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By Mrs. Strata
Ryo crouched low to the ground, a football wedged firmly between his fingers. "87, 46, 39, HIKE!" He threw the ball behind him to Kento, who caught it and took off running. Sage sprinted in his direction, intent on tackling him. Kento threw the ball to Rowen, just before he was knocked to the ground. Rowen grabbed it, turning around to see Ryo heading his way.
"Over here!" Cye yelled. Rowen tossed the ball to him, watching it sail through the air in a perfect spiral. Cye jumped up and caught it mid-air. But as he was coming back down, another pair of hands covered his own. "Wha-"
"Hey there, Blue eyes," Selena rested her head on his shoulder. "Y'know, I'm beginning to enjoy our little meet-up's."
"S-S-Selena, I-I-" Cye dropped the football, blushing deeply. Ryo and Sage cheered.
"Fumble! We win!" Sage cried, giving Ryo a high five. Kento got up angrily and walked over to where Selena and Cye were standing. He knocked Selena's hands away from Cye's and scowled at her. She returned the look.
"Just what the hell do you think you're doing?!" Kento yelled. "You just cost us the game, you witch!"
"Excuse me?!" Selena's voice turned icy. "But I don't think you're dumb game is of that importance! I was trying to have a conversation with Cye, and you just interrupted. BIG mistake, fatty!"
"Look, I don't like to hit a lady, but since you're obviously not one-"
"Yeah, I'd like to see you try and hit me, you over grown elephant!"
"Kento!" Cye cried, looking horrified. The other three were about to intervene, when a soft, but commanding voice stopped all of them.
"Selena, what are you doing?" Venus had arrived, a mixture of question, hurt, and anger clouding her face.
Selena instantly dropped her clenched fists to her sides. "I-I'm sorry Venus. I won't get into a fight."
Venus looked only slightly relieved by the promise. "I don't want to be kicked out of another school, Selena," she said gently.
"I know, I know," Selena backed up a couple steps, then joined Venus at her side. Kento wasn't so ready to end the fight, but Cye stepped in front of him, his glassy, sea blue eyes, pleading with him not to push the battle any further. Kento sighed, and composed himself as best he could.
Venus looked at the five and smiled. "Ohayo guys. You're to school early today."
Ryo smiled back. "Hey, Venus. Yeah, we don't know how, but we all got here before the chimes rang for once, so we thought we'd play a game." He and the others walked over to a near by tree, picking up their letter jackets. They had come off during play, but the bitter cold was already demanding they be put back on. Venus' eyes lit up.
"These are really nice," she said, reaching up to trace the huge red letter "R" embroidered on Ryo's. "Can I get one?"
"Only if you've got a boyfriend," answered Sage, smiling at her.
"Oh," said Venus, sounding disappointed. "I guess I won't get one then." The chimes rang and the group headed for the entrance. Sage turned around when he noticed Venus lagging, due to a heavy bag she was pulling with her. He slowed his steps.
"Can I carry that for you?" he asked.
Venus looked unsure for a moment, then nodded. "Thank you... Sage." He smiled. She was calling him by his first name! He picked up the bag and the two walked into the school. When they had reached their adjoining lockers, Sage set the bag on the floor.
"Can I ask you what's in this?"
Venus opened her locker before answering. "American history books for a project Ryo and I have to do. Thank you again for carrying it for me." She stole a glance to a few rows down, but the person she was looking for was gone.
"Oh, it was no problem, really," Sage leaned up against his locker, brushing a few strands of hair away from his face. "So, Venus," Venus turned to focus her attention on him, "I was thinking, if you're not busy this weekend-"
"SAAAGGEE!" Sage jumped as Venus was pushed out of the way to make room for Ayako. "You didn't meet me for lunch yesterday, Sage!" She seemed more upset with who Sage had been talking to, than the fact that he'd missed their date. "But if you promise to go out with me tomorrow, I'll forgive you!"
Sage made a face and put a hand on her shoulder. "Uh, sure, whatever you say, Ayako. Now, could you just hold on a minute, I was trying to talk with Miss Yasu." He moved Ayako aside and finished his sentence to Venus. "If you want to go out with me." To his dismay however, she was no longer there. Sage sighed, upset with Ayako and the fact that he now had to go out with her. The chimes rung again and he hurried to class.
"Students, due to a problem yesterday, we will be assigning you to your partner for this semester today." Sensei Gurn looked to his papers, before continuing. "Miss Yasu?"
"Yes, sensei?"
"Since I do not have your records from your other school, I will be ranking you as the lowest scoring student for this semester. This means you will be paired with our honor student, Rowen Hashiba. Rowen?"
"Yes?" Rowen stood up.
"You and Miss Yasu will be working at table number one." Gurn wave his hand in the direction of the table and Rowen waited for Venus to get up, before walking over to the designated spot. Sage watched the two of them with dismay. Couldn't he get lucky and end up with her just once?
"Mr. Date, you being our second highest ranking student, you will be working with Miss Ayako. Please take table two." Sage's look of dismay increased as he listened to Ayako's high-pitched giggle.
"Yes, sensei." he muttered, getting up. Ayako latched herself onto his arm, as he tried to fight her off. Gurn finished pairing up everyone, then gave out the assignment.
"It's nice to get to talk to you again, Rowen," Venus said shyly, twirling a piece of equipment between her fingers.
"Hmm? Oh, you too," Rowen replied absently, going over the lesson. "Can you hand me that vile over there?"
Venus sighed and retrieved the tube. I'd hoped to get to talk to you, anyway, she thought.
Rowen looked up.
"I'm sorry," he said, smiling. "School's kinda important to me. I was listening. I just wanted to double check this equation again." He tapped on the book. "If it ever looks like I'm not listening to you, just slap me."
Venus looked horrified by the joke. "I'd never do that!"
"I was just kidding," Rowen laughed, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Now, let's get started and you can talk to me while we're working. I promise you I'm listening."
Sage slammed his book down on the table, glancing at Rowen and Venus again. Now's when studying extra last year would've helped. Of course, there really was no way to beat Rowen's IQ of 250 unless Sage had the same IQ himself. He looked at them again, Rowen leaned over Venus, showing her how to do something. With an angry growl, and without paying attention to what he was doing, he poured his entire vile into another one.
"SAGE!" Ayako screamed. "What are you?! That will blow up!" Sensei Gurn looked up at him as did the rest of the class.
"Oh, god..." Sage muttered.
"Out of the classroom, NOW!" Gurn yelled. Rowen grabbed Venus' wrist and bolted for the door, following everyone else. Once out of the classroom, they flung themselves on the ground, just as the lab exploded, sending glass and bits of other stuff flying into the hall.
"Well, there's something that never happened at my old school," Venus commented, as Rowen listed his arm off her head and helped her up. Rowen nodded and scanned the group.
"Sage?" he ran up to his friend, who was leaning against the wall, his face buried in his arms. "Sage, you okay?" Rowen shook his arm a little.
"Rowen, if you're any kind of friend, you'll kill me, right now. Please."
Rowen looked even more worried. "Sage, are you hurt?"
Sage finally looked up. "No, not yet. God, please tell me my hair still looks good."
Rowen tried to hide a smile. He was definitely alright. "It still looks good."
"Mr. Date!" Sensei Gurn roared, his face red with anger. "That was an UNCALLED FOR MISTAKE! You'll be seeing me AND Principal Hojo after your last class today!"
"Yes, sir," Sage said meekly.
Rowen stepped up next to Sage, hoping to defend his friend – or at least reduce the oncoming punishment. "Sensei, it was an accident. An accident that would not have occurred if you'd been monitoring us like you're supposed to be." He threw a glance at the adult manga the teacher had managed to grab before leaving the room. "Perhaps you could tell Principal Hojo what you were doing instead?" Gurn cleared his throat, his face no longer red because of anger.
"Well, Mr. Date, I guess I can let you off this time. There's really no reason to let Principal Hojo know everything, is there? Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll make sure the classroom is safe to return to."
Rowen smiled at Sage, and Sage returned the smile.
"Thanks, buddy, I owe you one," he breathed, putting a hand on Rowen's shoulder.
Rowen nodded his head a little. "Anytime Sage."
"Do you know what this means?" asked a student.
"Yeah," said another, "no chemistry for at least two weeks!" A cheer went up from the group of kids, and they immediately started thanking Sage for his "accident". Rowen stepped back, allowing Sage a chance to enjoy his fame. He nearly ran into Venus who had come up behind him.
"Thank you very much," she smiled.
"For what?" Rowen asked, puzzled.
"For saving me."
"Oh, well, y'know..." Rowen ran his hand along the back of his neck, suddenly very shy. "It was nothing, really..."
"I wouldn't call it nothing!" Venus protested. "And I'd like to show you how grateful I am. Would you like to come over for dinner Saturday?"
"I can't." The answer was short and crisp, although it was not directed at Venus.
"Oh." Venus looked at the floor, hoping Rowen wouldn't catch how upset she was. He did anyway and felt maybe he should explain to her why, even if he didn't enjoy telling people about his family.
"I can't because I'll be at my dad's this weekend. He and my mother are divorced, so..." he trailed off.
Venus nodded her head. "Well, I can understand. I guess it really was rather dumb of me to ask. Ja mata, I'm gonna wait outside my next class." Rowen frowned as he watched her walk off. It hadn't been dumb, it was a sweet gesture. He was the dumb one for not taking her up on the offer.
"Venus! Wait!" He ran to catch up with her. "I'll be home Sunday around sevem, if you think, I mean, that is if the offer still stands, I could come by then."
"That would be fine." Venus was smiling again. "Seven it is. I'll see you then."
"Fourteen," Ryo challenged.
"Twelve," Kento countered smugly.
"You two are such late bloomers," Sage sighed. "Six."
"He wins again," Ryo groaned.
"What did you expect?" Rowen asked, for once eating instead of reading.
"I'm a little afraid to ask," said Venus, taking her seat by Ryo, "but what are you talking about?"
"First kiss," Ryo informed her. He turned back to Sage. "Six? With who?"
Sage smiled, tossing his hair. "I don't recall her name. But she was cute."
"Akane Choskabe," Rowen offered.
"So, what about you Cye?" Selena asked. "Who was your first kiss?"
"My first... uh, I..."
Sage laughed. "Cye hasn't kissed a girl yet. He can't even ask one out, so kissing's really out of the question."
"Oh really?" Selena smiled. "Well, that's okay. I like a guy who doesn't have any experience." She put her arm around Cye's shoulder and tested her head against his arm. Kento, who was sitting on Cye's other side, scowled, pinching Selena's fingers to make her release her grip. The two stared at each other in contempt, trading whispered insults, with Cye caught in the middle.
"What about you Rowen?" Venus asked.
"What? Oh, I-"
"Please!" Kento cried with a smile. "You don't know who it was? She's right here!"
Rowen looked confused and a bit embarrassed. "Kento, I haven't-"
"See," Kento snatched one of Rowen's books. "This is the book which received his first kiss. Wasn't she lucky?" He changed his voice to a high-pitch giggle. "Oh yes, I was so happy to know that I was Rowen's first kiss! Teeheehee!"
"Gimmie that!" Rowen snarled, taking his book back. The others were trying not to laugh, but Kento's performance had been incredibly funny considering Rowen's well known love for books.
"Fine, laugh," Rowen sniffed, trying to sound hurt, although he was ready to burst into a fit of laughter along with the others. "It's not like I helped you," he glanced at Sage, "out of trouble this afternoon or anything."
"Oh yeah, I didn't get to thank you for that yet," said Kento. "Great job blowing up the chemistry lab Sage. What I want to know thought, is how the second highest ranking student in that class ended up mixing the wrong things and blowing it up?"
"I got paired with Ayako. Does that answer your question?" Sage decided it wouldn't be best to give the real reason, especially with Venus sitting a few feet away from him.
"Very well," Kento chuckled.
"You sure you don't want me to walk the rest of the way with you?" Kento asked Cye, as the two walked home together. They had long since parted ways with the other five – to which Kento was quite grateful for. He didn't mind Venus along with them as they had left – she didn't seem interested in anything other than school, and she was constantly talking with Ryo, maybe Rowen if she happened to catch him when he wasn't busy with something. But Selena had insisted on coming too, hounding him and flirting with Cye until they'd gone.
Cye smiled. "Really Kento, I'm not six years old anymore. I can take care of myself," he teased. "No, that's fine. You'd better get home soon anyway or Aunt Huang will worry about you." Cye and Kento had been best friends for so long, they'd fallen in the habit of calling each others parents "aunt" or "uncle". "Besides, you've got a long walk home, and I don't want to make it longer. I'll call you tonight to see what Mom says about me coming over, though, 'kay?"
"All right. Catch ya later, Cye," Kento took off in another direction, waving his hand as he disappeared down the street.
"Ja ne!" Cye yelled. "Where's he off to all of a sudden?" Cye looked up and realized he was standing in front of his house. "Why that low down, sneaky... stalling me until I got here." He sighed. "What am I going to do with him?" He slid open the door to his house, kicking his shoes off on the way in. "Mother?" No answer. "Mom?" he called again, sitting his books on the hall table. He checked the kitchen, but she wasn't in there either. He thought for a moment, trying to remember where else she might be at this time. Maybe in the greenhouse? He walked to the back door, pushing it open while pulling on his geta. Once outside, he stood for a moment, admiring how peaceful his family's garden looked. It had taken them years to perfect the huge paths of stone filled with trees, shrubs, several ponds – one complete with a waterfall – and bridges. Cye thought they owned the most beautiful garden in all of Japan – even if he'd been told different. He started for the back of the yard where the greenhouse sat, his geta clicking softly on the stone.
He reached the small heated building, and made his way inside. "Mother, are you in here?" Still no answer. She's probably at the market, picking up something for dinner. He turned the disk on one of her pottery wheels, allowing it to spin lazily as he looked at the pieces on the wall, ready to be fired, or taken to town to be sold. A tiny splash caught his ears and he turned around with a smile. "I'm sorry, I didn't come say hello to you first," he apologized, walking to the other side of the room where several fish tanks sat. Goldfish of all shapes, sizes, and colors swam behind glass, silently gliding back and forth through the water. During the summer they had the freedom of the outdoor ponds, but in winter, Cye brought each of them inside the greenhouse, looking after them. "Are you hungry? Here, I'll feed you." He took a bottle from under the shelf and sprinkled it's contents in each tank. He came to the last one, his smile widening. "Hello, Gin, and how are you?" The immense silver fish stared back at Cye, it's tail rippling with tiny waves in the water. He was Cye's favorite and had been in the family for many years. Even though Cye had learned early on that fish don't live long, and it was unwise to get attached to them, he had grown quite fond of Gin, even bringing him inside on occasion.
"Cye! Are you out here?" The door opened and Sae appeared. "There you are! It figures you'd be out here talking with your fish."
Cye frowned. "Yeah, they're not snippy and uptight like some people I know."
"Whatever," Sae sighed in her big sister way. "Mom's home and she's in the kitchen."
Cye nodded and brushed past her, quickly making his way inside. "Mom!"
"Hello, Cye!" Tsukiyama, a gentle looking woman with soft, brown hair, greeted him warmly. "How was school?"
"Fine." He began to help her unload the items she'd brought home, setting them on the counter. "Mom, may I stay with Kento this weekend? His family wanted me to help with the restaurant again."
Tsukiyama took the horenso Cye had just handed her and started slicing it into strips. "I don't see why not. I know how much you enjoy working there."
"Thank you!" Cye threw his arms around her neck, and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Can I help with supper?" he asked, looking at the cookbook Tsukiyama had laid out.
"Of you would like. Hand me that soy sauce will you, dear?" Cye did as he'd been asked, then warmed up the wok for her. Soon, delicious odors began wafting through the house. Cye was just about finished with setting the table when Sae walked in.
"Mmm, I can tell right away you helped make dinner, didn't you?" she asked.
"Of course," answered Cye. "After all, I know how to make a meal."
Sae frowned. Where as Cye had been cooking since he was knee-high, she had never really perfected the art like him. "Yeah, and I have to admit, you're almost as good at cooking as you are at knitting."
"I do NOT knit!" Cye yelled. "Mom!"
"He started it!" cried Sae before Tsukiyama could say anything as she walked in the room.
"I did not!"
"Yes you did, you baby!"
"I'm not a baby!"
"Children, please," said Tsukiyama softly. They stopped and looked at her. The fatigue of raising two teenagers by herself shown on her face as she sat down. "Can we just enjoy our meal in silence? Sae, stop teasing Cye, and Cye, stop agitating your sister."
"Yes, Mother," the two mumbled, also sitting down. Tsukiyama said a small prayer, and they began to eat. Most of the dinner was enjoyed in peace – until the phone rang.
"I'll get it!" Cye and Sae yelled at the same time. They leapt from their spots and dashed for the phone. Sae, however, was a little faster, and snatched the phone before Cye could.
"Moshi-Moshi?" Her face changed as she recognized the voice. "Masaki! Heehee, I've missed you, too!"
Cye made a face. It was Sae's boyfriend all right. "You saw him this afternoon!" he hissed. "How pathetic!"
"I have a boyfriend and you don't. Who's pathetic?" Sae sneered.
"I should hope I don't have a boyfriend," Cye shot back.
"Aww, what's the mater, he dump you?"
Cye shot her the nastiest look he could and gave her a hard shove. She shoved back, then pretended to ignore him as she talked with her boyfriend. Cye gave up fighting with her for the moment and turned back to help his mom clean off the table.
"She is such a pain!" Cye muttered, throwing the dishes in the sink. He winced as they clattered together and then looked up to see Tsukiyama staring at him. "I'm sorry, Mother," he apologized. "But she'll be on there all night! And I promised Kento I'd call him."
"She won't be on there all night," Tsukiyama reassured him. "And you have plenty of time to call Kento tonight. Right now, however, I would appreciate it if you would feed the fish, and then start your homework. I'll make sure your sister is off the phone by the time you're done."
"I already fed the fish. As soon as I came home. But I'll go do my homework, if that's what you want."
Tsukiyama nodded, and Cye left for his room. A comfy, homey place, where Cye always felt safe. He was lucky enough not to have to share a room with his sister anymore, even if the space he had now was small. A desk, bookshelf, and foton took up most of the room, but everything was neat and orderly, as it should be. Cye sat on the floor and opened his books, sighing as he listened to Sae giggle from the kitchen again. I hope I'm not that bad when I meet someone.
A couple hours passed, and when Cye looked up, arching his back to relieve a crick, it was eight-thrity. He'd better hurry if he wanted to call Kento. Both had parents with early bedtimes, even at their ages. He ran into the kitchen, only to find Sae still on the phone. He frowned in dismay. How long is she going to be on there?!
"Sae!" he yelled. She looked up and frowned back at him.
"Go away you little pain!" she hissed. "I'm not getting off the phone till I'm good and ready!"
Cye's face hardened, then in a sudden, perhaps stupid move on his part, he pressed down on the receiver, cutting her off with a grin.
"Why you...!" Sae slammed the phone down and chased after Cye. "You just wait until I catch you!" She and Cye tore through the house, out into the garden, then into the pottery shed where Tsukiyama was working. Sae passed the fish and suddenly stopped. Cye looked back when he realized she wasn't chasing him anymore, only to find her holding up Gin's bowl.
"Gee. Cye, wouldn't it be a shame if I dropped this?" she mocked.
Cye's face took on a look of horror. "No! You wouldn't! Put Gin down!"
"Oh, okay," she let one of her hands slip a little. Cye gasped, growing more upset by the minute.
"Mom! MOM! Sae's trying to kill Gin!"
"Only because you cut off my call with Masaki!"
Tsukiyama appeared, her hands covered in clay. "I thought I told you to wait until I got her off, Cye," she scolded gently.
Cye looked to the ground. "I'm sorry, Mother, but Kento will have to be in bed soon, and so will I..."
Tsukiyama nodded in understanding and turned her stern look on Sae. "Give Cye, Gin, and do not do that again. These fish are rare and you know how much it would cost to replace one such as Gin, don't you?"
Sae nodded, and handed the bowl to Cye, who cradled it in his arms.
"It's okay, Gin, I won't let her do that again," he soothed. Sae rolled her eyes.
"Take him inside for tonight Cye, and call Kento," said Tsukiyama. Cye nodded. "Sae, why don't you help me out here for a while?"
Cye left, careful not to splash any of Gin's water on the floor as he entered the house again. He sat him on the table, while dialing Kento's number. "Moshi-Moshi, is Kento there? Hi Kento, Mom said I could stay. Yeah, I'll just walk home with you. Okay, see you tomorrow." Cye hung up the phone, and glanced at the clock. Nine already. He sighed and carried Gin into his bedroom, once again setting him down. He got dressed for bed, then sat down, thinking a moment. He hadn't forgotten anything... had to make sure to set his alarm. He chuckled a little as he turned the knob. He and the others had already decided that the perfect birthday gift for Rowen was an alarm clock without a snooze on it, as Rowen tended to take full advantage of them. And it needed to be indestructible, too. He remembered Ryo telling him once, at a sleep over, Rowen had accidentally set the alarm on his clock. When it rang the next morning, Rowen simply got up and tossed it out the window before climbing back into bed. Cye laughed out loud this time. Settling under his covers, he fell into a peaceful sleep. Later, Tsukiyama came in, and careful not to wake her sleeping son, brushed some of the hair from his face and gave him a gently kiss good night.