Fan Fiction |
by Sheen and Smile :)
“We shouldn’t impose on your family. I … … I’m thinking of moving somewhere else.” I stuttered wildly, trying not to look at him.
“Your house collapsed didn’t it? Where would you go?” His tone was flat and emotionless, catching my attention. I looked at him.
“My parents want you in,” the cool eyes withdrew from my face as he turned and sauntered back into the house. I should have known that he didn’t come out to stop me of his own free will. Yet, I couldn’t help but feel a sudden sharp pang of disappointment.
“Naoki, please carry Kotoko’s luggage upstairs for her.” I could sense his reluctance.
“No Auntie, it’s fine I’d do it myself.” I said hastily.
“No Kotoko,” something in her voice stopped me from reaching for my luggage. Irie Kun looked at his mother before bending down slowly and picking up my luggage, walking upstairs with it. He opened the second door on the right when we reached the landing and I followed him into the room. My eyes were almost dazzled by the size and beauty of the room. There was a lovely white bed, a studying desk and chair, a reading lamp, two huge closets. Pink lacy curtains were tied back with pick ribbons and there walls were papered with a delicate pink floral design. I clasped my hand together in delight.
“This was Yuki’s room.” I felt my bubble of happiness burst when I heard his voice. Oh dear, no wonder Yuki was so angry with me when he first saw me. I had chased him out of his room. “Just remember that I don’t care if you’re staying with me or not, you are not to disturb me at any point in time.” His words were like a bucket of cold water splashed over me. “And never enter my room,” he added.
“Gomen ne (Sorry),” I apologized, bowing to Yuki who was standing at the door. There was a shocked expression on his face as he looked at his room, almost as if he couldn’t recognize it. As I bowed to him, he snorted, stuck out his tongue at me and followed Irie Kun into another room. I saw the sign on it “Naoki Irie” – that was Irie Kun’s room. It took more than ten seconds for the fact to sink in. I was actually staying opposite Naoki Irie! When I closed the door behind me and slowly digested the truth, I couldn’t smother the exhilaration that was rising in me. I was staying opposite Irie Kun – this was a dream come true. Filled with energy, I jumped up and down a couple of times and did a jig. Then I rushed and opened my luggage, searching for my prize possession, a little red photo holder with his photo. I couldn’t help but stroke the dear handsome face that I saw.
“I’m now living opposite you,” I whispered to the photo. Thank god for granting one of my wishes! It doesn’t matter if he is cold to me, I am just simply thrilled to be near him.
“Good morning everyone!” I smiled brightly as I took a seat at the dinning table, smiling at Mr and Mrs Irie, my father, then at Naoki and Yuki. He calmly continued to eat his rice, totally ignoring me. Yuki on the other hand stuck out his tongue at me when no one noticed. I started to feel annoyed – that little brat. Mrs Irie ladled some soup for me and I thanked her and started eating. She is a good cook – her food is delicious. Perhaps, not quite as good as my Dad’s, but that’s to be expected because my Dad’s a chef.
“Naoki, I want you to bring Kotoko to school safely today and make sure she gets back safely as well do you hear me?” Her voice was stern as she addressed Irie Kun. I saw a frown ceased his forehead before he nodded silently and continued with his meal. Satisfied that her son would obey her wishes, Noriki started chattering brightly. I snuck a peep at Naoki just to see him putting down his chopsticks and rice bowl. He stood up and headed for his room. I quickly shoved the last mouthfuls of rice down my throat and ran to pick up my sachet. When I got down, Naoki had already put on his shoes and walked out.
“Hey, wait up!” I called, pulling on my shoes hastily and running out. I could still hear Mrs Irie calling after us, “Have a good day at school.” I quickly ran a couple of steps trying to catch up with Irie Kun when he suddenly slowed down and almost stopped, causing me to bang into him.
“Ouch, why did you suddenly stop?”
“You need to see where you are going.” His tone was frosty. “Okay, now I want to lay down some rules.”
“R … rules?” I stammered. Goodness, he was sounding like our homeroom teacher. “What rules?”
“Firstly, you are not allowed to walk with me to or from school, except for today. You will always keep a distance of at least 3 meters away from me. Secondly, you are not allowed to tell anyone that you are staying with me, nor will you interact with me in anyway in school i.e. you are not allowed to talk to me in school. Thirdly, nothing in my life has changed even if you have moved in with me and you will not disturb me.” He spoke slowly and carefully so that I would not miss any word. His callous words chilled me to the bone. Then he started walking again very fast and I was forced to half jog to keep up with him.
Naoki’s POV
I hoped that I had made it sufficiently clear to that Baka that she was to totally leave me alone and not disrupt my life in the very least. Having to put up with her in the same household is torturous enough, I must ensure she remain at the very fringes of my life, if not further. I quickly picked up my pace when I saw the train arriving at the station, not turning back to make sure that she got on. Even with minimal intelligence, she should know that we would be late if we missed the train. After I got onto the train, I caught sight of her struggling with the crowd near the door, then I flipped open my science fiction and began reading again – I had gotten to an interesting part.
I was really glad to get to school without any accidents. Entering the gate, I quickly headed off to my class, leaving Kotoko to get to her class. As per normal, the lesson was rather boring but I sat there quietly listening to the teacher. Geez, his method of doing a mathematical sum was really quite inefficient. I had glanced at a university maths textbook a couple of years back and the solution stated in that book was much better. However, I don’t feel that it’s my duty to correct the teacher – if he wants to know he should go and look it up himself.
I heaved a sigh of relief when I reached home with Kotoko following obediently about 3 meters behind me. Thank goodness this day is over. I was really worried that someone would find out that she was staying with me. I still recalled the shock I felt at lunchtime when I saw the pink frilly Hello Kitty lunchbox packed in my bag. Mum must have made a mistake – was it intentional? Anyway, I had to pop by F-class and I could see the amazement in everyone’s eyes when I gestured to Kotoko to step out with her bag. I quickly swapped the girly lunchbox for my normal blue plain one that I found in hers.
Kotoko
“Hey, hey!” I stopped Irie Kun just before he stepped into the house.
“I thought I told you to keep a distance of at least 3 meters from me?”
“Why didn’t you help me on the train to school?”
“Help you?” His tone was cool.
“You saw those jerks … …” I blushed and then was angry with myself. “Those idiots were harassing me.” Molesting more like it, I though recalling how ‘coincidentally’ those hands bumped into specific parts of my anatomy before I stomped hard on the respective shoes or just as ‘accidentally’ bumped into their shins or knees with great force.
“Oh.” Totally flat and disinterested. “I’m sure you can handle them yourself.”
Watching Irie Kun vanish into his bedroom, I felt some lingering traces of disappointment. He didn’t need to be so cold and unfeeling – my knight was proving to be non-chivalrous, probably cause he doesn’t like you a small voice in my head reminded me. I sighed heavily and then stiffened my spine again. Ganbette (Fight on) Kotoko, never give up – I’ll keep striving to get into his good books and maybe one day, he’ll start liking me too … … My eyes turned dreamy at this point in time.
“… … oh sorry Auntie, yes?” I was happily immersed in my own little world, not aware that Mrs Irie was calling me.
“Would you like to sort some photographs with me, dear?”
“Sure,” I settled next to her happily as we both started sorting out old photos according to dates and arranging them into her photo album. My eye caught the sight of a baby dressed in a little dress and smiled, so cute. Then I froze – DRESS? I thought that Auntie didn’t have any daughters? Did she miscarriage?
“Oh, yes he’s cute isn’t it?” She had leant over to look at the photograph that I appeared to be transfixed with.
“HE?” My voice was rather high.
“Don’t you recognize him? That’s Naoki, I used to dress him as a girl.” Auntie explained, evidently surprised by the fact that I could not recognize Naoki.
“Could I have one of these?” I begged Auntie, an evil plan starting to form in my head.
”Sure thing, take your pick.” I struggled to keep a straight face as I selected a photo that most resembled Naoki. My dear Irie Kun, you are now in my power – for a while at least.
Naoki’s POV
I am really irritated by that Baka today, she keeps looking at me and then sniggering. If she thinks that doing that will make me take notice of her, she’s wrong. I resolved to ignore her all the more to show her that her “little scheme” backfired. Suddenly, someone tugged at my sleeve. I turned to see her standing next to me.
“What did I say?” Although I was extremely annoyed, my voice was still controlled and emotionless. I gave myself a mental pat on the back – well done Irie. She hastily took a few steps away from me but there was a smile on her face that made me uncomfortable. I looked the piece of paper in her hand that she was waving at me, and turned green – my baby photos. Immediately, I made a snatch at her hand and she withdrew just as quickly. Darn didn’t know that her reflexes were so fast. I decided to intimidate her.
“Give it back,” I said with a hint of a threat in my voice as I held out my hand, she didn’t even blink. This was not working.
“On one condition.”
“What,” I sighed secretly – great did she want me to do now? Go out on a date with her or?
“I want you to tutor me for the coming exam. I want my name to be on the top 100 board.”
Kotoko’s POV
Finally some reaction from him. The dark eyes widened and looked at me as if I was asking for the impossible. Then he shook his head.
“Impossible.”
“Fine,” I said cheerily as I turned away from him. “Let me get this to the editor of the school newspaper. I’m sure he’ll think it’s a scoop.”
“Stop.” I stood still, smiling in triumph as he walked up to me, his hands jammed in his pockets and a frown on his face.
“I will tutor you, but whether your name is up on the board or not, you still have to return me the photo.” The enigmatic dark eyes looked straight into mine for once.
“Done deal.” I was still smiling like an idiot when he turned and walked away as fast as he could from me. “Round 1 to Kotoko!” I beamed to myself.