Distant chirps filled the morning air, light shining through the curtains as a bird perched on Natsu's window frame. It tilted its head to one side as it witnessed the half-dressed Natsu sitting cross-legged on his bed with his arms crossed.
"How the hell did I lose!?" Natsu asked as he took his hands off his knees and placed them on his head, running his fingers through his crimson locks in utter frustration.
It didn't make sense to him. Natsu had beaten him last time as Natsume, but now he had to rethink this situation. "Bad enough I lost to the guy as a man twice, but now I gotta go on a date with Ryuji! And if he finds out I'm a guy!" the conflicted redhead said as he dropped his head to his sides.
He flopped back onto his bed, eyes gazing towards his ceiling in contemplation. 'Maybe I ought to just call in sick and take a day to figure out what to do. I ain't into men, and it wouldn't be fair to the guy…' Natsu thought with a sad look.
He hadn't counted on Ryuji falling for his girl side! He recalled that it was much more about what they were passionate about.
They were both after glory and respect, which meant acceptance on a scale surpassing their time in that world. The question that kept popping up was, why? Natsu's mind went through everything he knew about the fang-toothed teen. He had known he was the Son of the Hero, so maybe he had to rely on that information. He knew that Ryuji's father, The Proud Flame, had been married to The Blind Maiden and that Matsumoto had saved areas all over Japan from strange magical creatures or hordes of dangerous maniacs trying to take over their hometowns and cities.
"What do I know about his mom? I'm wondering what he sees in me, but I don't see how me and The Blind Maiden can relate. Besides, we're both martial artists and she's considered the world's strongest woman, and I want to be the strongest," Natsu thought aloud as he placed a hand on his chest while the other was out to his side.
"I guess it's kind of weird, but what's wrong with liking another martial artist? We'd have something in common. And she has fun with it too…"
Natsu couldn't control that his eyes widened in shock, and the hand on his chest clenched over his heart. He blushed and then scoffed, rolling his eyes before hugging his pillow without thinking. "I should have just come clean in the beginning. No way am I going on a date with him! We're not even friends. Sure he was there for me during class, but that was by accident. Though Ryuji's chair is a little closer to the front, he was the one that…" The redhead began voicing his thoughts as his blush faded but his tone grew uncertain like he was trying to realize something but couldn't quite grasp it.
An image of Ryuji and him hugging surfaced in Natsu's mind.
"Why am I hugging this like some sorta…?" Natsu shook his head in denial, then shoved the bed cushion away.
Deciding it was time to buckle down and stop thinking unnecessary things, the determined redhead crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at the ceiling, as if looking beyond it as he needed to think about how exactly he'd handle this.
"How does this stupid curse even work? If only Dad would have remembered the curse incantation…" Natsu tried to piece together as much as he could, but the only words that came to mind were,
"All he knew was that Great Grandpa ticked off some witch or something, and it had something to do with Grandma too. Fat lotta help that was, Old Man…" Natsu remarked with an annoyed expression.
"From all the times I tested my curse, it seems like it's got something to do with girls or sumethin. One time I timed it, and it lasted six hours." Natsu speculated, closing his eyes as he remembered being thirteen and, as Natsume, taking out a stopwatch app on his phone and staying near a mirror to catch how long it took.
"It's been different lately. The curse has been wilder for some reason…" the cursed redhead remarked as she thought about the past few days. That hug and sudden date proposal reemerged, causing a faint dusting of pink to Natsu's cheeks again.
"Why'd it take until I was in school? Usually, when I go to bed and wake up, I'm the good old me, but when I went to sleep a girl and just woke up as one again, it was new…" Natsu pontificated to himself openly, eyes narrowed in focus as he sat up on his bed, his legs crossed.
"I changed back because it's gotta be my curse reacting to being manly! I was watching Araya fighting and junk, then I changed back! That means I just need to watch or do manly stuff to stay good old guy me until he gives up!" Natsu thought with some pep in his words, smiling softly as he slammed his closed palm into his open palm.
Closing his eyes and nodding, the proud redhead crossed his arms in satisfaction with his revelation.
"Now to keep this up long enough for Fang-Face's interest in Natsume to blow over!"
Seated across from each other in their dining room was The Son of the Hero and the Proud Flame himself. Ryuji's posture was more alert and focused whereas his Father's appeared more relaxed as he looked out into the distance where a pair of double doors had been left open for them to look out into the distance.
The warm lighting gave an air of tranquility and peace among the seasoned warriors, their gazes, though seated apart from one another, the two Araya's were still inviting looking enough to approach had there been anyone there to have done so.
"Ryuji, I've made a lot of enemies during my time as a Hero…" Matsumoto admitted suddenly, looking down at the cup he held looking at his reflection in the water.
Ryuji didn't respond as his arms were crossed in calm contemplation, his eyes soft and serene as he appeared at peace. "Huh?" the confused teen muttered, snapped out of his daydream.
"Pay attention Ryuji, I get that maybe things are going well for you but what I'm about to say is very important, hell, it could save your life…" Matsumoto warned urgently, eyes wide as he drew his son's attention.
"I'm sorry Dad it's just, that I have a date with that girl that brought me here after she…" Ryuji couldn't finish
"Huh? That redhead in the boy's school uniform?" Matsumoto inquired with a slightly bewildered look, blinking twice as he recalled the day his son was brought back by what he thought might have been another male student albeit a rather short one, when he got closer look he saw that it was instead a girl in a boy uniform.
"Her name is Natsume Honoka and trust me, I didn't think I'd be into tomboys either…" Ryuji responded shyly, twiddling his index fingers together.
"I honestly figured it would have been that Haruka girl who's always challenging you," The Elder Araya remarked with a confused look.
"It's not like I haven't thought about it but ever since our first fight and what that did to their dojo," Ryuji averted his eyes, looking rather guilt-stricken.
"I figured you had your reasons, you know, I offered the head of their dojo to merge schools with ours but he refuses to incorporate our style into their own…" Matsumoto expresses his concern by reaching out to pat Ryuji on the shoulder, looking towards his son whose eyes returned to him.
"Anyways, I think this girl could be different! Dad! I haven't been into anyone since…" Ryuji began in pleasant disbelief, smiling with his eyes closed, daydreaming about them sharing another laugh and afterward, they'd lean on each other's shoulders.
Clank!
"Her." Matsumoto finishes as he places his empty cup on the table between them.
Snapping out of it he looked to where his Father had put his cup down, then to the older man himself.
"Yeah…" Ryuji said, voice trailing weakly but with a faint hint of pleasant disbelief lingering in his words.
"It has been some time…" Matsumoto adds somberly before humming to himself.
"How much do you remember about her?" Ryuji lifted his head, his Father's response prompting a hopeful look in his eyes.
"Sadly, still not much either Ryuji, all I can remember was a yellow sundress but was pretty smug about it from that smirk I can vaguely remember…" The Fang-toothed teen's parent narrowed his eyes, doing his best to make out what he could.
"I can't believe none of us can remember, I'm wondering if Mom is right and there's some sorta curse placed on us so we can't remember…" Ryuji said, recalling his Mother's advice.
"Nothing I've found seems strong enough to fix this, sometimes I'm not even sure it's magical but the fact that all three of us could so easily forget so much…" The Father of the House revealed with that same sad voice as before.
"Who did this then and why? Was it an enemy of yours Dad? If so, why was it only about her? It seems more like it was meant to hurt me…"
"If they were trying to hurt us and had access to something this powerful, the fact that they chose not to do anything either means they didn't want to harm a child or they had something against her and didn't want you to know her perhaps because I'm the Proud Flame…" Matsumoto speculated and sighed heavily, still thinking his family's association with her brought them needless burdens.
"Whatever they did, they robbed our memories, Dad, because when I think about her I feel a deep pain in my heart like something happened to her that I could never forgive myself for…"
"I'm a Hero, I haven't always been able to save everyone and if you want to take the title of the next Rising Sun you might have to be faced with that same painful truth Son…" The teen's Father knew that feeling more than anyone.
"I-I know but I'm getting over that now, I mean, we can't find any proof or anything or if whoever wiped her from our minds intended to do anything to her…"
"I hope wherever she is that she's alright, something which reminds me, I think you may want to hold on because of the news I was trying to give you earlier…"
"That's right but why would dating anyone at this time be a bad thing?" Ryuji wondered openly.
"First off, I need to train you in the ways of Shattering Earth fist and who knows if you'll come out unscathed. Scars don't always make partners more appealing…"
"I won't worry, I'm the Son of the Proud Flame after all!" Ryuji protested proudly, gently bashing his chest with a closed fist.
"It's that arrogance I'm afraid could get you killed, you're my son but your gory must be your own…" The senior Araya looked down, none too happy with his Son's answer.
"That's right, how could I forget…" Ryuji apologized with a bow of his head, he had helped people but not to the extent of his Father.
Matsumoto although knowing his Son was replying to not being cocky, could see that much like any other boy his age his heart was yearning for more. What good Father didn't want to be supportive? He sighed then shook his head, and slowly opened his eyes before continuing.
"Under normal circumstances, I'd say you shouldn't be worried about dating but since it could help you move on, I'll give you some advice, but before that, I have one question if you'd allow it."
"Huh?" Ryuji will be bewildered briefly.
"Does she fight because it's fun or because she likes to win?" His Father asks, his voice getting a little low near the end of his question.
"Honestly I think both but if you mean does she have a passion for it like we do?" Ryuji replied, not having expected that he blinked in confusion before answering as naturally as he could.
Matsumoto found himself chuckling at the fact that she could be both, nodding his head with a smile and his eyes closed.
Recalling the look on her face while she fought, the way they exchanged fists, the ebb and flow, the pushing and pulling. For an instant, his thoughts jumped to Natsu, and when they fought, which caused Ryuji's eyes to widen as he hadn't expected that but also happened to notice how similar the two redhead's fighting styles were. Pursing his lips he focused on Natsume again, especially how when she helped him back home after their fight she was competitive and cocky but the thought of spending more time with her made his insides flutter.
"She has a passion for it, I just know it…" Ryuji affirmed confidently, meeting his Father's eyes as he opened them.
"Good. Then you don't need to hold back on your training, hell, invite her over to train sometime if it goes that well with her." The head of the house said warmly.
"So what was that advice?" Ryuji smiled warmly as well, his fang poking out like his Father's would.
"Well. If she's a warrior like you're telling me then you need to do what your mother and I did…"
"I don't think we're that far yet…" Ryuji will blush, mistaking that for making love or a family.
"What? No!" Matsumoto will shake his head with his arms crossed. "Just ask her to spar with you and maybe offer to teach her some new things, ought to work if she's as competitive as I'm thinking…" Matsumoto will remember how beat-up both looked when Natsume helped lead Ryuji back.
"She's almost as good as me, I don't think I know anything game-changing enough to spend time sparring with her…"
"Lucky you boy, your answer was sitting right before you this whole time…"
"What do you mean?"
"I've only told a few people this before but now it's time for me to tell you, those times when I fell into great danger, I've tapped into the power of my spirit, my aura…"
"The inner life force in us all?" Ryuji questioned as he thought back to the tales his Father told him, how at seemingly unsurmountable odds his Father always came out on top somehow, and now here was that answer.
"Once you learn to harness this power we'll start adding Earth Shattering Fist techniques…" Matsumoto grinned confidently at his son.
"I knew this would be hard Dad but do you think I can handle that kind of power now?" The prodigal son asked with his eyes widened in wonder.
"With mastery over your aura you will become so durable Natsume would probably fall behind unless she trains with you…" The Elder Araya added as he raised a brow at Ryuji, letting him see what he was getting at.
"So you've found a way to harness one of your greatest strengths way earlier?" Ryuji questioned again, placing his hands on his knees and leaning forward a little.
The only response given to him was a hum of confirmation.
"When do we start?"
"After classes today."
A new day for a new start, a fresh speculation, and a plan to dodge his promise of dating a man. His thoughts centered on the only thing that mattered to him, how he was mastering his skills and beginning to predict Ryuji's moves better.
With these thoughts in mind, he ventured out of his apartment, a bookbag tugged under his arm and a look of accomplishment as he held one hand out and pushed the double glass doors open.
"Gonna' hate to break it to Snaggle-tooth but if Natsume can't show up that's too bad," Natsu rehearsed, smiling as he closed his eyes while walking before opening them and leaping onto the nearest concrete fence.
Once properly standing he put his hands behind his head and went along his merry way. Now that he had dodged this situation his next course of action was, 'Once I'm ready I'll come to find you old man, I want some payback…' he thought as he punched his hand into his fist.
"Beating him would already mean I'd be strong enough to take down Ryuji's Dad, I don't know how long that could take especially cause I'm still just trying to beat the guy's kid, and as a man…" Natsu muttered lowly to himself, looking to the side before just letting his hands fall to his sides, a strong look of contemplation painted thickly on his face.
His thoughts wandered to the fact that he was now in school, something inside his mind triggered his memory of the open road and how he and his Father would go on about their training like that time when they fought and ate a bear that had dared to try and attack them. "As much as I hate that old scumbag, he knew how to survive without a job and having to go school…" he muttered, sighing as he looked longingly to that lifestyle again, images of him studying for days on end to get into a good school now that he lived with his Mom.
"I ain't getting enough time to master my art with all this schoolwork and junk though," Natsu mumbled in annoyance before putting his hands in his pockets and leaping yet another fence on his way to school, 'But then wouldn't I just be abandoning Mom like Dad did to me?' he thought as a pain in his heart swelled, lowering his head.
"Excuse me have you seen a girl with red hair and blue eyes? Goes by the name Natsume?"
A faint voice echoed into Natsu's ears and his focus was redirected to it, knowing that voice, his eye twitched as he remembered the previous day haunting him like a horror movie plaguing his mind. "I get it, he won so now he thinks Natsume's gonna show, poor sucker maybe I oughta make that clear, say she had something to do or couldn't make it…" Natsu pondered quietly at himself, taking his hand out of his pants and placing it on his chin feeling oh-so proud.
"No. I'm sorry, I don't think I've ever seen a girl like that, maybe Honoki but he's a guy…"
Ryuji sighed, placing his hands on his hips. "Sorry to bother you…"
"If I see her, I'll let you know sensei," Shiro answered as he waved Ryuji at him before running off to class.
"Please, we're at school, it's just Araya here!" He replied with a smile, calling out to one of his students.
"Asking one of your goons do your dirty work for ya, are you, Araya?" Natsu asked as he was crouched over on the school's fence.
"He's not a goon and you're a real jerk for assuming that..." Ryuji remarked, looking at Natsu with his eyes annoyed in annoyance.
"Sure Natsume would love to hear what you said about her family," The now slightly peeved Redhead remarked.
"N-Natsume!? Did you see her today? A-also, I'm sure if she knew how you were calling someone my goon without even knowing them! She'd see you're not in the right." Ryuji sputtered then corrected himself, clearing his throat.
"Oh? She and I are so alike that she probably would've said the same thing, pal. That's why I keep telling you she's not your type," Natsu replied almost as if it were the most casual thing to say.
"Even if she is, so what if she's rough around the edges, I'll be the one to decide if she's worth it or not…" Ryuji replied looking off to the side, blushing with a pouting look.
"W-who knows if she'll ever show up, my cousin has always been the busy kind of girl." Natsu countered with a rosy tinge to his face, scoffing as he closed his eyes and started her walk towards the school's main entrance.
"Speaking about that, no one but us seems to know anything about Natsume and I can't find her anywhere, it's almost like she doesn't exist…" Ryuji speculated, reaching a hand to his chin.
Natsu tensed momentarily, his eyes widened as that probably didn't help that she seemed that way but it was the truth Natsume only existed as a matter of his curse not how Natsu truly saw himself, "Trust me she's always busy that's it," Natsu said, making up a hopefully sufficient excuse.
"Maybe I can talk to one of her teachers…" Ryuji commented as he looked down, crossing his arms.
"Arayaaa! I want my rematch!" A familiar voice rang in their ears, both turned from the direction of the school to see her stepping out the front main entrance.
"I'm sorry but I'm gonna have to pass on that." Ryuji politely rejected her offer, holding his hand out to tell her to cease.
"What's the problem now, Araya?" Haruka asked, pinching the bridge of her nose while she crossed her other arm over her chest.
"Can it wait until I get a confirmed day for my date with Natsume?" Ryuji asked, hand on his chest and the other held out as if she could spare him a moment like some pocket change.
Haruka and Natsu lost their balance in response to Ryuji, taken aback so suddenly by his response.
"Aren't you the guy always looking for a fight!?" Haruka demanded to know as she pumped a fist into the air in frustration as if protesting this response.
"I'm always looking for a challenge and I've already had a great challenge yesterday," The teen argued calmly.
"Are you saying I wouldn't be a great challenge?" Haruka inquired with a slightly ticked-off expression.
"I don't know! Maybe! But I haven't been interested in anything but fighting for years and now I finally want that and a girlfriend in one!" Ryuji defended himself, doing his best to get out of this situation, stopping as he realized how much he had just said so he covered his mouth, 'And I said that all in front of Natsume's cousin…' Ryuji thinks to himself with a shocked expression before looking at Natsu.
His rival stared at him with blank white lifeless anime eyes, his face a little reddened as his mouth resembled a straight horizontal line, 'Yeah, just make it harder for me why don't cha?' Natsu thinks to himself as he envisions a close-up of Ryuji's shock, then a visual of Natsu with his hand on his chest mouth open to explain his curse, and then Ryuji's enraged face with tears streaming down his cheeks, a blazing aura surrounding his menacingly darkened silhouette.
"I can't take waiting anymore! I'm sure you can understand! My dojo is at stake here and I'm sure if anyone here can understand, it'd be the Proud Flame's son!" Haruka declared, reminding the son of said Proud Father to sigh and close his eyes.
Ryuji narrowed his eyes slightly then nodded, "I do understand, there are two rules I'd like to suggest if there's no trouble…" The reluctant high schooler closed his eyes as he took his bandanna off his sleeve and fastened it around his forehead.
"What is it?" Haruka inquired calmly as she took her usual stance, her leg poised defensively.
"Hey! There's a fight happening again!"
"Haruka again?"
"Do you think she's got it in her this time?"
"Let's try to avoid blows to the face and to fight honorably, no surprise winks this time like our last encounters…" Ryuji reminded her.
"Those don't even work on you anymore so I'm fine with that but why the face exactly?" Haruka quirks a brow in suspicion.
"I-I wanna look my best for my date…" Ryuji bashfully admitted, averting his eyes before looking back at Haruka.
"For real!?" Natsu asked with an annoyed expression, 'This is my rival!? Even if you wanna look good most tomboys wouldn't care much about that sorta junk!' she thought.
Haruka and Ryuji looked at Natsu for a perplexed second, only for Natsu to have his eyes go wide, and clear his throat before looking away.
"Whatever! Fine! Now let's go!" Haruka answered, although from what she saw Ryuji had yet to adopt a stance so she was forced to engage cautiously, 'Is he taking this seriously or does he not even think he needs his guard up around me?' she thought then shook her head before lowering her leg and going for the offensive.
Ryuji stood as still as a statue, watching Haruka close in on him. The moment she was close enough Ryuji dodged by side-stepping Haruka, evading her basic punch shifting his weight, and sliding effortlessly to the right. Using the momentum of his sidestep, he brought his left leg around in a sweeping arc, his foot slamming into the back of Haruka's knee.
Haruka's eyes widened in pain as she winced briefly then took two hurried steps back, only to see that Ryuji hadn't relented by charging forward when she did and she found herself on the defensive again.
Ryuji's fists flew in rapid precision, each strike targeted at her arms. Haruka's forearms ached as she blocked and parried, her training arguing for her to maintain her guard especially since her opponent offered her little chance to breathe.
"The guy could've easily gotten past Haruka's defenses, he's gotta be holding back…" Natsu quietly deduced to himself as his eyes focused on Ryuji's movements and all the openings he could have taken advantage of.
Desperate to create some space, Haruka snapped her right knee up in a swift kick. Ryuji almost casually deflected it and closed the distance yet again. Chipping away at her stamina, Haruka feigned a right elbow strike with a burst of determination and then pivoted, delivering a powerful roundhouse kick.
With almost machine-like pin-point accuracy Ryuji managed to absorb the attack with his forearm, the force of the blow was strong enough to push him back a little.
Haruka tried to reset her stance, raising her wobbling and bruised arms, "I refuse to lose…!" she declared closing her eyes briefly before opening them to see that Ryuji had launched himself forward like a bullet.
"Haaaahhhh…!" Ryuji roared, angling his fist to collide with Takayama's gut.
POW!
Her eyes widened before she felt herself going weak again, falling forward only for Ryuji to catch her in his arms. Once again, she found herself like she had before but this time she was in too much of a daze to do much about it. Haruka didn't care right what they thought now, she was between consciousness and unconsciousness.
"M-my own Father couldn't beat yours and now the same keeps happening to me…" Haruka whispered, her voice weak and hurt sounding, the faces of her prior students haunting her as she leaned her head far down enough to cast a shadow over her eyes.
"I know, I've known for a while why you're doing this and I'm sorry I'm too strong for you still but just like you, this is what I live for, it's what drives me…" Ryuji whispered back as he respectfully held her up, hands on her shoulders.
"Y-you couldn't just let me win some respect back?" Haruka requested, her voice sounding like she was on the verge of crying.
"Is that really what you'd want? Some pity victory…?" Ryuji genuinely asked her, his voice letting her know if that's how she'd like to attain her respect.
There was a pause as some of the other students while watching almost seemed annoyed that Ryuji wouldn't just let her win while others Natsu included remained either stone-faced or in agreement with Ryuji's words.
"No. I guess not…" Haruka responded after some time of reflection, she loved the art too, she loved the moments it brought her with her Dad, standing by his side practicing Katas, helping the younger students when they got hurt, and the laughs she had shared with them.
"If you want I can help you get stronger but if you feel that you have to overcome me, know that you'll have won because you 'yourself' have climbed that mountain!" Ryuji spoke calmly and patiently before emphasizing to Haruka the importance of attaining one's goals righteously.
"I'll try even harder next time Araya," Haruka said in a hushed tone, finally finding enough strength to stop leaning on the Son of the Hero.
"Don't be so hard on yourself too! You're a hell of a lot closer to fighting me than others, so keep at it, and who knows? Maybe you'll be my next rival?" Ryuji spoke softly when asking, before adding some life to his tone near the end as he let go of Haruka.
"Thanks, I know I forced you into this fight but I thought I was ready and…" Haruka began, losing some composure while clenching her fists at her sides.
"It's fine," Ryuji said with a smile, lifting a hand to dismiss her worry hopefully.
"Hope your date goes well," Haruka replied warmly, a soft smile replacing her panicked one.
Natsu in the background flinched with a slight blush, his pupils vanishing as his eyes narrowed and his mouth agape.
"Me too," Ryuji answered with a lighthearted chuckle, crossing his arms as he flashed her a toothy grin.
"Whoever Natsume is, she's a lucky girl snagging the Son of the Hero…" Haruka says closing her eyes while blushing lightly, placing her hands behind her back with an equally warm grin as her opponent's before turning around and running off.
Natsu pursed his lips in annoyance, his faint blush barely present.
"Thanks, I hope it goes well too…" Ryuji answered chuckling nervously before waving Haruka off.
Natsu lowered his head and looked off to the side, narrowing his eyes as he thought about Haruka's words, 'Lucky girl? If only she knew the truth man, well, it'll probably be a bit before we see each other anyway so why bother overthinking it…' the annoyed redhead thinks to himself.
"If you see Natsume, please tell Honoka, tell her I'm looking forward to our date…" Ryuji replied softly as his voice trailed, saddened he took out his phone and saw that it was time to get going.
"Oh! Uh, sure…" Natsu spoke suddenly, not expecting to have Ryuji address him as he was snapped away from his thoughts to watch as Ryuji was leaving… in the wrong direction.
"Hey! Wait! You're heading the wrong way!" Natsu exclaimed as he ran after his rival.
"Huh?" Ryuji swung around to have Natsu catch his arm.
"Let's go, genius…" Natsu although looking annoyed led his classmate back to class, power walking with a slightly stumbling Ryuji following behind him.
The bell to Omitarou High rang as the clock at the top signaled the end of the school day. The birds that had landed on it took flight as if they too knew it was time to depart. Students poured out from the front double doors and others came flooding out from other exits, though many remained for club activities and other duties. However, not for Natsu, as he came striding out of school with a proud smile, looking far more at ease than usual.
He focused on how he avoided Ryuji and hadn't had any gender-shifting incidents the entire day. The visual of Ryuji looking defeated in his search for his redheaded woman of mystery fueled his smug look.
A vibrating sound struck his ears as he stopped thinking about how he managed to dodge his promise to his rival to see that he had a text message.
"Guess Mom's picking me up," Natsu remarked, then put his phone in his pocket and went to the front of the school. 'Probably got a promotion and wants to celebrate,' the teen casually thought.
"Hey Honoki…" Ryuji's voice dismally greeted, the once full-of-life martial artist now seemed to have lost quite a bit of life in his eyes.
"H-hey Araya…" Natsu's voice cracked before trailing off, almost as if Ryuji was radiating an aura of depression so strong he couldn't help but feel a little concerned. 'Can't believe it, but I feel sort of guilty now. Maybe I ought to tell him the truth now. Hell, I wonder if that's a bad idea right now. Gets rejected, and his guy rival happens to be a girl he's crushing on…' he pondered as he watched Ryuji walking away with his hands in his pockets.
"Natsuuuu…!"
Araya looked to her right to see his mom pulling up to the side of the road, parking as her window was open.
"Hey Mom," he greeted with a single hand waving at her.
"Who's yer friend with the long face, dear?"
"I wouldn't say that's my friend; the guy's more like my…"
"Boyfriend!" a random male student whom Natsu couldn't see shouted before hiding behind a corner.
"Who said that!?" Natsu demanded, swearing he could breathe fire right now how annoyed that made him.
"Oh! Don't let those kinds o' people get to ye. Besides, I'd love you no matter what, dear!" She assured her son as he stopped and stared at her.
"Mom! That guy isn't even my friend! He's my rival if anything!" Natsu explained loudly, getting into his mom's car before slamming the door shut.
Ryuji had gained some distance between them but faintly made out Natsu's words, and although he had felt that the entire day had been a letdown when it came to getting his promised date, he found himself smiling a little before going home.
Inside Natsu's mom's car, the younger redhead's arms crossed and his eyes closed, whereas the mother of the younger Honoki seemed pleasantly happy.
"So, what's this surprise?" Natsu asked once calm, looking out the window to see people walking by.
"My darlin', figured it was time all of us met," she explained calmly as they stopped at a red light.
"So I'm finally meeting the tomboy and her sister, huh?" Natsu questioned then leaned back on his seat with his head tilted upward.
"Ye were hopin' we'd celebrate by goin' out to eat?" she asked with a knowing smile.
"Kind of, been a while, ya know?" Natsu asked, looking thoughtful and then turning to look at his mother.
"Ye should be worried about makin' friends, though I'm glad ye've got a rival now!" She congratulated him as she looked at Natsu briefly then back to the road as the light changed to green.
"Eh, I don't need friends but sure I'll look into getting some or whatever…" Natsu's voice trailed softly, not able to see anyone from his class he'd call a friend or a friend candidate. An image of Ryuji came into mind but quickly vanished when he imagined Natsume with her eyes closed and no doubt revealing the truth to an upset Ryuji. 'Probably don't want to make friends with him, especially since I've got some news for him…' he thought with a disappointed look, but the fact there wasn't much he could do about that caused him to sigh.
"Ye might know one of me honey's daughters. I've learned lately that ye and her go to the same school!" Mrs. Honoki revealed as they went down a long stretch of road.
"I wonder if I've already met her," Natsu mumbled as he looked out the window to see the city, its various shops, and the occasional park.
Pulling up to the side of the road, Natsu stepped out of the car to look at the humble abode. It was a similar style to Araya's minka style home but its colors relied more on blue and black whereas Ryuji's featured more red and gold colors.
Natsu's mother clenched her purse at her side with a smile, looking at Natsu with an expression that looked to be encouraging. Natsu eyed the wooden front gate and then looked at his Mom and gave her a half-hearted smile, probably letting her know he couldn't promise anything as they walked forward, Natsu opened the front gate for him and his Mother.
Reaching the front they spotted an average-looking doorbell, Natsu and his Mom looked at each other once before Natsu rang the bell. They waited as the bell rang inside the house, eventually, the door opened with a soft creaking noise before revealing a man with a short crew cut and clean-shaven face his eyes the same color as Haruka's.
"Saoirse! Welcome to my humble abode!" The man of the house greeted with a bow, arms to his sides.
"It's good to see ye too, my dear Kaito!" Saoirse returned the bow, clasping her hands together in doing so.
"Nice to finally meet you, Mister Kaito." Natsu copied their host's bow. "I'm Natsu, Natsu Honoki."
"Yes. Same to you boy. I'm Kaito, Kaito Takayama." He said, formally introducing himself before stepping aside and allowing them to take their shoes off before coming in.
"Ye're lookin' as handsome as ever, Kaito," Natsu's Mom complimented his white dress shirt and black suit pants.
"And you're as captivating as ever my dear," Her beloved said, looking over his shoulder when opening the door to the next room.
"W-what are you doing here, Honoki!?"
"What!? Takayama!?"
"Oi! Ye've already had the pleasure!" The motherly woman smiled with her eyes closed, though she opened her eyes to see the two pointing and staring at each other in shock.
"Your Mom is dating my Dad!?"
"Your Dad is dating my Mom!?"
"You're both right now stop shouting!" Another soft but more monotone and cynical voice called as she appeared off Haruka's side, revealing a girl wearing faded blue jeans and an orange sleeveless tank top.
"Is there a problem? Are you two enemies?" Kaito inquired as he stepped away from the kitchen to see what was happening until he heard it all when stopping.
"Not really, he's just the only guy at school who can give Ryuji a challenge…" Haruka admitted, sighing and crossing her arms.
"And to me, she's just that determined tough girl who keeps challenging Ryuji…" He was about to add something about the fact that Haruka keeps losing but when his eyes saw how bad she looked Natsu's voice got caught in his throat.
"Oh yeah, is your boyfriend still helping you get clapped at school?" The girl with wispy bangs said as she flicked her high ponytail.
"He's not my boyfriend! And-And! Shut up! Mitsuru!" Haruka said before stuttering then shutting her eyes and shaking her head.
"Girls! Girls! No need to fight! Please, Saoirse and Natsu here are our guests!"
"It's nice ta finally be meetin yer acquaintance, girls…" The Mother of Natsu greeted with a bow, causing the two girls to stop and return it.
"It's nice to meet you too, …" Haruka and Mitsuru greeted Saoirse with a bow, doing the same for Natsu.
"Y-yeah, nice to meet ya'." Natsu bowed in return before looking at their gracious host.
"Come! Let's eat! I'm sure we'll have lots to discuss," Kaito spoke up as everyone finished with the pleasantries.
The square dining room table at the center was set with a wide array of Japanese food. The soft glow of the lanterns above them cast a warm light over their heads, highlighting the tatami mats and sliding shoji doors that opened to a tranquil garden view.
Saoirse sat beside her boyfriend. Her bright eyes sparkled with excitement and a hint of nervousness as she glanced around the table. To her right sat her Son, he seemed calm but on edge as he looked across the table from Haruka.
On Kaito's left side, Haruka sat quizzically staring at Natsu, looking like she was inspecting his face. She was dressed in a casual yukata, reflecting her playful but respectful nature. Mitsuru, her sister, sat across from the happy couple.
"So how did you two meet again, Daddy?" Mitsuru inquired all of a sudden, a knowing smile present on her face.
"That's right, you don't go to her workplace so I doubt you could know." He admitted then looked at Saoirse.
"I work at a restaurant called Sora No Bistro as one of the cooks lass, I didn't even know your father was a regular until we started datin online." Saoirse explained cheerfully.
"Sorry, I'll try it but I've typically stuck with mostly Japanese restaurants…" Mitsuru explained casually but gave a reassuring smile.
"Trust me, my Ma here can make anyone a fan, especially her Chinese food." Natsu threw in his own two cents with a proud smile.
"Awww! You flatter me, my sweet little lad." Saoirse thanked as she smiled at Natsu then looked back at Mitsuru.
"Well, after we met online and we found out I'd been going there for a while now we decided to meet up there for our first time…" Kaito said, hoping he brought it together rather nicely.
"I've seen you there a few times come to think of it," Haruka added as she tilted her head, thinking back to their brief encounters.
"Aye! Come to think of it, I remember ye too!" Saoirse added. "Anyways! Enough about me! Natsu! Introduce yourself, lad!" The eldest Honoki spurred her son on.
"Hey Mitsuru, I'm Natsu, Natsu Honoki." Natsu greeted, closing his eyes and giving a light bow.
"Mitsuru, Mitsuru Takayama. Charmed I'm sure." She casually fanned her hand with her eyes closed.
"I think there's something else you said you wanted to talk about, wasn't there my sweet?" The Head of the House inquired curiously.
"Aye! Pourdon me, my love, there be something I need ta explain about me dear son that I know we can't be avoidin…" Saoirse looked at Natsu and saw him noticeably flinching while lifting some rice to his face.
"Oh? What's so important that we just have to know about the mystery boy over here?" Mitsuru wondered aloud as she leaned forward.
"So you think it's better we tell them too?" Natsu asked, looking at his Mom for confirmation.
"Aye, who knows how four things are going ta get lad, better ta be safe than sorry…" Saoirse replied calmly, lowering his head as if telling him to go ahead.
"I'm magically cursed to change into a girl, there, I said it and I ain't too proud of it and that's that…" Natsu gave a flat look when explained.
"Is he for real?" Mitsuru inquired with a quizzical brow.
"Aye, I'm afraid not lass, Natsu's curse from her father's line of the family, long ago someone cursed his family into becomin women if they're male heirs…" Saoirse explained then looked at her son.
"Whoa! Can we see it?" Mitsuru asked, leaning forward before looking at Natsu.
"I can't, the curse is too damn unpredictable…" Natsu admitted as he then stuffed his face. "Before, when I tested it a few times it lasted six hours but that's not always the case," he added before taking another bite of his food.
"Are you sure? That sounds a little suspicious…" Haruka remarked, 'A boy who can change into a girl? But he's barely got a clue how it works?' she thought skeptically of him though she hadn't known Natsu long so it felt more like a strong hunch.
"Haruka…" Kaito reached his hand out to his daughter.
"I don't gotta prove nothin' to some uncute tomboy! Even if I did know 'exactly' how it works!" Natsu exclaimed then pointed at Haruka.
"Natsu!" Saoirse exclaimed in worry, reaching out to hopefully calm him down.
Suddenly everyone in the room gasped as Natsu's normally strong presence was replaced by his girl form's smaller and more slender frame. Natsume looked down with her eye twitching, then backed up with her mouth agape.
"So, it involves insulting women or something?" Mitsuru speculated as she was still in awe. "Most of all, I can't believe there are gender-shifting curses! Somebody oughta tell…" The eldest sister continued but more to herself.
Haruka gawked but then looked down and noticed that Natsume was not only pretty but also, 'They're even bigger than mine…' she thought looking away, her eyes twitching as she crossed her arms.
"I'd tell ye more if I could but if there's anyone who could it'd be me Ex-husband but he ain't here with us anymore…" Saoirse explained sadly while looking into Kaito's eyes.
"He abandoned me and told me to go find Mom…" Natsume explained as her voice cracked a little, lowering her head to cast a shadow over her eyes.
"W-why's that?" Haruka blinked in surprise, eyes wide while uncrossing her arms.
"Because he couldn't stand his gender-shifting freak of a son anymore…" Natsume noticeably tightened her grip on her chopsticks, causing them to snap.
"That's awful!" Haruka said suddenly.
"I don't need you to comfort me! Just drop it! Okay!" Natsu said placing his broken chopsticks down.
"O-okay. I'm sorry…" Haruka's voice softened as she looked down at her food. "You're not the only one who's lost a parent, I can understand a little even if not exactly…" the timid raven-haired girl added after a short pause.
"Yes. She can but please my sweet Haruka, let's not take it this far for our first gathering!" Kaito implored, noticing how down the mood was getting.
"Me darlin' is right! And Natsu my boy how about you pick a day where we can go celebrate like ye like?" Natsume's mother offered, in hopes of raising her son's spirits.
"I-I'd like that, n-now can we not focus on me anymore?" Natsume asked, 'I just wanna' go home now and wake up as a good old self…' she thought.
"Um! Yes! Of course!" Kaito said then cleared his throat. "How about you tell our guests a little about yourself, Mitsuru?"
"What's there to say? I'm a grade higher than my little sister and I looking forward to becoming a financial advisor, you could say…" Mitsuru said with a proud smile, lifting her head back.
While Mitsuru was speaking Kaito leaned closer to Saoirse and whispered in her ear, "I take it your Ex was a bit of a sexiest?"
"Not a bit, was…" She whispered with a sad look, feeling stupid for having ever been with that man.
Natsume stood in the bridal chamber, her heart pounding as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. She was dressed in a traditional Japanese wedding kimono, the intricate patterns and delicate fabric made her feel beautiful and suffocated. Everything was happening so fast! She didn't remember how she got there and yet here she was!
Her mother, Saoirse, was beaming with joy as she suddenly appeared behind Natsume. "Natsu, yer look so beautiful lass. I'm so delighted ta be giving ye away!" she exclaimed as she moved in to put on, and then adjust her child's hairpiece.
Natsume's mind raced. "Mom, this is crazy. I'm a guy! I can't do this!"
But Saoirse just smiled, her eyes brimming with tears of joy. "Nonsense, dearie. Today is yer most special of days."
The next thing Natsume knew, the younger redhead was standing at the altar, Ryuji standing beside her, looking impossibly handsome in his traditional attire. The priest began the ceremony, his voice a distant murmur as Natsume's panic grew.
"Ryuji, this is insane. I'm a guy dammit! You can't marry me!" She whispered harshly and looked angry, even if she had tiny tears in the corner of her eyes.
Ryuji turned to her, his eyes filled with love and admiration. "Natsu, I don't care if you're actually a guy. I love you for who you are and what we've been through…"
Her heart skipped a beat at his words, and despite her fear and confusion, she felt like she was having a moment of clarity. Maybe this wasn't so bad. Maybe, just maybe, this could all work out.
The priest's voice broke through her confusing thoughts. "You may now kiss the bride."
Ryuji leaned in, his lips inches from hers. Natsume's mind screamed one last defiant protest.
"Ryuji, are you sure you-you want a gender-shifting freak like me!?" she demanded to know, for some reason, the audience behind them didn't seem to notice.
Ryuji stopped before looking into her eyes before looking down and then back at Natsume as he placed his hands on her shoulders. "I wouldn't want you any other way, Natsume."
Natsume closed her eyes, his words readying her for the moment. The tears that had gathered at the corners of her eyes fell, causing her to swallow hard and nod her head. She couldn't see but Natsume could sense what was happening, she could almost feel Ryuji's breath on hers as his lips closed in on hers.
The redhead shot up in her bed, her alarm clock blaring, pulling her abruptly from her dream. Her eyes were wide as she placed her hand over her heart, she didn't know what was happening but she was breathing heavily and looking around her room frantically.
"W-what the heck was I dreaming about?" She stammered and stopped, looking down at her gentle-looking hands.
"I'm still a girl! Seriously!?"
Once again Natsume found herself on the familiar road to school. The warm day's morning embrace was ignored, instead, she couldn't help but think about how she'd have to answer to Ryuji. His mind kept wandering back to Ryuji's fight and how that might trigger his curse but faint affectionate images of the fang-toothed teen kept popping out of nowhere in her head, 'Ugh, what's with those images? I've never seen Ryuji looking that way…' she thought but her memory of their first fight came back to her, how he had stared deeply into her eyes and then even looked away while blushing when thanking her.
"Huh?" Natsume stopped when she saw a pair of shows in front of her, looking up she was met with that guy from before.
"Ah, such the warrior goddess that your mind till this very moment knows no rest, well far not, your dashing prince Toru…" Kunomi began, flicking his hair back.
"No thanks," Natsume remarked, closing her eyes and trying to walk past him. "Name's Natsu-Natsume Honoka and that's all you're gettin'." She responded with an uninterested look.
" I see, ever the glorious battle-maiden I see, then allow me the honor of winning your hand for a date!" Toru declared as he threw his rose to the side, impaling the sharp-tipped bottom of his rose into the ground in front of Natsume.
"Huh, cool but I got a date with a real man…" She announced to him, smirking, she wasn't a girl but what harm was there in dissuading someone she wasn't interested in?
"Then I shall challenge Ryuji once more for your hand!"
"You weren't part of our deal!" Ryuji exclaimed as he flew through the air, leg extended out as it crashed into Toru from behind, knocking him face first into the ground his arms sprawled out like some flattened bug on the side of the road.
"H-hey! What if I wanted to kick his ass!?" Natsume said, turning to face Ryuji but then remembered that she was talking to the guy she owed a romantic evening and leaned back in fear.
"I'm sorry but I couldn't risk running out of time again!" Ryuji explained as he put his hand on his chest.
"Look um... I…" Natsume began and leaned back a little, rubbing the back of her head nervously.
"I'm sure you've heard I won my fights like you promised! But when I couldn't find you yesterday I figured maybe I'm too forward and you were avoiding me…" Ryuji lowered his hand and his head.
Natsume was glad he couldn't see her face right now because she looked scared stiff for a moment before looking off to the side riddled with guilt, 'I mean, he's not wrong exactly…' she thought.
"I'm sorry for scarring you away, I hope at least we can be friends…" Ryuji said softly as he lifted his head, missing Natsume regaining her posture.
"Y-yeah, I-I wouldn't mind being friends I guess but just know I'm like beyond busy man, sometimes I need to get going on the spot and…" Natsume began then sighed. "Let me walk you to class… and yeah, I know you can get there on your own but just let me, okay?" she asked with a firm determination.
Ryuji blinked before clearing his throat and closing his eyes, nodding his head he smiled kindly at her. "If you insist, thanks." He replied as he stopped and waited for her to be standing next to him before they started walking to class.
"Seriously, I don't get you though, I'm a tomboy that even dresses like one and you wanna ask me out…?"
"Funny, Honoki said the same thing about you but I'll tell you what I told him, what's wrong with wanting to go out with another martial artist, we'd have something in common and you look like you have fun fighting with me too," Ryuji answered blushing a little as he scratched his cheek with his index finger.
"I mean don't you want some girly-little-prissy wife type than some tough-as-nails chick like me?" She questioned, looking at him as if this was just the obvious.
"If I wanted that I would have gone out with all the other girls that asked me out before, I guess I don't hate girls like that. I mean, come on, I'm a guy but there's always that one exception, that one you didn't see coming." Ryuji began, looking off to the side before blushing.
Natsume didn't know what to say to that all she could think about was that familiar feeling she got when she got told roughly the same thing when she was in her male form. The redhead fought off having thoughts, focusing on controlling her breathing to calm her flustered state instead.
"I surprised you," Natsu remarked softly as she looked ahead. "I don't see why, my cousin Natsu does the same thing I do why ain't you asking 'him' out?" she questioned with a skeptical brow.
"We're rivals, plus when he and I fight, I've always beaten him and he doesn't seem to take it well all the time but when 'we' fought not only was it tense but I had fun and we laughed and even when you helped me home after…" Ryuji's eyes widened as he realized he had said so much that even he felt like a fool for running his lips, 'Maybe I should have gone a few days then maybe I wouldn't have said something so stupid!' he thought in a panic, sweating anime bullets.
All the while Ryuji was speaking Natsume had a range of emotions, first, she felt proud that Ryuji considered himself her rival, and then her expression soured as he mentioned that Natsu had never beaten him since Natsume she had. That changed when he mentioned the time they had fought, when she thought about it, it was fun it was a moment she could look back fondly too and to consider even when she was lording over the fact she beat him he still found her to be interesting, well, it touched her as she blushed deeply again annoyed that she had to temper her breathing again.
"You're just looking too much into it my guy, I just like fighting, that's all…" She replied as calmly as she could though her heart raced a little.
"Yeah, silly me," Ryuji muttered as he closed his eyes, a sad smile etched onto his face.
"Make friends with Natsu and get on his good side and who knows, maybe I can make some time for you as friends," Natsume suggested as she spoke softly, 'Maybe I was wrong, what if we become good friends? It'll probably be a little easier to break the news to him or maybe just now…' she thought as she saw the melancholy look on Ryuji's face.
"So friends, huh?" Ryuji inquired sheepishly.
"Yeah! Why not!" Natsume replied, closing her eyes and tilting her head back.
"Maybe Natsu could join us and make it like friends just hanging out…" Ryuji suggested.
"Uh… can't do that…" Natsume answered, opening her eyes suddenly then looking away.
"Why not? Is this being too forward again?" Ryuji questioned curiously.
"I-I respect my cuz and whatever but he and I never get the chance because of our schedules!" She haphazardly excused.
"That's too bad," Ryuji admitted.
"Oh yeah, gettin' to spend time with the girl you like 'alone' is too bad, ya know…?" Natsume jokingly asked, rolling her eyes before chuckling with a light blush.
"I-I didn't mean it like that!" Ryuji defended, holding his hands out in front of him but in doing so he only made her laugh harder, 'Even her laugh is so cute!' he thought trying to calm down so his face no longer matched the shade of Natsume's hair.
"Oh, man! You're so obvious it's funny." Natsume retorted as her laughter died down like a calming sigh of relief.
"More like you're just a tease," Ryuji remarked with a scoff but still smiled lightly despite the fact, his fang poking out from the corner of his mouth.
"Your class oughtta be up ahead is my guess, see ya' around Araya…" Natsume said giving him a reassuring smile.
"You too, Honoka…" Ryuji said, mirroring her expression before turning around and sighing as he could hear her shoes tapping on the floor as she ran off. Just short of ten feet was his class, looking down for a second Ryuji wondered how much time they had exactly.
Reaching into his pocket he dug around in his right pocket, then followed by his left pocket, and his eyes widened as he checked his book bag, 'I just had it didn't I?' he thought as his mind thought back to before he met up with Natsume and saw Toru bothering her again, checking his phone before putting it in his pocket.
Natsume sat in a bathroom stall while hugging her knees, her eyes narrowed as she took a deep breath. "This is gettin' way too out of hand, heck, I think he's making me enjoy being…" she spoke as his kind words and odd charm caught her attention as much as she protested the idea to herself.
And everything he said he said with an earnest heart, even though he had won a forced date he wasn't making her go through with it if she didn't want to.
"Maybe if I become the guy's best friend and his rival he'll find a way to get over Natsume and we'll…" Her voice trailed, glad she couldn't sense anyone else there as she placed a hand over her chest.
"He's not a bad guy," Natsu muttered in his familiar masculine voice, which made his eyes widen as he looked down to see that he was back to his old self, but wordlessly he hugged himself with a big grin on his face.
"Don't know exactly what triggered that but-" Natsu only got so far before he buttoned his lips as he heard footsteps echoing nearby.
"Dammit, why do I got to keep losing to the son of a hero? Bad enough he's cu-" She stopped herself and then groaned in annoyance as she moved to the mirror in the restroom closest to the entrance.
Natsu gasped in shock when he heard Haruka out of all the people there entering, 'She knows about my curse! Maybe it's okay? But what if she freaks out and this is one of those schools that expels for guys entering the girls' restroom!' he thought panicking inwardly and outwardly, lifting his legs so Haruka couldn't see his feet in the stall.
"Is anyone there?" Haruka looked towards the stalls and looked down, not seeing anyone's feet in view she stared for a moment before turning back around and sighing, checking her phone in her bookbag then nodding her head and leaving.
"I don't have time for this anyways…" She muttered to herself as she walked out.
Natsu breathed slowly and calmly to avoid being caught, focusing on his ears as he waited a little. He quietly reached into his pocket and checked his phone to see that it was almost time for classes to start. Hoping the coast was clear, Natsu opened the stall door and walked out cautiously poking his head out as if he were a soldier on a recon mission. Power walking out, once he went through the bathroom door he immediately looked to his left while stepping out and then to his right as he closed the door though as he did on the other side he saw Ryuji standing there in shock.
"What're you doing in the girl's restroom? You know that could get you expelled-" He began but didn't get far as Natsu rushed him and clamped his hand over his mouth, 'I hope he washed his hands!' Ryuji thought.
"Araya! I know what this looks like! But it's not what you think! Now I'm going to let go of your mouth so we can talk, alright…?" The fear-stricken redhead's voice trailed in a panicked worry as she asked.
Ryuji stared into Natsu's eyes and saw fear in his eyes, then he looked down at the hand over his mouth and then back at Natsu before nodding.
"I can't fully explain it but I-I think I can make it worth your while!" Natsu whispered in a pleading tone.
"I'm sure you got a good explanation, what happened?" He whispered.
"I'll convince Natsume to go on a date with you!" Natsu whispered quickly and closely to Ryuji.
Ryuji's heart nearly stopped when he heard that and he shut his head and shook his head. "Like I said you should just explain and I doubt you could!" Ryuji looked away, blushing deeply as he pumped a fist to keep his depressed mood from getting worse.
"I swear on my life she'll do it! This is your chance! Just know that I-I wasn't doing anything illegal! And do you want your rival gone so badly?" Natsu asked, pursing his lips as he waited for Ryuji's answer.
Thinking about it for a minute the fang-toothed teen paused for a moment, Natsume had shown herself as the only one to help him overcome his past but did he want it under these circumstances? Also, Natsu, even if he couldn't beat him in his eyes, that still meant he would still lose out on an excellent training partner.
"I-I don't want my first date with Natsume to be under these circumstances, I-I want her to want to date me not because you need a favor…" Ryuji whispered with his head lowered.
Natsu lowered his head and bit his lips, he didn't know what to feel about this but if it meant he could keep his secret, 'I-I'll just go on a date with him and then win him over as my guy self into being my best friend that we'll be too close for him to be mad! I can't do that though if I'm expelled!' he thought frantically, her mind looking for any sort of out.
"S-she's just shy! I-I think she likes you!" Natsu blurted out without thinking.
"If that's true and I don't want to lose one of my rivals either…"
"Hell, after this we're friends and rivals!" Natsu exclaimed a little as the pressure in his chest calmed down.
"Anway! Honoki! I dropped my phone when I kicked Kunomi earlier so could you-" Ryuji started but had his wrist grabbed by his rival.
"You got it! And also the next time you see Natsume! You've got yourself a date!" Natsu exclaimed as he dragged his friend and date.
Natsu: Next time on Natsu's life! What! I've got a date! Why don't I think these things through? I liked it better when I was living in the woods! Now I have this rival slash friend and this Haruka chick is my Mom's Boyfriend's daughter! Gah! I-I've never been on a date either and now-now!
Ryuji: Don't worry! Natsume! I'll make this a date to remember!
Natsume: *changed into a blushing Natsume when hearing Ryuji* I'll make sure it's one you'll never want to go on again!
Natsume: See ya there! I ain't got no sense of fashion and now I gotta' wear something nice for a date!?