It wasn't until the school day was just about to end that I really got a taste for the extreme click problem here. I mean it was obvious this morning but at the end of the day it really hit me. It was like partnering with someone new was like committing suicide or something.
"Alright class, today were revealing who your partners will be for the Christmas show. It's in one month so grab your partner and get to work. You'll be paired with someone of the opposite sex and you'll be required to sing a song together for try outs. School appropriate guys." Some guy in the back of the room groaned. "Those who pass through the try outs will sing in the big show." Our teacher Mr. Honne was a strict guy. He kind of reminded me of Mrs. Yowane. They both had grayish hair but looked really young. Mr. Honne was built like a body builder. His muscles were heavily shown through is white dress shirt. He wore his tie a little loose around his neck and left a button open. Apparently the girls in my class find him to be hot since they all stare at him like he's a good all period. I can't say I don't find him to be hot though.
When Mr. Honne handed me a piece of paper with a name at the top. Kaito Shion. I groaned. What are the odds? I'm so dead. He's gonna come onto me like flies to poop.
Kiyoteru leaned across the row and looked at my partner. His eyes widened. "That really sucks."
"Thanks" I mumbled. I looked at his piece of paper. "Who'd you get?"
"Rin Kaga. She's in my gym class. Kind of spastic. Not a single bad thing on her record." Kiyoteru said.
"Lucky." I moaned. I dropped my face onto my desk. "He's gonna kill me and if he doesn't, Akaito will." I sighed. "But then again, I probably wouldn't let them kill me so maybe they'll just try and then end up in the hospital." I banged my head on my desk. "I don't want to beat up people."
Kiyoteru patted my shoulder. "It'll be ok."
"No it won't." I moaned.
"I know."
"Then why did you say that?" I snapped.
"I figured you needed to hear that."
Almost everyone went to the front of the room and shouted questions at Mr. Honne until the bell rang. It was insane. At least Kiyoteru was happy with who he got.
After class, the whole school had a free period to get their partners and start planning for the big show. Kiyoteru and I decided to meet up at the front gates when the period was over so we could walk home together.
It took forever to find Kaito. Eventually I found him sitting in the back of the lunch room throwing a tennis ball at the wall over and over again. He seemed pretty bored. I figured he'd come here since he was probably trying to avoid this partner thing as much as possible. Just as I was about to say something he interrupted me.
"You found me." He stopped throwing the ball and crushed the ball in his hand.
"That's a waste." I murmured under my breath.
"I'm gonna tell you right now. I don't sing in front of people." He said flatly. "Go home earlier or something."
"Stage fright?"
He slammed his hand on the table. "You think I have stage fright you little bitch?"
"I don't know you to well so I have no idea if you do or not. Obviously you don't. Don't jump to conclusions. No wonder you don't have a girlfriend." I sat down at the table.
He banged his fist on the table. "I can get whatever girl I want."
I rolled my eyes. "And your over sized ego doesn't help you either." I reached into my bag and pulled out a piece of paper. "I don't care if you don't want to meet up for practice or anything but I expect you to at least learn the song ok. One practice is all I want before try outs. Just one and then when we don't make it through try outs we can go our separate ways alright."
He glared at me. "Don't tell me what to do."
"Do you want to pick out the song or should I?" I asked.
"I'm not singing anything unless it's rock."
I nodded. "Understood. I'll try to find a song and give you the lyrics tomorrow in first period." I put out my cell phone. "I think I can do that if I finish unpacking by 8." I rose from my chair. "See you tomorrow then."
Just as I was about to leave the room Kaito called. "Don't pick some girly crap. I'm not singing nothin' I don't want to."
I smiled. "Understood." I left without another word.
Kiyoteru was with some blond girl in one of the music rooms when I found them. Rin was excitedly scrolling through a list of songs on a lap top and Kiyoteru was looking over her shoulder at the screen.
"What about Dear you? That's a pretty song!" the girl asked with excitement.
"Whatever you choose is fine with me Kaga." Kiyoteru said.
"I told you, call me Rin!" Rin said with a smile. "I like dear you! Let's do that one!"
"I'll print up the lyrics tonight and we can practice tomorrow."
"Yeah!"
"Looks like your doing well already." I said as I shut the door. Kiyoteru and Rin turned around and looked at me.
"Glad to see you're alive." Kiyoteru said with a half smile.
"Kiyoteru told me you got stuck with Kaito! Sorry to hear about that! Maybe we can convince the principle to let us sing a trio!" Rin said.
"It's fine. I think Kaito might actually sing for the try outs at least." I said. I leaned against the piano next to the laptop that sat on a desk in front of Rin. "So you guys decided on Dear you. I love that song."
"Oh me too! It's so pretty!" Rin stood. "I forgot to introduce myself! My names Rin Kaga!"
"Nice to meet you I'm Miku Hatsune."
She hugged me. "It's so nice to meet you!" she didn't let go until Kiyoteru tapped Rin on the shoulder.
"Why don't you explain to Miku how the Christmas show works?" Kiyoteru asked.
Rin let go of me. "Ok!" Rin smoothed out her skirt then started talking. "The Christmas performance is where everyone gets recognized for there talents! Record labels and Talent Scouts fill up a good 30% of the theater seats! If you get in, you will most definitely get an offer from someone! That's why they give us so much time to do this project when in most classes; they'd only give a week or two! You get judged by the most highly regarded music teachers for try outs! At the performance, the audience votes on the winners threw an electronic poll thingy! The winning duet gets two trophies! Last year the winners were Mizki Murakami and Piko Utatane! Mizki's super mean but she has a beautiful voice! Piko definitely deserved it to win! He's here on a full paid scholarship you know! He's not considered high classes around here! He lives with commoners!"
"So what?" I asked. "There are more lower classes then upper class you know. If the lower class wanted to kill us off, we'd be dead in 2 hours time."
"That's so scary!" Rin shrieked.
"So Piko's an outsider like Kiyoteru and I?" I asked.
"Yeah! Me too! I don't know why but people find me to be very loud and annoying! I don't get it!" Rin tapped her chin. "Maybe it's my laugh that's annoying!"
"I don't find you annoying at all. You seem to make any situation happy." I said.
Rin shrieked and hugged me. "It's official! You're my new best friend ever!"
"Miku?" Kiyoteru asked.
Rin was still hugging me so I had to tilt my head back as far as I could go too look at him. "Hm?"
"Is Kaito really gonna do the competition?" Kiyoteru asked.
"I believe so. He seemed sincere. I can tell he's one of those guys that refuses to be sappy if he can help it so his acceptance was sort of implied. I hope he'll do it." I said.
"That's my Miku, so optimistic!" Rin said snuggling against me.
"If anyone in this room is optimistic, it's you Rin." I chuckled.
"Aw! You're just saying that!" Rin shrieked. "Oh I know! Let's all go out and get some ice cream!"
"Rin, you don't need any sugar. It will push you over the edge." Kiyoteru said.
"That's so funny! My doctor tells me the same thing!" Rin laughed. Kiyoteru and I looked at each other with suspicion but I couldn't help but laugh along with her. Eventually, Kiyoteru joined in. "Then off we go!" She grabbed her lap top, stuffed it into her bag, pulled her bag over her shoulder and marched towards the door. "Ice cream ice cream we all steam for ice cream!"
"It's scream, not steam." Kiyoteru corrected her with a chuckle.
"Is not! It's most definitely steam! We all steam for ice cream!" Rin announced.
I laughed and slid my arm around her shoulders. "Ice cream ice cream we all steam for ice cream" I sang. Rin smiled and sang along with me. Kiyoteru refused to partake in our little song but he laughed at us a good amount as we made our way to the entrance of the school. When we opened the door to the school the gang was out there. They were by the gates blocking everyone's exit. A few normal looking girls stood next to Akaito. One of them looked angry while the other two looked scared and cowered behind the angry girl. We slowly made our way to the gate.
"Listen girly, I'm not singing in no contest. Get over it." Akaito snapped.
"No you listen you big sack of meat. I'm not going to flunk because you won't sing. I don't care if you do sing. Just show up. We at least get 20 points for that." the girl was obviously ticked and boy was she gonna clobber Akaito if he didn't start listening to her.
"Forget it." Akaito snapped.
"Just show up. It wouldn't kill you" Lily said nudging Akaito.
"Screw you." Akaito said.
"You could always flick off the teachers and walk off stage." Lily pointed out.
Akaito pondered that for a second. "Fine whatever. Just go away."
The girl smiled. "Don't be late." She walked away with her two friends who looked mortified. I bet they'd be more mortified after they see what these idiots are probably gonna try to do to me.
"Hey look, its pig tails." Luka said.
"My hairs not in pig tails" I called as I approached them.
"Better find a new way out. No one gets through unless I say so." Akaito said getting in my face.
"Back off smart ass." I stomped at him and he flinched. "Maybe you'd have a girlfriend if you weren't such a bully. Girls like sweet guys that actually listen to them. Not big meat heads wearing black jackets. I pushed past him pulling Rin along with me but Luka caught Rin's hand. Rin shrieked and tried to pull away but Luka's obviously stronger then she looks.
"Looks like pigtails found herself a new friend." Luka said with a sneer.
"Leave her alone." I grabbed Luka's hand that was around Rin's. "Just because you lost your parents as a child doesn't make bulling people ok."
Luka's eyes widened. "How'd you know that?" Luka's hand loosened just enough for me to pull Rin free.
"There is no reason to resort to violence Luka. Just because you have the ability to hurt others, doesn't mean you have to. All the pain you cause won't make your parents proud of you."
She stared at me blankly for a while. I was shocked the gang actually sat still so long. Luka shook her head then glared at Akaito. "Let them go. There not worth it." Luka walked over to him. "You wouldn't want to lose me in your gang would you?"
Akaito glared at me then sighed and looked down at Luka. "I'd never want that Luka." He pulled her to him and gave her a quick kiss.
I pushed Kiyoteru and Rin away from them before Akaito changed his mind about us. Just as we were about to step into the street, Rin's Limo pulled up.
"Would you guys like a ride?" Rin asked.
"Anything to get us out of this mess." Kiyoteru answered. They both slid into the Limo. I was about to get in when I heard someone call my name. I turned to find Kaito standing right behind me. He pushed me aside from the door. "She'll be getting home a different way. Got a problem with that four eyes?"
I half smiled. "I'll handle it ok?"
"I expect to see you tomorrow." Kiyoteru pointed out.
"Scouts honor." I raised my hand.
Kaito growled under his breath and slammed the door. The Limo drove away with Kiyoteru sticking his head out the window. I went to wave goodbye but Kaito caught my hand and pulled me across the street. He seemed very admit about taking me where he wanted so I let him pull me along. It seemed like we walked 10 blocks before we finally went into a building. It was a Ramen restaurant. Everyone seemed to know Kaito. They seemed to like him a lot too.
The manager walked up to us. "Kaito my boy." He slammed a hand onto Kaito's shoulder. "Are you working tonight?"
"Maybe later. I've got some school work to do." Kaito said.
"This your girlfriend?" the manager asked. He smiled at me. "You're gorgeous for a high school student." He kissed my hand.
"Thank you very much sir. I appreciate your kind words." I smiled. "I'm Miku Hatsune. It's an honor to be in your restaurant." I bowed slightly.
"Please. Call me Uncle." He pushed me over to the bar. "Order anything you'd like, you eat for free."
"Oh no, I could never do that. Really, I don't mind paying." I said.
"Don't give it a second thought." He handed me a menu. "Anything you'd like." He thumped one of the men behind the counter. "This girl eats for free anytime."
"Yes sir." The worker guy said.
Kaito sat down at the counter next to me. "Order the Miso. It's our chief's specialty." Kaito slammed his hand on the bar. "Yo foreigner. Get us two Miso."
A man with green hair walked over to us. "Just because my parents are French does not make me a foreigner." The guy pointed out.
"Yeah well you look French so you're a foreigner to me." Kaito took my menu and handed it to the guy. "Make it snappy Mathieu."
"Please take your time. I wouldn't want to distract you from other orders." I said with a smile. "Kaito says Miso's your specialty. I'm sure it's delicious. I'm sure it's worth the wait."
Mathieu smiled. "Thank you dear." he kissed my hand. "Come by anytime. I'll make you something delicious."
"Thank you very much." I smiled. "If I could bother you for some water, I'd be very grateful."
"Coming right up my dear." he went to go get my water.
"You don't have to be so nice. There normal people, not business associates." Kaito said not looking at me.
"You'd be shocked to know that I'm usually this nice. It is only people who really piss me off that bring out my violent tendencies." I elbowed him. "It wouldn't kill you to be nicer. Just because you're muscular doesn't mean you can be an ass to everyone." I crossed my arms. "And you better tell the manager that I'm not your girlfriend."
"Yet." Kaito said. He still didn't look at me. Why's he so distant from me? Most guys like him are forceful…but Kaito's the direct opposite. Well maybe not the direct opposite but he's definitely not extremely forceful.
I rolled my eyes. "You know when you say stuff like that, it makes you sound like an over expectant douche bag."
"Thank you." He finally looked at me and even though his face said he didn't care, his eyes said he was happy-ish.
I sighed. "So why am I having early dinner with you at a Ramen shop?"
"Date." He answered.
"Not a date if I don't acknowledge it's a date." I pointed out.
"It's a date." He stated. Mathieu placed two glasses of water on the counter.
"Thank you so much." I said with a smile.
"No problem." Mathieu said. He leaned over the counter. "So Mrs. What's your name?"
"Miku Hatsune. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Pleasure's all mine sweetheart." He really was cute.
"Please don't let me keep you for work. I'm sure you're quite busy." I said gesturing at the orders on the order thingy.
"Good point. Nice meeting you Miku." He kissed my hand again then went into the kitchen.
Kaito glared at my hand. "Your just gonna let him do that?"
"Why not? I'm single and young. Mathieu's cute. I'm a woman Kaito. I can't flirt with men?" I asked.
"No you can't." he grabbed my hand and wouldn't let go. I guess this is his attempt at holding hands.
I patted his hand. "Loosen your grip. Your gonna crush my hand." His grip loosened but he didn't look at me. I laced my fingers with his. "I wonder what's in Miso. I never asked before." Kaito looked down at my hand then back at me. "Do you know?"
"Know what?" he snapped at me.
I sighed. "Never mind." I removed my hand but he grabbed it again and continued to crush my hand.
"Miso is made up of 14 different ingredients. Vegetable oil, garlic, ginger, ground pork, bean sprouts, cabbage, carrots, warm water, chicken bouillon powder, sugar, soy sauce, miso paste, chukamen noodles and sesame oil." Kaito answered.
"That's really exact. Do you make Ramen?"
"Of course I do. I work here don't I?"
"You never told me that Kaito so I didn't know." I pointed out. Kaito sighed and his hand went loose in mine. At least my hand could move now. I laced my fingers with his. "I think that's really cool. I'm not good at dealing with meats or vegetables. I prefer chocolate. I use to make Peppermint Tree Bark during Christmas time. I learned how to make it when I lived in America for a year."
"You should keep making it if you like it so much." He didn't look at me. I guess he's being distant. That's fine with me. I feel like the only way to get through to him is to flirt a little. I can tell everyone in that gang is suffering from something. I don't know why but I feel like I need to do something about it. They all seem to be nice people despite them being in a gang. I bet I could break through there tough exterior if I try hard enough.
I half smiled. "Are you trying to be nice to me Kaito?"
"No." Kaito mumbled.
"Cause it sounded like you were." I said with a mischievous smile.
"Well I wasn't. You must be going senile or something." Kaito said now looking at me with slight anger on his face.
"I'm pretty sure you were trying to be nice right there." I smiled with satisfaction.
"Well I wasn't. If you thought so well good for you." He removed his hand and crossed his arms. I laughed. As I laughed he slowly got angrier. "What's so damn funny?" He demanded banging his fist on the table. The glass of water on the counter in front of him shook.
"Nothing you'd understand." I said slowly calming down. Kaito stared at me with suspicion but then went back to not looking at me. I sighed and took a sip of my water. "So I was thinking we'd sing Cantarella. It's kind of an old song but it sounds nice. I'll get the sheet music tonight. It's originally meant for a guy but I think it'd be more romantic sounding if it was more of a duet kind of thing."
Kaito didn't say anything for a while. When I was about to say something he spoke. "Whatever you want."
"Really? I thought you'd hate it."
Kaito looked at me. "Just because I'm a gangster doesn't mean I only like rap."
"I…I guess I did look at you in a stereotypical way. Sorry." I looked down at my hands. "I've never been very close with guys when I was in middle school. Most of them were afraid of me or they only liked me for my looks. I guess I don't know what to think of you just yet." I chuckled. "Pretty pathetic right?"
"Yeah." He agreed.
I punched his arm. "This is the part where you say, no that's not pathetic at all." I snapped.
"Then you shouldn't have asked my opinion." He crossed his arms again. "Why are women so complicated?"
"Why are men such idiots?" I countered banging my fist on the counter.
"Two Miso's." Mathieu said placing the bowls on the counter in front of us.
I picked up my chop sticks and stabbed one of the vegetables. "Men."
"Women." Kaito mumbled picking up his chopsticks.
"Did I miss something?" Mathieu asked as I plopped the vegetable into my mouth.
"No" Kaito grumbled under his breath. We both ate in silence for a few seconds. "I challenge you to an eating contest."
"Alright. What's your wager?"
"If I win you go on a date with me tomorrow night." He smiled deviously. "At a place of my choice and you have to wear what I ask."
I grabbed his shirt. "I'll agree to that if my parents will let me walk out of the house in whatever you pick for me to wear."
"Fine."
"If I win, we go on a date tomorrow at a place of my choice and you have to pay for everything."
Kaito's eye brows rose at what I beat but he smiled just the same. "You're on." Kaito announced. "Mathieu, come out here and judge our contest. I want to make sure she doesn't cheat."
"Same to you Kaito." I snapped at him.
Mathieu sighed and walked over to us. "Fine." Mathieu raised a napkin into the air. "You may start in three…two…one." Kaito and I began to plow food into our mouths. I finished the last of my Miso as Kaito at his last noodle. I slammed my chopsticks on the counter. "I win!"
"No far. You cheated." Kaito demanded.
"How did I cheat? You were watching me the whole time." I looked a Mathieu. "Did I cheat?"
"Not that I saw. You can really shovel down food." He said.
"Thank you." I smiled and patted my stomach. "That was delicious. Your right Kaito, the Miso here is delicious."
"Your very lady like aren't you?" Kaito chuckled.
"Shut up. You're the one that challenged me." I punched him. "We'll meet out side this lovely establishment at exactly 7 pm. If your late, I'm gonna pick somewhere really expensive and order whatever the most expensive thing on the menu is."
Kaito slammed his chopsticks on the table. "Fine whatever." He got up from the bar stool. "I'm going upstairs." He walked around the counter and into the kitchen.
I looked at Mathieu. "Where's he going?"
"Kaito lives upstairs. His father is the owner of the business. Kaito insists on having separate apartments. I can give you my key to his room. I made a copy." Mathieu held up the key.
I took the key. "Thank you." I walked around the counter and hugged him then headed for the stair case in the kitchen. Kaito's father (a.k.a. the manager from earlier) stopped me.
"Heading up to see Kaito?" he asked.
"Yes sir, I mean uncle." I smiled. "The Miso was very delicious. Thank you so much for treating me."
"Don't give it a second thought sweetheart." He smiled. "Anything for the girl that snatched my son up. Anyone that can deal with my son can eat here for free anytime."
"He's not so bad." I chuckled. "But he's not easy either. Tough guy. Hard to crack."
He laughed. "That he is." He pushed me towards the stairs. "You kids have fun and remember to be safe." He winked at me.
I blushed. "That's not–Were not gonna–I mean." I rubbed my arm. "That's not what we're doing." I turned and awkwardly walked upstairs