My Savior Chapter 1 By Mako-chan Fan/Jovian Angel Makochan_fan@hotmail.com Author’s Notes: This fic will be extremely short, maybe 2-3 chapters. School starts on the 26th and I’m definitely going to be busy. Anyway, Mako/Nuriko. ****************************** Mako was watching a cartoon when the doorbell rang. She stood up and opened the door. Standing outside was Nuriko, still a little unsure of the situation. “Hi Nuri-kun. Come in.” Mako cheerfully greeted as Nuriko took off his shoes and stepped inside. His eyes wondered at his surroundings. The apartment looked great. The white walls helped make the place look clean. The living room held the black TV, DVD, VCR, and the sound system. The white carpet covered the cold floor. The black leather couch faced the electronics. The coffee table, which was made of glass, sat in the middle of the living room. “Come on. Let’s go eat snacks before we go straight to the mall,” the green-eyed girl suggested as she led him to the small but cheerful dining room and kitchen. The kitchen table and chairs were redwood, and under it was a green carpet with flowers on the side. If the living room looked modern, the dining room looked classy and elegant. “What do you want?” Mako asked the mesmerized boy, her voice muffled as she checked out the insides of her fridge. “Uh, I’m not sure I’m hungry,” the lavender-haired boy answered. Mako stuck her head out, an eyebrow perfectly arched. “We’re going to be walking around a bit, Nuri-kun, so you have to eat. Come on, it’s not like I’m going to poison you. I got cherry pies, chocolate cakes, oatmeal cookies, and blueberry muffins. What do you want?” she offered. He thought for a second. “How about a piece of chocolate cake and oatmeal cookies?” “Sure thing. Just a second, okay?” She took out the medium-sized cake out of the fridge and cut two pieces, one for Nuriko and one for herself. She put the rest back and took the cookies laying on the counter and served it. “Wow, this looks good,” he commented. He took the fork she handed to him and took a piece to his mouth. “This is delicious! One of a kind! Where did you buy it?” he asked in delight. She heartily laughed. “Buy it? I made it!” she informed him, taking a bite of her cookie. His eyes widened. “Really? I didn’t know you can bake. Can you cook?” She wrinkled her nose, not liking the disbelief. “Yeah, I made it. And yes, I can cook. Is it THAT unbelievable?” “Sorry, it’s just that I hear people talk about you in school. Some people say that you don’t even eat, so it’s kind of surprising that you cook,” he said apologetically. Mako sighed. “I hate stereotyping. They really shouldn’t judge me by how I look. Just because I’m popular doesn’t mean that I’m anorexic or bulimic or snobby or a bitch. Hell, I bet Usagi can eat more than you.” “Well, you know how they are, some people blast you because you’re everything they’re not. But some people treat you like goddesses, like role models, you know?” “Well, I don’t exactly want to be a role model. Shouldn’t they be what they are? What they really want to be?” She asked, making a point. Nuriko nodded. “True. But you and your friends are lucky. Some students would kill just to be you. You guys have it easy.” She looked at him with incredulity. “Easy? How wrong can you get? Sure, being popular has its advantages, but it’s got downsides to it, too. Imagine yourself having to control yourself, limit your actions. You can’t make mistakes because hundreds of pairs of eyes are watching you. You don’t want to make a wrong step because you’ve got a reputation to maintain. “Everyone thinks we’re all looks and no brains, great looking on the outside but bitches inside. We’ve got ears too, you know. We hear what some people say, but we don’t want to cause a fight or anything. Why do you think Rei-chan’s a little mean to people? That’s her coping mechanism since we can’t do anything else. “And can you imagine how me and the girls feel whenever students and men leer at us, hooting, calling cat names? It’s disgusting. We can’t even find the good guys because the guys around us, all they want are to make out or have sex. Either that or to use us for popularity.” He never realized what these girls go through until now. He felt saddened by how he thought about them, how cruel it really was. He placed himself on her shoes. Everywhere he goes, people stare at him, leering, making moves. He shivered. How could she live like that everyday? These girls need protection! “Sorry if I took my frustrations out on you. It’s you guys who have it easy.” Mako gave a small smile. “The others, maybe. But not me. Everyone thinks I’m a geek, a weird geek, if that could get any worse. I look like I have a brain, but I’m an average student.” He shrugged. “That sucks. You know, everyone’s weird in his or her own way. It’s nothing big, really. Take Usagi, she’s a little out there isn’t she? And Rei’s temper is something else. Then there’s Ami. She’s always reading, always studying. “You, my friend, are just an introvert. That’s not exactly weird, but when you keep to yourself too much, then people are going to see you that way. Also, loosen up a bit, okay? I’m not going to eat you or anything,” she commented, a small smile on her face. “Sorry. It’s just a little surreal that you’re talking to me, helping me when you’re this big person in school and I’m almost invisible to everyone else.” “See, one of those stereotypes again. I swear I’m never going to be able to get away from them.” She noticed that they were both done eating. She stood up and took their plates. But he took them back, and helped her clean up. While he washed the dishes, she made them something to drink before they left for the mall. *************** “So, what are we going to do first?” Nuriko asked curiously while seating beside Makoto on the train. “You’re not going to do that whole make over thing just like on TV, right?” She looked at him, saw his deer-in-the-headlights expression, and laughed. “No, of course not! We’re not going to do that make over thing. You don’t need that.” She took some of his long, lavender hair in her dainty hands. He noticed how her eyes got sparkly eyed while looking at his hair. “I love your hair. I’m so amazed by it that I have to have a glimpse of it everyday or I would be a grouch the rest of the day. I wanted to talk to you, befriend you, but whenever you see me and my friends, you always stay away. I don’t know why you did that, until I talked to your friend Yoshi. He said that you avoided us because you thought we would make fun of you.” He looked at her wistful gaze and felt bad. She must’ve felt it because she smiled again went back to the topic. “We’re going to trim your hair a bit. Your hair is great, but we need to control the tips. And I don’t really think you should leave your hair down. Maybe one of the reasons why Mina doesn’t see you as a boyfriend is because your hair’s better looking that hers!” she giggled. He laughed, a little embarrassed. “Do I really look like a girl?” “Well, kind of. People never thought that men could have hair like this. And you’ve got such a pale skin. It’s nice to me, though. It tells me that you’re gentle and sweet,” she complimented. He blushed. ‘Mako-chan thinks I look good!’ Their stop was next and they got off. They left the train station and went to the big mall close to it. They turned left and headed for the parlor. “Um, shouldn’t we be at the barber shop?” Nuriko asked, hesitating on going inside the salon. “Are you kidding me? Those men are barbarians! They’d probably cut all your hair off! They don’t appreciate good styles. We’re going in here. The hair stylist here is the best in the Tokyo district. I know him, and I definitely trust him. Now come on!” She took his arm and urged him inside. Everyone in the salon seemed to know Makoto with the smiles on their faces and their joyful greetings. They headed for the receptionist. “I made an appointment with Mamoru-kun.” “Oh yes, Mako-san. He’s waiting for you. Go ahead.” She thanked the lady and led Nuriko to Mamoru’s own stall. He was sitting on one of the chairs and reading a magazine. Nuriko sized him up. He was tall, probably a 6’2. He was wearing a red muscle shirt, which accented his lanky but muscular arms, his flat chest and stomach. He also wore tight black jeans that hugged his legs perfectly. Black boots covered his feet. His raven hair shone in the light, making him look like an actor. ‘I look like a catfish compared to this guy!’ He was suddenly self-conscious. He was wearing a blue shirt, khaki pants and rubber shoes. ‘Why did I wear something that looked like they were the only clothes left in my closet because everything else was in the washer?’ He looked at Makoto. She was wearing a denim skirt, a yellow tank top and white sandals. So simple, yet it looked great. He rolled his eyes at himself. ‘This is really sad.’ “Hi Mamo-kun! We’re here!” At the sound of her voice, Mamoru stood up and kissed the redhead on both cheeks. They whispered to themselves. The raven-haired man kept on looking at him. Nuriko suddenly felt... annoyed. Who is this guy in Mako’s life? Why are they whispering to each other like that? And why is he touching her exposed arms and hands like that? ‘Take your hands off her waist!’ he silently screamed at the guy. He shook his head, clearing his thoughts. ‘What’s happening to you? It doesn’t matter if he touches her like that! You’re not her boyfriend!’ “Nuriko, come here.” Mako called out. He walked toward the two. “Nuriko, this is Mamoru, Mamoru, this is Nuriko. Mamoru is a good friend and my hair stylist. Nuriko is a classmate and a friend.” The two shook each other’s hands and offered a smile. “Okay, let me guess. You want to trim your hair, am I correct? We’re not going to cut it like those boyish cuts because your hair deserves better than that. You went to the right place, Nuri-san. The barbers will only massacre your hair. Your hair is enchanting, is it bottled or real? I can tell it’s...” Mamoru chatted on. He made the lavender-haired boy sit on the chair he once occupied and started the process. Both the hair stylist and Makoto were easy to be friends with that he relaxed under the two’s chatting. He laughed along at the funny stories Mamoru shared with them. He also voiced out at his opinions as they chatted. Time seemed to move fast when having fun. “There, done!” Mamoru proudly declared. His hair looked better. It framed his face perfectly and his hair had more and better figure. While he thought it was enough, the other two looked at him. They moved their heads in different angles and squinted their eyes as they thought of more improvements. “His hair shouldn’t be left like that,” Mako noted. With hands on his chin, Mamoru nodded. “Let me do something,” came from the redhead. She moved a chair directly behind his, sat down, and started braiding his hair loosely. Nuriko relaxed more under Mako’s light pulling of his hair as she braided. She was so gentle with it, he felt as if she was taking care of him, thinking he was something so delicate. He felt... appreciated. No girl had ever made him feel this way. “What do you think?” Mako asked Mamoru, looking up. The raven-haired man looked delighted. “Perfect! Just what I had in mind!” “What do you think, Nuri-chan?” Mako sweetly asked him. He took the braid on his hand and looked at it with the mirror in front of him. He smiled. “Hey! This looks great!” “I’m just going to the ladies’ room. Excuse me.” Mako got up and left. “Wait, how much is this going to cost?” He panicked. If this cost a lot, he may not have enough money to buy other things he needed! Mamoru laughed at the young guy’s expression. “Relax. It’s free. Mako-chan brought customers here so much that the salon decided to give her a free session every two months.” His face suddenly turned serious. “You’re pretty important to her if she brought you here and introduced you to me. Don’t break her heart, all right?” he warned. He blinked. “What are you talking about?” And then he realized what the guy was saying. “Oh, no. We’re not like that. We’re just...” he was cut off my Makoto. “Okay, I’m back. Come one Nuri. Let’s go. We have some more stuff to do. Thanks Mamoru, I’ll see you, okay?” “Okay, Mako-chan. Say hi to the gals for me!” He kissed her cheek before they left the parlor. They walked in silence for a bit. “Mako-chan, is he... I mean... did you and Mamoru-san ever...” “Dated? No. Mamoru-san and I are just good friends. Besides, he’s gay.” Nuriko was somehow relieved at the answer, knowing that there was no history between the two. He didn’t know why. Then he facevaulted. “Gay? What do you mean? He was kissing you and touching you like...” he was cut off yet again. “Oh, that’s his nature. Seriously, Nuri-kun, don’t you know anything about gay men? Some of them are hide their true selves, while some of them don’t but they still act a little manly. Mamo-kun is different. He loves who he is, and he’s not afraid to tell the whole world about it. Why would he when he’s great? Anyway, Mamo-kun’s really affectionate. He’s like my older brother, er, sister.” And then she laughed. “What is it?” Nuri asked. She eyed him, mirth written all over her face. “I’m actually surprised he didn’t make a move on you. He’s a playboy, er, girl (?). He flirts a lot. But why he didn’t make a single move on you is weird. Oh well, maybe he’s actually dating seriously now.” She shrugged. The whole time they went shopping and walking around, he wondered what he would have done if Mamoru DID make moves on him. END Ch1 I didn’t realize that this one was going to be long. I take back what I said, er, wrote. It’s probably going to take 4-6 chapters to finish this. All right then, matta ne!