Whoever Said College is Easy?

Chapter 2: Yosei Dormitories: Meeting the Roommate

Ding!

Rukawa stepped out the elevator doors, body straight as he walked bringing all of his belongings. He slightly nodded to himself, finding the design quite tasteful. Maroon carpets and cream-coloured wallpaper with simple patterns had that look of the "high-class", without being too flashy. He never really liked exaggerated elaboration, finding them unnecessary, if not unpleasant, to the eyes.

He stopped for a while to adjust the strap of his bag, hefting it once again to his shoulders.

Matsuzuki-san would have helped him to his room, if he hadn't politely declined, saying that he doesn't want to bother the man from his job. The freshman opted to ask for directions instead, to end possible protests. Being observant as he was, the elder complied.

Turn right to the elevators. Up the eleventh floor. Then turn left. Go straight until you find...

Room 1107.

The numbers shone in gold against the dark wooden door. Kaede unconsciously breathed in. He was told that his roommate had arrived yesterday, so it was highly possible that this person was in right now. Honestly, he would have preferred a single, not wanting to share his space with anybody.

The dorms around the campus, however, were practically filled to the brim, so to speak. It was rare when single rooms were offered, as the landlords wanted to maximize the space and profits. If ever there *were* rooms for a lone occupant, they charge an arm and leg, due to the mere fact that you don't have anyone to split the rent with.

He wasn't going to pay *that* much, even if his parents did leave him a considerable amount of money. Rukawa wasn't stupid to waste his inheritance over trivial matters such as a bit of his privacy and whatnots.

He would just have to make it clear to his roommate that they stay out of each other's business and everything would be fine.

From the other side of the door he could barely hear the creaking sound of springs, or at least that's what he though. It was relatively loud, as he was told that the rooms here were *soundproofed*. The naturally pale student blushed slightly as thoughts invaded his mind, briefly pondering whether to just open the door and get it over with, or just wait for... whatever, he didn't know.

Apparently, he chose the first option.

If there's anyone who's gonna be embarrassed, it's him. Besides, it's also my room and I have rights to enter whenever I want. I'll just not look if there's...

Rukawa Kaede gave himself a mental pep talk. He put down his Speedo bag, fumbling a little as he inserted the key card into the slot. There was a soft 'click', and as he turned the knob...

WHAM!

Well, that was certainly unexpected.

The stunned basketball player just stood there, his mind a blank.

Silence...

...

Wha--?

Somehow his brain started to process again, shock...and pain registered.

Well, that was certainly no pillow.

Blood trickled down Rukawa's nose.

He looked down at the offending object, which had fallen albeit the sound was muffled by the carpeted floor.

It was rubber, orange and spherical.

Up ahead, equally shocked with not just a mere hint of fear on his features was the perpetrator.

You?

"Ack...Rukawa!"

Silence...

...and then a whisper, "And he scores...? Ehehehe..."

Blue, foxlike eyes narrowed into thin slits.

"Kiyota Nobunaga."

That said, Kaede cautiously picked up his things. Turning on his heels, he slipped out of the room and walked down the halls of the eleventh floor. His footsteps a soft, dull sound against the thick carpets. Elevator...down...down...

6...5...4...3...2...

Ground floor. Walk, walk...stride towards the desk.

"I want another room." Brief, monotonous. Belying every emotion churning inside him.

An elderly woman of about fifty looked up, clearly irritated for having been interrupted from her knitting. She must finish the light pink baby bonnet as soon as possible. One can never tell, after all, when she might suddenly become (miraculously) impregnated.

She never had a spouse, or a child, for that matter, thinking then that they were mere hindrances to her career. She dismissed all her suitors, not even giving them the chance to woo her. She had dreamed of becoming a famous designer, and launch her own line of clothing and accessories. She ended up inheriting their family business --- Yosei Dormitories, and longing for companionship.

With that utility engineer lurking about, she might just have another chance at love.

She stared at the boy, as if daring him to repeat what he just said.

Her graying hair was in a tight bun, glasses perched on her thin nose. Noticeably, her fair skin was still smooth, for her age. She showed almost none of it, though, as her dark blue, long-sleeved dress reaching up to the lower parts of her ankles covered her whole body.

"I want another room."

A tattooed eyebrow raised.

"And just what is wrong with the one you have now?"

"My roommate."

An almost-evil smirk made its way through the woman's chapped lips.

"Well, you have to live with that."

"No. I want another room." He projected a certain calmness to his tone, perhaps deceiving the onlookers. He really wanted to strangle this...this...hag and literally wipe the smirk off her face. But of course he wasn't gonna say that...that is, if he could take more of this.

"I don't have a vacancy."

And that was that. She went back to her task, furiously trying to make up for the time she 'wasted'.

"How much?"

He wouldn't usually throw money around like that, as some may put it. But in desperate situations such as these, he makes some exceptions.

Both glared.

"Are you insulting me, young man? I'll have you know, that *I* am not like the others out there," she motioned with her hand, her face flushing in a mix of anger and genuine hurt. Rukawa felt uneasy, he hadn't meant to offend her. It was just...he expected some other reaction, perhaps a sly smile from a cunning businesswoman. He had, after all, used this tactic more than once and it always worked. He was not necessarily happy about it, though, for it just confirmed what he had thought of the populace ever since --- greedy, lustful. The handpicked few who had been spared from this "disease" were rare.

And now as he looked at this older woman in front of him, aquamarine eyes trying to hold back tears, lips pursed to a thin line, he felt a pang of guilt.

"I-I have my principles, too...you don't know me, boy. I..I'm not like them...", her voice reduced to a whisper, "..I'm not."

What to do in situations such as these, the famous Rukawa didn't have a clue. His obaasan never got emotional, if she did ever talk at all.

The seconds of silence stretched into imaginary hours and days. At least she had calmed down, heel, she seemed even lost in her own little world now, forgetting about Kaede. Her head was bowed down, bony fingers trembling a bit.

"Gomen nasai." The tone was low. He wasn't even sure if the lady heard it, but he didn't turn to look, as he walked back to his room.

Go to Chapter Three: Sleeping...err..Living with the Monkey