[FIC] Higher Education (pt 4)

[dd]

Kaname stayed with a group of her friends overnight.

She was still frightened.

Everything began to sink in as the drugs wore off. She couldn’t help but think what could have happened. No. What would have happened.

If it wasn’t for Sousuke.

For a while there, she wondered if she would ever truly be safe again. She remembered what Sousuke had said. “You should be safe from those boys in the future. I doubt they will act that way again.” Maybe so. But how could she be sure that the next guy she went out with might not do something similar?

How?

Each of her friends took times talking with her, trying to make her feel better. They suggested that she see someone on the University staff that dealt with such matter, but she said that she would be alright.

“They did not have opportunity to harm you, Kaname,” her rescuer had said. Kaname thought back to times in the past. Times when Sousuke had stood by her and kept her safe. Times when they had been separated and he came to rescue her.

Part of her shouted out, trying to get her attention. Why didn’t she just admit how she felt about him? Why didn’t she let herself go? Life’s a journey, not a destination… right? Shouldn’t she take a chance…. put herself at risk… in hopes that she could find something special, no matter how long it lasted?

The other part of her didn’t want to listen. She had opened up before. Unknowingly, she had begun to take down the walls around her heart for one dense… clueless… otaku… imbecile. Look what happened then. There was no way she could forget how she felt when Sousuke told her he would be going away.

He could have made a stand for her, right?

Of course not!

Who was she fooling?

She had never professed her feelings; even if she had, what would that mindless military marionette have done?

Really! What other life did he have? What else did he know?

If they said ‘Sit Sousuke,’ he would sit. If they said ‘Jump Sergeant,’ he would say ‘Not a problem.’ ‘If they said ‘Run to your death Soldier,’ he would run. If they said ‘Leave the girl now,’ he would say ‘Goodbye Kaname.’

Didn’t he say it himself?

“You are responsible for your own safety.” She couldn’t always be looking for Sousuke to save her. She needed to find the strength within herself. Something she could always depend on.

The part of her called out more quietly this time. Methinks the Lady doth protest too much. It’s not just about having someone around to save her.

She remembered the special times she had spent with Sousuke in the past. She thought about that night. She had been scared, there in that park. She had put her hand out and touched Sousuke, needing to know there was someone familiar nearby. She remembered how she felt when he was there.

He had sounded self-satisfied when he spoke about the admonishment of those cretins. Did that mean he cared about her? Yes. He must. “They should not have tried to harm you,” he had said in a near whisper. What more evidence did she need?

Kaname smiled briefly. That big idiot. He had avoided her questions after she had tried to pin him down. “You have matured admirably in other ways too,” he had said. Was he talking about the way she looked, the way she had filled out?

Did he notice those things now.

Her smile vanished. If he did… if he did… then he might well take all too much notice of that group of harpies that flew around hum, trying to sink their claws into him. If that jerk was happy having a harem…

“Damn you Souske.”

“Kaname? Did you say something?” One of her friends walked over to check on her.

“No. Thanks. I’m OK. I was just thinking out loud.”

She shouldn’t let her thoughts run too far ahead of her. Sousuke had been out of her life for three years. Who knows what might have happened. There was no way for her to know who he might have in his life.

Unless she asked him.

“Sure!” Kaname blushed when her friends looked over at her. She had spoken that one too.

Sure. She could do that. But was there really a good reason?

When she came out of the Ladies Room at the hospital, he had been gone.

Wasn’t that a clear indication that he didn’t have the types of feelings for her that she might want?

Probably!!!

Unless it meant that he had those feelings, but was afraid that she didn’t.

Oh….

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What a difference a good sleep makes.

That, and a burning question.

Kaname wanted to know how Sousuke might feel about her. No. She needed to know. One way or the other. As soon as possible.

She couldn’t possibly have any lasting peace until she found out.

Why did she feel so good, then? Because she had a goal. All she needed was the right opportunity.

What should she do? She could simply walk up to him… tell him she had really cared about him… and wanted to know if he had any feelings left for her.

Right! That would probably work with just about every guy alive. That automatically made the plan suspect when it came to Sousuke.

Didn’t it?

First she needed to corner him some how. It might not be easy. She was dealing with a Specialist.

She would check the registrar and see if they would give out his address and telephone number. That would be simple enough. They next time she saw him, she would follow him, hoping to simply convince him to stay and talk with her. If she was lucky, that wouldn’t take too long. Other than that, she would begin gathering intelligence.

What classes did he have? Where? When? She could afford to arrive late at a class or two if it meant she could follow his trail.

She could think of this as a game. A competition. A challenge.

Kaname Chidori hates to lose.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

No matter where Kaname looked, she couldn’t find Sousuke.

That didn’t mind that everybody else couldn’t find her.

Countless girls came up to her and wished her well. They had heard what she had gone thought. It was a fear that many of them had been carrying around for a long time. For other girls, it was a real eye opener.

Some girls wanted to know who her rescuer was, not having heard any word of his identity. Kaname told them all that his name had to be kept confidential for legal purposes. It wasn’t true. She scolded herself for feelings of jealousy.

She didn’t have any reason to feel that way.

One girl said that they should all make an effort to find out who the hero was. “That kind of guy should be on all of the girls’ wish lists. I know he’s on mine!”

Kaname had to fight the urge to strangle that tart!

Not everybody was kind or concerned. A number of boys from various sports teams had made a great effort to glare at her or mutter angrily when ever she passed by the. Itreally had Kaname feeling uncomfortable, wondering if she had to fear some kind of retribution in the future.

Her fear gave way to anger. She had been the one who had come close to being violated, but somehow they looked at her as if she were the source of the problem. That group loyalty and guy stuff was asinine!

A few boys went so far as to voice their displeasure.

“Good job, slut. Thanks to you, we won’t have much of a chance in the regionals this term. You shouldn’t have gone out with them if you didn’t know the score. Now a bunch of good guys are in trouble with the law.” A number of his buddies nodded their heads.

Kaname saw red. “They wouldn’t have any trouble with the law if they weren’t guilty, would they. You pathetic losers can’t stand up on your own and speak up for what is right, can you? With that kind of attitude, I would think that every girl on this campus should stay a mile or more away from you. No doubt your mother would be really proud. Why don’t you give her a call and tell her what you just said!”

The girls who overheard her all applauded or called out encouragement. The looks they turned on that one small group of guys was unmistakable. A number of the boys names were tossed around. The word would spread.

“I wouldn’t look to cause any more trouble if I were you,” one boy said.

“I didn’t cause any trouble. I simply went out on date with someone who asked me out.” Kaname’s anger triggered her mischievous side.

“Besides, the real thanks goes to your classmate who had the courage and morals to stand up for what was right. I doubt his attitude is going to change any. It sounds like those jerks wouldn’t have been able to play again this year, even if the charges were overturned.” She stepped up closer to the one boy. “Are you threatening me? Are you a ‘good guy’ just like those creeps were? It would be interesting to see what he might do about that….”

The overly vocal guys made it a point to drift away into the crowd after that.

Kaname took a while to cool back down after that. Sitting on a concrete fence with a few other girls, sipping fruit juice, she thought about Sousuke.

He wasn’t even there, and he was still protecting her.

Yes. He definitely needed to have her thank him.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It was time for another Biology class. Since Sousuke was in the other one, his block of courses might well be similar to her own. She would choose her setting based on its value as a vantage point.

“This ought to do just fine,” she said to herself, taking off her coat and arranging her book and note paper.

When the class began, Kaname was disappointed. Seat by seat, person by person, she looked over each individual in the class. No Sousuke. Those damn girls were there, but no otaku.

The teacher had begun to draw a diagram of the cell membrane of a pancreatic cell on the chalk board. At that moment, Sousuke ran in, a large bag over his shoulder.

Kaname immediately perked up. That bag was rather large for a book bag. Were there weapons in there. She smiled. It would be fun to spill open that bag in front of the teacher. Just like old times….

She forced herself to pay attention.

“Ahhhh…. Mr. Sagara, I take it. The only one who wasn’t present for roll call. Why don’t you find a seat…. place you belongings there…. and join me at the blackboard.” The teacher pushed her glasses up on her nose.

Kaname swallowed. That woman looked too much like that Mardukas character for her liking. Given Sousuke’s sudden twitchiness, Kaname figured he might have made a similar connection himself. Good! He deserved to sweat some.

“Affirmative, mam!” Sousuke’s response had the teacher scowling and the class chuckling.

“Here, Sousuke….” One girl waved and pointed at a seat near her.

“No, I saved you a spot next to me…” Another girl held up a lunch bag. Kaname growled. Dirty pool!

“Soouusskkaayy….” A third girl had unbuttoned her top button. Kaname would remember that hussy.

For a moment, Kaname had to fight the urge to call out herself.

“Teacher?” Sousuke walked up front, then snapped to attention. The teacher just shook her head, wondering if the young man was making fun of her, or was just unbelievably polite.

“Have you done the assigned reading, young man? It was listed on the board along with the books needed for this class.”

“I have, mam. What is my mission?” Sousuke cringed slightly. “What is it that you would like me to do?”

Kaname took notice. Sure, he had done the military thing again, but he had actually caught himself. What did that mean?

“I would like you to take over drawing this diagram of a cell. To speed things along, you may choose a partner from the other students, someone you think you can work well with. As you each add a structure, I expect you to explain its function to the rest of the class.”

Sousuke began looking around the room.

Kaname started blushing. Sousuke would no doubt choose her. They had been a very good team once upon a time. It might also give her a way to latch onto him as a result!

Methodically, Sousuke scanned the room. For a few moments, he had been looking directly at her.

“You may select my partner, teacher. There is no one here who would wish to be my partner in that fashion.” Sousuke looked at Kaname again briefly, then walked over and picked up a piece of chalk. The girls who had been hounding him all started waving to the teacher.

A young man from the front row was selected.

“The backbone of an animal cell membrane consists of two layers of phospholipid molecules with the hydrophobic arms of the molecule making up the interior of the membrane and the hydrophilic heads making up the two exterior surfaces of the membrane.” Sousuke drew as he spoke.

“Backbone? I doubt he even HAS one.” Kaname groused loud enough for one of the guys in front of her to change seats. “And if he does, I should snap it like a twig.” A pair of girls moved as well.

That big jerk should have chosen her.

Calm down, Kaname. View it as a challenge. Remember?

“Transport proteins allow for the passage of compounds into and out of the cell, while receptor proteins serve as communication devices for the cell.” the other boy added the necessary structures.

“I knew that,” Kaname muttered.

“Passive transport proteins transport small molecules or ions that do not require energy to enter the cell, but can not pass through the phospholipid bilayer. Passive transport of water, oxygen, and CO2 across the cell membrane, depends on the concentrations of these materials on either side of the membrane.” Sousuke drew a number of arrows. “Movement is from a higher concentration to a lower concentration. Passive movement may be through the phospholipid bilayer for fat-soluble molecules or through protein molecules for others.”

“There is such a thing as being TOO passive,” Kaname said.

If he still cared for her, he should be man enough to say something. Surely he had grown up some over the past few years!

Of course, he might have. He simply might not be interested in her anymore. His reactions before may have been the result of nostalgia.

“Damn you, Sousuke.” Kaname spoke too loudly that time. A few other people changed their seats. One went clear across the classroom.

“Active transport proteins facilitate the movement of large molecules or charged ions across membranes against a concentration gradient ….. from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration. This type of transport protein requires energy in the form of ATP. Active transport of larger molecules or charged ions moving against a concentration gradient requires the expenditure of energy in the form of ATP in conjunction with special membrane proteins.” The other guy sketched the necessary directional indicators.

“Looks like I may have to work against a Sousuke gradient. It’s not a problem. I have plenty of energy.” Kaname scowled.

She was beginning to get that kind of feeling she would have when she had been given new projects to deal with by the Student Council President.

“Hormone receptor proteins have specific shapes and chemical properties that allow them to bind to specific types of hormone molecules in the environment of the cell. Receptor proteins in the outer cell membrane interact with molecules outside the cell. Receptor proteins in the interior membranes of the cell interact with molecules already in the cell.” Sousuke spoke confidently.

“Uh huh. Hormone receptors. Do we even know if you have such things, Sergeant?” Kaname smiled. It certainly might be fun to find out.

“That’s very good, you two. Young man, you may take your seat now.” The teacher sent the other boy to his seat. “Perhaps we may make a teacher out of you, Mr. Sagara. No doubt your talents lie in that direction.”

Kaname began coughing. She had come close to choking after hearing that.

“It seems I have located your next helper. Do you need a glass of water…. Miss Chidori, was it?” The teacher waved her hand over towards a water cooler. “Why don’t you join Mr. Sagara for the next part of today’s lesson.”

As Kaname walked down the stairs, she noticed the black look those girls were giving her. She smiled in return, lifting her nose in the air.

Too bad, ladies!

Not paying attention, Kaname tripped over an umbrellas someone had left in the aisle. She started to fall.

She never hit the floor. Sousuke had moved ever so swiftly, catching her. Kaname’s instincts took over. She whispered. “You’re my hero.”

Sousuke dropped her.

“My apologies, Miss Chidori.” Sousuke looked away from her. The entire class was laughing loudly. Those girls were applauding.

“Don’t………. mention……….. it…………” Kaname had acted out of instinct again.

Damn!

Sousuke’s face had hardened considerably.

“Cholecystokinin is a human protein that is secreted by the cells of your small intestine, when there are undigested food compounds passed on from your stomach. The Cholecystokinin is secreted from cells in your small intestine into your bloodstream and finds its way to the surface of cells in your pancreas. There it acts as a hormone that combines with Cholecystokinin hormone receptor proteins on the surface of the pancreas cells and signals your pancreas to secrete more digestive enzymes into your small intestine. Mr. Sagara…. Miss Chidori…. I would like you to describe and diagram the production and secretion of the Cholecystokinin protein by the cells of your small intestine.” The teacher stepped aside and left the two of them to do their thing.

Kaname stepped up and took the lead.

“DNA containing the information for the production of Cholecystokinin… best shortened to CCK…. is stored in the nucleus of all cells of your body. As a reaction to the presence of food transferred to the small intestine from your stomach, the cells of the lining of your small intestine initiate the transcription of the information of CCK DNA…..or gene…. to produce mRNA.” She had said that in a very loud voice.

In a voice only Sousuke could hear, she added “I want to thank you for saving me the other nigh, Sousuke. You really are my hero.”

That ought to be an effective peace offering, and let him know that she was grateful for him.

“The mRNA then travels out of the nucleus (through the nuclear pore) into the cytoplasm where the mRNA information is translated to form raw CCK protein on a ribosome which becomes attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The mRNA instructs the ribosome to put together the proper sequence of amino acids to produce the initial CCK protein.” Sousuke adeptly picked up the discussion and carried it further.

He replied quietly to Kaname’s remark. “You do not need to thank me for doing the right thing, Kaname. I would not wish to see any woman suffer in that fashion.”

Kaname almost bit her tongue. That stupid head! Honestly!

“The new CCK protein enters the membrane spaces of the endoplasmic reticulum and is further chemically processed by enzymes and packaged into small vesicles by the endoplasmic reticulum. We should label them henceforth as ER.” Kaname had sounded somewhat angry saying that. She admonished herself. She did not need the teacher of her classmates to think she was some kind of lunatic.

“But Sousuke, I was glad that it was you who rescued me. I wouldn’t have wanted any one else to be by my side.” Kaname smiled. Perhaps that was laying things on a bit thick, but even Sousuke ought to start understanding that she was sending him a message.

“The ER vesicles move to and join with the membranes of a Golgi apparatus. In the golgi apparatus the CCK protein is further processed by other enzymes to produce its final form and then packaged in a vesicle formed by the golgi body.” Sousuke took some colored chalk and colored in the Golgi apparatus.

“That is understandable. You have prior knowledge of my skills as a Specialist. Having me there would assure success. My apologies if such a fact brought up memories you do not wish to recall.

Kaname stamped her foot. The teacher looked somewhat taken aback,

“Oooooooooh….. the golgi vesicle moves to and fuses with the cell membrane secreting the completed CCK protein from the cell into capillaries of the circulatory system…. That…. carries…. the….hormone… to…. all…. the…. cells…. of…. your…. Body.”

“You misconstruing military moron… I’m trying to say that I want to explore those memories… with you.”

“The hormone interacts with receptor proteins on the surface of the cells of your pancreas.” Sousuke blinked repeatedly. Then, his jaw tightened some.

“You were often kind to me, prior to….” Sosuke stopped for a moment. “No doubt you are trying to make me feel better for intruding on your personal life again. I will make certain it is not a problem.”

Kaname began trembling. That total… incomprehensible… insufferable…

“Idiot! Moron! Jerk! The interaction signals your pancreas to secrete more digestive enzymes into your small intestine. Cells not having the CCK receptor protein do not react to the hormone. In essence, the CCK hormone activates more protein synthesis in pancreas cells which proceeds as just described above.” Kaname froze, putting her hand over her mouth.

The entire class went dead quiet, then exploded with countless conversations.

Sousuke looked over at Kaname. “It would seem that those words explain it all, Miss Chidori. I will say however, that you did an excellent job in describing the cellular actions and interactions. That was most commendable.”

With that Sousuke took his seat.

After class, Kaname tried to make her way to his side to explain.

He simply vanished, as he was apt to do.

[woman22980]

Yay! So I found my inking paper and redrew/transferred my original sketches into a coherent page. I also have my drafting pens so I can begin inking this in! This picture is just the pencil on nice paper, inking takes a lot of skill so I'll have to go slowly. I changed their embrace a bit, but I think it works better. This is good drawing practice for me, and lots of fun! If I can figure out how to do gradients I'm going to try my hand at them on this picture as well It can't be too hard....

When I ink it in I'll just edit this post - Here's the picture!

(Edit Aug 2 - The inked version is now available!)

As a side note, I see why manga authors have assistants to do the tedious work of backgrounds and such, it took me so long just to get to this stage, doing even one manga chapter would take me a month!

[dd]

Great stuff!

If you're in the mood to do some sketching, part seven with have a scene mentioned as an aside that might be dramatic. Don't read any more unless you want to deal with a huge


S P O I L E R



Somebody tells Kaname that Sousuke carried her (unconscious) all of the way to the hospital in his arms....

Can only imagine what the look on his face might be....

[woman22980]

AHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! *collapses into a quivering mass of girly emotion* HOW ROMANTIC!!!!!!! Must.... Draw!!! but I have to wait until the next chapter! argh!! Poses, camera angles, and facial expressions are already traipsing through my head, on only a couple of sentences.... maybe I won't wait after all... If I can will my body to muster the same energy my mind is feeling (been up for 17+ hours! couldn't get back to sleep last night!) I'll start sketching tonight. BTW, which shoulder does she get shot in? (if it matters)

Spoiler for Ch 6 - if anyone still reading hasn't already been spoiled rotten enough to care...
And as for ch 6 - oh man, I am SO all over the scene where Kaname saves Sousuke and gets shot! I do have a few questions though, mostly about the layout of the scene, that I'd like to understand better before I do a sketch. Things like what kind of machine was she hiding behind, or was Sousuke facing Kaname or facing away when she left her hiding place to save him, etc. There's other questions, but... is that kind of thing ok to ask you? Should I ask in a private message, or is it ok to ask in the forum? I don't want to be dogging you. :shy: I can make it up, but that scene seems to be more technically complicated than the one I just drew. That one I just imagined what my own college lecture rooms looked like, and even though I haven't drawn a larger picture of their room yet I'd like to. Of course, in your infinite wisdom while planning the scene if you happened to maybe make a sketch a floorplan of what all is happening, that would be infinitely helpful...

<--- Bachelor's in Architecture, is good at reading floorplans....

Can only imagine what the look on his face might be....

Yeah, actually... does that leave it up to artist's discretion? He could have his normal frown with a touch of fear, or maybe all his emotions would be written across his face, very unusual for him! Or maybe a grimace of pain, both for her physically and both of them emotionally. ack, I don't know if I'm a good enough artist to convey that much emotion in a character's face! It'd take a LOT of drawing and erasing to get it right, that's for sure....

[dd]

Here you go, as I picture it in my head.

She stepped out from behind a bank of control panels and something that may be responsible for testing various material properties for containment components. Sousuke is facing in the same direction, parallel to her, with no idea she is there until a moment before she collides with him.

Probably right shoulder, but it could be either.

She was peeking out to see... then saw Sousuke...then moved, tripped, and fell against him. Her arm would be out, because she intended to pull him behind the machinery out of harms way.

No floorplans. I just picture things, and give just enough details to leave some things open to reader imagination.

[woman22980]

No floorplans. I just picture things, and give just enough details to leave some things open to reader imagination.

Thank you for the description! I thought it unlikely but I had wondered if you made floorplans since you're so thorough in the plotting and researching of your writing