Chapter 2

The next morning found Koichi sprawled on his living room floor with Aki, Hatsuya, and Keito in various positions on the furniture, the TV having automatically shut off and the video systems lying just as they left them last night. After the interesting encounter in the arcade yesterday, Koichi had dragged his friends off to the nearest game store and purchased everything he needed so he could practice BT4. If there ever came another chance for him to play against the auburn haired kid, he wanted to be completely prepared for it.

Yawning loudly, he sat up and stretched his stiff shoulders, scratching his bare chest as he looked at his snoozing comrades. Aki was lying on his belly on the sofa, his arm hanging over the edge so that his hand sprawled on the floor and because he was so long, one of his legs hung off the couch as well. Koichi suppressed a laugh as his eyes drifted to Hatsuya and Keito. They were sprawled over each other, Keito leaning in the corner of the other sofa with Hatsuya snuggled up to his lap and his feet draped across the ottoman. If anyone couldn't see they were a couple, they were blind. It was cute watching them together, even if you were single and the atmosphere around them depressing.

Climbing to his feet, he stretched once more, making his back pop before his arms went slack against his sides. Letting out another yawn, Koichi made his way out of the room to the kitchen. All glass windows, doors and titanium counters. It hadn't been Koichi's choice, having merely picked the house he wanted and figuring he'd change things later. But of course, later never did seem to come and here he was a few years later with the same modern style kitchen that he didn't really like at all. Letting out a soft sigh, he opened the fridge and pulled out the carton of milk, opening it and tossing the lid on the counter as he closed the fridge and made his way over to the patio drinking straight from the carton without a care. Walking out into the early afternoon sun, he let out a blissful sigh from the calming sensation. The view was nice too, his house sitting on the top of a hill that overlooked the Tokyo Bay. You could almost even see Mount Fuji from his back patio.

Setting the carton of milk on the patio table, Koichi moved to lean on the porch rail that surrounding half of the shaded area and gave it an almost rural look. Looking out at Tokyo, he remembered how only a few years ago he was trolling the alleyways just trying to get back. Had there ever been a time when that dirty boy had stopped and thought that one day he'd be living the high life? No, the thought had never crossed his mind. Not until that day he'd been found by the man who now governed his life. Koichi could remember that day as if it was yesterday:

He was running, clutching tightly to something wrapped up in a raggedy cloth, as two big men chased him. He'd led them through alleyway after alleyway, turning this corner and that corner in his attempts to shake them, but they wouldn't let up. Turning another corner, he stopped in an alleyway as he saw the light from the open streets. Seeing that light, he got a crazy idea in his head, and after chancing a look back to see if they were still tailing him, he took off for the street. Bright sunlight and cars buzzing by greeted him and before they could catch his shirt, he'd run right out into traffic.

In that next moment, time seemed to stand still as a car came straight for him and he froze, looking like a young deer trapped in the headlights. He'd closed his eyes, waiting for the sudden impact that would end his worthless life, the only sound in his ears that of brakes squealing to stop. Then everything went very quiet. When a little Koichi had opened his eyes, he saw the car's nose right in front of his own, making his skin hot from the steam of the engine. A man had gotten out of the car and rushed to Koichi's side, whom was still too in shock to move. Hands clutched his shoulders and he was spun around to face the man in the fancy car, knocking him out of his stupor. But to his surprise, the man wasn't angry, he was panting as though he were terrified.

'Oh, thank god. You're alive. I thought for a second there I'd...what were thinking, kid? You don't just jump out in front of on-coming traffic! You could've been killed!' The man sank to his knees, still clutching Koichi who was trying to relax his shaken nerves from nearly being killed.

Then Koichi had smiled and patted the man sweetly on the head. The man had looked up at him in surprise, and he'd said, 'what made you think that wasn't part of my plan, Ojiisan?'

Shaking his head to clear the memory, Koichi smirked, stepping back from the railing to watch a bird fly overhead. After he'd met that man, time had flown by so quickly and now he was a popular rock artist, with anything and everything he could really ever want. Or rather, anything money could by. Meeting his friends and fellow band mates had been the only thing since then that he'd made without using money to get it. Being sent to school had helped with some of that, but otherwise it was his band, and they were his friends.

Koichi sighed and picked up his discarded milk carton from the table, bringing it to his lips and taking a long drink. He looked inside the glass porch doors towards where his friends were still snoozing, an ambivalent look crossing his face. "Take away everything he's given me, and they're all I've really got." He turned his head away as he let out a puff of air, "that's pretty depressing."

He had just turned his back to return to the view when the porch door slid open and Hatsuya came out. "Didn't your mother ever tell you thinking too much will rot your brain?"

Koichi smiled and looked over at the redhead as he came over to where he stood. Hatsuya's hair was the only sign that he'd just woken up, otherwise he looked as picture perfect as always. "As to that, I'd have to say she just did, mother."

Hatsuya smiled coyly, "Well someone's got to keep an eye on you three and keep you out of trouble. Honestly, how long do you really think you'd last without me?"

Koichi laughed, laying his arms casually over the rail again, this time holding the half empty carton of milk in his hand. "So, father still asleep? You two looked awfully cozy when I got up not too long ago." He sent a teasing smile over at the other.

Hatsuya feigned offense. "Oh please. I could barely sleep with him cuddling me all night." Koichi couldn't help but laugh and that made Hatsuya smile. "Glad to see you're amused. So, care to tell me why you're out here alone?" Koichi looked down at nothing at this, and Hatsuya sighed. "You could always come to me, you know." He looked over at his friend with concerned gray eyes that could see more of how Koichi was feeling than the guy would ever tell.

Koichi didn't say anything for a moment. Then finally he tilted back his head with a deep sigh. "Guess I just felt like having some time to myself is all."

"Ah. It's okay to want to be alone sometimes, but not when you have stuff on your mind." Koichi looked at him imploringly, getting a knowing smile from Hatsuya. "Keeping your thoughts bottled up inside will only hurt you in the long run, love. You think far too much as it is, and whether you mean to or not, you make me worry."

Koichi's shoulders slumped slightly in a guilty gesture. "You make it sound as though I'm always like this."

"No, you were never like this before. It's just, the last couple months you seem to have a lot on your mind." Hatsuya moved closer to him, turning so that he was leaning sideways on the railing. "What's troubling you lately, Koichi?"

Koichi was silent for a moment as he seemed to be trying to gather his thoughts. Then he turned to Hatsuya and smiled reassuringly. "Nothing you need to worry about. It's my own problem Hatsuya, and believe it or not, I'm a grown man. I can handle it myself."

Hatsuya let out a heavy sigh and turned to look out at the city. "Alright, if you say so. I'll let it slide this time." He shifted grey eyes back on his friend, "but I mean it Koichi, if it ever gets to be too much to handle, you better come to me first about it. If you don't, I'll kick your ass and never forgive you for it."

Koichi laughed, coming up and wrapping his arm around the redhead's shoulders. "Thanks, Hatsu. I appreciate your concern, but I'll be alright. I promise."

Hatsuya smiled slightly, though it was obvious he wasn't completely convinced. With a sigh, he chose to let the issue drop, and with a mischievous smile, he looked at Koichi. "Say, how bout we wake up the dead beats, eh? They've slept long enough."

Koichi chuckled, watching Hatsuya turn with a teasing swish of his hips to head back inside. "You're evil, Hatsu."

The redhead sent a coy smile over his shoulder in reply and disappeared back inside. Koichi smiled, picking up the milk. He took one more drink and one last look out at the city, before he too went inside. Not that he was going to do anything but watch for the first few minutes, but he wasn't about to miss it for the world.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Ranmaru yawned and dropped his chin on his hand, green eyes staring with obvious boredom at the board while his math sensei drowned on and on about the Pythagorean theorem. A movement from Tao's desk caught his attention, and he moved just in time to snatch the note before the sensei noticed. Unfolding it silently like a pro, he read the note and picked up his pen to jot a reply.

"Bored?" - Tao

"What, cant you tell? This guy is soo repetitive." - Ranmaru

He slipped the note to the edge of his desk where he let it 'accidently' fall to the floor so that it landed close enough for Tao to snatch it up while the sensei wasn't looking. After so many years, it had become an easy skill to pass notes during class. Though Ranmaru and Tao didn't do it as often as most, classes like these were almost always the exception. Well, it staved off the boredom of listening, so it couldn't be anything bad, right? Ranmaru let his attention drift back to the lesson while Tao responded to his message, but was ready the moment he saw the note slip back in his direction. Picking it up and unfolding it again, he almost missed suppressing his giggle.

"Do you think if the dumbest animal on the planet sat in this class that they'd learn algebra? If it were me, I'd willingly walk into the slaughter house after an hour here." - Tao

"That is, if you could convince the dumb animal to even attend in the first place." -Ranmaru

When Tao received the note, his suppression of a laugh failed and the teacher paused in his lecture to look back at him.

"Mr. Arashi, is there something wrong? And if so, would you mind telling us why it is so important that you had to disrupt my class over it?"

Tao stood up immediately, "Sir, it's nothing important. I just..."

The teacher looked skeptical, "You just what? Come on, speak up so we can get back to work. I haven't got all day."

Tao cleared his throat in an attempt to stop the laugh burbling in his throat. "I..."

"Yes?"

Tao grinned and blurted out the first thing that came to mind, "Nothing sir, I just realized I have gas."

That did it. Ranmaru and nearly the entire class burst out laughing, Tao included, equally unable to stop. They sharply fell silent when the teacher loudly slammed his textbook on his desk, Tao and Ranmaru both wincing from the sound. Tao slinked back into his seat, glancing over at Ranmaru who gave a weak smile.

"Mr. Arashi!" He looked around at his laughing students, completely appalled with what was taking place during his lecture, "Stop this vulgar behavior at once! I'm trying to teach you a lesson!" With effort, they all managed to silence their laughter, and when things were silent he glared back at Tao, who meet his gaze shamefully. "Mr. Arashi, please go stand in the hall. I'll be out there to discuss this with you shortly."

Looking over his shoulder at Ranmaru, who gave his best friend a reassuring smile to ease his guilt, Tao rose from his seat and walked out of the room. After the door closed behind him, and the sensei explained what he wanted them to do while he talked outside, Ranmaru let his chin drop to his hand once more.

Great, Mr. Numbers just ruined my distraction. Now what am I gonna use to stave off my boredom? He sighed and let his eyes drift out of the window to his left. He'd always loved sitting by the window, it gave him a feeling of freedom even though he was inside and they were bolted from the second level to the third. He could daydream if need be about things he didn't share with anyone but Tao…and sometimes not even him.

The window was a great distraction most of the time during lessons like this, and that wasn't because of the daydreams. As Ranmaru looked out the window now, he saw the Rolls-Royce pull up to the school. Saw the fuchsia and white tipped haired guy get out of it. And watched with widening eyes in surprise as he came towards the school. His attention was taken away from the guy when one of the female girls in the class squealed in excitement.

"EEEK! Oh my god, it's Koichi-sama!" In seconds most of the class had left their seats and were clustering around the windows to get a look at the guy.

"Oh my, it is him! It's Koichi-sama! What is he doing here?!" Another girl squealed excitedly.

"Isn't he so hot?! Eeek, he looked this way!" At that girl's squeal Ranmaru looked at the guy, and sure enough, he'd stopped in view of their windows and was looking up at them. He lowered his sunglasses and Ranmaru flushed as he realized he was looking directly at him.

"Oooh, did you see his eyes?! I want pretty turquoise eyes too!" Another girl squealed.

Then several of them, the Divas as their group was called, chimed together towards the guy outside. "WE LOVE YOU KOICHI-SAMA!" And to add more fuel to Ranmaru's irate nerves, the prick waved with a smile that made them swoon.

After this exclamation, Ranmaru had had enough. He quickly got out of his seat and grabbed his things, making his way in long strides towards the door, just as their sensei walked in.

"What in the world is going on in here? Mr. Oriya, where are you going?" Ranmaru didn't hesitate a second to utter an explanation, brushing past his sensei out into the hall that was starting to fill with students curious to know what was going on.

Tao came up to him with a concerned look on his face, but before he could utter a word of question, Ranmaru took off down the hall. "Ranmaru!"

He ran and ran, trying hard to ignore the stares of the students, the noise as all peace broke apart, and keeping his eyes closed and head down so he wouldn't have to see or hear anything. He reached the first floor and kept running, ignoring the voices as the halls filled with students from the bell ringing. He had just turned the corner by the office when he froze to a stop. Not far in front of him with that carefree smile on his face, stood Koichi-sama.

"We meet again, kid." The rock-star spoke casually.

Removing his shades, turquoise eyes locked on Ranmaru and everything but the two of them seemed to fade in the background. Ranmaru didn't even know if he was breathing anymore.

Koichi's smile grew wider as he held the teen's shock-frozen gaze. "I finally found you..Ranmaru Oriya."

Ranmaru came out of his stupor with a gasp at the use of his name, and within seconds it shifted to anger. "Don't use my name as though we are familiar. If you're here to toy with me then I've got something to tell you, buddy." He stomped up to the guy and glared up at him from a two inch height difference. "Stay away from me and stay out of my business. I'm not one of your playthings! So back off and leave me alone!"

Bad timing to get up in the guy's face, for no sooner had he gotten the words out but the Divas came up behind him with aghast glares at Ranmaru.

"How dare you talk to Koichi-sama like that, Ranma-kun! Who are you to assume he's here to play with you anyways?"

"Back off Cecile, this is none of your business. Don't you have a manicure to get done or something?" Ranmaru turned quickly, his fiery temper still flaring and finding a new target.

"Humph," She looked at her rose colored nails, "for your information, my appointment isn't until after school." She dropped her hand to her hip and returned to standing Ranmaru down. "And personally I cant excuse your behavior towards Koichi-sama. He's an honored guest here and you're being very rude."

Ranmaru rolled his eyes, "Not when I know for a fact he is here to harass me. Call it adamantly declining his request to see me." He smirked, "if you want to talk etiquette, Cecile, I'd have to warn you that I don't think you'll come out with the upper hand."

She stomped her foot with an annoyed gasp. "Ranmaru Oriya, you insufferable ass!" She pointed directly at him, "I'm writing you up for this. When the office reads my report on your lewd behavior towards a guest of the school, you better be prepared for the consequences."

Ranmaru rolled his eyes with a bored groan, "Oh please, as if I should be afraid of something like that," He waved his hand with nonchalant dismissal, "Your disciplinary write up has no basis and as such is void." He smirked, "How's that for strike 2?"

Cecile was just about to go off into another retort when Koichi started chuckling with obvious amusement behind them. "My my, this is amusing. Such hostility on my account." He smiled as Ranmaru sent him a glare, "Really, I'm flattered."

"It's hardly a compliment. Only those who think too highly of themselves would take it as such." Ranmaru sneered. He turned to face Koichi, ignoring Cecile's scoffs of protest. "Now, I kindly ask that you leave. You don't belong here, and to that, I'd have to say is with good reason."

The pink haired rocker didn't seem the least bit concerned by the comment, and went right on smiling that unnerving smile that was really beginning to irritate Ranmaru. "I take it you don't like me. Though before you answer that, I'd like to point out that it was never me who taunted you." He smirked blandly, "You can thank my friends for that."

"There wont be any thanks from me. So, unless there's something that you really want, I think it's time you left." Ranmaru started to walk past him, but the guy grabbed his arm, causing him to turn sharply with a glare in kind.

"I just got here. I'm not about to leave, especially not without some answers. What's with this intense dislike for me, hm?" Koichi wasn't smiling anymore, becoming very annoyed with the teen.

"Well here's a news flash then, buddy. You aren't getting anything from me, so you might as well give up. That's my last warning, take it or leave it." Ranmaru shook the guy off him and walked off down the hall towards his locker.

Koichi remained where he was, feeling very annoyed and confused about all this. "What's his problem? I've never met a kid who was so cold."

Cecile smiled wryly as she came up behind Koichi followed by her trio of Divas. "It's not you, Koichi-sama. Ranma-kun's just like that."

He looked at her with an inquisitive furrow of his brow, "Why is that?"

One of the girls behind Cecile quickly piped up, "I heard it's because of what happened to his parents."

That sounded suspicious to him. He turned to face them, letting out a gentle sigh. "What happened to them? The only way a kid that I know of could be that cold and distant is if he was a…" Saying the word orphan wasn't an easy thing for Koichi. It brought back memories of his childhood, and that was unsettling.

All the girls exchanged looks for a moment then looked down at their feet before the same girl who had mentioned the subject said solemnly, "They died. I guess they were in an accident or something. It happened a long time ago but…Ranmaru never has recovered."

The news struck Koichi hard, like a knife to the heart. His parent's death must have torn Ranmaru apart, and made him into such a…Koichi's hand came to his head as he let out a deep sigh. Great. Just what I need.

With a heavy sigh, he swept his hand through his hair and turned to the Divas again. His smile was as charming as ever, even if it was forced. "Thank you ladies. It seems I've done nothing but cause trouble by coming here today…"

Cecil brought a hand to her mouth with a flush, "Oh no! You needn't apologize Koichi-sama. Your surprise visits could never be any trouble to us." She held up her hands with a giggle, "Really, you shouldn't feel guilty over one student's foul mood." Then she got her usual spark back and brought her hand to her chest, her followers getting excitable behind her at the silent cue from their leader. "As the esteemed leader of the Divas and Vice President in the Student Council, I personally take it upon myself that every student within this school is to award you the proper respect you deserve for however long you are on these premises." Her followers cheered behind her, agreeing with her every word whole-heartedly.

Koichi found this little display of feminine leadership so funny he couldn't stop himself from laughing. He had to turn away so he wouldn't offend the poor girls, choking on his own laughter as he tried to regain his composure. Clearing his throat somewhat roughly from the strain of laughter he'd been holding back, he turned back to the Divas with his most charming smile and looked directly at Cecile with his turquoise eyes.

"Thanks a lot. I appreciate it, and all. But somehow I think there's one kid around here who wont follow that little declaration." He looked over his shoulder in the direction Ranmaru had gone to emphasize his point.

Cecile rolled her eyes with an disgusted huff, "Like he would have a choice." She smiled coyly at Koichi, moving closer to the star, "You see Koichi-sama, even if Ranmaru-kun doesn't agree with what is done here at the school, he wont combat it if it's allowed by the administration. Ranmaru may be a cold-hearted jerk, but he's a good student and would never do anything to jeopardize his school record." She giggled coyly, almost deviously at the fact she had the authority to catch Ranmaru in things he couldn't get out of.

Koichi's smile fell and he shook his head with a resigned sigh, looking apologetically at Cecile. "Sorry, but I cant have that. No one should be made to do anything they don't like, and I especially don't want to be the cause of that sort of thing." He smiled sweetly at Cecile's sudden crestfallen face. "Thanks and all, but I'd really like it if people liked me of their own free will, not because someone makes them."

"Awww, Koichi-sama…" Cecile and her Divas looked at him with new admiration, making Koichi take a nervous step backwards. "You're the sweetest man we've ever met; so considerate, so compassionate. We love you even more."

He managed an awkward smile, stepping back more. "Thanks…I appreciate it." He looked off down the hall Ranmaru had disappeared down, and sighed before turning back to the Divas. "If you'll excuse me ladies, I've got some things to attend to. And you all should probably be heading back to your studies now." They stared at him in admiration, and gasped in awe as he bowed gracefully to them. He gave them a friendly wink, "See you later, ladies." He turned away, replacing his shades, leaving them to swoon and faint behind him. Some things never seemed to change, he thought with a sigh.

Heading off down the hall, Koichi was just about to pass the music room when he stopped. Looking in the cracked doorway, he found the room completely empty, save for one lone stand-up piano. With a smile, he slipped into the room, leaving the door ajar, and made his way over to the piano.

Lifting the cover, his fingers lightly stroked along the keys, a blissful smile coming to his lips at a solitary memory. After a moment, he let his fingers slip away and took a seat on the bench in front of the piano. Placing both hands upon the keys, he inhaled deeply, paused, and exhaled slowly. He repeatedly this three times, closed his eyes on the last exhale of breath, and softly began to play.

Ranmaru immediately found Tao after he'd managed to get to the courtyard, and together the two made their way back inside for lunch. Yet, as they were walking past the library, Ranmaru suddenly stopped, as beautiful music came to his ears. Several other students stopped, and curiosity getting the best of them, they started to walk towards the music room where the music was coming from. Ranmaru looked at Tao, who shrugged and followed the youth towards the music hall.

Walking into the room, Ranmaru froze in place, unable to move, unable to speak as he watched the pink-haired rock star play a beautiful song on the piano. His eyes were closed and there was a smile on his lips that could only be defined as content, as his delicate fingers played across the piano keys and his head moved in time with the melody. No one spoke, no one moved. It was like they were in a trance, and Koichi was the weaver of the sudden spell, which even Ranmaru fell captive to. As the youth watched Koichi, he thought it was the most beautiful sight he'd ever seen; a lone man sitting casually at a school piano, blissfully playing away with a smile on his lips that made him look like an angel. The white tips of his fuchsia hair played softly upon his brow and his shoulders as he played, not a care in the world that he had an audience.

Ranmaru wondered how often Koichi really had the chance to be just a normal guy...probably not much, and at which point, Ranmaru felt a twinge of guilt for his hostility towards the rock star. A moment of relapse proved that in all the meetings between the two, Koichi had been the only one who hadn't tried anything. He hadn't said a harsh word, or harassed him at all; that had been his friend Aki.

"Just like he tried to tell me earlier. Tch, I cant believe it…I feel like such an ass." Ranmaru thought guiltily.

Slowly, Ranmaru moved towards the man at the piano, the other students watching him but not daring to make a move themselves. Koichi didn't stop his playing even as Ranmaru came to stand right next to him aside the piano. He watched the guy's face, loving how the light from the window seemed to give him a heavenly glow. One white-tipped lock of hair fell over Koichi's eye, and for the first time Ranmaru actually had the urge to touch someone. He wanted to touch Koichi, if even just his face, to brush away that stray strand from his eye and to see those pretty turquoise eyes shining brightly up into his own. He was just about to blindly give into the impulse, when the music swept into a graceful silence, and he froze where he stood, caught like a rat as those turquoise pools stared at him.

He immediately snapped out of it though, the moment a smirk crossed Koichi's lips, and Ranmaru stepped away with an annoyed flush to his cheeks. "You did that on purpose, didn't you?" The brunette said with a glare at the rocker.

Koichi shrugged innocently, "Maybe. Or maybe I was getting bored with having an audience all the time, hm?" He laughed at the cute flush that came to Ranmaru's cheeks. "Well look at that! The boy does have more than one expression to wear."

Ranmaru rubbed his cheek as if it would make the redness go away. "Shut up. I'm not some cold, empty kid, alright." He looked at Koichi with darkly fierce eyes. "I'd have thought it was obvious that I only treat you that way."

Koichi smiled, looking directly into the boy's eyes. "And why's that, I wonder."

Ranmaru snorted in annoyance, "isn't it obvious? You annoy the hell out of me. Since the moment we met, I cant get you to leave me alone." He turned away, looking back at Koichi with narrow eyes. "Why are you following me anyways? Stalking is a crime you know."

Koichi casually shrugged where he sat, "Who really knows the reason for anything." He smiled at Ranmaru before shifting his eyes upon the piano. His fingers idly ran over the keys, "Perhaps I've merely given into an urge. A curiosity that I fell into," Turquoise eyes locked with Ranmaru's green eyes and the youth felt his breath hitch, "the moment we met in that little arcade."

Koichi's smile, and the way he looked at him, Ranmaru couldn't find anything to say. He was at a complete lose for a response; no one had ever taken such a determined interest in him before. He couldn't make sense of how all this was making him feel, it was just too foreign to him. However, Ranmaru came out of his lapse of silence the moment Tao came alongside him. Looking over at his best friend, Ranmaru was surprised to see the hint of hostility in his eyes as he looked at Koichi. This was odd to say the least, because Tao was always so well-composed, so calm; but to see him smile so feignedly with such hostility in his eyes just confused Ranmaru.

Ranmaru looked away as a strong thought came to him. Tao couldn't be jealous could he? Ranmaru inwardly shook his head. No of course not. That was impossible, he and Tao were friends since they were five! For him to be jealous was just…

Ranmaru looked over at Tao, resulting in that friendly, rational smile of his. "Seemed like things were getting a bit tense between you two. Hope you don't mind me butting in."

Ranmaru shook his head with a smile, "not at all." He then turned his attention back to rock-star, who was watching Tao with an unreadable expression. Had he noticed the hostility as well?

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Ranmaru cleared his throat calmly, once more getting Koichi's full attention. "Alright, so you are here to see me. But you'll have to excuse me, because you came at a really bad time. I didn't expect your…" Ranmaru was cut off as the rocker rose to his feet and turned towards the crowded door to the music room.

Ranmaru did not like being ignored, "hey, I'm talking to you. Don't just…"

Koichi looked at him with that charming smile of his, making Ranmaru want to hit him, "I get it kid. You didn't expect me, so you've got other plans." He shrugged casually as if it hardly mattered to him, "I can always come back some other time." He started to walk away again, the crowd moving back from the door to stand out of the way in the hall.

Ranmaru and Tao followed slowly behind the rocker as he left the room, stopping just outside as he kept walking. Ranmaru called out to him, realizing he wasn't going to say anymore, "where are you going?"

Koichi stopped, not saying anything for a moment. Ranmaru started to think he was just going to brush him off and ignore him, when the guy turned and smiled at him. "Well, since you're suddenly so curious to know, I'm going to the office. Seems only polite that I should explain my sudden unexpected arrival to the principal, don't you think?" With that cool smile on his face, he turned away and walked off.

Ranmaru stood there beside Tao, knocked dumb for the third time today. He didn't know what to think of Koichi anymore. One minute he seemed like an impetuous, selfish celebrity, and the next he was this polite romanticist. Bringing a hand to his hair, he stared dumbfounded after the rocker, Tao looking off in the same direction with unreadable narrowed eyes. Dropping his hand to his side with a sigh, Ranmaru looked over at Tao and started to turn the other way. "Hey, come on Tao. Let's get some food on our stomachs before lunch is over." Tao turned to him with his usual calm smile and followed suit as they began walking down the hall in the opposite direction of Koichi. "I don't know about you, but I wont have anything to eat until dinner after this."

Tao laughed, "you know you could always come over and snack at my house. You know my mom collects snack foods, just for us growing boys on the move."

Ranmaru looked over at him with a smile, "yeah, I know that. Your mom has a lot of strange "collection" habits, doesn't she?"

Tao just laughed, and the two walked side by side towards the cafeteria, Koichi-sama temporarily put from their mind.