Unselfish Wish

Chapter 10- First Party, Crashed

Mitsuru overheard the conversation about their plans, and decided to make a surprise appearance, though an arcade was really not somewhere he typically deigned to go. He didn't like how easily Moriyama had wormed himself into Tachibana's group. What were those girls thinking, allowing someone so dangerous near his angel? Tachibana was his. There was nobody else suitable.

Suddenly there was a touch on his shoulder. It was Kurokawa Rika. He leaned back, for she was exactly the sort of girl he didn't want anything to do with. She smiled, as if she knew exactly what he was thinking but could really care less.

"What's wrong, Ishida?" Ugh so grating, and no honorifics... "You look upset." Her fake concern grated on him like nails on a chalkboard.

"What does it matter to you, Kurokawa-san?" He struggled to remain polite, his tone icy.

"Well, it seems to me that you like Tachibana. Am I wrong?" He startled a little, not sure how she knew. He thought he'd hidden it pretty well.

"It seems as though you've been watching me carefully. No, you are not incorrect, but I would appreciate it if you could keep it to yourself." The last thing he needed was other people interfering in his attempt to woo her.

"Then I have an idea. You want Tachibana, I want Moriyama. I will help you if you help me. Deal?" The look on her face said she was arrogantly confident he'd take her up on her offer. It was disgusting. To be honest, he felt sorry for anyone she targeted.

"Interesting. You aren't hiding you true self from me. Are you sure that's a good idea? You obviously need me or you wouldn't be asking. Besides, why would I want to help anyone become victim to a viper like you?" She looked shocked. Nobody talked to her like that.

"Well, don't forget I offered. I don't think your honorable approach is going to be as successful as you think."

"That's not for you to decide. I have my pride, and I doubt I'd be happy knowing I won by underhanded means. If Moriyama is a worthy opponent, my victory will be all the sweeter." He said proudly. He’d always won at everything.

"Victory?" she scoffed. "Against Moriyama, her childhood friend? Good luck. Again, my offer stands." She walked away after flipping her hair over her shoulder, cute facade firmly in place. I can't believe I let him get under my skin, she thought. I hate people like him. Honor gets you nowhere.

Mitsuru was not amused. He would manage on his own. And even if, heaven forfend, Moriyama won fairly, he would be the first to congratulate them. Not that he thought Moriyama would actually win. He'd make sure she saw how perfect they were together. He decided to keep an eye on Kurokawa, since she was likely to do anything to get what she wanted, whether it hurt another or not. He felt Tachibana was already his, but this was due to him getting everything in life he’d ever asked for or wanted. To lose was as foreign to him as British people.

School ended, and the group which included Moriyama Kiyoshi, Tachibana Fumiko, Saotome Hinata, Shimizu Kaori, Maeda Sayuri, Tadeaki Yutaka, and Kamiyama Atsushi, walked to the arcade together. There was a family restaurant on the way, and they all stopped to eat first. Hinata made sure to allow Kiyoshi the seat next to Fumiko. This did not go unnoticed by the group. With this, be it unsaid, Kiyoshi was established as Fumiko's partner. The others knew that if Hinata was allowing it, there was nothing else it could mean.

Atsushi gave up his seat next to Hinata to Yutaka, who blushed, but with the attention primarily on Fumiko, fortunately nobody noticed. He settled himself between Kaori and Sayuri. They conversed happily, all getting along rather well.

Hinata tapped her glass with a spoon, gathering their attention. She smiled, obviously very excited.

"My dear Fumiko, happy birthday! We all have gifts for you, I hope they are well received." Fumiko smiled brightly, the negativity of the morning gone. Sayuri presented her gift first, a pretty white lacey knit scarf. Atsushi went next, with a cherry blossom stationary set. Kaori gave her gift, a golden charm bracelet with stars and moons. Next was Yutaka, with a cherry blossom bento set. Everyone laughed at how obvious it was the boys had shopped together.

Finally, it was down to Hinata and Kiyoshi. Fumiko had responded with delight and joy to every gift, Each person felt as though they had been touched by a gentle angel. Hinata looked at Kiyoshi, then at Fumiko.

"To be honest, I had to ask for Moriyama-san's help to get this for you. I wouldn't want to take credit when we chose it together. I know he's known you for a very long time. I hope it doesn't bother you, Fumi-chan." Fumiko had never seen Hinata this shy before. It must have been hard for her to ask him.

"Never, Hina-chan. I appreciate anything you would like to give me." So that's why they were together, she thought. Her eyes widened as the rather large package was brought out. She looked from Hinata to Kiyoshi, who smiled gently and nodded. She opened the package to find a beautiful blue and green yukata with white cherry blossoms and gold accents. The package included a contrasting obi in white with golden stars and moons. She began to cry.

"It's so beautiful, Hina-chan, Kiyo-kun! How wonderful." It truly was the most beautiful yukata she’d ever seen.

Hinata smiled, tapping Fumiko on the shoulder.

"There's still one more gift yet." She looked to Kiyoshi. "Right?"

He nodded, took a deep breath, and handed a much smaller package to Fumiko. To say he was nervous was a vast understatement. Fumiko looked up at him, eyes huge. She too, was very nervous. She unwrapped the package slowly, and pulled out a gorgeous pearl and jade hair ornament with blue and green kanzashi flowers, which was clearly chosen in conjunction with the yukata. Her hands shook slightly, for it was truly exquisite.

He took it from her gently, saying "May I?" Fumiko nodded, glad that she had styled her hair in a side bun, perfect for the ornament. He placed it perfectly, allowing his hand to linger only briefly. "Do you like it, Fumi-chan?" He murmured next to her ear. She nodded, blushing as she looked into his eyes. Everyone noticed the atmosphere, not really wanting to interrupt.

Someone did though. Mitsuru had followed them and approached the table.

"Hello, Tachibana-san." Startled, she looked over at him. She was actually a little bit glad, as she was very absorbed with Kiyoshi, and had sort of forgotten about everyone else. She smiled. "Do you mind if I join you?" Hinata stood to put a stop to it, but Kiyoshi put his hand on her arm, shaking his head. He wanted to see for himself what Mitsuru's intentions were, and to see how Fumiko felt about it.

"Of course you may, if you don't mind celebrating my birthday." She smiled, so happy that she practically glowed.

"Certainly. I actually overheard you talking about it earlier, and I brought you a small gift. Here." so saying, he handed her a small package, which contained 3 handkerchiefs in shades of pink. More feminine than she normally used- in fact she owned nothing pink at all, but she was not one to be rude, and accepted gracefully.

"Thank you everyone, for such lovely gifts! Shall we finish eating and head to the arcade?" All agreed, and Mitsuru managed to get himself included. The only person happy about the addition was Fumiko herself. The rest felt it wasn't right to intrude upon a private gathering, and that he was overstepping his bounds. Kiyoshi didn't like it, but again planned to observe.

Hinata was furious. There was such a great mood going between Fumiko and Kiyoshi before, and this weasel just had to get in the way. What to do? She caught Sayuri's eye and the girls went to the restroom.

"So Hinata, what's your plan? You want to lose Ishida, right?" Sayuri said.

"Yes. We need to give Moriyama some time with Fumiko." Hinata said, her mind working furiously.

"Wait, you're supporting him?" Sayuri was surprised. There had always been an unspoken vow of protection when it came to Fumiko.

"Yes. I got to know him a little while we shopped, and I can stand behind him. He is completely serious about Fumiko. I'd even say he probably plans to marry her." Hinata was pensive- she had not accounted for Mitsuru getting in the way of her plans.

"WHAT? Marriage? We're only in our first year of high school!" She was slightly alarmed. Things were moving way too fast for her to comprehend.

"That doesn't mean they're getting married tomorrow, does it? I just mean someday. He isn't playing around. Of course, knowing Ishida, he's considering marriage too." She appeared to be deep in thought, and Sayuri couldn't believe how relaxed she seemed.

"EHH?"

"Sayuri, stop sounding so shocked. Just because you haven't thought that far ahead doesn't mean that others haven't." Hinata seemed to be getting impatient with her shock.

"I guess you're right. I've never really been that serious about anyone, so... What's your plan, then? We can't tell him not to go to the arcade. It's a public place."

They were silent for a moment, not sure what they could do to get rid of Kiyoshi's competition.

"I know! Let's leave the arcade after a bit, and have Kiyoshi walk her home. I can distract Mitsuru, get him to follow me to the station, and then meet up with you guys for cake later. Or you can just bring me a piece. She loved my present, so I'll do this. She likes Kiyoshi, right?" This was said by Kaori, who had been silent for the most part.

"Yes, although I'm not sure she realizes that she does, nor does she have any idea that he likes her back. He has no idea that she loves him, and I'm sure he's trying to woo her as best he can. They're like two newborn fawns." She laughed, wishing she could just tell them.

"You want them to realize on their own, right? That's why you haven't told them." Kaori said.

"Correct. I will give them opportunities, but no way am I going to orchestrate everything. Too much work, and after it's all said and done, giving her to him means we will not be able to spend as much time with her as we have up til now. Lovebirds tend to want every moment they can." She teared up a little, but took a deep breath. "Shall we go back now?" Sayuri nodded.

Everyone had finished eating, so they packed up and went next door to the arcade. Fumiko's eyes were huge. Had she asked, her parents would have gotten her game consoles, but it had never occurred to her. There were games everywhere. Mitsuru looked a little green. Kiyoshi seemed intrigued, but was more focused on Fumiko. He was again struck by the impulse to throw her over his shoulder and carry her off somewhere. Hinata jabbed him in the stomach with her elbow.

"Your thoughts are plain on your face. No dirty thoughts, Moriyama. I won't hand her over to a pervert." So saying, she walked away. He blushed. He was finding that the more time he spent with Fumiko, the more his thoughts ran in that direction. Perhaps it was the human form he had taken, which he had maintained even privately in order to prevent accidental lapses. He knew that he felt emotion even more keenly than he remembered.