It's Not Stalking [Tsuyoi or Gakuto/open]

[Birdie]

Kouhei listened with an almost uncharacteristic silence. He flushed when he was called gorgeous and felt quite good about it. Not many people said such things to him. He was sure the girl would change her mind once she figured out his sex. But for now he would bask in this compliment. He nodded every now and then and smiled brightly when his socks were complimented. When it came to boys not looking you in the eye Kouhei nodded in agreement.

"These socks?" she began. She gestured to her brightly colored socks. "Well, I got these a couple months ago at X-Shop in the mall. You know, the one with the clothes that look like they should be on ravers? I could probably get you a pair. I've got connections in that company." He smiled, proud with himself.

"And I totally know what you mean about guys never looking you in the eyes. Normally they don't rest on my breasts cuz i don't have any, but they roam all over my body and it feels like they're undressing me and it's just creepy." He shivered violently to prove his point then took a bite of his ice cream.

"As for schools... I got to (insert school name here). With Tsuyoi-senpai. There are a few Yankees in that school so my silvery hair isn't all that noticeable really. Plus I'm so little that I'm sort of hidden." he stuck out his tongue, though he wasn't really displeased with his height. He rather liked it and had come in useful for his previous job.

The tiny okama took another bite of ice cream. "Ren isn't nearly cute enough for you." Kouhei tapped his chin. "Ren-chan... Renrin." Kouhei grinned brightly. "Renrin is perfect!" He clapped his hands, obviously proud of himself.

[Aiko]

“Renrin?![/i]” Ren could barely pronounce the made-up word. It came out sounding faintly like “rah-rah.” “Sort of growly, don’t you think?[/i]” she said critically a moment before relenting. “I mean, thanks for the name and all, but I like Ren-chan. I’m more likely to respond to it, anyway, than Rah-rah.[/i]” Her still-red face darkened a smidgen, and the American ducked behind her tea, scowling in embarrassment. What gives me the right to be so critical, anyway? she wondered. She downed a swig of tea, scalding her tongue. She felt the hot liquid swish down her throat and straight down into her stomach. It was a common sensation when drinking something hot in cold weather. Though her tongue hurt, Ren-chan tried to continue talking to Kouhei-chan.

“Oh, don’t listen to me,[/i]” she advised, flapping a delicate hand like a fish on land. “I’m just all… all… fault-finding-ish like that.[/i]” Trying to hide her inability to figure out exactly what it was she was trying to communicate to poor Kouhei-chan, she chugged some more tea. The tea seemed to have the same effect on her that alcohol should. She gasped, pulling the cup away from her lips as a smile tugged at them. “Never mind,[/i]” she concluded. “Call me Ren-chan because I can pronounce it.[/i]” Like that settled the matter, she swallowed another mouthful of tea before forcing herself to put the cup down.

Leaning back against her chair, Renée laced her fingers together as she rested her hands on the table before her, resisting the temptation to curl them around her tea. “Hmm…” She hummed, sounding exaggeratedly thoughtful. After a lazy blink in Kouhei’s direction, she said slowly, “Ya know, I really like your style. Clothes-wise, anyway. And you know what?[/i]” Without warning, she bolted upright, her hands moving quickly to grip the edge of the table in her feverish intensity. “We should go shopping together sometime! Show me where you got those fricking amazing socks![/i]” She grinned smugly, congratulating herself on a brilliant idea. She snatched up her purse and withdrew a mobile phone. “Can I have your number?[/i]” she asked, the tea making her more audacious and outgoing than she would normally be.

[Birdie]

Kouhei smiled. "All right, Ren-chan it is. I don't mind." He laughed softly and nibbled his ice cream, watching the girl flustered herself. She was really quite amusing. He liked her. It wasn't often that he could really get along with another girl like this. Most hated him for being an okama or stealing away their men. So this was fun.

Kouhei sat back in shock, his hands drawn up and his teeth gritted together as he stared at the suddenly standing Ren-chan. She seemed to be spazzing out for what ever reason. He reached out, took her cup and stared into it. he sniffed it, tasted it, and set it back down after he was satisfied there was nothing in it. He then burst out laughing. "Oh, gosh, sorry. It was just really surprised. You're acting the opposite of how you were before. You keep on my toes." He then gave her his cell number as he dug out his own. "Give me yours too. I can show you the shop now. We should go find Tsuyoi-senpai. Maybe he'd like to go with us." Kouhei often fed off of the energy of others. If some one else was happy it was inevitable that he was going to be too. He took a few more bites of his ice cream. "Wanna go now?"

[Aiko]

As the girl sat back down, her grinning mouth released a giggle. “What can I say? I’m a bit of a spaz,[/i]” she admitted. “But hey, if you’ve never tried it, you should. Crazy is a very fun state of being.[/i]” Ren-chan added her newest and first friend that she’d made in Japan to her contacts, and recited her number to Kouhei. It took her a moment, though, to recall her own phone number. “You know,[/i]” she said contemplatively, “it’s always hard to remember your own number. I mean, when do you ever call yourself? Except when you lose your phone.[/i]” She laughed at the thought. It was so easy to laugh around Kouhei-chan; she was so energetic and spunky and flat-out fun!

She deposited her phone in her purse again, dropped her purse in her teal backpack, and slung the bag over one shoulder. “Alright![/i]” she laughed, agreeing to Kouhei’s idea to go right then and there. The spontaneity of the idea intrigued and excited her. “Any chance we could stop off at my house first?[/i]” After a heartbeat of reconsidering, she added, “All my money’s back at the apartment, and if you guys wouldn’t mind waiting, I could change really fast.[/i]” Already, her mind was rooting through her drawers, trying to pick out a fun outfit that would be good for shopping at this illustrious X-Shop. She gestured at herself, saying, “I mean, I’m still in my school clothes.[/i]” Hastily, she added, “But if you want to go now, that’s cool, too. But if the store’s at the mall, my building is right along the way.[/i]” Ren-chan picked up her tea again and chugged the remains while Kouhei replied.

[Birdie]

Kuohei grinned. "Yeah, and I'm not good with numbers in the first place. I sort of write the number on my cell phone just in case." Maybe that was the reason random men would call his phone. It was kind of creepy, but if anyone saw his cell phone and wrote it down they could call. Now he felt a bit stupid but said nothing. Kouhei nodded.

"Sure, if you want to. I'm fine with it. Even if it was out o the way. I wonder where senpai is though." Kouhei began to go through his contacts on his phone before finding the number. It would be first time he ever used it... Tsuyoi probably didn't even know he had it... He sort of... 'borrowed' it from an order form he 'found' in Gakuto's shop. He only had it for just in case. He stared at the number for a long moment while Ren tried to guzzle her hot tea. He snacked absent mindedly on his ice cream until he finally pressed the button. He was a bright red as he awaited. Would Tsuyoi even pick up the phone? It was probably an unknown number.

While the cell rang Kouhei stood up, waiting for Ren before starting out the door of the little shop. His trying really hard, and failing, not to show his embarrassment.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Tsuyoi made his way out of the shop after listening to a few more whines and complained from Gakuto. He walked out the door, fiddling with his zune that was in his right jean pocket as his phone rang in his left pocket. He blinked, curious on who it was as he took out his phone and glanced at the number. He frowned before answering, bring the phone to his ear. "Who is this?"

Tsuyoi started to walk down the sidewalk, listening to the voice on the phone.

[Aiko]

Writing your number right on your cell phone. That’s sheer genius, that is! Ren wondered if she should do that, and concluded that if she did, she did. Eventually, if she decided to do so, she would, but she wouldn’t at the moment. At the moment, she was too busy guzzling tea that still burned off her taste buds. By the time she was finished, Kouhei was already fiddling with his phone. Ren wiped her stinging lips with the back of her hand, then wandered over to the nearest trash can. She pushed the receptacle open with the tiniest amount of skin touching it she could manage, and quickly tossed her now-empty cup into the depths. She immediately let the flap fall again, and began to dust off her fingers, as if by touching a garbage can she might have contracted the plague.

As she finished, Renée happened to glance in Kouhei-chan’s direction. Normally, Renée was the one who would be blushing in random situations, and she barely noticed when other people did. However, the smaller girl’s face was such a vibrant vermillion color that the pale-skinned American had to pause and note it. But she was calling Tsuyoi, right? Maybe she doesn’t like talking on phones or something, Ren-chan concluded, shifting the weight of her backpack as she moved closer to her small-statured friend, trying to listen in on the conversation.

[Birdie]

Kouhei's hand jumped up to his lips as Tsuyoi answered. The blush darkened even more, if that was possible. "Ah, senpai. Sorry... But, umm... Ren-chan and I were wondering if you would like to come shopping with us." he felt silly asking Tsuyoi. He was a guy, he wouldn't like to shop. "I mean, if you don't want to that's fine. You probably don't. I don't know why I just called you.. haa haa..." he laughed, sounding a bit weak. The boy had thoroughly embarrassed himself now.

He glanced at Renee with a small smile. She could probably follow only half the conversation, but the sound of his voice and the huge blush on his face probably gave him away. He was waiting for Tsuyoi to ask him how he had gotten the number. Maybe he would get annoyed. He seemed to get annoyed with Kouhei a lot.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Tsuyoi paused, hearing the voice on the other line. Kouhei? He stared ahead of him, listening to the mutterings of the emberassed boy. He could only assume as such by how he spoke. He could practically see the red cheeks on that Kouhei's face.

"Where are you? And when I get there, you're explaining how you got my number."

[Birdie]

"Meep!" He giggled uncomfortably. That was going to take a lot of explanation. "The number fairy gave it to me! I swear!" he grinned. "Anyway, we're headed to the mall. We'll stand right inside the doors on the front entrance." Kouhei didn't want to stand about in the cold. "Later, senpai."

He grabbed Ren's hand as he snapped his phone shut and shoved it in his purse. "Looks like Tsuyoi's going to come with us. I was expecting him to turn me down. He's mad at me though. He wants to know how I got his number." His blush lessened as he stuck his tongue out. He chatted idly about things like make-up techniques, clothes, and pop stars. He also asked things about America. It had been a long time since he last went.

"So, where's your home? I haven't a clue so you're gonna have to lead." he had been leading with out having a clue as to where he was going.

[Aiko]

Again, Renée laughed easily whenever Kouhei-chan spoke. It was so easy to be loose and carefree around her! She was such a friendly little spirit that the American was soon lost in her random jibbering. Mostly, Ren only listened to the talk about make-up and pop stars and clothing, since she wasn’t very well-versed in such subjects, but as soon as Kouhei brought up America, the girl who was from there brightened. Here was a subject she understood! She answered her new friend’s questions to the best of her ability, though, as usual, she was so wrapped up in her own little world she couldn’t answer many of the most general questions her companion asked.

At her friend’s final question, though, Ren-chan giggled again. “I was just thinking that. No, I wasn’t, but still.[/i]” Taking the lead, the taller girl said, “This way.[/i]” It was only a couple of blocks until the pair of girls reached what was clearly an economical apartment building. The American led up a few flights of steps with bouncy energy, shrugged off her backpack and rummaged around for her keys. Holding up the piece of pink metal, she bubbled, “Isn’t this cute?[/i]” Then she unlocked the door and led the way into the messy three-room apartment.

Ren gestured to the cozy leather chair in the main room. “Sit down, relax, look around, I’ll be back in a minute.[/i]” Renée hurried into the tiny room that served as her bedroom and shut the door behind her.

There would be plenty for Kouhei to look at, if she was interested. In front of the chair was a coffee table, on which were scattered fantasy novels, a dictionary, and a book entitled Grimm’s Fairy Tales: A Compilation. In the center of the coffee table, though, where Ren had forgotten it, was a diary, open to a page dated a few days back. The entry was simple: “So boring here in Japan. Can’t wait to go home and see my friends again. I really miss Brandon, even if he is a bastard, and Erin. Actually… I just miss everybody.” Following was a rather tedious list of people she missed. There was a stack of manga on one side of the coffee table, and on the end table beside the leather chair was a pile of cooking magazines. On the other side of the coffee table was a small television with a gaming system hooked up to it. On the other end of the room was the kitchen area, with the small folding table and its two chairs crammed almost directly against the fridge. The lighting was dim, and the only window in the apartment wasn’t in this room. On the walls hung a few spare movie posters and a calendar featuring dogs.

It was about five minutes before Renée reemerged from her room. Now she wore a white shirt under a dull green but stylish sweater, which hung above a pair of form-fitting blue jeans. On the American’s feet were nondescript black shoes and around her neck was a black choker with a silver flower pendant. Now her long hair hung loosely over her shoulders, billowing thickly as she hurried out the door. “Sorry to keep you waiting!” she puffed, carrying the flashy sequined purse over one shoulder. “I really did try to hurry, but… I dunno, I’ll make up an excuse later.[/i]” She flashed a grin at Kouhei and stuck out her arm, intending to link it with Kouhei’s. “Shall we?[/i]”

[Birdie]

Kouhei nodded. It was a very cute key. His own was in rainbow color, for reasons obvious only to those who knew him and what he was. He would have to tell Ren-chan eventually. She would have to find out. He wondered if she would still be his friend if she knew. He would save it for later. Much later.

He plopped down on the chair, curious about the things around him. he noticed the unassuming little book and picked it up. He blushed as he realized it was a diary and immediately closed it and put it back. He continued look about the comfortable, probably expensive flat. It was so strange, his friends were rich. Her own father invented toys for a toy company. He was the upper middle class, then... or lower upper class. It didn't really matter. His family was well off, and that was all that mattered.

He grinned brightly when Ren came out. "No problem. It didn't take you that long. No excuse necessary. You look much cuter this way." He took the offered arm. "Will you lead the way down stairs, I, sorta forgot." obviously he was used to the way Americans were very touchy feel-y. Japanese usually refrained from physical contact unless it was necessary.

It didn't actually take long to get to the mall. Kouhei lead Ren toward the front and entered the doors. That area, between the outside and inside of the mall is always warmer than either. It was Kouhei's favorite spot to wait.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Tsuyoi placed his phone into his pocket, determined to make his way to the mall. He would find out how Kouhei got his number. Of course, he didn't really care that Kouhei had his number, didn't mind at all. Good excuse though. Still had to find out, he was rather curious. He walked down the sidewalk, making his way to the mall and knowing he was going in the right direction when more people began to appear around him. He could see them through the glass doors to the entrance, opening them he went to the group.

"You have explaining to do, Kouhei."

[Aiko]

Again, laughter was bubbling up from Renée’s throat when Kouhei admitted to her short-termed memory loss. “Okay, but then you have to lead me to the mall,[/i]” she compromised, grinning as her small-of-stature friend linked arms with her. It had been too long since Ren-chan had had a friend with whom she could probably get away with skipping down the street. It hadn’t been… since being in America, actually. Kouhei was just such a great girl! Renée led her down the stairs, and let the shorter femme take the lead as soon as they were out of the apartment building.

Despite her wearing only a sweater, Ren-chan felt moderately warm as she walked with Kouhei down the crystal-paved street. However, that apparently had more to do with her emotions than her physical state of being, for when the pair walked into the mall… “Oh![/b]” Renée moaned. Her cheeks and nose felt raw, though her ears were protected by her thick hair. Unhooking her arm from Kouhei-chan’s, she tried rubbing feeling back into her numbed cheeks, into which feeling had just returned, then yelped as she realized her hands weren’t any better off. Even though they were now inside the glass doors, Ren stuck her hands under her armpits, though by how they were in pain, she knew they’d get better soon. It was when there wasn’t any feeling at all that she really had to worry.

It wasn’t long waiting for Tsuyoi to arrive. The American girl saw his white head making its way towards them even from beyond the glass doors. To her dismay, though, the first words that came out of his mouth were the garbled mess of conversational Japanese. Ren was barely able to catch on, but following along was impossible. She did not understand the Japanese word for “explaining” and, since that was a critical part of his statement, she didn’t understand at all. Even though Tsuyoi had clearly been addressing her companion, Ren burst out, “I do not understand!” Switching to her native tongue, she said, “Speak English so everybody knows what’s going on.[/i]”

[Birdie]

Kouhei giggled, watching Ren get all flustered, finally realizing she was, in fact, in the cold. Kouhei was only wearing his rainbow scarf and so he was also rubbing his hands together and his cheek, nose, and ears to try and get the blood flowing through them correctly. He hated the cold. "Give me your hands." he laughed, taking her hands in his and rubbing them. It would help.

Kouhei jumped and brought his hand back to his sides. Tsuyoi seemed to come out of no where. Wide green eyes looked up at the white haired male sheepishly. "Ah... about that..." Then Ren burst out with her own remark. Kouhei began to giggle. His green eyes sparkled with amusement. "I'm in trouble for even having senpai's number. He didn't give it to me." He blushed, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment. His eyes then turned to Tsuyoi.

"I saw an order form sitting on the counter. Gakuto-sama was with another customer... So I took a look, I guess I'm a bit too nosy. Anyway, I noticed you name... and then there was your number, and... I-sort-of-borrowed-it." The last few words were jumbled together as he closed his eyes and spat out his confession. he then brought his hands up to his face, to hide it. "I'm so sorry. I couldn't help it. It's just... Lately..." He paused and switched to Japanese, hoping against hope that Renee couldn't understand what he was going to say. "I think I'm being followed... By... an ex-customer... He called me a couple weeks ago. He got really mad when I wouldn't meet him..." His Japanese was spoken quickly, so that Renee couldn't catch on. His voice was light and non-committal. It was more conversational. "I'm so sorry!" He brought his hands down and bowed. Of course this gave the small group of people behind him a nice view up his skirt. Not that Kouhei noticed.