_Chapter 49~ To Be a 'Delinquent'?_

         "You're famous?!"

         Erika chuckled at my outburst, waving her hands to calm me down. "Internet famous, yes. I upload a bunch of songs on YouTube among other things."

          Unable to believe my eyes, I shifted my attention towards the laptop screen and the page I'd accidentally stumbled upon. Erika had invited me over today but when our conversation had somehow shifted towards a show we should watch together, the first thing I'd come across after turning on the laptop was the face of my cousin. Singing, no less.

          Dragging the mouse, I frantically scrolled down the page, gaping at her total views and fan comments. "What the— You're freakin' amazing!" I ended up proclaiming. "And you have that many subs? Why was I not aware of this before?"

          Erika turned sheepish, shooing me away from the laptop and taking it for herself. "I thought I made it pretty clear that one day you took me around the city and I asked if you'd known any female artists. I was hoping for too much from you, thinking you'd be aware."

           Memories of that one day flooded back to me, leaving me to feel somewhat like an idiot. "But we were alluding to actual celebrities," I tried to defend. "And these videos—you barely even look like yourself. You have black hair in these, and you cover your face with hats. And your name here says—"

           "Karie Yaama—an anagram of my name," Erika finished for me. She shrugged. "When I started out I was pretty embarrassed to show my face and have people recognize me so my... manager, I guess you could say, whom I obtained later on, suggested I hide myself in creative ways. Since I did covers for both English and Japanese songs, alongside challenges, I had a bit of a fan-base from Japan, but I still got recognized in the city I lived sometimes. When it began to hinder with my school life my dad luckily got transferred here."

         "Luckily?" I echoed.

         She waved me off. "Don't get me wrong, I love Canada; I grew up there and all, but getting away from that country and returning to my roots is something I'm grateful for, if I'm being honest. My classmates especially were pretty racist against Asians and when I started gaining a name for myself, those who ridiculed me even started to approach me for connections and shoutouts and such. My teachers showed a bit of favouritism, too. It got suffocating real quick. So when I moved here I just dyed my hair and have been kind of MIA on my channel."

          Taking in her words, I still couldn't help but stare at Erika in amazement. "I can't believe I'm acquainted with somebody famous."

          Erika rolled her eyes. "I'm still the same ol' Erika you know," she said, jostling my arm. "Stop giving me those googly-eyes."

          I awkwardly dropped the gawking. Then, a sudden idea hit me. "Wait! So that one day I invited you to come to the festival with me and that random lady answered your cell...?"

           "Yeah, it was Murai Yuuma, my manager," Erika enlightened me. "She moved here, too, to be closer to her family. And back in the summer I went around Japan for a bit performing at small venues she booked for me. I didn't exactly know how to tell you so I kinda lied, sorry."

           "You better be sorry," I joked, feigning a stern look. "I could've came to cheer you on!"

           "Seriously?"

            "Of course!" Bobbing my head to a beat, I shut my eyes in awe. "Ah, your voice is so great! And you even covered Mortal Mania songs! Bless your soul!"

            My praise left Erika with an amused laugh. "Okay, okay, I get it." She turned off the computer screen with a sigh. "Forget me, you should really be loving your boyfriend instead."

             My body stiffened. My lips came together as I slipped out the earbuds from my ears. Catching my unsubtle grimace, Erika furrowed her brows.

             "Reina... don't tell me—"

             "We did reach an understanding!" I quickly said, avoiding her eyes. I forgot I told her.

              "Last time I talked to you you were at an 'understanding,' too," she said. "Things didn't change? Doesn't he want to be with you?"

           "He wants to!" I denied immediately. "At least, he said."

          "And yet he's holding himself back?" Erika finished, shaking her head with a sigh. Picking up her cup of frozen raspberry lemonade we had gotten, she put her lips to the straw and took a sip. "And you're just going to accept it?"

          My shoulders slumped. Technically, I wasn't. I was still meddling in something he made it adamant he didn't want. Still....

          "Well," Erika started again, seeing my reaction, "if he cares about you, and makes it obvious— Wait, how many times have you two kissed again?"

           "Hey!"

          She held up her hands in defence, smirking from ear to ear. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding. I guess it's too early for that, huh?" She dropped her arms by her sides and sat up straighter in her seat. My only saving grace from writhing in embarrassment was the fact that her house was empty. "So you two confessed that you have mutual feelings for each other. And yet he can't man up and ask you to be his girlfriend? Does he have a pair or not—"

          I gently jostled her. Clearing my throat, I spoke, "I already told you, it's not that he can't man up... It's complicated, okay?"

          "Yeah, because I'm so sure saying "Reina, be my girlfriend" after getting to raise your hopes to the extreme is acceptable as well." Erika rested her chin on her palms, meeting my eyes. "You're being too lenient with his terms. I get he treasures you, and you both like each other, but as it is you two are only hurting yourselves."

          "There's nothing I can do though," I confessed. "He's very stubborn! And ever since that day he's stayed distant and makes it obvious he doesn't want me to call him my b-b-b...."

           "Boyfriend?" Erika offered.

           "Yeah, that!" I choked out through the embarrassment. "I'm not the problem, he is!" I slumped my shoulders once again, taking a sip of my lemonade. "I mean, I have tried, but... I just have to accept it until some miracle happens don't I...?"

           "That's the thing right there." Puzzled, I looked at my cousin. "Don't you want to call him your boyfriend?"

           "Well... I guess." I hesitated. "But wouldn't that be selfish of me?"

           "Oh, please. That boy's the one being selfish. He shouldn't be allowed to even see you with the way you're hurting now."

           "I'm not hurting," I hedged. "I mean, I did say I'd wait until he's ready."

           "And at this rate you'll be waiting until you're old and wrinkly," Erika said. "I'm just saying, persistence is key."

           "Persistence?" I made a face. "No way, that's a turn-off."

           "Not in this case. You have to fight for his attention if you want a relationship," Erika reasoned. "You're being really kind about this, Reina—that's the thing. If I were in your shoes I don't think I'd be able to be selfless enough to deal with that crushing feeling. And I'm guessing the reason he's not so close to you lately is because Iwasaki doesn't want to take advantage of you if you're not actually together."

          "What are you trying to say?"

          "Bottom line is," she said, "the only way you'll be able to get him to be more possessive is if you take the initiative."

            My right eyebrow cocked.

            Erika held up her fist. "Basically make that boy so jealous he'd want to lock you inside a cage just to keep you for himself!"

             "Uh..." I began, my expression falling. A cage? Talk about serious Amnesia déjà vu.

             "If he wants to keep you away from him so you won't hurt yourself, make it so that he realizes he doesn't want to hand you over to just anyone. I don't know—you have to make him want to declare you're his and all those other cliche things! You've probably watched the shows and read the books. You understand what I'm trying to say, right?"

           Processing her strange advice, my lips came together. I stirred my straw around in my cup, squaring my shoulders. "So you're saying I should still be pushy? Even if he's only trying to look out for what's best for me?"

            Erika cracked a smile, reaching out over the table and patting my arm. "Listen, Reina. Being patient is nice sometimes, but if you just give up and are waiting for something to happen—something you're not even sure what to expect—you're probably better off trying to change how things are. What's best isn't always what's right nor is it automatically gonna make you happy. Trust me, if he really likes you, what you want will be reciprocated."

           What I wanted...? "I don't know what I want," I admitted. "But... if something is hurting Iwasaki, I just want him to know that I'll hurt with him if I have to...."

            Despite being serious, Erika squealed, catching me off guard. I jerked my head up, a blush dusting my cheeks.

            "Wh-what?"

            "You're too cute, Reina," Erika responded. "This is what I'm talking about; if you say something like this to his face, he'd probably drive himself insane."

             Though Erika's notion flustered me, I couldn't help but frown. "And how do you know that? You seem to have all the answers concerning guys."

              "That's because unlike you, I've actually dated the other gender," Erika said with a humorous smile.

               My eyes widened. "What, really?"

               "Yeah." Erika shrugged. "I think it makes more sense to, considering how old we are. Your innocence is very rare in current society."

               The word innocence tugged at me but I didn't let it invoke a reaction from me like she probably wanted.

               "What happened with your boyfriend?" I asked Erika, unable to stop the curiosity from creeping at me.

                "Boyfriends," Erika corrected and dismissively rose her shoulders. "A lot, actually. Majority of them who only cared about my fame didn't feel the same way after a while, and there was one where I moved on first. One time I even went out with a guy who I confessed to and I later learned—quite awkwardly—that he literally accepted our relationship because he wanted to have sex with me..."

             My jaw fell and Erika stopped to bob her head.

              "Some guys are really insensitive like that. Then again, I guess it's because I have a bad taste in guys; opposite to you, Reina." She held up her hand. "That Iwasaki—he seems really sweet. Too sweet, actually. The way you talk about him makes him seem like a guy you'd only be able to find in movies or cliche rom-com books. No guy I ever dated treated me the way he treats you. That's why it's hard for me to say much and give you any good advice. On the other hand, if this was a matter of you wanting a guy driven off the face of the planet, then I know someone who could help you with that...."

           Seeing the petrified look in my eyes, Erika produced a laugh.

            "Kidding," she said. "The guy lives in Hokkaido, anyway."

            "That's not the issue with that," I said, not knowing where to start with it. I didn't want to know why she ever needed help from that someone in her life. Aki and her seemed to be acquainted with weird people; they'd probably get along.

            Erika rolled her eyes. "Anyway, I doubt you want awkward kissing advice from me either, so that's out too. But anyway, your relationship is complicated and from what I've known, nothing good can come from complicated relationships. You can hurt a lot in the end; and that's why I'm telling you with all goodness in my heart to solve this bump in the road fast."

          I ended up cracking a tiny smile, gripping my drink tighter. "Thanks, Erika."

          "No problemo, cuz," she cooed. "If you ever need to talk, I'll be glad to listen."

          "Yeah..." I said.  Returning my gaze back in front of me, I took a deep breath, readying myself and my confidence. Starting tomorrow, I had to get Ryu to see eye to eye with me. Nothing would change between us if I didn't.

           "Though," said Erika. "Considering how slow you two are I'm kinda afraid my words of wisdom will go to waste. He lives across the street from you, right? Should I just go over and—"

           I snagged her arm before she could swipe her jacket and leave out her bedroom door. "Hey! No! I'll settle things myself!"

           "I can settle things faster," Erika said pointedly. "It's officially irritating me because I only want to see you two happy."

           Erika's stare only managed to make me uncomfortable, but I didn't recoil. A frown settled upon my lips. Seeing that, Erika heaved a sigh.

            "I just don't get how he can't make you his or vice versa," she exploded. "I mean, it's not that difficult. Is it because you're too goody for him?"

            "'Goody'?"

           Erika shrugged, slipping back down into her seat. "He very much looks like a delinquent with his bright hair. I mean, it could be inherited but—"

            "No, he originally had black hair," I interjected. "He dyed it a while back and I'm pretty sure has kept dyeing it since."

            "Why orange then?" she mused. "If he wanted to be a delinquent obviously he'd have to dye it blond or something."

            "Iwasaki's not a delinquent," I defended. I mean, it was true. Even if he classified as one the past, he wasn't one anymore. I paused, blinking a bit. "Hold up, why are we talking about his hair colour? What does it have to do with anything?"

            Erika pursed her lips. "Nothing much. I was just thinking: considering his delinquent image maybe the whole bad girl thing appeals to him a bit more. Nothing's wrong with you already—you earned yourself plenty of delinquent cred in the past—but maybe if you acted more like a badass he'd feel more obligated to date you? It could tell him you're tough and don't need protection from him, which could be a good surplus in your case since you told me that's basically the reason he's keeping you away."

          Following her dubious statement, my ears definitely perked at the last bit. "Do you really think it'd reassure him?"

          "So you're considering it?"

          I chewed on my lower lip, unable to refute.

          A smirk flitted onto her lips. "Good thing you're already at my house then; I have plenty of leather jackets to spare. Let's play around, shall we?"

          I swallowed hard. "Your smile is kind of scaring me, Erika."

          A bark of laughter left her mouth as she nudged me towards her closet. "Just leave transforming you to me."

*                *               *

          Walking into the kitchen, both my parents gawked.

           Heading outside my house gate, my neighbours did double-takes.

           When Ryu finally sauntered outside the door of his household, scarfing down the last of his breakfast only to find me waiting for him, it took no time for him to dramatically spit-take. He even began choke, coughing hysterically to clear his system.

           "'Morning, Iwasaki," I cooed, straightening my posture, my feet planted at a good distance from one another from underneath my lengthy skirt. I stuffed my hands into my dress coat pockets—ones Erika had styled in a manner that gave me an indomitable appeal. My typically curly hair was curlier than ever; even the sensation of eyeliner and mascara made my face feel heavier than usual. Regardless, it had caused the exact response I'd wanted to come from the male.

           After his coughing began to subside and he finally regained what little breath he could, Ryu fumbled for words. "I-I'm sorry... Wh-who...?"

           A dry laugh left my mouth. "What do you mean who? We've only been apart for a day and you already forgot my name?"

          Ryu was gaping at me with widened eyes and dramatic blinks. He even went to incessantly rub his eyelids. I sighed, rolling my eyes.

          "Close your mouth and start walking. We're going to be late for school."

          Before I could spin on my heels and leave, Ryu grasped my arm to stop me. "I-I'm sorry, but who are you?" he demanded, once again with a plummeted jaw.

          I pried myself away from him, a scowl growing on my face. "Did you hit your head or something? Why's it so difficult for you to understand the fact that I'm Reina?"

          Shaking my head I started down the road without a care, but I didn't have to worry much because Ryu did come bumbling after me. Passing civilians seemed just as surprised as Ryu was when their gazes fell to me, but majority of the teenagers were blatantly lovestruck. The males followed me with their eyes; some even bumping into poles as they did. Humoured, I flashed them a smirk, even waving at them as I did.

          More boys went crashing face-first into poles.

          Ryu, who had caught up to me in no time, saw what I was doing and whipped his head towards me. Seizing my shoulder, Ryu blocked me from the boys and I glanced upwards at him in confusion. For the first time, Ryu's expression slipped from that dumbfounded look and replaced itself with a sudden surge of incredulity. He briskly raked my body over once and his eyebrows knitted together even further.

         "What do you think you're doing?" he finally demanded.

         "What am I doing?" I innocently countered.

         Ryu clenched his teeth, beckoning to my outfit. "Take all of that off right now!"

         Nudging his grip aside I wryly snorted. "Don't you think asking me to undress is a little bold of you, Iwasaki? We're out in public you know."

         A vibrant blush consumed his cheeks as he recoiled. "I-I d-didn't— Th-that's not what I meant!"

        "You sure?" I teased. "Could've convinced me."

        Ryu opened his mouth to argue but only managed to trip over his own words. It succeeded in making him flush further.

          "Wow, a stuttering and blushing problem?" I whistled with a grin. "How cute."

         Ryu's blush darkened. Quickly jerking his head left and right, he met my eyes. "Listen, whatever you're trying to do I'm not approving of it."

          "I see," I drawled. "And who said I needed your approval? I'll go to school however way I'd like, thank you."

         Ryu paused, clearly speechless. "Are you mad at me about something?"

         "No. What gives you that idea?"

        Once again, Ryu dramatically gestured to my outfit.

         I gave Ryu a flat look. Right as he returned an equally strained one, I moved my left foot forward, stepping towards him. He stumbled backwards in surprise, and with a smirk playing at my lips, I lightly laughed.

          "Just accept it for what it is, Iwasaki," I cooed, slipping my hands into my skirt pocket and ambling down the road. I made sure to emanate as much haughtiness as I could as Erika advised, even blowing kisses to the passing boys who immediately feigned faint. "You're stuck with me."

*                 *                 *

           Simply by gaining a bit of attitude and altering my appearance, the students in the school didn't steer clear of me like I would've thought. No, instead they all fluttered around me like butterflies to a pollinated flower. The entire school population which was mainly delinquent guys, by the way, were all awestruck. Albeit the lingering awkwardness about it all, I still kept up with the facade Erika had told me to upkeep.

          Miki, Chiharu and Saika did demand for answer when they saw me in class but luckily Erika came up with an excuse for me. Mr. Matsuda didn't even made eye-contact with me all morning. Granted, I was giving him the most heated glare I could muster considering his words from last time. Needless to say, it had caused him to sheepishly clear his throat all class.

          Ryu himself, throughout this all, was glowering whenever I was approached by the gawking boys. It was so malicious that it'd scared most of them away but despite being inwardly touched at how jealous he was, I had to pretend I wasn't. Erika had said it would give him a reason to confront me later on to 'make me his.'

           Whatever that meant. Still, that didn't stop the fact that I had countless of second thoughts throughout the entire day.

           When lunch came around, I managed to finally slip away from the animated crowd hovering around me and was sneaking through the back hallways and vacant staircases. After entering a certain one, it caught me off guard when I'd heard the clanking of a metal wrench. Puzzled, I followed my feet towards the sound and my eyelids nearly shot upwards in surprise when I recognized the redhead sitting down at the stairs, fiddling with what looked like a jack-in-the-box.

          What happened the last time I'd seen him filled my mind and a frown quickly spread across my face. His plan was the sole reason why Ryu and I ended up confessing, but he was pretty angry as a result. Had Ryu already talked to him about what happened? If so, did I really have to set things straight? I shook aside the idea. I still felt pretty guilty. And since he was right here, I might as well, right?

         Mustering up all the courage I could, I headed down one more step. Aki still hadn't moved, proving he was still so immersed in whatever he was doing.

         "Aki," I ended up calling out.

         Without even turning around, a subtle hum erupted from the male. "Oh, Senpai? You're here?"

          He picked up a screwdriver from one of the many tools laid out on the stair he was seated on, going on to tighten a loose screw on the box. My expression fell. Was it because he was busy he wasn't turning around or was it because he was still angry?

          Not wanting to feel dispirited, I went on, "Listen, I wanted to apologize about the other day."

          Tinkering with a device, the backside of his shaggy hair tilted to the side. "The other day?"

         "With Iwasaki."

         "Oh," he murmured. "Yeah, you guys figured everything out, right? Then it's fine. I don't need anything like an apology. Don't worry about me."

         I sourly bit the inside of my cheek at his flippant behaviour. Twisting my around his sprawled tools, I planted my feet on the step just before the one he was seated on. Even still, Aki remained fixated on the box, not turning his head up the slightest to regard me. Seeing that frustrated me.

          "Hey, I'm trying to talk to you right now."

          "And I'm responding like I should." Aki picked up a pair of tweezers. "Why are you still here again?"

          Feeling incredulous, I swooped down and snatched the tool right out of his hands. Automatically, the redhead jerked his head upright.

           "Hey!" he shouted. "I was trying to— Holy shit."

           If his eyes could be hearts, that'd basically be the way to describe just how bulged Aki's eyes had become from their sockets. A wolffish whistle immediately left his mouth as he sprung to his feet.

          "Holy shit," he cursed again. "You're freakin' hot, Senpai!"

          The praise momentarily reminded me of my attire. Considering his status, I wasn't too surprised he thought so. A smirk moved up the corners of my lips. "Thanks. I decided to change things up a bit—"

          "But you're taking it all off," Aki continued, his elated expression slipping off his face. "Right now."

          I blinked rapidly. "Wait, what?"

         Aki fished into his pocket and pulled out his cell. Before I could make sense of what he was doing, he snapped a picture of me.

          "Hey!" I hissed as the flash dimmed. "Why'd you do that?"

          "I should be asking why are you dressed like this?" Aki demanded in turn, holding up his screen which illuminated a picture of me. "I heard the other guys talking about some hot transfer student but— it can't be you."

          I didn't take his words kindly. His reaction was just like Ryu's and everyone else's. I furrowed my eyebrows. "Why can't it be me?"

          "Because you're—" Aki fumbled for words, immediately going to swipe rapidly at his screen. He extended another photo of me, this time in my school uniform laughing to something with a big smile on my face. "Because this innocent delinquent-phobic girl is you! You can't suddenly walk into school dressed all sexy and badass! It's ironic!"

           My jaw had fallen and I swiped for the device at once. "Why do you have pictures of me on your phone?"

           Aki side-stepped in time to dodge me. He slipped his phone back into his pocket. "That's not what's important right now, Senpai."

           "Yes, it is!" I snapped. "That's surpassed the level of creepy! Delete them!"

         "No way, I need them!"

         "That's so f—"

         "—lipping—"

         "—creepy!"

         I scowled at him blocking me. "Don't you think bleeping me out after you just swore yourself is a little hypercritical?"

         "That's because it's fine if I swear but if a derogatory word comes out of your innocent little mouth it'd ruin me!" Aki dramatically proclaimed. "Change back into your regular uniform, Senpai."

          "No," I enunciated, folding my arms over my chest. "I don't care what you or Iwasaki say, I'm neither innocent nor a damsel in distress. I'm— Oh my gosh what happened to your cheek?"

          Aki's hand instinctively flung to the discoloured spot below his left eye. My heart sunk in my chest. It was so obvious. How did I not notice it the moment I saw his face? Was this why he was avoiding to make eye-contact with me before?

           "Are you okay?" I questioned, reaching out towards him. "Did you get into another fight?"

           "I'm fine," Aki said, shimmying away. "I just got a little distracted and screwed up. I made sure to return an equally hard punch to the guy's face so it's all good."

           "No, it isn't!" I argued once I caught another glimpse of it. My hand had ended up on his cheek. "You're bruising! You need to get it iced!"

          Aki met my eyes with a frown. "Stop worrying about it. It doesn't suit your delinquent attire."

          I froze up instantly. "Wait, it doesn't? Am I supposed to not panic as much?"

           "Of course not," Aki responded with an eye roll. I caught him wince but he went on anyway, "If a guy sees this he'll ridicule me for sure. Call me a wuss. That's why I've been trying to hide my face all day."

            Was that how it worked? "Can't you just feign it off as a good Samaritan deed like you were trying to help a mean old lady cross the street and got socked by her purse as a result?" I suggested.

           Aki only deadpanned. "Were you not listening? I said I don't want to be ridiculed." He sighed. "This is why you can't pull whatever you're trying for long."

            I scowled at him, pressing my fingers against his bruise. "Don't tell me what I can or cannot do."

            "Ouch!" he cried. "Injured cheek here!"

           "Sorry," I sheepishly said, instantly regretting it. "Look, since you're so embarrassed to walk around should I go get you an ice pack myself?"

           Aki shrugged, swinging his lateral hand over his cheek. "I'm fine."

           I narrowed my eyes at him. "No, you're not," I enunciated. "I'm getting you one."

           Though looking like he wanted to refute, Aki didn't say anything. He shook his head with a loud exhale of air and trained his eyes onto me. For some reason, it seemed as if he were scrutinizing me and when I'd begun to feel discomforted, he then cracked a small smile.

           "Jeez," he started with another sigh, "even if you do have feelings for someone like my brother, I can't come to hate you can I?"

           Perplexed, my head cocked to the side. Hate me? "What do you mean?"

          Instead of answering, Aki gasped and extended a finger past my shoulder. "Oh no, look! It's the guy himself!"

           "Huh?" My heart literally dropped in my chest as I spun around. When I looked, it was to my confusion to find that he was nowhere Aki was indicating, or in the vicinity around us. Knitting my brows together, I fixed my focus onto Aki only to find that he'd made a quick getaway. He'd left me alone in this empty corridor.

           I shook my head with a groan. The guy was so strange.

           "Excuse me." My body went stock-still at the sudden bellow of a female teacher. Colour drained from my face as she only continued, "I think we should have a little chat about your outfit, young lady."

            Taking a glance her way, a sweet smile flitted onto my face. "Ms. Osaka... long time no see."

            She didn't look impressed. "Kikuchi... Trying a new look?"

           "I find it really complements my eyes," I timidly laughed.

          She clenched the sheets of papers she carried in her hands. "Well now that I have a better look, it doesn't necessarily break any hardcore rules so I can't exactly pin you on them... I'm betting I'll be seeing you dressed that way tomorrow as well then?"

           "The possibility is very strong, ma'am."

           As the old lady walked away, she shook her head. "To think that 'hot' transfer student my students ditched class to swarm around would be you."

            Pressure left my limbs in relief once she was gone. I averted my gaze to study my outfit once more. What she said—rude or not, it meant nothing to me. If only this look appealed to the one guy I wanted, too....