Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon. Thanks for reading this, you lovely people! XD
Edited: 5/11/12
Chocolate Covered
Chapter Seventeen
Chocolate Covered Adolescence
Hikari shook out her skirt lightly and twisted in front of the mirror. It looked so much longer on the hanger than on her body. She sighed and picked up her new backpack. After eleven years of school, including kindergarten, she had finally managed to get a brand-new backpack, with a tag and all its buttons still on. Over the summer she had found a high school campus job…namely that of being a janitor. The school was going to allow her to continue working only if she remained in the top three percent. If her grades began to drop, her job would be taken away. She waved to her mom and sleepy-eyed brother and left the apartment.
Her heart shuddered a bit when she saw the corner. She used to meet him there, and they would walk to school together. Ever since kindergarten they had been in the same school. This year, her first year of senior high, she would be going to a more expensive private school. She had the grades and, at the end of her junior high year, she managed to get the scholarship. She would be going to the same private school as Ken, Miyako, and Takeru.
Hikari's mouth twisted downwards and her eyes darkened with sadness.
I miss her. I can't believe I was so stupid those years ago. I know she was dating my ex-boyfriend, but why did I let that come between us? I should have been mature enough to remain her friend.
Hikari slid her train pass through the scanner and pushed through the revolving bars. She pushed back her shoulder-length hair as the speeding train rushed past. She stepped through the doors and walked into the car, reaching for a strap to hang onto. It was nice being on the train so early. She wasn't crammed with all the other students all over Odaiba and Tokyo and half of the grown-ups were either already at work or not going into work for another hour. She braced herself automatically and watched the neighborhood outside flash past. She twitched her shoulders irritably. It felt as if someone was staring at her… Her eyes looked around under her eyelashes surreptitiously.
Dark brown eyes, almost black, met hers.
She took a step back and almost lost her grip. She stared down at her sneakers and closed her eyes tight. One breath, two breaths, three breaths, breathe, Hikari, breathe.
For fifteen minutes, they stood silently, just a foot away from each other, and no words were exchanged. She could feel his presence as if he were standing next to her. She felt her hand tremble and tightened its grip on her handhold. God…what's wrong with me? He's just another guy! It's been three years! Why hasn't it stopped yet? I wish he would speak to me... Is he still dating Miyako-chan? Is he still waiting…waiting for our second chance?
Do we have one anymore?
Her teeth bit down hard to keep from crying. No more…no more tears. She stopped crying three years ago. Just because he happened to be on the same train, didn't mean she would give into her weakness.
The train stopped and she felt him walk towards the door right behind her. The smell of mint and melons drifted towards her. A new scent from him, but definitely him. She kept her eyes closed shut as his body brushed past. Just the merest brush of his arm on hers.
"Ohayou, Hikari."
"O-Ohayou…" She whispered back.
Then, he was gone. The train pulled away and the new passengers settled into seats or grabbed the hanging straps. Her knees felt so weak and goosebumps were rising over her skin. The only thing holding her up was her impossibly tight hold on the strap above her head. Finally, her stop was up. She stumbled off the train and rushed towards the exit. Her legs gave away as she pushed onto the sidewalk. Her briefcase backpack thudded to the ground, her knees closely following. She braced herself with her hands and breathed deep.
He said my name…I'm so pathetic. Hikari smirked woodenly at her own weakness.
"Oi! Daijoubou?"
Hikari looked up with wide eyes. Well…the world is getting smaller…
"Hikari-chan! I mean…Yagami-san…" Miyako-san trailed off uncertainly. "Do you need some help up?"
"Iie…daijoubou desu." Hikari rose, picking up her pack. "Are you on your way to school?"
"Yeah…hey! You have the same uniform as me! No way!"
"Yes, I'm going to Seiiya, too." Hikari hesitated and pushed her morning encounter out of her mind. "You want to walk together?"
"Nani?" Miyako-san's eyes stared at her in astonishment.
"I…I wanted to know if you'd walk with me, Miyako-san. If you wouldn't mind, I mean…" Hikari trailed off. I…I need to grow up! We were good friends, but because of my weakness, I screwed up! It's time to fix it… if she'll let me…
"I…I'm still dating Daisuke-kun…" Miyako said hesitantly. Hikari smiled just a bit and Miyako smiled back, relieved.
"It's all right. I'm still dating Ken-san." I still love your boyfriend. Hikari ignored her inner monologue as Miyako made a face.
"Ew. Why?"
Hikari burst out laughing. "Still hating each other?"
"Oh, so much. Can't stand that rat bastard. Wanna walk and talk about your rat bastard?" Miyako offered, grinning to prove it just a joke, only half-serious.
"If you'll tell me why," Hikari compromised.
"Well…I don't like talking about it," Miyako huffed. Hikari laughed again.
"Of course not," Hikari agreed, giggling. She sobered slightly. "We can walk and talk about something, though," she began quietly, glancing away and blushing. "What do you think?"
"Definitely. What are friends for, ne?"
Hikari's eyes widened in surprise. Miyako held out her arm, and she smiled, her surprise softening into pleasure. "I don't know...what are friends for?" Hikari asked.
"For forgiving and forgetting," Miyako answered with a wide grin.
"I was hoping we could be friends again one day." Hikari linked her arm with Miyako's and smiled in return.
"I'm glad you came to your senses, then. Now, the talking part. What do you think about Computer Club?"
"What? Why?"
.
Tai yawned until his jaw cracked loudly. He winced, flexing and rubbing his jaw. The house was mostly silent. Distantly, the shower was running, his dad most likely. His mom was puttering in her bedroom and Hikari had just left for school. So Tai didn't care at all if he was wandering around in only his boxers and white-tanktop. He shuffled into the kitchen and pulled open the fridge. His groggy eyes glanced over the shelves and within moments he moaned dispiritedly.
"Damn it… all we have is that octopus stuff," Tai whined.
"We don't have any octopus in there, Tai. What are you talking about?" his mother informed him as she re-entered the kitchen.
Tai blanched. "Then what the hell is it?" he demanded, pointing to a plastic Tupperware.
"Stop cussing, Tai," Susumu admonished with a sigh. She peered around him into the fridge. "That's the chicken and mushroom pasta I made last night. You ate some of it," she told him.
"NANI? WHY DID YOU FEED THAT TO ME? IT'S PROBABLY POISONOUS!"
"What are you talking about? It's chicken and mushroom!"
"That tasted like octopus and jiggles! Look, mom, it's jiggling when I poke it!" Tai cried, jabbing at the container with his finger. It did, indeed, jiggle.
"Stop it! It's not that bad!"
"IT JIGGLES! PASTA DOESN'T JIGGLE!"
"Go get ready for school, Taichi!"
"Don't call me a Taichi! Who the hell makes pasta outta chicken and mushrooms? How did you make pasta outta chicken and mushroom?" Tai asked, horrified and blue-faced.
"IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT, DON'T EAT IT!" Susumu finally shrieked, throwing her hands in the air.
"What, and starve?" Tai retorted.
"Just go get cleaned up! If you hurry you can have breakfast with Koushirou-kun, who's such a better cook than your own mother!" Susumu snapped at him, grabbing eggs from the fridge and storming to the stove.
"Jeeze, ma! His pasta doesn't jiggle." Tai stormed out of the kitchen feeling green. Maybe I should force myself to throw it up? …Probably too late now.
A few minutes later, Tai was racing out onto the street. His feet carried him automatically towards Koushirou's apartment. Three years and they still were going strong. His mouth lifted into a grin as his pretty, still hobbit-sized, boyfriend flashed in his mind. God, I'm so lucky! His long legs stretched a bit farther and the apartment building loomed up in front of him. The early summer morning made sweat form along his hairline and between his shoulder blades, but he still had breath to spare as he raced up the steps to the third floor. The door flew open and he kicked off his shoes.
"Taichi!" Koushirou came around the corner from the kitchen and smiled brightly. "I didn't think I'd see you until lunch time on campus!"
"Nah, my mom's octopus last night ending up being from crazy pasta from hell and I decided I'd eat your food for breakfast." He grinned as he approached his diminutive lover. Those beautiful black eyes gazed up at him warmly.
"I see. You'll have to explain in more detail as I cook up some eggs."
"First, though…" Tai wrapped an arm around Koushirou's waist and pulled him against him.
There was a small squeak of surprise. It made Tai grin and Koushirou smiled back, flushing lightly. It really was impossible not to smile with that grin facing him. Koushirou let his eyelids fall, leaning into Tai's embrace. The smaller ten pushed up on his toes and wrapped his arsm around Tai's neck. Their heads tilted, automatically, Tai's mouth slanted perfectly over Koushirou's. They melted together, fingers and arms gripping tight as their heartbeats raced. Tai's tongue flicked over Koushirou's mouth, tasting that sweet chocolate and rice that Koushirou never stopped tasting like. The soft moan that flooded into Tai's mouth made his head reel and his hands reached down to squeeze Koushirou's butt, pulling him up off the ground. Koushirou's hands brushed through Tai's still-short brown hair as he twisted fingers in the thick strands. Tai pulled away to take deep gulping breaths and Koushirou's soft, familiar gasps were making his pants uncomfortably tight.
"God, Izzy…you make me go crazy. Can we skip school today?"
"It's the first day of school," protested Koushirou in a breathy voice. His own head was spinning wildly.
"C'mon, please?"
"I don't know… I don't want to skip today," Koushirou murmured, his arms sliding down. Tai kept his embrace still, leaning down to nuzzle Koushirou's neck.
"Yeah, but… you told me a couple nights ago you were finally ready. If Sora-chan and Yama-kun hadn't shown up…"
Koushirou blushed fiercely at the memory. They had been so close. Just a few minutes more and Tai would've had Koushirou naked and they would no longer had been virgins. But no, Yamato and Sora showed up with hamburgers and ice cream to celebrate The Teenage Wolves debut just the six of them- Jyou and Mimi had showed up, too. Koushirou pressed his face to Tai's collarbone and took a deep shuttering breath.
"I…I really want to…you know…I really believe I'm ready…but…sex isn't my first priority, Taichi. School is, especially since it's my senior year. I have intern interviews and counselor meetings and really difficult classes, I really need to be there for every class this year unless it's an emergency. It's your first year, too. You need to show up, Taichi."
"All right…but…what about this weekend? Can we try again?"
"If we can manage to squeeze it in between jobs, studying, band practice, and interning. Not to mention eating and sleeping," Koushirou retorted wryly.
"Izzy!" Tai whined.
"I'm being pragmatic and realistic." Tai lowered Koushirou to the ground and dragged a hand through his hair.
"All right. Well, we better go ahead and eat before we're late anyways." His voice was heavy with disappointment and… unease. Koushirou reached out to touch his arm.
"Don't think I'm trying to avoid it, Taichi. I meant what I said."
"Yeah, I know," he said, though the unease lifted at Koushirou's reassurance. Taichi brushed his thumb over Koushirou 's soft cheek and grinned. "The anticipation makes it more fun, promise."
Koushirou laughed and turned towards the kitchen, hiding his own disappointment at leaving Tai's arms. Kisses were just not enough sometimes. Koushirou was beginning to feel his own desires escalate beyond their old boundaries.
.
Mimi woke with heavy eyes and a burning in the back of her throat. Everything seemed to spin around her and she couldn't place where she was. Her groggy eyes fell on the desk beside the bed and its huge stack of thick books with Latin titles and 'anatomy' or 'biology' on others. Her eyes traveled back to the plain, white ceiling, to the bare walls, the dark blue-plaid comforter twisting around her legs. He always was too fussy about orderliness. He really should just let me spruce the room up a bit, she thought for the thousandth time.
"Jyou-kun's…" she whispered past a fuzzy tongue. Making the fuzzy dream around her a reality as her voice sounded harshly in her ears. I feel like crap… The burning was filling up her throat and her body jerked with a gag. She pressed her small hand over her mouth.
"Mimi-chan? Are you awake? I made some miso and rice. Koushirou-kun and Tai-san are already up." Jyou wandered in with a concerned frown.
"M-Miso?"
The smell of miso assaulted her memory and her gag became worse…until it was no longer a gag. She flew off the bed and pushed past Jyou. She fell to her knees onto cold tile and the fuzzy rug. Small, slender hands clasped the porcelain bowl and she wretched whatever had been in her stomach into the toilet. Her throat choked, forcing up coughs as she gasped for air, before vomited once more, who knew what, because he stomach felt so empty. Cool hands pulled back her now shoulder-length brown hair and placed a cool wet towel to her forehead. She coughed painfully, the back of her hand to her mouth, saliva and puke hanging from her lips. She whimpered, small, sad sound, and her body tightened as she gagged again.
"Is she okay?" Koushirou's soft voice filtered into the still dark bathroom, filled with concern.
"Whoa, what's wrong? Is it food poisoning?" Tai's voice yelped in shock.
"I don't know," Jyou replied wiping away her sweat. Mimi felt more vomit press against her esophagus and she leaned over again. "I'll check her temperature when she's finished. Thank God her school doesn't start until next week."
"Yeah, and your classes don't start 'til tomorrow. She shouldn't be left alone and she can't just walk home, ya know?" Tai said with relief at the thought.
"Hai. Are you done now, Mimi-chan?"
"I…I think so…" she whispered weakly, her voice echoing in the toilet's bowl. "Arigatou…all of you."
"Hey, just making sure you're okay," Tai assured her easily.
"We have to go. I'm sorry. Call us at about twelve fifteen to keep up informed," Koushirou told them with a torn expression on his face. Mimi smiled weakly and took the towel from Jyou to wipe her mouth.
"See you two tonight." Jyou waved. The two boys left with one last, worried, glance back at them. "Did the soup make you sick? The soup my mom sent over?"
"I-Iie. At least…I don't think so. I've had it before and all of you guys are okay," Mimi pointed out, her voice scratchy.
"Should we call your parents? They're still upset you've been over here so much, but I'm sure they'll forget it if you're sick," Jyou said with a worried frown as he reached over and flushed.
"I'll just lie down. Are there any crackers or something like that?"
"Yeah, we have some rice crackers, does that sound good?" Jyou asked anxiously.
"Hai," Mimi sighed softly.
"Do you need help to the bedroom?"
"No… not yet. I'm fine."
Jyou rose and smoothed her messy hair back. "I'll be right back," he promised.
"Un." She nodded weakly.
She watched him go and fell back onto her butt, her cool shaky hand to the side of her face. She braced her back against the cabinets under the sink, pressing her shaking hand now to her forehead. Oh God…what if…what if… Her thought wouldn't finish itself in her mind. Calm down, Mimi! Just calm down and breathe. Luckily, she no longer needed to throw up, but that was the only bright point at that moment.
.
Yamato pressed the small button and stood back as a fine spray of water started over the rows of nodding flowers. He turned to see Sora wiping down the front counter and humming quietly. Her smile was so soft and content it made his own lips curve upwards. She looked up, her startled reddish eyes met his. She gave him a little wave and giggled. He grinned back, walking towards her.
"How are the flowers, Yama?" she asked, leaning on her elbows and perching her chin on her fists.
"They're fine. Still sleeping peacefully. Like I wish I was." He yawned widely.
"You have school, though, in just a couple hours," Sora reminded him, eyes dancing mischievously.
"Yeah, yeah, I remember. I'm going to have to really study this year. If I want my dream to come true, anyway," Yamato replied, shrugging, as if it was no big deal. She knew for a fact he wanted this dream very much.
"I still can't believe it. I never thought you had aspirations like that. You always seem to slack off," Sora teased, lightly punching his shoulder. She knew the "cooler" he acted, the more he was hiding. She was rewarded with a lopsided smirk.
"Yeah, well, I can't play the guitar forever. I want to grow up and have a family and…well, you know," Yamato trailed off, shoving his hands in his pockets.
Sora smiled up at him, placing her chin on her fists again. "Sounds like a plan, Yama. I'll miss seeing you up there, though. You look good."
"Of course. So will all those other rabid fan girls of mine, too."
"YAMATO! You bigheaded jerk!" She punched his head, not enough to cause any damage, and propped her fists on her hips. "You're going to be late for school, so scat!"
"Nani? What'd I do?" Yamato yelped holding his head.
"Just go!"
"Sheesh, are you PMSing?"
"ARGGGHH!"
Yamato sauntered out laughing. Sora sighed and rolled her eyes. "What an arrogant jerk." Her lips twitched at the corners as she flipped the sign from 'CLOSED' to 'OPEN'.
.
Hikari sat down next to Ken on the wooden bench on the outskirts of the school yard. A few other groups of students were sitting on the long, narrow lawn and eating from bentos or wrapped bread packages. The bench Ken had claimed was one of the few set under a large tree, deeply shaded from the bright, summer sun. She set her bento box on her lap and turned with a smile to her way-too-pretty boyfriend. He gave her a small smile back, much more relaxed and open than their first year of dating.
"How was your day, Ken-san?"
"It was all right. I have Inoue-san in my class again this year."
Hikari laughed at the disgusted look on his face. "I really like Miyako-san. Our classes share the same PE time, remember? We had fun laughing at each other fail miserably at pole vaulting. Did you have fun with Takeru-kun?"
Ken-san looked down at his bento box with a blank face. "We didn't really talk. We normally don't speak when you're not around, Hikari-san."
"Honto? Strange, I thought you two got along?" Hikari questioned, her head tilting to the side.
"We don't dislike each other," Ken-san hedged. Hikari's eyes narrowed.
"Why? Why do you act like you like each other in my company?"
"We don't wish to upset you."
"Why? Why don't you to truly get along?" Hikari pressed further.
"A difference in opinion," Ken answered tightly.
"Ken-san!"
"It's between Takashi-san and myself," Ken finally snapped. Hikari sealed her lips in a thin, firm line. She stabbed at a cherry tomato, wanting to curse when it darted from beneath her chopsticks.
"Hikari-chan! Over here!" Hikari looked over to see Miyako and Takeru weaving their way through the other students/
"Konnichi wa!" Hikari waved back and then turned to Ken. "Would you rather we sat just the two of us?"
"No, you enjoy your friends' company. I'll go back to my classroom and eat," Ken replied, neatly closing the lid of his bento and rising.
"Ken-san! I didn't want that!" Hikari protested, clasping his hand. He smiled at her, showing her he wasn't upset with her at all.
"It's all right. I'm not going to let you miss out hanging out with your friends because I don't like them. I'll eat in my class room and meet you at the front gate at the end of school," Ken told her gently. She frowned and his small smile widened. "I do have friends in my classroom, Hikari-san. I won't be lonely," he assured his, his tone gently mocking She laughed.
"All right. Thank you, Ken-san." She watched him rise and walk towards her approaching friends.
Ken nodded politely to Miyako and Takeru-kun as they passed. Miyako flipped her long braid over her shoulder and pointedly ignored him. Takeru nodded in return, smiling pleasantly. Miyako flopped onto the bench next to Hikari and Takeru sat on her other side. Miyako stretched out her long bare legs, threw back her head, and then peeked at Hikari from the corner of her eye, behind the wide lens of her glasses.
"Why'd jerkface leave?"
"Miyako-san…" Hikari said warningly, finally spearing her tomato and popping it into her mouth.
"Fine, why'd Ichijouji-san leave?" Miyako sighed, aggravated. Hikari swallowed.
"So he wouldn't be in the way. I didn't know you and Ken-san only pretended to get along, Takeru-kun. Why don't you tell me why?" Hikari shot at him.
"We just don't mesh." He shrugged nonchalantly. Hikari frowned.
"All three of you are pissing me off. You're all keeping secrets from me. Because of those secrets, none of you are getting along and I feel guilty when I'm with you two and without him or vice versa," Hikari all but growled, snagging another tomato and chomping down on it.
"Everybody has their secrets. Even you do," Takeru said easily.
"You know what secrets got me? A broken heart." Hikari snapped her bento closed and rose. "Secrets from people you care about just mess everything up."
"Hikari-chan…" Miyako pleaded, instantly contrite.
"Don't worry. I'm not breaking off our friendship again. I just need some alone time." Hikari forced a strained smile.
Miyako and Takeru watched as Hikari walked away.
.
Later that afternoon, Daisuke shuffled his feet over the pavement. Miyako had called when school ended, voice chipper and excited, and they had made plans to meet up at her house. He was slowly making his way there now, because he didn't see the point of going all the way, just to come all the way here in an hour, but he didn't know if he wanted to go. That morning on the train was repeating itself in his mind constantly. The way her eyes could meet his, the way her hair, now so much longer than he remembered, brushed her shoulders, the smell of her blueberry shampoo. His lips curved into a smile.
She still smells like blueberries. I can't believe it. I thought she wouldn't buy it after we broke up. She only started using it when I told her blueberries are the only fruit I like to eat.
Then, her voice…so quiet and soothing, whispering to him. The feel of her arm beneath his fingertips as he brushed past. The images were still so sharp, branded into his mind's eye as if they happened just moments ago. Could he really go visit and hang out and kiss Miyako when Hikari's stammering whisper couldn't leave his brain?
I'm so stupid. I just need to get over it. I've been dating Miyako-chan for three years! I really like Miyako-chan and…and I don't want to hurt her.
"D-Daisuke-kun?"
Daisuke's head raised quickly, his eyes wide. Hikari stood in front of him, wearing Miyako's uniform, and clutching a new, brown school satchel. Her expression of shock mirrored his.
"N-No way…again?" he stammered.
"How… strange… We never even saw each other at school last year. Now I'm going to a completely different school and I've seen you twice." Hikari pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and chuckled awkwardly.
"Are you busy?" Daisuke asked impulsively.
She glanced at him, answering before she could think. "I was…but Ken-san found out he had a soccer meeting." She paused and hurried on. "And you?"
"Not really…Miyako-san called…but she's got Computer Club. I'm not supposed to meet her till later."
"Don't you have soccer, too?"
"Nah…they're doing tryouts today, but I'm already on the team, so I don't need to be there."
"Oh…"
"Yeah…"
Silence fell between them. Breeze whistled down the street, ruffling her skirt around her knees, making his fire-patterned blazer flap around his slender torso. A few people walked past in either direction, most on cell phones, looking hurried or worried or completely oblivious. Daisuke made a move towards her, then dropped his hand when she glanced up. They glanced away, blushing a bit, before Hikari turned back to him, eyes on the pavement.
"How have you been?"
"Okay."
"Good," a quiet, simple reply that made him grin.
"How have you been?"
"All right…"
"Cool."
"Mmm." Hikari made a short nod.
"You…um…" he broke off, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Yes?" she perked up eagerly, amber eyes on his face, waiting as her cheeks flushed.
"You want to have some tea?" he blurted. All those long ago emotions, they weren't so long ago after all. He never forgot how pretty she looked her eyes lit up, how pale amber they became when she blushed.
"Pardon?"
"Want to go have some tea? To talk, I mean."
"…What about Miyako-san?" Hikari whispered.
"I told her I didn't know if I wanted to go over. I don't really feel like hanging out with my girlfriend right now. I just want to talk to someone who knows me," Daisuke said, stepping forward. Her eyes widened and she looked way, biting her lip.
"I don't know…Miyako-san and I just became friends again…"
"We aren't doing anything wrong. Just tea…and maybe…blueberry muffins?"
Hikari blushed slightly. "You noticed this morning?"
"Yeah…" Daisuke chuckled, taking one more step. She leaned towards him, but kept her feet in place.
"I guess…I would like to go have some tea…and blueberry muffins…" she finally acceded, stepping towards him, making his whole face light up in grin just like her brother's. She giggled.
"Cool," Daisuke replied, closing what space remained between them.
"Mm hm."
They moved to side-by-side and walked towards a small café. A small smile still lingered on Hikari's lips. Daisuke had both hands behind his head, grinning widely, as he walked beside her. It was so nice to be there again. He gazed down at the back of her neck where her hair parted and fell over both shoulders. He cleared his throat and began to chatter about his summer soccer program and she listened with that attentive silence he missed.
.
"I hope Mimi-san is able to digest this." Koushirou read the back of the container with a frown.
"It should be okay. It's plain yogurt." Iori smiled. Koushirou smiled sheepishly back.
"I worry too much, I'm afraid," Koushirou conceded, placing the yogurt carton in his shopping basket.
"Was she very sick this morning?" Iori asked in concern.
"Hai. Jyou-san said she was feeling better at lunch, but she still wasn't keep anything but crackers down," Koushirou informed him, eying the strawberry yogurt drinks.
"Maybe it's a stomach flu."
"We don't know yet, she doesn't have a fever. I did want to get something other than rice crackers for her to eat, though. You think a banana will stay down?"
"We'll see how the yogurt works, first," Iori suggested. Koushirou put the bunch of bananas down and a shared, wry smile passed between them. They moved down the aisles as little faster, perusing the shelves lazily.
"Where's Takeru-san?" Koushirou questioned, remembering suddenly that the blond was supposed to meet them there.
"Hm? Oh…basketball try outs. He's a first year in senior high. I forgot to tell you. I'm sorry," Iori explained with an apologetic shrug. He eyed the prune juice drinks his grandfather loved, wondering how many the old man had stashed.
"Ah. Hikari-san and Miyako-san are the same year, ne?"
"Hai. Hikari-san, Miyako-chan, Ichijouji-san, and Takeru-kun are all in the same school. I don't think it's going to work out well." Iori-kun chewed his bottom lip anxiously.
"Doushite?" Koushirou asked in surprise. It wasn't like Iori to be pessimistic about something.
"Takeru-kun doesn't approve of Hikari-san and Ichijouji-san's relationship," the young boy confided with a slump of his shoulders.
"Why not? They get along very well. Hikari-san has calmed down as well. She was really emotional after that break-up," Koushirou queried as he tossed in a box of Pocky for Tai. Then, another, just in case.
"Which is why I tell him to keep it to himself, as he was partly to blame for the break-up," Iori told him with a frown.
"Does…Does his mother know you two are dating yet?"
Iori-kun shook his head silently. "She has been very sick. She had to be hospitalized for exhaustion and anxiety. The doctor said her heart was weak and she couldn't have any shocks until she's much stronger. She's slowly becoming integrated back into work, though, so we've been discussing if she's strong enough to know yet."
"I suppose that makes sense," Koushirou said slowly. "I wish you two luck."
"Thank you. We should hurry to your apartment to make sure Mimi-sempai is all right. You also promised to call Tai-sempai at band practice as soon as you got home," Iori pointed out.
Koushirou nodded. They hurried to finish their shopping and check out.
.
Kitty: Whoot! Chapter 17 done in good time! Almost done editing THIS end of the story.
