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zarahjoyce) wrote2012-09-01 12:03 am
zarahjoyce) wrote2012-09-01 12:03 am
Entry tags:
KRF Fic: Changes
Rating: G
Summary: "Amanogawa changed him for the better. I think we can all agree to that."
Notes: Requested by ridingthekamen from Tumblr! This... may have turned out a bit differently from what was originally requested, but I couldn't resist ;3
Perhaps she should have called to tell him she was coming. Perhaps she should have pulled JK to tag along with her here.
But she didn't, and now she had to suffer the consequences.
Tomoko gripped her bag tightly, as she walked towards the gates of Subaraboshi High School. Such ugly memories she had here, in this school - Ryusei-san's betrayal, Gentarou-san's death, the Aries Zodiart's reign of absolute terror. Remembering them made her steps slower, more so because she had no one to distract her from them. There was also the fact that her uniform completely set her aside from the Subaraboshi students - she could feel their eyes on her as she passed by, could see them wondering why she was here.
She walked to a corner, opened her bag, and took out her white snake skin. Tomoko crumpled it in her palm and moved forward, allowing the skin to tell her where she should go next, and quickly at that. Soon, Tomoko was walking to an open field, where lots of students could be seen loitering about. Some were formed in groups, practicing some sort of dance. Others were huddled together - perhaps studying, or merely chatting with each other. In the far left were a number of students - mostly male ones - doing routines that were somehow familiar to her, and she soon realized why--
--they were doing some of Meteor's moves.
True enough, she saw Ryusei standing in front of the group, shouting one command after another.
Tomoko smiled in relief. Her white snake skin had yet to fail her when she wanted to find something or, in this case, someone, no matter how creepy others thought it was. Carefully, she hid it in her bag, then gingerly made her way towards where Ryusei was. Not wanting to let herself be seen, Tomoko headed towards a tree near the practice area and stood there, content to watch him for now. It would be rude of her to call him while he was in the middle of practice, after all - besides, she didn't yet know what to tell him anyway.
It was different, not having him in the Kamen Rider Club. She'd be lying if she said she didn't miss him. With him gone, JK had been her constant company. JK, as always, was loud, entertaining, and funny - but sometimes, Tomoko craved silence, moments when she could just sit somewhere and think. JK had always become antsy when she'd gone too quiet and usually did something to distract her - something that bothered and annoyed Tomoko sometimes. She liked the quiet, after all.
Ryusei did too, she recalled. She couldn't count the number of times they just sat together in silence, allowed others to do the talking. He knew when to talk, and when it was unnecessary to do so. Tomoko liked that about him.
Watching him practice the group now, one wouldn't believe Ryusei to be that type of person. There was an assured, apparent kind of confidence in him as he barked one command after another, as he corrected a student's mistake with an air of authority one would expect from someone like Miu - not from a reserved, calm person like him.
Then again, Sakuta Ryusei always had the ability to surprise those around him. He'd proven that to her and to the club time and again.
"Hello."
Tomoko almost jumped and turned, as if she'd been caught doing something she shouldn't - which, of course, was a bit true in this case. But what made her even more nervous was the fact that it was that girl who had caught her. Shirakawa Mei - Ryusei's supposed girlfriend here at Subaraboshi.
"Shi-Shirakawa-san," Tomoko mumbled, instinctively taking a step away from her. Not that there was any need to; Shirakawa-san was smiling, after all, with no hint of malice anywhere on her person - even her aura. To everyone else, she was only being friendly.
That didn't stop Tomoko from feeling a bit apprehensive in her company.
"You're from Amanogawa High School, aren't you? Kisaragi-kun and Yuuki-san's friend." Here, Mei stepped closer to her, still wearing a genuine smile. "I'm sorry. I don't think I caught your name before."
"N-Nozama T-Tomoko," she said in a low voice.
"Ah. Nozama-san." Mei nodded to herself, as if committing that name to memory. "It's been a long time since that day, isn't it? Since Kisaragi-kun freed us from Yamada-kun's control." A contemplative look appeared on her face, then. "There was a time I thought we wouldn't be able to get out of that horror, but then you guys came, and, well... I don't think we ever thanked you properly. Kisaragi-kun especially."
At least, this was a topic Tomoko was comfortable talking about. She shook her head. "Gentarou-san is plenty happy that he was able to help anyway he can. He isn't the type of person to demand anything from anyone - other than their friendship."
Mei smiled again. "He certainly has mine."
The two fell on a somewhat comfortable silence. Tomoko tried not to fidget too much, though she did wish she knew what she ought to say to break the stillness. Perhaps, now, she knew and understood how JK felt often in her company.
Ryusei shouted a command, and this seemed to wake Mei from her reverie. "Nozama-san. I hope you don't find it rude if I ask, but... what are you doing here in Subaraboshi?"
There was an honest sort of curiosity on Mei's face that, ironically, filled Tomoko with even more trepidation. She didn't exactly know why she was here, other than the fact that she did want to see Ryusei, even if it was only for a short while. And that reason was something she couldn't tell Mei, of all people - even if Ryusei had already confirmed that he wasn't dating her. As far as Tomoko knew, Mei still very much wanted to be his girlfriend - and very well could be doing all she could to ensure it would happen. Who knew how she'd react, given that Tomoko pretty much wanted the same thing she did?
At the thought, Tomoko blinked repeatedly. Did... did she just admit to herself that she--?
"...Nozama-san?"
"...Um, Shirakawa-san. I was just-- there was just something I wanted to ask Ryusei-san, that's all." Equal parts truth and lie, in a way.
There was an awkward moment when Tomoko thought Mei was going to ask her why did she bother coming in here in person when she could have just called or e-mailed Ryusei. To the other girl's credit, though, she did nothing of that sort. "I see." Mei nodded again. "I think you would have to wait for a while to talk to Sakuta-kun, Nozama-san - he's a bit busy with his club, as you can see. I don't think there's anything that could distract him when he's training the others like that."
There's a wistful tone in Mei's voice that Tomoko couldn't help but notice. "I didn't know Ryusei-san had such a club here," she said carefully.
"He didn't, at first," Mei replied. "But after his return from Amanogawa, he managed to form one quickly. And, given that many knew and admired his skills in Jeet Kune Do, there were a lot of interested students." She gestured at the group Ryusei was teaching. "That's the first batch of many. I think he's trying to accomodate them all."
But how many were there, anyway? "He's going to tire himself out!" Tomoko noted, hands clutching each other in sudden worry.
Mei looked surprised at that outburst. "I told him that," she said. "But he didn't listen to me." A beat, and then-- "...maybe he'll listen to you, Nozama-san?"
Something about the way she said that made Tomoko aware that Mei knew more than she let on. She kept quiet, though, not knowing how to respond to that.
Mei clasped her hands together, looked at the place Ryusei occupied. "I don't know if you've noticed this, but Sakuta-kun certainly had changed, ever since he got back. He's certainly a lot friendlier to other students. More... open. More willing to talk. He even formed a club of his own! The Sakuta-kun I knew before... wouldn't do any of those things, no matter what happened." She smiled, then looked down at her feet before looking at Tomoko again. "Amanogawa changed him for the better. I think we can all agree to that."
Tomoko squinted at her. Something about her aura... "But... you prefer the other Ryusei-san, don't you, Shirakawa-san?"
For a moment, Mei could only stare at her. Then she laughed, and the sound was forced and hollow to Tomoko's ears. "I don't know," she said. "I haven't really thought about it." Another pause. "Besides, I don't think it matters, anyway, whether I like Sakuta-kun now or not."
"...what do you mean?" Tomoko asked - then quickly regretted it. Perhaps she was stepping out of the line, with that question. Mei certainly had all the right to call her out on it.
Again, though, much to her credit, the other girl didn't. There was an impish sort of look on her face when she said, "Sakuta-kun... likes someone else. It's very easy to see, actually." Mei tucked in a strand of errant hair behind one ear. "In my case, though, I can feel it. Not that he ever treated me any differently, anyway."
There's another pause, another laugh from her. "I-- I don't know why I'm telling you this, Nozama-san. I guess it's just... you're very easy to talk to."
That was something she didn't hear everyday. Tomoko blinked at her uncertainly. "I-- thank you, Shirakawa-san. That's very kind of you to say."
"It's nothing," Mei replied easily. "It's the truth anyway." Then a surprised expression came upon her face. "...well now, that's different. Sakuta-kun's dismissed his members already." She checked her watch. "It's too early."
Tomoko glanced at the man in question, and true enough the club was dispersing - and he himself was jogging towards her.
"You're lucky, Nozama-san," Mei told her warmly - and with undisguised meaning. "Anyway, I have to go now. Come visit us again soon." And with that, she left Tomoko alone.
Not that she was, for long. Ryusei joined her soon after Mei had gone, trying to catch his breath as he stood beside her. "Tomoko-chan! This is certainly a surprise. What are you doing here?"
"I--" Again, Tomoko caught herself at a loss at what to say. "I was just-- I came to visit you." That in itself was true anyway. "You-- you told me to." It was almost an accusation, the way she said it.
He grinned at her. "I guess I did." A beat, and then, "I'm-- I'm glad you did." Ryusei averted his gaze soon afterwards, then cleared his throat. "I'm sorry. How long ago did you arrive here, anyway? Have you been waiting long?"
She shook her head quickly. "Not long at all. Shirakawa-san kept me company." Tomoko bit her lip, decided to go with: "She's very nice." Nicer than Tomoko thought she would be, at any rate.
"She is," Ryusei replied simply, and that was that.
"I hope I'm not interrupting," Tomoko said, vaguely gesturing towards some of his members who chose to stay and practice on their own. "If-- if today's not a good time for a visit, maybe I'll just--"
But he grabbed her wrist and said, "Don't be silly, Tomoko-chan - of course you're not interrupting anything. We were done with today, anyway."
Were they? But Mei said it was too early for Ryusei to dismiss them. Tomoko squinted at Ryusei, when it hit her - he dismissed them early on purpose.
For her?
"...Tomoko-chan?"
"You shouldn't have to lie, Ryusei-san," she admonished him quietly - but she couldn't keep the smile off her voice when she did so.
"...I see." Ryusei cleared his throat again, then laughed. "I should have known better when it comes to you, Tomoko-chan."
"Mm." Was all she said in reply - but she did smile at him, an expression he easily returned.
"Come on." Ryusei changed his grip so that instead of holding her wrist, he was now holding her hand. "Your visit to Subaraboshi wasn't very nice the first time you were here. I'll give you a proper tour today. I wouldn't want your trip to go to waste, anyway." A beat, and then, "Then perhaps... we can go have tea? If-- if you want, of course."
Tomoko blinked at his hand holding hers in such a tight and warm grip, before quickly replying, "I'd like that."
Summary: "Amanogawa changed him for the better. I think we can all agree to that."
Notes: Requested by ridingthekamen from Tumblr! This... may have turned out a bit differently from what was originally requested, but I couldn't resist ;3
Perhaps she should have called to tell him she was coming. Perhaps she should have pulled JK to tag along with her here.
But she didn't, and now she had to suffer the consequences.
Tomoko gripped her bag tightly, as she walked towards the gates of Subaraboshi High School. Such ugly memories she had here, in this school - Ryusei-san's betrayal, Gentarou-san's death, the Aries Zodiart's reign of absolute terror. Remembering them made her steps slower, more so because she had no one to distract her from them. There was also the fact that her uniform completely set her aside from the Subaraboshi students - she could feel their eyes on her as she passed by, could see them wondering why she was here.
She walked to a corner, opened her bag, and took out her white snake skin. Tomoko crumpled it in her palm and moved forward, allowing the skin to tell her where she should go next, and quickly at that. Soon, Tomoko was walking to an open field, where lots of students could be seen loitering about. Some were formed in groups, practicing some sort of dance. Others were huddled together - perhaps studying, or merely chatting with each other. In the far left were a number of students - mostly male ones - doing routines that were somehow familiar to her, and she soon realized why--
--they were doing some of Meteor's moves.
True enough, she saw Ryusei standing in front of the group, shouting one command after another.
Tomoko smiled in relief. Her white snake skin had yet to fail her when she wanted to find something or, in this case, someone, no matter how creepy others thought it was. Carefully, she hid it in her bag, then gingerly made her way towards where Ryusei was. Not wanting to let herself be seen, Tomoko headed towards a tree near the practice area and stood there, content to watch him for now. It would be rude of her to call him while he was in the middle of practice, after all - besides, she didn't yet know what to tell him anyway.
It was different, not having him in the Kamen Rider Club. She'd be lying if she said she didn't miss him. With him gone, JK had been her constant company. JK, as always, was loud, entertaining, and funny - but sometimes, Tomoko craved silence, moments when she could just sit somewhere and think. JK had always become antsy when she'd gone too quiet and usually did something to distract her - something that bothered and annoyed Tomoko sometimes. She liked the quiet, after all.
Ryusei did too, she recalled. She couldn't count the number of times they just sat together in silence, allowed others to do the talking. He knew when to talk, and when it was unnecessary to do so. Tomoko liked that about him.
Watching him practice the group now, one wouldn't believe Ryusei to be that type of person. There was an assured, apparent kind of confidence in him as he barked one command after another, as he corrected a student's mistake with an air of authority one would expect from someone like Miu - not from a reserved, calm person like him.
Then again, Sakuta Ryusei always had the ability to surprise those around him. He'd proven that to her and to the club time and again.
"Hello."
Tomoko almost jumped and turned, as if she'd been caught doing something she shouldn't - which, of course, was a bit true in this case. But what made her even more nervous was the fact that it was that girl who had caught her. Shirakawa Mei - Ryusei's supposed girlfriend here at Subaraboshi.
"Shi-Shirakawa-san," Tomoko mumbled, instinctively taking a step away from her. Not that there was any need to; Shirakawa-san was smiling, after all, with no hint of malice anywhere on her person - even her aura. To everyone else, she was only being friendly.
That didn't stop Tomoko from feeling a bit apprehensive in her company.
"You're from Amanogawa High School, aren't you? Kisaragi-kun and Yuuki-san's friend." Here, Mei stepped closer to her, still wearing a genuine smile. "I'm sorry. I don't think I caught your name before."
"N-Nozama T-Tomoko," she said in a low voice.
"Ah. Nozama-san." Mei nodded to herself, as if committing that name to memory. "It's been a long time since that day, isn't it? Since Kisaragi-kun freed us from Yamada-kun's control." A contemplative look appeared on her face, then. "There was a time I thought we wouldn't be able to get out of that horror, but then you guys came, and, well... I don't think we ever thanked you properly. Kisaragi-kun especially."
At least, this was a topic Tomoko was comfortable talking about. She shook her head. "Gentarou-san is plenty happy that he was able to help anyway he can. He isn't the type of person to demand anything from anyone - other than their friendship."
Mei smiled again. "He certainly has mine."
The two fell on a somewhat comfortable silence. Tomoko tried not to fidget too much, though she did wish she knew what she ought to say to break the stillness. Perhaps, now, she knew and understood how JK felt often in her company.
Ryusei shouted a command, and this seemed to wake Mei from her reverie. "Nozama-san. I hope you don't find it rude if I ask, but... what are you doing here in Subaraboshi?"
There was an honest sort of curiosity on Mei's face that, ironically, filled Tomoko with even more trepidation. She didn't exactly know why she was here, other than the fact that she did want to see Ryusei, even if it was only for a short while. And that reason was something she couldn't tell Mei, of all people - even if Ryusei had already confirmed that he wasn't dating her. As far as Tomoko knew, Mei still very much wanted to be his girlfriend - and very well could be doing all she could to ensure it would happen. Who knew how she'd react, given that Tomoko pretty much wanted the same thing she did?
At the thought, Tomoko blinked repeatedly. Did... did she just admit to herself that she--?
"...Nozama-san?"
"...Um, Shirakawa-san. I was just-- there was just something I wanted to ask Ryusei-san, that's all." Equal parts truth and lie, in a way.
There was an awkward moment when Tomoko thought Mei was going to ask her why did she bother coming in here in person when she could have just called or e-mailed Ryusei. To the other girl's credit, though, she did nothing of that sort. "I see." Mei nodded again. "I think you would have to wait for a while to talk to Sakuta-kun, Nozama-san - he's a bit busy with his club, as you can see. I don't think there's anything that could distract him when he's training the others like that."
There's a wistful tone in Mei's voice that Tomoko couldn't help but notice. "I didn't know Ryusei-san had such a club here," she said carefully.
"He didn't, at first," Mei replied. "But after his return from Amanogawa, he managed to form one quickly. And, given that many knew and admired his skills in Jeet Kune Do, there were a lot of interested students." She gestured at the group Ryusei was teaching. "That's the first batch of many. I think he's trying to accomodate them all."
But how many were there, anyway? "He's going to tire himself out!" Tomoko noted, hands clutching each other in sudden worry.
Mei looked surprised at that outburst. "I told him that," she said. "But he didn't listen to me." A beat, and then-- "...maybe he'll listen to you, Nozama-san?"
Something about the way she said that made Tomoko aware that Mei knew more than she let on. She kept quiet, though, not knowing how to respond to that.
Mei clasped her hands together, looked at the place Ryusei occupied. "I don't know if you've noticed this, but Sakuta-kun certainly had changed, ever since he got back. He's certainly a lot friendlier to other students. More... open. More willing to talk. He even formed a club of his own! The Sakuta-kun I knew before... wouldn't do any of those things, no matter what happened." She smiled, then looked down at her feet before looking at Tomoko again. "Amanogawa changed him for the better. I think we can all agree to that."
Tomoko squinted at her. Something about her aura... "But... you prefer the other Ryusei-san, don't you, Shirakawa-san?"
For a moment, Mei could only stare at her. Then she laughed, and the sound was forced and hollow to Tomoko's ears. "I don't know," she said. "I haven't really thought about it." Another pause. "Besides, I don't think it matters, anyway, whether I like Sakuta-kun now or not."
"...what do you mean?" Tomoko asked - then quickly regretted it. Perhaps she was stepping out of the line, with that question. Mei certainly had all the right to call her out on it.
Again, though, much to her credit, the other girl didn't. There was an impish sort of look on her face when she said, "Sakuta-kun... likes someone else. It's very easy to see, actually." Mei tucked in a strand of errant hair behind one ear. "In my case, though, I can feel it. Not that he ever treated me any differently, anyway."
There's another pause, another laugh from her. "I-- I don't know why I'm telling you this, Nozama-san. I guess it's just... you're very easy to talk to."
That was something she didn't hear everyday. Tomoko blinked at her uncertainly. "I-- thank you, Shirakawa-san. That's very kind of you to say."
"It's nothing," Mei replied easily. "It's the truth anyway." Then a surprised expression came upon her face. "...well now, that's different. Sakuta-kun's dismissed his members already." She checked her watch. "It's too early."
Tomoko glanced at the man in question, and true enough the club was dispersing - and he himself was jogging towards her.
"You're lucky, Nozama-san," Mei told her warmly - and with undisguised meaning. "Anyway, I have to go now. Come visit us again soon." And with that, she left Tomoko alone.
Not that she was, for long. Ryusei joined her soon after Mei had gone, trying to catch his breath as he stood beside her. "Tomoko-chan! This is certainly a surprise. What are you doing here?"
"I--" Again, Tomoko caught herself at a loss at what to say. "I was just-- I came to visit you." That in itself was true anyway. "You-- you told me to." It was almost an accusation, the way she said it.
He grinned at her. "I guess I did." A beat, and then, "I'm-- I'm glad you did." Ryusei averted his gaze soon afterwards, then cleared his throat. "I'm sorry. How long ago did you arrive here, anyway? Have you been waiting long?"
She shook her head quickly. "Not long at all. Shirakawa-san kept me company." Tomoko bit her lip, decided to go with: "She's very nice." Nicer than Tomoko thought she would be, at any rate.
"She is," Ryusei replied simply, and that was that.
"I hope I'm not interrupting," Tomoko said, vaguely gesturing towards some of his members who chose to stay and practice on their own. "If-- if today's not a good time for a visit, maybe I'll just--"
But he grabbed her wrist and said, "Don't be silly, Tomoko-chan - of course you're not interrupting anything. We were done with today, anyway."
Were they? But Mei said it was too early for Ryusei to dismiss them. Tomoko squinted at Ryusei, when it hit her - he dismissed them early on purpose.
For her?
"...Tomoko-chan?"
"You shouldn't have to lie, Ryusei-san," she admonished him quietly - but she couldn't keep the smile off her voice when she did so.
"...I see." Ryusei cleared his throat again, then laughed. "I should have known better when it comes to you, Tomoko-chan."
"Mm." Was all she said in reply - but she did smile at him, an expression he easily returned.
"Come on." Ryusei changed his grip so that instead of holding her wrist, he was now holding her hand. "Your visit to Subaraboshi wasn't very nice the first time you were here. I'll give you a proper tour today. I wouldn't want your trip to go to waste, anyway." A beat, and then, "Then perhaps... we can go have tea? If-- if you want, of course."
Tomoko blinked at his hand holding hers in such a tight and warm grip, before quickly replying, "I'd like that."