Comment: Enjoy =)

Episode 42: Roses are Red

Yoshiki threw his darts across the office room to his $200 dart board. Damn. He was bored. Where were all the rumors? What happened to the excitement? Where was Kyo?

Suddenly, the door opened.

Sugi.

"Professor." He said and sat on Yoshiki's desk. "I need to have a word with you."

"OK…"

"we had a deal."

"Eh?'

"I was supposed to have Kyo all to myself!" Sugi demanded.

"You do, don't you?"

Sugizo stood up with a hand on hip. "You slept with him!"

Yoshiki paled. "What are you talking about? I never slept with him!"

"Apparently he thinks so!"

Yoshiki grew angry. "So THAT'S the new rumor! I swear, I'll have to do something about that." He grabbed his jacket.

Sugizo pouted. "You'd better. I can't handle the fact that he prefers to fuck you over me!!"

"I never fucked him!!"

Sugizo pressed his lips into a thin line, but let the argument drop.

*****

Dear Journal, Today, everyone's talking about the Charity Masquarade. It's the very 1st year the university conducted such an event, but everyone's excited. The ticket sales go to charity and the food/entertainment are provided by the Student Government and sponsors. It's not really a masquarade. It's more like a costume party, but I'm sure it'll be fun…….

"KAORU!!"

Kaoru sighed and closed his book. "what is it?"

"AHHHHH!!! I dunno what to wear to the ball!" Toshiya shrieked.

"Totchi, calm down. Why don't you make your own costume?"

Toshiya gasped. "Toshimasa Hara….. MAKE my own costume??? PREPOSTEROUS!!"

Kaoru shrugged. "Hey, it's a suggestion."

"I know! I'll go shopping!"

"Gee. Where have I heard that before?" Kaoru said unenthusiastically.

Toshiya pouted. "Hey! You have to come with me!"

"Why don't you go with Kyo? I heard he really needs to talk to someone."

"Demo ToT!!"

"No, Totchi. I have to do homework."

"HMPH!!" Toshiya grabbed his purse. "Don't expect to get coffee tomorrow morning."

*****

Yoshiki and Kyo engaged in a glaring contest. Kyo sat on his bed and Yoshiki sat on a stool by the bed.

"What do YOU want?" Kyo grumbled.

"You KNOW what I want."

"A good fuck? Sorry, professor. I'm not letting my guard down like last time."

"What do you mean by 'last time?'"

"GODDAMMIT!!!" Kyo yelled. "you slept with me!!"

"Bullshit!" Yoshiki stood up. "I NEVER slept with YOU!!"

Kyo stood up in anger. "You don't remember!" He screamed. "How can you not remember?? You asshole!" Kyo grabbed the professor by the collar and threw him down on the bed.

Yoshiki struggled to free Kyo's hands from his neck as he choked out of breath.

*****

Ayumi peeked over the rack of clothes to watch the boy with neatly fixed hair and nice preppy clothes. She sighed. She was in the Costume Shoppe picking out a costume for the dance when she saw Morita walk in. what a coincidence! Her one and only true love walked in at the same place she was. They had to be made for each other.

Ayumi really wanted to ask him out to the dance, but she was SO nervous. She knew she shouldn't be, but she was.

Slowly, she walked toward the preppy boy. Right when Morita was within her reach, the boy turned the other direction and beamed.

"Toshiya, baby." He said as he walked toward the blue head.

Ayumi was hurt, but bitterly angry. What was that brat doing there? She saw Morita put an arm around the blue head as Toshiya shoved him away.

"C'mon, Toshiya-luv. Come to the dance with me." Morita cooed, putting on a seductive smile that Toshiya thought was disgustingly tasteless.

Toshiya just rolled his eyes and walked the other way.

Ayumi fumed. How could he? Why is it always Toshiya? Out of a fit of anger, she stormed out the store unnoticed.

*****

Miyabi stared. And stared. And stared. He stared at the rosy red petals and crisp green leaves. He was sitting on his bed and inspecting the boquet of roses on a plastic vase on the window sill.

~why?~ Miyabi asked himself.

Why? Why? Why? WHY!!!!!!!!!??????

~he doesn't love me! he fucking USED me! he fucked me and used me!~

Miyabi started crying. ~Why won't he leave me alone?~ He sobbed.

The flowers were beautiful, but it added to the pain. He didn't want anymore of this. It's too much to handle. He had better things to worry about.

In slow motion, Miyabi picked up the vase with the flowers and opened the window. He forcefully threw the roses out the window, then closed the window without looking back.

*****

Professor Toshi was in a VERy excellent mood that day. So good that he practically skipped to Diety Hall for the private cult meeting with his fave subordinate Kyo. He could start humming or whistling a tune, but that wouldn't be good for a cult leader's image.

Tonight was the night for the first fall crescent. Toshi was so excited he could shriek and not care if he broke a few glasses because of it. Well, he never did care anyway. Right now, he was about to engage in the most important spell of his cult career. He needed one person he could trust to help him, so he chose Kyo.

He held the ingredients tighter and walked --er - skipped faster across the lot.

Suddenly, he heard a sound from the building right next to him. It sounded like a door opening. No. can't be. It sounded like a window.

Toshi turned to his side. The first thing he saw were a boquet of roses being thrown toward him, which he ducked out successfully. Then, he saw a plastic vase pummeling from the sky, but it was too late. The vase hit Toshi on the head, which sent him blacking out on the grass.

5 minutes later….

Toshi woke up and looked around. He felt the bump on his head and winced. ~Who did that?~

Toshi decided to ignore that and gathered his spell ingredients splayed on the grass. Then, he stared at the roses.

~WHAT THE--?~

He remembered the roses falling from the sky, but he didn't see anyone around the area. The professor picked it up and inspected the card. He raised an eyebrow.

~NICE. VERY ROMANTIC.~

But whose it supposed to be?

He knows Hakuei, but he doesn't know his koi. Well, he could remember the name started with a 't'. then, he snapped his fingers. It has to be that blue headed boy Toshiya. He remembers seeing them both constantly at the coffee shop.

Toshi beamed. Because he was in such a good mood, he decided to be a good Samaritan and deliver them to the blue head. After that, he will go and finally conduct his spell with Kyo.

*****

Kaoru grumbled irritatedly when the door knocked. He left his homework and opened the door, ready to yell. He stopped once he saw Prof. Toshi handing him a boquet of roses.

"OO;;;; Ano…. Konbanwa, Prof. Toshi….." Kaoru said uneasily.

"KONBANWA!!!!!!!!!"

Kaoru gingerly took the flowers and gave Toshi strange looks. "Umm… thanks?"

"THOSE AREN'T FOR YOU!!!!!!!"

"OH." Internally, Kaoru was sighing in relief.

"THOSE ARE FOR TOSHIYA!!!!!"

Kaoru froze. "T-t-t-Toshiya!!!!?????"

"YES." Toshi said nonchalantly. "THEY'RE NICE, AREN'T THEY?"

"………………………………" Kaoru stared at the flowers. He was sure Toshiya would appreciate the gift, as awkward as it seems, but Kaoru, for some strange reason, suddenly got a bad taste in his mouth. "……. They're…… nice…….." Kaoru suddenly felt betrayed, but mentally slapped himself.

~…….he was never yours to begin with………~

"OH YEAH. THAT CAME WITH A CARD AND A VASE." Toshi gave kaoru the items. "LOOK, I HAVE TO GO SEE KYO NOW. SEE YOU IN CLASS."

Kaoru simply nodded, because he couldn't speak from shock. Not only from shock in finding out Toshi giving out roses, but shock from his sudden feeling of betrayal.

Kaoru slowly set the vase and flowers on Toshiya's dresser. He flipped the card and read it.

"……..Love, Hakuei…."

He was more shocked, but felt other waves of strong emotions. He closed his eyes to calm himself. He felt angry, depressed, hurt….. but why?

Toshiya has the right to be with whoever he wants, even if the person is that blonde bastard Hakuei. Maybe Hakuei realized he really loves Toshiya. Bringing roses is an act that only the most powerful, loving bond can make Hakuei do. Hakuei was never a romantic.

Maybe they're meant for each other.

Maybe they love each other.

Love………

Kaoru quickly grabbed his keys and went out the dorm. He needed to walk this off. Badly.

*****

Kyo and Yoshiki lay on their backs staring at the ceiling on Kyo's bed. Nekkid. Kyo fel tlike killing himself. Yoshiki was stunned from shock.

"Wow." Yoshiki breathed.

Kyo pouted. What else could he say? He both enjoyed and was disgusted by what they just did. "I told you you slept with me."

"Wish I'd remembered." Yoshiki crossed his arms behind his head. "I wish you'd told me earlier."

Kyo made a face. "I did!"

"Really?"

The blonde rolled his eyes.

"So, does this mean we're lovers?"

Kyo choked. "L-lover?!!"

Yoshiki raised an eyebrow. "Yes. Lovers." Then he got up on an elbow with a grim face. 'Don't tell me you favor Sugizo over me!" He growled.

"you have got to be kidding me!"

"So you DO like Sugi."

"NO!! I don't like ANYBODY!" Kyo sat up and glared. 'I really wish both of you would leave me along!"

Yoshiki apparently wasn't listening. "I'll show you that I'm better!" he snapped. 'you're coming with me to the Charity Masquarade."

"WHAT? But your'e a professor!"

"Staff and faculty are invited. It is, after all, a charity event."

"NO! I refuse to be seen with you!"

"Would you rather be with Sugi then?"

"NOOOOO!! Your'e missing the point! I don't ------."

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Ysohiki and Kyo stopped and stared atr the door. "Who is it?" Kyo asked.

"TOSHI DESU! I'M HERE TO TELL YOU ABOUT OUR SECRET CULT PROJECT!!!"

"Shit." Kyo cursed. He grabbed a shirt and put it on. "You hide in the bathroom." He told Yoshiki.

"Eh? Why?'

"Goddamit." Kyo muttered. He pushed Yoshiki in and closed the door. Eh went to the entrance and opened it. He put on a fake grin. "Konbanwa, Prof. Toshi."

"KONBANWA!" Toshi greeted. "ANO…. WHERE ARE YOUR PANTS?"

Kyo flushed. "Lemme put the on…" Kyo went in and grabbed some black pants.

"FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE TO DO THIS QUICK AND WE HAVE TO DO THIS IN THE BASEMENT."

"Basement?"

"HAI. THAT'S WHERE WE HANDLE ALL OUR CULT SERMONS AND THAT'S WHERE MOST SPIRITUAL ENERGY RESIDE."

"O-kay…"

"ALRIGHT! LET'S GOOOOO!!!!!!" Toshi grabbed the unwilling Kyo and dragged him down the basement.

*****

Miyabi walked out his dormitory building and continued to stride at a quick pace. He wanted to keep walking until all his energy gave way and all he could do is sleep. He felt so much pain he was numb all over. He didn't slow down his pace until he passed the library. Even though he knew the library is a dangerous part of campus, he didn't care at this point. He just stared at the ground, hands in pockets, walking and walking.

~How could he? He doesn't even love me!~

Miyabi immediately felt tears fill his eyes. It took all his dignity and will power to prevent them from rolling down his cheeks. He began to run wildly.

He ran until he bumped hard into someone.

"Sumimasen."

"Miyabi?"

Miyabi looked up. "kaoru-kun??"

Kaoru blinked in surprise. "Miyabi! Is something wrong?"

Miyabi touched his cheeks and felt the wetness. He didn't' even realize he was crying. ~Am I that numb?~ before contemplating more into the matter, he thought about the flowers and Hakuei's sweet message. He wanted --- no --- he needed to cry his confused and battered heart out.

Immediately, he buried his tear-streamed face into Kaoru's chest and cried.

*****

Toshiya hummed gleefully and swung his shopping bad around. He was SO excited to get back to the dorm and show Kaoru the costume. After he finally evaded Morita in the store, he found the outfit hanging on a rack. He knew it was perfect. Absolutely perfect.

It was a Cleoptra costume and it came with a headdress and wig. Toshiya squeezed his eyes shut from squealing in excitement.

He finally reached his dormitory and gingerly placed the oufit on his bed. He inspected it for a while, admiring how sexy it would look on his slim body. Then, he sat down on kaoru's bed and took off his shoes. As soon as he took off his shoes, he noticed something. The roses.

Toshiya cocked an eyebrow. ~Definitely not Kaoru's.~ he thought. He inspected the bouquet and thought it was beautiful.

~Maybe someone gave it to kaoru~ he fumed.

But his anger dissipated when he noticed the cream-colored card. He picked it up, out of curiosity, and read it.

CONTD @ ~ Episode 43: Lovage, Magnitite, and Lemon Balm