Disclaimer: 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 hentai. I'm not about to. Jeez…

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 sempai 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, definitely 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 eatingmy 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? Jeez, 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."

To be continued.

Webmaster: Larry F
Last revision: May 21, 2007