#I’m saving for Mugi too.. please be so kind to me…..

[specialforprincess]

Yume: *crying noises*

Esu: Are you ignoring me!?

Kanna: There’s only Raika’s share left

Raika: I’m on Yume’s side

[danganronpasurvivoraskblog]

Always too late.

Hup! Yup! Wah!

*With a skip in her step, Yukari runs across the floor above Makoto. He rushes over to the stairs and clambers up them as fast as he can.

(If there’s anything good about this situation, it’s that this warehouse is empty save a few small boxes. There’s no people around, so we won’t be putting anyone at risk!)

(On the other hand, it means that I’m alone. If I leave at any point or call anyone, she’s gonna get away. I can’t let that happen before I figure out what’s going on!)

Hup!

*Makoto gets up the stairs and chases Yukari along the warehouse floor.

HAAAGH!

GEH!

HUH!? WAAAAH!

*Makoto breaks out into a full sprint run and manages to catch Yukari. He grabs her arm, but all of a sudden, the love counselor grabs his back. With what seems like minimal effort, she tosses Makoto in the air and throws him back quite a distance!

Phew!

*She affirmingly cracks her knuckles and circles her neck as Makoto gets back up.

You know, I’m not usually catered to solving these kind of situations with violence...

That’s- *cough* total crap! No non-fighter has that kind of strength!

*Yukari turns around and takes a running leap off the railing. She grabs onto one of the steel beams supporting the ceiling again and pulls herself up on it.

I’m surprised too you know? Contrary to what Mugi-chan and Narumi told me about you, you’re actually kind of strong! From what I heard, had you been thrown back, you wouldn’t have even gotten up.

That was killing game Makoto. I’ve been training for this very moment!

And for the record, you’re wrong! Past Makoto and presence Makoto have one thing in common, and that’s that no matter what, even if it’s a hopeless situation, both of them will always get back up!

*Makoto also leaps off the railing and onto the steel girder. Yukari runs across it, and Makoto chases her. Despite the beam’s narrowness, Makoto effortlessly keeps his balance, recalling his training with Mukuro.

You’re not going to get away, no matter what you try, so just give up!

Sorry my friend, I really am! But that’s not how the rules go!

Bollocks to the rules! If you’re really sorry, tell me what the hell you’re planning!

No can do!

*Yukari suddenly halts in her tracks as she reaches the beam’s end. In order to keeo running, she’d have to get past a steel pillar in front of her, but climbing around it would allow Makoto to catch her.

...HAH!

WAH!?

*Makoto catches up and attempts to grab Yukari, but she suddenly allows herself to fall off the beam. Before she drops, she grabs the side and whirls aroun the beam, kicking Makoto off it and sending hi hurtling to the ground from quite high up!

WAAH!

*CRASH!*

*Luckily, Makoto’s fall is softened by a pile of boxes.

...!

I’m sure you’re determined to catch me and protect your friends.

But you cannot win against my glasses and my soul!

Stop talking like you’re a Sailor Moon villain!

*Makoto suddenly gets a bright idea. Yukari is a few seconds away from reaching a window. Makoto spots a smaller box at his feet and picks it up.

I won’t let you get away! TAKE THIS!

*Makoto chucks the box like a baseball, and it hits Yukari dead in the back of the neck!

GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGH!!!!!!

Huh!?

*Despite the fact that Makoto’s only intention was to knock Yukari off the beam, which he does successfully, for some reason, not only does Yukari fall, but she writhes on the ground in agony!

K-Koime, wh-what’s going on!?

*Makoto is too stunned and confused to approach as Yukari coughs splutters and finally gets back up.

Do NOT...do that...again...!

I just tried to knock you off the beam! If shouldn’t’ve hurt THAT much!

...

*Yukari gets to her feet and wipes her mouth.

Yeah...that was certainly an unexpected situation...But even I’m not above holding grudges.

*She suddenly takes out her phone and quickly types something into it.

What did you do? Call for backup!?

And ruin this cute little moment we have here? Please...

I was just letting Mugi-chan know there’s been a change of plan...I don’t plan on running anymore...

HAAAGH!

!!!

*Makoto throws another box, but this time, Yukari deflects it.

GAAAGH!

DRAAGH!

HAAH!

!!?

*Yukari rushes towards Makoto and before she can hit him, she grabs his arm and flips over him, attempting to hit him from behind.

HMPH!

!!?

*Makoto predicts this and catches her fist.

My oh my! Looks like Mukuro trained you well.

How do you know Mukuro trained me?

Well, it’s obvious for one thing...but I recognize her movements in the way you fight!

WAAAH!

*With Makoto still holding her, Yukari grabs his wrist and flips over, suplexing him.

DRGH!

NGGH!

AAAH!

OOF!

UGH!

*Makoto quickly gets back up and grabs Yukari from behind. He attempts to bend over backwards and throw her to the ground, but all of a sudden, Yukari turns and lands on her feet, capturing Makoto in her arms with the exact same move. She bends over and throws them to the ground.

...Tch.

HAH!

HAH!

*Makoto and Yukari both quickly get to their feet, recovering in the exact same way.

(This is too weird...she’s too strong for someone of her muscle structure...and it’s like she knows everything I’m gonna do...But...No, actually...)

...

*Makoto glares at Yukari.

(It’s not that she knows what I’m gonna do...she’s making predictions...because she fights the same way as me!)

Where did you learn all those moves.

Hm?

Mukuro taught me all those movements personally. She said they were one of a kind. How the hell do YOU know them?

One of a kind, eh? I guess “internet” isn’t a good enough excuse then, huh?

No.

Hm...well...we could spend a while talking about how much ass I kick...or we could fight...

Sounds good to me!

*They both lurch to their feet and start going at it. Yukari takes a swing, which Makoto catches. He twists her wrist, but she spins and uses her other arm to elbow Makoto.

YAGH!

HUGH!

*Makoto lets Yukari go and she attempts to high kick him. Makoto leaps back to avoid it though and kicks Yukari dead in the chest.

!!

GACK!

*Yukari doesn’t stay off balance for long, and immediately runs in and tries to punch Makoto. She takes two big swings, both of which Makoto ducks under and the third of which he blocks. She uses the opportunity to grab his wrists and knee him in the stomach.

TCH!

GRRGH!

ACK!

*Yukari runs and pushes Makoto up against the wall. She keeps him restrained there, but Makoto stamps on her foot, knees her in the stomach and backhands her round the face. He then breaks away from the wall, grabs her arm and twists it, and slams her head into the brick wall.

UGH!

*Yukari crumbles and falls to the ground. Makoto takes a second to catch his breath.

*pant* *pant*

*pant* *pant*

I’ll...*COUGH!* *COUGH* I’ll tell you this...I respect that...We might hate each other’s guts, but I respect that fight in you.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not some meathead like Narumi who fights because she adores it, but even I...know when to respect a good fighter.

Give it up Koime. You’re not going anywhere.

Oh, naturally...but I don’t need to...

Huh?

You win...you’ve got me...so I’ll tell you everything...

What’s going on?

See...your traitor already got to Samidare for us...They knew this whole meetup was happening and put a bomb in her building before you showed up.

A bomb!?

The bomb doesn’t need a denotator. It just needs to be activated...and it’ll explode at a certain time...

All I had to do...was draw you away from the building...

This...was a trap!?

You fell for it too easily...If I remember correctly, your Branch members, friends, and wife are in that about-to-explode building.

Clock’s ticking...

!!!?

UGH!

*Makoto smashes Yukari in the face with his fist and takes off running back towards Yui’s building after he knocks her out.

[thestarshiphope]

It seems Kokichi doesn't believe people can change huh. Show him how wrong he is guys!

Ouma.

Oh, look who finally decided to speak up.

I’ll admit, I’m still conflicted about this whole thing. But right now, I don’t care.

If you really think this mission is doomed, I’ll prove you wrong!

That was the idea I was trying to get across. But please, do enlighten me.

Yes, I’ll admit that maybe I did something horrible to my sister, and a lot of people did horrible things back on earth, but that doesn’t mean all humans are evil!

Well, yeah, I know that. There’s a lot of genuinely kind, upstanding people out there.

Or at least, there used to be. And even if there were, one good person does not a virtuous species make. Not when there’s 999 other bastards for each of them.

“Bastards” by your definition? What gives you the right to say that? Sounds like you’re just forcing your selfish ideas on people.

I’ve heard a lot of people say the same things as you, that the world isn’t worth saving and that people are only out for themselves. It gets old quick. Most of their arguments can easily be debunked.

I don’t believe in people because I think they can do no wrong. I believe in them because I know they can be better. They can change.

People don’t change, Akamatsu. Not unless changing benefits them somehow.

So because it benefits them, it’s bad? People can be allowed to be happy with themselves and still help others.

Like Kiyo-kun!

It’s true. I was...not in the best place when I came to this ship. I was still mourning my sister, sought to complete my mission...

And I look back at all the things I’ve done with shame. Part of me wanted so badly for you to execute me, but instead, you gave me a chance. You all helped me become a better person.

And I found someone who truly does care for me, as I care for her.

Nyahaha! Angie loves you too!

Don’t even get me started on where I used to be. Can’t even recognize my old self.

You always told us to keep our distance and hardly ever left your room.

How uncool.

You guys set me on the right path. I can’t thank you enough for it.

Do I even need to say it?

It always feels good to, because it’s true.

And it wasn’t just those three! We’ve all made huge progress! Miu-chan’s a mom, Shuichi-kun’s a real detective, Kirumi’s opened up, Mugi-chan’s way more confident, we’ve all taken big steps forward!

[petite-neko]

Stability - 2

Fanfiction: Stability Story Summary: It wasn’t because he was self-conscious or ashamed. No, it was because he was afraid. His greatest fear was being alone after all. Characters: Luffy, Zoro, Chopper, Nami, Ace, Sabo, Law Pairing: Eventual LawLu Rating: T Warnings: Swearing, AU/UA, canon-typical violence, angst A/N: Here’s part 2. When I’m coherent I’ll work on part 3

.xxx. = Time/scene skip

.+++. = PoV change

Read on Ao3

Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3

“These are for you Luffy.”

Vivi was smiling at him, her outstretched arms holding a few wrapped items.

Luffy blinked, tilting his head. “For me?”

That smile widened and Nami came up behind Vivi as well. She had that somewhat scary smile on her face – that one that knew everything. But, in this case it wasn’t that scary. They both nodded.

So he didn’t wait any longer, taking the gifts and tore off the wrapping. Clothes. They were clothes of some sort – like sleeveless shirts but… short.

Nami came up to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “You can use these instead of the bandages. We asked Chopper, and he said they’re fine and to use them like you use your bandages.” She was smiling at him. “So don’t wear them all the time. And you can put them on yourself, instead of coming to one of us to do it.”

And Luffy just stared at the gift.

Vivi was still smiling down at him. “And if you break all of them, just send me a message, as I know you fight all the time.” She said with a soft laugh. “I can always get you some more somehow.”

“Thank you!” He laughed, feeling tears in his eyes and wrapped the two of them in his arms.

.+++.

They always ensured to just let each of their new crew members know eventually about everything. Mostly it was because they kept getting into more and more dangerous situations, and they couldn’t afford to risk a shocking discovery in the middle of a battle. Of course, everybody took it with ease. Nobody had a problem with it.

The general populace never knew. There were a select few people that knew, such as those who knew Luffy before he set out to become a pirate (Ace, the Redhair Pirates, Luffy’s hometown), and then there was the doctor from Nami’s hometown. Vivi and Carue knew as well, being there when Luffy had admitted it to the crew. (Not to mention Vivi was unofficially a Strawhat, even if she couldn’t be with them.) Bon Kurei, too, knew. But mostly that was because of his devil fruit, and he made no comments or judgements on Luffy either. Nor, did it seem, did he reveal Luffy’s secret, even when they were enemies or captured by the Marines.

And, in Water 7, they found out that Luffy’s grandfather also knew. And supportive to boot. Just not in the case of his piracy.

If they found anybody who had been opposed to their captain – well, the Strawhats would ensure that they paid.

.+++.

He woke up, finding himself surrounded by women. He could hear them mumbling things, but he didn’t quite understand it. His head hurt…

…Where was he?

“…doing here?”

“…mushrooms.”

“…she doing alright?”

“Oh, she’s waking up.”

Luffy sat himself up. What had happened? …Wait a minute

He was naked!

“Where are my clothes!”

He quickly brought up his knees to cover himself. Shit. Shit. Shit. A bunch of strangers just…

(He could hear them, all talking about him. No. Not him. Her. they said. She they whispered. That girl.)

“Shut up! Shut up!” He demanded, covering his ears.

Finally, somebody brought him a blanket and covered him up. He was trembling, and all he could hear was those words. Those words that described somebody that he wasn’t.

“G-Give me my shirts back. Please.”

“What’s wrong, young one?”

Luffy looked up at the only one that hadn’t referred to him incorrectly. Her voice was thick with an accent, and she made some sounds that resembled a cat.

“Give me my shirts back!” He demanded. And his pants too. But his shirts first.

The old woman gestured with her staff and a single shirt was brought over. It wasn’t the outer layer, but the inner one. Well, that one was the most important one at least.

“Your other one was destroyed and in tatters.”

Luffy quickly snatched it before putting it on, letting the blanket cover his lower half.

(There. That was better. Much better.)

“You seem calmer now.” The old woman noted.

Yes, yes of course he was. His top was dealt with. Not to mention these women around him had stopped their chatter and whisperings. And so he nodded.

“Hmm….” And then the old woman leaned in, closely looking at his face. Her head tilted, hand going up to her chin. “So, tell me what brought you here.” There was a pause and she continued to look at him. “Girl.”

Luffy flinched and narrowed his eyes. “I’m not a girl!”

(All the women around him were talking again. Saying stuff like how and why and what and just asking questions all to themselves.)

The old woman held her hand up, clearing her throat.

“Boy, then, is it?”

(There were gasps all around, but a stern gaze from the old lady stopped them from talking even more.)

“That’s right! I’m Monkey D. Luffy, the man who will become the Pirate King!”

And after that, all of the women in the room just… jumped him.

.xxx.

The next thing he knew, he was in a prison cell, a blanket still covering his lower half – but, hey, at least they kept his undershirt on.

His head was starting to hurt less. And he was starting to remember now.

Kuma. His nakama…

He wrapped the blanket around his waist awkwardly and walked up to the bars.

The women were outside of the cell, staring at him.

His clothes were mostly missing. Apparently his shirt was ripped. But what about his pants? And Rayleigh’s vivre card! And his hat! And Ace’s vivre card!

“Where’s my hat?”

When Luffy looked through the crowd of women, he found one that was wearing it. “Ah! There it is! Give it back!” The bars were going both ways, but he could still stick his hand through it. With a grin, he stretched out his arm, snatching his hat back. Ah, yes. Much better. Undershirt, check. Hat, check. Some more clothes would be nice too…

(This time these women were whispering better things about him. Him. His. That boy.)

Yes, this was much better.

“Oi, do you know where my pants are?”

They said his shirt was tattered, right?

“Ah, your pants were ruined too. Here, we made you new ones.”

(Okay, scratch that, this wasn’t better at all.)

Frills. Flowers. Girly things.

“I’m a guy, dammit!”

And, just like that, the women became aggressive again.

“As I thought. Typical.”

That woman looked like a guard.

“We save your life, and you show no gratitude?”

Wait – wait… “You saved my life?”

But they didn’t want to listen. Even though he apologised.

“Men are forbidden from stepping foot on this island.”

…An island forbidden to men? What kind of place was this?

“Elder Nyon says that, even though your body is that of a woman, your spirit is that of a man. And that makes you a man. And, by being a man and setting foot on this island is a crime.”

He tried to apologise some more. Tried to insist that he didn’t mean to be here. That Kuma had sent him flying here. He didn’t know.

But they just held their arrows at him, not giving in.

“Just let me go! I made a promise to my nakama!”

Damn it all. Looks like he just had to run.

.xxx.

Impel Down had been chaos.

But now they were on their way to Marineford, on their way to the war.

Luffy was disheartened to learn that Bon had stayed behind to get them free, but he understood it. It wasn’t fair though.

But the thought of Ace kept him going. He needed to save Ace.

(He remembered, too, something that Bon had said to him: Iva. The miracle worker. “Hey! Maybe she can help you out Mugi!”)

Luffy placed his hand on his chest. His undershirt had melted away from Magellan’s poison. The only thing keeping it in place was bandages…

He glanced back to Iva, and he remembered when Iva had…

"Iva?"

"Yes Mugiwara-boy?"

"Do you think you can fix me? I wanna be myself, and Bon told me that you could help me with that.” Luffy looked over to the sea and hugged himself. He remembered his friends and their smiling faces. Vivi’s laughter and her present. How many did he have left on the Sunny?

“Bon-boy did mention someving like vat.” Iva had nodded thoughtfully.

Luffy blinked. “What do you mean?” Bon had…?

“He said to make sure vour upper body was covered and vrapped. Tightly. Combined with the fact vat vour clothes had all been burned away, and how he referred to you, it vasn’t too hard to figure it out Mugiwara-boy.” Iva flashed a smile at him. “Very vell, it may be uncomfortable given your circumstances but Vi’m certain you are more than villing. Hormone Injection!”

The stab in his side was a pain he had been becoming familiar to, unfortunately. There was more pain. Here and there. As his body changed. It wasn’t just pain either but… strange sensations as well. Shrinking and growing. “A-Ahh! Weird. I feel…”

His voice was changing, getting deeper… coarser.

His face felt funny. As did his neck. No. Everything felt funny. A weight was lifted from his chest, but something else happened lower.

“I-I…” He was dizzy after all of it. His voice – it was similar but different. It wasn’t quite that of a stranger, but he wasn’t used to it.

“M-My voice.”

He lifted his hands up to this throat – feeling a pronounced bump there. He felt his face – wider, it wasn’t like before. And then his chest.

“Gone! They’re gone!” The weight that was lifted from there wasn’t just literal either. No, it was symbolic too. A weight that no longer held him back or pushed him down. Gone! They were gone!

He laughed, wrapping his arms around himself.

(He could hear Iva laughing softly in the background.)

And then he pulled open his pants to look down.

“Shishsihi!” He laughed.

Complete. Whole.

This was who he was.

“Thank you Iva!” He said, and just jumped onto the Queen, wrapping his arms around them.

.+++.

“Luffy!”

Why? Why was that bastard here?! Such a reckless idiot! “Don’t come here! This is my mistake! Don’t go butting into my business!”

That damn fool! Why couldn’t he have minded his own business?

“I don’t give a damn about any of that! You’re my brother!”

…There just was something about Luffy’s voice right now. It was different. Maybe it was just the war. Maybe it was just the fact that it was Luffy’s voice that was the only one he could truly hear right now. That it was his voice that stood out in all of this chaos…

Whatever it was though, it sounded different.

(He could still hear other voices and understand their words however. But it was like a muffled buzz. Confusion. Astonishment. What? Ace’s brother? No way? Roger had another son?)

And now it was Sengoku’s voice that boomed out for all to hear. “Don’t be fooled! These two are foster siblings! Luffy’s father is not Roger, but Dragon the Revolutionary! Both of these siblings carry cursed blood in their veins! Don’t let this rookie take control of the war!”

Well, at the very least Sengoku wasn’t that heartless to reveal Luffy’s biology to the world…

(If he had, everything be damned, Ace would have tried attacking the bastard.)

“You idiot!” Ace screamed out to Luffy. Damn it all. If Luffy hadn’t….

“Ace! Stay there! I’m coming!”

And came he did.

.xxx.

“Hey, hey, that’s my little brother you are attacking there.”

After the two of them dealt with the swarm that came at them, Luffy had just… pounced at him, wrapping his arms around him tightly.

“Ace!”

…Wait a minute… Something was missing! And Ace pulled Luffy away and took a long, good look at him. No way! No way!!

“Luffy!” He was beaming down at his little brother. “You’re—”

“I know, right?” And Luffy was grinning up at him with sparkling eyes. “Iva fixed me up! I even have–”

“Luffy! Watch out!” Ace grabbed the arm that tried to slice his brother in two before blasting the offender away. “Let’s get out of here. Tell me all about it later.”

And Luffy continued to grin up at him before nodding and laughing.

To think, Luffy finally was in the right body…

God… he was so happy right now…

.xxx.

…Where was he?

(Explosions. Screams. Agony. Loss. Pain! Oh God! The pain!)

There was frantic beeping. People yelling. Hands on his shoulders.

“Calm down. Calm down. It’s alright. You’re alright…”

The beeping was settling down now. And his head… it was foggy... It wasn’t enough for him to lose consciousness yet.

“Wh-Where am I?” He croaked out. (Why was his throat so dry?)

“I’m Trafalgar law. A surgeon. You sustained major injuries, but I was able to resuscitate you. You’re currently on my ship…”

That voice drifted off and he couldn’t decipher the words anymore. Injuries? Was that why he remembered those sounds? Memories began to flood in now.

(”Leave! Get away from here my children!”)

(”Ace!”)

(”Die!”)

Ah… shit…

Luffy… Luffy… Luffy was…. (For some reason he couldn’t even muster the energy to panic about his brother.) “Luffy…” Even his voice was weak. Tired. Exhausted. “Luffy… where’s Luffy?” The world was spinning. He could barely think… “…And the Old Man? Where is he…?”

Those hands were on his shoulders again.

“Mugiwara-ya is recovering in the next room.” The same voice spoke calmly to him.

Oh, Luffy was safe. Ace felt his lips curling into a smile as relief flooded over him. Good… Good….

.+++.

Law sighed as he sat at his desk. Dealing with these two brothers was exhausting. He needed to keep both of them heavily sedated, and they were each concerned about the other’s wellbeing.

Luffy had been the first to recover, and he would constantly look into the window to Ace’s room. And, since Ace would regain consciousness from time to time, Law had to keep the man under constant sedation. Well, at least until Law was certain that sudden movements wouldn’t tear or rupture anything.

Thankfully he didn’t have to really worry about that with Luffy. Sure, he had to tell the idiot to not overexert himself, but moving around was fine.

(Although there was that time when Luffy had finally begun to move around on his own that made him question himself. Did he mess up on the dosage he had last given Luffy? Certainly, it was plausible considering how tired he was and that he was treating multiple patients. For one of the first things out of Luffy’s mouth – aside from inquiring about Ace’s condition – was: how do I pee? And, as Law thought about it more, it only made him believe more and more that he had probably accidentally given Luffy Ace’s dosage of sedative and painkillers. Which produced a rather unfortunate scenario for him, as his crew had left to check up on Ace and he was the only one there to answer Luffy’s awkward question. So, woe he went, since his obviously high patient was rather insistent on lacking the knowledge of just how to empty his bladder.)

Eventually, Ace had become fit enough for Law to take him off of the sedatives.

When he had come to, it was apparent that Ace remembered the few moments that he had been conscious and when Law had to calm the man down until the sedatives kicked in.

Tears were flowing down his cheeks.

“The Old Man… he’s dead, isn’t he?”

Law could only nod solemnly.

Thankfully, it was Luffy who came in to support his brother, so Law didn’t have to attempt to do anything else.

.+++.

“Luffy – you’re… you’re…”

Luffy was beaming at Nami who was staring at him, her eyes wide in awe.

“I know right!”

Nami hugged him. And Usopp, and Brook, and Franky… Robin used giant arms while Chopped was hugging Luffy’s head. In fact, the only two had hadn’t joined in on the massive groups hug was Zoro and Sanji. But, when Nami spared a glance behind her as they began to walk, she could see the two men placing their elbows on Luffy’s shoulders, smiles on all three faces.

It made her smile as well.

[kenbinru]

I Can’t Believe I Have the Girlfriend of My Dreams! (An Unromantic Love Comedy LN) Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

 Daisuke left after giving me my homework. He said he had some “business to attend to.” Fortunately, my mother shortly came after I woke up. My father would have come too, but he was out of town on a business trip. He called instead as soon as he heard the news.

“Take it easy son! I’ll be home as soon as my assignment is finished. Tell your mother I love her!”

The doctor told me it was a miracle that I had survived that accident, with only to have a small bruise around my head. I don’t really remember what happened either. I just feel this hammering headache sometimes. It must be migraines or something. After a few days or so of recovery and physical tests, I’ll be heading back to school. The only recovery he told me to do was checking in with Dr. Mori at school every so often. It seemed everything was planned out for me to get back to my boring every-day life.

This is my life now…

I hear footsteps stomping down the hallway of my room, which sounded like someone was in a hurry.

“KAZUKI!”

It was Kaneko-san! She screamed and hugged me tightly. I could smell her sweat and hear her softly crying.    

“I can’t breathe Kaneko-san…” and she let go immediately, realizing how close she was to me.

“You idiot! How could you get into an accident? You made me worried!” she said while pointing her tiny index finger at me.

It was adorable in a way, but my mother just so happened to let out a small laugh behind the bed curtain.

“Oh my…” said my mother. She was covered by the bed curtain, but her tone would give someone the wrong idea.

Kaneko-san turned around for a moment, until she promptly dashed out of the room like the roadrunner. I can’t help but laugh about how quick her visit was. But I hear footsteps running back into the room.

“I’m glad you’re ok! See…you soon?” said Kaneko before promptly running off again.

I look at the small clock next to my bed, and it was around the time that track practice was going on. Only our track star could race off from the hospital and to our school and arrive just in time.

“That girl seems nice…” my mother let out with a mischievous smile.

I’m gonna pretend I didn’t hear that and pretend to sleep some more. Maybe it was naïve of me, but I sort of hoped that Yuki-san would visit me. We sat next to each other! But that would be impossible since any chance I had with her was completely gone after that incident. I’m not looking forward to going back to school…

 “I’m glad to be back everyone.”

It was my first day back from the accident, and I had a lot to catch up on. Like how I managed to miss a pretty important exam, and seeing Kaneko-san’s score, I have to beat her otherwise it would be another few weeks of her non-stop bragging to me. Fortunately, I could make up the exam on another date. In front of me was Yuki-san, sitting there almost in a doll-like state. If there was any consolidation to my unfortunate accident, the talk of the school quickly changed from “Cherry Boy shot down by Ice Witch surprises no one” to “Cherry Boy almost dies from an accident.” Maybe it would be a good conversation starter to Yuki-san, since we haven’t spoken since the incident. As I open my mouth, here comes Daisuke.

“You’re finally back eh Kaz?” as he got me a headlock.

Doesn’t he know that a recovering patient shouldn’t hurt his head?

“Let me go you big dummy!” as I shrug off his headlock.

 Daisuke changed over the past year or so. Knowing him since childhood and in kindergarten, me and him were kind of the rejects of the class, and our mutual reputation of being alleged troublemakers naturally let us bond together throughout the years. Although people considered us to be a couple of punks, we both had a sense of “justice.” Whenever something was wrong or someone was getting picked on, we would solve it or save them, just like the heroes in our TV shows.  Looking back, it was mostly pretty embarrassing, but to someone in elementary school it was the thing we did. The big guy was sort of the brawns in our partnership, while I was the brains for the most part. However, there was always a desire for me to be the brawns, since those hero shows always had the hero ending the show with a big finish. Daisuke was super athletic during the physical tests, and if he only applied himself, he could have been a great athlete, possibly even better than Kaneko-san. But something happened to him during the beginning of our high school career. Gone was the genuine smile and carefree attitude I saw from him in our childhood. He decided to hang out with the actual wrong crowd over the summer before high school, but he came back to me after “an incident”. I try to ask what happened but he always shrugs off my advances. Maybe some things are not worth remembering. Now, it was a more serious Daisuke, and his sudden reputation as the “older brother type.” Girls dig it. Like one time, I heard he stopped a bunch of bullies from another school who was picking on a kid. I have to admit, I think Daisuke embodied that sense of justice more than I ever did.

 “Hey, now’s your chance to say something to Ice Witch!” whispered Daisuke.

Thanks man, if you didn’t interrupt I would have. But now I will.

It will be good small talk at least.

I had nothing to lose, so it’s not like my bare relationship with Yuki-san would go even lower. Well, here goes nothing.

“Hey… Yuki-san?”

Yuki-san did not budge at all, you might not even be sure she was alive.

“Yuki-san! Did I miss anything in class? Being in a hospital bed is sure uncomfortable!” as I gave a small chuckle.

Yuki-san tilted her head slightly to the side with her right eye looking down on my desk.

“No, not much.”

And she turned back to her desk. Daisuke saw the whole thing from a distance, and he came back to me.

“That…was the lamest line I’ve ever heard Cherry-kun.”

“I couldn’t think of what to say man!”

Daisuke started laughing but was quickly silenced when Yuki-san turned around.

“I hope you’re feeling better Kanshiro-san.”

“Thank you very much Yuki-san!” as my heart fluttered.

Daisuke had his mouth wide open and in shock.

“Well well, maybe you’re not a lost cause anyways Kazuki.”

I can’t believe she said I hope you’re feeling better! Or at least, that’s what I think she said. It doesn’t matter. What matters is she’s aware of my presence after all. Maybe there’s still a chance. I shouldn’t get ahead of myself anyways.

“Class is starting, all rise!” our class president shouted. I’m feeling light headed.

 During lunch time I’m required to go to our counselor and (apparently certified) Dr. Mori.

“Well, how have you been feeling Kazuki-kun?”

“I’m feeling fine Dr. Mori. It’s just some light-headedness sometimes during the day.”

 Dr. Mugi Mori was our school’s counselor along with being the school’s doctor. Kill two birds with one stone I suppose. It was weird to see someone super qualified on paper to be here in this high school, but given her actual skills, maybe it makes sense. Dr. Mori is relatively a mature young woman on the outside, but her mannerisms haven’t left high school. I think her coffee is spiked with sake sometimes, since she always complains about the last guy who she dated left her. Usually it sounds like a drunken stupor, and since the other adults don’t want to deal with a fair maiden’s love troubles, I’m forced to listen to her vent. I’m not sure what the deal is with her, but deep down she’s a relatively nice person. I just hope someone marries her soon. Anyone please. Today however, it’s part of the rehab the hospital instructed me and Dr. Mori to have. The hospital was surprised that I managed to survive with just a small bump on my head, and wants to make sure something isn’t wrong.

 “So tell me Kazuki-kun, besides your health, has anything else been troubling you lately? Have you looked into what future career goals you have yet? I don’t want to pressure you or anything after your accident, but you have to be aware! Otherwise you’ll end up at my age…” She takes another long sip from her coffee mug.

“Uh…I’m not sure what I want to do. Maybe I’ll go to college afterwards.”

Dr. Mori composed herself.

“That’s perfectly fine. But! How are you and Akane Yuki? I’ve heard an incident happened between you two lovebirds!”

I can’t believe even the staff are gossiping about me and her. “It’s nothing! She and I are not lovebirds!”

I can feel the blood rushing throughout my face as Dr. Mori let out uproarious laughter.

“Ah young love, what innocence” as she wiped a small teardrop from her eye.

“Well then, what should I do Dr. Mori?”

She stopped laughing. The atmosphere of the room suddenly became cold.

“Kazuki-kun, I’m not the love doctor here and the last person you want to ask for advice. The only person that can do anything is you.” She suddenly grabbed both of my arms.

“You better believe kid, try being yourself.”

Being myself is the last thing I want to do.

“Or I don’t know, keep talking to her once a day or something. Start small and you’ll get there.” And Dr. Mori gave me a thumbs up.

“You should get going, class is going to start soon!”

I stood up and headed out the office.

“See you soon Kazuki-kun, entertain me with your stories!”

 I walk back to Class 2-B and I hear Kaneko-san yelling at someone. I can recognize that loud high-pitched voice that sounded like a spoiled child anywhere.

“You need to apologize!” says Kaneko-san. She was fuming with rage and frustration.  

“For what Kaneko-san?”

Unmistakably that was also the monotone voice of Yuki-san. I run to the doorway and notice the confrontation between Kaneko-san and Yuki-san. It looked like a fight between two prize fighters, and the whole class was watching from afar.

“You’re the reason…you’re the reason Ka-”

Kaneko-san noticed that I was at the door. She stopped herself from finishing the sentence. She was on the verge of tears. Yuki-san however looked composed, unfazed at the obvious tension in the room. Kaneko-san runs towards me out to the hallway and back into her classroom. As she passed by me, she gave me a sorrowful look, like she failed to get something out of Yuki-san. The class was still silent as I tried to absorb the situation. Everyone was staring at me, while Yuki-san simply went back to her seat, acting like nothing happened. I wanted to ask some questions of their little confrontation, but I already knew that no one would have the answers.

“Yuki-san is really cold as ice” whispered one student.

Yeah she is. I thought.    

 Nothing notable happened for the rest of the day. I tried to heed Dr. Mori’s advice of talking to Yuki-san, but there wasn’t any good opportunity. Besides my daily dose of Kaneko-san humble bragging about tutoring me this time before the next exam, it was another normal day. I brought up her incident about Yuki-san, but she got quiet. Until she stood up in a fit of rage.

“I’m just frustrated Kazuki. When I see her my blood just boils!” She would’ve flipped over the desk had it not been me sitting in front of her.

“I’m sorry for the outburst Kazuki…”

I could tell Kaneko-san was tired. It was difficult to work so hard to see your efforts mean nothing when someone like Yuki-san made it seem easy. The only thing I could do for her is help her study.

I’m home now, and Dad called, promised he’ll bring me that herbal medicine or something that will cure my headaches. Hopefully they’ll be gone by the time he’s back. I’m adjusting pretty well to my boring everyday life again even after the accident. All I want to do is just go to sleep now in my comfy bed after days in the hospital. It’s weird how all I did in the hospital was sleep, but now I’m really tired after my first day back.

Back to my normal life…

I’m slowly drifting away as my eyes feel heavy and close automatically.