A Fish Tale

"See you tomorrow Oishi!"

Seigaku's young acrobat, Kikumaru Eiji, waved his hands to salute his partner. Oishi just shyly nodded with a smile, and they parted.

The day has been hard. The trainings were becoming more and more violent, and the regulars didn't have any chance of rest. They had to reach the Nationals, no matter what happened.

Oishi's legs and arms were in pain, and he was tired. School duties, trainings at the Club, and worrying for everyone asked for time, and energy. And he knew where to look for it.

On his way home, he passed by a little pet shop. Eiji and he used to go there a lot, buying this and that for Oishi's fishes. And Eiji loved pets. It was nice to see him so happy.

Oishi pushed the door of the shop, and beamed a happy "Hello!". The seller cut off his conversation to greet him just as happily. The young man made his way around the shop, wandering here and there, before sitting in front of the fish tanks. He had bought his own fishes there, and he had to make a huge effort not to buy other fishes each time he stopped in the shop.

That's why he came here so often. Absently, he caught the seller's words.

"You know, miss, these fishes are really difficult to take care of. They ask for particular cares and huge efforts to stay alive and healthy."

"I will give them all the time they need. I did some research, I know exactly what I have to do for them."

"Are you really sure?"

"I want them. The first time I saw them, something happened between us. I know it!"

"Very well."

Oishi could tell the seller was smiling. The young man knew he tested every possible buyer to be sure that the pets were not going to be in danger.

Almost yawning, Oishi got up, and was ready to leave. But his eyes were caught by the blue and red fishes, which the young lady was going to buy.

"Ah, Oishi-san," beamed the seller. "Come and see the beautiful fishes -san just adopted!"

The young man felt his cheeks blushing. But he went to the bar, where the girl was standing. She was not very tall and her hair was dark and tied up behind her neck. She turned her big black eyes to Oishi, and smiled.

"It's a fish tale…"

How did they get there? Oishi didn't even wonder. They first talked about the fishes just bought, and then, he offered her his help for bringing them home. She had taken care of the fishes and, to thank him, she invited him to eat something in the nearby restaurant.

They were almost immediately at ease with each other. They shared the same passion for fishes after all. Oishi, usually so shy, has been surprised to find himself eloquent. And he was even telling jokes! has laughed a compliment in the shop, and Oishi wanted to hear her laugh again.

"Ah! -chan! I found you!"

An arm slipped on the girl's shoulders, and lips fell on her forehead. A boy, taller and surely older than Oishi, was embracing the girl, without paying attention to the person sat in front of her.

"You forgot, don't you?" The new boy said.

frowned. And then, she hit her forehead with her hand. Getting up abruptly, she took some money out of his pocket, let it on the table, and left the restaurant with the boy.

"See you Oishi-kun! And thanks!" she said, as she opened the door, to a very disconcerted and disappointed Oishi.

**********

"Why is Oishi looking so distressed?" Fuji Syuusuke asked a few days later.

Eiji finished his training, lips pursed in a frown. He was worrying for his partner too. He has never seen him like that before.

"There is 99% chance that Oishi's state is due to a girl," Inui Sadaharu said, while writing in his notebook.

"Huh? Do you think?" Eiji yelled.

Fuji nodded with a smile. Of course, that could explain a lot of things about the mother of Seigaku's sad face.

There were a million of girls in the world, but he finally found Her. She, whose eyes were laughing before her lips, whose voice could have made ice melt. She, with whom you would want to speak with forever.

But she was taken. Why did he not think about that? A girl like her couldn't have been free. But he had to admit, the thought of her having a boyfriend never came to his mind. He was too busy studying her face, listening to her voice…

When he had seen the other boy fall on her, he was hurt. And he was still hurt. But there was another problem: he also felt stupid. He had known for only a few hours. Was it enough to say something happened between them?

"O~ishi!"

His partner's voice chased away his thoughts. Eiji was standing in front of him, hands behind his head. He was worrying, and Oishi was feeling guilty for that.

"Ah, hello Eiji."

"I'm going to the pet shop. Wanna come with me?"

Oishi tried to smile, but failed. How could he return there? No, he was not able to go where he met . Not yet.

"Sorry Eiji, I have a lot of homework to do tonight. Maybe next time?"

Eiji nodded. He was just understanding.

Two days later, Oishi was ready to go home after practice, when something quick and agile caught his arm.

"Eiji! You scared me!"

The young acrobat just laughed, a laugh so happy that Oishi couldn't help but smile. It was nice to have friends.

"Oishi… I have to see someone. Can you come with me?" Eiji asked with so adorable eyes, nobody could resist. Oishi smiled again. It couldn't hurt after all.

A few streets later, Eiji beamed: "Ah! Here she is!" Oishi felt a punch in his stomach when he saw the dark-haired girl, standing against the wall.

"-chan!" The acrobat called out.

The girl turned her head to them, and smiled. Oishi's heart melted, his eyes fixed on that smile.

"Well!" Eiji said. "No need to introduce you!"

"That's right, we know each other already," the girl answered happily. Oishi just nodded, without saying a word. He was lost. He didn't understand why he was here, why she was here, and why Eiji so insisted for him to come. All he knew was that his brain was going to explode.

"I wanted to apologize, Oishi-kun, for the other day. I left so quickly, without saying a proper good-bye…"

That was nothing, Oishi thought. What could she have added to that?

"It was my mother's birthday," the girl continued, "and my brother was looking for me, so we could buy something."

"Your… your brother? You mean that the boy was…" Oishi babbled, his heart lighter than a few seconds before.

The girl nodded with a smile. Eiji left them quietly, feeling accomplished. Oishi never refused him to go to the shop, so something happened obviously there. It has not been difficult to make the seller speak. And finding had been easier than he thought. He had made contact with her, talked about Oishi, and they decided to meet. When she told him the story with her brother, he immediately understood. Poor Oishi took that the wrong way!

had been sad not be able to see Oishi again. Many times, she went to the pet shop in the hopes of meeting Oishi there, but the seller told her that he has not seen Oishi either. had thought he didn't want to see her again, and somehow, it was painful. When Eiji called her, she was first surprised, but then, she decided not to miss her chance. A guy like Oishi couldn't be found anywhere, she was sure of it.

"Eh… How are your fishes?" Oishi asked. He was relieved, but not really at ease.

"Fine, thank you!" answered. "Do you want to see them?"

On their way to the 's house, slid her hand in Oishi's, and whispered to him:

"It's a fish tale…"

##########

August 3, 2006
Written and Translated by: Serena
Edited by: Rikapyon!