[1]BITTERSWEET - GIN&MII

Foreword:Mixed Up! presents yet ANOTHER side story from the supposedly original one which takes place a year after the characters' graduation from high school, with the addition of a new character. This, I may say, is another way of the heads of delaying the entire process of making the original manga without any logical reason at all nonetheless it is still part of the Mixed Up! series, I think.

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SHINJU GIN

21 years old

Eldest son and oldest brother of Ao and Ai.

Graduate School student in T-university. He's finishing his masters in Engineering (major in Information and Communication)

He's a delinquent but, without much effort at all, he's surprisingly smart which is why Michiyo is so pissed off.

FUJIWARA MICHYO

19 years old

Youngest daughter and has an older brother

University student at T-university taking up a major in Interior Fashion and Design.

She stands out both in academics and sports but what pisses her off is that Gin, without any effort at all, 

 always beats her in English Literature, a subject that they're both taking.

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"It's pretty cloudy out, I hope it doesn't rain." I whispered to myself as I looked out from my apartment's window.  I'm Fujiwara Michiyo, or as others would call me, Mii-chan. I live by myself in my own apartment now and it's been almost a year since my high school graduation. After graduation, it was difficult to keep in touch with former friends especially Xianne, since he decided to migrate back to Korea and finish his studies there.

"Mii-chan!" as usual, Shizuka called out from the university's gate. We always attended class together in high school but now that we're university students, it's quite impossible because of our different schedules and even if we barely see each other on campus we still find the time to hang out on the weekends.

"Shizuka! You're really early again"

"No, I'm not." Shizuka chuckled as she accompanied me inside the campus. T-university's campus is really wide, it comprises of a lot of buildings and even a huge track n' field oval. A ton of students walking to and fro, coming in and out every single second. Even if I've been going here for almost a year now, it never ceases to impress me. 

We finally arrived in the main building's lobby where Shizuka and I needed to split up, even though we take the same major she attends a different class at a different time.

"I'll just text you, okay?" Shizuka smiled and waved as she left

"Okay!" I nodded and decided to attend my class as well. I rummaged through my bag and and pulled out a small planner, "Let's see...hm. English Literature A-302. Okay then, I guess I need to get going"

As I walked along the corridors, there was this one person that caught my attention. A guy with messy blonde hair sitting...no sleeping on one of the chairs in front of the registrar's office. "How sloppy" I renounced softly. He was such an eye sore but not that I'd wake him up. He does look tired, so I walk pass by and ignore him and continue to my classroom. 

As I entered, I immediately took the seat on the top row, the one nearest to the window. And because this class is an elective for everyone in the university I get to meet a lot of different people from all different majors. Not long after I arrived, finally our professor arrived as well. He rested his bag and other things on the table and glanced around, and asked in his deep very-professor-like voice, "Is everyone here" 

Nobody seemed to know so there was no response until the door opened which caught everyone's attention. There I saw to my astonishment, that messy-haired blonde guy who was sleeping along the corridor just now. Why is he here? I never see around this class before.

"Ah, Mr. Shinju, I would have known" the professor greeted sarcastically and then continued shortly "It's quite a pleasure to have you join us this time"

"Sorry I'm late, prof" he scratched his head and entered the room and sits along the front row unbothered with all the stares from the students.

"I'm warning you Mr. Shi--" even before the professor could continue scolding him like some highschool teacher-student relationship, this guy abruptly interrupeds with quite an abraded tone, "I'm passing every single one of your special exams, right? The ones you consider 'even teachers with a Ph.D wouldn't get pass', right? I don't think you should say anything more, prof" he then grinned.

"Hmph" he turns away, "Alright let's continue where we left off..."

The professor wasn't able to say anything. I wonder how good this guy is...passing backbreaker exams like that. I don't think that's possible, not coming from someone who sleeps along the corridor with messy hair and all but our professor looked convinced...might it be true?

The 2-hour lecture finally ended and I have one more class to attend before lunch, I fixed my things and immediately got up and went down from my seat. Before I headed out the classroom, this guy, Shinju was still there, it seems he was waiting for everyone to leave, what a weirdo. Then at that moment, he suddenly turned his eyes my way and noticds that I was staring at him. He smiled and made a waving gesture toward me. My eyes fanned a bit, as I was a bit embarrassed myself, where did my manners go? Even if he looked sloppy, well atleast to me, it's rude to stare at people. I hurriedly out the room and into the other classroom for my next class without giving him a second glance.

"Okay, since we lack time today to finish your work, I will be giving you the rest of the day to finish that and I expect them by 5 pm today. Understood? Dismissed"

That was the end of my class, I had the rest of the day to finish my designs for a studio-type pad. "I can't believe I need five designs for this" I complained to myself and headed out the room. My phone rang instantly and I expected it to have a message from Shizuka, who by this time has ended her morning class as well. 

"Miichan! Sorry I wouldn't be able to have lunch with you today (；￣Д￣）

My groupmates need to finish this project we're working on so I need to help them!

I wouldn't be able to have lunch anyway so please go without me! 

I'm really sorry（ﾉ´д｀）I'll make it up to you next time, ne? Love, Shizuka~（　＾＾）人（＾＾　）"

"Hm. I guess things like this can't be helped" 

I headed over to the cafeteria to get myself something to drink first before heading to somewhere quiet to finish my designs. As I was about to exit the cafeteria, I see this Shinju guy again, not sleeping but flirting? I may be wrong but he seems to be enjoying the company of those girls. It's so annoying that I couldn't stand the sight of it, so I rush to the library to finish my work.

"Hm. I think this should do it. Alright! two more designs to go" I thought to myself with contentment, I've been here for almost 2 hours now I've finally made progress and good thing I'm not having an art block today. I took out another page from my sketchpad so I could start on my other design but then without looking away from my table, I felt as if someone were approaching me, and all of a sudden this person says

 

My eyes widened out as I thought to myself  "It's him! What's he doing here?"

つづく

Mixed Series: The Life and Times of Gray [7]

I was the only one who didn't see her off at the airport. I knew that I would regret it but then I didn't want to hurt more inside. I thought that probably she was only pressured by my decision. My own selfish decision, she probably never even wanted to be a chef in the first place. Maybe I was just like my father, I was too stubborn to listen, I was selfish but I guess my father had a good reason. He knew that our rash decision would not last long as I'd expected and just wanted me to have a more stable future. I made up with him, I apologized and promise to live up to his expectations not because I am forced to, because I want him to be proud of me. I want him to think that he has a responsible son. After graduation, I was able to have the consent of both my parents to bring Haki along with me to Tokyo. I was able to get into the university as a medicine student with a full scholarship and worked part time as a cook in a restaurant to pay off Haki's tuition fee, I did this until after I graduated. And now, since I'm a pediatrician, the principal allowed Haki to study for free in the same school I work for. My brother's really doing well in highschool now, he even made new friends who, according to him, always encourage him to sing.  Right now, Nami might already have her own family or maybe not but I'm hopeful that I will be able to see her again and maybe by being a successful doctor, that would help me get closer to her.


"MITSURU-SENSEI! SHINJU-SAN FAINTED IN THE FIELD AGAIN!"


Well, duty calls. 






[THE END!]

Mixed Series: The Life and Times of Gray [6]

"I'm leaving" I greeted as I stepped out our home. I can't wait to arrive at school, I want to see my friends who I know will always comfort me in these times of my life.


As I arrive, a variety of students and batchmates greeted me, I guess they don't dare ask what happened and why I have a bandage on my face. I take a step inside our classroom, lay my bag on the side and take my seat. I thought it would be a quiet start but then I thought to early.


"OHAYO GRAAAAY!" a loud voice came up to me from behind. Iku may be kind of annoying sometimes but I guess I'm kind of happy to see him all lively. "What the hell happened to you face?" he asked.


"Stop poking it" I insisted, "It's nothing I just got into a fight"
"Oooh~ Gray-kun's turnin' into a bad boy now huh? That wouldn't be a great impression on Nami-chan~" Iku teased as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
"Shut up"
"Weeeell~ Speaking of the love your life, here she is~!"
"IKU!" I exclaimed as I hit him with my english literature book
Well he wasn't entirely wrong, oh wait. He wasn't wrong at all. Nami IS the love of my life. We've already made a promise that after graduation we would take up a culinary course in Tokyo. 
"Good morn---" she attempted to greet but then paused as she stared at my injury
"What happened to you?!" she blurted out in such a worried tone
"He got into a fight with some gangstas yesterday" Iku added
"Hey! That's a lie! I didn't! I just...fell down the stairs!" That was so pathetic, I thought.
"What?"
"Nami-chan, don't believe him. He just told me! He got into a fight!"
"With whom?"
"Yeah, with whom, Gray?"
I was kind of hesitant to tell the truth, I didn't want anyone to think that I have a family who uses brawn to solve everything
"My dad" I said softly
"What happened?! Why did you get into a fight with your dad?!" Nami started to worry, her eyes were starting to teary
"There's nothing to worry about, really. It's just a normal fight really"
"A-are you sure?"
"Yes, Nami. I'm sure" I smiled and held her hand
"Aaaw~ I'm jealous. You're all so sweet~"
"Shut up, Iku"


"Oh um... Gray, let's have lunch together okay?  I need to tell you something" 
"Alright" I smiled and watched Nami take her seat
I was kind of curious about what she wanted to tell me...probably a marriage proposal? Nah, that's such a stupid idea. 


The morning class ended and the bell started to ring, it's lunch time and as promised, I would have lunch together with Nami. She immediately grabbed my hand, and we ran to the rooftop.
"Why here? I asked
"Nothing really" she smiled as she faced me. She looked rather worried, as if she was hiding something from me, something she couldn't tell me.
"Um Gray. Next month will be our graduation"
"Yeah, I'm kind of excited to be with you in college"
"About that..." she looked away, her eyes were starting to be tear-filled
"Nami? What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

"I can't go with you Gray..."


I can't believe what I was hearing, we made a promise together. We would pursue our dreams together but now...why this?
"Why?" I asked, I was aware that my voice was rather shaky, I wanted to cry as well, that problems have been arriving I don't know if I could handle them anymore
"My father's job demanded for a relocation, he'll be transferred to New York this week, and my mom and I have plans to follow him after graduation and my parents have decided that we would live there" she explained as tears rolled down her face
"W-what...? Th-then, that shouldn't be really a problem right? We can pursue a culinary degree together even though we're miles apart, right?"
"I-I'm sorry...I won't be taking up a culinary course anymore... my father told me to take up a medical course...he wants me to be a doctor, I just can't disobey him" even more tears went rolling down her face. I know that she feels bad as I am, I  felt my heart and soul crush just now. "But...we promised..." I said as I held her hand tightly, "Didn't it mean anything to you?
"It did! It did mean alot to me Gray! but under these circumstances I don't think I will be able to fulfill that promise"
"But..."
"I'm so sorry, Gray! I never intended for things to be like this. I'm so sorry if I hurt you and I don't want to hurt you any longer"
Wait, what does she mean by "any longer"? Is she...
"What do you mean? Are you...breaking up with me?" I asked as my voice started to tremble
She looked down, crying, and nodded. "I-I'm sorry. Not being able to fulfill that promise with you hurts me so much already, I don't want to hurt you anymore! Especially not when we're far apart from each other!"
"Nami! We can always contact each other. It's not impossible! I promise that we would always mail each other!"
"I..I don't want to cling onto promises I know I wouldn't be able to fulfill. I've hurt you once already, I don't think I could take it if I did that again. I love you too much, Gray. I'm doing this because I want you to be happy---"
"How the hell am I going to be happy?! I don't want to be happy alone! I want you to be with me!"
"I-I'm sorry!" she ran out the rooftop with tear-stained face. I don't understand why she would do this to me... my heart's starting to ache. I want to shout all my problems out.


[to be continued]

Mixed Series: The Life and Times of Gray [5]

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling of my room as I contemplate on what my little brother's decision to go to Tokyo with me. I know that he may be too young to fully understand the consequences of his decisions but then I guess it will be good for him in a way somehow.

"Dinner's ready! Get out of your rooms now!" my mother calls out from downstairs. I'm kind of worried, I don't want to see my father right now not after what happened last night but then this might even be a good time to tell them that I'll be going away for college. 

"Nii-chan! Let's go!" my little brother calls me out as he rushes out his room, "I'm coming" I reply, getting up from bed. "Sigh"

I continue downstairs and into the kitchen, my eyes met with my father's but then he looked away into his newspaper. I bowed in respect and greeted him, "Kombanwa, Oto-san" 

"Good evening" he replies in a cold voice, hurry up and sit down, the food is getting cold.

"Yes father" as I pulled out my chair.

The atmosphere around the dinner table was a bit tensed. My dad still has hard feelings considering that I shouted back at him, he might not even expected that coming from his eldest son who always obeyed every word he said but I guess this time is different, I'm considered an adult now I can very much take care of myself, and make decisions for myself as well.

"I'm going away for college" I said in a cold tone. My father slammed his utensils onto the table, "You start disobeying me, and now you're leaving us?!" 

 I already expected that kind of reply from him. My mother was very understanding though

"Are you sure, Hairo? Is this what you want?"

"Yes mother"

"I can't believe you are tolerating this disgraceful attitude of your son! No wonder he is so stubborn!" my dad's voice started to flair up

"This is what he wants, our son is an adult now" my mom took defense of me

"Adult?!" my dad's voice raised, "He couldn't even make a living for himself!  He has no right to call himself an adult!"

I clenched my fist but held my voice back, "Father, I've already decided. After graduation, I'll be leaving...and I'm taking my little brother with me"

My parents eyes fanned out, I guess they never expected that from me.

"Why are you taking Haki with you?"

"He wants to go to Tokyo with me, mother"

"What are you saying?! You're brother is not going anywhere!" my dad once again slammed the table and stood from his chair, "If you want to ruin your life then fine but don't involve your brother!"

Ruin? Did he just say "ruin"? How in the hell am I going to ruin my life? And that's where I draw the line, I stand up and face my father, "Father, I don't see how I'm going to ruin my life! I have a dream and Haki as well. We're going to pursue our dreams, and by being confined here I don't think we will be able to achieve that!"

"What in the world makes you think that you're 8 year old brother knows what HE wants?!"

"I'm not surprised you wouldn't know father."
"Onii-san!" Haki exclaimed with worry and hesitation in his tone

"He's been telling you about his passion for singing, how he would want to meet and be one of the singers he sees on television, but you're too busy to listen. In fact, you wouldn't want to listen because you plan to ignore him and force what YOU want!" 

I saw my father's teeth grit, he grabbed my collar and right then and there, he punched me in the face. I fell on the floor as my lower lip started bleeding. My brother started crying, my mom pushed my dad and away in an attempt to try not to hurt me any further

"YOU ARE A DISGRACE! I NEVER THOUGHT YOU WOULD GROW UP THIS WAY! IF THAT'S WHAT YOU INSIST ON. FINE, BUT NEVER EVER COME BACK HERE IF YOU NEED HELP BECAUSE I WILL NOT ACCEPT YOU!" my father left the dinner table in rage. 

"Hairo, are you okay?" 

"I-I am mother..."

"Let me treat your wound"

Haki looked at me from his chair with his tear-filled eyes, I guess he never expected to see that kind of scene. I think I'm too blame too. I wasn't able to control my words, I do regret saying those words but it doesn't mean I'm giving up my dream.

[to be continued]

meet the children 2

Aya: THEY'RE SO CUUUUUUTEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
Haku: EEH! WHY'S THIS HERE?!
Gaki: Aya-obaachan stole it!
Aya: Hey! You should be proud! People in the whole world should know how cute my 2 nephews are!!
Haku: Mama and Papa don't even care
Haru: ...
Haki: I ban you from seeing the children
Haru: HEY!

OH LOOKEY HERE

Aya: Look at what I've found in Gray's old stuff!!
Haru: Haki, are you and this guy *points at Iku* related?
Haki: No
Haru: Why does he look like you?
Aya: Haki's face is very generic.
Haki: HEY!
Aya: This girl's pretty but I'm prettier
Haki and Haru: ...
Aya: HMPH!! -leaves-

Gray: hey..don't you have any comment for the guy in the middle?

Mixed Series: The Life and Times of Gray [4]

It's been almost two weeks now. I haven't talked to my father since that night. Tension has been filling the atmosphere of our home for quite some time now. I don't even look him in the eye. I don't dare to not right after shouting back at him. Although, I don't blame myself alone, I can't stand hearing someone contempt my dear Yonekura-san. Never. I care for her too much.

It's a saturday afternoon, I'm locked up in my room, concentrating on my books and handwritten lectures. I'm focused on these now more than ever since I've already stood by my decision in taking up a culinary course. All I have to do now is to top all my subjects and make an impression to whoever college professor that will interview me. I've applied already in a prestigious school in Tokyo. I know we may not afford it but with the state of my grades, I'm confident that I can apply for a full scholarship. One problem though, my parents have no idea that I'll be moving away for college. I plan to tell them at one point.

"HAIRO. I'M GOING OUT TO SHOP! TAKE CARE OF THE HOUSE WHILE I'M GONE" my mom called out from downstairs and closed the door without waiting for my reply
"Okay mom"

I went down to lock up the kitchen and back door but through my way downstairs, I happen to hear a faint sound of music coming from the closed door of my brother's room. It's quite unusual to me. I don't know of any specific kind of genre of music my brother was into. I don't even know my brother was into music at all.

I briskly walk to that door and turned that door knob "It's open...", as I slowly peaked through that door. My eyes fanned out, I gasped but immediately covered my mouth hoping to not be heard but I guess it failed anyway.

Haki turned around in shock as he saw me there in front of the door witnessing him...

"Sing" I patted his head, "I never thought you were so good at it"
He turned his away in shyness, I guess he didn't want anyone to hear him.
"That's why I always kept my door locked"
"Well, too bad you forgot" I smiled
"Don't smile! I-it's embarrassing!!"
"Hey, you should never feel bad about your talent. It's a gift and you should use it wisely"

My brother just gave me a small nod but he didn't want to look at me. He was still a bit tensed. I bent down in eye level with him.
"So, tell me about this talent of yours?"
"Huh?"
"When did you start singing?"
My little brother bit his lower lip, kind of hesitated to answer.
"What's wrong?" I asked gently
"I'm afraid that you're not interested...just like Oto-san..."

I blinked in confusion, I didn't know that he was opening up to my dad about this. "Did dad ever hear you sing?"
"No...but I used to tell him how I liked those singers in tv so much. He wouldn't listen" my brother explained in a soft tone
"Oh" I paused as my soul almost felt crushed with my brother's setback. He looked so sad that he could almost burst into tears. He wanted someone to listen to him, no wonder he dislikes talking in public so much...an inferiority, eh?

I continued with a smile as I patted his head and like the ideal big brother that I am, "Don't worry. Oniichan will listen to you. Tell me everything"

My brother's face brightened up and a wide smile crossed his face, he certainly wanted someone to listen to him.

The whole afternoon went by and I was there sitting beside my dear brother as he talks about everything about his passion for singing. It turns out that he developed such voice when he was five and self-taught himself with all those singing contests he watched on tv. He still even has tons of recorded singing contests on CDs. It never occurred to me that our family had someone who was musically incline. I'm not fond of music myself, I'd rather lie down in bed, study, or be in the kitchen making up food.

And when I thought he'd finish talking, he suddenly says
"I wanna go to Tokyo, Oniichan! I want to meet ALL the amazing singers there!"
This surprised me. That at a very young age my brother already knew what he wanted, that he'd follow his dreams no matter where they took him. Just like me... ahahaha!

"That's wonderful" I chuckled, "Say, your oniichan's going to Tokyo once I graduate from Highschool and by that time, you'll be in middleschool as well"
"Yeah" he nodded
"After I apply and get my scholarship in Tokyo, would you want to go with me?"
I know that it was quite a difficult choice for a little boy...
"OKAY!" Haki exclaimed in all delight, throwing his panda stuffed toy to the side with excitement

...or atleast I thought it was.

Will I really take advantage of my brother's dream and use it as a reason to go to away to Tokyo? As an educated young man of society...yes. Yes I will. It doesn't sound as bad as it seems. It will benefit the both of us.

[to be continued]