"Arigatou, Hidaka-san."

Hidaka Kimiko leaned in towards Sengoku Kiyosumi.

    "Hn? What are you doing, Hidaka-san? I'm just here for tutoring lessons. Besides, I have a girlfriend. You know that."

    "I'm sure she won't mind." She leaned in closer towards him, planning to bring their lips together before the lesson would end. She knew full well that she would get what she wanted by the look in his eyes.

Honesty

The early morning rays rested themselves gently onto the closed eyelids of . However, their gentle steps weren't soft enough as they disturbed the slumbering girl. Long eyelashes fluttered as the eyelids opened up to reveal earthen brown eyes. A soft moan of discomfort escaped from soft, parted lips as slender arms propped up a slim body. 's eyes linked several times as a sweet scent tickled her nose. Placing small feet into soft slippers, made her way to the kitchen, letting the scent lead the way. Her brown eyes opened wide upon laying sights on none other than Sengoku Kiyosumi.

    "Kiyosumi?" she said softly, voice still thick with sleep. The brown-haired boy turned to face his girlfriend of two months.

    "-chan!" Sengoku exclaimed happily, turning off the stove. "I made you breakfast."

    "That's nice, Kiyo-chan, but how did you get inside my house?" asked.

    "Don't you remember last night?" Sengoku asked, a mischievous grin on his face. "How could you forget?"

    "Hentai!" yelled, hitting Sengoku playfully on the arm.

    "Fine, if you don't want to belive that, then I came here early before your mom went to work," Sengoku responded, taking out plates. was surprised. Her mom left for work at five in the morning. The fact that Sengoku would make the effort was startling, but pleasing. She smiled softly at him. "You know, you should just give me a key already."

    "Why? So you could sneak into my bed while I'm asleep?" asked, an eyebrow raised.

    "Buuut enough of that," Sengoku said, changing the subject as he set breakfast on the table. "Let's eat. I made blueberry pancakes with kiwi on top." frowned as she sat down. "What? You don't like it?"

    "Kiyo-chan, you know I hate kiwis," whined.

    "Of course! I knew that. I did that so I could eat them for you," Sengoku lied, eating them. didn't believe a word of it, but it was a sweet gesture nonetheless. "There, now you can enjoy the rest of it."

    "Arigatou, Kiyo-chan," said, smiling at him.

Sengoku and weren't exactly everyone's guess for the next couple. Sengoku, perverted as he was, seemed like he would never settled down. was a shy, average girl. No one ever thought Sengoku, who was quite popular with the girls at Yamabuki, would pick someone like her, but it was just what he was after. Of course, it didn't stop other girls from chasing after him, especially one Hidaka Kimiko.

Hidaka Kimiko made it known to everyone that Sengoku Kiyosumi was the boy she was after, and that she was going to get him. Everyone thought she would. After allo, Kimiko was smart and beautiful, and she and Sengoku would flirt all the time. So, of course, it was a large blow to Kimiko's swelled ego when Sengoku chose over her. She declared war on , and if it came from Kimiko, she meant it.

Sengoku was a brilliant tennis player, but unfortunately, he wasn't very bright. So in order to stay on the tennis team Banji assigned Sengoku a tutor. It just so happened that Hidaka Kimiko was the top in the class, and that she was willing to tutor him. The war was officially on. Of course, had her doubts and concerned over the whole situation, but she wasn't one to interfere with Sengoku's well-being, and she felt that she could trust him, despite her friend's pleas not to. And Hidaka Kimiko never missed a chance to rub it in her face whenever Sengoku wasn't around.

It just so happened that it was both and Kimiko's turn on cleaning duty.

    " -saaaan," Kimiko purred, sounding deceivingly kind.

    "Hai, Hidaka-san?" replied politely, not one to hold grudges.

    "You know, it was really hard for me to concentrate yesterday, the way Sengoku-chan kept looking at me," Kimiko told her, sounding whimsical.

    "Sou ka?" responded, trying hard not to sound like she was vexed by her comment.

    "Yeah…" Kimiko said, dragging out the vowels. "He did more that that, you know." Kimiko smiled sweetly, too wide to be sincere.

    "Hm…" was 's only response. She felt that if she said more, her annoyance would be obvious and Kimiko would claim her victory.

    "Yup," Kimiko said, acting like had no relationship or emotional ties with thim. "You're walking home with him after his tennis practice, right? The only response Kimiko received this time was a nod from . "Ask for his jacket. He'll give it to you, I'm sure." There was bitterness in her voice. "Then check the collar."

    "What do you mean by th—" began, but was cut off by the teacher.

    "Okay, -kun, Hidaka-kun," she said, smiling at the two. "It seems we're don here. Good work. "You're free to go."

    "Arigatou, Kobayashi-sensei," said the girls in unison, bowing to her. Kimiko immediately ran to her desk and grabbed her bag.

    "Just check it," she said abruptly. "And as soon as he drops you off at home, he'll come running to me." And with a coy smile Kimiko was gone, leaving to ponder her words.

was quite through the walk home, but seeing as to hoe Sengoku was very talkative, and was a shy girl to begin with, it was barely noticeable. As they neared her house with every second, the time she had to make her decision grew shorter and shorter. She knew that she could trust Sengoku, but the fact that Kimiko would go as far as to tell to check Sengoku's jacket, to check for actual proof, set her mind on defensive.

's driveway was now in view. She only had a few moments left to make her decision. They were now walking towards her doorstep, where they would bid goodbye for the evening. And now Sengoku was staring into her eyes.

    "Is everything okay?" Sengoku asked, snapping her out of her reverie.

    "Hai," lied, flashing Sengoku a smile.

    "Okay," Sengoku said, stroking her hair softly. shivered at her touch.

    "Kiyo-chan," said, grabbing his hand and clutching it, unable to believe what she was about to ask him. "I know this might sound odd, but…can I have your jacket?" Sengoku looked a bit reluctant.

    "Nani?" Sengoku asked, began to wonder if she should have even bothered asking. Since when did she let Kimiko dictate her life? Then he smiled at her. "It's not odd, -chan. Here." Sengoku dropped his bag on the floor and removed his jacket. He then threw the jacket around 's shoulders. Lucky~. It's a perfect fit!" couldn't help but smile back at him. "So are you going to invite me in or not?"

    "Nani? Don't you have your tutoring lesson?" asked, suddenly remembering the reason she had asked for his jacket in the first place.

    "I'm not going," Sengoku stated simply, shrugging his shoulders.

    "Nande? Kiyo-chan, you should go," told him.

    "Why?" Sengoku asked. asked herself the same question.

    "Kiyo-chan, you might get kicked off the team," said firmly. "Now, I don't know the reason why you suddenly don't want to go, but it can't be worth being dropped from the regulars."

    "But —"

    "I don't want to hear it."

    "But you haven't heard my reason yet."

    "Sengoku."

There was something to be said when called him by his last name. Sengoku hung his shoulders in defeat, not wanting to go to sleep that night wondering if was still mad at him.

    "Fine, I'll go," Sengoku said after a brief silence. "But only after you answer me this."

    "What?" asked, a hint of annoyance still in her voice. Sengoku cringed a bit, but continues to ask his question.

    "You're not going to stay mad at me, are you?" he asked her, smiling in an attempt to ease any anger she may have had. He was relieved to receive a smile back.

    "How can I?" asked, hugging him. "Now you better go. You'll be late." Sengoku kissed her on the forehead and smiled.

    "I'll miss you, my koibito," he said and took off running. It was at that moment that remembered Kimiko's words.

    "As soon as he drops you off at home, he'll come running to me."

watched his retreating figure for a few moments before proceeding inside and going straight to her room. She sat in front to of her dresser mirror, staring at her reflection. The green of Sengoku's jacket seemed to scream out at her. Should she check? She was afraid of what she would find, if there was anything there at all. Before she could make a final decision, something caught her eye. Was that a hint of red? No, it couldn't be. Nowhere on a Yamabuki Regular's jacket was there even a spot of red. But…there it was. It was a little hard to see due to the distance between herself and the mirror, but that was a spot of red.

removed the jacket quickly and peered closely at the collar. A spot of red. There was no doubt about it now. But that wasn't the worst of it. Not only was it a spot of red, but it was a spot of red lipstick. The kind that Hidaka Kimiko always wore. The jacket fell to the floor as ran to her bedroom window, but Sengoku was already far from view.

The next day, tried her best to avoid Kimiko's gaze, but Kimiko's overbearing personality wouldn't allow it. Throughout their school day, Kimiko's face glowed with satisfaction, the kind that showed no humility or modesty after winning a battle. And all day wore a face of defeat. Had she really lost? Had Kimiko really taken her dear Sengoku from her?

She wouldn't allow it.

Kimiko, Sengoku and were forced into a group during their science class.

    "Sengoku-chan, do you understand it now?" Kimiko purred, grabbing his arm.

    "He does," said, grabbing Sengoku's other arm and snatching him away from her. tip-toed and pulled him into a kiss. After parting, Sengoku looked confused, but it was obvious he enjoyed it. He didn't know she was just claiming her property. Kimiko glared at her, and smirked in return. Meanwhile, Sengoku messed up their group project.

After school, waited for Sengoku's practice to end so he could walk her home, as usual. Kimiko may hae a grasp on him, but Sengoku was technically still hers. All she had to do was win back the part of Sengoku that Kimiko had stolen from her. She had to beat Kimiiko at this game or she'd lose something precious to her. Hadn't she expected something like this from the start anyway?

    "Wait, so you said yes to Sengoku-san?" asked , 's best friend.

    "I'd be crazy not to, right?" replied, a wistful look in her eyes. "Out of all the girl in Japan, he picked me." 's silence made her uneasy. "What?"

    "Aren't you scared?"

    "Of what?"

    "Well…look at his personality. I mean, he's very well-known as a playboy around school…aren't you scared of getting hurt?" 's serene smile made all the more worried.

    "For some reason, I trust him. He feels like the type of guy who would give up all other girls for his one and only."

    "And may I remind you how many times your intuition has proved to be less than reliable? , please be reasonable."

    ", trust me on this one. This feeling…I just can't ignore…"

    "Right. I'm just warning you, . Tread carefully."

Now wished she'd taken that warning to heart. There she was, heartbroken, and had grown too attached to let him go. She'd rather be pained and on edge than to lose the one person who always made her seem like the only person in the world who mattered. And she wasn't going to let Kimiko win.

    "Ne, ?" Sengoku asked, his smile wide as usual. A small but regrettable hint of anger rose within , wondering how Sengoku could act like he'd done nothing wrong. "."

    "Huh? Oh, yeah…" responded generically, having no idea what Sengoku had just asked, as he had snapped her out of her train of though. He didn't notice 's thought once again go elsewhere, and she didn't notice the look of concern on his face. Once again, they were at her doorstep. She opened the door and they both went inside.

    "Here's your jacket back. I washed it for you," said, handing the green jacket back to him. Sengoku wondered how her last few words could sound so cold.

    "Arigatou, ," Sengoku said, grabbing. "But you didn't have to give it back."

    "Don't be silly," responded. Once again, Sengoku's mind was racing. "What are you waiting for? Go to your tutoring lesson."

    "It was cancelled," Sengoku told her. It was fairly plausible, but could always tell when Sengoku was lying.

    "I don't want you lying to me, Sengoku," said. There it was, his surname. struggled to keep from crying. Why did it hurt so much to say that? "Just…go."

    "You know, , I always thought you'd be the last person I heard that from," Sengoku said, getting a little vexed himself. He grabbed his things and headed for the door. "Sayonara." As the door closed, fell to her knees. Those words sounded so final. Had she finally lost?

    "Hey, , are you all right? You haven't even touch your food. That's not you at all." asked her best friend. "You didn't even come to school with Sengoku-san today. Did something happen?"

    "Not something I shouldn't have expected," responded. "I can't believe it…"

    "Did he hurt you, ?" questioned. By 's silence, could only assume she was right. "I warned you…"

    "I know," said, turning her gaze away from . "I know…"

    "I know exactly what'll cheer you up," said, then through to herself. "I'll kick his ass…" pat her friend's back. "Just wait here…" stood up and made her way to where Sengoku hung out with his friends. just stared blankly at a couple nearby.

    "Foolish girl…" she muttered, blinking her eyes. "You'll only get hurt…" Before long, had returned. "Huh? Did you beat him up already?"

    "," said, sounding out of breath. "I have something to tell you!" Be the attentive look on 's face, she knew to continue. "Well—" She paused, not knowing how to put everything she had just seen and heard in words. "About Sengoku-san. You should talk to him."

    "Is that all? I thought you were going to cheer me up," said, frowning. took a deep breath just as the lunch bell rang. "Ja matta, ." threw her uneaten lunch in the trash and left her best friend standing there.

It was after school. Around this time, would usually be heading towards the tennis courts to watch Sengoku practice, or to the clubroom to take a little nap, but not this day. was walking toward the school gates, intending to go straight home. Just as she was bout to exit, a familiar figure stopped her.

    "Kiyo-chan…" uttered, letting the pet name slip out. "How did you know I was heading home?"

    " told me you were," Sengoku said.

    " ?" repeated. Why was doing all this? Wasn't she the one who had been against him in the first place?

Talk to him.

If was the one saying it, perhaps she should take that chance. She had even created a chance for her to do it.

    "," Sengoku said, snapping her out of her thoughts. "What's been up with you lately?" lowered her head. Should she tell him? What if he told her exactly what she wanted to hear? Or what if he told her exactly what she had been suspecting?

    "Kiyosumi…" said, suddenly engrossed in the cleanliness of her fingernails. Sengoku reached out and grabbed her hand, clasping it in his. Sincerity was written all over her face, nearly moving to tears. " …" he whispered.

    "Kiyosumi, I…Do you enjoy going to tutoring lessons?" she asked, pulling her hand back in the process, afraid that if she held on, she'd break down. Was this an act? How could he pretend to care so much?

    "Huh?" Sengoku asked, awkwardly grabbing the straps of his bag, not knowing what to do with his hands after she pulled hers away. "A lesson's a lesson…"

    "What does that mean?" she asked in return.

    "It means," Sengoku sighed, "that there isn't really room for an emotional attachment."

    "I beg to differ," retorted, angry that he was lying to her.

    "What?" Sengoku asked.

    "Kiyosumi, I found a spot of red lipstick on your jersey," told him. Sengoku went from a look of confusion to a soft look in a matter of seconds. , angered by this, spoke again. "Kimiko told me to look for it." Sengoku then began to laugh, and grew even angrier.

    "Kimiko tired to kiss me the other day," Sengoku stated through a smile. How could he be smiling after he told her something like that?

    "And why is that so funny?" asked, crossing her arms.

    "I pushed her away!" Sengoku exclaimed. "She must have gotten that on my jacket before I did. Isn't it obvious, ? She's been after me so long!"

    "It was planned," breathed, realizing her mistake. "That's why she told me to ask for your jacket…" 's head lowered in shame. "I'm so sorry, Kiyosumi…" made to run off, but Sengoku's quick reflexes allowed him to grab her arm before she did. He forced her into his arms where she buried a tear-stained face into his uniform. "I'm so sorry…"

    "Sh…it's okay…" Sengoku whispered, running his fingers through her hair. " , I just want to know why…why you believed her…"

    "Well…when I asked you for your jacket, you seemed so reluctant to give it to me…"

    "My jacket was really dirty! I thought it would stink. But the sad look on your face made me disregard that, and so I gave it to you. Besides, if I knew there was a red spot, wouldn't I have kept my jacket?"

    "But…the day Kimiko told me to check your jacket, you seemed to be in such a hurry to get to her…you were running to her house…"

    "…if I remember correctly…I hadn't wanted to go to the lesson in the first place….and you seemed so angry with me that I didn't want to go, I though it best to run over there so I wouldn't be late…"

's eyes began to water.

    "…all of these were easily excusable…how could you fall prey to Kimiko like that?"

    "Because…It's just…you're so handsome, Kiyosumi…and you can get any girl you want…"

    "I did the girl I wanted, …It was you…and even though at times it may seem like I'm looking at other girls…at the end of the day, it's your image that I fall asleep to…and it's you who makes me feel…whole."

    "Kiyo—" began, but her lips were silenced by Sengoku's own.

    "You don't need to apologize," he said after breaking the kiss. "I've been so much trouble for you, and you've been nothing but good to me. . I love you. And I never ever want to hurt you." smiled through her tears at him.

    "Sengoku…I love you too…" She hugged him tightly, knowing then and always, Sengoku would be hers.

    "I'm sure she won't mind." She leaned in closer towards him, planning to bring their lips together before the lesson would end. She knew full well that she would get what she wanted by the look in his eyes.

    "I said no," Sengoku said, shoving her away. "I don't know what you're trying to get out of these lessons…"

    "You!" she exclaimed.

    "You can't have me," Sengoku said, his bag on his shoulder and his hand on the doorknob. "I've already given …all of me…"
 

fin
soh
2.September.2005