FMP! Drabble: Rumours
Rumours - Full Metal Panic! Sousuke/Kaname, 384 words. (04/11/05)
She knows what to say when he stands in front of the student council and reports that someone or someones, possibly a mole from an enemy party or spies from a terrorist faction, are broadcasting information regarding Chidori Kaname. Of course, for a moment she feels the throat-tightening worry, the clench of her chest and the shallow breath of fear, but it only lasts until he confides with them that the medium of this data tends to be the bathroom walls.
The print on Hayashimizu-san's fan says It is easier to dam a river than to stop gossip.
"You idiot, that's just stupid highschool rumours!"
"False information, then. But so much, and so… crude… perhaps it may be code…!"
"Not code, graffiti - why did you even bring it up!?"
"Tell her, Sagara-kun."
"School rule #27: the destruction of any school property is prohibited, and any student caught in an act of vandalism will be suitably punished."
She also knows what to say after they're sent out the door with an order to handle the graffiti. "NO GUNS."
"I agree. Proper torture techniques must first be used to obtain information- ouch."
"SOUSUKE, THIS IS SCHOOL!! There are no spies, no double agents, no… no guns allowed!!"
She still knows what to say to those eyes that look straight ahead with that strong, assertive stare and to his voice that says, "but it is my duty to protect you..."
"You don't need to protect me from harmless words!"
And she even knows what to say when he stops behind her on the way to the tool shed, his face pinching in confusion and concern, and asks, "… does it not bother you?"
"Of course it does, but… but I'm used to it, okay?!" Because it's been years already. Because she's never had anyone to protect her from this. She's learned to fight for herself, she's learned what to say. So "just paint over it!" is what she barks.
But, when at school the next morning Kyouko shows her a picture of the boy's second floor bathroom with its absolutely whitewashed walls, except for one small square of printing overtop of the new paint that says, in familiar scrawl:
This is no rumour; I will protect her honour. - S.S.
For once, she doesn't know what to say.
She knows what to say when he stands in front of the student council and reports that someone or someones, possibly a mole from an enemy party or spies from a terrorist faction, are broadcasting information regarding Chidori Kaname. Of course, for a moment she feels the throat-tightening worry, the clench of her chest and the shallow breath of fear, but it only lasts until he confides with them that the medium of this data tends to be the bathroom walls.
The print on Hayashimizu-san's fan says It is easier to dam a river than to stop gossip.
"You idiot, that's just stupid highschool rumours!"
"False information, then. But so much, and so… crude… perhaps it may be code…!"
"Not code, graffiti - why did you even bring it up!?"
"Tell her, Sagara-kun."
"School rule #27: the destruction of any school property is prohibited, and any student caught in an act of vandalism will be suitably punished."
She also knows what to say after they're sent out the door with an order to handle the graffiti. "NO GUNS."
"I agree. Proper torture techniques must first be used to obtain information- ouch."
"SOUSUKE, THIS IS SCHOOL!! There are no spies, no double agents, no… no guns allowed!!"
She still knows what to say to those eyes that look straight ahead with that strong, assertive stare and to his voice that says, "but it is my duty to protect you..."
"You don't need to protect me from harmless words!"
And she even knows what to say when he stops behind her on the way to the tool shed, his face pinching in confusion and concern, and asks, "… does it not bother you?"
"Of course it does, but… but I'm used to it, okay?!" Because it's been years already. Because she's never had anyone to protect her from this. She's learned to fight for herself, she's learned what to say. So "just paint over it!" is what she barks.
But, when at school the next morning Kyouko shows her a picture of the boy's second floor bathroom with its absolutely whitewashed walls, except for one small square of printing overtop of the new paint that says, in familiar scrawl:
This is no rumour; I will protect her honour. - S.S.
For once, she doesn't know what to say.