Disclaimer: Super Gals and its characters do not belong to me.
Author's Notes: This is my first Gals fic so please bear with me. I haven't watched the whole series yet (only until episode 18 I think) so don't expect that I know everything about the show.
Warning! This is an Aya x Rei story.
Review, onegai?
The Next Time Around
By: Na-chan
Chapter 1: Evade
The sound of a pencil being tapped resonated along the whitewashed walls of room 2-A, accompanied by the noise Fukouto-sensei made while furiously writing several algebraic equations on the blackboard. The students winced as the woman broke the long piece of white chalk into two equal halves as she finished.
"Ishimura-san, please answer the first one," The teacher's voice was calm and collected, a stark contrast from the mad person writing on the board moments before.
Ishimura stood up lazily, stared at the problem for a minute, and sat back down again. "...it's beyond me sensei," He said, shrugging.
The lady eyed him disapprovingly. "Shall I ask someone to help you...Hoshino-san?"
The longhaired girl looked startled, but answered with certainty, "H-Hai! When x squared is represented as y, the equation changes from x to the fourth minus seven x squared plus twelve to y squared minus seven y plus twelve. By using factoring, we learn that y is equal to either three or four." Aya finished with relish.
"Arigatou, Hoshino-san. You may take your seat. Please continue from there Ishimura-san," Fukouto-sensei prompted.
"...ah, yes. Then substitute y for x squared..." Ishimura droned on. Aya shut his voice out, as she placed her attention on the next equation. Seriously, was this the advance class her parents wanted her to attend? It was exactly like regular schooling but during the summer.
Speaking of summer...wasn't it a time for rest and relaxation? What was she doing right now? Studying her butt off for next semester. Even Ran didn't study much, and she was obligated to attend summer classes. But that was expected anyway. The girl would probably be at the beach getting a tan or shopping.
But it's better this way, isn't it? At least you're distracted from HIM, The inner Aya asked. You've been avoiding him too, right? .
.
.
.
.
.
. FLASHBACK .
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Ring, ring." The telephone rang, breaking the silence that enveloped the whole house. The only resident remaining in the dwelling, the dutiful daughter, stood up and hurried to answer it.
"Moshi, moshi. Hoshino residence," Aya said.
"Aya," Miyu's voice was barely audible from all the noise coming from the other line, "we're heading to the mall.want to come with? Everyone's coming."
"Everyone?"
"You know...the gang..."
"...even Otohata-kun?" Aya hesitated before asking.
Miyu paused, "I'm not sure. But Ran'll find a way to convince him."
"Oh." I'm not yet ready to see him. But even though he doesn't come...I'm not certain that I'm all for hanging out with the gang just yet...it's a constant reminder, Aya felt like saying. However, she decided on a different excuse.
"Gomen ne, I still have to study. There's a long test tomorrow."
"A test? You're too diligent, Aya. But if you really have too.just don't stress yourself, okay? We worry about you."
"Hai." .
.
.
.
.
.
. END OF FLASHBACK .
.
.
.
.
.
.
No, I haven't. We just don't see each other as often, Aya reasoned, after the memory of last Tuesday flew passing by.
Her inner self laughed. There's nothing wrong with evading. Everyone needs some time to think alone. But it isn't healthy to keep yourself strained over this. He's just a guy.
I know. Demo.I don't understand what's wrong with me.
I knew it! You still like him until now.
No!
Aya shook her head, trying to clear her mind of the thoughts swirling endlessly. Concentrate, Hoshino, she prodded herself. There is only you and algebra. Otohata Rei is not the one for you. Just let him go.
But she knew in her heart that she couldn't. .
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Yuuya."
"Hmm? What is it Rei?" The blonde asked, looking up from the records he had been scanning idly.
His friend and first place winner of the high school grand prix, Otohata Rei, shook his head, abandoning his earlier purpose. "It's nothing," He said, as he continued to jot down the day's profits. "Don't break anything," He added.
Yuuya approached the counter where the dark-haired individual sat, his interest piqued. "Spill it," He demanded.
"..." Rei chose not to reply. Instead, he took a calculator from one of the drawers and started adding the written numerals. He didn't feel like talking about it now.
Yuuya peered at him in slight annoyance. "It's about Hoshino-san isn't it?" He placed his arms across his chest.
"..." Yes, Rei replied in his mind.
"Come on. We all know how shy and soft-spoken Hoshino Aya is. You could have at least put her down nicely," He stated, peeved at Rei's silence. "Besides, she's the most decent girl who's ever has a crush on you. Very pretty."
"..." The girl was cute, that he could admit, but she wasn't his type.
"At least she isn't a raving fan girl."
"..." Thank heavens.
"We all know you like her well enough."
"..." Really? I do.?
"You'll accomplish nothing with her if you keep to yourself like that!" Yuuya gave up, immensely irked. Talking to Rei surely wouldn't do anything. It was like conversing with a wall. He stalked out of the store in a huff. His friend was hopeless. No, beyond hopeless.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Aya! Over here!" Kotobuki Ran called enthusiastically, as she waved her fellow gal over.
Aya smiled brightly whilst she crossed the intersection with agile strides. Ran would always be Ran, whether rain or shine.
"How did your class go?" She queried.
"I skipped it," Ran replied casually like she was talking about the weather. Her reddish-orange hair swished in amusement, "there was a 50% off sale and I wanted to buy a coat."
The brown-eyed gal sweat-dropped. Trust Ran to go galloping off at the mention of a new outfit for half price. "Were you able to buy one?"
"Yup," Ran held the nine paper bags up for Aya to see. "I bought something for you too, Aya."
"For me?"
Ran nodded her head vigorously. "To cheer you up and to thank you for constantly helping me with my homework." She fished inside one of the paper bags and produced an aquamarine barrette with white streaks.
Aya's eyes widened. "Thank you Ran. It's beautiful." How thoughtful of her. Sometimes Aya hoped she was as carefree as her tomodachi.
"I knew you'd like it! I have one too, only pink. See." The girl pointed at her hair where a pink one was firmly attached. "There's also one for Miyu."
That was the first time that Aya actually noticed her mature friend's absence. "Where is she anyway?"
"She can't come. Says she's got a date with my brother. Couples."
"Oh." The timid individual suppressed a smile as she watched Ran go on and on about Yamato and Miyu being so in love with each other and Yamato being so hesitant. Ran looked so silly copying the two.
"And he's leaning in like this and...grrr..." Kotobuki's stomach rumbled and Aya let out the smile she was trying to keep.
"Keep quiet," Ran berated her belly, slapping it irritably. "I've no money anymore."
"I'll treat you then. There's this ramen place that just opened."
"Really? Yay!!!" .
.
.
.
.
.
.
The restaurant was packed to the brim, and Rei mentally noted that almost, if not all of the customers were female. As he rested in the kitchen, he voiced his concern to the assistant cook, Hiro, even though he already knew the answer.
"It's because you're waiting on them," The older man said, shaking his head. "It's because you're such a pretty boy. But it doesn't matter, since you attract business," Hiro laughed heartily.
"Otohata! Your break's over! Go and serve table number thirteen! They've been waiting for five minutes and a half already!" The manager called from outside.
Rei nodded and left the kitchen through the double doors, taking the tray that contained two bowls of steaming ramen. Before he reached his destined table, he passed several tables where girls sat, ogling him. He ignored them and made his way to the table on the farthest corner, where two very familiar girls sat.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"That place over there? Wow, Aya, thanks! I heard they have delicious food there!" Ran headed to the establishment excitedly, only to be obstructed by a crowd of giggling females stationed in front of the glass doors.
"What's going on here?" Aya asked a nearby brunette whose reply was drowned by the sounds of sudden shrieking.
"Aiyeee! Where is he?" One of the girls screeched.
"He went inside the kitchen," Another one replied.
"Then let's go to the back door! We'll see him then!"
"YEAH!" All the girls chorused. They left the front and ran furiously towards the back alley. Ran and Aya sweatdropped.
"Well, now that that's over with, let's go in. I'm starving," Ran complained, as she pushed the glass doors effortlessly. All the tables were full, but Ran managed to squeeze through and get them a table by a corner. Her companion was amazed at the speed and tact used by the Kotobuki girl to weave her way through. Minutes later, a waiter approached them and took their orders.
"I'll have plain noodles and water," Aya ordered after scanning the menu that was handed to her. "What do you want, Ran?"
"You eat so little Aya! You're already so skinny! I want seafood ramen. And some soda."
"That'll be one plain, one seafood, soda and water. Is that all?" The young man asked as he read from the paper he had listed on.
Aya nodded. "Do you want anything else Ran?"
"Nope." At that, the attendant left, taking the menu with him.
The two friends conversed about small things after that, but when Ran brought up the subject of Rei, Aya was silent.
"Have you talked to him again?"
Aya shook her head in a negative. "I don't want to talk to him," She said, looking away from Ran's accusing eyes.
Ran shrugged. "Serves him right anyway. I should have pounded him for making you sad like that. But do you still have feelings for him?"
"I-I--" Aya stuttered, "I don't know. I don't think so." She felt her face heating up. She knew it was a lie. She still had feelings for the dark- haired bishounen.
"Are you absolutely sure? What if I told you Rei's out on a date with someone?"
"I wouldn't---" Aya started, but suddenly stopped. She let her sentence hang. Because at the exact same time she saw a waiter making his way with their orders. And it wasn't the earlier one.
It was Rei.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
To be continued...or not?
Author's Notes: This is my first Gals fic so please bear with me. I haven't watched the whole series yet (only until episode 18 I think) so don't expect that I know everything about the show.
Warning! This is an Aya x Rei story.
Review, onegai?
The Next Time Around
By: Na-chan
Chapter 1: Evade
The sound of a pencil being tapped resonated along the whitewashed walls of room 2-A, accompanied by the noise Fukouto-sensei made while furiously writing several algebraic equations on the blackboard. The students winced as the woman broke the long piece of white chalk into two equal halves as she finished.
"Ishimura-san, please answer the first one," The teacher's voice was calm and collected, a stark contrast from the mad person writing on the board moments before.
Ishimura stood up lazily, stared at the problem for a minute, and sat back down again. "...it's beyond me sensei," He said, shrugging.
The lady eyed him disapprovingly. "Shall I ask someone to help you...Hoshino-san?"
The longhaired girl looked startled, but answered with certainty, "H-Hai! When x squared is represented as y, the equation changes from x to the fourth minus seven x squared plus twelve to y squared minus seven y plus twelve. By using factoring, we learn that y is equal to either three or four." Aya finished with relish.
"Arigatou, Hoshino-san. You may take your seat. Please continue from there Ishimura-san," Fukouto-sensei prompted.
"...ah, yes. Then substitute y for x squared..." Ishimura droned on. Aya shut his voice out, as she placed her attention on the next equation. Seriously, was this the advance class her parents wanted her to attend? It was exactly like regular schooling but during the summer.
Speaking of summer...wasn't it a time for rest and relaxation? What was she doing right now? Studying her butt off for next semester. Even Ran didn't study much, and she was obligated to attend summer classes. But that was expected anyway. The girl would probably be at the beach getting a tan or shopping.
But it's better this way, isn't it? At least you're distracted from HIM, The inner Aya asked. You've been avoiding him too, right? .
.
.
.
.
.
. FLASHBACK .
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Ring, ring." The telephone rang, breaking the silence that enveloped the whole house. The only resident remaining in the dwelling, the dutiful daughter, stood up and hurried to answer it.
"Moshi, moshi. Hoshino residence," Aya said.
"Aya," Miyu's voice was barely audible from all the noise coming from the other line, "we're heading to the mall.want to come with? Everyone's coming."
"Everyone?"
"You know...the gang..."
"...even Otohata-kun?" Aya hesitated before asking.
Miyu paused, "I'm not sure. But Ran'll find a way to convince him."
"Oh." I'm not yet ready to see him. But even though he doesn't come...I'm not certain that I'm all for hanging out with the gang just yet...it's a constant reminder, Aya felt like saying. However, she decided on a different excuse.
"Gomen ne, I still have to study. There's a long test tomorrow."
"A test? You're too diligent, Aya. But if you really have too.just don't stress yourself, okay? We worry about you."
"Hai." .
.
.
.
.
.
. END OF FLASHBACK .
.
.
.
.
.
.
No, I haven't. We just don't see each other as often, Aya reasoned, after the memory of last Tuesday flew passing by.
Her inner self laughed. There's nothing wrong with evading. Everyone needs some time to think alone. But it isn't healthy to keep yourself strained over this. He's just a guy.
I know. Demo.I don't understand what's wrong with me.
I knew it! You still like him until now.
No!
Aya shook her head, trying to clear her mind of the thoughts swirling endlessly. Concentrate, Hoshino, she prodded herself. There is only you and algebra. Otohata Rei is not the one for you. Just let him go.
But she knew in her heart that she couldn't. .
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Yuuya."
"Hmm? What is it Rei?" The blonde asked, looking up from the records he had been scanning idly.
His friend and first place winner of the high school grand prix, Otohata Rei, shook his head, abandoning his earlier purpose. "It's nothing," He said, as he continued to jot down the day's profits. "Don't break anything," He added.
Yuuya approached the counter where the dark-haired individual sat, his interest piqued. "Spill it," He demanded.
"..." Rei chose not to reply. Instead, he took a calculator from one of the drawers and started adding the written numerals. He didn't feel like talking about it now.
Yuuya peered at him in slight annoyance. "It's about Hoshino-san isn't it?" He placed his arms across his chest.
"..." Yes, Rei replied in his mind.
"Come on. We all know how shy and soft-spoken Hoshino Aya is. You could have at least put her down nicely," He stated, peeved at Rei's silence. "Besides, she's the most decent girl who's ever has a crush on you. Very pretty."
"..." The girl was cute, that he could admit, but she wasn't his type.
"At least she isn't a raving fan girl."
"..." Thank heavens.
"We all know you like her well enough."
"..." Really? I do.?
"You'll accomplish nothing with her if you keep to yourself like that!" Yuuya gave up, immensely irked. Talking to Rei surely wouldn't do anything. It was like conversing with a wall. He stalked out of the store in a huff. His friend was hopeless. No, beyond hopeless.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Aya! Over here!" Kotobuki Ran called enthusiastically, as she waved her fellow gal over.
Aya smiled brightly whilst she crossed the intersection with agile strides. Ran would always be Ran, whether rain or shine.
"How did your class go?" She queried.
"I skipped it," Ran replied casually like she was talking about the weather. Her reddish-orange hair swished in amusement, "there was a 50% off sale and I wanted to buy a coat."
The brown-eyed gal sweat-dropped. Trust Ran to go galloping off at the mention of a new outfit for half price. "Were you able to buy one?"
"Yup," Ran held the nine paper bags up for Aya to see. "I bought something for you too, Aya."
"For me?"
Ran nodded her head vigorously. "To cheer you up and to thank you for constantly helping me with my homework." She fished inside one of the paper bags and produced an aquamarine barrette with white streaks.
Aya's eyes widened. "Thank you Ran. It's beautiful." How thoughtful of her. Sometimes Aya hoped she was as carefree as her tomodachi.
"I knew you'd like it! I have one too, only pink. See." The girl pointed at her hair where a pink one was firmly attached. "There's also one for Miyu."
That was the first time that Aya actually noticed her mature friend's absence. "Where is she anyway?"
"She can't come. Says she's got a date with my brother. Couples."
"Oh." The timid individual suppressed a smile as she watched Ran go on and on about Yamato and Miyu being so in love with each other and Yamato being so hesitant. Ran looked so silly copying the two.
"And he's leaning in like this and...grrr..." Kotobuki's stomach rumbled and Aya let out the smile she was trying to keep.
"Keep quiet," Ran berated her belly, slapping it irritably. "I've no money anymore."
"I'll treat you then. There's this ramen place that just opened."
"Really? Yay!!!" .
.
.
.
.
.
.
The restaurant was packed to the brim, and Rei mentally noted that almost, if not all of the customers were female. As he rested in the kitchen, he voiced his concern to the assistant cook, Hiro, even though he already knew the answer.
"It's because you're waiting on them," The older man said, shaking his head. "It's because you're such a pretty boy. But it doesn't matter, since you attract business," Hiro laughed heartily.
"Otohata! Your break's over! Go and serve table number thirteen! They've been waiting for five minutes and a half already!" The manager called from outside.
Rei nodded and left the kitchen through the double doors, taking the tray that contained two bowls of steaming ramen. Before he reached his destined table, he passed several tables where girls sat, ogling him. He ignored them and made his way to the table on the farthest corner, where two very familiar girls sat.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"That place over there? Wow, Aya, thanks! I heard they have delicious food there!" Ran headed to the establishment excitedly, only to be obstructed by a crowd of giggling females stationed in front of the glass doors.
"What's going on here?" Aya asked a nearby brunette whose reply was drowned by the sounds of sudden shrieking.
"Aiyeee! Where is he?" One of the girls screeched.
"He went inside the kitchen," Another one replied.
"Then let's go to the back door! We'll see him then!"
"YEAH!" All the girls chorused. They left the front and ran furiously towards the back alley. Ran and Aya sweatdropped.
"Well, now that that's over with, let's go in. I'm starving," Ran complained, as she pushed the glass doors effortlessly. All the tables were full, but Ran managed to squeeze through and get them a table by a corner. Her companion was amazed at the speed and tact used by the Kotobuki girl to weave her way through. Minutes later, a waiter approached them and took their orders.
"I'll have plain noodles and water," Aya ordered after scanning the menu that was handed to her. "What do you want, Ran?"
"You eat so little Aya! You're already so skinny! I want seafood ramen. And some soda."
"That'll be one plain, one seafood, soda and water. Is that all?" The young man asked as he read from the paper he had listed on.
Aya nodded. "Do you want anything else Ran?"
"Nope." At that, the attendant left, taking the menu with him.
The two friends conversed about small things after that, but when Ran brought up the subject of Rei, Aya was silent.
"Have you talked to him again?"
Aya shook her head in a negative. "I don't want to talk to him," She said, looking away from Ran's accusing eyes.
Ran shrugged. "Serves him right anyway. I should have pounded him for making you sad like that. But do you still have feelings for him?"
"I-I--" Aya stuttered, "I don't know. I don't think so." She felt her face heating up. She knew it was a lie. She still had feelings for the dark- haired bishounen.
"Are you absolutely sure? What if I told you Rei's out on a date with someone?"
"I wouldn't---" Aya started, but suddenly stopped. She let her sentence hang. Because at the exact same time she saw a waiter making his way with their orders. And it wasn't the earlier one.
It was Rei.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
To be continued...or not?