Another update. Not sure when I can update again since I'll be really busy until the end of September. For now, enjoy the chapter.
Translated lyrics in this chapter were made by me, as always.
Disclaimer: I do not own Gintama. It belongs to Hideaki Sorachi. I only own the plot, the ideas and the gag in this fanfiction.
Lastly, this chapter is dedicated to strwbrie. Eto naaaaa~ sana magustuhan mo!
The Sweetest Lie
I wanna see you, I really wanna see you,
It's a lie, and it's not enough to convey this love
Even if I wish upon a star
Looks like it's not enough to solve this
"You know, Okita-kun was at the goukon [1] yesterday."
The statement that Shimura Otae had told her as soon as she got to class was enough to make her drop her bag, which fell to the ground, making her yelp. "Ouch!" she said, wincing as the heavy contents of the bag squished her feet.
"You okay? Sorry for surprising you with that news." The class representative bent down to get her heavy bag and placed it at the side of her desk. "But yeah, we were all surprised that he joined us…"
Who didn't get surprised over the fact that the sadist joined yesterday's goukon? She herself got invited by Hammy, but her interest in those activities declined after… that eventful occasion in her life. Sure, meeting boys from other schools had been fun, but no one had managed to catch her attention like he did.
After all, Kagura wasn't the typical female shoujo manga heroine who, on her first day of school, would declare that her high school achievement before graduation was to: 1.) fall in love and 2.) get a boyfriend.
She had accidentally done number one (but was it really love, or just infatuation?), but she was never ever counting on number two. It was just too much for her heart to take.
And besides, Gin-chan would immediately beat the crap out of the poor guy who would dare try to date his 'daughter'.
"S-so, uh… any… females from the other schools who, uh—"
"Who got interested in him? Of course; isn't that a given already?" inwardly, Otae slapped herself as soon as she saw the depressed look on her best friend's face, dreading the fact that her prospect would immediately fall for a pretty face, or even go out with her. "But, he said he wasn't interested in meeting girls 'cause he joined the goukon for the sake of going to one."
Kagura gasped at this. "But before you react and moan over the fact that he's interested in the same sex, he did say he's… interested in someone. And obviously, it's a girl."
When the foreign exchange student's jaws dropped down, Otae nodded vigorously. "Yeah, the girls were surprised too… and after the karaoke, we tried bugging him about it but he wouldn't say anything."
Suddenly, she felt depressed. "I am so hopeless." She moaned, slamming her head against her wooden desk. Right now, she felt like crap: her head was a mess, her feet hurt, and many thoughts keep running in her head. Scenarios like him getting a girlfriend was enough to incite panic inside her, and she wondered vaguely if she should confess—
"Hopeless? Who's hopeless?"
Speak of the devil…
Kagura had been assigned to the seat at the back of the classroom, and just her luck, for this term, it was Okita Sougo who was seated on her right. Looking at the newcomer at her right, she glared at him. "None of your business." She said immediately, as she didn't want to deal with him today. All she wanted to do right now was mope around over this new 'development' in her Foreveralone Saga.
Why was it difficult to find a solution to this dilemma?!
"Geez China, I was just trying to make small talk, yet here you are, shooting down my attempts. Knew I shouldn't treat a tomboy like a girl." At this, Otae gave her an exasperated look, which she ignored. Instead, she stared at her aching feet, wondering if she should have it check by the nurse. In the end, she decided to bear the pain and think more about her situation.
As for Otae's earlier gesture…
Really, that was hypocritical of her best friend to give her that disapproving look, especially since class representative actually liked the gorilla president of the disciplinary committee, and was just being… violent over her affections for him.
Did Shimura Otae wanted her to be honest with her feelings, for once?
No way in hell!
Not only was it totally out of character, but her pride wouldn't allow it. It was the only thing she could cling on to, with all this plot twist and confusion that plagued her. She was willing to keep up with the pretense that she hated him as long as he doesn't figure it out. It might not do wonders with her conscience (it sounded something like cognitive-dissonance, from what she had read on the internet), or even her emotional well-being (she was dealing with a sadist, after all) but at least the charade was still up, and she was safe.
"Just leave me alone." She said, glaring at him.
He shrugged, then put on his headphones to block off any attempts to communicate with other people.
The class representative shook her head at the scene that unfolded in front of her.
If push came to shove, she would have to force both of them to play by her hand.
This one-sided red string of fate
I'll tie this to you today
I had to remind myself that it can't be helped if it doesn't happen
I knew it, it's impossible, I can't lie
My thoughts and feelings are filled with you
Today sucked balls again, Kagura told herself.
As she stuffed herself with the lunch she made at an ungodly hour of five in the morning, her mind drifted from the lesson that was currently being taught by Tsukuyo-sensei, whom she suspected was the person Gin-chan called 'annoying'. Tsukuyo, the history teacher, was a tall, blonde lady who spoke like the courtesans of the ancient times, if her classmates were to be believed. She found her accent and way of speaking rather awesome, for she had never encountered a Japanese who spoke that way until Tsukuyo-sensei introduced herself to the class.
Instead of listening to her lecture about the Sengoku Period, her mind drifted to her seat mate on the right, who was busy chewing gum.
When did it all begin anyway?
Until now, she couldn't understand how she had managed to fall for someone whom she didn't get along with. From their first meeting until now, she and him always got into petty disagreements. If they did not have arguments, they would always be in the opposite sides of every debate in class, which always ended up becoming too violent because either one of them would lose their temper and would prefer getting physical to settle it. Many tables and chairs had been sacrificed because of their antics, and as usual, the whole class has covered it up for them.
She'd give him points for looking handsome, but that was it. That stupid haraguro [2] could fool everyone outside their class, but not her or their classmates. His sadistic tendencies were well-known , and even he, Okita Sougo didn't deny it. Heck, even Ginpachi-sensei blatantly called him sado gaki, 'sadistic brat'.
She gave out a long sigh after swallowing her octopus wieners.
Why were her thoughts filled with him every waking moment?!
Shit, this was worse than her sudden obsession towards a foreign visual-kei artist who was prettier than a girl [3].
"Kagura, can you answer my question?"
She stood up immediately from her seat, placing her book down the lunch box to cover up what she had just been doing. "Yes, Tsukuyo-sensei?"
"Who won between Tokugawa Ieyasu and Ishida Mitsunari in the Battle of Sekigahara?"
"Tokugawa Ieyasu, of course." She said immediately, prompting the whole class to stare at her in awe. "What?"
"W-well… you got it right." Catherine, the resident nekomimi-wearing student of their class spoke up.
She rolled her azure-colored irises heavenward. Just because she was a foreigner didn't mean she was clueless about Japanese history. And besides, that beat-'em-up game she and Gin-chan had been playing until the wee hours of the morning helped her so much with remembering their names and their significance in history. "Of course I know all about it!" she said. "Though if I had my way, I think it should've been Mitsunari who won, 'cause he was waaaaaay hotter than Ieyasu!"
"China, stop distorting history just because you want to." Came the bored voice of Okita Sougo. "Or, in your twisted case, only because Ishida Mitsunari caters to your disgusting fantasies."
"Hey, he really is good-looking! Way better than Ieyasu!" she shot back.
"Stop distorting your reality with videogames that turn fat old men into pop idols."
"Why do you care?!"
" 'Cause I don't want you ruining Japanese history for me by spouting nonsensical opinions about how they look like in pop culture or even speculations on 'what could have been'."
Tension filled the air as yet another argument exploded between the two for two days in a row. Many of the members of Class 3Z wondered what provoked Okita to be bitchy lately, and at the same time feeling sorry for the foreign exchange student, who had gotten humiliated in front of everyone again. What made it worse was that the disciplinary committee member just had to do it in front of their teacher.
Tsukuyo sighed, wishing she had a cigarette right now on her fingers.
Those two again… and to her surprise, the normally loud exchange student looked like she was about to cry.
"Okita Sougo and Kagura, stand outside for the whole duration of this class. You need to cool off."
Kagura bolted as soon as she got the chance to do so, and as soon as Okita got out of the classroom to stand in the hallway, she was nowhere to be found.
She had managed to find a broom closet to hide into so she could let out the tears that suddenly made its way down her eyes.
His comments usually irritated her, but this time around, for the second time, he had embarrassed and humiliated her in front of everyone and Tsukuyo-sensei. Their 'private war', it seemed, was out in the open, and if this went on, she wanted out already. On the bright side, at least she finally confirmed that she didn't get turned on by the public humiliation. That, at least, ruled out the possibility of her turning into a Do-M like her classmate, Sarutobi Ayame, who was totally hot for Sakata Ginpachi-sensei.
Everything was becoming confusing, and even she did not know what to do anymore.
She wanted to be nice to him, but knowing him, he'd take advantage of her kindness.
If she kept up the charade, she would be safe… for now. In the long run, it would be difficult to even attempt a confession.
Why the hell was she acting all tsundere at him anyway?!
Kagura sighed, then kicked the side of the broom closet in anger.
Back to square one for her.
Notes:
1.) goukon - joint party between or among students from various schools for the sole purpose to meet new friends or, in some cases, get a boyfriend/girlfriend.
2.) haraguro - A person who is very much a people-person towards others, but is hiding his/her true self behind the smile. The real person behind the mask is actually mean, cruel, and clever.
Funny thing to note is that Gintoki actually called Okita a haraguro last Jump Festa Special 2005.
3.) foreign visual-kei artist who was prettier than a girl - pertains to YOHIO, a Swedish singer who made it big in Japan.
