"Isn't this a little close, Kawashima?"
"Well, we are together. We need to convince our classmates, and this is the fastest way."
The trio had just entered their high school grounds early in the morning. Ryuuji and Ami were next to each other, arm-in-arm with Ami leaning close to him. Taiga, the palm-top tiger, was closely behind them, secretly clenching her fists. As the trio walked, the crowd of students around them stopped and stared at them.
"Hey, isn't that Kawashima?"
"You mean that model? Yep, that's her."
"What is Kawashima doing with that guy?"
"Are they together?"
"It seems that way."
"Isn't that Takasu?"
"Why is Kawahima dating that delinquent?"
"Maybe that guy forced her."
"Poor Kawashima. Being forced against her will by that guy."
"He's unfit."
"He's a scum."
"I don't care if he's a delinquent. I'll take him on to save Kawashima."
"Me too."
"Oi!"
Ryuuji half-closed his eyes and sighed.
"I feel like this isn't going to work out, Kawashima," Ruuji whispered to Ami.
"Well, everyone will understand once we explain."
Taking up the rear was Taiga, constantly eyeing Ryuuji. Her mouth was close, but her teeth clenched together as her arms were crossed.
"Stupid Chihauhau's too close. And Ryuuji... He better not be smiling or else."
They entered the school building and changed their shoes. They proceeded to their classroom, passing by stunned, amazed, or foul-mouthed students. They finally entered the classroom.
Ryuuji knew this would happen. As they walked in, he felt the stares of his fellow classmates and soon heard the whispers again.
"What!?"
"Is that Takasu and Kawashima?"
"No way."
"Are they dating?"
"No fair."
"This is wrong. How is Takasu so close and Kawashima is smiling?"
At least these comments are not that harsh, thought a nervous Ryuuji.
Ami lead Ryuuji to face the class as they stood in front of the room. Taiga , knowing she was in the way, made her way to her desk and sat down, looking away from them. Ryuuji did notice her for a bit moment, but his eyes wondered off towards his best friend and then to Taiga's best friend. He smiled nervously.
"Hey Takasu, what's the big deal? Why are you with Kawashima?"
"Yeah!" chorused some of the frustrated boys.
"Well, um..."
"Aren't you a bit nervous?"
Ryuuji followed to where the sweet voice came from and faced Ami. She smiled at him and winked. He formed a crooked smile and looked back at his classmates. He nervously rubbed the back of his neck.
"Well, um, Kawa...Ami and I are dating."
"EEEEHHHHHHHH!"
As his classmates talked back to him, he focused on one thing: what he said. He knew that if he would use Ami's last name that people might wonder why he addressed her as 'Kawashima' when they had their arms wrapped together and were going out. Ryuuji consciously looked around, seeing the results of his actions. His face grew nervous as he saw Taiga sending him a death glare and Ami looking down and blushing.
"Well, um-"
"Okay class. Class will begin."
The students faced the entrance of the classroom to see the Yuri entering the room. The teacher faced Ami and Ryuuji and noticed their hand together. She smiled.
"Ah. Young love. So strong...and then it's suddenly gone."
Ami and Ryuuji nervously smiled.
"Go take your seats."
Ryuuji let go of Ami's hand and faced her. He leaned over to her and spoke so lowly that she could only hear.
"I guess we convinced everyone."
He soon noticed her cheeks turn light red. Wordlessly, she nodded and walked to her seat. Ryuuji was confused by her actions and sat at his desk. Lecture began underway, but for three students, their minds were on different things.
Taiga and Kawashima seems to take things too seriously. Taiga has been mad at me all day. Even at dinner, she was irritated. I don't get why. She heard the plan and knows Kawashima and I are acting. Even Kawashima is taking it a little far. It's convincing people into thinking we're an actual couple, but she's leaning on my shoulders and stuff. I mean I don't mind, but this is just the first day. People might get the wrong impression. We weren't dating yesterday and now we're a couple the next. It would seem suspicious to me too. Still... I shouldn't have said her first name. I should apologize to her.
My heart is beating so fast. It didn't beat as fast when I was held him or was close to him this morning, but...he said my name. If Takasu and I were... No. Even though I want this, it's just an act. It will end when that guy sees us and leaves me alone. I also made a promise not to get involved. This will last until I am free, and everything will go back to normal, I hope. I just wonder if after this, Ryuuji will treat me a little different though. I mean I held his hand and stuff.. Plus...he said my name.
Stupidchi. Stupidchi, Stupidchi! So close to the stupid dog! Their arms touching...and, and...Ryuuji saying her...her name. Stupid dog! Bah! I know the plan, but...this is happening too fast. I just need to talk to Stupid Chihuahua about her closeness to that horny dog. Also... THAT IDOIT RYUUJI BETTER MAKE ME SOYBEANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK!
Lunch came slower than expected. The students accommodated themselves with their peers to eat cold lunches. Of course, people came up to the couple and started to ask questions, but Taiga soon broke it up.
The couple soon found comfort as they sat down with their friends. It was either lucky or unfortunate that the clubs were having meetings. The reason being was that Taiga's best friend, Minori, was part of the softball club, and Ryuuji's best friend, Yusaku, was part of student council. Minori and Yusaku were friends and hung out with Taiga, Ami, and Ryuuji. Ryuuji was hoping to talk to both of them before class started, but the teacher and crowd of students prevented it. With the clubs having meetings during lunch, it also made it hard to talk to them properly. For the lunch period, the trio would be accompanied by Ami's friends, Maya and Nanako as they ate.
"So Takasu," spoke Nanako, a fair skinned girl, with long, purple hair that was straight, "did you just started dating Ami yesterday or was it in secret?"
Ryuuji cleared his throat, thinking on how to respond. There were two choices and both may result badly. He decided to just combine the two and hopefully this action would not result in bad accusation like saying it was a forced relationship or something.
"Well, Ami and I were always in good terms with each other. I just asked if she wanted to be more than friends, and she said yes."
"So it was you who confessed your love to her?"
Ryuuji looked down and blushed. Ami looked at him and knew that it would be hard to answer. She unnoticeably sighed and faced her friend with a smile.
"Yes, he did. I was so happy that he did and I stood there as I accepted his embrace."
"So where did he confess?" asked Maya, a fir skinned girl with long, orange hair and reddish-brown eyes. Ryuuji felt that this girl was annoyed by him and Ami becoming a couple.
"In a park," Ryuuji half-lied.
"Next to a pond that reflected the light of the moon," Ami added.
Ryuuji looked at Ami very concerned. He saw her smiling and then looked up at her friends. He swore to himself that he could see stars sparkling in Ami's friends' eyes. He just nodded. He rubbed the back of his neck, kind of embarrassed.
"I-it's still embarrassing to tell since it's the first day everyone knows about it."
Taiga finished swallowing the last of her meat and leaned back in her chair.
"I knew about it yesterday."
Everyone turned towards her, each expressing a different face. Ryuuji nervously smiled at her as Ami coldly stared at her, wondering what the tiger would say. Both of Ami's friends had the same expression written on their face: excitement. Maya was the first one to speak.
"Did they tell you yesterday, Aisaka?"
"No," answered Taiga smugly, "I saw them."
Ryuuji could hear the string of peace snap between Ami and Taiga.
"Ami got it backwards. It was she that confessed her love to Ryuuji. Ryuuji and Ami were always good friends, but it was Ami who would do anything to be with Ryuuji. We were all hanging out, but Ami dragged Ryuuji somewhere else, leaving me at the coffee shop. When I went to go look for them, Ami was saying she loved Ryuuji and stuff like that. To me, it was rude to just leave me there and then confessing her love out. Ami's probably just one of those people that when she wants something, she'll throw everyone around her away to get it."
Ryuuji soon felt the heat radiating off of Ami and moved a tiny bit away from her. Ami, keeping her smiling face, spoke as she forgot something.
"Oh. I'm a bit parched. Taiga, would you like to walk with me to the vending machines?"
Taiga looked at Ami and nodded. This was the opportunity to talk to the dog in heat. The two girls got out of their chairs. Ami smiled at Ryuuji and soon left the classroom with Taiga. Ryuuji had watched them leave and faced the two girls. He put on a grin, knowing in the back of his mind that there would be a fire soon.
As they walked to the vending machines, Taiga and Ami said nothing to each other. Yet, both had on faces of frustration. The two girls neared the vending machines, which were near the staircase going down to the below floor only. Ami put some yen coins in vending machine and selected two canned juices. Wordlessly, she tossed one to Taiga. Taiga caught it and looked at the label.
"Oi. Stupid Chihauhau. I don't like this."
"I'm not buying you a different one,"
There was a moment of silence between the two.
"This is carbonated, right?" Taiga asked Ami.
Ami nodded and took a sip of her juice. She then looked at Taiga.
"Why-"
Ami could not finish her question as pressurized juice splashed on her face, making it sticky.
"Oops," said Taiga casually. "This one was probably defected or something."
Taiga took a sip from the can as she kept one eyes on Ami. She let out a sigh of refreshness and faced Ami. Ami gritted her teeth at Taiga and narrowed her eyes.
"What was that for, Taiga! Even that lie you told my friends! You made me look like a fool!"
"Lie? You shouldn't be talking. That fantasy crap you told your friends was just pathetic."
Taiga turned around, her back facing Ami. She looked over her shoulder and narrowed her eyes at Ami.
"You better come over for dinner. We have some things to talk about this dumb, fake arrangement."
With that said, sparring the details of anger, a cocky Taiga left for the classroom as Ami stormed off to the restroom to wash her face.