Whoever Said College is Easy?

Chapter Six: Presenting, The Daigaku Vixens

He could swear that his palms were sweating as he clutched the bouquet of pink and blue hyacinths, but he had to do this. He had risked his life, going right smack in the middle of wild girls and had even come close to being recruited as a fifth to the four-member staff of the flower shop.

He had gone this far. There was no turning back.

Rukawa Kaede had to do this, for his conscience and peace of mind. He was not losing sleep over an old woman who was not even remotely related to him in any way.

Back straight and legs stiff, he marched towards the desk, expecting to be greeted by the epitome of the old wicked witch of the West.

"Hello, how may I help you?"

This will definitely disrupt my plans.

She was certainly no witch, with her sparkling green eyes, bronzed skin, luscious cherry lips, and an accent to boot.

"Uh..."

What was her name again?

"Oh, hyacinths! They're my favorites! Thank you very much."

What the fuck?

Rukawa found himself grasping air as the exotic beauty gave the bouquet to herself, and placing it with the mountainous pile of other varieties of flora on her desk. My, she seemed to have gained many admirers these past days.

"What's your name, young man?"

Young man? Well, whatever. She must be older than I thought.

"Ano..." Rukawa began. He was not sure how he was going to say this, but hell, he was not going to make the trip all the way to the Koneko all over again.

"That wasn't for you."

I like that. Blunt and straight to the point.

"What did you say?!?!"

I knew it would come to this. Sigh. But whatever it takes...

"I said that..."

POW!

+++

GO, GO, GO!

GO, DAIGAKU!

"Alright, girls! Good job." A petite redhead clapped her hands twice, as she signalled the other members to take a five-minute break. She did a few stretches, while the others chatted idly about the latest gossip.

Ise Yukiko was this year's head of the cheerleading team. She had brought the Vixens to the championship for two years straight, and it was not because of her looks, but out of sheer talent. The others, despite the short height, look up to her.

With her short, dyed hair, one could say that she was not one of those stereotypical bimbos that often represent cheerleaders in Western films. Her features were clearly Oriental, with her slitted eyes and fair skin. She was not as curvacious as the models of Vogue, but her limbs were firm, without a trace of fat. The dragon tattoo that she sported on her arm had been a subject of long discussions and debates back then, but it would seem that they faded away by themselves.

"Maya, take over. I've got to get things ready for the tryouts."

Yukiko pulled up her black sweats and jogged towards the department, reciting the things that she needed to do for the day. With the cheerleading tryouts in an hour, her paper for Theology and a test in Biology tomorrow, she could tell that it was going to be another one of those sleepless nights...

"ACK!!!"

"WATCH OUT!"

Some nerve! She had a good mind to tell this guy off...and she found her staring way up...

"Sendoh!"

"Oi, Yukiko! What's the hurry?"

"I need to get something. Hey, what are YOU doing here anyway? We have the gym for the day. You can't practice, because..."

"Hey, hey, calm down." He smirked. "I'm not here to take away the precious gym from you." Akira rolled his eyes in mock exasperation.

"Oh."

"I actually came to see you."

+++

Rukawa Kaede rubbed the sore spot on his cheek. He was almost certain that there would be an imprint of a hand. Man, that girl can really pack a wallop.

Was it MY fault that she was making the wrong assumptions? That's the trouble with pretty girls, always thinking that they're the center of the world...

He cautiously avoided a crack in the middle of the sidewalk. Rukawa was not really the superstitious type, but the break on the cement looked like it could swallow up a man. Where he got these ideas, he did not know.

Must be the anxiety...

He checked the flowers that he were holding once again, to make sure they were properly arranged. He had no problem getting it back, since it was literally thrown back at his face. It was only by pure luck that there was enough undamaged ones to make a decent bouquet.

Number 20. Ah, there it is.

The lean frame stopped in front of a simple cottage, though a bit on the deteriorating side. The railings of the veranda were practically falling apart, and the small yard was dotted with weeds. A few stray posies managed to grow, but it's only a matter of time before they will wilt and die as well.

He checked the piece of paper on his pocket once again. It was the correct address. Shrugging his shoulders, Rukawa treaded on the mossy cobblestones that led to the door, careful not to slip.

Taking in a deep breath, he knocked. The sound was dull against the decaying wood. He fidgeted, as if preparing to run and get the hell out of the place lest the owner had hounds to go after him. It was a good thing he had his Nike Air's on.

The creaking sound made Kaede's heart jump, and he was greeted by a coughing fit and a raspy voice.

"What are you doing here?"

-to be continued-