A FEARLESS WARRIOR'S FIRST KISS

An Otomen (Live-Action TV Series) Fanfic

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This entire fanfic is based on the live-action TV series that was released on Japanese TV back in 2009. I started reading the manga itself just recently and noticed many differences but otherwise the same storyline and concepts. I'm more familiar with the TV series so I'm basing this entire fic beginning from the ending of final episode.

PROLOGUE: First Love, First Goodbye

Ryo Miyakozuka (Tokyo)

Someday, you'll fall in love with someone. And then, your heart will throb.

Even though you don't have a cold, it will be hard to breathe...

"Miyakozuka-san, stay close to me."

It's the same for me, Asuka-san.

Whenever I'm with you, my heart throbs...

… and breathing becomes really hard...

All the time!

Even now, the whole time...

From the first time we met, I wanted to protect you.

Gradually, that changed into wanting to fight you.

But right now, I don't want to be apart from you.

That's because...

I love you.

You took me by the hand, just as those men in black came rushing down the stairs. I know it's my fault that I provoked this simply because I wanted to save you from the danger and harm that may await you.

Even if I'm leaving later tonight for Fukuoka to take care of my grandfather, I just couldn't help it. I couldn't leave you alone. I just can't. But what I fear the most this time- and even from the beginning- was that I would never see you again, that I'm going to be forever apart from you. However, I made a promise that I would take care of my grandfather during his time of illness from a long time ago and it would be selfish of me to back out from that promise, even if Tousan and Jiisan were against my transferring away from Ginyuri High in the first place.

Yes, Tousan. I am indeed stubborn. You're the one who thought me how to be a "real man." Those who don't keep their promises for selfish reasons shouldn't be considered a "real man." And yet, you still were against my decision to move, Tousan. In a way, you've finally seen me more as a girl because of it, not to mention that you highly approve of me being with the ideal Japanese boy such as Masamune Asuka-san. I thank you for that, Tousan.

Asuka-san. I don't know what it is that you've seen in me. I mean, I've never really had any experience being in love before, not ever, but of all the girls around Ginyuri High and everywhere else, what did you see in me that made you fall in love with me in the first place? I feel really ashamed not being able to do things that girls should do as part of being a girl. I can't cook to save my life, I can't sew or even dress right, I even find action movies more appealing than love stories until you lent me your copies of the Love-Tic manga. Whenever I think of these things sometimes it makes me wonder if I really deserve to earn the title of this year's Yamato Nadeshiko of Ginyuri High in the first place. I didn't understand at first why Oharida-senpai gave me a deal on that archery tiebreaker, with you as the price, at first. But when it came to it, I knew within that there was no way that I should lose this contest, not because I wanted to be the ideal Yamato Nadeshiko and take Oharida-senpai's current title, but because I couldn't imagine what the rest of my life at Ginyuri High would be without you by my side.

Today, even if I'm about to depart for Fukuoka, you're now here with me, hand in hand, running away from those who want to take you away, those who want us apart. We're running away together, going to a place where we won't have to be afraid to be ourselves, while making more memories and sharing our love for each other, from cooking to fighting, or anything else that we may end up doing, as long as we're together, that's all that matters to me, now and ever.

Six months ago from the first time we've met, I was Miyakozuka-san to you. Today, I became your Ryo-san. I hope that very soon that I won't be anyone else to you anymore than your Ryo. I also hope that very soon that you wouldn't be anyone else to me than my very own Asuka.

In the end, we found ourselves lost in the streets. Are those men in black gone now? Did we lose them now? Well, either way, both of us are safe, for now. Though we're lost and I don't know exactly the way to the airport, I'm very happy that you and I are together, still with my hand in yours.

"Ryo-san," you said to me. "I know you're leaving tonight and it's still daytime right now. I want to spend every single hour, minute, second with you from this point on."

I nodded with a smile, feeling that all the heavy weight of shyness and guilt had disappeared, now that I finally felt so free to say those words right after you said those same exact words to me. What would have happened if your engagement ceremony went on? That would mean that I would lose you, that I would never get to see you again, and at the same time my life from that point would be spent regretting for not letting you know what my feelings were to you.

"Where should we go, Asuka-san?" I asked you, still clinging on to your hand. At this point now I'm really feeling what the heroine of a typical shoujo manga story right now, and somehow it feels really wonderful.

"What would you like to do, Ryo-san?" You answered me with another question. Nothing in particular, I thought. I thought maybe we should just go for a walk, maybe at the nearby park. Or maybe take the train and go to the beach, even if the weather is becoming chilly now. Or maybe...

"Take me where you want to take me, please."

In the end, we headed to the shops to buy new clothes. You wanted to change out of your white suit so you won't be easily noticed, especially if those men in black appear at our tail again. You even decided to buy me a new dress to suit the occasion, whatever you had in mind. When we both changed, you received a phone call immediately.

Tachibana-san. You didn't give him a direct answer regarding our location. Usually he would always be around whenever we're together, just to watch over us. Little by little he had been suppressing his player ways with other girls, only because he cared more about the love story he is creating; the love story of Asuka and Ryo in Love-Tic. It sure was a strong coincidence how his love story was so similar to the now-blooming love story of Asuka-san and me. Even the names were the same. Either way, I feel honored. I hope Love-Tic would have a happy ending should you decide to end the story soon, Tachibana-san.

In plain clothes now, we both headed to the bookstore as the newest volume of Love-Tic just came out. Then we headed to a nearby tea room so we can read and talk and giggle about the newest Love-Tic volume over tea and angel food cakes. The tea was refreshing but the angel food cakes seemed to be mediocre. Maybe I've gotten used to the angel food cakes that you used to bake, simply because you know exactly what it should taste like.

I understand now why you said that I didn't pass the exam after I baked my very first cake. You said that my cake was delicious as you expected, and yet I didn't pass the exam. You wanted to teach me more of cooking and sewing and many more. It wasn't because you wanted me to be a lot more feminine, it's because you wanted to be with me. I feel the same with you, Asuka-san. There's so much more that I need to learn from you, not just with those girly things that I should get in to in the first place, but because I wanted to be with you. Not just that one day, but every day, day and night, all the time.

After the tea and the cakes and Love-Tic, we took the subway to the nearby amusement park. We picked the rides that we wanted to ride on, from the simple carousel to the most daring coasters. I wanted to go to the haunted house ride, but after what happened back in school during kendo training camp last summer, we decided to give ourselves a break from the scare.

"It's okay to be scared," I said to you. "We're all human. Even real men get scared too, even if it wasn't against ghosts or ghouls or monsters or demons."

You smiled at me, you even acknowledged my words to you. You took my hand again and said "Let's go to the booths and play games."

When we did take on the booths, we both felt like we ruled all of them. You decided to be the prince of the booths and played all of them- and winning them- with the prices of the cutest things from giant stuffed animals to goldfish in water and cellophane bags going to me. That's how it is in the shoujo manga world where a couple goes on an amusement park date and the guys play the games to win the biggest prizes for the girls.

As expected from you, you never failed to make all the girls blush and go giddy whenever they see you just standing there, not doing anything. But most of all, you never failed to take my breath away and make my heart throb like there's no tomorrow. You said so yourself after all. When you find your heart throbbing and having a hard time breathing even if you don't have a cold, you are in love.

The amusement park was nearby the subway, which is only a short distance away from the airport, but you decided to head back home to get my things ready. You also said that you also needed to talk to Tousan about something important. Then I realized that just in two weeks from today is this year's All-Japan High School Kendo Meet. I admit that I've forgotten about that since I no longer work as the team's manager and that the whole move was the only thing that was on my mind.

On the other hand, I know you'll be in safe hands. Tousan is still our team's coach and trainer and he'll always look over you and the rest of the team: Tonomine-san, Ariake-kun, Isono-san, Nakajima-san, Hashimoto-san, Tanaka-san, to name a few. I have to admit that ever since Tousan took over the team that you've become a lot stronger, more focused, more agile, and very alert. Even I as a fighter, though at the amateur level, can also see that. I'm so happy that Tousan has grown to like you, not just as a Kendo martial artist but also as a person altogether. You're everything that every guy in the world would want to be. You're everything that every girl in the world would want to have for a boyfriend. Today, I'm the luckiest girl in the entire world and I thank God and fate that brought us together. I thank the dolphins for jumping out in front of you and me. I thank the wind that carried my arrow through the heart of your fan. But most of all, I thank Tonomine-san and his old gang of delinquents for bringing us together on that fateful day.

We were about to head out of the amusement park and you still wouldn't let go of my hand. Are you still scared that we may get separated, Asuka-san? Either way, I feel very comfortable with you right now, especially with our hands together. Just as we were about to exit, you stopped all of a sudden, and your eyes wondered to the left.

"The purikura booths are open," you said with that happy smile on your face that make the girls crazy. "Let's take pictures, shall we, Ryo-san?"

Of course! I thought. That's one of the things girls love. We get to have doodles and little messages that we can write and decorate before they get printed. I'll stick every single one of them on my things, from my phone to my bag. I'll even frame one entire sheet and place it on my desk, so that whenever I do my homework I'll always be smiling because from those sticker pictures in the frame, you're there, looking towards me, smiling.

We lined up at the purikura booths. There were mostly girls and a few couples. Before I knew it, those girls in front of us suddenly spotted us, and like the girls at Ginyuri High, they spazzed and scream with sparkling eyes and cheerful voices when they called out your name: "Masamune Asuka-sama!"

I forgot, Asuka-san. Even if we're together now you still have all the girls and other admirers down on their knees once they stumble their eyes upon you. I felt speechless, not knowing how to react or what to say. In fact, now I realized that today was just our first official day as girlfriend and boyfriend, and that the entire world doesn't know that your heart already belongs to another. I want to say something to them about us, but somehow I couldn't even say a word, as to not offend them.

"Thank you for your support," you replied to those girls instead, along with your habit of bowing to show your respects. "I'll do what I can to secure and defend my accomplishments from last year's tournament. I hope to see you all there, cheering for your favorite fighter."

I sighed in relief, even found one hand clinging on to my chest. This is another reason why I fell in love with you so much. You were always polite to everyone, even with the baddest among with the bad. You always know how to answer other people's questions without making them think twice about you. The words you say really make me feel comforting inside, it's hard to explain why. I didn't just fell in love with you, Asuka-san. I admired you way from the beginning, that you don't let all the good things get in your head and be proud about it. You have everything that every guy would want, and yet you think more of other people first before you think about yourself.

Those girls didn't even notice me next to you, Asuka-san. Maybe it would be better this way so they won't have their hearts broken when they find out that we're actually together. If I were on those girls' shoes I would also feel heartbroken when you have some other girl you're next with. In fact, I don't have to be one of those fangirls just for me to experience heartbreak. I would definitely be more heartbroken with you as my guy and I see you afar with another girl beside you.

When you were to be engaged, right after hearing about it from your mother, the principal of Ginyuri High, I admit that I was on the verge of heartbreak. I got scared, completely confused, and it made me feel that you have made your decision to be with someone else after I gave you the news that I'm moving away from here to take care of Jiisan. It made me feel lonely, even close to even crying, and at the same time wondered if, maybe, you've felt the same way I did for making that hard decision.

But that's over now. We're about to take our first pictures with just the two of us on it. No offense to Tachibana-san, Ariake-san and Tonomine-san, of course. We stepped in the booth and you lead the choosing of what our designs and backgrounds are going to be like. Blue suits us the best, you said, still with the little flowers, these Calico block patterns and also with a cute stuffed animal somewhere at the corner.

We doodled our names on the touchscreen; even drew little characters too, with hearts, flowers, stars, and smilies. There was even a point where I began drawing the little umbrella like I did back at Ariake-kun's beach, right on the sand. You know, the umbrella that I drew that had your name and my name on it, right before the ocean washed it away, right when you arrived at that time. Sitting next to each other, we saw the two dolphins jump up together. At that point, deep within I knew that we were really destined to be together. But back then I was too scared to say it to you and instead, I blurted out that we would be forever friends.

Thinking about the dolphins, you even drew them on our frame. Then, the designs and doodles were ready. We posed and made wacky faces as the booth flashed at our faces. And then during our last poses, I felt your warm, smooth skin touch my cheek. The only thing I could do then was close my eyes and feel the warmth and gentleness of your skin on my cheek. For now, this would be a final memory of you and me before I leave tonight, but I'm seriously confident that we will see each other again soon.

Hopefully at this coming All-Japan High School Kendo Meet that we'll definitely see each other again. Tousan would also want me to be there to support the team he had been training and breeding so hard. I wonder if my new school would participate in this meet as well. I wonder how active their Kendo team is, if they even have one. If that was the case I would definitely fly back and cheer for you and the Ginyuri Kendo team. It would take me awhile to get used to my new school, that's for sure, but for now, even at a different location, I'll always be a proud and happy Ginyuri High student.

I placed my cheek on to yours to return your sweet gesture on to mine. I don't want us to be just one-sided and I want to show you that I feel the same type of love that you are giving me right now. I felt a slight movement on your face once I placed my skin on your cheek. Then, after we printed our sticker pictures out of the booth, I could see why. You've flashed a smile that can make the flowers bloom and make the girls faint. But at the same time, your smile also symbolized positivity in life, and most of all, you're no longer afraid of being honest and true to yourself and your outlook towards all aspects of life today.

We looked at our sticker pictures and even thought about which ones we shouldn't touch and frame it for our bedroom desks and which ones we can stick on freely at our personal things. The one where both of us had happy smiles and flashing peace signs will be stuck on the backs of our cellphones. Everything else we could give them out to friends, whoever wanted them. For sure Tachibana-san would be getting some of these sticker pics because he would ask for them.

We headed to the subway station on a walking distance. You paid for both our fares simply because it was something a man should do when he takes his girl out for a date. The subway was full of people, as always, but there was one seat open. You offered to let me sit on that open seat, while you stood right in front of me, hanging on to the rope at the top, gazing your towering face right at me. With those eyes on me, somehow I can really see how caring and how loving your gaze at me. At the same time you made sure that I remained safe and comfortable on the seat and that there was no one else who would try to stand in between us. The more you gaze at me like that, the more that I find myself completely breathless.

We arrived at our stop. You called home and left a message, letting your mother know that you'll be back home late. You will be spending your dinner with Tousan and me, just a few hours before my flight time to Fukuoka. You taught me another familiar Fukuoka dish, the simple yet incredibly delicious Hakata Ramen. Delicious because of its distinct taste based on common ingredients. Simple because the preparation time isn't that very long. That, along with Chikuzen-ni- that is, Gameni- that we made for Tousan's birthday those months ago, you even wrote the entire recipe on a notebook, which really surprised me.

As expected, the Hakata Ramen reminded Tousan of Kaasan again, for the taste and the presentation very much resembled the way Kaasan used to make it when she was still with us. Once again Tousan became much more amazed with you than he did before. Because of that, Tousan continued to convince me not to move down South and that I should stay, at least until the end of the year. But Tousan, we don't have until the end of the year if we're going to help Jiisan continue to live longer. If that was the case, then today is the perfect day for me to fulfill my promise and to nurse Jiisan back in health. Tousan said that if it were possible that he would just move back to Fukuoka and take care of Jiisan himself, however because of his position as a police detective, he wasn't able to. Not just that, the Ginyuri High Kendo team needs him to lead the entire team to victory in this year's All-Japan Kendo High meet, especially when you're on a mission to defend your position as Japan's best Kendo fighter ever lived in this period of time.

You accepted Tousan's request if you can come along to the airport with us. He also said that he wanted to get to know you more and he had plenty of things to tell you. It seemed that he knows exactly what he needs to tell you- teach you maybe- that I'm unaware of. Knowing the honesty and positive outlook of my father, I know that it's something that would benefit you and possibly everyone around you.

While waiting for the time for me to board the plane, Tousan had to take an important call from a fellow police detective, leaving the two of us alone at the waiting area. We both promised that we'll contact each other by any means, from phone calls to emails. You also promised that when the times are right that you would come down to Fukuoka for a visit; though in my case, I have to return to visit Tousan, which in turn, I have more time to spend with you and with the boys at the Kendo team. We made many promises this time, however it came to the point where this year's All-Japan High School Kendo Meet became the subject of one of our list of promises.

"I'm a little nervous," you began the conversation. "You may be the current champion of a sport you loved since youth, but you can't be the champion forever."

What you said is true. No person is perfect, that's the reality. "But being a champion once is more than enough, Asuka-san. You'll still be remembered and will be put in the list of Japan's best Kendo fighters in history, even if it's just once."

"I know," you answered. "But place yourself in my position for a second. Everyone in the team is relying on you to retain the school team's standing in the entire country, not just your own title. It also doesn't help that you have a mother who's the principal of the school either. I'm not exactly free of all the pressures just yet."

I placed my hands on to your broad shoulders. Despite your personal tastes you still define and possess the essence of being a true Japanese man. Tousan may have his own definitions of what a real Japanese man should be, but for a girl like me, you're not just my one true love, but you're also my teacher. I still have yet so much to learn from you that Tousan won't be able to teach me today and possibly not ever.

"Take your time to relax, Asuka-san," I replied to you. "Don't think about the pressures an expectations others are putting on you. Maybe it's time for you to think about yourself for once rather than prioritizing what other people think."

You gazed at me with worry in your eyes. Even though you're free from becoming engaged to someone you don't know and someone you don't love, I can see that there's something else troubling you. I wish I knew what else was troubling you that made you say those things about the upcoming tournament. The Masamune Asuka-san that I know would never have these worries, but instead remain cool and stay positive, not thinking of the results right after you've gone through that challenge. Win or lose, either way, you'd always accept it without worries or complaints.

"Ryo-san," you answered, now gazing your eyes directly to mine. "I'm sorry I said that. I don't want to make you worry. You have your grandfather to nurse right now. The team is in your father's good hands. One thing's for sure that our team will win this year's meet. I may or may not remain the champion for the second time in the row at the end, but more importantly that our school name and our team will remain in first place through the national ranks."

I acknowledged your reply with a nod, and just to assure you that things will be alright from this point on, I placed my hand on yours, holding yours tightly. However at the same time I can feel my eyes water, knowing that even if I'm ready to make my move, somehow deep within I just couldn't afford to be apart from you, not especially after we've confessed our feelings for each other and shared those same feelings at the same time.

The announcements now mentioned that my flight to Fukuoka was about to board its passengers. It was time for me to go.

Tousan arrived and we embraced, telling me to take care and be good to my new school. Once again he left us alone, and it was our turn to exchange our embraces.

"I love you so much, Asuka-san," I whispered to his ear, not caring that these tears flow down from my eyes. "I want to be there at the meet to cheer you and the team on from the sidelines. I really want to-"

You hushed instead. You continued to hold me tighter and felt your lips softly brush on to my forehead. I'm sorry I'm not tall enough to kiss you, Asuka-san.

Rather, I felt your kiss on my forehead instead. Then you whispered on my ear: "Take care, my Ryo-san. I love you."

Right then, we released each other and finally made my way to the boarding area of my flight.

SOME JAPANESE VOCABS & OTHER SIDENOTES

Tousan – father

Jiisan – grandfather

Yamato Nadeshiko – (lit. trans. "Japan's Pink Diathus (Flower)") a Japanese term for an ideal Japanese girl/woman.

-sama – very respectful term, higher-level than the standard "-san", although to guys, if random girls call guys with that "-sama" term they will assume that they're obsessed.

-kun – respect suffix for a boy younger than you.

-senpai – respect suffix for a student or a person who is older or of higher rank than you.

Purikura – customized sticker photo booths

Kendo – Japanese fencing

Hakata Ramen – ramen noodle soup derived from Hakata, a district in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka.

Chikuzen-ni – chicken stew originated from the Kyushu region (southern island).

Gameni – what the Fukuoka/Hakata locals call the chikuzen-ni.

Fukuoka – a prefecture (state, province) located in Kyushu Island, some hundred miles south of Tokyo. Fukuoka City is the capital city of the Fukuoka Prefecture.

SIDENOTES

I discovered Otomen by watching the live-action TV series version awhile ago. I've only read the first few chapters of the Otomen manga, but I fell in love with TV series itself with a really good casting (in my opinion, most especially Masaki Okada (Asuka) and Kaho (Ryo)). Since the manga itself isn't finished yet, this entire fanfic is based from the live-action TV series version.

Otomen © 2006-2011 Aya Kanno/Hakusensha. Live-action TV series © 2009 FTV.