Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Intangible ❯ Mr. Romance ( Chapter 16 )

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.Sixteen.

 

“Did you know that Kurama could get mad?”

 

“Uh…yeah? He's human after all—or somewhat human… I mean, everyone's allowed to blow up sometimes. Even he's not perfect.”

 

“Words of wisdom from Kuwabara Kazuma…I never thought the day would come…”

 

“Shut up, Urameshi!”

 

I laughed and stared at the television screen to which Kuwabara's game was playing on. It was a new one that he recently bought—and with each new game he bought he always called me over for a challenge. I never did understand why he continued doing so after all these years when he's never even won a single game against me. I guess he was just masochistic.

 

“Why do you even ask anyway?” he queried, looking at me strangely.

 

I quickly punched in a series of buttons that resulted in the K.O. of his character. “Eyes forward, Kuwabara,” I said calmly.

 

I heard Kuwabara curse to himself and resisted from smiling. The guy was just too easy to pick on.

 

And it wasn't like I was venting out my frustration on him. No, no, of course not…

 

After two more rounds of silent playing, Kuwabara got his second wind.

 

“Did you to have a fight?”

 

This time I had to resist from punching the lights out of him for good. I frowned deeply. “Does it really matter to you?” I asked offhandedly.

 

“You did, didn't you? I knew it! No wonder you're in such a crabby mood!”

 

I threw down my controller and glared hard at Kuwabara. “Oh, so you think it's funny, huh?” I demanded. I was probably overreacting, but this time Kuwabara had tested the limits of my patience. I was the type to deny after all. Kuwabara was the more accepting one—the bigger softie out of the two of us. And I really didn't want his advice no matter how much it may have helped.

 

“Hey, don't yell at me, Urameshi! I'm not the one who's mad remember?”

 

At this I calmed down enough to cross my arms irritably. Kuwabara grinned whimsically at me.

 

“So what did you do?”

 

“How do you know I did something?”

 

“Because you look all guilty.”

 

Now on normal subjects like school and life, Kuwabara could be an absolute dunce. But when it came to reading people—especially people that he's known for a long time—he's hardly ever off. That plus his empathy also usually guaranteed cheesy, sympathizing advice that I was in no mood to listen to, but had no choice but to because Kuwabara could be even more persistent than me in situations like these—situations that involved emotions, something which I generally ignored.

 

“Hey Urameshi, you are in a relationship with Kurama, right? It's normal for you guys to have arguments!”

 

I looked at Kuwabara in surprise. Right, I had almost forgotten than he and everyone else thought that Kurama and I were boyfriends. I sighed. Even Keiko never got that angry with me—just bitterly annoyed. I knew that she would get over it, though. With Kurama…the differences between the two go on forever. What the fuck did I get myself into?

 

“Anyway, if you feel so bad just apologize. It's not that hard to do you know,” continued Kuwabara in his all-superior manner.

 

I stared at him. “Did you know that your voice, after hearing it for five minutes straight, can become really annoying?” I asked.

 

“URAMESHI!”

 

A wrestling match ensued. I won, naturally. But Kuwabara was still on counseling mode.

 

“It's healthy to disagree in a relationship. It shows that you two have different perspectives.”

 

This time I couldn't help but gape at him in disbelief. Kuwabara then laughed embarrassingly and blushed.

 

“I got that from Yukina,” he admitted.

 

“We didn't disagree—at least, he didn't,” I finally said.

 

A confused expression came over Kuwabara's face. “What?” he asked dumbly.

 

I sighed and folded my legs under me. “Look, I just pointed out my opinion of Kurama's relationship with Shiori—it may have been a bit harsh since I basically just disagreed to everything that he did. And he left after I finished without saying a word,” I explained. It was the condensed version of everything that happened the night before—a very condensed version. Kuwabara didn't need to know about Ryu.

 

“Shiori? How did she come up in your conversation?” he asked curiously.

 

I waved my hand absently. “She just did,” I answered vaguely.

 

“Well, what exactly did you say to Kurama?”

 

“I just said that all the guilt he felt for putting Shiori in danger was unnecessary and meaningless—that she would probably be angry if she ever found out. The underlying message could pretty much be that I thought he was being ungrateful towards her.”

 

Kuwabara laughed loudly and clapped his knee. “You said that to him? Wow, I never knew you had that much courage!” he exclaimed.

 

I glowered darkly at him. “You're not helping, Kuwabara,” I stated placidly.

 

He quickly cleared his throat. “Look, it's not that I disagree with you. I think you're actually right…though I'm still trying to figure out what you're saying—but what I did get I agree with you completely! It's just the way you said it—that's harsh,” he said.

 

“How else was I suppose to say it? Kurama always gets down and depressed whenever he mentions his mother. I can't be nice and sympathetic. Then he would never listen to me!” I pointed out.

 

Kuwabara frowned. “But still. You're bad with these sort of things. You need more practice,” he continued stubbornly.

 

The world must have been ending for Kuwabara to point out my weaknesses. I gritted my teeth and tried to take deep, relaxing breaths. I knew I was about as knowledgeable as a my alarm clock when it came to feelings. It took me a million years to finally figure out that Keiko liked me. And goodness knows how oblivious I was when it came to hurting people emotionally. I always realized things too late. It was a bad habit. But I wasn't the type of person who could easily relate to people. I was alarmingly blunt, Keiko once said. I guess now would be a perfect example of that blunt attitude gone bad.

 

“He's probably not really mad at you—I'm betting he was more hurt. I mean, that's a pretty mean comment, Urameshi,” quipped Kuwabara as he began chewing on a Pocky stick he managed to scrounge up from somewhere under his bed.

 

I propped my head back against his bedpost. Kuwabara looked at me in mild interest.

 

“You know it's kind of…cute.”

 

I didn't even bother yelling at Kuwabara for that one. I already knew it was coming from the start. “What?” I asked dully.

 

“You and Kurama arguing—it's like you're a real couple!” he finished with a laugh.

 

“We are a real couple,” I stated firmly. The tenacity in my voice surprised me. I was getting better at this acting I suppose. But then again we had spent so much time together that it was easier to say that we were a real item when we weren't. I guess this argument could even be further proof of our pseudo-relationship.

 

“Yeah, but it's still hard to believe. You two are totally different, you know? Yukina actually said that she thought you two were compatible from the start,” Kuwabara commented casually.

 

I looked at him with some amazement. “She did?” I asked.

 

Kuwabara nodded knowingly. “Yup. I didn't know where she got that from, but then she explained it to me. I guess you two could be compatible. I mean you're together now, right?” he replied, grinning widely.

 

“For how long I wonder,” I murmured aloud.

 

Kuwabara looked at me in alarm. “What, Urameshi?! It's just one little argument! Hell, it didn't even seem like an argument from what you said—you don't need to go thinking that the entire relationship is over!” he shouted in dismay.

 

I smiled weakly. “You know me, Kuwabara. I always got to think in a negative perspective,” I said airily.

 

He narrowed his eyes at me. “Yeah, I know. You're a really depressing guy in that sense, Urameshi. You didn't use to be like that,” he replied.

 

“Nah, I was always like that—but I don't let it bring me down. It's just good to see the bad side to things as well as the positive. It teaches you balance,” I pointed out smartly, grinning wickedly.

 

“I always look at things positively!” proclaimed Kuwabara proudly.

 

“So that's why you always rush into battles everyone knows you can't win. Keep up that positive outlook, Kuwabara, and one day you might end up killing yourself.”

 

Kuwabara fumed. “I know when I can't win, Urameshi! But I'm not one to give up either!” he argued.

 

“So if you know when you can't win, doesn't that mean you're looking at things in a negative perspective like me?”

 

“…Shut up, Urameshi.”

 

I smiled lazily at Kuwabara. “Just trying to point out some things to you, my friend,” I commented.

 

Kuwabara suddenly looked up and pointed his finger at me. “Like that! That's how you hurt people, Urameshi! Obviously, I'm not hurt because I've known you forever so I'm used to it—but you've never put Kurama down,” he said victoriously.

 

I frowned slightly. Such simple words—yet they can ultimately hurt someone in a profound way. This was why I hated relationships. They required communication. And half the time I don't even know what I'm thinking, so how can I predict what the other person is thinking? Relationships. They're like math—and I was never good at math.

 

“So I guess I should apologize,” I remarked dully.

 

Kuwabara grinned. “Well, duh. But you could do something else, too!” he exclaimed.

 

I raised an eyebrow at him. A scheming Kuwabara was never a good one.

 

“You should, like, give him something.”

 

I stared at Kuwabara blankly. “Are you serious?” I asked faintly.

 

“Well, yeah! It's nice to apologize and all, but it's more sincere if you actually do or give something, too!”

 

Obviously, my response didn't deter Kuwabara's enthusiasm at all.

 

I shook my head. “I'm really not the romantic type, Kuwabara,” I commented.

 

Suddenly I found his index finger being pointed at my face accusingly. “I know that, Urameshi! But this is a relationship—meaning two people. You can't just think about yourself anymore,” he stated firmly.

 

I was about to respond when I found myself going over his words. Thinking about myself, huh? I stared at the wall thoughtfully. Maybe I was being selfish. God knows how much pain I made Keiko go through because of my selfish needs. The funny thing was that I never even gave my actions a second thought. They seemed justified in my opinion. But that was my opinion. Of course I'll be subjective to my own wants.

 

“So what would you suggest?”

 

My reply must have surprised Kuwabara because he looked ready to argue before realizing what I said. He then beamed at me.

 

“Um…maybe flowers? Or…candy? Or maybe you could have one of those singing cards delivered to him…”

 

I was appalled by his suggestions. All of them were the standard “romantic gimmicks” that I saw on TV. If I was to be romantic then I could at least do it in an original manner. My pride wouldn't settle for anything less.

 

“Thanks, Kuwabara. But I think I'll handle that one myself,” I cut in before standing up to head out his room.

 

“What will you do?” he inquired.

 

I paused at his door and turned around halfway with a grin. “Damned if I know,” I replied wryly. I was not the most imaginative person in the world—but hell knows I was about to throw in all my creative skills to make this work.

 

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Three or four hours later found me standing at Kurama's doorstep. It took nearly all of my nerve to pull myself together to walk over to his house. Then when I finally reached his home, I walked around the block a few more times to clear my head before settling at his door, hand poised to knock.

 

Before I could even knock, though, the door was opened by Shiori.

 

I stared at her in surprise before recovering. “Uh—is K—Shuichi home?” I stuttered out. Good Lord, I was a mess.

 

Shiori smiled at me knowingly, and I couldn't help but find it somewhat perturbing. “Yusuke. Yes, he's home. In fact we were in the middle of a conversation,” she said, widening the door. “Why don't you come in?”

 

I entered the house slowly, half expecting some trap to be set for me. But Shiori was human—and a very kind one at that. She wouldn't do anything like that. Yet her attitude was discomforting. It was like she could see straight through me. As she led me into the living room, I saw Kurama sitting on the couch, sipping tea. When he saw me, he stared at me with some shock.

 

“Yusuke?” he asked mildly.

 

“Yo,” I replied weakly.

 

“Have a seat, Yusuke,” directed Shiori as she situated herself beside Kurama.

 

Feeling extremely misplaced, I sat down across from them rigidly.

 

“Would you like something to drink?”

 

“No, thank you.”

 

“Eat?”

 

“No thanks.”

 

It was like watching a rerun of the Twilight Zone, only I was in it. Kurama and Shiori looked as composed as ever and I was about to scream out of pure frustration. It didn't help, of course, that I couldn't even read what Kurama was thinking. He was masking his emotions perfectly. And Shiori…well, unless she was always this calm and motherly, was scaring the living daylight out of me.

 

“Shuichi and I were talking this morning—and I discovered some interesting things,” began Shiori suddenly.

 

I looked at her sharply.

 

“You're dating my son, are you not?” she prompted.

 

Out of all the possible things she could have said, I did not expect this one. So I just gawked at her for a few seconds before finally registering her question.

 

“Yes,” I said slowly. My attention was fixed on her entirely. Kurama could have been doing the square dance by himself in the background and I wouldn't have even flinched.

 

She smiled brightly at me. “Well, that's nice. I hope you're treating him well,” she said.

 

“Yeah…I mean, of course,” I replied, still confused.

 

“Shuichi—or Kurama, as you prefer—has told me quite a bit. I understand that you used to work together as a Reikai Tantei for…who was it again, dear?”

 

“Koenma,” filled in Kurama calmly.

 

Shiori nodded. “Yes, Koenma. So what do you do now?” she continued.

 

I stared at the both of them in disbelief. Okay, first mental note: Shiori was interviewing me and probably seeing whether I was good enough for her son. Understandable. Second mental note: She knew about Koenma. And she knew that I was a Reikai Tantei. And she referred to Shuichi as Kurama. Actually, that was more like four notes. I blinked at her.

 

“We occasionally still do missions for Koenma. But now I'm mostly in school,” I answered tonelessly, still trying to grasp the situation. My mouth was working on automatic mode while my brain tried to comprehend everything.

 

Shiori nodded curiously. “And what are you majoring in?” she asked.

 

“Programming,” I replied.

 

“Oh? For computers?”

 

“For video games.”

 

Shiori smiled at this. “That sounds interesting. Now I also understand that you used to be something of a…delinquent in your younger years?” she questioned, looking apologetic for using the term. “I think it's safe to say that you've reformed yourself, right?”

 

For a moment I was reminded of the old teachers I had—how they would look down on me derisively and claim I would never be able to do anything in life. But Shiori's attitude was different. She used the term “delinquent” but was willing to accept the fact that I had changed. I smiled slightly.

 

“Well, I can't say I've turned into a pure saint, but I've put aside my past. You don't need to worry about me breaking any big laws or anything like that,” I replied with more confidence.

 

Shiori chuckled and I finally noticed Kurama. He was watching me with that critical eye of his—something that still managed to intimidate me to this day. You just don't know what in the world it is that's running through his head when he looks at you like that. I just knew that he was judging me—for better or for worse was the mystery.

 

“Oh, Shuichi. I'm glad you have such a charming friend,” remarked Shiori to Kurama. She then looked at me again. “Yusuke, please take care of my son. I can trust you with this responsibility, right?”

 

“Sure thing,” I replied a bit hesitantly.

 

Shiori nodded and then stood up. “Well, I'll leave you two alone now,” she said as she picked up the tray carrying the tea and left the room.

 

For a while there was only silence where I was still trying to understand what had just happened. Kurama was sitting patiently with his legs crossed neatly. After a few more minutes of this, I finally stirred.

 

“Does she know?” I inquired.

 

“Yes,” answered Kurama.

 

I crossed my arms and stared at him. “What was that all about?” I asked.

 

A ghost of a grin crossed Kurama's face. “She was evaluating you,” he replied lightly.

 

“So did I pass?”

 

“You be the judge of that, Yusuke.”

 

I chuckled and shook my head. “Man, I haven't been that nervous since the final exam I had to take in junior high to move onto the next grade,” I remarked amusedly, feeling relieved and exhausted all at once.

 

“She took everything rather well—better than I would have imagined.”

 

I looked at Kurama. “She's a tough lady,” I complimented.

 

Kurama smiled. “Indeed,” he agreed.

 

I played around with my shirt before taking in a deep breath. It was all or nothing now.

 

“I'm sorry.”

 

Kurama looked genuinely surprised. “For what?” he asked in alarm.

 

I shrugged and played with a loose button in my pocket. “When I sort of…yelled at you that night with Ryu. I didn't mean to be so harsh in criticizing your relationship with Shiori. I was just saying my opinion but I didn't think about how I was saying it,” I explained humbly. God, this was so awkward. I never apologized—not even to Keiko—because I took it to my advantage that she would just forgive and forget. It seemed like I would have to change that view now.

 

Kurama didn't say anything for a long moment. He then broke into a smile—a truly gratified one that made me forget all about my reluctance in apologizing.

 

“You surprise me, Yusuke,” he began, laughing lightly, “but all is forgiven.”

 

I was suddenly back into hyper mode. I stood up and grabbed his hand. “Up! I have to make it up to you now,” I announced.

 

Before Kurama could even say anything I dragged him out of his house and onto the streets. I continued holding onto his hand all the way throughout our trip before resting at my apartment building. There I grinned at him.

 

“Did you eat?” I asked.

 

“No,” he replied. His tone was calm, but I could see that he was curious as well.

 

I led him to my apartment and unlocked the door. “Good,” I said before pushing him in.

 

The apartment looked the same—only I had tidied it up a bit and moved a large, flat table to the middle of the living room. I also cleared out all of mom's magazines and drinks. Kurama looked at me with some confusion and I merely pushed him onto one of the pillows I managed to dig up from my closet. I was going for a more traditional Japanese look, but I couldn't help it if mom and I were modern freaks. But it was functional—even if it didn't look the part.

 

“I was thinking how I thoroughly managed to ruin our first date so I decided to make it up to you now,” I said as I headed over to the kitchen. I put on a white apron and grinned wickedly at Kurama. “With a homemade meal of course.”

 

Kurama regarded me with an expression of surprise and amusement. “Can you actually cook?” he inquired.

 

I placed a hand over my heart dramatically. “Kurama, you hurt me! I've had to live by myself for a majority of the time. Trust my skills!” I exclaimed.

 

Soft laughter was issued from Kurama and that was all I needed to hear to know that maybe, just maybe, this selfless attitude Kuwabara was preaching about wouldn't be too bad of a task to take up.

 

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TBC

 

Ah, the end is near.