Memories

“I’m going to assign your project partners now class.”

Oh great, a project. Damn this sucks.

“For the last partner pair is…….Dan Taichi and Akustu .”

“NANI?! Why do I have to partner up with that annoying brat?!” yelled at the teacher standing up in her seat.

“Please sit back down Akustu-kun. I partnered you up with Dan because your grades are very low and Dan has the best grades in class. I thought that partnering you two up, your grades will improve.” Their teacher said keeping her cool.

“Damn, why did it have to be him though?” whispered sitting back down in her seat and leaning back.

“Akustu-san, would you mind meeting me at the front gates after school so we can start on our project desu?”

And the torture begins.

[Or does it?]

~~~

School ended and went to her locker getting out her sketch pad. Akutsu enjoyed drawing animals and scenery. Sometimes she also drew self-portraits and portraits of other people. She was a lot alike her brother in some ways, and in other ways she wasn’t.

As she started to leave for home she saw Dan waiting at the school front gates. Suddenly remembering that they were project partners, she walked through the front gates ignoring what might happen.

“Akustu-san, desu! Wait, desu!” Dan said catching up with .

“What do you want?” growled glaring at Dan.

Dan, ignoring the comment, took out a notebook and started skimming through it. “We are project partners and we are supposed to work on our project together, desu.”

“Are you trying to make a point?” snapped, glaring even more at Dan.

“We need to work on our project, desu!”

“I don’t care! You can do the damn project by yourself for today! I’m not working on it! Cya brat!” yelled at him and punching his forehead starting to walk home.

“Oww...” Dan whispered, rubbing his forehead. “You’re as much as a brat as I am, desu!” Dan yelled out to her. He had no idea what he just did.

“Nani?!” said through her teeth and started walking back towards him. “What did you say?!”

Dan just realized what he just said. But he wasn’t that worried since he knew was more violent with her words instead of her actions, unlike her brother. She looked a lot like her brother though. Her pale skin and yellow eyes are obviously those of her brother’s. But her hair was brown, unlike her brother’s. Her hair was down to her waist and had silver tips, her bangs that went down to her cheeks were also silver. “Sumimasen Akustu-san, desu. I didn’t mean it, desu!”

“What is going on here brats?” An highly annoyed voice yelled out.

“Ah, aniki!” said excited turning around. There stood a tall guy wearing an Yamabuki tennis uniform with a guy with orange hair standing behind him with the same uniform, both carrying a tennis bag and backpack. “And Sengoku…aren’t you guys supposed to be at tennis practice?”

“Neh -chan! You don’t have to sound so displeased! Tennis practice just finished!” Sengoku said flicking her forehead. “It’s so hard to believe you are Akustu’s sister! You’re so kawaii! And who’s this? You’re boyfriend?” Sengoku teased.

“NANI?! HIM?! MY B-B-B-BOYFRIEND?!” yelled looking like she was going to kill Sengoku. “NEVER!”

“Shut up! You’re annoying!” Akustu said punching the top of ’s head, shutting her up.

“Oww…..”

“Akustu-senpai! Sengoku-senpai! We need to work on our project, desu. We’ve been assigned to be project partners, desu.” Dan said stepping in between his senpai’s and .

“We are not working on our damn project! You’re so annoying! Come on aniki, we’re going home.” said grabbing Akustu’s wrist and dragging him through the school gates.

“Let go!” Akustu said glaring at her. He never used extreme violence against his sister. He just couldn’t bring himself to do it.

When and Akustu went out of sight Sengoku stared at Dan with a grin. “So that’s why you weren’t at tennis practice! You’re so lucky! To be able to spend time with such a kawaii girl! LUCKY!~”

Dan blushed then narrowed his eyes at Sengoku. “What do you mean, desu? I’m not interested in her, desu! We just happen to be project partners, desu!”

“Yea right, when you need advice to win her heart, let me know!” Sengoku laughed walking away.

~~~

While Dan was walking home he stopped by the park to get a start on their project. He just couldn’t think as well as he usually did. The last thing Sengoku said to him kept repeating over and over again in his mind. He sighed tapping his pencil onto his chin. He then noticed that a shadow cast over him. He looked up to see standing there looking at him.

“What are you doing? I thought I told you we weren’t going to work on it today.” said annoyed.

“Yes, you said we weren’t going to work on it, desu. But I was going to start a lead for us on our project, desu.” Dan answered looking up at her.

sighed in defeat and moved her hand in a motion telling her brother to leave home without her. “You really like to work huh, brat?” asked taking a seat next to him.

“I didn’t say you have to work on it with me, desu.”

“Just shut up and get to work.” snapped back at him.

Dan looked at confused. Why was she insisting on staying? She never likes to work. Definitely not with him, never with him. “Why, desu?”

“Why what? I thought you were already starting on our project.”

“Why are you staying, desu? No one asked you to, desu, and I thought you hated me, desu.”

didn’t know why she was staying. It was very odd for her. “I just need some free space to draw and here is perfect. I might as well help you with the project. Just don’t annoy me as much.” lied as she took out her sketch book.

“You draw, desu?”

“Yea, it’s nothing special. No one ever cares about it anyways. Now where is my pencil?” sighed annoyed searching through her backpack.

“Mind if I look through your sketch book, desu?” Dan asked holding the book in his hands.

“Meh, go ahead. There’s nothing worth looking at in it.” said still searching through her backpack.

Dan opened the book to the first page and saw a drawing of the park. It was beautiful. It was the exact park they were in from exactly they were sitting. Except it was spring and there were cherry blossoms falling in the scenery. She drew it perfectly and colored it beautifully. “Wow, this is beautiful, desu.” Dan whispered in amazement flipping through the pages in the book.

“Really? You’re the first person who actually liked them.” said sounding confused, yet proud. At times like this she showed her soft side, which was rarely shown. She couldn’t see why but, Dan had that special power that made her at peace.

“I don’t see why, desu. You’re an amazing artist, desu.” Dan smiled at her giving her back her book. “Your family must like them right, desu?”

“My brother says drawing is a waste of time. My mom doesn’t really have the time to even consider them. It’s more like she doesn’t want to even try and consider them.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, desu. But if it counts at all, those are really nice pictures, desu.”

“Thanks. But an artist is nothing without her stupid pencil. I can’t find it anywhere, damn it!” put her sketch book in her lap and searched her backpack some more.

“Here, desu.” Dan said handing her a pencil.

“Uhh…..thanks again.” said taking the pencil. She looked at him awkwardly feeling awkward as well. After all the times she’s been cruel to him, he’s being so nice. “Now it’s my turn to ask why.”

“Why what, desu?”

“Why are you being so nice to me, when this is probably the first time I’m talking to you without calling you brat or anything like that.”

“Because you don’t really mean it, desu.” Dan said smiling at her.

“How do you know? How can you take it so non-offensive?”

“You’re an Akustu, desu. That’s how, desu.”

wasn’t convinced and raised an eyebrow at him. “An Akustu? Somehow that just doesn’t flow with me.”

Dan chuckled and smiled at her without answering her. There was a long silence as glared softly at him.  She turned away and stared at the pencil in her hand, letting out a sigh. “You’re a lot like your brother, desu.” Dan said interrupting the silence.

“I’m nothing like him. He doesn’t take the time to stop and enjoy life. All he does is just smoke all day and get pissed off at everyone.” growled.

“That’s true, desu. But you’re like him in other ways, desu.”

“Like how?” questioned glaring at him. She hated when people compared her to her brother. Even though she admired her brother in some ways, she completely hated being compared to him.

“You really don’t see it, desu?” Dan said smiling at her sadly.

“See what?!” yelled at him as she stood up and shook a fist to him.

Dan smiled at her some more and chuckled. He was having fun torching her. “You’re having fun aren’t you?” said glaring at him.

Dan ignored her question and looked at his paper. “So we should start getting to our project, desu. Right Akustu-chan desu?”

“Akustu-chan?! Who do you think you are calling me that you brat?!” shouted holding up his uniform collar.

Staring opened eyed and covering his mouth with his hand Dan didn’t realized he called her Akustu-chan. He didn’t do anything but just stare into space in disbelief of what he just said.

“Well since you aren’t going to say anything, I’m going home.” huffed letting go of Dan’s uniform she turned, picking up her bag and slinging it around her shoulder. She was getting annoyed by Dan all over again and wanted to go home and have some hot cocoa.

’s voice snapped Dan out of his thoughts and saw that started walking back home. “Wait Akustu-san, desu!” Dan yelled out. He hurriedly gathered up all his stuff and ran towards .

“What do you want? And it’s now Akustu-san is it?” said looking back at him.

“Well since my house is right past you’re house, desu. I thought we could talk about the project on our way home, desu.” Dan said catching his breath.

glared at him. She started walking away from him ignoring his comment. To her displeasure she saw Dan following her and finally catching up to her side. Still ignoring him, she got a soda from a nearby soda machine. She opened her soda with a click.  And as Dan watched he saw she had opened it just enough so that it was half open and half closed.

Dan watched as she drank her soda. What an odd way of drinking soda, just the way he sometimes drank his. Dan started laughing quietly to himself. “What’s so funny?” asked glaring at him after taking another drink of her soda.

“You drink soda the way I do sometimes, desu. I thought I was the only one, desu. I just thought it seemed funny to me, desu.”

started at the soda in her hand confusingly. “You drink soda like this too?”

“Hai, desu. It depends if I’m really thirsty or not, desu.”

“Keh, whatever.” said continuing walking take another drink or her soda.

~~~

After they walked a little farther from the soda machine started getting annoyed of Dan.  He was just walking along side her and staring at her. “If you’re going to follow me at least say something instead of stare!” blurted out turning around glaring at him fiercely.

Dan stared at her as if being he had been just insulted. “Gomen Akustu-san, desu.”

“You are so impossible!” said annoyingly. “If it’s not one thing, it’s the other! Can you never by annoying?!’

“Then what do you want me to do, desu?” Dan asked looking at her as if someone just slapped him.

“I don’t know! Just stop staring at him! It’s so freaking annoying!” answered trying not to punch him.

“Ok, desu.” Dan said running, and started walking once he got by ’s side.

“What now?” said glaring at him as she crushed her soda can and threw it into a nearby trash can.

“Well since you didn’t want me staring at you, desu, I decided to just walk besides you so I don’t stare at you desu.”

raised an eyebrow at him and lazy eyed him. “Whatever you freak.”

“So how was school today, desu?” Dan asked keeping his eyes on the sidewalk.

“Uhh….good?”

“That’s good, desu. Did anything exciting today, desu?”

“What the hell?! Now you’re sounding like my freaking mother!” hollered.

“Do you have to shout right into my ear, desu?” Dan asked rubbing his ear.

“Oh just shut up.”

“But you wanted me to talk, desu.”

“Well then, stop talking like you’re my mom ‘cause you’re not!”

“Ok, desu. Is there anything else, desu?”

“Now you’re sounding like a freaking butler.”

“What do you want me to sound like, desu?”

“LIKE YOU’RE NORMAL FREAKING SELF! STUPID!”

“You like saying ‘freaking’ don’t you desu?” Dan smiled at her.

ignored his comment and took a quick glance at the green car that passed by them. She didn’t feel like talking to him, for she was afraid that she might kill him if she said anything else.

“Oh! I got something for you, desu!” Dan said reaching into his backpack. “Here, desu.”

took the pen that Dan was handing her. Round and tall, the pen was in perfect condition and was a beautiful shade of blue. It had the word ‘Memory’ engraved on it, on the side of the cap. “This is……for me?”

“Hai, desu. I wasn’t intentionally going to give it to you, desu, but since I found out you were an artist, desu, I decided you will probably have a better use for it, desu.” Dan explained smiling at her. “It says ‘Memory’ on there, desu because it was meant to draw or write down memories, desu. So if you see a place or see an event you like, desu, you can draw it down on with that pen, desu.”

put the pen carefully in her backpack’s side pocket and stared at him. “You’re confusing.”

“Thank you, desu.” Dan chuckled as lazy eyed him again.

“Why you acting all weird now? You don’t seem like yourself.”

“I’m fine, desu.” Dan informed her. He then stumbled a little then regain his posture.

“Are you sure? You seem sick.” asked worried.

“What’s this, desu? -chan is worried about me, desu?” Dan replied softly and laughed.

“ -chan?! Ok, there is something really wrong with you!” said surprised. She felt his forehead and it was burning up. “Oh my gosh! You’re like burning! We got to get you home!”

“No worries, desu. I’m fine, desu.” Dan said softly that he was barely heard. He stumbled some more, and then passed out.

“Brat?! BRAT?! DAN?!” yelled out kneeling down next to him as she felt his forehead. “My god…he’s burning up! Got to get him somewhere fast!” She looked around looking for something that might help still kneeled at him and saw people stare at her as she was freaking about the boy that had just fallen. Her started glaring as she looked around. You can at least help instead of stare idiots!

Brushing the hair out of his face she still looked frantically around and saw Sengoku running towards them. “Oi! What happened?!” He looked at the situation.

“I don’t know! He just suddenly passed out!” Sengoku looked at her and it looked like she was going to cry. Her eyes were starting to water up and they were red.

“Help me put him on my back! This is so un-lucky!!!” He picked Dan up and sat him down on a bench. Sengoku knelt down in front of Dan. “Now lean him down onto my back -chan!”

“DON’T CALL ME AS IF YOU KNEW ME SO WELL!” She seemed to forget the whole problem they were having and was glaring at him. “Hello! Guy! Passed out! On the bench! Put on my back please!”

“Che whatever.” pushed Dan onto Sengoku’s back and supported Dan as Sengoku stood up. She looked at him in worry and stood on her tip-toes staring at him.

Sengoku stopped noticing the girl’s action and look at her. He saw her moving up her fingers and lifted them to Dan’s eyes. “WAKE UP BAKA!” opened his eyes wide open at started yelling in his face. Sengoku laughed to himself quietly for only him to hear. She still doesn’t see how much she cares for him. The young love is so kawaii!

~~~

That stupid idiot! Passing out like that! Are you trying to make me worry about you?! DAMN IT! folded her arms and glared into space. Sengoku looked down at her and smiled holding Dan on his back. “Don’t worry -chan! Dan is going to be all right!” 

slightly blushed and turned her attention to the red-head. “Yeah right.  He can stay sick for all I care!”

“Right…and that’s why you still stayed with him when he passed out?” Sengoku teased.

That bastard really knows how to piss me off… forced a grin on her face. “Well, what would you have done if someone just passed out while walking with you?!”

“Hmm….” Sengoku looked at the sky awhile to think. After about ten seconds of awkward silence he answered. “It depends, like if it was you I would carry you back home without hesitation. But if it was Akutsu I would probably just put him on a bench waiting for him to wake up again.”

“Is that because you’re afraid of what he would do after once he finds out you carried him, or because he’s too heavy, or because you’re afraid people would stare?” probably already knew the answer.

Sengoku sweat dropped. “All of the above.”

“I knew it.” pouted and folded her arms. Everyone was afraid of her brother. Even his best friend! (No one else was his friend, so she decided that Sengoku officially became his best friend. Akustu wasn’t so hot on the idea.)

“Eh? How so?” Sengoku asked.

Oh my god, such a freakin’ retard. “Nevermind. It doesn’t matter.” rolled her eyes.

Sengoku studied her closely and smiled. “What do you want?!” asked annoyed.

“You must be studying me a lot to know what I was going to say. You must really like me to study me!!” Sengoku said in a singing voice.

“SHUT UP!” punched Sengoku in the face. But it wasn’t as hard as it could have been.

Sengoku whined and rubbed his cheek. “OWW!! -chan! That hurt!”

“It better have….” She walked onward in front of Sengoku.

“Whose house are we going to anyways?”

“Mine duh! I don’t want to walk into the brat’s house with him unconscious!”

Sengoku caught up to . She was a pretty fast walker for a freshman. She seems to be taking on Akustu’s tennis skills! “So kawaii!!!” Sengoku shouted out from his thought.

“What is?!” cried out annoyed.

“Oh nothing!” Sengoku whispered.

~~~

“I’m home! And I brought Sengoku-senpai with me!” shouted as she entered her house.

“The old hag isn’t here yet.” Akustu came down the stairs smoking.

brought her hand to her nose. “UGH! What the hell?! This place smells like crap!”

“Shut up.” Akustu walked up to them. “What the hell is he doing here?! And what the?!” He noticed there was a boy on Sengoku’s back.

“Hey Akustu! It seems that little Dan passed out on the way home.” Sengoku tried to keep his tone nice and sweet. He didn’t want to end up home with a black eye for bringing Dan.

“Bastard!” Akustu grabbed Sengoku’s shirt collar. “What the hell are you thinking bringing that brat here?!”

“Aniki!” shouted slapping away Akustu’s hand from Sengoku. “I was the one who told him to bring him here!”

“What the hell for?! I don’t want to deal with two shitty brats!” Akustu yelled. obviously could tell that Akustu really didn’t like the news.

motioned Sengoku to put Dan on the couch and sat down on the floor and leaned her back against the couch. “Well then leave, but I’m not bringing him home unconscious. I don’t feel like explaining what happened to his parents.” She flicked on the TV.

“Che…” Akustu opened the door and slammed it. Sengoku looked at the door in shock that Akustu didn’t break it.

“Do you think its ok for your brother to go out?” Sengoku just had to ask.

“He always goes out to blow off some steam, it’s better for him to risk his life outside than risk ours inside.” She explained as she turned off the TV.

went into the kitchen and got a washcloth. She rinsed it in cold water and placed it on Dan’s head. “You can leave if you want. I’m usually home alone anyways, or until my mom gets here.”

“Home alone?! You and Dan?! You sly girl you!” Sengoku raised his eyebrows and smirked at her.

Her eye twitched. She snapped her head behind her and glared at him. “SHUT UP! This is exactly why I want you to leave! I CAN’T DEAL WITH YOU!!!”

“Huh? What’s with all the yelling, desu?” A weak voice asked. All the commotion that they made caused Dan to wake up.

“Brat?” drew her attention to Dan. “You’re finally awake?!” Her voice had a sense of relief in it.

Dan pulled himself up on the couch to where he was just sitting. He looked around. “Where am I, desu? Why is Sengoku-senpai here, desu?”

“Finally awake sleepy?” Sengoku walked up to Dan and poked his forehead causing Dan to fall back.

“Ehh…….what happened exactly, desu?” sighed Dan as he tried to get up again, but failed.

rolled her eyes and pushed Sengoku on the shoulder. “You fainted right in the middle of the sidewalk.  I swear people thought I beat you up or something! God, people these days…”

Dan managed to give out a soft chuckle and laid his hands on top of his face pressing the washcloth down on his head more. “I feel like someone’s been hitting me with a bat over and over again, desu…”

Sengoku smiled very wide and glanced over to . gave him an awkward look and scrunched up her nose. “What?”

“Hehe, nothing!” Sengoku skipped over to the stairs and went upstairs. “I’ll be right back!”

“Where and why are you going upstairs?!” cried. She really didn’t want anyone snooping in their house. Especially Sengoku.

“The bathroom!”

“But you don’t know where it is!!!” started to sound desperate.

Sengoku stuck out his tongue out at her. “I’ll find it myself!”

“BUT!!! Ugh…..damn him….”

“It’s ok, desu, you can trust Sengoku-senpai, desu, even though it doesn’t seem like you can, desu.”

“Psh, yea right. I don’t trust that bastard.” grabbed her backpack and set it in her lap. She started searching around through it and took out her art pad.

Dan looked up still holding the washcloth on his head. “What are you going to draw, desu?”

“Nothing, put your head back down and stay still.” She took out the pen that Dan gave her and started sketching.

Dan did what he was told and stared at the ceiling. What is she drawing? Is it something bad? Bad about me? Why do I care all of a sudden? Akustu-san is so cute…Ahhh!  What am I saying?! Dan lifted his head back up to take a quick glance at what was drawing.

“I said stay still!” growled at him.

The pillow never felt so hard as he slammed his head straight down onto it. It wasn’t that the pillow was hard, it was just his head felt so heavy. Dan winced at the sharp pain in his head then relaxed.

From the top of the stairs sat Sengoku smiling at them. Aww, so kawaii! I wonder how long it will take them…well the sooner the better I suppose.

~~~

[for the next couple of weeks Dan and met at the same park at the bench to work on their project. Over that time Dan and became even closer and started falling for each other without actually knowing they were. So the time came for Sengoku to hatch his genius plan.]

“Eh? Akustu-san wants to meet at the park, desu? What for, desu?” Dan looked at Sengoku in confusion. “We already finished out project, desu.”

“Umm….uhh….she didn’t exactly tell me why! Uhh, yea! She just told me to tell you to meet her at the park after school!”

Dan looked at Sengoku, unconvinced. “I don’t believe that Akustu-san would want to meet me, desu.” He put his book into his bag.

Exactly going to plan…Sengoku couldn’t help but chuckle to himself. He was so good. “Fine then, don’t believe me, but it would sure be a shame to leave poor -chan alone at the park wouldn’t it?”

Dan eyes widened a bit. Sengoku could tell he was getting to him. “Oh poor -chan. Sitting there all alone at the park waiting for that one person that she asked to meet with. That would really hurt her wouldn’t it?”

With that Sengoku left Dan to go to step 2 of his brilliant scheme.

~~~

“What do you want?” asked annoyed turning around at the tap of Sengoku on the shoulder.

She will be harder to convince, no problem though. He gave her a big smile and blushed slightly. “What?!”

“Hmm? Oh yes, Dan wants you to meet him at the park after school today.”

“Brat? Oh well, he can stay there. I’m not going to waste my time with him.” put her book into her bag.

Haha, and Dan are more alike than I thought! “Oh poor Dan. Waiting there at the park all by himself.”

“Like I really care!” shot a glare at Sengoku. She then closed her locker and started walking off.

Sengoku ran in front of and lowered his head down to the level of hers. “Or do you?” He raised an eyebrow.

“I don’t.”

“Well then I guess I’ll go ask Rin-chan to go instead.” Sengoku started to skitter off.

“Wait. You mean Rin Takaoji?! The little bitch that always sucks up to brat?!” sounded mad, mixed with a worried tone.

“Hai! Dan said that if you didn’t want to go, he told me to ask Rin-chan!” Sengoku smirked. Step 2…completed.

“Umm….” fiddled with her fingers, but made it look like she was popping them. “I’ll go.”

“That’s great! I’ll go tell him!” Sengoku ran off. So they really DO like each other! I was scared that I made a mistake! Haha! Lucky!

~~~

Sitting on the bench park that Dan and met last time, Dan rested his chin on his hands and waited. I wonder what Akustu-san wanted me for…

He waited there for about five minutes until he saw walking up to him. “Sorry that I’m late. The teacher wanted something.”

She put her backpack on the bench and sat next to it. “So you wanted me for something right?”

Dan stared at her for a minute in shock. “What, desu?! You’re the one who wanted me, desu!”

“Me? No! You wanted me to come! Sengoku told me you wanted to meet me here!”

“Well Sengoku-senpai told me you wanted to meet me, desu.”

Ah crap, they caught on quick! Oh well, I got to keep my plan going! Sengoku was hiding behind the tree that was behind the bench.

Tightening her fists, stood up. “DAMN IT SENGOKU!”

“I wonder why Sengoku-senpai wanted us to meet here, desu…”

Relaxing a bit looked at Dan. “What do you mean?”

Dan held his chin and stared out into space. “Well, desu, he wouldn’t want us to meet here for nothing, desu. He’s obviously up to something, desu. Wouldn’t you think so, desu?”

sat back down and let her head rest in her hands, her elbows on her legs. “Yea I guess, but why?”

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out, desu…” Dan released his chin and smiled at . “But might as well enjoy this time now eh, desu?”

looked at him in embarrassment. No guy has ever wanted to ‘enjoy’ time with her. Never her. She was an Akustu! She had a reputation. He actually looks kinda cute with that smile...NO! ! Snap out of it! You don’t like him! You shouldn’t even be here right now with her!! LEAVE!! As much as she tried to stand up and just leave, her legs wouldn’t listen. But won’t I?

Sengoku sighed quietly. That was close, I was afraid I would have to barge in to keep my plan successful. He slid down and sat, listening to what they where talking about.

“W-Why?! What do you want to do with me? It’s not like you actually like hanging out with me!” stammered. Right?!

Dan lift his hands behind his head and it made his new green sweatband slide down. “Ah! What happened?! It’s dark!”

A strike of anger hit . “W-w-what are you doing with aniki’s sweatband?”

Lifting it from his eyes he smiled at . “Oh this, desu? Akustu-senpai gave it to me yesterday, desu!”

Tears ran down ’s cheeks. didn’t know to be either sad or mad….or even both. She grabbed her backpack and stood up. “What the hell? And to think I actually started to like you…I HATE YOU DAN!”

Dan looked up at confused. “What are you talking about, desu?” He got up to and tried to comfort her.

“STAY AWAY! I hate you!” She slapped away Dan’s hands and ran off leaving him there.

“A-a-Akustu-san?” Dan whispered. He felt his knees go weak and fell down on them. Feeling tears on his right cheek he gave in. He held his hands up to his face and sobbed. He wanted to get up and run towards to comfort her but he just couldn’t.

“Are you just going to cry here while -chan goes and gets herself lost?!” Sengoku said sounding fierce. Dan looked up from his hands and at Sengoku. The look in Sengoku’s eyes gave him a scared feeling inside.

“Lost, desu?”

“Yes! Did you ever notice that -chan never walked home by herself?!” Sengoku shouted. “It’s because she doesn’t know anything about this place!”

Dan remained silent. “She hates to be alone! HATES IT! More than you can ever imagine! That’s her one big weakness! That’s why she always has someone escort her home! If she goes anywhere alone she tends to freak out and just run! Are you going to let her get hurt, Dan?!”

Sengoku waited for Dan to reply but got nothing. Instead he saw Dan get up, rubbing away his tears. There was a scared look in his eyes, but a fierce one as well. Dan slapped the dirt off of his pants and dashed the way went.

Feeling satisfied, Sengoku smiled and sat down on the bench. “He even forgot his stuff…” He chuckled to himself and looked up into the sky. “Not exactly how I planned it, but it worked.”

~~~

Breathing heavily Dan searched everywhere for . Where would she be?! He decided to walk for awhile to catch his breath. He looked EVERYWHERE. was just no where to be found.

After awhile Dan found himself staring at sitting on the sand hugging her legs with her bag a couple feet away from her.   She just sat there watching the tide wash in and out, as if in a daze.

Dan wanted to go and walk up to her but something was keeping him from doing so. He just kept staring at her wanting to cry. To his surprise he heard speak. “If you’re just going to stay there and stare, go away…”

His legs started working again and went to go pick up her bag. He could hear the sand scrape against his fingers as he picked it up. He walked over to and handed her, her bag. “Here, desu, I think you dropped this, desu.” His voice sounded depressed.

slapped it out of his hands. “I don’t need your help you bastard!” She dug her head into her knees more. Dan sat next to her and put her bag between them.

“Akustu-san….gomen, desu…” Dan whispered. He waited for to say something, but nothing came out. So he continued. “The reason I like hanging out with you desu, is that I can just be myself around you, desu. I don’t have to act like people think I do, desu. But just to be me, desu. And I’m sorry for what I did, desu. Whatever I did, desu. I’m really sorry, desu.” Tears started again down Dan’s cheeks.

With red puffy eyes looked up at Dan. “N-nani? What did you say? Why did you even say it? Just leave if you’re going to lie to me!”

“A-Akustu-san?”

“SHUT UP! I know you’re just trying to be friends with me to get on my brother’s good side! THAT’S IT! Never in heaven or earth would someone ever want to actually be my friend….”

“Akustu-senpai’s…….good side, desu?” Dan rubbed his tears away and looked at her. She dived back into her knees and cried again. He put his hand on her back but she shrugged it off. He looked back into the ocean. “If I only hung around you for that reason, desu, why would I be here right now, desu?”

The thought didn’t even come to mind to . She thought of an excuse fast. “’Cause you would be scared that I’d tell my brother and he’d beat you up.”

Dan laughed. “You really think that, desu? After all the things I’ve learned about you these past weeks, desu, I know you’re not that weak, desu….that’s what I like about you, desu.”

’s eyes widened. What did he say…? Did he say that he actually liked me?

“I like that you’re strong, desu. And not afraid of anything, desu. Nothing like me, desu. I can’t even stand up for myself, desu.” Dan tried to avoid the fact that was scared of being alone.

“I-I’m not that strong….I’m afraid of being alone. I can barely stand sleeping in a different room other than my mom’s or aniki’s room…” continued. “I wouldn’t have enough courage to do what you did….”

Dan looked surprised at . “Courage, desu?! I was too worried about you too even think about being brave or having courage, desu!” He smiled at her. He had dirt marks on his cheeks and his hair was a mess.

smiled back and reached into her bag. Once again she took out her sketching pad with the ‘Memories’ pen. “What are you drawing this time, desu?”

“Something…”

Dan tried taking a peek at what she was drawing but every time she should pull it away from him and say, “I’m not done yet!” So he waited.

“DONE!” She announced as she lifted up the pad.

“What is it, desu?!” Dan asked in excitement. He just loved looking at her drawings. Even though there wasn’t one he hasn’t seen. More like wasn’t supposed too.

“Here.” She handed him the booklet of pictures and he stared in amazement. It was them at the beach watching a sunset. It was wonderful, even though it wasn’t colored.

“I-it’s…beautiful, desu…”

“Well I want to remember this….for a long time…” flipped to a page in her book and hugged it.

Dan smiled at the ocean and smelled the salty air. “Mmm, this day surely is worth remember huh, desu?”

“Hai….”

“Is there something wrong, desu?” Dan looked at her in disappointment.

“D-do you remember? That day when you fainted and me and Sengoku took you to my house?” mumbled.

Dan tapped his chin and had to think for awhile. “Ah yes, desu! What about it, desu?” She handed him the pad and he looked at the page that it was flipped too. “What…what is this, desu?”

It had him laying down on the couch fainted with his hair in his face. He looked peaceful, but yet disturbed. There was the washcloth placed on his forehead and a hand was hanging off the couch. His blanket was also halfway covering up his body. “I didn’t want to show it to you because I didn’t want you to think I was like obsessed with you….but I just felt now was the right time….”

Dan stayed silent staring at the picture. showed sorrow on her face. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have showed you…” She was going to take the art pad away from Dan, but he suddenly threw the art pad to the side and hugged .

“Thank you, desu…I haven’t felt this way for a long time, desu….” He tightened his hug on her. “Please, desu….don’t ever change, desu….”

At first was shocked by the hug and was surprised she didn’t push him off. This was so unlike her….or Dan. But, for some reason she didn’t really care…Oh Dan you baka… hugged him back and started to cry. “You idiot! Why do you have to make me care so much?!”

~~~

[The next day…]

“Aww that’s so kawaii!!!” The red haired just had to yell as he saw the new couple hand in hand. “You guys are so lucky!!”
 

blushed and glared. “Shut up!” But had to admit to herself, she was lucky.

“Calm down -chan desu…” Dan tried to calm down, as he saw a killer look in her eyes.

Sengoku’s eyes lightened up. “ -CHAN?! HOW KAWAII!!!” He went up and hugged making the couple’s hands release from each other.

“BASTARD! LET ME GO!!” shouted hitting Sengoku on the head as she was swinging in the air.

“Hai, hai! It’s just so cute!!!”

blushed and narrowed her eyebrows. After flatting off her shirt she left. “W-wait desu!!”

“Looks like I over did it huh?” Sengoku shrugged. But Dan had already left.

~~~

“ -chan, desu!!! Where are you, desu?” Dan stopped running once he got outside. He looked left and right but still couldn’t find her. The next thing he knew he was pinned up against the wall from the collar of his uniform.

“Hey brat.” A voice growled at him.

“Ah, Akustu-senpai, desu!” Dan knew he shouldn’t be afraid, but he couldn’t help it.

“You’re going out with , ehh?” His voice sounded pissed.

“Well, desu..”

“If you do anything, and I mean anything to hurt her! You will regret the day you even met her!” He let go out Dan and stomped off. Dan scratched the back of his head, being aware of not letting his headband slip down, and sighed.

“I guess Akustu-senpai really does care, desu…” He smiled and went off looking for again.

~~~

“I found you, desu!” Dan shouted out hugging from behind. “Why did you run away, desu?”

“Woah! Man Dan, you scared me!” turned around smiling. She was at the tennis courts drawing.

“What are you drawing, desu?” Dan asked still hugging around ’s shoulders.

“Oh me? I’m just drawing the tennis courts that’s all.”