The Universe of Jewels
[ Uchuu no Houseki ]

Volume 14:
A World of Crisis

    With a groan, Daisuke sat up in bed.  It was 3:12 in the morning and he couldn't get back to sleep.  He was known to have insomnia once in a while, so this wasn't too unusual, especially as he started to think about all the previous day's occurrences after waking from dreams he could not recall.  It was all pretty hard to take in all at once.
    Daisuke got up and quietly walked to the bathroom so as to not disturb anyone else's nice slumber.  He began to think about things, lots of things.  How he almost died and then somehow was miraculously brought back, how Taka cared so much for him to try and give him advice, how Emi still loved him when he wasn't sure what he felt'  Wait, Taka's words' they suddenly echoed again in his mind'

*A nice trip down memory lane'*     His girlfriend, Emi.  They were quite the couple.  Always linking arms as they walked down the halls at school.  Pecking little kisses as they said their daily good-byes.  They were easily the cutest couple at school.  And those kisses, that's what Daisuke really thought about and remembered.  Emi was the one to give him his very first kiss.  Emi was the first girl that had even snagged his attention.  She was so cute and carefree, so full of life and intelligence, it was a wonderful break from all the angst and loneliness he had known.  He admired that about her very much, more than she had ever known.
    He thought about the day she left for France and how much he wanted her to stay.  It was the one thing he had ever wanted most up to that point.  They were at the airport, Hiroshi was there too.  It was Christmas time the previous year.  Holly and mistletoe decorated the walls and terminals.  A light snow was falling outside, but planes were still coming and going from Tokyo International Airport.  He remembered how Hiroshi looked, so gentleman-like in that red sweater his mother had forced him to wear.  He was smiling at Daisuke, like he was assuring that things would be alright even after she was gone.  Daisuke really needed that at that time, possibly more than ever.  'Dai-chan,' Emi had said, a sad strum in her voice.  She slid her hand into his and stared intensely into his big dark eyes.  It was time for her to go, Daisuke knew and squeezed her hand, not ever wanting to let go.  Her face became melancholy, yet a tender smile remained.  She flashed her eyes up and then slowly, without a word kissed him more deeply and passionately than either had ever known.  Her kisses were always sweet and cherished by Daisuke, and this one most of all.  As she pulled away, there were tears sparkling in her eyes.  'Dai-chan,' she sniffed, pointing up to a delicate mistletoe hanging above them.  It made Daisuke smile.
    Passengers began to board the plane.  She flung her arms around him, resting her head against his slow beating heart.  'I'm going to miss you' she whispered, pulling the strings in his heart.  He told her he would too, more than anything.  The line was getting shorter' Hiroshi walked over to them both, faintly smiling, 'I guess you should get going,' he said.  Emi nodded and pulled her arms from him.  She looked to him, smiling, tears tumbling down her cheeks.  'No  matter what, I love you Dai-chan,' she said sincerely, picking up a carry on bag, her ticket clasped in her hand.  He expressed the very same to her.  'Au revoir' then, she walked to the line and disappeared on the plane.  Daisuke stepped to the cold window and watched as her plane took off and disappeared into the winter sky.  'I love you' he whispered.  Eventually, he and Hiroshi left the airport, Daisuke felt lonely again, as he always did when Emi wasn't around.
    And then months later he met Yoshiko, possibly the most amazing, extraordinary person in the universe.  And everything he had known or felt, or thought he had known or felt was turned upside down'  She was exactly what he needed exactly when he needed it.  Right when he thought things couldn't get any more mundane or lonesome, she arrived from the edge of the universe and helped him realize the true beauty and majesty in life.  He sighed when thinking about her.  She really was the one who made him feel wonderful inside, who warmed his heart just by seeing her smile, just as Taka had said.  As Daisuke was about to leave the bathroom he realized that all this time it was Yoshiko whom he truly loved.  He loved Emi too, but she was more of a young puppy love, the kind most teenagers start out with.  Yoshiko, he knew, was real love.
    Daisuke went back to his bedroom, satisfied somehow.  It really wasn't that difficult to determine his true love, he knew it all along in his heart.  But now came the hard part, letting Emi know of his decisions and probably breaking her heart.  Need I say that was NOT something he wanted to do.  Along with that came confessing his feelings for Yoshiko.  He didn't feel too keen about doing that either.  And so, yet again Daisuke really didn't know how to proceed next.  'And so my on going drama continues' he said to himself and lay awake on his bed, staring at the black ceiling.  Going back to sleep was impossible.

    School started again bright and early.  Mr. Shizumo struggled in taking attendance, as usual, and most of the students found themselves wishing they could be anywhere but that place.  Hiroshi yawned after his name was called out and looked beside himself to see Daisuke's desk empty.  Yoshiko was sitting quietly at her desk, looking much more introverted than usual.  Hiroshi pulled out his Special Little Notebook, opening to a random page.  'Dai's not here, slacker,' He scribbled out, 'unless he's out somewhere doing something dirty.  Haha, that must be it!  Go Dai, go Dai!' at that moment he felt so proud of his friend.
Speaking of Daisuke, he ran through the empty halls and as quietly as possible opened his classroom door, sneaking inside.  Mr. Shizumo was still reading off names and luckily had not come to his yet!  Daisuke crept to his desk, gaining all sorts of attention from everyone in the room, especially all the countless girls who thought he was the best thing on Earth.  Ryuichi gave him an indifferent smirk as if to say, 'So you finally show up?'  Daisuke didn't notice, though.
    'Mizuno Daisuke,' Mr. Shizumo cackled.
    'Here!' Daisuke called right as he sat in his desk.  He felt pretty lucky'
    'Geez, Dai!  Why didn't you invite me along?!' Hiroshi whispered, exasperated.
    Daisuke looked to him with stark confusion, 'Wha-' he didn't exactly have the energy to finish that sentence, let alone try to decipher what Hiroshi was getting at.
    'Whoa, you look like death!  Didn't know that was a side effect' Daisuke certainly had looked better, he had dark circles under his eyes and appeared to be completely lacking any of his usual vitality.  Hiroshi scribbled more things in his Special Little Notebook.
Daisuke laid his head on his desk, 'I couldn't sleep very well!  I was thinking about stuff.' He shut his eyes.
    'Oh' dang,' Hiroshi erased everything he had just written.  'So uh, what were you thinking about?' he asked softly, Mr. Shizumo was through with attendance by now.
    'Class, settle down.  We have a new student to-  Oh, Daisuke-kun!  I heard about what happened at the swim meet last night!  Are you alright?'  Mr. Shizumo could be grossly over dramatic when he wanted to be, as he was being then while asking that like some sort of Shakespearean actor.  Yoshiko balled her fist uneasily.  The whole class piped up and wanted to know the same exact thing.
    Daisuke slowly brought his head up and stared at his teacher for a moment.  He was extremely tired.  'Uh, yeah.  Everything's fine.' He said.  That relieved them all to a point and Daisuke laid his head back down.
    'Oh that was dramatic,' Hiroshi joked, Daisuke was half-asleep AND beginning to drool.
    'Well, that's good' the old man tried to think of what he was saying before, 'Oh yes, we have a new student today.  Class, I'd like you to welcome,' all eyes turned to the door as a girl stepped in, 'Uchida Emi.'
    Daisuke's head shot up at the mention of that name.  Sure enough, there she was standing in her school uniform, hair in pigtails, smiling cutely to all the class.  Hiroshi was very excited to see her, Yoshiko was a little wary, and Daisuke looked like death again.   Emi quietly walked over by the teacher and kept her eye on Daisuke, smiling to him warmly.
    'Emi has been in France for the past six months.  Would you like to share with us your experiences?'
    'Sure!' Emi exclaimed and then proceeded in telling her entire experience purely in French.  That pretty much blew them all away.
    'Uh' well you may take your seat then' it was hard to mask his amazement.
    Nodding her head cutely, she spotted an empty seat at the back of the room and headed to it.  She winked at Daisuke as she passed his desk, making him feel VERY uncomfortable after all he had thought about.  All the male eyes (except for Daisuke's) were glued to her as she walked in her child-like way to her desk and sat.  They had all forgotten just how cute she really was.  Ryuichi smirked again, for she was sitting right next to him.  He could make things very interesting if he really wanted to, he knew'
    Hitomi nudged him and gave him a sour look.  She didn't like him looking at other girls, even though he obviously had his heart set on Yoshiko, which she knew and despised.  He blew her off as usual and looked back to Emi.  'Welcome home,' he whispered.
    'Thank you, Ryu-chan!' she giggled softly.
   'Ryu-chan?  Since when have you called me that?  I'm supposed to be your boyfriend's enemy, remember?'
    'Oh maybe you're his enemy but that doesn't mean you have to be mine, ne?'
    Ryuichi smiled and then got a very sinister idea.  'Right' but uh, I suppose it really doesn't matter too much anymore.  After all, you're not really his girlfriend anyway, not anymore.  Not since he met Yoshiko.'
    'Silly,' she shook her head.
    'No, believe me.  You got replaced when you were gone, he acted as if he didn't even remember you at all!  Now, is that the kind of guy that you still love?  The kind that would just forget about you and replace you when you left?  That's pretty low, even for Mizuno'
    'I know that's what it appears like, but there's more to it than just that.'
    'Face it, he never really loved you.  He was just using you as a way to make him feel better about himself and to make others look up to him more.  He IS the most popular guy, after all.  You really expect that he got that way by being honest and nice?  You gotta be pretty dumb to actually believe that.'
    'Are you calling me dumb?' she snapped, but made sure to keep her temper cool.
    He was impressed.  Emi had a lot of faith in Daisuke, despite what Ryuichi was trying to pull.  'I'm just warning you.  He's going to break your heart.'
    Emi thrust her eyes forward and didn't want to listen to Ryuichi any further.  Mr. Shizumo was starting a lesson of some sort, Emi didn't care about that though.  She was staring at Daisuke and felt like she wanted to take back what she had said to Yoshiko about letting Daisuke decide who he wanted.  There was no denying it, she still loved him madly and seriously did not want to see him end up with anyone other than herself.  Yoshiko, as much as she liked her, was becoming more and more of a threat.
    Hiroshi was bored out of his mind.  Daisuke and Yoshiko were both very quiet, neither knew what to say, so they said nothing.  Hiroshi then pulled out a shiny green yo-yo from his pocket and flashed it to Daisuke, 'Isn't it cool?  Stole it from Amoebae Boy!' he seemed rather proud of that fact.  Daisuke looked a bit uninterested.  Hiroshi didn't care about what he thought and just began fiddling with the yo-yo.  'I can do a really awesome trick, watch this,' he flung the yo-yo this way and that, high into the air as if he were preparing for some huge grand trick when suddenly the string snapped and the green yo-yo flew out of control until it impaled itself straight into Mr. Shizumo's head.  The teacher fell to the ground, knocked out.
    The students gasped and stood to get a better view of the scene.  They all looked to Hiroshi, completely flabbergasted.  He smiled and shrugged his shoulders, 'Oops'
    Some students rushed to poor Mr. Shizumo's assistance.  Hiroshi wanted to sneak away, but no one would let him.  'Good job, you totally knocked him out, man' Daisuke muttered in a monotone voice.
    'Shut up!  You make it sound like I actually meant to do that!'
    'Well, didn't you?'
    ' I thought you were supposed to be tired.  Why are you all the sudden talking so much?!' Hiroshi nearly yelled.  Daisuke answered with another yawn and laid his head back down.  He actually fell asleep this time.  Hiroshi sighed and was half way tempted to shave his head in his sleep.  Yoshiko remained quiet.
    Emi didn't especially feel like going to see Daisuke, he was sound asleep, so she instead occupied herself with a book.  Hitomi grabbed onto Ryuichi's arm, 'Can you believe what that nerd did?'
    'Nice shot if you ask me.  I'll be back,' he then rose to his feet and promptly left the classroom before she could ask where he was going.  He stepped out into the hall and took out his cell phone, dialing a number.  'Yes, I would like to order a dozen carnations.  Any color is fine, just make sure they get to me in the next five minutes.'
    Daisuke woke up suddenly after a strange quick dream about Hiroshi turning into a moose and then being eaten by some giraffes on the Jerry Springer show.  It was quite disturbing, really' he wondered what had induced something like that.  (Hey, don't look at me')  He looked to his side to see that Hiroshi was not a moose, he was his usual hentai self indulging in a porn magazine he had sneaked into his science textbook.  He wanted to smack him, but didn't have the energy.  Besides, he was glad he was Hiroshi and not a moose'
    The door opened and Ryuichi casually walked inside, a hand held behind his back.  He slipped by Emi and made sure to get her attention with a very intense, challenging look.  Her eyes followed him like a hawk's as he walked up to where the three were sitting.  He stood before Yoshiko's desk, smiling at her in a faintly devious manner.  Daisuke and Hiroshi were wondering what this was all about.
    'Hello, Mizuno.  Glad to see you're alright.  That was pretty bad what happened last night.' He said in his usual cocky way.
    Daisuke scowled, 'Yeah and I bet you wanted to laugh when Osamu pulled me up.'
    'You really think I'm a devil, don't you?'  he shook his head, 'You should know by now that my heart is not that cold, especially after our little agreement'
    'What are you talking about?'
    'You know, our agreement,' he slipped a tiny card on his desk which read, 'Just go with it.'  Daisuke really didn't know what to do.  Ryuichi cleared his throat and looked to Yoshiko.  'Well, better get this going.  Here you are, Yoshiko,' he then pulled the flowers from behind his back and handed them to her.  She took them, completely speechless.  Daisuke and Hiroshi both nearly wet their pants.  Ryuichi smirked, running his fingers through his perfect hair.  'Well, I'm just delivering those to you, on Mizuno's request.' He shot his eyes back to Daisuke.
    'R-request?'
    He nodded, 'Oh come on, you remember this morning when you called me and absolutely begged that I deliver those flowers to Yoshiko for you because you were too shy to do it yourself, don't you?'
    Daisuke didn't know what to say, Hiroshi poked him provokingly, 'Ohhh, right!  Of course I begged you to deliver flowers to Yoshiko' how dumb of me to forget that' Daisuke didn't even realize what was coming out of his mouth!  He didn't know how else to act in that circumstance.  Emi didn't like the sound of this one little bit'
    'And that's why you were late to school today, because you were calling me, right?'
    'Uh' absolutely.'
    'Good, well I hope you like the beautiful flowers Mizuno took great care in selecting out for you, just to show you that he cares about you so much,' he shot his gaze back to meet Emi's.  His plan was working, Emi looked very jealous.  He smiled, 'I'll leave you two alone now,' he strutted back to his seat emitting an 'I told you so' kind of air.  Trying to hold back tears, Emi returned to her book, but she was just staring down at the pages blankly.  All her concentration was on what she had just witnessed.
    Daisuke was amazed, Ryuichi had actually done something nice for once!  Well, it was sorta weird and unexpected, but at least it was nice, Daisuke thought.  Oh, but he didn't realize just how not nice this whole thing really was!  Sure Yoshiko would be happy about the flowers Daisuke had 'given' her, but then Emi would be hurt beyond belief.  Daisuke didn't realize this, he was too caught up in the fact that Ryuichi had done him a huge favor by basically securing his relationship with Yoshiko.  Sadly he didn't realize that Ryuichi had only done that to screw him over even more'  Poor Daisuke'?
    'Thank you so much, Daisuke-san.  This really means a lot to me,' Yoshiko said softly, admiring the flowers.
    Daisuke winced, but Hiroshi made sure he kept the act up, 'Sure thing.  They're just to let you know that' I uh' I think you're awesome' he blushed and wished he could take that back.
    Yoshiko smiled and smelled their sweet fragrance again and again.  'I think you are too,' she whispered to herself, no one noticing.  Once again, she felt her relationship to Daisuke bloom just as the flowers she had received.  She couldn't be happier.
    Finally, Mr. Shizumo was revived and just couldn't seem to understand that he was knocked unconscious by a yo-yo.  When the students said that Hiroshi was to blame, he objected and swore that he didn't know what they were talking about'a usual Hiroshi tactic.  Daisuke laughed with Yoshiko.  It felt wonderful to be talking normally with her again, after all the awkward things that had happened.  It brightened his day, as did it to Yoshiko's day.  Emi sat at the back of the classroom quietly and felt all sorts of pain and loss.  Daisuke, she thought, was now completely lost from her' Ryuichi, feeling quite pleased with himself, was making out with Hitomi and completely tuning out the lessons and anything that wasn't his own self gratifying pride.  Of course, he would do this every day.  Emi had to watch them and it nearly made her sick.  She felt sick enough, thinking that she had lost her one true love.  She just wanted to run home and cry.

    After class, Emi was the first to leave and did not want to be followed by anyone.  She would have tried to go up and talk civilly to Daisuke, but just seeing him talking and joking with Yoshiko at the moment made her heart ache.
    Ryuichi was still bloated with pride.  He couldn't be happier with how things were turning out.  He grabbed Hitomi by the hand and whirled her around to him, holding her tight against his body.  'Wow,' she was amazed, 'you're sure in a good mood, Ryu-chan.'
    'I have every reason to be,' he said back with a smile, kissing her lightly, 'Come over to my house today.  We'll have dinner together and just have some quality time.'
    'That sounds nice.  For a while now I've just felt like you hated me or something' like you've just been using me.'
    He shook his head, 'Forget about the past.  The future is looking very bright.'
    She nodded and gathered her things together as other students were exiting the classroom.  'Well, I have to visit the restroom really quick, and then we can go, ok?'
    'I'll wait here,' he said and Hitomi left.  Ryuichi looked back and saw Hiroshi, Daisuke, and Yoshiko talking and getting ready to leave the classroom.  He smirked again and saw the smile on Yoshiko's face as she held the flowers.
    Daisuke caught a glance at Ryuichi and didn't have the usual negativity boiling inside him.  In fact, he actually wanted to go and talk to him!  It was strange, but he felt as if there were things that needed to be said.  'You guys go ahead, I'll catch up.' He told Hiroshi and Yoshiko.
    'Ok, but don't be too long!' Hiroshi joked and he and Yoshiko walked on ahead out of the classroom.  Daisuke meandered over to Ryuichi, a bit uneasily.  It was to be expected, considering their prior relationship and all'
    'Hey,' Daisuke greeted, swallowing nervously.
    Ryuichi looked up to him, 'Well hello, Mizuno,' he said rather cockily, almost like he was making fun of him.
    That was exactly what Daisuke needed' 'Uh' thanks for getting the flowers and all.  That really patched up my relationship with Yoshiko.  I uh' I guess I owe ya one.'
    He smirked (again), 'I thought I'd try and help you out.  You did nearly die and all.'
    'But why would you want to help me?  I thought you hated me'
    He looked at him directly, 'Don't think me doing this means that I like you any, I was just doing this to help out Yoshiko.  She seemed so sad this morning, she needed something to cheer her up.  I knew that flowers from you would do it.'
    'Wow, thanks.' He smiled.
    Ryuichi rolled his eyes and walked to the door when he saw Hitomi standing in the hall, 'Yeah, whatever.  See ya around, loser.'
    Well that was a lovely way to end the conversation.  Daisuke's eye twitched and he again wanted to strangle him, but restrained himself.  'You jerk!' he called back, but Ryuichi had already left.  He sighed and thought about what he had done for him.  'He's a generous jerk though' Man, I just don't understand that guy.' He shrugged and met up with Hiroshi and Yoshiko, who had been occupying themselves with the infamous yo-yo.  He tried to act as normal as possible when around them.
    'Hey Dai,' Hiroshi called, turning his attention away from the yo-yo, 'you wanna come over today to study and stuff?  You haven't been to my house in ages.'
    'Sure, but uh' he looked to Yoshiko.
    'It's alright.  I've got some things to do anyway, you two go ahead,' she gave him a fabulous smile.
    Yoshiko was so great, Daisuke thought!  'Ok, I'll see you later then!'
    'Bye Yoshiko-chaaan!' Hiroshi sang out and he and Daisuke ran to Hiroshi's house.  They didn't know why, they just felt like running!
    Yoshiko waved to them until they were gone.  She held the flowers tightly against her chest and then was pleasantly surprised as Misami ran up behind her, calling her name loudly.
    'Sis!' she smiled and flung her arms around her.  It didn't take her long to notice the flowers.  A huge smile came to her as her suspicions were confirmed, 'Ohhhh are those flowers from darling?'  Yoshiko smiled shyly and nodded her head.  Misami giggled, 'How sweet!  Oh, he's such a great guy, isn't he?  Maybe I'll get some too'
    In the next instant, another bouquet of flowers was placed right before Misami's face!  Surprised, both her and Yoshiko looked up to see Ryuichi smiling smoothly.  Hitomi, who looked rather impatient, was waiting a little down the hall.  Ryuichi cleared his throat, 'Here you go, Misami, these beautiful flowers are just for you,' he handed them to her, she took them and was surprised that what she had said had actually happened!
    'Th-thank you' she looked down to the bouquet of pink, white, and yellow carnations, much like what her sister had received.  She didn't really know what to think'just where did these flowers come from?  There was a slight pause as she tried to figure this out, 'These aren't from you, are they?'
    Ryuichi nearly fell over, 'Oh no, I'm just the deliverer.  They're actually from-' he thought for a second.  Obviously, he had purchased these flowers as well and naturally would have told her that they were from Daisuke, but then he thought that maybe it would be good to have a bit more fun with this one' He laughed softly, 'a secret admirer.'
    She gasped with excitement, 'Secret admirer?!'
    'Yes, someone who has extremely strong, passionate feelings for you, but is really quite bad at showing it.  He often acts as if he doesn't like you at all when deep down inside he loves you more than anything in the world.' She was buying into his every word.  His plan was going perfectly!
    'How romantic!' her eyes shimmered and she began to blush softly, holding the flowers tightly against her heart.  Naturally, she shot a question back at him, 'Who is it?!'
    'Oh, I can't tell you that!  It's a secret admirer, you know!'
    'I don't care!  Just tell me, tell me, tell me!!!' she jumped around energetically, Yoshiko tried to calm her, but wanted to know the same thing.
    'Well' he stroked his chin and looked off to the side, like he was actually considering something major, 'Ok!' Misami squealed and she and Yoshiko were all ears.  Ryuichi really liked building suspense!  'Your secret admirer is' he looked side to side and then came in close to whisper to the girls, 'Shiozawa Hiroshi.'
    Misami was speechless.  She looked like stone, like she had just been told the worst possible news anyone could hear in their entire life!  Yoshiko held a hand over her mouth and imagined how Misami must have felt, considering all the absolute loath she felt for Hiroshi.
    Ryuichi just smirked, 'Have a nice day!' he waved to the two and then went back over to Hitomi, looking very pleased with himself again.  They left the girls standing in shock.
    Yoshiko saw that her sister appeared to not even be breathing!  'Misami'?' she asked quietly, waving a hand before her eyes in hopes to revive her.  It didn't work.  'Misami-chan!  You're scaring me, please say something!' she shook her lightly.
    Then, Misami slowly turned her head to her, worry and shock lit all about her face.  'Sis'?' she squeaked, 'That stupid pervert's really in love with me?'
    'It appears that way' Yoshiko braced herself for a violent reaction she sensed Misami would break into.
    'THAT NERDY, LOW DOWN, DIRTY LITTLE PERV IS IN LOVE WITH ME?!?!?!?!?' she screamed at the top of her lungs.  Yoshiko cowered her head slightly.  Misami yelled, 'I DON'T BELIEVE THIS!' she then ran out of the school in a rage, yet still held the flowers firmly.  Yoshiko watched her leave and thought it best to leave a bit of space between the mad bull Misami had become and herself.  She could be so unpredictable when she was really upset like that'
    She scratched her head and thought about it again, though.  'Shiozawa-san and Misami-chan?  That's very hard to believe, but' I have heard that boys can act mean to girls they really like' Hmm' she sighed and shrugged her shoulders, 'Love is very confusing.' She then began to walk back to Daisuke's house and kept thinking about Misami and Hiroshi.  It was really hard to believe!  Maybe she'd have to do a little detective work to solve this thing'

    Daisuke hadn't been to Hiroshi's house in a really long time.  He'd been too busy with swimming and stuff to be able to just hang out with his best friend, so he was really happy to be able to be there with him then.  They trudged into Hiroshi's extremely messy bedroom'it looked like his room had actually imploded or something!  All sorts of stuff was lying everywhere and there was no sign of a floor to be seen!  Even Hiroshi's bed was covered in papers, clothes, candy wrappers, et cetra, and the covers for his bed were hanging off the side and mixing with the plethora of stuff engulfing the floor.  Yeah, pretty gross.  Daisuke wasn't impressed with the condition Hiroshi always left his room in, and he was sure his parents weren't too thrilled with it either.  Nonetheless, he cleared a spot and sat on his bed as Hiroshi piled some clean clothes that had been hanging on his chair onto the floor.  He immediately fired up his laptop and plugged in his green lava lamp and then looked back at Daisuke with a grin.  'Welcome to the babe lair,' he said proudly.
    Daisuke tried not to laugh, 'Babe lair?' he looked around again, 'No babe in her right mind would come anywhere near this trash heap.'
    'Hey, don't diss my room!  This is the best place on Earth for me, it deserves your respect, man!'
    'Whatever' Daisuke rolled his eyes and glanced at the laptop as it booted up.
    'Hello, Hiroshi,' a breathy, seductive female voice sounded from the speakers as a swimsuit clad super model appeared as the background image for the laptop.
    'Hello, Felicia,' Hiroshi answered back, smiling widely.
    'How can I serve you today?' it said again, Daisuke thought this was pathetic and sick.
    Hiroshi promptly turned off the speakers, he knew he'd get comments from Daisuke.  'That's pretty sad,' yep, he was right.
    'Hey, this is almost better than having a real girl, alright?  Felicia is under my every control!' he laughed and gave his most perverted smile yet.
    Daisuke was not impressed.  'It's a freakin' laptop!  How could it be better than a real- wait, I don't want to know'
    Hiroshi glared, 'You'd find out if you'd only give it a try.  But no, you always refuse,' Hiroshi shook his head, 'Too bad for you, you won't get any excitement in your life if you always stay so goody goody.  Now, come on Dai, lemme just show you one picture,' Hiroshi began to find a picture and Daisuke bolted from the bed to stop him.
    'No!' he pushed his hand out of the way, 'How many times do I have to say it, I'm not interested in that crap, alright?  So can you please respect that and stop pestering me about it?'
    Hiroshi cocked an eyebrow, 'Alright, be that way.  But you don't know what you're missing.'
    Daisuke sighed and sat back on the bed, 'Guess I'll just have to wait and find out at the right time and place.  I feel sorry for you, Hiro, you'll be really sad when you're married that you did all this crap as a horny teenager.  If you ever get married, that is,' he muttered the last sentence under his breath.
    Hiroshi pretended not to listen, though he heard every word, 'So you need help with math today or what?'
    Daisuke hoped he had gotten through to him, but didn't want to dwell on it any longer, 'Uh yeah, but don't you think we should do the history first?  I don't think either one of us actually get it.'
    'Dang, history sucks!' Hiroshi groaned.  He really hated history.
    'True dat.  Hey, maybe we can get Satoru-kun to help us with it.  He's like a history whiz, right?'
    'No!' Hiroshi nearly fell out of his chair, 'I mean' well he is, but' I don't think we should ask him for help.'
    'Why not?  I don't want to fail the test!'
    'Neither do I!  But we can't ask him, that creepy gay guy is probably coming over with him today' I'd rather flunk than have to deal with him again,' he thought about what happened yesterday and shuddered.
    'You mean Taka?'  Hiroshi nodded, a sour expression on his face.  'Come on, he's harmless!  He's actually pretty smart too, like that advice he gave me yesterday.  I don't understand the problem.'
    Hiroshi was baffled, 'I didn't know you were so dense.  Don't you get it?  He's ho-mo-sex-u-al, he thinks we're both hot and wants to 'get alone with us,' if you know what I mean'  He came onto me so much yesterday, it was scary!  And then you should have heard what he had to say about you in a speedo.'
    'Yipes,' Daisuke actually looked terrified.
    Hiroshi nodded, 'It was disgusting.  So I don't know about you, but I'd really rather not have to deal with that right now.'
    'Yeah, I see your point' Daisuke was disturbed deep down to the core.  'So where do we turn to now?'
    'My dad's pretty good at history.  And he's home today.'
    'Cool, let's ask him,' Daisuke rose from the bed, grabbing his school bag.  Hiroshi grabbed his laptop to type notes for the test on and he and Daisuke went to find Hiroshi's dad and each sat at the table for a study session!
    Hiroshi's dad was really good at history!  That's where Satoru must have gotten it from.  Anyway, Daisuke and Hiroshi asked him all sorts of questions and things that they needed to know for the test and he was able to explain them in ways that actually made sense!  The stuff in their textbook didn't mean a thing, but when Mr. Shiozawa explained them, it all seemed to click.  Hiroshi and Daisuke each wrote a ton of notes and knew they had him to thank for saving their grades in history.
    'So does that all make sense then?' Mr. Shiozawa asked.
    'Yeah, I can actually picture it happening!' said Daisuke.
    'Thanks pops, I think that pretty much covers everything we have to know,' added Hiroshi, typing a few last things.
    Daisuke's pen suddenly decided to stop writing in the middle of an important note.  'Dang it, think I need a new pen.'
    'There's one in my desk,' said Hiroshi, though it appeared he was under no interest in getting up.
    'I'll get it for you,' Mr. Shiozawa offered and prepared himself to enter the pit that was Hiroshi's bedroom.  He hobbled over to the desk where Hiroshi's laptop would normally rest and opened a drawer a crack, finding a whole array of pens and pencils.  He got one and closed the drawer.  He then took a moment to look around his son's room with disgust, 'What a mess!  He's got to clean this room!' he sighed and on his way out accidentally bumped into the side of the desk in an attempt to get out by not being swallowed by piles of stuff and knocked a white box onto the floor.  Its contents spilled everywhere.  Feeling clumsy, Mr. Shiozawa turned to pick up what he could hear had spilled out and gasped with horror and surprise.  There, lying everywhere, were all sorts of porn magazines.
    'Hiroshi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'
    Daisuke and Hiroshi had heard a yell, 'What was that?' Daisuke asked.  Hiroshi shrugged.
    Mr. Shiozawa stomped out of the room, more furious than he had ever been!  He came over to the boys and looked like he was about to explode!  His face was red, veins were pulsating out, and he was beginning to hyperventilate.  Hiroshi looked up at him in his stupid way and had the nerve to ask, 'Something wrong, pops?'
    That just about made him blow his top, 'Hiroshi,' he spoke through clenched teeth, 'do you realize what I just found in your bedroom?'
    Daisuke knew he was busted!  Hiroshi knew this also, but tried to act innocent, 'Why no, father.  Whatever could you have found in my quaint little old room?'
    'Porn magazines!!!!  What are you doing with porn magazines?!?!?!' he tried not to scream.
    'P-porn magazines?  I don't have any porn magazines'
    Mr. Shiozawa pulled one from behind his back and shoved it in his face, 'Don't act dumb with me, boy!  I've told you a million times NOT to buy porn magazines, or else!  And' you're not even old enough to buy these!!!  How did you do it?!'
    'Ummm'.' He avoided his eyes and looked to Daisuke, but he offered no help.  He was actually kind of glad to see him getting busted.  'I didn't buy them!  I mean, some sick pervert at school forced them on me, he threatened me by knife, so I had to take them!  I'm sorry, pops!  It's not my fault!' What a fake story'
    'Idiot!!' Daisuke mumbled.
    'Don't lie!  You bought all of these, I don't know how you did it, but you did!  Oh, Hiroshi, I'm so disappointed in you!  How many times have I told you not to do this sort of thing?!  I know you're weak willed and curious, but you've gone against everything I've said and you're being infected by this garbage!  If it doesn't stop here, you'll be really sorry someday and you'll regret what you've done!' Daisuke gave him the ever familiar 'I told you so' look.
    'But pops!  You can't just pry me away from it!  What am I supposed to do to feed my natural curiosity and animal desires?  I'll die without it!' he whipped up some tears.
    Mr. Shiozawa didn't have any mercy, 'You can wait, or I'll disown you!' Hiroshi groaned and laid his head on the desk miserably.  'Now, do you understand me?' Hiroshi whimpered, which he took as a yes.  'Good.  Just because you're an excitable teenager doesn't mean I'll let you off easy for this, and especially not for going against me!' Hiroshi raised his head, foreseeing his own doom.  'It's time you get a taste of what the real world's like, the world beyond porn and everything else you do behind my back!'
    'No' Hiroshi shook his head weakly.
    'Yes!  From now on, you have to earn your keep.  Hiroshi, you have to get a job!' lightning and thunder happened at that moment, coincidentally.
    'NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!' Hiroshi appeared much like the person in Edvard Munch's 'The Scream' as all of his reality and fears swirled together like the ultimate nightmare.
    Daisuke's mouth shot open in shock.  Mr. Shiozawa knew it was harsh, but he felt it was the best way to get his son to get some priorities straight and take a little responsibility.
    Hiroshi looked as if someone had just run over his cat (even though he doesn't have a cat').  This was the worst punishment he had ever received, he seriously doubted that his dad would actually stoop so low as to force him into the one thing he did not want to have to do for a good long time.  But he did it and there was no way Hiroshi could get out of it.
    Mr. Shiozawa remained firm, his eyebrows narrowed, 'You better start looking now because you're not allowed back into this house until you find yourself a good and honest job!  Oh and when you do, you better come back here and throw all of these porn magazines away, understand?' Hiroshi just gave a procession of whimpers, Mr. Shiozawa knew he was still in shock.
    Daisuke had to help somehow, so he got his stuff together, turned off the laptop and grabbed Hiroshi.  Under the angry eyes of Hiroshi's father, Daisuke drug the incoherent one along the floor because he was much too heavy to carry for long distances.  He tried to smile back to Mr. Shiozawa before he and Hiroshi left, 'Goodbye!' Mr. Shiozawa responded with a nervous twitch.  Daisuke zoomed out of the front door and leaned Hiroshi against the house.  He was still out of it.
    'Snap out of it, Hiro!' Daisuke yelled.  It didn't do any good.  By now, Hiroshi was mumbling all sorts of things while staring blankly forward, Daisuke was able to make out a few words such as 'job,' 'porn,' and 'penguin.'  He didn't know where penguin came from'  Nonetheless, Daisuke couldn't stand seeing him like that, so he promptly got the garden hose and sprayed Hiroshi until he came back to his senses.
    'Cut it out!!!' he yelled and jumped up to his feet.  Daisuke turned off the hose and was glad to see him normal again.
    He walked back over to him, 'So you ready to start looking for a job then?'
    Hiroshi looked like he was about to cry, 'It wasn't just a bad dream?' Daisuke shook his head and Hiroshi's chin twitched, 'OHHH, Dai!!  I DON'T WANT TO GET A JOB!  WHY IS HE MAKING ME?  WHY????' he grabbed onto Daisuke and cried loudly.
    Daisuke was disgusted, 'Because he's punishing you for being such a damn pervert!  He shoulda done this a long time ago!'
    Hiroshi backed away, staring at him intensely, 'You can't be serious!  You actually want me to be punished?  What kind of friend are you?!'
    'Calm down, Hiro!  I'm sorry, but this is for the best.  I know you don't want to hear it, but you'll probably become a much better person because of this.' Hiroshi didn't look convinced.  'So come on.  Let's start looking.'
    'You mean' you're going to help me?' Daisuke nodded and Hiroshi's eyes seemed to turn to stars, 'Dai!!!!'
    Daisuke rolled his eyes, 'Come on, the sooner we start the sooner you can get hired by someone,' but then Daisuke started to wonder just what kind of person would actually hire someone like Hiroshi.  He realized after they began their search that this could take a very long time'

    Jemena woke up when she heard Koji come into the room.  He was holding a brown paper bag which he set on the floor next to a large collection of tools, wires, and circuits he had acquired within the last few days.  Jemena finally started to wonder about all of it, before she didn't even think to ask.  She yawned, 'What's in the bag?  And why are you so late coming home?' she was just full of questions.
    'I bought some more things at the hardware store after school.  I am sorry for being late,' he sat on the bed and stroked her soft fur.
    She peered down at all the strange gizmos and things she couldn't understand.  'What's all this stuff for anyway?' she looked up to Koji.
    'This may seem strange, but I am not entirely sure.' He looked down to her and saw that she looked very confused.  'For the past few days I have felt inspired to begin construction of some sort of device.  I have no idea why or what it is I am to build, but I know that I must build it for some reason.'
    'Weird' Jemena looked down at all the stuff again, 'But you don't even what you're supposed to build, so how do you know how to build it?'
    'I do not know.  Maybe I will know as I go along.'
    She nodded, 'Wow, that's amazing.  Well good luck!  I know you'll be able to build it because you're really smart!' she smiled up at him.
    He scratched behind her ear, 'I hope so.'
    Jemena jumped off of the bed and began to walk to the door, 'I'll leave you alone so you can concentrate, I'll only be a distraction.  I'll tell you when dinner's ready, ok?' Koji nodded and started looking at all of the different tools and things he had collected to try and figure out just how exactly he was to start building this thing he felt he had to build.  Jemena quietly left and had faith that he could figure it out, whatever it was.  After being with him for so long, she knew that when he had inspiration for something like this, it was a big deal.
    She climbed upstairs and walked into the living room.  It was empty, other than Misami.  She was lying on the couch and looked as if she had something serious on her mind.  It looked like she'd been crying'  'Misami-chan?' asked Jemena, quietly walking to her.
    Misami saw her and sighed, 'Hi Jemena'
    Jemena sat right before her on the floor.  'What's wrong?'
    Misami sniffed and couldn't hold back, 'A stupid pervert's in love with me!  He acts like he hates me, but then I got flowers from him today and I found out that he really loves me and now I don't know what to do!  But, you probably don't know who or what I'm talking about'
    'You mean Shiozawa Hiroshi?' Misami was amazed she knew the name, 'Ko-chan told me all about him, he sounds like a really nasty guy.'
    'He is!  I hate him!' Misami cried, 'But he really loves me!  Oh, what am I supposed to do about this?'
    'Well-' Jemena started, but was then cut off.
    'And he's such and idiot too, how dare he give me flowers in the first place!!!  I know what he's up to, he just wants to pretend to be nice to me so I'll fall for him so he can finally get a girl and then he'll leave me all alone and move on to someone else like some sort of big shot playboy!!!  Ohhh, that makes me sick!!!' she then came to her feet with fire burning in her eyes.  Jemena had been trying to get a few words in at least, but there was no chance of that.  Misami suddenly looked very determined, 'I'm sorry, stupid pervert, but I won't fall for this dirty trick!' she then trudged to the phone and started to dial Hiroshi's phone number, which was written clearly on the wall.  Jemena followed to see what she was going to do.
    Mr. Shiozawa answered the phone after it rang, 'Hello, Shiozawa residence.'
    'Hello!  Let me talk to Hiroshi right now!!' she practically screamed.
    Mr. Shiozawa had to pull the phone away to save his ear, 'I'm sorry, miss, but Hiroshi is not available at the moment.  He's out' fulfilling a duty right now, may I take a message?'
    'You sure can!  Tell that weasel I'm not interested in his sick little game, so he can forget about trying to fool me with the flowers!  I'm not that easy so he'll just have to find some other girl!  Got that?  Have a nice day, sir!' she slammed the receiver back and breathed out deeply.  She was feeling much better!
    He blinked a few times, not entirely sure what to make of that phone call.  He hung up and sat back in his chair, folding the newspaper.  Finally, he shook his head and sighed, 'My poor son.  He tries too hard and gets nothing from it.  I wonder how that job search is going' he glanced at the clock.  It had already been 50 minutes since they left.
    Jemena was impressed.  If she could, she would have applauded her.  'Good job!  You really told him!'
    'Thanks,' Misami flicked back her long red hair, 'I can take care of myself.  Now I just hope that stupid pervert gets the picture.'
    'Oh I think he will.  And if not, I'll claw his eyes out.'
    Misami laughed and smiled down to her, 'Thanks Jemena.'
    'For what?'
    'I dunno, for just being there I guess.  And I'm sorry about getting mad at you for eating one of the cookies a while ago'
    She remembered that and smiled, 'I'm sorry about making you spill the flour everywhere.'
    They both laughed as they remembered it and were glad that they had forgiven each other.  Misami knelt down and pet Jemena, her long tail flicking in the air.  'Hey what do you say we make some more cookies?  Only this time, I'll make sure not to confuse the sugar and the salt.'
    'Yeah!  That sounds good!' They giggled and began to make cookies together, trying not to make a huge mess in the kitchen, though both knew that it was inevitable.

    Daisuke sat down at a park bench, exhausted.  He groaned and fanned himself with his hand.  The day was proving to be quite warm indeed.  Hiroshi was pacing back and forth in front of him, mumbling things'he looked very worried and quite ramshackle.  'Come on, Hiro!' Daisuke called, though it didn't disturb his pacing one bit, 'We've been out here all day it seems like!  Just face it, no one, and I mean NO ONE wants to hire you!  We might as well just head home!'
    Hiroshi looked to him desperately, a whimper lingering on his lips as he shook his head, 'No!  You heard what pops said!  He's not gonna let me come back home if I don't find a job!'
    'That's just an empty threat, you think your dad would actually do that to you?'  Hiroshi nodded feverishly.  Daisuke sighed, 'Well if he knew the lengths we've gone to today to find you a job, I'm sure he'd be softer.  I mean, you tried to get a job as a freakin' snake charmer!  You hate snakes!'
    'Desperate times call for desperate measures!  All I know is that I HAVE to find a job before I go home, or I'll be in even deeper trouble.  I just don't understand why pops is being so anal about this, what's wrong with a few porn magazines?  Every guy's gotta have `em, right?'  Daisuke didn't answer that.  Hiroshi eventually slumped his shoulders and sat next to Daisuke, all of his confidence lost.  The two didn't say anything, just sat with the cold realization that job searching really sucks hanging over their heads.  They both just wanted to give up, they had been to every conceivable place that might be interested in hiring a slightly unskilled and unqualified 16 year-old and had had zero success for one reason or another.  Along with that, it was getting pretty late and they still hadn't even finished their homework!  Things were looking gray, until suddenly the clouds were lifted'
    'Now hiring!  Please come and work for- excuse me, sir, would you be interested in-' A very lovely (and quite well-built) young woman was standing on the edge of an intersection asking all sorts of random people walking by if they'd be interested in some new job.  Whoever she'd try to ask, though, would just walk on and pretend not to notice her.  Need I say she was having no luck.  She kept up her efforts, though, determined that she might find someone who'd be interested in a job!
    'Dai' it's all over isn't it' Hiroshi sniffed and stared downward.
    'Yeah' Daisuke suddenly brought his head up because of some strange noise he had heard and laid his eyes on her!  He gasped and shook Hiroshi, 'Hiro!  Look!'
    Hiroshi looked up and saw her.  A HUGE smile came to his lips, and this was for several reasons' did I mention she was very well-built?
    The woman was getting frustrated, no one wanted the job, it seemed!  She sighed and started to walk away, but then saw the two boys staring at her intensely.  She smiled and ran over to them.  Hiroshi and even Daisuke liked that (think Baywatch').  'Hi!' she greeted happily, 'Would either of you be interested in a job?'
    Hiroshi clasped his hands together and his eyes became starry.  He had a ridiculous smile and looked up to heaven whispering, 'Thank you!'
    'Yes!  My friend is very interested in a job!' Daisuke answered for him.
    'Oh, good!' the woman smiled and looked at Hiroshi.  'And what's your name?'
    Hiroshi couldn't believe it, an extremely beautiful woman was asking for his name!  And not only that, she wanted to hire him!  He was burning with excitement, but managed to put on a smooth and cool look as he ran a comb through his hair, 'Shiozawa Hiroshi's the name and charmin' the ladies is the game, baby.' He winked at her and took her hand to kiss.  The woman was a little surprised and Daisuke wanted to yell at him.  He could ruin his whole chance this way!
    Instead of being deeply disturbed and punching Hiroshi in the face, the woman giggled and pulled her hand away, 'Well, Hiroshi-kun, I think you'll do nicely.  Why don't you follow me?' she turned and started walking.  Hiroshi was on cloud nine and just about floated after her.  Daisuke followed and hoped his friend wouldn't blow it again.
    They stopped in front of a shiny new building that still looked to be under the last touches of construction.  From the outside it appeared to be some sort of restaurant-type thing.  Even still, Hiroshi stared up at it in awe.  It was beautiful to him.  The woman turned and opened the door for them to follow, 'Come on in!' they all came inside and it looked even better in there!  There was shiny yellow and white tiles on the floor, brand new tables and benches set up by large windows on the side, yep, it was some sort of restaurant!  Hiroshi was so happy, he was about to cry.
    'Welcome to Kaori's Ice Cream Parlor!  We're just a small independent business for now with one other shop in Kobe, and now we've decided to expand our efforts to Tokyo to try and become the best ice cream parlor in Japan!' The woman explained to the two.
    Daisuke was impressed, 'An ice cream parlor?  That's just what this area needed!  Especially with summer approaching and all.'
    'Yes, we hope to get a lot of business here and so we will need all of the help we can get.  I'm very happy that you're interested in working here, Hiroshi-kun.' Hiroshi was still in awe by it all and he looked happier than he'd looked in a long time.  'Hiroshi-kun?' the woman asked, waving a hand in front of his face like Daisuke had before.
    'Not again,' Daisuke sighed.
    'Hehehe' Hiroshi laughed, 'Ice cream parlor, me working with babes, Kobe, this is just too good to be true!' he mumbled all that under his breath, so it was very difficult to understand what he was saying, but Daisuke had known him long enough to be able to get the gist of it.  Then Hiroshi seemed to become conscious again, 'Kobe!' he gasped and looked the woman in the eyes (or at least tried to' VERY WELL BUILT, mind you') 'Did you say Kobe?!'
    She nodded, 'That's where the company started.  Why?'
    Hiroshi seemed to become even happier, tears streaming in his eyes, 'So that means that you're from Kobe?' she nodded again and Hiroshi's smile looked like it would expand his face, 'What a small world!  I'm from Kobe too!'
    'Really?' she asked, sounding very interested.
    'Yes!  I was born and raised there, and then my family moved to Tokyo!'
    'Mine too!' she gasped, 'It sounds like you and I have a lot in common!'
    Hiroshi liked the sound of that, maybe a little too much.  Daisuke thought this whole thing was getting a little weird, but at least Hiroshi was getting some where in possible employment!  Still, he kept going on and on, so Daisuke lightly stepped on his foot and told him to hurry it up.  Hiroshi scowled at him, 'Fine.  I would love to work here, it would be an honor!' he bowed his head.
    The woman was happy, 'You're hired!'  Hiroshi started doing a little victory dance to celebrate.  The woman went over to a counter and then returned, handing Hiroshi a package.  'Here's everything you'll need and we'll have your name tag ready for you tomorrow.  Everything should be done in time for tomorrow's big grand opening, so be sure to show up right after school.'
    'Yes ma'am!' Hiroshi saluted.
    'Thank you for agreeing to work at Kaori's Ice Cream Parlor!  Bye bye now!'  the automatic door shut between them, thrusting the two back into the real world and out of the ice cream goddess fantasy world.
    Hiroshi kept staring at his reflection in the glass, like he was still in shock.  'Dai, was that a dream?'
    'No, I think it was real.'
    Hiroshi looked to him, much like he had looked when inside the ice cream parlor and began to celebrate like he had in there, jumping everywhere, calling out all sorts of things like, 'I got a job, I got a job!' and 'ice cream goddess, ice cream goddess!'
    After he was through, they began to walk home and were both pretty quiet, despite Hiroshi's excitement.  He glanced over to see Daisuke looking forward, a plain expression on his face.  'Dai?  You alright?'
    'Yeah,' he looked up to him and gave a small smile.
    'Are you jealous?'
    'W-what?  Why would I be jealous?!'
    'Because I get to work at a place where a total babe is the manager.  I'm gonna get all the girls, they love ice cream, right!  You could probably get a job there too.'
    He shook his head, 'No thanks, I don't want a job.'
    'Don't you want any extra money?  You might need it sooner than you think, if something bad happens to your dad.'  Daisuke gasped and looked at him sharply.  Hiroshi looked quite serious, 'He does have some health problems.  I just want you to be ready if something happens.'
    Daisuke thrust his eyes away, 'Don't talk like that, nothing's going to happen.  Everything's fine.'
    He looked concerned, 'If you say so,' he began to walk his separate way to his house, Daisuke just stood there, bombarded by what he said.  'Dai!' he then called back, Daisuke looked at him, 'I can help you with the math tomorrow morning!  Just get to school early!' he gave him a thumbs up and then ran home.
    Daisuke sighed and slowly went on to his house, but couldn't get Hiroshi's words out of his head, no matter how much he tried to dismiss them.  He saw that Misami and Jemena were making a mess in the kitchen, but at least they were getting along, quite well in fact so he didn't want to interfere.  He went to his room and set his stuff down.  It was pretty late and he didn't feel like making dinner.  So, he did the next best thing and ordered pizza for the others.  He wasn't even hungry, he wanted to go to the pool for a while and prove to himself that he wouldn't faint again, like he'd been secretly worrying about.  He got his swimming stuff together and left his room right in time to see Yoshiko there in the hall too!  He smiled bashfully at her, she did the same back.
    'Hello, Daisuke-san.  Going back to the pool?'
    'Yeah, I need the practice,' he said, gripping the bag tighter.
    'Please enjoy yourself,' she smiled and he thanked her and began to walk to the door.  'You will be safe there tonight.  Angels shall watch over you,' she said gently to him before he left.
    He whirled around to her, his mouth stooped open, 'It was you!  You saved my life yesterday!'  she didn't say a word, only nodded to confirm that.  He felt so blessed inside and suddenly came over to wrap his arms around her, 'Thank you so much Yoshiko!  I don't know what I'd do without you,' he smiled down to her and she really didn't know what to say.  Finally Daisuke realized he was hugging Yoshiko and became bright red, backing away slowly.  'Umm, I guess I'll see you later!' his voice cracked and he bolted from the house.  Yoshiko was happy that he knew and admitted that she loved the feel of his arms around her.  She smiled again and went to see her sister being very happy, like she wasn't bothered by Hiroshi anymore.  She was glad to see that, even if Misami and Jemena were making a mess in the kitchen'  It didn't matter, they were all happy again.

    'Pops!  Your wonderful son, Hiroshi, has successfully found a good and honest job!'
    Mr. Shiozawa nearly fell out of his seat!  Hiroshi was standing right in front of him, smiling hugely.  'Well good!  Excellent!' he was ecstatic!  His son had actually done something good for once!
    Hiroshi was so excited he could hardly contain himself, 'I start tomorrow at Kaori's Ice Cream Parlor, it's the grand opening so we'll make a ton of money!'
    Mr. Shiozawa stood up, 'Alright son!  You did it, you found a job!' now, both father and son were chanting and victory dancing all around the room.
    At this moment, Mrs. Shiozawa and Satoru peeped into the room to see what was going on.  'Honey?' she asked, a little worried at the sight of them dancing around like headless chickens.
    'Honey, Hiroshi got a job!' Mr. Shiozawa announced.
    'What?!' she couldn't believe it.
    'That's right!  At Kaori's Ice Cream Parlor!' they chanted and danced together, like some sort of strange ritual.
    Satoru was happy and smiled, 'Cool!!  I love ice cream!!'
    Mrs. Shiozawa, however, didn't look as excited, 'Since when was Hiroshi looking for a job?!'
    The dancing stopped, Mr. Shiozawa knew he was in trouble, 'Uh, since today!  The boy's growing up, dear, he needs to learn some responsibility, you know.  He can't be locked up in this house forever' right?' she still looked like a hissing cat.
    'Well, that's right, but DON'T YOU THINK YOU SHOULD HAVE DISCUSSED THIS WITH ME FIRST?!?!?!'
    Mr. Shiozawa hid behind Hiroshi, 'I'm sorry, darling!  It was just a spur of the moment thing!  I promise we'll discuss everything from now on!' Hiroshi didn't like being used as a shield against his mother.  It was scary!  But at the same time he was glad his father hadn't mentioned the reason WHY he made him get a job'
    Her stern expression was soon to melt away, 'Alright.  It's so great that Hiroshi got a job!' now everyone in the family began to chant and dance around.  They were celebrating Hiroshi and one thing he was able to do right!  It couldn't have been a happier time for the family.

    Hiroshi went to his bedroom and started to tear into the package.  He wanted to know what was inside!  Satoru silently peeked in the room, 'Can I come in?' he asked in his cute little voice.
    Hiroshi was annoyed, 'Go away, Amoebae Boy!' he threw a pillow at the door.
    He opened the door again and whined, 'You're so mean!  I just want to come inside!'
    Hiroshi sighed, 'Fine, but if you get lost in here, it's your own fault.'  Satoru giggled and happily came inside the room, but once inside he almost wanted to leave.
    'Eww, why don't you clean up your room, onii-chan?' he made his way to the bed with much effort.  (Onii-chan = big brother)
    Hiroshi pretended to ignore him and opened the package.  Inside he found several forms that he'd have to fill out and then the thing he really was looking for' he held it up quickly and it unfolded to be a long white and yellow striped apron and tiny hat shaped like a banana split.  He restrained himself from screaming.
    'KAWAII!!!' Satoru squealed.  'Oh, your uniform is sooooooooooo cute!!!'
    Obviously, Hiroshi felt differently.  'But' but' it's an apron' I HAVE TO WEAR AN APRON????  AND A HAT THAT LOOKS LIKE A BANANA SPLIT????' he started to whimper again.
    'What's wrong, onii-chan?  I think you'll look cute with them on!' he giggled again.
    Hiroshi's eye twitched and he looked very frightened, 'You've been hanging out with that creepy gay guy, haven't you?!'
    'Eh?  I've just been hanging out with Taka-chan, that's all.'
    'EXACTLY!  He's putting all sorts of weird ideas in your head, so don't listen to them!'
    'What are you talking about?  Taka-chan's my friend!'
    'Your BOYFRIEND, you mean!  That's guy's screwing you up big time, so stop hanging around with him, unless you want your life ruined!  Geez, Amoebae Boy, why don't you get some real friends?!' Hiroshi yelled.
    Satoru's chin twitched and tears sprang to his eyes.  He then burst into tears, 'Onii-chan!  You're so mean!!!' he screamed and ran out of his bedroom.  He tackled Mr. Shiozawa and cried loudly, Mrs. Shiozawa came to see what was wrong.
    The next thing Hiroshi knew, both of his parents were pounding on his door.  He opened it reluctantly to see them, Satoru in the middle still trying to hold back tears.  'Hiroshi!  How could you say such mean things about Satoru's friends?!' They asked together.
    Hiroshi sighed and played along, 'You're right, it was wrong of me to be so mean.  I'm very sorry, Amoe'errr'Satoru.  Can you ever forgive me?'
    That seemed to win over his parents, 'Well, that's a wonderful way to resolve this.' Complimented Mrs. Shiozawa.
    'Satoru?' Mr. Shiozawa looked down to him.  Satoru nodded and his parents were thrilled.
    'Wonderful, well come along to dinner then!  Hiroshi, I've made your favorite tonight to celebrate!' said Mrs. Shiozawa, walking back to the kitchen with Mr. Shiozawa.
    'Thank you!' said Hiroshi.  When they were gone, he looked back to Satoru sourly.  'Taka is a weirdo.  Just wait and see,' he then walked along to the kitchen.  Satoru folded his arms and dried his tears.  He couldn't believe how mean Hiroshi was.

    Daisuke came out of the pool and started to towel off.  He had just finished doing several laps, repeating what he was supposed to have done at the swim meet.  He was really glad he didn't faint again, Yoshiko was right as usual.  He was about to walk back to the locker room when he heard a very familiar voice calling his name.  'Dai-chan!' he turned and saw Taka running to him!
Well, THAT was a surprise!  'Taka-kun?!  What are you doing here?'
    Taka smiled at him.  Today he was wearing a short black shirt that exposed his midriff (haha I've always thought that was the funniest word') with long sheer sleeves and a black pleated schoolgirl skirt with big puffy red socks and shiny black shoes.  He had a silver necklace around his neck, bracelets as usual, and six earrings in each ear.  He was also wearing his black framed glasses which he used for reading.  'Just thought I'd see if you were here, and you were!' he said happily.
    'Oh, yeah I was just practicing.  Umm' Daisuke was feeling a little self-conscious.  This WAS Taka, after all, and he was in only a speedo' he wrapped his towel around him nonchalantly, to try and avert Taka's eyes.  'So, what's up?'
    'Oh, nothing' I just got home from'someone's house.' He started to giggle and look really happy again.  Daisuke didn't want to know.  'How about you?  Have you made up your mind yet?'
    'Yeah,' he said slowly and smiled, 'but it'll be hard to break it to them.  Thanks for your advice, it really helped me.'
    'Anytime!' Taka smiled.
    Daisuke's eye was suddenly caught by something shiny.  He looked at Taka's belly button and nearly screamed, 'What is that?!'
    'Hmm?  Oh, it's a brand new belly button ring!  You like it?  Just had it done today!'
    Daisuke couldn't believe it, 'Wow, you sure like to live life on the edge, don't you?'
    'Do you like that about me?' he purred and came in closely to him.
    Daisuke was getting scared, 'Uh, I gotta go change!' he went into the locker room quickly and Taka followed.  Daisuke was able to shoo him out and try to barricade the door.
    Taka scratched at the door like a cat and begged, 'Come on, Dai-chan!  Let me in!  You don't have to be scared of me!  Dai-chaaaan!'
    But Daisuke was scared, VERY scared.  He was able to change as the door was being blocked by a large laundry basket and sneaked out through a different door.  He walked outside, relieved, and saw the stars beginning to shine in the sky.  Taka found him out there, but at least this time he was fully clothed.  They both walked to their homes, Taka blowing a kiss to Daisuke.  He was glad Taka was so happy after what he had heard about his past.  It appeared as if he made a 'full recovery,' so to speak.  He secretly admired his strength.

    Hitomi and Ryuichi were sitting in comfortable chairs in one of the three recreation rooms at Ryuichi's glorious mansion.  They had finished a wonderful dinner and were relaxing while listening to the symphony of cricket chirps that were beginning to fill the night.  Everything was so pleasant and picturesque it had been the perfect day for them both.  Hitomi was thrilled Ryuichi wanted to spend time with her and Ryuichi still felt good about messing Daisuke up.  Even though the night was lingering on, there was still something left to be said.
    She looked at Ryuichi and saw that he was listening closely to the crickets.  She couldn't remember the last time she had seen him so relaxed.  He had also acted wonderfully toward her that day, not being his usual angry and abusive self.  She almost didn't want to tell him, but knew that she had to, no matter what the consequences.  He just had to know'
    'Ryu-chan?' she asked softly and gained his attention.  She saw the smile he was wearing, so sincere and kind, it nearly ripped her up inside.  She took in a deep, soothing breath and asked, 'Could I ever say something to you to make you truly angry?'
    He raised an eyebrow, 'What do you mean by that?'
    'Well,' she scooted to the edge of her seat and felt her heart start to race, 'there's something important I need to tell you, but, I'm afraid you might get angry with me'
    'Hitomi-chan, I know I've been unfair to you in the past, but I'm trying to change all of that.  I really do want to be kinder to you and treat you like my girlfriend deserves to be treated, so I don't want to get angry at you anymore.  I just want to be better for you.'
    That made her feel a little better, but she knew that more often than not, Ryuichi's promises were a little shallow.  'Good, but this is a pretty big deal, so'
    Then she saw that Ryuichi rose from his seat and came over to hers.  He sat on the armrest and smiled down to her.  'You seem tense,' he observed as she kept fiddling with her hands.  He kissed her forehead and ran his hand along her leg, 'why don't we go to the bedroom for a while?' he asked in a soft voice.
    'I can't,' she turned her head from him.
    'Why not?  You've never refused before.'  She gasped when he said that as tears filled her eyes.  'Come on, Hitomi-chan, let me show you what the new Ryu-chan is like,' he pulled her to her feet and kissed her cheek.  He was trying to pull her in the direction of his bedroom, but she wouldn't budge.
    'No,' she whispered.
    'Don't be like that, come on,'
    'No!' she said stronger.
    He was getting fed up with her, 'I've given you everything today so it's time for you to give a little back.'
    'I'm not going to!' she screamed.  Ryuichi was shocked that she actually defied him!  She then covered her mouth and tried to hold back tears, 'I'm sorry'
    He watched her for a long while as a few tears slid down her cheeks.  He narrowed his eyebrows and was very unhappy with her, 'Why the hell are you acting like this?!'
    'Because,' she wiped her tears away and looked him straight in the eyes, 'I'm pregnant.'
    ' He gasped, it felt as if a bullet had just passed through his heart with no restraint.  'P-pregnant?' he asked and hoped he had heard her wrong.
    'Yes' I'm so sorry,' she lowered to the ground and buried her face in her hands, sobbing lightly.
    Ryuichi was shocked!  Pregnant?  He couldn't believe it!  He didn't want to believe it, it was just too much!  He looked down to her crying there and slowly the small bit of sympathy he had for her began to melt away.  He began to feel infuriated and wanted to have nothing to do with her.  'Serves you right,' he said coldly, she thrust her head up, fear in her eyes.
    'Ryu-chan?'
    'Shut up, you whore!  This is what you get for sleeping around all the time!  How many has it been now, huh?  Tell me!'
    She shook her head, 'You've got it all wrong!  The only person I've been with is you!'  That got to him more than anything else.  He was so angry, he turned and knocked over a small table with a yell, everything shattering on the floor.  Hitomi was frightened of him again and backed up against the chair.  He had a terrible temper.
    Without another word, he turned from her and walked out of the sliding glass door onto a patio over looking the many gardens of the mansion.  He picked up a rock and threw it as hard as he could toward the city lights he could see sparkling in the distance.  '****!!' he yelled up to the sky and then sighed deeply.  He pulled out a cigarette and lit it, the tip glowed bright reddish orange in the blackness.  He puffed at it and looked up to the sky.  It was a beautiful clear night, he could see so many stars twinkling and could hear even more crickets.  Why did it all have to be ruined?
    Osamu had been wandering the streets and somehow found his way onto Ryuichi's property.  He walked up a small hill and through some shady trees and was ultimately surprised to see Ryuichi standing there!  'Ryu-kun?!' he asked, walking out of the bushes and trees and onto the patio.
    Ryuichi looked over to him and nearly choked, 'Yoshimoto!  What are you-'
    'Shhh!' he tried to quiet him, 'People are trying to sleep!'
    Ryuichi was not moved by his childlike antics and looked at him angrily, 'Get off of my property before I release the dogs!'
    'Dogs?' Osamu smiled cutely, 'You mean like those nice big fluffy white doggies who like to play fetch?'
A vein started to bulge from his neck, 'No, I mean like those mean fast Doberman doggies who like to chase you and can eat your legs.'
    Osamu shook his head, 'Nope, don't wanna play with those kind.'
    Ryuichi had had enough of this, 'Get the **** off my property!'
    'Ack, such bad language!  My ears are not a toilet for you potty mouth, you know!'
    Ryuichi threw the cigarette to the ground and yelled at him, 'Go away!'
    'Why are you being so mean?  Did something bad happen to you?'
    He looked away, 'None of your business.'
    Osamu didn't know what that was all about, but then he spotted Hitomi still sitting on the floor in the recreation room looking sadder than ever.  He also saw the table that had been knocked over.  It made sense then.  'Oh, I see.'
    'The hell you do.'
    'No really, I know what this is all about.  Hitomi-chan told me.'
    Ryuichi gasped again and looked back to him.  'What?'
    'She wanted to tell someone she could trust, so she told me all about it.  She also told me that she was afraid to tell you because she knew that you'd go psycho on her.  Looks like she was right'
    Ryuichi was quiet for a long time and lit another cigarette.  After taking a long drag, he said darkly, 'Shut up, Yoshimoto.'
    'Why?  I think you need to hear this, bro, because this is pretty serious and I know exactly what's going on here!  You got a girl pregnant and now you don't want anything to do with it, right?'
    'I said shut-'
    'Right?!' he demanded, causing Ryuichi to stop and think.  Some ash from the cigarette dropped to the ground before he even moved.  He slumped his shoulders a little and didn't look him in the eyes.  Osamu knew it, 'That's too bad.  You should have realized this before you let your hormones take over.'
    He scowled, 'I don't need you telling me what to do and what not to do.'
    'You don't seem to have anyone else telling you,' he said back.
    Ryuichi was getting furious again.  'This doesn't concern you at all, so just leave me alone!' he turned to walk back to the mansion.
    'It does concern me because everyone on the swim team's like brothers!'  Ryuichi stopped, Osamu knew that would get him.  'Brothers help each other.  You'd have to be a fool to not want that.'  Ryuichi turned to him.  'Ryuichi, even though you smoke and obviously go against other rules we all promised never to break, it doesn't mean we're going to reject or give up on you.  At least, I'm not going to.  You shouldn't give up on Hitomi-chan either, she really needs you in this.  I mean, like it or not, you're going to be a father.'
    That grated against him harder than anything imaginable.  Had he been close enough, he would have punched Osamu's lights out.  'Stay the **** away from me!' he yelled and barged back into the mansion.
    'Hey, wait!' Osamu called back, but the glass door had already been slammed shut.  He could see Ryuichi walk right past Hitomi without even seeming to notice her.  He stormed out of the recreation room, slamming the door behind him.  Hitomi looked terrible and began to cry again.  Osamu hated this, but knew there was no safe way he could help, Ryuichi just wouldn't have it.
    He suddenly heard some snarls and loud barking inching closer.  He knew it was the dogs and started to run as fast as he could away from the mansion.  The dogs were getting closer and closer, Osamu looked back to see their mad eyes flickering in the night.  He quickly hopped up onto a low tree branch and was able to climb high enough to jump the fence.  The dogs slammed against the fence, growling and barking fiercely at him, their long white teeth poking through the bars.  Osamu backed from them slowly and then began to run away as fast as he could.  He had so many things swirling in his mind at once, he needed to tell someone else about it!  He didn't stop running until he reached Daisuke's house.
    'Shark man!' he slammed on the door and yelled until Daisuke finally answered.
    'Osamu-kun?!' he did not expect to see him.
    'Shark man!' Osamu panted and fell forward to Daisuke's arms, saying in broken phrases while trying to catch his breath, 'I-have-to-tell-you-something-'
    Daisuke was worried, and brought him inside.  Osamu collapsed to the couch, still trying to catch his breath.  Yoshiko came in and Daisuke asked her to get some water.  She set a glass of water next to him and wondered what was going on.  'What happened?'  Osamu took a long drink and looked up to Yoshiko.  Daisuke looked to her too, 'I think we need a little time alone'
    'No, it's alright.  Yoshiko-chan should hear this too,' he said.  Yoshiko knelt on the floor next to Daisuke and both were worriedly listening.  Osamu had finally caught his breath for the most part and looked to them both seriously, 'It's about Ryuichi'
    'Huh?'  Ryuichi?  He did Daisuke a major favor earlier on' He wanted to know everything, especially after what he did for him.
    Osamu nodded and was prepared to tell the whole story, 'He's got a major crisis' I just wish there were some way to help'

To be continued'