Chapter Two

The first day of hell

It was a staring contest. Yuki was not going to let up. But then her eyebrow began to twitch when her mother simply stared back.

Yuki gave up and shook her head. “I’ll never look like a guy. This is a stupid idea.”

Asako raised her eyebrows. “Is it? What if I told you that if you can attend Hirayama for one year, you don’t have to go to an all girl’s scho--”

“Deal.” Yuki said. Mentally, Yuki was kicking herself. STUPID STUPID!! Did I just say that?! “But I still don’t look like a guy; it’s not going to work.” Phew...nice save.

Asako gave Yuki an apprising look. “You can look like a guy; but you’re hair’s gonna have to go.” The woman jumped up and started dragging Yuki into the bathroom.

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Yuki stared in horror at the mirror and bit back tears. Her reflection stared back at her, now with a short haircut—just enough to pull back into a small ponytail. “M-my....beautiful hair...” She moaned. Her aqua green hair was in clumps on the floor. “It took me 8 years to grow out my hair....”

She glared at her mother. “Why didn’t you just cut it all off?”

Asako knelt down and opened a cabinet door. “You look more masculine with a little hair framing your face.” She said as she pulled several bags up to the sink. One of the bags tilted and a bottle slid out. Yuki read the label:

‘Color Essence Hair Dye
Permanent Formula!
Color: Midnight Raven’

She lost it. “YOU’RE GONNA DYE MY HAIR FREAKING BLACK?!?!”

Asako pushed her head into the sink. “Yup.”

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This is SO not fair, Yuki thought bitterly as she stared once again into her reflection. Her hair was completely black, and with the lack of makeup, she really did look like a guy. She even dyed my eyebrows...

“ARG!!!” Yuki tugged at her now black hair in frustration. WHY am I acting so calm?! This is so STUPID!! I’m actually going to attend an all boy’s school!!! As a boy!!

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“Yuuuuuukiiiiii---!” Asako whispered, shaking the girl gently, “Waaaake uuuup---!” It had already been a week since the deal had been made, and today was her first day as a boy.

“Mumblehumblegrumble...” The girl’s colorful words were muffled out by the pillow. She rolled over and pulled the covers over her head. “Go away.”

Asako adopted a cute chiding voice, “Aw...My widdle lazy son is going to miss his first day of school.” She began to poke Yuki’s ribs. “Get,” twitch, “up,” twitch, then a final poke, “now!”

“ARG!!!” Yuki roared, exploding from under the covers. She launched herself at Asako, but missed and crashed into the floor. She sat up and rubbed her head. “You know how sensitive I am there!”

Asako grinned and ran out of the room like a sibling fleeing from retaliation. “Boys shouldn’t complain!” She giggled.

Yuki grumbled as she got up from the floor. Great, why don’t I just throw myself in front of a car to save myself the trouble? I can’t believe I’m doing this! She rushed into the bathroom, pulling on her shirt as she went. Her reflection stared back at her and she gulped. This is too freaky... I really look like a boy. She sighed. And mom seems to be enjoying this...

Yuki slowly descended the stairs to the living room, as if it would prolong her fate. She entered the kitchen and grabbed a banana from the fruit bowl.

“So...” she started, getting her mother’s attention. Asako stopped tending to some toast and looked at her.

“Yes?”

The girl picked at the icky, stringy bits of banana, “How am I going to get there? To the school I mean?” Even as Yuki said this, she felt like it was forced—like it was a dream or a bad play.

A crazy grin spread across Asako’s face. “About that...”

That grin can’t be a good sign, Yuki thought. She considered running from the kitchen to avoid whatever strange retribution her mother wanted to throw at her.

“You’re going to take the bus!” Asako cackled evilly—or at least in Yuki’s opinion.

The blood drained from her face. Yuki was extremely shy around boys. “WHAT?! Can’t YOU take me?!”

Asako put her hands on her hips. “Oh, get over it, Yuki! You’re going to have to face the music someday...or in a couple of HOURS!!!” She giggled again.

“G-get over what?” Yuki questioned, feeling sweat forming on her face. Asako knew very well of Yuki’s male waiting for her mother’s reply, she rushed out of kitchen. “I-I’m going to finish packing.”

When she got to her room, she shut the door and screamed. “WHY DO I HAVE TO SPEND THREE HOURS IN A BUS WITH PERVERTED WADS OF HORMONES?!”

“It’s only two and a half hours, dear!” Asako yelled from the kitchen.

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“We’re here.” Asako pulled up to the bus stop and looked over to Yuki. The girl had an ashen completion and seemed to be frozen in her seat.

The bus wasn’t too far off from the car, and Yuki could see boys boarding. A lump formed in her throat. Being a boy in theory and actually being one seemed to be much, much different from what she imagined.

I...I can’t do this... The thought of being away from her home for so long was also intimidating. Not to mention how venerable she would be if someone found out about her.

“M-Mom...” She followed her mother out of the car, and walked over to her. “I...”

“I hope you have a good school year, Yuki.” She pecked Yuki on the cheek.

I can’t back out now... “I’ll miss you...” she said, choking back tears.

“AHAHAHAHAHA!! You are SO funny! My son never cries!!”

“You can be really mean sometimes.” Yuki grumbled, walking away. Although she was secretly thankful her mother reacted the way she had; if her mother tried to comfort her, she would have backed out.

After one last hug, they parted ways; Yuki to her school bus and Asako to her car.

Asako watched her little girl board the bus, tears trickling down her face. She sighed and turned towards the wheel. I love you Yuki; more than you could imagine. She exhaled again. This is better for you, better than what lies ahead for me.

And with that, she turned the key in the ignition and drove away.

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Yuki nearly gagged as the bus door slide open. The bus reeked of aftershave and cologne, irritating her eyes and making them water.

“Ugh!” She grunted, her hand automatically covering her mouth. Now I know how guys feel in a group of girls... She looked around for a seat. Most of the seats already has a passenger or two, but Yuki settled on an empty one in the back of the bus.

Yuki surveyed the bus with new perspective. I’m a guy now... This is kinda exciting! So what do guys do when girls aren’t around? Most of the boys were talking; a few were playing with gameboys...

“Yaa!!” she yelped as her carry-on bag suddenly vibrated. “What was that?!” Yuki dug into her duffel bag (which was a gender neutral blue) and pulled out a pink cell phone. It had a text message on the screen:

Hi yuki! Got u a fone 4 yr bday but din’t get a chnce 2 giv it 2 ya. Luv, mom. 3

Someone plopped down next to her. “Nice phone!” Yuki looked up, horrified and came face to face with a brilliant red-head.

“That’s a nice way to introduce yourself!” She nervously spat, immediately shoved the phone into her bag. Yuki felt sweat prick all over her body as she felt his body heat on her right side. She had never sat this closely to a boy before.

The red-head turned to her. “Well, if introductions mean so much to you, I’m Ryo Hideki.” He grinned and stuck out his hand.

Yuki stared at his hand as if it was a dead rat. “Y-Yuki Yamakawa.” She took his hand and tried not to avert her gaze. She fought the urge to blush. BE A MAN, YUKI!! You’re a guy now!!

After the introduction, Yuki sat quietly in the back of the bus, politely dodging any conversation Ryo tried to strike up. Soon the boy grew impatient and took his attention elsewhere.

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After what seemed like days, instead of three hours, the bus finally rolled to a stop in front of the school. As Yuki filed out, she felt a tap on her shoulder. Ryo passed by her and waved good-bye.

“I’ll see you later, Yamakawa!” He yelled as he walked further into the sea of boys. Yuki just rolled her eyes and hoisted her duffle bag over her shoulder.

Like I’ll be seeing him again...

Yuki was exhausted when she finally got to her dorm building. The crowds were unbelievable and it was a fight just to get her room key. How big is this school?

Heading down the cream corridors of the building, Yuki rolled to a stop at her dorm door. Room #126B. Deep breath... She stared at the doorknob. This was it; her last step as a girl and a first step as a “man.” Closing her eyes, she grasped the doorknob, which was surprisingly warm.

...Warm?

Yuki opened her eyes and looked down. Someone was already gripping the doorknob. Hastily moving her hand away, her vision filled with red hair.

“YOU!” she gasped.

Before her stood Ryo Hideki with the same surprised look. “Hey! Yamakawa! I guess we’re roommates!”

AUTHOR’S NOTE

Huzzah! Man, sorry for not updating, but my life is in CHAOS right now! I graduated high school, I’m getting ready for college and I’m going to the ComicCon! Hee hee hee! I hope you like what I've done, I'm trying to keep things fresh while not removing the ...charm (?) of the original. ;; If that makes any sense.

That Darn Kat