Romeo and Juliet
Chapter 02
"Welcome!" A mellifluous, feminine voice emerged, and turned, to find herself staring eye to eye with a pretty girl, most likely in her late teens with carmine hair and a slender build.
"How may I help you?" she asked, as glanced around. "I'm just l-looking around, there's no need for the trouble... Is this shop new?"
"Yes it is! We just opened a couple of weeks back," the girl explained, and nodded. "I see. That's why I don't remember seeing this shop around before. Your shop is marvelously designed! I like it!" remarked, and the girl gave her a shy smile. "Thanks. My aunt, my boyfriend and I spent lots of time just decorating this place up so that we can attract more customers over. Business has been well."
With that, the girl walked away to arrange some items on the shelves, while took a walk around the shops, browsing through the items as she tried to figure out what had attracted Shiraishi's attention.
Just then, a second voice came. It was in a soft whisper, but 's sharp ears managed to catch what that person was saying.
"Hey, Lisa. Isn't that girl from Shitenhouji as well?" the person whispered discreetly, and the girl leant behind to take a look at me. "Oh yes, I suppose so! I didn't even realize. What's the matter?"
"And that guy is also from Shitenhouji. Maybe he had sent her as a spy over here to watch your every action."
"Nah, Auntie! You are worrying too much. You might scare customers away if you continue to suspect so much!" the girl muttered.
"It's only imperative of me to worry about you. You are my niece after all. You are much of a dolt in terms of love relationships, and I'm just more than glad that you already have a boyfriend. I'm just afraid that that guy who keep staring at you every day after school will somehow bring your relationship into a state of turmoil."
Oh. Now some pieces of the puzzle are falling into place. So, Shiraishi Kuranosuke likes this girl over here? And this girl has a boyfriend already. So, Shiraishi must be all depressed and everything. But... why does Shiraishi like her? She's not a student from Shitenhouji.
"Oh wow. Now there's some detective work that needs to be done. If this was also added into the newspaper... It might also be a tremendous hit! I should seek for others' opinions first..." thought.
With that, she pushed the door open and stepped out of the shop, before she rushed back home.
Once at home, her Mother gave her castigation for returning home late, because she thinks that shouldn't be spending so much of her time in school. After all her scolding, called for her sempai- Shinn Asuke, and told him about the incident at the shop.
"So, do you think that I should publish it? It sounds pretty amazing that Shiraishi likes someone," said, and Shinn Asuke pondered for a bit, before replying, "We should ask for his permission for this first. After all, it sounds pretty private. We would be intruding his privacy if we published such an article without his permission."
"Hmm... Yes, I agree with you. I'd ask him for permission first thing tomorrow, and I'll write out the article right away now. Thanks, sempai!" thanked, and Shinn chuckled, "Sure. Just make sure you don't tire yourselves out. You are taking several into your hands."
With that, ended the call, and went into her small; cozy room where she sat down and started writing out an article as well as finishing the homework that needed to be handed up tomorrow. Time elapsed so quickly, and the day was up. prepared herself for the next day. She was going to ask Shiraishi Kuranosuke for his permission on an article on him. It wasn't her first time doing such a thing, but it was Shiraishi Kuranosuke this time after all. He was the school's hottest guy.
Next morning, got up early and prepared herself for school.
"Ah, , you are up early," her Mother said over at the dining table, "Fuji-kun said he wanted to speak to you today... Well, he told me that yesterday, but I forgot to tell you about it..."
"Fuji? What'd he want to tell me? Maybe he's going to tell me how much rivalry had increased between him and the Seigaku freshman- Ryoma Echizen," muttered, and her Mother raised a brow before shrugging. "I'm not too sure myself. He mentioned something about a school function, though." When had finished my breakfast, she bided her parents’ goodbye, before she gripped her schoolbag and raced downstairs, only to find Fuji Syusuke waiting there, leaning casually against a pillar, waiting for her.
"," he began when he noticed me, "How's school?"
"School... is quite okay, for now," she emphasized on the 'now'. "So, what did you want to talk to me about?" Fuji stopped smiling.
Weird. He never stops smiling.
"I... I want to ask you to be my date on an upcoming school dance in Seigaku," he said, as he looked away.
"Me? Are you sane? I thought you had lots of fan girls? You can ask them out!" answered, and Fuji responded, "Please."
"Well, of course I can be your date!" She gave him a lopsided smile as she slapped him hard on the back. "I've been your childhood friend for so long! Come on! It's not the first time I'm your date at a dance!" said, as she laughed. "Remember that time I tripped over you in the dance? I never wore that stupid high-heeled again! And that time..." started telling him everything that happened in the past few dances we went together. Soon, he and she parted ways, and she headed straight for Shitenhouji to find Shiraishi Kuranosuke.
When did find him, he was busily trying to avoid all his fan girls that seem to be following wherever he went. She was at a loss over what to do- should she just walk forward and says, "Ahem, I need to talk to you." Or I scream here, "SHIRAISHI KURANOSUKE! YOU EITHER STOP IN YOUR TRACKS OR I'LL PERSONALLY SEDATE AND MAIM YOU! AND THOSE FAN GIRLS OF HIS, STOP MAKING SO MUCH OF A DIN!" Or should I just wait for these fan girls to disperse, before I quickly ask him?
checked the time. She didn't have much time to lose; she needed to get back to my class on time. So, what she did was to simply throng her way through the fan girls. "Excuse me, excuse me! I need to talk to Shiraishi!" she said, as she tried to shove my way through them.
"AHA! Who do you think you are pitting yourselves on my Shiraishi? He will not talk to-" She was cut off immediately, when she found Shiraishi standing right next to her.
"What's it, reporter ?" Shiraishi quipped as he gawked at . She glanced at the fan girl, and Shiraishi snapped, "I don't have all day. Ignore that surly fan girl. Tell me what you need."
"A-Ah, all right t-then. I need to go somewhere quiet and deserted as well," told him, and the fan girls glared at her. "Don't tell me you are going to kiss him?"
"N-No! I need to ask him a really private question," She answered, and they placed their hands on their hips, giving her the skeptical look.
"Just leave, all of you! Quit following me around!" Shiraishi yelled, and the frightened fan girls ran away.
"So now, with them gone, what did you want to ask me?" he asked, as he glanced at the time. Sensing his annoyance, decided to speak quickly.
"It's like this, yesterday after school, I noticed you standing outside this shop and I did some investigations and I know about the story. And I'm wondering I'm I can get your permission to publish such an article..." spoke explicitly, and Shiraishi froze, before he glared at her with his pair of hazel eyes dripping with fury.
Then, swiftly, he grabbed her shoulders and pinned her onto the wall.
"WAH!" screamed, as her back landed hard on the wall.
"Don't you ever dare to publish it!?" Shiraishi snarled, and gulped. "O-O-Oh, sure... I shan't publish it." "What do you know about that incident?" "U-Um... I know that that girl is named Lisa and some other stuff."
"Listen. Do not tell anyone about it." Shiraishi composed himself and told in a less harsh tone. "Please."
"U-Um... okay?" muttered, before Shiraishi released his grips on her shoulder. then sped away all the way back to class, slightly shaken that Shiraishi was that enraged about her knowledge about his affairs. She could only hope that Shiraishi wasn't that angry, or else it might drastically affect her work as a reporter having to come out a newspaper for the tennis team. Don't forget, 's work as a reporter for the tennis team commences today, and nobody would want everything to go haywire on the first day right?
Lessons went on, and nothing much happened.
After lessons ended, went over to the P.A room, preparing to make her first announcements in this school. She was feeling pretty exhilarated. As she approached it, she found Chief already waiting there.
"Ah, . You are here. First day here, eh? I can see that you are pretty excited about it. Come, I'll show you how to use the system," he beckoned into the room, where he started demonstrating her how to on the system and the microphone and so on.
"Anyone with an announcement to make will pass you slips of papers with what they want to say on them. All announcements are to be broadcasted in the school sharply at one in the afternoon. Any late slips of papers will not be entertained. Oh yes, Shiraishi Kuranosuke also has access to this room. So, on any day you don't receive any announcements; don't bother to run down here. I suppose Shiraishi will make the announcements. I think someone pushed the job to him..." Chief muttered, and nodded. Poor Shiraishi.
Afterwards, she headed over to the tennis courts, where she found all the tennis players doing warm-up and so on. She was busy wondering whom should she interview when someone suddenly appeared in front of her eyes and thundered, "BOO!" It was none other than Kintarou himself again.
"Oh hey, Kintarou-chan! What's it?" asked, as she flipped through pieces of papers in her hands, until she found one with the words, "Kintarou Tooyama" written on it. She readied her pen. He shall be her first interviewee.
"Nothing. I scared you easily yesterday, so I was trying to scare you again," Kintarou answered as he flashed a meek grin. "Is it? So, Kintarou, describe the tennis practice you are undergoing now," quickly changed the topic and asked him.
"Practice is fine! And-" Kintarou was cut off by Shiraishi Kuranosuke.
".... What are you doing here?" Shiraishi demanded, and stared at him. "You mean your coach never told you? He told my Chief that he needed a reporter to report on all of you, and my Chief selected me!"
"Is it? Damn, he's always having something up his sleeves. Forget it. When's the drama practice today?" he asked, and shrugged, hoping he wasn't angry already now, "As soon as I finished with the interviewing, I'll bring you over." Shiraishi agreed.
It was around half an hour later when finally finished her first day of interviewing. She speculated that she'd only need to interview these tennis players once a week, and have their newspaper out every week or fortnightly. Chief never breathed a words regarding when she should publish one newspaper, and she guessed that it was up to her.
From all the tennis players she had interviewed, had received some private matters as well, like some really funny rumors, mostly of Shiraishi Kuranosuke. She found them pretty amusing, though, since the players were all so co-operative to tell her everything about Shiraishi. Like for example, what he likes to do, eat and so on.
really liked this job Chief offered. With this job, she can get closer to everyone in the tennis team and Shiraishi Kuranosuke.
Afterwards, led Shiraishi to the Drama Room, and their entire journey was silent. didn't dare to utter a word, in fear that she'd explode the bomb within Shiraishi again, and neither did Shiraishi opened his mouth to speak, and he just walked ahead of her with his eyes fixed in front.
Once they were at the entrance of the Drama Room, immediately made a dramatic welcome for Shiraishi by screaming at the top of her lungs, "Ladies and gentlemen, here we have- Shiraishi Kuranosuke as Romeo! A round of applause please!" Obviously, what she received was more than just a round of applause. His obstreperous fan girls in the Drama Club went all high and swarmed up to him, pleading him for autographs etc. However, as scanned through the people in the Drama Club, she failed to notice Matsui.
"Ah, , thanks for convincing him to join us," The teachers thanked one by one, and merely gave them a meek smile.
"Do you know where Matsui Fumida is?" she asked the teachers, and they nodded. "Well, she came really early, and I think I saw her hiding around at the back of this room."
"Hiding again...? Boy, she'll get it from me..." hissed, as she trudged over to the back of the room, and found Matsui peeking at Shiraishi behind a pillar. She gripped her by the collar and dragged her out. Matsui tussled around, trying to show her reluctance. "The rehearsal is starting. Stop fooling around!" snapped, and Matsui calmed down. "I really... don't want to act."
"Take it as doing it for the Drama Club. Please, Matsui. Grow up! If you want Shiraishi to love you, take the first step." just couldn't stand her own best friend sometimes. Matsui always acted like a little toddler, waiting for people to tell her what she needed to do, and was always obstinate in her ways.
"All right! Everyone, please take a look at the script! The rehearsal is starting in ten minutes' time!" the teacher hollered, and everyone took a copy of the script, including , who briefly scanned through to see what romantic lines there were in the play, and how many romantic actions there were. There were quite a few romantic scenes, and she congratulated Matsui silently for that.
"So, we shall commence with our first rehearsal! Narrator!" one of the teachers snapped her fingers, before the narrator started reading aloud the story.
And well, minutes later, it was romantic scene number one, and prepared herself for that scene.
"Juliet, my dear Juliet, can I be the one to lay claim of your beautiful first kiss?" Shiraishi went, as her fan girls squealed.
"R-R-Romeo, my dear R-Romeo, please k-kill me... No! No! It's kiss... Sorry... C-Can we start again?" Matsui pleaded, and Shiraishi restrained his smile by all cost. Obviously, kill and kiss are two very different things. Matsui is being too much of a nervous wreck.
"Matsui, calm down! You can do it!" I cheered, and Matsui glanced at me.
"All right, start again!"
"Juliet, my dear Juliet, can I be the one to lay claim of your beautiful first kiss?" Shiraishi repeated.
"Romeo, my d-dear R-Romeo, please peel me... NO, NO! I mean..." Matsui gripped her head in annoyance, as she fell to her knees. Matsui must have been thinking about the word, "Kill", and in all her nervousness, she said in wrongly again.
At last, Shiraishi could control no more and he led out a few soft giggles. The others just started laughing.
"STOP LAUGHING! SHE'S ALREADY TRYING HER BEST!" thundered, as anger boiled within her and she frowned at everyone. By then, Matsui was already racked with sobs, and she was busily wiping her tears away.
"Look, I don't think such a crybaby like her-" Someone started, but cut him off by screaming, "SHUT UP! WHO DO YOU EVEN THINK YOU ARE?"
"Wo, look, , we are sorry that we are laughing at your best friend. Cool it," Shiraishi spoke, and glared at him. "...I said shut up!" she snapped, before she led her friend away, but she was stopped by the teachers at the entrance. "Look, , I doubt Matsui is suitable for this role. Exchange with her, and stay behind. I'm sure she can take care of herself." controlled her fury. "No, I refuse. I'm accompanying her."
However, Matsui pushed her aside, and muttered, "I can handle myself..." She wiped her tears away before continuing, "I'm sure you'd do a better job than me."
"But Matsui..." tried to protest, but the teachers cut her off. "Look, , we are experiencing time constraints. Just listen to your friend," they said, and bit her lower lip. But I don't want to act with Shiraishi Kuranosuke.
Reluctantly, had to act as Juliet again, and of course, the teachers extolled her for her acting skills. They had keep the role of Juliet. For Shiraishi, the teachers feel that he'd do a great job, and gave him the role of Romeo.
Because he's Romeo and she's going to be Juliet, that'd mean one thing which means they have to kiss, decided that she'd better malinger so that she can escape from the cruel fate of having to give Shiraishi Kuranosuke, a stranger, her virgin kiss.
After Drama Club ended, started talking to Matsui on random topics. They chatted about all topics under the sun other than the drama club and Shiraishi Kuranosuke. However, when they were about to leave, I noticed the skies covered with black, ominous clouds. Looks like it's about to rain.
"Boy, it's going to rain already?" mumbled, as she went up the stairs back to her classroom to fetch her umbrella, which she had left under her table. Matsui had already left. The school was rather deserted and silent.
left the school minutes later, holding her umbrella and walking home.
"Pitter-patter-pitter-patter..."
Rain fell incessantly from the skies above. Raindrops danced on the roads, the roofs and the tops of cars. Streaks of glaring light scratched at the sky. The trees alongside the roads bowed their crowns and stooped their branches as Heaven poured torrents upon them. Indeed, it was raining cats and dogs.
And there, on a road bustling with people, walked, beneath her little, green umbrella, sauntering home in solitude. The water in her shoes made a squelching sound as she moved.
She continued walking and walking gingerly, until she walked past that shop from yesterday. She peered into the room. That girl was gazing out, with a disappointed look. She had no umbrella, and guessed that she's trying to go home, but can't do so without a decent umbrella.
couldn't help her out much either, and she just continued walking on, until she spotted someone again, in this hazy rain.
It was someone familiar, yet again.
It was Shiraishi Kuranosuke, yet again.
And he was standing in the rain, without an umbrella, staring at the shop in silence, disregarding the heavy rain that was falling on him. Before she even knew what she was doing, blurted, "Shiraishi-kun."
Shiraishi averted her attention onto her. "Oh. It's you. Reporter . What's up? EH?" brought her umbrella over his head, and she herself got drenched from head to toe instantly.
"What are y-you doing? I don't need your umbrella! Take it back!" Shiraishi tried to push it away, but firmly held the umbrella over his head. "Come on. Your crush needs an umbrella. Two people beneath one small umbrella like this... Won't it be romantic?" And she grinned radiantly at Shiraishi.
"I won't take 'No' as an answer!" She laughed as she mimicked how Shiraishi's coach had told him, and sped off, having her schoolbag as her "umbrella" instead.
**
Shiraishi just stood rooted at the spot, watching as disappeared from his sight. He gripped tightly onto the umbrella, as he stared at the shop. The girl inside... She reminded him so much of his first crush that he lost in a fatal car accident. He couldn't help but fall in love with her, because of the striking similarities she shared with her deceased first love. And yet now, even with this golden opportunity of bringing him together with that girl, Shiraishi was hesitating. Even he himself didn't fathom why. He just stood there, staring at the shop, beneath 's umbrella. Minutes later, a burly guy approached the shop holding an umbrella, and seconds later, he left the shop holding onto the girl's hands, and the girl was all smiles.
At this moment, Shiraishi felt a sharp pang on his chest. Yes, the pain of heartbreak. At the sight of them approaching him, he quickly hid himself away. Once they passed by him, he quickly went out and watched as they walked away, under one umbrella, with an air of love around them.
It was only at this point did Shiraishi realize how simply foolish he was for the past 2 months, foolishly hoping that he could somehow talk to this girl who's always avoiding him carefully, foolishly hoping that he could somehow make her fall in love with him. Now everything evaporates into thin air. He'd never make her fall in love with him.
Reality was a harsh fact. And he was starting to accept the reality.
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