The Brothers - Chapter 2 A week passed since the Hikaru incident. Yohei was sitting in the midst of the crowded classroom with Hanamichi who was now chatting with 2 girls who were going to invite them to their party this weekend. Yohei did not fully pay attention to what they were talking about; instead he buried himself into his own thoughts. However, he was careful to nod from time to time to show that he was with them. /I just don’t get it! Why didn’t Hanamichi say anything about that evening? It’s not just him but all the people seem to simultaneously forget about it! Ryota, Mitsui and even Ayako-san, who I expected to be the first of all people digging it up. Hikaru has been acting weird to that quiet boy. He was telling me how nice Rukawa was when I came over to their house last night and Hanamichi didn’t show any offense. What the hell is going on? Rukawa didn’t say anything either, not that that was unusual. But I thought he liked Hanamichi or was I wrong? Maybe it’s all a lie after all…/ “Yohei, did you hear that? Isn’t it great? These 2 pretty girls invited us to the party this weekend.” There was no reply. The redhead turned around to check on his friend beside him. “Yohei! Hey, man! Are you listening?” That snapped him to the world in front of him with a start. Yohei quickly made up an excuse for his ignorance. “Y…yes, I am. What are we talking about? Rukawa? Er! No! I mean… well… Hey Hanamichi, I forgot I have a meet with Mr. Chimada. I gotta go.” With that he vanished into the crowded hallway leaving the trio to wonder what was wrong with him. Once he stepped out of the building, he headed to the garden where he saw a group of three girls he recognized as Rukawa’s cheering team, sitting and chatting under the tree. Not wanting to associate with annoying people, he turned around heading back the way he came. Right before he walked his way back, there was a tall man standing against the wall before him, Rukawa. “Can we talk?” the fox-eyed man uttered with a monotone voice. As usual, his lips barely moved. Feeling a shiver run down his spine, Yohei forced himself to look into Rukawa’s eyes challengingly. “Certainly.” “Good” Rukawa replied, pushing himself off of the wall. As Rukawa headed back into the building, Yohei took that as an invitation to follow the young man to wherever he would be taken to. /How long does he intend to walk like this? / Yohei mentally complained as he walked quietly after the taller teenager. Eventually Rukawa stopped in front of a computer lap on the third floor. It was on the break time and since no one was allowed to be there at that certain time of the day, they were all alone. Turning his handsome face a bit to the left so he could see the teenaged figure who was standing behind his back, Rukawa walked into the classroom. Yohei automatically followed suit, shutting the door after him “You don’t want those big-mouths to know about Hanamichi, do you?” he pointed. “…” Silence was all Rukawa gave him in return for his thoughtfulness. /Damn, the do’aho does have a smart friend! / “What do you want to talk about?” Yohei shot his question with hesitance although he already knew the answer. “…” Rukawa still did not open his mouth. Yohei exhaled a heavy sigh. He did not want to be in the situation like this, ever. Especially with this certain guy. /Well, it seems like I am the one who does all the talk around here. / “I suppose you want to talk about Hanamichi, don’t you?” Rukawa simply nodded in silence, fixing his death gaze on the other man as if to say “YOU KNOW WHAT AM I GETTING AT SO STOP ASKING ME THAT STUPID QUESTION AND GET TO THE POINT! ”. Yohei did not fail to pick up that inaudible note. Considering what the man could do to him Yohei involuntarily spoke what he was required to. “I know you are not on a good mood so I’ll get to the point. What do you want me to do anyway Rukawa? I don’t know what you have done with those two but it seems to work very well. So I don’t think you will need my help since you do just fine without me.” “I do need your help but not with the brothers.” “Then who?” “Akagi’s sister, Haruko.” Yohei was surprised by the request. He could not comprehend why someone as confident as Rukawa, the number one rookie, would be afraid of such a harmless litter girl. Regaining his self-composure, Yohei listened to the raven hair teenager inventively. “… so that is why you have to get rid of her for me,” finished Rukawa who once again fell into silence awaiting the reply of the other. Still in shock, Yohei hesitated to make any reaction but knowing that he couldn’t get any with the silence since his component was a silencer. He heaved a huge sigh and went on with he saw best. “What do you want me to do?” “Be her boyfriend,” Rukawa said without a moment of thinking. “Huh?” Yohei raised his voice. The shorter teenager looked that the taller incredulously. “I said it.” “What? But she is Hanamichi’s crush!” “That’s why I need you to do it.” “Hell no! I will do anything but this.” “You promised.” Yohei took a step back, his own words haunting him. Submission was his first thought but he could not, not ever, betray his own friend. /Let’s see what can I do in this circumstance… / “You won’t let me get away with this, will you?” Silence. Yohei took that as no. “I’ll keep my promise, I’ll block Haruko away from Hanamichi but I have my own way of doing so. Will you leave it to me?” asked Yohei. They exchanged a long moment of staring before the taller youth nodded and quietly walked out not forgetting to shut the door behind him. Yohei heaved heavily. He could not remember how often he did this nowadays. Turning his face to the window, he looked at the brightness. “Such a beautiful day,” he said. A second later, the bell rang and he started to walk his way to class. To be Continued... **Previous**Next**