Complementary Signs

"Argh! I don't understand the life of a girl!" shouted in defeat after another three-hour session of her so called girl lessons. The female teen knew nothing of make-up, clothing, or boys. She was a complete disaster, just as her best friend, Harada Eri, claimed.

By her friend's earlier instructions, was forced to wear a strapless white tank-top with a Denim mini skirt that barely covered her thighs -- an outfit would never wear -- until now, that is. And that's not even the end of it; talk of make-up and was wearing some shiny lip gloss which made her purse her lips uncomfortably.

"Stop whining. Be happy I'm even generous enough to even help a hopeless tomboy like you," replied Eri as she lightly tapped her friend's forehead and gave her a smile. "Now what do you say? Listen carefully about my boy tips. But first of all, tell me your preferred type."

groaned and ruffled her long hair before putting it up messily. For the last hours, she had been lectured on clothing and now, she supposed, the next course of actions was that she must learn about boys. "Boys? If only I was born a boy…"

It's not that she didn't wish to be a female. But it's hard to be a tomboy at this day and age when girls would just wear pieces of fabric barely covering their boobies or butt. What's so great about showing off anyway?

WHACK!

"Ow…" pouted and rubbed her head which Eri took the freedom to smack.

"One more smartass comment from you and I guarantee I won't help you EVER again!"

That was a pretty good threat that shut up immediately. Without her friend's help, the girl would have had so many problems.

"Now, back to boys--"

"I don't know, Eri-chan," she interrupted, after a heavy sigh. Boys have confessed to her, yes, but she never really felt anything for them. And letting out a somewhat forced smile, the she continued in a joking tone after sipping from her iced French vanilla coolatta, "But don't all girls like the tall, dark and handsome type?"

"Haha, kidding, kidding. Don't get mad, Eri-chan," she added quickly as she sweat-dropped at her the sight of her friend's glaring face. "All I know is that I would want someone taller and I definitely don't want anyone younger." The girl herself stood 170 centimeters which was already tall in girls' standards and the high-heeled boots she wore made her seem even taller.

"Well, since you are a Libra… I would suggest a Sagittarius, Libra, or Aquarius boy. These signs complement each other," began Eri as she finished her iced coffee. "But if you want challenge, go for an Aries. Completely opposite almost always resulting in harsh relationships -- but with time and effort, the best relationships can be borne--"

Before Eri finished, her cellphone rang and she stood up frantically. "Oh shoot! Sorry, , gotta run. I completely lost track of time! Remember my job interview? I'll call you. If not, see you in class!"

With that, was left alone in the coffee shop.

"But Yamabuki doesn't open for classes till next week--" muttered to herself as she let out a sigh.

"Ah, -chan, you go to Yamabuki?" called a feminine voice behind the counter. It was Yuki, a waitress of the coffee shop.^[1]

The third year student turned and nodded at her favorite person, on account that she made her favorite drinks. "Hai…"

"What a coincidence, my son goes there too."

"Eh? Yuki-chan has a son? But you look so young!"

The woman laughed at the compliment. "Come to think of it, Jin was never around when -chan came--"

The door opened abruptly as a gigantic and somewhat defiant figure walked in. With hands shoved in his pockets, he brushed right past Yuriko without a glance and glared straight at Yuki. "Baba, what are you blabbing about?"

noted the sad smile that quickly appeared on the woman's face as she turned to the punk who just went in. The uniform... Yamabuki! Could he be the son Yuki was talking about?

"-chan, this is my son, Akutsu Jin."

Akutsu turned his head back at ever so slightly and snorted.

The girl's eyes hardened as she glared daggers at the monstrously tall boy. But her eyes softened at the sight of his hair – silver— her favorite color.

" desu. Yoroshiku, Akutsu-kun," she managed through her clenched teeth, trying to remember that familiar name. And like a meteor shower finally hit home, her mouth parted slightly. "Ah! You are the infamous guy who everyone is afraid of…" Wow, speaking of the Devil.

Ignoring the boy who began sat down to her opposite corner, stood up clutching a shopping bag in her hands. "Anou… may I please use the washroom? I can't stand these clothes anymore."

"Being a girl is tough work, -chan," grinned Yuki as she nodded as pointed to the room behind her which was usually off-limits to customers.

Muttering quick thanks, sped to the restroom, and a few moments later, came out wearing a simple extra-large white shirt with the ends tied at her belly, donning a pair of khaki shorts that loosened around her knees and a pair grey Converse. "Freedom at last! Finally, some comfy clothes that fits me… Arigatou gozaimasu."

"Say, -chan, we're having a birthday party here Sunday, would you mind coming?"

"Eh? Birthday party?" blinked, if she was right, this Sunday was April 2nd.

"It's Jin's birthday."

The Akutsu who sat silently, glaring at the wall suddenly turned at his mother, "Mind your own business, hag!"

"Um… I'll be here if you don't mind me intruding," nodded the girl who flashed Akutsu Jin a rather fearsome and sarcastic smile which made Akutsu raise an eyebrow. "Can I please have the privilege of baking the cake? I had been taking culinary classes. It's the least I can do since you kindly had been treating my drinks here—"

**********

Sunday came quickly. arrived early to deliver the cake she promised. It was a chestnut cake, one of her favorites, covered with silvery decora and cream.

! Don't get close to Akutsu! He's bad influence. Do you know his reputation? He is not boyfriend material if that's what you are thinking! On top of that, he is an Aries!

remembered the conversation she had with Eri just after meeting that accursed boy. "Must a girl go immediately for a relationship when she befriends a guy? What kind of a rule is that? What happened to friends who just happened to be guy? And as if we even could be friends, Akutsu and I—"

**********

It was almost dusk, and the park seemed completely empty. A smattering of pigeons pecked on the ground for food -- and Akutsu was nowhere to be seen.

"Gomen nasai, -chan, I'm afraid we'll have to cancel the party. Jin just left… and he's been really annoyed about the whole idea… I'm really sorry."

Clenching her fists tightly, glared at the sky before slopping down at the bench "Stupid spoiled bastard! There's a limit to how low a guy can step!" Just then, she saw him, Akutsu Jin, sleeping on another bench near hers.

Feeling her energy suddenly came back to her, jumped up and nearly flew over but before she could call out…

"What do you want?"

"Oh so you aren't sleeping, Akutsu Jin-kun," she glared as her arms folded themselves at her waist in a scolding manner. "How dare you put me through all that effort in making you a chestnut cake for nothing!"

Akutsu opened an eye at the girl. She had made his favorite food without knowing… a chestnut cake. But that wasn't the point here—

"What? What's wrong with my face?"

The reality hit as she panicked. She had been so frantic searching for Akutsu that she forgot to wipe off what Eri claimed to be the mature feminine look. The shade of red which the lipstick Eri had applied was still there though the lightly applied eye-shadow had already faded.

Growling, she roughly rubbed the red off of her lips with the back of her hand and resumed her glare at Akutsu.

Before could have had her share of speaking, Akutsu stood up from the bench and glared right down at her. Man… he was tall but she was at about his shoulders.

"You're annoying," began Akutsu's irritated voice which spooked the girl slightly.

Now I know why he is so frightening to people. He looks so menacing like that… Holding onto her pride, she stared right into his eyes as she replied with confidence and much sarcasm, "Well, thanks for the compliment."

"Keh, move it."

He shoved her out of the way, although not so harshly. rolled her eyes and decided to ignore the action by running up beside him.

"Where are you going?"

"Home."

"Eh?"

"I'm hungry."

"Then... You're gonna eat my cake?"

"Hn."

**********

Two ice cream cups, a slice of her chestnut cake, a dreamy grin, and four hours later:

"Idiot!" scolded Eri before sighing. "You're kidding me... you're into those tough, wild looking guys that need a leash? -- Maa… good luck, you'll need it."

##########

July 20, 2006
Written by: Yuriko
Edited by: linchpin

^[1] Editor's note: I'm note sure if Akutsu Yuki works at the coffee shop as a waitress or if she really owns the shop. Corrections are welcome!

A/N: Plenty of hints on Akutsu-kun in the DN which I borrowed from Prince of Tennis fanbook 20.5 ^.~