This Story No Title
A School Rumble Fanfic

Chapter 5:   Do not call up what you cannot put down

By John Biles

*************



	Harima slid wearily into his desk.  He hadn’t slept too 
well.  There was a tap on his shoulder.

	He looked up.  "Takano-san?" he asked Akira.

	She put a mug down on his desk.  "This is for you.  
Good job."

	He cracked it open and sniffed it.  "Black mint," he 
said.  "Thank you."

	She smiled slightly.  "You have a good nose, Kenji-
kun."

	More people stared and whispers went around the 
room.

	He mumbled, "Don’t call me that."

	"See you after school."

	Harima could see the rumors floating, like solid 
objects, around people’s heads, as well as hear them.  He 
shrank in on himself, failing to notice Tenma over at 
Karasuma's desk, talking to him.  

	Akira quietly drifted over, positioning herself to 
further block that view.  

	Hanai came over.  "Did some people really try to 
break into Yakumo’s house to steal her underwear?"

	"Yes," Harima said.

	"Good," Hanai said reluctantly.  "You did your duty 
for once."

	"She’s my friend," Harima said.  "I owe her that."  It 
felt strange to him, saying something like that in public.  

	Hanai looked like he’d been hit with a sledgehammer.  
"How can you..."

	Mikoto grabbed him by the shoulder.  "Sit."

	She soon stuffed him into his seat, then gave Harima a 
thumbs-up.

	He smiled a little at that.  I see who wears the pants in 
that relationship, he thought.  

	He got an instant message.  ‘You will pay—Imadori.’

	He stared over at Imadori.  ‘Pay for what?’ he sent 
back.  ‘You didn’t give me anything.—Harima.’

	‘...’ was the reply.

	I hope Eri didn’t give me his calculator by mistake or 
something, Harima thought.

*************
	
	As Yakumo was about to go to lunch, the history 
teacher stopped her.  "Yakumo," he said.

	"Yes, sensei?" she asked.

	"I have been looking at your ‘essay’."

	"Yes, sensei?"

	"The art is very good, but I’m afraid it’s almost 
completely historically inaccurate," he said.  "So your 
grade isn’t going to be very good."

	She sighed.  "I’m sorry, sensei."

	"You seem to have a real talent for art, though.  You 
might want to talk to the art teachers, though.  I’m not sure 
what’s appropriate, but they might want to display it or you 
might be able to publish it in the student magazine or 
something.  With a suitable note indicating you made it all 
up."  He shook his head.  "I would think with the amount of 
effort it must have taken to draw that much, you could have 
written a more accurate essay."

	Kenji had seemed so confident about it, she thought.  
"I’m sorry."

	"Don’t be sorry," he said.  "Just do better next time."

	She bowed, embarrassed.  "I will."

	"Okay then," he said.  "Go have lunch, do better next 
time."

	Yakumo headed out with Sara, ending up under their 
usual tree.  Sara said, "So, did you get to kiss him?"

	Yakumo sighed.  "No."

	"Hmm, maybe you should try seeing him now, during 
lunch," Sara said.

	"Hanai will be there, and the other boys," Yakumo 
said, sighing.

	"Call him," Sara said.  

	Yakumo got on her phone and dialed up Harima.  

	He answered the phone.  "Hello?"

	"Hi," she said nervously.  "Want to come have lunch 
with me?"

	"Sure," he said.  "Where are you?"

	"In the courtyard, under a tree."

	"Okay, be there soon," he said.

	She said, "See you," hung up, and waited.

*************	

	Harima rose from his chair, grabbing his lunchbox.

	Yoshidayama said, "Running off to your girlfriend?"

	"I’m going to have lunch with Yakumo," he said.

	"You are going to dine on the blessed food made by 
Yakumo?" Hanai said.

	"I think Sara is the one to bless things," Harima said.

	"What, she has given holy sanction to your union?" 
Hanai asked in shock.

	"I don’t belong to a union," Harima said, turning to 
go.

	He then noticed Fuyuki and Imadori watching him 
with laser eyes.  And Nara seemed to be eating lunch 
suspiciously closely to Tenma.  He couldn’t leave all these 
people unattended.

	He slid over to Tenma, congratulating himself on his 
own brilliance.  "Tenma-san, you should come and eat with 
your sister."  He tried to subtly point his elbows towards 
the pervert brigade.  "Just in case."

	"Oh, I won’t want to get in your way," Tenma said.  

	"If you walk next to me, you won’t get in my way," 
Harima pointed out.

	They stared at each other briefly, then Tenma said, 
"Sure."  She turned to Nara, Mikoto, Akira, and Eri.  "Why 
don’t you all come with us?"

	"Sounds fun," Mikoto said.  

	"Sure," Akira said.

	"Okay!" Nara said, even though Harima tried to beam 
death rays into his head.  

	Eri looked at Harima, frowned, but said, "Let’s go."

	As they started for the door, Hanai said, "I am coming 
too!"

	"You’re not invited," Akira told him.  

	"But..."

	"Are you Harima?"

	"NO," Hanai said.

	"Did Tenma invite you?"

	"Oh, come along Hanai," Tenma said.  "Just 
remember, Yakumo can’t be yours any more."

	Akira frowned, but they walked along without Hanai 
doing anything crazy.  Yet.  

	As they walked, Harima said to Eri, "You didn’t give 
me Imadori’s calculator by mistake, did you?"

	"No, that’s yours," Eri said.  "Why would I even have 
his?"

	"I don’t know.  He wanted me to pay for something," 
Harima said.  

	Harima’s phone buzzed, alerting him to a text 
message.  ‘You will pay—Taro’.  "Dammit, now Taro 
wants me to pay him too!  This must be one of those 
pyramid scams."

	"May I?" Akira asked.

	"May you what?" Harima asked.

	"See your phone?"

	"Sure," he said, passing it to her.

	Type, type, type.  She passed it back.  "That should 
take care of him."

	"What did you send him?"

	"Just a little bundle of fun."

************

	"Keiichi, you know anyone in Nigeria?" Taro asked 
him.

	Keiichi looked up from toying with X-box innards.  "I 
think he got deported."

	"Some dude there wants us to help him launder 
money," Taro said.  "We could use some more funds for 
this."

	"Sweet.  How much we talking?"

	"MILLIONS," Taro said.

	"Good deal.  I’m gonna be busy with this a while, 
though."

	"I’ll get on it."

************
	
	Yakumo felt it coming.  ‘YAKUMO-CHAAAAAAN’

	She shrank in on herself, trying to fight the urge to 
run.  She could see Harima had ended up bringing a small 
army with him, walking along with Tenma on one side of 
him, Akira on the other, and Eri lurking just behind Tenma, 
looking a bit disgruntled.  Mikoto had a lock on Hanai’s 
arm, as he strained forward like a puppy on a leash.  Nara 
flanked Tenma on the other side, and a ways behind them, 
she could see Yoshidayama, Fuyuki, and Imadori.

	Sara mumbled, "I should have asked Asou to come if 
that many were going to come."

	"Hi, Yakumo-san!" Harima said as he approached.

	She waved back at him.  Soon the whole army 
encamped itself, while Imadori’s brigade lurked at a 
distance.  It would have been like a party, if only she could 
have stopped reading Hanai’s mind.

	Sara looked over at Mikoto, who had her arm hooked 
around Hanai’s.  "I didn’t realize you two were dating."

	"We’re not, I’m restraining him," Mikoto said.

	"You make a cute couple!" Nara said, a little too slow.

	"I don’t need restraining," Hanai said.

	"You have my blessing!" Tenma pronounced.  "Sara, 
give them your blessing."

	She giggled, then began to pray.  Mikoto looked 
amused, while Hanai began to panic.

	Yakumo said to Harima, "The...the essay."

	Harima looked up from half-eating, half-glaring at 
Nara, who was sitting just close enough to Tenma that at 
times, their knees would bump.  "Essay?"

	"The one you helped me with," Yakumo said.  

	"Hmm?" he asked, putting food in his mouth.

	"The history teacher didn’t like it, but he said I should 
put it on display."  She hoped that didn’t come off too 
harsh.

	"No accounting for taste," Harima said.  "He couldn’t 
handle the truth."

	"I just..."  She decided to ask him somewhere more 
private.  Since he’d done so much of it for her.  "Also, D-
man and his friends are watching us."

	Mikoto’s ears pricked.  "Are you having more trouble 
with Imadori?"

	"He was very naughty last night," Tenma said.  "We 
had to give him divine punishment."  

	 "It was my pleasure," Harima said, smiling.  

	"Eri, I need you to restrain Hanai," Mikoto said.

	"I don’t need to be restrained!" Hanai protested.

	"Can’t Kenji do it?  He’s stronger," Eri said.

	"I will not let that man restrain me!" Hanai protested.

	Sara came over and took Hanai’s arm.  "I’ll keep him 
under control."

	Hanai stared at her in confusion.

	"Thanks," Mikoto said, heading off to deal with the 
trio.

	Hanai looked at Sara suspiciously.  She didn’t look 
strong, but she was a nun and might have spiritual strength.  

	Sara rested her head on his shoulder.  "Ooh, nice," she 
said, smiling.

	Hanai suddenly turned red.

	Fuyuki, Imadori, and Yoshidayama fled in all 
directions as Mikoto approached.  She ran off after 
Imadori.

	Yakumo looked at them and mumbled, "Cute."

	Tenma nodded. 

	Nara thought, how come no one ever glomps onto my 
arm?

	Akira looked curiously at Sara, then returned to her 
own lunch.

	Harima looked around at everyone he was eating with, 
and his eyes widened for a moment.  This is what it is like 
to have friends, he thought.  Instead of always being alone.  
It was strangely pleasant.  Which made him wonder what 
would happen to wreck it.  Something always did.

*************
	
	Mikoto soon chased down Imadori and had him in a 
lock.  "Now, stop hassling Tenma’s sister," she said.

	He began to rub against her, making her regret 
grappling him.  "But Miko-chin..."

	"Don’t call me that!" Mikoto protested.

	"If you will tell me Yakumo’s measurements, I will 
stop," he said, suddenly serious.

	Mikoto sighed.  Principle warred with practicality.  
Finally, she said, "C.  Couldn’t you tell by looking?"

	"The uniforms do not always make it clear," Imadori 
said.  "Thanks, Miko-chin."

	"Don’t call me that!"  she said.

	He strode off cheerfully.

	She sighed.  The boys in this class are insane.  At least 
Hanai isn’t that kind of crazy over Yakumo.

	She headed back towards her friends, lost in thought.  
I’ve never seen him in love like this before, she thought.  It 
was kind of baffling to her.  And he just couldn’t give up, 
even though it was pretty obvious she and Harima were an 
item.  Though Harima and Eri seemed oddly close at times.  

	He doesn’t even have anything in common with her, 
Mikoto thought.  I at least fell in love with someone who 
did stuff with me.  But he’s hardly spent five minutes 
around her doing anything but frenzy.  

	She sighed.  Then again, I carried a torch for my tutor 
for a year without seeing him.  Maybe we’re both inclined 
to want things we can’t have.  

	She leaned on a tree, watching everyone eat and 
banter.  Seeing Sara leaning playfully on Hanai made her 
just a little bit jealous.  I wish I had a boyfriend, she 
thought.  

	She made her way back.  "It’s over," she said, taking 
hold of Hanai’s other arm.

	To her surprise, Sara didn’t let go of the other one.  
Hanai had a confused and slightly hunted look as he ate.

	"How did you stop them?" Tenma asked.

	"I put the fear of Mikoto into them," Mikoto lied.  

	"Hmm, we need to get you a boyfriend," Tenma said.  
"But most of the guys in our class are so cheesy."

	"Hey!" Harima, Hanai, and Nara said in unison.

	"Asou-sempai is very nice," Sara said.

	"And Karasuma...Why didn’t I invite Karasuma to eat 
with us???" Tenma said.  She sighed.  "And now it’s too 
late."

	"He’s probably off being weird," Eri said.

	"He’s not weird!" Tenma said.  "Just unusual."

	"Unusually weird," Eri said.  "Right, Kenji?"

	"Definitely, he’s strange," Harima said.  "It’s the silent 
ones who snap."

	Tenma frowned at him and Harima cringed.  But he 
had to say it, he thought.  I can’t lie to Tenma like that.  

	"Well, I like him," Tenma said defiantly.

	"He seems okay to me," Nara said.

	Tenma reached over and squeezed his hand.  "Thank 
you.  Someone has some taste."  She paused.  "Not like 
that."

	Nara blinked, then looked embarrassed.  "I like girls."

	"Any specific girls?" Akira asked.

	All eyes were on him; Nara shrank in on himself.  
"I...Ahahah."

	Tenma waggled a finger.  "You won’t find love like 
that.  You have to be bold.  Don’t be afraid to admit your 
feelings.  A girl wants a guy who is secure in himself."

	"But don’t be pushy," Eri said.  "Women hate pushy 
guys."

	"You need a common interest," Mikoto said.

	"You should work out," Sara said.  "Girls like a good 
athlete."

	"And you’d better be ready to afford to pay for your 
dates and buy her pretty things," Akira said.

	"And don’t dress like a slob," Hanai said.  

	"Be cool," Harima said.

	Nara was starting to drown in advice again.  

	This went on until it was time to go back to class.  On 
the way, Akira pulled him aside.  "I can help you, if you 
like."

	"But it’ll cost me."

	"Not too much," she said.  "You can take me on a 
practice date, and I will show you in return how to behave 
on a date with a woman.  That’s reasonable, isn’t it?"

	Very reasonable, he thought.  Which made him 
wonder what the catch was.  "Alright."

	"Friday night, then, be ready at seven."

	He gulped.  "I will."

	"Good.  We’ll have fun."

	Fun, he thought.  I hope so.

******************

	Harima half listened to the teacher blather on about 
Meiji period literature and half daydreamed about going out 
on a date.  He’d take her to the zoo, yeah, that would work.  
They could talk to the animals, and get cute pictures taken 
together.  Someone would tell them they looked just like a 
married couple, and then they would both laugh nervously.

	Then he and Eri...

	He paused.

	WHAT WAS SHE DOING IN HIS ROMANTIC 
FANTASY ABOUT TENMA?  He sobbed.  I am so sad, 
even my romantic fantasies don’t go right, he thought.

	He tried to refocus himself, only to notice everyone 
was staring.  He rose.  "I have something in my eye."

	Then he ran out of the room, heading for the nurse’s 
office.  He could get some tissues there and try to focus on 
his fantasy in peace.

	His phone buzzed.  There was a message from Akira.  
‘Don’t forget Tea Club.’  Right, he thought.  I won’t forget 
it exists.  I wonder if she thought I had tea in my eye, he 
thought.

	He reached the nurse’s office.  Tae-sensei turned in 
her chair.  "Hario, what’s wrong?"

	"I just need some tissues.  I have something in my 
eye," he said.

	She passed him some and he dried his eyes.  "Sorry to 
bother you," he said.  "Mind if I lay down for a bit?"

	"That’s fine," she said.  "How is the manga coming?"

	He slumped out on the bed.  "I won the contest, and 
now I can do a full serial, if I can keep it up, which will be 
a lot of work."  He sighed.  "Which I’ve never been good 
at."

	She rolled her chair over and took his hand.  
"Ganbatte, Hario.  You can do it.  This is your chance to 
make something of yourself."

	He looked up at her.  "You seem happier," he said.

	She smiled.  "I am.  Time heals all wounds, and this 
job is really nice compared to my old one."  She squeezed 
his hand.  "So how are you and your girlfriend getting 
along?"

	"I don’t have a girlfriend," he said.

	Something caught his eye; there was a shadow of a 
head through the translucent window of the nurse station 
door.  Bulges on the side of the head, he noticed.  

	"Well, you do spend a lot of time with Tsukamoto 
Yakumo-san," Tae-sensei said.  "Though I think Sawachika 
Eri-san likes you too."

	"No way," he said.  "I’m not her type.  I’m just giving 
her some motorcycle lessons, so she won’t wreck my cycle 
the next time.  That’s all.  They’re not like dates at all."  
They weren’t.  

	Tae-sensei smiled.  "So what would you do if she 
came up and told you she liked you, hmm?"

	"Won’t happen," Harima said.  

	"But if it did?" Tae-Sensei asked.

	"I could speculate on what I’d do if my motorcycle 
had babies, but it wouldn’t change the facts," Harima said.

	The shadowy head outside the door seemed to be 
vibrating.  He whispered, "I think there’s a shy patient 
waiting to be let in."

	Tae-sensei glanced at the door, then said loudly, "Oh, 
Hario, you’re so bold!  Right here and now?"

	Harima turned red.  "What are you DOING?"

	The door flew open and Eri surged in, only to find 
Tae-sensei seated on her wheeled, spinning chair near 
Harima’s bed while he laid sprawled out on it.  "Kenji, 
you...oh."

	Tae-Sensei smiled.  "You’re easy to tease."

	"I just came to make sure he didn’t fall asleep and 
miss our club meeting this afternoon."

	"Our?" Harima asked.

	"Tea Club," Eri said flatly.  

	"I thought you..." Harima began.

	"What, I can’t ever change my mind.  I like tea.  It’ll 
be fun," Eri said.  "How hard could a tea club be?"

**************

	Akira shoved one rod against Harima’s belly, the other 
against his shoulders in opposite directions, straightening 
him out.  Next to him, Sara was doing the same thing with 
Eri.

	"Straighten up," Akira said.  "Good posture is 
EVERYTHING.  You can’t drink tea well with bad 
posture."

	This was not Harima’s idea of a fun time.  He started 
to rise to just leave, only to have Eri say, "Running away, 
Kenji-kun?  You won’t see me break."

	He really couldn’t refuse that challenge.  He’d show 
her.  He would have the BEST POSTURE EVER.  

	Akira smiled.

*******************

	"You want to do what?" Hanai asked Mikoto.

	"Go see a movie.  With you," Mikoto said.  She hoped 
it would get his mind off things.  

	"A movie," he said.

	"Yes," she said a little irritably.  "This Friday night.  
Get some food, go see a movie.  You interested."

	"Are we talking a..." Hanai began.

	"Just as friends," Mikoto said.  "Most of the time we 
spend together is hitting each other, which can be fun, but 
shouldn’t be the whole of it."

	"True," he said.  "We could..."

	"Just us," Mikoto said.  

	"Right," he said, defeated.  "Sure.  I’ve heard there’s a 
good Chinese place that Asou works at.  Sound good to 
you?"

	"Yeah," she said.  "Now, don’t forget."

	"I never forget," he replied, smiling a little.  "Haven’t 
you noticed?"

	Yeah, that’s the problem, she thought.  

************
	
	"Kick Harima’s ass?  I don’t need an army to kick 
Harima’s ass," Tennouji said to Taro.  

	"I hear he and his little gaijin girlfriend kicked your 
ass in the school athletic festival," Taro said.  "You so sure 
about that?"

	They were in one of the many city parks, looking at a 
pond which had seen better days.  Unless you were algae, 
in which case this was a golden age.  

	Tennouji chewed on his candy bar.  "I’ll paste him 
next time," Tennjouji said, a little uncertainly.

	"I’m sure he and his girlfriend probably don’t spend 
TOO much time making fun of you for that," Taro said.  
"And I’m sure the other students have other things to do 
than to wonder why you never got even."

	Tennouji glared at him.  "You calling me a wimp?  
You ain’t shit without your gang."

	Taro said smoothly, "I’m just saying there’s strength 
in numbers.  Unless I’m wrong, and you plan to kick his ass 
yourself now, in which case I can just go back to the X-
box."

	Tennouji stood up.  "I’ll KICK HIS ASS RIGHT 
NOW!"

	"That’s the spirit," Taro said.  "Let me know who 
wins."

	"HARIMA!!!!!!"

**********

	Harima had pains in parts of his body he had not 
formerly known existed.  However after an apparently 
infinite quantity of hell, he finally got to relax and drink 
some tea.  Well, drink tea, anyway.

	He glanced over at Sara and Yakumo, who knealt 
perfectly, as if they had been born in the appropriate 
posture.  Maybe this was one of those things he’d heard 
about where guys had a hard time of it and women could 
bend the right ways easily.  

	He glanced over at Eri, who smiled serenely at him, 
though he could have sworn that she was groaning and 
grumbling a moment ago.  He gave up and simply sipped 
his tea.

	Yakumo said hesitantly, "Kenji-san, can you give me 
a ride home after this?"

	"Sure thing," he said.

	"Hey, I have a motorcycle lesson, you know," Eri said.

	"Another day!" Kenji insisted.  "We said tomorrow."

	"Well, I’ll need a ride home," Eri said.

	"But you have a Limo!" Harima protested.

	Somehow, without changing positions, she loomed 
over him like a hawk about to snatch a mouse.  "I NEED A 
RIDE HOME," Eri said.

	Harima shrank in on himself like a collapsing star.  
"Going to be crowded."

	Hesitantly, Yakumo said, "I can walk."

	"No, it will be fine," Akira said.  "Kenji-kun can take 
both of you."

	Harima looked at her suspiciously.

	Akira snapped a photo of him, then said, "Very good, 
Kenji-kun.  Sara, I will be taking the Tea Club truck to 
have its oil changed.  Want a ride home?"

	Sara smiled.  "Sure, sempai."

	"You have a truck?" Harima said.

	"You’ve ridden in it, you know."

	"Oh, right.  I just...why didn’t you take it on the trip to 
the countryside?"

	"It’s only for special ops.  Also, Itoko-sensei is the 
only one of us who can legally drive it," Akira said.

	"But..."  He looked at her, then grinned a little.  
"Right."  He rose.  "Well, I gotta get home.  You two ready 
to go?"

	Yakumo rose.  "I am."

	Eri staggered to her feet.  "Just fine and DANDY," she 
said.

	"Okay, let’s go," Harima said.  An idea struck him as 
he headed out.  I am BRILLIANT, he thought.  It was truly 
the best idea ever.

	"Okay, you first, Eri-san," he said.  "Then Yakumo-
sah, and then I’ll anchor on the end."

	They got their helmets on, and Eri got on, then Eri 
said, "How are you going to drive from back there?"

	"You are," Harima said.  "It’s your lesson for the day."

	"Cool," Eri said.

	Yakumo got on behind her, wrapping her arms around 
Eri, who jumped slightly.  "Please be careful, Sawachika-
sempai."

	Eri grinned.  "I am the soul of caution."

	Harima got on, putting his arms around both of them 
so as to ensure he wouldn’t fly off the back.  They both 
jumped at that.  

	"Kenji..." Eri began.

	"You want me to fall off?  I’m just barely squeezing 
on," he said.

	She mumbled a bit, and got things going.  Yakumo felt 
the warmth of two bodies, and sandwiched into place 
firmly, she fell asleep before Eri even got out of the parking 
lot.

	Having Yakumo softly snoring into her ear did not 
make Eri’s day.  She gritted her teeth and sped up, hoping 
to get out of this fast.

	Harima clung to them tightly for dear life, feeling his 
nerves jangle as he bounced about in back.  He tried 
imagining he was riding with Tenma, but she crashed his 
bike into the side of a truck in his mind, and he yelped.

	"Don’t be a baby," Eri said. "I’m only going 50."

	"Do you have to make the bike bounce this much?" 
Harima said.  "It’s a cycle, not a trampoline."

	Eri could feel Yakumo’s breasts pressing into her back 
and two sets of hands clinging to her ribcage.  Her nerves 
were jangling, and Yakumo was mumbling softly about 
kissing into her ear as she talked in her sleep.  For a 
moment, she imagined Yakumo kissing her, and turned red, 
the bike wobbling.  Then she pulled herself together.

	"Eri!" Harima said sharply.

	"Sorry!  Focusing!"  

	She was so focused that when the time came, she 
zoomed right past Tenma’s house without stopping.  
Harima was so focused on not falling off that he didn’t 
notice.  

	In fact, none of them noticed anything until Eri had 
driven all the way to her house, only to see her father 
approaching the house in his limo.  She quickly turned 
down a side street desperately; the swerve woke up 
Yakumo.

	"This doesn’t look like home," Yakumo said.

	"Thank you, Sherlock.  I couldn’t tell," Eri said.

	Harima said, "Are you just driving around randomly?"

	"Father was there!  He would have seen us!" Eri said.

	She came around for another pass, only to see she was 
now coming up on the limo from behind; it was slowly 
pulling away from her house.  "Oh hell," Eri said.

	"Pass it on the right," Harima said.

	"But he’ll see us!"

	"Do it."

	She sped up, and Harima stuck his arm out, hiding the 
parts of their faces revealed by the helmets as they zoomed 
past. He waved at Mr. Sawachika, who stared at him in 
shock.  

	"Okay, go right up ahead, then we circle around the 
area and make another pass," Kenji said.

	This time, they were successful.  Eri hopped off, and 
Kenji readjusted his and Yakumo’s positions so he could 
drive.  "Better lesson tomorrow, I hope," Eri said.

	"I hope you learned to not put three people on my bike 
at once if you have a choice," Harima said.

	"That was fun," Yakumo said.  "Bye, sempai."

	Eri said, "Yeah, but I was good enough to pull it off."

	"Taking risks..." he began.

	"Is what delinquents do, right?"

	"You’re not a delinquent," he said.

	She winked at him.  "But I’m learning."  She headed 
inside.

	Women are sooo strange, he thought.  He turned to 
Yakumo.  "Ready?"

	"Let’s go," she said.

	As they rode, he said, "I hope you didn’t get too 
crushed."

	She leaned on him from behind, listening to his 
heartbeat.  It had been strange; she’d started to feel a little 
of her sempai’s heart as they’d ridden together, that sense 
of exhilaration.  She wondered what it would be like to 
drive the motorcycle, but she was scared to ask.  "It was 
comfortable," she said.

	"Tenma would kill me if I let you two get hurt," he 
said.  "She does so well at everything."  He shook his head 
and sighed.  "Most of us aren’t that lucky."

	"I’m very lucky," Yakumo said, listening to him 
breathe and feeling his heartbeat.  She was drowsy, and it 
was strangely peaceful, riding with Harima.  

	"We gonna work on the manga tonight?"

	"After homework," she said.  "I have some more 
ideas."

	"Cool."

**************

	Harima looked at the note in his shoe box.  ‘I 
challenge you, you miserable little punk.  Meet me after 
school by the athletic grounds.—Tennouji.’

	He shook his head.  I have a cycle lesson to give, and 
then I have to go to Tenma’s and work on the manga with 
Yakumo.  Not to mention homework.  Not that he would 
likely do much of it.  

	He headed off to class, and forgot it ever happened by 
lunch time.

****************

	"Daaaaaad," Nara said excitedly.  "I have a date on 
Friday!  Can you drive us around?"

	His father looked up from reading the newspaper.  
Goji was a tall, thin man who towered over his son, with 
short black hair neatly coiffed.  He carefully took his pipe 
out of his mouth.  "I have a date with Anya, son.  She’ll 
beat me to death if I don’t show up," he said.  "You know 
how it is.  The women don’t like it if you miss a date."

	"I thought you were going out with Miki," Nara said.  
"Don’t you normally go out with her on Fridays?"

	"I’m going to Miki’s ballet performance on 
Thursday," he said, "So she had to give up her slot to Anya, 
who prefers Fridays anyway."  He shook his head.  "You 
wouldn’t believe how hard juggling them can be, Nara.  If 
you’re smart, you’ll stick to just one woman, unlike your 
poor old dad."  He tapped his ashes from his pipe into an 
ashtray and set it down.  "Also, no smoking."

	Nara had no temptation towards smoking, but 
watching his Dad...well, it seemed like having lots of 
girlfriends at once was more fun than trouble.  Or at least, 
the fun was worth the trouble.  And Mom enjoyed all her 
boyfriends.  "Mom was telling me I should go see Miki’s 
ballet performance, that it’s really good."

	"I believe Kimiko will be there with Henry," Goji 
said.  "Or is it Youji’s turn on Thursdays?"

	"Don’t ask me, I struggle enough to remember them 
all," Nara said.  I wish I had that kind of struggle, he 
thought.  What has Dad got that I don’t?  Well, besides 
huge amounts of money.  But I’ll have that eventually.  
"How’s business, Dad?"

	"Well, other than a little embarrassment when Kimiko 
and I got a little too frisky, pretty well.  Oh yes, she said to 
ask you if you’ve finished your art project yet," Goji said.

	He paused.  "Wait, you have a date?"

	"Umm, yes," Nara said.  "That’s why I needed you to 
drive me."

	"Son, I’ll tell you this because I’m your father, and I 
love you.  A wise man doesn’t want his parents anywhere 
NEAR his date.  Also, if you tell your mother, she will 
follow you everywhere with one of her boyfriends and try 
to help you," Goji said.  "Who’s the girl?"

	"Takano Akira."

	Goji looked contemplative.  "And public 
transportation won’t do?"

	"I...I’d like to make a good impression."  I won’t 
mention it’s a practice date, Nara thought.  Dad would be 
so disappointed.

	"Actually, I have an idea."

	"An idea?"

	"Well, as you know, Juri runs an automobile rental 
company."

	Nara nodded.

	"So, I think if I promise her an extra date or two, we 
can probably get you something chauffered."

	"Thanks, Dad!" Nara said.  "That would be great."

	He looked at his watch.  "I need to freshen up before 
Ami gets here.  Your mother left you food in the fridge.  
She says she won’t be home until tomorrow, unless there’s 
an accident."

	"Okay," Nara said.  "I’ll go do homework."

	"Good luck, son.  And just remember...one woman 
good, many women—trouble."

	Nara nodded.  Dad always said that, but he couldn’t 
really mean it.  This is going to be great, he thought.  I 
hope.

****************

	"Hey, Miko-chin," Tenma said to Mikoto as they ate 
lunch.  "Three Slashed special Friday night.  Two hour 
movie.  You want to come watch it with me?  You too, Eri, 
Akira."

	Tenma was sitting with her friends, and with Harima, 
who had fallen asleep.  

	"I have a date," Akira said.

	"Sure," Eri said.  "Wait, a date?"

	"Yes," Akira said.

	"With who?" Eri asked.

	"Nara," Akira said.

	Eri stared.  Mikoto said, "I’m afraid I’m going to be at 
the movies."

	"Ooh, you have a date too?" Tenma asked.  

	"No, I’m just going to dinner and the movies with 
Hanai," Mikoto said.

	"Oooh, a date!" Tenma said.

	"Not a date."

	"Going alone with a boy to dinner and the movies is a 
date," Tenma said.  "Right, Akira?"

	"Exactly."

	Eri grinned at Mikoto.  "Been peeking at him after 
your matches, hmm?"

	"NO!" Mikoto protested.

	Tenma sighed.  "I wish I had a date."

	Eri nudged her.  "Well, there is a boy you like, you 
know..."

	"I...he..."  Tenma began to stammer.

	Eri rose and walked over to Karasuma.  

	Tenma stared in shock.

	"Karasuma," Eri said.  "Tenma needs you to take her 
out this Friday.  You busy?"

	Tenma’s antennae flapped frantically, and her mouth 
moved and nothing came out.

	Akira smiled a small smile.

	"I am not busy," Karasuma said.  "I could take her 
out."

	"Good.  Be there at seven," Eri said.  "This Friday."

	"I understand," he said, then returned to eating and 
doodling.

	Eri came back over.  "Mission accomplished."

	"But...I...you..."  Tenma babbled.

	"Now you just need a date, Eri," Akira said.

	"I am not going on a date!" Mikoto replied.

	Eri stared at her food, focusing on mushrooms, 
shrimp, and rice, eating quietly.

	"Yeah, Eri needs a date.  Hmmm," Tenma said, her 
head sweeping around the room.  "Hmm...dating 
Madoka...pervert...pervert...dating Akira...dating Mikoto..."

	"IT IS NOT A DATE," Mikoto insisted.

	Many people turned to stare at her.

	"Da...no wait.  Asou isn’t seeing anyone.  You could 
ask him out, Eri.  He’s kinda cool," Tenma said.

	"Yeah, he is kinda cool," Mikoto said.  

	Akira said, "You could come double date with Nara 
and I."

	"You just want to ride in my limo," Eri mumbled.

	"Now, now, would I do that?" Akira asked.

	It suddenly hit Eri that no one had even asked her out 
lately.  Why?  Does no one want me?  She suddenly felt 
small and alone.  Sure, she’d never gone out with any of 
them, but it had been reassuring.

	"Suga isn’t dating anyone, but I think his hair is kind 
of ugly," Tenma said.

	"Hideous," Mikoto said.

	Suga turned and looked at them, and Mikoto hastily 
said to Tenma, loudly, "How about them Swallows?"

	"They like to sing outside my window when I’m 
trying to sleep," Tenma replied.  "I don’t think they’d date 
Eri, though."

	"If you wanted to do me a big favor," Mikoto began.

	"I will date Imadori when the world is on fire and I’m 
burning," Eri said.

	"Fuyuki’s not too bad looking," Tenma said.  "But 
kind of perverted."

	Eri sighed.  "I’ll be fine."

	"But you won’t have us to play with," Tenma said.  
"We have to find you a date."

	"I don’t need a date!" Eri insisted.

	Tenma turned to Harima, still sleeping, and shook him 
gently.  "Kenji-kun."

	Harima woke up.  "Uhh, what?"

	"You need to take Yakumo out this Friday."

	"I do?" Harima asked.

	"Don’t be lazy," Tenma said.  "You can’t just sit back 
and relax and rely on your good looks and charm to keep 
her heart."  

	She loves me, Harima thought.  She thinks I’m good 
looking and charming!  This must be her way of hinting she 
wants me to ask her out.  But she’s framing it in terms of 
Yakumo to avoid embarrassment.  

	"Sure thing.  What time should I be there?" he asked.

	"Seven.  Friday."

	"Right," he said.  "I’ll be there."

	"Hmm, Kenji-kun, Eri needs a date.  Any 
suggestions?"

	Eri said, "Tenma!"

	Akira grinned lazily.

	"I can’t think of anyone rich enough to show her the 
kind of time she’d expect," Harima said.  "In this class."

	"I don’t expect the guy to be rich," Eri said, a little 
irritated.

	"Hmm.  Asou’s probably got his head up his ass less 
than some people here," Harima said.

	"He is cute," Tenma said.

	"Go for it," Mikoto said.

	"I think Sara likes him," Eri said.  "Didn’t you see her 
yelling at him at the athletics festival?"

	"If you wait for a guy to notice you, you’ll be waiting 
a long time," Tenma said.  "Be bold."

	Eri pulled out her cellphone and looked at it.  
"Emergency call!  Be right back!"

	She ran out of the room, feeling embarrassed and 
frustrated.  I can’t be the only person without a date, she 
thought.  AKIRA has a date.  But none of the guys really 
excited her.

	Not like...

	She wouldn’t let herself finish the thought.  He has a 
girlfriend, she thought.  Even if he somehow can’t figure it 
out.  Even if she can’t...I mean, how do they end up 
spending all that time together if they’re not in love?

	Surely if he loved someone else, if he...

	"If you touch the woman I love, I will KILL YOU," 
rang in her mind, followed by "Touch her and DIE."  She’d 
rarely heard him so angry.  Maybe he just instinctively 
protected women with death threats.  But it had sounded 
like...

	She shivered slightly.  Maybe he really had been 
trying to confess to her before his cousin ruined it all, 
maybe he...and to touch her...  Her eyes crossed, and she 
shivered more.  

	"Sawachika-san," Tae-sensei said, approaching and 
pushing a cart covered with supplies.  

	She jumped.  "Tae-sensei.  Where are you going?"

	"Coming back from taking care of some students who 
mangled themselves on the athletic field.  Can you help 
me?"

	"Sure," Eri said, pushing the cart with her, and helping 
her to unload the supplies once they got to the nurse’s 
office.  

	Once they were done, she tried to decide if she wanted 
to ask the nurse.

	Tae-sensei asked, "Is something on your mind?"

	"No," Eri said.  "There’s nothing on my mind."  She 
continued to stare at the floor.

	"Hario doesn’t get close to people easily," Tae-sensei 
said, puttering about her office.  "But there’s someone he 
loves very much."

	Eri froze in place. "So much he would kill anyone who 
hurt her?" she asked softly.

	"I think so," Tae-sensei said.  "But he never told me 
her name.  I can only guess."

	Eri licked her lips nervously.  "These guys, we ran 
into in the park, old enemies of his.  It was a little scary 
seeing him fighting them."

	"I don’t think he could ever hurt you," Tae-sensei said.  
"You’re closer to him than almost anyone."

	Eri felt her whole body tingle for a moment at that.  
"Really?"

	"Really," Tae-sensei said.  "Though he seems to be 
finally starting to make more friends."

	Like Yakumo, Eri thought.  She frowned.  "I’d better 
get back to class."

	"Thanks for the help!  Bye!"

	Eri headed back to class, lost in thought.

**************

	"Yo, Eri, wake up," Harima said.

	Eri started and snapped out of her funk.  "What?"

	"We biking or what?" Harima asked.

	"Let’s bike," she said.

	They headed on down to the shoe room, where they 
found Harry Mackenzie leaning against one of the racks.  
"Harima," he said.  "A moment of your time."

	"I don’t have time for a fight," Harima said.  "I have 
biking lessons."  Despite this, he moved into a protective 
stance between Harry and Eri.

	"Don’t worry, I don’t attack bystanders," Harry said.  
"And this isn’t about a fight.  It’s about Ichijou."

	Harima blinked.  "Are you asking my permission to 
date her?"

	Eri started.

	Harry cocked his head.  "Would I have to?"

	"You have my blessing," Harima said.

	Harry said, "Is she dating anyone?"

	"No, not really," Harima said.

	"She and Imadori have gone out," Eri said.  "When 
he’s not busy dating 3000 other women."

	"I thought so," Harry said.  "Kind of guy who has to 
date every woman in class once, then loses interest if 
they’re not easy?"

	"Taking Ichijou wouldn’t be easy at all," Harima said, 
thinking about the school festival.

	"So she and Hanai aren’t a couple?" Harry asked.

	"No, not at all," Harima said.  He looked over at Eri.  
"Right?"

	"Wait, are you going to ask her out?" Eri asked.

	"Sure," Harry said.  "I think she’s interesting."

	Damnation, even Karen gets a date, Eri thought.  
"Well, good luck.  I think she likes Imadori."

	Harry grinned, his teeth flashing.  "We’ll have to see."  
He nodded to Harima and Eri.  "You two aren’t bad 
yourselves.  On your way to kick Tennouji’s ass?"

	"I have biking lessons," Harima said.

	Harry studied him curiously, then looked at Eri and 
grinned in a way that made her nervous.  "I can’t blame 
you.  I’d rather spend time with a woman instead of 
Tennouji too.  I'’ll let him know you blew him off for a ride 
with your lady."

	"Thanks," Harima said.  

	His lady, Eri thought.  I wonder how many people 
think we’re a couple.

	They were most of the way to Harima’s bike when 
Harima and Eri heard a tremendous bellow.  
"HARIMA!!!!!"

	Eri asked, "Run for the bike?"

	Harima sighed.  "I don’t have time for this."

	Eri surprised him by vaulting onto his shoulders.  
"Let’s get him."

	"I can handle this," he said hotly.  "I don’t need..."

	"You don’t have time for this," she said firmly.  "You 
owe me a biking lesson.  So let’s finish this quick."

	Harry watched, leaning against the school, as Tennouji 
charged across the courtyard at Eri and Harima.  As he 
charged, Harima dodged to one side, Eri suddenly moving 
to use Harima as a pivot, swinging around his head and 
shoulders.  Harima’s feet moved, sweeping Tennouji off his 
feet, while Eri came around to kick him in the back of the 
head.  He ended up in the dirt.

	Eri swung around to land back on Harima’s shoulders, 
and Harry felt a tiny burst of envy.  Lala had been a good 
partner and you could generally count on her in a fight, but 
she tended to get overheated emotionally, to get too caught 
up in herself.  He had to envy people who had such a 
smooth rapport as to do what they had just done with no 
planning.  

	Tennouji started to rise, but Harima stomped on his 
head.  "You need more practice," Harima told him.  "That 
guy might be able to train you enough to at least last 
longer."  Then he turned and strode away, still carrying Eri.

	Worthy rivals, Harry thought.  It had been so long.  He 
was feeling excited about the future at last.

***************

	"Kenji is taking you out on Friday," Tenma told 
Yakumo, as she sat down at the table.  Yakumo was at her 
part-time job, and Tenma usually came and at there the 
nights Yakumo worked.

	"He is?" Yakumo asked.

	Tenma nodded.  "And I have a date with Karasuma-
kun!"

	Yakumo smiled.  "That should be fun."

	"Eri-chan is the best.  But I have to find her a date so 
she won’t have to be lonely."

	Yakumo stared at the table for a moment, then said, "I 
don’t really know...many guys I could suggest."

	"Akira suggested we hold an auction, winner gets the 
date, but Eri vetoed it," Tenma said.  "I...I don’t suppose..."

	"What?"

	"Nothing," Tenma said.  "I wouldn’t want to get in 
your way."

	Yakumo tried reading Tenma’s mind, and she got an 
image of her, Eri, and Harima riding his motorcycle.  "Are 
you saying we should take her with us?"

	"No one wants to be a sixth wheel," Tenma said.  "I 
shouldn’t just push her on you."  She tugged on her hair.  
"Well, maybe...no.  Even Nara has a date."

	Yakumo thought about Asou.  But Sara likes him.  She 
paused, looking thoughtful.  Maybe I should see if Sara 
wants to double-date with us.  

	Yakumo then imagined all four of them on the 
motorcycle.  That might not work so well.  But maybe if we 
get a side car...

**************  
	
	Taro’s phone rang.  "Yo," he said.  "The Green 
Dragon is in the house."

	"I WANT TO KILL THAT BASTARD," Tennouji 
shouted into the phone.  "I’m in.  We have to crush his 
damn girlfriend too."

	"Don’t worry.  We’ll have enough manpower to take 
down his entire class when it’s time to strike."

	"WHEN DO WE STRIKE?" Tennouji bellowed.

	"Soon.  Best we not show our hand too fast."

	"Right."

	Taro smiled.  This time, nothing would go wrong.

***************	
	
	"The man always pays for the woman’s dress," Akira 
informed Nara.

	"He does?" Nara said nervously.

	"Well, if the woman has to buy one, that is," Akira 
said.  "Given you plan to wear a tuxedo, it would be 
tasteless of me to wear something inferior to you; it would 
make you look cheap."

	Nara sweated.  "I’ll see if Megumi-san can get 
something that matches."

	"Megumi-san?" Akira asked curiously.

	"The, um, tux rental woman," Nara said.  "Not, like, a 
girlfriend of mine or anything."  I could only wish, he 
thought.

	Akira cocked an eyebrow and nodded.  "You don’t 
have to wear a tuxedo," she said.

	"Yes, but it’s important to make a good impression on 
the first date, right?"

	"It does convey a sense of the international playboy, 
with charm and money," Akira said, nodding.

	"Alright, I’ll see about getting you the dress.  I’m 
going to need measurements, though."

	Akira scribbled on a piece of paper.  "Here you go.  
No charge."

	"Thanks," he said.  "I’ll have her call you if they need 
a fitting or something, okay?"

	"Okay," Akira said.

	Tenma watched this, and felt a little jealous.  Nara was 
really going all out on this one, whereas, she wasn’t even 
sure where Karasuma was going to take her.  Well, I can 
find out, right?

	She drifted over to Karasuma, then saw he was 
drawing.  Fascinated, she watched as he sketched out a 
picture of her in a princess outfit.  She was flanked by 
Mikoto, who wore armor which resembled a gi; Mikoto 
was pictured in profile, in the middle of a punch.  Also in 
profile, flanking Tenma-hime to the left, was Eri, who wore 
a skimpy sorceress’ outfit, and behind Tenma, facing the 
viewer, was Akira in a ninja outfit, armed with a gun in 
each hand.  

	"Wow!" Tenma said.  "This is great!  What’s it for?"

	He tapped Tenma-hime.

	"It’s for her?" Tenma asked in confusion.

	He looked up at her and smiled a little; she could feel 
herself dissolving into his steady gaze.  "For you, 
Tsukamoto-san."

	She felt her heart flutter with joy.  "It’s beautiful!  
Thank you!"

	The door opened and Harry walked in, drawing 
attention.  He drew more when he strode over to Ichijou.  
"Ichijou-san, you busy this Friday night?"

	"I...no," she said softly.

	"Want to go out with me?"

	The whole room suddenly fell silent and heads turned.

	Karen began to shrink in on herself a bit.  "I...a date?"

	"Yes," he said.

	"Me?" she asked.

	Slowly, ever so slowly, Imadori pivoted, staring at 
Harry intently.

	Harry looked over at him and flashed a smile, then 
turned back to Ichijou.  "You interested?"

	"I...umm...well, I’m not doing anything," she said a 
little sadly.  She half-glanced back at Imadori, who seemed 
to be intently studying the wall all of a sudden.  "I...sure," 
she said.  "We could do that."

	"Good.  I’ll come get you at seven."

	Imadori suddenly sprinted out of the room.

	Harry watched him go curiously, then turned back to 
Karen.  "Wear a dress," he said.

	"I...dress?"

	"Yes," he said.  "You’ll need it."

	"Okay," she said; he could see her staring past him the 
way Imadori had gone.  Well, it would take some time to 
make her forget bannana-boy.  But he was confident.  

	Harry Mackenzie was not a man accustomed to losing.

************

	Heads turned as Imadori strode into the middle of 2-D.  
They turned more as he strode up to Lala.  "Lala."

	She turned and glared at him.  "Get out."

	"You have to go out with me this Friday," Imadori 
said.

	"What are you, insane?" she said, standing.  "You..."

	"Harry just asked Ichijou out and she said yes," 
Imadori said.

	Lala froze, her hand an inch from Imadori’s throat.  
"But they...they would be invincible."

	"Bingo," Imadori said.

	Lala slumped, putting her hands on her desk.  "I 
cannot allow this."

	"I know."  Imadori said.  "Imagine the children."

	Lala buried her face in her hands.  "They would come 
out of the womb able to wrestle grown men."

	"They might not wait that long," Imadori said.

	She looked up at him, looking desperate.  "But 
we...you think..."

	"There is no one else the two of us can rely on for 
this," Imadori said calmly.

	She growled, then nodded, taking his hand firmly.  
Firmly enough that he had to suppress his pain.  "Then we 
have no choice.  I expect you at seven.  Bring wine.  We’ll 
need it."

	Imadori imagined Lala drunk.  This would have 
broken a weaker man than him.  Instead, he merely 
screamed and set himself on fire on the inside.  Outside, he 
smiled a lazy confident grin.  "Wear a dress."

	"A dress.  FOR YOU?" Lala snapped.

	"Karen will," Imadori said.

	She pounded her fist on the table.  "Remind me never 
to let you near my father."

	He blinked in confusion.  "What?"

	"Nothing," she said.  He would have my old man 
signing over what little we have to him by the end of the 
first ten minutes, she thought.  He can’t fight, but his mind 
is cunning.  I’ll find a way out of this, she thought.  
Somehow.  "Then you’d better wear a suit."

	"Of course," he said smoothly.  "Black, navy, or tan?"

	She blinked.  "Navy blue."

	"Perfect," he said.  "See you at seven.  On Friday."

	Sweet Mary, watch over me, for I fear I am damned, 
Lala thought.

***************

	‘DIIIIIIEEEEEEEE—Tennouji’, the message read.

	He still can’t spell, Harima thought.  He wasn’t too 
worried.  He put his phone away and ambled over to Eri.  
"You ready?" he asked her.

	"We have another class," she said.

	"Stuff it.  Who cares about all that crap?" he said.  "I 
gotta work on stuff tonight, so unless you want a really 
short lesson, we gotta get going now."

	Eri looked up at him, then said, "You don’t think those 
punks will come back, will they?"

	"Took ‘em a year last time."

	She looked around the class, then thought about 
Friday and grimaced.  "Alright, you owe me," she said.  
"Let’s go."

	"Owe you?  For what?"

	"You do," she said firmly, taking him by the arm and 
dragging him out.  People stared at this as they went.

***************
	
	"Oooh, that would be fun," Sara said to Yakumo.  
"But he...I mean...I’d have to...ahaha."

	Yakumo said, "You always encourage me."

	Sara put a hand behind her head.  "Easier than 
encouraging myself."

	Yakumo looked nervous.  "Well, I could try.  For 
you."

	Sara shook her hands.  "No, no, I couldn’t ask you to."  
She paused.  "Are you sure Harima-sempai won’t mind?"

	"I should ask him," Yakumo said.

	Silence ensued.

	Tumbleweeds passed by.

	A turtle made his way across the room.

	"Yakumo?" Sara asked, worried.

	"I shouldn’t be nervous," Yakumo said.

	"Oooh, so cute.  Here, I’ll dial for you," Sara said.

	The phone rang, but Harima didn’t answer.  She 
sighed.  "I’ll ask him later."

***********

	Eri loved riding Harima’s motorcycle.  The sheer 
power of it, the speed, the fluid mobility, it was all 
intoxicating.  Skipping out of school to do it made it all the 
better.  She was laughing as she rode, forgetting everything 
else.

	She couldn’t tell for sure if Harima was awake or not; 
he was utterly silent, his arms drooping down.  He didn’t 
even lean on her, though his lower body was pretty close to 
hers.  

	"Kenji-kun?" she asked.

	"Magic fist..." he mumbled.

	"Hey, wake up!" she said irritably.

	He started.  "Princess?"

	She smiled a little at that.  "Is that how you think of 
me?"

	"You are rather a princess," he said.  

	"Not a prince?"

	"Akira would make a good prince," Harima said.  

	A good thief of kisses, anyway, Eri thought irritably.  
"Do you like princes or princesses better?"

	"Princesses, of course," Harima said.

	"And you think I’m a princess?"

	"What else could you be?" Harima asked.

	That made her feel better.

	She roared along in silence a little longer, then said, 
"So you’re going out this Friday?"

	"Yeah," he said, smiling goofily.  

	She felt the anger swell inside her, and tried to tamp it 
down for fear of doing something suicidal while driving a 
motorcycle.  "Ever been on one?"

	"No," he said.

	"Better pray you don’t screw up, then.  There’s a lot of 
dating etiquette, you know," she said.

	"There is?" he asked.

	Honesty warred with temptation.  "There is.  And if 
you don’t follow it...well, the woman has no choice but to 
shoot you down.  We can’t encourage bad manners," she 
said.

	"I never knew," he said.  "Is there a...I hate books, but 
is there a book or something?"  He sounded frantic.

	Eri grinned toothily.  "Don’t worry, I can teach you."

	"Thank you," Harima said.  	
	
	"It will be my PLEASURE," Eri said.

	Harima had a bad feeling about the laughter that 
ensued.

**************** 

	Akira slowly rotated as Megumi hummed to herself, 
making small adjustments to the dress; Megumi was as 
short as Tenma, but probably twice her age or more, Akira 
estimated.  She was a slender woman as well, except for 
her suspiciously large breasts.  If those weren’t implants, 
Akira would be very surprised.  

	She buzzed about Akira like a hummingbird, 
constantly moving, full of nervous energy.  "Hmm.  Your 
hair doesn’t contrast enough with the dress."  The dress 
itself was a very elegant silk and satin number, very formal 
and expensive looking to Akira; it came with matching 
silken gloves and very nice shoes.  The whole ensemble 
was a light blue in color.  "We’re going to have to dye your 
hair."

	"What?" Akira said in surprise.

	"No choice, really.  Fortunately, your hair has good 
body, so it should curl well."

	"Curl?" Akira asked.  This was starting to turn into 
rather more than she’d anticipated.

	"Hmm."  Megumi ran a hand along Akira’s cheek.  
"We can soften these."

	"But I..." Akira began.

	"Don’t worry, I’ll give you a discount because you’re 
a friend of Nara-kun’s.  He’s such a sweet little boy," 
Megumi said, humming a song to herself.

	"But..."

	"Oh, your school might disapprove?  Don’t worry, I’ll 
call them," Megumi said, digging through boxes of dye.  
"Do you have any blonde friends?"

	"Yes," Akira said.

	"Which of these best matches her?"  Megumi held up 
five bottles.

	"That one," Akira said.

	Megumi set it aside, then plucked out a bright yellow 
one.  "Here we go.  Wouldn’t do to make you look a 
copycat," she said.

	"Um, yes," Akira said.  She had the sudden feeling of 
being adrift at sea on a boat which someone else had total 
control over.  "I really don’t..." she began.

	"I wouldn’t want to look like I was copying a friend, 
either.  But..."  She studied Akira’s hair.  "Not enough for 
any braids, unfortunately."

	"I’m not into braids."

	"They can make a nice offset, but unless we have to 
resort to a wig, it won’t work," Megumi said, sadly.  
"Hmm, we’ll need some enhancers..."

	Akira cocked her head.  "Of?"

	Megumi poked her chest.  "There.  You keep your 
figure in good shape, so only that needs a little work."

	"I am..." Akira began.

	"Nothing too implausible, of course.  It’s not like you 
need to fool Nara, but filling the dress out a bit improves 
the effect.  Especially since Nara is small, you need to be 
larger to contrast.  Good thing you’re taller than him."

	Akira had to do something to reassert her control of 
the situation.  "I need to be able to conceal weapons in this 
outfit," she said, then realized that had not been the best 
thing to do.

	"Hmm, that’ll require a little extra work.  Also, we can 
modify the purse."

	"There’s a purse?" Akira asked.

	"Yes. Let’s see...have to match it to your skin 
tone...not enough time for tanning..."

	"Also..."

	"Yes, we have some special teas.  Nara-kun mentioned 
you are head of Tea Club," she said.  Megumi clapped her 
hands.  "This will be a truly special night."

	Akira surrendered.  Sometimes, all you can do is to 
just ride the storm until it is over.

***************

	Yakumo went up to Tenma.  "Big sister, I need your 
help."

	Tenma smiled.  "How can I help?" she asked.  She 
was hard at work, trying to make a special lunch box for 
Karasuma for the next day.  Yakumo wondered why the 
tofu was soaking in caesar salad dressing.

	"Sara was thinking maybe she and Asou could double 
date with Harima and I," Yakumo said.  "But she’s shy 
about asking him.  Do you think you could ask for her?"

	Tenma thought about Eri and Karasuma.  "Of course," 
she said.  "Anything for my cute little sister."

	Yakumo smiled nervously.  "Thank you."  I need to 
call Harima, she told herself.

	After some homework, she got a call from Harima.  
"Yakumo-san," he said.  "I’ll be by tomorrow to work on 
the manga with you, but I am getting some special tutoring 
right now."

	"Okay," she said.  "Want me to work on more floor 
plans?"

	"Yes, please," he said.

	"Okay.  Umm...Friday...do you have a sidecar?"

	"No," he said.  

	"I suppose four wouldn’t fit on your cycle."

	"Not unless some of them were babies."  He paused.  
"Four?"

	"Sara and Asou.  Double date," Yakumo managed to 
babble.

	"Not enough room."

	"Oh," Yakumo said softly.  "Well, right.  I’ll tell her 
that."

	Why would they want to double with Tenma and I, 
Harima asked himself.  Now, if I was going out with 
Yakumo, that would make sense.  But I’m not.  Right?  
"See you tomorrow, okay?"

	"Okay," she said.  

	He hung up and she tried to figure out what to tell 
Sara.

************

	Sara sighed.  "We have to work.  But come by where 
we work, okay?  I’ll fix special romantic stuff."

	Yakumo nodded, feeling embarrassed but looking 
calm.  "Okay.  You aren’t mad?"

	"No.  Bosses’ fault, not yours.  Good luck!"

	"Thank you."

************

	Akira drifted into class, sitting down by Mikoto.  
Mikoto looked over at her.  "Akira-chan?"  She looked 
oddly tentative.

	"Miko-chan," Akira said.  "Have you ever...I don’t 
even have words."

	Mikoto frowned.  "Did something go wrong last 
night?  You mentioned a dress-fitting?"

	Akira shivered.  "There is an old saying; ‘do not call 
up what you cannot put down’.  I forgot that."

	Mikoto cocked her head.  "I don’t understand."

	Akira said, "Have you and Hanai decided where you 
are going yet?"

	"Only vaguely," Mikoto said.  "There’s a chinese 
place he wants to try, so I get to pick the movie.  I’m not 
sure what to do."

	"I need..." Akira looked thoughtful.  "Actually...no, 
you won’t be dressed for it."

	Mikoto was starting to worry.  Akira never had her 
train of thought derail this much.  "Akira, what is wrong?"

	"I am beginning to understand how Harima feels," 
Akira said.

	Mikoto looked confused.  "I don’t understand."

	"Does Hanai’s family know you well?"

	"Oh yes," Mikoto said.  

	"Less danger for you, then," Akira said, getting out her 
phone and beginning to send someone a message.

	"I don’t get it," Mikoto said.

	"You are lucky," Akira said, looking slightly hunted.

	The door opened and the first grade Chemistry 
teacher, Kanzaki-sensei, a middling woman with very long 
wavy red hair, walked in and came over.  "Are you Takano 
Akira?" she asked.

	Akira froze up while Mikoto looked curiously.  Tenma 
now entered the class.  

	"Yes, she is," Mikoto said.

	Kanzaki-sensei hugged her.  Akira’s eyes widened.  
"You’re as pretty as Megumi-san said," she said.  "I just 
had to see for myself."

	Mikoto looked on in confusion as Tenma came over.

	"Should I know you?" Akira asked calmly, though her 
hands twitched.

	"Oh, I’m...a friend of Nara’s family."  She smiled 
broadly and let go.  "I’m sorry, I get physical easily.  Have 
fun tonight!"

	Then she ran off.

	"Who was that?" Tenma asked.

	"Tenma, have you met any of Karasuma’s family?" 
Akira asked.

	"No," Tenma said, then her eyes widened. "Did he 
take you to see his family already?"

	"It is complicated," Akira said.  "I am just..."

	Eri came in and went over to Sagano and Yuuki, to the 
surprise of Mikoto, Tenma and Akira, though she soon 
came to join them.  "There," Eri said.

	"There what?"

	"We’re going to go out and get dinner, see a movie," 
Eri said.  "No point in hanging around and being bored 
while everyone else has fun."

	"That’s the spirit," Mikoto said.  "Heck, you guys 
could probably just come with Hanai and I if you like.  
Since Hanai and I are just going out as friends."

	"Uh huh," Tenma said.

	"Right," Akira said.

	"WE ARE!" Mikoto said.

	"We are what?" Hanai asked.

	Mikoto jumped.  "Just going out as friends."

	"You’d be welcome, Eri.  And Yuuki and Sagano 
too."

	Yoshidayama overheard this and stared.  Is he about to 
have a date with four women at once?  BASTARD.

	"We’re going to make it a girl’s night out," Eri said.  
"But thanks for offering."

	"Okay," Hanai said.  "Probably the other guys in the 
class would crucify me if I went out with four women at 
once, anyway."

	"Or worship you as their new god," Akira said.

	"Anyway, Mikoto, picked a movie?"

	"Umm...how about Kung Fu Hustle?" she asked, 
hoping he would want to see Five Radiant Flowers instead, 
but fearing that would be too date-movie.

	"Perfect," Hanai said.  "See you tonight."

*************

	Harry stared at Lala.  "You’re doing WHAT?"

	"I have a date with Imadori," she mumbled.

	"Imadori?  IMADORI?" he asked in disbelief.

	"In order to destroy someone, you must get past their 
defenses," Lala said.  "And sometimes, the best way is to 
make them forget you are a threat."

	Harry blinked.  "More subtle than I expect from you, 
Lala."

	"Isn’t it what you’re doing?" she asked.

	He stared at her through his sunglasses, then smiled.  
"In a sense.  Well, good luck.  I’ll be surprised if I you can 
make it out of the dinner without killing him."

	She smiled, showing her incisors.  "I can be the very 
spirit of courtesy.  I am a delicate Mexican flower."

	Harry began to laugh, though he cut off short when he 
saw the light of death in her eyes.  He backed off.  "Sorry, 
sorry...good luck, okay?"

	I will definitely need it, she thought.  And I’ll show 
you too.  I can be elegant and graceful and I will PROVE it.  
If it kills me.

****************