Ugh. I was going to do a double update, but what the heck, I could only do one. Thanks to the stupid time restraint I have with typing up my fictions (as school starts in about 11 days from now), I'm only going to upload one fiction.
But hopefully to make it up, it's almost 15,000 OS (wow. First time writing THAT much ever) of fluffy wMatsui that I promised to my friend here, Kate, for her birthday. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to post it earlier! I think the last thing I want is to release out a rushed fiction that sounds crappy no matter how well it's read. Please forgive me about the delay.
Enjoy and Happy Birthday, Kate (katekyohit)! I hope your day goes by well!
Building Feelings [wMatsui]
Last year of high school.
It’s the biggest year for most everyone in the educational system. A year where not only do parents cry over at the amount of cash they have to empty out of their wallet for their child but a year where many events all center around the seniors. Ranging from Homecoming all the way to Graduation, this is a big year for them.
It’s also my last year to spending time with her. Spending time with the person that I have admired and loved from the distant ever since I entered into my freshman year at the school: Matsui Rena.
She’s one year older than me and a year ahead of me in terms of grade level. So I’m basically a junior and she’s a senior. Such little distant in terms of years yet such a big difference already made between the two. Everyone admires her; considered as one of the most popular female in her class year. Almost every single day she is being frolicked by both girls and boys. Frolicked as though a princess from a faraway kingdom has entered upon our school in a dramatic fashion. The long, straight black hair that flowed beautifully in the same direction as the wind with the wind always in her favor. Every move she makes with her limbs are scrawled all over with elegance. And the way she cocks her head to the side just slightly every once in a while during a conversation is simply adorable.
We did meet a few times; better yet she actually is in one of my classes: Chemistry Honor. Though to many of the students around us, we were only considered classmates. We sat near each other yet didn’t utter much words to each other aside from stray compliments of our fashion sense and the teacher’s lectures. It’s true that I have never made an attempt to even gain Rena’s attention and vice versa. But as the school year is coming to an end, I knew that I had to do something. I had to do something in order to grab the attention of someone that I looked up to ever since I entered into high school. It was our last year being together and last chance at actually getting close to her without much hassle.
I had to do something. And now that second semester had just started after Winter Break on December and part of January, time was running out.
“Oi, Baka Juri!”
The instant I heard someone calling me stupid, I merely turned my head to the right just a bit before coming into contact with a red notebook. Pain exploded upon my face, especially my nose from such brutal contact. A yelp left my now-opened mouth and the hands that were supporting my resting chin on the desk immediately covered my nose. The pair of eyes on my face closed for a brief moment from agony. When I reopened my teary eyes, I instantly saw who the culprit was.
“What was that for, Mayu!?”
The younger girl just one year older in terms of age was standing directly in front of my desk. Long black hair and signature perfect bangs swayed to the side on her clear forehead expressed this girl’s beauty. Dressed in a casual outfit due to our high school not requiring uniforms (since we’re studying in the United States), her usual pink hoodie was accompanied by her navy skirt matching with the same colored t-shirt. Beige winter boots worn despite the weather was heard to be tapping upon the hard white tiled floors most likely out of irritation or impatience. Mayu simply rolled her eyes and was seen to have the very notebook that hit upon my face roughly earlier; her left hand gripped on the spiral edges of the object.
“Quit daydreaming, Jurina. Class is about to start in a few minutes.”
Is that all she has to say? The older girl simply turned around 180 degree from her spot and took her precious little time back to her desk. I couldn’t help but grumble quietly to myself. That girl… Although she is strict sometimes and sometimes even childish, she is my closest friend ever since we both entered this high school together. We were in the same class almost every single day and every single grade level we were in. Was it a coincidence or some sort of sorcery that put us two best friends in the same class at least four times a day? Either way, we both would always stay in close contact inside and outside of our hectic school life.
The first class for us students was able to start in five minutes. The class that I had as of right now is Pre-Calculus Honor. And to my dismay, there was a quiz that I had completely FORGOTTEN to study for the last couple of days. I was so busy with my clubs, sporting activities and planning out how I should approach to Rena that I basically had my studies for this class nonexistent in my brain. Thanks to Mayu snapping my attention about class starting, I was now rummaging in my white backpack; trying to find my notes for the current section of chapter six we were on. The last thing I want is to earn an F on the second week into second semester of my junior year.
But just when I manage to find the notes I needed from a blue notebook labeled ‘Pre-Calc Notes,’ the teacher walked into the classroom from the corner of my vision. My shaky fingers were hectically flipping through the inked pages filled with my print. Thankfully I manage to find a small section in regards to the assigned lesson. I skimmed over the scrawled notes I’ve hurriedly scribbled a few days ago on Friday as the teacher announced about a quiz passed out before school officially starts. All of the formulas and equations were forcefully crammed into my brain for a split minute.
‘Hopefully I manage to pass this quiz…’ I mentally stated as I stuffed the notes under my desk along with my backpack the instant our teacher stopped by my desk. There was a stack of paper in her right arm; using her left hand to grab ahold of a single sheet and placing it gently upon the surface of my wooden desk. I leaned back on my school’s green, plastic chair and sighed quietly under my breath. Biting the bottom of my lip, I stared at the questions typed upon the sheet of paper. Five typical questions for a quiz yet the questions weren’t as easy as 1-2-3. The equations all require at least three or more steps with a specific formula in order to solve it. ‘Oh boy… This isn’t going to be fun.’
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“So Jurina! How did you think you did on the quiz?”
“Don’t talk to me about it, please…”
“Oh… So that means… You didn’t do so well?”
I shot a glare at my other friend, Yagami Kumi. The other girl immediately raised both of her hands in the air in full alarm at my action.
“Whoa! Sorry about that! You have to know that I’m most likely to flunk it, neh?”
“Oh please, Kumi,” I rolled my eyes and buried my face into the palm of my hands. I just didn’t want to see anyone at the moment in regards to the quiz we had just taken. All of the formulas and practice problems that I had skimmed over in mere seconds weren’t as helpful as I wanted them to be. Rather my own brain itself betrayed me. It left me in a state where I completely blanked out and before I manage to wrap my head around what was the formula, time was nearly running out for the twenty minute quiz. I was left with only five minutes at hand, so I speedily rushed through all of the problems. From my mental calculation, I would be very very VERY lucky to even earn a low C on that quiz. And now that Kumi is here right by my side, I swear to god she isn’t making me feel any better about the assessment. “You know that despite being lazy with your homework, you do know your material. You’re always passing the tests and quizzes no matter what. So don’t ever say you’ll flunk this quiz.”
Kumi… This older girl who was a grade higher than me though was another classmate and friend of mine. She is lazy and never does her homework. Always hanging out with her friends and plays video games so much. However, the long, black hair girl with a goofy smile always turns on her ‘Majisuka’ mode at such accurate and precise timing during exams. Kumi will just zip through the paper with the lead of her pencil possibly even imagined fuming with smoke from its trail at how fast she scratches her work. Even the teachers are always gawking at how intelligent she is despite sleeping during class and being such a lazy worker. Most everyone envies her for possessing such brain inside of her thick skull.
She brought her hands down by her sides and shrugged her shoulders with mild amusement. “Alright then… If you say so.”
I don’t want any pity from anyone about this. Especially when it comes from Kumi. But trying to push away thoughts about the possible horrendous score I might’ve earned from this quiz, I glanced over at the clock. The hands on the clock all point that we only have ten minutes before our next class start. And with five minute passing for a small bonus to us students and teachers. (It’s never enough time though for most of us though.) While I stay seated on my desk and collected all of the notebooks and papers I’ve scribbled with today’s lecture from this math class, I was not surprisingly met with Mayu again.
“What do you want?”
Mayu clicked her tongue in response to my sudden, but common, grumpy attitude when it comes to being unprepared for a certain class event. “Someone’s a little grouchy today. Is it about the quiz?”
“Don’t push my buttons. Not in the mood, Mayuyu.”
I could see the other girl peek over at Kumi’s direction. The other black haired girl exchanged glances with the shorter female and smiled nervously. “I think it’s wise not to speak to her in regards of the assessment today…”
“Oh. Okay then. Serves you right though for not studying last night, Juju.”
“Mou… You’re so mean, Mayu…”
A finger was felt poking at my casual white sporty t-shirt with the logo of Nike’s around my right shoulder. I was a bit annoyed by the action, but removed the hands that concealed my face. Rubbing my face for a short bit in order to wake myself up for the transition from the class of first period to the second (and forgetting about the quiz), I resisted the urge to smack away the very finger that was still on my clothing. From the corner of my blurry vision, I saw Mayu retract her hand and then motioned her right hand to drag my attention to my belongings laying under my seat. “Earth to Jurina, the bell is about to ring soon. You better get yourself ready.”
“H-Hai hai, Mayu,” I flashed her a fake smile while I used one of my arms to grab ahold of the backpack underneath my chair. After I dragged it out and plopped it on top of my desk, I took the time to get out of my seat. The black sporty shorts that also came from the company of Nike’s was clearly shown for the white stripes on both sides of the black coloring was a small logo located on the lower left. I threw my bag over my right shoulder. I glimpsed over at both Mayu and Kumi. Or right now, it’s just Mayu. It looks as though Kumi had rushed over to her own desk a good distant to my right in the classroom. She was seen to have gathered her own belongings herself. A few of her own friends approached the other girl and started up a conversation.
Once I was ready and all set, I see that Mayu has yet to move from her spot. Arms crossed, she was easily seen to be chewing gum without a single care in the world. (Although our school did warn about the ‘no gum’ policy, apparently most of the teachers just don’t really care at this point.) Mayu was watching me with every single movement I took action upon.
“Er… So our next class is… Chemistry Honor?”
“That’s right. You’ve done your homework, have you?”
I nodded my head, which was responded with a simple sigh from Mayu. Blowing out a small pink bubble, it popped the instant she decided to speak.
“Of course you would do the homework. Mr. Marge would KILL you and the entire table you reside with if you didn’t do it.”
Ouch… Such cold and harsh remark from the cyborg girl. (A nickname given from many of our classmates due to her lack of emotion and even if she did have any emotion, mostly they were cold. Truthfully she’s a tsundere if I wanted to be descriptive.) But she was right though. I shuddered just thinking about how our teacher would’ve reacted if I didn’t finish my homework. Chemistry was a difficult subject if one wasn’t thinking fast enough and learned quickly with precision. And Mr. Marge himself is one of the strictest teacher I have ever met in my entire educational life at this point.
The man had a black beard and haircut that might as well be almost a replica of J. Jonah Jameson from the Spiderman series. He always wore a tie, buttoned clad shirt whether short or long sleeve with black khakis. The man never wore any sort of jeans or denims in his career. Not to mention that he never wore a single tie more than once throughout a single school year. And the attitude the teacher possesses… Though he was not a bad teacher at all, he was just… strict.
I remember so well to what happened to the student that never did complete his homework. Boy did that guy ever regret not doing his work… Ever since that fateful day, he changed one hundred percent and dedicated doing his assignment for that class; staying on top of his game. Even just thinking about it sends the chills down my spine! I bet everyone is still horrified at that past event. Mayu herself too was a bit shocked when Mr. Marge’s anger erupted from his sarcastic, but calm and deadly personality.
My mind snapped back to reality when I realize the bell itself had just rung out loud. The bell wasn’t actually a real bell ringing in specific, patterned tone. Instead, an electronic, loud and annoying ‘beep’ resonated in the air for a good five seconds. (Most likely due to the school being cheap.) Upon hearing it, many of us students began to spill out of our classrooms and into the hallways and atrium.
Mayu was following close right by my side as we stepped upon the clean, white tiled floorings. Each step we took couldn’t be heard for the loud chatters filled up the entire inside school. Some students were seen to be leaving through the double doors leading to the outside world; whether it was to get to another building to reach to their class or for some of the naught ones, sneaking out of school. Whatever it was, I knew that I had to get to my class. And fast.
The older girl was constantly a good distant ahead of me from time to time. She wasn’t the type of person to wait on a slow pace walker, so there were multiple times that when I stopped to greet my other friends, she would be nowhere next to me in seconds. As expected of Mayu. She doesn’t like to be delayed getting to her class; even if that means she has to ditch her best friend in the process.
“You walk way too slow,” she sharply threw her remark at my direction after I finally manage to catch up with her. I flashed my teeth towards her while one can imagine a sweat drop running down the side of my face. “H-Hai… Gomenasai… You know how I am with crowds…”
I have a tendency to get lost in crowds no matter how big or small. Even if I were arms distance from someone, in mere seconds would we be a couple long feet instead from each other. This might play a factor into why Mayu doesn’t like waiting for me to catch up.
Mayu rolled her eyes at my response. “Right…”
As we trended through the noisy hallway filled with students of all ages and grade level, cliques and few individuals were lingering around certain areas. Without a single care of the world that they’re blocking many coming at their direction, they were heard gossiping about common rumors floating around this community. Others were, well… in their own romantic world with their other partner.
“Don’t they know that there’s a time and place for everything?” I heard Mayu on my left mumble in irritation. I shrugged my shoulders, unsure of what to say to her. The shorter girl from the corner of my view glanced over to her right and frowned. “Neh… Jurina, have you asked her out yet?”
“Asked who out?”
“Don’t you play dumb with me. Rena. Matsui Rena?”
If I were drinking or eating anything, I would’ve spat all of them out in surprise. Shocked at the sudden question Mayu had slapped me across the face with recklessly, I whipped my head around to her. One of my index fingers flew up and pressed against my lips. The cheeks of mine were felt to immediately heat up. This girl seriously doesn’t care how embarrassing it would be to talk out loud about this! “Shush! Why do you have to ask me that now!?”
“Well did you?”
Mayu completely ignored my startled response and shot back with the same cold treatment. I swore that there were others walking in the same direction as us were perking their ears up from our conversation if they were audible enough for them. Puffing my cheeks and lowering my hand down, I scooted close to the shorter girl. There was a small pause between the two of us. It was soon followed by a loud sigh. Bending down while we trended forth, I hesitantly whispered into her right ear, “I haven’t yet.”
“Why haven’t you? It’s already second semester and time’s running out for you.”
“I-I know that, Mayuyu! It’s just… It’s just…”
“It’s just…?”
“It’s…” I sucked in a deep breath before retracting my head and straightening my posture back to normal. Exhaling loudly, I then muttered, “It’s hard… I don’t know how to approach her.”
The shorter girl didn’t say anything in return. Instead though, she stopped abruptly in her spot and turned to her left. If it weren’t for my fast reaction, I would’ve continued walking forward right past the older girl. Stopping just a split second after Mayu has, I realized that we were already at our classroom for Chemistry. Not to mention that we made it with three minutes to spare before it actually starts.
A little embarrassed at how out of it I was today after Mayu had just disrupted my flow for the morning with such question, I entered into the room. I shifted my backpack so a single strap was resting on top of my right shoulder. I stared upon the classroom and instantly saw Mayu seating herself in her assigned spot; sitting right where our table was right in the far left within the back of the classroom. The tables weren’t those common tables that anybody could sit and drag around. Rather it was a black coated lab table fit for four to five individuals with stools to sit on. Sinks with two faucet (one for water and another for gas) was sticking on the outer end across from the seated students. Power outlets were on both ends of the table for powered equipment to be able to hook up and come to life. Underneath the table was a wooden cabinet filled with even more equipment (sadly it’s prohibited for a student to open it up).
I saw Mayu taking the time to seat herself on the metal stool with her backpack on top of the table. She was sitting on the left end of the table (closest to the window); seen to be digging for her notes and required items. Quickly I seated right next to my best friend on her right. I slipped off the last remaining strap that rested on top of my shoulder and gently threw it upon the smooth, black table. The sound of the light load resonated softly in the air as it collided on top of the surface. I too began to take out my belongings for the class; hands reaching into the white bag.
“Good morning Jurina-san.”
That voice. That one and only voice that sounds like the heaven has allowed me to hear in my lifespan. The hands that were inside of my bag jerked out with the things I need. Rapidly I perked my ears up and swiftly turned my head around to the female that formally greeted me. The source of her voice came from my right and it was none other than Matsui Rena. Dressed in an elegant white blouse with blue skinny jeans that matched well with her shirt, she brushed a stray lock of her perfect black hair aside from her forehead. The way Rena’s pale fingers touched upon every piece of black strand; watching her gently return them back with the rest of her hair… It was very memorizing.
I must’ve looked like an idiot for I was staring at her without saying a single word. Unconsciously my jaw was dropped slightly, easily seen by everyone except me alone. I didn’t realize it though until Rena shyly waved to me with her school’s handbag on her other arm. “A-Ano… J-Jurina-san?”
“H-Hai! OHAYOU GOZAIMASU, RENA-SAN!”
Oops. I didn’t mean for my voice box to reproduce the words that I wanted to reply a notch louder than expected. All of the students that resided in the room as of right now all shifted their focus of attention to the two of us; specifically at my direction. Right away my face heated up at such ridiculous temperature compared to earlier that if I weren’t turning into the bright red color of a tomato, then I don’t know what could describe my blush. My mouth sealed itself in hopes that I wouldn’t utter anymore nonsense. Rena immediately closed her eyes while smiling at me with politeness despite the random outburst I had created.
“Ohayou gozaimasu to you too, Jurina-san,” she smiled at me. Then flicking her eyelids open, she pulled out the stool from underneath the table with her left hand and gracefully took her seat. The pair of dark, brown eyes that laid upon my figure proceeded to look away. Rena then proceeded to pull out the homework that we were required to do yesterday.
It took me one single person that’s named Watanabe Mayu to bring my attention back to reality within the classroom. “Oi, Earth to Jurina for the nth time, don’t be eye candying Rena at this time.”
I swear to god that if we’re not in a classroom and Rena wasn’t with me, I would’ve tackled Mayu and told her to shut up. But I didn’t. Instead, I nervously glanced over at the senior sitting right next to me. When I was assured that she hasn’t heard of what Mayu had just uttered (or rather didn’t bother to respond back to us), I twisted my entire body towards the shorter mischevious girl.
“Mayuyu!” I harshly whispered back to her, hoping that Rena didn’t hear me next door. I sent dagger-like glares at Mayu’s direction with all of my might. The other girl brought both of her opened hands up into the air, shrugging her shoulders while shaking her head in the most dramatic fashion. “There was no other way to bring your attention back to the classroom, Jurina.”
“I’m sure there are other ways, Watanabe.”
She merely smirked at me. Remaining silent, Mayu’s mind shifted over to the notes and binder that rested on the table before her. It doesn’t look as though she’s bothering to speak to me anymore. Not to mention that move earlier was purposely stated bluntly just to mess around with me. How cold could that cyborg girl get…
Sighing loudly, I too returned my attention back to the homework that laid in front of me. Occasionally I would throw a glance now and then over at Rena’s direction. The girl was too focused on organizing her work for the teacher to check on them in the next minute or so. And from my view, I saw another girl enter and join our table.
“Oh, Yuki! You’re here!” Rena’s voice rang out with happiness. Both Mayu and I at the same time could be seen lifting our heads out of the homework papers and at both of the girls’ directions.
Kashiwagi Yuki, who was just as elegant and beautiful as Rena approached at our table. She was known to be the richest girl in our school. However, despite stereotypical thoughts on rich girl equal someone one doesn’t want to actually befriend, Yuki was a different story. This long, raven haired girl has a smile that could charm both the boys and girls. The personality and caring attitude she carries around is priceless compared to the cash she holds at hand from her family’s famous clothing company. But despite her parents working in such career, she herself wasn’t quite a, well… dresser. The older girl, who was in the same grade as Rena, doesn’t really know how to dress up with style. Many of us couldn’t help but try to brush off the awkward style Yuki carries around most of the time. (Rarely will she ever come and dress normally.) For today, she was dressed in denim shorts and gray t-shirt that shouts out ‘AKB48!’ idol logo on it. Accompanied by sneakers, it looks like Yuki had chosen the casual outfit for today. And for her luck, it was something that didn’t look out of place.
She flashed a smile at Rena before seating herself on the other end of the table; across from Mayu. Her focus then shifted over to us two.
“Morning, Jurina-san and Watanabe-san,” she politely greeted before turning her attention fully over to the girl right next to her. We mumbled our ‘good mornings’ to her as they chattered on in their own world.
I heard an unexpected loud sigh coming from the girl behind me. I flickered my eyes over to Mayu and saw her resting the bottom of her chin with the palm of her left hand. The facial features written all over her face at this moment showed that she was in deep thought. It was uncommon for the cyborg girl to be pondering over something unless it was related to classwork. And from the looks of the situation, her eyes were fully trained on the older girl, Yuki. Raising one of my eyebrows in confusion, I was about to ask her what’s up when the electronic bell rang clearly throughout the entire school and classrooms. I was forced to clamp my mouth shut when our male teacher came into view.
He shut the door closed behind him with a loud slam, making anyone cringe if taken by surprise. His dark pupils within his eyes stared upon the classroom filled with students at attentive stance in their seat. Silence filled up the air between us and the older adult in the room.
Just when we thought it would go on forever, Mr. Marge broke the silence by announcing that he’ll be checking the homework. The older teacher slowly made his way towards the front of the classroom with the whiteboard right next to him. As he spoke about the homework and our responsibility, I darted my eyes towards the clock above his head.
‘Fifty-five minutes to go before this class is over,’ I mentally stated with a hint of weariness. ‘If I’m lucky, I might get a chance to talk to Rena.’
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Sadly, I never got the chance to talk to Rena yet. Our class stayed behind due to our teacher and was nearly late for the next class. The only chance to ever be close to Rena let alone be able to talk to her is now out of the distance of my grasp for today. Though I see her around in school between classes, she’s always being followed by like a huge group of girls and boys from behind. It’ll be near impossible to approach her without being trampled all over like deer in the woods. Oh well… There’s tomorrow if nothing works today.
“Jurina! Jurina! Did you hear about my girlfriend?”
“Let me guess… You guys finally went out on a date over the weekend?”
“How did you guess!?”
The hyperactive girl that’s named Oshima Yuko rapidly announced her excitement over an event that occurred over the weekend. Even with her status as a senior, she still acts like a younger girl that doesn’t exactly suit her physical image everyone has of her. She was smiling with her dimples clearly showing, showing how happy she’s feeling. I saw Mayu, who was seated right next to me, sigh for the millionth time as of today.
“It’s obvious, isn’t it?” She stated while using her forks to pick up a fruit from her plastic container. Popping a grape into her mouth, Mayu continued her statement from picking up where she had stopped. “You and Kojima-san had finally made it official over Winter Break. Everyone in school has heard about it.”
“Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhh, does the news in school really transfer around THAT fast?!”
“It’s the school ground. What did you expect from us students?” I stuck my tongue out at her direction. She giggled with embarrassment as she scratched the back of her head.
It was the beginning of lunch after our fourth class and we were eating in the cafeteria. There were two places where the students are allowed reside in at this period: Outside or inside. Usually I was one to enjoy nature no matter how hot or cold it was, so many knew that I was someone that always sits outside with my friends. Sometimes the friends I would sit with migrate every now and then inside and out, many prefers to stay with me. And as of right now, it was just me, Mayu and Jurina in this eight-seated table. Yuko sitting across from me as Mayu on her left and my right; each of us sitting isolated on the double-seats. Our lunches resting on top of the tables; all of the foods seen to be brought from home.
Five minutes have passed while we sat and ate out here and only one additional person came to sit with us: Shinoda Mariko. She, in the same grade as Yuko, was like a parental guardian or something to me. This older girl was like a second mother to me aside from my actual real mother residing at home. Popular in terms of beauty, Mariko is infamously known for trolling on just about anybody. Even the teacher themselves. But she’s smart and knows when to get serious at times. We probably became friends when I first became a high school student on my first day. Such a nice, generous girl to hang around with.
“So how are you, Jurina and Mayu?” she questioned the both of us. We merely replied with a single reply of ‘good’ and ‘alright.’ Fingers running through her short, dark brown hair, the other girl waved her other hand in the air. “Neh neh, do you three want to hang out with me this weekend? I have tickets for a movie that I think you might like~”
“Pacific Rim?” I threw in my guess.
“No, not that. Take another guess.”
“Safe Haven?” Mayu tossed in her own guess.
“Nope.”
“50 Shades of Gr-ITAI!”
“NOT THAT AT ALL,” Mariko spoke through her gritted teeth as she retracted the fist that smacked the top of the hentai squirrel’s head. Yuko had both of her hands gripping the top of her head, complaining about how much it hurts. I couldn’t help but blush madly at such movie Yuko thought we were going to be watching with Mariko. Thank GOD we aren’t going to be watching that movie. I personally don’t know if I’ll be able to live through the first thirty minutes! Coughing into her hand, Mariko chuckled when we ran out of guesses to throw at her. “Alright alright, we’re going to be watching a Korean horror film, Death Bell!”
“NANI!?!?” all three of us exclaimed with surprise when Mariko proclaimed what film she was planning to watch for this weekend. I’m not so surprised that we’re reacting like this though. Mariko isn’t weak against horror but rather has a strong fond towards the genre. However, the rest of us aren’t so thrilled to hear the kind of flick we’re about to watch. Just what was Mariko thinking that we’ll like about it!? Many of the students that had already given it a watch stated that it was terrifying and gory! I shuddered the more I think about how the film will play out in theater. Better yet who will be surviving at the very end of the movie…
The oldest girl out of the four was showing off her smile that technically isn’t considered a smile of consideration. Rather it was a smile that expresses the hidden pleasure of watching us suffer through such terrifying scenario. Since we can’t technically reject her offer since she had already bought the tickets, then we have no choice but to go along with her plan for the weekend. What a bully Mariko is sometimes.
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‘Oh crap! I completely forgot that I have tennis to attend to!’
The pace quickened instantly when that sudden slap of realization came upon my brain. Standing right next to me was none other than Mayu herself, who was, only at this time of the day in school, patiently waited for me. I could easily tell that the other girl was slightly confused at my actions speeding up in such short notice.
“Did you forget something-Be careful, Jurina.” If it weren’t for Mayu’s quick reflexes, then I would’ve dropped one textbook on my foot. And despite wearing white sneakers to cover a pair of feet, the contact of such heavy object wouldn’t be pleasant either way. Gasping out a thanks, I took back the book from Mayu’s extended grasp. I tried to balance it with the other textbook for Chemistry in my arm. “Anyway, like I was saying, you seem like you have forgotten something?”
“Tennis!” I breathed out tiredly from rushing through my packing. “I completely forgot that I have tennis practice today!”
“Baka…” Mayu rolled her eyes at my explanation. “How could you ever forget a sport’s practice for crying out loud!”
“I wish I could give you a better explanation, but my brain really is losing some of its screws.”
Once I manage to get everything I needed for tonight, I slammed the green locker close. A loud ‘BAM!’ resonated in the air along with other students roughly closing their lockers in the same fashion as I. The end of the school day means time for students to go home or students to attend practice, club meetings and study in the school’s library peacefully. While many of the students are going home like Mayu, I did not have the luxury for today. Tennis practice is my main priority afterschool and if I’m going to miss it, I would be in HUGE trouble.
“I’ll text you when I get home from practice,” I waved to Mayu. Then before even giving her a chance to reply back, I dashed away from the current atrium I’m standing in and out into the outside world. Thankfully I was close to the tennis and basketball court outside, so it only takes at the most five minutes to reach to my targeted destination.
Left and right my legs are extended out in front of my body. I hurried over to the court as fast as possible. Another plus to the factor was the clothing I was wearing right now. I’m glad I was in the mood to wear some sort of sporting outfit… Saves me even more time from changing in the restroom stalls. All of my other equipment are with the coach, so I don’t have to worry about lugging around plenty of tennis balls and a rack.
I just hope I could get there on time… Because if I’m late…
“JURINA! GIVE ME FIVE LAPS AROUND ALL OF THE COURTS!”
And… that’s what exactly happens when one is late to tennis practice. Or any sports in general at least under Coach Liz. I stood like a deer in headlights the moment I laid foot on the court. It did not take long for the coach to immediately realize that I was late. I guess taking my time earlier with my locker and conversing happily with Mayu made me lose track of time. In the end, despite being all prepared through luck and close to the tennis court, I wasn’t able to be on time.
After I had dropped off my backpack within a small pile filled with other bags of everyone else, the American, blonde female coach glared at me with great intensity. An intensity so great that she could make even the principle himself fear her. Coach Liz has obtained such frightening skills to persuade others and make them tremble before her. Dressed in the school’s sporting outfit with the color blue, white and black, she was ready to pound the hammer down on what needs to be done. She exhaled loudly when I answered back to her in a loud, but squeaky voice.
“H-HAI!”
Without further ado, I was forced into running around the court as other members stared at me with either sympathy or pity. I could even hear some of them shouting ‘ganbatte!’ and ‘good luck!’ at my direction. The coach herself ignored me the entire time as she focused on the other players. While she announced some news that I might have to obtain through someone later during practice, I sprinted around as fast as possible. I wanted to get this over quickly so I would have enough energy and time to practice playing a match or two with a fellow player.
But under the burning heat of the sun’s rays up ahead and considering how HUGE the courts combined are in terms of distance, the third lap seems to be the only lap that I can fully use all of my stamina. Fatigue easily came over me, legs slowing down dramatically into a slow jogging pace. My breaths were becoming rapid and it was becoming difficult to breathe unless I come to a complete stop. But just when I just crossed through my fourth lap, I stumbled forth a couple steps. Then I just stopped. Bending down with the palm of my hands placed upon the top of my knees, I tried to keep my pounding heart from breaking my chest into multiple pieces. Weariness fell upon me while sweat rapidly streamed down both sides of my face.
I didn’t want to run anymore, but I know that I’ll be forced to do even more laps if I stop right now. ‘It’s just one more lap anyway, right?’
Groaning out loud with frustration and expressing how exhausted I was from being on the move nonstop, I dragged my body through the green surface with occasional white chalky lines marked below my shoes once more. Each step forward just made all of the muscles within my legs and sides scream from aching agony. But I pushed onward though.
One step forward. Another step forward. Now that’s the third step. Fourth step… Fifth step…
I tried to even my rapid breathing entering and exiting my respiratory system. But as I ran mindlessly, I soon came upon the fifth and final lap that I had completed.
‘VICTORY!!!’ Screaming out in joy mentally, I plopped myself on the burning surface of the court. Down with my back facing upward, I panted from the lack of oxygen sent into my two lungs. One side of my face rested against the burning ground as I stared to my left side. I was too tired to bother grabbing a drink in a nearby water fountain better yet even get up from my spot. ‘Never knew that running that much… Could burn so much of my energy today…’
From my blurry view, I saw some tennis players performing swinging techniques at the air while others were competing with each other in a practice match. The coach herself was watching over the entire courts that had students reside at the moment. My eyes lazily stared at the fit figures bouncing around right and left, up and down in order to smack the tennis ball back to the other swinger over the black nets.
Soon I saw a familiar figure in the distant, yet unfamiliar on the court. The long haired female stopped practicing her swings in the air when her eyes came into contact with my laying worn out body. Carrying her rack with her, the girl was seen to run up to where I laid. The more she ran, the clearer I could see who it was. And when I saw who it was, I nearly wanted to jump back up on my two feet and yelp out with surprise. But in my current state, all I was able to do was raise my eyebrows weakly when she approached. Finally in front of my view, she bent down on her knees to my level.
“Jurina-san… Are you okay?”
Rena was in front of me. The girl that I admired and loved ever since I laid my eyes on her is now finally before my eyes! She was dressed in the same sporting outfit as mine excluding the fact that her shirt was pink instead. The older girl was seen to be sweating profusely from the heat the sun beat down upon all of us that dared stand out in the outdoor. Black bangs were matted against her forehead, making one want to toss her a towel to dry it from how wet it was.
“Yeah… Just… tired…” I spoke in a raspy, soft voice.
“Okay then… I’ll get you some water then. I’ll be right back.” She got up on her two feet and straightened her back. Leaving her pink tennis rack right next to my laying body, she motioned to me that I should shouldn’t move. It only took her a few minutes for Rena to return back with a pink plastic water container; the lid opened for me.
When I finally manage to sit up with some minor difficulty, I stared at the other girl. Rena doesn’t understand why I wasn’t initiating anything, so she brought the item a bit closer towards my direction; urging me to drink the water in it. Hesitantly I took her container and took a small sip.
Okay, I lied. I drank it as if it was my last time drinking water in my life. Gulping as much as I can, I felt the cool, refreshing water run down my trachea and into the pit of my stomach. My body that once felt like it would overheat at any second was now cooling down thanks to the cold liquid.
“Thank you so much, Rena-san!” I bowed my head down in thanks. It resulted with Rena giggling quietly at my reaction. “I’m glad I could help you, Jurina-san.”
I returned the container back to her, my eyes caught sight of her first name scrawled in black permanent marker on the surface. It took a couple good seconds to realize who it was and what I was doing. Dramatically I leaned my upper body back with one arm crossing in front of my body as the other above my head. Hands were opened as my face expressed shock. “E-EH!? I d-d-drank all of your water! Oh my God, I’m so sorry-“
I was silenced instantly when I felt Rena motioned one of her hand in the air; fingers that were spread out now clamped together to all touch the one and only thumb. “It’s okay, Jurina. I’m going to be refilling it at the nearest water fountain.” Gently smiling at me, I saw her get up on her two feet. “You should head back to practice before the coach yells at you-“
“I-I… er… Can I come with… you… I mean?”
That didn’t sound confident at all. Sounds more like a shy individual who was given a chance to speak her desire for the first time ever. I stared up at her as my arms lowered back down to my sides; hoping that she accepts my request. ‘Wait, what? Accept my request? The question that I had just asked her is going to make me look like a weirdo! What if Rena thinks of me like that?! NOOOOOOOOO!’ All I wanted to do was spend time with her yet here I am, acting like a complete idiot. It surely isn’t helping my image right now if one were to judge.
There was a small pause between the two of us. Rena had her slender index finger from her right hand touch the bottom of her chin. A small hum escaped her closed lips before answering my question. “Sure. I don’t see why you have to ask.”
If this was a cartoon and death was a concept that never was true, my heart would’ve exploded from sheer joy and excitement from a simple stated answer from the person I looked up to. Bubbles full of hearts would spill out endlessly. Maybe even hearts could be replacing my pupils and popping out like those in comic books for comedic purposes.
Scrambling up on my two feet with sudden newfound strength, I swore that my imaginary puppy tail was wagging rapidly left and right from behind. The older girl was a little startled to how fast I had gotten up, raising both of her eyebrows with concern. “Don’t stand up too fast. You’ll get dizzy and even faint!”
“Ah, gomen gomen~” I chuckled with embarrassment at how hyperactive I was acting. Once I manage to maintain my balance and felt like I could walk without much trouble (aside from the incredible soreness), we both walked along side-by-side towards the water fountain a good distant away. As we trended forth, I had a burning question that lingered in the back of my mind when I first saw Rena. It was hiding while I was busy exchanging with Rena, so now was the right time to ask. Pulling it out now that my exhausted state was rubbed off the list, I glanced over at the equal height girl.
“Ah, Rena-san?”
“Yes?”
“It might just be me not paying attention, but I don’t quite remember you being in tennis before… Did you just join today?”
“Mmm… You could say that.” Her face turned over at my direction. “I had a fascination with this sport, but due to my poor health in the past, I wasn’t able to play in a sport that I enjoy. Now that I had gotten better, I was grateful to be given a chance to play in tennis.”
I nodded my head up and down in a slow motion, comprehending the reason why this girl showed up out of the blue in today’s practice. And seeing that the coach hasn't gone all haywire and psycho over Rena, it most likely means she'll be doing just fine with the school's tennis team. Then turning her attention back to the front, silence returned in the air. It wasn’t until we reached to our destination when I decided to break the quietness.
“You know… It’s the first time that we both had conversed with each other…”
“Huh?”
“I mean… We’re both in the same class this year yet we never had spoken to each other in a conversation like this till now.”
Rena turned her head at me while her hands were on their own; refilling the bottle with fresh cold water. Tilting her head to one side, her eyes were seen to look up for a brief moment before returning their focus on my figure. There was a small curve forming on both corners of her lips. It soon produced a small, amusing chuckle at my statement.
“I guess you’re right, Jurina-san. I’m glad to be speaking with you then.”
----------
Ever since that day, we managed to get a bit closer than before. Whenever we see each other in school, we would wave and exchange greetings as well as spark up a short-lived conversation in the classroom. Not to mention that now Rena is a full-time tennis player, we’re now able to exchange to each other and even partner up together for a match or two for our three day practices in each week. (Maybe due to the fact that she knows absolutely no one except me.) The steps to preparing for a proper confession is slowly coming and picking up its pace. I just hope that we’ll have enough time before she graduates. That was all that stuck to the back of my brain like a leech. It simply kept on reminding me the short number of days I’m limited to in order to make my wish come true.
Friday rolled around the corner and it was already the end of school. As usual, Mayu waited patiently with me as I got my belongings. She leaned against the green locker on her right side as she watched my every movement. Hands within her pants pockets, boredom was written all over her facial feature.
“You’re not going to tennis practice today?” she questioned me.
I shook my head right before I threw a notebook into my locker. Rough landing of the notebook was heard to smack right against the back of the compartment. “Nope. Today’s practice was cancelled this morning, so it’s a free day.”
“I see then.” Mayu then poked my on the shoulder when I closed my locker with a loud slam. “Don’t forget about tomorrow’s plan.”
“What plan?”
“Oh please. Don’t tell me you had completely forgotten?”
“What if I told you I have?”
“Argh, what can I do with you?” The shorter girl rubbed her foreheads with one hand; fingers massaging the temple of her skull. Frustration was scrawled boldly through all of her actions. “It’s going to the movie theater with Mari-chan and Yuko.”
“Oh……… Right.”
An imaginary sweat drop could be mentally seen rolling down behind my head at the event tomorrow. I was so focused with Rena and school in general that I forgot all about the weekend plan with my friends. And from the looks of things, it doesn’t look like Mayu was pleasant to hear that I didn’t remember anything about it.
“Er… I, um… Sorry about forgetting it…”
“You better go to it then, Juju.”
‘I think I would rather be watching a marathon of horror films in comparison to being glared consistently by Mayuyu!’ I mentally groaned as the shorter girl planted dagger-like glares at my poor figure. “Fine fine…”
From the corner of my vision, behind Mayu’s left shoulder was Rena along with Yuki walking side by side with each other. Books hugged against their chest, they walked with elegance and in a timely manner. (Maybe the marching band instructor would be impressed?) There steps were silent in the loud atmosphere that we were within. Without warning, I tore my attention away from my friend and waved at Rena’s direction. In response I saw Yuki flash a polite smile as Rena herself shyly waved back at me.
Then there was this sudden urge. This urge coming from deep within my gut feeling. The urge to ask something to Rena… To ask her something that I probably would regret later if it doesn’t work out in the end. Though I wanted to blurt it out, I clamped my mouth shut tightly. I gulped nervously when the figures were right by our sides. But after holding it in for only a couple seconds, I spurted out the words that I wanted to ask Rena the instant she passed right by the two of us.
“Rena-san! Do you want to go to the movie with me tomorrow?”
‘Oh crap. What the hell did I get myself into this time?’ I felt like I had just dug my own grave once I had finished running my mouth. Covering my mouth in an exaggerated fashion with both of my hands, I mentally beat myself for asking such silly request. ‘Oh of course. I had just started speaking and getting to know her a few days ago yet now I’m asking such-‘
“I would love to.”
‘Wait, what?’
I was standing in my spot frozen, unsure of what she had just uttered from her mouth. Staring at the girl that was now halted from going any further, Yuki too was right next to her; waiting for her friend to finish conversing with me. All of my heat senses were activated internally for I felt like it was getting hot in the atrium. ‘Did I hear that right or… am I just imaging things?’
Staring at her with disbelief, Rena chuckled when I didn’t say a single word back. “Didn’t you hear me? I said I would love to.”
My body tensed up from its spot and made myself possibly look like a fool before her. Saluting like a soldier with my left hand opened and resting its side upon my forehead, I spoke loudly, “H-HAI!”
Laughter erupted from Rena and even Yuki had to stifle a giggle.
“Haha, what time and where should we meet up?”
“I-I have my other friends with me, so it’s at the Theater Plaza not far from the school. And around… six in the evening.”
“Ah, I know where that is and I see.” Her eyes darted over towards Mayu, who was standing from behind me. “Are you coming too?”
“She i-“
“No I’m not.”
‘Mayuyu… Did you betray me or something?’ I stared at her with a shocked expression as the other girl kept a cool exterior. Mayu didn’t even bat an eyelid at my direction nor showed any signs of emotions that expresses displeasure; speaking at the other two older girls as though the plan had never changed in the first place. “I’m sure Mariko wouldn’t mind having another person come along since she has an extra ticket for one more person.”
“I understand.”
Then shifting her focus back at me, Rena giggled for a bit. “Then I look forward to meeting up with you tomorrow then.”
---------
[Phone Call]
“ARGH, MAYUYU!!! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?!”
“Oi, Baka Jurina. Calm down and listen to me. I’m doing it for the sake of building your relationship with Matsui Rena.”
“But how could you just leave me like that!?”
“Jurina. You know that I’m always standing right by your side, so there’s a reason that I’m not coming tomorrow. Besides… Isn’t this actually YOUR fault since YOU’RE the one that asked Rena-san out in the first place?”
“U-Urk… Hit me right in the spot…”
“Exactly. Now have fun tomorrow. I on the other hand am hanging out with my family.”
“You’re hanging out with your sister, Miyuki, again?”
“Yeah and this time, she’s bringing in her girlfriend, so that’s going to be fun.”
“Yamamoto Sayaka was it?”
“Yep. Sayanee is going to be with Milky. God forbids that I’ll won't be ignored during the entire day…”
“Oh... Good luck with that.”
“Haha, I don’t need luck. But I’m sure you need it.”
“Thanks. I might need that.”
----------
It was a decent, cool night despite the month of January. Weather wasn’t too bad and barely any clouds floated up in the atmosphere. The moon clearly shining its gentle, white rays down upon earth. Surprisingly bugs weren’t a nuisance as usual, but it might be thanks to the winter season. I met up with Mariko a good couple minutes before six. The older girl greeted me warmly with a few of her teasing remarks when we got together. However, Mariko was real shocked to find another person that she hasn’t technically known very well for a long time also appear right by my side.
“So you’re Matsui Rena?” she questioned with her eyes thoroughly examining Rena as though she was some sort of suspicious being. There was a few moments when Mariko squinted her eyes at the other girl, but remained calm and cool on the outside.
Rena wasn’t bothered at all with her actions though. “Hai. And I take it that you’re Shinoda Mariko…?”
“Yep yep.” Mariko then flashed her smile at the other girl’s direction; making it look as though she had approved this girl’s company. “So I see that you’re invited by Juju here, hm~”
“Mou, Mari-chan… Stop it,” I mumbled in a low, but harsh tone at the older girl. When Mariko earlier wondered who Rena was, aside from her name, she also asked what Rena was doing with us. So when she answered that I invited her out, Mariko grinned like a parent watching her kid getting married or something. Right now, she was laughing in response and I had earned a few good playful smack on my back.
“Haha, that’s so like you, Juri-chan! But anyway!” The short-haired girl glanced at her watch residing on her right wrist. “I hope our other guest would come too. I think missing the movie just from this single person is a waste!”
We only had ten minutes left before the film starts. And seeing huge crowds go into the assigned theater room that showed ‘Death Bell,’ it would be highly likely we won’t get the preferred seating if we don’t hurry. Not to mention that this other person so-called ‘Oshima Yuko’ needs to hurry up. Mariko is ruthless when it comes to being on time. And she isn’t afraid to leave someone behind in the process.
So while we waited, I would shoot a glance at Rena. The beautiful girl was silent the entire time, light blue dress covered with a beige colored jacket over her clothing. Compared to the clothing that I had on, it made her look like she had a sense of style unlike I. Her hands were dug deep into the pockets for warmth. Every now and then she’ll examine the outside portion of the movie theater. But when she noticed that I was looking at her direction, she would too shoot a look back at me with a small smile. And when Rena does, I would immediately break our connection and pretend that I didn’t see her. My actions obviously expressed that I was a little bit shyer in comparison to my actual personality from this person alone. Truthfully, no one had ever made me feel like this. It’s just Matsui Rena that makes my heart go wild when my sight catches even a glimpse of her figure.
At this time, almost ten whole minutes have passed by and we have yet to see Oshima Yuko.
“Well, time’s up for the squirrel of ours.” Throwing her hands up in the air with some irritation noted, Mariko then motioned for us to get inside and into the assigned room of the film.
Darkness welcomed us and gave us a short term instance of being unable to see right when we took a few steps into the theater. Many chatters and murmurs were heard from all around in the room; stating that there were many individuals wanting to watch the movie along with us. Blindly walking forward, I felt myself bump into Mariko from behind when she halted so quickly. The moment that I crashed into the older girl, Rena herself too crashed from behind.
“I’m sorry!” I whispered over to her and whipped around so I was able to face her. Despite the lack of lights in this room, I was able to see the dark outlines and basic structures of where her face and body parts are. The other girl took both of her hands out of the pockets and waved them in the air wildly. “No no, I should be the one apologizing.”
“Rena-san, I said-“
“Jurina. It’s my fault and I will stand by my point that I am at fault with this.”
Just when I wanted to argue with her about how it was actually my fault, I actually paused. I paused to ponder and think carefully about the sentence structure that she had uttered. I swear that I heard Rena drop the honorifics and instead called me by my first name and first name only by itself. Was it just my imagination or was it real? Because if it’s from my imagination, then I must be delusional with all these thoughts that blends in well with reality!
I sighed loudly and without even thinking twice, took her hand with my own. Left hand reaching out to grab her right hand. Instantly I felt the warmth and gentleness of her skin, making me want to use my other hand to grasp ahold of it. To hold it and protect it as if it was a protective layer of armor around such delicate part. But I resisted my personal urges and used this action in order to drag the older girl around. Including the fact that she not only won’t be likely to bump into me again but won’t be lost in this darkness our eyes were slowly its time adjusting to.
As I held her hand, I felt her fingers wrap around my own fingers. The hold was tight enough to assure that Rena too won’t be letting go if I ever did.
My heart just did a little backflip the instant I felt her fingers encircle around mine. Trying hard not to release my emotions and hug the older girl to death with affection, I trained my entire attention to Mariko before me. I focused following closely behind her in order to keep both me and Rena from losing track of where she is.
We turned to the right and scaled up the stairs when had gotten through the crowded line. In an orderly fashioned, all of us filed through one of the many red comfortable seating rows and sat down on one once we came to a stop. Upon seating, I couldn’t help but sigh out loud with relief.
“Whew, I guess the view here isn’t too bad,” I commented as the black movie screen then lighted up with the logo of the filming company. Rena sitting on my left side bobbed her head as Mariko on my right merely grumbled to herself about Yuko’s absence of the planned event. “Indeed…”
The lights up over our heads brightened up for a split second before dying down again, even darker than when we had entered into the huge theater. Hushes and silences filled up the tensed yet excited atmosphere of what was to come with this movie. And considering that it’s a horror genre, some dark figures from my view were seen to be cuddling and huddling close to each other.
To my surprise, I felt a gentle squeeze from my left hand. Swiftly I shot a surprised glance over at Rena to see only see her staring straight ahead at the screen. Her hand… was still with mine. I’m not sure if she knew that our hands were together, but I for sure didn’t at all! I nearly wanted to retract it from embarrassment but felt her grip tightened just slightly when she felt my hand move. Looking down at my hand and back up at her, I still see her focused on the bright screen; not batting an eye over at my direction.
Unsure of what I needed or wanted to say, I remained silent and too tightened my grip with her hand; fingers still intertwined with each other. For sure my heart will be restless throughout the entire movie.
Time then passes by rapidly throughout the entire film. And before I knew it, it was finished.
The end of the movie was something that I didn’t expect. It was gory. It was scary. It was like the other movie I’ve heard from everyone called “Saw” except in Korean! When the credits rolled down, I found myself to be leaning my entire body against Rena’s straight posture. My right arm was hugging the girl as my left hand was still held tightly with assurance. Trembles and instances of when I buried my face into Rena’s shoulder when terrifying scenes showed up happened far more than once. But now that I’m still having the aftermath effect of such horrifying flick, I still clung onto the older girl for dear life.
“Ju~ ri~ na~ I think your lovey dovey time with Rena-chan here is about time~”
A loud, startled yelp left my opened mouth as I released my hold on Rena. However, her hand was still gripping ahold of my left. Rapidly I twisted my body around so I was faced with the guilty suspect of a ridiculous statement. And of course, it’s none other than Oshima Yuko herself. Grinning like an idiot, her dimple smile deepened when she saw my reaction. “Your reaction, haha!” she laughed out loud despite such atmosphere the theater had once the film was over.
“So you were sitting right behind us the entire time!” Mariko exclaimed as many individuals took their time to leave the theater. She was shocked to see the midget squirrel reside right behind the three of us without leaving clues that it was Yuko. Her eyes widen but then returned to their original size followed by a chuckle. “Very sneaky, Yuko.”
While the two were conversing, Rena herself embraced me in a hug. “You were so cute when you were scared,” she admitted with a giggle. I couldn’t help but groan in response. “Mou… Stop teasing me, Rena!”
----------
[Phone Call]
“So how was your night, Juju?”
“Terrible. I’m going to get so many nightmares from the film-“
“I meant how was your night being with Rena-san.”
“Oh. It’s actually not too bad. We’ve developed our relationship a good amount.”
“I could tell the moment your tone went from being depressively terrified to excited and bouncy when we talk about her.”
“Ha. Very funny, Mayu.”
“I’m not joking.”
“E-Er… A-ANYWAY, guess what?”
“Do I need to ask?”
“No… But I wanted to tell you that I had gotten Rena’s phone number!”
“Hmm… That’s good to hear.”
“Ehhhh… Why aren’t you excited?”
“Am I supposed to be?”
“Um… YES. But whatever. We exchanged number and we’re most likely going to hang out within this month if we’re both not too busy.”
“Nice progress you got there. Not to mention the honorifics of her name has dropped.”
“I-I noticed! S-So what about you? How’s your day with your sister and her girlfriend?”
“Boring.”
“Oh… Um… Did anything particular that you are amused and surprised come up?”
“Aside from seeing Kashiwagi Yuki in the same café as us, no.”
“Was she with someone?”
“No… Just her and some books.”
“I see then. Did you approach up to her?”
“…yes.”
“Sat with her?”
“Yes…”
“Ate with her?”
“Yes……”
“Speak with-“
“Enough about her; yes, I did sit and eat with her. We didn’t converse much though since she was deeply engrossed with some cooking books about healthy diet.”
“That sounds boring~ Nothing else happened?”
“Nope.”
“Man, there should be more!”
“I wish.”
“Yeah yeah, but anyway, I gotta head to bed now. I’m sleepy and need my snoozes.”
“Same here.”
“Just don’t be surprised if I end up giving you a call in the middle of the night-“
“No. Go call Rena-san for crying out loud or Mari-chan if you’re really having that much difficulty with sleep tonight.”
“Mou… Stop being such a tsundere, Mayu!”
---------
Days passed by us. Soon it transformed into weeks. And before I knew it, there was only a month left for the seniors in our school before they take their final leave. Their leave to step into adulthood and what life has in store for them. Whether it was to go directly into the working field or to focus more in education, the students didn’t have much time to spend in high school. Graduation already in view for their sight… I know for a fact that my time with Rena was running thin.
Despite us being together even more to the point that our time spent with each other rivaled against Yuki’s, (Yuki didn’t have any sort of ill-intention nor feelings about that) I wasn’t able to express my feelings to her about how I felt. I have to do it. If I was ever going to get my feelings across to the girl that I loved long ago, then I might as well do it now than never.
“Jurina? Are you going to prom?” Kumi questioned me as we both practiced our dances in the gym’s practice room. Currently in our dance class for the third year, we were just starting off with a few warm-ups as our teacher left to grab the school’s copy of a CD. After stretching my right arm high up in the air and leaning my body as much as possible to the left, I hesitated to answer. “I-I’m… not sure.”
“Not sure? Man, you should make up your mind,” another student, Takahashi Minami, expressed her opinion. “You have already bought the tickets, right?”
“Yes… I pre-ordered them-“
“Then you should go!”
‘…for Mayuyu…’
Unable to fully explain why I had bought the tickets, it seems that I gave the wrong impression about the ticket payment. They all thought that because I wanted to go earlier, I paid for them. It isn’t that at all! I simply bought it with Mayu’s money and for Mayu alone! But before I opened my mouth to explain, I heard Yuko from across the room shout, “Yeah Jurina! You should definitely go with Rena!”
‘…What did Yuko just say to me?’ There was a loud gasp followed by an awkward silence that extended longer than it should have in the first place. So quiet that if someone dropped a pin, every single one of us would hear it loud and clear upon contacting with the smooth flooring. And this kind of silence was something that I didn’t want to be a part of. Nervously scratching the back of my head with my cheeks heating up uncontrollably, I mumbled my response to the older squirrel.
“E-Er… I’ll have… to think about… that…”
----------
[Phone Call]
“MAYUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-“
“Oh for crying out loud, don’t say my name that long!”
“But Mayu! It’s an emergency!”
“If it’s an emergency, then please get straight to the point.”
“Everyone in school now believes that not only am I going to prom but I should also ask Rena out!”
“…And?”
“In the first place, I bought the tickets for you since you wanted to go with a couple of your friends. But now everyone thinks I’m going instead of you!”
“I don’t see a problem with that.”
“But Mayu, I used your money to pay for your ticket while you were out sick that one day.”
“I know that, but you need to understand that this is your chance to ask Rena out.”
“Um… But how do I do that?”
“…Have you in your entire life ever read any sort of romantic fiction or comic? A tale even like Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty?”
“I have, but-“
“Then I trust you know what to do.”
“Mayu-“
“Sayonara.”
“…She hanged up on me…”
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The day right before prom begins! On a Friday afternoon, I stood by my locker. Only this time I was alone. Mayu wasn’t able to accompany me today for she was far too busy tonight with her family once more. The tension building up from inside my body was becoming to be a bit unbearable for I was ready to ditch my attempt to asking Rena out about being my date for the fancy event tomorrow. I honestly never knew that asking someone out on such special event is much harder than I had expected. As I shuffled my feet left and right over each other, I stared down at on the white tiled floors. Reflections of the white lights above our heads were somewhat visible. Familiar and common sounds of multiple conversations crashing into each other to form one huge pile of noise flew up in the atmosphere of school ending. And since tomorrow is prom, it means the air was filled with more excitement than ever before.
Mayu, Mariko and Yuko all got together to get me a long, white dress that showed off a rare feminine side of mine. White heels that fit perfect with the dress, they were booking everything in the hair salon and make-up artist for tomorrow in order to make me look more than perfect. They wanted me to look astonishing. And not just for the sake of showing off my beauty but rather to stand almost at equal level with Rena’s. They wanted me to look good along with Rena. Last thing they want is for me to be looking like a hobo when Rena herself is dressed like royalty.
Left, right, left right. My feet were shifting yet I still haven’t seen Rena around. Looking down for a couple seconds, I lifted my head once more to be faced with the older girl.
“Jurina,” she said my name in the cutest way possible. There was this smile on her face that always makes my heart skip a beat.
“R-Rena! I see that you’re here!” I stuttered with my words.
Rena cocked her head to the left slightly when she noticed that I was standing alone by my locker for today. “Mayu isn’t with you today?”
“Yeah… She’s got some family business to attend to, so I’m hanging out here all alone.”
“Then maybe I can fill in that void for you then. Yuki herself is in a rush too to get back home.”
I shrugged my shoulders. “Maybe because of prom?”
“Maybe.”
We both exchanged glances at each other. Then before we knew it, we burst into a short-lived laughter.
“N-Neh, I have to ask you something, Rena-“
“Would you like to be my date for prom?”
“…N-N-N….N-NANI?!?!”
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[Phone Call]
“Oh… So Rena asked you to be her date instead of you for the prom tomorrow?”
“Yes! I-I honestly don’t know what to say! What could this mean?!”
“Slow down and calm yourself, Juju. It just means that Rena wants to be with you for prom. And given the circumstances you girls are in, it’s a great chance to be able to confess your feelings towards her.”
“R-Right…”
“Just take it easy and have fun tomorrow.”
“W-What about you? Didn’t you say you wanted to go to prom?”
“I actually… got extra tickets myself to go to prom.”
“Ah-So you’re going to prom with me then after all?!”
“Yep.”
“Yatta! Can I like give you a kiss or something?”
“No way. Save that for Rena, you kissing monster.”
“I only do that with my friends~”
“I think you do that mainly with me alone. You should stop that bad habit or you’re going to get someone jealous of you.”
“Rena technically isn’t my girlfriend yet.”
“Officially you both aren’t. But from a third-person’s perspective, you both are easily named the next couple that everyone will be gossiping about in school.”
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My parents were notified that it was Rena that will be picking me up with her own limo. A group of her friends will also be packed in the vehicle, so there will be some lively atmosphere within it. So all I can do right now is… wait patiently for my ride to come around the corner.
Sitting inside of my house with my straight, black hair all done (the ends of my hair wavy and tied into a bun), accessories of silver studs pierced into the bud of my ears and a white flower stuck within my bun, it was complete with my dress and heels. As fancy as it looks, it was comfortable and I was more than happy to be wearing something that isn’t going to make me want to take it off just for some pain relief.
“Our daughter looks so beautiful~”
“I couldn’t agree anymore, honey. We’re so proud of you, Jurina.”
My parents were smiling the widest smile they possibly ever had. Even the point that I could just imagine sparkles in their eyes and holy light radiating from behind their heads as if they were a Buddha. I couldn’t help but chuckle at their comments.
“You both make it sound like I’m getting married or something.”
“Haha! We’ll have to see about that!” My father laughed out loud with his rough, firm hand running through his short, black hair. Retracting it, it looked as though he wanted to reach out and ruffle me by the top of my head. But my mother saved me from having to say or do anything for her hand dashed out and blocked his hand from getting any closer to my hair. “Honey! Her hair has been done!”
“Oh right right~ Forgive me about that, Jurina,” he scratched the back of his neck with a shy smile as my mother scolded him about not understanding how important fashion is to a girl. But while they exchanging with each other, I heard a loud, high pitch honk of a car right outside of our home. My parents cease speaking anymore. Quickly my mom walked over to the front entrance door and opened it up with a pull. There from our sight was a fancy, long white limo on the side of the street closest to my house.
I used this chance to glance over at my parents.
“I’ll be home before midnight, mom and dad.”
“Alright then. You have fun then with your friends! Especially with Rena, your girlfriend!”
“M-MOM!!!”
My face probably was as red as a tomato now as my mom laughed with her heart’s content, who was joined by my dad. Mother shooed me out while motioning her hand out.
“Go go now!”
I grumbled a few incoherent words but I couldn’t stay mad at them. Rather I was smiling like a doofus with their words. Waving back at them, it only took me a minute or two to reach over the now-opened door of the vehicle.
“Looks like you and your parents have a good relationship,” Rena stated to me as she extended her hand out to help me get inside. When I took her hand, I noticed that it was a white gloved hand. And I know for sure that it wasn't a common white gloved design and layout that anyone in a dress would be wearing. Alarmed, I shifted my gaze over to her clothing and nearly dropped my jaw. The feminine Rena that I knew was now dressed in a black tuxedo with black bow on top of her white, buttoned shirt. Its collar was bent perfectly without a single hint of uneven folding nor debris on it. Black shoes accompanied by her suit with long black hair flowing down on her back; strays managing to sneak right over her shoulders. I nearly wasn’t aware that I halted moving in order to stare at Rena with surprise.
“H-Hai… Y-Y-You look… handsome…?”
“Haha, handsome is a term that would fit me as of right now, yes.” Rena broke out a huge grin from hearing my shy compliment. Not offended at all but rather rejoicing from hearing such words from me, she helped me take a seat right next to hers. The moment I got in, she safely closed the door with a slam that was barely heard.
While she returned back to my side, I stared at everything in the vehicle. The interior decorations and table that laid up between the two long rows of red velvet cushions of the seats extended till the front. On top of the table’s surface was littered with snacks and soft drinks that were covered in case it ever toppled over by accident. From what I’ve seen, many students both I know and don’t were residing inside of the vehicle. To my surprise, there was Kumi, Mayu, Mariko, Yuko and Minami that I know of in the same breathing space.
“Oh hey Jurina!” Kumi exclaimed with surprise as she waved at my direction. To my shock, she was wearing a tuxedo-like clothing like Rena; only with a blue both accompanying her white underclothing. Right next to her was a younger girl dressed in a pink dress. She was adorable and I wouldn’t be surprised if she wasn’t a senior or even a junior from her physical appearance. The older girl flashed a thumbs up towards me. “You look beautiful!”
A blush was felt creeping up on my face as murmurs of my other friends agreed to the statement. Right next to me Rena giggled and wrapped her right arm around my body, bringing it close to hers. “You truly are remarkably beautiful,” she whispered into my left ear, rubbing her gloved hand affectionately on my arm. “We’re going to have an amazing night.”
When I heard her comments about tonight, I giggled and felt like I was going to be up in heaven. Or maybe I’m already at heaven?
“Oi! Cut out the lovey dovey romantic scenario back there!” Yuko’s voice was heard from the front, shaking her right fist in the air within her white dress. Kojima Haruna was seen to be seating right next to her, classed out with a purple dress also. From the distant, I could see her bonk the top head of the squirrel with her fist. There was an ‘ITAI!’ heard from her direction followed by the sound of wincing. Amusing chuckles were heard from Kumi’s direction.
“She deserved it,” she mumbled with a smirk formed on her face. The younger girl seating right next to her was looking up at her with mouth opened barely apart. “Kumi…”
“Ah-Kanon-chan! Gomen gomen~ Kumi doesn’t really have a good sense of humor, does she?”
“More like being random is the right word,” Kanon showed her dimpled smile at Kumi’s direction. In the meantime, there was Takahashi Minami with the one and only ace of our school, Maeda Atsuko. The most popular yet biggest eater ever in our high school, it’s a wonder to how she isn’t… chubby? But whatever her secret may be, the two of them were silently side-by-side. Until Atsuko whispered something into Minami’s right ear that made the shorter girl burn red with even imaginary steam escaping the top of her head like a kettle. Her shoulders hunched up even higher within her tuxedo as the other girl in smooth, red dress leaned in closer to the girl.
My eyes trained over at my senior Mariko and it surprised me that she was the one dressed in a tuxedo along with another unknown female in my book. It only took her a few seconds to realize that I was staring at their direction with curiosity. Mariko waved her right hand in the air while flashing her teeth at me. “You haven’t met, Mii-chan here, have you?” I shook my head in response. Which then leads to the older girl motioning over to the other female dressed just as classy as she was in the black suit. “Minegishi Minami is my fellow side-kick here.”
“Yosh! Jurina-san, yoroshiku onegaishimasu!” the female also named Minami aside from Takahashi greeted. I in return gave her my polite greetings also in comparison to her cheery one.
“You look like you’re having fun, Juju.” That only voice and cold personality could only come from the one and only Watanabe Mayu. Snapping my gaze at the shorter girl, I nearly bulged my eyes when I saw the dress that she was in. Light blue that easily could calm one’s soul if they stared at it; easily memorized by the color itself. The same colored glove was accompanied with her clothing, making her entire outfit complete. And right next to her was Kashiwagi Yuki, who was dressed in the tuxedo in the same style and fashion just like Rena nearby.
When I saw the two girls together, something clicked into my mind. ‘Yuki + Mayu = Mayuki? Mayuki = Couple = Girlfriends!?’ I dropped my jaw and pointed dramatically my index finger at Mayu; pointing as though I was accusing her of a huge crime. “W-When did you and Yuki get together!?”
“Mmm… It’s recent,” Mayu muttered her answer as one hand rested under her chin, pondering over the time with Yuki. “Yuki actually confessed to me yesterday.”
“I guess that explains the sudden disappearance and rush of Yuki and Mayu,” Rena chuckled under her breath. The two girls shot a glare at her direction with such statement. And from their faces, we could easily see their pair of cheeks turning pink with embarrassment.
“I-I guess after we spent time with each other while you two Matsuis were off in your LaLa Land, we felt like we could secure our relationship into a much deeper level. Mayu actually wanted to confess to me, but... I beat her to it,” Yuki explained while slowly shifting her gaze over to Mayu’s. Mayu herself had done the same action as though the two girls had this entire act planned out from the very beginning. The two figures stared at each other for a brief moment before bursting into laughter; their noses rubbing against each other with affection.
I sighed out loud and leaned against Rena. The two of them really do look like they were meant for each other. I’ve never heard Mayu talk to me about Yuki and how she was doing, but I guess sometimes a female has to walk down the path on her own. While I watched them, I felt Rena whisper into my left ear once more.
“Jurina… I hope that tonight, I’ll be able to show you how much I love you.”
I was shocked. Simply and purely full of shock. My pair of eyes widen with the words that were taking its beautiful time soaking into my consciousness. The words that now sputtered out of my opened mouth were all a jumbled mess. “I-I-I’ll show you t-that I l-l-love you t-t-too!”
Instantly I was met with Rena’s laughter, completely erasing all existence of shyness that I had judged her from the very beginning. Then her left hand trailing over to my face, she cupped the bottom of my chin. Taking me by surprise, she twisted my face so I was facing hers. I was immediately met with a kiss from Rena. Our lips came together, but was short-lived to even know that it happened; a quick peck to be exact. We retracted from each other, staring at each other’s eyes deeply. Then without even thinking twice, I this time engaged the kiss by launching forward at hers; completely ignoring the other bystanders around us.
The kiss was much longer than the previous one and how deeply we pressed our sensitive part of our face against each other. My eyes were closed at this point and I could tell that Rena’s eyes were doing the same thing. Her left hand that cupped my chin now trailed to behind my head to keep it still as the right hand held my body close.
We separated in order to catch our breath and reopened our eyes. Our eyes were connected once more to each other. The bold actions that Rena first started off now made me go even bolder. Cuddling close to her, I saw the older girl pinch me lightly on the cheek. “I love you so much, Jurina. I’m glad that you came into my life.”
“I love you too, Rena,” I smiled with my heart pounding against my chest from joy.
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I don't know if I write fluffs well and when I write them, I don't know if it's good, so gomenasai if it's crappy! ;_;
Topic: LoyalFlutist's OS Haven - Trapped [Mayuki] (08/08/21) (Read 100476 times)