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Tsubame: WAHH!! It really takes me forever to update anything. I’m so sorry for the wait. I really miss Shaman King. It is showing now but give me the Tagalog dub any day. The voices in the English just doesn’t seem to fit.
No offence to those who like the English. I guess it is just a matter of preference.
“The Switch”
By Tsubame Ongaku
Chapter 3: Going as planned
Yoh’s dojo was quiet but Hao hated it for the reason that there was a reminder of his humiliating defeat. Hao now resided in a two-floor apartment of the Shinguji skyscraper, only three blocks from Yoh’s.
Hao hated it that Yoh was so content, he hated it that Yoh was Shaman King and most of all, he hated it that Anna was by his side every step of the way. He thought of kidnapping her a few times but he knew better than to underestimate Anna’s strength.
Another reason he wanted her was her strength. And who could forget her fire? The fire that burned in her eyes as she glared at him with hatred only made him want her more. It was a challenge and he wanted to tame her.
And lastly, her beauty… It was a crime to make someone so beautiful. Blonde hair, dark sexy eyes and body to boot. He wanted her and he was going to get her, using any means possible.
“Opacho! Did you get them?” He was looking out the window again at the view below. Cars, smoke and pollution, they all made him sick. He wanted them all destroyed. But he had to do something first.
“Yes, Master Hao,” Opacho replied, bowing his head. He presented to Hao with a pair of scissors and a pair of… orange earphones?
“Very good, Opacho,” Hao smiled, taking the scissors from his servants hands. “You have done well.”
“What are you going to do with them, Master?” Opacho looked up his master expectantly. He had wondered why his master asked for these materials. But he never questioned his Master’s decisions. Whatever this is, is going to bring his Master closer to being king.
Hao didn’t reply. He stared at his servant who was staring at him so expectantly, then shrugged. He took the scissors to his hair and… began to cut…
Opacho finally realized what his master was trying to do. He tried to stop him, by trying to take the scissors back. “Master! No!” Opacho screamed, trying to prevent his master from taking more.
“Don’t stop me, fool!” He grabbed the little midget and threw him to the wall. Opacho whimpered but Hao ignored him and continued to cut his long, long hair, the hair that distinguished one twin from the other, until he was done. And then finally the finishing touch, the orange earphones.
“It is done…”
Opacho almost fainted. Hao had turned himself into Yoh Asakura. Opacho was having trouble believing.
“Stop whimpering! It’s only hair! It will grow back!” He reminded him.
He did stop whimpering but still couldn’t believe his master had taken his enemy’s likeness. His hair cut in the same length as Yoh Asakura’s, the earphones had made quite a difference too.
There was one thing that reminded Opacho that this was his master though, the evil glint of his eyes and sadistic smile on his lips.
Hao smiled, trying to reassure the confused Opacho. “This is only step one of my plan…”
“Anna, it is time to get up.”
She groaned and hid even deeper under her blanket. She knew exactly who was whispering to her ear.
“Yoh, I’m still sleepy,” she murmured. “ Why don’t you go do the five hundred laps you said you’d do…”
He kissed her cheek soundly. “It’s done. Come on or we’ll miss school.”
“School? Who cares!” she exclaimed. “Leave me alone, Yoh. Give me one good reason to get up.”
“I wasn’t going to do this,” Yoh sighed. “But you leave me with no choice.” He took away Anna’s blanket and before Anna could protest, Yoh picked her up by the waist and kissed her.
Anna was frozen in shock. She was too shocked to slap him, or punch him. It was unusual for Yoh to decide to kiss her awake. It wasn’t at all… bad. She closed her eyes and held him tighter.
Much later, Yoh broke away and grinned. Anna’s eyes were still closed. “Good morning, Anna.”
Anna’s eyes flew open and she immediately moved away, blushing furiously. “Yoh, you baka! Don’t make fun of me like that!” She took out her beads. “I swear I’ll kill you.”
Her fiancé shook him head as he laughed. He stood up and began heading for the door. Before leaving though, he kissed her lightly on the cheek. “Get ready quick. I’ll have breakfast ready for us.”
When she was sure he was finally gone, she got up and went straight to the bathroom. It usually took Anna a while to get ready. It wasn’t easy being a girl and it definitely isn’t easy looking good.
Yoh smiled. He loved waking Anna up every morning. It was ironic how it used to be her waking him up to do her training regiment. But now, it doesn’t bother him at all. It was like instinct for him now. But then a knock came at the door, Yoh knew it would be Manta. Probably wanted to help with breakfast.
As far as Manta knew, Anna still treated him like a machine and worked him to the grave. As long as Hao was on the loose, it wasn’t safe for him to act as he liked with Anna in public. He pretended to look haggard and dropped his head on the dining table. And pretended to be dead tired.
“Hey, Yoh!” Manta greeted, waving his hand. He saw his bestfriend stiff on the table. He wondered whether he was still alive.
“Hi, Manta…” Yoh replied, not taking his head off the table, He sounded miserable.
Manta just stared at his head for a while without saying anything. He looked more than happy the last night. Why was he so miserable this morning? Did he and Anna have a fight?
“Well…everything looks back to normal. Had I been dreaming last night?” He thought. It was a reasonable explanation. The other explanation would be that he had been accidentally sucked into the twilight zone for a few minutes. “Maybe it was something I ate. I promise never to eat slug-like substances again. It couldn’t have been real. Yoh still looks like he’d ran all the way to China and back and Anna? Where is she anyway?”
Anna had been watching Manta and Yoh from the entrance. Sometimes, she’s really awed by Yoh’s acting. From the looks of Manta’s expression, it was like he knew something. At times like these, she wished she could still read minds. But as soon as Yoh had became Shaman King, he took the curse/gift away.
She entered suddenly, already dressed in her uniform and seemed to be lost at thought. Manta thought it was strange that her face didn’t look cold at all. Instead, it looked kinda worried.
“Yoh, I was just wondering when…” Anna stopped. Then she remembered that Manta was only two feet away and within hearing range. She really wanted to ask him when they were going to tell everybody. She loved him and she hated it that other girls were flirting with him because they were not acknowledged as a couple.
Manta looked at her expectantly. “When what, Anna?”
She gave a slight cough and then a cold look. “When are we going to leave? Stop slacking off, Yoh! We’re going to be late!” She retrieved her bag on the floor. Yoh must have put it there for her while she was taking a bath.
“Huh? Umm…yes, Anna.” Yoh grumbled. He really did look like he was tired. It worried her even more.
“Manta!”
“Ye…yes, Anna!” snapping into attention.
“I want you to go ahead. And buy something decent to eat for me,” she said, eyes flashing cold ice. “I want something good to eat for breakfast. Take out if you have to.”
“B….b…b..but, Anna.”
“Now, midget!” She shouted. “And that breakfast better be still hot when I reach school!”
“Yes, Anna!” the poor guy squeaked, running for the door.” Manta was panting by the time he reached the nearest fastfood place. He ordered every breakfast meal they had available. He didn’t know what Anna liked. “Yup! It could only have been a dream…” Manta thought. “She’s still the Ice Queen Anna I’ve always known.”
Meanwhile, back at the house. Now that Manta was gone, Anna let her façade down. She touched Yoh’s forehead, feeling for a temperature. “Yoh, are you alright?” She touched his face. “Are you sure you’re still acting? You don’t look like you had much sleep.”
Yoh suddenly laughed. “Is my acting that good Anna?” he took her hands and kissed them. “I’m fine! By the way, is my cooking that bad? You scared the pants off, poor Manta. I bet he bought everything in that foodstand’s menu out of fear.”
“Shut up, you. Are you sure you’re okay?”
Yoh still laughed. But seriously, he didn’t look like he had much sleep last night. Anna felt stupid to not have noticed it before. It was so hard to know how Yoh was feeling, not with him always smiling like that.
“I’m okay as long as Anna is with me…”
Anna blushed and took back her hands. Yoh thought that she looked cute being so shy. “Don’t tease me like that, Yoh! It is not funny.”
“I’m not teasing…” he whispered, then got up. He stretched out a hand to her. “Need help getting up?”
She nodded and accepted his hand. “What about breakfast?”
“We’ll just eat what ever Manta brings.”
Horohoro Usui, the snowboarder from the North and at times more trouble than he’s worth. Light blue hair, dark eyes and the built of a true athlete, he’s known to send a few hearts racing at times.
“Hey, Yoh!” Horohoro called out to him. Beside him was his girlfriend, Tamao. He was straightening the collar of her boyfriend’s uniform. Like Yoh, Horohoro tended to just dress sloppily at school. “You made it in time!”
Yoh never let his smile waver as the others greeted him. Signs of fatigue were gone and now he was acting like he had just had a major energy boost.
“I was just telling everyone about my concerto this weekend,” the green-haired Lyserg said. “ Can you come?”
Lyserg Diethyl, a green-haired, adorable prettyboy, who was still very much in love with Mistress Jeane from the Iron Maiden. He was a musician and he was forever giving away tickets to them to come to his concerts. They always went, but majority went only for the food.
“Sure! Unless of course we’re busy that day.” He turned to Anna, who stood quietly beside him. “Are we going to be busy that day, Anna?”
Anna always thought that Yoh was sweet to always ask her permission first before making a decision for anything. He always thought of what she thought. She nodded to him, giving him her consent.
“Hurray! Sure, Lyserg, We’ll go.”
“If you say so…” Ren Tao, another of Yoh’s oldest friends, shrugged, one arm around his girlfriend, Pirika’s shoulders, much to Horohoro’s annoyance. Horohoro wrapped his arm around his girlfriend too.
Ren Tao was the heir to the legendary Tao fortune. He has dark hair, golden eyes and good looks that obviously came from his Chinese heritage. Ren had always been proud to have his looks but he had been cursed with a midget’s height when he was younger. Now, you never call him midget again.
Pirika Usui was Horohoro’s little sister. Horohoro is very protective of her, Almost as much as he’s protective of his own girlfriend. Or at least close enough. He had lighten up though and left the job of guarding his sister to Ren. All he does now was guard his sister from Ren.
Horohoro grunted. Ren saw this and just smirked, bringing Pirika closer. It was getting uncomfortable too but she was already used to Ren’s clinginess. Horohoro knew that Ren just loved rubbing in his face how close he and Pirika were. Horohoro’s most traumatizing moment was probably when he and Tamao came home from their date to find Ren and Pirika kissing.
Now Ren was permanently banned from going ten feet from their house. Ren now had to give his girlfriend a goodnight kiss from that distance too. Annoyed him a lot but he made up for it by acting as lovey-dovey as he could in school.
Suddenly, the PA system sounded. “Asakura Yoh! Asakura Yoh of fourth year A. You are to come to the principal’s office immediately for an urgent matter. Asakura Yoh, you are to come to the principal’s office immediately.”
“Huh? What is that about?” Yoh wondered what he did this time. From what he knew, he hasn’t been causing trouble lately.
“I don’t know,” Horohoro said, scratching his head. “We haven’t done anything these past few days.”
“Anna, I’m going ahead.” Then he brought his head closer to her ear and whispered. “Will you be okay?” She nodded. He smiled then stole a kiss on her cheek and whispered. “I’ll see you inside.”
He waved to the others and ran to the school. The gang waved back, still wondering what their principal could want. It was true that the “Shamans,” which is what they were called in school, participated in most of the fights that occur in school but the Shamans were the victims in all of them. Though they always won, they never start any of the fights.
Because of their reputation for being the toughest gang to beat in school, people are always challenging them to fights. Things had been quiet lately though, which is a relief to most of them. Ren and Horohoro are still complaining that their source of exercise is gone.
“We haven’t had any new challenges for a while now, so I don’t understand what that old fart would want.” Ren told Anna.
Anna was doing her best to seem not to care. She must be failing if Ren could tell how worried she really was. “Hmmm… I see.”
They still had a little time spare but they thought that maybe it wasn’t too early to go to their classrooms already. But before they could though, a familiar figure emerged from the entrance again.
It was Yoh.
“Yoh? I thought you were going to the principal’s office,” Horohoro grinned, as he threw him a baseball that he picked up randomly.
Yoh had caught it easily, with the same familiar lazy smile. “It was nothing but a case of mistaken identity.” He shrugged. “They thought I was causing trouble this morning. That I started a fight with a group of boys.”
“Huh? You got framed for it?” Pirika asked.
“Yup! But that is okay now.” Yoh turned towards Anna and winked. He chuckled when he noticed Anna blushing before looking away. “I told them that I was still training that time, so it couldn’t have been me.”
Anna thought that there was something strange about Yoh suddenly. He never showed openly any interest in her before. They couldn’t. They couldn’t risk any of the others finding out yet. So why now? And she could also feel a sudden change in furiyoku. She couldn’t put her finger in it now.
“Well, class is starting soon. Shouldn’t we go in now?” Tamao asked. “The bell will ring any minute now and… our homeroom teacher is not exactly that nice.”
“Sure, Tamao. We’ll go in a sec,” he assured her. He guided her towards the already crowding school. “Coming, guys?”
Ren yawned then grinned. “Might as well. Lets go, Pirika. I’ll walk you to your first class.” He guided her towards the school entrance. “We’ll see you, losers, later.”
Ren knew how Pirika hated it when he called her brother names. They always end up arguing when he did it. But then again, Ren enjoyed it when they argued. It showed him more of the fire in her that he fell in love with.
“What did you just call me!?” Horohoro stormed, running to catch up to the dark-haired marital artist. “Are you starting a fight, Tao? Well, bring it on!”
Ren just waved his hand in dismissal and disappeared into the school with Pirika already scolding his “unforgivable” behavior.
She always ends up forgiving him anyway.
Lyserg took Anna’s hand and began pulling her inside. “Come on, Miss Anna, Yoh. Let’s go to class already.”
But Yoh grabbed Anna’s arm, surprising the both of them. “Actually, Lyserg, I wanted to talk to Anna for a while before going inside. Why don’t you guys go ahead? The two of us will catch up later.”
Was it her imagination? Or was Yoh’s grip tighter than usual?
“You don’t mind, do you, Anna?” He asked, pleadingly. It was so cute, that it became difficult for her to refuse. She hated it when Yoh did that. it was too adorable.
She sighed but then nodded. “This better not take too long.”
Tamao took a look at her watch. “ You have to make it quick, you two.”
Yoh laughed and shook his head. “Tamao, don’t worry so much. It will mar your pretty face. We’ll be fine! Now go and remember to save us some good seats.”
Tamao blushed. She used to have a very big crush on Yoh but then she fell in love with Horohoro. Although she didn’t think of Yoh like “that” anymore, it still embarrasses her when someone compliments her.
Horohoro saw this and pushed Tamao behind him protectively. “Hey! Tease your own girlfriend, Asakura.” He drags Tamao inside, following the couple earlier. “Lets go, Tamao.”
“We’ll see you at class!” Tamao called, disappearing with Horohoro behind the doors.
Lyserg followed. “I better get going too. I want to catch Jeanne and tell her about the concert.” He blushed. He always did that when he thought of Jeanne. “Same time and same place, right? See yah!”
Once they were out of sight, Anna immediately turned to Yoh. “So, what do you want to talk to me about?”
Yoh suddenly grinned but a different kind of grin. It wasn’t the one she was used to seeing when she was with Yoh. There was something…mischievous about it. Yoh was too laid-back to be mischievous. It scared her…
“Yoh, are you… alright?”
His façade changed back again a second later to his relaxed smile. Anna wondered if she had only imagined it. “Of course I am, Anna.” She began to pull her away from the crowd to a group of trees. When they were finally hidden from view of the other students in school, Yoh let go.”
“Yoh, what is the big idea? We’re going to be late for class. Just tell me what you want to sa--”
Before she could say anything more, Yoh kissed her. Yoh always told her that he loved kissing her. He even had a habit of stealing kisses from her during classes when the teacher wasn’t looking. His kisses were always playful.
She enjoyed all of them.
But there was nothing ‘playful’ about this kiss. It was different… it was… dominating…it didn’t feel at all like Yoh.
Yoh pulled away. Anna wanted to ask him what was wrong. But as she looked up to his eyes, she saw the gentlest expression. Only Yoh had ever looked at her so lovingly.
Yoh glanced at his watch. “Look at the time! You’re going to be late!”
“Don’t you mean, we’re going to be late?” she questioned him. “And since when did you wear a watch, Yoh?” Yoh was never concerned about time. For him time was limitless. Time never mattered to him.
He smiled, naturally. He made it seem like it was a silly question and that it was just natural for him to bring a watch. ”Since now. If it bothers you I’ll take it off.” He took off the watch an slipped it into his pocket. “Why don’t you go ahead? I’ll catch up.”
“Why don’t we go in together? Come on Yoh. We’re going to be late.” She took his hand and began to pull him but he was too strong.
“No, I still have some stuff to do before I go in.” Before she could argue some more, he stole another kiss from her lips, shocking her. “Go in. Or else I’ll steal another one,” he teased.
She nodded, but not without blushing so furiously that she was sure she looked like a tomato. She could sense some kind of change but it couldn’t be. A person doesn’t change this fast. Maybe she was thinking too much.
She slung her bag on her back and turned to leave. “I’m going ahead but I warn you…don’t be late or I’ll have you run an extra twenty miles tomorrow.”
He had just smiled and waved. She ran as fast as she could inside. She didn’t want to be late for class. She was class representative after all. She must not make a bad name for herself. Once she got to class, she was relieved to see that the teacher wasn’t there yet.
But she was shocked to see Yoh, sitting innocently on his desk and talking to Manta who was sat behind him.
How did he get here before her? She took a step towards him. “Yoh?”
Yoh saw her and gave her his usual goofy grin. “Anna, you’re finally here!”
She gave him a confused look. Why was he acting like nothing happened earlier? “Yoh? How did you----“
But then classmates began to swarm around her. Not ununsual ever since she became Class Representative.
“Miss Anna! We’re in a pinch! The Xerox machine won’t work and the paperwork is due today.”
“Miss Anna, what color should we use for the banners?”
“Miss Anna, can you come to the meeting tomorrow afternoon?”
She never had her chance to talk to Yoh again. During class, Yoh left her alone to her responsibilities but he had always watched her with silent admiration at how dependable she was.
“Hey, Yoh?” Manta had always wondered why Yoh tended to do that during class when he thought nobody was looking. “What do you think of Anna?”
“Hmmm?” He stiffened, not expecting that question. He began to wonder if Manta suspected anything. “Whh---why do you ask?”
He shrugged nonchalantly. “Nothing really. It is just that she works you to the grave but you never seem to mind. At least not anymore.”
He laughed, nervously. “I guess I just got used to it. I have been doing it for a long time, you know?”
Manta nodded but it didn’t look like he was so convinced. Yoh didn’t feel like it was the time to tell his bestfriend about Anna and his relationship yet. It felt awkward to tell him that he fell in love with Anna all over again.
He had been in love with her since they were young but then he wasn’t strong enough to protect her. She protected him. That was a big damage on his ego. That was the first time he’d ever let a girl rescue him.
Manta was worried about him. Yoh looked a little nervous and it wasn’t like him. Did something happen when he talked with Anna? He had her breakfast on her table but it looked like she was going to be too busy to eat it.
Once again, he had done something pointless. He spent a week’s allowance to buy those meals. Once again, he wonders how Yoh puts up with her.
Manta followed Yoh’s gaze. Anna unconsciously flipped her hair. She had very beautiful hair and Manta never really noticed how cute she looked doing that. She was one of the most popular girls in class.
Beautiful, smart, responsible and reliable, all the guys in class were crazy about her. One guy even kissed her shoe when she said so.
Manta sighed. He never really learned o understand Yoh’s logic over the years. But though Yoh never made sense, he knew what he wanted and how to get it. If he wanted Anna, so be it.
Manta just wished he understood why…
Hao ran his hands through his now short hair and shrugged. As of now, he was still not used to the length. But it didn’t bother him at all. He was getting what he wanted and that was enough for him for now.
“You worry too much,” Hao shrugged. “Don’t you trust me anymore, Opacho? With this disguise i was able to fool all of my double's little friends and even the cool, Anna.” he laughed. “I’m having fun doing this and besides…” He leaned against the tree they were hiding from. They could see Anna and Yoh clearly from the window.
Anna was taking command in the class since the teacher was not around. Yoh was in his seat, still smiling and watching Anna intently. Hao smirked. “…I got to kiss my little blonde…”
From inside, he saw Anna steal a glance at Yoh. Yoh saw it and winked. She turned around quickly to hide the blush from their classmates still watching her every move.
Hao frowned. “Just a little longer…everything is going according to plan.”
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