in such a hurry but his intuition pressed him onward.
"Hello?"
The voice sounded cold and uninterested. Then again, Keiichi Sumi always sounded that way.
"Senpai? I hope this isn't a bad time."
"Oh, Misaki. How are you doing?"
Misaki concentrated on keeping his tone level. The last thing he wanted was to make a spectacle of himself over the phone.
"Much better, thank you. Listen, I was wondering if you wanted to hang out some time. I mean not right now, obviously but…"
"Misaki," Sumi cut him off midsentence "I don't mean to be a cold bastard but I think it would be best if we distanced ourselves from each other; just for a while until things blow over."
"Things?"
"You know, the things online."
"Online?" Misaki's heart began to race. "What things are posted online? What's going on?"
"You didn't know?"
"Didn't know what? Tell me!"
"Shit, I've said too much. Just don't pay attention to it. Those guys are assholes. Everyone knows that. Even so, I need to consider my social standing at school. My fellow classmates now will one day be the people I need to network with in the professional world. I'm sure you understand."
Misaki was unravelling.
"No! I don't! Please explain what's going on."
"I'm sorry, Misaki. I really have to go."
On that note, he hung up.