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"Fuuko!"
She turned about. The ensui master stood there, tall and straight. The evening breeze blew his silvery hair from his face. A steetlamp illuminated the otherwise dark night.
"What do you want?" Fuuko asked sternly.
"About this afternoon..." he began, and with a little difficulty, managed to get the words out. "I'm....sorry."
A deafening silence followed, as the two figures stood there under the light of the streetlamp. The wind of autumn blowing dried orange leaves around them.
"I apologize for what I've said..." he spoke slowly, sincerely. Apologizing came as no easy task for him, as he usually did not regret words he speak out. That was the old Tokiya, his alter ego told him. The new Tokiya, the man beginning a new chapter of his life is a little less strict, or at least he wanted to be.
A little smirk appeared on Fuuko's lips, "That's new. Are you the same Tokiya Mikagami I knew 5 years ago?"
"I said I'm sorry and I meant it. What else do you want?" he irritably crossed his arms over his chest and his eyebrows met.
Fuuko smiled, "Now that's the Mikagami I know. Of course you're forgiven. You know I'm not the type to hold grudges."
"Then you're going to accept the role?" Tokiya asked finally.
"What role?" Fuuko inquired, then realizing what he said, replied, "What makes you think the reason I didn't take it was because of you?" she angrily put her hands on her hips.
"Just a thought." chuckled Tokiya, "You didn't want to work with me after what I said this afternoon...correct?"
"Says who?" Fuuko snarled, "I'm a busy person, that's why I didn't take it."
"Yeah right..." a corner of his mouth lifted, "Make me believe that." he turned around and began walking away.
"Fine! I'll take the role! Just to show you how dead wrong you are." she declared.
"We'll see...."
It worked, Tokiya smiled to himself. It actually worked! He would've laughed at how he had tricked Fuuko into taking the female lead, but she was going to give him hell if she found out. Oh, she would be in an outrage.
Why am I doing this? Mikagami stopped to think.
Because Fuuko was safe, he reasoned. Suzumi, the former lead female, was a lot like a number of girls he had ran into before. Shamelessly displaying their undying affection. Females who wouldn't take no for an answer. Mikagami had analyzed his situation thoroughly. If they were to put another female opposite him, chances are, they're going to end up at each other's necks like with what happened with him and Suzumi. With his former teammate, he knew he was safe. Not that they wouldn't argue, Lord knows how stubborn Fuuko could be. But at least with her, he doesn't have to go into an everyday warfare trying to shove off her affection. She wouldn't spend every minute of their practice time seducing him. He trusted Fuuko in that aspect, as he knew she wasn't the least bit attracted to him.
Besides, she was still in love with Raiha. It was that obvious even if they split up 2 years ago.
Satisfied, Tokiya began trekking the road home.
"Mikagami, I was wondering." Inoki spoke one time while they were having lunch. "Are you and Fuuko more than just acquaintances in high school?"
"Why do ask?" he questioned back.
"I cant help but notice," the other man began, "And I'm not the only one who does...that you seem to have good chemistry on stage. I mean...you hit it off good."
Tokiya snorted, "You people analyze everything to death." he finished a dumpling before answering again, "We worked together for a time." During the Urabutosatsoujin, he mentally added.
"Oh." was all Inoki could say. The expression on Tokiya's face told him that that was all he could get out of the ensui wielder.
Later that afternoon, Tokiya was the first to arrive at the practice hall. His teacher for the last period had not shown up and they were sent home early. It was a weekend and he had finished all the homework for Monday so he had the rest of the afternoon off. He declined Inoki's invitation to a cousin's birthday party. Having nothing to do before rehearsals, he decided to go to Kabuki Hall.
The theater hall was deserted except for the janitor. Tokiya took a seat on one of the aisle chairs. He leaned back and relaxed. On stage he saw the backdrop to be used for the play. It was barely three weeks before they present for the school fair, and Hamaguchi-san drove them to the limit. They would go home around 8 PM after rehearsal. Thankfully the cast wasn't a difficult one to handle. Other than the occassional, unavoidable biskering , everything else worked harmoniously.
Just like the old days. Just like Team Hokage.
They had gotten off to a rough start as a team, as if they could never hold up against Mori Kouran's team of lethal assassins. They went through heaven and hell trying to survive. Later on they became one cohesive unit, a force strong enough to overcome the adversary. They had become a real team.
And perhaps, a big family.
Tokiya had never really been a team player in the truest sense. Since he had learned to live on his own at the age of 10, he was used to being alone. Strong and independent, he never needed anybody's help nor company. Even when he was with Team Hokage, he still felt like an island. Sure he had worked with them, but that was only because he wanted to protect Yanagi. His existence was strictly his business. He never needed anyone.
And yet.....
Much as he hated to admit it, during those five years of solace...he sort of...missed them. Tokiya clenched his fist. He couldn't...he wouldn't...he shouldn't. He refuses to acknowledge the fact that for one time or another, he wondered how the rest of the team was doing. That he longed to hear Koganei's wisecracks, Ganko's mischievousness, Yanagi's sweet disposition, Fuuko's loud, exasperated sighs...heck, there are even very brief moments he wished he could see Recca's ugly face, if only for a minute or two. And Domon...he wouldn't say he missed that snot-nosed pig. But once in a blue moon, he'd wonder if he'd gotten tetanus yet from that ridiculous nose ring. Or if he had the sense to realize that the Mohawk hairdo had died with the Mr. T fad of the early eighties.
"You're early."
Mikagami snapped back into reality upon hearing a voice. He saw Fuuko emerge from the backstage pushing a clothesline of costumes towards the stage. Apparently, she was also an early bird. He noted she looked quite different today...no, she loked very different. She was wearing a miniskirt.
Fuuko in a miniskirt?
Was there something wrong with his eyesight? While he knew she used to sport one as part of her ensemble as a school uniform, he never recalled her wearing it as a fashion statement. This one was. With a pretty white tanktop and a blue skirt that flattered her womanly figure.And though he didn't vocalize it, he thought she looked rather...er...nice.
Nice. Was that the proper word?
"What are those for?" he asked, trying to erase his most recent thoughts, shifting his eyes from Fuuko to the rack of garments.
"They're the costumes for the play." Fuuko explained. She pulled out a beautiful royal blue tailcoat embelisshed with gold. "This one's yours."
Tokiya declined trying it on, "Aren't you the star of the show? Why are you ppushing the costume rack around?"
"That's because I'm still stage manager." she told the ensui master, "Even if I do play Miss Belle, I also help Hamaguchi-san. He's already having a difficult time as it is. Besides, I like the work, it keeps me busy."
Busy for what...Tokiya wondered. Why would she want to keep herself preoccupied? Was there anything she was trying to stay away from?
It's none of your business, Mikagami, he could almost hear her say. And he had to agree. What business was it of his to interfere with her life? After all, they're not exactly the closest of friends.
But then, Tokiya must acknowledge the fact that since they started working together as co-stars, he had learned more about his former teammate's character. He had begun to see more of the girl he fought side by side with against Mori Kouran. Sure she was tough, strong, and stubborn. But now he could also see her softer side. Escpecially when they act. He could feel the sensitivity, the passion, the vulnerability. All he could see through her expressions and emotions.
And he appreciated all that.
Hell, what is this all coming to? he thought. He snapped back into the present itme when Fuuko spoke again.
"Errrr...you want to practice our scene?" she asked.
"Okay."
Tokiya picked up a copy of the script and ascended the stage. Standing closer to Fuuko, he could smell the sweet perfume emanating from her.
What the hell was wrong with him?
"Where were we?" she started opening her script and searched.
"The ballroom scene." Mikagami recalled quickly.
"Okay." Fuuko took a quick look at her lines and stepped up closer to the ensui master. "Errr... do you know how to dance?"
"A waltz can't be that difficult, can it?" it was more of a statement than a question.
Fuuko shrugged. "Whatever." She went to the portable CD player and played the string version of Beauty and The Beast.
"May I have this dance?" Tokiya recited his line.
"The pleasure is mine." Fuuko replied.Seeing Tokiya's slight hesitancy, Fuuko put his left hand on her waist and put hers on his shoulder. They were barely three steps ahead when he stepped on her foot.
"Yeow!" Fuuko exclaimed, raising her right foot. "You've got two left feet!"
"Well you've got big feet." Tokiya stated.
Fuuko put her ands on her hips. "Admit it, Tokiya. You can't dance."
"Can you?" he challenged irritably.
"Not if you're talking full ballroom." she answered, "But I do know a little waltz. I was an extra during the Cinderella play last year."
Tokiya burst out laughing, "You??? Dancing in a play??? Are they desperate for actresses here?"
Fuuko swung at Mikagami with a left, missing by a hair. "Wisecrack." she retaliated. "We aren't going to get anywhere so keep your comments to yourself and dance."
Once again, he put her hand around her waist and took hold of the opposite hand.
"Follow my lead." Fuuko instructed.
Mikagami proved once again that he was a fast learner. It wasn't long before he had her gracefully waltzing on the open stage.
"Oi, you learn quick." Fuuko praised her partner.
Tokiya smirked. "I told you I'm good."
"Airhead." she retorted as he twirled her around.
All the while he found himself staring into Fuuko's eyes, trying to dissect their inner depths. At first he had done it only on her instructions that he shouldn't stare at the floor nor on her head when dancing with her.
"Look dreamy," Fuuko said, "As if you're being enchanted...bewitched. You're dancing with me, not the ceiling, not the floor."
Now he can't seem to take his gaze off her. Her face looked so soft and smooth under the pale stage lights. Tendrils of her hair swept gently on her face. Her eyes looked at him with a strange innocence...and somewher in them, he could feel what seemed to be a concealed sadness.
Tokiya slowed his pace until they came to halt under the illumination of a spotlight. He didn't let her go just yet. Instead, he pulled her closer...and closer still until his face was a mere few inches from her.
"Tokiya?" Fuuko asked, bewildered. He didn't seem to hear her. He cupped her right cheek with his hand and brought it closer to his. Fuuko swallowed nervously.
Tokiya closed his eyes and went about, slowly...slowly. He swore he coule hear her heart beat in the stillness of the surroundings. He could feel her breathe softly, apparently nervously. He parted his lips slightly to meet hers.
CLAAANGG!!!!
Tokiya jerked away in the blink of an eye. He and Fuuko parted as two magnets repelled. From a short distance, one of the stage crew could be seen putting down a box full of props. He bent down to pick up what had caused the noise...one of the silver trays to be used as props.
Fuuko stole a glance at Tokiya who had his eyes averted. Tokiya noted, at the corner of his eye, that she was blushing.
"I don't remember that part of the script." she said jokingly before running down the steps to help the new arrival.
Bakaaa...bakaaa...he told himself repeatedly. What possessed him to do what he just did? He just didn't understand.
You're taking the play too seriously, he thought. He was getting carried away by his role. The character he play was theoretically attracted to the character Fuuko was playing. In this make-believe world, they were supposedly in love.
It's not supposed to cross over to the real world. It wasn't right. The line between reality and fantasy must be drawn. It was the first time Tokiya had starred in a play and he was probably having a little difficulty separating fact from fiction. Which was strange, he thought. He'd always been a man in control of himself and his actions.
What was wrong here?
The rest of the cast followed and they had begun rehearsals. Fuuko didn't seem to be affected by what had occured earlier, even when they repeated the scene. Not that he was affected either. They went through it as though nothing had happened. The rest of the practice had gone without any major hitches. They finished around seven-thirty in the evening.
"Mikagami!" Fuuko called him as he went down the steps when the director called it a day.
"Yes?"
"Do you have any plans for tomorrow night?" she querried.
"No."
"Great! I was wondering if you could come with me."
Mikagami's brows rose. Was Fuuko asking him out on a....date?
"What for?"
"See..." she twiddled her thumbs, "I....I've got a date tomorrow with this guy..."
"Oh." came the dry reply. "Why? I don't think your date is going to be thrilled having a third person around."
"That's just it." Fuuko said, "He knows I'm starring in a paly with THE TOKIYA MIKAGAMI,"she put an emphasis on his name. "And he's a little bit...jealous....knowing how popular you are with girls and stuff. So I thought that maybe if I introduce you to him...he'll see that there's nothing to be jealous about since he'll see that we're just friends."
He pondered this a while, as Fuuko stared at him with puppy dog eyes.He sighed, "Okay. If it helps."
"Thanks a lot, Tokiya!" she cried happily, and in a surprise gesture, she jumped up to kiss Tokiya on the cheek.
He blushed.
"Uhuh." she replied. "He's a major wrestling fan."
Mikagami couldn't believe his ears. Wheh he picked Fuuko up at her apartment, he was expecting her to tell him they were going to some fancy restaurant or hotel to meet her date, seeing how dolled-up she was. Her long, purple hair had been clipped at the back of her head with a lavender bow. And she was wearing a pretty lavender dress in silk. It was held up by spaghetti straps and its hem stopped midway between her thighs. It showed off her great figure with the curves in all the right places and her shapely legs. She had the lightest of make-up on, with pretty earrings and a bracelet completing the look. She wore strappy, heeled shoes. Tokiya wasn't exactly fond of assessing women, but he knew a glamourous one if he saw it. And Fuuko was indeed looking exceptionally pretty tonight.
And she was meeting her date in a wrestling match! How ironic.
They were ushered unto ringside seats. Tokiya didn't hide the discomfort he had as they squeezed among thousands of wrestling fans. Fuuko was obviously having the time of her life, cheering and screaming along with the bundled masses as they watched battle after battle as performed by the ring gladiators. Tokiya rolled his eyes heavenward. Fuuko's new beau better show up soon. He was beginning to lose his composure.
"And now," the ring announcer declared, "From Tokyo Japan, weighing in at 300 lbs. The Oni, Domon Ishijima!!!!!"
Tokiya almost choked on the mineral water he was drinking upon hearing the name of the approaching wrestler. And he didn't believe it until he saw it with his own two eyes. It was Domon! Retaining his mohawk do, although wearing it a little longer at the back. He was taller, about 20 pounds heavier, heavily-bearded and wearing the same animal-print leotards he had donned on the UBS 5 years ago. Most importantly, the nose ring was still there.
"Go Domon!" Fuuko clapped merrily, causing Tokiya to choke for a second time.
Fuuko was dating...Domon Ishijima? She dressed up all ladylike because of this Frankenstein? Tokiya felt as though he had lost his appetite.
The wrestling match lasted 10 minutes with Tokiya watching in disbelief while Fuuko cheered with glee. Domon won the match, raising his hands and posing like an idiot, just like in the UBS.
Apparently nothing has changed, Tokiya shook his head.
An hour later, Fuuko dragged Tokiya to the backstage despite his protests. Domon was a minor star, as dozens of fans camped outside his locker room lining for autographs. The ensui wielder couldn't believe his eyes. It was a while before the fans cleared out and they were led inside the dressing room by an usher.
Domon's dressing room was wide but cluttered. They were informed that he was inside the bathroom changing clothes when they stepped in.
"Domon-kun...we're here!" Fuuko called.
"Surprise!!!!"
Tokiya was jolted when out of their hiding places, the member of Team Hokage jumped out. Recca, Yanagi, Kaoru, Domon, Ganko and Kondo were there. Before he could say anything, he got lunged over by Ganko who was still as juvenile as she used to be.
"Hi Tokiya-sempai! How have you been?" Yanagi greeted.
"You girly bastard! Where on earth did you hide?" Recca slapped him on the back.
"Mikagami nii-chan!" he almost didn't recognize Kaoru's manly voice."we missed you!"
"Great to see you Mikagami!" called Domon.
Tokiya's gaze shifted to Fuuko who was beaming proudly in the background. It became obvious to him who had staged this surprise reunion. And that thing about her date was just a facade. Before Tokiya had any chance to react, he was half-dragged to a waiting van by his enthusiastic former teammamtes.