L Boogie- Howdy folks. You all can call me L Boogie. Or just L, and no I'm not actually a Deathnote fan. It's simply a nickname I've developed over the years. Anyhow, I want to thank you for deciding to read my School Rumble Fanfic. It's very important to me, so I'm trying to pull out all the stops I can to make it as good as I can. I'm not Jin Kobayashi, so I'll not try to mimic his style. But I will try to do a damn good job of giving you all want you want. Something to read. Something to laugh at. And hopefully, and most importantly, something to make you smile. And if you love it, let me know. If you don't, that's cool too. Let me know, I love comments, suggestions, complements, and constructive criticism.

Legal Shenanigans - Nope. I don't own it. If I did, well…I'd probably have screwed it up somehow. But no worries, because Harima fixes everything. Anyhow, I don't own it, and I'm poor so suing me will do very little. Please spare me! Thank you Jin Kobayashi for such magnificence.

A Reunion with Unrequited Affection: A School Rumble Fan Fiction

The Inconvenience of Fate

It's been Five years.

Five years is a long time at her age.

Five years was a long time in general.

Five years since the best, and worst times of her life.

Five years since she fell in, and out of love.

Well…out is a matter of speculation…but that isn't the point.

Eri Sawachika, a young woman just past the age of twenty three, is a well known and loved socialite in the Manchester community. Gifted with grace, charm, charisma, beauty, and intelligence, most people who've met her feel that she's been a very positive force in their lives. Born as the single and only heiress to a vastly wealthy and well respected businessman and woman pair, she has had a very charmed life filled with every possible comfort and styling money could buy.

Again, she was also very talented, and so combined with her wealth she had the whole world as stage.

She was surrounded by many loving individuals as well. Her mother and father, though busy, are very caring parents whom try to keep up with their very busy daughter despite their equally busy schedules. Eri had many friends that she had made at the University of Manchester, where she received twin bachelor's degrees in Business Psychology as well as Political Science. And of course, serving her ever faithfully as always, was Nakamura the Butler. He was probably her greatest anchor as he was practically a parent to the young woman. If she ever needed something brought to her, or a task completed, or even a shoulder to cry upon, he was always there to help her through.

But she was a proud woman who rose to the top. Top of her class, Sorority, clubs, community groups, you name it, she conquered it. Truthfully though, everyone had expected that from her. After all, she was Eri Sawachika.

However, today marks a new time in her life. It will be a turning point. It will be a test of faith, of courage, and of her patience. But more so, it'll be a test of her heart.

And so we begin, here in Manchester at her Villa where she has been residing for the last five years while she attended school. It's now the summertime, middle of July roughly, and Eri was laying outside on her deck, basking in the rays of the bright beautiful sun. Eri had graduated only a month ago, but was still busy with school affairs as well as possible future business outlets. Because of this, she had decided that she was going to take the day off from her busy schedule and relax for once. It was a gorgeous day out, so it only seemed to fuel her desire to relax and enjoy it even more. If there would be a problem, Nakamura would handle it.

So the wealthy heiress sat up for just a moment to take a sip of her lemonade when the aforementioned butler stepped out onto the deck with a phone in one hand, and a small handful of letters in the second. She tipped her sunglasses back to see him more clearly while taking her headphones off to hear him the same. In his usual manner, he cleared his throat before addressing her.

" Mistress, it seems you have a telephone call from a Mister Harold Andrews. I do believe he's the young man from the Charity Ball you attended last week. " he stated.

" Very well then Nakamura. I'll take the call now."

" As you wish my lady. These also arrived for you earlier."

" Thank you Nakamura. You're free to go. Please try and take some time off for yourself today."

He nodded and gave her a respectful bow before departing. She smiled slightly, knowing that he wasn't going to take the day off, simply because no matter how many times she tells him to do so, he never seems to. But it made her happy to know he was always there for her. She took her caller off hold and placed the phone up to her ear and began to sort through the letters she had received while she conversed.

" Hello Harold, it's Eri, how are you?" she asked politely.

" Oh Miss Sawachika, I'm very happy to have gotten a hold of you. How are things going?" he asked in a tone that felt like he was trying to glad handle her. This didn't sit well with her from the onset, but she humored him as they conversed.

" They're very well. I'm just taking the day off to relax and enjoy some sun bathing. That kind of thing. " she replied, adding a slight razor in her tone in order to subtly punctuate that he was interrupting her day off. She already knew what this was about, so she wanted to try and get it taken care of as quickly as possible in order to get back to enjoying a day of nothing to do.

" Oh wow. Must be nice. I'm doing quite well myself. Just staying busy with a fundraiser for an endangered wildlife refuge… "

He continued on for a while, recounting his adventures in the world of events coordination. Really, this was simply him trying to find a way to talk to her. Unfortunately he was breaking rule number two, and that was talking WAY too much about yourself. So in return, she made the appropriate noises, responses, yes's, and such that one might normally make when you actually listen to someone going on about something you aren't actually interested in. She was more concerned about her stack of mail at the moment anyhow.

The first letter was from a pen pal she had made from back in her days of junior high. Thinking back, they had been sending letters to each other at least once a month for the last ten years. She always thought it was funny how they had never met, nor even spoken to each other over the phone, but then again, maybe it was better this way. They both could have an anonymous friend for which they could confide in. It was simply an update on a party that had been thrown for her friends father, and how she thanked Eri for sending the flowers and other party favors. Eri smiled widely, then continued onto the next letter.

This was a type of letter she got quite often. An invitation to join a party, or a banquet, or a fundraiser, or a ball, or some kind of social event. She did try to attend at least two a month, but she was already set to be above par for the month as is, so she set the letter aside so that she could write back a formal apology in declining the invitation. The letter that followed it was simply left by Nakamura's mistake, as Eri could not have cared less about the fact that she may already have been approved for a one hundred and fifty thousand dollar loan.

Finally, the last letter. It was different than the rest, and it was obvious even at a glance. It had a mix of Japanese and English text. It had been a while since she had to read or write, or even speak any Japanese, so it took her a moment to adjust. It was from Yagami High, her alma matter. Quickly, she gutted the envelope and removed the papers inside, unfolding them neatly and glancing over them. It didn't take long before her jaw fell open to gasp for air and her hand to slip and cause the phone to crash hard to the floor of the deck.

" Hello? Miss Sawachika? Are you there? Hello? " Harold replied over the phone in an inquisitive manner.

In the meantime, Eri was stunned. She had been completely blind sided by this and was not ready for what it said. For as she read it, many old memories flooded out from every nook and cranny of her mind. But not only memories, there were feelings as well. Good, wholesome, and happy feelings, as well as dark, sad, and seemingly desperate feelings. The rush of emotion was almost too much to bear, but she reined in her wild thoughts in just enough time to pick the phone back up.

" Hello? Eri? Are you still there? I haven't gotten to why I called… " Harold stated in a deflating manner.

" Sorry Harold, I'm still here. The…the phone slipped out of my hand that's all. " Eri said, doing her best to cover up and repress any changes or nuances in her voice.

" I see. That's all well and good, but I guess I should get to the reason why I called. Anyhow I thought I would invite you to that Auction for the Homeless next weekend that I've been planning. Any way I could convince you to go? I'll be there, and I've got something of my own to be auctioned off. You'll love this, for you see, I'm auctioning off a date with yours truly. So, what do you say? Can I get you R.S.V.P.'d for it? " he asked in a cool tone.

" Oh well…ummm… " Eri stammered, as she was still off kilter in regards to the letter. Of course she didn't want to go. After all, it was just him trying to get her to come to some event he had planned in order to show off and make passes at her. She glanced around for an excuse, and right there in the letter she had all the excuses she needed.

" I'm sorry Harold. It seems I'm going to be out of the country that weekend. Maybe another time. Thanks for calling Harold, hope to hear from you soon! " Eris words were hurried and slightly frantic.

Before he could get another word out, she hung up the phone and set it aside, staring at the piece of paper that had bewildered her so. With no one now to bother her, Eri finally took the time to fully read the letter and contemplate her plans.

Dear Eri Sawachika,

We hope this letter finds you well and that you are making the most out of your life. As a graduate of Yagami High School, it prides us knowing that our students are out in the world making a difference, even if it would be for only one other person. Being that you are a graduate, did you know that it has already been five yearssince your graduation? That being said, you are formally invited to join the rest of your former classmates in a reunion to be held the fourth of August of this very year. We do hope to see you in attendance.

Sincerely yours, the staff and faculty of Yagami High School.

Also included was an event catalogue, listing everything that was planned out for the celebration. After a few times of reading through, Eri set the letter down and sighed heavily, deep in contemplation. This, of course, drew the attention of Nakamura.

" Mistress, is there any way I may be of assistance to you? If that letter does depress you so, then know that I, Nakamura, shall see that it is incinerated at once, and that it's ashes shall be scattered over the coldest and most treacherous peaks in the icy tundra of Antarctica. " he stated proudly.

The heiress gave it some thought, only as to toy with the idea of testing Nakamura's loyalty. However she knew that if she had said yes, he would in fact make it a reality. But it was a nice gesture either way.

" Thank you Nakamura, however I will not need assistance with the letter. Though, if you could clear out my schedule for the week of August the fourth, and arrange for me to travel to Japan for the week, then I would be most appreciative. " she stated clearly.

Nakamura did not hesitate a moment in bowing to her and taking his leave, now busy with his newest assignment. Eri gave a wide smile at the retreating butler, however it faded some as she looked back to the letter, and then again up into the sky.

Could she really do this? And what about everyone else? It's been almost two years since she last saw anyone. But more importantly…what about him? What about Harima?

And with that, a deep blush washed over her face. It had been some time since she thought about him. Not that she didn't from time to time when she was all alone. Or even with one of her few would be suitors that had never actually seemed to ever be able to equate to the standard that was set. No…it seemed to her that so far in her life, no one had come close. Harima was truly a unique man with a unique way. A…Man's way as he might have called it. And that way was something she desired to have in her life for so long.

This started her on a long train of self introspection.

What am I doing? Why does this feel so hard? Why…why am I acting this way? Who cares about a dumb high school reunion. It's not like I even have to go. If I wanted to get together with Mikoto, Tenma, and Akira, I could totally do it anytime I want. I don't need to wait for some stupid high school reunion. On the other hand, maybe it would be nice to catch of with Mihara and some of the others.

She took a moment to look to the clear blue sky for inspiration.

Would anyone miss me if I just didn't come? It's not like I've thought about too many of them since graduation. Just pretty much Mikoto and the others might be affected by it. More so though, would Harima be there? It wouldn't be like him to show up at this sort of affair. He did, after all, dislike school. And it's not like too many people actually liked him. And…especially after everything he went through. His only reason for coming to school was Tenma after all.

Eri sighed for a moment, remembering all the embarrassing and now trivial misunderstandings that had occurred back in those days.

Harima…you were a strange man. Always so rough…and rude…and callow, and a jerk, and such a grump, and…and…

She had to exhale the breath she held as she thought of all the seemingly unkind and ventilated words that she always seemed to spew whenever she thought about him. Afterwards, she took a couple of deep breaths to clear the flush from her face, then smiled to herself and let out a slight giggle.

" He's the only guy in the world who can do that to me…jeez, that damn Hige. " she said aloud.

Looking back, she realized how much of a girl she had been about things, and how she had changed. Was it a little? Was it a lot? She decided to go see for herself, and so, stood up from where she had been lounging and put on her robe before walking back inside.

Her condo was very luxurious and spacious, not that of a typical university grad. Then again though, when could she have ever been considered typical. She made her way through the hallways in into her room. She closed the door behind her and locked it for her own privacy. After all, a girl needs her privacy…especially when she's taking her bikini off.

And so, she stood in front of a full sized mirror, wearing nothing but her dignity. Most might call it their shame, but she was damn proud of her body. She did her best to take care of her figure as well as her mind. Of course, being gifted both physically and mentally did help in this endeavor as well. However, she turned around to get a view of her backside as well, and then again at her front.

She knew she was older, and if you held a picture of her then and her now, you could tell she was older. Much more mature, and her curves had filled out a little more nicely since then. Eri knew she had nothing to hide when it came to her bust. Her measurements were very good. Still…after a few more minutes of intense examination, she stared at her image in the mirror with a waxing doubt.

Am I enough? Do I have what he'd even want? Sure, any guy in their right mind would want this. But…he's not just any guy, that's for sure. If he were, this would be a lot easier. I…just don't think I really feel like I'm all that different.

Another moment of inspection revealed nothing new to her nearly flawless form. Still, her doubts lingered, and they were not looking to decline at all. Again, a heavy sigh followed another train of semi depressing thoughts. She grumbled to herself for a couple of moments while she began to redress, now into something she could wear both around the house and out in public, without having to resort to anything fancy.

Now, a trip downstairs and into the family room where she kept a large trunk filled with all kinds of photographs from her life. They were sorted into small boxes that were all labeled and dated for the purpose of organization. She found the boxes that were labeled with pictures of the past 5 years. She wanted to see how she had grown since then, and see if it all this warranted the effort she was putting into it.

Inside the first box were pictures from her freshmen year in Manchester. She had almost forgotten about how she had cut about eight inches off of her hair. Eri couldn't do her trademark pigtails anymore, but she could pull off a ponytail still. There were various pictures of herself and her friends from school and sorority. As she sorted through a little more, she found a picture of Grant. A blush washed over her face slightly, as she remembered her first true boyfriend.

Oh my god. It's Grant. I can't believe I still have the picture. Sure, he was handsome, and older than me, and he seemed so sophisticated. I should have known better than to date some jock. Sure, he wasn't bad looking, but I'm lucky I passed half my classes for those two quarters from all the parties he dragged me to. Sure, a drink now and then is just fine and dandy. Hell, having too much isn't so bad as long as it's now and then and you keep your car key's elsewhere. But Christ, Grant drank enough to kill an elephant almost every night. Lord knows how he survived spring break.

Eri shook her head and set the picture back into the box, sealing it back up again and going through the next year of photographs. There were more pictures of her college friends, and then she came across a picture of another former boyfriend. She scowled at the sight, gritting her teeth slightly making a very disapproving groan.

What was I thinking with Henry. I didn't even like his name, and somehow in my idiotic naiveté I had found it in myself to give him a chance. Again and again and again even. I hate musicians, especially starving artists. God I can't believe I loaned him that much money. Which reminds me…

" NAKAMURA! " she shouted with a harsh irritation.

Instantly, much like a ninja, the aforementioned mysteriously showed up without a sound, and practically within an instant.

" Yes, mistress? " he stated calmly.

" Nakamura, how much more does Mr. Henry Billingsham owe the Sawachika family from all of the loans made to him? " she inquired.

" Mister Billingsham owes the very charitable Sawachika family a collective total of twenty two hundred pounds. Of which, over the past three years, he has managed to repay one hundred. At the current market exchange rate, as well as with all accrued interest involved, it seems that he will have fully paid off his debt by the year twenty one thirty seven, or precisely in one hundred and twenty nine years on the morning of April the seventh. " he stated in cadence.

Eri raised an eyebrow. She had forgotten how much Nakamura disliked the man, and was still a little surprised he had kept track of such a debt so well in his memory. She closed her eyes and nodded in approval, then dismissed Nakamura, who disappeared as quickly he showed up.

She decided that was enough of that box, and moved onto the third year of school. The very first picture reminded her of a number of things. The first was to never get too drunk with her friend Diane. The second was to make sure there were no camera's around. Eri blushed more than she had before at the pictures that were in there, as these seemed to be her more wild days of schooling. She also had become one of her sororities chairwomen members that year as well, and was very much involved in it's activities.

After a laughing at a few more photographs, she brought out the box marked for her fourth year at Manchester. Still seemed like more of the same, although she had stayed plenty busy with her sorority that year. It was in this time she learned to manage her time more effectively so that she could make the most of it. It was very critical of her to do so, considering she was getting ready to begin her internship with her fathers business, and so would have even less time. After a couple of more minutes of searching, another former flame showed up. Eri gave the picture a good look at before setting it back into the box, muttering something about hands and how they need to be kept to themselves.

And finally, the last box, covering this most recent year of her schooling. Due to her double major, it took an extra year for her to finish all of her required classes, on top of the ones that she took out of her own interests. It paid off however considering she did receive two separate diploma's in two very challenging fields. Sorting through the remaining pictures, she found an essay about what she was planning to do when she got out of college.

When I am finished with my current level of education at Manchester University, it is my plan to graduate with honors in both the field of Political Science and Business Psychology. Upon that, I shall resign from position as Matriarch of my sorority, so as to symbolize a coming of change and how we all must continue to strive for that gold ring in life. I would love to continue to serve my fellow sisters, however I think they need someone to be there more than I will be able to.

With that said, I then plan to start an externship in my father's company, hopefully in an area of public relations, however I will do my best no matter where I am assigned to. Upon this…

And the paper rambled on and on about how she had set into plan a future for her own success. It was detailed, very well thought out, and was easily achievable for someone like her. But her face sank in the grim realization of reading it. That in fact she didn't write any kind of romance into her life schedule. Not a husband, a boyfriend, a child, or any kind of personal relationship at all. It was all business business business.

She pondered that thought for a moment, and at first, her usual defense of trying to play off any kind of mistake or misunderstanding kicked in and she began to rationalize it.

Well of course you can't plan for love. It's not like you can just walk into a bar and find a life partner right then and there that you'll be happy with. It's something that has to fall out of the sky and into your lap practically. Like bumping into a stranger at a mall and getting off a friendly hello that turns into a nice cup of coffee, or like a case of mistaken identity and…and…

And as she continued on, her thoughts began to drudge up her depression again. She had a terrible taste in guys. Or maybe it was just a matter of bad luck. In either case, this wasn't helping her now very sudden dilemma. This was serious. Even though she was a strong woman, she still wanted someone to be there for her.

And not just as a friend to give you a shoulder to cry on, but also someone to confide absolutely anything in. A friend beyond friends whom which you would go to absolutely any lengths for. Who you'd share your very mind, body and soul with, and perhaps if God wished to be cruel, even die for. Someone who would protect you and keep you warm at night. Someone who would smile at you when you gently woke them up just to tell them how much they meant to you before you left for work. Someone who would love you and care for you no matter what. Someone you could be your absolutely truest self with and have no worries about being judged.

Just someone to love, and love you in return.

For a moment, she started to tear up, and she started to slink down onto her knees and sob softly. It was too horrible a thought. And if anyone knew anything about loneliness, she did. Because of her being the sole heiress to the Sawachika family, lofty goals were set for her even before she had been born. Goals much higher than those set for more 'normal' people. Goals that she had to at least meet, less she embarrass or shame her family name. Although she continuously set the standard over and over again, there was a part of her that just wanted to quit, or to have more normal goals. Every day person goals like losing weight or saving enough money to buy that something for someone special.

She just wanted to be normal, like everyone else. Perhaps that is what she missed most about her life in Japan. But she was an adult now, and felt the noose of responsibility coiling tightly around her neck, waiting for her to slip up along the way. Truthfully, she dreaded this responsibility to her family, being a noblewoman or whatever crap that was supposed to mean. All it was in the end was a bunch of garbage cooked up to make people feel better about themselves, and to try and distance themselves from the under privileged and otherwise lower class riffraff that they so feared may be enjoying life a lot more than they themselves had been.

But she was getting older now. She was an adult. And she knew that she could never change her family heritage or the fact that she would always have more money than ninety percent of the population. Maybe she should just give in to all that pressure, after all, it would be a lot easier. She let out a more powerful sob than before, which would have alerted Nakamura, if it weren't for the fact that he was already standing outside of the room, hoping, praying that she would collect herself and be the resolute young woman that he had always known her to be.

Another moment of her seemingly unending amounts of self loathing continued, followed by a breakdown in her thought process. It was too much for her now. She couldn't do it. She should just put her past behind her and stick to the plan, with a vainglorious hope that love will just one day fall into her lap. So just as she was getting ready to make up her mind for good and not attend the class reunion, a voice inside her head said something.

It was low, and it was gruff. She couldn't hear it, and so she quieted herself for a moment, wishing that she would hear it again. Praying to hear some kind of words of encouragement from some subconscious part of her mind that still loved her despite her position in life. And in a moment of complete silence, the voice spoke once again to her.

What are you doin' Oujo? You gonna give up just like that? Whatever. No one wants to see you anyways. I sure as hell am glad your not coming!Now I can do whatever I want and no one can stop me! Hah ha!

A voice she remembered so well. A voice that was so clear, so honest, so real with her, it was almost scary. It was his voice. It was Harima's. And as usual, it always had a way to truly bring out the best in Eri.

She scoffed at first, then her grip on the paper tightened to the point where she wrinkled and creased it. Eri grit her teeth and even grinded them for a moment, and finally, stood from where she had been curled up on the floor.

She rushed to her room and shut the door behind her, then walked out onto her balcony which was overlooking the park. Eri looked down at the well written paper she held in her hands and remembered all the time and detail she had put into it, and how she had planned to become independently wealthy without any real need of her parents assets. But no where was there room for love in it. All those things she thought about, all those things she wanted.

What truly was the point to life if you had no one to share it with?

And without a second thought, she held the paper outward, and ripped it in half, letting the torn scraps fall to the ground as fast as she had rend them asunder. She looked out over the park with a renewed pride in her eyes. A pride for herself, and a pride for the life that she was going to live.

" That damn Hige. Thinks he can tell me what to do. Well I'll show him. I won't let him get out of anything else. Not until it's all settled. Not until he hears what I've got to say! " Eri stated with a renewed vigor.

And with that, she immediately began to write back to her Alma Matter, stating that she would be there and how she hoped everyone else she graduated with would as well.