Room 304, Diety Hall

Author: Yukimi2 yukimi2@yahoo.com

Dedication: Lady 7

Comment: Uwah! I start Summer Quarter tomorrow T.T!! Writing this fic will slow down significantly compared to the past week. Hope this won’t be an inconvenience to anyone. I will continue and never stop writing until I end it. =) Enjoy.

Episode 23: Telegram for Terachi Shinya.

#####

Dear Journal,

I took the Biology quiz last week; I’m so happy because I’ve gotten an A on it. I asked for Kyo’s help on studying, and what’s amazing is that he knows so much about Biology and Anatomy. I told him to go into medical school with me, but he says he’s not interested. He’d rather deal with the blood in biochem, so he decided to apply for that major.

Anyways, I know I haven’t written in a while, so I’ll back track from a couple of weeks ago. I went to see Macbeth with Totchi, Die, Shinya, Hakuei, and Ayumi. Ayumi blackmailed die into bringing her, so now Shinya thinks Die and her are going out. Die STILL hasn’t told Shinya that there’s nothing between him and that girl, and I don’t know why. I think he’s scared he’ll say something wrong. What’s worse is Die and Ayumi see each other a lot because she tutors him in English. I am tempted to tell Shinya everything, I truly am, but I have no right to say any of it. I’ve tried getting Die to tell him, but the guy gets so nervous. I guess he truly cares about the pretty boy.

Day after the play, Ryuichi came back to the dorm with a black eye, courtesy of Hakuei that is. Totchi and Hakuei are still together, but ever since the Macbeth incident, Miyabi hasn’t popped up in the conversation. I’ve been seeing that boy a lot in the coffee shop lately, and I think he’s a very nice guy. Very polite for someone who’s fresh out of high school. I never got a good look at him during the play, but it feels weird to talk to him. I always feel like I’m talking to a nice and polite Toshiya. Creepy…

Anyway, I have to study now.

#####

Kaoru placed his journal back in the drawer, then looked over his shoulder. Toshiya was still asleep on his bed. The purple head smiled and tried to sneak out of the dorm.

"Where are you going?" Toshiya asked without opening his eyes.

Kaoru pouted. "You never tell me where you go, why should I tell you where I’m going?" Truth was, Kaoru planned on meeting Shinya at Akira’s place so they could bake cookies, and Kaoru wanted the cookies as a surprise for Toshiya.

Toshiya got up with his blue blanket wrapped around his shoulders. "Because I don’t have to tell you where I’m going evertime I go out; you already know I’m at Hakuei’s."

"Totchi, I’m just going over Akira’s OK?"

Toshiya jumped up and down excitedly. "Wai~! I wanna go too!"

"No, Totchi. We’re ---er----doing homework there. It won’t be any fun. Really."

Toshiya hooked his arm around Kaoru’s tightly. "Please, Kao-kao? It’s so boring here. Don’t you enjoy my company?"

"Of course, I do, Totchi, but this is very important. Why don’t you call Hakuei. I’m sure he’ll gladly take the boredom off your hands."

Toshiya produced his irresistible sad-puppy eyes.

"Totchi." Kaoru frowned. "I’ll bring you back something."

"Hountou?"

"Yep, and I’m sure you’ll like it. ^_____^."

"Gyah! Arigatou, kao-kao." The blue head jumped up and hugged him tightly.

*****

Kyo trudged up the staircase in the Music Building. He didn’t know why, but he received a message from Sugizo that Professor Yoshiki asked him to see him in his office that day. Kyo grumbled. It was Saturday, for God’s sake!! The professor could have waited for another day so at least the short guy could sleep in for one day. Moreover, what did Yoshiki want from him? They didn’t exactly get along when they both had a class that one quarter. Not only was the lecture itself boring, but Yoshiki forced him to stay up for all the lectures.

Kyo stood in front of Yoshiki’s closed door. He heard familiar voices from the inside. Probably Yoshiki and Toshi fucking again. Kyo shook his head. Impossible. Toshiya mentioned a couple weeks ago that he and Yoshiki were through because Yoshiki was cheating on him. The short man knocked on the door.

Swiftly, the door opened with a swish. Kyo was surprised to see Sugizo’s grinning face. As usual, he wore his tight vinyl shorts that practically rode up his ass. Sugizo stepped aside and let the blonde guy in.

Kyo observed that Yoshiki’s office was the same as always. Nothing had changed. Yoshiki sat on his leather chair by the desk.

"So, Kyo-kun. Have a seat." He offered with a mocking smile. "Oh, and Sugi, you may leave."

Sugizo winked and left, shutting the door behind him.

Kyo rolled his eyes. "What do you want?" Kyo demanded. He wasn’t the type to go around what he needed to know. He was straight to the point and in your face.

Yoshiki shook his head. "Same as always. Tsk. Tsk. You need to changed that attitude of yours."

"Don’t evade my question. What do you want?"

Yoshiki gave a mocking smile. "I’ve been hearing some pretty interesting things around the dorm lately. I have my sources, and I’m not deaf, I assure you. Just because I’m a lot older than you guys doesn’t mean I cannot hear."

"Dude, will you just get to the point!"

"Alright, Kyo. Then I will. Sugizo’s informed me that you have been the source of a lot of dorm gossip."

"And?"

"What is this I hear about Toshi and I having an affair?"

"Geezus! You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure it out."

"Are you spreading the rumor?"

"Rumor? Dude! It’s NOT a rumor at all! I freakin’ hear both of you squealing like pigs in here!"

Yoshiki flushed. "Well, then! Stop spreading it, OK?"

Kyo shook his head. "No way! Why? Are you afraid or embarrassed to be with Professor Toshi?! Or were you two-timing him?"

Yoshiki gawked. "Where did you hear that from?"

Kyo shrugged and grinned. "I have my sources."

"Is that how it is? You think you’re so awesome with your cute little comebacks---"

" ‘CUTE!?!?!?!’ " Kyo fumed. He stormed over by the door. "No one calls me *CUTE*!!" He pointed to the professor. "This means war!!!!!!"

Yoshiki glared.

Kyo glared.

Then shut the door behind him with a loud *SLAM*.

*****

"No, Kaoru! Not too much flour!" Shinya yelled. He scooted over and stopped the purple head from further destruction.

"Ah! Gomen!"

"Kaoru! Stop!" Ryutaro exclaimed as Kaoru backed up and knocked over the carton of eggs.

"@_@!! Gah~! Gomendasai!" Kaoru quickly bent over and picked up a cloth from the counter and wiped the egg stains off the floor.

"^^;;;;; Kaoru-kun." Ryutaro said.

"nani?"

"That’s Akira’s shirt you have there!"

"GYAH~! T_______T!! Gomendasai!" Kaoru got up and was about to wash off the shirt, but Ryutaro stopped him.

"Kaoru-kun. It’s OK. You can---er---sit over there and watch Shinya-kun bake, OK? ^^;;" Ryutaro urged nervously.

"I’m very sorry."

Ryutaro nodded and desperately nudged Kaoru to the other side of the room. The purple head obediently sat on the stool and watched the auburn head mix that batter.

"Kaoru, next time, be cautious around the kitchen."

"Gomen, Shinya. For some odd reason, I can’t do anything right in that place."

"It just takes time and patience. Just think of it like medical school."

Kaoru thought about it. "It’s sort of an analogy."

The door suddenly opened and Akira walked in with 2 boxes of coke under one arm and the mail on one hand.

"Konnichiwa." Kaoru and Shinya greeted cheerfully.

"Konnichiwa." Akira replied.

Ryutaro went over and helped his lover with the coke. "I thought you were buying sprite."

"I was, but someone detained me from getting some before they were sold out."

"Detained?"

"Yeah. Actually, Kohta came up to me and started talking about the strangest rumor."

Kaoru raised an eyebrow. "Kohta? Gossip?"

"Well, dorm gossip is faster than the CIA when it comes to unearthing secrets and whatnot. He probably heard it from a chain of people."

"So, what’s the gossip?"

"Er, he said Professor Yoshiki was a male stripper before he became a professor. I dunno if it’s true or not."

Ryutaro, Shinya, and Kaoru were silent.

"Um, Guys?"

Suddenly, all three burst into laughs and giggles. They could just imagine Professor Yoshiki dancing around a pole to a composition he wrote. Too strange and too ridiculously unlikely, but funny.

Akira pouted. "hey. I thought it was interesting."

Shinya shook his head, smiling. He could never imagine his idol doing that. Who would be ridiculous enough to make up such a thing? "Ne, Kaoru. Here. Mix up the batter and be careful! We don’t want to give Ryutaro a heart attack."

Akira picked up his shirt. "Wah! What happened to my shirt?"

Kaoru: ^^;;;;; "Er…."

*****

Die finally got up from bed. He glanced blearily at his dilapidated alarm clock, but could not believe it was already after lunch. He stretched himself out the bed and walked over to the bathroom. The red head lazily washed and dried his face with a towel, then walked over to his closet. He felt so lazy. But no one can blame him. It was Saturday, and Saturdays he had no class, no tutoring, no appointments, no nothing. Maybe he should throw a party. It’s been a while since he did that.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Die yawned. "Coming!"

He swung the door open and stared down at a man he never knew in his life.

"Um, hi," the man said, "I’m here to deliver a telegram to Terachi Shinya."

Die raised an eyebrow. "Wrong room. He lives right there."

"Oh, Sorry to bother you, sir."

"Wait! Wait! I know him and I can give him the telegram."

The man was hesitant, but gave Die the envelope anyway. "Just make sure he receives it because it’s very important.:

"Alright, sir."

The man nodded then strolled off.

Die watched until the telegram guy walked down the staircase, then stared at the envelope. The envelope was cream-colored and had the words: ‘to Terachi Shinya’ handwritten neatly on it. There was no name, return address, or any indication as to where the telegram came from. Die wanted to open the letter immediately. Who could be writing to Shinya? Was it Yoshiki? Die frowned. Shinya insisted before that there was nothing between him and the professor, but Die had his doubts because the auburn-head still had Yoshiki’s jacket. Then again, Shinya explained he was too busy to return the jacket lately and did not have enough time to do so.

Die side stepped so that he was in front of Room 411. He knocked on the door. No answer. Knocked again. No answer. Maybe everyone was out. The red head sighed. He walked back to his room when suddenly, someone called out his name.

"Die!"

"Toshiya? What are you doing here?"

"Kao-kao abandoned me and I’m bored."

"Even Kaoru needs a vacation away from you."

"Really? I don’t tire him, do I?"

Die shrugged. "I dunno. Ask him. I just know if I were in his shoes, I’d be dead tired from being YOUR roommate."

Toshiya pouted. "Why is that?"

"Well, let’s see. You’re always dragging him to go shopping with you. He carries ALL your shopping bags. He helps you with your homework. You force him to go party. You yack on the phone until dawn. If you don’t get your way, you pout and whine and use your sad-puppy look. You insist on dressing him up to par. And….."

"OK.OK. I get the point, Die." Toshiya crossed his arms over his chest. "I’m not that bad, am I?"

"I’m not your roommate, so I wouldn’t know. But anyway, shouldn’t your koi be the one doing all those things?:

Toshiya looked thoughtful. "You know what? That’s right! I never thought of that. But I guess it’s because Kaoru’s expendable."

Die chuckled. "Expendable?!"

"Ack! Hentai! I don’t mean it that way! I just meant that he’s so nice and caring that I can’t help it!"

"Ah! So you’re just using his ‘nice-ness’?"

"NO! Die! I’m not using him! He’s just….oh, I don’t know… Don’t bother me with such trifle matters!"

"Trifle? Kaoru’s far from ‘trifle.’"

"Alright, alright. Let’s drop the subject. What’s that in your hand?"

Die waved the envelope around. "A telegram for Shinya."

Toshiya grinned mischievously.

Die frowned. "No, Tohsiya. We’re not going to read it."

"Come on, Die. You know you want to know what’s in it. Besides, what are you going to do? Hang on to it all day?"

"No, I---."

"Dudes! Whassup?" a voice called out.

"Kyo! Where have you been?"

Kyo walked toward the two men. "Just going….around…." He grinned.

"O-kay…" Die said. "Ne. Where’s Shinya?"

"Why? You finally ready to tell him there’s nothing between you and Ayumi?"

Die glowered. "I have a letter for him, that’s all."

"oOOooO! Love letter?"

"Shut up!" Die growled. "It’s a telegram from someone, but there’s not return address or anything."

Kyo shrugged as he opened his door. "Hey, sometimes I forget to do that."

"Baka." Toshiya said.

Kyo stuck his tongue out.

"So where’s Shinya?" Die asked again.

"He’s at Akira’s place."

Toshiya stomped his feet. "Mou~! Kaoru would go to Akira’s with Shinya but he wouldn’t go with ME!?"

"Would you like to go there and give Shinya the letter?" Die inquired.

"no." Toshiya said. "You know me. I’d read it before it gets there."

"Alright. Come with me to Akira’s. Wanna come, Kyo?"

"Nah. I have…..*stuff* to do."

"OK, bud. See ya!" Die said.

"Ja ne, Baka-chan!" Toshiya giggled and blew a kiss.

Kyo pouted and went to his dorm.

*****

Kaoru was beaming like a happy child as he held the batter bowl and mixed it with his spatula. He’d finally gotten used to being in a kitchen environment, and it was a triumph in itself. Ryutaro finally washed off all the eggstains from Akira’s shirt and hung it on the chair to dry. Shinya stood beside Kaoru and set the oven ready while occasionally glancing at the purple head just to make sure nothing else happened. The entire kitchen was a mess and Akira was stooped on the floor wiping flour, sugar, and egg crap off the tiles.

"We’re almost done, Kaoru," Shinya said, "All we have to do is put the batter on the sheets and stick them in the oven. After that, we’re all set. Here’s how you put them on the sheets." Shinya picked some of the mix and rolled it into a ball then stuck it on the cookie sheet. "There. That’s not so hard, now, is it?"

"Kakkoi." Kaoru breathed. He quickly made the entire batter into deformed balls and let Shinya put the cookie sheet into the oven. Ryutaro insisted that Kaoru stay away from the oven ^^;

"Now what?" Kaoru asked.

"We wait." Shinya picked up a rag and began helping Akira clean the kitchen.

Kaoru knew better than to help them if he wanted less destruction to occur, so he just sat in front of the oven as he proudly observed his cookies rising from the heat. He felt impatient for the cookies to be done. He couldn’t wait for Toshiya to taste them.

Ding. Dong.

The doorbell.

"I’ll get it!" Ryutaro proclaimed. He swung the door open. "Konnichiwa, Die, Toshiya!"

Kaoru jumped to his feet. "SHIT!" He muttered. He wanted the cookies to be a surprise. How’s he supposed to hide it? He hastily looked for something to cover the oven’s glass, but gave up after he couldn’t find anything. The only thing he can hope for now is that Toshiya doesn’t notice the oven is on.

Toshiya quickly stepped into the apartment and saw Kaoru by the kitchen. "Kaoru!!!! You said you were studying!" He stalked over to the purple head, who stood in front of the oven.

"Er, hi, Totchi! We just got done!"

"You come here with Shinya, but you don’t even invite me to come with you."

"Demo, Totchi…"

"Wait. Why’s it so warm over here?"

"Er, ah, it’s the heater! Yeah, the heater!"

Toshiya gazed at Kaoru suspiciously. Kaoru hate did when he did that. "You’re hiding something from me, aren’t you?"

"What?"

Toshiya stepped to the side, but Kaoru slid over to block the blue head’s way. Toshiya pursed his lip in annoyance, but moved to the right, then made a sharp turn to the left and shoved Kaoru aside.

"TOTCHI!!" Kaoru scolded.

Toshiya ignored him and stared at the cookies inside the oven. "Cookies? You came here to bake COOKIES?"

Kaoru looked sheepishly at his feet.

"Kaoru! You lied to me!"

"No! no!" Kaoru protested. "I------."

"You could’ve told me the truth! Now I’m mad!" Toshiya pouted. He stalked toward the couch and seated himself on it while crossing his arms over his chest.

Kaoru seated himself beside the younger man and frowned. "Totchi, you can be such a brat."

Toshiya stuck his tongue out.

"I lied because I didn’t want you to know that I’m baking cookies."

"Why?"

"I wanted the cookies to be a surprise! Totchi, I wanted you to have them because I made you eat such terrible cookies during Shuse’s party."

Toshiya looked at him doubtfully.

"I asked Shinya to help me and I asked Ryutaro if I could use their oven and baking materials. Ask them."

Toshiya looked over to Shinya who sat on a stool watching them with an amused smile. "Is this true, Shinya?"

Shinya nodded. "And he worked hard on them, too."

Toshiya turned back to Kaoru with watery eyes. "Kao-kao, that’s so sweet of you! T_T!" Toshiya hugged Kaoru in such a tight embrace the other man practically choked.

"Ano, Totchi…. I can’t breathe."

The blue head didn’t pay attention "Wah! Kaoru, I’m sorry for yelling at you!"

"I-it’s OK. Really, Totchi. Just let me breathe."

"But I was so selfish and mean and inconsiderate and…"

Kaoru couldn’t help but smile. Toshiya could be so cute sometimes. He instinctively reached up and stroked his roommate’s hair. He was surprised at its nimble and soft silkiness.

Shinya leaned back on his stool with a tiny smile as he watched the two men engage in the hug. It was an amusing, yet, warm sight to see; it was one of those things that happen to other people, but produce a nice feeling in your heart and make your day.

"That’ll be a match someday." A voice behind him said.

Shinya jumped in surprise and nearly fell over with the stool, but someone caught him. He quickly recovered and stood up. He blushed after he realized who it was. "Arigatou…" he said shyly.

Die nodded as he watched Shinya blush, but quickly shook his head. He stretched his arm out and handed the bishounen the letter. "It’s a letter for you."

Shinya stared at the letter and blinked. "From who?"

"I don’t know. The telegram man gave it to me by mistake; but he did say it was important and you need to read it ASAP."

"Sou ka?" Shinya took the letter. "Arigatou."

As Shinya started tearing the envelope open, Die took the time as a chance to explain about Ayumi. He cleared his throat. "Shinya."

"Nani?" Shinya asked without really paying attention. He was having problems opening the envelope.

"About Ayumi and I…."

Shinya pursed his lip and gave up on the envelope. "I’ll just read it later." He put the letter on the table hastily.

Die frowned and picked up the envelope. "Just listen to me for a sec, OK?" He grabbed the letter opener conveniently placed on the table. "Look, Ayumi and I are NOT going out. We have no relation to each other except that she is my English tutor. I’d rather be beaten to a pulp or sent to thell before I go out with that sorority girl." Die slid the letter opener across the paper. "Got it!" He handed the envelope back to the bishounen.

Something fell out.

"What was that?"

Die raised an eyebrow. "What was what?"

Shinya got on the floor and looked around. "Something fell, I saw it."

"Nothing fell." Die said.

"No. I saw it." Shinya stubbornly insisted.

"I think you should read the letter first."

Shinya didn’t listen. He went under the table to search for whatever that thing was. "Found it!" He picked up a shiny object close to a table leg, but could not see what it was from the darkness underneath the table. Before he could resurface, he smelled something strange in the air, a stench that was horridly familiar…..

"SHIT!" He yelled. He got up but hit his head on the table. "Ittai~!" Eventually, he stood up out from underneath the table and ran to the oven.

Kaoru perked up. "What’s wrong, Shinya?"

"It’s burning!’ he yelled as he grabbed a mit and opened the oven.

Kaoru abruptly jumped to his feet and joined Shinya. His eyes widened in astonishment while Shinya pulled out a cookie sheet full of charcoal-looking balls.

"My cookies!" Kaoru exclaimed.

"What happened?" Toshiya asked.

"Oh, my." Ryutaro gasped when he saw the cookies.

Kaoru’s shoulders slumped. "Totchi. Gomen. You can’t eat these."

"I should apologize." Shinya said. "I should have kept watch of the oven."

"No, Shinya," Kaoru said. "I should have been the one watching."

"Guys, it’s alright," Toshiya smiled. "There’s always next time."

"Gomen, Totchi," Kaoru said again. "I was really looking forward to you eating these."

"Kao-kao, don’t feel bad. Next time we should make these together, ne?"

"You can cook?"

"er, not really, but we’ll learn together."

Die remained between the stool and table watching the scene. Shinya was busy throwing away the burnt cookies and helping Ryutaro wash the materials. The red head sighed, then looked at the opened envelope on his hand. The paper inside was sticking out and he could read the first couple of lines on it.

###

Dearest Shinya,

We desperately need you to come back………

###

Die blinked. He was becoming curious, but stopped himself when Shinya approached him.

"Did you see a shiny object laying around?"

"Shiny object?"

"The thing that feel out the envelope. I had it but I don’t remember where I put it.

Die shrugged. "Here’s your letter."

Shinya sighed, but grabbed the envelope and began reading the paper inside.

Die watched Shinya’s eyes move from left to right in the process of scanning the paper’s contents. Those piercing green eyes were like precious jewels that shone even under the dim apartment lights, and the auburn head’s eyelashes fluttered softly against the flawless skin. Die wished he could just look at the man all day and never have to stop, but he observed Shinya’s eyes darken and his eyebrows furrow in worry.

Die felt prompted to ask. "Shinya, is something wrong?"

The bishounen paled, but kept reading.

"Shinya?"

Shinya finally lifted his gaze to the red head. He looked so distraught and stressed that the red head thought the young man would collapse.

Die bit his lip worriedly. "Maybe you should sit down."

"No." Shinya shook his head, slightly trembling. "I….I….need to get back to the dorm…" He grabbed his stuff hastily.

"I’ll walk you there."

"I’ll be fine." The young man slipped his shoes on.

"Shinya!" Die called out, but was only greeted by the front door slamming shut.

"What was that about?" Kaoru asked.

Die shook his head. "I dunno…but something’s wrong…"

"Hey, look," Toshiya waved something around. "I think Shinya forgot this." Toshiya had a silver metal key.

"So that’s what came with the letter."

"And look at this." Toshiya brought up his other hand, which had the cream colored envelope. "Shinya also forgot his letter." He grinned.

"Toshiya!" Die scolded. "It’s important to him! Don’t read it!"

"Like you didn’t try to read it, Die! Believe me, I saw you!"

"Still, Totchi!" Kaoru pointed out. "He didn’t read it!"

"Don’t’ you guys want to know what’s wrong with Shinya?"

"Of course we do, but it’s his business to read that!"

Toshiya looked form Kaoru to Die to Ryutaro and Akira, whom were busy flirting in the kitchen. "Well!" He huffed. "I’m going to read it myself then!"

Toshiya read the paper, and gradually, his eyebrows rose and his mouth gaped open. "Oh, my…."

Immediately, the other two scrambled to stand on either side of the blue head, and they all read the letter.

CONTD ~@ Episode 24: Doubt

to be continued~