Glacier in Japan: Chapter 8 ~ [The Pig Pen]

Glacier in Japan

(Chapter 8)

Glacier was toasty warm now. She was holding a mug of hot chocolate with both hands while talking to Fujima. They’ve had a long time to talk and she found out that Fujima was the closest to the perfect guy she would ever come across. He was nice but she could sense a wild streak buried just beneath that. He was also shorter than Kaede. She didn’t have to strain her neck to be able to look at his face when they were standing up. Sighing with pleasure at his company, she happened to glance at her watch. “Nani?! It’s almost midnight!” she shrieked.

Fujima looked at her like she had gone crazy then smiled. “I guess you have to go home now, huh? Come on, I’ll walk you home. It’s not safe for a pretty girl like you to walk around without an escort. Especially at a time like this.” She had never been one to blush often but she felt another blush spread across her face.

*What’s happening to me? For goodness sake, he just has to look at me and my face burns up.*

Fujima helped her into her coat and offered his arm. She flashed him a quick smile and took it. They were soon approaching Rukawa’s house and he waited while she fumbled around her pocket for the keys. Finally, she slid the key into the lock and turned to Fujima. “Thanks for keeping me company.” Before he could reply, and before she lost her nerve, she gave him a soft kiss on the cheek then quickly turned the key, opened the door and slipped inside, closing the door behind her. Fujima stared at the closed door in surprise. He fingered the spot where she had kissed him, smiled, turned around, and walked away.

Glacier leaned back against the front door, grinning like an idiot when she realized that she had better check on those two. She tiptoed quietly toward the bedroom and opened the door gently. She found Rukawa lying in his bed. A large lump in the corner told her that Hanamichi was also still there. As both boys were breathing regularly, she assumed that they were still alive. She closed the door but left it unlocked. Yawning, she realized that she was bone-tired and made her way to her room. She fell asleep with a smile on her face and Fujima’s face floating in her head.

~*~*~*~

Things had gotten better since Glacier had locked Rukawa and Hanamichi inside his room. Rukawa was smiling more often now, though still not as often as he used to. He was less distant when he was talking to her. He had also started nodding in acknowledgement whenever he met anyone he knew in the halls. Glacier and Fujima has also started dating. Finally, the fateful weekend has come.

“Are you sure you don’t want us to go with you Kaede?” Glacier looked at her cousin worriedly. Fujima was waiting patiently in the living room. “I’m sure G-chan. Go ahead and have fun with him,” he replied, motioning towards the living room. “I don’t know what you see in him, though. He IS from Shoyo, after all. Besides, he’s not as tall or as handsome as your dear cousin,” Rukawa continued, pointing to himself. He grinned at the outraged look in his cousin’s face. She punched him in the arm. He tried to keep his face neutral but a wince managed to break free.

*Damn! Where did she learn to punch like that?*

Smirking triumphantly when she saw the pained expression on her cousin’s face, Glacier gloated. “Ha! Didn’t know I could do that, huh? Kenji’s been teaching me some things. And for your information, he is handsome. Just in a different sort of way from you. Also, he’s just the right height for me. At least I don’t get a crick in my neck when I talk to him. Besides, I can’t be interested in you in THAT way. You’re my dear, sweet cousin.” Laughing, Glacier turned away and gave a yelp when Rukawa flicked the kitchen towel at her butt. She stuck her tongue out at him and ran out of the kitchen. Smiling and shaking his head, he went back to washing the remaining dishes. In truth, he was happy that Glacier had found someone. Deep in his heart, he was hoping against hope that Hanamichi was telling the truth so they could be together again. Finishing with the dishes, he looked at the clock. 10:30. Hanamichi would be there in half an hour. He went to his room to change.

~*~*~*~

Hanamichi rang the doorbell. He was shuffling his feet nervously while waiting for the door to open. After a few seconds, Rukawa came out, nodded a greeting at the slightly taller boy and locked the door behind him. As they walked toward the train station, Hanamichi inspected Rukawa discreetly. As usual, the kitsune looked great. Even in the casual clothes, he could have been a model.

“So, Kae- Rukawa, how have you been?”

“Fine.”

“Oh.”

Thus ended the animated conversation between the two boys.

Hanamichi wanted desperately to talk to Rukawa but, as usual, the dark-haired boy fell asleep once they were seated on the train. Hanamichi sighed when a familiar weight rested itself on his shoulder. He smiled fondly at the sleeping boy before turning his head to look out the window.

Chapter 7

Chapter 9