Please welcome the guy to speak in this piece.
~K27~
"The Man Who Can't Be Moved"
(It's a good thing there's no ruddy policeman to boss me around.)
Him.
It's a first that a cigar is absent from these lips.
Poof. I don't know what came into me, actually. Maybe it's because of the rain... it is rather foolish to get ahold of one and smoke while it's raining. Then again, there is this problem of me soaking from head to foot as I stand here in the middle of a downpour.
I didn't bring an umbrella; in my haste, I forgot that Reborn-san said there's going to be rain today. Yesterday was a shitty fluke. I did bring an umbrella yesterday, but I left it at home instead today.
I look out at the house and wait. It's already been three hours since the baseball freak called me and told me he can't come along because he had something to do. Well fuck, I don't give a damn with whatever he's doing even if it's his stupid 'presidential duties', so I quickly hung up and sped off here.
I can say I probably wasted my time waiting. I could have sped off to the nearest convenience store and bought one, but my cash is sufficient for one melon bread for lunch. I have my savings locked and tight in three banks. I only have ten thousand yen until graduation, and I don't want to waste my savings buying another umbrella.
"Well, well. Here comes the dog."
Tch. Friggin' hag. She's now beside me with a big, red umbrella over her big, fat head. Her locks grow so effin' slow. This makes me grin.
"Where's the Tenth?" I growl, now putting more of my attention back at the house.
"Oh, Tsuna-san said he had to do his roadwork and he let us go ahead," she bats her eyelashes like an idiot, one forefinger now stupidly pointing at her cheek with eyes looking up, acting like some kind of know-it-all.
I avert my eyes to the house, disgusted.
"How long were you waiting out here?" she asks after a minute. I am surprised she doesn't have any verbal insults to throw out today.
"Almost three hours," I reply indifferently.
"Hm. You're such a dog seriously, with that idiotic loyalty of yours. Haven't you realized you are sopping wet?" She then advances towards me, and I thought that she's going to slap me or do something stupid again.
Instead, my head sought shade from the umbrella, with a good few inches to prevent her arms to come into contact with me.
"Pfft. So you actually pity dogs." I snort.
"I am an animal rights activist in my spare time. Kyoko-chan won't like it too when she sees you waiting for three hours looking like shit," she says in a dignified sort of way.
Instead of saying something to counter her words I merely grin once she avoids my gaze, pouting now and occasionally making sideward glances and puffing like a goldfish. It was obvious she was lying.
"Besides," she adds now frowning as she looks at me determinedly. "I don't want someone sick like you to take shelter in Kyoko-chan's umbrella. No way, dude."
"You'd rather have me under the same roof than having me under another's? My, my, how selfless of you."
"IMO as her BFF, it's better if Tsuna-san is the one sharing her shade, not an extra like you."
...I couldn't speak.
And her words hit me so hard I can barely recover. My head hangs low, and my hands easily fell like dead weights to my sides.
Kyoko-san... she deserves someone better than me. Damn stupid hag...
She's right no matter how I put it. She's fucking right, and no matter how I try retorting, she'd only laugh and say I'm bluffing. Damn bitch. It's a good thing she's a hag, otherwise I would've decked her.
I hate it that I fell for her. It's not the same talking to the Tenth anymore without the urge of hitting him and getting some payback for my injuries that will take two more days before they can heal. But it is my fault, and if I had just admitted defeat or backed out in the last minute, he wouldn't have knocked my lights out.
The baseball freak was wrong. If I never found out my feelings, then things would be better. Now since that day, I can't even bring up the confidence to talk to her. I now don't want to sound stupid in front of her. I often turn like a tomato once our eyes meet. I now didn't want to hang out with her in case the pricks whisper bad things about her because of me.
Damn it all, I wish that I didn't admit anything. Now everything is messed up.
"G-Gokudera-kun? Haru-chan?" I didn't notice that she was now in front of us, making my frown bigger than before.
I can't even say a 'good morning' to her without the danger of the hag snickering at the failure I might make.
"Hello, Kyoko-chan! It's our turn to pick you up!" the hag waves like she usually does. I bow my head once her gaze finds mine.
"G-gokudera-kun! W-what happened?" she asks worriedly. Damn, my stupidity finally finds a firm grip on me and makes me feel damn shitty.
"Oh, you know. It's another Baldie routine," the hag leers now. "Just another three-hour wait without an umbrella. It's probably another stunt to make you accept him in your house or something."
Baseball freak's anger be damned, I'm going to really kill this bitch!
"Haru-chan, I find that extremely rude!"
Have I heard that right? Bloody hell, d-did the hag get scolded by K-Kyoko-san? My eyes found Kyoko, cheeks coloring and fists were clenched. There is that same, hovering gaze however when she looks back at me.
"Gokudera-kun, sorry but Onii-chan really doesn't want you stepping in the house but... I can get you some clothes (from Onii-chan's wardrobe) and an extra umbrella if you wait. I can also get some vitamins to make sure you don't catch a cold."
The hag is silent and doesn't protest at all these.
W-wait. She's really addressing all these to me? She's really going to... assist me. Really?
And still even if she turns back, my throat is stuck to utter clear words. I can't even say 'thanks'.
I'm only with the hag again. She's now looking at the house.
"What? Going to laugh in my face now?" she whispers contemptuously, her eyes narrowing. "Or going to shout at me because I humiliated you?"
I shrug. Somehow, Kyoko-san brightens my mood and makes me forget about her. "I really don't know," I smirk.
I want to add a 'LOL' like what that stupid baseball freak does online, but then that would be too kiddy to do. I'm fucking too old now, for crying out loud.
"She accepted you. How the hell can she accept an outsider like you? You don't even have the guts to speak to her and yet she's taking you in."
"It's not my friggin' fault, if that's what you mean. We only became friends if not for you and your stupid choices."
"W-what? That incident again with Tsuna-san?" she then curses under her breath.
"When Kyoko-san had that competition with the Tenth-" I can't even say the Tenth's name like before. "-she accepted me."
"Really? What the hell she really thought I would like someone as uncivilized like you? Come on, look at your taste! You should know what most girls will say when they look like they have gangster boyfriends!"
"She's different from those bitches."
"But she's still a girl, and a helpless one at that. Why? You can protect her like Tsuna-san when she got kidnapped?"
"S-she got kidnapped?"
"Yeah. By the branch of the Yakuza in Namimori, I think. Tsuna-san rescued her."
"Y-you mean when they both-?"
She just nods. I look down, dispirited at her words. She keeps comparing me with the Tenth, which I know I won't be able to reach.
Maybe that's why Kyoko-san gives me this much attention. She... she knows I can never be like the Tenth. Maybe it's just better if she gives me a cold shoulder or something. Then I don't have to hope that she'll like me in return only to be rejected. It shouldn't hurt much, right? I mean, maybe it is better if she doesn't accept me. I'll just abuse her like what I did with Dokuro.
I'll just break her when I snap.
"Hey... sorry." The hag tries to interrupt my thoughts again. But I look at her, and now I see tears streaming like waterfalls on her cheeks. She really looks like the stupid cow when he has those tantrums.
"You really think just by saying that I'd easily forgive you?" I now mutter, chortling to hide the bitterness I've felt with her after all these years. "You said plenty of mean things about me."
"Well then fuck you," she now retreats under vulgarities as she wipes her face.
I just laugh darkly.
"Whatev. Loozah," I imitate her up to the 'L' sign she does with her hand. She really acts like a damned kid. No matter how many of those stupid creams she puts on her face or that icky syrup she puts on her lips, she still can't hide that childish character of hers.
She is pink now.
That color returns to normal though, once my hand pats her head. She looks up.
I grin. "Kyoko-chan though won't like that. She only wanted us to get along."
Her eyes then stop tearing up and she nods vigorously.
"So.. truce?" I ask, bringing up my right hand.
Once she finishes wiping her face with that small towel in her bag, she then manages to return the gesture.
"This is the first time I'll ever say 'thank you' to a gangster dude like you," she snorts.
"I fooled you though. I never thought that I'd be able to make you cry like this. My wish has been granted." I secretly thank God for making this day appear.
She releases her hand and then laughs.
"I thought it would be harder to... you know, chat without losing a limb." She folds her arms and then pouts. "Guess you're not as mean as I thought."
"And you're still an idiotic hag like I thought. You're just like the idiot cow when you break down."
"Where's Lambo-chan now? Still in Tsuna-san's house?" Miraculously, she doesn't get mad.
"Nah. Still in Italy to train. The Tenth would be taking the title at May so there should be plenty of preparations once that day comes. His guardians should be ready for anything before and after that."
"Then why the hell are you guys here?"
Before I can answer, Kyoko-chan suddenly appears and then hands me an umbrella the same color as the hag's.
"We'd probably go to school now then," she smiles. "You can change there Gokudera-kun."
"E-er... thanks Kyoko-san." The hag then punches my shoulder lightly. I grin appreciatively.
Suddenly, it was like things were as easy as lighting a bomb. Once our feet manage to move, I tap the hag's shoulder lightly.
"Well that was a breeze." I stick my tongue out at her.
~K27~
"Rose"
(I laugh. It's been a long time since I got hold of this song.)
Me.
Well this is different.
Seriously, what the heck, since when did Gokudera-kun and Haru manage to be silent for the rest of the way? I never heard them bicker throughout the walk. I didn't even hear them say anything at all.
Awkward...
By the time Gokudera-kun finds the locker room and I insist that we wait on him, I manage to glimpse a Tsuna-san walking up to us. Haru and I both wave.
"Good morning," he says brightly.
"Morning!" Haru returns a brighter smile.
What the hell? Haru appears... happier than usual. D-does it have to do with Gokudera-kun or something?
"So your match is on Saturday, right? Think you can cop out an easy win?" Haru begins the conversation in earnest.
"I really don't know," he smiles, and I nearly lose my balance when he suddenly looks at me. "I invited Kyoko-san to watch if she can-"
"Oh you did?" Dammit, that noisy idiot! The last thing I need is more gossip from her! "But there are the final exams next week. You wanted to graduate with high grades, am I right Kyoko-chan?"
I resist the urge to say bad things at her for making me actually 'b-b-blush'.
"I-I'll think about it," I mumble.
"It's okay if you don't come. But then again..." I nearly slapped him away when he attempted to have his eyes near mine- as in, just three inches from my own.
And the locker room opens, with Gokudera-kun coming out with Onii-chan's clothes.
My cheeks instantly turn red.
"T-tenth..." he sees us, and I nearly wanted to hit Tsuna-san and temporarily blind him or make Gokudera-kun forget about this.
"Gokudera-kun," now even Tsuna-san seemed to have forgotten the incident last Saturday and pats Gokudera-kun on the shoulder. He was now almost as tall as Gokudera-kun. My gawd, I rub my eyes to make sure I wasn't dreaming regarding Tsuna-san's height. "I was asking if you guys can come on Saturday to watch like before."
"S-Saturday?" Okay, this is it. This is the part where I'm supposed to be all quiet because he's supposed to say something about me having a study session with him on Saturday because of the finals yaddah-yaddah...
"Why Gokudera-kun? You're also busy then?" Haru asks in pure inquisitiveness. I didn't tell Haru about Gokudera-kun's invitation. "Tsuna-san, sorry but I really have to get my ass up in studying. Dad wants me to get to Tokyo Uni or someplace decent. I need more high scores."
While Tsuna-san was busy placating her and telling her it was ok, my eyes immediately lock with Gokudera-kun's. S-should I tell Tsuna-san the truth? Should I choose watching him this Saturday for moral support or study for good grades to brag with once I go to college? I still can't get Math. Then there's also Physics... and my English is not very good...
"So busy also, Gokudera-kun?" Tsuna-san smiles good-naturedly (once he's done) at Gokudera-kun, who just bows his head. I hold my breath. Will he tell him about his plans for Saturday with me too?
"I have to study too, s-sorry." He... really didn't say it. I fight the urge to hit his elbow for a job well done.
"That's ok then. Figures," he sighs, but still his good mood could not be put down. "See you later at lunch." With that, he walks towards the right hallway.
I can't even find the words to catch my breath when the bell rings.
~K27~
Yamamoto-kun told us that we'd only have three hours of classes. After that though, we'd be practicing non-stop until 4 PM for the Prom. I don't get it, actually. WHY SHOULD WE WASTE OUR STUDIES FOR SOMETHING STUPID AS A PROMENADE? Schooling is more important than a freakin' dance, sweet Sanmyaku!
And the class really cheered once they found out the news (with the exception of a stoic Gokudera-kun, of course who muttered something about Haru). Yamamoto-kun said someone from the Vongola (he actually says things like that out loud) will be teaching us a little ballroom.
And after that, for our homeroom (which takes 1 hour from our time) I have to ask the class what kind of presentation they want.
"A play!" someone said eagerly.
"Nah, that's what class 3-B wants to do," I dismiss.
"A movie?"
"Too time consuming. We have to study for exams remember? That will take much of the time."
"A maid cafe!"
"We're not having a cultural festival, for crying out loud!"
Easily, I manage to reach the boiling point of my patience.
The class can't think of anymore ideas. Two minutes pass.
"Come on, can't we think of anything?" I couldn't mask my annoyance.
"What about a dance?"
"What kind of dance, Haru-chan?" I ask her.
"Well... something modern. I was thinking of us girls doing 'The Boys' by SNSD..."
"Lame!" said Gokudera-kun.
"Oh so you can think of something better then?" Haru said coolly.
"I was thinking of a band," he replied back, with a hand lazily raised.
"Much lamer obviously!"
Gokudera-kun screamed something bad and jumpa to attack a screaming Haru. Yamamoto-kun, always on the alert manages to hold him back.
"Sorry Gokudera-kun, but the teachers don't seem to like something noisy as bands," sighs Yamamoto-kun. "And Miura-chan, looks like most of the clubs are doing a dance presentation."
"Oh so clubs also must present something?" WHY DIDN'T YAMAMOTO-KUN TELL ME ABOUT THIS?
"With the exception of the student council, yes." I manage to breathe my relief.
What the hell, I'm thinking of what my brother and his clubmates will do. My brother can't act, nor sing or dance so... hmm. He'd probably do something... lively again.
"So any ideas?"
Many more raised their hands, but more of it kept getting much, much ridiculous than the last. I rolled my eyes in exasperation.
"Seriously guys! It's ok if it's boring, as long as it's not extreme. The teachers will be there, for goodness sake," I sigh.
None seemed to want to raise their hands and pored more on their notes. It's only five minutes left till our next subject.
Oh my gawd, and I have to pull myself together because we have a quiz in Science!
"Guys?" I ask in a small voice. None seemed to be listening. I look at them unhappily. "Fine then. I guess I'll think of something and tell you tomorrow..." Well say goodbye to a study night later. D-damn it, this is why I hate being a class rep.
"Hey." Someone raises up a hand suddenly. "Can there be just one person to represent an entire class?"
He was addressing the student council president.
"I think..." Yamamoto-kun rubs his chin in contemplation. "The principal didn't say anything about that. Sure, why not?"
"Then if the class rep agrees, will she let me do the presentation instead?"
I look at this man, wide-eyed. He had this confident gleam in his eye, and I was really surprised because I didn't saw him like this earlier. He spoke very calmly and without any kind of wavering. The class also didn't seem to object.
"O-okay then. Any objections? Suggestions? None? Kay then, we're depending on you." I smile, warmly at the guy.
Guess I have no choice but to believe in this bold dude.
Yes. The dude is none other than Gokudera-kun.
~K27~
Him.
She's really just smiling at me.
It was only last Thursday since I made her look like this. She appears to glow, and I can't help but just look down and turn a dark shade of scarlet.
I don't know what came into me. Why I raised my hand without warning. I was 'in the zone', see. Nothing I could do there to make me stop.
Kyoko-san must've practiced hypnotism to make me continuously stare at her.
Heck, even the taunts of the hag never dampened my spirits. My happiness just continued to flow even in Science.
I easily manage to write my answers, and I didn't stick that much in each question. I easily gave the test paper to my incredulous teacher who marked the grade in his desk, giving me an owlish stare once he was through.
I wink. He turns away as we wait for the next fifteen minutes. I look under my desk, and spot my trusty mirror and lower it carefully behind me without the teacher noticing.
There was Kyoko-san soon enough, her head slightly hidden behind her tests. She taps the calculator like crazy as she scribbles in her answers. She then erases them again and punches the calcu buttons.
F-fuck. I sound like a goddamn stalker the more I stare at the mirror. I shift it at the hag's direction. She was also in deep concentration as she writes. But she was as hectic as a turtle. She didn't need to use the calculator twice.
Damn hag. It's good though I finished faster than her.
Before I can use my mirror to see the baseball freak though, the bell rings and the annoying teacher have us pass our sheets forward.
I took the ones at the back, with the last one who gave me the sheets in front. I stare at her beautiful handwriting for a microsecond before handing it to the front.
"Gokudera-kun." I hear her voice. I nearly shout in surprise when I find her next to me.
"Did you answer question 5? I find that really hard!" she exclaims, now pushing her mock test papers in front of me. "How did you solve it?"
I blink.
"Well... I saw you pass your answer that fast to the professor earlier and he kept stealing glances at you so I thought you aced the test..."
I blink twice. Then I did a drawing of the figure and began writing the whole process. I gave it to her without explanations. She bows quickly in thanks and lets her golden eyes browse through my clumsy handwriting before grinning widely.
"Thanks Gokudera-kun and congratulations for acing the test. You studied hard didn't you?"
"A little," I mumble acting like a fucking coward. Since it was nearing one when I finished studying for Math and writing down potential problems for Kyoko-san to answer in Saturday. I didn't want to sleep yet so I studied some Science and Nihongo. Looks like it paid off.
"I'm happy for you. It's a good thing you're showing some of your skillz," she laughs. I just look down. She's praising me too much. If it was the Tenth, she'd be looking sullen and have her head dying at her desk or spit out random insults whenever he gets a much higher score than her. Why does she act this way instead with me? I feel something bad churn in my stomach.
"Kyoko-san, wanna go get some grub?" Yamamoto now comes rushing to the scene, accompanied by the hag again.
"Sure," she beams. "Want to come, Gokudera-kun?"
"I don't have any money," I admit with a pink-tinged face.
"HA!" I hear more words being said by the hag which she doesn't dare say now in front of Kyoko-san.
"Well that's ok. I'll treat you!" she says cheerfully.
"N-no Kyoko-san-!" This is what I hated to hear. The hag would just continue pissing me off with this.
"I'll treat him instead Kyoko-san!" I nod in response to what Yamamoto said. I'd rather be sucking his arm off than nibble through whatever Kyoko-san has brought me. Yamamoto owed me before. I don't want to owe Kyoko-san anything.
"Let's go then!" says the hag, and I am now beside Yamamoto, with Kyoko-san at the other end. The hag and Yamamoto were in the middle.
I want this moment to last. It's a good thing that they still accept me even if I like her.
I remember her beaming and congratulating me for getting a good grade in the quiz. I guess I should study some more then.
~K27~
Me.
Well, eff the world because I have no partner.
So, the last subject easily cruised by. I'm pretty much happy that Gokudera-kun's reciting enthusiastically in English and makes most in the class raise their eyebrows. I don't actually mind though. It's high time that they get to see a whole new side of Gokudera-kun.
"Can you read this line, Gokudera-kun?" the teacher swoons slightly. Gokudera-kun was really good at pronouncing English words. Even I can't help but look at him as he nods a little nervously.
"His lips thin, as he looks past her, and somehow she can hear even her own heart continuing to pulsate more blood as his emerald melts into her golden irides..."
Wait... this isn't the line! But most of the class didn't seem to mind, and the girls were sighing deeply.
He's looking at me the whole time.
"...as he whispered her the final 'I love you', and departs to pass her fleeting gaze. He doesn't dare look back to hear her answer. He was glad of having the courage to tell her those sickly-sweet words. He doesn't need any more confirmation if she loved her in return. After all..."
The girls held their breath. I roll my eyes. Gokudera-kun, that's a little predictable, even if you don't say those last words.
"He was still a coward mont blanc."
I guffaw as the class burst into applause. Even Haru was moved to tears and screaming 'Vocaloid reference!' while Yamamoto was calmly clapping behind.
Oh gawd, that was fun and corny.
And I ate those words once the teacher left the speakers once more blared.
"Every senior student, I'd like all of you to proceed to the Training Center. Orientation for the Promenade will start there. Those who might end up disobeying me will die."
That settles it. We swing our bags to our shoulders, and hastily go out of the room in line. Yamamoto-kun went on ahead with his vice-president to assist the other senior studes while I went on front to lead the class.
"Oh my gawd, I think the Baldie is such a good speaker. His English is impeccable," says Haru dreamily, reminding me of the time she ditched this guy with another she just saw in a shop window. I slap her head.
"D-didn't you notice he completely changed the lines there?" I whisper at her.
"So what? Everyone loves originality, and he sounds soo manly. Hmm... I wonder how Tsuna-san will sound like if he reads those lines..."
I try to not let what she said invade my mind. I don't really want to think about him right now.
Soon enough, we reach the TC without any much hassle. Hibari-san and his disciplinary dudes were there to keep an eye on us outside. Yamamoto-kun easily divided us by gender from each class and wait tensely as we face the stage.
And from the back, out came the principal who addresses us about the Promenade and boring stuff. I wasn't listening much and kept on staring at the guys in line. My partner isn't anywhere in sight. What the heck.
"Finally, to help you for your dance, I'd like to introduce to you my former protégée and the Boss of one of the allied Families of the Mafia, Dino."
I eye the back blearily. I imagine an old and hunch-backed guy who was wearing those suits coming out with a machine gun in hand to blast us apart in case we make mistakes.
"Oh my god!"
"H-he's... gorgeous."
"T-tell me I am dreaming..."
"He's so hot!"
"Wow, and I thought it'd be some scrawny instructor. This guy is so hip."
"Damn, see that tattoo on his hand? It must extend to his arm or something. Epic win."
"Cool!"
D-did I hear that right? I rub my eyes.
And I see how wrong I am. For one, the guy who came out had a decent fashion sense. I love the parka and the boots. He also has this expression that screams 'potential chick magnet!' and a decent hairstyle to boot. The way he walks too was scream-worthy for the girls. And he looks really, really young- probably in his mid-twenties or something.
Verdict: Way above the notch.
"Oh my god, he's so hot!" Haru fawns over him like the other girls. I look at him. Does this guy really know how to dance?
"Hey, guys!" Dino waves, and Haru was included to have fainted on the spot. "I hope we get along well. It's not easy to control you guys since you're all more than a hundred. Listen to every word I say or else..." He suddenly puts his hand inside his parka. I nearly screamed. I knew there was a machine gun!
"Enzio will bite you!"
And... a small snapping turtle was out snapping in our direction wildly. It took a few seconds before everyone laughed at the joke. Looks like this dude has a sense of humor. He looks like a decent guy.
Thumbs up!
"Let's divide ourselves into partners then!" he says grinning and claps his hands. There was a flurry of footsteps as they instantly obeyed at his orders. None of the girls will dare complain in front of Sir Hunk here, not even Haru. "Now I want the guys to hold the girl's hip and the girls to place their left hand on the guy's left shoulder- good." I look around and still see no sign of my partner. I frown slightly and carefully walk to the side. I don't want to look like an idiot with no partner for dancing. Good thing that Dino-sensei was busy with the other students to notice little ol' me move up to the far right corner until I was out of his line of sight at the really far end. "Now, music please Romario!" With that, the true training begins, and I'm not a part of it.
"I want you all to calm down first. Now watch me and my partner-" suddenly Bianchi-san (what the hell?) comes up to the stage, in green tinted glasses and places her hand on Dino's shoulder carefully. The crowd ogles on, and I hear someone sniff.
Oops. Looks like he's taken then?
I look at Haru. She looked like she was slapped in the face.
"And... one- and a two- and a three-" and the crowd moves and awkwardly moves to follow the two. I smile as others stumble on their partner's foot, or some look like they are dunking for clams or something. Minutes more pass with each step getting more difficult than before.
Many failed. Others looked like they had known the steps for years.
And trust me; they included Gokudera-kun and Haru. In fact, they are probably the best dancers I've ever seen. Both almost floated on the floor and easily followed through Dino-sensei's instructions. Both weren't just bluffing. They really know how to move.
"Kyoko-san, want to dance?"
I thought it was Tsuna-san, but it was Yamamoto-kun who took my hand instead and made me glide through the 'dance floor'.
"Tsuna not coming around, then?" he smiles, and we carefully skidded past the throngs of partners.
"As usual," I snort, and I hear a shriek. Looks like someone's foot has been stepped on- yet again! "I can't depend on him to come. He said he can't dance. Judging from that, he'd probably just bruise his ego if he failed to dance with me."
"Ahaha..." Yamamoto-kun also seemed to know what he was doing as he dictated my foot and then forced me to do a quick, flawless twirl. "I just want to warn you that it's not good if you have to choose between them. You already know it won't be the best if you do. Your life will be ruined if you become a life partner of a Mafiosi."
"I know that." The pang of guilt came back as I look at Gokudera-kun and Haru longingly. Both at least managed to settle their differences just this once. But I'm not happy at all.
What is happening with me? And at that time too, when I was really happy when he beat me in my quiz. Normally, with Tsuna-san I'd be really pissed off. At that time though, I didn't bear any bad feelings towards him.
I bite my lip.
"Yamamoto-kun, tell me," I ask in a toneless voice as he whisks me closer and closer to Gokudera-kun and Haru-chan. "If you have to choose between friendship and love, what will you pick?"
Yamamoto's gaze, I realize was also directed at the two.
He doesn't smile. "Love never usually lasts especially in the Mafia, Kyoko-san."
"You already know it won't be easy talking to Haru if you do reject her. You won't be able to talk to her again, probably. She'd be too fragile to handle you. That's how she usually is." We now dance faster, and the steps continue to build up to a heavily-orchestrated climax. "Will you do that?"
"If it will keep her from suffering more, I will," he whispers firmly. "I know the consequences, Kyoko-san. Unlike you," a shadow crept up to his face. The mood shifts suddenly. "You ruined our friendship, my dear."
It was shocking. I never thought... I never thought that I heard this much contempt from Yamamoto-kun ever. Especially... after all this time- he wasn't frowning or seething or having slits for eyes or anything- but how he said those things almost to a whisper-
I never saw him like this. Especially with me...
"It wasn't the same you know. If I wasn't there, maybe Tsuna and Gokudera would've done something foolish and try to inflict each other too much pain. We don't talk like we used to. Both keep hanging up when I invite them for sushi. We don't even go into team missions now. We're having solo flights. It's like a row now, and the more they fall for you, the more does this wall get higher. Haven't you realized what a damn bitch you are?"
I.. am stunned. I have never heard Yamamoto-kun cuss before. He's really serious about this.
He's right, probably. I never saw the two talking or being in the same room anyway. And it all happened in just a matter of days. I really did it now.
I keep looking at Gokudera-kun and Haru. Both were oblivious to all this, thank goodness.
"So to cut this short, you want me to reject them both? To isolate myself from the two, is that it?" I say straight to the point.
"You've read my mind." The smile appears again like nothing happened. "Continue to come near them, and I will make your friend suffer."
Oh my gawd, what happened to Yamamoto-kun?
Sh-shit, I'm falling into a trap. He looks like he really means to hurt Haru, not physically, but emotionally.
We dance more, and both of us never said anything throughout the hour. Gokudera-kun and Haru kept on dancing, and I kept on looking behind Yamamoto-kun. He was so close to me now, and I never thought that I'd be able to make such a guy be this close to me.
So the 'keep your friends close, and your enemies closer' crap finally comes into play.
It is working. I'm damn scared straight.
"Good work, everyone!" Dino-sensei finally provides the anti-anaesthesia from the numbness I was feeling. Quickly, I run back to my bag to get my bento. I ignore the others and continue walking; my soundless voice is whispering apologies.
I'm so weak. I'm so, so weak because I can't even put up a fight. I really can't even fight for something. He's right. I don't have the right to even make any of them fall for me.
I look at Gokudera-kun and then at Haru who are now their normal selves and arguing as usual. Yamamoto is protectively hovering by their side as he can't help but suppress a smirk at me.
Between him and me, who is the real villain actually?
I bite my lip, and remember three years ago. Gokudera-kun, Tsuna-san and Yamamoto-kun looked really inseparable then. How the hell can I just break it all apart?
I try to suppress my own tears at my helplessness as I continue to dash past the people. I'd probably not go dress-shopping with Haru this Friday. I won't go to the Prom. I'll cancel meeting any of them on Saturday and study by myself for the finals. I'll eat, walk, study and breathe for the finals. College is more important than the Mafia now.
"Kyoko-san!" I hear Tsuna-san calling up to me, but I ignore him too and now run onto the gates. Even Hibari-san doesn't seem to be interested in me once I pass by him.
I walk, and my legs now feel so weak that I sluggishly make my way back home.
I'm too weak to even grieve.
Was I really such a born coward all along?
~K27~
Him.
What happened to Kyoko-san?
An hour after I managed to pry myself off the hag, I just noticed that Kyoko-san still hasn't returned. The baseball idiot said she had to do something urgent which will probably take a while, telling us too that we should eat lunch without her.
Well we're still waiting. This time the Tenth is here, also having the same dumb face like us.
"I just passed her sometime ago. I was running late, and Ryohei-san ordered that we do more exercises. And... well, when I was headed to the TC (and you guys already wrapped up for lunch, sigh) she clearly looked upset. I called her name several times, but she just continued walking."
"Hey baseball freak," I say then to the idiot who was discussing something about baseball with the hag. The Tenth was looking at the floor, his expression grave. Most of the guys were already practicing. Lunch was over. We were the only ones left with empty stomachs. "You know something about this, don't you?"
"Eh? Me?"
"Don't play dumb. You were talking to Kyoko-san earlier."
"I-I really don't know what you're talking about."
I look at the Tenth. He is still staring contemplatively at the floor.
I fire a glare at Yamamoto. Either he's telling the truth or he's found a way to fool the Tenth's Hyper-Intuition.
"Hayato!"
I nearly hit the bench out of fear. Goddammit, my sister is coming!
There she is now, running up to us... extending her arms... the glasses have now left her face...
...!
~K27~
Well.
Thanks sis, I guess?
She gave me enough time to brainstorm at what I'm going to do next while the rest are dancing. I have to ditch the hag. Besides, I'm not her babysitter. She's already 17, and she already knows how to dance so she can manage.
What now?
Argh. This is what I hate. I already wasted much time escaping the school clinic and bribing the janitor to get the damn keys to this room. Now that I'm sitting here and about to 'do my thang' I still can't think of anything to play.
It has been a long time since I've touched this. 7...? 9 years...? I raise my two hands, pondering what I'll play.
I should probably make it simple and... well-known for the student body. Classics are banned with the majority of the studes. I can't make a decent enough cover of some rock songs with all their noisy bashing. And no way am I going to play something sung by a girl!
Those are the standards, I guess. I need something known by many without being classified as an oldie, not noisy (like the hag, dammit) and not sung by a girl.
I almost forgot to add that it should involve Kyoko-san. I add that to my check list.
Then I got it. I excitedly try to hum the song in my head and remember the piano part. Gokudera, if this will be enough to help Kyoko-san then go with it. I raise my hands over the keys...
This is it then. I struck chords and let my memory guide me. The sound... the key... the friggin' note... then another note... then another...
This is for Kyoko-san. For being amazing.
Just the way she is.
Oh, her eyes, her eyes. The notes fly out as I keenly watch my fingers slap the right keys. Make the stars look like they're not shining... I imagine her gaze as she still noticed me that time, even if she knows that I like her. Her hair, her hair; falls perfectly without her trying... how it fluttered breezily as she walked... with me. WITH ME.
"She's so beautiful. I can tell her everyday," I burst into song in murmurs. I don't want people to suddenly barge in the music room while I'm trying to practice. "Oh I know, I know... when I compliment her she won't believe me. And it's so, it's so... DAMMIT WHAT'S THE FRIGGIN NEXT LINE?"
"Sad to think that she don't see what I see..." someone replies back and I immediately look around.
"Who the hell's here?" I ask angrily, making me stop my playing. Damn, someone heard me.
"Ohoho, you are the last person I had suspected to know playing the piano," said that someone rather silkily. "And dude, why 'Just The Way You Are'?" Finally, the damn extra reveals herself with a smug look on her ugly face.
"Hn. Have no one to practice with?" I ask the hag coolly.
"Dino-san said it was okay if I skipped the class this afternoon since I already know the basic steps and because my partner is absent. I tried to find my way to the library, but ended up here. I have good ears, hoho." She now paces to my side confidently.
"Don't you want to dance with the baseball idiot?"
"He's busy practicing his emcee-ing, and I didn't even see him. Tsuna-san had already headed off to practice when you left."
"What about Kyoko-san?"
"I don't know. I already asked Ryohei-san, and he called the house. Kyoko's there, worry not."
"Why didn't she attend dance practice?"
"She probably didn't attend because she knows Tsuna-san's busy practicing himself. Besides, thiswill be your presentation?" she points at the piano.
"Got a problem with that?" I growl.
"Woah, hold your horses dude. I'm not going to tease you or anything. I'm just... amazed. I never thought that you'd be able to play the piano... eh, when did you learn 'Just the way you are'?"
"Just now." Dammit, I get a little flustered at her words.
"Wow. You mean when you were playing it..."
"I was trying to remember the tune in my head, yeah."
"Wow. Really that's wow."
I turn pink at her words.
"...Thanks. I guess."
"I only know one song though. I didn't like playing the piano when I was a kid, and I often ditched lessons. I now regret it," she sighs.
"Sucks for you," I stick my tongue out. She attempts to slap me in return, turning red. "What's the song? Don't tell me it's something basic."
"It's not! It took me two months of practice before I could master it!" she blushes and throws me aside."It's from '5 Centimeters per Second'. I was friggin' addicted to it so..." she closes her eyes and let her hands do the talking.
It was barely two minutes yet... the sound was beautiful.
"Kay, that was surprising enough," I smirk as she leaves the seat. "What song's that?"
"It's not a song. Just a tune, I think. Omoide ha Tooku no Hibi," she replies, her eyes looking down.
"It was nice," I smile. "I never thought someone like you'd learn that."
"I learned that myself," she said with an inch of pride, her cheeks coloring a little.
"Whatever. I need to practice so I'll ask you to leave and tell you not to blab it to the whole school," I yawn.
"I want to hear you practice."
"Hell no."
"You don't even know the lyrics, come on!"
"Shut up. I'll manage," I tell her, my patience nearing its limit. Why does she like to butt in so much?
"But I want to help you!"
"Liar. You just want to point out my mistakes and make fun of me."
"I praise you, alright? I barely didn't even hear any mistakes too. Look, I'm sorry for whatever I did in the past. I was wrong for saying mean things at you, and making you bald. Is that enough?"
"No. I don't forgive people quite easily." I close the keys and glowered at her. "Who the fuck told you to do this?"
"Yamamoto-kun said a sorry would suffice if I want to be friends with the people who hate me..." she trails off. Her head was now down and her arms were locked to her sides, with her hands curled into fists and sticking out.
I laugh rather darkly. And that applied to me...how?
"Humans are rather difficult people to deal with," I snort. "That baseball idiot told you that... when?"
"I asked him a few weeks ago. I'm not pranking you are anything. I'm really, really apologizing. I- I just want to ask-"
"WHAT?" Just get to the point already, you stupid hag.
"Do you really like Kyoko-chan?"
Wait, wait, wait, wait... what?
"I... want to help you in winning her. But I want to know first if you do like her at all."
"What made you change your mind about the Tenth?"
"Just answer my question first, dammit!"
"You answer mine first or I'll blow you up!"
She bit her lip before uttering anymore words.
"Okay I'll answer mine and not argue with you, got that? I figure that you're much better than Sawada."
I stare at her before forcing back a laugh. "Right... and I'm the greatest chick magnet alive."
"Really, I figure that out from how you express yourself and your actions towards her. One day, in the future, he won't have time for her. He'd be too busy with his Mafia duties that their days together will be cut short-"
"How can you be so sure?" I eye her sarcastically. "He often tells us that he'd do anything for her. Heck, he'll escape the clutches of kismet if it'll be against him. He'd even quit being a Mafia Boss if permitted. He loved Kyoko-san since 12 years ago. What will make him change his mind?"
"It will be you."
Her eyes are closed.
My stance slackens. "Really? He'd probably not choose me as his Right-Hand Man in his Inheritance Ceremony if I do that."
"You're one of his best friends, idiot. He'd never hate you. He understands. Now answer my question: do you really like Kyoko-chan that you'd risk even your loyalty to Tsuna-san?"
I mumble a word against her before replying.
"I don't know. I... like her but if I do that then the Tenth- his trust in me-" I can't look at her eyes anymore and cringe. I can now feel the pain in my arm. The anaesthesia I grabbed in the clinic to get rid of the fucking pain every time I use my arm seems to be wearing off.
I then hear her steps pace up to me.
"Can you hear me out for a minute?" she asks, and I hear her sit suddenly near the right foot of the piano. "I promise I'll leave after."
"Shoot," I look at her.
She was still smiling so calmly and so decisively that it makes me wonder if this girl truly is the hag.
"I started dating a lot of guys because I just want to erase that feeling I had when I realized that my first love's eyes were never set on me. I want to be loved. I just want people to like me. I changed myself. I became a lady and started putting on stuff to make me pretty. I started to lose interest in anything in the world except for the guys who'd go out with the changed me. It fucked me up." With that, she then buries her head in her knees.
"You were an idiot to fall for the Tenth in the first place," I retort.
"Still I liked him. My immature self fell for him. Despite the fact that I knew he was in love with someone else- someone much prettier, someone more perfect than me, I didn't give up. Then he left, and the only one he said goodbye to, was her."
I hear a quiet sniff and soon, her back was having spasms as she let her knees cover her face.
"And still I invested, I hoped, I prayed. I cried. Then I doubted myself. Kyoko was my best friend, and he liked Kyoko-san. I shrunk. I hesitated. Then I gave up. I regret it even now."
"First love never dies after all," I snort.
"I liked him immensely, and I hated myself because I didn't fight for it," she whispers. Then her spasms stop. "I thought I had been happy retreating. I thought that giving up my feelings will be enough, and things would come back the way it was. It was quite a difficult road toward healing. I pretended that I was still this happy-go-lucky girl, but I was empty. My grades dropped and my reputation fell. I thought that it was just because I was heart-broken, and it was just a blow from my first love but I was just kidding myself. It was hard, raw guilt.
"I realized that no matter how hard I tried to make myself believe my giving up was done because of my friendship to Kyoko-chan, I was kidding to myself. I was just a coward. I didn't take the risk. I was afraid of taking up the challenge. I didn't fight for myself. I gave up because I was afraid I'll fail."
"It was not done out of pure cowardice. There was a hint of shrewdness in your actions."
She laughs sardonically.
"It was done with no hint of shrewdness at all. If I do have that, then I would've stuck to my feelings and take on my mistakes. Then I'll move on. But I was afraid of accepting a real rejection. And even now, even when I have finally found the person I like, I can barely move on."
She finally wipes her face.
"I don't want you to become like me. I want you to take on this as a challenge, and face Tsuna-san head-on. That's why I want to help."
"Well your help isn't needed," I sigh. "When it comes to feelings, mine won't measure up to the Tenth. Our situation isn't as alike as you thought it will be. Kyoko-san didn't even know the Tenth liked her."
"Then does it make you happy seeing Tsuna-san and Kyoko-chan together?"
I try to imagine the Tenth arm-in-arm with Kyoko-san and smiling as they walk towards a strawberry sunset.
"If it'll make the Tenth happy-"
"I'm not asking if it'll make Tsuna-san happy. I'm asking if it will make you feel happy."
I bite my tongue.
Will... seeing the Tenth and Kyoko-san make me really happy?
"Loving someone without hurting someone else equals to hurting yourself Gokudera-kun. That is called unconditional love. It is also known as martyr love. No happy ending ever comes from a love like that. I should know."
I look at her hard enough and by then, I couldn't take it anymore.
"Since I met the Tenth, I always rank him first before my family and myself. Then Kyoko-san came along, and the Tenth fell to second place..." I trail off and I now stand up. "I only placed myself then at third place. I was always putting him before myself and it's thanks to you-" I nod up to her. She grins. "That I realize, if I don't love myself more then... I won't ever find real happiness."
"You got it," she smiles. "You found it out by yourself..."
"No," I shake my head and for the first time ever I find the courage to actually smile at her like this. All the troubles, the fears, the numbing guilt, and the brief shots of anger suddenly- it was as if they were slowly emptying and I felt something light and good actually filling my whole body. All the burden suddenly swept away and was replaced by... peace.
She skips happily. "You still want me to leave?"
I laugh- a real effortless laugh escapes from my lips. I feel like I can do anything- I can even probably face the Tenth now.
"Well, I will need more tips to get a girl. You know her favourite things and all that, as Kyoko-san does about you. And you already have a ton of experience with love. Why should I let you go?"
"Oh shut up," she snaps and turns pink. "In my opinion though, it would be funny if you covered 'Grenade', being a bomberhead and all."
"Damn you," I knock her gently on the head and return to the seat near the piano.
The warmth, the light and the calmness just inspires me so much that I can barely contain it now.
I open the keys and let my hands fall through one.
She looks up expectantly.
"I'll cross the sub-zero tundra," I sing happily, remembering one of my favourite bands this time. "I'll brave glaciers and frozen lakes..."
"And that's just the tip of the iceberg," she sings. I look up and she gives me a signal to continue but I stop.
"You know this song?" I gape at her.
"What the hell, I thought you were going to sing another Bruno Mars song! Of course I know Owl City. I love the songs. Now continue! I love this part!" she leans on my left shoulder excitedly.
"Whatever," I roll my eyes and continue to sing. "I'll do what it takes..."
"To change..." both of us sing together. I look up at her. She grins instead.
Well. I never thought that she'd like this kind of song. I thought her head was full of Pop and barely any substance yet she...
And we continue to play along with the lyrics, and my hands move more smoothly than ever. I was surprised. We probably have some things in common after all.
"Snow drifts, pile up, and enfold us," I hum, my hands careful as it flies along the keys to the denouement.
"As we wait in this winter storm," she replies, winking at me and now moving to the bag and lying on her stomach across me.
"So we snuggle close in the darkne-ess..." I stand and close up to her face and let my hands take over the piano subconsciously.
"And keep each other-" she smiles and does the same.
"So... warm," both of us sing, and we just stare at each other's faces. She simpers. I simper back.
She then stretches her arms and fishes her cellphone in her pocket. Immediately, the instrumental of the song plays.
"Let's sing that again," she grins.
"Thanks Miura."
"Oh come on, don't give me the emotional comebacks! Let's just sing our hearts out!" she replies and then presses the playback button. "I call dibs on the 'Da,da,da,da,da,da' part!"
"As you command, hag," I laugh and just let the piano do its thing.
~K27~
"Tidal Wave"
And I've never been so afraid..
But I don't need a telescope
to see that there's hope
And that makes me feel..
Brave!
Me.
I already stopped crying minutes ago. I recently figured out that crying won't solve any problems, and it wastes time.
Yamamoto-kun has a point- I made the two choose love over friendship. But still... it wasn't my fault. They fell for me. You can't stop love. It will hurt when you stop it and it can take years to move on. That's up to them.
I know that I'm a vital piece in this mind game and I shouldn't let Yamamoto-kun set me up.
But what can I do? I can't plan here: I can feel it... this place being bugged and all that shit. Onii-chan pointed that out and stuff.
I can't let Yamamoto-kun bring me down like this. But I mustn't make him break with Haru.
The hell...! I throw a pillow to the floor before muttering incoherent words. Ah, I feel so damn useless being cooped up here and become a target of my own emotions. I shouldn't feel guilty. I should fight this and make him see that I'm no pushover.
But how? Oh my gawd, what can I do? If I heed his advice, then I'll break. If I heed what my heart's telling me, then Haru will break.
I don't want to break anyone, not even myself!
Yamamoto-kun is one hell of an actor. To think he was a smarmy bastard all this time...
Shit.
"Anyone here willing to help me in my dilemma please?" I call out to no one.
And yet... No one actually replies back.
"Reborn has been waiting for you to say that," a voice echoes from the walls and suddenly a girl appears from the front of my desk, accompanied by unmistakably, Reborn-chan.
"Wh-why are you here?" I realize that the girl was Chrome Dokuro. Her hair was pinned up to a bun, and she was wearing this ragged pink ballet skirt and a torned-up white T-shirt with a pineapple printed in front in ink. Her black converse just paced up at me and she lifts her trident effortlessly with one hand. "T-the bugs here will see you!"
"They are under an illusion that you're lying in your bed and looking at the ceiling. It will last for five minutes," she replies tonelessly as her pretty purple eye bores into mine.
Creepy.
"It means we don't have time," said Reborn, who upon fully materializing from the wall appears to be carrying a long, black case. He then opens it and I gasp.
It held a big sniper rifle.
"I want you to use this at Yamamoto," he said.
I open my eyes widely.
"For real?" I exclaim.
"Yes," he nods and holds up a pouch. I take it rather gingerly. "I want you to shoot him exactly in the head, you understand me?"
"Y-you really want me to kill him?" I am startled at the sudden turn of events. Seriously, this thing can only be resolved by killing someone?"
"Listen to me, Kyoko-san," Reborn says gravely. "The pouch only contains five special bullets. They are called the 'Nostalgia bullets'. They make one lose memories depending on what bullet you take. I gave you the short-term memory ones. It means I gave you bullets to remove one specific memory. Just whisper to the bullet what memory you want it to destroy and it'll only remove that memory. You need to work on your aim though. If you miss and hit the wrong body part, it'll do as much damage as a real bullet."
"W-why-?"
"Because this is the only way to avoid the drama going on. I saw everything and heard it from Dino. Tsuna and the others won't be returning for a long time, and I want you to make up your mind on who you'll choose. I don't want anyone getting in the way to make that issue be over with as soon as possible."
"Eh?" I am speechless.
"The reason why Tsuna returned is because he wants you to come with us. I know, bad decision even for my idiotic pupil but still I have to follow since the Ninth approved. (Dammit, I know, but the Ninth is rather fond of Tsuna.) We wasted a lot of time too. The Inheritance Ceremony will be on his 18th birthday and he'll be then the real Tenth Vongola Boss. He wants you to come with him when that happens."
"What the hell, didn't he think about me wanting a normal life out here in Japan?"
"I told him that but he won't listen."
I face-palm. "What a stubborn fellow he is. I just want to go to college and do my stuff."
"Well I'll be giving you time to decide until the summer festival. It'll be fine," Reborn smirks. "It's now up to you if you want to use this bullets or not. I am not going to force you. Chrome," he turns to the girl who was standing still and holding up her trident with her left in concentration. She turns her head and then nods.
The rifle then suddenly floats out of the case and drifts to my bag. The bag unzips, and the rifle slips down like there's a big hole inside. The zip closes and I stare at it stupidly.
What the eff?
"It's there to be kept from prying eyes. Ask Hibari's permission if you want to use it on the rooftop. I already told him of your mission. You can call Chrome too if you need any help-" Chrome nods at me upon Reborn's remark. "Remember: you only have five bullets. Use them wisely, or you'll face the consequences. You can contact me tomorrow if you need me to teach you how to work it. Don't tell anyone about this, especially Yamamoto and Tsuna. Until tomorrow, Kyoko Sasagawa."
With that, they disappear in a haze of mist.
I blink rapidly and look around. Then walking like nothing happened to fool the cameras on my bed onto my bag. I zip it and peer inside. The rifle butt is sticking out beside the place I keep my bento. I take out my Math notebook to not look suspicious and go to my desk, flipping open the notebook at the back and write a name: Yamamoto. I cross it out.
I smile and look at the left corner of the ceiling before beaming innocently.
Okay, it's time for a comeback.
~K27~
Next Chapter: Kyoko and Yamamoto will fight into a battle of wills on Wednesday till Thursday, Tsuna will get a sparring partner on Friday, and... someone's heart will get broken come Saturday. Oh, Gokudera will finally get to perfect his piece for Prom day.
And someone will probably say goodbye come after Prom day. Can you guess who?
Didn't delete the A/N because I want to remember how fail I was.
Trivia: Haru's experience is mine, and like her the only thing I can play is that theme from Byosuko (I forgot the spelling haha). I used to know playing Kawaranai Mono aka the theme song of this story but I forgot how now, orz.
And we don't have a Promenade in our school. We almost had one last February 14, but our batch that time decided against it. We didn't have money to rent a gown and have our hair pampered to clips and buns. Rude much? Lol.
Guys, guy, guys, oh my god. I cried while reading your comments. I really did, seriously. I'm sorry; so, so sorry that this chapter fell on your expectations again. I can't condense everything in a single chapter! I don't have the time, even in the Christmas holidays! ;A;
If possible, can you wait for my next update next year? I just can't let go of my damn account so I snagged it back. I will update after exams and extra-curricular activities, and hopefully before my birthday. Know when my birthday is? –hopes someone will guess-
If you're wondering too when the Prom will be, it will happen two chapters later? I'm so, so sorry. Expect this story to end at chapter 20-22. I wish I'd be able to write until then. Please be patient. –shot-
Thank you guys! Thank you so, so much for the encouragements and for the suggestions. You know who you are. I love you so much!
Aviann, I hope that 5986 moment will satisfy you until next chapter. –brick'd- I can't wait for Saturday. 8D
And Zia, belated happy birthday! (AGAIN!)