Episode 26: Miyabi

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Dear Journal,
Today, I had to turn in my Chemistry lab Report, but Prof. Toshi refused to accept it. He said it was due 1:45 and I turned it in 1:50! That’s ridiculous! Kyo told me it’s better not to argue with the professor at this point in time because Toshi is stressed about some important cult project… I dunno what that’s all about. I’m still pissed though.

Die and Levin invited me to play Frisbee with them in the park, but I couldn’t because I had homework. Die has recovered a great deal since Shinya left. I remember when he came back from the train station; he was obviously devastated. I realized Shinya meant that much to him, especially the genuine tears he shed while he told me what happened. I never seen or heard Die cry until that day. Of course, I talked to him as a best friend should. Die cares so deeply about him. He wanted to tell Shinya the big ‘L’ word, but couldn’t do it. He was depressed for a while, but I reminded him of his promises. It makes me so happy that Die kept his word. Every other day, he takes Levin out to the park, and occasionally, they play video games and such.

Totchi and Hakuei are still at it, though now I can sense something amiss. I do not see both of them interact very much, but just from observing Totchi’s behavior, one can conclude a problem. Besides, having Totchi come back without a limp for long intervals is highly unusual.
Anyways, I shall be going to the coffee shop now.
####

The purple head shut his notebook and placed it in the drawer. He put his shoes on while the walk-in closet opened.

“Ne, Kao-kao. Does this look better with the blue shirt, or the light blue shirt?” Toshiya was wearing his new tight vinyl shorts. He held up two tank tops with each hand.

“Either way is fine, Totchi.” Kaoru sighed. “By the way, I gotta go.”

“Eh? Where are you going? You’re supposed to help me decide what to wear!”

“Coffee shop.”

“Why?”

“I’m tired and I need to study, so coffee is essential to keep me conscious.” Kaoru explained. “You want some too?”

Toshiya crossed his arms over his chest. “It’s already afternoon. You won’t be able to sleep tonight.”

“Yes, I can.”

“That is *so* unhealthy!”

“Look who’s talking. You smoke more than I do.”

Toshiya pouted, then his cell phone rang. He rolled his eyes. “Moshi moshi?”

Kaoru chuckled. He knew it was Morita. Ever since Die gave him Toshiya’s number, he’d been calling repeatedly, sometimes leaving an average of 5 messages a day.

“Er, sorry Morita-kun, but I’ve got plans tonight. Well,…gomen. I have to go… I SAID I *really* have to go!” With that, he hung up and stuck his tongue out. “That guy is suffocating me! I’m gonna kill whoever gave him my number!” Apparently, he didn’t know it was Die that gave Morita the number.

Kaoru laughed. “At least he doesn’t know where you live.”

“Thank God!” Toshiya glared. “You find this funny, don’t you?”

“Of course!”

*pout*

“Hmm…. Why don’t you tell him you’re already taken?”

“Because, Morita will instigate a fight for sure! You know I hate fights!”

“Yeah, but Hakuei will surely win, you know..” Kaoru swung the door open. “Anyway, I’m going now. Ja.”

Toshiya pouted. “ja.”

*****

Kaoru reached the coffee shop in no time. He wanted to sit on the counter, but all the seats were filled. He looked around. All the tables where occupied too… except one seat. And luckily, Kaoru knew the person on the other chair on the same table.

“Miyabi-kun.” He called out.

“Ah. Kaoru-kun.” Miyabi beamed.

“Is this seat taken?”

“No, no. Not at all.” Miyabi offered the chair.

Kaoru sat comfortably. “So, what brings you here?”

“Oh, nothing. Just thinking.” Miyabi looked out the window.

“Thinking?”

“Yes. Thinking.” He gave a tiny, sincere smile.

The young man was obviously thinking about Hakuei. At least, it seemed obvious to the purplehead sicne he knew the circumstances. It felt strange to talk to the boy. He was calm, polite, and reserved; and yet, her resembled Toshiya so much, who would definitely scream, cry, or throw a tantrum at any Hakuei predicament. Kaoru chuckled at the thought.

Miyabi looked at him. “what’s so funny?”

Kaoru cleared his throat. “Oh, nothing. Just thinking.”

“Very funny, kaoru-kun.”

“Ne,” Kaoru started. “You’re thinking about Hakuei, arent’ you?”

“I assume your roommate told you, huh?”

“No. Just been hanging around Takeo too much. I’m beginning to get better at observing people.”

“It’s obvious I’m thinking about it, isn’t it?”

“Not to the average person. Since I know the situation, I can conclude from what I know.”

Miyabi nodded quietly and stared out the window. It was a beautiful spring scene; the flower petals swayed with the warm wind and lovers walked past hand in hand. Spring. The season when love booms. Miyabi’s eyes darkened with sadness and Kaoru noticed.

Being the overly-nice guy, he asked, “Is something wrong?”

Miyabi turned to him and blinked.

“You know, Miyabi-kun. You don’t really know anyobody in this school. I understand totally. When I was new, I knew nobody, but I had Totchi to show me around and meet people. The only person you know that knows students here is Hakuei. But Hakuei never had the courtesy to show you around. May I ask why?”

Miyabi stared at the coffee cup in his hands. “Yeah. Might as well.” He smiled to the purple head. “You’re the first person to actually care about my feelings…”

“I dunno. I tend to do that when someone is troubled. I can’t help it.

Miyabi nodded. “I’m not insulting you. I’m praising you. You hardly know me. Despite that, you care about my happiness. You are a good person.”

“I’m sure you are too, Miyabi-kun.”

“You say that because you don’t know me well.”

Kaoru raised an eyebrow. “How so?”

Miyabi sighed. “Are you sure you want to hear about my problems? I could burden you with too much details. It wouldn’t be beneficial to you, especially since Toshiya is your roommate.”

“I don’t tell anyone their problems to others. Believe me, I hold all of Totchi’s secrets that even Hakuei doesn’t know them.”

Miyabi chuckled. “That’s Hakuei for you. It takes a while to warm up to him.”

“So you know Hakuei pretty well, I take it?”

Miyabi nodded.

“How long?”

“Since we were kids. We both lived in the same area of the city, and our mothers were good friends. We used to play out in the streets together, you know? Didn’t care about the crowd, the street cars, and the cops that flew by.” He sighed. “Anyways, we were best friends. When he started high school, I was still in junior high, but that was when things began to change.”

“Change?”

“Yep. We started to have feelings for each other. I couldn’t understand at first; and he was equally confused. But a friend of ours matchmade us and we eventually went out. We were real sweet on each other, y’know? Who’d ever thought we would end up dating for 2 years?”

Kaoru was impressed. “Not many couples that young last long.”

“True, but we never lasted is the point. I was a sophomore; he was a junior. Things started to change… again. I guess that’s what’s so advantageous and disadvantageous in the big city everything is too fast. Hakuei started to become more concerned about his image. You know, the bad-ass tough guy image he tries to project to everyone. Of course, a lot of people thought it was sexy but me. because of going out with me, he felt too soft. So around people, he would act so cold and so tough. I began to worry, but let it go because he still took care of me and I didn’t care just as long as he cared about me.

“All too soon, he joined a gang; the second largest neighborhood gang around. I knew about it, and I did try hard to stop him. Of course, he didn’t listen to me. I grew so angry. It was dangerous; the two largest city hangs were known for their constant fights and turf wars; but everybody knew the gang Hakuei joined was always the underdog. Obviously, I worried. I tried discussing the issue with him; I told him if he was involved, he could get hurt, I could get hurt, and his mother would definitely be hurt. We had a fight.

“The next day, I heard gossip flying around the school that the two gangs were having a fight that night at the subway station.” Miyabi shook his head sadly. “You can go ahead and call me stupid, but I went by myself. I just couldn’t stay home and wait for my childhood friend to be hurt. So I watched. Do you know what gang fights are like?”

Kaoru shook his head. “Nope.”

“Lucky.” Miyabi said. “Well, at least in these gangs, they had an emphasis for honor. Ridiculous, isn’t it? They usually form a ring around two people, who were chosen to fight the duel. Nobody’s allowed to intervene.”

“That is interesting.”

Miyabi shrugged. “I think it’s stupid. At that time, Hakuei and some guy were chosen to go. They fought and Hakuei’s nose was broken by the other guy. That was when I ran up and told them to stop. Everyone wondered who I was, then they asked if I was Hakuei’s ‘little bitch’. And you know what? Hakuei said he’d never seen me before, that I was some stranger on the street. You know how much that hurt me? He cared more about his gang than me. so I cried. What else could I do? The gang was suspicious, looking from me to Hakuei, but all I could see were Hakuei’s cold and angry eyes, as if he was angry that I have shamed his ‘toughness.’

“That was it for me. I turned my heel, ready go leave, but Hakuei’s gang leader grabbed me by the arm and started making advances at me. of course, I was petrified and I looked to Hakuei for help, but found none.

“That was when I gave up. Totally gave up on him. I didn’t care if he liked his ‘I-am-so-cool’ image to such extent, but if I am in danger, and he does *nothing* to protect me, the relationship is worth nothing anymore. I was so hurt, but pissed. So pissed that I knocked out that gang leader with one punch and stormed out of that place while everyone gawked.”

Kaoru remembered when Shinya pushed him against the wall. He shuddered and made a mental note not to piss off any bishounen.

Miyabi blew a strand of his hair away. “Next day, I found out Hakuei dropped the gang for reasons unknown. I thought maybe it was because of me. we never talked about it. Hell, we stopped talking period. I felt a twinge of happiness to hear him out of the gang; and that was good enough for me.

“Soon, I discovered he was graduating early to go to college here. When I found out he was graduating soon, I felt devastated because, not only was I permanently going to lose my first love, but my one and only best friend. I knew then I could not part with him. He was the one.  Well, he left for college and I heard he dropped out after a year to start his own recording studio. I graduated just recently and received a scholarship to come here, so I did. I like it here, really.”

Kaoru nodded. “So you came here and found out Totchi and Hakuei were together.”

“Hai. And I was so jealous. I heard about it, but never met your roommate at that time. I was obsessed with getting Hakuei back. I kept calling him and telling him to meet me at the coffee shop to spend time together and catch up on old times.”

“Sou desu ka? I never would have thought you the obsessive-jealous ex-koi.”

Miyabi blushed. “I’m not, but I guess it was in the heat of the moment…”

“Ah… but you’ve stopped going after him…”

Miyabi nodded. “When I was pushed off the stage by that over acting idiot, I ran out. I felt so embarrassed and so… I don’t know… devastated. I was surprised Hakuei went after me. I thought he’d never care. I was crying so hard at the time I didn’t even notice he was there until he said my performance was wonderful.”

Kaoru scrunched his nose. “Hakuei said that???!”

Miyabi giggled. “Can you believe it? I was so stunned to hear that, that I didn’t respond.” Miyabi sighed and his face grew serious. “suddenly, I heard him say: ‘i’m sorry’. “

“REALLY?”

“Hai. I felt so happy to hear those words. I knew they meant more than that. Anyways, that was when he dragged me to the auditorium again.”

“I see. The incident caused you to stop going after him?”

“Yep. It sounds ridiculous, but , after I heard him say ‘I’m sorry’ I felt like a whole boulder was lifted off my shoulders. It’s as if….. I was never really in love with him… all I wanted to hear was an apology.”

“That’s good to hear you’re feeling much better now.”

“Arigatou gozai masu. I know Hakuei really likes your roommate ne. best wishes to both of them.

Kaoru merely pursed his lips. He wasn’t going to tell Miyabi about Hakuei and Toshiya’s fading situation. “I thought you didn’t like Totchi.”

Miyabi laughed haughtily. “I’m not going to say I DO like him; I just have a problem when someone tries to be like me.”

Kaoru: ^^;

“May I take your order?”

Kaoru and Miyabi turned to see Ayumi in her pink apron.

“I’ll have coffee.” Kaoru requested.

Miyabi shook his head. “I already had mine.”

Ayumi rolled her eyes. “You came here for 1 cup of coffee?”

Kaoru glared.

Ayumi took their menus disgustedly and walked away, but not before looking over her shoulder to stare at the pair.

Kyo decided to stay home despite the warmth of the spring day. Not that he cared about nature or the ‘happiness’ of the season or anything. He’s rather be confined to his dorm quarters, safe from the bright sunlight out there. Besides, all the lovers in bloom always made him feel nauseous.

He picked up the university newspaper called ‘the Company’. He cackled as he read the Guest Column he wrote for the paper. The headline read: ‘Prof. Yoshiki: the Struggle from a Destitute Whore to a Successful Musician. ?by an anonymous writer.’ Kyo grinned evilly. He was lucky he had connections in the journalism department. They thought the article was funny and interesting as well, so they printed it out. Isn’t revenge so sweet?

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Kyo frowned. It’s probably Levin whining about losing his frisbee or something. Kyo got up and opened the door. Nobody. Then he noticed a yellow note attatched to the door. The short man took it and looked at it.

“Be at the tutor room @ 8 pm tonight. Alone. I’ll be seeing you there.”

Kyo frowned again. He wasn’t in the mood for practical jokes with anybody, and there was a cult meeting tonight. Plus, the letter seemed a bit suspicious….

*****

Toshiya lay on the opposite end of the bed as his koi slept on the other. He was facing Hakuei’s smooth, sexy back. Normally, he would enjoy this sight, but he felt something amiss. The night before, they finally had sex, but it wasn’t the usual roughness Hakuei often liked it to be. And there was not passion. It was just sex.

Toshiya felt like crying. He reached for Kleenex to wipe his tear-rimmed eyes.

Suddenly, he felt Hakuei’s arms wrapped around him tightly.

“Hnn.. Good morning, babe.” Hakuei yawned, not noticing Toshiya’s distress.

Toshiya quickly recovered and produced a fake smile. “Good morning, Hakuei-chan.”

“Gotta cold or something?”

“Er, um, no.” Toshiya gave a fake laugh. “it’s ….. allergies.”

“You said you never have allergies.”

“Er, anyways… I have to go now.”

“Huh? Alright.”

Toshiya slowly gathered his clothes and personal belongings together.  ~He doesn’t even care that I’m leaving.~ He thought sadly.

“OK, Hakuei-chan…. Ja…” Toshiya walked out the door and shut it quietly.

He quickly strolled back to his dorm from Hakuei’s apartment in record time. The blue head shut the door behind him and leaned on it. He slumped down to the floor and cried. Hakuei doesn’t love him. It has to be Miyabi’s doing. It just *has* to be Miyabi’s fault.

Then, he felt the door jerk open and he heard voices from the outside. He hastily wiped his tears and went to his bed. Pretending to be asleep.

“Here’s my dorm.” A voice that sounded like Kaoru said.

“Wow! Seems pretty small.” Another voice said.

“Miyabi-kun, you don’t live here, do you?”

~Miyabi!?!?!?~ Toshiya fumed in his head. What was Miyabi doing there? And why did Kaoru invite him?

“No.” Miyabi replied. “I live down the other dorm building…”

Kaoru walked over to Toshiya and sighed. “Totchi’s still asleep ne. we shouldn’t disturb him here.”

“That’s alright; we can go somewhere else.”

~Go somewhere else to do what??~ Toshiya grumbled in his head.

Kaoru snapped his fingers. “I know! It’s a really nice day out; we should go under that tree over there.”

“Sure!”

Kaoru slung his guitar over his shoulder and walked out the dorm with Miyabi.

Toshiya got up immediately after Kaoru shut the door. What the hell was that all about? Then, the blue head looked out the window, which faced the big old oak tree Kaoru always sat by. Kaoru and Miyabi were under the tree, tuning their guitars. {^^; They walk fast, OK?}

Toshiya could faintly hear them talking, but could not understand what they were talking about.

~What are they talking about?!!~ Toshiya fumed.

Under the tree….

Miyabi plucked a few strings. “I’m so happy to find out you also play guitar.”

“I was surprised you did, too. I thought you devoted your life to theatre and the stage. At least, that’s the impression I received.”

“Oh, no. I loved guitars since I was little. I used to play for competitions and such.”

“Wow! So why don’t you go into music if you’re that good?”

“Well, Kaoru-kun. If I’m good at something and I like to do something doesn’t mean it’s what I WANT to do later in life.”

Kaoru nodded his head thoughtfully. “That’s true.”

“I’d much rather go into theatre because it’s an escape from reality for me. in a moment, I can forget my problems and be someone else.” Miyabi plucked a few more chords, then leaned back on the tree and looked at the clear sky.

“Ne, don’t think too much.” Kaoru said.

“I know, but I can’t help it.” Miyabi’s eyes wandered over the tope of Diety Hall’s building. Suddenly, he saw Toshiya glaring at them from his dorm window. At first, Miyabi was confused. Why would the blue head be upset about them hanging out by the tree? It could be because he and Toshiya aren’t very favorable toward each other, but he already stopped going after Hakuei, so what’s his problem?

Miyabi turned to Kaoru after he heard him play a cute song. He blinked, then turned back to the fuming blue head.

~Hmm…~  the young man thought. ~So that ditzy wanna-be’s pissed because he thinks I’m taking away his best friend?~

Miyabi started thinking about the thought. It would be a good idea: get the boy jealous just to get back at him for trying to be an imposter. Miyabi snickered.

“Eh? What’s so funny, Miyabi-kun?” Kaoru asked innocently.

“Er, nothing.” Miyabi smiled. Once Kaoru turned back to tuning his guitar, the younger man frowned. He couldn’t use Kaoru to get back at Toshiya. That’s just mean. So, Miyabi pushed the temptation to the back of his head and concentrated on tuning his guitar.

*****

Kyo sat in the back of the basement room as Professor Toshi continued with his long-lasting cult sermons.

Professor Toshi slammed his fist on the stand as tears flowed down his cheeks. “THAT’S WHY I URGE ALL OF YOU NOT TO TWO-TIME ANYBODY! LET THAT BE A CULT RULE FROM NOW ONE! SOMEONE WHO TWO-TIMES SOMEBODY ON THIS CULT WILL WAGE WAR ON ALL OF US!!!!!!”

Cheers were elicited from the crowd, except from Kyo, who chuckled quietly to himself. Another sermon about Prof. Yoshiki. How interesting.

Toshi continued with his ‘tear-jerking’ speech. “SO ALL OF US SHOULD KEEP OUR PROMISES, KEEP OUR COMMITMENTS, AND STICK TO OUR PLANNNNSSSSSS!!!!!!!!” he echoed.

Kyo blinked. He suddenly remembered the note from earlier that day. He fidgeted uncomfortably in his seat. For some odd reason, he was tempted to actually go to the tutor room and see who it is. But Kyo wasn’t stupid, he was definitely not going alone.

“Hey! Hey! Wake up!” Kyo shook the other cult member beside him.

“Hnn… what do you want?” Hiro rubbed his eyes sleepily.

“Look, I have some place to go to, but it sounds really fishy, so I want you to come with me, OK?”

“Eh? But Professor Toshi’s not don’t with his speech.”

Kyo snorted. “Yah, right! Like you were listening.”

“But what’s all this about? You never miss cult meetings.”

Kyo fished out the yellow paper and handed it to Hiro. Hiro read it and raised an eyebrow. “I don’t see a point in you going. It sounds like a joke to me.”

“Dude! It’s been bugging the living shit out of me! I can’t just not go!”

“Alright! I’ll go with you.”

“Cool. And if you hear me yell for help, then go straight to the payphone and get some help.”

“Oh. We don’t need a payphone. I’ve got this.” He took out a cell phone from his pocket.

“Hey! I thought you couldn’t afford that!”

Hiro grinned. “I snitched it from Taka’s pocket.”

Kyo rolled his eyes. “You guys are hanging out with Koji way too much.”

*****

Kyo and Hiro snuck out of the sermon and eventually reached the tutor building. Outside the tutor room, the two men looked through the glass on the door. It was the only window to the room. Everything in the building was dark. After 7:30 pm, all the lights and buildings were closed, except for the emergency exit, which Hiro and Kyo came in through.

“I don’t see anything in there.” Hiro said.

Kyo frowned and handed Hiro the flashlight. “You stay here and sit on the bench. I’ll go in.”

Hiro shrugged. “OK.” Then sat down comfortably.

Kyo entered the moderate-sized room tip-toeing in the dark. He closed the door with a  soft click and ventured around the empty space. There wasn’t anybody there. Kyo pouted. “This sucks!” He muttered.

“What sucks?” a voice echoed.

Kyo froze. ~Who??~

There was a giggle in the room.

“Who’s there?”

There was a shuffle and footsteps, Suddenly, the blinds on the window were pulled down and Kyo could see nothing. The shorter man looked around frantically.

“Hey! This isn’t funny!”

“Aw… is poor kawaii Kyo-chan scared?”

Kyo fumed. “I. Am. Not. Cute!!!!!!!!!” He fumbled around the darkness for a light switch, carefully feeling his way around the room. Soon, he found it and felt relieved, but his feeling of security was quickly taken away when someone grabbed his shoulder and forced him flat on a table.

“Gyah~!” The short man’s yell was stiffened by soft lips on his own. That person delved their tongue in so sensuously that Kyo stopped his muffled protest and struggles. His mind was in chaos. Even if he was getting raped, it felt sosososososososo *good*! When the kiss ended, the short man drew his breath sharply from lack of air. He felt dizzy and hazy. “Who? What?-----?”

“You can’t tell who I am?” Kyo could hear disappointment in the person’s voice. “Oh well.”

“Dude! Get off me! What’s going on!?”

Kyo again felt those lips on his, except this time, the kiss was too hot and too passionate for him to try to pry away from. The kisses soon traveled down Kyo’s throat, leaving bruises and sharp stings. He couldn’t help moaning and feeling aroused at the teasing tongue.

Soon, he felt his shirt torn off and lips claim his nipples.

“Oh, GOD!” He gasped aloud. He groped the person with him. It was definitely a guy.

The blonde guy knows he has to stop, that what’s happening is wrong, but he couldn’t help bucking his hips deliriously when the mystery man grabbed his erection and squeezed it with great skill.

“No…”

“Y-esss…” the man whispered sexily on Kyo’s ear. Kyo shuddered. The man nipped him on the ear. “Do you recognize who I am?”

he felt Kyo shake his head.

“Hnn? Let me refresh your memory…”

Swiftly, Kyo’s pants and boxers were slid off. The cool night’s air felt good on his skin. Suddenly, the blonde felt a hand on his arousal, teasing, stroking,and torturing him. Kyo gave a loud moan.

“You know who I am…. And I know who you are…” He squeezed it tightly, eliciting a cry from his captive. “Everyone loved me with a passion…” He began kissing all over Kyo’s body. “…you were such a challenge. You were never phased by my advances…. Well, not sexually at least.”

“Uhn… please… stop….” Kyo shut his eyes tightly. He was becoming incredibly hard.

“You were always pissed to see me ne… you know who I am yet?”

Kyo didn’t answer, but continued to thrust into the slender hand. “….please…. I…..I’m going to…..” Suddenly, he felt a warm, wet mouth envelop his shaft. The short man went over the edge and chose to succumb to these hot arousing touches from the mysterious man.

******

Outside:

Hiro: ZZZZzzzzzzzZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz……….

*****

The morning sun shone brightly through the small, rectangular window. The atmosphere was cool and musty, as should normal spring mornings ought to be. Kyo felt the warm rays touch his small body and wake him from his slumber. The small man slowly blinked until his vision cleared. He looked around. He lay on a long desk in front of a classroom. The chairs and other desks were neatly placed around the room, except for the long desk he slept on. His clothes were strewn all over it and the surface felt sticky. He suddenly remembered what happened the night before and blushed in embarrassment and anger. He couldn’t believe he gave in to the temptation. He slowly put his clothes on, careful not to move too much because his ass was sore.

Then, Kyo limped out the room. He spotted Hiro asleep on the bench.

“Damn you, Hiro.” Kyo grumbled at the sleeping man, but raised an eyebrow once he noticed a yellow post-it note on Hiro’s forehead. He picked it up and read it.

It said: ‘Kyo-chan, I thoroughly enjoyed your company last night. It was, should I say, enticing. I hope to have more encounters such as that in the future. Don’t forget your clothes, cutie!’

There was no name written on it, but Kyo didn’t need it to identify his mystery man. Steam could practically blow out of Kyo’s ears and nose from anger. He knew exactly who the man last night was; and of all people, he was disgusted to have been lured into such a trap and have been called ‘cute!’

The blonde guy threw the note on the ground and stormed out the building.

The note was signed by a lip mark.

*****

Once Kyo reached the dorm, everyone was up and about, buzzing the latest gossip, the hard-and-impossible-to-do-homework, and newly developed methods of escaping Takuro.

Kyo passed by Shuse and Taka. “Ohayo.” He grumbled.

Taka and Shuse stared at him, then grinned. “Ohayo, Kyo-chan.”

Kyo raised an eyebrow. ~What’s up with these two?~

“Shut up!” Kyo growled.

Taka and Shuse snickered.

“What? What’s so funny?”

Taka and Shuse merely laughed. “Nandemonai! *^----------^*”

Kyo glared, but decided to ignore them and walk on. He spotted Die and Kaoru smoking outside Die’s dorm. “Hey, guys, wassup?” He greeted.

The best friends stopped talking and stared at Kyo.

“Hi, Kyo.” Kaoru said, vainly attempting to keep his composure.

Die just grinned mischievously at him.

Kyo was losing his patience. Why was everyone laughing at him? “Look guys, I’ve had enough! What the hell’s so funny and what the hell’s going on?”

Die and Kaoru burst out laughing.

Kyo fumed and wnet into his dorm. If no one was giving him an answer, then he just won’t listen to them. He slumped down on his bed carefully, slightly wincing from his soreness. Then he noticed an envelope on top of his pillow.

“What the hell’s up with these notes?!?” he impatiently tore the envelope and took out two sheets of regular paper. Thankfully, they weren’t yellow. He was getting sick to his stomach from receiving the yellow-papered notes.

Kyo read the first page.

###
Dear kawaii Kyo-chan,
Once you’ve read this note, you’ll fully understand I never let a single fault escape my grasp. Eventually, I find the culprit, and capture him within my clutches. You ought to remember: you are nothing but a pawn on my chessboard. I am the game master, and I can chose to checkmate you when I wish to. I do hope you enjoyed last night with one of my black knights. After vengeance is served, you’ll learn to never mess with me again. I have distributed a copy of the second page to each of Diety Hall’s mailboxes. Isn’t revenge such sweet affliction?

Much love from your favorite person,
Yoshiki
###

Kyo was confused at first. He did not understand what Yoshiki meant. Then he turned to the second page. He gawked. It was a black and white photocopy of him lying down on the tutor room’s long table --- naked.

After the effects of shock and embarrassment died down, he shook with building anger. He crumpled the paper up and threw it in the wastebasket.

“We’ll see about that, Yoshiki.” He growled menacingly.

Toshiya grabbed the two take-out cups of coffee on the counter and left Oxley’s Caf?. As he was walking back to his dorm, his cell phone rang.

“Dammit!” he cursed. He put one cup on the ground so he could grab his phone on one hand. He knew it was Morita, but decided to answer act of sheer courtesy.

“Moshi moshi?”

“Wassup, hot momma?”

Toshiya rolled his eyes. “Morita, what do you want?”

“Just wanted to hear your sexy voice.”

Toshiya’s eye twitched.”That’s nice, but don’t you think my voice is a bit deep?”

“Deep? Maybe, but it makes you sound so husky.”

Toshiya choked. “Gomen, Morita, but how many times do I have to tell you that I am a MAN?!”

“Of course you’re a man. You’re a part of mankind.”

“NO! You IDIOT!”

“I’m an idiot for you, baby.”

Toshiya rubbed his temples. He was beginning to get a headache. “Let me explain to you in simpler terms. Morita, I am MALE. Male as in I have the same nether endowments as you do. As in I have no breasts or big tits! I am MALE. Understand?”

“Eh?”

“DO I HAVE TO STRIP IN FRONT OF YOU TO GET YOU OFF MY BACK?!?!?”

Morita chuckled perversely. “I wouldn’t mind that at all, but that won’t keep me from getting on your back.”

Toshiya huffed. “Forget it. Goodbye!”

“Hey! Talk to me for a few more minutes----“

Click.

Toshiya shook his head as he bent down to pick up the coffee cup, but stopped when the phone rang again. He answered it. “WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT?!”

“Geez, Totchi! I was just calling you!”

“K-kaoru?”

“Hai. Who’d you think I was? Morita?”

Toshiya flushed. “Er, yah. Gomen.”

“thanks -_-; Well, I called to tell you not to get me any coffee.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Because I’m on my way to the coffee shop with Miyabi.”

~WITH MIYABI??!~  Toshiya fumed.

“………”

“A-ano…. Totchi?”

“Ah, hai! I heard you.”

“….is something wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong.” Toshiya gave a fake laugh.

“I know that laugh, Totchi. And you know what I think?”

“What?”

“I think that you already bought the coffee for me and you’re mad because I’m not taking it. You woke up early to get me coffee for nothing. Am I right?”

“Kaoru, where do you get the idea that I came out here to buy you coffee?”

“Because you do it everyday. You always leave it on my desk before I wake up. And I know you.”

“That’s true, but what makes you sure I already have coffee for you?” Toshiya swiftly kicked Kaoru’s cup onto the grass. “OH-hohohoho! I only have *one* cup with me right now.”

“Sure, Totchi.”

“But I do!”

“Well, since you’re there already, you wanna join us and meet us at the caf??”

Toshiya hesitated a moment. “…sure…” he didn’t know why he agreed to that.

“OK. See ya.”

“Ja.” Toshiya hung up the phone and sighed.

Someone behind Toshiya cleared his throat. The blue head turned around and gulped. He came face-to-face with a tall lanky man with a campus police tag slung around his neck.

Takuro had the empty coffee cup on his hand.

“Tsk. Tsk. Littering is bad for the environment, Hara-kun.”

*****

Professor Toshi flipped through his large encyclopedia of alchemy then raised his fist in the air as he found what he’d been searching for. “YESSSSSSSS!”

He grinned evilly as he read more of the book’s content. Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful.

Knock. Knock.

The door.

“COME IN!!!!!!!!!!!”

Kyo came in and shut the door securely behind him. “Professor Toshi, I have to talk to you about something important.”

“OK……….”

“We need to do something about Yoshiki! He’s ruining my reputation! And he’s getting cocky! And he thinks he’s the boss of the university! And he called me CUTE!!! >.<!!!”

Prof. Toshi gasped. “NOW THAT’S GOING TOO FAR! BUT DON’T WORRY KYO! I’VE GOT A SOLUTION TO EVERYTHING!!”

“Cool!”

“LOOK!” Toshi showed the short man his alchemy book.

“Alchemy?”

“YES! THIS BOOK IS THE KEY TO OUR REVENGE!!”

“How?”

“THIS CONTAINS SPELLS OR WHATNOT WE CAN USE AGAINST YOSHIKI!!!”

“Are you sure that works?”

“ER, NOT REALLY. BUT IT’S WORTH A TRY!”

“OK. How does the spell work?”

“IT’S PRETTY SIMPLE. JUST HAVE TO MIX 5 INGREDIENTS DURING THE FIRST CRESCENT MOON IN THE FALL.”

“WHAT?”

“AND THE INGREDIENTS HAVE TO BE SHIPPED HERE FROM AFRICA, WHERE THEY CAN ONLY BE FOUND.”

“Doh!” Kyo frowned. “Does this mean we have to wait until then to cast the spell?!”

“YEP!”

“Does that mean I can’t get my revenge until two quarters later?”

“YEP!”

“But that’s too long!” Kyo protested. “Is there some other spells we could use?”

“…KYO, WE’RE NOT TAKING ANY FORM OF REVENGE AGAINST HIM UNTIL THAT FALL NIGHT! AND THAT’S A CULT ORDER!!!!”

“Eh?”

“HE REALLY BID HIS TIME ON TRICKING US….” Toshi’s eyes gleamed with tearful determination. “…SO WE’REGOING TO BIDE OUR TIME TOO! MAKE HIME THINK THE CULT WARS ARE OVER! MAKE HIM THINK THAT WE’VE GIVEN UP! OUT WE’RE NOT. OH, NO…. WE’RE DEFINITLY NOT BACKING DOWN, KYO! JUST KEEP YOUR COOL!”

Kyo grumbled, but resignated to do as the cult leader wishes.

*****

Kaoru sipped his coffee and checked his watch for the hundreth time. He looked out the window, but didn’t see the blue head anywhere.

“Maybe your roommate decided not to show up because I’m here.” Miyabi said.

“No. we would have passed him on the way here. Besides, Totchi’s not the type to do that.” Kaoru checked his watch again and frowned. “He should’ve been here by now.”

Miyabi bit his lip. “Ne, maybe you should call his cell again.”

Kaoru nodded. He walked to a payphone and dialed his roommate’s number. The phone was off.

“His phone’s still off.” Kaoru said as he sat down on the seat.

“Maybe there was an emergency he needed to tend to.”

Kaoru shook his head. “No matter what, he keeps his cell on. Even if Morita calls, he stills answers it.”

“Wow, you sure know your roommate real well.”

“Well, we get along real well….sort of.” Kaoru chuckled.

“It’s so nice, ne… to have someone who worries about you like you worry about Toshiya…”

Kaoru looked at Miyabi. “…..i thought you were over Hakuei.”

“Over him in a different sense.” Miyabi explained. “I don’t crave for him a s a lover would.” He sighed. “I just want him back as the friend he used to be. I want things to go back to what it was before any shit happened.”

Kaoru was still doubtful. The way Miyabi talked and his body language obviously stated otherwise. Miyabi still loves Hakuei.

“Miyabi-kun.” Kaoru reassured. “If you are meant to be; you will get together. Ne?”

Miyabi nodded.

“Maybe what’s happened is meant to make both of you stronger and smarter. I’m sure before all that gang and image shit, you were still a young junior high kid that wouldn’t understand the hardships of human behavior. I’m sure before all that you were a different person. Now that you look back, you think about how much you’ve changed and how much you’ve grown throughout it all. Without what happened then, maybe I wouldn’t be sitting here and talking to such a wonderful, intelligent, strong, patient, and mature man. You act very grown up for your age, Miyabi-kun. I would never have thought you fresh out of high school.”

“A-arigatou. But you act mature too, ne.”

“People tell me that too. ^^; I am older though. I took a year off to work and get money before coming here.”

“Sou desu ka? I thought maybe you had an experience that changed you.”

“Oh! I had many experiences that changed my views of a lot of things, but there was one experience that led me to feel the need to help anyone who seemed down.”

“Impacted you that much, huh?”

Kaoru stared at his cup. “Yep. I’m not saying I don’t mind what happened. There are many times I sit down and think about how I could have stopped such a thing from happening. I could have done this and I could have done that. But I had to sit back and think. Even if I changed what I did and if what happened was meant to happen, it will happen anyway. There really is no reason to mope and contemplate and should have’s and would have’s “ He sipped his coffee. “So I ask you, Miyabi-kun. Do you still want to go back to what things used to be between you and Hakuei?”

Miyabi smiled sweetly. “Now that you’ve given me a wonderful lecture, I’m not sure if that’s a option anymore.”

Kaoru smiled back, then checked his watch. “Gah! Where’s Totchi?” he looked around nervously, twiddling his thumbs in apprehension.

“Kaoru-kun. It’s OK, you know.”

“Eh?”

“It’s OK for you to leave and looked for your roommate. Ill just sit here and read the paper.”

“Domo arigatou, Miyabi-kun.”

Kaoru left quickly and Miyabi sighed. Why couldn’t he just fallen in love with a guy as nice and sweet as Kaoru?

Suddenly, Ayumi plopped into the seat in front of Miyabi. “Ne. You’re the guy that played Macbeth!”

“Hai.” Miyabi blinked.

“Excellent performance. You’re name’s Miyabi, right?”

“Er, yeah……”

“My name’s Ayumi. I’m a performer just like you.”

“A performer? You mean you’re also in theatre?”

“Iie. I’m in music, specializing in vocals.”

“Oh, interesting. But how did you know about me?”

“The play. And also you’re very well known in the performing arts departments. Quite a show you put on.”

Miyabi blushed. “Arigatou…”

“But I also hear you’re having problems with that Hakuei guy.”

Miyabi stared at her. “How---?”

“It’s easy to find out if you work in the coffee shop. You hear lots of important things around here.”

“…oh….”

“Anyways, I always see Hakuei here with that blue-haired ditz.”

Miyabi giggled. “Interesting. That’s what I call him too.”

“Yep. So from the looks of things, he stole your man, huh?”

“I-I guess you could put it in that sense. Except I’m not interested in Hakuei anymore.”

“Really? So are you interested in that purple haired guy now?”

Miyabi flushed. “NO! Kaoru’s just a friend.”

“Ah, so you still like Hakuei then.”

“NO, that’s not---“

“Whatever it is, I’ve got to hand it to you. You sure know how to trap two birds in a stone.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“You seem a bit confused right now. It’s either Hakuei or Kaoru, isnt’ it? But you’re mighty clever. You come here on a date with Kaoru to be with Kaoru, but at the same time, you make Hakuei jealous by pretending to be with the purplehead.”

“But this isnt’ a date.”

“Oh, I know. But that’s what Hakuei doesn’t know.” Ayumi winked. “Excuse me for a moment. I’ve got customers waiting.”

Miyabi stared at her as she left. ~What a strange girl… but what a good suggestion she made…~

Die walked across the grassy lot with his books tucked under one arm while whistling a happy tune. He was on his way to class when he spotted Kaoru frantically running toward him.

“Die!”

“Kaoru? What’s wrong?”

The purple head gasped for breath as he reached Die. “Die,………need……help!”

“Help? Did something happen?”

“Die, Totchi’s missing. I can’t find him anywhere!!!”

“Ok, Kaoru. Calm down.”

“I can’t calm down!” Kaoru blurted out. “I looked in the dorm! I checked the shops at High Street! I went to the library! I ran to Akira’s place and he wasn’t there!’’

Die nodded patiently. “Alright, Kaoru.” He led the purple head to a bench by a tree and took out a cigar. “Start from the very beginning.”

Kaoru pursed his lip. “I called him on his cell and told him to meet Miyabi and I at the coffee shop. We waited for a while, but he never showed up. I left Oxley’s to find him. I tried calling his cell repeatedly, but it was off….”

“That’s weird. He never turns his cell off.”

“I know! Then when I was going back to the coffee shop, I found this on the grass.” Kaoru fished in his pocket and took out Toshiya’s tiny blue cell phone.

Die’s eyes widened in shock. “That’s Toshiya’s cell!” he took it and examined it.

Kaoru pulled his hair in frustration. “Now you know why I’m going nuts. Something must’ve happened.”

“Kaoru, I can easily understand why you’re so worried, but don’t panic. Think of all the possible places he could be at.”

“I ALREADY DID!!!!!! >.<!!”

“But you forgot about Hakuei’s place.”

Kaoru froze. Die’s right. Why didn’t he think of that!?

Die grinned. “For once I feel smart. I actually topped a med student!”

Kaoru pouted. “Like I’d ever go there anyway. Hakuei would decapitate me.”

“No problem, buddy. I’ll call him for you.”

“Thanks.”

Die and Kaoru went inside the closest building and grabbed the closest payphone. The red head dialed the blonde’s number. (ano..they could’ve used Totchi’s cell phone… -yk2)

“Yo.”

“Hey, Hakuei. It’s Die.”

“Hey, man. Wassup?”

“Actually, have you seen Toshiya lately?”

“Not today. Why?”

“Just wondering.”

“Oh, ok.”

“Thanx.”

“No problem.”

Die hung up the phone and turned to his best friend. “He hasn’t seen him today.”

“WHAT!?!”

“Kaoru! Stop yelling and calm down!”

“How do you expect me to CALM DOWN!?!?!! ><!” Kaoru yelled. He was worried shitless. He’s been to every place Toshiya could be in. the fact that Toshiya was without his cell is enough to give him a heart attack. Toshiya without his cell phone to yak with is like a man in a comma without a breather or a life support.

“Die! He couldn’t just get up and disappear! What if something happened to him? What if he got mugged?” he stared at the grinning red head. “And STOP SMILING! This isn’t FUNNY!!!!!!!!”

Die laughed. “Gomen, Kaoru. I couldn’t help it. I’ve never seen you so paranoid before.”

Kaoru scowled.

“You really like him, don’t you?”

“W-what?” Kaoru flushed. “Of course, I do. He’s my *ROOMMATE!!*”

“Whatever you say, Kaoru.” Die couldn’t help beaming.

Kaoru opened his mouth to retort, but was cut off by a familiar voice.

“What a surprise! Hello, Die. Hello, Kaoru.”

“Takeo?”

“Yes, that’s me.” The man gave a crooked smile. “Is there something going on here?”

Kaoru pushed Die out of the way. “Takeo, I need your help.”

“I’ll help you however I can.”

“Totchi’s missing! We don’t know where he went!”

“He must be out with his boyfriend then.”

“We just called him,” Die informed. “Hakuei said he hasn’t seen him all day. And here.” He tossed the blue cell phone to Takeo.

“Ah… Toshiya-kun’s cell phone. He never goes out without this.”

“I found it on the grass pretty close to Oxley’s. “ Kaoru said.

Takeo examined the cell and flipped it open. “So, inform me from the beginning what happened.”

Kaoru took a deep breath. “I called Totchi’s cell and told him to meet me and Miyabi at Oxley’s. we waited for a while and I was confused as to WHY he didn’t show up. Before I called him, he already was close to Oxley’s because he had his usual round of coffee.”

Takeo nodded as he pressed the buttons on Toshiya’s phone. “So I assume something happened to him not long after you talked to him, since you found the phone close to Oxley’s.” He pressed another button then smiled a little. “Isn’t this interesting….”

“What is?”

“It says here that the last call he received was from you, which you’ve already confirmed. Then there was another call before that, from our favorite person, Morita.”

Die laughed. “That guy…”

Kaoru pouted. “Die, right now’s not a laughing matter.”

Takeo dialed Morita’s number. “Moshi moshi?”

“EH? Who’s there?”

Takeo cleared his throat and handed the phone to Die. “I understand you’re in good terms with Morita-kun, so you talk to him.”

Die frowned, but agreed anyway. “It’s Die.”

“Dude! Wassup?”

“Er, not much. But can I ask you something? Is Toshiya with you right now?”

“I wish, man. I called him a while ago, but hung up on me. It’s weird, but I actually get the feeling that he doesn’t like me. That’s a laugh though. Who DOESN’T wanna hook up with me?”

“Um…Alright. Thanks.”

“Next time you gotta tell me where he lives . Ja.”

“Ja.”

Die hung up and shook his head.

Takeo nodded while Kaoru paced back and forth.

“Kaoru, could you show me where you found the phone?” Takeo asked.

“Huh? OH. Yeah.”

All three men walked to the grassy area. Die sat on a bench with hands in pockets and whistled a happy tune, while Kaoru bit his lip in apprehension. Takeo stooped down to inspect the grass.

(Kawaii…it seems that Die-kun’s in a good mood this entire day ^_^. Seriously, I can see him walking around very carefree and whistling during a nice day~Yk2)

“Hmmm…” he murmured as he surveyed the scene. “Kaoru.”

“Nani?”

“Do you like dark coffee with sugar and lots of cream?”

Kaoru blinked. “Hai…”

“How much do you usually put in?”

“I always have 2 packets of creame.”

Takeo picked out something from the grass and held it up. “One packet of sugar, two packets of creame, and one take out cup with remains of black coffee in it.”

Kaoru widened his eyes. “Does that mean you know where he is??”

“I have an assumption, yes.”

“And??”

“Well, I also conclude that there was a struggle that took place.”

Kaoru gasped. “FUCK! He was mugged?!”

“No, no. Not at all. Don’t worry, Kaoru.” He patted the worrisome man on the back.

“So what happened?”

Takeo picked up something oddly familiar from the ground. Does this look familiar to you?”

It was a campus police ID.

*****

“You can’t do this to me!! This is against the law, I tell you!!” Toshiya gripped the bars of his jail cell and shook it, causing loud clanging sounds.

Takuro’s campus police partner Teru groaned in dismay. “Takuro, of all the people to arrest, why do you have to always get the loud mouths. Look at her, she won’t shut up!”

“I’m a MAN! Goddamit!!” Toshiya yelled.

“Please shut up!” Teru pleaded.

“I don’t deserve such treatment! I’m going to call my lawyer! I swear, you guys are gonna get it!”

“Takuro, please. We should just let him go. He only littered.” Teru reasoned.

Takuro nonchalantly kept writing on arrest files. “As well as resisting arrest and assaulting an officer with his purse.”

“Takuro, this isn’t the FBI, you know!”

“I need to pee!” Toshiya protested.

Without taking his eyes off the papers, Takuro replied. “There’s a toilet in your cell. Make use of it!”

Toshiya gasped. “You expect ME to piss in THAT?! What do you think I am? A *plebian*??”

“Takuro, please reconsider keeping him there.” Teru begged. “If he has to stay overnight, I don’t think I can last my night shift.”

Suddenly, Toshiya shrieked.

“What’s wrong now?” Teru sighed.

Toshiya was pressed against the wall as far away from the toilet. “GyAHH!! There’s a spider floating in the toilet!!!”

Teru rolled his eyes. “Then flush it!”

“But I hate spiders! What if it’s still alive? Eww! I think I saw it move!”

Teru huffed. He’s had enough of this brattiness. He grabbed the keys from his pocket and opened the cell. He flushed the toilet as Toshiya sighed in relief.

“There.” Teru said. “Are you happy now?”

Toshiya blinked, then stood up straight with a hand on his sexy hip. “Happy?!”

“Yes. I just opened the jail for you. Just leave.”

“Leave?!” Toshiya looked taken aback. “You think that after the way you’ve treated me I would just leave so easily?”

“What are you talking about?”

“OH-hohohohoho! I’m not that easy to get rid of! I’m not leaving this spot until that Sgt. Kubo apologizes for his uncouth behavior!”

“You’re fucked up, you know that?”

“I’m sitting here in protest!” He sat on the mattress and crossed his arms over his chest with a stubborn pout.

Teru shook his head. “I’m taking my lunch break, Kubo.” He grabbed the pack of cigars on the table and left.

Right after Teru went out the doors, Takeo, Die, and Kaoru burst in. Takuro stopped and raised an eyebrow at them.

“And what brings you three here?”

Kaoru glared. “We want Totchi out.”

Takuro smiled smugly and leaned back on his chair. “Unfortunately, he’s committed quite a few crimes that prevents him from freedom.”

Kaoru slammed his hand on the table. “DAMN YOU! Totchi didn’t do anything to you! He was just on his way to the coffee shop when YOU intercepted him!!”

Takuro gave a lopsided grin. “Niikura-san, are you threatening me, an officer in uniform? I do believe it’s an offense.”

“You PRICK!! You’re campus police! Not some smart-assed federal agent! What the FUCK----“

(Hmm…I think maybe Kaoru needs to go to anger management classes ^^;~yk2)

“Excuse me.” Takeo cleared his throat and politely pushed Kaoru aside. “I do believe Kubo-san had the right to arrest Toshiya for accounts of littering, resisting arrest, and assault using a purse.”

“WHAT!?” Kaoru exclaimed. “Takeo, are you nuts?”

Takeo continued. “And as an officer, you are hereby pledged to enforce the law and provide a good example for the community, am I correct?”

“That is so.” Takuro nodded. “I’m glad someone knows it’s merely a duty of mine to arrest that culprit.”

“True.” Takeo agreed. “Unfortunately, you forgot another culprit.”

“Really?”

“A worse litterer, I must say. Toshiya only kicked a cup over, but this one person caused even more damage.”

“I’ll have him detained. Who is it?”

Takeo grinned. “You.” He placed the cup and the packets on the table.

“WHAT?!??!?!”

“You may have arrested Toshiya.” Takeo calmly explained. “But you never cleaned up after yourself. I am pretty sure we would gladly attest to that. And if we ran a fingerprint test, we’d gladly do so.”

Takuro gaped.

Takeo leaned forward. “Guess what, Kubo-san? You broke the law, too.”

Takuro paled then sank to the floor. “I-I’m tainted. I’m a criminal!” he stared at his hands. “NOO!!…”

“I didn’t think he took it that seriously.” Die said.

Takeo shrugged. “Think of it as an analogy. It’s the same as Koji is to money as Takuro is to the law.”

“Ah! Now it makes sense!”

Kaoru took this as a chance to see Toshiya. To his surprise, the cell was open, but the blue head sat stubbornly on the mattress.

“Totchi!” He exclaimed happily.

Toshiya remained pouty-lipped. “Kaoru, I’m not leaving yet.”

“W-what?”

“I’m not budging until that Sgt. Kubo says he’s sorry!”

“Totchi! Forget about that! Please, let’s go home. You must be tired ne.”

“I’m tired, but I’m not giving up that easily. This is my form of protest, goddammit!” He huffed and pursed his pretty lips into a thin line.

Kaoru sighed, but suddenly made a swift movement and picked up the surprised blue head over his shoulder.

“GYAH!! KAORU!! PUT ME DOWN!!” He squirmed uncomfortably.

Kaoru ignored him and carried him out the building with Die and Takeo behind him.

“Kaoru!!!!” Toshiya yelled.

“Christ, Totchi! You’re heavy!!” Kaoru strained his shoulder then dropped him.

“Ittai! Why’d you drop me!!!”

“You said to put you down!”

“Hmmph!” Toshiya pouted as he sat on the grass. “But you didn’t have to be so rough ne.”

Kaoru grinned. “Gomen.”

Toshiya huffed. “Fine, fine. Let’s just go home.”

The four men joyously strolled away, not noticing a figure in the distance who watched the two roommates intently. He breathed one last, agonizing breath of nicotine, then stomped its lights out. He turned his heel angrily as the soft, spring wind blew at his bleach-blonde strands.

“Ne, ne,” Levin piped up. “Are we doing anything this summer?”

He skipped happily across the grass while licking a lollipop. Die lagged behind him, smelling the warm breeze and savouring the beautiful environment of the park around him. It was a pretty day and sun shone brightly to fit his and his companion’s mood.

Die sighed. “Oh, I dunno, Levin. I’m a bit down financially.”

“Really? But we have trips every summer.” Levin whined.

“Gomen. But even if we did have funds, I wouldn’t know where we can go.” Die shrugged. “What else haven’t we done? We’ve been through theme parks, water parks, beaches, etc. I’m sure the dorm’s tired of doing the same thing over and over again.

Levin pouted. “I’m sure there’s something we can do.”

“Well, Levin, if you think of something, you can tell me.” Die said.

“O-kay..”

“There’s the swings.”

“Really? Yay!” Levin skipped ahead and played with the park’s swingset.

Die sat down on a nearby-bench and relaxed. Butterflies hovered around him and landed on the flowers on a bush next to the bench.  He smiled and picked a yellow flower up, causing the butterflies to fly away. He smelled it. The scent was fresh and bittersweet. It reminded him of…

“…Shinya…” He whispered absently to himself.

He stared at the flower with sad eyes. It’s almost been a quarter since he last saw the pretty boy. He has not received any letters from him either. Die wondered if Shinya was doing well, and if the business was OK or not. God knows he wanted to see that beautiful face and taste those pliant lips again.

Shinya, Shinya.

Die’s little Shin-chan….

*****

Kaoru frowned then sipped his coffee cup as his roommate, who sat across from him, chatted ceaselessly.

“Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah…………………and so we all don’t know what to do or where to go this summer and the quarter’s almost over!” Toshiya whined.

“You don’t HAVE to go on a trip every summer, ne….” Kaoru reasoned.

Toshiya gasped. “Kaoru! You’re crazy! This is a tradition between me, Die, ad Kyo. We take other people along, but still, it’s tradition!!!”

“I mean, why don’t you go save money instead of going to some silly trip?”

“SILLY TRIP!?!?!?” Toshiya exclaimed and stood up.

“What’s going on here?” a voice behind Toshiya asked.

Kaoru and Toshiya turned to look at the person.

The purple head smiled as Toshiya narrowed his eyes into slits.

“Hi, Miyabi-kun.” Kaoru greeted cheerfully.

“Ohayo, Kaoru-kun.” Miyabi smiled sweetly. On the corner of his eye, he noticed Toshiya’s malicious glare. Miyabi gave a mocking smile. “Ohayo, Toshiya-kun.”

“Ohayo.” Toshiya greeted sarcastically, then sat back down.

Miyabi couldn’t help but feel thrilled and amused at Toshiya’s aggravated state. He licked his lips. ~OH, this’ll be fun…~ He also remembered what Ayumi told him…..

He seated himself next to Kaoru. “So, what’s going on, Kaoru-chan?” He purposely leaned closer to the older man, who didn’t seem to notice anything peculiar.

Toshiya pursed his lip angrily.  ~KAORU-CHAN!? Since when did he start calling him that?!?!?~

Kaoru took another sip of coffee. “Oh, nothing important. Toshiya’s just discussing how to spend summer vacation.”

“OH? Why not just stay here and work? Saves money.”

“But it’s tradition to go every year!” Toshiya sneered.

Miyabi said to Kaoru. “It seems your roommate insists upon it.”

“Whatever it is, Die told me there’s nowhere interesting to go to.”

“But what about the beach? We enjoyed that last year!” Toshiya piped up.

“Die said he wants to do something different this year.”

“Demo!!”

Miyabi cleared his throat and placed a flyer in the middle of the table. “May I make this suggestion?”

Kaoru and Toshiya peered at the flyer.

Toshiya stared. “Are you nuts? This is a flyer for some Japanese style ski resort way up north. Who want to ski during summer?”

Miyabi shrugged.

“But Totchi, look.” Kaoru tugged the blue head’s sleeve. “The price is very affordable. Plus discount for over 10 people.”

“Kao-kao! I don’t want to ski in the summer! I even bought a new swimsuit yesterday!!”

“Then wear it next year. Besides, Die wanted to do something different.” Kaoru turned to Miyabi. “Arigatou. This is a good idea, Miyabi-kun.”

“Oh, no problem. Anything to help Kaoru-chan.” The boy said, flashing a really sexy smile, then grinned triumphantly at the blue head.

Toshiya fumed. “Oh, would you just shut up!!”

“Totchi!!” Kaoru scolded. “Be nice! Miyabi is nice enough to give us his ideas!”

“>.<!! MOUUUU~~!!!” Toshiya made a face.

Miyabi held back his laughter. This was fun. He wished Hakuei was here to see it.

*****

Yoshiki searched the university newspaper’s guest column, but found nothing that had had his name on it. He frowned and threw the paper on his table. It’s been two days since he sent Sugizo {his minion ^^} to intercept the little blonde rebel.  He expected Kyo to retort, but he found none, which was actually more nerve-wracking.  When was Kyo going to strike? Is he even thinking of revenge? This was making him go insane!

The professor quickly opened the door and went out for a walk. Maybe walking around would clear his mind. He crossed the pathway and across the nearby park’s swingset. Die and Levin were there. Levin was sitting on the swing and giggling while Die pushed him.  Yoshiki smiled but strolled on. He remembered that one special night. hide practically dragged him to the park and they both stayed until late night, just laying on their backs and staring at the stars. That was also their first night of making love to each other. It was so beautiful.

Suddenly, the professor stopped once he noticed a familiar figure in front of him.

Toshi.

Toshi stared in astonishment, then hardened to a cold glare.

“Toshi?”

Toshi remained silent.

Yoshiki felt uneasy. He didn’t love Toshi, he never did. And yet, he slept with him repeatedly. It wasn’t entirely his fault though. Toshi always made him drunk, then would take advantage of his state to have sex. When it kept happening, Toshi thought there were feelings between them. Toshiki felt horrible for what he did, but he didn’t know how to compensate. Besides, he had a hidden fear in his heart against Toshi. He didn’t want to talk to him because he knew about the whole cult issue….

For a moment, both men just stared at each other.

Yoshiki suddenly had a thought. He cleared his throat. “I’m wondering if you could deliver a message to someone for me.”

Toshi just stared.

“Tell Kyo to meet me at my office in ? hour.” Yoshiki knew the other professor wouldn’t respond, so he turned his heel and simply left.

*****

? hour later….

Kyo burst into the door. “What do you want?”

Yoshiki leaned back on his chair. “That should be my question.”

“What do you mean?”

“Would you like a drink?” Yoshiki offered calmly.

Kyo rolled his eyes but took the offer anyway. He was a college student, so anything free was good, no matter where it came from. {Hey that’s what I learned so far ^_~}

Yoshiki took a drink. “I read the paper.” He said.

“What about it?” Kyo sneered then chugged the glass. The drink was expensive wine, and it was ?very- good!

Yoshiki slammed his glass down on the table, spilling a few drops of the contents on the neat table. “You didn’t write shit about me!”

Kyo furrowed his eyebrows. “What the fuck? You’re complaining because I DIDN’T write crap about you?”

“Of course I am!” Yoshiki exclaimed. “You’re supposed to insult me! Goddammit!”

“You’re on crack!”

“Come on, you’re planning something big, aren’t you? That’s why you haven’t insulted me yet!”

“Dude, what makes you think that? Must be all that alcohol you’ve just consumed right there.” Kyo said. “Er… can I have some more?” He asked sheepishly. The drink was addictive.

Yoshiki poured some on Kyo’s cup. “What’s next, Kyo? A university news article with my baby picture on it?”

Kyo swallowed all the wine in his cup in one swoop. “That’s a good suggestion, but didn’t you like my male stripper idea?” He cackled as he started to feel tipsy.

Yoshiki was starting to feel the effects also. “*hic* Damn you~~~!” He pointed an unsteady finger at the blonde.

Kyo hiccupped. “Next time, you’ll be a pimp.” He laughed. “With Sugizo as your whore. Oh, it’d be *hic* eeaassy to get data on that. Ask the dooorrmm. They’ll know. And you’ll get busted for having a relationship with a student. *hic* then I’ll have the LAST LAUGH!” Kyo giggled uncontrollably.

Yoshiki stood up clumsily and grabbed the blonde by his collar and shook him. “Why you little….”

Kyo could fel himself being shaken, and he heard Yoshiki knock a gass off the table, but he couldn’t formulate exactly what was going on. His mind was blurred and distorted from alcohol.

*****

Kyo blinked his eyes as rays of sunlight shone into his face and disturbed his sleep. He blinked some more to clear his vision. When his view sharpened, his entire body stiffened and his eyes popped wide open. He wasn’t on his bunk, and he didn’t see Levin’s drooling face right next to him on the other bunk. Instead, he saw a crystal-clean glass window on the other side of the room, and a very organized bookshelf filled with music textbooks. Where was he? He couldn’t remember a thing that happened the night before. What had happened? Then, he turned his head the other way and gaped. Yoshiki was lying right next to him---shirtless and asleep. Kyo quickly looked at himself. He was naked too; and all their clothes were strewn all over the couch they were at.

Kyo paled. He remembered the drink. He cursed at himself. He shouldn’t have drunk so much. Now look what happened!

The short man shook his head rigorously. He shouldn’t think about what did happen. He should think about how to get out of there before anybody finds out.

The blonde guy lifted himself on one elbow and swung his legs to the side of the couch. He was grateful he was on the outer end so that he could leave easier, but suddenly Yoshiki held him down in his sleep. Kyo grumbled, then tried to get up again. Yoshiki tightened his hold.

“DOH! Lemme go!” Kyo said.

The older man remained in peaceful slumber.

The blonde guy pushed as hard as he could, but to no avail. He pouted, then flushed when he felt Yoshiki bury his face on his back. He stopped struggling and froze. He felt nauseous and dizzy. He couldn’t believe he just slept with the professor. Yoshiki of all people! That’s digusting! That’s like robbing the cradle! That’s scandalous! That’s….sexy?

Kyo shook his head. Now he’s going crazy. He needed to get out of there. Craftily, he slid down Yoshiki’s arms and dressed in his clothes. He stared at Yoshiki’s sleeping form. The older man was breathing softly through slightly parted lips and his hair was mussed up instead of his usual clean-cut hairstyle.

He actually looked adorable, for an older man.

Kyo could practically hit himself from thinking such things. He hastily went off without closing the door.

*****

Toshiya had his arms crossed over his chest and his trademark bratty pout on his lips. He was mad… actually, he was more than mad. He was infuriated.

“Come on, Totchi. It’ll be fun!” Kaoru pleaded.

Toshiya looked away and ignored him.

“Totchi! Die already told the other guys and we’re seeing who’s all going.” Kaoru moved and sat beside his roommate on the blue bed.

Toshiya pouted even more. “No.”

“Totchi!!”

The blue head made a face >.<!

“Look, I think it’d be good opportunity for you and Hakuei to room together and solve your relationship problems.”

Toshiya covered his ears with his fingers. “Lalalalala…I can’t hear you, Kaoru!”

Kaoru was losing his cool. He grabbed Toshiya’s wrists, who struggled to get out of his grasp. “Totchi, listen!”

“NO!” Toshiya whined and pulled his right hand free. Toshiya gasped as Kaoru swiftly grabbed it again then pushed the wiggling man down horizontally on the bed. (^o^)!

“LISTEN TO ME!!” Kaoru said sternly. “The rest of the residents think it’s weird to! Not just you. But some are going because they appreciate each other’s company. We’re going on the trip to spend time together and have fun, so stop bringing the rest of us down by being a brat!!” Kaoru pursed his lips and stared down at the blue head, who remained silent.

Toshiya wasn’t really thinking about what Kaoru just said. He was thinking of the fact that his wrists were pinned on either side of his head by Kaoru, who stared intently at him with his eyes. He didn’t know what to say. In fact, he couldn’t utter a word because he was so flustered at their position. Then he mentally slapped himself from thinking of such things. It was only Kaoru, his roommate and good friend. Nothing more and nothing less. Nevertheless, he could feel a blush creeping into his pretty face.

After a moment of silence, Kaoru gave a sigh of frustration and let go. “I don’t know if I should be worried or relieved that you’re not talking.” He said.

Toshiya remained lying down for a while, his heart racing madly against his ribcage. He slowly sat up then nervously tucked his hair behind his ears.

“SO, are you going or not?” Kaoru asked.

“A-ano.. I guess…”

The purple head raised an eyebrow. “You always say yes or no. You never gave nonchalant answers.”

“OK, then I’ll go…” Toshiya said.

“Alright, I’ll tell Die. You can invite Hakuei if you’d like. I would suggest doing that.”

“…ok…” Toshiya replied quietly.

“Are you sure you’re ok?”

“Huh? Oh. Yes. Genki-genki desu.” The blue head produced a shy smile. {Aww…}

“OK. I’m gonna go see Die right now. Ja.”

“Ja.”

The older man shut the door and left. The bishounen bit his lip in confusion. Why did he start thinking about that? Why was he nervous all of a sudden?

It’s just Kaoru.

Only Kaoru.

The blue head walked to the mirror on the table and stared at himself. He covered his pink cheeks with his hands. He was still slightly glowing. Why?

Maybe he needed some fresh air. That’s right. Fresh air would clear his head. The blue head strolled out the dormitory absently. It wasn’t as if he and Kaoru never touched each other before, so why now? And he doesn’t love Kaoru in that way, at least, he’s not supposed to. He’s supposed to love Hakuei. Hakuei, his koi, his love, his lover.

~I love Hakuei~ he thought to himself.

Toshiya decided to visit Hakuei’s apartment. He rang the doorbell and the blonde guy answered.

“Hey, babe. What’re you doing here?”

“Just visiting. Are you saying I can’t visit you?”

“No, come in.”

Toshiya settled on the couch while Hakuei came back and tossed him a can of beer.

“Ne, Hakuei-chan. The dorm’s going to another summer trip.”

“Really?”

“Come with us.”

Hakuei regarded him strangely. “Why?”

Toshiya blinked. “Because you always go with us.”

Hakuei narrowed his eyes. “Wouldn’t you rather go with your ‘Kao-kao’ ?”

Toshiya’s eyes widened. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m not stupid, Toshiya. I see how both of you hang out together. I can see how affectionate you are toward him.”

“I am affectionate, but not in a romantic way!” Toshiya explained.

“So you say!” Hakuei sneered. “You love him, don’t you?”

Toshiya gasped. “NO!!!! That’s not true!”

Hakuei growled and pushed Toshiya away. “Bullshit!”

Toshiya’s eyes watered. “Hakuei, listen to me! I love you. You’re the one I love!!”

Hakuei refused to look at him.

Toshiya couldn’t’ stand it anymore. He leaned forward, grabbed the blonde’s face, then forced his lips on his. Hakuei froze in surprise, then tried to push his koi away. He gave up after Toshiya slipped his tongue in lovingly.

He leaned in and kissed back the bishounen with equal passion .

CONTD~@ Episode 31: We Meet Again….