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It was a little strange seeing his former teammate again. Moreso because it brought back the memories of a lifetime he had wanted to put behind.
Stop living in the past, he remembered Professor Akio telling him. Get over it and start life fresh.
Tokiya knew that returning to Tokyo would bring back ghosts of yesteryears. But the scholarship offered by the university was too good an opportunity to pass up. He had been living peacefully in Hokkaido, attending the local college. He didn't have friends there other than his mentor, Professor Masazumi Akio, his Calculus teacher. The elderly master treated him kindly like the son he never had. It started as one of those ordinary after-class discussions. Professor Akio was praising Tokiya for acing the midterm exams. This was followed by several after-class discussions which then developed a bond between Master and student. Professor Akio had known about the death of Mifuyu but not the circumstances surrounding it. Tokiya had not fully disclosed his life to his sensei. He did not want to have to deal with another Meguri Kyoza. His relationship with his sensei was just like that of Inoki. Cordial but not too profound. Just enough to understand why he is what he is.
Making friends....it was a good start...or so he hoped.
Tokiya had been doing great in Hokkaido. He lived quietly, did well at school and earned the respect and admiration of his classmates and teachers. It was at the end of sophomore year when he recieved a scholarship grant to to study in the prestigious Tokyo University where only a chosen few can attend the Computer Engineering class. He didn't want to accept it at first.
"This is a great opportunity, Mikagami-san." Akio-sensei told him, "The slots for that course are limited. And a full scholarship grant at that! It's one of the best, if not the best school in the country offering it."
"I know, Akio-sensei."he agreed, "It's just that...I'm not quite sure I want to return to Tokyo."
The old teacher put a hand on Tokiya's shoulder. "I know you are a little anxious, Mikagmai-san. But have you not told me a few days ago that you wanted to exorcise your inner demons?" Mikagami nodded. "Five years is long enough. Besides, isn't this the true test if you had indeed banished all the ugly memories of the past?"
Tokiya looked his sensei in the eye. "Alright. I'll go."
"That's my boy." the old man gave Tokiya a pat. "Though I sure am going to miss having my best student around."
It sounded like an eternity, even if he'd only left his home of 5 years barely a month ago. He'd only spoke nto Akio-sensei twice, as their schedules often conflicted. Not that there was much to say...there wasn't. Tokiya's arrival in Tokyo had been rather uneventful. School was school. He adjusted little in the academic sense. He had made a friend of sorts in the guise of Inoki, but that wasn't a major turnikng point either. Inoki was someone to talk to during class. They didn't hang out together after and they merely had small talk in the apartment. So life was nothing out of the usual routine.
Until....
Until he ran into his past all over again.
Bumping into Fuuko presented something all too new. He knew he wasn't running away from yesterday but having it come up to your face is a whole different ballgame.
It's time you take it all out, Tokiya, he told himself. This is the opportunity you need to prove to yourself that yesterday is a chapter to be ended. Finally. That all is over. That life will go on.
He looked at the flyer Inoki gave him this afternoon. Tokyo University Theatre Club presents "Beauty and The Beast." Auditions tomorrow at 4 PM, Kabuki hall. Tokiya smirked. Life starts anew.
Tokiya almost backed out of the auditions when he saw the line formed at Kabuki Hall. Most of the people there were known campus luminaries. Not that he was intimidated, he was jsut uncomforatble with crowd scenes. And the long waiting in line wasn't too appealing. Only Inoki's persistence prevented him from leaving.
"Ten minutes." pleaded the smaller young man. "If they don't call you by then, we'll get out of here, okay?"
Tokiya muttered something under his breath as he shrugged off another persistent female asking for his phone number. He was on the verge of screaming at another when...
"Mikagami Tokiya!"
Heads turned as the ensui master proceeded to the stage. He felt a hundred eyes follow him as he went to the platform. Whispers were almost audible, as they took note of the handsome newcomer's name.
"Alright." the director led Tokiya to a more secluded area of the stage. He handed him a script and instructed, "Read to me a couple of of lines will you?"
Best to get this over with, Tokiya thought, annoyed. The crowd scene had seemingly put out his fire. He grudgingly read the part without pretense nor second thought. He didn't wait for director to speak up before returning the script and walking away.
"So how did you do?" Inoki asked enthusiatically as they tried to find their way amidst the mass of studentry.
"I doubt he'll want to cast me in." Tokiya briefly replied, "Let's go."
As they were exiting the door, Tokiya was bumped by a hurrying figure.
"Oi, watch it!" he called annoyingly.
"Gomen nasai!" called the other figure. "Tokiya!" Fuuko paused and walked towards the ensui master. "Sorry about that." she apologized. A flicker of sudden curiosity appeared in her eye. "You're auditioning too?"
It was too late to deny it. "Just for kicks." he reasoned defensively. "I doubt they're going to put me in anyway." He frowned when Fuuko smiled teasingly.
"Are you in the cast?" Inoki asked.
Fuuko shoook her head, "No. I'm auditioning too. I hope I can get in."
"I'm sure they'll take you in." Inoki smiled, "The best of luck to you."
"Thanks." she smiled. "I'm going to be late. Catch you guys later!" she said as she dashed off to the long queue.
Inoki watched Fuuko's retreating figure. "Isn't she beautiful?" he sighed.
"Yeah, whatever." Tokiya proceeded to leave. "Let's get out of here."
Half an hour later, Mikagami sat by his lonesome at the Ramen House. His table was at the far corner of the restaurant, far and away from everyone else. He was deep in thought as he waited for his order to arrive.
"Oi, Tokiya!" came a female voice from behind him. He glanced casually at the owner who took a seat opposite him. "Lost in space again?"
"Oh it's you." he said flatly.
"Geez, at least show some enthusiasm." she remarked sarcastically. "Aren't you glad to see me?" a merry face replaced her earlier scowl. "You look as though Mori Kouran sat next to you. Cheer up!" Fuuko proceeded to order from the waitress. She shifted to Tokiya afterwards, "Where have you been all this time? God how long was it? Five years?"
Tokiya eyed her skeptically before replying, "I stayed at Hokkaido." he said dully.
"We were all wondering what happened to you." she said. Fuuko then launched into an account of what had occurred to the other members of Team Hokage. And despite himself, Tokiy found himself listening to her story.
Recca had taken up a business course, hoping to take over the fireworks shop after his father. Yanagi took up Education to become a school teacher. They were officially a couple and were planning to wed after college. Domon had taken on a career as a professional wrestler after being discovered in the Inter-Collegiate Wrestling Meet. He was embarking a national tour with All Japan Pro-Wrestling. Kaoru Koganei was a high school heartthrob while Ganko was in Junior high. Kagero was playing housekeeper for the Hanabishis and in the process managed to evade Shigeo's romantic advances. Kurei had married Neon and had moved to Okayama with his mother Tsukino. He was now engaged in several legal businesses and was expecting their first child. Joker had gone to build his own Gym and Training School in Tokyo.
"As for me, I'm taking up Architecture." Fuuko said in between eating the fried dumplings she ordered. "I'm planning to build my own arena one day for the Ura Butou Satsoujin." she laughed, only stopping when she saw the expression on Tokiya's face, "Ooh, sorry...I didn't mean to...sorry..."
"It's nothing." dismissed Tokiya. He looked at Fuuko who was thoroughly enjoying her food. "Your hair is long." he commented out of the blue.
"Oh this," she laughed,self-consciously sweeping it back, "I just thought it'd be nice for a change. I've worn my hair short long enough. Does it look bad?"
"No." Tokiya muttered.
They were silent for the next few minutes as each concentrated on the food they were eating. Tokiya found himself looking at his former teammate. Her physical appearance had indeed changed to a certain degree. The hair gave her a more feminine look. The headband was gone and she had a little make-up on. Although he knew that she was still as tough as she used to be, hidden behind that facade of gentleness. He could feel the energy coming from her, as strong and as vibrant as those days when they fought side by side in the Urabutosatsoujin. He had always considered her a tomboy. He wondered what prompted her to change as such.
It was out of his mouth before he could stop it, "So where's Raiha?"
The expression on Fuuko's face suddenly darkened, "Oh, Raiha...." she said so faintly Tokiya almost didn't hear it. "He....left me..."
A mild look of surprise crossed Tokiya's features. For all that attention and pampering Raiha gave Fuuko, he was surprised he could break up with her. "I'm sorry." he apologized sincerely. Subconsciously, he put his hand on hers that was on the table. "I didn't know."
"That's alright." she managed a meek smile. "I'm pretty much over it. After all, it's been 2 years." she glanced at Tokiya's warm hand on hers, and all of a sudden she felt herself blushing.
Tokiya withdrew his hand, finding a place for it on his lap. Again, a deafening silence followed. Fuuko started talking again, but Tokiya noticed that her liveliness had dampened. He then felt a little bit guilty for bringing up the topic of her ex-boyfriend.
"Well, I gotta go." she said at last, finishing her drink. "I don't want to be bothering you for too long." She stood up, picked her books and turned to leave when on impulse, Tokiya held her wrist.
He decided she was in no
mood to go home by her lonesome. "Allow me to walk you home." he volunteered.
Fuuko simply nodded.