==========

Ukyou Kuonji presents
a Here Is Greenwood fanfic

EXTENDED PLAY

==========
Koko wa Greenwood is the creation of Yukie Nasu, and all characters 
and situations therein are the property of her and Hakusensha Inc., 
Victor Entertainment, and the Pierrot Project.  No infringement 
is intended.
==========

**track fourteen**

Man, it is *so* nice to have a couple of days of not having to always 
be watching my back for Suka-chan's prying eyes.  I can use the benjo 
or the furo anytime I want to, and not worry about him either 
discovering me out, or discovering me with others and getting 
jealous.  Hell, I could prance around the room naked if I wanted to.

I said "if I wanted to," you hentais.  I'm not about to.  Geez...

Uh... I must sound like a real jerk, like I'm glad Suka-chan's in the 
hospital or something.  I'm not; at least, I'm certainly not happy for 
him.  But, as I've admitted before, even to him, it's just that life 
is easier when he's not here.  I'd wager if the tables were turned, 
he'd agree with that, seeing as he's trying to protect this girl and 
all.  Of course, he might not admit to it out loud...

"So... he's still got a thing for Sumire-san, ne?"  The sempais and 
I are relaxing in the furo, talking about Suka-chan.  Mitsuru-sempai, 
in particular, is going to need this rest.  He and I are going to be 
on our way to the hospital, where he's been tutoring Suka-chan.  Finals 
are coming up real soon, after all, and Suka-chan's going to need all 
the help he can get to pass this semester.  Granted, he's smart enough 
that he'd do well without much trouble... IF he was able to attend 
classes.

"That means he'll be distracted... not a good sign, Mitsuru."

"No it doesn't.  He's been this way ever since he got here.  Beforehand, 
even.  I'll bet it's part of why he filed for summer stay... he doesn't 
trust himself around her.  Anyway, he's done just fine on his studies 
so far."

Mitsuru-sempai grins.  "Better than you have, in any case."

That does it.  I dump a bucket of water over his head.  "Broadcast it 
to the world, why don't you.

"Anyway, I'll go with you, if you like.  Nothing like a hospital for 
a quiet place to study."

"And you need it, too."  Mitsuru grins and holds his arms over his head, 
hands in a warding gesture.  So much for beaning him with the bucket.

***

On our way to the hospital, Mitsuru-sempai suggests a little visiting 
present, something to cheer Suka-chan up... and he leads me into a candy 
store.  I just watch as he rummages through the displays.  "No... hmm, 
not exactly... that *might* work... ick, definately not..."

"What *are* you looking for, Mitsuru-sempai?"

"Hang on a sec... ah, here we go.  Not quite perfect, but heart-shaped 
boxes are a bit out of season, after all."  And he hands me a half-pound 
box of chocolates.  I stare at it for a moment, and then...

"What the hell are you trying to get me to imply?  A heart-shaped box, 
you wanted?  You want Suka-chan to think this is a valentine or something?"

Mitsuru-sempai just grins.  "Exactly.  Take a look inside."

I open the box to find... an assortment of *white* chocolate?  "I don't 
get it."

"No, but you *did*.  Back on March 14th.  Some guy gave it to ya, and 
you don't like white chocolate."

"But I *do* like white chocolate."

Mitsuru-sempai rolls his eyes.  "That's not the point.  We need to 
give Hasukawa the impression that you're spoken for, otherwise he's 
gonna be all over you eventually."  The thought is enough to make me 
reach for my wallet.  Okay, okay... I'm buying it already.

Speaking of which, though... "You really think Suka-chan's going to  
believe this?  I mean, it's not like I've had this sitting around 
uneaten all this time."  I take the box from the clerk and stare at 
it as I pocket my change.  "And it doesn't really look *that* much 
like a valentine." 

"Oh, c'mon..."  Mitsuru-sempai's grin is almost too big for his face, 
"this is Hasukawa we're talking about.  The perfect sucker."

"I wish you wouldn't call him that."

"Well, it's true, isn't it?"  He deftly reaches over, pops the lid of 
the box, and snitches a piece of chocolate.

"Hey!"

"Just saving face, Shun-*chan*," he murmurs with his mouth full.  
"Yours and mine."

"Well, I know your face needs a lot of energy to maintain..."  At 
least that's what Mitsuru-sempai always says.  I just figure it's 
one more excuse to swipe food from Suka-chan's bento.  That's his 
prerogative, being sempai and all, but now that he's swiping my stuff, 
it's a bit more annoying.  "...but what does *your* eating *my* 
chocolates have to do with *my* face?"

"*Saving* face, Shun,"  Mitsuru-sempai corrects me.  "You need a 
little credence to your story."

"MY story?"

"Look, this guy gave you this box of chocolates on White Day.  You 
ate one, and realized you didn't like it.  So you've been looking for 
a chance to dump the rest of 'em.  And this way, you get rid of them 
and cheer up Hasukawa at the same time."

"Cheer him up?  I'd think that'd depress him, if he figures I've got 
some other boyfriend."

"Well, yeah, but it's as subtle a means I can think of to discourage 
him."

"And recycling chocolates?  Geez, sempai, you make me seem really 
cheap."

"You're a high school student in Tokyo.  How much discretionary 
income do you have?"

It's enough to make me chuckle.  "Not enough, that's for sure."

Mitsuru-sempai nods.  "Exactly.  Hasukawa would understand."

A dark flash on the road grabs my attention.  "Whoa... speaking of 
discretionary income.  Get a load of that car that just passed us."

"The black Mercedes?"

"That's the one.  Beautiful, isn't it?  Wouldn't you like to get a 
chance to ride in one of those things?"

Sempai shakes his head.  "Nah.  Only people that drive those things 
are undertakers and gangsters.  Believe me, you don't want to be in 
a car with either of those types.  Anyway, we're here.  Cross your 
fingers, and hope Hasukawa buys this."

==========

Betcha thought I was gonna spring Nagisa on y'all right there, ne?
Just building the tension until such time as she decides to show up.
Of course, that may well have been her...

While I'm on, I would like to express profuse thanks to Eimii-chan 
for her help on a couple scenes in the second manga volume which I
intend to incorporate into this story... eventually.  You're a life-
saver, Eimii-chan!

And thanks to all those of you who're actually still following this
thing, even though there's no martial arts, very little sex, and not
enough humor even by my standards.

Until next time,ja!

Itsu mo,
Ucchan   ^_^