Kitty: HOYO! I can't believe I've slacked off this much this close to the end! I will try my damnest to finish this soon. The only excuse I have is well… all my college classes are time-consuming, my job blows ass, and the other night I crashed my car- furthering car troubles immensely and money problems… lovely. So… I'm boycotting Latin tomorrow and, thus, I shall, hopefully, be finishing this chapter.
Iron Reaver, your long-ass review (I am not complaining, just stating fact) brought up a lot of points I'd like to address. EVERYBODY WHO READS THIS STORY SHOULD READ THIS DAMNIT! DO YOU SEE THESE CAPS!? YOU BETTER DAMN IT! STOP AND READ/Ahem/ Thank you people who have stopped to read. Anybody who hasn't…you are no longer my favorite. I dunno what else I could do about it… ANYWAY! IMPORTANT ISSUES TO DISCUSS!
First: Skipping the Pheonix Wright tangent, ROFL, I would like to address the car thing. I kinda just realized…this is no longer a Taishirou…it's a Taishirou/ Miyasuke (yes, Miyasuke)/ Daikari/ Kenkari/ Kenyako/ Mijyou/ Somato/ Takori/ Saiori (one-sided)/and three more couples that haven't been introduced, and the grand finale couple-not-quite-couple that you'll really have no idea about until next chapter. The other "three" couples will be introduced in this story. I'm actually introducing a new character besides Wallace- who was in the original of this story to begin with, I usually bring him in. DO NOT PANIC! THIS NEW CHARACTER IS HERE FOR THREE-maybe four- CHAPTERS, THAT'S IT! I just need him for my Saiwa-plot-bunny. She was not originally in the story. Yeah, basically, what I was attempting to explain is that this story completely ran away with me. It was going to be very much Taishirou only. Only… it wasn't as good that way. All the other characters remained shallow and in the background. There was no anticipation, no waiting, just a linear plot of straight up Taishirou. Whereas…that's what people want the most, it's not everything I wanted. I'm trying to truly strengthen the writing skills I've got. I am a writer. I want to be a really good one. It's my love and hobby and true skill…I believe anyway. I've always had good plots, but never a great story. Because they were always linear. This story is my first… expansion, I guess, so it's going to be a little more difficult to follow because of that. Please, bear with me, it'll get back on track, I needed these tangents because that's what this story is now for. I'm really sorry if you don't like that. Taishirou will be back on main stream from now on, even if the chapter comes out later then I want it to.
Second: Miyako. Iron Reaver mentioned she wasn't very ladylike. Well, she's not. I'm sorry. She's a twenty-first century teenager who's based on the physical AND emotionally hurt. She's got self-confidence problems and has natural confidence at the same time. She's really a deeper character than Hikari. She's more real to me, personally. Yes, the decision to have sex with Daisuke because she knew she was going to get rejected for a third time wasn't smart, AT ALL. But she did it, because she's REAL. People do stupid shit like that when they're hurt. I know, I've done some stupid shit. Other thing about Miyako, it was blunt because I believe that fits her…and I might've been slightly lazy. I still haven't edited it all the way. Anybody wanna beta-read?
Third: The flashback- in case it confused anybody else. Uh…that was intentional. I wanted to confuse you at first. I'm a bitch sometimes.
Fourth: People, we will be dealing with abortion and putting Mimi's baby up for adoption and other really hardcore stuff about teenage pregnancies. I'm going to warn you, even though I don't want to, that it's going to get really, really sad and traumatic. Sorry, it's how it's going to happen, I'm not going to change what I've already made up. Actually, the story itself ends kinda traumatic and half-sweet, but mostly fucked.
Fifth: Ken and Tai. Ken is going to be a bitch. I hope I don't offend people with how much of a bitch he'll be. Tai…he's going to get really stupid…you won't be angry with him, most likely, but you won't be happy with him. Sorry.
This story gets fucked up.
Sixth: Dedicated to TellyNomial. I'm really sorry about my messed up Japanese. I learned most of it through fanfics and, apparently, a bad web page my friend copied out for me. I'll be taking your advice from now on, so mention anything else you see. Oh, and the name thing? I just get rather lazy and don't go back to see what certain people call other certain people. I usually have twenty pages of chapter, not including the author note, and I don't like re-reading it four times a night. And Arigatou? I knew that. I forgot how to spell it, but I knew how to pronounce it, I remember it ended in 'u'…but I didn't want to go through my 15 other stories to find where I wrote it ONCE to see if I spelled it correctly. Like I said I'm rather lazy sometimes…
OKAY! ON WITH THE SHOW! I PROMISE NEVER TO TALK THIS MUCH AGAIN! Oh…and I'm going to try and make you cry for the next like…ten chapters. Watch out.
ITALICS THOUGHT PROCESS AND/OR DREAM. FLASHBACK WILL BE ANNOUNCED FROM NOW ON BY WELL…/FLASHBACK/
BOLD A FOREIGN LANGUAGE /AHEM/ NOT "JAPANESE". I'M SURE YOU UNDERSTAND.
Chocolate Covered
Chapter Twenty
Chocolate Covered Love
"Attention class! Attention! I know it's getting close to the weekend, but you will be silent now." The rowdy teenagers quickly calmed.
Miyako, Takeru, and Hikari quickly turned to face the front. The teacher beckoned towards the open doorway and a young man walked through the door. Hikari glanced in Miyako's direction, however, when she heard a startled gasp. The excited smile on Miyako's face and the delighted surprise on Takeru's made her take a closer look at the young boy at their teacher's side.
He was very pretty in a way a lot like Takeru and Yamato. Blonde hair, fairer than even Takeru's muted gold, and eyes a lighter, clearer blue then Takeru's were the first features that caught her eye. The rest of him, however, seemed a lot different than her rather introverted, gay friend. The boy seemed… looser. His grin was easy on his face and his eyes seemed flirtatious and mischievous as they scanned the room without shame. His tie was loose around his neck and his shirt wasn't tucked in nor was his blazer buttoned. His hair seemed a little more… unkempt than Takeru's, too.
"My name is Hollows, Wallace. I'm from Colorado, North America. I, in seventh grade, was here for about half a year and have again wanted to come back. Now, but my Japanese is very bad. I think to need help." Wallace laughed. The class laughed with him.
&&&&&&&&&&
"Iori-san! Iori-san!" shouted an excited girl's voice. Iori turned to see his kendo trainee running past the door and then come back to look inside. He waved his hand so she could spot him.
"Isn't that a first year? What's she doing in this wing?" asked Tsuchiyo-san, the male classmate he could almost call a friend.
"She's a friend of mine." Iori answered. Tsuchiyo-san leaned over the desk and covered his mouth with his hand.
"Does she know you've got a boyfriend?" Tsuchiyo-san hissed quietly. Iori rolled his eyes.
"Tsuchiyo-san, please." Iori sighed. "Just because I don't bring him up in everyday conversation, doesn't mean he's not a secret."
"Who's not a secret?" Saiwa asked as she reached their desks. A small bento box and chopsticks were clutched in her hands.
"Sure coulda fooled me…I had no idea until I went over to your place to study…" Tsuchiyo muttered so the first year couldn't hear. She's kinda cute…
"It's nothing. Tsuchiyo-san jumped to conclusions. Tsuchiyo, Ren, meet Akizuki, Saiwa."
"K-Konnichi wa!" She bowed quickly with a bright flush over her face. Tsuchiyo raised an eyebrow.
"You don't have to get so flustered…" Her face blazed more so.
"Tsuchiyo-san, manners. What did you come to find me for, Saiwa-san?" Iori asked pulling an empty desk up for Saiwa to sit down. He sat back down to his bento box and took a small bite of rice.
"I have something fantastic to tell you! It happened yesterday after school and-" She exclaimed falling into the seat.
"You couldn't wait until after school to gossip? You're going to miss lunch." Tsuchiyo-san interrupted pointedly. She flushed and clutched her bento tighter.
"It… it won't t-take long… Gomen…nasai…" She whispered as the happy confidence fled from her face and voice. Iori glared at his almost-friend-whom-he-tutored. Tsuchiyo shrugged with wide eyes. He didn't know she'd get so down about it.
"It's more than okay. You can eat with us and talk at the same time, right?" Saiwa smiled brightly at Iori's words. She set her bento box on the desk in front of her and untied the handkerchief.
"I was going to eat outside on the lawns when I was done, but I'd much rather stay here with you. Arigatou gozaimasu!"
"You better remember to leave before the teacher comes back or all three of us will get in a crap load of trouble." Tsuchiyo warned. He started back in on his lunch that Saiwa had interrupted. Saiwa paled and jumped to her feet.
"I shouldn't stay. Gomen nasai!"
"Oi! I didn't mean you had to go now!"
"Sit down, Saiwa-san. Ignore Tsuchiyo-san, he doesn't have manners." Iori tugged on her arm. She sat back down gingerly. "Now, what did you want to say?"
Her anxious face transformed as if by magic as her lips curved up into a bright, sunny smile. Tsuchiyo flushed lightly when he saw dimples in her cheeks. God, I think she just got cuter…
"I found my angel! Well, my angel found me! I found my angel, just like you, Iori-san! He's got that pretty gold hair and those beautiful sky eyes!" Saiwa exclaimed her whole face glowing. She giggled slightly, her nose and cheeks red and her shoulder tensed up slightly.
God, now she looks like she belongs in a shoujo… Tsuchiyo thought taking a particularly vicious bite of pickled radish.
"What do you mean? What happened? When was this?" Iori asked confused and slightly worried.
"Girl talk. How disgusting." Tsuchiyo muttered rather loudly and rolled his eyes. He tuned out the rest of the conversation until something caught his ear.
"He told me he loved me!"
"NANI? D-Demo…!"
"I…um…fainted…" She murmured as Iori struggled for words. Tsuchiyo laughed and promptly choked on pickled vegetables.
"Tsuchiyo-san, when you regain your ability to speak, do not say one word." Iori warned. Tsuchiyo-san coughed and gasped- still half-laughing- as tears sprang up in his eyes.
"Is he okay? Are you okay, Tsuchiyo-sempai?" She asked nervously.
"He's coughing, he can breathe. He's fine."
"O-Okay…"
"What happened next, Saiwa-san?"
"Oh…well, I woke up on the bench with him still there. Apparently he had forgotten that 'daisuki' meant something more along the lines of 'I like-love you' rather than 'I just like you'." Saiwa explained blushing and fiddled with her chopsticks. Tsuchiyo cleared his throat at last and guffawed.
"Control yourself, Tsuchiyo-san." Iori sighed. He grabbed the chopsticks from Tsuchiyo's hand and shoved rice into his mouth.
"I better go." Saiwa whispered her eyes staring at the desk top. Tsuchiyo squirmed slightly at her sad face. She closed the lid of her bento box and retied the handkerchief. "Lunch will be ending soon and I'll be late. Ano…" She glanced at Iori and back at her hands as a blush rose. "Never mind…"
"You can come back again tomorrow, Saiwa-kouhai." Saiwa flushed at Tsuchiyo's insult. [1
"I would like to come back tomorrow for lunch, Iori-san, if it's all right with you."
"It's more than okay with me. I also apologize for Tsuchiyo-san's behavior." Saiwa rose as her blush heightened.
"I'm not a child, Hida-san! And you're not my mother!" Tsuchiyo grumbled.
"Then maybe you should apologize to Saiwa-san! You've insulted and upset her at least three times!"
"I'm all right, really!" Saiwa protested quickly. Tsuchiyo slammed his palms on the table and rose up to meet her eyes. She flinched and stepped back, startled by his movement.
"I'm sorry, Saiwa-kouhai. I didn't mean to upset you." Tsuchiyo apologized. Her blush covered her from chin to hairline at the sincere look in his eyes…and the closeness of his face.
"M-My na-name is A-Akizuki…" She stammered. She turned and fled with her dark hair whipping behind her. Tsuchiyo watched her go with a strange, almost hurt look on his face.
"I think she accepted your apology…demo…"
"It didn't really sound like, did it?"
"Not really."
&&&&&&&&
"So…do you understand everything, or should I repeat something, Izumi-kun?" asked a twenty-maybe-thirty-something year old woman with brown hair up in a clip and folders in her arms. She led him through the area full of cubicles and their inhabitants.
"No, it seems relatively simple. Arigatou gozaimasu, Harusawa-san." Koushirou bowed quickly.
"It will be. Once you get in the groove, it'll all fall into place."
Once I get in the groove
"You'll be working mainly with myself and in the copy/print room. We don't do those stupid intern-hazing things you see in the movies. We even get our own coffee from the break room. You'll just be following me around learning how to get the hang of things." Harusawa-san explained with a joking grin.
"I can't wait until Monday." Koushirou replied with a smile.
"First job?" She asked with an answering smile.
"Hai."
"Well, then, I hope it's a pleasant experience for you. See you Monday, Izumi-kun."
"Ja ne, Harusawa-san."
Koushirou left the office where he would be spending most of his time of his senior year. A software company isn't that bad. I just don't know what I want. I never thought past coming back to Tokyo to see Taichi again. Koushirou glanced up at the sunny August sky. [2 He sighed softly and pulled out his cell phone. Even a genius is stupid sometimes, it seems.
"Moshi moshi!" Koushirou smiled softly at the energetic voice of his boyfriend.
"Hello, Taichi. I just got out of my meeting."
"God, it took forever. We gonna go eat now?"
"Sure thing, Taichi. Just give me fifteen minutes to get there."
"Oh, right, Tokyo… So, you wanna meet up at the train station?"
"Yes, that'll be great." Koushirou slowly rotated his shoulder to loosen his muscles. "I'd rather just wander around until we find a good place to eat then try and think about it right now."
"You? Not think? THE APOCALYPSE IS UPON US!"
"Shut up, Taichi!" Koushirou laughed.
"You're no fun to tease!" Taichi whined.
"I'm just rather tired. I want to meet up with you, sit down, and stare at you for a while. Is that really too much to ask?"
"Having a bad day?" Taichi laughed.
"Yes. I'm just…well, tired. I think my brain needs a rest at long last."
"You sound like a fifty-year-old man, Izzy!"
"I feel like one." Izzy eyed the people rushing past him and dragged his free hand through his hair.
"All right, get over here so we can get to the staring part."
"You have a big head…"
"No…I cut that off three years ago." They both chuckled at the remark. Koushirou's chuckle died as he swiped his train pass through the slot.
"I'm watching as the train leaves me behind." Koushirou sighed. He ran his free hand through his hair. "Make it at least twenty-five minutes until we can meet up."
"Hell, what do I have to do? I'm free as a bird. I can wait for you, koishii."
"You probably have homework stacked up somewhere I don't know about."
"Maybe." Koushirou chuckled softly.
"All right. See you soon, Taichi."
"Yeah, I'll be there."
Koushirou snapped his cell closed and fell onto a plastic seat. He leaned back into the cold plastic and closed his eyes.
Too many classes, too little hours, a job, a boyfriend, sex, pregnant friends, secrets…god, no wonder I feel tired. I need to take a day off and just relax. Hmm…maybe just a few hours. I've got a few after the concert when Taichi goes to that party. Maybe I'll take a bath. I haven't had one of those since I was a kid… A frowned frown on Koushirou's worn face as his childhood came to mind. I need to call my mom. She gets worried too much. And dad…dad is probably going to have a stroke from high blood pressure if he doesn't hear from me soon. The frown deepened as the thought of his parents worrying about him increased his exhaustion.
"The whole point about being the best is so they don't worry." He murmured to himself. And to keep them from talking about…that "No use thinking about, Koushirou, it's been years and it's over. No use crying over spilt milk eleven years after the fact." He told himself. He threw his arm over his eyes and sighed. "So tired…"
His feet tiptoed over the carpet. He could hear the crinkle of wrapping paper and the low murmuring of his parents on the other side of the living room sliding door. He grinned excitedly and peeked through the barely ajar door. Sure enough, a roll of wrapping paper, dark purple in color, was lying on the floor. His parents were taping on present inside its paper skin and his dad was reaching for another one just out of his line of sight. He held his breath.
"Yoshiime, I really believe he's old enough to understand."
He frowned, his attention taken away from his present as his father spoke.
"I just…I just don't think I'm ready, Tamaki." His mother whispered, her voice trembling.
"I know it's still hard for you to think about your sister…and the accident, but it's time he learned the truth." Koushirou's red brows lowered in concentration as suspicions began to whirl.
"How? How are we going to tell him?!" His mother's voice rose in a way he had never heard before. "'Sorry, honey, your real mother was my sister who was driven off a cliff and died'? Or how about, 'we're not your real parents, yours are dead.'" Koushirou gaped and fell away from the door as tears sprang in his shaking eyes. Her voice became louder and louder as she spoke again and he couldn't help but hear.. "My…my sister…my immouto-chan…Yoshiiko…dead…driven off a cliff…and only her little boy left…Tamaki! I can't stand thinking about it!"
Koushirou stared at the glossy wooden floor beneath him, dimly hearing the hysterical sobs in the living room. Tears slid down his cheeks and fell, plopping, to the ground. He rose onto his hands and knees and forced himself to his feet. His feet slowly backed away from the hallway and he ran down the hall. He ran outside and continued to run until he couldn't anymore. He collapsed on the sidewalk in the middle of his neighborhood, close to the school bus stop. His hands stung from the scraps he created when he fell onto his knees and palms. Tears streamed down his face slightly as his mother's voice rang in his head.
No, not his mother. His mother was dead. He didn't have a family! It was all a lie! They lied to him! Everyday they called him son, everyday they smiled when he called them Haha-chan and Chichi-san, and everyday they lied.
Dead. How could his family be dead? For six years…he had a family, a name, a mom and a dad, and now…now he was nobody. Anorphan
Koushirou frowned in his sleep as noise from a train entered his hearing. But he didn't wake. He was too exhausted, too caught up in his dream to truly hear the whistle and whoosh of the subway.
&&&&&&&&
Tai waited outside the train station. He glanced at his cell phone to check the time for the fourth time in two minutes.
"He's late. Maybe the train is late?" He shook his head. "It's only been thirty minutes. He said it'd take ate least twenty-five. Five minutes isn't that long."
"Talking to yourself?" asked a feminine voice jokingly. He turned with his mouth open and a blush rising.
He stopped and stared.
"Izzy? Your hair…"
"I think we went through this last time, crazy-boy. My name ain't Izzy." The girl smiled.
The girl with blood red hair.
And black eyes.
And small, not-quite thin lips.
And a cute little nose that wrinkle when he smiled just right. Or she. Like she was doing now.
"Oh my god…" Tai sputtered. She laughed behind her hand. A hand that shook just the slightest bit. He noticed once again a little bit too late that her skin was so much paler than Izzy's already pale skin, and she was smaller, as if she was shrunken. And her eyes…as black as they were, were different from Izzy's. They were sadder, harder, darker.
"My name is Akamatsu, Haruko. And yours is?"
"Yagami, Taichi. I go by Tai." That name doesn't seem right. Didn't she have another name?
"Why? If you've got a real name, why hide it?" Her mouth was hard.
Tai blinked at her serious face.
"What? What kind of question is that?"
"I'm serious. Why pretend you're Tai, when you're Taichi? I'mnot going to call you Tai. You're Taichi."
"Only my boyfriend calls me that." Tai blurted without thinking. Her eyes widened.
"Boyfriend. I took you for a dumb jock, I apologize."
"I am a dumb jock. No, wait! I'm not a dumb jock! I play soccer!" Tai exclaimed finally snapping out of his shock. She threw back her head and laughed.
"Okay, so you are jock. I didn't realize even jocks got the gay cootie. How cute."
"It's not a cootie!" He cried outraged. She laughed harder, bending over double.
"You are so much fun! When was the last time I laughed like this sober? I'm just teasing, jock-boy."
"My name's Tai! And stop confusing me!" Tai shouted waving his arms. She wiped at her eye and then reached for her pocket. Tai's eyes widened as she pulled out a half-burnt cigarette.
"Damn, last one. And a half-assed one, too. I'm going to get the shakes tonight."
"You're already shaking! What the hell are you doing?" Tai snatched the half-cigarette from her hand and glared at her. "Izzy'sface isn't going to smoking these things. They kill you!"
"So? You don't even know my name! Give me that back!"
"Yes, I do. You're Akamatsu, Haruko, and you've got my boyfriend's face and figure. All that's different is your hair and these damn cancer sticks. I'm going to toss it!"
"You better the fuck not!"
"Okay, so your dirty mouth is different, too."
"Damn it!" She punched Tai's stomach, snatched the cigarette as he wheezed, and jumped back. "You touch this cancer stick of mine and I'll shove my fist so far up your ass, boy-o…" she trailed off warningly.
"That's fucking hurt." Tai gasped.
"Well, I grew up on Tokyo's streets, whaddya expect? A love tap?" She lit of her cigarette and took a heavy drag. "Thank god. Look, boy-o." She pointed her two fingers holding the cigarette at him. "I know these crap-sticks are bad for me, but I've done, and do, a lot worse than smoke tobacco. If I don't suck this shit down, I'll be sucking down smack. Well…you don't suck it, but you get my point!"
"Wha?"
"Yup. I'm a lot different from your saintly boy-toy. Now, if it makes you feel better, I haven't shot up in three months, but I've been shootin' for four years at least, so be glad I haven't broken down yet. You feel better now, mama-boy?"
"I am not a mama's boy!" He shouted rising on to his knees. She bent down to level her face with his.
"No, but you act like one." She grinned big.
"You're kinda a bitch."
"Yes, I am." She took another, smaller, drag. "Right, so I gots to go, boy-o. it's been fun."
"How old are you?"
"Don't you know it's rude to ask a lady's age before you know her name?" She smirked. She turned and walked away.
"Damn it, your name is Akamatsu, Haruko!"
"Actually, boy-o, you only got one syllable right." She turned to look over her shoulder at him. "I don't have a family, so I don't have a real name. See ya, Taichi. Kiss my face really good tonight, and mean it. My face needs the love." She winked and kept walking away.
Tai slowly rose to his feet and frowned, rubbing his belly.
"Who the hell is she?"
&&&&&&&&&
Mimi stood in the middle of her room. Her things were back where they belonged, her parents had hugged and cried and apologized and forgave for the past hour and even invited Jyou-pin to stay for dinner. He had declined on the account of having to be at work.
Her hands fell on her belly and bit her lip. Her eyes glanced to her purse. She walked over to where it lay on her bed and pulled out badly folded brochures.
" 'Abortion…Is it the right choice?' 'Teenage Mothers'." She whispered, reading aloud. "I can't be a mom…not now…I'm only eighteen. I'm still in high school and Jyou-pin…no, he's much too busy and I can't possibly get my parents to help…or Koushirou-san and Yamato-san or Sora-chan. I…guess…abortion is an option…" She glanced at the picture on the cover. It was a black silhouette of a woman holding a baby in her arms. "That's just the picture every girl needs when they think about killing their baby." Mimi sighed. She fell to the bed with a flop and tossed the brochures on the comforter.
She fell back and stared up at the ceiling. Her hands came up to rest on her belly. She began to think of what it would feel like huge and taunt and filled with baby. What would it feel like to feel her baby moving inside her? Knowing the baby was Jyou's? Would it have brown eyes like hers? Or those beautiful dark grey eyes she had come to love? Would it be a boy or a girl? What would her smile look like? Would she be a good mom? Jyou would probably make a great dad.
She smiled at the thought of her over-reactive boyfriend chasing around a little girl in pigtails wearing his glasses or holding scissors or something. Well…scissors might be dangerous…she would have to agree with the freak-out over that… She sighed again.
"I have no idea what to do. Maybe I should talk to Koushirou-san? I should probably tell Sora-chan. I can't burden Koushirou-san with this in his last year of undergrad school."
"Mimi, it's time for dinner. Why don't you come on down?" Her mother asked through the door. "Are you feeling ill?"
"No, I'm fine. Just a second." She grabbed her brochures and tossed them under the bed. She ran over to the door and swung it open to see her mom.
"I'm glad you're feeling better. Jyou-kun was so worried." Her mother said with a smile. Mimi felt tears well up in her eyes and she threw her arms around her mother.
"I love you, Kaachan! I'm sorry I ran off! I know you were just worried for me."
"I know you'd never do anything that would hurt you. I know Jyou-kun truly loves you, too. He's so worried about you and he was so sorry about stealing you away. I swear, he almost asked for permission to marry you."
"Very funny, mom." Mimi rolled her eyes.
"Mimi! There you are!" Her father ran up and hugged her. "I'm so glad you're back. You take it easy this week and rest up for high school next week. I made your favorite dinner. Just the smell will perk you up." He promised. She smiled and let her dad lead her towards the dining room with his arm around her shoulders.
"I was just telling Mimi about how we really like Jyou-kun. Don't you agree, dear?"
"Of course, I do. He's a real adult. He knows responsibility and he's going to be a great doctor. The perfect husband for our daughter. After you graduate, now. You can wait a few semesters, can't you?" her father teased.
"Of cour-course…" She choked halfway through her smile as the smell of roast beef and creamed corn reached her nose.
"I made American food. Didn't you used to complain about how much you missed it?"
"Y-Yes. Th-thank you…" She breathed through her mouth quickly.
"I made roast beef and this corn soup you like and I even got French fries. What do you think?"
Her breaths became faster as he waved the food towards her.
"Mimi, you're hyperventilating. Calm down, honey, what is it?"
"I-I think…" She felt the bile rise up in her throat. "I have to go." She ran out of the room, unable to calm down her raging stomach.
A few minutes later, she was clutched the toilet like a buoy in high seas as her vomiting finally stopped. She wiped her mouth with the back of her head and managed to push herself up to her feet. She stumbled to the sink and fought to turn the faucet on with her shaky hand. She sighed in relief as cool water splashed against her face.
"Mimi, honey, are you okay?" Her mother's anxious voice asked outside the bathroom door.
NO! NO! NO! I'm not okay! Mimi sobbed silently.
"Y-Yeah, kaachan." Mimi managed to call to her.
&&&&&&&
Koushirou frowned and his eyes slowly opened. Honey brown eyes were looking down at him with a worried frown line between them. Koushirou blinked slowly as confusion filled him.
"T-Taichi?"
"I got worried then you never showed up an hour later. I'm glad nobody ran off with you while you were sleeping. You looked so pretty." Tai teased. Koushirou flushed slowly and straightened off the bench he was slumped on.
"I'm not pretty, Taichi." Koushirou mumbled. He rubbed the back of his neck and then his eyes widened. "An hour? You've been waiting for an hour?"
"Well, yeah. I'm just glad you're okay. I was getting worried." Tai helped Koushirou to stand. His hand smoothed over his short, spiky hair and then cupped his jaw. Koushirou frowned as Tai stared intently at his face.
"What's wrong? Did something happen?" Koushirou grasped Tai's wrists. Tai shook his head.
"Not really. I just… met someone strange while waiting for you. Do you know the name…Akamatsu?"
"Akamatsu? No one especially comes to mind? Did an Akamatsu-san ask for me?"
"No… let's go to Odaiba. I'm still pretty hungry." Taichi grinned as Koushirou flushed once more.
"I'm sorry. I didn't realize how tired I was. Let's hurry." Tai's hands fell from Koushirou's face. Koushirou's hand slid down Tai's wrist and twined his fingers through Tai's. They shared a small smile and then walked up to the oncoming train.
&&&&&&&&
Saiwa watched anxiously for her angel. Her hands clasped together tightly until her knuckles became white. Eyelids fell over dark brown eyes as she stared down at the paved pathway beneath her feet. Wind rushed through the trees and leaves drifted through the air. The sounds of children and adults calling for crepes and runaway kites fell on deaf ears. Her clasped hands fell onto her lap.
A dream… my angel was just a dream.
Tears fell onto her clasped hands.
&&&&&&
"Hikari-chan!"
Hikari turned towards Miyako's excited shout. Her amber eyes widened seeing the transfer student holding Miyako's hand. Miyako seemed to be glowing.
"Miyako-san, Hollows-san." She bowed slightly and straightened. "I realized you were acquainted when Miyako-san ran off with you at lunch with Takeru-kun, but I didn't realize you were that close." Hikari's eyes met Miyako, questions in her gaze. Miyako's glow dimmed slightly.
"Daisuke-kun and I broke up last night." Miyako said before Wallace could say anything..
"Eh?" Hikari's face fused with heat. "Wh-Why? It's not because of me, is it?"
"No! Not really, we just couldn't make it. I finally gave up. I thought I was going to feel real crappy for a long time, but then Wallace-kun showed back up. I'm so glad you did!" She smiled brightly at the taller American student. He grinned back. Hikari could feel the chemistry between them.
"I before lived here. I at Miyako-chan's school studied for a year. I and Takeru-kun somewhat dated, but I and Miyako-chan always good friends were." Wallace explained with his cheery smile. Hikari smiled at his stilted Japanese. He seemed to exude friendliness and she couldn't help but like him.
"I'm glad, then, that you're here for Miyako-san." She paused, her eyes darkening. She bit her lip and tightened her hold on her briefcase. Miyako's eyes saddened.
"He needs you, Hikari-chan. I was never good enough." Miyako laid her hand on Hikari's as Hikari gasped.
"Mi-Miyako-san… I never…"
"I know." Miyako smiled softly. "But it happened anyway. I hope now… what truly meant to be can be. Go to him."
"B-But Ken-san…" Hikari's eyes lowered to the ground as shame made her face pale.
"Never had chance, either. We were both subjected to unrequited love, the one thing that bastard and I share."
Hikari looked up into Miyako's hazel eyes, searching for the right answer. She saw it in Miyako's sad but certain eyes. She gripped her briefcase and her eyes firmed. She nodded once, bowed to Wallace, and then spun on her heel. Hikari's shoulder-length swung as she ran away from Miyako and Wallace.
"What happened?" Wallace asked Miyako, his face bewildered. Miyako shook her head.
"It's complicated. I need to wait for soccer to let out to talk to Ichijouji-san. You go on home."
"Ichijouji-san? He the very smart asshole was, right?"
"Yes. I need to talk to him. Go on." Miyako shooed. Wallace frowned.
"I don't like him. I stay."
"No, you go. Didn't you say something about a Saiwa-chan?"
"Oh, right-in morning I pick you up at doorstep!" Wallace also ran off, waving.
"You better!" Miyako laughed.
&&&&&&&&&
Hikari felt the pavement pound into her thin-soled shoes. Her long hair bounced against her back and neck. Her breath became harsh. She skidded into the subway station and dropped her ID in her haste. Her hands were trembling with nerves as she slid the card through the slot. She bounced impatiently on her heels as the train slid away from Yamamoto. Before the doors had fully opened, she was running through them, past the crowds, running as fast as she possibly could. The familiar gates of her brother's old high school rose before her and her lips curved into a smile.
She stooped over, gasping, as soon as she stopped by the bleachers of the soccer field. Her amber eyes skimmed over the running figures. Red-brown hair flared in the sunlight and her mouth trembled. Her eyes tightened at the corners as she watched him hungrily, her heart unburdened from guilt.
&&&&&&
Miyako turned as she heard footsteps. She watched silently as the soccer team passed by. She held out her hand and grasped Ken's sleeve. He halted and turned towards her, surprise making his eyes wide. They narrowed and cooled when their eyes met.
"Inoue-san…"
"Ichijouji-san…there's something you should know." He blinked at the seriousness in her voice.
"What is it? Is something wrong? Are you hurt?" Concern made his breath catch. She shook her head.
"I'm fine. But… you should know… Daisuke-kun and I broke up. I already told Hikari-chan."
Ichijuoji's violet eyes widened and panic flared to life.
"What did you think you were doing?" He yelled angrily. His hands gripped her blazer and yanked her up against him. His violet eyes were hot with anger.
"You knew it was going to happen sooner or later." Miyako pointed out coldly.
"It didn't have to! Weren't you two doing just fine?" Ken snapped.
"Of course, except for the fact he's still in love with her, and her with him." She shrugged his hands off her shoulders. "I should go now." As she turned, Ken clenched his hands into tight fists.
"How can you be so clam about this? Did you care for him at all?" Ken demanded loudly with his eyes clenched shut.
"Of course I did." Ken looked up at the thickness in her voice. His eyes widened seeing tears slip down her cheeks. She looked over her shoulder and smiled weakly. "But it was nothing compared to what they had for each other. So… no matter much it hurts, no matter how much Daisuke-kun has become a part of myself, it was better to let him go."
"It's better to fight." Ken muttered, his own tone weak. Miyako's smile widened.
"I would normally agree, but I gave him everything I could offer, but all he could truly give me was pity." Her hazel eyes were hooded and she pressed her hands to her heart. Ken's eyes widened as her words sent his mind whirling.
"Did you… did you give yourself to him?" Ken whispered with his voice horrified. Miyako flushed and looked away.
"That's none of your business." She turned back around and began to flounce away.
His steps echoed loudly through the empty school courtyard. His hand grabbed her shoulder and yanked her around.
"I'm making it my business! How dare he let you whore yourself to him!"
Miyako's eyes widened and tears fell startled from her eyelashes. Her brows drew together and her face was filled with rage.
"ASSHOLE!" The resulting slap ricocheted loudly.
&&&&&&&&
"Saiwa-chan!" Wallace called past gasps.
Wallace came to a stop as he glanced around. The bench he had found her in the other day was empty. Their were people of all ages around him, but no shy Japanese girl with a white carnation in her hair. His light blue eyes scanned the crepe stand, but she wasn't there, either. His sun-washed blonde brows drew low and his pretty mouth thinned.
Where is she? I hope she's not crying all alone again. His fists tightened as his strange-protective streak coursed through him. He sighed and forced himself to relax.
"Maybe I'll see her tomorrow." Disappointment made his voice heavy.
&&&&&&&
Daisuke pulled back to a stop as the whistle blew. He wiped sweat from his forehead and sighed in relief. He grinned at the goalie. High-fives were exchanged with words of cheer and jokes. He jogged with his teammates to the locker rooms. As he pulled his shirt over his head, the players around him began to talk.
"Did you see her? She was just standing there staring."
"It looked like she was crying, dude."
"Didn't she look familiar?"
"What are you guys talking about?" Daisuke asked reaching for his towel and stepping out of his cleats.
"The girl standing by the bleachers. She appeared halfway through practice and just stood there the whole time." Daisuke's good friend Junoichi's eyes widened. "She kinda looked like the Yagami-girl from middle school. She was wearing a Seiya uniform."
Daisuke felt his heart thud.
"W-What?" He whispered.
"Didn't you date her, dude? Wonder why she came back to this podunk school."
"Are you sure it was her?" Daisuke demanded. Junoichi blinked at Daisuke's urgency.
"Yeah… pretty sure. Her hair's longer now, but that's it." Daisuke tossed the towel and raced out the locker room in only his shorts and socks. "OI! DUDE!"
Daisuke ignored his friend's shout and raced over the field. There she stood, her skirt dancing around her thighs in the August breeze. She raised her hand and pushed her waving hair behind her ear. She smiled and Daisuke could just barely see the trails of tears on her face. He skidded in front of her and stood, breathing heavily, staring down at her. Slowly, her hand rose and touched his chest with just her fingertips. His heart thudded beneath her fingers wildly. Sweat made her fingers slid over his tan skin gently. Up and up her fingers traveled until they rested on his neck.
"Hikari…"
"Dai-kun…"
His hand reached up and gripped hers painfully. She smiled brightly and her other hand dropped her briefcase.
"Can we have our second chance now? Please?" Her soft voice asked.
Amber and brackish-black met.
"Yeah." He nodded once. Tears welled up in Hikari's eyes, but didn't fall. She smiled brightly, her shoulders shaking.
"I'll never be stupid again!" She exclaimed. She threw herself against his chest and ignoring the slight dampness of his skin. His arms wrapped around her and his face fell against her hair.
"Me either." Daisuke promised softly.
Hikari pressed her face to his neck and her fingers dug into his upper chest. His arms tightened around her waist. Both barely suppressed the shudders running through them. Their mouths were tight, holding inside all the pain.
Thank god… Their minds whispered.
&&&&&&&
Mimi curled around her stomach and held the phone to her ear. Outside, the sun was setting. She was so hungry, but she felt too sick too eat. Her shoulders shook with sobs as the phone rang. She bit her lip as the voicemail picked up.
"Sora, it's me, Mimi. Please, call me back. I need you." Mimi whispered. "Please…call me back…"
She lowered the phone and pressed the 'end' button. She curled tighter around her churning stomach and sobbed harder.
&&&&&&&
[1 Akizuki is insulted because a person she just met called her by her given name without her consent. It's a very rude thing to do.
[2 I realize I've been using the American school system instead of the Japanese- the beginning of a school starts in April in Japan. It was too late to change when I realized it. I'm usually pretty good at catching that, but I totally forgot.
Um... if any one wants to beta my chapters... go ahead and say something. I think it would be a good idea... you can even beta my earlier chapters! Nah...I'll do that myself, but I wouldn't mind some help for my last chapters.
