Monday, 24 December 2007

Momoshiro Takeshi//The key to my lock\\20

Recap: "Come with me." He stood up.

...........................................

I followed him to a park, then deeper into it where the trees are so thick sunlight hardly shines through them. After winding through some trees, Momo came to a stop in a small clearing with a stream.

"Here it is."

"Where is here?"

"Where I come when I need to be alone. I've never shared this place with anyone. You're the first one."

"Oh. It really is perfect." It really was- surrounded by nature. Momo sat down on a large rock and beckoned me to sit beside him.

We sat in silence for a few moments.

Gosh. It feels like eternity. Why'd he bring me here? I rested my head on his shoulder. He wrapped an arm around my waist. I closed my eyes.

"Shinera?"

"Hm?"

"You don't... you don't... like anyone else... do you?" He asked uncertainly.

"Nope."

"Sure?" His voice waivered.

"Yup."

"Eiji included?" His voice shook.

"Yup. Why'd you ask?"

"Uhm.. well... The past few days... You seem to be very close to him."

"So?"

"So? Uh...uh... well...I-" I cut him off by planting a kiss on his lips. He was a little shocked at first, then he wrapped his arms around my waist and deepened the kiss. I didn't want to part, but I had to say something.

"You doubt me?"

"No... b-"

"You're the only person I could trust. I thought you trusted me too. You don't, do you?"

"It's not that I don't... I-"

"You what. You're the only person that meant something to me. More than a friend. More than a best friend. But I don't understand. Why do you not trust me?"

"I can't-"

"Can't what? I thought you should know that I-" He suddenly hugged me tightly.

"I can't lose you."

My eyes brimmed with tears.

"I was so afraid. My parents had a failed relationship. My father went through so much pain he made sure that I ebdured the same pain he did. But I know that my physical pain is nowhere near the heartbreak my father felt. For half my life, I kept to myself because I didn't want to endure the same pain as my father. Because I was afraid to. I was afraid of getting hurt. So I found a way to keep other people from hurting me- and that turned me cold to everyone and everything. I numbed myself from everything, even my father's whip didn't scare me. I erased everything from my memory- pain, fear, happiness, sorrow, love- everything. It kept me safe. It kept me safe until you came. It wasn't your look or you tennis skills. It was because you were the only one who cared for me. It made me realise that maybe, deep down, I do need someone to love me. I did need to know that someone loved me. You unlocked the doors to my heart. You made me feel safe. I can't lose you, you know? I can't go back to my past." Tears flowed down my eyes as I hugged him tightly.

"I sensed the love that you needed. I saw everything you needed through your eyes. I won't let you go back to your past. I can't lose you either." Those words comforted me. I love Momo, the key to my locked heart.

"I love you, too much."





....................................The End..........................................

Momoshiro Takeshi//The key to my lock\\19

Recap: "You wanna... wanna... gooouutwiimi?"

...............................................

I heard him properly, but just for fun...

"Huh? Couldn't hear you properly. Come again?"

Momo went another hundred shades of red.

"Want... want... wanna... wanna... gooo... wanna go out with...me?" He took a deep breath and force it out.

My heart went on another speed-drive at 987654321 beats/min.

"So... do I say yes?"

"Eh? Uh... uh... It's up to you... I guess?" He answered dejectedly.

I stood up and kissed his cheek lightly.

"Yes of course, dummy."

"YO-" I cut him off my putting my hand over his mouth.

"Quiet you baka. You don't wanna wake up the entire house, do you?"

"Uh... Maybe not..." He smiled sheepishly.

"Right then." I relaxed my hand. "When?"

"Saturday. Won't tell ya where we're going though." He winked and smiled mysteriously at me.

"Ooh mystery. I love suspense." I returned the wink and brushed my fingers on his cheek. He took them and planted a kiss on my hand.

"Goodnight then." He smiled.

"Night."

I can't wait for Saturday.

Next day. More swimming, tennis, glomping and piggyback-ing from Eiji. I'd even tried out my first Inui juice. Didn't taste as bad as it sounds. Hm. Fuji found a friend. Everyone else went out cold except for us two.

"You like them too?" He smiled at me.

"Not too bad. Could use some sugar though."

"Saa~ It always does." He nodded. Some guy. He never seems to be NOT smiling.

The next few days to Saturday seemed to drag on like forever. I can swear that my back is much stronger, like Eiji rides on it everyday.

Finally. Saturday morning. I'd decided to go for my morning exercise earlier, and then go back to sleep after that.

"Morning sleepy." A soft, soothing voice woke me up. A warm habd rested on my face and a thumb stroked my cheek gently.

"So early. Who's it?" I yawned, and turned my body around so I was on my side.

"You haven't forgotten, have you." That hand moved up to my hair and stroked it gently.

"Alright I'm up. Who's it who are you." I sat up, yawned, stretched, and squinted. "Oh. Oh-ohayo Momo." I stiffled a yawn. "Watcha doing in my, uh, room.

"You haven't forgotten, have you?" Momo took my hand.

"Huh?" Mornings usually made me very blur. It usually takes some time for information to sink into my head. "Oh. Oh yes. Give me a second, I'll get ready." I chased him out of my room. I quickly brushed my teeth and changed into a grey hoodie over a slim denim jean, and went down, still yawning.

"Finally." Momo smiled.

"Oh. Sorry did I take that long? I'm not really a morning person."

"It's okay. Come on, let's go." We went outside and he took my hand and pulled me along with him. I wondered where were we going.

"You hungry?" He suddenly stopped outside a cafe.

"Yeah." I guess I was, I haven't had breakfast yet. So, we went in.

Momo ordered almost the entire menu- waffles, sandwiches, cakes etc. Well, I should have known him long enough to know already. I chose a random number and counted it off from the menu to get the food I wanted. Strawberry shortcake. YUMMY.

Hm. There're some crumbs on his lips. I wiped it away with my thumb, like I did the last time, trailing along the sides of his lips, following it as it turned up into a smile. Momo took my hand and leaned in towards me. He kissed me lightly on my cheek.

"Come with me." He stood up.

Sunday, 23 December 2007

Momoshiro Takeshi//The key to my lock\\18

Recap: "Hn." I downed my last burger.

...........................................

Afterwards, outside the burger restaurant, Momo and I bid everyone goodbye and went back. Eiji glomped me as a goodbye.

"Bye nyaa~!" He ruffled my short hair.

"Right. Bye Eiji." I gasped. I couldn't have been more thankful when he released me. Momo gave a very wry smile. I wondered what it meant. No, it can't be. Don't tell me he's thinking about Eiji and- nah. Not a chance. I guessed. Scary enough, my guesses tend to be correct. That's why YOU'RE a tensai. Damn you Shinera. Like how could you NOT know. Eiji's been jumping on and off you ever since you met him this MORNING. How'd you expect Momo NOT to be JEALOUS? I sighed.

"Nani? Shinera-chan? What's wrong?" I guessed he heard me sigh.

"Huh? Oh. Nothing... Nothing's wrong..." I looked at the ground, and then looked up and smirked at him playfully.

Oh god what is she thinking. I could almost hear him think.

Without warning, I slipped my hand into his and held on tightly. His eyes travelled from me, to our locked hands, then back to me. After 98777662525 years, he finally smiled.

"Let's go then!" and we ran off back home.

Gosh. His hands are so HUGE, and there's something about them that's so... warm. And just HOLDING his hand, it feels so... right. I don't really want to let go, no, I never want to let go. But why?

We stopped outside his house.

"You wanna play some tennis? There's still some time before you start coaching the kiddies."

"Okay then, but you'll have to lend me your racket. I don't have my own."

"No problem!" He grinned. He went upstairs and brought down a few tennis balls, two tennis rackets, and we headed for the tennis courts. There wasn't many people this early, only a few beginner kids in the other court. We got an open court, set down our stuff and started playing.

"One set match?" called out Momo.

"Go easy on me. I can't play very well." I called from the other end of the court.

I served first. The ball hit the net, rolled all the way up, and dropped down the other side.

"How'd you do that?" Momo gaped.

"I don't know." I was equally astonished.

My next serve went properly, as in bouncing over the net, but it bounced the opposite side of where Momo was going to hit. The first game ended in my favour with me keeping my service serve.

The next game, Momo's serve was good- in a way that I couldn't get it. But I got his next one, and returned it with a lob. BIG MISTAKE. Momo returned it with a dunk smash. I couldn't return that- not many people could anyway. For the rest of the game, I tried out some of the other regulars' moves, and the game ended in my favour.

"Not bad Shinera! You even beat me!"

"Nah. You weren't doing your best."

"Come on. Admit it-you're good."

"I'm not! OK this argument isn't going anywhere."

"Right. Anyway, it's almost time for the kid's swimming class right? Let's go back then." We went back home and got our stuff and went to Mrs. Kanagi's. The kiddies were exceptionally hyped up today.

Back at home kater, I was getting ready to sleep. Momo came into the room.

"Hey Shinera. You uh... you uh... you wanna... you wanna uh..." He scratched his head.

"Huh?"

"You wanna... wanna... gooouutwiimi?"

Momoshiro Takeshi//The key to my lock\\17

Recap: Tennis is WAAYY easy.

..................................................

I experimented with different hits, sometimes giving it extra topspins or backhand spins and alternating between right and left hands, literally sending the ball rolling all over the wall. Hn. Not VERY useful, I decided, unless you hit it to the net or something

"SUGOI Shinera!! How'd you do that?" I heard Momo's voice somewhere behind me. I turned around to see all the regulars, like this morning, behind me.

"Huh?"

"You're making the ball roll everywhere nyaa~!" Eiji span round and glomped me again.

"Eiji... Not again." I gasped for the third time that day. Hyper kid. It's not like HE can't do it HIMSELF.

"Eiji, get down of her." I heard Oishi say, for the second time that day.

"AWWW~~! I want a piggyback nyaa~!" Eiji pouted.

"I'll give you one if you'll stop holding on to my neck."

"Ah! Gomen gomen! YOSH! I get a piggyback!" He got down only to jump back onto my back again. Well, at least he isn't HANGING on my NECK.

"Get down Eiji. She's a girl, you know." Oishi had a tiny note of finality in his voice.

"AWWW~~! She agreed to piggyback nyaa~!"

"It's really okay, Oishi. He isn't that heavy anyway."

"See? She said okay nya!" He gave Oishi a cheesy grin and a peace sign. Because he let go of one hand, I felt him slide down one side, so I jumped to balance both sides.

"Wow she can still jump?" I heard someone say. Maybe Taka-san?

"Why not? He's so light." I jumped some more, then ran a few rounds around all of them.

"I'm LIGHT? Even Oishi says I'm heavy nya." Eiji said groggily. I guessed he was giddy or something because I ran so many circles around them.

"Yeah..." Everyone gaped at me, even Inui, before he returned to his book.

"And you're not even giddy nya." Eiji wobbled off me. I glanced around me. Isn't this like normal? All of them were staring at me like I'm weird or something. But you ARE weird, a small voice in me said. OK besides the fact that I really AM weird.

"Hey! I'm hungry! Wanna go eat burgers?" Momo called out.

"Yeah! I'm hungry too nyaa~!"

"Let's all go then!"

"YEAH! Let's go!" I started walking, and they followed.

After a while...

God they really walk SLOW. I was already in front of them. WAAAYYY in front of them.

"Hey! Shiny-chan! Slow down nya. You really walk fast!"

"It's her normal speed. Just, whatever you do, don't try running with her." Momo whispered the last sentence into Eiji's ear.

"Heard that!" I shouted loudly from in front. Momo sweatdropped.

"Nya? That's your normal speed? Then how fast do you run?" Eiji was curious.

"Race me then!"

"Oh gosh you really don't want to Eiji."

"Nya come on Momo, it won't hurt

"Fine then."

"NYA~!! Race you to that tree!" He pointed to some random tree some 50m++ away.

"Right. 1...2...3.. GO!" We counted, and off we sprinted.

I kept neck and neck with Eiji for about half the way just to keep him happy, then I ran off in front of him.

"First!" I slammed into the tree.

"Nyaa~! You're really fast!" Eiji touched about 5 seconds later than me.

"Nah. You're the slow one."

"See! I told you not to race with her. She beat me flat too." Momo came into the picture.

"Oh? She beat Momo too? Wow..." Eiji's jaw fell. I saw Inui writing stuff down in his green notebook.

Some tennis players. And I wasn't even sprinting. I shrugged on my bag. And he wasn't carrying his bag like I did.

When we reached the burger place, Momo and Ryoma ordered almost a dozen burgers, as usual, I ordered three, as usual, and the rest ordered one, as usual.

"Wow! You can really eat nya!"

"Hn." I downed my last burger.

Momoshiro Takeshi//The key to my lock\\16

Recap: Momo was awed.

.................................................

"NYAA~!! SHINY-CHAN! I thought you said you couldn't play tennis?" Eiji jumped on me after we finished the game.

"I only copied you all playing. It doesn't count."

"YES IT DOES!! Like how many people can hit O'chibi's twist serve after only watching it being played nya?" I didn't know how to answer.

"Oioi Shinera-chan! You're good!" Came Momo's voice.

"Nah." I waved it off.

"Yameshu Shinera. Captain of the swimming club. Won every single swimming competition and tournament ever since she joined this school. Always wears the guy uniform." Inui jotted down the new information in his green notebook.

"Hey. How'd you know my name? I don't remember telling anyone else other than Momo and Eiji." Hell. He was still writing in that bloody book of his.

"'Cause Inui's the dataman." I turned to see a blond-haired guy smiling with his eyes closed. Must be Fuji. He ALWAYS smiles. "And a diehard stalker." He mouthed. Heh. No wonder.

"Eiji, get down her. She can't breathe." Came Oishi's voice. It was true- I was already gasping for breath.

"Ah! Gomen gomen Shiny-chan! Daijobu deska?"

"Dai-daijobu." I gasped, massaging my neck. Kaidoh just hissed at the back of the crowd.

"Gah. It's almost time for class. Let's go." I grabbed Momo's hand and my stuff and we ran back to class. That blasted Inui was still taking down notes.

"You really play well, ya know. Sure it's your first time playing?"

"Yeah, it was."

"Wanna consider joining our club? You're really good."

"I prefer swimming more." I smirked.

"Hm. It's your choice then." He smiled at me. We reached class soon.

After I drilled out swimming practice that day, I went back to the courts to find the regulars. They were finishing their last game, and two girls were cheering for Ryoma- no, one was screaming out Ryoma's name, and the other one was blushing like crazy. But Ryoma didn't seem to give a second thought. Seesh. Fangirls. Not my favourite breed.

I sat down somewhere and watched them play. Eiji pranced about gracefully, doing his speciality acrobatics. Taka-san was in burning mode and screaming out english phrases, like "GREATO!", and "BURRRNING!!". Kaidoh hit a boomerang snake shot. Momo did his "super-great-Momoshiro-special-dunk-smash or something like that, and made a big hole on the ground. SUGOI. Fuji did a Tsubame Gaeshi, and Ryoma did a Drive B. Tezuka watched over them with Inui, but for a different reason- Inui was still writing down more stuff in that little green book of his. *Sweatdropp* Boy they WERE good.

I found a ball and a spare racket that didn't seem to belong to anyone, and hit the ball continuously on a wall, in the same spot.

Tennis is WAAYY easy.

Friday, 21 December 2007

Momoshiro Takeshi//The key to my lock\\15

Recap: "Hoi? Momo-chan, who's this nya?" Eiji suddenly noticed me.

....................................................

Eiji hopped off Momo and landed in front of me, his face inches from mine. I stared at him as he stared back at me.

"NYAA~~!! Momo! Your girlfriend is KAWAII nyaa~!" He jumped up and down, and then onto me.

"Ooffh!" He knocked the air right out of me. Gosh. This guy's really hyper, AND in the morning also.

"Uh, Eiji-senpai? Could you please get off her?" Eiji was on my back, and rubbing his cheek against mine.

"Ah. Gomen gomen... uh.. what's your name nyaa~? He hopped off me.

"Yameshu Shinera." I gasped, trying to get oxygen back into my lungs after Eiji knocked it all out.

"Nyaa~! Gomen Shinera-san! Nyaa~! Shinera is such a long name. I'll give you a nickname! SHINY-CHAN!!" He grinned broadly.

Oh god. Not another one. Ah well, it's Eiji. Can't REALLY blame HIM, can I? But, then again, is my name really THAT long?

Eiji was now prancing about doing all sorts of cartwheels and shouting my name for the entire world to hear. Momo and I sweatdropped.

"Eiji-senpai? We really have to get to morning practice, or Tezuka-bouchu will KILL us."

"NYAA~! That Tezuka-meanie. I don't wanna run LAAAAAAAAAAAAAPPS~!!" He grabbed both mine and Momo's hands and we flew all the way to Seigaku. Yeap. you got me right. FLEW.

Once there, Momo and Eiji went to change, and I found a place to sit. I found a tennis ball lying around on the ground, and Momo's racquet was sticking out of his bag.

Guess he wouldn't mind if I borrowed it for awhile. Just for precautions, I decided to hit the ball on the tree beside where I was sitting. There was a circular thingy on the tree, and I aimed for it, continuously hitting the ball in that little circle. I followed the pace of the ball, hitting it left and right and changing hands accordingly, while maintaining the same spot. Hm. This is quite easy eh. What I DIDN'T know was that the regulars were starting to crowd behind me, until-

"SUGOI NYAA~~ SHINY-CHAAAAAN~~!" It just HAD to be Eiji. I turned around to see 9 guys in Seigaku regular jerseys. Eiji jumped on me, again.

"Ooffh!"

"I didn't know you could play tennis nya!" Eiji glomped me.

"I CAN'T." I gasped.

"But I saw you hitting that ball nya! It always hit the same spot! ANNNDD you can change hands too nya~!" Eiji was really excited, he started bouncing on me, knocking the little air I had in my lungs all out.

"That was random hitting." I spluttered. I saw Momo's astonished face, and Tezuka's emotionless one. Boy, his face could really match MINE.

"20 laps. Everyone."

"nyaa~! Bouchu!"

"Eiji. 30 laps."

"Awwwww~~fine then." All of them truged off, leaving me gasping for breath. Damn you Eiji. I'm REALLY gonna GET you for that. It's the SECOND time today.

"You too. 20 laps."

"What for."

"Disturbing practice."

"Look, they found me, NOT the other way round."

"Take it, or it's 30 laps."

"Fine." I ran off. Seirously, with my 5km morning jog, this was peanuts. I overtook everyone at least 5 times, even Kawamura in burning mode, and finished my 20 laps faster than everyone else did.

"You've finished?" Came Tezuka.

"Yeah." I put my arms behind my head and leaned on the fence.

"Fast."

"Nah. Wasn't sprinting yet. Not fast."

"But still-" He pointed to the other regulars who were still running. "-you're faster than them."

"They're slow."

"What club are you in?"

"Swimming."

"Harsh training?"

"So-so."

"Who's the captain?"

"Me."

"Hn. Don't let your guard down. Keep it up." Tezuka eyed me carefully.

"Right." It's amazing how this conversation passed without a single facial emotion.

I watched the team play for the rest of the practice, studing each player's strokes and moves.

"Hey! Shinera-chan! Wanna play a match with me?" Momo called out to me. I shrugged.

"Whatever. Lend me a racket." Momo tossed me his spare racket, and we went down to the courts to play.

I tried out the few moves I saw earlier. I used Ryoma's twist serve, and Momo hit a lob, looking very surprised. I took the point with a smash. The 1st game ended in my favour. For the rest of the game, I tried out some of the other regulars' specialities: Oishi's Moon Volley, Kaidoh's snake and Fuji's Tsubame Gaeshi. The game ended in my favour, 6-4. While I tried out the moves, sometimes I fumbled, so Momo took the point. All the regulars watched, awestruct as I performed thier signature moves. Well, except for some, like Eiji's acrobatics, the Tezuka Zone and Inui's Data Tennis, for reasons obvious.

Momo was awed.

Momoshiro Takeshi//The key to my lock\\14

Recap: "Gonna." I pulled the string and cut it off, then I tied a dead knot. "Done."

...................................................................

"There's tennis practice tomorrow morning. You wanna come see us play? Provided you don't have swimming, of course.

"Morning practices haven't started yet. There're starting next week though. I'll come." I hung up my mended uniform.

"Yosh! It starts at 7.30, so we'll have to leave here by about 7."

"Noted. I'll see you tomorrow then." I leaned in towards Momo and whispered in his ear. "Goodnight." And gave him a light kiss on the cheek.

"Goodnight." He smiled and hugged me lightly before going back to his room.

I set the alarm to 4.30 for my usual morning exercise, turned off the lights and went to sleep.

RR-RR-RRIIIINNNGGG!!!

"Gah stupid alarm clock." I shut it off and threw it on the floor. Yup, that's how my alarm clock always spoils. I dragged myself out of bed and into the toilet to get ready. I changed into my sport things, with my swimming costume underneath. I was gonna run first, the swimming pool doesn't open till 5.30am. I stretched and did my usual 5km run and 5km swim before returning back to Momo- no, MY home. It was almost 6.45am, and Mrs. Momoshiro was already up preparing breakfast.

"You're early." She beamed.

"Just went out for morning swim and run." I put my bag down.

"Oh look! Takeshi's up." Momo just walked out of his room, all dressed up but looking half-asleep and still yawning.

"Oh-oh-ohayo mum. Oh-ohayo Shinera-chan." He yawned as he sat down to eat his breakfast. "You both are early."

I took a piece of toast and bit into it.

7.15am. We were walking to school.

"You play tennis well?" I started the conversation.

"Not bad... Not too bad. I play power tennis. You'll see later." He smiled.

"Hm. Right. I'm hopeless at tennis, can't play it even to save my life."

"Then I'll teach you to."

"Great. Oh. There's Eiji, right?" I saw a redhead walkin- no- SKIPPING some distance in front of us.

"Oh. Yeah. I'll call him. OI!! EIJI-SENPAI!!" Momo cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled.

"Hoihoi? Ah! MOMO-CHAAAAAAAAAAAAN~!" Eiji turned, ran, and jumped right onto Momo. Momo staggered under the sudden increase in weight. I watched all of this with interest.

"Hoi? Momo-chan, who's this nya?" Eiji suddenly noticed me.

Tuesday, 18 December 2007

Momoshiro Takeshi//The key to my lock\\13

recap: "Wow. This is some room." I gushed. It was true, my new room was nothing like my old one, and it was big too. I put my bag down beside the bed. I'll unpack later.

.....................................................

"You wanna play some tennis? There are some courts down ther road." Momo asked hopefully.

"Sorry, I can't tonight. Have gotta coach the kiddies. You wanna come along? I'll explain to Mrs. Kanagi. Bring your homework and stuff too. I can help you too."

"OKay!"

"Right right. I'll be until about 8.30. So if you wanna play tennis after that I'm okay with it.

"Nah. I'd rather go for burgers. There's tennis practice tomorrow morning anyway."

"Whatever you say then. Oh gosh! We're almost late! C'mon let's go!" I grabbed my swimming stuff and my homework, Momo got his stuff, and we sprinted off.

Once there, I explained everything to Mrs. Kanagi, gave the hyper lil' kiddies some light trainingand coached all of them in their schoolwork- Momo included.

I completed my work in 20mins, but Momo took an entire hour-with my help- to finish his.

"Wonder how long you'll take if I don't help you."

"My saviour!" He threw his hands up in the air. The kids giggled. I shook my head lightly and went back to coaching them. Afterwards, Momo found a fast food restaurant and rushed in. Before I could order anything, he was already back at the chair with almost a dozen burgers. By the time I went back, he'd already finished three of his burgers, and was already starting on the 4th one. I had three burgers, and finished all of them just as Momo finished his last one.

"You sure eat a lot, don't you?" I stared in disbelief as he rubbed his full stomach.

"You're not bad yourself- just five away from what i had. Usually people order just one."

"Then I guess we're not usual people huh." I smirked.

"Yeah. Oh, you've got some crumbs. Here let me get that..." He reacged towards me and wiped away the crumbs with his finger.

"You've got some too." I leaned forward and kissed his lips. Then, I smirked and returned to my seat, licking my lips.

"Boy that was some burger- uh- burgers! I should order that next time." I left Momo dumbfounded and blushing a hundered different shades of red. I laughed inwardly.

"Uh... right then. Let's go... Early day tomorrow, and I'm getting sleepy. He stiffled a huge yawn and took my hand.

"Right..." I yawned. Hell that yawn was contagious.

We stopped just outside Momo's house. He gave me a light peck on the cheeck before going in.

I went into my room to change and brush my teeth before I sleep. Momo came in to say goodnight while I was fixing the last of my broken uniform.

"Hey. Not sleeping yet?"

"Gonna." I pulled the string and cut it off, then I tied a dead knot. "Done."

Momoshiro Takeshi//The key to my lock\\12

recap: "100%."

........................................

"God. You're a TENSAI!!!!! I only just passed..." He added meekly.

"Well, you would have passed better if you studied."

"But I DID study." He furrowed his eyebrows.

"Not enough then. If you want I can help you study." I offered.

"Thanks a million! You'll be saving my life!!" He jumped onto my back, wrapped his arms around my neck and stayed there.

"How long d'you think you're gonna stay up there?" I grasped his arm.

"Not for long! My place is just there. Just turn there, then there, then there, then there, and you'll be there!" He pointed out the directions.

"MOMO!!"

"Ah I was just joking. It's just by that corner-- really it is!" He ruffled my hair.

"Great, cuz you're really heavy."

Finally, we arrived. Momo leapt off my back and rang the doorbell. A woman(his mother perhaps)opened the door, followed by two cute little children(must be in elementary school).

"Takeshi! You're back!" Then she noticed me. "And- oh!- who's this?"

"Konichiwa auntie. I'm Momo's friend, Yameshu Shinera." His two siblings squealed when I said my name.

"Can she stay? She's been chased out of her home(Bloody Momo. I so have not been chased out of my home, and you know it.) and has nowhere to go." Momo asked. His two siblings squealed even more

"Oh the poor thing(Excuse me auntie. POOR THING?!). And she's such a pretty girl(uhm. I have an extra pair of specs, does she need them?) too. Of course she can stay. Oh! There's a free room down the hall, just beside Takeshi's one." Mrs. Momoshiro smiled.

"Arigato gozaimasu." I bowed. Momo winked at me and went in. I followed in behind him.

"SHINERA-NEECHAN!!! COME PLAY WITH USSS!!!!!" Both of his siblings squealed, tugging on each end of my shirt. I helplessly looked at Momo, who laughed.

"Hey. It's not funny! Come get them off me!" I was annoyed.

"HAHAHA.... OKok I'll make them stop. KIds, get down of Shinera- she needs to unpack." He said sternly.

"AWWW.... PLAY WITH US NEXT TIME THEN!!!" They let go. Gosh FINALLY. I thought they were never gonna let go.

"Uhh... Right. Next time." Like there'll ever BE a next time.

"Wow. This is some room." I gushed. It was true, my new room was nothing like my old one, and it was big too. I put my bag down beside the bed. I'll unpack later.

Sunday, 16 December 2007

Momoshiro Takeshi//the key to my lock\\11

Recap: "That's it." I affirmed. "Let's go then." I grabbed his hand and we climbed down the tree, with Momo turning red again.

.......................................................

He lead me to his house. Oh, did I say 'lead'? Hell, he walked so SLOWLY I constantly had to turn around and wait for him.

"Is that how fast you normally walk?" I asked incredulously.

"Hey! You walk fast!" He panted. I noticed he had to jog to keep up with me. And I wasn't even walking my fastest.

"I do?"

"YEAH!!"

"It's not my fastest speed."

"NANI?! IT'S NOT?!"

"Nope."

"Then what is?"

"Wanna race to find out?"

"Fine. Race you to that tree." He pointed to some random tree some 50m++ from where we stood.

"On. 1..." I readied myself.

"2..."

"3!!!" We both shouted and sprinted off. My feet pounded on the ground as I pulled my bag closer to my body to reduce air resistance. Oh shit. I forgot to put down my bag.

"First!!" I hit the tree and turned around. No one. I turned behind me. And can you believe it? Momo was still running. He touched about 3 seconds later.

"You can really run man. And with that bag." He goggled at me, panting. "Hey! Ypu're not even panting! How good are you?"

"But I wasn't even sprinting. That's why I'm not panting." I argued.

"Gosh how d'you train?" His eyes were bigger than saucers.

"Swimming and running 5km each per morning. Then there's morning swimming practice at school. And finally at night when I coach my neighbour's children I also swim myself." I counted off my fingers.

"With all that you still have time to do homework and housework? Mind, you train more than Mamushi- and he trains a lot."

"Yeah, why not? Homework's easy. And housework's not that bad either."

"Wow you must be really smart or something to say that homework's easy."

"Isn't it?" I asked in disbelief.

"Of course not!" He cried out.

"Well, it is for me."

"You're a genius, know that? How much did you score for the last math test?" Momo inquired.

"100%."

Momoshiro Takeshi//the key to my lock\\10

Recap:
It wasn't pity, it wasn't empathy, and it wasn't sympathy either. It was this...

......................................................


I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. Electricity rushed through my veins and my heart beated at 200km/h as we deepened the kiss, until finally we parted for air. Somehow, I didn't want it to end, but my eyes still showed nothing of the sort. Seriously, if you didn't show any emotion for 5 whole years, that would be enough practice.

"Yes..." I breathed. He cupped his hand against my face and rubbed my cheek with his thumb. I clasped his hand in mine, and I contorted my facial muscles, trying to smile. But I couldn't get my face to listen to me as I tried to do an action I hadn't done in a long time. I guessed Momo noticed.

"What's wrong?" He asked, concerned.

"Oh. Nothing." Like how could I tell him i forgot how to smile? I mean, I can't go like: Hey Momo it's just that I was trying to smile but I forgot how to. God that would be soooo retarded.

He hugged me, but then--

"Ita, Ita! My back you baka!" He'd pressed too hard on my back. Bloody hell, he has the memory span of like, a GOLDFISH. It just happened this morning, how could he have forgotten?

"Ah. Gomen gomen. Daijobu deska?" He rubbed his hair sheepishly.

"Daijobu daijobu."I unstuck my shirt from my wet back. Damn, that's gonna leave a stain. Blast you Momo. More laundry.

"Hai. Let's go then." He pulled on my hand adb prepared to climb down the tree.

"Go?" I was puzzled. "Go where?"

"Well, you don't expect me to let you stay here any longer, do you?"

"W-e-ll... Maybe not... But then where can I stay?"

"My place, of course! My parents should be fine with it..."

"Nah I shouldn't impose..."

"Come on... It's really okay." He urged.

"Fine if it makes you stop." I rolled my eyes. "Then how do I explain myself? I mean, I can't just stroll up to your house and say 'hello my Dad abuses me and I have nowhere to go now, Momo's my boyfriend he asked me to stay here for awhile.' can I? Nuh-uh that's completely idiotic."

"That... I really have to agree with you. But never mind, I'll do the explain- wait. Waddya just call me?" Momo suddenly stopped, leaving me wondering if I'd said something wrong.

"My boyfriend." I answered simply.

Momo flushed a few shades of red- from light pink, to red, to darker red.

"You really wanna be my... uh... girlfriend." He whispered.

"What I said."

"YOSH!!" He punched the air. I lifted a brow and looked at him. Some boyfriend...

"Uhm... Right. Anyway, give me a sec. I'll go get my stuff." I climbed back into my room and collected my stuff in my schoolbag. Wasn't much, really. Clothes, swimming gear, stuff in that cupboard, shoes and slippers etc. God. I never jnew I owned this little. My bag isn't even HEAVY. I climbed out to meet Momo.

"That's it?" He stared at my bag.

"That's it." I affirmed. "Let's go then." I grabbed his hand and we climbed down the tree, with Momo turning red again.

Saturday, 15 December 2007

Momoshiro Takeshi//The key to my lock\\9

Recap: "When I returned home a week later, Dad had already bought the dog whip, and that's when the abuses started." I looked at Momo. He clenched and unclenched his fists. I put my hands on his clenched ones.

..................................................

Momo looked up and into my eyes. I saw that look in his eyes from earlier, plus conern. I wondered what he saw in mine.

"Why have you never told anyone about this?" He demanded.

"Did anyone like, bother to give me a chance to?" I looked back into his violet ones. That look was still there, familiar, but so... so foreign. " You are the first person i have ever told. Don't you dare repeat this to anyone, or else.

"But...but... You need help!" He grabbed both of my hands. I pulled them away.

"You've done enough just by listening. Arigato." I nodded my head slightly and turned to climb down the tree. But Momo grabbed my hand again.

"Can't I do anything?"

"You've done enough for me already." I tried to pull away, but he pulled me back close to his body with one arm around my waist, leaving me with my hands on his chest.

With his free hand, he held my head close to his chest and ran his fingers across my hair. Well, my extremely short hair, it barely ran down my neck- so he couldn't brush much. Anyway, I heard his heartbeat slow and steady, I kinda just melted in with it. I closed my eyes, and wrapped my arms around his waist.

"Is this enough?" He lifted my head by my chin and looked deep into my eyes. Then, I realised what I'd saw in there earlier.

A pair of soft lips met mine.

It wasn't pity, it wasn't empathy, and it wasn't sympathy either. It was this...

Friday, 14 December 2007

Momoshiro Takeshi//The key to my lock\\8

recap: I locked the cupboard and climbed out of the window and back on the tree where Momo was waiting. I showed him the photograph.

...................................

"This was taken on my 5th birthday. Mum was still with us, and Dad hadn't tsken to drinking yet. I believed I had a happy fanily, until a year later. I was only 6. I heard Dad yelling at Mum for having been unfaithful to him. At that time, I didn't know what 'unfaithful' meant. But anyways, they had a heated argument, and it turned into a fight. I heard things being thrown about, and was terrified out of my wits. I hid in my room, cowering under my blanket. Next morning, Mum was gone, clothes and all- except for her wedding ring. Dad grew into depression and took to alcohol. That time, he hadn't started whipping me yet.

"That was... until my 8th birthday, when he gave me this birthday present." I turned with my back facing him and pulled off my shirt(Momo blushing a slight tinge of pink), revealing the two raw wounds I just got today, a number of others-from mere silvery wisps to harsh red strokes- and the untimate one of all: a thick red scar running from my left shoulder blade all the way down to my right waist. I heard Momo gasp.

"Oh my god. How the hell did you get THAT?" I could feel his eyes widening as he ran his forefinger down the bulging red streak. I shrugged my shirt back on.

"I was walking down the hall, and suddenly, pain seared through my entire body. I fell to the floor, and saw a big, bloody kitchen knife. There was a mirror in the hall, and I screamed at my reflection. My back and clothes were torn hideously apart from the shoulder to the waist. Fresh blood seeped all over my clothes. I looked up and saw my Dad, cackling away like a maniac.

"I crawled to my neighbour's house, leaving blood-stains where i left, and collapsed in their arms. Next thing I knew, I woke up in a hospital and my body was wrapped up in bandages. They said i got 100++ stitches, and asked how i got that gash. They asked a huge load of questions, but i never answered a single one of them. It was the last time i ever asked anyone for help, and the last time I'd ever cried, screamed, spoke or did any emotion for a long, long time.

"When I returned home a week later, Dad had already bought the dog whip, and that's when the abuses started." I looked at Momo. He clenched and unclenched his fists. I put my hands on his clenched ones.

Momoshiro Takeshi//The key to my lock\\7

Recap: I let the branch go. It swung back to its original position.

.............................................

"It's nothing." I returned to my place.

"Nothing?! Hey man, you're stronger than me! And I'm one of the most powerful power players in the team, other than Taka-san." Momo waved his arms about frantically.

"I repeat: It's nothing." I put my hands beind my head, what i usually do(if you haven't noticed, you are real slow.) I saw Momo's eyes travel up my arms to just under my sleeve. I looked at my arm. What was yesterday a raw red wound is now a swollen red tube. It bulged like a thin red snake up my arm.

"What d'you want me to tell you." I put my arms down and looked at Momo.

"Why you got that.. that thing on your arm, and why is your Dad so mean. He isn't fit to be your Dad." He scoffed. "Not even mamushi deserves him." He added in an undertone.

"The night before you saw me at the pool, Dad whipped me again. He was drunk- makes no difference as he's always drunk- and he always whips me for no reason at all."

"Waddya mean 'again'? You mean he always whips you?" Momo looked angry.

I studied this weird guy. Why's he so concerned about me? He'd only known me for a week.

"Yes..." I said slowly. "I should tell you the whole story. Otherwise you wouldn't understand." Momo nodded.

"ive me a second." I climbed back into my room, found a key and opened a dusty cupboard that apparently hadn't been opened in years. It was the cupboard I kept all my past memories, which i had locked 5 years ago when I forced myself to forget about my past. Inside, there were many precious treasures: Mum and Dad's wedding rings, Mum's ex-favourite bangle, a thick family photo album and the like, stuffs that i have saved before Mum left, before... before everything happened. I felt a terrible ache somewhere, something I hadn't felt in a long time. I brushed the thought away and blew away a thick dust cover off the album. I plucked out a photograph. It was cut into many pieces, then retaped back together. It showed a picture of me, Mum, and Dad when i was 5, on my birthday the year before Mum left. I was the cute chubby little girin the center with dancing midnight eyes and pale brown hair tied up in two cute little tufts. Mum was radiant and beautiful, Dad was charming and handsome.

I locked the cupboard and climbed out of the window and back on the tree where Momo was waiting. I showed him the photograph.

Thursday, 13 December 2007

Momoshiro Takeshi//The key to my lock\\6

Recap: Unbeknownst to me, someone had followed me all the way back to my home. That certain someone saw everything that happened through a window.

.........................................

"How can such a thing happen? And she didn't even cry out, even when the whip split her uniform. God, she's tough. Maybe the wound on her arm was caused by the whip! God, that's horrible." That paticular someone thought.

I limped back to my room to change. I only realised my uniform was torn apart in a big cross on my back, and stained with blood. In the mirror, I saw that my back was broken. Two long, raw slits ran across my back in a big cross. My cheek was stinging, my head was smarting, and my ear was as red as my back. I stepped under the shower, and my new wounds stund even worse. I bit my lip to cease the pain. After showering, I applied some ointment for wounds(with dome difficulty) on my back, and pulled on my shirt. I took my homework, my torn uniform and a sewing kit to mend it, climbed out of the window in my room and pulled myself onto the roof. It was my only refuge, I come here when i needed quiet. The place was entirely covered, so no one can see you, but you can see what the other people are doing. Plus, it was very close to the big tree beside your house, and you can easily climb onto it. A few years before, I tied a few of the sturdier branches together so that it formed something I could lie on. The leaves formed a thick canopy, so I wouldn't get wet even if it rained. I have never told anyone about this place, not even Dad knew. Then again, I never speak to anyone, and that worthless 'father' of mine is way too drunk to even notice there was a tree beside the house.

I was already on the roof and preparing to climb onto the tree when I noticed a dark figureleaning beside the tree-my tree.

What the, i thought furiously. NOBODY comes near my tree, OR my house. I climbed up the tree and looked down on the intruder. It was a guy- very obvious even from the top- and he had short and spikey black hair, and was wearing the Seigaku tennis club regulars' jacket.

Momo?! What the hell is he doing here? How on earth did he get here? He followed me? Damn i'm really gonna get him for this, I thought as I quietly climbed down the tree, and landed on the opposite side of him.

I turned to his side and saw that he was deep in thought.

Momo's-- THINKING??? That was different, but why did he come here to think> I could name him a hundred places for him to think- the library, for one, his own home, for another. But NOT my house. I tapped him on the shoulder.

"What're you doing at my house," I looked at my tree. "And under my tree.

"Daijobu deska, ne?" His violet eyes were full of concern. I was surprised- no one had ever looked at me like that for a long time- and here he was, doing exactly that.

"Daijobu daijobu. You haven't answered my question. What the hell are you doing here." I demanded.

"I saw your arm... You didn't look normal.. I followed you.. And I saw... I saw..." He trailed away, pointing from my left arm, to the window by the door, and finally shivering himself.

"So?" I eyed him.

"Why'd he do that? He split your uniform and you didn't even cry out!" He took my hand. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Let go," I said firmly. " I don't need your pity." I turned to walk away. But he didn't loosen his grip on my hand.

"Please," I said softly.

He let go of my hand, but before i could walk away, Momo grabbed my shoulders and turned around to face me.

"Please tell me. Maybe i can help you." His concerned violet eyes met your conceited midnight ones. I couldn't bear to look anymore-there was something about those eyes that scared me- so i closed my eyes.

"Fine. But not here. Follow me." Momo released me, and i began climbing up the tree. Momo stared at me.

"Up in a tree?" He asked incredulously.

"Baka. You walk through the front door and see what my father's gonna do to you. Go on. I dare you." He really was dense.

"Oh. Right. Right." He smiled sheepishly and followed me.

The nest of branches didn't look as if it would fit the both of us. I climbed back into my room and got some thick rope- the leftovers i had kept from tying the branches together a few years ago. I pulled a few more branches towards the makeshift nest and tied them securely together. Momo watched me wide-eyed.

"Don't you know how heavy these branches are." He stared at me as I did the work.

"Yeah I do. Don't worry. It's safe enough for both of us. Just the last bit... Eurrghh. Done." I pulled the last branch, tied it with the rest, and heaved a sigh of relief.

"I didn't mean that.. I mean... How come you can pull them together."

"I don't get you." I lay down on the makeshift nest.

"You're strong." He gaped.

"I'm not. Why don't you try." I pointed to one of the branches. Momo kneeled over and tried to pull it. After a few gasps, he gave up.

"Eurrgh. I can't pull it. Don't tell me you can?"

I opened an eye, leaned over the side and pulled.

"Sugoi!!"

I let the branch go. It swung back to its original position.

Momoshiro Takeshi//The key to my lock\\5

recap: My nose pumped out fresh, warm blood, and my head hurt.
I hurried to the bathroom to stop the bleeding.

.....................................................

Wasn't bleeding seriously, and i stopped it in no time. After cleaning up the mess-my blood-i grabbed my swimming stuff and notebook and ran to my neighbour's house to give the children their daily swimming lesson and tuition. Wasn't a bad job, really. I could do my training and my studies at the same time as i coached them. They paid me $2500 a month. At least the kids were obedient- 'cause I didn't like raising my voice.

Everyday passed almost the same: school, home, Dad, rooftop, work, home, school, home, Dad, rooftop, work.... Until the next Monday.

Swimming practices had just begun, and Monday was the competiton to decide the top 8 as regulars, and also the captain. Last year's captain had graduated. Needless to say, with all my training in the morning and at night, I easily got the regular place. And the best was usually chosen to be the captain, so I, being the fastest there, was made captain. Much to the protest of others. But i didn't care. I wasn't expecting the position, really, i never expected anything- it's another method i use to protect myself from getting hurt- I never get my hopes up. Saves the trouble of getting hurt later when you realise it didn't go the way you wanted it to go.

After practice, I went to the locker room to bathe and get changed. As I walked out, drying my short hair, i saw Momo. He seemed to be looking for someone. I walked up to him.

"Oh, Shinera-chan." I'd tapped him on the shoulder. At least he didn't call me SHINY-CHAN.

"You looking for someone." I folded my towel and stuffed it into my bag.

"You seen Harumi-sensei?(Harumi-sensei is the swimming club coach.) I needed to pass her someth-" His eyes snaked up my left arm until it paused just below my sleeve.

"What."I looked at my left arm. There was a thin, bright red, snake-like wound and it looked raw. Obviously for me, my father has lashed out at me yesterday, but Momo didn't know it. I swung my schoolbag over my left shoulder.

"It's nothing. Oh yes, if you need Harumi-sensei-she's over with the newbies beside the end of the pool." I pointed her out and walked away.

"But Shinera-chan..." He called out my name. I paused in midwalk, deciding to or not to turn around. I heaved a suppressed sigh, then continued walking in the same direction, leaving Momo looking kind of worried.

There's something wrong with her, he thought. But what? Momo closed his eyes, and walked off.

I arrived back home at 2.30pm , obviously very late, and Dad was furious.

As I entered the through the door, Dad slapped me. I flew back a little and my head crashed against the doorpost. I whrithed on the floor, clasping my head in my hands. Dad slammed the door shut, and the door hit my shin. I shot up and grabbed my leg. Then, Dad took out the familiar dog whip he'd used so many times before. I braced myself for the whip, tensing up my body so it would not hurt so bad. I heard the sound of the whip cracking, and suddenly, pain seared through my body. A gasp exited my mouth, and another searing pain engulfed me. Dad had struck again. But still, i never let more than a gasp leave my mouth. I don't want to give him the pleasure of seeing me weak. I grabbed the doorpost, panting. I pushed myself up, steadied myself, and limped past Dad. He grabbed my by the ear.

"Go cook something for me." He said meanacingly.

I forced myself to walk to the kitchen to prepare that worthless bum called 'Dad' his lunch. By the time i finished, i could hardly stand up properly. I limped back to my room at the end of the hall, wincing slightly with every step.

Unbeknownst to me, someone had followed me back to my home. That certain someone saw everything that happened through a window.

Momoshiro Takeshi//key to my lock\\4

Recap:5mins left. I kept my notebook, grabbed my P.E. attire and went to change.

....................................

When I stepped out of the locker room, everyone started to whisper and stare at me again. I put my arms behind my back and walked to the fence and leaned on it. The P.E. teacher had not arrived, and everyone went back to their screaming and shouting and running around. Everyone, except, of course, the viper. He was standing at the other corner of the courtyard, hissing. I spotted Momo somewhere in the middle of the courtyard, laughing very loudly with his friends. As very usual, they weren't so hard to find. I sat down and propped my knees close to my body. Dad whipped me again last night, so i cannot sit on my right thigh. It hurts if i do, but the wound itself isn't that bad. I'm so used to it that i don't even scream or cry when Dad whips me. Screaming and crying is a sign of weakness, and i am not weak. I do not give anyone the pleasure of calling me weak.

I heard someone sit down beside me. I continued to stare at the piece of ground in front of me.

"Why don't you go hand with the others." It was Kaidoh.

"I don't hang with people." I looked up and turned to face him. " Then why don't you go hand with them."

"Fssuuuhh. Same reason."

"You're hanging with me." I eyed him.

"I'm talking to you. That doesn't count."

"Does." I closed my eyes and put my hands behind my head. I saw Kaidoh follow the trail of my arm to my head. I don't blame him, loads of people do. Thankfully the guys' uniform had long sleeves and long pants. My legs were worse, i can tell you. Many people have freaked out at the sight of it. I wore the long P.E. pants to prevent people from staring at me. Anyway, my arms were covered in bruises and snake'like silvery streaks everywhere. There you have it- results of my Dad's work. Of course, i didn't tell Kaidoh.

"Can i ask you something?" Kaidoh looked at me.

"You just did." I closed my eyes.

"Fssuuuh. I meant- fine, another one more then."

"Whatever."

"Why d'you have a girl's name?" I thought he was going to ask about my arms.

"It's obvious." I lay down on my back (well, you know. when gravity pulls on you and when you lie down it isn't very hard to see.), opening one of my eyes and squintiing in the sunlight. It had to be a trick of the light, 'cause i thought i saw two patches of light pink blossoming on his cheeks. He turned away immediately, and i brushed that thought aside.

I saw Momo approaching, but suddenly a whistle sounded- the P.E. teacher was here. We all got into our positions .

Afterwards, when the last lesson of the day ended, i ran off before everyone else. It was almost 2pm, and if i was late, Dad wouldn't hesitate to kill me. Not that I was afraid of him, but I didn't want to take any chances. Swimming practices hadn't started for the year, so i sprinted off to buy something for Dad.

Dad was still sleeping when i returned home, so i just left the packetof rice on the table, got back to my room to change. I didn't have homework(first day of school hello?), so i got down to do the housework. Halfway through washing the dishes, I hear Dad wake up.

He stumbled over to the table and started eating his lunch. I continued with the dishes lifelessly. When he finished eating, he started hurling verbal insults and abuse at me. I pretended not to hear, dried the last dish and walked away. He slapped me with such force that i fell to the floor, he pulled my hair and rammed my face into the kitchen cabinet. Then, he walked away, cackling like a maniac.

My nose pumped out fresh, warm blood, and my head hurt. I hurried to the bathroom to stop the bleeding.

Momoshiro Takeshi//The key to my lock\\3

Recap: Asi sat, I felt paper crunch under me.
Must be Momo, I thought, I wouldn't bet on Kaidoh.

....................................................................................

I looked behind, but Momo was reading and did not notice me looking. I shrugged and straightened the crunched-up the paper under the table so i could read it.

"Hey! Isn't 'Shirena' a girl's name?"It read.

Yup. DEFINITELY Momo.

"So what." I threw it behind me.

"??? So... What's with the name?" It landed on my lap. Some tennis player, I thought.

"I. Am. A. Girl."

"Ohh...I uh... I didn't notice... What's with the guy uniform?"

"None of your business."

"Aww... Come on tell me. Pleassee??"

"You'll see in P.E. later. Now please stop disturbing me." Unless you want to die of terror, I thought to myself.

"Right^^. Oh yes- your english really is great:D"

At this, I still showed no emotion. As i said, i don't really bother hiding my scars-but i usually do because people stare too much(some have even fainted)- and i do not fall for praise.

The rest of the morning lessons flew by, and the bell rang for lunch. I waited for the rest of the class to to leave before i did-another thing on my 'hate list'-jostling crowds, that's why i almost never go shopping. Too many people, i hate people.

Anyway, I went down with my bento. Too late- all the seats were taken, either that or they were all much too noisy. I looked around, there was only one table where only one person was sitting and that was-

"Fssuuuhh..."

Yes. I approached the viper.

"You mind." I said.

"Fssuuuuh. Whatever."

I sat down opposite him and started eating. Although i didn't look up until i finished my food, I felt Kaidoh's gaze on me. After i swallowed my last mouthful, i lifted up my head suddenly. Kaodoh looked surprised at my sudden movement, and hastily continued finishing the last of his lunch.

As i was about to go clear my plate, that Momo came, again. Probably to provoke Kaidoh. Like, when will he ever learn.

I stood up just as he called out.

"Hey! Mamushi! Shiny-chan!!" I paused.

"Shiny-chan??" I mouthed. Who th hell does this guy think he is? I thought. NOBODY calls ME SHINY-CHAN, and GETS away with it.

I heard Kaidoh snigger, but turned it into a cough, then quickly disguised it as a hiss. Momo had already reached the table. I stepped up to him.

"Who d'you think you're calling SHINY-CHAN?" I narrowed my eyes.

He sweatdropped.

"Uh...uh...well...I...uh..." He gulped.

I wasn't expecting a reply, i never do. He didn't look like he would manage to reply anyway, stuttering and blabbering away like an idiot. I raised a hand and he stopped immediately. I picked up my tray and went to clear it.

"Nani?" He scratched his hair. What's up with her? He thought.

"Fssuuhh. Baka." That was the last thing I heard before they started quarrelling, again. I headed off to the classroom. There was still about 15 mins to the next class, P.E. I plugged in my earphones an took out my swimming notebook. I began to jot down new swimming drills and techniques. My job was to coach a wealthy neighbour's children in swimming and also in their studies. Also, i had joined the swimming club the year before and made it to the regulars. I needed to train. After much erasing and cancelling, i finally settled on a new drill and training schedule.

5 mins left to P.E. I kept my notebook, grabbed my P.E. attire and went to change.

Tuesday, 11 December 2007

Momoshiro Takeshi//The key to my lock\\2

Recap: "Fssuuhhh...."

.....................................................................

Did that guy just hiss? Oh yes. Kaidoh Kaoru-kun, the mamushi(viper) of the Seigaku Tennis guy club, I thougt to myself. Wonderful, i had the honour of meeting the viper in person, and the totally once-in-a-lifetime chance of sitting beside him. Man, you should really congragulate yourself yeah Shinera.

I dipped my head in response and turned back to the board and back to the same position. I felt his gaze still on me, but i didn't bother to care. I heard him hiss again and turn away not too long later.
Well, not such a bad start. At least this guy doesn't make much noise... no, correction, except for that spastic hiss, he doesn't speak much. That's good.

"Oioi Mamushi!" Damn. I forgot that baka Momoshiro. He was so loud that I could even hear him through my earphones. Probably he came to annoy Kaidoh again. Damn was he annoying. Anyway, i didn't hear Kaidoh reply, or maybe he didn't, and not that i wanted to anyway. The whiteboard was looking V-E-R-Y interesting today.

"yare yare mamushi!No need to use that tone with me." then, Momoshiro's gaze fell on me, i felt it.

"heh? Who's that?" I pretended not to hear.

He came closer to take a better look at me, way too close-- his face was inches away from mine. I didn't move my gaze-it was still where it was earlier-, completely obvious to the guy in front of me. Momo blinked, and waved a hand in front of my eyes. I removed my earphones and looked at him with completely emotionless black eyes. He smiled his GIGANTIC goofy grin and introduced himself.

"Watashi wa Momoshiro, but you can call me Momo." He extended out his hand to me.

"Yameshu Shinera." I said without taking his hand, turning to my bag to keep my earphones.

Kaidoh hissed again.

"Fssuuhh..."

Momo blinked, and looked as if he wanted to say something, but i busied myself by taking my own sweet time to keep my earphones, also completely ignoring him as i did just now.

"Nani(what)?" Momo scratched his spiky black hair.

"He's already told you, now get lost you baka. Fssuuuhh..."

"hey don't call me baka, mamushi!"

"No one tells me what to do."

With that, they started their bickering. Everyone in class looked at them in horror. Everyone, except me, of course. I was still packing mt earphones, taking a much longer time than usual. Finished, i returned to staring at the whiteboard. A shape darkened on the board and formed a shadow.

"teacher's here." I closed my eyes.

Harumi-sensei, our english teacher, had just walked into class.Kaidoh and Momo stopped their quarrelling immediately, and stared at me for a moment. I pretended not to see, or care. everyone else returned to their seats. Momo trooped off, fuming, and Kaidoh just hissed. Me? I took out my english book, like nothing happened.

English passed as normal, with some new(and confusing) words like 'house' and 'houses', 'mouse' and 'mice'. And, of course, Momo talked so much with his friend he was sitting beside that the teacher got so mad she made him sit at the extra seat at the back of the class- which so coincidentally happened to be right behind mine- where he supposedly couldn't talk to anyone and 'disrupt the lesson', so she said.

Then, Harumi-sensei passed all of us a sheet of composition and picked us one by one to read it out loud. Then, she called out my name.

"Shinera! Line 15 please."

I stood up and read the line, ignoring the 923300011 stares i received as I did so. When i finished, i heard loads of whispering around me. I put the paper down and look at Harumi-sensei.

"May I sit?" I pointed to the chair behind me.

"Yes, you may. oh! And Shinera, your english is good. Great job." Harumi-sensei smiled.

I did a single nod and sat down.

"Momoshiro! You're next." Harumi-sensei called out.

As i sat, i felt paper crunch under me.

Must be Momo, I thought, I wouldn't bet on Kaodoh.

Momoshiro Takeshi//The key to my lock\\1

Intro: Your name is Shinera Yameshu(last, first).
No siblings, not that you wanted any.
You live with a worthless drunkard of a father. Your mum left in the middle of the night when you were 6. Apparently, you heard your parents screaming at each other from your room. Really, it was a loud "discusion", and your room was way~~ down the hall, thier's was the first on the left. The next day, your mum was gone- clothes, bags, jewelery and all. Your dad was heartbroken, and he soon took to alcohol. He would come home dead drunk each midnight, reeking of alcohol, and goodness knows how many drinks he has had. He never worked, and you had to support the worthless bum and yourself. But his habit was that he would wake up at 6 for his breakfast, then go back to sleep, or drink, again. Then, he would expect lunch at 2. But his official drinking spree started after dinner, which he never took at home. He never does any housework, but expects the house to be clean. So, YOU have to do it all. If you don't properly "adhere" to his "rules", then he would lash out at you with the dog whip. But that makes no difference-he whips/slaps/punches you as and when he feels like it, all with or without a reason.

You find it hard to remember that, just a mere 5 years ago, you used to look back into your past for comfort. Three of you had made a happy family. But ever since that horrible incident, you threw away your past, and you don't give half a damn about what lies in the future. You never recall your past to yourself. You find no comfort in anything, and you haven't shown an expression in 5 years. No tears falling from your eyes, no smile gracing your lips, no shout escaping your mouth, even when your father abuses you. Throughout the 5 years, your eyes showed no expression, and no hope for anything. You have long forgotten that happy family, and that cute little girl that once was you, and your life. You keep to yourself, you trust no one, and you don't carry high hopes for anything. That way, no one can hurt you, and you cannot be hurt if anyone tries to. In short, you numb yourself to everything around you.

You are a natural scholar, and you go through your schoolwork easily. You have a scholarship that pays for all your school and tuition fees. But people don't come to you for help. Why? Because of your appearance. You never work the girls' uniform, prefering to wear the guys' one. You hated skirts and flashy colours, with an UNDYING passion. You pale brown hair is always cut relatively short that it sticks up, and many times you get mistaken for a guy. Your eyes are a dull, midnight black. But, they weren't always dull. There was one a time when your midnight eyes shone and danced with happiness. Now, they displayed no emotion. You are also a swimmer. Your body is muscular, and that comes in handy when your father whips/punches you. When you tense up your body, the blows aren't that painful. You either run or swim in the morning, but mainly, you swim. People say you swim/run a marathon/biathlon, but you call it morning jog/swim.

You avoid questions at ALL costs, and you don't speak, even when spoken to, unless absolute necessary. And, you don't discriminate: you hate everyone.

So, the story starts on the first day of your second year. It's all in your P.O.V.

The school bell rang, but i was already in class. *My new class*, my remembered. Somehow, i was transferred out. I rested your chin on your propped-up knuckles and stared blankly at the board. Just then, everyone rushed into the class, and the noise level grew. I plugged in your earphones, and turned volume up on max, but continued staring at the board, until someone sat in the free seat next to me. I started, and looked at this person. He-yes a he- wore a green bandana under his long spiky black hair. He suddenly turned to face me, as though he realised i was watching.

"Fsuuuhhh....."